wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[Ever since everyone in Norfinbury had taken control of the town's dimension-hopping technology, Alfie has stayed on his own world, never visiting anybody else. At first, he'd even been a little leery about the idea of anybody - close friends included - coming to visit him. But by now he's much more accustomed to the idea, and the Riyria duo has an open invitation to pop over whenever they want to.

When Royce and Hadrian come by for visits, Alfie allows them more reign to wander around the bakery than most. There are times - usually during his meetings - when it's "workers only" and off-limits even for them, but for the rest of the time, he trusts them not to do or say anything stupid. They know how this sort of business works. They don't need his constant supervision. And when they show up today, Ollie doesn't hesitate to usher them in.]

Are you looking for Alfie? He's in the back.

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[ Royce makes his way through the bakery with the sort of confidence that comes from having been here before, several times. He offers Ollie a little wave, and makes his way to the back first - Hadrian is friends with other people in the bakery, which means he has quite a few more people to say hello to, catch up with.

Royce, for the most part, is not interested in seeing anybody except for Alfie. He's had quite enough socializing with the elves. And besides, this time, he has someone to introduce to a one Mr. Solomons.

She's very happy to be here, climbing her way through the bakery. Royce keeps an eye on her to make sure she doesn't break anything, but for the most part, she's a well-behaved little girl. When they reach the back, where Alfie's residing, she darts to between his legs and hides under his cloak, and Royce smiles for the briefest second before rapping on the wall to get Alfie's attention. ]

[The back is the least exciting part of the bakery, really - it's just storerooms, and meeting rooms, and Alfie's office. Alfie is in his office now, with the door ajar. When Royce knocks, he looks up from his papers, then gets to his feet.]

Royce Melborne! You're a sight for sore eyes - come in, come in; I've got things to tell you. And--

[He sees the extra pair of little legs sprouting from under Royce's cloak, and hides a smile.]

Four legs. Now, that is a surprise. You've outdone me, mate.

[ Aw, no, Alfie's warm welcome gets Royce to grin. He can't help it! Look, they'd only known each other for a few months, but it'd been a bond forged in hell. Royce is always going to be pleased to see him.

When Alfie mentions the extra pair of legs, Royce laughs quietly, pushing his cloak out of the way to reveal a little girl watching Alfie with a cautious look. She squeaks and hides behind Royce's leg, and Royce looks up at Alfie, amused. ]

Have I? [ He moves closer, and a protesty sound comes out from his cloak. ] What have I outdone you on?

[That question prompts a bigger smile that Alfie can't suppress. But instead of answering, he comes around to the front of his desk and leans his back against it, looking down at the girl with a raised eyebrow.]

Well, hello.

[ She squints up at him from where she's hiding until Royce nudges at her. Huff! The little girl scowls at him, and it is remarkably like Royce. ]

... Hi. [ She mumbles, and Royce suppresses a laugh. ] Solomons, this is Mercy.

[ His introduction has her peeking out further, wild hair in her face. Alfie seems nice, at least. ]

Mercy. Mercy, you pull the face off better than him.

[He lowers his voice.]

I would not want to earn your anger.

I'm a princess, so - so no, you wouldn't! [ Mercy insists, and Royce reaches to push her hair out of her face. His voice is fond when he speaks next: ] Behave, Mercedes.

[ Huff, huff. Mercy chills out, leaning heavily against her dad's leg. Royce affectionately runs his fingers through her messy hair, which she begrudgingly allows. It makes her look less cool in front of Alfie, who she's heard a lot about, but she likes it, so. ]

A lot has happened since we saw each other last. [ Royce remarks. ]

Sit down on the couch and the two of you can tell me all about it.

[He gestures to the leather couch in the corner, going over and switching on a nearby table lamp.]

[ Royce casually just scoops Mercy up, and that finally gets her to giggle, koala-clinging to Royce as he moves to the couch. It's a weird difference in the way he moves, the way he is around her. He's still a little unsure, but - his practice with Emily helped.

Once he's settled, Mercy climbs into his lap. ]

I want to know what it was you were hinting about, first. [ Royce says, brushing Mercy's hair out with his fingers. ]

Fucking hell, you're a good dad.

[It's not a huge surprise, but it's definitely a small one. He might be unsure, but he knows just what to do.

Alfie settles gingerly on the opposite end of the couch. His movements are better than they had been in Norfinbury - he can take much better care of himself here - but he's still a bit sore and creaky.]

Right. Royce, you met my wife.

[They'd been married about eight months ago; Royce would have been invited to the wedding.]

[ Imagine Royce in a suit. Now imagine Royce squirming uncomfortably in that suit and hating his entire life the whole time he had to be in that suit. But hey. He went!

He's also smiling a bit at Alfie's praise - Mercy hums her agreement, eyes bright and on Alfie, and Royce takes a moment to marvel at how easy it is to pull her closer. He'd never thought... he'd just never thought, is all. ]

I've met your wife. [ He confirms. And Royce liked her! A beat, and then Royce raises his eyebrows. Ahhh, he gets it! ] Solomons. Girl or boy? How old?

Girl. A week.

[Alfie is full-on grinning now, and not even trying to hide it. He'd wanted to draw the news out and tease a little more, but the shrewd businessman ("businessman") in him is pleased that Royce read between the lines so well. There's a reason he's friends with this guy.]

Renee brings her by in the evenings, if you'd like to stay for a bit--

[Please stay for a bit, Royce. He wants to show off the baby.]

[ Aw, Alfie. Royce is not typically huge on grinning, but the look on Alfie's face is enough to get Royce to smile. A week. A little girl, like Mercy. Royce is infinitely pleased for him and it shows on his face. Even Mercy is intrigued. ]

I wanna see! [ Mercy says excitedly, and Royce nods. ] We'll stay. I've nothing in particular to do back home. Arista knows where we are.

[ Mercy squeaks happily at this news. Royce continues: ] Hadrian's here as well. And congratulations, I think, is what I should say here.

You haven't brought any sicknesses with you, have you?

[He's still grinning, but he's also a little jittery. Week-old baby what do.]

Mercy, has your dad been coughing and sneezing?

No. The guards wouldn't have let him leave if he was coughing and sneezing. [ Mercy says, matter-of-fact, and Royce rolls his eyes. ]

They can't actually tell me what to do. [ Royce corrects, mussing up her hair. Mercy bats at his hands as Royce looks up at Alfie. ] Neither of us are sick. I wasn't planning on infecting your newborn child, Solomons.

[ Look, he gets it, though. Mercy skins her knee and Royce has a near heart attack. ] I assume she has a name, your little girl.

My little girl. Yeah.

[He just really likes how that sounds, okay?]

Anna. Named for my great-grandmother.

Mm. Good name. Simple.

[ He looks amused, now. ] It works for you, as well. Being a father. Don't have to see you with her to know it. [ Pause. ] Emily would be proud of both of us, I'm sure.

She'd be proud I finally got married.

[Alfie taps a finger on the arm of the couch.]

What's this about guards, then?

Eight months ago, yes. [ Royce says pointedly, and that he can't hide a smirk at. Mercy gives him a curious look that he ignores. That is not for small children to know.

As for the guards, Royce sighs. ]

Long story. Sure you want to hear all of it?

Tell me. We've got a bit of time.

I'm a fairy princess. [ Mercy informs Alfie seriously, and Royce smiles. ]

Don't spoil the ending, Mercy. [ He tells her, and she giggles when he pinches her. ] I never told you much about Novron, or any of the religious ideas we have in my world, did I? That's what makes this a long story.

Royce, don't tell me you're some sort of king.

[ He snorts. ] The worst possible career choice for me, and yet.

Of the elves. If you'll believe it.

I don't.

[He does.]

Tell me the story

[ Mercy is gonna just flop back against Royce and probably fall asleep, because she's six and comfortable where she is. Royce runs his fingers through her hair while he talks, low and even as always. ]

Novron was a man who saved humanity from the elves, years and years ago. He was supposedly a great ruler - and he had a son. There was a group dedicated to taking the power away from Novron, and they ended up destroying a city to do it, but not before his son escaped and went into hiding, with his protector. The Church of Novron has been dedicated to finding his descendant, the Heir, for hundreds of years. To make that Heir the Emperor, or so they said.

[ He waves his free hand. Backstory! ]

Turns out history got a few things wrong.