: Saintsmourn - Nicholas & Patrick :

[dangernerd]

Nicholas Kirkland (Nicky to those who he considered friends) was at this moment finishing up the last of his reading for his college classes. In the little dorm-room that himself and Patrick shared, it was a muddle of books and random objects that they'd collected. Not only that but also bits and bobs of their friendship tied into neat little nostalgic notes.

The last rays of the sun was streaming in through the window and he was poised, feet crossed on desk and balancing barely on the back two legs-- precarious yes, and honestly he knew that he should not really be doing this. Coordination be damned, he'd never worried about it before despite the bumps and bruises he regularly got because he was perennially distracted.

It was almost time for Patrick to come home from his late evening classes and then they'd start their foraging for dinner.

After that, well the evening was still young and there was trouble to be had. All of which he looked forward to, after all Patrick had for as long as he remembered, been his favorite partner in crime.. they had grown up together and they had a special bond.

As close as brothers, except not quite-- and honestly? Nicholas was glad for that.

Comments

[eblouissant]

A smile managed to tug at the edge of Riley's lips and then he very carefully drew up that hand so he could press a kiss to the back of it, not caring if he was a little bit sappy around Ducky; the other man had created a safe spot for them. "Then it is a deal... and I will accept, because you know I cannot resist doing good for others, no matter what."

His calling was still there.

It just had metamorphosed like a cocoon into a glorious butterfly.

He then turned to give Ducky a nod of assent. "Then I accept your offer of protection, and in turn I will lend you my aid whenever you have need of it." he had accepted his role as Knight of Eladan.

[giveanything]

There was Riley being tender and romantic again. Liam continued to be defenseless against it. Sappy indeed, but Liam unabashedly loved it. It was still new and still hard to believe it was really okay for him to have this, but it was comfortable too, everything about being with Riley -- even if the other man was going to give him gray hairs worrying about him. Damn heroes, always so noble and selfless and magnets for danger.

But it was also who Riley was, and Liam wouldn't ask him to change a single fraction of himself. Liam did however look at Declan with a level, steady gaze. If Ducky was playing games, he'd rain hellfire down on the fae court if he had to. But he truly didn't think he was.

Ducky looked over as Riley addressed him, a smile brightening his features, warm and welcoming but with a weight to it, a solemnity that was somehow not divorced at all from the joy that seemed to radiate off the Seelie monarch most days. "Good. This path was meant for you, I think, and I am honored to be the one to invite you to walk it."

With a nod, Ducky set aside the cloth, wiped his hands on his trousers and then inclined his head towards the back of the cafe. "There is, as there always is, some ceremony to this to effect it. Will you come with me now? The both of you, as it is best to have this witnessed. In fact..." In a completely anachronous juxtaposition, the ancient fae man slipped his phone from his pocket and shot off a quick text to his neighbor.

'To His Majesty Nyx Vensalor, Monarch of the Unseelie Court, Lord and Master of the Shadows - Declan Eladan, Lord of the Seelie Court begs your presence to bear witness to the naming of a Champion of his Court, as is right and proper: thrice witnessed, thrice acknowledged, thrice blessed and once and for all bound.

Bring your warlock please. I have the third witness on hand. Meet us in the Borderland Glen at your earliest convenience. Refreshments to follow the ceremony.

[eblouissant]

This was quite a bit more ceremony than he thought he would get, so he sort of cast Liam a look. There wasn't fear in his eyes but just an unprepared for this level of pomp and ceremony; this felt formal and almost like a wedding but it was not precisely a wedding.

"So this is like a knighting ceremony then?"

He would've done anything at this point in gratitude for the trust that Declan displayed toward him, and he could vibe with a ceremony. "And .. now?" he said this with a tilt to his head. "Are you not working?" he had to think about it for a moment; The Teabog was not terribly crowded but there were still people spotting at places randomly within the Coffee Shop.

--

A response was received rather quickly.

To Declan Eladan, Lord of the Seelie Court; as per standard procedures both myself and my Warlock are not otherwise occupied and shall meet you at the time of the Night's Transition to Dawn when your Court is at it's waxing power. As to be witnessed by myself as well as my own Champion.

Because Graham was totally Nyx's champion.

[teabog]

Riley was not prepared at all. There was a dresscode even, and not one that Ducky was disclosing, so he'd clearly take care of that for everyone invited. Fae King prerogative.

He glanced up at Riley's question, eyes twinkling. "Of a sort, yes. Very similar to that, though with perhaps a bit more magic than you would expect in human tradition." He shook his head and gestured around. "I could have a barista here to takeover without much trouble."

There was always some retainer or another nearby. Or the various human college kids he employed. But as his phone rang, he looked down. "Ah, it would seem our other witnesses will meet us in the Glen at dawn, so we have some time yet."

[eblouissant]

"Oh yes, magic." a concept that Riley was still trying to reconcile as being a natural part of the world order; not just God and Demons, but Fae and Magic. It was everything that appealed to his nerd heart and therefore made the world infinitely larger in the process. "So is it customary for a Fae King to take a champion then?" which Riley wondered if he was the first or rather the first in a long line.

It would be interesting to understand if he was the first in a long line of Champions.

A glance over at Liam to see how he was taking it, since Liam had been the most resistant to making any deals with the Fae. Though Riley had been decided, he just had no clue that there would be so much pomp and circumstance surrounding the whole thing.

[teabog]

A concept that would soon flow through Riley's veins and that the priest-turned-paladin would be able to wield. God, Demons, Fae, Magic. Shapeshifters and Vampires. So much in the world unseen that would become seen more and more, bit by bit, for Riley Walsh.

"It is, yes. They are not always human, but that is not uncommon either, for us to find a worthy mortal to stand by a Fae Court. You will meet the ruler of the Unseelie Court and his own Champion as well." Ducky did wonder if Nyx had explained to Graham that he was technically his Champion, because from what he could tell in Graham's demeanor as he bustled back and forth from cafe to bookshop, the warlock believed he was a devoted pet more than a knight of Nyx's court. "You will be the first Champion in my court since I took the throne."

He'd been fortunate to rule over a great deal of peace, but energies were stirring in the world, and no evidence of that clearer than Riley arriving here at his door very clearly meant to be a knight.

Declan turned to his phone, 'Have you informed your Champion that he is your Champion? I do not doubt his prowess or abilities, but he seems to doubt himself enough for the rest of the world combined. Also when is your wedding?'

Liam had gone quiet during all of this. He was still resistant to the idea, and the ceremony of it added weight that had him worrying all the more. Fae bargains were as binding as demonic contracts, and well, his experience with the latter had been, appropriately enough, hellish. He spoke up, but his voice was quiet. "What's the usual fate of these Champions?" Did they die in bloody battle, fall on some glorious battlefield? "Dulce et decorum est pro rege suo mori?" Don't mind him bastardizing a paraphrased Latin and poetry in the same breath, Ducky.

[eblouissant]

That response came straight away to Declan.

I do not think that in the storied pasts of our civilization did a Fae Ruler ever marry their Champion. And no, I have not informed him yet though we have enacted the blood rite. Witnessless for the moment, though he knew that there would have to be an official ceremony, but he was not in a hurry to do that-- also, he was correct in the fact that no Unseelie had ever married their Champion, but also the Unseelie were very resistant to romance and such, not so easily moved.

Unless they were impressionable young Princelings who did not know what was good for them.

Everyone had their kryptonite, so to speak.

Perhaps that reassured Riley that Liam was going to ask the difficult questions, and that was indeed a good question so he allowed Liam to speak out his concerns, it was best to get it out in the open all of the technicalities, and Liam was good at seeing things at a contract level whereas he was not so much.

[teabog]

You have not heard nearly enough stories of the Seelie Court then. I will happily regale you. Congratulations on the blood bond though. Your Champion certainly seems devoted. And a little like a lost puppy who'd finally been found, but no need to say that in text.

Instead, Declan turned his attention to the questions that Liam has asked. They were valid inquiries, and the answers were not what Liam wanted to hear, in all likelihood. "Champions are entrusted with the defense of the Court. They are meant to take up arms to protect the lives and wellbeing of the people. Some have fallen in battle, yes, on the ends of the swords of their enemies. Others have come to old age and laid down their own weapons and faded into memory. I cannot say what Riley's fate will be, but I can promise that if there is to a battle, that as King I will take the battlefield at my Champion's side. I will ask nothing if him that I do not also expect of myself. ...except sometimes he will have Maduin wrangling duty. That is part of being Champion of the Seelie Court." That was the worst part of being Champion of the Seelie Court.

He turned to Riley. "Our fates will be bound in this way too. If you fall, then I fall. But I do not intend that to be the end for either of us." His attention once more slipped to Liam. "So closer to paraphrased poetry, let us say 'Dulce et decorum est regi suo vivere' yes?"

Liam frowned. It was annoyingly clearly stated and unnervingly fair. He knew well that Fae played games, they twisted words and walked in shades of gray. He also knew that they did not lie, not outright, and Declan had put all of that quite plainly.

[eblouissant]

The rest of that text message was left on read, because this was Nyx and he was polite at the best of times, and anti-social at the worst. So this really did track on all the levels for the very serious ruler of the Unseelie.

But Declan did give him something to consider.

"That is very fair, it means that you will fight just as hard as I will though I can tell that you love your people a great deal, else you would not care to name a Champion." he knew that Liam was not happy with it but that he would accept it; the stakes being even and fair though he knew that would go a long way.

"Maduin is the one that spilled the coffee on Gregory, correct? I am thinking that is perhaps even more frightening having to wrangle them then the thought of actual War." Riley was being honest here, the person had the absolute vibes of being exceedingly difficult.

[teabog]

MARRY YOUR MAN, NYX. Declan was biased and loved love and loved weddings though so really of course he was a proponent of this.

He inclined his head in a nod of agreement with Riley. "And I will do all I can to keep my Court from ever seeing war or battle coming to our borders. I much prefer peace and revelry." Especially revelry. Ducky might have been the more level-headed and mature out of his siblings, but he was a joyful creature at heart, far more interested in singing and playing music dancing beneath the stars. He was only mature by comparison to the rest of his family.

Liam was still subdued, though he looked curious at the mention of Maduin, a name that he hadn't heart before. He looked extra curious at the spilled coffee on Gregory bit of information. "...if they dumped coffee on Gregory, I'm sort of inclined to be a fan of them."

What a dangerous thing for anyone to say. But Declan laughed anyway. "Mm, well, every now and again Maduin's trouble-causing seems to be aimed in a decent direction. But you are indeed correct. Wrangling my younger sibling is far more terrifying than outright war. Mads is... the sort of creative that ought only be spoken of in hushed whispers with a handful of salt thrown over the shoulder, for good measure."

[eblouissant]

"Really they came in while Gregory was doing the majority of threatening against me, and just started sowing chaos, it was both alarming as well as magical and I have no words to describe it."

Maduin was one who was far more terrible when they were bored; when they were focused on something they were exceedingly delightful to watch only if it did not involve the person watching to become anywhere near involved. But the bonds of sibling was strong between tbe four despite their varying personalities.

The next reliable was also whimsical and frivolous but could be easily distracted by shinies, or his own Fey Champion.

"So should we meet back here before dawn then?" He was uncertain of how to proceed with the ceremony. "I take it that the Dawn holds power for the Fae Court then."

[teabog]

"That sums Maduin up perfectly." Chaos, magic, alarming, no words. Ducky could not have put it any better. It was true though. For all the sighing that Declan did about his brothers, they were all quite close, and any one of the four would drop everything to come to the aid of any other. Ducky wanted to strangle Maduin sometimes, but if anyone else so much as lifted a finger against them, he'd bestow every curse in the Seelie lexicon -- and several borrowed from the Unseelie spell list -- on them. Family was a funny thing.

Liam knew about infuriating brothers, of course. And he knew that Riley did as well, and the familiar common ground was somehow reassuring. He knew that they'd lose the subtle shielding that Declan had set up around them, so he took advantage of the moment to slip his fingers into Riley's for one last stolen little touch.

Declan nodded at Riley's question. "Just before the sunrise, yes. The Seelie Court is the court of light. Our power grows with the day and wanes with the night, when the Unseelie come into their own. The Monarch of the Unseelie Court and his Champion will be there as witnesses." He glanced from Liam to Riley, smiling. "So have your day, take your rest, and I shall see you in the wee hours of the morrow."

[eblouissant]

The touch was like home, it flowed through him-- and perhaps in this moment it held a little bit more power due to the fae glamour that wrapped around them; he could almost feel through those fingertips the flow of blood and connection that bound them together-- it was quite simply magic, a near surreal connection. He would cherish this connection for as long as he could.

He moved over so that he could press a kiss to the stubbled cheek of Liam's, giving Declan another view of a perfectly loving and sickning mortal couple; he was going to get a lot of second-hand romance going forward as Saintsmourn was about to sprout with the kissing sickness.

"We will be here, we may come a little bit earlier so we can get some coffee beforehand." to charge up so to speak, his mouth drew from Liam's cheek after he spoke that and the he reluctantly withdrew his hand though with a lingering squeeze.

[teabog]

Liam turned into that kiss at his cheek, expression melting like the warmth of Riley was utterly impossible to resist, and the chill all the more noticeable as he withdrew, but Liam only looked at Riley wistfully, like the blond was the one who caused the sun to rise in the east every morning.

They were a perfectly sickening mortal couple. It took all his self control not to just plant his chin in his hands and watch them because frankly it was adorable. Oh to hell with it. He held out his hands to them, one cupped atop the other, in a gesture that Riley and Liam both would recognize as very close to the usual gesture for receiving communion at mass.

"All right, give me your hands. I have a gift to bestow upon you both."

Liam immediately turned to fix an uncertain look on Declan, about to say something about Fae and gifts, but Declan shook his head. "This gift is in exchange for my invitation to your wedding, and of your consideration of my offer to officiate it." An even trade, no hidden prices, no owed debts. Come on, Liam.

[eblouissant]

The two of them had the look of people who had discovered love for the very first time, and by all accounts they had for they really had not known love like this since each other. Riley could not help the grin from his features that managed to spark him up in such vibrant rays of light, with those locks of hair managing to crest over his brow.

At the offer of a gift, Riley did glance over at Liam however; a wedding invitation for a gift-- and officiating it-- well that would absolutely bear into consideration. But he also knew that Liam was wary of fae gifts so he rested his hand against Liam's. "This would be your wedding as well, what do you say?"

Because he would take Liam into consideration. Even though he had used his powers of convincing for the Fae Knighthood.. this, Liam should weigh in as well.

[teabog]

Liam was still trying to figure out when they started talking about their wedding like it was more than some fantasy that lived in his head and wildest dreams, and he was thrown off enough by that that he wasn't quite as hardheaded at the thought of accepting a gift from the Fae -- from Fae royalty for that matter -- as he might otherwise have been.

He looked at Riley, and bit at his bottom lip as he considered. They were already agreeing to so much. Or well, Riley was agreeing to it, in exchange for what power and protection he would receive as the Seelie Court's Champion. In comparison to that, having their wedding (seriously, their wedding? Could that really be a real thing?) officiated by a strange but charming man who was just as likely to spout song or poetry as actual sense seemed, well, whimsical by comparison. "I'd marry you with anyone or no one around, and someone dressed as Elvis could officiate if it counted, so... yeah, all right. I can live with that."

Declan beamed and waggled his fingers at them. "Good good, give me your hands."

[eblouissant]

Well there had been no actual proposal but he thought that it would take care of itself in time; a sidelong glance at Liam before he handed over his hand (ahahaha) to the Fae King, seeing no harm in that of course. Riley was perhaps quick to trust, but only when he got a good feeling off of the person. He'd gotten that feeling off of Liam, no matter the other man had protested that he was a bad man, and there was something honorable about this man.

Perhaps he could be unscrupulous when his loved ones were threatened, but wasn't that admirable?

It was with trust that he took that step, and of course knowing full well that Liam would be taking that selfsame step him him. "Good, because I do want to marry you.. and one day I will, and nothing will stop us-- not the powers above nore that which lurks below."

[teabog]

Riley's judgement of character was quite good, really. Declan thought so anyway, even if Liam was more concerned that Riley was entirely too generous in the mercies he offered people who might not deserve it -- like Liam himself.

"Riley... me too. More than anything." So he'd do what he could to make sure that Riley's words proved true, that nothing would stop them, not above, or below, or across the veil to the Fae Realm.

For now Liam reached out to place his hand in Declan's as well, his gaze only flickering briefly to Riley before fixing on the Fae man in front of them, not looking away just in case there was some trickery about.

This was not lost on Ducky who laughed a bit and shifted to clasp all their hands together. When he spoke again, his voice was a soft lilt, a melody timeless and echoing on into forever.

"By leaf and bloom and all things green,
May each touch and kiss pass by unseen,
Hidden well from watching gazes.
May the moon in all its phases
These lovers' love song silently sing
'til one comes to wear the other's ring."

A wash of magic, cool like water from a forest spring -- Uiscefhuaraithe -- flowed over all of them, sealing in the spell.

[eblouissant]

This may need to be explained as Riley was not well-versed in the fae magics (yet), he could feel though the energy that shifted around the two of their hands, drawing it like magnetic poles together-- gravity at it's finest. Warmth as well as relief that pooled through the two of them and coalesced within the world of their fingertips.

It would be a gift when Riley and Liam both understood what it was-- a bit of freedom offered, and all for the sake of a wedding invite, and officiant. For it was quite likely that Ducky was a shoo-in for the position of High Priest for such sacred rites.

"Now I am going to ask.. and I think you will understand what I am asking but.. what did you do?"

[teabog]

Liam didn't know what had been done either, far too caught up in the startled realization of how different Fae magic was to the demonic. It felt clean and fresh, none of the twisting and tearing and searing heat that he was used to whenever Gregory's power had touched him. He looked at their joined hands and then to Riley to see if he understood.

Ah good they were both in the same clueless boat. That made him feel a little better.

Declan released their hands with a grin, eyes sparkling. "Nothing much, really. I cast a minor glamour on the two of you, one that will have the eyes of others glancing off and away from any moments of affection you choose to share in public. A simple blur really, but effective. It will last until you are ready to let the world know of your love on your own terms." He waggled the ring finger of his left hand at them.

[eblouissant]

That was a gift, and he would have been incredulous if not for everything that he had witnessed up until this point that had shown him how vast the world was outside of Saintsmourn, outside of what he was-- and he did not need to be constrained or defined by his choices made, because they could be undone. He looked to Liam them, those grey eyes light in a way that had the sun peeking through the grey to give shimmers and flecks of warmth.

"Shall we try it? You know, to make sure that it works?"

And then a glance over at Declan. "Would you please release the glamour then? So that we can test it?" because he was suddenly like a child in a candy shop, and Liam's hand was the treat.

[giveanything]

Declan released both their hands before stepping back and spreading both arms and bowing with a flourish. Dramatics ran in the family, after all, and Ducky was far from the exception. The original spell he'd drawn about their conversation like a curtain shivered and then faded in a slow instant, like frost receding from a windowpane, leaving only the lingering glamour he'd gifted to the couple masking them. "By all means. The veil is lifted, you may put it to the test."

Liam could feel the shimmer of magic slip away from the room around them, but something remained. And despite his hesitance at deals and gifts from the Fae, he couldn't hold back a smile. All right, Ducky. Well played. This was a rather large check in his favor in the demon-contracted man's life. Liam held out his hand for Riley's, expectant and trying not to look shy about handholding again. "Here goes nothing, Angel."

Declan retrieved his coffee cup and sipped at it once more, quietly pleased with himself. There were few things that could make this morning any better, and even if he didn't know it, one of those was about to walk through the door and flood his day with light and song.

[eblouissant]

Within the sight of god and man did their hands twine together; the veil had lifted and everyone was in their place. There was a student in the corner that recognized him, and launched a friendly wave. One of the dorm guys that was on the second floor. But there was not a single acknowledgement that the Priest was doing anything untoward.

A little bit bolder, he brought the back of Liam's hand to his lips to press a kiss. But no reaction whatsoever. He then allowed his cheek to rub up against it.

"You may have to launch your own tests, Liam. I've done some on my end but you know.. quality assurance."

[giveanything]

Liam's heart skipped at the touch of those lips to the back of his hand. Who gave Riley permission to be so charming? It was entirely unfair and he nearly had stars in his eyes looking at him.

He forced his attention away from Riley, from that gaze that was every bit the sky clearing after a gentle rain condensed down to two eyes, and looked around. They were seen, that was clear enough, but they weren't seen. It was exciting, thrilling to think that they could act how they wanted without worrying about their secret being out before they were ready for it to no longer be a secret.

"Definitely. Better to be thorough about it." Liam's smile widen. Riley set out that challenge for him, and a mischievous spark lit up dark eyes. Liam's hand shifted from where Riley was nuzzling his cheek against it, slipping into soft blond hair and gripping as he moved to close the distance between them and kissing Riley for all he was worth.

[eblouissant]

Right in front of Declan's salad too.

But it was fine because Riley was quite happy with the development of being kissed into oblivion by the other man, feeling that warm kiss while fairytale butterflies danced in his chest; but there was also something possessive about it and quite honestly carnal that had him seeing stars. So much that a flush did cross over his chest at the kiss that was not quite chaste.

Then he was gripping Liam's own scarf and then hiding his face in the neck as he muffled something out.

"Are we being stared at? Did we get away with it? " with his mouth a little bit swollen by the very passionate kiss that he had felt all the way into his toes