 | I CREATED THE SOUND OF MADNESS WROTE THE BOOK ON PAIN SOMEHOW I'M STILL HERE TO EXPLAIN --- THAT THE DARKEST HOUR NEVER COMES IN THE NIGHT --- |
Aeron rubbed her arm self consciously as she walked behind Mercury. She wasn’t sure why the woman made her nervous. She’d never met Mercury before, and had only ever heard good things from Mythal about her. Well, he’d said she could get a little ‘rambunctious’ sometimes, but that hadn’t come across as a bad thing. Maybe it was just Aeron’s social anxiety rearing its ugly head. Or, maybe she was just projecting her insecurities about the destination of their walk. It was probably best to just not think about it too hard.
“Mythal told you how all this is going to work, right?”
“Y-Yes, ma’am.”
“Xavier isn’t a prisoner that we’d normally allow any kind of visitation for. The only reason we’re making an exception is because Mythal was insistent that you be given the chance to confront him. Vandrad was very reluctant to agree, particularly given your… history.”
There it was. Suddenly, Aeron understood where her anxiety was coming from. She shrank a little under the queen apparent’s gaze, those emerald eyes regarding her with a mixture of wariness and… maybe not suspicion, but certainly a sharpness. Mercury was the one that Thana had kidnapped, back when she and Aeron were still just pieces of Calliope. And while Aeron hadn’t consciously contributed to that, she was still a part of it, if only by a technicality. The Knight nodded meekly. “I understand. I’d probably feel the same way. You know, if… if our situations were switched.”
Mercury watched her a beat longer before facing forward again, continuing to lead the brunette through the halls of the manor and down into the bowels where the prison awaited them. “Yeah, well… you just keep your nose clean and we won’t have any problems.”
It didn’t seem to be a threat. Or at least, it didn’t feel like one. Mostly, Mercury just seemed to be voicing her general displeasure over the situation. It was fine. Honestly, Aeron had endured worse from people that hadn’t even been targeted by Thana before, and just wanted to judge her from her past with the deceased warlord alone. At least Mercury had first hand exposure to validate her standoffishness.
“I won’t cause any trouble.” The promise was met with a hum of skepticism, but no further remarks. The two women walked in silence for several more seconds before Aeron spoke again. “I’m sorry.”
Once again, Mercury turned to look at her, a single brow raised upon her forehead. “For what?”
The Rune Knight shifted uncomfortably. “For… y’know.. My part in what Thana did to you. What we did. It’s…” She fumbled for words, reaching up to scratch the back of her neck and mentally berating herself for even opening her mouth in the first place. “It’s all really confusing, honestly. I know I wasn’t actively a part of what happened to you… but at the same time, I know I was. I can never completely wipe myself of the responsibility for the things Thana did when she and I were the same person. You have every right to be wary of me. But.. if it’s worth anything at all, I am sorry. And… I just want you to know that I’m not her.”
Mercury watched her carefully for several long moments before eventually turning away once more. “I guess we’ll know for sure sooner or later. Mythal is convinced of that, at least… and his word means a lot to both of us, which is the only reason we entertained the idea in the first place. So, we’ll give you a chance, for now.”
It was about as much of an acceptance of her apology as Aeron expected to get. She felt like some of Mercury’s coldness relaxed in that moment, but… the former dark mage had never been a great judge of emotion. So she just decided to leave the conversation where it was and quit while she was ahead.
After a few more minutes, they finally found themselves at the jail. A single guard was posted, who gave a small bow of his head to Mercury in acknowledgement. He made no effort to stop their passage to the cells, having been made aware of this meeting in advance, so Mercury strode right past him with a small wave, Aeron towing close behind her.
“It’s your lucky day, god-king,” Mercury announced as she came into view of the cell. While her tone wasn’t outright hostile – more neutral than anything else – it was certainly less warm than it had been even moments ago with Aeron. “You’re being allowed a visitor. I suggest you make the most of it, because it’s not likely to happen again.” With a snap of her finger, she summoned a backless metal stool in front of the cell door. “I’ll come to collect you in thirty minutes,” she informed the Rune Knight. Only after Aeron nodded her understanding did the Xocili finally turn and walk away, leaving the two alone with only the guard at the entrance of the cells to accompany them.
Timidly, Aeron approached the cell, ignoring the stool for the time being. She was dressed plainly, with a green jacket over a white shirt and black jeans. “H-hey Trev– I mean, uh… Xavier. I don’t have to stick around if you don’t want company or anythin’, I just thought… I dunno… thought I should reach out. Are you… holding up okay?”
“Mythal told you how all this is going to work, right?”
“Y-Yes, ma’am.”
“Xavier isn’t a prisoner that we’d normally allow any kind of visitation for. The only reason we’re making an exception is because Mythal was insistent that you be given the chance to confront him. Vandrad was very reluctant to agree, particularly given your… history.”
There it was. Suddenly, Aeron understood where her anxiety was coming from. She shrank a little under the queen apparent’s gaze, those emerald eyes regarding her with a mixture of wariness and… maybe not suspicion, but certainly a sharpness. Mercury was the one that Thana had kidnapped, back when she and Aeron were still just pieces of Calliope. And while Aeron hadn’t consciously contributed to that, she was still a part of it, if only by a technicality. The Knight nodded meekly. “I understand. I’d probably feel the same way. You know, if… if our situations were switched.”
Mercury watched her a beat longer before facing forward again, continuing to lead the brunette through the halls of the manor and down into the bowels where the prison awaited them. “Yeah, well… you just keep your nose clean and we won’t have any problems.”
It didn’t seem to be a threat. Or at least, it didn’t feel like one. Mostly, Mercury just seemed to be voicing her general displeasure over the situation. It was fine. Honestly, Aeron had endured worse from people that hadn’t even been targeted by Thana before, and just wanted to judge her from her past with the deceased warlord alone. At least Mercury had first hand exposure to validate her standoffishness.
“I won’t cause any trouble.” The promise was met with a hum of skepticism, but no further remarks. The two women walked in silence for several more seconds before Aeron spoke again. “I’m sorry.”
Once again, Mercury turned to look at her, a single brow raised upon her forehead. “For what?”
The Rune Knight shifted uncomfortably. “For… y’know.. My part in what Thana did to you. What we did. It’s…” She fumbled for words, reaching up to scratch the back of her neck and mentally berating herself for even opening her mouth in the first place. “It’s all really confusing, honestly. I know I wasn’t actively a part of what happened to you… but at the same time, I know I was. I can never completely wipe myself of the responsibility for the things Thana did when she and I were the same person. You have every right to be wary of me. But.. if it’s worth anything at all, I am sorry. And… I just want you to know that I’m not her.”
Mercury watched her carefully for several long moments before eventually turning away once more. “I guess we’ll know for sure sooner or later. Mythal is convinced of that, at least… and his word means a lot to both of us, which is the only reason we entertained the idea in the first place. So, we’ll give you a chance, for now.”
It was about as much of an acceptance of her apology as Aeron expected to get. She felt like some of Mercury’s coldness relaxed in that moment, but… the former dark mage had never been a great judge of emotion. So she just decided to leave the conversation where it was and quit while she was ahead.
After a few more minutes, they finally found themselves at the jail. A single guard was posted, who gave a small bow of his head to Mercury in acknowledgement. He made no effort to stop their passage to the cells, having been made aware of this meeting in advance, so Mercury strode right past him with a small wave, Aeron towing close behind her.
“It’s your lucky day, god-king,” Mercury announced as she came into view of the cell. While her tone wasn’t outright hostile – more neutral than anything else – it was certainly less warm than it had been even moments ago with Aeron. “You’re being allowed a visitor. I suggest you make the most of it, because it’s not likely to happen again.” With a snap of her finger, she summoned a backless metal stool in front of the cell door. “I’ll come to collect you in thirty minutes,” she informed the Rune Knight. Only after Aeron nodded her understanding did the Xocili finally turn and walk away, leaving the two alone with only the guard at the entrance of the cells to accompany them.
Timidly, Aeron approached the cell, ignoring the stool for the time being. She was dressed plainly, with a green jacket over a white shirt and black jeans. “H-hey Trev– I mean, uh… Xavier. I don’t have to stick around if you don’t want company or anythin’, I just thought… I dunno… thought I should reach out. Are you… holding up okay?”
deltra of gangnam style
WORDS: 904 | TAGS: @Xavier Clarent 
