Author: FalseHope, Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:51 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

It didn’t take long for Simone and Lewis to talk it over and agree, not that they really had much of a choice in the matter. It was either work with Xeik, or face the consequences of what may happen should the magic eat their resonance and they pass out in a dangerous situation. The answer was obvious. With that out of the way, Xeik found himself in the room that Simone had been staying in while under the Elve’s care.

“Tell me again why we’re not at home?” Lewis asked, annoyed.

Xeik sighed, “Because Angela wants us to try this now. Lesson one when living with a deity; don’t question them. Just go with it.” This was a lesson that Lewis should have known, having once served under a god. “Now, according to the notes here, she says that it’s best to do this either naked-” This earned a glare. “Or with breathable attire.” He looked up to see that both of them were still in their elvish clothes. “Yeah, that’s not going to cut it. The assassin gear, minus your affects, should work for the time being. Otherwise, I’d say just do it without once I’m not here.”

The two changed, and found that Xeik had done the same. He was wearing shorts and a loose fitting shirt. “Ok…so,” the healer said as he checked the notes again. “This is the first of a few different exercises. The purpose of this is to synchronize yourself without the use of resonance. The resonance that you two share is always eating at your mana reserves. Something…about doing this exercise basically helps train the resonance and response of the connection, and lessens the amount of mana it consumes.” He shrugged. “At least, that’s what the elves say. It’s…not exactly a one for one. The way that they commune with their magic is…wild.”

“Get to the point, Xeik,” Lewis said.

“Right, sorry, getting of track.” Xeik took a stance. “So just copy my moves. Breathe in here,” he said as slowly moved his arms out, and balanced on one foot.

“You look stupid,” Lewis said in protest.

“Just do the damn stance,” Xeik said, maintaining perfect form.

Lewis sighed, and in unison with Simone, took the stance. They held it for a moment, and then following Xeik, exhaled and went back to the first stance.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:21 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Angela nodded towards Xeik, “I’m going to need you to do it. Busy is an understatement, Lewis. This is the worst time of the year for me.” She rubbed her neck a bit and sighed, “It’s the time for sowing seeds, the frost to want to melt giving way to the land, not to mention the best time for babies. I’m swamped, and it’s mostly against my will. Even Xeik has had to step it up to help fulfill the needs in the temple this year.”

She patted Xeik on the head, “I’m sure you’ve noticed how worse this year is compared to last year. This year’s harvest is not only going to be early but also a big one. It’s very important we’re on our toes. If we mess up then well we just won’t mess up. It’s one thing healing sickness… It’s another to stop a food shortage.”

Once the Guide knew what was going on she came over quietly. “It will help right?” Her voice was so meek and Angela just smiled.

“Immensely so. I know you helped save Lewis from the poison so I know you are brave.”

“I have to be! I have babies!” The guide was excited as she hesitantly looked at the hands Angela was now offering her. “Will it hurt?”

“It will feel like a hug,” Angela didn’t lie to adults and so the Guide was more willing to take her hands. Letting the magic throw through her the Guide closed her eyes and when she opened them… “Welcome back.”

“I feel like a ton of bricks hit me in the side of the head…”

“We tried to catch you when you fell… It spooked us,” Llywellyn held some concern towards his once betrothed.

“Appreciate that. Now what?” It was almost like she had been asleep as she yawned.

“Xeik will teach you both something new. It will help cultivate the resonance and I believe it will help produce mana as a result. The more mana you overproduce the more the holes will close. The last thing we need is Lewis passing out on a job. Sound like a good idea?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:10 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

With the Guide feeling a lot better about where she was and what was happening, Lewis was more willing to help her leave the room. When she did so, it was with unease at the elves as she tried to gauge who and what they were. It was likely her first time ever encountering the species as a whole, and like an innocent child, she ended up asking rather invasive and possibly rude questions. Still, those who trusted Llywellyn seemed to answer her questions with the grace known to their kind.

It was the mention of children that got her spirits up, and with a tug on Lewis’ arm, she went off on her own, seemingly almost as cheerful as she usually was on the island. Lewis let loose a tense breath; at least things were getting better. As Lewis and Llywellyn made their way behind the Guide, the Elvish King made mention of trying to summon Xeik or Angela back.

Surely enough, Angela herself showed herself, with Xeik in tow. The Goddess went to work with her explanations, having gotten the notes that Xeik had taken just hours before. The healer himself was busy reading over some of the notes that he had made himself off of the translations, and was barely paying attention to Angela as she spoke.

That was, of course, when she mentioned that Xeik was to be in charge of their ‘treatment’, so to say. “I’m in charge of what,” he asked as he looked up from his notes, confused. “I…what?”

Lewis looked between Angela and Xeik, and then to the Guide, and sighed. “If that’s what you think is best. You do seem to be pretty busy lately,” the assassin replied. “Fine.” At Angela’s request to calm the Guide and explain what was about to happen, he excused himself and walked over to talk to her.

Xeik crossed his arms, “You sure it’s the best idea to let me do this?” He already knew her answer. She was rarely wrong about what needed to be done, and even if the healer didn’t agree with it, he would go along with whatever she needed him to do.

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:39 AM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn had everyone back off once Lewis got there. The guide was quick to cling to him and she sniffled up at him. “Okay…” She had never been allowed off the island by herself but more and more situations were happening where she found herself confused. Lewis took her off the island but under his watchful eye.

Llywellyn led them to Simone’s room that she was staying in, “Let us know if you need anything.” He was looking at the guide who was shying away and hiding her face from him. Once in a while, she would look at him and he caught sight of eyes he used to know.

Once the Guide was caught up on things she looked at the dress and swished it around, “It’s heavy.” However, it had kept her from running and getting hurt. “I’ll be careful.”

The elf king was already on the move though as even he felt something was off with the magic. Didn’t they say that book could help? He mused it a bit, “Bring me a messenger.” It hadn’t been that long since Xeik had left but… A way to the lady of Love wasn’t that hard to come across in his city. There was a temple there.

“Send a messenger. Ask for the Champion Xeik or Lady Angela. Tell them that something weird has happened with Simone,” Llywellyn had never involved the gods before but if someone could save Simone it would be her creator.

Once she was ready to leave the room the Guide clung to Lewis and made faces at the elves. “They have weird ears.” She wasn’t shy and she was actually fascinated by them. “It’s that man,” Simone tilted her head.

Llywellyn wasn’t that far away from them and he didn’t approach too far, “The children are still in the garden.”

The guide’s mood lit up and she tugged on Lewis’s arm. “I want to see the kids,” she picked up her skirts and started to run but once she got far enough she stopped and Llywellyn pointed. She took off in that direction.

“She… is rather innocent and doesn’t know much…” Llywellyn was concerned about someone like her existing. “I can see why you were protective.”

“Guide Mama!” The kids were excited to see her as she ran up to them and swung them around with laughter.

“I asked Xeik and Lady Angela to come back. If anyone can figure it out… Maybe that book did have something for them in it.”

It wasn’t too long after that when Angela showed up, “I left Raine at home.” The goddess reassured Lewis. “That’s the last thing we need.” She could hear the Guide’s laughter. “The twins are here?”

“They are in a nursery that we had set up. Not too far away. Safe,” Llywellyn was protective of his friend’s family.

“Ah, the great King Llywellyn finally asks me to come see his home,” Angela smirked a bit and looked at Xeik. “It’s like I said though… I might have a solution but it’s not an immediate one. There was a bit of mana vein correction listed in the book according to what Xeik has told me. It might actually help. Normally the thing causing this would have be eliminated,” Angela put up her hands immediately towards Lewis. “We’re obviously not going to do that. Simone would kill us and you wouldn’t let it happen regardless. So, the best thing to do is to nurture the hole. Help your body produce magic. It’s the equivalent of pumping your bodies with vitamins.” Angela crossed her arms and hummed to herself. “Though, Lewis won’t like it… I’m going to leave Xeik in charge of teaching what I want to be taught. For now, I’m going to give Simone enough magic to take back control of her body. Snap the resonance back into focus. I don’t want to scare the Guide or make her think something is wrong… Lewis, could you help me explain to her what we want to do?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:08 AM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Lewis was happy to see Simone if only for a moment as she interacted with the younger children. Everett and Alshaya were happy enough, but when she told them to go back to Lewis, they pouted but did as they were told. The couple exchanged a few loving words as she wandered off, excusing herself, The assassin wasn’t too happy at her melancholy but there wasn’t much he could do about it other than offer his support.

He returned his attention to Everett and Alshaya though, as they played with each other. Everett was being chased around by his sister, taunted her to try and catch him. Alshaya was faster than he thought though, and caught up to him, tagging him with her hand and gloating as she ran off. The boy frowned, and started to complain at how it’s not fair, and they started bickering.

“Hey now,” Lewis said with a grin. “Calm down you two and play nicely.”

“Yes Papa,” they each said in their sad tones, looking at each other and apologizing. It didn’t take much longer than that, though, for them to find something else to argue about. Soon, they would need separate rooms, and at that thought Lewis let out a soft sigh. They were growing up so fast. He was sad that he had missed a small portion of it, but the way they had restructured their life had lent him a lot more time with them. It was fun and fulfilling, but even he needed to get out every so often, feeling restless. He had started taking less jobs, and skipping over the more high value targets in favor of safer jobs.

He was lost in thought when he felt the familiar snap of the resonance. It was happening again, and he was gone in a flash. It had been happening more and more lately, their resonance fading in and out. There was something off about their magic, something about the newborn twins that was drawing more power from them. Simone and Lewis each had experienced it several times, but Simone was getting the worse end of it due to the nature of their magic.

Just as the guide called for him one last time, he sprinted up to her, and held her close for a few moments. “Shh…it’s okay. I’m here. I promise…everything is okay…” He gave a threatening look to the others, a warning to back off, at least for now. “Let’s get you into a room and I can explain what’s happening.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:20 AM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

“It’s not an issue. I can be cold but I also know when I owe someone something,” she gave a smile and though they had done much for the goddess… Just how much Simone thought she owed could only be said by Lewis. Not that he would out his wife. This time with her family was invaluable and she wouldn’t have had it without both Angela and Xeik.

Simone thought about it and shrugged, “Probably here. After all, Lucas and Ezili are lost in the library and the other children seem to be enjoying themselves. It’s good for them to get off the island once in a while.” The problems that had occurred since the twins were born… had been numerous and it resulted in Lewis not taking as many jobs as normal.

Thankfully Simone and Lewis had been smart to invest with Raile. They had thought about the long term once they got Everett and the fact that the high-value targets were often dangerous. Ever since the night, they found Alshaya they had spoken about it quietly in the depths of their mind. It would be better this way. He didn’t stop but there was a slow down as they spent more time with their family. Simone’s writing also helped them and it gave her something to do.

Finding her way to where the kids were playing in the courtyard she came out and Everett popped up off the ground almost immediately, “MAMA!” He ran right over to her and she picked him up.

“Are you being good?”

“Yeah!” Everett rubbed his nose on hers and she kissed his forehead.

“That’s my good boy,” Simone said it softly as she looked over to the twins who were currently pacified. “Stay with Daddy? Mommy is going to explore a bit,” she set him down and he ran back over to where Alshaya was. The little girl had been lost to her own world but she did smile up at Simone. Silly kids.

Simone took a stroll through the halls checking out the various things. “Do you enjoy coming here and disturbing things?” It was the wife and she sounded upset.

Simone made no notable acknowledgment at first as she stopped in front of the portrait of the last queen, “Not really. I would have preferred Llywellyn not know I was here. Though, I suppose he would have kept looking until he found me.”

Turning her head the phoenix made note of a few female elves. Either other nobles or handmaidens. Though it could have been both. “So why don’t you leave?”

“Because he won’t let me just up and leave. You know this,” Simone sounded exhausted as she looked back up at the portrait. “You know how stubborn he is and how narrow sighted he can be even if he ends up hurting himself. For what it’s worth. I think it’s shit that he’s ignored you. You haven’t been married that long compared to how long I’ve been missing and I can only imagine how hard that’s been.” Simone was trying to be cordial and at least sympathetic to the situation.

“You have a husband who loves you and appreciates you…”

“Wasn’t always that way Queen Jehanne. In my last life I was the wife of a Duke Somerset,” she could feel the shudder. Her eyes turned to Jehanne. “So, Llywellyn went to him too?” There was a nod but there was a visible suck in of her lips. “And… He found nothing but a man saying his wife died of illness… Cruel rumors?” Once more a nod. “He had hired Lewis to kill me and Lewis tried. Lewis wasn’t the prince charming he is now not back then. When Lewis couldn’t he just took me and told Emil I had been killed. Let me guess, a few years ago he went back after the rumors of all the kidnapped women in Adeluna and surrounding areas?”

“He was obsessive about it. He went after the rumors like a hawk but…”

“But by the time he got to Somerset Estate he found it on fire and nothing but charred remains,” Simone’s eyes met hers. “We did that. Emil had accidentally found me in Adeluna and kidnapped me. Well, I let him do it. I had a young girl with me and I couldn’t involve her.”

“So… You just let yourself get taken?”

“And tortured. Torture doesn’t really bother me like it used to. After the first hundred times it loses its charm,” Simone’s gray eyes settled on Jehanne’s. She was really pretty and a good choice for Llywellyn. “I just needed to survive until Lewis showed up. I would have escaped myself but I kept getting drugged. He tried to condition me back to being his poor defenseless wife. See nasty rumors had cropped up that he killed his wife… Llywellyn’s work I can now say for certain. Only a few people knew about my curse.” She smirked a bit.

The elf queen shivered a bit but Simone looked back to the elf portrait. “You are focusing on the last queen a lot.”

“Because I know how she died now,” Simone’s voice was a whisper. “And I feel horrible.”

“What?!” Simone hadn’t noticed the other presences. Her eyes moved to Llywellyn, his father, and his brother. “What do you mean you know what happened to Rada?” It was understandable that Krasimir was upset. Llywellyn himself was quiet but putting his hand on his father’s shoulder. His brother was fuming.

“I can remember now,” her eyes drifted back to the portrait. “It comes in bits. Whenever I encounter something that I’ve seen. Sometimes it can be something weird or sometimes it’s a person’s face.”

“Simone, what happened and tell me who is responsible.”

“It won’t help how you are feeling right now,” Simone said it quietly.

“And why is that?”

“Because, if I am remembering doesn’t that mean the person responsible is already dead,” Simone’s eyes turned finally to Llywellyn. “One person who wanted me no matter what. Who could break Jerome easily enough but you? You barely wavered even when he showed up the first time. You became an obstacle he was scared of because you could back up the threats. He could, however, break someone close to you.” Her eyes went to Krasimir. “You did exactly what he thought you would do.”

There was anger and she could feel it. “Are you calling me weak?”

Llywellyn was going to come to her defense but Simone shook her head, “No, I think anyone would have had the response you did. I’m not sure how he did it. He just did. He told me so just before…” She frowned a bit and stopped herself. “I shouldn’t say it. It makes me feel… unclean.” There were plenty of times she had said it but right now she wasn’t able to put up her walls to stop herself from crying. Now wasn’t the time to say it outright. She balled her hands into fists and she was shaking.

Distressed.

Was that what this was?

Scared?

Probably.

She turned around and closed her eyes she couldn’t face them. She was trying to center herself. The calm that Lewis normally had was being pulled through the resonance link. He could feel her pull. “You should know so you can have closure. How he did it I can’t tell you. Everything has been destroyed and it was one of the few things he wiped from my memory so just in case…”

“You couldn’t tell me,” Llywellyn sat down and thought about it. “He’s put everyone through a lot. There has to be a reason more than just wanting you.”

“…Do you want to know?” Simone had found out from the one who did it herself. So she told him the story of the Fey Queen. By the end of it, the elves were quiet. “That’s how our twins were born. The fight when they had taken Everett. I don’t know if it was by accident but I wouldn’t be surprised. I don’t think she would have been dumb enough to come after me a second time knowing what I did to Alvaro’s people. Though I do suppose I flipped the rules of hospitality on her. What she owed me for everything… It was too much for even her to pay back.”

Simone felt herself wobble. “Of all the times… Lewis!” She barely managed to get the name out of her mouth before her body seemingly flopped down. Llywellyn and his father rushed to catch her. Her body was still for a moment but her eyes popped open. They were different somehow once Llywellyn looked into them.

“Simone?”

A shriek left her lips as she bolted out of their arms and started to run. Her feet caught the gown that Simone had been complaining about previously. “LEWLEW,” she let out a cry as she started to blubber. Full-on giant globs of tears came out as the Guide flailed about. “Where am I?! WHERE IS MY LEWLEW.”

Llywellyn was in shock, “Simone, please calm down.” Was she mad from the torture?

“She’s crazy,” Jehanne said as she approached.

“I’m not crazy,” the Guide shot back. “Just scared. YOU WOULD BE TOO! I don’t know you people, I don’t know where I am, and I don’t know where my Lewlew is. Simone isn’t answering me either,” she screamed as she let out more sobs.

“Wait… Simone? Why would Simone speak to you?” Llywellyn was quick to get down by her.

“Because I…” She sniffled and looked into his eyes. “I’m just a part of her that takes over when there’s a problem. I don’t know why this time she didn’t tell me.” She was sniffling and trying to stop the tears. “She created me as a piece of her.”

The elf king was quick to catch on, “To keep her sane?”

“Yeah!” The guide nodded as she stopped crying finally. “Where’s my Lewlew?”

Author: FalseHope, Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 9:31 AM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Xeik had heard some of what had happened to Simone from Angela during his training, but he never got the full details from her. Whether it was an act of kindness for Simone, or just not relevant was up for debate. Hearing it come from Simone, though, was almost shocking. Even Rhenakos seemed sobered by the things she had gone through, though the demon hunter had his own dark events that shaped who he was that was, by no means lesser than Simone’s, only different.

Still, she was a strong person, and Xeik admired her perseverance through it all. He wondered if this was one of the reasons Angela had offered her a second chance at life. At this point, though, there was little point in questioning how the goddess thought, and instead he figured he should focus on the book he was being given a chance to look at.

“Thanks, Simone,” the healer said as they were brought back to it. He sat down, and started to read. In his training, he learned that Raine, of all the people in the temple, was a certified genius. One of the few tricks of the trade he had learned was a complicated form of shorthand with it’s own cipher and key. Combined with the knowledge of how to translate elvish and other languages, Xeik had learned how to practically copy entire books in half the time it would take to even read it, and with two hours, he could easily copy at least half of the Book of Life and Death. The tricky part was finding the parts that were important.

As the two hour mark hit, he closed the book, and took a deep cleansing breath. At the start he had been nervous, but he felt he did an acceptable job. Angela would be proud, and that was enough to satisfy him for the time being. He stood up, and smiled. “Thanks again Simone. I’m going to need some time to translate what I have and speak with Angela and Raine, but I’m sure I got most of what they needed. Will you still be here later this evening? Or back home?” He was ready to head back to Elysia and get started on the notes. “I’m sure I’ll have some news about this by then. If not, I can at least give you an update on what we’ve found.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Fri Jan 8, 2021 10:33 AM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Simone smiled a bit up at Lewis as he went to go to the kids, “You are after all only a thought away if I need you.” It actually came in handy especially when the kids were fighting… Or in some cases where they tried to get one to do what the other wouldn’t. She watched Rhenakos’s feet and sighed a bit. “The other benefit to the Resonance is that the children can’t go between us. We can quickly communicate and make sure that the other didn’t say no. It happens especially with the little ones if they want something. It makes parenting a breeze,” Simone smirked a bit. “Which is saying something when you consider I have nine children with five under the age of ten.”

Llywellyn looked exhausted thinking about it, “I couldn’t handle the two I have.”

“I’ve been a mother plenty to know how the little ones work… It’s the older ones that have been a challenge,” she gave a sad smile but it only took a moment for Llywellyn to catch on to why.

“What did he do? To them… You make it sound like you’ve had plenty.”

She leaned back in the chair and held a sad face, “You said that the one thing I wanted was to be a mother… More than anything… What would be a way to break me?” The look of shock on the elf king’s face slowly devolved into faces of angry and regret.

“How many?”

“Too many.”

“How many lived?!”

“None,” Simone looked at him and slowly leaned forever to prop her head up, “When the day came where he grew impatient with me he took everything from me. My whole legacy. My descendants. He hunted them all. Then when I took from him… He took my womb from me,” Simone closed her eyes as she mulled it over.

“What do you mean took from him?”

She opened those gray eyes and looked him over, “Because I made a deal with a fey and killed everyone in his kingdom with hellfire and iron. So he could be alone too.”

Llywellyn was in shock as he looked at his wife who was just staring at Simone, “But you…”

“I stopped being a gentle soul a long time ago Llywellyn. Whether it be the first seven years that did it… or who knows what. Maybe that first night when I killed myself. Who knows. If it wasn’t for Lewis… There wouldn’t be anything left of me. Even if you had found me you wouldn’t have been able to fix me.”

“How did he do it then?”

“We have done it twice now. We call it dream diving. He entered my mental landscape and he conquered the evil that laid deep and dealt with unimaginable horrors that I put him through. My life experiences. My memories. All of them washed over him like the ocean. This was the first time our resonance sparked but we have theories that it existed before then it just wasn’t awake. The second time, was when I needed to strengthen our bond so I entered his and dealt with his demons… but that doesn’t answer your question… Does it? By killing all of me that existed beyond the boundary I put up he reunited the pieces of me and made me whole. I’m not dumb. I know when I’m beat but I can try to outlast my opponents. In the long run, so the fey lord didn’t beat me I cut my soul up into pieces and the one that wasn’t experiencing madness was locked between a door. One piece was left for the man who would come and save me. This man was told to me by the fey queen herself. He would come eventually. So I waited. If anything I am resilient.”

“This is complicated…”

“That’s why Lewis didn’t explain the resonance right away. Xeik showing up pushed the envelope.” Simone sighed a bit and looked at Xeik. “I really do owe Angela for everything she’s done. Our Everett? Angela brought him to us as our first child because she was guilty she couldn’t fix what the fey lord did. I was sad for a long time. I thought I had gotten over wanting a baby… It was around that time Lewis decided he wanted to adopt kids. It… lined up so perfectly you would have thought we talked it all out but we had been blocking each other out. Unsure of how to proceed. Nothing is kept a secret from us and it’s exhausting to try. It’s possible but it can eat up a lot of energy to make it happen.”

They spent a while long while talking so Simone could explain more about her new life. She produced her black flames as demonstration but only a small flicker. Nothing dangerous. Lly was excited to see it as he had never seen Simone perform magic before.

“In any case, while I would love to stay and chat I still have things I need to do,” Llywellyn looked sad but Simone just gave a smile.

“It’s not like you don’t know how to get a hold of us now. I’ve given you the important details in the written note not that long ago. I would prefer if you didn’t tell anyone else.” Llywellyn nodded and stood up with his wife as others.

That left the regular group with a scholar, “I can show you to the royal library now.”

“Very well, come on Xeik.” Simone followed the scholar and looked towards Xeik, “So you had to bargain with thick-headed Llywellyn? I feel sorry for you. He’s who I learned to argue with. He’s always been stubborn.” Once they got into the library the book was brought to them and the two sat down at a table. "You have two hours. Make sure to make it count Xeik."

She had to keep her promise of watching him and keep him on task, "This is probably the only time I can make a deal like this with him."

Author: FalseHope, Posted: Thu Jan 7, 2021 3:02 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Lewis gave Llywellyn a look when he asked the sex question, and rolled his eyes when Simone answered. For once, he was appreciative that even Rhenakos hadn't asked the question, and Xeik knew too much about the resonance already not to know the answer. But this elf king just had to ask. Not that it mattered, it wasn’t much of anything to hide, and if this got Xeik a chance at the book, Lewis was more than happy to answer and get a better chance. Besides, it wasn’t like the rest of the group they were with hadn’t asked. Leilah and Kalina had been interested, if only to compare experiences, and Osiria was just the nosy type….

It was to everyone’s surprise that Llywellyn relented. Well, everyone except Simone, and by resonance Lewis. The two had a history, and there was probably underlying guilt that lead to the decision. And, from Xeik’s understanding, this was intended to help Simone in the long run. After, of course, the experiments.

The healer shuddered at the thought of what dastardly experiments the woman would do when she got a hold of the notes. “Well, I do appreciate this opportunity. Just…let me know when you’re ready?” He wasn’t sure what to do at the moment.

Lewis stood up. “I’m gonna go check on the kids. Just do your thing. I’m fine as long as the kids are okay. Though I am a little worried about Fiori and Mira…” He sighed. “Anyway, just let me know if you need anything.” He walked out of the room, and followed a guard to where the kids were playing.

Rhenakos noted that Lewis was gone, and kicked his feet back up on the table. “Well…guess that means just us.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Thu Jan 7, 2021 2:51 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn sighed a bit, “How am I supposed to take all this Simone? I would need proof that you two ar–”

The explanation on the Resonance looked like it would come sooner. Simone and Lewis gained the signature azure eyes. “You’ll just have to believe us Llywellyn. Together we are one and that is how the twins were born,” Lewis and Simone spoke as one in sync with each other. It startled everyone who didn’t know. “We are always with one another. The only time we aren’t is when magic can’t breach. We are in each other’s thoughts and we can communicate great distances. We share thoughts, images, and we can even hear everything if we are close enough.”

Llywellyn was quiet for a moment but then he opened his mouth, “…So… When you two fight.”

Oh, of course he would be curious about that. “We don’t fight. We communicate. We can’t walk away because we would just scream at each other even if we walk away.” Simone replied and sighed a bit.

“And…” There was a curious look on his face.

Simone immediately held a disappointed face, “Yes, even during sex. Yes, it’s amazing.” Llywellyn held an expression for a moment and let it go.

Once they began to discuss the book deal Llywellyn sighed, “Simone there are some things I can’t do for you.”

“You know… She might want this to help me.”

“What?”

“She isn’t sure how stable the magic is. At any given point I could die,” it was a little white lie but Angela was concerned about it.

“…”

“I know your people are worried about the gods but Lady Angela is more of a doctor than she is a god. Please? It might help me feel better too. Our resonance has a hole in it right now.”

“From the twins?”

“It’s like how a woman takes a bit to recovery after pregnancy except this affects both Lewis and myself since we both technically gave birth to the twins.”

“…I will let him look at the book for two hours. No more.”

“I can accept that.” Simone nodded and sighed a bit rubbing her neck. “You owe me anyways for the sex question.”

“ANYONE WOULD ASK IT!”

Author: FalseHope, Posted: Thu Jan 7, 2021 2:39 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

It wasn’t really ideal, but with the way things were working out, Xeik felt almost compelled to stay for breakfast. Since he wasn’t initially invited, though, he strayed away from abusing the hospitality of the elves, and merely asked for hot water, to which he used to brew his own mix of tea. During this time, despite trying to push business off until later, Lewis and Simone grilled Xeik for information as to why he was there.

During this, Alshaya finished her meal and hopped into Xeik’s lap, trying to pull his attention, commenting on how he promised to come over and had failed to do so.

“Hey, Shaya, I’m sorry. Lady Angela has been keeping me quite busy lately and I haven’t been able to visit. I’m sorry.” he said as he looked back to Lewis and Simone. “Angela asked me to come find a book. It’s…what is it called, Zoi Kai Thanatos? The Book of Life and Death.” Alshaya was fussing at him from his lap, and he started to tickle her. Through her giggling, he glanced back up. “I just need to look it over and write down a few things for one of her….experiments.” There was hesitation in his use of experiments.

Llywellyn cleared his throat, “We can discuss this later, but I cannot change my answer.” To that, Xeik dropped the subject. When breakfast was over, the kids were taken away to play, including a very disappointed Alshaya. “You better come play soon Uncle Xeik!” she said, pouting. Lucas and Ezili went off with a guide to the regular, public library, and Rex disappeared to who knows where.

“Now that’s it’s just us adults,” Rhenakos said, kicking up his feet on the table. Lewis shoved his feet off, and glared. Even an assassin knew to have more decency than him. “Rude,” the hunter replied.

As Simone went into details about how everything happened, Lewis chimed in at the important parts that he had experienced; about how Simone and Lewis were tied together. Neither one of them mentioned their resonance, which might have been a bit much all at once. Even Lewis showed off his own brand. Xeik noticed that they had grown significantly since the last time he had seen the magic tattoos.

Xeik was surprised, though, at how Simone asked for the book. “I…don’t want to impose, Simone. I can’t possibly-” Oh. Oh….that crafty woman. Did she plan this? He sighed.

Author: Simone, Posted: Thu Jan 7, 2021 2:17 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn was excited over all the kids Simone was taking care of. He was most excited about the little ones who looked like her because he had always dreamed of what they would look like. Actually, he hoped they would look mostly like her since Jerome was a horse’s ass.

“Of course, I don’t see why not,” Llywellyn trusted Simone’s kids not to ruin any of their history. They seemed well mannered… Well maybe not Rex but it seemed like they were taking care of him for Rhenakos.

Then they got interrupted and immediately Alshaya hopped down and ran towards Xeik, “UNCLE XEIK!” She jumped up on him the best she could and hugged his leg. “You promised to come by and you forgot,” she puffed her face.

“Shaya, I’m sure he was busy,” Simone sighed a bit and gave an apologetic smile to Xeik.

“You know each other?” Llywellyn was surprised and Simone turned to him and took a breath.

“…Can you have the children go out to play? Please.” It was obviously not stuff that she wanted the two to hear.

“But Mama… We’re hungry.”

“Fine, it can wait until after,” Simone felt bad and had Xeik sit with them. After the kids were fed Llywellyn got one of his personal guards to take the kids out to a private garden. The older kids were free to do what they wanted.

“So, explain?”

“Lly… Lewis killed me once the curse was broke,” Simone was upfront and she watched as he gripped his utensils. “However, it was something I had wanted. I was far too broken to think I deserved happiness even though I wanted to stay with him. When he killed me I turned to dust. It was Lady Angela who made my new body and… I’m not human anymore. You might have noticed or at least got the feeling something was off.”

“So… What are you then?”

Simone looked around for wandering ears, “I’ll kill anyone who endangers my twins. Do you still want to know?” Lly was quick to nod. “It’s called a Night Phoenix. I was the last female one until Lila was born. Lewis’s lifeforce is the reason why I can live. We’re bound together.” She stood up and turned around pulled her hair around and lowered her dress a bit.

“ARE YOU INSANE?” It was Lly’s wife but Lly put his hand up.

“Is that a magic circle?”

“A contract between Lewis and myself. It’s the reason I’m alive. Lewis has one too. Opposite mine.” She was quick to fix herself and she fell back into her seat. “The entire reason I exist now is because of Lady Angela and the reason why my kids are alive and well… IS because of Xeik. Now I know that you’ve let people in past see your bo–”

“Simone… Don’t ask for favors.”

“Did I say to let him take the book? Let him into the library I can watch him.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 6, 2021 5:55 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

When the children came through, it was almost like they were at home again. Within moments of Lewis sitting down at the table, after introductions of course, Alshaya and Everett hopped into his lap arguing up a storm about bacon and hair pulling. He did his best to try and keep them separated, petting Alshaya’s hair first as he straightened a bit of it, and then doing the opposite to Everett as he ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Both of you, calm down,” Lewis said as he chuckled, trying to keep the peace. “Alshaya, you know better than to steal bacon.” He tapped her on the nose. “And Everett, no pulling your sister’s hair. Two wrongs don’t make a right.” This, coming from an assassin, was almost priceless. As Llywellyn made a move to see the twins, Lewis couldn’t help but smile at the sudden fierce blow from Momma Simone as she protected her babies from a potential threat. Sure, she gave in eventually, but it felt a little good that she was so protective of the twins.

Rex walked up to where Rhenakos had sat down, and he looked over his father with an almost confused look across his face. “Huh, even a monkey can look good if you dress him up.” He looked almost smug at his remark, until Rhenakos pointed out that the two looked almost exactly alike. The boy frowned, “Whatever…I’m off to look for some hot elf chicks.”

Lewis glared, “Sit at the table, Rex. It would be rude not to.”

“Fine…but after breakfast, I’m going exploring. You were gonna let Lucas and Ezili go exploring.”

Lucas cleared his throat, “er…I haven’t asked yet.” He looked to Lewis, who merely pointed to Llywellyn. “Oh, right…” He took a quick bow. “I assume you’re the one to ask? May I…have a chance to glance at your royal library? It would be amazing to see what kind of books you have….”

There seemed to be a lot going on, and suddenly the doors opened and a messenger came up to Llywellyn, interrupting all of this. He whispered something, and the elf king made a dramatic sigh. “Again? How many times must we tell them no? After all I-” He stopped. “Now isn’t a good time. We have guests. Tell them to leave and come back later.”

“Problems?” Lewis asked.

As if to answer Lewis’ question, the door opened and a familiar, dark haired man walked in. The healer, Xeik, had arrived in his usual attire, with a smile across his face. “Ah, King Celestina. I apologize for barging in like this, but I do believe that we did not conclude our business the other day. Lady Angela would truly-” He paused. “S-Simone?” He looked to the table, where Lewis and Rhenakos were sitting. “Why..the hell are you guys here?”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 6, 2021 5:39 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

His words reached her and she smiled a bit. “I love you too…” She was far too disconnected to push it back but she would make sure he knew in the morning. In the morning, handmaidens were quick to work on her hair and redress her for the day. She looked more like her title, even if the place itself was gone. Simone looked gorgeous as she stared at herself in the mirror and was vaguely uncomfortable.

Feeling the resonance reconnect she smiled a bit. I love you too. More than anything.

She was escorted down for breakfast and carefully maneuvered in the long gown. She made a face at Llywellyn and he chuckled a bit. “Was this your idea?”

“No, I left it up to them.” He was quick to point the blame on others and threw his hands up. This was the first time Simone saw his wife. She was a beautiful blonde elf and the two blondes at the table with them had Llywellyn’s facial features.

“Are you going to stop being a rude asshole and introduce your family or am I going to have to NOT go get my children?”

Llywellyn’s face drained of color and he was quick to introduce them now, “This is my wife Jehanne and my son Garsea and daughter Amee.”

“This is our friend Rhenakos and my husband, Lewis. Now, I’m going to gate and I’m going to get our children who aren’t busy.” She looked at Lewis before going over and greeting him with a kiss. “They are going to be so pissy…” The twins didn’t like it when they got stuck with a wet nurse who wasn’t their mother.

The gate opened with black fire and Simone sighed a bit as there was screaming on the other side. “What on earth…” She held this shocked look as she went in. “WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING,” Alshaya ran through the portal.

“DADDY, EVERETT PULLED MY HAIR,” the little girl was in tears as she ran right to Lewis and up into his lap.

Everett ran through next and got next to his lap, “BECAUSE SHE STOLE MY BACON.” He was quick to try and pin it on his sister.

“I ASKED,” Alshaya yelled back and clung to Lewis.

“I DIDN’T SAY YES,” Everett yelled up, and Simone went back through with the six-month-old twins.

They were fussing and pulling at her dress, “Yes, yes. I know. It’s all Uncle Rhen’s fault.” She kissed both of them. “Are you coming or not?” She looked towards the portal. Soon the older children came through. “Fiori is practicing her embroidery so she didn’t want to come. Mira is doing Mira things.” Ezili was holding Lucas’s hand and he was excited about the library.

Rex was just coming because he was Rex.

“So many…” Lly’s face went to each of the children.

“Alright, introductions. The tall one is our eldest Lucas and the one holding his hand is our Ezili. Rex is the redhead. The one crying is Alshaya and the one trying to get her hair, knock it off please, is Everett.” Everett got in a seat with Lewis’s help and Alshaya found her place next to him. “And these two are Janus and Lila.” She turned the fussing twins towards Lly.

Lly was almost instantly out of his seat and rushing Simone. It was a reaction as her foot came up and she kicked him back, “I DIDN’T SAY YOU COULD TOUCH THEM YET.”

“FUCKING HELL MONE,” Lly was holding his nose. He had been so excited to see what looked to be miniature versions of Simone.

After a moment Simone gave a rough sigh, “Alright you can hold them.”

Without a struggle, Llywellyn was back up and taking the twins in his arms. “I got so excited… They look like you so much and Lewis too.” He was bouncing them and they got even fussier. “They are hungry.”

“For attention. They apparently just ate.” She took the twins back and handed Janus off to his father. “Silly kids.”

“Can’t believe you have nine kids,” Llywellyn laughed. “I thought you would have more than just the two biological.” Simone frowned a bit and Llywellyn noticed, “Something I said?”

“Lly, I can’t have children. The twins… they were a miracle and not born naturally… My womb it got ripped out.”

The color drained from Llywellyn’s face and he went back and sat down, “Did he do that?”

“Yeah… Punishment.” Simone sat down and looked at Lewis with a smile. “It’s fine though. Right, Lewis?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 6, 2021 5:14 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

The fact that Simone was struggling so much hurt Lewis in a way he couldn’t begin to describe. He wanted nothing more than to help her feel better, to heal her from the pain she felt, but he knew that was something that only she could do. They had done so much together, and he knew her better than most. The strength she possessed was something that he was in awe over, but she was at her limits with it. Lewis promised her again and again that he would always be there to support her.

There was, of course, a lingering fear in his heart that he managed to suppress, that she would leave him if it made her happy, but it wasn’t even remotely a concern. His fear was nothing more than the realization of everything that he had grown up in, and he had learned to trust Simone and combat those fears, now more so than ever. Even if a part of him was terrified of Llywellyn, there was the true part of his heart and soul that she would stay.

Even with all of this, though, as the cell was locked and his resonance was cut, he felt alone. As she tiredly left the room, he felt the lingering resonance of her pain fade. He went to the corner of the cell, and sat down, leaning against it as he tried his best to get some rest. He would need it for the next day, regardless of whether or not Llywellyn pulled through on his promise.

Simone, he thought, pushing his resonance past the cage if only for a moment. I love you. More than anything. With that, he fell asleep.

The morning came, and Lewis was woken by the guards coming in. It took little time for them to unlock the cells for both Lewis and Rhenakos, and they were escorted upstairs into another room. The two were offered a change of clothes, to which Lewis forced Rhenakos to comply with.

Lewis was given a gold and green, close fitting elvish tunic with matching pants. The elegant weave of elvish runes went down the sides of the arms and pants. If someone hadn’t known better, they would have thought Lewis another one of their elves, minus the ears.

Rhenakos, in contrast to Lewis, was given the same style tunic in red and black. It was impressive at how well they measured Rhenakos, and even the oaf managed to look almost like royalty in it. He hated it, though, and made it apparent to everyone around him as they were taken to the dining hall.

The assassin had already felt Simone’s resonance reconnect, but he had stayed quiet for the most part, waiting on her to initiate contact. He could feel she was safe, but her emotions were hard to follow, and for the moment he just chalked it up to the stress. But, that did not change his worry. Everything will be fine, he spoke to himself, wondering if he really believed it.

Author: Simone, Posted: Tue Jan 5, 2021 3:11 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Simone gave a sad little smile and kissed Lewis’s forehead, then his nose, and finally his lips. “You are a treasure you know that?” She tightened her hug around him and settled her head onto his chest. She knew at the end of the day the game was on her turn and she wasn’t budging. She wasn’t budging because she was scared of what she would find. She could just continue to pretend it didn’t exist but she could see that slowly that wall was coming down. Lewis was opening it and if he wasn’t… Llywellyn’s sudden support was causing a shock to her.

Even Rhenakos was trying to make her feel better, “I don’t expect any less from you. You didn’t really hurt my feelings much. I’m just… dealing with a lot right now.” She’s been dealing with a lot for a long time now and it felt so rough. “I’ve been… having a harder time dealing with it since we had the babies.” They came from pieces of them and it affected her. Maybe just like regular pregnancy it had done something temporary.

“It’s… overwhelming. All of it. Sometimes I have to step away. I don’t know what to do,” she looked up at Lewis and she was sad again. “It’s not the kids’ fault that I feel this way. They are all so ready to give their love to me even Rex,” she chuckled a bit.

Once more she kissed Lewis’s forehead and leaned into him closing her eyes. “I think…” She took a breath and pulled herself from Lewis to look up at him. “That it would be a good idea to introduce Lly to the kids. Not only because he would be a good ally to have but because… I need to be able to trust in others again… Somewhere.” That meant she was distrusting in even their friends and that made her feel really guilty.

“Now, hopefully, his wife doesn’t shank me in my sleep…” She groaned a bit. She had felt the glare in the throne room but she couldn’t tell where it was from. She had caught a glance of her. Elves were really pretty creatures when they were blue-blooded. Llywellyn was not an exception to that rule. “I feel almost sorry for her. I could hear the whispers. Lly’s been married for just short of eight decades. Which means… He ignored her all that time searching for me. I understand why she would hate me. That stupid fucking moron,” her face twisted. “I’m going to lecture him so hard tomorrow during breakfast.” It was almost like she was the mother and Llywellyn was the child, just like he had said. “He’s always done stupid shit like this. Always. Drop of a hat he would come to Auclair even if he had to slip out. It was never romantic but he was my best friend and that was the role he played. He only ever tried to get frisky once and he ended up almost drowning for it. Learned his lesson rather quick.”

She huffed a bit, “I think that honesty is the way to go with Llywellyn. We should answer any questions he has… He probably has a ton. He’s spent the last fifteen hundred years looking for me and he went out of his way to let me know it's unacceptable I think it's okay he never found me. I can tell. He feels guilty Lewis. It’s not that he’s coveting me, that he loves me, or any of that nature. He feels responsible and he’s been mourning all that time.” She rubbed her neck not really knowing how to handle someone else actually caring about her.

“There’s… something else,” she paused a bit. “About Llywellyn’s mother. You know my memories come back at random thanks to the fey magic being gone. I saw her portrait on my way to my room… I know what happened to her because… I was told just before I was killed.” I… feel so guilty.

Once it was time she made her way back to her room and changed for bed falling into it. “I really… Just… hate how I am feeling right now.” The resonance had shut off again thanks to the cell.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Jan 5, 2021 2:51 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Despite her trying to hide it, Lewis could tell she was feeling scared. It was a strange sensation to feel coming off of her, and something that he had not ever felt before, not like this. It was one thing when Everett had been taken, but this…this was something deep, something personal. It was gone in a flash, but Lewis kept holding her tight, as if to tell her he would never let go of her. Did she still have feelings of some kind for Llywellyn? Perhaps. But that was a long time ago, and Lewis understood that, even if it did make him just the tiniest bit jealous.

But here and now, they were together. This was the path she had chosen, and continued to walk. And Llywellyn seemed concerned for Simone’s well being, but Lewis felt no desire from him, not like he had from the others who had tried to steal Simone away. It was something different, almost like a nurturing presence.

“How long can you say?” Lewis asked, holding her tight. “Take whatever time you need…I’m here. I’ll always be here…” He slowly stroked her hair, trying his best to comfort her. Even Rhenakos was keeping his mouth shut, understanding that this was a bad time to talk. He even felt a little guilty that his remarks set Simone off, and instead laid down, facing the opposite direction.

“For what it’s worth,” Rhenakos said finally. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it…I was just…”

“Being an ass,” Lewis replied.

Author: Simone, Posted: Tue Jan 5, 2021 2:43 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Simone’s face held surprise when she looked at the gown, “Something either Llywellyn picked out or his fucking help. It’s weird. It’s long. I hated climbing in it.” They kissed hard for the moment and there was a relaxed sigh coming from her sigh of the resonance. She could feel him again. “Once we get you out of this cell… I’ll be able to feel you again without worry.” Her eyes told a story especially with how sad they were.

Probably a shock to most Simone’s face got bright red at even the thought of getting sexual with Llywellyn, “Take that back Rhenakos!” She raised her voice and covered her mouth. Why the hell was she getting so upset. “It’s never been like that. Not for me.” She couldn’t even tell if she was lying. “Duty before love. So even if I had it was dead the moment he was no longer a candidate. Eyes on the prize and keep going forward. No distractions. It didn’t matter if I loved the person who I married. What mattered was I got there. A loveless marriage in a monarchy isn’t unheard of. It’s actually normal. It’s normal to hate your spouse with everything you are.”

There was a sigh a bit, “Even if they are all coming out of the woodwork. I never felt that way about any of them but Jerome and even then look what he did. Why would I trust anyone ever again? Lewis is safe. Lewis can see me and I can see him.” There was panic but she choked it out and away from Lewis but it might have been too late he could have noticed it. “It’s trouble all of it honestly. The only reason why I feel… anything towards Lewis… and I do mean anything… Is because of the Guide. If she doesn’t grow feelings then there is nothing to worry about. Ever. Because in the end, I’m still…”

She closed her eyes a bit and took a sigh. I’m still so broken on the inside. I’m a mess.

“It doesn’t matter.” Once Rhenakos added his own thoughts in Simone rolled her eyes. “Like now is the time for that,” she was simmering down and wrapping herself around Lewis. Was she trembling? She was scared, wasn’t she? Scared of letting someone else even remotely close to her. Dala was different because she had been a child when they met… but Llywellyn. He had always been good to her and she could tell he wasn’t lying. The hesitation was there and she hid her face in Lewis’s chest.

She was still so weak.

“He said he’s going to get you both released tomorrow morning. I have to behave until then but if the guards put their hands on me I can defend myself.” She wanted to make sure Lewis knew she would be safe. “I want to believe in him because… I’ve not been able to believe in anyone else in a long time… and maybe… It’s what I need to do… to heal…”

At least that’s what she thought. Trusting people was dangerous and she had stopped a long time ago. She hadn’t even trusted Lewis until the resonance. Lewis was safe. She needed him probably more than he needed her.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Jan 5, 2021 2:24 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

It wasn’t that Lewis didn’t have much to say to Llywellyn, more so that the elf king kept rambling on about the past Simone and how she was. The poor assassin barely could get a word in even if he wanted to, but that was fine. Time passed as he reminisced, and Lewis barely said a word, but his facial expressions were more than enough for Llywellen to see that the human was more than worthy of being with Simone. Soon, though, the elf king bid him farewell, and with a set of instructions for a bit of leeway.

Lewis still wasn’t quite sure how to take Llywellyn, but for the moment the assassin chose to at least consider him neutral. Not exactly an enemy, but given the fact that he was still in a cell without Simone, not an ally either. It would be up to Simone if that were to change. Still, he did leave the cell unlocked, and for a moment Lewis considered leaving. But the amount of goodwill that had been shown, tied with the fact that Rhenakos hadn’t been poisoned, was enough evidence to at least let the elf king try his hand at a peaceful resolution.

Time passed again, and soon Simone was at the cell gate, kicking it open. “You’re safe,” he said as Simone checked him over. “No, I’m fine, More worried about yo-…what are you even wearing?” He looked at the dress that she had been given, and noted how cumbersome it must have been. The assassin gave her a quick, almost forceful kiss. Probably longer than it needed to be, but with the resonance restored, even for a moment, he relished feeling her again.

“Oh don’t mind me. I’ll watch if you want to really go at it,” Rhenakos said sarcastically. “Just, you know…keep it down in case the guards show up.”

Lewis rolled his eyes, “Shut up. I’m just…happy to see her safe is all.”

The hunter rolled his eyes, “And here I was hoping for that elf guy to show up and we all have a run at Simone.” There was some obvious salt. “Look, you’re both free. Can we just…I dunno, bust out of here now?”

“No. Breaking out now will only cause more issues, and we’re not prepared to fight off this many elves,” Lewis replied. “And your comments are unnecessary…” There was a glare from Lewis.

“Sorry,” the hunter replied honestly. “I just…ya know, get a little worried when you got all these guys coming outta nowhere.”

Once more, Lewis rolled his eyes. “I can feel it through the resonance, believe me…we’d deal with it if it arised, but it hasn’t.” There was a smile from him as he looked into Simone’s eyes. “She only has eyes for me. I can feel it. And I trust her.” There wasn’t even a hint of a lie in his voice, nor his heart.

“Oh, how touching,” Rhenakos said with a mocking tone. “Fine. We stay…but if you two fuck, I’m watching.”

“Shut the hell up, Rhen…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:52 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn frowned a bit, “When she found out who betrayed her. I’ve always wondered myself. I knew the castles had secret hallways but she never told me where they were. The person who did it had intimate knowledge. I scoured that castle looking for clues.”

The king watched Lewis’s face and smirked a bit, “You really do love her. I can tell.” Just from the way, he spoke about the type of mother she was. “She wanted to be a mother so bad. She doted on every baby she ever saw or was allowed to hold. If she’s that way with a stranger’s baby I can only imagine her with her own. Whether they are adopted or not. They are her’s.”

There was a laugh, “Does she scold you if you go too far? She did that a lot to me. She would put her hands on her hips with this face before she even started the lecture. You felt soooo guilty. Those gray eyes, I swear, she could look straight through you and always get the truth out if she wanted to.” There was a sigh now, “But I get it. When you see her and you get to know her… You want to protect her. I’m sure deep down she is still the person she was just a bit rougher and a hell of a lot smarter.”

He pushed himself up, “Okay, I’m going to leave your cell unlocked for Simone just… lock it back up once she leaves, please. Make sure she is back through that window before daylight so I don’t hear about it. They’ll figure out I knew she could climb… I’m the one who taught her so she can do it really well.” He rubbed his neck again. “I’ll get you out of the cells tomorrow… and hopefully out of the city soon. Now… I have to go kiss my wife’s ass before she makes me sleep in another room. Again.”

He threw his hands up, “I bet Simone doesn’t ever get that mad with you. Women are rough~” He said as he walked up the stairs.

Once the daylight was gone Simone hopped off the bed. She had been offered new clothes that weren’t dirty. It was a velvet long gown. Sunshine yellow with a spring green down the center. It looked like a robe over a dress but it was one thing. It had a cute wide silk belt that matched the colors. The chest was modest covering most of her and the sleeves were long and wide with lace at the ends. “This is going to be so hard to climb in Llywellyn…”

She groaned a bit as she opened the window and pulled the dress up enough to start climbing the tree down. She remembered most of the layout from her way up and soon she managed to slip into the door down. She was going to be quieter before she noticed there were no guards. “Hmm…” She kicked the cell door for Lewis open. “Did Llywellyn leave this unlocked?” Her eyes narrowed knowing the answer. “He knew then and he still put me in a long gown… That bastard,” she rolled her eyes before quickly crossing and jumping on Lewis.

“Are you okay? You aren’t hurt anywhere are you?” She checked him over and kissed his forehead.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:38 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Simone had barely mentioned any of this to him, and he, for the most part, knew why. Lewis wasn’t one to pry into her previous life as it caused her pain. Sure, when she felt up to it, he would hear her out, but for the most part he kept it to their current life. Memories of what happened before only brought that torn look on her face, and he hated to see it.

“Well thank the gods then that you’re at least sensible,” Lewis said with a straight face. “For once, I’m glad I don’t have to kill another person after her.” He closed his eyes. “I can’t stand the look she had…” He thought back to Jermone and the conspirators, the look she had. The pain that she had felt was something that he had never forgotten.

Lewis looked to the elf, and smirked. “Kids, we have. Not…in the traditional sense.” He stood up. “We’ve got nine kids. Of all ages. Eldest is eighteen, and the youngest, well…” He smiled. “The youngest two are six months.” There was a tenderness to the assassin’s face. He looked to Lleywellyn with this stupid grin, something that looked completely foreign on his face. “She’s the best mother though…the way she dotes on them. I can’t begin to tell you…” He realized what was happening, and immediately backpedaled.

“A-anyway, it’s up to Simone on whether or not you even get to meet them.” There was that glare again. “She’s a better judge of character than I am. If it were up to me, half of the city we live in would be dead…” He shrugged. “She calls me overprotective…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:24 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn looked relieved to know Jerome was dead. The rest of the wretched family? He thought for a moment, “Oh, you must be talking about fucking Felix. I caught him peeping on Simone at one point and I punched him square in the balls. Felix was probably planning to marry her to take the throne since Auclair wasn’t a natural matriarchy. I never liked Felix and the way he looked at his cousin. Ever since we were kids he practically worshiped her. Any girlfriend he had looked like Simone. It was creepy.”

Looking at Lewis he laughed about them being tied up, “Whatever you need to do to survive. Pleasure or jobs~” He waited to hear Lewis out and thought about it. “No, never. I’m married and I don’t need to give my wife another reason to hate Simone more than she does. Jealousy is a marriage killer and I’m sure I’m going to fucking hear it from Simone when she finds out.” He looked beat just talking about it. “She always lectures me like a child…”

He rubbed his neck and thought about it, “I guess you might not know if you aren’t blue-blooded. When the heir reaches a certain age and for Simone it was five… When she was declared the next ruler… That the kingdoms sent available sons on loan. There were a lot of us but only a select few made it into Simone’s circle. Simone was a lot harder to get to know because of how protective her father was. We ranged in all sorts of ages but the ones who ended up staying in the castle the longest were around her age. There were three of us. Two of us by the end.”

Thinking back on it he just smiled, “Jerome was always a jealous prick but Simone was head over heels for him. I got no reason to try and steal her because she’s never loved me the way I loved her. Always “Jerome did this” “Jerome did that” “Jerome likes this dress on me” and I was supportive of it. If she was happy I was happy. I was eleven when I got called back because my mother died and my father went through this weird thing where a human was far too fragile for me. I was pissed about it believe me. I wanted to beat Jerome because I knew he was slime but… In the end, he was the one who ended up engaged to Simone. I still visited her though mostly at night because my father didn’t want me to go. She needed friends. Her life has been pretty sad even before the curse. She was always alone. When the candidates got to the castle she wanted friends, not a suitor. The older ones left because of that.”

He sighed a bit, “But my family had a good alliance with Auclair so I knew Simone since we were toddlers. She was always distant. My father said her father got bad about it once her mother died. Was scared of losing Simone and he still did in the end.” There was a frown on his face. “I can only imagine how he felt knowing that his daughter was going to suffer. Gods know I suffered for a long time too.”

Leaning back he thought about it, “I am going to release you in the morning as I said. If I want Simone around as a friend I will have to keep my word or she will hate me. I don’t want that… Besides… I’m happy for her. That she has you. As long as she’s happy that’s all that matters. You love her right? Your social status doesn't matter in the long run compared to her happiness.” Something crossed his mind as he crossed his legs. “Do you guys have children? Did she become an amazing mother like she always wanted to be? It’s the only thing she could talk about once she came of age.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:08 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Lewis was surprised that the elf man didn’t take offense to his declination of hospitality, but thankful. It was one less thing he had to worry about. Rhenakos took the mug of what he assumed was ale, and downed it in one go. He thanked the man, naming himself. “Rhenakos here! And I’m not an idiot! Though this ale is great. What’s in it?”

The assassin rolled his eyes. It was one thing to take a drink, but it was something completely else to take a drink and not even know what one was consuming. To this, Lewis merely rolled his eyes, and turned his attention back to the elf, taking the time to listen to his story in full. This was a lot of information that Lewis had, as he had experienced some of her dreams, but this was from a completely different perspective. It was…interesting to say the least.. He smirked at the mention of Jerome. He kept his mouth shut though till almost the end of the tale, and that was when Lewis spilled the info.

“You’ll be glad to know that Jerome is dead. Alongside the rest of that wretched family. They made a mistake,” he said with a wicked smile. The two had watched him, and the rest of the conspirators burn alive. It was one of the few acts that he had taken no pleasure in, but it was something that both of them had needed.

“Simone is all right. She hides it well, but let’s just say…I have a deep connection with her. She’s been through a lot, but that’s her place to tell, not mine…” The assassin stretched his arms out, yawning. “The curse is gone. I gave her the peace she wanted. At least…for awhile.” He shrugged. “Another long story. Would rather not get into it…”

At the mention of her new skills, Lewis merely smirked. “She’s had a lot of time to grow and change. She’s not the innocent little girl you knew. Hell, half the things she knows, I’ve never even taught her.” There was a look from Lewis, “The thigh thing…that was me. We’ve had a lot of practice with being tied up.” There was a joke in there somewhere, and Rhenakos merely choked.

Lewis sighed, though. “Question is…why are you even down here? The last four people that were meant to marry and or take her, I’ve had to kill. Usually after some mad declaration of how she belongs to them. You’re…not what I expected. You’ve just come down here to talk. What next? Are you going to tell her that a wretch like me doesn’t belong with her? That I’m to be sentenced to death and that you’re taking her for your own? Or better yet, that you’re going to just off her now?” It was obvious that he was being sarcastic, but there was a truth to his word. “We’ve gone through a lot of that…and it won’t stop us.”

“Ah, but of course, you’ve mentioned letting us loose in the morning,” Lewis said as he dropped his smile. “You really are an odd one. Somehow I don’t think you’re lying, either…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 3:51 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Llywellyn noticed how he was and shrugged and he pushed one of the mugs through the bars to Rhenakos,” You must be the redheaded idiot. She didn’t give me a name sorry.” He drank some of the mead and thought about it. “I just want to know she is alright. She probably didn’t kill me because my name isn’t Jerome and I’m not a horse’s ass. Though… she sounds pretty sore about the skinny dipping incident still. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He pouted at Lewis.

“I’ve been looking for Simone for a very long time. I was pulling bodies out from the fires in Auclair while it still burned. Tried getting to the castle but the fire was… It wasn’t normal. When we finally got the fires put out I found her father and all the house help charred but recognizable. I knew them all very well from my time living in the castle. Simone’s body was nowhere to be found and… I knew something bad happened. I only had just found out about the curse about a year prior when my family got invited to an engagement party for that horse’s ass of a prince turned king.”

Llywellyn groaned as he drank the mug down and grabbed Lewis’s now, “I decked him and cost us our alliance with his wife’s new family and his own. I should have killed him but they pulled me off.” He rubbed his neck. “I feel like it’s my fault. I had snuck into the castle and laid next to her. Simone had lost her memories for the first time when she fell and snapped her neck. She was scared for some reason and she barely knew me anymore. But she told me something bad was going to happen and I did what everyone has always done… Just told her it was going to be okay and I wouldn’t let anything happen. She looked relieved. I feel like I lied to her.”

He drained that mug quickly and sighed a bit as he smacked it down next to his first one, “So I went home… dethroned my father and took our whole army to where Jerome was. Burned the whole place to the ground to make my point but he had fled. Left his family to die like the fucking coward that he was. I lost track of him. Over the years we would catch rumors about a girl who couldn’t die. She matched Simone’s description but when we got close suddenly there was a murder and she was gone.”

Looking back up at Lewis now he shook his head, “Is she alright? I don’t ask her because she always says she’s fine. She smiles and just says she’s fine. When she’s scared she’s only scared for a few moments before she hides it again. Seeing that I can’t sense the fey lord on her anymore… Her curse is gone?”

He sort of looked depressed, “Oh, right… She uh… is being held upstairs in one of the guest rooms. I imagine she will make her way down here once it’s night time through the window but please make sure she is back before daylight. I didn’t want to put her back in a cell not knowing what she’s been through. I can’t release you both until morning though. They are already pissed I won’t put Simone back down here… Also, when the hell did she learn to try and kill someone with her thighs? The Simone I knew cried over a bunny and I had to take her to eight different animal doctors to try and fix it.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 3:36 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

With Simone gone, Lewis started to pace back and forth. The lack of resonance was one thing, but now that she was out of sight, he was starting to worry. Even Rhenakos didn’t have much to say, and kept his mouth shut for most of the time. The few times he did speak were to try and calm the assassin down. Of course, his words fell on deaf ears.

It wasn’t till much later, at which Lewis had sat down and closed his eyes, when a red haired elf entered the room, commanding the guards to leave. In his hands were drinks, and as Lewis was let out of his cell, he almost went full on full assault mode, but noted the drink in hand. The way he was speaking was so casual, as if to offer an old friend a pint.

“No thanks,” Lewis said, turning down the drink. His experience with the far had pretty much broken any trust in gifts. He eyed the elf, and merely stayed seated where he was in the cell. “You’re lucky she didn’t kill everyone in the room. You must mean something to her, otherwise you wouldn’t be standing before me. What do you want.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 3:24 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

In the split few seconds that Simone had been awake before she retaliated she discovered no resonance with Lewis. This was an issue for multiple reasons. She needed his coolness but for right now Rhenakos was carrying on as if it was a play date. She returned Lewis’s look before she was knocked out, she wasn’t blind. She had seen how upset he was and why wouldn’t he be. His wife was going to be dragged away from him.

Once she had woken back up another guard came over cautiously to get her down. She was chained up really well but she wasn’t putting up too much of a fight. “Push me and I’ll snap your neck before they get a chance to save you,” Simone spat fire as the guard had gone to do just that. She began to walk behind them but not too much. After the last demonstration the guards were being careful and they were letting Simone have her way.

She had been dressed for the job which was much different than her usual attire. Probably the only chance she ever got to wear something… oh how had Rhenakos put it? Oh yeah, it was sexy. It was a short halter style dress with the fabric between her bust and neck being a net material. The dress itself had been leather and easy enough for Simone to maneuver in as previously seen. Thigh high boots with long fishnet like stockings were under going up to her high thigh. A garter kept the dress in place not that Simone much cared about it. Buckled around it with a gold material was a red robe like outerwear that she could easily pull up and hide her face but right now it was falling off her shoulders. Its long sleeves were cuffed at the wrists with the same gold design as the waist.

Her long black hair had been put up in an updo but thanks to the fight it had all but fallen out leaving the back hanging loose and the sides kept up but barely. Her grayish blue eyes were looking around checking out the surroundings as she was led into a throne room.

The guard she had warned before put his hands on her to force her down and she was quick to not only bite him but somehow manage to get behind him and start choking him with the chains around her, “What the fuck did I say down in the dungeon?! Don’t. Touch. Me.”

The guards went to get her off and she was nimble as she headbutted one, flipped herself over the guard she had to avoid one, and all the while her chains were getting tighter around the guard who was almost turning purple.

“ENOUGH, this isn’t a circus. YOU WILL BE–”

“And who the fuck do you thin–” Simone had let go and turned around to face the person who was now commanding her when her voice dropped.

“Oh look the kitten lost her voi–” the guard got swiftly kicked in the groin by Simone.

“Shut your mouth,” she spit on him as the guard dropped.

“I said enough,” the redheaded elf went to sit on his throne and Simone’s eyes followed him. “You made a mess if I am to believe what my guards have told me.”

“And you have gotten taller since the last time I saw you,” Simone was bold but if it was him…

The elf looked confused for a moment as he focused on her face, “And just how do you know me?”

“I would know you very well Llywellyn Celestina, once third prince of the Sulwal kingdom at least back in my time,” she shrugged as one of the guards went to get her from mouthing off.

“DON’T,” the elf king was spooked for a moment but he got up and made his way down the stairs and to where Simone was. “What is your name?” The others in the room had gotten stiff now that he had come down to where the dangerous woman was.

“I’ve gone by plenty of names but my first has always remained the same. A very long time ago~ I went by Simone Auclair, the only heir to the Auclair Kingdom.” There were now whispers. Elves were long-lived and they would know who she was if they were old enough.

He was taken back for a moment as he brought his hands up before shaking his head, “Not good enough. Anyone would know I was looking for her. Anyone would know I–”

Simone had her signature bored expression on her face, “When we were fifteen you decided it was a fantastic idea to disobey your father come to Auclair, convince me to leave the castle at midnight– Which was actually pretty normal but you had the audacity to push me into a mud puddle. It was at that point your ROYAL HIGHNESS decided that I needed to get clean and you convinced me you wouldn’t peak if I wanted to get all the mud off of me in the Douglass Farm’s pond. So I stripped down and got in the water to get all the mud off of me. ONLY FOR–”

Llywellyn cuffed her mouth, “That’s enough!” He was actually blushing and Simone bite his hand. “OUCH, SIMONE!”

“Only for you jump into the god damn pond with me ass naked and try to put a move on me,” pleased with her work she just smirked at him. “And then I shoved you into the deepest part of the pond and watched you panic.”

There was a groan from Llywellyn, “Someone… uncuff her please. It’s obvious it doesn’t matter if she is or isn’t.” The guards did it begrudgingly as she held out her wrists and then watched as they got the cuffs and chains off her legs.

“Where the hell have you been for the last two thousand years?”

“Almost fifteen hundred, don’t be so dramatic Lly,” Simone gave a smirk.

“It doesn’t matter Mone… You’ve been gone a long time.”

“Would you believe me if I said I was just a rock’s jump from your doorstep? In Lake Verian, at the very bottom chained to a boulder for the last three hundred? I got out of the lake,” she closed her eyes to think, “…Not twenty years yet. Maybe twelve years ago?”

The look on Llywellyn’s face turned to anger for a moment as he thought about it, “He put you right under my nose.”

“You shouldn’t have been looking for me period. You got a wife and kids no doubt. You were wasting your time chasing a ghost,” Simone scolded him.

“DON’T YOU TELL ME HOW TO FEEL SIMONE,” Llywellyn got mad at her and she thought it was justified.

“All that time he spent trying to find you and you just spit in his face,” an elven man with black hair approached. “Have you no humanity left?”

“HA! After what I’ve been through I’m shocked I’m sane. Still hate me?” Simone eyed him for a moment and Lly was quiet.

“Goes easy on him Mone his wife just died from–”

“Childbirth?” Simone looked at Lly and then looked at him. “Maybe you should kill the child too. You don’t know if its inher–” Simone got slapped across the face by the black haired man. “It’s not so fucking nice when it’s thrown back is it?” She growled at the man. “And I was young.”

“You’ll explain later what the hell she is talking about,” Llywellyn looked around at the anger directed towards Simone. “No one will harm her under any circumstances… Do you promise not to hurt my men.”

“If they lay a finger on me I’ll kill them without hesitation,” Simone sighed, “but if they leave me alone… They can live.”

“Take her to one of the guest rooms and keep watch over the door to make sure she doesn’t come out,” Lly gave the direction and Simone scoffed as she followed the elves. “Mone?”

She stopped and looked over her shoulder, “What?”

“You are wearing a wedding band.”

“Yeah, my husband is down in the dungeon with the red-headed idiot. His name is Lewis. We were doing a job when we got ambushed by your people,” Simone’s voice was soft as she turned around and followed the elves again.

Llywellyn rubbed the back of his neck, “I need a drink after that.” His people were a bit shocked as he left. He was excited to see Simone but it was under terrible circumstances. Once he got a few drinks in him he grabbed three mugs and went into the dungeons, “Leave… unlock the white-haired one’s cell.”

“But–”

“I gave you an order,” Llywellyn could see where Simone was chained up and frowned a bit. “When did Simone get that mouth on her? She can fight really well she about had three of my guards on the ground.” Llywellyn opened the cell with his foot and offered one of the mugs to Lewis. “The last time I saw her… She got upset at me for mouthing off at a guard and was afraid I would put a bruise on him.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 2:49 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

It was all Rhenakos’ fault. It should have been easy to counter the ambush. Lewis knew full well that there was an arrow trained on him, and knew perfectly well how to deflect it out of the air. It should have been easy. Instead, though, Rhenakos saw the arrow and took it upon himself to “protect” Lewis, and tackled him to the ground. Sure, the arrow missed, but in the time it took the two of them to get up, they were surrounded.

Normally, Lewis would have fought back even in this dire of a situation, but it was about this time that Simone came flying in, and Rhenakos once again tried to “help”, and before any of the three could figure out what was happening, they had all been captured. Even still, Simone put up a fight. This was one of the rare times she could help out on a job, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to let it be the last.

As they were dragged into the city, Rhenakos let it be well known how impressive the whole place was. Elegant buildings interweaved with the trees, with walkways connecting each building. The moons shone down between the gaps in the forest, illuminating the whole city in an eerie, ephemeral glow. Lewis, per his usual, kept quiet.

Once they were each thrown into their prison cells, the assassin noted the special attention they had shown to Simone, and the moment he was able, he pressed himself against the magical cell, trying to communicate. Nothing.

Damnit. So are there magics that restrict our contact as well? He glared through the bars at the guards, but they seemed not to care. Soon, though, Simone came to, and Lewis gave her a look of relief. As one of the guards tried to mock her, she retaliate, and Rhenakos let out a wolfish whistle.

“Damn, Simone…me next.” It seemed as though, despite the situation, Rhenakos was barely worried. He had probably been in worse. Still, the guards gave him a weird look, and his remark earned a smack from Lewis.

As they remarked about how Simone was more dangerous, Rhenakos made a mocking gesture, mimicking them, “The others aren’t as dangerous.” He scoffed. “You let me out, and I can show you JUST how dangerous I really am!” He slammed against the cage. “Wanna see?”

“Shut up, Rhen,” Lewis said as he leaned against the back of the cell. They were about to take Simone off, and he had to figure out a way to get out.

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 4, 2021 12:52 PM, Post Subject: Prisoners [P/R]

Rhenakos had contacted them about a job. A dangerous demon that was getting too hard to track by himself on the ground. It hadn’t taken long to get ready for it. To kiss the kids and tell them they would be back soon. They were well prepared for a long fight. A demon that could elude Rhenakos would be a problem. The job for Simone was easy enough, she would scout in the sky and communicate to Lewis everything she saw with their combined sight.

Lewis wished her well with a kiss before watching her transform into a phoenix. She was high above them and a bit farther ahead. Rhenakos had given her the general direction. It’s going directly for Virens Forest.

She dove into the tree line so she could keep tail. She knew that Rhenakos and Lewis weren’t too far behind her. We’re awfully close to the lake I was in.

She knew the landscape well enough from when she woke up and from when she was thrown in. She even flew over the lake during the chase showing Lewis where she had been. It wasn’t that her mind was distracted, this was just how Simone handled it. She could track it and think about things. She was focused but not too much that she would miss tiny details.

It had to be by some dumb luck that they got caught up in something else entirely. The demon had attracted other eyes besides their own. Other hunters, other victims, and other demons. It was an entire mess by the time they had even managed to kill their target they were in the middle of Virens with no way home for now. It was late.

“Should we go back to the island?” Simone looked up at him. “It would be really late… Maybe we should make sure we got the last of the new demons…” She was worried but about what wasn’t coming across her mind. “I’m going to go scout one last time.” She took off again and made a thorough check but somehow while she was away… the small camp got ambushed.

She was quick to read what was happening on Lewis’s side and came back to help. She transformed and started to throw daggers the best she could. Lewis and Rhenakos were already subdued. She was easily taken down as a result of not having Lewis for her back up. She struggled against them. Simone managed once to break away and take out another four guards even without her actual daggers by using feathers. The guards had already disarmed Rhenakos and Lewis long before she had shown back up.

Once they realized she was full of magic she was placed in anti-magic cuffs and still, she managed to land a balls shot on one of the guards. “THAT’S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU,” one of them yelled as they knocked her out to carry her back. She was over the shoulder of one of the guards while Lewis and Rhenakos were getting carted off.

“Make way! We have prisoners!” The guards yelled as the gates opened and revealed a bustling city in the nightscape. The city was built on the ground and up in the trees. They were headed towards a palace made out of a giant oak. Lewis and Rhenakos were thrown into their own cells of magic, but Simone was taken a bit further. Lewis if he looked right could see she was chained up with more anti-magic stuff in her own cell but she was still asleep.

As it turned out they were in an elvish city and somehow they were being misunderstood as the culprits of the massacres lately by the demons.

Once Simone came to one of the elves came over to mock her and she was quick with her legs to wrap them around his head once he got too close and she started to choke him. It took two others to knock her out again. "Make sure she is highly restrained and don't forget her damn legs this time! The king will want to sentence her directly. Prepare an audience between her and him for direct punishment. The other two can wait they aren't as dangerous as she is."