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A bowling ball thudded against the aisle, slamming against the pins with a loud clatter.
Marmo grit her teeth, breathing out a plume of frosty air.
”Those stupid brats! I almost had them that time but NO! I’m getting real sick of those sappy speeches!” She threw another bowling ball down the aisle.
Marmo stomped from the aisles and sat down near the fireplace, warming her hands. The cold was drying them, she’d need to get some moisturizer. What this awful place was doing to her!
”Save it for someone who actually cares.” Bel laid back. “Why don’t you bring it up with ‘her majesty’ if you have such issue. I’m sure she’d love to hear it.”
“Oh I’d definitely like to! In fact, I’d like to go up to her, grab her by that blank face of hers and-“ Marmo’s words were cut off as something swished past her, nicking her cheek.
”I’d recommend you check yourself,” an icy voice hissed from the darkened bar area. The light flickered on, revealing the person there. “Besides, you both are far too scared to actually confront her.” Despite her current state, ‘her majesty’ was incredibly powerful and wouldn’t tolerate any rebellion.
“So there you are, Ira,” Bel lifted his head, peering at Ira past his sunglasses. “Finished licking ‘her majesty’s’ boots?”
”I simply came to check on the menagerie. And you’re pathetic as ever, and you said you wanted to destroy the Precure.” He dipped the tea strainer into a pot.
”Why don’t you get off your lazy hind and do something for your ‘beloved’, huh?!” Marmo demanded.
”I intend to,” Ira said plainly. He tilted his head back, his sharp eyes narrowed and unreadable gaze burned past Marmo. Marmo turned her gaze away.
She preferred him as a loud brat.
“Trust me, I will. But for now…I have a delivery to make.” Ira placed the top of the teapot down and walked briskly past them, his long black coat billowing behind him.
Ira leaned against the palace walls, gripping his side.
Those damned girls! Ira hadn’t even been looking for a fight, he just wanted to find a book….
They had tried to purify him; what naivety. Ira wasn’t doing this because of some darkness in his heart. He was doing it for the most earnest and ardent reason: love.
Of course, with nothing to purify, all such an attack could do was cause pain.
Ira lifted his hand, seeing the blood on his gloved hand. He seethed, his world spun and legs wobbled.
No…he wasn’t done. He couldn’t falter here…not until…he fulfilled her wish….
Ira stumbled, falling to his knees, the world disappearing behind darkness. The last thing he heard was the thumping of large paw steps.
Ugh…my head. Ira rubbed his eyes. Where was he?
The crackling of the fireplace chased away the last of his exhaustion. As Ira’s vision finally cleared, he was treated to the sight of a large blue beast right in his face.
”Ah!” Ira yelped, jumping away, wincing at the sharp pain that followed. No matter how many times he saw it, Ira still wasn’t used to it. Sometimes he missed the blue dog’s chatty form.
At least then it hadn’t been giant and rabid. That blue dog, like its partner, had long since lost itself to grief….
Speaking of which…; Ira lifted his head to see a figure standing by the window. He scrambled off the couch.
”Your maj-gah!” Ira fell on his injured side. She immediately tore her attention away from the frosted window and walked over to him.
”Rest, you’re injured,” she said simply.
“I’m fine,” Ira winced. “You shouldn’t be by the fire…you know it’s not-good-“ he struggled to form words without wincing. The Frosted Queen reached out, hand gently brushing against the wound. It didn’t hurt when she touched it.
Her hand eventually came up to his cheek, tilting his head, her blank blue eyes staring into his, likely to check for any head injury.
Though Ira was far too focused on that cold, empty gaze, wishing desperately for a glimpse of that warmth that had long since faded. One he long since gave up on ever returning.
Still, he closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. “I’m fine…physically at least. I’m sorry…I failed you. I failed to defeat those Pre-“
”Don’t.” Her voice suddenly took on a hard edge. “I don’t want to hear a word of them.” She removed her hand from Ira’s face, reaching up to pick up a blanket and place it over him. “Rest for now, until you’re better.”
Ira played with the edge of the blanket, laying his head against the couch. “You’ve always been so good at this…taking care of others.”
She paused. “Have I? I can’t…recall.”
”I know.” Ira smiled sadly. “I know….” Suddenly, he remembered why he’d been so adamant in the first place. “Your majesty, I got something for you. Hopefully…it’s not frayed from the fight.”
Reaching into his coat pocket, Ira pulled out a book. The Secret Garden.
”You told me about this book once…told me you never got to finish it. I found it.”
Her eyes widened and she stepped forward, taking it from Ira’s hands. Her grip on it tightened and her expression was hidden by her hair.
Suddenly, she looked up, a small smile gracing her lips.
”Ira…thank you.”
Ira took a moment to collect himself, offering a bright smile in return.
”Of course…anything for you…,” Rikka.