Silver Bound

number 4

The afternoon tea -or more specifically lunch considering how much food was set out- was rather enjoyable, my tastebuds were exploding with desire with each bite and sip that I took. To many it would seem as if I were a pristine lady casually eating my lunch and sharing laughter with the two gentlemanly princes. But with the thoughts that were going through my mind, some would call the state I was in, ravenous.

For many things actually not just the flavoursome dishes or the strong wine that dulled some senses and heightened others, no my hunger varied further and circled around a particular slender dark prince that sat on my left whilst his much more broader and soon to be king brother sat on my right in relative silence other than the sound of chewing and swallowing, well it was mostly silent until Cal decided to start a rowdy conversation with Maven about not spending enough time with him before he becomes too drowned in kingly business which was on my part at least incredibly appreciated.

"So V, what are your plans for us all the evening? If I do recall, you were always the planner for our childhood activities" His voice was loud and his toothy smile was a refreshing sight even if he did have a noticeable yet small leaf of baby spinach stuck on his front tooth as a lighthearted chuckle joined his statement. "Your memory hasn't burdened you yet my friend. I was toying with the idea of spending a few hours taking a ride around the woods, I have one fond memory of us three spending our last day trotting around those woods and would personally love to relive it" The woods were always a beautiful part of the kingdom but it had been so long since I'd seen the lush trees and wildlife, even longer since I've been hunting which was another activity that was pinned in the back of my mind.

Maven was the first to respond and his answer brought a bright smile to my face, it almost hurt to feel my lips spread, smiling wasn't something I did much back home with my god awful mother. It has always been a wonder of mine as to how she'd gotten the gift of a exciting oblivion when in reality she was a monotone old wench that has no explosive trait other than when she's taking her anger out on me and even that was a bore to go through.

It wasn't a wonder to me as to how or why my mother got with my equally boring, stone cold father, his gift of manipulating ice was alway interesting to me as a child along with my mothers gift of obliterating anything she wished but of course by the time I had turned seven the genes that had made it into my cells from my father has set in place and called forth the power that resides in me. "That's sounds like a marvellous idea, little V. I too recall that wondrous yet saddening day, it has stayed deep within my heart all these years" Mavens response really lit up apart of me that wanted so dearly to relive all our memories all over again just to catch up, just as if no time had past. Cal responded in a similar way, "Yes that evening was memorable, I've missed you so much V. We all have".

After lunch or as Cal insisted- afternoon tea, everything went by as per normal, Cal was eager to know how I'd spent most of my life since I left which was expected and Maven simply listened, occasionally adding short comments or quick questions about my life away from Norta. He seemed more interested in my answers and almost looked to be analysing everything I said, as if the statements I was giving were the most intriguing and important thing in his life but my mind as always been overly imaginative and I was incredible at overthinking things. But it was in my nature to be creative and to overthink and over evaluate everything in my life, my mother and more specifically my father had taught me to do exactly those things and being a creative magnetron has its perks. The different kinds of metals were always things that I loved to be creative with, in ways that are dangerously beautiful.

Hours ticked by and our conversation only ceased for a moment when the three of us silvers decided to move into a more comfortable setting, the library was an obvious perfect choice and was one that Maven had instantly suggested as soon as Cal announced that his back was starting to ache from the metal dining chairs, to which I called him an 'old man' and not so subtly reminded him of my metal controlling ability by lifting my jewelled hand to sharpen the arms of the chair and reform them into spikes, my ability that he had seemingly forgotten about caused him to jump from his seat and stare in shock at the once before harmless piece of furniture. Mine and Mavens laughter echoed through the nearly empty overly large room -save for a few ornaments and extra furniture- like we used to whenever my silver gift was used against the eldest brother.

"I must say even though that chair trick was a simple magnetron manipulation, the arms of it definitely chilled extraordinarily quickly. It was as if the spikes were icy, but in my previous encounter with magnetrons never once have I felt that happen to the metal, care to give me an explanation?" Cal's words were no surprise to me especially not since I had found out that the gift that my father possessed had an effect to mine. His ice manipulating power had caused all the metal that fell under my mind to instantly turn almost icy as Cal had put it. It wasn't exactly a bad thing, in fact it was rather great in certain circumstances, not only was there a significant difference between a normal magnetron and me, but there was also great extra power that lingered in the almost frost bite inducing metal. My weapons were more lethal but it also made me severely unapproachable and cold, all the time.

The genes that my father had made him unaffected by the cold but that also partially transferred to me which made living a semi normal silver life, well a little less humane. I didn't need extra warmth but I wanted it, craved it even, but no warm body from any lover or friend could ever give me that warm feeling that so many silvers and reds alike talk about, swoon about.

Most partners didn't stay with be partially because I grew tired or bored of them or simply because of the pure fear that they always seem to feel, that my gift would only worsen and I would only get colder and colder, unfortunately for me it could possibly be completely true. It was burden but also a blessing. So my response to Cal wasn't one that I expected him to understand simply because I didn't want neither him nor Maven to understand. But after I had explained Maven still seemed unsatisfied and furrowed his dark eyebrows.

Just as the clock ticked to six we all almost silently agreed that it was time to get sorted for our late evening ride, one that I was more than excited to experience. In our lengthy conversation Maven had mentioned that they only had their two personal horses so I would have to inevitably share which wasn't what I was worried about, I wasn't the best horse rider anymore so being accompanied on the same horse was an easy acceptance but it was just the fact that I'd have to choose was what set my nerves off a little. Ride with Cal? Or with Maven?