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"We have news for you, Riku."

It was not uncommon for any of Ouroboros or their assembled companions to enter either the Cloudkeep or Keves Castle and find both of Aionios's monarchs there, chatting and counseling soldiers together. They never had controlled any part of the war or their loyal colony commanders, so what would be the point of lingering in their lonely antechambers, helping no one? Nia could talk with Poppi, but since Riku traveled with Ouroboros and set himself up as an itinerant colony mechanic in the meantime, Melia had no one.

It had also been some time since Riku had been able to talk with Melia in private - relate to her the particulars of his journey and findings, inquire about the state of the world and Origin. Maybe he'd been wanting to visit just his Masterpon, and maybe he was a touch bemused that Nia shared his goal (though she was much more frequent with her execution). But if he was, he didn't say.

"Riku excited to hear," he said, calmly.

Melia rarely smiled with teeth. She had the gentle, appraising smile of a princess and empress. High Entia aged so much slower that she'd had five times the training in decorum, versus Nia, who still struggled.

But Melia outright grinned as she declared, "Nia and I are engaged! Won't you celebrate with us?"

Riku said nothing. He made an appraising face of his own.

"Aionios will not last forever, after all. Why not let us have our fun?"

"Oh, you are divinely confident, Melia."

"Don't tempt me, dear. Even with you around, I'm prone to turning solemn."

And who was solemn? Riku was solemn. Unflapped. Imperturbable. Peerlessly calm.

"Do you think he's surprised, my love?" Nia wondered. "Tora was always so much more...expressive."

"As was Riki. It seems he doesn't take much after his father."

"Riku not surprised. This all part of Riku's plan."

"So you admit to having a plan, then?" Melia said lightly. Nia, for her part, shook with ill-contained tremors of laughter in the Kevesi queen's arms.