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the-fools-route · 1 year

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THE FOOLS ROUTE

THE ARCANA: fanfic 4,169 words

Chapter 2

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It's warm, very warm. I'm swaddled in fluffy blankets, but only in a particular fashion. Soft blankets on the bottom, covered in comforters. I'm on my side, holding Candlewick. I hear shuffling above me, it seems I'm not the only one awake. I hesitantly crawl out of bed toward the trapdoor, I hear talking. It's too muffled, even with the door ajar. I peek to see Julian leaning his back against the kitchen counter eating an apple. He is now wearing a strange black outfit with lots of buttons. And I can't even make sense of his coat. Cape? It's just resting on his shoulders, how is it staying there? He's talking to Mazelinka, but I can't see her. I attempt to eavesdrop but Candlewick decides to blow my cover. He sprints up the ladder, scaring me. I accidentally push the trapdoor open all the way, causing it to slam on the wood floor.

Good job, me.

Julian yelps, then covers his mouth in embarrassment. Mazelinka is unfazed.

" Sorry. "

We go about the morning in a normal fashion. I eat an orange, struggling to clean off the pulp. Julian finishes his apple and Candlewick sits on the table, waiting for more attention. Mazelinka packs me a small bag of snacks.

" Well- "

Julian starts.

" Time for us to resume our journey. "

" Journey huh. Where are you two going? " Mazelinka questions.

Julian raises his hands in defense.

" Nowhere bad, she's lost. I'm simply helping her find a friend. "

I guess that's not entirely wrong. He told me we would try to find Asra, and that he might be able to help me.

The streets are busy. People walking to who knows where, work probably. It's misty out, wisps of condensation swirls around as we walk.

" I wonder what the weather will be like today. " Julian begins.

" Wait. "

Why haven't I thought of this before?

" My phone! "

I toss my backpack on the ground and fumble with the zippers. I raise my phone proudly above my head, I hope it isn't dead.

Julian looks lost.

" Your…um, what? "

" My phone. It's a common device used where I'm from. You can check the weather and- "

I pause for dramatic effect.

" Your location! "

My phone is still at 96%, it hasn't gone down since I was on the bus. I turn my location on in hopes something will happen. But nothing does, my phone doesn't know where I am.

" Did it work? "

" No. "

He attempts to change the subject.

" What else can your " phoone " do? "

" Phone. " I correct him.

" Yes, that is what I said. "

" Well. " I pick up my bag, Candlewick taking his respective spot on top.

" I can take pictures, watch. "

I face my phone toward him.

" What are you doing? Do I have to hold still? " Julian fidgets.

" That's preferred for a clear picture. "

I give him my phone and face the screen to him.

" Look. "

His eye widened. He tilts the phone every which way for a better look.

"That's incredible! It's like looking in a mirror. "

As we walk around Julian continues to ask questions about my phone.

" How are they made? "

" Can it give directions like a map? "

" Are they flammable? "

The questions only cease when we stop at a door. It looks like a store. Julian pulls a key ring out from one of his pockets and flips through it until he finds a small brass key. It fits the door. We walk inside and freeze. Asra is sitting in a chair with that purple snake wrapped around their arm. He just kinda stares back in an awkward silence.

He just smiles.

" Well well well. Been a while since you broke into my store Ilya. "

There's that name again. Ilya.

" It's not breaking in if I have a key. "

" Julian, you stole my spare key. "

They continue talking in a playful manner. I was right, old friends. The purple snake props herself up from Asra's arm. She sways around for a minute, then greets me.

" Hello! "

I wave my hand back.

" Hello, good to see you again."

Asra turns his head to look at me.

" Seems you have taken up some company since I saw you yesterday. "

Julian throws his arm over my shoulder, though he has to bend over to do so.

" We've become bosom friends I think. "

Asra and Julian have their own conversation while I have one with the snake. We both sway side to side. I thought it was very insightful.

" A journey to the palace. " Asra begins.

" How fun. "

They grab a colorful cloak and a bag in which the snake slides into. Julian strides to the door to leave.

" Oh no, not you. "

Julian dramaticly gasps.

" You mean I can't go with you? Asra, your words sting. "

They flick his nose.

" You know exactly why you can't come with us. Go through the back door."

Julian sighs wistfully and bows.

" Until we meet again. "

And he leaves.

" He is so dramatic. "

Asra nods.

" So, mind sharing your strange story? "

Here we go again.

" Ok so, long story short. From what I understand I'm from another world/realm or something. And now I am here, I don't know how I got here. "

" I knew you were different. "

I look at him weird.

" What? "

We walk around what Asra called the Heart District, weaving through buildings and people until we come across a large beautiful gate. It is guarded by two large men, they move aside as soon as they see Asra. A long bridge leads us to the entrance, I like the bridge, I think it has alot of character. Asra takes me inside, I am in complete awe. Long stained glass windows line the marble walls, and the floors are so clean I can practically see my own reflection.

" There you are. "

A small woman walks up to Asra. She's practically my height, beautiful thick red hair wrapped skillfully in a bandana.

" I've been looking all over for you! You weren't in the library, your room, or the gardens! I was almost about to send a search party. "

She stops ranting when she notices me.

" Oh, hello. I'm Portia, the head servant. "

I wave, I don't want to say anything wrong. So I'll try not to speak much.

She gasps loudly.

" Oh my goodness, you have a cat with you! "

She is practically rolling on the floor with excitement.

" What's his name? "

I pick him up for introductions, much to his protests.

" This is Candlewick, the best cat of them all. "

She laughs.

" I beg to differ, my cat is the best. "

I smile.

" We will see. "

Asra coughs in his hand.

" She's here to speak to the Countess. "

Portia claps her hands together.

" Perfect, she needs to talk to you anyway. Follow me. "

She immediately takes off down a hall. She is really fast for her height. My heart is racing, what if I upset the Countess.

" I feel kinda bad being here. It's beautiful, nice, neat, and clean. And I'm, well - "

I gesture at my clothes.

" Not that. Will that upset her? "

Asra side eyes me and smiles.

" You make Nadia out to be a cruel woman, you haven even met her yet. "

" Sorry. "

*Pick*

We are led through large glass doors to a large terrace of some sort. Gorgeous lush gardens lay just below, golden light fills the scene beautifully like you couldn't imagine. To the left lies a small table filled with small pastries and empty glass cups. One side has two vacant stools, and the other sits the Countess. She's an ethereal being, adorned with jewels and silks. She radiates intelligence, beauty, and authority. Yet her eyes are kind, reassuring.

Portia addresses us as " Asra the magician and guest", I thought that was odd.

Magician.

Is magic real? It couldn't be. Right?

The Countess and Asra converse as I observe my surroundings. The light breeze smells of nostalgia and flowers. It whistles through the trees catching leaves, reminds me of home. But I'm not home, I'm in a palace. I'm with an important person and I'm too busy daydreaming. I don't belong here.

*Pick*

" Excuse me. "

I snap back to reality. The Countess is talking to me.

" Are you alright, you look pale. "

" O-oh, um. "

My heart is pounding, what if she thinks I'm a lier? Asra nudges me.

" I- "

" I don't think you will believe me, but this is the truth. "

I explain what had happened in the last 24 or so hours. Waking up, finding Candlewick, the market, I skip the stolen fish, meeting Asra, and finding a bar. Asra cuts me off before I can mention Julian, and how he helped me. Why is Asra avoiding Julian? He couldn't come with us, and they won't even mention him.

What did Julian do?

" She stayed at my shop last night. " Asra begins.

That's a lie. I wasn't at the shop.

" So she was safe. "

The Countess was resting her chin on her hands. But now she fidgets with a tea cup. She seems concerned.

" Asra is working for me, so he is unlikely to be home often. You will have nowhere to stay. "

She smiles, truly a kind smile.

" Would you like to stay with me? I have everything you could ever want here. I can have a room prepared for you."

*Pick*

" But you don't know me, I really don't want to be a bother. I don't want to take up your valuable time. Besides, I just told you an impossible story. You can't possibly believe me. "

She narrows her eyes.

" Yes, Your story is implausible. But I have reason to believe you are telling the truth. "

I don't argue back, I really don't want to upset her. She takes my hands and holds them, reassuringly.

" I want you to be here with me. It's been a long time since I had a guest quite like you. "

Nadia beckons Portia over, she had been standing by the door behind me. She whispers in her ear, I couldn't understand what she said. Portia smiles enthusiastically. Portia grabs my hand and leads me to the double doors. As I leave, I hear Asra and Nadia talking about finding someone. But who?

I'm led to a large door and pushed inside. I think I heard Portia say " have fun " before she closed the door. The room is huge. There is a rack with robes toward the front of the room, along with a few chairs. A bath the size a swimming pool fills the room. A huge mirror sits in the leftmost wall. It's maybe 7 feet high, I feel so small in its reflection. My hoodie is wrinkled, my pants are dirt stained. What am I doing here? I take a purple-ish silky robe and change into that. I can see scars on my knees from a rambunctious childhood, each telling a different story. Steam lazily rises from the bath, beckoning me. A golden tray is filled with gleaming bottles and jars, I feel bad using any of it. But one thing does catch my eye. It's a small simple clear bottle, I can hold it between my pointer finger and thumb. The black fluid sloshes around like ink in a well. How familiar. I open the vial, it smells like the forest.

It smells like home.

A set of clothes were set out for me to wear. A loose cream blouse with dark pants, incredibly different from what I'm used to wearing. I try my best to dry my hair before I leave, I don't want to drip water in the hallway. I knock on the door so Portia knows I'm finished.

" Aww, you look so cute in that. Don't worry about your old clothes, someone will take care of them. "

She leads me down a hallway or two and stops me in front of a door.

" Ma'lady is in a meeting and she wants you to join. She is with the courters inside this room. I'll be right outside. "

Oh lovely, strangers.

Cackling fills my ears as I enter, 5 people sit on armchairs and couches not including the Countess. All the attention is brought to me as I walk in, wonderful.

" This is Leigh, my guest. " Nadia announces.

A pale man gasps enthusiastically and clasps his hands together.

" Yes, we have been hearing so much about you. It's absolutely delightful to put a face to your name! My name is Vlastomil, I am the Praetor. "

The larger person on the couch practically screams at me.

" Sit next to me! Everyone wants to sit next to the Pontifex. "

A very small woman on the right of the couch speaks next, with a quivering voice.

" Oh yes, you and your cat are so cute! Please sit next to us. "

Her very small hand pats the couch cushion. I sit into the plush seat between the two while Candlewick sits in the small woman's lap. Her eyes sparkle at the sight of such a majestic creature. I'm too focused on Candlewick being absolutely adorable to realize someone is standing over me. Their red eyes are fixated on my face, unmoving. They don't blink, not once. Bandaged Horns loom over me casting a shadow. They are dressed is some sort of a surgans outfit, black gloves, an apron and a mask. The look is finished with a red brooch shaped as a beatle fixed on the neck.

" Quaestor please. Stop staring at her. "

A very wealthy looking man looking increasingly unimpressed, takes a sip from a wine glass. His hair is in a perfect braid, not a single stray strand. He likely thinks very highly of himself.

" I'm just inspecting her Consul, no harm done. "

He scoffs.

" Sit down before you scare her away. "

The Quaestor strides to their arm chair in a very fluid motion. No extra movement are wasted.

" Now before we get down to business. " The Consul began.

" I'd like to discuss the elephant in the room. "

He looks at me.

" Why is she here. "

Nadia seems slightly annoyed by the question.

" She is an honored guest, and you will treat her as such. "

" Yes, of course Countess. "

He didn't mean it.

I mainly observed as they talked politics or reconstruction of the city. I eventually learned everyone's names. Vlademar, Vlastomil, Volgora, Volta, and Valerius. I held up conversations with almost of them. I talked about worms, favorite foods, knives, and what a lobotomy was. Vlademar's eyes never left me, not once. Always inspecting, never blinking. Eventually everyone left, only I was left with the Countess. She seems happy.

" What did you think of the courters. "

I think very carefully about my answer.

" One word, strange. "

She seems strangely satisfied with my answer.

" Yes, they are- "

She generously pauses.

" Odd. "

She smiles.

" Come sit by me. "

She rubs her perfect smooth hands over my ravaged fingers. I don't understand why she is so kind to me.

" You held up well today. I'm proud of you. "

Proud? Of me?

She stands up, and takes me with her. She leads me out the door to Portia.

" Take her to her new bedroom. "

I look at the Countess weird. A room for me? She takes my hand one last time before departing.

" You deserve it. And please, call me Nadia. "

The room is lit by candles and hanging lanterns. A large bed lies to my right, and next to it is a desk with a mirror. There are a few dressers and knickknacks lying about. The back wall has a huge window overlooking the gardens. It's beautiful. My original clothes lie on a dresser, neatly folded. My backpack is on the floor next to the desk. Candlewick immediately makes himself at home on the bed.

" This is where you will be staying. If you ever need anything, just ask. "

And she leaves. Wick has the right idea, I'd like to rest for a bit. I lay next to him, as I sink into the soft mattress I wonder what will become of me. Where will the world take me?

Warm golden light streams through stained glass windows, the colored glass paints the clean cut marble floor like a gorgeous paint palette. The floor is warm under my bare feet, I feel fuzzy. I'm in a beautiful cathedral filled with marble columns and open windows inviting a cool breeze. A painted ram lies in the ceiling above me, watching me with curiosity. I blink and I am gone.

My bed is cushy and warm, but the room is cool and dark. Wait, it's dark. I sit up and realize I fell asleep, I can't tell what time it is. Well I'm not tired anymore so I might as well explore. Candlewick stole my pillow while I was sleeping, maybe he wants to join me. I poke him but all he does is roll over and squeak at me. He isn't interested.

" Come on, don't you want to hear about my weird dream? "

No answer. I recall the golden light on my face, what a strange dream. My feet hit the cold floor, sending a chill up my spine. But with each step I take, I get used to the chill. I open the door without making a sound. The hall is dark and empty, it's almost eerie. It feels like nothing but me exists in the whole world. Moonlight illuminates the halls with a brilliant silver, lighting a path for me to take. Although, I didn't expect it till take me here. A staircase lies in front of me, and two dogs lie on the second step. They both raise their heads and watch me. I whisper to myself.

" Horse dogs. "

The borzoi, also known as the horse dog. They are a beautiful white color. One of the dogs walk up to me. She tilts her head, I tilt mine back. The second dog joins and they both circle me, inspecting. They grab my pants and take me up the stairs, I almost trip up a few. The hall is dark and cold, more so than the rest of the palace. Noone had been here in a while. A few doors hang open, I look in one of the rooms. Its a Parlor filled with abandoned expensive looking couches and strangely, torn up paintings. Not one is intact. They look like the same person was on all of them. But I cant tell who. I'm pulled out of the room by the dog with the torn ear. The halls seem sad, as if nothing good has ever happened here. Each hallway is decorated differently. Occasional suits of armor line the walls along with more paintings likely related to someone wearing said armor. All torn. I'm lead to a wide hall, it's different then the rest. Dusty complete pictures line the walls, each skillfully painted. They all depict Albino animals at their best, they all have gold collars and rich cloths.

" Hey, it's you two. "

A portrait of Lucio's hunting dogs sticks out from the rest, it looks much newer. They are lounging on overstuffed pillows. They are both in gold jeweled collars. I trace the picture frame, dust collects on my finger. The frame reads " Mercedes and Melchior. "

" Beautiful aren't they. "

A thin voice whispers in my ear. I whip around expecting someone, anyone. But nothing is there. Mercedes and Melchior wag their tails and sniff around. Mercedes lifts her head and howls. She bounds down a hallway, Melchior chasing after her.

" Hey wait! "

I chase them down a few halls till they stop at a door at the very end of a dusty corridor. They paw on the door till I cautiously open it myself for them.

" Hello? "

The room is large and dark, and unmistakably coated with ash. It was a bedroom once, a nice one too. First thing when you walk in is a bed, it's large enough to fit 3 adults at the very least. A frame lines it holding a curtain around the bed for privacy. The source of the fire damage surrounds the bed. Spreading to the carpet under and the wall behind the bed. The wallpaper melted and the red curtains practically disintegrated. The room is larger on the left side. Large wardrobes line the back wall, likely still filled with furs and outfits. A Lavish brick fireplace lies across on the opposite wall. The mantle has small shiny trinkets sprinkled with ash and dust. Two plush armchairs sit in front of the fireplace. The far left wall has a tall Multi-paned window hidden behind red felt curtains. This guy really liked the color red. To the right of the bed, a painting takes up almost the entire wall. It's of a young man, golden blonde. Emitting pure pride. The dogs sit in front of the painted man next to me.

" Was this him? "

The door slams shut causing ash and soot to whirl around the room.

" Was? "

The voice speaks in an offended tone. Melchior jumps around with excitement. Mercedes wags her tail, but stays seated next to me. I pull my blouse over my face so I don't inhale any unwanted debris, the room is ice cold now.

" Who are you? " My voice is muffled.

" Who am I? How dare Vesuvia forget me, their own beloved Count! They forget about me while I rot! Alone and unwanted, how dare they! "

He sounds livid

" I'm sorry. "

" Are you? " He bellows.

" Yes. I am. "

The room grows silent, but it doesn't last.

" Why are you here? I've never seen you before. "

The room's temp slowly returns to normal.

" I was exploring, I couldn't sleep. I found your dogs and they brought me here. I think they miss you. "

Melchior and Mercedes both perk up at being mentioned.

" Can I see you? "

He walks into the moonlight shining through the window causing him to glow like a strange bedside night light. He's taken the form of some sort of goat. He's maybe 7 feet tall and covered in white fur. His hooves and Horns are onyx and he has but one clawed arm, the apparition is complete with ruby red eyes.

" This is what I have been reduced to. "

He sounds somber. He looks down at me and narrows his eyes.

" Are you afraid of me? Are you going to run away like everyone else and call me a monster? "

" I don't think you are a monster. "

His eyes soften.

" How long have you been like this? "

The atmosphere finally calms.

" You don't know? I thought everyone knew. I died three years ago at my own party. "

He attempts to pet Melchior, but his hand phases through. He sighs in defeat.

" I'm sorry, I'm not from here. "

His nose wrinkles.

" Surely you've heard about me from somewhere. About my battles, or tales of great courage. Do people not talk about how great I am anymore? "

Wow, this guy is kinda full of himself.

" I'm sure people still share your stories. But when I say I'm not from here, I really mean I'm not from here. "

We sat and talked for a while, about everything. About my strange predicament or about Lucio's life as the Count. We talked for a few hours about our lives and experiences, Lucio is actually a very interesting person. He used to control the city, which sounds like a huge job. He used to house parties almost daily. And once, he was a mercenary. I also learned a bit about how he lives as a ghost. He can kinda feel, but he really can't touch anything. Or how he can't eat, but he can smell. So I promised to bring him a nice candle, he liked that idea. Lucio looks toward the window and sighs.

" It's pretty late. Don't you need to sleep or something? "

" Probably. "

I stand up to leave, we were laying on the carpet by the window. He stops me before I open the door.

" You will come back, right? "

" I will, promise. "

I felt eyes on me the entire walk back to my room. He's watching me. My room is colder than it was when I left, Candlewick hasn't moved an inch. I lay back down in my bed and try to go back to sleep.

Golden light bathes my face with warmth. I open my eyes to see the painted ram again, watching me. The distant birds fill my ears with such beautiful music, I hum with them. The stained glass windows whistle from the wind. I hear wind chimes from somewhere close by. I must be dreaming again.

" Well well well. "

I hear what sounds like heels walking toward me, clicking on the floor. But then they stop, right behind me. I slowly turn around to see a ram, the one that was painted on the ceiling. He raises a brow at me.

" It's been a while since I had a guest. "

#julian devorak #the arcana #asra alnazar #asrathearcana #dr devorak #the arcana game #the arcana fanfic #portia devorak #countess nadia #nadia stratinava #lucio morgasson #lucio the arcana #count lucio #vlademar the arcana #volta the arcana #volgora the arcana #vlastomil the arcana #Valerius the arcana #the fools route

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probablymango · 5 years

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Dungeons and Arcana

Chapter 1: New Game

Lucio rubbed his face, trying hard not to glare at the others at the table with him. “Explain to me again, what is it you want to do?”

Asra smiles, setting down his glass. “We want to bring two more people into the game with us.”

“I got that. Who are they, do I know them, what are their experience, and do I need to start a new campaign?” He hated getting new players. Not that he wants to keep others from playing, but it meant having to learn them, figure out how they play characters, see what they could and couldn’t deal with, merging them into pre-existing campaigns was a bitch.

Julian raises his hand a bit. “My sister, she’s got a bit of experience from playing with me.”

Lucio nods, then looks at the other two.

“Our roommate, Muriel. You’ve probably met him before, or well, at least seen him.” Mordenkainen answered, making vaguely descriptive hand gestures. “Tall guy, beefy, wears a hoodie all the time, and has the big service dog. Ring any bells?”

It did, mostly because the guy was like a huge brick wall, but he wasn’t very social, so Lucio didn’t know him very well. “Does he have any experience?”

Asra and Mordenkainen look between each other with small looks of worry. “... We’ve tried…” “But neither of us are good dms so….” “Not really….”

“Jesus christ.” He groans, rubbing his face and pushing his glasses further up his face. “...... I’m going to have to meet them both, then we’ll see about a new campaign. Nadia!” He looked over his shoulder towards the kitchen.

“What?” Nadia yells back.

“You’re going to need to make a new character!”

“Okay! What kind of campaign?”

“Not sure yet! Probably just a self inserts and fantasy!”

“Hella!”

Lucio rolls his eyes then turns back to the three in front of him. “Same time or do we need to reschedule for the others?”

“Muriel is good with us.” Asra smiles brightly, lightly jumping in his seat.

Julian thinks for a bit, then pulls his cell out of his scrubs pocket. “... I’ll have to check in with her for that, but let’s stick with the same time for now.”

Lucio nods, ideas of what to make the campaign starting to form. “Good, good, please get them in contact with me before then please. I need to meet them first, even if it’s over webcam.”

Nadia came out of the kitchen, holding a bowl of grapes and milk shake. “So we’ve got more people coming?”

“Maybe.”

“Yes.” Rang in everyone else.

She nods, thoughtfully sipping at her shake. “We’ll have to order more food then. Do any of them have allergies?”

“Portia does, but I doubt that’ll stop her from eating what’s presented.”

“Still, best to make preparations anyways. What’s she allergic to?”

“Dairy, but she doesn’t acknowledge that fact.”

“Oh.” She makes a face. “Is…. is there a non-dairy pizza? Hmm, I’ll keep an eye out for non-dairy snacks that taste good.”

Julian sighs with relief. “Thank you. I can try to get her to send a list of snacks she likes, if that’d help?”

Nadia and Julian start to discuss food, while Lucio turns to the other two. “So, I know of Muriel, but what’s he like? Asides from being a big boy.”

“Shy, not outgoing, and suffers from anxiety.” Asra says, ruffling his brown hair. “We figured that doing it with friends would be the best chance at having him play and plus you’re pretty good, so we figured you’d be best at being one of his first dms.”

Lucio sighs in defeat. “We’ll talk more about this later.” He glances at the clock, then groans. “After work, it’s time to go.” He and Asra stand up, grabbing their bags and coats. “Bye Noddy!”

“Bye Mayor!” Asra grins, sliding on his obnoxiously colored green, pink, and orange jacket.

“Not mayor yet.” She laughs, waving them farewell. “Don’t forget your arm charger!”

“Thank you!” Lucio quickly grabs it from the counter, then goes out to the car. “What do you plan on playing tonight?”

Asra buckles himself, as he makes his signature cat face. “What do you mean?”

Lucio narrowed his eyes at him as he buckled himself in and pulled out. “Do you plan on being a memey little shit with the music tonight or do you plan on doing normal bar music?”

“Oh, you know.” He grins, giving Lucio the answer he knew. The bar was going to be filled with meme songs, most of them were going to give him a headache.

“You little shit.” He groaned, already feeling the headache forming from just thinking of what he was going to hear for the hours they were working together. “Can you at least put on good meme music?”

“Excuse you, but Smash Mouth is great music.” He laughs, watching the buildings pass by.

“No, no it’s not. And please, for the love of god, don’t play What’s New Pussycat, because I swear, I will jump over the bar and strangle you for it.”

“Kinky.” He snickers, poking at his shoulder.

“It’s not a kink thing you perverted little shit!” He groans, keeping his eyes on the road as he blindly slaps at Asra.

Asra snorts, weakly batting his hand away. “What if I play, It’s Not Unusual?”

“That’s worse!” He groans, putting his hand back on the wheel. “Just… Please, take some of the patrons’ requests.”

“I’ll consider it.”

It was quiet for the next few minutes, but as Lucio finished parking, his speakers came to life with-

“DO YOU LIKE WAFFLES?”

“ASRAAAAAA!”

The culprit ran into the bar, laughing with bastardly delight. Lucio groaned, rubbing his face as he turned off the car, and grabbed his bag. He hoped today will be slow, so he could write, but since Asra took over the music selection, more people started coming in. It was good for business, but not good for his creativity. He went inside, clocked himself in, and went to his usual part of the bar, the one with the plug-in built into the counter. He plugged in his phone and arm, hoping people chose the other bartenders, but knowing he’s never that lucky.

His fear was confirmed about 10 minutes into his shift. Asra had some weird remix playing as a sickly looking older man came to the bar in front of him. Worm man, or Vlastomil, as his name tag reads, comes in regularly. The only reason Lucio even remembers this fucker is solely because he stands out; super pale, an almost leprechaun face, dark clothes, and is usually saying something about worms. He assumes the man works at the bait shop, but honestly didn't care enough to find out. “What will it be, sir?”

“Drunken worm cocktail.”

He gets out the ingredients, passion fruit vodka, peach schnapps, cointreu, coconut rum, sweet and sour, cranberry juice, and gummy worms. It looked tasty, white bottom, with red top, ice, and gummy worms resting on the top. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” He sets down $15 and walks away to a darker part of the room. A weird, but alright person.

He stares at him for a bit, then picks up his phone and starts typing. Vlastomil…. Sounds like a perfect fantasy name…. He quickly made some notes, then put away his phone as another person came over. “Hi, how can I help you?”

The man in front of him was beautiful, like almost a model. Long hair in a braid, brown that somehow beautifully turns to blond, and clothes that looked a bit more expensive than this area normally gets. Dammit, he didn’t need an instant crush on a stranger. “What kinds of wine do you have?”

“... Uh, I’ll have to check the list.” Not many people wanted straight wine, so he forgot the actual names of them. “We have…. Pinot Grigio.. Some Chardonnay… uhhh.. Pinot Noir… Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon?”

He raises an eyebrow and has a small smile. “Not used to serving?”

“Not used to serving straight wine. Which would you like?”

He stares at the bottles for a bit. “Pinot Noir.”

“You got it.” He pours him a glass and hands it to him, then watches as he awkwardly holds the glass, probably expecting a wine glass instead of the regular ass glasses they have.

“Thank you.” He continues to stay at the bar, drinking as he looked around, sipping thoughtfully at his wine. “Hmp, this is just like him too.”

He shouldn’t butt in or even mention that he heard it, but his nosiness is getting the better of him. “Who?”

He sighs, leaning back into the bar. “My ex, he used to bring this home constantly. Should have expected the bad after taste of him with it.”

“That’s rough buddy.” Did he really just say that? He’s been dming too long, now he sounds like an actual NPC!

He snorts softly, turning to smile at him. “I didn’t think bartenders actually said that.”

They don’t, I’m just too used to fantasy. “I like going beyond people’s expectations.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He turns back around, continuing to sip at his wine.

Lucio looked over at Asra, only to see him gesturing to…. Do something? He looked at his phone and, oh, he sent a text.

Snek meme bastard: is that valerius? Me: Who is that and why should I care? Snek meme bastard: cuz hes muriels cuz Me: ….. Me: Can u try that again with proper spelling? Snek meme bastard: valerius is muriels cousin Snek meme bastard: is that valerius? Me: not sure Snek meme bastard: ASK Me: NO Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: please Me: no Snek meme bastard: ………. Snek meme bastard: ill give you $20 bucks if you do Me: …… if he calls the cops im bringing you to jail with me

He groans, rubbing the bridge of his nose, then looks back up at the handsome man in front of him. “What’s your name?”

He looks up at him. “.... any reason you want to know?”

Shit, shit, what does he say? “Why wouldn’t I like to know the name of an attractive person at my bar?” He grins, dying on the inside. He really needs to stop hanging out with MC, they were giving him bad habits of unnecessary flirting with everyone who sticks around for more than 5 minutes.

He looks at him for a bit, then laughs. “You…” He snorts, setting down his drink. “Where.. How did you learn to talk like that?”

“I have no idea of what you mean.” Well, at least he got the stranger to laugh, hopefully that means good things and not being considered a creep. “I speak like a regular people.”

He laughs more, then tries to take a sip of his wine. “I’ll…” He snickers. “I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me your’s.”

“I’m Lucio of Vesuvia!” He adds a bit of lordly flair to the way he says it, deciding to commit to the weird way of talking for this man. “And you are?”

He giggles, barely able to talk at this point. “I’m- hehehe- I’m Consul Valerius, at your service!” He goes back to laughing.

His phone lights up, warning him that Asra wanted to call. Fuck that, it’s too loud for that to work out. He declines the call to see that Asra had texted him. A lot.

Snek meme bastard: is it him? Snek meme bastard: hey Snek meme bastard: lucio Snek meme bastard: lucio Snek meme bastard: is it him? Snek meme bastard: LUCIO Snek meme bastard: lucy Snek meme bastard: i said get a name not flirt Snek meme bastard: …… Snek meme bastard: bitch Snek meme bastard: dude Snek meme bastard: respond or i will rick roll the entire club Snek meme bastard: im serious Snek meme bastard: just say if he is or isnt Snek meme bastard: 3 Snek meme bastard: 2 Snek meme bastard: 1 Me: WAIT

But it was too late, the room was filling with the beginning of Never Going to Give You Up, sending almost every person in the bar into a collective flight or fight response. Some were booing Asra, others just loudly complaining, some were laughing, and even fewer actually left. Asra stared directly at Lucio, demanding a response.

Me: YES HIS NAME IS VALERIUS Me: TURN IT OFF Snek meme bastard: :3

The music was changed to.. Something else, the song wasn’t familiar, so that was good. He sighs, rubbing his face. “Sorry about that. Our DJ is a…. He’s a bastard and let’s leave it at that…”

He shrugs, finishing his glass of wine. “It’s alright, odd choices in music, but he seems alright.”

After the song, one of the other DJs took over for a bit, then Asra made, as straight as he could, for them. “Valerius?”

“Who wants to know.” His mood immediately dropped back to being serious.

“Muriel’s roommate, Asra.”

He glances at Lucio, as if to get confirmation.

“This is my bastard coworker, Asra, the memelord.” Lucio sighs, gesturing at him.

Asra grins, then starts talking to Valerius, but Lucio stopped listening so that he could make some more notes. Vesuvia and Valerius… wonderful names..

“Excuse me!” A loud person, yelled at Lucio. He looked up to see Vulgora, one of the few people you actually remembered the name of. They were constantly getting into fights and just overall loud. “Get me a beer!”

“Any specific kind?”

“A beer!”

Lucio nodded, getting the cheapest beer he could find and putting it in a glass, then handing it to them. “Here you go.” Vulgora and the bar had a deal, they could drink as much as they wanted and the bill would be put directly on their bank account. The bill on most days was too many drinks, on worst days, over hundreds of dollars for repairs. He didn’t understand why they were let back in after the first time, but at least they were paying for it.

With their drink in hand, Vulgora started chugging as they went to find someone to arm wrestle, and Lucio went back to his phone. Vulgora… that’s a rather unique name…

There was tapping on the counter, he looked up to see one of his greatest fears: Dr. Valdemar. The doctor might not have done anything specifically harmful to him, but waking up in the middle of surgery was still lucid led to….. Visual nightmares that have haunted him for over 6 years. “..... How can I help you?”

“Have you seen Dearil?”

“Uhh.. no?” Name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place who it was.

They look around, contemplating their next words. “Dark orange hair, reddish brown eyes, and is probably carrying a skull?”

No, no he has not. Well, maybe, there’s a lot of people here. He shrugs. “Can’t help you, sorry.”

They nod, setting down a bill. “Thanks anyways.” They wandered into the crowd, hopefully to never be seen again.

…. They would make a great villain. He typed some more at his phone. He was getting a lot of V names tonight.

“Um, sir?” There was a lady in front of him. “Do you serve food here?”

“The bar with food is over there.” He points to the other side.

“Thank you.” She smiles, walking away and someone said “Volta!” as she approached.

This place has a surprising amount of people with Vs in their first name… He went back to his phone, waiting on Asra to stop talking to the cute guy.

#mysterious art #lucio #arcana #nadia #julian #asra #apprentice #oc #fan apprentice #valerius #vlademar #vlastomil #volgora #volta #fanfiction #fanfic #oh yeah. i write sometimes

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