“And I don’t like it when I wake up covered due to nightmares, but I manage.”
val fished through his pockets for his cigarettes. he offered one to ky. (see? he could be generous. he wasn’t a selfish prick all of the time). he lit his own, kicking his feet up on the table. he peers at ky’lar around a fanged smile.
he’d never trusted a damn soul, but that never stopped him from collecting people like they’re shiny trophies. he kept them begging for his praise and fearing his wrath. it kept them loyal. it kept him safe.
“to each their own. now, i’m not asking you to trust me, ‘cause i sure as fuck don’t trust you, but i’m saying we both got a lot to win and nothing to lose here. what do you say?”
“there is always something to lose,” he stated bluntly as he took the cigarette. “it may be something small like time or even your favorite jacket, but something’s always lost.” or maybe that was just in his mind.
truth be told, he didn’t care. whatever happened was out of his hands, but what he could do was contain whatever damage could happen as best as possible. a reason to why his answer – even if it was a little hesitant at first – would ultimately be final.
“you may have much to win, but the way i see it? i have everything to lose.”
Playing the part of escort had not been a role he’d foreseen himself taking up when opening his eyes earlier in the day. But like it or not, here he was playing such a part, accompanying his brother as they walked together towards a bound to be unpleasant meeting. Should any words, on account of their importance, necessitate exchange, now was a suitable time to do so. But similar to his reticent sibling, Thor could not think of anything profound to say. This fact is concerning to him, if for how it illustrates just how little he knows Ky’lar in the dozen of years he’d seen him grow in Asgard’s care. A blatantly obvious outsider, but then he wasn’t the first stranger to grace such halls.
Luckily, they arrive at the throne room in no time at all, an achievement that is only relieving if for how it put an end to the silence that stretched between them on the way here. What was to happen next would not be easy, but recognising the importance of age, Thor takes point, leading proceedings as the eldest child of the family. “Father,” he says, kneeling out of an obligation to recognise his forebearer. Rather than instruct Ky’lar to do the same, the thunderer reaches out with a hand and catches the clothes on the male’s back, dragging him downwards to join him in the respectful gesture. This action is met with a noise of disapproval from the All-Father, which causes Thor to look away, ashamed. He takes a moment to steel himself, then opens his mouth to speak for the both of them.
“We have answered your summons. Now tell us the reason for why you have brought us here.”
Ky’lar kept his silence due to the reason he thought it was best. As much as he wanted company, it was no use to attempt to explain himself over, and over again.
Over the years, Ky stopped talking after he learned he never was going to blend in. His curious nature turning darker and it got to the he even stopped going to anything besides training and reading as much as possible.
Maybe, if he was able to get through to Thor or even be able to explore the Realms for himself things would be different. It was doubtful, but at the same time even Ky had a shred of hope. Even if he still felt like a complete outsider most of the time in his home.
Still, there was no denying the low feral growl that escaped Ky’lar’s lips as he was dragged downward into a kneeling position.
Odin knew that Ky’lar wasn’t adapting as well as he’d hoped. It was something he’d have to rectify, but letting him leave Asgard wasn’t going to happen. Mephisto would ‘smell’ the boy and try to reclaim him. That was something Odin wouldn’t have not if he could prevent such an occurrence.
When his both of his son’s entered, a nod was given. One to signal approval and then a harsh noise of disapproval was given shortly after the fact. It was a simple truth that Odin expected Ky’lar do kneel himself. An expectation that wasn’t much, but proved just how distant he had become. It was something the All-Father attempted to change, but it seemed that even he couldn’t reshape someone’s primal nature. However, it wouldn’t stop him from trying.
“While Thor shines brightly across the Realms as a sign of hope, you, ky’lar do not.” A statement, more than a fact, but Odin was being harsh for a reason. “Since your youth, you’ve always had a darkness – one that has festered over the last few years.” Even if no one would speak the truth of the matter, but that wasn’t the point. “You were both born to be kings. Born to sit and stand in my place.” It was Thor who would obtain the Throne and Thor who would lead Asgard into the future. Not Ky’lar, he would -if he gathered control- rule over a realm of his own, but as the day’s past… Odin knew that would be a close to impossible task.
“And yet… you bicker like School Children.” It wasn’t the right word to use. In-fact, it wasn’t the proper word to use at all, but Odin wanted to use something the both of them could understand. If he said the truth, he doubted either of them would listen so… he chose a slightly softer, but just as harsh approach than the harshest reality of things. “While Thor rises above you, my son.” he said, eyes dead set on Ky’lar, “stick to the shadows and plot to defy my commands.”
Odin could have gone on into more dangerous territory, but the mention of Treason wouldn’t be taken lightly. No, he’d not mention the words that would out Ky’lar in a cell for the rest of his days, but he would recite (with his sons filling in the details) the story of the Demonic invasion that happened years ago. Just so maybe it would get through Ky’s thick head about the dangers of why he shouldn’t leave Asgard.
“Many years ago,” he said, leaning forward, “I fought of an invasion lead by Mephisto himself. It was during that time during the final battle – after many Asgardians were killed – that he let lose his general. A massive Demon known as Blackheart.” He then glanced towards the ceiling. “How did I kill the demon and who was his Father?”
Ky’lar knew the answers to the questions, but remained silent. It was his own way of defying his ‘Father’ and better yet? He didn’t even have to do anything. Just that simple inaction would be sure to make both of them angry. Maybe even enough so he could explore the Realms, but it was doubtful. Very doubtful.
THIS WASN’T FINE.
yeah, they were fucked! screwed! damned! more damned than they were ALREADY DAMNED! it wasn’t their fault! what did anyone expect out of a bunch of glorified, corporate demons!? waitresses spat in peoples’ food; so could they be exempt from the same impulse?!
“i mean.” they averted their gaze. maybe if they LOOKED liked a kicked bitch, he would take pity on them. “it– it took me forever t’fix my hair this good, th—-at’s a bit unnecessary, right?”
UNNECESSARY.
everything he did could be considered HIGHLY UNNECESSARY, but did he care? no, not really. why even care about the thoughts of someone like them? they were NOTHING – worse than humans. changed into servants (of a sort) and still so IGNORANT of the things at play around them.
“i’ll be the one to DEEM what is unnecessary or otherwise.” his voice sounded disgusted, but it was an act – he didn’t care what they tried to put up as a defense. in truth, it was amusing – he just would NEVER admit that. “got it?”
“everyone has their own shit, i guess. an’ measurin’ what’s worse can be objective. depends on the person in the situation.” people could try to comprehend how other’s felt, but in the end they really couldn’t. everyone felt differently, experienced differently. “no sense dwelling on the awful past, though. —— another round?”
“make it three – it’s going to be a long night.” maybe it wouldn’t be, but ky wasn’t going to take that chance. not when all he wanted was to drown himself in drinks. at least for the moment. “the past is shit – future more shit. we’re stuck in the middle.”
“It’s nothing more than a simple party for a few of the elite,” he said sharply. “I’ve done this at least a hundred times – maybe a bit more.” Ky had grown up with these parties; having to play the perfect Grandson while the adults did their deals in the dark.
Truthfully, he never thought he’d be falling back into these ‘old’ habits, but desperate times called for desperate measures. “There is nothing to worry about as long as you look the part.”
buffy’s arms crossed over her chest as he spoke, her lips pursing as if trying to hold in an onslaught just waiting to be released. ❛ you say things like that just to placate me, and we both know it. ❜ but even as she spoke the words, and even though they were accompanied by a dramatic rolling of her eyes, there was still a reluctant smirk on her lips, in spite of it all. a sigh — equally dramatic — expelled along with slumped shoulders, as if in an over-the-top performance of defeat.
finally, she shook her head, already knowing she was going to go along with whatever he had planned, if only — as he said — to keep him out of trouble. it was infuriating that he managed to talk her into these things, but — he was right in that whatever he was up to would probably only serve to piss her off if she found out about it later.
❛ don’t be so modest, ky, ❜ she half-huffed, half spoke in a coy tone, eyes sparkling with amusement. ❛ i bet you take all the girls on adventures that lead to them wanting to kill you. ❜ a shrug, as if it was simply the truth of things and then she was nodding. ❛fine, where are we going —— and exactly how much am i going to regret this later? ❜
❛ and you seem to think you’re special because you’re the slayer. ❜ ky didn’t believe in that sort of title – no matter how she played it. from what he knew, they were powerful, but he didn’t believe the stories. nor did he think that a slayer was as powerful as told.
of course, he’d never admit that to her. if something happened, he’d depend on her to either get him out of the situation or… track him down. it was just a matter of time what would happen in all reality. ❛ and for the record, i don’t take random girls on adventures.❜
❛ you’re… you’re the first. if that means anything. ❜ it most likely didn’t, but he doubted that it mattered now or ever if he was being honest with himself. all that did matter was not making a larger mess than entirely necessary.
❛ now, ❜ he said, taking a step forward, ❛ all you need to do is supervise. if i go a little too far? well, ❜ his lips formed into a grin. ❛ good luck with stopping me.❜