[Petra practically flew down the well-trodden dirt path to the waterfront, a simple dock built to mimic those of the Dagda for larger ships as most Brigid vessels didn't need anything quite so big. Word from a fisherman had reached her, a strange, unknown ship on the horizon.
She wasn't unarmed but her hope was that this was an ally. Of course, her heart beat faster in her chest when she thought that there was even the slimmest possibility that it was Claude but she steeled herself, expecting, perhaps, another of her ex-Black Eagle turned Golden Deer classmates. Ferdinand had said, after all, that he'd hoped to help her by strengthening diplomatic relations.
After an almost painful wait, the sails of the ship finally appeared as it neared and she squinted to try to make out what colors it was flying.
[The trip from Almyra to Brigid was a long one, longer than any voyage by boat Khalid has made in the past-- but it's one well worth taking, for a lot of reasons. Besides, he enjoys the travel; sure, he'd have preferred going on the back of his wyvern, but he could understand what people meant when they talked about the "call of the sea". There was definitely something unique about spending days out in the open water.
The ship is of a size and strength appropriate for the future king of a large and sprawling nation, well-armed enough to not be a tempting target for an enterprising pirate ship, but no war vessel either. It's laden with diplomatic gifts, for the royal family of Brigid, of course, but also for her citizens. Silks, spices, jewelry... popular trade items.
Khalid is proud to have gotten to this, his first diplomatic trip, reaching a hand out across Almyra's borders... of course he's excited about the promise of the future he always wanted to help create. But he'd be lying to himself if he tried to deny that he was at least as if not more excited to see the Brigid princess again. Was she already at the shoreline, waiting, watching his ship pull in? Constantly looking over the railing of the ship for a familiar silhouette in the distance felt a bit too juvenile, so he settled for trying to keep himself busy as they raised flags of peace and prepared to dock in the small harbor.
All too soon, they're there. Khalid isn't the very first one off the ship, but it's a close thing. His retinue is small in number, but they're with him because he can trust them to follow his orders, and they do so splendidly, shouting out greetings in Almyran and Brigid and generously distributing the gifts among the people. Lucky for him they've got that end of things covered, because all he can really focus on is where is she, did she see their ship coming in, so this is where she grew up, gods no wonder she's so incredible.
At his side, Nader gives a knowing chuckle, which Khalid swiftly ignores.]
[Waiting for the ship to be secured and the gangway to be lowered felt like it took entirely too long. Her heart never stopped hammering, excitement never waning, gaze raking across the faces milling around on the ship. She hadn't quite allowed herself to miss Claude, or at least hadn't let herself acknowledge it, until now, until it almost feels painful how much she wants to see him.]
Claude! [Claude's barely stepped off the gangway and he's practically tackled in an excited hug. She's practically out of breath with joy.] You! [She desperately searched for a way to express herself.] I am feeling great happiness! You are giving me happiness! The most happiness.
[She can't stop smiling or touching him, a hand on the side of his face, not wanting to let him slip away.] I can be showing you all of my home.
[Petra's own entourage looked amused and excited for her, whispering among themselves as they did their best to communicate through gestures with the visitors.]
Whoa! [Khalid nearly staggers off his feet as she tackles him, barely managing to steady himself and her. He laughs, though, returning the hug and savoring her warmth and closeness. There's a dusting of pink under her fingers as she cradles his cheek, his smile bright and true as he answers her in basic, accented Brigid.] I would love to see it. First, I have come to make lasting peace and cooperation between Almyra and Brigid.
[And... his listening comprehension of the language is still a work in progress, so he switches back to Fodlan.] I'm very happy to see you too, though. [It's been a while since he's heard anyone call him Claude (though not as long as he went without hearing his actual name), and he can feel the looks he's getting from some of his people at it. Again, ignoring.]
[Her eyes go wide in a mix of surprise and delight at hearing Claude speak her native tongue.] You-! How-?!
[She's so shocked that she ends up initially answering in Fodlan.] You learned the language of Brigid?! How? I'm so impressed!
[She honestly has a thousand and one questions for him but quickly reminds herself that she's supposed to be playing the role of Queen at the moment and reluctantly gives him a bit of space, bowing while still smiling brilliantly.]
The people of Brigid are eager to negotiate such an alliance. I am having hope that Almyra and Brigid can be working together for their mutual benefit and prosperity.
Come. I have great excitement to be showing you Brigid. [She pauses to give her own entourage a few instructions - help their guests and show them to their accommodations.] Your people will be taken care of. We will have to be making a feast in celebration. [She smiles, beaming at him.]
[Even if he hadn't wanted to learn for the satisfaction of doing so, as well as for diplomatic reasons, her reaction to him speaking her native tongue makes all the effort worth it. Khalid grins at her obvious shock and excitement, meeting her respectful bow with his own as they shift easily from old friends to fellow rulers.]
That's a hope we share. [He meets her stride, waiting as she gives orders to her people. Gods, she's still stunningly beautiful... and unmarried, if he's remembering his Brigid marital traditions right. Which he looked into for Reasons.
He already can't stop smiling, but the mention of a feast somehow makes it even brighter.] I'm as excited to see it as you are to show me. Do all unexpected guests receive such a warm and hospitable welcome or do I get to feel special? [He winks playfully, really starting to enjoy the feeling of solid ground under his feet after a while at sea.] I've been pretty busy, not going to lie... [For fuck's sake Khalid stop dancing around it and tell the woman already.] but things at home are finally settled enough that I can make diplomatic trips like this. I'm pretty sure the whole country won't burn down in my absence, anyway.
Unexpected? [She grins at him, her tone hiding a hint of teasing.] You were sailing a ship with great largeness and slowness. You were not unexpected, Claude. [Her smile turns a little smug. Nice try though, Claude.] Our fishermen spotted you days ago though I was not knowing it was you.
We are always having excitement for traders and the voyage to Brigid has longness, even from the Empire ports, so we are always trying to make them feel welcome and give them rest.
[She'd known, like most of the Golden Deer had known, that Claude had no intentions of lingering in Fodlan though it had never been clear where he'd planned to go.] You are making Almyra your home now? Are you liking it? [Again the smile she gives him starts to border on impish.] Maybe your trip is not only diplomatic? Maybe it is because you are missing Fodlan?
[She can't quite figure out if he's a noble, or maybe an advisor, a diplomat, or a mix of all three. The way he's talking, which was just as likely to be a half truth, certainly made it sound like he was more than just a diplomat.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Welcome to Brigid
She wasn't unarmed but her hope was that this was an ally. Of course, her heart beat faster in her chest when she thought that there was even the slimmest possibility that it was Claude but she steeled herself, expecting, perhaps, another of her ex-Black Eagle turned Golden Deer classmates. Ferdinand had said, after all, that he'd hoped to help her by strengthening diplomatic relations.
After an almost painful wait, the sails of the ship finally appeared as it neared and she squinted to try to make out what colors it was flying.
... Almyra? Was it even possible?]
no subject
The ship is of a size and strength appropriate for the future king of a large and sprawling nation, well-armed enough to not be a tempting target for an enterprising pirate ship, but no war vessel either. It's laden with diplomatic gifts, for the royal family of Brigid, of course, but also for her citizens. Silks, spices, jewelry... popular trade items.
Khalid is proud to have gotten to this, his first diplomatic trip, reaching a hand out across Almyra's borders... of course he's excited about the promise of the future he always wanted to help create. But he'd be lying to himself if he tried to deny that he was at least as if not more excited to see the Brigid princess again. Was she already at the shoreline, waiting, watching his ship pull in? Constantly looking over the railing of the ship for a familiar silhouette in the distance felt a bit too juvenile, so he settled for trying to keep himself busy as they raised flags of peace and prepared to dock in the small harbor.
All too soon, they're there. Khalid isn't the very first one off the ship, but it's a close thing. His retinue is small in number, but they're with him because he can trust them to follow his orders, and they do so splendidly, shouting out greetings in Almyran and Brigid and generously distributing the gifts among the people. Lucky for him they've got that end of things covered, because all he can really focus on is where is she, did she see their ship coming in, so this is where she grew up, gods no wonder she's so incredible.
At his side, Nader gives a knowing chuckle, which Khalid swiftly ignores.]
no subject
Claude! [Claude's barely stepped off the gangway and he's practically tackled in an excited hug. She's practically out of breath with joy.] You! [She desperately searched for a way to express herself.] I am feeling great happiness! You are giving me happiness! The most happiness.
[She can't stop smiling or touching him, a hand on the side of his face, not wanting to let him slip away.] I can be showing you all of my home.
[Petra's own entourage looked amused and excited for her, whispering among themselves as they did their best to communicate through gestures with the visitors.]
no subject
[And... his listening comprehension of the language is still a work in progress, so he switches back to Fodlan.] I'm very happy to see you too, though. [It's been a while since he's heard anyone call him Claude (though not as long as he went without hearing his actual name), and he can feel the looks he's getting from some of his people at it. Again, ignoring.]
no subject
[She's so shocked that she ends up initially answering in Fodlan.] You learned the language of Brigid?! How? I'm so impressed!
[She honestly has a thousand and one questions for him but quickly reminds herself that she's supposed to be playing the role of Queen at the moment and reluctantly gives him a bit of space, bowing while still smiling brilliantly.]
The people of Brigid are eager to negotiate such an alliance. I am having hope that Almyra and Brigid can be working together for their mutual benefit and prosperity.
Come. I have great excitement to be showing you Brigid. [She pauses to give her own entourage a few instructions - help their guests and show them to their accommodations.] Your people will be taken care of. We will have to be making a feast in celebration. [She smiles, beaming at him.]
How have you been? You are looking most well.
no subject
That's a hope we share. [He meets her stride, waiting as she gives orders to her people. Gods, she's still stunningly beautiful... and unmarried, if he's remembering his Brigid marital traditions right. Which he looked into for Reasons.
He already can't stop smiling, but the mention of a feast somehow makes it even brighter.] I'm as excited to see it as you are to show me. Do all unexpected guests receive such a warm and hospitable welcome or do I get to feel special? [He winks playfully, really starting to enjoy the feeling of solid ground under his feet after a while at sea.] I've been pretty busy, not going to lie... [For fuck's sake Khalid stop dancing around it and tell the woman already.] but things at home are finally settled enough that I can make diplomatic trips like this. I'm pretty sure the whole country won't burn down in my absence, anyway.
no subject
We are always having excitement for traders and the voyage to Brigid has longness, even from the Empire ports, so we are always trying to make them feel welcome and give them rest.
[She'd known, like most of the Golden Deer had known, that Claude had no intentions of lingering in Fodlan though it had never been clear where he'd planned to go.] You are making Almyra your home now? Are you liking it? [Again the smile she gives him starts to border on impish.] Maybe your trip is not only diplomatic? Maybe it is because you are missing Fodlan?
[She can't quite figure out if he's a noble, or maybe an advisor, a diplomat, or a mix of all three. The way he's talking, which was just as likely to be a half truth, certainly made it sound like he was more than just a diplomat.]