In every argument lies the seed of understanding.
Books and Bickering
The mansion was finally quiet after the tumultuous events of the past days. I was in my room, resting on my bed, still feeling the fatigue from my fight with Crimson.
A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Come in," I called out.
it was Alex who walked in, carrying a tray filled with a fresh batch of cookies. He had a wide grin on his face, his eyes sparkling with mischief and warmth.
"Alex," I said, sitting up and feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "Wow, looks delicious!"
"Well, thanks," Alex began, setting the tray down on the table by the window, "I befriended the staff here. They let me use the kitchen, and I thought, why not bake some cookies?"
I chuckled, shaking my head in amazement. "You never cease to surprise me."
Alex took a seat across from me, pushing the tray of cookies toward me. "I figured you could use a bit of comfort food after everything that's happened."
I picked up a cookie and took a bite, savoring the warm, sweet taste. "These are amazing," I said, the familiar flavors bringing back fond memories. "You know, the food here is great, but I've really missed your cooking."
Alex's smile widened. "I'm glad you like them."
"I've heard from Rolo that you will try to break Crimson's curse again tonight," he added.
I shrugged, leaning back against the headboard. "Yep. He's a tough one to fight but I'm managing so don't worry. And I hope that I won't need to fight him tonight. How's your job as a liaison going?"
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's been interesting, to say the least. Trying to balance everything and keep everyone happy is a challenge. But I think I'm getting the hang of it."
I nodded, understanding the weight of his responsibilities. "You're doing a great job, Alex."
Alex's expression softened, and he looked down at his hands. "Thanks, mate."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, munching on cookies and enjoying each other's silent company. The familiar warmth of his presence and the familiarity of his scent was soothing.
"You know," Alex said, breaking the silence, "no matter what happens, we'll always have each other's backs."
I nodded. "Always."
Alex leaned back, looking thoughtful. "You know, it's funny. When you asked me to be your liaison, I wasn't sure what to expect. The grandeur, the politics... it's a whole different world. But it's the little things that make it feel more normal."
"Like baking cookies with the kitchen staff?" I teased, taking another bite.
"Exactly," he laughed. "They're a good bunch. And it's nice to have a bit of normalcy in all this chaos. Plus, it gives me an excuse to come see you and make sure you're not getting into too much trouble."
I smirked. "Me? Trouble? Never."
Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, because fighting one of the most powerful vampires ever isn't trouble at all."
I chuckled, the sound rough but genuine. "Okay, maybe a little trouble. But it's worth it. We're making progress, and I have you to thank for keeping things running smoothly while I can focus on this."
He waved off my gratitude. "I'm just doing my part. Besides, it's not like you're slacking off. Taking on curses and all."
As the conversation lulled, I glanced over at Alex and asked, "So, who from our group has left already?"
Alex took a moment to think, then started listing them off. "Rada and his men left early. They're planning and mapping out the city."
I nodded, not surprised. "Rada's got a lot on his plate. Makes sense he'd want to get started right away."
Alex continued, "Szasza and Ábel left too. The fae doctor had patients to care for, so they couldn't stick around. Luna went with the gypsies. They packed up and moved on pretty quickly."
"And Mazen?" I asked.
"He vanished," Alex replied with a shrug.
"Ruben also left," Alex added after a moment.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, he needed to care for his rats, so he didn't stick around," Alex explained with a chuckle.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Ruben and his rats. Typical."
"He's pretty dedicated to them," Alex said, shaking his head with a smile. "But he promised to keep in touch, though."
"That's good to hear," I replied, "It's good that you have a good relationship with him."
Alex nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It wasn't easy at first, though. Ruben's a bit of an oddball, you know? Took a while for us to find common ground. He was always so wrapped up in his own world with those rats of his. I didn't really get it at first."
"So, what changed?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Patience, mostly," Alex admitted. "And a lot of understanding. I realized that his rats are more than just pets to him. They're like family. Once I accepted that and showed some interest in what he cared about, things started to click."
I nodded. "It's good to know that you were able to bridge that gap. Ruben's a useful guy, even if he is a bit... unconventional."
"Yeah," Alex agreed. "And I think he appreciates having someone who accepts him, quirks and all."
"Sounds like you did a good job," I said with a smile.
"Coffee also left with her father early," Alex added, packing up the last of the cookies.
"Yeah, I figured she would," I replied. "Family first and all."
"So," I continued, "who's still here from our group?"
"The crazy huntger said he won't leave his brother alone in the vampire's den, so he and Alice are staying until you decide to leave. Mica seems to have the same attitude. He hasn't left either."
"That sounds like Mica," I said with a chuckle. "Loyal to a fault."
"Móz is still around too," Alex went on. "He's been buried in books, sometimes running into Rolo in the library. They mostly bicker, but I think they enjoy it in their own way."
I laughed, imagining the two of them squabbling over ancient texts and magical theories. "Sounds like they're keeping each other on their toes."
Alex grinned. "Yeah, it's actually pretty entertaining to watch."
"Thanks for the update, Alex," I said, "And for the cookies."
(...)
The dining hall was bathed in the warm light of midday, casting a golden hue over the polished wooden table. Livius, Talambér, Titania, and I were seated around it, the clinking of cutlery and murmur of conversation forming a pleasant backdrop.
Titania, ever the picture of grace, took a delicate sip from her goblet before speaking. "I wanted to let you all know that I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."
I glanced at her, my curiosity piqued. "You're leaving so soon? Any particular reason?"
Titania met my gaze with a hint of a smile. "I've got other matters to attend to."
I suspected that she's been here so long to see how things unfold with Crimson's curse. She must be curious to see if I'll manage to find a solution.
Talambér's eyebrows rose slightly, and he turned to me with an amused look. "It seems even Titania is interested in how you'll handle the curse. Perhaps she's hoping for a good show."
I nodded thoughtfully. Titania pretended to not hear anything.
Talambér's gaze shifted to his plate as he continued. "I have one location I need to explore before I leave. There's something I've been meaning to check out."
I looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "And what might that be?"
"Just a place I have to see," Talambér said cryptically. "Nothing to worry about."
I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his statement. "Alright, just make sure you're careful."
Livius, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "I don't have any pressing matters to attend to at the moment so I might stay for a bit, too."
Livius wasn't interested in Crimson's curse despite his own predicament. He never asked me about it and seemed detached when we talked about it in his presence. I couldn't place his ignorance of the topic.
With that, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there were layers to the discussions that remained just out of reach. As we finished our meal, I pondered the motives and intentions of those around me, knowing that the true nature of their interests might reveal itself in time.
I finished my lunch feeling both satisfied and slightly unsettled. The dynamics among the group had me pondering, especially regarding the mysterious interest of the other rulers. Deciding to take a break from the political machinations and ponderings, I made my way to the library.
Slipping into the library with practiced stealth, I made my way through the maze of bookshelves and high stacks. The hushed atmosphere of the room was punctuated only by the occasional rustle of pages or the soft murmur of voices. I was drawn to a corner where Mose and Rolo often spent their time, hoping to catch a glimpse of their interaction.
From a vantage point hidden behind a particularly large bookshelf, I could see Mose hunched over a book, deep in concentration, while Rolo stood nearby, clearly in lecture mode. The two were locked in one of their frequent bickering sessions, their voices low but filled with an edge of exasperation.
"Honestly," Rolo said, his tone dripping with condescension, "if you'd just read the introduction to this text, you'd see why the theory is flawed. The author specifically addresses the counterarguments."
Mose looked up from his book, a frown etched on his face. "I've read it, Rolo. The author might have addressed the counterarguments, but the explanations are far from clear."
Rolo rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "It's clear if you actually pay attention. The whole point is that the author's methodology is based on a misconception, which he acknowledges in the final chapter."
Mose sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Yes, I understand that, but your way of explaining it isn't exactly helping me make sense of it."
Rolo's face took on a smug expression as he leaned in closer. "Maybe if you stopped skimming and actually engaged with the material, you'd get it. It's not my fault if you prefer to take shortcuts."
Mose gave Rolo a pointed look. "And maybe if you weren't so busy being a know-it-all, you'd realize that not everyone can grasp things as quickly as you do."
Rolo's grin widened, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "I'm just trying to help you avoid making fundamental errors. It's not my fault if you find it challenging."
Mose muttered under his breath as he flipped through the pages of his book. "Well, maybe I wouldn't be so challenged if you didn't act like you're lecturing a class when no one asked your opinion."
Rolo's grin faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his irritation.
His eyes flashed with a mix of amusement and irritation. He leaned closer to Mose, his tone a bit sharper. "You know, if you actually paid attention instead of sulking, you'd realize that I'm trying to help you avoid mistakes. But if you'd rather fumble through it on your own, that's fine by me."
Mose's face flushed with frustration as he slammed the book shut. "Oh, please. I don't need a constant reminder of my shortcomings. It's not like you're the only one who's ever learned anything from a book. I'm capable of figuring things out on my own without you acting like a know-it-all."
Rolo raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "And yet, you seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over. Maybe it's not about me being a know-it-all, but rather about you not listening to the advice given."
Mose shot Rolo a glare. "Or maybe it's about you being so wrapped up in your own superiority that you can't see when your 'advice' is just a way for you to feel better about yourself."
Rolo's grin widened, though there was a steely edge to it. "Oh, that's rich coming from someone who can't handle a little constructive criticism. Maybe if you didn't take everything so personally, you'd actually learn something."
Mose's frustration boiled over, and he slammed his hand on the table, making the books jump. "I'm sick of your constant nagging! If you have so much to say, why don't you just do it yourself? It's clear you think you're better than everyone else anyway."
Rolo's eyes narrowed, but he remained composed. "Fine. If you want to do it all yourself, be my guest. Just don't come whining to me when you're stuck because you ignored every piece of advice I gave."
Mose's face turned red, but he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "You know what? Maybe I will do it myself. At least I won't have you hovering over me, pretending to be the world's greatest expert."
Rolo crossed his arms, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Good."
There was a tense silence between them, both of them glaring at each other. It was clear that the argument wasn't going to be resolved easily.
Finally, Mose broke the silence, his tone more measured but still tinged with frustration. "Look, Rolo, I appreciate that you're trying to help. But the way you go about it is driving me crazy."
As Alex stepped quietly beside me, I noticed his curious gaze fixed on Mose and Rolo, who were still in the midst of their heated exchange. The two were so engrossed in their argument that they seemed oblivious to the world around them.
"Quite the lively discussion they're having," Alex remarked, his voice low but laced with amusement.
I chuckled softly. "Yeah, you could say that. They've been at it for a while now."
Alex leaned against the bookshelf, his arms crossed. "Rolo certainly has a knack for getting under people's skin, doesn't he?"
I nodded, a smirk playing on my lips. "He does. It's like he can't help himself. But Mose isn't exactly one to back down easily. It's like watching a particularly intense game of chess."
Alex laughed. "Well, it's not just chess when Rolo's involved. It's more like a chess match mixed with a debate and a wrestling match."
"True," I said, shaking my head.
"I've seen them argue over the most trivial things," he added. "But sometimes, it's like they're competing for the title of 'Most Annoying Person in the Room.'"
My grin widened. "I have to give it to Rolo, though. He does have a way of making sure his voice is heard. Even if it means irritating everyone else in the process."
"Yeah, he's persistent," Alex agreed.
"But sometimes it feels like he's more interested in being right than actually helping," I explained. "Mose can be pretty stubborn too, though."
Alex nodded thoughtfully.
I sighed, watching as Mose threw his hands up in frustration.
Alex glanced at me. "Do you think they'll ever find a way to work together without all this bickering?"
I shrugged. "Yep. They're both smart. They clash in ways that make it hard for them to see eye to eye and sometimes it's like they're speaking different languages. But I'm sure they will become great mages together. It's just a matter of finding a way to bridge the gap between them."
Alex gave me a sidelong glance. "Sounds like you've been thinking about this for a while. What are you planning?"
I laughed softly. "Nothing. I think I'll let them sort it out on their own for now."
Alex nodded agreeing.