I've stared into the abyss, and the abyss stared back—into the Beyond.
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Gwyn stood in absolute awe of Firedeath's power and beauty.
"She's..."
Too many words came to her mind.
"She's often considered one of the most powerful Whisperers. It's said that she survived the Red Death's engulfment."
Gwyn didn't know how impressive a feat that was, so Artero's comment fell on deaf ears.
"Shame she was before our time."
The princess knew every Whisperer there was; she studied them religiously. Firedeath was by far her favorite and wasn't exactly a non-factor in dating Artero.
"You know she stopped the second Devastation? Elves wouldn't exist anymore if it weren't for her."
Elise gestured to the painting, ready to spew more Firedeath facts.
This wasn't the only painting in the foyer of the main estate; it was the only one that captured Gwyn's interest at the moment.
Something about the painting seemed too familiar, like she's seen Firedeath somewhere before.
"Want to… see anything else?"
Artero was almost afraid to talk to Gwyn in this state.
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry." Gwyn collected herself. "Oh my god."
A recently commissioned portrait of Artero was on a separate wall. He looked pensive and serious, running his fingers through his hair.
He shut in front of that, trying to block it with his body, but failed.
"Oh, we don't need to look at that."
He quickly ushered them along.
"No, no. I want to see this."
Gwyn inspected the painting closely. It was well done—definitely not as imposing as Firedeath—but masterfully crafted.
Non-portrait Artero was burying his hands in his face, regretting every decision that led to this moment.
"Oh, I remember the day he got that. He asked, 'What pose captures the spirit of youth?'"
Elise and Gwyn silently stared at the painting, then looked at Artero, who was finding a nearby cabinet very interesting at the moment.
"He sort of looks like he is trying to read something super small and super far away."
"I told him that he'd regret doing that pose later." She shrugged. "But what do I know?"
"It certainly captures the Young Master perfectly."
Out of seemingly nowhere, a servant was beside the women. Elise and Gwyn jumped in surprise.
Artero sighed.
"Can you stop creeping up on people?"
The servant appeared confused.
"Is everything alright, Young Master?"
"Huh? Yes, why do you ask?"
"The other day, I heard the most awful noise coming from your room."
Both women looked at Artero now.
"W-w-whatever could you mean?" He laughed nervously, trying to remain casual. "I was just—"
"It sounded truly horrendous, like a wailing and moaning at the same time. I wanted to make sure nothing was bothering you. I am absolutely certain an animal had to be dying within your room."
Artero looked shiftily around him.
"I was just… working out. Yes… working out. Have you never grunted while working out? You've done calisthenics, yes? Very difficult training regimen. I would never cry or make the noises that you described."
"Crying? Who said you were crying?" Realization dawned on the servant. "Oh, that's what that was supposed to be? Because it sounded like."
The servant proceeded to make a noise which Gwyn could only describe as a beached whale that had stubbed its toe.
Then a second servant came from a room they had just cleaned, instantly recognizing what her fellow servant was talking about.
"No, no. It sounded more like."
The second servant then made a noise that was a lot closer to a dog barking or maybe coughing? Gwyn couldn't tell which.
Artero was a vivid shade of red, and he began ushering the servants away.
"These jokesters, always making… jokes and such..." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Artero Kosmairian has never cried. Even insinuating that I could have cried is ridiculous."
Elise chuckled.
"Why are you referring to yourself in the third person?"
"Because Artero Kosmairian is…" he shook his head. "Because I am…"
He didn't finish his sentence because he had convinced himself that the perfect lie had already been said. They probably hadn't suspected a thing.
Elise and Gwyn were tight-lipped. Gwyn imitated the beached whale noise the servant made earlier, and then they couldn't contain their laughter anymore.
After they laughed for quite some time, Artero now stood tapping his foot.
"Are we finished imitating my… whatever noise I was allegedly making?"
Elise ran her fingers through her hair, Artero style.
"I don't know… are we?"
"Oh, that's dark and mysterious," Gwyn said. "I love a brooding character."
His eye twitched occasionally.
"Is it 'Make fun of Artero Kosmairian Day' and no one told me?"
"It is. You weren't notified this morning?" Elise asked.
A crease formed at the edge of his lips.
"Let me whip out my baby photos, if that's the case."
Gwyn ran up to him.
"You have baby photos? Oh my God. I would love to see them!"
He looked away.
"Oh, p-perhaps another time."
He wasn't sure if he could handle any more embarrassment.
Gwyn made a disappointed noise, but was feeling much better than when she was at the Meeting of the Chosen. She continued to joke with Artero and Elise as he gave them a tour of the main estate.
"Say, Gwynevere, is there anything you miss about your planet?"
Gwyn looked pensive for a moment.
"Besides my family? I'd say..." She looked around for something familiar, but there were plenty of things that reminded her of her. "I'd say our music."
"Music? What kind of music did you have?"
"Oh, wow, um. Lots of kinds, some of it was punk and rock with like guitars and stuff."
A lot of those words were foreign to the elves.
"I see. Can I ask you something about your planet?"
"Yes?"
"Are they all as beautiful as you are, or are you one of a kind?"
This statement rightfully caught Gwyn off guard.
"N-n-no! I mean..."
This guy is easily a ten out of ten, and he thinks I'm beautiful? There's no way. Shit. What do I say? What's the correct thing to say?
"They all are like, whatever. You know?"
"Ah, I see."
Artero smirked at how flustered Gwyn had become.
These interactions continued for some time.
And a fire burned within Elise. She observed each playful comment directed towards Gwyn with disdain. When the Chosen One would reach for something, Artero's hand would often "accidentally" touch hers.
She knew Artero all too well. He ran the same games with her. Watching it from an outside perspective was painful. Elise knew that letting herself become upset wasn't the right move. She quipped when it was appropriate to quip and laughed when it was deemed necessary.
When they finished touring the building, they relaxed in a back room.
A servant approached them.
"My prince, do you wish for us to bring you or your guests anything?"
Artero thought for a moment.
"Bring us one of our finest wines, and a meal if they deem it so."
To Gwyn, Artero put on a whole new personality when he was in front of his servants.
Wine? Oh man, I haven't really drunk before. Would it be lame if I told them I'm too young?
"What do you have?"
"Anything you wish, maybe even something similar to your own culture."
The servant was doubtful she could say anything meaningful.
It was immediately obvious to Gwyn. She had two friends with her, and they were probably exhausted from today's events.
"You guys have pizza, right?"