Gwen has been sitting in a bedroom, that looks recently cleaned to her surprise, for what seems like forever with the opossum porcupine alien named Argit.
The room is much bigger than her own back home. The bed is much larger than she needs and plush as well. It feels like no one has ever stayed in this room. The room is rich with ornate wooden furniture. It's a dark wood and the accents of fabric in the room are a rich deep Prussian blue. The fabrics on the bed are made up of constellation designs and Gwen's hands have been tracing them for a while. They almost shimmer with the silver threads that are connecting the stars together.
Argit has stopped trying to hold a conversation after the little to no response Gwen gave. He just rests his opossum muzzle in his hand and lazily watches her or stares out the window.
She's so tired and honestly, she just wants to pass out. The adrenaline has warn off and nothing but exhaustion remains.
The bed she's sitting on is more comfortable than anything she's ever had before. The idea of resting in this luxurious bed along with her fatigue easily is enough to have her lay down. It's the stranger in the room that keeps her mind awake. Even that though is starting to get pushed to the back of her mind as her eyes grow heavy.
Gwen's body was begging her to sleep. She's never used so much mana in such a quick succession. That explosion spell was new too, she's surprised it worked in all honesty.
She thinks, if she just rests her eyes, everything will be fine when she wakes.
The dark elegant bedding swaddles her in a lull as well as the dark setting of the room. The sun shining through the window warms her body and makes her mind foggy.
When she falls asleep she doesn't even pull the covers over her, the sun warming her enough. She puts her head on the softest pillow she's ever felt, and she's immediately is unconscious. Her body sags into the bed in relief and she dreams of nothing but constellations dancing in the sky. It's the most peaceful she's ever had.
Hours pass before she wakes up, and the sun is setting when she opens her eyes. At first Gwen is confused by her surroundings. This isn't her room and it's definitely not her home. Then she remembers the stream of events that happened only a few hours ago.
She groans in frustration and presses the heel of her hands to her eyes to rub the sleep off, but also to stop herself from thinking too hard about the situation she's in.
She hears movement from behind her, on the other side of her bed. A shuffling of objects on the bedside table.
A deep voice cuts through softly, "Ya know for being left alone with two strangers you fall asleep quiet easily."
Gwen sits up quickly and turns to face Kevin. He has set a tray down on the bedside table. It's a warm dinner and a glass of water.
Gwen eyes the food curiously, unsure if she should eat it or not.
Kevin scoffs at her, "It's not poisoned if that's what you're thinking. I need you alive if I want you to be a mage, but if you want to starve by all means don't eat it." Kevin states in a tone of subtle amusement.
Gwen finally looks up and makes eye contact with Kevin, with his multiple eyes. Another thing that seems to be unmatched on him. His whole body is and Gwen is still uncertain as to why. It's clear that she can label distinct alien species within his makeup. She just can't put together how he became this way.
She suddenly registers what he said to her, "I'm sorry did you say mage?" Gwen questions him.
Kevin sighs and takes a deep breath. Gwen can tell he's already annoyed with her. From either her questions or her demeanor. She can't find it in her to care though. She can tell he is holding back his irritation though by how he's clenching his jaw tightly.
"Yes. You are going to be my mage. You'll need training though. You can barely handle doing more than simple spells it seems."
Gwen puffs her cheeks in annoyance now. "You know that was a very advanced explosion spell! Anyone would be exhausted after that." She says in a clipped tone.
"It's advanced for someone who barely understands mana. You need a teacher, don't get me wrong though, for a human that was impressive." Kevin says, leaning against the wall and crossing his many arms over his chest.
"Who do you think you are? You've entrapped my brother and now I've bargained my life for his. Who even are you?" Gwen demands feeling frustrated by the criticism as well as embarrassed about this whole situation.
"I'm the prince of this kingdom sweetheart," he responds with his face twisting into a feral smirk with too many teeth, "and you will be my new mage. The Plumbers need somebody who can use mana like you. You just need to be taught." He pushes himself off the wall and struts towards the door.
"I thought the prince died. Ten years ago, during the coronation-" Gwen beings but gets cut off by Kevin.
"I suggest you eat that before it gets cold and rest." He opens the door and looks over at her over his shoulder, his light tone dropping, "I also wouldn't think about running away. You've seen Argit's quills work first hand. He'll be guarding your room. If you do manage to get by him, I won't be as forgiving."
The vague threat hangs in the air and Gwen's face twists into anger.
Kevin leaves and shuts the door behind him. She can hear his voice muffled talking to Argit.
She throws one of the many pillows at the closed door and groans in frustration.
"What a foul man!" She curls in on herself on the bed, clutching her legs to her chest.
"He can't be the prince he died..." Gwen mumbles to herself, resting her forehead on her knees. "Unless the Plumbers lied."