A Formal Request (Seale and Cetus)

[Deleted]

It was supposed to be another simple delivery but this wasn't just any delivery it was a formal request from his father to the zora royal family. Though skeptical at first as to why he would have to speak on his father's behalf he took the letter and readied his gear as he headed out to Zora's Domain. It was a long trek down the river path as Rawlin jogged to the edge of the waterfall where the entrance lay to Zora's Domain. Following the directions he was given by his father preciously he continued jogging with the letter in his backpack and several other letters for the zora's mail. Taking a quick break he saw the summit of the waterfall in the distance and then pressed on through his brisk job into that of a hike up to the summit. He was stopped by the zora guards once again as he tended to visit often for their mail and them just doing their job. 
Rawlin was out of breathe as he took a small rest then and there as he leaned on the edge of the wall near the waterfall. 
After that short rest he talked to the guards and began to tell them why he was here. 

"I have your mail and a formal request to that of the Zora Royal Family." The guards of course knew who he was but the formal request was a new thing so they were a little cautious. 
"It's from my father he wants to offer a trade deal." Rawlin said still a bit out of breathe from the climb. 
The guards nodded at each-other and moved out of the way then said. "Very well courier but be on your best behavior in front of them and no sudden moves or you will have to deal with more than just us." 

Rawlin smirked and almost chuckled at that because they had let him in several times for the mail before as he put back on his backpack full of the letters for the zora from their senders and the formal request from his father. His hair wet from the waterfall entrance as it drooped down a bit before he shook off the water from his hair to finally see the Zora's Domain and then making his usual stops to deliver the mail before going up to the royals to deliver the formal request. He was nervous about this request but he tried to stay strong for his father and his business.

[Cetus]

ARMS WIDE OPEN ~ I STAND ALONE ~

The Zora Domain was a very active and prosperous area, much bigger than an outsider would expect it to be. Great buildings made of the stone of the cliffs, and the wave-washed texture of driftwood, sanded down into planks littered the many streets. Zora could be seen mulling about, some popping out of pools of water, hair shaking from their strangely water-resistant hair, as they went about their business. Guards were seen patrolling here and there, eyes focusing on Rawlin as he walked through the domain. Before him, he could see his destination: a pearl-white palace cut from what seemed to be marble, with great pillars and intricate carving on it. The Zora palace was a source of pride for the Zora, a work that spanned generations to finish. That was where he would find the princess.



Guards would stop him before he would enter, lances crossed over the entrance. They were familiar with him, as he had delivered before, but tensions seemed high. After a peek in his mailbag, they saw nothing of concern, and let him through, once again taking up vigil.



Many statues would line the hallway to the throne room, where an elderly Zora handmaiden asked him to wait, going to fetch the princess. He’d note that the castle was about as busy as the large city it resided in, servants and soldiers going about their daily work. Fortunately, he would not have to wait long, as the same handmaiden would let him inside, reminding him to show respect to the princess before the large doors shut behind him.



If one thought the palace was pristine from the outside, they would be floored at the throne room. Statues of past monarchs lined the building, and the walls held tapestries depicting important events of the Zora history. The throne was unique, a large, black marble throne, with deep red cushioning, and several pools of water surrounding it, obviously leading to the royal’s wing of the castle. Princess Cetus sat upon her throne, her dress simple, yet elegant, lace intertwined with gold. In her left hand she held a trident, gilded with gold leaf and detailing of silver, a large, shining agate set in the middle of it. She stood as he entered, giving a small bow to him, before speaking.



”Welcome to our humble domain, postmaster. I have been informed that you come bearing a letter for me that you wanted delivered yourself? Our guards sent word of a trade deal, if I recall correctly. I would like to personally review what you’ve brought before me, so if you would, please?”



Her hand was held out, obviously for him to hand her the letter.

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Seeing how fancy everything had been in a castle fit for the royals impressed him as he had never once been inside the throne room before, it was amazing to say the least. The princess was most welcoming and very beautiful but that didn't distract him much from what he was supposed to do. "I got to say this is the first time i have ever been in this area of the domain, it is really something." Rawlin nodded at the princess and handed her the letter. In the letter it described what exactly the trade deal was and who was offering it. The letter read as such:

"To the Zora Royal Family,
I Victor Sbatta send my son Rawlin in my behalf of Sbatta Sails to offer a deal for trade that can benefit us both. Currently Sbatta Sails is well underway to sending food and supplies over seas to ports all over the world and we would humbly ask for your support. I have known for quite some time that the zora are known for their superb quality in the crops they raise and the fish they catch but until this day i have not chosen to send requests that is until Sbatta Sails reached it's 20th anniversary which we are to celebrate it by making new trade routes with new goods. We wish the expand so to speak and for your support we offer in exchange not only a cut of the profits but also goods not normally obtained in the domain free of charge. Should this deal be confirmed I Victor Sbatta will need your signature at the bottom of this letter should you accept.
Sincerely,
Victor Sbatta of Sbatta Sails."

Rawlin would wait for her response before taking out a package he had left in his bag. "Is there someone named Seale here? I have a package for them as well." Rawlin said as he waited. 

[Cetus]

I SPOKE TO GOD TODAY ~ AND SHE SAID THAT SHE'S ASHAMED ~

The postman handed the letter to her, with not a bow or acknowledgment to her, but she dismissed it for the time being, breaking the wax seal before unfolding the parchment. Her eyes scanned it as she read, sitting upon her throne. She went over it several times, before his statement about a package caught her ear, and she looked up.

"Oh, Seale? She should be here soon... Go, fetch her."

The last direction was addressed to guard that he almost couldn't see, an armored Zora that was statue still behind her throne. With a nod, the Zora dove into the pools, and she waited for the ripples to fade until she looked back to the parchment, then Rawlin. People often didn't send people with these letters to her personally unless they were there to make a case, but she had to admit she was interested.

"Since you are here before me, I presume you can speak on behalf of your father, Rawlin. The proposed deal is one of interest, but it's going to take more than written word to convince me. What you are asking me to do is cut into the coffers of feed for my people, or give the workers extra hours, for monetary and potential material gain. This is taxing upon my people, certainly, so I must assure that it will be a worthwhile endeavor.

Assuming you don't have experience in diplomatic discussion, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, and leniency in our debates. I'm willing to discuss terms when my council gets here."

She smiled.

"Besides, she has to come pick up her package."

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Rawlin had no clue what Cetus was even saying other than the fact that she would need additional reason as to why she should do so. 
He just stood there motionless and frozen up in a strange stupor as he really didn't know what to do but just wonder to himself how he would even convince them. "Uhhhh." He would say as he kept trying to think about what his father said. Suddenly like a flash of light Rawlin had an idea. "My Dad did say there would be a party celebrating the anniversary event. I'm pretty sure all the business partners are invited to it so maybe that could work?" He said trying his best to sound convincing despite not being that smart.

He honestly didn't even know what to say at this point as he still felt a little frozen up due to his lack of knowledge of diplomatic situations.

[Deleted]

Only a few moments passed between the time the Zora guard had disappeared into the pool when a steel blue, porpoise-like tail bobbed to the surface. The body of the tail rose slowly in the water, revealing an inhuman face with black, whiteless eyes and no discernable nose other than a slight triangular discoloration at the center of the face.

The Zora handmaiden Séale examined the room, taking note of her Princess Cetus sitting at the throne, and a strange red-headed man standing before her. She tried not to express surprise but she could not help herself from blinking. It was rare when the Zoras allowed visitors to their domain; was he perhaps part of the royal family? The old Queen of Hyrule had red hair, may the goddesses rest her soul, and perhaps one of the princesses, Séale thought. That must have been it.

She did not know why she had been summoned. All she had was the Zora guard's words that "Princess Cetus requests your presence." Reasons why she had been requested filled Séale's thoughts to the brim and beyond. If this lad was part of the royal family, did this have to do about Zelda? Had she been discovered? Did they need their aid? Or was she dead, and a new civil war on the horizon? Maybe the Legendary Hero had returned, and this man was here to request unity and decisive action between all the races and kingdoms as they prepare themselves to confront the gods once more. Séale's eyes widened ever so slightly at that thought. She had always admired the Legendary Hero, with his dashing blond hair and sapphire eyes.

A second head appeared beside her. The Zora guard. Oh dear, Séale had hesitated too long. Curse her absentmindedness. It would not do for her to delay in her summons, especially one by her princess, and no less in front of a member of the royal family! Sinking below the water just enough to cool her burning cheeks, Séale waded to the side of the pool and lifted herself out.

She did not bother wringing the water out of her clothing. It was during these times, in attendance to guests and nobility, that it was a show to keep Séale wet, to allow the water to glide naturally down her ancient physique where her skin would shine and her maroon clothing dark and saturated with water. The contrasting colors was elegant to behold. Séale was a beauty, a prize of the Zora royal family. She did not mind being put on display.

Usually Séale would not offer a bow to her princess—their relationship transcended past that of master and servant—but in the attendance of a guest, and possible member of the royal family, it was expected and necessary. A low bow was first offered to the Zora princess before Séale turned to the human lad and offered him the same, if not quite as deep, bow. Then she walked to the throne, leaving a trail of water in her wake. The Zora guard returned to his post.

At the right hand side of the Zora princess, Séale waited for Cetus to introduce her to their guest.

[Cetus]

I SPOKE TO GOD TODAY ~ AND SHE SAID THAT SHE'S ASHAMED ~

Cetus’ answer to Rawlin was introduced by the arrival of the exotic Zora, poking her head from the water and observing, before emerging at the prompting of the head guard. She smiled at Seale, eyes scanning over her wet form as she made sure the girl was presentable. Satisfied, she nodded at Seale’s bow, and then turned her attention back to Rawlin, speaking still to the handmaiden.

”Dear Seale, our honored guest here is a postman, and son of a prestigious trade company. He has a package for you, but also a proposal of trade with our people. An export source of our resources, with promises for profit. And he mentions a party, it seems.”

One elbow rested upon her throne, and she leaned to the side, chin placed on top of it. Her eyes went back to Seale, watching her to see how she’d react to the proposal. Her people came first and foremost, and with their separation from the other races by Hyrule Field, trade was few and far between. Still, trade could open up chances for diplomacy, so maybe it would be a good thing?

”You know I trust your input, dear. Do you think such an agreement can benefit the Zora as a whole? As for the party…”

She turned back to Rawlin, blue eyes focused on him.

”I appreciate the offer, but my duties are here, in the palace. I could send a representative, but with my father ailed as he is, I regrettably am forced to oversee court. I was hoping for a more direct answer, so I will have to take that into consideration.”

And with that, she paused, waiting to hear input from the other two.

MADE BY ★MEULK