#)) eeeeee I'm so happy!! actual hangout time!!

[empress-mizuki]

The moon smiles upon us, my friend. It is good to see you in good health and spirits.

[The Empress smiled in relief and joy at the sight of her friend, gladly accepting his welcoming kiss. Shifting the bottle of aged sake she had brought to her other side, she took the offered arm and followed the King.]

Swifter than you might expect, I do not travel at the speed of the river. I am certain I shall enjoy what you have prepared, I am not picky.

I see your informal attire flatters you as well as your armor, dear King. Your taste is impeccable.

[She had not worn the same thing as the previous visit. This time her battle skinsuit had been brought down to bare minimum, her hardened chestplate left at home, though her crown was still in her hair. The gown she wore over what was left draped her thin frame like a waterfall, an opaque base of sapphire blue with watery sheers pleated over it, so that every movement produced the effect of water disturbed by a stone. Her sleeves swept the deck along with the hem. She rarely had occasion for this dress.]

[For the second time, the waters at the back of the Marigold part to allow the Empress to step foot on the lower deck. There is a slight hesitance in her step, the memory of the Prince nagging at the back of her mind, but she refused to be swayed by it.

This time she would see her friend.]

@empress-mizuki

[King Midas had just finished preparing dinner for himself and Empress Mizuki. While he made an extra couple servings for the young Valeria on board, and Brutus for bringing it to her (and in gratitude for keeping an eye on things), the table on the upper deck was set for just the two of them. This dinner was overdue, and he was looking forward to a quiet evening with a peer. A friend.]

[Thankfully, the King had done an amount of preparation the day before, but he'd still had to hurry through some of the final steps with the latest surprise guest on board occupying the earlier part of the day. Luckily, everything had been finished on time, and he'd just been carrying up a bottle of wine from his vault when he saw the waters part to bring Mizuki on deck. If he noticed the hesitation in her steps, he did not show it. Midas could not blame anyone for such a thing with the curses that seemed magnetized to his party lately.]

[He smiled as he stepped over to her, hand extended to kiss her knuckle in greeting like he had in parting the last time they spoke,]

Good evening and welcome aboard, Empress. It is truly great to see you, my friend.

[Though his crown sat ever-present atop his head, Midas had dressed slightly more comfortable than usual for this dinner. Far from casual by any standards in one of his suits, but other than the gilded laurel, the gauntlet and the permanent metal on his hand, he forwent any of his armor in hopes that the two of them really could relax this evening.]

I have space set up for us on the upper deck, if you'll come with me.

[With the bottle of wine in his left, he held out his right arm to guide her to the stairs around the side of the yacht]

I hope your journey here was as quick as the waters normally travel between you and I. As well, I hope you are hungry. I've made three courses for our dinner, all of which I hope are to your tastes. If not, don't hold back for my sake.