distracted defeatism.
Rated: G - Words: 1683 - Cast: Aimon Elrose, Maisie Doscedar
2 years before the main story.
'Concentrate, concentrate,' the challenge loomed, especially when all Aimon's eyes could trace were the endless linen pages peppered with insipid inked marks. Responsibility came with the implications of aesthetics of renowned recognition and the privilege of respect. For many in Drakeshadow, it is inherited. The cost of it, for many others, was to work.
Paving the future for betterness often meant being met with the unenjoyment of the present. This bitter truth soured further, considering the scant contributions and efforts from very willing parties, especially given the Empire's current state of affairs.
Effrontery runs deep in the Empire. In dialogues at feasts, chatters between professors and their students, passing word from guards to and from stations, they weren't simply in another war but embarking on a conquest. It was a show of dominance and affirmation of the Empire's assertion of sovereignty and power over other nations.
'Quite an interesting thought, but not one from my voice.' A thoughtful sigh leaves the overly-dressed elf seated behind an elaborate, ornate desk in a chair a bit too large for xyr stature. Xyr skin, rich and deep as a moonless night, contrasts xyr ensemble' of silver traces and muted gray blues. Xyr eyes, vibrant teal reflections of the distant seas of Nihiran, darted to the shimmering quill that danced between xyr fingers.
The iridescent feather quill xe holds playfully twirls between xyr fingers, its touch seemingly more entertaining than it should be. Holding the golden-encrusted quill, the elf gently pricks xyr index finger with its nib, with the calamus thankfully empty. Bright jade and red feather twirls around the length of xyr finger, and thoughts grow elusive again, ignoring the formidable stack of paperwork before xem.
'The Emperor Bird has never been housed or kept in an aviary in Drakeshadow. Having a feather and not a bird is a better outcome. How would it survive at this altitude and without its jungles? What would come of them if the neglect is so abundant that an employer's workers reasons for their secret release?' The elf slumps. 'How long would they survive?'
Slowly, xe slouches and rests xyr hands on xyr abdomen. Xyr eyebrows knit as they gaze upon the ceiling tiles, taking a deep breath.
Would it be fortune and chance that would save the bird? Was that how others get through the cracks? By the luck that the odds fell in their favor?
'Did this happen because of pity? By chance?' Vying for answers leads to a scowl on the elf's brow, left hand gripping over the right. The quill rolls between xyr index and middle finger, eyes slowly closing.
Even without their presence, they appeared primarily in xyr mind. Every path that crossed the manor's foyer and their eyes always followed xem and xyr shadow. Equally bright, equally blue - - the hanging frames of the heir apparent and his twin sister, each brushstroke immortalizing a once-promising future for the Empire.
Poised and dignified teenagers, the 'true' children of Lady Elrose, one of whom was destined for the seat of the House of Knowledge.
Once upon a time, that was true until their sudden vanishing. All that remains of them are the portraits beside the fireplace, a legacy of whispered rumors, and an ever-present shadow over xem.
'They were almost ready. Why aren't you?' The walking contingency plan for Elrose's continuation has been doing this for decades, not since birth but for a good portion of their young life.
Would he approve of the decisions xe made? Would he face the same dilemmas and push as xe did?
Would his leadership never see the amount of doubts and obstacles that xe did?
No matter where xe stands, xe will always be behind their shadows. Their unfinished legacies are even more significant than xyr overall story.
Drowning in their sights, fighting to breach above the water, does xe have enough to survive the storm?
'All of this handled by me?' The noble rolls xyr head back. 'No other person around here wants to.'
'How lucky. How lucky of him. He wasn't...'
Alone.
In a chair too large for him.
In a place that wasn't ever meant for him.
In the heavy silence, xyr mind was the ocean threatening to drown xem. An overwhelming tide pulled xem deeper into the recesses of his mind. A sudden movement catches his peripheral before xe feels their mind blanking, almost submitting to the seas.
Scrwaaa--...!
Sharp, swift, a bird's screech breaks his entrapment underneath unconquerable waves. Jolting, xyr gaze traces the fleeting silhouette of a hawk that graces the study.
Agilely, the elf turns to watch the majestic bird — its wings painted in dark brown and white speckles and its body gleaming in rich copper hues. It briefly blurs in Aimon's vision as it settles on the balcony, its intense stare meeting the elf's in silent recognition.
"Oh, you!" The countenance of conflict flutters away as quickly as the hawk arrives. Xe approaches the now-preening hawk and xe wastes no time to greet it. "I appreciate any fine visitor, especially one with feathers like yours." Xe tosses the quill over their shoulder. "Though, the mews aren't here, and I don't think the rafters in this room are a good loft for ya'."
As the elf's words hang in the air, the chamber doors swing open, drawing the attention of both bird and elf.
A petite figure enters quietly, dressed in a black poet shirt with a v-neck, a light blue sash wrapped around their waist, with matching black breeches with silver buttons. Bright violet hair and pansy pink streaks are pulled into a stubby ponytail as their golden-sun eyes immediately direct themselves to bird and elf.
"My shortest advisor!" Aimon exclaims, clapping xyr hands in welcome.
The gnome corrects xem, not wasting a beat in conversation, "Your only advisor." She secures the door behind her with a noticeable click.
Next to her attention is the hawk gazing back at her, attentive as always. "Don't mind, Benny; he is still at the age of wanting to outdo himself. Hopefully, he will learn some humility when he turns two. Right, Benny?" She cocks a brow to the hawk.
The red-shouldered hawk lifts his head.
Amusement twinkles in Aimon's eyes. "I mind none of it! Sylvie still enjoys her flights under the city, racing any of the much smaller birds like it's a race." Aimon laughs. Though xe scratches xyr chin, then tapping it. "We almost crashed too..."
The advisor raises both brows, tilting her head. "Lord Elrose, do you expect that Petros Megalos would find it deep within his heart to cover the damages caused by Sylvie? 'Three chimera-head-sized holes' on the ledger would start a cacophony of things."
"Maisie, please!" The elf waves xer hand. "Patrol doesn't waste much thought on this family."
"Alright, Aimon." Formalities drop as quickly as Maisie approaches the table. Her right hand quickly unclasps the button of her satchel bag, humming to herself.
"For all your hard work," her eyes dart to the untouched paperwork.
"Yes?" Aimon leans forward.
She slowly blinks before correcting herself again, "For getting ready to start all the hard work, I managed to get something by."
As she ruffles through her belongings, what comes out is a small tin case that is as large as both of her hands. Pulling off the lid, Aimon's nose wrinkles and eyes widen.
"Salted papayas slices?" The aristocrat claps xyr hands together, eagerly sliding from behind the desk. "Yes!"
Aimon reaches for the tin offered by xyr advisor before xe flies back to xyr seat. Pinching the end of one of the thin slices, xe dangles it over xyr mouth and drops it down the hatch.
Meanwhile, the gnome pulls documents off her pouch and places them on the desk before Aimon. "Here are the queries requested beforehand. These should suffice for the lady of the House."
"Aimon?" She questions, only to be met with muffled "hmph" from Aimon's mouth full of sweets.
Maisie motions to the heaps of parchment. "Would you like for me to handle this?"
"Oh, no, no!" Aimon waves xyr hand, dismissing the tin on the desk while hastily wiping xyr hand under the seat. Xe looks up to find Maisie returning a look that only questions xem why xe did that so boldly in front of her.
"It is for me to do! I have to eventually and, well," xe drums xyr fingers on the desk, "better late than ever, eh?"
Maisie chuckles softly, eyes reflecting amusement yet sympathy. "Plenty of time to get through all of this. From what I last recall from your other paperwork, it was all redundant conditions and reviews that the minor lords of the Grimgard house didn't care to do themselves."
Her gaze softens, a small smile on her face. "Remember, Aimon, you don't have to bear the weight of all this alone."
Aimon takes a deep and sharp breath, sitting properly tall in an otherwise too-large chair. "Right, right.." Xyr voice is almost a whisper before xe gains volume with bubbling confidence. "It does not feel quite as impossible when someone's there."
Benny chirps from the balcony, Maisie letting out a sharp whistle as the hawk enters the study formally and lands on her gloved left hand. The gnome places her companion on her shoulder as she casually walks over behind the desk.
"As for the first order of business?" She inquires.
Aimon's brows raise as xe reaches over, the soft rustling of paper the loudest it has ever been in the room. Xyr posture picks up as xe squints at the words.
Though seated in a chair a bit too large for xem, and the words on the page become less legible and switch about the faster xe reads over it, there is a pause.
Expectant eyes watch xem.
Bright as the sun, bright as the future.
Xe looks back to the page.
"Pending renovations to the lesser auditoriums for the incoming students," Aimon specifies.
The gnome offers a slight smile before leaning over the desk.
"Let's start there, alright?"
"Alright."
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