He's a Mess of a Man

Prologue ~ Five

It was the morning of the Masquerade announcement. "I need to be back in the square for the announcement at noon. But for now, I'm going to check in on Julius and Sandra," thought Leviathan as he hopped up the steps of the shop. He spotted a small leather pouch resting on the stoop. Confused, he gently picked at the pouch's string that was holding it closed. When Leviathan opened it, he saw a magical mixture. Myrrh was the strongest, but there were other herbs too. It seemed to be a mixture for protection. Leviathan cast glances to either side of the street. No one was there. When he opened the door, he saw the last person he expected to be in the shop. "D-Doctor Devorak!" Leviathan stuttered as he stepped away from him. The pouch dropped from Leviathan's nerveless fingers. He struggled to speak but Julian beat him to it.

"Well, hello there," the doctor smirked, "Fancy seeing you here," he stammered slightly, "M-maybe not so surprising."

"He was in the neighborhood, so he thought he'd be courteous and stop by, is what he told me," Sandra called from the couch.

Doctor Devorak smiled sheepishly, wringing his hands, "You look, er... splendid, Leviathan! Marvelous even..."

For a moment, Leviathan thought about yelling for the palace guards, but he dashed that thought. He stepped past the doctor with a narrow gaze and walked over to Sandra, "Not to be rude, but, why is he here..? If the guards see him here they might think that we're harboring him," he whispered.

Sandra sighed, "No matter what, Julian is a friend. He keeps doing these 'break-ins' to check in on me."

The doctor smiled, "I've got a key! So it's not necessarily breaking in," he said as he pulled a little key from his coat pocket. Leviathan passed the doctor a wary look. "Oh, I hope you don't think I'm a thief. I'm a lot of things, but certainly not that." Leviathan looked over to Sandra for confirmation.

She nodded, "Yeah he's a sketchy type but, he'd never steal. Especially from us. Because, well, he knows what I'd do. I may be many months pregnant, but I do know some strong magic."

The doctor playfully rolled his eyes as he shucked off his overcoat and unbuttoned his waistcoat. He threw it open with a flutter, arms outstretched, palm-up in submission, "Search me, Leviathan! If you find anything of yours, I'll show myself to the stocks." Leviathan paused, shocked and unsure of what to do. The doctor smirked, "Go ahead, search till your heart's content." He lowered his eye, presenting himself for inspection.

The sight made Leviathan grow hot at the ears, embarrassed, "I-I'll pass. I trust Sandra's word. And if you're a friend, like she says you are, then I trust that as well," he said as he sat next to Sandra.

Julian shrugged his shoulders, "Suit yourself."

Just then, little footsteps could be heard thumping rapidly down the stairs, "Daddy! You're back!" Julius called as he ran over to Leviathan, jumping into his lap and hugging him tightly, a bright and happy smile on his face.

Leviathan smiled and hugged his son, "Oh, hello Julius!" He laughed happily and kissed Julius all over his face, which made him giggle, "Have you been a good boy for Auntie Sandra?"

Julius nodded, "Mhm!"

Julian's jaw looked as if it was about to hit the floor. "Are you alright?" Sandra asked him.

Julian snapped out of it and nodded, "Yes..." he laughed nervously, "I just didn't expect Levi over here to be a father. He looks so young!" he said, his eyes bright with interest.

Leviathan laughed, "I am, indeed, young. I had him in my early twenties. And there'll be no more shock, he's the only one." He thought about the doctor for a moment, "I um... I have a question. What were your true intentions when you came to the shop that night a while back?"