Disclaimer: I owneth not that which I should dearly like to own: Tin Man.
Author's Note: So I would like to blame Dawkins for my extended absence, but in the end it truly was brain-brain's fault. A case of writus interruptus if you will. Dawkins threw me out of my stride by ending my chapter early and while my muse was trying to figure out how to make it work, brain-brain noticed an unread book in my room. And since that book was the first in a series, and the weather conspired to give me a day off so that I could get near a bookstore to pick up the rest...so yeah, brain-brain went on a feeding frenzy, and since I need brain-brain to turn my muses pictures into works I was stuck until it had devoured six of the books I had available before the seventh shut it down. Sorry about that (sort of, I do like to read). I'm not sure if I entirely like how this chapter worked out (though Quality Control passed it after she assured herself that I hadn't fallen off the face of the planet) but it is what it is. Cheers
...
Azkadellia was considering being miffed with her Othersider, perhaps even annoyed. She was definitely unhappy, the policeman almost never stopped her from doing anything she wanted to – in fact, the only other time she could call to mind was when he'd prohibited her from eavesdropping on Jeb and Cain's confrontation. That, however, was almost certainly due to his protective instincts, there was nothing dangerous here.
"Leave them be," Officer Gulch said as he led her gently but inexorably away from the door.
Az glared at him mutinously; if the Tin Man hadn't wanted anyone to listen he shouldn't have left the door cracked open. Not that she'd heard much, DG was apparently still out of it and Cain was only muttering about dire consequences for some fellow by the name of Fonteroy. Wait, wasn't there a lord or two by that name? Okay, now she was even more curious.
"They need to talk," the cop stated sternly, correctly interpreting the sudden gleam in the eldest princess' eyes, "Something happened tonight, it's shifted the balance."
Rolling her eyes, Azkadellia huffed at him. She knew that. Cain and DG had been dancing around on a knife's edge, now somewhere in the midst of the night's interesting events something had shoved them off. Az wanted to know what happens next.
"It's a long overdue conversation," Gulch continued firmly, "Do you think Cain will be able to have it if he thinks he has an audience?"
The eldest princess faltered. She tried to imagine the reticent Tin Man trying to have a heart to heart conversation with DG in front of so much as one other person. Wouldn't happen. Storms, even for a pre-battle pep talk with Deeg he'd had to wait until everyone else was out of earshot. Looking back at the partially closed door wistfully, the eldest princess sighed. Ever since the enraged Cain had stormed back into the palace carrying the drunken DG, Az had been sure that the Great Wall of Cain was crumbling at last, she'd wanted...
"You can always girl-talk it out of DG later," the cop said consolingly as she capitulated, "Besides," he continued with a pointed look at Dawkins who was sidling closer, "I'm fairly certain that anyone that tries to eavesdrop is going to be participating in a bullet dance."
The guard froze and eyed the mysterious door thoughtfully.
"Go to bed, Princess, it's late and you'll want to be up early to ambush your sister in the morning."
Was he trying to manipulate her? Azkadellia glared at her Othersider suspiciously. She had a vague feeling that he was and it was working, storms take it. There was no getting near the door so there was no sense staying here, and since the only other person of interest in the current situation was passed out in a drunken stupor somewhere there really wasn't anything else to do. Az sighed and allowed the policeman to escort her to the end on the hall. Dawkins followed with great reluctance.
Gulch eyed the guard speculatively, huffed and grabbed a chair from a nearby alcove. Planting it in the middle of the hallway, the policeman plunked himself down and muttered, "I guess I'm on duty tonight after all. They so owe me for this one." Glancing back up, he smiled sheepishly and murmured, "Good night, Your Highness."
The eldest princess' eyebrow quirked up. That had sounded oddly like a dismissal; one did not generally dismiss royalty. After a moment's contemplation she decided to allow it, she'd already decided to go to bed after all, besides she'd just had an idea. The cop looked a bit uneasy when Az grinned at him and obeyed.
"Spoil sport," Dawkins muttered as they moved off, "You don't have to listen to him, Your Highness, guard commanders can't dictate to royalty. He seems to have forgotten that."
"I know," Azkadellia responded serenely.
The guard glanced at her inquisitively, "What are you so happy about?"
"He forgets," the smiling princess replied before skipping into her room.
"Mad, barking mad, the whole lot of them," Dawkins opined with a shake of his head. Reaching out to close the door he paused as he caught sight of the eldest princess, her hand glowing as it rested on one of the room's mirrors.
"I had an idea," Az informed the hopeful guard that had materialized just behind her, "This would be easier with a Viewers help but..." Closing her eyes in concentration, Azkadellia tried to focus the light flowing through her into a connection between this mirror and one that was conveniently placed in Deeg's bedroom. The Tin Man may not be able to have an emotional conversation with people present but this way she wouldn't be present now would she?
Something had happened tonight, anyone could see that. DG and Cain had been circling each other for almost two years now, the Tin Man playing the ever present shadow to Deeg's radiant sunshine. All of the O.Z. must know by now that Cain worshipped the ground the youngest princess walked on, and there could be no doubt in anyone's mind that the Crown Princess adored him right back. The problem was the Tin Man, he was just the sort of honourable man that would convince himself that he shouldn't act on his feelings and would thereby decide to content himself with guarding her for the rest of his life instead. Noble, patronizing, and utterly idiotic – just the sort of thing to send DG right over the edge, especially given recent events. Which, Azkadellia considered as she fed power into her spell, is presumably what had happened.
Az had been watching the two them all this time, they'd been her anchors, her safety, and her happiness for so long after all. Between the Quest for the Emerald, the extended trouble with the Longcoats and DG's nature, not to mention his past, Cain had a plenty of reasons to be a bit on the protective side. The youngest princess had kept the Tin Man on his toes, and Azkadellia had seen them post-rescue countless times. Cain was always twitchy, always hyperaware of DG, and always extremely alert to his environment – the man would scan a nursery for threats. Tonight, however, he'd marched by an entire army, through a hostile confrontation between his son and Gulch, and straight into the Crown Princess' bedroom without paying attention to anything but DG. The feather had finally felled the Papay tree; the only question now was what would the Tin Man do with it?
There was every possibility that Cain would decide to do something noble – he generally didn't seem capable of helping himself – and end up breaking DG's heart in the process. And if he did, the eldest princess thought viciously, I am going to have a little talk with the King of Obstinacy. Storms, she'd ram him back into his tin suit if that's what it took to make him stop seeing reason. Therefore, she needed to see what was happening, hence the spell.
Okay, to be honest, she was also desperately curious. Life as an evil Sorceress doesn't lend much to romance. Being stuck as to what to do with her particular problems in that area, Az was hoping she could glean something useful from Deeg's.
The mirror shimmered then cleared, no longer reflecting the eldest princess' bedroom but acting as a window into the Crown Princess' instead. DG had been tucked carefully into bed and slept peacefully curled up on her side, facing the Tin Man. Cain sat in a nearby chair, his elbows resting on his knees as he bent in contemplation of the floor. Azkadellia had a moment to examine the scene, then the Tin Man's head rose abruptly and his furious gaze locked on the mirror. Dawkins let out a yelp of surprise and ducked away.
Az was fairly certain the Tin Man hadn't actually been able to see them. Though, she considered, he could be spookily uncanny at times...no, that look of reproach had been for himself. On that thought, the eldest princess drew her hand across the glass and released the spell. Gulch had been right, Cain deserved his privacy. He'd never done anything to hurt her sister in the past; Azkadellia was just going to have to trust him not to fail her now. As for the rest, she reflected with a slight grin, she could girl-talk it out of Deeg in the morning.
After shooing the disappointed guard out the door, the eldest princess crawled into bed and tried to think hopeful thoughts. Maybe tomorrow Cain would be giving daddy a bad day, maybe DG wish would finally be fulfilled, maybe...
She was standing on the moritanium platform surrounded by an emerald glow, everywhere else was dark, so dark. The Eclipse, it had come and the O.Z. was doomed. Someone was calling her name, attempting to reach her, trying to set her free. Azkadellia turned her head to see DG screaming at her, endeavouring to save the O.Z. and Az both. Run, run, run, the eldest princess thought, but it was the witch that raised her hands as the Sorceress sent the youngest princess flying off the balcony. No! No, no, no, Azkadellia wept as the Sorceress turned her attention back to the sky and the witch rejoiced at the darkness engulfing the Realm. In her peripheral vision, in the small corner of her mind that was still hers, Az watched the balcony, waiting, hoping, pleading that her sisters head would appear as she pulled herself back over the balustrade. But she didn't, the emerald glow persisted and the darkness continued to spread. Time ticked by and still DG did not appear. The Sorceress made the darkness grow and grow and grow...
"You about done doing that?" Officer Gulch asked.
Whirling in surprise the eldest princess' head turned on the pillow and she flinched back as the sunlight abruptly caught her full in the face. Opening her eyes blearily, Azkadellia wondered if she actually had woken up. Her Othersider seemed to be hiding behind her door, a chair tucked under one arm and a hand firmly gripping Sneezy's elbow. The guard seemed to be in the middle of one of his sneezing fits. Sneezy, Az remembered fuzzily, was to relieve Dawkins early this morning, which still didn't explain what they were doing in her room.
"Coast is clear," the cop said as he peered out the crack in the door, "so, uh, er..."
Azkadellia figured from the sudden dusky red colour of the back of his neck that Gulch had just realized where he was. When he looked hesitantly over his shoulder only to blush deeper still she was sure of.
"Uh, sorry, Your Highness, I, uh, meant to duck into my room," the policeman stumbled over his words then gave up with a shrug and gave the simplest explanation, "Cain."
The eldest princess blinked at her guards for a moment then she was diving out of bed. The Tin Man was moving about the palace in a manner that sent people scrambling for cover, which meant...did that mean...? Pausing halfway through removing her nightgown as the door slammed behind the hastily retreating guards, Az wondered exactly what it meant. If his and DG's conversation had gone well then he could be preparing to face Ahamo, which he would do with the kind of serious, purposeful air that most would attribute to protective actions and seek to avoid. However, if things had gone bad, Cain would likely be in a temper and would stalk about the palace in a state of glaring gloom...which everybody would avoid. Storms take it Tin Man, Azkadellia thought as she ripped off the nightgown, why do you have to be so menacing all the time. She had no idea if she needed to comfort Deeg or congratulate her.
Halfway through tying up her corset strings the door burst open and a radiant DG danced into the room. "Come on, Az," she trilled, "Cain's gone to summon Ahamo to his study and I know just where we can get a look-see."
"Summon?" her sister inquired as Deeg tugged her towards the door.
"Request then," DG laughed, "They don't do this much anymore on the Otherside, I've just got to see."
Well, reflected Az, there's nothing like an invitation.
The lookout into the Consort's study turned out to be a false wall that opened into a space just big enough for two princesses and a guard. It appeared Dawkins was a bad influence on his fellow guards, the eldest princess contemplated as Sneezy squeezed in beside them.
"Don't," Az hissed under her breath, "even think of sneezing."
"Shh," cautioned DG.
The door opened to admit a grumpy looking Consort and the ever serious Tin Man.
"Is this really so urgent that it necessitated interrupting breakfast?" Ahamo asked irritably as he plunked himself down behind the desk.
"It is to me, sir," Cain said, turning his fedora in his hands as he remained standing.
"Sir?" the Consort repeated in surprise, "why are you...oh God!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in sudden comprehension, "You can't be serious!"
The Tin Man's expression took on a grim cast, "I am, sir, perfectly."
"You're twice her age!" DG's father hissed furiously.
"I am well aware of that, sir," Cain ground out.
"I mean, I know that she...I was aware that she...dammit, I thought that you'd..."
"Play the honourable man and give her time to grow out of it, change her mind? I tried, sir, I have my limits and DG is...persistent. She knows her own mind and I'm the lucky damn bastard that it's set on. I've come to ask for your blessing."
"And if I say no?" the Consort asked in the Seeker's voice as he leaned forward menacingly. Behind the false wall two princesses sucked in an angry breath.
"Then I'd say I think I'm a bit old for elopements but doubtless DG will change my mind," the Tin Man replied urbanely. Cain met Ahamo's glare with a look that reminded the Consort just who he was trying to menace. "I imagine, sir," the Tin Man continued evenly, "that you've been apprised of last night's events. DG was out in Sin Square without a single guard, dead drunk and in the company of a boy more likely to get her killed by accident than to afford her the slightest protection."
"Yes, but..."
"He left her there – with the best intentions he is capable of – dancing around a pole and too inebriated to see straight."
Ahamo blanched.
"And the reason she decided to go out carousing was because a certain honourable man was too busy being noble and responsible, and insisting he knew best tried to make her decisions for her. And dammit, sir, I haven't the right. DG makes her own choices, and by some miracle she's chosen me. I am tired of denying myself that chance at happiness and I'll make sure she gets hers if I have to fight the whole damn O.Z. to get it. I'm not asking your permission, sir, but I'd like your blessing, may I have it?" Cain was practically crushing the hat in his hands, his breathing heavy, and his eyes practically blazing as he all but demanded the hand of the Crown Princess of the O.Z.
"I think," Deeg informed her sister in the barest of whispers, "that I am going to swoon."
Azkadellia spared one anxious glance for her sister then turned back to the confrontation. Neither the Tin Man or the Consort were moving as they stared at each other, something Cain could do for hours if he put his mind to it, as well the eldest princess knew. She hoped they wouldn't, though; it wasn't exactly comfortable in here.
Ahamo managed to hold out for maybe five minutes then he slumped abruptly in his chair looking strangely tired. "I'm sorry, Cain, I just, ungh," he groaned, running a hand through his hair, "I know you're a good man, DG couldn't find a better one, I knew this was coming, it's just...I just got them back dammit. I was hoping, despite all the suitors that have been crawling all over the place, that I'd get to keep them for a bit." Grinning wistfully, the Consort continued, "I guess I'll just have to be content that my youngest daughter found someone determined to make her happy. You've got my blessing."
The Tin Man relaxed instantly. "Thank you, sir," he said gratefully, "And I'm sorry..."
"Don't," Ahamo cut him off, standing up, "You said what needed to be said as you always do – you and that damn cop. There's no hiding from the truth with the two of you running around. Just stop calling me 'sir'."
"I'm not calling you 'dad'," Cain responded with the slightest quirk of his lips.
"God no!" the Consort exclaimed, horrified, "Just call me Ahamo and make my daughter happy," he said holding out his hand.
"Will do," the Tin Man replied, taking it.
Shaking his future son-in-law's hand firmly, DG's father clapped Cain on the shoulder and said gruffly, "Okay, now get out of here before that daughter of mine gets herself into trouble. I've got to go make my wife ecstatic and infuriate the majority of our advisors. Actually," he mused with the beginnings of a grin, "that should be kind of fun."
Closing the door on the Tin Man, the Consort stood a moment in quiet contemplation before pulling a bottle out of a nearby drawer and pouring himself a shot. "To the future," he murmured in toast and drained the glass. Then he, too, left the room.
Cain's footsteps, meanwhile, had sounded purposefully as he strode back towards the Royal Apartments. When he turned the corner and passed by their hiding place, however, he stopped abruptly. How does he do that, Azkadellia thought as the Tin Man sprung open the false wall and hauled the youngest princess out. Lifting DG into the air, he spun the delighted, laughing princess in circles until both were dizzy and a little bit giddy.
"Hello Wyatt," Deeg said with a smile as Cain set her gently on her feet.
"Good morning, DG," he replied, and as the Tin Man joined his Princess in joyful laughter, his future sister-in-law peeped happily around the corner with her guard and thought it was a good morning indeed.