This segmit takes place BEFORE the Everglee Winters Ball and therefore Lilliana would NOT know Averons name. In this stint she will address him as Guard.
°Return from Mt. Bat°
Averon had always been a strange man, some days he would pretend she didn't even exist as she flitted about his space. Others he sent her away within moments of her arrival. Nevertheless Lilliana still found herself walking along the growingly familiar path to his gate.
Honestly even Lilliana didn't even have a good reason why she'd become so obsessed with ‘Guard’, as she decided to call him. They had met when she had been much younger and the curiosity had never wavered.
The biggest question she had, who was he? None of the text she scoured or the questions she posed seemed to get her anywhere with him. She couldn't find anything by image as his hands were the only feature he ever allowed her to view thus far. Not to mention, he insisted on dressing as a Reaper would, leaving any clues he may give dead end nonsense.
Perhaps that was why she was so obsessed with him, he was an absolute mystery to her. Lost deep in her thoughts it did not take long before she saw the familiar soft glow of the Stardust Lantern* she had brought him.
Sighing happily Lilliana called quietly into the dim lit space, "Guard?"
Sometimes he wasn't always there, perched behind the inky polished table guarding the door. Sometimes he traveled beyond the barred entrance and could be gone for days.
Surveying the murky area, Lilliana picked her way across the stone walkway with care. Within her arms, a basket of woven grass filled with many types of fruit. Laying the basket on the surface of the waist high table, Lilliana surveyed the space with curiosity.
Near the end butted up to the wall lay a small book, one she often saw him with his nose buried in. Curiously, Lilliana strolled around the table, walking long slender fingers toward the damaged cover. She wondered what type of books he liked, however, he often hid away anything he was doing before she could ever get a good look at it.
To herself Lilliana wondered where he was, it was very unusual for him to be gone for so long. He had to have been okay at least as the last two baskets she brought were nowhere to be found.
Sighing softly the auburn-haired princess reached to pull the thick book toward herself, but before she could look it over the groaning of old wood filled the cavern.
Startled the princess abandoned the book with quickness, turning her attention to the large ominous door Averon watched over. Excitement spread across her expression, bringing about a beaming grin. It was him.
The scent of battle flooded the air, leaving the taste of copper on Lilliana's tongue. It always saturated the cavern with the scent of death and blood every time that door opened.
Exclaiming happily, Lilliana clasped her hands tight together, holding them tight against her chest. “There you are!” However, to her surprise, her view was obscured by what appeared to be a neatly tied bundle of wings.
Excitedly she continued to chirp her delight at his talents, "Are those the wings of the Redback Mountain Bat?"
Not once has he ever fail to amaze her, returning with exotic loot every time he came back from a lengthy absence. The strength and skill he had to possess, it wasn’t a wonder why he had the Staff of Pestilence and War.
"You shouldn't be down here, Princess." He responded quietly.
That was just like him, but he couldn't fool her. She heard the faint smile in his cold voice, for too long had she known him to not hear the difference in tone. Beaming the auburn-haired woman advanced toward his form. The grin widened as he flopped the rather large set of wings to the floor to receive her.
Lilliana liked these visits the most, they were very rare. Sometimes he would warm up to her and return her affections. Burying her face against the surprisingly soft cloth of his dark robes Lilliana breathed in the scent that was his. She knew he didn't particularly like it when she got this close. But she missed him and refused to not abuse this warm bodied opportunity.
Keeping her eyes closed against the firm chest of the person she considered her closest friend, Lilliana knew if she didn't look at his face he would allow it.
Drawling in a rather whiny manor the princess voiced her concern in a rather humorous dramatic way, "I was so worried you were not going to return. "
Lilliana could feel the vibration of his chuckle through his chest, yet heard almost no actual sound. To be fair tho she'd learned a long time ago that he very rarely expressed noises.
His tone softened some as he addressed her theatrics, "It's not like I could actually just go, someone must guard the gate, Princess."
Feeling his fingers gently smooth flyaways from her braids, Lilliana felt a sense of calmness. Tightening her arms around his waist she took his robe in fist fills mumbling deep into his form.
"Sometimes I wish you'd use my name,” grumbling under her breath Lilliana continued to pout loudly.
Breathing in the mixture of spices that was his scent, Lilliana noted the underlying tang of copper lingering in the mix. With this scent the rather clueless female also began to notice a strange warmth soaking into the robes twisted in her fingers.
Almost as if aware of her notice, Averon recoiled, "You should go." The softness vanished from his tone suddenly, going right back to its chilly sound.
Once more true to nature, he was pushing her out. Lilliana despised this he'd let her in for just a moment then it's right back to square one. Clicking her tongue she withdrew herself, a rather displeased glow to her copper orbs.
Huffing quietly, the princess attempted to redirect, she did not want to leave, "I brought you baskets what did you -"
Interjecting rudely, he pressed in an almost urgent manor, "I said, you really should go.”
Even after so many years, as her lessons grew in difficulty and her free time short. Lilliana always made time for the strange man living beneath her home. However he always manipulated the terms of her visits to suit him. A slight heaviness weighed on the fact her time was possibly not as valuable to him, as his was to her. She hated to think she bothered him, and often wished he would open up to her more after knowing each other for so long.
Brows furrowed at his interruption, she decided now, however, would not be a good time to pry. She didn't want to run the chance of having to try to get around another blocker, the last one had taken weeks to get around and even longer to dismantle.
Stepping away, pretending she had not felt the dampening of the fabric at his side, Lilliana responded reluctantly, "Okay."
She would continue this dance with him, perhaps it wasn't the tune she wished to step through but it was better than the alternative.
As usual the ballroom was breathtaking, the added access to the lit-up Garden of Enva only furthered the atmosphere. If there was one thing her mother was capable of it was throwing a beautiful ball. Sometimes Lilliana felt a pang of jealousy at her mother's elegance. Often she wondered why it was she never received an ounce of that elegant nature.
At least twice now the auburn-haired princess had slipped away from the party to visit the catacombs below. Once during the prep while she oversaw the decorations, then again during the entertainer's show. However, to be fair, she had never really enjoyed these popular functions. Far too many people, and so few of them were ones she knew.
Sipping often from the crystal in her hand, the half-masked girl scanned the wide open ballroom. Much like everything else in the palace the room glowed with a light emitting from the walls and floor. Illuminating the room, it cast rainbows across the polished floors leaving not a shadow in the elegantly decorated hall.
Surveying the masked faces of the many guests, Lilliana was unsure of what it was she was searching for among the masquerading beings surrounding her.
“Are you looking for something?”
To her left came a slow familiar drawl, outer-worldly it was uncommon for this particular guest to visit. Turning Lilliana fixed a gleeful gaze upon the rather larger woman, Mkn'zies visits were by far her favorites. Peering at the brunette carefully, the princess knew she'd have to choose her words wisely. Even with only one good eye, this seer was particularly perceptive and could see through secrets easier than anyone else Lilliana knew.
But before she could get a word out, Mkn’zie’s voice continued to drawl, “Or is it a someone?”
Watching Mkn'zie duck to inspect a small platter of Humble Berries, Lilliana knew that dismissive stare in the well-dressed woman's eye. There was no way she was getting away with sneaking off again this evening, between her and the Oracle Lilliana would not be able to slip away again. Especially not after capturing the attention of the other-worldly Seer.
“No, I'm not,” Lilliana responded with caution.
Peering away from the older woman, Lilliana returned to searching the guests that mingled happily. The evening was progressing well, the atmosphere had stayed light and friendly thus far. However, there was not much here to entice the copper-eyed young woman.
Rather bluntly Mkn’zie responded to Lilliana’s caution with mischief, “I see, simply waiting for another moment to run off to your little friend down in the Underground.”
The frankness in the way Mkn'zie spoke left Lilliana snorting a rather painful gulp of Honey Spice Mead. Fanning her burning nostrils and eyes, she found relief as the chuckling seer dabbed her face with a cloth napkin.
“How...”
Before she could utter another syllable Mkn'zie had dipped to murmur against the princess's ear filling her senses with the seer's rather floral scent.
“Do not fear, I think you'll find the evening ahead to be full of delightful surprises.” Humming quietly Mkn'zie drew back to give the smaller female a charming grin.
Unsure of the meaning of those words, Lilliana found her unspoken questions left unanswered as Mkn'zie’s long legs carried her away. Her bellowing voice greeting another guest with joy leaving Lilliana deeper in the dark.
An evening of delightful surprises? Now that was not something often promised by a seer, especially one known for their apocalyptic foresight.
Lilliana's mother's voice rang sweetly behind her. "This is my daughter, Lilliana."
Pulling her thoughts from the vanishing seer, Lilliana turned her attention to the harmonious sound of her mother's voice. Swiveling her head, she painted her face with a dreamy expression. Blissfully ignorant, Lilliana felt her eyes gloss over as she addressed the formally attired guests her mother paraded around.
Astonishment quickly replaced the ditzy façade as, what she could only call, a familiar scent overwhelmed her. Gulping in deep swallows of spice, Lilliana twisted her fingers into the satin blue folds of her dress to hide her shaking hands.
Choking on her words Lilliana felt as if she had just been struck by lightning, “Guard?”
As if he had heard the breathy whisper the man, dressed in the most regal blues Lilliana had ever seen, turned his masked face to peer directly at her.
Somewhere in the distance, a voice called for her, but no matter how she tried Lilliana couldn't tear her eyes away from his form. Head swimming, she faintly heard herself ask to be excused before pushing around her aghast mother. Lilliana just wanted to escape the shocking surprise.
Again a voice called out, this time with the faintest panic, what could be so important? Twisting to respond absently, Lilliana was unaware of the fact she was falling. A room of blurring figures the last thing she’d see before toppling to the floor.
When Lilliana came to, her senses were overwhelmed with a familiar presence. Eyes fluttering open, copper orbs gazed with confusion up at an intricately jeweled mask of porcelain. It could only be him, the perfume of his skin giving him away like a neon sign.
Cooing softly the familiar man brushed a stray curl from her face. “Try to breathe, Princess. You wouldn't want to give me away, would you?”
Heart thundering in her chest, Lilliana swiveled her gaze around to the concerned guests. Heat rising in her ears, she knew the painful red hue would be visible across the features her vertical half mask did not hide. It was unlike her to be so vulnerable in such a public setting, despite the way she wore her emotions she had always been dignified.
With quiet concern the Queen came forward,attempting to offer support to her only child, “Lilliana are you alright?”
Following the sound of her mother's voice, Lilliana blinked heavily behind her own rather rather intricate colored mask. The room still swam as the warmth he cast through the thin material of his suit sank deep into her bones.
Desperately, Lilliana tried to pull her dignity together. Grasping her mother's outstretched hand she allowed herself to be pulled back to a weak kneed stand.
Apologizing with a thick tongue, “I apologize I have not been feeling well lately. Perhaps a bit of fresh air will help, please if you'll excuse me.” Lilliana swayed away from the concerned party, unaware of the way her mother cooed words behind her. Diving out the nearest garden walkway she could find, Lilliana took in gulps of the sweet night air.
Well if that wasn't the most embarrassing moment of her life, Lilliana was absolutely mortified over the fact she had fainted. However in her defense, he'd never looked that way before, and she'd never forget the way those cerulean orbs glowed with mischief. It was like he knew exactly how she was feeling at that moment, not that it was hard with the way Lilliana wore her emotions.
Humming quietly, the calm tone of a man's voice filled her ears, “Here you are."
Purposefully Lilliana turned her form away from the approaching male, the voice she was used to was replaced with a much warmer tone. Listening to the gentle hum he gave off, the princess couldn't bring herself to face him. Her weakness leaving her skin streaked with fire, she felt like she’d combust any moment at the eyes settled on her back.
"I'm sure this..” His voice called quietly from behind her.
Before he could finish Lilliana cut him off with a rather rude tone. “Excuse me.”
Honestly, she shouldn't have expected anything else when he draped an arm around her shoulders as she attempted to retreat. The emotions she felt swirling inside her were not ones most would like to share. Grinding her teeth Lilliana could feel the tremble in her hands work its way to other parts of her body, like her knees.
Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, the auburn-haired female, shifted her masked gaze to his skewed features. Up close, she could see the rather delicate pattern of his suit jacket. Afar it looked to be a deep royal blue, but up close it was actually several flattering shades of greys and blues.
Trying to start a conversation once more he stated a second time. “I know this is surprising to you, but -”
Interrupted again, this time by a secondary female who was curiously approaching. “ Lilliana, dear are you out here?”
Dropping his arm quickly, Lilliana couldn't help but be reminded of a child being burned with the way he recoiled. Privacy was clearly a very rare occurrence here, and it left both parties bitter at the tones of a seeking woman. Soft chocolate curls swung lightly around the doorway as the gentle expression of Liliana's mother came into view. Surprise glittered in golden orbs at the sight of the pair so close to one another and Lilliana could see the wheels turn in curiosity.
“Averon, I see you've found my daughter.” Queen Elijiah stated warmly, her ever constant polite smile fixed in place.
Lilliana felt the world turn again, there was absolutely no way this could be possible. Her mother knew the guard, on a first name basis. For certain she was going to be ill. However, instead of retching like she expected, Lilliana found herself being grounded by an increasing pressure on her elbow. Peering deep into shades of cerulean, she could see in his eyes that Queen Elijiah had no idea. Averon’s pleading gaze silenced the words that had bubbled on her tongue, for both their sake she wouldn't make a scene.
Drawing together what little sense of self she had left, Lilliana lifted her chin in a rather dignified manner. Cooing with the voice her mother preferred she use the most, the Princess smoothed away wrinkles of concern with ease. “I am very sorry mother. I had a chat with Madam Mkn'zie earlier, it was nothing more than a little shift of time.”
Plausible, Lilliana knew that she had the backup from the seer as it was not a lie, she had in fact seen the seer. However, Elijiah, was unaware that the illness that came with said meetings had stopped long ago.
Withdrawing from the larger form of the man she thought she knew so well, Lilliana did her absolute best to not know him at all. Lowering her head politely, she found herself going through the appreciative motions.
“Thank you, Averon. I really do appreciate your concern, I am feeling better now.” Addressing him formally Lilliana kept forced her voice to stay even.
Lilliana couldn't be sure, but she swore he had stopped breathing for a moment. However as her mother moved on from it, so did she. Strolling away, she looped an arm with the crowned woman. Tugging gently, the princess lead the queen away, leaving Averon to his own silence.
If he thought for one moment that he'd be able to get her alone, even for just a second he was very wrong. Lilliana had begged for months to know his name, even longer to see his face, and he had rejected her every time. However, here he was, going against every word he had ever uttered to her.
Keeping a decent distance from him, Lilliana did her damndest not to allow his presence to sway her. Instead circling the party, Lillian attempted to pry about what anyone knew about Averon, oddly though no one seemed to recognize him.
“Hello my little gossip,” Mkn'zie's voice chuckled aloud.
Lilliana found it difficult to ignore the overbearing hiss of a tipsy Mkn'zie. Tilting her head the Princess strained to peer sideways at the tan woman.
“Lilliana responded to the seer with a tone of irritation, “Hello, Seer.”
Lilliana watched darkness flash in the sneering woman's one good eye, that was not a good sign. A sense of dread washed over her as the slow eerie grin splitting Mkn'zie's lips widened. The woman had promised an unusually delightful evening of surprises, but all Lilliana was feeling was agitation toward the current development.
Almost in a sinister manor Mkn’zie hissed in response, “Ya know, it was a rarity, you escaping. I don't really see it in you as you've been so desperate for so long. You tipped my hand Lil Mama.”
Such cryptic words left Lilliana feeling new levels of concern. It wasn't often that Mkn'zie spoke that way, tho she was often claiming she didn't like to interfere, even the princess knew that the seer would bend that rule. Silently Lilliana watched the taller woman slither off into the throng of people.
Once out of sight, the princess began a brisk search for her mother, Lilliana wanted to be excused for the evening, with Mkn'zie prowling like that nothing truly good could come. Spying the glow of the Queen’s Crown*, she B-lined for the graceful woman.
The harmonious sound of her mother's voice drew the princess closer under a false sense of security. “Lilliana, come here for a moment won't you.”
It would be too late for her to retreat as she realized her grievous error, elbow caught in the pinch of her mother's fingers. Lilliana was once more directed to Averon, now aware of the relation she found her wits easier to keep about her. Clasping her dress with much more force than required, she lowered her head in a formal manner.
She refused to let him see her crack at her seams anymore, it was clear that the person before her was not who she thought he was.
“Try not to look so repulsed, Princess. Usually you can't seem to keep your hands to yourself, what's wrong?” Averon asked insincerely.
His insincerity was not humorous to her, why again had she agreed that this would be a fabulous idea. Perhaps, because had she rejected, her mother would have known something was wrong and Lilliana couldn't allow her mother to find out about her trips down under.
Through the half mask of feathers and plain sky blue fabric, Lilliana fixed Averon with a harsh stare. It was however only returned with a rather flirtatious smile that lightened the shade of his eyes. Feeling uneasy, Averon was almost a completely different being from the guard she had thought she knew. One was cold and often rejected her, this version of him however seemed to only be interested in being condescending and charming.
“Relax Princess, here we can touch freely. I know this isn't how you wanted to see me, but you must understand I cannot allow myself to be viewed unless it's absolutely needed,” quietly the guard attempted to smooth the frown from her expression with his words.
Allowing herself to be lead in a slow simple step to the band, Lilliana could feel the subtle cracks of her façade deepening. Deep within she bubbled with irritation and questions, yet it seemed she could not hide it deep enough as his firmer grip let her know he'd seen it.
"You didn't even tell me you would be here; I loathe surprises and you know this." Lilliana huffed in agitated tone.
Hissing under her breath, Lilliana didn't appreciate the way he simply chuckled at her agitation, despite his wish to be unseen, Lilliana did feel a sense of pride getting to see his genuine humor. Pouting, the princess turned her nose up and away in a prudish manner.
"I’d lower that jaw, Princess. Someone of your divinity may invite trouble with a scent so sweet,” Averon purred quietly under his breath.
Almost as if having the upper hand against him was impossible, Lilliana once more found herself at the mercy of the enchanting gentleman. Flushing well up against her jaw the royal quickly attempted to separate herself from the male, unfortunately the hand at the small of her back kept her firmly in place.
“I do so detest when you run from me, however, up here it would be much more suspicious if I allowed it. You'll give me away at this rate, so stop fighting and allow me to treat you as I should.”
Sickly Surprise takes place during the Everglee Winters Ball, it is a short stint between my favorite duo Lilliana and her obsession, Averon.
