Chapter Text
Xion was up bright and early with Isa to wait for Lauriam's return. She was wearing a fluffy floor-length fur coat that hid everything except her face and hands and she'd told Sora to get the powder.
Sora appeared beside her, passing over a packet as subtly as he could. Isa would of course notice anyway so being sneaky wasn't a priority. The crown prince said nothing if he did notice.
"I fully intend to keep their Imperial Highnesses busy today," he reassured his sister.
"I can handle them tomorrow. If you can, don't let on that our brother isn't our sister."
Xion stowed the packet in an inner pocket of the coat. Isa's facial expression didn't change aside from the slight furrowing of his brow as he tried to process her plans.
"Xion, don't light fires that don't need to be lit," he cautioned when he put it together.
"I won't be doing anything. He'll be lighting this one himself."
"I know the situation isn't ideal but you do represent our country. Please try not to push too far. Standing up for yourself is something I will always encourage, just don't give them a reason to punish the people."
Sora nodded just a little bit. Isa was a prankster himself on good days. He taught Xion several tricks growing up and he wasn't explicitly telling her no.
"I won't do anything he can't blame anyone but himself for," she promised. Isa didn't respond but he seemed pleased.
Within a few minutes, the screech of Elrena's ornery gryphon could be heard. Everyone made room in the courtyard for the three enormous beasts to land. Isa was the first to approach. The gryphons liked him well enough, and he was able to greet his brother in a firm, manly hug. Xion wasn't far behind him, but she waited her turn.
"How was the journey?" he asked when he leaned back and gripped Lauriam's shoulder warmly.
Lauriam was a tall, feminine man with rose pink, long hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and a soft voice. He had a muscular chest, long legs, and gentle demeanor more suited for growing things than taking lives.
"I came as soon as Grandfather sent word. So quick, but tiring. I was able to help plant half of the southern fields. How did the negotiating go?" Lauriam asked, still optimistic.
Isa let his arm drop and looked away to the side.
"Not as well as we might have hoped."
"How much are they taking?" he asked more solemnly. Xion had also dropped her gaze.
"50% of all our earnings and resources, collected biannually... but only if Xion marries one of the Imperial Princes."
Xion checked to make sure Ansem wasn't in the courtyard before speaking, "And Prince Ansem is just terrible."
"Surely he couldn't be that bad..." Lauriam said apprehensively.
"I genuinely believe the man would burn our country to the ground in a tantrum if we had pursued a route of negotiation that did not include Xion," Isa confirmed. Lauriam winced.
"And the way he looks at me..." Xion didn't finish the statement. She really didn't want her brothers to find out about the way he'd touched her, or about the younger brother's warning.
Isa put an arm around her in comfort.
"Come, you should greet grandfather," he said, "he will be glad to see you return."
"Of course." Lauriam wouldn't be able to stay. Even in the depths of winter, seeds had to be prepared for warmer weather. His magic was one of the last defenses keeping the famine at bay.
The trio turned to head inside, and Isa led the way to the King's study. Prior to breakfast, he could oftentimes be found there. Xigbar was with him today, reviewing records. The Crown Prince knocked politely and then let himself in with the others.
Xion stayed by the door as Lauriam and Isa approached their grandfather and Xigbar. Yen Sid merely nodded at their presence.
Isa bowed politely, first to his Grandfather and then to the Regent. Xigbar didn't even acknowledge them. The man was focused on the records and making his own notes.
Lauriam bowed quickly before asking, "Grandfather, is Xion really being married off?"
Yen Sid nodded and said, "By her own choice."
Lauriam gave the reports on the fields to the south before asking leave. He took Xion with him.
"I'd like to get to know this Prince you're marrying. Feel free to watch from the walls." By the walls, of course, he meant the servant's passages. Many had strategic peepholes and thin walls to listen through.
"Both Princes are at the Training Grounds," Sora reported politely, fully supporting this plan.
"I'm going to change out of my travel clothes first."
"Wear some of your really flowery stuff. Oh!" Xion stopped talking for a moment to pull the sword out from under her coat. "This is for you."
Lauriam took the sword delicately, taking a few moments to look it over.
"... thank you. Your workmanship is excellent, as always." The siblings split up, Lauriam going to change and Xion and her retainers sneaking around to the training grounds, itching powder all but forgotten in the excitement of their new cohort in potential crime.
Sora went on ahead this time, checking that they had a good seat before moving for Xion.
Ansem and Kishi were sparring and the difference in skill was comically obvious. They were both shirtless and barefoot with their hair pulled back; Ansem's in a loose ponytail, and Kishi's in a messy bun. They were using real swords rather than training ones so the clinking of metal was loud, echoing around the stone in the chilly winter air. The older brother was more focused on a small book, a grimoire, and just parrying blows as Kishi tried to land a hit. Both of them were lacking in scars, which seemed unrealistic given their reputation for fighting on the front lines themselves. They were lacking body hair too, making them look unnatural. If they held still, they might have looked like they were carved from stone.
Xion watched quietly. As impressive as it was to not have scars, to Xion it meant they had never learned from mistakes and the princes seemed less like family, the way they sparred.
Marluxia arrived on the scene nearly a full twenty minutes in, in a cloak covered in embroidered and beaded roses to match the sword he'd received that morning. His retainers, Elrena and Strelitzia, were similarly dressed, much to Elrena's certain distaste, even if she did not show it in her face. The second child to the throne looked the part of a lady.
Ansem's eyes shifted briefly their direction and Kishi used the opportunity to swoop in for an attack, but Ansem neatly deflected it, pushing the younger brother away. He closed his book and lowered the sword to look Lauriam over with just his eyes. The barest curl of a smirk played at the corners of his lips.
Kishi took took a second to catch his breath, lowering his sword to check out the new people between deep pants. He seemed more confused than Ansem.
"We don't need servicing," the older Prince said in greeting, "though I would appreciate it if one began heating a bath."
"I'm afraid I am not a servant, Your Highness," Lauriam said smoothly, using a slightly higher voice than needed, "However, one of my ladies can make sure a bath is ready." Strelitzia, with her bright orange hair flowing, stood, curtsied, and left.
Ansem rapidly lashed out with sword without turning, stabbing Kishi in the shoulder of his free arm with a jab.
"I was unaware the lord of this house had multiple daughters," Ansem said calmly, as though he hadn't just stabbed his brother. It had happened so fast that Kishi's reaction was somewhat delayed and he wasn't able to cry out. He just staggered with the force of the blow and then widened his stance to compensate for the pain.
"The King only had one daughter. She had three children. I'm the second child."
"I see. Shame on your King hiding members of his own court. Or have you an excuse as to why you were not present to greet your new sovereign?"
Kishi was rushing back in now. He was fast and cleared the gap quickly before feinting to Ansem's other side, but once again, the brother countered without looking or hardly moving and Kishi was pushed back.
Lauriam sat a little straighter to answer, "I had duties in the south, I returned to the castle as soon as I heard of what was happening. I'm curious, why the interest in my sister?" There was a slight predatory tone to his voice, even though it kept its sweet tone.
It didn't go unnoticed and Ansem's shadow of a smirk turned into a toothy grin. The figurative candle flickered to life above his head.
"A political union was the only way to fairly justify a discount for your Kingdom." Kishi came back in with a rapid combo involving a kick and a well-timed punch but each hit was blocked and the point of Ansem's sword left a cut along the teen's side. It might have been worse if not for the quick footwork.
Xion blinked a couple of times. The way they were fighting didn't make sense with their lack of scars.
"Is that so? Please, explain."
Sora had stopped watching. He was too stressed out and sat with his back to the wall.
"Do you not believe that family is deserving of leniency?" the Imperial Prince asked. Ansem's grin never wavered and his definition of leniency was either very wrong, or he was capable of more much more horrifying acts if this was how he treated his baby brother. The way he kept Lauriam's gaze, it was very likely he was implying the latter.
Kishi tsked and started pacing around Ansem more thoughtfully.
"No, I was asking how a foreign Prince would find only one way to make a fair trade," Lauriam said, holding his head up.
"I don't expect a woman to understand foreign policy nor is it appropriate for you to question it."
"I am not a woman."
The grin faded. Kishi made another move in the split second that he saw his brother twitch but half a centimeter from connecting sword to flesh a massive shadow lashed out and Kishi was launched across the grounds, skidding across the stone after bouncing a couple times.
"Then you bring shame on your home for your deception," Ansem growled.
"What deception? I never said anything that wasn't true. I'm not wearing a dress nor have I changed my figure in any way," Lauriam said calmly.
"You are interrupting my training. Leave." Ansem calmly turned around to slowly start walking towards Kishi. This was Lauriam's home. He stayed to watch.
The younger brother was trying very hard to get up, but he was banged all to hell and clearly very sore from being thrown so far.
Ansem towered over Kishi when they were both upright so standing over his brother who was barely on his knees was less than fair. He used the tip of his sword to lift Kishi's chin.
"Are you done already?" Ansem asked with a mocking tilt of his head. Kishi yelled in response and a soft purple and blue fire lit around his fist. One hand smacked the sword out of the way by the flat of his blade and the other lashed out at Ansem. Once again, the elder was too fast, and the point of the blade sunk into the other shoulder.
"Now, I'm done. You can't possibly put up a fight with both your arms useless like that," Ansem grumbled, "at least this time you were able to dodge most of my attacks, when I attacked." The older Prince walked over to grab the sheath for his sword, put the weapon away, and then turned to scowl at Kishi who was struggling to get up.
"Make sure you're presentable before breakfast," Ansem ordered and then left to find his bath.
Once she was sure he was gone, Xion left her hiding place to offer Kishi a hand up.
"Your brother's weak," she said.
Kishi hadn't even noticed that she was there. He ignored her hand and got to his feet on his own.
"My brother is incredibly strong. He is easily worth a hundred men."
She pulled her hand back and said, "Maybe physically, but he'd make a poor leader. He's spiritually weak and both strengths are important."
"His successful conquests disagree." Kishi started slowly limping towards Lauriam and Xion let him go. Cruelty was the mark of a failed leader.
He paused in front of Lauriam and bowed his head briefly, but politely.
"I did not realize you were also a Prince. I would have acknowledged you sooner had I not been engaged, um, previously engaged," Kishi corrected. He still wasn't very good at fancy political speaking. "Please excuse me, I need to wash up."
"I'm not a prince, I don't qualify for the throne. You don't need to apologize." Lauriam bowed back.
Well now Kishi was embarrassed. He mumbled a soft "sorry" and headed out, sheathing his sword as he went. Xion went back to Vanitas and Sora, putting a hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Sora was admittedly a little shaken up, but he nodded and stepped out into the training grounds.
"Just a little angry," he admitted.
"Want to hit something?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Let's get ready for breakfast then."
He nodded, hugged Vanitas, and then led the way. Xion changed into a similar coat, trying to keep as much to the imagination as possible. Sora freshened up too and then they headed to breakfast. Ansem was already there with Xigbar but Kishi was late.
Xion sat at her usual seat, with Lauriam to her right. Breakfast was an egg and potato dish with a molasses porridge and some fruit.
Kishi's was cold when he finally showed up. His hair was still damp from the bath and he moved stiffly. "Forgive my lateness," he mumbled and sat down.
"Precision of language, Highness. Tardy is the better term," Xigbar drawled.
"Right... Forgive my tardiness," Kishi corrected and then started scarfing down his food to catch up. Xion had already mostly finished her plate, she was just picking through her huckleberries.
Lauriam cleared his throat to say, "I apologize that I was not here to greet you during your arrival. I am Lauriam Terminus, second child to the throne." He wasn't making his voice unnecessarily high or putting on any airs this time.
"Your apology is appreciated. Fortunately, your presence was not required," Ansem said smoothly. Isa was trying very hard to keep his temper under control while he ate but he twitched a bit at the comment.
Xion kicked Isa's foot lightly under the table and said, "It would have been nice to have him there all the same. It must be terribly hard for you, to be away from your other brothers and wife-s for so long." Xion almost made a blunder. She knew now that Ansem only had one remaining wife, but she hadn't known last time she talked to him. She caught herself before she'd moved on. The mistake was small, perhaps he wouldn't notice. She kept her face straight.
Kishi noticed. He tensed up for a second before making himself eat. If Ansem hadn't have noticed her slip up, he definitely noticed Kishi's. The older Prince very, very slow turned his head enough to give Kishi a sideways glare.
"Indeed, but this is a blink of an eye compared to a military campaign. We are accustomed to not seeing each other for great lengths of time."
"That's somehow sad." No it wasn't. It was comforting. She hoped a big campaign came up that would force him to put off the wedding. "Do you ever see each other during said campaigns? I fought alongside my brother and mother often."
He made a little snort-laugh sound in his throat and said, "No. We do not need assistance to win wars." Ansem stopped talking to her to discuss the day’s events with Xigbar.
"I think the Crown Prince had some plans for us, is that right?" Xigbar asked Isa.
"Assuming your Highness still desires to survey the nearest mines for assessment."
Ansem crossed his arms. He thought a moment then said, "I will accompany you, yes."
"Then you all better get going, the nearest mine is a three-hour ride, either way," Lauriam said.
"We will depart promptly after breakfast has concluded," Isa confirmed. He gently pressed his leg against Xion’s to reassure her.
She smiled softly. She'd probably go flying today.
"Grandfather, may I be excused?" The King nodded, and Xion got up to leave.
Isa was quick to follow with instructions for Xigbar and Ansem to meet him in the courtyard as soon as they were ready to leave. Kishi was determined to finish his food, but Ansem motioned for him to follow and he had to obey. The moment the two brothers were alone in the hall, Ansem was quietly talking to Kishi.
Vanitas stayed nearby, just around the corner, trying to make out what they were saying without looking at them. He motioned for Sora and Xion to continue on.
"...I will know," Ansem hissed, "I'll not have this ruined because of your failings. Understand?"
Kishi mumbled something unintelligible and there was a slapping sound.
"One step. One," Ansem continued, "if you were half the person your brother was, I wouldn't need to remind you." Ansem straightened himself, no longer trying to hiss in low whispers as he started walking.
"Work on your shitty footwork while we're gone. You'll never see the frontline if you can't even dodge a sword." Ansem’s footsteps faded until they were gone. It took another few moments before Kishi’s moved in the opposite direction.
Vanitas scrambled away, footfalls deceptively quiet as he caught up to Sora and Xion. His twin flashed him a questioning look.
"Tell ya later. What are we doing today, Xion?" Vanitas said nonchalantly.
"We're going to go flying. Both of you should armor up."
"I can watch Xion while you armor up first, Vani."
Vanitas disappeared in a blink to the nearest servant's passage.
"This might be the last time we fly over home. Is there anywhere you want to go?" Xion asked.
"Wherever you want to go, Xion," he told her with a smile.
"You don't want to see your home?" Xion had asked this question many times. There was always a different reason for them to say no.
"I want you to spend this time for you."
"...I will." Xion disappeared into her room to change and he dutifully stood guard outside. Xion reemerged wearing her warm riding gear around the same time Vanitas was getting back.
"Meet us at the Aerie, okay Sora?"
He mock saluted and disappeared while Xion and Vanitas headed down to the Aerie, a wooden structure that the castle's gryphons built their nests on. Sora caught up with them there not long after. Xion waved at him as he approached.
"Vanitas doesn't want to go anywhere specific either. So, I thought we'd visit the sapphire river," she said.
"Excellent choice." He helped them gear up.
Gryphons really were strange to ride. The saddle ran all the way down their back and riders would use a series of hooks to keep themselves in place whilst lying down. Once each of them was in place, the beasts took to the sky, heading north over snowy trees and meadows.
The day passed quickly. They only really landed for lunch, nearby a panning camp. The Sapphire River did not get its name from its color, and was frozen for winter, but they managed to almost make it to the source of the river before they had to turn around for the day and go home. Xion wore her flying armor to dinner.
Sora opened the doors for her, but it was just her family there. Isa still wasn't back yet.
"Um, I'll go see what's up," Sora offered, and then disappeared. Xion sat down to eat quietly.
Sora came back a few minutes later and leaned over to whisper to Xion, "Isa is going to be gone overnight with the Imperial Prince and Regent. He sent word and says to enjoy a low-stress evening with Lauriam and the King."
"...thank you, Sora." Xion held her head just a little higher through the rest of the meal. Sora left to go eat as well, meeting back up with her in the hallway afterwards.
"Will you be going straight to bed then?" he asked.
"Hm...no, I want to see how many flowers Lauriam has already coaxed out in the garden."
"Probably enough to make another cape," Vanitas said.
"Maybe he can make all of us one," Sora suggested, the cheerful tone was back.
"What would you do with a flowery cape?" Xion asked, "better yet, can you imagine Vanitas wearing something that isn't black?"
"I've worn colors!"
"Yes, you wear red when I tell you that you can't wear black to a Midwinter's celebration. Any other times?" Xion asked sweetly. Vanitas just grumbled as they walked.
"I think you'd look very lovely with a pink flower cape, Vani!"
"Piss off. Black is cool and you're both dorks." Xion grinned and gave Vanitas a playful shove. He grumpily stalked ahead.
Sora kept his chuckle sensible as they approached the gardens. His smile wavered though when they saw Kishi. The Prince was wearing casual clothing, the robe again, and was unarmed. He was respectfully roaming the gardens.
"I thought you weren't supposed to be getting back until tomorrow morning," Xion called ahead. He jumped a bit and then bowed his head politely.
“I was not invited to go with them," he explained.
"Your brother feels more and more lame the more I find out about him." Xion approached slowly.
"That wasn't my brother's decision." He held his ground and still held himself like a spoiled Prince but the discomfort of her approach was becoming more clear with each step.
"I'm not that intimidating, am I?"
"You're not."
She stopped about ten feet away to look at the flower beds. Lauriam really did bring spring with him.
"Why do you let him push you around?" she asked.
"Why does it matter to a corpse?"
"I'm not dead yet, am I?"
"Might as well be," he grumbled. Kishi slowly turned to face the flowers as well. Most of them were still buds. Impressive, considering most of them had been nearly dead this morning and they were trying to bloom way too early.
"Well aren't you a ball of sunshine," she mumbled while kneeling to look at the daffodils.
"Being disrespectful to someone who could have you executed is pretty stupid."
"I don't think you'll do that."
His fists clenched.
"You think I'm weak," he growled.
"No. I just don't think you're petty enough to try something like that."
"You don't know anything about me."
"I suppose not."
"Killing you wouldn't be petty,” he insisted, “sometimes, examples have to be made to shut down further ideas of insurrection."
"A poor way to deal with disloyalty."
"If you don't remove the poison the whole body is infected. It's wasteful to try and correct someone who won't be corrected."
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you take good enough care of your citizens, they won't feel the need to rise up."
"That only applies to citizens. You just joined up and haven't given my Empire a chance to take care of you and you're already disrespectful, rude, and you threatened me."
She looked confused and said, "I don't remember threatening you."
"At sword point? When I came to warn you?"
"There was a strange man in my room, I think I was justified "
"There was an olive branch in your room. An olive branch that outranks you."
"... what's an olive?"
He stared at her, trying to determine if she was stupid or messing around.
"It was a peace offering," he said instead, "trying to help you live a little longer to maybe actually be something more than my brother's new toy. If the prevention doesn't work, then a cure is needed."
"I really do appreciate the warning, and I don't want to fight if I don't have to, but your brother has already shamed and insulted me. I don't have a lot, and I am about to lose what I do. I am taking some joy in my last moments free," she told him.
"They wouldn't be if you just did what he said and stopped giving him reasons to want to hurt you."
"The first night he tried to get me in his bed."
"I promise, if he actually wanted that, you would've been."
"I don't care what he actually wanted, that he asked it is insult enough."
Kishi huffed. It was obvious he wanted to argue but he stayed silent instead.
"Why bother trying to save a corpse?" she asked, using his words.
"You'll notice I'm not anymore."
"Why were you trying to stop me then?"
"You weren't a corpse yet."
"I'm still not."
"I'm not going to argue with someone who doesn't have any idea what they're talking about. I really don't give a shit what you do or say. I tried to help you because the longer you live the more I could watch you piss off my brother but watching you struggle when you could've done so much more is just sad." He started walking off.
Xion watched him go quietly. He seemed to be asking for a paradox—piss him off but don't piss him off? She couldn't do both at the same time. Sora shuffled awkwardly beside her, not really sure what to do now.
"Let's go to bed," Xion said flatly before turning to walk to her room. What was she supposed to do about this?