Solace
. . .
Solace dips her head slightly after Thalassa's name and title is given, letting her own coy smile pull at the corners of her pink lips. The girl may be new, she thinks to herself, but she is a quick study.
Solace is happy to see that her brief mention of Hyaline does not bore her - quite the opposite. Thal she seems interested enough, even asking a follow-up question.
"Depends on who you ask," Solace replies simply, as she swats a fly with the ivory tassels of her tail before elaborating. "The residents of Hyaline value their freedom - for some that means they keep to the solitude of the summits for seasons at a time..." Keeper, the she-bear, comes to mind when she says this, and Smoak too, although a little more unexpectedly. "... but others prefer to keep busy."
Tahl's quick answers and inquisitive eyes suggest to Solace that she may fall into the latter group, should she desire that kind of life. But the girl's restlessness does not go unnoticed by the mother of five. "Shall we walk and talk? There is a stream just over that rise; I saw it when I flew in and I could use a drink." She suggests before continuing to answer Tahl's sensible question.
"In Hyaline we have five council members and two casts below them. There are Diplomats, Peacekeeper, and residents who simply call our lakeshore home but do not wish to be involved in politics.
Diplomats venture to the other kingdoms, representing Hyaline and her interests and keeping abreast of current events. The Peacekeepers duties are to protect Hyaline should the need arise, to represent her in challenges and mocks, and train anyone who is interested - but especially the children - to defend themselves."
Solace pauses then, waiting to see which part of this little speech Thal seems to be the most interested in.