Traveling Tantalus and Tree Tits Troupe. (Private)

Eve sat next to Sakura. "Erm, have yo-"

Sakura interrupted her. "Born with it."

"Why i-"

"My sister tried helping me with a mare."

"So it wasn-"

"Used to only be ten inches."

"…are yo-"

"As I said, I'm only gonna touch you if you specifically let me."

Eve went silent for a moment. "Is i-"

"Feels like a pony's. And yeah, those protrusions are like roots."

"…"

Sugary had to stiffle his laughter. He never expected they would discuss that of all things in such a place. He also figured that in due time he'd reveal more of himself to them, or at least Sakura, naturally.

Eventually, he'd get called for his meal. So he went and got it, paid for it, and brought the meals over to their table. "Here you go! If you want drinks, just say so. Enjoy~" No sooner did he say those words that he began to stuff his mouth with the Quiche. It would be about halfway done that he'd get around to asking something to Eve specifically. "Say, Evol- Er... Eve... What made you decide to be a mercenary?"

Eve paused in her eating. "I did it because…Well, I cannot die by conventional means, so dirty jobs are pretty fun and easy." She goes back to eating silently.

Skura had simply devoured her food, with manners, but quite quickly.

Sugary nodded at Eve's response. But he had to think there was more to the story than that given her curse, even if she seemed nonchalant about it. He'd attempt to ask about it in more detail eventually if he got the chance. Though he wouldn't be surprised if it was all just to keep from getting bored herself. "So... You did it out of boredom? Not trying to belittle your reasons, I'm just trying to understand you better. If we're gonna start working together tomorrow, I'd just like to know a little more of who I'm working with under the circumstances."

He then looked over at Sakura. "Sakura, have you thought about whether or not you wanted to make an appointment for an audience with the Princess? I still think that might be a great way to spread word of your home and teachings... Ah, yes, do either of you want a drink?"

They both shook their heads. Sakura shrugged. "Sure, I guess, but we would have to do that later." Sakura finished eating and leans into Sugary happily. "Thanks, hon."

Eve nodded. "No other job like one that pays to be scary." Sh grinned. "Best job for one of my kind, the undead." She finished her food and smiles, sitting back.

He had to chuckle at Eve's comment. "Heh... Not the most noble reason, but she seems happy with it... Still... I should probably be careful with how she actually does her work. She might be the Gung-Ho sort for all I know."

Nosing Sakura as he got up, he went and got himself a drink, paid for all the food, and made his way back out with the mares again. According to an agreement between the three of them afterwards, he gave his some spare keys to Eve so that she could make her way back to the airship while he and Sakura went over to the castle gates once more.

This time, he assured the guards that he was there for a different purpose and asked if the Princess was taking in audiences. To their fortune, she was, but they would have to wait for some time as they were allowed past the main entrance and escorted to the intricately decorated hallways.

Every so often, he pass by guards that even he had to admit were sometimes hard to tell between decoration and actual stallions as their crystal-like forms blended in well with the areas they were guarding. He assumed that it was intentional, and if it wasn't, it was a valuable coincidence they had going for them.

Along the way, he pondered as to how Eve was doing. He had essentially trusted her to go back to his home and leave it reasonably intact or, preferably, not stolen. Though he doubted she'd manage to get it to work right on the get-go even if she really was trying to steal it. "Or maybe she's just relaxing on the deck..." "Hey, Sakura... You've known Princess Twilight for some time, right? Has she said anything about what Princess Cadance might be like? They are related, aren't they?"

Eve was, in fact, sunbathing on the deck, in her underwear only. She was relaxing and just being quiet and bored on her own, happy for the silence.

Sakura nodded. "Cadence apparently works as both a Princess and relationship counselor, so she is patient. I guess from how Twiligh speaks of her to say Cadenc is quite kind and polite, as well as friendly and joking." She idly leans into Market, grinning. "I am a bit worried I might stumble over my words."

((Crystal Princess))

Sugary lightly leaned onto Sakura in return with a soft smile as they waited their turn. "I'm sure you'll be fine... If you were already staying with a princess, what's gonna make visiting another any harder?" He chuckled a bit afterwards, finding her worries to be of minimal concern. "Besides, I'm here. I'll make sure you focus."

Shortly afterwards, they would get called to meet with Princess Cadance and be escorted by a single guard into the large and well ornamented throne room with guards in every corner. Upon the top of a few short stair, were two thrones. One was empty, while on the other sat a fairly tall and serene smiling Cadance in a pink and light red dress with white frills, and a small golden crown on her head. She raised a curious brow as she saw Sakura, but also did so as she slowly felt that the duo who were coming to see her for an audience were lovers. Sugary, in turn, looked at her curiously for the first time, and thought she almost looked like a beautiful living doll with the way she looked. He also felt her power as he got closer, and he felt more and more at peace in her presence even if he didn't know her at all.

Once they were close enough, she introduced herself. Her voice was almost sing-song-like and sweet overall in tone. "Welcome, visitors. To whom and what do I owe this audience?" While she looked at them both in expectation of their answers, she seemed to pay particular attention to Sakura due to her form.

Sugary introduced himself first with a light curt bow. "Sugary Market, Princess. And for the most part, I'm here to accompany her here..." He turned to face Sakura, and lightly urged her to speak while subtly caressing her lower back reassuringly.

Sakura smiled gratefully to Sugary, then turned to the beauty before them both. "I am Sakura, Shaman of the West Everfree Treefolk, I am please to meet you, Cadence." She smiled, seeming both formal and informal at the same time. "As Shaman, I am the spokesperson of my tribe, and I am currently here to tell others of my kind. The first thing I wish to say is that titles are null, we say the other's name, and be as respectful as they earn for themselves."

Eve had soon wandered about, and made herself some coffee, drinking as she sat on her bed, silent and reading a book.

Cadance's expression became one genuine curiosity for Sakura. "I see... Well, I have time to listen and learn more. But first..." she looked to Sugary directly for a moment. "Are you only going to share your name, Mr. Market? Do you have nothing more you want out of this audience?"

He took a moment to consider if he really did have anything to say, and eventually spoke up. "Well, I am interested in learning about the local magic. Particularly, that which is supposedly tied to the Empire's Crystal Heart that I've heard of... Other than that, just know that I'm one of the visiting mercenaries lending aid to the guards numbers for scouting... That's about it."

She nodded and eyed him quietly after he spoke, considering why he was in her territory that she was in command of as well as his personal interests, then faced Sakura once more. "Miss Sakura, by all means, please teach me what more you can of your tribe."

"Please, just call me Sakura, Cadence, I hate formalities." She took a deep breath. "We remain separated from each other tribe until we need help, calling on them to lend their Shaman or Captain. Our tribal hierarchies are simple, the oldest of the tribe, the Elder, the strongest magically in the tribe, the Shaman, and the strongest physically of the tribe, the Captain, are all part of a council that dictates and enforces laws. Ourselves are able to come in any combination that there is sentient species and plant, and even some extinct plants are in our genes, rarer than any."

Eve soon passed out, on top of her blankets and her face in her book, coffee cup empty.

Cadance listened in with great interest as this was not something she knew much of despite her student years and Princess related studies. "Fascinating... Could you tell me in more detail what sort of plants and the like are actually found in such unusual genes? While you're at it, could you then go back to mentioning some more of the usual culture and not just the way of social status...? That said, if you feel this is something that might take much more time than what we have for Royal Audiences to the public, I'd be glad to make a private appointment." She conjured a notepad, ink, and quill to take notes out of whatever Sakura would say now. Meanwhile, Sugary also seemed interested to know more still, though never voiced the thought.

"Glady, our culture is similar to what most would call Tribal, us all being simple people, without technology or advanced anything besides our innate ability for nature magic. We work together when we need something done, a new building or another undergroun floor to make more room. The unusual genes actually involve plants that are now quite extinct, from prehistoric ages. I am a cherry blossom tree, which my genes are from Japony, originally, but my ancestors moved here about three hundred years ago. Our genes always derive from a location from which those plants thrived or had once thrived." She pauses and looks to Cadence, as if waiting to say more or for any comments.

Cadance continued to listen, still clearly interested in what she was hearing. "Hm... Has your tribe gotten many visitors over the years? I believe there is much more to be learned, but time might not allow it. I'd like to propose making an official visit sometime, whether it be myself, or a representative and learn from it up close... Could such a thing be arranged in the future?"

Sakura nodded happily. "Of course, Cadence. I would prefer to meet you in place of a representative, your sister in law spoke highly of you." She smiles warmly. "I think it would be easier that way, I trust easy, so any info that could be a bit personal might slip." She shrugged as if to say 'What can you do?' and looked to Sugary with a smile.

Cadance smiled with a fair amount of mirth the moment Sakura spoke of Twilight. "You met Twilight? So you're the tree mare she sent me letters about! I thought you looked familiar... As for making such a visit to your home territory, how and when do you believe it would be best to actually go there? And for that matter, where exactly is this territory found?"

Sakura thought for a bit. "Maybe…two weeks from now? And I can meet you at noon, in Ponyville Park. I will take you to my village, it should be quick if Sugary here lets us have a ride in his airship." She giggles. "I heard you were a relationship counselor, hopefully you see how odd me and Sugary's is." She grins and nudges Sugary's shoulder, giggling. "But enough with me and him, is the time and place sufficient?"

Cadance nodded in agreement. "Two weeks is... acceptable... Well, possibly acceptable. I'm afraid I can't leave just yet due to current events that need mine and my beloved Shining's attention..." She looked at Sugary for a moment, the issue seemingly having to do with the task he and Eve would be dealing with. "... But I might just be able to go there after all. Please come back in ten days and I'll let you know if it truly can be done by then... Assuming you'll stay around?"

Sugary began to speak up by then, smiling a little bit from being nudged. "Actually, she's staying with me in my airship, along with another mercenary that will be working with me starting tomorrow morning. As for me taking any of you along, that will depend on how things go with work, so I can't guarantee anything either." He had a strong feeling that what kept Cadance from leaving was what might keep him from leaving. He hoped the job would not be a serious burden on anyone.

Cadance nodded and spoke again. "It might not be likely that I rely on your airship for travel as I have my own escort services available, but I'll certainly consider it... As for being a Relationship Counselor, do either of you have any questions?" She smiled brightly afterwards, hoping to get answers from both of them. Sugary, however, simply couldn't think of anything right away and was caught of guard as he did not come to visit the Princess on how to be with Sakura.

Skura grins cheekily. "What do I do if he get nervous about my little friend?" She gestures downwards, not caring she had admitted to being a hermaphrodite. Her question seemed joking and serious at the same time, and she was barely containing her laughter. "Cuz it's pretty big, and it is quite eager at times." She pretends to be a bit more serious.

Sugary scoffed, blushed lightly, and chuckled at the sudden change in topic and question made by Sakura that he'd attempt to answer before Cadance even had the chance to utter a word. "What? Nervous!? I gave attention to it too, why would I be nervous about it now? Is there something about it you haven't told me yet?" He playfully bumped her flank with his afterwards, still smiling.

Meanwhile, Cadance was looking upon them rather amused and on the verge of chuckling herself, but maintained her composure and decorum rather well as she examined them, seemingly looking for more than just what she saw and heard. "Hm~... I can tell there's a spark between you two... But you've both only just recently made it happen, didn't you...? Let's see... He finds you to be exotic and beautiful... He is fairly impressed, if possibly just slightly jealous of your... endowment... But he's quite willing to please as he can... It's not likely he'd ever accept to take it in, but he's certainly interested in you... Dance for him, slowly. Use your natural allure and talents to draw him in if you must... Be sensual, he likes that as much as if not more so than being sexual, so even your little friend can't get in the way if he should ever hesitate some... That's my advice... Anything else?" Sugary was simply quiet afterwards, still blushing now that the Princess had more or less looked into his being somehow for her answers.

"Hmm…" She grins, and nods to Cadence. "Seems like good advice to me." She puts an arm around Sugary's shoulders, pulling him into a hug. "Exotic~?" She asks softly, but loud enough for Cadence to hear. She herself actually was infatuated with Sugary for his kindness, his acceptance, and how he treated her so like how she wanted to be treated. Special. She nosed his neck then pulled away, grinning. She did not realize it, but she had let her cherry scent flow around her, as well as some of her petals falling.

Sugary sniffed the air, smiling a little more as he noted the pleasant aroma he knew came from her. Even though she pulled away, he kept to holding her arm gently. "Say, you got anything else to ask of the Princess? It sounds like we're almost done here... Right?" He looked at both mares for confirmation. Cadance simply responded with "There is still time if you have other questions. But we can always make another appointment if necessary aside from meeting again in 10 days if need be."

"Well…there was one more question…but it was a joking one, and kinda might be a bit personal. Twi's friends were asking her to ask you, but I got curious as well…" She paused, shifting nervously, looking down for a moment before looking to Cadence again. "Did Chrysalis, ya know, do Shining?" She sounded nervous and a bit curious, obviously thinking of the reactions Cadence might have, hoping she wouldn't get angry.

Sugary did not dare utter a word after Sakura's question, but could swear the air in the room got a little bit colder as he waited on how Cadance would react as well. He had heard the rumors a few times himself, but he'd never bother to ask the ones involved... though it would certainly bury his own curiosity as well, he admitted. Even the guards that regularly kept security during these audiences stood a little straighter than usual. If one heard well enough, one could hear one of them gulping nervously.

Cadance stared at Sakura evenly, her serene smile less prominent and almost gone. She placed one hand over her mouth, closed her eyes, and furrowed her brows in deep thought. It was hard to tell if she were angry or upset, but the fact was that she herself felt unsettled at being reminded of that one time. She spoke eventually, her voice having a little less volume to it, showing that it was a sensitive topic. "... I don't know... And that's something that bothered me a lot... It still does once in a while, I'll admit... After she had forced me into emprisionment, she bragged on how my dear Shining would be all hers after she were wed to him... I'm not sure if she was just being old fashioned on relationships, if she was just messing with me... or if she had something far more sinister and cryptic planned for him.... It was a tremendous struggle to get even a small glimpse of what was truly in her heart... Or if she ever even had one... I asked him, of course... But he said his mind often felt foggy when he was genuinely in privacy with her, and doesn't remember ever actually sleeping with her. All he knows was that he had headaches after each night, and never once woke up next to her..." She sighed, and continued, her smile slowly showing itself again as she took her hand away from her mouth. "... The first night of our Honeymoon, my dear Shining just kept hugging me, barely even cuddling with me... He'd mutter 'I'm sorry' again and again for a while... *chuckle* He refused to let go even as he was falling asleep from by exhaustion of everything that happened in those days... It was so touching, and meant everything to me... That's all I have to say... Will that be all?"

Sakura nod. "I'll guess I'm the first to ask…guess I've got bigger balls than most." She joked, grinning. "And yes, that is all. Ave, Cadence." She turned to the door and took Sugary's hand, walking along quietly. "That went better than I expected." She whispered to him.