The visiting dignitary arrived with gifts.
There were scrolls, seals, and speeches prepared in advance. There were expectations about posture, presentation, and what a king should look like while listening. The court of Bleb gathered politely and waited.
Among the gifts was an object of great ceremonial importance.
It was called a leash.
The dignitary explained, at length, that it symbolized restraint, order, and the dignity of leadership. It was ornate. Heavy. Entirely unnecessary.
Pebble noticed it immediately.
She sniffed it once.
She recoiled.
She barked.
The dignitary attempted to continue speaking.
Pebble lunged.
She seized the leash, shook it violently, and bolted across the hall. Guards moved to intercept. Courtiers gasped. The leash was dragged under a chair, then reappeared, now damp and missing part of its tassel.
King Mohg the Fourth laughed.
Instead of calling for order, he jumped down from the throne and joined the chase. Together, king and companion tugged, chewed, and dismantled the object until it was no longer recognizable as anything ceremonial at all.
The court waited for consequences.
None came.
Mohg returned to the throne, sat beside Pebble on the floor, and addressed the dignitary with great sincerity.
“We prefer to walk together,” he said.
The dignitary departed shortly thereafter.
The leash was never reassembled.
No such object was ever presented to the Crown of Bleb again.
The following document appears in the Royal Archives of Bleb under Diplomatic Engagements, Unsuccessful but Instructive.
Official Court Record of Bleb
Filed under: Foreign Relations, Symbolic Objects (Rejected)
Date: Ninth Day of the Fourth Reign
Subject: Regarding the Ceremonial Restraint Presented by a Visiting Dignitary
Presiding:
King Mohg the Fourth
(Standing briefly. Then seated on the floor.)
Statement of Occasion
On the above date, a visiting dignitary from a neighboring realm was received in formal audience for the purposes of:
- Diplomatic exchange
- Mutual recognition
- The presentation of symbolic gifts
Proceedings began according to established protocol.
They did not remain so.
Description of the Gift
Among several offerings was an object described by the dignitary as a ceremonial leash, intended to represent:
- Leadership through restraint
- Order through limitation
- Authority maintained at a distance
The object was:
- Heavily ornamented
- Excessively symbolic
- Poorly timed
Reaction Within the Hall
Upon presentation of the leash:
- Pebble, companion to the Crown, displayed immediate distress
- The object was sniffed, rejected, and barked at
- Pebble seized the object and fled
Attempts to recover the leash were unsuccessful.
The object sustained:
- Structural damage
- Moisture exposure
- Loss of decorative elements
- Dignity
Royal Intervention
Rather than ordering restraint, King Mohg the Fourth:
- Left the throne
- Joined Pebble in pursuit
- Participated directly in the dismantling of the object
This action was observed by the court in complete silence.
Royal Statement
After the remains of the object were rendered unrecognizable, the King addressed the dignitary as follows:
“We prefer to walk together.”
No further explanation was offered.
Conclusion of Audience
- The dignitary concluded remarks early
- Departed the palace shortly thereafter
- Took no items with them
The remains of the ceremonial leash were disposed of quietly.
Final Determination
The court finds that:
- No restraint device is necessary within the Kingdom of Bleb
- Symbols implying confinement are incompatible with the current reign
- Companionship is not subject to presentation
Recommendations Moving Forward
- Future gifts should be chew-resistant only if offered with intent
- Foreign customs involving restraint should be explained in advance
- Extra seating on the floor is advised
Filed and sealed by:
The Royal Scribe
(who notes that the visiting dignitary declined refreshments and left in haste)