[Infinity's End] The Break of Day 01-02
Feb. 4th, 2011 10:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
n_wilkinsonTitle: The Break of Day
Series: Infinity's End, Prequel
Summary: A friendship that takes everyone by surprise slowly evolves into a deeper bond as Azriel, illegitimate son of the house Celestine, and Kieran, heir to the house Azura, throw themselves into the heart of a building altercation that explodes into an all out revolution.
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freeficfriday
September 7th, 1978
The idea of attending school shouldn't be this exciting, Kieran mused to himself. He currently stood before the fancy gates that led into the Conservatory; the twisted iron was an expensive means of keeping people out. Not to mention impressing what few commoners who ever managed to see them.
But then, accustomed to spending most of his life taught by one tutor or another with his playmates hand-picked for him, Kieran supposed he had good reason to be excited. At last! He would free from his father's constant pressure and allowed to truly stretch his legs. Yes, this was something to celebrate indeed.
Kieran couldn't fight the grin on his face, so he didn't bother to try. Instead, he just joined the mild stream of students that flowed toward the Conservatory's main entrance. His gaze met a sea of black and grey, the standard color for the uniforms, broken only by various shades of hair and eye color.
“It's barely September, and it's already this cold,” a girl to Kieran's right complained. When he turned to look, he caught sight of her tugging on the length of her skirt, desperately trying to pretend it was longer.
‘Che. Whiners,’ Kieran thought, personally pleased with the chill. He loathed the heat of summer and was always glad to see autumn come. Now was no exception.
Kieran turned away from the girl and her friend, intent on hurrying through the courtyard, when he bumped into another person. One who was much larger and like a solid block in his path. He nearly lost his footing as he blinked and opened his mouth to apologize. Except he kept looking up and up and up a little bit more to see another student who was grinning like a loon.
“Sorry, I--”
“Hey,” the other boy greeted, hands reaching out to clamp on Kieran's shoulders and steady him from his wobble. “You're the kid that blew up the meeting hall!”
Kieran bristled. “We're the same age. I'm hardly a kid,” he retorted until he processed the rest of the other teen's words. Then, he beamed. “But yes, that was me. That experiment didn't exactly go as planned. No, actually, it did. But I was hoping for a larger explosion.”
The other boy burst into laughter, a booming sound that echoed around the courtyard and gathered everyone's attention. However, he didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by all the staring.
“No kidding,” he said and clapped Kieran on the shoulder hard enough to nearly send him reeling. “Souya Tegan. And man, I wish I could have seen that in person. I'll bet those stick-in-the-muds were appalled.”
Kieran straightened and took the opportunity to look Souya over again. The other boy hardly seemed the type to be attending the Conservatory. He was loud, and his uniform was in shambles: white sash loose, shirt untucked, hair messy. His overrobe nowhere to be seen either. In fact, he looked like he'd just rolled out of bed and made a mad dash over here.
He grasped Souya’s hand, entire forearm nearly crushed by the other man's grip. Not that he seemed to notice Kieran’s wincing. Or maybe he was simply used to that reaction.
“They weren't exactly pleased,” he agreed, giving a chuckle as he remembered the sheer outrage at his actions. “The name's Kieran, and we're both freshmen, yes? What's your first class?”
Souya dug a hand into his pocket to pull out a crumpled piece of paper. He scratched his head as though confused by all the lines and scribbles on it.
“Ergh. History of some kind.” Only it sounded more like a guess. “You?”
“The same.”
At least, if Kieran was remembering his schedule correctly. Maybe he ought to dig out his own and check. But then, Souya slung an arm over his already abused shoulder, nearly making Kieran stumble at the additional weight. Really, if this guy wasn’t made of pure muscle, then he had to have been chiseled from stone. He certainly weighed enough.
“We should go together then,” the bigger boy suggested, directing them toward the front of the building as though he didn't care people were staring.
Kieran guessed that he really was used to it. Of course, for Souya, it was probably hard to blend in anyway. He was at least a head taller than everyone else. Kieran barely came up to his shoulder, and he wasn’t exactly short himself. Still, there was something to be said for someone so loud and boisterous. That was unusual enough for Grayshire and just the breath of fresh air they needed. Besides, Marduk – Kieran’s father – would hate him.
Kieran liked him already. He had a feeling they’d be the best of friends. Especially if Souya kept being so interesting.
“I like you,” Souya declared then, his arm sliding from Kieran's shoulder to tug briefly at his long hair that was pulled back in its usual tail. “I've decided that you're my new best friend.”
Kieran grinned and elbowed him in the side. “As opposed to your old and forgotten one?” He snickered to himself, considering it quite the funny joke.
Souya, however, didn't answer. In fact, it looked like Souya wasn't even paying attention to him anymore. How quickly he’d been forgotten.
Well, that just wouldn’t do.
Kieran nudged him again, but the taller boy had completely stopped walking and was staring off into space. His cheeks were quickly turning a soft red, mouth even hanging open a few inches. Kieran waved a hand in front of Souya's face, trying to get his attention.
“Souya? Hello? You in there?”
No response.
Kieran frowned and followed Souya's line of sight. There, across the courtyard, three girls were standing and talking together, their laughter ringing through the open space. Kieran only recognized two of them: Yonah Misae and Lyra Dryden, and it was the latter who seemed to have caught Souya's attention.
He lowered his hand, smirking. “Staring at Lyra, I see,” Kieran commented as he waited for his new friend to come back to his senses.
Souya turned toward him slowly with wide eyes. “That's Lyra Dryden?” His voice was filled with awe. Almost as if he’d just glimpsed His Lordship himself.
“You know her?”
“You could say that.” Souya’s gaze skittered away, as though it were too embarrassing to hold Kieran's own. “I've never actually met her. I've just heard of her.”
Kieran's eyebrows tried to crawl into his hairline. “We should go say hello then,” he suggested almost wickedly.
Besides, it would give him ample opportunity to find out who that third girl was. It was only proper that he got to know the rest of his class, yes? After all, they'd been spending the next three years together.
He practically rubbed his hands together with glee as he started forward. But that was only until fingers wrapped around his arm and dragged him to a halt.
“Class is gonna start soon,” Souya reminded him, and he looked almost shy with his shoulder stooped and his head ducked down. Well, as shy as someone that big could ever look. “Maybe we should wait...”
“Is that cowardice?” Kieran teased, amused by his new friend's behavior. “Since frankly, you don't strike me as the sort to worry about being late.”
Not if Souya didn't seem to care about the Conservatory's dress code either. Or that fact that he’d all but assaulted Kieran earlier.
Souya blushed of all things. Damn. If Kieran didn't know any better, he'd think it was love at first sight. Except that didn’t really happen. Right?
The bigger boy bit his lip for a second. But then, his back suddenly straightened, and his chin lifted.
“You're right,” Souya declared firmly. “Let's go.”
Kieran nearly shouted as he was abruptly tugged after the other boy, who looked so determined that he seemed ready for battle rather than introducing himself to a pretty girl. There were so many ways this could go terribly wrong. So very many ways. But a few that it could go right. The worst Lyra could do was laugh at him, and she really wasn’t the type for that. Kieran would know. They’d played together as kids.
Souya pushed through the milling crowd of students, who were waiting for the bell to ring and announce the start of classes. Kieran saw a few familiar faces but none who he knew personally. They were just children of the other noble families, names Kieran was required to know but not necessarily befriend. It wasn’t like he cared about them either; they were all probably very dull and horribly boring.
Souya kept up a good pace as he went, using his bulk to effectively slide in between people and clear a path for Kieran to follow behind. But he seemed to lose his steam as they drew within a few yards of the chatting girls, and Kieran rolled his eyes. It seemed like it’d be up to him to break the ice.
He shook off Souya’s tenacious hold, adjusted his sash, and threw his shoulders back. Just the sort of pose his father would prefer he always held.
“Yonah!” Kieran called out, knowing for certain that the Misae heir at least was in their class.
Lyra was actually their elder by a year and should still be ahead of them. Not that he was going to tell Souya that. It’d risk crushing him before anything interesting could happen. Besides, Kieran could always play up the mysterious older woman angle later on if need be.
Pale green eyes flicked his direction, and Yonah inclined her head. Her response as always was much more reserved than Kieran's exuberance. She really was such a stick in the mud most of the time, but she did have her moments. Probably why they’d put up with her so long.
“Why Kieran Azura,” she drawled almost flippantly as she looked him up and down. “I hear that you are to blame for the omission of my interview.”
“News certainly travels fast,” Kieran remarked, sensing Souya hovering just behind him like he wanted to use his friend as a human shield. “That wasn't entirely my fault, you know.”
Yonah arched one delicate brow. “Since when is making something explode not your fault?”
“I'm hurt, Yonah dear.” He mock-gasped. “Aren't we friends?”
Before she could respond, however, Lyra made a pointed sniff. “And who am I, Kieran? The unwanted pet next to Yonah? Don't I get a greeting?”
Kieran grinned cheekily. The expression of a plan coming together perfectly. He saw Lyra’s eyes narrow at that, but her face softened as he swept his arm out and performed a very elaborate bow.
“My apologies, fair lady,” Kieran said in the most solemn voice he could muster. He reached for her hand, and she held it out to him, knowing what was coming next. “It is a beautiful morning, one that only matches you for loveliness.” His lips barely brushed the back of her hand.
Lyra chuckled, eyes sparkling with rich humor. Kieran had few male playmates as a child, but strangely enough, female ones had been plentiful. Yonah had always beaten him in spars, and Lyra thoroughly enjoyed making him lose game after game of chess. She was a tactical genius, that girl. Which meant she undoubtedly saw right through him.
“Diana, Kieran! Your wit has only worsened since I last saw you,” Lyra commented, and then, her eyes flicked past him to the strangely quiet Souya. “Who's your friend?”
“Who's yours?” Kieran retorted pointedly. He gestured with his head toward their as-of-yet silent companion, a girl who was well on her way to being a woman judging by the way she filled out her uniform. Not that he was complaining or anything.
Lyra hooked an arm through her friend's elbow and dragged her into the forefront. “This is Harper Isley,” she introduced. “She's another second year. Harper, meet Kieran Azura, a childhood friend of mine.”
Grey eyes raked Kieran from head to toe before Harper gave a nod. “Nice to meet you,” she said, lips pulled back in a fierce grin. “I can honestly say that I've heard nothing about you.”
Kieran chuckled. He offered a shallow bow to the girl, who was thankfully shorter than himself. He’d get a neck cramp just hanging out with Souya. No need to add to that.
“Same here.” He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, pointing at his newfound companion. “This is Souya Tegan. I just picked him up today. I hear he comes highly recommended.”
With his introduction, attention was drawn Souya’s way. All three girls looked his direction, no doubt weighing and measuring him as most women were wont to do. But it was the moment when Souya’s eyes met Lyra 's where things really became… strange.
If there was such a thing as love at first sight, as hearts and sparkles and flowers blooming in the air the instant eyes met, Kieran had the feeling he just witnessed it. Both Lyra and Souya blushed to the roots of their hair, and for the first time ever, Lyra looked at a loss for words. Which, in Kieran's opinion, was a Kaiyu-given miracle. If His Majesty showed up that very moment, Kieran wouldn’t be more shocked.
“Nice to meet you,” Souya breathed, miraculously without a single stutter.
“Likewise,” Lyra returned, and when they gripped hands, their fingers lingered for a lot longer than seemed appropriate. “I'm... I'm Lyra by the way. Lyra Dryden.”
“I know.” Souya grinned like a loon even as he said it.
Lyra smiled right back at him. It was like the others of their group didn’t even exist anymore. Like the entire world had fallen away and only Souya was there. As if he was the only thing that Lyra saw and the rest of them could spontaneously combust then and there but she wouldn’t notice for several hours. If ever.
It was sweet, that look on her face. It was cute, the way Souya hunched down to be closer to her. It was actually a bit sickening really. In much the same way Kieran felt after he ate too many cinnamon twists. They tasted so good going down but probably wouldn’t coming back up.
And yes, he needed to work on his mental metaphors.
But the perfect moment was shattered a few heartbeats later when Yonah's voice broke through what Kieran was sure was romantic music playing softly in the background. Or maybe that was just the school bell.
“Tegan?” Yonah rolled the name around in her mouth, as though tasting each vowel and not liking what she found. “I'm not familiar with that name.”
“You wouldn't be,” Souya responded dazedly, but his eyes never left Lyra. The blush in his cheeks deepened as they finally drew apart. “I'm from Moriarty.”
It was a surprise to Kieran, too. He’d just assumed that Souya was one of the lower nobles. Someone that should know better than to behave like this but didn’t care. He’d never thought that a commoner would dare be so forward.
It only made Kieran like him that much more.
But Yonah didn't react in quite the same fashion. Her jaw dropped. Actually dropped. And she stared in a very unladylike fashion.
“You mean, you're a commoner?”
It was more a question than statement, but Yonah said it like being common was some sort of disease that she could catch. As if she could be tainted by simply standing close by.
Kieran snorted. “How many nobles do you know have been born in Moriarty, Yonah?” he asked and shook his head. “Besides, what does it matter? So he's a commoner. A lot of people are.”
Kieran supposed that was the difference in their upbringing. The Azura cared for science more than anything else, above even position and wealth. Even Marduk would take on a commoner if he or she was intelligent enough and had the right drive. The Misae though were as high-brow as one could get, often considering themselves better than even the other six noble houses. Than even Duke Wyndham’s family. Yonah had been raised to believe she was the center of the world and no one else mattered. Save perhaps His Lordship.
Sometimes, Kieran hated that about her.
“Eh. I don't mind.” Souya lifted his shoulders in a shrug and scratched at his fuzzy chin with his forefinger. “I worked my ass off to get sponsored to come here. I deserve it as much as anyone else.”
“Ah!” Lyra's eyes widened almost comincally. “That's why your name is familiar. Grandmama sponsored you, didn't she?”
Souya seemed pleased that Lyra finally recognized him and nodded eagerly. “Yeah, she did. Your grandmother is very generous.”
Yonah snorted and made a comment under her breath, but Kieran pretended he couldn't hear her. She'd get over it eventually. As soon as she realized no one wanted to listen to her rants about pure blood and old money, she'd shut her mouth.
Fortunately, a low bell chose that second to ring through the courtyard.
“And so it begins,” Kieran put in cheerfully, snagging Souya’s arm and dragging the lovesick boy alongside him. “Time to go to class.”
“But--”
“You'll meet us for lunch, right?” Harper called out after them, the girls moving at a much slower pace than Kieran's eager march.
Souya nearly broke his neck in effort to nod eagerly as he tossed a glance over his shoulder. “Of course! Most definitely! We’ll be there!”
“We’ll see you there!” Lyra blushed and waved cheerfully at him. “Bye, Souya! And Kieran, too! See you later.”
Kieran just rolled his eyes.
o0o0o
September 23rd, 1978
“Souya!”
“Kieran!”
Within moments, Kieran was engulfed in an embrace strong enough to squeeze the breath out of him. Even so, he laughed and clapped a hand against Souya's back, greeting his friend after what seemed like ages of separation. It’d probably been less than an hour truth be told. But it could’ve been longer. Maybe.
“You two are embarrassing.” Yonah sighed, pushing past the pair with a roll of her eyes. “It's been an hour, if that. What are you? Connected at the hip?”
Kieran separated from his best friend of two weeks and made a face at her back. He contemplated sticking out his tongue, but that might be going too far.
“You'd never understand,” he called out after her instead. “You've a lump of rock where your heart should be.”
Beside him, Souya snickered. “A lump of rock? Come on, Kieran. That was hardly insulting.”
“It was the best I could come up with so quickly,” Kieran retorted with a shrug.
“He’s never been the best at thinking on his feet,” Lyra commented as she stepped out of the corridors behind them. Harper was beside her and already digging through the bag that carried the extent of their lunch.
Harper exhaled sharply. “There isn't any chicken?” she complained, pushing through the sandwiches that had been Souya's turn to bring this time.
“Nope. Just cheese,” Souya said and fell back a pace so he could walk beside Lyra, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
Kieran rolled his eyes. He was always so quickly abandoned when Lyra came around. He supposed that had to be the result of true love. A best friend just couldn't compare to a man's best girl. Still, it was a bit annoying. He’d seen Souya first damnit!
Jaw cracking with a yawn, Kieran stretched his arms over his head and heard the satisfying noise of his bones popping. That nap he'd taken in Mathematical Theory left him feeling drowsy. All he wanted to do was go back to sleep. The pleasant warmth of early afternoon wasn't helping, and Kieran fought off another yawn as he rubbed his hands over his eyes.
“I don't understand how you can sleep through math,” Lyra put in, appearing at his right and seemingly oblivious of the drooling dog attached to her other side.
Kieran tossed her a grin. “I learned all of that years ago.” He waved a dismissive hand. “It's standard curriculum for the Azura.”
“I'm glad I'm a Dryden then.”
She wrinkled her nose adorably. Maybe a small part of him could understand why Souya was so smitten.
“You are stuck memorizing dozens of history and law books.” Kieran shuddered. “I couldn't imagine anything more boring.”
Lyra playfully punched him on the shoulder. Kieran pretended to stagger away, rubbing at his bruised skin. She rolled her eyes at him.
“Where should we sit?”
He straightened, searching the open courtyard where dozens of students were milling around for the hour-long break that served as lunchtime. Many would go home. Others, like Kieran and his friends, preferred to linger because it meant less time at home. They traded responsibilities, cycling among them who would be trusted with bringing their meal for the day. Though Kieran could never get out of the manor without his mother thrusting some kind of package at him. Today was no exception; he had a wrapped bundle of ginger snaps in his pocket.
The tables in the courtyard were already occupied, prime seating after all. Yonah would probably blame Kieran for that since he'd stayed to be lectured about sleeping in class. There were trees though that would provide good shade, and Kieran strode confidently toward the line of decorative cherry trees that bordered the fence surrounding the Conservatory.
Only, someone was sitting under the very best one. The one that had the longest, widest branches and the best shade.
Kieran frowned, disappointed, until he looked closer at the student sitting by himself with his eyes locked on a book. He was a senior, judging by the black sash around his waist, and something about the other boy’s face was familiar. He had brown eyes, rare for Grayshire, and equally brown hair. In fact, he resembled the man who'd been at Kieran's interview and had cast that impressive barrier in a split-second.
“It looks like our usual spot is taken.” Harper sighed, crunching loudly on whatever she'd grabbed out of the bag when no one was looking. “Maybe we should go to my house. It's closer.”
Kieran shook his head. “He's alone. He might not mind us joining him. Whoever he is.”
“You mean you don't know?” Yonah questioned, suddenly appearing beside them. She had a nasty tendency of doing that, just popping out of nowhere.
“Nice to see you finally joined us,” Kieran drawled, surprised to find that both Lyra and Harper were giving him the same disbelieving look. “And no, I don't know. Which is why I expressed confusion. Generally, that’s how it works.”
The three women exchanged a glance, sharing a conspiratorial look amongst themselves as they lowered their voices.
“Of course he doesn't know,” Yonah muttered as she shot Kieran a cross look. “The Azura don't pay attention to anything that's not connected to a beaker or a test tube.”
Kieran twitched. “There's no need to be insulting. Just answer the damn question, Yonah.”
“That's Azriel Hadley,” Lyra put in, and her voice was barely above a whisper.
The name wasn't familiar to him at all.
“And?”
Yonah let out a little sigh. “You really are the stupidest smart person I know,” she muttered. “He's Asher Celestine's son.”
“Everyone knows it, but High Lord Celestine doesn’t acknowledge him,” Harper added in softly. “That's because he wasn't married to Hadley’s mother.”
“And what?” Kieran arched one brow and traded a look with Souya, but his best friend had a very strange and unreadable cast to his face. “That makes him untouchable?”
“Not in so many words.” Yonah sniffed and flicked loose strands of hair out of her eye. “That's just the way things are.”
“I'm going to go talk to him,” Kieran retorted, ignoring Yonah's shocked look.
It was just ridiculous to him. Who cared about that guy’s parents? If they’d never even been married?
Kieran slipped away from his friends, deftly avoiding Yonah's arm as she reached out to grab him, and approached Hadley. The older boy didn't appear to notice that they'd been talking about them at all. Though, judging by Yonah's reaction, that was probably the way everyone in general treated him. Maybe he was used to it. Maybe he just didn't care anymore.
Hadley didn't look up when Kieran appeared in front of him either. Apparently, his book really was that interesting.
Ignoring the looks being aimed between his shoulder blades, Kieran spoke up. “What are you reading?”
Brown eyes blinked as Hadley lifted his head. His forehead was pinched, and Kieran had a second to see confusion flicker across his face before it was covered in a distant but pleasant mask.
“Excuse me?”
He sounded rather confused. As if he couldn't figure out why anyone, much less Kieran, would be talking to him. Or perhaps he wasn’t used to them being semi-friendly about it.
“Your book.” Kieran pointed toward the heavy book that was settled in Hadley's lap. “What's it about?”
“History,” Hadley said, voice agreeable but vaguely suspicious.
Kieran's nose wrinkled. “Not exactly how I'd spend the afternoon, but to each his own.” He shrugged and stuck out a hand. “I'm Kieran.”
There was a moment of hesitation. Hadley just studied him, as though assessing his truthfulness, before something in his eyes strengthened with resolve.
“Azriel Hadley.”
“I know,” Kieran replied easily.
Hadley blinked. He seemed as if he expected Kieran to walk away after learning who he actually was. But naturally, Kieran didn’t quite met expectations.
“You were there at my interview, weren't you?” Kieran continued conversationally and wiggled his fingers, encouraging Hadley to greet him properly.
“I was.” Hadley finally reached up to take his hand. “I work with Lord Adair. As a scribe.”
“And you also created a strong barrier.”
Kieran clearly remembered how surprised he'd been at the controlled but heavy burst of aether that had spread through the room to blanket everyone in a thick layer of protection. He'd thought it was one of the examiners until Celestine's words proved otherwise.
“I didn't realize you were still a student though,” the younger boy added
Hadley finally closed his book, straightening so that he was no longer slumped against the trunk of the tree. “It's my last year.” He peered at Kieran, still wary, and then, his eyes slid past. “Your friends appear to be missing you.”
Kieran glanced over his shoulder, where he was being watched by the others. Harper and Lyra seemed unsure, while Yonah had her arms crossed and her head turned away. Souya, however, was watching a bit too closely. Like he wasn’t sure if he should come over yet. It was an odd thing for him. Souya was rarely indecisive about anything unless Lyra was involved. It was somehow telling, too. But Kieran wasn’t sure what exactly was being said.
“They'll get over it,” he put in dismissively, turning back to Hadley. “Besides, I wanted to invite you to join us for lunch.”
The other boy blinked again. “Today?”
“No. A week from now,” Kieran retorted and then grinned. “Of course today. We usually sit here, and it would be rude to ask you to leave, right?”
Something flickered across Hadley's face. His eyes shifted away.
“I see,” he commented and rose to his feet, gathering up his schoolbooks and materials.
Perhaps Kieran had worded that wrongly. In retrospect, it did sound as if Kieran had asked because he had no choice.
“But even if you weren't already here, I still think you should join us,” he quickly interjected, moving to intercept Hadley before he could escape.
“Why?” The brunet didn't sound annoyed, just honestly confused.
“Because anyone who can make a barrier like that is fascinating in my book,” Kieran returned honestly and gestured for Hadley to take his seat again. “What do you say?”
Hadley hesitated but lowered himself back to the ground, nestled against the trunk. His books thudded into a stack beside him – how many was he reading for Kaiyu's sake?
“It’d be rude of me to decline your offer.”
Kieran beamed. “Great!” he said and tossed a glance over his shoulder, shouting at his friends. They hadn't dared come closer, as if Hadley would bite them or something. “Come on already. Lunch only lasts an hour!”
He didn't bother to check and see if they listened. He just plopped down to the leaf-strewn grass next to Hadley and peering intently at the stack of books to his left.
“Are you really going to read all of those?”
“Eventually.” Hadley tilted his head to the side. “I like history. In order to understand the future, we must first decipher the past and learn from the present.”
Kieran actually knew that one.
“Iromele, right?” he asked with a grin. “One of the founders of the Skyla.”
“That's correct.” Hadley sounded impressed. “And here I was under the impression that you didn't read.”
It took a moment of stunned surprise before Kieran realized that Hadley – Azriel, he mentally corrected – was joking with him. Kieran burst into laughter.
“I do,” he assured the other boy. “I just prefer not to show it.” He lifted his hands, wriggling his fingers. “I tinker. I invent. Sometimes, that requires a bit of reading.”
Azriel’s lips curled toward a smile, the first that Kieran had seen, and he felt like whooping for joy. In that moment, he was doubly glad he'd walked over there. Azriel had a brilliant smile, and he had a feeling that it wasn’t brought out nearly enough.
Stone and dried grass crunched beneath several pairs of feet as Kieran's friends finally made their way over, after obviously having a discussion amongst themselves. Only Yonah looked as if she'd tasted something sour though. Most likely, she'd agreed to come only because the alternative would’ve meant eating alone.
Kieran quickly made introductions as they took a seat, putting the bag that held their lunches in the middle. It was a bother to introduce everyone properly, one by one, so Kieran just made a blanket introduction and left things at that. Besides, Azriel was starting to look a little overwhelmed by all the company. Poor kid probably didn’t get out much; it’s a good thing that Kieran was here to save him from himself then.
Harper graciously volunteered to distribute the food once they’d all settled in, and Lyra and Souya were already lost in their little love-bubble, while Yonah had her nose lifted into the air. That left Kieran free to continue his conversation with Azriel, who was proving more interesting by the second.
“So, Azriel, what's your element?” Kieran asked around a mouthful of sandwich, sharp cheddar blending pleasantly with the oat-filled bread Souya's mom made by hand. Common food or not, that woman could cook!
Azriel’s eyes narrowed slightly at the use of his first name. But he didn’t comment on it.
“Air,” he said instead, and that smile returned, just a small brightening of his eyes. “It's best suited for shielding, as you’ll come to learn.”
“That explains it then. I’m water.”
Kieran scrubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, wiping away the crumbs. Marduk would be appalled at his manners, but his father wasn't here, was he?
“Ah.” Azriel made a noise in his throat. “Is that why you chose that particular experiment then?”
Kieran laughed, shaking his head. “That failure? No. That was something I put together at the last minute because my father insisted I bring something.” He leaned in closer, lowering his voice so that no one else could hear. “My real inventions aren't fit for closed minds, you see.”
Rich humor filled Azriel’s tone. “And what about open minds?”
“I might be willing to provide a tour,” Kieran sent back, louder this time and with a grand gesture. He then dug his free hand into his pocket to produce the delicately wrapped package his mother had pressed into his arms this morning. “Do you like ginger snaps?”
Azriel tilted his head, as though unable to follow Kieran's rapid topic changes. “I do,” he replied and watched as Kieran carefully unwrapped the cookies. “Did you make them?”
Kieran waved a dismissive hand. “My mother made them.” He held out the cookies and shook them until Azriel carefully selecting one. “And you can use my name, you know. I don’t mind.”
“Your mother cooks?”
It was almost a tentative question. Very rarely did the high nobles cook. And Kieran looked too much like an Azura to be anything else.
“When she feels like it.” Kieran grinned wickedly and nudged his new friend. “Father doesn't let her do it often, but my mama always gets her way.”
He watched as Azriel bit into the soft cookie. His brown eyes widened fractionally, as though surprised by the taste.
“These are delicious,” Azriel informed him after politely swallowing.
“You better enjoy them, Azriel,” Souya interjected, for once distracted from Lyra as he butted into their conversation. “Kieran hardly ever shares his mom’s goodies. The rest of us have to beg.”
Kieran stuck his tongue out at Souya. He didn’t care how childish the action may seem.
“I only share with those who deserve it,” he retorted. “And I see you louts every day.”
“Then I shall consider myself honored,” Azriel said.
The sparkle of humor in his eyes made Kieran ridiculously pleased. As did the fact that he appropriately savored the rest of his cookie before brushing crumbs from his fingers with the sort of poise that Marduk wished Kieran would employ.
“Have another,” the younger boy suggested, holding out the wrapper and taking one more for himself. “And while you're at it, you should come with us tonight.”
Somewhere to Kieran's left, Yonah made a noise that could’ve been protest, but Kieran ignored her. He was getting rather good at that lately. Besides, Azriel was interesting, and Kieran didn't give one whit about the man's heritage. What difference did it make? Kieran honestly wished he could forget his own father half the time. Or maybe that Marduk would forget about him.
Once again, Azriel looked surprised.
“Tonight?” he questioned, tone going soft and almost hesitant.
Kieran nodded, popping the last of the ginger snap into his mouth and leaning back on his hands. He stretched his legs out in front of him like he hadn’t a care in the world. One foot prodded Souya in the side, but the other boy was used to that by now and didn’t even took up.
“We – as in the five of us – are meeting up at Lyra's.” He tilted his head her direction, so Azriel would remember whom Kieran meant. “We want to get started on aether manipulation in a more practical fashion.” He rubbed his hands together with glee.
To Kieran's disappointment, however, Azriel shook his head. He sat up straighter as the brunet started gathering his books again.
“Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I must decline. I have to work this evening.” Azriel rose to his feet, tucking his books under one arm as he brushed off his trousers with the other. “Perhaps another time.”
“You're leaving?”
Kieran couldn’t completely contain the hurt in his voice, and he didn’t really try to either. He’d only just gotten Azriel to talk to him, to really talk, and he was already leaving?
This just wouldn’t do.
“Where are you going?” Kieran asked, and no, he was not pouting. He wasn’t!
A small smile curled Azriel’s lips, but Kieran couldn't be sure it was actual humor.
“I promised Master Yamabe I'd return this book to him before class,” the brunet answered and turned as if to leave, only to hesitate. He seemed on the verge of saying more but instead shook his head. “Thank you for the cookies,” Azriel added over his shoulder. “They were delicious.”
Then, he edged around the tree, making his escape.
“You're welcome,” Kieran called after him, extremely disappointed and not completely sure why. He frowned at Azriel’s back, fingers pressing into the damp soil behind him.
And no, he still wasn’t pouting!
A wriggling, warm mass suddenly draped over Kieran's shoulder. It was entirely unexpected and nearly tumbled him backward. But that only made Yonah laugh.
“Poor Kieran,” she mock-cried and snuggled against him. “You and your habit of picking up strays.”
Lyra giggled from their left. “Like Souya, yes?”
Kieran rolled his eyes as Souya let out an indignant sound. “It's not like that,” he protested as he attempted to shake Yonah off. “I thought he was interesting.”
“We noticed,” Harper said dryly, but she winked at Kieran, as though the two of them shared some secret that the others wouldn’t know.
“I thought he was boring,” Yonah inserted, using the tone that really grated on Kieran's nerves. Sometimes, he swore she wasn't the same fun-loving girl he'd grown up with.
Lyra snorted. “You would. He doesn’t have money or station, so naturally, he’s uninteresting.” She tossed a twig at the other girl.
“Well, I don't care,” Kieran interrupted loudly. The image of Azriel’s back remained stark and vivid in his mind, for some reason, and it drove his next words. “I'm going to adopt him.”
He set his jaw, lifted his chin, and gave them all a firm stare. His mind was made up, and there’d be no dissuading him. Still, in the end, it was only Yonah who sulked, and no one paid her any attention. Everyone knew that Kieran never changed his mind.
Azriel would become a member of their group. Whether he liked it or not.
*****
a/n: And so they meet. *grins* I hope you enjoyed!
As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Series: Infinity's End, Prequel
Summary: A friendship that takes everyone by surprise slowly evolves into a deeper bond as Azriel, illegitimate son of the house Celestine, and Kieran, heir to the house Azura, throw themselves into the heart of a building altercation that explodes into an all out revolution.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20)
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Part One: Chapter Two
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Part One: Chapter Two
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September 7th, 1978
The idea of attending school shouldn't be this exciting, Kieran mused to himself. He currently stood before the fancy gates that led into the Conservatory; the twisted iron was an expensive means of keeping people out. Not to mention impressing what few commoners who ever managed to see them.
But then, accustomed to spending most of his life taught by one tutor or another with his playmates hand-picked for him, Kieran supposed he had good reason to be excited. At last! He would free from his father's constant pressure and allowed to truly stretch his legs. Yes, this was something to celebrate indeed.
Kieran couldn't fight the grin on his face, so he didn't bother to try. Instead, he just joined the mild stream of students that flowed toward the Conservatory's main entrance. His gaze met a sea of black and grey, the standard color for the uniforms, broken only by various shades of hair and eye color.
“It's barely September, and it's already this cold,” a girl to Kieran's right complained. When he turned to look, he caught sight of her tugging on the length of her skirt, desperately trying to pretend it was longer.
‘Che. Whiners,’ Kieran thought, personally pleased with the chill. He loathed the heat of summer and was always glad to see autumn come. Now was no exception.
Kieran turned away from the girl and her friend, intent on hurrying through the courtyard, when he bumped into another person. One who was much larger and like a solid block in his path. He nearly lost his footing as he blinked and opened his mouth to apologize. Except he kept looking up and up and up a little bit more to see another student who was grinning like a loon.
“Sorry, I--”
“Hey,” the other boy greeted, hands reaching out to clamp on Kieran's shoulders and steady him from his wobble. “You're the kid that blew up the meeting hall!”
Kieran bristled. “We're the same age. I'm hardly a kid,” he retorted until he processed the rest of the other teen's words. Then, he beamed. “But yes, that was me. That experiment didn't exactly go as planned. No, actually, it did. But I was hoping for a larger explosion.”
The other boy burst into laughter, a booming sound that echoed around the courtyard and gathered everyone's attention. However, he didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by all the staring.
“No kidding,” he said and clapped Kieran on the shoulder hard enough to nearly send him reeling. “Souya Tegan. And man, I wish I could have seen that in person. I'll bet those stick-in-the-muds were appalled.”
Kieran straightened and took the opportunity to look Souya over again. The other boy hardly seemed the type to be attending the Conservatory. He was loud, and his uniform was in shambles: white sash loose, shirt untucked, hair messy. His overrobe nowhere to be seen either. In fact, he looked like he'd just rolled out of bed and made a mad dash over here.
He grasped Souya’s hand, entire forearm nearly crushed by the other man's grip. Not that he seemed to notice Kieran’s wincing. Or maybe he was simply used to that reaction.
“They weren't exactly pleased,” he agreed, giving a chuckle as he remembered the sheer outrage at his actions. “The name's Kieran, and we're both freshmen, yes? What's your first class?”
Souya dug a hand into his pocket to pull out a crumpled piece of paper. He scratched his head as though confused by all the lines and scribbles on it.
“Ergh. History of some kind.” Only it sounded more like a guess. “You?”
“The same.”
At least, if Kieran was remembering his schedule correctly. Maybe he ought to dig out his own and check. But then, Souya slung an arm over his already abused shoulder, nearly making Kieran stumble at the additional weight. Really, if this guy wasn’t made of pure muscle, then he had to have been chiseled from stone. He certainly weighed enough.
“We should go together then,” the bigger boy suggested, directing them toward the front of the building as though he didn't care people were staring.
Kieran guessed that he really was used to it. Of course, for Souya, it was probably hard to blend in anyway. He was at least a head taller than everyone else. Kieran barely came up to his shoulder, and he wasn’t exactly short himself. Still, there was something to be said for someone so loud and boisterous. That was unusual enough for Grayshire and just the breath of fresh air they needed. Besides, Marduk – Kieran’s father – would hate him.
Kieran liked him already. He had a feeling they’d be the best of friends. Especially if Souya kept being so interesting.
“I like you,” Souya declared then, his arm sliding from Kieran's shoulder to tug briefly at his long hair that was pulled back in its usual tail. “I've decided that you're my new best friend.”
Kieran grinned and elbowed him in the side. “As opposed to your old and forgotten one?” He snickered to himself, considering it quite the funny joke.
Souya, however, didn't answer. In fact, it looked like Souya wasn't even paying attention to him anymore. How quickly he’d been forgotten.
Well, that just wouldn’t do.
Kieran nudged him again, but the taller boy had completely stopped walking and was staring off into space. His cheeks were quickly turning a soft red, mouth even hanging open a few inches. Kieran waved a hand in front of Souya's face, trying to get his attention.
“Souya? Hello? You in there?”
No response.
Kieran frowned and followed Souya's line of sight. There, across the courtyard, three girls were standing and talking together, their laughter ringing through the open space. Kieran only recognized two of them: Yonah Misae and Lyra Dryden, and it was the latter who seemed to have caught Souya's attention.
He lowered his hand, smirking. “Staring at Lyra, I see,” Kieran commented as he waited for his new friend to come back to his senses.
Souya turned toward him slowly with wide eyes. “That's Lyra Dryden?” His voice was filled with awe. Almost as if he’d just glimpsed His Lordship himself.
“You know her?”
“You could say that.” Souya’s gaze skittered away, as though it were too embarrassing to hold Kieran's own. “I've never actually met her. I've just heard of her.”
Kieran's eyebrows tried to crawl into his hairline. “We should go say hello then,” he suggested almost wickedly.
Besides, it would give him ample opportunity to find out who that third girl was. It was only proper that he got to know the rest of his class, yes? After all, they'd been spending the next three years together.
He practically rubbed his hands together with glee as he started forward. But that was only until fingers wrapped around his arm and dragged him to a halt.
“Class is gonna start soon,” Souya reminded him, and he looked almost shy with his shoulder stooped and his head ducked down. Well, as shy as someone that big could ever look. “Maybe we should wait...”
“Is that cowardice?” Kieran teased, amused by his new friend's behavior. “Since frankly, you don't strike me as the sort to worry about being late.”
Not if Souya didn't seem to care about the Conservatory's dress code either. Or that fact that he’d all but assaulted Kieran earlier.
Souya blushed of all things. Damn. If Kieran didn't know any better, he'd think it was love at first sight. Except that didn’t really happen. Right?
The bigger boy bit his lip for a second. But then, his back suddenly straightened, and his chin lifted.
“You're right,” Souya declared firmly. “Let's go.”
Kieran nearly shouted as he was abruptly tugged after the other boy, who looked so determined that he seemed ready for battle rather than introducing himself to a pretty girl. There were so many ways this could go terribly wrong. So very many ways. But a few that it could go right. The worst Lyra could do was laugh at him, and she really wasn’t the type for that. Kieran would know. They’d played together as kids.
Souya pushed through the milling crowd of students, who were waiting for the bell to ring and announce the start of classes. Kieran saw a few familiar faces but none who he knew personally. They were just children of the other noble families, names Kieran was required to know but not necessarily befriend. It wasn’t like he cared about them either; they were all probably very dull and horribly boring.
Souya kept up a good pace as he went, using his bulk to effectively slide in between people and clear a path for Kieran to follow behind. But he seemed to lose his steam as they drew within a few yards of the chatting girls, and Kieran rolled his eyes. It seemed like it’d be up to him to break the ice.
He shook off Souya’s tenacious hold, adjusted his sash, and threw his shoulders back. Just the sort of pose his father would prefer he always held.
“Yonah!” Kieran called out, knowing for certain that the Misae heir at least was in their class.
Lyra was actually their elder by a year and should still be ahead of them. Not that he was going to tell Souya that. It’d risk crushing him before anything interesting could happen. Besides, Kieran could always play up the mysterious older woman angle later on if need be.
Pale green eyes flicked his direction, and Yonah inclined her head. Her response as always was much more reserved than Kieran's exuberance. She really was such a stick in the mud most of the time, but she did have her moments. Probably why they’d put up with her so long.
“Why Kieran Azura,” she drawled almost flippantly as she looked him up and down. “I hear that you are to blame for the omission of my interview.”
“News certainly travels fast,” Kieran remarked, sensing Souya hovering just behind him like he wanted to use his friend as a human shield. “That wasn't entirely my fault, you know.”
Yonah arched one delicate brow. “Since when is making something explode not your fault?”
“I'm hurt, Yonah dear.” He mock-gasped. “Aren't we friends?”
Before she could respond, however, Lyra made a pointed sniff. “And who am I, Kieran? The unwanted pet next to Yonah? Don't I get a greeting?”
Kieran grinned cheekily. The expression of a plan coming together perfectly. He saw Lyra’s eyes narrow at that, but her face softened as he swept his arm out and performed a very elaborate bow.
“My apologies, fair lady,” Kieran said in the most solemn voice he could muster. He reached for her hand, and she held it out to him, knowing what was coming next. “It is a beautiful morning, one that only matches you for loveliness.” His lips barely brushed the back of her hand.
Lyra chuckled, eyes sparkling with rich humor. Kieran had few male playmates as a child, but strangely enough, female ones had been plentiful. Yonah had always beaten him in spars, and Lyra thoroughly enjoyed making him lose game after game of chess. She was a tactical genius, that girl. Which meant she undoubtedly saw right through him.
“Diana, Kieran! Your wit has only worsened since I last saw you,” Lyra commented, and then, her eyes flicked past him to the strangely quiet Souya. “Who's your friend?”
“Who's yours?” Kieran retorted pointedly. He gestured with his head toward their as-of-yet silent companion, a girl who was well on her way to being a woman judging by the way she filled out her uniform. Not that he was complaining or anything.
Lyra hooked an arm through her friend's elbow and dragged her into the forefront. “This is Harper Isley,” she introduced. “She's another second year. Harper, meet Kieran Azura, a childhood friend of mine.”
Grey eyes raked Kieran from head to toe before Harper gave a nod. “Nice to meet you,” she said, lips pulled back in a fierce grin. “I can honestly say that I've heard nothing about you.”
Kieran chuckled. He offered a shallow bow to the girl, who was thankfully shorter than himself. He’d get a neck cramp just hanging out with Souya. No need to add to that.
“Same here.” He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, pointing at his newfound companion. “This is Souya Tegan. I just picked him up today. I hear he comes highly recommended.”
With his introduction, attention was drawn Souya’s way. All three girls looked his direction, no doubt weighing and measuring him as most women were wont to do. But it was the moment when Souya’s eyes met Lyra 's where things really became… strange.
If there was such a thing as love at first sight, as hearts and sparkles and flowers blooming in the air the instant eyes met, Kieran had the feeling he just witnessed it. Both Lyra and Souya blushed to the roots of their hair, and for the first time ever, Lyra looked at a loss for words. Which, in Kieran's opinion, was a Kaiyu-given miracle. If His Majesty showed up that very moment, Kieran wouldn’t be more shocked.
“Nice to meet you,” Souya breathed, miraculously without a single stutter.
“Likewise,” Lyra returned, and when they gripped hands, their fingers lingered for a lot longer than seemed appropriate. “I'm... I'm Lyra by the way. Lyra Dryden.”
“I know.” Souya grinned like a loon even as he said it.
Lyra smiled right back at him. It was like the others of their group didn’t even exist anymore. Like the entire world had fallen away and only Souya was there. As if he was the only thing that Lyra saw and the rest of them could spontaneously combust then and there but she wouldn’t notice for several hours. If ever.
It was sweet, that look on her face. It was cute, the way Souya hunched down to be closer to her. It was actually a bit sickening really. In much the same way Kieran felt after he ate too many cinnamon twists. They tasted so good going down but probably wouldn’t coming back up.
And yes, he needed to work on his mental metaphors.
But the perfect moment was shattered a few heartbeats later when Yonah's voice broke through what Kieran was sure was romantic music playing softly in the background. Or maybe that was just the school bell.
“Tegan?” Yonah rolled the name around in her mouth, as though tasting each vowel and not liking what she found. “I'm not familiar with that name.”
“You wouldn't be,” Souya responded dazedly, but his eyes never left Lyra. The blush in his cheeks deepened as they finally drew apart. “I'm from Moriarty.”
It was a surprise to Kieran, too. He’d just assumed that Souya was one of the lower nobles. Someone that should know better than to behave like this but didn’t care. He’d never thought that a commoner would dare be so forward.
It only made Kieran like him that much more.
But Yonah didn't react in quite the same fashion. Her jaw dropped. Actually dropped. And she stared in a very unladylike fashion.
“You mean, you're a commoner?”
It was more a question than statement, but Yonah said it like being common was some sort of disease that she could catch. As if she could be tainted by simply standing close by.
Kieran snorted. “How many nobles do you know have been born in Moriarty, Yonah?” he asked and shook his head. “Besides, what does it matter? So he's a commoner. A lot of people are.”
Kieran supposed that was the difference in their upbringing. The Azura cared for science more than anything else, above even position and wealth. Even Marduk would take on a commoner if he or she was intelligent enough and had the right drive. The Misae though were as high-brow as one could get, often considering themselves better than even the other six noble houses. Than even Duke Wyndham’s family. Yonah had been raised to believe she was the center of the world and no one else mattered. Save perhaps His Lordship.
Sometimes, Kieran hated that about her.
“Eh. I don't mind.” Souya lifted his shoulders in a shrug and scratched at his fuzzy chin with his forefinger. “I worked my ass off to get sponsored to come here. I deserve it as much as anyone else.”
“Ah!” Lyra's eyes widened almost comincally. “That's why your name is familiar. Grandmama sponsored you, didn't she?”
Souya seemed pleased that Lyra finally recognized him and nodded eagerly. “Yeah, she did. Your grandmother is very generous.”
Yonah snorted and made a comment under her breath, but Kieran pretended he couldn't hear her. She'd get over it eventually. As soon as she realized no one wanted to listen to her rants about pure blood and old money, she'd shut her mouth.
Fortunately, a low bell chose that second to ring through the courtyard.
“And so it begins,” Kieran put in cheerfully, snagging Souya’s arm and dragging the lovesick boy alongside him. “Time to go to class.”
“But--”
“You'll meet us for lunch, right?” Harper called out after them, the girls moving at a much slower pace than Kieran's eager march.
Souya nearly broke his neck in effort to nod eagerly as he tossed a glance over his shoulder. “Of course! Most definitely! We’ll be there!”
“We’ll see you there!” Lyra blushed and waved cheerfully at him. “Bye, Souya! And Kieran, too! See you later.”
Kieran just rolled his eyes.
September 23rd, 1978
“Souya!”
“Kieran!”
Within moments, Kieran was engulfed in an embrace strong enough to squeeze the breath out of him. Even so, he laughed and clapped a hand against Souya's back, greeting his friend after what seemed like ages of separation. It’d probably been less than an hour truth be told. But it could’ve been longer. Maybe.
“You two are embarrassing.” Yonah sighed, pushing past the pair with a roll of her eyes. “It's been an hour, if that. What are you? Connected at the hip?”
Kieran separated from his best friend of two weeks and made a face at her back. He contemplated sticking out his tongue, but that might be going too far.
“You'd never understand,” he called out after her instead. “You've a lump of rock where your heart should be.”
Beside him, Souya snickered. “A lump of rock? Come on, Kieran. That was hardly insulting.”
“It was the best I could come up with so quickly,” Kieran retorted with a shrug.
“He’s never been the best at thinking on his feet,” Lyra commented as she stepped out of the corridors behind them. Harper was beside her and already digging through the bag that carried the extent of their lunch.
Harper exhaled sharply. “There isn't any chicken?” she complained, pushing through the sandwiches that had been Souya's turn to bring this time.
“Nope. Just cheese,” Souya said and fell back a pace so he could walk beside Lyra, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
Kieran rolled his eyes. He was always so quickly abandoned when Lyra came around. He supposed that had to be the result of true love. A best friend just couldn't compare to a man's best girl. Still, it was a bit annoying. He’d seen Souya first damnit!
Jaw cracking with a yawn, Kieran stretched his arms over his head and heard the satisfying noise of his bones popping. That nap he'd taken in Mathematical Theory left him feeling drowsy. All he wanted to do was go back to sleep. The pleasant warmth of early afternoon wasn't helping, and Kieran fought off another yawn as he rubbed his hands over his eyes.
“I don't understand how you can sleep through math,” Lyra put in, appearing at his right and seemingly oblivious of the drooling dog attached to her other side.
Kieran tossed her a grin. “I learned all of that years ago.” He waved a dismissive hand. “It's standard curriculum for the Azura.”
“I'm glad I'm a Dryden then.”
She wrinkled her nose adorably. Maybe a small part of him could understand why Souya was so smitten.
“You are stuck memorizing dozens of history and law books.” Kieran shuddered. “I couldn't imagine anything more boring.”
Lyra playfully punched him on the shoulder. Kieran pretended to stagger away, rubbing at his bruised skin. She rolled her eyes at him.
“Where should we sit?”
He straightened, searching the open courtyard where dozens of students were milling around for the hour-long break that served as lunchtime. Many would go home. Others, like Kieran and his friends, preferred to linger because it meant less time at home. They traded responsibilities, cycling among them who would be trusted with bringing their meal for the day. Though Kieran could never get out of the manor without his mother thrusting some kind of package at him. Today was no exception; he had a wrapped bundle of ginger snaps in his pocket.
The tables in the courtyard were already occupied, prime seating after all. Yonah would probably blame Kieran for that since he'd stayed to be lectured about sleeping in class. There were trees though that would provide good shade, and Kieran strode confidently toward the line of decorative cherry trees that bordered the fence surrounding the Conservatory.
Only, someone was sitting under the very best one. The one that had the longest, widest branches and the best shade.
Kieran frowned, disappointed, until he looked closer at the student sitting by himself with his eyes locked on a book. He was a senior, judging by the black sash around his waist, and something about the other boy’s face was familiar. He had brown eyes, rare for Grayshire, and equally brown hair. In fact, he resembled the man who'd been at Kieran's interview and had cast that impressive barrier in a split-second.
“It looks like our usual spot is taken.” Harper sighed, crunching loudly on whatever she'd grabbed out of the bag when no one was looking. “Maybe we should go to my house. It's closer.”
Kieran shook his head. “He's alone. He might not mind us joining him. Whoever he is.”
“You mean you don't know?” Yonah questioned, suddenly appearing beside them. She had a nasty tendency of doing that, just popping out of nowhere.
“Nice to see you finally joined us,” Kieran drawled, surprised to find that both Lyra and Harper were giving him the same disbelieving look. “And no, I don't know. Which is why I expressed confusion. Generally, that’s how it works.”
The three women exchanged a glance, sharing a conspiratorial look amongst themselves as they lowered their voices.
“Of course he doesn't know,” Yonah muttered as she shot Kieran a cross look. “The Azura don't pay attention to anything that's not connected to a beaker or a test tube.”
Kieran twitched. “There's no need to be insulting. Just answer the damn question, Yonah.”
“That's Azriel Hadley,” Lyra put in, and her voice was barely above a whisper.
The name wasn't familiar to him at all.
“And?”
Yonah let out a little sigh. “You really are the stupidest smart person I know,” she muttered. “He's Asher Celestine's son.”
“Everyone knows it, but High Lord Celestine doesn’t acknowledge him,” Harper added in softly. “That's because he wasn't married to Hadley’s mother.”
“And what?” Kieran arched one brow and traded a look with Souya, but his best friend had a very strange and unreadable cast to his face. “That makes him untouchable?”
“Not in so many words.” Yonah sniffed and flicked loose strands of hair out of her eye. “That's just the way things are.”
“I'm going to go talk to him,” Kieran retorted, ignoring Yonah's shocked look.
It was just ridiculous to him. Who cared about that guy’s parents? If they’d never even been married?
Kieran slipped away from his friends, deftly avoiding Yonah's arm as she reached out to grab him, and approached Hadley. The older boy didn't appear to notice that they'd been talking about them at all. Though, judging by Yonah's reaction, that was probably the way everyone in general treated him. Maybe he was used to it. Maybe he just didn't care anymore.
Hadley didn't look up when Kieran appeared in front of him either. Apparently, his book really was that interesting.
Ignoring the looks being aimed between his shoulder blades, Kieran spoke up. “What are you reading?”
Brown eyes blinked as Hadley lifted his head. His forehead was pinched, and Kieran had a second to see confusion flicker across his face before it was covered in a distant but pleasant mask.
“Excuse me?”
He sounded rather confused. As if he couldn't figure out why anyone, much less Kieran, would be talking to him. Or perhaps he wasn’t used to them being semi-friendly about it.
“Your book.” Kieran pointed toward the heavy book that was settled in Hadley's lap. “What's it about?”
“History,” Hadley said, voice agreeable but vaguely suspicious.
Kieran's nose wrinkled. “Not exactly how I'd spend the afternoon, but to each his own.” He shrugged and stuck out a hand. “I'm Kieran.”
There was a moment of hesitation. Hadley just studied him, as though assessing his truthfulness, before something in his eyes strengthened with resolve.
“Azriel Hadley.”
“I know,” Kieran replied easily.
Hadley blinked. He seemed as if he expected Kieran to walk away after learning who he actually was. But naturally, Kieran didn’t quite met expectations.
“You were there at my interview, weren't you?” Kieran continued conversationally and wiggled his fingers, encouraging Hadley to greet him properly.
“I was.” Hadley finally reached up to take his hand. “I work with Lord Adair. As a scribe.”
“And you also created a strong barrier.”
Kieran clearly remembered how surprised he'd been at the controlled but heavy burst of aether that had spread through the room to blanket everyone in a thick layer of protection. He'd thought it was one of the examiners until Celestine's words proved otherwise.
“I didn't realize you were still a student though,” the younger boy added
Hadley finally closed his book, straightening so that he was no longer slumped against the trunk of the tree. “It's my last year.” He peered at Kieran, still wary, and then, his eyes slid past. “Your friends appear to be missing you.”
Kieran glanced over his shoulder, where he was being watched by the others. Harper and Lyra seemed unsure, while Yonah had her arms crossed and her head turned away. Souya, however, was watching a bit too closely. Like he wasn’t sure if he should come over yet. It was an odd thing for him. Souya was rarely indecisive about anything unless Lyra was involved. It was somehow telling, too. But Kieran wasn’t sure what exactly was being said.
“They'll get over it,” he put in dismissively, turning back to Hadley. “Besides, I wanted to invite you to join us for lunch.”
The other boy blinked again. “Today?”
“No. A week from now,” Kieran retorted and then grinned. “Of course today. We usually sit here, and it would be rude to ask you to leave, right?”
Something flickered across Hadley's face. His eyes shifted away.
“I see,” he commented and rose to his feet, gathering up his schoolbooks and materials.
Perhaps Kieran had worded that wrongly. In retrospect, it did sound as if Kieran had asked because he had no choice.
“But even if you weren't already here, I still think you should join us,” he quickly interjected, moving to intercept Hadley before he could escape.
“Why?” The brunet didn't sound annoyed, just honestly confused.
“Because anyone who can make a barrier like that is fascinating in my book,” Kieran returned honestly and gestured for Hadley to take his seat again. “What do you say?”
Hadley hesitated but lowered himself back to the ground, nestled against the trunk. His books thudded into a stack beside him – how many was he reading for Kaiyu's sake?
“It’d be rude of me to decline your offer.”
Kieran beamed. “Great!” he said and tossed a glance over his shoulder, shouting at his friends. They hadn't dared come closer, as if Hadley would bite them or something. “Come on already. Lunch only lasts an hour!”
He didn't bother to check and see if they listened. He just plopped down to the leaf-strewn grass next to Hadley and peering intently at the stack of books to his left.
“Are you really going to read all of those?”
“Eventually.” Hadley tilted his head to the side. “I like history. In order to understand the future, we must first decipher the past and learn from the present.”
Kieran actually knew that one.
“Iromele, right?” he asked with a grin. “One of the founders of the Skyla.”
“That's correct.” Hadley sounded impressed. “And here I was under the impression that you didn't read.”
It took a moment of stunned surprise before Kieran realized that Hadley – Azriel, he mentally corrected – was joking with him. Kieran burst into laughter.
“I do,” he assured the other boy. “I just prefer not to show it.” He lifted his hands, wriggling his fingers. “I tinker. I invent. Sometimes, that requires a bit of reading.”
Azriel’s lips curled toward a smile, the first that Kieran had seen, and he felt like whooping for joy. In that moment, he was doubly glad he'd walked over there. Azriel had a brilliant smile, and he had a feeling that it wasn’t brought out nearly enough.
Stone and dried grass crunched beneath several pairs of feet as Kieran's friends finally made their way over, after obviously having a discussion amongst themselves. Only Yonah looked as if she'd tasted something sour though. Most likely, she'd agreed to come only because the alternative would’ve meant eating alone.
Kieran quickly made introductions as they took a seat, putting the bag that held their lunches in the middle. It was a bother to introduce everyone properly, one by one, so Kieran just made a blanket introduction and left things at that. Besides, Azriel was starting to look a little overwhelmed by all the company. Poor kid probably didn’t get out much; it’s a good thing that Kieran was here to save him from himself then.
Harper graciously volunteered to distribute the food once they’d all settled in, and Lyra and Souya were already lost in their little love-bubble, while Yonah had her nose lifted into the air. That left Kieran free to continue his conversation with Azriel, who was proving more interesting by the second.
“So, Azriel, what's your element?” Kieran asked around a mouthful of sandwich, sharp cheddar blending pleasantly with the oat-filled bread Souya's mom made by hand. Common food or not, that woman could cook!
Azriel’s eyes narrowed slightly at the use of his first name. But he didn’t comment on it.
“Air,” he said instead, and that smile returned, just a small brightening of his eyes. “It's best suited for shielding, as you’ll come to learn.”
“That explains it then. I’m water.”
Kieran scrubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, wiping away the crumbs. Marduk would be appalled at his manners, but his father wasn't here, was he?
“Ah.” Azriel made a noise in his throat. “Is that why you chose that particular experiment then?”
Kieran laughed, shaking his head. “That failure? No. That was something I put together at the last minute because my father insisted I bring something.” He leaned in closer, lowering his voice so that no one else could hear. “My real inventions aren't fit for closed minds, you see.”
Rich humor filled Azriel’s tone. “And what about open minds?”
“I might be willing to provide a tour,” Kieran sent back, louder this time and with a grand gesture. He then dug his free hand into his pocket to produce the delicately wrapped package his mother had pressed into his arms this morning. “Do you like ginger snaps?”
Azriel tilted his head, as though unable to follow Kieran's rapid topic changes. “I do,” he replied and watched as Kieran carefully unwrapped the cookies. “Did you make them?”
Kieran waved a dismissive hand. “My mother made them.” He held out the cookies and shook them until Azriel carefully selecting one. “And you can use my name, you know. I don’t mind.”
“Your mother cooks?”
It was almost a tentative question. Very rarely did the high nobles cook. And Kieran looked too much like an Azura to be anything else.
“When she feels like it.” Kieran grinned wickedly and nudged his new friend. “Father doesn't let her do it often, but my mama always gets her way.”
He watched as Azriel bit into the soft cookie. His brown eyes widened fractionally, as though surprised by the taste.
“These are delicious,” Azriel informed him after politely swallowing.
“You better enjoy them, Azriel,” Souya interjected, for once distracted from Lyra as he butted into their conversation. “Kieran hardly ever shares his mom’s goodies. The rest of us have to beg.”
Kieran stuck his tongue out at Souya. He didn’t care how childish the action may seem.
“I only share with those who deserve it,” he retorted. “And I see you louts every day.”
“Then I shall consider myself honored,” Azriel said.
The sparkle of humor in his eyes made Kieran ridiculously pleased. As did the fact that he appropriately savored the rest of his cookie before brushing crumbs from his fingers with the sort of poise that Marduk wished Kieran would employ.
“Have another,” the younger boy suggested, holding out the wrapper and taking one more for himself. “And while you're at it, you should come with us tonight.”
Somewhere to Kieran's left, Yonah made a noise that could’ve been protest, but Kieran ignored her. He was getting rather good at that lately. Besides, Azriel was interesting, and Kieran didn't give one whit about the man's heritage. What difference did it make? Kieran honestly wished he could forget his own father half the time. Or maybe that Marduk would forget about him.
Once again, Azriel looked surprised.
“Tonight?” he questioned, tone going soft and almost hesitant.
Kieran nodded, popping the last of the ginger snap into his mouth and leaning back on his hands. He stretched his legs out in front of him like he hadn’t a care in the world. One foot prodded Souya in the side, but the other boy was used to that by now and didn’t even took up.
“We – as in the five of us – are meeting up at Lyra's.” He tilted his head her direction, so Azriel would remember whom Kieran meant. “We want to get started on aether manipulation in a more practical fashion.” He rubbed his hands together with glee.
To Kieran's disappointment, however, Azriel shook his head. He sat up straighter as the brunet started gathering his books again.
“Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I must decline. I have to work this evening.” Azriel rose to his feet, tucking his books under one arm as he brushed off his trousers with the other. “Perhaps another time.”
“You're leaving?”
Kieran couldn’t completely contain the hurt in his voice, and he didn’t really try to either. He’d only just gotten Azriel to talk to him, to really talk, and he was already leaving?
This just wouldn’t do.
“Where are you going?” Kieran asked, and no, he was not pouting. He wasn’t!
A small smile curled Azriel’s lips, but Kieran couldn't be sure it was actual humor.
“I promised Master Yamabe I'd return this book to him before class,” the brunet answered and turned as if to leave, only to hesitate. He seemed on the verge of saying more but instead shook his head. “Thank you for the cookies,” Azriel added over his shoulder. “They were delicious.”
Then, he edged around the tree, making his escape.
“You're welcome,” Kieran called after him, extremely disappointed and not completely sure why. He frowned at Azriel’s back, fingers pressing into the damp soil behind him.
And no, he still wasn’t pouting!
A wriggling, warm mass suddenly draped over Kieran's shoulder. It was entirely unexpected and nearly tumbled him backward. But that only made Yonah laugh.
“Poor Kieran,” she mock-cried and snuggled against him. “You and your habit of picking up strays.”
Lyra giggled from their left. “Like Souya, yes?”
Kieran rolled his eyes as Souya let out an indignant sound. “It's not like that,” he protested as he attempted to shake Yonah off. “I thought he was interesting.”
“We noticed,” Harper said dryly, but she winked at Kieran, as though the two of them shared some secret that the others wouldn’t know.
“I thought he was boring,” Yonah inserted, using the tone that really grated on Kieran's nerves. Sometimes, he swore she wasn't the same fun-loving girl he'd grown up with.
Lyra snorted. “You would. He doesn’t have money or station, so naturally, he’s uninteresting.” She tossed a twig at the other girl.
“Well, I don't care,” Kieran interrupted loudly. The image of Azriel’s back remained stark and vivid in his mind, for some reason, and it drove his next words. “I'm going to adopt him.”
He set his jaw, lifted his chin, and gave them all a firm stare. His mind was made up, and there’d be no dissuading him. Still, in the end, it was only Yonah who sulked, and no one paid her any attention. Everyone knew that Kieran never changed his mind.
Azriel would become a member of their group. Whether he liked it or not.
As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
