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spotaus · 8 days ago

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New Age AU (A Diplomatic Visit Pt. 1)

Oh boy, Here we are! A very fun start to a rewrite of one of my shortest drabbles to date in the NA collection! This one will be fun, hopefully! (And parts 2 and 3 are already finished and prepped for queue posting!)

(@ancha-aus, @papiliovolens, @mutzelputz hello!)

The paper held between the tips of his fingers was thick and heavy, three creases perfectly folded curled up slightly against his palm. The paper smelled faintly of a woody musk, though he couldn’t be sure if the aroma was from the fibers of the paper, or the discrete dirty old box that it had been shipped in, just like the rest of these messages.

He skimmed the content again, though it would do him no good.

Yes. It read. The attempted rebellion has been quashed and dealt with. There should be no delays in your arrival, nor troubles with your stay while you visit. Please accept my most sincere apologies for any trouble this news may have brought to you. All is well. All in perfectly manicured cursive, each letter twisting and curving just as they always had. Just over a year of communication, and that handwriting remained the same. Even if, on occasion, the vernacular of the contents seemed to decline from letter to letter.

At the end, just like the rest, sat the signature. King Nightmare. Along with a very brief and fairly abstracted image of an owl’s face, eyes staring back at him. Knowingly.

It was no use reading this letter over again. Not now, after he’d already gotten his Royal Mage so worked up about the visit. Initially, he’d planned to venture alone, Orchard was never exactly the safest place, but his Mage had insisted he come along. Insisted he see exactly what it was that his dearest little brother was experiencing, being lost in this foreign land. He hadn’t been able to convince the other to stand down. The light in his socket had returned for a moment, just a brief moment, when he’s been able to even confirm that Nightmare was going to allow their visit still.

The news of the rebellion had come only a few days after it had happened. Of course, Reaper kept spies in any kingdom he deemed important and, after the shocking usurping of that Sunrise Prince at his own coronation, Reaper had been curious. He’d sent even more when he learned of his precious Mage’s missing sibling. So it hadn’t taken long at all for word to arrive to his doorstep of an attack directly on the castle of Orchard where the line of so-called ‘God-Kings’ had resided since long before he crossed the mountains with Life to settle Sanctuary. He’d been surprised to hear that anyone had the gall to rebel against any ruler who settled atop that plateau, but even more shocked to hear that it seemed the King had suffered casualties. He did not lose, of course, the castle was reported to still stand strong, and he is well enough to have written this letter, but with the updates that followed, Reaper had grown worried. Over these last four weeks, only a few updates have trickled in.

The weather. Patterns that had been believed to have settled since their initial outbursts, violent ones darkened the sky unnaturally in the capital city. The closeness of the knights as well. Not often were any of them spotted outside post-attack on the castle. Then, of course, there was the few sightings just two weeks prior, he received news of them a week after he sent his latest correspondence asking for an update. The knights had deployed for a mission, the royal army not far behind. He supposed it was because they had found out who organized such an attack? Though, it sounded as though the Tiger Knight was not present among those traveling. Nor was the King himself.

Part of him wondered if this king were holing up. Paranoid and hiding away from rebelling subjects. Then again, He figured it may be something else. It seemed that rumors spread throughout the people. Whispers his spies caught as they flew on the wind. Rumors that the Tiger Knight? He had been slain in combat during the rebellion.

It would not be uncommon for a monster, especially one who has served such a ‘mighty being’, to die in defense of their ruler. And yet, there was a reason beyond simply being unsettled by Orchard that he had never deigned to visit their land nor treaty with their rulers. The magic in that land was unpredictable, violent, and the most easily wielded by their God-Kings. If the Tiger Knight had died, he feared that it was only because his God-King had wanted him to perish. Any king of Orchard worth even half their title could kill a man with merely a glare. Nightmare had been known not to hold back, at least in his early days.

…He does not have all of the facts, however. No matter what the case happened to be with their missing, likely dead, head knight? It was of no concern to him so long as Nightmare was cooperative in the searches he planned to send out in the coming months.

“Reaper?”

A tap to the edge of the paper gently guided him from his musings, as he raised his empty sockets to meet the singular bright eyelight of the monster who sat across from him.

“Yes, my Mage?” Reaper asked calmly, letting a slight grin tug at the edges of his teeth.

Geno, his Royal Mage of two years and three months, sat across from him in the private carriage he’d opted to use for this trip. The inside was lavish and cushy, soft seats and plenty of pillows, he figured it would be easier on the Mage’s sore joints and save them both from bumpy roads. Said Mage was sat forward now, leaning so that his fingers could slip the paper from his own grasp and pull it closer to himself. Though his singular good eyelight was still plastered to Reaper’s face.

“It’s not like you to worry about something like this. Is… Orchard really that bad?” Geno glanced down at the paper for a moment, but only enough that he was able to fold the paper back along the creases.

Reaper had been trying to ease the information of all that Orchard was, at least the last he knew, to Geno ever since he’d started asking. It wasn’t all bad, that’s what he’d been telling him, but the truth was far bleaker. Orchard was a kingdom ripe with crime, kidnappings, thievery, murders, trafficking, drug markets, weapons dealing, and more. All from a poor peoples who relied on corrupt and self-absorbed rulers. He’d… had to sugar coat a LOT of information early on. It only grew worse the deeper Geno insisted he dig. Reaper could understand why his other little brother, Fresh, had waited so long to tell him about the disappearance. When one went missing in Orchard, it was likely they would never be found.

If he’d heard this news from anyone else, he would not have risked making contact. Would never have sent any more spies than he already had. Aside from the request having come from Geno, who Reaper would do anything for to see thriving, it also came during an era in which the ruling God-King seemed. Hmm. Different. Yes, that’s the word. That is the only reason he has humored it so far.

King Nightmare, as far as his spies had been able to surmise, had a rocky start. Unprepared and ill-mannered to be King. Temporarily the castle fell to ruin and the capital beyond into a brief chaos. At some point, a point Reaper knows happened within the year, the new king finally stepped up into the role and seemed to wrangle his subjects back into submission with his own two hands. After that point, things had been changing. It had taken ages for Reaper to find whether these changes were for the better or worse, but after reaching out to him directly, Reaper hopes that it is for the best. It needed to be. He was too comfortable to ever don his battle armor again.

“...Orrrr is something else bothering you?” Geno asked this time, gaze trailing away to outside the window to their left.

Reaper sighed, sinking back onto the cushioned seat he had been sitting so stiffly in before. All this tension was no good for him, he was sure.

“No, no, you read me like a book,” My darling. “My Mage. I simply have not set foot in Orchard before. Used to do my best to ignore their outreach, actually. It’s a strange feeling.”

Yes, strange. He could call it that.

Reaper wasn’t one to fear travel. In fact, he often jumped at the opportunity. His latest true escapade was to visit all of those magic academies. To find a skilled mage after his last retired. Yes, that trip was lovely. He’d set his eyes upon the most precious jewel in all the land, and had the honor to bring him home.

Now? Now was different. Now he was moving into the territory of one he once deemed an enemy. A place he did not wish to linger in for long. Giving a chance to a people who had not had many chances over these thousands of years.

“To be fair, you don’t usually step foot anywhere.” Geno quipped a bit teasingly, and Reaper caught from the corner of his vision as the mage mimed his hands lifting, as though floating. That sparked a chuckle from Reaper, and Geno continued. “But, I get it. I never thought I’d visit a kingdom like this. I just- I have to find him.”

Reaper didn’t have to look to know a frown had undoubtedly returned to Geno’s skull.

The countryside out here was nice. Hearty pine forests which bordered Orchard’s upper cities. Wide fields belonging to the countrymen of the kingdom between. They were getting closer now. They’d been told a small envoy would meet them at the border to guide them through the rest of the kingdom. Supposedly, he’d send two knights. At least that was the initial plan, but Reaper wondered if he still had the man-power for something like that.

“We will do our best to bring him back to you, Geno.” Reaper muttered softly.

He heard the Mage hum. Both of them just watched out the open window as the scenery slowly drifted by.

By the time the carriage rolled to a stop, Reaper thought he might have genuinely fallen asleep. It was a gentle jolt, his drivers were very talented, but it was enough to urge him to raise up from his blissfully silent slumber to stare drowsily out the window.

It was dark now, stars above twinkling brightly against the cold sky. The trees outside looked more twisted and gnarled in the dark. Though it wasn’t in his nature to find things like this to be particularly eerie, the glow emanating from the opposite end of the carriage certainly helped ease his worry. It seemed that his beloved mage still glowed in the dark. Or, well, the crystals which hung from his attire did. His magic, his passionate casting style which had drawn Reaper to visit him in the first place, he carried many spells on him at all times in the form of decorative crystals. Each one hung from his hat, or his scarf, or his belt, most a red or off-white which bathed the cabin in a bloody hue. It made his eyelight stand out. It was charming.

“We’re at the border. Looks like there are some monster here to meet us. They’re talking with the horseman in front.” Geno reported when he noticed Reaper gingerly sit up and scoot closer.

The mage was already peering from the window curiously, unabashedly shoving his skull nearly outside the frame entirely. Reaper only slunk into the space beside him to catch a tired glimpse of the interaction outside.

His own men held magical lanterns, glowing fire held on curved sticks which would only dim to the proper command. The orange light bounced off of armor and the shiny coats of his own horses, but beyond the familiar there was another group.

It was a small gathering, perhaps seven or so? In the lead were two people sat high upon their horses. One horse seemed to match its rider, both abnormally large and sturdy. The two made for a hulking silhouette in the darkness, a red glare appearing from a well-defined socket in the dim light. That was undoubtedly the Lion Knight. And beside him, smaller and yet toting a familiar, trained posture, was another monster. This one wore brighter colors, his armor lighter and he and his horse both prime targets for the firelight to bounce from. Reaper couldn’t be sure, but he figured this may have been the fourth ‘knight’. A monster who had been training under Nightmare for several years now, knighthood just beyond his grasp. His ceremony, even, so rudely interrupted by that rebellion, keeping that coveted and respected title just outside his reach. If his information was correct, this was the loyal hound of Ritten. …These foul places seemed to never free their prisoners.

Reaper and Geno watch in silence, as it seemed like the Lion was the one speaking. Only after he revealed a piece of paper, no doubt his King’s seal for authenticity, did he seem to signal. With the wave of his hand, his horse jolted and moved forward, a few other riding folks following his lead. The other one, the one in white, turned in place and it seemed he would be taking up position near the front.

Reaper leaned away from the window, though Geno just watched curiously as the Knight, and the few of his men who had yet to break off, eased past and to the back of the group. The knight didn’t even seem to give them a second glance, just kept his head straight and focused. Honestly, he’d be a little impressed if it didn’t remind him so much of the far past. When warriors only behaved that way when their commander was watching them like a hawk.

Then, a few moments later, they were off again. Over the border and into Orchard proper for the first time.

It was nearly sunrise by the time the carriage rolled to a stop again. Now, though, Reaper hadn’t needed to be jolted away by the stopping of the cart. Rather, he had been wide awake, peering through the drawn curtains to observe as the carriage rode into a main city. One of the larger trading hubs no doubt, based on the bustling market just a street over from the one they had chosen to take. One of his men had alerted them some time back that this was their spot to rest for the day. An Inn approved by the King and frequented by the knights, where they should be safe from threat and able to let Reaper’s men get their own proper rest. It seemed like a smart decision, he knew not everyone had the fortitude to continue travel like this for three days while only resting on the damp forest ground along the way. This would be good for everyone involved.

That would be, of course, if he could convince Geno to stay put all day. The moment they’d begun entering cities, Reaper could tell his mage was becoming antsy. Hands twitching, tugging at certain crystals along his scarf as he gazed into shadowed alleyways and dim storefronts. His brother could be anywhere, after all. Even here, right under their noses.

Unfortunately, until they had made contact with Nightmare and managed to sign that treaty? He couldn’t do a single thing about the situation. No sending his men out to do sweeps, no asking around, not even mention a missing boy. He did not want to risk seeming undiplomatic, and he did not wish to risk losing his mage out on these busy, unfamiliar streets.

A knock on the door to the carriage.

“My liege?” A voice muffled from the other side of the door which faced the inn. It must’ve been time to disembark from the comfort of the enclosed space.

Reaper stretched his arms out before him and felt a few joints pop as he sat straighter.

“After you, my Mage.” He instructed softly, as he stayed seated.

Geno nodded a little and stood himself. It looked like he hesitated as he went to take a step, before steadying. He was the one to push open the door and receive the hurried help of their attendant, a young demon monster by the name of Nimbus. His family has been serving under Reaper’s name for generations, and he was newly old enough to begin assisting directly.

Reaper heard the familiar ‘Thanks Nimbus’ which usually escaped from Geno whenever the attendant would assist him. Followed by the ‘It is my pleasure, High Mage’ which Nimbus would tumble in response. The first time Geno had called him by name, Reaper thought the boy might’ve fainted. Of course Reaper knew those close to him, but his court tended not to care of servants and their names. Geno had learned it only because he’d seen Nimbus trip over himself carrying drinks once and asked of him…. Reaper planned to never tell that side of the story, however.

Hmm… Okay, that was enough stalling.

Reaper rose from his seat finally, feeling his hip joints pop as he stood properly upright. He easily stepped to the edge of the dim cabin and lightly stepped down from the carriage.

Nimbus knew better than to offer up his hand, and merely stood at attention beside Geno, one arm raised against his chest. Reaper didn’t need to look about to see that his travel party was likely doing the same. He never quite required it, not after the first 50 years or so of his rule, but tradition held strong and fast within Sanctuary. So, here they were doing it. All aside from Geno, of course. He was never big on following the crowd. One of the endless reasons to Reaper’s fascination.

He took his time, stepping down. As he exited the carriage, he let his magic flow just a bit, the magic which usually resided within his chest flowing outwards, billowing like a cloud of ash behind him. Only to solidify, seamlessly, into his wings. They leveled behind him easily just as he took the final step, and connected his foot to nothing.

Reaper did not like to walk and Geno had been correct to assume that Reaper would not truly step foot within Orchard. Not yet. Instead, he pushed off of the air and stood only a few inches above the cobbled street beneath his feet.

There, he waited, and turned to finally scan the remains of the envoy.

It seemed that the carriage was parked just before the entrance, a smart and safe move to keep high-profile guests from the public eye. None of his men had split off yet, practically forming a circle of horses and men around the edges of the building’s front, and Nightmare’s men were scattered among them. Though, Reaper’s eye caught on the knights easily.

The tall one, The Lion Knight, stood proud nearly opposite to Geno. The Axe slung across his back could’ve rivaled one of the wheels on Reaper’s carriage in size, and his eyelight seemed no less intimidating in the daylight than it had at night.

Just beside him, standing nearly stock-still at attention, was the… Knight in Training. Yes. He seemed unbothered at a glance, but Reaper caught a twitch of his fingers as they lay across the hilt of the sword strapped to his hip. He seemed anxious.

When they noticed Reaper was looking to them, the Lion Knight made a slight bow and the Trainee followed moments later with a much deeper bow. Both only lasted a moment, before the Lion Knight rumbled the first words Reaper had heard him speak.

“Let us go… inside.” He suggested.

Reaper only watched them for a moment longer before the neutral face he had been attempting to maintain slid into a more calming grin.

“Let’s.” He agreed. “Men, at ease. Prepare for your day of rest, we reconvene on the call of the Lion Knight.” He ordered evenly in turn.

At that, the Lion Knight nodded and nudged the Trainee forward. He seemed to take it in stride, immediately moving to the door and pushing his way in, then twisting to hold it open. Inside, from what Reaper could make out, looked like a quaint little tavern storefront.

He gestured to Geno, and by proxy, Nimbus (who had orders to tend to their any need, and so stuck close-by). Thank stars geno was being cooperative for the moment, easily sidling up just over his shoulder as he floated himself after the Trainee and towards the door. Reaper had asked Geno to ensure he entered rooms first, if only to intercept a threat should one appear. Not because Geno could not handle himself, but because his own magic would handle problems much more. Efficiently if nothing else.

Passing through the sturdy doors revealed almost exactly what Reaper had been expecting. A quaint, yet robust-looking tavern hall. The tables all looked to be made of a sturdy hardwood, same with the chairs, and the cushions on each were well-worn and clearly loved by patrons. When he’d moved far enough, the doors closed behind them, isolating him only with himself, his two companions, and the knights. It seemed the entire interior of the tavern was barren. Strange, for the scuffs against the wooden floorboards told a universally familiar tale of frequent guests.

The Trainee rushed to move back up, almost to beside Reaper, before he stopped short and spoke quickly.

“King Reaper.” He said, drawing Reaper’s gaze to him fully and slowing his steady float to a halt in order to provide full attention. The Trainee continued, though his eyelights were glued to the floor. “I am Cross, one of King Nightmare’s loyal soldiers,” He briefly held a hand to his chestplate, and Reaper noticed the engravings of the crescent moon which had been carved into the center of his chestplate. “I am accompanying Sir Lion in escorting you to our capital, and as you likely know, this location has been chosen as to provide you and your party a place to rest in comfort.”

He seemed to look to the knight for a split moment, before taking another breath.

“Our King Nightmare has specified that the Inn only contain yourself, your party, the travel party accompanying our Lion Knight, and the staff. If you are in need of anything at all, our Lion Knight will be acting as your personal protection during your stay today. Please ask anything you like of him or myself.” The Trainee seemed to sigh a little under his breath, barely perceivable. “We are to travel at nightfall once more, as to arrive to the capital by morning for welcomes and business matters.”

And after a breath, he bowed once more. Not once did he look up from the ground. Curious.

Reaper turned to face the both of them after a moment, the Lion Knight having once again slipped behind them to act as the rear to their party.

“Understood. I will trust your King’s judgement and take care to appreciate the gracious hands he has offered to assist me throughout my journey. Thank you, Cross, and Sir Lion.” He brought a hand to his chin, briefly. “As you may see, I myself am accompanied by my High Mage, as well as our attendant. I find it unlikely that anything shall go awry for this day, but I must ask that you extend an extra eye to watching over them as well as myself. Undoubtedly we will not stray far from one another, so I hope it is not too much extra trouble.”

He watched as Cross stared to the Lion Knight. Likely waiting for a verdict from his superior.

“I can watch all of you.” The Lion Knight finally decided after a minute of thought. “Cross is in charge of seeing… to your men. And ours. I will make sure your rooms are close to each other.”

“And it is an honor to guide and protect you, all of you, on this mission.” Cross chimed in, once again dipping into that bow.

Reaper, satisfied with that answer, nodded himself and crossed his arms at his chest.

“Very well. Then please lead the way.” He agreed.

Cross was clearly happy to hear those words, because he perked up and began guiding them further into the Inn’s lobby, past the bar, and into a side hallway which surely led to the rooms beyond. Though, they stopped at a little counter which shown into a room off to the side. Sat there was an elderly wolf monster.

At one time, perhaps, they must’ve been a beautiful red-wolf. The patterning and auburn fur still peeked from under the collar of a rough-hewn wool tunic and past an old black apron’s ties. Though, the fur around their muzzle and eyes were a wiry silver, jowls sagged from the bone, and wrikles spanned their entire face. Paws reached out to grab up a pen, only to tremble as they moved to lift its miniscule weight from the wooden countertop they were sat behind. Reaper knew age when he saw it, and this wolf monster had a lot of it to see.

Despite that, as Cross rounded to stand before them at the counter, their face seemed to light up, eyebrows which had been drooping over their eyes lifted enough for Reaper to spot the bright yellow reflecting in their iris’ as they took in the sight of this skeleton monster.

“Ah! The Whippersnapper! I was startin’ to think you lot would never show!” She exclaimed in only the way that an elderly person can. Such enthusiasm, such projection, from vocal chords scratchy from disuse. The wolf monster practically stood up from their chair to lean forward and sniff at the Trainee from afar.

“Apologies, Miss Redwood. We altered our schedule slightly in order to-” Cross had bowed ever so slightly to the wolf woman, and diverted his eyelights down the empty hall. Perhaps, Reaper thought, this was simply how the Trainee was. Despite his status he seemed more than willing to kowtow to anyone he spoke to. Was that from his time from Ritten? Orchard? Or something else?

Reaper had no more time to dwell on his questions, though, as he was fully brought from his thoughts by the wolf monster. Miss Redwood. She reached across the counter and her previously shaky paws grew firm on either side of the skeleton’s slightly bowed skull as she grasped him.

“Nonsense, youngin!” She nearly shouted, “You don’t got nothin’ to be sorry for! You got yerself here for a visit just like you said you was gonna do! And ya brought the guests we been waitn’ for! I think that’s mighty fine work!” And then she jostled his skull around. The trainee surely was allowing the movement, as a trained soldier would have more than enough strength to stop the woman in her tracks. It seemed like the trainee was grinning a little to himself as she did this, which was the most emotion Reaper had seen of the young man thus far. He found himself smiling shortly in-turn. If nothing else, this inn-keeper certainly held high opinions of the trainee.

“Miss Redwood…” That was the Lion Knight from the back of the group. He did not sound mad, nor surprised. They had been through this before, Reaper suddenly had no doubt.

Miss Redwood snapped her head upwards and squinted across the counter, and seemed to look right over Reaper’s party to spot the Lion Knight behind them.

“Oh, don’t think I forgot about you, mister! You know you’re my favorite of them big-cats. Always so helpful!” She called out, her nubby teeth showing as her muzzle opened wide to call out to the hulking knight behind them. She released Cross and instead nudged a pair of glasses sitting on her snout. Presumably, to look even better at the group. “You boys ought’a-”

“Ma Redwood! Ma, please tell me you weren’t bothering our honorable soldiers?!” That voice broke Reaper’s attention all too easily. A deeper voice, which drew everyone’s attention towards the doorway which sat behind Miss Redwood. The saloon-style doors swung open, accompanied by the figure of another wolf monster.

It wouldn’t have been any jump in logic to assume this wolf was related to the one sitting before them. They too were a red wolf, though there were no signs of age even touching this monster. Clean fur, bright eyes, muscular frame. They were young and spritely, and Reaper could imagine this might’ve been a child, or even a grandchild, of Miss ‘Ma’ Redwood.

They slunk forward, ears turned back and head slightly lowered. Hurrying to the side of the more elderly wolf, they quickly nudged her shoulder with their own elbow.

She huffed her nose at them and her eyes once again hid behind heavy and drooping brows. “ ‘Course I was givin’ ‘em some guff! They’re strong boys, a lil teasin’ can’t hurt ‘em!” She replied back, though it already seemed she was losing steam after being interrupted.

The newer wolf gasped, in what Reaper assumed might’ve been terror, at the response. Though, from just over his shoulder, he could hear a familiar little puff of air. Geno. The little quirks of his Mage never escaped his notice. That was a noise Geno had made since before they had met. Reaper had asked him a question, whether he could cast a certain spell. Geno had puffed his chest and pushed just a little puff of air between his teeth, almost like a scoff. He’d found the question then funny. Reaper had grown fond of that noise, hearing it from behind him or beside him as they sat nearby in meetings or as he’d overhear servants, or think of a tale to tell Reaper of his school days as they hit a lull in conversation during travel. He adored that sound.

And yet. Reaper used one of his smokey wings to gently ‘nudge’ his Mage. He could hear, then, that familiar sniff he would do when that magic reached his nose and he accidentally inhaled a little too hard. Then the hand which swatted loosely at his ghostly appendage to dismiss it. Reaper loved that, too. The strange willingness to disregard his status in brief and simple ways.

Luckily, it seemed no one, aside perhaps from Nimbus (who was already used to seeing odder from the pair), noticed any of their little interaction. Instead, the trainee and Knight seemed more focused on the younger wolf, who had bowed so far that his snout hit the counter and was still seemingly in the middle of his apology on behalf of his elder kin.

“-so sorry. Please, please forgive her behavior. We find it an honor to serve our God-King Nightmare’s loyal men, and now yourself as our God-King’s guest. We will act to make this discretion up to you, if you so wish.” The newer wolf finished.

Reaper stood there a moment, staring blankly.

Wait. Were they talking to him?

Reaper jolted a bit. He’d expected this wolf to speak directly through his escorts, but… he supposed in this kingdom it was likely rude to not address the God-Kings directly, and so that logic transferred to him as well? The groveling certainly felt fitting of rumors he’d heard.

“No need. If my company finds no trouble in the proceedings, then I have no reason to seek any myself.” He replied calmly, trying to regain his composure, though he imagined not many would catch how distracted he’d been. “Miss Redwood seems as though she will be a lovely host…. Though I imagine that rooming us may allow my men to rest much sooner.”

The wolf only raised every so slightly from their bow, enough to provide a glance to the trainee.

“It seems all is well.” Did the trainee look shaken again? When had he grown stiff once more? “We will need to alter the arrangements, Trent. Three inner rooms. For the King, his High Mage, and their attendant.”

The wolf nodded and quickly slipped away with a quiet ‘Thank you, kind King.’ back behind the door they’d entered from.

Ma Redwood seemed content and settled back in her chair, though Reaper couldn’t shake the feeling that she had an eye on him. The old woman seemed to love being a judge of character, and Reaper felt a bit silly as he found himself jealous of that grandmotherly behavior she had exhibited towards his escorts.

Before he could blink, Trent had returned, and thrust the keys, each tagged with their respective room numbers, all into Cross’ awaiting grasp. Cross looked them over, then thanked Trent, who was still bowing behind the desk.

They moved forward with barely another word.

It seemed that the monsters were all tense after the interaction. Geno and himself at being caught off-guard while being addressed, the trainee seemingly unsettled by something Reaper had missed, and the Lion Knight seemingly contented being quiet and stoic as he had been since they first laid eyes upon him. There was no small-talk to be had in this party. Not now.

Each of the three was given an internal room and provided with a number key. Reaper would be staying in the room between the others, the easiest vantage point for the Lion Knight to guard the three of them from. All of the rooms were luxury, and Reaper practically had to shoo Nimbus into the third to stop him from insisting he didn’t need something so extravagant. Geno, luckily, managed to corral him inside with the threat of giving him an even fancier room instead.

They each split off into their own rooms, and thanks to the need for anonymity, Reaper decided that he would remain in his room until mealtime. Less movement meant less of a chance for something to go awry.

There was hardly any warning before the door opened. The familiar rattle and twist of the handle, followed immediately by the door swinging inwards.

Reaper glanced up from where he lay sprawled across the bed which had been provided to him. The cover was downy, and the bed itself firm. A perfect combination for travelers who will need to be on their feet again the following morning, as to not tempt them with a soft and embracing place to sleep through their days. Though, admittedly, it was quite uncomfortable.

In the entryway to the room, was a familiar form. It was his mage. Entering quite confidently, and swinging the door closed behind him without even a second glance to the Lion Knight which he had undoubtedly just been talking to.

“To what do I owe the visit, my Mage?” He asked playfully, letting a comfortable grin slide onto his face as he watched Geno approach. Noticeably, now he used the familiar crystalline red cane which occasionally made an appearance in the halls of the castle. It made a distinct clink against the wooden flooring.

Geno glanced back to the door for a brief moment, before he sighed, “The room’s nice, but it’s boring when there’s no one to talk to.” He admitted easily.

Reaper noted to himself, with a pride welling inside, that Geno had chosen to visit him. He did have Nimbus as well, and though the young man wasn’t exactly the most well-adjusted, he did make for a good chat once you got past his initial nerves. Yet here they were, Geno stood at the edge of the bed, peering down at him as though he were hardly even there. Wait… something else was obviously on the Mage’s mind.

“What are you doing? Journaling?” His Mage asked before he could even think to figure out how to ask what was on his mind.

So, he nodded, lifting the old leather-bound book from where it sat against the cushioned bed-top. It wasn’t one of his prized possessions, he didn’t take those journals from their safe spaces back home, but this one would do for its purposes here. Merely jotting down thoughts for himself. Things to do upon returning to Sanctuary, things to bring up later with his fellow King, even ideas for his next upgrade to his carriages that he would request. Something to make rides less bumpy.

“Just jotting down some notes is all.” He said noncommittally. “Passing the time. The ride here provided much-needed rest, and now I find myself lacking the urge to collect any more.”

Geno peered from the edge of the bed, squinting as though attempting to get a glimpse at whatever Reaper had written, but evidently gave up just as quickly with a tired sigh.

“Honestly, I’m surprised you’re not rereading that letter again. You’ve hardly let it out of your sight these past few days.” He mused, and his fingers fidgeted idly with one of the crystals hanging from his prized scarf. It sounded almost like a dig. Perhaps it was.

Reaper almost scoffed at the statement, but refrained himself.

“My Mage, it’s likely I would be rereading it again at this very moment. If it weren’t that it currently still resides on your person.” It seemed he’d already forgotten that he had so easily collected it from Reaper’s own grasp hours before on their journey.

Geno raised a brow at him, confusion flooding his face. It only took a few miniscule seconds for his mouth to form a silent o and his eyelight to trail down onto his own hands. In the silence left between them, the Mage ran his hand (the one not currently holding the cane) along his pockets. His pants, then his travel pouch he often had on-hand, then finally he seemed victorious as he patted his chest and there was an audible crinkle capable of escaping the fabric. He shoved his hand under his tunic and seemed relieved to find the enveloped letter safe and sound pinched between his fingers.

Reaper tried not to think too hard about how many pockets he’d had to check before he remembered where the letter had gone. He also tried not to think too hard about how absolutely enrapturing it had been to see Geno reach into his own tunic, unintentionally allowing a brief glimpse of his collarbone- Gods. He was acting like a lust-stricken chaste. Refocus.

“Yep, I knew that.” Geno proclaimed in a confident tone. “Here it is, by the way. Sorry for keeping it, I think you fell asleep and I didn’t wanna just…” Geno extended the letter outwards with his arm, allowing Reaper to lazily reach out and grasp it as well. His gloves remained on, but he was still careful not to brush up against Geno’s hand as he took hold. “Y’know, slip it in a pocket or wake you up.”

Reaper ran his fingers along the pristine envelope, then lifted the flap and tugged the paper out. Only peeking enough to spot its familiar quality paper and cursive diction before he slipped it back into its safe covering, then even further away into one of his own pockets.

“No need. If I feared for its survival I would have collected it before we entered the city.” He dismissed easily. “Besides, you make a fair point. We are now in the den of the beasts, there is no reason to continue reading words of the past when we are experiencing the present.”

Geno looked at him a bit awkwardly at those words, as though something he’d said had bothered the mage. This wasn’t a look only Geno held, of course. Reaper was quite used to this response to him waxing poetic.

“Speaking of being in the den…” Geno trailed off a moment.

Reaper watched him. Geno’s wandering gaze had returned with a force. Though his words had trailed away, his stare still sat strong directly onto where Reaper still lay.

“Why would you tell those guards to keep an eye on me, too? You know I’m plenty capable.” He finally bit out into the silence. Now, ever so slightly, his brows sat furrowed in frustration. Annoyance? Reaper was learning these ones, slowly but surely whenever the moment would arise and enable him to take in details.

He was almost taken aback by Geno’s indignance.

Of course Geno was capable. Reaper had chosen his mage based solely on ability, it was only a grand coincidence that such a curious soul as Geno was also the most capable and desirable candidate for the job. He truly did believe that Geno could easily protect his own life if it came to it, his reaction timing was a bit slow, but he’d heard the descriptors placed upon those spells of his. The arsenal of crystals on his hat alone could create him a shield, summon a ring of fire around it, and push his enemies away with a powerful invisible force. So long as his fingers could connect, he would be just fine. The fear of Geno getting hurt in this place had crossed him mind of course, briefly during his catastrophizing, but it was extremely unlikely.

“I worry for you, my Mage. Your will to act is strong and infallible, but I fear that in an effort to produce results, you might lose your way.” He lamented, letting himself sink a bit further into the bed. He hadn’t been holding himself up, but he deflated himself just a bit more.

Geno just furrowed his brow even further. Followed by a little, confused, “What?”

So Reaper sighed, closing his eyes.

“I do not want you running off in search of your brother, Geno.” He said plainly. “You are not always present in my sights, and I supposed that by employing an outside deterrent I might gently encourage you to stay put.” He tried not to sound like a scolding parent, but he knew he must apply just the slightest pressure in delivering this news.

Mostly for his own mental fortitude on the subject. When he opened his eyes again, he could see that the frustration of Geno’s skull had grown. Only by a fraction. It schooled itself just as quickly. As close as Reaper liked to believe they had grown, as many boundaries as Geno liked to push? Reaper may not have always been his King, but he was certainly still his employer. On a day like this, where they were on business? Reaper had the final say. He had every ability to cancel this trip all together, though he would never.

Geno knew this well, though he often ignored or worked around it, toeing the line of disrespect and obedience. Reaper designated it as a charming sense of camaraderie, but in this instance their ranks could not go ignored. That was likely the primary reason that he simply puffed his chest and seemed to stare a hole through Reaper’s empty sockets.

“It only would’ve been a short look if anything. To see if I could find any trace of him.” Geno muttered under his breath, still peering down intensely at Reaper.

The king finally closed his journal and set it aside, though he stared back unabashedly at Geno.

“If you did not find trace, no doubt you would return depressed and irate. If you did, I fear you would continue the search on your own and I might not find you again. Or, worse, I would request the Knight to send for reinforcements to hunt down my missing High Mage. That would not be a very pleasant first impression upon this kingdom, would it?” He explained himself as calmly as he could possibly muster. One of his worst fears would be to bring his prized companion along into a dangerous place, then lose him to it within the first day.

Geno’s hard stare tightened, “No. I guess it wouldn’t.” He replied, before finally glancing away.

Reaper hoped he hadn’t hurt his Mage’s pride too badly, but he also could not refrain his mind from associating his mildly distraught expression with that of a schoolboy being told he had detention. A pout which looked almost cute from Reaper’s angle.

“Geno…” Reaper said quietly. The mage did not turn to him. “You know I want nothing more than for you to find your little brother. We would not be here if that were not the case.”

Reaper used his limbs to push himself up off the bed, and with the momentum and his loose sense of gravity, it allowed him to slowly float over its surface. Past Geno a bit, until he was above the ground rather than the bed. There he twisted and evened himself so that he may float standing upright beside the mage… who had not turned away when Reaper entered his field of view. Instead, Geno seemed to be making intense eye-contact with one of his shoulders.

“If you had caught even a slight glimpse of his trail on our way here, I would have followed your lead and begged forgiveness in the aftermath from our hosts. That has not been the case. Now, if all goes well, we will have hundreds of loyal people out searching for him within the month. Someone will learn of his fate, I have no doubt about it.” He explained himself even further. Geno had to understand. A widescale search would do more good than a frantic sibling searching alone on busy city streets. His other little brother, Fresh, had seemingly learned that the hard way. Poor young man had been devastated upon finally joining Geno in Sanctuary… “If he is anything like you, I have little doubt that he has at least carved himself a safe space within the confines of this kingdom’s borders. We will only have to find it.”

Reaper hoped he wasn’t lying when he said that. Part of him truly believed that if this young boy was anything like his siblings? He was probably doing alright. Orchard was just such a dangerous place, especially for children, that it made his optimism feel like a match within the depths of a mountain cavern.

Reaper watched, idly, as his Mage took a shallow breath. Then a deeper one. Then one slow, long inhale as he reached up to pinch at the bridge of his nose and tilt his head back as though looking to the ceiling.

“You’re right, you’re right.” He breathed after a lapse in the silence. He rubbed at that spot on his skull with his fingers a few times, before he returned to looking at Reaper. Though, now he had the slightest bit of a smirk. “He is strong like his older bro. So strong. He wouldn’t let anything happen to himself.”

Geno’s eyelight seemed a bit dimmer again. Though he said the words with a light tilt to his words, Reaper could see how much sorrow they brought along with them. The fear that they may not be true at all.

Despite that, Reaper nodded encouragingly and smiled at his Mage. It was only day one, and they had at least four more days, perhaps more depending on how long the technicalities would take within the capital of Orchard. They had to keep their composure and ensure that everything went smoothly.

At the very least, it seemed that the talk had resolved a bit of his Mage’s tension. His shoulders sagged gently, releasing some unseen weight, and his stance tilted to lay his weight to his right leg. His good leg.

Oh.

In the comfortable silence which had settled between them, and the peace of mind brought by the little confrontation resolved, Reaper could see the way that Geno’s free hand now trembled a bit as he stood in place, watching Reaper as he floated idly. His breathing, too, was slower than its usual pace. Reaper didn’t even have to get closer to imagine that the Mage’s soul was likely fluttering from exertion. The cane was not merely present for minor support, then. The ride in the carriage must’ve been more jostling than his Mage had let on.

Reaper floated a bit closer, to which Geno didn’t move. Only followed the fluid motion with his good eyelight. Only when Reaper had circled around him once, not unlike a vulture, did he raise a brow in silent curiosity.

Reaper extended his gloved hand to the mage.

“You should sit down, my Mage. You seem weary.” He offered, tilting his skull to gesture to the little set of soft chairs off to the side of the room, alongside a small, rickety table.

He seemed to hesitate for a second. Trying to decide on his words.

“I’m alright. Besides, I think the Knight outside said lunch was soon-ish.” He decided on noncommittally.

Reaper only grinned a bit more mischievously at the words. An excuse with many weaknesses that the Mage knew would not hold up against Reaper’s desire to ensure he was comfortable and nearby. If the Mage had truly wished to leave, Reaper knew how biting and serious he could become.

“Nonsense. I will simply request Nimbus to gather our meals. I will thank the staff on the way out tonight if need be.” He insisted.

This time, Geno sighed as though annoyed (Reaper knew he was not) and extended his hand to sit within Reaper’s gloved one.

#new age au #Oh boy oh boy oh boy!#It's time for my favorite side characters! (Lying. that's Rogers and Robin and Shep /lh) the boys are finally here!#Reaper and Geno's travel section was literally only a few paragraphs in the last version of this that I posted so I really enjoyed fleshing #this version out a lot more! They have so many quirks and silly interactions and little habits!!!#Also Reaper is a little bit of a showboat :] He has it in his blood #He doesn't quite get the whole hierarchy thing happening in Orchard just yet so he's trying his best to figure it out #*Some people are used to the old king's ways still. no matter how much Nightmare has done to remove the stigmas towards royalty. it just #sticks sometimes y'know?#I;m sure I have other thoughts #but for now take this! Hope y'a'll have enjoyed part 1!#spot q #(posting it while I get eepy times lol)

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