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Castorice loved her friends.
Sometimes, she worried she didn’t show it enough. She knew she could be withdrawn, even when all she truly hoped for, had ever yearned for, was human connection. She knew she would never quite be as close to people as she wished she was.
Part of that was due to her curse. How could you close an emotional distance when you couldn’t even close a physical one? And yet, she couldn’t help but fear that part of it was just her fault. How could she shake the worry that she was the one who couldn’t be open emotionally? That she was the person keeping herself from everything she had ever wanted? Then again, that was something that could be said of just about all the Chrysos Heirs. They all had their share of secrets, of masks they were forced to wear. It was tiresome. Even the arrival of the travelers from beyond the sky hadn’t entirely fixed the problem.
Regardless, as things got worse and worse, it felt like everyone she knew was drifting further and further away.
And Tribios, poor Tribbie and Trinnon. They hadn’t been the same since Trianne left them. Everyone was mourning Trianne, of course, but only as a friend. Tribios was mourning a part of herself. How could one even begin to navigate that, no matter how many times it happened? Castorice couldn’t begin to imagine it.
Either way, Tribios had been scarce ever since, a mixture of work and grief Castorice would imagine. It was why Castorice was so shocked when, while sitting in the gardens, Tribbie ran up to her. Or, as “up to her” as anyone could be without crumpling to the ground.
“Little Cas!” she cheered. Her voice was light, if a bit more subdued than normal, “Talk about long time no see. We were looking for you!”
“Lady Tribbie. It’s nice to see you,” Castorice stood up and curtsied slightly with a smile, “What can I do for you?”
Tribbie’s smile grew slightly strained, “Um, this is gonna’ sound sort of weird. We get that. Please hear us out!”
“Of course,” Castorice was a bit cautious but nonetheless ready to listen. She could never doubt Tribbie, not truly. Not after all she had done.
“So…Snowy,” Tribbie started.
“Lord Phainon?”
“Yeah, uh, Snowy isn’t doing so well since, well, everything,” Tribbie said, fiddling with the cuffs of her sleeves. It was always unnerving to see Tribbie be anything less than chipper.
“You mean since—“
“Yeah. Ever since De, well,” Tribbie stalled uncomfortably, “Well, you know.”
Unfortunately, she did. Mydei’s departure was difficult for all of them, but none more than Phainon. Even as he threw himself into looking after Mydei’s people, he seemed withdrawn, if such a word could be ascribed to Phainon. Less bright. The other Chrysos Heirs had all made something of a silent oath not to bring up Mydei at all in front of Phainon unless he did so first. The few times anyone had, he had looked like what Castorice could only describe as a kicked puppy.
Castorice nodded severely, “Indeed I do.”
Tribbie smiled, a little sad, but evidently relieved to not have to explain it, “Yeah. So we were thinking maybe you could go check on him? Just to make sure he’s okay. If you wanted, or had the chance.”
Castorice blinked, “Me? Why?”
It wasn’t that she was against checking in on Phainon. Not at all. It was just that Phainon was far closer to Tribbie and Trinnon than he was to her. Or perhaps they could allow Phainon to be closer to her than Castorice ever could. The thought made her mouth taste like ash.
Castorice couldn’t help but feel self conscious as she spoke, ashamed, “I apologize. That was rude of me. But aren’t you more equipped for this, Lady Tribbie? Phainon highly values your counsel, whereas I…”
I’m hardly anyone to him.
“Don’t put yourself down like that, Little Cas,” Tribbie’s voice was so soft and so kind, “Snowy cares about you too.”
Logically, Castorice knew that. And yet, she couldn’t help but doubt it. She couldn’t help but doubt that any of them cared, “You're right.”
“As always!” Tribbie cheered, clasping her hands together, “We would talk to him ourselves but we have a lot of work to do. And Agy seems to think you may be better suited for the problems he’s having.”
The problems he was having? “Lady Aglaea said that? Really?”
Tribbie nodded, “As much as we try, Snowy seems to feel like he can’t talk to us about what’s bothering him. We think he’s embarrassed. Maybe he would be more willing to open up to you.”
“Maybe,” Castorice said, not really believing it, “But he’s been pretty scarce lately—“
“Please,” Tribbie begged, eyes wide and genuine, “We know it may seem abrupt, but we’re really worried about him. And Agy really does think you can help him. So do we.”
How was Castorice ever meant to say no to such a genuine plea? To Tribbie? “…Okay.”
Instantly, Tribbie’s demeanor shifted into poorly concealed elation.
“Thank you, thank you! You’re the best,” Tribbie hugged herself tightly. It was a code they had developed. Tribbie couldn’t exactly hug Castorice, and so she hugged herself to indicate the gesture.
Castorice felt her lips spread into a smile, “Not a problem. I will look for him later today. In the meantime, would you care to sit with me for a moment?”
“Duh!” Tribbie said, plopping down a safe distance away, “So, how have you been?”
“Well, I—“
Castorice cut herself off as her teleslate beeped. She would have ignored it, but she saw Aglaea’s name flash across the screen. Of course, the first time she had gotten to speak with Tribbie in days and it was interrupted. Just her luck.
Tribbie made a gesture as if to say, ‘go for it.’
So, Castorice unlocked her teleslate and looked at Aglaea’s message.
I have a request. Don’t tell Teacher I messaged you.
That was worrying. Quickly, Castorice messaged back.
Is everything okay?
Yes and no, Aglaea replied after just a moment, Phainon is currently drunk and causing quite the scene, I’m told.
What? That didn’t sound like him. The drunk part anyway. Causing a scene was par for the course with him.
Isn’t it a bit early to be drinking?
It certainly is, It was about as close to a sigh over text as you could get, In any case, I would like you to fetch him and return him home safely. We have cleared the tavern otherwise, save for the owner who wishes to look after his establishment, but Phainon is proving to be quite stubborn.
Suddenly, everything clicked. Lady Aglaea was as cunning as ever, huh.
Castorice hoped her message didn’t come off as annoyed as she felt, Is this why you sent Lady Tribbie to talk to me?
No. That was a mere precaution. I had hoped she would speak to you before something happened. It appears I cut my timing rather close. If my hunch is right, I’d much prefer she remains uninvolved in this. I look forward to hearing back from you.
And with that, Aglaea went offline.
Well, there went any semblance of choice. Castorice didn’t like it, but she knew well enough that when Aglaea told you to do something, you did it.
“Everything alright?” Tribbie asked, scooting slightly closer.
“Yes,” Castorice sighed, in a way that very much said everything was not alright, “It was just Lady Aglaea.”
“Oh? Is Agy okay?”
Oh, shoot. Castorice had never been much of a liar, “I, well…”
“You can’t tell us,” Tribbie finished, not looking put off in the least, “It’s okay. We understand how Agy can get with her secrets. We’ll talk later, okay?”
How Tribbie always managed to be so perfectly understanding, Castorice would never know, “Thank you, Lady Tribbie. I will be sure to treat you to a meal the next time we meet.”
“Ooh, good idea, Little Cas,” Tribbie clapped excitedly, “We’ll be looking forward to it. Bye-bye!”
Castorice gave Tribbie a slight wave and then hurried away. Despite her calm demeanor, Aglaea could get rather impatient. Besides, this sounded time sensitive.
When she arrived, true to Aglaea’s word, the place was entirely cleared out, save for someone she assumed must have been the owner.
The maybe owner caught her eye and sighed.
“Sorry, ma’am. I’m not supposed to let anyone in right now. Please don’t take any offense,” He spoke with the steady tone of a man completely over his circumstances. Castorice could relate.
“No offense taken. I am actually here to collect Lord Phainon. I was sent by Lady Aglaea.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” The owner breathed, eyes wide with relief, “He’s over there. I tried to get him to leave but—“
“Don’t worry. I will handle this,” Castorice said with a confidence she did not feel.
“Hng? Who’s that?” Phainon asked from his place hunched over the bar.
Phainon was…well there was no polite way to put it. He was completely and utterly sloshed.
Castorice wasn’t even that close to him yet and she could tell clear as day. There was a heavy flush on his face. His eyes were hazy and unfocused, and he seemed to be swaying ever so slightly.
Phainon, who was usually so composed, looked a complete mess.
“Lord Phainon?” Castorice said, more out of confusion than by way of greeting. If she didn’t know better, she wouldn’t have believed it was him at all.
“Missus…M’Castorice,” Phainon slurred, a wide smile on his face as he spun around in his chair to look at her, “What’re you doing here?”
Castorice kept her voice soft and even, like she was speaking to a cornered animal, “I’m here to see you as it so happens. Is everything alright?”
He waved his hands dismissively in an exaggerated motion, “Me? Psh. Never better. Why do you ask?”
Denial. Okay so this was going to be the kind of thing she had to deal with. Clearly he did not grasp the situation he was in.
“It is eleven in the morning,” Castorice stated neutrally. Surely, drunk as he was, he would see the problem with that.
Phainon nodded emphatically. Or not.
Castorice’s voice became even more deadpan, “You’re drinking.”
If Phainon had any bit of shame left, he didn’t show it. Typically, she envied his confidence. Now, it was just disheartening, “So? Just me n’ my buddy out for some drinks! Nothing wrong with that.”
“You’re alone?” Castorice said questioningly. At least it seemed like he was. If he wasn’t, it was likely she wouldn’t need to be here in the first place. Phainon tended to be a bit more responsible when there was someone to keep up appearances in front of. Still with his fair degree of mischief, but in a way that was both restrained and deniable.
Unless he was with Mydei. They seemed to do little else but act a fool when they were around each other. It was a big problem.
And yet, it was rather nice at times. They both had too much on their shoulders. They deserved to relax around each other. Castorice could see just how stressed they always were. But with Mydei gone—well, there was no need to dwell on that.
“Oh,” Phainon said blandly, looking to his left and to his right. Then he laughed merrily, “So I am! Nothing new.”
Oh dear. It was worse than she had assumed.
“I think we should go,” Castorice encouraged gently, lifting her hand in a universal gesture of ‘get up,’ “Here, I’ll escort you home.”
Phainon’s face immediately dropped into a pout. It would have been endearing if she weren’t so worried. If not for the apparent panic in his eyes.
“What? But you just got here. Why do you want to leave? Why does everyone always want to leave?” Phainon's voice came out fast before tapering off into a whisper, more feeble than she had ever heard him.
Pathetic was never a word she could apply to Phainon. He was too strong, too steadfast. But this was certainly as close to it as he had ever looked. It frightened her.
And Castorice should have known better, but she felt her heart soften at the crestfallen look on his face, “Alright. I can stay. But only for a few minutes.”
Hopefully, that would give him enough time to sober up, if only slightly.
“But then you’re just gonna’ go,” Phainon whined, turning away from her and resting his forehead on the bar, “You’ll just go somewhere I can’t follow. It’s not fair.”
Castorice took a half step closer, still making sure to maintain a wide berth, “I won’t. I promise you that you’ll see me tomorrow after we part ways. And the next day after that. And so on.”
“Promise?” he mumbled into the table.
Castorice put her hand to her heart, “You have my word.”
She took a seat a few stools away from him.
Phainon raised his head slowly, a split second of eye contact between them. He stared at her as if he was chewing over her words, trying to figure out if they were worth anything.
Evidently, they were.
Phainon shot up, grinning like he had just won the lottery, “Wonderful! Let’s get you a drink!”
Uh oh. What was that one saying? Give an inch, and they’ll take a mile? “I-I don’t think that’s necessary?”
Castorice may as well have not spoken at all. Phainon was already yelling and looking around.
“Another bottle of wine! The same type!” Phainon requested of no one in particular.
Another? How many had he had? She didn’t see any glasses save for the empty wine class in front of him, but he must have had more.
When the owner looked over at them, Castorice conspicuously mouthed water at him. He seemed to get the message, nodding severely and beginning to fill two glasses with ice.
After, the owner looked at them strangely, “Seems like you’ve got this well in hand. I’ll, uh, leave you to it.”
With that, he placed the drinks down and went out the door. Castorice envied him immensely.
Perhaps it was a testament to how far gone Phainon was that when the wine glass filled with nothing but water and ice was placed before him, he brightened and took multiple large gulps like nothing was amiss.
He closed his eyes and hummed, “Delicious.”
“Certainly,” Castorice agreed nervously. On the one hand, she was glad he was drinking something other than alcohol. On the other, it didn’t exactly bode well that he couldn’t tell what he was even drinking. When he sobered up she would have to send him to Aglaea to get a lecture in safety.
Phainon nodded vigorously, then he stilled, touching a hand to his forehead, “It’s Mydei’s favorite, y'know? He loves it so much. Sometimes, I pretend I don’t like it to mess—to mess with him. Because he likes it. And I like him. I like Mydei a whole lot.”
“Okay…? So,” Castorice began awkwardly. How was she meant to navigate this? “Um, have you been thinking of Lord Mydei often then?”
Phainon snorted, “Only every day. Obviously.”
“I see,” Castorice said. She had expected as much, but it never felt good to have your worst fears confirmed.
She knew Phainon was sad over Mydei’s departure. She knew. She also knew he wasn’t showing just how deeply it had affected him. His smiles had seemed more strained than normal. His jokes lost their usual charm.
But Castorice had assumed he was handling it privately. Phainon didn’t like to look weak. He never had. And besides, she knew well enough sometimes that was the only way to deal with pain. She thought that space was the best thing she could give him. Clearly, she had been wrong in her assumption.
Phainon had come to drown his sorrows. Castorice never would have expected it from him, but grief was a powerful emotion. She would know.
How many other troubles had he successfully hidden from her? From all of them? It was an unsettling notion.
Just how much silent suffering had he undergone?
Phainon, even in his addled state, must have read her expression. He gave her a smile, “Don’t be sad. Mydei wouldn’t want you to be sad. I’m not sad! If I were sad right now Mydei would call me a hyica—hycus? Whatever. It’s somethin’ like that. I’m still learning.”
Oh, Phainon. To punish himself with what Mydei would think of him. Mydei, who wanted nothing more than for him to be happy. That’s all they all wanted for him. They would never resent him for having feelings.
“Well, Lord Mydei isn’t here right now,” Castorice said quietly, “So if you were sad, you could tell me.”
“Mydei isn’t here,” Phainon repeated, voice flat. Then, he let out a small giggle, “You’re right. He isn’t here. He’s gone. And he’s not coming back. Not in this life. Yes. Thank you for saying it. No more lies.”
Oh dear. Did she make it worse? She definitely made it worse. How was that even possible? She told Tribbie she wasn’t suited for this!
“No, no. I didn’t—I didn’t mean—“
“No take backs!” Phainon began to laugh louder, “You’re right. Miss Castorice, you're so smart. And you're not a liar. Not like him. You don’t make false…no lies from you.”
Castorice almost stretched her hand out, to comfort him, to reassure him. She smothered the urge, “Lord Phainon, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it like that.”
“Why did he even tell me what to do?” Phainon was talking to himself now, head in his hands, babbling desperately, “He told me how to…n’ it doesn’t even matter.”
Castorice didn’t know what to say. Not that she had any need to stay anything at all, as Phainon forged ahead with little regard for her attempts to interrupt.
“And now,” Phainon said, breathing shaky, “He’s gone. Maybe forever. Please say it’s not forever.”
And suddenly, all the nervousness in Castorice had felt over the conversation, at having to do this when she was so ill equipped, drained away to little more but pity.
Mydei was gone. And Phainon was still here.
He must have felt so alone. Like there was no one he could talk to. No one who would understand.
It was a feeling she knew intimately. She didn’t want anyone to feel that way. She didn’t want him to feel that way.
She would have to be strong for his sake.
“Lord Phainon, I don’t know if he’ll be back,” she said softly, and never had she wished more that she could provide him with some semblance of physical reassurance. Instead, she hoped her voice and the look on her face could convey even half of the empathy she felt for him in that moment, “I’m so sorry.”
“S’ not fair,” he murmured into his hands, eyes drooping, “Feel like shit. Just want him back.”
“Lord Phainon…”
“And the worst part,” his voice was breathy, “The worst part…”
Castorice couldn’t help a quick flash of guilt. She shouldn’t have been hearing any of this. Phainon would never be this open with his troubles if he were in his right mind. Then again, it was obvious that Phainon had been burdened, even more so than normal since Mydei’s departure. The fact that he was drunk in the first place was evidence of that. Maybe this was the first step he needed to show that he could allow others to support him for a change. Even if it was the result of drunken ramblings.
“The worst part?” Castorice prompted gently, looking at him with soft eyes.
All at once, Phainon’s voice became oddly clear, “The worst part is I have no eye candy anymore.”
What?
What?
“What?”
“Miss Castorice, he’s so so attractive. The first time I met him I blacked out for a second. I thought—I thought a Titan had blessed me,” he looked at her imploringly, “He doesn’t wear a shirt. None. Never. Do you even get how lucky we were? I could write songs about his back. I will! Oh by the Titans, his back…”
Castorice would officially never forgive Aglaea for making her do this. Never.
Castorice nodded dumbly, at a loss for what else she could do.
“And y’know,” Phainon continued, far too confident considering the subject matter, “I’m kinda’ in charge of his back. N’ a way. I can’t tell you why. It’s a secret. But he basically wanted me to be looking there, right?”
“I don’t—I—“
“Yeah…I think that’s it. You know his face is perfectly symmetrical. I’ve been checking. He’s so pretty…”
“Can we please talk about something else? Anything else?” Castorice squeaked. She didn’t know what exactly Phainon was going on about, but she also didn’t really want to. Ignorance really was bliss.
It wasn’t like she was surprised. Anyone with eyes could tell Phainon and Mydei had something. Of course, no one inquired further because they didn’t actually want to know the truth. There was just too much between the two of them. Care, certainly, but also something deeper, something harder to name. Whatever they were, whether obsessive or romantic or maybe a bit of both, was a powder keg ripe to explode. No one wanted to get involved. She certainly didn’t.
“There are things even I have no need to know in detail,” Aglaea had said to her once, “Their business is their own for, I suspect, the betterment of everyone.”
And now, Castorice was experiencing what so many had feared.
“But if we don’t talk about it, who will?” Phainon asked, like she had said something of great offense, “His toned body must be praised to the high heavens. The world must know!”
It was amazing with how much conviction he spoke. If Castorice hadn’t known better, she would have thought he was sober.
“I would really prefer not to,” she said.
Phainon deflated, frowning, “Another nonbeliever. Alas. Oh, I know! I need to explain his beauty to you in detail. That way, you’ll get it.”
“Please don’t.”
“I will be like a preacher guiding lost lambs to the light. You're the lamb. Mydei’s incredible physique is the light. It’s a very clever metaphor. Get it?”
Castorice sighed, “Unfortunately…”
Phainon ignored her entirely, “Mydei’s handsome, naturally. Obviously. Everyone knows that. He’s like a divine marble sculpture. Or! Or…something else that’s perfect and sturdy.”
“Um—“
“And obvious—obviously he’s built like a god, even before the demigod thing. If I punched him in the abs, I’m pretty sure my hand would break. His body is a true marvel,” Phainon got a faraway look in his eyes, “I’ve tested it, and let me tell you, his body can take a lot.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
He ignored her, “Once, I had my hand on his arm during a fight. And then he moved n’ it was like. Wow. Like I felt the muscle move, it was crazy.”
Castorice blinked. Maybe she should’ve been disturbed, but she was starting to become more concerned than anything, “Um. Are you sure you didn’t have a concussion?”
“Nah. He tossed me across the room after n’ I felt real bad. Then I had a concussion.”
“He…He tossed you across the room?”
“Mhm, yeah but I got a good hit in with my sword so s’ all good. Haha.”
Not for the first time, Castorice questioned the safety of their relationship, “I see?”
“You don’t understand. I’m gonna’…I’ll take you to all our sparring spots. I’ve got so many stories. Then you’ll get it,” Phainon sounded almost wistful then, heaving a contented sigh.
Huh.
“I would like that,” Castorice said.
Maybe that was what Phainon needed. A friend with whom he could talk and share his true feelings now that Mydei was gone. She knew couldn’t be what Mydei was to him. She didn’t even want to. All she wanted to do was help him feel even the slightest bit better.
“Really?” Phainon asked in obvious excitement, perking up when Castorice nodded, “You’re the best. No one else cares. Everyone thinks we’re weird. Not you. You’re a good friend.”
Castorice laughed awkwardly, “Um, of course not. I would, uh, never think that.”
Well, now she felt guilty.
It wasn't like she had spent a lot of time ruminating on the nature of Phainon and Mydei’s relationship. Doing such a thing would drive anyone insane in no time at all. She just recognized that it was strange when she was faced with it. But really, was that her fault? Whenever she wasn’t seeing them banter, she was hearing about some disturbance they had caused. Recently, she had heard rumblings of a “sauna incident” and was frankly far too scared to try to get any sort of details.
They were weird. They were so freaking weird. There was nothing wrong with it per se, it was simply the truth.
But maybe she was also just a bit envious. Their relationship was something she would never fully understand, and for good reason. It was theirs. They wholly and truly connected on a level that no one else could comprehend. The words soulmates came to mind, though Castorice was sure Mydei would scoff at the phrase. “There is no word for soulmates in the Kremnoan language” or something to that effect.
Still, what they had was something most people strived their entire lifetimes to find. Some never did.
But she was pretty sure telling a drunk Phainon that would either fall on deaf ears or result in him crying into his hands, so she would refrain.
“It sounds like you appreciate him a great deal,” Castorice said instead.
“Exactly! Yes,” Phainon broke out into a grin so unlike his usual smiles. It was wide and carefree, not calculated. Castorice liked seeing it, the rare glimpses of himself he allowed, “N’ it’s not just that he’s gorgeous. He is though. So gorgeous. Even his posture. The way he stands. The way he sits…”
And they were back to square one. Surely Phainon could find a midway point between not being his true self and talking in far too much detail about personal topics, “But that’s not all?”
Phainon snapped his fingers, “Yes! He’s also so smart. His strat…strategy mind?”
“Strategic mind?”
“That. He’s such a good planner. And he’s a good guy,” Phainon hummed, “Y’know, and he acts like he isn’t. All standoffish. But he’s so kind. And he’s good with kids. And he’s determined. He carries the hopes and burdens of his people, and I know they weigh on him. But he does it. He’s not like me. And…I could go on forever and ever.”
Castorice couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh at that. He was so earnest, “I’m sure he’d be happy to hear it.”
He huffed, looking away from her and covering his face, “Don’t make fun of me, Miss Castorice. You’re supposed to be nice.”
Castorice felt her smile die on her lips. Did Phainon really not think Mydei would appreciate his words? Did he not realize that his affection was returned by Mydei in equal measure?
“I’m not making fun of you,” Castorice spoke clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding, “Lord Mydei would surely be honored to hear you say so.”
“If I told him, he’d laugh at me,” Phainon argued, oddly assured of it.
Castorice shook her head, felt a few strands of hair brush over her features, “I don’t think so. I don’t think so at all. Sure, he may be embarrassed at first. Perhaps he would curse you or call you a fool. But there is no doubt in my mind that Lord Mydei would appreciate your feelings deeply.”
“You think?” Phainon asked, voice small.
“I mean it. That was beautiful, Lord Phainon. I’m sure Lord Mydei would think the same,” Castorice said, clasping her hands together, “It’s a brave thing to tell someone how you feel. I admire your courage in telling me.”
Briefly, Phainon looked struck dumb. Almost sober in the way his eyes became more focused on hers. In an instant, Castorice felt as though she had truly gotten through to him.
And then, he looked away. Still giddy with alcohol but somehow more somber than before.
“I should call him,” Phainon mused, seemingly to himself, “To tell him. Maybe.”
“Lord Mydei?” There was no one else Phainon could be referring to, but what he was saying didn’t make much sense either.
“Who else?” Phainon huffed lightly, a slight grin on his face, “There’s no one else. Not for me.”
Castorice didn’t quite know what to say to that.
“I’m gonna’ call him right now!” Phainon declared, clearing his throat. Oh no, was he going to scream? What if he strained his vocal cords? Or worse, what if he broke down upon realizing Mydei couldn’t respond? She needed to stop him.
“I fear he may be too busy. Since he is,” Castrorice replied instinctively before cutting herself off, “I mean—no, I was just saying—“
Phainon’s face dropped once again to his hands, “You’re right. I shouldn’t waste calling him like that.”
“I don’t think I understand?” Just how much confusion was she going to undergo in a single day?
“Calling him doesn’t count if it’s not my intent. Which is good since I’ve screamed his name in nightmares. A lot. Or he just lied to me. Abandoned me again. Twice. Haha. Fool me once, fool me twice,” Phainon’s posture began to become looser and looser as he slumped toward the bar.
Okay, she definitely wouldn’t be getting through to him anytime soon. Talking wasn’t getting them anywhere.
“I think we need to go,” Castorice said. But then, how? He looked about ready to collapse.
If Phainon heard her, he gave no indication of it. Or he was ignoring her because he was stubborn and didn’t want to leave: Both were likely.
“Do you know the worst part of all this? Next to losing the prettiest man in the world?” Phainon asked, leaning in closer.
“Phainon,” Castorice said warningly. No, she wanted it to sound like a warning. She could admit it just sounded scared. For him more than for her, “you’re too close.”
“I’ll tell you,” Phainon said, getting even closer, leaning across the stools separating them, “The worst part is I never told him…I never got to tell him—“
Castorice stood up abruptly, staggering to get as far away from Phainon as she could. He didn’t even blink.
But at her panicked reaction, Phainon cut himself off. Looking at her oddly, “Welp, it doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does—“
“Mnestia,” Phainon said, eyes glassy and gaze going straight through her, “Is an awful, cruel Titan.”
And with that, he gave a short merry laugh before slumping against the bar and passing out.
Oh no, oh geez, oh man. She killed him. She totally just killed him. Well, actually probably not. They didn’t get close enough. But still! Could her curse be more potent for the inebriated? It wasn’t impossible. It wasn’t like she could check his pulse.
Wait, perhaps he had been smited for speaking ill of Mnestia. Smote? Smitten? Either way, Phainon would be super dead and her heart was racing and her poor friend and—
Phainon grumbled out a noise that was either “Mydei” or “Pomegranate.” They were very different words and yet somehow it sounded like both.
Okay, maybe she overreacted. Whatever, she could be embarrassed about it later.
Now she had a new problem on her hands. Phainon was out cold, and she couldn’t exactly carry him home, both due to her curse and his weight. She briefly considered hitting him with a stick to try to wake him up. But he could barely sit upright, he certainly wouldn’t have been able to walk without support. Who could she ask to help?
Aglaea would likely be far too busy, Tribbie did not deserve to be involved in…whatever this was (that was something Castorice and Aglaea could agree on), and Anaxa’s bedside manner wasn’t the kindest.
This was the kind of situation that made her wish that her friends were better adjusted individuals. Alas.
Wait, there was one last person she could ask for help. Thank goodness she knew at least one semi-normal person. Or well, more like someone who was normal enough for this specific situation.
Quickly, Castorice sent off a message to Hyacine.
Good morning, Miss Hyacine. I’m sorry to bother you. Are you available? I could use some help.
Only a minute or so later, her teleslate dinged with a response.
Cassie! Always so formal. But sure! Is everything okay?
Was everything okay? How was she meant to begin to answer that?
I wouldn’t usually ask you for help with something like this, but Phainon is drunk and passed out. Can you help me take him home?
A brief pause then a response.
It’s not even 12 yet?
Castorice was getting a weird sense of deja vu, Indeed.
…
Be right there
True to her word, Hyacine showed up only ten minutes later. She must have already been out and about. Or she was extremely worried about Phainon’s condition. Both would be equally in character for her.
Hyacine walked in with a pep in her step and a smile on her face. Still, her eyes darted about uneasily.
“Miss Hyacine,” Castorice greeted, “I cannot thank you enough—“
“Psh,” Hyacine waved her off, “It’s nothing. Besides, it sounded like the situation was—is that him?”
Hyacine pointed over to where Phainon was hanging over the bar, silent except for his occasional groans of pain.
Castorice sighed, “Indeed it is.”
Wordlessly, in an impressive show of strength, Hyacine walked over, hoisting Phainon over her shoulder. His boots were dragging on the ground, but he was up.
“I’ve got it from here, Cassie,” Hyacine gave her a thumbs up, “You go rest.”
“But—“
“Cassie, you looked exhausted,” Hyacine’s eyes were bright, “I’ve got it.”
Castorice wanted to disagree but she couldn’t. This entire situation was draining. She sighed, “Okay, thank you. Send me a message when he’s safe?”
“Will do!” Hyacine said, before carrying Phainon away.
Hyacine did later send pictures of Phainon in the med bay. She threw up a peace sign while he was entirely passed out. But he was in a safe place.
So, mission successful?
Aglaea seemed to think so, based on the simple well done she sent Castorice shortly after.
Castorice was going to take the longest nap of her life.
The next day, Castorice was once again sitting in the gardens. She had invited Tribbie and Trinnon, but they had been too busy. And the Trailblazers were off doing something they had referred to as an “event quest.” Whatever that meant.
So she sat alone. Like always.
That was, until she heard the soft yet confident call of her name.
She looked up and saw Phainon standing before her, a respectful distance away. You would have never guessed he had drunk himself into the day before. His eyes lacked any bags that may have indicated he was tired. His hair was messy, but artfully so, the way that was meant to look effortless. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought nothing was amiss.
“You’re looking well,” Castorice said, more surprised than anything, “I’m surprised to see you up so early, all things considered.”
“Well, having lots of work to do is an excellent motivator,” Phainon laughed sheepishly, “Also, avoiding Aglaea.”
That made sense, at least. Castorice could only imagine the lecture he was in for when Aglaea finally hunted him down, “I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”
“Yes, much better than yesterday. Though, that’s not all too high a bar to clear,” Phainon somehow made even the most self deprecating of comments sound confident. Castorice didn’t know how he did it, “Thank you, by the way. For your assistance. That’s what I came here to say.”
Usually, Castorice would have graciously accepted his thanks. However, there was a nervous look in his eye that was raising an eyebrow for her, “You’re welcome. But I am assuming that is not all?”
“Pft? What? Okay, yeah,” Phainon looked away from her, “I just wanted to know, while I was, ahem, inebriated. I didn’t say anything embarrassing, did I?”
Yikes. On the one hand, Phainon deserved to know the truth. On the other, that conversation wouldn’t be fun for either of them.
Lies it was!
“What? No,” Castorice hoped her smile read true, “You were more tired than anything by the time I stopped by.”
Phainon visibly relaxed, sighing with relief, “Oh, good. I’ve been told I’m a rather chatty drunk. Or rather, Mydei has told me that I tend to blather when drunk.”
Talk about the understatement of the century. Not that Castorice could be too upset though. In fact, it gave her an idea.
“Well, you did say one thing about Lord Mydei,” Castorice said, watching as Phainon’s expression shifted into one of panic. Her little harmless revenge for what he had put her through the day before.
“And, ah, what was that?” Phainon’s voice was calm and steady, even as his eyes darted anxiously around.
“That you would show me the locations of some of your battles and regale me with the tales,” Castorice smiled serenely, “What else would it be with you two?”
“Oh. Right. Haha. Of course,” Phainon smiled a strained smile. Relieved, and yet tense. His teeth were perfect. Ugh, “What else indeed. But you don’t want to hear about all that—“
“I do,” Castorice interrupted, feeling oddly bold, “I happened to hear something about you getting thrown across a room, and I simply must know more.”
“Thrown across—whatever possessed me to bring up that story?”
Uh oh. Maybe Castorice just shouldn’t have ever spoken about anything ever, “Um, I couldn’t say. You weren’t being particularly coherent.”
Hooray for drunk people being weird.
“What else should I have expected of myself?” Phainon mumbled, before turning his bright eyes back on her, “In any case, I would be…it would be nice to tell someone about some of our more memorable fights. I can find some time later today?”
“How about once you’re feeling better?” Castorice countered. The last thing she needed was him hurting himself in a bid to talk about Mydei. It was a disturbingly frequent occurrence as it was.
Phainon blinked innocently, “Sure. It just so happens that I may be feeling better later today.”
He was impossible. She should’ve just texted Aglaea his location so she could chew him out properly.
It was an empty threat. Castorice was smiling, “As you say. I’ll see you later, Lord Phainon.”
With one last blinding smile, he turned away from her. As he walked Castorice made a silent promise to herself.
She wasn’t always the most outgoing, or brave or outspoken. She didn’t always speak her mind or do what she wanted.
But she would be there to help her friends, to help Phainon, through anything and everything. He wouldn’t have to deal with his emotions alone. Not if she could help it.
That being said, she would probably be asking Aglaea to sign a city wide mandate that no one could serve Phainon alcohol for the foreseeable future. Just to be safe.