No More Work Today

She had been in her map chamber off the War Room for several hours, sifting through new information and trying to determine how much of it was usable. Xiao had brought back a newer report earlier today that seemed to contradict an outside informant from a couple days ago. Had there been that much change, or did they have an unreliable source they had paid? She reminded herself to ask Rhoot when she saw him what his opinion on it was. A few minutes later, as if by magic, she looked up to find him slouched against the door frame.

"The Lady found me and said she saw you come in here this morning, but didn't come out again. It's well past dinner time; did you get lost in work again?" He raised an eyebrow at her, as he had warned her he was going to team up with Kalli, Roh, Lynx (because her big brothers recruited her), and the Lady to stop her from her workaholic behaviors.

Jia frowned up at him and then sighed. "I suppose I may have lost track of time if it is that late already. In my defense, Izzy, Xaio, and Caine all had information to give me today. I didn't want to put it off..." She set her jaw as her looked up at him. She knew she had promised to at least stop for meals and tea breaks, but she couldn't shake her sense of duty when she could be useful. "And now, I think we have a bad informant. I don't know if it's intentional or not, though."

Rhoot frowned a little this time. "Let me see." He was their resident underground specialist, and the best bet at finding these things out. He took a couple sheets of paper and moved to sit behind her, propped up on a large chair-like pillow she had left there for when he showed up to keep her company. Draping his cloak and hat against it, he scanned the report. "I know of this man, and I have my doubts on the legitimacy of the information." He folded the sheet and put it inside his vest. "I'll look into it tomorrow." He shifted his attention back to Jia at his side. She was already reaching for her bag of tokens, as the evidence pointed towards Xiao's information being correct and that meant a change of strategy. Her focus was now inwards as she was running scenarios through her tactical brain.

He reached his left arm out and brought it around her shoulder to distract her, then snatched the bag of stone and gem war markers out of her hand with his other before she could figure out what he was doing. She tried to take it back for a moment before raising her own eyebrow at him. "I think all day in this room scheming is long enough, Princess. Let's go get some dinner."

"Rhoot, I can just as easily get Dagger to bring us some; he does sometimes if I ask. He agrees that this is more important." She came dangerously close to pouting, as the expression on his face told her she wasn't going to win this one when he was determined to take care of her. Especially when she knew he (and everyone else) was right. She was the one breaking her promise.

"Forgive me, Princess, if I'm skeptical of the opinions of an artificial intelligence on your well being." He stood, taking the tokens with him. He had many ways of convincing her to do what he wanted, and taking these was almost guaranteed to work, as they were collectively her most treasured items outside of her Brooch and his personal stone marker. She would stop people from taking them, or in his case, follow him until he gave them back.

"Fine, Rhoot, you win, as always." She got up and joined him on his way out the door and towards the Mess Hall, knowing from experience he wasn't going to give in to her. Before they reached it though, he pulled her into an empty room and caught her up in his embrace.

"I do win, but this is because my Princess with me now." He nuzzled at her neck and made her giggle at his behavior. He smiled unseen into her shoulder. Getting her out of serious working mode and relaxing was a continuing personal mission of his. "I propose we get our dinner to go and return to my quarters to eat. I'm not letting you sneak back to the War Room until tomorrow, as you'll be too busy to think about it."


It's been a year since these happened:
(August 4th)
(August 6th)
So I wanted to make something cute for these two. In fact, I have another one I'm working on... because I'm a sucker for them *3* They've come a long way, from the awkward lil fishy and her crush.

Rhoot/Chameleon LotusLumino
Jia/Dorado nickyflamingo
Mentioned:
Xiao/Columba snow-princess
The Lady of the Stars nickyflamingo
Kalli/Coma Berenices wandering-kotka
Roh/Lupus SailorAlcyone
Lynx Unisamas
Izzy/Telescopium Re-Pyper
Caine/Orion WingsForDreams 
All are Generation one from