Pyry

[DragonDreamer]

yup

[DragonDreamer]

Unfair

"No way..." The soldier breathed as she recalled the white, vertical scars running along that man's back. She hadn't meant to see them. Though the markings were suspicious, that wouldn't have been enough to convince her. However, it wasn't just what she saw. It was also what she heard. Fallen, the priest had said.

A Fallen can't become human. That's what these scars are supposed to remind you. Una had accidentally walked in on the priest and the princess's body guard when she was on her way to talk with this guard named Julius. Her master was curious about the elder princess and wanted his shield to do some digging. Of course the prince could never be caught with such scheming interests. The door had been slightly ajar, likely from the priest's carelessness. Either way, she heard the voice as she approached and then she saw the scars. Angel was her first thought, but it was wrong. Fallen was what the priest called him.

Even the slums in the south knew the Origin. Of course, hardly anyone took it seriously. Everyone but her little sister. Omi was a dreamer and she loved the ideas of angels watching over the humans. She'd talk about how much she loved the angels for protecting her and wishing one day that she could fly with them. As a gift, the family constructed her a pair of wings and a harp from scraps of cloth, twigs, and feathers they found lying about. Little Omi loved to sing, so the neighborhood began to call her the slum's little angel. It made her so happy.

Una never believed. Not until now. This one had fallen, though. What was the legend, again? When they got too close to humans? Or was it when they began to love humans too much?

"Oh! Hello Miss... Actually I'm not sure we've met. Did you come to see me?" The Guard questioned, his etherial, innocent face questioning her conflicted expression. The priest nodded in their direction, saying something like 'I'll be taking my leave now,' and exited down the hallway, smiling because he had no idea what she'd just discovered. The Fallen and the Survivor were left alone.

"Did you have a question? Is there something I can help you with?" His tone was calm and even as he put on his coat.
"Yes." She said slowly, regaining her wits. "Why did you Fall?" Her tone was curious, but direct and unflinching. His crystal blue eyes darted to her, unsure how to react to her question. Her gaze remained trained on his features, eliminating any chance of denial.

"So you know, then." He sighed, lacing his hands behind his back.
"Yes. I saw just now. The priest's words and your... scars. Why did you Fall?" She affirmed. Her expression was hard to read as it was both secretive and serene.
"I guess I Fell for the same reason many others did. I fell in love with the person I was assigned to protect." He knew she wanted answers to the mystery that was his existence. And he supposed that he had no obligation to tell her... still. He didn't see a reason to distrust her.

"Oh. You guys are assigned to people, huh?"
"Yes."
"Is that why you're here at the palace? You seem to have this close relationship with the princess... Is she the one you were protecting?"
"Yes."
"I see. It makes sense..."

But the more she thought about it, the more she thought about the heavens specially selecting an angel to watch over royalty, the angrier she became. Ironically, the idea of this angel infuriated her. She was so... frustrated!
"Why?" Her tone was more of a demand than a question. Julius flinched, startled by her suddenly accusing eyes. "Why was an angel assigned to someone who had a castle of guards protecting her? Who chooses which human is deserving of protection?" She was hissing. The angel appeared bashful, uncertain as to how he should answer.
"All I know is who I am assigned to and the rules-"
"But there has to be someone-or something- that decides, right? You are assigned, you don't choose who you protect-"
"Well-"
"What about the hundreds of thousands of perfectly decent people struggling every day to feed their families? What about the innocent girls that just want to be a singer, but instead have to run away from home in search of help? At the risk of their own lives? Or the boys who were killed because they were too noble?" She was ranting now, feverishly with a glassy eyed glare and a fiery tongue.
"Are their lives just not as important as your PRINCESS'S? WERE THEY NOT WORTH YOUR PROTECTION?!?!" Her hands were gripping his shirt tightly, her knuckles as white as the cloth she clung to.

The heavenly man knew better than to try and say anything. He simply looked at her sadly, letting his hands come to rest on her shoulders. He knew she was hurting, but unleashing her pent up emotions on him would do nothing to right the wrongs she had seen. He hoped that this much, at least, would do the poor girl some kind of good.

"You're all horrible." She shook, "Just a bunch of empty dreams for us." Drip, "I hate you," Splat, "I hate you so much." Plop, her head dropped to his waiting shoulder. "Why couldn't you protect them?" The girl whimpered, finding some kind of relief in unloading these words onto this Fallen after she'd been holding them to herself all these years.

[DragonDreamer]

Change of Heart

"So... you're saying that we're going to stop Errebist's entire army?" Una deadpanned, her brain hardly processing what had just come out of her master's mouth.

"Yes. I've had a change of heart, I suppose. I don't think conquering Pyry is the best way to help my own country. And that will mean going against my father and his army. You, of course, are strongly encouraged to join me, though I realize my title may be revoked after my father learns of my new intentions. As such, you would be executed immediately upon return and your family will likely perish as well... Shell-sorry-Una?"

The girl had gone still, her eyes far, far away in some other realm, but her expression unreadable. He watched her unsurely, wondering if she would ever so much as blink. When her lips moved, he didn't immediately register their meaning.

"Excuse me?"

"You have to kill me. Please."

"Why would you ask something so ridiculous-"

"There's no other way to help them!" When her voice broke, the shards ripped at his skin. "My parents rely on my income. When you go rogue, I can't be a part of it. My parents will be slaughtered or left to die from starvation. Heaven knows my sister isn't around to help. If you kill me-now- maybe-"

"No. You're speaking madness."

"Me?! You're betraying your king and country and I'm the crazy one?"

"You know my reasons."

"And those are enough for you? The only reason I'm alive is to help them. If they die, I die. If I can die by your hands, then maybe they can get paid off, some kind of benefit before you switch sides. Your highness, please." Never in his life had the prince seen his bodyguard behave so emotional or irrational, practically shaking as she fell to her knees to beg. He was trying to save two countries. How could she prioritize two people? Perhaps this was something he would need Ivy to explain to him.

"Get ahold of yourself, Shell. You sound ridiculous. I want you on my side. Rather, I need you if I'm going to make this whole scheme work. No bodyguard with your skills has ever been more suited to serve me."

"My Lord," She all but hissed, "if you do not heed my words, I will be forced to take matters into my own hands." Before he could even protest, his shield held a glinting dagger to the soft of her neck, ready to plunge it deep. Suddenly, her eyes grew heavy and she slumped to the ground, shivering uncontrollably.

"Wha-?"
"Nothing quite like a good old scarlet fever to incapacitate your enemies." Dixon's voice came from the shadows, the prince relaxed his features into a smile, glad the immediate danger had passed. "You do need her, right? If not, I could end her here and now."
"Yes, actually. If all goes according to plan, you two will be crucial to our success. Thank you for your intervention, I don't suppose mind control is part of your abilities, is it? It would be better if she would help us willingly, or live long enough to change her mind. I've never seen her so set on dying before. I knew her life was never that important to her, but the reality is slightly more disturbing than I had prepared for." Niel admitted.

"I'll take her back to the tents and make sure she can't do anything detrimental to our goal. We wouldn't want your highness catching the illness as well."

"Very well, then. Carry on."

[DragonDreamer]

Delivery

"The King will see you now."
Una was directed into a "private" room, though the occupants contained the king and five trusted bodyguards as well as the king's advisor. It was rather dark even though it was the middle of the day. The walls were a deep crimson with the golden throne standing out intimidatingly against the onyx floors. Only two of the windows had their curtains drawn back. Of course, Una tried to keep her mind focused on the task at hand. She bowed deeply to her king before handing one of the guards Prince Niel's letter.

"My son is not with you." The King's deep voice noted.

"No, Your Majesty. His letter should explain the reasons for that. I've merely come to deliver the confirmation that the mission has been completed. I am to return to the prince after our meeting."

His Highness didn't respond as he was already opening the royal family's seal and reading the contents. Once he had finished, he handed the paper off and had it thrown into the fireplace.

"You two, see to it that this woman is executed."

Una flinched. That hadn't been part of the plan. Niel hadn't said anything about execution. Then again, it wasn't as though she could simply read his letter and confirm he had requested her safety. Damn! She should have asked Ivy to read it for her. Or Dixon, at least he wasn't biased. Her mouth opened to speak, but no courage to address the King so rudely came. She thought about how she requested Niel include payment to her parents for her service.
"Mmm-" Her lips quivered, "My parents- I mean, My Lord. I have family. Will they be-" The man didn't bother to use his words. He waved his hand at his guards and had them escort her away.

Had she failed them? Should she have insisted on finishing her question? No, that surely would have only caused more trouble. She offered no fight as she was led to the familiar dungeons and shoved into a cell with three others awaiting death-scratch that-two others. She noted as one of them were dragged away somewhere.

"What are you here for?" One asked. A scruffy looking man that smelled like he hadn't bathed in months and talked like he hadn't tasted water in days.
She didn't respond, choosing to ignore him and focus on the second man sleeping in the corner of the cell. The only indication of his life the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"I'd wager you don't even know. One minute, you're out there, doing your job, following the rules. Next, you're in here, wondering just where exactly you got lost. Am I right?" He cocks his head to the side and walks closer. "The silent type, huh? That makes sense. Probably do what your told, don't ask questions. I bet that's why you're here. You were told to do something you didn't know was going to get you into trouble and now here you are. What a sad little girl."
She rolled her eyes at the man. He wouldn't stop talking and it was annoying. Just ignore him, she told herself, closing her eyes and trying to sleep.
"Don't do that. You don't want to do that! Don't you get it?! Oh you don't. You don't get it at all. I'll tell you, though. They're going to kill us! Actually, they already killed us. Look at that sack of potatoes. He's breathing, but he's dead. I'm talking, but I'm dead. Want to know why? Because the only other people listening to me are dead or dying. The living don't listen. They think we're crazy. They think it's crazy because dead men can't talk. They're not supposed to talk-BUT I AM! I'M TALKING I'M ASKING QUESTIONS I AM GOD DAMNIT I'M ALIVE I-"
"Would you shut your trap already?" A guard banged on the metal bars. "I swear if you go on one of your rants again, you'll regret it."
"Regret? I regret noth-" The man was skewered before he could finish his sentence.
At least I won't have to listen to him anymore. She thought.

~~~

Hours passed and Una was finally able to get some shut eye. A surprise visitor had other plans.
"I didn't expect to see you here of all places. What happened, you kill the prince?" Dixon's voice roused her from her sleep.

It took her a moment to re-orient herself, but eventually the realization struck. "Oh, actually, that might make sense."

"Wait, what? They actually threw you in here because of that."

"I'm unsure, but it could make sense. From their perspective, I was unable to protect the prince, so it makes sense that I should die."

Dixon's eyes widened slightly, confused. "I disagree. You were delivering the letter explaining his circumstances. If anything, you were simply doing your job. And then some. You saved the prince."

"From the perspective of other countries-"

"You've got to be joking, right? Other countries? You think they care one iota if you were the world's best bodyguard? Oh dear, someone is a bit egotistical."

"Historians-"

"Don't do their job nearly as well as you might think they do. Trust me. No one cares that much about the prince's bodyguard."

Una took a breath and turned away from the demon, taking a similar approach to the chatty man before and ignoring him.She knew it was necessary.

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting."

"To die?"

"Yes."

"For someone with so much skill, you sure are dull. Why do you think I'm here?"

"I don't know."

"Because you didn't bother to ask."

"It's none of my business."

"Actually, it is. I'm here to get you. Niel thought it would be faster to get you back if we shadow traveled. If you ask me, though, I think he just wanted some alone time with Ivy."

"I didn't ask."

"Yes, but that's in the past. Let's go."

"The King wanted me executed."

"Do you think he's going to personally check to make sure you were killed?"

"No."

"Do you think the guards will want to tell him they didn't kill you?"

"No..."

Dixon released an aggravated sigh. "Actually, you rather irritate me. I'm done trying to play teacher. It's no fun. I'm going to go on a break and if you're alive by the time I get back, then maybe I'll take you back." Just like that, he was gone.

"Ah-" She started, but shut her mouth. He was already gone.
I didn't ask. Why hadn't she asked? The more she thought about it, the more obvious it was that she should have asked. It made perfect sense to ask. What didn't make sense was waiting around to die for no reason other than that was what she thought she was supposed to do! That wasn't what she was supposed to do. She was supposed to return to Niel and guard him. That was her job, wasn't it? Until she was otherwise able to do so. No wonder her sister wanted nothing to do with her, she was dead and she didn't even know it! Like the crazy man had been shouting! Except now he didn't sound so crazy.

The sound of the lock clicking open startled her out of her epiphany. A guard had come for the next prisoner.
"Move aside, girly, it's this guy's turn... oh-nevermind. I guess it is your turn." Her head snapped over to the sleeping man. His chest was no longer rising and falling easily. He wasn't moving at all. Dead.

"Get up. I'm on a schedule." He barked orders. Her heart was racing as she watched the dead man, glued to her spot on the floor.
"I said get up!"

~~~

"Hello? You still alive?" Dixon came out of the shadows, holding a couple skewers of food and glancing around the dungeon with mild interest. There were dead multiple dead bodies on the floor. He counted three? Four guards... and one prisoner.

"Can we leave now?" Una asked, shaking her wrists as she walked towards the demon.

Dixon smirked, finally amused. "I was hoping you'd ask me that." He held out his hand. She took it confidently and they vanished into the darkness.

[DragonDreamer]

"Niel, I have something to confess." Dixon admitted before taking a swig of his drink. The two finally had time to grab a pint and after all the chaos and stress, it was well deserved.

"Go on, my friend. I'm all ears." Niel cheersed, taking another swig.

"While I do enjoy this little adventure we are playing out, I could do without some things. That body guard of yours, especially has been getting on my nerves." He grumbled.

"My shield? Whatever she's doing I can have her stop. I suppose she can be slightly... disconcerting?" He shrugged, assuring his companion that he would help. "It's a shame, though. I was under the impression that you two were just starting to get along after her visit with my father."

"We... are? I think, at least. She's confusing. You see, while I have noticed that she has begun to talk to me more, I also have the nagging feeling she is going to try and kill me." He shook his shaggy hair, taking a swig of his drink.

Niel laughed in disbelief. "Are you accusing me of ordering for your death? You know she doesn't do anything unless I say so."

"You speak confidently, but humans are much less obedient than angels. Who is to say she doesn't have her own motives."

"I see your point... Though, her best interests are to do as I say. She relies on me for the wellbeing of her parents. If she were to behave unfavorably or displease me... that would put her parents at risk, so she wouldn't do so."

"She does have a nasty habit of relying on others to guide her..." Dixon agreed, "But I wonder if she's breaking away from that. After the meeting, something was different, though I can't really place it. I guess the closest change I've seen in her is asking questions."

"Questions?" Niel seemed to ponder on the word for a moment. "Actually, now that you mention it, she didn't tend to ask questions often, if at all. None of the soldiers do. I think it's part of the training they undergo. If they're going to have doubts about their orders, it's just a waste of everyone's time."

"You can't be serious... and here I thought humans would cease to surprise me with their capacity for cruelty."

"It's a cruel world and times are hard."

"I suppose that will always be true. Still... I catch her staring at me. And while I understand my devilish charm can be hard to resist, I'd assumed she was simply immune to it. Her gaze is so intense, I feel like she's plotting to try and kill me."

"I've never seen her fancy anyone, so I would be of no help to you there. The killing part though, it's often much faster. It doesn't take her long to kill people, though you're a bit of a special case with your immortality and all."

"Exactly, maybe she's watching me to figure out my weaknesses. Not that I have any."

"Everyone does, though. And she has been trained to find everyone's. I'd still be on my toes if I were you. If it's any consolation, I took the order off of your head. I doubt death is her intention. However, if you somehow offended her, I have no orders against hurting you at all. I'd be on my toes if I were you."

"If she tries to hurt me, I'm killing her. You will need to find another body guard."

"That shouldn't be hard for me. I've no complaints. She was very competent, but not irreplaceable."

"I think Ivy would scold you for saying that."

"What do I care if she is offended?"

"You care, though, which is the sad thing. You're supposed to be aloof and cold, but you can't hide your affection for the woman."

"I do not. She's simply very pretty."

"You should tell her that. Then I don't have to play bosom friend when I would rather not."

Niel grumbled something unintelligible in protest and Dixon finished his mug, not feeling the slightest bit tipsy unfortunately.

[DragonDreamer]

Friendish

"I still don't understand why you want to do this." The bodyguard fidgeted in the pub's booth, feeling uncomfortable without her armor. Instead she donned a plain dress that she borrowed from Ivy. It was too short for her legs and sleeves, but it fit otherwise.

Niel sat across from her with two mugs and a pitcher of ale, also in plainer dress to blend in more with the local population.
"Because I think we should try to get to know each other better. You've been my guard for almost two years and I still don't know much about you."

Una's eyes narrowed by a hair, confused as to his motivations. "Did Ivy give you the idea?"

"No-well, yes, actually. She caught me calling you 'Shell' again and insisted I start treating you more like a person. And I told her that, despite appearances, we are actually very friendly. To which, she challenged me that we don't act like friends and I responded that we do and she asked when was the last time you went out to just talk? And, at that point, I was at a loss." He explained, pouring their drinks and handing her a mug.

Una nodded, "That makes more sense. I thought something had gone wrong and we were going into hiding." She admitted.

"Yes, well, you tend to assume the worst of things."

"I need to be pract-"

"Yes, yes, I know. It's for the job. Anyways, let's just pound a few of these back, alright? If we get into shenanigans, we'll become closer and then I can properly defend myself in my friendship with you." He held up a mug for cheers.

"Are we friends?"

"Friendly-ish I would say. Not many bodyguards put up with me as long as you have. Likewise, I haven't gotten tired of having you around either. We have moments occasionally. Anyways, cheers." They clinked and took a sip before awkward silence ensued.

"My lord?" She began quietly after a moment, giving him an unsure look.

"Yes? Oh, yes...ah..." He sighed, giving up, "How about this, no talking until we've had at least three drinks each?" He offered and the bodyguard eagerly accepted.

~~~

"I don't walk like that!" A dizzy Una whined, gawking at her equally drunken master. Currently, he was doing an impression of his bodyguard's walk: complete with a glare and hunched shoulders.

"You do! If I didn't know better, I would fear for my life if you came up to me."
"Nuh uh."
"Yes."
Una shook her head.
"We're arguing again! Another drink." Niel proclaimed, taking another swig of ail.
"This game is fun. You're smart."
"Thank the Duke of Felspi for this one. We were sixteen and he had stolen a crate of expensive liquor from our cellar but had nowhere to hide it."
Una gasped, "He got away with stealing from the castle?"
"Of course! Who do you think helped him?"
"You're a thief prince!"
"Just the once! Some servants got in trouble because of that."
"Killed?"
"What? No! Not everyone is always killed. At least... I think the kitchen handled the matter internally."
"Like training." She pointed out, slurring a bit.
"Training?"
"Yeah, in training we weren't supposed to fight with one another unless we were ordered to, but when you live with a bunch of people crammed into rooms, people get mad fast. People settled their conflicts in secret."
"Ohhh, so that's how it was." Una nodded sagely. "Do you think I could undergo military training? I was trained as a child, but privately."

His bodyguard eyed him critically, determining an answer. "No. Maybe. It's hard to say."
Niel pouted, unsatisfied, "Aw tell me! Why not?"
"You've strong, but you're stubborn and have a big personality. The directors would try to break you. Most people break."
"Did you break?"
Una nodded, her face slightly fallen in shame.
"I killed a janitor because they told me to. I didn't even know why I was supposed to.
Niel sniffled, his eyes tearing up. "I didn't know it was so hard! That's so sad!"
The bodyguard's eyes started to glisten more when she saw the prince starting to get emotional.
"It is sad! I can't even cry over it!"
Niel started sobbing that he would cry for her and Una tried to shed a tear, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

~~~

"You know the song! You have to know the song. Everybody does. OOoooooohhhhh my preeeeetttyyyy laaaaddyyyyyyy~ Come give me a kissss." Niel sang loudly, encouraging Una to join in with the rest of the drunken bar. He fed her lines as she tried to shout along, incredibly out of tune.

~~~

"Fight me!" Niel challenged.
"No! I'll get in trouble."
"No you won't i'm your boss."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No."
"Yes-*insert expletive here*"
"Ha!"

...

"You fight like my grandfather!"
"Your grandfather is dead!" Una argued, holding Niel in a headlock, though continued to waver and the prince was able to push her off.
"Well my father actually isn't a bad fighter, so I couldn't use him as an insult."
"Ohhh."
"Come at me!"

~~~

"I can't believe we got kicked out." Una groaned.
"'No fighting with women in this bar' - how dull! We should have a rematch when we get back to Errebist."
"No. Then I'll really get into trouble."
"Not if we do it in secret."
"But in Errebist, the walls have ears. There are no secrets."
"You just think that because of the military training. Most places are more private than you think."
"I don't believe you, but ok."

Niel groaned, coming to a stop in the middle of the road. "Unaaaa. I'm tired. Carry me? It's like training and I'm your sack of dirt."
"Fine. Climb on my back." She sighed but complied.