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Post by Fateful on Oct 17, 2016 19:59:29 GMT -5
Naomi had no choice but to stop and stare at the red haired prince with an incredible look of surprise and what was likely anger. A dark look came to her face. "That... son of a bitch." She finally managed, shaking her head. Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose and she took in a few deep breaths and sighed in annoyance. She then looked up at the prince and put her hands on his shoulders, staring into those incredible green eyes with affection he had likely never seen.
"I'm sure you are aware, through gossip or whatever happens in the capital now that I was once engaged to the former king, L?" she asked, assuming the boys had been educated at least this far into history considering how recently it had been. Most living still remembered it, but it seemed there were many things, L being one of the most definitive, that weren't talked about here anymore. "That was a long time ago, before he was Tlatoan, when Watari first announced that L would be the Tlatoan to follow him."
The red head looked incredibly captivated, so she continued. "However..." she hesitated, unsure. "It was at the Torrixta of the same year that L danced for the first time, just after the announcement was made. But it was no contest. Some people, like Matsuda, insisted that Light would be king, that he would beat out L at the last minute. That did not happen." As she explained this, she too the boy by his hand and led him to a high balcony where the servants would not bother them. Once there, the two could oversee the entire city.
As her eyes skimmed the horizon, she looked incredibly sad. "I did not marry L. While L did dance with me at the Torrixta, it was not me with whom he had fallen in love." She turned to Matt to face him completely. "Your father became the king not because he surpassed L, but because he married him. Light became King by default, being the Tlatoani's Mitsneki and the Tinnocht."
"You are a bright boy, and I'm sure you know what L was most famous for, even with all the information your father has thrown away to hide from his grief. L had large, dark black eyes that seemed to stare into your soul and read your entire being as if nothing laid between your soul and his gaze."
Near shook his head when his father asked if he was tired. It was honestly true. How could he be? All he had done for the better part of two days was sleep. Now he wanted to be awake. He had a strange dream while he was asleep and while he had been replaying it in his head, he somehow felt it was important and he should tell someone. "I saw a fire." He told his father when he was told he should rest. The boy took his father's wrist so he would not be left alone in that moment. Near didn't scare easily, but the fire had been unlike anything he had ever seen, so large and menacing. He swore they had started it around a figure.
"When I was asleep, I saw a fire, I heard the drums and..." He hesitated. "I thin that whatever the goddess wanted to warn me about, she tried to show me. I..." He bit his lip. "I think I have... to be trained properly." No chosen had even been trained after they had been chose. The five most likely were selected when they came of age and trained for years until one of them was inevitably chosen by the goddess and she used them as a vessel.
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 17, 2016 20:46:08 GMT -5
It all fell into place, like the plinking of the last tile in some giant mosaic started centuries ago. No one knew what it was supposed to be, until finally, with this last peice, it comes to life. Matt felt like that mosaic. "...He sees L. when he looks at Near. He sees his husband, and that's why..." He breathed, and it was all so clear. His mind couldn't quite wrap around what he was seeing suddenly. "Thank you, Naomi. For telling me. I..."
He turned, and set his shaking hands on the buttress of the balcony. "I have a lot to think about. Come, I'll guide you to your room. Sorry for the delay." He turned and strode with purpose down the hallway towards the room assigned to the world-renowned healer. He opened the door for her, gave a nod of his head in respect, and then with that same stride, took off down the hallways.
/.../
Near's declaration galvanised Light, and he felt as if electricity were pouring through his veins. "I...I'll have it arranged. You won't be able to spend time running around the jungle, however. This won't be like your studies where you can just read ahead and then do as you please." He explained, voice slow and careful, as if to impress upon his son what this meant. "You'll be fed very specific diets to encourage growth. You'll be taught new ways of thinking, of seeing. You'll have to experience mystic trances. Your mother hated this training, said that it was the worst few years of her life, and that was before she had bonded with the Lady of Flame."
He leaned forward, setting a hand on Near's shoulder, "Are you certain? What you saw could have been a fever dream." Although they both knew it wasn't.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 17, 2016 20:57:33 GMT -5
Naomi smiled sadly and nodded at Matt's affirmation. "Yes, that's why he loves him so." She knew he wanted time and would likely take off from the city, so she went to her room and waved to the boy. Before he could leave, she took his hand and softly kissed his wrist, a sign of affection and that she wanted him to feel better in the turmoil he currently suffered. Perhaps Light would threaten her for telling Matt the truth, but the error was his. Matt should have known long before now. Near should know as well, but that was a battle for another day.
/.../
Near smiled at his father and hugged him. "I know what I have to do..." It was not something he had ever thought would be his, but it was what he had to take on none the less. So, after a day os rest and preparation, he was woken by a priest before dawn and brought to bathe in frigid water. They stripped him bare and washed him, cleansed him, and then took him out to dry, giving him hot black water to drink. They chanted and helped to cleanse his body, having him fast for the day to help rid his body of the numerous impurities since he had not yet been trained.
The entire day, they burned incense and gave him hot water and washed him.
The second day, he was allowed to have broth and more hot water. He read for hours and slept only when the sun was not in the sky. It was exhausting. They revealed to him that a special selection of priests taught outside of the Maktoani or Maktaona. This was to ensure practices could not be altered or hanged to anyone's benefit. They allowed him small periods of rest.
The third day, he was brought into a sweat lodge where he spent the entire day, beaded in sweat. His skin appeared as though it had been rubbed red. He was tired, light headed and hungry.
On the fourth day, they let him eat. However, it was a special mushroom they gave him. They told him he had more promise than they thought, but he clung to his mind and would not let go. So they gave him more and more until he finally let go and could release his own mind and fall into darkness.
The fifth day was spent outside in the sun, feasting and as a sort of reward. They praised him for doing well, explaining they would do this one week per month until the goddess would take hold of him without such a long ritual. It would take time, but he would learn.
The sixth day, things were more serious and they studied, make him learn of the vessels and chosen before him, their strengths, weaknesses, why they were chosen, what their shortcomings were. They made him write, explain what his shortcomings were, where he was a failure and how he could improve and what he would active;y do to improve.
The improvements made up much of day seven.
On the eighth day, the group conceded and agreed to give Near a break. They let him see his father and brother. The three of them were allowed to breakfast together, after the morning prayers. And Near was starving. He ate as much as he could, knowing he would likely be chided for it later. He glanced to his brother, a little uncertain about how his brother was feeling. "I'm sorry... that it's me and not you. I know you wanted this more,"
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 15:38:24 GMT -5
The seven days of training were seven normal days for everyone else.
Light worried incessantly, fretting to and fro over whether NEar would survive the training. However, he had the interviews to do, and the tinnocht to appoint. Eventually he found a good candidate, Teru Mikami. He scored thirtieth on the list of most intelligent people of his generation, and seemed to relish hard work. So Light's time was spent training his new right hand.
Matt, meanwhile, spent most of the seven days worrying over the new information he'd just received. That is to say, he spent a lot of it in the woods. And if he ran into a pretty blonde, he certainly stopped to say hi. Gevanni noted that each and every day almost, the red-headed prince was down in their village. When he went to Mello to get help with the water pump in his house, Matt was there, on Mello's bed, sprawled out with a datpad full of Mello's books.
"Are you sure it's okay for him to be here every day? His brother..." He asked Mello on the fifth day, his arms crossed and watching the redhead. He was entertaining himself somehow, he was sure, but Gevanni couldn't figure out what it was he was doing with the stick and the sand.
On the eighth day, Matt was home when Near was, and it was like a miracle. Matt crowded his little brother, maybe a bit more than he should, handing him any of the food he asked for. And when NEar brought up wants, he smiled, "Near, all I wanted was an easy job that I didn't have to stress over too much." He smiled, "Do you really think I'm going to stress over the fact that you were chosen by the goddess and I wasn't?" He asked, brushing their shoulders together, as their father lifted a drink to his lips. "You have nothing to apologize for."
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -5
Mello didn't mind having the prince around. If anything, he assumed Matt was there to keep an eye on them and make sure they weren't secretly building something that would kill all the natives so the earthlings could have their planet. Given earth's history however, this was a pretty legitimate concern, but unfounded in this case. The red head did a lot of reading, scanning and importing of their books and documents. Mello had a lot of books in his room, so he didn't mind. It wasn't like he was reading them at the moment and making friends with these people was in their best interest.
Red wasn't bad to look at either, but Mello never said a word about it.
"He's fine." Mello insisted to Gevanni. "After all, what else is he going to do. It means he either trusts us or doesn't trust us. Either way, he won't find anything and nothing bad's going to happen." The blonde hadn't tried to tell Matt to go away yet and was sure if he did that wouldn't go very well at all.
Near nodded to his brother and smiled, hugging him. He was somehow glad Matt wasn't upset. And incredibly relieved. Somehow, he assumed things would be harder between them, that they wouldn't get along. That something might happen, as they often did in the numerous brother stories. One always wanted what the other had, or perhaps he read too many earth-books.
The prince exhaled and glanced to his father. "How has your search been going for a Tinnocht?" He asked before taking a sip.
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 19:04:42 GMT -5
"Well, actually." Light smiled, recounting the male's introduction to the throne room. He'd nearly thrown himself to the ground prostrating himself before the King. Light's ego had been stroked, that was for sure, and when he'd asked the boy to stand, Mikami had scrambled to do so so quickly that Light thought he might be light headed. "I found a very eager prospect. His trial period starts today, actually. I have him taking care of the preparations for the Torrixta. If I see progress in that, I'll release some of the responsibilities of the city to him."
He already felt more relaxed, knowing someone else was taking some of the burden from his shoulders. By all rights, it should have been his successor acting as Tinnocht. But he had never properly trained Matt, and so he would get lost under the duties, he was sure. Light didn't feel bad for seeing a lack in his son's abilities.
Matt, however, frowned, "...Shouldn't I be taking over those duties?"
Light blinked, "And cause chaos this soon to the festival? I think not. After the festival and rains are over, you'll start your training under me, and then, when you're ready, replace Mikami for the position of Tinnocht until such a time as I fail in my duties. Then, you will take the throne." He waved a hand as if this was supposed to ease all of Matt's worries. But the redhead's brow stayed furrowed, and his fork snapped hard against his plate. He was beginning to chafe under the yoke his father refused to place on his shoulders.
"...I'm done. I'll be back for dinner." Matt stood, pushing his chair away and turning. Then he faltered, knowing Near didn't have much time with them, and he was cutting his time with his brother short. "...I love you, Near. Be safe, alright?"
Without waiting for an answer, he stormed out, through the forest and to Mello's door. his knocking bowed the door, and it was clear by the thunderous look on Matt's face that he wasn't happy. He didn't bother to wait for Mello to say anything or invite him in, once the door was open. He just pushed aside, and headed for the blonde's bedroom. Snatching a random book from the shelf, he wrapped himself in the blonde's blankets, and settled in to read.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 19:11:02 GMT -5
Near watched this exchange between his elder brother and father before realizing his father wasn't being particularly fair. "I could spend some time with Matt and show him what to do so you won't need Mikami?" But the choice had been made and the boy was mostly ignored. When Matt stood to leave, Near sat up straight and leaned toward his brother suddenly, a worried look in his eyes. He didn't want the older boy to go.
Once he had, Near looked down at his plate, too full to eat, but didn't want to go and continue his training. They had only given him the morning because he was so behind. Looking to his father, he smiled, as if to tell him he loved him before getting up and bowing slightly. "I-I should go. They don't like it when I'm late." He mumbled and walked from the room, leaving the king alone.
Mello didn't try to nap very often, but this was one of those rare times when he was both tired and had some extra time. He went to lay down and heard knocking. Ignoring it didn't work and he heard his door crack. Did it crack? He grumbled and got up, surprised to see a rather angry prince. So Mello stared at the red head as he forced himself inside. "W-What?"
With the red head cocooned in his head, Mello realized he probably wasn't going to take a nap. Not here. He sighed and rubbed his face before following Matt into his room. "So... uh..." He started, licking his lips. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you... or?"
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 19:24:00 GMT -5
Matt hesitated, turning the pages in the book angrily. Did he really want to speak poorly of his father to a species that might be aiming for war? Or at the very least think poorly of his father already? But then again... He grit his teeth and slammed the book close, looking away. "...Mello, have you ever been denied something that you know is yours? That you know you're ready for, or... Or that if you aren't ready for it, it's not through inaction of your own?"
He looked up, green eyes desperate and sad. He was so conflicted. It wasn't as if he'd ever wanted to be Tlatoani, or even thought of it. But surely if Near could catch up on training to hold the goddess and act as a proper Maktoani, Matt could catch up quickly enough to take over the duties? Surely his father was just... being protective. Somehow.
He sighed, realizing that he couldn't even defend his father's actions that way. There was no way to excuse this, other than that his father didn't trust his skills, his ability. His father thought nothing of him, and somehow... that hurt.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 19:28:02 GMT -5
Well, there went the idea for getting to the nap. Mello approached the bed and took the book out of Matt's hands before he ripped it apart. He placed the book on the table beside the bed and very slowly, sat on the bed, across from Matt looking at him. "Yeah, all the time. My father never actually trusted me to do anything important because he always said I blatantly wasn't smart enough or that I would mess it up." Matt once said he was supposed to be the high priest and Near would be the leader of their people.
Did that mean that their roles had reversed now and Matt would one day be the king? Somehow, Mello didn't see that working out. It made no sense. Matt didn't really seem to want to do anything, much less rule over people. So, the blonde watched the prince and his struggle, wrapped tightly in a blanket. He did have a thought, however, but leaned over the bed and pulled out a box and broke off a piece of chocolate and offered it to him.
"This always makes me feel better. Try it. And feel special, I've never shared it with anyone. There's... barely any of it left."
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 19:41:43 GMT -5
The admittance that Mello's father didn't trust him either was actually heartwarming. Matt managed a small smile of comraderie, and nodded. "My father... is the same. I was raised to be Maktoani, the high priest, but no one ever thought I would be the King. Near was supposed to receive that honor, contingent on his scores. But now... The goddess chose Near over me, and so I am left with the throne."
He bit his lip, and looked down, a roil of emotions spreading on his face as he clutched the blankets tighter. "I am lazy. I'm lazy, and talentless, and people are... difficult for me to understand sometimes. I don't think I'll make a good king. But no one else can take the throne. Of my people, I'm third most intelligent. The most intelligent MUST rule, that way our people will survive, and thrive. If Near cannot be king, it must be me. Even if I don't want to be Tlatoani, I know what I have to do, and... I want to do it. I want to be useful to my people." He looked up, pleading that Mello would understand. "But my father delays any training I might receive, and... Instead, he chooses someone else to be his right hand. A position that should be mine. Rightfully mine, per laws. The future Tlatoani MUST serve as Tinnocht before he or she can take the throne, to prove they are capable."
"...I am... I am jealous. Of Near. I don't want to be. I never wanted to be. But... I am. He has my father's eye, his trust, his attention. He has... He has the Goddess' love and attention. He has everything..." He reached out his hand, taking the chocolate softly, and staring at it in awe. It looked... "It looks like fecal matter." He sniffed it, however, and it smelled good, so he bit a small chunk off of what he was given.
Warmth and sweetness blossomed ovr his tongue, followed by a soft bitterness. He wrinkled his nose. "...This tastes just like Chaktoa fruit." He smiled, "...Should I bring some for you, next time I come?" He offered.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 19:49:43 GMT -5
This surprised Mello. He didn't see why their father would prefer Near, considering how much smaller, weaker, and frailer he looked compared to Matt. Somehow, Mello always assumed that Near would be the one less preferred. Then again, what did he know about these people and their customs. Personally, he liked Matt more, but Near wasn't bad he supposed. IT wasn't like he hated the kid.
So, Mello just listened. He let Matt vent and release his anger and frustration. "If what you say is true and the right is yours to be... whatever you said, tinnok, or whatever, then you should make your claim on why you should have it now instead of having it given to someone else. If your brother really has that much influence over your father, have him make your case. If you're just, inevitably, your father will have no choice but to do what is required of him and teach you to be king, right?" He smiled, trying to be helpful, but was sure that Matt tried this and it was blind advice.
The red head didn't like chocolate. Huh. Guess it didn't make him competition. The news there was something on this planet that was like chocolate peaked Mello's interest. Maybe sharing was worth it if it meant he could get more. "Thanks." he nodded, in agreement that Matt could come again, that he was welcome here.
"I... I know that your dad is likely a huge pain in your ass right now and things are hard, especially with all of us fucking up your planet, but relax. Maybe it's better you don't have to focus on something right now. I mean, if you don't want to be king, maybe someone smarter will come along and you won't have to me. I mean, it happens. Your people are born and come of age once a year. Hold out and pray that you won't have to do it. Somehow, with how you look after your brother, I get the feeling you'd be better being his caretaker or another priest who works under him. You know, less to do and all?" He teased with a smirk.
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 19:57:32 GMT -5
"I have tried that. Sort of." Not exactly, he hasn't stood up and SAID as much, but... It really should have been clear, right? Although, he really wasn't in any sort of rush. After all, he had several hundred years before Light died and his own reign began. At the same time... It felt like he was being shorted something. Was it really so bad?
He licked the chocolate slowly, the strange food melting onto his fingers. It was sticky and sweet, and reminded him... He paused. Shifting under the blankets, he ducked forward, tucking his nose into the crook of Mello's neck. He sniffed delicately and smiled. "Oh. That's why." He'd always wondered why the human smelled so sweet. "You eat this food quite a bit, don't you?" He asked, finding it endearing that he ate it so much that it was intrinsically part of his scent.
He pulled back, a fond smile on his face. "You're right, though. I have centuries to worry about all of this. And who knows, someone smarter than my brother and I might come around. I hope so." He took another deep breath. "You smell really, really nice, by the way."
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 20:03:30 GMT -5
All of a sudden the prince was almost in his lap with his face to his neck and Mello wasn't sure if his blood was going to get drained or what, but he was somehow reminded of dracula. The inhale drew his attention and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. That.. that wasn't what he expected. "Y-Yeah, I do. Eat it a lot, I mean." He ate it almost every day. When the ship crashed, he had taken all the chocolate he could find and hid it. If anyone found out, they could call him a selfish jackass, but he needed it to function and take care of all these fuck ass people. That was his price. They could live without chocolate, but not without him.
However, something caught his attention. "C-Centuries?" He stared, wide eyed and shocked at the red head. "Matt? How.. how long do your people live?" If they lived centuries it means that the humans would die long before Matt even became King. It meant they would die in what was a blink of an eye to these people. Somehow, that was strange and utterly incredible. How could... how could they live that long? What was their secret? Then again, they had two hearts, so nothing really made sense anymore.
The mention of the way he smelled took him by surprise and he blushed slightly. "Yeah?" He asked, smirking. "Thanks." He hesitated for a second. "You and your people seem to have stronger senses than ours. I can smell you, but I don't think it's the same way you smell me." He paused. "And you smell nice too." He couldn't not say it back, could he?
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 18, 2016 20:15:48 GMT -5
Matt blinked, confused. "Well... the oldest living member of our species was Watari, the king two kings before my father." He smiled, remembering the paintings of the kind old man, his beard full and his eyes rheumy in a way that was rare in his people. He'd always thought the man looked like a grandfather. More than his own grandfather looked anyway. "He died at 1674 years old." He was still confused about this revolution of the sun meaning a year business, but hey, when in Rome. "Generally, though, our people don't live THAT long. The average lifespan is pretty close to 1000 years. Although..."
He bit his lip, "Sometimes people don't make it that far. The king just before my father... He died very, very young. Only about thirty years old." He took a deep breath, "It was a tragedy, and my father, who was Tinnocht at the time, had to step in and take his place." Although the story was more complicated than that.
However, he was more interested in talking about something else. Something better. He leaned forward again, verdant eyes alight. "The fact that we smell good to each other means our bodies are compatible." He grinned, "Want to find out?"
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Post by Fateful on Oct 18, 2016 20:45:05 GMT -5
One-thoudand-six-hundred-and-seventy-four. Mello didn't believe it. He couldn't believe it. That was probably the most incredible thing he had ever heard. They lived to be 100 times older than humans did. Most humans were damn lucky if they reached 100. But 200? that... That was something. Something Mello couldn't fathom. "Wow.." He said, the surprise still in his eyes. "Humans are considered fucking lucky to reach 100." He answered, surprised by how ordinary this seemed to them. Then again, why wouldn't it be ordinary? After all, they all lived to that average. Well, except for that last king.
Compatible? For a moment, Mello had no idea what that meant. he watched the prince before raising a brow. "What do you mean by-" Then he stopped because he did understand. He saw those expanding eyes and the way the prince looked at him like prey. Then, he suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. One the one hand, yeah, he really wanted to, but on the other hand... it really wasn't a good idea.
Really, really not a good idea.
So the blonde considered this briefly before answering a firm, "No. It's probably not a good idea, you know, given the whole us crashing on your planet you wanting us gone thing."
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