The preparations were complete. All the materials were ready- not that it was a difficult matter, thank you very much.
And he already had the consent of the Child of Man.
What bothered him was Lilia. He kept shooting side glances at him, and his eyes shone mysteriously. He knew something was up…
It would be stupid to pretend his guardian didn't suspect anything. Lilia raised him. He had both the work of protecting Malleus and making sure he wouldn't step out of line. Malleus deeply loved his guardian, but he also knew manipulations would not be out of place.
His servants didn't say a thing. Sebek remained his passionate self, being noisy and yelling at people and things. Malleus liked to electrocute him every once in a while, it was a nice exercise of catharsis. And Silver… well, Silver was another matter entirely. He didn't express it, but Malleus knew, deep down, that Silver had a good idea of the content inside the chests they brought from the Valley of Thorns.
Of course, he did, even if Lilia didn't instruct the boy on all the contents. Some were brought 'just in case'. Others if 'for the Young Master to pursue his private studies'. And others 'to let the Young Master keep honing his magical abilities'.
Malleus had brought many things with him from the Valley of Thorns. Even if he traveled on the ghostly carriage, his belongings were already prepared according to his instructions (and those of his grandmother).
If Malleus ever felt like stepping out of the line, or just didn't behave as a prince would, then his grandmother would hear from Lilia*.
And, after so long, Malleus perhaps was a little bit tired.
And, after so long, Malleus perhaps wanted to step out of the line a bit.
Naturally, Yuu would not be hurt, nor in potential danger.
Because it all would occur in a dream. But not in any type of dream, the one Malleus wanted to provoke was of a particular magical nature. Just an astral projection that would not hurt the participants.
And even if something wanted to harm his companion, then Malleus was prepared.
He would not let anything hurt Yuu.
Even if Kingscholar felt like providing him with those cryptid threats. Even if Schoenheitt gave him those comments about his presence on Ramshackle dorm at night when they were supposed to be training.
Schoenheitt even had the guts to tell Malleus that he should just have come clean on them. They would not mind his visits at Ramshackle Dormitory.
He told him that on the night Malleus visited him to 'collect' his payment for fixing the stage after the leader of Pomefiore Overblotted. Said payment involved a mantle that had runes embroidered on it, by Schoenheitt's hands nonetheless. When Malleus asked if he could accomplish his request, the man indignantly answered that of course that he could! Art was one of the paths to reach true beauty.
And he stubbornly kept his promise.
The mantle was beautiful. Black, with green patterns.
Malleus was truly satisfied with Schoenheitt's work and both even had tea together for a short while, until Hunt joined them. His manners were good during the time Malleus spent with them, but he already had decided that it would be better to leave.
The prince didn't like the hunter at all.
Malleus choose the next Saturday. It would be a good occasion for his journey with the Child of Man.
He carefully checked the lunar calendar. It would be a full moon night and the weather promised to be calm: without clouds. Perfect for the spell he wanted to cast. Malleus feel satisfied: the next day was Sunday, their free day. The Child of Man would be capable of resting well and have no issues with his homework…
No, no way.
It's not like Malleus cared that much about the boy.
He just was a convenient acquaintance, no matter how much Lilia liked to tease Malleus about it.
Humans didn't live for long. And he was from another world: his stay in Twisted Wonderland would be a short one.
Oh, to the hell with everything.
Malleus knew the boy meant no harm, had good intentions, and welcomed him in Ramshackle. It was refreshing.
If Malleus were to have a friend, for a brief moment he thought that Yuu would be a good choice. Even if his monster companion was annoying.
Lilia would often call him a term he learned playing video games. It was 'Tsundere', and Malleus decided he didn't like the new word at all.
The prince walked inside his dorm, feeling satisfied.
As if the Child of Man expected it, Malleus saw him outside his dorm, watching at the stars in the nocturnal sky. The prince knew that the temperature would be cold for the boy.
Malleus floated towards him and saw Yuu turning his head at him. The prefect of Ramshackle waved his hand at him, in an informal but sweet greeting.
''Hi, Tsunotaro. How are you doing?''
He took on his physical form.
''I'm fine, Child of Man, thank you. What about you?''
''I'm fine, too''
They remained in comfortable silence for a while, without any rush. A breeze blew, and Malleus felt relaxed. Spring was coming and he felt it. Even the Child of Man loosed his shoulders, appreciating the breeze. There was a sense of freedom in the air around them. Something was new, something was surprising.
It was as if the night promised them good events.
''Tsunotaro'' he talked after a while ''This night something will happen, won't it?''
''And what makes you think so?''
''There is something about the air… and I started having a new type of weird dreams''
His surprise was genuine.
''Dreams, you say?'' Malleus laughed ''It's almost as if you received a Gift by accident''
''A Gift?''
The Old Traditions were full of references about a certain princess who received Gifts from her Fairy Godmothers during her christening.
''I hope I didn't overdo it''
''What?''
''There are tales about humans who gain Gifts from fairies'' he said ''The Gift of Song or Beauty, things like that. It can happen by accident, too, if fae and Men spend too much time together. But those are exceptions''
Yuu stared at him.
''Tsunotaro, what will happen to me?''
''Nothing bad, but you may start having dreams every once in a while''
''But that's something that already happens'' said the boy ''Since I started living in this school''.
And he went quiet. The pause he made was sudden.
''Child of Man, is there anything you want to tell me?''
He remained silent.
''No. Not, really''
It was a blatant lie. But Malleus let it be: everybody had their secrets. And it was perfectly normal.
They remained in silence until the prince broke it.
''Child of Man, this is the night''
Yuu didn't answer. He looked at him, but Malleus saw the understanding in his eyes. It was coming. That was the night, both felt it in the air. It was late February, no special day, but there was something electrifying about the atmosphere around them.
''Do I have to prepare something? I already cleaned a free room. The ghosts were okay with it''
There was an illusion in his eyes.
How sweet.
Both walked inside the Ramshackle Dormitory and the boy offered him lemonade to drink. Malleus accepted out of politeness and they talked about the weather, the college, and other inconsequential subjects. A clock that hung on the wall indicated it was close to one in the morning and the prince stared with confusion. He had planned to arrive at the dormitory after eleven o'clock when he was sure Grim would be asleep. Instead, it was way past midnight. How curious. He commented it aloud and the boy only nodded.
''Yuu'' he said ''It would be better if we brought this with you''
He picked a thunderstone from the wall, made a hole with magic, and passed a thread he found on some old furniture through it. He then tied a knot and put it around the boy's neck.
''This is interesting'' he said.
''What is?''
''You are distant from everybody. You don't touch people''
''I just feel comfortable with you. That's all''
And his words were sincere. He waved his hand to erase the topic.
They climbed the stairs and Yuu guided him towards an empty room. The furnishings and appliances were old but clean. There was dust here and there, even if it was obvious his host had shaked the dust and the smell of floral cleaning products was around them. Malleus appreciated the effort, but it didn't help to settle the ambiance he wanted for their journey. The prince was polite to the Child of Man when he told him so, and immediately summoned incenses to clean the room.
He also opened the bag he carried: cloths, stones, painting materials, and a wand. Before leaving Diasomnia, Malleus was very tempted to use his scepter but ultimately decided it would be wiser to leave it in his bedroom: that night, the matter was of his free choice, it had nothing to do with his role as a prince.
He gave indications for the boy to sit down.
''Are you sure you don't want to talk about your new dreams?''
The question came out of the blue.
Yuu looked at him from the sofa and submerged himself in deep thought. He eventually spoke, and Malleus listened, even when he was sure the boy didn't tell him the absolute truth and kept some things to himself.
Yuu talked about a lonely woman in a long rob. Of how lonely she was. But that there was a huge streak of meanness in her that wasn't necessary and Malleus laughed at that. The boy mostly talked about his feelings and sensations.
The woman was sad. Very sad.
Depressed.
That was the word.
People do mean things when they are very sad. That's a thing that sometimes happens. And you don't always have friends to help and accompany you, because people sometimes can't afford all the costs.
It's hard to be alone.
Malleus asked if Yuu felt sad and he didn't answer.
The prince didn't need the words to understand.
Malleus sang. It was a short chant, full of repetitive motions and guttural sounds. He knew it would sound weird to humans, but shamanic magic involved that sort of thing. He also summoned his horn and drank mead. And offered it to the boy, who at first said no but eventually understood it was necessary and drank a small sip.
Malleus kept on with his chant.
His body felt energetic, alive. The smell of the incenses was wonderful, sweet, ancient. Electricity was running down his body and the cold breeze that came from the open window made him feel a wave of energy.
The mood across the room was better. The boy in front of him looked dizzy and relaxed. And that's what Malleus needed: for his dreaming catalyst to be happy and content.
The prince went on with his chant until his voice gradually lowered, turned into a small grunt.
The boy was almost asleep.
''It's surprising'' he said ''your voice is deep. I never thought that sound would be so relaxing''
Malleus chuckled
''Do you like the sound of my voice, Child of Man?''
''It has become familiar. It's nice''
''Good. I'll keep it in mind''
''So, what do I have to do now?''
Malleus turned towards his painting supplies. He stared at his brushes, pondering which one to pick.
He wanted that night to be perfect.
''Just stay there. And relax''
Malleus looked at the liquids in vials: ink, painting, cleaning products, and different types of pigments. Some were foreign and expensive, others were prepared by him.
''Like this?''
There was sarcasm in Yuu's voice.
Malleus ignored him, while he prepared his materials. The fae prince eventually turned towards the boy and walked in his direction carrying a painting palette.
''Tsunotaro, there is no canvas here''
''I already have the canvas I need'' he said ''Tonight, the magic we are going to perform is a little different from what students learn at this college''
''Oh, really?''
''Yes'' said the prince ''And now, Child of man…''
''Yes?''
''I'm going to need you to take out your clothes''
''What?''
''It's for your protection. Now, take out your clothes''
Malleus advanced towards the boy.
The human stared at him with surprise.
''I'm going to paint runes on you. I know it may sound strange and uncomfortable, but it's to make sure you have a good journey''
The boy stood up and discarded all his garments but his underwear and socks. Malleus passed him the horn and Yuu took a long sip. The prince repressed a chuckle. At his signal, the boy turned on his back. Malleus took a brush and talked slowly as he painted.
''Thurisaz is to help you in your journey'' he said ''this rune will give you strength.
Mannaz is to help you gain interaction and connections and to highlight those you already have''
The boy's back, legs, and chest were exposed to the moon's light.
Pale and silver, intertwined.
Malleus moved his wrist to collect more painting from the pallet. A few drops fell to the floor. His hand moved with more energy than he would have wanted.
The color was green.
''Ansuz and Raidho are to help you achieve understanding and communication'' he explained.
''And finally, Wotan's rune'' he painted nothing ''to not force things unnecessarily''
Malleus then changed the colors and the paintbrush. He painted patterns, connected ideas, and did what he could to honor a bit of the Mysteries he spend a lifetime learning. The magician dared to use two Fairy Runes but balanced them with other spells and the Human Runes he had already painted. The boy trembled and gasped, surprised by the sensations the magical energy provoked in his body as he felt the spells. He said nothing, and the prince remained quiet. But both were aware of Yuu's whimpers.
Malleus took his time to paint the boy's skin. He only broke the silence to ask the Child of Man if he was feeling well and wanted to drink more mead. The prince passed him the horn when the Yuu asked.
It wasn't two in the morning yet, but Malleus decided the work was finished. Runes, connecting patterns, subtle spells. He told the boy to dress up and Yuu silently obeyed.
''I feel… not bad. But weird''
''Don't worry, Child of Man. Your skin will be clean tomorrow, although I recommend a shower to remove the painting if there is anything left still''
''Okay…''
''There will be no magical effects, I can assure you of that. I made sure to check and re-check it''
The boy stared at him.
''What do you want to know now?''
''What do I have to do now?''
''Lay on the bed. And drink more mead''
Yuu did as he was told. He was dizzy and showed signs of subtle drunkenness.
It was for the best.
Malleus left the pallet above the closest surface and took his time to clean the brushes, his hands, and the pallet. He then put it all inside the bag and turned towards the boy.
''Are you asleep yet?''
''Closer''
His voice was low and subtle.
''I'll help you'' he said.
Malleus got tenderly close to the boy. He looked awkward and then, annoyed. But the prince was faster: he blew on Yuu's face and the human immediately fell asleep. Like a baby.
It was for the best.
*Please, this is my take on Lilia's character. He is, so far, one of my favorite characters, but his behavior also sends flags to me. Aside, from protecting Malleus, he is still a servant with a job and a career, so to this day, I believe his actions also are oriented to subtly keep Malleus in line. And that's not always pretty or selfless.
Merry christmas, guys (it's still Christmas in my country). While this story is not romantic in nature, a little bit of fanservice here and there spices things up. ;)