Chapter Text
"Would you like to attend the ceremony tomorrow, Beloved, or remain here?" Imu is not bothered either way. Mu always enjoys having Beloved by mu's side, but mu's attention will be elsewhere tomorrow. And none can stop mu from returning to Beloved as soon as mu wishes.
And mu can be generous, let Beloved choose something so small.
Beloved refuses to look at mu, as his shoulders shrug. He has been doing that more, lately. Imu finds it displeasing. Beloved is so appealing, enthralling, because of his spirit. Imu would not have him hide it away. Mu simply has not figured out the best way to convince him that this denial is not permissible. Not yet, at least.
It is frustrating, the way Beloved often is. So perfect and yet so flawed. Unable to understand that he will best bloom in Imu's hands, after he stops trying to resist.
Mu has spent centuries arranging the world to suit mu's desire. Beloved will be no different.
And if Beloved will not talk, he will listen and look at Imu when mu speaks.
It is a pleasure, as always, to touch Beloved. To force his chin up, so that he may not look away from mu. "Mu asked you a question, Beloved. Do you wish to attend, when the young Figarland is sworn to mu?"
Beloved's eyes widen for a moment as he tenses, before forcing his reaction down. Hiding it from mu, as his eyes travel away.
Not acceptable, but he does at least answer this time. Improvement. "I can only think of a few things I'd enjoy less than watching you further corrupt a child."
Beloved no longer challenges mu with more absolute statements.
There is something more than Beloved is saying, though. Mu's eyes narrow. "Something about the Figarland pup upsets you, Beloved. What is it?"
Mu will know. As mu will know everything about mu's Beloved, not matter how reluctant he is to share. It is mu's will, and therefore an inevitably.
But it is also in Beloved's nature to struggle. To defy the proper order of things.
So Imu is not surprised when Beloved stays silent. Of course he will not make this easy on mu. Beloved is quite fortunate that mu loves him so, with the amount of trouble that he causes mu.
With a final stroke of mu's finger under Beloved's chin, mu releases him. To better watch his reactions.
"You tried to steal Garling's pup once already, Beloved." Another small twitch at mu's words. Shoulders dropping ever so slightly. Yes, mu is on the correct course. "You did steal the other pup, though you didn't keep that one. The upstart did."
The annoying rebel, who's every deed is an insult to everything Imu has built. One of that clan, who's sole redeeming attribute in centuries of annoyance and persistence is that it managed to produce Beloved.
But the upstart will not last. Will not persevere. Mu will not let him, nor any of his blood. Eventually, no matter how many more centuries it takes, the only one left will be mu's Beloved.
That knowledge, that certainty, keeps Imu calm. Calm enough, at least, to watch Beloved closely. "Do you regret that, Beloved? Wish you had kept the pup for yourself?"
"No." The denial is fierce and immediate and Imu frowns to find no deception in it. Not in Beloved's eyes as they finally meet his. He is honest.
He is also, mu is sure, hiding something.
Beloved is particular around children. Mu has noticed it before, how he glances at the younger slaves slightly more. Reacts worse when they must be punished. And he called being in mu's service corrupting.
Mistakenly, of course. To be of service to Imu so directly is a great honor, one mu only extends to the most worthy of the remnants. A pact would be a blessing, a great show of favor for the pup. Especially given the pup's youth.
Garling, Imu knows, is very pleased. Proud that his pup has been deemed worthy so young, that his efforts have paid off.
However, if it distresses Beloved so, it is an honor that Imu can easily revoke. "You do not wish the pup to be a knight."
"Of course I don't." Beloved's voice is furious as he answers, mu so enjoys the fire burning in his eyes. "He's a child, one that hasn't had a choice in any of this."
"He would accept the pact of his own will, Beloved." Imu has no need to force anything on mu's Knights. A ceremony such as the pup's is an honor; the pup will gladly swear his entire being to Imu.
As his sire did, decades ago. That is a delicious memory, Garling looking so much like his forefather. Though that one would have never kneeled for mu, he was too proud for that.
The strength, the spark, of the Figarland line has dimmed. How lucky they are that Imu stills sees it worthy of preserving, keeping close. For a shadow who's greatness they will never again touch.
Beloved's frown deepens. "His father trained him to, you mean."
Ahh, Imu understands now. Beloved can not stand Garling. Of all mu's Knights, there is none that Beloved disdains more. His regret comes from not stealing Garling's pup, who he does not think Garling is worthy of.
How….amusing.
"You disapprove of how Garling has trained the pup, Beloved?'
"Obviously." Beloved sounds suspicious now. How unfair of him. Mu is considering giving him a great gift.
Because mu understands. Beloved, for all his strength, is soft in some other ways. Cares so much about those below him. Mu has been denying him that part of his nature. Because it is an unneeded part, a hindrance even. Preventing him from understanding how perfect the world is, when it bends entirely to mu's will. Worrying about insects.
But, perhaps instead of denying that impulse, mu should instead redirect it.
"Very well, Beloved. The pup will be no Knight." An instant of shock, followed by suspicion. Quickly suppressed, Beloved's mask returning.
"Why? You aren't one to change your mind."
"All will become clear tomorrow." Imu wants to see his reaction to this, his surprise. Now it is time for other things, so Imu stands. "It is time for bed, Beloved."
Beloved knows what is expected, so he stands as well. There is no eagerness in his movements, not yet, but he no longer fights. Progress, though Beloved would deny it.
Things are falling into place quite well, as Imu always knew they would.
~
The pup does not look much like Garling. Mu has had the thought before, when seeing the pup. Hair blood red, instead of the blond that is typical of the Figarland line. Features a bit more delicate. With a bowed head, Imu cannot even see the pup's eyes. The one truly Figarland trait that the pup possesses.
Mu finds no regret that mu will not be keeping this one. Garling suits well enough, until another more suitable Figarland is produced.
"Young Figarland. You have come to swear to mu."
Imu can feel Garling's pleasure, his pride, as he watches. Gunko's indifference. The impatience of mu's Five Stars, almost as one thing. They have seen the ceremony before. Have perhaps grown too complacent.
This should change that, some.
"Yes, my Lord." The pup's head still does not raise. Respectful. Obedient.
"Then do so now, pup. Promise to mu your obedience, loyalty. Your very life." A murmur of concern, in the back of mu's mind. Imu has left behind the normal script.
Something the pup is wholly unaware of. "Of course. I am your instrument, your blade, Lord Imu. To use as you see fit. I am honored to serve you. To be your knight, to protect the Holy Land!"
The pup's excitement is obvious, in both voice and words. The normal vows do not mention Mariejois, only service to mu.
There may be more wisdom in Beloved's words then mu originally gave them credit for. The pup might be too young yet, too excitable.
Yes, better to not take this one as a Knight.
"You will serve, but not as a mu's Knight." Shock. A second of rage from Garling, quickly suppressed.
The pup is not as controlled, looking up with shocked red eyes. "My lord, I–"
Imu descends from mu's throne, standing directly in front of the pup. Who falls silent immediately, as is proper. Now, like this, the pup is small. Body trembling slightly, from fear or confusion.
"Your place is not to argue with mu, pup." Imu puts the smallest amount of mu's will into the words, a lesson. One that has the pup's head moving in a shaky nod. "Mu has already decided your place. Come."
Mu doesn't look back as the pup scrambles to obey. All poise gone in the face of the unexpected. Beloved should appreciate that, how the pup appears more a child now.
What a gift for mu's Beloved.
"Garling, have the pup's belongings brought." Imu will let Beloved decide what the pup may keep, of life before. Mu cares not.
Only that, as a gift to mu's Beloved, the pup will not be leaving Pangea Castle.