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Aidan watched over his sleeping face, feeling over his soft cheek.
"You'd be so much happier...with you family...with your old life," he murmured, barely audible. A tear rolled down his face, unable to stay bottled up. He was sure the boy would like no reminders of all that had happened since he met him. Not a single memory of the pain he endured, the horrors he witnessed... "I'll make sure you're happy again." He closed his eyes to sleep. |
Theodore slept peacefully with Aidan, well into the morning for once. He finally woke when a hungry kitten pawed at his soft face until he stirred. "Hng...?" He opened his eye slowly and groaned, he was already getting a headache--Theodore shot up in bed when he realized he could hardly see now, holding his head. Why so fast? He didn't understand at all. He couldn't see well enough to trust his eyes to keep him from tripping over anything anymore--he was afraid to dare get up and walk less there be something on the floor he couldn't see.
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Aidan woke up in response to the shift from the bed's surface. He rubbed at his eyes in confusion and looked at Theodore in his state of panic. Something was wrong...
"Theo?" He touched his arm, full of concern. |
Theodore shook his head and breathed out slowly. "It's nothing. I had a nightmare is all.." He whispered, bringing his arms around himself and he flopped softly back on the bed once again. He didn't want to tell Aidan, perhaps because the man refused to tell him what was said before as well as the fact he didn't want Aidan to worry even more.
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Aidan stared at him, knowing there was no way it would be just a nightmare. There was a sense of panic and urgency in his eye. He felt through the boy's pale locks before getting up to get a servant to get them breakfast.
He knew he needed to talk to Danielle and perhaps Jonah for more information as soon as possible... |
Theodore sighed softly as he felt the man's hand in his hair, tipping his head towards the man's affection. The boy rubbed his arms softly when Aidan got up to get someone to get them breakfast. The boy slowly slid from the bed after him, making sure Sloane was still on the bed so he didn't stumble over him. He tried to remember where everything was the day before--if he could recall that maybe he'd make it around without too much trouble.
The boy did seem to be getting around fine after a moment, smiling a bit to himself. "Aidan.." He spoke softly when the mage was no longer busy. "After breakfast... can I go to the garden? I remember the way if you've got anything to do, I can stay out of trouble." He insisted. He kind of wanted to go alone and think but he wouldn't argue if Aidan came along. |
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Will you be okay if you went alone?" He was hesitant to allow it after getting himself locked up in the dungeon for his impertinence toward their future king. But he couldn't keep the boy cooped up inside and protect him forever. He would miss out on possible experiences...miss out on life.
Aidan just sighed and set the food out for Theo and Sloane. He ate absently. |
Theodore smiled and nodded softly, tilting his head to the side a little before he called Sloane over rather than scooping him up that time. He settled to eat, looking down in fear that Aidan might notice the distance in his gentle gaze.
"I'm sure... I'll be good while I'm out." He gave a faint chuckle, trying to lighten the mood slightly. |
"Alright," Aidan said, gazing out the window.
He was feeling strange. But he couldn't understand it. Not a sickness. Not pain. He closed his eyes and held his head in his hands. Maybe he just needed to lay down some more. Easing back, he did. |
Theodore watched as Aidan laid back. When he was done he moved and leaned down to press a soft kiss to the corner of the man's lips. "I'll be back later." He said softly, leaving Sloane with Aidan as he brushed his hair back a bit and walked out of the room, following his senses to try and find his way to the garden, pausing once to ask a servant to get him going in the right direction when he was worried he was getting lost.
He smiled when he was in the garden again, leaning closer to look at the flowers, loving their fragile beauty and fragrance. "Mm.." |
Aidan pet Sloane as he laid there. The kitten rested upon his chest, looking at him with interest. It was as if his animal senses picked up on the oddity too.
He drifted off, not even noticing the feline scamper off in fright, his hair bristling up. Sloane hid in the corner and watched the transformation. |
Theodore knelt in the garden at that pond, looking down into it. He could still see the colours of the pretty fish, but he looked up when he heard something. Someone was near, maybe it'd be best if he avoided running into anyone, then he couldn't get himself into anymore trouble right?
He didn't really want to go to the dungeon again if he ran across the Prince once more. Slowly the boy stood and started back through the garden quietly, walking slow since he couldn't see so well, he dind't want to run into him like before. For some reason, he felt like he should be heading back, like something was... off. Maybe not a bad thing? He couldn't tell. He stopped walking though as he rounded a corner and realized someone was there. He was silent, unable to see who it was, frowning a bit. |
Tobias looked over Theodore as he approached him. He had seen his movements, thinking they were odd.
"Your name is Theodore, am I correct?" he asked, hesitantly. He was afraid he'd scare the child into panic. "I'm Tobias. One of mages." |
Theodore froze when he heard the man's voice, relaxing with relief that it wasn't the prince or that Lord from before. "...Yes. I think I remember you... you were the one who visited Aidan, yes?" He replied softly.
It was obvious he was worried he'd get in trouble--he couldn't see the man very well. His gaze settled towards him, able to see his blur but focusing hurt. |
Tobias nodded in response. "Yes." He walked over to help retie the slipping ribbon in the boy's hair. Once it was secure, he slipped his hands into his pockets.
"What brings you out here?" His eyes swung up to the sky as the wind breezed through his hair. |
Theodore gasped as he felt Tobias touch his hair, startled by the unexpected movement, feeling his face flush with slight embarrassment. "Ah.. Thanks.." He whispered.
"I... It's peaceful. Like my home. I miss it there I guess." |
"Where are you from? It appears you're quite out of place here...I can be of some assistance if you'd like," Tobias offered gently.
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"In.. A small town a few days from here. It has no name. I don't want to go back yet though. If I go back so soon and my brothers see me like this, Sloane'll hunt Aidan down and kill him." He smiled softly, looking down now. The sun was too bright for his sensitive eyes to look up into the sky. "Besides, I want to see more, while I still can." He added gently, though he couldn't see much, He wasn't even sure it would last to tomorrow. IT was getting dark around the edges.
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Tobias offered his arm. "The world has a lot to offer in terms of sights. Aidan has seen much for someone his age. Sounds like you've got yourself an appropriate tour guide.
"It's a pity though," he murmured, "that our kingdom is on the verge of warfare." He turned to watch a series of birds flutter by against the clear blue backdrop of the sky. "I suggest you see what you can before it is too dangerous to travel." |
Theodore hesitantly took the man's arm and he quietly listened to him as he spoke. A very soft smile touched his face as he was told he should see as much as he could before it was too dangerous. "I'd have to say.. It's already been too dangerous for someone like me to travel from the beginning. Besides, I would never be able to see everything I'd like to, and nothing more outside of this place. I'm out of time...It's fading fast." He whispered the last bit, his smile softening with a sad expression.
"When... I met Aidan, I had 3 months. But now... Mm, now, even in the short weeks since we left, I have a mere day.. days if I'm lucky, but it's almost gone." |
Tobias patted the boy's hand as he listened, feeling sorry for his situation. For someone his age to be living the innocent commoner's life and experiencing such horrors...
"It must be rough...losing such a valuable sense...There are some options, but they're costly," he said softly. "Has Aidan mentioned anything to you?" |
"What? What do you mean... costly? What kind of cost?" He asked softly, looking up at Tobias as his head was touched. "I'm accepting my fate. I don't mind going blind anymore... but... what kind of costs?"
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"Well, it's not monetary, else the prince himself would trade the kingdom's riches for his parents back."
He thought it over, finding the topic somewhat disheartening. "To wish for something you value to return...you have to sacrifice something else that means a lot to you. Only the bravest - or the most foolish? - have been successful in the exchange." Tobias sighed. "I'm sorry, I don't really know much about it beyond that." |
Theodore thought about it a moment. "There's... nothing I would give up for something so petty like my sight. My mother lost hers at my age, and like her, I will too." He replied softly, shaking his head. Now he understood what Aidan meant--he didn't want him to give anything up for him either.
"It's alright. I don't think I want to know more. I'm fine with what's happening, I'll learn to live." He replied with a sweet, warm smile at Tobias. "Thank you though... You're... very kind. I wasn't expecting that from you." He blushed a little, embarrassed that he'd judged so fast because of where they were--it wasn't like him. He used to be so open minded and optimistic about people and places, but so much bad had happened already. |
"It's not a problem," Tobias responded. "The others...even Aidan, may come off as harsh at times. We've just been trained to be heartless at times. But it appears he's warmed up to you." He patted the boy again. "Allow me to escort you back to your room." He guided him inside.
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