Ekon was surprised at this new information, he'd known Anasuri had told someone she was 'sick,' but he hadn't expected it to be the captain of all people. If anything, this made him even more confident in Captain Tess' abilites to be a captain. He didn't mean it in a bad way, but he hardly trusted anyone who was technically his superior. Most of them were corrupt and his faith in the system had been lost long ago. Those with power climbed the ranks and those without stayed at the bottom of the train. A sad, but honest truth.

"Then not only is she trustworthy, but I owe her a debt as well. She helped me in my time of need, just as you did." Ekon pointed this out and immediately winced, gods, he was such an asshole. How could he had even thought about hurting Princess Anasuri after all she'd done for him? Well, he knew why, but still. Now he couldn't even see how he'd justified it. He was such a horrible being.

"Tess hates debts - both with having people owing her, and owing something to someone else," Anasuri said lightly, pushing open the door to her own room, "If you let her know you are thankful, then that is more than enough. Tess wasn't expecting anything in return."

When Anasuri had informed the Captain of what had happened, Tess had been more than willing to assist in any way possible. She didn't want another young knight's life to be cut short, simply because the higher-ups in the Monarchy didn't see the worth of a life that wasn't powerful.

Ekon was rather happy to hear that he didn't owe the Captain anything other than his gratefulness. He couldn't afford to be in debt to anyone, granted it wasn't like that debt would last very long as he was pretty sure that any day Dakota would get killed and then Ekon would follow soon after. He had broke the deal and now held rather dangerous information in his hands. So basically he was pretty sure he was going to die within the next week. Any debts he owed wouldn't mean a thing.

"Well that's a relief, as I am rather poor to be completely honest. I couldn't pay her even if she asked, I would try to though. I'll make sure to thank her as soon as I get the chance. It's the least I could do after she saved my life." Ekon sighed, reaching down to pet Dakota before realizing that his companion wasn't there and would probably not be there for the rest of the week.

Anasuri nodded - she didn't doubt the honesty of Ekon's words, "She'd appriciate it a lot...." Anasuri surveyed her room as the door closed behind the two of them, "I'm just about to reach a breakthrough on a potion, plus I need to make those tonics for Captain Tess... So I'm probably going to be cooped up in my work room for the rest of the day - maybe going out to the garden to collect some plants if I'm out of them."

-

ts?

To when?

ball?

Oooh, okey. You wanna start? Since you know what's going on more than I do lol.

Anasuri gazed into her own eyes in the mirror. At times, Anasuri did not recognize herself, especially when there was a ball or gala. While Anasuri dressed herself most days, choosing a gown from her plethora or outfits, it was normally an outfit with a higher collar, and elbow length sleeves. Comfort took precedence over style, and with the purpose of this ball being towards finding a husband, Anasuri wished more than anything she could have chosen her own outfit.

Alas, that was not the case. Her father was aware of her schemes, and had chosen an outfit for her. Yes, the dress was beautiful, and Anasuri felt stunning wearing it, but this was not her normal style. It would also attract unwanted attention and eyes, which Anasuri always wanted to avoid.

Her light, rose-good hair was pulled back away from her face, styled in a delicate updo. Her crown's weight was heavy on her head, even if the metal was light. The pressures that came with it, though, sometimes made it hard for Anasuri to keep her head high. Little ringlets framed her face, and Anasuri had convinced the maids to let her be makeup free. Her natural face would be enough.

The dress was another matter, and no begging or pleading had changed it. It was an off-white color, with the faintest pink tinge to it. It was cut low, without any straps. The sleeves were off the shoulder, and could hardly be considered sleeves at all. They were made of a loose, see-through fabric, running from her elbows to her wrists. The dress was tight at the waist, with the lower half then being loose, made of many different layers. There was no hoop skirt, thankfully, but there gown still circled around her. Underneath the dress were black, very high heels. At any event, Anasuri was always supposed to wear the tallest shoes possible, considering most people towered over a foot above her. She had long since perfected the art of dancing and moving in these death traps, but it still made her feet ache.

For jewelry, there was a diamond choker around her neck, with a longer necklace paired with it. On the longer necklace held a gorgeous stone, the same color or Anasuri's eyes.

Ekon had taken what Anasuri said to heart, and planned on doing his best to help her. Although he didn't often wear full sets of armor, he did own multiple full sets. Helmets were even rarer for him, but he decided that in order to be seen as intimidating, he'd probably have to wear one. As Anasuri never failed in making him smile and smiling would most definitely be not scary or intimidating to anyone.

His suit of armor was a dark grey, almost black in color. It was made entirely of metal, meaning that to him, the whole thing was a weapon. Ridges covered the entire suit, even his iron gauntlets were ridged. Two latches shaped like the sun kept the chest piece in place, and they were right on his shoulders. The finishing piece was the helmet, it was just as dark as the armor, and was intricately designed. It wasn't just the ordinary helmet most knights wore, no, this one was very expensive. The whole set had been a gift and was not something held ever be able to afford on his own. Regardless, the effects was simple, he looked intimidating, and even to himself, he didn't quite know what to say. He didn't feel like himself, and he didn't like it.

Whatever the case, he had sworn to help Princess Anasuri, and would stick by whatever she told him to do.

Anasuri looked at herself one last time, feeling the comforting jingle of her anklet, the great panda charm a familiar and soothing weight. She could do this. It would be okay.

Anasuri had never felt more awkward knocking on the door between her and Ekon's room. Her outfit was more... revealing... than anything she had worn before, and was different from her normal style. The ball would be filled with beautiful women, and hopefully not that many eyes would be on her.

Anasuri had never been very lucky, though.