-AN-
Yes, I know Equius still doesn't have his signature bow and arrow. No, I don't know how to make behave and allow me to do that. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
-/AN-
A soft sigh was the only sound in the throne room as the young girl tried to relax, as impossible as she knew it would be. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to focus on something, anything; but the thing she ended up focusing on only set her heart on edge. She hadn't heard from Eridan since that day, almost half a perigree ago. She had set one of her trusted friends on his trail, but she hadn't hear back from her yet, either. Giving, up, she pulled her husktop out of her sylladex, opening it and clicking on a trolltag
-cuttlefishculler [CC] started trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]-
CC: )(ey
CC: Terezi?
GC: Y3S, YOUR 1M3R1OUS COND3SC3NS1ON?
CC: Please don't call me t)(at.
CC: You know I don't pike it w)(en my fronds are so formal.
GC: Y34H Y34H
GC: 1 T4K3 1T YOU W4NT 4N UPD4T3 ON TH3 HUNT FOR 3R1D4N?
CC: )(ave you found )(im?
GC: NOT 3V3N CLOS3
GC: SORRY, F3F.
GC: 1'M DO1NG 4LL 1 C4N H3R3
CC: I know.
CC: I'm sorry for always bugging you aboat it.
CC: I'm just reely worried.
CC: You saw the chatlog.
GC: Y34H 1 S4W.
GC: 1'M SUR3 H3'S F1NE, F3F.
GC: W3'LL F1ND H1M.
GC: 1 PROM1S3.
CC: I know you will.
CC: I have fait)( in the bot)( of you.
CC: Just be careful, okay?
CC: I don't want to lose any more fronds to this w)(ole ordeal.
GC: WH3N 4M 1 NOT C4R3FUL?
GC: 1 GOT K4RK4T 4ND TH3 OTH3RS S4F3LY OFF-WORLD
GC: 4ND 1'M GONN4 F1ND 3R1D4N.
GC: 3V3RYTH1NG W1LL B3 F1N3. :]
CC: You're rig)(t.
CC: Sorry for being suc)( a worrywart.
GC: H3H.
GC: YOU H4V3 4N 3MP1R3 TO RUN 4ND YOUR OWN SK1N TO K33P S4F3 4ND YOU'R3 WORR13D 4BOUT US.
GC: YOU'R3 SOM3TH1NG 3LS3, F3F3R1.
GC: 1'LL L3T YOU KNOW 4S SOON 4S 1 G3T 4 SOL1D L34D, OK4Y?
CC: rig)(t.
GC: T4LK TO YOU SOON
-gallowsCalibrator [GC] ceased trolling cuttlefishCuller [CC]-
Sitting back, Feferi sighed again. Her eyelids felt so heavy, but there was nothing she could do about that. She had to stay awake, but it was getting harder and harder with each passing night. Looking off to one side and called someone forward. When she had claimed the throne, she also claimed the advisers and such that her predecessor had access to. The most 'trusted' of these was the one she called forward. Abelio Arthur. His name didn't sit well with the young Empress, but there was little she could do about it. As he stepped forward, he bowed his head in his usual deferential greeting. "My lady, you called for me?"
"Yes, I did. Abelio, I have recently found mys)(ellf in dire need of a bodyguard. It seams t)(at t)(e guards posted at every door are not enoug)( to stop t)(e assassins. Would you please sea aboat finding me a suitable bodyguard?"
He bowed deeply at her request. "But of coursse, My Lady. Ass you wissh." With that, he disappeared out the door to who knows where. The only hope Feferi could muster was that the person he picked could be swayed to her side, and not be put in his back pocket, along with the rest of the guard. It was another few hours before she would have an answer of if it was even possible to find anyone. And after that, another few sleepless days for them to make up their minds and show up.
She was resting in her throne, as usual when the doors swung open, revealing Abelio, his usual demeanor only slightly altered by a soft smirk. "My Lady. I have found you a bodyguard." He stepped aside to allow a ruffiannihilator to enter. Their head was bowed and they came to a stop several yards from the throne, dropping to one knee. Feferi waved everyone else out of the room and rose. "May I ask your name? If you are to be my most trusted, I s)(oald reely pike to know w)(o you are."
Without raising his head, the other spoke, making Feferi freeze in her steps. "It brings me honor that one such as yourself w001d care to hear the name of one so low as I, Equius Zahhak, Your Condescension"
He would have said more had he not felt arms go around him. Feferi was thrilled. Finally, there was someone she could trust. Equius would never betray her, of that she was sure. He was her friend, after all. "I'm so glad to sea you, Equius. Tank cod it was you and naut chum otter person."
"Again, I feel I must note how your preference brings me much joy and honor"
Holding him close, she closed her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You know you don't )(ave to act pike t)(at around me, rig)(t? You're naut just chum guy t)(at works under me. You're my frond, remember?"
Sweating slightly, Equius replied abruptly, "Please, your majesty, I must ask you to refrain from such biases toward me"
At this, Feferi pulled away slightly, her smile softening. "Normally, I probubbly wouldn't. But w)(en you're t)(e only one around me t)(at I can trust, I'm willing to give you a bit of leeway."
"What about Grand Adviseer Abelio, he seems like a trustworthy sort in spite of the connotations his name has and the constant grin"
Feferi shook her head, her voice lowering to a whisper. "He's aboat as trustwort)(y as t)(e rest of t)(e guard."
"The guard is not trustworthy"
"Eit)(er t)(ey aren't trustwort)(y or t)(ey fall asleep on t)(e job. I've nearly been killed more times t)(an I care to count." Feferi sighed, sitting back on her heels. "T)(at's w)(y I asked for a bodyguard. I )(ad )(oped it would be c)(umone I culled convince to )(elp me out."
There was a slight pause from Equius as he took all of what she said in. "If you believe this to be the case, then I will assist you in any way I can"
Her smile returned, hearing those words. "T)(ank you, Equius. I knew I culled trust you." With a nod her only response, she gave him another hug before rising to her feet and returning to her throne. This should help her sleep better at night, anyway.