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afterthelastreset · 4 years ago

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Rules Of One’s Soul Ch8 Realizing Feelings P4

Trigger WARNING: Rouxls is going to have a miniture panic/anxiety attack in this chapter. Mak belongs to @coffincrawler

What soon followed after that was actually a dreamless slumber for once which was a surprise in of itself. Usually they were full of danger or Lancer's past shennnanigans, but oddly enough he didn't remember anything past falling upon the bed and giving a few coughs from the dust before he blacked out into dreamland. But when he woke up, he didn't have the usual dread or happy feelings from the past night. Though he was still pretty tired, and from the light noise outside, the rain had let up quite a bit. The bed was pretty soft and warm so he was tempted to fall back to sleep, but the soft coughing from the dust annoyed him enough to groan and sit up. His tired eyes blinked and after a while he managed to see past the usual darkness of his home. Pretty quiet since Jevil decided not to disturb his sleep this time. Well, no time for thinking about that now, Lancer would be waiting for-

.....Oh. Right. Jevil's little mind games tricked Lancer into ordering him on paid leave. Which banned him from the castle for the amount of time the king dubbed. Which happened to be a little over a week. He groaned again and reached his hand up to wipe at his face. Looks like he'd have to find something else to occupy himself today.

He threw off the blanket which also tossed up another cloud of dust and made him go into another coughing fit, waving his hands in front of his face. Whelp! He guess he found what he was going to end up doing all day today. Groaning, he tossed his legs over the side of the bed with a few last coughs and pushed himself off said bed, stretching out his back. It was going to be a long day regardless.

He found the cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink where'd he thought they'd be, and (after the usual morning hygiene) got to work on the two rooms and store front on hand. Dust. It was all mostly dust that covered everything, but there was also leaves, footprints, random items, half eaten dark candy, and random dirt and sticks all over the store front which made it the most dirty. So the living courters being less filthy would take less time to clean, so he began on those first. He sorta lost count of time around after he was done scrubbing the ceiling with a spare broom. His eyes watered and his lungs burnt from the amount of dust there was lying around. His brain was a bit fuzzed over with the sudden urge to clean up the very disgusting shop. No surface was literally left unscrubbed to the worm's disposal. Walls, ceilings, furniture, closets, doors...Clean freak to a whole new level. But it helped to pass the time to the worm and would temporarily dowse his worries for Lancer. So imagine anyone's surprise when the door his shop opened and the tiny bell above the door-

"DON'T COMETH IN!" The worm shouted from his position on the floor, on hands and knees. Whoever it was he could hear shuffle awkwardly on the outside of the door, just a couple inches from the actual shop floor. "Can't thou seest that the sign sayeth I amst closed for thine day?" He mumbled something to himself before dunking the scrub brush back into the bucket of soapy water before pushing it back down to the floor and began to forcibly forcing it back and forth against the unscrubbed parts of the store front. "I amst busy for the day and I shan't have time for thou's antics. If thou wishes to see to me about any problems with the king or guards, then I can't help thee until much later."

There was a small amount of silence as the newcomer watched as the duke continued to clean what was left of the floors before the worm broke it.

"Thou needs to leave before the winds blows anything into mine shop or thou dirty's thine floor anyway-"

"Ahahaha. Well, it's also a coincidence I'm also closed then. Eh, Duke?"

The worm stopped what he was doing and immediately looked over his shoulder. Right in the doorway was the giant cat he had previously seen around. Seam had to duck his head down a little bit to fit in the small doorway and gave an amused look down at the duke cleaning on the floor.

"And I'm afraid I don't seek any company with the kings.

"Then what art thou doing here?...Nevermind. Don't ruineth mine hard work." He went back to his scrubbing and gave a frown when he heard the old cat chuckle again.

Seam wouldn't lie, he wasn't expecting to walk into a spring clean up, but the worm's work was impressive by the way the place shined and how everything was carefully organized, anyone could've sworn the place was brand new. He guessed he should've expected some cleaning when he saw the two full trash bins outside the door, but he didn't expect to see Rouxls in this state. On hands and knees, hair in a messy bun with strands hanging around his face, and wearing something that wasn't a fancy suit. The sight made him chuckle again making the worm mumble again.

''I thought it was a bit wrong of me to take some of your wares, and since I needed to get some supplies of my own today, I thought it'd be only fair if I got some for you as well." His eye panned over to the makeshift clothes lines across the walls and into the next room with the many sheets and clothes hanging from them and hummed. "I see you thought of everything."

"I nay like a filthy home. I preferest to keepeth things in an orderly fashion. I know where everything is and control of mine space at all times.''

Seam hummed again and continued to watch the duke work for a little longer. "....How long have you been working?"

"Since I awoke hours ago-"

"Hours ago?...It's about eleven in the morning." That comment made the worm pause and look over his shoulder at the now confused looking cat. "My friend. Either you had woken up mighty early or managed to get hours of work done with just a short amount of time."

"I-....I'm used to getting things done when they needst to be. Mine king demanded it-"

"I'm pretty sure Lancer isn't one to demand a lot often." Rouxls said nothing but went back to the floor he was working on. Seam gave another hum and looked around the store front a bit more. "....I have to admit, you did a pretty impressive job for just a couple of hours. Could use that kind of energy for my sheap."

"Well, thou should put more work into thine home and appearance if thou wishes to accomplish anything."

"Have you even eaten today?"

"No." At the mention of food, his stomach growled making him wince.

"Why don't you take a break? I left that cake in the cubord over there. A little unhealthy for breakfast, but I don't think there's anything else to eat in here from what's been taking and all."

"Nay! I'm far from done." The duke finally scrubbed the last of the floor ear a corner in the far side of the room and sighed, leaning off his hands and onto his knees. Stretching his back out before turning to Seam.

"How much could possibly be left? It looks like you went crazy with a broom in here." He gestured one of his paws to the practically sparkling space.

"Worm! I obviously have thine shoppe window to taketh care off ....and thine locks to fix to keepest pests out." He mumbled that last part to himself but Seam's sensative ears caught it just like everything else. "And the very fact mine supplies art dangerously scarce is cause for concern."

His stomach gave off another growl and he growled at it. Dropping the scrub brush back into the bucket with a small splash and standing back up onto his bare feet. He bent back down to grab said bucket and walked across the shop entrance towards the room entrance behind the counter. Seam gave a smile and watched as the worm disappeared into the back. The sight amused him more than anything really. And so, he dared to step into the worm's forbidden cleanliness. Surprisingly most of the floor was already dry so he didn't have to worry about slipping or leaving watery footprints. He was never fond of water anyways. He placed the over sized bag in his hands on top of the counter and tilted his head to the side to face the entrance to await the return of Rouxls. Seam didn't have to wait long before the duke finally came back, wearing another fancy suit none the less. Rouxls froze upon seeing the cat by the counter and Seam chuckled at the expression on his face.

"This part of the floor is dry already," he said before he could start on a rant and pointed to the floor.

Rouxls scowled. "I still didn't say to cometh in!"

"You said without supervision. You're still here as far as I can tell." Rouxls sputtered making him chuckle again.

To change the subject Rouxls pointed at the bag and asked, "And what didst thou put in there?"

"Oh, this?" He patted the bag. "A lot of dark candy sprouted this season and like I said, I've already taken my fill of them. I did say I had brought you some after I took some of yours."

"What's inside?"

"Eh..Mostly dark candy and tea leaves, but I did bring back the books and spare blanket I borrowed."

"You mean stole."

"I do remember you saying you didn't care about what I took that night we met. Implying you technically give me permission to have it."

"You- I-....I didn't mean-.." The cat simply smiled at the sputtering duke as his face turned a dark blue out of embarrassment or anger until he turned away in a huff making him chuckle again. His sputtering was quite amusing. "W-Well....I appreciate thou's generous return of mine objects, but I still have duties to attendeth too."

"Oh? But aren't you on paid leave? I'm pretty sure that's what I've been told."

Rouxls shot him a suspicious look. "..And where didst thou heareth that?"

"Jevil told me last night."

Upon hearing the imp's name, Rouxls grimaced. "I should've known. *sigh*.....Where is he anyhow?" He peered back over towards the door as if to look for said gremlin, and also noticed it had stopped raining.

"He left for work. He works for Lancer now I believe, and won't be back for another good few hours. Don't worry, he promised to look after the boy."

Rouxls huffed. "That'll be the day. I thank thee for the returned wares, but you must leave. I'm very busy as it is."

Seam chuckled again. "Oh, come now. What's the point of vacation if you don't relax? Or not. Doesn't involve me now does it? Ahaha." Rouxls huffed and turned away again. But he paused when a paw was held out to him. "Now come friend. I mean no ill will. Let us start over."

Rouxls stared at the smiling cat for a good few seconds before slowly looking down at the extended paw. It didn't look like it was threatening in the slightest position, but he wasn't sure at all. Seam stayed still and just as he was about to put his paw away, the blue man slowly reached his own hand out to the paw. Seam gladly took it in his own and gave it a couple shakes.

"Ahaha. It's nice to meet you fri-"

Rouxls let out a squeak as a pulsation ripped through their bodies and simaltaniously pulled his hand away from the equally startled cat, who's fur puffed up and his eye widened at the sudden feeling. Rouxls's soul thumped hard against his chest to the point he thought it was going to burst from his chest, then as suddenly as it came it left and his soul slowed down and his lungs heaved out. The two just stood there as the effects wore off and slowly looked at each other. Seam was the first to move as he slowly looked down at his paw, his button eye spinning. He stared at his paw for a moment before closing it and giving Rouxls a wide eyes look.

Rouxls gave a small cough as he reached up to straighten the hair poking up on his head. "S-Stupid static cling. I must've forgotten some dust rabbicks on mine person. Art thou-"

"I-.....Didn't think I'd live to see this event....Aheh..ahahaha." He slowly trailed his eye back at the confused man in front of him with an unsure smile upon his face. "Well....This is interesting news to be sure."

Rouxls rose a brow. "What does thou meaneth? A shock of static tis nay new. Though I nay felt one this powerful-"

"Jevil is in for a surprise it seems." He chuckled a little more much to the confusion of Rouxls who rose his brow further. "He certainly won't appreciate having his soulmate's soul atatched to my own."

Rouxls just stared blankly at the cat, but when he reached his paw back out and grabbed his shoulder,he was just about to ask what he was doing when a thump from within his chest shut up any thing he would've said. He stared at nothing for a moment but blinked and looked down at his own chest. Underneath his suit he could faintly make out a soft blue light that softly pulsated within his chest, sending small pulse waves throughout his being. He slowly looked back to Seam who gave the same patient smile on his face.....A light coming from his own chest.

"I think things are going to be a bit hard to explain when Jevil returns. Ahahaha." Seam contined to give the frozen duke a smile, but his smile faded when he felt Rouxls slightly shake under his grip, "Hey. Are you alright there?"

Rouxls didn't answer. Instead his face turned a pale blue like he'd just seen a ghost, his eyes rolled up into the back of his head. His body went limp and he fell to the side. The last thing he saw was Seam diving hard left towards his falling body as black enveloped his vision.

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"His hair is so shiny! Can I keep it?"

"No, Mak. I think he's had enough to worry about right now."

"Is he going to be ok? He looks dead. Can I have his shiny neckless if he's dead?"

"*sigh* No, Mak. That's his, and I think he's been through enough stress for the past few da- What are you doing?!"

"Trying to put this bandaid on his face? It looks like he fell on a sharp rock."

"That's a scar! The Healing Hathy already comfirmed that when I took him to see her."

.....What the-?

He groaned and turned his head. The first thing he felt was a soft but scratchy surface hugging his entire body and some kind of force on his chest making him heave a little from the weight.

"Look. He's not dead!....Unless he's undead! Should we get silver bullets?"

"You've been reading lightner stories too much. Now off of him."

He felt the weight lifted from his chest and groaned, his body shifting. His body wasn't in any pain thankfully but he strangely felt less tired than before he woke up before....In fact, he was starting to think that was all a dream. Of course Jevil had sat upon his chest and the two had invited themselves in. Again. But he didn't remember his bed being scratchy? His eyes slowly blinked open. The first he saw were two giant eyes who blinked at him and a black nose that sniffed at his face- He screamed a high pitched squeal which startled the furry thing into jumping back before baring it's fangs at him and giving a small hiss of their own. That thing definitely wasn't Jevil. He shot up and backed away from crazy animal against the soft surface.

"WHAT THY FUCKETH?!"

"MAK!" Their heads turned to a very familiar cat as he scowled at the animal. "Don't scare him. What are you doing, trying to give him a soul attack?"

The animal pointed a paw at him. "He started it!"

Seam sighed before turning towards Rouxls with a softer smile. "Hey, there friend. Are you feeling better?"

Rouxls turned his gaze around the area he was in with a wild look. Stone walls and ceilings held similar things to his bedroom....minus the fireplace to his right and the old looking couch he was apparently sitting upon. His soul still thumped within his chest

"...W-Where-?"

"You're in my sheap." The cat smiled at him from across the couch. "You're alright."

"W-What...What happened?"

"You just fainted. I had you checked out by a healer, she said you'd be fine. I was worried you had a soul attack or something."

"I-I..I may not be in the best condition, b-but I shan't have any medical issues of that sort!," he retorted before finally looking at the animal thing. The small thing was looking up at him and blinked a couple times. It looked a lot like a cat if it wasn't for the shape of it's tail and the wings attatched to it's back. He stared at it for a few seconds before pointing, "And what tis this?"

"Oh?" Seam turned to the child and patted the top of it's head. "This is Mak. They're harmless, don't worry. But they should really not scare guests." The child giggled and just shrugged before looking back at Rouxls.

"You're really shiny! Came I have some of your sparkles?" Their paw delicately reached up to him and made a grabby hand movement at his face, like how Lancer would whenever he wanted attention or to be picked up.

Rouxls grimaced and leaned away. He might've thought it was cute if this wild child hadn't scared him half to dust. Seam must've noticed because he gently removed their hand with a chuckle.

"They like shiny things. But they're a good child I promise."

Rouxls didn't look convinced. "How long was I asleep?"

"Almost three hours. Not very long to be honest. Are you feeling better?"

"I-....I'm fine." He quickly threw his legs over the side of the couch and stood up. he wobbled a little bit from his legs feeling like jello, Seam reached out a hand as to help, but Rouxls waved his hand away and reached down to straighten himself up. "I just....I think tis best I teketh mine leave-"

"I don't think that'd be a good idea." Seam gave him a concerned look. "After fainting like that, you're probably going to be weak for a bit. What if you fall again?"

"N-Nay! I haveth non time to delay! I-I'm feeling fine-" His stomach gave off another loud growl and he winced from the empty feeling coursing through his body at that very moment. "....I'm still fine."

"I think you need to sit down and rest a moment before you faint again of exhaustion. You seem to have a bad habit of pushing yourself, friend."

"HA! Likest thou couldst do anything to makest me do anything!"

A small silence.

"...Ahaha. Are you sure about that?"

"Of course I am! I have more authority than thoust could comprehend." He turned to the side. "I will taketh mine leave now!"

"Alright. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use force."

"What doth thou-"

He squealed as a large paw grabbed the backside of his shirt and lifted him up from the floor. He heard a familiar chuckle and turned his face to the amused looking cat. He immediately went dark blue in the face and reached his hands up to try and grabbed at the large paw holding him up to no avail, his feet comically kicking at nothing in particular.

"L-L-Leteth me go this instant!," he squeaked out making Seam chuckle, "Tis NAY funny!"

"My, my. You certainly are a feisty one, aren't you?" He gently swung the flailing and squeaking duke over the coffee table and closer to his soft body. Using his other hand, he grabbed one of Rouxls's legs before hoisting him up.

Rouxls made angry sputtering noises as he was forced into being held in the bridal position of the larger cat. His face went completely white from sheer embarrassment and Seam chuckled again at his flustered state. He continued to kick out and try to pry the strong paws off of himself as Seam shuffled behind the coffee table and eventually took a seat onto the couch. Rouxls made an attempt to push himself off his lap as he sat down but unfortunately Seam's way of cradling him like a child prevented any escape. He felt his side be pressed further into the soft, warm body of the stuffed cat as he leaned back, sighing into the softness of the couch. He froze up for a few seconds, soul thumping, and face as pale blue as a frozen blueberry.

"W-What doth though t-thinketh you're doing?!," he managed to squeak out.

Seam let out a couple laughs before patting Rouxls's back. "Well, you did leave me with no choice. I could get into trouble if you ended up passing out from exhaustion or starvation. And I wouldn't be a good person, would I?"

"W-What happened to it being 'none of thou's business'?!"

"When the person who's business involves me directly of course. And you did faint because of the whole soul sparking thing-"

"THAT WASN'T A DREAM?!"

Seam laughed again as Rouxls gave a high whine of flustered feelings. "'Fraid not."

"H-Holy hell!.....Oh no..." His eyes shrunk in size as one thought shot through his head. Swirling pink heart attacks shooting behind his retnas. ".....It's going to kill me....IT'S GOING TO KILL ME!! I AMST GOING TO DIE WHEN HE FINDS OUT!!"

The sudden change in tone from flustered and angry to utterly terrified alerted the two to his sudden fear. The two animals exchanged a look before looking back to the duke who had launched his hands up to clutch at his head and his body shrinking down into Seam's soft body. Seam reached a paw to his back and gave him an unsure pat before asking-

"Who's going to harm you-?"

"T-That.....H-He-"

"You mean Jevil?"

Rouxls winced when he said the imp's name, confirming Seam's thoughts. He hummed before looking towards the small child who looked more confused than concerned. "....What's he talking about?"

"He's just scared of something....Uh- Why don't you get him something to eat?...That's actually edible."

"Oh. Alright."

The small bat thing turned around and scampered it's way out of the room towards the store front, leaving the too males. Alone. Seam stayed quiet and just silently rubbed the other man's back until his breathing and soul thumping reduced to a minimum. They sat in a few minutes in total silence before the dared to ask-

"Are you ok now?," his voice was like a parent talking to a scared child. Rouxls nodded. Seam hesitated. "Do you...think you can talk?" He nodded again. "Ok..Good, good....Do you...think you can tell me why you're scared of him?"

Silence.

"....Ok. Do you want to talk about it?"

"....I a-amst not...scared of him."

Seam had to take a moment to process what Rouxls had just said for a moment. But he blinked in confusion. "Why then..do you think he would harm you?"

Silence.

".....n-not him....s-stupid emotions.."

".....You're afraid of your emotions?" His silence answered his question.

They sat there in silence for a moment, as Seam seemed to piece together something in his head. Taking it slower, weird behavior, all the statue imitations, fainting......Good god what happened to end up like this?

"....I...w-will best al-...alright."

His sudden answer spooked Seam a bit, but the cat stayed calm for his sake and continued to rub his back. "Are you sure? If...If you need me to talk to Jevil, I most certainly will."

Rouxls was silent for a moment. "...No...My p-person...M-Mine rules...I've suffered worst."

Seam wasn't honestly sure how to feel about this whole situation, but decided it was best to roll with it for the moment. Patting Rouxls back and doing his best to comfort him. He sorta suspected Jevil knowing some of this problem now that he thought of the story he told him about yesterday's events with him getting that 'relaxing' leave, but he couldn't be sure just yet. He'd have to wait until he came back to ask anything.

#Seaxls #Seamkaard #rouxlvil #rouxvil #Nosuit #jevil x rouxls #jevil x seam #jeam #seavil #Deltarune #rouxls kaard #Seam #jevil #Seam x Rouxls #seam x jevil

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afterthelastreset · 4 years ago

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Rules Of One’s Soul Ch23 The Duke’s Return P3

Warning: Rouxls has a break down and faints. Mak belongs to @wasted-church Please understand I DO NOT know how to put a cut in these.

Well his visit with Seam left him feeling just the teeniest bit worried about Jevil's now high feelings of love and the intencity it now presented, but he had other worries to take care of now. He followed Seam's directions and made his way towards the Field of Hopes and Dreams. As he walked he came by a couple, they were giggling and who he guessed must've been a lady by the hathy's surprised girly squeal when the Rudinn presented a small looking diamond to her and she responded by wrapping her tentacles around the smaller guy and easily lifting him off the ground with a smile and laugh. Hugging him against her body as her mouth peppered him with kisses. The Rudinn giving a goofy smile and melting into puddy in the grip....Despite himself he smiled and shook his head before continuing. Not even the actual holiday and already everyone was treating it like it was. Oh well, he guessed it wasn't his place to judge anyone else on their love life when his was so crooked it made Jevil almost look sane....Almost..What was he even saying? This didn't even count as a love life if these two were seeing this whole thing as a game to win him. What's going to happen after that? He was supposed to live happily ever after with the winner? They would go back to everything being the same before it all happened and they wouldn't even care about him? ....A pang of sadness came from his soul at the thought suddenly. Would he be...really be left alone again?....Maybe it was for the best, he rationalized. After all he didn't need any romance in his life. He had probably the best paying job in the entire Card Kingdom, gorgeous looks, a wonderful son, fancy items, servents at his beck n call, the pleasure of working under the kindest kings, and plenty of admirers he could every want the attention of. ...Still won't be the same- Quiet you!!

Once across the giant field, it was easy to find the bakery at the beginning of the Rudinn Village. Just as Seam had told him. Once he walked through the door his nose was hit with the sweet smells of baked goods, and he had to blink when he saw it. The whole store front was littered with shelves, and on those shelves were ALL kinds of goods. Bread in different shapes and sizes were lined up piled in baskets on one wall while the one across from that displayed sweets like pies, and....was that double fudge moose?! His stomach gave off a grumble at the mere sight and smell of it all. The place was also very clean, and the counter tops shined almost as much as his. And...oh sweet mother of light that was a huge cake. The other side of the store had different cooked foods. Such as jerky, handmade wines, roasts, but most were cakes. Beautifully decorated cakes that looked more sweet than the small one Jevil had cooked him. But he wasn't staring at them. He was staring past the counter into the back room. A cone looking man was humming and twirling around the massive back room, dancing around a massive white cake that glimmered in the light and the smell of vanilla waved over him like a refreshing breeze...Now he usually despised sweet things so much, but his mouth watered at the sight of it. It must've tasted fantastic...Oh, wait. His eyes blinked back to the man who looked like he was making some kind of detail on the very bottem of one of the layers...before nodding his head and putting the tool down.

He crossed his arms and nodded again with a bigger smile. "Perfecto! Another wonderful masterpiece." He spoke with a strange accent. Rouxls stood there quietly for a moment before clearing his throat. Making the man jump and drop what detailing tool he was holding. "MARGA RIBA!! Don't-a scare me like that!!"

Rouxls blinked but held up a hand. "Oh. Mine apologies. Alloweth me to introduce mineself." He bowed. "I amst Rouxls Kaard, Duke of Puzzles and royal advisor to thine kings. I came by because I haveth a job for thou."

At Kings the man's eyes lit up and with a spin he came towards the door and stopped right behind the counter. "Mon amiga!! A job for the kings!? But of course! What is it?!"

Without another word, Rouxls pulled out the scroll and let it unroll in his hand, the man blinking and reaching for it. "Mine kings requests all this food. Enough for their ...eh...impressive size plus another expected ...hundred or more so guests."

The man stared, obviously reading over the list the duke presented and blinked back to him with a surprised look. "A feast you say? Tell me, what is-a your due date for all this?"

Well he should've expected that. And he didn't even hesitate. "Three days. Including today."

"MARGA RIBA!! NO, NO, NO!!" He spun a few times before stopping and Rouxls had to blink. What a strange darkner. "For ze Kings' sized and more for guests!?!?....That woulda take too long!! All day and night and their woulda be no gaurentee I would even be done by then." He then twirled until he stopped in a position and pointed both arms to the door and the cake in the back. "I have a wedding cake to finish for a younge-a couple. They are getting married of that special day you know!!"

Well he didn't know until know, but to him 3 giant disappointed kings and queens, one disappointed son, and lots of disappointed guests were a much more scary thought than a younge couple's wedding...But he sighed. "I assure thou willst be able to deliver thine goods, but I needst thee assistance-" He went to speak but Rouxls held up his hand. "I assure thou our giant kitchen staff and kitchen willst be able to helpest thou. I will even makest it up to thee." When a curious look, Topchef watched as Rouxls pulled out a small stack of darke dollars and placed it onto the counter of the chef, who now stared wide eyed at him. "...And this is just a tip. If thou presents greatest skills then I shallst make sure thou is handsomely paid." Either way he was going to be paid a lot for his massive work load and Seam did give him more money than was needed. Good thing he was used to getting a little persuasion to go a long way.

Topchef looked from the cake in the back, to the counter a few times, and with a calm smile Rouxls scooted the money forward- Which was quickly snatched up by the chef and quickly shifted through. Eyes lighting up in a smile as he looked at the money presented plus the promise of more to come. He looked back to the smiling duke...before snatching the list of the ball food from his still outstretched hand. "Oh Marga riba!! I just-a remembered. I can deliver the cake early to them today and they can freeze it or ...something before the wedding."

The duke smiled. "Of courseth. Thou shouldst deliver it soon. Telleth me, how long until I may escortest thou to thine castle?"

He glanced back down to the dark dollars with a smile. "It-a should not take too long."

"I shall waitest for thee right here. Make hast."

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It took around almost an hour for Mr. Topchef to deliver the cake and back and the two began their way back to Rouxls's Hop Shoppe. The closest point he could teleport to and from the Card Castle. The man spinning every so while, obviously happy to do such a honorable job for the kings and earn such rewards. The dark sky was now much darker indicating it was near nighttime, so he hurried as fast as the cone shaped man would follow him right towards the shoppe. He noticed the flap of Seam's Sheap was firmly closed and a small sign pinned to the outside of the flap read: Sorry Friends. Closed. And he chuckled as he walked past with the now tired looking chef behind him. But it didn't take too long to finally come to the Hip Shoppe, opening it and allowing the tired chef to come in. But there was no time to rest...Perhaps he should've gave warning before grabbing the chef's arm and teleporting in his fabulous feeling of bright light and miniture tightness. Before of course relanding back down with a thump to his feet and letting go of the man behind him.

The poor man gave a few spins of dizziness. Not at all used to any kind of teleporting magic. Before falling flat onto his back inside the Duke's office, that didn't look like it had been touched by Jevil's magic at all. He guessed Jevil really was respecting his boundaries or he left it alone because it was already cleaned.

"....M-M-Mama...amiga....W-Warn a humble m-man-a next time."

"*ahem* Mine apologies." He leaned over the groaning darkner and smiled. "Wouldst thou be-est able to start first thing in the morning?" Topchef merely nodded and Rouxls smiled. "Oh good. I shallst escort thee to one of thine guest room before I inform mine kings. He leaned down and grabbed onto the man's arm and pulled the cone man to his feet with a grunt. Topchef grabbing onto his hat to keep it from falling off as he was stood up by the duke. With a smile, Rouxls began marching him towards the door and reached for the doorknob. Once he grabbed it the blue man paused and gave Top chef a dead serious look. "The castle tis currently under....Erm. Severe cleaning renovations. I highly suggest thou stays within mine reach."

The man was clearly confused by the whole thing but Rouxls took a deep breath, and threw open the door- Just as a giant literally dust bunny about the size and wideth of Seam if he was on all fours came waddling by and Topchef gave a loud squeal of fright before hiding behind the Duke as Rouxls lazily watched it past. Despite it being made of literal dust no dirt was left behind by it. He guessed Jevil's magic must make it all stick to them. The giant rabbit waddled past...Still having dust fly into it's body, and rouxls began pulling the frightened man along behind him. As they walked, he took notice that most of the brooms and feathered dusters were now gone as well as most of the mops and scrub brushes that had been scrubbing the floors and walls with soapy water. Now all that remained in the halls was the occasional rag washing the giant windows or polishing any of the suits of armor or random table in the halls. And the occasional giant dust bunny. Topchef jumped behind Rouxls whenever he even heard one coming and was now practically glued to the blue man's back as he continued to walk past the spooked or annoyed looking guards and other castle staff. He passed one giant bunny who was standing in the middle of a separate hallyway and stood completely still as lots of black soot from a few fireplaces were flying into his body. He rose a white brow, quite impressed at that. Jevil was really getting everywhere wasn't he....Wasn't this very tiring for him?

He almost stopped walking at the thought. He never had that thought until now. Did Jevil's magic actually tire him out? It was clear the Kaard mix had an impressive amount of power behind that small frame, and thanks to Seam he knew that his feelings held a tremendous amount of control over those powers. But by the looks of it, he never seemed to run out of energy. All bouncy and full of life even when he was upset....So was something as big as this really gonna put any sort of strain on him? He admitted his copy spell needed a lot of concentration and power-

"DUKE!! DUKE!! MR. KAARD!!" He stopped and gave a hum over his shoulder just as a very scared looking Rudinn was slithering as fast as they could towards him, making him raise a brow. As she didn't stop until she crashed into his leg and she looked up to him hororfied. "G-G-GIANT RABBIT!! C-C-COURTYARD!! S-SCARY!! MAKE IT STOP!!!" Was all she could get out before burrying her face into his pants leg.

Topchef gave an equally terrorfied look and Rouxls sighed, they were getting spooked of a nonliving rabbit made of nothing but dirt and magic. ..But he guessed he would've been scared too if he wasn't so used to Jevil's chaos right now....But then again- He blinked and looked around. Nothing was moving around by magic anymore, everything looked cleaned, covered in shiny pink and red hearts, but otherwise peaceful. ...Where was the giant rabbits and moving objects?? With a curious hum he turned his gaze to the spooked Rudinn clutching his leg and reached down to pat her head.

"I shallest go see what has happened. *sigh* Please escorteth Mr. Topchef here to one of thine guest rooms."

She and Topchef were quick to agree to get away from the apparently crazy thing that was happening now, as she grabbed the cone man's hand and began to lead him away quickly. Rouxls sighed and wondered what exactly it was THIS time, as his legs turned him and he began heading back to the front of the castle to check up on this mysterious new problem. As he passed, he noticed there was still no magical objects or bunnies, which seemed strange. Perhaps Jevil had finished up already...But where were all the red hallway rugs? His mitchmatched eyes looked up and he flinched...before jumping just in time to avoid a long red carprt unrolling under him and his head was really quick to watch as it rolled out all the way until it reached the very end of the hallway. And the connecting hallway having another giant red carpet unfurling as he blinked at the quick rolling blur. He blinked as he turned back up the current hallway just in time for another red blur to roll past....Jevil must've been putting them all back as the floors were finished, but where was the smaller menace. He continued on his way to the front and he noticed a few more red blurs rolling here and there...along with more stunned and shook looking darkners. Oh it couldn't have been that bad? He was sure he's seen the worst of Jevil with being attacked by flying heart attacks. But when he turned the corner he paused.

"Your majesties?"

The kings didn't even react as they along with almost thirty or so staff members were blankly staring out a few gigantic windows at seemingly the ground. Lancer wasn't anywhere among them so he guessed he must've already been put to sleep. With a determined face he carefully stepped over and around the smaller rudinns and hathys until he stood in front of the glass windows. Grumbling and looking down...and absolutely froze at what he saw.

THERE. WAS. A. GIANT. RABBIT IN THE COURTYARD!!!

And above them was a tiny purple floating menace, sitting in what looked like in a cross-legged position and was doing nothing but staring at the absolutely massive dust bunny as it just sat as frozen as a statue while the long red rugs were slowly flowing out it sideways like on a conveyor belt and LOTS of brooms were smacking the floating rugs from all sides and places as they passed, causing a steading stream of dirt and particals to float down onto the giant rabbit. Compared to the kings, the thing was massive. If the three next to him plus their wives were standing next to each other they would be the closest thing to matching that creatures size. Once one rug was done, it would dart back into the castle through the giant door entrance or one of the many giant windows opened for them. Looking a much more clean and vibrant red than before. His mouth fell completely open, eyes practically buldging out like googly eyes and not believing the sight before him. Like it was a dream and he would wake up at any moment....HOW LONG HAD HE BEEN AT THIS?! He quickly turned around and began making his way past all the scrunched together darkners.

"M-MOVETH!! OUT OF MINE WAY, PLEASE!!"

Unknownst to him as he was rushing away to get himself down there, the last rug had already made itself through the mysterious cleaning process and was quickly whisked away with the brooms beating it back into the castle. Jevil gave out a loud yawn, stretching his back out in mid air before his fangs snapped closed with an actual mousetrap noise. Oh boy. It had been a long day and his other two selves were still busy as bees in other parts of the castle, sure it was straining but not as straining with the strong feeling of love burning in his core. The thought made him smile as with another movement with his arms, the rabbit slowly began to make it's way over from the castle, but the smile on his face remained. He hadn't felt this powerful since he and Seam....Well, that was a long time ago. Sure the spark between them was still there but with what happened-...Well no one can change the past, he was really free now and had a different sight in his eyes. He sighed and stared off dreamily at just the thought of those cute eyes staring at him surprised by his magic, bright white lashes fluttering. The giggles he would give when he did make him smile that beautiful smile. Beautiful sparkling hair framing his face- ...He chuckled. And the pouts he'd make when he became frustrated, his cheeks puffed out. It was so cute. He could hear him now-

"JEVIL!!"

Wow that memory was really loud-

"JEVIL!! LOOK AT ME YOU WORM!!" He blinked and looked down...and was greeted with the sight of a very angry looking worm monster. The blue man pointed a finger down to his feet while looking at him. "Gettest down here this instant and explain thineself!!"

Oh be still his beating soul!! He giggled with glee and casually floated down still cross-legged as calm as ever. The duke watching him with those eyes and he wouldn't have had it any other way, once he got low enough to stay eye level, he fluttered his eyes at him. "Why hello, hello.~ And what may I do, do for you?~" The duke blinked and leaned sideways to gaze at the giant mound of walking dirt crawl into the tree line just beyond the castle where it finally stopped, seemingly waiting for it's master's command. Speaking of Jevil. "Oh. Excuse me for a moment." His head turned, looked at the giant thing for a moment, before reaching up his hand and snapping his fingers. Within seconds the thing dissolved into nothing but a giant pile of dirt between the trees. Completely looking the shape of any cute bunnies. Jevil hummed in satisfaction before turning back to him. "Now, what were you saying, saying?"

Rouxls blinked at the girt mound for a moment, afraid it might come back to life any second, before clearing his throat and looking the purple loon in the eyes. "Thou art frightening and making trouble for mine staff and everyone else. Thou art to cease thine cooky ways of cleaning immediately!"

Jevil didn't even argue to his surprise and just nodded in agreement. "Oh certainly. Im already finished with the whole castle, castle. Most of the dust, dust came from those very disgusting dungeons, dungeons. You know. You should really consider a cleaning crew, cleaning crew for those places, places."

Rouxls.....blinked. He was already done?! One Day!! And he was already done cleaning and straightening up the entire castle in ONE DAY?! As is sensing Rouxls's thoughts he chuckled ad nodded yes at his bewildered face...Rouxls finally found his voice and cleared his throat again. "Well. That tis...v-very splendid of thou, b-but where is-"

"Lancer? I put him to bed, bed hours ago. Young man was tuckered out from chasing my little, little spells around."

"....I waseth going to ask about thine other halves." He rose a brow annoyed at being interrupted, but at least he knew where Lancer was. But he had noticed that this Jevil wasn't see through, which must've meant his full form must've been behind the cleaning part, but where were the other two.

Jevil waved a hand like it was nothing. "One me Is almost done with, with the cheesy invintations. The other, other shall have all the paperwork and scheduling you require for the appropriate staff on your desk by tomorrow morning. Don't worry, don't worry." His tail wagged and he put his head in his hands. "Did you find the man, man I told you about?"

"Uh..Y-Yes. He's spending thine night in thine castle and awaiting work in thine morning."

"Splendid, splendid." Jevil clapped his hands a few times before pointing a finger upwards. "You should go home, home for now. I shall see to it you have everything, everything you need in the morning."

Rouxls went to protest but with another quick snap of his fingers, Jevil disappeared in a flash of smoke and confetti. Rouxls sputtered and coughed from the smoke, waving his hand to bat away the colorful miniture paper and growled. OH! That Jevil was going to be a real pain in the neck. He could tell.

************************************************************************************************

He couldn't bring himself to take the long journey back home in the middle of the night. So the duke took up residence in one of the guests rooms. The sleep was less than plentiful was it was relaxing enough to where he woke up semi late in the morning and was still able to make himself look presentable. His first task was too see to Lancer,...but the child was one step ahead of him and came tugging him to the kitchen so his father could make him breakfast since it was already so crowded. He asked him what he meant, and Lancer just replied:

"Uncle Jevil got done in the middle of the night. So he said he decided to help Mr. Conehead guy out with the cooking, but I can't get anything. They're moving too fast."

Rouxls was very confused on what the child meant but when the sweet aromas of warm pies and roasts hit his senses, it was like a punch to the gut. So imagine his surprise when the leaned down form of the duke was dragged around the corner by the King holding his hand and straight towards the kitchen doors and the sweet smells. His empty stomach did a jig without him ordering it. He looked to Lancer in question when they stopped in front of them but he just pushed open one of the giant doors inside....And Rouxls blinked. The ENTIRE kitchen staff was there. FLipping dishes and making noise with pots and pans out the wazoo, and in the middle of all the chaos was..You guess it. Was the small purple menace himself...And Topchef. The two were were smiling and chatting away looking at a piece of paper Rouxls recognized instantly as the list of foods he had given to the spinning man yesterday. Lancer tried to take a step in but a Rudinn Ranger chef slid past immediately carrying an armful of trays, not even noticing he had almost ran over her small king. Luckily he had jumped back just in time and clutched onto Rouxls's leg for dear life. The Blue man flinched at the sudden almost attack on his son and immediately reached down to pat his head in a ssurance.

The spade pup looked up to him with a sad face. "See? No one knows Im hungry!" He shouted. "And all the pots and pan are too noisy!! I'M HUNGRY, LESSER DAD!!"

That last line made the duke narrow his eyes and look back to the kitchen seen from hell in front of him. OH LIGHT NO!! He couldn't remember the amount of times Lancer had waddled up to him asking him to get food because the King forgot to have someone bring Lancer his dinner or the kitchen was closed off to the once prince for the day. The sound of his little stomach growling and his little paws reaching up towards him. Sometimes sniffling- Those eyes narrowed. If there was one thing he hated more was a child as young as him asking for food when he should've gotten it in the first place!! ...Which is why he didn't think at first when he told Lancer to stay where he was. When he marched into that kitchen. When he literally pushed a hathy trying to drag a giant bag of flour out of his way. When he grabbed that lunatic by the back of that silly outfit he wore. When he literally turned him around to face the duke's rage.

"HOW DAREST THOU!?" His other hand poked the startled Jevil in the chest. "HOW DARETH THOU LET A CHILD GO HUNGRY!?" Everything in the kitchen stopped and everyone turned to the shouting duke." CAN'T YOU SEE HE NEEDS NUTRITION?! WHAT COULDST BEST SO IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT YOU ALLOW HIM TO GO HUNGRY LIKE THIS?!" His eyes looked up to the surrounding staff. His anger raising. How dare NONE of these people realize he was hungry?! He's their king! He was only a baby!! And he had almost gotten run over for wanting just some simple breakfast!! The thought made his slime boil. "YOU!!" He pointed at a random Rudinn who flinched hard at the Duke turning his rage towards him. "STOP WHAT THOU'RE DOING THIS INSTANT AND GET YOUR KING SOMETHING TO EAT NOW!!"

The rudinn immediately dropped the empty metal bowl, which made a metallic clanging sound once it hit the floor, and saluted. Slithering to the back towards where the fridge was usually kept, pushing past everyone. The duke's blue eyes watching with lingering wrath, lungs heaving slightly-...He didn't even notice the stunned silence of the jester being held so close to those burning flames of hatred being directed to everyone around him in that kitchen, he didn't even notice the small man until his clawed hands shakily came up to wrap around the hand that still gripped his front. The two made eye contact and....the rage in his eyes were blinked away once he saw his. Giant round yellow pupils. Widened in shock. Purple ears bent back and a small unsure frown in his eyes..It almost looked like Jevil was..scared of him.

That thought immediately made Rouxls's soul give a giant leap in his chest of guilt and the realization of what had just happened hit him hard. Jevil reached a hand out for Rouxls's face but the duke dropped him, Jevil landed on the small table he was hovering over with a small thud, Rouxl's had just dropped him as if he was fire and had burnt him. His Jester hat wa pushed back from his eyes and the jester was giving him a worried look. Gazing at where his chest was, the guilt and anxiety his mate was feeling were intense and he was-

"Thank you, Mr. Snake person." Both jumped at hearing Lancer's innocent voice and found him happily munching on what looked like a sandwhich. His face now a happy one as he looked up at the same Rudinn as before who was bowing to him still slightly shooken from before looking at his Lesser Dad chewing. "It'z mweaaly good." He mumbled with a full mouth. He hadn't even noticed the situation and was happily looking up at his father as usual, but soon his head tilted when he noticed the frown on his face. "Arf yom ok?"

Rouxls didn't even scold him for eating with a full mouth, the duke quickly took a few strides, lifting the boy into his arms as he passed, and went straight out the door. Not looking back as he walked straight off and ignoring any noises or people behind him-

Those feelings didn't go away. Not when he dropped Lancer off to his tutor for a few hours. Not when he forced a smile and told him to behave himself and promised he'd come get him in a few hours. And definitely not when he quickly made his way to the safety of his office. Ignoring the swirling pink and red, Heart and soul pounding like a soulattack was getting to him.His mind swirled with the emotions of what just happened and only one thought resurfaced from the bottom pit of his mind-

You're gonna lose them. You're gonna lose them just like you lost her.

He breathed and tried to calm himself down from the rush, but it wasn't working whenever Jevil's face flashed before him. His office wasn't any better. Once he got in he saw a sack laying beside it and upon further expection found a bunch of red envelopes with different names and addresses on them and each with a pink soul....Goodness there was a bunch, did Jevil spend all night doing there? Another pang of guilt came up in him and he almost choked on how much sadness and guilt rang out from that stupid soul of his. Guilt and regret that all the hard work he just did FOR HIM no less was gonna go down the drain or he was gonna make himself feel absolutely not wanted. He gave a yelp and clutched at his chest when a giant thump gave way. It didn't hurt but boy was it surprising....W-Well...there wasn't anything he could do about it now. Rouxls sighed and grabbed the bag. Dragging it to the door, he opened it and looked at the first guard he could see....A small rudinn who was holding a spear in one hand and sighed dreamily, reading a small heart card in the other-

He hissed again when his soul thumped hard against his chest and growled, getting the guard's attention. "Y-Y-You there-" He pointed to the guard and brought the bag around to place at his feet. "G-Get all the castle messagers and gettest these sent out at once!...P-Please."

The guard stuffed the heart card immediately into his pocket and saluted. He watched with sad eyes as the man grabbed the bag and began dragging it off immediately. He watched until he could no longer see the rudinn anymore, he suddenly felt so tired. So when he closed the door, he laid his whole body against it to close it....A silence rang out in the office as the duke of puzzles leaned against the door staring at nothing.....His blue body someone wrenched itself from the doorway, he felt light headed. And his feet heavy like cement was weighing him down as he dragged his feet to the desk, his body came to flop down in that chair of his and those glazed over eyes stared at nothing. He couldn't see anything. The white papers of todays reports and paperwork stared up at him, but those eyes couldn't make out the words on display for him to see. Soon a raindrop stained the white paper underneath him. Followed by another. And another. And another until his eyes became the storm clouds and his tears the rain. And the papers his unsuspecting victims.

And the once proud man that was the duke sobbed. He sobbed and he sobbed hard over the desk of papers, leaning until those storm cloud eyes were closed and his forehead touching the table. His body wracked with guilt, and loss, and regret, and-..and sadness all of which he felt colliding and which a force stronger than he ever felt before. Hands came to grip that pearly white pretty hair and he continued to sob and tug at it.

His soul thumping harder and harder in his chest. Until it...Until he-

Called out.

He couldn't describe the feeling, but it was as if a wave of energy had suddenly started bursting with every hard thump his soul made against his rib caged. Each one earning a choke from him and another sob after it. WHAT IN LIGHT WAS HAPPENING!? Was he having a soul attack!? ...No, no. He couldn't be. He wasn't THAT old. He was no where near a thousand and was considered to still be a very young monster where he was from. But he couldn't less at that moment. If this was it for him then so be it. He kept going crying harder and harder as those feelings kept hitting in a loop round and round until the door suddenly flew open. He didn't even look up at the probably scared rudinn or hathy. He just wanted to be left alone with those thought and not be bothered right now. He made enough of a big mess.

So imagine his surprise when clawed purple hands grabbed at his own gripping his hair and pried them off with the strength he didn't have and threw them to the sides. He then felt his body forced up from the desk but he still didn't look up as he felt someone press his cloud eyed face to them in a hug and tried to lessen his chokes and sobs in a hug. This wasn't what he wanted exactly but the pulsating and thumping hard of his soul didn't stop. In fact it only got worse to the point it was almost starting to hurt, his hands grabbing on to whoever was holding onto him as he continued to sob into their chest. A clawed hand patted his head and assured him in a worried voice that everything was gonna be ok and not to worry, but his muddled mind and soul wouldn't let him off the hook as it continued it's assult of calling. And whoever it was calling wasn't answering.

Making the one holding him curse before gripping him tighter.

"HOLD ON!! HOLD ON!! IM TAKING YOU TO SEAM RIGHT NOW, NOW!!"

He didn't answer when suddenly there was a feeling of tightness in his chest and his whole body finally gave in and went limp in the darkness. His whole body feeling light as a cloud except for the rapid calling and thumping of his soul from his chest. He didn't know where he was as his mind went fuzzy and body numb like a ragdoll.

"SEAM!! SEAM, HELP ME!!"

Was he being dragged? Everything seemed to smell musty and a familiar feeling of cotton scented softed suddenly came over his form.

"Jevil....What happened?"

His sould gave a few more hard thumps before finally slowing. The tightness in his chest finally starting to disappear...and more feeling came back to his numb body.

"DON'T TELL, DON'T TELL ME YOU CAN'T FEEL IT SEAM!! HIS SOUL WAS CALLING TO US!! DISTRESS, DISTRESS HARDER THAN I HAVE SEEN, SEEN!! IT WOULD NOT LET, LET UP UNLESS BOTH PRESENT FOR THE OTHER HALF!!"

"..." Someone hummed. "...Yes. I can feel the past effects from it."

"Will he..Will he be alright."

A long moment of silence before he felt himself being shifted and taken somewhere within the darkness.

"Yes. But he'll need plenty of rest, and we need to be right next to him. His soul wants that, but for now let him sleep."

His body was happy to give in to the request as he slowly drifted off to a well deserved sleep.

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