It was that time of night again when the frail girl would go and sit out by the lake and offer a prayer with the loveliest stone she could find. Cupping it in one hand with the other protectively on top, she gazed out towards the black water that almost reflected the night sky above. There were no clouds tonight either and she looked up at all the lights that shone so far away. Bending down near the edge of the weathered down ramp, she put the rock up to her forehead, whispering a chant.
"With the sun by day and the moon and stars above at night, hear my plea.
Lest I seem to be full of greed,
I only seek the strength and wisdom to be granted upon me for another day."
The rock rolled off her palm and plopped straight into the water. With a sigh released, she sat down, criss-crossed, and hunched over. She had dropped so many stones by now, she couldn't help but wonder if they'd ever reach the top, or close, of the water. But when she looked long into the dark waves beneath her, they transitioned from calm to rough, almost splashing over the pier. Her eyes lifted up to look beyond, for perhaps a storm was heading towards the town, but it was as clear as before. The sound of the water caused her head to look back down only to see a strange figure rising to the top and coming from out of the lake.
A head that sat atop a long neck with fins, large and small, extending from both sides looked straight down at it's visitor. The sight in front of her was unbelievable; the ridges that followed down it's neck and the grand teeth it bared, with skin that reflected a lustrous blue off the moonlight. She heard rumors of the Hydrean Astral that lived in this lake, but none could ever attest to actually witnessing it. It was known to be only a rumor. Her jaw dropped. It's neck lowered closer to her level and moved forward, only causing her to step back and fall right on her bottom. She did her best to scoot back away from it until it spoke.
"Are you afraid of me child?" Before she could answer, it cut her off with a simple, yet straight-forward warning. "Should you scream, I will not hesitate to devour you." the creature was only a few feet away from her, but that's where it remained.
"I don't know... should I be... afraid?"
"It depends what mood I'm in. I'm surprised to learn that you can understand me."
"That is rather strange isn't it?" she was still stunned in the spot she scooted to, eyes wide open.
"I think I might know the reason why..."
"I'm only dreaming aren't I? That's the reason?"
"If that were the case, then that means I'm dreaming as well." she was at a loss for words. The Hydrean before her, claiming to dream? "Why do you throw those stones into my lake?"
"I uh... it's meant to be a prayer. Or a wish sometimes."
"With a stone?"
"Well they're stones that I happen to find are... pr-prettier than the rest... I..." the water serpent was silent until it began to move back, diving down into the water. She lent on her side, letting go of a heavy sigh, trying to catch her breath. With the intention to stand up and run, she paused as she heard the water rumbling yet again. It came from under the deep waters once more and slowly hovered it's enormous head back in front of her, dropping at least fifteen stones that she had left from past nights.
"What prayers do you request with a stone any other cretin could throw in? Why should yours be answered and not someone who'd give riches and all the gil they have for a simple prayer to be answered? Why would your measly stone hold more value over ones fortune?"
"I don't think that highly of myself to believe that my prayer is more important than another. Greed is not what I seek. Only the strength to get through my days of living."
"Are you ill?" the Hydreans voiced raised.
"No."
"Then why exactly do you need strength? If you have the strength to the gather stones all of these days and make your way to this lake at night, what other strength do you truly need?"
"I have plenty of external strength. What I seek is internal." her hand raised up to the center of her chest and she dared to look the beast in the eye.
"Hm..." it moved forward, going to her left side, stopping once more. "Are you still afraid of me?"
"I don't really know what I'm feeling exactly right now."
"The tone in your voice moments ago hinted that you no longer are..." the girl alone was just a little taller than the size of the serpents eye. Fear would be typical for any one being to feel when face to face with the legendary Lord of the Waters. It's been known to have a little to no care for the mortals that walked on the surface, with stories claiming it to destroy the town multiple times just because it simply could. But the stones she offered to the lake caught the attention of the sea ruler, for what reason, the Hydrean wasn't sure of. "What name do you bear?"
"Esme..."
"Do you know mine, mortal?"
"The Hydrean... I'm not sure if you have another name or-"
"Leviathan."
"Oh... okay." her emotions now went from shock to confusion. Was this an introduction from it? From Leviathan?
"The next time you come to toss a stone with a hope of yours, I will arise to speak with you once more."
"Oh... wait, what?" But Leviathan had no patience to hear her 'whats' and 'waits', and before descending back into the water, used her head to push the stones back into the water. This time remaining below, the waters as calm as before. Should she come back tomorrow night, she pondered to herself, all the while attempting to recollect what had just took place. Was this it's attempt to befriend her or the like? The only way to be certain was if she returned once more with a stone and a wish the next night.
When morning arrived the next day, she immediately set out to find a stone, leaving before her caretaker even awoke. How fast could she find a stone that was worthy enough to speak with Leviathan again? But why search fast when she had the whole day to find one. She headed for the forest where she always wandered on her search; an area separate from the island. It was the only part where a gondola wasn't required to travel to. Coming closer to the entrance, in the dirt before she even entered through the sea of green, was a rock that fit in her palm perfectly as she lifted it out of the ground. The stone resembled the same hue as the morning sky. No, not the morning sky, but the exact shade of blue of the Altissian water where the Hydrean resided. The way the sunlight hit it gave it a metallic sheen. It was this one. At first she was unsure of going back, but now the anticipation grew. Besides, what if she didn't go back?
The tales that have been told of the wrath from the Hydrean were those of terror. Tales saying how she's devoured almost everyone in the town once for throwing garbage in the water, as well as one where she turned the city to rubble, all for different and sometimes similar reasons. One being because someone swam in her waters and peed. The city of Altissia has been rebuilt and rebuilt and rebuilt from the countless times it's been demolished, architecture always differing, but each time with an attempt to make it stronger than before. It's been close to two centuries since she's surfaced, and now it's all because of the curiosity that transformed into a discovery that peaked the water creatures' interests.
It wondered; Did she know?
The young girl walked out onto the pier and sat there waiting for dusk to arrive, filled with nothing but complete anxiety. As minutes passed, the sun made it's way closer to the the horizon, her eyes widening more and more after the few hours leading to sun down passed. When the light disappeared beyond the horizon, she ritually brought the stone up to her forehead feeling reluctant only for a moment, and began to pray. But she was at a loss for words. What to pray for? What she always asked or something more specific?
Goddess of the Sea, heed my call,
Rise for me once more to speak...
With her wish spoken, the stone entered the lake from her hands and almost immediately, the waters started to rock with small waves forming, barely splashing over the concrete. And then it rose patiently out from the lake, watching the curious girl.
"So what is it you wished for tonight, ephemeral?"
"To speak with you once more." the beast was silent for a moment, intently watching the innocent smile on her face show. Leviathan huffed at Esme's expression and soared up towards the starry sky, it's height reaching past the tallest building in the city, and swooped down towards her, circling, surrounding Esme.
"Is that so?" while the girls defenses and heartbeat went up, she was unafraid. "What about exactly?" her eye contact with Leviathan never broke, although, she wasn't sure what to say.
"Well... you asked for me to return, did you not? Why?"
"Have you come up with any reasonable explanation as to why?"
"I haven't thought about it, really. All I could really think about in the past day was that I actually spoke with you."
"If you had to pick one reason as to why you are able to speak and understand me, what would it be?" Esme circled her amber eyes around, deep in thought and tried to tie up the loose ends at hand.
"Maybe... perhaps it has something to do with my mother or father? They could've had this ability to speak with the Astrals and then it was past down t-"
"No." the Goddess abruptly cut her off, swiftly untangling her body from around the human and back into the water. "I don't know who your parents are, or were, nor do I care."
"Well, alright..." Her hand raised up to her chin as she pondered some more.
"Don't think about it to hard, little speck. All you truly need to know is that you are the first of your kind. You have a calling and it would seem that I am the first step towards it. How interesting... the Astrals, including myself have been waiting a very long time for you to finally show yourself."
"What do you mean? A calling?"
"You're path in life; What you must do in order to ascend."
"Ascend where?"
"Where else?"
"The heavens?" the more questions that were asked aloud the more confused she grew. They clashed with all the ones that she asked herself internally. Leviathan bowed her imposing crown to answer her last question. Becoming fully aware of what the Goddess hinted, she was taken aback with popped eyes. "Wait.. are you saying that... I am the first Oracle?" Esme was in disbelief, even if it came from the likes of Leviathan. The Oracle is also a being she only read about. How the the heavens would one day send the Oracle down to seek out the six Astrals of Eos and converse. One said to have powers to heal, a prophet, as well as a messenger between the people of the world and the gods above. But it made sense. She managed to save her caretaker some time ago from failing kidneys without the help of the local doctor or medicines, all by placing her hand and pressing down where the pain was. Within a week, she was up and about like normal. Animals and even plants were saved or brought back from the brink of death just by her touch.
"Do you understand now?"
"I suppose. There are things that make more sense now. But what about... my calling? I wouldn't know what it is."
"You're calling comes to you as a clear sign or it won't. You could even fulfill whatever it is without ever actually realizing it."
"You don't know?"
"No."
"Maybe it was meeting you. What if you're my calling?" she grinned again and Leviathan swayed back, almost in disgust and slightly amused and Esme noticed.
"You almost managed to get a laugh out of me. If I were only alive to fulfill your Calling, I would've just devoured you last night. I wouldn't let the gods get away with such a farce. I only play a part, not only for you as the Oracle but for future ones to come after your time is over. You still have five more Astrals to meet with too. How you find them, is your decision. I can not help you with that. As you can see, I am restricted to the waters. Do your research on them and where they've been sighted."
"Why do you seem to take me as a joke?"
Leviathan was shook by the question.
"Is that what you took away from what I just told you? It shouldn't matter. I've set you in the right direction, little girl, and now my work is done. Go look for the others and learn your purpose. Goodbye."
"Wait!" she yelled out as the creature dove back into the dark waters and she ran and jumped in after it on impulse. There wasn't a decision that could turn to be worse. The water all around was black and freezing, her body petrified by the temperature. In an attempted to lift her arm forward, it bumped into a scaly surface and then it moved under her body, lifting it up out the water and throwing her on the pier.
"How reckless can you possibly be?" the voice of the Hydrean was enraged as it watched the shivering girl struggle to push herself up. "Come back if you so desire, but only at night, and we'll speak again." The sea ruler scoffed before sinking back into it's home. "Don't do that ever again, fool." those were the last words she heard before she fell out cold.
"Esme!" The shouting of her name made her eyes drag open and moments later jump up, almost completely becoming awake. Looking around, she realized that she fell asleep on the pier- or rather, went unconscious. She pushed her half-damp hair away from her face and looked to her left towards the docks entrance where the voice was coming from. Knowing who it belonged to before even seeing their face, she dreaded the talk she'd receive in the coming seconds. "What on Eos-?" her arms flew into the air over her head in confusion. Amelie was her name. An elderly woman who took a ten-year-old Esme in after watching her wander through the streets of Altissia several times. She remembers that night from over ten years ago like it was yesterday; it was storming heavily, thunder beating throughout the skies and lightning cracking all around, and this little girl all alone in it, catching a bad cold after wards. And even after all these years, Esme's origins are still a mystery to the caretaker. If Esme didn't want to talk about, Amelie wouldn't pry.
"What are you doing?" hands balled into fists, she pressed them into her hips as she looked Esme square in her eyes.
"I... I don't know." She replied with a small chuckle following behind. Her eyes scanned the horizon and beyond the waters to the mountainous structures in the far distance. With the Leviathan in mind, she smiled.
"You could be sunburned from falling asleep in the direct sunlight, what were you thinking?"
"Hey aunt, what if I told you... I was the Oracle?" the woman blinked at Esme, who was still sitting down on the beat up concrete.
"What if`?"
"Well I mean... wouldn't that be cool?"
"What are you saying? Did the sun make you delirious? I think you need to drink some water, immediately." Amelie turned and started to walk away, believing that Esme was following.
"I'm not kidding." she stopped in her tracks and looked back at her, unsure of what to say. "The Leviathan came from under her waters and told me. I'm not loopy, the sun didn't affect my head. This is the truth. Remember that one time I saved you?" listening intently to Esme, she tried to understand. "They said you weren't going to live, that no miracle could save you. But I saved you." Esme pushed herself up to stand and made her way over to her almost-mother. "With these hands..." she lifted them up and turned them, the two women looking down at them, "I can help others, heal them..." With no response, Amelie only stared blankly. "Say something!"
"The Leviathan...?" she squinted at the young girl.
"You don't believe me."
"It's not that I don't believe you. It's just, there were other women who claimed to be the Oracle, and then were killed when they had nothing to prove of it! How would you even show it?"
"Well like I said before, I can heal others."
"You can try."
"Wha- but I can!"
"This isn't something you can just..." the words couldn't come out of Amelie's mouth, so she only sighed, placing her hand over her forehead. She feared something happening to her if she decided to start telling anyone in town. "You're risking your life."
"But I'm sure of it. I can prove myself to anyone and everyone. But it'll only be for those who truly need it."
"You'll make enemies that way."
"I'm not here to help those who greedy. I don't need to prove anything to them."
"Esme- !"
"Just trust me! I know what I'm doing." The girl took the caretakers hands into hers and held them tight, the pair falling into silence. "I'm twenty-three, I can make my own decisions, I think." Esme scoffed. But it still made the elder woman worry. Some cities and small towns have fallen to a scourge; completely wiping them out, the citizens within them dying and some even becoming daemons and if they didn't turn into them, the monsters would rise up from below. With the scourge emerging in more cities, so did self-claimed Oracles all around Eos, only in an attempt to bring a false hope to the mortals all over. But when these 'Oracles' failed to deliver, chaos would ensue amongst those within their cities, bloody fights, riots, and cries for salvation, only going unanswered by the gods they prayed to. As their prayers went ignored, some abandoned their faith, eventually executing any woman who professed to being an Oracle.
Esme looked into the eyes of the older woman; eyes filled with a plea that she immediately broke away from.
"Welp, now that that's said and done, I'm hungry; let's go eat!" She winked as she led her guardian towards the end of the pier and made way to their small home.
The coming weeks would prove to be eventful. Esme knew of some residents nearby who were ailing and in pain and reached out to them personally with no grandeur or ceremony.
'Where does it hurt?' she'd ask in a low tone, hoping to appeal, and they listened, and healed. Although the words admitting to be the Oracle never left her mouth, assumptions were made and word spread about the miracles her hands brought to all the locals. Soon enough, people from the other regions of Accordo, and even from across the vast waters into the nation of Lucis would journey to seek her out. Within a month, more than fifty bodies were healed, some saved from death, and others relieved of their suffering. Her gaining popularity was widespread and it wouldn't be long before it reached the ears of royalty in the kingdom of Lucis.
And in the same week of the news reaching them, the king himself set out to personally meet the possibly true Oracle.
Several weeks later...
"Essie! Where are you going?" the elderly woman limped over to the doorway as Esme stuffed two jugs, one with water and the other empty, and a bag of cookies into her bag, flying it over her shoulder.
"Out. I have to look for stones today. I'll be back in a few!"
"Hold it! I told you the Lucian King and his men are coming sometime today, and if not today then tomorrow! Can't your stones wait?"
"No, they can't. Besides, I don't care who's coming here, especially if it's anyone from that kingdom. Altissia is on it's own for a reason; to stay away from the silly quarrel that goes on between the Imperials and the Lucians. They both only ever come here to see if perhaps we changed our minds on what side we picked. It's bothersome. I want no part in any country that believes war is the only means to an end and I don't think you should either." Amelie sighed knowing very well there was no use in trying to sway the young Oracles' mind.
"Just don't get into trouble."
"I won't!" the door opened and closed just as fast, but the girl halted, now wondering what to really do. She wanted to stay for Amelie's sake, but she didn't care for the Lucian kingdom. However knowing that their king ventured across the ocean just so he could meet her was kind of exciting, and then on other hand it was as she said before. Esme wasn't fit to wait so she left anyways.
In the nights that had past since she jumped into the Hydreans home, she continued to visit her every night and the two would go on to speak for hours. Leviathan started to become more and more interested in the girl, wondering things like where she came from and what happened with her parents. While she hated to admit it, she was growing fond of Esme. No mortal ever dared to come meet with the Leviathan before. Esme made it practically a ritual to come to visit her, all at her own will. She wanted to see the sea goddess and it was something the Hydrean almost enjoyed knowing. She was even beginning to regret telling the Oracle to set out for her Calling. Leaving Atlissia meant Levia couldn't protect her. She was bound to the water. And the day that Esme finally decides to venture out wouldn't be long from now; Leviathan could feel it. She was regretting the moment she even surfaced the waters when she thought about it some more.
Esme ran through the entrance of the forest she became so familiar with and looked around not only for rocks, but flowers. The Hydrean's seen them grown in the city in their pots and baskets, but only specific ones, so Esme only though it'd nice to show her exotic ones from the forest. Ones that she might not ever see. She bunched the stems of all the flowers she could find in her hand, trying not to damage any and reached into her bag taking out an empty mason jar. She dropped the flowers in, having to make some of the stems shorter to fit in comfortably and closed the lid, officially making it the time to look for stones. Before throwing her bag over her shoulders once more, she removed the snack she took along with her and thus, her stone hunt began. They were all starting to have different meanings, the ones that she decided to take. Depending on they're shape, color and texture. She'd go to the lake at night and wished for things like a sunny day, the city to remain safe, or for her caretaker to continue having good health. The past few weeks, they were all seldom about her anymore. She even asked Leviathan if she had a wish, but she denied possessing any.
'Why would I wish or pray for anything? And what at that? There is nothing I need.'
The goddess would answer.
'Not even feet? Wouldn't you want to be on land just to see what it looks like?'
'No.'
But the one thing that Esme did take notice of was that Levia did have to think about her answer. What was it she thought of? Maybe she did wish to be able to walk and see other things the world had to offer but was too stubborn to admit it. Esme herself was even learning the ways and behavior of the Hydrean.
She hummed her way deeper into the green and picked up at least ten different stones. But something that caught her eye as she scoured the ground was a print in the dirt that led away from the typical trail. A print that resembled the shape of the bottom of a boot. Stopping to look to her left, there were more prints and they looked recent. So she followed them. The only thing she could remember about this area was that there was a fresh water hole, but she was unsure if it was in this direction specifically. Although now, the boot trail was gone. They were probably gone, whoever it was. All of the years that she wandered through this area, she's never seen another person. Some friendly wild animals, but never another person. She reached a part were there was a thin wall of bushes and shrubs that reached some feet taller than her, beginning her search again. A new area meant a new variety of resources. Essie pushed some of the branches and leaves to the side thinking she spotted a decent stone, but lifted her head up quickly, looking ahead of her, after hearing the sound of water splashing. There was a man... who was currently occupying the water hole. Burgundy hair stands were pushed back from his face, long enough to stick to the back of his neck, and he stretched his arms.
Was he bathing there?
Was he… naked?
Well how else would you bathe?
He wadded and stepped out of the water, revealing his tanned chest and her wandering eyes trailed down his body only widening at the sight before her. He was in fact nude, making it hard for her to look away. Rubbing the top of his head, he stretched out in the sunlight. She had never seen him before. He was handsome and tall with toned muscles, exotic compared to those she saw in her city regularly. Perhaps he lived in this part of the forest? She rarely came over in this part. But he wasn't rugged like you'd expect from someone who inhabited the wild, he was clean, and well-groomed. He let his arms fall down to his sides, looking around, taking in his surroundings, when suddenly his eyes met hers from afar in the bushes. But did he really see her?
He squinted hard in her direction, unsure of what it was that he spotted and spoke out.
"Hello?"
His voice made her jump back, causing her to fall into the leaves that were littered on the ground, letting out a small yelp. They crunched beneath her palms as she stood up, black hair flowing around like a silk sheet in the wind, running.
Black hair.
It was in fact a person he was looking at as he took note of the feature. He crinkled his nose, realizing the body started running away. Sprinting over to where he laid his clothes down, he threw on his coat that extended down to his knees and with the magic that ran through his bloodline, flashed from where he stood to a tree that was roughly fifty feet ahead in the direction of the mysterious peeper. But Esme flung herself into a thicket next to a willow tree, curling herself into a ball as far in as she could fit, sticks poking her sides. The sound of his footsteps neared her location and she covered her mouth to hush the sound of her labored breaths. Her heart raced rapidly, unsure of what he'd do. Would he kill her if he found her?
'How'd he reach her so fast?' she wondered.
The man looked down in the dirt for her foot prints, but the grass and clovers that started to cover the ground saved her by only a hair.
"Alright, time to come out." he said in a calm tone. But she wasn't convinced. "I won't hurt you. Although, maybe you shouldn't spy on those in their times of privacy." Esme remained as still as possible in her spot. As he walked out further, this time, he was now in her sights, the right side of his body facing her. "You know," his voice of velvet spoke, "you can come out now, and just apologize and that's it. Over and done with. Or..." she watched his right arm lift up, one finger pointing up, "you have consequences should I find you somewhere else. I saw that beautiful black hair of yours, I know how you look from behind!" now his tone almost seemed sort of playful. Was he crazy? "Fine, so be it. But you can't hide from me forever. I'll find you." turning to walk away, he chuckled a little and Esme waited til he was far enough for her to safely get up and leave. The forest no longer felt safe for her to go back to. Finally getting back on her feet and out of the bush, she started to run as fast as her feet could take her and reached the entrance of the forest, but didn't stop there. Esme ran all the way back home and didn't look back.
Forcefully grabbing the handle of the front door of her home she swung it open and slammed it shut, frozen in her spot. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she attempted to catch her breath. Amelie ran around the corner at the sound of the door slamming.
"Are you okay?"
"I... saw..."
"What?"
"I saw a-"
"What did you see?"
"A naked man! I saw a naked man! I saw it, I saw everything!"
"What?"
"Amel, he's gonna look for me! He said he'd find me and... who knows what!" Esme covered her mouth and looked around the front of the house.
"I don't understand how you saw a naked man?"
"In the forest, there was a man bathing, and I saw him and he saw me, and it's just a misunderstanding! I wasn't spying on him! Maybe if I just explain to him... he'll understand..."
"See! I told you to stay here didn't I?"
"You failed to mention the part where I'd see a crazy naked man. I mean... who just gets naked in broad daylight?" she shook her head, confused and worried, biting down on her lip.
"Okay, okay. It's gonna be alright. Just don't go back for a while. Whoever it was will forget. Maybe just don't go back at all!"
"But I... I've claimed that forest! Might as well just write, 'Esme's land' or something more official. 'Forest of the Oracle'..." she thought on momentarily before remembering what's at stake. "The point is: That... I'm gonna die." Esme slumped down in front of the door, both hands holding her face, releasing a heavy sigh. The sound of collective voices outside caught their attention and it could only be who they were expecting. Multiple heavy footsteps grew louder before they came to a halt outside the front door. The two women only looked at one another and finally reacted, scrambling through their residence, picking up and quickly organizing anything out of place. Was the King of Lucis really just outside of these walls. The volume of the voices grew with a bit of laughter in between and curiously, Esme lightly stepped over to a window to see what who was there. Sliding the curtain to the side, the first thing she saw were black feathers that belonged to a grand-in-size Chocobo. The winged creature measured at least three times her size in height, and the rider, jumping off the other side, made their way around, the sound of their palm patting the Chocobo gratefully. The riders' height matched the body of their mount. And when they made their appearance from around the bird, Esme felt her heart stop. Not just for a second but at least ten and the sweat from before started again. His smiled gleamed as his hair, burgandy colored and slightly wet, bounced with each step he took.
It was the forest man and his bandits, she thought. He spoke to the other men that traveled with him, but their words were inaudible.
'What if they were talking about how they'd end me? They'll ransack my home and hurt Amelie. This is all my fault...But they won't know who I am if I disguise myself.'
Concluding not to tell Amelie, she pushed away from the wall, quickly trying to think of what she could use. A brown hide that sat atop an arm chair was large enough to wrap around her like a cloak, and on the wall on the other side was a tribal mask the Amelie purchased from a festival some years ago.
Knock, knock, knock
Esme gasped at the sound, almost tripping on the hide she wore, and reached up quickly, grabbing the mask and strapping it on. The one thing she made sure to do was wrap her hair up under the band of the mask.
"What are you doing?" Amelie came out of the hall way, sliding on the wooden floor looking at what Esme transformed into in a matter of minutes.
"I am the Oracle! I have to uphold appearances! Hurry, they're waiting!"she motioned towards to door and hesitantly, but swiftly, Amelie made her way over to open it and looked back at Esme one more time. She sat poised, back straight, hands together with her fingers crossed, resting above her knee. She inhaled the breath she believed to be her last and watched through the tiny openings of the mask as Amelie opened up the door.
"Hello." she spoke shakily. Esme couldn't see who was at the door.
"Good afternoon!" It wasn't his voice; it wasn't as smooth. "After long venturing through the land of Lucis and over the vast ocean, we've finally reached the beauty that rests on waters; The city of Altissia! I am part of the Royal Gaurd for King Ardyn Lucis Caelum, may I retrieve a name from you, my lady?"
Esme blocked out the conversation as she now took in the fact that she saw the King of Lucis naked and not some crazy forest man.
'He has even more of a reason to kill me now! I could spread word about how he's built without clothing... and that mysterious power he has. What on Eos was that anyway?'
"Miss Amelie, am I correct to say that this is the residence of the new-found Oracle?"
"Well, she doesn't claim to be the Oracle, but the rumors did start because of what she's done for the people."
"Right. May we come in and speak with-"
"Please, allow me," the sound of his voice cut of the guard and it sent shivers all over the tops of her skin. "I can speak for myself, I'd rather not stand on ceremony. I am the King, yes, but I've only come to meet with the Oracle and see if the rumors are true. I have a request to make with her."
"Of course, your Highne-"
"Ardyn. It's easier."
"Oh... Ardyn, y-your highness...um... Please come in." Esme watched her caretaker step aside as she let the man in, the hide now becoming unbearably hot. Her eyes traced down to his feet and there were the boots that most likely marked the dirt in the forest. His eyes immediately went to whatever it was that sat on the couch.
"Hello there." he smirked slightly as the masked being bowed it's head. "Are you the Oracle that I've been hearing so much about?" Esme bowed again, trying her best not to speak. "That's an interesting look, especially in this heat." Amelie closed the door and four of the guards came in, everyone just standing there awkwardly as they all took in Esme's disguise. The living room fell still and a bit uncomfortable. Esme watched Ardyn's gaze as he tried to look through the holes of the mask from afar. Eye contact was important to him.
"Would you mind if I sat down right there next to you?" It was the only place for him to sit in the room. Anywhere else would be too far. He could also bring a chair over, but that's too much work. She stalled in her response but eventually nodded and looked to Amelie, quickly gesturing her hand towards the dining room.
"Alright, gentlemen, come with me. I'll start some tea... or coffee? Whichever you boys prefer. Hell, I'll make both." She laughed as the five left the area and then it was only the two of them.
"You know... I didn't really think about what to ask you. How do I know you're not a fraud?" Now came the panic. "Listen... if you are, I won't be angry nor will I announce it aloud. But people will suspect something went wrong if I just leave. So I hope, for the sake of your safety as well as Miss Amelie, that you're the real thing."
"I am."
"Ah, you do speak! I was getting worried for a moment there!" He laughed and clapped his hands together. She found it hard to look at him, even fully clothed now. "I just need some kind of proof."
"Well... I don't know how to prove it. You can speak to the dozens of people in town and out of town about what I've done for them and there's your proof."
"I won't lie to you, do you really need this mask on? I can understand you, but just hardly."
"I... I need it on. What do you need me for anyways? Why do I owe you proof of who I am?"
"I want to ask you to do something for and with me."
"What? For your Kingdom? If I do something for your homeland alone, I have to go out and travel all of Accordo to and save everyone else. I'm not here to aid a selfish king." She stood up, immediately becoming offended and he quickly got up too, his body towering over her.
"Give me a chance to speak, please," Huffing with a smile, he stepped closer to the Oracle. "It's not just for Lucis. I want to go out and help the areas that are currently being affected by the scourge, both in Accordo and Lucis. Even in areas under the control of the Imperials. There are places and people who can still be saved but I need the help of the Oracle. I need you. Will you take the mask off?" But she shook her head immediately, turning away from the King, and walking to the other side of the room. "There's absolutely no way you walk around this city with that get up. You would die."
"How do you know I'm not just hiding my ugly appearance?"
"Well this is quite scary." Ardyn motioned up and down her body. "I would think twice about receiving anything from the Oracle who looked like this," he trailed off as he watched her flipped black hair fall down from the strap of the mask.
Black hair...
"Unless we've met before."