Ask A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion admired the architecture of the room where he was waiting for Azar. Like the outside, it was very beautiful. In the last time that he had been here, the Annfyn didn’t have much time to admire how the columns were carved and the walls finely decorated. The events of that party ended up being too stressful for him to notice anything else that wasn’t the events of that night.

However, the Annfyn wasn’t back in the royal palace to admire the work of its engineers. He had work to do. Azar was the Dark Lord and all reports should be made to him. Caerllion couldn’t avoid feeling his heart beat faster with this fact. This meant that, as a Master, he would need to work with the Pureblood more times.

Even with Azar not trusting him completely, Caerllion still hoped that it could change. His heart needed to attach itself to this hope, because simply being close to the Pureblood was enough to make him happy. Not being able to see his smile ever again would be death to him.

He already hated Trael because of what happened in that party, since he feared that Azar could have lost his smile forever. Perhaps it was an overreaction from his part, but Caerllion still hated the human for betraying the Pureblood’s trust.

While he waited for Azar’s arrival, Caerllion could hear how one of his wives gave orders to the servants. He still didn’t know how to feel about the fact that Arcanos had married again. It wasn’t as if he could give his opinion about it, but there was sympathy here. Himself would need to have a political wedding because of his position as king.

Even if his heart seemed to already know with who it wanted to marry.

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar was in a constant state of stress since his weddings. He had his duties to his wives, but he also had to make sure they didn’t kill each other. Each of them had been given their own residence halls within the palace and entire quarters to make their own along with handmaidens to tend to their every need. Despite being King, Azar himself opted not to have personal attendants on account of accidentally killing a few. The affliction he had since consuming the abomination was getting a little worse each day.

In truth, he was looking forward to seeing Caerllion. The man had become instrumental not just for his unique knowledge of sciences and applications of the Force, but for his love of art and culture. Azar was surrounded by countless individuals that had an endless thirst for battles and violence, but few who could simply slow down and enjoy the details and beauty of life.

He appeared, at last, delayed as was his habit. Azar managed a tired smile, “Caerllion,” He said, using his name instead of his rank, “I am pleased to see you,” He said, his tone genuine. He did miss those adorable ears.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

When Azar entered the room, Caerllion felt his heart beat faster on his chest. Even after he realized his feelings for the Pureblood, being close to him was enough to make his body feel as if he was still trying to comprehend what was happening. Even the butterflies in his stomach had returned.

“I’m happy to see you again.” he said, with a smile appearing on his lips. He completely ignored the Pureblood's delay. Even if Azar took an entire day to arrive, Caerllion would remain dutifully waiting for him. “You look gorgeous as always.” shortly after saying that, the Annfyn noticed the tiredness on his face. He felt the urge to do something to change it. It had no place here.

Azar’s face should be full of life and with a large smile. Like when he was with Vossari and Trael, before the last deciding to be an idiot.

“I brought for you the gifts that I promised.” Caerllion said, while gesturing at a suitcase and a cage covered by a black cloth that were on the floor behind him. He decided to start by the cage, removing the cloth from over it. Inside was a crow-sized bird, with black crown, nape, wings and tail. The rest of the body was red, with half of the chest and back covered by black patterns.

“I bioengineered it through the breeding of two birds of my homeworld. As you can feel, it has affinity to the Dark Side.” he said, while picking the cage from the floor. “It can be your spy and familiar, once you decide to make a bond with it.” at this moment, the bird started to sing a melodious and comforting song. “It’s a songbird. I hope that its song will be able to comfort you.” and perhaps make you less tired. He added mentally.

“As you can see, I based its colors on you.” he blushed, looking at his feet. Caerllion made a great effort on doing it, even trying to replicate the patterns in the red areas as close possible to the Pureblood’s tattoos. “If you allow me, I would like to name the species as Azaronis magnificens, Azar's magnificent bird.”

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar took to the bird almost at once, leaning in to admire it. He whistled a tune and the bird mimicked it to his delight. Azar’s eyes brightened and it was clear he would spend hours with this bird, “This is a precious gift, Caerllion,” He said with a smile, “Even beyond its skills in subterfuge,” Azar noted. He imagined falling asleep to a beautiful bird song - if he didn’t accidentally kill it unknowingly because the affliction took over.

“Would you like to walk through the city with me?” Azar asked, likely to Caerllion’s surprise, “I have been inundated with stress, managing my wives, dealing with running my kingdom and also the Sith Order,” He added the last thought bitterly. He was doing Tempest’s job without the title at this point and it aggravated him.

Regardless of whether or not the Annfyn said yes, Azar would turn and leave the room, making his way towards the palace courtyard. It had countless flowers and plants lining the sides - all imported from other planets.

“I must ask..” Azar trailed off, “What exactly happened back there with the tiefling Champion and yourself,” He said as he cast a sideways glance, “It seemed far more than just a fling for things to have escalated like that.." Azar quirked a brow, "Do you expect retaliation?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

The sight of Azar’s tired countenance being replaced by one of real happiness made a smile appear on Caerllion’s lips, while his chest became filled with a warm sensation. Knowing that he was able to make the Pureblood smile left the Annfyn infinitely happy.

“I’m happy that you liked it.” he said, while watching Azar whistle to the bird, with the animal immediately answering him. “Having eyes in the sky is very useful to watch enemies without them noticing.” Caerllion could attest it, since he had used that strategy many times in the past and would continue in the future.

Azar’s invitation was a total surprise for Caerllion. After having heard the Pureblood say to Trael that he didn’t trust him, the Annfyn thought that the King would not want to stay with him for much longer. Perhaps the other Sith was finally noticing that he could trust on him. This thought made a spark of hope appear in his heart.

“Of course. It’ll be a pleasure.” he said, but this time there was no smile on his lips. The bitterness in Azar's voice left evident to Caerllion that the Pureblood was feeling tired with his obligations. The life of a king wasn’t easy, that the Annfyn knew very well. One that was also the leader of the entire Sith Order must be even worse.

A part of him wondered if the Pureblood would give up on everything if he had the chance. Perhaps flee with Vossari to a world where they could be in peace, away from the chaos of the Sith and of ruling an entire kingdom. If it happened, Caerllion would suffer from not being able to see Azar anymore. However, he would at least be satisfied with the fact that the red-skinned man was happy and safe somewhere.

However, Caerllion doubted that Azar would give up everything that he achieved. From his part, the Annfyn would be there to help the Pureblood make his burden less heavy, not expecting anything else besides these moments and smiles.

He followed Azar toward the courtyard, being able to see the gardens of the palace. The last time that he walked through them, Caerllion had been coming back from the medical bay after he left Trodai here. He couldn’t see the flowers due to the darkness of the night, but now the Annfyn was able to properly observe them.

Caerllion turned his eyes away from the flowers when he heard Azar’s question. “I saw potential in Ayomi from the beginning. I believed that they could be a good ally, if they learned to embrace their passions. So I flirted with them to bring that up.” there was a cold tone in his voice while he talked about the Tiefling, one that showed that he didn’t care about them anymore.

“It seems that they thought that my flirting was equal to a declaration of love, rather than carnal desire and ambition. I tried to postpone the confession that I couldn’t retribute their feelings to not make a scene at your party.” he looked at Azar with an apologetical expression. The Annfyn still regretted having brought so much drama to that celebration.

“There is only one person that I really love.” he stared at Azar’s golden eyes, he didn’t need to give a name after that declaration in Batuu. “Unfortunately, they called me a coward and I couldn’t stand such offense. I reminded them that I’m a Master and put them back in their place.” it was a shame that Ayomi had decided to find their cleverness at that moment and see through his attempt to deceive. If at least they remained stupid, the two could have remained allies.

“Yes, I expect that there will be revenge. I would be silly to not expect it.” they were Sith, it would be natural to harbor hatred. “However, I’m prepared to deal with them.” he wasn’t going to stand idly while Ayomi plotted. The Annfyn was arming himself for their inevitable clash. “I’m really sorry that this debacle had started during the part. I never was able to thank you for organizing it.”

@Sreeya