Disclaimer: I don't own it...
The man simply known as Pegasus paced in a room in his home, a thoughtful expression on his face. The room was rather creepy, if one were to see it, as it was decorated like a simple throne room, dolls scattered about like puppets with the strings cut and one doll in particular clearly taking center stage.
She sat in a throne, limp like the others but there had clearly been care put into her placement. She was also clearly well taken care of – no dust or faded clothes. Her eyes were closed but she still somehow had a sweet expression on her face.
Pegasus stopped his pacing and turned to face the doll – which, now that one looked properly at it – was not like a usual doll, small and built for a child. No, this doll was life-size, as if created in the very image of someone.
"Oh, my dear Cecilia," he murmured as he looked at the doll. "It's been so long since you left me...I hope I've been finding enough company for you over the years...though it has been a while since someone new arrived..."
He hadn't cast a quick curse on anyone in a while, however. Currently he just had one person to wait on and that was going to take another couple of years. Perhaps it was time to go hunting for some quick converts.
He didn't want Cecilia to be lonely for too long.
Ryou sat on the cushioned window seat in the room she'd been given, looking out the window. From here she had a nice view of the yard and a little beyond. She could faintly see the soldier's barracks and wondered if Seto was over there today, training the soldiers.
It had been three days since their arrival at the palace and Ryou was still unsure about it all. It was far larger than home and everything was new. She was around far more people and she felt somewhat out of place.
Nearby was a tamed Silver Fang. Currently it served as a guard dog for Ryou, eventually it would also be her seeing eye dog. The beast was currently resting near the door with its head on its paws. Ryou had never been around the creatures before and she was still a little bit wary around it, though the tamed beast had been nothing but gentle with her. The beast also acted as her ears, making sure that she was aware of anyone approaching her.
Lady Touzoku sighed and rested her head in a hand, staring out the window at nothing. She really wondered why she had agreed to come here – it wasn't like she could provide anything of worth considering her condition and she certainly didn't think of herself as important enough for the King-Regent to care so much. She still didn't really remember him anyway.
She was also well aware of politics and it probably wasn't a good thing that King-Regent Yugi had lost his decorum and hugged her like that. Servants and guards would certainly gossip and she was pretty sure everyone was aware that she was someone different and she wasn't sure she liked that.
Having that sort of attention from a Royal was bound to make people think that she was someone Very Important and Special. Someone who perhaps could be used for political gain.
Ryou wanted none of that and she was the type to over-worry as it was. Her brain was running away from her with thoughts about what could be and not about the present.
Why couldn't she have had a nice, normal life? Why did her Father have to go and get her cursed? She was sure if she hadn't been cursed then none of the past many years would have happened.
She stood from the seat, moving across the room to the desk where plenty of paper and ink had been set for her, so that she could communicate with others. She had no idea what would happen when she could no longer see – how would she talk to anyone else then?
The Silver Fang watched her, ears perked up as it heard footsteps passing in the hall outside – probably just servants – keeping a close eye on its charge. The creature had been well trained and took its job as Ryou's protector and future set of eyes very seriously.
Dear Mother,
His Majesty, the King-Regent seems to know me so well. I do not recall him still. I must have been very young when we met.
I was told that Father joined you. That means I'm truly alone, doesn't it? I suspect the curse shall rob me of my remaining sight next, if it continues this trend of taking away my senses. I already feel so lost without speech and hearing – what shall this do to me?
I will be nearly completely closed off from the world and I will require so much assistance – won't I be a burden on them, Mother?
I won't be able to write to you anymore either, once my vision is nothing but darkness.
At least I have been gifted a helpful companion – I did not know it was possible to tame Silver Fangs, but Lira shall both guard and guide me from now on.
Sir Kaiba I haven't seen since our return, but he is Captain of the Royal Guard, so he has duties other than spending time with me.
I am already lonely.
Seto narrowed his eyes as he watched his men running through drills. Flanking him were two other soldiers he had personally chosen as his right and left-hand men to help keep things in order, and they took over his duties while he was gone.
Honda and Jounouchi had been troublemakers and clowns before they'd gotten into the Royal Military (that in and of itself had shocked everyone that had known them). The former Captain had seen something in the two scoundrels and they had gone above and beyond in proving that it was a good decision. When Seto had taken over the role as Captain, he too seemed to have seen something in them and now – despite him and Jounouchi frequently butting heads – the three of them had shaped the Royal Military into quite a force.
"Pick up the pace!" Seto barked as he watched the men doing running drills. "You need to be quick on your feet and ready to move – not casually strolling!"
There were several audible groans from the soldiers doing their training, but they obeyed, no one really wanting to get on the bad side of the Captain. He pushed them hard, but the results were always worth the extra pain and effort.
"We both can take it from here, you know," Jounouchi commented idly. "Did their Majesties want to speak to you about something? Probably shouldn't keep them waiting too long, ya know? Honda and I are more than able to make these guys run off their feet."
Seto wasn't honestly sure what the Royal trio wanted to speak with him about – perhaps there was a new campaign for him to go on? He gave a low growl of reluctance and turned to head to the palace.
"Make sure they don't slack off," he ordered as he departed. "I want to be impressed next time I see them."
The two other men grinned and waved him off and Seto couldn't help but smirk when he heard Jounouchi yell at the soldiers.
"I see you slacking off now that the Captain is leaving – move those feet! You aren't being paid to loaf around, soldier!"
A/N: It took me a bit to land on a Silver Fang for a guide creature. Most of the Monsters in the Yugioh world that are dogs were a bit too cutesy (and would probably be small-breed sized) or too scary (i.e. outfitted with spikes, armor, weapons...) so I just went back to good ol' Silver Fang.
