"It's okay," she said reassuringly, "it's just an elevator. You're probably nervous because you've never been to Upper Baticul before."
Asch wondered what she would think if she realized that he was uneasy for quite the opposite reason.
"I normally don't stoop to trickery like I just did with the Dark Wings," she said conversationally, and it took Asch a moment to realize that she was still talking to him, "but I wasn't entirely certain that you actually belonged to them. You don't have a collar, and she didn't even have a name for you!" Natalia sighed. "In any case, the fact that they gave in so quickly indicates that they're scamming the city out of more than 100,000 gald. Still, this is the first time the Black Dream has played here since the war, and people have been looking forward to it for so long that I'll let it go this once." She grinned. "I think that now they'll know better than to try it again next time."
The elevator had reached its destination, and they stepped off. The lift started back down, and Asch was keenly aware that he was now stranded in the very place he'd never wanted to return to. He suddenly wished that he hadn't decided to go with the princess, but now there was little he could do other than follow her toward the castle. He carefully looked away from the fon Fabre manor as they passed its gates.
Natalia exchanged greetings with the guards on duty as they entered the palace, and Asch became the recipient of several curious glances as they proceeded through the halls, but as none of the staff had any business questioning the princess' affairs they were not stopped. Asch halted dead, however, when Natalia began to ascend the stairs to her personal chambers. She looked back when she realized that he wasn't following.
"It's okay. They're just stairs, they won't hurt you."
But... but I can't be up there! Asch may have been a dog, but he was still a gentleman.
Natalia frowned and started back down the steps, and Asch began to back away until he realized that the soldier who guarded the stairway was behind him, about to shoo him forward with his spear. Not wanting to be on the wrong end of that, Asch hastily took to the steps.
Although he guiltily felt that he was taking advantage of his unique situation, Asch also couldn't help feeling a bit of a thrill as Natalia open the door- he'd never actually seen this part of the castle before, although as a child he'd once devised a plan to gain access. His intentions had been innocent- he had only been a boy- but he was caught and severely punished. Such behavior was unbecoming a noble and future king, Duke fon Fabre had said.
He stepped in and got his first look at the room. The furniture wasn't very remarkable- there was a large canopy bed with a few small stuffed animals (one looked like that ugly doll that little Fon Master Guardian had used), an ornate dresser and matching wardrobe, a desk, a bookcase and a particularly comfortable looking chair. Natalia's bow hung upon the wall, as did two large paintings- one of King Ingobert and the other of the late queen (which seemed rather awkward, given that she wasn't Natalia's birth mother and had died without even knowing her, but just taking it down would have probably been even more awkward.) Two doors led to additional rooms- one was halfway open to reveal a private bath, the other was closed but probably an additional wardrobe or storage.
Natalia closed the door behind them and walked toward the wardrobe. "I'm sorry to have to leave you so suddenly, but I was serious when I told the Dark Wings I had business to attend to right now. I'll send someone up with food for you." Asch was too busy taking in his surroundings to mark that Natalia was laying clothes on the bed and what that meant- until she started to undress.
What are you doing?! he shouted, but all Natalia heard was a strangled yelp and a thump. She turned to see the setter stiffly facing the wall with his eyes shut tight. Asch was glad for his thick, long coat, because he was currently blushing a brighter red than his fur.
"Are... you all right?" she asked, but he didn't move until he heard the door shut and was sure that she had left. He opened his eyes and turned around, ignoring the lingering pain in his nose from where he'd hit it against the wall in his haste. He should have realized that something like this would happen- no one thought anything of changing in front of a dog, or of doing many other things besides. He'd have to be careful- his human sense of decency was one of the few things left to him, and he could not betray Natalia in such a way. Even if part of him had wanted to turn around.
He sighed, realizing that this odd charade would be harder than he'd thought it would be. He almost went out on his own right then, to be done with things as soon as possible, but until Natalia made his presence known to the rest of the castle a strange dog wandering around would receive too much unwanted attention. Instead, he made himself comfortable on the floor and waited, wondering what had possessed him to think that this was a good idea.
Sometimes Alpine just could not understand the Princess Natalia- such as her recent decision to take in that stray dog she had found on one of her ill advised visits to Lower Baticul. It was such a poorly mannered beast- no one but Natalia herself could even get near it without a growl or a snap, and even then it still reluctant to let her touch it. Of course, Alpine had tried to make her see reason.
"If Her Royal Highness desires a pet, there are many breeds much more suitable for a princess," he'd said. "This is a hunting animal; it would be much more comfortable in a kennel. I happen to know of a Lord Teon-"
"Her Royal Highness does not desire a pet, she is quite happy with her current companion," Natalia had replied, a bit more snappily than she'd intended. She had never much liked her father's advisor- he wanted the best for Kimlasca, but he was far too rigid and unimaginative. Although he had rarely had any business with her, their interactions were more frequent as of late- a reminder of her growing responsibilities and the fact that she may one day be inheriting him."As for his suitability to castle life, he seems to be adapting very well." Indeed, even though it had only arrived a few days ago the dog was strutting around like it owned the place.
"Is it...he...housebroken?"
"Housebroken? He actually knows how to use the facilities!" Catching Alpine's incredulous expression, she added, "Well, he was a circus dog."
Alpine was sorry he'd even asked.
Asch, meanwhile, hadn't found out anything of use to him. That his replica had defeated Van had been obvious from the start, given that everyone was still alive and original. With the amount of fonons steadily disappearing, much of the monarchy's time these days seemed to be spent planning ways to develop and implement alternate technologies. When it wasn't that, it was the continued integration of the replicas into society. The peace treaty between Kimlasca and Malkuth still held- Guy, or, rather, Count Gailardia Galan Gardios, was even staying at the castle on business of some sort, although Asch had seen little of him. All of this certainly helped him to better understand what had changed in his year and half long absence- that was about how long he had been dead- it hadn't brought him any closer to figuring out what he wanted to do with his new life. As far as he could tell, there was no purpose to him being anywhere.
He huffed to himself as he padded toward the main hall, virtually ignored other than an annoyed glance or two from the guards and servants. That was another thing- his old existence seemed to have been completely erased. He hadn't heard any mention of Asch, not even from Natalia. He didn't know why he should expect anything- he had been dead for over a year, after all, and he'd only been here a few days- but when he saw everyone going about their lives as though he'd never been, he couldn't help but feel bitter, as though his past had once again been taken from him.
He entered the hall, where Natalia was welcoming a small group of guests. They were from Daath; Asch had heard that they were coming and was interested in learning what the reformed Order of Lorelei was up to. As he approached them, he saw that this wasn't just any group of emissaries- they were former traveling companions. He recognized the annoying little girl, Anise, and Van's sister, Tear, if he recalled correctly. Guy was also standing with them. There was nobody else in the hall save the usual guards, and something about the way they held themselves told him that they were talking informally, as close friends and not as people of different social class.
"Anise," Natalia was saying, with what sounded like far too much patience for the brat, "the Kimlascan throne has already donated as much as it can, to the Order's reformation effort. We're currently devoting most of our resources to ongoing domestic affairs, such as new technologies and the replicas."
"Oh, don't worry," Anise said all too cheerily. "I'm not here to ask you for money. Tear and I came together see a certain somebody." She suddenly got a sly look. "Although she has entirely different reasons..." Asch noticed that Tear blushed a little. "Besides, we both wanted to catch the circus while it was here. They haven't played Daath yet."
"Hey, who's this?" Guy asked, looking down at Asch as he approached them. This surprised the setter, as most people ignored him when he sat in on conversations. He sat on his haunches, looking up at everyone and a little unnerved as he became the center of attention.
"He was a gift from the Dark Win- the Black Dream," Natalia said. "Guy, please don't- he doesn't like being touched," she said, as Guy extended his hand and Asch began to bristle and growl.
"What's his name?" asked Tear.
"I haven't decided on one yet. Perhaps you could help me?" Asch glanced around at the thoughtful looks everyone now had as they thought of names. He hoped they'd get this over with and talk about the Order soon; truthfully, he didn't care what they chose to call him now.
Tear was the first to speak. "How about... Fluffy?"
Everyone just stared at her, especially Asch, who decided that he did care, after all. Tear looked away, embarrassed. "I thought it would be cute..."
They continued on for a few minutes more, without any luck. Guy suggested Red (too unimaginative) and Anise suggested Her Royal Majesty's Champion Guardian and Companion, First Canine of the State (a little too imaginative.) Tear, mercifully, kept all further opinions to herself, and Natalia seemed to want to suggest something but couldn't find the courage to say it.
Guy picked up on this. "What do you think? We're out of ideas, and he's your dog, so the decision is up to you." At first, Natalia said nothing, and Guy turned to look back at the group.
"Asch."
Asch started, hearing a name he'd never expected to hear again. Natalia quickly looked away as all eyes now fell on her.
"Asch?" asked Anise.
"I know, it's stupid," Natalia said, sounding for all the world like she wished she hadn't spoken. "It's silly, childish, and the real Asch would find it disrespectful. It's just that... there's something about him that reminds me of Asch. His eyes... I just get this feeling when I look into them, as if Asch is still with me, and I feel so happy then. I felt it the moment I first saw him."
For several moments, no one spoke. Asch was thoroughly shocked. She felt like he was still with her? It made her happy? She been thinking of him the entire time, after all! Was this why she had brought him here?
Guy finally broke the silence. "Emperor Peony often names his rappigs after people he likes- it's his way of showing affection and respect. I don't see a problem with calling him Asch- I'm sure the real Asch would be touched, deep down."
"Are you... sure?" Natalia still seemed uncertain.
Anise decided to put her two gald in. "Well, he does have that same sour look..." Asch promptly gave her his sourest look yet, but Natalia just smiled.
"Okay. Asch it is, then."
Later that day, Natalia approached Asch by herself. She held something in her hand.
"I've been meaning to give you this," she said. "I hope you don't find it too degrading, but father and I think it would be a good idea if people knew you had a home, so no one can just claim you as a stray." She opened her hand to reveal a plain, black collar. "It's not something you'd expect of a princess' dog, but I didn't think you'd like anything fancy. May I...?" Asch offered no resistance as she gently fastened the leather collar around his neck. "There you go... Asch." She leaned over and whispered into his ear. "Bear the name well." She stood, and they regarded each other a moment, before she smiled and walked off. Asch suddenly felt the urge to look at himself, so he set off to find a mirror.
He found a large one decorating one of the hallways, and sat in front of it. He actually didn't mind the collar; he liked being able to wear something, since he couldn't wear clothes, and black was his favorite color. He stared at his reflection wistfully, reminded again of what he now was. He saw a red setter looking back at him, with those strangely perceptive eyes, but after a moment he also imagined that he saw his old self, the human Asch, smiling back at him from behind the dog.
Then he realized that he wasn't imagining.