OOC: Skipping forward a bit just to move on and maybe get something started.

On it's precarious spit of stone, Seagate perched like something itself draconic, overlooking the rolling grey blue of the sea, where distantly, the sails of ships might be picked up, along with the breaching of sea-creatures, and along the rocks and sands of the coast, gatherings of seals, and probably selkies, a more broadly colored spectrum than might have been found on earth, these roil of teasing creatures basking around the toes of the stone pillar that supported the castle, came in a pseudo rainbow of oceanic grays, blacks, rusty-reds and browns, and sea birds ducked and swooped among them, adding their own smokey, earthy tones to the chaos, and wheeling like living pennants around the castle.
Pendryg watched them from an open balcony, clutching the stone railing edgily. He did not, in truth, enjoy heights. Not at all. In fact he was to some extent petrified of them, and particularly of falling, but he considered this daily exercise a test of will and strength.
If he could not, after all, master his own fears how could he ever hope to master a kingdom, especially one in which only an fraction of who's subjects were even truly human. It made for a much more complicated affair when you not only had to account for the whims of the human heart but for other creatures as well.
It had also been a long time since he'd had to take into account his own mortality as well, and he had no idea what would become of Seagate when he was gone. That particular worry concerned him slightly more than who would become the next Guardian of Water, since he didn't doubt the power would find itself a suitable subject. Finding an heir for the kingdom was another headache entirely, since it tended to come with the further headaches of people claiming right to the throne.
Should he simply abolish it on his deathbed? Or would that itself inspire even greater chaos...?
A faint cacophany in the background indicated the arrival of guests, Seifer returning with the lady Lea, which meant it was about time to concentrate on breakfast instead of paperwork, mortality, and heirs, which he didn't have.
What a lovely array of distractions...God in heaven he hoped he didn't look as morbid as he felt over the breakfast table.

The morning air had a crispness that seemed so very fresh and lively to the lady. A soft grin seemed permanently etched across her elegant, mysterious features. Opalescent eyes danced with casual mirth and light-hearted joy. It was something to the peace of being amongst the throngs of people and still smelling the breath of nature close at hand that enthralled her in ways she could not entirely describe. Sometimes it was just wonderful to be reminded of being alive...and all that could mean. Chance and opportunity.

The lady opened her eyes after having closed them to take in a deep breath and turned her pupiless gaze upon her ranger escort as they moved deeper within the castle itself. For one whom was obviously aged, Lea had the avid curiosity of a youngster with her attention drinking in and savoring every last drop of new sight or sound to be experienced. She was rapt with intrigue. The woman chuckled to herself as she stepped closer to Seifer, stirring the mists that swirled about her bare ankles. "Oh, but do I feel ever so much the honored lady this morn'," she murmured with a merry little laughter to her tone as her pale cheeks rosied.

"He was in a bit of a dour mood this morning, maybe you can roust him out of it." Seifer shrugged, on a much more casual relationship with the king, he felt it permissible to tease a bit. "I blame the Seals on the beach, they put up a hell of a ruckus all night, and he's too damn duty minded to slip out for a while and go find someplace inland to stay for a break. I suppose it's all for the best though. How did you find your night at the inn, by the way?" Seifer asked, as he escorted Lea through the halls. It was a strange affair, it resembled an old world English style castle, which should have made it narrow and dark, but it was something as though it had been built to a childs scale, which made the passages much larger.

Lea blinked and blushed at Seifer's comment, dipping into a slight bow. "M'lord is far too kind to suggest perhaps that I might bring good moods where I be," she returned with a warm, playing grin. The woman chuckled lightly as she lay one delicate hand atop her breast all the same with a short nod of her head. "Though I do promise I would try my best to do so. As I know I certainly have no wish to be cause for foul tempermant if I might help it. Especially to such wonderful and endearing hosts as I have been graced with." Her features danced with merriment and politeness.

The elven maiden blinked once more with a slight hint of curiosity--and shyness?--at the mention of the seals making a ruckus. Oh heavens me, I do hope....the woman's thoughts began but she did not even dare to finish them. No...if somehow she had been part of the night's disturbances she had to guess she would not be escorted so lightly at the ranger's side but demanded to attention if not outright attacked. LeaND swallowed and took a breath, offering a small, crooked grin. Instead allowing her thoughts to wander instead to the strange magical disturbance she'd discovered in the night. Had the king known of it too? It might've been something to mention...or perhaps to keep to oneself and one's curiosities for now considering the implecations of wandering outside of the inn in the wee hours of the waning night and waking morn'.

The lady blushed and chuckled as Seifer asked his question just as her thoughts were touseling about her own night. "Oh, I must say that it was very lovely and comfortable. When I took my rest I was hardly disturbed," she returned politely. "M'lord was quite correct in his assumptions that it would suit me well. I thank you." Her grin grew for the noble ranger as she smiled up at him, opalescent eyes twinkling.

The whole of the castle felt so roomy to her. Especially being as small as she was. And for that it felt all the more welcoming. Open while being structured. Something the silver maiden could truly appreciate. Again just one more thing that had her attention rapt and eager upon this Seagate.

"You're lucky." Seifer grined. "But Rune runs a good inn, for being a Selkie. It hadn't even remotely occurred to the ranger that part of the goings on might have been to do with her, and he wouldn't admit but for a change he'd had an almost unroustable night. Contrast to Pendryg, the noise from the beach had been a polite reminder that all was well, or the noise would have been a bit different. Whatever had been going on, it hadn't convinced the seals that there was a problem. "Are you alright?" He pressed, her look of somewhat jangled nerves and embarassment not going unnoticed.

"You're lucky." Seifer grined. "But Rune runs a good inn, for being a Selkie. It hadn't even remotely occurred to the ranger that part of the goings on might have been to do with her, and he wouldn't admit but for a change he'd had an almost unroustable night. Contrast to Pendryg, the noise from the beach had been a polite reminder that all was well, or the noise would have been a bit different. Whatever had been going on, it hadn't convinced the seals that there was a problem. "Are you alright?" He pressed, her look of somewhat jangled nerves and embarassment not going unnoticed.

"So I might agree considering how wonderful you and yours have treated me, my good man," Lea returned with a warm grin. The woman chuckled merrily and gave a light bob of her shoulders. "I found it most lovely, I assure." She did not truly know how being or not being a Selkie affected Rune's running of his inn and tavern. The lady had not stayed in many; certainly not in comparison to how many caverns in which she had instead rested and slept. The silver-haired elf offered a reassuring light to her smile.

Though it faltered with Seifer's inquiry. Delicate brows knit as she tilt her head. "Aye, I would say so. Why is it you ask?"

"You seemed rather unsettled a moment ago, and I wasn't sure why." Seifer admitted, exposing his observation. "I just wanted to make sure everything was alright." He shrugged again. "Call it my perogative to worry about people."

Lea blinked and pursed her lips into a small pouting frown. Alas! So he had caught on to her inner musings. The woman sighed to herself. At least the ranger did not know the full extent to her thoughts and worries. The maiden shook her head and tipped her lips back into a warmed grin as she pat his arm lightly.

"Ah, yes, well, I think what worries my mind might be something to present for topic before both you and your king. It is something perhaps more of a curiosity of my own than anything I think is cause for outright concern," she spoke playing instead upon the fact of the magical disturbance she had sensed. After all the silver maiden was intrigued by it though she did not think that they were in any danger. She believed if that were so that something would've shown itself by now. If nothing else than through intuition.

"Though I thank you deeply for your concern, m'lord Seifer."

Seifer might have disagreed, and wondered if the disturbances were a trace of something to come, but he was yet unaware of them, and did not, if he could avoid it, search widely with his powers. Like Pendrg and the water, there would have simply been too much information.
They emerged into a dining hall, but continued through toward a smaller room where Pendryg took most of his meals, rather than try and fill the great hall at odd hours.
Like some old painting, a few hounds lounged before the fireplace, toungues lolling, watching them pass through without particular concern, before they stepped through heavy wooden doors to the smaller room, where a table laid out with an wide assortment of food waited, with Pendryg standing near a narrow window, eying the waves outside.
"Goodmorning Lady, Seifer." he greeted both in turn before finally looking around. "I hope you had a pleasant evening?"

Lea actually grinned at the lounging hounds without any concern or fear at all at the sight of the large dogs. The woman bowed her head to the beasts with a pleasant expression upon her pretty features. Her opalescent gaze continued to wander as Seifer led on. The silver maiden drew in a breath as they moved right past the grand hall as if realizing she was to see the king in a more private setting. Lea blinked at the honor she was afforded. Never before would she have expected or even hoped to dream at such a thing. A soft blush pinked her pale cheeks and she found herself raising her free hand to lightly touch the arm of the ranger as if something of a child seeking a solid touch of reassurance though it seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Endearing your bashfulness for so grown a woman The voice spoke into her head, chuckling lightly. Lea tried to fight off blushing further as she licked at her lips, briefly nipping her bottom one.

She was distracted before she could form any mental rebuke to the friendly teasing--and well enough as the speaker already understood intimately her feelings on the matter in any case--as they passed through the grand doors. Instantly Lea's silver brows lifted and the woman tilt back her head as she drew in a deep breath, sighing with absolute joy. Her stomach grumbled and begged at the smells! So much food! The woman's gaze sparkled as she found her gaze scouring over the table with avid intrigue. It was only when the king spoke that she blinked and blushed, realizing how rude she'd been.

Lea bowed her head, dipping into a curtsy as she smiled warmly at the man, watching over him and his stance as she tilt her head wondering just what had the nobleman's attention so. A soft grin twitched at her pretty lips as she tried not to let her stomach snarl louder than her quiet voice. "Oh, I would say I did. And I do pray that m'lord King did as well?"

"Oh, Well enough all things considered." he lied slightly, with a slight twist of the mouth into a slightly tired smile. "Help yourself, I was waiting for you." On that at least he wasn't lying, and gesured for them both to pull up a seat as he did the same.
Seifer smiled at Leah's shyness, patting her hand and then pulling out a sturdy wooden chair from the table for her to sit in, though he raised an eyebrow at Pendryg in mute challenge to the polite lie about how he'd slept.
"I've been told you spent some hours burning both ends of the candle last night."

Lea helplessly arched one brow at the commentary of all things considered. "I hope I was not somehow an aid in cause for concern that would create such words to be needed mentioning all things to be considered," the woman drawled with a meek grin. The woman did not miss his tired expression and it turned her thoughts instead to the disturbance she'd caught in the night. And once more a twinge of fear at her own form having been spotted. But no, LeaND calmed herself. If they knew the truth of her, they would be treating her differently. She did not doubt. For better or for worse.

The silver lady swept into a great curtsied bow as she thanked Pendryg. "I must say it is most pleasant and flattering to hear such as I never have before," she giggled. Lea was not used to being invited to such things let alone waited upon. The woman strolled forward the mists about her feet swirling as if roused by her movement from a standstill once more. She blushed openly, a soft little rose tinting her pale, highboned cheeks, as Seifer pulled out the chair for her. Lea set one delicate hand atop her breast as she bowed her head to him, whispering her thanks and that he was too kind. "Whatever am I going to do but feel so charmed as a lady by your kindnesses my lords," she murmured.

Lea settled her petite weight upon the sturdy chair and her eyes glittered as they scanned over the banquet that much closer. She took a deep breath sighing in childish pleasure at the array of scents as she tried to fight from becoming to overzealous or letting her stomach growl too madly. Instead her motherly pout returned at the ranger's words as she looked to the king. Had he indeed been up so long? And if so...what did Pendryg know of the magical flux?

"Was there something indeed that troubled you dear king?" she asked before blushing and putting her hands in her lap as she looked down, realizing her likely rudeness. "That is if it is my place to even ask of such out of curiosity."

"As the expression goes, heavy is the head on which the crown rests, and being the only person who makes any claim to such a title, it weighs even heavier." He admitted. "The complications, lady, are not with you, but with the task itself."
He did look tired, but he was doing his damnedest to hide it, and to fill the void with food as he and Seifer settled at the table with a casual informality of long acquaintance.
Curiously, the blue of his mismatched eye seems...not quite the same as last night. It still, point of fact, matches the ocean outside.

((Sorry so short))

"Mmm....and yet, I do not believe the king seems so heavy a head as to be thick skulled which is a pleasant thing and one that warms a heart to know he is balanced with understanding his weight and not letting it topple him or cloud him," the lady returned with a polite smile. She began to select varying samples from the food set out seeming to pile a great banquet before herself. So tiny and petite there was no way the little elf could actually eat it all! And yet, the silver maiden ate quietly for some time without sign of slowing. Lady Lea devoured nearly two whole platefuls with deceptive daintiness before at last she looked over to the king once more to offer her thanks for the food. She was gathering yet more when she took a breath. "I must confess there was something of the night that passed that gave me curious puzzlement," she mentioned. The woman let it hang in the air for a dramatic moment as she swallowed a healthy drink and nibbled at a tidbit or two. "I sensed....a disturbance within the magical auras of this place," Lea spoke slowly as if choosing her words through great care.

This brought the attention of both men back away from their plates, though Seifer added a mute gesture that she help herself to more food, if she liked, as he chewed and swallowed the bite he was working on.
Pendryg shook his head, though straightened and too interest. "No, lady, I didn't, but my ties to magic aren't as strong as some. He looked dour as he continued, though it seemed to be as much about the subject as anything. "I know a sorcerer that might. Paras Lennox..."
"If he doesn't just take and have his house walk away...again." Seifer added, with a cough and a chortle, interrupting to explain. "I did think I noticed something large, but again, neither of us are...well...spell casters, really. Paras is well versed in it. He might have noticed. Hell if he and Mlord could have a civil conversation, he might be here now to grouse about it.
"Paras never has a civil conversation with anyone, if he can help it." Robert pointed out, irritably. "He's...an earth caster. He makes that very open to anyone to know, and he's very powerful, there are...only a few around the world with that level of elemental gift." He explained. "But no one exactly goes asking him for favors because...quite frankly, you're not going to get them."

"Well Vedic perhaps."

"...pairofdamnedsodomites..." Pendryg growled, not quite managing to keep some extraordinarily old fashioned views to himself.

Lea blinked as she gathered the attention of both men. Though she did not shy from it. The woman caught Seifer's subtle gesture and blushed slightly at the man as sh offered him a meek hint of a grin. She took a bit more onto her plate though she ate far slower as her attention drifted instead to her company.

The silver maiden's opalescent eyes passed back and forth from speaker to speaker as they conversed. Once again their casual nature towards one another did not go unnoticed. She wasn't certain of the names being exchanged and offered out though she presumed she understood that there was a sorcerer specializing in earthen magics that Pendryg did not entirely see eye-to-eye with. She furrowed her elegant brow at the king's muttering, not quite catching the term. Yet she shook her head to dispel her innocence and instead focus back to the matter at hand.

"Well, I might admit that indeed I am highly versed...and connected as such...to the magical arts," the Lady Lea whispered. She didn't think it was something she could hide. She wore no open weapon and walked inches about the ground floating naturally with ever-playing mists coiling about her ankles. "I did not perceive anything lasting in effects but I distinctly felt a disturbance during the night, past it's halfmast." Lea wasn't certain just how much she should admit. About being out of her inn room and she knew she could not speak of just what she had been doing whilst out and about....she wanted their trust. "I did not and do not feel anything since then. I am new to these lands and wondered if perhaps it was something I was not aware or introduced just yet to or of. And in my innocence felt it better to bring up such a matter to the good king instead of keeping it to myself. Better to have him laugh at my ignorance than suffer painfully for it."

"Why so quiet, Lady Lea?" Pendryg questioned, trying to smooth his ruffled feathers on the subject of this particular mage that irked him so. " He was definitely curious, and interested, but whatever it was about Paras that put him in such an irritable mood, it wasn't his use of magic. He had been surrounded it by it for far too long, and had it too much a part of his own existence. "Do you have any idea what effect this magic might have had? If it might have been a threat?" He pressed, trying to figure out the urgency at which he needed to investigate this curious activity.
"Maybe you can show me where later, I'd certainly like to investigate, though I doubt I'll find much if you didn't. Perhaps tracks, if something alive came through."

The lady flushed with a soft blush as she swallowed. Oh dear! Had she been rude? She'd been trying to be polite...after all she did not wish to interrupt and was hardly accustomed to such formal--let alone informally formal!--situations! Nibbling on her bottom lip, she gave a quiet, giddy giggle.

"Do forgive, gentle king. I merely find myself meek in varying reasons. I, for one, have no wish to be rude. I did not want to interrupt yourself or the good ranger. I am a guest. I did not think it is my place to out-speak my hosts," she murmured. "I wanted to be polite. And, too, you must understand that I am not often invited to such an honored happening as this you present me with! I pray you can forgive me my shyness."

Lea offered a small grin that had her opalescent eyes sparkling through differing beautiful colors. She nibbled more at the third plateful of food she'd gathered before perking as the questions turned towards her profession in the Art. At least it seemed that Pendryg was accepting of her use of magics instead of suspicious by them. And he did not seem to take the fact that any further knowledge would hint that she was wandering out and about during the night as a threat. The silver maiden was grateful for that though she wasn't sure if she should point out that fact.

She shook her head and licked at her lips before straightening. "I could attempt further study to see what lingering effects might still be dancing about in hopes of unraveling truths to just what it was I felt. I did not perceive an open threat. And must presume with how much time has passed that if one was to come it may have already. But that is why I wanted to speak with you and yours," LeaND admit with a nodded gesture to Seifer and Pendryg both. "I felt it best the king know just in case." She offered that shy grin once more though a glimmer of intrigue sparked in her eyes at his suggestion. "If the good king would wish it then I would be glad to oblige. Especially if indeed it proves to be something of import. I would offer my services best that I may." She bowed her head.

"I greatly appreciate, Lady, that having a meal with any man or woman with a lofty title is not an affair that usually goes hand in hand with a relaxed atmosphere, but if it helps to remind you, I was not, in any stretch, born a king." Pendryg reminded, reaching for some more food himself. "At the end of the day, I will have been born a man, and I will, at some point, die as one, barring some unforeseen circumstance. I am however, glad to know of it." he paused to spread thick fruit jam on a piece of toast, brandishing it slightly for emphasis. "It might be nothing, or it could be a great deal of trouble, and I'd rather know which."

"It hasn't happened since, but when Robert first was put on the throne, at least two groups decided that rather than see what he'd do, they'd see how far they could make him bend before he broke." Seifer explained, glancing at Lea with a investegative look, to see how she would react.
"A group of dwarves put him to getting rid of a red-dragon that was eating quite a lot of people, although I can't say I would have really tried to ask her to please desist first..." He shot Pendryg a teasing look, earning a dour look from the king.

"They're massive, they're dangerous, but they're not stupid. What if she'd said yes?"
"What if she'd just tried to swallow you whole, armor and all?"
"Never mind, and stop telling stories, you make the whole thing sound overblown."
"Sorry, I'll be sure to down play it next time you tangle with something the size of a large building...."
"Do." Pendryg growled, taking an bite of toast aggressively.
"Well maybe if you're really nice he'll show you his scars later." Seifer teased, nudging Lea with her elbow, which made Pendryg nearly cough on his toast.
"You damn imp! Try staying on task." He protested.
"I am. I'm just trying to be in a good mood, you old gargoyle." Seifer grinned.

Lea chuckled and blushed with an endearing smile for the king's gentle encouragement. "If you would allow me, I am not accustomed to knowing any air in sharing such company. I have not truly been invited to much in my long years. I am flattered and honored for your acceptance of myself. And of my bashful nature." The woman giggled giddily and gave a bowed nod of her head. "And I thank you for your patience. Though, if I may, Good Pendryg, it is a man whom is not born a king but born a true man that makes the better king in the end. It is not a measure of one's truth in the lineage he was sired from, but of the truth of his person. Any could be born a king but not rule justly. Any male is not a man. To be a man, and a king, is a great thing. And as such I believe you do not flatter yourself well enough. You are a brighter star than you make yourself out to be. Already, I can see this."

Her grin grew warm and pleasant once more. The woman licked at her fingertips, savoring the lingering taste of sweet sugars from their delicate tips. She allowed the subject to turn then back to the matter at hand and nodded her understanding--and agreement. After she took a sip from her drink and patted her fingers as if to clean them, the silver maiden nodded. "Seeing as my schedule for upcoming days would highly revolve around your requests and allowances, then I might then only ask when it is you would wish to venture out if you would have me accompany you and yours," the woman offered.

She blinked as the ranger spoke up, glancing sidelong at the man. Lady Lea slowed to nearly a halt in her eating as she instead focused on his words. Feathery brows pinched over her opal eyes. "Why so ever..." she whispered but her words trailed off. As the aged woman knew well why some might challenge a new king. From politics to openly opposing views on good and evil, to glory and greed. Her expression saddened as she shook her head, pretty little lips turning down into a dour frown. Clearly she was not happy to hear the gentle king had been tried so. "It is well to know, or presume I should amend, that you suffered the ill-warranted trials as you have," she offered, still pouting. Though the woman's eyes blinked and her expression changed outright as Seifer began to explain.

Her angular beauty turned hard as LeaND's jaw set and her fingers froze stiffened. A flash of....was it honest hatred? clearly sharp distaste and disgust beyond doubt!...glared at the edges of her eyes. "Reds are evil, greedy and beyond the concerns of whom they might torment in their voracious nature. In point of fact they find a kill or trophy further one by torment all the greater a prize in the end," the silver maiden spat. "They are best to be left silenced and smote from the world. Do not bother to negotiate with something that has no love for anything but itself."

The harshness to her tone was so sudden and fierce that it seemed the dainty little maiden had switched into a sudden coiled spitfire. She remained poised and gentle, so decievingly petite, but the fire in anger towards the mention of a red dragon was so bluntly obvious a blind, deaf, mute might've picked up on it.

Lea blinked as if realizing how her mood had turned and moved to bow her head in asking forgiveness only to have her pupiless eyes gape wide at Seifer's teasing. The woman's face paled only to flush a deep rose in color, hot to the touch. Her eartips alone were a beautiful and lovely shade of crimson.

The lady rocked slightly with the ranger's nudge, blushing so fierce and sputtering a startled stuttering. She swallowed roughly, trying to ignore the wild playful laughter she heard in her mind's ear in the melodic voice only she could hear. "I....oh dear me...." was all she could offer.

"The one in question is dead, though I would prefer not to ever face one head on again." Pendryg admitted, thinking of the batter. It had been short, in truth, but at the time it had seemed like an eternity. He still kept the armor as a reminder of how lucky he'd been, since while it had been charmed against fire, she'd ripped through the plates easily with her claws. He had the scars to match, and the burns, from having the padding of the armor subsequently set on fire. The broken ribs and bruising hadn't left such marks, but they'd made an impressive imprint in his memory, as had the smell of dragons blood.
"She was a mother with a clutch, I doubt she saw me as much more than a rooster asking the fox to please leave the hutch be." He explained, shrugging slightly, though his eyebrows raised at the unexpected outburst. "And I am no master on dragons. I've only got my guess from how she behaved, but it sounds like you might know more. Although in truth the only dragons I've heard of for some time are 'seed' dragons. Seifer was explaining that Paras seemed to have an small infestation of them. Considerably smaller than what I encountered." He gestured with his hand to indicate the size of the tiny things.
"Please pardon Seifer, he thinks he's damned funny."
"I think you could use a bit of fun is all, well, both of you. Whatever your acquaintance the sorcerer used to do, he's an Guardian, which means somewhere out there, someone trusted him to take that power. If he fails, we'll cross that bridge." Seifer noted, growing serious again. "Most of your time will be in your own control lady, though I will value any help you can give us. You seem to be... a very unique woman."

Lea sighed and composed herself, trying to act as if her outburst and then sudden reversal into a mad blush was nothing. The woman swallowed roughly, nibbling at her lower lip as she fanned her fingers over the long folds of her overly-voluminous cloak. Her gaze flickered back over to the gentle king--and tried not to imagine or muse on the mentioned "scars"--with a far calmer expression. "Aye, well, the world is likely all the better for it," she grumbled with a pert frown. Silver locks danced as the woman shook her head with a snort. The mention of a mother and a clutch brought a subtle wince to her. "It is not as if they, the Reds, have any care for concern over mothers and their clutches," LeaND whispered. There was a tone to her voice that suggested at something far deeper than she was offering on the surface.

The elven maiden took a deep breath and looked over to Pendryg. A wry grin touched her pretty little lips. It was an easy guess. Not only by her reaction, but the jewelry the wizardess wore could have hinted even beforehand. After all her circlet depicted the serpentine coil of two dragons twisted around to spread into wings and touching heads; where their reaching claws came together draped a crescent moon over which dangled a single elven rose. The brooch clasping her violet shroud again held two dragons coiled to wrap about a large pearl sphere. "Mm, you may claim me as such," the lady offered cryptically. After all, Lelandarnofeliascion did know a thing or two about dragons.

Her lips twitched as if to speak more only to have her blink and press them together as her expression turned to one of ample curiosity. "Seed dragons?" she parroted. Silver brows knit. For being a hinted 'dragon expert', the woman was suddenly at a loss. She had never heard of such a species. A shiver coursed through her like a distant tingle and she raised one delicate-digited hand to play her fingertips over her brooch. "I have ne'er heard of such....how interesting...."

Was that somehow important to the reasons she was now here? Was that why Bahamut had directed her across the planes? To this king, whom had suffered so ill an encounter with a Red--of all! A Red! And how intimate was Lady LeaND with such Chromatic Dragons!--and been scarred from his interactions but triumphed? To one that would mention some dragons she never even knew of? Perhaps...but if so why?

Long lashes fluttered as Lea stirred herself from her thoughts, focusing back on the present. She twitched a meek grin and shrugged. "Humorous he may be, but you will forgive a lady for her outright bashfulness of being offered to witness so private an intimate thing with another...let alone a king, and one just met...and by another male she just met and is mediating between king and lady!" she teased back, snorting a little chortle. Her brows quirked at the title of 'Guardian', curious again. But Lea kept her tongue in check instead nodding to Seifer as he turned serious once more.

"It would be more than my pleasure to offer whatever it is I may," she returned in a sober tone, spreading her hands wide, palms up. A soft blush--far sweeter and less enraged than the one elicted by the notion of stripping clothes off a king to spy his battles' reminders--flushed her cheeks. "Again, you may say that I am," she drawled in a cryptic--but somewhat inviting?--tone.

"Seed dragons." Siefer reinforced, nodding. "They're some kind of...plant I think, really. But a little sentient. Very small...and the snapdragons... well... snap. Besides I'd hardly say I was mediating, more like prodding you both until you both decide to relax or start throwing things."
"You might get your wish on that, Seifer. I'm not of a mind to be paraded in front of the lady like a bull at market." Pendryg growled. "Please forgive us Lady Lea. We're accustomed to bantering a bit. It lightens everyone's mood. Although I do agree. I think you're more than you seem. And you're already an enigma."
The amount she had consumed hadn't gone unnoticed, any more than the unusual color of her hair and eyes, the mist, or anything else. He paused, looking at her seriously, but not with accusation. "I have to ask, since I have a very strong impression you aren't, and possibly never were a human in more than shape. Lady, what are you? Not fay...I don't get that impression at all."

"I have honestly never heard of such things," the maiden admit. Though it was obvious she was intrigued. "A plant with sentience, aye...but never one with a dragon in its title let alone anything like you describe. Fascinating..." Lea offered a pursed lip smile on a helpless expression. She nodded towards Pendryg for his commentary and shrugged, spreading her hands in placating acceptance.

"I am not one to throw things easily. And I am honored for your casual air...but I just do not wish to come off as rude. I may find you both endearing men but I have just met you and can only blush at the notion of anyone paraded as an offer. Men are not bulls. You are a king and gentleman, and a ranger and gentleman. No need to lower yourselves."

Her casual smile faltered as the attention turned back on her. Inwardly her muscles tensed, stomach twisting on itself. A chill coursed her spine as she fought off allowing her tautness to be spied. Lea swallowed, glancing between the men as she squared her shoulders.

Be at ease, my dear! Else you already will have given off more than you wish! Do not fear....trust Dolen's voice murmured into her thoughts, encouraging. A stable when she nearly wobbled. A soft blush tinged her cheeks as Lady Lea nodded. "Well, I do hope I can thank you for your words," she whispered meekly. "Indeed...I am not human." She lift her fingers to settled her silver locks behind the long taper of her elegant ears. "And, you are correct, I am no fey. Though I've a connection to the earth and a love for it I am no magical being born from its elements." She took a deep breath. Heavens! What could she tell them!? Hardly the open truth....they'd already expressed a dislike for her ilk...well some of her ilk...as of course Lelandarnofeliascion would never compare herself to a Red. "The depths of all that I am might take much to understand and trust. Though I can say that I have the Patron Father of All Things Elven's affection as well as The Great Platinum. I am gentle in heart and mean no harm. I have been nothing more than a mysterious hermit for more centuries than I can count upon my fingers, studying to become a master archmagess. I've some talent at divine incanting as well. I am more than what you see before you, but I beg the good king to understand my hesitance in explaining every of my secrets." True worry showed on her face as her eyes plead for his acceptance.