Chimera’s body tightening around Nyer as the Changeling deposited his essence into the Fae, his own extremity erupting sticky lust. He nuzzled against Nyer best he could, “I only do not wish to be disappointed or torn from you.”

— — — — —

“Be careful Slate... You may not like the answers the world beyond provides for you.” Seth warned as gently as he knew how.

“I have no interest in abandoning you to such a Fate and after such a delight just imagine the games we will play when you are free of these chains.” Nyer said looking to admire his work.

———

“I will find what I need to find weather the world there likes it or not.” Slate assured himself “I will take away the gloom hanging over us.”

“You truly are going to free me even after the havoc I caused..” Chimera mused was he gazed at Nyer, grinning madly, “I think perhaps you and I may not be so different.”

— — — — —

“I just... I just want to know that my Diamond is okay.” Seth spoke softly, his gaze falling to the ring on his finger, “I needed to protect Opal by making sure she wasn’t where whoever it is spying on her needed her to be... And I just.. I know it’s not how Noah would’ve wanted it to happen, but I can’t change it now... But I need to know he’s okay.. I wonder...” his voice trailed off but echoed off the grand chamber, “Is this what Jasper felt...?”

“Perhaps you have had an effect on me I soe no reason for either of us to be upset by that.” Nyer spoke whimsically.

———

Slate let his father have a moment before he spoke that was a name he had never heard before though “who is that?”

“Amazing how everyone else falls in line of seeing me as a threat, yet without breaking from the herd, you contain your own thoughts and feelings...” Chimera seemed to peer at the Changeling with admiration, “All other inhabitants treat me as a tyrant and you treat me as a lover.”

— — — — —

Seth gazed far across the room, but was obviously seeing memories play in his mind rather than the space he and Slate occupied, “Jasper was the first of those I stole away with that admitted his love for me.”

“So what with what others think, when the world is yours to make opinions matter for what ?” Nyer mused playfully “Once my revenge is complete, the Dragon will be put in his place I will bring back to this place what belongs here and these chains can vanish.”

———

“So He is like your ex or something ?” Slate questioned obviously unsure what was running through Seth’s mind.

“Speaking of.. I know our verbal contract was not to discuss this on our weekly anniversary as per my desire, but I have one last thing to inform you of. I saw the nightmares that plague the Dragon’s waking hours. He’s feeling guilty and I know why.” Chimera grinned and squirmed.

— — — — —

“No.. I never returned his feelings.” Seth replied bluntly, “But I loved him in a familial way. He was special to me, what I had assumed would be the closest thing to family I could ever have. So he’s dear to me, but I wasn’t ever in love romantically with him. He took it hard and when he left, it was devastating for me... It was why I originally went into the material world; to find him. But I never did and I eventually gave up. But Noah... He was everything for all I thought I wanted and didn’t know needed. He sought out and found Jasper.. And it’s possible that when Noah left, Jasper went to find him I turn.”

“Oh you cannot torment me to face the Dragon I need a quiver filled with barbs to humble his hubris.” Nyer said delightfully his hand caressing along the Faes side.

———

“So I might run across him in my looking, is there anything you want me to say to him ?” Slate asked obviously surprised that he had never heard any of this.

“Will you enlighten me as to why you hold such a vendetta against the Dragon? Even I am not so adamant about chasing him an enemy as you seem to be.” Chimera asked still grinning as he pressed his cheek to Nyer’s hand.

— — — — —

“I.. I don’t know. You know better than most that sentiments are difficult for me.” The Dragon seemed to come to his senses as he stood and refocused his sights on Slate, “I wish for him to come back and I hope he is alright, but I will not force anyone to stay.”

“He is overly proud, he was rude to the Queen and lacks proper humility, these are things I must teach him.” Nyer said with a smile “After all I am well trained in such manners.” Nyer smiled as deviantly as he could.

———

“I think I understand, I know what I will say if I encounter him do not worry.” Slate tried to be assuring but sensed as if there was more to the story.

“I think perhaps you’re interested in him as well.”  Chimera chuckled, taking the moment to bask in what he could see, “I think perhaps you desire to know him as you know me. I certainly do.”

— — — — —

“Thank you.” The Dragon moved to carefully put his good arm around Slate, “What say we have a meal together.. I made some special arrangements if you’re interested.”

“If such a desire was to be in my thoughts it would only be to further my desires and pleasures.” Nyer said affirmatively “what has you interested in him ?”

———-

“That sounds great.” Slate said with a smile on his face shaking his head in agreement.

“He is an original power, particularly of Arcadia. Many worlds here only see him as a legend.” Chimera explained with his normal unique optimism, “That alone is a draw to him, but what makes him the way he is? Isn’t that what makes others interested? Just as I cannot always read you, it is the same thing that makes me want either you or him, or even your Queen.”

— — — — —

“Good.. I’m not sure what I’d tell them if you decided not to show.” Seth smiled before shifting into his Dragon form to bring Slate back to the world above. On the pavilion at the back of palace, as Seth flew around, there seemed to be almost a fair with tents set up and a massive collection of Changelings milling about enjoying themselves as they sampled foods and beverages and shared their wares.

“Perhaps then I should make it a goal of mine to serve him up to you however it is you wish.” Nyer said playfully but reflected on the answer. “How is it you always craft your answers into questions.” Nyer chuckled pulling himself from the Fae so to better lean against him.

———

“Wha .... what is all this for ?” Slate said wide eyed taking in the scene all around him.

“My nature is an inquisitive one, so naturally I crave answers, but the problem seems to be that answers only give rise to more questions.” Chimera sighed happily as he gazed at Nyer, “Have you ever heard of the hydra? Cut off one head and two grow from the stump. In the grand scheme of the span of existence, I am both young and old, so I am curious for my youth and wise for my years. Such a conundrum I seem to be. And you are completely unaffected by it all. How could I not love you?”

— — — — —

Seth landed on a large empty platform made just such for him. As soon as Slate was safely off his scaled body, his form shifted back into a human shape. He smiled as he walked his son to the edge of the platform to look at the expanse of the festivities, “This is a celebration for your travels and good fortune. I’ve even temporarily allowed a few goblins in, ones I’ve interviewed intensely. They may have some objects of interest to you. Anything you want today, is yours.”

“Such a way with words how am I ever to compete with such flattery and restrain myself from throwing myself utterly at you.” Nyer mused hopelessly enamored with his one time master.

———-

“This is so much ... all of this for me ?” Slate was obviously dumbstruck at the spectacle that was standing before him looking at everything and thinking of the limitless possibilities.

“I don’t do flattery, I speak my truths. Perhaps that is the attraction.” Chimera chuckled as he watched the faerie, “You can always trust me to be honest.”

— — — — —

“I think you should go and have fun.” Seth smiled and guided Slate down to the main path through the carnival.

“What is the first thing you will do when these chains are taken from you ?” Nyer allowed the Faes words to sink in. “Where would you want to stay ?”

———

“That sounds like a great idea.” Slate replied enthusiastically almost skipping ahead to take in the sights around him.

“I do not know. This world is interesting but unwelcoming. It doesn’t want me.” Chimera purred as he indulged Nyer, enjoying their conversation despite the negative outlook for himself, “There is no place for me here except in this tower as a prisoner.”

— — — — —

The festival was arranged into neat pathways with a wide spread of vendors selling trinkets and oddities to delicious foods and treats to enticing beverages never seen before. Down the southern stretch was a large stall where the buffet of BBQ where Opal had first taken Slate too, and then Slate invited Seth too, was hustling happily to feed a growing line.

“I think you are wrong about that, I think you have a place with me unless I am mistaken.” Nyer spoke quick to answer his hand running down the Faes cheek to his torso.

——

Slate explores the stalls and pondered the wears wondering what might be useful to him in the journey that was to come and what trinkets might make for endearing gifts for those he held close to him.

“I suppose we shall see in time. But even if you cast me away, while it might hurt me, I will always love you.” Chimera smiled whimsically, “So what shall you do with your time now?”

— — — — —

Noelle found Slate looking at the various wares, and came up beside him, “Ah.. my little prince is getting ready to fly off into the world beyond.”

“Besides my preparations for my revenge I have little to do but wait, after all things are moving along so nicely I see no need to rush anything.” Nyer spoke a touch of excitement in his words of the prospects of what is to come.

———

“I am, there is so much I need to do on the other side it is mind boggling. My father said you traveled with him when he was one the other side last, what was your experience like ?” Slate asked enthusiastically.

“Yes, speaking of, I can hear scales against the floors, hissing your name.” Chimera chuckled, “Her minions are searching for you. They’re excited.” He grinned maniacally, “I believe nearly time for all you’ve been working for.”

— — — — —

“Well, both the Dragon and your other father and myself were all a part of this thing called the Night Circus. We were performers in probably what is still one of the most amazing events in the material world. If you ever hear of it, wherever you end up, you should absolutely go.” Noelle smiled, “But beyond that, it’s different than what you know here, by leaps and bounds. Most people are not magical in any sense. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not interesting. We actually are able to feed our glamour off them; their emotions. If you or something provokes a strong emotion, you can harvest that to use your gifts because magic isn’t readily available there. Remember the Courts, the seasons I explained the other day? Each one tends to gear toward a specific emotion. Each one will give you a different taste or sensation.” She leaned close to his ear, whispering, “I bet you’re going to go with Spring.. You were always such a happy kid.”

"I suppose I should dress myself I do not want others to be blessed with the vision of my form." nyer said with a chuckle kissing the Faes chest before picking up his clothes.

-----

Slate smiled "My father mentioned this Night Circus quite a bit lately." Slate noted "I think i can find a way on the other side."

“Why be so shy with such a beautiful body?” Chimera teased with a snicker as he watched the Changeling, “Be warned of the Dragon though. All true faerie can do everything you can without so much effort and generally better. They’ve had eternities to perfect the crafts of contracts and magic. Be confident in yourself.”

— — — — —

“You’ll be fine. You’re rather resourceful.” Noelle smiled and gave the prince a tight tug, “Anything you want today is courtesy of your father today. He forgot to give you these. Just hand one over when you find something you want and Seth will take care of it end of the festival.” She pulled back and handed over a handful of specialty coins crafted in the Abyssal Mirror.