rho psl

[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]

[ HE'S SO EASY. So naive. ]

Do you HAVE secrets?

[neonleon]

Bringing you to that room and then here for starters.

[pyrighteous]

... Oh yeah, I guess that's not exactly what you're supposed to be doing. You could get in trouble for that.

[neonleon]

Absolutely could. So that's my secret.

[pyrighteous]

...

I-I'll protect it! I don't want you to get in trouble with Belos! N-not like the last one.

[neonleon]

[Leo blinks at that. a little surprised by the earnestness. No one ever really cares what happens to him.]

...Yeah. Thanks.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter rubs at his own shoulder a bit. ]

I mean it. You really should be careful. Belos doesn't like me having friends.

[neonleon]

...Then. Far as he knows, I'm still your security.

[Gonna just hold deep in his heart that Hunter thinks they're friends.]

[pyrighteous]

[ He SURE DOES. Also he slumps in relief. ]

Good. I just - this is nice, you know?

[neonleon]

[His smile does soften at that, offering the Guard book back to him.]

Yeah. Yeah, it is. I think so too.

[pyrighteous]

[ He takes it. Also the comic book. ]

Do - do you have other friends?

[neonleon]

Uh. Mostly just my brothers and April. We don't get out a lot.

[pyrighteous]

Is April your sister then?

[neonleon]

Sort of, yeah. Human that's basically family to us after this long.

[pyrighteous]

You have a HUMAN? Here?

[neonleon]

Shhhh-shh-sh! [Frantic and looking around despite literally being completely alone in the small library.]

Yes, just- She still looks enough like a witch no one asks questions.

[pyrighteous]

S-sorry!

[ He takes his voice down a notch. ]

That's still - how did she get here? You know you're legally obligated to turn her over to the Emperor, right??

[neonleon]

She said she just walked through a door but we couldn't find the door to send her back. So we've been looking for it while she's staying with us.

[pyrighteous]

...

What kind of door?

[neonleon]

Just - A door. Sounded like a normal door when she described it.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter hesitates. He knows something that he shouldn't. ]

There's ... something like that in Belos's laboratory. The one at the Head.

[neonleon]

...Really?

[Wait so what does that mean? He'll file it away to think about later.]

I'll ask her if she remembers any details about it.

[pyrighteous]

I-I don't know if it's the same one. Or if he has a copy.

He - does sometimes talk about visiting the Human Realm. I guess he went a long time ago.

[neonleon]

Who knows, but I'll ask her about it sometime. See if some dots can be connected.

[pyrighteous]

... Yeah. And - maybe the Emperor can help her.