Fantasizing a war - A Sanders Sides Trilogy

Day 13

Logan was riding Storm uncertainly, with Virgil leading his thestral carefully. "Um, Virgil? Are you sure it's safe for us to ride Storm? He seems very violent..." Questioned the nervous advisor - Logan still remembered getting bucked off when Joan had mistaken Virgil for a foe.

"As long as I'm with him, he'll be fine. Storm wouldn't let you near him, let alone ride him, if he didn't like you. Trust me, he'll be good." Virgil replied, with an encouraging smile. Storm, as if to prove his owner's' point, snorted and butted his muzzle adoringly into Virgil's' face.

The advisor smiled awkwardly.

Patton watched Logan dreamily as he walked beside Roman and Joan, who was mounted on Cloud. "Logan's so sweet, isn't he?" The three Light citizens were walking just out of earshot.

Joan stifled a laugh. "U-Uhm, yeah, I guess. I always found him more... Like a walking dictionary."

Roman joined his non-binary friend in laughter. Virgil scowled, not turning back as he got Storm to up the pace slightly - Logan nearly yelped as he felt the pace beneath him change.

"I swear though," Joan said, removing their helmet, "that thestral is going to kill one of us before we even reach the Dark Realm." Glancing at their friends' blank expressions, they grew embarrassedly defensive. "I mean, check it's' wingspan! Even without feathers, it's obviously twice as big as Cloud's'! And did you see how fast it is? With speed like that, we wouldn't be able to defend ourselves."

Roman shrugged awkwardly, and Patton blinked slowly. "Well, Virge did get to our castle after five minutes of galloping. Storm is probably the fastest animal alive!"

"Yeah! And imagine if Virgil got it to attack one of us! No one could stop it!" Joan theorised loudly.

"Vee wouldn't do that," Roman said suddenly, his tone sharp.

Joan blinked, then frowned. "Okay, Prince, no need to get defensive. Just discussing some 'what-ifs'." They shrugged. "Didn't think it would offend you."

 Patton also seemed quite surprised by Roman's' snap. "Yeah, kiddo. We didn't mean any harm!"

"You just... Shouldn't discuss people behind their backs. It's not nice..." Roman countered, almost shyly.

"Well, he's not very nice." Argued Joan.

"That's a lie. Virgil's really cool. And so is Storm." Roman made eye contact with Joan. "I can ride Storm without Virgil having to be nearby."

Patton's' mouth dropped, and he seemed unaware of the tension between his two friends. "Really? That's so awesome! What's it like? How fast can you go? Have you actually flown him?"

Roman nodded but Joan seemed unconvinced. "Prove it." They challenged.

"Alright!" Roman answered, folding his arms cockily. "If I'm right, you'll stop insulting Virgil."

"If you're lying, you have to insult Virgil to his face. Deal?"

"...Deal."

"But I've got one rule!"

.:*:.

Roman walked up to Logan and Virgil, trying to appear casual.

"So basically," Logan was saying, "Not only can you turn invisible, not only can you turn into a spider, but you can also raise anxiety levels?"

"Yeah, that's why my royal name will be Anxiety. Dee can manipulate almost anyone." Virgil answered.

"Do you ever use your powers?"

"NO." Virgil's' reaction was fast and almost scared. "No." He repeated, calmer than before. "I don't use my magic on others. I just keep it inside."

"D-Does that affect you?"

"Yeah, gives me heightened anxiety."

Roman coughed awkwardly. "Sorry to interrupt your nerd session, but I have a small request."

"What is it, princey?" Asked Virgil with a smile. A trusting smile. Oh, that just makes what he's about to do even worse.

"Can I sit on Storm for a bit?" Roman swallowed, putting all his acting talent into his words. "Just my legs got really tired and Joan won't get off Cloud." LOgan and Virgil glanced at each other. "If it's okay with you?"

Logan shrugged. "I don't see why not. Let me dismount." Virgil helped Logan off and helped Roman on.

As he went to grab the reigns, Roman snatched his wrist away. "Virgil, I am so sorry about this." And he kicked Storm sharply in the sides.

Instantly, Storm responded and galloped away, leaving the other two several feet behind him. Virgil was going to kill him when he got back...