:: Satin Blaze ::
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen
Sequel to Velvet Flames
Disclaimer: I don't own Sorcerous Stabber Orphen or any of the characters mentioned.
Rating: PG
Pairings: Orphen+Azari, Hartia+Krylancelo, Rai+Hartia, eventual Orphen/Majic
Warnings: AU, possible shounen ai, mild language
Notes: *sigh* D-chan has a sore throat. Y'know, I don't get sick often, but when I do it's MOST inconvenient. Tomorrow we're having a song contest in Japanese and I REALLY want to sing. Must drink much orange juice and go to bed a bit early if I want to get better, I suppose.
I also need to re-burn Last Kiss. I'm gonna use it in a school project. XD Whee!
Needless to say, the next few weeks were rather dull in Totokanta. Everyone was more cautious around Orphen, yet at the same time fear slowly began to disappear from their eyes. He no longer restricted himself to early morning or midnight to get outside. Now he could go out and the worst that happened was the occasional feeble insult, but a simple stare-down always solved THAT.
As the weather grew colder, the tavern customers gradually became fewer. Most people only traveled in the summer, though come Christmas Bagup and Majic knew they would have their hands full. Families and friends would be visiting, and not everyone could accommodate so many people.
Not only that, but the Everlastings' yearly party was historical. The Lyns had always been invited but were also always forced to turn down the invite because of business. Those that didn't go to the Everlasting party or stay at home came to the tavern to get drunk and party. Majic complained often because there was always such a mess left, but the extra money was always nice.
Three days before the Eve of Christmas the Lyns, as always, received their yearly invite. Since they had to decline, as business was reaching its peak, Bagup offered his to a lone young man. Majic tried to give his to Orphen.
"No," the young man said flatly, eyes closed. He was relaxed in a plush chair near the fire, the light of the flames reflecting off ornaments from the nearby Christmas tree (it was a bit scraggly, but Majic always did his best to "pretty it up") and lighting his face with odd colours.
Majic frowned. "But... Orphen-sama-- Orphen-san," he quickly corrected himself, "I certainly can't go. And nobody hates you anymore, so--"
Orphen sighed. He hadn't missed the honorary slip, and he honestly didn't know why Majic bothered. It didn't matter to him how the boy regarded him so long as he strayed from the affectionate -kun or -chan he had never been fond of even Azari calling him.
"I don't like parties," he said, waving a hand dismissively and opening one eye lazily. When Majic didn't move or say anything, he added, "Besides, I think it's worse having them LIKE me. I can't stand half the women that keep trying to hit on me."
Majic coloured slightly; it was true Orphen had been popular with the girls even before the whole sorcerer issue had been brought up, but now that it was acceptable many of the females had labeled him as "cool" and sought him frequently.
He couldn't honestly say he blamed them. Orphen was very handsome, though his personality could be quite put-offing once you got to know him. At the same time he couldn't blame Orphen. One of the girls had given him quite a fright when he'd opened the downstairs storage closet and she had leapt out, shrieking the older sorcerer's name and tackling Majic by mistake. He'd screamed so loudly he'd woken Orphen up, and according to him, before noon was WAY too early to wake up.
"But I can't go," he protested. "I'll be busy all night--"
"Why?"
Majic blinked, startled. "Because I work here, Orphen-sama." He seemed too surprised to correct himself and Orphen didn't bother to point it out.
"You LIVE here," Orphen reminded him. "You're not an employee."
Fine golden eyebrows furrowed. "But I have to do my part to keep the business running," Majic insisted. "Father--"
"Seemed to do just fine when you were at the Tower of Fangs for five years," Orphen interrupted. "I think your father could handle one night."
Majic bit his lip, staring down at the pristine white envelope in his hands. The older male knew that he was severely tempted; he most likely hadn't ever gone. He'd probably been too young when his mother was alive, and it seemed that once he'd returned home he'd thrown himself into helping his father run the tavern to keep himself busy.
Orphen was satisfied, so he relaxed again. "So go tell him you'll only be gone a couple hours. You probably can't stay too late anyway. People will get drunk by--"
"No," the softer voice murmured. "I can't go, Orphen-sa--n."
Ugh. Orphen resisted the urge to grab the nearest solid object and slam it against his head-- Or preferably, at the moment, Majic's. "Whatever," he muttered.
Since it was clear Orphen refused to accept the invite, Majic wandered off to ask his father to do something with it. Rather than be frustrated with the boy's stubbornness, Orphen thought of Christmas. He always did something with Azari, and in the past four years celebrating without her had just seemed... Wrong. He usually would try to find a nice, quiet place to just sit and contemplate.
Ah, well. He could wander the quiet streets for a while. As long as he avoided the drunken idiots, he'd be perfectly content.
Across the room Majic sat on the counter, swinging his legs like a child as he watched crowds of people walk in and out of the busy tavern. Behind him his father was busy with orders, and Majic was certain that any minute now his help would be needed. Orphen was wrong; Bagup needed Majic to run the tavern. So Majic was going to do his best to help his father stay a success!
Sometime much later, round midnight, Orphen returned. He'd stepped out for a couple hours, cross after getting into a fight with a drunk, but now he looked smug and content.
"Yo," he greeted a weary Bagup, who was tending to a few mens' drinking needs, and an exhausted Majic that looked half asleep on the stool, broom in hand.
"Anything to drink, sorcerer?" Bagup inquired mildly.
"Sure, old man," Orphen agreed. "The usual."
"Of course."
Majic yawned loudly and sleepily. "You were gone an awful long time, Orphen-sama." The brunette simply shrugged. "And you look awfully happy," he noted, sounding a tad more awake.
At that Orphen's smirk broadened. "Payback is sweet," he said as Bagup handed him his usual ice cream soda. He stirred it with a spoon, watched a few bubbles rise, then sipped through the straw without complaint.
The blue-eyed boy blinked. "Payback...?"
"You remember those troll kids, right?" Orphen asked, seeming happy to tell someone of his great news. "Well, those damned idiots didn't want to pay me back so I got them to work for the Everlastings to pay off their debt."
Majic nodded slowly, eyelids drooping. "That's great, Orphen-sama," he murmured.
"That's it?" one of the customers asked loudly, his speech slurred a bit. "From the look on yer face I thought you'd gotten laid 'er somethin'."
The furious blush that overtook Majic's pale face didn't go unnoticed. Scowling and feeling a bit too defensive, Orphen snapped, "Watch your mouth when innocents are present, you moron." For some reason that only made Majic's cheeks grow redder.
"Why don't you go to bed, son," Bagup said gently. "I think I can handle it from here. It's only a few customers."
Majic looked like he wanted to protest, but one glance at the men in drunken stupors changed his mind. "Goodnight, Father. Orphen-sama," he added hastily, almost shyly, before he practically fled the room.
Orphen shook his head. 'I worry more for that kid's sanity than I do my own,' he thought in faint amusement.
It wasn't long before he turned in for the night as well. No doubt there wouldn't be a midnight visit from the blonde boy tonight, and Orphen honestly couldn't bring himself to feel disappointed. Majic had been coming less and less, to the point Orphen hadn't noticed another visit for three weeks starting tonight. Well, at least he didn't have to worry.
He was just relaxing in the dark room lit only by starlight and a waning moon when a thought struck him.
He hadn't gone straight to find the midget idiots Vulcan and Dortin. He'd just gone out for a walk, his original intention. After a while he'd come across a lake he'd never noticed before.
It was cold out. Orphen didn't have many warm clothes, but a tattered cape had served him perfectly well for a few years. There had been a somewhat strong breeze, nearly rendering the cape useless, but what had surprised him most was that he'd been to that lake before.
Once with his former partner, he had come awfully close to Totokanta without actually visiting it. There was another village across the lake he and Stephen, his partner, had stayed at. What had been interesting was the ruined tower in the middle of the lake. It had intrigued Stephen the most and had proved useful for its sorcerous runes inside, but in daylight it was just a ragged old tower, something not very unremarkable.
In moonlight, though, it struck Orphen as beautiful. Silver made the clear water sparkle, and even the jagged old tower looked mysterious and compelling. Orphen had teleported himself to the top, saving himself from getting wet, and had spent a good few minutes simply staring at the scenery.
Someone else had been there. He could hear splashing at one point and had glanced, but rippled proved that whoever or whatever it was had gone underwater. Telling himself it wasn't important, he'd turned away once again, ignoring the proceeding splashes.
He was vaguely curious as to who would be swimming so late at night, and in such cold weather, but he dismissed the thought immediately. It didn't matter whom or what had been there. It didn't connect to anything important to him. He knew it hadn't been anyone he'd known. Had it been a hateful villager he would have been taunted, another crazed fangirl and she would have squealed or perhaps fainted before reaching the water. He knew Majic wasn't weird enough to go swimming in winter, especially after insisting he help his father, and anyone from the Tower would have called out to him, or joined him on the rooftop.
He shook his head again, eyes lapsing shut. It wasn't important... And he was tired now. It had been some work trying to shut Vulcan up, though getting the two to work for the Everlastings had been easy enough. He'd pulled Dortin aside and had given him strict instructions to pay careful attention to a certain sword. He was to be let known every day that it was safe, unharmed, and fully sheathed. No questions, just do it. Dortin had been all too happy to comply, probably nervous because of Orphen's tone.
But even though he didn't have the sword, he had at least one competent person watching over it when he couldn't. All he could honestly do now was wait and see if Azari came. While part of him dreaded the eventual encounter, as he knew some people might get hurt in the process or, worse, try to kill her because of her current state and form, another part ached to see her again. He missed her so badly.
Feeling bitter and depressed, Orphen was restless until he finally managed to drift off around dawn. He slept through the sunrise; the light warming his sensitive eyelids was fire in his dream, fire that refused to be quenched no matter what spell he used. They were the eternal flames of hell, and unless he could help Azari turn back into a human, that was where he would end up.
Amidst all the fire of his dreams, someone wept.
Orphen awoke late the next day, even for him. It was nearly dinner time and the tavern was packed. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve he knew, and many people were using tonight as a pre-celebration before the Everlasting party.
Bagup Lyn looked amused. "Good morning."
Orphen yawned widely, stretching leisurely. "Evening, old man."
Unperturbed, Bagup gestured for him to have a seat. "Ah... I'm not hungry," Orphen declined. And he wasn't. Bad dreams last night killed any interest of even eating, and he personally found that somewhat disturbing.
"Have a seat anyway," Bagup said. "I have a favour to ask of you."
Perplexed, Orphen complied. It was nearly half an hour before Bagup could really talk to him, but once things began to calm down a bit he stole a few minutes to converse.
"I want to know, sorcerer... Does my son have any promise of being able to use magic?"
Orphen blinked, startled. "I don't kn..." he started but trailed off, remembering his dream. "Possibly. I'd have to ask him to perform to be sure," he said.
Bagup nodded slightly. "I'm sure he does. So then, Orphen, I know you're having debt problems." Orphen scowled but the tavern owner continued before he could say anything. "I have a proposal for you."
He wasn't sure he was going to like this. "I'm listening."
"Teach my son magic. I'm damn near positive he can use it, I think those idiots at that Tower haven't a clue what they're talking about." At Orphen's expression he smiled grimly. "They sent me a letter explaining his expulsion. I didn't tell Majic; I'm still waiting for him to tell me."
What a cunning old man! Orphen couldn't help but appreciate that. "You want me to be a teacher?"
"Yes," Bagup said firmly. "I don't want my son growing up in this town without having some adventure. He deserves it; he does too much and gets out too little. He has few friends, but perhaps some traveling, some being of use with magic... Perhaps that would do him good. I'm willing to pay you half of what I make, sorcerer."
Half?! Orphen loved money; he admitted it. It was very useful, especially when you didn't have it. But even so, half was too much. "One-fourth or nothing," he said.
Once again struck with amusement, Bagup agreed. "Deal. When can you start?"
Orphen paused then smirked. "Shortly after Christmas all right?"
"It doesn't matter to me."
This was certainly going to change the already tense relationship between Orphen and the blonde boy! However, he had no doubt that at some point he might need a young, healthy, willing-to-work teenager, and Majic would fit the role perfectly. Not to mention he wasn't nearly as obnoxious as most others his age!
With the new proposal and promise weighing on his mind, Orphen didn't have time to be depressed that evening. In fact, he was trying not to laugh as he pictured Majic's reaction...
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen
Sequel to Velvet Flames
Disclaimer: I don't own Sorcerous Stabber Orphen or any of the characters mentioned.
Rating: PG
Pairings: Orphen+Azari, Hartia+Krylancelo, Rai+Hartia, eventual Orphen/Majic
Warnings: AU, possible shounen ai, mild language
Notes: *sigh* D-chan has a sore throat. Y'know, I don't get sick often, but when I do it's MOST inconvenient. Tomorrow we're having a song contest in Japanese and I REALLY want to sing. Must drink much orange juice and go to bed a bit early if I want to get better, I suppose.
I also need to re-burn Last Kiss. I'm gonna use it in a school project. XD Whee!
Needless to say, the next few weeks were rather dull in Totokanta. Everyone was more cautious around Orphen, yet at the same time fear slowly began to disappear from their eyes. He no longer restricted himself to early morning or midnight to get outside. Now he could go out and the worst that happened was the occasional feeble insult, but a simple stare-down always solved THAT.
As the weather grew colder, the tavern customers gradually became fewer. Most people only traveled in the summer, though come Christmas Bagup and Majic knew they would have their hands full. Families and friends would be visiting, and not everyone could accommodate so many people.
Not only that, but the Everlastings' yearly party was historical. The Lyns had always been invited but were also always forced to turn down the invite because of business. Those that didn't go to the Everlasting party or stay at home came to the tavern to get drunk and party. Majic complained often because there was always such a mess left, but the extra money was always nice.
Three days before the Eve of Christmas the Lyns, as always, received their yearly invite. Since they had to decline, as business was reaching its peak, Bagup offered his to a lone young man. Majic tried to give his to Orphen.
"No," the young man said flatly, eyes closed. He was relaxed in a plush chair near the fire, the light of the flames reflecting off ornaments from the nearby Christmas tree (it was a bit scraggly, but Majic always did his best to "pretty it up") and lighting his face with odd colours.
Majic frowned. "But... Orphen-sama-- Orphen-san," he quickly corrected himself, "I certainly can't go. And nobody hates you anymore, so--"
Orphen sighed. He hadn't missed the honorary slip, and he honestly didn't know why Majic bothered. It didn't matter to him how the boy regarded him so long as he strayed from the affectionate -kun or -chan he had never been fond of even Azari calling him.
"I don't like parties," he said, waving a hand dismissively and opening one eye lazily. When Majic didn't move or say anything, he added, "Besides, I think it's worse having them LIKE me. I can't stand half the women that keep trying to hit on me."
Majic coloured slightly; it was true Orphen had been popular with the girls even before the whole sorcerer issue had been brought up, but now that it was acceptable many of the females had labeled him as "cool" and sought him frequently.
He couldn't honestly say he blamed them. Orphen was very handsome, though his personality could be quite put-offing once you got to know him. At the same time he couldn't blame Orphen. One of the girls had given him quite a fright when he'd opened the downstairs storage closet and she had leapt out, shrieking the older sorcerer's name and tackling Majic by mistake. He'd screamed so loudly he'd woken Orphen up, and according to him, before noon was WAY too early to wake up.
"But I can't go," he protested. "I'll be busy all night--"
"Why?"
Majic blinked, startled. "Because I work here, Orphen-sama." He seemed too surprised to correct himself and Orphen didn't bother to point it out.
"You LIVE here," Orphen reminded him. "You're not an employee."
Fine golden eyebrows furrowed. "But I have to do my part to keep the business running," Majic insisted. "Father--"
"Seemed to do just fine when you were at the Tower of Fangs for five years," Orphen interrupted. "I think your father could handle one night."
Majic bit his lip, staring down at the pristine white envelope in his hands. The older male knew that he was severely tempted; he most likely hadn't ever gone. He'd probably been too young when his mother was alive, and it seemed that once he'd returned home he'd thrown himself into helping his father run the tavern to keep himself busy.
Orphen was satisfied, so he relaxed again. "So go tell him you'll only be gone a couple hours. You probably can't stay too late anyway. People will get drunk by--"
"No," the softer voice murmured. "I can't go, Orphen-sa--n."
Ugh. Orphen resisted the urge to grab the nearest solid object and slam it against his head-- Or preferably, at the moment, Majic's. "Whatever," he muttered.
Since it was clear Orphen refused to accept the invite, Majic wandered off to ask his father to do something with it. Rather than be frustrated with the boy's stubbornness, Orphen thought of Christmas. He always did something with Azari, and in the past four years celebrating without her had just seemed... Wrong. He usually would try to find a nice, quiet place to just sit and contemplate.
Ah, well. He could wander the quiet streets for a while. As long as he avoided the drunken idiots, he'd be perfectly content.
Across the room Majic sat on the counter, swinging his legs like a child as he watched crowds of people walk in and out of the busy tavern. Behind him his father was busy with orders, and Majic was certain that any minute now his help would be needed. Orphen was wrong; Bagup needed Majic to run the tavern. So Majic was going to do his best to help his father stay a success!
Sometime much later, round midnight, Orphen returned. He'd stepped out for a couple hours, cross after getting into a fight with a drunk, but now he looked smug and content.
"Yo," he greeted a weary Bagup, who was tending to a few mens' drinking needs, and an exhausted Majic that looked half asleep on the stool, broom in hand.
"Anything to drink, sorcerer?" Bagup inquired mildly.
"Sure, old man," Orphen agreed. "The usual."
"Of course."
Majic yawned loudly and sleepily. "You were gone an awful long time, Orphen-sama." The brunette simply shrugged. "And you look awfully happy," he noted, sounding a tad more awake.
At that Orphen's smirk broadened. "Payback is sweet," he said as Bagup handed him his usual ice cream soda. He stirred it with a spoon, watched a few bubbles rise, then sipped through the straw without complaint.
The blue-eyed boy blinked. "Payback...?"
"You remember those troll kids, right?" Orphen asked, seeming happy to tell someone of his great news. "Well, those damned idiots didn't want to pay me back so I got them to work for the Everlastings to pay off their debt."
Majic nodded slowly, eyelids drooping. "That's great, Orphen-sama," he murmured.
"That's it?" one of the customers asked loudly, his speech slurred a bit. "From the look on yer face I thought you'd gotten laid 'er somethin'."
The furious blush that overtook Majic's pale face didn't go unnoticed. Scowling and feeling a bit too defensive, Orphen snapped, "Watch your mouth when innocents are present, you moron." For some reason that only made Majic's cheeks grow redder.
"Why don't you go to bed, son," Bagup said gently. "I think I can handle it from here. It's only a few customers."
Majic looked like he wanted to protest, but one glance at the men in drunken stupors changed his mind. "Goodnight, Father. Orphen-sama," he added hastily, almost shyly, before he practically fled the room.
Orphen shook his head. 'I worry more for that kid's sanity than I do my own,' he thought in faint amusement.
It wasn't long before he turned in for the night as well. No doubt there wouldn't be a midnight visit from the blonde boy tonight, and Orphen honestly couldn't bring himself to feel disappointed. Majic had been coming less and less, to the point Orphen hadn't noticed another visit for three weeks starting tonight. Well, at least he didn't have to worry.
He was just relaxing in the dark room lit only by starlight and a waning moon when a thought struck him.
He hadn't gone straight to find the midget idiots Vulcan and Dortin. He'd just gone out for a walk, his original intention. After a while he'd come across a lake he'd never noticed before.
It was cold out. Orphen didn't have many warm clothes, but a tattered cape had served him perfectly well for a few years. There had been a somewhat strong breeze, nearly rendering the cape useless, but what had surprised him most was that he'd been to that lake before.
Once with his former partner, he had come awfully close to Totokanta without actually visiting it. There was another village across the lake he and Stephen, his partner, had stayed at. What had been interesting was the ruined tower in the middle of the lake. It had intrigued Stephen the most and had proved useful for its sorcerous runes inside, but in daylight it was just a ragged old tower, something not very unremarkable.
In moonlight, though, it struck Orphen as beautiful. Silver made the clear water sparkle, and even the jagged old tower looked mysterious and compelling. Orphen had teleported himself to the top, saving himself from getting wet, and had spent a good few minutes simply staring at the scenery.
Someone else had been there. He could hear splashing at one point and had glanced, but rippled proved that whoever or whatever it was had gone underwater. Telling himself it wasn't important, he'd turned away once again, ignoring the proceeding splashes.
He was vaguely curious as to who would be swimming so late at night, and in such cold weather, but he dismissed the thought immediately. It didn't matter whom or what had been there. It didn't connect to anything important to him. He knew it hadn't been anyone he'd known. Had it been a hateful villager he would have been taunted, another crazed fangirl and she would have squealed or perhaps fainted before reaching the water. He knew Majic wasn't weird enough to go swimming in winter, especially after insisting he help his father, and anyone from the Tower would have called out to him, or joined him on the rooftop.
He shook his head again, eyes lapsing shut. It wasn't important... And he was tired now. It had been some work trying to shut Vulcan up, though getting the two to work for the Everlastings had been easy enough. He'd pulled Dortin aside and had given him strict instructions to pay careful attention to a certain sword. He was to be let known every day that it was safe, unharmed, and fully sheathed. No questions, just do it. Dortin had been all too happy to comply, probably nervous because of Orphen's tone.
But even though he didn't have the sword, he had at least one competent person watching over it when he couldn't. All he could honestly do now was wait and see if Azari came. While part of him dreaded the eventual encounter, as he knew some people might get hurt in the process or, worse, try to kill her because of her current state and form, another part ached to see her again. He missed her so badly.
Feeling bitter and depressed, Orphen was restless until he finally managed to drift off around dawn. He slept through the sunrise; the light warming his sensitive eyelids was fire in his dream, fire that refused to be quenched no matter what spell he used. They were the eternal flames of hell, and unless he could help Azari turn back into a human, that was where he would end up.
Amidst all the fire of his dreams, someone wept.
Orphen awoke late the next day, even for him. It was nearly dinner time and the tavern was packed. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve he knew, and many people were using tonight as a pre-celebration before the Everlasting party.
Bagup Lyn looked amused. "Good morning."
Orphen yawned widely, stretching leisurely. "Evening, old man."
Unperturbed, Bagup gestured for him to have a seat. "Ah... I'm not hungry," Orphen declined. And he wasn't. Bad dreams last night killed any interest of even eating, and he personally found that somewhat disturbing.
"Have a seat anyway," Bagup said. "I have a favour to ask of you."
Perplexed, Orphen complied. It was nearly half an hour before Bagup could really talk to him, but once things began to calm down a bit he stole a few minutes to converse.
"I want to know, sorcerer... Does my son have any promise of being able to use magic?"
Orphen blinked, startled. "I don't kn..." he started but trailed off, remembering his dream. "Possibly. I'd have to ask him to perform to be sure," he said.
Bagup nodded slightly. "I'm sure he does. So then, Orphen, I know you're having debt problems." Orphen scowled but the tavern owner continued before he could say anything. "I have a proposal for you."
He wasn't sure he was going to like this. "I'm listening."
"Teach my son magic. I'm damn near positive he can use it, I think those idiots at that Tower haven't a clue what they're talking about." At Orphen's expression he smiled grimly. "They sent me a letter explaining his expulsion. I didn't tell Majic; I'm still waiting for him to tell me."
What a cunning old man! Orphen couldn't help but appreciate that. "You want me to be a teacher?"
"Yes," Bagup said firmly. "I don't want my son growing up in this town without having some adventure. He deserves it; he does too much and gets out too little. He has few friends, but perhaps some traveling, some being of use with magic... Perhaps that would do him good. I'm willing to pay you half of what I make, sorcerer."
Half?! Orphen loved money; he admitted it. It was very useful, especially when you didn't have it. But even so, half was too much. "One-fourth or nothing," he said.
Once again struck with amusement, Bagup agreed. "Deal. When can you start?"
Orphen paused then smirked. "Shortly after Christmas all right?"
"It doesn't matter to me."
This was certainly going to change the already tense relationship between Orphen and the blonde boy! However, he had no doubt that at some point he might need a young, healthy, willing-to-work teenager, and Majic would fit the role perfectly. Not to mention he wasn't nearly as obnoxious as most others his age!
With the new proposal and promise weighing on his mind, Orphen didn't have time to be depressed that evening. In fact, he was trying not to laugh as he pictured Majic's reaction...