A day in Auresco
That morning Minoth wakes up relaxed and well-rested, and unexpectedly excited about the day to come. At first, he's a bit confused about his own reaction, as he has never been much of a morning person, but then remembers the events of yesterday. Meeting Addam in the desert, coming to the city with him, the food, the promise, the kiss.
Minoth can feel the heat creeping up on his cheeks as he remembers the kiss. How good it had felt, how warm Addam had been, how embarrassingly needy he himself had acted, nearly begging the man to stay. At least Addam hadn't seemed to mind too much, as he'd invited Minoth to spend the entire day next with him. This day.
Now wide awake, Minoth rolls out of bed and starts making himself ready. He feels more awake than he normally does in the mornings, and he hasn't even had coffee yet. Maybe he needs something to look forward to more often. He brushes his hair out of his eyes, wondering what the day will bring. Hopefully a few more kisses, at least.
Finally, just before he's due to leave, Minoth pulls a small pouch from an inside pocket and dumps its content on his hand, examining it in the light of the morning sun.
"What am I supposed to do with you?" Minoth asks out loud, looking down at the Emerald Core. It, as expected, doesn't offer him any ideas. He quickly drops it on the bed when it starts glowing faintly again, just as it had done in Indol when he first picked it up.
"You really need to stop doing that," he scolds it, scooping it into the pouch which he puts back into his pocket. Conversing with a Core Crystal isn't very productive, after all. Especially since he has to get going if he wants to be on time to meet Addam.
He's out of his room in ten minutes or so, wandering to the front of the inn. Since he'd made it clear he's the one paying for breakfast, he should probably figure out where they'll be having said breakfast.
Since Minoth doesn't know the city very well, having only arrived yesterday evening, he chats with some locals and the innkeeper to find out what the best places to have breakfast are. He gets many, many good recommendations.
There's a diner a few blocks away that makes the fluffiest omelettes, a stand near the marketplace that has the best bacon and sausages, a bakery where one can get amazing freshly baked bread and muffins, and a café that has the most fantastic pancakes.
Minoth decides to go for the pancakes because it's been so long since he's had any. Besides, he really needs his morning coffee.
"Good morning!" a loud voice greets him and Minoth turns to see Addam coming toward him. Some people turn to look at the Prince, offering their own greetings to him, but mostly they leave him be.
"Good morning," Minoth says when Addam gets closer, in a quieter voice. Addam surprises him by kissing him on the cheek in greeting.
"Ready for a nice tour of the finest city in all of Torna?" Addam asks with a wink as he pulls back.
"Sure," Minoth agrees, feeling himself blush at the casual display of affection. The butterflies are back in his stomach and his chest is all fluttery. "After breakfast. I already asked around about the best places."
"Sounds good," Addam says, making a sweeping gesture with his hand. "Lead the way!"
Thankfully, the locals had given him very good instructions, so it doesn't take long for Minoth to find the café. It's a small and cosy looking place, and he can already smell the mouth-watering scent of coffee and pancakes. Addam, apparently more impatient than he's let on, takes his hand and tugs him inside.
They make straight for the counter and Minoth wastes no time ordering a coffee and some pancakes. Addam chuckles at his eagerness before ordering the same for himself. The coffee is ready instantly, and then they only have to decide what toppings they want on their pancakes.
After some consideration and looking over the numerous options, Minoth decides to take his with some fresh locally picked fruit. Addam proves himself to have a sweet tooth by taking his with choclit chips, caramel sauce, and extra whipped cream.
Since it's going to take some time before the breakfast is ready, they decide to sit down at a table with their coffee while they wait. Minoth finds a table for them, a bit to the side and not too close to any other people. Addam wanders off to find the morning's newspaper, to see if there's anything interesting going on.
Minoth leans back in his seat and takes a moment to simply relax. He feels the warm morning sun on his face, smells the coffee and pancakes and sweets, hears the hustle of the people on the streets as well as the other customers at the café. He takes a sip of his coffee. It's perfect.
He has no idea what he's done to earn this kind of comfort, but he's definitely not complaining. Just makes sure to enjoy it as best he can before it inevitably gets snatched away from him.
It doesn't take long before Addam returns. He sits down at the table opposite of Minoth, frowning down at the newspaper he's holding.
"Bad news?" Minoth asks, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Coeia doesn't seem to be doing too well," Addam muses, looking at the front page. "This Aegis really seems to be unstoppable." At the word Aegis, Minoth looks up sharply from his coffee, a cold shiver running down his spine.
"Let me see that," he practically demands, nearly ripping the paper from Addam's hands when he's too slow to hand it over.
On the front page is a picture of the Coeian Titan, more than half of it a smouldering, dying ruin. It won't be long before it sinks beneath the Cloud Sea. Above the picture is the headline "Coeian army unable to stop the Aegis' rampage".
"Just can't stop toying with them, can you Malos?" Minoth murmurs. Malos is playing with the Coeian people like a cat with a mouse, letting them run for a bit towards what they think is safety, only to pounce of them again.
"Malos?" Addam questions, a look of confusion on his face as he observes Minoth. "You know him? The Aegis?"
Damn it! Minoth really should watch his mouth better. Maybe he's getting a bit too comfortable around Addam.
"Yes," he replies, not looking at Addam, determined to watch his words and not reveal too much. "He's also from Indol."
He pauses for a moment to fold the newspaper and push it over to Addam's side of the table. "We were... awakened by the same man," he admits. "Amalthus climbed the World Tree a while ago and brought back two Core Crystals. He resonated with one of them, awakening Malos and unleashing him on the world. We spoke a few times," he adds.
It's not the entire truth, but it is most of it. Maybe Addam doesn't need to know that "We spoke a few times" actually means "We planned the destruction of Indol together".
"This... Malos, he's the one who sunk Indol, right?" Addam asks, a carefully neutral expression on his face. At Minoth's confirming nod he continues "And talking to him is what made you realize something bad was about to happen, so you killed Amalthus and escaped Indol?"
"Something like that, yes," Minoth replies, deciding against correcting Addam. It is pretty close to the truth, after all. Kind of.
"And you say Amalthus had two Core Crystals from the World Tree," Addam continues, "but only awakened one of them?" Minoth nods again. He remembers the Emerald Core clearly. The way it had almost started glowing when he'd held it in his hand.
"Too bad it's probably on the bottom of the Cloud Sea," Addam muses. "Any Blade awakened from it might have been the only thing capable of matching Malos' powers."
"Mmmm..." Minoth hums, looking down at his hands, clasped on the table.
"Relax, Minoth!" Addam tells him, covering Minoth's hands with his own. "Knowing Malos and having talked to him isn't a crime. What he's doing isn't your fault in any way. Unless he has informed you how to easily defeat him, which I doubt." He adds the last part as a joke, but Minoth frowns anyway.
"If he was a normal Blade, I'd tell you to kill his Driver," he says. "But I already did that, and it doesn't seem to have affected him any more than it did me."
"It's quite a difficult case," Addam says. "But I'm sure someone will find a way to stop him eventually. He can't just be completely invincible." He offers Minoth a smile that's probably supposed to be comforting. It works well enough and Minoth's mouth curls up in a slight smile in answer.
That's when the waitress arrives with their waffles, and they eat their breakfast in silence, along with the rest of the (now cold) coffee.
Minoth tries to stay natural, but he can almost feel the weight of the Emerald Core Crystal where it's safely tucked away in his pocket.
After eating, the two finally start their tour of the city, Addam holding Minoth's hand the whole time, ignoring any people who look at them. Addam walks him through the marketplace, pointing out even the smallest and most hidden stands that still have some interesting wares.
Addam lets Minoth take his time to gawk at the architecture, everything from the lanterns to the fine arches and old buildings. He even shows off his knowledge about the city by telling him about some of them. He also takes the time to point out what he considers the best food stalls, restaurants, and bars, some of them quite small and obscure places.
They stop at one of the stalls to pick up some food, since it's nearly time for lunch already, and they eat while they walk. Addam shares some of his food with Minoth, saying he wants Minoth to experience as much of the great food as possible.
After the marketplace, they walk around the palace gardens, which are well-tended and peaceful. Some of the workers there greet Addam warmly, and he greets them right back, calling them by name. Minoth wonders if he knows the names of all the people who work at the palace, and decided he wouldn't be surprised if he does.
The tour continues by Addam guiding him away from the crowded streets and just outside the main part of the city, where they sit at the moat and watch the small fish swim around. Minoth is grateful for this, really appreciating the chance to be alone with the Prince. Addam takes off his boots and dips his feet in the moat, laughing as the fish swarm around him.
Feeling unusually bold, he even takes the chance to push Addam lightly against the wall and kiss him just as they're about to enter the city again. Addam laughs, clearly delighted, and kisses Minoth right back. They only reluctantly pull apart when Minoth believes he might be about to pass out from the lack of air.
Eventually, the sun starts to creep towards the horizon as evening approaches. They're just on their way back to the inn, when an old woman in the street grasps Minoth's arm, forcing him to stop. Minoth goes to ask her what she wants, but she beats him to it.
"I believe we have met before?" the woman says, phrasing it like a question, still staring at Minoth. Before he has a chance to say or do anything she continues talking. "Yes, it was in Indol." Minoth tenses at the mention. Addam gives him a concerned look and puts a hand on his shoulder in silent support.
"You were with that man... what was his name again?" The woman takes a few moments to remember. "Oh, that's right! Amalthus! He helped me when I tripped at the stairs. He was such a nice man. You were his Blade, were you not?"
"I..." Minoth has to supress the urge to just run away and hide in a corner somewhere. He feels like the crowds, that hadn't been a bother before, are suddenly closing in on him, preventing him from moving, from breathing.
"I suppose I might have been," he nearly has to choke out the words past the clump in his throat. He doesn't remember seeing this woman, but that doesn't mean she hasn't seen him in Indol with Amalthus. He hadn't really been paying attention to humans there.
"It's such a tragedy what happened to Indol," the woman continues. Minoth makes some noncommittal sound. He wishes she would just stop talking. "I do wonder what happened to that Amalth-"
"He's dead," Minoth interrupts her mid-sentence. He's so tense it's almost a miracle he even gets the words out, but they're at least clearer than they were moments ago. "He died."
"Oh," the woman says. "But... weren't you his Blade...?"
"Yes," Minoth says, just barely able to control himself enough to not snap at her. "That's why I know he's dead."
He might be stretching the truth a little, letting her draw her own conclusions, the wrong ones, but does that really matter? It's not like she knows what he actually is, and why the death of his Driver would not affect him like it would a normal Blade. Besides, he really likes the reminder right now. The reminder that Amalthus is dead, that he's never going to be anywhere near Minoth ever again.
"Oh, I see," she says, looking between Addam and Minoth, and Addam's hand on Minoth's shoulder. "So this is your new chance of life?"
"Something like that," Minoth mutters, not entirely certain what she means by that, other than her apparently drawing the conclusion that Addam is his Driver now.
"Well, I won't bother you anymore then," the woman says, patting Minoth on the arm. "You boys have a nice day."
The woman turns and leaves, slowly walking along the road. Minoth waits until she's out of sight, then bolts as fast as his legs can carry him, away from the streets and crowds, trying to outrun the memories the old woman's simple musings had brought back.
He comes to a stop in an empty alleyway, leaning against the wall as he tries to catch his breath. He's away from the crowds but can still feel the pressure around him. Indol. Amalthus. Such a nice man. The words seem to echo in his head. When he closes his eyes, he can almost see Amalthus' sneering face in front of him.
"Damn it!" he groans, running his hands over his face. He looks up when he hears footsteps nearby, but it's only Addam. The man's golden eyes are startled and worried, so filled with emotion Minoth has to look away.
"Minoth?" Addam says carefully, like he's some skittish animal that might run at any fright. Maybe he is. Isn't that exactly what he just did? Run and hide, like some timid creature trembling in its nest?
"What do you need, Minoth?" Addam is asking, slowly placing his hands on Minoth's shoulders. To offer support, or to keep him from running again, he's not sure. But he appreciates the touch, as it forces him to focus on the present rather than get lost in the memories.
To never hear the name Amalthus spoken out loud again, Minoth thinks, but that's not really an achievable thing. "To get away from the crowds," he says instead, because even though they're standing in an alley, the people on the main street are still too close.
"I know just the place," Addam says, before he takes Minoth's hand and tugs him along, further into the alley. Minoth lets him, following along. He tries to focus on the feeling of Addam's firm grip on his hand, the warmth seeping into his skin.
Addam takes them from that alley to another, then up a guard tower, and finally to the rooftops. It takes a good deal of Minoth's concentration and balancing skills to not simply slide right off and plummet to the ground far below. Eventually, they stop on a little flat rooftop with a view overlooking the gardens of the royal palace.
It's still and quiet, and most importantly well away from any other people. Minoth can feel himself relaxing already.
"How do you like it?" Addam asks, leaning against the wall of a taller nearby building. "I sometimes come here when I need some time for myself, some peace and thinking room."
"I wasn't expecting a Prince to be running around on rooftops," Minoth says with a raised brow.
"Few people do," Addam says with a laugh. "That's why it's such a good place." His amused smile fades slightly into something more neutral before asking "Seriously, though. How are you feeling?"
Minoth takes a deep breath and a few moments to think about it, going to stand beside Addam, who almost instantly puts an arm around him.
"I'm... better," he says after a minute. The pressure in his chest has eased, and he can breathe easier. The feeling of panic, of being closed in and unable to escape, has also nearly vanished. "Thank you."
Addam pulls Minoth closer and places a kiss on his cheek. Minoth turns his head to press their lips together. He might be getting a bit too comfortable doing this, taking such liberties with a Prince, but it just feels too good not to.
"How long are you staying in Torna?" Addam asks unexpectedly after a few moments of comfortable silence.
Minoth takes a minute to consider his answer. "Well... I still want to explore some more of the Titan, so..." he does some quick calculations in his head. "A few days, maybe a week. Two at most, if I find many interesting places."
Addam nods slowly, looking like he's considering something.
"I... have been named the Lord of Aletta," he eventually says after a few minutes of thoughtful silence. "I'll be leaving the capital the day after tomorrow."
"All right..." Minoth says, not entirely certain where Addam is going with this.
"Well," Addam continues, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "I was kind of hoping you'd stop by before leaving Torna. To say a proper goodbye."
Minoth considers what Addam just told him, trying to ignore the elated feeling in his chest at the thought of the man wanting to see hm again. Wanting to spend more time with Minoth, even inviting him to his new... Mansion? Palace? Whatever fancy house he'll undoubtedly be living in as a newly appointed Lord.
Minoth has heard of Aletta, even if he hasn't been there yet. It's supposedly beautiful, with plenty of open fields, an oasis, and a small settlement or two, situated some ways away from the capital. Minoth had planned on travelling there already, so making a stop to visit Addam shouldn't be a problem. Even if he doesn't really know what a Proper Goodbye is supposed to be, and how it's any different from a regular goodbye.
"All right," he promises. "I'll come visit you there."
Addam's answering smile is as brilliant as the sun, and when he kisses Minoth he's just as warm.
I hope you enjoyed this!
There will be one more part in this series, then it should be done.
Thanks for reading, and please feel free to let me know what you think!