forum The Last Dragon (Reboot 2) // OxO // OPEN

Started January 27, 2020 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

Dahlia returned to the Noble Quarters to continue the work she'd been dragged from. Meanwhile, Demaias was already leaving his father's room. The man had simply wanted to inform him of the arrival of Fio Ruen, to which Demaias explained that he'd been showing that very person around when he'd been summoned. He made sure to mention that Fio came from origins unlike most of the palace's residents and that he was nervous. His father agreed to request to meet Fio a bit later, likely whenever the boy and Caius thought was best.
One thing Demaias was grateful for was that, for how demanding and cold the king could be, he always wanted the best for everyone and for everyone to be comfortable and happy. And as important as was to meet the head of one's home, he wouldn't force anyone to see him if they weren't ready to.
Demaias closed the door and leaned against it, closing his eyes and debating whether or he wanted to go back to the garden. It was decided that his break was over when Miriam came running up and asking if they could play now. Begrudgingly, he allowing himself to be dragged off to her room.

Fio, for his part, fell to work with Caius, helping the healer mix up supplies and such, ready for any sickness that could befall the palace. Fio didn't know much about medicine, true, but Caius was a patient teacher, and let Fio do much of the easier work, such as the mixing or measuring, or even the grinding of the supplies. It was well-known that the healer had, before the ban, been a magician and sorcerer. But he had sworn never to practice magic again, in exchange for keeping his position.

Demaias was sat on Miriam's floor, playing along with her game. He had one of her dragon figurines flying around a plastic village, while she, with two hero characters, talked out a plan to get rid of the purple beast. She was mostly whispering so her brother wouldn't hear and make a counter-plan but he noticed that the characters were trying to go about it in a way that wouldn't harm the dragon; they wanted to lead her away so they could calm her down and then help retrieve her stolen egg. Demaias tilted his head, wondering why Miriam would want to help the dragon rather than kill it; it's not like he disagreed, but they'd both been taught since they could speak that magical creatures were bad and didn't deserve such treatment.
He was snapped out of his thoughts when Miriam, rather, the male character, started yelling at the dragon. "Listen up, dragon! If you would kindly come down and let us speak to you, we think we know how we can help you!" Miriam called, making her voice deeper. "We don't want to hurt you and we wish that you not hurt us or our home!"
Demaias cleared his throat and made the dragon hover above the two dolls. "How do I know I can trust you, human?" She growled. "Your kind never does anything for us, and now you've stolen my egg!"
"We didn't!" The male character said. "But we think we know who did and we want to help you find them!"
The dragon huffed and came down to land in front of them. "Why would you want to help me?"
"Well, not every human is bad, you know. Just like not every dragon is a big meanie, right?"
Demaias giggled at Miriam, who swatted at him and told him to focus.

Fio continued working with Caius, taking a deep breath.

"So, Fio." Caius began, voice quiet. "You know why your mother sent you to me, yes?"

Fio nodded his head. "Yeah. Because… because of my magic." He said, glancing over at Caius and swallowing. "Right?"

Caius nodded. "Indeed. Now, you know that under no circumstances should you reveal your abilities, correct? It doesn't matter what you may do with them; the king would still have you executed immediately, just for any hint of magic or magical connections."

Fio nodded again. "Yeah, I… I know."

(Hey! So sorry!)

The mother dragon had been convinced that the two humans could help her find her egg, though she was clear that she didn't fully trust them. They traveled across the land to the "Great Mountain of Treasure" - Miriam's bed - where numerous things were placed in a somewhat organized manner. The blankets were pulled up into a circle, making a ragged nest of plush toys, coins, fake gold, and plastic figures that were meant to be deceased hunters who hadn't survived the journey to the mountain.
As they approached the nest, the mother dragon scoffed. "Sky serpents are arrogant, greedy creatures, but I still can't understand why they would have taken my egg."
"Please, just take our word for it. We told you; we were there when it happened." The man assured her. "We wouldn't have risked our lives coming here if we weren't sure of this."
They ventured into the nest, quietly searching the nest for a light purple egg. "Be careful." The woman said. "We're lucky they aren't home now but we shouldn't get comfortable."

Demaias was having a bit of trouble finding the egg. He'd looked through at least three of the large piles, and there were only so many, so where had Miriam hidden it if her characters hadn't found it either? Just as he was digging through some stuffed animals, the bed shifted, and there was hissing across from him. Miriam was sneakily lifting a big, blue, rubber snake toward the woman, the man left leaning against a pile of plastic cups. Demaias, with the dragon, leaped forward and attacked first.

While the mother dragon and the "sky serpent" were engaged in battle, the humans moved to the larger part of the nest - the pillows. Miriam left them there so she could focus on wrapping the serpent around the dragon and hissing aggressively. A second, white serpent emerged from underneath the blanketed edge of the nest and went after the humans. The dragon shook the first serpent off and rushed to help, grabbing the white serpent and flinging it away effortlessly. She stood on top of the pillows and growled, "Where is my egg?"
"We do not know what you are talking about." The blue serpent said, a lilt in its voice. The white serpent came up next to its partner. "Get down from there! That's where we sleep!" It demanded.
Demaias glanced behind himself and clicked his teeth when he realized where the egg was. He reached down to take control of the female human. "Mama Dragon, your egg is here!" She slid a wooden egg from between the pillows and climbed up to blow a raspberry at the serpents.
"That is not your egg! Do not listen to her!" The blue serpent exclaimed. The mother dragon ignored it and sniffed at the egg to be sure it was hers, then turned back to the serpents and proceeded to breathe fire at them. They squealed and hissed as they retreated to the other side of the nest; Demaias laughed at the dramatic sounds Miriam made as she tossed the rubber snakes out of the way.

"See? We wouldn't lie to you." The man said as Miriam took the female from Demaias. The dragon huffed and nodded. "I suppose not. I still don't understand why a couple of humans were willing to help a dragon, but I am grateful. Thank you."
"You are very welcome. Now, do you think you could take us home?"
"Certainly."
The humans climbed onto the dragon's back and flew them back to the village, landing outside of it and placing them on the ground. "Thank you. If you ever need anything again, please don't hesitate to come and find us." The man told the dragon, who nodded. She then lifted off again, taking her egg back to her own nest atop Miriam's dresser. The two humans went into the village to assure everyone that it was safe once again, but an old man in a cloak came forward to berate the youngsters for helping a beast such as a dragon.
"Sir, she was just a mother looking for her child." The woman reasoned. "We had to help! Besides, she likely won't come back with harmful intentions now."
"A dragon is a dragon; you shouldn't help magical creatures, no matter the circumstance. They have their world, we have ours, and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Well, if we hadn't convinced her, she might have attacked the village! Would you rather have a violent, harmful outcome over a peaceful solution? Who would that help, then? How would you feel if-…"
Demaias looked up at his sister when she stopped speaking altogether. He was surprised at the scene she was playing out on her own but was even more surprised, and a bit worried when he saw tears in her eyes. "Miri?" The irritated look on her face startled him when her eyes snapped to his.
"Sorry. I'm…done playing." She muttered, dropping the dolls and sighing heavily. "What's wrong?" He asked, but she shrugged as she wiped her eyes. Demaias glanced around the play-village, then took Miriam's hands and stood, bringing her up with him. He tilted his head down and smiled sweetly. "You want pudding?"
Miriam nodded, and they silently left the room.

(it's fine!)

Caius studied Fio for a long moment. "You're a good kid, Ruen. And I don't want to see you dead just because the king is a bigoted, small-minded man." the healer's words were blunt, and the king of thing that most would have gotten in trouble for saying. Treason, to even suggest that the king could be wrong.
Fio blinked in surprise. "I…but…surely he was right?" he said slowly. "Maybe not perfectly, but…magic is dangerous. I know that. I've…I can't control it, and things that can't be controlled are a danger to others' safety. I'm a danger to others' safety, if not myself."
Caius sighed. "No. You're only a danger because you haven't been properly trained, because there are very few left who could even train you, much less would be willing to so risk themselves. The king has caused this issue for you, by making sure magic is completely stamped out. It isn't your fault."
Fio wasn't sure what to say in response to that. He swallowed softly. "I…I guess you're right. But…" he looked down at the supplies on the tables in front of them. "Alright."

Demaias hummed quietly to Miriam while they walked. She already seemed cheered up at the idea of getting pudding, but he was still worried about why she's been crying in the first place. Rather, he was completely aware of the reason, he just didn't see the need to cry. Miriam had always been a soft-hearted empathizer of all living beings but it was unacceptable that she even think that magical creatures deserved sympathy. Demaias himself was…indifferent.

Once they'd reached the kitchen and had gotten two bowls of pudding and a few cookies from their favorite cook, they sat at a table in the lounge and enjoyed their snack.

Caius shook his head. "Did you know, Fio, that before the king killed her, my partner was a dragon?" He said softly. "She was a dragon, in human avatar, who only wanted to help. And the king killed her for it." He ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes.
Fio's breath caught, and he bit his lip. "Oh." The word left him in a breath. "I…I didn't know… partner? Do you mean…like you loved her, or she worked with you?"
"Both." Caius' reply was simple. "Both. And now she's gone." The older man took a deep breath, letting it out again slowly.

Demaias observed Miriam while she ate; she seemed okay now that she'd gotten something sweet to eat. "So. Do you want to talk about it?" He asked gently. The girl glanced at him, a sugar cookie halfway to her mouth. "Not really." She said. "I just…you know. The mommy dragon."
"Yes, sweetie, I know."
Miriam bit into the cookie and shrugged, and Demaias sighed. His mind drifted to Fio Ruen and the reactions he'd had to the majority of the palace's decorations. It was like he was thinking the same things Miriam often told Demaias, but he couldn't voice them for obvious reasons. Well, Demaias doubted any sane person would think such things and then move into the home of the man who implemented anti-magic laws but, if Fio was a magic empathizer, he'd need to be very cautious to keep those thoughts to himself.

"Did she…work with you? Here?" Fio asked, looking over at the older healer for a moment, then back down at the ingredients he was mixing. In truth, the young man had no idea why he reacted the way he did when faced with the remains of magical creatures; he just knew that the sight always made something inside of him break apart.
"Aye. She was better at this than I was. She didn't ever cause any trouble. Her only sin was that she wasn't human." Caius replied, his voice quiet and soft and careful. "I don't hate the king himself, but…some of the things he's done…there wasn't any reason to do what he did. And I'm not the only one who lost people I loved."

"Hey, Demi." Miriam suddenly broke the prince from his thoughts. "You met the new guy and showed him around the palace, right? What was he like?"
Demaias closed his eyes for a moment. "He seemed alright. Sweet and polite for a country boy, but certainly apprehensive." He said. "I could tell he didn't like father's trophies all over the place, though, which I wasn't expecting. Aside from You, him, and Caius, everyone who lives or has lived here has been fine with it."
"You're fine with having the remains of creatures posted up all over your home?" Miriam asked, cringing, to which her brother shook his head. "No, but it's not like we can get rid of any of it. I suppose I've desensitized myself to it. As has Dahlia, if you've noticed."
Miriam nodded and twirled her spoon around in her hand. "I just don't get it. Papa and his guard killed hundreds of people just for, what, existing? He tells us they were dangerous and that it was the only way to prevent a war, yet I feel like what he did was more war than anything else that could have happened. Am…am I wrong for thinking that?"
Demaias reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "You aren't. I don't quite understand what he has against mystical creatures, magic, or the people who possess it but I'm sure there was more to it than just 'they were dangerous'; there are humans out there who can be as much of a threat as a mighty griffin or a sorcerer."
"Do you think he had a good reason to cause so much destruction?"
"…I think he was just doing what he believed was best for humankind."

"But…why did he do it?" Fio asked slowly. "Why would he…the magical creatures never did no one any harm. And if they did it was usually justified. So why…?"
Caius shook his head helplessly. "I don't know, kid. I really don't. I wish I did, because maybe that would be easier, but…I don't know if anyone knows." He sighed softly.

The young royals sat a bit longer, talking about lighter subjects until it was time for them to get back to their duties. Demaias stood and went to toss his and his sister's trash and put the spoons in the kitchen sink, then wrapped Miriam in a tight hug. "Alright, Miriam, we've got to go start our studies for the day." He said with a small smile. "Will you be okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Let's go; Mrs. Valis is teaching us today!" She hopped excitedly and headed out of the lounge, her sour mood forgotten, and Demaias followed.

Fio nodded slightly. "Oh. Alright." he replied slowly, shaking his head a little bit. "That's…I don't understand. I'm not…evil. I've never wanted to hurt anyone, but…he'd kill me for my magic." his voice was soft, careful.
Caius sighed. "I know. But you'll be okay. You just have to be careful, alright? No matter how you feel." he replied, shaking his head.

Demaias and Miriam went to the East Tower and, as they headed up the stairs, Demaias looked down the hall that lead to Caius' room, wondering how Fio was getting along with the old man. When they entered the library, a tall, golden-haired woman was in a crouched position at one of the bookshelves, rearranging the bottom shelf and grumbling to herself, but her bothered expression warmed when she saw them. "Afternoon, Demaias, Miriam." She greeted.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Valis." They responded as Miriam knelt to offer help with the books and Demaias took his normal seat at the round table in the center of the grand room.

"Give me just a moment to finish this up, please?"
"Of course," Demaias said. He watched as she and Miriam organized the bookshelf, then decided to fill his time by browsing through the library.

(should we just timeskip to when they next meet?)

Fio and Caius continued talking in low, careful, quiet voices, about anything and everything. Magic, the creatures, Caius' job and how Fio would be helping him. Their topic wondered broadly through their conversation, which paused every now and again so Caius could instruct Fio.

(Hey! Sorry I've been away for so long. How are you this fine quarantine?)

Demaias neatly brushed back his hair and smiled at himself in the mirror. He stood from the bench in front of the dresser, slung on his red and gold sash, and decided to check on Miriam's progress. King Ryemor had requested that Caius finally bring Fio to see him, to which the physician agreed, so the royal family, as well as Lady Dahlia and the king's advisor, were preparing to meet them in the throne room.

(it's fine! I'm…decent ig. You?)

Caius was busily instructing Fio on what to do, what not to do, and especially not to give any hint of his magic. They still didn't know why exactly he had this magic, only that he did and he had to hide it. If he didn't…if he didn't, then he would be killed. Fio had dressed in the best clothes he currently owned, and was fidgeting with the tie as he waited for Caius to be ready.

(Doing good!)

Demais knocked on his sister's door and peeked in once given permission. Lady Viera was putting Miriam's hair in a braid while another woman finished tying the small bow at the back of her dress. "Are you ready?" He asked, and Viera put a hand up. "Give me a moment…alright, now she's ready."
Miriam twirled around and smiled at her brother, her white and blue dress flowing around her. "Do you think Papa will like Sir Fio?" She wondered, taking Demaias' arm as he led them out. He quirked an eyebrow at her. "'Sir Fio?'" He echoed, and Miriam nodded. "He is part of the palace now; he's only a couple years older than me, but I still have to use a formal title, right?"
"That is true. It sounds like Mrs. Valis' lessons are finally working. As for your question, I'm not certain; it's up to Sir Fio to make a good first impression now and to keep it up until the end of dinner later."

(that's good!)

Fio and Caius finished their preparations, and Caius sighed. "Well. May the gods protect you, boy, because I don't know what will happen if the king finds out about your magic."

Fio nodded. "I can't control it." He said softly. "The magic." He shrugged. "But I'll do my best."

Demaias and Miriam entered the throne room, tailed by Miriam's bodyguard, and went to the slightly elevated podium where Mori and Dahlia were standing next to the king's throne. They nodded to the advisors as they took their place by the queen's throne, and Miriam leaned down to place a kiss on the jeweled crown that sat on the red and golden seat - they always brought it out during an event. Demaias understood and respected his father's wishes, but…well, he did have to temporarily excuse himself and the king from that one dinner event when he caught the man leaning over just slightly to talk to it while no-one was looking.
He shook his head and rubbed his sister's arm comfortingly as they waited for their father, Fio, and Caius.

Caius led his apprentice to the throne room, silent. This would be the real test. If Fio could withstand being surrounded by all of the Trophies, if he could keep his facial expression neutral in front of the king. Because if the king discovered his magic…it would not lead to anywhere good. It wouldn't lead to anything good, not for Fio and not for Caius. So they both knew that Fio needed to be oh-so-careful, that he needed to avoid any outbursts of magic, avoid any flinches or changes because of the Trophies that would surround him.

Demaias smiled as the two guards opened the large doors and let the awaited duo inside, and he gave a subtle wave to them. Since she adored Caius and this was her first time seeing Fio, Miriam's wave was less subtle. The king, in his usual tunic, pants, and boots, entered through a door behind the podium. Going to stand in front of his throne, he clasped his hands behind his back and did his routine glance around the large room.
The niches in the walls each held one of the eight magical keepsakes he was most proud of: On the left wall was a large, silver unicorn horn, a spear that belonged to a renowned fae warrior, the fire-colored wings of a noble griffin, and a rainbow-colored serpent scale. On the other wall was an intricate wooden staff holding a pitch-black crystal at its top, the preserved heads of a hydra, a pure-white qilin horn, and the last spot was a sort of aquarium housing a tiny, glowing creature. On a silver plaque above the thrones was a massive dragon head. Its scales were such a dark blue they were almost black, and unlike every other head pinned up around the palace, this one's dull red eyes were open.

Fio shifted, hands twitching as he took in all the trophies, the magic that had been stolen. As his eyes lit on the dragon head, his eyes flickered and his whole body froze up, just for a moment, but noticeable if anyone was watching closely. Caius reached out to place a hand on Fio's shoulder, reminding him of just how important it was that he remain still and silent, even if it was ddifficult. Even if those trophies made him want to scream and run and throw things. Fio swallowed, peeling his eyes from the dragon and redirecting them to the king and do Demaias.

The king watched with slightly narrowed eyes, then made his way down the steps. "Caius." He nodded to the physician before looking over Fio carefully. "Seems you clean up nicely for a wildling. Introduce yourself, boy." Demaias rolled his eyes at the old-school term - "wildling" was, basically, the same as something like "country bumpkin" but was a tab bit more offensive, so Demaias wasn't a fan.

Fio's lips flattened in a thin line at the nickname. "I assure you, I'm no "wildling", your majesty. And I am Fio Ruen." He replied, raising his chin a little bit and looking straight at the king. After a moment, he remembered to bow, and did that before straightening again.

Caius sighed faintly at Fio, bowing to the king. "He's the son of one of my old friends." He explained carefully. "He doesn't mean to be rude, he just isn't used to court yet."