ROLEPLAY HQ - breathe-fire-into-me

Alden adjusted his glasses and took a deep breath as he stepped into the grand hall adorned with opulent decorations bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. This charity event had been meticulously organized like so many before by no one else than his father himself. He had wanted him to join him in the process, but Alden had graciously declined all of his offers, telling his father how incredibly busy he had been at that particular moment in time, which, to an extent, was true. He was always busy. Just not with the things his father thought he would be busy with. Like studying on how to become a proper gentleman and lord or how to court a lady. Surely him telling his father that he preferred to learn about dissecting vertebrae wasn’t what his old man would want to hear. The festivities were attended by nobles and socialites from far and wide. The air was thick with laughter, the tinkling of crystal glasses, and the rustle of expensive fabrics. Alden's heart quickened as he felt the weight of the evening settle on his shoulders. He hadn’t even been here for more than a few minutes, and he could already feel everything getting too loud, too close and simply too much. It felt as if the walls kept on getting closer and closer, trying to suffocate him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The only thing he could do was hoping for this to be over soon, or for him to be allowed to leave early. If it took until the early morning hours… He wasn’t sure if he would be able to survive that. He clutched his leather-bound book close to his chest, its pages already well-worn from his nervous grip. It was his shield, his sanctuary in a sea of unfamiliar faces and elaborate small talk. As much as he admired his father's dedication to charitable causes, these gatherings were always a challenge for Alden.

10:37 AM

The noise, the constant chatter, and the performative nature of social interactions left him feeling disoriented and out of place despite sticking close to one of the walls, trying his best to become one with it, to draw even less attention to himself. No one was watching him, and yet it still felt like all eyes were laying on him. As if everyone was watching and judging his appearance and how he carried himself. Just how his father had said… Alden's gaze flickered around the room, seeking solace in the familiar architecture of the Winterbourne estate. The tall, arched windows offered a view of the sprawling gardens, a testament to the family's wealth and influence. He spotted his father, resplendent in his formal attire, engaged in conversation with a group of well-dressed gentlemen. Alden's mother, elegant and poised, floated gracefully among the guests, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. Both of them fitted in so seamlessly, while he felt so much out of place, as if he were trapped in an entirely different world that wasn’t his own. Surely it wasn’t possible for him to leave just yet, was it? Tucking a loose strand of chestnut hair behind his ear, Alden was glad as he found an unoccupied corner near a marble column. He sighed in relief, the cold surface of the marble providing a tangible anchor in the sea of social excess. With practiced ease, he allowed himself to sink into the world of his book, the characters and stories transporting him far away from the overwhelming reality of the event right in front of him. Everything was better than the laughter and chatter, the casual touches during handshakes and hugs shared between acquaintances and close friends. He had none of those, so there was no reason for him to ever grow interested in any of these weird social interactions. Books…

10:38 AM

Yes, books were so much easier to handle and understand. They had no hidden meanings, just facts and words, he could understand with ease. As Alden turned a page, a brief commotion at the entrance caught his attention. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and he glanced up, curiosity piqued. A figure had entered, tall and enigmatic, an air of mystery shrouding him. Alden's eyes widened behind his broken glasses as he watched the newcomer move with a confident yet guarded grace. He seemed dark and broody, seemingly fitting amidst the ambience, and yet like he belonged here and nowhere else. Alden could already hear his father’s voice inside his head, how he should aspire to become someone like him. Tall, proud, confident. Everything he wanted in a son, and yet he was stuck with him… Alden's heart raced as their gazes met, the stranger's topaz eyes locking onto his. Quickly he lowered his head, burying his nose deeper into his book, a slight blush rising in his cheeks, surely he hadn’t looked at him. How could he? He was hidden behind a statue and the corner furthest away from the entrance. Alden was just imagining things. But those eyes… He had never seen piercing eyes like that. Even from this distance, they made him shiver. Certainly something about this mysterious stranger seemed weird, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. With him not attending many of these events, it wasn’t too weird that he didn’t know him, but judging from the whispering around him, many others felt the same way. The evening stretched on, a blur of conversations and laughter, yet Alden's attention remained anchored to the enigmatic newcomer. Always fixating over the corner of his book. Watching where he was in the room, who he was talking to, and if any of these people were acquaintanced with his father. Alden wanted to know more about him, but he surely wouldn’t ask anyone about him, and a book could only help him so far. If he had at least a name…

10:38 AM

Why was he even so fixated on him in the first place? He was just a guest like everyone else… Shaking his head, he returned to his book, trying to not think about him again. It only distracted him unnecessarily. @Deleted User

It was a tragic story, with an even more tragic end to his family. He remembered he was loved, cherished and part of something bigger than himself. He barely stood to his father's knees at the time, just a small tyke having learned how to walk and gradually able to speak. Looking back now, he couldn't remember what his mother looked like, the sound of her voice, or even the warmth of her touch. What he did remember was the sparkle of gold and rich colors that hurt his eyes when the sun shone just right within the windows of his home. What shined even brighter was the hot lick and angry roar of flame that engulfed the Villa. Hearing their screams, the deep growls that shook cobblestone. Some of his kind lost control completely of their humanity, but still Humans decimated them with their weaponry and sorcery. Even those of his kind used to be powerful beings, their direct lineage having been consumed by love for those humans, the Draconic race slowly began to shape into Humans image. They used to be worshiped as God's, helping those in need and providing shelter, work, and food. The lands of the Belfüre Kingdom were soon set to ruin. He ran and ran from the carnage, being only at the age of 6, his whole family decimated, he watched his father being decapitated by a large man with a sun adorned axe and golden armor. That man boasted as he held his father's crimson scaled head in one hand and his mother by the hair in the other.

3:13 PM

He remembered her pleas and screams for mercy, remembered watching the way the Royal Knights ravaged her body and discarded her limb by limb. Amidst all of this, he heard a gentle voice call to him deep within the forest. A beautiful raven colored, nine tailed fox emitted such warmth and radiated a light he couldn't fathom. He didn't hesitate in his sprint towards the being. Her name was Avalein, a Divine Beast that tended to him and loved him throughout the years until he came of age. The more he was around her, the more he was drawn to her. She was both woman and Beast, much like him but a completely different being. She was the most beautiful thing he ever laid eyes on and throughout their time together, he always yearned for those eyes to be on him and only him. Their souls knew one another just as the night knew the day, or the moon knew the sun. She was his as he was hers, his one part to his whole. His heart was solely hers, his mind his body. And eventually that love blossomed until she lay heavy with his child. A child first of its kind and both knew that this child would change the world as they knew it. Humans are a treacherous being, one whose greed, lust and destruction always wrought chaos in their wake. And soon, those Humans formed a pact with Demons letting loose broken rifts, gnarled damned things spewed like an oozing sore from the blood soaked ground and started the Great War. His poor Avalein, his poor unborn child.. Taken from him and he unleashed his own inner Beast, a terrifying onyx Dragon with breath of the sun poured from split maw and billowing roar ; The gnarled things stole from his purpose, his life, his soul and his heart and he lost control, giving in to his blood lust..

3:15 PM

Zephyr woke with a startle, brows heavily riddled with sweat. Though the Great War was still ever present and more rifts broke throughout the lands, he made every effort to quell the Darkness from spreading. He lived hundreds of years as a Beast, tearing through forests, burning down villages, and breathing fire into the open, jagged scars scorn through the earth and he heard the Ancient Mother herself scream in agony as he laid lands to waste in barren, uninhabitable conditions. Ni'Yule, a High Priestess and wolf shifter herself, calmed his Beast down and brought only a portion of his sanity back. Hundreds of years he led under her command, nurturing his destruction with lush bushes and trees, bringing back the wildlife he drove out. He was, at this time, half Beast and half man. His hands wretched claws that grew onyx scales to his shoulders, his mouth jagged with a stretched maw and sharp canines that veiled beneath thin flesh, horns adorned atop his crown like a wicked, cruel reminder, wings and tail tucked neatly against his back side and out of the way. Eventually, Ni'Yule brought a witch, Su'Keen to seal with a binding spell his form returning him to his former self, the reflection of what Avalein saw in him, her love, a father. Using the back of his wrist to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Ni'Yule poked her head in, hundreds of years she stayed by his side, having seen her fair share of death, we banded together and eventually formed a band of mercenaries called Shadow Bane. "Zephy, you're going to be late for the Charity event, it will look bad on the Guild." Ni'Yule scolded me, her eyes stern, yet full of worry as she took in his ghastly appearance. "Nightmares again?" She whispered softly, her head hanging low. "Nothing I can't handle, Little Wolf." He gave a reassuring smile, one that nearly never filled the voids with any semblance of emotion, yet he was kinder, softer with his Little Wolf.

3:17 PM

Pulling himself to his feet, he adjusted his crisp white shirt and threw his trench coat over his shoulders before giving it a fitting shrug. Tossing his hair in a messy ponytail, he groaned as he stepped out into the gathering hall. All of his men, his comrades and the closest thing he had as a family stood proud giving him nods of approval and adoration glances as he set off to the horses. All of his men were familiar with Nobility and accepted within their space, having taken tasks after tasks, ridding the land of filth and demons, people here were finally able to rest easy with little to no risk of raids from the Demonic Forces. He hated wearing modern clothing, but he had to fit in, even though he was an outsider, a foreigner in a foreign country. He couldn’t subside the annoyance that crossed his face, his mouth twitched in due response as him and his men opened the door to the WinterBourne Estate. It was a massive, vast manor that was more elegant than his tastes. The marbled pillars and countertops were indeed gorgeous, but extravagant than he deemed necessary. Tugging on his trench coat it whipped against his ankles as he walked , he put one foot in before being bombarded with stares. Though he had attended many of these in the past, his relationships with the Nobles were increasing for the jobs they handed out making his band of men in Shadow Bane a hot commodity for hire. His anxiety still flared, he hated people, and it was a deep rooted hatred that stole his heart in fits of thunder as he extended his hand to a man on a sure path to shake it. Grimacing, he put on a fake facade, a smile that didn’t reach his empty eyes as he braced the Noble’s palm firmly. “Lenor, long time, my friend. How are your Grape Vines now that those beasts are gone?” Zephyr spoke deep, low and his voice faltered almost momentarily as his eyes met those emerald pools hidden within a corner.

3:18 PM

It was as if a spark of electricity crackled throughout his very being, a subtle tone that shot straight to his heart within a patter of thunder - He couldn’t look away, the boy caught his gaze and quickly left it to the book on the table he sat at. But, Zephyr caught that flush of crimson ignite in the boy's cheeks and couldn’t help but to crack a grin. Who was he? How had he never come across the boy before? He thought to himself, all noise seemed to drown beneath the quickened rate of his pulse, he didn’t even remain to listen to the rest of Lenor’s speech, nor give him the opportunity before Zephyr began to trek his way towards the hidden one. “Sir Zephyr, thank you for joining us on this glorious night.” The approaching man said with his arms spread wide. Zephyr tore his gaze away from the boy and unto the man. He was about a head or two shorter than himself, which made conversation awkward as he towered over the man, craning his neck, he cracked a fake smile. “Lord Percavil. Thank you for inviting my men and I. We are greatly in your debt.” As Zephyr bowed his head in mock respect, he eyed an envelope briefly hanging out of the Lord’s pocket threatening to fall. Lord Percival met where his gaze lingered and quickly stuffed the envelope that attempted to spill from its confines, the Lord’s knuckles went white and taught around his pocket, “Excuse me, Sir Zephyr, I must take my leave for a quick appointment.” With a curt nod, he toddled away causing Zephyr to arch a brow in curiosity. Against his better judgment, he followed him staying far enough away winding through the busy hall as to not be seen.

3:20 PM

He stuck close to the wall as Lord Percival went inside his office, where a woman with porcelain skin, deep ember eyes and ruby red lips awaited him inside. "Felicity, thank you for coming.. But, this is too early to be doing this, isn't it?" The Lord's voice quivered under the woman's piercing gaze, her brow twitched in annoyance. "Do you have my cut or not, Percival?" She spat venemously, sweat already began to pool down the Lord's face in fear. Zephyr held his breath, watching through the small Crack of the door as he flattened himself against the wall, the Lord fished out that envelope he eyed earlier stamped with a Purple Royal Seal, the woman snatched it harshly out of his stumpy finger tips. Felicity tore it open reading its contents aloud, "Lord Percival, you are to relinquish 25% of your funds from the charity to the Royal Empire, you are also required to allow passage to mine the Diamonds within your territory and any and all diamonds mined, you will get 10%. Agree to these terms, or your land and son will be forfeit. We appreciate your cooperation, and offer our most humblest gratitude. If you see anything out of the ordinary, you are to turn a blind eye and let none of this be known to any outside of you and I. Or else Felicity will show you her rather.. Agreeable form, you could say. Sincerely, Viceroy Malekai Thorne."

3:24 PM

The woman annunciated revealing her form as those pools of ember formed slits of blackness, a long forked tongue snaking from behind those blood stained lips. Her voice was excited, skin shifted briefly in waves of scales as she cooed the Viceroys name. Lord Percival whimpered, a man with no spine, a coward unwilling to stand up to the wretch in front of him. Zephyr knew demons were able to adjust their bodies over the centuries to adapt with humans, to trick them with their lies and lead them down those rifts to Hell. But, now wasn't the time to take action, this was information that would surely come in handy. Slipping away, he went to blend in with the crowd once more. His eyes searched for that boy, he just wanted to talk, and ask why the hell he was so familiar and why those piercing greens pulled him so deeply into a trance that he felt lost within. The noise was unbearable, kind of like grinding metal and he couldn't stand it much longer. But, he wanted answers to his questions. Soon, he made his way through the cackling bodies, their foul breath reeked of alcohol and sweets that smelled like decay and infection to his sensitive nose.

3:24 PM

Finally, he was able to wade through and approach the boy, it was bothersome how his heart seemed to hammer against his in such a way that it almost seemed to want to jump out just to be embraced. His brows furrowed as he reached out his hand, fingertips faintly brushed the stray strands of hair that escaped to the boy's cheek and softly put it behind his ear. Zephyr paused, momentarily stunned by his own action, he hadn't properly introduced himself nor asked if he could accompany the boy at the table. His voice was nothing short of a whisper as he retracted his hand letting it settle to the back of the unoccupied chair, "Apologies, I know when reading books hair can become quite an annoyance. Zephyr's my name, you seem vaguely familiar. Why?" Albeit the husky undertones were just shy within his words, yet there was an agitation he couldn't quite piece together on why this insignificant boy made his heart beat as if he were alive once more. @SirFüncelot

His eyes kept on wandering, watching how Zephyr moved gracefully through the crowd, mingling effortlessly with the guests. He couldn't help but admire the way Zephyr navigated social interactions, his mysterious aura drawing people in like moths to a flame. Alden clutched his book tighter, feeling a mixture of fascination and apprehension. He never had been this intrigued by another person before, and he may not want to meet him personally, but he surely didn’t mind observing him from afar. It was… Entertaining? Nice? Alden couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but the fascination he had for various animals, plants and artifacts seemed to extend to this particular enchanting human too. His gaze flickered to his father as Zephyr engaged in a brief exchange with him. Alden's father appeared intrigued by the enigmatic stranger, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Alden's heart skipped a beat as he realized that his father might introduce him to Zephyr. Panic welled up inside him, his palms growing clammy. Did they know each other? Or was it just some formality? He certainly didn’t want to meet some stranger, even if he was intrigued by him. Alden wanted nothing more than to stay on his own, far away from all the hustle around him. Alden's gaze dropped back to his book, his pulse racing in his ears. He feigned interest in the text before him, using the pages as a shield to hide his nervousness. He traced the words with his eyes, his mind elsewhere, replaying the interactions he had observed between Zephyr and the other guests. He didn’t want that. He was content with just watching from afar, without any interactions. Like how a researcher would study an exotic animal from far away, not wanting to risk an injury or anything like that. Alden didn’t fear getting hurt. At least not physically, but mentally… It just seemed impossible. Meeting someone new… He hoped his father remembered how bad he was at these types of social interactions and would have mercy on him.

1:00 AM

It would just be awkward, and he certainly didn’t want to be the one responsible for preventing a trade deal or whatever they had talked about. Maybe he could leave before anything like that happened? When Zephyr disappeared, Alden felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief. It didn’t help that his father had vanished too, but he blamed it on a coincidence and not anything more logical like that they could be talking about something together. Like recurring meetings. There were already more than enough strangers frequenting their home. Alden didn’t need someone new he had to avoid. It was hard enough as it is. He stole glances around the room, trying to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic stranger. The minutes ticked by slowly, each second stretching like an eternity. And then, just as Alden's anxiety began to settle, Zephyr reappeared. Strutting into the room from one of the many doors across the room like he owned the place. All eyes were back at him, but the man didn’t even seem to care. He looked like someone with a clear goal in mind, and him apparently making his way in Alden’s general direction wasn’t helping. His heart leaped in his chest, his nerves renewed as Zephyr clearly approached him. He fidgeted with his book, his fingers brushing against the worn leather cover, while he lowered his head as far down as possible, his nose nearly touching the well-read pages. He wanted to flee, get up and run, before the other could get near him, but his body wouldn’t move. It was as if he had turned into a marble statue himself, unable to do anything besides stare and hope, he was walking towards someone else and not him. There were so many guests around, surely… Someone had piqued his interest. Someone that wasn’t him. Surely, that had to be it! This didn’t seem to be the case, as he could feel the presence of the other man come closer and closer, like a looming shadow that dreaded to devour him.

1:01 AM

Alden closed his eyes, even before the other dared to touch him, wishing that maybe all of this was just a bad dream, that he could awaken from when he opened his eyes again in a few seconds. Instead, he felt Zephyr reach out, his touch light and fleeting, Alden's breath caught in his throat. The sensation of Zephyr's fingers brushing his cheek sent a shiver down his spine, his skin tingling in response. He felt unwell, his stomach upset, and his heart hammering in his chest. The nervousness was eating him alive. Zephyr's voice, a mere whisper, reached Alden's ears, causing his cheeks to flush a deep shade of pink. He struggled to find his voice, his tongue suddenly feeling heavy in his mouth. His heart raced, and he mentally scolded himself for feeling so flustered. There was no reason to. Really. He should be able to do this much, and yet it felt like his entire body was stunned, leaving him unable to move or even respond. He should have never come. He should have told his parents he felt unwell and stayed in his room, far away from the buzzing crowd with all its flashy people. Alden had known it would just make him feel sick, but now it was too late for that… "U-uh, it-it's alright," Alden stammered, his voice barely audible as he lowered his gaze even further, his hair now obediently tucked behind his ear. He had opened his eyes, just a bit, his glasses resting all the way down at the tip of his nose, nearly falling off, but he wasn’t pushing them up. Alden’s entire body was stiff, seemingly frozen in place. Like a turtle, he had tried to retract his neck and head, to maybe prevent the inevitable touch he experienced. It just made the nausea flare up, his flushed face turning pale as a response. "Zephyr?" he repeated like a question, his voice a soft breath of air. "I-I'm Alden." He glanced up briefly, his eyes meeting Zephyr's, before quickly looking down again, his cheeks burning.

1:01 AM

"Vaguely familiar? I... I'm not sure. I-I've never been to an… event like this before…", he muttered, stumbling across the words, nearly choking on his own tongue in the process of speaking. Alden should certainly be better at this, and yet he made a complete fool of himself. How would he get out of this? Would the other lose interest, because of how awkward the situation was? Or had he been set up by his father? Then he surely wouldn’t leave any time soon. Knowing his father, he probably wouldn’t have a problem with paying someone to spend time with his useless son, just to keep up the reputation of the family name. He hated this! He hated this so much! If there was an opportunity… He would run! Getting away from here as fast and as far as possible, locking himself inside his room and never ever leaving it again. He’s had enough of this… No more events, no more dinners or parties. He was over it. Alden would just never go again! Yes! That was his plan! Why should he even attend them? He had no idea what they were about anyway. @Deleted User

he informality in the way of his greeting immediately made him internally cringe, this boy was no doubt a noble defined by the way he dressed, though he lacked any semblance of self confidence from what Zephyr could see. He didn’t intend on sitting down on the chair, his hand clutched so greedily too, his knuckles riddled with white and splotches of red as he dug his fingertips into the wooden brace. He hadn’t felt this in so long, he shown nothing on his face, no emotions - They were a fleeting, annoying thing that he only felt with the swing of his sword or with a woman writing beneath him, yet this boy made him feel so alive proof in the way his very heart beat annoyingly within his chest. He took the boys appearance in, slowly, as if eyeing a prey that fell within his grasp ; Disheveled hair, glasses that threatened to fall from the bridge the boys nose, and that same flush staining his cheeks only darker now that Zeph noted the first glimpse of their eyes locking within one another. Nonetheless, the boy was strikingly adorable and it almost seemed as if Zephyr yearned for that vast emerald gaze only to see him.

2:47 AM

The boy spoke, a stuttering mess that shot a pang through his heart - It was as if the boy's voice alone quelled his beast in a deep slumber, or did it awaken the beast as he clutched the wood within his palm until hearing small, audible cracks. He paid no mind to the damage to the frame, still fixated as the boy spoke his name, ”Al..den..” It rolled off his tongue with an infectious draw from his lips like the sweetest taste of honey. “I think, Alden.. I’d like to see more of you.” Zephyr spoke simply as he extended his free hand out in greeting, before the boy had the chance to react, the sickly sweet smell of decay reached his nose once more making him almost wretch to the stench that wafted the air and a deep crackling groan echoed behind him. Pivoting atop his heel, Zephyr whirled around to see none other than Andrick, one of the Nobles he previously was hired under erupt in a grotesque display of viscera as a fiend separated from their mortal flesh. So, Demons are hiring Mercenaries under the guise of Nobility now.. Interesting.. Zeph thought to himself, weapons weren’t permitted within any charitable events to avoid needless fighting and injuries. Absentmindedly, he reached to the empty sheathe at his waist after releasing the chair that lay crushed beneath his hand. “FUCK.” He cursed aloud, just as a ball of fire erupted from the Demon’s split maw, the glow illuminating the strands of sinew still clutched to its cheek, dripping a gruesome display of blood that pooled beneath the fiends cloven hooves.

2:48 AM

Zephyr had wanted to keep his identity hidden, being as none other than Ni’Yule and the Guild knew his true form beneath the bindings of his tattoos, his pupils dilated into thin, fine slits as the storm within his eyes crackled and bled from his irises filling every bit of his sclera's, casting a gaze over his shoulder, he made eye contact with Alden, “No matter what happens, stay behind me.” With a shrug, enormous ebony wings shot through his clothing, shredding both his blouse and coat in its wake as he curled his shoulder, he deflected the fireball hurling at an awkward angle with a meaningless bat of his wing. The pain of his fingertips popping and loosing his claws pooled blood from beneath the open wounds was nothing to him for he experienced this time and time again, onyx scales sprouted beneath his forearms in a spray of crimson as he darted with lightning speed to the beast - Just as he neared, it’s maw began to illuminate once more, but it wasn’t directed at Zephyr - It was at.. Alden? His eyes widened just as the encroaching ball began to roll from the fiends stretched mouth. Would he make it in time? Without thinking, he extended his left arm out, and pushed off the ground as hard as he could with a beat of his wings that pooled dust in a small cloud around him. Boots met the Demons chest, his palm clutched at the beast's lower jaw and with an effortless yank pulled the bone free with a wet squelch, his other hand ground with a twist of his wrist within it’s chest before pulling free the still beating heart. Quickly, the spark of flame died like an ember floating in the wind.

2:49 AM

Standing from the pile of gore, he dropped both the jaw and heart to the ground before connecting a booted heel to the still beating organ that spewed a black, gooey substance across the marble floor. Kneeling, he picked up a discarded, untouched portion of Andrick’s tunic to wipe the bits of torso and cheek he had stuck beneath his claws. Shrugging his shoulder, once more, his wings sealed themselves beneath the tattoos that traveled the length of his back, and his scales yet again retreated within his forearms, the flesh reanimated quickly over what was once there. A screech of out rage rang throughout the room, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, PERCIVAL?!” Felicity’s voice boomed as she neared the fallen body of Andrick. “YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS.” For a brief moment, he seen Felicity's eyes find their way to Alden. The woman's words still carried a weight within the room as she disappeared within a fit of black smoke before anyone was able to speak.

2:50 AM

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2:53 AM

@SirFüncelot

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Immediately Zephyr’s eyes met Percival, anger flared his nostrils as he spoke, “You and I, Lord Percival, will be sharing words. Soon.” The bite of venom clearly shown as a promise as the Lord’s face paled, he was about to step towards the man, to grab him by the collar of his shirt and demand why Viceroy Malekai was consorting with Demons and why there are Demons in the midst of WinterBourne. Why he was giving them funds from the charity events or why the Diamond Mine was so important to the Royal Empire. There was clearly something going on, something Zephyr hadn’t caught on, but was definitely going to put an end to it all, no matter the cost. Just as he was about to step towards the man, he whipped around to Alden. Worry etched within his face as he approached the boy, his chest bare and littered with bouts of sweat that cascaded like small crystalline pearls down his chest mingling with the fine strands of a happy trail that dipped out of sight beneath his trousers.

4:51 AM

His forefinger and thumb reached for the boys chin as he gently brought the forest green gaze to his eyes, his sceleras still crackling heavily with pools of thunder as he looked the boy up and down attempting to find any visible signs of harm. His face etched with worry as he whispered low, words only meant for Alden, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" It was odd how worried he'd become over some, insignificant boy. But there were connections he couldn't figure out, why were demons targeting Alden? Why did he feel so drawn to him, he didn't understand, but what he did understand, he wanted answers.

Alden's initial nervousness was momentarily forgotten as the other said his name. Coming from him, it sounded like a foreign tongue, a language he couldn’t comprehend, yet it seemed to enchant him in a way he couldn’t explain. He found himself drawn towards this unfamiliarity, a mix of curiosity and shyness swirling within him. Zephyr's informal approach had caught Alden off guard, and his heart raced with a strange mixture of discomfort and fascination. Why was he experiencing this? What was this man doing to him, to make him feel even more flustered than he usually did? Why did his eyes seem to draw him in more and more? The next words he spoke didn’t help, reminding him of one too many romance novels he had read in the past because they had piqued his interest. They had been… Rather dirty at some points, making him blush even harder, while reminding himself of the words he had read and that seemed so very similar to the ones Zephyr had just said to him. Of course, he only meant to maybe see him again, but the way he had formulated it… It made it seem as if he wanted to undress him to see more of him, and that… It was very embarrassing, and Alden wished nothing more than to get swallowed by the ground whole. After barely managing to introduce himself, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air grew thick with an acrid stench, and a guttural groan echoed through the hall. Panic knotted in Alden's stomach as he turned to see the grotesque figure of some kind of monster emerge from the shadows. The sight was both horrifying and surreal, and for a moment, Alden's mind struggled to comprehend the danger that loomed before him. Never before had he seen such a creature, only read tales about them. Monsters that crept up onto the earth from the deepest parts of the abyss, wanting to torment the mortal souls that wandered the face of the earth. Zephyr's swift reaction and hardened demeanor contrasted sharply with the earlier conversation.

9:14 AM

The transformation was jarring, as if the man before him was an entirely different person. Alden's eyes widened in shock as the demon's attack was deflected, fire erupting in the grand hall. The chaos that unfolded felt like a nightmare, a twisted carnival of violence and fear. It left him paralyzed, his initial fear of the social interactions forgotten, as he stared death practically into the eye. This would be the end… He wouldn’t be able to survive this. Under no circumstances. He wasn’t even able to run away. None of his body parts seemed to listen to him, remaining frozen in place, leaving him to stare at the fight that unfurled right in front of him. His heart raced, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he watched Zephyr's wings unfurl, ebony scales ripping through his clothing. The sight was breathtaking and terrifying all at once. He'd read of creatures like this in his books, but to witness it first hand was a different kind of awe. Zephyr's command for him to stay behind reverberated in his ears, but fear rooted him in place, curiosity and terror warring within him. Never would he have imagined encountering someone like this. A human with wings? Was he even human? Alden had so many questions, questions he would never be able to ask, but was determined to find an answer to through his books. There had to be something about creatures like him written in them, right? And maybe even about the monster he was fighting? Alden's breath caught as Zephyr lunged into action, his movements fluid and precise. The clash of steel and scales, the sickening squelch of flesh, and the fiery roar of the demon created a surreal symphony of chaos. The room seemed to blur around Alden as he watched, the sheer other worldliness of the scene captivating him despite his fear. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't tear his eyes away even for a second. The only person to remain seated and just watching, without much panic in his face, his mouth slightly ajar.

9:14 AM

Yes it was gory and brutal and under other circumstances he would have possibly turned or even sprinted away, but right now… He just couldn’t help it. Something about the man, the scene seemed fascination on one and utterly familiar on the other hand. Alden wasn’t able to place it. The demon's screech echoed like a banshee's wail, the room vibrating with the force of its rage. Alden's gaze flickered to a figure emerging from the shadows, her presence both ominous and unsettling. The revelation that nobles were involved with monsters like this left Alden reeling, his mind struggling to process the magnitude of the situation. Was his father involved in this? Was this supposed to be some kind of show? An accident? An attack? Alden didn’t know enough about today's event, to answer any of his questions, doomed with confusion and a lack of knowledge. Oh, how he hated it. Not knowing something and not being able to learn about it on his own. This seemed like something he would need to ask his father about, something he certainly would never do. Even with his parents, he only spoke a few words here and there, otherwise remaining detached from them as much as possible. Zephyr's promise to his father was laced with a venomous determination that left Alden both amazed and unsettled. The events unfolded like a fever dream, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched Zephyr with a mix of fear and admiration. Apparently his father had truly something to do with this, but what? It didn’t make sense in any way. Why should his father be involved with monsters or creatures like this? Even his affiliation with Zephyr seemed strange at first glance. From where did they know each other? He didn’t come much further then, just as the chaos subsided, Zephyr turned his gaze toward Alden, concern etched on his face.

9:14 AM

He watched him, apparently waiting for a reaction, an answer, something, anything, but Alden wasn’t able to offer anything like that. Instead, his fight or flight instinct kicked in, his heart racing faster than ever before. He couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability, of being a bystander in a world he didn't fully understand. As Zephyr approached, his chest bare and glistening with sweat and blood-red gore, Alden's breath caught in his throat. The strange mix of emotions he felt around Zephyr intensified, leaving him feeling overwhelmed and breathless. Without a second thought, his instincts took over, shaking off the hand that had grabbed his chin, only offering a sudden yelp as a reply before Alden turned on his heel and fled, his legs carrying him away from the scene as fast as possible. The world around him blurred, his heart pounding in his ears. He pushed through the crowd, the grand hall a whirlwind of colors and voices. The weight of the evening's events bore down on him, leaving him feeling small and insignificant. He had been so focused on getting away as fast as possible that he had completely forgotten about his book, leaving it behind, but also not caring enough about it to return for it. He would just collect it in the morning when most of the turmoil had settled. He didn't stop until he was as far away from the chaos, his lungs burning and his chest heaving. He leaned against a cool marble wall, his thoughts a jumble of fear and wonder. Zephyr's draconic form and fierce determination were etched into his memory, leaving an indelible mark on his consciousness. As much as he longed to be brave, to face the unknown with unwavering resolve, his flight instinct had won out. With his back pressed against a wall in a corner, he slid down, curling in on himself, in an attempt to calm himself and catch his breath.

9:15 AM

Alden closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing and make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had overtaken him. He felt sick, mostly due to what he just had witnessed, but he also hadn’t minded as much as he did. His own thoughts frightened him. They made him worry and want to forget. How was he supposed to sleep like this tonight? He surely couldn’t. The memories would keep him awake. Not just today, but certainly for a while. @Deleted User

The whole world seemingly ceased to exist as he looked within those depths that held him captive, rooted his very being to a still - There was no sound, only Alden, as his thumb softly trailed the expanse of the boys chin meeting the flesh of his lips ; It was like a surge of heat that shot through the very tip of his thumb straight to his chest causing that fleshy organ to once more burst into an uneven patter of need. The feeling was indescribable, it was deeper than what he could comprehend on why the other made him feel so… Vulnerable. Those green doe-eyes stared up at him in a manner that left him feeling cold. He could read the boys expression as soon as the yelp left from those precious lips. Simultaneously, he retracted his hand just as Alden jumped from his seat and ran from him. Zephyr let his hand fall back to his side, the commotion behind him ignored as he watched the figure of the boy fade through the crowd and out of sight.

6:49 PM

He was left there, the familiar embrace of loneliness ebbed his very core like small, icy spiders crawling along his body. He was indecisive on whether he should chase or not, was Alden scared of him because of the beast he hid? It was a part of him just as he was a part of the beast, he’d rip the scaly lizard from his very soul if he could have but one last look within those abyssal depths that threatened to suck him in. The thunder rolling in tidal waves within his eyes slowly calmed, returning back to normal, of what was once a brilliant topaz laid a dull, washed out yellow. He was tired, so tired. As soon as the pang of heartache struck him, so too did the disgust and betrayal, the betrayal of his immortal love of his Avalein. His dear Avalein.. How could he have been so daft to think that boy could replace her? Was he selfish? Was he just wanting to manipulate the boy? Why, why, why! Was all he could scream within his mind as he felt the mortal coils of his soul began to unravel and a piercing pain struck at his temple that he had to push a fist against to quell the onslaught of throbs that ensued.

6:50 PM

Ni’Yule soon crept alongside him, her hand atop his shoulder, her words soft and but a whisper as her forehead soon touched to the back of her hand, “Sia Isthasy (Draconic for My Brother), Lord Percival is requesting a private audience with you in his study..” He could hear the frown in her voice without even looking. Placing a hand atop her head, he tossled the tufts of ivory and gave a soft flick to the tip of her wolf-like ears. “Tell the Lord I’ll meet him there.” He bit out from beneath clenched teeth. Casting one more longing glance to the direction the boy had run off too, he shook the feelings off, as short-lived as his closing his heart off was, he found himself looking at the table where Alden had sat. The book Zephyr had seen the boy clutching like a lifeline to his chest laid there like a blessing in disguise. His fingertips brushed the leather bindings as if it were an immeasurable treasure that could break if one were to apply any kind of pressure. Bringing the book within his palm, he held it against his own chest, a gentle smile taking claim to his lips as he pivoted to the study. His smile quickly diminished as Ni’Yule giggled in the background, fanning her face in mock heat as he passed with a growl that erased his peace. He knew she was just joking for this was probably the first smile he showed in years. Rounding the corner, he opened the door to the study, a grimace took to a thin white line as a deadly glint bore within Zephyr’s eyes. “Pretty ballsy to do dealings with a Demon, one contracted with the Royal Empire no less, at an event YOU organized with an open door.” Zephyr gritted out beneath bared canines that threatened to pierce skin as the fat man’s face paled, visibly sweating.

6:50 PM

His words were a squeak Zephyr had to strain to listen to, “Do you think I had a choice?! They threatened to kill my soon and burn my assets!” This made Zeph’s nostrils flare with anger and annoyance, the rolling tide whispered a promise to return to his eyes as he narrowed them, “You’re a spineless man that has a fortune in your treasury and not once did you think to hire the guild to protect you?!” A shimmer of hope lit the mans face as he crept closer to him, “You… You could protect me?” “Protect you?” He roared, scales rippled across his forearms as he reached for his still pounding head, “What about Alden?!” He winced the angrier he got, the harsher his words were spat out forcing lids to veil the storm consuming the raging pools. “You stay away from my boy, Monster!” The man yelped as he back peddled.

6:51 PM

Monster.. Zephyr bit back a choking laugh as he opened his eyes, revealing the thunderous sparks licking angrily beneath. “Monster, yes..” He chuckled, “Yet, you bring a demon to your home, demons that are clearly targeting your boy.” Quirking a brow, he settled his back against the trimming of the door, “I’ll make you a deal, Fat Man.” Crossing his arms over his still bare chest, the rough scales scratched at his skin leaving small pink, jagged streaks as they cut across before settling into place still clutching Alden's book, he continued. "Regardless of the price, you must agree to the terms and I'll protect you." Percival nodded, taking the bait and before the man had a chance to recant the offer of protection, Zephyr spoke plain and quickly, "You'll assign me to be Alden's Personal Guard, provide my men with food and lodging and they'll scout the lands and guard every entrance of the Estate. As well as stationing a few of my men at your graineries. We will let the Royal Capital take over your Mines and my men will stick to the shadows, if any minions should come asking questions, I'll be the only one in the open as such. They shouldn't question as Alden is of Nobility, you can advise them that I am to train him how to swing a sword and be a man."

6:51 PM

Cocking a grin that lifted the corners of his mouth, he awaited an answer, a finger tapped impatiently across the onyx scales littering his forearm. Meekly, the man nodded. "Oh, and Percival, I expect a monetary payment as well. If you'll excuse me, I have to hunt down my charge. My Lord." The last two words were snarled as the man sputtered, spittle flying from his lips and a man finally finding his spine reeled as Zephyr dipped his head in a mock bow and left to find Alden. His head didn't cease in the rampant pounds, to top it off, his scales refused to dissipate. Knowing this was going to be troublesome when he did find Alden, he wanted to protect that boy from seeing such an atrocity, but couldn't be helped when half his clothes got shredded amidst the shift. He found himself just walking, aimlessly so. But, for some reason a small voice whispered that he was headed in the right direction. The closer he got to his destination the more his heart came alive.

6:51 PM

He heard uneven breaths coming from the servants quarters, the door slightly ajar. Only the subtle flick of flame from the top of a candle lit the room in its sickly orange glow. Lifting his hand, his knuckles rapped against the door before he stepped inside. Finding the boy huddled in a corner, he approached Alden slowly like an animal that would run at the slightest movement. His hand holding the book he knew was cherished beyond his comprehension outstretched as knelt but a foot away before setting the book down between what little space there was between the two.

6:58 PM

Settling down atop the backs of his legs, he studied the boy's seemingly cowering figure. It pained him to see Alden like this that he wanted to bring him within his arms. But, the gore and staining of crimson that trailed down his chest to his abdomen stopped him, absentmindedly, he lifted his hand wanted to cup the boy's cheeks within his palm once more, to softly bring it to his, eyes trailed to Alden's parted lips, and before he was able to pull the other within his grasp, he let his hand fall to his inner thigh in defeat. "I would never hurt you, Alden.. Never you.." He grimaced at his words that felt as if they inflicted a deep would within his chest, but he pushed on. "As of tonight.. I'm your Personal Guard, nothing will ever hurt you, you have my word." He knelt his head, memories flashed within his head as his love and child lay beneath him, an angry and violent memory of his failures.. He wouldn't let anyone take Alden like this.. Not him. Never him. @SirFüncelot

His unsteady breaths echoed in the dimly lit space of the servants' quarters, the sound reverberating through the quiet room, but getting swallowed up by the hammering of his own heart and the blood rushing through his ears. Alden huddled in the corner, his body trembling with a mix of fear and shock. The gruesome image of the demon's demise played on a loop in his mind, each detail etched into his memory like a haunting painting, paired with the enchanting sight of the other man. Like a clash between monsters, and yet he wasn’t able to feel any fear towards Zephyr. Yes, the images were haunting, but not because of his appearance. It was due to the blood and gore that he could still smell in his nose and taste on his lips. He wanted to get rid of it, but no matter how often he swallowed his own spit, it just kept on reappearing. Alden had no idea how long he had been sitting there, seemingly staring into nothingness, while his head replayed the scene from before again and again. With each time, it seemed to grow more and more dizzying. The creature became more and more monstrous, teeth sharper, claws longer as it tore through the flesh of innocent bystanders, its glowing eyes fixated only on him. A blinding light was what struck the beast down, shining around a dark winged figure, glistening with blood and sweat, effortlessly ripping the monster in half. It was like a chapter from a story book, where the hero defeats the dragon to save the princess. Just that he was the princess and the dragon was the hero saving him from even greater evil. All of this was so surreal… A scared gasp escaped him as suddenly the door creaked open, his heart skipping a beat as he heard the hesitant footsteps approach. He instinctively tensed, his eyes wide as he watched Zephyr enter the room. Alden hadn’t even heard him knock, too absorbed within his own thoughts. His breath hitched as Zephyr knelt down,

11:07 PM

his gaze steady as he studied him like one would do with a particularly interesting specimen. He tried to move further back, further away from the man, squeezing himself tighter into the corner, his arms wrapped tightly around his legs and his eyes widened in shock as he kept them locked onto him. The sight of Zephyr's outstretched hand, holding the cherished book, eased some of Alden's tension. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes. He gazed down at the pages, the words a blur in his anxious state. Slowly, he extended his own arm, shaking lightly from how nervous he was. Quickly, he grabbed onto the book, picking it up from the ground to press it to his own chest tightly. Clasping it, as if it were some sort of lifeline, that kept him anchored to this place. It seemed as if he feared to drift off without it, as if it would keep him grounded through all of these tumultuous incidents. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt like a small, fragile creature, caught in the gaze of a predator. His gaze remained lowered, his hair falling forward to partially shield his face. It was too dark to see much of his features and face, only partially illuminated from the bit of light that shone through the crack of the door. There were no wings upon his back anymore, and most of his other Draconic features seemed to have vanished as well. Alden couldn’t remember if it had been like this before he had run away, or if the change took time. He wouldn’t have minded getting to look at them a little bit longer, but he just couldn’t take the closeness and the touches, additionally to everything else that had happened. Alden's breath hitched again as he sensed Zephyr's movement, the other man's hand poised as if to touch him. His heart raced in anticipation, a mixture of longing and fear intertwining within him.

11:08 PM

But then, the touch never came, and he felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief he couldn’t quite place. At least did he get an opportunity to see the few dark scales on his forearms shimmer, feeling the urge to extend his own hand and maybe touch them with a finger or too. He wanted to know if they were smooth or rough, hard or soft, because he couldn’t tell just from looking at them. Zephyr's words reached his ears, each syllable a gentle echo in the quiet room, though it took a moment for him to understand and tear his eyes away from his arms. Alden hadn’t moved yet, but the urge inside of him was strong, nearly making him miss the words spoken to him. The promise within them was palpable, a lifeline of reassurance in the midst of Alden's turmoil. He dared to look up, meeting Zephyr's gaze. The intensity of that gaze sent shivers down his spine, but the vulnerability he detected within those words was unexpected. He wasn’t able to understand what the other meant with this. It was as if a deep sadness lived within him, that he was unable to comprehend as of yet, and he certainly didn’t want to get burdened by. Unsure how to help relieve these pains. Alden's chest tightened as he listened, his pulse quickening. He felt a strange pull towards Zephyr, a yearning for something he couldn't quite define. The memory of the demon's destruction, the sight of Zephyr's transformation, and the promise of protection all converged within him, creating a whirlwind of emotions additionally to the one he was already experiencing, only making this situation worse for him. The nausea returned, feeling like a heavy stone in his stomach and the back of his throat. Today was just too much happening at once… Alden's trembling fingers reached out hesitantly, his other hand resting atop the book on his chest,

11:08 PM

still holding tightly onto it. His voice wavered, soft and uncertain, as he finally spoke. "I-I don't know why... why you would do this for me. I'm just... I've…", he stumbled upon the words once more, unable to articulate what he wanted to say, his voice cracking before he could finish and him falling silent once more, curling in on himself even more as best as he could. Talking felt hard, making him feel breathless and incompetent. As if he wasn’t even able to hold up a conversation, which, to be honest, he wasn’t able to do. His gaze flickered to the scales on Zephyr's arms, his fingers tracing an invisible path as if drawn by an invisible thread. He wanted to understand, to bridge the gap between his sheltered existence and the world Zephyr inhabited. But the vulnerability he felt within the shadowed room made his words come out in fragments, revealing his own insecurities. Someone always staying by his side… He wasn’t sure how to deal with that. Would Zephyr be around the entire day? The night as well? Or would he get breaks? Could he send him away to keep his distance? All of this was just too strange and too much all at once, hitting him like a violent rainstorm, numbing all his senses while also raising them to make him overly sensitive. With his voice trembling once more as he finally found the courage to attempt once again to speak up, "I-I-I know father set you… up on this… B-But…”, Alden stopped, needing a moment to catch his breath, not able to keep eye contact, instead his face trailed down Zephyr’s chest until finally settling on his arms again. He had to gulp seeing his chest and muscles, feeling very much intimidated by them. Not because he feared for his life, but because… because… He wasn’t sure why, unable to place a finger on it, but just something about the other made him feel this way. It probably was just all the excitement and tension that made him feel this way. “I… I appreciate the effort… T-Truly. R-Really.

11:08 PM

For… sure.”, his voice got quieter. Alden wasn’t able to tell what else he should say or give him as an answer. Was he expecting some kind of order from him? Was that what he was supposed to do now? Order him around? He couldn’t do that. He already felt awful just by talking with him, he surely wouldn’t be able to do anything more than that. “I-You… You can leave. There… is nothing dangerous here. I-I’m g-good?”, Alden tried really hard, but getting rid of the other probably wasn’t going to be as easy as that. @Deleted User

Zephyr’s heart ached as the memories flashed before his eyes causing him to internally wince, he probably would have had to excuse himself and out of view if it weren't for the unsteady, trembling hand that reached out towards his arm. His breath hitched within his throat, and a taught ringing in his ears as he watched those slender fingers approach painfully slow. Within his heart, he longed for that touch, longed for the way those fingers would move along his scales and those small arms to be wrapped around his neck. Impure thoughts were dangerous, his pupils dilated and he caught himself growing rigid. Ah, there it was. That gentle hand retreated back to clutching that dear book Zephyr wished he could replace. Of course Alden would fear him. No one in their right mind that haven't witnessed events like this wouldn't be. He couldn't blame the caution, couldn't blame the hesitation. Yet, that didn't stop the boy from letting his eyes wander over Zephyr’s body and scales with an unspoken touch.

8:01 AM

Zephyr caught himself shivering in response, his own heart beat against his chest making a loud thrum inside his ears. It was an internal battle in of itself, his two halves of a whole at war against the disgust in himself and the lustful hold the boy had over him. It was as if his soul, his heart recognized Alden, like what felt like an eternity of loneliness and hate was finding an end when the two looked within eachothers eyes. He didn't want to be forceful in anything Alden may find uncomfortable, for right now surely the boy felt like a trapped animal with nowhere to run or hide, and a beast in front of him seemingly wanting to ensnare him in throes of the unknown. Did Alden feel this pull just as he did? A tether that bound the two that seemingly wanted to gravitate as if a magnetical pull and the boy was his magnet. Curiously, he watched Alden, the stuttering he found utterly adorable and delicious all the same ; The way Zephyr could make this boy respond in nervousness and wonder made him want to reach out and swallow Alden while in the lust that burned within his chest, a lust he didn't understand nor comprehend.

8:01 AM

All the same, he wanted to comfort the other, wanted those brown curly tufts to run through his scaly hands, and he found himself reaching out cupping the boys cheek within his hand, mindful of the rough, warm texture of his condition, he let the pad of his thumb gently trail the subtle curvature of Alden's jaw. "This wasn't your father's doing, but mine, Little Dove.." And with those two words his thumb abruptly stopped, yet he didn't move away. His Avalein was there, huddled against the wall, but a smile upon her face. Just as he was going to move in to embrace his Soul, she was gone and Alden left in her place. Though his heart wrenched with a pain that faltered the soft smile lining his face, only briefly did he lose it before allowing it to remain in place in hopes to comfort the boy. "If you wish, Little Lord, I can leave you be for now, I won't be far. Surely you have.. Questions, no?" He spoke slow, low enough that passion that built within the pit of his stomach crept a whisper of a growl that parted the crescent moon of flesh upon his mouth.

8:01 AM

"I am, of course, at your disposal.." Quirking a brow, he wanted to drive the conversation away from him leaving his newfound charges side, "You're keen on shielding yourself with that book, it must be special, what is it?" He asked, his tone softer, trying to subside the thoughts swirling inside his mind, onyx threads of hair drifted loose from his ponytail and across his forehead somewhat veiling the beast behind his eyes, his breath short and uneven leaving behind the faint scent of fresh honeydew. He did want to ask about Percival, any dealings the man could be in, perhaps Alden had insight in the ongoings of the WinterBourne household. Surely, Alden witnessed in dealings between people from the Royal Capitol. Now wasn't the time to try and dive into these matters for clearly, the boy was a target in his father's troublesome affairs, especially with that demon from before. Was there a way that Zephyr could out any Demons in disguise under Nobility? Andrick from earlier had hired him and his men for capturing lesser demons, was there something more, something bigger at play? He didn't know, but Alden was in the thick of it regardless and he wanted nothing but to protect his Little Dove. @SirFüncelot

Alden's heart fluttered as Zephyr's hand cupped his cheek, the sensation sending a warm shiver through his body. The rough texture of the man’s skin against his own was both strange and intriguing. He flinched slightly at the touch, a mixture of surprise and unfamiliarity causing his body to react involuntarily. The words, which were spoken with a softness that belied his fierce exterior, resonated in Alden's ears. He wasn’t sure why the other was doing this, if it was just some strange custom or if he just was a very touchy person, but Alden didn’t dislike this as much as he usually did. With other people, he already hated having to shake their hand, and sometimes just standing close to them made his skin itch. But with Zephyr… He liked these soft yet rough touches, even though he had no idea what they were supposed to mean. His eyes widened, confusion clouding his thoughts. "L-Little Dove?" he whispered, the term foreign yet oddly endearing. He searched Zephyr's eyes for answers, finding an unfamiliar warmth there that he struggled to comprehend. His breath caught as he saw a smile tug at the corner of Zephyr's lips, a fleeting expression that seemed to carry hidden depths of emotion. What was going on in this man’s head? Should he fear him more than he did? Had he ulterior motives? Or was Alden just missing out on some hidden signals other people would have picked up on? Everything was strongly hinting at Zephyr flirting with him, but that couldn’t be. It was different in the books he had read. Easier to comprehend and realize than this, yet he couldn’t come up with another explanation. But why? Why should he flirt with him? They barely knew each other, and nothing about Alden was appealing, while Zephyr looked like a marble statue carved by the gods. Certainly this had to be a misunderstanding! Alden's heart skipped a beat as Zephyr's thumb trailed along his jawline, his touch both gentle and firm.

11:16 PM

He was torn between the urge to lean into the touch and the impulse to pull away from the overwhelming intensity of the moment. He should hate this, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away. He hadn’t known that he was craving touches this much up until now, and Alden wasn’t sure if he could ever return to how it once was before this strange encounter. Zephyr's words continued to confuse him; his mention of him initiating this strange relationship all on his own… Didn’t his father know about this? Maybe this was wrong after all, and he should run as fast as he could. He blinked as the atmosphere shifted, a sense of longing mixed with sorrow washing over Zephyr's features. The mention of "Little Lord" made Alden's cheeks burn with embarrassment. It was as if Zephyr saw something within him that he himself couldn't fathom. The offer to leave him for now sent a pang of disappointment through Alden, even though he couldn't fully grasp why he felt that way. He wanted to leave, didn’t he? Yet… It was as if something inside of him longed for these soft touches and made him receive more of them. It felt strange to crave something he had hated up to this point, but Zephyr… Alden wouldn’t mind him running his fingers through his hair and brushing his thumbs along his cheeks. It felt nice after all… Questions swirled in Alden's mind, but his dry throat and mouth that wouldn’t open no matter what held him back from voicing them. He averted his gaze, the weight of Zephyr's presence almost suffocating in its intensity. The question about his book drew his attention, offering a lifeline to steer the conversation away from his own inner turmoil. Maybe leaving didn’t seem like such a bad idea after all. Maybe he could wiggle his way out of this somehow, slowly leaving the other behind without revealing too much. Maybe it was all just a bad dream. Surely, that had to be it. A bad dream.

11:17 PM

He was dreaming all of this up. It was just his overactive mind playing vicious pranks on him, making him feel like he was slowly turning crazy. There was no other explanation for this. Why else should he long for another person’s presence? He hated this. He hated this so much. This had to stop! He didn’t need anyone. He didn’t want anyone. Alden was safest and happiest on his own. Alden clutched the book to his chest, feeling the familiar leather cover beneath his fingers. He cleared his throat, his voice still wavering as he spoke. "I-It's just a collection of stories... I… They…", his words stopped abruptly, his fingers traced the edges of the book, his eyes fixated on it as if it held all the answers he couldn't articulate. He curled in more, pressing his knees closer to his chest, while he searched for the correct words to respond to his question. “I-I like it. It’s… my favorite…”, he spoke slowly after what felt like an eternity of saying nothing. Despite enjoying the touches, talking didn’t seem any easier with him than with anyone else. This surely had to be all in his head. Otherwise, it just didn’t make sense. His gaze flickered back to Zephyr, his curiosity warring with his anxiety. He wanted to ask about the demon, about the transformation he had witnessed. He wanted to know why Zephyr seemed to know him why he used terms like "Little Dove." But the words stuck in his throat, his anxiety rendering him unable to speak once again. This had to stop. He had to leave. Alden couldn’t bear being around each other much longer. All of this just confused him and made him feel even more uncomfortable than he usually does. But how was he supposed to get out of this? Zephyr kneeled right in front of him, and he didn’t seem like someone he could just push out of the way. No matter how hard he shoved, the other probably wouldn’t even lose balance. As Zephyr's breath grew uneven,

11:17 PM

a subtle growl adding a layer of complexity to the moment, Alden felt a mix of fascination and trepidation. He saw the threads of hair drifting across Zephyr's forehead, the storm within his eyes, and the subtle scent that lingered in the air. It was all so overwhelming, a whirlwind of sensations that Alden struggled to process. What was going on with him? Why had this happened today, of all days? When had he decided to give all of this another chance? Now, he would never voluntarily participate in any social gathering. Just thinking about it made his stomach twist and churn, the nausea returning, sending cold shivers down his spine. As the weight of the conversation pressed down on him, Alden's heart raced faster than ever. Zephyr's presence was simultaneously comforting and overwhelming, his words stirring up a whirlwind of emotions within Alden's already chaotic mind. The mixture of fascination and fear, attraction and anxiety, left him feeling trapped in a maze of his own thoughts. His breath quickened as Zephyr's gaze bore into him, his words and gestures carrying an intensity that Alden struggled to comprehend. The tenderness in Zephyr's touch, the depths of his eyes, and the promise of protection all seemed too much to process at once. He felt like a fragile bird caught in the clutches of a storm, struggling to find solid ground. Alden's breath caught, and in a surge of panic, his body reacted before his mind could catch up. He pushed against Zephyr's touch, his heart pounding in his chest. "I... I can't," he stammered, his voice wavering with a mix of anxiety and desperation. Without a second thought, he scrambled to his feet, stumbling backward. His gaze darted around the dimly lit room, his chest heaving with shallow breaths. The walls seemed to close in on him, the weight of the emotions was overwhelming. With one last glance at Zephyr, his heart ached with a mixture of longing and confusion,

11:17 PM

Alden turned and fled once again, the book still clutched tight against his chest. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he ran, his heart racing as he pushed himself to escape the intensity of the moment. He didn't know where he was going, only that he needed distance, space to clear his head and sort through the maelstrom of feelings that Zephyr had stirred within him. His feet moved on their own, without him even realizing it, he found himself before his room, hastily opening the door and closing it just as fast behind himself. Alden locked it before slumping down once more with his back against the cold wood. His entire body seemed to be on fire, the blush extending from his cheeks towards the back of his neck and up to his ears. Never ever would he leave this room again. He didn’t want to see anyone. Neither his parents nor the servants, and especially not Zephyr. Alden just hoped he would vanish, because why should he need protection? The only thing he did the entire day was read and stay confined to his room. Most people didn’t even know he existed… @Deleted User

The turmoil scouring Alden’s face caused him to let his hand fall and another pang of guilt tightened his chest. And that tumultuous blend of fear was palpable upon the boy's face as he made the definitive decision on not starting this out with lies. Alden’s father was against him being around his son, for he was a monster, but after carefully placed words and promises of protection for assets and his own self preservation, the finality in agreement was made. Though, deception he didn’t want to play - He did leave out details in how he came to be Alden’s guard. The reactions playing tug of war in his Charge’s head was one of mixed emotions, he could easily read people, and with this sudden familiar aura of the boy, he was an open book for Zephyr to read. Restraint was not one of his strong suits, Ni’Yule had to often pull him back in arguments when she simply seen the muscles in his jaw tense or when his eyes would narrow upon some daft Noble who dared to challenge his intelligence of the way he worked. Zephyr let his hand drop back to his side as he listened to Alden struggling to find the words in explanation to the shield and preservation of life he clearly held to his chest. Zephyr noted that that single book, filled with untold stories, was much more dear to the boy than possibly anything else. The more his gaze fell over the cowering form, the more he found why Little Dove left his lips. Alden was a fleeting thing, timid and unsure of the world, would fly away without thought, without hesitation and when cornered would scramble when one would reach out to touch. The boy still had a subtle grace about him, Zephyr still found his breath being stolen away or hitched within his throat and just merely struggled to find words of ease.

4:02 AM

Yet, before he could mutter a single bout of reassurance or to backpedal on his feelings or words, Alden abruptly shot up and ran from the room. He didn’t chase, he didn’t pursue, though his own inner war fought him as he took a stand, eyes briefly lingering on the now vacant space the boy once was just moments before. Sighing, he lifted a frustrated hand to his face, tufts of hair fell against the top as he internally berated himself. Out of all of the things he’s done, this had to be the biggest mistake he’s ever made. Feed into his feelings. Ni’Yule came to the door with a soft rap of her knuckles and stepped in. Her words gentle as if approaching a beast, “Are you okay, Zephy?” Letting his hand drop, he turned to face her and an agitated grimace chased the smile he once wore. “I don’t know, Yules. I.. He smells.. Just like her..” His eyes phased back to the semblance of normalcy and so did his arms, rapidly growing the tissue and skin to his forearms. “I’m struggling.” He said simply, not really minding showing his weaknesses to Ni’Yule. They had been together for a long, long time, there was no point in hiding how he felt or what he wanted to do.

4:02 AM

“Tyriel was able to get a sketch of what it looks like, but other than that, we have no knowledge of what it could be.” Ni’Yule continued, “Not only are there strange things happening around here, more rise in Demons erupting from their mortal shells and attacking civilians has increased these last couple of hours since the start of the charity event.” Zephyr let out an annoyed groan as he stalked down the halls, he could feel Alden’s presence, the only barrier a single wooden frame separating the two. He glanced but briefly at the door, an ache in his chest that he couldn’t quite explain blossomed inside - Perhaps it was the hole inside that he desperately wanted to fill within such a short time of being able to grasp something other than anger and disgust. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he continued his traverse not sparing another look. “I need clothes and a bath.” He muttered more to himself as he caught a whiff of gore, blood and sweat. His nose turned up, he smelled of death, no wonder why Alden was quit to run away from him. If Zephyr had been in a simple situation, he probably would have done the same thing and he couldn’t help to stifle the soft chuckle that left his lips.

4:03 AM

“Ni’Yule, I’m going to write Alden a note, I’ll want you to give it to a Servant and make sure they bring him up a meal and he gets a proper bath. He’ll probably want to rid himself of the troubles today.” Little Lord, I apologize for the events today as well as if I’ve made some regrettable decisions in making you uncomfortable. I know all of this is going to be hard, but I assure you that it’s in your best interest for now until we resolve some issues discovered upon our brief visit here. I’ll explain everything in due time. . Meanwhile, make sure you wash up and eat a meal. I didn’t see you touch a single thing during the banquet. Ni’Yule will accompany you to the bath house and she will be stationed just outside should you choose to go or need anything. Zephyr. Passing the envelope to Ni’Yule, she bowed her head and left the room. Grabbing a change of clothes one of the Servants had laid out folded neatly on his bed, he wasted no time in going to the bath house. Few moments later, he arrived. Small petals and flowers lined the waters floating like small bobs within the ripples. Shedding his clothes, he stepped inside off to the far edge. He quickly washed the soot and blood from his forearms and chest, cupping water to splash his face. Letting the back of his head rest against the side of the structure, he closed his eyes and soon, everything faded to blackness.

4:03 AM

@SirFüncelot

Alden's room was a refuge of solitude, a sanctuary where he could attempt to make sense of the emotional turmoil that had gripped him. The dim light cast by a single candle flickered, its gentle glow painting dancing shadows on the walls. He paced back and forth, his thoughts consumed by the intense encounter with Zephyr earlier. His heart was a tempest of feelings, a storm he struggled to navigate. What was he supposed to think of this? What was he supposed to do about this? Nothing made sense, no matter how hard he thought about it. His head felt empty and yet overflowing with information. Why had it come to this? Time seemed to stretch as Alden listened to the faint sounds outside his door, his heart skipping a beat each time footsteps passed by. A mixture of worry and anticipation swirled within him. He longed for Zephyr's return, his presence a source of both comfort and confusion. The idea of seeing Zephyr again was both nerve-wracking and exciting, leaving Alden feeling like a ship caught in uncharted waters. He twisted and turned, unable to stand still for even a split second, yet also feeling exhausted and tired. But he wasn’t able to sleep like this. Not with this whirlwind of emotions blowing within him. How was he supposed to keep his eyes closed and his thoughts from wandering? Back to the encounter, back to the fight, back to Zephyr. What was this? This excitement that made his stomach churn? As moments turned into minutes, a soft knock on his door broke the silence. Alden's heart raced as he contemplated opening it. Expecting to see Zephyr standing before it, not yet ready to face the other man again. He didn’t have nearly enough time to think this through. He needed more time to think, so he didn’t answer, waiting until a second knock echoed through his chamber, followed by a fruitless attempt to open his locked door. A soft voice, that obviously didn’t belong to Zephyr, spoke up,

2:07 AM

followed by the sound of something metallic placed on the ground. “My lord, there was a request to bring you some dinner, as well as a note. I’ll place both things outside. Please eat while it’s still hot.”, the voice spoke, followed by footsteps that moved away from the door and grew faint. For good measure, Alden waited a little bit longer, before he slowly crept towards the door, listening once more, before carefully unlocking and opening it, to peek outside. The hallway was empty, but on the ground was a tray. On it lay a simple meal and a folded note. Alden's fingers trembled slightly as he picked up the tray, his gaze immediately drawn to the note. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized Zephyr's name on it. Carefully, he maneuvered the tray inside, placing it on his desk, and locking the door once again. Alden paid no mind to the food; instead, his eyes remained fixed on the small folded note, tucked under the silverware. It took a while for him to push himself and pull it free, and even longer until Alden unfolded it. His eyes scanned the words, each sentence carrying a weight of emotion that left him both unsettled and reassured. He read the words over and over, as if trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind them. The mix of apology and concern tugged at Alden's heart, a flicker of understanding mingling with the lingering confusion. Alden's stomach rumbled softly, a reminder that he hadn't eaten during the banquet. He set the note aside for a moment and turned his attention to the meal. The food was simple, yet comforting, and he ate slowly, each bite a distraction from the whirlwind of emotions that still swirled within him, as well as the impending doom the note seemed to spell. What was he supposed to respond? Should he even respond in the first place? Did Zephyr expect a reply? Probably not… or? It was certainly a lot easier than speaking. Maybe they could get to know each other through this? Through written notes and letters?

2:08 AM

He would probably think that was weird, wouldn’t he? Writing while they were this close… No one would like that. Not when talking with each other was so much easier. After finishing his meal, Alden picked up the note once more, reading it once again. Zephyr's words resonated within him, and the mention of Ni'Yule piqued his curiosity. Who were they? Were they like him? Also part dragon? Or something different? He was curious, determined to find out more, but there was no time right now. He had thought hard about it while eating and came to the conclusion that he should write Zephyr a short response of his own. Just to show his appreciation and thanks. Otherwise, he would just be plain rude, wouldn’t he? He put the note down, picking up paper and quill, his fingers hovering uncertainly above the parchment. He had thought about so many things he wanted to say, and now he couldn’t remember a single thing. It was as if his mind had gone blank over the last few seconds, leaving him confused and helpless once again. Alden spent a long time writing and scrapping parts of his text, before finally settling on something. Careful not to make another mistake, he wrote it on a fresh piece of parchment. Zephyr, Thank you for your message. I appreciate your concern and the protection you offered today. The events were overwhelming, and your presence both reassured and unsettled me. For now, I find it easier to converse like this. Please understand that it's not a rejection, just a way for me to process everything. I look forward to hearing from you when you're ready to talk. Alden He folded the note and sealed it with wax before he could overthink his words and decision, ripping the paper up once again. He wanted to prevent that, and this certainly was the fastest way. Alden would just give it to this Ni’Yule he was supposed to meet. Surely they could deliver the letter for him. But where were they anyway?

2:08 AM

Zephyr’s words had made it seem like they were supposed to meet somewhere, but where? And when? Would she just find him? Or was she around already? With a worried expression on his face, his eyes began to wander, looking for traces of another humanoid being in the room, but he couldn’t find any. Relief washed over him. Maybe she was waiting outside? Taking his time to choose fresh clothes, he tried to stall time, before making his way to his bath. It was just across the hall, and yet… He was worried. Not about the bath, but about the new person he was supposed to meet. Were they nice? Who were they to begin with? Obviously, someone Zephyr knew, but his partner? His lover? A good friend? An acquaintance? The more he thought about it, the more questions emerged inside his brain, which only slowed him further. In the end, it took nearly 15 minutes for him to get ready, with the pile of clothes, as well as the note clutched tightly against his chest, as he slowly opened the door again. To his surprise, there truly was a person outside there, standing right next to his door, apparently waiting. With a small yelp, he retaliated, pulling the door shut again, and going back into hiding. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly hadn’t been that. Was that… Ni’Yule? Or someone different? How even was he supposed to know who this Ni’Yule was in the first place? It could be everyone. Gods… Why did everything need to be this complicated? @Deleted User

It had only been an hour since he let his eyes fall close, and he can’t say that he wasn’t disappointed that Alden hadn’t arrived in the bathhouse, regardless if he had, Zephyr would have left. He just wanted one last look before going into his room and consult with Ni’Yule about the findings on the land. After having washed, he climbed out of the still steaming pool of a bath. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he grabbed what was left of his clothes and headed to his room. Having been a while since he had to force a shift like that had left him visibly exhausted, not to mention the emotional strain he had warring within his head causing complete chaos and turmoil. Struggling to accept that he was beginning to feel something other than his precious Avalein caused the inner hatred and disgust he felt himself begin to have. Yet, the more he fought with himself on it, the more he longed to see that boy again. He smiled to himself as he rounded the corner of the hall, the kid was an utter dork. A clumsy, yet strikingly beautiful being that seemed to pop in his head at every given chance. Ni’Yule was there in his bedchambers awaiting him, “I’ll go see the young master after I’ve briefed you.” Ni’Yule spoke, a level of grave importance and impending danger was heavily laced within her voice as she continued, “Those tendrils have reports of snares, capturing and killing wildlife and when no source of meat is available, the tendrils branch off and start attacking plant life. It’s expanding at a rapid pace. There were several civilians able to get close enough and snap off some of the ends and whatever this diseased branch-like thing is, it bleeds and retreats once injured.”

2:11 PM

“So, whatever it is, it can be killed. I can head over there in a couple of days time, get the men prepared and potentially encase the organism in flames. You said it resembled branches, vines maybe?” Zephyr looked at the woman, her ears flattened against her head and a grimace painted on her lips. It had been a long time since he’d seen this level of worry etched to her face. The last was when Zephyr was gravely wounded in combat against a Behemoth, a large grotesque being covered in pockets of acid that closely resembled a bloated, rancid and deteriorating elephant. Ni’Yule nodded her head solemnly, “I’m hoping so, also wondering if salt is a possibility to keep it from expanding further. With no real knowledge on what this thing is, it’s like a parasite. But, like I said, there were reports that some were able to get close to some of the visible branches, however, we don’t know where these snares are. I don’t want to risk our men until we find out more.” Zephyr was in agreement, he didn’t want to needlessly risk his men and charge into an unknown threat until whatever the branches were, were resolved. Per usual, he knew there were always bigger, scarier threats than the one first seen. Running a hand across his face he let out a groan. “For now, go to Alden, make him comfortable. Ensure that he’s eaten and is getting a bath with a good night sleep. Once he’s settled in bed, notify me and I’ll post outside his door tonight.” He hadn’t slept in what felt like weeks, only getting a few hours here and there, but that didn’t matter, he could stay awake for weeks on end if needed.

2:11 PM

“And Ni’Yule? Make sure you escort him and guard him in my stead for a bit, at least until he’s comfortable enough around me that I can escort him without him running away from me. Guarding him would be hard enough, should I be constantly by his side, so I don't need him running to the forest and getting hurt.” Ni’Yule dipped her head in a bow and left the room with a slow shut of the door. __ Ni’Yules Perspective: It had been years, perhaps decades since she saw Zephyr this expressive, willing to do anything outside killing things or bedding women. And it wasn’t that Zephyr fooled around all the time, it was those times that were the darkest for him. The constant sting and reminder of his lost love that Ni’Yule had to stay by his bedside and hold his hand for any kind of comfort through those terrors. But, Alden, that boy came in Zephyr’s life like a blazing fire breaking down every wall that Zephyr had carefully built over these years. Approaching the young lord’s door, Ni’Yules knuckles once more rapped against the wooden door, speaking through the door, her words were loud enough for the young one to hear her through, “Pardon me, My Lord, but Zephyr wishes for me to escort you to the bath house, if you don’t mind.”

2:11 PM

@SirFüncelot

Alden's heart raced as he heard the familiar sound of knuckles rapping against his door once more. His pulse quickened, and a mixture of anxiety and trepidation washed over him. He had hoped for solitude, a reprieve from the emotions that still swirled within him. He hesitated for a moment, his fingers clutching the note he had written to Zephyr. It surely wasn’t him, but the excitement from before, wanting to meet someone new who possibly knew something more about him and maybe even was willing to answer some of his questions. The voice that came through the door was polite and professional, but Alden's instinct was to retreat, to shield himself from any further intrusion. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he called out, "I-I... I appreciate the offer, but I've already... taken a bath and… had a meal. You can let Zephyr know that I'm... I'm alright.", his voice was back to his usual stammering and stuttering, as well as very quiet and timid. He wasn’t even sure if she had heard him through the thick wood of the door. But his excuses were weak anyway. No one would be convinced by that… Still, he hoped that it would be enough, that Ni'Yule would take his words at face value and leave him be. He glanced around his room, his heart aching with a mixture of uncertainty and a desperate need for solitude. The note he had written burned a hole in his chest, a reminder that he was still holding onto it, not willing to part with it anytime soon. Alden had thought writing his thoughts down was easier than speaking them out loud, which was true to a point, but letting go of them… That was the hard part. Letting Zephyr glance at them, read them, understand them. Now all these things made him feel uneasy, anxious, and uncomfortable. It certainly wasn’t a better method than just talking to him with all his stuttering and the long pauses… At least Zephyr had gained some kind of information during their short exchanges. Like this,

11:39 PM

he received nothing in return for his words. Alden's gaze flickered to the door, his fingers tightening around the note. He was torn between the desire to avoid any further interaction and the knowledge that Zephyr's intentions were meant to protect and help him. The conflicting emotions left him feeling trapped in a maze of his own making. He didn’t know what to do, but he had to do something. He couldn’t just pretend all of this hadn’t happened. Zephyr. The monster. The fight. Their meeting. All of this was too much, and he wanted nothing more than to forget, but something inside of him fought against this urge. Something inside of him wanted to hold onto these strange and disturbing memories. As he stood there, the weight of the events of the day settling on his shoulders, Alden's thoughts returned to Zephyr and the strange connection he felt with the enigmatic mercenary. He couldn’t help it. It had just happened. Somehow… His thoughts kept on wandering towards him, no matter how hard he tried to make them stop. His face. His body. His scales. His wings. All of them had burned themselves into his mind, a clear image he saw every time he closed his eyes. It fascinated him and made him want to see it again. He wanted to understand, to bridge the gap between their worlds, but the fear of being overwhelmed by his own emotions held him back. Could he even ask for that? To see that form again? Or was it painful? Surely it had to be, Zephyr’s body changing in such a way… It made Alden worry, but wasn’t enough to sate his hunger for knowledge. With a sigh, he realized that he couldn't avoid the situation forever. He needed answers, explanations, and the promise of understanding. Steeling himself, he set the note aside and approached the door, his hand resting on the handle. He opened it slightly, his voice barely above a whisper as he addressed Ni'Yule. "Alright… I-I-I'll... I'll go to the bathhouse. Please let Zephyr know that...",

11:39 PM

he began, before his words trailed off. He wasn’t able to look the woman in the eyes, only quickly glancing up at her, noting the two fluffy ears atop her head. They made him want to touch them, and it took a lot of self-control to pull his eyes away from them, so he wouldn’t be staring. Alden's heart pounded as he waited for a response, his grip on the bundle of clothes tightening. He hoped that Ni'Yule would simply acknowledge his words and leave him to his thoughts. The urge to protect his vulnerability, to shield himself from any further exposure, was strong. He took a step back from the door, his pulse still racing as he clutched the bundle to his chest, contemplating if he could just shut the door in her face again, and maybe wait until she had left, to sneak off to the baths. What would she even be doing? Would she join him? Stand next to him while he bathed? The thought of her potentially seeing him naked, made him flush; another wave of discomfort hitting him, only amplifying the urge to run away, and hide underneath his blanket. No one had seen him without his clothes, and he certainly didn’t want this stranger to be the first. Zephyr, on the other hand… No… No… These thoughts were certainly going in the wrong direction. What was he even thinking? He had never thought about anything like that, never been interested in things like that in the slightest. Truly… Something had to be wrong with him. The silence that followed seemed to stretch on, with each passing second feeling like an eternity. Alden's anxiety grew with every passing moment, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of uncertainty. He questioned his own actions, wondering what would be the right decision. Keeping Ni’Yule near or sending her way. She was supposed to keep him safe, but if her company only made him anxious and uncomfortable… Surely it would be better to send her away, wouldn’t it? “I-I-I can bathe alone. You… You can leave. I…

11:39 PM

There won’t be any attacks… here. So…”, Alden stopped, looking down at his feet, still mostly hidden behind the door, just waiting for her to leave him alone again, so he could finally go to bed. It was already late, but he probably wouldn’t be able to find sleep anyway. His thoughts still racing around a particularly handsome man with dark hair. How was Alden supposed to sleep with pictures like that stuck inside his head?

11:39 PM

@Deleted User

Zephyr’s Perspective. Faelin knocked on Zephyr's barely cracked door and opened without hesitation. Zephyr shot the man a glare as he entered. "Apologies, Zeph, Ni'Yule said for me to brief you on the lands?" He said hesitantly knowing Zephyr had a bit of a temper at times, especially when interrupted. Zephyr’s eyes had a flicker of mild irritation, but nonetheless, the man meant well. “Have we received any more news on why the Viceroy even wants access? The old man must be incredibly stupid to think people wouldn’t investigate, unless they don’t want any living witnesses..” He muttered more to himself as Faelin nodded his head in agreement. “Unfortunately, Zeph, the one thing those snares aren’t able to digest or break down is clothing and there has been an abundance found from some of the Royal Guards burning them. But, that’s also another thing. They look like the Royal Guard, but they have a different sigil on the breast plate.” Faelin said, his lips thinned pressing into a grimace as he pressed on, “It’s a Serpent with bat wings, not a winged Lion.” Groaning, Zephyr ran a hand across his ragged face. Of course they aren’t Royal Guard, of course the Viceroy is up to something. “There has also been an increase in demonic activity. Not only demons, but other beasts are being spotted. Wyndellian Orcs, Goblins, and other unrecognizable species. We’ve not yet determined whether they’re readying for war or if it’s something more, something bigger.”

2:05 PM

Zephyr could only nod his head, both him and his men weren’t stupid, there was a bigger picture in mind than just war. “It’s going to be an annihilation. And whatever they’ve found in the mines..” Zephyr trailed off, a visible shudder claiming him as he gave but a shrug. “Suppose we’ll be going to the mines and see what they’re up to, won’t we?” Faelin could only dip his head, his face paling ; It wasn’t an odd reaction, anyone would be terrified to stand up to a demon, let alone a horde. A horde with other unknowns. “We’ll have a meeting in a few days to prepare, a couple more to set some off to study the creatures we can see. We can’t just walk in there completely blind. Go tell the men, we awaken at Dawn to train.” He quipped, sending Faelin off, he didn’t bother dressing down for bed before collapsing atop it. He could get a couple hours before standing guard at Alden’s door for the night. He couldn’t help but to let his mind wander to Alden, the way the boy looked at him as if yearning for something, but scared of being so close. He wanted to close that distance, wanted to get to know Alden, but this… This lust he held within his mind and care in his heart mixed with his disgust, yet he wanted nothing more but to take the other in his arms, feel Alden beneath him. It was torment, it was his Hell.

2:05 PM

_ Ni’Yules Perspective. “You misunderstand me, Young Lord, I can’t defy Zephyr over embarrassment in such menial manners. However, I do hope we can get along and talk. I’m sure you have many questions.” Ni’Yule gushed excitedly, wanting to listen to every bit of their meet, on why Zephyr had acted so… Smitten? It was a rare thing, Zephyr smiling, and she so wished she could bare witness to it again. “I’ll pull a chair to face the wall, we can talk like that, you can ask questions! I hope we can become quite the friends, yes?” Ni’Yules tail took to a subtle wag behind her as she giggled, her ears tipped forward and alert to his response. She could see what Zephyr saw in him, clumsy yet adorable, very reserved and guarded, but Zephyr did love a challenge. “Come, Young Lord, let’s get to the bath before the night descends darker.” Not taking no for an answer, she guided Alden gently by his elbow out from behind his door. “I’m not too familiar with the layout of the manor, My Lord, I was trusted with briefing and getting some information, so I’ve not had enough time to wander just yet. Would you mind?” She stepped away, her hand moving towards the hall as if saying, after you.

2:05 PM

@SirFüncelot

Alden's heart sank as Ni'Yule spoke, her words a reminder that he couldn't avoid his current situation. He understood her position, bound by duty and loyalty to Zephyr. While her enthusiasm was genuine, he couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability at the thought of opening up to yet another stranger. What was it with these people stepping into his life one after the other? And why did they keep appearing all on the same day? Couldn’t they at least give him a short break to reconcile? Alden sighed in defeat. Her suggestion of facing the wall during the bath surprised him, a hint of relief washed over him at the prospect. It seemed like a way to compromise between his desire for solitude and her eagerness for conversation. A small smile tugged at his lips as he listened to her, her excitement infectious. She seemed a lot like him, but much more open about it. He had felt similarly before, while meeting Zephyr. Wanting to just as eagerly keep on asking him questions, but his own stupid mind had prevented him from doing so. Would that get better? Did he want it to get better? Alden wasn’t sure if that would be a good thing. Talking freely with the strange dark-haired man… It still seemed like a dream, far off in the distance. He nodded, a mixture of shyness and curiosity in his gaze. "I-I appreciate your... understanding," he said softly, his voice laced with a tentative gratitude. The idea of talking to Ni'Yule while facing away from each other felt strangely comforting, like a shield against the vulnerability that had been stirred within him. It made the situation more bearable. Or at least did he think so. They would have to see if it truly helped, because as soon as she started to ask questions… Well… He would be reminded of her presence, and then his anxiousness would surely return and make his tongue feel numb and heavy, making him unable to talk. As Ni'Yule's tail wagged behind her, Alden's smile grew a touch wider,

6:32 AM

his tension easing slightly in her presence. He found himself intrigued by her, with a feeling of familiarity in her excitement that contrasted with his own reserved nature. He hesitated for a moment, his fingers tracing a pattern on his robe as he considered her offer, feeling the nudge on his elbow a little bit too intensely. He could do this. Surely. It was just a simple gesture. She wasn’t hurting him, but it still felt strange, sending shivers up and down his spine, making him involuntarily shudder a little bit. "A-Al-Alright," he finally agreed, his voice still tinged with shyness but also a growing sense of curiosity. "Let's... let's talk." He stepped out of his room, her guidance gentle yet firm as she led him down the hall, following his small remarks about which way they should take next. His heart raced with a mixture of apprehension and a burgeoning hope that perhaps this interaction wouldn't be as overwhelming as he had feared. Maybe he could truly get used to these strange people that had barged into his life like a hurricane. Maybe if he just took it a bit slower… As far as he could call this slow, because right now he was kind of dragged all over the place without any real breaks in between, which was a little bit fast for his liking. But maybe it was just what he needed to get out of his comfort zone? As they walked, Alden glanced at Ni'Yule from the corner of his eye; her ears perked forward in a show of attentiveness. He admired her dedication and loyalty to Zephyr, the unwavering support she seemed to offer. He found himself wondering what their relationship was like, how they had come to be so close. Were they related? Surely that would be insensitive, judging their family status purely based on the fact that both of them seemed to have animal-like characteristics. If Zephyr’s could even be called that, weren’t they really animalistic in the first place? But what were they then? Comrades? Friends? Lovers?

6:33 AM

He wasn’t sure, and Alden wouldn’t certainly start with that as his first question, preferring to stay quiet and let her start with the questioning. Pausing as they reached the bathhouse, his gaze swept over the space. The warm steam and the soothing scent of lavender filled the air, and he found himself relaxing slightly at the prospect of a bath. Unsure what to do now that they were here, Alden just froze in the doorway, clutching the bundle of clothes tighter to his chest, one of his feet slightly tapping the warm stone floor beneath them. Should he… Should he just send her out while he got undressed and into the water? Would she even allow that? She seemed very adamant about her task at hand of guarding and keeping him safe, so surely she wouldn’t just leave like that even if he asked. Should he just take his clothes off then? He cleared his throat; his cheeks tinged with a faint blush as he gestured towards the chairs. "Actually… would you… i-if-if you… don’t mind… if we..." He offered an awkward, nervous smile, his voice breaking even more than usual now. This was so embarrassing… Why did he even need someone to guard him while he took a bath? Would it always be like this now? With Zephyr too? Oh, god… He already imagined it, feeling the dark eyes burning holes into his back. It made his cheeks only get redder. Would Zephyr honor his request? Would Ni’Yule do that? What if she didn’t turn away? Alden hadn’t even thought about that, feeling stupid that he had just blindly trusted her like that. He didn’t even know here. He didn’t know Zephyr, either. So why? Why did it always feel so right to him? Alden's heart raced, beating up to his throat, making him feel nauseous once again. Would now be a good time to run away for a third time today? Maybe he could get a servant to bring him a basin filled with water, so he could wash himself. But that would mean talking to another person.

6:33 AM

He had already exhausted all of his social reserves just by spending the day with Zephyr and now entertaining Ni’Yule. Even with all his questions… He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to deal with this. Just a little bit longer, he had to bear with her presence… Just until he was clean. It would be fast, and then he could lock himself in his room and just sleep. Pretend no one but him and his books existed. Yes… Yes… That helped by taking his mind off of things, at least for a short amount of time. Maybe long enough to get this done. He just hoped the questions wouldn’t be too many or get too personal. That certainly would get too much for him again… @Deleted User

Ni’Yules Perspective:* She looked to him inquisitively, the young lord sure was an odd one. One being raised within the manor of a Noble, being in line to take over the Estate one would think that Alden would be alright in a somewhat social setting. Tsking her tongue, she opened the door leading to the bathhouse. Taking no time in laying the lord’s clothes on one chair and bringing a chair to the only door leading in with a screeching resistance that echoed through the bubbling chamber. Falling atop the seat, she faced that door with earnest. Bringing her forefinger to her chin in thought she brought a hand excitedly down to her knee. “Zephyr and I have been close for many, many moons. He’s like an older brother to me, a best friend, and a confidant. He made me see the truth in the world as I used to be a High Priestess bound by the Old Law. However, I watched too many villages get wiped out, too many lives taken to be bound by those ways any longer.” She spoke, her tone growing a little dark, but soon her words piqued in excitement. “All the years I’ve followed Zephyr, I watched him form bonds, bring us up in such a way that we were sought after - He buys slaves and gives them choices, either they can leave to pave their own path or they can join him. Thus, he formed the Mercenary Guild of Shadow Bane. He’s given the opportunity to a lot of races, a lot of people to do good in this world, to rid it of monsters or to help those in need.” Momentarily she paused, not directly looking over her shoulder, but enough that this next bit was for Alden’s case, “Yet, out of all the years I’ve known Zephyr, he has never taken a liking to anyone the way I’ve seen him look at you.”

4:28 AM

“It’s a curious thing, really. The way life sparked back into those dead eyes - And trust me, those eyes have been dead long before him and I met. When I met Zephyr, he was more beast than man.” Ni’Yules ears flattened atop her head in memory, her tail momentarily ceasing in its movement, “I know this is all sudden.. But, I sense a change going to be happening soon..” She spoke gleefully, not able to resist the little shuffle of her feet and rising of clapped hands. “There is so much that I can tell you, so much I can show you, Young Lord, and I do hope we can become fast friends! The men… They’re alright, but they’re awfully brass. You’re softer, gentler and I’d much rather be in your company than those mangy mutts.” Scrunching her nose, she wafted her hand in front of her nose with a playful giggle. “Really, though, all the men are wonderful too. They’d die for each other and won’t hesitate to give the shirt off their back to any in need.” A realizing dawn struck her as her palms cupped her cheeks with a gasp. “My Gods! I just noticed I’m rambling. Apologies, My Lord. You must have questions of your own! Feel free to ask any, Zephyr said he’s an open book!”

4:28 AM

@SirFüncelot

Alden listened intently as Ni'Yule spoke, her words offering glimpses into a world he had never imagined. The idea of being raised in a noble household had given him a sheltered perspective, one that didn't often venture beyond the walls of his family's estate. As he bathed, the warm water soothing his tense muscles, he couldn't help but be drawn into her story. It was nice to just listen for a change of pace. He preferred this over talking any day, giving him some sense of comfort. Alden didn’t mind not having to talk; it only made him uncomfortable anyway. And he learned so many new things this way. Things about her, about Zephyr, about the other things that had been shrouded in darkness so far. Her description of Zephyr as an older brother, a best friend, and a confidant painted a picture of a man who was not just a formidable warrior, but also someone who had a profound impact on those around him. Alden's curiosity deepened as Ni'Yule delved into their shared history, the formation of the Mercenary Guild, and Zephyr's mission to give people a second chance. He certainly sounded like a nice and kind person to be around. The peace he had felt while being close to him… It seemed like something a lot of people got to experience, something that wasn’t just reserved for him. Alden sighed. Yet despite all that, he had managed to turn his entire life down in mere seconds. Making him flush and stutter even more than usual. Slowly making him lose his mind over the tiniest things he’d ignored otherwise, but with Zephyr… All of that seemed important. How Alden carried himself, and acted, reacted, and spoke. He’d already been self-conscious about it before, but with Zephyr, he wanted to make a good impression, and so far… He hadn’t really managed to do that. If anything, Alden had just made a fool of himself, and yet… The mention of Zephyr's feelings for him sent a shiver down Alden's spine, a strange mix of emotions swirling within him.

10:53 PM

He had felt a connection with Zephyr, a sense of understanding that defied explanation, but the idea that Zephyr had never taken a liking to anyone the way he had to Alden was both baffling and flattering. Unsure what to think of that, his cheeks just reddened again, and he sank down even further into the water, trying to hide his embarrassment, even though Ni’Yule was sitting with her back to him, and he had turned away from her too. Still… He didn’t want anyone to see how it made him react. Especially not her, when she could just tell Zephyr all about this. Make him laugh at him… That would be the worst, even if the man hadn’t struck him as someone to laugh at other people. It still made Alden worry. Alden's thoughts were interrupted by Ni'Yule's description of Zephyr's transformation from a beast to a man. It was a revelation that sent his mind reeling, trying to piece together the enigmatic puzzle that was Zephyr. He had sensed a darkness in Zephyr, a past filled with pain and loss, but the idea that there was a deeper transformation at play intrigued him. Did she mean it just metaphorically, or had they truly been beasts before? Or was this just something unique to Zephyr? At first glance, he didn’t seem too different from a human, unlike Ni'Yule, who, with her ears and tail, certainly appeared different. The only thing that set Zephyr apart may be his eyes. But mostly because of how disarming they were. Taking Alden’s breath away with just one glance. As Ni'Yule continued to speak, her enthusiasm infectious, Alden found himself relaxing in her presence. Her playfulness and warmth made her seem more like a friend he had known for years, rather than a stranger he had just met. He chuckled softly at her comment about the other men in the guild, her description of them as "mangy mutts'' endearing in its own way.

10:54 PM

He wasn’t sure what exactly set them apart, but he certainly wasn’t like any mercenaries. He was less muscular, less tall, and less everything. It would never be something he could pursue. Fighting. Not that he minded the sight of blood or death; it was a fascinating topic after all, but that was just in theory. Seeing Zephyr rip the creature to pieces before… It wasn’t as bad to watch, and he certainly would have liked to get a closer look at it, after a small break if he hadn’t run away, but… Doing things like these himself? Killing or hurting someone? Alden couldn’t do that. He didn’t have the strength or willpower, so maybe it was a good thing that someone had taken action to protect him. If he preferred Ni’Yule over Zephyr, though… He couldn’t quite tell yet. The man had made him feel more flustered, but also safe and warm, awakening a want in him, he couldn’t quite place, because it was still scaring Alden a bit. Ni'Yule, on the other hand… She had a different warmth about her. One he enjoyed too. Especially right now, after all the turmoil of the day, that still didn’t leave him. Just talking about something lighthearted and nice… It was just what he needed while trying to relax. Just listening and doing nothing but washing himself, almost ready to return to his room and let this be for today. When she apologized for rambling and encouraged him to ask questions, Alden hesitated for a moment. There were so many questions swirling in his mind, so much he wanted to know about Zephyr, about the guild, and about the world beyond his family's estate. But one question stood out among the rest, a question that had been burning in his mind since their encounter at the charity event. Since the transformation. Since their eyes had met for the first time, and he had felt this pull in the back of his head. Knowing that something similar seemed to have happened to Zephyr… Or that he had at least shown some sort of reaction.

10:54 PM

It just piqued his curiosity even more. Staring at the water in front of him for a little while longer, Alden finally found the courage to speak, his voice quiet and uncertain. "Ni'Yule," he began, his gaze dropping even lower, as he fidgeted with his hands in the water, "I... I want to… understand. What… W-What is it about me… that makes Zephyr act this way? Why... why did he choose to… protect me?" Carefully he turned, glancing at her back sheepishly. Had this been something appropriate to ask? Maybe he should have eased into it a little bit more? As the words left his lips, Alden felt a surge of vulnerability, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to unravel the mystery of their connection, to delve into the depths of Zephyr's feelings and intentions, and to bridge the gap between their worlds. To get a better understanding of what was happening to them, to him. Maybe it was magic, or a force even beyond that, but it certainly wasn’t by chance. How could it be? As if he even deserved to be in the presence of someone like Zephyr. He was stunning, strong, handsome, nice, kind, gentle, and so many more things. Alden didn’t deserve to have someone like that care for him. Apparently worried about him if his note was anything to go off. The note… Remembering his own miserable attempt at a response, he felt very glad to not have given it to Ni’Yule yet. Maybe he could write something else? Another short letter? But would he even be able to come up with anything better? Hadn’t this already been the best he managed to produce? Alden felt so small and insignificant next to Zephyr. As if his words couldn’t possibly reach him, no matter how he formulated them. They would never be good enough for him. No matter how hard he tried. If anything, they were just mediocre.

10:54 PM

As if written by a chimpanzee… The more he thought about it, the more he wished himself back to his room, enjoying the loneliness and the silence that would just bring the same thoughts, but at least he wouldn't have to fear accidentally sharing them with someone else… @Deleted User

Ni’Yules Perspective: Alden asked a loaded question and it caused her to furrow her brow. It was indeed a mystery in of itself that even she didn’t know the answer to that. The meeting between Alden and Zephyr was so brief that it confused her, why had Zeph acted the way he did, why this boy was so significant. “Zephyr.. Hasn’t been with anyone since Avalein. He’s been intimate, yes. But, having an emotional connection? I can’t think of one person that has drawn his eye as you have. Here, let me tell you a story.” Her words were cut off with a pang of sadness that reached her eyes with the pin prick of tears, she may not have ever met Ava, but it was horrible all the same. “When Zephyr was just a wee thing, he watched the entire Belfüre Kingdom crumble and fall when the Royal Army slaughtered everyone there. The Era of the Extermination of Draconians. He watched his mother get torn apart before his eyes, yet a voice called to him from the forest and he was able to escape all because of this singular voice he heard amidst all of the screams.”

12:20 AM

She paused, it wasn’t necessarily the first part of the story that made her heart ache, but this next part that wanted to tear her to pieces. “As Zephyr grew older, the fonder he grew of Avalein. That fondness blossomed into love and soon, they loved each other. She bore his child, a child unlike anything ever seen before in this world, a child that was only able to cry once.” She hesitated remembering the look within Zephyr’s eyes as he recalled in vivid details the murder of his love and only child. "There was old tales, old prophecies of a child unlike any other that would save this world, save us from the Great Scourge. There were three, one of the child's choosing: First, the child once coming of age would come upon a power so strong that it could wipe Hell itself away and every demon with it. Second: This Child once coming into that power could make peace between both Demon and Mankind. Third: The Child would choose Demons over Man and rule as the Blood Prince."

12:20 AM

Ni'Yules eyes cast down, though Alden could probably hear her voice cracking, he couldn't see the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Tufts of long raven threads bounded across her shoulders as she cupped her hands in her face, not from the loss of the child, but the loss of herself when Zephyr had came in her life. "Zephyr struggled to regain his mortality, it's taken him years to be able to stand to be in the presence of Nobility, after his loss. He watched as a Demon named Bal'Gaar reached within Ava and pulled out his child within Ava's flesh, and right as his baby cried for the first time, the child was crushed within Bal'Gaars fist. So, you see.. If Zephyr has set his eyes on you, Alden.. You remind him of her. That is the only thing that I can think of. His soul recognizes yours. And I can sense the fondness of both auras. I'm not quite sure I understand spirituality, but sometimes, a soul will retreat its physical form and lay dormant until the right time. And I think your Zephyr's right time."

12:20 AM

@SirFüncelot

Alden listened intently as Ni'Yule began to explain, her words drawing him into a world filled with pain, loss, and love. It was a tale of tragedy and hope, of a past that had left deep scars on Zephyr's heart. As she spoke of the fall of the Belfüre Kingdom and the horrors Zephyr had witnessed, Alden couldn't help but feel a profound sense of empathy for the man who had entered his life so unexpectedly. Some of the things made sense now. How he carried himself. How he acted. How he reacted. Knowing his past… It revealed a lot about him, even though it would have probably been best for Zephyr to share that with him instead of having Ni’Yule do it now. It felt… wrong to do it like this, but Alden couldn’t bring himself to tell her to stop. She, too, seemed moved by the things that had happened. The story of Avalein, the woman Zephyr had loved and lost, hit Alden like a heavy blow. It was a love story marred by tragedy, a love that had resulted in the birth of a child with extraordinary potential. Alden's heart ached for Zephyr as he imagined the pain and grief he must have endured, watching his beloved torn away from him. Up until now, he had only read stories about scenarios like this, but for some… It had to be a harsh reality. They didn’t live in a happy fairy tale that ended happily ever after. For Zephyr, there just seemed to be pain and loneliness, and Alden wished he could take some of that away from him. Offer to carry some of the burden that wasn’t his to bear alone. As Ni'Yule's voice cracked, Alden's empathy deepened. He could sense the depth of her emotions, the pain and loss she had experienced alongside Zephyr. Her words painted a vivid picture of the struggles Zephyr had faced in his quest to regain his humanity, to overcome the trauma of his past. It must have been horrifying. All on his own…

2:56 AM

No wonder he had gathered his guild like a family around him. It made sense to keep people close. But why him? They didn’t even know each other. Why was he doing so much for him? It didn’t make sense until Ni’Yule added more to explain, leaving Alden stunned as well as confused, unsure what to think of all of that. The revelation that Zephyr had set his eyes on him because he reminded him of Avalein left Alden feeling both honored and burdened. It was a bittersweet revelation, a reminder that he carried the weight of Zephyr's memories and emotions. He couldn't help but wonder if he was merely a replacement for someone who had been irreplaceable to him. Was he just a sweet poison meant to dull the pain? Nothing Zephyr would ever really be interested in? It made his heart crack and break in so many places, despite not even knowing why. But if that was supposed to be his destiny… If it helped to bring a little bit of joy into Zephyr’s life… What did he have to lose, after all? It was something rather small, even if it wasn’t truly himself Zephyr wanted to spend time with… Maybe he could just play pretend for now? Alden's voice was soft, his words carrying a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thank you… f-for sharing that with me.... It… It means a lot to me that you… t-trust me with such a personal story." He paused, his gaze distant, as he processed everything he had learned. It was a lot, but probably not even close to the entire story of Zephyr’s life. It seemed to be just a fraction. A small glimpse at a lot more he could learn about him. Things he wanted to hear from himself and not get told by Ni’Yule. As nice and helpful as it was, it just wasn’t her place to share these things with him. "I... I don't know how… how to feel about me… about me being Zephyr's 'right time'..." he admitted, his voice trembling with emotion. "I-I-It's… a lot to take in.

2:56 AM

But… I-I want to understand, and… I want to be there for him if… if… if he needs me...", his voice was still unsure, trembling more and more with each word he spoke. Alden wasn’t sure what he would be doing or what he expected from this, but he didn’t want to let Zephyr go like this. He wanted to at least get the chance to spend some time with him, even if it was just in memory of someone else he wasn’t… "I… I want to be his friend, and… I-I want to learn more about this world… about the guild… a-a-and about him…", as he spoke, Alden realized that he had embarked on a journey that was far more complex and meaningful than he could have ever imagined. He was no longer just a sheltered noble but a part of a larger story, one filled with mysteries, prophecies, and the bonds of friendship and love. And despite the weight of it all, he couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose and connection that he had never known before. He was still afraid of all the things outside his room. The people, the uncertainties, everything. But with Zephyr by his side… He felt like he would keep him safe, no matter how stupid the things that scared him were. He had kept him safe before. Had he even thanked him for that? “I… I’m done…”, he spoke quietly after a short pause, moving to leave the bath and wrapping himself in a towel. Maybe the decision was a little hasty, but Alden feared he would just change his mind if he waited for too long. Like he had done with the letter… The letter… Maybe… Maybe that was the way to go. He remembered the words of his first one rather clearly and already cringed at them. Hating how he had formulated some of the things. And now with this new information… He had to at least thank Zephyr! “C-Could you… Could you bring a… a letter to… to… Zephyr… for me…? A-A-After we… get back…?”, his voice trembled even more.

2:57 AM

Just seconds ago, he had seemed so full of resolve and determination, yet now… Everything seemed to have vanished in an instant, leaving him as the shivering mess he was, while he tried to get dressed in his nightgown as quickly as possible, his back still turned towards Ni’Yule, unsure if she was watching him or not. Even if she wasn’t, he was still worried she would. @Deleted User

Ni’Yules Perspective "Don't feel like you're held to a certain regard, Alden, Zephyr has never let someone in save a few." She spoke as she stood, her hands moving to adjust her clothing and dust herself off. Still facing the opposite of Alden, she waited for him to get done dressing before she turned to him, a small smile hung upon her lips. "When I first met Zephyr, he tried killing me, you know. Of course he wasn't in the right state of mind, he was barely clinging to life. But, over time bringing him bread, milk, and whatever else I could get my hands on, he let me close." Turning her gaze to the ground, her next painful memories had left her heart scarred both internally and externally. "Eventually, the Temple I lived was attacked, ransacked. The same manner as Zephyr's Kingdom and home was. Demons came, killing my sisters and brothers as they cried to the old and new gods for mercy, but just prayers didn't stop them. I'm the last survivor of the Melanian Temple. I was raped, tortured and sodomized in ways that you can't see through my garb." Her voice cracked as she spoke, a slight tremor in her words.

2:34 AM

Tears threatened to spill at the brim of her eyes, eventually falling like small crystalline beads. "I didn't expect him to come, didn't expect him to hear my pleas. But, he did. And when he came, he ripped through all the demons and monsters that killed the only family I've ever known before rescuing me. Once he reached me and bit through my bindings, he changed. From a massive, black dragon, to the Zephyr you see now. We both found salvation in each other. And I would die for him a thousand times to see the smile that you've brought him." She looked back up, her smile touching her eyes. "You, Alden, are worth more than hundreds of pounds in gold. You're a treasure. And I know this is a lot to take in, I know you might feel some kind of way that you’re a replacement, but trust in this..” She breathed, her voice dripping with confidence, “If he wanted a replacement, he would have found solace in someone a long, long time ago.” After Alden had dressed, he prompted her with a letter to give to Zephyr. A warm smile touched her lips as she brought the note within her palm. “Of course I’ll give this to him. I’m also going to let him know of everything we’ve talked about, he probably wouldn’t have been capable of telling you his past without dredging up old scars. Please, don’t take offense to anything that was said tonight. I do hope you’ll see past all that Zephyr was and get to know the man now.” Patting his shoulder, she guided him out of the bath house and returned to the front of his chambers.

2:34 AM

“Del’Vorian will be your guard tonight to give you space, he’ll be right outside your door should you need anything, Young Lord.” Ni’Yule dipped her head, hand clasped over her chest in a bow as Del’Vorian did the same. “I’ll be right here, Lord Alden.” Del’Vorians words were gravely, he was a tall man. Breaching around seven feet tall, his hair a sun kissed white with golden hues and eyes of silver. Ivory wings hung at his back with a large battle axe tucked neatly between the two. Del’Vorian was Bane of Shadows Berserker who had the looks of an angel, which he was in fact a Seraphim. One captured decades ago by humans in the slave trade for breeding found his own sanctuary the day that Zephyr had bought out him and a few others for hire. Smiling, Ni’Yule touched Del’Vorians shoulder gently turning her attention back to Alden. “I’ll take my leave, Young Master. I’ll deliver the letter, I’m sure Zephyr will be quick to respond. Should he write tonight, I’ll slip it beneath your door to read in the rise of the sun.” Stepping away from Alden with another bow, she headed down the hall to Zephyr's door. Soft rasps of her knuckles met the wooden frame, she spoke softly as she turned the handle, "Zephyr, I have something for you from Alden. Sorry if I've awoken you."

2:34 AM

__ Zephyr's Perspective He was lost in thought, staring at the ceiling with mixed emotions flooding his mind. His temple pounded with agitation and insecurities. His head was messed up, the past came to rear its ugly head depriving him of any sleep he had wished to obtain. He thought of his Ava, his child, and.. Alden. A deep, guttural growl ripped apart his flesh as he drug a hand down his face. He didn't have time to dwell on anymore when sharp knocks met his door and Ni’Yule welcomed herself in. He was sat at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over his legs and somewhat hunched over. Thunderous eyes met her, he had barely slept a wink the past few weeks, the growing numbers of demon and various monsters had him agitated and it showed across his face. The mention of Alden had him perk up with a smirk turning the corners of his lips upward as he held out his hand for the letter. Without a second wasted, Ni'Yule dropped the paper in his palm.

2:35 AM

"He knows mostly everything, but I think you should explain to him your past more in detail and in person. It's not something you should write out, Zephy. Alden is at war with himself as well, though his conflict is not as internal as yours, the boy is and was sheltered. He knows little of the world and little of emotions. Take it easy on him. I'll be right down from your room, my quarters are shared with Del'Vorian. We will take eachothers breaks as to have the room to ourselves." She said, a small leary smile clung to her lips as she continued, "Come get me and I'll deliver the returned message. I know you're eager to talk with him." Bowing, she stepped from the room leaving him alone with the weight of the letter feeling as if a Boulder in his palm. Little Dove, I know what Ni’Yule spoke of was a lot to take in. Please understand that, I myself, am unsure of the connection we share, there is undoubtedly a pull that I'm sure you feel as well. Understand that my past still bears scars on my heart and soul, it's not something I can easily forget when I have constant reminders. You are under my protection.. My care. My presence must be overbearing and for that I apologize. There is a lot you don't know, a lot that this manor holds secret. Know I will never lie to you, I will never let harm befall you. If you wish it, I will teach you what I know. I do hope we can talk face to face, perhaps come the rise of the sun, we can take a walk through the gardens? If you wish it, I'll await you at the entrance. Sincerely, Your Dragon. He didn't need Ni’Yule to deliver the message, instead he took a short stroll down the hall and slipped the letter beneath the frame. Del’Vorian cocked an eye brow as he looked down at Zephyr, a smug smile splitting his lips revealing pearly whites beneath.

2:36 AM

"Don't say a word, Del’Vorian." Gritted Zephyr with a growl getting a chuckle in response. "You're like a love sick puppy, Zeph." Del’Vorian mused as he reached out and patted Zephs back. Huffing a laugh, Zephyr returned to his room, running a hand across his face, he sat at his desk looking over the maps and details on the monsters that lay dormant throughout the land. There was so much to do in such little time, but he wanted to spend as much time with Alden until he couldn't anymore.

2:36 AM

@SirFüncelot

Alden was still overwhelmed by the revelations and the weight of the knowledge he had gained from Ni'Yule. The story of her own as well as Zephyr's past was heartbreaking, and it left Alden with a profound sense of empathy and sympathy for the both of them, who had been through so much. He knew he wasn’t able to change anything about what had happened, and he wasn’t even sure how to comfort them. Should he offer her a hug? But wouldn’t that be awkward? Alden wasn’t sure, only able to nod along with her explanations, shyly lowering his gaze, unable to look her in the eyes while she spoke. It was… awkward. Sad and very awkward, and he felt bad for not being able to express properly how much it moved him. Alden was glad as they finally moved on, finally able to take another deep breath as they walked. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into a different world, one filled with secrets, danger, and unexpected bonds. Relations that run a lot deeper than the blood bonds he shared with his parents. Alden felt like the bond Zephyr and Ni’Yule shared… It wasn’t defined by them being related. It was… nicer, and he longed for something similar. Del'Vorian's presence outside his door was reassuring, but Alden's mind was restless. He wasn’t even able to really appreciate him, just curiously glancing up at the tall man, not wanting to stare at him too long. Just as Zephyr and Ni'Yule were, he was… different. But not in a bad way. His face was warm and kind, and just knowing he was the one standing watch in front of his door made him worry a little bit less. He seemed nice, and maybe he would get the opportunity to get to know him a little bit better in the future. Once inside his room, he tried to lie down and rest, but sleep eluded him. His thoughts raced, circling around Zephyr. He couldn't help but wonder about the letter he had given to Ni'Yule and whether there would be a response.

2:24 AM

A deep sense of longing and unease settled in his chest as he contemplated the significance of Zephyr's actions and the emotions that seemed to swirl around them. He wasn’t a replacement, yet… He just couldn’t shake the feeling. What if he couldn’t meet his expectations? What if he would just made it worse again? What if he made him remember all the things he had managed to forget over the years? The minutes felt like hours as Alden lay in bed, tossing and turning. The weight of the day's events and the revelations about Zephyr's past hung over him like a heavy shroud. He couldn't escape the feeling that he had been drawn into a world he didn't fully understand, a world where the past and the present were intricately connected. There was so little he knew about the world outside. Today showed him this once more, and it made him wish he had stayed in his room today. As nice as some of the things that had happened were, he couldn’t quite deal with them all at once. Yes, meeting Zephyr and Ni’Yule was a good thing, but the attack and everything he had been told… It made him want to forget today, unsure how exactly to deal with all of this. As he lay in the dimly lit room, eyes fixed on the ceiling above his bed, his thoughts kept returning to Zephyr, at least slowly moving away from all the other things that had been occupying his mind. The enigmatic mercenary had stirred something within him, a curiosity and a yearning to unravel the mysteries that surrounded him. The note he had given to Ni'Yule was a fragile thread of connection, and Alden couldn't help but hope for a response, a sign that Zephyr was willing to let him in, even if just a little. Yes, he was probably the bigger problem, with how awkward and antisocial he was…

2:25 AM

But he couldn’t help but worry that maybe Zephyr wouldn’t want to deal with everything about him. After all, he had already run from him several times… Who would want that? He could understand if he just moved on from him, pursuing something, someone else than him. Alden's attempts to find sleep were futile. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and questions, and the weight of the day's revelations pressed down on him. With a heavy sigh, he decided to make himself as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances. He wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, so why force him through all of this? Grabbing his blanket, he made himself a makeshift bed near the door. This way, he would be ready if anyone came to deliver the letter Zephyr might write. He nestled down on the ground, using a pillow as a cushion against the hard floor. Despite the uncomfortable arrangement, exhaustion eventually won over, making Alden fall asleep over the book he was reading, drifting off into a restless sleep. In the dead of night, he was startled awake by the muffled voices of Zephyr and Del'Vorian just outside his door. His heart raced with anticipation, wondering if Zephyr had written back. If he maybe would even come to him. He discarded this thought as soon as it surfaced; how should he know he was still awake? Still, Alden pushed himself up, hastily discarding the blanket, and rushing to the door. However, he was a moment too late, not able to hear Zephyr’s voice once more, as the letter had already slipped beneath the door. Alden quickly picked it up, his hands trembling with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. As he unfolded the letter, the words written by Zephyr captured his attention. He read them once, then twice, stumbling over the words, as well as the pet name he had already grown accustomed to. It wasn’t the same as hearing his voice or seeing his face, but it still moved his heart. The letter revealed Zephyr's uncertainty and vulnerability,

2:25 AM

and it struck a chord within Alden. The connection they shared was undeniable, and he was relieved to hear Zephyr acknowledge it. The invitation to talk face-to-face and take a walk through the gardens filled Alden with hope and longing, but also once again with worry. He hadn’t slept properly, and sunrise... would arrive in a few hours. He would look like a mess, and… Oh, god… Alden’s mind began wandering again, thinking of all the possible bad impressions he could make. Yes, he wanted to meet and see Zephyr, but… could he? He would have to get up early to look presentable, but he also had to sleep, so he wouldn’t be pale with dark circles under his eyes… What was he supposed to do? Alden took a moment to consider his options. Writing a response like he had thought he would wasn’t as important anymore. He wouldn’t be able to write something adequate anyway. So why even bother? And there wouldn’t be time for Zephyr to read it anyway. He better prepared himself for tomorrow morning, wanting to join and meet him, even if he was anxious. The other would be able to deal with that, right? He already knew that he wasn’t very good at talking and everything, yet… He still wanted to see him, so he had to be sure, right? The worries kept on racing through his mind, as he moved back to his small nest made from blankets, the letter pressed against his chest. Falling asleep there had been easier than falling asleep in his bed. Not that he was worried or anything, but… Maybe he was. Staying closer to the door made him feel a little bit more secure, knowing that someone like Del’Vorian was out there. He looked like there was no one, human or monster, out there able to defeat him. Surely, if he stayed closer to him, he would be alright. Did he have to worry about other attacks? With all the guards around… Probably… Alden wasn’t able to do much more thinking than that, falling asleep curled in on himself,

2:25 AM

the letter tucked against his chest and the blanket tightly wrapped around him. He had felt so tired and exhausted, so finally finding some sleep… He couldn’t help but forget about the time, sleeping past the rising of the sun, not even stirring as the first rays tickled his nose. At least he couldn’t worry about missing out on their walk, as long as he was asleep, but as soon as he woke up… Alden would deal with that as soon as he did, hoping Zephyr wouldn’t be mad and willing to maybe walk with him later in the day. @Deleted User