animatedsmoke | (no subject)

Who: Potemkin, Answer
When: Post Revelator?
Where: Eastern Chipp Kingdom
What: Subordinates' time off

Pleasantries are a staple of politics, even the politics of delicate, smaller nations, and right after stopping world destruction. In fact this was seen as a chance to mutually recover, to settle down both their peoples and to come together to resolve unfinished business between them.

So a trip to the Eastern Chipp Kingdom it was then. Soon after they had made arrival, Mr. Zanuff and Mr. Gabriel had their meeting, off to talk about affairs which are no doubt very Presidential.

Which leaves them alone.

The location the Zepp dispatch had been invited to has a garden for idle parties, though it might as well have been called a the lake from how much of the attraction was the water. A pavilion sits in the center, providing a view across the expanse of blue-green waters, dotted with greener lily pads.

Potemkin isn't going to do any move that would speak for his Commander in Chief. But it's just a bit too long and a bit too boring of a wait to do literally nothing. Potemkin looks to the side, observing the lake. The water is so close, he would almost swear they're floating on it.

"What is this place?"

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"The best word for it would be 'sanctuary'".

Like any good chief of staff, Answer made sure the accommodations for Zepp's president and any security detail were outstanding. They were given the best tents and food, and while Gabriel and the boss spoke about furthering their alliance, he offered to give one of the higher ranked officials a tour of their village.

Starting with their most popular attraction: the frog pond. Answer considers it a sanctuary due to its surprisingly quiet atmosphere, and he relaxes by watching the frogs hop around. A couple of the reddish-black frogs come right up to Answer, hopping into his arms. "These frogs are native to the region, so when the kingdom was in its infancy, I convinced the boss to put this area aside for them. Sort of an open air enclosure." He gently pets the larger of the two frogs, showing them to his visitor.

So that was the purpose of this place, beyond looking serene and pretty and all. Potemkin looks at the lake with entirely different eyes now, not knowing its history.

"So these are the native species of this land. In a way, they're part of the spirit of your country," Potemkin says, in agreement with Answer's respect for the animals.

Potemkin reflexively leans closer to see what Answer is holding, even if it means leaning at a sharp angle due to the difference in height. The bright, shiny back of the red frog captures his attention, though he's fine to let only Answer touch it.

Growing up, Answer never really liked animals. They existed and that's about it, but after helping Chipp build this nation, they've grown on him. These frogs are so tame despite their wild background, allowing the chief of staff to gently pet them. As he tries to hold it up a bit closer, the frog decides to hop onto Potemkin's arm.

"They're very much a part of our country's spirit, and as you can see, they are inquisitive, much like our boss." Answer can't help finding the visual of the frog hopping up Potemkin rather charming. "I think he likes you."

In a blink Potemkin is now looking at Answer's empty palms, with the frog on the side of a massive trunk-like bicep. Potemkin has no reaction to it clinging onto him, like he didn't even feel it there. He resumes trying to look at it from his arm.

"You think he does?" Potemkin asks, almost hopeful.

"Yes. This one doesn't normally come up to people so easily. He certainly doesn't go near the boss." Answer's witnessed the same frog just staring at Chipp and leaping away while others in the pond try to capture his attention. Now the anti-social amphibian's gently crawling up Potemkin's arm and making the usual "ribbit" sounds.

Answer can't help finding it endearing. "No one believes me when I say the frogs are the best judges of character."

Potemkin listens carefully while he studies the frog, glistening . For a split second Potemkin considers how Chipp Zanuff would carry himself in this peaceful garden and how well (or poorly) the fauna takes that, but Potemkin's manners and discretion are honed enough from working in diplomacy that he can leave unexpressed a single word of what he imagined.

As the frog gets closer to his face, Potemkin can almost think that with its attention grabbing call it's being needy. Potemkin doesn't disturb it, keeping still the perfect resting place that is his side.

"Interesting. I would trust beings of nature to have more intuition than most."

"This particular species is very intuitive. Isn't that right, Jelle?" Answer reaches up to pat the frog on the head. The frog doesn't mind the head pats but it's clear he's favoring his new heat spot that's Potemkin's shoulder.

A couple other frogs take note and start hopping towards Answer and his new companion. The chief of staff kneels down to pick them up, pleased that they're being social with their guest. "I think they want to say hello, too."

The address to the frog is so friendly, Potemkin takes note of it. That Answer could refer to a specific frog by name proved his dedication to them more than anything else.

While Potemkin becomes lost in his own thought, he barely registers the frogs surrounding them. But he doesn't have to do much. He sits and patiently waits for them to hop to him.

With frogs all around them but no sign of their presidents, Potemkin finally starts to relax. "Do you spend a lot of time here?" Potemkin asks, reaching out to Answer as a person and not as an agent of his country.

The image before him is amusing and endearing. The frogs have warmed up to their new friend easily, and Answer can't help watching in awe. He almost doesn't hear Potemkin's question.

"What? Oh, yes. I find this place very relaxing." Since he doesn't hear any yelling or Chipp throwing things, Answer decides to take a seat next to the soldier. One frog climbs up to him, and he gently pats her head. "Sometimes I end up spending hours here."

Potemkin can fill in the "without Chipp" part by himself. Indeed, this whole place seems very different from the emerging President .

Answer, too, is very different. Potemkin is struck by Answer's own personality. How patient he must be to be so quiet. The understanding that he has in order to notice such delicate details. Potemkin looks down at Answer, who feels so close right up to him on the bench, while wondering these things.

"I see the beauty of this place, too."

The response has Answer smiling a bit under that mask/scarf. "I'm glad someone else does." He's tried to convince Chipp to slow down and take some time to breathe, but it doesn't always work. Though there are times Answer should take his own advice. When was the last time he actually came down to visit his amphibious friends? Another one manages to hop and crawl its way to Answer's knee.

He almost tells them that they must be enjoying the new heat source as much as he is, but he bites his lip. A light blush graces Answer's face. "S-so, what else do you and the president have planned? I am aware of all the required meetings but no recreational requests." He tries not to sound like a tour guide but he's probably failing.

The mask hides Answer's redness from Potemkin, and he stays unaware of Answer's reaction to his body's warmth. "Hmmfph. President Gabriel is mostly here for your superior. "

Potemkin pauses. "Zepp is always in need of being attended to. But, it would be nice to stay for longer."

"You should. I've been looking for new ways to attract potential tourists, anyway. Of course there are logistics and figuring out which seasons are best. And I'm always seeking feedback-" Soon the frog suddenly hops up and lands on Answer's chest, causing him to be pushed into Potemkin's side. The business ninja gets an even better feel of the soldier's heat, and it's far nicer than he expects.

Of course he doesn't stay long as he's already straightening up and smoothing out his suit. The frog sits at his shoulder, and he can't help giving it a curious look. "Sorry about that. It appears the frogs are very happy with a new visitor, moreso than I thought."