rho psl

[neonleon]

[The changing of the Golden Guard happened every few years or so. One would be doing fine, then gradually disappear and fade only for a new Golden Guard to be sworn in. Leo had seen it happen a few times as castle staff and security, working on becoming part of the guard team himself under the emperor's coven. It was slow going though, something about him "not being ready" despite having been ready for four years now.

But the newest Golden Guard being sworn in is the youngest yet. Not that Leo can tell behind that mask, but he was shorter, lankier. His voice sounded a lot younger than the previous Golden Guards.

So maybe he'd do some snooping. If he found out a kid younger than him became a Golden Guard, he'll start fighting his superiors. Leo makes his way through the castle like he's on a mission, carrying a box of food to where he knows the previous Golden Guards always ate. He knocks on the door once.]

Delivery.

Comments

[pyrighteous]

... Really? Where is it?

[neonleon]

[He just. Points up with one finger.]

About six floors up.

[pyrighteous]

Wh - what? How?

[neonleon]

You'll see.

[Just walking him back to Hunter's room for now]

[pyrighteous]

When will I see??

[ He trots along to keep up. ]

[neonleon]

Whenever you're ready. I'm just supposed to stick by and keep an eye on you, so.

[pyrighteous]

Well - then my first order as your Golden Guard is to take me there right away!

[neonleon]

Woooow, already feelin' that power, huh?

All right. Up we go. [Just veering a different direction down a hall to stairs. Going up.]

[pyrighteous]

[ He laughs a little and follows. ]

I should get used to it, right?

[neonleon]

Probably? I dunno. Never had the opportunity myself.

[Up the first floor! Now the second, still going.]

[pyrighteous]

Maybe you could, though! After I get promoted to - I don't, know, CAPTAIN Golden Guard.

[neonleon]

[Never heard of a captain golden guard. Just gonna not think about that.]

I'm not holding my breath, no offense. I've been in this position for a while now.

[pyrighteous]

... How long?

[neonleon]

Like... iunno, three years? Was training into it for a few years before that, too.

[pyrighteous]

You've been at this longer than I've been a Scout then.

[neonleon]

[Thinks about that while they go up to the third floor.]

I guess that's true. Hadn't really thought about it.

[pyrighteous]

... I wonder what the Emperor's criteria is for the Golden Guard then.

[neonleon]

Not sure. Never really thought to find out, if I'm honest.

[He stops at the third floor landing and looks around for a second, then motions for Hunter to come to the window and leans out. He points to a balcony about twenty feet up.]

That's where we're going.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter sticks his head out. ]

Huh. I never realized that was here.

[neonleon]

Right?

There's no hallway or door to get there that I can find, so I've got a lil trick to get there. Lookit.

[He steps back and grabs his sword from his back and draws a circle with it in the air in front of them. A blue, electric portal appearing with the motion - its exit appearing on the balcony above.]

Tada!

[pyrighteous]

[ He swivels his head around rather sharply at that. ]

Wh - what kind of magic is that? Portal magic...?

[neonleon]

Family secret. But yeah.

[pyrighteous]

Family ...

[ He's awed? But there's something else in his voice ...

Anyway, he heads through the portal. ]

Does the Emperor know about it?

[neonleon]

[Just. Makes a mental note of that tone... He'll come back to that at a later time.

The portal just leads them to the balcony landing.]

This balcony? Probably. My portals? Probably not.

[pyrighteous]

[ He goes to the railing, then, taking in the view. ]

I meant the portals. Yeah. That's ... an unusual kind of magic.