My World of 1x1s discussion
Fantasy
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Pyry (Ji Mei and DD)
In the time that followed after the demon's appearance, Ivy felt as if she was transported into a world of the living dead. Since that night, Una hadn't spoken much to her and Niel was still unconscious. He didn't even rouse to eat. Only managing small sips. Mostly he was asleep and Ivy was left with silence and dead. She tried a couple times to speak to Una, but she felt words die in her throat. She couldn't even find the courage to thank the other woman for stepping in between her and the demon. Ivy had just come back from gathering ingredients again and she was now heading back to their rooms. The innkeeper by now knew not to bother her too much. He only smiled at her, that she politely returned, before she retreated back upstairs. As she walked towards Una, standing guard, she felt a sickness in her stomach and a bitter hatred towards herself for letting herself be drawn into this odd limbo.
Coming up to Una, Ivy took in a small breath before she spoke up in calm and normal tone as she could possibly manage. "Una, would you mind if you took a small break to help me?"
The bodyguard gave a final survey of the area before responding to the healer. "What do you require?" She asked monotonously as she turned to face Ivy with a blank expression. Ivy had understandably appeared confused upon Una's sudden change of demeanor after their confrontation with Dixon, but Shell believed it was best not to bother explaining herself. She needed to restore her emptiness for the sake of her Lord's best interest.
She searched her mind for a reason since Ivy spoke out more to break whatever ice that had come between them than actually needing Una's assistance. Then, something came to mind. Ivy had been entertaining the idea of leaving Niel and Una for good once he was awake. Ever since she realized it was the same demon, a sick, heavy feeling filled her limbs and she would stare at Niel's face with hatred boiling inside her. She desperately wanted to ask him how long he knew about that demon and if that meeting in the church was related somehow.
Pursing her lips, Ivy had decided that leaving would be best and she should just prepare enough medicine in case Niel needed it when they separated. Because even though Ivy wanted to punch him in the face and loved to see him suffer when she left, the healer in her couldn't just let her patient leave without some reassurance.
"I need to teach you the correct dosages of certain tinctures," she replied smoothly. Then she realized how suspicious that might be, she added, "Since I don't know when Niel might wake up and if I'm not there, you will need to give him what he needs for me."
Una narrowed her eyes slightly. Why wouldn't Ivy be there when he awoke? She was supposed to be with him at all times aside for the few minutes she needed for a bathroom break, but what difference would a few minutes make in administering the treatment?The bodyguard considered the healer for a moment. Was this truly her motive?
"Very well." She kept her gaze steady. She wasn't sure if she believed Ivy's explanation so she would have to keep a sharp eye on the woman.
She let out a small smile, pleased that Una went along. Ivy couldn't tell if Una believed her or not, but whatever the case, she thought perhaps this might get Una to open up again. Nodding her head to the side to tell Una to follow, Ivy went into Niel's room. The sun was trickling through the window, a weak light fighting through clouds covering they sky. Or perhaps the seasons were changing and it was turning to the mild winters in Pyry. Ivy wondered briefly if Niel had warm enough clothes, but then she immediately pushed away that thought. She wouldn't be around by then, so it shouldn't matter to her.
Straightening her shoulders, she turned to Una. "So, first you need to be able to determine his condition. Take his pulse," she lifted Niel's wrist and twisted it slightly so she can place her two fingers correctly, "and then take his temperature afterwards. Right now, his heartbeats have been a little slow, both from sleep but also the sickness. And his temperature is still a little high, but it has been dropping so I don't think it should be an issue." Ivy set down Niel's arm gently before turning to the case of bottles she had placed on the side table within easy reach.
"You probably know those basics already, right?"
Una stood solemnly at the prince's bedside as Ivy instructed her how to properly care for the prince. Of course, she knew how to check a pulse. She'd been instructed on how to do so in training, but that was more intended to check if someone was dead or alive. Checking temperatures when sick was something she had learned in her childhood as any kid with someone who had a care for them also would have learned."Yes."
She pursed her lips at Una's short response. It really seemed that the bodyguard was trying to be as closed off as possible. Inwardly, Ivy steeled herself. If Una is going to be like that, then Ivy needed to detach herself too. It would be easier for the both of them. At least, that is what you tell yourself, a voice whispered in the back of her head. "Well, once you have tracked the pulse, look for it to beat steadily. Check his heart rate against yours. If it is slightly different, don't worry. What you are trying to look for is if Niel's is extremely slow or too fast. Since he's more in the recovery stage, it is more likely to be on the slow side." She paused to let Una absorb her words.
Then she turned to the vials that she had prepared. "If you think his pulse is on the slow side, then use this vial with the green liquid. One dose is a quarter of the total liquid. Just once a day should work."
Una listened attentively, noting the vials she pointed out and the dosage. When Ivy was finished, she repeated the instructions to show her understanding. She still wasn't sure of Ivy's intention. There had been no instance where the healer was away from the prince's side since they began their journey, so why was she all of a sudden bringing this sort of situation up now?"I wouldn't advise leaving before we reach the castle. The prince would see you compensated as promised. And aside from that, I'm under oath to protect the prince from any danger. I'd say someone with knowledge of the prince's whereabouts while he is weakened and recovering could be seen as a threat under the right circumstances." She stands, keeping a blank expression as she studies Ivy's reaction to her words. Perhaps she was assuming too much... Ivy had been faithful as promised, giving them no grounds for suspicion. Still, seeing a demon in person, not to mention the demon that destroyed her home and murdered her grandmother, could do things to a person. If it had been Una... well, she couldn't say what she would have done, but if anyone so much as threatened her family, she'd want them to bleed until their skin paled and their eyes dulled.
Ivy looked at Una carefully before she quickly put on a reassuring smile. "Oh, yes, of course." She didn't miss the hidden threat in Una's words, which she wanted to frown at, but she maintained her composure. "Obviously I can't leave since I won't be paid for my services and I have to stay around in order to make sure that I have completed my task. But you never know what circumstances may arise. I'm someone that likes to be prepared, especially since my lifestyle hasn't granted much security, as you well know."
Una nods once. Ivy seemed fine... perhaps she really had jumped to conclusions far to soon for the circumstance. The uneasy feeling persisted though. Why? Did she... miss her? Una moved her gaze to the window across the room, pushing the thought from her mind. She couldn't think of that now. From what she could tell, Ivy wasn't going to leave any time soon, so Una just had to worry about keeping them both safe until the Prince recovered."Do you require anything more?" She asked, returning a composed expression to Ivy.
"No, it's pretty simple. That is, unless his condition changes. But I don't think he'll get worse. He's a pretty stubborn prince, so I doubt he'll roll over so quickly," Ivy said, folding her arms and looking over at Niel's form. He still looked on the pale side, but she was sure that once he had a good meal and time out in the sun that he'd recover to his handsome self. She felt a taste of bitterness, though. She was pretty sure she was getting soft. She was letting herself think that perhaps Niel wasn't too bad. And then the demon appeared. Resisting the urge to shiver, she turned her gaze away from him. "I'm starting to get hungry, so I think I'm going to head downstairs," she said after a few moments.
Una wonders if Ivy has developed an attachment to the prince. She would think not, considering the situation they put her in, but something about the way she treated him appeared softer than the bodyguard would expect. Even the "stubborn" insult didn't hold the same bite as it once would have.She shook the unimportant notion from her thoughts and grabbed a few of her blades to sharpen before taking her spot by the prince's bed. "Very well. I'll stay by his side until you return."
***END OF SCENE***
((So quick run-down, I have Dixon show up in some rundown town, where a demon is running loose. Dixon's like "dude, what? no one caught you?" and the demon's like "yeah, man. got friends in high places. the advisor guy." And Dixon's like "cool cool, bro." Then Dixon goes to capital to get to know more and get his reward. From there, I don't know what else to do with him. Unless he returns back to Niel to say, "Haha, guess what I found out? Your kingdom is demon heaven. Gotta guy on the inside? Isn't that funny?" And then something else happens??))
It was strange when he crossed the border. There wasn't exactly a drawn out line, but when Dixon officially left Pyry and stepped onto Errebist soil, he knew something was different. Like the air. It felt spicy, crackling with an energy that Dixon felt like he recognized, lively, but not quite. Maybe it was the sense of freedom he felt, free to travel to a new land. Or free from the ever-present Church of Angels that dotted the landscape. He traveled quickly, barely stopping to sleep since Dixon never liked staying out in wide open spaces where a passing angel could spot him. Then again, he never came across any angels in his life until that stupid royal banquet.
From where he stood, at the top of a hill, still mostly green, but already beginning to fade into patches of yellow with the drier air, the town below him looked awful. Dixon has seen some dilapidated towns in his travels, but not as bad as the one in front of him. It looked like the buildings were once white stone, but now they looked like piles of rubble with a few branches thrown on top to protect you from the elements. And everything was dark and dirty. What once was white was now streaked black, brown, gray, and some questionable colors. In some ways, it reminded him of that first town, his "hometown." He briefly considered moving on to the next town, one that might offer better prospects for company and eating, but he didn't feel like taking the effort when he was pretty tired. Only after taking a few more steps, Dixon suddenly felt another presence. A chill ran down his back, which made him want to stiffen up. It almost felt like that angel, but that presence burned more instead of made him freeze. Still, Dixon feigned nonchalance as he turned around.
A woman stared at Dixon, her face impossibly beautiful with angles and smooth skin. She looked wild, her eyes gleaming with a hunger and lust, as if she could devour him, the land, the village. She had a growing smile on her face that drew Dixon's curiosity, but he chose not to speak just yet. "Going for the mysterious, silent type?" She tilts her head, taking one step closer to him.
He let out a soft laugh and shrugged. "Maybe I was stunned by your beauty."
She looked at him as if she heard the line before, but still she took another step closer. Studying him, her eyes narrowed and then she licked her lips, her smile growing wider. "So you don't see me, do you?"
Dixon couldn't hide his puzzled expression, scanning her figure up and down. Before he could speak, though, she cut him off.
"You're one of my kind aren't you? You're a demon too?"
He let out a laugh and shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. "And what makes you say something like that?"
"Because I'm one myself."
Dixon raised a brow, his eyes dragging up and down her figure again. He never met another demon before. Do they all give off the same aura? His curiosity was definitely perking up. Shifting on his feet into a more relaxed pose, he waved his hand. "Do go on. Prove yourself to me, then I'll admit whether I'm one or not."The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, more in thought than menace though. "All right. Since you asked so kindly." She reached out her hand to the side and with soft muttering words, she then pointed her finger to a spot of land a few feet away.
He had to resist the rolling of his eyes at her theatrics, but his demeanor looked unimpressed when it seemed nothing happened after a couple moments. He opened his mouth to say something sarcastic when suddenly the ground burst and out of the ground swarmed a bunch of scorpions. Dixon grimaced slightly which made the woman laugh at his expression.
"And don't think this is just a coincidence," she said. With her pointed finger, she then pointed towards Dixon. And suddenly, all of the scorpions scuttled in his direction. She laughed even harder when Dixon moved quickly to the side, panic on his face. Then the woman gestured again and the scorpions returned back to the hole they emerged from.
Fighting off a shudder, Dixon frowned over at the woman, hating that he didn't have the upper hand. "Was that really necessary? Those things hurt."
"Oh, it's just a bit of fun. You won't die anyway, hm?" Her lips curved up as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Sauntering over, she circled around him once before she stopped in front of his face. "So, your answer?"
Watching how smoothly she moved with her lithe body, Dixon thought he wouldn't mind staying in town if his companion for the night was her. Raising his chin, he looked into her eyes. "You got me."
It was her turned to rake her eyes over his body. "Perhaps I do."
Dixon's mouth twitched into a smirk at the implication. Tilting his head towards the town, he asked, "And you are staying here? Seems like a terrible place to stay for the night."
DragonDreamer wrote: "((Haha it’s not exactly like her, though if you do decide to watch, watch fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood. They remade it so the story flows a lot better with a much more satisfying ending :) ))"((Indeed. I heard Brotherhood was closer to the manga.))
"I guess it is a small place." She shrugged. "But everyone caters to your wishes. That's the law of the land here. Demons are the rulers in this land.""No angels?" Dixon saw her eyes narrow slightly, but she didn't cower. He guessed she never came near one like he did.
"None. It's especially easy since the king's advisor himself helps us demons live here in prosperity."
Dixon frowned thoughtfully. If that was true, then perhaps Mr. Sleeping Beauty actually knew about demons before he met him. But the line of questioning from the prince led Dixon to believe that he had no clue. "Why would the king's advisor do that?"
Her lips spread out in a smile. She stepped closer, leaning her body into his as she trailed a hand up from his navel to the center of his chest. "Rumor says that he's a demon as well." Her lips turned into a pout. "I guess I'm not beautiful enough to be in the close circle of demons around him."
"I doubt that's true," Dixon said, his smile having a hungry edge to it as he caught her wrist. Lifting her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss on the back. "Perhaps I can repay you for your such hospitable treatment?"
Her eyes twinkled. "I think I know some ways you can."
Dixon let out a soft laugh and they blended into the shadows. Something itched in the back of his mind, a curiosity tugging to see if the rumor was true. I guess I have all the more reason to see the capital. He certainly was glad he stepped foot in Errebist.
***END OF SCENE***
((I think it looks great! I think it would be good for him to see just how bad it is, maybe get an unsettled feeling about how much power demons hold in Errebist... unless you think we should leave that for later after he meets up again with the group?))
((Well, Niel's gonna wake up, they're traveling to Errebist to retrieve Ivy's reward, maybe Ivy goes off on him about Dixon and he has to decide whether or not to kill her because she knows too much, but he's already become attached? Maybe the dilemma gets him really drunk and he spills everything and since they're in Errebist, maybe they run into Dixon and find out about the demon and now they have to change their plans or else a lot of people are going to die senselessly. Maybe Ivy left them at this point, but they try to get her back because they are going to need all the help they can get and also he misses her more than he should.Idk. Thoughts?))
((Hmm... I just remembered I did have Ivy start doing things like she might leave. Maybe she tries to leave multiple times like the first time she tries to leave, he wakes up while she visits him one last time and then they resume their travel. She's been trying to figure out how to bring up Dixon the whole time and then brings it up maybe on her own? That can be smoothed out later. Do we want Dixon to get all the way to the capital and start heading back and that's when he runs into them or is he still mulling around looking at the state of affairs in the country? I'm not sure which one is better.
But I can see that they need Ivy for something, maybe to do an undercover recon to figure stuff out with Una since Dixon and Niel would get noticed more easily? ))
((That works for me! I don't think Niel or Una is going to bring it up.Maybe he's starting to head back? I could see him meeting the advisor briefly when he goes to get his reward but maybe he just has this gut feeling that what is going on isn't ok. Maybe he starts getting nightmares of the woman he came from and it starts to get to him so he decides to head back to Pyry because at least there, he didn't get nightmares or fall asleep to the cries and screams of villagers.
That's a good idea! Maybe they go undercover in the castle as servants to get a better idea of how the operation is run so that they can report back and come up with a plan? Maybe Una and Dixon go back to Pyry to talk to the angels to get their help and warn them of what's to come if Pyry loses the war. Niel and Ivy continue to stay in Errebist to spy?))
((Perhaps when he meets the advisor, Dixon will learn more about demons and he'll learn more about how he came to be. I think right now Dixon has hazy memories of his beginnings so maybe seeing the advisor would make him remember more and then he decides to wander Errebist but his memories and the people he sees dying might change his opinion... But I think it will be fun to do some undercover. Dixon and Una together might be nice. I liked the scene we had of them at the bar so I think that could work.))
Niel stirred in his bed, feeling the grogginess of the sickness battle his internal clock's desire to awaken. How much time had passed? The last thing he remembered was seeing Dixon arrive. Where was Ivy? It was her duty to be by his side during moments like this. He groaned, sitting up to get a proper look at the room. He shook his curls and stretched, finding Ivy asleep in the corner, curled into herself on the chair. He wondered what had happened. Did she meet Dixon? Did she know their plan? Would he... have to kill her?
Ever since that blasted demon showed up, Ivy felt restless. Something had settled into her bones and nerves, something bubbled in her stomach like hunger and fear rolling together. And she was pretty sure what feeling this was. She had the same feelings when her grandmother died. It always came up, like a flash of lightning followed by pouring ice-cold rain. She'd be moving on with life and suddenly she knew that she couldn't continue this path. This path was hurt and connections that she didn't want to have. And it always made her tired. So with that revelation, Ivy decided to take a moment to sit down and rest, closing her eyes on the swirling thoughts going through her mind. Before she knew it, she had sunk into a sleep filled with darkness and no dreams.
As though the universe was answering his question, Una entered shortly after, catching him staring in contemplation. Her expression moved slightly in shock."My Lord." She hurried to his side. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long. I just woke up." He glanced back at Ivy, "Did the process... go well?"
Una followed his gaze, "You're awake, so Dixon appears to have upheld his end of the deal. She... I'll let you talk to her. She should check your health so we can be sure."
"Wait just a moment before you wake her." He paused for a time, considering his words. The bodyguard returned to his side, confused by his sudden lack of words. "Una," He began, "Which loyalty do you hold more dear? That to the crown or your lord?"
Una tilted her head, confused by the question. "Are they not one and the same?"
"No. After all, the crown holds more power than I can ever hope to possess. We will sacrifice for the crown and never be sacrificed for in return."
"Please explain more c-"
"I don't want you to kill her, Una. Me. Not the crown."
"My lord, I-"
"I know what you're going to say. I've been saying it to myself this whole trip. But that is the crown."
She stayed silent taking in his words.
"You have your orders from me and you know what the crown wants. Who are you more loyal to?"
The bodyguard pressed her lips together firmly, frustration beginning to boil inside her. Standing, she moved over to the sleeping Ivy and shook her shoulder (probably more harshly than needed.)
"The Prince is awake." She stated before storming out the door to break something.
Ivy startled awake, a confused expression crossing her face at Una's words before she processed what she said. Before she had the chance to say anything though, Una left. Pursing her lips, Ivy reminded herself that she made the decision to leave. There was no use trying anymore was there?With a sigh, she turned her gaze to Niel and rose to her feet to walk to the bedside. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice tired.
Niel knew he was an awful person for putting such a burden on his bodyguard. He should take responsibility. He had originally intended to take responsibility for everything. Maybe it was because he had nearly died twice or maybe it was because all the time he had spent with Ivy was turning him soft, but he couldn't kill her. He may be physically incapable of doing so. It was madness and clarity all at once. "I've had better days..." He admits with a wry smile, "Though I've definitely had much worse." He watches her as she approached, staying comfortable in bed. "I assume you met the demon?" The prince questioned, searching her face for an idea of what happened while he was unconscious.
Her lips kept in a straight line as she wondered what was worse than almost dying from demon's curse. Something like pity and curiosity wanted to bubble up to the surface. Then it was immediate squashed at his last question. Ivy wanted to frown and glare at him, she wanted to go over there and punch him hard. But she didn't. When he was unconscious, she used that time to let out her anger. Now, she was tired, and she wanted to cut off any feelings she had towards him as soon as possible. Those feelings only being anger and perhaps the camaraderie between them. There was absolutely nothing else. At least that is what she told herself. Steeling her resolve to keep calm, Ivy slowly nodded, forcing herself to stare at him vacantly. "Yes, I did. A pleasant surprise."
Something had changed between their dynamic. Perhaps he should have tried harder to get her to leave before Dixon's arrival. He had wanted her to stay, but he shouldn't have. For some reason none of his motivations made any sense when it came to her. It was infuriating and liberating all at once."Pleasant..." The irony tasted bitter on his tongue. Her face was expressionless, reminiscent of that of a Shell's. The thought made his stomach twist angrily and before he realized it, he was speaking. "Yes, that Dixon is a charming man, isn't he?" What was he doing? Sabotaging his own prerogative to protect her and himself. Maybe he could blame it on the delirium or the coma he had only just awoken from. Could he claim temporary insanity?
Her eyes flashed cold and she fought hard to not flinch back. Her chin rose in defiance. "If you can call such a thing 'man', I suppose he is." Her voice was slow and steady. There was a pause as she went about her methodical way of checking his health. Her hands were cold. "At least he's upfront about who he is and what he wants. Demons are obviously demons while some men clearly hide their evil motivations," she added, her voice accusing, but her hands steady as she kept doing her work.
Niel huffed in amusement, "I see. So you are the ultimate judge of morality, are you? Perhaps you read the intentions of men in their palms since, clearly, you have never thought to ask them directly." Her hands were ice against his skin. He could feel it prickle wherever her fingers touched. He hated that he felt this way. It would all be much simpler if he had never stepped into that stupid tent. He could have died, the plan completed, and Errebist prepared to save it's people. He would have been too dead to consider his own emotions. Too dead to feel her damned freezing hands on his skin. "You would think a woman who grew up in a circus would understand the power of the occasional illusion."
Hearing his amusement made her blood boil. It seemed he really was a spoiled, selfish brat, taking someone's feelings and making light of it. Why had she ever forgotten that detail? "Why ask when they disappear quickly? Normally, they don't follow you and listen in to your confessions." She paused and looked to the side. "I suppose it's still in my nature to think that most have good intentions," she said this so softly, more to herself. Then she turned back to face Niel, a smirk twisting her face, breaking up her blank expression. It was just a cold smile, irony changing it along with bitterness. "The power of illusion I use does not hide people from traumatic childhood memories that have physically and permanently left a mark on them," she said, point to her burn scar before taking a step back once she was done administering to him.
Niel sighed, feeling himself grow more frustrated. "You know so little about man, I wouldn't know where to begin." He hardly thought she cared to comprehend their situation at all. They had never talked much about his near death experience, his past, or his intentions at all during their time together. She hadn't inquired and he assumed she had no interest in his motives beyond her payment. He'd been busy sugar coating his reality with learning about her. He learned her rough upbringing, her dreams for the future, her insecurities, and somehow had deluded himself into imagining he could protect her from the horrible war that would destroy her home for the second time. He wondered if the school she hoped to attend would be caught in the crossfire, if Ivy would be caught in the crossfire. Maybe, he could have been more insistent that she run away. He had offered her an escape briefly, but he had been far too delirious to appear sincere at all. She made her decision to stay and he made his decision to let her live. They both would have to live with the consequences. "Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of worrying about you. I have a country to think about and adding you to the list is one too many." For some reason her pointing to the scar reminded him of the memory of her luminescent image in the moonlight, the scar nearly glittering like stardust against her pale skin. Beautiful... He lamented internally. It was unfortunate such a traumatic event had to be linked to such an attractive characteristic.
((Ahaha, he wants her to pay more attention to him, doesn't he? :P To be honest, I totally didn't notice she didn't ask about anything. But I suppose it's sort of her character to not pry into people's pasts since she doesn't like people doing that to herself.))
Since there was some truth in his words, Ivy didn't refute him, but her pride made it impossible to agree with him either. After all, she ran around in the circus and wanted to focus on her medical knowledge. She didn't spend much time on men and what time she spent with them mostly was unpleasant. Like her current situation. Still, as she snuck a glance at Niel, she noticed he looked somewhat pained though she couldn't tell if it was because of talking to her or from his illness. Taking a seat at the table in the corner of the room to face him, Ivy folded her arms across her chest. "I didn't really ask for you to worry about me. I just wanted my payment," she said, though her words were a half-truth now. Her insistence on staying was because she wanted to do her job well... right? She still couldn't discern how or when the point came where she almost thought she could be friends with the man in the bed before her. It made her stomach roll that she almost wanted to let him in into that circle of people she called friends and even loved ones. Maybe the demon's illness had affected her too and she was just delirious ever since she crossed paths with the prince.
"...I just wanted my payment."As he had previously assumed, her payment really was her priority in all this mess. Even with that, he could avoid the stinging pain in his chest. How had he ever managed to get attached in the first place? He went to Pyry knowing what he was planning to do, knowing he was going to turn an entire country against everything he stood for. How was it possible that he felt... disappointed? She must have cast some sort of spell on him at some point during his delirium.
"I'm relieved we share an understanding. Once you collect your reward, I will be happy to send you off on your way." He lied, glancing out towards the window.
((I sort of love the idea of Dixon going to wingman. Which reminds me, I need to think of some way on how to resolve things between him and Ivy. If it can be called that. Don't want it too neat, but Dixon becoming Risen could change things. Unless he becomes Risen to help Ivy and Niel somehow...))
As Ivy watched Niel, she expected him to react more strongly. His words seemed calm and he refused to face her as if she was scum he couldn't tolerate any longer. She felt like scum, a sour taste in her mouth as she tried to hide her motivations behind money and her own goals than any desire to help of her own free will. But it was easier that way for her, to lock everything away in the facade that she had practiced since she left behind the ashes of her home. A fake, selfish woman that hid scars and lied to people. "Good," she said, her voice steady for now. She was pretty sure she'll cry later though. "Then I think I'll leave the day after tomorrow. You know where to send money to me and that will be the last we'll ever see of each other." It was the first time she voiced her plans and it was hard to keep her voice from trembling. The harder she kept calm as she spoke, though, the more her hands trembled, and she clasped her cold fingers together furiously, her nails cutting into her skin but she couldn't feel it.
She wanted to leave the day after tomorrow? "No!" He objected far too quickly for a prince. He really was hopeless. "That... would be a nuisance."Don't go. "Why should I send my men all the way back to Pyry for such an errand?"I need to protect you. "You will come to the castle with us, collect your reward, and then be on your way. It will only cost you two extra days." So I have more time to figure out a way to save you. "I'll pay you for the inconvenience."Just stay by my side a little longer.He turned back to face her once he composed himself better. Her hands were clasped together so tightly, her knuckles were turning white, a surprising feat for her already pale skin. She really did hate him... not that he had ever given her a reason to feel differently.
"I'm sorry events had to be this way. I can't tell you my reasons why." Was the only apology he could muster. Princes had to hold some air of dignity after all. He couldn't continue jeopardizing the plan as he had.
Ivy closed her grey eyes, almost as if she could block out his voice by not seeing him. She couldn't tell if he really didn't want to bother with her more than he had to or if he was throwing excuses for some other reason. For a moment she remembered when he looked at her in his feverish delirium and accidentally called her beautiful. A ruse or genuine? Was this a ruse as well? Or not? But that still didn't mean he should have hidden the truth about the demon and that he was the same one.
Ivy's jaw tightened as she gathered her thoughts. "I can't be blind anymore. You hid the truth about that bastard, you're probably hiding more. After all, I'm just a healer you're paying. So don't bother with apologies." She looked over to him, her gaze not wavering this time. "And you can use a messenger in Pyry for payment. They're usually trustworthy."
"Of course I'm hiding more. Did you think that just because you were helping us, I could neglect my duties? As someone in my employ, I would hope you would understand you have no authority to tell me what to do. I will compensate you when and where I feel is appropriate. Do I make myself clear?" He matched her gaze, daring her to challenge him.Whatever semblance of a connection they had was likely destroyed at this point. Perhaps there was no chance the healer could ever care for him again, but he didn't care about that. He cared about her and her life, despite his better judgement, so he would act as he pleased.
Shaking her head in frustration, Ivy refrained from interrupting him. She suddenly realized he was pulling rank on her, his authority as prince more apparent now than ever before. Maybe because he really had no use for her, so whatever kindness shown towards her was because he was ill and on the verge of death twice. Jutting her chin out in defiance, Ivy looked at Niel in the eye. "I might change my mind now. Perhaps I'll be charitable and forget payment. If I'm no longer in your employment, you have no further say in what I do with myself."
There was a sense of nasty pride and smugness as she found this loophole, though it did contradict with her attempts of appearing selfish. But by now, Ivy wanted to just leave and forget everything. She cursed herself a million times for being so naive and trusting towards this man.
Niel frowned. She was really intent on making this difficult for him. How was he supposed to keep her close when the very thought of staying near him was so repulsive to her?"Ivy," His eyes flickered dangerously, "I insist that you stay just a few more days. However much you loathe me, is it really worth sacrificing your future for? You're being unreasonable. Besides, Una would miss you." Perhaps he was grabbing at air at this point, but he wanted her to stay willingly. He could relocate her to an Errebistian medicinal college. It wouldn't feel completely right, but... at least she would be alive.
Ivy stiffened at the mention of Una. She doubted the guard would miss her after the past few days of cold, awkward conversations if they can be called that with the one-word responses she got. "Really, Niel," she leaned forward slightly, light from the window crossing her face, "I'm seriously doubting my future is any better with you. Without you, I'll just be where I was before you showed up. Maybe poor, but at least I didn't have to deal with demons." Besides, what did he care about her future? Why was he being so stubborn? Why did he want her stay so much? Was she just another person for him to boss around? Ivy's hands balled into fists in her lap.
Niel grew more and more frustrated by the moment with this woman. How could she stand to be so illogical? Because he made one decision that hurt her? He'd ensured her safety throughout their travels, provided shelter and food, and offered her more money than she's ever possessed. Yet, she'd refuse him, a prince, a few more days? Did she really see him as someone worse than Dixon? "It's not safe for someone so unskilled in combat to travel on their own. You would be robbed or worse. And for what? Your stubbornness? Everything you've been working for is at your fingertips. Why can't you just take it?"The prince felt almost... angry? Like when he had just been getting to know her and threw money at her like she was some beggar. She was always so illogical, doing things like treating others for free or showing concern she had no business caring for. She should be more selfish or how else was she going to accomplish her goals?
Ivy rolled her eyes as she listened to him. Is it his dignity as a prince or as a man that makes him think that he has to protect her? It was as if he'd forgotten that she'd spent most of her life on her own. Even if she was part of the circus at one point, that still didn't mean the "big, bad" people still didn't exist. It has always been the same where she watched over herself. "I've traveled alone before. I managed fine." Ivy gave a nonchalant shrug, more because she wanted to irritate him than anything else. Perhaps it was just luck, or her scar scared people away because they didn't want to be near the bad omen, but she was rarely menaced by anyone.
"And I still stand by my decision. I can keep working for my future. I'm not giving up. I'm just not working for you anymore."
What did she want from him? More money? No... she made that perfectly clear... An apology? He'd already apologized for the necessity of his lies... Why on Earth was she being so irrational?"Fine." He pushed the covers aside and wobbled a bit as he stood. He moved over to rummage through their things until finally finding what he was looking for. He handed her a small cloth wrapped bundle insistently. "This is the last compensation I will be offering."
(view spoiler)
In the spirit of her resolve, she stopped whatever small smiles she had offered the woman and only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. Any personal or conversational questions were met with silence. She provided food and supplies when needed and otherwise guarded the door day and night.