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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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.

Fucking hell. Why did humans need saving from the elves?

Territory war. Elves were much more powerful than humans. Had magic, and superior weapons and combat skills. Novron stopped them.

The part that history got wrong was that Novron wasn't human. He was an elf, himself. He'd fallen in love with a human woman, and wanted to defend her city from his own race's path of destruction.

And you're one of these descents, as is your little girl there.

Mm. [ Royce smiles a little at that. ] The only descendant. She's next in line.

Take three guesses to figure out who the descendant of the Heir's protector is.

-- You're joking. Not Hadrian, surely.

[ A laugh! ] You got it.

Arcadius knew. Put us together for a reason. I don't believe in destiny, but the way it worked out...

Unbelieveable. I think you might be having me on.

[He pauses, looking over at Mercy dozing in Royce's lap.]

That's a beautiful girl you've got there, mate.

I don't believe it myself, most days. The elven guards assigned to me are annoyed. Getting away from them long enough to come here was a nightmare.

[ As for Mercy, who has her thumb in her mouth - Royce looks down at her the same way he imagines Alfie looks down at his own daughter. He's quiet for a moment. ]

She looks like her mother. [ Royce murmurs, tucking Mercy's hair back behind her ear. ] Never thought I could love something like I do her. Think you might know how that feels.

I do. Yeah. It's one thing to hear people talk about it, and another to feel it for yourself. The best part of my day is when Renee brings her in the evenings.

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