Essie
"Maybe you've oughta try swinging the other way. Plenny of guys'd like a Dartrix like you." Nicole suggested this with a clap of their hands.

"A *Kingdom,* Hmm?" Unfortunately, the Phione was absolutely invested in whatever spiel Grim wanted to go on.

"What brings you all the way to fey, then? Vacation? Family?"
Juan
*Here we go on there being two tangents being responded to in a single post but that's just the joy of RPing isn't it?* "Oh, trust me." *He glared to the side.* "Men are no easier to charm." 

*Oh god you weren't supposed to ENGAGE, Nicole!* "Oh, yes. A prosperous kingdom, too." *He tilted his hand to get a better look at his feathers, as someone might inspect their nails- more just a showy expression to look unconcerned, since he always keeps his feathers clean.* "The Goldshirian empire was a bountiful land. Farms as far as the eye could see, and wealth consummate to those who sought it... And then some." *He frowned, furrowing his brows and recalling something bitter.* "It was too good to last. We were conquered, we were murdered, and those of us not murdered were expelled. I've spent enough time among the peasantry for one lifetime."

*He took a deep breath, then shook his head.* "I was then banished, sent to my death, and decided not to die. As all men do in their formative years, of course. I am still a prince by blood... It's a shame no one will ever truly know that. Except for you, I suppose.

"The name is Grim Goldshire," *He stated, extending a friendly hand to the Phione.* "And you?"
Essie
"How old are you? You look young. S'advice, from a wise old elder." They were 36. "Got like 60 years 'fore you die if you don't get tetanus, yeah? Can make plenty of more kingdoms in time like that. S'no big deal."

...

"We're like siblings! Shooting stars parallel to one another, or somethin' fancy like that." Nicole clapped their hands together, pulling a ^_^ face at the news Grim was *Also* Cast out for sucking. "I was exiled too! When my old man kicked the bucket, 'pparently no one was too thrilled about the joint going to *Me* Next. So they were like, 'we're gonna kill you!' So I left, hehe." 

They reached out their free hand, delicately balancing pancakes in the other, and offered a handshake.

"Just Nicole. Call me Nick, Nicky, Nicholas, whatever you like really."
Juan
"I am a ripe adult man," *He stated, before continuing with,* "A full eighteen years old," *With naught even the slightest bit of self awareness.*

*He looked slightly bemused at the tale- like this was some sort of scam- but as he shook their hand and repeated their name to themselves, something snapped-* "Nicole. Nichole. ... Wait. THE Nicole??" *He raised a brow, then looked them up and down. No, wait, this wasn't just some* Uncommon *Pokémon species- yes, yes. He's heard about them before, in political teachings and alike-* "You mean the- THE Monarch of York, Nicole?! That is... Well!" *He smiled and started to fan himself off.* Could this be my ticket out of here!? Out of the poor life!?! "I am *Pleased* To make your acquaintance! It's been forever since I've met another member of a royal family!" *His handshake became former and sweatier...*
Essie
"Awww, what a warm welcome" Nicole waved their hand, giggling like a school girl.

"*Former* Monarch. I think they're turning to a democracy now...?" Nicole's hand was damp, wet, and mildly uncomfortable. They carried on with the handshake a bit longer than they should have, before drawing back their hand in order to stuff another pancake in their mouth.

"Ya, tho." Their mouth was full. "Waf a lot of worf, tho. [Was a lot of work, though.]" Nicole raised a fork, spinning it about. They took a few more seconds to scarf down the pancake- barely chewing. "Kinda glad 'mm gone, yeah? Now I'm as free as a bird!" They cast out their arm.

...

"Metaphorically."
Juan
*Former.*

*Former.*

__Former__ *Monarch.*

*The Dartrix deflated. It's kind of obvious why, now. Honestly, looking at them, he should've expected it.* "Oh." *... And he shook that gross, syrup-covered hand, and for what?* "Guh.

"How ridiculous. *Glad* To no longer be a monarch! That's ridiculous. You could have had anything. Done anything. Lead a nation to greatness! Become soooo much more than any of the rabble could have! Why would you be glad throwing that away??" *It wasn't exactly aggressive, but that did irk Grim quite a bit.*
Essie
"Hmmm." 

Nicole pretended to think about it. However, their mind was ultimately empty- the idea of ever *Wanting* To do something great far fetched to them.

"Nah. Not interested." They waved their hand, giving a yawn. "Why's the rabble so bad, anyways? The, euhhhhhhh, rabbles got good pancakes. Nobles have all of this... *Stuff.* Too much of it, y'know? No time to appreciate the little things from all the way at th' top of the food chain." Nicole blinked slowly, either oblivious or uncaring of Grim's own gripes.
Juan
*Grim paused, taking Nicole's words with a rather hefty consideration despite their carefree nature.* "Good pancakes? Decent living? Trust me, I know that you know that the life of royalty is far better than..." *He gestured to Nicole.* "... *This.* There's so much more than dry, simple pancakes and atrocious attire. There are pageants, eloquent feasts- the best chiefs in the world, all at your fingertips!"

*He paused, then reconsidered Nicole's status.* "... Or... Was it too hard for you? Yes, that'd make sense." *It was too much work. They gave up.* "Ah, I see. I suppose some of us are born poor. In a spiritual sense. Shame." *He frowned, looking away.* "... No offense. Although, I'm guessing, none is taken?" *There was a scrappy bit of bird in him that kind of just wanted to get in their head in the irritating sorts of way, but that was fighting against his sense to be a decent Pokemon.*
Essie
"Yeah." Nicole didn't give a shit. "I guess you're right. The outfits not for everyone, and neither are the pancakes." They shrugged- giving up on backing their opinion in favor of agreeability and being a wet blanket. What was the point of this? Grim would outlive the Phione, anyways. In 40 years they'd be gone, and nothing they'd ever done would have mattered. Just the way they liked it.

"No offense taken. I'll die soon anyways." Their train of thought bled into their dialogue without them realizing it. With an awkward pause, Nicole carried on.

"Haven't you been having lots of fun, though? Not having to be a prince and do all that work? Been chilling?"
Juan
*Grim crossed his arms.* Was they... Were they... Depressed or something? That's sad. *Wealth can't make everyone happy.* Maybe this is a more fundamental issue. A personal one. One I couldn't possibly hope to understand. "Oh."

Drop the topic. "Me... As a prince. Now a scoundrel. No?" *He raised a brow, although there was a growing self-concern in how he was handling this conversation with Nicole.* "It's been remarkably worse. With all... Well, I mean, I don't refer to the luxuries of the life. Don't get me wrong, those were nice, but...

"... No, I don't feel like I can enjoy much. It feels like nothing I do as a commoner matters. Like my decisions don't matter beyond the immediate vicinity. There's no use for... Diplomatic knowledge, trade routes... I feel completely and utterly useless at times. Even with Merc, I can feel... Out of my element. Yes. That's it." *He waggled a feather-finger.* "This isn't the life I was made for."
Essie
It was weird, talking to Grim. Nicole felt as though they were so *Close-* Nearly parallel in their history of nobility. But they were just so fundamentally... Different. Grim despaired over the purposelessness of their life. Nicole reveled in it. He wished for nothing more than his previous life, and hated the common life. Nicole believed themself to be living the dream.

"Is your immediate circle not those who matter most to you?" Nicole didn't have any friends, but if they did, this would probably apply. "Don't need to be changing the world, yeah? Can just, umm. Change the people who mean the world to you. Or somethin'. With... Um... Your diplomatic knowledge 🎶!~"

Another pause. Maybe this advice wasn't the best. They took the time to think about it, leaving Grim to naught but stare for a couple seconds.

"Could marry a king, also. There's oughta be someone noble n' single in Hecatia, right?"
Juan
*At that last suggestion, Grim smirked- then chucked, patting his chest.* "Hoh! I'd love for that. If I could find a noble lady- or an adventurous king- or even a prince or princess, and convinced them that I was so worthy, it'd be as good as done!

"But marriage is complicated. It's a legal affair. No *Real* Royalty marries for love. They marry for gain. It's political. And, me, well... I'm just a nobody, as it stands." *His smile faded. He didn't quite see himself in Nicole- because he didn't want to ever* Be *Someone like Nicole.*

"... Merc matters." *His gaze went to the side.* "But that's different. It's... A coincidence of responsibility. One I'd deal with better as a king. Or a prince. ... Hm. At this point, I might even take the title of 'knight', as lowly as it may be." *He shrugged.* "But no. Not many Pokemon matter to me like that. If you can imagine, most don't liiiiike me." *He scowled.* "But that's their loss. And I simply need to move on. No point filling those roles with... What, Pokemon who need me for my brawn?"