Maybe it’s good he should get a little spooked at sight of my teeth, after all, grandson or not he should have a healthy respect for the greatest king to ever live shouldn’t he? Clearly my arrogance knows no bounds and indeed it would seem the boy has taken strongly after my glorious self in that regards, not that I mind of course, he should be confident, he should be bold and brash and vain and assertive. Those are Alpha male qualities and hell, as long as he has the intelligence and cunning to go with it (after all without those things he’d just be, well, Lucian) then that is what will make him great. My blood is cursed with ambition, it affects even the best of us, only Calista, Seraphiel and Amaterasu so far having seemed to have been spared the fate of such a thing, perhaps having taken more strongly after their Mother in that regard. The others, like myself, like my grandson, would always seek more, always want more and truly it is a glorious thing, after all so many never have the courage to climb high, the higher you climb the further you fall after all and I suppose in some regards I was just damn lucky I never fell. I reached the top, looked at the view for a while and stepped down of my own accord, though honestly I am still the King, we all know that. Even so the meaning is clear, wolves fear to try- my blood doesn’t, we take advantage of those unwilling to risk and yet without risk nothing can be achieved. We are a bloodline of gamblers and yet, for a damn long time it’s been paying off- even if ambition is a double-edged sword.

I merely raised one eye at the boy and his comment as we continued to walk, peering down at him with mild amusement at his words and his question. Apparently he listens entirely more then I give him credit for, the red and white creature asking for the meaning of the word I’d so unfortunately managed to sneak in, forgetting, perhaps, that he was not yet even a yearling, such talk normally reserved for the company of older males. Kane and Isola shall be thusly thrilled. I did however, pause a moment in consideration, what did damn mean? Honestly I’ve never attempted to define it. An expression of frustration? A veiled insult? A reference to hell through damnnation? I hardly feel the later is something I need discuss with a child right now.

“Yes, it is the first language and it’s like saying, darn or drat or oh dear, when you’re frustrated, but without sounding like a pansy. You can say it if you want, but not near Isola or Kane, your parents will be mad at the both of us if they hear that, it is more an adult word. While on the topic though, in the second language, the word is damnant, though I am fairly sure you shouldn’t say that near them either.”

I gave him a pointed stare, after all, I hardly wished an aggravated Kane or Isola to ruin my morning by choosing to lecture me on suitable words for their child, then again, I was still somewhat doubtful that Kane, even in his prime as he is now, with his youth and power and height would be willing to confront me over anything, I like the boy- if not for the fact I still have it over him. Clearly my logic regarding limiting ones smiles struck a chord, the boy offering a grin in return before we ascended the cliffs, the boys face falling slightly at the mention of Devil, my own head tilting in curiosity if not mild surprise at his words. Hard to talk to? Devil? Personally I had never found much difficulty with the towering black male, then again he and I had assumed an equality from the beginning, I had spent years in his company and at his side, familiar with near every emotion he bore and indeed I suppose his size may be intimidating to a child. Even so I will remember to speak with Devil himself about this, the boy should not fear his grandsire, not like that and Devil has knowledge that should not be wasted. Perhaps if Kane or I was there as well the tension would be less so.

“Your grandfather is just a…careful creature, he isn’t given to emotion or obvious displays of it. Bring him a deer leg the next time you see him, he enjoys those and don’t cower or act insecure in his presence- he likes confidence.”

Then again, to much confidence and Achilles was liable to get bitten, oh well, the boy had to learn and I doubted Devil would seek to inflict pain upon his own blood. Where is he lately anyway? I’ve hardly seen my company, my Brother in the Art and oldest friend. Hmm, perhaps I would seek him out once I was done with our grandchild. The boy spoke again as I commented on his choice of King Guard, his own cousin in this regard, Azrael’s boy Guardian and a rather suitable choice, he was going to be a big boy that one, just as Achilles and truly it would only cement blood ties further. Yes, a good choice. I looked down towards him once more at his words, chuckling lightly.

“If that is your concern son, just choose where you practice carefully, spar in the long grass, that will keep the dirt off you.”

Son? I blinked, having only just realised my slip of the tongue before brushing it quickly aside. In time and as he grew, he would grow more interested in the fight and less concerned with his pelt, after all, dirt does wash out, hell, I can even show him the best methods of hair care, since Devil would clearly not bother with that part of his education. I managed another grin at his promise to obtain a bigger throne when he was in charge before talk turned to siblings, the boy clearly having been left in the dark. Ha, I made that mistake with Isola and her siblings, not preparing them for the arrival of three brothers and two more sisters the following year, Isola and the girls having become jealous of their brothers in particular. Achilles however, apparently has other fears. I sighed, eyes rolling.

“For someone so small you have a lot of- questions.”

I peered down towards him again, violet eyes seeking his own, waiting for his attention and his little tirade to stop- I also wasn’t sure if I liked his use of the word ‘prettier’ he was a boy, he shouldn’t be ‘pretty’ at all.

“Do you desire to teach them? You will be their older brother, they will look to you but it will be your choice as to whether you want to teach them anything, you will choose the type of Brother you are. As for loving you less, I assure you, that will never happen, Isola is incapable of anything less then complete love for those around her. You are their first born and I’ll tell you a secret, the first one is always the most special.”

I grinned again, teasing, light before speaking once more.

“As for what they will look like I cannot say, but that will not be their choice any more than yours and I think in future you should refer to yourself as handsome- not…pretty.”

h e y e l
The Original Angel