forum I won't go quietly, I'm bringin' my crown // oxo // closed

Started June 06, 2019 by @croccin-champagne

tune

"Thank-you. For helping me." Dorian said, adjusting himself on the couch into a more comfortable position. He nodded his thanks at Allisandra, sighing softly before closing his eyes. She was right, he was exhausted.

"Like I said, don't thank me yet." Allisandra said, shaking her head as she turned for the door. Gyriel fluttered from the bookshelf she'd been perched on, landing on the back of the couch and nestling down, like she was keeping watch. Ally disappeared down the hall, headed for the kitchen.

It didn't take long for the prince to fall into the oblivion that was sleep. He was mentally and physically drained so his sleep was deep and thankfully, dreamless. Even though the couch was uncomfortable he didn't wake, not for a long while.

Allisandra had every intent of letting the Prince sleep until his body woke him up, knowing he needed the rest, but apparently, that wasn't up to her. Instead, it was up to the seven year old girl with bright red hair poking at his face and asking the thief if he was dead.

"Mack, let him sleep." Ally scolded, huffing a sigh as she was ignored by yet another finicky creature in her life. Normally, Mack would have listened to her godmother, but curiosity was a strong thing.

"He looks like he's dead. D'you see his ghost?"

It didn't take long after that for the Prince's eyes to slowly flutter open. The blinked blearily up at whoever was near by and waking him and he was inclined to tell them to piss off but then the memories came back and he realised where he was. He slowly sat himself up, rubbing at his face and looking at the little girl, "Hello there."

"He's not dead!" Mack pointed out unnecessarily, with a bright smile. "Hi! Ally said you were hurt, and that's why you were sleeping on our couch, but I thought you were dead. She didn't see your ghost though, so that usually means you aren't. Are you hungry?"

"Xvyar, Mack, let the man speak." This time, Mack listened to Ally, who looked torn between amusement and exasperation as she shook her head. "You sleep well?" She asked, looking to Dorian.

Dorian couldn't help but smile at the girl, Mack. She reminded him of his own sisters, they were exactly the same. The small faltered for a moment but only for a second, "Well, as you can see I'm not dead, I'm still breathing which is good. And yes, I am a little hungry."

"Good! C'mon then, Ally made this thing called stir fry with vegetables and rice and stuff, and it's really good!" Mack said, grabbing Dorian's hand to try and tug him to his feet. "Dad can't cook at all, so it's always fun when Ally comes over. She even lets me help! Oh! My name's Mack, what's yours?" Ally snorted, already starting for the door, with Gyriel on her shoulder.

Dorian chuckled softly, looking from Mack to Ally then back to Mack, "I'm looking forward to it." He said, carefully getting to his feet. He held back a groan, keeping up his smile.

"Kitchen's not too far, don't worry." Ally called, shooting a sympathetic look over her shoulder. Mack continued to blabber on about everything and nothing as she tugged Dorian along, at a quick pace, but apparently aware that because he was hurt, she should be careful. Ally had been right, the kitchen was only a little ways down the hallway, and the only room not as big a mess as the rest of the house.

Dorian looked around the small kitchen before focusing back on Mack. He nodded along to what she was saying, listening to her ramble. Yes, yes she really did remind him of Charlotte and Isabelle, maybe a little more energetic but basically the same.

Ally headed for the stove as Mack pulled Dorian to the small dining table, instructing him to sit in the middle of a sentence before continuing easily. Ally dished up two plates of food, seemingly focused on the task. Occasionally, her eyes would flicker to Mack, betraying the fact that she was listening to everything the girl said.

Dorian did as he was instructed, sitting down at the table while not taking his eyes off of the little girl. He rested his head in his hand, now starting to contribute some of his own ideas to what Mack was saying. His smile grew with every second and he didn't even notice.

Ally set the plates down on the table before going to lean against the counter, arms crossed over her chest as she watched Mack with the fondest look she was apparently capable of. Her gaze flickered to Dorian, an eyebrow quirking slightly as she watched his smile brighten.

Dorian didn't even notice Ally looking at him and if he did he wouldn't care. He leaned across the table to whisper a 'secret' to Mack which ended up just being a joke he used to tell his own siblings that always had them laughing.

Mack immediately burst into giggles, trying and failing to stifle them as she whispered a secret in response. Hers was that she hid candy in a shoe box, which she then put in a 'fake pillow' on her bed.

Dorian chuckled softly at that, shaking his head slightly. He'd known Mack for what? fifteen minutes and he already knew that if anything was to happen to her he'd kill the other person. Maybe that was a little extreme but he didn't care.

The sound of the front door opening drew Ally's attention, and she left the two alone in the kitchen to go greet Johnson. Even if Dorian didn't know it, it was a testament to her slight trust in him, leaving him alone with Mack. "You're a prince, right?" The redhead asked, hopping up into one of the chairs at the table.

Dorian nodded and hummed slightly, "Yes, I am," He replied, leaning forwards against the table, "I don't look very princely though, do I?" He smiled softly, shaking his head at the thought.

"Princes can look like anything." Mack said matter-of factly, the honesty obvious on her face. "You just look like a prince who won a battle."

Dorian's smile grew, "Maybe I did. Maybe I slayed a mighty dragon just to protect this town from being destroyed."

Mack's eyes lit up, and she leaned over the table, setting her fork down. "You did? Was it scary? What did the dragon look like? Is it dead for good?"

Dorian took a bite of his meal, swallowing before he replied, "It was really scary. The dragon was huge and red and black and breathed really hot fire. But I stabbed it right through the heart and got the treasure."

"Treasure? What was the treasure?" Mack asked, bouncing in her seat excitedly. It was obvious she had taken a liking to Dorian, and the dragon story was like a cherry on top.

"I donated it. To families that need it," Now that wasn't a complete lie as he'd done a similar thing not too long ago, "But I might…." He patted himself down gently then reached over to Mack, reaching behind her ear and pulling out a small gold coin that seemed to come out of no where, "There you are."

She gasped, her eyes widening in amazement. "How'd you do that? It came out of nowhere! That's the dragon's treasure?"

"Magic," Dorian replied, grinning, "And yes it is the dragon's treasure but it's yours now so go on, take it and keep it safe."

Mack accepted the coin happily, studying it with wide eyes. "I'll keep it the safest!" She looked up as Ally walked back in, a newspaper in hand, and waved. "Your prince killed a dragon!"

Ally raised an eyebrow, half at the term 'your prince', and half at Dorian himself as she leaned against the counter once more. "Is that so?"