Dirt shuffles underneath my paws, borderline sliding down the hill, the corner of the care digging into my chest. The walk back has been peaceful, the chirping of birds filling the air once more.
Thank god, I thought my heart was gonna beat out of my chest. It's finished now, quiet.
'It won't last.'
I know.
'He'll come and come an-'
I KNOW. I grit my teeth, claws tapping against the wooden porch.
Just, we'll deal with it when it comes, alright? I'll leave it to the captain and the bastard himself, I'll do what's needed.
'I sure hope so, for the both of us.'
I feel him recede back into my mind, a light buzzing at the base of my skull. I sigh to myself, shaking my head to refocus before stepping up to the door. I push it lightly, shuddering to my surprise.
Ah, it's locked, makes sense. I shuffle the crate about, jamming holding it underneath my shoulder, ignoring the splinters that poke into my body.
"Hey! I'm back!" I call out to whoever's inside, knuckles rapping against the wood.
"Just a moment." A voice responds, the dull sound of feet upon wood following soon after. The door shakes for a moment before swinging open, latch swinging from side to side, a soft smile on the woman's face. "Hm, didn't expect you back so early, have fun?"
"Leaving was the fun part, so I guess so." I respond with a grin, a soft chuckle coming from her as she steps away. I waltz into the cottage, steam from that boiling kettle clinging to the air, door clicking shut behind me. Smells familiar, and comforting, this little room's always been a comfortable place to relax in. "How's Mabel, is she alright?"
"She's doing just fine, just sitting in your room at the moment. She's always been a quiet one, I wouldn't be surprised if she was waiting until you walked in. " There's a small smile on her face, a smile of my own creeping up on my face as I lean against the table. Sounds like her, she's too god damn cute, honestly.
"Sorry for taking a bit to get back, I had to pick all this up." I motion towards her with the crate, packets jingling inside.
"Hm, food for the road, I assume?"
"Yeah, and whenever she's a bit hungry." I pause for a moment, sparing a glance over to the door. Hm. "Speaking of that, do you think that she's hungry?"
"I've already made her some food, and she ate it without issue, unlike a certain someone." I roll my eyes, ignoring the woman's touch, the tip of her finger jabbing into my cheek.
"Hey, I eat." I respond, looking over to her. She stares, a determined looking one, her eyes narrowing as she crosses her arms. I raise my spare hand to my lips, coughing lightly. "Sometimes."
"You worry me, kid."
"Isn't that normal for you?" I mean it as a joke, but she certainly doesn't take it as one, an eyebrow raising as she stares. Ah fuck, now I just feel bad. I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Alright, I'm sorry for worrying you. If it makes you feel better, I am going out tonight to the tavern, and I'll actually get something to eat."
I'm not really hungry, but if it'd put her heart at ease, then I can certainly stomach it, in both ways. That seems to sedate her, for now at least, the woman sighing softly as she drops her arms.
"I'll hold you to that. You gonna bring Mabel out with you too? I don't mind looking after her, but I think we both know that she'd prefer to be with you."
"I know, I know…" I trail off, running a hand through my hair. I feel like a bit of a bastard, but. "I want her to come, I really do, but I don't want to force her to."
"She doesn't do too well with a bunch of humans, does she?"
"No, no she does not." The conversation falls flat soon after that, the chirping birds from outside breaking the silence. I made that mistake once, and I won't do it again. This conversation topic is far from happy, maybe it's best to not linger on it for too long. "Hey, do you wanna come with us? I'll pay for you and everything, my treat."
Besides, she's done plenty to help, I might as well try to give her a night out to relax. To my relief, I get a chuckle from her, an amused glint in her eyes as she looks up to me.
"I'm flattered, kid, but I lost that drive years ago. I hope you two have fun, though." There's a small smile on her face when she says that, so it hasn't been entirely for nothing.
The silence returns. It's not exactly stifling, but it's just… awkward, I guess.
"You still have something on your mind, don't you Zeke?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"I've seen plenty of faces, I can tell when someones not all there, it comes with time and experience."
"You must know plenty, then." She rolls her eyes, a soft chuckle slipping through her lips before she refocuses.
"Seriously kid, what's wrong? Is it something I need to be worried about, or are you just brooding?" She continues on, her tone firm and arms crossing.
Part of me wants to keep it from her, and pray that the bastard will keep his promise.
'Do you really want to put stock into the words of a mad man?'
No, I wish I'd never have to. But I don't want her to worry, I can handle this myself. She's done more than enough. But, fuck, I don't know what I'm meant to say to her.
"Listen, kid." Her voice brings me back into reality, her hand resting on my shoulder, squeezing softly as she looks up to me. That smile of hers has always been so soothing, so… almost motherly I guess, it puts my heart at ease. I didn't even realise she was moving about, I'm really out of it today. "I'm not gonna force you to tell me, you're your own man after all, but I'd like to help if I can."
"I know, you've done more than enough." Especially for me. Her smile twists into a frown, her hand shifting from shoulder to face, the tip of her finger flicking against my cheek. It's not painful, just unexpected. "Hey! The hell's that for?"
"You're a stubborn little bastard, aren't you?" Her voice is an almost lecturing one, the glare returning as I rub the afflicted area.
"I've heard that a few times." From a few people, myself included.
'You're real dense, too.'
Your commentary is always appreciated. Anna sighs, a resigned sounding one, disappointment clear on her face.
God, now that hurts.
"I'm not old enough for something so obvious to pass by me, and you're not nearly as sneaky as you think you are. Just let me help when I can, okay?" She asks, there's a sad glimmer in the blue of her eyes. I grunt and nod, ignoring the twisting feeling in my gut. On one hand, if she already knows, then there's no point in hiding it.
On the other hand, I don't want to bother with it all.
"Use your words kid, you know how to use them, right?"
"Alright, alright. I'll come to you for help if I really need it, alright?"
"I feel like that's the best I'll ever get from you." I roll my eyes as she giggles, her hand resting on my shoulder. It lingers for a moment before she drags it away, already moving off and away. "Don't keep Mabel waiting, kid."
She disappears down the corridor, the sound of a door opening and closing shut soon after, silence hanging in the air.
I think she might be a bit upset.
'No, you don't say? I just can't imagine why she'd be a tad pissy with you.'
Weren't you the one saying that doing this was for the best? Why are you prodding me for this?
'Because it's my job, and I said that it was the best in some cases, some being the key word there. Doesn't mean that she wouldn't be upset. That being said, maybe she already knows what's going on, at least partially.'
I'll tell her another time, when it's more quiet, and when I have my thoughts in order.
'Later seems to be pushed back further and further, each and every time.'
The wood below me creaks as I push off of the table, taking long strides across the room. The knob to my room jingles as I twist it, pushing myself inside. I can see the mound of blankets shuffle about before I finish entering, a furred head popping out from underneath it.
"Hey kid."
"Zeke!" The door barely thuds shut behind me before I feel something smash themselves into my side, wincing and looking down to my side. The girl's skulls planted into me, just below my ribs, the top of her head nuzzling into me with her arms around me.
God, she's so fucking cute.
'Weird bastard.'
"Hah, nice to see you again too kid." I comment with a smile, resting a hand atop her head, gently ruffling her hair. She mumbles something into my shirt before pulling away and looking up to me. Her eyes glimmer with a happy shine.
There's a pang in my heart, it's an odd feeling, I can't tell if it's one of guilt or of happiness from the sight.
"I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?
"Nuh." She mumbles and shakes her head. She eventually releases her grip on me and steps away, a small smile on her face. It's cute, but, something's off about it, her body looks unusually stiff, almost like it's forced.
"Are you alright, kid?"
"Mhm." She nods, but even that looks forced. I feel a frown creep onto my face, the crate clattering to the floor as I kneel in front of her.
"Are you sure?" I ask one more, looking over her with a furrowed brow. She doesn't seem physically hurt, but something in my guts screaming at me. There's a sniffler, her eyes flickering to look towards the floor instead of me.
"I missed you." She speaks up after a moment, her voice is a barely audible squeak that I strain to hear, wringing hands glued to her side. Warmth spreads throughout my chest, coiling and clinging to my heart.
It's adorable, it truly is, but I feel my heart twist at the sight, and that's a real odd feeling. She looks so tense and stressed, as if she's been wrought like a spring. I give her the softest smile I can, holding my arms out to her. She hesitates for a moment before stumbling into me, her head resting in the crook of my neck, arms wrapping around her.
"I missed you too, kid." And I mean it, with all of my heart. I run a hand through the fur of her back, resting it atop her head and ruffling her hair. She lets out a soft sounding sigh, a purr rumbling through her chest, the tip of her claws digging into my back.
I don't mind the twinge of pain, I can handle it.
"I wanna come next time." She suddenly chirps up, voice muffled by my neck. I pull away from her for a moment, looking over her face. She doesn't seem nearly as tense, though her eyes still shift and shimmer.
"Are you sure? I won't force you to come with me, kid."
"I know, I wanna though." She replies with a huff, neck craning to push her head into my hand. I can't help but chuckle a little.
She looks so determined, how can I say no?
"Alright, just tell me if you're uncomfortable or scared though, okay? I'll carry you back here myself."
"Okay!" She chirps happily, lips twisting into a fanged grin
"Edward and Lucy are gonna be at the tavern tonight, I'll get you something good to eat there, does that sound alright to you?" That determination wavers for a moment, the girl humming softly as I rest a hand on her cheek.
"Okay." She replies with a nod. I take a small pleasure in savouring the moment, half lidded eyes staring up to me as I run my thumb over her fur.
"Do you want to read until then, kid?"
"Okay!" Her enthusiasm is almost contagious, chuckling to myself while I give her a final hair ruffle, standing upright, pride swelling in my chest.
Thata girl.
…
Fierce wind rattles glass, the squeak of a window barely audible over the din, the candlelit flame beside me flickering. The flickering of that flame allows darkness to brush over the edges of the page, the wind's cold bite gnawing at the tips of my fingers, clawing and dragging its way up my legs. I bite my tongue and grit my teeth.
It will die down, it always does.
An icy blanket nestles itself atop my shoulders, ice stabbing into the base of my throat.
And then it stops, the wind's relentless pursuit dying down as swiftly as it appeared. The dark slinks away from the pages, and the cold from my body, a stifled warmth replacing it in turn.
The flame stands still, illuminating the page once more, dragging the quill tip back to it's rightful spot atop itt. It digs into the paper before gliding across it, ending the line with a flick of the wrist before dragging it over to the ink pot.
Ink drips onto the wood below, a pool of black. I furrow my brow and stare at the quill.
I had thought it was dry- perhaps I'm more tired than I thought. Mn, I suppose that I won't be here for very long in the end then, just a few lines more and I'll be through with it. The nib presses into the paper once more, thickened dark blots of the renewed ink threaten to seep into the pages, though it presses no deeper.
A niggling feeling builds up in the back of my skull as I continue to scrawl onto the pages, it lingers and scratches, as if begging, pleading for attention.
It's not the first time I've had to ignore something undeserving, nor will it be the last.
"Cooped up here even now, Knight?" A faint voice echoes through the room, a chiding tone that rattles my ears, a faint tsk of disappointment following soon after. Blue smoke swirls in front of me, ethereal wisps that contort and fold in on itself. It swirls and twists before finally coming together, a head resting on a palm, a wide toothy grin splashed across his face.
"There're benefits to solitude and self reflection, though clearly you have neither the attention span nor patience for either." I respond to him with a scoff, the grip on my quill tightening before dragging it back to the inkpot, letting it rest inside. There'd be no chance to write with this man's pestering, it's unfortunate that this is where his tenacity resides, rather than where it would be of use. He chuckles, an amused glint in his greyed eyes, fingers tapping against his cheek.
"Ah, you always speak with such a cold bite. Did you learn such a thing from experience, or does that come naturally to you?" He questions me, head leaning closer as his lips twitch upwards. It's a faint movement, but noticeable. He's said similar things more than a few times, perhaps he's trying to lighten the mood to himself.
"Is there a reason for you're up here, Stranger? Surely you have your own business to attend to." I drum the tips of my fingers against the desk, ignoring the throbbing feeling in my skull. I'd be far from surprised if the source is from this man's presence.
"What, can't I spend some time with a dear friend to chat a little? It's been a while since we've last spoken, after all." I don't respond, returning his stare with one of my own, an eyebrow raised. He'll be the first to crack, always is. And crack he does, a sigh slipping through his lips as he raises a hand up to his head, running it through his hair. "Truth be told, I just wanted to ask you about the, you know, the thing that the lady's planning."
"You must truly be desperate if you're coming to me for assistance, Stranger." I shuffle about in my seat, nudging the inkpot away from me. Desperate or confused, I don't know which. I can see his fingers curl in his hair, black gloves on white strains, his eyes clouded and looking from side to side.
He seems rather tense, defensive. How odd.
"Is that a no?"
"I didn't say that, though, I suppose it depends on what questions you ask." I continue on, keeping eye contact with the man. He lets out another sigh, and the cloudy look in his gaze lifts for a moment, his back straightening.
"Thank you, Knight, here I was thinking that you'd blow me off." He says with a soft laugh, his body relaxing, his hands moving to lay atop the table. He's silent for a while longer, his eyes staring into the table. "I… sorry, I didn't exactly plan this far."
"I wasn't aware you planned anything at all." That retort gets another laugh out of him, a hollow sounding one, fingertips digging into the wood. He's hesitating, perhaps he needs a push. "You ought to hurry up with it, Stranger, there are other things that require my attention after all.
He's silent for a while longer, lips pursed, the indentations of a clenched jaw jutting out from under his skin.
"I know that you don't know much about magic and all, but, has she told you anything about what we're doing?" He finally sputters out, eyes looking back up towards me. A simple enough question, with a simple enough answer.
"No, she has not deigned herself to give out such information, nor is it my place to know. I have faith in what she's attempting to do, whatever it may be." I respond quickly. His lips dip into a frown, a hand returning to his hair.
"Bah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You do know at least a part of what we're doing, right?"
"Yes." I feel my face scrunch up at the memory, muscles tensing for a moment. A memory where most of it ought to be shoved in the back of my mind, under lock and key. Tch, I do wish his partner wasn't one of those things, it'd make everything so much easier.
"That's quite the sour face right there, is it becau-"
"Yes. Get to the point." I cut him off, lips twisting into a snarl. Heraises his hands upwards, a surrendering gesture.
"Alright, alright. I just wanted to ask because, well…" He trails off, a wrist twisting while his spare hand curls into a fistleaning his cheek atop it. "There's a specific type of magic, dark magic, that's been outlawed by the Templars, and for good reason. While we haven't fully begun to study for it, I'm… concerned that She may tell us to do so, with the way it's been going."
Outlawed by the Templars, hm? I know little about magic, very little, but that, along with the way he tiptoes around the subject gives me an idea of this particular thing.
He sounds unnerved and cautious, it's strange to see it coming from him of all people. The throbbing in my skull does me no favours.
"I assume that you worry about such a thing for a reason, correct?" I ask. He nods, lips set into a thin line.
"Dark magic is, well, it's difficult to explain. It's something naturally formed from black mana crystals, but how it acts and feels are from it, especially when compared to regular magic. It corrupts the magic within, twisting and forcing the spell into a greater, darker form, one that the caster can't control for the life of them." He continues on, a clouded look in his shaky eyes, his gaze shifting from me to elsewhere. "There's scant information about it, but from what I've been able to read… It's troubling, such a thing can leave the caster permanently deformed, or kill them."
The hand underneath his cheek moves to his lips, a distressed breath of air slipping through them before he silences himself, latching onto his finger, teeth sinking into the glove, I can see the indentations of it from here. His body looks tense, laying his shaky spare hand flat against the table, tapping at it rapidly.
Hm, I haven't seen the man so stressed before. I wonder how long he's had those thoughts in his mind.
At least he's taking something seriously.
"I see. I assume that you haven't taken this up with her?"
"Are you kidding me? Fuck no, she'll probably flay me alive!" He exclaims, chair screeching against the flood as he pulls away. I chuckle at the sight, lips twitching up into a smile. Heh, it's amusing to see him so terrified of her, good. He brings himself closer, eyes shifting from side to side. "Do you think that she would if I asked about it, though? Speaking honestly, of course."
"Unsure. So long as you play your part when it comes to it and stay out of her way, she might lend an ear to your thoughts." Such a thing isn't guaranteed, but it's not a no. Not that I can speak for her anyhow, she's a strange woman.
"Pfah, here I was hoping that you'd know for sure." He leans back in his chair, letting out an exasperated sigh, his hands covering his face. "This was not what I planned when I poked my head into this."
A snort turns into a grunt of pain, a hand of my own reaching up to my face, clutching it tightly. That throbbing feeling rears its ugly head once more, the sound of beating heart riding alongside a lancing pain, jolting through my skull.
I, why am I here again? I was- speaking, yes, I was speaking with the Stranger.
Stranger, what an odd name. That isn't his name, nor is mine the Knight.
Why does my mind feel so fuzzy?
I shake my head to clear the blur, though it does little, looking back up to face the Stranger. He sits still, chin resting on a fist, an oddly blank look on his face.
"You look lost, Knight."
"I'm fine."
"Liar." His voice is cold, the sound of rattling glass and squeaky hinges filling the air. Another lance of pain, another twitch of the eye, the palm of my hand grinding against it.
Enough of this.
"Leave." I demand, standing upright. The chair legs grind against the floor, a screeching noise, I can feel it clinging to the sides of my skull.
Ignore the pain, grit your teeth, get this bastard out of here.
"Why?"
"You're not wanted here."
"Neither are you, and yet, here we are." He motions to the rest of the room with an arm, seemingly never ending shelves stuffed with books and parchments alike loom above.
"I'm needed here." I choke out the reply, forcing it through my throat, even if it feels like something's throttling me.
Wouldn't be the first time.
"You spend way too much time up here, Zeke, you should get going. There are other things you should tend to." He says, voice dead and cold, waving a hand in a dismissive fashion.
"That's not my name." I wheeze, the pressure around the throat tightening. I let out a shuddering sigh, digging my palms into the table for balance, ignoring the trembling in my legs.
Grit your teeth, the pain means nothing.
Nothing.
"It's not my name, it's not my name."
"Who are you trying to convince here, me, or you?" I squeeze my eyes shut, ignoring the bastards taunting words, and the squirming inside my gut. A cool breeze snakes over my shoulders, a cold hand gripping at my sides.
Get out, get out get out get out!
"What's your name then, you poor, poor little thing?" His voice sounds soft, almost effeminate. Is this some sort of sick joke, an attempt to mock me? I'll show him, I'll show them all! I am needed, I am WANTED.
A tip of a cane strikes the desk below, splinters flying from the impact-
"Zeke?" A soft voice vicsiously yanks me from my thoughts, blinking away blurred vision. A hoarse groan pushes its way out of my mouth, grinding my palm into an eye socket. Fuck, my throat feels so bloody dry. "Are you alright?"
I look over to the source of the voice, Edwards lips twisted into a deep frown.
Ah, right, I'm here.
"Yeah, sorry. Just lost in my thoughts is all, don't worry about me." I force a grin and a dismissive wave, praying that he takes it. He doesn't seem entirely convinced, that frown still lingering, but he gives a short nod.
'Good to have you back, enjoy your little day dream?'
I stifle a grumble, breathing in deep as I run my hand through my hair. I'd have preferred anything else, but here we are. The muttering of the tavern's patrons occupies the air, ears twitching as the dull din intensifies. There aren't as many people as I thought there'd be, chances are that more are gonna flock in as the night goes on.
It's a small mercy, the taverns an almost homely feeling place and Lyn's always more than welcoming, bless her soul.
Something soft nudging into my side grabs my attention, turning to face the cause. Mabel looks up to me with a tilted head, golden eyes glowing in the torchlight, her scarf thrown together over her neck and shoulder.
It's a cute sight, I wish she didn't look so concerned for me of all people.
"I'm fine kid, honest." I force the smile into a grin as I look down to her. She doesn't seem convinced, but she nudges into my hand regardless.
'Even she can see through you, that's both hilarious and sad.'
Blow it out your ass.
"I'm surprised Lucy isn't here with you." I comment. Not the best way to start the conversation, but anything to get my mind off of myself is better than letting it stew inside.
"Why would she be?" He asks, head tilting to the side. Ah, he looks so cute when he's confused. I stare at him, eyebrows raising and falling, lips curled into a grin. Something seems to click in his mind, scoffing and rolling his eyes. "You're hilarious."
"Naturally, I am pretty funny." I reply, giving him a wink in the meanwhile. He lets out a groan, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. I tend to get that reaction from people a lot.
'I can't imagine why.'
"I see that you've actually brought your sword along outside, for once." He quips, motioning towards me with a hand. I feel my face burn as I rest a hand on the belt, an awkward feeling smile forcing its way onto my face.
"Yeah, uh, sorry if it's not appropriate.'
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you've bothered with it at all, better to have and not need than need and not have, no?" His smile is a comforting one, and it soothes the awkwardness in my chest.
'I'm not complaining either, cause it'd sure be a shame if someone walked in an-'
Yes, I'm aware, it's why I took it along with me in the first place. I don't want to be caught with my pants down again, especially if I'm with Mabel. I'm shocked that weapons are allowed in here, but I'm not complaining. Others seem to carry something, even if it's small.
Conversation dies down after that, though I can still see a small smile on Edwards face, so that's nice at least. I hum to myself as I look around the tavern, and those that sit in. Those that're alone or in smaller groups tend to be more quiet and reserved, keeping to themselves while they either eat or drink, or both. Those people I like, far more than the rowdier ones. I'm not sure what it is, but grouped humans seem to have more bravado than usual, obnoxiously loud and crass, at least they're quick with ordering whatever they please.
There's a lot more barmaids than I remembered, maybe today's just a busy day. I wish it wasn't, shivers still run up my spine whenever I think about the crowd too much.
At least they're not paying attention to us, small mercies. I wonder where Lyn is-
"Hiya!"
"Gah!" I borderline leap out of the stool, adrenaline running through my veins as I twist about. Lucy's infernal giggling invades my ears, much to my displeasure, an unsightly smug grin on her face.
"Boo~"
"When the fuck did you get here?"
"Just a bit ago, nice of ya to bring us together again, Fuzzy." She giggles again, skipping about the table and taking a seat beside Edward, turning her grin onto him next. "Heya Eddy~"
"A pleasure to meet you again Lucy, have you been well?"
"Yup! I've been juuuuust fine, thanks for askin. How about you? Have you been lookin after yourself?"
"Mn, more or less." I blink, just, watching the both of them converse, the smile on Edwards face looks soft and genuine, and Lucy…
Well, she's not paying an unnerving amount of attention to me, I could get used to this.
'It's little wonder how Edward manages to seem the most stable out of you four.'
Not counting yourself in, Adrian? You're a part of the party, even if you're more parasitic than a person.
'Being stuck in your head for a prolonged period of time gives me a reason to be a tad unhinged.'
I chuckle to myself, reaching over to the side and digging my fingers behind the keidrans ears, a soothing feeling spreading throughout my chest at both the sound of her purrs, and the sight of the two chatting.
It feels relaxing, and I pray that it holds for the rest of the night.