"How do you do it?"
The stone bishop silently stared back at Xelloss with its eternal placating smile.
"No, really. I want to know."
The bishop gave no reply.
"I don't understand you." Xelloss' gaze trailed across the walls, traversing carved marble and gilded statues. "How can you bear to live like this?" He really did know that there would be no answer. Xelloss hadn't gone delusional just quite yet. But the damned bishop looked so comfortable in its servile role that the priest wondered if its face should appear more smug. The tiny clergyman was important to him, anyways. It was his inspiration.
Besides, Xelloss was glad to talk to anything that wasn't Dynast. Inanimate objects were certainly more engaging, and a even a rock had more tact than that icy bastard did.
"I'm really quite impressed with you. That's said in all honesty. I may have visited him for millenia, but you had to LIVE with that frozen horse nugget." Xelloss raised his wine glass, it and its contents a gift from Dynast for his newfound good behavior. "To Bishop. For infinite patience."
Bishop smiled back as always.
"And believe me," Xelloss sipped his wine, feeling a tiny rush of warmth trickle into him before the blade snuffed it, "I know exactly how hard it is to be perfect when Dynast is the judge. I'm grateful for your guidance, however silent it may be." Xelloss stared into the golden depths of his wine. "Staying with him and acting like I adore him is a trial, but I have you to remind me..." The mazoku stared at Bishop's docile visage and inwardly cringed, "...of what's in store for me if I fail." Xelloss sipped another mouthful of gold, wishing that its warmth weren't so fleeting. "I like you, Bishop. But becoming you is quite possibly my greatest fear."
Xelloss traced the chess piece's tiny features with his finger. It was terrifying, really. He was now Dynast's perfect servant in training, and the only ally he had in his secret resistance was Dynast's perfect servant in perpetuity.
Even so, I have so much more hope now. I may be constantly terrified that I'll blow the entire ruse in Dynast's presence, but the hope is worth it.
Xelloss bit his lip.
And after what Dynast told me last night...I have more reason to escape than ever before. Xelloss held Bishop in his fingers and lifted his tiny acolyte to meet his gaze.
"What do you think? Can I make it out of here? Be honest."
Bishop's smile was nothing but encouraging.
* * *
END OF PART ONE
* * *
The stone bishop silently stared back at Xelloss with its eternal placating smile.
"No, really. I want to know."
The bishop gave no reply.
"I don't understand you." Xelloss' gaze trailed across the walls, traversing carved marble and gilded statues. "How can you bear to live like this?" He really did know that there would be no answer. Xelloss hadn't gone delusional just quite yet. But the damned bishop looked so comfortable in its servile role that the priest wondered if its face should appear more smug. The tiny clergyman was important to him, anyways. It was his inspiration.
Besides, Xelloss was glad to talk to anything that wasn't Dynast. Inanimate objects were certainly more engaging, and a even a rock had more tact than that icy bastard did.
"I'm really quite impressed with you. That's said in all honesty. I may have visited him for millenia, but you had to LIVE with that frozen horse nugget." Xelloss raised his wine glass, it and its contents a gift from Dynast for his newfound good behavior. "To Bishop. For infinite patience."
Bishop smiled back as always.
"And believe me," Xelloss sipped his wine, feeling a tiny rush of warmth trickle into him before the blade snuffed it, "I know exactly how hard it is to be perfect when Dynast is the judge. I'm grateful for your guidance, however silent it may be." Xelloss stared into the golden depths of his wine. "Staying with him and acting like I adore him is a trial, but I have you to remind me..." The mazoku stared at Bishop's docile visage and inwardly cringed, "...of what's in store for me if I fail." Xelloss sipped another mouthful of gold, wishing that its warmth weren't so fleeting. "I like you, Bishop. But becoming you is quite possibly my greatest fear."
Xelloss traced the chess piece's tiny features with his finger. It was terrifying, really. He was now Dynast's perfect servant in training, and the only ally he had in his secret resistance was Dynast's perfect servant in perpetuity.
Even so, I have so much more hope now. I may be constantly terrified that I'll blow the entire ruse in Dynast's presence, but the hope is worth it.
Xelloss bit his lip.
And after what Dynast told me last night...I have more reason to escape than ever before. Xelloss held Bishop in his fingers and lifted his tiny acolyte to meet his gaze.
"What do you think? Can I make it out of here? Be honest."
Bishop's smile was nothing but encouraging.
* * *
END OF PART ONE
* * *