Leroy then made a comment
"Yeah thanks! I'd hate to have to beat up one of your Guards!" Leroy joked nudging the king. Causing Kiki to give a small snicker next to him
Jeannes intoxication got the better of her though. She bust out laughing. After just coughing up her lung, she began wheezing a bit.
It took her a second, but she recovered. She had an uneasy calm as she looked at Leroy like he was stupid and got hot in the face with embarrassment. "You idiot."
A few moments of silence followed the Out Burst of the Woman. Leroy head turning slowly. He'd never seen her Break out like that. She was always so laid back.
It caused the Captain's face to suddenly distort into a smile and snort with a stiffled laugh "Pft-" Before suddenly bursting with laughter! "AH-HAHAHAAHA!"
They were the only two Laughing for a moment when another filled the Air. "PEHAHA!" Kiki suddenly bent forwards and hid her face as she to burst into laughter. Followed by a chuckle at the end of the Table. "Mhm...Pu...PUHHUHU!" The coughed a bit of smoke as he laughed a strange chortle
"Eh-ah...AHAHA!" The Navigator suddenly, slamming a fist into the table causing the the chef Next to him to recoil slightly. "Psh...HAHAH!"
With each shake of the table as Leroy to began banging on the Table in joy. Each vibration began to crack a smile out of Kále before suddenly being consumed with laughter "HAHAHA!"
As the Entire Crew began to break out into laughter. Dezzi finally joined in as the bits of Anxiety flushed away with the sound of Joy around. Banging the table as well "EHEHEHEHE!"
The Entire Table was engulfed in laughter. From the King, to the Princess. The Entire Red Sash crew laughed. Even the stoic Demeanor of Ewu and Mau cracked for a moment. Letting out their own small laughs, attempting to cover their laughs with their hands "Ehahah..."
The Medjay looked at each other in confusion. They'd never seen anything like it before. Only moments ago was the Entire mood ruined by and outburst of intolerance. And now here they were. Laughing! Even the king! A man who so rarely ever did was trying to reign himself in yet was unable to. The finally straw was suddenly when the Captain spoke. "Hey Jeanne let me get a hit of that shit!"
The Captain slinked and stretched his neck across the table and grabbed the Pipe from her hands and took a deep inhale of smoke. The Flavors of Peach and Mango filling his lungs with warm smoke before suddenly "ACK-!" Violently Coughing up smoke. Leroy Wheezing and Hacking as he started to laugh again "ACK-HAHAAHA!"
This suddenly comedic moment admist the laughter caused the Stoic warriors of the Medjay to Crack. Each and every one of them suddenly began Laughing at the Display! "AHAHAHAHAHA!"
It was so strange. And yet there was nothing supernatural about it! It was pure laughter caused by a sense of companionship amongst the crew. Spreading to all those near by. Who all
Simply Laughed...
*
*
*
The evening continued. It was now night. About 7 o'clock. And as opposed to the early dinner the crew just had. They were now filling themselves on the desserts of Arabasta.
The Table had been cleared, Hookah and all were replaced with dishes and dishes of sweets and savory salty treats different than the meals prior.
Om Ali, A Bread Pudding that used puff Roaa, a variation of Flat Bread, it was crushed and mixed with nuts, sweetened hot milk, and topped with whipped cream and broiled. The Result is a crunchy, caramelized on the top. Deep amber with browns and burns that gave a slight smoke char flavor. The middle deliciously creamy and smooth from the milk, silky like fine fabrics for the mouth.
There was also Basbousa, a Sweet cake covered in syrup, dusted with sugar. The syrup was a mix of Lemon juice and fresh honey made by hand that same evening. Giving it a nice bite of tartness, nuts were also added a top one of the secondary servings as well, giving it some savoriness on top of all the palette of flavors.
It was great with coffee or tea.
Which the Table had a variety of strong dark mix. Similar to breakfast tea, and had sugar cubes next to them in ornate metal container with special tongs made just for the action. One of the teas was known as Shay, and was brewed in water and milk.
There was also mint Shay, Sage, Thyme, Cinamon, and Dried Lime.
Noir savored the palette of all of these Teas. The Chef was very much in tune with the culture and brewing of tea.
"Enjoying the Tea Mister Ducasse?" Geeve asked from behind as he poured another cup for the Chef "Yes absolutely, thank you! A nice refresher of my palette from smoking."
The two talked while Leroy enthusiastically chowed down on the sweets around. To the surprise of Kiki and Kirk, he was actually using a fork for the cakes!
"You know…Ramze. I got a question for ya" Leroy spoke with his mouth full.
The King cut into Knafeh, a confection with shredded phyllo dough known as Kataife, doused with ghee governed in sticky oozing sweet cheese, then drenched in in syrup and accented with rose water. Pistachios crowning the top for contrast of the bright vibrant orange. Its sweet, creamy, buttery, and crunchy.
"Yes Captain what is it?" He speaks after he savors the dish with a hearty swallow.
"Do you think you'll continue to be King after this?" Leroy asked bluntly. If it hadn't been for the extreme hardy laughs of only minutes prior, this question would've had the Royal Medjay silenced by the question.
"Why do you ask?" The kind tone of the Monarch did not assume malice in the question. Nor was it the Captains intention.
"Well…I don't know much about the world…But I grew up on Goa. Which has a KIng. And…That guy was a duche. Stepped on everyone, same with the rich guys there too. And I don't know. I'm just curious if you think that being a king is such a good idea when clearly had there been maybe more in the way…Perhaps this wouldn't have all happened."
"Red Sash. I am thankful for you but that is a very petulant ques-" Geeve began to speak with a hardened look. But Ramze's hand raised to cease the mans words.
"I under stand why you ask this…There's been…Coalitions of political inclined individuals in the Kingdom. People wanting the parliament to be redone or repurposed. I've even gotten letters from the Militia about how I should "Socialize" the kingdom. Give power in to the hands of my subjects…"
He sighs. "But…I would love to. Theres just the fact that this Kingdom has existed since the beginning of the world. Or the history and myths of our culture…" Before the desserts, Ramze had explained the 'Creation Myth' of Arabasta which had been depicted by the mural with in the mausoleum.
"A Good Monarch is an Extension of the Peoples will I like to think. The Guiding hand to make the right choices for the good of them all. Others see it as a God given right to rule and subjugate. And define those words and being the rulers who medel and play with lives. Because it is their will, they think, that is supposed to be the thing to define the world."
"Maybe…" Leroy said "Maybe you being a King makes sense for this country. But only if thats what the people want, no? Maybe…Because of everything thats happened that you can be new. Different. Progressives."
"I don't like the Idea of a King. Well- Heheh…King as in a person that forces people to not be free. Confine them to certain rules that only hurt them and everyone around them. Only benefiting themselves…Its why I was so hesitant to help you in the first place." Leroy spoke truthfully as he locked eyes from Kiki to then Ramze again
"But your desperation told me that you weren't just someone just as bad as Hornigold. Maybe now that there was a Revolution, a Fight that was in the Hands of the people to take back their lives…Maybe instead of going back to how it once was, even if it was good, something new can be done. All those people fought for this Country. It shows they're willing to live for it and die for it. And they shouldn't be ignored while a bunch of Council guys and you dictate it without them."
Ramze looked at Leroy. Eyes locked on him in deep contemplation. The man, had a point. Had it been his Father who Leroy was talking too. He would've seen all of this talk as heretical. Disrespectful. That it was a spit in the face of all the hard work that he as King had done. But Ramze, he saw how the people labored more than any King. Even if mentally it was straining. He knew of the disparity of wealth, or labor and jobs…And he was king. And yet he couldn't fix it no matter how hard he tried.
Because maybe. It wasn't possible with the things were. But could be if things were different.
"Thank you, Red Sash. Thank You your insight- I have thought of similar ideas before…And I must say you are right…And I will think about it. I wouldn't want have you coming back around and fighting me next time! Pahah!" Ramze Smiled, Leroy giving his own grin
"You know me so well! But yeah…Youre right. Lets keep eating. Thank for hearing me."
"Of course."