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[neonleon]

[The changing of the Golden Guard happened every few years or so. One would be doing fine, then gradually disappear and fade only for a new Golden Guard to be sworn in. Leo had seen it happen a few times as castle staff and security, working on becoming part of the guard team himself under the emperor's coven. It was slow going though, something about him "not being ready" despite having been ready for four years now.

But the newest Golden Guard being sworn in is the youngest yet. Not that Leo can tell behind that mask, but he was shorter, lankier. His voice sounded a lot younger than the previous Golden Guards.

So maybe he'd do some snooping. If he found out a kid younger than him became a Golden Guard, he'll start fighting his superiors. Leo makes his way through the castle like he's on a mission, carrying a box of food to where he knows the previous Golden Guards always ate. He knocks on the door once.]

Delivery.

Comments

[pyrighteous]

R. Right. Since you're my guard. Guard to the Golden Guard.

Did the other Guard have a guard?

[neonleon]

You're lookin' at him.

Well. Until he dismissed me and I've been just kinda waiting for my next assignment. Which is you.

[pyrighteous]

... Why'd he dismiss you?

[neonleon]

Dunno to be honest. Figured he was just done and didn't need me anymore, but then got order this morning to come to you so...

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard startles at that. ]

Wait - do you think he somehow knew this would happen?

[neonleon]

No idea. Way above my pay grade.

[He absolutely thinks that.]

[pyrighteous]

I mean, if he dismissed you, and then he left ...

[ The guard brightens. ]

That means Belos must have given him a retirement! And we just don't know where he went! AND we could track him down!

[neonleon]

Maybe. Couldn't hurt to look into after you're sworn in.

[pyrighteous]

I mean - I could really use his insight. This is a little - uh -

[ He reddens. ]

I'm fully capable! Of course! I just - could use some advice!

[neonleon]

[Was that... doubt? Well, Leo won't push that too much.]

If you want, we can look for him, sure. If it helps you out.

[pyrighteous]

You wouldn't mind?

[ A beat. ]

We - should also maybe not tell the Emperor. Immediately.

[neonleon]

[Leo catches on to that immediately, playing up a bit.]

No, no of course not. We'll only mention it if he needs to know.

[pyrighteous]

Right! Exactly! Just because he has more important things and he doesn't need to know I'm - uh - looking for help!

[neonleon]

Yes. Exactly. Just us and tracking down your predecessor to see if we can get some insight. The Emperor couldn't be mad if he finds out you're wanting to make sure you do things right. Right?

[pyrighteous]

E-exactly! He'll probably be proud! AFTER I succeed, anyway.

When's the last time you saw him?

[neonleon]

Hm... About... half a year ago? More?

[pyrighteous]

... Oh. That's longer than I thought.

[ He thinks hard, leaning on one hand. ]

I mean - not that I saw him much either. I was still a Scout. But ... we did talk once.

[neonleon]

...Yeah?

[Okay maybe he'll take the opportunity to sit on the edge of the bed with him.]

What'd he say?

[pyrighteous]

He - uh -

[ The guard jolts a bit, uncertain of the gesture? Before letting Leo do that. ]

He was in one of the basement levels? Near Belos's workshop, the one he keeps locked. I was doing a patrol. And I told him he couldn't be there before I realized he was the Golden Guard.

He just stared at me for a moment. And then he - he mumbled something like "already?" and then he told me that if anything weird happened that day, I should go to the palistrom tree grove and stay there.

And that was my only conversation with him!

[neonleon]

[Holy shit he definitely knew something was about to happen.]

Ominous and not in any way spooky at all.

[pyrighteous]

... I mean, when you put it like that ...

But - nothing strange happened that day. At least nothing that made me go to the grove. The castle makes noises all the time.

[neonleon]

The castle does make noises a lot...

All right, file that under 'weird stuff to look into'.

[pyrighteous]

Yeah. We can ask him when we find him. Along with everything else!

[ And then, after a beat: ]

Were you friends?

[neonleon]

When we find him, yeah.

[Oh... That's a question though... Leo thinks on that.]

...I don't really know. It felt like we were until it didn't anymore.

[pyrighteous]

... What do you mean?