[IC] A Bloody Murder

[cthulu]

It was rather refreshing for someone to actually think about their answer before they say it, too many people in the castle, lords and ladies mainly, sprouted off whatever half heard piece of information they thought to be witty, intelligent or interesting and rarely expressed themselves. Or did so so abruptly and explosively that it left a person rather shell shocked, his father being a prime case there. While Rei thought the prince wandered through the wild flowers, running his fingers across the top of the long grass and flowers as he once had as a kid, he and his siblings used to play here when they were younger, hide and seek mainly or sometimes it would be tag. It was one of the few times he and his brother had ever got along, occasionally he had thought that he had purposely been left hiding but both he and his sister assured him that they simply couldn't find him.

When finally Rei came to his conclusion Alessandro nodded, "I like it, though you are making it hard not to probe you with questions." He teased, slinking to the water with Rei and removing both footwear and socks, rolling up his trousers and allowing his feet to rest in the water, much to the fishes surprise which darted in every direction like a firework. "I've often wondered what the fae lands are like, if they are accessible to humans, some people say they're on a separate plane. A world like this one and joined to this one but at the same time different and separate. Like drops of water in a pond." Alessandro fell silent and glanced over to the fae with that light-hearted youthful look to him, for a moment his eyes fell and lingered on those pointy ear tips, briefly reaching over, hesitating, then running one warm thumb across the edge of the lobe. "I'm sorry." He stated, pulling his hand away when his curiousity was sated. "It's still rather hard to come to terms that you even exist."

[PopeAlessandros]

Not willing to pass up the opportunity to take those constricting boots off Rei pops down next to the prince when he sees him begin pulling his off and start wrestling the footwear off. To golden haired male's comment he murmurs, “I will answer what questions I can. . .” Mimicking the prince he pulls his pant legs up, rolling them so they will not fall down, then sinks his considerably shorter legs into the cool refreshing stream. What the prince says next, while not sounding exactly like a question, still prompts Rei to think and consider how to answer. After only a few seconds of thought he tilts his head slightly, coming up with what is hopefully a satisfactory reply. 'I know I can give no real indication as to the village's location, however I can at least tell him a bit about it, and assure him it is on this plane of existence'

However as he opens him mouth to speak the feeling of warm fingers once more caressing his sensitive ear causes him to pause. His mouth closes softly and his eyes fall to half mast. Not as tense as he was last this occurred he responds quite differently this time. The feeling from it is warm and a bit unsettling, having never had felt such a way before. However the touch is brief and the feeling flees as soon as the prince pulls his hand away. He looks to the young man curiously, his comment giving him even more to think about. Deciding to speak on his comment about the village first he looks back over the water and sighs.

“The fae villages are indeed on this plane. It is how they fell under attack by humans long years ago, and how I was kidnapped. While the lands around them are enchanted to keep humans away, all one needs is one skilled in illusion and enchantment to find your way through the befuddlement spells.” His head tilts to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tries to figure out how best to respond to the prince's comment about he not being real. 'I am here, and I know I exist, as well as all those in my village. . .I do not understand how one can touch something and not know that it is real. He has laid hands on me a few times, and I him, and yet he still expresses doubt' His thoughts take less than a moment to race through his mind and in his next breath after falling silent he continues speaking.

“We exist, out of sight, and for the most part, out of mind. Our lands are rich, drawing from us what they need to stay healthy and fruitful. The village I live in is deep in woods, the thick foliage keeping our diet to meats and vegetables for the most part, the rare fruits in fall from a small stand of fruit bearing trees a few miles away, and berries that grow wild in the surrounding forest.” His head tilts to the other side, turning so he can look at Alessandro. “I am not sure how more to ease you mind of my existence than to be here for you to see and touch. I am sorry if that is not quite enough for you to believe in me or my kind, but it is all I have to offer without betraying them and bringing you to the village with me. . .” His gaze returns to the water, kicking his legs gently as the fish come back, causing them to scatter once more. His feet are well above the stream bed allowing for free movement.

[cthulu]

The prince remained silent as Rei spoke, talking vaguely about the villages but with as much information as was necessary to answer the questions wholly. Alessandro hadn't expected an answer at all but was grateful for the answers he got. His eyes roamed the quiet clearing, the grasses swaying in the wind and hissing like the waves of a sea, the gentle babbling of the stream and the forest beyond, it was so peaceful and calming. When Rei finally came to a silence Alessandro looked back to the young man, or was he old technically? So many questions bubbled to his mind about the race, their aging, if the tales were true, a good many more running in the background but he said not a word as Rei once more spoke up about how his kind survived.

When this time he was silent Alessandro grinned and shook his head, "I didn't mean it quite like that. I can see your real, touch you, feel you, speak to you. I know you exist and are there. Though it's like meeting a unicorn, don't tell me, they exist too? I've heard the tales, read the stories, seen the pictures, I didn't really believe I'd ever meet a fae, let alone be sitting with my feet in the stream with one having a casual conversation. It's a little...surreal for lack of a better word. Oh and please do not worry, I have no intention of asking you the location of any of the fae towns, while I am sure it is for your own safety and that of your kin, fae were painted the evil ones for a huge span of our history, I would not be eager to meet another any time soon, let alone a village full." He offered a somewhat playful wink before watching the fish scatter, feeling smooth scales pass the back of his ankle as he sat rather stationary.

"Is it true that fae live for hundreds of years? Do you inherit the magic as you do breathing, or is it learned as reading and writing is? Could a human learn magic if that is the case? Have your kind got a link with plants and animals? Do you have razor sharp teeth and kill children? Do fae abduct babies and replace them with fae children instead who then grow up to murder their parents while the human child is corrupted into a goblin like state?" Alessandro paused, realising he had gotten a little carried away and laughed lightly, "Sorry, I must sound like such a child to you."

[PopeAlessandros]

Rei keeps his gaze on the water, watching the fish dart this way and that, seemingly the only thing other than bugs that don't automatically freak out around him. While he watches them however his attention is firmly on the young man beside him. Now able to better understand what he meant by not believing in fae he settles him mind on the subject, perusing it no further. 'It is good that he has no such wishes as to come to the village, however knowing the fae as I do, I really do wonder how they could be viewed as evil. I know with out magics there are some evil things that could be accomplished with it, however there is not a fae I know of that would enact such evils willingly. . . He glances over at the prince, catching his wink without really catching it's meaning.

A moment later a long string of questions tumble forth from the human and Rei turns a little more so he can more easily look upon the curious man. He had an inkling before that something like this was coming, so as query after query tumbles fro his lips Rei slowly begins formulating the answers, the questions not all the difficult to remember. Rei has a head for detail, as is expected of a good assassin, so something as simple as recalling several passing queries is child's play. He blinks slowly, a little curious as to why he sees asking questions as childish, however he decides to answer the prince's questions before asking his own.

After a full minute of silence, all the while the fae looking at Alessandro with a rather impassive expression, he at last takes a deep breath. “A healthy fae can live for several hundred years, we are innately magical which is why despite my lack of formal training I was able to learn and implement magic, however certain kinds of magic require study, and at times, charms and potions. There are certain magics humans can learn, however, from my studies, the true magic blood that humans inherited by breeding with magical beings has been horribly diluted over the years, so certain levels of magic are unreachable by all but the most talented and magically inclined members of your race.” He pauses to take a breath, his fingers playing idly with the grass.

“Fae are indeed born with a strong spiritual connection to plants and animals, which is why animals do not like me, the taint on my soul repels them for the most part, and why I can not hear the plants when they try and speak to me. My fangs are sharper than a humans, as they are for all fae, thought I would not call them razor sharp. I have never personally killed a child, though I have been in the group when others have, however the fae in general revere the innocence of children and I do not see them laying a hand on a child in a vicious manner. In fact, there are records of human children being abandoned by their parents and raised by fae, which is how fae blood was once mixed in with humans, however after the war there have been less and less incidents of fae raising humans.”

He tilts his head to the side, trying to figure out where the last rumor came from even as he answers the question. “Fae do not go out of their way to obtain human children, though during the war, if a family was killed and only a baby remained the fae would take it in and away from the human village for the child's own good. Often times a baby left alive would be demonized and killed by the humans, thinking fae so evil that the only reason they would leave a baby alive is if the child itself is as evil as they. After several instances of this, the fae took to taking all babies away with them after battle, to keep the babies alive. Sometimes they would drop of the human babies off in other towns, ones outside the war, in hopes that this more passive village would take care of the children, and this was often the case. Often enough that after a while that became standard practice.”

Dipping his hand in the water he once more wets the back of his neck, cooling off a bit. “Human children raised by fae live a little longer than normal humans, but other than that, nothing about them changes, and I know of no instances where fae babies were given to human families, unless said child was the child of a fae and a human, and the human parent wanted to raise their child in the human world. However that has not happened for a long time.” Flopping back on the grass Rei covers his eyes with his arm and lets out a sigh. “I have never seen a unicorn, but they are still spoken of in the present tense by my people, so I'm sure they exist somewhere out there. As to you sounding like a child. . . .I do not think you sound like a child, only curious, and as no one every really cares what I have to say aside from “The job is done” I think it's kind of refreshing to talk to someone like this.”

[cthulu]

Alessandro turned, one leg bent in an L shape with its still damp heel against the grass and close to the thigh of his other leg which still dallied in the cool waters. His arms were lightly rested upon his knees with the hands clasped lightly in between them. Alessandro remained quiet all the while that Rei spoke but there were times where his brows furrowed in what might have been confusion or disbelief and other times they hiked up in surprise or potential concern. There was also a time where it was a clear struggle for the human not to blurt out something but with a small cough behind the back of one hand he kept himself composed and listened to it's climax, one thing that didn't change though was the dancing in his blue eyes. One could perhaps liken it to a fire but such was not a fire that burned or smoldered, this was a fire that hinted at passion and excitement, Alessandro for the most part was a curious person, he hid it well and often due to the fact such things were frowned upon often at court but he had a desire to learn, any new knowledge was, to him, a wonderful thing, better than a massive black horse or heavy golden trinkets any day.

Alessandro offered the fae a small smile at the last sentence and then rolled on broad shoulder, "Why would I not listen? A person can not learn a thing if all they do is talk and if a person dismisses another often enough they soon forget how to listen. I do not want to be the kind of man who forgets how to listen." He paused a moment himself then carried on, "Besides you are very interesting. Even if you were not a fae I have the feeling I'd still think that, the best way to understand someone interesting is to have a conversation with them and conversations take two parties." There was another brief pause where Alessandro glanced across at the wild flowers and then to the flower in the man's hat that he had earlier plucked before finally back to Rei's face. "I am not ashamed to say, I'm a little excited at the prospect of real unicorns still out there. Though Father must never find out. I can hear the decree going out now that his daughter must have a unicorn or he it's horn. Some people can't appreciate beauty from a distance, they have to catch it and destroy it." Realising he was rambling about things the fae likely wouldn't understand he cleared his throat and glanced out over the stream.

"You can't hear the flowers? Flowers speak? I remember once reading a tale about trees that spoke and move but when I asked about it people laughed and said they were just stories and it had never happened...The way you descrbe fae...it's not how they are depicted in my home, or anywhere much that I know of. I can imagine the war was hard fought but..." Alessandro shook his head and shrugged, moving to stand up and dry his feet in the grasses beneath them. "Lets not think about that for now, we should probably start heading back soon, Father will likely grow angry again if I miss another lesson on how to sit on a throne properly." There was a note of disdain but a larger note of playfulness in his tone as he pulled back on his woolen socks and shoes and stretched out his warmed muscles.

[PopeAlessandros]

Rei is given but a few moments of silence before the prince's reply, and in those brief seconds he lets his magic trickle out, one more seeking out anyone who would dare threaten intrusion upon the pair relaxing by the stream side. However he finds none and once more he finds himself listening intently to what the young man has to say. 'That is a fine practice, especially for one in his position. In the books, the good kinds rules with grace, but the great one rules with an ear to his people. As long as he keeps listening, perhaps he will not end up as one of the evil kings from the story books'

His arm falls away from his eyes in time to see the prince looking out across the field and for a brief moment he follows the young man’s gaze. However not a breath later he once more feels eye upon him and he returns the prince's gaze. As he speaks on his father’s probable attitude toward unicorns Rei nods softly. While not understand the sentiment, he has observed it often enough in those of the upper crust of society to know that assessment is most likely accurate. 'For humans, it is not enough for there to be a beautiful thing they can drink in with their eyes, they must hold it in hand or else it seems to have naught but envy from the beholder. I wonder if this is true of all humans, or simply most. I can not claim to have met them all, nor have I met many from other parts of the world, so I will reserve judgment in this for now'

When the subject turns to flowers Rei readies himself to to reply however the subject swiftly shift to the Alish, then to the war, and he is unsure of what to say. However after a moment the prince discards the thoughts and Rei is at a complete loss as to what to say. He nods slightly, his head still against the grass, when the prince speaks of returning to the palace, wondering at how there could be a wrong way to sit in a padded chair. Lifting his feet swiftly from the water the spray drips across his body as he does a back roll on to his feet. Shaking the little bits of grass from his hair he lets his feet dry while he re-ties the bandanna and pulls on his hat.

After flopping back down to pull on his stockings and boots Rei once more looks to the prince, a vaguely curious expression on his face. He holds his tongue for now though, wanting to get under way. The young noble's comment about upsetting his father strikes a cord with the fae, recalling what happened when he was not where he should be. This thought brings the first question to his mind he feels intent on asking. However he keeps silent until they are back well under the trees. Glancing up at a nest near the upper branches he lets out a soft sigh before looking to the prince. “Would you mind answering a query from me? I find you interesting as well, which is why you still draw breath, and would like to learn more of you.” He does not mean the statement as a threat, it is simply how Rei's mind works to bring words to his lips.

[cthulu]

With both redressed and heading back towards the treeline and the ruins beyond he felt rather refreshed, certainly capable of dealing with another bout of parental 'love' from his family. Oh he knew it to be a serious matter, ruling was of course but since his brothers death his father had thrown so much his way, giving him barely time to grieve before expecting him to fill the shoes his brother had left behind. It wasn't easy, his elder had been born to rule, he had a head for war, he knew how to stand almost naturally, how to ride, how to fight. He was popular with the people and he was respected among the guards, he should have been king, everyone said so and he fully agreed. Though the Kingdom was stuck with him lest he fell before his fathers death. Of course, after his earlier talk with Rei he wondered how much work his brother had put in to look that perfect, maybe he'd gone through the same as he was now, shoved into a mold he had no desire to fill. It was so hard to tell now he looked back and he no longer had the option to ask.

Before becoming too melancholy the dappled light from the leaves hit him and distracted him, the patterns upon the ground pretty enough to blow away the cobwebs of faint memories and future concerns. Rei's voice soon catching him off guard and causing him to pay attention to the fae, "I think it only fair if I answer a query of yours, or ten." The Prince clearly didn't take it offensively, or threateningly, when Rei had spoken of his breathing ability only in tact due to the curiosity the fae felt. Though it did remind him that he was dealing with a murderer for hire that may change his mind should he not be satisfied with his treatment. It was hard to believe it while looking at this awkward teen standing in the clothes of his people, his hair mussed by wind and grass, only the pointy ears and sharp eyes, the blade at his side really serving as reminder ot the truth beneath the disguise.

Despite this Alessandro felt no more threatened or concerned than he did in his bed chamber the night they met and showed no attempt to pull away or disengage from the boy. In fact the prince put his fingers together and behind his head to stretch out his chest and arms which had grown to feel sluggish with the relaxation at the streams edge and with a deep breath and contented sigh from his lips he unwound those taut muscle without concern at how vulnerable that made him or the ease in which one could take advantage of the situation. "Ask away Rei, you do not need to guard your words around me. Though do try to around my family and servants, they are not so...understanding."

[PopeAlessandros]

Rei nods his assent to holding his tongue in check around the prince's family member, intending not only that, but to speak with them only when necessary. It is clear by the young man's statements throughout their short time together that the fae is now an integral part of the princes life, whether he wishes such or not, and he feels no need to make his job more difficult by committing some social faux pas he has no knowledge of in the first place. 'If at all possible, I hope to have this young man at my side at all times possible. If there is need to talk to his family, I am sure he can pass on my words in a way suitable to their liking'

His eyes once more travel to the trees, his hand coming up to make sure his hat is secure. “Before, when I showed you the scar upon my arm, you took pause, your countenance changing greatly from one moment to the next. I could not read you, though when alone with me you are mostly simple to understand. This pause reminded me of a question I posed to myself the night we met, and again last night when I went to check on you in the night.” He glances over at Alessandro, explaining himself quickly, but with an unhurried tone. “I did not sneak in, I walked in from the secret passage, my own natural light step keeping you from noticing me.”

His eyes flit from those of the prince to his shoulder then back to the trees. “As I was saying, my scar seemed to have affected you, reminding me of the ones I saw upon your own flesh. I recognize several of them as cane marks, having seen many an example of them not only in books, but with my own eyes on nobles and the like I have slain in the past. The man who raised me closest what the first to explain them to me, after a kill where first I saw them.” His gaze comes back down to look towards the prince.

“I would like to know who has authority to use a cane on you, the crowned prince of this land. Not only so I do not kill them on accident thinking them a threat, but for my own curiosity over why one such as yourself, the second highest station in the land, not including you mother, would be struck thusly. One wrong swing delivered harder than intended and you could be crippled, even killed on accident. . .” His voice trails off, his gaze resting steadily on the young man. The light plays across his face in patches, making his skin almost seem to dance to the fae's eyes.

[cthulu]

As soon as the subject of the marks on his back are bought up he seems to grow quiet, a little sullen perhaps and definitely withdrawn. The smile fades from his lips and his eyes all the same and he averts his gaze back to the clearing and the gap they were heading for. It was all he could do not to reach around and touch the marks and keep his composure, looking straight ahead to the gap in the trees and the wall beyond was enough to distance the reminders from his mind a little. Despite his discomfort on the subject he waited, as he always did, until the fae was finished speaking and then he took a deep breath, stopped walking and leaned himself against a tree, sinking to his knees to be nestled between it's roots.

"It is very hard to spy on a man you're body guarding Rei, I don't mind." He stated first of all, his eyes briefly cast to the ground and his knees drawn up so his elbows could rest upon them, "I would have you sleep in my room if it did not set the staff a gossiping." Which would lead to more caning no doubt, "As for...my Father, my mother, My Brother when he was alive, god rest his soul, my teachers, the house carl, the weapons master, the meister, the cook once, though she was beaten and thrown out afterwards." He leaned his head against the trunk of the tree, "Most of these are before my brother died, when I was nothing more than a second son. Though I honestly do not think my father much cares if I become crippled, he'd find a way to make one of his bastard sons the legitimate heir, or produce another." Alessandro spoke with a vague disconnection rather than the usual animation in his words and voice.

The beatings hurt of course but the reality of them, the ruthlessness behind them, that hurt more and for longer. For a while his father had loved him, they'd been close but the boys hair weighed on him year after year and the beatings began when it was clear the colour would not change. The yelling began, them uttered words and accusations. The idle comments one thought a child would miss, 'I should have strangled him as soon as he came out of me.' Or 'we should have thrown him into the water and let the river choose his fate.' Far worse besides with is brother calling him bastard before the boy even knew what the word meant. For a time the Meister was his friend, he dabbed the wounds and cleaned him up, even took him on as an apprentice for a while but even the old man had cause to beat him when he dropped a vial or misplaced a book. When his brother had died everything was a lot worse and his little sister was the only one who looked at him without the eyes of disdain. More than once he caught his mother weeping in her rooms 'why not take Alessandro, why did the gods take him.' Sometimes he often wondered that himself, surely it would have been better for all involved but he'd not been allowed on the battle field that day, if he had perhaps he'd not be sitting here with a fae feeling sorry for himself.

Shaking his head he rose and brushed off the grass, the smile took a while to reach his face again and the light in his eyes was dimmer but he tried his best. "It would be rather funny to see you discipline my family of course but probably for the best if you don't." He offered a wink and stretched slowly, hesitating a moment before continuing on towards the clearing. "I can be a handful so it's not like I don't deserve it some of the time, I like to fence, I like to see the country side, sometimes I go to the local tavern and just sit and listen to the people talking, they never recognise me without the wig. Of course a Prince shouldn't be associating with their people like that, they shouldn't be out taking the air like some woman and fencing isn't the way of our household. Then there's the times I'm late, oh they really don't like that." A slight amusement sparked in his eyes as he thought about all those times he'd been too busy to remember his lessons, or hadn't concentrated as he was thinking on other things. "Still, like you said, everybody has their suffering right?" A genuine smile flashed from his lips then, "Come on, if I'm late I'll get another lash or three and I don't intend to spend another uncomfortable night on my stomach."

[PopeAlessandros]

Rei can feel the tension rise as he speaks and for a time he wonders if he perhaps what he is asking is something that will even get an answer. As he falls silent he stops, watching the prince move to a tree, first leaning against it, then sliding down to crouch at it's base. His head tilts to the side, his curiosity mixed with a feeling that indeed he should have kept his tongue still on the subject. 'I know many humans do not feel the willingness to speak on private subjects with those they do not trust, though I did not knows this would bring about such a reaction. I simply feel I need to know so I do not kill anyone for nothing more than a due punishment. Though, I do not feel striking with a cane is a fitting punishment for any crime of a child. The chance of lasting damage far higher than how I was punished when I was in training'

He gives a slight nod as Alessandro gives him permission to check on him but remains silent as the youth continues speaking. 'I would feel more secure in my job if I were to stay in your room at night as well. Perhaps we can speak on this later. The secret passage between our two rooms could be used to keep anyone other than the two of us from finding out about it' The fae's head tilts slowly to the other side, blinking slowly at the rather extensive list of those allowed to strike him. 'I do believe my job may be harder than I thought. Seeing some of those scars,several could have injured him quite badly, and would I not be remiss in my duties if I did not stop a blow that could prove fatal?' His brow furrows further into confusions at the thought of a father not caring if his son be crippled.

'I am no master of the human animal, however that does not sound right to me. Perhaps it is my peaceful fae roots, but such an uncaring feeling towards one's own blood does not resonate right within me. Even if he has replacements sons, which I will have to look up seeing as they seem to have some claim to the throne and could likely be behind some of the assassination attempts, none of the father's I've ever actually met have acted thus about their blood' His eyes rove over the prince's stillness, the almost chilled feeling coming from the crouched human confusing him greatly, however the tense response causes Rei to hold his tongue on the new questions seeing as they need to return to the palace post haste if they are to avoid getting Alessandro in trouble.

His eyes follow the prince's movements closely as he stands, another faint nod finding it's way to his head as he is given subtle instruction not to lay hands on his family. 'He said nothing to the strikes of the others, however I will refrain least the blow look fatal or crippling' Having spent most of his life delivering such blows, or watching them be delivered, it is easy for the fae to judge such things. Despite the renewed light in the young man's eyes or the less haunted tone in his voice, it is clear to Rei's keen eyes that the prince is not fully recovered from whatever it was that overtook him there beneath the trees. As he makes the comment of suffering another lash and sleeping on his stomach Rei walks in close to the taller male and reaches up to place a hand gently but firmly over the scared back of the young man.

“Even if they excuse the actions by saying they are to aid you in becoming a good king some day, I do not find such discipline acceptable. I will not raise a hand to you family, but do not expect me to take your wounds lightly. Even if he truly believes in such foolishness, not caring for the well being of one’s brood is beyond unacceptable, no mater the society.” Letting his hand slide from Alessandro's back Rei races ahead, not wanting to waste any more time in getting back to the palace. As soon as the gray comes into his line of sight he slows slightly. He moves closer to her, looking past her to the black as he begins untying her from her from where the prince had tied her earlier. He does not think of his words to the prince, having spoken his mind, he gives them not a second thought.

[cthulu]

One would imagine that due to the past his back displayed so visibly it was unlikely that the young Prince had ever really felt much kindness upon that area, as such it was his Achilles heel, his weakness and his mind automatically went to guard it. While he was not ashamed of the scars he was morbidly saddened by them and so he visibly flinched when the fingers of the fae first touched upon them, his shoulders shuddering as if to push out a chill while his spine instinctively pulled in awaiting the first blow. However in the millisecond it took for him to realise there was no strike to come his body relaxed and he made no attempt to pull away. It felt oddly pleasant to have warm fingers against his skin rather than the cold rod, much to his fathers approval Alessandro had never taken a bed with anyone, his purity still intact and so the feel of anyone aside his wet nurse -memories of which were faded from time- to lay a hand there had rarely if ever been a good thing.

When Rei removed his hand and ran off Alessandro followed the fae with his eyes, whatever he had planned to say and whatever he had thought had slipped from his mind as the touch removed. Rei was right of course, it shouldn't happen, not by family, not unless for extreme reasons and that was part of the sadness he felt. If ever he had kids he would never allow a soul to strike them, there were ways of teaching that didn't need violence. Then again ordinarily a parent could show their grief but a King was not an ordinary man. All the same Alessandro abhorred the idea of violence against children, it sickened him.

Alessandro crested through the gap while Rei finished loosening the Grey, it was a harder climb up -for a human- than it was down and he heaved a deep breath in relief as he made it through. Heading over to the place where the horses were tethered he grabbed the wig he was forced to wear and carefully replaced it, using the reflection in a small puddle to make certain his golden hair was tucked away properly and that the wig sat both properly and squarely as the maids had shown him the first year or so he had been forced to wear it. When it was settled he sighed, kicked the puddle idly and turned to the Black.

Already the beast seemed fiesty and uncomfortable with the Fae so nearby but Alessandro took it's reigns, pat it's neck and whispered words into it's flickering ears to calm it, the Stallion knickered a moment then seemed to still long enough for the Prince to swing up into the saddle. Once up the horse padded uncertainly a moment before relinquishing to the riders demands and Alessandro glanced to Rei. "I'd say lets race back but apparently a King should only ride fast into battle. We'll come out here again though, if you like?" He gently urged the horse into a comfortable and respectable trot and lead the way out of the ruins and back towards the city road.

[PopeAlessandros]

'He was tense, however he did not tell me to stop. I have heard, and even seen on occasion, cases where repeated actions cause automatic reactions in animals, however I have never seen in it a human. I mean, any down trodden underling will flinch back if a hand is raised against them, however this was different. I find this all very strange, and different, but then again if I did not, I would not be here, no?' He keeps his focus on the black even as he finally manages to release the lady. His hands do not sooth over the horse's neck as he has seems most riders good to their mounts do. He does not know such soft touches, nor their power, having never felt them himself, least as he recalls. She however does not seem to mind, the faint hum of his magic in so close to her serving the same purpose as a stroke, though he does not know this.

He does not know the comfort his magic brings to those beasts that trust him, believing that the taint runs so deep that even his mystic energy is laced with the blood spilled across his soul, however since he can not converse with the beasts, he will never know that he still has a part of himself that is untainted, even if he does use it to help him kill from time to time. Stepping away from the other horse to try and give it some space the fae's eyes slide over to the young man donning the hair not his own. He looks at it curious for a time, a part of his knowing the reason for it, but his being not understanding it in the slightest. 'I know any family I may have left is far too ashamed of my life to claim me, but with the things I have done, that is completely understandable, however from the rumors the only thing the prince has done to warrant this is something about his hair color'

His head tilts from side to side, watching as the young man approaches his mount. Rei's hand goes to his dagger, even after the words from the prince earlier he still will not tolerate the horse bringing him harm. It is not until the beast settles that Rei drops his hand and leaps lightly into the gray's saddle once more. He looks at the young man curiously, unable to respond to the offer as the prince almost immediately moves off towards the town. ~Same as before lady, just keep up but stay back~ With a soft knicker she nods and moves into an even pace with the black several paces ahead. Rei thinks on many things as they make their way back to the prince's home, some bits about society's oddities, other bits about familial ties, however his mind keeps coming back to the idea of how the prince is not treated as he should be.

'I have known him not long, however I have come to believe that he is one to be honored far more than it seems. His voice is soft, when speaking to me at least, and his eyes are keen, taking in subtle things I can see but not understand, however he understands them and knows how to get what he wants. I do not sense that greed and evil I have found in many human leaders over the years, though I have not live as many as some, I have dealt with his kind enough to know, he. . .is. . .different' Rei knows that different is not always a good thing, but that is not the only thing that makes him confused about the young man's treatment. As they move through town he once more looks to the peasants and the like, their eyes showing a very small range of emotions from envy to anger to small gleams of admiration here and there. 'All of these people, no matter how they feel about him, even if there is no one around to order it, treat him as the crowned prince and move from his way without word or qualm. This is a normal way for him to be treated'

His eyes travel to every side, even looking to the roofs to keep an eye on those who use the thieve's highway even at this hour of the day. 'I have watched the families in my village, the love and trust laying light a thick fog across every interaction between parent and child, and every child I have seen listens to their parent without question. True, I have not been there long, far shorter a time than any other my age, however that does not change the truth of what I have seen' As they move through the front gates and back into the castle yard his focus returns to the large black stallion even as he dismounts. 'Perhaps it is just in a human's nature to strike what does not obey. To teach through pain' His gaze shifts to the prince for a long moment. “Perhaps one day even you will no longer believe as you do, and come to strike your own offspring. . .”

His words are soft, too soft for any other than the mare at his side to hear him, however he meets the prince's eye for a moment and in that instant, he is sure that his eyes are speaking, the conviction of his idea both confusing and disturbing him ever so slightly. Normally, Rei does not show his emotions, finding them useless in his line of work, and not having really found time to develop them, however every so often his own mind will conjure such things that affect him so, and in these moments he looks almost normal, almost like the young fae he is, and not the cold assassin he's grown into.

[cthulu]

With little knowledge of what was said behind him the Prince simply hands over the Beast and dashes off towards the front of the castle, he pauses only long enough to register his father at his window and offer him a bow, to which the Regal father turns away, no doubt to return to the council or accounts he was tending. With grace that is made to look steady and not overly hurried he vaults the stairs two at a time until he is inside and then quick walks down a corridor to the main throne room. It had been emptied aside from a rather serious looking man with a squirrel like face and beady little eyes. Over his hooked nose he glowers at the Prince and tuts shaking his head, Alessandro heaves a brief sigh when the cane in hand is put ot the table and instead the large book before him is picked up. It is easily as thick as an arm and the man has a struggle to grip it at first.

"Again master Dravnos?"
"Again. Until it is perfect." The man had a shrill voice, much befitting his looks but no ounce of kindness dripped from his thin lips as Alessandro took the book and put it upon his head, getting it to balance with some effort. "I don't understand how walk-" The Cane was struck against the desk and Alessandro gave a sigh, "Yes My Lord." He replied, setting his shoulders square and keeping his chin held level with the ground. Slowly he made his way down the length of the hall, the book wobbling only a little from time to time but each time producing a tut from the mentor. "Faster boy, faster." Hissed Dravnos and Alessandro upped his pace just a little, when it came to the end of the hall and his turn the book fell and the man tutted again. It seemed Alessandro knew what to do, picking up the book and starting again, the second time went better but the tutor didn't seem pleased, instead he barked "Faster boy you aren't a snail." Followed later by "Now turn properly, you look awkward like that." Encouragement did not come in verbal thoughts or words, only tuts and criticism's for two hours before, as with every lesson, Dravnos declared Alessandro ill-suited for the throne, unlike that brother of his and left, exclaiming he'd return in a few days, if he could find his optimism in that time.

With a huff Alessandro glanced from the book to the carpet and took the book up once more, placing it on his head and closing his eyes. He walked the hall with the book balanced and his turn was smooth and graceful even his return was pretty good albeit a little slow for a normal walking pace. It wouldn't be good enough though, the tutor wasp aid to teach not hand out compliments and so Alessandro was not foolish enough to expect one.

[PopeAlessandros]

Moving swiftly and smoothly Rei follows behind the prince as he dashes along into and through the palace. 'He really is in a hurry. I wonder how late he is. . .' The fae had not looked up when the prince had stopped, instead taking the opportunity to get close to the young man without looking hurried. As they step into the throne room Rei tenses, sensing hostility, but as Alessandro walks towards the source of it without hesitation Rei keeps his hands in check. 'This must be one of his tutors' He eyes the cane. 'Yes, I am sure of that now' He remains on edge, just in case the rodent looking man decides to take out his hostility on the assassin's ward, however he relaxes a moment later as the cane is put down.

What follows confuses the hell out of the fae. He takes up a place about halfway between the tutor and the end of the hall where the young man does his turn, not even bothering to look for something to sit on, simply sitting on the cool stone floor as if it is the most natural thing ever. When he first does this he notices the instructor looking to him now and again with a sneer, however as the session goes on Rei begins ignoring the man completely save for when the prince is near him. The hours pass, and the fae begins to understand what the man wants out of the prince, however it is still a mystery as to why he wants it.

'Is it some royalty thing? Is it really important for him to carry a book on his head if he is to be king? I have never seen a king with a book on his head, let alone making it look natural. How is he expected to carry that thing like that on his head, his head is pointed, like that of most humans. . .Perhaps if his hair was thicker, but that is not something once can really change, and with that slick black wig, he really is asking a lot' He tilts his head this way and that, curiously trying to figure things out, until at last the man leaves with a few choice declarations. As soon as he is out of sight Rei stands and moves closer to the prince.

Following along side of him for a few seconds he examines the activity closely until, with a sharp nod, he wanders off to the table. There are a few other tomes on the wooden surface and after thinking a bit, he grabs the one closest to the size of the one the prince has. The book feels light to his fingers, however he has an unfair advantage over the prince. His small frame hides a lot of power. Walking over to where the prince was practicing he plops the book on his head and starts walking. His hair packed under his hat helps a little, however his natural grace mixed with his training at walking silently helps him to master the skill in only one pass.

He walks along at his normal speed, tucking his hands into his pockets, having never had them before he finds it slightly entertaining, and walks as if he's putting no effort into the task. Once he pulls even with the prince again he carefully removes the book from his head and looks up into the taller male's eyes. “What is the point of this training?”

[cthulu]

The book teetered and he opened his eyes enough to reseat it, in doing so he spotted Rei had started to copy him and without an issue the fae was walking, with hands in his pockets, up and down the hall with a flourish. He was not usually a jealous or envious man but it was too much at that moment and Alessandro took the book from his head and dropped it onto a table. Even a fae could do it better than he could and honestly what hope had he of ever emulating Rei? The question actually annoyed him, the fact Rei had done that, had basically humiliated him and then asked why he had done so was almost too much and he walked from the room biting back his tongue lest he say something he couldn't take back. The fae had no doubt no intention of humiliating him and he had done nothing wrong, even still Alessandro suddenly felt very small and very stupid and he rather did not like that feeling at all.

When finally he had enough composure to speak he kept it short and clipped, a strain to keep the anger from his voice and hide the hurt beneath it, "father says a King should walk with grace and pride, by balancing the book on my head when I walk it will prove I'm walking correctly and yes that is a thing." The halls were bustling with servants and with some negotiation the Prince found himself in the Kitchen pilfering a red apple before walking out towards the kennels. He needed to cool down and one thing that always made him feel better were the castle dogs.

[PopeAlessandros]

He looks up curiously into the princes face, glancing at the book tossed carelessly on the table as he'd walked over. 'He seems upset. Perhaps I was not suppose to touch these tomes' Carefully he sets the book upon the table before turning to trail after the young man. He stays in close, content that the prince does not feel the need to answer him and not really expecting one at this point. He feet shift inside his boots as he tries to stretch his toes, the act of balancing the book having changed the way he walked and how he feet rested inside their unfamiliar sheaths. As he follows behind the prince, his steps are quiet, but by no means as quite as they had been when he had been working with the book. His head tilts to the side when the prince suddenly speaks and he logs away the information while taking in more about how he spoke the words than what he said.

'I think I understand now. Humans and their pride, it is easily wounded. Perhaps, by my mastering the skill easily, I somehow insulted him. . .This is why I do not hang around others, such things as wounding pride and bruising ego are far too easy' The tenseness coming off of the young man in waves makes Rei feel as if he should do something to remedy the situation. As they pass into the kitchens the sudden press of people makes him hold his tongue however, not wanting to say something to further embarrass the young man. They are not in there long and as they pass out onto the grounds, the number of people around lessening significantly, Rei moves in a little closer to the taller male.

His head tilts this way and that, but he quickly figures out just what he wants to say as the wind brushes over his body, the feel of it helping him to think. “I did not mean to insult you Alessandro, I was simply curious. I often do things to learn more about them.” He pauses for a moment, looking up at the taller male. “The ease in which I accomplished the task has more to do with my training and natural talents than anything else. When every step one takes could mean the different between life and death, one learns to walk smoothly and silently as a second nature.” He looks towards the kennels they seem to be heading towards and he continues on before they move too close and he will have to stop, least he spook the beasts.

“That man who was teaching you, was doing it wrong. He only told you when you were doing it wrong, and not how to correct yourself. I doubt he even knows how to explain it, unless he has told you before and just expects you to recall every little detail even in the middle of a lesson.” He shakes his head lightly. “Your steps were too hard, your focus on your legs and on remaining still, if I was reading your movements correctly, however that is not the best way. At least, not the best way I can see.” He looks up once more at the prince, stopping far enough from the dogs so they are not disturbed by his presence.

“To move the way you seem to want to, you need to train one part at a time, as I and others like me do. Trying to master all parts of a skill all at once. . .Often leads if not to failure, to at least the skill taking far longer to learn than it need be.” He blinks one of his slow blinks, unsure if the prince is even listening at this point, however he adds in his last two cents. “I still do not understand why this skill is necessary, however I find it interesting. If you like, I can teach it to you, the way I learned. I have never taught anyone anything before, however I think not only will it be interesting, but it may make both our lives far more interesting.” His hands slide once more into his pockets as he waits for the prince's answer. In the distance the sound of dogs barking happily draw his eyes for a moment before he looks back to the young man before him.

[cthulu]

Alessandro was soon proven right in his assumptions, the fae honestly didn't' know what was wrong and it was further proven as he continued to talk on about the lesson and how it was taught wrong. Oh his tutor was a real demon that was for sure but to learn from an assassin seemed fundamentally wrong. What next? Rei would teach him how to sneak up and slit someones throat? The very thought bought a shiver down his spine and he shook his head lightly. While the look on the old mans face would be priceless if he suddenly walked in doing the lesson perfectly, it would raise suspicion. Rei's footfalls were silent, a Kings weren't supposed to be, it was just creepy. What worked for the fae who had spent a lifetime -as far as he could tell- learning how to murder people without being seen and being naturally gifted with grace and agility, was unlikely to work for a much taller, stockier built human. The same way what had worked for his sister and mother would not have worked for his father or brother, each person was different, it was finding the natural rhythm that was key, or so he'd been told by his sister. His problem was that try as he might as he took his etiquette lessons he could not concentrate, the idea of being King a foreign and unsettling feeling.

"I appreciate the offer Rei but I will be declining it for the time being. While the man's approach is less than perfect it raises a whole lot less questions than if I ask for tutelage from you. Thank you. " Spoken in a calm and level headed tone the fluster and embarrassment from before forgotten the time being, while still annoyed with himself, out here in the sunshine and fresh air it hardly mattered. With the dogs yapping happily at the sight of him the last cobwebs left by the lesson were blown from his mind and he gave Rei a polite little nod of his head before heading to the kennels and slipping over the gate to be more or less pushed down by the large wolf hound crosses. Hunting dogs the lot but all yips and barks and slobbery tongues running over the princes face. They snuffled his pockets and his wig, they headbutted their way under his arms and legs or onto his lap and finally, with a lot of encouragement, they settled down enough to be lightly petted, their ears being stroked before tickled behind and a quick caress from neck to tail base of each of the mighty hounds. As he'd thought the water dish was empty again, often times the large, boisterous dogs knocked it over and often times it was left empty for the better part of the day. Though on a day such as this it was unacceptable in his mind and so slipping over the fence again; among whines and yips, he fetched a pail from the nearby water trough and placed it into the kennels where the dogs quickly set to trying to barge for head space so they could get a drink.

With them suitably distracted he returned to Rei, "I have to go to the tower for history lessons, please do not correct the teacher." Crossing the courtyard proper one could seem a looming tower, it was not very much bigger than the castle but large and central enough to be of some importance. Alessandro had been taught -and now informed Rei- that it had been built to serve as a refuge during any war crisis. If the castle true should fall the multitude of archer windows and stairs would deter most attackers. There was a basement pantry and simple cooking means on the bottom most floor and tucked out the way and the spiraling staircase lead to a large room, with a secret passage for quick escape that only the royals knew of, where the women and children would hide during times of war. It had since been turned into the records and history room where most of the intellectual tomes were kept.

[PopeAlessandros]

Rei nods in calm acceptance as the prince turns down his offer. He is unofended, though he does lament the chance to learn something new. The amusement of such learning would have been quite satisfying, or so he presumed, but it has been denied, and he accepts that without a second thought. He returns the youth's nod with a slow blink and settles into standing and waiting for the boy to finish playing with the hounds. Knowing that simply standing still and watching would look weird to the rest of the staff, humans finding such things odd, he moves over to lean against the corner of the castle closest to the kennels. He is close enough to defend the prince should he need defending, one hand on his dagger while the other goes back to playing with his pocket. The feeling of the rough cloth against his thigh amuses him and he slides it around, messing with the sensation.

His thoughts never leave the prince however, the openness of the area making him a bit vulnerable, however the assassin knows that if he starts trying to interfere with the young man's life, he will likely lose his job. 'I can not count the times those in my group would come back, cursing and screaming about losing a job because that insisted that their charges be more careful. It would take a good assassin to get him here however. I will just have to be better' While never really thinking about it, Rei knows this way of thinking could be taken as arrogant or at least pompous to a point, however he has never lied to himself about his limitations. He knows he has them, he knows he's not the best, however he's also never been tested against any other assassins after taking out the ones who killed his parents, and even after meeting a few others in his years after that, they all fell far below his skills.

The dogs piled atop and curled around his charge draw his attention and once more he wonders what it would be like to be liked by animals, however that thought soon passes as the young man stands and hops over the fence around the kennels. He pushes off the wall, ready to follow him should he be leaving the area, however he grows once more curious as Alessandro fetches a pail of water. As he drops it in with the dogs then turns to approach the fae, Rei drops his hand from his dagger, the closeness giving him plenty of time to draw should he need to. He ignores the eyes staring at him from various places around the grounds, all the servants seeming to have some great interest in this new oddity, and instead focuses on his charge as he drops some information, and instruction, them immediately moves off towards the castle tower.

He listens as the prince tells him about the tower, and uses his own talents to begin assessing the building. 'I did not leave the building during my first run through of the palace. I should scope out the grounds more thoroughly tonight. Perhaps, as the prince suggested, I should have him escort me on this venture however. Out here, there are many more factors to take into consideration' At the foot of the tower a thick door made of hard wood stands open presumably to get a decent breeze moving through it to keep the place fresh. A servant with a broom stops in her cleaning to bow as the prince passes, flinching back as Rei looks to her curiously. He tilts his head, but forgets about her a moment later as they begin ascending the stairs towards the top of the tower. His hands come up, stretching out so that he is touching either side of the stone stairwell. His magic trickles out, unseen, taking in everything, assessing what it can while they move further and further up.

[cthulu]

The tower was old, there was a basement at the bottom of the stairs that seemed to lead to a hidden room though what was in there once was hard to tell as it is now partially collapsed. A staircase seems to lead straight down the other side of the wall no doubt belonging to the secret passage that Alessandro had spoken of which seemed to lead outside the walls of the castle and partially underground.

When they reached the top of the tower Alessandro was greeted with his first human smile of the day, an old man, over a hundred no doubt, was drowned in thick woolen grey robes and weighted down into a hunch by a set of thick iron keys about his neck. He smelled of lavender and opium, his skin wrinkled and paper thin and his eyes that were no doubt once a strong blue or grey were now milky and almost white. He squinted at the sound of people and frowned very faintly at the sight of the wig. He said nothing of it of course but one could get the impression he wasn't the biggest fan of the wig the Prince was forced to wear. "Sorry I'm later Meister." The old man simply waved a hand and took himself back to a chair with shuffling steps. As he fell into the wooden seat he looked as if he might disappear beneath his robes or at the very least fall apart beneath their weight. However he simply folded his hands easily across his chest, closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath.

Alessandro walked among the rows and rows of books that lined the walls of the tower in book cases that seemed to strain under the weight. Tables were filled with scrolls and open books, ink wells and quills and loose pieces of parchment. He came upon the one he was looking for and moved to take the seat opposite the Meister. "This is my new guard, Rei. Do you mind if he sits and listens?" The meister opened one eye and looked Rei over, a knowing grin and a keen glint in those old milky eyes that would suggest he knew more than he should and without saying a word he closed his eye again and nodded lightly. Alessandro glanced to Rei and then back to the book opened upon his lap, he thumbed through the old pages that consisted of the writings of every Meister from the beginning of the city and found where they left off. "And so it came to pass that the kingdom fought to push back the evil force known as the fae to keep them from destroying all that was good and right. The battles were long and bloody and we saw three Kings crowned before the end. King Leonard the Second, King Isaac and King Midian the first. King Midian was only a slip of a boy, freshly grown his first hairs but fiercely took to the field and slew our foe as if blessed by the gods..." And so the lesson continued, the fae depicted as a murderous force whose foul magics polluted the earth and threatened all life and the human counterparts valiant and heroic. The Meister remained quiet and listened to Alessandro read but after an hour the old man had fallen asleep and Alessandro, noticing this, came to a stop.

[PopeAlessandros]

The fae touches every part of the tower long before the reach the top, and retracts his hands to look over the information. 'He is right, there are a lot of books up there' He can feel a faint tickle of excitement at the thought, his only real passion in life being reading, and he wonders what it would take for them to let him read a few. 'Many of those tomes feel much older than the ones I own, or have read. If they do not let me read these, I will definitely need to go to the palace library tonight to sate my need right now' None of these thoughts are expressed on Rei's face, being impassive as ever, however when they reach the top of the stairs his focus shifts from his own wants and needs on to the old man before them.

Rei refrains from coughing, it actually taking quite an effort considering how good his sense of smell is, however he manages without showing any visible change. 'Opium, he may not be all there. Over use is a common downfall in the minds of many. The smile is good, for the prince. He does not see many, I am sure' The obvious look of distaste directed at Alessandro makes him curious however, wondering why he would smile one minute, then change an instant later. 'Perhaps it is something about the prince. . .I will ask later. Asking such things now may count against the young royal' His gaze shifts to the books along the walls and for the first time since meeting the prince he seems to almost light up. It is a dim light, but it does make him look more his age, even if it is only a little bit.

As the youth speaks again he waits until the old man is looking before giving a polite slight bow, keeping his eyes on the elder. However he freezes mid bow at the look in the man's eyes. Without hesitation his magic snakes out to investigate the old man as he finishes standing up and he feels the faintest traces of human magic trickling through him. 'He was at least a half way decent magic user at one point in his life. He may be able to sense me. This could be a problem. . .If he were to tell on me, then my job would be over. I am sure the prince would deny knowledge of the fact, as humans often do to save themselves, however I do not relish the thought of having to flee from this place. . .'

His thoughts fall silent as the old man seems to dismiss the fae with only that faintly mischievous look, and Rei decides not to do anything for now. 'If he becomes suspicious, I will act, until then, I shall leave him be' And just like that, he is once more completely at ease, his attention on the books and other parchment lining the walls. It is all he can do not to begin perusing the shelves right then and there, so he contents himself with listening to the prince read aloud. He rests against a bare patch of wall by the door, the only real place danger could come from unless a killer was already hanging from the ceiling, which there is not, Rei checked, and he listens, wondering at the inaccuracies. 'I know that both sides of a war have their own way of looking at things, but at least the histories I have head in the village do not depict humans as the scourge of the world. Just foolish, misguided, and oft times cruel'

As the old man drifts to sleep Rei casts him a glance before the sudden silence brings his attention back to the young man. He looks at the prince silently for several seconds before, without a moments hesitation, he slides off the wall and walks quickly over to the books that he'd spotted at a distance that had caught his eyes. He glances back at the prince a few times, the obvious question in his eyes even as he grabs a few tomes, flips them open, reads a few lines, and puts them back exactly as he found them save for maybe a bit of dust. 'I have not read most of these. . .I really would love to read a few. . .I wonder if his lesson is over. Maybe I can borrow a few. . .' He looks once more to Alessandro, a book help open in his arms, the large tome looking far too big to be held so easily by such small arms. His eyes are a little brighter, a bit of the youth he is shining through at being surrounded by the one thing in life that brings him away from the drudge and drab reality that is his existence. He does not lament his life, but reading is way better than it, to be sure.