A Royal Pain (Gear)

[Hitura Rael]

James sat on the floor of his apartment floor in his boxers. He had a rather nice couch and chairs to sit in, but he was on the damn floor. It was his room mate's doing of course. The damn woman refused to sit on the chairs and couch like a primitive barbarian. She also refused to let him leave the house until she had done the makeup to hide the yellowing bruise on his face.

Merida, his room mate, grumbled around a sucker tucked in between her cheek and teeth. She grabbed him roughly by the ear to pull him back in place. "If you keep pulling away I'll put you on your damn back, sit on your chest, and smother you with my thighs." She sat in front of him in tight fitting shorts and a sports bra, but only an idiot would dare take that sexually. She did appreciate the engagement of banter though.

"You actually need thighs to do that." James sighed and leaned in closer to his room mate. She worked the foundations onto his face with no remorse or care, probably in revenge. It was hard to tell when she was not gentle to begin with, that probably hit too close to the unspoken ban on what should not be joked about ever with her. Her height and her physical build were sore spots.

"Not if I sit on your throat and strangle you, Jimmy~." She said sweetly with a scary sweet smile. He shuddered and clenched his jaw tight. He had definitely poked the sore spot. He wisely chose to shut his mouth and not irritate her further. He HATED that damn nick name and she knew it, bringing it out was the verbal revenge.

He glanced to the family photo Merida had on the table across the room. She was shorter than her twin brother, younger brothers, father, and even her mother, who stood at a dangerous six-one, just a few inches shorter than her husband and elder son. Her mother also had a rather impressive bust and child bearing hips, a hug from her was a risk of being smothered if you were a full foot shorter than her, like Merida. Every one of them, except for Maria, had smears of grease on their faces. They were a family of mechanics with a loving, supporting, beautiful matron.

Merida looked more like a teenage boy, spindly, lithe, and all legs. She had only managed to inherit a tanned skin tone that bordered more on the native american tones of her father than the Egyptian tones of her mother, and her mother's green eyes. She gravitated more to the native american heritage rather than the Egyptian one. She wore a silver wolf necklace and had a few tribal tattoos on her arms and legs. Her black hair was always braided in some fashion, today, it was pulled back behind her in one long thick braid that coiled and bobbed on the floor as her arm moved.

The apartment's decorations were mostly her doing as well, pottery and rugs as well as statuettes and paintings were everywhere. The furniture was his, arranged neatly around a hand carved antique table his father had given him. The two chairs and couch were arranged around it for game nights with several sitting rugs put down for anyone who wanted to sit there, generally just Merida or her younger brothers. There was not much else in the living room that was his. The kitchen was his domain, which Merida was completely banned from if she wasn't getting something from the fridge. She was a terrible cook, try as she might. He had tried teaching her... before she managed to ruin a pan. She had a talent for destroying cookware despite it being near indestructible.

He yelped and followed the tug on his ear back into place. "You're drifting again," Merida growled, "Quit day dreaming and SIT STILL."

He sighed and focused on the intricate patterns on the rug she sat on. "Why are you doing this? I can do it myself."

"And look like a slob throwing it on your face and walking out the door." She set the foundation aside and started working with the concealer.

"I do not look like a slob when I do it!" James protested a bit loudly, earning the 'final warning death glare' early.

"You constantly look like you rolled out of bed and threw on the clothes you wore the previous night. You're going to see the Queen. You need to look presentable."

He frowned at her. He DID brush his hair, thank you very much! He just liked to style it to look like he just got out of bed. It was a legitimate hair style! There was only so much you could do with short hair.

"Besides, I owe you one for doing my hair every day." She sighed, her features easing. "Thank you."

James smiled and glanced up at her from the rug. "You don't have to pay me back for it or constantly thank me. I like having you for a room mate. Can't do that if you get hurt on the job right?"

Merida shrugged and leaned in to blend. "Then you'd have to visit me at home and risk mother smothering you with her boobs when she hugs you."

James shuddered at that. She didn't even yell at him that time. "I'd rather not do that again. Ever."

Merida pat him on the head with her free hand, then reached to grab a sealant. "Deal with it, I grew up with it." She laid down the sealant and stood up. "Okay, that should settle in a few minutes then you can get dressed and not worry about it smearing all over your uniform."

"Thanks again, Merida." James stood up, barely resisted the urge to touch the still drying sealant, and glanced toward her as she stretched. "You sure you're okay alone tonight?"

"I'm an adult and I can handle a night by myself."

"I'm more worried about you burning down the apartment." He rolled his eyes and turned to go down the hall to his room.

"Oh come on! I burn the curtains ONE TIME!-" Her yelling was muffled by the door shutting.

James chuckled to himself, still able to hear the sound of her ranting, though he could not make out the words. That issue was fair game for jokes, and it was always amusing to get her going on it. It only took her a few minutes to burn herself out on it at least, more than long enough to get himself dressed. He took the uniform down from the closet drawer and laid it out on the bed. He poked at his cheek to make sure the makeup was completely dry before he put on a white t-shirt to go under the rest of the uniform. He frowned at the time piece on the wall and dressed quickly. He was definitely almost going to be late. He rushed out of the room in his socks, stopping in the entry. He hopped on one foot while putting the other boot on.

"Slow the fuck down." Merida put her hand on the door to keep it closed.

James frowned down at her. "I'm going to be late, I don't have time to slow down!"

She wiggled a brush in her other hand, "So you're gonna run out with your hair sticking in all directions? To see a monarch?" She raised an eyebrow at him

He sighed and snatched the brush from her. "I'll brush it on the way. Okay?"

"Sure. You'll probably get it all messed up if you brushed it then ran." She stood up and went to the kitchen. "Better get going or you'll be late then." She smirked and grabbed an apple from the counter. "Try not to get messy before you get there. Oh! And don't punch your supervisor. Bring him home with you, so I can punch him."

James rolled his eyes at her, quickly ran the brush through his hair, and stepped out the door. He made it out of the apartment and almost to the car when he slapped his head and turned around. He would have jumped out of his skin if it were possible. Merida popped up like that, just out of no where when she really tried to be quiet. "For fucks sake! Don't do that!" He held a hand over his chest as if it would calm his fluttering heart.

She giggled and held out a white paper bag, the top neatly folded down several times, then clipped down with some fancy ribbons. "Forget something?"

He gently took the bag from her. "Yes," his petulant tone brought a tinge of red to his cheeks. "Thank you."

She laughed and waved a dismissive hand. "Worth it to spook you in public. Go on, get going! And straighten your jacket out!" She turned on her heel and started back inside.

James sighed and glared at the back of her head, straightened out his jacket, and finally got into the car. He programmed in the destination and leaned back in the seat with a sigh, watching the world pass by around him. The car drove itself, following the electromagnetic tracks along the route he programmed in.

He dozed off and on as scenery passed by until finally the car came to a stop outside a towering white structure. He stepped out, straightening his uniform again and checking his hair was presentable in the side mirror, and made his way inside.

 

[GEAR]

As James exited the vehicle and made his way inside, the polished gleam of Nova Solyma's interior corridors met his senses. The smell was always the same - clean, almost to the point of being sterile, as automated drones worked constantly to scrape any trace of dirt from the tall windows and holographic displays that worked to keep it in a state of perpetual dawn. Not for nothing was it sometimes referred to as the Horizon Palace, and it was here that the Queen herself whiled away her days, as well as, on occasion-

"Yo."

...Sir Enfield.

Sure enough, as James crossed the threshold into the grand entry hall, he was greeted by none other than Luna's premier hero... Currently spraying what smelled like cheap cologne on his neck to fight off the vestigial traces of equally cheap drink. Though he certainly looked the part in his uniform, there was no doubt that behind the blue visor that turned in his direction was a pair of red-rimmed eyes. The Knight of Knights hadn't spoken to James since their recent disagreement - nor, he felt, did he have a need to.

He was right, after all - harsh, perhaps, but right.

So that's what this is about. He thought privately, as James approached... and he couldn't help but give a small sigh.

 

[Hitura Rael]

The sterile environment made the smell all the more noticeable. "Going on a date with a cheap whore?" James frowned softly at Sir Enfield, "Or did you pilfer that one from someone's locker, cuz it smells pretty..." He paused and rubbed his chin in thought. "It smells like you walked into a man's bathroom in a slum pub and a bum posing as the attendant sprayed you with the cheapest product on the market while trying to charge you for the best product on the market." It wasn't the best comparison, but he wasn't trying to hurt Enfield's feelings or call the man cheap.

He was surprised to find that he was not exactly angry at the man anymore. Not the way he was before anyway. He was angry, yes, angry that the man had been avoiding him after the incident... though James hadn't gone out of his way to try to contact the old man. All he found now was the hurt and anger at being hurt. Unfortunately, that would not spare Enfield from the wrath of his room mate.

"How has your recovery been?" He asked, masking the concern with a tone of uncaring, as if he were making pleasant with a stranger. Perhaps he should have reached out to the man and punished him with all those cookies he had to bake to get the best batch. It might have spared him the stomach ache Merida gave him in revenge. No matter, James refused to treat Enfield as close as he once had, not until the man apologized. All the damn fool had to do was listen to why James had stayed to fight instead of running... He didn't even care that Enfield had hit him.

He glanced down to the white paper bag in his hand, then started on down the hall. If Enfield actually wanted to talk, he'd keep up. He had an appointment to keep.

 

[GEAR]

"Hey!" Grumbled the Knight of Knights as he sniffed at his wrist, suspiciously. "...I synthesized this myself, alright? You'll understand when you're older."

Letting his chest fall, he fell into lockstep beside James, the two of them seemingly the only figures in the whole palace as they walked. Both were accustomed to surroundings that would have dazzled anyone from Earth - elegant displays of holographic nouveau art, sublime architecture, and the best materials available in the Solar System made the Horizon Palace a landmark comparable to the Wonders of the World, akin to the Sistine Chapel.

"...Eh." He said as James, surprisingly, asked about his condition, giving an ambivalent shrug.

"Doctors wanted to use nanomachine therapy to get me fixed up... Said no thanks. We're not at war, so... I'll take my time healing up." - He grimaced, as if suddenly reminded of something, and raised an index finger into the air as he continued:

"Not that there's anything wrong with it, mind you... I just always preferred the natural approach."

It would have shocked most of his understudies to know just how little Gerart Enfield was acquainted with some of the most luxurious aspects of his supposed importance. Eschewing such conveniences, he lived in what most would have considered borderline squalor, among his knights and trainees. Many times had he been beseeched to move to the Palace, where such matters would have been handled by attendants - but he had rebuffed it at every turn, preferring instead to reside in his beloved pile of garbage, for reasons that were kept between himself, and the Queen.

"How about yourself? Holding up alright?"

 

[Hitura Rael]

"I'm not a kid anymore, that explanation doesn't work anymore." James wrinkled his nose at the stench. "Smells like you're trying to cover not taking a bath or drinking too much. If you need motivation I have a little woman who can drag you to the shower and make sure you get cleaned up." He shrugged at Enfield. He couldn't recall if the man had met his roommate... or if he did if he realized that she was not a tiny boy.

He frowned as Enfield fell into step beside him. Was Enfield going to just act like he hadn't full out hauled off on James and made such stupid accusations? He ignored the displays around him, he had been all too happy to drag his father and Enfield around the to look at all of them when he was little and it was his first few times here. They hadn't lost their magic and enjoyment, it was just bad timing. Was Enfield going to follow him to his visit with Selene? He grimaced at the thought of both of them laying him out for 'being a hero' without listening to him, as if he were still a small child. Unfortunately for Enfield, that grimace coincided when Enfield mentioned the nano-therapy.

"I know. You always have." It was disgusting how much Enfield's own preferences had rubbed off on James. He himself had opted to let the bruise on his face heal naturally. Much to his room mate's delight. He shuddered thinking of that first night where she insisted on doing the cover up.... and practice doing makeup in general on him. Thank the Lady that she grew bored with it. The fact James lived in an appartment with a room mate instead of with the other knights was owed to Enfield, he just chose not to go to the extremes that Enfield did. He never pried why, but it made sense to him, even as a child.

"I'm fine. My room mate is enjoying the bruise on my face. Though, not enjoying testing what I bake right now. I think I over did it just a bit." He lifted the paper bag up to emphasize. There was only two dozen cookies in there... of six different flavors... He thought it would be a terrible idea to give the queen more than that. "Testing is going well and I've had far too much time on my hands since you've been down."

 

[GEAR]

"You sure aren't. Got hair on your chest and everything."

Despite himself, Enfield smiled. He remembered when James was small, and the Queen as well... Before she was Selene, and he had called her by a different name. The two of them would tug his wrist and pull him about, and he so older and wiser, yet still just a child himself, would acquiesce in that fashion to which older, more responsible children are inclined to be when faced with their younger, less mature kin.

"Now, if only we could get you a woman!" He chuckled throatily, shooting the young man the patented Enfield Finger Guns as he did, his tone dripping with snark.

As the two made their way through the Palace interior, they swung a right at checkpoint guarded by a hovering drone. Though the mechanical attendants appeared harmless... Each one, the both of them knew, were more than capable of disarming any intruder. The Royal Family had been paranoid of any outside interference for generations, and even when a more liberal Queen had taken the throne, this policy remained intact. Secrets ran in royal blood, it seemed - and speaking of, Enfield continued as they walked out into the faux "daylight", his visor darkening slightly as it adjusted automatically to the light.

"But... Don't tell Selene that. She wants you to stay small forever, just like you used to be."

The Palace Gardens of Luna were, much like other aspects of the Capital, a marvel in and if itself. Crystal clear water ran in rivulets down trenches that irrigated arrays of genetically created plants. Each blossomed in its own unique way, some growing into nanomachine-infused plexiglass, their vines fed by the microscopic machines that layered the clear barriers that walled the garden, looking out over the city below. For many, it was an intimidating space, especially for those afraid of heights... but Enfield, at least, seemed at home as he walked among the shrubbery, minding to avoid once more running afoul of any prickly specimens crafted by over-enthusiastic cactus geneticists determined to surpass their Earthborne counterparts.

"That roommate of yours, she seems nice." He suggested as he stopped to examine a bright blue flower with a twisted, bending stem, giving James a curious look as he did so.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Yet you treat me like a small child or stupid teenager." He stated with only a slight flavoring of bitterness to his resigned tone. How could he stand there and say he wasn't a child still while having treated him as such? Except for that punch, that was one for an adult.

James winced at the mention of getting him a woman. "I bet if both of you had your way I'd stay small forever." James smiled at the garden, ignoring the drone. It was normal enough to be the equivalant of background noise for the eye. "Me getting a woman will happen when you date Selene." He was pretty sure that was never going to happen. "But hey, she could always hurry up and give me neices or nephews to play with and help climb the trees." He grinned at Enfield. Climbing trees was something he had always wanted to do but everyone did keep him from doing that. It was too dangerous, or so they said.

He smiled out over the garden, remembering the times Enfield had brought him and Selene up to play quietly here. He kind of missed it, like a small happy family. His trip down memory lane was interrupted with his own amused laugh. "Man, you HAVEN'T met her have you?" He shook his head, watching Enfield examine the flower. He raised an eyebrow as the suggestion clicked. "Oh no. No no no. I am not dating my room mate. YOU can date her. Though watch out, she said I can be the bigger person and she can be the smaller person. Which is both hard and not hard for her, given she is tiny." He motioned to about where she'd come up to on him. "And she wants to punch you, fair warning. But she'll need a step stool to get to your face. Seriously though, she's like an angry badger in a sack, and not the cute british badgers."

 

[GEAR]

Enfield admired the foliage, nodding along to James as he spoke, humoring the chatty young man as best as he could. Since the dawn of time, he thought mildly, it had been the duty of the older man to provide guidance to the younger, more impressionable of his kind in regards to relations between the fairer sex - to ensure that the matter was treated with the seriousness it deserved, and he gave himself a self-congratulatory mental pat-on-the back.

"Me getting a woman will happen when you date Selene."

At that however, Enfield's finger slipped, accidentally decapitating a blue Orchid as he gave out a choking noise, like a cat rudely awakened by a flying chew toy in the middle of the night, trying to clear his throat hurriedly in a display that made bystanders crane their necks to look in his direction, wondering if they should need summon the police.

"T-That's not going to... Well, I mean-" He sputtered ineffectually, tripping over his words as his fingers pinching the stem where it had been severed. Sir Enfield winced, trying in futility to reconnect the two as he stayed hunched over, talking all the while-

Until a soft, velveteen voice interrupted him.

"...What isn't, Gerart?"

Immediately, the Knight of Knights stood straight to attention, and whirled about - his expression now one of absolute professionalism. The sudden about face in mood was enough to give anyone whiplash... but the sight before the two of them, descending gracefully from a set of stairs that led higher into the gardens, would have done the same to any of their kind.

Clear, ornately heeled slippers infused with golden lightwaves trod carefully down the steps, one after another, only faintly obscured by the flowing white dress that clung to her willowy form. Yet, despite this, she walked with her head held high, such was her dignity, her regality, that it made others avert their eyes by nature. There was no small element of genetics in the royal family, and one didn't have to look far from her pale, yet sharp features, smooth and unblemished, that gave her an almost unearthly glow. There was a quiet fierceness in the way she carried herself, her décor, the protruding hair ornaments that formed a regal crown, as though strewn together by brass thorns... and as she surveyed the room in her descent, flanked by a pair of armor-clad aides, all present- save the two men - immediately dropped to one knee in supplication.

She Of The Flawless Mirror, Selene III, Queen of Luna - and with it, the Kingdom of Everglory.

Speak of the Devil, and they will appear.

Her gaze traveled across those present... and she called out in a clear, clarion voice:

"Leave us."

Not one dared disobey, hurrying away with their features averted - bodyguards included, until it was simply the three of them.

...and then, like breaking Earthlight, the Queen's features formed into a warm smile, in contrast to her intimidating appearance, as she stepped daintily down the last few steps towards the two of them, saying with a laugh as she did:

"James. No, I suppose I should call you... Sir Steelheart, shouldn't I?"

 

[Hitura Rael]

He felt zero guilt for sending Enfeild into that sputter fit. That was the LEAST of what the man deserved right now. Well, he did feel guilty for the flower, just a tiny bit. The overall plant wouldn't be harmed losing the flower, more would grow eventually. And then it just got sweeter when the Queen's voice rang out like a crystaline bell. He could just barely keep his laughter contained!

His salute suffered from his amusement. A half smile tugged at the corners of his lips, posture over stiff, and his breath firmly held to prevent himself from any inadvertant noises as he tried hard not to laugh. The almost giggle fit soon was quashed with embarassment. His cheeks colored bright red. He eased out of his attention stance and moved toward Selene.

"Hey, no formality between us in private, remember?" He laughed lightly as he reminded her of her own edicts. He wrapped his free arm around her, hugging her tightly, with all the force family separated far too long by distance and duty. He pulled away to put that hand on her shoulder and kiss her forhead. "Made you cookies." He grinned as he pulled back to profer the ribbon wrapped package. That sweet sweet grin transitioned all too easily to an impish one of the youngest brother about to cause trouble. It was his duty, afterall, as the youngest brother, to tease his siblings. "I told him I'd get a girl when you two start dating."

 

[GEAR]

"...You shouldn't have."

Selene accepted the bag from him, allowing her brother to jostle her about... though her brow creased, and she seemed strangely uncomfortable as he did so. Perhaps it was it because it had simply been a while since the two had seen each other last... but that didn't seem to be the case. It wouldn't be a mistake to say that ascending to the throne had changed her - where once she had been free spirited, rebellious, and more than a little tomboyish... Accepting the weight of the crown had morphed her into the spitting image of her mother, Selene II. Even in private these days, she was more... restrained than she had been, more formal, more...

Distant.

At the mention of dating... she gave James a small smile, placing her hand on his chest for a brief moment as she stepped away. Enfield, for his part, maintained his stoic silence, and kept his attention focused directly ahead of him, visor giving no clue as to his expression as the Queen slowly walked towards him, reaching out to place a finger, adorned with a brass ring that curled into a talon down the length of the digit, on his shoulder. Slowly, she circled him as she spoke, letting the keen metal draw a line across his back as she did so, eyes fixed on his face.

"I don't lack for suitors, dear brother." She sighed; "Sir Enfield has watched over us since we were small..."

She paused as she reached in front of him again, her gaze boring past the glass into his eyes as she continued.

"I shouldn't think that he has time to play with a little girl like me."

An electric tension hung in the air... but the Knight of Knights remained silent. There was a sense that he was matching her gaze levelly, that there was some unspoken battle brewing between the two of them. Palace intrigue about the Queen's love life had always been rife, and the slightly eccentric Enfield had attracted more than his fair share of rumor... Yet, for as long as James had known them, they had been relatively close - that was, until she had taken the throne. Then, things had begun to change.

"Oh..." She said, at length, her attention turning back to James. Her right hand fingers, each adorned with a brass ring that terminated in a talon that curled about each digit, gently brushed against the mark left from Enfield's strike.

"Your face."

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Hey, I'm good at two things in life, cooking and fucking up, and I'd rather cook for you than fuck up for you." He grinned through the motions, though the distance she had put on hurt. He understood it of course. The royal family was a prime target for a lot of negative attention. It wouldn't be farfetched for someone to use him to get to Selene if anyone noticed their private visits. He knew she probably wouldn't even eat the cookies and probably give them to others. That was fine, he didn't mind at all. Someone would enjoy them either way and it was a gift that was meant to tell her that he loved her and thought about her.

He was surprised to see that Enfield was still there. He was a little annoyed about that, given the issues that had grown between them. Those needed cleared up before he would feel like Enfield was just there to make sure he didn't go tattling to big sis. It was amusing to watch Selene circle him like a graceful hawk eyeing a tiny mouse though. Though his gaze and posture said he was not a mouse. Perhaps a snake and hawk ready to fight would be a more appropriate comparison.

"If he thinks age is a problem, then he really should not have tried to encourage me to date my room mate. There's a ten year gap there." He folded his arms across his chest and shifted his weight to one leg. They really weren't helping the thought that there was something between them. It honestly made him a bit nervous. It sounded like one of them had once tried and was shot down. Did that mean his conditions to find a girlfriend were fulfilled? That was definitely a disturbing thought.

He flinched as her fingers touched the mark on his face, covered by makeup. He had thought Merida had done a good job hiding it in a way she wouldn't notice. His blushing at being called 'sir' was likely a burning beacon in the night to call attention to it. Then again, Selene was a woman who used makeup and had experience with it. "Eh, It's nothing," he dismissed it with a casual air, "Just got a love tap from a commanding officer for fucking up." He smiled brightly, "Nothing to worry about."

 

[GEAR]

"I see."

Selene spoke as she turned the cookie bag over in her hands, looking at it with a dull curiosity, as though she had never seen its like before. As James continued, chattering idly about his roommate and their age difference, it elicited little in the way of reaction... was she ignoring him? Or, was she simply not interested in whatever drama was churning in his life? Had her troubles become so magnified, of such concern, that the issues of his days no longer were one she could relate to?

"And who-?"
"That was my doing."

Enfield finally spoke, even as his posture failed to change, causing the Queens eyebrows to raise minutely with the interruption. The Knight of Knights turned his head now, to regard her in full as he continued:

"James here unnecessarily endangered his life, as well as the Genion Prototype. I administered discipline accordingly."

A brass-clad hand came up to Selene's chin, cradling her head in thought as she looked back at James.

"...If you say it was so, Gerart, then it was so." She agreed... And yet, gave him a stern look as she continued, saying:

"Still... Is it the policy of the Knights to enact such severe physical punishment?"

Enfield closed his eyes, and his expression was one of resignation. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, and could feel the woman practically closing her fingers about his throat - which he then cleared, hurriedly.

"I wished the impart to him the severity of his actions..." He began carefully, before turning his eyes back on James, barely visible through his reflective visor.

"...But, as Your Majesty says, I may have overreacted."

"I should think so. Is there something else you would like to add?"

Leading questions, thought Enfield mildly. Bane of his existence. Selene looked at him expectantly, her fingers playing with an errant strand of dark hair the trailed down her shoulder, and he turned to face James in his entirety.

"Sir Steelheart." He began... and then, gave an elegant formal bow, one that was so far removed from his normal, lackadaisical conduct as to be shocking, as he spoke in a clear and earnest voice:

"My treatment of you was overtly harsh, and uncalled for. Please accept my humble apologies."

 

[Hitura Rael]

Was something wrong with her today? Or was she finally drifting away, as he always feared she would. They were in two very different worlds now. They always had been, of course, but it was a bigger margine now. She was the public member of the family, after all. And he... He was the one safely hidden away, his existence to the public unknown.

This visit was going south quite quickly. James' fist clenched as Enfield confessed to Selene. He had to bite his lip to keep his mouth shut. Patience. He would have his opportunity to speak. Hopefully, before his anger boiled over. He did not need his big sister to protect him damnit! He was an adult and could handle his own problems! But was this his big sister being protective? Or was this the queen bringing a wayward hound to heel? Sometimes, it was hard to tell with her. He was fairly sure she would not interfere like this if it had been another rookie who had recieved this punishment.

James stiffened as Enfield gave his apology. A forced apology was not an apology at all. James took a deep breath and let it out slowly before releasing his clenched fists in an attempt to look civil. "The punishment you administered did not bother me, Sir Enfield." So far so good, his voice was staying level, "What upsets me, however, is the assumptions you made regarding my decision. You even went so far as to present several scenarios without giving me a chance to explain the flaw in why I should have run. I am willing to accept your apology if you are willing to finally listen to my own reasoning and stop painting it as attempting to be a hero." It felt good to get that out.

 

[GEAR]

"James."

Selene's voice penetrated his ears, even as Enfield offered no rebuttal. He simply remained in silence, rising back to his feet as he did so, keeping his eyes averted. Did he feel guilt, perhaps? It certainly didn't seem so - he was as unbowed as ever, doubtlessly used to a spurned subordinate lashing out.

"There's no sense in relitigating what happened. Gerart's assessment was correct, even if his reaction was not."

The Queen of Luna drew close, pulling James into an abrupt embrace. The soft scent of exotic incenses used in rituals filled his senses, and it would have called forth memories from the distant past... Of the two of them, sitting in guarded patience with their own Mother, as she prayed before an ivory idol that loomed over a silver-surfaced pool, in a smooth-walled cave deep within the depths of Luna. Sometimes the trance would last days, as she communed with the Moon's guardian God... until one day...

She had never returned.

Poisoning, they were told - the work of an assailant. It was not long after that, as her ashes were scattered in a solemn ceremony, into the silver-surfaced pool that she had lingered at so often, that his sister had stepped forth to take her place...

And he, as was his role... was sent back into the shadows.

Selene's fingers stroked his back - not the cruel caress she had given Enfield earlier, but the warm touch of a loved one as she whispered into his ear:

"What if you were hurt? Or taken away from me? What would those savages have done to you?"

She paused to let that sink in, as she slowly withdrew, taking his face tenderly in her hands as she looked into his eyes. Her own... were the same as before, deep pools of brown... but at least, in that moment, they looked a little more like the ones he remembered. A soft thumb stroked his cheek, affectionately.

"All I want... Is to keep you safe." She said.

"You're all I have left."

 

[Hitura Rael]

He sighed in defeat as she, far as he saw it, scolded him. His shoulders slumped as she pulled him in to the embrace. Her distance made sense, just as the blow Enfield had given him made sense when he sat in the confines of the cockpit on the trip back from the battlefield. They were both too worried over what had happened. Enfield's fear and stress over the situation manifested as the physical blow. Selene's manifested as this more emotional reaction. Enfield's actions seemed to have just given her some cold anger to burn out first.

He sighed and hugged Selene tight. He pushed down the memories that the smells of the smokey inscense tried to drag up. He hated that smell, he probably would until the day he died. There were no happy memories to come from that smell after... No. He couldn't think about that or he'd start to tear up. And the added frustration and despair of even his own sister thinking he'd charge off and try to be a damn hero would just push him beyond some misty eyes.

He remained silent, letting her go as she pulled away. He looked up into her eyes and... relaxed. He put his hands over hers and did his best to just let it go. "I am sorry, Selene. It just hurts that neither of you have that much faith in me to not be that stupid." He leaned up to kiss her forehead. "I will be more careful in the future. Really, I don't mind that Gerart hit me." He smiled for her, just for her. "And you know damn well I'd hit him if the situations were reversed. You two are my family. Even if he is irritating, tall as a grumpy old tree, and doesn't get hints very well."

 

[GEAR]

"Thank you, James."

Said Selene as she allowed him to hold her, unresisting. Behind them... Enfield had his eyes carefully averted, saying nothing. The man had been acting... strange for the entirety of the encounter, as it otherwise wouldn't have been unlike him to simply walk up and join the two of them in a bear hug... Was it simply that times, and their new roles, had changed for him as well? Or perhaps something else, tugging at his psyche?

She glanced back at the Knight of Knights as James released her, reaching up to ensure his kiss hadn't smeared her makeup, as James mentioned his candor.

"It's true." She said matter-of-factly; "You are quite grumpy."

Before the Knight of Knights could react, however, there was a polite ahem from the top of the stairs. An armored page clanked down the steps, giving a salute to all present.

"Pardon the interruption, your Highness." He said; "A delegation from Earth are requesting an audience concerning the status of the ZONE."

"How impertinent of them."

With a sigh, she turned back to her brother, reaching up to tousle his hair, pushing it out of his face as she examined it curiously, giving a soft hum as she did.

"...James, As you are growing into a fine young nobleman, it's time you started looking the part. Father's things are located on the eighth floor... I think he would have liked for you to have them."

"I'll be happy to show-" Started Enfield - but the Queen raised her voice over his protests.

"No." She said, flatly, affixing him with her stare.

"You... will stay here with me."

Enfield's mouth closed like a steel trap, and he shot James an apologetic look, as if he himself had been trying to wriggle out of just that exact situation.

 

[Hitura Rael]

James frowned at the interruption by the page. There was always something to butt in. "I bet they didn't even call ahead." He sighed and tried to fight the urge to frown even harder at her suggestion. Go through their father's things? Why were there even things left to go through? He had left this world years ago! Honestly, there was unlikely to be anything that fit him anyway. Besides, he wasn't supposed to look the part of a nobleman. But, he would not argue. It would make Selene happy.

"I'll be fine on my own, as long as whoever is guarding up there knows I'm not trying to steal his things." James gave her an affectionate pat on the shoulder. "Don't let them demand too much of you." It must be an emergency, if they didn't call ahead and demanded her presence so quickly. And if they did call ahead... "You know we can always push back visits so you can take care of matters of the state. I don't mind." He hoped it was a spur of the moment issue and not her trying to squeeze him in.

He looked between the two curiously as Selene shot down Enfield going with James. Something was going to go on between these two... Well, only one way to find that out. He went over and hugged Enfield before he could object. "Seriously. Lighten up, no guilt. And don't let her bite too hard." He grinned at Enfield and let go, trotting down the path toward where Selene had asked him to go... then promptly veered off to find a hiding place to eavesdrop.

 

[GEAR]

The two waited until James was out of earshot... Or so they thought. From where head positioned himself among the foliage, the young man would have been able to make out their movements, as well as their voices, with surprising clarity. Enfield, for his part, seemed to sigh, and sat down on a ledge, hanging his head as he closed his eyes. Selene's voice rang out first.

"I have questions about your findings."

Enfield's response was immediate, as he gave a shrug.

"...He's not suitable. Too imbalanced. I stand by that."

There was a tense silence. The Queen was the one to break it, her voice only growing softer... yet somehow, it failed to lack menace.

"...Why are you lying to me, Gerart?"

In response, the Knight of Knights raised his own voice. It was the first time James would have heard it since he had struck him... and a rare occurrence indeed, as it reverberated through the garden walls.

"Why are you so quick to throw your own blood on the pyre? You saw what it did to others - what it did to me!"

Enfield reached up, and removed his visor, setting it on his lap. His voice was choked with emotion as he spoke, in contrast to his carefully controlled performance earlier.

"Is this who you are, now? When did you become so cold?"

Silence once again settled in. Had he wounded her? ...Her features were difficult to make out beneath the layers of makeup. Gerart Enfield bowed his head, and closed his eyes, wishing desperately that he was somewhere - anywhere else. At length... He felt her fingertips brush his own, and her scent as she came close, lifting him to face her once more.

"I need you, Gerart." She said, softly - yet at the same time, with conviction. "I need your strength beside me... Now, more than ever before."

"...Selene, I-"

"Why do you only call me 'Selene' now?"

Now, at last, emotion seemed to filter into her own voice, the distant exterior betraying the smallest of cracks. He could feel her drawing even closer, as she slid forward onto his lap, so that they saw face to face. She leaned in close, brushing past his own face, as he felt her hand trace up his neck, into his hair, her hot breath on his skin sending a shiver up his spine. Her touch summoned memories that he would rather have forgotten...

Of an illicit attraction... a stain on his heart, which he could never seem to wash clean.

"...I miss how you said my name before. " She whispered into his ear, raising the hairs on his neck; "I'm not a child anymore."

Her free hand's fingers closed about his own, and beneath them he felt smooth, warm flesh as she slowly guided them along her thigh, up her body, to rest in the small of her back.

"Won't you say it again?"

Gerart Enfield closed his eyes, tightly... and took a deep breath. Emotion and desire curdled within him in a storm, the contradicting sensations clashing with one another, so badly he could barely think... Yet, in that moment, he also found what he was seeking: balance.

"Is that an order?" He asked. The Queen's shoulders shook, slightly... and in spite of himself, he closed his arms about her protectively, as he had countless times before in their lives.

"Does it need to be?"

A burning wetness trickled down the side of his neck.

"...I'm afraid so."

They remained that way for some time... not growing neither closer nor further, trapped in a curious equilibrium that neither was wholly willing to leave. Eventually... It was the Queen who disengaged first, slowly rising back to her feet, reaching up to dab the tears from her eyes. Enfield replaced his visor, and straightened, giving a salute as he did so. For her part - as if embarrassed, or perhaps resentful - she didn't even meet his gaze.

"Please excuse me... Your Highness."

 

[Hitura Rael]

James wished he could regret listening in on their private conversation. It confirmed so much more than what the two would open up to him about. Honestly, he was on Gerart's side with this. Why was she so quick to throw him into the Genion then turn around and chide him for his actions? He should probably not tease Gerart anymore with Selene as well. Perhaps a heart to heart with the man on that issue was more necessary than he thought. He only did it to play around with Enfield, not hurt him.

He sat against the wall for a few moments, staring down at the ground beside him with his brow drawn tight, his face conflicted. Eventually, he got to his feet and made his way to the elevator, taking it up to the 8th floor. He leaned on the wall of the elevator as it slowly ascended to pleasant music gently playing in the background. His frown drew harder as each number ticked away. Why was she making him do this now? He'd rather go confront Enfield rather than give him space to compose himself.

The elevator gave a small ding before coming to a halt, the doors sliding open. He sighed and stepped out, glancing up and down the hall before wandering down one path. It would all circle back around eventually. He knew roughly where the room their father's things had been moved to was, but he was putting it off. Eventually though, he stood in front of the doors, staring at it without thinking or acting. There was still time to turn back, to go sit with Enfield and ignore this for a little longer...

He sighed and stepped into the room, glancing around at the stored boxes and cloth covered affects. He picked out one of the chairs stored from the sitting room and sat down. He rummaged through the nearest box, pulling out one of the few photos of the family all together. That gentle fatherly smile, looked back at him, frozen in time. He remembered that day well, both parents had set aside the entire day to spend with him and Selene. They hadn't done anything big, and there were interruptions, but they were all together.

He ran his sleeve over his eyes, risking smearing the cover up to wipe away the tears welling up in his eyes. If this kept up he would have to borrow Enfield's visor to avoid the embarrassment of crying. Maybe he should just start wearing one too. He wanted to take that photo home, but he couldn't display it anywhere. It was why he was not allowed to have had it when he was small either. Well, fuck the rules. He could keep it in his dresser drawer!

He stood and glanced around for somewhere to put the items he'd claim, then set the picture aside. He took a few more photos, ones he was too young to remember or hadn't been born yet, just to remind himself of his parents the way they were, before she had died. He ignored any jewelry and looked through the clothing. Really, none of it was his style. It still carried the smell of his cologne. He got through one set before he sat back down and rubbed his face.

So many memories floated to the surface. The day that the truth had been revealed to him, his father teaching him to tie his shoes; mother tending his cuts after he had the brilliant idea to play hide and seek near the thorny bushes; he, Selene, and Gerart playing in the gardens; going to the various attractions around the moon; his father lifting him up onto his shoulders to see the animals...

James took a deep breath and turned his wrist over, exposing the face of his watch. The holographic screen popped up. He scrolled through his contacts to Enfield's and shamelessly sent him a text message, he was sure he wouldn't be able to keep his voice from cracking right now. "Hey, so, if you're done with Selene I think I need some help doing this. Though I would prefer to bail."

 

[GEAR]

The minutes ticked by, and eventually a response was sent back.

Yeah, we're done. Sorry about that.
If it's tough then... Forget it. Don't know about you, but I'm starving.
Meet me down at the Eckhart Station, Crozius Street stop in half an hour.

---

​

Crozius Street was located on the perimeter of the vast shipping locales that fed resources to the "Kingdom of Eternal Gluttons", as it was sometimes referred to as by those who had the pleasure of dealing with them. Automated shipping containers, bipedal work robots, and all manner of flying drones zipped along aerial freeways, down magnetic accelerators, in a complex network that also served as the buffer zone between the two worlds.

It was here as well that those unusual Lunarians who didn't mind the company of outsiders could mingle with them, an array of bars, eateries, and entertainment joints established in the low eaves between warehouses providing ample opportunity for interaction. It was before one of these, a fairly unimpressive diner, that James would find himself, according to Enfield's directions later on.

"Moonsault Diner & Eatery", the holographic sign outside read, the interior windows clean save for the occasional waft of cigarette smoke that wafted through them.

The Knight of Knights himself was leaning against the door on the outside, his eyes closed, understandably deep in thought. He looked for all in the world like he'd dozed off... yet, any who recognized him would know that the man's spatial awareness was second to none.