By the time morning had properly come, he had evaded invading Calia’s space. Staying out and away worked fine. It gave him a chance to meander around the immense palace anyways. Liable to be so practiced at navigating it that he could become a tour guide should the whole demon on a pet leash didn’t work out! Sure it wouldn’t do much good but it was at least an option. Anything to stay out of the hells.
Once the sun had finally come up and the busy worker bees were at it again, he had managed to find a narrow passageway that seemed like it had once been a hallway. Or at least a thought of one. Now overcome with fragrant flowers and ferns. Crawling up the side of every wall it could and by the time they had come to build the roof, they left it open. Catching the bright light of the warm day, there were only a few fluttering early morning bodies.
Naturally sliding away to avoid being in that of the great monstrous presence at all. Turning a private laugh as he wasn’t about to complain to having the place to himself. At least he was dressed! Courtesy of Aien. Nothing spectacular with just the modest burgundy peasant top and trousers, it worked. No bare asses to be running about today!
No scandalized court either. So sad.
But it was a good placement to at least take refuge in. Till someone started shrieking and he had to go find somewhere else to just sit and wait for what next came. Not that he was about to admit having interest in having a chance to speak easily to someone of a past he didn’t remember! Leaving the princess to whatever new devices she was going to have to deal. It was her tale now to rebuild her kingdom, he was just the bound demon acting as a manna spring. It wasn’t so bad at least. Just wasn’t the easiest to try flirting with someone when they were gawping at you like you had three heads! Which he didn’t.
Ah well. Next time.
It was a busy day within the palace. A celebration to be organized within a few short days. The sudden disruption of the mages order now needing a new master of research amongst other investigations. Queen Ashera was holding the daily court with Liriel, while Nysia had packed herself up and absconded off with a handsome fellow for her first experimentations with dating. Calia had sent Renus a note to let him know to come fetch her when he was ready to take a look at the demon gate. Not about to rush him into something he needed to work through first, and honestly it’s not as if she had anything else to do here.
The mountain princess was ready to start climbing the walls just to escape and she wasn’t even being held prisoner!
Thus it felt very much like home. On days like this she would’ve taken out one of her horses and rode all over the countryside in that special little way she did. …the realization then hitting her with a bitter sort of annoyance that her means of magical travel had been indeed very fae. In retrospect, it was easy to pick up all those little signs and hints. The things that made her feel like such a strange alien creature amongst mortals. How her magic hadn’t lined up with the traditional practices.
This simultaneous need to be both connected deeply with the world around her while also wishing to be cut loose and floating free. A frustrating duality, as how do you possibly do both.
Calia wasn’t looking for Arc when she found him, but rather had been seeking little side doors and courtyards and gates that she could leave the palace from without having to make a spectacle of herself through the front doors. Aiming to avoid people for as long as she could until she was actually needed for something – for the effect of seeking balance, she supposed. Tryin to follow advice given, to not pile things on top of herself until she was so overwhelmed she was baring teeth and trying to chomp at anyone who looked at her sideways.
She’d planned on at least giving him a greeting, only to find herself immediately draw into all these soft leafy vines climbing up columns and along spandrels. Practically taking over this little nook of the royal palace to bury it in green.
Naturally, she was going to have to climb it, just to see how far up it went. Instead of using stairs like a well taught young lady.
“Hello and goodbye,” she ended up muttering, already seeking out the strongest of the vines and giving them a testing tug. Only to pause there and look back. “How are you feeling now? Less like a whittled down piece of wood?”
The binding foretold her appearance long before that of physical presence. Avoiding any sort awe or surprise. Doubly so as he was probably more acutely aware of her need to be immersed in nature. Only affirming mentally that the littlest princess of Caeldalmor was at least part of the nature variety of fae. Thriving best by being something akin to monkey and sprite. Hardly fit to be a queen let alone the vaguest expectation of a princess for a kingdom that would need leadership and dedicated rules.
If he needed just a bare agreeing suggestion to his private musings, her immediately looking and going to tug on the vibes was enough of an agreement. Though he wasn’t sure if the garden or vines itself were as appreciative to be someone’s climbing rope. Unclear of how deep their hold went, Calia wasn’t a small thing herself.
Vines upon walls weren’t always as sturdy as storybooks made them appear. Usually there were trellis behind their wild climb and it wasn’t yet determined if that was the case her. Almost assuming it wasn’t since the place appeared to have just been overtaken than cultivated.
The hello and goodbye was just enough for him to turn to walk to leave. Not about to stay present if the master herself was telling him in her own way to leave. Refusing to have a chance where the binding contract could flare against him merely because he had disobeyed some request or muted command.
A few purposeful steps had been accomplished. Pointing towards the opposite side of the overgrown courtyard or whatever It was; to pause. Glancing back over shoulder towards her with a deep pause. Hearing what had been said but mulling it over just in case there was a hidden tone in it all.
Not particularly believing she had asked out of genuine care or concern. That would be rather strange to expect or fathom coming from her towards him. Others, likely. “As healed as I need to be. No longer will I be sappin’ the font of manna so yah will likely be less bothered or feelin’ towards any spikes in pain.” He gave her a slight formal tip of head even if his gaze went upwards to the wall covered vines.
“There be a forest just out the southern door if yah be havin’ the urge to frolic and climb.” Another nod and a surprising cordial motion of hand to bid he would stay out of sight. “Be takin’ my leave, lass. Don’t worry, ain’t guna cuz problems. Best behaviour.” Already he was thinking of going back into the town now that he had legs and arms. Of course he’d make sure he wasn’t running around with demon features out as to avoid any potential fainting and screaming.
Calia couldn’t say that she was surprised that he seemed to be back to wanting to get away from her as quickly as possible. She knew the second he had his arms and legs back, that their moment of cordial peace would be over and things would be strained again. He’d accepted the binding to save his own life, so unless she demanded something of him, it wasn’t likely they were going to be the best of new companions.
This was going to be a miserable existence if they couldn’t even be near each other. Maybe it was time she took her own advice and actually attempt to build the foundation of a relationship.
How awkward.
Burying that weird cringing feeling she had, Calia did turn to spy in the direction of said southern door, then gave a quick curious glance.
“Would you like to come with me?” she dared to ask. “Not likely to meet any pretty ladies unless we take some detours, but I’m sure you could use some sunlight and fresh air just as much I do.”
If anything at least he’d be able to walk around without everyone staring at him, waiting for him to erupt into mayhem and murder. A chance to be as he was and just breathe without the weight of everyone’s memories.
“What?” He wasn’t sure what to expect from her but an invite to toddler after her? That hadn’t even been in the top one hundred things to have ever heard from the miss. Blinking comically at her before pointing to himself. “Yer talkin’ or rather askin’ me that?” Arc offered a few more quizzical blinks at her.
Immediately searching through his thoughts for any potential schemes she might have devised. She already had access to everything he could do. Spells and his own well of manna to use however she pleased. It wouldn’t be beneficial for her now to try and slaughter him seeing as she went through such efforts to even stop Starling from harvesting living demons, himself included.
“I don’t think there is any dames inside or outside the palace that would be foolish enough to fall for sweet flirts anyways. It’s not on my list anyways, so–” he gave her a curious up and down, “Why the invite? I’d think yah be thrilled to finally have some link back to magic. I know it may be difficult to believe cuz demon and all but I’m really not guna do anythin’ that get either one of us in trouble.” The man offered an open gestures to. Authentic as it was, “I’d think yah be appreciative that I be stayin’ outta yer hair. Is all. I know better than most to stay on yer good side, so yah really don’t need to stress.”
Flashing a winsome fanged grin, “Yah got a quiet as a mouse demon that ain’t guna do anythin’ to disturb, upset or really exist around yah so no concern to be had. Yer as free as a bird, lass.”
He was staring at her like she’d just asked him to strip himself down and go tearing through the village! As if she were plotting up some new means to torture him. Calia supposed that wasn’t surprising either, she had tried to kill him a few times before. Not exactly the sort of thing someone would just forgive and forget, even if he deserved it at least one of those times.
Well, she asked, at least. Not about to push him, force him, or even touch the means of that damned binding, when he was now essentially trapped with her.
“That is a lot of words for a simple no thank you,” muttered back, giving then just a shrug of her shoulders. “If you’re still wanting to avoid me that’s fine, but don’t do it if it’s just because you think that’s what I want. I don’t.”
It was about as much as she was going to say on the subject, finding with a little bit of annoyance that it was actually starting to hurt soft little sore spots that everyone was always trying to escape her. And the fact it was pure hypocrisy on her part to even be upset about it, when she was literally trying to get out of the palace right now herself to avoid people.
Giving a little waving hand gesture at him and his ridiculous winsome smile, that it was perfectly fine for him to escape as he wished. No master here to pull on his chains! Turning away to abandoned the crawling vines and start snooping out the suggested door to the outside world.
More blinking at her. Brow furrowing really trying to fathom or understand the whole purpose for any of this. After all they had spent enough time around another to at least comprehend a bit about the other person. And he was actually trying not to be a pest, a nuisance or a lingering foreboding presence over her head. If he wanted calamity really all he had to do was go stand in the queen’s court right now and say hi.
It would get people fluttering and squawking and hissing in panic desperation to escape. Forming all sorts of fables about things he did. Making such tall tales grow into red wood trees till he was successfully accused of burning down a village, eating children and having gleefully rained intestines as some sort of ticker tape parade.
Honestly, shouldn’t she just be thrilled as peach that she had gotten everything thus far in her cards? Her hand was a royal flush and he was using his own brain to actively avoid doing anything that could ruin such a power play.
“Alright.” None of it made sense to him. Nor was she explaining anything about how he shouldn’t avoid her with assumptions either. She just said she didn’t and that was that. Not exactly giving any sort of details that might clear any air or preconceived notions. Just that she had the end of the statement and shooed at him.
Talk about confusing.
With a refreshed polite enough tip of the head, he side stepped. Staying out of the way so she could go and investigate further as she wanted. It wasn’t particularly in his nature to beat at a dead horse nor to continue to prod at something that had been left with a bunch of question marks.
Maybe he could go and venture around a bit more and have a bit of luck stumbling into one of the other siblings that continued to dislike him. Or get lucky enough to run into Aien seeing as well, he’d hate to admit it, but it was a little nice not to be assumed as the villain so easily! Well deserved assumption but you know, thoughts and emotions.
Calia too left him be, for it was not of her own nature to go dogging after someone’s heels when it was clear enough her presence was not wanted! At least this time she was slipping away without a dramatic fit. Quick to find that door to escape into the outside, with every intent of finding that forest he mentioned and letting herself get lost for a little while.
As for Archimedes he was soon to get his wish!
The Crowned Princess Liriel’s morning routine as of late involved breakfast for herself and the wee one, the morning court with the Queen while the babe had his nap. Today had gone much like all of the others with only the slightest of deviations. Her sweet precious little bundle seemed to be top tier fussy, having a good wail about everyone and everything that could possibly vex a newborn child. With sleepless nights due to midnight feedings, the stress of her role in the court, and now these recent events digging up old memories…
Well, Liriel was about ready to pull her own hair out and scream too.
Thankfully, the crowned princess was blessed with family and a mind smart enough to know when she needed to pass the babe over to it’s welcoming grandmama. To take a few moments of peace for herself, else she was liable to go completely mad.
It was convenient that she’d seen the demon aimless and directionless.
“Come with me,” Liriel instructed, not even taking the time to wait or see if he would follow. Just expected him to do so as she glided on down the hall. Even lifting a hand to beckon with fingers in case he somehow hadn’t heard her.
He said he would behave. He never said he wouldn’t look around and see what sort of wings and places and hidey holes were lurking in this sprawling palace! After all, it surely had little portions of itself that had gotten forgotten about –if that overgrown passageway courtyard whatever thing was any indication to his theory. And he was in fact, curious enough to look for a way back down to the depths in which he had once been kept.
Magic had a way of pulling at his mind. Making him a physical dowsing rod but that was part of the nature of being a heart demon. They sought after such things to place into their own magical arsenal and surely there was plenty below. Just how to find and get down there discretely was going to be very interesting.
It was somewhere in his thoughts of trying to feel out the murky sensation –the fae tree’s own magic tended to block out the sensation more than one would think- that ears perked and attention veered to find his attention on another one of the redhead children. Quickly feeling a twang of threatening pain when focus properly rested and took in her description. Certainly pretty, and absolutely someone had he not known her to be part of the royal family with a likely well deserved hate on for him, would have tried to get to swoon.
And maybe this tugging in his head was enough to deter him even further.
Instinctively at her instruction, he considered just ignoring it. Having no reason to go listening to generally anyone. But he had said he was going to be a very quiet and well behaved unfortunate guest to the other princess who wanted these people as allies. It was better he did as told than showed how truly stubborn he could be. “Yah ain’t plannin’ on lurin’ me to take a stab at me, are yah?” He knew this one was Liriel. Process of elimination really over anything concrete. And while Aien might have shown he was amicable, it didn’t mean this one was liable to be. “A mere warnin’ would be nice. I’d prefer not havin’ to use time and manna again to heal up. Or piss off the mountain princess by some measure of somethin’.”
He did followed. Cautiously. Taking mindful looks around just in case she was leading him to some elaborate trap that would be filled with those demonic bone weapons to make him into a pin cushion.
Well there was a statement that her her glancing those vibrantly bright green eyes over her shoulder at him. Perfectly collected in her expression, even as she glanced up and down then promptly went back to looking forward.
“Hmn,” the sound was not a reply at all, though it did sound contemplative. He was not going to get any explanation in the moment, so the only options were to continuing following as Liriel led him down the hallway, then up a winding set of stairs.
The gown of soft pastel greens and blues swished behind her with every step upwards taken, and truly she could’ve been that of an angel the way she so effortlessly moved. Taking a turn down another hall, then up a second set of stairs and down yet another hall. Bringing them off to the south side of the palace where there was a lovely big wall of giant windows with a view of the forests beyond.
One of the windows turned out to be a door when Liriel pushed her hand against it, taking them outside onto a balcony to a spot that could only be deeming as charmingly romantic. Quiet, secluded, and every bit the sort of spot two lovers would wish to abscond to out of sight of any other.
Liriel turned then to face him, hands clasped in front of her and cascade of red hair now shimmering soft hints of pinkish gold in the sun. Features perfectly expecting him to speak first. Soon to quirk an eyebrow when he hadn’t.
“I believe you have something to say to me,” she prompted.
With her lack of reply outside of a bare hum at his general questioning, the bend of a brow lifted. Unsure if he ought to be following after all. Reminding himself of what had been uttered as a good little demon promise and doing best not to incite any sort of action that played badly back on Calia. Sure that she would see fit to make him suffer in ways he couldn’t even begin to imagine with the power she now possessed over him.
Better to avoid.
The whole following was certainly purposeful. And not in any sort of direction that he had expected it to go. Walking behind the figure of royalty with her swishing gown and delicate emergence. Trailing expertly through the halls that she likely knew better than some servants, taking them upwards and through the halls till he was sure that he hadn’t yet explored this portion of the palace as of yet. Feeling the distance growing between the fae tree’s every blooming. Away from the pull of the other bits of unspoken magic that was beneath the carefully laid stone.
Where they shortly were moving through a door like window into the open warm air. A mist over the tops of the canopies made like a green ocean and his attention considering the balustrade to declare the space was a private sort of balcony. Scrolling vision out amongst the scenery and felt that same twanging pull and threat that made him personally uneasy to prod at much of anything. A glance down over the railing was enough to ensure if he took a stumble over, he could still turn into his beetle form for flight but preferred to avoid it even happening at all.
The crown princess had come to stand. Light playing across her back and making him more aware of her than he thought. Shortly pushing a thumb into tip of eyebrow with the swirling crescendo of pain rising. “I… do?” He asked not sure what the hell he was supposed to say to her.
Wincing obviously but forced himself to try to think through it all. “Look if yer lookin’ for somethin’ specific, princess yer guna be sorely disappointed. Unless it’s some sort of poor comment or crass remark, I’ve got pretty little in the bucket that yer guna want.” Arc sighed heavily, “Besides the pain in my head that comes that tells me there’s memories between the pair of us. It’s pretty blank and merely agonizin’.”
He could tell though, that these pressurized thoughts were seemingly supposed to have some importance. More than just those of wandering the halls and finding spaces that had something attached to it.
“I see,” stated Liriel simply. Looking him over again, from the very tips of horns down to his toes in this agonizingly slow examination as if she were reading him down to his very soul. Head tilting to the side when she’d came to her conclusions, a haughty looking down of her nose at him despite the height he had on her now.
Liriel shifted over to the stone railing, leaning gently forward to peer down at the greenery below. Her tone came out soft and surprisingly conversational. No signs of her about to whip out any hidden weapons… for now.
“You once said that you loved me. Right here on this balcony, after the night jasmine had bloomed and the moon was shining silver and full with all the intensity of a young man ruled by passion.” A wistful sort of statement, before a much more realistic staring look was aimed at his direction. “Surely if you had, you would remember me now as your one and only true love.”
She paused there, glancing upwards at nothing particular, taking on a wry sort of frown.
“Of course, it was lucky I hadn’t believe you. You did go on to chase the skirts of Ninonci Wrenhollow making me so furious that I nearly took up witchcraft so that I might stick a few pins in you.”
Funny how her mere I see made something in him ping and pang. Feeling a rise of guilt that was so out of the blue that it actually took him a moment to figure it out. Giving it a imaginary poke to see if it was in fact the sensation of remorse that really felt out of place considering, she and her other siblings –and generally the whole populace here- weren’t people he knew actively. Locked away in his head by the way it was tap dancing spiked shoes upon his skull.
Regardless, he felt it. Kneading at brow in futile hope that it would cease with a bit of gentle massaging. Watching her lean forward with eyes following the path of greenery spread out. And she spoke. Almost expecting her to give him also a shooing motion to say he was also dismissed. Wouldn’t be an uncommon thing today, now would it? But rather, she spoke. Not at him but about something that was remembered by that of herself.
A telling of someone that was apparently rumoured to have been him at some point. That they stood here and he made a confession that did sound like him but also not. Something about how Liriel was presented told him that if those words had been his, they weren’t uttered merely to get a temporary night from her. As he would now. It had sentiment in it for half a second. Before it was polished off and declared that if it had been given by his own voice, it should have been able to be there even presently.
That guilt bloomed even as he chuckled at her statement about him chasing after someone else to the point that she had nearly become a mad witch. “I can’t even remember that of apparently my own family, your highness. I don’t know if whatever contractual bindin’s put into place were lenient enough to leave me with such a recollection.” He dared to step forward enough to look out over the ledge proper. Near but not butting shoulders to her. “Granted, it does sound like somethin’ I’d do. The way my chest aches even hearing a mere I see from yah suggest’s yer not wrong.”
Lips that had been formed into a soft smile turned then. Looking at her thoughtfully, “I really wish I could just tell yah I remember. It seems a waste to have forgotten a beautiful woman such as yerself, though it does give me the chance to be mesmerized by it now.” Arc meant it surprisingly with a deep breath taken in. “I’d give yah an apology but I don’t think it would be nearly as sincere as yah deserve either. And maybe this was for the better. I mean if I was foolish enough to go chasin’ after skirts with such a confession, I clearly needed some pins stuck in me.” That made him chuckle, “Yer welcome to try if yah need? Can’t be too painful at this point.”
Liriel was quite attention – not watching him directly, but rather from the corner of her eye. Practiced and subtle with it too, a natural grace to her that she’d had long before she’d been named the next heir and had to learn to be a future queen instead of just princess.
“Still as smooth and charming as you were then. I cannot decide if I am amused or furious about it,” she stated, clearly leaning on the side of amused with the way she blossomed into a soft smile. “It wasn’t more than puppy love, truly. Easy to put those feelings to rest even before you decided to turn the entire kingdom upside down.”
“I would have broken your heart, the moment I met Rhiann.” she confessed, almost mimicking one of his charismatic, cheeky smiles. “He makes me happy in ways that’d take me days to explain.”
Liriel let silence fall, soaking in the warmth of the sun and the gentle cool breeze that was pulling mist up from the forest canopies. Even with this gentle moment of nostalgic companionship, there was still that slight feeling of more needed to be said. In the way she stood, ever so pensive. Her furrowed brow and contemplative look that’d have mouth twist and jaw tighten.
“The truth will reveal itself with time. Until the past can be laid to rest, I am more concerned about the future. Mother spared you because of our history, that I understand without question. The girl from the mountains… and this binding? She is a feral cat straight out of the wood, and now thought to be fae? She even claims herself to be frightening and now she holds a demon by the tail.”
There was a strange hint of tone there, despite all her issues with Archimedes and the past, was Liriel presently doubting her mother’s decisions and even questioning her own? Turning sights of those studious green eyes of hers to him, giving no hints at all to what her true thoughts were. Merely making the statements and examining him now to see what his reactions and responses would be.
“What do you make of the master who now owns your leash?”
“I’d prefer amused if I was to be honest. I’ve gotten enough people angry at me in the last few days and barely sortin’ through the how’s and why’s.” Thankfully she was shortly unfolding into a beaming grin. Only further enhancing that sort of otherworldly beauty that absolutely affirmed he likely had been bedazzled by her. Even if said chest ache grew with the statement that it was nothing more than puppy love. She said it so breezily and yet the way his own body seemed to respond may have said otherwise. Not as though he could express it now seeing as the whole turning the entire kingdom upside down. And how she would have broken his heart anyways.
Reaching up to make a press to chest even as features bloomed into a authentic grin. “My loss then. It’s better yer happy than not, your highness. If yah found a gentleman that makes it difficult to explain in five words or less, then it’s worth it.” While he meant every word of it there was this dull lingering that may have suggested whatever had been in the past, wasn’t appreciated now.
Better that way. And honestly, he would hope he didn’t remember something like that. As he wasn’t sure how it would affect him if he knew the difference!
For a interim they lulled into silence. Overlooking a stunning view that was worth a thousand words. Even amongst the telling sign that he could feel that she was searching for something more to speak. Without a need to press or idly hint towards it, she came to the conclusion on her own. Mentioning in a fortune teller way that things would be as they needed to be. Merely missing the mystic ball and star covered tent with all the mysterious embellishments that made people feel it was real.
Shifting to put his elbows down onto the railing, lending focus to twist and turn towards her. Laying violet gaze in a earnest hold of curiosity when she spoke about Calia. Fair thoughts if not somewhat accurate. A feral cat was probably more apt to describe the girl rather than how she liked to call herself a dragon. Waiting a moment as if felt as though there was more to this potential discussion than face value.
“I don’t mean to sound rude but unless yah been through the sort of terrors Lia has, your highness, I don’t think yah can understand why she does what she does. I don’t exactly understand it myself, but I know she’s workin’ through more problems than her kingdom being the newest hors d’oeurve on the demon’s menu. I’d be unreasonable to think with the amount of pressure’s she’s got, that she would be anythin’ less than a feral cat.” Arc turned then putting his back to the railing and elbows resting as he leaned into it. Looking up at the roof along the balcony out of mere curiosity to see how it all held together.
“She’s young. She’s also unclear to who she is. Def fae somewhere in her lineage and that stuff likes to rear its head at the strangest times. Add on that her own family had naught a clue of it because her own father was a curmudgeon about magic. Not exactly makin’ it easy for one of his own to reveal she has this unique power. Being shoehorned into an expected role while not bein’ known for the truth. Then tryin’ to escape it while not understandin’ the what’s or why’s. Add on that someone that found out she had this unusual magic at all, decides to steal it. Remove a key integral part of herself only to open a door to the hells to unleash thousands of blood thirsty demons looking for spare ribs. With her own heart being snatched out of her chest, I’d be a little squirrely and untrustin’ of everyone too. Shit like that, it is only natural that yah start suspectin’ everyone is out to get yah.”
Breath inflated chest for a long hold till it burned and finally exhaled. “But what yah gotta understand here, lass, is she came here. When she could have just as easily fucked right off into the nearest woods and claimed not her faire, not her monkey’s. The difference is, she is here. Lookin’ for help. For guidance. From people who have seen, heard and dealt with things both similar and not. If she were really feral, she’d not have given a damn about it at all.” A hand placed on his chest, “I’m just an unlucky unwanted prize that she just needs for the filler space of her own magic. I know yah might not get it but magic is just as vital to a person as their own organs. She’s lost both. Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t just turn into a troll and start eatin’ people’s ankles whenever they crossed over her bridge.”
“Why her and yer little brother decided to even say anythin’ about how demons were caught and bein’ harvest for living parts should say something. She’s got integrity and if yer brother, yer own family sees somethin’ in her, then I think yah better consider that. No one is just one thin’ in this world. She’s tryin’ and she’s wild. Scared even if she won’t admit it. Probably doesn’t realize havin’ emotions ain’t a bad thin’.”
Giving a thoughtful pause, the demon chuckled a bit. “It won’t be long till she’s rid of me anyways. I ain’t no fool to think she’s guna suddenly care about a lowly demonic beast either. I’m merely an means to an end right now. But I do think she needs yer help. In many ways and she is clearly receptive to it all. If she kills me or lets another do so, then so be it. It’s pretty clear that such thin’s ain’t guna matter in that regard. However, what is important here is bein’ able to be taught by those who have the grace, the wit and the cunnin’ edge here. Yerself, yer family. Don’t hold what she’s been through against her, just aid her. The kid needs it, even if she doesn’t know it yet.”
Once upon a time Liriel had loved this man, perhaps had even thought they’d find their way around his nonsense and her jealousy to one day get betrothed and later married. In another time and life it could have even been his son she’d just bore. Where he had no memory and just lingering aches of what might’ve been, Liriel had a century to go through the motions. Of feeling betrayed, heartbroken, learning to let it go and even to realize that much had been under a lens of rose glass.
What she hadn’t expected was to see him again and have all those memories come back with fond recollection. Having been so angry at him for so long, Liriel would’ve thought it’d drag up all those feelings and bring back that bitterness. Even had a small fear that those feelings might be reignited here in this special place they’d once come together, that she’d suddenly yearn for that love and forget all that she had in the present. Instead only to realize he was not the same person anymore, and truthfully neither was she. All those memories were nothing more than warm nostalgia for a time she missed, but did not want returned. Liriel truly was happy – her life had turned out the way it was meant to.
Which begged the question… what was Archimedes meant for. She’d asked him about the girl for a wide multitude of reasons. Liriel had seen it in her, that wildness and insecurity. Unrefined, she’d stated it before. A shooting star ready to burn out and fall out of the sky would be apt too. Everything more they learned about her just added on more confusion and questions. Demons and stolen hearts and fae blood…
Liriel listened, attentive and quiet, as he relayed a majority of things she’d already surmised on her own. That the mountain princess had come from circumstances so dire and twisted, that she was broken down into this shattered state. That even despite it all, she’d had enough mental strength and fortitude to come here and keep trying. She’d heard the opinions of both Renus and Nysia on the girl’s habits, and she’d witnessed herself the way she tended to interact with others.
What sparked her to smile, however, was that in all of this very astute description of the young woman that Archimedes still seemed to miss a few vital details. With just a little bit of a panging twist to her heart that she’d not been expecting, to hear him speaking of himself as if he did not matter.
Whatever he’d done in the past – and it would soon be known – he still did matter. Gaia had something special in mind for him, was her truest hope.
“I find it interesting that you speak so highly of her and yet believe she thinks so little of you,” she stated, leaning hip against the stone rail. Comfortable in this quiet, intimate conversation. “Sparing you from torture. Speaking on your behalf to the queen. Accepting the binding. Is that not a sign she places at least some care towards you?”
“The way she spoke of you last night at dinner, now I understand,” a soft laugh slipped out. “I asked what she intended to do with you now, and she declared that you would be her advisor. Renus had his doubts, naturally, and yet she defended you. Claimed that you didn’t believe she listened to you at all, but that she did. That your words are what pushed her here when she would’ve otherwise chased her heart and died in the process.”
Liriel leaned until she could bump her shoulder to his, that soft smile shifting again to faint confusion.
“How can you be so clever and astute in recognizing that she is wild because she is hurting, and not see that she is also fragile and sensitive? Needing to feel connected to someone? She looks at Renus as if he hung the moon in the sky and is desperate for his approval of her. She’s allowing Nysia to treat her like a living doll without a single complaint. All it took was Kenia and Aien leaving dinner early and you could just see that veneer of hers cracking. All while she believes the one now bound to her is frightened enough that he wants nothing to do with her.”
“Well not to be tootin’ my own horn,” Arc grinned impishly, “I have a strong belief that everyone thinks little of me. I mean the whole demon thin’ does place a rather large obstacle in that favour.” The man gave a thoughtful moment, “She did try to kill me three or four times, kudos of course to her. It was a feat and one that irritated me.” Was he offended by it now?
A little. But that was probably because he had spent so much time trying to get out of hell that he really didn’t want to go back in there. Waiting till the next hell gate was opened. It wasn’t on his list of fun ideas. However, he didn’t exactly fault people either for attempting to subdue or stab him because everything he had become was an insult upon the balance of light. Good. Whatever one wanted to call it. Yet it seemed that all he had said, Liriel was surmising more.
Colouring him curious till he smirked a bit. “I think it might mean she values the manna I possess rather than a body. In all fairness, it ain’t wrong. Our previous contract wasn’t in her favour after all. This time, she gets to access the manna rather than my spells. So she doesn’t even need my prowess or benefit or even really myself factually. And honestly, I don’t think she would have even bothered had it not been for the fae tree or the Queen herself. I don’t know if I’m merely being hard headed or just not swayed by sentiment but I do possess a strong measure of doubt that there is not even a smidgen of care. Really, I don’t be holdin’ upset feelin’s about it. One’s gotta do what they gotta do.”
A brow lifted however. As she ease a airy laugh and expressed that Calia had said some things about him. Maybe on the surface it seemed pleasant and cheery but he shortly rolled his eyes at the advisor comment. “She ain’t givin’ herself enough credit. I might have said a few thin’s for her to maybe get out of her murderous desire but it ain’t more than a single person would have come too. That’s not advisor quality. I’m no conscience.”
The bump to his shoulder did soften him a bit. Idly reaching over to touch the spot with gaze looking at the ground. Listening more so in that moment as Liriel’s insight was certain good to hear. Anyone’s insight was always worth listening too, even if you didn’t agree to it. “Well yah could say it ain’t wrong. Frightened may be somethin’ I avidly disagree with but it’s close to the source. I’m not interested in gettin’ my chains pulled in a manner of flared anger. It’s quite somethin’ to learn after how many years that I believed I was decently immortal but the reveal of them weapons was enough to make even a demon fear for his life. Admittedly I ain’t too excited to piss her off and then get stabbed when I ain’t lookin’.”
Lips curled some as head tipped backwards to look at her. “Yah might find it amusin’ that even a beast of hell fears permanent death. She’s a feisty one. Maybe I’m not too convinced that she’s fragile or sensitive cause to see that, one has to allow those thin’s to be seen. To speak of it. To want to speak of it rather than droppin’ little raisins of clues hopin’ one’s smart enough to follow. Which I will gladly state I am not. Although if she is gettin’ all cow eyed for the little prince, then wouldn’t it be beneficial then to smash them together like little wooden dolls? Seems like a better balance.”
The man looked at her, “I’m all ears to listen to yer sagely advice, lass. It seems yah and yer brother Aien are good at least bein’ honest that I’ll listen.”
“And how much has she even tried to use that magic,” Liriel pointed out with ease. “If she is truly and wholly fae, I would think the very second she had it in her hands she would be using it at will. That wildling mountain child, it is a shock to me that she’s not out in the meadow doing all manner of casting. She is clearly a fighter and Renus had even introduced her to the sparring room with the knowledge that others are perfectly willing to try their hand with her. Is there not a twinge of you now, with her practicing spells out there somewhere?”
Men were such foolish things. The crowned princess could not discount, however, that Archimedes himself had also gone through something long and traumatic. Even if she did not know how he became and demon and landed himself in the hells, how he behaved now was not at all demonic. To have spent all this time in the demon’s realms and then come out, to find his fate entangled with that girl. To be captured and tortured and come full circle again with that very same woman. It was no surprise that he too was trying to wrap himself up in a cocoon of separation.
“I have a suspicion that perhaps the girl has tried to speak to you but you have not been so keen to listen,” she mused out loud. Pretending to be thinking of it just then in the moment, instead of the fact it was plainly obvious to see. “How many times I wonder? From what I have seen of her so far, she tends to say what is on her mind without any filter at all. Bluntly so even when gentler word would be more appropriate.”
At the suggestion of pairing her with Renus, Liriel erupted into such a loud laugh! A cackling, bright, completely inelegant chortle that so few had ever seen. It’d likely stun the whole court to see the very demure and serene Liriel sounding like a forest banshee.
“Oh goodness! The poor wee children! Renus would go mad trying to hold a moonbeam in his hands… and Calia! Oh dear, Calia would bend herself into a wreath trying to please him and lose all of the wildness that makes her so special. My dear friend, leave match making to Nysia. Even for all of her ridiculous suitors, she could spot a better match!”
That seemed like a question he should avoid answering. Not about to tell Liriel that the girl she called a wildling –apt and accurate- had in fact used her magic on the former master of research and the tree itself seemed like a pretty bad idea. Instead offering a musing look like he was trying to really think about it. Eventually settling her with a slow look when the lovely woman declared if there was no pulling on that well of manna within him, then he ought to not think her just using him.
A quill did not always write after all when it sat with its fountain. But he suspected enough that he wasn’t supposed to win or make sense at all.
Especially when she continued and stated that he was probably the idiot that wasn’t listening to Calia. “Ah, so it’s entirely my fault then. Well add it to the list, I think I’m accruin’ quite a mass scroll of paper that has everythin’ done wrong thus far.” Grinning so easily and effortlessly. A charade that was well practiced and personable that it spoke well enough to most that he was hardly offended. In reality, he wasn’t much of a fan being the only one told he was the epitome of everything thus far in the world. Staving off suggesting they add sunburns, mosquito bites and earthquakes to his growing roster. Even swallowing back the bitter comment that just wanted to say, they should just blame everything wrong in the world on him.
Simply smiling and taking it on the outside as no big deal. Water off the duck’s back.
Whether Liriel was right or wrong, was left to wander. Not particularly sure if he wanted to even open that door because at the end of it all, he was a demon. Demon! A being of evil and heinous actions. Selfish and cruel and monstrous in every cell that made his very being.
Accepting instead the musical unfiltered cackle that broke the woman into something absolutely wonderful. It softened that bitter pang miraculously till she was telling him he was a terrible matchmaker. “Alas, my traits and talents aren’t being recognized for their truth.” Arc chuckled as he pushed himself up to stand once more. “Can’t blame a guy for merely suggestin’, yer highness.” Lids closed and the mirth held fast, “I’ll stick to my whorish ways then and not get into the business of settin’ unsuspectin’ couples upon another.”
Raking fingers of each through either side of temple, he hummed. “Am I allowed to properly escort the jewel of the elven lands back to her massively absurd lower levels of the palace? Gentlemanly of course.”
“I did not say it was all your fault,” she answered easily, with that tilt of head and teasing fondness. “Do as you will. You always have.”
A loaded statement that was, needing no further comment on her part. Leaving Liriel free to push away from the stone railing with a last look towards the misty canopy of the forest, giving a long heavy sigh.
“It IS time for me to get back to being mother and daughter, isn’t it.” reaching out without qualms to link her arms with one of his, meaning to accept his invitation of an escort. Even having quite the look of mischief in that small smile, so reminiscent of the Queen herself. Knowing that having the staff and nobles alike seeing this gesture was going to add fuel to the flames. Hoping with all hope that when all truth had finally come to the surface, that her heart wasn’t going to break all over again.
For now she had placed all her trust into the Great Tree, in her mother, and now in a friendship that should’ve been long dead!
“Maybe not with your mouth but the implication is there.” He was hardly bothered by it. Well, he was. But that was not something he needed to say after all. Settling to just smile and accept what came naturally. Everyone needed something or someone to blame after all, it only worked in their favour that he was a perfectly viable source. A demon firstly, secondly one that had successfully brought ruin upon them and had no memory of it.
Even in his own head it sounded terribly coincidental. Too perfect but it wasn’t fabricated as that. The tugging and pain in his head was already enough to state there was truth beyond this wall that was angry each time he got close to it.
“Nice to know I’m always been a selfish jackarse.” Laughing easily at the whole do as he would, since he always had. Some things never changed then. But they couldn’t just stand around here all day.
He could. She couldn’t.
Responsibility and all that fun boring stuff that made him want to just roll off the railing himself to even think about. Softening surprisingly when she was the one that had taken to linking arms with him. A gesture he was going to make but leave it to be further sent into awe when this magnificent specimen of poise and grace and charm and pious conscientiousness did it first.
Oh how it aided that strange dullness in his chest. Settling for a quiet and rare sort of smile, “And yer doin’ a grand job, your highness.” Arc suggested to her statement of how she had to return to such tasks. Steeling away this forlorn ache within him to guide the blossomed daughter back the way she had originally lead them. Maybe a hair or two slower as well, could someone blame him if he wanted to bask as long as possible in not only her radiance but that unknown nostalgia? They could if they wanted too, he wouldn’t complain about it. But this would be his private little nugget of muted wonderment. A perfect little priceless jewel that was utterly worthless to anyone else! Invaluable to him.
Once they had at least made it back down to the main floor and he made the effort of escorting her further to a space that he now recognized as the study of her own, Arc made a absolute flourish. Stepping back with a sweeping bow. Deep. Overly dramatic and made it absolutely both as sincere as possible and ridiculous. “My honour, yer ladyship.” At least he wasn’t making a show of kissing the back of her knuckles!
Just when he popped back up, he had a thought. “Liriel,” Her name felt so familiar on his tongue, almost stopping him from continuing just to savour it. “Where might a lout such as myself at least find somethin’ sweet that would be appreciated by a noble lady? With yer wit, surely yah would guide me in the right direction. Or wrong, which ever yah be preferrin’?”
The walk back to her private office was a pleasant one and oh so familiar of the past. A nice little visit to those old days and a return to the present that wasn’t bittersweet, but more affirming of those closed chapters. A book long written and finished, now to be put away as she continued on as a happy wife and mother. Watching with endeared amusement at his dramatics, that most might assume was simply mocking if they did not know the man he used to be.
“If you’re daring, there is plenty enough stacked away now in Nysia’s suite if you care to ask her for some. Or sneak away with. Otherwise take yourself on to the kitchens, there is never a lack of sweets. I dare say we’d all protest if there were.”
In a moment of pause, she reached up to cup his cheek for a soft affectionate brush. Then quick as a whip, a bap!bap!. Nothing more than a tap, not even enough to tingle. Simply a wink to show he was getting away easy.
“Listen to your own advice sometimes,” she warned him. “And make sure this lady you’re going to woo isn’t married.”
It wasn’t mocking thankfully. He could have. Thought about it but considering that she hadn’t given him a mound of shit even though he really didn’t know who she was in relevance to him outside what memories made themselves thorny and sharp, paired with the aching inside; he meant to be at least somewhat comical. But not insulting her.
Slowly straightening up to ask the question of the hour, of course she led off with Nysia.
Yes, she had quite the hoard of gifts and it was likely there as a literal mountain of chocolates and sugary sweets that could potentially kill a large dog within her clutches. But he also knew that she was a hyped up little gobshite that he wasn’t too sure knew how to be sincere herself. Content to be a mischievous imp and he really didn’t know if it was wise to let her see him anyways. In case she thought of a way to get him to play dress up. “If I’m desperate to be tortured, I’ll consider it.” The kitchens was probably a better idea but he wasn’t sure how well they would be receptive to his presence either.
Guess he would have to venture out from the palace and hope not as many people knew what he looked like without demonic qualities. It was a farfetched idea but one no less.
With surprise reflecting as the gentle passing of affection moved over cheek, only to be given a very light and not so punishable tap to his cheek, it was hard not to chuckle. Truly something inside him was practically writhing with these little motions. Locked up within itself trying to make the rest of him catch up.
“Ah, yet I have so much advice and none at all to listen to.” Shoulders shrugged playfully, “I won’t woo no married lass. Not thinking it would be thrillin’ to have to run from the husband. As I told the other princess, I am on my best behaviour.” Crossing his heart and holding palm in the air. Truly to his word. Just after a moment to soften, “Thank yah Liriel.” Needing not to expand upon the reasoning he was even doing so. Nor lingering it in long enough to have it questioned. Back stepping a few paces with a two finger wave so he might find a nearest exit to help him escape this place towards town.
Little did she know that she may have said enough for him to try doing something other than just prattling on. He’d noticed how Calia stole Nysia’s sweets the day prior. While he didn’t have a clue what to say to the wild woman that wouldn’t be turned around or considered suspicious, little actions could help.
Getting something for her to chew on in hopes it might just be something liked, was where he could start.
Until she decided he was full of it and used him as a flail from tying a noose around his throat.