(Artemis is calling his guards children, I'm dying-)

"This one is appreciative of the king's thoughtfulness and will make preparations for the gift's arrival," Tobias demurs, attentively watching the expression of the man in front of him only to be faced by one as still as a statue. "In the meantime, it would be my pleasure to share a drink."

A waiter has moved to place a pair of glasses on the table, though his intention to pour is dissuaded by the curl of Tobias's fingers around the bottle. The king's bearing is relaxed, and the prince takes the opportunity to let his own actions dip into something more intimate, closer to the greetings exchanged between friends.

The plum wine is poured by a steady hand, and a pale, golden liquid, far from the deep purple that the drink's name suggests, flows out until the glasses are nearly full. Returning the bottle to the table, Tobias takes a seat by Artemis's side and lifts his glass in the beginning of a toast.

"To continued health, the beginning of a beautiful alliance, and..." the prince trails off, eyes sliding towards the other in a silent invitation.

(That is true and funny but with how old he is along with the curse to not fade. The majority of the elves age ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 and the oldest besides Artemis would be 25,000. So yes the elves to him are childern)

......Artemis gave him a small smile and lifted his own glass and finished the toast. "And to a new found friendship and bright future young prince."

......He takes a sip of the wine and hums softly. He closes his eyes and enjoys the taste of the wine. He observed the young prince a little bit more. Artemis knows that the young prince wants something from him. But honestly Artemis doesn't mind. It will pass the time for him. And maybe finds answers for himself. Especially with how he can't fade.

......He could have faded 20,000 years ago but something is stopping him from fading. He wants to know why he was cursed. Even if he can't break the curse , Artemis would rather he have the curse then someone else having it.

(At that point, Artemis is probably one of the oldest beings in existence, and he owns up to it by towering over Tobias, who's probably had to crane his neck to look up Artemis for their entire meeting. I didn't realize their height disparity until now. =D)

The alcohol hits his tongue, sweet and tart, and Tobias's eyes slip half shut as he savors the taste. It's good. Not as good as the palace's, though, and he wonders how the royal chefs will react to their visitor wandering around and eating street food. With pleasure of course, as the leftovers will be theirs to take, but did Artemis truly think that they wouldn't feed him well? Royals are fat for a reason; the cooks make enough to stuff a pig in place of a man.

Lips curled in unexplained mirth, the prince returns his focus to the elf in front of him. He turns over the curiosity that the young princes have provoked, thoughts idly drifting over rumors of the elf. "You call me young, but I've seen war," he says, his voice steady but non-confrontational, "Smelt it around me."

His request comes now, not as a challenge to Artemis's experience but as intrigued musings. Well, I suppose war is brief, and you carry yourself with the wisdom of old. What have you seen, King of Elves?

(That is true)

......Artemis hums slightly and thought for a moment. It is true what the young prince said to him. He has seen many wars in his life. Though a few he wish never came to be or began.

......"We called you young prince because in our eyes you are but a child. Even though in your people's eyes you are a man." Artemis says with a musing smile. Not one of mockery though.

......Artemis continues speaking. "We've seen kingdoms rise and fall. Some wars are short while others was long. We've seen what life brings and seen many deaths. Some from family and friends. Others from comrades. Wars can be dark and sometimes lead to devastating after affects."

......Artemis continues to think about what he has seen through his life. Though one he remembers clearly. "We've also seen betrayal. Being betrayed is the worst feeling to experience. Though we've learned that sometimes betrayal can lead to you to realize that you will find someone that will never betray you like the person who betrayed you first did."

Tobias takes a sip out of his glass when Artemis finishes, biting back a sigh. It is unfortunate but not unexpected. The prince has been told that his mind resembles a roulette wheel at the best of times, and it would be unfair to expect a guest to grasp it.

That same mind whirls as it analyzes what the king has offered before Tobias says, "Perhaps it'd be best not to dwell on darker matters," as if he hadn't brought them up in the first place.

He leans forward, and his free hand settles onto the arm rest, eyes glittering with partly-hidden interest. "What was the world like when you were young?" he asks. "I imagine it was quite different than nowadays, and the history books rarely cover the distant past too deeply."

......Artemis takes a slow sip of the wine and closed his eyes. "They were peaceful times young prince. Adventure and honor was more common. Though honor is still around. We had great fun. But atlas things do come to an end." He replies.

......Artemis reminisces about his younger days. Even to the event that had all race and species to fight together to defeat a common enemy. One he made sure to destroy any books about it and how it began. Hoping that the event will never occur.

......Artemis sets the glass down onto the table and looks at the prince as he continues to speak. "History books rarely cover the past for reasons and few should never be discovered. History turns to legends and even after that they turn to myth till no one can remember but us remembers,"

......Artemis picks his folded fan up and stands up. "This unexpected but pleasant meeting was quite interesting. Though we believe it is nearing the official time to meet at the palace. And young prince what ever your goal is we hope you achieve them,"

......Artemis gives the young prince a respectful bow before leaving the restaurant. He opens his fan and walks down the busy streets. He hums as he smile behind the fan. "What is your next move young prince. I know your mind is turning on figuring out the meaning behind my words. I left things out for reasons. Not even my people know what happened thirty thousand years ago. Though this kingdoms queen disappeared after the war several years ago is suspicious. " Artemis thought to himself.

(Getting the first glimpses of Artemis's backstory and oh no-)

Despite Artemis's previous assurances, the diminutives continue to cause shivers of disquiet as they fall from his mouth. Oh, the prince knows why he's doing it; can feel the ghost of bruises underneath his fingers as the elf dances around his question. Someone should have taught Artemis better, because nobles have never responded well to compulsion. Tobias digs in and presses.

"It was a privilege consulting with you," he says, teeth glinting in the light as they catch on curved lips, "though I must admit that your explanation has only left me wanting more. Seeing as the annals have been long lost, I'll have to defer to your expertise."

Goodness knows that Tobias isn't insane enough to follow through on his words nor to suggest that he'll study the matter on his own, but the taunting soothes the annoyance creeping under his own skin into something manageable.

Thoughts of the impromptu meeting linger on his mind as the prince sweeps back to the palace and prepares for their official meeting, allowing his valets to transform his clothing and hair with none of the usual twitches.

The king cloaked his weakness well, suffocated it with the same stillness that pervaded his every movement. But by now, there's been enough time for Tobias to get ready and wait for the arrival of his guest as the palace waits with anticipation, the nip of chilled night air marking the passage of minutes as he stands near the gates, waiting.

Perhaps it was better for the both of them that Artemis removed himself early, before tensions erupted, but the question that follows ensnares Tobias's thoughts as he examines it with idle fascination and a slight shiver. What was horrifying enough, that it's mere mentioning could shake an elf who'd watched dynasties rise and fall to the core?

......Artemis got ready to officially meet the prince at the quest place. Thoughts going through his ancient mind. His valets transforming his clothing and hair for the event. Though he wonders what will happen tonight at the event.

......Artemis looks at his fan and sighs. "Don't worry old friend. I'll make sure this world is safe and the seal doesn't break." He thought reminiscing. His friend willing gave their life away to save the world. Artemis won't make his friends sacrifice be in vain.

......Artemis clothing attire was finished. He was wearing a light green to emerald hanfu with silver leaves around the bottom and around the bottom of his sleeves. There were aspects of white in the hangu. His hair was mostly untouched and had a simple half-do hairstyle.

......The time roled by and the time to officially meet is almost near. Artemis walks to the main castle and waits to be brought in to have the audience of the young prince. His guards on high alert in the shadows.

Tobias watches the man of the hour arrive, suppressing a raised eyebrow at the man's pronounced outfit change. It wasn't necessarily the shift in styles; his own was a quite deal larger. Still the fighter's outfit had coiling dragons, stitched with gold. His knowledge stated that those patterns were a step higher than that of Artemis's current sweeping foliage, even if the many, flowing layers of the hanfu were undoubtedly more elegant. Perhaps the difference lay in elves' reverence of the forest?

Similarly-styled robes hang off his own body in swathes of shimmering crimson, embroidered with triangles of dark purple and gold like tongues of flame. A thin layer of black sits underneath as the prince follows custom and bends in a bow. Again.

When he rises, dark eyes are glittering with innocence. "Prince Tobias greets King Artemis," he says, tone genuine as those eyes focus on the other's face. "You seem familiar." The tone shifts to something musing. "Perhaps we have meet in another life, and spirits of fortune watch over our alliance."