a/n: New story! I'm really excited to start on this one :) I realized that I write too much dark and death-related things (Like in the Dollmaker). So I'm going to challenge myself to take a sad, death related song...like Servant of Evil...and try to make a twisted, funnier version where nobody...NOBODY dies (at least nobody important...)! Like, really twisted. I'm using the character names from the actual SOE story, so here's the cast list (I'll be adding to it):
Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche: Rin Kagamine Allen Avadonia: Len Kagamine Leonhart: Leon Oliver: Still Oliver (Oliver doesn't appear in the original SOE chronicles, so in this version he's just Oliver...I needed a blonde)
Disclaimer: I do not own the original SOE characters, setting, story etc. This is just a messed up version.
OK! BEGIN!
We are all capable of telling a story. Whether long or short, joyous or downright depressing, everyone has a history. Everyone has a legacy, in which their past had been born, weaving into an intricate series of events which lead up to the end. Whether it has an ending at all.
But what about a story of evil?
?'s POV:
With my basket swinging in hand, I skipped down the dusty yellow streets. Bustling crowds went about with their business, as I tried to avoid them. Nothing stopped me from fully embracing my surroundings, the wind tousling my hair or the satisfying thumps of my feet rebounding off the ground, my skip accelerating into a full-fledged sprint.
"OW!"
I landed face first into some stranger's chest, the impact causing me to hit the road with an embarrassed scream. A sharp jolt of pain went up the back of my head, causing my spine to feel the fall.
A crowd had gathered around my crumpled figure, fingers pointing and mouths hollering with laughter. No one stepped out of their way to help me up, and the more polite ones just stared. Their angular shadows bathed me in their mocking cackles, a physical embodiment of shame.
I had to stop a stream to stinging tears from escaping my eyes. Who did these people think they were? I picked myself and my basket up and continued my way. But not before managing a glare at the mob, who had started to break apart and leave.
"Xanthines." I sighed. I should've known. The Yellow Kingdom is an unfriendly place. People were known for their repulsive nature, degrading sense of humanity, and mercilessness. Surely, a fallen girl made great laughing material to these monsters.
I held the sides of my arms, as I escaped to a place where I would be alone. I shook my head, shamed that I was one of them. My dress scraped the wall, as I slid down the side of a dark alleyway. It reeked of garbage and grime, but I didn't care at the moment. I stared up at the blue sky, the golden sun matching the colours of this Kingdom.
"I'm sorry." A voice whispered.
"Huh?!" I jumped up, immediately getting into fighting stance. It took me several long seconds to track the source of the voice: A cloaked figure, standing so that the light coming from behind it shadowed their face.
"Who are you? Get away!" Accidents in an alleyway were never good ones.
"Please calm down. I'm just sorry...sorry that you had to go through that."
I gave the stranger a disbelieving look. However, the tone of their voice (I couldn't tell if it was male or female), sounded gentle. Maybe even sympathetic.
"How did you know?"
"I was there when it happened. It's something that was MY responsibility. I could have controlled it, but I didn't. That's why I sincerely apologize. It will all get better, I promise."
I stared, confused. What was going on?
"Err...um..."
"I've got to go. Remember, the most important things in life seem to have no meaning, until you lose them. Like hope. So hold on to it, okay?" The figure gripped their cloak tighter, their voice cracking just the slightest.
The stranger turned to dash out the alleyway, and down the street. I protested, leaping up at the last second to latch into their billowing cloak. I intended to ask some questions, because an incident like this was too suspicious to let go, right?
"Who ARE you?" I demanded, a bit forcefully. I whipped the person around, hoping to catch a glimpse of their face. But all I got was a gasp, as they ducked down. The figure sighed sadly, and I sensed that it was because there was no normal way for them to deliver the answer to me. My heart raced, as I didn't know what I was in for.
"I'll tell you who I am. But first, let me tell you a story."
A story? Did this person think I was five...?
"I think I can go without a story."
"Please. All your answers will be in it. Do you think I have all day?"
"Nope. And I don't expect you to think the same for ME." I should've been home by now, with the groceries. But no. Somehow, THAT did not happen.
"Then we're on the same page here." I shivered, as I felt the figure smile in their sentence. I leaned against the wall, fiddling with my nervous fingers.
"Whatever."
"Is that a yes whatever, or a no whatever?"
"Fine, fine! Just get on with it, will you..?"
Turning to face me, I could see two bright yellow eyes in the darkness of their hood. Eyes that were sad, warm, and wise. But in the strangest way, they seemed teasing. Maybe even villainous...
"Very well. Once, in a Kingdom not so far away..."
He came that night on a ship.
He arrived so soundlessly, he could've have blended in with the fog as it curled restlessly around the beach, like a warning was buried beneath it. The cliffside curled over, like a sleeping dragon over the kingdom below. Looking over the edge with a proud, edgy feel, was a castle. The Castle. The darkness of that evening accentuated the only light that was glowing like a beacon, a beacon to him.
"The Queen hasn't slept yet." He thought to himself, smiling under his cap. Perfect.
The man grasped his briefcase, the contents unknown. In his other hand he grasped a piece of paper, the very one that had brought him here. His coat flapped in the wind, at the same rhythm as the waves. His eyes glimmered, as he crossed the beach, stole through the sleeping city, and reached the castle...the beautiful, deadly castle. His shadow followed him like a companion, covering his footsteps. As he approached the majestic, towering castle, he realized that someone was still awake.
"Do you have authorization to enter Castle grounds?" A guard stopped him, with a swift hand gesture. The stern, rugged soldier had golden eyes and xanthus hair...much like himself.
"Not particularly, sir. But I have come to seek favour of Her Majesty. A job interview, I'm assuming."
Leonhart was the guard's name. The emotionless young man stared back at him with iron eyes, as hard as his armour. "It's far too late for anyone to be bothering Her Majesty. Come back tomorrow."
"I won't be back tomorrow. She's looking for a servant, sir. I'd say she'd be happy that her request be fulfilled."
"And how do you know that? You may not pass qualifications."
"I just do. Please let me pass."
"It is part of my duty to say no. Now, leave before I alert security."
It wasn't often that someone refused him. The foreigner's anger only showed as a cheeky raise of his eyebrow. He was getting impatient, as he had been through so much to get here. One oversized castle guard wasn't going to halt him.
"What security? The Yellow Kingdom had already fallen. Our Queen has left quite a legacy, hasn't she? We all know that half the population had fled. Leaving a single, stingy soldier to guard Her Majesty's life."
"Why you...!"
Iron flashed silver as Leonhart whipped his blade out, a crisp, cold sound. He moved forward to sever the foreigner. In the Yellow Kingdom...and only the Yellow Kingdom, such a move was legal.
His opponent didn't even blink. As the blade came down, he caught it with a hand. The force didn't pain him, and he even smiled at his successful block. The only thing that was out of place was that his cap had fallen off, when the wind from the blade coming down blew it off. With a precise motion, the foreigner whipped the sword out of the guard's hand. Then he bent it casually, from blade to hilt.
Leonhart's eyes widened, and his heartbeat quickened. This man was not normal. He leaned down, whispering sweetly to the soldier.
"Let me try again: Tell Her Majesty that Allen Avadonia wishes for permission to speak to her about the job placement." He dropped the sword, picked up his cap, and then unraveled a crinkled sheet of paper, with the request for a servant. "...loyal, trustworthy, polite, must be strong enough not to quiver in my presence...preferably attractive.." He read the contents of the paper.
"Do you think I'll fit the role?" Allen looks at Leonhart with a cheerful smile, and then laughs.
"A-a-acess g-granted..." He scrambled away, leaving his sword behind. He doesn't even want to check the contents of the foreigner's briefcase.
"Thank you, sir!" Allen yells after him. He smirks again, and enters.
"There are four Kingdoms: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Each are ruled by a monarchy, and bore the characteristics of their Kingdom's colour: Eyes, hair, and fashion sense. Those in The Red Kingdom were brave and heroic souls. The Crimsons are stoic, proud, yet violent. They had brownish to reddish hair and eyes, or colours resembling wine. The Blue Kingdom were the erudites...studious, wise, and cunning. They are the masterminds in strategies and psychology, and pair well with the Crimsons. However, although the Crimsons were the bulk of the battle, the Azures were the brains. And in The Green Kingdom lived the musicians, artisans, and actors of the Four Kingdoms. They are the happy people, but with short attention spans and the belief that "ignorance is bliss". They are creative people, who tend to fall in love easily, with or without reason. The Verdigris, they were called, are also the pinnacle of beauty.
The Yellow Kingdom, however, was something unlike the other Kingdoms. It used to be a beautiful, wealthy country, until it had fallen after the coronation of the recent Queen. The Xanthines, they were called, are now the bringers of doom. The Yellow Kingdom consisted of thugs, gypsies, prison camps, and execution sights. Blood often ran freely down the streets. The Yellow Kingdom used to be a city for merchants, and makers...they produced the goods to be imported to the other Kingdoms. But when little Riliane d'Autriche was put on the throne, it all changed. Soon, all the residents had fled, or were executed. The taxes were inflicted heavily, but nobody was able to stand up to their dictator. Convicts from other Kingdoms were brought here to be killed. Although the Xanthines were good lawyers and judges, they were so burdened by all the deaths and crimes that they resigned. Everyone soon hated their blond hair and golden eyes...except for Queen Riliane, of course. Instead, her eyes were blue, which earned her the nickname 'The Blue-Eyed Tyrant'."
"Enough, Oliver!"
Oliver closed the book he was reading out of, giving the Queen a cool gaze. "Is something the matter, my Queen?"
"What type of story is this?"
Queen Riliane sat up from her linen sheets, pulling her hair out from her ponytail. She huffed, crossing her arms. Even at the age of eighteen, she still loved having bedtime stories read to her.
"Well?"
"It's the story of our world, Your Majesty. I wanted you to know how the other Kingdoms function."
"Then why does it mention me? And speak dirt about my land?"
"Well, it's because you're a part of that. Literature nowadays talk about you, a lot. You wouldn't believe all the propaganda."
"That does not qualify as an excuse, Oliver! I don't care about crap like that. My Kingdom is all that matters."
"Don't swear, Your Majesty."
"I do what I want, Oliver. I know you were my uncle's adviser...you must have read books better than this!" She leaned over, took the book out of Oliver's hands, and flung it across the room.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Yawning, the teenager brushed his blond hair out of his eye bandage, and then proceeded to find another book. It was SO late! Who would be awake at this hour?
"Your Majesty!"
Fearful knocking came from the door, as the voice continued to shout "Your Majesty!". Oliver got up from his stool, and walked over to open the door for Leonhart.
"Speak, Leonhart." Riliane brushed herself off from her last tantrum, and stood up from her bed.
"A man has requested the role to be your servant! He's waiting outside! Hurry, quick!" Leonhart was pale, and was panting like a mad dog.
"Leon, calm down." Oliver soothed him. He turned to Riliane, who had a sly smile on her face.
"Ohoho, a servant! How wonderful. Leonhart, tell him I shall see him tomorrow."
"My Queen, he wants to see you NOW."
The full grown man was still in shock, as he got up and returned to his post.
"Your Majesty, I have a bad feeling about this..." Oliver mumbled after a considerable silence.
"Nonsense. Look at the way he had scared Leonhart! Ahaha, he must be just as evil as moi!" Riliane happily fell back on her bed, laughing. "Tell him that I'll be coming now. I need your assistance in the preparation."
Oliver groaned. "It's two am, Your Majesty. I can't-"
"You will. NOW."
The short kid in his late teens blinked back his anger and went to retrieve the Queen's clothes. Of course, he wasn't allowed to dress her. After about twenty minutes, the Queen emerged into the throne room with her royal garments, although she had a tired look in her usually regal stare. She sat on her throne, which was ten-feet tall, with a slouch.
"Bring him in."
Leonhart gulped, running out of the throne room to retrieve him. He came back a few seconds later, with the man.
"Your Majesty, here enters Allen Avadonia..." He spoke, bowing.
"I humbly present myself to you, my fair Queen." Allen got down on one knee, and then looked up to meet her eyes.
What struck Riliane as the oddest was his smile. He was SMILING in the presence of the most evil, horrendous figure of power in all the Four Kingdoms! Yet he was treating this like a courtship in a ball, like Riliane was nothing but an insignificant girl. He had fine features, and it was obvious that he was from the Yellow Kingdom, by the colour of his eyes and hair, and his accent. A fellow Xanthine, she thought. His blonde hair fell to his shoulders, giving him a gentle, dreamy appearance.
"Keep talking." She yawned.
"I was aware of that fact that you were looking for a personal servant. A butler, perhaps? I've decided that since I have had experience with monarchy before, to try to serve Your Majesty. I specialize in a range of household activities, and I'm quite educated as well."
"Est-ce que vous parlez en francais?"
"Oui, ma Reine."
Riliane studied him, impressed. "Can you cook?"
"Yes, I'm a renowned chef back in my-"
"As long as you can cook, then you're hired."
Allen chuckled, clearly pleased that she accepted him. "I'm amused. You've never specified that on the application paper."
"Screw that stupid paper. I just love food, okay?"
Allen looked at her, smiling again. This guy has guts. She never met anyone who would smile and look at her AT THE SAME TIME. Let alone even LAUGH. He was either stupidly brave...or maybe unaware of her reputation. In fact, although he was impressive, breathing the same air as him made her feel...strange.
"Alright, so you're hired then. Just because you think you're so smart that you were accepted, doesn't mean that you can just slack off. Remember, I'm the one who gives orders, here. Whatever I desire, you will go out of your way to get it for me. And be warned that I have the power to kill you whenever I see you doing something I don't like. Understand?"
"Understood, Your Majesty! I am honoured to be of service!"
Riliane rolled her eyes. But deep inside, this Allen Avadonia unsettled her. The true reason why she chose him was that she wanted to study him a bit...and understand why he seemed so familiar to her. And there was no other choice. The other men that Leonhart brought in were all dismissed, and never treated her with such courtesy as Allen.
"Very well, then. But first, I need you to take an oath and seal the agreement. I want to see your application, understood?"
"Crystal clear, my Queen." He took out the piece of parchment, and Leonhart stepped forward to take it.
"Leonhart, let me do this."
Oliver and Leonhart shared a look, as they both knew it was not normal for the evil Queen to offer to do something herself. He stepped back, and watches carefully as Riliane gets up from her ridiculously large throne, and walks gracefully up to Allen. She gives him a devilish smile, who counters with one just as evil.
"Let's see."
She whipped the parchment from his hands, turning her back to him. The Queen unraveled it, her eyes scanning down the page. Then they narrow.
Turns out, this guy hasn't filled in much besides his first and last name, and his experience. He doesn't even have a birthday, and his hometown was labeled CHROME INC. Family, status, and contact information were also left blank.
"What's this? You haven't finished it."
"I have, your Majesty. You can see my signature in the bottom right hand corner."
Indeed, there was. "You have no birthday? No family? How old are you? Like, sixteen?"
"Actually, I'm eighteen. Same age as you."
Riliane scoffed. "Eighteen?! How? You're so short!"
"But I'm taller than you, Your Majest-"
"Shut up. OK, back to the paper...where do you live?"
"I'm not actually sure...here, I guess? I was raised by the workers of Chrome, who request that I do not give out information other than what's on the paper."
"Hardly anything's on the paper..."
"I have the documentation here to prove it."
"Never mind, I get the point." She looks up at him, the corner of her mouth lifting. "You're strange."
"Aren't we all?"
Oliver nudged Leonhart. Usually, Riliane wouldn't tolerate this kind of talk. The lack of sleep must be getting to her...
"That's enough sass for tonight, Mr. Avadonia. As you may know, in this Kingdom we seal agreements with blood." She pressed a knife to his chest, crossing her arms. She then takes a feather pen from Oliver. "Now, if you'll just take this knife and, you know, then you can start working tomorrow."
"I can start work right now."
"Really?! Then can you read me a bedtime story after this?"
He laughs. "Of course!"
Oliver and Leonhart gasped, as they watched Allen slashed his wrist savagely. Riliane's eyebrows raised in interest as he displayed not a single show of pain. He didn't care of the blood that ran down his arm, dripping onto the floor. He casually smiles, as she dips the feather into the blood, and then signs her name.
"It is done. Oliver, take-"
Oliver faints.
"Leonhart, take Allen and Oliver to the medical ward. You are dismissed after that...except for the servant, of course."
The soldier and foreigner return an hour later, as he escorts Allen to the servant's quarters. The door creaks open, as Leonhart speaks in a collected voice.
"These are the servant's quarters. As you can see no one has been here for a long time."
Several bunks line two sides of the wall, all dark and dusty. The sheets are a faded yellow colour, so old that it looks beige. There's a single small desk with an ink stand, but no paper. Allen steps in, the briefcase in hand. He surveys the area.
"I find it very...roomy. The open space is quite lovely."
"Ah yes, this castle used to have more than a hundred servants. They all vanished after the Queen was put on the throne. Until you came."
Allen nods, examining the bandage around his wrist. He puts slight pressure on it, causing the linen to slowly turn red. Mumbling something about a psychopath, Leonhart turns around and leaves, shutting the door behind him.
"Good night!" Allen exclaims after the door slams. He grins to himself, satisfied of the accomplishments of today. Queen Riliane doesn't seem as evil as she sounds...more like a phase that teenagers go through. But who knew what kinds of evil lies beneath her dangerous, sugary coating?
Gentle tapping comes from the window. Allen opens it, and a dove flies through, landing on the desk. It coos softly, displaying a yellow tag on its leg. In its beak, it held a note.
Allen smiles, gently retrieving the note and patting the dove on the head. He read it in the disappearing moonlight:
AA
REQUESTING MISSION REPORT
CHROME INC.
The dove watches on the servant's shoulder as he blows on the note, causing the letters to vanish. Then he plucks a feather from the dove, dips it in ink, and writes:
MISSION REPORT:
HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED STEP 1. HER MAJESTY WON'T SEE IT COMING.
EVEN READ HER A BEDTIME STORY. HOW COOL IS THAT?
AA
He gave the slip of paper to the dove. After releasing the bird, Allen plops the briefcase onto a bed, and opens it. Inside has only two things, strapped against the inside of the briefcase: A vial of poison, and a knife. The servant takes the knife, running his hand along the dull side of the blade. He chuckles darkly.
"We'll see how evil you truly are, my Queen..."
a/n: I told you it was twisted x)
Red Kingdom: The Crimsons (Good fighters) Blue Kingdom: The Azures (Smart people) Green Kingdom: The Verdigris (Artistic people) Yellow Kingdom: The Xanthines (Evil people, used to be wealthy)
Please let me know what you think. \(^o^)/ Tune in next time~!