forum The Captive Prince (o/o) closed

Started August 12, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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Levi groaned, “If I had any say in the matter, I would be long gone by then. I think I might die,” he chuckled. He lifted a hand to scratch his neck, but quickly remembered it was the collar. “I’ll make you a deal,” he jokingly offered, “If I survive one of your summers, you have to experience the worst day and night of our winter.”

Fiori smiled and turned around, extending a hand for Levi to shake. "It's a deal, but you have to cheer me on during the festival of feats." He was completely sincere, not a trace of joking on his face.

Levi looked slightly uncomfortable at the idea of actually watching the battle, but since they weren’t actually killing each other like he was falsely told…He forced his discomfort into a promising smile and shook Fiori’s hand, “I don’t know who else I would cheer for,” he agreed.

Fiori frowned slightly at the look on Levi's face, and it only deepened when he slapped on a smile. "What's wrong? The festival's just a bit of harmless fun, I promise nothing bad will happen."

He dismissed it with a lethargic shrug “I’ve just been told how gruesome and terrible it is by my family, but I’m sure it’s just a misconception. And several of those have been disproven already… You said that it isn’t fighting to the death, correct?”

Fiori frowned and leaned a little closer to Levi, concerned by his unenthusiasm. "It's a tournament of champions, not a blood bath. My people don't see death in the arena or we wouldn't be having it in the first place. Is there something else that worries you? I could explain whatever you want."

He shook his head, eased by the reminder “No, that’s all. It’s different than what I thought. Thank you for explaining. I’ll cheer you on.”

Fiori smiled and started walking up the stairs again. He was more impatient than ever for festival season to arrive. "Good, I hope you will grant me luck."

Levi followed him a little faster, “When is it, by the way?” He still held onto the handrail, mostly for the sense of stability.

"It is five days after the week of sun, which happens a week from now. Festival season starts in two days." Fiori grinned at the prospect, almost as excited as he had been in the weapons room with the same kind of childish energy buzzing around him. "You'll like festival season! They have traders from all across the world lined up on the streets in tents. They sell everything, it's amazing."

“I won’t have any currency to buy anything,” he imagined the festival in his own kingdom, but better, “But that does sound wonderful. I’d like to see what they have.” He smiled at Fiori’s enthusiasm; these moments made him seem more like a new friend than his master. He liked that.

"It's fine, I can pay for anything you want," Fiori assured. "I think they'll even have some iceblood merchants visiting, maybe we can get you something to remind you of your home. And then after we can buy siùcar and watch the opening ceremonies."

“Oh, thank you,” He blinked, “I’ll be sure to visit my kingdom’s shops.” There was a possibility he could see someone he knew; a very small chance depending on who came—he didn’t have many friends outside of the royal court—but there was always hope. “Is…siùcar a type of food?”

Fiori nodded, happy memories drawing a smile across his face. "Mmhmm! It's- how do I explain it?- tiny little crystals made of sugar. They color them red and blue and green and sell them for an usa a pop."

“Oh wow, that does sound appetizing,” he imagined with a growing smile. He sighed with relief when he finally reached the top the stairs, climbing them felt like forever, “I’m sure the Widona ships would be selling food too,” he looked forward to remembering the tastes of home.

"No, not usually." Fiori turned to him with an apologetic shrug before he led Levi further into the castle. Not much longer now, only two more turns. "We only allow merchants in by sea, the journey takes too long to transport good food."

“Oh,” he repeated quieter and followed him, “That makes sense, I suppose. I’m sure I can remember at least one recipe.” He straightened his shoulders back in a stretch when he felt himself growing tense.

"I could help you track down a book of recipes if you want we have to have one somewhere." Fiori led him through the hall until… Finally! He pulled open Tharis' room, sighing happily the balmy air hit him. "Here we are," he said, just as a melodic voice yelled, "Get your asses in here, it's about damn time!!"

Levi trailed behind Fiori inside, scanning the initial view of the room in search of the voice’s source. “This is a nice room,” He murmured under his breath to Fiori.

Indeed it was. The walls were covered in tapestries, some of Usigen gods and some with the Widonian one, and one of the walls had hundreds of slots full of fabrics. An elaborate chandelier hung from the ceiling. Its many glass droplets glimmered in the light as a petite, dark-skinned woman with her hair pulled back in a severe braid stepped from behind a silk curtain. She seemed rather cross as she stalked up to them, taking in Levi with a sneer. "Really, Fi? You make me wait fifteen damn minutes so I could clothe your fucking slave!? Unbelievable."

“Seems it,” Levi uttered even softer with a pursed, anxious smile. His gaze danced around the room, taking in all of the breathtaking objects in the room; the sight of his own god especially soothed him, and the corners of his lips relaxed ever so slightly.

The woman softened a bit at Levi's nervous smile, pinning him with something too sharp to really be comforting but a close enough approximation to a smile to show that she wasn't mad at him. Fiori couldn't help but laugh, muffling it into his palm when she gave him a cool glare. "Don't you laugh at me mister, do you know how expensive it is to keep making you new arm guards?"

Fi shrugged, a tender smile playing across his lips. "I'm sure I don't, Tharis. Why don't you take Leviticus back for a fitting and then complain all about it to me afterward."

Tharis sighed and swatted him on the arm. His smile didn't let up, and she met his gaze with a soft kind of warmth. "Fine, but I fully intend to hold you to that. Come Leviticus." She disappeared behind the curtain again, beckoning for Levi to follow.

Levi quietly chuckled at Fiori and Tharis’ teasing, and followed her behind the curtain. The shirt Fiori had given him had started to fall off his right shoulder, and the oversized sleeves draped across his arms like bags. He was practically swimming in it due to his narrow shoulders—at least more narrow than Fiori’s.