// the sounds of roses // [kal tryout 1030&1031]

[Keytone]

The Sounds of Roses

Table of Contents

i. Chapter One
ii. Chapter Two
iii. Chapter Three
iv. Chapter Four
v. Chapter Five
vi. Appendix
vii. Credits

Triptune & Keytone's Form for Kalons #1030 & 1031! This was a huge collaboration between us and we're pretty happy with how it all came together.

[Keytone]

Chapter One

[Keytone]

Chapter Two

It was a usual afternoon in the castle, the king and queen were busy with their own royal affairs, and the Princess was now done with her lessons and the Frog done with his weeding and watering, and now the two were playing in the gardens. The sun was gentle in the sky, a few wispy clouds here and there, and the two had stopped for a temporary rest under the willow. It was their usual spot, and as such, a picnic basket complete with a blanket for the Princess to rest on and cheese and bread for a snack.

The Princess was hesitant this morning, and quieter than usual. She was the one who usually spoke and talked the frog's ear off, making more than enough conversation for both of them. But today, her throat felt dry and she nervously kneaded one path against the ground, searching for the words. Today, she had decided, she would confess to her secret. While she didn't think he'd actually mind, it still took a lot to confess. Only the innermost circle of the castle knew, and he would be the first outsider.

He didn't seem to be noticing her hesitation, half napping in the sun. When she finally cleared her throat, he perked up and looked at her, a faint smile on his face. As the seconds drew on, he flicked his ears and made a soft croak. She hoped she was giving a reassuring look and swallowed. "I... I need to tell you something."

He gave another croak and smiled, putting one of his paws over hers.

Her throat seemed more dry now. She ducked her head. "I... I can't see colors."

There was a moment of silence, and she glanced up to see him tilting his head with a puzzled expression. "Like, it's all just grey."

The Frog was quiet for a minute, giving his own feet a thoughtful look as he digested the new information. He did not think less of her for it, it only made him sad, as now he understood why she always got that little puzzled look when he showed her a new flower. But how was he to express that he didn’t mind? He had his own fault. Managing a croak- he hoped it sounded reassuring as he’d meant it, as he was only going to be away for a moment, he got up and walked to the other side of the willow. Here, wildflowers had encroached, their seeds cast in by the summer winds.

But he wasn’t there to destroy them out of spite. He carefully collected them and set about making a crown. It was a little crude, as his paws were used to simpler and far less intricate tasks, but in the end he was proud of his creation and went back to the Princess. Giving the biggest, beaming smile he could and a happy croak, he offered it to her.

She blinked. When he'd stood, she'd feared the worst, but now he'd come back with a gift of all things. She smiled, and gave a laugh, putting it on. He beamed and sat back down beside her. Why'd she ever been scared, he seemed to ask. She didn't know why. It was all so silly.

And so they went back to watching the wind in the flowers, and comfortably sitting together.

But they could not stay children forever, and one day, that came to pass.

[Keytone]

Chapter Three

[Keytone]

Chapter Four

The Frog didn’t think much was odd about his Princess needing to rush to the shore- after all, this was not the first time that the Emperor had come without warning, and it usually just meant the poor Kalon was fed up with the way things were in the south. And besides that, it gave him the perfect chance to sneak out. It’d be very easy to simply say he was going on a day’s hunt and then head for the woods, instead of having to excuse himself while she was still there.

With his plan set, he headed for the gardens. He’d need to change back into his older mud stained clothes- it wouldn’t do to go through all this effort and be stopped because he still looked like a Prince. It was easy enough to hide his cape and crown in his old gazebo home, and he knew the perfect place to cross over the garden walls. And he did.

It was a long walk down the dirt paths.

The Frog was nervous, more nervous than he’d ever been in his life. The only nature he’d known was sweet, and tame. Ever since he’d left the castle, he’d been in an absolutely foreign world. It was true that he had been outside of the walls of stone before, on both traditional outings and to even the Continent to the south, but this was another place. These woods were wild, and had a eerie feel.

Something made a loud noise to his right, and he jumped. A startled cry- or rather, a croak- left his throat, and he froze. This was definitely nothing like the safe white marble walls of his home. He stood still as a statue until a squirrel ran across his path. Maybe he was just a little jumpy?

The farther he walked, the eerier and darker it seemed to get, and there wasn’t any rustling anymore in the bushes or the trees, and the Frog tried to steady himself, this was for the Princess, he’d walk through fire for her-
And there, in front of him, was the wizard of the wilds.

The Frog wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but the brown swathed and gray kalon hidden mostly in shadow was close. There was an even more intense aura now, and the Frog had the distinct feeling he shouldn’t be here. But he swallowed back his fear- he was here for the Princess, he had to win her this blessing, and he stood his ground, though his tail still shook a little.
The wizard regarded him. “What, little thing, do you want?” Came it’s rumbling voice, eyes that seemed to glow staring back at him.

He croaked, and remembered he could not speak. He carefully removed from his pack the letter and slid it across the mossy forest floor. There was silence as the wizard read, and then another biting, appraising look from the figure across the small, open space. “You would truly do something so bold?” The Frog was insulted- of course he would! He croaked angrily, his tail flicking behind him. The atmosphere suddenly changed as the wizard laughed.

“I will grant you this boon, little thing. The next you see your Princess, she shall see you.”

There was a green light, and the Frog fought to not hop away in panic as something burned behind his eyes.

[Keytone]

Chapter Five

[Keytone]

Appendix

"The Prince of Frogs" ::

The Frog Prince, spoken of in stories around the northern isles, is a real figure- or at least, most people assume he's the same, although he insists he's not as amazing or interesting as the stories claim, if he really is that Frog. He doesn't seem to care if people think so or not, and generally seems impish about the whole ordeal. However, he really was once almost unable to make any speech, and the stories are not far from the truth. He still is rather rough around the edges when it comes to words, but most people assume that's from his youth. He's a soft-hearted and spoken fellow, and lets his wife do most of the real leading, happy to play more of the role of a prince than a king.

"The Princess of Roses" ::

The Princess of Roses has been accused of being the very same mythical Princess of the Tower, but she always gently laughs off the allegations. Rumors continue to circulate and grow, especially on the days that the Princess visits the flower market.

[Keytone]

Credits

Triptune did the odd numbered pages, and developed the princess! It was her idea to include a wozard and a lot of the interactiony bits too!

Keytone did the even numbered pages, and wrote for the frog, and handled setting up the thread. I was the one who wanted the frog to actually croak and the rest followed suit while we were out together.