Lilia was beyond fascinated with the set-up that Ichigo had put together (with permission from the Queen) in one of the towers that had actual electricity. While the Queen would never permit an actual power plant to be installed in their kingdom, there were numerous windmills and solar panels.
Briar Valley was very much into 'clean' energy.
"So what are you planning to do?" asked Lilia.
"Setting up for movie night," said Ichigo. "There's no way we can properly enjoy this movie on a small laptop screen, so I made sure to bring my projector with me. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing."
"Really now? What movie are you planning to watch?" said Lilia, already planning to drag Sebek and Silver into this.
Ichigo grinned.
"That would be telling, but it's something Malleus was really eager to see in the theaters once he heard what it was about."
Seeing Lilia's interest piqued, she grinned.
"If you can bring some drinks we can all enjoy it together," said Ichigo.
"Not the snacks?" said Lilia.
Ichigo's face went flat.
"After what you and Orihime did to that poor oatmeal?" she said flatly. Lilia grinned.
Sebek was as verbose as ever, and was still somewhat confused as to how he ended sitting next to Tatsuki. Orihime on the other hand was gleefully taking advantage of her new spot next to Silver.
Lilia shot Ichigo a smirk, knowing perfectly well she was likely setting up her friends with his boys. They could do worse, and besides this would keep things in-house, so to speak.
Ichigo didn't know this, but the Queen actually favored the girl. All she would need was one last nudge before she would give her tentative approval of Malleus' mate.
"So what are we watching tonight?" asked Tatsuki.
Ichigo grinned.
"Well, considering where we are and the fact our original plans were interrupted..." said Ichigo.
She hit play on the laptop, starting the movie.
After about ten or fifteen minutes, Lilia had sat up a bit in surprise.
"Wait, I thought the movie wasn't out yet?" said Lilia. Ichigo had been nice enough to pause it.
"The Japanese version hadn't come out yet," agreed Ichigo. "This is the original English version that came out in theaters. I had to pay extra for the pre-order."
Silver was slightly confused.
"What's this movie called?"
"Maleficent," said Ichigo. "It's supposed to be the 'origin story' of the Thorn Fairy, as well as a new perspective behind why she cursed the girl in the first place."
Malleus let out a pleased purr.
Ichigo waited a moment before restarting the movie. The boys were all watching with renewed interest now that they knew the subject matter.
Unknown to everyone in the room, Queen Maleficia had wandered into the room, mostly to find out what they were doing. She had entered around the time Maleficent had rescued her companion Diaval from a farmer and became entranced.
Lilia about had a heart attack once he finally registered her presence in the room.
Around the time the end credits hit, Ichigo went to go to the bathroom before she switched to another movie. And froze when she saw the Queen there, looking rather bemused.
"So this is what you were getting up to in here," said Queen Maleficia.
"Grandmother," acknowledged Malleus. Sebek and Silver were both rigid in surprise.
"Did you enjoy the movie?" asked Ichigo.
"I must admit, I was quite surprised to see the Thorn Fairy in such a manner," said the Queen. "However this...movie...did her some credit, at least."
Ichigo took it as a good sign that the Queen wasn't blasting the laptop. Clearly she was pleased by how the writers had portrayed the kingdom's ancestor.
"Well if the Queen is interested, we could watch another movie. What do you guys think?"
"I'm in," said Tatsuki.
"Depends on the movie," said Lilia.
"In any case we should really refresh our snacks...and maybe get another chair," said Ichigo.
"I'll help," said Lilia.
The second they were out of earshot, Ichigo turned to Lilia.
"So question...have you ever seen the movie Labyrinth with the puppets?"
"If you're talking about the one with David Bowie, then yes. Not too sure if the Queen would enjoy that particular mishap, even if it did only happen fifty years ago," said Lilia.
"Wait. That was based on..."
"You'd be surprised how many movies are based on real events, especially when a fairy is involved," said Lilia grinning.
"I would say Lord of the Rings, but that's a bit too long for someone who's likely never seen a proper movie before."
"Agreed," said Lilia.
"What about How to Train Your Dragon?"
Lilia let out a snort. The movie was good, but not likely to earn any favors with the Queen. She had gotten lucky that the movie they had watched previously was based on a subject matter so close to home.
Ichigo had a sudden thought.
"What about Godzilla?" asked Ichigo.
"If you're referring to the one set in New York..." said Lilia. Ichigo quickly shook her head.
"No, I meant the remake of the real thing. Think she'd get a kick out of seeing the King of Kaiju?"
Lilia let out a laugh.
"She just might. I presume this one survives?" he asked.
"Unlike that one set in New York, this one swims off at the end after beating the two other monsters. He was just taking a nap is all."
Game plan set, Ichigo took a few moments to queue up the next movie. She could only hope Queen Maleficia liked monster movies.
Ichigo was lucky...the queen was utterly fascinated with the beast.
~*~*~*~
Ichigo was traveling outside the castle, to see what the valley was like. Silver and Sebek were escorting them...well, Tatsuki and Orihime in particular.
It was clear Orihime had become utterly smitten with Silver, who never said a bad thing about her odd taste in cooking. And Tatsuki was clearly favoring Sebek, who didn't think it strange that a female could kick his ass. If anything, he took it as a sign that he needed to train harder, to better 'protect' his Lord.
The fact Tatsuki didn't mind him going on and on about Malleus (to learn more about him) was a major bonus, as most people tended to tune him out after five minutes.
Unnoticed by the group, Malleus had been discreetly trailing them for the past several hours. None of the guards were aware of his human disguise yet, so he planned to make the best of it while he could.
You could imagine his ire seeing a human tourist hitting on his mate.
"What part of 'I have a boyfriend' do you not get?" said Ichigo irate.
"Oh yeah, then where is he?" sneered the tourist. When he grew all too close to Ichigo, Malleus' limited patience snapped like a brittle twig.
Ichigo barely turned around when she sensed the familiar presence of Malleus.
"Is he bothering you?" asked Malleus, glaring at the other male.
The beastkin froze like a deer in headlights against the obvious predator. He might be an alleycat, but even he knew when he was up against something he was no match against.
"You are still grounded young man. How exactly did you sneak out of the castle?" said a voice nearby. It was Lilia.
Malleus didn't even bother with contrite. He knew he was busted and didn't care one bit.
"My guess is that he took advantage of the fact no one knows what his human form looks like," said Ichigo grinning.
Malleus pouted.
The alley cat took advantage and bolted from the area. He did not want to be caught by that predator.
Lilia went from amused father to 'chaperon' the second he busted Malleus. He knew the Queen was unlikely to be amused when her grandson was still in hot water for his two-year disappearance. They still had to announce his return to the nobility after all.
He was slightly confused as to why Malleus had a quiet discussion for well over twenty minutes with the craftsmen though. He just thought the prince was planning to make some new orders for his room, since his little den had been filled with several glass ornaments.
If he wanted to sponsor an artist, that was up to him. It was a harmless hobby to indulge in after all.
Even if it did lead to an almost disastrous misunderstanding later.
Malleus was just unhappy his mate would have to return to Karakura for the time being, as she still had school. She would visit every chance she could, since Urahara had found a suitable mirror to travel with.
And...if necessary...she could evacuate her friends and family to the Valley for their own safety. She had the distinct feeling Aizen wasn't through with them yet.
Two days later...
Malleus had a deep frown, watching his mate leave with her friends back to their home. He didn't like being so far apart from her, even if he could visit later. He was still grounded after all.
"Come grandson... you have many duties to make up for after your departure," said Maleficia.
"Yes, grandmother."
At least he was able to talk to Ichigo via the internet, since his grandmother had consented to a router being installed in his room. He also had one of the rare electrical outlets installed as well, so that he could continue his online games and binge watching.
Malleus barely hid the face he made when she mentioned that all the nobles were coming both to celebrate her birthday, but also his return.
Nobles who had several daughters that were of proper age to be his mate, and were all eager to get their claws into the Draconia line.
This was why he had taken a chance on that spell. Ichigo went out of her way to see Malleus, not Prince Malleus Draconia. She understood his love of old things, and encouraged him to try new ones.
It annoyed him that he had to put up with those simpering brats, rather than the protective, almost tomboyish Ichigo. He was sure she would look rather lovely when dressed up in formal wear and her hair done up.
The possibilities made him somewhat hot under the collar, but he tempered that thought. Better to save that sort of energy for when he was with his mate again.
Lilia gave him a knowing look whenever he had those thoughts.
Then everything came crashing down upon him.
"What."
"You are going to Night Raven, along with Lilia," said his grandmother.
"Why?" said Malleus. He didn't care if he came off as a petulant child.
Maleficia glared at him.
"I will not tolerate any rebellious behavior, especially since you're clearly planning to visit your lover whenever you can get away with it. If you can handle being away from her for four years, I will give you permission to formally court her. Lilia will be going as well to insure you keep your end of the bargain."
Malleus was not happy. Night Raven was on a rather secluded island and had a much more restricted access policy. Any attempts to a weekend visit would be out the window, as they would never allow his mate to attend as well.
"When do I leave?" he sighed.
"As the school year has already started, you will begin attending next year," she informed him.
Malleus kept his pouting to a minimum, and his grandmother frowned when he openly shut himself away in one of the lesser used chambers.
As days turned to weeks, she reached out to Lilia, who had always been close to her grandson.
"Is he still sulking?" she demanded.
"I'm afraid so, your majesty," said Lilia.
This was rather unusual behavior, but Malleus was a bit more open about his emotions since meeting his mate. More worrying was the smoke he had seen from the general direction of the room Malleus had shut himself in. Lilia wasn't sure what he was doing in there, and could only hope he wasn't indulging in childish destruction.
That would only result in the queen's disapproval towards his mate.
Lilia went to the room, and found it firmly sealed by a spell. Rather than try to break it down, he calmly sent out a text on his phone.
A few minutes passed, and Malleus opened the door with an annoyed look on his face.
"What?" he said with a surly expression on his face. He was also blocking the view from inside.
"Malleus, you do realize that sulking is only making it harder for your mate to gain the queen's approval, right?" he said with a sigh. "Especially this close to the Queen's birthday."
"I'm not sulking...and I'm rather busy."
"Busy doing what? The queen isn't exactly interesting in technology or anything too new," said Lilia patiently.
Now that the door was open, Lilia could smell something odd in the room. Nothing herbal or drug related...however he could definitely smell something fire related. In fact, he was catching strong hints of Malleus' own flame being used regularly inside.
Alerted, Lilia took a proper look at Malleus. The dragon seemed slightly hotter under the collar than he could recall, though why that was he had no idea.
When Malleus shifted a bit, Lilia caught sight of an odd rod, though he quickly blocked the view.
"I hope you know what you're doing," said Lilia.
"I've had quite a bit of practice," said Malleus cryptically. "Just be patient."
