A time for teaching. (Diplomats, any)

[Hestia]

She nods, one thing out of the way. Just has Solace must trust Hestia, Hestia must trust Solace. Trust her not to go behind the black queen’s back and form an alliance with the purpose of granting access to Nerine. They both have something to lose as Loess and Hyaline are all that stand in the way of Nerine being exposed to the kingdoms who hunger for war.

Hestia listens to the others request, I will inform my people of this. She settles in her stance, tail lashing at her flanks lazily. Hyaline is a pretty place, she can see the appeal. Even if she herself would never be comfortable here. She wonders at how to bring up the next topic. It’s a solid way to bring about trust and a good way of strengthening friendships. It’s something that she has wanted to bring back, as it is the strongest form of an alliance.

We’ve recently begun a new… well it’s an old tradition, long forgotten. We exchange foals, just one each with the purpose of expanding their education. They reside in the other’s kingdom for a period of time, learning by the side of a trusted official, before being sent back to their original homes. Unless they find a desire to stay where they are. It’s referred to as a blood alliance, I myself was one of these children growing up. I can tell you it was the best experience of my life. Expanded my capacity of understanding, and changed any small-mindedness I otherwise may have developed. She stops there, searching the others gaze for any reaction. It brings about a lasting peace. The next generation less likely to attack a kingdom that they spent some of their life in. More likely to keep strong bonds of friendship with said kingdom. It also makes it impossible for either to attack as it would put one of their own at stake. Hestia offers this as an olive branch. A way to begin the building of trust between the two kingdoms.

Hestia wouldn’t blink should the woman refuse this, but at the same time; Hestia would find herself less trusting of Hyaline. It’s hard to trust a kingdom that doesn’t trust you. They must start somewhere. Should Solace need time to think on it Hestia could easily understand. But to say no straight out… Hestia already knows what that means. And she wants a true alliance, this being the best way to form those. The black queen waits patiently for the other to respond. Not pressuring her to just blurt out an emotional response. The future of what is to come between the two kingdoms hinges on this.

Do they become strained a strained alliance, never to fully trust one another, suspicious of what the other plots? Or do they find solid ground, and a very cozy friendship long after these two queens step down from their thrones?

HESTIA

The devil whispered in my ear, you’ll never survive the storm
I whispered back, I am the storm

@[Solace]