It was supposed to be a day of celebration. Ruy knew that. But the towering stack of papers in his office was calling his name, the useless monotony of it all almost singing to him like a siren song. While he signed the lines, skimmed the dull information, stamped his royal seal in dark blue wax, his mind drifted to his newest song. He had run out of space in his journal. He was now using scrap pieces of parchment until he could find a new one that fit his standards. He could order one made, but he wanted to wait until after the festival. The craftspeople would probably slave over a beautiful journal, giving his order extra time and effort due to his title. Ruy would've felt bad if they couldn't enjoy the festivities.

Ruy cringed as a soaring firework whistled above him and popped above his roof in the highest tower. The chandelier rattled, the ice in his drink chattering against the crystal cup.
But Ruy continued to scribble away.

The guards stationed at his doorway once bothered him, making him feel like they were wasting their time protecting something he wasn't. But now, he barely paid them any mind.

"Raymond?" Ruy's voice was still deep and warm but no longer had the lilt of curiosity and joy to it. It was sharp and to the point. The guard to the right of his door straightened,
"Yes, your highness?"
Ruy raised his letters without taking his eyes off the words he scribbled. A script for his speech was set for the end of the festival.
"Deliver one of these to each of my brothers at once, please. They are important above ground manners that they need to remember for the celebrations today, especially since we have so many guests." Ruy explained, licking the edge of his thumb to flip the page of another document. The guard accepted them with a deep bow and quickly left to deliver the letters.

"Above ground manners? I know Kalem will read it, but good like trying to get Cato to read that rubbish." Ruy's scribbling froze, and a tight smile graced his features. A practiced, maintained smile pointed at Queen Sarai, who was at his door.
"Mom," Ruy greeted.
Sarai rolled her eyes. She strode into the office with a young maid following her. The maid held a silver tray of goods. "Don't give me that tight-lipped nonsense. It has been too long since I've seen that toothy grin of yours. Where is my son's Vincula spirit?"

Sarai and Ruy were long past the awkward stages of trying to figure one another out. He was her son, and she was his mother. There were days he never even thought of the monster that bore him.
"I guess I'm not in the partying spirit." Ruy sighed, turning to the tray, "What's this?"
"A gift. I know you are going to get many of these today, but I feel like some alone time is what you value most. Which is probably why you snuck up here to," Sarai peeked over his desk to his documents, "Read over the laws and regulations of cow trade in the souther villages."

Ruy raised a brow, fighting the smile on his face. He turned to the maid, "Thank you. Please, go enjoy the festivities." He said, dismissing her.
She turned red in the face, smiling giddily as she bowed and strode out the room. Ruy turned the other guard stationed at his door, "You may go as well."
"I'm afraid I must protect you at all costs-"
"You. Can. Go." Ruy reiterated, his eyes darkening.

The guard gulped gave him a quick bow before ditching the room. Sarai began to pour the tea, "The maid left so quickly she forgot to bring the sugar cubes." Sarai blew on the tea before handing it to Ruy, "Good to know you haven't lost your devilish charms on women, son. I was beginning to worry that all this time hunched over your desk would cause you to lose your touch."

Sarai glanced over the documents, "How is the Civil war in Inalia going?" She knew how it was going, she was in the war council meeting just as he. But she wanted to know what he thought about it.
"It's not," He cleared his throat, trying to find the right words, "The Senate is winning. I'm worried, but interfering violate plenty of alliances and pacts. I have the resources and man power these civilians need, but I am stuck just twiddling my thumbs. The people are putting their faith in the church, but even the church is beginning to fail them."
After the truth of the Assassins came out, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The civil war the Ancient Vatarians were stoking four years ago grew to a raging flame. Now, the war created

Ruy took the tea and gave it a cautious sip, "Alright mom, cut the crap. What do you want?"
Sarai shrugged, "I want my son to go out and enjoy the festival that is only happening because of him."

The Vincula festival, the first year celebrating it, in fact. One year ago was when the Dunmer finally left their cavern. Ruy had been the one who led the scouting trips, teaching them how to fly with the wind currents above ground and how to deal with the sun.
The Dunmer were still adapting, but gods above, they enjoyed their freedom above ground.

"I don't want to. I'm perfectly content staying here and completing my work."
Sarai rolled her eyes, "Dear gods, you sound like you been hunched over for days as well. You are even keeping up your little accent for me. Me!" Sarai reached over his desk and squeezed his forearm, "Relax, sweetie. We aren't in front of a court."

Ruy often forgot which part of him was a prince and which part of him was, well, Ruy. He was able to keep them apart four years ago when he had a life outside his princely duties with a certain blonde.
But now, it swallowed him whole.

"I know, I know. But being on guard-"
"Is the only way to stay safe with the vultures that surround us, I know. But seriously, you haven't eaten dinner with us in a week! You've been cooped up here!" Sarai shook herself out, "Listen, I'm not here to lecture you. I just... are you alright?"
Ruy leaned back into his chair, staring into the reflection atop his tea. His hair still curled about his forehead and neck, his skin was still dark and warm, his eyes still glinting azure and violet. He looked like himself, but he began to see the things his mother was pointing out. The tired circles beneath his eyes, his face slightly sunken, it all came a bit more apparent.

"Maybe some time off with Mansi and Alvar would help?"
"No, they are on a vacation with Hakan right now, I don't want to bother them."
"Then how about your songs? Have you finished writing the one you showed to me a month ago?"
Ruy apprehensively answered, "No."
Sarai's brows knitted, "H-How about the studio? We just got a new shipment of terracotta clay." Ruy had begun sculpting. Just little things here and there. But it felt good to have an entire studio to himself. Not a single person was allowed into the studio beside him.

"Mom, I appreciate the worry. Truly, I do. But I have a war council meeting tomorrow and I want to make sure I'm completely caught up with everything before I go to it."

Ruy drowned his tea, quickly standing.
"I need to give my speech soon, and Hakan asked I get him a prize from the festival."
He leaned down to peck his mom on the cheek, "I'll see you later, mom."
Sarai watched him leave, sighing and picking up the tray herself. Her hand hovered over the silver handle to the mahogany door.

Ruy's office was organized chaos. Papers were scattered everywhere, yet he always knew exactly where everything was. It was rich blue and silver, dark mahogany furniture complimenting it all.

But tucked beneath the stacks of paper was a splash of red. Sarai tugged the red fabric carefully, the red fabric unraveling between her brown fingers.

The Assassins sash was slightly faded but clean and stain-free as if he regularly washed it. The golden thread was fuzzy, the way the end of the rope would fray if constantly handled.

Sarai knew it wasn't that easy to bury a love and family like Ruy did. Or was trying to.

Even after four whole years, there are parts of Ruy that just wish he was back in his apartment listening to the hustle and bustle of Renisanca.

Ruy kept his head down, his hood reminding him of his assassin robes. Between dodging the horns and wings of his people, Ruy was thoroughly focused on his feet.
A man was loudly advertising his ax-throwing game, enough that it even made Ruy glance in his direction.
For a moment, it wasn't a brightly decorated game but the ax-throwing range outback of the assassin's guildhall.
"Just because you are a royal priss doesn't mean Lia and I will go easy on you." Nour chuckled, his voice quiet as always. Sophie's hip-checked her boyfriend as she passed, "Prepare to get your ass kicked. Whoever loses buys the drinks tonight!"

Ruy was in front of the stand, blinking up to the prizes atop. A big doll with raven hair and dark skin looked exactly like Hakan would enjoy.
"How much?" Ruy asked, pointing to the game.
"Just five pieces to play?"
Ruy haphazardly threw the coins onto the counter. The man handed him a dull and uneven ax, nowhere near the standard used in battle.
"Are you gonna play as well, miss? I didn't think a fancy noble would be interested in axes!" Ruy turned to see a woman in a big puffy dress surrounded by two guards. She held her nose in the air but accepted the ax.
"I'm curious." That was all she said.
She took a spot next to Ruy and gave him a little smile. Placing the axe on the ground, clearly know knowing how taboo it was, the noble woman held a hand in greeting. She had midnight black skin with lighter brown hair, her eyes a piercing blue that kinda scared him.

"How about a competition?" She said in greeting.
"No."
"And why not? I'm a noblewoman you know, I could just force you to do it." She didn't recognize him, then.
"You really couldn't ."
"Who are you? The prince?" She joked. Ruy just rolled his eyes.
Ruy threw his entire shoulder into the ax as it released from his fingers. It sunk into the wood slightly off-center but still in the bullseye.

He was out of practice, apparently.

"The doll please." He said to the attendant.
The woman stared in amazement, then tried to replicate his throw. The ax was wobbly and fell short of the target by a few inches.
The woman merely shrugged, "I guess its a good thing you didn't agree to a competition then."
Ruy rose a brow at her as the booth attendant grabbed Hakan's gift, handing it to the disguised prince.
"If you angle your body more, you will have better fling in your wrist when letting go of the axe." Ruy explained. He gave her a quick bow.
"My lady."

He tucked the doll into his cloak and snuck backstage of the center stage of the festival. He had his crown polished and his stubble trimmed for this exact occasion.
The perfect image of a prince was going to walk onto that stage. Ruy always made sure of it. He draped his cloak over a chair to reveal his perfect blazer, buttoned shirt, pressed pants, and shiny dress shoes. His wings were neatly folded behind him, and he never dragged them around on the ground anymore. It was unprofessional.
He used to get nervous about it. But not anymore. Now it just felt tedious.
"Prince Ruy, you should go on... now," A woman waved him on stage, and he strode ahead.
People clapped and roared for him. He gave them a generous smile, which made them all cheer louder. He stood in front of the podium with the royal insignia on it, giving a short wave before clearing his throat.

"Four years ago, our people moved past the days of darkness and fear to teh progression ahead. You all thank me, but truly, I thank you. Because of you," He droned out, his speech engrained in his mind. The people watched him with awe and respect, but it felt one-sided. It isn't that he loved his people. They just loved a part of him that wasn't real.
His speech was about loyalty, freedom, justice, yada, yada, yada. How many of these had he made this month? Two? Three?
"And I know that we will continue to," Ruy's eyes caught on a wingless figure in the crowd. A hood draped over their face, ragged robes swaying in the gentle breeze. They raised their chin in recognition, realizing he caught them in his gaze, "Enstill prosperity and bring Dunmer beauty," Somebody strode in front of the hooded figure. When they moved, the hooded person was gone.

"And Bring the Dunmer to the true strength it once was." His voice was soft now, but the people barely noticed. They didn't notice him dazed and staring at the empty place now in the crowd.
He began to drift off stage, his eyes catching on the hooded figure at the edge of the crowd. He peeked out from behind the curtains.
But the hooded figure was gone.

He couldn't shake off that hood. It looked like it was hand stitched by Maria's hands. It is completely possible it was just someone wearing a cloak to fight off the autumnal breeze.
A dark cloak sped around a corner, and Ruy didn't hesitate after it. It was foolish, probably a trap that would lead to his assassination. But he couldn't stop.
"Hey, wait!" Ruy watched the dark cloak freeze in front of a set of grand doors, the sun flittering through the dusty windows making the Prince himself freeze. The dark cloak was just that. A cloak.
It was made of tiny granules of dark blue and purple sand, moving in clean smooth movements, hovering as if it were adorning someone. The sand cloak broke, piling onto the floor. It slithered underneath eh crack of the door into the ballroom.

Ruy swallowed before opening the door.

Eira sat crossed legged on the edge of the stage, absently controlling the sand figures. Oh gods, she was having another episode. The figures were nothing but dark sand that moved and shuddered to life from Eira's power. The power she received from Mephala still puzzled Ruy.
He was still mad at her for that stunt she pulled with Sophie four years ago that one way or another led to the guildhall burning down. They just avoided talking about it.

One of the sand dolls looked suspiciously like Halvar, or Elrond depending on who you ask, whittling a piece of wood. The other was of Sarai and Eira walking together, going about their courtly duties.
But the one of the stage got Ruy's attention.
He knew that face anywhere, and Eira somehow depicted it perfectly.
Sophie was spinning it perfect form, an elegant smile with a tulip tulle skirt matching her twists and controlled movements. Her hair was down, though Sophie would logically never wear it down when she would dance.

"She told me that she did ballet, you know. During the conference all those years ago. I couldn't stop imagining it. How regal she would've looked if she ever danced in pointe shoes again." Eira knew he had entered. Sophie's lookalike danced to quiet classical music played by a sand string quartet also made by Eira.

"And my brother? He would whittle the most beautiful carvings of bears, butterflies, fish... anything really. It helped him focus all of his... anger."
Eira surprisingly had more trouble moving on then Ruy did. Ruy caught her muttering about her dear brother and why he wouldn't just listen. Or how she should've done more to help Sophie in the battles instead of hiding like a coward. She would have episodes of loneliness and quiet melt downs. Sometimes they would last minutes, other times days.
The ruse of Lysandra was long gone now. Eira didn't bother hiding who she was.

"Come on. Let's go get a beer or something at the festival." Ruy proposed, gently approaching her on the stage.

Eira looked tiredly up at him, "Was it my fault?"

Ruy knew what she was referring to, but he asked, "Was what your fault?"

"Her going away? For all of this?"

Ruy thought those same thoughts during the first years. Sometimes he caught himself still thinking thoughts he would rather not voice out loud about the whole affair. Instead, he spoke in a slow voice, "Sophie left because... because she was scared. Because she thought she wasn't enough, maybe? It doesn't matter. She left, and we are here." Ruy stared at the whittling form of Halvar. He looked so peaceful.

Eira sighed, and the sand figures all dissipated to piles on the floor. Ruy watched as Sophie's dancing form dropped mid twirling leap.
Together, they left the dark theatre. They found a small booth selling ale just off the side of the outside stage, wher King Dorian was just finishing up his speech.

Eira was back to normal by now, casually laughing with Ruy and swinging her legs to the beat of the rowdy music.

"Your highness!" Captain of the Royal Guard Doreah hissed behind him. Ruy spun around on his stool, dazed from his drinks with Eira.
"Your father wants you back on stage. Some announcement." Captain Doreah grabbed her wrist and yanked him back and on stage.
Ruy stumbled on stage, where he shuffled over to Dorian's side. Dorian then waved on a woman from the other side of the stage. The noblewoman from the ax throwing game.
She didn't recognize him, probably because he wasn't wearing his cloak.
"I am also here to announce... a union."

Ruy instantly knew what this was. His head darted to Sarai, who was in the wings of the stage. Her face was one of instant guilt, hiding her face behind her feathered wings. He glanced back at the noblewoman, who gave him a deep curtsy.
"A union between Henrietta of the House Lannos and my eldest son, Prince Ruy!"
Dorian took a step back, flashing a 'Don't fuck this up look'. Henrietta flashed the biggest smile at the astonished and clapping crowds, interlacing an arm around his. Ruy just stared at her like a dumbfounded idiot.
He felt like one too.

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