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Seishiro is tugged away from the dredges of sleep by the gentle lull of Reo’s voice, coaxing him awake. He’s humming, Seishiro realizes, as he feels the vibrations from Reo’s chest seep into his own. He blinks, willing away the heaviness of sleep as he takes in his surroundings. He’s still pressed into the warmth of Reo’s back, cradled by the young prince’s strong form, and the air is filled with mingling scents of airy lavender and earthen moss. They’ve traveled further into Hakuho forest than Seishiro has ever dared to venture. The moss coated trees are much larger here compared to the one’s near the edge of his home; ancient sentinels of the forest stretch toward the sky to watch as the young princes’ step further into their domain. Light struggles to poke through from above as if gasping for air and suffocating in the thicket. Seishiro considers briefly that it should be eerie; surrounded by ancient woods that could seemingly swallow them whole, each step casting them further into darkness. He’s being carried by a stranger into a strange land, and yet he feels no such discomfort. Perhaps it’s the unfamiliar closeness of another; strong hands curl around his thighs and press him close while his own arms wrap lazily around Prince Reo’s neck. Perhaps it’s the steady rhythm of the other’s breathing, keeping a melodic time that soothed Seishiro to sleep in the first place. Or perhaps, it is Reo’s gentle humming, airy and beautiful that soothes him like a lullaby. He sighs the troublesome thoughts away, realizing he’s thinking too much, and it’s loud enough to catch Reo’s attention.
“Ah, you’re awake?” Reo asks, entirely too enthusiastic for someone that’s just woken up. Seishiro grunts an affirmative and rests his face against Reo’s nape, warming his cheek.
“Yeah…where are we, Reo?”
“We’re nearly there!” Reo shifts his body to better accommodate Seishiro’s weight as he steps around a large moss-covered root. “I can’t wait for you to meet Ba-ya.”
Ah that’s right… Seishiro is reminded of their whirlwind meeting. The way Prince Reo tripped over him as if he were tree root while he was resting under the sun. How he became enamored with his apparent natural talent for alchemy (that Seishiro declared isn’t really that impressive), and now he was swept up (quite literally) by Reo, headed to a small hut in the woods to meet his alchemy mentor.
“This is far…does Reo always walk this much? Isn’t it tiresome?”
Reo laughs at his words, and Seishiro feels his heart skip a beat. People laughing at Prince Seishiro is not uncommon; he knows he’s a peculiar prince. Laughter is a common response by his attendants over Seishiro’s daily complaints. His tutors might even follow it up by gawking, incredulous and condescending, before rapping him on the back of the head to resume his studies. So for this laugh to sound so genuine and happy, it left Seishiro feeling different. It strikes an unfamiliar chord within him; harmonious and bright, it vibrates throughout his core like a plucked harp string and resonates warmth through his form.
“Walking is good training! You know, alchemy isn’t all about the mental attributes. It requires physical aptitude as well.”
Nagi contemplates this, mulling pathetically over a response. It’s not something he’s ever had to consider in his own experience, having skirted by on little more than his natural instincts. The manner in which Seishiro can manipulate matter and energy into behaving is as instinctual as breathing. He doesn’t think, just acts, and the constituents bend for him. It’s for survival, not a practice.
Still pondering a response, Seishiro’s relieved to find he doesn’t need to. Reo turns a corner, revealing a small homely cottage nestled between a grove of towering red bark trees, and the way he feels Reo relax beneath his arms tells him they’ve arrived. The smell of firewood permeates his senses as his eyes trace the thin wisps of smoke exiting a chimney, cloaked in ivy like a winter scarf. The wood shingled roof looks alive among the trees, as if the cottage itself was still living. As Seishiro stares, he almost convinces himself that it expands and contracts before him, as if heaving through a labored breath.
“How’s your leg? Still hurt?” Reo asks, and Seishiro almost forgets he exaggerated his “injury” from earlier. His ears burn as he shakes his head no into Reo’s nape. “That’s great!” Reo shifts his weight once more as they approach the cottage. “I’m going to put you down now, my prince.”
“Mm.” Seishiro straightens his legs as his feet reconnect to earth. It’s soft beneath his feet. Reo stands up straight as he turns to face Seishiro. The warm glow of the cabin casts a halo around Reo’s features, looking more angelic than just princely in their haven of trees.
“I’m really happy you decided to come with me. Ba-ya will be thrilled to meet you! She won’t believe the genius I stumbled upon!” Seishiro catches the irony in his sentence as Reo laughs at his own joke. His leg no longer aches from Reo tripping over it, although he’s sure a bruise will form. Physical evidence of the many ways this strange young prince has made an impact on Seishiro’s life in just a short afternoon. He suddenly takes Seishiro’s hand in his own and tugs, propelling him towards an entirely new life.
Seishiro expected Ba-ya to act like a witch, with a cluttered secret cabin filled with all manner of books, ruins, and ingredients. He expected her to be standing over a boiling pot when they entered, whispering tricky incantations in a foreign tongue that only the old gods could understand.
He didn’t, however, expect her to also look like a witch. He wore his shock clear on his face as his mouth fell open while Reo excitedly made their introductions. Ba-ya eyed him curiously, and Nagi felt like being naked wouldn’t have left him as exposed as her gaze had. Despite his initial shock (and rudeness, for which Reo would later reprimand him), Ba-ya welcomed him to her cottage with open arms.
“So nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of Prince Reo, Prince Seishiro,” she had said with a sweeping bow, and Seishiro could only nod in response, unsure if he should explain he had no part in this, really.
Reo remained unperturbed, immediately jumping into his studies, and Nagi begrudgingly found himself drawn into them as well.
“Show Ba-ya the sleeping cinders you made!”
Seishiro grumbles as he feels around his pockets, relief washing over him when he feels the familiar drawstring bag.
“Anyone could make this,” he tries to explain as he hands the small bag over to Ba-ya. She tosses it in the air, catching it effortlessly as if testing the weight. Seishiro watches as she loosens the strings and sprinkles the dust into her hand. Her eyes track across the tiny iridescent desert she holds, concentrated and focused. Seishiro shifts his weight as he watches her observe his work, and Reo throws a comforting arm around his shoulder.
“It’s great, yes?” Reo asks, giving Seishiro a small squeeze that goes straight to his heart. Ba-ya remains silent, her gaze still traveling past the bridge of her nose at the powders before her.
“You used skullterra blooms and red sand?” Ba-ya finally speaks. “Common ingredients for such a high grade item.”
Seishiro nods. “Just items I could find laying around. Didn’t want to look too hard.”
Ba-ya hums in response, and Seishiro can feel the way Reo tenses beside him, body rigid with excitement.
“So, it’s good, yes? He’s a natural!” He asks again.
Keeping her hand still, Ba-ya finally meets Seishiro’s gaze. He stares back, impassive, even as thoughts bloom unbidden in his mind like a wild rose bed. He wonders what Reo would think of him if his mentor decided Seishiro wasn’t worthy. It pricks at him, suddenly stinging like thorns.
As Reo waits with bated breath, he and Seishiro both gasp as Ba-ya throws the dust into her face. Reo cries out, arm leaving Seishiro in an attempt to catch the taller woman before she hits the floor. Even Seishiro moves, instinctually rushing to her other side to help Reo before he even realizes it. They both stop when Ba-ya laughs.
“You’re both too kind to an old woman,” she chortles as the dust settles around her. “Prince Seishiro has indeed made quite the potent sleeping cinders.”
Reo jumps backward, mouth open in shock. He pulls Nagi back to his side by his cloak sleeve.
“How are you still standing?!”
Ba-ya grins, and Nagi catches a glint of mischief in her eyes. “This forest can tell tales of me if you listen. My Prince Reo, it takes much more than that to quell me.” She turns to Seishiro with a smile, and he notices the way the skin crinkles around her eyes. “You have talent. Be sure to nurture it with care.”
Seishiro isn’t sure what to make of that. He gives himself an experimental pinch through his robes, just to be sure he isn’t still dreaming.
“Ow.”
Reo turns to face him, incredulous. “My prince, what was that for?”
Seishiro brings his hand to his neck and rubs, feeling both Reo and Ba-ya’s eyes on him. “I was just making sure…” When they don’t look away from him, Seishiro continues. “That this was real.”
Reo blinks for a moment before laughing once more, loud and sweet like a strongly steeped tea mixed with honey.
“You’re a strange one, my prince.” He places his arm around Seishiro once more, pulling him in close. “How did you get so good at alchemy anyway?”
Ba-ya bestows a gentle smile to him before turning her back, as if giving him privacy. She returns to an open book propped nearby. Seishiro fidgets over Reo’s casual closeness and stares back at him, wondering how he could be so interested in a lower ranking noble as boring as himself.
“It comes pretty naturally to me,” Seishiro says simply. “I got annoyed by all the assassination attempts. Alchemy seemed like the easiest way to stop it.” He continues, despite Reo’s mouth dropping open. “Way less messy than sword fighting. Blood is such a pain.”
Seishiro watches curiously as Reo becomes a balking, sputtering mess. Prince Reo is the most sought after prince in the entire continent, surely he’s dealt with worse?
“My prince… that’s…” Reo’s small brows furrow into a look of concern. It’s a new expression, Seishiro thinks. A cute one.
“Are you serious?!” He suddenly explodes, taking Seishiro by surprise when he feels himself being pulled closer by the collar of his cloak. Ba-ya remains unphased, as if used to her prince’s outbursts.
“You’ve almost died?!”
Seishiro blinks.
“...I mean, no? They’re not very good at their job.”
He watches as Reo’s eyes scan his face, as if searching for the lie. He finally lets out a sigh, and Seishiro feels Reo’s grip on his cloak loosen.
“Honestly, you should be careful. And tell your father and mother to protect their son!”
Seishiro tilts his head, curious.
“...My parents are away on diplomatic visits most times.”
“Hah?” Reo’s grip tightens again. “They don’t frequent their own castle? When have you last seen them?”
Seishiro looks up, pretending to ponder. From his peripherals, he can see impatience blooming on the young prince’s face.
Cute.
“Probably…two years?”
Reo surprises him then, slamming his forehead into Seishiro’s as he repeats back, “Two years!?”
Seishiro’s eyes widen as he stares into bright amethyst. It would almost feel like he’s falling into them if Reo didn’t keep such a tight grip on his cloak.
“Um…yes?”
Reo’s eyes, so frantic before, gradually begin to soften.
“You’re speaking the truth?”
“Yes.”
Reo’s face falls as a small smile pokes through. It’s unlike his usual smile, so loud and bright. This one houses the somber melancholy of a decorated crypt, still beautiful despite its circumstance.
“Doesn’t that get…lonely?”
“Not really.” Seishiro answers immediately, never having such a thought himself.
Prince Reo finally releases Seishiro’s cloak and takes a step back; Seishiro feels like he can breathe again. Reo heaves a sigh, eyes cast to the floor as he speaks. Seishiro notices a tinge of pink in his cheeks, perhaps warmed by the gentle glow of Ba-ya’s fire.
“Well…just…be careful, won’t you? I’m sure the Mikage estate would be happy to provide asylum. The king and queen can be quite meddlesome, but they shouldn’t trouble you.” Prince Reo seems to fight an eyeroll as he discusses his own parents. It’s peculiar, Seishiro thinks. Isn’t a parent’s love something to cherish? “You and I are allies, yes?”
Seishiro can’t help but stare, almost dumbfounded and overloaded by thoughts. When Reo arches a brow and meets his eyes once more, Seishiro finally nods as a response.
“Excellent!” Reo grins with his usual shine. Seishiro watches in awe as Reo seemingly casts aside his previous emotions as easily as one shrugs off a cloak. “Now, my prince, let’s practice some alchemy!” He grabs Seishiro’s wrists and tugs him forward. Seishiro groans, and he feels like he’s falling again. It’s only the tight grip Reo has on his wrists that keeps him grounded.
✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖
Seishiro is surprised by how quickly the night settles over them. His entire body aches from practicing as he splays out on the floor next to Ba-ya’s hearth. The hardwood creaks under his weight like old bones and it’s cool against his cheek as the flames from the hearth lap over him with the warmth of a linen sheet. His wrists ache from the repeated motions of drawing glyphs, but that pain is dwarfed by the tender soreness that starts in his core and stretches to his extremities. One afternoon with Reo led Seishiro to quickly realize how taxing alchemy can truly be. Trapping each item's essence and controlling it, molding it to fit new shapes; being careful to handle it well to maintain equivalent exchange, fighting against the unruly entropy and taming it as it fits its new form. It was quite taxing and troublesome, and the state of his body reflected that. On the surface, Seishiro was an exhausted puddle, melting under the heat of the fire. Someplace deeper, it’s like the flames have lapped into his bones, setting off a small spark within him. Like flint against a sword, it kindled something alight; if tended to carefully, he wonders what it might become. Something pure, something warm, perhaps?
“Do you have an affinity for sleeping on the ground, my prince?” Says a cheeky voice. Seishiro tilts his head up just enough to meet Reo’s eyes. He seems unaffected by the labors of the day, expelling enough energy to suggest he could keep going as he stands over Nagi with his hands on his hips.
“Reo…tired…”
Reo smiles as he kneels next to Seishiro. The flames from the fire lick out as the woods settles, and Seishiro wonders if Reo naturally attracts warm things. Nagi’s cheek feels a bit colder against the ground.
“You were amazing today, you know?” Reo’s voice is soft now, silky smooth like the expensive threads woven into his cloak. He takes a gentle hand, carding it through Seishiro’s locks, and it causes Seishiro’s ears to burn.
“You worked really hard today,” Reo affirms, and Seishiro can only stare. Reo’s small brows crinkle as he continues to work deft fingers through Nagi’s thick locks. “You’ll meet me again another day, won’t you?”
At this, Seishiro groans.
“Again? Reo, today was so troublesome.” He closes his eyes, concentrating on the feeling of Reo’s touch. “What makes you want to work so hard?”
Reo laughs at this and musses Seishiro’s hair affectionately. He then pulls back his hand, bringing it to his own chin in thought.
“Alchemy makes life more exciting. Don’t you get bored with your studies? Isn’t it equally troublesome to have your future laid out for you on a silver platter?”
Seishiro opens his eyes to watch as Reo continues, face filled with an infectious determination. “I want to prove that I’m more than just the Mikage prince. I want to show the world alchemy like they’ve never seen!” He glances down to meet Seishiro’s eyes. “And I think, my prince, with you by my side, we could accomplish such a dream.”
Seishiro’s ears burn once more, and he sits up to move away from the fire. He sits across from Prince Reo with his hands in his lap. He stares at the peculiar prince before him, so different from the prince he imagined upon hearing tales of Prince Reo Mikage. And with Reo’s eyes shining so bright, reflecting a fiery determination amplified by the rolling flames of the hearth, Seishiro can only nod.
“Perhaps.” He tacks on in one last desperate attempt to remain non-committal. Reo finds amusement in this, as he laughs and throws an arm around Seishiro.
“I’ll convince you, my prince. I’ll give you a more exciting life than naps in the dirt and troublesome tutors.”
Seishiro’s eyes widen so slightly, as if drinking in every word. They’re interrupted by footsteps as Ba-ya draws near.
“My princes, it gets late. We should head back.” She says with a bow. Reo nods and jumps to a stand. He holds a hand out for Seishiro, who hesitates for only a moment before latching on. Reo continues to speak as he pulls Seishiro to a stand.
“Ba-ya, did you bring the horses as I requested this morn?”
“Yes, young master. There are two out back.”
Reo flashes a grin. “Excellent. I can take you home, my prince. The journey will be much faster on horseback.”
Nagi nods, thankful they won’t be walking. He wonders how his attendants are faring with his afternoon disappearance. He imagines the way Knight Zantetsu must be racing around the castle, searching all the rooms for his presence.
“Ah, before you set off, Prince Seishiro.” Ba-ya addresses him with a bow. “I’d like to offer you something.”
Seishiro glances at Reo. He shrugs. When Seishiro doesn’t decline, Ba-ya moves further into the room, retrieving a small pot. She holds it out for Seishiro to look inside. He glances in before gently moving the contents around with his hands.
“Eggs?”
Ba-ya smiles from ear to ear. “Yes, a gift for our young chick.” She watches as Seishiro observes one. “Please, select one to your liking.”
Seishiro is confused, but nods all the same. He examines a few different eggs. They vary in sizes and color, some large and spotted, while others are the size of a thimble. He treats each one with care before finally selecting an egg that fits nicely in his palm. Its milky shell is the color of soft lilac. He holds it up to show Ba-ya.
“This one.”
When Ba-ya smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkle. “A wonderful choice, Prince Seishiro.” She sets the pot aside and then extends her hand forward. “May I?”
Reo moves close, slotting his chin on Seishiro’s shoulder to watch in awe as Ba-ya takes the egg. Seishiro is aware of how close Reo is, pressed into him like this, and he struggles to concentrate on the motions Ba-ya is making with her hands.
She takes a wax crayon to the surface of the egg, imbuing it with a rune Seishiro is unfamiliar with. Reo exclaims loud enough for both of them when she suddenly throws it against the floor, its contents erupting in a puff of violet smoke.
“Ba-ya!? What-” Reo tries to ask, but coughs as the smoke plumes into the room. Ba-ya remains unruffled as the smoke wisps around her, nearly covering her gentle smile. Seishiro feels Reo grip the cloak near his waist, pulling him closer. As the smoke begins to clear, Seishiro detects movement near the floor and all of his senses snap alert. He takes a protective step backwards, covering Reo completely as he readies himself.
“Be not alarmed, young Prince. I would not bring you harm.” Ba-ya affirms from across the room, eyes glinting. Reo continues to cough with his face pressed into Seishiro’s back, and Seishiro allows some of the tension to release from his body. His eyes track the movement curiously as the form begins to take shape.
Before him looks to be a potted plant, a green cactus to be precise. No more than six inches tall, the pot quivers and rattles against the hardwood, almost as if it’s dancing. Seishiro waves the smoke away to get a better look.
At the movement, the cactus stops. It has two large flat palms that extend to the sky, reminding Nagi of a pair of shears. Near its potted base is a spot of tan against its green trunk. Seishiro thinks it’s a blemish until he notices two black beady eyes staring back at him. The cactus jumps at the same time Seishiro tilts his head curiously.
[Who are you!?]
Seishiro blinks.
“Um…” He looks up at Ba-ya. She continues to smile. Reo has quit his coughing, and Seishiro feels him return to his shoulder, peering down.
“Woah! It hatched from that? And it can move?!” Reo exclaims, nearly jumping on Seishiro’s back to get a closer look.
[This guy is loud!]
Seishiro feels like his head is spinning as his senses become overloaded. A strange voice seems to percolate in his thoughts as Reo clambers on him, and he thinks he needs to sit down.
He sinks to the floor, nearly taking Reo with him. Both princes come to a seated position in front of the small cactus. It peers up at them, tilting its trunk this way and that.
[Um…can you hear me? I asked you a question.]
Nagi looks up at Ba-ya, pointing his index finger at the small plant.
“Can anyone else hear this thing talk?”
[Hey! I’m not some thing ! What a rude human!]
Ba-ya grins. “It seems I was right, Prince Seishiro. This homunculus has chosen you. And you chose it.”
Reo gapes, turning his head excitedly between the plant in front of him, Ba-ya, and Seishiro.
“My prince, what an honor! This is, my gods, this is incredible!” He takes both of Seishiro’s arms in a tight grip and begins to shake him. “Your own familiar! I’m jealous!”
Seishiro thinks Reo is rattling his brain a bit too much as it begins to hurt.
[Oh, so you’ll speak with them and not me? I’m smart enough to know when I’m being ignored.]
With a small grunt, the cactus hops in its pot to face toward Ba-ya and away from Seishiro.
Reo stops shaking him, eyes tracking to the cactus.
“My prince, did you offend it?”
Seishiro sighs. “I didn’t do anything.”
“It looks upset.”
“It’s a plant , how can it look upset?”
“It’s a homunculus ,” Reo corrects. He directs a fist into Seishiro’s hair, ruffling it further. “So be nice to it! Ba-ya’s granted you an incredible gift!”
Seishiro lets out a groan, thinking all of this is much more trouble than it seems worth. He notices the way the small plant seems to glance over its pot at him before snapping back to face Ba-ya.
[...]
Even the silence it produces is loud , Seishiro grimaces.
[I heard that.]
…So you can hear my thoughts?
[Obviously.]
Yikes…this is terrible.
[What!? Terrible!? Does your rudeness know no bounds!?]
Seishiro stares down at the plant.
“How do we undo it?” He asks Ba-ya, pointing at the ground. Both Reo and the plant scream in his ear.
“What!?” / [What!?]
Ba-ya laughs with her whole chest. She stares down at the homunculus with a wink before turning back to Seishiro. Reo has wrapped his arm around Seishiro’s neck, and resumed rattling Seishiro’s brain with his knuckles as Ba-ya speaks.
“My young prince, if I may have a word with you?”
Reo ceases wrapping his knuckles against Seishiro’s skull to check who she was addressing. He releases Seishiro from his grasp once he realizes. Reluctantly, Seishiro comes to a stand, following Ba-ya out of her cabin. The night air chills him, and he wraps his cloak a bit tighter around his form. Ba-ya turns to face him, her face obscured by the shadows of the night.
“Young master has taken a liking to you. I hope you realize that.”
A breeze whips between them, burning Seishiro’s ears as she stares at him.
“Your…situation… It troubled him.” She states, meeting his eyes. “I hope this companion can help guide you. Protect you. They are lucky to possess, you know.”
Seishiro brings his hand to the back of his neck and rubs, feeling more and more awkward as time passes.
“Care for it, and it will help you.”
“Mm…” Seishiro murmurs, sounding only slightly affirmative. Ba-ya grins as she bows slightly.
“Take care to not lavish it with too much affection, else you might hinder its growth.” She looks up from her bow, now eye level with Seishiro. “You understand that best, yes?”
He blinks, unsure of her meaning. “Um…?”
She stands quickly enough to give Seishiro whiplash. “Let’s get back inside. We don’t want to keep young master Reo waiting.” She chuckles as she corrals Seishiro back inside. “He’s a bit impatient, that young prince.”
As Seishiro steps through the threshold, she whispers once more. “I do hope you understand.”
And although he doesn’t entirely, Seishiro is becoming too tired to care. He turns the corner to see Reo holding the small plant gently in his hands. It’s eye level with him as he laughs.
“Ah, you’ve returned!” He says excitedly from his seated position. He holds the small plant out to Nagi.
[Hmph.]
“You have to admit, it’s pretty neat.” Reo tries to reason with him as Seishiro steps closer. The small plant is still facing Reo, as if on purpose. Seishiro sighs, before extending his hands towards Reo, who gently relinquishes the pot.
[...]
…
[...]
…Do you have a name?
[...No.]
…Hmm…
Seishiro feels Reo’s eyes on him, full of excitement.
“Are you speaking with it?” He asks, coming to a stand himself. Seishiro nods.
“Trying to.”
[What’s that supposed to mean?]
Seishiro sighs.
How about Choki?
[Choki?]
For a name. Something I can call you.
The small plant tilts in its pot, as if in thought.
[Hmm…]
Seishiro waits. Reo gives him a reassuring smile, and he hates the way it motivates him.
Do you not like it?
The plant shifts again, this time spinning completely around. Small eyes peer up at Seishiro from his palm. He thinks the tan face of the cactus looks a little pinker than before.
[...I like it.]
Great. Choki, then. I’m Seishiro.
[Seishiro huh…nice to meet you, I guess.]
Seishiro nods, satisfied to have made some progress with his new companion. Reo has moved closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with Seishiro now.
“Hey, it looks a little happier, I think?”
“Mm…its name is Choki.”
“Haha! What a peculiar name. I like it. Choki!” Reo waves at the small cactus.
[ Sigh , this guy seems much nicer. I wish I was his familiar instead...]
I can ask Ba-ya to cram you back into an egg if you wish.
[Wah! No! I was just teasing! Geez, you’re so sensitive.]
“Is Choki talking about me? What’s it saying?” Reo asks.
Seishiro’s eyes begin to feel heavy with sleep. He slumps into Reo, placing his head on his shoulder.
“It’s not…” He lies. “Reo…tired…”
Reo stiffens at the contact before laughing it off. He rustles Seishiro’s hair affectionately as he speaks.
“You’ve had a long day, my prince.” And then softer. “You were amazing today…”
[Wow, are your ears getting red?]
Seishiro ignores the comment as Reo coaxes him forward toward the threshold.
“Young Prince Reo, I will stay behind to clean up a few things. I’ll meet you back at the castle.”
“Thank you, Ba-ya. For everything.” Reo nods his head in her direction. When Seishiro remains quiet, he feels Reo stamp on his foot.
“Thank you, Ba-ya.”
Ba-ya smiles as shadows dance along her cloak, cast by the nearby hearth. She waves farewell as the princes shut the door behind them.
[Geez, it’s cold out here! Put me in your pocket or something!]
“This thing is troublesome…” Seishiro groans as Reo tugs him along by his cloak sleeve. They venture to the backside of the cabin, and Seishiro hears the familiar snort of a horse’s exhale.
“Haha, you just met! Have patience.” Reo assures him as he saddles up a dappled stallion, large enough to support the two of them. Seishiro places Choki in his robe pocket as Reo climbs atop the horse.
You better not prick me.
[Don’t upset me, then.]
Seishiro’s groan is cut short as Reo extends his hand toward him. “Climb on, my prince.”
He steps into the stirrup and hoists himself onto the horse, settling behind Reo. Reo snatches the reins in his hand and gives the horse a gentle nudge with his heel, cajoling the horse forward. It begins to trot at a pace faster than Seishiro anticipated, and his arms reach out instinctually. He feels Reo go rigid as his arms wrap around his waist.
“Haha, don’t fall off.” He turns his head to look at Seishiro from over his shoulder. “I can’t have my prince getting hurt.”
[Are you afraid of horses? Why is your heart beating so fast?]
Shut up.
[Geez, so touchy… are all humans this fragile?]
Seishiro chooses to ignore Choki, opting instead to rest his head against Reo’s back as they ride.
“Isn’t Reo’s home far from here?” He asks as the wind whips around them, flaring their cloaks out with the breeze.
“It’s just on the other side of Hakuho forest. It’s far if I stick to the roads. Much quicker to cut through.” Reo explains confidently. Seishiro has his reservations about that, but decides it’s easier not to question it.
They ride back the rest of the way in silence as the moon guides them overhead. It’s a peaceful quiet; an unexpected calm gone almost too soon as Seishiro’s castle comes into view from the forest’s edge.
Seishiro pulls his cloak overhead as Reo guides the horse near the castle gates.
“Well, my prince, I bid you goodnight.” Reo grins as Nagi slides off the horse. He looks up Reo, shining under the moonlight, and wonders how any of this is real.
“Goodnight, Reo.”
Reo grips the reins to turn the horse around, looking back at Seishiro before he leaves. “I’ll stop by again tomorrow? If I can sneak out long enough.”
Seishiro is about to protest, but falls silent when he sees the softness in Reo’s face.
“It was fun being with you today.” He says so fondly before riding off into the night. Seishiro can only stand and watch as Reo departs, swallowed up once more by Hakuho forest.
[So…you like that guy, huh?]
What?
[...Ah…Nevermind. You’re not ready for that talk yet, huh.]
Choosing to ignore Choki’s nonsense, Seishiro approaches the castle with an empty head and a sore body. Even his bottom hurts from sitting on horseback, and he rubs it haphazardly as he enters the castle. After a barrage of complaints from his attendants over his disappearance, he escapes to his chambers where he falls face first into his bed. Before collapsing into bed, he set Choki atop his night stand, where the small cactus could take in the surroundings of his room.
[Kinda bare in here, don’t you think?]
…
[Like, would it kill you to put a painting or two in here? What does that Reo guy think? Surely he agrees with me.]
…
[...Seishiro?]
And Choki learns of another human peculiarity that night as Seishiro falls asleep. Choki settles into its pot and watches as Seishiro’s thoughts erupt into sparks of lavender, his fondness on full display behind closed eyes. He watches Reo dance around Seishiro’s dreams, full of warm smiles and bright eyes, and Choki begins to understand the appeal. The night passes quickly when drenched in Seishiro’s dreams.