Ocean Coronation (Open to all tribes)

~One Week Prior~
The water was languid as the sun slowly set down into the giant pool, casting golden light on everything it touched. The quiet hum of insects filled the air while a slight breeze ruffled the leaves on the nearby trees. Just like any other night, the area was hushed from the sounds of the day as most inhabitants found a soothing place to rest their heads for the upcoming night.

A few feet off where the water meets the land, the tranquility was broken. From the shore emerged a pair of Sacotax, water dripping off their scales as the brightest of stars welcomed their arrival. One flashed in a quick pattern, while the other scoffed and made a series of low clicks in return. If nothing interrupted their travel, they should make it to the tribe land by day break. In the mouth of the glowing one sat a rolled piece of green, almost waxy, paper. On the inside, a message scrawled to the tribe leader. In a week's time, there was to be a coronation for the new Queen of the Lakara Tribe.

~Present Day~
Light beamed through the glass ceiling of Moen Siscero. The sounds of a set of claws hitting hard tile echoed throughout the main hall. This was the only time today that the hall, large enough to contain hundreds of dragoniformes, would be empty and devoid of the sound of chatter. All of the rooms, from the common areas to the places where dragoniformes could stay if they needed after the coronation, were prepared for the arrival of the Lakara and any other tribes that would be joining them. Even the room downstairs, locked behind a grand double door that would be watched by a pair of Lakara Lepuyxex before the first tribe arrived, was set up to accommodate a flurry of dragoniformes once the time comes. For any of the Sacotix that had yet to return with messages from the rulers they were sent to invite, the dragoness hoped that they were well and waiting to help the other tribes on their way to the Apagi island that the Lakara’s land castle was located on.

While the silence of an empty castle was peaceful, Zolt had been awake most of last night.The last time she had been inside the Siscero Castle was when she had just turned miyen as part of her leader training so she’d know the ins and outs of the Lakara territory. Her last coronation was located at Moen Reguli, a smaller, intimate celebration that was only with the members of the Lakara tribe. The sudden death of her parents, the former rulers, had caused the need for a quick coronation, and while Moen Siscero was established long before she was born, the Lakara tribe had cared fairly little about the other tribes. The secrecy had come mostly from the fact that by living almost their entire lives underwater, there was little worry about the land tribes invading on their territory. Perhaps they could reach the coastal city of Celuma after taking over Siscero, but apart from that there wasn’t much the other tribes could do about the deeper cities. The tribe could also thrive just fine on their own resources, so while some of the previous leaders would call the others for an occasional discussion, nothing much of great importance would come out of it.

Zolt had decided to change that. Some of the tribes may not have cared that she had come back and reclaimed her right to the throne, but she figured that it would be easier in the long run to deal with any concerns the others could have about her coming back into leadership. Plus, the years by herself on the seas and with her crew had made her think that maybe it was time for the Lakara to begin to build some serious relations with the other tribes. During her adventures, she had seen a coastal city or two that had enjoyed the delicacies of sea life so she was sure there was a market the Lakara could take hold of with their aquaculture skills. There was also no doubt that a thing or two could be of use from the other tribes.

Soon enough her mind wandered from her future as Queen of the Lakara to those who she had left behind of the wide, dangerous sea. Out there she was known by Seuzelia, and had been leading the exuberant pirate crew known as The Mirrored Fang. Only Vrelak had known what she was actually doing on her ‘couple month expedition,’ and had only found out when it slipped that she was the former queen during one of their late night (or perhaps early morning) talks. If anything, it had been him that had eventually convinced her to go back. Apart from him, Seuzelia couldn’t let any of the others know. Not only could it be a danger for them, but some had a hard time keeping their mouths shut all the time and she couldn’t imagine what would happen if word got out that the Queen of the Lakara was affiliated with a troublesome group of pirates.

“Occima, we need to get you ready now,” whistled one of Zolt’s advisors. Her eyes opened, having closed at some point during her thoughts. With her single good eye, shining a bright yellow compared to the dark blue appearance her scarred eye developed, she took in the empty hall one last time.

Soon the others would arrive.

}~~One week ago~~{

Tharasis along with his mate had just now known recently of the sudden passing of the Lakaran leaders, it was a shock to both of them. Because they saw them a good friends, amongst all the troubles of royal life and of their duties. The time they spent together was so normal and laid back, as if they were just there to relax and chat about their day. Tharasis personally held them with great regard and respect, and as he stood over the large ship on the pier. He felt his heart sink a little knowing that, well. They would never have gotten to see the end result of the two tribes shared union project.

"Is everything prepared?" The blue drake asked one of his senior engineers, to which the light green drake responds with.

"Almost, we are just making final preparations and checking to see if everything is where it should be."

"Good, I want this to be ready when we are to depart."

Tharasis and Xenithe spent the remaining few days before the coronation just preparing themselves, all the while remembering the fond times they and the new queens parents spent together. Tharasis could not take his mind off of the new queen. Knowing who she was, he had hoped Queen Zolt would remember them, it has... been a while now... since they had met again. Tharasis and Xenithe shared a moment of memory where they took little Cassius and Jinjuri to the Lakara when they had a meeting with their family.

"I hope she is doing fine..." Thar said to himself, along with his mate. They finished signing their response letter stating that they will arrive there to see the new queen be crowned official. Alongside the information of them bringing alongside the finished project.

}~Present Day~{

The endless sight of water was mostly the usual sight for the group of dragons. Tharasis, alongside with his family. Though without Xenithe, unfortunately enough. She had gotten a terrible fever the past few days, and the last thing needed of her was a long travel over a stretch of time where rest was a rare thing. Mostly because there was little islands where they were going. So she had to be left back in their home. But... of course, Tharasis knew Xenithe didn't like missing important events. And this particular event he knew she would try not to miss. The thought of her flying here despite her sickness made him a little worried. But he brushed those thoughts aside as they continued their journey.

The project was delayed, mostly because of how long it would take to get there. The archipelago being pretty far out from the Vuari coast. So it would most likely arrive late, either late in the noon, or at night. Either which did not entertain the drake. But of course, as long as it gets there eventually. All would be well. He just wish the family of Zolt would have been there personally to see it through. but... of course, it was not a perfect world. But Tharasis could not help the feeling of his heart sinking a little at those thoughts. Realizing that, this was coronation of his friends daughter. This was simply no meet up like they used to do. No laxed conversations, no relaxing by the beachside and talking about their lives. No, this was the beginning of a new chapter for the Lakara tribe. And Tharasis would personally be there to see it begin.

He also could not help himself as he thought of Zolt, he still remembers the days where he and Xenithe brought little Jinjuri and Cassius to play with her during their times when they had a meeting with the family...

That was so long ago...

The drake could not escape the frown that he made as he thought of just how... long, it had been since he last saw the little dragoness. By now he guess she would be mature like Cassius and Jinjuri. And yet... he could not believe just how fast time flew by, despite it all still. The drake had to remain firm and regal, its the least he could do for the royal family when they arrive there for Zolts coronation.

As they finally saw the sight of the archipelago, he breathed in a deep breath. More so relax himself as he felt again, that odd feeling of nervousness.

They saw the large platform. The group accompanying Tharasis was made up of royal guards, advisors, and some other important representatives. numbering in total, 25 dragons. 26 including himself. They swooped down gently, descending in altitude before finally touching down on the ground. Landing slowly and gently on the stone foundation platform. It was large enough, big... Most likely enough to provide nearly 200 dragons enough space to congregate. He looked around, admiring the architecture of the lakara. He remembers visiting this when he and his mate came to meet with Zolts parents. And he noticed with the passage of time, the place had picked up its old nature of appearance. with some stone and bricks having cracks, columns misaligned, and just general degradation due to the passage of time.

They stood outside the main building, 2 guards flanking Tharasis and his family. Each holding the banner of the Vuari, while the rest of the group formed up a column formation behind them.

By now Tharasis had realized perhaps they had arrived early, there was not a sign of any other tribe here. Only the few Lakaran guards that stood on duty were the signs of anything going on here. But other than that, it was entirely quiet, silent. Tranquil, with only the gentle breeze, the soft sounds of the oceans movements. And the distant birds that flew above the archipelago.

Tharasis had to admit the sight here is wonderful, perhaps its the second best compared to the Vuari highlands. He and Xenithe did love to wonder through the beaches, taking walks and generally enjoying the scenery when they visited.

Of course, those memories and thoughts were pushed aside eventually. As the blue drake looked forward to the palace doors, large and grand. And he prepared himself to hopefully and finally meet Zolt again.

He hoped she would remember him... even after all this time.

Solar and Sky flew through the ocean skies. They had received an invitation to come to the corranation of the new Lakara Queen. They were oddly quiet as they slowly moved though the sky, soon spotting the archopelego. The pair would then land, shaking off and preparing for what odd reactions they would get.

It was hard to keep track of time in the preparation room. The advisors had prepared a windowless room in the far side of the castle to ensure that no one prematurely saw the Occima before the coronation. Despite the removed nature of her room, Zolt could hear the ever increasing mumble of dragons from the main hall during the brief moments of silence that occurred within the room. The moments were few and far between, as she sat quietly upon a plush dais in the middle of the room while a flurry of dragoniformes ran around, grabbing various fabrics and jewelry pieces to place upon Zolt like a puzzle. They had to figure out the right pieces to complete the correct image, and after Zolt thought they finished it the dragoniformes would remove all of the pieces and try again with a new set. At one point, a lindwurm approached, attempting to add something around her eye to cover the three dark lines that ran around it. Zolt jerked her head away with a growl, 'the scar stays,' before realizing the accidental terror she had presented upon the young lindwurm's face and apologizing with a few slow flashes. At least no one else tried to approach her on the right without passing within her line of sight again, and no one dared to go close to her eye.

Between the occasional questions thrown her way, it gave the dragoness time to think. For example, was it too early to be called Occima? Interestingly enough, the Lakara have never had to figure out how to address a former ruler, Foccimi, that came back to be the current ruler, Occimi. Maybe she should be called Poccima since she's going to become the next ruler, or do they need to create a new word to describe this situation? Pfoccimi? It didn't really matter, this situation would be solved in the next few hours and the Occima title would be official, again.

It took Zolt a second to realize that one of her advisors was exasperatingly flashing and clicking in front of her, trying to drag the Occima out of her thoughts. 'You're almost ready, Occima." Well, that was a piece of good news. They made her walk around the room to ensure that everything was going to stay in place as she moved around for the rest of the day, quickly adjusting things here and there as her movements caused things to shift.

'Have any other tribes arrived?' Zolt flashed, receiving a report from her Lixemo Convultas Exotilum. Only the Vuari and the Stormcallers have made it so far. Zolt wasn't expecting them all to make it, her advisors had cut down waiting a month to officially coronate her to only a week since she didn't want to do a private coronation with the Lakara just to hold another one for the other tribes. If a tribe already had plans, they didn't have much time to rearrange them, but, waiting a week instead of a month worked out better for Zolt. It meant that she could figure out a way to leave the castle and visit her pirate crew sooner... maybe it was a good thing that less tribes were attending. While she worried about how her crew was fairing out on the ocean, the less foreign dragons that saw her face here the better, because even with her disguise on the ship you never knew when a slip up could cause the downfall of both her crown and her ship. But she couldn't rely on that forever. There was a fine line to follow between keeping her crew safe and stimulating Lakaran prosperity. Apart from the Vuari, the Lakara's didn't have much of a relationship with the other tribes. For the ones that weren't here today, she was going to have to arrange a private meeting for when they did have time to discuss trade, potential alliances, and other diplomatic things. It was time for the Lakara's to not just be the tribe hidden in the depths that the other tribes remember every blue moon but to officially engage in foreign affairs.

'Make sure the dragoniformes are preparing to gather in the main hall for the coronation,' Zolt flashed, causing one of the eastern's to run out to spread the word. Hopefully all of the seating was prepared and the leaders make it to their respective seats in the front row. One of the dragoniformes helping to run the coronation should help them to their seats as long as the message gets passed along correctly.

After a few more words ensuring that she knew what was going to happen, Zolt could finally stop being fused over and get to the ambitious part of her day.

Tharasis for the most part had remained still where he and his little group had stayed. His family behind him, and his eyes towards the buildings large doors. And as he waited to be let in, he saw... what appeared to be another dragon, as it got closer. Tharasis could finally make it out who they were, and was genuinely surprised it was the twin rulers of the Stormcallers.

Why surprised? Well, it looked as though they came alone, no other representatives, no advisors, not even guards. He wondered if the two simply just flew faster than their accompanying party, that. Or they truly made their journey to here alone.

As he looked back to the doors, an eastern dragon came out. Telling them it is now time to enter, and Tharasis's group made their way inside, their banners lowered now as to not accidentally hit anything, or anyone whilst they enter. It wouldn't be long till Tharasis could see just how grand the place had retained its original beauty after these years. Though the age of time surely did make it quite noticeably different. It was non the less, still. For the most part, what Tharasis remembered as the place where Zolts parents and his family met and chatted.

In fact, when he was finally led into the main hall. He could remember the time where he and his mate walked these same hallways, on the day they visited to ask for help from Zolts family. They were new rulers at the time, and for once. That was their first ever foreign delegation to any of the tribes, though personal. That was their first time stepping so far away from their tribe. And that made this main Hall way oh so much more... impactful with its features and appearance.

When seated, Tharasis alongside everyone else was made waiting for the new ruler, and Tharasis could honestly feel how slow the time came forward when he was this close to seeing Zolt again. And could do nothing more than simply ever so gently tap his claw on the floor as he waited, that or look out on one of the many large windows that gave way to the suns bright lights to illuminate the hall. The sounds of distant birds chirping reminded the drake of the ship. The gift he and the Vuari were sending at the moment. He'd let his mind wonder, the thoughts of what words he'd say to her, what she'd say to him. Maybe they would not even get a chance to speak in person when the coronation is done.

maybe...

The Drake shook himself off the thoughts for now, focusing again in anticipation.