The adventures of Tintin, Malory and Snowy.

The Blue Lotus.

Mitsuhirato.

No One POV:

It was a peaceful day in the Maharajah's palace. Two swan chicks floated in the pond and started swimming faster and further than their parents, who were right behind them.

 The peace was soon torn by the sounds of laughter and giggles.

"Here Snowy! Come on, Snowy!" A young boy's calls of joy were heard before a fit of laughter as the white dog and him skipped on the rocks in the pond, scaring the swans in the process as they escaped Malory.

"Hey! Not fair you two!" She protested from her place on the bank but soon giggled, "Be careful not to slip!"

"Oops! Look out!" The Maharajah's son let out as he stopped right after she said that and tried to warn Snowy, who didn't notice he reached the end of the trail and ended up falling into the pond, making the kids laugh even harder as one of the swans swam away in pride and the prince helped Snowy out. 

To those laughs joined another amused laugh of the Maharajah himself, who, along with Tintin, was watching the three playing.

"See how happily they play together?" He asked Tintin as they watched Malory giving a short wave to Snowy and the prince before making her way towards the two, promising she'll be right back.

"I am. It's quite nice." Tintin replied before turning to look at the staircase, where Malory's form emerged slowly to their level as she climbed up them.

"I'm glad to see you find our games amusing." She said as she did, nodding at one of the servants who bowed to her, holding a tray with a glass of water for her, which she gratefully took.

"I must thank you again, Malory. My son is really enjoying your company. It's been a while since he had friends to play with, because of the danger we used to have on our heads." The Maharajah said as Malory she took a quick sip.

"I'm glad to be of service, Your Highness. Your son is brilliant." She replied, smiling.

"But he's right, Malory, I never knew you were so good with kids." Tintin commented as she finished her glass.

"Well, when you have a triplet siblings and a younger sister around, you learn a few things. Besides, I'm having so much fun! This vacation is amazing!" She said, spreading her arms dramatically.

"You're right, this is some vacation. Thanks for letting us stay here, Maharajah." Tintin said, turning to look back at the royal leader.

"The pleasure has been mine, Tintin." He waved it off.

"Your Highness." A servant behind us got our attention, "There is a stranger to see Tintin Sahib and Malory Memsahib. He says it is very important."

Malory POV:

We looked at the Maharajah in confusion but he just shrugged before looking back at the servant.

"Show him in." He asked.

"But no one knows we're here." Tintin said before the servant bowed, letting whoever it was in.

A Chinese man entered the room. He was wearing a complete brown suit and held his hat in his hands as he walked in calmly. We stared at him, not sure what to say.

"We'll talk later." The Maharajah said as he walked off, understanding that whatever the man wanted is private.

The Chinese man bowed to the Maharajah in respect and he bowed back before leaving the room.

"Mr. Tintin? Ms. Malory?" He asked to be sure as he bowed at us and we bowed back, signing that it indeed was us.

Suddenly, the man started looking around cautiously before proceeding to check the gardens from the balcony.