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Rose: End of the Second Test

Rose had just finished doing ten backflips, and had gotten her nod. She was pleased with that one; she hadn't really known she could do that one.

Hirow asked the next question of her; "How do we teach our children our culture?"

Rose thought he was trying to stump her with this one; he knew she hadn't grown up with kitsunes by now; that had been a question about an hour ago; who had raised her.

"They are taught as a pack, in little lessons daily, by Elders, Shamans, Speakers, Councilmembers, and even the Royal Line. The lessons are stories, passed down from generations before. The stories are the responsibility of the young ones to memorize, so one day they might pass them down as well."

A nod, curt and with a frown, followed that.

Rose tensed, waiting for the next one. She'd only gotten three non-nods this whole time. Only one task and two questions she could not answer so far to their liking. But always, it was one on top of another. So it confused her, now, as there was a silence among them.

Rose watched them. They weren't looking at one another, not really. But they were watching from the corners of their eyes. Rose realized that they were each allowed to ask questions until they were satisfied. That would explain why Fresin and Newon hadn't asked a question in over an hour. And why Hirow had asked the last ten. But now- silence.

Rose waited patiently. But she felt irked. She knew she shouldn't... but something was bothering her. It wasn't this test, or these kitsunes, or anything. She just felt odd. She chalked it up to having had a long day, and hoped she really was almost done.

After a few long moments, Philli spoke again. And asked possibly the worst question that Rose could have had to answer.

"What reason might we have to find you unfit to Rule?"

Rose thought quickly, and came up with a response that satisfied her duty to be honest, without giving away too much.

"If there were to be any reason, it might be that I am not kitsune enough for your liking." Rose answered simply. She wanted to smile- she was telling the truth, but not spilling her guts. She might be able to get away with not having her whole heritage out for everyone to see after all.

Philli looked at her for a moment, a look of concentration on his face. Rose was once again unsure. But then, he nodded.

And then, he stood. And one by one, the other Council Members stood, too. Hirow, surprisingly, was not the last to stand. Rose was certain that this was some kind of vote of confidence. The female, Ariel, was the last to hesitantly stand.

"We, the Council of Green Shade, hereby find Rose Blueaecid Fit to Rule." Philli said formally. They all bowed their heads, showing deference but retaining a dignified power, and Rose smiled. Then she jumped and spun, as she heard a squeal from behind her, followed, however, but a hoot of joy. Trella and Kyrre were practically dancing, and Sahm raced over to join them in a group hug.

Rose felt... a little awkward, though their happiness was contagious. She kind of felt like... My Fair Lady, after the experiment had worked. She held that thought, as she heard Philli clear his throat.

"The Third, and Final Test, is to win over the people." He said formally. "This will begin at dawn, tomorrow, Princess Rose."

Fresin looked pointedly at Rose. "All kitsunes will have the right to question our decision tomorrow, before you and everyone else present. It will be outside, in the glade. Your... cousin... will be one of your biggest opposers, and it will be up to us and your friends to speak on your behalf. You will not be allowed to speak for yourself, as you have been found to be Royal and Fit to Rule, and are above direct reproach." Fresin leaned in, but some of the other Council Members were now walking away. The session was obviously closed for the day. "Princess Rose, you should know that while everyone stood for you today, some may not be completely certain still. Your opposers will attempt to sway the Council, and at sunset, there will be a final vote."

Rose's face paled. This couldn't be good. Hadn't she had a hard enough time getting the Council to believe in her already? She couldn't answer directly!?

Newon, who had drifted from his place, came around the table, and, after bowing his head again to Rose, continued on Fresin's topic quietly.

"You will be allowed to have your side argued, not only by us, but also by any two people of your choosing. You will only get two, but anyone who knows you and is present may be called upon to answer for you by your accusor. They must all answer the truth."

Fresin had walked around, as Newon had, and bowed his head also, before Newon was done. Rose faced the two of them.

"We sincerely hope that you pass tomorrow, Princess Rose." Fresin said, with an honest smile. "Your grandfather was one of our best Kings, and we see his traits in you."

They bowed to the waist, in unison, then, and backed away ten paces, before turning and leaving. The rest of the Council, Rose noted, was already gone. Rose took a moment to compose herself. That compliment- that she was like the grandfather she never knew, but had come to respect- meant more to her than she could have anticipated.

She turned around, to find Kyrre, Sahm, and Trella, smiling and waiting for her. They bowed to the waist, one hand over their hearts, in unison.

"Okay, you guys are going to have to stop that. I'll get a complex." Rose said, laughing nervously.

"Well, Your Highness, technically, we must." Sahm said. "And even if we did not have to because you asked us not to, we really should, at least until tomorrow evening. It would really help the cause."

Rose sighed.

"All right then." Rose said, a little disgruntled. She couldn't help but let out a yawn.

"We should go- you need rest." Kyrre said in a little bit of a hurry. "Besides, your... extended family is here, and waiting for you."

"Really?" Rose asked, suddenly excited. She smiled mischeivously- only one side of her mouth turned up in the smile. "That is going to be quite convenient."

Rose hardly waited for the others to lead her out of the Palace, and had to be told a dozen times that Royalty didn't run, before she was finally at the door of the lodge that Dragon was staying at. Based on the size of the place they were issued, Rose suddenly wondered exactly how many members of the Dragon Dynasty had come. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

She knocked on the door quickly.

"Dragon? It's me! Rose! Open up! I need to ask you something!" she said, excitement leaked out of her voice with the plea.