Chapter Text
The castle grounds buzzed with cheerful conversations, as if the atmosphere was lifted from a huge curse. Boxes of decorations were
scattered around the place as people were busying themselves with decorating for the big day that was coming up. Noob was busy
talking to their maids about her dress colors and Chance (seeing the opportunity) went outside for a little break.
He sat on a nearby bench and soaked in the warm sunlight, taking off his hat and re-doing his ponytail. While he was doing that, a familiar
figure he knew sat down next to him. “Hey Chance,” Guest 1337 said, flashing him a smile. “You doing alright?” He asked, and the
other one nodded. “Yeah, just taking a break.” The guard responded, putting their hat back on.
G1337 nodded, looking off to the side as he watched people re-arrange the flowers in the garden to make them look more professional.
“Seems like everyone’s in a more relaxed mood this week.” The military leader commented. “Yeah, they are. They’re all so busy with
prepping for Noob’s birthday, and I guess they’re all even more motivated because it’s the first ever event we’re hosting after..”
Chance’s voice trailed off, before he cleared their throat. “Well, y’know. Anyways, I’m glad that everybody is happy while setting up, it
feels kind of like home again.” G1337 nodded. “Yep, I can certainly agree with that. I didn’t think there would be another big
event like this after the war ended, so it kind of seemed like everyone was on edge.”
The guard didn’t respond, something tugging at them with a nagging feeling. “Um.. Guest, how exactly did the war happen?” He asked
suddenly, and Guest raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. “That’s a really sudden question. I thought they told you when you were
drafted.” He watched as the other one shook their head. “Nah, they drafted me when I was 14 and didn’t explain anything.”
“I thought for awhile that was just the norm- maybe they just didn’t tell you why the war happened so you wouldn’t stress over it while
in combat, but I later learned that they didn’t tell the young recruits that.” Chance explained, letting out a nervous chuckle. “Ah, I didn’t
know that. Well, to tell you the truth-“
Before G1337 could finish his sentence, he was cut off by someone yelling for his name. He looked up and sighed. “Someone’s calling for
me so I’ll have to go for now, we’ll talk more later.” He briefly said, and Chance waved goodbye. Now, he sat alone in the courtyard with
only his thoughts and unanswered questions.
He got up, stretching before walking away to clear his mind with a nice walk.
˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚
Noob sat at her vanity, their maids touching up their makeup and hair as their mother stood behind them and watched. The royal was
wearing a beautiful light blue ballgown adorned in small stones that shimmered in the dim light, and Brighteyes was in a emerald green
dress. “Your friend is visiting town today, and they’ll be in attendance to your party.” She said, and Noob smiled gleefully.
“Really? Oh, I can’t wait to see G666!” They exclaimed, giggling. Soon, the maids were done with doing their hair and makeup. Noob
quickly grabbed their fancy masquerade mask and headed downstairs with their mother behind them, way too excited. When they got
down to the banquet hall, they saw their friend waiting down there at the front door.
The two hugged and immediately started talking, their laughter soon filling the air as they went outside to hang out for a bit before the
actual ball began. Over time, guests from different territories started pouring in and chattering amongst themselves. The sudden influx
of people heading to the castle that night caught the attention of a certain someone lurking the shadows.
Two time hid behind a tree as they watched everyone enter in the castle in extraordinary dresses, suits, and.. masks? They squinted,
trying to figure everything out. What kind of party would require a mask, if not for a theatre performance? ‘It’s probably nothing.’ Times
thought, going to walk away before their stomach started growling.
Ah, right. They were supposed to go into the market to buy something for dinner, but they’re short of money. ‘Maybe I could hunt for
something.’ Two Time thought again, before quickly dismissing that idea because they didn’t want to go through the trouble of waiting
for hours just for some small squirrel meat.
Suddenly, the outcast had an idea.
If there was a big party at the castle all of the sudden, then there was bound to be some food there.. Maybe something very tasty..
They looked down at their brown cloak and raggedy pants, sighing. Times definitely needed to find something better to wear. They
stalked closer towards the castle entrance and looked for someone that they could use.
He spotted a nice-looking man in a dark blue suit with silver accents, wearing a decorative hat and holding a matching masquerade
mask and knew just who to target. When Times got close enough, they nabbed the man and quickly dragged him into the woods.
”mMMHPH!! MMMNMHH?!” The mans screams were muffled, before being knocked out unconscious by the outcast.
Quickly putting on the clothing and grabbing the mask, Two Time hurriedly ran out of the woods and entered the castle grounds. They
looked around in awe, taking in the beautiful sculptures and detailed rows of flowers. People around them were chatting and laughing,
some even hugging or kissing. A small smile ran across their face as they headed inside.
Stepping inside, they immediately beelined for the populated ballroom. It was packed with a lot of people talking and there were butlers
walking around with plates of food and handing them to people, and they couldn’t be more then happy to have snuck in. Putting their
mask on, they went inside and started to sample everything the butlers had to offer.
From Foie Gras to Caviar to Blood sausages, Two Time ate almost every single treat there. As they were walking around the ballroom
looking for more food, they bumped into someone. “Oh- I’m sorry!” They quickly said, turning to face the individual before almost
letting out a audible gasp.
It was the man they saw the other day, the one who gave back their dagger.
They internally cringed, hoping that the sorcerer wouldn’t recognize them. “Ah, it’s okay. I should’ve watched where I was walking.”
Dusekkar said, giving a formal bow before clearing his throat. “How come I’ve never seen you before? Are you from a different
kingdom?” The sorcerer asked, tilting his head slightly in curiosity.
”Oh, uhh.. I’m from the west side.” Times vaguely replied, not actually knowing any towns over there (as they were from the north).
”Well, I’m glad you could make the trip to celebrate Noob’s birthday. It truly is a special time for celebration.” He said. “Say..
your mask and suit are really well done.” Dusekkar complimented, and Two Time felt their face heat up.
”You think so? Well, thank you.” They managed to choke out, not knowing what to do with the sudden friendliness they were
experiencing. For awhile, they were outcasted from the rest of society, so talking normally to someone felt very nice and
refreshing. They just hoped no one recognized them, or that they weren’t really from a kingdom.
“Have you had anything to drink or eat? I could get you some champagne.” He offered, and Times nodded. “Sure, I’d love some.”
The sorcerer nodded and flagged down a nearby butler who was holding a tray of mini glasses filled with that familiar grape juice.
Grabbing on of the small glasses, they took a small sip and smiled. “Thank you.”
The two started talking for a long time, laughing at each others jokes as Two Time felt this uneasy feeling in their stomach.. almost as
if there were butterflies in there flying around and trying to escape. Meanwhile, Noob and Guest 666 strolled in and went to stand next
to their dad and mom. “Where’s Dusekkar and Chance? I want to ask them both something.”
Shedletsky looked over and saw Chance standing guard at the door, though he could tell that the man had fallen asleep. Then, he saw
Dusekkar chatting with a unfamiliar person and chuckled to himself. “It looks like they’re both busy with things, so why don’t we let
them in peace for now, Noob?”
Noob huffed. “Oh, okay. I’ll ask them after.” They said, watching as Dusekkar laughed at something the other person said. “Looks like
Dusekkar is enjoying himself, I wonder who’s talking to him right now.” G666 shrugged, though there was a smile on their face. “I’m
not sure either, but they look more than happy with each other.”
“Who knows, maybe the next time we see them it’ll be at their wedding.” Noob joked, and Guest giggled. “Oh, stop it!”
˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚
The orchestra started playing a slow tune, and everyone started pairing up to dance on the ballroom floor. Dusekkar held out his
hand towards Two Time, who felt as if they were going to be set on fire with how hot they were from blushing. “Would you like to
dance with me?” He asked, and Times didn’t hesitate to take their hand and lead them to the center of the floor.
Noob was already paired up with a prince who sought out to marry them later in life, and Chance stood by themself as the guards
weren’t permitted to dance. A twinge of jealousy nagged at them as he watched everyone happily dance with other people, something
he couldn’t have that night.
As Dusekkar and Two Time waltzed together, the outcast couldn’t help but smile throughout all of it. The only other time they danced
with someone was for fun, in the comfort of their own home. Though they didn’t like to admit it, sometimes Times would practice
in secret just incase someone swept them off their feet.. again.
Meanwhile, the wizard couldn’t help but feel the happiest he has felt in a while. The person before them was so stunning in his
vision, even if he couldn’t see their whole face because of the mask they wore to obscure it. As the dance was ending, he cleared
his throat to say something.
”You know.. I wouldn’t mind staying in contact after this. We could exchange letters and even meet up sometimes if that’s okay, it
does get lonely in my tower and I would love to have a visitor like you.” He offered once again, and Two Time could feel their heart
beating loudly in their chest. “Really? You mean it?”
Two Time didn’t know how it would work since technically they lived in the wilderness near the kingdom, but there was another part of
them that was begging the wizard to keep talking, to keep saying they really meant it. It was hard to believe someone really wanted to
keep talking to them, and it almost felt like a dream.
The dance slowed to a stop, and Dusekkar and Two Time stood there staring at each other- their hands intertwined. Slowly, the wizard
reached up to caress their face before their fingers went to lift up the mask. Times didn’t register it, as they let it happen. When he lifted
the mask, he eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, you’re even prettier without it.”
Then, Dusekkar realized who he was staring at.
“Hey! That person can’t be here!” A guard yelled, snapping both of them out of their trance. The outcast snatched the mask back as they
ran out of the ballroom and started getting chased by a couple of the other guards who noticed. The royals watched and started gossiping
amongst themselves, wondering who that even was.
Builderman (Shedletsky’s assistant) tried to calm everyone down, saying there was just some misunderstanding and that it was being
immediately taken care of. Dusekkar stood there, feeling a mixture of confusion, anger, shock, but something else.
Was it?.. No.. No way.
Chance ran up to Dusekkar. “Hey man! Are you okay? Better question, actually, why were you talking to that person? You know that’s a
wanted fugitive, and they’re also banned from stepping onto these grounds.” He said, and the wizard sighed. “They had a convincing
outfit, it looked expensive, and they were also wearing a mask. I couldn’t see their face.”
The guard gave a long huff, his shoulders slumped. “Well, thanks to you now everyone won’t shut up about it and the King is probably
going to pull you aside and talk you down. Good luck with that.” He joked, walking off. He did have a point, he was most likely going to
get a stern talking to for “not recognizing” who it was, even though their face was covered.
But maybe he also didn’t notice because of something else.
Maybe he was so in love with the persona the fugitive played, he didn’t bother to realize until the mask was off.
Whatever the feeling was, it was going to stab at him for days.
He just hoped it would have a chance of going away.