AN: Papa!verse
The Seer
The man known simply known as the Seer kept council with the twins of the Gemini court. Clearly seeing the script in the stars, he deftly played one against the other, inciting distrust and manipulation throughout the realm. During the civil war that ensued, he backed the correct brother, knowing what the outcome would be. Rewarded for his efforts, he held a seat of strength in the new Terran regime.
But his reign would not last forever. He would grow old, weak and die.
How to preserve his legacy?
In her wisdom, Lady Fate had decided not to grant him the gift of progeny, but he knew there were ways around his fortune.
"You, boy."
An orphan – one of the many from the bloody war – had been tasked with cleaning up after the Seer. For the most part, the youngling stayed out of the way, but the Seer would glimpse him from time to time, catching a thatch of wild mahogany curls barely contained by the queue the child obviously struggled to keep it in. Half wild, the Seer wasn't sure the child was literate, or even had the skills to communicate.
"Sir?"
The accented voice was more polished than he expected.
"Come here."
The boy put down the broom and walked over. Many people crossed themselves before interacting with the Seer, but the child moved unflinchingly forward.
"Look into my eyes."
The boy lifted his head and the Seer peered into the dark brown rings. He saw many curious things, not in the least which included a meteoric rise to power. He saw love and darkness. He saw lightning and thunder, roses and blood. He saw stars.
"What is your name?"
"I believe I am called Nephrite."
"Yes." The Seer tapped a finger on his lips and asked, "What will you do with your life?"
The boy hesitated, clearly unsure if he should speak his mind, but finally answered, "The stars – they speak to me."
"Do they?"
"Yes."
"Can you understand them?"
"Most of the times."
"What do they say?"
"They told me to come to you."
The Seer stroked his beard and responded, "What is it you want?"
"To learn."
"Is that all?"
"I want to be a knight."
"And why should I assist you?"
"I will save your life."
"You will?"
"The stars say so."
The Seer looked to the moon, waning in the autumn sky and said, "It will not be easy."
"I expect not, sir."
"And you are not afraid?"
"There are more daunting things in the world, sir."
"I will need the approval of our liege."
"Tell him I will look out for his newly born son. This is my path."
The Seer nodded and shortly, Nephrite, apprentice to the Seer, began dual studies in divination and knighthood. The quiet young man took his place as a second to Kunzite, son of Kohar, at the side of the young prince.