The Arcana: His Apprentice

Dr. Devorak - Asra's POV

       It's only been a few days since I've been working for Lucio to find a cure and it's been horrible. Lucio is always shouting at me and Julian to find the cure or we'll be hanged. It's not completely terrible though, Ilya or Julian seems nice, although I think he's starting to like me a little too much. And Nadi seems very understanding and poised. She always comes to check up on how we're doing and offers us tea and snacks as a break.

       I'm sitting by the tree near the fountain in the palace gardens with a spell book in my hand. I sigh to myself as I see Faust slither up to me and onto my book. I smile and scratch her chin as she hisses in appeasement.

"Where have you been all day, hm? Not squeezing certain doctors...?" I question.

"Fun!" Faust exclaims.

"Ah, well. I suppose I can't blame you for that, Faust. He doesn't make it hard." I say.

"Then again, he certainly isn't making it easier." I say, my face dark darkening slightly.

"Don't have too much fun with him, alright? He'll start to think you like him." I say.

"Ilya's started to think I like him. But you and I know who my heart belongs with." I say as Faust nods.

       I sigh at the thought of Y/N, smiling to myself.

"There's someone else on my mind. Her name keeps falling from my lips like a spell..." I say.

"...and every day spent away from her makes the longing worse. To not hear her voice calling my name..." I say, in a trance as I look down at Faust.

"You miss her too, don't you? Or at least her expert chin scratches." I say.

"Where?" Faust asks, looking around.

"To a place I can't follow yet." I reply.

"Don't worry Faust. We're getting close." I say.

"Asra!" A voice shouts.

"Ugh." I say, turning to see who brought me out of my trance.

       I look to see a figure calling down to us, leaning over the sill of the library with a grin on his face. It's Ilya.

"Taking another nap, hm? While you were away dreaming under your beloved tree, I made a breakthrough." Julian says.

"If you don't hurry up here, I'm going to cure the whole city without you." He says teasingly.

"I highly doubt that." I say, looking smug.

       I turn my back to the window and look down at Faust.

"Faust, can you go check up on Y/N?" I ask.

"Friend?" Faust questions.

"Yes, go see how she is and then return and tell me." I explain.

       Faust sticks her tongue out and slithers away. I go back inside the palace and go to the library, seeing Ilya looking over some papers. I walk over to him and he starts explaining of some herb that could possibly cure the plague.

"You do know that those herbs only grow in snowy biomes that will take months if not years to obtain and bring back right?" I explain.

"I...didn't think that through..." Judaism says, sweating nervously and scratching the back of his head.

       I sigh and go back outside. Going back to the tree and leaning against the tree again. This research is only bringing me stress and paranoia for Y/N, I am constantly worried for her. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair until I hear rustling amongst the grass, seeing Faust pop her head out. I crouch down to her level.

"How is she?" I ask.

"Closed." Faust says.

"She closed up shop already? A little early for that." I say.

"Dance." Faust says while wriggling.

       I smile to myself at the thought of Y/N singing and dancing by herself.

"That's good." I say.

"And nod for your treat." I say, taking my bag off and opening it.

       Faust's eyes sparkled as she stares at my bag excitedly and I pull out a fuzzy rat, handing it to her. She squeezes it between her tail and I smile. I better get back inside before Ilya does something stupid like blow up the library again.

       Let's just get this over with so I can have Y/N back in my arms again. Every passing fag makes me ache without her around. Don't worry Y/N, I'll be home soon.