forum It's not in the Cards (O/O)

Started September 03, 2019 by @Vuclan-is-tired

tune

Lucien looked at Aki. "I don't know what this is. If that question was directed at me, anyway. I…I've never even heard of this place." And I know every inch of this palace…or at least I thought I did.

He nods before looking at the door. He reaches forward, his hands gently touching the cool oak. He wanted to know what was behind it. He yelped when there was a searing in his hands, and he pulled away when he saw ice enveloping his hand. It disappeared though once he pulled his hand away, melting slowly.

Lucien frowned, and looked closely at the door. "What…?" he trailed off, taking a step forward almost unconsciously, as he examined it curiously.

Aki shivered before slowly touching the door again. This time ice didn't wrap around his fingers. He pushed it open, surprised at how easily it swung open.

Lucien was quiet, standing behind him and following him. He sighed.

A flurry of voices screamed at him, enveloping his vision. After a moment it cleared and he swallowed dryly. He didn't say anything just pushed forward into a large, circular room. His eyes widened at the metal cots, various doctors tools, cells, the like. He hated this. He didn't want to look anywhere but the ceiling. The crisp and metallic odor of freshly bled blood made him want to vomit.

Lucien frowned, throat going dry. "What is this place?" He whispered, looking around. I didn't know…why is this here? What's going on?

"I- I don't know." He whispers before walking towards one of the doctors trays, grabbing a journal, gulping softly. He scanned through the notes. "That's not possible… These are dated for the future…" He whispers.

Lucien frowned, looking at the journals over Aki's shoulder. "I don't understand…" He said softly.

"They're dated for… in a few weeks… Oh God…" He stares at the documents, the notes of an illness. "I don't know what's going on but we have to stop it." He whispers.

Lucien frowned a little. "Is there any names? Any…?" he trailed off, swallowing hard.

He nods sharply before placing the book in his bag. "We need to get out of here. This doesn't feel right." He whispers.

Lucien nodded, backing away towards the door. "Okay." he replied softly.

Aki waits for him to go first before following after back into the hallways of the palace. He shuts the door behind himself and falls to the floor.

Lucien crouched beside him worriedly. "Aki? Are you okay?" he asked, worried. He put a hand on the smaller man's shoulder.

Aki was breathing heavily, but he appeared fine. He shook his head and leaned into his hands, visibly shaking. "Those names… They were close friends of my masters… Countless children…" A lump grew in his throat. "We… We need to look at the notes and start working on a cure." He stood, determination in his eyes.

Lucien gently put an arm around the shaking man's shoulders, rubbing his shoulder gently. "Okay. Okay." he replied softly. "Do you have any names or leads on anything else? We can take the notebooks to the physicians here in the palace, and make this their top priority."

"Yes… We need to take this to a physician. As for what to do and leads, I need to look at the cards again. Maybe they can give me more insight. I'll contact my master as well, let him know what's happening." He says quietly.

Lucien nodded. "Alright." He still had his arm around Aki's shoulders in what he hoped was comforting.

Aki leaned into his touch for a moment before carefully taking a deep breath. He touched his side pocket and felt the deck heavily weigh into his hand.

Lucien watched him carefully, worried. Worried about Aki, worried about what they had found. Work about his father, too.

Aki knew he had a lot to do. He had a lot of work. He needed to figure out a cure. He needed to find the king's attempted assassin. Maybe they were linked. He had to do something.

Lucien took a deep breath. "Aki? The notebook…how can the dates be from the future?" He asked softly.

"I think… I think that my master was right." He whispers. "Magic. From times before and after our time. It's coming back in a daunting reality." He mutters. "There is magic within these walls, Prince Lucien… That… That must have been made when the sickness hit." He glanced up at Lucien in fear.

Lucien frowned a little. "I don't think I understand." he said slowly, looking at Aki in confusion. "I'm sorry."