He gulped. "Well, uh, madam. After your wedding tomorrow, you are to vacation at a… a woodland manor of the prince's. You'll be staying there for… three weeks. At the least." He bowed in respect, hoping he wouldn't get killed by this scary girl and her scary tattoos. The rumor was that she was a shade, with a giant crow as her demon pet thing.
Aria glared. How dare he? That fool Cerulean would pay! She sent a ribbon of smoke to the servant, making a light grey spot appear on his palm. "Say goodbye to your family. You have eight hours, and then your time shall be up." she snapped. "I shall now retire to my chambers."
The servant squealed trying to brush the spot off his palm with a panicked expression. Was he going to die! Why? He ran off to the servant's quarters, burying himself under the covers to try and protect himself.
Meanwhile, Ru was eating cheese cubes, hoping he could glide by diplomatically. Maybe if he was really lucky, he wouldn't have to talk to anyone for the rest of the night.
Ariana disappeared to her chambers, flopping down on the soft bed with immense force. It felt good to be able to kill someone, she hadn't for a while and needed to be Refreshed. Anyways, she had been merciful, giving the servant eight whole hours to say goodbye. You could do a lot in eight hours.
After a few minutes, Ru wondered why his servant hadn't returned. He searched for the boy for a few minutes, finally finding him cowering in his chambers, spot clearly marked on his palm. He felt anger rise in his chest as he heard the boy recount what had happened. He sent the boy to the countryside so he could stay with his parents and quickly advanced on Adriana's room, knocking heavily on the door.
"Yes? What is it now?" she asked, walking to the door.
"What did you do to my servant?" He asked, tapping his foot in irritation. The boy hadn't deserved to die. He was a mere child, only looking to support himself and his family. And Ru had sent him to deliver bad news to someone who could easily mark him for death. He felt a bit queasy.
"Oh, I have him eight whole hours to say goodbye. He's marked for dead. You want me to say sorry or something, huh?" she snapped, opening the door.
(Hading to bed early. Goodnight.)
"He was supposed to have decades!" Ru said, rubbing a hand wearily down his face. "Why did you do it? He was only a child!"
"Oh, for fun, mostly." she said casually. (G'night!)
(Good afternoon, how are you?)
(Well I've been sleeping mostly. I got sick, but my fever just broke so hopefully I'll be on more.)
Ru sneered. How could he marry someone so callous? So cruel? He stretched his lips into a mild line, the closest thing to a smile he could manage. "Perhaps next time you should think before you murder someone in cold blood."
(That's good.)
"Well, it was your fault, you sent the boy. Besides, don't you know? Shades need to kill regularly, otherwise we ourselves could die. Ignorant bastard." she spat, walking back to her bed and sitting down on the mattress, but leaving the door open.
"I'd rather you did die," he muttered under his breath, so low he doubted she could hear. Ru stepped into her room, taking slow, cautious steps. He'd hate to be murdered for his intrusion. He still needed to talk to her about this, so he wasn't about to leave. "Then next time tell me when you feel the need to kill, and I will give you a man on death row. There is no need to harm the innocent."
"But an innocent soul is much more…. refreshing than a tainted one. You would not understand." Aria said, not looking at Ru, instead out the window, her gaze distant.
"I understand that you just committed murder, something considered a crime here," Ru replied. "And I understand that we are to work together, so you need to shape up. You cannot just kill whoever you want and expect to get away without trouble."
"In my land, you have to fight to survive. I'm lucky to have this marriage, it's a deathtrap with my family. Do you know the way Shades choose their heir to the throne? Yes, one must be of royal blood, but it's far worse than that. Do you wish for me to go on?" Aria asked.
Ru tilted his head. He knew vague technicalities. Knew blood and death played a huge part. It would help him learn how to handle his wife if he could figure out why she had chosen to be his wife. "Yes."
"It's a blood conquest. Siblings killing siblings, cousins mutilating cousins. I've spent most of my life trying to survive. This is my only chance to ensure my continued existence in relative peace." Ariana said. "My sister, Elise, murdered by my cousin Royal. Elise…. she died, her neck was broken, she had been thrown off a roof to boot. At the age of seven. And Shade culture, we are always fighting. Not even for the crown, but simply for power and respect in our own little groups." she explained. "Elise was weak. And it was my fault she died. Elise, the only one who ever cared, my sweet, innocent sister, dead."
Ru blinked a few times. It was…horrific, yes, but he had seen horror before. Horror was a little brother with bruises across his pale chest because even the lightest of touches would hurt him. Horror was leading legions into battle only to see them die. "My apologies," He said, weariness leaking into his tone. "But you will still need to kill inmates. Innocents are protected here."
"I killed him. For what he did to Elise." Aria said, ignoring Ru. "You know, I can take the marking off, the one on the servant, I mean."
Ru squealed mentally. The boy would be fine! "Then do it, please. I can get you a proper victim if you need one." He wondered if he should give the servant boy a bonus. Or some paid leave. He would certainly need it.
"I could do it, but I won't." Aria clarified. "But if he passed it on to another, he would survive. However, the other would have to readily consent to it. You can't force the death on someone, but you can't cheat it either. It's locked in. There are two ways to survive. If I remove it, or if a readily consenting soul takes the burden. And I have no intentions to remove it. Tell the boy this, he still has about seven hours left. Maybe someone would consent."
Ru sighed angrily. "Why can't you save this boy? He hasn't done anything!" Ru just couldn't understand why Ariana was being so damn stubborn. If she continued to hurt innocent people she would be locked away, per the laws of the kingdom. He half hoped she would if only so he could get away from her.
"I did save him, technically." Ariana said.
(Gtg, bye!)
(aww, bye. :(
Ru rolled his eyes. He was usually patient, but this woman was getting on his last nerve. "From what, exactly? He led a good life, had parents who loved him and a job. He was cared for and protected. What could you have possibly saved him from?"
"Well, I did just give him a way out." Aria said. "Besides, his soul is high in purity. A delectable treat. People are specks on the whole of history, and a servant boy won't influence the universe very much." she pointed out.
Ru frowned. "Well, he affects his friends and family. Don't they matter? Shouldn't you of all people know what it's like to lose a loved one?" How could Ariana kill so casually after the death of her sister, something that was clearly a heavy loss for her? He couldn't puzzle it out.
"I have lost many people. I've learned not to care." she said coldly.
Ru sighed, every movement weary. "Take the mark of Adriana. Just take the fucking mark off and let this boy go." He scrubbed a hand down his face and leaned against the doorframe. His body all but sagged with some kind of deep sadness.
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