Beloved rolled her eyes, "A fighter or leader, either will do, if a passive beast won't roam, I guess that could work too. But look at my Nix, so lovely and fair, covered in blood, could anyone bear?"
Ashton snorted at the idea, "Passive and won't roam, that would be a feat, brought to this land? They'd learn to retreat." Establishing a territory wasn't as easy as suddenly arriving. The land had to be saturated in their mana, constantly. Like making an oasis in a desert, then expanding it. There were reasons people found water sources, then built civilization around them, rather than the other way around.
Jaxon stared at the ground, his mind going a mile a minute. Slowly, he glanced to the large white fox, then into the tree line, "Lord Caius is a beast of fire… and a leader… or sorts."
Beloved gave the dragonkin a strained smile, "I mean, foxes will fight, foxes of fire, but face a dragon? You should definitely inquire!"
Ashton covered his mouth as he held Beloved around the waist with his other arm, "One should probably ask, to keep a fox against his will, that would not last."
Beloved huffed, "Lets speak of other matters, the mood does now sour! I'd rather we go out, I'd leave behind the gloom, the dour." At first showing them what they were eating was funny, but now it was just annoying. Not to mention… just how many apples was that little spark going to cut up?!
Ashton smiled as he stood up with Beloved in his arms, "Whatever you want, all that you wish, all of it yours, all I can give."
Beloved grinned as she turned so she could wrap her arms around Nix, "The sun will soon set, the moon will then rise, it's running so fast, let us enjoy this short time."
Ashton lifted Beloved just enough to kiss her forehead.
Sebastian blinked as the two fell through a ring of fire. Talk about a dramatic end to a conversation. They landed only a few yards away, walking would have only taken a few moments. Then again… birds weren't exactly known for their graceful walks… Sebastian smiled as half a dozen small chick hopped out of the nest to half hop, half waddle after them.
Sebastian had servants move his chair so he could enjoy whatever show Lord Reece intended to provide. If he were twenty years younger, he would enjoy their songs as he fell asleep against a tree or laid out under the stars.
Calix brought over a light quilt for his grandfather as the birds, creatures took on a human form to hold instruments. Lord Reece had even taken up a guitar as he sat back to back with Beloved. Calix half wondered… if Lord Reece had named her as such… if so… why not something less embarrassing to call, or less generic?
Sebastian settled in, glancing at the cup of tea… the evening breeze was a little too cool for his liking… but did he dare drink anything from the imperial larders? When a tiny black chick fell into his lap he jolted to catch the small beast before it tumbled off his quilt.
Tou righted himself as he glanced at the cup, then reaching under his cloak, using his beak he pulled out a small gem, "Influence removed, trade a gem, Nix approved!"
Sebastian's lips quirked as he tried not to smile, "I would be honored Lord… I apologize, I have a hard time telling you apart in this form." Sebastian admitted. The songlike voice through the beak was adorable, even more so as the small bird spoke with the gem still in his mouth.
Tou dropped the gem, but clutched it underfoot, "I am the tenth, my name is Tou, trade for the gem, snacks or gold." Gold was good, gold could be used in shops to buy snacks.
Sebastian saw out of the corner of his eye, the birds not gathered around Lord Reece were all popping up or into laps with gems of their own. "I would like to buy one hundred gems Lord Tou. How much gold, or what snacks would you like?"
Tou stilled… so many snacks! Big spender! Tou hopped a few times thinking of his price, he would eat lots! "One gem for three snacks, or one gem for one gold, those are my prices, on which I won't fold!" Tou stated opening his wings to ensure the older human knew he was serious. He would not accept any less!
Calix wanted to clutch his heart, they were so adorable, he pulled out a pouch of first tier beast cores, "I have ten beast cores here Lord Tou, and…" He rummaged through his pockets, he wasn't carrying any gold on him… "I have a gold ring, it's worth 5 gold."
Tou looked over the offered ring, if he had to sell the ring to get gold, to then buy snacks… that seemed like a lot of work… "I will trust you, sell you on loan, but for each day that passes, and extra… 5 gold!" That seemed reasonable.
Sebastian offered his hand, "I will ensure you have all the snacks, and gold in three days time Lord Tou, how might I reach you?"
Tou stilled… oh, tomorrow was no good… he plopped down looking at the gem. "If you leave now, you won't return… I guess I can wait, I won't charge extra, snacks I can still earn." Tou sighed sadly… how long would have to wait… but if they died… they couldn't trade him anymore snacks.
Sebastian stilled at the information… leaving now… and they wouldn't return. Even the clearly sad bird in his lap wasn't enough to soften such a blow. "We have more beast cores Lord Tou, Calix bring them all." The small bird eagerly perked up at the information. "Perhaps we may trade for… why anyone who leave's won't return Lord Tou?"
Tou blinked, then covered his beak with his wings, "Did I say that? What could it mean? Who is to say… but it's best to stay close, eat safe cuisine." Tou nodded repeatedly. If he wasn't waiting for his snacks… he would have escaped.
Sebastian didn't try to pry any information from the little one. At least if they stayed, they were safe. Sebastian settled back into his chair as Calix brought over several small pouches of beast cores.
Tou leapt off the male's lap leaving the gem behind. With great delight he emptied all the sacks, then started counting out the snacks. He filled each sack with thirty snacks, dropped ten gems, then would repeat the process.
Sebastian watched the small bird out of the corner of his eye. Most of his attention was on Lord Reece and his Beloved as they started to sing.
(Little Bit Better by Caleb Hearn & Rosie)
I met somebody,
Ashton sat cross legged as he bowed his head over the guitar. The golems were learning to find their own songs… it was bittersweet. Soon, they would all leave his nest…
Beloved stood behind Nix, half sitting, half leaning on his back. She raised her head as their fires started to coalesce, slowly, slowly she drew out the taint this land forced upon him. This time, she didn't let the black teers fall, she just burned the taint as it flowed into her.
I met somebody, gentle and smart.
He underestimates the size of his heart.
He can be laughing, but he's got enough pain to fill up New York City.
Ashton closed his eyes, the warmth of her fire, her love. This moment was worth everything.
… so full of scars, the world's on his shoulders, but he won't fall apart.
Not that Nix couldn't fall apart, but that he refused to give up hope even after centuries. Hope, hope that they could both heal enough to be together… hope that just one being's heart would sing for him.
Beloved blinked back the teers as she slowly danced around Nix's seated form, she didn't break physical contact, letting her hands, hair, something was always touching Nix. He looked up at her, teers refusing to fall. One of them had to fill the void of their hearts. If they could not fill the void, three… would become two once again.
Even when it's hard with you, it's a little bit, little bit better.
Beloved bent down to drop a kiss on Nix's forehead, then pulled him up. "I have to admit, emotions are mixed, I'm so happy, so loved, but it still sneaks in, sadness in the midst."
Ashton let the guitar fall into a rift as he gathered his Beloved into his arms, lifting her off the ground.
(Perfect by Ed Sheeren) switching vocals.
Ashton smiled into his Beloved's chest as Kokono started playing the guitar. Birds were fast learners.
I found a love for me.
Beloved smiled as she looked over Nix's head as he slow danced in a circle while carrying her.
Oh, darlin', just dive right in and follow my lead. Beloved sang leaning back with a wide smile. This was a good song, much better for the mood.
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet. Ashton kept his grip steady.
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waitin' for me. Beloved stared up at the stars, it was such a beautiful night… not a cloud in sight. Part of her wanted to just stay like this, with Nix, two incomplete birds. But… the longer they were together like this… the harder on Nix it became.
Beloved couldn't help it as her voice cracked, teers burning in her eyes. Her Nix deserved to be whole…
Birdie, I'm dancin' in the dark with you between my arms.
Ashton clutched her tighter, burying his face in her stomach, he was not so weak to sacrifice his Beloved. No matter what, she deserved to be happy, to find someone to love, cherish, and indulge her in all the ways he couldn't. If he'd been a better judge of character… maybe she wouldn't be forced to make a decision so quickly. Unfortunately, that was not the reality he lived in.
They could always find a temporary solution, but… that would be a last resort. After one of the voids was filled, he would ascend. Even one percent human, no, even one one millionth of a percent human was too high a risk for his Beloved. This would not be left to chance.
Jaxon elected to watch Ashton and Beloved. Devlin and Stacie were busily examining all their food as he was the only one with enough mana for the repeated casts, while Stacie controlled the separation of bone seasoning. Something had been bugging him since Amin was saved.
Jaxon kept replaying the scene in his head, how quickly Beloved had eaten the ruby. The fact that the only enchantment was to dispel high level curses… How deferential the Ophion priests had been. None of which had divulged their names, ranks, or even shown their faces.
Jaxon's lips quirked at the bizarre lyrics… straw to her berry? From the context he understood, but it just didn't make sense. Anyway, there was a relationship between Prince Alphonse, and Nix. How else would Alphonse have given his majesty the Ruby? It was just frustrating that they were still in the dark.
Jaxon closed his eyes, none of the black chicks had approached him for barter… nor had he been able to secure any of the gems of purification from their new owners. Duke Carlos had refused on the context that he'd bought them on loan, so if he couldn't afford the interest, he would have to return them. Now, he only dared to drink boiled water to stay warm.
With a great sigh, Jaxon had to admit he was at least grateful for Duke Carlos's warning… any who left would not return… that halted the dispatch of soldiers to have mages check the imperial larders. Jaxon wished he could just fall into the future, after they had figured all this out, the dragon was laid to rest, the souls freed, possibly starting a new lineage of ascended, and taking Monroe home to get his prosthetics.
Jaxon sipped on the rapidly cooling water, if he could just have a few moments of peace, he was sure his thoughts would come together enough to start getting some answers. Like the connection between Ashton and Alphonse, how Neolani came into possession of Ashton, or rather Nix's heart. Speaking of… Neolani had been stone faced nearly all day, so had her daughter, Melia… Answers, answers, answers, they needed answers.
As another group of recalled soldiers returned to camp, they escorted some mercenaries. Jaxon counted the groups setting up camp in the hunting grounds, in less than two hours more than a dozen groups of mercenaries had been found. Three groups had refused to heed the soldiers' warnings about some impending danger over the next day. If they had more manpower they may have forced the issue, but as it stands… they were tearing down the east wall to repair the west with each passing moment. Soon there wouldn't be a west wall at all.
Zane watched the birds frolic, he had never seen Nix up so late, even the night before they only stayed up an hour or so after sunset… He wasn't complaining… unless he would once again be woken before dawn. Then he might grumble a little. Birds were rarely nocturnal, this just seemed odd. No afternoon naps, less meals, now staying up late. Either having this Beloved immediately improved his condition… or something else was at play.
Rommel nodded to the foxes who were just now returning. With the white and red fires, it was as bright as mid-morning. He was just glad the feathers of fire weren't causing the ground to die, or starting fires… which had been a mild concern when they first started singing.
Zane raised a brow as two of the mercenaries who'd just been brought to the camp were raising a ruckus about being robbed of everything. Right down to their skivvies, tied to a tree, then left for dead. The two burly men were cursing the imperial guards fearlessly…
The commotion was of little interest. Jantje sipped on her tea, freshly purified by her new gem. They had all tacitly agreed to not sleep until the bird songs stopped. Thought she may not be able to stay upright much longer, between her stomach cramps, being woken so early, revelations fit to destroy a nation several times a day… she was physically and emotionally drained.
Lucera watched as the white and red feathers of fire drifted out of the clearing… they were beautiful. Wherever they landed would glow for just a moment, then disappear like fireflies. Listening to the birds was so relaxing… "Fetch me a cot, I'll sleep here tonight." She ordered after what must have been her fifth stifled yawn.
"Fetch enough for all of us." Zane ordered as he also stifled a yawn. Let the birds sing, it didn't cause harm, if anything each song revitalized the land.
Soon they were all laid out, watching the feathers drift to who knows where, listening to songs, many they'd never heard before. Rommel yawned as he closed his eyes. Hopefully the birds would sleep in…