<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Apollymi]

Mirellia had done the usual thing of making sure that her children would be able to witness a proper stately matter. Of course, in so doing she'd technically made a rather casual introduction between them and King Don who was quite the celebrity apparently even to the royal children. That casual 'what's up' got from Melty a wide eyed look of absolute surprise, "King Don spoke to me!" she uttered but couldn't get out anything ese. No... in the present moments as they moved the queen received a general updated and sighed not paying too close attention to her children's reaction immediately. "That would be the case. Red Gates are quite the problem but I am not looking forward to an International Hunter meeting. I do hope its not in the United States. I'd also prefer somewhere the entire ordeal wouldn't just become a... measuring contest, though that's likely too much to ask..." Mirellia said as actual matters of current state were actually quite annoying. In fact she'd only just manaed to catch a slip of the tongue that would have been making quite the unqueenly statement. Beyond that the business King Don had in the palace was apparently something both her children were quite interested in. "I agree, mother. How did this happen under our noses!?" Melty finally managed to speak again but Mirellia wasn't having any of their nonsense. "Last I checked I was still the Queen, and who are you and what have both of you done with my children? We're royalty, speak to the man at least. Of all the times you choose to be normal... Besides all that we met at a function a couple of nights ago," she pointed out as if it explained everything.

With only a simple bit of explanation the woman was still moving She was soon reaching for that ceremonial blade and smiling with a certain amount of cheek. She'd allow any chatter to continue for a few moments longer as she got into place, first came Ronnie leaning over her sister for a chuckle and a whispered conversation, "Know that walk... she took one up the bum," Veronica mentioned to her younger sister in the way that siblings often spoke to each other. "No way!~" Nikki managed surprised but now scaning the other woman's whose mana was dong enough crazy things that she could agree that a connection to Donnie had been properly established. As for the question Donnie himself asked, They both shrugged, but Nikki would answer, "No way, mate. We took a nice tour, some photos and you know the usual stuff~" she offered. He could have taken longer, they both had quite a good time for a bit. After a moment or two, Nikki casually began sending a few, all of them selfies taken in various states of dress within palace landmarks. Several including Veronica as well. Whether more questions came from her children or not, Mirellia would lift one hand. "You can finish all your questions in a moment... let me at least get through the knighting," she pointed out. And then she did something that most would find off. "Step foward Donovan, and kneel," she wasn't making it an option but she'd be doing something very specific when that posture was taking much to the "Woah!~" Nikki was beyond excited and figured it was worth it to devote this moment to memory completely.

[Bloodedge]

Melty wasn't the only one surprised to be addressed by Donnie. At the same time, Auric was looking at the blue-haired girl with equal amounts of shock. "To us, you mean! He was looking at me, but I'll allow your assumption!" Auric asserted. Beyond that, the lad could be nothing short of upset having to deal with the fact that their mother had a superstar walking around Buckingham Palace... and hadn't told them of a thing. The old woman had no business being in cahoots with a voice of their generation! When called on the matter, she could try playing the queen card. Auric wasn't having it. "Yes you are the queen, but where is our mother, hm?! A loving mother would have made the right decision," he rambled, only to flip his proverbial wig when Mirellia mentioned how/where she'd met the musician. "Met him at the what and WHERE were we?!"

Whatever came of that, they were all in the throne room eventually. King Aultcray was present, but seemingly unimportant to everyone else. Donnie's priority was to approach Nikki right away. In doing so, he heard their long tour of Buckingham Palace had gone well. She and Ronnie even had a fair number of photos, apparently. "Oh word? What kind of pictures?" Donnie asked, not yet opening his phone. Even so, he was glancing over Nikki, as though hopeful based on the notion of pictures alone. Ah, but there was no real opportunity for Donnie to see what she actually meant anyway. Mirellia was preparing for the knighting ceremony... and, for whatever reason, wanted Donnie to kneel. "Ayy, we 'bout to see..." He trailed off mid-sentence, pausing in realization. Donnie's right hand rose, pointing to himself as he looked around for another 'Donovan' in the room. There were none. "Hol' up... me? How that happen? You know I'm from New York, right? Not like... Yorkshire or whatever..."

[Apollymi]

Youth was an interesting thing to see in action. Melty, was simply pleased to be spoken to initially... while her brother wanted to take credit in someway... "I am willing to share credit with you, but only because you are my brother. I am a girl... " Melty said because for all intents and purposes that made sense. Beyond this point, Mirellia's son was arguing her capacity as their mother. According to him, if she was more loving she would have made the right decision. "Oh? And I assume I'll get to know what that right decision is at some point in the near future," The Queen mentioned seemingly unbothered by her children's excitement. If nothing else,s he seemed almost pleased. "Of all the time for you to appear to be normal children. You always forget you are children still," she mentioned with a casual eye roll. "That! Mother this is our kind of thing..How could you?" Melty asked as if devastated by the idea that there was soewhere she'd not been allowed to go. "I would assume you were in bed, as I was attending the birthday celebration of Nikoleta at midnight. At a night club. Also you weren't invited... does that help?" she asked her children she knew it wouldn't but by the time they worked up their next round she planned to be, through her knighting ceremony.

Meanwhile, Nikki, Ronnie and Donnie were having a casual chat. The pictures being sent to the man were of the vacation as they saw it, but there were quite a few of them in various states of undress around the palace and gardens. "Oh, yu know souvenirs and stuff. Can't go to Buckingham Palace and not get a few snaps~" Nikki said as if she hadn't totally taken them with the specific intention of getting a rise out of him. What was more by the time the Queen raised her hand to go about her particular activity, another cheeky sentence came from Ronnie. This time about Donnie's realization, "At least he caught it," Ronnie mentioned of the proverbial penny in the air. The Queen smiled lightly, "I am aware that you're from New York. Knighting in this case doesn't involve boundaries like that... the tenets are general purpose and it's more a reward and a formality than anything else," Mirellia said. With that the ceremony could begin whenever the lad actually took that knee.

[Bloodedge]

"Who even cares if you're a girl? That has nothing to do with this. I'm the older, more relatable one!" Auric argued. Despite his obvious desires, it seemed he was missing the point of relatability between a girl and a boy in this situation. As for their mother, perhaps she would learn what the right decisions were. It wasn't really for Auric to say, if one were to ask him. All he offered the woman was a huff and an upturned nose. Well, he did have one other comment to offer after hearing about some midnight birthday celebration for Nikoleta Corbyn. That was its own point of discontent for Auric, but he was already upset about the lacking news. "Nothing like an old woman attending the late-night celebrations of youth, eh Sister?" he asked with a dismissive scoff aimed indirectly at the queen.

The tone of Auric would be changing once they were all in the throne room, however. Damned be Nikoleta Corbyn's birthday celebration; the woman herself was here! The other one, Veronica Corbyn, was present as well. Those were two of the finest arses he'd ever laid eyes on, ripe for the ploughing of a prince like him! If only he'd been allowed more socialization in his life... but, propriety and traditions were his damnation. Donnie was on the tail-end of something that felt quite teasing from Nikki, seeming to imply he should be checking that phone at his earliest convenience. Before that, however... he had to take time to wonder why the queen wanted him kneeling for a knighting. There was apparently no necessity for him being a citizen of the UK to become a knight, but he obviously wasn't the only one surprised. Even King Aultcray was staring it surprise, right into the side of his wife's face. What good would knighting an American boy do? "But like... a knight?" Donnie asked even while tentatively stepping forward. "All of this, and she's going to knight King Don? How much more are we going to be kept out of the loop?!" Auric wondered. Aultcray heard the boy's rambling and figured the knighting may have been for the sake of their children ─ they could both stand to be a bit more worldly. All the while, Donnie was descending onto his left knee, right arm resting over his right knee. He'd seen enough movies to have the gist of things here. "I mean... I can't say no. That'd be wild."

[Apollymi]

"Give Brother a door, he crashes into a closed window," Melty said about her brother missing a point so completely. She wasn't even surprised after what happened earlier such was his way. Still, they were siblings. In the way the world currently worked for them, it was the two of them against the world, even when that world was just their mother for not telling them about one of the primary voices of their generation, spending time in the palace initially. "It is strange that she would accept such an invitation and not even bring us back a slice of cake or anything." Melty said while turning a lock of hair over her shoulder in haughty disbelief. "I can't believe you both... I am not even forty. And I'd be extremely careful using age as an insult, considering who sired you. Besides that... you weren't invited and I didn't know who was on the guest list before I went," Mirellia was willing to humor her children to a higher extent than most people would ever dream. Still, this was simply what families were like.

Once inside the throne room though most craziness stopped. A casual wave went from Ronnie to the Princess who waved back happily. They'd met at least once before. "Yes, a knight. Among the most useful of the chess pieces if you enjoy those sorts of analogies. Besides, knights have privileges in this country currently, well beyond the norms since the Gates began opening," Mirellia pointed out. Though she wouldn't go into great detail. Her son seemed upset, and she could practically feel her husband's eyes on her, not that she'd be acknowledging that much at all. Auric for his words would be receiving an elbow into his ribs from Melty. "Shuush~ Mother is Knighting him. It's strategic. Imagine him coming back with friends. With LOST GALAXY!~ The opportunity is grand, maybe it's a hidden gift!" Melty was willing to see the good in such situations long before her brother. Meanwhile, hush was coming as Donnie took his knee... and the Knighting could begin properly. That ceremonial sword would tap his opposing shoulder, starting at his left then gong to his right, as each line was spoken.

"In the presence of your brothers and sisters in arms... I charge you to be brave.
In keeping with basic decency, I charge you to be just.
In the face of this tainted world, I charge you to protect the innocent.

Arise Sir Donovan King, Queen's Knight of the United Kingdom," she finished handing the sword back and clasping her hands together in front of herself, pleasant smile crossing her face. "See, now we can carry on as you'd like. I'm sure there are more questions..." the Queen mentioned finally taking a seat on her throne as her ankles wobbled. "Do I need to make other introductions?" the Queen wondered almost playfully. The audience chamber becoming an impromptu meeting place for her children and the celebrities they were apparently quite excited to meet. All the while, Nikki was watching the entire ceremony with bright eyes, 'I just watched King Don get knighted. I'm sure this has been the best birthday week of my life!' she mentally squealed. Little did she know there was a dark cloud surfing the internet and seeing multiple tabloid photos of her and Donnie together and slowly but surely crashing into a wave of destructive tendencies which would lead him to trying to publicly out her in a different way.

[Bloodedge]

It went without saying that Auric missed several points that didn't involve his own cock in something. Though he'd yet to actually manage doing that, his mind had carried him to such extents more than enough time to make it a consistent distraction. Mirellia's age aside, Auric had fully taken to siding with Melty. "You're right! If we're such children, one way to sate us should at least involve cake. It's not like anything else of interest is being brought into this palace," he complained further. Auric would eventually be receiving an elbow to his torso after some additional complaints. Melty insisted that the knighting of King Don was a great positive, and... though he was annoyed more than physically impacted by her assault, he couldn't say she was entirely wrong. "I'm not saying it isn't a good thing, but don't go giving Mother that kind of credit. If it had anything to do with us, we'd know. She's probably just trying to be relatable or... something."

While that discussion approached its close, all other noises but the queen's voice fell silent. The commanding aura of a monarch assigning a new knight consumed the throne room. Donnie was in awe. For starters, he was actually becoming a knight. Who actually became a knight? Besides that, he didn't think those wild speeches actually happened, but he was intently listening nonetheless as a sword tapped his shoulders one after the other. He was charged with bravery, justness, and the duty of protecting the innocent. It sounded like Donnie had the task of... being himself. There was a strange feeling attributed to the 'arise' command, but it barely registered. Perhaps Donnie was just reeling over being legitimately knighted. Regardless, there were definitely numerous questions. "I got mad questions! Do people gotta call me Sir now? Does that make me a citizen here? And I didn't know there were, like, real speeches and stuff. I looked it up one time, and the internet said nah. And I didn't... oh." Donnie had to stop himself eventually, before unnecessary amounts of speech fell from his face. The queen had asked about introductions, and he supposed there were some unknowns that shouldn't be tolerated for or by a knight. "I don't know anybody here except them two, so..."

[Apollymi]

The children of Mirellia apparently thought they would have been included in early planning. That was more than a little ridiculous, they weren't yet old enough to attend such events themselves, and she would freely introduce them to various individuals. "I didn't assume you'd want cake," Mirellia said simply. Her children, Melty in particular were picky about that sort of thing. Granted, Nikoleta's birthday cake had been made by one of the premiere pastry chefs on the continent. Perhaps she'd have one made for them during their birthday celebration. Meanwhile, the siblings were having their hushed conversation. Melty understood her brother's point, but wouldn't be carrying on with too much gusto, given she wanted the gifts and to make a good first impression. "Mother doesn't have to try to be relatable she's the Queen, what she says and wants is all that matters. If it was meant to be a surprise and we're giving her flack for it, she might withhold the real presents later," Melty pointed out. She'd said her piece and she would hold that line, as strategically as she held most things.

Soon enough, it wouldn't matter, the Queen of England, the United Kingdoms sovereign ruler, had knighted a Queen's Knight for the first time in her relatively young life. And with that done she'd taken a seat and relaxed, just a bit... but not without a gentle throbbing in her bum. She'd opened up the floor for questions willing to help Donovan through the process. And smiled as he asked a series of questions which implied a lot of knowledge of fiction and a mind most curious. "What a curious lad. Those are all valid questions..." Mirellia said with nothing but patience. "You are an extension of the United Kingdom's royalty in direct service of the Queen, so yes... people have to call you Sir, especially the citizens here. It also works a general form of diplomatic immunity certain actions would get you referred directly to me. As for citizenship, given the situation with Gates, that has recently changed. You aren't just a citizen. You are a knight in good standing. Here your Hunter License is always permanently active, and you can own land and attend any events hosted by me, or even be invited to attend others where I might need assistance," she explained in a general way the direct benefits to being a Queen's Knight. And then would come a minor history lesson, "There was a long period of time, where a vigil and silence were the main keys, but given the necessity of battlefield knights that went out of practice. Words and tenet expectations are part of general military understanding, that's the short version. When I established the United Kingdom's Hunter Association, I did so my making it a branch of the military, so... that's how I chose to allow it to work. And I made clear what I expected of any knighted under me, the words were part of that. And in this case, the first princess would also be able to knight others on my behalf, thus at least partly the reason for her attendance here~" she pointed out. Beyond that point it seemed thatDonnie didn't know the greater details of the British Royal family so that was easily handled. "My daughter, Princess Melty Q. Melromarc," she pointed to the blue haired girl who stepped forward and curtsied. "And my son, the Prince, Auric S. Melromarc.. both apparently huge fans of yours," she pointed to the pair who were still excited. "Ah, we know who they are. Me and Princess Melty go way back~" Veronica said casually. "Oh and this is Lord El-Mellioi II, he's my children's teacher, an S-rank Hunter and another international convert," Mirellia stated. All introductions made.

[Bloodedge]

With the knighting done and questions asked, Mirellia began to speak again. She addressed his abject curiosity that could be blamed partially on neurodivergence in all actuality, but carried on with the notion that his questions were reasonable. First came the fact that 'Sir' was officially part of his name ─ especially in the United Kingdom. He was officially a citizen of high standing, able to own land and... essentially have easy access to the queen herself. That part made absolute sense to Donnie for its hidden meaning, which had a cheeky little grin of understanding appearing on his face. "Oh I'm 'bout to act up!" he blurted out. As for the speech given during knighting, he was right to believe it didn't always exist. On the other hand, he fully accepted it as a better approach to the ceremony. "It's a good speech. I'd keep it. The whole flow just kinda... It's got a vibe to it, y'know? I dig it," he chimed in. It would have been rather boring to just be touched with a sword and considered an important figure. Donovan knew guys who'd been shot multiple times, and had nothing but 'street cred' to show for it.

Apparently, the first princess of this kingdom was here to witness a knighting as one who had all the ability to do so herself. "Hol' on, so is that part like the movies too? Like, can I be out on the battlefield and knight somebody? Or is it just like... just you two?" he asked without giving much thought to the number of questions escaping his face. As for introductions, they were given essentially in order of importance. Melty Q. Melromarc, first princess, was introduced first with a curtsey. Donnie offered his best impression of a knight, hand crossed over his chest with a light bow. "Ayy♪~" Next came the introduction of Prince Auric S. Melromarc, who merely nodded in acknowledgement. "You may call me Auric," he said, silently hoping for a more cordial relationship with the musician. Donnie repeated his previous gesture and thought... some of these names were a little unnecessary. "Uhh... can I go wit' Rick? Prince Ricky?" He asked. Immediately, the prince's eyes widened. "Certainly!" he said with an inflated chest. Lastly, the man called Lord El-Melloi was introduced. Donnie looked at that man strangely, but his internal curiosity was answered before his mouth could open. "It's only a title. Waver Velvet," he specified. "... Ain't no way," Donnie countered. That man was absolutely Japanese. His proper name was not something like that. "... Ashikaga Tokinada desu." That, Donnie thought, was more accurate. "Aight bet. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu," he greeted finally. "Chingón, chingón. But hol' up, you said first princess? This ain't the whole family? Y'all get that kinda busy 'round here?"

[Apollymi]

Mirellia managed to get through her Knighting Ceremony and the first few layers of questions Donnie had to ask. Mirellia for her part in this didn't mind his curiosity. If anything it showed a general interest in learning and being part of the area which she could appreciate from those she knighted directly. Even better, her quiet explanation of his privileges seemed to land as well, the lad's grin and his statement alluded to his understanding of the situation surrounding their potential future trysts. "I'm glad none of it is problematic to you," Mirellia mentioned. She didn't figure he would mind anything she'd said, but she wouldn't have held it against him if certain aspects didn't suit him. Beyond that, the speech she'd assigned to Knighting went over well with the lad. He complimented its flow and cadence. "Well, if the lyricist enjoys it, I suppose I did a good job~" Mirellia said with a happy smile coming to her face. She'd written that in a moment of inspiration, while playing her cello.

Still, the questions weren't quite over just yet. As she explained Donnie interrupted to question the deeper practices of Knighting. He wanted to know if it was like the movies but sadly Mirellia would be disappointing him. "That part isn't quite like the movies. I did consider it but consolidating power requires a bit more firm handedness than letting every knight, knight their own. The decision of who a Knight can Knight is still mine to make, so permission would be required or I'd need to be present. In Melty's case, it is a privilege and protection extended to her as the first Princess to be able to Knight someone on the battlefield at her own discretion. Gates and Dungeon Break sites count alon with more 'standard' battlefield types," she inserted that last bit for Melty's benefit. Soon after, introductions were made properly, and Mirellia got to witness her children acting as actual children. That little curtesy, was given and Donnie gave his impression of a proper knight, bow and all and Melty's heart stopped beating for a moment. Or maybe it was simply beating to hard in her ears she couldn't hear straight Regardless her face turned a brilliant shade of red as she lost the ability to speak for a second, 'King Don just bowed to me!' she thought excitedly. Nikki who'd been mostly quiet for a while tilted her head to the side. "Is that what that looks like from the outside?" she questioned of her elder sister. "Yep, 'cept, if it'd been you, there would have been an excited little hop at the end~" Ronnie said teasingly. Beyond that, a name and nickname were issued to Auric, who quite easily accepted being called, 'Prince Ricky' and gave something of a look to his sister. Melty seemed to snap out of her own mind for a second and add. "Oh and me, you can call me Melty!" she asserted quickly. "Oh, it's like Christmas~" Mirellia said with amusement in her face. And the introduction of 'El-Melioi, Waver Velvet or... Ashikaga Tokinada was made, in such a way that Veronica gave him a cursory extra glance. "They didn't make teaches like that in my day," she said to Nikki. "Mine either. I still got a semester to finish, I wonder what he teaches~" Nikki said mostly as a joke. As for the rest of Donnie's question about the family Mirellia smiled, and shook her head, a bit of a history lesson and one in the hierarchy of royalty was in line but it shouldn't be too bad, "Not like you think. Melty is First Princess because she is first in line to the throne. I only have 2 children, the title of Second Princess belongs to my Aunt, my mother's sister and 3rd Princess is a title that belongs to her daughter who is a bit older than Auric. But they aren't in a direct line of succession. If fact if I had another female child they'd be moved further down the line. And though they occasionally stay in the palace they have a private estate where my Aunt prefers to be most times for... privacy," she explained in broad strokes without thinking about it too much. The information was public knowledge in the UK but one would still have to know exactly what to ask to get the exact details.

[Bloodedge]

Donnie was well-accustomed to secret arrangements, convenient setups and the like. Surely the knighting ceremony served the primary purpose of ensuring their future endeavors carried on without unnecessary questioning. That was all well and good in Donnie's book. Speaking of Donnie's imaginary book, there were some modifications to make to its pages. One such example was the ability of a knight to produce other knights, which was an ability he would not possess. It seemed the only person who could do such without the queen's presence was Melty, the first princess who would presumably succeed the crown. "Aight, I get it. I probably wouldn't be tryna knight anybody anyway. Never been the 'general' type," he responded. The most important part of this exchange, as Donnie saw things, was the access... and the right to own land in a country he'd partially considered living in multiple times in the past day alone. He could at least set up a vacation home somewhere nearby, and perhaps have a discussion with his parents after getting home. Neither of them was a stranger to moving countries, after all.

Beyond all of that, introductions proceeded as normal ─ or as normal as introductions to the royal family could be. Auric made himself a standout immediately with something less formal. He even seemed ecstatic to be addressed by an even more casual name. Melty interjected for the sake of offering her given name as well. In keeping with the normal pattern, Donnie looked over the girl and contemplated for a moment. "Princess... Mel? Melly? Somethin' like that?" he asked for confirmation. Apparently, Melty was the first of three princesses ─ but the only one who came directly from Mirellia. Royalty was weird, Donnie thought. Things would only get stranger from there, as Mirellia's explanation of their lineage was the same time Auric stewed over Melty... elevating herself to his level of familiarity with King Don! As soon as there was silence to be observed, the prince extended his right arm in a huff. "Sir Donovan, first knight of the queen! You may shake my hand!" he announced as if it were the greatest of privileges. Still, Donnie perceived a certain nervousness in the lad. "I mean... aight? But if it's gon' be cool like that, it's gotta be a vibe. Feel me?" With that, Donnie stepped forward. The prince's very straight hand was gently slapped palm-side by Donnie's hand, then guided into a clutch of fingers between the two. "There we go, bruh. That's dap," he explained before any questions were asked. The prince was... absolutely bewildered, resisting the urge to stare at his own hand. "... Dap. Dap," he repeated.