Maleficia was not amused with her grandson. While he had finally left the room, his appearance was not as pristine as she would like for her birthday celebration.
More curious was the odd box he had carried into the room, and had made sure to cover and discreetly guard all night. Even she was highly curious as to what was inside.
Malleus was so busy guarding the box that he adamantly refused to mingle with the nobles who had come to see him and assure themselves that their royal line was secure.
Finally, Malleus had deemed that the time had come to reveal his gift to his grandmother.
Maleficia did her best to hide her annoyance when he so publicly hinted that his mate had suggested this as a new hobby for him to take up, only for it to turn into shock once she realized what she was looking at.
What Malleus revealed by removing the cloth...was nothing short of a masterpiece of art.
Dead silence fell upon the ballroom as everyone observed the gift. It was a glass replica of the palace, highlighted with careful placement of low-level light magic in the right spots that showed off all the intricate details that were inside. That wasn't all...there were a few glass dragons and a decorative glass bat (the lone bat was in Lilia's colors) that clearly symbolized the royal family, with the largest clearly representing the Queen.
Needless to say, everyone was talking about the gift long after the ball. Maleficia had it placed in a room where it could be enjoyed and catch the sunlight properly. She was very pleased, especially once she realized Malleus had been holed up in that room for over two weeks in order to make it.
The next morning...
Lilia was looking at the glass pieces in Malleus' new workshop with renewed interest. After seeing what the boy had created, he now realized that Malleus had likely created the artwork in his apartment by himself.
"You're saying Ichigo introduced you to this hobby?"
"She took me on a date to watch professionals work their craft, and supported me when I expressed an interest. She was the one who showed me internet videos on how to start learning how to do it myself."
Lilia could see how much work and effort Malleus had put into his new hobby. It was a good one to have, and gave him an outlet for his boredom.
At the very least he was doing something constructive with his time rather than brood at the window all day.
Lilia found himself inspecting the odd rods he had noticed before.
"Would you like to watch?" asked Malleus. "Ichigo certainly found it highly enjoyable."
Lilia was absolutely fascinated watching Malleus work. He had an expression of utmost concentration as he carefully heated up the glass rods with his fire. Once it reached the correct temperature, he began to mold it like an odd sort of puddy.
Lilia knew from experience how hot a Draconia's flame could get, and turning something from solid into an almost liquid meant that it was hot enough to do serious damage if touched directly.
For a dragon like Malleus, such heat was considered mildly warm at most. His claws made quick work of the molten glass, as he began to form it with the precision that came of long practice.
It was rather enjoyable to watch, seeing the glass rod quickly become something far more beautiful. It took Lilia a moment to realize that Malleus had created a glass sculpture of the crow familiar from the movie.
Once done, Malleus moved it into a small box in the corner, to cool.
"Fascinating," said Lilia, and he honestly meant it.
Malleus looked like he rather enjoyed himself while he worked on the sculpture.
"You said your mate introduced you to this hobby?" said a voice from the door. It was the Queen.
"She was unaware of my true nature at the time, but thought I might enjoy watching a master craftsman at work," said Malleus.
"And the purpose of the box?" said Maleficia.
"It's called an annealer," said Malleus. "It allows the glass to cool in such a way that it does not become too brittle once removed."
"And this?" asked Maleficia, picking up an instrument close to her.
Malleus brightened up, and began to explain each tool he had become very familiar with over the course of a year. His grandmother listened patiently, as it was clear Malleus rather enjoyed his new hobby.
Maleficia smiled at her grandson.
"Have you ever looked into making stained glass windows?"
Malleus perked up at that.
Lilia looked to the queen as they left the room.
"Why did you suggest that?" he asked curious.
"The castle is overdue for a few replacement windows, and this seems to be an excellent way to make him serve out his 'time out' as you called it without him trying to sneak away again," said Maleficia simply.
Lilia chuckled.
~*~*~*~*
Ichigo took one look at the weirdly human hollow, and knew by instinct this man was once a faerie. It really, really didn't help that the skinnier one could have passed for an older, more mature Malleus. One with a heavily pessimistic demeanor, but still a near carbon copy of her boyfriend.
She wasn't the only one staring at the skinny one. Tatsuki had taken one look at the horns before sharing a Look with Ichigo.
Something about this didn't feel right.
"I vote we crash at Orihime's place," said Ichigo quietly.
Normally they would go to Malleus' apartment, but he had allowed the lease to lapse. The only real trace of him being there were the scorch marks left from him sleeping with Ichigo.
That never failed to make Tatsuki laugh whenever she thought about it.
Orihime was all for the unexpected sleep over, and found herself curling into Ichigo's warm body. Ichigo had a bit of a cuddling habit, and would use her friends as her own personal teddy bear.
The second she felt like the world was dropping around her, Ichigo woke up.
"What..." whispered Tatsuki.
"Keep Orihime here. Something tells me we might need to evacuate to the Valley," said Ichigo softly. Tatsuki nodded.
One of the things the girls had picked up during that visit was broom flight. If things went south, Tatsuki had no issues flying straight to that tiny ass shop and bolting for the mirror.
Ichigo peeked past the door, and then nodded to the window.
Tatsuki quietly took out a broom and as silently as she could opened the nearest window. Orihime mouthed "be careful" to her friend, before they did their best to suppress their presence.
As soon as they were out, Ichigo flared her own which became like a beacon to anyone who was able to track that sort of thing. Since her powers were too strong, this meant she would be able to buy time for her friends and family to run while she drew all the fire to her.
The hollow stared her down, as emotionless as ever.
"Your friend cannot escape. We will find her, and obtain her power through any means necessary," said the hollow.
Ichigo glared at him.
"I won't let you have either of them," she stated with just as much conviction.
Besides, she was just buying time anyway.
Urahara's shop wasn't that far from Orihime's apartment, and it would take even less time to reach Malleus once they were in the same area. Besides, they had his phone number.
Seeing him draw his sword, Ichigo began to reach inward for Nyx.
She might not know much magic, but she did know how to do one thing. She could make one hell of an explosion and cause all sorts of trouble.
With Tatsuki and Orihime...
"Do you think Ichigo will be alright?" asked Orihime.
"She's safer than we are," said Tatsuki. Spotting the shop she began to land.
"What brings you girls this late?" yawned Urahara.
"That Malleus-lookalike hollow showed up at Orihime's apartment. I think he's after her," said Tatsuki.
"...I'll get the coffee warmed up," said Urahara without hesitation.
The second the portal opened, Tatsuki and Orihime were through it. Tatsuki immediately began dialing Malleus.
"What happened?" he asked.
"There's a hollow way out of our league that showed up to Orihime's apartment. He felt like you in a bad mood, and Ichigo was holding him off until we got to the shop," said Tatsuki.
Dead silence.
Tatsuki almost yelped at the sudden flare of magic, which soon revealed itself to be a highly territorial Malleus.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
"Last we saw her, she was at Orihime's apartment. This guy showed up a few days ago, that's why we knew to run like hell the other direction," said Tatsuki.
"And where do you think you're going young man?" said Lilia.
Malleus growled, and it was clear he was not going to accept "no" for an answer.
"I'm not saying you can't go," said Lilia. "But don't expect me to let you disappear without warning like last time without an escort first. So what exactly is going on?"
Tatsuki explained the situation. Lilia looked far more serious than she could recall. Orihime shivered a bit, since they had flown pretty fast to get to Urahara before the hollow caught up to them.
It didn't help that it was spring where they were.
Lilia took one look at Orihime, then at Malleus.
"Send the girls to the castle, I'll have Silver and Sebek guard them for the moment. Since this is a clear attack on your mate's territory, I'm sure the Queen will understand," said Lilia.
Malleus didn't hesitate, and Orihime was grateful to be indoors.
She was particularly grateful when Silver let her borrow his coat, as she was still chilly from the flight. Tatsuki merely grinned at the two.
In Karakura...
Ichigo was having a rough time of it, but her training had at least enabled her to survive this long against a semi-serious opponent. For once she was very grateful that she was essentially a 'black hole' as Lilia had called it.
This hollow, or whatever he was, was not expecting her to turn into a literal dragon.
She was going to be sore as hell after this, but considering that trick allowed her to survive this long she wasn't complaining.
It was an honest relief when she sensed Malleus arrive.
He looked downright pissed, and beside him she could vaguely see Lilia flying close by.
Lilia whistled at the damage. It was little wonder the girls had come straight to them rather than attempt to fight. It was like princess Meleanor was in an absolute snit all over again. Though Ichigo's attacks were far less precise, if he were to be honest.
Ichigo landed, hard, and watched as Malleus proceeded to blast the ever living hell out of the hollow. She looked to Lilia and her eyes seemed to convey something she was unable to ask verbally.
"He's upset that another dragon has come into what he considers your territory to poach one of your own. Considering the circumstances, he's a bit territorial," said Lilia.
She made an inquiring chirp. It was the best she could do with her dragon form.
"His grandmother permitted him to come, once the situation was fully explained. Defending one's mate from a superior threat is a valid reason to temporarily lift the time out," said Lilia with a smirk. "Coincidentally Orihime is under the protection of Silver and Sebek before we left."
Ichigo didn't bother to hide her snort, or as close as she could come up with one. So even Lilia was shipping the princess with the sleepy Knight.
Seeing the hollow flee, rather than risk the further wrath of the overprotective dragon, Ichigo relaxed.
Malleus flew down to her, and began to nuzzle her.
Exhaustion hit hard now that the threat was gone, and she found herself being put into a proper princess carry by her boyfriend. It didn't help that she was still bleeding the excess energy she had been drawing in just to maintain that form.
Lilia observed them and could admit Ichigo was good for the Prince. It was clear she needed someone to take care of her as much as she took care of others.
Hopefully the queen wouldn't be too irate over this.