I am not my Father. When will they see that? When will one damn wolf on this earth accept that I am not him, that I will never be him? That no matter how hard I try to impress him, to even get him to look at me, he hasn’t got the time of day. He didn’t even train me himself, he palmed me off to his Second and maybe, maybe I wouldn’t have even minded so much if I didn’t see him smile when he looks at Malina, or the pride in his voice whenever someone even mentions Ava by name. They are NOT his blood, not his children by any birth, only by connection and Art and yet.....you’d almost think he likes them better. I can’t.....be what he wants. I can’t be daring and charming and charismatic and smirk on cue and even if I am utterly gorgeous (and lets be honest, I am) I simply wasn’t born with whatever the hell it is that makes Heyel...Heyel. This is the only way I know how to be and maybe I’d be almost a nice guy if it wasn’t for this...pressure, this need to be something and someone more. To prove Heyel wrong, to be the heir I am supposed to be. I was born larger, taller, stronger and faster than any of my siblings. I am his first son and one of only two remaining if Letum and Ferox are excluded. I have a lot to live up to and hell, maybe sometimes....it’s too much. Not that it matters, maybe Tesseract has plans, but so do I. I only need time, only need long enough to put things in place and when I do....this place is going to see what a real King is capable of. Isola won’t know who or what hit her. Shame that. I’d have my respect, anyone worthy of it would. The status quo was going to be returned and hey, maybe I’d even let this little white girl come along for the ride. She looks like she could make a good spy, a good assassin- of course she would have to pass the tests, have to prove herself worthy. I’d think on it, even if not to simply spite Tesseract.
The girls fiery words drew my attention away from the unfortunately marked other boy as I shoved him easily to one side. Maybe one day he will grow into something to be feared, doubtful, considering his parentage, yet to my eyes and indeed, the eyes of anyone who can see. He is still a boy, playing a man’s game. Maybe he could come back in another year and put up more of a fight then, for now I was content to ignore him, returning my attention the Smeared-One who once more seemed determined to assure me her sinful lips were a mark to be proud of. Yes darling and the sky is green. Even so I managed to retain my disdain, a notable effort really as I flashed a rather astounding grin onto my lips, Tesseract, though babbling now, was ignored. Honestly his voice was beginning to hurt my ears.
"Boy? I’m hardly that young, Chicka, though I suppose I can take it as a compliment. I am Azrael, Prince of Diveen, City of Angels. Why don’t you tell me about you then, hmm? Then maybe I’ll tell you give you an offer befitting your evidently royal status."
It was a gamble, truly, though most high-born girls tend to be rather recognisable by their...fire as Tesseract decided to call it, having manoeuvred himself back into a seated position and evidently trying his best to maintain calm. Hmm, if I can annoy my Father I am entirely convinced I could annoy him if I tried. His words however earned another roll of my blue and lilac optics, drawing my attention from the girl once more. Maybe she could prove useful, Diveen was a rather invitation only kind of place, then again they would surely be interested in her pelt and her eyes. Unusual really.
"I serve my Art, Tesseract and I serve my Sister in an oath I gave willingly. "
One in which the wording had been very specific. Really, if only Tesseract had any idea of what was to come the poor fool might have managed to do the honourable thing and grovel before me. Others believe what you want them to believe, to be underestimated is a rather remarkable thing and evidently I am rather good at being looked over. The forgotten son. Distraction is a rather handy little trick, I need them to look at me, I need them to see the arrogant, vain creature they all believe me to be, it’s the hidden knife they so often miss and poor Tesseract as is blind as the rest of them. Let him keep staring at what he sees. Let him underestimate me. All the better. I met his gaze easily, smirk touching my lips once more.
"I didn’t accuse you of anything Tesseract. Does you poor breeding affect your hearing? I insinuated at best and I don’t need to construct logic out of what I have seen with my own eyes. Heyel believes Ruvindra to be innocent of crime, if that helps you, though I am not my Father and I think guilty by association works very well. This is your one and only warning Tesseract, lest I add you to the list simply because I feel like it. Get your Mother to control that useless pack of hers or we will do it for her."
One eye lifted, almost daring him to argue before I returned my gaze to the girl, no doubt rather confused, poor thing, over the entire matter. I stretched as I rose, moving to turn a loose circle around the pair. I do enjoy a good story and I saw no reason not to tell it now. After all, the girl did deserve an explanation.
"Forgive me Kahlessi, you must be confused. You see, there are two kinds of wolves in this world. Us, royalty, wolves of good breeding and high class and then those who are....whatever it is Tesseract wants to call himself. Iromar is indeed the pack of the mists, more correctly put it is a rainy field filled with mud, dirt and fog. Iromar is also full of cannibals who enjoy slaughtering others and eating them. My pack, my family- have an issue with that, there are some of us...trained, shall we say, to put an end to that. Tesseract used to be part of our empire, until his Mother proved her weakness and went deranged, now they live in their foul little field eating each other. Perhaps Tess here is yet to consume someone, perhaps even his Mother has never tasted flesh- but she is incapable of controlling her wolves. There is a certain order, a select few chosen to fix that situation who reside within Diveen.”
I couldn’t offer her access to the Art, I could do no more than invite her within our walls though indeed, if she truly were worthy of more, of being Great then she would prove it for herself. If not, well, she could go and prance around the muddy field with Tesseract for all I cared. It really made no difference. I eased the grin to my lips once more, completing my circle, moving to sit before her yet again as my gaze drifted a final time to the other boy. What had Isola ever seen in him? Why I asked the next words even I cannot be sure. An apparently random strike of pity I suppose.
"Why don’t you come home Tesseract? Leave your Mother behind, be something. I don’t like you particularly but that doesn’t mean you have to get yourself eaten. I am only going to say this once so remember it. You are better than Iromar and you Mother. Leave them behind.”
AZRAEL
"Assassin Prince of Diveen" 