candybox | FOR TAISA - Reincarnation AU

FOR TAISA - Reincarnation AU

It had been two weeks since the attempt on the Regent of Khura'in's life. He had given a speech in the temple plaza, which coincided with the annual festival of Khura'in's founding and continued sovereignty. Now, it also became a festival to celebrate its freedom from tyranny once more, mirroring the acts of the Founder and of Lady Kee'ra all those centuries ago. The political nature of the celebration was important, but it also made it a perfect time for Ga'ran loyalists to strike. A sniper had narrowly missed a shot and had been apprehended at the scene, as had several other armed individuals, all shouting, 'Ur dihara Ga'ran!'. Since then, a search had been on to find the one who had coordinated the attackers.

Unease had spread throughout Khura'in, and with it, the rumours. A masked figure had been spotted, some said, stopping the sniper from taking a lethal shot. Others denied it, not wanting to pin their hopes on what could turn on to be a fraud like the rebel-hunting Lady Kee'ra.

As for Nahyuta, he had heeded Amara's advice, retreating from the public eye for the time being except to prosecute in court. The rest was televised statements or interviews of reassurance to the public that all was in hand, and that the revolution would not be quelled so easily. To the public, he embodied the perfect combination of the unwavering determination of his father, and the pragmatic caution of his mother.

Privately, however, was a different story. Fear hounded Nahyuta everywhere, because he knew if something happened to him, Khura'in would likely be ruined, Apollo would be in danger, and his mother and sister would be prisoners once again. Not only did he have a family to protect, now, but an entire kingdom, and once again he needed to be prepared to lay down his life for that.

So his nerves were frayed, he was becoming increasingly on edge which each day that turned up no new information or leads. Even meditation did not help. So when he went to sleep at night in the palace, it was a fitful sleep, wracked with dreams of spiders ensnaring him and the palace burning. Tonight, however, was different. Tonight, his dreams were interrupted as he was struck in the world of the waking -- hard -- across the head. Dazed, he could feel someone yanking him upright by his silvery hair, and the feeling of cold, sharp steel at his throat.

If he was half asleep before, he snapped awake in an instant. The assassin was a dark silhouette, their face covered, so it was impossible to discern their identity even with the pale strand of moonlight streaking across his bedchamber. Then they spoke in a low voice that identified his assailant as male.

"Before I kill you, tell me where the Founder's Orb is."

Nahyuta swallowed, trying neither to flinch or cringe away at the blade at his neck, but instead to lift his chin in defiance.

"You cannot threaten a dragon. I would sooner cut out my own tongue than tell you."

Despite his confidence, Nahyuta knew how dire the situation was. The guards outside were surely all incapacitated; no one would come to save him this time. All he could do was pray to the Holy Mother that if this was the end, his soul would be safely conveyed to the Twilight Realm.

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[Dhurke spent his day away from the palace, keeping some distance after all of the excitement from last night. There were people in town that needed his attention anyway, so he wouldn't have had an opportunity to visit the palace until night had fallen once more. He at least planned to return at sooner or later when things were calm, to finish clearing out the mess he had left behind the night before.

When he returns that night to work on the task he had assigned himself, he'll notice there was something different in the palace courtyard tonight. There was a structure that had not been there the night before, and kneeling on all fours in front of it was Nahyuta. By the familiar praying position, he realizes the structure was meant to be a shrine. He slouches his shoulders, marveling at his son persistence to show his respects that he would put his own life in danger like this. Seeing the safety of his son was more important than clearing debris, he walks over to Nahyuta and seats himself beside him, to his right. He will not interrupt him while he prays though, understanding the importance of upholding Khura'in customs. At least like this, he can watch over him.]

[Nahyuta could, and most likely already has, stayed there for hours, given Khura'in's very intensive styles of prayer. So he barely notices when someone settles beside him, assuming it to be a a guardsman or another servant of the palace who might be paying their respects to the dragon protecting them all.

Eventually, however, Nahyuta moves to sit upright again, coming out of his meditative state... Which is when he notices the masked figure. Sitting beside him the whole time.]

P-pohlkunka! [He clutches his prayer beads in his hands, looking aghast.] Please forgive me for ignoring your presence...!

[He hoped he did not feel slighted. Dragons are proud creatures, after all.]

[He was ready to give Nahyuta a lecture about choosing a better time and place to pray when he had finished, but that all went out the window when he reacted to his presence in a humorous fashion. He ends up laughing, rather boisterously at that, the serious facade slipping for a moment.]

Please, I'm by no means offended. I made the decision not to interrupt you afterall. [He glances over at the shrine.] Is this meant for me?

[That laugh catches Nahyuta even more off-guard, simply owing to how... familiar it sounds. It has to be his imagination, so he turns his attention back to the shrine.]

Yes. I thought it fitting that you should receive a place of veneration for your services to the kingdom. Modest though it is for now, is it to your liking, O great dragon spirit?

O great... [Oh boy. He rests a hand on one side of his face, trying not to seem so amused by this. Thank goodness for this mask, but someone needs to inject some tone it down into his son.]

It's nice, but not really necessary. I rather you use your time and resources on more important things.

[Nahyuta frowns, his curiosity piqued.]

Does it not matter to you if we give thanks? It is only what you deserve. [He's surprised, but he won't show insolence by arguing.] But if that is your wish, I will heed it.

[A slight handwave.] I didn't come here to be worshiped, I came because I wanted to help. Besides, people like you are already showing their gratitude by ensuring the kingdom prospers. [He crosses his arms, probably giving Nahyuta a stern look under the mask.]

And don't take that as an order. You just keep on doing what you believe is right, and try not to get yourself killed in the process. [Was that meant to be a joke?]

Ah... Yes. [Was that a joke? Nahyuta isn't sure how to take such informality, so he bows his head once again.] Forgive me.

[But maybe apologising will only annoy him further, so he'll quickly change the subject.]

For what reason have you returned today, if I may be so bold to ask? [He hopes it's not because there's another danger imminent. But then, the masked man doesn't seem to be immediately concerned.]

Oh, well it's nothing to worry yourself over. [Meaning Nahyuta was right to assume there was no immediate danger. The serious demeanor was slipping so quickly once he got a conversation going with Nahyuta.]

I came to see if I could do something about that hole I left yesterday. [He stands back up, turning to look at the building that had a white tarp sheet covering the opening. Reconstruction had already started. Considering the danger the royal family was in right now, they couldn't afford any weakness in the palace infrastructure.] I'll just clear out any leftover debris for you. [So willing to handle labor! The pieces leftover were far too big to be taken care of in a day, or by a few people though. So naturally it was a suitable job for him to handle.]

[Nahyuta gets to his feet, looking over at the hole... and then double taking at the masked man, once again aghast.]

W-what?! We could not ask something so mundane of you! Do not worry, we have more than enough workers on hand to clear the damage ourselves.

[What did a celestial being care for some property damage? This conversation is getting stranger and stranger by the moment.]

[A part of him was clearly doing this just so he could see how Nahyuta would take it. His son can make some funny faces when he looses his cool.]

Well no one had to ask, I decided to do this myself! [And before Nahyuta could argue with him further, he had already jumped away, covering a distance that not even the fittest athlete could possibly ever manage. Immediately he starts to work, picking up a piece of concrete with relative ease.]

Where are you throwing all of this out by the way?! [He shouts, suddenly remembering that he didn't know that particular detail.]

[Nahyuta just stares at him, mouth open, as he fails to say anything coherent. This is getting far too surreal, and he's so busy gawking that it takes a few moments for him to realise he'd been asked a question.]

O... Over there! [He points to a large container where all the rubble was being held.] I-it will be transported away this evening.

[Why is there a dragon in his house doing heavy lifting for him?????? What is he supposed to even do in this situation???? Holy Mother preserve him]

[He'll look in the direction indicated and nods, taking the block of concrete and tossing it into the container. This goes on for some time until all that was left were the pieces that needed to be broken down further to properly fit in the container. Cracking his knuckles, he quite literally proceeds to punch the pieces of debris, smashing them into smaller pieces. It did the job, but he'll soon figure out a more effective way to go about doing this, crushing them in his jaws and breaking them under his foot. That's right, he had assumed his almighty dragon form at some point in order to finish the mundane task of clearing out rubble. Incredible.

Once he was finished clearing everything out, he'll sit down, humming in low soothing growls. He seem pleased with himself???]

[Nahyuta watches from a safe distance nearby as he clears it out, and as a few guards and construction workers come to watch the activity, he simply holds up a hand to instruct them to sit back and let the dragon finish. Which he does, and by the end, the way he looks so pleased with himself is almost... cute.

Not that Nahyuta would entertain such a disrespectful thought for long. Cautiously, he approaches the dragon where he sits.]

Once again, I must thank you. What would have taken an entire afternoon's work has been done in minutes. [He won't bow again, because he's starting to get an inkling this dragon dislikes too many formalities... Although he might as well have, given how stiff he looks.]

[He looks down, way down to see Nahyuta had come up to him. He was thanking him, eventhough this mess had been Dhurke's fault to begin with. He snorts, as a loud omnipresent voice answers him, more feral than his human voice. It sounded as if he was speaking through his mind.] I simply did not want to leave you with the mess I created.

[He stands, turning his body so he could properly face Nahyuta. After taking a few steps back, he lays down on all fours and lowers his head to the ground, bringing him closer to Nahyuta's eye level.] But you're welcome. [The end of his snout was a few feet away from him, close enough that he could hear him breathing. He'll continue to watch Nahyuta intently, as if expecting him to do something.

-> Bow to the dragon?
-> Pet the dragon?
-> Gdit Dhurke
-> ... ]

[... -> Maybe a little of option 2 and 3?

Nahyuta doesn't flinch or look intimidated as the dragon draws closer, gazing at him evenly. He couldn't guess what the dragon wants from him, but there's something exciting about being this close to a legendary creature, and the one emblematic of his father's cause, no less, that makes his heart beat faster.

Hesitantly at first, he stretches out a tattooed hand and rests it on the dragon's muzzle. It's completely impulsive and might even cause offence, but curiosity compels him to do it.]

I prayed that you might stay a while longer, great dragon. Our kingdom is very blessed to have you as a guardian.

[The thought of making Nahyuta jump crossed his mind as he felt a small hand pressed against his muzzle. He'll choose to save it for another time, letting him appreciate the moment. It's not everyday one can say they've touched a dragon, especially with how significant they were to both their lives. They stay like this for a little while longer, until Dhurke makes the first move and raises his head. In the next moment the dragon fades away like an illusion, returning the masked warrior before Nahyuta.]

For as long as this kingdom needs me, I will stay. [He bows and takes this time to make his exit. He wanted to stay, hold that moment where they connected a while longer, but that would have started rumors that there could have been something more going on between them.

He will not be returning to the palace for several days after, except to make discreet visits to make sure his family were doing ok. There will come stretch of days where he stops coming altogether though, caught up in a border scuffle. There was more trouble than just the unrest within the Kingdom of Khura'in. Neighboring nations wanted to take advantage of Khura'in's weakened state and take control. They came in small numbers, scouters looking to bring back information for their leaders and military. They won't be making much headway in their investigation though. Any attempt to approach would be halted by unexplained lightning storms, with a few reports coming back about a great winged beast frightening the soldiers into retreating. Many of those repeated reports would end up being ignored as simply hallucinations, or Dhurke coming in to remove the evidence himself.

On one such days that Dhurke was away patrolling, a public gathering had been held within the Kingdom that the royal family was attending. He wouldn't hear anything about how it had gone until it already ended, with violence. The situation was reported to have been handled swiftly and as far as he was aware, no one had been killed. Still, the whole thing left him feeling uneasy and anxious.

And so, he'll make a house call that night, after being absent from the palace for more than a week. Gray clouds have gathered around the palace with a storm threatening to burst from them, a sign of his arrival. He'll appear in Nahyuta's room like the first night. He'll be sitting on his bed, waiting patiently for Nahyuta to return and retire for the night.]

[Nahyuta can only be thankful the scuffles were not worse. What had started with a handful of protesters had escalated to full-blown violence between those who supported the Ga'ran regime, and those who believed in the revolution. The arguments went thus: Nahyuta Sahdmadhi is the son of a traitor and always has been, and to let the disgraced prosecutor take the reins of the country is beyond madness. He is using his mother and sister for his own gain, supported by evil insurgents, and a heretical foreign attorney who has no business rewriting their country's laws. Ga'ran was driven mad when she was forced to give a false confession to trying to assassinate her beloved sister. And so on and on the theories went, no matter the evidence to the contrary, no matter the rulings of the sacred High Court or the words of Queen Rayfa herself.

Perhaps such rumours and unrest are destined to hound Nahyuta until the day he steps down as regent, and Rayfa takes the throne. Nearly quarter of a century of misinformation was impossible to overturn in just a few short months, and to some, he would always be hated.

In any case, no one was killed despite some injuries sustained, so the situation could have been worse. Still, Nahyuta feels exhausted, and when he retires to his chambers, he scarcely notices the figure waiting for him at first, taking off his shawl (which loses its mysterious floaty powers when not worn, who knew) and unfastening his sherwani.

He's hanging up the longcoat when he finally spots the dragon sitting on his bed, and freezes.]

Ah... Forgive me, I did not see you there. [He bows deeply to Dhurke.] To what do I owe this honour?

[It's not difficult to miss how worn down Nahyuta appeared to be from today's events.]

...I heard about what happened today. [He shifts slightly where he sat.] How are you feeling? [How is everyone doing?]

I am fine. Please do not concern yourself with me. [Which is a barefaced lie, but Nahyuta has years and years of practice at those; he can say it without so much batting an eyelid. He's sure a dragon has more important things to concern himself with than something so trivial as his feelings.]

The events today were disappointing, but not unexpected. It seems I still have much work to do if I am to convince all of my people I am not their enemy.

[He tilts his head.] While I have no doubt that you'll find a means to turn the situation around, that was not what I asked.

[A part of his father still exists in this life, and he could see Nahyuta was just putting up a strong front. And really, he shouldn't be lying to a dragon anyway. He places two small dish bowls on the bed, holding a bottle of wine in his hands that he apparently had somehow been carrying around somewhere on his personal.]

Come and sit with me. I am here to listen.

[Of course... He's addressing a dragon, not one of his own citizens. What is better for seeing through lies? Feeling foolish for falling back on his old habits even in front of such a creature, Nahyuta does as asked, moving to sit on the bed.

Confiding in anyone, even the likes of his own mother or Apollo, is difficult for Nahyuta. Maybe the fact that the dragon beside him is so much less personal, is not someone who is depending on him to make things right, will somehow make this easier.

He takes a deep breath, and looks at Dhurke.]

... I am tired. [Mentally, physically, and emotionally. As much as he doesn't want to admit it, that is the truth.]

[Dhurke fiddles with the cork while trying not to crush the bottle in his hand as Nahyuta starts his confession. There was a POP sound once he manages to pull the cork off and starts pouring the wine into a dish.]

It certainly shows. [He'll offer the dish bowl to Nahyuta.] I'm sure you haven't been given a chance to rest these last few weeks. [Or perhaps he hasn't been giving himself that chance.]

[Nahyuta takes the bowl with silent gratitude, nursing it in his hands as he thinks.]

Too much has required my attention to rest. [And too many worries have been on his mind. He reaches up and touches his head in an unconscious gesture, from where the assassin had struck him. Though it's healed by now, the memory certainly hasn't.] And when I can, it has been... difficult to sleep.

[He watches and listens in silence. He could feel the strong desire of a parent wanting to comfort his child, to do something to help ease his suffering. They were alone in this room, surely he could break his own rules when no one was watching. Carefully, he sets the bottle in his lap and leans forward. He raises a hand and gently presses it where his head injury had been. Eventually he ends up stroking his head.]

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