Ultra Blue [confidant_v & StainedCrimson]

[confidant_v]

 

 

Name: Catriona

Height: 5'6

Element: Mercury

Appearance:

- Catriona's skin is a metallic silver, representative of his affinity to the element Mercury. In bright areas (such as in a particularly bright room or in the sun/moonlight), however, his skin will reflect the colors around him. Thus if he is standing next to someone with blue skin, his skin will reflect it and he will look blue. He can resemble patterns on a wall, foliage, someone's clothes, anything at all.

- His eyes are pure white with no irises or pupils that can be seen. They are large as well.

- His hair is long and silvery-blue.

- Slim build due to a luxurious lifestyle that kept from exerting himself too much (if at all).

Personality:

- Catriona is not the most likable person. Because the Mercury clan has always pursued power and managed to obtain it, Catriona has had an easy lifestyle. He's been taught to look down on other beings, and while he's particularly good at that, his curious nature also has him learning as much as he can about other clans. Most people choose to stay away from him, not wholly due to his arrogant personality, but also because they don't want to mess with the son of the one of the most powerful elementals. Because of this he tends to get bored very easily. He occupies his time learning how to best control his liquid state.

- Key take away terms: Arrogant, Curious, Bored, Lonely

 

Fun facts:

- Catriona's skin can liquify. He can control which parts of his body liquify and when. His molecules do not necessarily fall completely apart in this process. He still retains his human-like shape, but when he is liquified he will trail Mercury behind him, and can also use it as a weapon to poison enemies. Most often he will keep this ability confined to his fingers, which he can easily use to drip Mercury anywhere he choses.

- He can create objects with his liquid mercury ability. He can entertain children by creating small mercury animals or exploding mercury stars, and he can harm others by creating a mercury sword, solidifying it, and of course, using it.

 

 

The abrupt crash startled Catriona from his thoughts. He turned towards his bedroom from the balcony only to find his servant standing over broken glass. His head cocked to the side ever so slightly, as his blank, white eyes looked from the glass to the nervous, trembling woman.

 

"I'm sorry, sir," she mumbled, instantly on her knees to pick up the shards. "I'll clean this up."

 

"Of course you will." Catriona turned his back on the servant, easily pushing her from his thoughts. Whatever stain or mess that was currently offending his floors would be gone before he could turn around again. That was how things worked here. Catriona's clan, Mercury, had pursued power harder than any other element or being in this realm. The result was a luxurious lifestyle, filled with men and women waiting on the cream of the crop of the Mercury elementals. Catriona was one of the highest members of this clan, shadowed only by his mother and father.

 

His large, extravagant bedroom with the equally as large and extravagant balcony was proof of that. As was his boredom. He was hardly a warrior, nor was someone like him expected to fight for their clan. He was waited on hand and foot; the battlefield was no place for someone akin to a price. That made it so his time was occupied with chatting up other royals and high-ranking officials. This, however, was the least entertaining thing he could imagine doing. It wasn't as if he had anyone to truly spend time with and enjoy their company. His friends were questionable at best. It was hard to determine who actually cared for him and who was only trying to claw their way to the top. His pets were fun, but not all that great at conversation.

 

Catriona was a bored, arrogant, lonely prince.

 

To entertain himself he reached an arm over the balcony, rolling up the sleeves of his favorite, fuzzy silver sweater, and watched as his drops of mercury slowly sprinkled to the ground below. It was a talent of his, one he enjoyed playing with as often as possible. He was one of the best at liquifying his skin and manipulating it to do what he wanted. Right now all he wanted was to watch it fall to the earth and decorate the foliage.

 

He squeezed two of his fingers together, sighing as slow, lazy drops fell from the tips of them. Drip, drip, drip... It was the only sound he could hear until...

 

"Hmm..."

 

What was that sound... It was... Pretty. Like a song. His skin solidified once more as his attention was taken by this noise. "Hello?" Catriona spoke into the night, though hardly loud enough for anyone to hear him. He was perfectly still, as if that would somehow reveal whatever was making that beautiful song. In the corner of his eye he thought he saw something, or someone, but just as soon as it was there it disappeared. His head cocked to the side again and curiosity overwhelmed him. He had to know. He needed to know.

 

The decision was made. Catriona would simply have to find the source of the pretty sound himself. He tied his long, silvery-blue hair back into a ponytail (a tell-tale sign he was taking something seriously) and ran from his room all the way down to the garden. Whatever was there was gone? or at least not in his field of vision.

 

The moonlight reflected against his skin as he wandered through the garden, reflecting the greens, pinks, purples, blues, and whatever other color that was present. He dragged his fingers along the plants, leaving trails of his poisonous, silver mercury across them. "Hello?" He called out again, keeping his eyes and ears open for both the sound and whoever was making it.

 

He wasn't leaving until he found the source.

[StainedCrimson]

 

 

Name: Stillang

Height: 6'2"

Element: Cobalt

Appearance:

-Stillang's hair transitions much like his element. The roots are silver and shift into shifts into shades of blue around the base of his skull that are semi-transparent when the light hits them. The blue portions cause soft sounds, much like a wind-chime, when they tap into one another.

-His skin is another special feature as it shifts colors much like the shifting shades of the ocean or pools.

The middle of the stone.

 

 

Personality:

-Stillang is the head of his clan, though not very large, as transition metals they are powerful and mostly respected by the other elements. Due to his unique nature and position, he feels the weight of responsibility and wariness when it comes to dealing with other elements. As such he is often seen as cold and aloof. He is fairly patient, but doesn't tolerate the entitled elements much and most have learned to not annoy him.

 

Fun facts:

-Stillang can make his skin be metallic or gemstone at will, but most often it will shift towards one or the other the more angry or amused he gets. No one but him knows which means which however.

-He has some control or influence over other elements that are similar to him, and even to some extent those that are a bit more distant.

His hair and body can also be used as a weapon by sharpening them (such as his fingertips or the ends of his hair) to cut or slice another, or hardening to cause more blunt force trauma.

 

 

With a soft sigh Stillang finally leaves the meeting with the leaders of the Mercury clan and there advisers. He had arrived late enough that he should have been shown to a room and the meeting left until the next day, but they had insisted on seeing him immediately. There is a faint throbbing in his temples after dealing with the arrogant members, even though they had tried to be polite. Well, as much as they can towards anyone they see as lessor. Which, of course, is everyone. The leader of the Cobalt clan manages to refrain from snorting in derision as he heads out to the only place he enjoys at the Mercury compound. The garden.

 

It is not as extensive or peaceful as his own, which has numerous small ponds with waterfalls (though a large one placed near his personal quarters for him to enjoy), various flowers, cherry blossom trees, sand gardens, and such. His is meant to provide a place of quiet, relaxation, and peace for those who wander. This one he finds the quiet and vegetation still provide a small measure of comfort and peace. Provided he is not hounded by some idiotic Mercury member or servant.

 

Finding a small pool, the Cobalt leader allows himself to drop his shoulders to try and release some of the tension. Just as he begins to look for a spot to sit and enjoy the quiet atmosphere, something disturbs it. Drops of a silvery substance begins to drop down the leaves of the trees and splash into the water. The tension he had managed to get rid of comes back even worse as a faint frown appears and an eye begin to twitch, ever so slightly as the drops continue to fall into the water.

 

Irritated at the interruption and poisoning, quite literally as the case may be, of the space he turns and stiffly walks off. The sudden moving causing his hair to whip around and cause the hardened ends to clink and clatter against one another as he goes. Done with the entire clan for the day, and for some time if he is honest, he heads to his room to get some rest before it is time to eat or whatever else the Mercury clan has in store for him before he can leave the next day.

[confidant_v]

He never did find the source of that sound.

 

It was annoying how much this effected Catriona. The noise haunted him throughout the night, keeping him awake as it replayed over and over in his head. Obsession wasn't something that was common with Catriona. In fact, he was always so bored that he never once experienced having one particular thing occupy his mind so deeply. This sound, though... It was hypnotic. Mesmerizing. Maybe it wasn't even that... Maybe Catriona was just losing his mind after hearing this odd, out of place thing. Either way, he didn't sleep at all as he wondered what in the heavens could have been responsible for that pretty noise.

 

Morning was difficult. His servants had to work twice as hard to get him out of bed and dressed for the day, though 'dressed' was an overstatement. They all knew that the Cobalt clan was visiting, but Catriona couldn't bring himself to care. He didn't bother with his best garments or doing his hair in a particular style. Normally, he'd want to show up everyone in a room, but today was different. He couldn't care about anything except that noise. What if it was gone? What if he had dreamed it himself? So many questions were running through his mind, yet he couldn't ignore the way his servants fussed over him. At the very least they managed to fix his hair, pulling the front away from his face and tying it up while leaving the back down, reaching his knees. That was all that managed to get done. With an aggravated "just go away!" Catriona shooed his servants out the door, threw on his favorite fuzzy sweater, simple slacks, and boots and began to make his way to the dining hall.

 

His arrival was greeted with stares from his parents and the other higher-ups, who clearly were expecting something... Different. Catriona's father, Ares, cleared his throat as he motioned for him to sit. "Please forgive my son's attire. You know how the youth are." He laughed, his subjects politely laughing alongside him. Catriona simply rolled his eyes as he sat down and looked over the feast before him. His eyes drifted from one dish to another until they happened upon one of the many guests. This man was directly in front of him, and Catriona didn't realize just how hard he was staring. There was something about him....

 

It wasn't as if Catriona had never seen someone from the Cobalt clan. He was familiar with all of the clans, or at least most of them. He always found the Cobalt people pretty, but this one exceeded even that high standard. The colors that played on his skin hypnotized Catriona, much like the noise that he heard the night before. Could this man have been the source of that noise? Catrionia blinked slowly, wondering if it was just his imagination or if the man's hair was transitioning colors. He thought of his own skin that did the same, and looked down at his hand to see that it was reflecting the gold of the tablecloth. Just as quickly as he looked away, however, he was focused back on this man.

 

"Catriona?"

 

The young royal blinked as he heard his father call his name. "You're staring. Don't be rude. I'm sorry; my son isn't normally so disrespectful." It seemed that the arrogant Mercury clan wasn't above embarrassing one another. Not that Catriona cared as his father scolded him for the mercury found in the garden and the pond. The plants didn't survive and they were lucky the pond was cleaned when it was. That was the last thing on Catriona's mind when this lovely Cobalt man was in front of him. This man was special; he had something Catriona couldn't place.

 

"Can I ask your name?" he said, interrupting his father in favor of hearing the Cobalt man's voice instead.

[StainedCrimson]

The next morning finds the Cobalt clan leader up early and busy. After taking care of his normal morning routine, he prepares for a meal with the Mercury clan. His mood was better than it was when he had retired as the servants reported that the area damaged by the mercury had been fixed and taken care of. As he's being dressed and his hair done in an intricate style to show his rank, he lets out a soft resigned sigh. Once done he stands up up, the material of his clothing rustling softly, then leaves the peace and quiet of his room.

 

Hair:

 

 

The soft silk of the traditional-styled robes swish softly around him then fall neatly into place as he takes his spot at the table. "Good morning." He replies to the greeting from the Mercury rulers while the food is brought out. He thankfully accepts a cup of coffee, the warmth doing much to help ground him. Just as the food is finished being brought out, yet another joins them. The infamous heir of the Mercury clan.

 

Stillang carefully keeps his face blank as the other male enters without a care for being late or dressed so casually. As Ares speaks to apologize for his son, the Cobalt leader shifts his eyes of swirling blues with a silver slit of a pupil, back to the other leader and gives a slight nod. "True. The younger generation does seem to have different... standards." He comments looking over the outfit once more before the other sits down.

 

At first Stillang is able to focus on making polite conversation with those around them. As time progresses, however, he becomes increasingly aware and annoyed by Ares' son staring at him. Having had enough of the other's disrespect, his skin starts to form more distinct colors of silver and blue causing those around him to start to go silent even as Area once more comments on his son's behavior. "It seems to me that the young are only so much at fault. Much lies at the feet of those who teach and shape them." His voice is cool and flat.

 

The sudden tension is suddenly broken by said young. With a soft snort, Stillang lifts up his coffee once more. "I don't know. Can you ask?" He tosses back before taking a sip of his drink. With a shake of his head, causing the unbound strands of his hair to clink against one another, he returns to his meal and the casual chatter slowly resumes as the shifting shades of the Cobalt's skin also resume.

[confidant_v]

Catriona grinned at the comments from the Cobalt man. It seemed there was no love lost between father and son. Catriona was happy, elated even, that his father suffered some embarrassment from him, just as he knew that Ares hoped to bruise his son's big ego. That was unlikely. It took a lot to dent Catriona's arrogance, far more than merely calling him out on his stupid decisions. Still, he didn't necessarily want this interesting Cobalt member viewing him as some immature child. Under normal circumstances, Catriona couldn't care less what others thought of him. He was guaranteed the throne no matter what, and as such he failed to see the value in others' advice and care for him. This man, however, captured the young heir's interest and thus, earned just a small degree of respect.

 

The smallest degree.

 

Ares visibly huffed at the other man's words, eyeing Catriona as if he were about to snap his neck. Truly, the Mercury elementals were a ruthless sort. Grooming their heirs in such a way that they'll devour the very hands that fed them. If someone like Catriona saw himself as the most important person in the room, then where did that leave mother and father? Wherever Catriona wanted them.

 

And the same went for this pretty, pretty man. Catriona laughed at the man's words and was about to reply with his own snarky remark when he heard it. The cocky smile on his face fell and his already wide eyes grew even larger as the realization hit him. Somehow he didn't expect the search for his new obsession to end so quickly, but he was happy that he had his answer. "It's you," he whispered, causing his father to raise his eyebrow. "You were the who made that noise!" That whisper suddenly jumped to a yell, earning the attention of every last person in the room. "Last night! I heard you! I--"

 

"That's enough." Ares could only take so much of his loud, disrespectful son. Why he bothered with him at this point he didn't know. Even he was aware enough that any chances of him growing to be a fit ruler were gone. Or rather he had given up on trying. "You'll no longer speak with Lord Stillang like this."

 

"Oh, so you're the head honcho. Good to know," Catriona said, his cocky grin coming back as arrogance permeated each and every word that left his mouth. His eyes were right back on Stillang, once again ignoring his increasingly angered father. Perhaps if Catriona paid as much attention to the politics of other clans as he did to the culture, he would have known Stillang by his appearance. The embarrassment was enough for Ares to want to send his son crashing against the wall--all the better if the boy broke his spine in the process.

 

"Out. Now."

 

"What? No, I'm not going to--"

 

"You'll do as I say." Ares's words were cold, harsh, dripping with even more venom than he carried in his mercury filled body. Chills shot through Catriona's bones; he knew better than to push his father too far. The man was bigger, stronger, and a better fighter than Catriona. He wouldn't hesitate to use that to his advantage. However....

 

"Lord Stillang," Catriona started, once again ignoring his father. The good thing about this situation was that Ares wouldn't do anything particularly harsh to Catriona in front of guests. The sacred line that Catriona so often liked to cross was a bit farther away today, and he wasn't about to waste such a golden opportunity. "I suppose I don't need to ask your name now that I know it. But perhaps you can tell more about that strange noise of yours. I've never heard anything like it. How do you do it? Am I right in thinking it's your hair?" The young heir rested his chin in both of his palms, his pure white eyes somehow full of life and energy. "You wouldn't actually try to deny me--Ahhh!"

 

What would have been a dramatic speech about how Stillang had no choice but to explain himself turned into a distressed cry as Catriona felt a sharp pain on his head. It wasn't an unfamiliar pain. This wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last, that Ares pulled his son's hair. Today he decided not to pull it hard enough that it would rip right out, but it was nearly there. A ponytail, in hindsight, was a bad idea. His face contorted in agony as he was lifted from his chair, his toes only just touching the ground.

 

"I won't allow this disrespect anymore, boy."

 

Catriona, it seemed, was about to learn a lesson.

[StainedCrimson]

Stillang watches the interchange between father and son without anything giving away his inner thoughts. Personally he wondered just how the Mercury clan managed to function and gain so much status if this is how their leaders act, but it isn't his problem to deal with. Though as the conflict continues he barely holds back an audible sigh. His patience for these elementals has nearly ended.

 

His eyes narrow slightly though when the young heir returns his attention to him. "It would seem that manners and respect, even if just a show of respect, hasn't been taught." He muses, though almost to soft to be heard by anyone. Though he straightens up and his eyes narrow a bit further as the young brat dares to start with

You wouldn't actually try to deny me...

.

 

This spoiled child needs to be taught a lesson...

 

The thought is paused when Ares suddenly grabs his child by the hair and lifting him nearly entirely off of the floor. Though clearly the ones taught by his father aren't effective. With a sigh Stillang forces himself to lean back in his seat. Taking a slow breath in, eyes closed, he slowly releases it and looks at Ares. "A moment before you try to teach your son Ares."

 

He waits until he has the others attention, ignoring all the others gathered. "It would seem that your current... methods are not effective. A different approach may be called for." Tilting his head, the Cobalt ignores the young heir after a brief glance before continuing to focus on the Mercury leader. "If physical means isn't enough, then perhaps it is time to go the other route. Make him learn what it means to not have what he's taken for granted. If he cannot learn some manners and respect before a determined about of time passes, then denounce him as your heir and make another. Or name someone else."

[confidant_v]

Stillang's words brought a calmness over the irritated Mercury leader. Or rather they brought an idea to mind. After taking a glance at his still struggling son, he unceremoniously dropped him to the ground and sat back in his chair. Any whimper or cry Catriona let out was ignored as Ares faced his Cobalt guest. Perhaps this man could provide more than typical alliances. Were he willing, then maybe Ares could get his son away from him while at the same time doing himself some quiet good along the way.

 

"Everyone, leave us. I need to have a conversation with Lord Stillang," he announced, keeping his eyes on Stillang as the dining hall emptied, save for Catriona who wasn't quite done with his own business.

 

"You have a point," Ares started, nodding his head slowly. "I feel like I've tried everything with this child and nothing works. Perhaps something new is in order. Perhaps you can provide that something new?" Ares let his words settle in the air around them, ignoring Catriona as he pushed himself off the ground and readied himself to fight against whatever it was his father planned. "Maybe some time away from the Mercury clan would do my son good. He enjoys learning about other cultures anyway. What say you to taking him back home with you? Re-educating him in a way? Show him how others live. He's a sheltered boy; I indeed take the blame." Ares grinned at the shocked look on Catriona's face, though that shock quickly turned to anger.

 

"No! You're not sending me anywhere! How the hell can you even ask something like that? Why would Lord Stillang even want--"

 

"It wouldn't come without it's benefits," Ares said to his guest. "I'd provide you with payment and perhaps this could strengthen our relationship with one another." Catriona would either come back a changed person or he wouldn't have changed at all, in which case Ares would absolutely take Stillang's first advice and simply kick him to the curb. There was no real loss on Ares's part, and those were exactly the kind of deals he liked.

 

Catriona, however, was hardly so calm. "You're not taking me anywhere." He pointed at Stillang, backing away from him as if he were the devil himself. "And you're an bastard for even trying to get rid of me!" That statement was directed towards his father. "No one is going to fall for whatever plan it is you have. Who the hell just sends their son away like that? And who would even take that offer? You're insane!" On and on... On and on. It seemed there was no shortage of insults and arguments in Catriona's corner. By now Ares had given up on even trying to get him to cooperate. While part of the leader had his own agenda, another part of him (amusingly so) seemed to truly want Catriona gone for as long as possible.

 

He truly hoped Stillang would be willing to teach Catriona the lesson he so desperately needed to learn.

[StainedCrimson]

Stillang ignores Catriona much like his father when the young heir is released. Instead he keeps his eyes on the other and tilts his head to one side slightly as he waits to hear what the other has to say. He had known his words could be taken one of two ways, but given the mercenary lifestyle of the Mercury clan he felt confident that the other would respond positively to his words.

 

And so he did.

 

Though the Cobalt leader has to hold back another sigh when, of course, he is asked to take on the troublesome youth. "Provided that you pay for his living expenses during whatever time period we determine he has to make this change, then an agreement may be reached." He slowly offers the tentative willingness, though it is more of having a stronger connection to a strong clan that causes him to consider the offer instead of shutting it down immediately.

 

The louder Catriona gets, the more Stillang tones him out as background noise. Honestly, such a spoiled child to be throwing a tantrum at his age. No wonder Ares is so eager and willing to toss the child out.

 

"Now then, how long shall we give your son to... learn? I'm not willing to have him indefinitely. Not too mention there's always the concern of your son trying to use his abilities on others. I need to know any limits you might impose on those trying to teach him." Despite doubting there will be, it's always best to have clearly defined terms and limits. Though if said individual keeps it up then Stillang's faint urge to give the other a spanking may just grow enough to follow through with it.

 

Shifting, he takes a drink before refocusing. "We can start off with a short trial basis, let's say six months, and see if anything has changed. If there is some noticeable change then we can discuss additional time. If that is agreeable then your son and his things will have two hours to prepare and pack. Whatever he has is what he gets to take with him, within reason."

 

Though if Catriona continues to throw a fit and refuses to pack then Stillang will simply drag him off with only what he's wearing. Ultimately what happens after Ares and Stillang conclude their deal is up to the Mercury heir.

[confidant_v]

Limits? Ares laughed as he thought of what limits to be mindful of. Frankly, if Catriona arrived back home in a bodybag Ares wouldn't care much. In fact, he would maybe even get an early start on Stillang's advice of getting a new heir. He and his wife could mold this new one, learn from their mistakes with their first child, and create an heir truly worthy of the throne. He was silent as he thought through all of this, the only sound being Catriona's voice which was steadily increasing in it's panic. Reality was hitting the boy full force now. He was no longer welcome home and the Cobalt kingdom was hardly a place he could call his own.

 

"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here! How do I not get a say in this?! Why don't you offer me a chance to prove myself? You've said it yourself that I'm intuitive and--"

 

"You should have proven yourself long before this, boy." That was the only attention Catriona earned from his father, who immediately focused back on Stillang. "Six months is fine. Also, the Mercury Clan lives by one rule, Lord Stillang. Accomplish your goals by any means necessary. Any means necessary," he emphasized. That managed to quiet down Catriona. The young heir was quite aware that his only real form of defense was his poison body, but sometimes that wasn't enough if he had a persistent enemy. Allowing Stillang to do with him as he pleased... That set off the alarms in Catriona's head. His breathing grew heavier as his life for the next few months was determined for him. At this point he was no longer the heir to one of the most powerful clans to walk this earth; he was merely a toy, or even a dog that needed training.

 

"Be wary, Lord Stillang. Catriona is particularly toxic, both in body and mind. He's apt in his ability to control his liquid mercury and well... You've already met his personality. If you assign him instructors, let them know to be careful. Upon your departure you'll be presented with enough payment to care for him so you shouldn't have to spend any of your clan's funds. You'll also find extra for your trouble." The deal was done. Catriona's fate had been sealed and personally Ares couldn't have been happier. He cast a sideways glance at his son without a single drop of compassion or regret for sending him away. "You heard the man, Catri. Two hours. I'd get ready if I were you."

 

Even someone as loud as Catriona was stunned silent by what just occurred. He felt as if he were in a dream. His hate for his father ran deeper than anything he'd ever felt, even more so than his hate for Stillang for throwing in his two cents. He carried that hate with him all the way to his bedroom, hoping the two men could feel it as he left them behind in the dining hall. As much as he wanted to stay calm, show that he could handle something this significant, he couldn't. He broke his mirror, tore at his bedsheet, ripped his curtains, anything he could do to show his disdain for the decisions made.

 

Hiding seemed to be easiest thing to do, though ultimately he decided against it. Why the hell would he want to stay here when his father was so prone on sending him away? No, this whole situation wasn't as unfortunate as it seemed. Rather, it was an opportunity. He'd come back stronger, smarter, more clever than anyone in this damn kingdom, and then he'd take it for himself. He'd be the one to exile his father, laugh in his face, and make him regret treating him like some animal. There was little love between them before, but now Catriona only saw his father as an enemy, and like a good Mercury he would take him down.

 

With this new objective in mind, a focus on revenge, Catriona decided to clean himself up. He told a servant to pack his clothes while he brushed his hair from the mess it was after being yanked so harshly, changed into formal robes (a striking red flowing robe with matching red pants underneath that gave off a distinguished air especially against his metallic silver skin) and headed to the door thirty minutes before the two hours were up. Sitting on a bench with his back straight, his head held high, and his eyes facing forward he waited for the Cobalt leader. His anger at this man would need to be satiated too. He woudn't get off any easier than Ares would, but for now he'd play along.

 

He'd get his revenge by any means necessary.

[StainedCrimson]

Stillang tilts his head in agreement with Ares then stands up taking his leave. The father can deal with his son until it is time to leave. The Cobalt leader has his own tasks to complete before leaving now that he has an unwanted addition. Perhaps one day he'll learn to just let things be and not involve himself in other's affairs. Still, if left unchecked and this inconsiderate spoiled brat actually became the next leader... Inwardly a shiver of distaste and horror goes through him though outwardly he appears as calm as ever.

 

At least there is a chance to correct things before then. Thankfully I only have to some minor progress in six months or else the would-be-heir will have dug and buried himself with no way out. Even if he is one of the strongest in the Mercury clan, sheer power isn't enough to hold a position and too much arrogance will only allow resentment to build. And the young heir hasn't done anything to gain respect or warmth from his people, or many allies if Stillang had to guess.

 

While the Catriona is getting ready, the new guardian of the young heir sends out notices to his clan to prepare them. He includes instructions for where the other male will stay, and clear rules for how the staff and others are to interact with him. Essentially the main rule is that they are allowed to treat the young Mercury as he treats them, or respond however they deem fit. Whether or not they do so, they are to notify the Cobalt leader of whatever situation occurred. Good or bad.

 

Once done and the instructions are sent out, he gets ready himself. As the two hours draw to a close, the area where Catriona waits gets increasingly busy as the retinue that accompanied Stillang are gathering and preparing to travel. They have also been informed of the change in plans, and so many glance at the waiting Mercury. Naturally Catriona's belongings are also brought out by Mercury servants and put away.

 

As everything is getting close to being finished, Stillang arrives. While still clearly dressed in items benefiting his station, his hair and outfit are vastly different from the other male. His hair is in a simple braid and in a shirt, pants that are tucked into thigh high leather boots, and cloak. While appearing simple, there is fine detailing and quality that give quiet emphasis to his status. He pauses several strides away from his new charge and raises an eyebrow while taking in the other's outfit. "Hmm, interesting choice of clothing for travel."

 

As he finishes his comment a large horse is brought to him and he takes the reins and takes his place upon the animal's back. Turning the horse so he is facing the other, he tone and expression are mild. "Have you prepared your travel arrangements or are you walking?"

[confidant_v]

Catriona blinked at Stillang's words towards him. Sure, the Cobalt leader was a higher status than Catriona, but never had someone spoken to him so directly. To say it took the young heir aback was an understatement. "You're really just going to speak to me so simply? As if I don't have any sort of status whatsoever?" Catriona scoffed as he stood and motioned to one of his servants who bowed and quickly fetched him his horse. In an instant he was on the animal's back, waiting for Stillang to begin riding so he could follow him. The journey was unfamiliar to someone like Catriona, who had been sheltered behind the walls of the Mercury kingdom. Any cities or areas he visited were close by and mostly, if not entirely, owned by the Mercury clan. Traveling outside of these walls was exciting for him, though the experience was soured by his situation.

 

Nature wasn't exactly something Catriona paid attention to, but his curiosity fueled him to look closely at the passing the trees, flowers, and wildlife. Things he had only previously read about in books were suddenly right in front of him. Physical things that he could touch, see, smell, hear. He ran his hand along a plant, amused to feel that it was fuzzy. Who knew these kinds of things existed? It was fun to say the least, and for a moment he forgot about his father, being cast from his home, and the very fact that he was heading to a new home. For a moment, this was all simply lovely and even someone as self-centered as Catriona could appreciate it.

 

Until nature decided to laugh at him and make his situation that much worse. The terrain they traveled on wasn't perfect. Far from it. The carts that carried supplies, Catriona's luggage included, shook and rattled as they journeyed. The servants did their best to keep the carts as steady as possible, but one particular dip was more than they could handle. Thankfully only a few pieces of luggage and supplies fell of the cart and slid into a nearby river.

 

"No!"

 

Though all of which happened to be Catriona's possessions.

 

"Dammit no not water no no no...." Catriona jumped from his horse and stood by the edge of the river, watching like a sad puppy as his luggage sank to the bottom. "Someone go get my stuff!" Everyone knew the Mercury clan's greatest weakness was water. A flood could wipe the entirety of the clan off the face of the earth. While they had several defenses against such situations or enemies attempting to drown them, there was ultimately nothing a single Mercury could do in the face of deep water.

 

This water, however, was hardly deep, though it was deep enough for Catriona to worry about especially considering he'd never seen a full river before. To him, if he stepped in he'd instantly drown and he didn't trust these people to save him.

 

"Why are you all just standing there? Help me! Go get my stuff!" His voice was steadily rising, yet no one raised a finger to help him. Some even had the audacity to laugh at him.

 

"My favorite shirt is in there," he mumbled. "What the hell is wrong with you people??"

[StainedCrimson]

Stillang coolly looks at his new charge. "You will be given what you earn from here on out. It would do you well to remember that it is the consequences of your own actions that have put you here." Without another word he turns the horse and gives the order to move out.

 

No one waits for the Mercury heir to be on his horse and ready, the biggest concession they make to his status is keeping him from being last. He is kept in the middle area of the group. Mostly for their benefit so that the young lord can't do something to get lost or hurt before they even make it out of courtyard.

 

As the group leave the gates and enter the lands, most are busy with their own duties and so pay Catriona little attention. The guards keep an eye somewhat on the young mercury but, seeing as how he is more taken with the scenery, instead focus on surveying the area. As the terrain gets a bit rougher some of them help to try and manage the carts, but are unable to do much when it comes to some items falling off.

 

Thankfully none of the food fell into the river, but soon many hear Catriona's demands and horror as his chests fall into the water. Having already been given permission by their lord to not cater to the spoiled male, most ignore him or brush off the demands.

 

Stillang watches for a moment and interjects when the other demands to know 'what is wrong' with his people. He goes over and draws to a stop to look down at Catriona, eyes cool and a bit hard. "There is nothing 'wrong' with them. I had warned you before we left that you would get what you earn. Perhaps I should have been clearer, so to fix that I will be blunt now. From the moment your father turned you over to me you started from the very bottom and will have to earn everything from respect to material items. No one is obligated to serve you or cater to your whims, and will instead choose if they wish to do so.

 

As he turns his horse, he gives one last parting comment. "Either retrieve them yourself or see if anyone will be willing to go into the river to retrieve your things. You have until the last cart passes this point to try and salvage your things."

 

He knows about Mercury's weakness to water, but the water would maybe go up to the young male's waist at most. Not enough to prevent Catriona from getting in to attempt to retrieve at least one or two of his things. If the young lord had asked nicely, the Cobalt leader would have been willing to retrieve the items himself, but with the whining, demands, and tantrum he no longer feels any sort of generosity or need to do so.

 

Once they move beyond the difficult river road, the pathway eases slightly and so the group continues to travel until they stop to make camp for the night. Everyone breaks to do different jobs, Stillang helps to set up his own tent and secure the carts as well as horses. Others start fires, some go to try and hunt some fresh game for the meal, and others begin getting meal preparations going.

[confidant_v]

Like hell Catriona was going to "retrieve them himself." Sure, he cared about his possessions especially considering they were the only things he could say truly belonged to him now that he was no longer home, but he couldn't simply jump into this river and go get them. To him, that was ludicrous. His sheltered lifestyle turned what should have been a healthy respect and understanding of water to a deep fear of it. Not every Mercury was scared of water--in fact most weren't. It was simply one other thing to avoid, one more thing to look out for on a list that was never ending. Catriona, however, couldn't bring himself to step in any water that was more than ankle-deep.

 

"I can't do that..." he muttered, only then just realizing that he was showing fear in front of his enemy. If there was one thing his father drove into his mind, it was to never show the enemy fear. But how the hell was he supposed to do that when he was face-to-face with his literal greatest phobia? Catriona shook his head, glancing around at the servants who were passing by him as if he were just another tree in the background. "It's not like I'm some nobody! Someone just help me! Just go in and get my stuff and I'll be fine! Hey! Hey! Are you listening?"

 

No one was listening.

 

No one came to Catriona's aid, and it wasn't long before the final cart had passed along with it's passengers. Catriona stood by the river's edge, staring dumbstruck after the party that was quickly leaving him behind. Never before had he been treated like this. Never had he dealt with such insubordination and dare he say cruelty. Is this what his father wanted when he handed his son over on a silver platter to the Cobalt leader? Was his intention all along just to make Catriona suffer?

 

Time was ticking and the party was getting farther and farther away. With an aggravated cry Catriona jumped onto his horse and chased after his Cobalt companions. Again, no one listened as he complained and whined about being forced to abandon his belongings when he was already forced into exile (albeit a temporary one). His mouth ran until it was time to make camp, and the only reason he stopped complaining was because everyone dispersed to perform one task or another. While the servants busied themselves with setting up camp or gathering food, Catriona stood by his horse and simply watched. Surely, they didn't expect him to jump in and help and even if they did he wouldn't know what to do. The most he did was walk around, carelessly dropping and trailing quicksilver as he went. One servant stopped him, telling him to stop damaging the wildlife and to especially stay away from the horses. Not that Catriona took orders from someone so... Lowly. In fact, it made him want to do it more, so he did indeed walk by the horses while letting mercury fall from his hand to the grass. He was careful enough to not place it near the horses, but anything that would aggravate that bold servant would make him happy.

 

Eventually everyone sat down to eat, chat, and generally have a good time. Catriona joined them and after waiting a few moments for someone to hand him a plate he wondered if perhaps they actually did expect him to find and cook his own food. "So I don't get to eat?" He started with Stillang as aggressively as when they they first met. "You can't honestly expect me to make this entire journey without eating anything right? I'll die before I even get to your kingdom. Let me have some food or I'll--"

 

Catriona's demands were cut short by a loud whinnying from one of the horses.

 

Two of the horses.

 

Three of the horses.

 

He looked back at them, ready to scream at them for interrupting him when he noticed how strange they were acting. His eyes widened as he took in the animals stomping around, running into each other, trying to escape from their secrured harnesses. Catriona recognized these odd symptoms too well--muscle twitching, loss of coordination, increased irritability and nervousness....

 

Mercury poisoning.

 

Did those beast actually manage to ingest the quicksilver Catriona had left near them? It couldn't be. He had dropped his liquid mercury far enough from them so they couldn't get it... Or so he thought. Well, maybe no one would know it was him. Maybe they would think there was something wrong with the water or something in their food. Yes, that would work! The blame couldn't be placed on him if--

 

"Ahh!" He was startled by a bird falling from the sky only to land right in front of him. It twitched until it eventually perished, the evidence of it's murderer on it's beak for everyone to see. A bright, shiny, silvery substance decorated it's mouth and dripped under it's now lifeless body. Of this, Catriona only had one thing to say, which was hardly audible over the screaming of the horses as one fell onto it's side.

 

"Uh oh."

[StainedCrimson]

As everyone but Catriona had been busy prior to eating, no one had noticed him dripping his poisonous metal around the ground despite having been warned not to. Still, no one was expecting the young heir to be as petty and foolish as to not listen to anyone telling him something he should already know. They would not make such a mistake again.

 

When the food was being passed out and served, had Catriona been more observant, it would have been clear there was an order to how the food was being given. First, naturally, was to Stillang and then from there the hunters to the others who had worked to set up the camp. The mercury was going to get fed last due to not helping with anything, but he wasn't going to starve. The Cobalt leader was debating on whether or not to even respond when his charge starting in complaining and making idle threats, until the horses caught his attention.

 

Just after the damning evidence of the bird fell on the ground, which is seen by not just Stillang but others nearby, the lord's attention is jerked away as an even louder scream is heard. It is his own horse, the largest and most magnificent of the lot. The cobalt's skin almost seems to freeze then burst into shifting colors too fast for the eye to catch as he rushes over to the dying horse.

 

Upon reaching the horse he feels his heart and stomach sink. Even if they had a cure for the poisoning, there was none on them. There was no way to save the horse he had raised from a colt. "I am sorry my friend." He murmurs softly before pulling a knife and ending the horse's suffering swiftly. With a gentle hand he catches the horse's head before it slams to the ground and carefully sets it upon the grass. Others do the same to the others that are in the throws of mercurial poisoning. When the last of the screams fade, a solemn silence settles over the camp for several long moments.

 

Finally the lord stands and turns to look at Catriona. Eyes hard and cold. "Not even a day and already your spoiled and childish actions have led to a needless loss of life. Until we reach my home you shall not be left alone for a moment as you clearly cannot be trusted. You shall also walk the rest of the way and assist with whatever tasks are presented to you. If you complain or act out then you shall take the place of one of the lives you have taken and pull a cart or carry belongings instead. Now, get out of my sight while I help to clean up your mess." His voice is without inflection, but hard and with an edge.

 

Without waiting to see if the other obeys he turns to help get the horses still alive to a new grazing area before taking care of the rest.

[confidant_v]

Catriona wasn't sure how to take the reactions of the various Cobalt clan members. Even he could admit that killing someone's horse, even if it was an accident, was a difficult thing to forgive. Of course, he partly blamed the beasts themselves. His horse wasn't dumb enough to eat the tainted grass, and yet all these other animals decided that it was fine to not only eat, but continuously eat a mysterious substance. Even so...

 

"Well surely you all have some kind of antidote, right? I thought people just walked around with these things!" Catriona stood and, in his own weird way, tried to help by looking through the carts for something resembling an antidote. Not that he would know what something like that would look like. Obviously, it would have giant letters that read "MERCURY ANTIDOTE" plastered on the front of whatever bottle or flask it was contained in. At least that's the cartoonish image that appeared in Catriona's mind. After spending a few moments searching for a remedy, he turned to Stillang only to watch in horror as he killed his poisoned horse. A small gasp left the young heir and he covered his mouth as he felt... something... possibly guilt? Whatever this unfamiliar emotion was it hit his heart like a stone, and it only mixed in with his more familiar emotions as Stillang made his way over to him.

 

The older man's words left no room for argument. As much as Catriona wanted to fight him on his decisions, he couldn't get a word out. Not because he was shaking in his boots and struck silent, not at all. He was sure he couldn't speak simply because Stillang left after he scolded him. A few moments passed and eventually Catriona managed a simple "You know I don't exactly make a habit of going around killing animals!" The only thing that stopped him from speaking further were the hard stares from the other Colbalts, and the one man whose hand was a bit too close to his weapon.

 

"It was a mistake," he mumbled as he turned away, placing himself behind one of the larger carts. Not that hiding away did anything to hush the voices of the Cobalts as they spoke to one another and Stillang.

 

"We can kill him right now, sir. No one in the Mercury clan would even know, and frankly I doubt they'd care."

 

"He'll just cause more trouble. Who knows what he's capable of doing once we're actually in the kingdom?"

 

"Why is he being let off so easy? He dangerous. A menace."

 

All of this and more flew into Catriona's ears. Normally, he wouldn't care if people said such things about him, but this unwelcome emotion that penetrated his heart made these words bother him. More so than that, the image of Stillang killing his horse was ingrained in his mind, and dare he admit that he was... apologetic. To make himself feel better he decided that he would play a game of tossing little mercury balls into the nearby lake. He wasn't exactly pleased to be so close to water, but even he would choose this lake over the hostility of the camp. Though just as he was about to toss a mercury ball into the water he stopped himself.

 

This wasn't his lake at home, which was free of animals. He had to be careful out here. Dropping mercury in water could kill more than he realized. With a sigh, he destroyed the little marble and simply sat in his own silence, guilt, and aggravation. He could admit to knowing better now. He learned his lesson and he wouldn't simply pour quicksilver wherever he wanted.

 

"I'm sorry, okay? Damn...."

 

With that, he hugged his knees and hoped to avoid anyone of these people for the rest of the night.

[StainedCrimson]

As others had heard their lord's command, one of the guards follows the young mercury despite him trying to hide away and then leave the group for some quiet. The cobalt doesn't get so close as to be be immediately noticeable, but close enough to where he sees the forming of the mercurial ball and is about to throw it. Just as the guard prepared to move to knock the other out, or just punch him, the ball is dropped on the ground instead of thrown into the water. This causes the cobalt to stay put, but mentally mark where the ball is.

 

Upon hearing the others muttered apology, she walks over with a flat look. "Your apology does no good if the ones it is meant for are not around to hear it. Or perhaps those of the Mercury Clan think it either too beneath them to take ownership of their wrongs." Glancing at the bit of silver on the ground, the gaze returns to the young male accompanied by a raised eyebrow as if in disbelief he would be so careless so soon after what just happened.

 

Back at the camp Stillang slices a hand through the air silencing the discontent. "Be that as it may be, as from what I have seen there is certainly no love lost between the leaders and their child, it would reflect poorly on us if we lost our charge so soon after taking him into our care. While this punishment may seem light to us, for someone as spoiled as him it will be a very memorable experience. Harsher punishments may be added should I deem them necessary."

 

Inwardly he sighs as the Cobalt leader is sure that more will be, and he acknowledges that perhaps he accepted this task too easily. Having made it clear that he'll hear no more on the topic of getting rid of his charge, for now, he goes to assist with the clean up. Approaching the scene his heart is heavy and feelings of anger, disgust, and mourning shift through him. Working with the others a pit is dug and the bodies of the animals put in and set to flame. Others go and look for other spots of silver to overturn the earth and cover the substance.

 

By the time it's finished, it has gotten dark and the flames from the pit still cast light and shadows as the bodies burn, slowly turning to ash. The mood of the camp is somber with under currents of anger, disgust, and general tension. The remaining horses shift uneasily and snort at the smell of ash and burning flesh. Though the smell isn't too overwhelming as the camp had been able to shift slightly.

 

No one asked or looked for the one person missing in their ranks. Some hoped he had slunk back home or wandered off. Others didn't care one way or the other, so long as he wasn't being heard or causing more trouble. Some still harbor dark thoughts and will towards the spoiled male. Stillang himself is unsure of just how to feel about the troublesome man and wonders if six months is even long enough to get Catriona to change in any manner.

 

Eventually all but those staying up for the first watch head to bed. Come morning everyone is busy getting everything packed up and trying to figure out the best way to redistribute items due to now being down several horses. After things are settled as best as they can be, the group continues on their way to the Cobalt Clan's lands.

[confidant_v]

Catriona was unaware that someone had been watching him this entire time. He blinked at her before grabbing the mercury ball and popping it into his mouth. "There," he said once he'd swallowed it. "Nothing to worry about." Where this woman came from he had no idea. The fact that she even bothered talking to him made him wonder who exactly she was. She wasn't necessarily rude to him like the others, but she wasn't so quick to forgive his foolish mistakes. Even so, he was hardly impressed with her and rather than ending the conversation with the consumption of his mercury ball he decided to egg this woman on a bit more. "I can take ownership of my wrongs. But, as you must be aware, I didn't make those horses eat that grass, did I? So frankly I did nothing wrong." He smiled at her and Catriona wondered if the only reason she didn't kill him was because she was unsure if his blood was toxic. Better to prevent from infecting the grass once again. With that he turned away from her and even with the guilt weighing on his heart he couldn't bring himself to apologize or show any remorse for his actions. That simply wasn't the Mercury way.

 

It came as a surprise to him when he woke up alive the next morning. Everyone ignored him or, at most, shot him dirty looks. His complaining hardly ceased as his horse was taken to help carry the loads, leaving him to walk on foot. The boy never walked so much in his life and he made sure everyone knew it. The trip was miserable, not least for the Cobalts forced to put up with the Mercury's rantings. Yet, for all his confidence, arrogance, and certainty that these people were forbidden by Stillang to kill him, he did his best to stay away from them. Rather, he stayed as close as possible to Stillang. He was the only one who seemed to have a tolerance for the young man, not to mention that occasionally his hair would sing, putting Catriona into a small trance. It was during these moments that he was silent (much to everyone else's relief). Whether or not they noticed the pattern, Catriona didn't care. The wind blowing through Stillang's hair brought with it a temporary relief for all.

 

Eventually, the journey came to it's end. The Cobalt Kingdom was both everything Catriona expected it to be and a completely surprise. He was excited to wander around and see what all differed in this place from his own home, but it seemed the Cobalts had other plans. Catriona was never without an escort. Someone was always following him around and yet it seemed that he couldn't get what he wanted. It was never this difficult at his home to get food when he wanted it or blankets or new clothes or anything.

 

The first thing he wanted was a jacket. That was a simple enough request and not at all threatening, yet Catriona couldn't seem to find anyone willing to get him one. "I literally have no clothes. Nothing. Nothing at all. Can't you, at the very damn least, go find me a jacket? A sweater even? Just something that I can throw on a be a bit more comfortable."

 

The poor timid man that Catriona found seemed to want to help him, even if it was simply out of fear or aggravation or a combination of both. Yet he didn't move. He shook his head, and was the first to give the young Mercury heir a reason why he was getting denied so much. "I'm sorry, but Lord Stillang forbids it. You'll have to speak with him if you want anything."

 

"Excuse you?"

 

"Umm... I-I said--"

 

"I heard what you said."

 

Catriona left abruptly, wondering how the hell he was supposed to get anything at all if all of his requests had to go through Stillang first. His annoyance mounted and he turned to another helpless Cobalt. Had everyone in this place heard about the arrival of the Mercury heir and also heard that they were forbidden to help him. Aside from a simple change of clothes, Catriona also wanted better food. He'd been given some when he entered his new home, but it was hardly anything sustainable. "You there. Listen, I need something to eat. Don't you have any fruit or some special Cobalt delicacy or... Something??"

 

"Hmmm...? Oh, it's you." That was all this person said before leaving a dumbstruck Catriona in the middle of the hall. Not once in his life had he been treated so rudely and without any sort of decency. He was fed up with this place and it had barely been a day. He was tired of being followed around, he was tired of being hungry, he was tired of wearing the same clothes, he was tired of being such an outcast.

 

He was simply tired.

 

Catriona, for as bothersome as he could be, was indeed a skilled mercenary. It wouldn't take much to sneak around this place and steal clothes and food. Sure, his guard was always keeping watch, but every now and then they needed to switch. That would be the perfect time for him to slip away and snatch up a few things he wanted. However, Catriona refused to stoop to that level. His skills weren't for lurking in the dark like some sneaky thief. He was proud and thought himself to be capable. Besides, violence wasn't always an answer for him. Like the wily Mercury he was, he had other techniques to get what he wanted. After letting his hair down, adjusting his robes to reveal just enough but not too much, and sneaking away from his guard (he was indeed lucky enough to get one of the less capable ones for this particular shift) he headed off to Stillang's room. It wasn't hard to find. Tracking was something all mercenaries should be able to do.

 

Unlocking the door wasn't hard either. Sure, Catriona didn't want to use his skills for such petty deeds, but this was an emergency. He wouldn't allow himself to be treated like a dog. If Stillang was the only one who could help him get the things he wanted--needed even--then Catriona would go straight to the source.

 

The room was nice and spacious, far different from the room Catriona had been provided with. This only fueled his fire as he sat himself on the bed and waited for the Cobalt leader.

 

"So soft," he whispered to himself. He had intended to look a bit more regal when Stillang eventually appeared, but Catriona found himself curling deep within the sheets, making himself at home. This didn't exactly go against his plan. After all, seducing someone was easy enough for him and discovering a pretty young man tangled in bedsheets was exactly what someone like Stillang might like. Catriona could make it work for him. His seductions never failed, and that winning streak would not end today.

[StainedCrimson]

The female is the one ultimately put in charge of making sure no one kills the mercury in his sleep or make an "accident" happen. Granted this is harder to do as the young man has to walk and he allows small retaliations such as causing him to trip or get knocked into. Everyone also knows they are allowed to deny or ignore demands from Catriona, but they cannot purposefully starve him or deny him basic needs. This manifests in the young heir getting fed at the same time as the animals, a silent jab at the other's perceived value and ranking, ignoring or refusing demands to do things like clean his clothes, provide him clean clothes, bring him more food, and so on.

 

Upon reaching the Cobalt lands Catriona has at one point been forced to walk next to a horse and help carry its load in order to stay by Stillang. Preoccupied as he is with his punishments and the new sights, those that slip off to relay their lord's commands to the rest of the people likely goes unnoticed. It is due to this that instead of a room suitable for a visiting ranking clan member, the mercurial male gets one that is functionary and simplistic. It is still nicer than servant's room, but not by much as the cobalts treat their staff well. The room is large enough for a full size bed, a wardrobe, nightstand, and small window. There is a small attached bath room as well.

 

Word, of course, soon spreads of the visiting mercury still being demanding and rude to everyone. This makes those that would normally be willing to show some leniency and agreeableness to be more aloof and feign being too busy or not hearing what the other says. Had Catriona asked in a more polite or less entitled/demanding manner, then there most likely would have been someone willing to either escort him to where he could get food or clothing, or perhaps bring him a little something. Instead the other has made himself increasingly isolated and starting at a more difficult climbing point when, or if, he does begin to change.

 

When Catriona slips his guard, the in-training guard panics and immediately runs off to find a superior to report to. After some searching and the guest isn't found in the kitchen or other places where items he had demanded could be found, it is come to a conclusion that he must have gone to seek out Stillang.

 

Most grin at one another in anticipation of how their lord will put the spoiled male in his place.

 

Upon reaching his lands the Cobalt leader had split off to go tend to matters of his people and station. Normally he would at least take the time to clean up or check in with his head of staff, but much like everyone else he needed to get away from the persistent headache he's been saddled with.

 

Once done, he is looking forward to getting clean and soaking in some hot water before getting some rest. He'd been getting regular updates on the behavior of Catriona and knows he'll have to address that soon. In the morning... The day has been long enough and he will need to restore some of his patience.

 

That intent, and his plans for the evening, go right out of the window when entering his room and noticing that the door was unlocked and someone was in his bed. Eyes narrowed, the lord goes over and looks coldly upon the figure on his bed. "Explain. Now." The words are just as cold as his gaze, which doesn't drift to glance over the other's form at all, and yet is clearly calm and collected which perhaps makes anyone with a sense of self-preservation take notice.

 

"In case it was unclear, I want to know the excuses behind the appalling manners and behavior that my people and myself have been tolerating since Ares left you to us." Leaning forward, hair spilling over one shoulder causing the soft tinkling to fill the room for a moment, he grabs the other's chin in a deceptively gentle grip. "Do not think that you will be left unpunished. The insults have been tallied and, depending on what you say next, your punishment may be tempered or increased. So, what do you have to say for yourself?" His voice, much like his grip, almost seems soft and gentle, but anyone would be able to tell that the look in Stillang's eyes hasn't changed and the situation is much more dangerous than perhaps the young mercury is aware.

[confidant_v]

Most people were unaware that Catriona had spent some time on the battlefield. If there was one thing Ares refused it was having a son who didn't live up to the mercenary name that Mercuries were so prideful of. Of course, that was a bit of a failure for the Mercury leader as well. Catriona was less of a fighter and more of spy. He could sneak around better than most, gather information better than most, and use his assets to his advantage. Ares hated this little fact about his son, but that was par for the course. Yet, even with his skills better suited towards solo missions Catriona had death stare him in the face more than once.

 

This was one of those times.

 

Catriona would be lying if he said he wasn't shaking to the core. The atmosphere surrounding the Cobalt leader was hardly welcoming, and even someone as confidant as Catriona knew better than to tease this angry man. The dangerous intent behind those gentle words read loud and clear to the young Mercury. Very rarely was Catriona so close to something so frightening. He could weasel his out of most situations, sure, but this time... Well, there was a first time for everything. He opened his mouth, knowing his voice would come out shaky and nervous if he said anything, so he instantly shut it. If his eyes had color, then Stillang could see how they avoided his harsh gaze.

 

Eventually, however, Catriona knew he had to speak. He couldn't allow this paralysis to go on for much longer.

 

"I...." He started, running through his mind for anything he could say to get out of his situation. Even Stillang's touch shot cold chills down Catriona's spine and the normally calming sound that came from the other's hair did nothing to calm Catriona's nerves. "I don't have anything to say except to let me go." Frankly, he didn't feel he did anything wrong. Sure, the incident with the horses may have been his fault, but were they honestly still worried about that? And it's not like these Cobalt people were any less rude than him. They should be the ones apologizing.

 

But he wouldn't say that.

 

"Just let me go." With that Catriona pulled his face away from Stillang's grip and backed away to the edge of the bed. He kept his hands balled into fists by his sides, forming a mercury sphere in each one. If it came down to it he would simply shove one or both down Stillang's throat. Perhaps his father would be proud of him for destroying someone so powerful. Though Catriona imagined that someone this frightening wouldn't go down so easily.

[StainedCrimson]

Stillang lets the other back away, straightening up while keeping his gaze on the other even as he tilts his head to one side. "Nothing else to say..." He repeats softly. "Nothing at all to say about willfully disobeying an order to keep away from animals due to knowledge from your father about your leaving droplets of mercury in your wake which is poisonous to living things? Nothing to say about causing unnecessary pain and death or the inconvenience caused by the loss of that life?" His voice stays soft, quiet and almost intimate.

 

"Nothing to say for the rude and entitled way you've acted upon entering another's home?" Unknowing to the mercury, the cobalt leader has many skills and unique traits. His hair being one of them. Not just for the way it shifts between materials. Or even for the fact it makes soft chiming sounds. No, the true ability of his hair is the way it can shift and do so much more than act as a pretty adornment.

 

Even as Stillang had held Catrion's chin, or when the other moved away, it was already in motion. The strands had lengthened and slid along the cobalt's back, silent as they moved on to the bed and around so even when the other moved to the edge of the bed the strands were already there. The moment the other made fists and created balls of mercury it was already far too late. Stillang's hair shot out and formed bands around the other's wrists and ankles.

 

Tilting his head the other way, he looks over the other while his hair move the person in its hold to lay on his back and spread eagle. The other's clothing shifts as Catriona is pulled closer so that his ankles are near Stillang's thighs. "If not for those things, you truly have nothing to say about what what you were looking to accomplish by breaking into my room, laying on my bed, and dressed like this?" He asks softly while running the back of his fingers along one of the other's ankles.

 

Keeping his gaze on the other's face. "I think it's time for your punishment which will hopefully help you reflect." Some strands of his hair slide up under the others clothing, brushing along his inner thighs to the soft vulnerable flesh further up. Before the other can even think to react, the strands combine to form bands and settle in place. Resembling a jock strap, the bands circle around leaving the mercury's ass exposed, but the main difference is that instead of pouch there's instead a cock cage and further down are beads that press and rub along the scrotum and prostate from the outside.

 

Raising a hand Stillang breaks off the strands and the ends meld into the contraction on Catriona. It won't respond to anyone other the cobalt leader and should others tamper with it to try and get it off, it will merely tighten or form a cohesion with the skin to where it would have to be ripped or cut off. "Tomorrow you will be taken to a room I made just for you when needing to be punished. Though I can now get more... creative since you've opened certain doors." A faint quirk of his lips for a smile appears.

 

"Now, you have to earn whatever it is you want. My people are under no obligation to cater to your whims, and I've told them they are allowed to ignore or deny demands you make without repercussions. You'll be given one set of clothes to start and three meals a day. However, you will be responsible for getting your meals and cleaning your own clothes. Let's see if you meet my expectations hm?" Those being that the other will continue to be demanding, rude, and throwing a tantrum. "Come and take him to his room." He calls out.

 

Two guards enter and each take an arm to walk Catriona out. Once the guards have hold of the mercury male, the bands on the wrists and ankles are gone. Without another word the guards take the male out of their lord's room and back to the one he'd started in. They say nothing and do nothing else and take their post outside of the door once it's closed behind Catriona, closing him inside.

[confidant_v]

Until now Catriona had managed to live a life free of regret. He'd never done anything he considered so horrible or made a blunder large enough that he felt the need to apologize or make amends for. This experience with the Cobalts, however, was proving to be a journey of firsts. Catriona didn't need to hear any anger or frustration in Stillang's voice to know just how irritated the Cobalt leader was. His calm demeanor was eerie, and anyone with even a drop of natural instinct would know of the dangerous Stillang offered. The very air around them seemed to follow Stillang's command, and Catriona finally knew what it was like to regret a decision. Perhaps he should have stayed in his room. Perhaps he should have simply waited for Stillang to find him rather than seeking him out himself. Perhaps he should have been a bit more courteous and just waited outside of the bedroom if he wanted to speak to Stillang. Perhaps he should have shown more kindness and compassion to the Cobalts as a whole.

 

That wasn't in his nature, though. Catriona hardly knew how to say a kind word let alone act with kindness towards others. And that was why he showered himself with regrets.

 

"Just let me go," he said again, his voice shaking. "I don't--ahh!" Catriona cried out in shock as something grabbed his wrists, causing him to drop his mercury spheres onto the bed where they dissolved onto the sheets. "What are you doing?" Another cry escaped the trapped heir when he realized his ankles were being held as well. Panic hit him as the worst case scenarios ran through his head. "No, no, no, please." He begged as his legs were spread open, exposing all of him.

 

Sex had always been a means to an end for Catriona. He was highly aware of his pretty face and body, and he knew that men and women alike wanted a piece of him. The fact that this particular tactic was so aggravating to his father only made Catriona pursue it more. The problem was that Catriona never followed through. It left him with plenty of enemies, but never once had anyone actually earned the right to say they'd laid claim to the young Mercury heir. Perhaps there was a touch here or a kiss there, but nothing more. Statistically speaking it was only a matter of time before someone beat him at his game, though Catriona never truly thought it happen.

 

"No don't, don't, don't. Please, don't. Don't do this, Lord Stillang. Don't--huh?" Catriona looked down at the contraption on his body. "What the--" Listening to the rest of Stillang's words left Catriona dumbstruck. He stared at the experienced leader, convinced that this had to have been some sort of joke. The way the contraption was pressing against his body was... Hardly appropriate (if Catriona had to phrase it as decently as possible). There was no room for argument, however, when Stillang sent him away. The two guards held Catriona tight and no matter how hard he struggled against them or covered their arms in mercury, they didn't let go until he was in his room.

 

Struggling might not have been the best idea, though. That device rubbed against him, forcing the feeling of pain and pleasure to run through his body. Once alone in his room he fell into his bed and kept his legs closed tightly, though it hardly helped relax him. He was sure the guards heard his aggravated screams through the door. This thing, whatever it was, was already driving him insane. He whined as he felt his body warm, trying to welcome the strange feeling, and yet he refused to allow this strange pleasure to control him. Rather he focused on the pain it gave him and his anger towards the Cobalt leader for violating him in such a way.

 

"Dammit...." Was this what his father had in mind when he sent him here? This kind of torture? "I'll kill you. Oh, i'll kill you don't you worry." The hate that had always been bubbling beneath the surface finally rose to the top. Had Catriona not been so uncomfortable he might have begun plotting ways on how exactly he'd kill his father, but that wouldn't be happening. He was too busy trying to figure out how to get this damn thing off. The more he pulled and tugged at it the tighter it became. He'd never admit just how much his body was responding to the stimulation; he even tried to fool himself into thinking that his body hated it. His mind might have despised what his happening, but this strange pain/pleasure was unfamiliar and exciting.

 

No one had never gotten control of his body so easily. No one had ever managed to saddle him down like this. Another soft whine escaped him as his hand trailed down his body to rub between his legs. His chest heaved up and down and cursed Stillang for his odd and terrible punishment. "Dammit!" He quickly removed his hand only to wring them in his hair as he thought about how he could fix this. All night he suffered, going back and forth as his body spiked in pleasure then shook with pain. He'd never felt this way before and he hated that he had no control over who had the honor of being the first to give him any sort of pleasure like this. Or pain. Or whatever he was experiencing; he didn't know. He just hated it.

 

This night was particularly taxing on him. He knew the guards heard his small moans and whimpers and then his cries of aggravation. Sleep never came; every time he thought he was about to doze off he felt another spike of pain or pleasure. By the time morning showed itself he had no idea what to do. The guards fed him and in his stubbornness he simply tossed the food away. By lunch time, from his lack of sleep and food and whatever was going on with his body, he didn't have the energy to throw a hissyfit. He just didn't eat, again mostly out of stubbornness but also because he couldn't bring himself to move. He'd never been more exhausted in his life.

 

Though he wouldn't allow this to go on.

 

After having stayed in his room for so long and essentially punishing himself, he finally opened the door and ignored the shocked looks from the guards. He knew his hair was a tangled mess all over his face, his clothes were hanging on as if they were just thrown over his body, and his legs were barely holding up his body. "I need to see Stillang," he said in a voice that was probably the most quiet anyone had heard him.

 

However, the guards refused to get him or even tell him just how much Catriona wished to see him. Damn them. "Screw you all. I'll find him myself." Not that Catriona actually wanted to look for him. He didn't have the energy to wander around this place to look for the man. Rather he went back to Stillang's bedroom and fell to his knees right outside of it. He didn't care how many people walked past him, seeing him look so pathetic. All he wanted was to see Stillang."

 

"Take this damn thing off," he whispered to himself, hoping the Cobalt leader would show his face sooner rather than later.

[StainedCrimson]

Once the annoyance is gone from his room, the lord glares at the spot where the mercury has absorbed into his bedding. "Tch." He yanks off what he must and sets them to the side in case it can be salvaged, before ringing for his attendant to see him. When the other arrives he gestures at the pile of bedding. "Apparently our guest decided to try and find himself better accommodations and when removed left his displeasure unknown."

 

Stillang drawls in a dry tone causing his butler to cough in order to hide a smile. "I see. I'll fetch some clean bedding for you and see if I can remove the mercury from this set." Bowing the other takes his leave.

 

That dealt with the cobalt goes to wash and then soak in his large in-ground tub. It has a sliding door so if he wants to see the view of his private garden, he is able to do so. This night he does and while leaning back, the heat slowly easing the tense muscles, reflects back on the most recent exchange between himself and the mercury.

 

He lets out a soft scoff recalling the other begging him when Catriona thought that his little act was going to have a different consequence. Stillang has no interest in an unwilling bed partner, but nor does he shirk away from providing cold truths. In this case the cold truth is that the other male put himself in a position where he was hinting at sexual favors and had any other who knew how to handle one of the Mercury Clan had been in his position, there is very real chance that follow through would have been had regardless of Catriona's wishes. It would also be unlikely that anyone would retaliate against one who did so as this clearly wasn't the first time that this ruse had been used.

 

"Foolish and stupid." That about summed up Stillang's opinion of his charge. Still, the other had looked rather nice all wide-eyed and spread out on his bed. A slow smile spreads across the cobalt's face as he begins to come up with new ways to teach his guest some manners. Ways that will aggravate and torment the mercury, oh yes, but also bring delicious rewards. If that should push the other to craving and wanting the clan leader fully, well, who would he be to say no? Provided the other had earned that reward of course.

 

By the time he finished his bath and dried off, the bed had been remade and the soiled bedding removed. Slipping between the sheets the cobalt leader swiftly fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

 

The next day has Stillang busy as he goes off to check on his holdings as well as look over the horses being considered to replace the ones lost. After that a portion of his day is spent in his office going over correspondence and reports. He eventually goes off to have a meal. This of course leaves Catriona sitting in front of an empty bedroom. Or so it seems until the door opens and a figure steps out.

 

The person jolts as they nearly trip over the kneeling figure outside of the door. Their eyes narrow in thought and suspicion as they look Catriona over, before widening in recognition. "Ah, the young mercury. Lord Stillang is not in his bedroom and I don't expect he'll be back until late. It is, of course, your choice whether you wait outside of his bedroom for him, or go elsewhere." The butler's tone implies that it is preferred the other not wait where he is, for propriety reasons as well as not wanting his lord bothered, but nothing else is said as they walk off.

 

Which leaves Catriona with a choice. Will he wait where he is, despite not knowing when the other will arrive? Or will he go somewhere else, either around the grounds or to his room? Though if he goes back to his room it will not be the one he's stayed in so far. Oh no, he shall be taken to his new room. The one made for him to stay in when being punished. If the mercury thought his current accommodations were plain and beneath him, the new room might just horrify him.

[confidant_v]

Catriona glared at the butler, as if all of this was somehow his fault. The man's words cut through Catriona...or rather stole all the air from his lungs as if he were drowning. Why couldn't he just see Stillang? Why couldn't he just talk to the man and demand that he take this... this thing off of him? It was terrible and violating and Catriona decided that he learned his lesson in this case. Sure, it was annoying for him to admit defeat, but he could admit that Stillang wouldn't fall for his seduction game. Maybe the leader just wasn't interested in sexy young men like Catriona. The mercury would have scoffed to himself had he not been so exhausted.

 

Of course before he could say anything the butler left. Catriona didn't know what to do with himself. He'd never been so indecisive and confused in his life. Suddenly everything he knew was snatched from him and these people just expected him to adjust on a whim. They might as well have thrown him in the ocean and told him to swim.

 

It took some time--how much time Catriona didn--t know--before he stood and dragged himself back to his room. Though, when he got there his (prison) guards immediately took him to another room. "These will be your new quarters."

 

"You're fucking kidding me."

 

This was unacceptable. Catriona shook his head at the pure bareness, the lack of elegance, the obvious INSULT of this room. This room was hardly good enough for a slave let alone someone of his status. "No. No, you can't expect me to..."

 

"You'll find food for you on the bed. Though you if you continue not to eat, well... We won't complain too much when you stave." The guards laughed as they shut the door on Catriona, leaving him in shock and stupor. Catriona couldn't think. He couldn't do anything except stare at the nothingness that was this room. Heavens above, where did he go wrong to deserve a fate such as this? At this point, he didn't even have the will to eat and his body was tricking him into thinking that it wasn't hungry. All he really wanted was to speak to Stillang, but it seemed even that simple thing was beyond his reach. With another aggravated shout he quickly left his new and improved room, followed by his guards. He traversed the grounds looking for Stillang, ignoring his exhaustion.

 

He only made it an hour though before his body gave up. From the lack of sleep, not eating, and the strange pain/pleasure his body was experiencing from the contraption, it wasn't long before he collapsed against a wall, close to a garden. He couldn't admire the flowers, especially with his guards only feet from him. He was about to swallow his pride and demand one of them carry him back to that pathetic room when something caught his eye.

 

"You look funny."

 

A...child?

 

"Excuse you?"

 

"You're a weird looking Cobalt! I've never seen one like you before!"

 

"Because I'm not a Cobalt, you twat. I'm a Mercury. Can't you tell from my skin color? What the hell are these Cobalts teaching you in school?"

 

The child seemed to have missed the insults Catriona threw at him because he instead giggled and plopped on the ground beside the aggravated heir. "You sound funny, too!"

 

Lovely. Now this kid was making fun of his distinct Mercurial accent. Even so, Catriona was simply too tired to defend himself. Rather than screaming at this kid to go away, he decided to show off one of his talents. Using his ability to liquify his skin, he formed a small mercury dog. It bared it's teeth at the child, though (much like Catriona himself) it's attempt at intimidation failed. Part of Catriona knew it would, but he had hoped this child was more timid than that. The brave boy laughed at the dog, clapping as if Catriona had performed some trick. "Make another!"

 

"No."

 

The quicksilver dog dissolved over the flowers--a mistake that Catriona continuously made. The guards, who were initially pleased to see Catriona playing with the child so kindly (somehow unaware of his true intent), pulled their weapons on the young mercury. "Don't you ever learn?"

 

"Shut up." Catriona mumbled as he reached his hand out and absorbed the mercury that had spilled over the garden back into his hand, much to his guards' surprise.

 

"You missed that flower." Catriona glared at the child's innocent information, but he nevertheless reached out and wiped it clean.

 

"You could.... You could do that the whole time?? Then why didn't you... With the horses... How could---"

 

"Know your enemy." Catriona laughed as he spoke.

 

"Likewise."

 

In his anger the guard lifted his weapon at Catriona, ready to end everyone's suffering, only to stop short.

 

"Don't!"

 

"Huh?"

 

Surprises often come one after another. The young boy jumped in front of Catriona, defending him from the incoming attack. Perhaps this little child was more than Catriona thought him to be.

 

"Get out of the way!" The guard screamed, though the child stood his ground. The other guard had already disappeared, no doubt running off to find Stillang to deal with this troublesome mercury.

 

Honestly, by now would Stillang be surprised to learn that there was a problem involving Catriona?

[StainedCrimson]

Just as Stillang is about to head to his room to enjoy some pleasurable company, the guard runs up to him. "My Lord! The Mercury, he was not only able to reabsorb his spills this whole time, but is interacting with Tam." The cobalt narrows his eyes at the news and follows the other to the garden.

 

Thankfully he was passing nearby on his way to meet with his companion, so it isn't a long walk. When he gets there he is greeted with the sight of Tam standing with his arms out in front of the ever present thorn in his side. "What is the meaning of this?" He rises his voice just enough to carry as he approaches, his gaze displeased as he looks over everyone. "This is unbecoming and unacceptable behavior. From all of you."

 

His gaze meets with Catriona first, then each guard, before meeting Tam's. "Each of you know, at a bare minimum basic manners and rules of conduct. This is disgraceful behavior and I will not tolerate it happening again. Am I clear?" His tone hardens and he stares at all of them until he gets confirmation from each one.

 

"Good. Now, you two are dismissed and will send your replacements immediately. You" Stillang looks at the mercury "will go to your room and stay there until after breakfast. As for you Tam, we shall be having a discussion with your mother about jumping in front of swords." His frown is less harsh and almost seems to be fighting a smile despite his stern countenance.

 

Tapping a finger he takes a moment to gather his thoughts then gives a slow smile that vanishes before kneeling to be eye level with the child. "Tam, if you agree to do something for me then we shall keep this incident between just us." Stillang says slowly and with a serious expression. "You must help our guest remember his manners and how we do things here. Do you think you can do that?"

 

Inwardly the clan lord is laughing as he can already imagine how the mercury will fume and react to having a small child teach him anything. "If you accept though, you have to mind the guards making sure that our guest doesn't get himself into trouble as well as give me reports on how is doing. That means telling me the truth and not hiding things because you like him, are trying to protect him, or making things up if you get mad at him. Understand?"

 

When the child agrees he gives a smile and pats the other's head. "Good."

 

Straightening back up, his companion comes to a stop next to him. It is a cobalt around a few years younger than Stillang with skin primarily lighter blues and dark blue designs almost like marbling. His hair is almost all silver with just a few streaks of blue.

 

Stillang places a hand lightly on the other cobalt's lower back as the other guards also join them. "Excellent. Make sure you get home quickly. Good night." He gives the small child a slight nod then turns to head to his room, hand still on the other who places a hand on Stillang's shoulder and leans over to whisper something in his ear.

 

Soon the two disappear into the compound and make their way to the room that the mercury had been kneeling outside of.

[confidant_v]

Normally, Catriona would be ready to defy everything Stillang told him. He most certainly didn't want to be banished to his ugly room, and he also wasn't exactly pleased with this mysterious man who suddenly appeared. To Catriona he looked like a particular person of a certain profession... Catriona was familiar with sex workers given his favorite military tactic, but he also couldn't be sure. The Cobalts were so different from his initial image of them so perhaps this man was someone of high importance. Even so, Catriona was unhappy about it.

 

He was about to open his mouth to call out to Stillang, but someone beat him to the punch.

 

"Bye!!" Tam waved happily at his leader before turning back to Catriona and waving just as enthusiastically. "I'll see you tomorrow! Sleep well!"

 

"Wait, you'll what?" Catriona blinked at the boy as he ran off. For as much as the mercury wanted to deal with Stillang and this pretty man on his arm that wouldn't be possible. Catriona's body was shutting down him faster than he realized. He cursed himself for his stubbornness. If only he had eaten some food he may have been able to follow Stillang to his room and ask about this other man. Frankly, as far as Catriona was concerned, Stillang wasn't allowed to be with anyone else. He had already done more with the young heir than anyone else, and Catriona would be damned if the Cobalt leader took someone else. This mercury body was precious! How could Stillang just move on to someone else when he'd (indirectly) toyed with it.

 

Well, he'd find out. In the morning. Catriona made his way to his pathetic room, ate, and essentially passed out. He hardly had time to care that the room wasn't up to standard. He only paid attention to it when morning came, waking up to that horrible painful pleasure coursing through him. He grunted in aggravation before sitting up and eating the food that had magically appeared beside him. He didn't know how long he'd slept, but at least breakfast was there waiting for him. Not a good one, but one anyway.

 

With all that done, Catriona could get started on his mission. Thankfully, the guards pretty much let Catriona go where he wanted so it was no trouble for him to march right to Stillang's door. He was about to barge right in when he felt a tap right in the middle of his spine. He turned around quickly, looking each way before his eyes trailed down.

 

"Hi! I brought this for you."

 

The boy. Catriona cocked his head as he took the hairbrush Tam held out to him. "What..."

 

"You need it. Those tangles are gonna get really bad if you leave them."

 

Catriona ignored the laughs that came from the guards as he took the brush. Well, he couldn't be mad. Honestly, this was the first thing someone had given him that was useful. Perhaps this boy might just be useful after all. An idea began forming in Catriona's head, yet before he could put it in action the door to Stillang's room began to open. Catriona grabbed Tam and ran, hiding behind a wall of another hall. The two peeked around the corner, watching as the young man from yesterday walked away, looking disheveled though quite happy.

 

"Tam."

 

"Catri!"

 

"Wh-what...? No, no. You call me Catriona. Anyway, who is that man?"

 

"Hmmm? The one who just came out of Lord Stillang's room. I don't know. I've never seen him."

 

Catriona nodded, sucking on his bottom lip as he considered his options. "Say... If you find out for me I'll make you another animal."

 

The brightness of the stars would never match the brightness of this young boy's eyes. No one had ever been so excited to see Catriona form anything from his mercury. There was no time for pride, though. Something far more important needed to get done. "Yes. Find out who that man is, and I'll make you as many as you want."

 

"Okay!"

 

Tam ran off, and for a moment Catriona was satisfied with his work.

 

Only for a moment.

 

Dread rose in him as Tam boldly knocked on Stillang's door before opening it. "Hi, Lord Stillang! Catriona wanted me to ask you who that man was that just left. Can you tell me or--?"

 

"TAM! THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Tam disappeared from sight as Catriona picked him up in his arms and ran down the hallway with him. It was only morning and already Catriona was dying from embarassment. Maybe if he was lucky something would kill him and end this torture.