“A fair point that I must be confident, I can’t wait to regain you with how I made the dragon quiver, as for everything else why should I be shy.” Nyer Sounders devious as he slung his shirt over his shoulder.

———

“Honestly I do not even know what to take with me, there are so many things I will miss about this place, it is hard to imagine anything else.” Slate said looking things over.

“Is confidence not the opposite of shyness?” Chimera chuckled, “Are you going to leave me bare and messy?”

— — — — —

“But you can come back. Maybe you just the need the things that mean the most to you.” Noelle offered, “Or maybe save these for when you come to visit the goblin market in the future.”

“Must you tempt me so ?” Nyer bit his lip as he gazed at Chimera “what harm can there be in seeing you are properly taken care of.” Nyer said as he again stood between the Faes legs “I will take care of you in every way, I can think of.” Nyer sounded devious as he pushed one of his fingers in the Fae.

———

“I suppose you are right, there is so much to do I can hardly wrap my mind around such things.” Slate looked through some things “I need only what I can carry to start my life on the other side.”

“Mm! Getting greedy now aren’t you?” Chimera cackled as he squirmed in delight at the unexpected pleasure, “Some might say you’ve spent too much time with me.”

— — — — —

“Well, I’m sure there’s at least one vendor here selling a travel chest that can fit more than it seems.” Noelle placed a reassuring hand on Slate’s shoulder, “You don’t have to leave anytime soon.”

“You brought up quite the point, how could I leave you in such a stick state, I must say you must have done something to my mind.” Nyer said with his servant grin wide his finger moving in and out easily thanks to their earlier affair he brought his tongue to taste the delight splayed across Chimera.

———

“The longer I longer the more distant things become the harder it will be to accomplish what I want to see out to do.” Slate said with a heavy heart “I want to see my father happy again, he is hurting and I can’t let him suffer and do nothing.” Slate spoke with a whisper but the words were heavy on his chest.

“So you plan on keeping them waiting and searching longer?” Chimera watched with glee as Nyer came upon his form again, “I did not see until now how tempting you saw me.. Perhaps you finally see the worlds through my eyes.”

— — — — —

“But you’re not just going for him... You’re going to rescue your Queen too.” Noelle held her smile, “I know that if anyone can do this, you can. And time does flow differently here than the world beyond. The Dragon- er, your father has tried to keep the flow of time here in as close to the material world as possible, but he’s been taxed since placing Opal out there. He’s trying to buy you as much time as you need to find her. Compared to what you and I see as normal, it’s as though the world outside is in slow motion. You have time.”

“Like I said how can I leave you in such a state, it would be terribly rude of me.” Nyer said continuing his work “and what difference does it make for them the gaze at such a spectacle.” Nyer chuckled “I am beginning to sound like you”

———

“There is so much to do on the other side, people to find, people to meet, is there anyone you would like me to find for you while I am there ?”

“You’re certain you do not if you invoke questions or anger?” Chimera squirmed in bliss, his tongue lolled out to one side as he clearly enjoyed the attention.

— — — — —

“I think just finding Orpheus is all I really want.. But if you happen...” The fiery lava siren hesitated for a moment, “You know what, maybe it’s better if I don’t give you another task. The world is a much bigger place than here. The odds of you encountering just one person.. You definitely have your task cut out for you.”

“I question how much of a secret our relationship was to any who were here during your reign.” Nyer mused watching the Faes body react to his work “oh how many joys I will feel doing this to the Dragon just to dash his heart, you truly have taught me well.”

———

“A Prince must chase the aspirations of his subjects so I insist that you tell me.” Slate smiled before kneeling before her.

“Ooh, I’m ecstatic to give you confidence in your scheme! I wonder, will you have the Dragon or the Dragon have you?” Chimera groaned in delight, “Come now, don’t leave me wanting for too long. I desire to be filled again now, since you’re playing.”

— — — — —

The motion evoked a rare blush from Noelle, and she handed over a locket that had black scorch marks on it, “If you happen across a young man with either the last name of Belleden or King, could you let him know his sister is okay. On behalf of the Dragon, I brought her here to avoid an abrupt, short future in the material world. The event though... it caused this young man to Awaken, like what Orpheus is. I just.. I feel bad that he still may be out there still worried for her. Please don’t go out of your way to find him though.. I don’t even know where he may be at this point.”

Inside the locket was a photo of young Caleb. It was a moving image showing him arriving in New York City. He was nervous and flipped an unusual looking coin between his fingers, but on closer inspection, it seemed to be a tarnished version of what Noelle had just given to Slate.

“I will break him with all the skills you taught me.” Nyer was delighted at the devils plea “maybe he will beg just like that for the satisfaction of my touch.” Nyer quivered with anticipation as he aligned himself with Chimera.

———

“Your Prince is a man of his word, if I find this fellow I will ease the burden that you have as well as that which haunts him.” Slate spoke confidently and with a wide smile “is that all for matters on the other side you would like me to attend to ?”

“You’re certain you wish to entertain me longer?” Chimera asked despite his obvious lust, “The slithering has dwindled, but the Queen is abound. We could always chance her finding us.. perhaps your charms could entice her to join us?”

— — — — —

“Yes I believe so.. Orpheus was one of the few out there I had any connection with.” Noelle admitted with her smile returning, but it vanished quickly as her attention was pulled, “Prince Slate, please go enjoy yourself and see what treasures you can find among the vendors. Excuse me.”

She gave a bow before she hurried off in the direction of Seth who stood up on the same platform he had landed on with his young prince. The Dragon was looking off toward the front of the castle, waiting for Noelle to join him.

“Perhaps they might but how could I leave you lingering in such a state as this, that would be to cruel unless you would prefer my departure.” Nyer said with a grin his hand moving to work the Fae “if the serpents wish to find also the Queen my whereabouts are no mystery.”

———

Slate was left bewilder at the abrupt departure but he could hardly fully understand what Noelle was talking about. He looked about but never let his gaze wander to far from his father.

“Oh with the music we create together, it is impossible not to know your location.” Chimera groaned, his hips moving with Nyer’s touch, “And what will you reaction be when we are discovered?”

— — — — —

Once Noelle had joined Seth, the Dragon made a few gestures and indicated the forward line of the palace. Noelle held one hand out, her halberd materializing before she simply nodded and proceeded off out of view. A burst of flame enveloped Seth, and as it disappeared, he was standing there with his human form coated strategically with glistening black scales, two pairs of curved horns and razor sharp claws at his hands and feet. His tail was long, tapering to a whip-like point and flicked back and forth, betraying his anxiety.

“Why should I care !” Nyer said with a fiendish grin running the full length of his extremity to the Fae a satisfied groan escaping from his lips. “Passion need not be bound in chains and order so why care for such things.”

———

Slate was obviously perplexed at what was happening and compelled by curiosity he made his way to Seth “what is happening ?” He asked fervently trying to take in the scene.

“Oh I don’t know!” Chimera groaned as he felt Nyer fill him, “I rather think you like these chains on me.. Afterall, just look how assertive you are with me now.”

— — — — —

“You don’t need to worry about it. You can go back and enjoy the festival...” Seth stated gently, not exactly commanding his son, “There’s been a breach and I fully intend to make my feelings on this clear. If anyone asks, Opal is within the palace.”

“You would never let me have you this way under normal circumstances.” Nyer said bucking hard against the Fae groaning with animalistic delight. “But if I am to be a prince I should learn to assert myself should I not ?” Nyer plunged deep grinding in a fashion against the Fae.

———

“I don’t understand what is happening ? What do you mean there was a breach are we under attack ?” Slate was confused never experiencing such a thing before b

“I have no qualms with you practicing upon me, or inside me or however you so desire.” Chimera groaned as the Changeling moved, “Will you do the same to your once rival?”

— — — — —

Seth sighed and was quiet for a moment. “Do recall I once mentioned the spies of our enemies and how they were unable to find the way into the Mirror? The dilemma I now face is what to do with such creatures when they act only to please their master, which I suspect is the Queen of the Night, Zoeva. They haven’t given up on reclaiming Opal as their own.”

In the far distance where Seth’s gaze was locked, Noelle burst from the calm of the heated waters of the lake where it’s surface mimicked the colors and pattern of an active lava flow. She moved against what had been an invisible enemy, but as she attacked, two snake-like creatures were suddenly there, battling against the magma siren.

Nyer drove as deep as he could as his body finally relented in ecstasy, he bit his lip in savoring the moment before looking over Chimeras form with a grin. “Perhaps we might bind him in chains like this, we could take turns and enjoy our time.” Nyer sounded fiendish.

———

“We cannot let them do that. Opal has never wanted anything to do with them.” Slate proclaimed “are we going to help Noelle? We need to do something about this.”

“Mmm, what a delight you are! Perhaps I’ve truly swayed you to my ways.” Chimera purred as his eyes rolled tore back of his head in ecstasy.

“Nyer!” Echoed the frantic voice of the Queen, followed by the same summons from Alexios. They obviously had no idea that the Changeling was still enjoying his visit with Chimera, but the search for him had expanded.

Chimera grinned wickedly at Nyer, “I know you hear them now. What shall you do?”

— — — — —

“Noelle had it handled. Watch.” Seth commanded.

Sure enough, Noelle cast the white snake creature from the Mirror, a ripple echoing from the inside of the barrier. She used her weapon to pin the black scaled beast to the ground below her and the two exchanged words.

“She’s offering him a choice, albeit not a great one.” Seth explained to Slate, “She’s offered a new life here, or death. In either case, we will hold him hostage because he holds information we want.. Not need, but want. She also purposely released one to slither back to their master. From the looks of it to her, Noelle killed her partner even though we know the truth. This turn of events could begin a war, which means it’s all the more important for you to find Opal.”

“I suppose I have little choice, I must answer their summons, unfortunately our little affair will have to wait until later to continue.” He said with an amused sigh moving quickly to make himself presentable to his peers.

———

Slate found his color fade as the spectacle played out in front of him and the harrowing words rang in his ears. “I don’t understand what is happening, I know they want her back but to go to such lengths, this is insane.”

“I shall be here waiting eagerly for your return.” Chimera grinned as he watched Nyer dress, “I do hope you will enlighten me as to their panic on your next visit.”

“Nyer?!” Echoed Zoeva’s panicked summons again. In her arms she cradled the small white serpent creature in one arm as it sobbed. Alexios wasn’t far behind her, aiding in the search for the Queen’s favored Changeling.

— — — — —

“She was the runt of a liter from what I was told when you were young and we were first gifted her. She wasn’t expected to bloom into vibrancy as she has throughout the years because no one nurtured her. She found strength in you.” Seth explained, finally to Slate, “Now, the others seem to be suffering from some sort of plague, and seeing how well Opal has faired, they want her returned to breed a new generation of Phoenix. That is why if anyone asks, she’s in the palace.”

Noelle hefted the small creature up and encapsulated it in a golden shell and brought it into the castle.

“Slate...” The Dragon turned fully to face him, “Go and enjoy the festivities. Do not speak of this to anyone. It will be handled without bloodshed.”

“What happened?” Nyer said doing his best to present a composed facade although a shiver of panic ran down the Changelings spine.

———

Slate kept quiet lost in contemplation and did as he was told but he was obviously distracted eyeing the events that happened beyond him, watching Seth and Noelle.

Zoeva’s face darkened as her anger bled through, “The Dragon sent his pet to kill Luca. Jasmine here managed to escape, but...” she cradled the white serpent to her as Alexios caught up with them.

“Jasmine did return alone to us, but she did give us some valuable information..” the Advisor interjected gently, “The Phoenix is gone from their domain, however we’re not sure where she is. This may be exactly what you’ve been studying for.”

— — — — —

“Go Slate. It will handled.” Seth assured his son, “Go find something you can give Orpheus once you find him.. And Opal too.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:02, Sun 04 Aug 2019.

“This ... this is unforgivable.” Nyer projected his indignation “they must be made to pay for this inexcusable act, My Queen I promise you that this will not go unavenged. As we speak our plans draw ever closer to fruition.”

———-

With a sigh Slate retuned to the fairground go look through it’s wears as his mind be gam to wander.