The trio meet their new Kingmaker, who really likes spur some mischief between the gang.
As they hit base to receive Lofty, they have a feast to celebrate.
But first, bonds in the shape of comfort and pain are formed.
Enjoy.
It took a moment.
It truly did.
For Roland was ready to see some sort of sky beast hovering over them.
Instead, a…..briskly yellow monster dressed in red was jumping up and down before them. It's excited voice catches their attention, jumping and moving side by side happily with a grinning open smile that seems plastered on the little guy.
If this is their kingmaker, then Roland doesn't honestly know what to expect anymore.
He's not one to judge. All he knows is that he's amused by what this kingmaker looks like….
Maybe he was wrong...
"You are my kingmaker,….correct?" Eva crouched down to his level, hands on her knees to get close.
"That's right, sunshine! Name's Lofty. It's nice to meet you and all that!"
Lofty jumps in the air enthusiastically at Eva.
He sees her hesitate a bit, teeth digging into her lips. "N-nice…to meet you. You're not really what I imagine you to be." She tilts her head to side.
"Hey, don't just hurt this bloke's feelings!" The little guy pestered, shaming her for cruel words.
"Actually," Tony steps in to view Lofty a bit more clearer, "It looks like you aren't the only shorty here." He grins at Eva and she huffs at him.
"You're the same height!"
"Not true. Your ears can't count.." He teases.
Before she replies to him, eyeing him square in the eyes arms folded, Lofty giggles with that huge smile of his. And Roland admits, watching the two bicker is quite amusing.
"You two sound like a married couple, a bloke and his sweetheart going at it. I'm a kingmaker ya know, I ain't got all day to bound ya!"
They stand still for a solid moment, Eva and Tony freezing in place as Eva jumps a good few feet away from him, hiding her face with the palms of her hands. Tony is still registering and blinking at Lofty's word. Roland sees the maroon haired boy flushed with a bit of red before he shakes his head like an animal.
Roland sighs. "You said you're a kingmaker, right? Does this mean Eva has the right to rule over a kingdom?"
If Eva completing the trail and just received Lofty, that only means she now has the power to move forward and start ruling.
Eva slowly comes back in front of Lofty. Tony puts his hands together, realizing what he meant. "Yeah, she passed with flying colors. That means that she's allowed to be a Queen, right?" Eva peered down at Lofty, waiting for him to respond.
Roland sees the hope filled eyes in her blue orbs.
Was it true? Was she now going to be a ruler?
Eva held in her breath. Every second silently ticks by in her head with Lofty smiling up at her. She stifles her gulp, biting her lip to withstand the upcoming news.
Lofty smiles brighter, his happiness almost puts her at ease.
"It does indeed! You have my full permission to rule over a kingdom of you're very own!" His exciting smile warms her spirits like butterflies fluttering in a welcoming breeze.
"Thank you! It means very much to me,…so thank you." She lets out a happy sigh.
Everything was going great. She has her new kingmaker and now the power and right to rule. Only…
Something kept bothering her.
"Um excuse me but," while she feels guilty, her curiosity couldn't be killed,"….Aren't you supposed to be a bit….grander?" She asked.
Lofty blinks and buffs. "Well! Stab me in the heart, why won't you. The nerve!" He looks away, completely annoyed by her statement. Maybe apologizing would do her best-
"Well, the kingmakers I've heard about are pretty big…" Tony says from over her shoulder.
"Ah! I'll let you know that I can look as grand if I want to!" Lofty jumps up, steaming on the inside. "I…just can't, well, not at the moment….but, anyways!" He steers the topic away before anyone has a chance to say something.
"It's time to make our bond official!" Lofty eyes Eva and she knows what has to happen now. "Got anything to swear a pact over? It'll become a sacred treasure of your kingdom, so don't give me anything that breaks easily or caked with monster blood." He says in a stern tone despite his chirpy voice.
Eva thinks for a possible tool to use. She doesn't have anything on her for a pact except for the weapons she uses.
But what if…
"What if it's a weapon that will never break?"
The idea is a bit wary.
"Weapons break and are coated with blood. And it a symbol of your kingdom, it won't do our pact very good."
"Well….this weapon…is no ordinary weapon."
She doesn't know what she's doing. But a voice is telling Eva to use something sacred and meaningful for the bond between herself and her kingdom. A pact on a tool to help her move forward. Her hands reach into her skirt pocket and holds the item for bit. She can feel the eyes of everyone awaiting what she'll bring out.
It's the one thing she has left in memory of that night.
The night everything went to disaster and the lost of her family.
A dagger is a reminder to lose yourself to bloodshed.
But a dagger can also be a tool to carve the new path ahead of you.
In her hands, she has the dagger from Nella. The short blade she held to stab a mouse-kin guard with. A knife she has entrusted herself to learn to use when necessary.
But now….it can be put to better use.
A memory of the chaos and warmth left by the hands of Mausinger and Nella. She holds it tightly and hands it front of Lofty.
"You can't bond with this, it'll break and then our bond will also be finished! Pick something else-"
"No."
It has to be this-she tells herself. She never looks away from her kingmaker's puzzled eyes. "Please, use this."
The silent tension serves the area around and she holds the weapon tighter. "The dagger has been through so much. But even as it does, I will refuse to let it break. It's a gift and terrible memory I keep."
She stops to remember the faces of the damned that night.
"It's a bond I'll never break from that night."
The knife was also a reminder of what her kingdom would be built from. Not chaos and bloodshed, but from the love and trust that had held on to hope even on the last day of her father's rule.
Her heart aches. Had she shown Nella some sort of affection like Nella did to her on that day then maybe Nella would have been-,
"Alright, Alright! We're having it your way, so calm down, won't ya!"
Lofty's voice brings her back. Roland and Tony are looking down with worry across their faces. She blinks.
She had closed her eyes the entire time and held her breath. She lets out a few breaths and nods meekly. Eva then straightens up as Lofty begins the pact.
Tony's not sure what all of that was about.
It's safe not to ask. As he really wants to know, he can tell Eva and Roland had it rough.
Aside from being captured by his family of course. The pirate Prince saw the strain in Eva's eyes as she took out the knife.
He's used one before. Back when he was taking down some monsters around the base. The tremble in her fingers and quivering lips as she takes it out tells another story.
And Roland's narrowed eyes tell him he definitely didn't see this coming.
He can practically feel the tension of her words.
He just hopes the knife doesn't actually break. Or it might be a bloody problem later on.
He shook the idea away, Eva's got this.
The dagger glows in the air by the bond Lofty is enchanting, but Tony's mind is somewhere deep into what happens next. Tony prefers to live in the moment, being entertained by what's currently happening between Lofty and Eva, but his mind drifts to his dad back at base. He went to travel with the two for a fun experiment, and it's all about to end. Not only that, Dad talked to Eva and Roland earlier too about something he didn't get to catch on….. He had this unknown inkling inside him.
What is his dad going to do when they get back?
Roland's worries.
But internally, he always has been ever since he met the blonde half-grimalkin.
A knife? It seemed…unpredictable.
If the weapon broke, what would happen to the established kingdom and to Lofty? He eyes Eva warily. What…..was she thinking?
The necessary one on one talk needed to happen. Around or not around the sky pirates, he needed to know where her mind was at.
Regardless, he'll have to keep an eye on the dagger. It had been coated in blood once. But now afterwards, it'd be a crime to do it again.
That raised another question.
Why did Aranella give Eva the dagger? It was the least pacifist weapons next to sword or a gun. Was there something the mother figure had planned? Too much…
Too much he needed to know.
And he'll start by the other woman he saw at base.
They make their way back to base with Lofty by their side. Tony had indulged them in how life works around his home and family of the sky bandits. There were hunters and then there was those who carried out as normal citizens of sorts. Tony went on about how his father and his family took the reins after leaving a kingdom for a crime he didn't commit. He didn't go too much into detail, but he said Batu was labeled as a criminal, even for something he thought was rightfully done. Having to flee from the rules and monarchs of no business of having him alive, he and a couple of others who viewed him innocent and faced the prejudice of being criminals, ran to start a sanctuary of their own.
Eva couldn't help but to be amazed at how Batu stood level headed and generous at caring for people who were unfortunate. One would be angered and sicken by the fact a criminal was scot free and dragged more along with him, ultimately to band a bunch of thieves. But she couldn't view him that way. No matter the king of pirates, he was leader through and through, seeking shelter and safety for his people before anything. His quick thinking actions were probably not the wisest in accordance to his son's health, but Batu knew his people counted on him to be brave for them.
Tony's words of admiration for his father bounces off the walls of the canyons. It made her smile a bit. Batu was no kind man to strangers…..but he was the generous soul to his son and people.
Eva wonders what her father would think of him if he was still here
"Hey! Remnant to Eva, you there?"
She blinks. Tony is waving his hand in front of her.
"Oh! Ah, yes?"
Tony enthusiastically motions his hands in a swift bow as she sees the base. "We've made it our destination!"
She giggles. "So we have."
"You two sure like to have fun!" Lofty jumps happily and amused by the both of their reactions. Roland looks ahead at the base while nodding at the statement. "A bit too much fun at times." He said.
"Someone has to lively things up around here!" Tony gave a wicked grin. "Who better else than a sky pirate at your disposal?"
Eva walks past him with a small smile, "One that could actually fly right now."
Roland barked out a laugh as Lofty rolled on the ground clutching his laughing self.
"Looks like ye' made it back in one piece, eh lassie?"
Batu hovers over them, arms crossed with Tony right besides. The Chief of the base is less threatening and more curious and soft spoken to the two.
But Roland can only be sure. So far, the people around them have scattered than ambush them once more.
Batu points out their extra person, raising an amused eyebrow to whatever he must be looking at. Roland admires that he's not asking questions.
"Ah, well, this is my kingmaker, Lofty." Eva turns to their new teammate-is still jump in pure joy after having caught being the talk of the day.
"Arrrr! Is it indeed?" He wickedly grinned at the small smiling kingmaker. Roland, already having seen Lofty's bizarre stretched overjoyed smile, couldn't help to but to think if the little guy's face is frozen. Batu decides to poke at the little guy on his short stature.
His mouth moves. Never mind.
"Says you, shorty!" He bites back, still hopping.
Shorty?... was he implying-
Whatever Batu says, he clearly doesn't mind the kingmaker. He waves over to his two men who brought them here. "All right, yer scurvy dogs! Make way for a feast! These kingmakin' swabs deserve a celebration!" His men immediately leave to prepare the banquet.
Eva thanks Batu with a small bow for his generosity. Batu grins. Eva's hand flies to her mouth as her eyelids flutter in exhaustion.
Roland puts a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't we rest before the big meal? We've been running all day after all." Eva was about to open her open to protest-
Batu nods and turns to Tony. "Aye. Show them where to rest before we feast, lad."
Tony hops down the path, already leading the way through the huts and woods of the base.
Eva looks up to him, "Are you tired?" Her eyes droop with weariness but with concern for him as well. She probably thinks she's dragging him to bed early.
While their age differences and stamina are wide, his energy has been challenged but controlled ever since he's in his new younger body.
But it's better If she doesn't know that.
"Yeah, I could go for well rested nap."
Eva sat on a wooden makeshift bed, fluffing the pillows as she lays her head against them. She lets out a soft sigh. Roland and her had camped for one night and she couldn't close her eyes.
Too many nightmares plagued her mind. Too many worries of the next day. Too many uncomfortable sound were made at night that she couldn't sit still as she lye next the ground shifting for comfort.
Eva holds on to her pillow, it's as soft as the ones back in her original room. The ones she used to play with her father when he wasn't too tired or busy at night.
She closes her eyes. Her ears twitch as she jolts upright to look at the second person in the room.
Roland is looking through a window, lost in the dark night and happenings outside. He rests his arms against the open window seal and stares out into the open.
"Can't sleep again?" His eyes don't move away from the outside.
He had known she couldn't sleep before they arrived at base. He had always kept watch. But she never saw him sleep….
"In a way….Aren't you tired, Roland?" She asks.
She had a feeling from before that she dragged him with her because he noticed she was tired. She hoped he didn't come by simply to keep watch. Even if she did appreciated it.
"I'm resting myself, but sleep can wait. How about you? You should sleep."
Eva sits up, hugging her pillow like she always had done when she was little. She looks at the ground.
"I know I should. But you should relax yourself."
He finally turns to look at her, a small curve on his lips.
"No need to worry about me. I'm alright."
He turns to look back to the window. Eva eyes the ground in silence, her head gently meeting the pillow in her arms. Her eyes flutter.
A gentle pat on her head opens her eye quickly.
"Get some sleep, Eva. Though it may seem like it's hardly enough, don't let your accomplishments go to waste. Using your time to always energize helps."
His hand ruffles her hair a bit longer and she takes his advice. She also knows her braided crown is destroyed….But she can care for it once she's awake.
Eva numbly nods and glares at him, "You just destroyed my crown."
He smirks, "With you being royalty, you can always get a new one." He chuckles as she tries to swat at him. "I'll fix it for you when you get up." So he knew how to braid hair? Huh…
"I think I prefer braiding your hair for punishment, actually." She leans back grinning into bed adjusting her pillow in place. She wonders what he looks like with a braided ponytail. She holds back her chuckle at the image.
"Oh? These locks aren't for sale."
She giggles, pulling a woolen blanket over her small body. "We'll see about that." She whispers her last words before she goes into deep sleep.
Unknown to her consciousness, the man dressed in blue already starts braiding the ruined messy locks.
An hour has passed since Eva has slept. She peacefully slumbers in warm woolen blankets, some of which he rearranges just for her as she shuffles lightly. Her soft snores are the only sounds that dance in the silent room.
Until the knocking starts.
"Who is it?" Roland's hand instinctively reaches for his gun on his holster. A voice hollers behind the door.
"It's Gerel. I hear you requested to speak with me?"
The weapon shop holder had come like he'd asked her to.
Just before Eva slept, Roland had sent word to Batu that he needed to speak to Gerel, only if she knew of someone by a name of Aranella, that he were to speak with her immediately after they were led to their rooms. He had a feeling the woman wouldn't know what he might have been implying.
But she was here. She knows something.
He walks across the room to open the door for the woman waiting.
"Glad you could make it."
The green haired woman nods, stiffly. "I sense that this is business with the girl of yours, the little runaway princess?"
"Yes. But I must make sure. Please, come in."
They both sit across from one another, Roland sits next to Eva's sleeping form on her bed while Gerel takes a seat on his guest bed.
"I apologize for not having refreshments or any of the sorts to welcome you."
Gerel laughs. "This is our home. No need to privy yourself with our roles! There is a feast coming soon so I believe we don't have to worry about drinking later, correct?"
Roland's lips curve. He could really use a drink. "Your right."
He clasps his hands together and stares at the window once more.
"You are aware why you are here, right Miss Gerel?" He waits for her, her eyes leaning surveying the room.
"Of course. Ara, I met her 13 years ago."
Roland's eyes widen for brief second before Gerel stares calmly at him.
"You're acquaintances?"
"I'd say we are. It happened once when we strolled by the kingdom of Ding Dong Dell. I noticed she and I had some similarities, and we chatted for a while before I left. Her and I have often communicate but not as much."
She eyes him sternly.
"We live two very different lives after all, Mr. Roland."
He nods, understanding the privacy shared between the two women's life. One under royalty, the other under no law.
"I asked you to come here to tell me what you know about Aranella's life. She has….left something in my possession and I would like to know more about her if you will."
Eva's dagger wasn't in fact in his possession. But with Eva on his radar, it might as well be.
Gerel clicked her head to the side. 'I guess I can help. I don't know much, but I'm aware of some things she often tells me about"
Roland waits for her to continue. Gerel takes a moment to recollect herself and clears her throat.
"I'll start from the beginning. I had known Ara by chance at a market, there she was fishin' through material and groceries that I believe were for her family. After we had talked, I discovered she was not shopping for herself, but rather, for another woman."
"Whenever she talked about this "other woman," she kept her voice hush, letting me know right away her identity was a secret. So I take it her job must also be one as well. She was a servant to the royals of Ding Dong Dell. I could tell. But I didn't know who the woman she was working for. I never was into the politics or the titles of who was who in the line for a throne."
"Anyways, I could care less who she worked for. At most times, we would meet at a café or the market. I had to specialize in weaponry, she had to care for a woman in need. Every time we met, our time together had to cut short, she was always on the run. Who ever she cares for needed her at every given lunch time. A pity really, Ara was a joy to get to know. Sweet, loyal, and snarky when she was, but whenever it came down "her Lady," the other woman, she appeared quiet and more careful with her movements. Even if she knew I wouldn't harm her. She could fight like a full blown swashbuckler, you could see the force to be reckon with,
"Later on, a year later I believe, she started shopping for supplied for babies. I had my hopes up, thinking she was pregnant. But it was her Lady who giving birth soon. And she, who was her servant, knew her role to care for the child as well."
Gerel stops. Looking uneasy as her hand flies to her chest. Roland's instincts tell him by giving her some water. He sits up-
"No, no. I'm fine." She gestures him to sit.
"The next part is a bit blurry, that's all."
Roland's concern doesn't drop, but he nods to for her relief. Gerel starts again.
"At some point, if my memory doesn't fail me, Ara becomes….less of herself. What I mean is, her smiles and laughs were no more. She looked tired and worried. But the girl was so composed, so I often told myself what she's enduring, she's being strong. And strong she was no doubt about that."
Gerel's eyes narrowed. She frowns as she continues.
" I caught her only once. In a little medical shop for herbs and remedies. I was there to shop for aid treatments for my people who needed bandages after mishandling weapons and arsenals. Ara was going at it with a grimalkin shop keeper. I didn't hear much, but I heard that someone was dying, and that someone could not be saved."
Gerel's hand shook, her face in discomfort.
"The poor girl. She had this look of defeat on her like all hope was lost. The shop keeper gave her as many goods and medication available, but she repeated what she said again, only in the end the grimalkin said that she would do her best to care for the child and the Lady."
The hand on her chest tightens, Gerel closes her eyes for a brief second.
"The next time I met Ara or welcomed myself into Ding Dong Dell, the Queen had passed."
The soft snores of the half grimalkin vibrate for a moment as the only sound in the room. Roland eyes cast to the ground.
She replied with haste, "I had a feeling I knew who she was caring for. But it shocked me to know that the King's beloved was no more.
"The child was already born, hardly the age of four I believe. I thought she'd be heartbroken, but after a couple of years of seeing her again, she was happy again. All bright smiles and guarded again. I figured the child of the passed Lady made her see purpose or such."
His hand comes up to the Eva's arm. Gently soothing the sleeping child.
"Ara was the same, caring for her next "Lady," I guess. The last time I saw her was 3 years ago."
She taps her fingers on her chin, "I think the child would have been…."
"About 9, right?" Roland answers for her.
"Yes. The last meeting was like any other, we stopped for own supplies, talked about our lives, and like always, she kept her job hushed, as we were both scouting for our own personal needs."
Roland leans back a little. His hands still on Eva's shoulder. A great deal of information has come to him….yet he's not sure If he has everything he needs to hear.
"I have some questions."
"Fire away, then."
"Were you a citizen of Ding Dong Dell?"
"No. But they had good markets for my weaponry and for fish. So it was natural that I go to the nearest place for supplies."
"You said you didn't care for the monarchs or for their politics, but do you know any important customs or traditions that belonged to the Royal family of Ding Dong Dell?"
Gerel looked taken back. "I assumed you already knew since your acquainted with…," She peers at Eva indicating their relationship.
"I had only known Eva for a short time. So I'm not familiar with the kingdom at all."
"Ah. Well, I don't know much…..," Gerel tapped her fingers on the fabric of her dress, " But there is one thing I learned from Ara. Not that useful to be honest."
"Anything can help." He encouraged.
Gerel looked doubtful, "If you insist."
She waited.
"Courtship." She said.
Roland blinks. What?
"Courtship?...as in-"
"Marriage. Ara had met her Lady when she was a teenage girl. At that a time, she told me she studied her Lady's plan and methods on how the royals courted one another to properly help and assist her in any way."
Roland is still listening. Even if the topic has been pushed into a another area, he tells himself it's still information.
There might be something useful.
Even if it women talk.
Gerel is waiting for him. Her face says that it's still thinks it's not worth the talk.
"Keep going." He says.
"Well, Ara, being her Lady's right hand woman, loved to spill and talk my ear off about courtship. Supposedly, if one is to marry a royal of the crown, one must gift the other with a present as a sign of commitment, love, and loyalty to the other. It has to be a gift that's meaningful at the same time loving to the other. The other must do the same, taking into consideration a gift with love and purpose for their lover. If they accept their gifts, they enter courtship and are destined to be wedded in the future. I take it Ara had barely met her Lady when she was under courtship with the King, or, at that time, Prince of Ding Dong Dell."
Roland sighed. "….Okay."
"Not what you were looking for, huh?" She chuckles.
"Not entirely. Are these gifts….magical in any way?"
"Oh! I don't even know what they were! I believe the girl talked my ear off once before, but I can't remember if she even told me who gave who what."
He nods. "It's fine."
It was worth a shot.
Gerel still looks thoughtful, her eyes wondering across the room.
"I think….I may know what it is…..but it's hard to remember…"
"Was it something special? A ring or a necklace?" He assumes most gifts would be romantic.
"No. It was something quite…different. Ara mentioned it, that it shocked the whole kingdom. It was not what people expected to be a courting gift of any kind."
Now this got his attention.
"The king gave her something…..surprising?"
"No, it was the Lady who gave the King this…unusual gift."
Roland hums in thought. "Was it really that shocking of a gift?"
"I wouldn't say shocking….more….unexpected."
"It think, if I remember the news and gossip, it's the fact that the Lady was the one to give him such a gift."
She threw him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
"You're fine. Information on courtship may help someone later in life, anyways," He eyes dart the sleeping figure in the room, "But definitely not for me."
Gerel chuckles. "I supposed. But you may be lucky, Mr. Roland. I don't know what Royal woman wouldn't take you!"
Gerel laughs. Roland feels himself crumble on the inside as he warily smiles at the compliment.
He is way past his prime to marry at this point.
But maybe he also forgot he looks like a bachelor in this world.
Gotta look out for that.
Gerel announces her leave, saying she is to help with the feast setting up the tableware and such. Her role around here is quite important. For she also has to round the children ahead of time before they run and play to their hearts content.
"I also have to take care of that reckless boy. I hope he didn't spur any trouble by going out again. I swear I'm going to-"
Roland lets her banter about Tony and his mischief. It seems the both of them were quite close. Her worrying and scolding him about his safety and health was quite amusing to hear about Tony. Aside from the banter, Gerel's similarities strike him with wondering about Aranella once more. The caretaker would no doubt do the same with Eva. Maybe she was a bit softer with Eva, unlike Gerel's tone of an angry worried mother.
Both women weren't mothers.
Yet they filled in the necessary role.
He gives them his upmost respect for them.
"Well, since I've talked your ear off enough already, I must go., I'd say the feast is ready in about half an hour. Might want to wake the little girl up in meantime."
"Will do."
She stretches. "Quite nice having to talk about the past, you know? I'm not up to date with the technology or politics of any sorts,"
Gerel walks to the door and Roland walks with her. Gerel gives him a warm smile.
"So do tell Ara I said hello, maybe some other time we can chat like before."
Roland freezes. He blinks once and breaths in before he can find his words again-
But Gerel leaves with a goodbye and wink.
She's gone.
Roland simply stands on the spot. And he lets his breath loose. He slowly walks back to Eva and runs his hand to her shoulder again.
Sometimes, Roland is too soft for his own good.
Roland was still awake. Leaning on his bed as he watches Eva slumber. It would be wise to wake her….but he too still needs rest.
And it didn't look good if he woke Eva but slept a bit after she was awake.
He grinned. She's probably wake up like an angry cat clawing at him for disturbing her beauty rest.
A knock on the door disturbs his thoughts. Or rather a creak from the other side opening it-
Roland jumps towards hand already on his gun eyeing the intruder. Why didn't they knock-
"Oi mon, what's the deal? Can't a kingmaker be allowed through?" The kingmaker walks, or waddles through like a guest invited.
This little guy.
Composed, he put away the weapon.
"Lofty, I thought you were comfortable with a room for yourself?"
Lofty specifically said he wanted to be left alone for a while. He thought he needed to think about his role in life after he's been summoned as Eva's Kingmaker. But what was he doing here? Did he change his mind so suddenly? There wasn't a third bed for him to lay in.
"What do you mean? I came to see what the racket is about!" Lofty angrily points at Eva.
Roland's puzzled. "Eva wasn't making a racket. She was asleep. Gerel was just here a moment ago." He explained.
Lofty jumps up in frustration, "That's not what I'm talking about! I wanna know what the girlie is thinkin!"
Roland pauses in his steps. Lofty wasn't playing games, his voice was quite serious in his frustrations. Was Eva doing something to him? Something that didn't need for her to be conscious?
"Is this related to you being her kingmaker-your bond with her?"
Lofty stops his angry boasting and quickly calm down. His wide smile takes place.
He's like a quick child sometimes, he noted.
"Yes! She's having way too many negative thoughts! It hurts my brain, I'll tell you mon!"
Well this was new. He expected Eva to be dealing with hardships mentally, the coup was no joke. But if her emotions and mentally was affecting Lofty, it might become a problem for them in the future.
He crossed his arms. "How do you suggest we deal with this?"
"Well, for one, someone needs better dreams!"
Roland turns to Eva, still snuggled in comfort and snooze. Her body rises and falls into a repeating rhythm. Turning his head to the side, he noticed her fingertips clutching the sheets underneath, nimbly shaking with a light fervor.
He feels his feet move on its own, holding Eva's hand with his and soothing her knuckles as her hold becomes lighter. A technique he used to do for his son. Whenever he was about to wake in the middle of the night, he would rubbed his son's back or pat and lightly sooth the locks of his hair. Any light gestural warmness helps a child be at ease in sleep. His hands hold Eva's in care. Not too strong nor too ghostly touched.
It just lightly enough to know that his presence is there.
Her fingers loosen, and slowly, lets go of the sheets.
Roland gently slides his hand away, Eva remains unfazed.
"Ah, much better! My mind feels at ease, for sure!" Lofty jumps in joy at the peacefulness of the young girl's mind.
Roland breath out, "Well, that's that."
Lofty walks forward, immediately getting his attention.
"You know, there's a remedy that helps people sleep better if there havin' nightmares."
"And what would that be?"
Lofty's smile brighten and gets wider for his tiny stature. "Friends sleeping besides them can help warm away their bad thoughts to make them feel at ease when their asleep!" He outstretches his tiny arms as if he revealed the greatest answer known to the world.
"….You mean cuddling?" Was that what he meant-
"It can be!" Lofty jumped. " Any form of comfort will help a lot at this very moment!"
They both turn to the Eva again. Still sleeping and not aware of what's been happening in the room.
Roland's throat tightens. Cuddling wasn't something he usually did. The act left him off, really, he didn't have anyone to warm around or hold tight.
And it had been a long time since he had a purpose to do so again.
There were times where his son was younger and didn't want to sleep alone. He would occasionally sleep besides him, holding him ever so lightly, only to remind his son that he needed to be alright sleeping in room alone.
But he would always give in.
This, however, was a different matter.
Eva was not his child and to do something so soon would be…..too premature? He doesn't know.
The doubt in him makes him uneasy for some reason. While he cares for Eva, he wasn't the most touchy feely kind of person. Cuddles were out of practice for him. He tries to run away from the excuses-
"Well, don't mind if I do!"
He turns to find Lofty hop into bed with Eva underneath the blankets and snuggling besides her arms. Eva shifts a bit closer to her companion next to her.
"..…" The stab inside his gut make almost want to grip his gun.
He simply blinks and crosses his arms. Tightly.
"You look like you were having a crisis there. You can thank me later!" Lofty happily snuggle close, Eva hums at the gesture. Lofty suddenly starts snoring and soon there are two sleeping bodies in the room.
He sighed.
Lofty made Eva comfortable. That's the important part.
He stares at the sleeping duo….
Or did he just come here to take someone's bed?
Whatever the true intention, he had it his way. Lofty made himself comfortable, he was happy, even in his sleep, rocking back and forth near Eva's arm.
Roland told himself Lofty is honest and full of joy, a kingmaker wouldn't hurt his Queen.
But if he does-He's flying out that window.
The feast is finally ready. Soon everyone, the Chief and his son, their royal guests, would dine together in celebration. Huddled around the huge campfire where the night shines with stars, the women and children at the base set up the seats and napkins as the men brought out for logs for the fire. Tony went around introducing Eva to his people, as Gerel snapped at him to sit, trudging Eva along as they found a seat to eat. Roland and Batu were discussing about the food that was being prepared. Both of the men had already a glass of beer and wine in their possession as the adults were allowed to drink before hand.
As the "feast" arrived, the based top chefs came with meat of an unknown creature of sorts that had Eva blink in fascination and Tony drooling as he eyes his meal. Soon, every one was feasting, cutting up the meat and sharing it amongst one another like family. Eva felt out of bounds, having been raises with manners and told not to take someone else's food. The half grimalkin was over the feeling when Tony nudges her to bite into beast's flesh. Bashfully, she took a bite. Her eyes widen at the great taste, making Tony grin.
"It's really good! What are we eating?"
Tony shrugs. "Dunno, but it's great!"
Not forgetting her manners, she ate quietly around the noises of people dining like animals. Her grimalkin sense told her otherwise, her inner self wanted to rip the skin with her fangs. As she managed to finish her second helping, Tony had just cleaned off five large bones shining without a piece flesh on them.
"That hit the spot!" He breath out satisfied sigh. Eva next to him peered over.
"You're full already?"
Tony stood straight. "….Actually I could go for a few more.. But I won't have time for my ride tonight."
Eva tilted her head. "Ride?"
Tony looks at her, emerald green meeting ocean blue, "Yeah, I usually fly at night to clear my head. "
"That sounds…..soothing."
Tony eyes glimmer.
"Want to join me?"
"I…," Eva eyes the night sky. Stars glittering the dark with a perfect halo of light.
She wondered what they'd look like up close…
"I'd like to…but are you sure we're allowed to?"
Tony chuckles. "I'm the son of the Chief and you're a Queen. I believe we can handle some alone time ourselves, no?"
She did straight. "Yes! I believe we can."
The both of them stood simultaneously, Tony stretches and Eva looks around, everyone is still engrossed into the festive atmosphere to notice their plans.
Everyone but set of eyes.
Eva's ears twitch and turn to find an amused Roland and Batu looking there way. Tony, whose right besides Eva, hand gestures some sort of signal to his dad. Batu sends him a thumbs up, approving and understanding his son's intentions. Roland smiles at Eva, waving at her to run along.
But his deep blue eyes tell her to be careful.
Eva smiles back with a nod and turns to follow Tony already leading the way-
Until she comes face to face with cloth and limbs in a balding hurry.
"Oh! Sorry my dear, I was rushing."
Eva steps back from Gerel, whose eyes don't leave what's in front of her. The older woman rushes away from Eva and towards Roland. Eva straighten herself and sees Tony patiently waiting.
As she takes a small step in his direction, she hears the other woman speak frantically,
"I remember-the gift that she gave him-"
Gift? Eva slowly walks forward. It was rude to eavesdrop. She turns her head to side, still following Tony's back as he leads her away from the camp. She hears Batu's gruff voice in worry as she talks. She thinks it must be a problem the adults are having. Maybe they needed help-she turns her head just to make sure everything okay,
"It was a weapon. I think it was a-"
A hand pulls her forward making her jump and almost trip on the ground.
"Hey slowpoke, keep up. Or I'll never get my ride before bed."
Tony pulls her away with haste as he drags her to where the plane is stationed.
The wind feels great. Better than what Tony expected.
Or maybe it's the fact he had someone besides him.
Eva is behind him, her hands nimbly adding pressure on his jacket. She feels like a feather, he thinks. His fur on his cape softly tickles and brushes his face.
A warm breeze flow through behind him.
He straightens his back. The air was neutral, a bit fresh on the cold side. He turn around,
Only to find a lumps of sun kissed hair buried in the fur of his cape.
"Hey!"
Eva's head shifts, her doe round eyes pop up.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing to my fur?"
"I….it was really comfy." Bashful, she hid her face again in the feathery softness of his cape.
He sighed. "Jeez, don't you want to see the view?"
She peek again, leaning her head to side, eying the rusted colors of the canyon. She still using his cape as a pillow.
"You know, I've never had anyone with me riding by night. I asked you because it looked you might need it."
He feels her head shift away from his cape. Her warmth leaves to the fresh air breezing through.
"Thank you, Tony….I….never had to time to relax or think before I came here."
"Well, we're out in the open, if you want to scream you can if you want too."
Eva shifts again. Tony think he might have made her uncomfortable by speaking her thoughts out. True, they had just met, but sometimes he would let it all out here in the canyon with the wind as witness to his woes and thoughts.
"I don't wish for your ears to bleed. That would be a cruel goodnight before you go to bed."
Tony laughs. "I didn't mean literally! …..But now I don't ever want to hear you scream. Don't even try!"
Eva chuckles as she holds out her hands, her hands acting as claws to catch the air with her hands. Tony knows the wind is a fierce thing. A friend of his lifetime, but a fierce rebel that can't be stopped.
Tony lets out a breath, and first time, shudders at his thoughts.
His thoughts that came one more time when Eva arrived.
"When I young, I lost my mum."
Eva freezes. The wind is the only thing riveting through them. The sounds of the propellers just came into their ears.
"She had went out to hunt. There was big threat nearby, and if we didn't do anything about it, it would come to us. So Dad and Mum set up teams to go and ambush it for the sake of the base."
He remained unfazed by these thoughts. These memories told by his father when he was too young to know why he came back alone one day. A bedtime story about the brave and fierce Mum who died for them. His dad, clutching him for dear life as he utter in gruff words in pain and tears.
"Without anyone finding out, she went alone. Mum wanted to handle the beast herself. When everyone found out what she did, they came runnin', hoping to find and lend her a hand…"
His throat feels dry when he tried to swallow. How many years had it been? When his dad told him about his mother, when he felt envious of being her son and pride, but angered that she was gone and couldn't be there for him? His dad understood his emotions, but he never had a chance to tell anyone.
Until now.
"Dad says they found her body lying next to beast. The large thing took a fight, but she did it, she won."
She won. He repeats the phrase over and over as he raises his chin to he clouds in pride. She won and he was proud of being her son. He blinks his eyes, thankful that the wind takes the water in them away.
These thoughts only came to him because of this day. He was captured and almost killed. He thought he could handle the monsters. Him alone. Just like his mum.
But he outmatched and taken hostage. The cruel fate mocked him for waiting on someone to rescue him.
He remembers his mind racing of his dad waiting for him. Waiting for him to be happy that he's safe and sound. His dad who shouldn't hear the news of him gone.
He couldn't do that.
He feels his teeth grit and his lips turn into a snarl. There's two of them left now and he refuses to go down leaving his dad all alone.
When the moment Eva and Roland arrived, he had to hold back his shock.
He wasn't going to die today. He wasn't going to leave his old man too soon.
He felt safe and amused by the duo. Tony had to give them some sort of thanks-
A pair of arms wrap around his body, almost hurting his abdomen. Tony keeps his hands steadily on the wheel as Eva's body leans forward. This time, her head is on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry."
He take a moment to register her words. She meant it. He feels the pain behind her voice. Usually, he brushed it off and say it's alright.
But Eva's hot tears pouring down his neck is not what he's expecting. His eyes widen.
She knows his pain.
She didn't have to say it. He felt it. Through the hands of feverish hold and her warmth that wanted immediate comfort,
She knew the pain.
"Hey." He whispers, turning his head closer to her.
She shifts. Listening.
"None of that now. We have to clear our minds tonight, right? Gotta feel the breeze, not the tears."
He hears her chuckle in her hiccups and her hold around his chest lightens. "Right." Her cheerful tone sends him a good vibe.
Yeah, no sad mushy stuff right now.
Tonight is all about feeling the breeze. And just as he thinks it,
"Let go of me Eva."
She jolts. Her hands still in place.
"Wha-Why?" Eva, surprised and confused, tilts her head.
He turns to look at her, "Trust me."
Eva stares hard into his eyes to see if there's joke or game anywhere. But he's not jesting.
Maybe some other time.
"O-okay."
She hesitantly lets go of his body, the numb hands slowly returning to her sides.
"Okay. Now stand up."
"What?! Tony, what are you-"
With one hand of the wheel, his other flies to her shoulder in reassurance.
"Listen to me. It's going to be okay. Just stand."
"I-I could fall-"
"You trust me, right?" He interrupts her. She's shaken and he kinda feels bad,
But it's worth it, he thinks.
He waits, his other hand expertly managing the wheel. He's done it before. A cool trick he'll tell no one. His eyes don't leave hers. He waits for her. Eva moves her mouth but no words come out. He doesn't know what she's thinking but she nimbly nods her head.
"I do."
"Here, I'll hold your hand." A sign showing he's serious. The last thing he wants to see is see her fall.
She struggles but she holds onto his hand for dear life as she tries to sit up. Her feet wobble and her nervous expression doesn't fall. Both of her hands cling to his cape and his hand as she's finally standing, a bit hunched as she still holding onto him.
"Now let go and spread your arms."
He's amused by her shocked and bewildered expression. It takes her a minute to respond, but surprisingly, she nods again. Her face lifts up to meet the wind flowing through her face. Tony has a good look of her hair being blown in the wind.
Eva hesitantly lets go of him, but she aches to latch on. Staying true to his word, slowly she lifts her hands to her chest,
And spreads them like a bird.
Her body is having a face full of serving of the breeze as her eyes are wide as she relishes in the view. She gasps as the clouds come side by side with the plane. Her surprised parted mouth stretches into a smile and she laughs as the child in her comes out experiencing the excitement rush of the night sky.
"This is amazing!"
She's happily in wonderment of the new feeling of the breeze flowing through her. She breaths in, her eyes fluttering close and looking up to as the sky. Painted with stars, the night has never looked so friendly.
"Tony!"
He blinks, getting lost in the view.
"Yeah?"
"What are you waiting for? Join me!"
Grinning, he shifted a few buttons around the wheel and hastily stood up with her, arms out feeling the breeze like old times.
"The plane can fly itself?"
"Yep! It's on auto-pilot mode. Don't worry about it."
Behind him, Eva leans close.
"If I fall, I am definitely taking you with me. Mark my words!"
So she doesn't entirely trust him! Full of mirth and giggles she is. Bloody heck, she never cuts him a break, doesn't she? He inwardly grinned.
If they did fall, maybe he'd use himself a pillow for her gratitude last time.
Maybe.
Ding Dong Dell
Throne Room
The new ruler of Ding Dong Dell sits on his throne. A guest is to arrive and be departed right away. But to where that guest is a mystery at the moment.
And this was not a moment Mausinger wanted to waste.
The Mouse-kin King is dressed in green and golden robes. A few days into his regime his brothers and sisters of the moue-kin race have left the sewers and taken new shelter into the home of the kingdom.
His Kingdom.
The grimalkin have mysteriously vanished. Or, they have fled to where his kind has hid for years.
Nothing of importance to him.
"Your majesty!"
The Chief consul turned King awaits for his servant, only to find his second advisor in waiting come bursting through the doors at his heel.
"I am waiting for my Dark Knight, my friend, where are they?"
He couldn't keep his annoyance in check. He had a mission to regard and that person has yet to arrive. One of his advisors apologizes in advance before bowing on one knee.
"That is why I have come, to give you information to what has occurred earlier today."
His men awaits for his approval to speak some more. Mausinger nods.
"A grimalkin decided to attack the family that took over his home. A fire has spread. Because of that grimalkin, many were hurt. The Dark Knight went to judge the man's actions."
The word judge hung in the air and lingered like ash and smoke.
So his Dark Knight decided to keep watch out into the town now, hasn't he? Hm, it wasn't a bad move. The Dark Knight has always been his trump card. But acting like mysterious Sheriff and judge of his people may be a good idea.
But if his shadow decided to execute in front of his mousekind people, even they would fear him and question his rule.
No. He had to protect his people from harm.
Protect them more than what Leonhardt had promised.
He looks down on his advisor still on one knee.
"Rise, my friend. Tell me if my Knight will arrive."
And just as he utter those words, a mousekin dressed in black armour with a dangerous aura pushed open the doors to the throne room. The knight walks in a silent hover, their body dressed from the head to toe in black metal, and their eyes glimmer purple behind the horned liked helmet covers their identity.
Only he knew how they looked like underneath.
Their role in life is secret to play, a shadow in his control.
The Dark Knight kneels before him. His armored gear makes no movement or sound as he bows his head to his master. A servant worth a 100 men has never wavered in his strength nor loyalty. His bodyguard of the shadows since he was advisor to Leonhardt.
The silent knight waits, never moving.
"At ease, My knight, I understand you had to take care of something right away. No worries, your lateness is forgiven."
Mausinger quickly motions for the other man in the room to leave. The advisor vows before he walks off, his silhouette disappearing behind the doors.
"I have a mission for you today, Dark Knight. One that requires you to travel outside of the kingdom."
He sees it. The wavered hand of his knight that moves but only for a second. His shadow has only ever had the duty to protect him.
And him going away means he's left to defend himself with the others. His trump card missing.
"I'm aware what this means. However, I must take action. To remove the disgrace from the royal blood of Ding Dong Dell I must eliminate Her Lady Eva of the Tildrum Family."
"But, first, I require something that needs her knowledge. I need an treasured artifact that only she knows where it lies"
He watches his Dark Knight. Still unmoving. The only bad thing about his shadow is that he doesn't know what he ever thinks. But ultimately, he follows along.
No, he shouldn't worry. He is in control.
"Bring her to me, my Dark Knight. As much as I prefer to see her gone, I need her alive for this small chore."
What happens next isn't important.
After all of his years of being the advisor, Leonhardt never told him where it was hidden.
But the princess knows.
"Your greatest challenge would be to go against her companion, the man in blue. I'd suggest you deal with him or anyone around her before you take her."
The Dark Knight still waits, the purple vile aura emitting from his amour.
The aura to take a kill.
"Off you go, my friend."
His shadow stands, and bows deeply before they leave. He walks close to doors and stops before the large entrance to the throne room. He sees him turn slightly, almost bothered.
Mausinger smiles. "I will be fine. I promise."
A silent reassurance waved between them. The Dark Knight nods stiffly. And he's off.
My goodness this was long.
Notes/rambles:
We have finally hit one of the twists in the story. A character will be brought to light and changed into my liking. The Dark Knight/ or our hunter after the group was an idea that came to me when Mausinger needed that one item that Evan only knew where it was. I kept thinking if he somehow made any plans to get him sooner.
And the idea of hunter/assassin came into mind.
A warning as well; blood and death will be mentioned casually around the Dark Knight. For sinister purposes.
This chapter was much bonding and exploring the theme of motherhood/mother's love. The game focuses on father figures(our main older males) but ends the mother figure role too early.
For those confused about Gerel, Batu has not told his people what happened to Ding Don Dell. He doesn't think it concerns them….yet.
Once again, thank you for still sticking by. The schedule is over the roof so thank you for bearing with me.