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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 7, 2021 13:00:46 GMT -6
  Runt ♦ Phoenix Aodh - Labor Slave ♦ Aodh - Servile Slave
But Runt understood an order when he heard one, at least that's what he told himself.
The boy had to admit, he couldn't remember the last time he laid on an actual factual bed. Probably when he was still a tiny foal, when his parents were still caring for him and singing their praises to the Gods. When one lived in the wilds of Hireath, there weren't many beds available, if at all. Healers of all kinds had swarmed the Palace after Aleksei invited them inside to tend to the rebellion group, and the rest of that morning was practically a blur. Someone had tended his wounds, ensured there would be no lasting scars, though he did notice the hesitation when they saw his brand. Or maybe it was the fleas.
He decided it was probably the latter.
Never had he eaten so well (and due to the shock of good nutrients entering his system, he became a little ill), but it brought a smile to his face all the same. He was allowed a bath, even given medicated soaps and oils to end the plague of fleas that had lingered in his pelt for so very long. It couldn't reverse the damage already done to his skin that caused the freckled effect to his fur, but it would end the constant itching and other ailments he suffered on the daily.
While he couldn't forget what he had personally done, the fear that still lingered in his mind from the deaths he had a hoof in, it was comforting to know that those days were over. After he regained his energy and a little bit of condition after the full body healing and rest, he would go back to the Dark District. He would go back to work, see how Delta was doing, and maybe he would see changes done for what he considered to be 'his people'.
Well, after Aleksei discussed something with him, so the new King ordered.
He was brought up to the ballroom they had fought in days before, perfectly clean and already in the process of repairs. In the brightness of the day, it didn't have the same terrible appearance it had the night of the fight, and the only Chevaliers who stood guarding the door were ones Runt was sure Aleksei had personally picked out due to their loyalty to him. And much to his surprise, a very clean Phoenix stood with them. He could see how relieved she was to see him alive, and he was relieved she hadn't suffered any ill effects for the amount of strenuous flying she had done that night.
But before the two of them could catch up, the Guards beckoned them to enter.
Runt's gaze automatically went to the balcony, but it was closed off and being worked on by city architects, so he shifted his gaze to where Aleksei was waiting for them. Runt was still in awe over Aleksei's wings, sky-blue feathers trimmed in gold. He could have sworn he saw the image standing before him before while they were running through the palace.
With Phoenix's lead, the two of them bowed out of reverence and respect.
After the dawn had broke, after Aleksei invited healers to tend to the wounded within, Phoenix returned home with her Mistress. She was allowed a few days rest to recover from everything, though she easily returned to the palace to join in the festivities for the new Kings coronation in place of her Mistress who had gone back to War-Forged. So when Phoenix received a letter writing in familiar golden text, she was only to anxious to answer.
Upon returning to the Palace and looking the picture of perfection with freshly applied makeup and hoof polish, wearing her ornate bridle that signified her House alliances, she was easily let inside. The slave was lead along the length of the palace, up a set of stairs and finally into a ballroom. Judging on the work being done in the room and a familiar broken set of doors being worked on and guarded by another set of guards, Phoenix had a hunch that the main part of the fighting took place within this room. The thought made her uncomfortable, both because she wasn't alongside her companions during the fight, and also because she knew a bit of death happened within this room.
The Chevalier who lead her to the room said that she was a little early and would need to wait but was free to wander around within the ballroom. The pegasus felt a little awkward to just stand around with a couple of guards watching her, so she walked around the room slowly, observing the portraits and the architecture from up close. The palace was certainly a work of art, only receiving the best of the best, she was sure. Some of it reminded her of the Soleil residence, feeling a pang of sadness ebb along her chest.
Just as she finished her round back towards the guards, the doors behind them opened and she turned to peer at another Chevalier leading a familiar figure into the ballroom. Feeling a flash of excitement that settled into relief, she watched Runt trot over to them. She had seen the boy from afar during the scuffle between Aleksei, Ramiro, and Isador, looking worse for wear. But he stood looking as clean as she was, though she noted his lack of bridle; did Edenne still have it? She wanted to ask how he was doing, but one of the guards protecting the broken doors ushered them to enter the next room.
She and Runt walked side by side, and she noted how the boy looked to the balcony and followed his gaze. It wasn't the greatest memory, the death of a False King, but she hoped those days were behind them, and Aleksei would lead them to a greater Aodh. She trusted he would.
Slowly, if not the most beautiful she could manage, she bowed with her wings outstretched. She noticed, with a smile, Runt following suit, though he was much more awkward in his movements.   |
POST COUNT: 1
WORD COUNT: Runt- 547 ♦ Phoe- 493 (Total: 1040)
MENTIONS: -
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Post by ThatDenver on Apr 7, 2021 13:41:31 GMT -6
ALEKSEI
It had been an exceptionally busy few days.
The day that followed that fateful morning was one, long blur. Healers and doctors had swarmed the Palace – both the initial ones from the crowd, and as the morning progressed, other ones from the greatest hospitals in the city. Aleksei himself had been attended to not only by physicians, but also several secretaries and courtiers and organizers.
Wounded or not, there was a coronation to host, and soon.
Isador’s funeral pyre had burned that evening. Despite all the man had done, Aleksei had taken the ashes to the royal mausoleum, to the spot Isador had prepared for himself – as all Aodhian Kings did. The Vela nook of the mausoleum would end up being only him, and somehow the sight of it made the whole thing more real – more concrete and terrible, too.
He had killed someone.
But even bloodstained, he was still a King, and a King had to have their coronation.
And so there was one – not that day, but the very next one. The bells had rung for the new King of Aodh, crowned with the ancestral crown. The walking through the crowds from Ignis Sanctum back to his again-home in Hearthstone Palace felt absurd.
Absurd, but beautiful.
The young King hardly had time for leisure, and the next few days after the Coronation were spent rather tied to paperwork – Isador had left behind a great many unfinished issues, and diving to someone else’s bookkeeping was never exactly easy. Aleksei wrote letters, attended meetings and tried to grasp each and every one of the many, many strings he that had been left untied.
He would have announcements to make too, but those needed a few more days of work. Aleksei was sure his people felt antsy to hear from their new King, but unfortunately the manner of Isador’s death had hardly left behind a clean and neatly packaged continuation plan.
Usually Aleksei would not have received guests on the third floor, but the Speaking Room had been the one that was easiest to haul this much paperwork into – and so when the guard ushered the two slaves in, they found Aleksei behind a writing desk, absolutely surrounded by binders, tomes, portfolios, boxes and various other pieces of documentation.
Lifting his gaze from the current letter, he looked at the two of them, and smiled, coming out from behind his desk to stand more in front of them.
”Runt”, he greeted the smaller and younger slave with a nod, and then gave a similar gesture to Phoenix: ”Phoenix. Hopefully you didn’t have to wait too long.”
Word count: 435
Post #1
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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 7, 2021 14:08:12 GMT -6
Runt ♦ Phoenix Aodh - Labor Slave ♦ Aodh - Servile Slave
The boy wondered why exactly they had been called there. He had mulled about it while lying in the extremely comfortable bed he had been using, able to focus on inner thoughts for once without having to drown them out with his work for fear of admonishment or, at worst, a lash of a whip. He knew that Aleksei hadn't really thanked them for their help, not that he was particularly useful, but formalities was the way of nobility. This was something he had come to realize over a month ago, when he had first been taken from the streets alongside Delta when they wandered into the Goldhead.
The Goldhead...
Runt wondered if Aleksei would have the pub rebuilt, or if the site would be torn down altogether, to forget everything that had happened there. He hoped that Aleksei would rebuilt the pub, if to just have a pub in the location again or as a sort of memorial for the incredible things that had been said and done there. It would be such a shame to forget it, even though, all at the same time, Runt wanted those memories to fade back into the recesses of his mind.
He desperately wanted to see how Rosalba was faring.
"Not at all." Runt piped up, forcing himself to have the same strength he had when they had communed in the Goldhead a few nights before.
Phoenix had always admired nobles for their ability to traverse endless seas of papers, books and other such documents. Seeing her new King sitting behind a desk with heaping amounts of work made her face brighten, overjoyed at how quickly he had dove into the new position. Naturally, she thought to herself. Had he not been prepared, that would have been truly shocking. But considering the gatherings, the rumors which turned out to be true, their numerous battles...it was only natural that Aleksei knew what he was doing as he had proved to them all along. She relaxed under his azure gaze, confident that she had chosen her loyalties well, and even more-so that she had shone a light upon House Xoias that would be remembered for centuries to come. She had done her duties and well, so she truly hoped and believed.
She was filled with so much hope, Ignacio's blessing pulsing comfortingly in her chest. She felt like she could light up herself, though she knew her blessing hardly progress so soon. But somehow she felt that it was stronger, that she was stronger still.
Runt replied that he had not waited long at all, which was true and almost made Phoenix laugh with an odd merry. But the pegasus kept her composure, a composure that cracked quite effectively a few nights before. But now she was back to the picture perfect slave. It was all she knew, and frankly, her comfort zone.
"It wasn't a long wait, as Runt here has stated." She smiled, the silver embellishments on her bit-less bridle glittering as she arched her head into another bow. "When I received your summons, I hurried over as soon as I could per your appointment. Any wait I endured was by my own hoof, your Majesty." She offered the new King a bright smile that reached her eyes, making the amber irises sparkle like distant embers. |
POST COUNT: 2
WORD COUNT: Runt- 334 ♦ Phoe- 320 (Total: 654)
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Post by ThatDenver on Apr 7, 2021 15:14:21 GMT -6
ALEKSEI
Aleksei couldn’t help but smile at the difference between the two of them – a difference that certainly made sense. If memory served, Phoenix, who had once been owned by his step-cousin, Iscah, was a slave of high breeding. Aleksei wasn’t well-versed in matters of lineages and pedigrees, but Phoenix certainly had that certain air and confidence about her that only came with either being raised into a position, or simply faking it until you were making it.
Runt, on the other hand, was probably a child of the wilderness. Aleksei felt a bit bad for not having read their papers after he requested them from the bookkeeping – a much diminished catalog altogether, what with the Vindicators damaging one of the non-labor registries – but he simply hadn’t had the time before now.
”Good. I’m afraid I’m losing my sense of time a little in this sea of paper”, he said, nodding towards the obvious pile all around him.
”Either way, I am glad both of you could make it”, Aleksei continued. With Runt he obviously had no reason to think the young slave wouldn’t show up, but with privately owned serviles, you could never be quite sure how things shook out.
Aleksei knew from personal experience that nobles could be fickle.
He himself could be fickle.
”I have taken the liberty of having your papers brought from the archieve”, Aleksei said, tapping to two small piles of paper on his table. The left one had a sketch of Phoenix as what Aleksei assumed was a teenager, and carefully detailed loads of information that Aleksei was sure was very interesting to slave traders. The right one, much less thick, had a far less detailed sketch of Runt on the topmost leaf.
”See, I have called you here today because I wish to offer both of you your freedom – as a thank you for helping me”, the young King went on, and looked past the two slaves at a small portrait of Solaris that he had reinstated in the speaking room.
”I have plans for more sweeping changes, but many of them will have to wait until… Well, you know what the situation is”, he said, obviously referring to the kirins, and the danger they still posed to each Aodhian.
”But I want to offer this to you, now”, Aleksei continued, and then ended the thought with: ”You would be citizens.”
Word count: 398
Post #2
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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 7, 2021 16:02:21 GMT -6
Runt ♦ Phoenix Aodh - Labor Slave ♦ Aodh - Servile Slave
The boy looked back to Aleksei, only to shoot right back to the two piles of papers on the table. Never once did he think anything about him resided there, and somehow, the idea of it made him anxious. What was even written there? From the distance he could make out what looked like a picture, and he could swear by the colors they were images of himself and Phoenix both. Even if he had the gall to march up and look, he couldn't bloody read the contents! He was both curious and terrified. His eyes, still holding a shred of worry, glanced to Aleksei again as he remained silent, unsure as to why this information was at all important to the conversation.
For some reason, Runt expected Aleksei to go on some monologue about the reason, leaving them listening for a time before getting to the actual point. But the words that flowed from Aleksei's mouth practically winded the boy. Lacking the composure and training Phoenix had, his jaw went slack. The child stared at Aleksei as he continued, though caught how those blue eyes looked through them, past them, to something behind them. Runt, ever curious despite the complete shock of the situation, the boy glanced behind him.
A second shock. What artist was quick enough to get a portrait of Aleksei done so quickly?
Just as he was to look back to the King, feeling his voice return, he noticed that the portrait was not, in fact, Aleksei. Though both horses were similar in color and wings, the portrait lacked Aleksei's golden horns and long blaze. His mother or father, perhaps? A sibling?
Looking back around to the King who awaited an answer, Runt, fumbled over his words.
"Us? Citizens of Aodh? R-Really?"
Runt never felt like he actually belonged...anywhere. Even though he had found familiarity within the Dark District, it never was truly home.
Did this mean he had a home now? He felt...excited.
"What do we do about..?" The boy suddenly asked, glancing back again to the brand residing on his rump.
Like Runt, Phoenix eyed the piles of pappers once more. She definitely wasn't jealous of the King at that moment, she was sure Isador had left much unfinished business, both good and bad. She also knew that Aleksei would need to do quite a bit of pruning to his Advisors and Guards alike if he were to stay safe from any sort of retaliation from Vela Loyalists. She didn't doubt there were some radicals who were happy with Isador's reign and could potentially cause trouble for the new king. She silently vowed she would stand by him if it came down to that, just as she stood by him in battle.
"Of course, your Highness." She responded to his gladness to their appearance. Eliina's absence did make it easier, but she knew her Mistress would not have barred her from this meeting even if she were still in Valore regardless. It was important for appearances, even if her Mistress was a little jealous at a slave getting the attention a Noble surely would. It was something they would sort out, and already technically had.
For the third time, amber eyes shifted to the desk with the papers laying about in likely organized chaos. Her brows gently knitted in confusion, a tinge of worry bubbling in her chest as she wondered why Aleksei would have gathered her information. From the distance she could barely seen what looked like images of herself and Runt right at the top of their respective piles. She swallowed an anxious lump in her throat, returning her gaze to her King. Through the anxiety she reminded herself that Aleksei had a reason for such things, and if he wanted her, as she began to assume was so, she would have no choice but to obey. Hell, she figured she was probably even more desirable now and would make an excellent slave for a king.
It was a pedigree slaves dream of course, but it somehow made the pain of losing Iscah worse, now coupled with pain of losing Eliina and by extension, House Xoias.
She braced herself for the inevitable...but was then nearly as surprised as Runt appeared to be. The boy swayed on his hooves out of the corner of her eye, glancing behind him at whatever Aleksei was looking at, but the pegasus couldn't keep her eyes off her King.
Freedom?
Never once in her 20 years of life had she truly thought about freedom. Once and a while she wondered what it was like, but she truly enjoyed making her Masters and Mistresses happy. After all, it was what she was bred to do. It was her purpose, her life.
But now there was a giant, golden wrench thrown into the clockworks, and everything grounded to a resounding halt. Runt, with his cracking, not yet matured voice, inquired as if the words were possibly a joke. Either the boy didn't believe it, or had a hard time coming to gripes with it. Phoenix honestly didn't even blame him. What did that mean for them both? Would Runt be sent to Little Lights Orphanage? Would Eliina still want her around? It wasn't like either of them had a home of their own to go to, being slaves, they didn't exactly have property.
The King hinted about other changes, of which made the young mare excited, but was swiftly reminded of the Kirin threat and of their would-be positions. And then Runt brought up another point about their brands, which would be very confusing to those not in the know.
"I don't even know what to say," Phoenix said, her voice soft but with an excited edge. "Obviously thank you but...but that alone doesn't feel like it suffices at all." She bowed her head deeply, spreading her wings in another bow. "Thank you, My King...I...I will continue to do what I can to help you with my new freedom." She kept her head bowed in reverence. |
POST COUNT: 3
WORD COUNT: Runt- 440 ♦ Phoe- 660 (Total: 1100)
MENTIONS: -
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Post by ThatDenver on Apr 7, 2021 16:29:01 GMT -6
ALEKSEI
They seemed shocked, and Aleksei supposed they were right to be. The King’s Consorts had historically had the ability to free a single slave of their choosing, but in addition to that, winning the Crowning Day had been the only way a slave could ever be freed – legally speaking, at least. Everyone knew slaves ran away sometimes, or were helped out of the city by some sympathizing soul, but that was different.
”Really”, he confirmed, nodding to Runt: ”As a Labor Slave, you were the property of the Crown, so that is at its core a simple matter.”
Indeed, Runt was, in most ways, the easiest of them to handle. There wasn’t really any conflict of interest to resolve with him.
”As for the brands, I’m afraid even strong healing regeneration is unlikely to completely fade them”, Aleksei told them, before adding: ”My understanding is that the Vagabond practice is to tattoo over them. Not the subtlest solution to be sure, but it should hide the brand.”
Absently, he thought to himself that perhaps a god would eventually take it upon themselves to erase such marks from the skin of someone who was free, but you never quite knew with them. He had heard that Ignacio had come down with a vision on the night of the coup, and at times, the god seemed downright forthcoming with his assistance.
At other times… Less so.
”In your case, Phoenix, I will naturally pay your current owners your value. I wouldn’t want them to feel slighted”, Aleksei said, even though in some ways, the idea felt a bit absurd. Perhaps his time spent with slaves and reading his fathers journals was rubbing off on him more than he thought.
”Once you have your citizenship, it is up to you if you wish to continue serving a noble House, perhaps as a paid servant, or if you want to pursue something else entirely. You will receive a monthly allowance from my personal coffers until you figure something out – I understand that it might be a big adjustment”, the King said in a tone that seemed genuinely understanding. A big adjustment was probably even an understatement, especially if Phoenix chose to completely shift her “career” so to say.
”As for you, Runt, since you are underage, there are a few options”, Aleksei explained: ”You may choose to live at an orphanage, or we may find you a guardian who will help you get settled into our society. Either way I would give you an allowance to pay for your expenses until you find what you want to do. You could seek out an apprenticeship, for example, or go to school.”
The unicorn’s brow furrowed a bit, thoughtful.
”In fact, I would recommend at least basic schooling. Aodh is a bit of a maze to navigate unless you know how to read.”
Word count: 477
Post #3
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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 7, 2021 17:30:06 GMT -6
Runt ♦ Phoenix Aodh - Labor Slave ♦ Aodh - Servile Slave
Maybe he could figure out something to do about her when he sorted himself out.
Runt wondered how young was too young for a tattoo. He had seen numerous Vagabonds with them, as Aleksei himself confirmed. Runt knew that also included the dreaded Cultists, as well as Aodhians like, but he had no idea how he would even go about it especially without shards of his own. The boy just simply nodded, filing away the information for later. There were other pressing matters anyway.
Runt listened as Aleksei explained the situation with Phoenix. It made sense to him, since the crown had basically owned him and Phoenix was owned by someone else. He vaguely wondered how much she was worth, probably a lot if she was owned by nobles. He doubted he was worth much at all, considering how often his people keeled over on a day to day basis. What was the word, expendable?
Phoenix seemed to mull over her options with a nod of understanding and appreciation, though didn't speak them aloud. He knew she would likely have to speak to her owners about her situation and, Runt hoped, they wouldn't set her to the streets with little more than what Aleksei was giving her.
When the topic rounded to him again, Runt looked once again stunned. Runt wasn't entirely sure what an orphanage was, but had a vague idea it had to do with family-less children like him. But then Aleksei brought up the option of a Guardian, and he saw flickers of Rosalba and Tesana's faces in the back of his mind. The former...well, he wasn't too sure how she would react with the information. Part of him really wanted her to...want him. As for Tesana, the hippocampus had proven a great friend and ally and she had already offered to help him before. If things fell through with Rosalba, there was the option with Tesana perhaps. Though an orphanage didn't seem horrible as the last option either.
Then came the mention of apprenticeship and schooling, the latter being pushed by the new King. Runt had never had formal schooling, his knowledge bestowed upon him verbally (and by tooth and hoof...), but the idea of being able to read and write...it was oddly enticing. To suddenly have so many opportunities, so many chances to actually do something with his life. So far he had lived a more go-with-the-flow kind of lifestyle, which was actually pretty depressing in it's own right, but now...
But now...
"I...I have some ideas." He finally said, oddly shy. "I think I know some horses..." He shuffled his feet; he was sure Aleksei could probably figure it out. "I...thank you, your..uh...Your Highness." The child bowed again, still awkward but no less appreciative than his pegasus companion.
Phoenix smiled, reaching her eyes as much as before when Aleksei reiterated what he said before. They were free. The pegasus understood that Runt's situation would have been most easy, since Aleksei himself owned the boy as all labor slaves technically did. At the mention of the brands, Phoenix's brand gave off a phantom itch, a brand she knew well and once adored, but the idea that it would needed to be covered to prove her freedom...it was enticing. She had never thought about tattoos before, but it would be the perfect way to be rid of the last shred of her slavery, and a way for her to improve upon perfection.
When the conversation turned over to her, she nodded her head. Her worth in shards given to Eliina seemed like the best compensation considering this was a very strange situation indeed, but she was sure the Envoy would accept it regardless. In fact, that would be the first thing she would do when she got back to Starlight Hall after this incredible. She needed to write a very detailed letter to her Mistress explaining everything that happened today. Request to still work for House Xoias, if Eliina would still have her. She doubted the unicorn wouldn't want her gone, considering how quickly their friendship budded and how she herself still wanted to get to know Indrina, whom she only very recently learned was the Heir of House Xoias.
"I am sure my Mistress would be pleased with that, your Highness." Phoenix said practically automatically; that was going to be a very hard habit to break! "Ah, I will talk to them, your Majesty. Rest assured I have it handled and will let you know as to what I figure out as soon as I do." She bowed her head again, feeling a little heat rise to her face, feeling oddly awkward herself. She fell silent, her body tingling with an excited electricity.
Free!
The pegasus listened intently to Aleksei speak about the options for Runt, and the exceptional kindness the King had to keep the boy well fed, watered and housed. Phoenix hoped that whatever plans Runt had in terms of potential Guardians, that they worked out. She didn't like the idea of Runt being another body in a sea of orphans, not that being an orphan was a bad thing, but that she felt he should be in a home rather than in another collection of 'others'. He had proven to be a diamond in the rough; he had effectively saved her from death when she fought Sola, remembering how the golden wyvern snapping her jaws around an illusion of her that he had created.
If she still resided with House Xoias after everything was said and done and Runt still needed a home, maybe she could convince Eliina, or rather Indrina, to give him a home...
"I can bring you to where you need to go, Runt." Oh how she wished he wasn't stuck with that name. "My schedule freed up." Phoenix said with a smile, looking to the boy. "That way you're not walking out there alone." She assumed Aleksei would send a Chevalier with him, but she figured she was just as good, if not better since Aleksei wouldn't be using up his personal guard for it. |
POST COUNT: 4
WORD COUNT: Runt- 553 ♦ Phoe- 553
LOOKIT THAT MA, THEY GON MATCH (Total: 1106)
MENTIONS: - | INTERACTIONS: - |
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Post by ThatDenver on Apr 8, 2021 6:20:38 GMT -6
ALEKSEI
He nodded, and smiled at the young sl—No, citizen, again.
”That’s good. Keep me informed on how things are going, and once you’ve decided where to stay, I’ll set it up with either the guardian or the orphanage”, Aleksei said, before adding the important detail: ”You’re welcome to stay in one of the quest rooms here until it’s been sorted. I can pay for a room elsewhere if you prefer, but it’ll be easier to keep me informed if you stay here.”
Obviously if Runt absolutely wanted to leave the Palace – the poor kid had not exactly had the nicest introduction to the place – then that was also fine, but would certainly slow down communication. Especially since he had a feeling that Chevaliers would be suspicious of the small, clearly more-than-a-little out of place colt.
”You as well, Phoenix. Let me know about your situation as it develops”, he told the pegasus with a nod. The idea of them leaving together – at least for now – was indeed a good one. Runt probably needed to check with potential guardians, while Phoenix was obviously heading home, probably to inform them of the matter.
”I don’t want to keep you any longer”, he said, taking out a large stamp, dipping it in ink, and stamping [Freed] on both of their slave papers. He then handed each of them small, leather bound booklets – which Phoenix would certainly recognize as the personal identification papers citizens had, although the leatherbound version was mostly seen on those who traveled around Eithne a lot. For the average person who rarely left the city, a simple paper card was often issued for purposes of travel.
”I’ll have your official citizenship papers submitted to our register today”, Aleksei said.
”Again, thank you both. You have done me a great service”, he said with a nod and a smile: ”I’m eager to see what the future holds for the two of you – and hopefully our paths will cross again, even though this chapter of our stories is over.”
Word count: 338
Post #4
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Post by Prismaticlysm on Apr 8, 2021 8:41:52 GMT -6
Runt ♦ Phoenix Aodh - Labor Slave ♦ Aodh - Servile Slave
But he also knew that he was also a commoner, even if he was freed and effectively lifted in status. Aleksei didn't need a child that wasn't even his own running around the palace, and Runt wasn't about to intrude anymore than he already had. Not to mention he was free! That was thanks enough, he didn't need to live where the King did, even if it was a short period of time.
The boy watched as Aleksei produced an object from the desk, pressed it on something and then pressed it over each of their stacks of papers. He didn't know what it said, but he got the feeling it was extremely important. Moments later, two small bits of leather were given to both he and Phoenix, and out of the corner of his eyes he could see the awe on her face; apparently she knew what it was they were being given, and he held the leather-bound object close with his rusty teke.
"I don't think this is the last time we will see each other," Runt said with a smile. "Like Phoenix said, we'll be here if you need anything." When Phoenix bowed, so did he. "Thank you, your Highness."
"Yes of course, you will be hearing from me very soon, your Highness." The ex-slave dipped her head, holding her wings close to her body. It still felt like something out of a very strange dream. She was overjoyed of course, but there was anxiety too, anxiety of the unknown.
Alongside Runt, Phoenix watch Aleksei turn to the desk once more, pulling a stamp from his desk. She watched with bated breath as the stamp entered and left a well of ink, before being directed to their slave papers. She didn't even need to see what the imprint said. She knew that simple act of stamping was the first step towards their official freedom, the last of which Aleksei said would be done later that day. Two objects were taken from the desk and given to herself and Runt, and her eyes grew wide when she took it within her flame-colored teke.
New identification papers. She had seen most free Aodhians carry these around when they needed to get into certain places, the booklet the symbol of freedom as much as the brand on her shoulder marked her as a slave. It made her feel...rather emotional. Even if House Xoias no longer welcomed her, she still had Aleksei's backing until she could find her feet.
She would always be eternally grateful to the Winged Lion.
She looked over to Runt, smiling when the boy mentioned they would likely see each other again. She hoped the next time they met it wasn't to participate in another coup or battle against wyverns, but she promised herself that if Aleksei called her to assist against the Kirin opposition, she absolutely would.
"We will meet again." She smiled to her King, bowing once again which prompted the boy to do the same.
"And we won't keep you for your duties either, your Majesty." Turning to Runt, she beckoned with a wing. "Lead the way. I think I have a vague idea on where you want to go and I think I can help with that. And don't lose that book."
"I wont," came his response as the pegasus ushered him from the room. Both ex-slaves paused in the doorway, looking back at their king and their ticket to freedom.
"May the sun forever shine on you," the young mare said before vanishing with Runt in tow into the ballroom. |
POST COUNT: 5
WORD COUNT: Runt- 322 ♦ Phoe- 395 (Total: 712)
MENTIONS: - | INTERACTIONS: - |
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