Information

Schiel
Legacy Name: Schiel

The Harvest Jollin
Owner: Asmodeus

Age: 10 years, 4 months, 1 day

Born: January 6th, 2014

Adopted: 10 years, 4 months, 1 day ago

Adopted: January 6th, 2014

Statistics

• Level: 1
   
• Strength: 10
   
• Defense: 10
   
• Speed: 10
   
• Health: 10
   
• HP: 0/10
   
• Intelligence: 0
   
• Books Read: 0
• Food Eaten: 0
• Job: Unemployed

The room was cold and dark when he entered. He'd been expecting that-- the fireplace had seldom been used. With the ease of someone who had done the same routine for several years, he strode purposefully towards the window, calling out clearly as he did so.

"Morning! Time to wake up!"
"It's too early to be this loud."

The mumbled reply had been almost lost under the sound of the heavy curtains being flung open. Bright light banished the darkness, and made the bed's occupant twitch and roll over. With an impatient "tsk", he grabbed the blankets and yanked them off. In response, Des curled up more tightly and tucked his head under his arm to block out the offending light.

"Come now, do you have to do this every morning?" Schiel asked, bundling up the thick blanket and tossing it at his master.
"Nnnnnggh."
"You have lessons in an hour, you know."

Another indisctinct groan for an answer. Finally Des sat up, unfurled his wings, and yawned as he unfolded and smoothed out the covers.

"Fine, I'm up," he grumbled, rubbing his face.
"Glad to hear it. Breakfast?"
"Mmm."

Schiel turned around as a maid pushed a trolley inside the room, the first tier laden with breakfast and a slice of cake, a water-filled basin and a towel on the second. The starting meal of the day was sausages, eggs and warm buttered toast with tea, but the cake... He narrowed his eyes at it.

"From Princess Ida," the maid said with a smile, noticing his gaze. "Said she wanted her brother to sample her newest recipe as soon as possible."
"That's fine then," he sighed. "You may go."
"Have a good day." She curtsied before leaving.
"Ida left me something?" Des asked, massaging the ear he'd been sleeping on all night.
"Dessert." He stepped aside so it was in view.
The prince's first smile of the day was edged. "Poisoned?"
"I can test it first."
"No thanks, I'll take that chance. Pass it over."

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he grabbed the breakfast tray and carefully laid it on his master's lap. Des glared at him briefly and looked over at the trolley longingly before finally settling in on his breakfast. Next to him, the spaded tip of his tail kept flicking upwards and twitching as it always did when he was irritated.

After twenty minutes of complaints (the tea being too hot and the cake not being sweet enough, among other things), washing up and getting dressed, Schiel held the brush over his head. He looked over at their reflection in the vanity's mirror uncertainly.

"Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine." Des stopped rubbing at the corner of his eye. "I have a bad feeling is all."
"Anything you want to talk about?" he asked, starting to brush the pale hair.
"No... I can't really describe it."
"Hmm..."

He was about to suggest asking the queen for her insight if it truly bothered him, as she had visionary abilities. But watching his master's relaxed face (he would never admit to it but he liked having his hair played with), he decided against it. The queen was rarely "there" in her mind, so she was a rather sensitive topic for all of her children.

"How would you like your hair done today?" he asked instead.
"Braided, I think."
He paused in his brushing for an instant. "Spending time with Lady Clara tonight?"
"If she doesn't have other engagements. Jealous?"
"No."
"We could share."

The first time Des had suggested it, he'd dropped the teapot mid-pour. Now, he only laughed as he leaned over, opened a drawer and snagged a black ribbon.

"I'm not sure she would agree to that," he said as he pretended not to enjoy the silky feel of Des's hair as he braided it. "I'm just a servant."
Des wasn't fooled for an instant, but he didn't comment. "You say that every time. And you're not just a servant, you're my Guardian."
"Still a servant."
"Lady Ennik was willing enough."
And hadn't that a memorable night. "Alright, I'm done."
"I can ask her."
"I'll pass."
"You sure?" Des stared at his reflection, brows raised.
He gave the bow a final tug before letting the braid drop. "Yeah, I'm sure. Would you like your horns polished now or after lessons?"
"After lessons. It seems safer that way."

Where safer meant less likely to cause a scandal. Varen with long horns had a strong reaction to having them rubbed and stroked but, as he thought about it with that particular wording, maybe that wasn't exactly strange.

"There isn't anything else you need me for this morning?"
"I don't think so, no."
"Alright, I'll take my leave. I'll see you--"

He had turned away while he spoke, but before he could even take more than one step towards the door, Des had grabbed his arm, looking grave.

"You're my best friend, you know?" he said softly. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Sentimental was not a word Schiel would have used to describe his employer. He knew just how loved he was even without words ever being spoken, and he was touched to hear them voiced out loud. It also gave him a weird sense of foreboding.

"Your bad feeling?" he asked, forcing a smile.
"Yeah, I..."
"Perhaps you should ask the queen."
"No." The reply was prompt.
He lightly touched Des's fingers with his free hand before his arm was released. "Don't worry about me, master. I'm not going anywhere."

They both pretended it didn't sound like famous last words.

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