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It's Saturday and Rollo was walking towards his room after his usual morning routine of cleaning up Top of Bell tower and Bell of Solace itself.
Now He had to start his studies before a very special "guest" appears that he may or may not have made plans with for today.
Just as he opened the door a sudden "Good morning, Flamme" welcome him.
He took few steps back his heart now beating faster due to complete suprise that just got him.
So the guest has arrived early.
Malleus was standing there with boquet of roses in his hands and it seemed as he was dressed for special occasion.
Rollo imedietly calmed himself and gave him the angry look.
"Oh my is there anything wrong?" Malleus asked
"No i just love being frightened out of nowhere every morning" He said irronically, fixing his uniform.
"Why are you here this early anyway?" he said straightening his posture now his arms crossed.
"Don't you remember? You asked me to go with you around the city. I belive it's called "date" nowdays." prince aswered enthusiastically.
Malleus has been visting Noble Bell college during his free weekends to see the gargoyles and eventualy Rollo would show up for his duties.
As that routine continued Rollo seemed to give out more and more and last week... He asked the prince out for a little walk through city. For him it didn't seem as something big,technically this is the second time invited him over here, but the way Malleus acted didn't seem to be like that.
He wondered if he'll regret this choice.
"First of all it's not a" date". I simply invited you to accompany me in the city today." he paused "And second, why would you be this early?!"
"Oh my excitement just couldn't be Contained. In fact i bearly even slept knowing today's Meeting" he said with soft smile.
Rollo just gave an annoyed sigh not trying to explain why's that weird. "Whatever you say. Just you'll have to wait some time"
Now He finally enetered the room going straight to his desk while Malleus followed him. Then he fel tap on his shoulder.
"What is it now" he asked annoyed
"For you" prince just showed him a little boquet of red Roses he was holding. The black wrap paper was tied with green ribbon with some golden embroidery.
"For what?" Rollo asked confused pushing them back
"To show my gratitude for invitation" Malleus showed again "Don't they smell wonderful. I picked them from my royal garden in Briar Valley. I thought about gifting you something bigger but I see that you are quite modest Person"
Malleus left them on his table now exhibiting Rollo's room who just sat there trying to ignore him until the time for the plan comes.
Now looking at him better without those roses, Rollo realised he was wearing the same outfit as for social few months ago.
Althou it shocked him the answer didn't really attract him so he just looked back down on his book.
...
Now it's 12pm which should be good for their departure to City.
As Rollo blocked the door of his room Malleus asked:
"Do you want me to take us there?" seemed to prepare his hands.
"That would be unnecessary" Rollo answered as they started walking.
Good thing about Saturday is that there weren't any students in hallways to stare at them as they passed through building. They were eather visiting their family, going to city or just stay in their rooms.
...
And there they are.
City hasn't changed once a bit since social. Only differences being in crowd and people not wearing their Flamboyant costumes for festival. Other than that it seemed just as Malleus remembered. Suprisingly Noone stared at him even now.
"Is there anything specific that you'd like to see or visit" Rollo asked him as they walked
"Hmm.. I haven't eaten for a long time. I suppose visiting food places would be nice." Malleus replied.
"Very good, there's a bakery and confectionery shop over there"
As they walked, Malleus suddenly felt a something right under his knee.
A goat.
Specifically the same grey one with golden earring that they saw on social.
"Oh hello there,I remember you" Malleus stopped and with smile kneeled to pet it "Did you miss me?"
Rollo stood next to them annoyed,his arms crossed, waiting for prince to finish his heart felt reunion with the goat.
For Malleus it's a nice goat who happened to find someone like it, for Rollo it's a goat who almost ate his papers and belonged to-
"Djani!"
Speak of the devil.
That voice...
No. No. Nonononono...
Not him... Not today. Why would he...
Those were all Rollo's thought as he nervously looked around hoping not to see the owner of said voice.
"Djani!"
It was heard again this time clearly closer.
The goat Malleus was petting, now got out of his embrace and started going to direction of the voice.
"Oh. It seems goat actually has a name? Did you know about it Flamme?" Malleus said turning around but his companion was now gone.
Prince now stood there a bit shocked. Where did he go?
"What is it boy? You want to show me?" same voice that called goat's name was heard.
Malleus turned around again to see goat pulling coins on hem of his human companion's lilac pants.
Said companion was young brown-skined man. He wore a purple scarf with coins dangling around his hips, lose white shirt tucked in cyan corset with golden stripes hugging his waist and brown sandals.
His raven hair is braided into another silk purple scarf with Sun and moon Symbols on it .
He wore a lot of golden jewlery like bangles, his Sun and moon earrings, Piercings on his nostril and bottom lip.
Goat finally came back to Malleus nuzzling him under knees again.
"Oh you wanted to show me your new friend" young man chuckled as he aproached them.
"This little one seems to know you?" Malleus said as he got up.
"Well Yes. That's my goat, Djani" he said then kneeled down, tapped his thighs, his arms wide. Then Djani imedietly turned around and jumped into his arms.
Malleus watched a bit awestruck as stranger picked up a goat and started petting it.
"This is Your goat? I was told goat's here are for everyone in city" prince asked
"Well not really but we have been through a lot of things together" he paused to scratching him a bit "I'm not here most of time so he's still City's goat at last"
Djani turned his head towards Malleus and happily bleated.
"He seems to be fond of you" stranger said happily"Sometimes he can bump people randomly especially if he doesn't like them"
"That's nice to hear" prince smiled
"Well i gotta go. I'll see you later Djani" he said as he leaned so goat can jump out of his arms.
"Oh and by the way, great costume" he winked now leaving.
Malleus watched as the stranger left in sort of dancing way of walking and goat decided to part ways as well.
"Hm it seems your little friend has left" Rollo's voice was heard behind which made Malleus turn around imedietly
"Oh so you were already at the bakery. Why didn't you tell me?" he asked confused.
"I just wanted to get it before a big line forms that's it. Here you go" Rollo said as he gave him two paperbags.
In one were two crosaint Sandwiches and in second were famous bell Macaroons.
"Thank you dearly. And for you?" Malleus asked grabbing a Macaroon.
"Just my usual two crossaints. I will pick some grapes as well over there" Rollo answered as they started walking.
What Malleus noticed tho, is how Rollo was walking really close to him, their shoulder almost touching, unlike when they were leaving school. But he kept it to himself with little smirk.
...
"Thank you for the food. Everything was delightful" Malleus said as they continued to walked on which Rollo said nothing.
Unlike area where they found food this one was a lot more crowded and they all seemed to go in same direction.
"Do you know what's happening?" Prince asked
"Hm, I'm not sure" Rollo replied
"I'd like to take a look" Malleus said and went with a crowd on which Rollo just deeply sighed having no other choice but to follow him.
They ended up in City square. Malleus recognized the place as where the main events of the festival were held.
People from crowd were now sitting on benches and it seemed they waited for something.
Stage for which benches were standing for, was decorated with silk red and orange curtains with another lilac one which had golden Sun and moons craved on it. On stage floor was colorful carpet of different patterns.
"Oh this is for street performances. Sometimes plays or other sort of shows for Entertainment would be held here" Rollo spoke.
"Can we sit down? I'd really like to see the performance" Malleus asked clearly curious about all of this.
"I don't think that's necessary. It's never something as interesting as festival." Rollo said as he tried to go away but suddenly felt Malleus' hand taking his.
"But I seriously want to. This is an rare oppurtunity for me. Am I not your guest after all" prince said as he pulled him closer.
Rollo just looked at their hands being held together.
It felt... weird.
Good weird or bad weird? He didn't know. But for some reason his cheeks got light pink all of sudden.
Malleus then pulled him and they sat on one of 1st row benches.
Still not letting go of his Hand. But Rollo wasn't sure if he wanted to let go in first place.
He did eventually as they saw something jumped on the stage and everyone went silent.
It was a man with goatee. He wore purple and orange outfit resembling a jester with lilac hat, mask over his eyes and pointy shoes.
Rollo knew who he is imedietly. The same man who would announce festivities on tipsy turvy festival. He even had his own Puppet that resembled him,smile never leaving his face.
"Ladies, Gentleman and others! Now you'll whitness a breathtaking Performance of our briliant-" he Paused suddenly sniffing.
"Oh excuse me it seems i got a little sick" he said and pulled a lilac handkerchief from his pocket.
Recognizing it Rollo knew what he's about to do.
Man sneezed in it and then a large cloud of red smoke appeared in front of him.
In matter of seconds smoke got cleared by another much younger man while the anouncer was gone.
Oh no...
Nononononon... NO
Not him again!
Rollo thought as he put his own handkerchief over mouth as if he tried to hide.
"Hm, i recognize him" Said Malleus enthusiastucally"He was the owner of the goat i told you"
Stranger from earlier was now wearing red and purple dress that was decorated with gold and revealed his shoulders. He held purple scarf that was braided into his now loose hair earlier and this time golden necklace. He was bare foot.
His dance started with simple yet beautiful moves but got more and more interesting and faster as he continued.
The way he sppined, jumped and moved his body in general was such a sight.
The way gold and red from his dress swirled around made it look like he danced through fire.
"Hmp. Such a disgusting display" Rollo said through his handkerchief but then looked at Malleus. He just looked at the dancer with an absolute awe and sparkle in his eyes.
Rollo just sat there changing looks between prince and dancer. Something was boiling.
As he looked back on stage, he accidentally exchanged looks with dancer.
That made him got out of stage with swift moves and suddenly he ended on Rollo's lap. Pulling the scarf, he wrapped it around his neck as he sat there flabbergasted.
Suddenly dancer reached for his hat and pulled it down his face as he let from his lap and back to the stage.
As the finish of his Performance he grabbed a decorative spear nearby, Stabbed it in floor of the stage and spun around it until reaching the ground.
On all of this, audience loudly cheered and clapped as he bowed in gratitude. Coins and even flowers were throw to the stage.
At last he grabbed his scarf spun it over his body and disappeared into thin air.
During all of this Rollo's blood was boiling and teeth invisibly gnashing.
He got out of their seat as soon as Performance ended
Malleus obviously following behind.
"This was beautiful! The way he moved was something i have never seen before" he said in sort of happy tone.
"I have seen old women with broken hips dance better" Rollo answered angrily.
Malleus just stopped walking and looked him in suprised and considered way.
Rollo realizing he doesn't hear his foot steps looked behind. With deep sigh he came back.
"What is it? Why did you stop?" he asked
"Nothing. You don't seem to act the best right now"
Malleus answered his expression changing to stern look.
"Have you seen it?! When he made that things on my lap. What kind of atrocity was that?! "
"I suppose it is just part of the play"
"Hmph. Definetly. Or maybe he just wanted to embarrass me." He was seriously frustrated.
"Flamme?"
"WHAT?!" he yelled turning back to face him.
"Do you... Know that person?"
This question he seriously didn't expect. Silently he stared at Malleus wide eyes.
"That is absurd. Why would you think of that" he tried to remain calm but nervousness was clear on his face.
"You probably didn't notice. But I have seen the way you act when you heard him calling for the goat" Malleus now started getting closer.
"You were nervous just like now, that's why you didn't wait for me to go to the bakery.
"Even if I do know him i don't need to tell you anything. It's none of your Business" he said crossing his arms turning back to walk away.
But just as he took few steps, he suddenly appeared back to his bedroom. Malleus used his magic to Transport them.
He took a good look at his current enviroment and with deep sigh went to sit at his desk while Malleus sat on it.
"Will you tell me now?" Malleus asked again
"No. Again why would you want to know." he looked up at him
"You are upset and I want to know why. What did he do that makes you act this way?"
"Draconia that is none of your Business!" he slammed his Hand on the desk.
Suddenly a loud thunder was heard just outside of his window, dark clouds forming even tho it was heaven just a minute ago. Malleus' face got into an angry one.
A heated silence filled the room.
Rollo just looked to the side not wanting to look at Malleus but was met with boquet of roses he gifted him this morning.
At the end, realizing this isn't going anywhere,he deeply exhaled now looking back at Malleus.
"If i tell you will you stop this?"
"Of course"
"But promise you won't tell a soul"
On that Malleus just nodded but there isn't really a reason to tell anyone in the first place.
There was a short Pause that Rollo broke As he started speaking:
"His name is Emir Danseur." he started.
"He was..." he stopped clearly not wanting to say those words "... he used to be my friend... "
Another akward silence, but now Malleus' expression was of suprised.
"In fact you could say best friend." he continued " i used to be big fan of his dancing. And he was the only kid who would come up and speak with me. Me, my brother and him would always go search through city, tell stories and legends and he would put a dancing show for us." he paused again pulling out his handkerchief. Now that he looked at it better, Malleus noticed it shares the exact same pattern as Emir's silk scarf.
"He made this for my seventh birthday. He wasn't really wealthy but knew some things about sewing." Rollo Paused again to put it back where it was.
"However. After the.... Tragedy that occured me and my family." he stopped taking a deep breath
"and my hatred towards magic. I stopped seeing him because he developed his skills shortly after. For one period of time i even thought my brother was sacrificed for him to get magic."
Pause again. Malleus closed his eyes, expression unreadable.
"I haven't heard of him for a really long time until three years ago where he wrote me he'll be attending Royal Sword academy. But I have burnt it" Rollo finished.
"Did you not see him during the social?" Malleus asked opening his eyes
"I did but we didn't say a Word to each other since he's local in City just like me. So there was no need to be showing his group around." he replied
Now silence. Learning about Rollo's long lost relationship with this stranger was something Malleus did not expect but was still glad to hear. He learned something new about him. Maybe not the best thing but still.
He then looked down seeing purple silk gold decorated fabric.
" Why did you keep the handkerchief, if you hated him just like every other mage" Malleus asked him
"I don't know. Maybe because it's too beautiful to throw away." He answered
"Flamme?" he called Rollo now looking up at him.
There's something in Malleus' eyes. He couldn't explain what but he felt like he wants them to look at him like that everytime their eyes meet.
"Have you ever thought of making conection with him again?"
Rollo thought of it for a moment and then answered.
"No. I haven't. In fact I wished to forget it all these years" he looked back down.
"Alright." Malleus said looking away.
"But why are you nervous when you see him?
" As i told you. I want to avoid him until the last syable of his name is forgotten"
"And why is that?"
"I think you know more than enough for the entierty of your Millennium long lifetime." Rollo said, his tone from earlier coming back.
Now they stopped talking. Noone has said anything for a while as Malleus looked back on Rollo who gazed outside of window.
He looked so beautiful right now.
This got him back to when they danced on ball away from others. However that Rollo looked stern and stubborn in his embrace. This one still held a lot of it but Malleus could still sense softness underneath it. Then something came to him.
"Do you want to return to the city?"
"What?"
"Day still isn't over and i would like to walk over it a little more." prince said
Rollo sighed again now looking back on Malleus seeing he was sincere about this.But why?
He just kept silent.
Malleus just chuckled on that, getting up from the desk now walking up to Rollo's side.
"I find you really entertainig and interesting, Flamme. Don't you remember our conversation at the end of social?"
Rollo looked through window again. Dark Clouds from earlier vanished now being all sunny like at the beggining.
...
Rest of the day went well.
Malleus and Rollo had a nice boat ride through river canals around school and city. They got a littlebit wet as wind carried Rollo's hat into river so they had to catch it.
When they got back on Land he bought some Gifts for Lilia, Silver and Sebek. The rest was just walking while Rollo was telling him some more interesting things about the city and school history which he didn't during social.
What's interesting is how prince and council president held hands all the time.
Now Sun begann to set As they came back to the place where they first started their tour.
"Today was wonderful. I can not thank you enough for inviting me" Malleus said with a smile. "I had pleasant time and even learned something new about you"
Rollo just rolled his eyes but ignoring the event about Emir everything seemed fine as well.
Who would know that he would really enjoy the presence of Malleus Draconia.
As they walked to one of the bridges that connected back to school they had to stumble to a new yet very familiar face.
Emir was playing a tamborine while Djani jumped around all excited.
Suprisingly Rollo continued to go straight with Malleus. Looks like no avoiding this time.
Djani stopped imedietly as he saw Malleus and ran up to him, nuzzling his leg again.
"Oh, Hi again" Emir waved to him
"Greetings, Danseur" prince replied now picking up Djani in his arms.
"Huh?! I don't remember telling you my name." He was a bit shocked with sudden mention of his last name until he looked to the side to find Rollo standing arms crossed.
"Ah... I see" now he looked down, grabbed his braid, pretending to be buisy with it.
Still with Djani in his arms, Malleus walked up to him, leaned down, and started whispering something to his ear.
Emir's expression quickly changed from uninterested to suprised one and when prince finished his thought, he looked at Rollo who's face was still expressionless.
"Unfortunately this is where we depart. Maybe we'll see eachother again on one of my next visits" Malleus said passing Djani into Emir's arms.
"So soon? I still don’t know who you are yet we had nice time. "
"The pleassure is mine but I'd rather not reveal myself"
Malleus said going back to his Partner.
"Oh and one last thing. You are a wonderful dancer"
Now He grabbed Rollo's Hand again as they walked towards Nobel Bell College.
"What did you say to him?"
"Nothing really important" Malleus said smiling to himself.
On that Rollo just looked back on where Emir and Djani stood.
He was smiling at him. It has been years maybe a decade since he last saw that smile.
Rollo just turned his head back foward and looked at Malleus who is still smiling to himself.