#geo handwriting | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

rougepancake · 1 year

Text

Long forgotten

Ajax (Tartaglia/Childe) x Gn!Adeptus!Reader

A/N: Not proofread. Just a sweet little thingy my brain cell came up with. Don’t read if you have a fear of Ed Sheeran 😉. Mentions of minor character death. (also here’s a little soundtrack for you-)

Summary: Deep in Jueyun Karst far away from the modern world, there lives a mysterious adeptus. A beautiful creature that has been long forgotten by the residents of Liyue, yet there is one who remembers.

The first time you had encountered Ajax was when he placed an offering at the entrance to your abode. You had been sitting on a nearby cliff top and watched him place the dish on the steps. The man said nothing and just bowed his head down in a silent prayer, offering his sins up to you shamelessly.

He stayed there for quite some time, probably enjoying the peaceful silence the area around him provided. You had continued to watch him eat a meal he brought for himself, occasionally speaking to you, though he didn’t know you were around to listen.

You didn’t think he cared though, because he kept spilling out his secrets one by one, laying them all unto you. And while you did listen to his tales intently, you had many questions that you wanted to ask him. What was a fatui harbinger doing out here in Liyue? How did he come across your lonely little shrine?

With a sigh you watched him leave, allowing you to hop down from your spot and investigate what the ginger had left you.

It was an elegant picnic basket, carrying the only human food you had ever really cared for, Universal Peace. The dish was cooked to perfection, each bite proving to be better than the last, but you found the situation odd.

The last time anyone had ever left you an offering of any sort was three hundred year ago, and the person that had left it didn’t even have the right adeptus, they were looking for the great Mountain Shaper.

When you had finished your meal you noticed that there was a note at the bottom of the basket, written with neat, beautiful handwriting. You had expected the letter to be addressed to someone like Cloud Retainer, but your name was clearly written on it. It read,

“Dearest Wish Granter,

You are probably confused, which is indeed fair. I found your name mentioned quite a bit in a book that dates back to when Liyue was first founded by the Geo Archon. I had never heard your name mentioned before and was very curious as to why, so I wound up doing my own research and finding you all the way out here. Though I’m sure we’ll never meet in person, I hope I can remind Liyue of your existence. Plus I just find it great to have someone listen to me for once, so I appreciate you sitting around and listening to my thoughts. Maybe one day the people of Liyue will tell both our stories. And if not mine, I hope they tell yours for as long as you shall live.

- Anonymous”

You found yourself in awe of the stranger, his wish for you to be remembered bringing tears to your eyes. It was a bitter reminder of why the people of Liyue didn’t speak of you to begin with, a choice that you yourself had made when you were a young adeptus, saying it would be for the best.

You held the note close to your chest and sat in silence until it was dark out. And even after the sun had set you didn’t feel like moving, but you forced yourself to open up the doors to your abode, taking the gifts of Ajax with you.

The second time you encountered Ajax was much unlike the first. You saw him arrive once again, setting down yet another elegant picnic basket before praying to you. You found yourself so curious and anxious to meet him, so you took on a new form and knelt down beside him, joining him in prayer.

You could feel his eyes on you, making you incredibly nervous since you hadn’t dealt with a mortal in a long time. When you finished your prayer, you looked up at him, smiling softly.

Ajax returned the smile and handed you the picnic basket, saying that you looked incredibly starved.

“But isn’t this an offering for Wish Granter?” You questioned, staring into his blue eyes curiously.

He laughed, placing his hand on his cheek as he observed you. “Is that not who you are? Or am I mistaken?”

You couldn’t help your jaw nearly falling to the ground, which caused Ajax to laugh again. “I suppose I’m not.” He patted your head lightheartedly before leaning back and staring up at the sky.

“Can I ask you something?” You asked sheepishly, joining him in his cloud watching.

“Of course, Wish Granter. Who would I be to deny an adeptus of asking a question?” His tone was so sweet that it sent you back to the days of your adeptal youth, when you were still young and reckless.

“Why come to me? If I have been forgotten by the people of Liyue, then why come and find me?” With a sigh you looked away, your ears burning with embarrassment and your heart aching with confusion. You grabbed your clothing and with a deep breath, reverted back to your true form, hoping to not frighten your new friend.

Ajax watched you closely, observing the horns that appeared on your head and the tail that flowed from behind you. You were a beautiful creature, elegant and pure. It was evident that you hadn’t interacted with a human in a long time, but he didn’t care. He was awestruck by your form, with how gracefully you moved and how humble you seemed. It was perfect.

You were perfect.

“In the book that I was reading, it named each adeptus’ grand abilities, and yours was being able to grant wishes. I got curious, so I came to find you, even though I don’t really have a wish for you do grant.” He laughed nervously, shrugging off the question.

“I’m glad you don’t have a wish,” you smiled, letting out a sigh before continuing with your story. “In the past, people would come to me with wishes and I would grant them with my power, but whenever they came to me, I had the misfortune of telling them that in order for them to get their wish, they would have to sacrifice something important to them. I don’t know why it’s like that, but it is. I find it incredibly unfair, and it always hurt me to watch them suffer so.”

Ajax listened intently, blushing slightly when you made eye contact with him once more. “You seem like a nice young man, I would really hate to see something bad happen to you because of a wish.” He nervously shifted in his place before you, now avoiding your stare.

He looked back up at the sky and then back at you before rising to his feet. “I’m afraid I must go now, but I will be back, don’t worry.” He smiled, helping you to your feet.

“W-wait.” You let out a nervous giggle, placing your hands behind your back. “What do I call you?”

“Please, call me Ajax.” He waved goodbye and then disappeared off into Jueyun Carst.

You stood there, holding the vision that was in the center of your chest and stared out into the horizon in awe. You wiped a tear from your eye and thanked Rex Lapis for finally providing you with a friend.

Your anemo vision glowed in the dark, shining through your hand as you clutched it.

For the first time in centuries, you felt a mixture of happiness and hope dwell in your heart.

The third time you encountered Ajax was much more beautiful than the last.

It had been a week or two since you had last physically seen him, but you knew he was still returning because of the various gifts he had left you and the multiple times you had heard him utter your name while praying to you.

You had been two shy to come out since the last time, so you would just sit in your abode and listen to his every word. He would tell you stories of Snezhnaya and the other harbingers. Stories if his family and his younger brother Teucer. Vast and wonderful stories about his travels and the various friends he had made along the way, along with the enemies that followed. You listened to all of it.

There was something about every time he came to visit you that made you giddy like a child who during the Lantern Rite. You couldn’t help the way you smiled when he told jokes, or cry when he spoke of his childhood. He truly made you feel like a young adeptus again, and you loved it.

“Wish Granter! I’ve returned!” Ajax smiled, knowing that you weren’t likely to show yourself, but still happy to feel your presence.

“That’s wonderful!” He turned around at the sound of your voice, his eyes lighting up when he spotted your smiling face. “What stories do you have for me today?”

“Actually, I was wondering if you would be willing to share some stories with me instead.” You nodded enthusiastically and walked over to where he was sitting.

“Of course I can, now what would you like to hear?” You sat beside him, resting your hands in your lap as you waited for a response.

“Could you tell me why Liyue doesn’t celebrate you?” His question was genuine, and you could tell he meant no harm by it, but it still caused your smile to falter slightly.

“Yes, but I’ll warn you that this story does not have a happy undertone.” You made sure you were comfortable before speaking again, making sure it wasn’t obvious that you were stalling.

“Long ago, there were many adepti. Each adeptus had their own strengths and weaknesses, and each was given a godlike power. They all had their own domains along with specialties. During the time of the adepti, the world was truly a beautiful place. However, during the archon war, many adepti were lost in battle, including one of my very good friends, Sea Gazer.

He was slain before my own eyes, and in a frenzy, I found myself fighting harder than I could ever possibly imagine. But I was foolish, and upon unleashing my powers carelessly, I had killed innocent people. After that, I banished myself to Jueyun Carst, refusing to hear out anyone. The fear that was in their eyes as they watched my outburst will be forever ingrained in my memory, along with their screams.

In time I found myself losing followers until I no longer had any. The people that had once loved me so had turned to other adepti and soon forgot about me. The villages that I used to watch over and visit regularly ceased to have as much life as they once did, because they lived in fear of the adeptus who murdered innocent people. I miss them greatly, but there is no way now that I can return to a village that sees me as a stranger.”

You shook your head, wiping a tear off your cheek with slight resentment. “And that is why Liyue no longer celebrates my name, because I made myself forgettable.”

You sighed, looking up at Ajax with the hope that he wouldn’t judge you, but he just sat there in silence, still processing your story.

Nervously, you shifted in your spot, doing your best to fight the urge to run away and hide in your domain.

“You are very brave for sharing your story with me.” He admitted, his tone much more serious than you would have expected. To your surprise, he reached out and grabbed your hand, squeezing it gently as he looked into your eyes. “Your situation reminds me much of my own, which only makes me feel sorry that a beautiful creature like you would have to experience such things.”

Ajax sighed, breaking eye contact as he mumbled something about how cruel the world is. “How long has it been since you’ve last spoken to Rex Lapis?”

“Since that day. I don’t even know if he would speak to me now.” You admitted, blushing when you felt Ajax’s thumb brush over the back of your hand softly.

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself.” Ajax’s words made you stiffen. “I’m sure the God of Contracts would be forgiving of you. If anything, I think he would be happy to see you again.”

A wistful smile graced your lips as you thought about seeing your fellow adepti again. “I hope your right. Maybe some day I’ll meet them again.” Your wistful smile turned into a bright one, reminding Ajax that you were a pure being despite your history.

“Wish Granter-“

“Please,” you placed your hand on top of his. “Call me Y/N, it’s what all my friends used to call me, so it’d be unfair to not let you do the same.”

Ajax smiled, “Y/N… I am truly glad that you and I met. I’ll make sure to tell everyone in Liyue of the wonderful adeptus Wish Granter.”

“Thank you, Ajax. I’m happy that you found me.”

He pulled you into a hug. It was a strange gesture for the both of you, so it was quite awkward, but it was incredibly comforting.

It only made your hopeful happiness grow.

It was at the Lantern Rite that you decided to leave the beautiful Jueyun Carst and be seen in Liyue once again. You were incredibly nervous, but were also excited to meet up with Ajax to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere together.

You had yet to run into anyone who recognized you, which you were thankful for. It allowed you some peace still to avoid your problems on a beautiful night like this.

When you reached the Northland Bank, you were greeted with the smiling face of Ajax, who entertained his arm with yours as you walked together.

“It’s been so long since I’ve experienced something like this.” You smiled, looking around with a giant smile on your lips. “Thank you for convincing me to come out here.”

“No problem! I’m just glad you decided to come!” Ajax returned your smile and continued to walk around the well lit Liyue Harbor with you. “Though, there is someone I would like you to meet. If you’re okay with it of course.”

“Yes yes, I would love to meet them!” Ajax chuckled at your enthusiasm as he led you to a nearby tea house.

There you saw a man with long black hair fading into a bronze color sitting at a table enjoying a cup of tea. You felt a sense of familiarity, but couldn’t put your finger on it. You actually found it to be odd how closely he resembled a face of your past.

“Y/N, this is Mr. Zhongli, the head of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Mr. Zhongli, this is my good friend Y/N, I’m sure the two of you will get along well.” He sat down beside Zhongli as you stood there, staring at the man with wide eyes.

“M-Mor-“

“Oh my, I’m sorry you two but something has just come up at the Northland Bank, I’ll be back shortly! Mr, Zhongli, I hope you’ll keep Y/N here great company!” Ajax quickly waved goodbye and began speed walking in the direction of the Northland Bank, leaving you alone with Zhongli.

“Y/N. It’s been so long,” Zhongli smiled softly, taking a sip of his tea. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Morax, I-“ You stopped, looking away. “I’m so sorry… it’s just- I didn’t know what to do…. And I swear I didn’t know….” You were talking so fast that all your words began to sound like one jumbled mess, but thankfully Zhongli understood you.

“None of that matters now, and it didn’t matter to begin with. All that matters is that you’re still alive and well after so long. Plus, I’m sure the other adepti would be glad to see you again.” Zhongli took another sip of his tea, watching you process his words.

A waitress came over and sat your tea gently onto the table, to which you paid no mind as you were stunned into silence.

“S-So… I can return?” You asked, nervously reaching out for your tea.

“Of course you can Y/N.”

In that moment, you felt a rush of every emotion known to man. It was all incredibly overwhelming and you didn’t know how to react to this. So you just sat there, your silence saying all.

“Though I do have one question…” Zhongli said, looking at you with what looked like a smirk. “What’s going on between you and Childe?”

You choked on your tea so hard you thought you were going to die.

205 notes · View notes

chloe-spade · 4 months

Text

The Little Leeches Act Two: A Day in Town

Floyd couldn't sleep by as he was back at the human grotto, looking around for more human stuff. Some of the stuff was found in the ocean, which is not surprising as King Julius was an old sailor in the day. He liked the cluttered and mess, and being surrounded by many stuff, which reminded him of home, which made him happy.

His attention was caught by a group of maps on a massive table. He grabbed one and tried to unravel it onto the table, but it kept folding up, which began to annoy him. Floyd was glad that he was silent, or else he would've been cursing at the paper, but the rustle of the map did catch someone's attention.

"Floyd?" whispered Riddle, looking at the doorway.

Floyd looks over and tries to hide the maps behind him. He wasn't exactly regretful of the noise, but he knew Riddle and how he reacted to such a mess that Floyd had made exploring.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Riddle asked.

Riddle walks over and looks around Floyd, seeing the mess of maps on the table, some curled back to their original form without Floyd's disturbance.

Floyd sheepishly shakes his head, still trying to hide the maps.

"Are you trying to look at the maps?" Riddle questioned, "I suppose maps are hard to unravel unless you put something onto them," he took a small statue and asked Floyd to unravel one of the maps.

Riddle puts it on the top side of the map and uses his other hand to keep it down as he and Floyd sit down at the table.

"This is the map of our kingdom, or well, queendom," Riddle chuckles, "My Great, Great, Great, Great-"

Floyd covered Riddle's mouth, annoyed at the repeated word, and wanted him to get to the point. Riddle glared up at Floyd before moving away and sighed.

"My very old Grandmother found the land and formed it. But she was not without a king, so she hereby claimed it as Queendom, a place ruled by a queen instead of a king," Riddle explained, "even when a king was ruling the land, it will forever be a queendom."

Floyd looks down at the map, some of the human words he can understand, but some are not easily read as the words look odd and curvy to him.

"Sorry, some handwriting is quite fancy and hard to understand for you, Floyd," Riddle spoke, "I am curious, where do you live? In the ocean, I mean."

Floyd looked around and gasped at the sight of a nearby rock, and pointed down at it.

"Underneath the rock? That's far from our shore on foot, hard to swim over there as well."

Floyd grins and lifts his feet, almost laughing.

"Oh, right," Riddle chuckles, "you're a mermaid, so swimming is not that hard for you," he looks over at Floyd and back on the rock, "Have you always been there, watching the kingdom?"

Floyd nodded.

"So you known about humans but never approached one until me?" Riddle pondered.

Floyd also nodded and used his fingers to create a trail from the rock to the dock where they had met. He then used his other hand to grab him as a pretend net to cover his hand.

"Oh…so that's what happened,"

Floyd's eyes wandered around to a strange bolder object and walked over to it. He picked up it and examined it.

"Floyd, be careful! My father will be upset if you break it." Riddle warned.

Floyd looks at Riddle and looks back at the rock before raising the rock and throwing it on the ground, watching it crumble into multiple pieces, revealing beautiful gems inside. Riddle watched in shock as Floyd took the gems and held them out to Riddle.

"…it was gem the entire time?"

Floyd nodded.

"Wow, Father always said that the ocean was full of wonderous things, even when we can't see it," Riddle whispered, taking the gem from Floyd, "…I wish I could tell him he was right."

Riddle cleared his throat, and continued to look at the map. "Those geos are absolutely beautiful…but please clean the mess."

Floyd pouted and started to clean his mess, being careful with the gemstones that he spilled. He looks over at Riddle and smiles at him.

"Have those geos always been hiding in those rocks for some time?"

Floyd nodded.

"I heard geos hidden in the ocean are extremely hard to find. Do you find them often?"

Floyd thought for a moment before nodding. He points over at the map where the rocks are and charades an explosion, like an underwater volcano.

"….broken by volcanoes?" Riddle questioned.

Floyd shrugs as he didn't know either but that's how things worked for him underwater.

"I never heard of volcanoes being underwater," Riddle mumbled, "It's very odd, perhaps it was a crater. But it's nothing compared to the merfolk, such as yourself."

Floyd grins and sits back down by Riddle, looking back at the map, just listening to Riddle and his knowledge of his queendom. It wasn't until his eyes began to drop and he rested his head on the map, catching Riddle's attention.

Riddle could only sigh and took Floyd's hand.

"Let's take you to bed," Riddle whispered and helped him up. "I'm glad we were able to bond over this."

Riddle carefully takes his lantern, leads Floyd back to his bedroom and helps him onto the bed, watching Floyd sleep peacefully as he rests on the bed. Riddle carefully tucks him in, looking down at Floyd.

"Goodnight, Floyd.."

💔

Veronica was distraught after learning that her son had gone missing without a trace.

It wasn't like Azul to completely disappear without telling her first, and she knew what would happen if Azul didn't. But days have passed and no signs of Azul were ever made. So she turned to the one person she could only turn to in a situation like this.

Her older brother, Triton, the king of all the seven seas, and someone who doesn't take missing reports very lightly.

"When was he seen last?" Triton asked, "It is unlike Azul to run away without much reason."

"Only 2 days from today I recall." Veronica answered, "Azul would've told me where he was going at the very least. Azul and I are very open with each other but what if I said something bad to him?"

"I understand what you are feeling, but Azul is a smart kid. We should be able to find him everywhere and we will find him. Do you remember what you two have been talking about before he left?"

"Mainly something about Floyd and Jade, his friends. Something about hanging out with them, as per usual. But nothing else, but I trust Azul. I wouldn't believe he would just disappear."

Triton listened, but couldn't understand it. Three mermen went missing two days ago without any note or sign of disappearance. Some merpeople last seen them around a week ago, talking, and one of them wearing an odd bag that contained mysterious stuff. But no one knows what it was.

All the parents were scared and worried, which is reasonable, and that is why they decided to meet up to gather collective perspectives.

Marigold and Killigan arrived for a few moments after the initial conversation.

"Hello, Your Highness," Killigan greeted, "Thank you for taking the time to talk to us about our sons."

"We appericate it so much," Marigold added, "I'm started to get worried about my sons."

Triton nodded.

"When was the last time you have seen your sons?'

"Only 2 days before they've gone missing," Killigan explained, "My wife and I have dinner with them, but we both noticed something with one of our boys, Floyd. He was mopey, like a typical starfish glued to the floors, and never spoke up to us. We never asked why."

"We assumed it would be a mood swing." Marigold gulped, "He has those regularly and we are used to them."

"Well, what else happens? Did he go somewhere? Did he talk with someone?" Veronica pestered.

"No, Floyd just left after dinner, and Jade followed, per usual."

"He never explained where he was," Killigan scoffed, "but I can assume it's nowhere safe."

Triton listened, as he figured something was a tail with this mystery occurrence so he looked at the parents once again.

"Are the twins known to be troublemakers from time to time?" Triton asked, "or more specifically, what was your son's favorite hobby?"

Killigan and Marigold both gulped as they knew if they told the king the truth, things may as well go south. How do you exactly explain that your son collects human things since he was able to swim alone? No one wanted to answer questions, so they kept their mouths shut.

"Why are you two silent?" Veronica asked, "What are you hiding?"

"It's not hiding," Killigan explained, "but it's more of your reactions to it."

"It can't be horrendously bad," Triton spoke up, "unless it involves humans, of course."

The silence felt more louder than any song that was sung in the sea as both Triton and Veronica wondered why the silence was there. It didn't take more than a moment to realize that the parents knew exactly what their son was doing and what he was involved in. It didn't sit well with them both.

"Ok, Ok," Marigold broke, "Floyd collecrs human stuff, and we know it's super bad.."

"HE WHAT?!" gasped Triton and Veronica, staring at both Leeches.

"I know it's super bad, and If I need to help to find my son, then some secrets need to be broken."

"And all my years hearing all the crazy stuff I heard from your son, this is the most bizarre. I hope your son realizes that this is extremely illegal and death is the penalty." Veronica looked at the Leeches. "No merfolk should be ever near humans, nor their stupid stuff, and dangerous ships."

"And where does he keep this human stuff?" Triton asked in a slow, menacing tone.

"We…do not know," Killigan admitted, "it must be well hidden."

"We always try to stop him, but he just keeps on going. No matter what warnings or punishments we give him, he just continues without even thinking of the consequences of his actions. I have to send Jade to keep Floyd in line."

"So you let your other child in danger? Let alone you never told me this in the first place?"

"The reason we never told you or Veronica this is that I don't want my son to be harmed by people I consider friends. And Floyd's only a teenager, and you know how teenager are." Marigold defened her son.

"And with all due respect," Killigan added, "we care about our sons and even though they are in trouble, we just care about their safety. And we can't sleep because we don't know where they are."

"We'll figure out a punishment later," Triton spoke, "but you are right. Their safety is much more important than rulebreaking. We just need to search around and track them down." He turns to Veronica, "Do you still have your magic spellbook?"

"Of course I do."

Veronica swims around, trying to find her spell book. But no matter the location, she could not find the book. Even in the most secret places, she could not find her spellbook. It was starting to frustrate her more as she realized that her spellbook had gone missing as well.

"She still loses it?" Triton joked.

"That was when I was 7, and you know that, Triton," Veronica huffed from her room. "But alas, I cannot find my spellbook. I looked everywhere but it's not there."

"Really? Do you at least learn most of your spells?" Triton asked.

"Of course I did, but why is my spellbook missing?"

Veronica swam around, panicking.

"Now, I don't want to add more to your panicking, Veronica," Triton spoke, "but I fear that along with Azul's disappearance, is that he took the spellbook along him."

"Ugh, I hoped it wouldn't come to that conclusion," Veronica mumbled, "He's the only person I told my secret spot to." She swam back, "I'm just glad Winifred didn't just steal it."

The others sighed in agreement.

"What should we do now? Looking for them has been a fail so far," Marigold lamented, "Who knows where they have been last."

Veronica thought about it and then looked over at her brother.

"Do you still have that spell of yours?" She asked, "the tracking spell?"

"I wouldn't call it that, Roni," Triton spoke, "It's merely a reflection of where the person is last."

"I beg to differ, considering how you used that against us as children. But regardless, can you use it?"

"Yes."

Triton swam away and used his triton to create a makeshift image of the twins, who immediately started to swim in a certain direction, talking to each other.

The adults followed, watching how Floyd typically always found something that belonged to humans and added it to his bag of human stuff. He was doing so secretly, even when Jade was near him, he didn't let him see what he had found.

This leads to a pathway, covered with vines. It was, from a distance, an old grotto, a rock with a very hollow inside, but it was a place for Floyd as he swam inside it.

Once inside, the mers found a major collection of human stuff. Floyd was putting stuff away with Jade simply watching him with a smile on his face. It was once again clear that the two were having another conversation about something, but it was making Floyd incredibly happy.

"What are they saying?" Killigan asked.

"Something about…a Goldfishie?" Marigold stammered, "About love? He was in love with someone.."

"He was? No wonder he was so odd and was more secretive," Killigan mumbled. "More per usual I mean."

The time began going forward to one of Floyd crying with Jade comforting him, which was hurtful for Killigan and Marigold to watch as their most excitable son became a sobbing mess as if someone had broken his heart.

"Poor Floyd," Marigold sighs, "what could've happened to him?"

"A clear sign that he was heartbroken," Veronica hissed."A clear love confession went wrong for your son. It's horrible but that's normal. This has nothing to do with their disappearances, why show us this?"

A vampire squid entered the scene, circling the twins.

"…that's why," Triton answered, "That's Zephyr, Winifred's dirty friend, the one who drags those mermaids to their deaths, those deals cause more harm than good."

"You don't think she would.."

"She obviously would," Veronica sneered, "your son was the perfect victim. Sad, heartbroken, and most importantly vulnerable, and that is what she wants. And I'm afraid that she lured him into her trap."

"….why?"

"What's the deal?"

"Who knows but it's bad." Triton swam over to Marigold.

They began to follow the memory to the depths of the sea to her own grotto, green and purple smoke rising from it. Keeping their distance, watching Floyd and Jade swimming inside it. A few moments later, they saw no more memories of the twins, but within the smoke, they could see the twins, now with legs, swimming up with the help of Azul.

"They…they…." Marigold stammered.

"Legs. They did a trade for legs," Killigan gasped, "…it was so obvious, why didn't we see it?"

"Why didn't we? He's our son," Marigold shuddered.

"Now we know where they have been," Triton grumbled, "we should discuss the next course of action. Winifred is intelligent, and we should be careful."

The others swam away, leaving the grotto alone in the darkness.

💔

Floyd yawns as the sun begins to rise. He looks around to wipe his drool off, looking around his bedroom. Still, googly from sleep, he got off his bed and stumbled onto the floor as soon as he started to walk.

He turned over and looked over at his legs. Right, his newly acquired legs that he got. He forgot that once he woke up, but he couldn't stop just staring. He quickly got up and walked around, hoping that each step he made wouldn't wake him up from a dream, but he was fully awake and he just started to jump happily.

He immediately got up and was startled by the maids who entered the room to help him for the day, going into the village, something that Floyd was excited about and wanted to do. But he couldn't stay still due to the excitement, which made it difficult for the maids to dress him.

"Floyd?" called Azul. "Are you ready to go?"

Floyd rushed out and almost tripped onto his feet. He managed to grin as he straightened himself up.

"Come on, everyone is waiting for us for breakfast," Azul stated.

Floyd smiles and with Azul, walks downstairs to the dining room, where everyone else is eating, except for Jade, who is confused about the food.

"Good Morning, Floyd," Riddle greeted, "how was your sleep?"

Floyd smiled and sat down, looking at the food in front of him, practically in awe. Riddle could only chuckle and started to take Floyd's plate and fill it with the food.

"Just things you would enjoy," Riddle whispered, handing the plate to Floyd.

Floyd looked and began to eat, trying not to use the dinglehopper for his hair again. He was already in trouble for stealing one to use last night. His eyes glow up at the food in front of him and happily continues to eat the food in front of him.

"Haha, always the honey, I bet," Julius laughed, "they always swoon over it."

"Father, please," Trey chuckles, "the honey isn't that special."

"It's handmade by my son, of course, it's special," Julius complimented, "our guest seems to think so too."

"It is delightful," Azul admitted.

Jade looked over at Trey, surprised at his culinary expertise, if he may say. The food was significantly different than it was under the sea and the smell, the taste, and the presentation showed that. And for the most part, it was delicious and Jade couldn't get enough, though he simply wished the honey wasn't so sticky.

"So, what do you plan for today?" Queen Icabeth asked.

"Just a small town visit." Trey explained, "I want to show our guests our town."

"Well, I understand, but Trey, you are still recovering."

"I think I recovered well," Trey huffed, "don't worry, we'll be extreamly careful. Are you all ready?"

"Right now?" Azul asked. "We should at least finish our food?"

"Town's entrance is easier to enter in the morning," Trey smiles. helping Jade up. "Best to be here than later, right? Follow me,"

Jade stumbled on his feet as Trey led him into the staples with a big carriage with horses in front of the castle's gate.

It made Jade entirely curious, walking around it. He was ready to touch the horse before Trey intervened.

"Careful," Trey chuckled, "horses may be stunning, but going near one unannounced may be a bad result. Their legs are incredibly strong and will kill you if you are not careful."

Riddle, Floyd, and Azul entered the stables shortly afterward. Azul and Floyd stared at the horses, neighing at nothing.

"What is that?" Azul asked.

"You never had transportation in the ocean?" Riddle questioned, "It's a horse and carriage, a way to travel from place to place."

"So..like sea horses, without the sea part. Intriguing."

"Are we ready to go?" Trey asked, getting their attention. "We shouldn't let the horses wait. They can be pretty impatient." He looks over at Jade and lets out his hand with a smile, "Shall we?"

Jade gulps and takes his hand, gasping as Trey helps him onto the carriage, sitting next to him.

"Who's driving?."

"I am," Riddle spoke, "I know how to ride carriage and control horses. So I'll be able to handle it."

Azul turned to Floyd, helping himself up to the front, along with Riddle.

"You didn't tell us anything about him, I hope you know that," Azul mumbled as he got into the carriage.

Floyd shrugged in ignorance, not exactly caring about Azul's dismay.

With a whip, the carriage sets off, now letting everyone outside of the castle. It was jolting for the merpeople, feeling the carriage move and jump for a moment, but it was amazing how the scenery changed for them.

"I…everything looks so beautiful out here..and I hate admitting it," Azul muttered to Jade. "But everything is just so..dazzling."

Jade lets out a silent chuckle, clearly happy about Azul's stubbornness.

But everyone in the back began to feel the carriage rattle around, almost jumbling around over it.

"What in the world?" Trey gasped and looked over at the front.

He sees a crazy happy Floyd, whipping the reins and letting horses ride as freely as they can, laughing, well, silently laughing, and a distressed Riddle trying to stop it, alerting everyone about Floyd's reckless driving, and trying to stop him. Trey could tell how badly Riddle regretted giving Floyd control.

But after a small bump, things began to ride smoothly once again and Floyd was riding it as if he knew what he was doing, which was surprising to Riddle but he managed to calm himself down as he watched Floyd in case something bad happened.

Trey sighs and looks at Jade, enjoying himself.

"Your brother must enjoy the crazy rides," he laughed, "I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not a bad sight, and by that smile, you must be used to it."

"Not only used to it, but enjoying it." Azul added.

Jade smiles, with his usual fake innocence that Azul knows so well.

After seeing the entrance, Floyd stopped the carriage and jumped off, looking at the guards.

"Floyd!" Riddle called out, "Have you lost your mind?! You could've gotten us hurt or worse killed! But yet, you knew how to calm them down enough to ride it carefully."

Floyd grins and just shrugs.

"Well, Floyd is typically good at sea horses," Azul gagged from sickness, "but I suppose since horses have legs, it was different for him. But typically Floyd, though airheaded, he learns quickly."

"Not quick enough to know the different between a brush and a fork,," Riddle murmured to himself. "Nonetheless, we have arrived and I think it will be best to split and go around seperatly."

"Really?" Trey sputtered, "You are usually the last one to suggest that. Why the certain change?"

"Well, I think it would be nice for us…and besides, you should get to know Jade. He certainly is confused about everything and I think you are the perfect guide for him."

"I suppose you are right," Trey sighs. "Alright, but we will meet right here at the end of the day, alright."

Floyd's eyes lit up as he rushed over to the town, ignoring the guards and the people.

"Floyd! Come back here!" Riddle called out, grabbing Azul, and running behind him.

"Well, those two have their hands full," Trey laughs, and looks over at Jade, "Let's get going. They are so many things I want to show you and so much more."

Jade smiled, took Trey's hand, and was led inside.

💔

Jade looks around as he looks around the town, especially at the food courts. He drooled over delicious meals and desserts. He didn't know that Trey was struggling to keep up with him as he zoomed over from place to place.

But Trey adored this of his new guest. His confused face and love for new stuff were admiring to him, and his joy was something Trey couldn't help but smile about. Like how he was just staring at a hat he was interested in, wearing it on his head, and how it fit perfectly. But alas, the sight of food caught his attention and rushed away.

Trey chuckles and hands the money to the shopkeeper, "Sorry, he's new and clearly enjoying himself."

The shopkeep nodded in acknowledgment as Trey followed him.

Jade was now staring at the strawberry shortcake, completely mesmerized.

"Do you want that?" Trey asked. "I can get us some slices if you want. With beverages, of course."

Jade smiled and nodded, excited.

He was escorted to a table to sit down by and as he sat, he was calm, watching the sea reflect the sun and sky. It made his stomach turn into homesickness and nausea. All thoughts were put aside as he saw two slices of shortcake in front of him.

Jade looked, and almost just grabbed it, but he watched how Trey used the newly named dinglehopper to eat the shortcake, and with slight hesitation, he followed his lead.

After the first bite, Jade began to eat faster, enjoying every bite.

"Have you ever gotten this before?" Trey chuckled.

Jade's face flushed as he shook his head, drinking his water.

"I'm glad you like it. It's nice to know you like sweet things," Trey spoke, "maybe I could make some desserts for you when we get back at the palace." Trey smiles and looks at his cake. "My mother and I baked a lot together, and I still bake, clearly you saw this morning. I think it's a nice hobby for me to just…be alone with my thoughts, you know?"

Jade nodded with a smile.

"Have you ever thought of cooking?"

Jade made a face considering his answer. He has cooked before, but it's nothing like human food, he knows that and what he saw, they are much more layers for cooking on land than at sea.

So he nodded, hoping to learn about cooking.

"I'm glad. Maybe we should cook together? Just you and I?'

Jade beamed happily.

Trey smiles and takes a bite of his shortcake.

"It's strange," Trey gulped, "I feel like, despite you being mute, we are having a full conversation. I'm getting to know you and you are getting to know me, and I'm enjoying our time together."

Jade grins in agreement. He looks over at a boat leading to a beautiful lagoon. Another thing that reminded him of his home, he thought, was another thing that gave him feelings of guilt.

Trey notices and takes Jade's hand.

"How about a small boat ride after this? I noticed you were staring at it and thought I should ask."

Jade blushes at the hand-holding and nods.

💔

Riddle and Azul huffed as they followed Floyd to another marketer, looking at new things. As soon as they left the village, was the time Floyd began to use his new feet to run around at every opportunity.

It was hard for the two, as Floyd was just as fast on feet as he was with a tail, Azul mentioned.

"How did his parents raise him?" Riddle panted, resting on the fountain.

"Oh, trust me," Azul panted back, "You have not met his mom. I swear, he got everything from his mom, especially her tendency of creating nicknames."

"I always wondered about that."

"It's merely based on what part of the appearance he likes." Azul explained, "Like your red hair, for example."

"I was more thinking of how red I get when I am upset," Riddle chuckled. "Or maybe when he flustered me."

"I would say both."

"Ah! What the hell are you doing?!" called a puppeteer.

Riddle and Azul look over to see Floyd holding onto a puppet, thinking of it as a real person. He looked back at the hand, now shaking his fist angrily, but Floyd shrugged and began to play with the small puppet in hand.

Riddle rushed over grabbed the puppet and returned it.

"I apologize for my friend and his behavior, sir, he's..uh," Riddle stammered, "new, to puppetry."

"Good excuse," Azul scoffed sarcastically.

Riddle glared at Azul taking Floyd to a nearby center, and sighed with relief.

"Floyd, you should be careful," Riddle lectured, "You have to remember that no one else knows about you or your origins and you might do something they do not like. It may be a shock to those, and I'm not saying that it's bad, but I just want you to be cautious."

Floyd pouted and sat down.

"He's right, Floyd," Azul spoke, "you are causing a scene."

Floyd wanted to speak but nothing came out and just looked away, clearly upset about not speaking and feeling restricted just as was before even coming over to the surface.

Music was played in the background, alerting Floyd. He wanted to ask Azul but once again, no words came out.

Riddle looks back at the band and grabs Floyd's hand, pulling him onto the center floor.

"Who needs words?" Riddle spoke, "Dancing beats small talk any day. It's the way your feet smile. Or laugh. It lets you say so many things. Now come over here."

Riddle grinned and started to sway, leading Floyd to the center.

🌹

Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard

You can whisper, sing or shout without so much as a word

Try it, go on, like so…

Just let your emotions tell your body what to do

See how much a single gesture can reveal!

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer

To saying what you feel

🌹

Floyd gasped as the music started to flow across the center, and he and Riddle began to slow dance, but it was odd for Floyd, who started to trip slightly because of his new feet. It made Riddle chuckle at Floyd but he made sure to keep the teasing to a minimum.

Azul smiled as he watched Floyd begin to dance along with a newfound smile on his face, staring at his new feet as he danced.

🌹

Once the music hits you, inhibitions fall away

And you find that you're expressing things

Your voice daren't say

Don't be afraid, let go

Soon as you surrender, what's inside will sweep on through

As the boundaries between us disappear

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer

To talking loud and clear

🌹

Riddle watched how Floyd kept learning how to move his feet, looking back at Riddle, laughing.

🌹

A dance is like a conversation

Except you never need to make a sound

And once you've begun

You speak as one

Give and take

Back and forth

Round and round

🌹

Floyd grinned as he danced away from Riddle, starting to dance by himself. It was an olden mermaid dance, swaying his arms side to side and grabbing his skirt to create waves as he twirls around, not careful about tripping onto his feet.

But his smile made Riddle's heart jump. Watching Floyd dance in a mermaid-style dance, which was something he could never find when he studied, reminded Riddle about the relationship that the two have grown over the years and how he trusted Riddle with his existence at all.

Riddle quickly grabbed onto Floyd's waist as they danced together, Riddle catching up with the merman's movements, and failing at times, and he could tell Azul enjoyed those moments, laughing to himself.

Riddle could just laugh.

🌹

A dance is like a conversation

Except your lips don't ever need to part

And once you've begun

You speak as one

Cheek to cheek

Toe to toe

Heart to heart

🌹

As the music almost reached its conclusion. Riddle carefully swayed Floyd to a small waltz before bowing down.

🌹

Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard

But it says much more than language ever could

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer…

One step closer…

One step closer

To being understood

💔

Floyd grinned and hugged Riddle, reassured.

"All better?" Riddle grinned.

Floyd nodded, almost jumping on his feet.

"Well, where to next, Floyd?" Riddle asked, "I bet a jewelry shop is up to your strange taste? But, you are following me, and you will not run." Riddle established and grabbed Floyd's hand tightly.

Riddle leads Floyd to a nearby jewelry stand, full of shining jewels that Floyd is having a hard time touching without Riddle's noticing it.

"Anything is yours, just choose."

Floyd grabbed a yellow jeweled necklace, shaped like a golden autumn leaf and smiled at Riddle.

"That brings out your eyes, Floyd. Hey, sir, may I buy this?"

As Riddle conversed with the salesperson, Floyd's eyes immediately saw an opportunity. He saw a box with a rose gold ring with a white jewel, an engagement ring. He quickly takes it and puts it in his pocket arousing suspicion and looks down, waiting for Riddle to be done.

He smiled to himself, knowing that his afternoon plans were on the table.

But, of course, Floyd looks at something shiny and follows it, leaving Riddle with the salesperson.

"Thank you, sir. Floyd, I got the…are you kidding me!? How did he even run off!" Riddle growled and began to look around for the wondering eel. "Azul! Floyd's escaping again!"

"Again??"

💔

Trey carefully helped Jade in the boat and began to row away, moving away from the docks and onto a beautiful lagoon. As he rowed, he watched how Jade began to play with the lake's small fishes and blushed at it.

Trey can't help but stare at Jade when the fireplace begins to fly around them, illuminating Jade in the dark lagoon, and making his eyes stand out with everything.

"Wow," Trey swooned, "you look absolutely beautiful."

Jade turned his head to Trey, and his face was now light pink. He gulped to himself as he registered what had been said to him.

"S-sorry," Trey stammered, now red. "It just slipped out of my mouth but I can't help saying what I see. I understand if I made this awkward."

Jade grinned and took his hand, still pink from Trey's comments.

"You don't mind?"

Jade shakes his head.

"You know…" Trey started, "I'm glad you came here. For the past few days, I've been set on finding you after what happened, but I couldn't start. Now I don't need to since you are here."

Jade tilted his head in confusion. Finding him? Does Trey remember him from that night? But he couldn't speak on it, even though he wanted to.

He grabbed Jade's hands and held them tenderly.

"And I'm so happy you came to me…"

No words could even be said between them as the air spoke for itself. It made Jade want to speak his feelings out to Trey, he wished that his longing for Trey would just end but why does his mind want to do the things his heart wants?

"Jade…I lo-"

Trey's sentence was interrupted by the boat suddenly swaying and tilting over, with both people falling into the water. Luckily for the two, it wasn't deep waters so no worries of drowning down.

Trey grabbed Jade and helped him up and tried to check for any bruises.

"Are you ok?" Trey asked, looking around Jade, worried. "Nothing hurt, sprained or bruised?"

Jade shakes his head as he quickly wraps his arms around himself, now shivering in the new cold. He never felt cold, as a merman, but he didn't know that humans have no immunity to the cold whatsoever and that it made him shake like a scared child.

Trey noticed immediately, wrapped his coat around Jade, and helped him to a nearby shore. Jade looks over and goes closer to Trey as a 'thank you' as they walk over to the carriage.

A few minutes passed and running towards them was Floyd, silently laughing to himself, covered in dirt, followed by exhausted Riddle and Azul.

"Well, looks like you all had some fun." Trey laughed.

"Fun? You call running after Floyd, fun?" Azul panted. "You seem to misunderstand that Floyd is not like Jade. Floyd, if he finds anything he wants, he goes for it."

Floyd grinned and held his necklace with pride.

"What happened to you two?" Riddle asked, "You're both soaked."

"Boat accidentally tipped over," Trey explained, "It was unfortunate but luckily it was nearby the shore so we were safe."

"Oh. Accidently?" Azul spoke.

He looks back at the pond, seeing a pair of red and black tentacles swim away. He knew exactly whose those belonged to and he was not happy with the new developments.

"I doubt it," Azul scoffed.

"Uh, we should get going," Trey spoke, "It's getting dark and I don't want Jade to get sick here."

Everyone agrees and takes the ride back, resting for a bit.

Once they returned, Trey led Jade upstairs, trying to hide from the guards, not wanting to be seen soaked and his parents panicking. Trey leads Jade to his room, looking around for any more guards.

"Sorry for the boat ride accident," Trey laughed, "but having sweets with you was fun and I loved the day we had together and I hope we have more."

Jade grins and opens the door to enter his room but he stops for a second before rushing back, putting his newly bought hat onto Trey's hat, grinning at him. Trey smiles and laughs, holding the hat onto his head.

"Oh, thank you. You think it suits me?"

Jade nodded and quickly entered his room, leaving Trey staring at his door.

💔

With only 30 minutes to spare, Azul was looking around the castle. He needed a break from the tweels for a few minutes, as he felt like exploding if he stayed with them. And besides, why not look around the castle for a few minutes?

He found the royal library, with a lone man sitting down, face in a book with a young boy sleeping on his lap. He was deep in his book to not notice Azul's arrival, or perhaps that he did not care at all.

"Why are you here?" He quietly spoke up, startling Azul.

"Well," Azul stammered, "Am I not allowed in here?"

"You are allowed, but you are not to talk to me, " The man spoke silently, it was barely a whisper to Azul, "I do not want to wake up my little brother."

"As if I make loud noises."

"You made so much noise, especially when you screamed at your…friends, I suppose." The man looks up from his book, looking at Azul, "Oh, you the guy who hit a nearby door when you first arrived."

"Huh..wha.."

"A gift, I don't attract attention so I saw you struggling to open a door that wasn't locked for 10 minutes, or maybe was it more? I can't remember."

Azul flushed and folded his arms.

"I mean, who else requested to bring you glasses?"

"Oh..you give me these things?" Azul spoke, looking at his new glasses, "I never needed them before. I thought it was just a side effect," Azul stopped and glared at the man, "and who are you to question me?"

"Idia Shroud," the man introduced himself, "so you say that you never wore glasses before you came here, so does that mean that you've become blind overnight?" Idia questioned.

"Of course not," Azul scoffed, "My eyes are just…"

"You know if you do make an excuse, I won't believe you, but I'll lie for you, considering the Novoselic kingdom is far from the Queendom of Hearts, the trip might take 3 months at a time," Idia informed Azul, now looking back at his book and pointed to a nearby globe of the world. "Or to a year at most, but for you to appear so suddenly might just be a coincidence, or you're not from Novoselic at all. Not surprising, considering that you came with two randomly muted brothers and one of them knows Prince Riddle? And he doesn't push away from his hugs. Sounds like major chemistry."

Azul stood there, stunned by Idia's monotone explanation of his disbelief.

"So, where are you from?" Idia asked, "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."

"Because it could be blackmailed information?"

"No, I don't care, but your arrival is just odd to me."

Azul looks over at Idia and then at the young boy.

"Speaking of brothers," Azul spoke, "Is he?"

"Younger brother, yes. Now leave me alone."

Azul took a moment and sighed.

"Hmm, leaving you alone increases your chances of finding out the truth. I can't have that, you know."

"You have increased my suspension a lot."

"Then maybe we can talk to each other."

"No." Idia denied.

"Why do you hate conversation? As a librarian, you should get used to speaking with others and helping them find books around here."

"This is purely a temporary job. My father and mother are inventors and are often overseas so someone has to pay bills to take care of this little guy," Idia looks down at his little brother. "and besides, I hate staring at people. It's something about the eyes,"

"Eyes can show so much if you don't have a voice, hm?"

Idia nodded.

"But, I wished some didn't have any voices, they can be pretty mean and could just stab you with a knife every time," Idia admitted, "they just don't care about what you feel, just for entertainment."

Azul looked and was shocked that such a quiet man had spoken so many words and words that spoke so much truth.

"I understand. Such…people are just not happy."

Idia looked down, his face became pink, and it was visible with his pale skin.

"I'll keep this a secret. I know what it's like to be bullied and almost want to take their voices so they can leave you alone." Azul spoke back and stood up. "I'll take my leave."

"…thank you for listening." Idia muttered.

"Of course, Idia."

Azul smiles and leaves, leaving the man alone once again.

💔

Everyone was eating in the dining area, Riddle and Trey telling the King and Queen about their day, excluding Trey getting pushed into the water, not wanting them to have a heart attack.

"Floyd was quick onto his feet, Mother," Riddle grinned, "I never saw someone so happy like Floyd, and although he did not listen to me, I help but couldn't be so happy for him. And an amazing dancer, I may add."

Floyd blushes and eats his dinner with a genuine smile.

"I would like to see him dance," Trey spoke up, "and perhaps Jade knows how to dance, too?"

Jade gulped and took a sip of his tea.

"How delightful," Queen Icabeth grumbled into her tea, "well, speaking of our guests, I have officailly contacted Novasolic and have a ship on our way for you all."

The trio stopped what they were doing and looked over at each other in concern. Not especially when their quest was not even over.

"Why, thank you, Your Highness," Azul stammered, "May I ask when they will arrive?"

"In a few weeks. So, please, enjoy the time you have here," Icabeth sipped her tea, then continued, "And Trey, we still need to decide what you want for your engagement party."

"You're still talking about the engagement ball?" Julius sighs, "I thought we postponed it."

"Of course not, it's rule #321, "No Engagement Ball will be canceled, even for reasonable reasons", and I want Trey to be happy and find the one he loves for him to become king."

"That's an oddly specific rule," Azul muttered to Jade, "and whose kingdom as over 300 rules?"

"Ours," Riddle answered, taking a bite of the fried fish, "When you become king, you will learn the rules of the Queendom. It has been this way for generations."

Floyd rolled his eyes.

"Well," Riddle gulped, looked at his mother, "I think it should be like celebrating an actual engagement rather than getting Trey engaged."

"What could you possibly mean, Riddle?" Julius questioned.

Riddle took a sigh and stood up.

"I would like to make an announcement," Riddle looks over at Floyd, walks over to it, and holds his hand.

Floyd's brain stopped and looked at Riddle. Was this happening, he thought to himself, was Goldfishie doing what he thought he was doing? Despite not speaking, Floyd's voice was stuck on his throat but he had a stupid happy grin on his face.

"Riddle," Icabeth gasped, trying to lecture him.

She almost fainted as Riddle got down to one knee and presented a ring. It was not a family ring, it was golden in color with an aquamarine in the center, which reminded Floyd of the ocean. He knew that was in Riddle's plan and he couldn't stop looking at it and Riddle at the same time, and he didn't notice the tears of joy he had until Riddle wiped them away.

"Floyd, from the moment we met, you have saved me from an umpending doom and soon after that, I have been infatuated by you. I understand that I never showed that much affection and have been more annoyed with you when we are together," Riddle spoke sincerely, holding Floyd's hand. "However, from the times we met to now, I realized how much I adore your over-the-top personality to your hobbies. They are the reason we have bonded and always talk about what we wanted and now I am ready. I am reminded why I even pushed you away, it's because I love you and I always will. Floyd Leech, will you marry me?"

Riddle was taken aback when Floyd's hands touched his cheeks and pulled him into a loving kiss, but he slowly got into it.

Azul realized a small light from Floyd's throat, something that brought him comfort.

Riddle pulled away from the kiss and looked at Floyd, almost breathless.

"Was that a yes," laughed Riddle.

Floyd let out a big laugh and nodded. "I will! I will! Goldfishie…Riddle….I…I love you."

Riddle smiles. "I love you too."

#The Little Leeches #the little mermaid au #twisted wonderland #jade leech #floyd leech #azul ashengrotto #idia shroud #twst

10 notes · View notes

nordleuchten · 4 months

Text

Trouble with the In-Laws ...

I found something interesting the other day. This is the copy of a declaration by the French ambassador to the British court about the recent trade agreement between France and the newly founded United States of America. The ambassador at the time was a French nobleman, Emmanuel Marie Louis, Marquis de Noailles. And if the name might sound familiar to you, you are right. The Marquis de Noailles was La Fayette’s uncle by marriage. He was the brother of La Fayette’s father-in-law, the father of his wife Adrienne. Before departing for America, La Fayette was sent by his father-in-law, the Duc d’Ayen, to stay with the Marquis for some time in England and dabble in English court circles. The hope was that the exposure to Britain would dampen La Fayette’s enthusiasm for the American cause - we all know how that went.

I image the office of French ambassador to the court of St. James was in general not the most easy and pleasant task during this time, and even less so if your in-law would soon become Americas new poster boy.

Anyway, I am bit disappointed that this is a copy, and we can not have a look at the Marquis’ handwriting.

GEO/ADD/15/0759 https://gpp.rct.uk/GetMultimedia.ashx?db=Catalog&type=default&fname=GEO_ADD_15_0759.pdf (12/31/2023)

#marquis de lafayette #la fayette #french history #american history #history #american revolution #british history #1778 #marquis de noailles #gerorgian paper program #handwriting #duc d'ayen #adrienne de noailles #adrienne de la fayette

15 notes · View notes

zhongrin · 7 months

Note

> Hello Coviello!

> I'm sorry for bothering you but, ehm... I'm not sure how to say this actually. A letter addressed to Rin seems to have been sent to the wrong address! I'm not sure how, but it ended up in my hands before hers. So here I am, giving you her letter instead! I'm sure the mailman messed up addresses, although it remains weird given how far apart our addresses are haha.

*Coviello has received the letter with Rin's name from Shiro! The return address on the envelope is not from the person handing them the letter. Furthermore, a name from the actual sender seems to be missing. How strange!

> Before I leave, I have to add... Please do not read the letter before Rin does. I am trusting you with the task of guarding it until she´s available, and only because she´s busy!! But... I hope you´ll understand.

The letter which you received from Shiro is in pristine condition. The quality of the parchment is high, and the wax seal on the back seems expensive as well. When you turn the envelope around, you see a return address on the back; "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor", Liyue.

When you pull the letter out of the envelope after breaking the seal, you are met with cursive handwriting in black ink. Each letter is delicately crafted and carefully chosen. The sender seems to have put a lot of thought behind each word, not a single one seems to be wasted, and one could almost the letter as a piece of art.

When you bring it closer, the scent of glaze lilies obscures the preexisting scents in the room, dominating, and yet it remains a gentle and inviting smell. You now notice the flower within the envelope you had previously missed. Along with it, a small piece of cor lapis seems to be added. With the way the sender carefully wrote each word, there's no doubt that they have added these two items with purpose.

"My Love,

May this letter find you in good health.

Up till today, I have not heard a single reply to any of the letters I sent. Has something occurred in your daily life? Are you facing troubles alone? If you are, do not hesitate to reach out to me. You know you can always rely on me, as I will do anything in my power to keep you safe and happy.

At some point I believe I even started to doubt myself. The many letters I sent, surely they wouldn't go unheard by you? Perhaps we need more time,

And perhaps we don't. While my patience might appear to be endless, I recently discovered that a familiar Harbinger lurks around the teahouse, and this caused an unsettling feeling in my chest.

(The sender seems to hesitate after this point. It seems as if they had more to say, but decided to not write it down in this letter. The next paragraph continues, as if ignoring the one above.)

My flower, please consider writing a response to my letters. If not for your sake, then for mine. I fear my heart won't be able to bear the silence for much longer.

Your beloved,

(The signature is missing. However, upon closer inspection, at the right bottom of the letter a small geo sign has been drawn in golden ink. When you tilt the parchment, it seems to glow for a moment, then it dissipates and leaves the parchment without a sign of it ever being there at all.)

Blue eyes narrowed, followed by a deft hand slipping the letter and the flower back into the envelope. A Pyro delusion sparked to life, and the envelope bursted into flames, its ashes dropping onto the floor.

"Ah... I'll have to clean that."

Coviello lifted their other hand, inspecting the small piece of cor lapis that came with the letter.

Now, what do I do with this and all those other gems... Hmph. I suppose I can just sell it-

"What are you doing?"

#rin plays ebg #coviello answers #coviello is having tea with: leftdestiny-posts

16 notes · View notes

coffeeghoulie · 11 months

Text

Mushy May Day 30: Love Letters

AKA the fic I let get extra self-indulgent because it’s my birthday present to myself lmao. Geode is a little earth ghoul oc I’ve had rotating in my head for about a month and a half, and I figured I’d write something about them for today. I’d like to draw them at some point, when I’m actually in the mood to draw.

Mushy May put together by @forlorn-crows

Pairing: Swiss/Geode (OC)

Rating: Teen

Words: 2178

Contains: Dew stirring shit and a panic attack

***

Geode is a quiet ghoul, which makes sense, given that they work the library desk, where it’s expected the patrons are quiet as well.

It’s a slow day, and on slow days, when Sister Imperator or the other upper clergy members aren’t around, Geode journals. Their journal is their prized possession, a book of high quality paper bound in soft, red leather. They have a collection of nice fountain pens in their bag, but the one they’ve selected today is filled with purple ink.

Geode plays with the end of their braid as they write. Their hair fades from dark grey at the roots to a snow white, always braided back between their horns, where they get their name. A set of curling ram’s horns, but one broken from an incident not long after they were summoned, revealing purple crystal growth on the hollow inside.

They write about anything that filters through their mind, but today their mind goes to Swiss, because for some reason they can’t keep him out of their mind. He was there when they were summoned almost a year ago. He had been the first fellow ghoul they had met Up Top, had given them the tour of the abbey.

Geode still doesn’t know why a band ghoul was tasked with showing them of all people around, seeing as they have nothing to do with the Ghost Project, besides hanging out with the ghoulettes every once in a while. It doesn’t stop them from replaying the memory of Swiss taking their hand as the two of them walked down the hallways, of how kind his eyes were as he looked at them, helping them to their feet in the summoning circle.

They write down everything they want to say to him, that they’re too shy(? Nervous? Embarrassed? They don’t know) to say to his face. He’s never going to read it. How could he? It’s their journal, for Satanas’ sake.

The bell at the top of the door chimes, and Geode jolts up from their journal. It’s just Sunny and Dew, a pair that normally makes Geode worry about the books, but the way that Sunny is grinning as she approaches their desk makes that worry disintegrate.

“Morning, Geo!” Sunny chimes, “Mountain wanted me to check out a book for him, but I have no clue where the botany section is. He wrote down the title and the author for me.”

She passes Geode a note, written in Mountain’s scrawling handwriting. Fortunately, they have plenty of experience decoding people’s handwriting, and they know exactly which book he wants.

They come out from behind the desk, leaving their journal open so that the wet ink doesn’t smudge. “I’ll show you where you want to be looking, follow me.”

Geode leads Sunny back to the botany section while Dew hangs behind at the front desk, and with two sets of eyes, they find the book Mountain wants rather quickly. They return up front, and Geode checks it out. “Okay, so this’ll be due in two weeks, please make sure Mountain knows because otherwise we both know this will end up in the greenhouse and we’ll never see it again,” Geode laughs, handing Sunny the thick tome.

“Thanks for the help, Geo. Do you want to hang out with me and the girls tonight?”

“Oh, absolutely. Once I get off of my shift. Same common room as last time?”

Sunny nods, grinning. “See you then!”

The two of them leave, and Geode turns back to where they think they’ve left their journal.

It’s not there.

Geode’s not incredibly worried, however. Their sense of object permanence is iffy at best. They’ve lost their glasses wearing them. Not wearing them on top of their head and forgetting about them, like Aether’s prone to do with his reading glasses, but wearing them on their face. They’ve probably just put the journal away and forgotten. It will turn back up. The things they lose always do.

After their shift ends, the sun having just set, Geode makes their way to the band ghouls’ common room. Sunshine, Cirrus, and Cumulus are all there already, chatting on two of the loveseats.

“Oh, hey, Geo!” Sunny calls, waving them over. “Mountain says thank you for the help. He promises it’s not going to the greenhouse this time.”

Geode laughs, sitting down on the loveseat next to Cumulus, easing their way into the ghoulettes’ conversation.

After a while, the door to the common room opens. It isn’t sudden, or slammed open, but Geode’s head still snaps up to see who it is. They immediately regret this as they make eye contact with Swiss, grey meeting gold. Their heart starts rattling at their ribcage as they look away frantically, before their eyes land on what Swiss’s holding: a red, leatherbound notebook. Their journal. Where they were writing a fucking love letter to-

“Oh, fuck,” they whisper. “Oh, shit.”

Cumulus turns to face them. “What’s wrong, Gee?”

Geode swallows hard, quickly tying off the braid they were putting into her hair. “Lus, Sunny, Cir, I know I promised we were going to hang out, I’ll make it up to you, but I’ve gotta get some fresh air.”

“Alright,” Cumulus says, patting their arm. “Feel better, okay?”

Geode nods, getting up from the loveseat. Swiss walks towards them. Dew is right behind him. Geode tries to be nonchalant as they turn around and leave through the other door, latching it behind them.

It’s no use to make a scene inside of the abbey, so Geode keeps walking, picking up the pace. They hear the door open behind them and don’t dare turn around. They know the smell of their anxiety is turning acrid, leaving an obvious trail. Hopefully, once they get outside, the breeze will throw off the scent.

There’s a set of footsteps following after them, and even though it sets Geode’s heart on fire, knowing they’re being followed, at least it’s only one set. They reach the door to the gardens, and spare a look behind them. Swiss is rounding the last corner, and he catches sight of them, his face lighting up with an expression they’re too far away to place. Geode’s eyes go wide and they shove the garden door open.

They’re not the most athletic ghoul, but they break into a sprint as soon as the cool night air hits them, darting through the lilac bushes, no clear destination in mind. Swiss is taller than them by a long shot. If they want to lose him, they have to go.

They hear the door behind them slam open, and a yelp leaves their mouth involuntarily. They break out of the gardens, paws skittering across the mulched path down to the lake. The full moon shines brightly down, reflecting off of the still surface of the water.

The old gazebo is their best bet. Geode could be brave and try to make it into the woods, but the treeline starts on the other side of the lake. With the full moon and the long sprint, Swiss could probably see them from a mile away.

Geode scrambles up the steps of the gazebo, pressing their back against one of the posts and sliding until they’re on the ground, drawing their knees to their chest. They press one hand over their mouth, trying desperately to slow their breathing, and the other grips onto their broken horn, the sharp edges digging into their palm. Their tail lashes behind them.

“Geo?” Swiss’s voice echoes out over the lake. “Geode! Where are you?”

Geode whines, pressing their hand tighter against their mouth. His voice gets closer, footsteps crunching on the mulch. They pause, and then resume at a much quicker pace, getting louder with every second.

Swiss walks up the gazebo steps, sitting down right next to Geode, his feet resting on the second step. Geode can’t bring themselves to look over at him as the scent of cloves and honey fills their nose.

“Hey. I was just trying to give you this.” Swiss says softly, pulling their journal out of his sweatshirt pocket and handing it to them. “Dew took it while you were helping Sunny. Trying to start shit for no reason. I’ll get him to apologize, promise.”

Geode tries their best not to rip it out of his hands, and clutches onto the notebook. “Thanks,” they say, feeling a lump starting to rise up their throat.

Swiss takes a deep breath through his nose, his eyes narrowing. “Geo, can I see your hand?”

“Huh?” They whisper.

“Let me see your hand, Geo,” Swiss says, reaching out with one of his own.

Geode lets go of the notebook, placing their hand in his hesitantly.

“Oh, Geo, you’re bleeding,” Swiss says, running a finger along a cut that they didn’t notice they had. Their horn’s broken edges had dug into their palm, and they didn’t even notice that it had broken the skin. “May I?”

“Huh?” Geode asks. With him holding their hand, their brain’s misfiring.

“Can I use what quintessence I’ve got to heal that cut?” Swiss tries again.

They swallow hard and nod. Swiss’s brow furrows as he focuses, running his finger gently along the cut. Geode shudders as the static of his quintessence jumps up their arm, running up and down their spine. The cut stitches itself back together, and Geode expects Swiss to let go of their hand. He doesn’t. He traces his thumb back and forth across their palm, like they’re something fragile, delicate.

Geode’s eyes start to water. They’re so tired, and they can’t stifle the sob that escapes them in time.

“Geo, babydoll, are you okay?” Swiss asks.

They laugh wetly, even as the nickname sends a shock up their spine. “No. I’m really not.”

“What’s wrong?” he asks, and Geode’s surprised to hear genuine concern and confusion in his voice. “You smell afraid. Are you scared of me?” His voice goes small, and he starts to pull away from them.

Geode shakes their head frantically, not willing to lose the contact. “Not scared of you. Satanas, you make me incredibly nervous, but I’m not scared of you.”

“Oh, sweetheart, then what’s wrong?”

“You know what’s wrong, Swiss,” they whisper. “You read what I wrote about you.”

“Huh?” He leans back, resting some of his weight on the hand not still holding Geode’s. “I didn’t read anything. Dew wanted me to read it, but it’s your journal, Geo. I wasn’t going to.”

“Oh, fuck,” they laugh. “Oh, you’re fucking kidding me.”

“What?”

Geode sighs, running their hand over their braid. “You know what, I might as well just show you. Damage’s already done.” They reluctantly take their hand out of Swiss’s to flip open their journal to where they left off. They hand it back to Swiss. “Read this for me?”

Swiss nods, starting to read quietly out loud as Geode buries their burning face into their thighs. “Swiss, I don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough to give you this letter. You were the first ghoul I met Up Top, after my summoning. You were so kind, and sweet to me, a stranger. I think I fell in love with you then, the first time I saw you, that afternoon you spent to show me around this place.

I’m not really part of your pack, I’m just the ghoul the clergy summoned to run the library. I exist on the fringes of your periphery. But you? You shine like the sun and the moon and I am just the dull exterior. You sing like an unholy angel, and I’d love more than anything to be yours. I’ve loved you quietly, from a distance, this last year that I’ve spent Up Top. You’ve bewitched me, heart and soul.

If I’ve overstepped, if I’ve crossed the line, please disregard all of this. Forget you ever read it.

Yours, if you’ll have me, Geode.”

There’s a long silence as Swiss finishes reading the letter. Geode digs their claws into their shins, trying desperately not to cry. They fail.

“Hey, Geo,” Swiss whispers, setting a hand on their knee, smoothing his thumb back and forth. “Can you look at me, sweetheart?”

Geode swallows hard. Raises their head. Swiss’s brow furrows as they make eye contact, and he hums, moving his hand up to cup their cheek, wiping a stray tear away with his thumb. “Oh, don’t cry, babydoll, it’s okay.”

“I didn’t want it to go like this,” they whisper. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, gem,” he says. “If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. I should have said something earlier. I thought you were afraid of me, so I tried to give you space. I would have you, Geode, however you want me to.”

Geode barks out a laugh, leaning into Swiss’s hand. “Father Below, I’m such an idiot.”

“We both were,” Swiss smiles, his eyes crinkling. “You wanna go back inside?”

They shake their head. “Not right now. I want to sit out here with you for a bit.”

“Then we shall.”

#mushy may #my writing #swiss ghoul #original ghoul character #swiss/oc #happy birthday to me lmao #the band ghost fanfiction #the band ghost

20 notes · View notes