Harv trudged to his room after dinner, exhausted from dodging his family's questions. He hated this. He hated lying to everyone, but he didn't know what else he could do other than bury the truth and try to move on. Yet the world seemed set against him. It wouldn't let him forget his moments of weakness. Then there was Finn.
Finn.
He was bound to notice something was wrong soon. Especially since the blond had taken an increasing interest in him in general. If he found out, everything would be over. Then again, this was Finn. He might be flattered that Harv thought of him that way, if not utterly self absorbed. A shred of hope began to form, but Harv quickly squashed it.
Finn could never find out. And despite Harv's best efforts, his mind weaved together a fantasy of the ball to come. Finn would be dripping in gold, waiting for him to ask for a dance. They'd sway, and he'd be able to hold Finn close, Finn would lean into him until the end of their dance. When the music stopped, Finn would lean up, his lips would graze his ear as he whispered for them to meet outside. The transition was blurry, but they'd end up outside under the stars. They'd be sitting beside each other and Harv would dip down to capture those sweet lips. A movement so soft and sweet would grow in passion and heat, until he elicited breathy moans form his normally obnoxious friend.
Harv struggled to pull his mind out of the dark, but it returned to him in waves. He rolled toward the wall to hide his shame from the world, unaware black irises had watched him torment himself. The unicorn came away from the window more perplexed then he had been before. He snorted in frustration, all this thinking was hurting his head. One thing was for sure, something was off with the world.
+ o +
As Harv had promised, he called Finn the two days later. To his surprise, Finn hadn't admonished him for taking two days to call him. In fact he seemed overjoyed that Harv had invited him out without prompting and somehow Harv had ended up looking for his suit today. Of course, Finn was the one who brought it up, but that was neither here nor there; because Harv found himself once again at Finn's door. He knocked at the door and swallowed his nerves. It was better to get this shopping done now, rather than later.
"Oh, Harv!" Finn squeaked as he opened the door. "You're here early." Harv regarded Finn's attire in surprise, it was one of the few times he had seen his friend in white. Though, truth be told, it was just a lounging outfit for Finn; much like pajamas.
"You're dressed rather..." What was the word Finn had used? "Casual today." Finn looked down at the cream tunic and black belt, mortified. He thought it was his mother at the door, not company. Otherwise he would have changed. "It's nice to see you where something normal for a change." Wait, Harv actually liked what he was wearing? Finn blushed, of course commoner's had different tastes in clothing.
"Umm... let me get a jacket and we can go." It wouldn't hurt to go outside like this once, would it? It's not like anyone he knew would see him. Besides, Harv was already here; it wouldn't be polite to keep him waiting. He grabbed a black jacket to match his slacks and followed alongside Harv to town.
"Finn?" Harv looked down at his friend.
"Yeah?" Finn met Harv's gaze and he felt the intoxicating swell of emotions rise up in them.
"I have no idea where we're going."
"Oh, right." Finn giggled. "We're going to go to Brooker and Hobbes, they should have something that you'll like." He guided Harv by the hand and seemed to glow as Harv didn't push him away. "It's on 8th and Mulberry, not too far from here." He practically pushed Harv into the oak wood shop. A withered old man sat at the desk in a brilliant red coat, he raised a thinned eyebrow at the two. He coughed and a man about twenty years younger hurried to the front of the store. He peaked over the rack of jackets and glared at the blond.
"I thought you wouldn't dare set foot in this shop?" He rasped with a curdled voice. "As I recall our clothes were 'dullest things to crawl out of a rubbish heap'." Finn tilted his head.
"Did I say that?" The two men glared at him. "No matter, this isn't for me. We're here for my friend." He gave Harv a nudge, which rewarded him a bewildered look. "We need something for the ball. Do you have anything that might fit?" The two men continued to glare. "...I have money." Finn sighed. The elder harrumphed, which seemed to be a form of acceptance; because the mobile man sighed.
"This way, we should have something." The man, further referred to as Hobbes, went into the back of the store to find a selection of clothes for Harv to try on. When Hobbes left, Harv turned to his friend and hissed.
"Did you really say that to those two."
"I'm not sure, I haven't been to this shop since I was seven."
"Seven!?" Harv shouted in disbelief. "You said those things when you were seven?"
"What? I don't know if I did or not. I said a lot of things as a kid, is it my fault they hold a grudge?" Hobbes came back with an array of colored jackets and pants, most of which were simple in design.
"Umm... Thank you." Harv curtly bowed.
"Take your time." Hobbes dismissed. Finn held up the sleeves of a few a cooed.
"Very few people can pull of orange Harv, you should take advantage of that." He thought a moment. "But I think a blue would be better. Something to bring out your eyes, but not something so pale that it clashes with your hair." Finn frowned.
"Can't we find something, I don't know practical?" Harv lifted a yellow sleeve with disgust.
"Of course!" Finn pulled out four different suits and handed them to Harv. "I think these would look best. Go ahead, try them on!" Harv nodded and made his way to the changing room. He paused once and looked at Finn like a kicked puppy. "I'll be right out here." Finn assured. The blond chuckled and started pawing through the other clothes, most of which were too roguish for his taste. He always preferred an air of elegance in his clothes, but Harv was anything but elegant. Which wasn't a bad thing, mind you, it suited him in his own way. An elegant warrior would have problems fighting monsters in the real world, he supposed. Harv exited the changing room in a green and silver number. Finn tilted his head. "It's the wrong color for you, too dark." Harv looked down at the flowery silver trim and sighed with relief.
Finn frowned. After the ball, they only had one more year of warrior school. It wouldn't be long before he was waiting in pubs for a job while Harv was on the battle front. Who knew when the warrior's 'internship' would end. There was a good chance that their paths would split completely if Harv chose to take over the farm instead. He didn't want to lose this high he felt around Harv. He bit his lip, now wouldn't be a good time to tell Harv about the strange feelings he'd been having. The last thing he wanted was to end his friendship before school was over. If only he had more time. Finn looked up as Harv came out in ocean blue suit.
"Turn." Finn instructed. Harv did, still unfamiliar with buying clothed. "Oh no, no way! Try something else." Those coat tails did not flatter Harv's behind at all. He pondered a moment, before tentatively asking a question that had been gnawing at his conscience. "Harv, we'll still be friends after we graduate; won't we?" The was a pause from within the changing booth.
"Of course, why wouldn't we." Nice job Harv, nothing abnormal about that. Everything's hunky-dory, Finn doesn't suspect a thing.
"And, what do you think you'll do? After you graduate, that is." Finn asked. There was a grunt as Harv tried to fasten the frog on the front of his tunic.
"Well, in order to be a warrior I have to have at least five years in the army on my record." Harv said over his shoulder. "Then I don't know what I'll do from there, it really depends on what Rhodri and Puck are doing. Somebody has to inherit the farm." Finn nodded.
"Do you think I could come with you guys for your training, as a bard?" Finn knew the answer. Bards were allowed to join a platoon only if one of the soldiers was willing to support him, and that wasn't even factoring in pay. What he really wanted was Harv's acceptance. If he could follow Harv around for another five years, then he'd have a better chance of cementing his place in Harv's life.
"I don't see why not. I mean, isn't that part of your job?" Harv shrugged. Finn smiled, Harv always was a good listener. "It'd be cool to have you. I'm sure the guys would prefer to have a bard around they already know." Harv stepped out. "I'm surprised though, I'd think you'd be too scared to go near the front." Again the swelling of emotions was dizzying; him and Harv together for another five years. Finn grinned at him lazily.
"I don't have to worry about that." His smile fell a bit. "Go step into the light over there; something seems off." Harv did, and the black velvet reviled itself to be a dark purple with black frog fasteners. "No good." Harv sighed and trudged back into the changing room.
"This one better work." Harv said as he tried on the last suit. "I'm not gonna' be dragged around town looking for a suit."
"Quite complaining!" Finn chuckled. Harv grumbled under his breath and stepped out once more. "Ok, give us a turn." The suit was a rich, navy blue with gold fasteners at the sleeves. A little short around the wrists, but other than that it was perfect. "This is the one." Finn gushed. "It's prefect! ...it is perfect right, you're not getting pinched by the fabric?"
"No, it's alright. But I don't know how I'm going to pay for this."
"What part of I have money didn't you understand? I'll take care of this, trust me." He beamed. "Now take that off, we need to pay for it up front." As promise, he paid for the suit out of pocket. Mother wouldn't mind, after all, it was for a good cause. The whole way home Finn had a bounce in his step, drawn to Harv's side. The ball was in a couple of days. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to give Harv a hint of what he was feeling then. Finn shook his head, red faced, he just had to be patient and wait until they had graduated.
"Well, we're here." Harv gestured to lavish house. Finn giggled and looked dreamily up at Harv. "Ah... your house t-that is."
"Yeah." Finn sighed with a smile.
"I'll see you later."
"Mmhmm." Finn lean forward slightly.
"BYE!" Harv dashed off. That was too close! Those urges of his had tried to take hold again, but he knew better. He wouldn't take advantage of Finn's kindness now that he had offered it to him. The blond chuckled at the bashful boy and slipped inside. Today was a wonderful day, and soon he'd be able to have many more if Harv would just let them. His hand grazed over the crystal ball, causing it to light up. Inside the orb, Harv's house was reflected; family and all. With a tap, it zoomed in where Harv was greeting his family and explaining where he had gone for so long. The blond boy smiled and peaked the glass with his lips.
"Goodnight Harvey."
+ o +
Leenan returned to her home about three days later to find her son humming in the kitchen.
"I'm back dear." She fumbled in her pocket for a plain wooden wand and used it to guide her new silk into the house, she cackled. "Adeltia's peacock dress will become a mere memory!"
"That's nice." Finn called from the kitchen. Leenan stopped laughing. Why wasn't Finn here to greet her by now. She slowly made her way to the kitchen, now suspicious of her son's behavior. Had he tried to dye his hair while she was gone again?
"Finn what are you doing..." She trailed off as she entered the kitchen to a foreign sight. "You're cooking!?"
"Oh, this?" Finn shrugged. "I thought I could use the practice." Finn continued to hum as he served two bowls of what looked like porridge.
"H-honey." Leenan chuckled. "We're nobles, we don't need to cook.
"Well the ladies in the palace have been making sweets." Finn chirped. "This is just more practical."
"Well I did try to make a cake," Finn admitted, "but it didn't work out well. Then when I thought about it, there aren't many ovens on the road." He looked at his mother's bewildered expression then down to the porridge. "You don't want any?" He scrapped the second bowl back into the pot and went to pour some tea.
"The road dear?"
"Yeah; you know, when I become a bard." Finn added three scoops of sugar to the mug and offered it to her. "I will be graduating soon."
"Oh, of course." Leenan sighed with relief. Finn was just doing his little independent thing. She graciously took the tea and took a sip. She watched as Finn tasted the porridge and frowned. Too bland, needed more cinnamon.
"I was thinking for working for the army." Leenan nearly choked on her tea. "You know, the warriors must get bored stiff with infantry duty. I'm sure music will be just the thing to cheer them up." How could he be so cheery about this? War was ugly and cruel, not to mention dangerous. Leenan lowered her cup, once again concerned.
"How were things while I was gone?"
"Wonderful." Finn sighed dreamily. "I can't wait for the ball." The ball! She nearly forgot.
"Why are we still in the kitchen? Come on!" She stood and brought Finn into the front room. "Look what I brought, isn't it gorgeous!?" She rolled out a yard to show it off. "The floral design is so subtle that you can only see it when it catches the light." She tilted the fabric, small flowers shimmered briefly then vanished. "Hah! I dare the court to look away when we arrive in this." She cackled some more.
"It's nice." Finn complimented."Too nice."
"Honey?"
"I was thinking something simpler. White; with midnight blue accents." Finn thought a bit. "Maybe that's too much, a cream or-" Leenan dropped the silk.
"Finn!" She fell to her knees. "Finn, what's wrong?"
"Nothing mother." Finn smiled, completely blaze about the whole ordeal.
"What happened while I was gone?"
"Nothing much." Finn shrugged. "But Harv does want to go to the ball with me." Once again Finn seemed to slip into a dreamy daze.
"Finn, Finn look at me!" She grabbed his face and forced him to look at her.
"Mother?" Finn laughed, only slightly perplexed.
"Look me in the eye." Finn did as he was told. The witch analyzed his gaze, shock written all over her face. The scream that followed was probably heard throughout the town.
Someone had curse her son.
+ o +
It had taken some coaxing, but Leenan had finally gotten Finn to drink the noxious potion she concocted. Whatever that spell was, it had dulled Finn's sense of danger so he wouldn't notice something was wrong. Now that Finn had ingested her magic, he should be lucid enough to tell her what really happened.
"Mother, that was volatile." Finn cringed. "Don't ever make me drink that again."
"I'll try." Leenan sat her son down for their talk. "Sweetheart, did something strange happen while I was gone."
"The princess was seen wearing yellow. It was aweful, she looked like a meringue pie."
"Not that." Leenan sighed. Though she made sure to remember that for later. "I meant really strange." She thought of the best way to phrase it. "Like revenge strange. Did you make anyone angry or run into a foreigner."
"No."
"Finn please, try to remember." His mother urged. "Maybe it was in passing or you stepped on something."
"Mother you're not making any sense. What is this about?" Finn asked.
"Something had to be out of the ordinary." Leenan insisted, but her son shrugged, confused. The only thing that had changed was how he felt about Harv, but that hadn't happened over night. "We need to find out who did this."
"Why, what's wrong?" Finn frowned. "Why is it so important that you know who did it?"
"Because nobody gets to cast a spell on my baby." Leenan said gravely. "Especially a mind altering spell." Mind altering spell? "I want whoever did this to you pay." She growled. "Preferably in blood, but humiliation will do." She hugged her son. "Just let me know if you remember anything." Finn nodded numbly in his mother's embrace. How long had he been under this spell?