When the Universe Began [A Blackmadhi Fantasy AU]

Chapter Three

(POV: SIMON)

Simon wandered down the brick streets of the capital city. It had been so long since he'd seen the sights in our fair city, so his fellow guards had allowed him a day off. They said they could handle the wall, but he had his doubts. Simon doubted they had even told Captain Edgeworth that they were doing this. What was the point of even taking a day off anyway? He had no idea where to go or what to do. What was that he had liked to do before he had gone to prison? It had been seven years and he'd forgotten so many things about himself.

"Thank you for doing this Phoenix." A familiar voice said as Simon rounded the corner. He ducked into a nearby alleyway. The captain would kill him if he found him! Best to keep quiet and wait here until he left.

"Beg pardon, good sir, if it isn't too much trouble... I'd like you to give me directions to the palace." A young lady stood in the shadows deeper in the alleyway, her face cloaked by the darkness. She spoke up as she spotted Simon slip into the small dark space. He had a weird feeling he'd met her somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place where.

"I can escort you there if you like." Simon offered politely.

"No thank you, good sir, directions will do just fine," she said, the movement of her shaking her head barely visible in the shadows she stood in.

"Ah... alright then. Just head all the way down this street when you exit the alleyway, that should be the easiest way to get there." he said, pointing at the brick road that was just outside of the alley. The girl pushed past him, running as fast as she could towards the palace. Must have been something important if she was in such a hurry to get there. Maybe she was a visiting noble. She would have to be if she wanted to get in there. Or a guard, but that was unlikely. Simon knew the faces and voices of all his fellow guards. And besides... Guards hardly ever got invited to the palace off duty. He'd never gotten the chance to go there himself, but maybe one day. He peeked around the corner of the alley, seeing if the captain was gone. A man with spiky hair who was covered in flour stood there with him, the soft sound of his laughter filling the air. To Simon's surprise, the captain was also smiling. He hadn't even known he could smile. He seemed distracted, so Simon snuck out from the alley, heading down the road to the tavern.

~~~

What a shocker that Simon wound up here again. He was starting to get almost predictable. He glanced around the small room for his friend, Simon was pretty sure he was still in town, so it was likely that he'd find him here. He spotted the blond sitting at a table with some boy he'd never seen before. Two hairs like horns stuck out of his forehead and he was also drenched head to toe in flour. He laughed at some joke or another Klavier had told. As the two talked, Klavier's eyes locked with Simon's and he waved him over.

"Don't be shy Simon! Come join us!" he shouted across the room. This was not a suggestion. He was telling me to come over there, so Simon did.

"Thank you, Simon," Klavier said as he took the seat next to him.

"No need to thank me, all I did was walk across a room."

"Fair enough." he laughed, his eyes sparkling with laughter as well as he said this.

"Who's the kid?" Simon asked, gesturing at the boy standing next to Klavier. The boy's face flushed and he pounded his fist on the table.

"I'm no kid! I'll have you know I'm a full-grown man!" he shouted, flour puffing out from his apron when he hit the table.

"Apollo... don't get into this now." Klavier said softly, shaking his head and placing his hand on the boy's arm.

"Sorry..." the boy said bashfully, taking a seat on the other side of Klavier. They seemed close.