#and Ccino has seen that Rogers will help him in his moment of need.

[ancha-aus]

NewAgeAU Drabble - Change in Management

A little idea I had in the back of my mind. @spotaus

Exploring how and when Ccino was promoted to Head of House. (And how Cadet Rogers went from Cadet to Captain)

Warning: Harressment, Nearing assault but not actually happening, Degrading language, Victim blaming, Murder.

The warnings may be a bit much but I want to be sure and on the safe side.

Timeline wise? This is only two weeks or so after Nightmare became king.

*---------------------*

Ccino rushes down the hall as he checks another room. Dirty again and stuff stolen again.

If it keeps going like this the castle is going to be completely empty.

In the last two weeks many of the people helping and working in the castle had been leaving. All following the ascension of Nightmare.

Ccino doesn't know what to do. Rules of before and argreements of before are making it possible for processes in the castle to keep moving but...

Nightmare locked himself away. The only time Nightmare would leave would be when Ccino would suddenly find him in front of the door to Ccino's room. Breathing quickly and looking panicked.

That together with the fact that Dream had refused to speak to anyone.

It is a matter of time before something has to give and Ccino is afraid to see what it will be.

He is... trying to manage things as best as he can. Ccino doens't think he is doing a good job so far. Sure things are still running smoothly and he is keeping past deals and agreements going. But it is a matter of time before he does something that messes everything up.

But... Ccino doesn't want to force Nightmare to confront anything he isn't ready for yet. Ccino knows other people want Nightmare to speak to them or do things as king but... Nihgtmare is overwhelmed and still scared... So Ccino had been trying to do things for him while he can.

Ccino rushes around another corner before frowning at the very loud laughter down the hall, there are empty bottles of wine all over the place.

If the workers and people in the castle had been leaving, the guard has eben getting a bit too comfortable within the castle. They are using and grabbing things they have no right to and making a mess of many of the rooms. All while being rude to the few people Ccino had managed to convince to stay and help.

Ccino doesn't like them all here.

"Ccino. I wouldn't go there if i were you. Captain Falks is having antoher round with some of the other guards." Cadet Rogers looks very annoyed and disapproving as he glares into that direction.

Honestly? Cadet Rogers had been the biggest help these last two weeks. Ccino would want to do soemthign or need soemthing? Rogers would pull the few strings he had or talk with people he knew to help get things.

Everything is limited of course. He is but a cadet and Ccino is but a servant. But any little bit helps and any help is welcome.

Ccino sighs and nods "Thank you for the warning. I do not want to deal with the Captain."

Captain Falks had been... unnerving. When it became clear that Nightmare wasn't going to punish Ccino for stepping in after the ritual and for taking some comment Falks had been distant for a while.

But lately he had been jumping out at him and seemingly everywhere that Ccino went.

Ccino had even spotted the captain near some of the servant quarters and pathways and Ccino is very thankful for his more secret tunnels.

Ccino has been spending nights in the library as the captain had been hanging around his room as well.

Ccino is... uncomfortable. It makes him feel uneasy and reminds him too much of how Nim used to look at him. Later on, when it was getting closer and closer to the ritual. She had muttered something about Ccino having fit her type and Ccino still feels gross just thinking about it.

Rogers nods as he leans against the wall looking very annoyed "It is hard enough to keep people out with everyone pulling their weight. With how he is acting you would think he owned this place instead of worked here." He huffs.

Ccino snorts and nudges him "Not everyone can be as loyal as you."

Rogers grins back and snorts "For all my loyalty I am still not anywhere near you." He glances around the hall ans whispers softly "Is our king okay? feeling better yet?"

Ccino weights his words as he tries to remain diplomatic "He has... his ups and downs..." Many more downs than ups.

Rogers frowns but nods "Sounds rough." Something crashes in the distance and Rogers sighs "I will go make sure they don't break something precious. I will try to clean up what I can. Good luck with your work."

Ccino laughs "Thanks I will need it." Though if the guards are having a aprty here he can check the storage and taken inventory to see what he needs to trade when the merchants visit again. Ccino turns around and returns to a pilar which he disappears into, one hop down he is in one of the tunnels and rushes towards his destination.

----

He is so tired. He isn't even sure how much he slept the last week. The guards are getting more and more rowdy which makes it much more difficult for Ccino to do what he can.

Three weeks and counting now. People are starting to take notice that Nightmare hasn't shown his face yet. Rumours are starting about Nightmare going mad. Of Nightmare having died.

Ccino had to manage an actual meeting with the council. He lied through his teeth that Nightmare had been reading all the past contracts and planning the next big step for the kingdom. It was a bad lie but at least is bought him time.

If Nightmare appears again Ccino will just say that in the quick rereading that Nightmare did he didn't manage to find anything that needed immediate improvement.

Ccino walks down the hallway as he rubs his sockets. He had been up since before runrise and he doens't go to bed until the moon has reached its highest point in the sky.

It is starting to wear him down. Enough that he doesn't even feel the ever present hunger anymore.

Tha tis probably a bad sign.

But it is okay! He just needs to make sure that Nightmare gets through this and that is it! Then Nightmare will be happy and content. Than Ccino can focus fully on Dream and help him and then once both twins are happy he will be done!

And... Neither Nightmare or Dream will need him anymore... want him around anymore...

That thought makes him sad but Ccino can't let it affect him. Ngihtmare admitted that feeling eveyrones emotions overwhelm him and Ccino isn't going to make the burden even worse.

He turns a corner as his mind tries to figure out what is next on the ever growing to do list-

"Ccino!! It is about time you came by!"

Unease and anxiety as he knows that voice. Captain Falks grins widely as him as he puts an arm around his shoulders, the hand holding tightly to one of them with those talons pressing against his bones, and Ccino is pulled along to the large group of guards not far away.

Shit he had thought this hallway would be fine. He thought they had still been in the cellar!! A glance down shows many bottles of wine and ale all over the place.

Falks smirks and leans close "I have been looking for you! Very rude of you to not be here when i have a need of you."

Ccino feels anxious as he can smell the alcohol in the other's breath and hears some other guards chuckle. "I apologise... I have been working on tasks for our king."

Falks snorts before he chuckles to himself "And what a good king he is! Hiding away as he knows it will be obvious he is weak. A fallen god. The long lineage of power and prosperity ruined."

Ccino feels insulted on Nightmare's behave "Our king has a reason to prepare and plan. He will be leading us to a time of thriving very soon." Ccino has faith in Nightmare. He knows Nightmare will be a good king.

Maybe not the most powerful or the best. Or maybe not even as successful as those before him.

But he will be a good king. And that is much more important.

Falks laughs as he grabs his chin and tilts it towards him with a grin "Oh you are so stupid and naive. Then again you are just a small servant who tries his best." he chuckles as he pats his cheek.

More chuckles around him as Ccino feels more panicked. He is much too close. He doesn't feel safe.

"Captain!"

Falks pauses and looks over before sighing "Rogers. Weren't you suposed to do rounds?"

Ccino glances at Rogers and Rogers looks downright panicked as he looks at the scene. He sees Ccino look at him before he salutes as he stands straight "I just finished my rounds sir!" He glances around nervously "What is the situation?"

Falks grins as Ccino feels a hand trail lower and Ccino feels his soul spin fearfully. Oh no. No no no no.

Falks raises a brow "You were always an idiot. Go clean up something or whatever. I got some fun to have." Falks turns to him and Ccino doesn't like that look. "Now. I know for a fact that skeletons are suposed to be able to magically form whatever." A hand grabs his pelvis through his clothing and the panic increases tenfold "So make yourself useful. I want something soft and tight. Get to it."

Ccino struggles to pulls away but there is no escape. Falks is a trained guard and has the strength to back him up. The only thing Ccino has got going for himself is stamina from all the runnign around and a great sense of balance. Neither useful right now!

"Captain! This is wrong!" Rogers glares at Falks "Our king will be very displeased about this!" Rogers speaks with confidence.

Falks laughs loudly as some other guards chuckle along "You can't seriously believe that that failure will do anything. That thing will remain in that little private study. Reading to himself for the next how many years. I in the meantime have taken what is rightfully mine!" He waves around "The castle, the riches, everything." He grins at Ccino "And while the old king made it very clear you were offlimits... that is gone now. And I must say, you grew into a very pretty little whore. I am going to enjoy making you scream." He grins "It will be even better than giving you those lashes. Leaving marks all over that pretty body."

He feels sick. He thought... He thought!! With Nightmare being king. He wouldn't. This wouldn't. He thought this wasn't how things would go!

Rogers reaches for him but one of the guards, a bird monster with sharp claws, scratches Rogers with its talons and Rogers grabs his face, it is bleeding badly.

Falks grins "How about you go be useful, and learn this lesson well Rogers. Only the strong or smart survive. But those who are both rule." He turns to Ccino and Ccino loses sight of Rogers "Where were we?"

A hand goes into his pants and Ccino struggles even worse. "L-let go!" his voice stammers as he struggles. What does he do?

A hand holds his throat and it hurts. The ground hits his back and his whole spine and ribcage light up wiht pain as he remembers the lashes. How each one burned and stung.

Falks grins as he leans over him "Now. I think I already told you what to do and make."

Ccino stammers through the sentence "Can't!! Magic doesn't!" The panic is real but maybe. Maybe the past food shortage finally has its use. If it means he just can't shape his magic into what Falks want... He will let go right?

Right?

Falks frowns as he uses some of the magic he possesses. Enough to sense magic if Ccino remembers correctly.

Falks glares as he hand grows tighter around his throat "Are you kidding me?! The only thing you are good for and you can't even do soemthing as basic as fuck?! What the fuck is wrong with you? How misshapen and broken are you even?!" He pauses and grins madly "Then again... There are other tools for this. Maybe some liquid courage will help your magic do what it is suposed to. Please me."

He feels sick. He can't move. His body is so tired and he hurts.

Falks grins as he leans back "Now, we are going to fuck. You will beg me for more and once we are done you will return to me every night until I dismiss you." He grins "I am the one you should serve and want to keep happy."

Ccino is going to throw up. He probably would have already if that hand wasn't holding his throat. It hurts. He is scared. What does he do?

"Now. Open wide and- ugh."

A loud squish followed by a splatter and continues dripping.

Ccino's front feels wet and he dares open his sockets only to stare.

A large black metal seems to be impaling Falks. Falks stares in shock down at it as well.

The metal seems to curl and Falks groans in pain as he is raised into the air.

Nightmare stands behind him. Glaring with an enraged look straight at the captain. Then he throws the captain into the wall and Ccino realises that the black metal is actually one of those tentacles.

Rogers is by his side in a moment, face still slashed open and dripping blood, and helps him up "I am sorry I took this long to return. Are you okay? Did he do anything?"

Ccino is shaking as he looks confused. What... He turns to Rogers "What?"

Rogers looks unsure "I... I didn't know what to do. I was unsure how to stop them or make them see reason... I... I wasn't sure... I went to our king and... when I mentioned you were in danger he left his study and followed me back."

Ccino stares before slowly looking over before feeling sick to his stomach in a different way. Nightmare is standing over the broken body of Falks. His feaths are all ripped out and his chest and stomach are ripped open. Some of his organs are partway out.

The bird monster is still alive as Nightmare stands over him. The other guards stare in fear at Nightmare.

Nightmare has a snarl on his face.

Ccino struggles to push himself upright and Rogers stops him "Ccino. You are hurt. You need to not move."

Ccino shakes his skull as he stares at Nightmare slowly advancing on the others. Seeing them makes him uncomfortable. none of them tried to help him when he needed it... Not that it surprises him. He is a nobody. He isn't important.

Even more of a reason for Nightmare not to hurt anyone else. Nightmare shouldn't have to dirty his hands like that... for soemone like him.

He manages to get up and staggers over to Nightmare. He puts ahand on his shoulder and Nightmare's full focus shifts to him.

Ccino honestly doesn't have the words. everything hurts. He is tired. He just wants to sleep. He just shakes his skull at Nightmare.

Ngihtmare pants heavily as he glares at the guards. His tendrils still shoot out and Ccino flinches at the sound of broken bones.

Nightmare pulls back and one loud squish later and Falks falls apart as he dusts fully.

Nightmare pants before turning to Rogers "Rogers. Correct?"

Rogers nods and salutes. If he was unnerved he is doing an amazing job not letting it affect him.

Ngihtmare stares before a sharp grin appears on his face "Congratulations on your promotion. Captain Rogers. Your new focus will be pulling the guard back into gear."

Rogers sputters and looks shocked "I... my lord... what?"

Nightmare doesn't pay much attention to it "Fire them. Kill them. End them. I don't care. If any of them hurt my Head of House ever again it will not be as merciful as this end had been."

Rogers looks unsure before giving a deep bow "My king. I fear others will not believe I have been entrusted with such a high position."

Nightmare looks annoyed but nods "Unsurprising. I will make an announcement for all tomorrow. Make sure to spread the news. You are the new Captain."

Rogers nods "I will my king. And... about the... head of house?" he sounds confused by this name.

Nightmare nods "Head of House. When I am unavailable or unreachable. Every single decision or comment will have to be approved by my Head of House." he looks at Rogers "In short. Ccino."

The way he makes it sound. Like it is a fact. Like it is logical.

Rogers nods as he bows "I will start spread the news and ensure people are at the meeting." He looks anxious at Ccino "Do... Do I... Should I bring Ccino to the healers first?"

Ccino feels everything in him tense up as panic returns. No. He can't. He can't deal with that.

Nightmare's eyes are on him. He is staring at him before shaking his head "It has been proven that I can trust very few people in my castle. I will ensure the safety of my Head of House myself. I entrust you to... clean out untrustworthy guards."

Next thing Ccino feels is that he is picked up. It is as if he weights nothing! He feels weightless as he just lays in the tentacles. Now soft and squishy as they hold him over the sharpened form that pierces a monster as if it is nothing.

Nightmare gives them all one more look before turning.

They don't go to Ccino's room. They don't go to Nightmare's study. Instead they end up in Nightmare's room itself as Nightmare helps him lay on the bed.

Nightmare stares at him "How... how often did they?"

Ccino does not want to have this conversation... But Nightmare is the king. He should be made aware of how the guards treat servants and maids like Ccino.

Ccino sighs "It... it is a long story Ni- my king." He almost messed up and forgot to use Night- his king's title. He needs to remain focussed. He needs to pull himself together.

It is fine! Falks didn't even actually do anything. Ccino is being dramatic and unreasonable.

His king shakes his skull "Please Ccino. Just Nightmare. Always just Nightmare for you."

This is a mess. Ccino just knows it is his fault. He messed stuff up. He must have done something to make let Nightmare believe Ccino is somehow worthy of speaking the kings true name. He isn't important like that.

Nightmare frowns as he searches his closet "I have some outfits. Maybe one of them will be able to serve as comfortable to help you rest." He returns to his side.

Ccino is at this point prepared to just sleep in his clothes. Even so. He lets Nightmare pick something for him and lets the other help him into the other outfit before he returns to bed.

Ngihtmare joins him quickly after and pushes himself into Ccino's arms "I will do better... I apologise Ccino. I should have... I should have been better."

Ccino feels his soul break as he holds the other. He hums softly as he holds hims clsoe "None of it ever was your fault Nightmare. None of what happened. I... I will tell you tomorrow... How things were before... But for now I just wish to sleep." He is so tired.

Ngihtmare nods as he keeps holding him "Of course. Please get all the rest you need."

Ccino sighs as he closes his sockets. He is safe here. Nightmare would never hurt him just like Ccino would never hurt Nightmare.

He will have to consider what he can and can't tell Nightmare. How much he will tell of how the guard treated him and his fellow servants.

He will have to make sure Nightmare doens't worry unnecessarily about him.

But for now he can rest. He can sleep.

Maybe tomorrow will be better... Maybe it will be worse.

Either way it is alright. He can hold on for Nightmare.

Just a little longer.

He is fine.