Elvish Princess

"Well let's face it that movie was pretty much just scenery porn." Not that Leda objected to scenery porn. "But the fight scenes were rather impressive." As it was based on one of her favorite books she could probably go on, but didn't want to bore Momo.

"Well I don't mean to alarm you," she smiled. "But there's a dragon in this room." There would have been two, but Ember was helping get the orphanage ready for tomorrow.

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Jaime's eyes swept the room. "Ah," he said, smiling slightly. "That explains it."

He shook his head. "It can be hard keeping track of what all the various things are that set people apart in here. Everyone's just so different." And the Scarab was having trouble categorizing most of them.

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Depending on how familiar the Scarab was with Human mythology, that was hardly surprising.

"I'll be honest with you, I sometimes have trouble keeping all the races straight in my head. The lady from El Dorado for instance, I can't remember the name of her race, and until I saw her feet, I thought they were just like Elves. Sometimes the differences are subtle you wouldn't know till you were up close, some are obvious.

"And then there's the Dragons who typically take humanoid form when dealing with us." She pointed out the Matriarch of the Dragons, who at the moment was a regal, statuesque red haired woman.

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"It's a lot to keep straight," Jaime agreed. "And I bet most people aren't very thrilled if you get it wrong, huh?"

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"Some are more easy-going than others. I think sometimes it depends on how often the mixups happen. I know Dryads and Nymphs hate getting mistaken for one another. And I have to admit I get a little irritated at how often humans have gotten Elves, Pixies and Gnomes mixed up."

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"Nobody likes it when people don't recognize them, I guess."

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"Unless that's what they're going for. I hear Leprechauns deliberately present themselves as other races."

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"Yeah?" Jaime shrugged. "I guess it takes all kinds."

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"Might have something to do with the whole pot of gold thing." Leda shrugged as well. "But if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask."

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"Will do." Jaime smiled. "And thanks."

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heromaniac

"There were fight scenes?" Momoko was confused. "I don't remember any fight scenes?"

~~Possibly because they had happened while she'd been asleep.~~

"Ah! I warned Jaime there would be dragons and other shapeshifters. I can't wait to see his face..." She tiptoed a little to look about the room. "How is the Matriarch? Ember's mother? Is she here? I should probably greet her next..."

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"Oh yeah she's here. Ember's helping set up for the party back home tomorrow, so if you make it to that one you can see her there." She pointed out the Matriarch where she was chatting with the the Dwarf Thane.

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heromaniac

Momoko finally caught sight of her and tugged at Jaime's arm. "I see her now."

She glanced up at Leda, not quite sure. "She is the next one I should greet, right? Next highest in rank?" She was getting her Protocol down! "Oh! Or is your grandmother here?"

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"Grandmother's also back home. She claims she doesn't have the energy for dealing with a bunch of Nobles and foreign dignitaries. Dealing with kids is much more relaxing. As for rank, as hostess I guess I'm highest, but there's several rulers here so it's up to you. The Matriarch, then there's Lord Dagos, " she pointed them out in turn. "The Thane of the Dwarves, Marx of the Eshu, he's awesome by the way, the...shit I forgot her title but the, uh, mayor, of El Dorado..." she searched the room to make sure that was all.

"I think everyone else are Ambassadors, so 'just' Lords and Ladies." It was a lot to keep track of.

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heromaniac

"Then the Matriarch and the Thane, first," Momoko smiled as she leaned forward to break Propriety and give Leda a light hug. Let everyone stare, this was her friend. "And then this legendary hero will just wing it. Are my ears still okay?"

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Ah 'twas okay. Queen Leda has a reputation for being a bit eccentric anyway, and it was well known that they were close friends.

"They're good." she assured Momoko. The glamour gave them a distinct point, but they were by no means as long and pronounced as an Elf's. Leda was pretty sure the eyes would have done it anyway, but just to be on the safe side...

"I don't think you need an introduction to the Matriarch, but for the Thane it might be best if I introduce you." Leda was getting better at the whole protocol thing apparently.

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heromaniac

And if anyone noticed the glamour, Momoko would totally admit she was armed; she was the eldest of a 'warrior clan' after all.

(Her dad would probably be proud she was finally claiming their samurai heritage... though not so much the why she was doing it.)

"My regrets, my lord." She turned to Jaime: "Off to pay my respects as a diplomat; come save me from the politics when the dancing starts?" Momoko gave him a reassuring smile in answer to his slightly off chuckle and eyeroll, then bowed her head briefly in his direction... to hide the kiss she blew him... before stepping to Leda's side.

"Your Majesty," Momoko gathered her skirts, and in her most haughty voice... "Let's go schmooze!"

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The Matriarch (Leda never had learned her name, everyone just called her Matriarch or Mother) smiled when she saw Leda and Momoko approach.

"Well hello Little One." she said. She called most people that. "How long has it been?" She was genuinely asking. Dragons perceive time differently, but she was able to do the math so to speak. For her it seemed like literally yesterday that she had last seen this friend of the Elf Queen. But she knew it was different for other races.

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heromaniac

"Hello again, Matriarch. I am honoured that you remember me!" Momoko's smile was warm; she'd liked the Matriarch when they'd met previously, despite the circumstances. "For my people, Madam, sadly, it was a little over a year ago."

She hesitated a moment, then added, "Although for her majesty, Queen Karla, from whom I bring regrets at her necessary absence, it has been an additional year."

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That was news to Leda actually, that it had been longer for Karla than the others. Though she supposed in the scheme of things it didn't matter.

"Well of course I remember you my dear. I never forget a friend." No matter how short lived. She still had many fond memories of Leda's Great Great Great Grandparents. "I imagine it must have been quite a shock when contact was restored." she said. She had heard from Ember what it had been like for Leda.

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heromaniac

"Actually, it was more of a shock to find out it had been lost." Momoko smiled, a little embarrassed. "I am the first of my family to travel and fight for others, you see. When contact was lost, I was attempting to stay and be a warrior just of my own lands."

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Well that was certainly understandable, and only proper. Friends and allies were important, but one's own people should come first.

"And is that going well?" she asked. Well she supposed it must be, or the girl wouldn't be here. "What manner of battles do you face in your realm?"

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heromaniac

"It didn't go well at all, I am afraid. My realm has evolved two levels of battle - one, fighting simply amongst ourselves, and the other against a few who have amassed great power and who wish to cause great harm and chaos with it." Best way she could think of to explain monsters to a dragon.

"My specialty is against those of great power, only their number have dwindled; I am not needed full time in my own lands."

"When Queen Karla called for aid to fight the war to regain her throne, I realized I needed other realms as much as they needed my aid." Momoko gave a quick glance across the room back to Jaime. "I moved my personal residence to one that has a more constant need, but I now help wherever I can."

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