The Forgotten Zodiac

"The only tall place I like is in a tree. This Treefort place is a bit of a stretch, really." Sylas shrugged.

"You weren't afraid of heights the first time you were here," Versha said from the doorway, smiling.

"I guess not. I was a lot younger then. Didn't know the dangers." He frowned thoughtfully.

"Quite. L'arc, I need to take some measurements. The laurel has to fit properly, and the council members have enlisted my help in making you a traditional robe." She still smiled, seeming quite happy right now.

"Oh, right. The robe." L'arc made a face at the thought, but then reconsidered. "Can they get it to look something more like Bermuda's? His robes aren't bad," he said, pointing at the Nereid.

Versha blinked, then looked over at Bermuda. She smiled and nodded. "I can do that, yes. Now come here so I can take measurements, yes?" She smiled happily, holding her measuring tape out to him.

L'arc sighed and stood, remembering how much he had enjoyed not being "prince." And that those days were about to end.

It was for the better, he knew, but...

"All right, holding still," he said.

Versha busied herself with taking measurements, from L'arc's height to his shoulder length to his leg length, and finally, around his head. "Wonderful. I'll be done in a jiffy," She beamed and left again. Sylas watched her go, then patted L'arc on the shoulder.

"Hey. Do you think they'll rebuild the palace?" He questioned quietly.

"If they'll... I haven't thought about that," L'arc said, looking over to Sylas. "I'd have to wait until after the war ended, but... probably, yeah. I... don't know if I could live there, though. It'd be... weird."

"Everything will be weird after the war ends," Sylas said quietly. "Think about it, L'arc...we're not used to settling down anywhere for more than a few days. A few months at the most, if it's winter. We're just...not used to that. We were...raised fighting. That's just our lives. I don't know if we'll be able to settle down..."

"Think in positives," L'arc said, smiling slightly. "That's what mom would always say. Think about the happy things. I mean, I'll still have you lot to hang out with. As forest prince and soon to be king, I forbid you from dying."

Sylas smiled slightly. "I'll do everything I can to follow your command," He made a mock salute, but some part of him meant it.

But not if it meant abandoning L'arc and saving just himself, though.

L'arc smiled contentedly at Sylas' aquiescence, nodding. "Good. Because you kind of have to," he said. He swung his legs over the side of the hammock and sat up, looking around the room. Other than Byrne, who was quiet anyways, they were alone in here.

"Where'd Rush and Verolen go?" Sylas questioned, frowning. They had left when Versha had entered the room. "What was Verolen talking to you about earlier, by the way?"

"I... it concerns you," L'arc replied, somewhat hesitantly but unwilling to lie to Sylas. "But I'm not able to say anything about it. ...don't worry?" the last sentence came out as a weak question, and he tried and failed miserably to smile at Sylas. "It's nothing really bad, so..."

Sylas blinked, then sighed. "It's about me forgetting things, isn't it? I...I was going to tell you about it, but I guess you already know. I just...I can't remember a lot of things. I can't remember why I'm afraid of a lot of stuff. Fire and water and heights...and wolves. I don't like wolves. But," He smiled a bit. "Since you already know, I guess I don't have to tell you."

"Yes, you told me," L'arc said, patting Sylas on the shoulder. "But we're going to fix you, so no worries."

"I guess...well, either way..." Sylas sighed, stretching a bit. "I think I need a nap. You should rest, too. The council is going to take care of most everything when it comes to the ceremonies. So we just have to sit back and prepare ourselves mentally, yeah?"

"I suppose," L'arc said. "At least, that's what it's shaping up to be. Gods, I don't know what I've gotten myself into..." The last sentence was muttered, as if he hadn't wanted anyone else to hear it, but Sylas was sitting so close by that there was no way he couldn't have.

"I know what you've gotten into. You're going to be king, L'arc. No backing out now," He smiled a bit, patting L'arc on the back before climbing into the hammock above the prince. "Just rest for now, alright? That's the most we can do, right?"

((Just as a small hint towards what's going to happen. It involves something I haven't done yet. Only mentioned it, I was never actively involved in it.))

((Uh-oh.))

L'arc smiled at Sylas, then nodded, laying down in the hammock. "You're right. Sleep would probably do me good," he said.

((xD Any ideas?))

A few minutes later, Verolen opened the door to peek in on the two of them. He silently shuffled over, approaching carefully. He took his knife out and ever so gently cut a lock of Sylas' hair off. He quickly turned and left without saying a word, smiling slightly at the sight of the sleeping pair in spite of his suspicious actions. It was for the potion, really. What else could he accomplish with Sylas' hair, really?

((None. Which has me worried.))

Byrne, who'd been sitting in the corner of the room, unnoticed until Verolen turned around, stared at the demon confusedly. "What are you doing?" he asked, keeping his voice low so as to not wake Sylas and L'arc.