Chapter Text
Dizzy just wanted a barn permit. That's the only reason he goes to town hall so early in the morning. He expected a quick and quiet in and out type deal. Somehow as soon as he hears Lucia's voice he knows it won't be.
"...Of course! We're proud to welcome such an esteemed professor to Sun Haven! Truly, it is our honor."
Dizzy glances over, giving the two people standing in front of the Archmage a look down. Their backs are to him, but the wings and halos say enough. He rolls his eyes and turns back to Emmett. Not interested in the rest of the conversation.
Unfortunately the universe has other plans.
Suddenly the mention of his name snaps his focus back to the trio.
"Oh, good timing. Dizzy come meet our newest visitors!"
The angels turn around and while they keep their pleasant smiles he can see the recoil in their eyes. Yeah, the blue skin, red eyes, horns, and fangs usually do the trick.
He can feel the bags under his eyes get heavier by the ton. But he lets out a breath and quirks an eyebrow. "Who are they?"
Lucia beams at the fact that he actually joins her little welcoming party. "This is Doyun, a professor of the Great Academia, and one of the most distinguished scholars on magic. He and his family will be staying in Sun Haven while he conducts research here. Isn't that exciting."
He bites back the sarcastic 'Sooo exciting...' that threatens to spill out of his mouth.
Doyun forces a polite tone. "It is an... honor to make your acquaintance, Dizzy. May I ask what it is you do in Sun Haven?"
"I'm Sun Haven's farmer." He tries to make it sound casual. But his distaste is evident in the blandness of his voice.
"Ah, so you own that farm? At your age, that is a very impressive feat. Well done." Judgement radiates off the guy so much it's all Dizzy can do not to bare his teeth in a snarl.
This 'professor' doesn't even know how old he is. As a demon he could be almost as old as Doyun and still look the same. But whatever. He'll let it slide since he is on the younger side.
Lucia seems unaware of the tension choking the room. "Oh, Professor, didn't you mention in your letter that you had a daughter? She's staying with you, is she not?"
If Lucia tries to play sudden matchmaker Dizzy is walking out. He'll come back later to get his permit when he knows the mage will be chatting with Catherine by the river.
The doors suddenly slam open and a very flustered angel woman rushes in.
Dizzy does not miss Doyun's mutter of "Hm. Speak of the angel..."
Louder the older man says "...She's late."
"Oh..." The woman starts, spluttering. "I wasn't expecting- I... I'm sorry!"
"You have kept the Archmage waiting, Miyeon." The threat of a looong lecture in Miyeon's future is evident in the old man's tone.
Doyun's wife speaks up for the first time, clucking her tongue in displeasure. "Tsk. Didn't your father tell you how important this meeting would be?"
Dizzy almost feels sorry for her.
Now the poor angel looks about ready to cry. "You're right, mother... I'm sorry I lost track of time and I... I.."
"Enough." Doyun shakes his head. "It doesn't matter now. You must learn to show up on time, Miyeon."
Lucia interjects with a gentle tone, trying to defuse the rising tempers. "Oh, dear. It's alright if Miyeon was a bit late. It isn't like I-"
Doyun turns back to the red haired woman. Dizzy can't see his face anymore but the kiss ass voice is enough. "Please, Archmage. You have a busy schedule. Miyeon does not."
"Hey!" Dizzy finally barks. Glaring at the older couple when Doyun whirls around. "I think it's okay, actually."
Doyun narrows his eyes. "Excuse me? I've taught my daughter to respect the time of others. I expect her to act like it."
The unvoiced 'How dare you speak to me in that tone, filth.' hangs between them. Dizzy's jaw clenches and his tail lashes behind him.
Miyeon replies before he can open his mouth. "I'm sorry... I've ruined everything, haven't I?"
And Lucia starts immediately after. He doesn't know if she senses his imminent venom, or if she just wants to calm everyone down in general. "Please, everyone! Let me be the first to welcome Miyeon to Sun Haven!"
"Yeah -" He breathes out. Stuffing his hands into his hoodie pocket, and stretching his shoulders. Looking boredly away. "Welcome to the town Miyeon."
"O-oh! Hello to both of you, too. Uh..." She trails off when he looks back, their gazes meeting. "I've been... Well..."
Whether it's because of him or if she's just nervous he isn't sure.
Lucia claps her hands. Obviously trying to take the reigns while she can before things can get worse. "Shall the new family like to accompany me on a tour of the town? There's lots to show!"
Doyun lets out a breath. Polite smile returning. "That sounds lovely, Archmage. Lead the way, please."
The Archmage lets out a little laugh of relief. "Hehe, of course. Right this way, everyone! And thank you for taking the time to meet Doyun and his family, Dizzy!"
Dizzy shrugs. A civil reply on the tip of his tongue but instead he nods towards Miyeon. "I hope you enjoy Sun Haven."
She jumps as if he had just yelled at her. Cheeks flushing a deep red. "Oh, th-thank you...!"
Lucia starts heading towards the entrance, waving the family to follow her. Her voice fading as they exit. "First you simply MUST see the library..."
Miyeon begins to follow. Dizzy is about to go back towards Emmett's counter when the angel turns around. Mouth open as if she wants to say something else. After a beat she simply sends a grateful smile his way before retreating.
He lets out a sigh and rolls his eyes. He can guarantee this won't be the first time he'll butt heads with this 'professor'. For the old angels sake someone else had better be around like Lucia was today. Because next time he will say what's on his mind.
Emmett chuckles at his haggard expression when he finally returns. "I don't even want to know how you feel, I'm exhausted enough having just watched."
"Yeeaah..." He drawls. Digging out a coin purse. "Can I please just get a barn permit so I can go home and sleep for a thousand years."
"Hey, maybe by the time you wake up I'll have paid off my debt!" The cashier jokes, taking the purse and sliding over the paper that is the cause of all this in Dizzy's eyes.
"Man I hope so if you're still around that fucking long." He snorts, sliding the permit into his bag. Turning on his heel with a wave.
Barn beginning to be magically constructed, nap taken, Dizzy finally heads back into town. His destination is the tavern, because fuck all if he feels like cooking dinner tonight.
He's barely paying attention, red eyes glazing over as he walks. Sudden white in his vision causes him to blink and glance up.
The angel from this morning is walking into the square from the direction of the museum or library. Her head is down as if she doesn't want to be spoken to. She sneaks a look towards him and against his better judgement to just stay silent and continue onwards he stops and calls out.
"Hey."
"Oh, i-it's you..." She freezes, stuttering.
"Yeah... what's up. Dunno if you caught it but I'm Dizzy, by the way. You're Miyeon, right?" He tilts his head in question. Even though he knows it's right.
"O-oh s-sorry it's... Well I... I'm sorry...!"
He can only stare at her in confusion. Why is she apologizing? Not like she did anything wrong. Unless she feels responsible for her parent's outburst, but even then it's not her fault they're assholes.
Her face reddens and she seems at a loss.
"Are you... okay?" He asks uncertainly. "This morning still bothering you?"
The woman gasps and she looks aghast. Worlds tumbling out of her like a dam just broke. "I'm sorry! Is it that obvious? It must be. Right? Oh, dear... It's just that... I made my mother and father look bad by being late to the meeting. And I stumbled on my descent. It was supposed to be perfect but I ruined everything..."
"Perfect? Why perfect?"
Even though it's obvious why. Parents like that definitely aren't the type to take anything less. He's glad his parents were never that suffocating. He'd of run away a lot sooner.
"Because it's what's expected of me... Everything must be perfect. Anything else is a wasted effort."
And there it is.
Dizzy fights tooth and nail not to roll his eyes. Or look too critical. He's not sure he succeeds with the way she shrinks back a little.
"If that's the way it has to be, sure fine." He doesn't feel like arguing.
"Thank you... I didn't mean to keep you, sorry. Ev-everyone has been so welcoming. I just want to be worthy of everyone's time." Miyeon lets out a sad chuckle. "I don't think I'm doing a good job of that..."
Dizzy crosses his arms, letting out an exhale that sounds very similar to a hiss. "Look, don't let the pressure get to you. You are worth everyone's time."
"Really? Do you mean that?" Her downtrodden expression turns into wonder. "Lucia told me something similar, but... it feels...different when you say it for some reason. T-thank you."
"Yeah, no problem..." He says quietly. He can feel his own cheeks beginning to darken. He hasn't blushed in years what the hell is happening. His tail lashes at his feet. Quick, change the subject. "Hey, can I ask something?"
"Oh, of course!" She nods, giving him an expectant look.
"Earlier, before you left town hall what were you going to say?"
Her eyes widen, and her gaze drops again. "I was just going to thank you and say that you didn't have to stick up for me. I lost track of time, I deserved to be scolded."
"Bullshit."
His outburst causes her to flinch as her focus snaps back up to him. Her hands fling up to cover her mouth, and the feathers on her wings fluff up a bit.
Internally he winces, but he doesn't back down. "You were barely late. Everyone loses track of time, it happens. It's not like you purposely made them wait. And you're a grown woman, I don't give a fuck if they're your parents that doesn't mean they get to treat you like a child."
Alright maybe he's getting too passionate about this. Dial it back. Like. A lot.
Before she can react he adds after quietly clearing his throat. "Sorry."
She shakes her head after a beat. Slowly lowering her hands as she does so, giving him a shaky smile. "No, you don't need to be sorry you were just saying what you think. I don't... agree, but that doesn't mean you're wrong either..."
"Nah, I overstepped. It's not really my business." He shakes his head, and shrugs. "Anyways it's, uh, nice meeting you again. I'll see you around."
"Yes, it's nice meeting you again too! Goodnight." She says as he uncrosses his arms and begins again his previous journey to the tavern.
As he walks away all he can think is 'What the fuck was that?' about his own reaction.