[1st Night Fallen - Action]

[justabignobody]

[With the rise of the sun, some might notice a new message placed right in the middle of the notice board, carefully hand written and without any clue pointing towards any specific recipient or writer.

Those, who linger just might catch the attention of the cloaked figure, that hides itself within the shadows, waiting patiently for someone to

Comments

[Action] Apologies for the tl;dr

[swordofswans]

[It takes a great deal of will for the prince to stop himself from staggering at the beat of his own heart, forcing poisoned blood through him. Though he has left the whirlwind of black feathers that carried him from his princess behind, his pace is steady as he continues wandering. And yet... He is terrified of himself, of his fate, of the sorrow that threatens to choke his thoughts. All of it was raw, and he fears his heart would be pried into pieces within his chest. What has he done? He cannot possibly face her anymore...

It would be so much easier, he could just give in and have all the love he might ever want...

He grits his teeth and walks onward, clinging to the refreshing sting of pride in his chest. It grows dimmer and dimmer, however, and his struggling more bitter, as he presses forth- until eventually, he passes the message board. He had no intention of reading it, but one very particular message catches his attention.

And he laughs, but it lacks his musical quality. If the heart is the key, then his ruined one must mean that he has no hope, not for rescuing anyone, or even himself.]

[Action] It's okay, I love your TLDR! ~<3

[darkestsomebody]

[It is getting late - Ansem has almost been about to return into the sanctuary of his hiding place when he senses that approach, a heart so very close to tumbling into the darkness.

He almost relishes the feeling; in this world so filled with light dark spots like this one are so terribly hard to find.

Yes - it would not take much to sway this one, he can feel it, practically taste the despair in the air that surrounds the boy. It seems that he might found his heart of darkness at last.

He approaches carefully, as if in concern, his voice almost a soothing whisper when he finally speaks up.]

What is bothering you, child?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[He whirls to stare at Ansem, his eyes dangerously wide and filled with an emptiness that might result from too many emotions warring within him. He takes a step back, not because he feels threatened, but because he fears becoming a threat. He needs to be away-

The query catches him off guard, but he replies swiftly and falsely.]

I am fine. Please... I have...

[He winces quietly and seems to soften, or perhaps weakens, but he doesn't care to ponder which to himself as he continues more calmly.]

I have matters I must attend to... [And that, at least, is the truth. He finds his gaze searching out the notice on the board again, trailing over the letters, longing to act on them somehow. If he could only do one final deed...]

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[There is so very, very much darkness here, just waiting for him to tip the scales and release it.

The boy's lie is so very obvious of course, his denial weak and the longing with that he gazes at the note is very hard to ignore.

Yes... this child... he just might be perfectly suited to be shaped into the last missing piece.]

Do you? I cannot help, but notice though... it seems like you are searching for something. Something to mend those wounds in your heart, perhaps?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[He does not look back at Ansem, or rather, he cannot. But again, he flinches, his hand drifting almost idly to his chest.]

My heart is...

[His expression darkens further, twisting so bitterly as to seem foreign on his elegant features, and his hand curls to claw at the fabric of his shirt.]

...not something I can concern myself with at the moment. I...

[He needs to rescue her from this place, his duty as a prince demands it, but after that, he has no notion of what might remain for him. He doesn't wish to be alone, he couldn't stand it; and yet, as a prince who can't protect anyone, what other fate could he deserve?]

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[Ansem keeps whispering, he detects bitterness, uncertainty, so very very much negativity...

Certainly he has all he needs to lead this boy further into the darkness.]

But it is dangerous not to concern oneself with the matters of one's heart. That is how they end up broken.

[He leans forward, whispering into his ear.]

Tell me... what is it that you long for?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[He jerks gracelessly away from the stranger, eyeing him warily for an instant before turning his gaze away. And yet, even though he keeps his eyes on the ground, it's fairly plain that he doesn't truly see it; his thoughts have been swirled away somewhere distant by that question, for all that he doesn't have any reason to trust its purpose.]

I... [Something within him knows he should not answer this stranger's question, and it might be that very same thing that leads him to do so, vehemently and ignoring that it isn't going to mean much to anyone else.] I wish to protect my princess!

[If he could keep her safe, if he could be with her, it would not matter where they were. But now it seems he cannot do as duty commands, and so he cannot have her love. Can he? He hesitates suspiciously, for all that he finds some calming temptation in the stranger's words, and draws on what might be the last vestiges of his rationality to ask.]

Why do you seek to know?

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[He keeps his distance, just for now, he doesn't want to spook away his prey after all. Inwardly he laughs at the prince's answer, because it is always that, isn't it, this wish to 'protect'. It's selfishness hiding behind selflessness, never truly realized until the darkness settles and festers inform of despair and obsession and nobody ever seems to note the true irony of it.

Nobody, but him of course.]

As scientist, the matters of the heart have aways been of interest to me. I hope, my curiosity didn't offend you.

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[His guarded posture eases somewhat, a hand slinking back to rest over his heart as if to ease its rhythm without him even realizing it. Though wariness lingers muted in the back of his gaze, only a fragment of it is for the stranger specifically. He shakes his head once, replying shortly.]

No...

[Then, something strikes him, and suddenly his feelings about the trustworthiness of the stranger have little meaning. After all, how can he rely on anything he feels at the moment? If he is so helpless, perhaps this is a chance for him to learn what he must do...]

You say... that you have an interest in matters of the heart...?

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[He is getting closer indeed, now that he has eased the boys doubts. Carefully, carefully he approaches again, whispering.]

That I do. Is there any way I can be of help to you?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

...I am...

[He closes his eyes, his entire face seeming to clench in a pained grimace. Oh, how he hates this, there is no way to say it... But he will not retreat. Delicately, he supplies some information.]

Poisoned... My heart is...

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[He closes the last of the distance between them, gently settling a hand on the boys shoulder.]

Poisoned, you say... Do you have any idea by what?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[He flinches sharply, but otherwise remains still.]

...There is... blood that is not truly mine...

[His desperation flares.]

This is not me!

[Action]

[darkestsomebody]

[The hand pats his shoulder carefully, as the shadows around them become deeper, fed by their King.]

Hmm... How do you know it is not?

[Action]

[swordofswans]

[He turns his stare on Ansem abruptly, all but gasping his response.]

...I am... [He swallows, and the words ache in his throat, but he must speak them, he must not lose them...] I am a Prince! It is my duty to... fight this...

[Or so he hopes. If that is not his duty, then he is unsure of what exists for him.]

[Action] sorry /edits forever orz

[darkestsomebody]

But 'Prince' is nothing but a title... Are you sure that is indeed your true self?

[He leans just a little more towards the boy.]

Tell me... what do you desire?