Chapter Text
It had happened when he had least expected it.
Sebek Zigvolt was a half fae and was dutifully under Malleus, the future king of the fae. He was sworn to protect and tend to his every need. But he had his own life to live. He worked to become stronger, yes, not just for Malleus, but for his own future family.
So when he found the time to show off a new dietary practice he learned from Lilia, he was proud to announce the method to the madness.
"It's fine! All the food on this plate, the red meat, natto and the yogurt, they're all low-sugar and high protein. Furthermore, red meat and yogurt are animal proteins, while natto is a vegetable protein" he explained to his fellow freshmen, Jack and Deuce. "If you take them at the same time, you can expect your absorption efficiency to increase!"
Jack stood dumbfounded before him, stepping back. "It's good to follow a nutritious diet, but it's also fine to eat those things separately…!"
What followed next was immediately pushed from Sebek's mind.
He barely heard himself speak as he heard laughter. Somewhere, someone was laughing at his words.
He had tried to will himself to whirl and look for the laughter, the impudent little fool who would mock him and make him feel so inadequate. As if they could understand!
But he couldn't move.
Not under his own power.
He was still talking to his classmates, moving and speaking as usual. But he felt the severe disconnect, as if someone had snipped a cable tethering his mind from his body. He was acutely aware of the laughter that came from an unknown source, the way his body sat down and began shoveling the food into his mouth unbidden.
That's when he realized.
It was not cruel, mocking laughter.
It was soft. Melodious. It filled his cheeks with warmth and sent his heart fluttering in ways he had never felt until now.
He wanted to just find the source, find whoever was making this wonderful sound…
But no. He could not. He had to keep eating. A nagging feeling in his brain told him to keep going. There was no disobeying it.
And thus, Lilia would come over and talk to him, laughing at him about how easily he was tricked. How hilarious this had been! How Sebek was far too trusting!
And the laughter took on a groaning sound as Lilia took Sebek away, limbs moving unbidden and under a strange power. The warmth was only increasing in intensity, and Sebek feared that he would burst into flame if this kept up.
What form of magic was this!?
Sebek fought and tugged to try and move himself. But no matter what he did, he could not move.
Not until Jack and Deuce had finished their conversation.
Only then did Sebek fall to his knees, now freed from this strange, foreign power. His body shook as he gulped air and tried to reconcile what exactly had just happened… why was this happening? Why was he now able to move when he was unable to then?
He felt sick.
Maybe it was all the food he'd shoveled down. He felt like he was going to vomit with how his stomach was churning.
And yet, he still felt AMAZING.
He felt so GOOD. So warm and happy and just… like nothing would ever go wrong again. The laughter lingered in his ears...
"Hmmm? Sebek, what's the matter? Did you eat too much of that slop too fast?" Lilia would ask, turning to look at the now panting and trembling Sebek.
"Was… was someone… just laughing now?" Sebek asked, looking up. He could feel the enveloping feeling of warmth and care start to fade away, and he caught himself mumbling for it to come back.
"Laughing? The only one laughing here was me." Lilia would frown and help him up. "Hmmm. Perhaps I shouldn't have tricked you into eating that concoction."
Sebek looked to his senior, who appeared to be deep in thought…
"...Sebek?" Lilia asked, smiling at him. "What did the laughter sound like?"
"I… well… It was all around me, and… it was...female? No, male… I… all I know is that it surrounded me and I… it made me feel so good." He clutched at his chest. "Like I had just made a loved one laugh at my antics. I didn't feel embarrassed at all, like I should have. I… Lilia-sama, what does this mean? What sort of magic is this? I don't understand, I-"
"Sh." Lilia would shush him. "Keep your voice down and follow me."
He would drag the stammering and protesting Sebek along to a classroom, knocking on the door and bidding Sebek to stay back in the hall.
"Pardon me, Professor Trein. But I'm afraid I need to borrow Malleus for a moment."
Sebek heard Lilia say that from the open door, and immediately tried to protest. They should NOT be interrupting the young master's studies! His time was far too important! But Lilia would ignore him, waving a hand to silence him.
Malleus would emerge from the classroom, expression even and neutral. "Lilia. I take it that there is a very good reason for you to be calling me from class."
"Oh pshaw. You were bored anyway." Lilia would joke, "But it IS important. Sebek… well, Sebek has heard the Laughter."
Malleus' eyes widened and he drew back a bit. "...Has he now?" His face split into a grin, as his gaze fell upon Sebek. For the first time, there was something in his gaze that made Sebek's blood run cold. "Let's take this someplace quieter and he can tell me all about it."
Before he could say anything, Sebek was once again dragged away, towards a spare classroom. There was no room for protest, for all his spluttering was shushed by his senior peers…
He was shoved into the empty room, and pushed up against a wall.
"Sebek. My adorable little underling." Malleus would cup the other's face with a careful hand, running the tips down his cheek. "Tell me what happened."
This had to be the most he'd been acknowledged by his gracious young master, and Sebek wasn't sure he could take it. Between the euphoria of the Laughter, and the way Malleus was paying attention to him… his heart felt fit to burst.
"I...young master, I…"
"Go on."
"I. Was in PE with my fellow freshmen and I told them about Lilia's dietary secrets that I was partaking in…" he began. "When I began to eat, that's when I heard it. It… I couldn't move to acknowledge it, but I had never felt such bliss. I felt like everything was right in the world and I... I wanted to… I wanted to find the one laughing. But I couldn't move on my own until after my classmates had moved on I…" he looked up at Malleus with wide and frightened eyes. "...Young master, what is happening to me…? I don't understand…"
"Oh Sebek." Malleus would sigh, stroking his face. "You simply have been seen as a favorite. Someone to be loved and cared for."
"Me? But by who…? Who was… who was laughing at me?"
"The Player."
"I...who?"
"There is a lot to explain, Sebek." He would say, pulling away. "But we are being watched. There is someone watching us, for their own amusement. And… it would seem that the one watching us has seen your antics. And is pleased."
"But that doesn't make any sense? Who…? Who are they?" Sebek asked, flushed and shaking. "How can they see me? See us? What kind of magic is this?!"
"Oh he hasn't had any contact with the Glass yet." Lilia would chuckle. "Just as well. We wouldn't want him to get a fat head over this."
"Heh. Hush, Lilia let him enjoy his moment. We can certainly use his newfound position." Malleus would say, arms folded as he turned his gaze upward. "Sebek. I need you to understand. The being that we speak of exists beyond our grasp, our plane of existence. It harnesses some… sort of power that forces us to take actions. Playing out events for their amusement. And our payment is what you have felt."
Malleus would place a hand on Sebek's shoulder, smile wide.
"Love. Their love, as you can tell, is powerful. Painfully so. Do not take it for granted. I have only felt this once before, and…" Malleus would suck in air through his teeth and sigh deeply. "I would kill to feel it again. I would forsake the throne to feel those eyes on me again. The one who loves us…"
"Young Master…?"
"Sebek." Malleus would let go, frowning. "When you feel the sensation of being pulled towards a place against your will… tell me. Afterwards. Do you understand?"
"I… Yes, sir! I understand!"
"Good." He would turn away and nod to Lilia. "Thank you for informing me of this. It seems we have another anchor to the glass…"
Sebek would be left alone in the classroom, trembling.
What did it all mean? Who was watching him? Watching them all? He didn't FEEL like he was being watched at the moment! Why was this happening…?
Sebek had to fight himself to calm down, heart racing as he struggled to go back to his life. He felt sick. Like he would throw up at any moment.
He would repress it until he got back to his dorm. Only then would he purge and just. Wash up and lay in bed. Just deliriously staring at the ceiling while he tried to reconcile that his lord and master had admitted that the world they lived in was being watched...
Malleus had spoken as if he himself was unable to do anything about it.
If someone as powerful as he was unable to fight this magic, what chance did someone like him have?
Why had he been chosen as a fool in the vast play of life? He was just Sebek Zigvolt, a loyal servant to the crown…
Sebek was tired.
-
He didn't know when he had dozed off. But he had. And now he was awake again.
Sebek was standing in the middle of the hall of mirrors, wearing what looked like his… lab clothing? When had he gotten here? Surely he had been in bed but a little while ago?
He could feel the familiar yet no less disconcerting sensation of his mind and body moving independently. At least Malleus had warned him this time. Just let himself be pulled along, this sensation was not malicious. Not that he could tell though.
It was pulling him to the Octavinelle dorm mirror.
He would emerge through the mirror, into the beautiful oceanic setting that surrounded the Sea Witch's dorm… and he would walk. Striding with purpose as he walked up through the doors.
The doors to Monstro Lounge were wide open, as if he was expected. And sitting in the dimly lit space was the Scarabia vice housewarden.
He was talking to someone. Someone Sebek could not see. But he could see the sparkles that touched his head and ruffled his hair with unseen hands…
Who was humming?
That was not Jamil.
The humming seemed to permeate the whole room, and filled his heart with the familiar lightness that he had felt earlier today. It made his heartbeat quicken and if he was in control of himself he would be tearing up.
Jamil would look up, and see their guest. At first, his eyebrows raised in surprise but soon he would settle down… and motion Sebek to come towards him.
"I see. They've called for you then." Jamil would say, moving aside and letting Sebek step forward. "Don't be shy. They've been waiting for you." He was smiling, and just… he was usually so serious. So stoic. But here he was. So flushed and smiling.
Only then would he see what he was smiling about.
The eyes. The eyes that were hidden behind the glare of an enormous pane of glass. They stared down at him, into his soul, it felt like.
He should have been screaming.
This impossibly huge being was looking directly at him, with only this flimsy glass protecting him from getting crushed!
"Heh… there he is, my little man. How ya doin', Sebek?"
The voice shook Sebek from head to toe, and for the first time, he saw the boxes that stood before him, blocking him ever so slightly from view. There was another to the left of him, and the sparkles would manipulate it…
They knew his name.
They had said his name.
The love and tenderness and fondness washed over him, the voice of a friend who had not seen him in so long and yet still greeted him with open arms.
He found himself speaking, unbidden, and performing movements that he had no control over.
And with every completed phrase, there was laughter.
The same beautiful, warm, enveloping laughter that made his heart race and tears well up in the corners of his eyes.
"My god you're such a little dweeb."
Normally being called such a childish thing would have made Sebek huff and puff and chide the speaker. But with each word came another wave of love and acceptance. He could feel it. The eagerness in his voice and mannerisms… the way his eyebrows raised as he spoke and emoted… it made the eyes crinkle and laughter rain down around him.
The player loved him.
They genuinely, truly loved him.
Nothing else mattered. Not the fae kingdoms. Not Malleus, not even himself.
He wanted to weep. To just throw himself down and prostrate himself before the screen. To declare his love and loyalty to the two eyes that stared down at him with such acceptance and adoration!
"Ah geez it's late. I gotta get some rest. Heh, Sebek's always good for a pick me up."
Where were they going?
Sebek could feel the light and warmth draining from him and he lunged forward, practically screaming for the eyes to return… but the glass darkened and vanished from his sight.
It was just him, on his knees, and Jamil, alone in the darkness of the Monstro Lounge together.
"So I take it that they're fond of you too?"
Sebek would look up, and see Jamil standing over him with an outstretched hand. "Come on… Zigvolt, right? Get up and tell me about it."
"But… we are in this establishment after hours. Won't we get in trouble?" Sebek would ask, feeling the tears finally fall down his cheeks.
Jamil would sigh, and only then would Sebek notice that the other was wearing an ornate white outfit…
Yes, he recognized it. It was what he had had to wear when the fairy gala had occurred…
Sebek was shaken from his thoughts, as Jamil handed him a napkin.
"Here. Dry your tears. And we should be fine, so long as we don't leave a mess." Jamil explained. "And… tell me about why you were summoned here."
Sebek would pull up a chair, as Jamil sat in the nearest booth. And he would explain as he had with Malleus. The Laughter. The Warmth. Even now, he was trying to keep the memory close to his chest…
"I see. And who else knows…?" Jamil would ask, gaze even as he watched Sebek twist his now damp napkin.
"Just the Young Master and Lilia-sama. And you."
"I see." He sighed softly. "Well. If that's the case, I suppose I'll tell you of my own story."
"I don't know if this got out past Scarabia's dorm or if it was covered up. But there was a point during winter break where I… did things. I overtook Kalim's mind and made him erratic. All to punish him for being my master. I hated him. And I wanted him to vanish."
"That's terrible!" Sebek's brows shot up, eyes wide as he sat up straight.
"Indeed. I had my own reasons. But that's… when I started to feel the Pull. I assume you felt it too? The way your body moves unbidden and on its own accord?"
"Y-yes…"
"Mmm. Well. I felt it too. I did things that most would consider awful. I won't bore you with the details, but when I first hypnotized the Prefect of Ramshackle… that's when I saw it. The reflection of glass and the sounds of delight. And the feeling of… acceptance. The love."
"You felt loved when you…?"
"Yes. Crazy, isn't it?" Jamil would smile. "But I digress. As my plan unfolded, I let the pull of the strange magic take hold. And every time I spoke. Every time I looked at the Prefect, I could see them. Hear them. The Player. They… were happy with me. Rooting for me." He shook his head. "I had never felt so supported in my entire life."
"Even when I did those terrible things, I could feel their love and acceptance. I… was at odds with it for a while. Could this love be healthy if it meant I had to commit such crimes and sins to obtain it? But… Ultimately… I had no choice in the matter. I kept doing as the Script told me to do."
"The Script?"
"That pull that separates your mind and body."
"Ah… so it has a name."
"That's just what I have called it. Anyway…" Jamil would lean back and sigh. "Even at the climax. Even when I had overblotted and lashed out. I could feel the warmth. They… even in my worst and lowest state, they loved me. And I… I was so happy. As if nothing else mattered. Not my father. Not my duty to the Al-Asim family… I was understandably terrified once I was defeated."
"After all, if they loved me at my worst, would they still love me when I failed?"
"....I'm guessing they did." Sebek said after a pause.
"Oh yes. More than before. Even now, it… can be overwhelming. I am just glad that someone else can understand how I feel." Jamil would lean forward and take Sebek's hand. "Tell me. How strong is your connection to them? Can you hear them?"
"I… I think I can. I heard someone speaking to me just now, before we sat."
"And?"
"They called me their 'little man' and 'dweeb'. I must admit, I would have never accepted such a childish nickname before… but it feels so good to hear them say it."
"Heh. I'm glad. They call me by my name, but they also seem to be fond of just saying it in the most saccharine ways possible." He would shake his head, eyes shut. "It's… painful. Not being able to directly tell them how happy they make me. But if they are happy, I am happy."
The two would sit in silence, just looking at the table…
"What do we do now…?" Sebek asked, voice small and almost timid.
"We wait until we are called on again." Jamil would reply, standing. "We go on with our lives. And we share our secret lives with each other, I guess." A pause. "...If you could not mention my presence to Malleus. He might be upset that he is not as Beloved as we might be."
"I...I shall keep that to myself then."
While Sebek still felt that burning devotion towards Malleus... what could he give that the Player did not already give? The Player had given him this burning, searing love that had left him breathless… Malleus had given him general ambivalence and even disdain at points…
"Zigvolt. Are you alright?"
Sebek looked up to see Jamil was at his side.
"...I'm alright. But. Before you go, I must ask. I heard humming as I came in and… what was that song? It felt so amazing, I want to commit it to memory. Do… do you know…?"
"...I hear a lot of songs from them."
"The one that was being hummed when I came in! Please…" he had raised his voice, then lowered it again…
"Ah. That one. Well. If it means that much to you, I can teach you. But not now. We need to return to our dorms before anyone figures out we are missing."
"Y-yes of course…"
-
Sebek had made the long trek back, and was soon back in bed.
What a strange night.
But… it was a night he would keep close to his heart.
Maybe if he slept, he would see those eyes again...