It was quite the odd situation indeed and quite the show as Vivi personally cut Gascons hair inside of their homely kitchen with her scissors, the young prince looking somewhere half between dreading, uncomfortable and well.. Alphonse had to question whether the young man wasn't about to jump up and run away out the door for them to finally never see him again. But he stayed, clinching his hands as he let Vivi make the small cuts.
"I'm no royal hair dresser, but I hope it should do." Vivi commented.
Gascon didn't answer just swallowed as he looked out in the air, he looked pretty pale, again Alphonse shifted his foot just to stand ready in case he had to grab the young man and drag him back from an escape attempt.
"A shame those curls have to go." Vivi then commented. "I remember when your father and Alphonse came home from long wanderings in wet weather, his hair would curl up too." She chuckled. "And he would get annoyed because he didn't believe anyone would take him seriously like that. He would even use his own magic to make it uncurl." She chuckled amused.
Gascon smirked a bit amused. "Magic for hair care? Well that's what I call narcisism at its finest."
"Indeed." Vivi commented. "Oh wait, I wondered if you had ever seen this." She said laying down the scissors and disappeared into the living room only to return handing Gascon a framed picture.
Gascon looked at it and was met with the face of an very pretty kind looking young woman with dark auburn brown hair wearing a white wedding dress, beaming like a sun as she held the hands of a very handsome proud looking blond man wearing wedding attire as well, and standing in the middle, connecting their hands was a young man with long brown hair and a smile on his face, Gascon blinked. "Is that my father?" he asked looking at that man in the middle. "And those two.. That's you and Alphonse isn't it?" he asked.
"Oh yes." Vivi smiled warmly picking up the scissors again. "It's from before you were even born, Elscon was the guest of honour at our wedding and gave us his blessings personally. Already then him and Alphonse had been on quite the number of adventures together, they had known each other even before I met Alphonse. Oh those two back then, always out in trouble." She chuckled. "And Elscons father would scold him, telling him he was to big of a trouble maker to ever make emperor."
"A trouble maker? My Father?" Gascon asked astounded.
"Yes." Vivi nodded. "Quite the dreamer to, his dream was to lead the empire into the brightest future imaginable, he was very head strong that Elscon, Alphonse really had to pull him out of quite of bit of trouble."
"That's so hard to imagine." Gascon had to admit holding the picture of the happy and very good looking couple in the picture, the picture was just so happy it made Gascon smile slightly. "Your wedding huh?" he asked.
"Oh it was like a fairytale come true." Vivi sighed. "Back then I was just a kitchen maid in the palace, sometimes we the girls would sneak out with snacks for the knights, hoping to catch a fine knights eye. I made them my home made apple buns and brought them, then suddenly Alphonse came over to me and thanked me personally, told me it was the best pastry he had ever tasted in his life, from there; It's pretty much history. Just to think, the crown prince's right hand, seeing a kitchen maid and then at last asked for my hand in marriage." she blushed slightly. "Oh I remember it all so well, your father loved my apple buns too. Him and Alphonse would go as far as to fight for the last one, they looked like two overgrown children tumbling around like that. But they seemed to enjoy it too, they laughed and I ate the bun myself. To teach them a lesson, if they were going to fight neither one could have it." she chuckled. "Maybe you would like to try one? It's so long since I baked up a batch. Oh yes, it all started with the apple buns." she smiled warmly. "I shall definetely bake up a batch for you and maybe Marcassin would even enjoy one too."
"A fairytale of its finest." Gascon smiled holding the picture, his eyes hadn't moved from it at all doing the story session but looked so warmly at it. "Now that's a story I can deal with." He stated finally putting down the picture. "Are you sure that's you on the picture thought?" Gascon asked in a wry smile looking up. "Or are you a time traveller? I could have sworn, you havn't aged a single day! You look exactly the same!" he exclaimed.
"Oh you tease." Vivi dashed the young man on the shoulder. "It's not nice to tease an old lady with ideas of youth, Alphonse tell him." she tried.
"I would." Alphonse smiled as he sighed leaning back. "But the young prince is absolutely right on this one, you look as lovely as back then."
"Oh you two, you are terrible." Vivi stated, but were beaming and smiling regardless as she cut the hair.
Alphonse as well smiled, all that Vivi told was true, he remembered it so clearly and thinking back it did warm him. When he had been young, him and Elscon, had enjoyed their occasional tumble and trouble making. Of course that was all before Elscon had been crowned emperor and Gascon had been born but it really was quite something, he had to admit that.
More than anything, ones again Vivi had worked her magic and made the young Prince relax, well at least for a few minutes.
It seemed he too deeply appreciate to get his mind distracted for just a little bit.
Though it also seemed like to short a time before even that distraction was out of the way as Swaine stood up, slid a hand through his newly cut and washed hair, straightened out the shirt. "This feels weird." He muttered. "Well, I guess… It's erhm. Time to move out." He commented. "Do I have to do this?" he then asked as if it would help any.
Alphonse sighed. "Your reasoning might not be the exact one we could have wished for but, you have my support your majesty, what ever you wish to do, please let me help you." He asked in a bow. "I am, at your service."
"I too." Vivi said. "If you could ever need the help from an old woman like me." She chuckled amused to herself.
"You've already given me so much." Swaine said to Vivi in a warm smile. "Thank you so much for your kindness." He said gently taking her hands bowing his head for her, then he let go, stood up and faced the window as he sighed straightening out his shirt a second time, before he glanced over his shoulder. "Please tell me, and be honest now, how do I look?" he asked turning to them holding out his arms in a open gesture.
"Honestly?" Alphonse asked, then sighed as he shook his head. "Well, you don't look like a pick pocket, that's at least something."
Swaine snorted. "Pff, at least you're honest."
"Now now." Vivi lectured stepping forward grabbing Swaines shirt straightening it out for him so this time it was done correctly. "Our royal family has always been their own as none of them ever fancied anything such as laces or to complicated clothing. Your father was a practical man, proud of the fact he could do more than just be sitting back giving orders, he enjoyed a good sword duel and sweat on the forehead. Your brother is a very humble man, whom rather not stand out or go overboard with anything, it would only be natural you share similarites with both. Straighten up now, don't you slouch." She commented putting a hand under Swains chin forcing him to lift his head. "The ruler lays in the attitude not the clothes you know." She commented. "Ah ah, what did I tell you about sloutching." she asked in a lecturing tone.
And at ones Gascon straightened up again as if it was on command.
"All though." Vivi frowned as she stepped back. "Wait a moment." She encouraged vanishing out in the living room, soon returning with a long velvet coat in blue holding it up for Swaine whom accepted taking it on straightened it out.
The coat was just as long as his green one, but of much finer quality and a lot less ragged in fact it looked brand new, following his thin frame surprisingly well. "Stand straight." Vivi told lifting Swaines head ones again, this time in a slightly forcefull manner, before she stepped backwards. "Now, there's a Prince." She smiled.
Swaine looked at the sleeve of the coat with the golden embroideries. "Where did you get this?" he asked.
"It was our son's." Vivi sighed. "When he was at his first knight gala just after he had started apprenticeship in the corpse for the palace." She sighed. "Really we should have foreseen how wide he was going to grow over the shoulders shortly there after, with all the sword training and its like. None of us can use it, it's to small for Alphonse too, do you like it sir?" he asked.
"I like it very much." Swaine admitted looking down at it.
"Then it's yours." Vivi told. "It does indeed suit you."
"Oh no I couldn't." Swaine tried to object.
"Nonsense." Vivi snorted. "It has just been lying around collecting dust, and it's the closest we got to something worthy of a Prince. It's a fine use of the coat, to be worn by an actual prince upon his return, it would honour me if you would use it."
"Well then, thank you." Swaine bowed his head a little awkwardly, then stood up, did his best to straighten his back as he exhaled. "Well then." He commented. "Alphonse, would you accompany me to the palace?" he asked. "It seems like we have one heck of a day in front of us, something people probably wont forget to quick."
"Yes your majesty." Alphonse bowed for him, though as he stood up he looked questionable at Swaine. "What do you intend to do exactly?" he asked.
"Honestly… I got no idea." Swaine told making Alphonse blink and look pretty questionable about this new turn of events.
Well first things first, Swaine or rather… Gascon walked to the palace, and not the sneaking kind, he walked to the front gates.
Alphonse as loyally as he had promised, walking straight behind him as the proud knight that he were, his hand lightly resting on his sword, and no hog armour.
In his support, Alphonse had simply decided to not wear any hog armour either and that sure grabbed peoples attention as they tried not to look at the couple walking so purposefully towards the palace front gate.
It sure was a good thing that Gascon had become such an good actor, because deep inside… he was seriously considering running for it! He could feel his own heart hammering inside of his chest, the sweat forming on his forehead and all around, this was not a very pleasant situation. People were looking at him, he was outside in the open, in the centre... And if there was something he had learned as a pick pocket, it was that being exsposed was bad. He sincerely hated being looked at, he would much rather like to hide where no one could see him or look at him.
Only thing stopping him from just doing it and run down the corner to hide in a alleyway was the fact that he was pretty convinced that that proud knight walking behind him would drag him right back, and all he would have accomplished would have been to make a scene and make even more people look at him.
Or could he still slip away? If he just distracted Alphonse for a second, the gate to the city was just some streets away…..
"SIR!" a guard suddenly shouted making Gascon jump.
"Wha-what?" Gascon asked in a blink only to realise the guard wasn't even addressing him, he was addressing Alphonse.
"Sir, you are out of your hog amour." The guard wearing a hog armour himself commented. "Erhm… According to Marcassins orders, no one is allowed to enter the palace without hog armour. You said so yourself, I mean. Sir.." the poor man sounded pretty confused.
"I got orders from higher up." Alphonse told. "Not to wear a hog helmet."
"Higher up than the emperor?!" The guard asked. "Sir, I don't understand. Who could be higher than the emperor?"
At that Alphonse turned around and looked at Gascon, the hog helmet guard turning with him, there was silenece. "Sir I don't understand." The young man then spoke again.
Gascon was lost for words, now to actually try and say it to another person, it… he was tounge tied.
"Let us through." Alphonse then ordered. "There is important business to attend to."
"Ye-yes sir." The armoured guard saluted him.
And Alphonse finally walked past that guard, Gascon walking after him, until Alphonse stopped up waiting for Gascon to go in front.
Gascon did not look pleased by this aspect, not at all, but finally stepped back in front. "What am I supposed to do now?" he asked in a whisper back to Alphonse. "You want me just to step in all heroically and triumphantly taking the throne in grandeur? I really don't think I'm that type of a person." He told.
"I could call in the council." Alphonse suggested.
"Yes! Do that, the… The council thing." Gascon pointed his finger. "And erhm.. I'll just go and erh, fetch something." He told.
Alphonse lifted an eyebrow in question.
"Right then, the council, in the audience room, thirty minutes." Gascon then asked. "Don't worry I'll be there."
"Yes sir, I'll do what I can." Alphonse nodded.
Thirty minutes after Alphonse was at the appointed place with his fellow council men and women, none of which had any idea what was going on, and it was obvious they were all pretty annoyed over having being pulled away from their own duties that abruptly.
"Alphonse." Andrea then finally spoke. "At least you must give us an explanation for pulling us all out of work." She demanded sternly.
"I would." Alphonse told. "But I fear none of you would believe me." He said.
Geraldo a red haired man with a healthy red moustache whom was small and stout of stature yet had incredible muscles from a life time in the factories, having worked himself up through the ranks over time and were now running them lifted an eyebrow. "That's unlike you to come with such a statement." He stated.
Eden a woman in her late fourtish with coal black hair frowned as she pushed up her glasses. "Please at least tell me it's good news, the people are barely holding in there as it is, they are scared."
Helena, a woman in her fifties with soft brown greying curls, sitting right beside her sighed. "We got enough finances to do patch work, because we always had so much gold and stones from our mines, yet still right now it's just sinking without getting anything back, there's only so much the budget can give."
"And it still seems like we are alone." Andrea told quite sternly. "None of the other kingdoms has yet to respond."
Those people were it, the five advisors to the emperor.
Alphonse the proud knight whom had been able to call the last emperor his friend, and his duties were the defence.
Andrea the oldest of them, whom dealt with the correspondance with the rest of the world.
Geraldo the same age as Alphonse, whom oversaw the great proud Hamelin factories where in their future was being build.
Helena the youngest of them, in her late fourtish whom was the voice of the palace among the people, and the voice of the people in the palace, the link between the two worlds.
And Eden whom at least tried to control finances.
They were the advisors, the people whom took over in the case of the crisis, but even they were powerless as they were also loyal to the current emperor whom was supposed to supervise them. Yet what was obvious right now was that one person was missing... Their supervisor. Marcassin was lacking, he had been excluded from the meeting, and that didn't bode well for anyone. There was a reason people kept sending Alphonse worried questionable glances and the tension in the room just laid thick.
Then finally the door opened, they all looked that way as a young man stepped in, making everybody look at this person slowly walking in there.
Wearing his fine blue cloat with golden linings, his newly cut hair falling softly around his head, his skin had a tanned colour and looked rough from wind and weather, yet his slender complexion looked elegant and he did in fact carrie himself with a pride as he walked straight towards them, a stern look dominating his face as he bit together.
Alphonse looked at the young man, the young prince, Crown Prince Gascon.
Not slouching, but with a straight back, in his belt hang that trusted trick gun and… And a fine sword.
But not just any sword, Alphonse recognised it at ones, the sword of Hamelin which Elscon had carried around when he was a crown prince and had passed on to Gascon, only for Marcassin to get his hands on it when Gascon left and Marcassin had carried it ever since. That is... until this day.
It was their crown jewel, what they used instead of a crown… Whom ever wore that sword, was rightful heir to the throne, that was the rule. Only a crown prince of Hamelin or an emperor would be allowed to even touch it and Gascon had gone to fetch it.
That more than anything proved it, that Gascon was actually serious.
None of the other council members though noticed such a detail at ones, instead they were looking questionable at Gascon.
"Mr. Swaine?" Andrea then finally spoke up. "So I suppose we'll finally get an explanation Alphonse." She asked.
Alphonse bit together, then looked at Gascon.
Gascon looked at them all as they looked at him, his eyes going from one person to the next. There was utter silence, the air was tense. You could see that no one had any idea what was going on, and silence filled with the air.
Then Gascon took in a deep breath, as if readying himself before he finally spoke. "Thank you for coming on such a snort notice." He told. "I realise our situation is rather pressured as it is, and you all probably have plenty of duties you would like to return to." He commented.
"That is putting it lightly." Helena smiled a little defeated only for Andrea to look sternly at her.
Gascon shook his head. "Your crisis though, it comes from a very specific problem doesn't it?" he asked. "It's so neat that it must have been deliberate. Marcassin, is unwell." He then told seriously. "And not just ordinary unwell, a kind of sickness that can't be seen nor traced, he looks normal and feels normal to the touch, yet he isn't. That is the big crippling facture, technically it would have been better for the empire if he had died, because then someone would have to step up. But as it is now, with him both being there and not being there on the same time, things are falling apart, that is the root of your problems isn't it?" he asked looking grimly at them.
Astounded they looked at him as they blinked.
"And none of you even want to say it." Gascon then frowned. "Because no one wants to believe that Marcassin is that unwell, and no one wants to stand up against him... No one wants to take the first step and say stop. Rest assured though, i'm doing it for you now. I'm saying stop. This cannot go on."
There was stunned silence, the council members were stunned and then awkwardly looked around, it was very obvious Gascon had hit the nail on the head, yet they still didn't want to say it.
At last Andrea frowned as she looked sternly at him. "Even if what you say I true, what would you suggest?" she asked. "I will not betray our emperor!" She said sternly and the rest nodded grimly.
Gascon smiled lightly. "And I'm happy about that, I owe you my thanks. For the loyalty you showed him, it means a lot to me." He told bowing courtly for them. "I'm not ready to just give up on Marcassin either, he is unwell so he needs help! That's what I see. He needs help, real help." He said. "I wanted to speak to you because… well urhm because. I think I found a way to, at least lessen his burden. How-ever it will require for you people to accept something." He then told. "Which might be hard to swallow."
The council members were silent, then Geraldo spoke up with his booming voice. "If it's to help little Marcassin, I will do it!" he told. "Spit it out young lad, we are all old in here, we are not good with tension."
Gascon swallowed as he reached for his sword, then stopped closing his eyes, squinted them closed.
Alphonse looked at him and slowly Gascon opened his eyes, meeting Alphonse glance... Alphonse stood there, with straight back and a determined face expression, nodding slightly.
Gascon bit together as he looked down, hissing slightly. "There's just one way." he breathed resting his hand on the hild of that sword, then slowly, let his fingers fold around it, grabbing it, he took in a deep breath, and then finally, pulled it up from its hild for the council to see.
Andrea blinked. "The sword of Hamelin." She realised. "Mr. Swaine!" she then snapped standing up looking deeply offended. "Have you any idea what it is you're holding in your hands?! Give that back!" she demanded.
"I'm sorry I can't do that." Gascon told looking at her biting his. "And believe me, I know exactly what this sword means, my own father told me that with his own words when he gave it to me." He told lowering it as he spoke. With closed eyes he lowered his head as he swallowed. "I'm sorry to correct you Andrea, and I apologies for my former lie.. I... erh. I'm." he swallowed looking up. "Swaine is not my true name, I made that up, a very long time ago, I made it up... Swaine is a fake. Just a fake, I made him up." he told, then closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath then opened up his eyes ones again looking at them biting together, suddenly looking very determined as if he was facing an army or its like. "My name, my real name, that my parents gave me. It's Gascon." He told. "I'm the first born son of Emperor Elscon, elder Brother to Marcassin and my title is Porcine Prince of Hamelin, or Crown Prince. What ever you prefer." He told putting the sword back in it's holster biting together, trying not to let his misty eyes show or let his voice waver though his throat was threatening to tie itself together. "How-ever, none of that will mean a thing if you wont acknowledge me as such. If I am to do anything, to help my brother, I need your help and support, all of you." He told. "To help Marcassin, my brother." he told, then bit his lip. "Please." he asked. "I know this is a lot to just believe out of the blue, but I am telling the truth, I really am." he told looking down. "I suppose all I can do is to ask you to believe in me, though that sounds ridicoules doesn't it? You don't know me." he sighed standing back. "Not any more, still... I am asking you to believe in me. Please." he asked again. "For Marcassins sake.. This is his only chance."
All the council members eyes widened, their mouths dropped open, the only one whom didn't look like that was Alphonse whom smiled lightly. "Sir." He commented, then sat down on his knee bowing for him. "I already promised you my loyalty but you'll have it again, Crown Prince Gascon." He told. "I believe in you, and i'll follow you! My prince."
Gascon had to fight, had to fight really hard not to demand Alphonse to just stand up already, so he bit together. "Thank you." he breathed. "Please stand up. Just... Darn it stand up." he asked not being able to take it for a second longer and Alphonse did as he was asked, yet still gave Gascon a salute.
"Oh my god." Andrea breathed holding a hand to her mouth. "Ga-Gascon? I remember him, I… how would that even be possible?" she asked.
"I remember him to." Geraldo breathed. "The little runt would run away from his castle duties to come to the factory and work on the machines, such a good lad. But I don't see how.. I mean."
"Yeah, those were the times." Gascon smiled a little weakly at the man. "You showed me how to build an engine, it was great." he sighed. "You have to show me what you've come up with in the factories, I'm dying to see for myself." He admitted. "I heard that Marcassin ordered for you to work on new stuff based on my old designs I erh... heh." he blushed deeply looking down. "I know those designs were amatourish at best, so... I would really like to see what you did to make it work afterall." he smiled vaguely. "I'm sorry it's a been overwhelming to come back and see all those hog tanks there, I don't think I have entirely comprehended it yet. That Marcassin and you people would go to such lenghts." he admitted, and that made Geraldo smile as his eyes were now starting to grow misty.
"I swear on my honour." Alphonse then told standing straight as he turned to the council. "I scarsly believed it myself, but after having spend my time with this young man, I am sure." He told. "This is Elscons beloved son, Gascon." He told. "You must believe in him, for the sake of the empire."
"Oh my goodness." Helena gasped holding a hand over her mouth. "If this is true, then… Then he can overrule Marcassin!" she gaped. "Oh God Marcassin, he always said that Gascon was alive! But… I didn't believe him. He was always so sure and I never believed him." She told looking downright embarrased about it.
"But we can believe in Marcassin now! Seems like we have all done Marcassin a disservice." Geraldo sniffed tears in his eyes. "That young lad, oh my god look at you, so grown." He swallowed.
Slowly Andrea stood up, then stepped forward step by step, until she stood in front of Gascon, right in front of him, inches away, looking at him, her eyes gliding over his face, every inch of it. "I to remember young Gascon." She told. "A temperamental trouble maker, always fighting with the emperor, rarely doing what he was being told."
"Oh god please, is this really the time for this?" Gascon asked. "I admit it, I was an arrogant little piece of holiness, so there." He stated. "But you have to realise, the only reason why I am here is that, I am the best chance you got, I'm the best chance Marcassin got! He needs our help, he needs…"
He didn't get any further before Andrea wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. "I thought you were dead." She sniffed as tears silently fell down her cheeks. "Oh god let me look at you!" she asked stepping away holding his face so Gascon could really see her tear filled eyes. "You look so thin your highness, oh what does it matter? You are alive. It's a miracle."
Gascon smiled lightly as he took her hand away from his face taking it down. "Will you help me?" He then finally asked. "I can't do anything if I don't have you peoples support." He told.
"Of course." Andrea said. "Anything you order, your majesty." She told bowing for him as well. "I am sworn to serve the royal family, and that's you."
"I am with her." Geraldo said standing up.
"If Andrea and Alphonse says this is so, then it really must be." Helena swallowed standing up. "I will follow you your highness." She said. "If it'll help any, I'll do what ever you say."
"I've only seen Gascon ones, very shortly." Eden said as she also stood up. "When I was still working as a mere assistant to a then council member, but even then, I do recognise him now." She then admitted. "We are indeed desperate, sir! I'll do what I can!" she said.
"Seems like you have our attention." Alphonse smiled lightly as he turned to Gascon. "What are your orders?" he asked. "Sir?"
Gascon breathed. "My orders?" he asked. "My orders is…" he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he looked up with a more determined look in his eyes. "I'm relieving Marcassin of duty." He then told. "His words no longer hold any authority, he is sick and he is not well enough to give orders." He said as they all nodded.
"Geraldo, I think you know very well what you need to do. I want all of those factories opened and working by the end of the week!" Gascon demanded.
"Yes sir! That would be my honour!" Geraldo grinned as he saluted.
"Andrea, I need you to find out what is happening in the other kingdoms, see if anyone has a wizard or sage whom can help us look at Marcassin." Gascon demanded. "I want the court physician send to him, at ones." He demanded and Andrea nodded.
"Indeed sir! I'll start right away!" she said.
"Helena, Eden." Gascon nodded at the two women. "The people are hungry, until the factories are working again make sure to give the people food. And everybody whom got fired from the factory and now has to come back, give them one months pay in advance each."
Eden gaped. "That much?" she asked.
"No one can work if they are hungry." Gascon snapped. "Take from the royal treasure chambers if you have to, those money will be peanuts in comparison to what a fully functioning factory will bring us in a matter of months! Anyone whom comes asking for work, just give them work! Give them something to do and something to be paid for, keep them away from the streets! We got enough problems as it is with creatures and evil Djinns knocking at our door" He hissed. "In a crisis like this, there should be work for everyone! We all need to work together for the empire." He frowned. "No more stupid hog masks that should be obvious, I want to get rid of all of them, NOW! And I need an assistant, someone whom can keep a schedule, I can't keep a schedule even if my life dependent on it, so get an assistant here! Well then, you got your first orders, just for starters, MOVE IT!" he barged. "I want this empire running again by the end of the week! And for god's sake don't involve Marcassin in any of this, he is off duty! Alphonse, go make sure he wont be to upset by all the hectics in the palace, I will see to him personally when I can, just keep him out of trouble!"
"Yes sir." Alphonse nodded.
"Well what are you all standing around looking stupid for?!" Gascon asked. "Move it!" he demanded and they all stood up.
"Yes your highness!" They all shouted and moved out, almost falling over each other as they all ran to each their perspective duty, leaving Gascon to breath deeply as he rubbed his forehead, then looked up to realise one person hadn't left.
"Didn't I order you to look after Marcassin?" Gascon asked Alphonse. "You've been dying for me to start making orders, how about following them when I finally do?" he asked.
Alphonse smiled a little amused. "Yes sir, I just… I know I'm not your father but. I just wanted to say, that was very impressive and your father would have been so proud." He said. "I could just imagine him crying from pride if he had seen this."
Gascon smiled a little sadly at him. "Get out of here." He then demanded.
"Yes sir." Alphonse saluted at him and walked out.
Leaving Gascon to sigh deeply, feeling the emotions wash over him, he was already tired, it felt like he had been running a marathon.
Was there time for a drink before that assistant came? Slowly he moved over the table, placing his hands on the surface looking down on the map on the table, frowning slightly… oh boy, he had thus far only seen the tip of the iceburg hadn't he? This was just scratching the surface. By god what was he getting himself into? Out of all the things he had ever done, this was by far the most ridicoules thing, and that was saying an awfull awfull lot!
"Wuargh!"
Gascon glanced up from where he stood by the table to witness a young woman tripping inside through the doors, and then had to wave her arms for balance which she still barely kept as she was tripping around on the same spot.
She was wearing neat quality looking clothes, but still rather simple and plain. A long red brown coat over a white shirt with a loose bow around the cravat and fine trousers matching the coat, her blond hair though was unruly as heck, constantly falling down her face and barely held up in a horse tail while a pair of round glasses was placed over her nose, though they also constantly threatened to fall off. Over her shoulder she had a bag filled with papers and books that threatened to spill out as she tripped around, and that was not to speak of the pockets which also had small books, tons of paper and pencils constantly falling out of them... She looked like a complete and utter mess.
Finally she seemed to find balance and looked up meeting Gascons eyes.
Gascon frowned.. They couldn't be serious? Could they? This couldn't be.
"Sir!" The young woman exclaimed as she stood up straight with arms down her side, which just resulted in a bunch of the papers from her bag spilling down on the floor. "I heard some-one needed an assistant!" she shouted, a bit to forced so it just seemed even more awkward.
Gascon lifted an eye-brow. "Did they even tell you why I needed an assistant?" he asked.
"Honestly I have no idea what is going on." The girl then admitted blinking, fortunately relaxing a bit. "Suddenly every-thing just went hay-wire, I mean just.. one second to the next two minutes ago, I can't find head or tail in it." she told looking over her shoulder blinking. "It's like a horrican out there, I got no idea!" she exclaimed turning back to Gascon. "Then I was grabbed and told there was a job for me in here.. No one else are able right now because everything is such a mess, and you know a bunch of the more qualified people has been dismissed and suddenly council members was asking for archieves so the other book keepers are being kept busy, and since i'm just a junior they don't need me and since no one could clarify what the job was in here it erh.. I mean urh... I should assist the gentleman in here. Sir!" She exclaimed standing straight up ones again. "I want you to know, I may not look like much but if you want to know about Hamelin I am your woman!" she told slamming a hand over her chest. "I am an accountant and book keeper for the palace! I keep order in all the numbers! Or well, I help the other two book keepers, so really I'm just an book keeper assistant, which is why they could spare me.. sort of.. heh." She grinned awkwardly scratching her hair as a red blush spread on her cheeks. "What-ever you need, I'll help you sir!" she told in a embarrased voice pulling up a note-book and pen ready for action. "The name is Marisa! Marisa Fontane! Call me to your liking sir!"
Gascon smirked amused as he looked at her, she really was a mess, this could might even get fun. "Gascon." He then told in a smirk. "Crown prince Gascon, congratulation you are moving up through the world."
"Okay!" Marisa exclaimed opening up that notebook to start scribbling with her tounge out of her mouth and every-thing as she concentrated scribbling. "Crown Pri… WHAT?!" Marisa exclaimed looking up gaping, her eyes almost boggling out of her skull and through the glasses. "Pri-pri-prince Gascon?" she asked as her mouth dropped open... and then it just kept hanging open like that.. and she were just standing there gawking at him with open mouth and big wide eyes, and not even moving. Just standing there as the notebook slipped out on her hand and landed on the floor in a thump, yet Marisa didn't even seemed to have noticed.
Gascon frowned slightly as he snapped a finger in front of her face. "Hallo? Anyone home?" he asked.
And Marisa blinked. "I.. I am so-sorry! ple-please forgive me. I just... I just... I just.." she tried but clearly something inside of this girl had broken already.
Gascon sighed deeply as he rested his hand on the hild of his sword. "Yes I really am Gascon, and I'm taking control while Marcassin is unwell, beginning… right now."
Wide-eyed Marisa looked up at Gascon then down at the sword in his belt, then up at him again, her mouth remaining wide open. "You're kidding me." She barely whispered "I… I mean.. You.. Your Majesty, I.. I.. I." she gasped, shaking all over her poor frame. "I didn't realise, I'm.. Sorry! I.."
Gascon rolled his eyes as he stepped forward and then bowed down the pick up Marisas note-book for her. "True I bear a title but I am no one special, right now I just need a capable assistant whom knows how to keep a schedule, I was let to believe you were that person I needed. Meaning, I am dependent on you now, not the other way around. So may I suggest you just relax and do what you do best?" he asked as he reached forward Marisas notebook offering it to her. "May I call you Marisa?" he asked.
Wide-eyed Marisa looked at the book in Gascons hand then swallowed. "Of.. Of course your highness." She told in barely a whisper as she reached out and took the note-book back, now pressing it against her chest. "Thank you." she barely whispered holding the notebook as if it was some kind of precious stone or something.
Lightly Gascon shook his head trying not to roll eyes. "So an accountant and book keeper by trade? Good with numbers and schedules huh?"
"Erh yes sir." Marisa swallowed. "I.. I got this thing... It's a bit weird but I urhm, I remember every-thing I've ever seen written down on a paper.. I'm told it's a pretty special gift. I don't know though, but what I do know is that I can keep a schedule!" she told.
"Good! I am terrible with those myself." Gascon told in a slight eye-roll. "Come on lets get out of here, I hope you have nothing planned for the next… week at least, you wont be able to make it."
"Oh yes sir, mean no sir! Nothing planned that can't be cancelled." Marisa blinked wide-eyed. "So.. You.. You really are Crown prince Gascon sir?" she asked her eyes wondering travelling all over him as she swallowed.
Gascon exhaled deeply as he put on his coat straightened it out. "Yes, yes I am." He told. "I imagine you have quite a few questions like where I've been and how I got to be here. But I'm afraid it'll have to wait for another day."
"Oh it's not that sir, I mean." Marisa swallowed biting her lip as she looked wide eyed up at him.
Glancing at Marisa Gascon lifted an eye-brow. "What?" he asked.
"I'm sorry your highness I didn't mean." Marisa swallowed. "It's just erh.."
"Yes?" Gascon asked. "Come on spit it out." He asked.
"It.. It's really you." Marsia breathed looking up at him with watery eyes. "You came! Just like he said! I knew it! I knew you would come!" she sniffed and then smiled, beamed in fact, offering him that big warm genuine smile while tears fell down her eyes.
That made Gascon blink surprise. "What?" he asked. "Who said?"
"Marcassin!" Marisa exclaimed excited. "He always said that; the day we really need you, you'll come!" she told. "You are here to help Marcassin aren't you?" she asked. "That's why you are here! To help him get better!"
Stunned Gascon looked at Maria. "Yes." He admitted. "That's.. Correct." He blinked.
"I'm so glad." Marisa sniffed whisking away a tear with a finger. "Marcassin, he's not himself! Not at all! He's sick, very sick. The real Marcassin, he's not at all like that, with the hog helmets and so on. But now we can make him get better, right?" she asked.
"Well.. urhm.. Marisa was it?" Gascon asked nervously resting a hand on his neck. "Look, I erh.." he swallowed. "I'll do everything I can, anything in my power to see Marcassin get well, that's all I want to see happen." He told biting his lip. "But.. I can't guarantee that my best will in any way be good enough." He told exhaling deeply, sadly averting his eyes away from Marisas.
"Sir, if anyone can make Marcassin get better, it has to be you! He told me so much about you! You said that with you everything is possible!" Marisa said in a warm smile, still with tears in her eyes. "I promise, I'll be the best assistant you have ever known! I know me being here now is just an accident, but i'll make sure it's a good accident! I'll work really hard I swear!" she said. "We can do it! We can make Marcassin get better I know we can!" she beamed. "He was right, he said you would come, now you are here! That means anything could happen, just anything! I'll do anything you ask of me sir, I promise!"
Gascon smiled a little amused. "Well, keep a schedule for now." He commented, then he frowned as he looked at her again, something clicking in his mind. "Wait a minute, I've seen you before." He commented.
Marisa blinked. "You have?" she asked.
"Wait a second I'll get it, what was it?" Gascon frowned rubbing his forehead, then his eyes widened. "YOU'RE THE GIRL WHOM KNOCKED ME OUT WITH A BOOK!" he exclaimed pointing at her.
"Huh?" Marisa questioning squinting her eyes then she screamed. "AAARGHHH YOU'RE THE THIEF!" she shouted pointing back at him gaping.
"Hey for the record I wasn't trying to steal anything, I was just trying to get to Marcassin!" Gascon snapped.
"WHY THE FLIP WOULD A CROWN PRINCE SNEAK IN LIKE A THIEF?!" Marisa shouted.
"HOW ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO GET INSIDE?!" Gascon shouted. "I was fifteen when I was here last! You think people would just instantly recognise me and let me in?!"
"YOU SCARED THE FLIP OUT OF ME!" Marisa exclaimed. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BURN THOSE BOOKS!"
"I WAS JUST BLUFFING!" Gascon shouted back. "Granted I'm not as big a nerd as Marcassin, but even I know some of those books are beyond invaluable, they are probably the greatest treasure in this place." he groaned rubbing his forehead. "My father used to give me such a shout when I had crumbled a page on accident, man could he shout." he muttered rubbing his ear.
"BLUFFING?!" Marisa shouted. "BLUFFING!? You.. YOU! And you still are.. ARGHH!" she screamed grabbing her wild hair practically loosing her glasses as she looked in front of herself. "If I had known that you were.. are.. OH GOD!" she exclaimed turning around her face turning a deep shade of red. "What did I do?! I knocked out the crown prince with a book! A BOOK!" she screamed. "WHAT HAVE I DONE?!"
For a moment Gascon looked at her, then he smirked, then he chuckled before he laughed. "Hahahaha! God I needed that, thanks! I didn't think I would ever get to laugh again. HAHA!"
"Huh?" Marisa blinked turned around looking questionable at him.
"Sorry, sorry." Gascon shook his head while smirking amused. "This situation is just, ridicules." He commented. "And are you serious? Telling me the reason you were scared was because of the books? Not because you were alone with a band of armed thieves?" he asked in a amused smile, chuckling. "Are you for real?"
"Erh.." Marisa swallowed as she blushed. "Well Urhm.. I'm sorry I hit you with a book your majesty, if I had know who you were, I mean." She fibbed.
Gascon held up a hand. "No need to apologies, it's the kind of action I kind of have to admire, honestly I hate people whom can't think for themselves and just follow stupid orders. You're not just empty words are you?" he asked amused, a glint of genuine intrigue finding its way to his eyes.
"Well urhm I.." Marisa swallowed. "Anyone would have done the same, I MEAN!" she exclaimed. "No-not hitting a prince in the head with a book, I MEAN! Oh god." She looked down. "This was not the way I thought I would finally meet prince Gascon." She exclaimed looking down, though then she bit her lip, then she to chuckled and before she could stop herself she laughed.
Gascon lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm.. I'm sorry!" Marias laughed. "This is just, well it's just so typically my life!" she cried from laughter wiping away tears. "You're absolutely right, it is ridicules!" she laughed. "I'm really sorry I hit you with that book, really." she told whisking away those tears as she chuckled. "But it truly is ridicules."
And Gascon chuckled as well shook his head. "Yeah, everything today seems to be of the absolutely ridicules kind." Truth be told though, this was one of the nicer ones, this was the best he had felt all day.
"What would Marcassin say?" Marisa chuckled amused down in her hand. "Probably make fun of me and say I worry to much. He would get a good laugh out of this too, i'm sure." she smirked amused.
That made Gascon blink. "Do you know Marcassin?" he then asked.
Marisa blinked. "What makes you say that?" she asked.
"The way you speak of him, sounds very familiar." Gascon commented.
"Ah!" Marisa blushed. "Well urhm.. until now it has been my job to keep order in the achieves and in the books." She told. "Marcassin would often come asking for certain books or documents, I would find them for him. And sometimes.. Often in fact. Well.. we would speak a bit." She admitted looking down. "To be honest, he seemed kind of lonely to me, and he seemed to enjoy it when we got to speak now and then, sometimes we even recommended each other books. I can't say I knew him to well but." She swallowed, clutching her notebook tighter. "To see him like he is now, it's well… I just wish he would get better." She then admitted. "I promise, I'll work as hard as I have to, to see that happen! You can count on me!" she stated. "Not… hitting you with books.. I mean. Please let me help, I'll do all that I can!" she pleaded. "I really want to help! I want to help Marcassin!" she pleaded. "I know i'm not much, and I can't do a lot but... I'll do all what I can, I promise I will. I swear."
Slowly Gascon nodded looking thoughtfully on the young woman. "I see." He commented. "Good then." He nodded clasping his hands together. "Come on, we got way to many things to do, I'm exhausted already just thinking about it." He yawned walking out.
"Huh?" Marisa blinked looking after him, then realised she was being left behind. "Hey wait! YOUR MAJESTY WAIT I'M COMIIIING!" she yelled darting right after him.