Embracing Chaos
#1 of Embracing Chaos
I think a certain couple deserve some more attention...
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the game in this story, besides the one's I created which may or may not appear. Also, this has homosexuality in it. Don't like, don't read, end of story
Embracing Chaos
Footsteps padded their way along a small corridor, all inside it a dignified and posh air to the area it brought. A head turned from side to side, inspected each large door, opening them and closing one by one quietly. At the end of the corridor, was one door teak door slightly ajar. A silly smile couldn't help but play on the lips of the searching person, and as he drew near to the entrance, his steps became softer and shorter. Slowly his head inclined to the side and he peeped through the door as if trying not to wake someone up from a slumber.
This room was very well lit. A thick carpet lay on the marble floor, around it, rows of bookcases stacked almost to the brim with non other than books and tomes of all sizes and volumes. A large window with curtains neatly tied to the side let in fresh sunlight sparkling into the room it really was a beautiful day outside, a little too beautiful to be indoors. Two desk were positioned around the area, the one a little neat and kept that the other perhaps.
A sole individual sat on a chair, book in paws and small circular glasses rested on his muzzle. His back faced the door, clearly absorbed in the task at hand.
The peeper crept into the room, approaching the other with slight haste. His arms wrapped around the figure's neck when he was in range, and softly he asked "What are you up to Ezel?"
Ezel Barbier grinned softly "Reading Babus" the book in mention was left with a folded bookmarker page, and closed shut "Well, I was"
"Why don't you continue then?" Babus replied with a lazy smile, his white muzzle peeping out from behind Ezel's shoulder
" It seem to have found better entertainment," The other replied, long floppy ears to one side and the other being pressed to his fur by Babus's close face
Babus chuckled softly "Entertainment? It's such a beautiful day outside Ezel. Why not spend it out there? I would have though if you were reading for leisure you would have read on a bed or something more comfortable then your study chair"
"Oh, this was just part of my grand master plan for entertainment" Ezel announced
"Your grand master plan for entertainment? Oh, I simply must hear this one. Tell me oh brillant one, what was your plan?" Babus said, amusement heavy knitted in his voice. Leave it to Ezel to concoct a plan on how to entertain himself. It was just one of the many things he found amusing and charming about the other Nu Mou.
"Well, the first step, would be to look casual, run about my own business in a vacant area"
"Yes?"
"The second, is when my love, being you, happens to wander in and grace me with his presence, trying to fill the void around me. I know you will because you are simply that caring of me"
"Go on"
"And finally, having caught my mate's attention, we may spend some time together doing something that has yet to be suggested to enjoy this wonderful day" Ezel smiled triumphantly at the other "The plan is almost complete"
"Oh really now? And what if this mate of yours had important business to attend to and could not be at your side?" Babus asked, curious for the answer
Ezel didn't even need time to think "In such case, I would spend my time reading the book he gave me as a present until he returns, a minor setback to the inevitable"
"I see we haven't missed a single detail have we? Although, some people with decency and common sense would simply ask for the attention" Babus said with one of his own ears falling down and resting against Ezel's front.
"Where is the fun in that?"
Babus chuckled softly, the sound bouncing around off the marble walls and letting the sound of happy last in the room just that bit longer before it faded away "Always the hard way with you, isn't it?"
"What can I say, it's more of a challenge that way...after all, I needed to go about the hard way to get us where we are now. Sometimes the hard way is the best way, don't you think?"
Babus looked up at the ceiling in thought "I suppose yes, the more effort in, the more out. And you certainly put a lot of effort into 'us'"
"And it paid off! Living proof" Ezel declared, murring ever so softly as he felt Babus's milky furred paws slip familiarly into his robes, caressing his chest with light brushes.
"....Ah..."
"Thinking of something my love?" Ezel asked, turning an eye upward to look at the other Nu Mou
"...I was just thinking...or rather recalling, everything that had happened between us before this point...to think, we were something short of rivals before. Now our days would be cloudy and bleak if we did not see each other" Babus said, seemingly deep in thought "I know I get lonely every time you're not around"
"I know the feeling my sweet. I know it all too well..." Ezel closes his eyes, becoming lost in the past, for when he and Babus had not mated yet, for when they had been separated and not together as they should be "...I yearned for you..."
Babus's paw moved, withdrawing from underneath the other's robe and instead moving to gently grasp the other's paw, giving it a comforting and warm squeeze "I'm sure you did..."
Ezel tiled his muzzled backward, and the two found themselves in a gentle tender kiss that had been easily slipped into. Gently one tongue sucked on the other, not demanding in the slightest. Each one savoured the taste of the other, even though it had become common to them by now.
"Would make quite the tale I think..." Ezel said whispered as they parted lips.
"What would?"
"The tale of our love" Ezel replied with a coy smile
Babus reflected on this, rolling each memory into play in the works of his mind. Indeed it seemed quite the chain of events "Yes, it would..."
Ezel closed his eyes and smiled with content "Seems like just yesterday we were having a gentleman's feud...can remember each detail like the back of my paw"
Babus raised a brow once more. He then smiled and leaned in closer to his mate "Let's remember together, shall we? Which one of us has a sharper memory I wonder"?
"Care to test?" Ezel said, a challenging look resting his features. Babus loved a good little challenge, even if it was a tad playful and silly.
"Why not?" Babus replied "Let's take turns reliving our life then"
"Sounds like a plan...though, let's retire to our bed, it will make storytelling a lot more comfortable"
Babus chuckled softly "Agreed... and perhaps we can engage in some drama afterwards"
"Drama?"
"Acting out our little scene, Huntsmoon 17th"
Ezel chuckled loudly "Oh, I'd love that my dear, that was definitely a very memorable scene. Not for young lads though"
The two exchanged perverted leers.
As one rose and followed the other, already they began spinning the web of their previous life that had been filled with such interesting happenings.
---and so, it begins...---
"Sir!" A templar, whose name did not necessarily need to be known, said while bowing politely
"Yes Darlis?" the white Nu Mou and Runeseeker asked in reply
The Templar known as Darlis smiled. In that time, being known by name was an honour. And Babus knew ever-single one of his units' names. He himself found it rather amazing, if you lined them up, templar next to templar in all matching uniform, helms covering at least half of their face from view. Babus could recite each of their names flawlessly. It had happened as well. The rather young fighter wondered how on earth one was able to do that so easily.
"A scout has spotted Ezel Barbier" the bangaa replied.
Babus's attention was fully drawn to the soldier now "Where?"
"Ambervale sir. We believe he's trying to find something to continue his anti law research"
Babus gritted his teeth slowly inside his closed lips. Ezel...
The Nu Mou stood casually, without the devastatingly large urgency that was racing through his mind "Fine then..." and made his way to the door of his private quarters.
Darlis looked at the man with silent adoration and pride to be in his troop. It was Babus Swain after all. THE Babus Swain, one of the most knowledgeable people in the land, right hand faithful servant to the palace, relatively to the people aswell and brilliant tactician.
He was but a young templar and fortunate to serve "Shall I prepare a party Sir?"
Babus paused halfway to the door, working the cogs and gears of his mind, forming plans of who knows what "No...I shall go myself"
Darlis blinked "But sir, we cannot let you into the field without proper back up and escort"
Babus turned to look at the other "Darlis, I am a grown man and humble servant, I do not need the constant watchful eye of someone" Babus slowly padded around the room in a mild pace "Perhaps Ezel will be less intimidated if I come alone..." another steady pace "And either way, each time we approach he wiggles away without a fight...wasting time of the soldiers as they can be serving the palace more directly in the making of the new council. I must find away to lull him into a false state of security, make him underestimate something, even by the slightest bit"
Darlis stood silently in waiting, not sure if he must reply.
"No, I shall take the bull by the horns and confront him myself. Ezel is too sharp, far sharper than any of your swords can cut..." Babus mumbled and turned to look at Darlis "Please remain at the palace and resume your other duties as per usual"
Darlis obediently nodded, shaking his mild concern for his commander "As you wish sir" and made his way to the door instead.
"Oh, and Darlis?" Babus called
The templar looked back, halfway through the door already
"Please refrain from calling me Sir from now on. Babus will do. Spread this word along the troops if you will. I have no need to be addressed so highly" Babus said, giving a reassuring smile of kindness to the other male.
Darlis blinked softly in surprise, then nodded his head once and smiled "At once...Babus" taking his leave, and was once again reinforced with the idea that most people had about Babus, even if they didn't know his status.
He was a wonderful man.
---a warp later...---
The particles gathered, and Babus appeared from the thin air. The Nu Mou was temporarily distracted by the sheer beauty of Ambervale. It was always known as a wonderful place, where the flowers bloomed and the rivers flowed sparkling. It was a sight indeed.
Babus shook his to steady his thoughts and began in the pursuit of his target. Ambervale wasn't necessarily a large area to search, but it was still an area. Still, he had found a way to track the rather elusive heremetic if he was close. He did have a rather large magical aura, and something like this seeped out into the air, leaving traces of its existence.
Little blobs of magical life hovered in the air, too thick to be just casual left over magic. And Babus knew it all too well now, it was definitely Ezel's signature. But what puzzled him was, it was...well, everywhere.
"Curses" Babus muttered, loudly because no one could hear him. He took fragile steps to his surroundings, trying to find some sort of clue, some guide line for the cunning nu mou's whereabouts. 'He must have stepped the whole area down, must be looking for something indeed, whatever it is though, it doesn't seem like he's found it. Nothing seems out of the ordinary' Babus thought to himself as he continues to find a needle in a haystack. And Ezel was an extremely small needle.
As the white nu mou walked, he noticed the essence in the air start to thin out slightly, leaving newer fresher tracks behind that before where it was all muddled up in the air. Babus smiled soflty 'ah, so your still here...' he took more speed as he followed the narrowing path of magical essence.
While he followed, he pondered his approach to the other, if he found him that was. An all out attack never worked with him. Traps hardly ever worked, he found his way out of them eventually...infact, taking any sort of planning with you was worthless. Babus shook his head and concentrated fully on finding the other first, he'd worry about after when it came. Predicting Ezel Babier was simply impossible, even for him.
"Not it either..." a voice sounded
Babus blinked, and turned a corner where some rock formations dominated and there was less flora. There sat Ezel, plain as day and minding his own business, studying the rocks with attentive eyes.
"Ezel!" Babus shouted commandingly
Ezel turned his head in a way that suggested that he wasn't at all surprised to see the other. He smiled "Babus!" voice sounding cheerful as ever and clearly mocking the other.
That was one thing Babus truly despised about Ezel, his lack of urgency. He never got shocked, never baffled, never troubled, never anything besides casual smiles and dramatic faces. Was it all a game to him? Was he that full of himself to think he could never be touched? It burned Babus inside out, oh yes it did.
But the white furred man calmed himself. Anger got you nowhere, especially with Ezel. Anger made you lose, nothing more. He fixed the other Nu Mou with a glare that most people under his control both respected and feared. "I'd like to have a word with you" he said carefully.
"A word you say? I'm sure I can spare that much for the palace's dog" Ezel turned his head to properly face the other, wiped his robes clean of the dust that had amounted from kneeling in the dirty and straightened his trademark cap. Even so, the attire was nothing elegant nor was worth dusting off, it was already tattered and abandoned only for wear and not appeal
Babus paused, gritting his teeth again 'what is he planning...there must be something' Babus wondered quickly. Not taking his eyes off the fugitive, he spoke on "Or rather, some questions" drawing out his time to think of something, anything that could work.
"Oh I am an open children's book Babus, ask and you shall receive answers easily, I assure you" Ezel replied
"What are you doing here?"
"Is it against the law to stroll along the beautiful countryside?" Ezel mocked with a hand gesture "And if I happen to find some useful components for my research, so be it"
Babus paused again, looking around with darting eyes...no, no sign of any traps or snares...no magical protection around....no nothing that could cause threat. Not allowing himself to be misled by this piece of information, he continued, mace tucked at his side for easy access "Why must you rival the palace Ezel?"
"Oh, but I must. For the sake of all those suffering under its jurisdiction, I must. Not for me, but for the people. Think of the people Babus. Hear them cry out"
"Don't play the hero here. Your acts are selfish and self-centred. What do you even hope to gain from all this" Babus asked, rooting himself to the spot and not making any other movements. Why he was even reasoning with the other Nu Mou was beyond him. The man was beyond logic or reasoning.
"Oh, nothing special really. I'm just a mean man, that's all" Ezel replied, a grin plastered on his face, and turning slightly brighter "I see your walking garrison is not present today, have they gone home sick? Did you over work them again?" Ezel replied, putting a paw to his forehead and dramatically searching for them
Babus's hands balled into fists, frustration burning inside of him. He hated how this other man could just look down on him like he was nothing, no threat, a child. Part of him was still commanding him to keep calm, but with such pride damaging abuse, that was one of the hardest things to do for the white Nu Mou.
Ezel smacked his forehead as if suddenly realizing something "How rude of me. Would you like to see my latest project?" Ezel added softly, reaching into his robes. Babus placed his hand over his mace, preparing for any surprises. From out his indigo robe, Ezel pulled out a card, which he held up to the sunlight tauntingly. "Behold Babus, one of the peaks of my research" the Nu Mou twirled the card teasingly in his paws "An advanced law"
Babus's face filled with shock "...no, you couldn't have" his mind raced quickly, was he planning to use it? Could he get it in time if Ezel was? No, they were too far away from each other. All it took was a flick and-
"Oh, but I did" Ezel smiled "And I will!" throwing the card up in the air, it disappeared quickly in a flash. A sphere of colour enveloped around Babus, and disappeared shortly after, leaving only the male behind, body paralysed .
"You are aware of the advanced law yes? Anyone under its influenced has all laws placed on him. You can't move, you can't act, nothing besides breath and speak"
Flames burned in Babus eyes, glaring incinerating daggers at the other "What is the meaning of this?"
"Oh, the meaning of this is just so you don't do anything rash and unnecessary. For you see, I'd like to have a little word with you too Babus. For quite some time actually, though your personal watch is always around, and it's quite hard to make you sit still and listen when both you and a troop of armoured garrison trailing about you" Ezel said like you would when you were bothered by something, taking casing steps towards the other and putting his hands behind his back.
Babus could do nothing more than watch the other with his eyes, rooted down to the spot. 'Curse that dastardly man and his ways, curse him'. His eyes moved slowly with each footstep. Should he break the law and deal with the consequences later? No...no, that won't do. Babus had never been on the inside of the prison bars, and he never planned to. Prison wasn't worth it, and he knew better than to grasp at straws. Ezel was tricky, but if he played his cards right, he could escape unscathed eventually. "I will not tell you anything"
Ezel smiled "Wonderful, then I can do all the speaking like I had planned essentially" Ezel grinned that cocky grin "You really should be more careful Babus old chap, see what happens when you just run around doing what you want to? You should plan like me"
"How dare you!?" Babus shouted, moving his head just an inch to emphasis his shout, which was allowed in the law. You just weren't allowed to move extensively, like running or walking. "You tyrant, you villain, you despicable man! Who do you think you are toying with me like some fool."
"Now now Babus, calling names isn't polite." Babus waved a finger in front of Babus's face like mother to a guilty child "And it doesn't help where you stand either"
Babus reduced himself to growling with rage. 'This man is simply too infuriating to keep calm about...he's not of this world' he thought to himself.
Ezel circled round Babus in casual strides. Babus tried to follow, but since he could not turn his head, he could not see when Ezel stood behind him. Ezel took his own sweet time doing whatever it was he was doing as he walked round the other not once, not twice, but three times. Babus would never understand him.
Finally Ezel stopped right in front of him, paws still behind his back. Clearing his throat, Ezel spoke "I'm going to get right to the point Babus" he paused for just a second, before continuing "I wish to court you"
"Excuse me?!" Babus shouted in complete rage, paws balling into fists. He would not have being treated so foolishly. "Do you think this is some kind of twisted joke? If you're just going to talk nonsense to me will you bore me to death, I'd have rather went to prison"
"Oh, it's not a joke Babus" Ezel once again started to orbit Babus, but even slower "Like I said, I've wanted to talk about this to you for quite some time" Ezel's eyes fixed on Babus's "Over the moments of my life that happen to include you, I can't help but notice how beautiful you are"
Babus, not expecting such words, blinked in dumbfounded astonishment "...I'm not a female Ezel, I cannot be beautiful"
"My my, what a naive Nu Mou you are." Ezel smiled "If men cannot be beautiful, then what is this radiance I see from you each time we meet that sparkles off your snowy fur?"
Babus hesitated...was Ezel...actually...being...serious? No, no that was idiotic. It was just another of his silly mind games, must not even consider it. "Insanity?"
"I admire your determination and sarcasm too for the record. Such a rowdy fellow you are, taking what you want and working you're hardest for your cause. Truly admirable in a man" Ezel continued "You don't have much time for a love life do you Babus? Always busy and on the go"
"Be quiet" Babus muttered
"I will not" Ezel stepped closed, and if he had been able to move, Babus, would have taken a step back. Their eyes were still on each other "Can't even accept a complement either. If I were to find a way to praise you for it, it would be your giving nature and wanting no recognition for it. You do as you are told and expect nothing in return. Of course, that would be going overboard" Ezel chuckled softly "But partly true, none the less"
Babus blinked slowly, unable to think of a response
"You think I jest? Heavens no, this is real. It's no dream, so wake up" Ezel's face suddenly turned a mixture of serious...and...What was the other? Babus was not sure.
Slow steps brought him closer to Babus, till he was mere inches away; Babus standing upright was slightly shorter than Ezel. Babus stared into the other's eyes uncertainly. What he saw, didn't look like it was joking or playing games at all. It looked grave...urgent...even...desperate in a way.
A gloved paw reached up, gloved only to the palm that his fingers stood unclothed. Babus closed his eyes as if expecting some form of harm at the sudden movement. Instead, he found them on his cheek, resting. He opened his eyes, and as he did the thumb started moving across a small patch of fur over his muzzle. Then the rest of the paw moved, till it was gently caressing the cheek.
"I know not how much longer specifically this law will last on you Babus. But I know it won't last particularly long. It's only a prototype, and its power is sorely limited. So before that happens and I have a chance to escape your grasp once more, I must leave you with something to wrap that large mind of your around"
Babus had gone as stiff as a board, which ironically helped his situation. If all the things he might have expected, this was not it. His 'large mind' was not sending a single signal out to his body. He simply remained still.
The paw moved slightly, down to the nu mou's neck and scratching that area fondly "I hope that I would not have to trap you like this Babus. Even for me it feels under handing, but things must be said you understand?" Ezel nodded to himself "There's so much I want to talk to you about, share with you and show you, but I can't do that while you're like this. So I ask you-" the paw rested now just behind Babus's head, rubbing through the fur there.
"-If you might consider giving this heretic a chance, yes? You're a reasonable fellow aren't you? That's how I know you to be, to everyone but me, strict but kind" Ezel said his muzzled inching closer to the others "And that's something I want to change. I want the kindness that everyone gets, and I want it made anew into a special brand of kindness you only dare show me."
Ezel smiled "And just to get rid of any doubt that I'm just playing with you Babus"
Babus's eyes flew wide open as the space between them was covered and just like that he found Ezel's lips on his own. The feeling was...indescribable for the white one. He didn't know what to feel. Instinct of a rivalry told him to detest and be appalled at such an action, and at first...it felt as such...but...but... He felt a void of unsure and foreign feelings that he could not understand. Needless to say, he did his best to fight the lips off his own in the current situation, sealing the folds tight end denying entrance completely. The feel of a tongue over his lips lingered and he closed his eyes in ...disgust?
Ezel released the lock slowly, smirking cockily "Feisty one hmm? I suppose I can't demand more of you at this point" He had not lessened the closeness of the two of them, noticing Babus opening his eyes to glare at him once more. With that he pecked the other nu mou's cheek gently, causing the eye on that side to flinch.
Stepping back confidently but hesitantly, Ezel continued his speech "I will reveal a location to you soon Babus. Expect to find it one day, perhaps in a place you would not expect, but you will find it. That is all I shall say for now"
Now in fairly good escape range, the indigo robed nu mou titled his hat down and up in a respective salute of farewell "Do think this over Babus. Try not to use the logical side too much, perhaps you should try your fantasy side. It certainly proved me with an answer" met with only a glare, Ezel wrapped up "The law should disperse in a few minutes, so don't fear."
Ezel turned round, waved comically "Till next we meet, my treasure" and his body spit into magical particles, disappearing completely.
A stock still Babus stared into the distance, sighing softly and glared at the spot Ezel had stood just moments ago...the magical field around him slowly draining as he felt the law's caster move away, as did the law.
...'He wasn't branded lunatic for nothing' Babus silently told himself
---A couple of days later...---
Babus sat in silence on his room's balcony. Prince Mewt had been very generous when it came to accommodation. Babus sighed...Mewt. The place was simply not the same anymore without him. He had been a disturbed child, but a wonderful one none the less. The switch from monarchy rule to democratic council had been a large yet much needed step for Ivalice. Though it seemed to be doing the land enough well.
He watched quietly over the land. It was a breath taking view for certain, even at night. The tiny nightlights of the evening in the far distance looked as multicoloured fireflies flitting around aimlessly. He reached over to a table and carefully took a teacup in his paw, sipping from it. Babus loved tea, especially on cold nights to warm his insides out. It was one of the little sparks of joy he found he life
He wondered what people outside of the palace walls did around that time. The clans would no doubt be in the pubs, laughing and screeching at one another while they drowned their own and other bodies and alcohol. Barbaric, but it would not have existed if it wasn't as allegedly enjoyed as it was. Palace mindset lead him next to the individuals debating issues, Nu Mou stuck in the libraries spending the entire night engulfs in the pages of books, the prisoners of Sprohm and their fearsome bangaa guards. Babus detested the prison, whenever he had to be there, there was always some form of sexual harassment inside the cells.
'Do think this over Babus...'
The white Nu Mou's eyes narrowed spitefully as a frown formed to match. How had that come up? Oh of course, sexual harassment. The nerve of it all! He had the gall to touch him intimately, and even kiss him, the indignity, the blasphemy, the complete and utter ludicrous behaviour. He placed a finger on his lips...tarnished. That's what they were, tarnished. The thoughts of that clearly perverted man popped in his head and he shook them away just as fast.
'Am I slipping?' he wondered. Was he simply not smart enough anymore? Regarding Ezel, he never got the upper hand. Now it lead to this; mind games and invasions of personal space boundaries. His fingers slowly walked along the length of his upper lip, then below to his bottom lip then again to his upper and finally stroking in-between the two folds. He was mimicking the path Ezel's tongue had made over them, right to the end where they tried to force their way inside in a failed attempt. The fact that he remembered it so clearly was sickening.
"How would anyone prepare for such idiocy?" He said out loud, attempting to comfort himself in the matter. He looked up at the moon as if it held his answer plain as day. Nothing, He smirked a bit, why he was looking at the moon for answers when he was dealing with a lunatic in the first place. Humour that was never really funny always cheered Babus, mostly because it was more pathetic that he was when he was sad.
He stood and almost tippy toed to the balcony, looking outward upon the vastness of both the land and the sky above. Looking directly below, he saw the moat that circled the castle. He smiled to see small shimmers of moonlight reflecting off it, making it sparkle just a bit; odd phenomena of nature that not many people looked over twice.
Of course, many people did not include Babus as he squinted down at the water. He noticed the sparkling was starting to get bigger by the second. He leaned over the railing to see properly and found that the sparkling was not getting bigger, but in fact getting closer. His brows furrowed in confusion as the blast seemed to shoot up at him. He had not even the second to prepare for shooting sparks, as the glittering flew past him upward in a flash. Then they stopped abruptly, and slowly came down till they circled Babus, dancing about him.
Disorientated to say the least, Babus focused less on the fact that something truly odd was happening, and more on how beautiful they were. He watched them circle around him harmlessly, and noticed that they were...flapping. With a smile he noticed the wing pattern: butterflies.
He held a paw out, and one nested on his finger. The little fairylike thing glowed a dark indigo, and was not any species that Babus knew. It could only mean they were magically created. No sooner had the insect nested, but the rest stopped their orbit and began franticly swarming to his paw.
Babus's reflex told him to throw it down over the edge. Anything magical rushing to your paws that was not your own doing was never a good sign. Before he could get to it though, the figments of butterflies reformed and a metamorphosis took place. In Babus's paw lay a neatly folded envelope.
Babus stared at the foreign object curiously. A letter? Who could possibly be sending mail, via magical butterflies none the less, at that time of night for something the average mail system took care of each day. He looked at the back, but it bared no signature or information besides 'To Babus Swain' written on.
The snow furred nu mou walked back inside of his quarters and sat at the desk of his study. True it was a room away but he needed proper lighting. Carefully he opened the seal of the letter, just in case. There were many more objects Babus did not need to know that blew up once opened, especially if magically inclined. There was no danger at the opening, so he removed the single piece of parchment out and looked over it.
His stomach turned as he began to read the somewhat un-neat cat scratch handwriting. He didn't need to read the bottom to see who it was from. He knew it already from evidence he'd scanned over the few years. It was Ezel's
'Good even Babus. I trust you enjoyed the miniature light show I sent along with the mail? It's been a few days since our little...confrontation, so to speak. I figured I'd give you a couple of days to mull things over before I proceeded with what I mentioned before.
I would like to speak to you as a gentlemen and not a fugitive on the run. It's much easier to talk without business looming over our heads yes? You do realise this game of cat and mouse, although it does give me a thrill to be the mouse ever running from his predator, is becoming tiring, for both of us I will assume. Disregard me or this letter if you so wish, but know that you step back twice in solving the problem that is me in your life. You may not believe this but I do wish to ease some of the pain I cause in your life.
I ask only for a chance of you Babus. You have not much to lose either way. I would stoop so low as to beg and beseech you on this plea. Resisting you is becoming far too unbearable now after so long knowing of your existence and glorifying it in my own personal time.
Included are days, times, and venues where I shall be, waiting for you. You'll find that one way or another I've taken your agenda into consideration in most of them, but if one night is inconvenient obviously you come at another night as you so wish. I look forward to seeing you soon and hope you do not ignore me for too long.
Sweet Regards
Biebier, Ezel'
Babus's eye twitched slightly as he read the note. 'This game of cat and mouse, even though it gives me a thrill'? 'Glorifying it in my own personal time'? No matter how the Nu mou thought about it, it sounded perverted. Typical of Ezel, leaving hidden meanings in everything he does but veiling them so thinly besides the actual point of something. The man was like an endless maze. A horrible, trap filled, terrifying endless maze. Babus turned the page round. Sure enough, some days in order had been scribbled more neatly on the back, with a time and a place, most of them pubs in the major cities.
"The absurdity..." Babus softly whispered to himself, crumpling up the paper and throwing it aside into the waste basket, were it stood out against the other trash.
Days came and went, and Babus busied himself with his duties day and night. There was so much to be done he admitted he wish he had the time to just stop and watch everyone else scurry about madly in the halls. Nobility never scurried, no, they strutted at pace with dignity. It might as well be scurrying, who had time to worry about that and the proper way to walk without looking undignified when Ivalice needed running, not strutting. It was slowly, meekly, coming together however. Each day new problems came and went just like sand washed away in the sea while the wind blew more onto the shore. All in a day it seemed...
The nights however...
Well
They brought little peace to Babus these nights. The quiet he used to long for each day now tormented him in its silent grip, for as he sat at his desk and worked or read a tome something just managed to catch his eye.
A piece of paper, uncrumpled and laid on the side of his desk, would smirk and make faces at him. Each night he would ignore the idiotic mental taunting his brain subjected him to. And this continued for him.
'I'm only keeping it for evidence' He thought to himself as he glanced at it for the umpteenth time over the past week 'Any trail is good, no matter how ridiculous and mortifying it is.' He told himself 'he's starting to slip that's all. And even if he's not, if he thinks he's succeeding in toying with me he's wrong. Why would the lunatic even think that? Is some part of his mind just out to be completely ridiculous!' he affirmed himself.
And this is what Babus Swain told himself over and over again, for 6 days and nights straight after he received the impish mail.
On the 7th night however...
Babus held the letter in his paws, examining it thoroughly, flipping it to the front and back. 'Meeting times eh?' the white nu mou scanned the back of the pages for its times and dates. '...Perhaps...'
Babus threw the paper down again as if it bit him "No, this is madness...." he stared down at the 'innocent' parchment with hate seeping from his eyes. The last date of the week was still visible -The howling moon, 20:30, Sunday-. Babus's eyes turned to the grandfather clock in the study, the golden hands pointing out a 19:46. The strict one scratched his chin in thought. 'I suppose...'
He shook his head violently "No, NO. This is a trap. A horrible easily laid out trap so cunning he's masked it with civility." His eyes wandered about the room. He looked for something, anything. 19:47 read the clock.
Babus sighed and pinched the spot between his eyes together in deep frustration "Oh for the sake of Ultima..." the white nu mou cursed his curious nature...
-To be continued-
Trying splitting my story bits up, so it's not so long and people don't get too bored of them =)
_Will post the second part ASAP
Thanks for reading_