Nez

After Nil finished trying to pimp out his caretaker, Senna dragged him and Luna away from Nautilus. Nil showing up with a literal pirate queen and the Matriarch Apparent of Themys is so him it’s kind of impressive. Only Nil. Nil and Luna both radiated a completely different energy now. It’s also safe to say Nil is no longer in any trouble for what he did to his grandmother. It was still surprising to see him instantly catch on how to sell the position to Nautilus. Currently, Senna was utterly chewing the two of them out for what they just did. If the rumors about Nautilus are true, she’s a great candidate. An odd one, but her strength is supposed to be something else. Her crew were looking at the kids a bit annoyed. Luna definitely thought of how to sell it. Helga clearly wanted to yell at Nil for what he said, as she was crimson trough her ears.. Ein was trying to get near his brother but could tell from Senna’s face now was not the time while Riva was looking around confused. Azzeck walked over to his daughter and picked her up.

“Nil’s home.” I chimed to Nox.

“He came back in such a Nil way.” Nox laughed in agreement.

“Think Senna will be any less pissed at us now?” I checked. Nox kind of shrugged.

“No idea. We can hope Nil can soften her up. He did recruit a literal pirate and her crew.” Nox confessed. At this point, Ailla and her partner walked over to us.

“Hello, I’m Ailla Foredra, and this is my husband Lilas.” Ailla introduced them.

“I’m Prince Nox Crowthorne.” Nox replied with a polite bow.

“I am Nez Crowthorne.” I added as I bowed as well.

“You two taught Nil, didn’t you?” Lilas checked. He’s smaller than me.

“Correct.” We confirmed in unison.

“So how long have those two been that close?” Ailla inquired. What? I mean, they’re friends, but nothing weird.

“What do you mean?” Nox blurted out. Subtle as a brick.

“Those two are oddly close for kids. It just seems different.” Lilas continued. Ailla clearly caught Nox didn’t know what they were saying.

“They’ve always been a bit odd. I wouldn’t be surprised if being forcefully sent to Themys scared them and are just leaning on each other.” I interjected. That had to be terrifying for them.

“The two of them are quite tenacious. I’m surprised they both kept up with Nautilus’s torture.” Ailla agreed. I don’t think she means actual torture.

Before I could ask for clarification, a bell rang. Luna and Nil both immediately reacted to it, with Nil summoning his sword and Luna taking a fighting stance. Both stared at Nautilus, who was back to trying to flirt with Helga. The two had quite a bit of offensive formed, getting ready for something.

“We celebratin’. No lessons t'day.” Nautilus informed the two of them with a smirk.

“Uh huh.” Nil retorted, not moving his eyes from her.

“What lessons?” Emperor Father Nil inquired, seeing the two kids both looking ready to fight.

“Gave the lil grublins some fightin’ lessons. Th' bell is th' warnin’ they’d get.” Nautilus answered, amused at how little faith the two of them had in her.

“I’d be curious to see them.” Emperor Father Nil requested. He wants to see what Nil was trying to recruit.

“Me as well.” Poam added with a smile.

“Hold on.” Senna interjected, clearly not a fan of making Nil practice on the day of his return.

“We’ll keep i' light. The two wan’ t’ see what Nil hired.” Nautilus retorted casually, stretching lightly. What did the pirate queen show them?

“Could ya please hol’ this lovely?” Nautilus requested, taking her overcoat off and handing it to Helga.

Helga kind of just grabbed it, and in an instant Nautilus was on top of the kids swinging. How is she moving that fast in the castle grounds? Nil instantly deflected her opening swing with as Luna stepped in, trying to attack Nautilus. Nautilus was planted firm, using a spectral arm to palm Luna’s attempt. Nil launched the two of them away from her, forming a spear of in his off hand. Nautilus pursued as Nil threw the spear at her head. Nautilus side stepped the spear, which froze behind her in the air. Nil appeared behind her, using the spear as a platform as he was attempting to stab her with his sword. Luna took the moment to try and sweep out her legs. What am I witnessing? Nautilus casually redirected Nil’s attack with another spectral arm while meeting Luna’s kick with her own. Both kids easily moved with the momentum to attempt another attack. Luna remained surprisingly firm, planting her foot as she attempted to hit Nautilus with a hook. Nil was swinging his sword down, his blade coated in a strange as it tried cleaving her in half. Both of them are aiming to seriously harm Nautilus.

She decided Nil’s attack was more dangerous, as she turned to face Nil. Luna’s attack was met with the projected arm she kept using, stopping the force cold. Nautilus used her open palm to push Nil’s sword away, as a massive slash launched out. It left a crevice in the ground and a massive scar in the wall it hit, shaking the room a little. Nautilus tried attacking Nil, who flung his body away, did a quick pivot, and launched an arrow at Nautilus. When did he switch weapons? Luna repositioned herself, going for a more direct punch into Nautilus’s back as she made two projected hands of her own to stop Nautilus’s from blocking her. Nautilus pivoted, using a projected hand to grab the arrow, as she immediately slammed her palm into Luna. Luna grit her teeth, trying to slug Nautilus across the jaw as the arrow exploded behind Nautilus. Nautilus looked irritated, as she spun her body, tossing Luna into Nil. Luna counterattacked, using spectral hands to punch Nautilus before quickly planting her feet back in the ground. Nil activated his , as the around them began distorting. Nautilus smirked. Luna leapt back as Nil rushed in. His eyes were glowing an insanely bright amber. Nil in front of Nautilus in an instant. He’s using his . Nautilus swung down on Nil and her hand appeared on the other side of Nil. What? When did he learn that? Nox pointed at his sword. Is that ? Nil did a furious exchange with Nautilus, as we began hearing what sounded like drumbeats. Nautilus tried getting passed Nil to stop Luna from buffing him, but Nil was a surprisingly iron wall at keeping her back. Nautilus did some footwork, dashing in for Luna. Nil and Luna switched places in the blink of an eye. How did he improve this much in six weeks?

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Luna’s dad looked utterly dumbfounded. I’m guessing Luna also improved immensely. Where did she learn ? I thought she knew . The two attempted to attack Nautilus from different angles yet again. They mix up the direction and side of their attacks well. It made little difference to Nautilus. She easily handled their alternating attacks. Nil was summoning alternate weapons so at no point did his attacking stop. Luna kept switching from buffing Nil to fending off Nautilus as needed. Nil’s eyes began glowing an intense shade of amber. That’s usually right before he hurts himself. His presence completely changed, as this odd stillness took the air. This cold, earie sensation of nothingness enveloped the room as Nil began walking. Nautilus instantly descended upon Nil, but Nil replaced himself with Luna who successfully connected with Nautilus. What kind of lessons did she give to get these two to grow so much? Nil materialized next to her, as she went to swing. But. She didn’t. Her body was suddenly swinging passed Nil who was positioned to attack her. When did she swing though? There was no sudden acceleration, no movement, nothing. Nautilus has just suddenly been at the end of her swing. What did Nil do? As I thought that, Nil swung his sword straight for her head while Luna stepped in with a hook to make her dodging awkward. Nautilus retaliated with a quick cut in, slamming her palm into Luna’s chest. A thunderclap shook the room as Luna went flying into the wall while Nautilus wove around Nil’s attack without looking. Nautilus kept doing odd jerks, where her body was suddenly positioned differently. He can do it repeatedly whatever that is. From behind Nil came two projected arms, which appeared on the other side of him. Nil used to get away from her and next to Luna before collapsing. The odd chill in the air vanished, as Nil looked spent. Luna on the other hand looked like she’d recovered and began soothing Nil a bit by stroking his hair a little. That’s new.

“I’ll give ya credit, ya were able t’ do it fo' more than thi’ty secon’s. Yer control is still poor.” Nautilus lectured as she walked over to Helga and retrieved her overcoat.

“Strongest seven-year-olds I’ve ever seen.” Lilas mumbled. Lux was looking at Nil with a complicated expression as Luna was clearly helping him recover.

“I thought you said it was going to be light.” Senna snapped at Nautilus.

“Yer son was show boatin’. Not m’ fault.” Nautilus shrugged, making a small wall of to lean against as she attempted to resume flirting with Helga again.

“I’m okay with Nautilus.” Emperor Father Nil stated as Poam nodded in agreement.

“So, how bizarre was my nephew when he was with you two?” I asked Ailla and Lilas.

“Quite.” They answered in unison. I’m surprised.

“I think my favorite was when he bought the ingredients to make fireworks.” Lilas added on, which made Nil tense a little.

“HE DID WHAT?” Senna inquired, instantly glaring at her son. Azzeck, Surdel, Grisbane, Poam, and Nil all glared at him.

“What do you mean Lilas?” Nil asked, acting almost too normal.

“We went to the Grand Cyra Market and you bought the ingredients to make your own fireworks, then thought it was funny to act like you bought the ingredients to a state secret.” Lilas clarified. The glares at Nil were only getting more intense.

“You must be mistaken, Lilas.” Nil insisted, using to get next to Lilas, give him an obvious stare.

“I remember my dad complaining about that because he thought it was something sinister when it was just fireworks.” Ailla added, as Nil began visibly sweating.

“I think there must be a language barrier.” Nil stated, immediately looking at his exits. He is so blatantly trying to cover his tracks. Nox and I were chuckling, as well as most of the pirates.

“What’s wrong with fireworks?” Lilas checked, looking confused.

“If it’s like the sto’y, he ain’t suppos’d to have ‘em.” Nautilus chimed without taking her eyes off of Helga.

“Oh. He has roughly ten pounds worth of the explosive portion.” Lilas informed everyone. Nil was looking at Lilas like he had been utterly betrayed.

“Nil, did you not get in enough trouble over fireworks?” Azzeck sighed as he was bouncing Riva up and down.

Nil was clearly thinking of his next move as the adults glared at him. He looked at Luna. The two had a fast mental conversation before Nil smirked. For the briefest moment a ring appeared before disappearing. His has gotten better. Nil looked amazingly confident now.

“Where did you put the ring Nil?” Senna asked her son, giving him a seriously face.

“What ring?” Nil inquired, feigning stupidity.

“The ring you just had for a brief moment before hiding it.” I sighed. Nil is not one to go down quietly.

“Really grublin? Gimme th' ring?” Nautilus checked, pulling it from her pocket. Nil shot a message to her mentally.

“Yer righ'. This is a differen’ ring.” Nautilus immediately claimed putting the ring back in her pocket. What did he so brazenly bribe her with?

“Nautilus, are you really going to help my grandson keep the fireworks?” Emperor Father Nil inquired, smirking a bit.

“What fireworks?” Nautilus asked, acting like the ring wasn’t just in her hand.

“Lilas was mistaken.” Nil added, nodding furiously. Lilas and Ailla both gave Nil an amused stare.

“Really Nil? That’s how you want to play it?” Lilas checked, smiling evilly.

“What do you mean?” Nil checked as he clearly intended to stick to his version of events.

“So, if let’s just say hypothetically, someone while in Themys had to act like-“ Lilas began. Nil materialized in front of Lilas, hand over his mouth, a deep shade of crimson. Oh?

“That’s not fair.” Nil stated. Luna was openly laughing as Lilas moved his hand.

“Do I keep talking, or do you admit the fireworks are in that ring?” Lilas taunted. Nil was giving Lilas the dirtiest stare.

“The ring is loaded with black powder.” Nil confessed, looking bitterly at the elves. What does Lilas have on Nil? Wait, did Nil make his own black powder?

“Someone sold black powder to a child?” Senna asked Lilas, looking dumbfounded.

“No, he made it himself. Judging by everyone’s faces, he was not taught how. Now Nil, anything else?” Lilas explained, keeping his eyes on Nil.

“I’m sorry for my actions. I apologize if I hurt your feelings Lilas.” Nil sighed. I’m curious what Lilas has on Nil. Luna had tears rolling down her face she was laughing so hard.

“I never said I wouldn’t tell anyone Nil.” Luna pointed out.

“Please. We can do two dances at the Imperial Hunting Festival if you’d like.” Nil whimpered. Nil, grovel? That is unlike him. His parents and grandparents were looking on, judging how much to pry. Nautilus shrugged and went back to Helga.

“What about me?” Ailla taunted. Nil looked so defeated. So, the elves and Luna all know.

Nil, who do you want to hear this the least? I asked him mentally. Nil instantly glared at Lux, who looked a bit confused.

What did you figure out? Azzeck inquired, his face clearly debating how to proceed.

It’s likely something embarrassing he doesn’t want Lux lording over him. I answered. Nil was looking a bit panicked at those that could tell the tale.

Azzeck thought about it for a second, before losing it. He was laughing so hard he had to set Riva down. Did he figure it out? Nil looked confused at his dad, who then made a little woof sound. Nil turned red through his ears. Azzeck had tears rolling down his cheeks as Nil remained crimson. Then Poam and Emperor Father Nil burst out laughing. Nox face palmed before joining in the other Crowthornes. Nil looked ready to cry he was so embarrassed.

“It’s not funny!” Nil pouted, staying truly crimson.

Care to tell me? I asked my husband who was also in tears.

Elves are matriarchal to such an extent that in certain places men are near second class citizens. If those two encountered elves and acted to try and gain their favor, Nil had to basically act like a dog for Luna. Nox explained between laughs. Nil having to behave and act like a dog? I began laughing; that would be glorious to witness.

“The collar looked fantastic.” Ailla added on, to Nil’s immense chagrin. It only made us all laugh more.