A/N: EDIT: Not a lot of feedback this chapter. Ah, well.That's a shame...T_T
Alas, the latest chapter for Lord of Frenzy didn't get much feedback due to its new rating. Suppose that's what I get for making it M-rated and wasting my time...
Speaking of time...
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. All around the world, everyone seems to be losing their inds. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. Only story. Alright then, I've kept you long enough. Lets get back to it.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
There we go. Disclaimer over. Hope you enjoy~!
"He's still very angry with you, beloved.
"And I do not understand why! All that I did, I do for the good of-
"Finish that sentence and thou shalt find thineself sleeping on the couch tonight!"
"Hrngh...yes, dear...
~It Begins.
Plots and Pranks
In the years that followed, Tanith settled into the family quite nicely.
Naruto took great visceral pleasure in seeing to her comfort, regardless of Radagon's protests to the contrary. He did it despite them. Or perhaps in spite of them. Hmm. He wasn't quite sure which these days. Probably the latter. The old man's rebuke rankled him even now, two years after the fact, and he was determined to distance himself from his so-called sire. He saw him for what he was. A leal hound, a stubborn zealot who saw himself as the hero of this story, who believed himself the great protector of the Lands Between, harbinger of order.
Bah! What did he care for Order?
Order was so very boring. He'd take chaos anytime.
Perhaps that was blasphemy-no, it definitely was. Still wasn't going to stop him.
Despite a certain redhead's rabble-rousing, the rest of the family was over the moon -heh, he'd have to remember that pun- for Tanith, and no amount of complaints on Radagon's part would change that.
He hadn't forgotten the Greater Will's warning, but he hoped against hope that it would never come to pass. After all, what were the chances Marika would do something so inordinately stupid? She'd seemed calm for the most part. Even begun writing letters to him. That was a good thing, surely?
"You're asking me?"
He regarded the presence with him with due patience and kept walking. "Not you. Go back to sleep."
A whine reverberated in his mind. "But I'm boooored~! You haven't used me in two years."
"If this prank of mine goes to plan, I'll be let you out in a bit."
He felt it perk up. "Promise?"
"Promise."
He spied a dash of red hair rounding the corner ahead of him and changed course, moving to an adjacent hall. Radagon had been avoiding him for some time now, as had he. Best to steer clear of one another lest he lose his temper have another outburst, and beat the man senseless. He still wasn't anywhere near to forgiving him after he'd attacked Smarag. He'd been so close to taming that dragon and now what little trust he'd managed to cultivate with the beast was gone. Damnable dumb dastard.
He wanted to find that dragon. He WOULD find that dragon. They would be the best of friends and no one could change his mind!
Two years. He'd had two years to plot, to plan his revenge.
It was going to be...glorious.
Which was in part, the reason he'd come here so late. To this very door. He looked left, then right, making sure there wasn't a soul in sight. Good. From there he knocked once, rapping his knuckles against it, then twice now. It opened swiftly, nearly taking his head off and forcing him to step back
...there you are."
Sellen awaited him on the other side, her face indiscernible within her glintstone crown. He could sense her agitation clear as day.
"Late again, my apprentice." she tutted softly, voice rife with exhaustion. "Class ended hours ago."
Had it? He'd been busy with Irving and the final preparations. "Sorry...
"As I've told you time and again, do not be sorry!" Sellen swooped down, took his face in her hands and glared at him. "Be better! You have so much potential, and yet you waste it with frivolous things! Did you even come to apologize to me in person?" he laughed a little and she pinched him for it. "Or is this merely one of your clones?"
"Owww! I'm here, I'm here! Easy on the face!"
He played the fool, let her have her tantrum, and smiled through it as she tweaked his cheeks. She was his mentor after all, and a good one at that. Besides, he needed her for the prank he was planning. Her participation was absolutely crucial...provided he could convince her.
"Ahem?"
Sellen tapped a foot.
Naruto whistled innocently.
The tapping increased tenfold.
He studiously avoided her piercing gaze. "What? I didn't do anything wrong."
"I am no suggesting you did, my apprentice." she released him and knuckled a fist against her stone mask. "But I know that smile. What are you up to...?"
He told her in no uncertain terms. It took the better part of fifteen minutes, involving more than a few colorful words and over the top magical explanations besides. By the end, his teacher looked like she wanted to close the door in his face. It was only his foot in said doorway that prevented her from doing so.
"And why, pray tell," she drawled slowly, her voice a silken purr. "Would I want to pay any part in this madness?"
Gotcha. Naruto shoved his smile down somewhere deep and dark, where it wouldn't be seen by Sellen. Begging or pleading wouldn't work with her. She might be his "teacher" in theory but she was pragmatic and seldom sentimental. He would have to make it worth her while. Luckily he'd come prepared. This was his moment. Naruto baited the proverbial hook and let his words fly, hoping against hope.
"Because I maaay have discovered a certain spell that vastly slows down one's physical aging."
Sellen froze. He had her. She was playing coy, but he knew he'd secured her cooperation.
...by how much?"
"Half."
Sure enough, she perked up. She'd always been vain. "And what would I have to do to gain access to this spell of yours?"
Well, more an artifact than a spell and technically it was Radagon's, really. He'd found an egg hidden in his old man chamber during a prank and yoinked it for his own, not liking the look of it or the rune within. It was an object of idle fascination for him, one he toyed with it in his spare time. His so-called "Father" hadn't raised the matter with him. He doubted the stubborn zealot even knew it was missing. He'd discovered quite a few useful things since. But of course, Sellen didn't need to know what those were just yet. If she did, she might try to take it from him in turn. They couldn't have that.
"Give me a moment of your time. That's all."
And it was true, technically speaking. Sure, it involved an untested rune, an artifact he only loosely understood and an absurd amount of power, but he had the latter in spades. And even if said artifact backfired, it would be funny. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. They both stood to benefit from a partnership.
Sellen waved him inside and shut the door behind her.
The very moment it was sealed, she removed her glintstone crown and whirled to face him.
"You do realize that you're playing with fire here. And what of the Ball?"
His brow furrowed. "Ball? What ball?
A long-suffering sigh. "A grand gala is to be thrown in one week's time for your sister's birthday. Don't tell me you've forgotten, Lord Rykard."
Naruto opened his mouth to refute her. Closed it now with a rueful sigh. Huh. He had forgotten. "And?"
Sellen turned skeptical. "You don't plan to attend?"
...should I?"
"Perhaps you ought to take Tanith-no," she sighed. "It isn't my place to say."
Strange. Still, it wasn't a bad idea. He could think of no greater prank than embarrassing Radagon before his vassal and beside, Tanith might enjoy what was to befall his so-called fahter. He'd make the man pay. With that in mind, his thoughts immediately turned back to the prank at hand, which he explained to Sellen anew. Radagon was going to be LIVID after this.
Was it petty of him?
Most likely.
Was this going to cause a ruckus?
Almost certainly.
Was he going to enjoy every bit of it?
Ohhh, undoubtedly.
(.0.0.0.)
Radagon looked up from his book and frowned pensively.
A sudden shiver shot down his spine, sharp and cold.
"Blast it all. What is that boy up to now...?"
He supposed he would find out.
One way...or another.
(.0.0.0.)
Was this what it felt like to have a home?
Her own place to belong?
A proper family?
Tanith never had any of these things before. Warm food and soft dresses, handmaidens to see to her every whim, her face clean, her now-long dark hair immaculately brushed and left to spill down her shoulders like fine silk. This was, as they say, the life. She didn't quite know what to make of it even now, two years after the fact. There were still times when she reeled a little at it all, waking in a panic in the dead of the night, only to find herself safe and warm and, dare she say...happy?
For the most part she was.
Radagon was not fond of her and nor was she of him. He was on overzealous brute, and she knew were it up to him, she would've been left on the side of the road to fend for herself. Thankfully it wasn't. Radahn favored and treated her like a younger sister, heedless of his father's marked disdain. By contrast, Rennala and Ranni adored her and kept hinting at marriage to Rykard.
Her dear, dear lord Rykard...her face warmed and her mind warred just thinking of him.
Tanith was fond of him, admittedly. Were it not for him, she would've been sold like so much cattle in Leyndell or worse, been beset by bandits. He was the reason her fortunes had turned right round and she'd spend the her life repaying him if that was what it took.
Hmm. The rest of their life together. She liked the sound of that. With that in mind she had begun to devote herself to sorceries and reading in her spare time these days, determined to make herself useful as such. She wanted to be his consort which meant both looking and acting the part, not some silly foreign tart from a distant land with nearly no skills to speak of. She had to do this-no, she could and would do this by herself, even if it meant reading every bloody book in this library...!
The door swung open, startling her terribly.
"There you are." a familiar, faintly exasperated voice had her jolting upright. "Whyever are you hiding in the library at this hour?
Tanith sprang to her feet and hid the book behind her back, face burning in silent shame. I'm sorry my lady."
Ranni considered her for a long moment. At length, she sighed.
"Teaching yourself to read again, were we?
Tanith nodded tremulously.
Rykard's sister stared at her a moment more. She was growing into a raving beauty, her red hair long, her moonlight-blue eyes keen and sharp. Tanith felt small compared to her. Someday -someday soon- this girl would have both gods and men fighting for the honor of her hand. Only natural, that. Any natural-born daughter of Rennala would turn heads even on a normal day, and in a few years time, she suspected Ranni would be doing much more than merely "turning heads" as the saying went. She pitied her future husband. How could one possibly hope to compare to a being like this?
But that was not for her to say. "Was there something you needed, my lady?"
Ranni hummed. "There was indeed. "Walk with me. I would have a word with thee."
So speaking, she pivoted on her heel and strode away, forcing her to follow or risk being left behind.
Tanith shelved her book and hastened out the library after her. She found her waiting in the wall with a most curious expression on her face. In hindsight, she should have expected the questions. Ranni had ever been the inquisitive sort, and cornering her this late at night surely didn't bode well for her. Even then, she couldn't have anticipated where those inquiries would lead. Perhaps had she known, she might have held her tongue...
.
..
...nonsense, of course. She never could stay silent, least of all when Lord Rykard was involved.
"How has my brother treated thee?"
The back of her neck burned with pride and shame. "Well, my lady. We chat often."
"I have noticed your little visits. He has been good to you, then?"
...he has." she agreed. "Most kind. None kinder."
A faint titter. "And you are fond of him?"
She lifted her chin a little. "I am."
Ranni laughed. It was her only warning. "Excellent.
"Why...?"
"Because," The redhead tilted her head to smile at her, scarlet hair hiding one eye. "It means he likes you. Therefore, we must prepare you. How else are you to catch my brother's eye?"
This conversation was straying into dangerous waters. Dark indeed. Tanith just knew it. The knowledge didn't stop her flush.
"Prepare me?"
"Why, for the ball, of course."
The ball? She hadn't thought she would be allowed to attend. But that meant...
Tanith went very, very still. Ohhh. So that was her aim.. "I don't have any say in this, do I?"
The Empyrean patted her shouler and smiled at her, all teeth. "No, soon to be sister-of-mine, you most assuredly do not."
A/N: Ranni and Rennala be matchmaking, and Naruto is oblivious...for now.
Lets see how long he lasts.
Aaaaand scene.
Well? Should this little ficlet remain a story? Yay or nay!
If this story is voted into the "yay" category, I can promise much more merry madness to come.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story...and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. It will remain, but it simply won't progress further. I'm working two jobs with ever-increasing hours so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy some previews!
Potential ones at that.
As ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT THEE!
BEWARE~!
(Previews)
Must you rest on your laurels?"
He knew that voice. The Greater Will had come to visit.
"Really?" Are you invading my dreams now? C'mon, lemme sleep."
"I will not!" The little Goddess planted two tiny fists on her hips. "You've slept in long enough! Up with you! UP I SAY! There's work to be done!"
"Oh nonono." he blanched at the gaudy outfit before him. "I'm not wearing that; I'm definitely not going to some silly ball-
Ranni was ready for him; he was still speaking when she whirled in a swirl of silk.
"Radahn!" she cried. Brother, grab him! Quickly! Before he bolts!"
Giant hands closed around his shoulders and held fast.
"Sorry, little brother. This is for the best.
"Treachery!"
...why is HE here."
Radagon's pale countenance darkened. "Son, Ihad thought we might talk-
"Sorry, don't have a father. He must be in another castle, because he's certainly not here.
He saw Tanith in her gown, long dark hair spilling over her shoulders. His jaw clicked open.
"Blessed be the lord of blasphemy, champion of the forgotten and the accursed. Long may he reign...
Tanith took a deep breath. And then. "There's something I'd like to tell you...might we retire to the balcony?"
"You're nothing but the second son. You will inherit no lands, nor father any children. You shall die as you lived, Rykard, FORGOTTEN-
They were still laughing when clenched knuckles barreled into their face.
Their body hurtled into the air and struck a mountain.
Needless to say, they did not survive.
Naruto lowered his bloody fist.
"Who else wants a go?"
"IS THAT A DRAGON?!"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story...and others.
If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well...I won't be able to continue it.
I'm working two jobs, trying to make ends meet these days; I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matter! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustains me. Without them, I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do!
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work!
R&R~!