//------------------------------// // "Oh, right... I'm a Prince.../Surprise Visit! // Story: Peace at Last Side Stories: Back in Neighpon // by Prince_Staghorn //------------------------------// Neighponese After snacking on Red's love a bit, Stag returned to his chambers to get ready. While he had been gone, Stag had forgotten... being a Prince here in Neighpon was different. Since he was back, Danauria didn't have to go through the task of filling out forms anymore, or do a lot of other royal duties, leaving all that to Stag. And he was stressed. Today he was scheduled to have a meeting with the leader of the Kirin. He would need a bottle or two after this.^ For now, he grumbled as he adjusted his crown and robes. Satisfied with how they looked, he went out to get it over with. * Stag sat at the head of the low table, and waiting behind him stood six capable changeling guards, all wearing black cloaks with purple undersides, black hats with white bands adorned in the front with a silver medallion, and all armed with a sheathed katana. In front of him were two cups and a freshly made pot of tea. The Kirin guard entered the opposite door, six stallions in red samurai armor, armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows in addition to a katana. after they had taken their positions, the Kirin Leader gracefully walked to the cushion opposite of Stag and seated herself. The Honorable Lady Snow was typical of her kind, which is to say unusual by most equine standards. Blue scales covered her from her nose to her dragon-like tail. the top of her snout, however, had gold scales, like the belly of a snake, going up to meet her hairline, and a similar set of scales ran along her throat and undercarriage. her black mane was straight-cut at the bangs, but from there became slightly messy as it traveled down her neck to her back. Her fetlocks and the tip of her tail were also adorned with black hair, as was the stretch of skin between her fore and rear legs, neatly dividing the blue scales of her upper body from the gold scales of her underside. Her antlers were not as large as her guards', one small tine pointing forward and curving up, one pointing behind and branching into two. Around her neck, she wore a red sash, and adorning her flanks was her cutie mark: a red Torii gate. There was silence for a minute as the two drank the tea on the table. Now for the small talk, Stag thought to himself. "Lady Snow." "Prince Staghorn." "I assume things have been pleasant for you on the South Island?" "Quite, though nothing could really be bad compared to your attack on Canterlot." Of course she would bring that up... "Agreed, though we have more than made up for that little incident, in case you haven't heard." A knowing smirk from the Kirin mare. "Oh, I'm well aware of the treaty you made. I'm simply surprised you didn't surrender completely, given your mother's failure was large enough to stain changeling history." "If you must know, your Honor, she was acquitted of all charges. She wasn't even imprisoned." "And yet she isn't here." "Due to necessary dealings, she is currently busy with the Changeling Kingdoms in Equestria." "Oh, old-fashioned 'Changeling Contract' then?", Lady Snow asked with a playful yet evil smirk. Stag tensed at the idea^^, but shook himself out of it. "What exactly brings you here today, Lady Snow?" She put her forelegs on the table, bringing her cloven hooves together. "The South Island is experiencing a famine, and we need more room to harvest kelp. I am asking that we be allowed to use the Anaguma no gētou~ei for this purpose."^^^ Stag paused. The channel was officially neutral ground, but still fell under Changeling rule... however, the Kirin were experiencing a famine... "You may have access to it up to a third of a mile out from shore, and only for as long as the famine lasts." Lady Snow narrowed her eyes. "To the dropoff point, no less" Stag glared. "I have given you what I will. An entire mile is too much surplus. We have fishing boats that need those waters." "And a third of a mile is not enough! My domain is starving! Half a mile off shore at the most!' Stag considered it for a long moment. *** Stag walked down the hallway, tired. They had settled on the Kirin using the area half a mile offshore to farm kelp, but Stag had been firm about it only lasting the duration of the famine. He REALLY needed a drink now. Stag looked at the note on his door. It was in Equestrian. To Stag, Chryssie decided me and the kids deserved a vacation, so she agreed to let us come over to visit you. The kids are in their room, and I have a surprise for you. Love, Double Stag, hoping this wasn't a prank, opened the door... On the bed was Double, surrounded by the petals of cherry blossoms, wearing a nearly-transparent green negligée.^^^^ Stag's wings instantly vibrated, releasing a soft buzzing noise^^^^^, and he dutifully shut and locked the door. THIS was going to help more than any bottle of alcohol would! He got in the bed, then carefully removed both her clothes and his, tossing them, crown and all, to the side. Foreplay was brief, and soon both were moaning as they showed each other just how glad they were to be with each other again. *** Stag cuddled his wife, energy and built-up stress now completely spent.+ "I missed you." Double nuzzled him. "I missed you too, Ionúin."++ With that, the two drifted off to sleep.