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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

[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?

[neonleon]

I mean...

[How does he explain this...]

Like. We were friendly? I thought we were becoming friends. And then he started not being around as much or telling me to stay behind while he did stuff, and then one day just. Told me to leave and I got put in limbo waiting for a reassignment.

[pyrighteous]

...

That ... that seems really weird to me.

[neonleon]

Right? I don't really get it. But didn't have any chance to really find out anything.

[pyrighteous]

[ He’s thoughtful for a long moment. Staring down at the box of food Leo brought. ]

I guess - if we investigate - that would be a good thing, right? We can even report it to the Emperor afterwards!

[neonleon]

Exactlyyyyy if it's something he should be worried about, we can get all the deets and let him know once we have a plan.

[pyrighteous]

And we'll prove how competent and amazing we are!

[neonleon]

[Leo just gives a happy little clap before leaning in a little. Yep this is comfortable space now.]

Yes! You get it. We got this.

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard jolts a bit? Not in a bad way, just - ]

What are you doing?

[neonleon]

Oh.

[Immediately leaning back away.]

Right, got it, not friendly space.

[pyrighteous]

N-no, I just - I've never had anyone do that? I don't think it's allowed.

[neonleon]

[Yeah previous Golden Guard was like that too.]

Nah, don't think it is. My b, sorry.

[pyrighteous]

[ He winds up looking down at his hands. For a moment it looks like the bravado might come back up... ]

Hunter.

[neonleon]

[He's thinking about his own job and what he should be doing, maybe getting his scroll out to look at a few things -

But stops and looks at him.]

What?

[pyrighteous]

That's - that's my name. Hunter.

If you're going to be friendly, you should know that.

[neonleon]

[He blinks pleasantly surprised at that. Even smiles a little.]

Oh. Nice to meet you, Hunter.

[pyrighteous]

Y-yeah! Nice to meet you, uh -

[ Wait. Mild panic. ]

I-I forgot your name!

[neonleon]

[He laughs kindly at that.]

Leonardo, but everyone calls me Leo.