Lee
While Monique and Terra were kindly escorted out by two shape shifters, Lee was left standing. Ben, who by all means drank to his stupor, was forced to be sober to handle the situation.
Ben: Lee, Ken, both of you should go home. I’ll handle this.
Ken: But I…
Julie: Listen to the only one of your so called friends that actually has his wits on him.
Julie Nakai stepped over to Lee, glaring at him.
Julie: Get out and tell your idiot girlfriend she’s banned from here.
Lee menacingly glared at her. As if one more word about Monique and he would have risked it. But Ken deflected his attentions.
Ken: Sis we-
Julie then pulled Ken and began walking in a different direction.
Julie: and you! You are to go straight home. None of this fucking around inside the demon’s castle .
Lee just took Ben’s advice and left. And as he walked back to the castle on his own, his thoughts would pile up till there was nothing that was silent anymore.
You should talk to her.
Why? Wouldn’t she be mad? I don’t even know what I should say. What if I’m too angry to talk to her?
Set aside your petty, squabble, thoughts for once.
He looked at the front door, it all felt too daunting to walk in. But as he did he heard the faint sniffling. Terra’s room was far from the front door. It can’t be her. Besides, rain clouds were only appearing on the side of the castle Monique resided in. And it looked to be a downpour.
Monique
She had swiftly teleported them back to the home. And when she did, Terra would run straight to her room. Monique wanted to follow but what good was that going to do? She instead immediately walked to hers, closed the door and began to cry. Small rain clouds would start appearing only over the roof of her side of the castle
Lee
He stood at the door that led to her room. Was he ready to face her? Or was he just going to lecture her? He stood there for a brief moment, listening to the rain that fell only her rooftop, wondering to himself what he should do. But when he heard her gasping for air after letting out long sniffles and cries, none of that mattered anymore. He knocked on the door. A small scuffle would be heard, was she on the floor crying? The door opened up and her eyes widened in surprise.
Monique: oh! C-hic-come in.
Lee followed her in. She was a tattered mess, still in the outfit she went dancing in. The beanie had fallen off, tissues riddled all over the floor.
Monique: I….
Lee had just stood there. Thousands of thoughts would still play through his head, he wasn’t sure what to do. Monique would stare at him, wiping her own tears away.
Monique: Are…you…going to say….anything?
He sat at her bed, inviting her to sit as well. And she would follow not knowing what to do. Lee then just held her face.
Lee: I thought I was here to lecture or scold you but that didn’t seem right.
Monique: Should…hic…should I apologize?
Lee shook his head: I don’t even think you’re that sorry.
He pulled her in for a hug, a hug she didn’t feel she deserved.
Lee: And I don’t want you to.
Monique: But I don’t know if you’re mad at me! Terra hasn’t spoken to me and it’s valid, I get it. I really do. But this sucks and I hate it.
Lee: What do you hate?
Monique: All of it! I can’t…I fucking can’t understand it! She treated you and Terra like a social pariah! She basically called you hideous and that’s just fucking rude! And, and…she treated Terra like a monster.
Lee said nothing.
Monique: I should know what those are I fucking lived with them and was coerced into kissing one! You aren’t monsters! None of you are!
She quivered in her anger and Lee just pulled her in for a hug. She hadn’t a clue she needed one so desperately.
Monique: Why won’t you say anything?
Lee: What is there to say?
He sighed.
Lee: You’re not wrong. All of the points you’ve made have validity. But I know what they see me as. They’ve seen it hundreds of times. I’ve….I’ve transformed more times than I like to count. And I don’t quite like it. I can’t stop them from seeing what I truly am. And that is just it, a hideous monster.
Monique: But that’s not you!
She had pouted, pushing herself away to look at him in his eyes.
Monique: You’re beautiful and you’re kind.
Lee chuckling: And dreamy?
Monique, blushing: Yes! There’s not an ounce of ugly on you.
Lee smiled: I’m flattered. You know it’s…kind of weird. I’ve always known Terra would do what she does. Disguised herself as Rea.
Monique: You did?
Lee: The only good thing to come out of that relationship with Alice. But that was the only good thing that ever came out. Even though I’ve taken her thousands of times to that tavern, it always ended the same. Someone would always just accuse me of being a monster just for even having a demon soul inside of me.
His smile withered. Before Monique could say anything, Lee interjected .
Lee: Though, I don’t think there has ever been another person who wasn’t Alexis who stood up for me the way you did.
Monique: Oh?
Lee: Everyone else would have, but were either drunk or too afraid of the consequences. Alexis was the only one with much more audacity than Julie.
Monique hadn’t had much interaction with Alexis and had now yearned to be best friends with her. Most of what she’s known about her were through Lee’s memories alone had gotten her curious about Alexis, but now she was more certain she wanted to meet and befriend her.
Lee: I wouldn’t want you to apologize for your actions because I’m quite happy and flattered you did. Unfortunately, unlike Alexis who not only caused the bar owner to uphold the “no fighting” rule only to never get banned because of her connections, you’re unfortunately banned from the tavern.
Monique: Oh.
Lee: Sorry, Momo.
She blushed once more. She didn’t think he’d use her nickname.
Monique: I don’t care. I know I have to face the consequences sooner or later.
Lee: Yeah. And Ben is figuring out whether it is sooner or later.
Monique: I’m not apologizing to that bitch.
Lee: I don’t expect you to.
Monique: Are…you mad at me?
Lee: Nope.
Monique: Disappointed?
Lee: Mmm I’m pretty upset that I didn’t get the chance to do it when I could.
Monique: Do what?
Lee: Kiss you. But that would be taking advantage of a very drunk Momo.
Monique’s face reddened.
Lee: And I’d rather kiss you when you’re sober and consenting.
Monique’s face flushed so much her eyes felt it could no longer stare Lee in the eyes any longer. She was too nervous to even maintain eye contact. He kissed her cheek which made her head spin.
Monique, pouting: Bully.
Lee: Have I downgraded from dreamy to bully?
Monique, smiled: Very much so.
Lee: Darn, I need my dreamy status back.
As Lee was about to get up, Monique grabbed his arm.
Lee: Do you want to ask something of me?
Monique: Stay the night? Please?
He smiled and obliged. He held onto her while laying on the bed, not bothering to take off his clothes. He’d snuggle her to sleep, caressing her face and tangling his hands in her hair. The morning sun would come and a dreadful day would arrive. But those were neither here nor there. What is here is here and what is there is to expel her sorrows.
Monique
There were rare nights where she would dream peacefully. She would chalk it up to sleeping with someone as cuddly as Lee. And she would have been right. But this particular dream was weird. This particular dream was something she had felt like she had lived before but couldn’t remember when or where. She had found herself sitting with a man of high status on the steps to a temple.
: You just don’t understand, Persipnei.
Persipnei: Oh, I understand plenty.
: I have a duty to uphold! I’m the chief of the Nakai clan, I have to punish her.
Persipnei: Is it that or are you denying yourself the pleasures in life?
: Persi, she lied to me. She deceived me! She wasn’t even supposed to wed me. Her sister was too!
Persipnei: Can I tell you something? Yes, her sister was supposed to marry you to unite the two tribes, but do you know why her sister didn’t? Her sister so desperately wanted to be the leader of the tribe. She wanted so desperately to have the power to be unopposed. She’s as smart, strong, cunning and remarkable as you are but the only difference is she’s a woman! So, yes, her sister, your now wife, gave up everything thing so that the one you were supposed to wed can be what she sought out to be. And what’s more, though she deceived you she still fell in love with you. The Nakai clan wouldn’t be where it’s at without her.
: But…our god…doesn’t like theirs.
Persipnei: Your god, my brother, is a complete idiot. We may disagree on so many things, but what we had agreed on fully was that love is love! And if you truly feel the way you do about her to hell with it all!
Though Monique couldn’t quite make out the features of the person she was talking to, she saw a smile across their face. As she was going to ask a question, the morning sun rudely interrupted her slumber. Monique’s eyes peered awake as the sun protruded onto her eyelids. She had expected Lee to not be in the space next to her but found that he was still sleeping peacefully in last night’s clothes. She cautiously rose from the bed; she knew she couldn’t sleep in anymore. Even without Ben telling any of them about what was going to happen, she felt a sense of impending doom. What was going to occur, how was this all going to play out? Last time she was ever in trouble for anything, she had been sent to that place. And although she didn’t want to think of it, it gave her a sense of dread that she would have to face whatever consequences may come…even if it meant being in there again. Lee, who had been pretending to be asleep, would pull her in and snuggle a bit more.
Monique: But we have to get up.
Lee, sleepily: Wait till Ben sends for us. For now, just enjoy the moment.
Monique: How do I even do that?
Lee: Mmm, replace all your thoughts about the future with the thoughts of what you’re doing in the moment. It’s hard sometimes, but just give it a try.
What’s here? Obviously…you are…she would think this and think nothing else. Even the fact that Ezekiel had kept quiet during these moments has been nothing but a miracle. She buried herself into his chest.
Lee: Sorry, did that embarrass you?
Monique shook her head as small tears came from her. She was weepy more than ever. Lee had just stroked his fingers through her hair and noticed she was sniffling.
Lee: Hey, what’s the matter?
Monique: Despite the current situation going on, this is the safest I’ve ever felt in a long time. So, thank you.
Lee
Before he could say anything else, a light knock at the door came.
Monique: Coming…
He let her get up to open the door while he sauntered right behind. As she opened the door, Ben was standing out there with wide eyes.
Ben: Uh….am…am I interrupting something?
Lee: Yes, obviously.
Monique blushed at the implications as Lee just placed his chin on her shoulder.
Ben: Maybe you should answer your phone, then!
Lee: Mines died.
Monique: Sorry. I…I…I left mine…in Terra’s room.
She talked as if there were something caught in her throat.
Ben: Well, I do still have to talk to her. Mind coming along? I terribly hate repeating myself.
Monique hesitated to say anything. Lee intertwined his fingers with her and whispered.
Lee: I’ll be right here with you. Moral support and all.
She nodded as Ben looked with a mixture of awe and disgust.
Ben: I both love this for you but find your whole topsy turby…
He just motioned to all of Lee.
Ben: This quite repulsive.
Lee just stuck his tongue out at Ben as Ben scoffed.
Ben: Momo, your boy is a flirt.
Monique, nodding: Don’t I know it.
Lee sighed, kissed the side of her head closest to him and began to follow Ben to Terra’s room. Ben was a lot shorter in nature. In fact, he was probably two inches shorter than Monique. Yet it never changed how he presented himself.
As they reached Terra’s room Ken was found silently sitting outside. Terra’s room was situated in a place in the castle where she had access to a mini garden. Ken just sat at that ledge, watching the flowers bloom. When he heard everyone get there, he didn’t budge. The first time he would ever be quiet. Ben took notice then knocked on the door.
Terra: Go away, Kenneth! I don’t want to talk.
Ben: Not Ken, dear. Open up.
Terra: What do you want!??
Ben: To tell you what they’ve decided.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Terra: Do I have to open the door?
Ben: Just enough to hear me.
Terra: I can hear you plenty fine with the door closed.
Ben looked to Monique who was on the verge of tears and then to Lee who just motioned at him to go ahead. Ben sighed and cleared his throat.
Ben: The three of you are to face trial on the Second of Wednesdays. Where you will be judged and juried by a minor-ling who serves Sanctua and Vertiline. In the meantime, while the evidence is gathered, Monique, Lee von Solari, and Terra Evergreen will be placed under house arrest.
Monique: Wait.
She lets go of Lee’s hand.
Monique: That’s not fair, I’m the one who caused the commotion I should be the one facing trial.
Ben sighed: The way Julie sees it; she says all three of you should face trial. Despite Lee just being a bystander.
Lee just shrugged.
Monique: But…
Ben: Sorry, Momo. My hands are tied.
Ken just slammed his fist onto the floor and began to walk away.
Ben: Though I hate your sister, she did mention you can’t be here.
Ken: Last I checked dad hasn’t fucking keeled over why the fuck is she in charge?
Ben: Apparently those orders came from your dad. And you know how your sister is. Always loves to pretend she can be village chief. But you also know how your grandmother is. Your grandmother is the reason why you guys are getting a trial rather than just a straight up unjust punishment.
Monique looked confused.
Ben: Chief elder Oba-O has the final say because she’s the only one in the tribe that still can talk to Sanctua and Veritiline without the need to be a priestess or to have the powers of a minorling.
Monique: I….I see.
Ben: She even agrees with you Monique, but her hands are tied as the entire council of the tribe wishes to see the other two of them in court in belief that they coerced you into it.
Ken: There just a bunch of stupid dumb old geezers who haven’t done anything just sit and bitch about everything. I’m so sick of it.
Lee stood there, trying to quell himself and not get caught up in the mix.
Lee: Court. This Wednesday. We all stay home, right?
Ben: Right you are. I guess I’ll be grocery shopping by myself this week.
Lee: We have an entire edible garden. We can survive.
Ben: Snacks are most important. Especially in this time of need…come on Ken, I’m going to need the help.
Ken left without the need to follow Ben as he wanted to be by himself. Ben just let it be while he made his way out of the castle. Within the months she had lived in the castle, Monique was still unaccustomed to how things ran, however Lee knew this was the first he had seen Ken this upset. The two had left, leaving Monique quivering over near the door. She contemplated knocking on the door or going in. Lee just signed and did it for her.
Terra: What!?
Terra opened the door and saw Monique still in last night’s clothes. Both of them were. They both looked at each other as if waiting for the other to say something. To say anything. Moments felt like forever and although Lee was a patient man, his tempers we’re agitating him.
Monique: I’m sorry.
Terra: Why are you sorry? I’m the one at fault for existing.
Lee: Fuck off with that bullshit.
Terra: You know it’s true! I shouldn’t have made it to 18 I should have died as a stupid snot nosed ten year old who didn’t have any of this.
Lee: You know that’s a load of fucking bull.
Terra: Is it? It’s gotten Monique in trouble it’s gotten you-
Lee: Fuck what it’s gotten me! I don’t fucking care. For fucks sakes Terra they’re probably mad because I fucking reek like a damn demon.
One of his eyes started going crimson red.
Lee: Oh fuck off dude.
Monique just looked concerned. He tried his best to take a deep breath and subsided.
Lee: If it pleases them they’d rather let a ten year old die for the sake of their justice. Sanctua and Veritiline have nothing to do with it. And I’m not one to pray to any of the fucking gods here or on my Earth. But for fucks sake Terra, you’re smarter than this. You know you didn’t so anything wrong. So stop with this sob story and accept that. Monique stood up for you and she had every right to.
Monique: Did I?
Monique
They both looked at her.
Monique: Or…did I overstep my boundaries? I’m….not good with this. Or any of it.
You’re too much.
You’re overbearing.
Monique: I don’t know if what I did was the smartest of moves. But it didn’t sit right with me. None of you should be treated like that. Like….like….
Like you’re me.
Monique: I….I’m sorry.
She turned only to disappear from both their sights.
She had appeared in an entirely different sector of the castle. One she hadn’t been before. She started sobbing. She didn’t want to be a sobering mess near the two of them. And for good reasons. She knew she already fumbled her relationship with Terra and Lee was seeming volatile. She didn’t want them to see her. So she kept sobbing until tears weren’t coming out. The fairies that were there just gave her tissues and tried their best but there wasn’t much they could do. She had asked them to keep her being there a secret. She didn’t want anyone to find her. Yet, she couldn’t account on the sheer dumb luck that Ken had. And Ken was already furious about almost everything but seemed to stop being so around Monique.
Ken: Ah shit, you’ve found my hiding spot.
Monique looked up and around. She realized the room she was in was a massive hallway filled with vines and such. Ken, who never left the castle, was seen wandering around the halls. He had noticed that something felt off and figured the only thing to do was just take her to where he normally went to find peace. So, he then motioned towards her to a different sector of the house.
Ken: Come on, I'll show you something cool.
He’s just toying with you.
Just like Terra
Just like Lee.
Soon, he’ll be done with you
She sheepishly followed Ken out to the other side of the hallway to see another library. But this one was covered in moss, trees, flowers, and beds and…kittens? She was very confused.
Ken: Apparently there’s a bunch of these little guys roaming around this specific area.
Some had come up to her and mewed. They had head-butted her.
Monique, sniffing: They aren’t afraid?
Ken: Naaah. Sure they just want attention…I…
His cheery demeanor resumed back to being as sullen as ever .
Ken: I was trying to take Terra here, but she wouldn’t believe me or budge.
He then sighed
Ken: I’m sorry. About all of this.
He sat down onto the floor to let the kittens climb up onto him. She slowly joined him, letting all the small, furry, fuzz balls just run amuck, paw at her strands of hair and mew as they did.
Monique: What do you have to be sorry for? You can’t apologize for the family you’re born into.
Ken: Yeah, but I could have done something rather than just gawk and let it continue on. Julie…is well…
He gestured, trying to say something that wouldn’t be rude but at the same time would be entirely negatively true about his sister.
Ken: What about you? What are you doing out here?
Monique: Trying to be a mess anywhere else.
Ken: Come on, this castle is filled with messes. No one ever seems to mind.
The fairies that found their little homes in the nooks and crannies in this part of the castle huffed.
Ken: I mean the messes you guys can’t clean up, sillies.
Monique: Is it…fair of me to find comforts in other people’s tragedies? I…I just wanted Terra to have fun. She was telling me a couple of the stories about this world and I shouldn’t have asked something she wasn’t really ready to talk about. But I did. And-
Ken: Look, you can’t control what other people do or say. And if you did, that would make you a criminal. And you didn’t know what could set her off. You did what you thought was right. I just…just wish the Nakai tribe was better than this.
Monique looked at Ken who had busied himself with a string to fish out more playful kittens.
Monique: Can I ask you something and forgive me for being too forward.
Ken: Sure.
Monique: Why…did you save her? Like…did you love her?
Ken’s face went full red as he dropped the string.
Ken: N-N-NO!! WHO TOLD YOU THAT!?
Monique pondered for a moment. She then had realized perhaps this was not the case.
Monique: sorry! I just thought it was a tad bit romantic as you stopped yourself.
Ken looked at her with a very confused look.
Monique: I…I have read a lot of romance books. M-maybe I read into that too much??
He started chuckling as he shook his head.
Ken: Gods, I was convinced for a moment there I was caught. But…no…I didn’t even know her at the time. I just knew she was an Evergreen. And I was raised to believe all Evergreens are bad.
He then lied down as if gravity was so much for him to bear.
Ken: And when the Elder, Oba-O, ordered me to make the decision to kill her or save her, I wasn’t sure why. Maybe Sanctua and Veritiline told her…or maybe..
For the time Monique had come to get acquainted with Ken, she had considered the fact that he was more than meets the eyes. She had thought he was lackadaisical and laid back. Yet, in this moment she had found herself retracting those thoughts.
Ken: Maybe she knew deep down I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t just end some kid’s life. So I didn’t…and I paid the price.
Monique: Do you regret it?
Ken: Not one bit.
She looked at him as he kept his sullen emerald eyes up on the ceiling. He was no longer conducting himself as a jester or anything, just a guy caught between responsibilities and his emotions.
Monique: What about now?
Ken: Sh….she’s nothing more than just a friend! An acquaintance i-if Y-you will.
Monique: Okay I may have not had friends for a while but I know bullshit when I see it. You have feelings for her!!
Ken: NUH UH.
Monique glared at Ken whose face was as red as hers the night before and had started laughing.
Monique teased: fine you’re just friends since You didn’t seem to mind dancing with her alter ego after I had lied to you.
Ken, finally admitting: ‘Cause I wanted “Rea” to put in a good word for me! I wasn’t even drunk! And part of me felt like I knew it was her and I was just…caught up…and I wanted to kiss her, but things went wonky and my stupid necklace got caught up in hers and I can’t even get it back for her.
Monique: Is it that important?
Ken: It was the last gift Bear ever gave to her. I don’t think Bear knew too much about crystals, but it meant a lot to her to receive something that was tied to magic rather than just tied to…I don’t know, self-defense and boxing.
He looked up at the ceiling which felt like looking at the skies but with paws trying to bat at his eyes and little tiny fuzzy heads butting into his checks.
Ken: I honestly wanted to buy it for her, but I couldn’t. Too many eyes watching me. Too many people who would gossip over it. I hated it too. Everyone gossiping about every little thing a person does. When I heard about you, I didn’t bother with the rumors.
Monique: So, you really do like her.
Ken: I don’t know when that started, but…I do know…that that isn’t the reason why I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill her because she was just this scared little kid.
Monique: But you were just a kid yourself.
Ken: Yeah! I-I mean…WAIT YOU’VE UNALIVED PEOPLE.
Monique: NOT WILLINGLY.
Ken: YEAH, I KNOW THAT BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THOUGH…HOW DO YOU CONVINCE YOURSELF KILLING A CHILD IS FINE!? LIKE CHILD TO CHILD??
Monique was starting to understand that sometimes, Ken was just an idiot. An idiot with thoughts.
Monique: I…I didn’t. I got in trouble and punished for not killing a child.
Ken: Sadly, I was ousted. Not like they were going to kick me out of the clan because either only I can just take a leave or the gods have intervened, but they’ve just hated me ever since. I’d go on missions that were normally supposed to be teams by myself. Even if I was put as a team leader no one would follow me. Except the pup squad.
Monique: Pup…squad?
Ken: Yeah! Squad full of werewolf shapeshifters.
Monique: Young?
Ken: Nah, bunch of old geezers.
Ken really isn’t a smart one. She thought to herself.
Ken: Everyone would just abandon me, dismiss me and I would end up having to fight everything by myself or with Ben’s help if he was around.
Monique: Why not tell her how you feel?
Ken: And make things more complicated than they already are? She already blames herself for half the problems I have.
She looked sad as he explained. And when he realized this he got up from lying down.
Ken: It's not going to change anything. She probably doesn’t even like me back.
He sighed. Monique knew this wasn’t true but didn’t have anything to back it up with. Because at the tavern she wouldn’t dance with anyone but her. But when Ken was around, that’s the only person she’d ever want to dance with me. And if Monique hadn’t been so drunk off of Dragon Juice, she would have known all the times Terra stole looks from Ken. That even being at the same bar as them was no short of a coincidence.
Ken: Enough about me. What about you? Why weren’t you crying in Lee’s arms before?
Monique had forgotten that throughout this entire time she didn’t want to be near Lee.
Lee
He had found the two of them, alone, in the room full of cats. His stomach fluctuated with poisonous amounts of envy flowing through his stream. The thoughts that were his and his alone jabbed at him constantly; it felt as if he could go off on anyone. He has left Terra alone as she had requested it. As she had felt that Lee shouldn’t be with her at the moment. Staring at the two of them, observing silently their interactions and everything, a grave sense of incompetence overwhelmed him.
Monique: I…I’m scared.
Words he never wanted to hear from her.
Ken: Can’t be of the-
Monique: No! Heavens no not of the demon ummm…
Ken: I think it’s name is Faustus.
Monique: Oh! Of course. I’m not scared of Faustus. Or of Lee turning into a form of him. It’s just…
Just…just what? He knew he shouldn’t have dropped in on this conversation but couldn’t help himself.
Monique: Ezekiel, my ex…
Don’t. Don’t fucking go there. Thoughts would constantly jab at his mind, bickering to him that he was becoming him. Telling him he was nothing more than a mere copy cat of what she had already had.
Monique: I didn’t want to believe that my emotions impacted people the way they do. That when I’m sad everyone feels sad and such. And I was afraid that I’m sort of making people feel the way I do. And I don’t know what to do.
Ken: Do you not find it comforting for others to try and console you?
Monique: I didn’t think that was a thing. I was just forced to swallow my feelings and deal with it on my own. And if I have to I have to.
He felt bitter and ashamed. He hadn’t thought of that. Not one bit at all. He was trying too hard to be a knight without once asking if she needed saving. Without once thinking if instead he could just guide where she needed to be.
Inadequate. Inadequate
You can’t even console her.
What good are you?
Monique: I don’t want Lee to feel like he needs to constantly save me. It’s enough for him to just be there for me. But I’m asking too much aren’t I?
Ken: I don’t think that’s a tall ask.
Lee felt Ken’s gaze upon him but felt too frozen to do anything else.
Monique: Maybe Ezekiel is right and I’m just too much of a broken person to ask for anything decent.
Tears came once again. Tiny mews couldn’t possibly covet the sadness. The kittens had nudged their small heads onto every part of her but nothing was budging the depths of her sorrow. And Lee would find himself shuffling over to her, but only so he could take large steps slowly so as to not cause her to panic or scurry off.
Ken: I’m sure I can name several reasons that beg to differ.
Monique, sniffled: Yeah like what?
Lee: Like me, apologizing.
Ken then decided to make his exit as Lee sat himself down right next to Monique. He wrapped his arm around her and a couple of black fuzzy little ones would find their way onto Lee’s lap.
Lee: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so angry around you. I got caught up in the moment of it all.
Monique: But I…
Lee: Are not to blame. I’m angry. All the time. I don’t think I can personally remember a time when I wasn’t. And I have to keep it in check constantly. And I am angry at myself for not doing anything at the tavern. I am still angry at Julie for being foul mouthed about you. And I am angry at Terra for thinking killing herself is a better option than anything else.
Monique: Th-then ar…are you…a…an…angry…at…me?
Lee: I’m angry at the situations you have been in. But at you? No. Never. You are one of the handful of people here I am genuinely happy to be around. And I’m proud of you. For sticking with what you know is right.
She had found herself weeping again. Like the tears couldn’t stop. He shooed away the cats by throwing a ball that was given to him by one of the fairies which distracted all of them enough to allow him to hold her closer for her to cry on his shoulders.
Lee: And when all the tears are gone, let’s ask Terra for some tea and some stories. And you both can make up later as I’m sure she wants to make up with you.
Monique nodded as she continued crying. And he would hold her, patting her head and telling her things will be alright. And when the tears had finally stopped and all that was left was her, in his arms, he carried her back down the hallway and back to the main areas of the castle where Terra had been patiently waiting with tears in her eyes.
Ken would soon follow from behind as he had back tracked to the library and brought over tiny cats, one calico and one with a black sleek. He would place them on Terra’s shoulders where they would both cuddle up to her face as if telling her to not cry. And she would laugh as their fur has tickled her. And Ken’s smile would softly widen and his eyes would only be for her. And Lee had finally figured out the meaning behind his troubled face two years ago.