8516/Quite the Net

Quite the Net
Date of Scene:	26 July 2019
Location:	Atlantis Embassy
Synopsis:	Arthur and Mera discuss the evils of galas and weddings, before retiring for the evening.
Cast of Characters:	Aquawoman, Aquaman

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Aquawoman has posed:
Mera sighs, as she drifts into the embassy, letting the faint current pull her along and conserving energy. It has been a long night, and galas often tire her out. So many obligations. So many people to greet, and to converse with. This one was no different. She pulls a mother-of-pearl comb from her hair, loosing it in the current so that it billows around her, and she turns back toward where Arthur was following. Her iridescent bodysuit is beset and encrusted with gems at the neckline, dressed as any princess should be for an underwater gala with diplomatic applications.

"Is it finally over? Can we relax, now?" she asks with a playful smirk.

Aquaman has posed:
"Thank god," Arthur says, slipping into his surface colloquialisms as he often does at the end of the day when they are alone. He comes floating behind Mera in royal green and gold. He places the Trident of Poseidon down carefully.

"I was ready to punch Envoy Charel in the teeth," he says of the Lemurian envoy to court. He continues, grumbling. "He won't /shut up/ about them beating us in the melee. We'd better beat them stupid next tourney or I'm getting a new coach for the cohort."

He watches the light catch Mera's bodysuit with every movement.

"And they kept pulling me away from you for stupid things," he adds. "Once you're queen, I'll make that a crime."

Aquawoman has posed:
"Once I'm a queen, I can make that a crime, as well," Mera replies with a gentle smile, reaching up to touch Arthur's cheek. "But for now, we're home, and there is no one left to pull us away. I am yours as you are mine, and if anything interrupts that, I swear to the gods..." She sighs exasperatedly. "But you know, of course, that the time grows near when we will need to host our own gala. For those of the sea, and the land-dwellers, as well. It will announce the betrothal properly, and perhaps sate those who won't be attending the wedding. I would prefer that we keep that to a minimal attendance, at least when it comes to those of the surface media."

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur smiles at Mera's touch. He catches her hand and kisses her palm.

"I would argue, but you deserve to be celebrated at least twice," Arthur says. He drops Mera's hand turns for her to help him out of the confines of his royal armour so he can dress comfortably.

"How big should this be?" Arthur asks. "It is one of the most important official announcements since my coronation."

Aquawoman has posed:
Mera deftly unfastens and removes Arthur's armor with a skilled hand. She has assisted him I'm this a time or two, it seems. "For diplomatic purposes, honestly, we would need to invite everyone who is anyone in Xebel and Atlantis. But if we do not extend the invitation to the surface dwellers, as well, we risk offending.

Setting his armor carefully aside, piece by piece, Mera continues thoughtfully. "We must include all of those whom you call allies there. But we must include enough of the media that we'll not be called out for favouritism."

As she lays the armor aside, she moves in closer to rest her cheek against his shoulder. "And when we are done, we'll simply release the sharks and let everyone depart at their own speed," she resolves with a chuckle.

Aquaman has posed:
"Ha!" Arthur barks a laugh. "If only. Of course, that means all the other vassal realms and Tha-Korr or they'll be offended we had surface dwellers ahead of them. The Justice League and Themyscira on its own merits.... By the time the heralds are done going over the list for protocol it's going to be enormous."

"So," the Atlantean king says after her turns to face his betrothed. "Where do you want this little celebration of yours? The Embassy doesn't have the right... Grandeur. Don't tell my father I used that word. I'll never hear the end of it," he remarks.

Aquawoman has posed:
"I cannot be sure. It cannot be flooded, or I would have suggested one of the Grand Halls. I suppose it will need to be at the surface, but on the water. That place at the end of the earth where earth meets water.

"But I don't even /want/ to discuss all those people tonight. I only just got you back to myself." She smiles and strokes his hair.

Aquaman has posed:
"They were all looking at you tonight," Arthur rumbles. "You shamed the rest of the women in court. I almost felt bad."

In the carefully kept habitat outside the embassy royal apartment windows, dozens of faintly luminescent fish around in complex patterns only they understand. Like moving constellations against the dark water beyond.
Arthur turns Mera to face the simple beauty of aquatic dance. He gathers her hair to one side and kisses her neck.

"Queen Mera," Arthur murmurs. His arms slipping around the Xebelian Princess. "I can't wait to hear them say it."

Aquawoman has posed:
Mera smiles, as she leans in against Arthur, watching the shimmer of light in the darkness. She tilts her head as he kisses her neck, and she sighs contentedly. "You already treat me as if I were," she observes, turning to capture his lips with her own in a brief kiss. "I can think of little in this world that makes me happier."

Aquaman has posed:
"Good," Arthur says with a grin. "Whatever keeps you coming back. Shame it takes all this time and planning to make you mine, I'd have done it by now. Princesses," he smirks playfully.

Aquawoman has posed:
Mera smirks and turns to face Arthur. "If I had my way, we'd have eloped by now, and there would be no question in your mind of making me yours. But I believe it's fairly obvious that I am, by now. I think I do a fabulous job of putting up with you," she chides playfully. "And if you ever feel the need to claim me, I believe that can be arranged, as well." She winks. "It's all the diplomacy in between that complicates it so."

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur kisses his betrothed. A gentle current picks the two up and pushes them further into the apartments, past its opulent finishings toward the bedroom.

"It is a bit obvious," he agrees as they glide slowly along. "Mine by duty, by arrangement, by the fact you just can't get enough of me. You are trapped in quite the net."