This is the story of how Kac'ela and Manson came together. Also... You may just end up seeing the story of how Tellru and Dravla met and became equivalents :3
Day 1 (Manny):
As the prince, Manson had to follow very specific rules. He must dress a certain way, act a certain way, present himself a certain way. He couldn't slouch or act too inappropriately with others.
He had to be escorted by guards constantly, attend important meetings with his Father to learn the ropes, and always prepare for his future role as King.
He definitely didn't suppose to ditch his assigned guard, throw on a cloak, and sneak off on a Kever into town.
To be honest, what harm could it do to stretch his legs a bit? He was strong, skilled, and was capable of taking care of himself if something were to go bad. He saw nothing wrong in taking a moment to himself to walk among his people.
How could he lead them if he did not know them, anyway?
So he enjoyed the time he could, hoping to find some means of feeling normal. To feel like every other Coeihn did at his age; A young adult with his whole life ahead of him. Someone who could act a little rash, running blindly to their future with no fear of the consequences. Someone would be on the lookout for love, but didn't make it their top priority.
He wanted to feel like that with others.
Not to say Dravla, his best friend since Childhood, didn't try his best to give him that- but Dravla tended to live on a different level than others without even meaning to. His day was consumed with training, improving his skills- and when he wasn't, he was guarding Manson or acting in Equivalent challenges.
After defeating his Father in several combat challenges, he had officially earned the title of Fifth Champion and was currently well loved by the people. Many looked to him with aspiration and adoration- but Dravla hardly bat an eye.
Manson couldn't understand his friend or his wishes to not seek out an Equivalent. Dravla just wasn't interested in love, or at least, no one had caught his eye yet. But the clock was ticking.
It wasn't like they were getting any younger, after all. So for now, Manson was on his own in his search for that perfect person.
Of course, all these attempts to be normal we short term, lasting only till he returned to the castle to be the Prince, once more.
"Excuse me?" A form steps in front of his view. "Sir?"
Manson sees their ankles first. They are refined, leading up smooth legs, passing well-structured hands, then he sees the Coeihn's face.
Sweet Parlog, their face.
The sight of the Coeihn in front of him stalled the breath in Manson's chest.
Raven hair was the first thing he focused on. It trailed downward, cascading over petite shoulders and curling around them.
He eyed them carefully, caught off guard by the white markings that traced along the skin. While most Coeihns were known for their black markings, the rare sight of white enveloped his thoughts. They shot along the other's body, guiding Manson's eyes upward, to meet the gaze of heavenly blue eyes, as clear as the ocean.
They blinked once at him, then the Coeihn inquired, "Is anyone sitting next to you?"
Tongue-tied, he choked on his words, managing to shake his head no. To his delight and horror, the Coeihn sat beside him, at the only seat that seemed available along the Kever.
Blessed or cursed, Manson struggled to keep his calm, so overturned by this unexpected presence.
It was uncanny, the exquisite beauty this being bestowed. They were radiant.
Prominent collar bone, skinny arms, fragile wrists that he could most likely wrap his hands around at least twice...
Who in the world was this fetching creature?
"Can I help you?" realizing only a second too late he was staring, he fumbled. The Coeihn was frowning at him, luscious lips curled in a pouty frown. It was the cutest thing he had ever seen.
"No- I… You are just-" he breaths carefully, brain too frazzled to think straight, "You're beautiful," The Coeihn recoiled back like Manson had slapped him. The blossoming color in his cheeks added volumes to his already dainty features.
They were stammering, "W-What?" As if they were not often complimented for their beauty, which Manson thought couldn't possibly be true, they fiddled with their shirt, "T-Thank you? I've never- who are- Hi." they give a small wave, fidgeting in their seat, "Who are you? I'm Kac'ela," he held out his hand.
Kac'ela.
The name rolled off the tongue of this Coeihn's soothing voice.
Mason wanted to sear the name into his soul, drift away at the sound of his soft voice, curl his fingers into his smooth hair- Was this what people called obsession? Did it count if it was only after knowing someone for a few seconds?
He had never been so affected by just a person's features so much before. What kind of alluring abilities did this siren possess?
Recalling that Kac'ela was still patiently waiting for him to reply, he puts on his best smile.
Taking his hand, mesmerized by the softness of his skin, Mason gently flipped the other's palm. Lifting it, ingrained in him for years from practice and parties, he kissed the white circle that covered Kac'ela's knuckles.
His voice came out more confident than he felt, "You may call me Manny,"
With a little gasp, Kac'ela pulled away. Startled and wide-eyed, he held their hand close to his chest, "M-Manny," they repeat.
Manson licks his lips, anxious, "Do you live around here?"
Kac'ela nods sheepishly, "Over the hill. You?"
"More in the upper districts," he wasn't going to say the castle anytime soon.
In the end, they talk for a long time, discussing little things about where they were going that day. The Kever rides usually felt so long to Manson, but this one wasn't long enough. It took only a short time for them to reach their destination.
Kac'ela stopped, collecting his bag and tossing it over his shoulder.
"This your stop?" Manson wondered how disappointed he sounded. The white marked Coeihn nodded.
"Afraid so…" rising awkwardly, they stood for a few seconds without moving. Looking like he wanted to say something, he opens his mouth. Nothing comes out and he looks away, "G-Goodbye,"
Manson couldn't seem to just let him go like that.
"Oh wait-!" in his rush, he threw his arm out, snagging Kac'ela by the wrist. When he tensed, Manny quickly released him and stepped back, "I-I apologize," he bows his head, "I was just- that is to say, I want to see you again," He had never cared for interactions with other Coeihns before. He talked to people often, and even considered a few people his friends, but he had never felt this overpowering urge to get to know someone. The want, no, the yearning ache to be able to talk with Kac'ela once more was so strong, so powerful… it frightened him.
"You do?" Kac'ela inquired, surprised. "But I'm…" he trails off to stare at his hands. Manson can see him glaring at the white marks that cover his body. He seemed frustrated in them but forgot them quickly enough to peek back up at him. He bats his eyes shyly, "You want to see me again?"
"Of course I do," Manson nods vigorously, "If that is okay,"
"It is okay. I just- w-where would you like to meet?"
"Anywhere," Mason feels giddy. Kac'ela wasn't saying no to this. Kac'ela was opening a chance for this. "I'll go wherever you want to meet up,"
"Oh…" he starts to panic, running out of time to think of a nice spot to meet up with the Kever bell ringing, signifying they would be leaving the station any moment now. Inching towards the railing, he can't seem to tear his eyes from Manny. "How about the uh… umm…. The bell tower steps?" he points to it.
Manson glances at it, nodding. "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow." He barely manages to step off before the Kever is moving again. Dashing towards the back to wave to Kac'ela, Manson clicks his teeth at a realization.
"Oh wait- when?!" he cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled.
Kac'ela almost dropped his bag, realizing he forgot to say that, "Four! No- Five! Three!"
"Which one?!" Manson cackled
He barely hears Kac'ela yell, "One of them!" before they are moving around the buildings.
"One of them, he says," Manson leaned back against the railing, chuckling into his hand.
How funny.
Hmm, but this meant he would need to find a way to sneak out for a general three hours tomorrow. Dravla wasn't going to be happy about this once he found out. But what did that matter?!
He was meeting up with a really beautiful being who seemed like a generally cool person! Was this what they called a gift from above?!
What was he possibly going to wear tomorrow?! He couldn't wear this same old robe tomorrow! He would seem like a hobo or something!
Ahhhhh, what was he going to do?
Day 1 (Kac'ela):
"I'm home," Kac'ela steps into the house, closes the door, the slumps against it. He still feels weak in the knees from the gentle brush of lips to his knuckles. Who in the world was that smooth Coeihn? He hadn't been able to see his face through the hood, but his smile was devious.
Kac slide against the door to the ground. Re-evaluating his life, attempting to put it back together after that encounter, he can feel something slide against his ankle.
He looked down and smiled, recognizing his pet Froas'tlac, Raver.
"Hey cutie~," he cooed, lifting the slowly moving creature up to his shoulder. Raver purred against him, tapping at his horn affectionately. "Raver. Raver, guess what," Kac made kissy faces at it. "I met someone today. A dark and mysterious figure with a charming sense to him. Is this Karma for giving you extra treats last week? Should I give more to you today and see if tomorrow turns out well?" he jokes.
Raver's eyes stare at him blankly, his small brain not understanding a word. Kac makes a goofy face.
"Great talk,"
"Kac'ela?" there is a call to him from the kitchen. Jumping to his feet, he followed the voice.
"Welcome home, Kac," Tellru smiles when he comes into the kitchen. Practically his sister, her family had taken him in when he lost his parents at a young age. He turned to her for everything, "How was your day?"
Since it had been tough finding a job lately, Kac'ela had been living with Tellru for a few weeks. Not many were too keen on hiring someone with such strange birth defects. They all turned him away instantly.
Everyone except that Coeihn on the Kever. He said something no one had ever called Kac'ela before.
"A man on the Kever called me beautiful," he tells her automatically. She freezes, and turns on her heels, almost dropping the pot of flowers she was moving over to the sink to water
"Excuse me?"
"A man… h-he called me beautiful. I was sitting next to him on the bus a-and then we started talking." he rants to her, barely able to catch a breath between sentences, "A-And now we agreed to meet up by the bell tower tomorrow!"
"What?!" she gasped. "Are you serious?!"
"Yes!"
She takes his hands and starts bouncing, "This is wonderful news, Kac!"
"Is it?" He questions her, "I can't tell! I can't breathe!"
"That is good!"
"It's good to suffocate?!" he wails.
"It's good because you are getting choked up! Was he cute?!"
"I didn't really see his face, he was wearing a hood!"
Without stopping in her bouncing, Tellru nods, "Okay, cool, but like- take a knife or something with you just in case the guys turns out to be a creep! But awesome news! My baby bro getting out into the world and meeting people!"
"Like you are one to talk," he nudges her. "You are three years older than me and you still haven't found yourself an equivalent,"
"I have my career to think about," she huffs, "I don't have time for any goo goo eyes or mushy love nonsense."
"Right,' Kac'ela rolls his eyes. "How is that going, anyway?"
"Work?" she shrugs, returning to her pot of flowers, "Well, nothing much yet. There hasn't been a call for translators yet with the battles up South. Apparently, they have been having trouble transporting both people and cargo. No transportation means no prisoners. No prisoners mean no need for a translator."
"I'm sure something will come up eventually," Kac tells her.
She wrinkles her nose, "Honestly, talking to prisoners is draining. I'm not too upset if I get a few days off. I can actually use the time to help you pick a good outfit for your date tomorrow,"
"It's not a- it's kind of a date," he mumbles, pressing his arm to the counter and watching Raver inch down it.
The second he touched the counter Tellru was yelling, "Ah! No no! Get that slime infested thing off,"
"It's mucus," he corrects.
She jabs her finger towards him in a warning gesture, "I. Don't. Care. Get it off or I eat it for dinner tonight,"
"No fun," Kac tears his baby from the counter and reattaches it to his arm. Raver sticks like glue, tailing with Kac into the next room.
"Hey," Tellru voice resounds over the noise of the running sink. "You never told me this mystery guys name? I hope you at least asked for that!"
"I did. It's Manny,"
"That short for something?"
"I dunno- I didn't have time to ask."
"Well, either way, I'm happy for you Kac. I hope this guy turns out to be a good one,"
Fiddling with his horn, Kac nodded to himself, "Me too,"