Grancrest oneshots

Vulnerable

3rd pov

Theo is a lot of things, kind, patient, calm, protective, blunt, and extremely affectionate, but none of his friends mind, after all that's just the way he is. Of course, they've noticed he's rubbed off on most of them, including the mages who are typically only gentle around other mages, to all of their great amusement. Moreno has taken to putting a hand on Lassic's shoulder when they're talking, Aubest tends to hover closer than usual, keeping a close eye on both Marrine and Alexis, since the man's mage has left and he is important to his master.

Laura likes to have a hand on Edoqia, refusing to let the woman just wander away, refusing to lose her due to her want to protect all those under her, same as Villar, even if both of them show it in extremely weird ways. Ellet has a harder time, being contracted to Igor and Selge, but anytime they two are together, you can find her almost right behind them, guarding her master's from any harm that might come to them. Juzel is amused when Boltz starts to stick close to him, the man practically his shadow, hand running along his arm or across his neck when he passes, but he doesn't mind.

Siluca is almost always with Theo when she isn't helping somewhere else, and none of them are even slightly surprised by this. She holds his hand, leans into his side, flops across his back and is generally always touching him, even if they're just passing by each other in the halls. The Lords and Emperor find the mage's change interesting, though they know they are just as responsible, touching back in response, to let the mages know they're fine. Of course, most of them don't realize more than just being affectionate - more family love than anything, except between Theo and Siluca - has rubbed off on the mages, at least not until this party.

Theo had been asked by the citizens if they could hold a festival, something to commemorate the day the new Emperor took the throne as well as the day everything started getting better. Of course, he has no choice but to give in and the Lords, their mages as well, are all invited to join, all of them wishing to relax a bit, get away from the paperwork, the complaints, the everything, since ruling over an area is hard, no matter what the people think. Everyone shows up dressed casually, since they know Theo won't care, after all, he's not going to show up in his formal wear either.

Of course the citizens are still not entirely happy with the Lords, so muttering can be heard throughout the room, a brave few hidden in the corners even going as far as to disrespect the Emperor himself, as if the man is not in the same room as them. With everyone there, the party starts, citizens in and outside the castle celebrating, since Theo had opened the castle to his people. Wine, food and nothing work related, everyone enjoying themselves. Theo is sitting on the stairs in front of his throne, refusing to be higher than everyone when they're celebrating together, several of his friends on the varying levels of the stairs, all of them talking, each of them having a place in the conversation.

Of course, the mages are nearby, chatting, catching up, though they're all well aware only half their attention is being used, the other half keeping an eye on their Lords on the chance someone tries to do something. They had all noticed a few months ago that they had begun getting rather...protective of their Lords, the slightest comment against them, an insult, anything people throw at them, they find themselves having to hold their temper back, refusing to anger or mar their Lords reputation due to the misunderstanding of the citizens.

There's nothing to stop the people, but they all have an agreement between them that they will protect the Lord nearest them, if their mage can not be with them, though their Lord will always take precedence over the others, they'll still try and protect both. Besides, the Lords can protect themselves well in battle, but sometimes in a verbal or mental battle, they are far too easily flayed alive and hurt. The festival is going well, the people happy and everyone relaxing, when a citizen comes forward, stumbling and tripping, clearly drunk.