((Sorry about the long post, there was a lot to cover.))

Sumatra sighed, gathering the few possessions she was taking with her. Glancing at her dresser, she snatched up her green and red embroidered cloak. “I remember when me, Mononoke, and Alexia made this together.” She smiled, laughing at the memory of their little tickle fight. She checked her backpack once again sitting on her lush bed, “Sketchbook and pencil; check. Servant’s clothes; check. Candles and herbs; check. Extra food; check, I think that’s everything.”

“Going somewhere, Sister?” asked the handsome man standing in her doorway, leaning against the frame in his ceremonial armor. He put a hand up to adjust the crown sitting on his head, proclaiming him Prince.

“Go tell dad if you want, Jake, just promise me an hour’s head start.” Sumatra replied casually, trying to slow her beating heart by focusing on her backpack. Zipping it shut and slinging it over her shoulders with a careless nod towards her brother. She was finally able to look at him like a sister would, but the thought of never seeing him...No. Don't even consider it, you'll start blubbering like an idiot.

“Who said I was going to tell him?” Jake said, straightening his chest piece, fidgeting with his chain mail sleeves. “If you want to leave your country and your people right after the biggest ceremony of the year, I’m not stopping you.”

“It’s not that...It’s just...I don’t want to mar-“ she began, before he cut her off with a nonchalant wave.

“Like I just said, it’s no problem with me.” Jake brought Sumatra into a hug, “But I’m not covering if mom finds out you went to visit Mononoke.”

“But, how’d you know that’s where I was going?” Sumatra asked, but was startled by a loud squawk and angry flapping noises. Freeing herself from his embrace, she turned and saw a large Phoenix land on her bedside table, nearly knocking it over but hanging on by sheer force of will and deadly, sharp claws. “Oh, She sent me a note back.” Sumatra stepped hurriedly forward, reaching out for the small paper tucked inside it’s claw.

Jake laughed, “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see this, little Sumy. And you pretend I didn’t give you this.” He pulled his hand out from behind his back, a rare ‘Dragon Wood’ short bow held out for her.

“Dragon Wood,” she breathed out, in awe of the bow, “Nothing ever hurts this wood, besides the blood of devils that is.”

“Don’t mention it. Really. Don’t, I’d be in so much trouble for even thinking about touching this, let alone giving it to you.” Jake chuckled softly, waving her towards her window, “It would probably be good to use that way instead of the corridors.”

“Thank you.” Sumatra said softly, jumping from her window to the courtyard far below, wind softening her fall. She skirted around the main opening, beginning a full sprint as she caught sight of the forest. She kept running, enjoying the feel of her muscles pumping and her arms swinging like she’d never run before. She heard the sound of voices soon after, and trying to avoid them, she ran right into a tree. Right into a tree, right in front of Mononoke.

“That was really, really, really, stupid.” Sumatra groaned, rubbing her forehead. Getting up caused her a headache, but it wasn’t enough to keep her from hugging her old friend. “Sorry about the entrance, I missed you so much. Home life got boring, so I was on my way to join you at your place.” She had a foolish grin stuck to her face, hair floating behind her on a light breeze. It took her a while to notice the two men standing there with her friend, but she made up for it by holding her hand out to them and telling them “My names Sumatra, but you can call me Sumy, or Matra. What are your names?”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

((that is a long post))

skeith looked at the sky and said "please forgive me but i must be going." he bowed, sprouted his wings and flew off.

skeith flew off back home to the vampire civilization. "i need some blood. better head to the castle for a mid day meal." he flew towards his castle and landed in the courtyard.

skeith walked into his castle and walked to the kitchen to see the chef. "ah, master skeith. what can i get for you?" skeith smiled and said "i feel like a rare steak." the chef smiled and said "it'll be ready in a moment."

((What should I do and what did I miss))

(( i don't know- i'm lost, too))

((OK))

((yay being king))
skeith sat down and the chef brought his steak. skeith ate and then drank some blood wine with the chef. they would always have small talks about the little things in life, the people that worked in the castle for skeith were like his best friends. being a monster never helped socially apparently.

((Ok and hey when did you join this Jahero))

((Sorry about the wait :sweat:))

Sumatra blushed, thinking to herself, 'He's kinda cute, I wouldn't mind it if this was the person my parents wanted to marry me to.' In response to his question she bowed and said, "I'm Princess and High Priestess in training of the Air Kingdom. It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Jahero. Yes, my parents arranged for me to be married." She looked at them, with a curious expression, "I wish I had your enthusiasm, Mononoke. But, I don't even know the man they want me to marry, he could be some old guy with no teeth for all I know." Sumatra sighed, before shaking her head, "I'm so happy for you Mononoke, I heard your parents are letting you choose your future husband. So why don't you tell me about him?" she looked at Mononoke eagerly.
- - - - - - - - - -

Kagé stared at the message he had just received,

"Dear King Wanhope,

About the proposal you made, we would love to form an alliance with your kingdom, we believe it would benefit both of us.


He muttered under his breath, "Thank Goodness I just killed my weak father, an alliance with the upper kingdom's." he snorted, disgusted. Motioning to the Leader of the Guard, he spoke softly, "I want you to take half of my personal guards, the 50 experienced soldiers."

The man looked startled, "Sir, won't that leave you with only the amateurs guarding you?"

Kagé stared at him, "You are trying to capture at least one of the Royals, the most heavily guarded people in this world, and you want to take amateurs? I can handle myself in a fight, and no assassins are getting in here without me knowing. Leave, now."

"Yes, sir!" he replied, arm snapping up in salute before turning around to walk to the door. Only a faint clamor could be heard as he gathered the soldiers and started the long ascent to the Light Kingdom's.

((I think the dialog makes it look longer.))

"The same for me, how ever my mother did say something to a brother of mine about The air kingdom I do believe" Jahero thought about it a bit " I'm unsure. I hope you don't have to marry an older man. I was informed that we would only be marring princes or princess's but I guess that sometimes even a few men could be that old.." Jahero stopped talking. He wasn't making anything better for her. " It's nice to meet you Princess Sumatra, If you ever need anything please send for me and i'll help in anyway." Jahero smiled and bowed to the lady's "Be Careful next time you take a ride in the forest" getting back on Shadow Jahero pulled on the rains and Looked back one last time.

((sorry for being gone for a while))
after having his talk with the chef skeith walked out of the castle and said to himself "i'll think i'll go back to the forest to kill some more monsters. feel in the battaling mood." he let his wings out and flew towards the forest.

"That would be wonderful!" Sumatra said, smiling, "I'm sure he'll make it back to you all right." She looked at the tear on her friends face and pouted, "Don't cry, Everything will turn out all right in the end." Sumy smiled, but a horrible feeling was forming in her gut. She looked around the small clearing, eyes watching for any suspicious movement in the bushes. Her vigilance paid off, and she was rewarded a glimpse of black armor, leaning in towards Mononoke and whispering "I think something's wrong," She motioned to the woods, where only the glint of sun on metal showed the warriors.

((Time for plot change =3))

Sumatra smiled, taking Jahero's hand, "I'm not entirely sure they-" she was cut off by a cold voice echoing around the clearing.

"Come with us Royals, and our master will spare your lives." A tall man covered in black plate armor stepped from the shadow's of the trees. "If you refuse, prepare yourselves for a fight."

Sumatra stared at him, scared, "Who do you serve?" she asked nervously, squeezing Jahero's hand.

"His lord Kagé, master of the Shadow Realms." the man replied, drawing a sword from his waist, he crouched down and motioned to someone off in the woods. With a loud clanking, a group of soldiers stepped out and around the trapped nobles in a circle, leaving no choice but to surrender or fight.

(The point of this you might ask, someone is getting captured (even if it's me...))

"Kagé shall bring your disgusting Light Kingdoms to your knees, and this is how he will." The warrior replied, staring Jahero down.

Sumatra let Jahero pull her onto his horse, grabbing around his waist to be certain not to fall off. She looked at Mononoke and said "Get on your fire mare, when I distract them it will be the time to run." She winked and had a playful breeze tug at Mononoke's hair.

"Will you, or will you not cooperate with us." The captain of the guards snapped, showing his demonic eyes.