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Phainon strolled through Marmoreal Market, going through his fifth… Possibly in the sixth round, he lost track of how many he’s been on. He does know that his patrol is almost over and the perks of doing patrols that start in the time early before Entry hours was being done before lunch. He was looking forward to being done, meeting up with Mydei, then having lunch before possibly going for a spar. Or maybe spar before lunch, he still wasn’t quite sure yet.
As the market began to fill up for people looking for lunch, Phainon took that as his que to hand over his patrol. Once he traded his shift off to the next warrior on patrol, he made his way back to the market. On the way, he came across the usual gaggle of kids, a mixture of Okheman and Kremnoan children, all on their hands and knees, drawing on the pristine white, roughened marble flooring, with thick sticks of chalk in their hands. Smiling, he veered off his path to see how things were going. They didn’t notice his presence at first, too engrossed in their drawing until Phainon enquired about a drawing several kids were working on that looked to be about a few of the Chrysos Heirs.
There were roars of screams of his name as Phainon was swarmed, nearly knocked off his feet before being dragged all over the place as they showed them their art works. He praised each of them, commenting on how they were all better at drawing than he was. Before they could get a chance to try and drag him into their activity, a gruff voice cut through the din of children speaking all at once.
“Deliverer, what are you doing?” Mydei had been looking for Phainon after finding out he was finally off shift. The Crown Prince was actually done for the day himself on things he needed to do and was wondering if he could sequester Phainon away for possibly a picnic or even just take food back to their shared quarters and enjoy each other's company… If other things happened, that would be a plus.
“Oh, Mydei!” Phainon grinned, genuinely happy to see Mydei then waved him over. “Come look at what the kids have made! It looks like drawing with chalk seems to have them put their differences aside to get along.” Phainon’s smile softened as he ruffled the hair of one of the Kremnoan kids.
“Oh? How did they get ahold of the chalk? It looks rather… Familiar.” Mydei picked up a dark lavender one, studying it before handing it over to a little Okheman girl who politely asked for it as she needed it for the flower bouquet she was drawing.
“Old Man Krateros gave them to us!” One Kremnoan boy shouted, giving a slightly toothless grin as his baby teeth seemed to have gone.
“He’s not an old man!” The little Okheman girl who took the lavender chalk from Mydei got up, stomping her feet and pouting. “He’s Grandpa Krateros!”
“Somehow, I feel like that’s not any better.” Mydei muttered to Phainon, making the snow haired man snort.
“You’re both wrong! It’s Uncle Krateros!” Another little voice cut in and before long they were all arguing over how to address Krateros.
“Kids settle down! Settle down! The one you should ask is the prince himself, no? Krateros was the one who raised him.” Phainon offered a solution that got him a choked response from Mydei. The Kremnoan prince turned to see a small sea of little eyes staring up at him, the little Okheman girl looked to be on the verge of tears. Kneeling down, he motioned for her to come closer, pulling out a handkerchief he kept in his pocket, dabbing the corners of her eyes to dry up the unshed tears. Phainon practically melted at the sight, his heart going soft.
“He is right but seeing as you are all small and he cares for you all like the elders do, I think Grandpa Krateros is a good fit.” Mydei mentally snickered, knowing damn well that Krateros would seek him out to skin him alive for this but it would be worth it. His response also seemed to please all the kids as they agreed to the decided title, the little Okheman girl smiling brightly up at Mydei. “Now that it’s settled, mind if I take Lord Phainon away? I had something special planned.”
“Of course!” Came the near deafening response making Mydei laugh loud and deep causing the rest of the kids to laugh along with him, the adults hanging around chuckle, and Phainon to blush as he gazed at Mydei, a rare smile on the Kremnoan’s face.
“Then we’ll see you lot another time. Come Deliverer, I believe we have lunch to get.” Mydei stood up, offering his hand to Phainon who shyly took it, the blush that dusted his cheeks a light pink, darkened as Mydei led him back to the market.
🎨🖌️🎨
It was a few days later, while out on patrol, that Phainon ran into the kids again. Except this time, he entered into a mess. There was water everywhere, several of the guards that were under the direct control and orders of the Council of Elders, were standing by, scolding the children. The little girl from before was at the forefront, getting the worst of it as the others were being held back away from her. Her cries were soft but it did not prevent Phainon from hearing them. Furious, he approached them, noticing how all the kids fell silent upon seeing him. If it was anything they learned since Phainon’s appearance in Okhema, was that the white haired Chrysos Heir was scary when he looked mad, and even scarier when he talked while being mad.
“What is the meaning of this?” Phainon stepped into the area, making sure to position himself between the little girl and the Council guards. One of the Kremnoan kids slipped past the other guards, snagged the little girl's hand, and dragged her off, their forms disappearing behind the doors leading to the public baths. Phainon paid them no mind, as long as she was taken away from the situation. The other kids, on the other hand, stayed, staring defiantly up at the Council guards still.
“Lord Phainon, this has nothing to do with the Chrysos Heirs. So kindly mind your own business. Aren’t you supposed to be on patrol? You must think you can slack off because–” Phainon cut him off with a look, making the man sputter.
“It is my business as this is my patrol route. It is my business when the Council is unlawfully allowing their guards to harass Okheman citizens–” Phainon didn’t back up when the guard he interrupted shot back in the middle of him talking.
“ Some of them are not even Okheman.” He cast a look of disdain and disgust towards the Kremonoan children, sneering at them as they refused to back down but instead their look of defiance became stronger making the guard all the more angrier.
“By the law passed down by Kephale themself: any person being young, elderly, or able bodied, enter Okhema seeking shelter and sanctuary will be henceforth considered Okheman until their indefinite departure should it occur. This is for the safety and wellbeing of refugees in need of a place to safely exist should hard times find them.” Phainon took a step forward which forced the guards to step back. “Also: Public displays of artwork either by paint, charcoal, or chalk are not to be taken down, defiled, or destroyed but instead revered throughout the city due to the enjoyment it brings to Kephale, Mnestia, and even at times Cerces. Any artwork expressed from children is highly protected as the Titans believe in the nurturing of their creative minds.”
“Well… Uh..”
“So by doing what you are doing now, by the Council of Elders giving such an order, you lot and those supposed believers of Kephale are directly going against laws expressly put in place by the very Titan they pray to. I believe that makes you all blasphemers, correct?” Phainon rested his chin atop the backs of his fingers as he observed the guards spluttering about, trying to grasp something for a rebuttal. “I suggest you leave.”
Unable to come up with anything to say in return, they cursed at Phainon as they all hurriedly scurried away. Phainon watched as they disappeared as Krateros appeared, turning his head to look curiously at the bunch of guards trying their hardest to get away as fast as they could before returning his attention to Phainon. He continued towards him, the two kids from earlier trailing closely behind him.
“It seems I missed a pretty good show.” Krateros came to a stop, surveying the mess of water and destroyed chalk art. “Do I even need to ask what happened here?”
“Krateros, I’m sorry to be of bother but… Is there a way to produce more chalk for the kids? I am willing to help if need be.” Phainon’s once furious countenance melted away to worry, concern, and sadness. “The Council of Elders and their lackeys seem to have forgotten Kephale’s rules.”
“It’s no bother at all. I will be needing some help but you don’t need to worry about that. Just be here tomorrow. I’ll have some Kremnoans from the detachment with me so the kids can draw in peace.” Krateros reached down, ruffling the hair of the little girl that clung to his leg, making her giggle.
“Will do.”
Meanwhile, listening in from the Hero’s Bath, a certain Goldweaver hummed to herself as she turned her attention away. Phainon had taken care of the situation but the thought of what happened did not leave her alone. Tucking it away for later thinking over, Aglaea went about finishing the rest of her tasks.
🎨🖌️🎨
The days that passed were filled with Phainon leaving his patrol on time to then meet up with the kids and either supervise or even join them in drawing. Several times the Council’s guards had come to stop the activity until they caught sight of Phainon, then promptly left without saying a word. His usually white coat would always be smudged with various colors of chalk but it was always easily removed. Once particular time he finished playing and drawing with the kids, making his way to Mydei’s usual rooftop for a picnic dinner. The Kremnoan prince blinked at him a few times, a fond chuckle rumbling in his chest as he reached out finally to wipe a smudge of bright pink chalk from Phainon’s cheek.
“Deliverer, you are covered in chalk.” Mydei huffed out a laugh, shaking his head as they sat down. He fished out a handkerchief from his pants, gathering a bit of cool water from one of the jugs he brought with him, and proceeded to wipe the rest of Phainon’s face which was a menagerie of blues, pinks, reds, oranges, and bright greens.
“Oh? I may have gotten a bit carried away with the kids today.” Phainon turned his head to regard Mydei but instead turned his head right into a kiss.
“I noticed. It’s been giving Krateros something to do other than brood or be an absolute menace to those two guards the Council has always tailing him.” Mydei began unpacking the baskets, setting out Phainon’s first while Phainon found the basket that contained Mydei’s food and began unpacking it. They both finished setting out each other's food, laughing in the process while talking about their day. Mydei wanted to tell Phainon about something that was being planned for the next day, but he remembered he needed to keep it hush from him. It was a surprise after all.
🎨🖌️🎨
Phainon rounded a corner, walking quickly as he could without outright running. He was actually looking forward to getting to where the kids played. He was relieved from duty early and Aglaea sent him a message directly telling him he didn’t need to go to the Hero’s bath for anything. As he exited the doors that took far too long to open, honestly they really should fix it because it shouldn’t take as long as it did, he was greeted by the most wonderful sight.
Castorice was making colorful chalk outlines in pre-measured squares. Once she finished one drawing, she would move on to the next one spaced a little more than five paces away while a group of kids warmed the finished outline, setting out to color it in. The biggest smile Phainon had ever seen was spread across Castorice’s face with the occasional very rare laugh ringing out, he felt his heart swell.
A little ways away with her usually pristine dress now covered in splotches of various colors of chalk, was Aglaea. Several little girls sat with her, coloring in a beautiful chalk drawing of a gorgeous gown of obviously Aglaea’s design. They were talking quietly amongst themselves, little giggles could be heard alongside Aglaea’s elegant laughter. Every now and then, Agalea would reach over, fixing one of the girls hair or try to attempt to wipe a smudge of dark purple chalk off one girl's cheek but only adding the deep, rose red to it. Realizing what happened, the whole group of them laughed.
“Oh, very well done. Now let’s get to making the sky.” A familiar voice caught Phainon’s attention, making him turn to spot Anaxagoras sitting crossed legged by a pillar with a group of children sitting around him. Their drawing was a really beautiful rendition of The Grove and Anaxa was describing and showing them what the starry night sky looked like with a few books as well as scrolls open for reference. Phainon shook his head fondly, more surprised that his old teacher was here and willing to draw with the kids but he didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“Whoa!! Dan heng! That’s so pretty!!” Hyacine had wandered off to take a break and came across Dan Heng’s chalk art. Trailblazer had just flitted away after taking a ton of pictures.
“Thank you Lady Hyacine. It’s a water dragon and a lion.” Dan Heng smiled softly at his drawing before continuing to color it in.
“It’s beautiful! They seem to care about each other a lot!” She gushed some more about the chalk art, asking questions and Dan Heng being more than happy to explain.
“Come on, Grandpa Krateros! Come color with me!” Phainon watched as the little Okheman girl he keeps meeting, tugs at Krateros and dragged the old Kremnoan to a bench next to where she was working with Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon. Hyacine and Cipher were just approaching them with small baskets full of more chalk.
“Yeah Grandpa Krateros, you made a promise the other day didn’t you?” Mydei’s voice cut clear over the noise of everyone talking. Phainon snorted at the withering glare Krateros shot Mydei’s way while the Crown Prince looked to be struggling, and failing horribly, to contain his mirth at the old Kremnoan’s plight.
“I had a feeling you had a hand in me being called Grandpa you snarky little–”
“I called you that, everyone agreed it fit. Do you not like it?” The little girl stared up at Krateros, eyes wide and slightly watery. Krateros caved.
“Of course I do, little one, it is very suiting. It’s just how the young master… Presented it. Don’t be upset, I don’t mind it at all.” Krateros took care to gently part her head, softly wipe away the little tears that clung to her eyelashes. Mydei and Krateros exchanged insults and half hearted jabs as Phainon eventually joined them. Sitting down next to Mydei who had already begun making a rough outline.
“Alright, that’s enough you two.” Phainon gently chided as he got to work tracing over the lines Mydei indicated needed to go over as the final linework. They chatted and laughed as everyone took breaks, walked around to enjoy the artwork of others, talked some more, laughed some more, until it was eventually time to go home for dinner. The kids excitedly posed for pictures next to their art works, the ones that helped Castorice made sure to include her in every picture. Trailblazer made sure the camera angle was just right to show Castorice was amongst them and not some distance away.
With pictures taken, disgruntled Council members quietly laughed at, everyone begane to file out, going home for dinner. Phainon left with Mydei, fingers laced together as they chatted quietly. They picked up something quick and made their way to their shared quarters. They sat everything down in the kitchen and it wasn’t until Mydei started laughing that Phainon noticed something. When he turned around, he caught sight of a slight cloud of dust wafting around him.
“We’re both covered in chalk dust. So much so that we are leaving behind a trail of colorful chalk clouds.” Mydei chuckled deeply as he pulled Phainon into his arms. “Let's get a quick bath then eat.”
“Oh? Are you sure you are not going to sneak a bite of dessert before dinner?” Phainon teased as Mydei planted a quick kiss to his lips.
“And what if I do?” Mydei challenged, making Phainon giggle, leading the way to the private bath. “Did you enjoy today?”
“I did. Did you all plan that? It was really nice. Thank you.” Phainon smiled at him, his eyes bright and sparkling with joy.
“We did. I think they got the message that the children are under the Chrysos Heirs' care.” Mydei helped Phainon out of his coat while Phainon unfastened Mydei’s pauldron.
“Yes, thank you for that. Now, let's get clean. I’m starving.” Phainon squeaked as Mydei pulled him flush against his own naked body.
“Oh I have something you can have now as an appetizer.” Mydei growled out as Phainon flushed, giggling as they finally made it into the private bath.