He stood when the other entered the throne room, and his eyes soften. "Please. Just Ezra. I do not believe I live up to that name at the moment." He waved at a servant. "Bring this man a chair, let him rest." He orders slowly. The servant nods and scurries off. Ezra turns his attention to Aces. "I am not one for pleasantries, I've found them rather useless. But I understand that it has been three years since we last spoke." He inhales softly. The servant returned with a few chairs. The king nods gratefully. "Thank you. You're dismissed." He didn't sit, but kept his tired eyes on Aces.
Aces sat, not wanting to offend his king. He really didn’t want to risk anything, didn’t want to die even after everything.
“So, what is it you need from me? Am I to serve in your military again? I’m hardly capable,” he laughed bitterly.
Even after everything… well, not everything, per se, but many things. Maybe he was just too scared to die. Maybe he was a coward. But better a coward than a fool, of course.
Ezra regarded the man for a moment before taking a deep breath. He ran a hand through his long raven hair, the braids shaking with his movements. "I understand that this may sound rather… well. It's unexpected. But I understand that you were one of the best of the best when it came to the military. My council is run by power hungry idiots. This war has gone on for too long. To many people have died, to many good people. I feel their deaths weigh on my shoulders. I can practically hear their screams, hear their families…" His eyes shut and pain crossed his face. "I want to offer you a deal. I can offer you everything that is here, even myself. But please. I need your help." His eyes turn back to the other, taking a deep breath. He got on his knees, going into a child's pose, his eyes shutting. "I want to end this war."
This shocked Aces. He wasn’t expecting, well, whatever this was.
“And if I say yes? What is in store for me here?” he asked, not wanting the king to look so, well… sad. Depressed. Down. Negative. Whatever adjective you preferred.
“I… I too want to end this war, but how? I’m hardly fit for a diplomat, and all your advisory positions are filled. The only thing I could think of that would allow me to easily infiltrate your meetings and offer my advice is, well, status as a concubine.” he coughed, exposing the telltale fangs of a vampire.
Ezra never thought he would be in a situation like this when he first became king. He kept his head down when the other said yes. "I will offer you whatever you wish. Wealth, security, a place here at the palace… anything. Just please…" His voice wavered ever so slightly. He wanted to end this war. He wanted this to be over with. He slowly settled back on his knees, so that he was still looking up at the soldier. "Yes, I understand that." He mutters quietly. "I understand if that situation might be frustrating or something that you might not want to do. But please… I beg you. You are among the best. All I can ask is that you help."
Aces gave it a moment of thought, and then another moment just to play the reticent side. “Fine. But I expect to be treated with dignity, no matter what actions I may have to perform to keep up the act. I’m not some common street harlot for you to toy with. I was a well respected leader and an asset to your military, remember this.” he said, smirking. He didn’t really mind the view of his king kneeling, he’d have to get him to do it more often. Dammit, what was he thinking? Those were not the sorts of thoughts a respected leader should think.
Ezra was tired, he wanted the war to be over with… and… he was desperate. Desperation made people act, whether that was good or bad was difficult to say. He nods, relief washing over his face. "Thank you." He nods at the others orders. "Of course. I will honor your deal." He stands slowly, bowing. "I owe you a great debt, Aces." He murmured softly. Aces had already earned respect from Ezra. He inhaled softly and and slowly straightens. "Whatever you wish for is yours."
“I’ll be sure to cash that in later.” Aces said gruffly. He stood along with the king, then fell back into the chair, crutch clattering to the floor. “Damn. Well, you seem to have stuck yourself with a cripple, are you still satisfied with your choice?” he asked.
He nods slowly before lurching forward when the other fell backward. His eyes turned soft and he shook his head slowly, reaching down and grabbing the crutch. "No, I don't regret my choice, Aces." He says simply. "Crippled or not, I'm not worried." He sighed quietly before smiling at him. "Thank you, Aces. Sh-shall I show you to your room?" He asks curiously. "Or would you like to stay in mine?" He asks curiously.
"I don't really know. It would be more believable if I stayed with you, see, but I'd rather have my own space, at least while recovering from the long journey I was just on." he said, shrugging. The pain he felt was the worst, but paled in comparison to the pangs of sympathy that he saw on the tired king's face.
He nods slowly, pausing for a moment. "I have an idea where it works. You can have your own space. The only way to get to it is through my room." He explains. He offers the other his crutch and offered a small smile. "Follow me." The kings room wasn't far from the throne room, rather close actually. He offers his arm for the other as support if it was needed.
Aces didn’t take the support, moving on his own. He didn’t want to be seen as weak, so he wouldn’t be weak, he’d be strong, and he’d handle himself. He didn’t want to disrespect his king, but he also wasn’t about to show himself as worthless, now was he?
When the other didn't take his arm, he smiled in understanding. This soldier was indeed strong. Stronger than those around him, especially in his court… He cleared his throat before guiding the other to his room. It was Luxurious, fit for a king. Well… he was one. He hummed softly as he moves to a door that was tucked away. "Here we are." He takes out a key and unlocks it. It was a spare room. "Here." He chuckles softly and smiles. "Please, rest as much as you need."
The room was large, with a bed softer than anything Aces had seen in his life, pillows mounted high and more blankets than any one person could possibly use. Aces didn’t want to show weakness, but he flopped down on the bed anyways, too tired to keep standing.
“Thank you,” he mumbled through the pillows, closing his eyes and curling up.
(Sorry about that. Had a friend over)
He nods slowly. "Whatever you need, please just ask." He bows his head a little bit before sighing quietly and leaving the room. He falls into his bed and sighed quietly curling into himself. He was relieved that Aces was here now, but he wasn't sure what to do anymore. He slowly dozed off.
Aces woke up, feeling wrong. He wasn’t supposed to be in a place this fancy, he had to get out. He could hardly control how fast his heart was beating and his crutch had somehow skidded halfway across the room and he was hyperventilating and-
He couldn’t control his feelings. Everything came crashing in at once, and he was just too tired to deal with it all. It consumed him utterly.
Ezra was napping quietly when he woke up slowly. He moves his curtain of hair from his face and grunts as he slowly stands. However, as he was getting dressed, he heard something crash in the other room. He hurries over to the room and knocks before entering. He was shirtless, which revealed a well built torso with a scar right over his heart leading down to his waist. "Aces, are you alright?" His hair sway as he walked over and grabbed the crutch, gently setting it down beside his bed.
“No, need to get out of here. Everything is wrong here, th’ place is too big and fancy and, and, and, I just, I just can’t handle it.” he said, in an uncharacteristic show of weakness, of vulnerability.
Ezra nods slowly and offers his hand. "I know better than anyone what that feeling is." He smiles gently, "Here. Follow me." Usually Ezra wasn't like this. He was known for being a man who ruled his kingdom with an iron hand. He was an elf, known for being pompous pricks. But… he displayed none of that. He looked tired, worn from years of war, gentle like the ocean under a starry night sky. His long hair curtained his face, his eyes enchanting and changing like a kaleidoscope.
Aces took the hand offered and followed along silently, leaning heavily on his crutch the whole time. Matted long hair hung down in his face and sunken eyes darted around each place they passed, just waiting to be attacked.
(Quick question, which would make him ease more, a library or a garden?)
He guides the other through the halls and out of the castle, into the back gardens. It wasn't a long walk since there was a shortcut that Ezra knew by heart. The gardens were filled with calming noises, animals scurrying freely through the plants and trees. He hummed softly as they walked, a few plants turning their petals towards him. He made it to a small gazebo. He offers a gentle smile. "This has always been my safe space. Keeps me away from the castle and away from expectations. No one will bother us here." He didn't release the others hand just yet. Not until they were sitting did he remove his hand.
Aces sniffed a little, wiping tears from his eyes he hadn’t realized had formed. “Thank you, my king.” he smiled halfheartedly, looking around. The place was so beautiful, so calm, and he could rest here, he was allowed. This…. this was perfect, even if being here under those circumstances was more than a little embarrassing.
Ezra shook his head, his eyes turning sad. "There are often times where I wish I wasn't born into the crown. It is my job as a king to serve my people…" He inhaled softly. "But sometimes the pressure is unbearable and it makes it hard to breathe. So I come here." He chuckles quietly and leans back on the bench. "And please, call me Ezra." He chuckles quietly. "My king feels like a title I don't deserve right now."
“Alright then, Ezra. I just… we were taught to be respectful in the military, is all.” he shrugged, turning to face the man. “I guess it’s kind of funny. Two horribly broken men are expected to fix things, when they can’t even fix themselves.” he laughed bitterly.
He smiles a little and nods. "I understand that. I'm grateful for the respect. But…" He shrugged hopelessly. He shook his head. "Unfortunately I find no error in that statement." He shivered a little. In an eagerness to ease Aces he had left the castle without a shirt. He sighs softly and looks out to the garden, a small smile on his lips.
“Fix everything, really. Those Dark Kingdom bastards just can’t keep out of it, can they?” he asked, them seeing Ezra shirtless he blushed. “Do you want my cloak? It’s nothing like your finery, and might itch a little, but could keep you warm enough.”
He laughed a little bit and shook his head. "Very true." He laughs quietly. "It's my duty after all. Sadly my council is a bunch of power hungry idiots." He blinked slowly when the other offered his cloak before smiling. "No, it's alright. Please. Take care of yourself first." His smile was gentle, although a little sad. War had changed him from a man to be feared, to sad and tired. But waving a white flag to the enemy was to much dishonor for his heart to bear.
Aces knew about honor, so he didn’t say any more. How horrible must it be, to have to sit aside and do nothing while others died in your stead? Aces understood that too, even if doctors had called him simple. Doctors said a lot of things that weren’t true. Maybe it would be best to just sit here in silence, maybe that would be better than trying to console his king.
