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Something strange was going on in the Garden of Life.
This, Phainon and his fellow Chimeras had noticed quite quickly, considering that the Gardeners had been acting… off as of late.
While he couldn't say that they were normal to begin with and certainly stranger than the average citizens that visited them daily, it was still freaky to see them like this.
In general, there existed a divide between the Gardeners. Those who liked Chimeras and those who viewed them as failures and mistakes, given that they were supposed to be revived extinct beasts and not a beastly mixture.
Now, the usual, barely hidden distaste had somehow gotten even worse, as they unabashedly stared at them or even refused to acknowledge their existence. While the other half were practically glued to either the Seed of Life or numerous scrolls that came and went in piles from both their shelves and the library downstairs.
So to pretend that everything was normal, when even the managers were put off by their behaviour, was a challenge few could manage.
Even so, Phainon did his best to rein in his instincts and serve as a beacon of calm to the others, despite his urge to be nervous as well. Expectantly, the snow white Chimera continued to look up at the Gardener who had gathered them all this early morning at the usual meeting spot.
She was a young blonde scholar who bore the insignia of the Grove and was everything a scholar should not be in front of a crowd – even if that crowd only consisted of critters.
Anaxa surely would've failed her by now as she kept on wringing her hands and stealing glances at the healing wing before gulping and doing it again.
An awkward silence – only broken by the typical murmurs and noises of the beasts – filled the air until at last the door swung open and a tired Hyacine, flanked by two of her trainee healers, stepped outside.
In her arms was that bundle again, a pale blue cloth with dried blood at the edges, that hid its contents from view and drew curious gazes from both human and beast as she walked.
Stopping before them, she softly smiled and nodded at Phainon. Dark circles underlined her eyes, but their lively glow remained, coaxing a sympathetic thrill from his throat.
"Dear little ones," she began, her tone calm and gentle as always, "a couple of days ago, a Chimera arrived from outside of Okhema and will from now on be the newest addition to the Garden of Life. We made sure that he was fine and healthy before bringing him here, but I ask you to be gentle with him. He is rather shy and not used to company, so please treat him with care."
His ears stood tall the second she mentioned the outside, and he wasn't so oblivious as not to notice the curious glances thrown his way. It was quite rare for such beasts to exist or even survive long enough to make it here and so far, he knew of only himself who had managed that feat.
What kind of creature must he be, to have survived that darkness? Phainon wondered. And not for long; as moments later, Hyacine lowered the blue bundle to the ground and whatever thoughts Phainon might've carried until this point vanished instantly.
His mouth ran dry, and if he'd been able to blush, he'd surely be as red as the Kremnoan flag.
In front of them sat perhaps the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his eyes on. A Chimera just like him, with red gold fur, striking red markings and sunset eyes that threatened to swallow him whole.
Absently, he heard Hyacine say his name alongside a string of other unimportant words.
Mydeimos. What a beautiful name. Regal, powerful and fitting for a creature as magnificent as this. Meanwhile, Hyacine explained to all who were present that Mydeimos had been found in the territory of Castrum Kremnos by the remaining Detachment and its general, before being brought here for a checkup and potential new home.
Phainon, if asked, would admit shamelessly that he had barely listened to a single word she said. How could he, when those gorgeous eyes strayed to him and granted him the privilege of basking in that gaze?
Subconsciously, he straightened, proudly displaying his midnight blue horns and dual coloured wings, as well as his long, fluffy wolf's tail that he had groomed to perfection.
Those eyes lingered a little longer – showing something like approval, perhaps, before moving on to the rest of his kin.
After Hyacine was done and they were left to their own devices, the first few beasts approached him and gave their cautious greetings. When met with careful tolerance, the rest surged forward as well and all too eagerly welcomed him into their midst. Phainon - who once had faced the same dilemma - could imagine very well how overwhelming it all was and thus was not surprised when Mydeimos soon put a stop to this circus.
With a terrific hiss spilling from his lips, the Chimera stood and bared his teeth at them. It was a sound unheard of from their kind – perhaps due to the safe environment of their upbringing – which caused all those around him to freeze momentarily, before backing away bit by bit.
As soon as there was enough space between them, he seized his chance and jumped away to the roots of the grand tree from which once the fruits of wisdom grew.
Expertly, he climbed the bark until he disappeared within the leaves and branches, with no hide nor hair in sight.
Caught between awe and disappointment, Phainon felt his ears droop ever so slightly. However, he did not make a move to follow him.
As surely, he would get the opportunity to speak to him soon enough.
Phainon was a beast of his word, and yet his word seemed to fail him, as he had yet to properly speak to the object of his interest.
Whenever he tried to get close, he, just like everyone else, got a cold shoulder, a scoff or a mixture of both, before Mydeimos vanished for the rest of the day, and only resurfaced once it was time to eat.
So, Phainon – despite his displeasure – settled on the next best option and began to watch him from afar, in the hopes of finding a common ground or at least an interesting conversation starter.
Thus, he noticed how Mydeimos was drawn to sunlight and golden things, how he liked pomegranate and mixed it with his milk, how his markings glowed in the sun, how his teeth and claws were sharper than most, how he slept with his back to a wall and how he disappeared at least once a day with a strange rugged looking human, dressed in armour and a red robe.
With each new discovery, his interest grew, and Phainon found himself more and more enamoured with the redgold Chimera, until he finally felt confident and prepared enough to approach him.
After thoroughly checking if his fur was clean and shiny and there was no dirt on his paws, Phainon began to climb the mighty tree with a single goal in mind.
Farther and farther up it took him, 'til at last he reached the closest branch to Mydeimos, who lazily eyed him with a gently swaying tail.
Once again, Phainon was struck by his beauty when the Danwn set his mane aflame, whilst he settled on a branch right below him, from which he cast a pearly-toothed grin.
"Hello there, I'm Phainon!"
He said with a friendly yip and looked at him expectantly.
"Mydeimos." The other replied, "Though I presume you already know my name. What brings you here?"
Phainon had to force himself to stay still, lest he'd slip from his branch.
By Kephale, even his voice was hot. Oh dear, how was he going to survive this?
Pretending to be less shaken than he actually was, he boldly declared before he could stop himself,
"You."
And had the pleasure to watch as his expression morphed into disbelief.
"Bold words for a snowball. Are you always this shameless to those you don't know?"
"Only to the interesting ones." Phainon purred, leaning closer to the other. "You're from Castrum Kremnos, are you not? Tell me how was it there?"
Mydeimos scoffed in mild amusement. Causing Phainon to swoon with pride. For there was no greater joy than to be the first to elicit a positive reaction from their beautiful and mysterious newcomer.
Standing up, the redgold Chimera stretched, his bat wings fluttering slightly as he did so and shook his fluffy fur. With a challenging look, he flashed a fanged smirk towards him and said, "If you want to know, you'll have to earn it."
And jumped, without another word, from the tree; scaring a few Gardeners on his way down before landing on his four paws like it was nothing.
Not one to cower before a challenge, Phainon thus redoubled his efforts.
Although he was met with some resistance at first, the white Chimera continued to seek out Mydeimos every day and talked about anything and everything while managing to coax some things out of him as well.
It was a practice that soon became a fragile routine, as Phainon diligently chipped away at the tough exterior and closed the gap between them bit by bit until the initial frost melted to tender familiarity.
More often than not, Mydeimos was seen with a smile as they lounged on a Lotus pad or swam in the waters, which made him all the more approachable for the other Chimeras as well.
Though the final nail to the coffin was struck on a day like any other when Phainon returned from his daily missions and noticed a distinct lack of redgold fur in his vicinity.
Curiously, several other Chimeras – that he knew were not on duty – were also missing, which made a strange feeling rise in his chest.
At once, he abandoned his team and started searching every nook and cranny that he could think of. During this time, Mydeimos was never preoccupied. He knew this by heart.
So why was he not here?
With each new failure, the uncomfortable feeling festered within his heart, growing ever more vicious to the point of invading his mind with unwanted thoughts, when all of a sudden, he stopped.
From the area where newly created Chimeras were kept, until they were strong enough for more strenuous activities, came a sound much different from the soft mewing and cooing of the young ones.
It was a deep, throaty rumbling that could only belong to an adult.
Considering how rarely any grown Chimeras were allowed there, his curiosity was piqued against his will, and he inched closer to the secluded space hidden behind bush and thorn.
Funnily enough, he was not the only one who was curious, as the missing Chimeras were also there, hiding behind the foliage like what humans would call a stalker. Disapproving yet intrigued, he settled beside them and peered through the holes between the leaves.
His sky blue eyes widened instantly.
There he was, the untouchable Mydeimos, surrounded by the younglings, as they played and climbed around him as if he were a well-placed log. A few of the calmer ones lurked between his front paws and softly purred while he groomed their fur with a never-before-seen gentleness.
A deep purr rumbled from his chest, which stuttered slightly when one of the rowdier ones pulled at his ear, earning itself a chiding huff. Yet there was no bite in the gesture when he calmly lectured them about proper behaviour that they listened to without complaint.
Once again, Phainon's heart was set ablaze as he got to witness such wonder.
What a gentle heart beneath the rough exterior. Mydei – yes, he had that privilege now – would make a wonderful mate. Though such thoughts were closely followed by jealousy, as he was not the only one who got to witness this side of him.
Although he knew it to be unbecoming, his eyes strayed over to those fiends to his right. What did they think they were doing, staring at Mydei with such eyes? A voice in his head seethed, which wished to growl and claw at them until they were nothing more than bloody heaps of flesh.
He, however, restrained himself. Phainon had no right to do so. Not if they were not other suitors, and especially if he himself wasn't one either.
And this, it seemed, had to change now.
At last, the day arrived when Mydeimos was declared ready to join the daily tasks that all Chimeras had to carry out respectively. Barely able to keep his tail from wagging up a storm, Phainon sat with his paws atop the snow white appendage and waited for Hyacine to sort them into today's teams.
Oh, the places they could visit once they got the clearance... The library, the bathhouse or maybe the market, so many options, he couldn't decide!
Before he could lose himself completely in his daydreams, however, Hyacine clapped twice and directed their attention towards the board.
"I know, I know you're all excited, but you have to listen first," She said with a giggle and began to write.
"- Team one: Lemon flower, Orchid, Citrus, Sandball, Orange.
- Team two: Phainon, Vanilla, Ivory, Moonshard, Snowy.
- Team three: Fig stew, Mydeimos, Clementine, Goldfly, Ruby.
- Team four: Lavender, Punch, Vania, Money Tree, Droma.
- Team five: Cookie, Diablo, Batfly, Shadow, Sonic."
This must be what heartbreak feels like, thought Phainon as he swallowed his dejected yowl.
Longingly, his eyes strayed to {his} Mydei, as he joined his assigned team without sparing him even a single glance. A simmering jealousy following the loss. It should've been him in their stead! Why did they have such privilege when it was he who made Mydei open up? But for now, he sadly knew, that there was nothing he could do and begrudgingly left the garden for today's errands with his own team.
The day went by so achingly slow that he thought madness would consume him. Neither the artefacts nor the sorting of the library could fill the Mydei-shaped void in his heart, and caused him to sigh for the thousandth time today. Not to mention the ever-present jealousy when he caught a glimpse of that red-gold fur, side by side with another!
At first, his team was understanding and let him take his time in the hopes that he would sort through his feelings. But as the days stretched on and he more and more resembled a man who missed his wife, their annoyance at his constant moping reached a point where they wanted nothing more than to kick him out.
However, that was not the only thing that made his mood worse, as each time they returned, the teammates of Mydei would excitedly retell tales of the day and throw appraising looks at him. Which Phainon, in all honesty, both loved and disliked.
The issue here was not that Mydei was getting the positive attention that he deserved. No, the issue was that whenever he asked, Mydei would only say that it was unimportant and move on with his day. As if Phainon was not worthy of knowing what was going on!
After about a week or two of this nerve-wracking routine, Phainon's team finally chose to put an end to it.
In the early hours of the morning, their manager met with Hyacine and agreed with her to change the team arrangements. Thus, as the daily task assignment began, Hyacine stepped forward and cleared her throat.
"Due to recent events and a couple complaints, Phainon shall replace Goldfly on Team three and vice versa. Please continue to work hard; our city appreciates your efforts."
The once so droopy Phainon lit up like a second sun.
As if all his problems had been solved and world peace had been achieved, he did not even bother to say goodbye to his old team – who all sighed in relief once his back was turned – and happily trotted over to Mydei, where he shamelessly sat down right next to him and continued to grin.
Huffing in amusement, their manager explained to them the tasks, and together they set off into the city.
Now, Phainon finally had the opportunity to learn what it was that had the other Chimeras so in awe. As well, of course, to make it very clear, just who deserved to have a permanent place at his side.
For one, it was Mydei's strength.
No other Chimera, aside from himself, had managed to carry that many boxes at once and with such ease. Which, of course, turned into a little semi-competition and earned him the nickname "Deliverer" that, although spoken mockingly, made Phainon preen every time.
Then there was his natural ease with children.
While Phainon had already seen how well he did with young Chimeras, Human children also seemed enthralled by him, as seen by how well he comforted them in their times of need. This friendliness with humans did not only extend to Children, but surprisingly, to Kremnoan soldiers as well; as they'd often stop by to greet, pet or bow to him in passing. Which in turn, earned Mydei his own first nickname as "crown prince", though instead of amusement, Phainon only gained himself a hit to the head.
But the true reason for his growing fame, Phainon discovered a couple of days later, when their team encountered a particularly rude customer.
While this was nothing unusual and many visitors in the Garden of Life told them similar tales, it was still very annoying to deal with.
First, he brought them the wrong things he wanted repaired. Then he admitted that he had not read the instructions and, in turn, gave them false orders and directions when they tried to fix the things, which caused the damage to worsen even more.
And at last, when they couldn't even help him repair a vase - simply because that was not part of their abilities - his "gracious patience" snapped, and rage consumed him whole.
Insult after insult was thrown, each harsher than the one before.
Useless beasts! Feral and uncivilised! Can't do anything right! Should be thrown into the black tide where such monsters belonged!
And other such unpleasantries.
Whimpering, the weak of heart cowered behind their manager, who frantically tried to calm the other down as they had already gathered enough attention from the citizens around them.
Phainon, ever so righteous, was ready to step in when suddenly, Mydei jumped forward in his stead.
With a fierce growl, he advanced. His fangs bared and fur puffed up. A truly threatening display that even spooked the human. Though the man refused to back down, despite the obvious danger he was facing.
That arrogance would cost him dearly.
With an elegance akin to a dancer, Mydei launched himself into the air and clawed himself up the silky robes until he reached the screeching man's face and began to claw at him. With each swipe of the paw, deep crimson lines followed from which blood spurt forth – almost the same shade as his markings.
Only once he deemed it enough, did Mydei stop and gracefully land on the floor as the man continued to scream and gasp while his hands shielded his face; rivers of red trailing down his skin as they did so.
Unfazed by the partially horrified, partially gleeful glances sent his way by the onlookers, the Chimera cleaned the blood off of his fur and watched as the man retreated like a wounded dog.
Unlike the humans, however, his teammates were in awe and immediately swarmed him with thankful words and yips, which he greeted with a calm indifference. He had only done what needed to be done, for people who are not put in their place will never learn otherwise.
Phainon, on the other hand, had a very different reaction. Warm blood dripped down his nose as he stared at Mydeimos with his pupils blown so wide that they resembled miniature suns.
This Chimera, who was as righteous, proud and strong as a lion, and still managed to remain kind, was one that anyone would be honoured to call beloved.
Thus, Phainon cemented his decision.
He needed to win his heart.
There were three simple steps one had to fulfil to court a fellow Chimera.
Step one: "Show them that you care."
This, Phainon had been doing quite well if he said so himself, considering how well their friendship was going. But if he was to show his seriousness and dedication to woo him, he needed to step things up. Thus, a trip around Okhema was in order, and for this, his trusty coin pouch would accompany him today.
Happily trotting over to the object of his affection, the snow white Chimera leaned down and gently tapped his nose with his paw. At once, Mydei's eyes snapped open, revealing the sunset colour he so loved and slowly sat up from his place in the grass.
"What is it, Deliverer?" He grumbled, the deep, sleepy voice sending a shiver down his spine.
"You know, since it is your first day of having the free roaming privileges, I figured I'd take you out for a stroll and show you the city!"
Phainon replied, his tail wagging at the speed of light once more.
Although Mydei was reluctant to leave the sunny spot, he did not have the heart to tell Phainon that he had seen a large bit already due to travelling on Krateroses' back, and agreed in the end. It was not easy to resist such a hopeful expression on his friend's face after all.
And so their trip date began.
Under the lead of Phainon, the pair descended the stairs to the Chrysos bath, which was usually reserved for the demigods only, but since Phainon had arrived on behalf of two Chrysos heirs (even when one did not want anything to do with them), no one cared.
The water glittered in a golden hue, which reflected quite nicely on Mydeimos' red-gold fur as he looked around and took in the breathtaking view of the entire bath from above. A deep appreciative purr sounded from his chest as he let his eyes roam the huge establishment, which only grew when they reached the main bath downstairs.
Amidst the many people and giant fountains, the two critters seemed comically small, which caused many to coo as they passed by, some even laughing when the humid air made their fur poof up. Especially Mydeimos looked like a walking ball of fluff once they entered the side hallway that led to the smaller, private baths with varying temperatures.
His mild displeasure, however, soon faded once they reached the famous hot bath. Phainon, for one, preferred the cold or even lukewarm one, but with Mydeimos looking so excited, he just couldn't say no and quickly found himself boiling alive like a crab. The sweltering heat was hard to withstand, but all the more refreshing when, after half an hour, they exited the waters and let the cool air from the other baths grace their fur.
Leading them afterwards straight to the Library, Phainon excitedly began to talk about all his favourite books and legends that he had had the pleasure of reading, since the material here varied from the library back at the Grove. He talked and talked while Mydei quietly listened and began to pick out his own scrolls to read. It was perhaps the calmest pastime activity he had ever done as he watched with keen eyes how the visitors and workers stacked away the documents or debated about their contents in the corners.
A certain longing filled him. One that he could not name, as he hoped that one day, in another life, he too could be a bookkeeper.
Phainon, who had quieted in the meantime, saw this change in moods but decided to not comment and let him read in peace for now until it was time to move again, with the promise that they could return whenever he wished to do so.
By midday, the pair found themselves at the memorial market. A bustling place of people and wares from all over Amphoreus. It was both usual and unusual to see Chimeras roaming around and thus invited a lot of people to give them curious glances, though this time there were also some of fear and distrust thrown into the mix.
The first stop was the smithy, where the hulking giants worked at the forge day and night and presented their finished pieces at the front. Mydei, given his upbringing and origin, admired the craftsmanship of the cold steel and let out appreciative yowls when some Kremnoan soldiers joined to pick out their weapons.
Although none could understand what he was saying, they still listened to their little crown prince as he circled the weapons that he thought would best fit them and picked those exact ones as well to test them out. It made for quite an amusing display, as the battle-hardened warriors diligently obeyed this little critter, but none dared to let it show for fear of consequences.
Everyone knew, after all, what Kremnoan soldiers were capable of on the battlefield.
Nevertheless, Phainon noticed even after they left, how Mydeis' eyes lingered on a pair of gold bangles, small enough to fit on his paws and promptly, once he wasn't looking, bought them and tucked them away in a spare bag.
The next stop led them past the Antique store, whose owner enthusiastically greeted him, for Phainon had his own small collection of relics within the shop. Sadly, though, he had to decline as they still had a multitude of other shops to visit and their free time was slowly coming to a close.
After a quick trip to the restaurant, where Mydei watched with open interest how the cooks worked within the kitchen, they bypassed a fruit stand that offered ripe Pomegranates. Phainon, of course, noticed his beloved's wandering eyes and knew exactly what would lift his spirits even further. Thus, once again, when he was distracted by the weaver shop, Phainon swiftly jumped over to the fruit stall and paid the very bewildered owner for three of his fruits.
As the last stop before they truly needed to head back, the pair ended up beneath Mnestia's tree. While usually, this place was reserved for those who prayed for love and the priestess responsible for the blessings, the courtyard was pretty empty and only filled by gently swaying water on which the leaves drifted from the wind.
Neither of them minded it very much as they still got to admire the heart-shaped tree upon which butterflies nested and rested before they at last made their way home, unaware of the whispered blessing that foretold a union formed from open hearts.
Once they reached the Garden of Life, the pair took a quick break to enjoy the spoils of the day before Mydei yawned and stood to retreat to sleep.
Before he left, however, a grin formed on his face as he very closely brushed against Phainon, his tail stroking against his muzzle and left for his favourite branch in the tree; which caused Phainon, starstruck as he was, to not stop purring even after he fell asleep.
Step two was rather simple.
Given that the first step was a total success, Phainon now had to show him that he was strong.
Thus, his best idea was to challenge Mydei to a duel and see just what the redgold Chimera was capable of surviving in a land ravaged by the black tide.
His first warning sign should've been the smirk that appeared on Mydeis' face, after he accepted and even invited Phainon along to his daily trips with the rugged human, with the excuse that he would bring them to a good place for this event.
As they rode on the human's shoulders, Phainon got a very good look at all the people they bypassed, who tended to avoid eye contact with him (the human) like a plague.
This was the first true warning sign that he actually noticed, as his nervousness increased the closer they got to the temporary home of the Kremnoan Detachment.
His second one was when they bypassed the simple yet elegant houses and reached the training arena for the soldiers that kept it occupied day and night.
And the third and final one was when the human let them both down and was greeted by the other soldiers with the name, General Krateros.
The one and only general of the Kremnoan army and the one responsible for bringing Mydei here.
Phainon gulped as he looked over at Mydei, who flashed him a fanged grin.
He couldn't embarrass himself in front of his almost-in-law. He just couldn't! For how was he to court him, if he couldn't prove himself worthy of their lovingly called crown prince?
Sadly for Phainon, the fight ended in a draw. Again and again and again.
No matter how hard he tried to overpower Mydei, he, who had trained by watching the other soldiers fight and knew how to hunt surviving animals even with the most dire wounds, matched him in strength, intellect and resourcefulness at every turn.
This went on for hours as neither was willing to give up, until their battle ended with both of them on the ground, decorated by dust clouded fur and scratched up horns.
Krateros, ever apathetic and stern, shooed the curious onlookers away once they were done, and brought them outside to a nearby pond where they were allowed to wash off all the grime they had accumulated. Afterwards, he sent Mydei inside again so that he could do mock battles with the soldiers and was left alone with Phainon.
The snow white Chimera felt like an insect beneath his scrutinising gaze. As if those eyes searched for any weaknesses that he could exploit.
With every second that passed, he felt his nervousness grow again, before Krateros straightened abruptly and let his mask fall for a calm and almost approving look.
"I am surprised. Someone like you courting our crown prince; pah, how the world has fallen," He said, his voice rough and coarse over his years of service. "However, while I wish I could declare you unworthy, I must admit that I see what he sees in you. This strength and determination that is needed if you wish to fight for and earn his heart. Be thankful that your strength is equal, because that's what you are supposed to be. If I ever see you thinking yourself above him or dare to hurt him in any way, you will wish to have never existed in the first place."
Phainon, despite his fear, took his words to heart. If he or anyone else were to ever hurt Mydei, there would be no body left. A dark look crossed his features and vanished just as swiftly as he puffed up his chest and looked the general straight in the eye.
Instead of the expected distaste, a small smile appeared on his face as Krateros nodded and pulled out a golden signet ring.
Placing it before him, the general knelt and quietly said, "You have my approval," before patting Phainon twice on the head and disappearing within the Arena without another word.
The ring, upon closer inspection, was simple in design but bore the insignia of Strife at the top, which could only belong to someone from Castrum Kremnos. If he remembered correctly, they had a tradition to gift mementoes of loved ones to their new partner, if they considered them worthy…
At once, realisation dawned on him as he gently lifted the ring and put it into a small bag he always carried.
Krateros had given him the last piece.
A courting gift for Mydei.
And so, the third and final step began.
After days of careful planning, Phainon finally had the opportunity to present the gift to his beloved and invited him to the tucked-away garden near the Janus steed.
He waited patiently on the prepared blanket with the bowl of Pomegranates and milk and carefully kept watch of the ring that was tucked away between the folds on his side.
Soon, Mydei arrived with an easygoing expression and settled beside him with little complaint.
"So, why have you called me here, Deliverer?" He asked, with a much gentler voice than the usual. His fur practically shone in the light, and it appeared well-groomed and glossy as if he had come freshly from a spa. Not that he wasn't beautiful on any other day, either, of course.
"Well, I thought it was time that we open up to one another, don't you think?" Phainon replied teasingly, "I do believe that I have proven myself worthy of your past, or do you plan to go back on your word, your Highness?"
Mydei huffed as his tail slapped him on the paw.
"Don't take me for a coward. And yes, it does seem that way, for who else could I trust with such information if not the one so determined to win my heart?"
He replied with a grin and enjoyed how Phainon flushed from his words.
"Ah… so you noticed…" the white Chimera replied as if embarrassed, even when his tail betrayed his excitement, before he performed perhaps the most awkward topic shift known to beast.
"Well, how about I start with myself then?" He asked with a grin, though continued without waiting for an answer.
"I have come from the village of Aedes Elysiae, where peace was as abundant as the wheat we grew. It was always quiet there, and I loved to play with my friend Cyrene and study the old relics of the Chrysos heirs that we held in the storage. But, well, I think you can guess what happened. The black tide descended without warning, wiping us simple farmers off the world, and I was forced to flee when I eventually washed up alongside a wandering troupe at the Grove."
As sigh interrupted his story, before he continued with a heavy heart.
"Hyacine took me in and let me study with Professor Anaxa, to whom she was an assistant teacher back then. But eventually, she had to leave and took me with her to Okhema, where we now live."
Mydei studied him carefully from the side and slowly wrapped his tail around his in a quiet show of comfort.
"Hah... I believe my tale won't be much more joyous than yours then," he said softly and gazed at a time no one but him could reach.
"My mother, or human mother, was the Queen of Castrum Kremnos and wedded to a cruel man. He, for reasons I've never known, hated me and tried many times to get me killed. My mother fought valiantly, but ultimately succumbed to her fate, with Eurypon following her soon after. In the chaos, I left the city and survived the wilderness on all that I could find, until Krateros found me and brought me here at last."
A comfortable silence descended upon them when his words faded in the wind. And between these two, with hardships on their shoulders, a quiet understanding bloomed.
"Heh, then we can rest assured that we are no longer the only ones who carry our burdens, don't you think?"
Phainon replied after a while and leaned ever closer to the redgold Chimera at his side.
"It appears so…" Mydei trailed off when Phainon pulled a small cloth-bound package between them.
"Then, Mydei, prince of Kremnos," Phainon asked with reverence as he unwrapped the signet ring from the cloth. "Do you accept me as your mate?"
Mydei gasped soundlessly.
With as much care as he could manage, he slowly brought the ring closer to him and studied its every detail until a deep purr rattled his chest once more.
"If not you, who else?" He replied softly and sealed their promise with a lick to the nose.
