The tavern was quiet now. Night peeked through wood crossed window panes, illuminating the inner Boar Hat with its starry glow. The chandelier caught the moon. Its light refracted off blown glass that lit the tables below, of which all but one was empty…
It was just the two of them. Elaine had ventured back into the world of the living and King, grateful nonetheless, had needed a drink to cope. He stared across the table, unbelieving, golden eyes taking in the lithe face which so resembled his own.
“But Elaaaine…” King, who was admittedly drunk after three pints of ale, could only muster a scowl as he set the stein down. The heavy mug hit hard, echoing his frustrations against the table. “I don’t get it.” He sighed an exasperated breath, trying hard to understand. Running a hand through his hair he ruffled it in annoyance.
“Just… just tell me what you see in him, because I’m definitely missing something.” His voice carried a bit too loudly through the empty tavern, aided by alcohol. “I mean–it’s Ban!” He lifted a hand in irritation, as if trying to explain to a child why they shouldn’t color on walls. “Did he trick you? Bribe you? Wait… d-did he touch you!?” His flush deepened, the pitch of his voice suddenly higher as he groaned. How could she not understand? Not see the danger that was so clear and present. Ban and Elaine? Together!? Ugh. King sneered at the thought.
That bastard. The one who stole the fountain of youth from the Fairy King’s Forest, among other things, had apparently stolen his sister’s heart as well.
It was no secret that they didn’t get along. That the friendship they’d forged was one of necessity. An act, if you will, to placate the Captain. But like hell was the Sin of Greed laying a single filthy finger on Elaine. He’d make sure of it.
A miraculous change it had been, from chaos rampant of drunken patrons, both sins and humans alike taking part in a festivity to which the Guardian felt out of place. Many had taken shelter on the ground, drunken dreams awaiting them as the lights reflected the moon hanging just above the highest point of the Boar Hat. Others retired to bed, leaving all but one table unoccupied.
By some miracle, a third chance that she felt almost undeserving. The breath that entered her lungs and filled her with life, felt almost wrong to be claimed by her. Yet, to be reuinted with the people she loves, to be able to live outside the Fairy King’s Forest..to love..
Yet, it seemed as though her brother had not quite been ready to retire-given the scowl proudly worn on such a delicate face. If he weren’t careful, Elaine was afraid it’d stick that way permanently. “Honestly..” The young Fairy sighed, her weight supported by her elbow with her chin resting in the palm of her delicate hands. Leave it to her older brother to feel the need to act all protective, after abandoning her for almost seven hundred years..
“I know it’s Ban, Harlequin.” Elaine was a patient woman, she had to be, to find her heart claimed by someone like Ban, but even now it was beginning to run thin with her brother acting as if she could not make decisions on her own. As if she were a child being scolded for not cleaning up her toys when specifically told to, Elaine didn’t need this in her life right now. Of course Harlequin would use his drunken state as an outlet of frustration. “He didn’t bribe or trick me–” His ending question sent a rage of burning crimson to her cheeks, unable to look her brother in the face from embarrassment. Regardless, it was none of her brother’s concern whether she or Ban did anything..unsightly.
It was no secret to anyone that she and Ban were an item, and it was no secret that Ban and King didn’t get along. Still, Elaine didn’t need him to make her question her choices.
“Though.~” A sly little grin worked its way onto the younger’s lips, golden irises finding their target who sat drunkenly across the table. “I could ask you about what you see in Diane.~ I’m sure she’d love to know.~”
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