Aster pulled at the tight shirt collar of the very expensive feeling suit he wore. It was extremely reminiscent of the ones he remembered European butlers wearing. Which made sense considering the job he was doing at the moment but didn’t change how uncomfortable he felt.

“Aster! Lookin’ sharp!” Rilien called out playfully to him as the elf walked up next to him. Rilien got the better bargain in Aster’s mind when it came to formal wear. Clothed in the looser hakama style of clothing that Japanese people would wear on Earth, the beautifully detailed fabric draped over them allowed for full freedom of movement.

“Shut it, Rin. Why Prince Tsukiyuki is obsessed with European fashion is beyond me… I much prefer our traditional Japanese wear.” Aster complained mostly to himself. He couldn’t wait for this event to be over and to be able to get out of these accursed clothes.

It took him a moment to notice the puzzled expression on Rilien’s face as he realized his error and quickly tried to adjust his words, “I mean the Winter Elves' styles are better than the Autumn Elves’...”

“Aster!” Saelak’s voice interrupted the awkward conversation as the tall elf walked up to them, also dressed in the intricately designed patterns of loose fitting hakama. Both of them were also adorned with expensive jewelry and decorative weaponry at their hips. Even Saelak’s spectacle frames were made with silver filigree for these special occasions. Both trying to display the impressive wealth of their respective noble houses. “Glad to see you made it.”

Aster rolled his eyes at his best friend. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into doing this…” it was Travuna now, the first month of the autumn season and for the last few months Aster had been trying to save up money while staying at the temple still working as the cook.

“Hey be grateful, it pays well and you’re the one who asked me to let you know if a job came up.” Saelak quipped back, adjusting his belt and the swords hanging there that the mage was unaccustomed to carrying. His long silvery-white hair was pulled up into fancy loops that wouldn’t pass his shoulders.

Aster looked away a bit embarrassed with himself and said remorsefully, “Yeah, well, not many businesses will hire a cursed half-elf, even Falakuan and Alima say they can’t afford to keep me on full-time. Despite my added labor, my status isn’t good for out-of-town business.”

Saelak’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, “I told you before that you could stay with me starting this winter, it’s not like my family needs your money.”

Rilien looked at Aster surprised and interrupted with indignation, “Wait, you're not going to LIVE with the stray are you?”

Saelak glared at Rilien coldly and adjusted his glasses, “So what if he is? It’s not like you can let him stay with you, you’ve already denied him a home once before…” Rilien glared back at him and looked like he was ready to throw a punch at the youth before Aster stepped between the two of them.

He had become accustomed to their frequent spats over the years, neither ever enjoying the other’s company and competing for his attention.“Now, now, children. Behave while all the noble houses are gathered. You two have roles to play as heirs and I have the role of servant to fulfill so if you’ll excuse me.” he gave a theatrical bow and walked away from the two, not looking back as he waved them off.

Saelak’s gaze followed Aster as he returned to his job at hand and he let out a little sigh at having to go back to his own duties as a noble. Rilien’s eyes narrowed as he observed Saelak and his voice was quiet but full of venom as he reprimanded, “Could you not lust after him so obviously?”

Saelak felt the heat rise to his cheeks but he didn’t break his composure as he responded, “I don’t know what you’re suggesting but aren’t you a bit over-protective for ‘just’ a former step-uncle?”

Rilien’s face flushed to match his accuser’s but he kept the same patronizing coldness in his voice, “Your jealousy is unbecoming. I’m sure Aster would be disappointed… but I have to wonder...” He let slip an evil grin, “I wonder what Aster would say if I told him his doting little pet actually wanted to do filthy things to him…”

“Now who’s behaving jealous? Aster wouldn’t believe you anyways. I have never done anything to him, nor do I plan to initiate anything.” Saelak replied, adopting the same chilled attitude. After a moment of tense appraisal of each other the two turned their backs and walked away from each other to return to their families.

Aster sighed as he watched them part ways. ‘I wonder if my oldest friend and best friend will ever get along? I have no clue why they hate each other in the first place… They’re like squabbling siblings…’ Aster gave a small chuckle to himself, ‘Or an old married couple…’ He felt an involuntary shiver run up his spine at that mental image before shaking the thought off and returning to his servant duties. As he refilled another noble’s glass with a pale blue liquid that seemed to glitter in the light he couldn’t help the disappointed thoughts. ‘Uhg… this is far from the heroic adventure I was hoping for…’

Aster glanced over at the Prince of the Winter Elves, Tsukiyuki Hyoushin. The prince was lounging on the temporarily placed throne, surrounded by beautiful scantily clad elves. Hyoushin himself was dressed in royal European finery, with shoulder frills and ribbons holding medals that Aster didn’t know the importance of displayed on his chest. His hair was short blonde and styled around the grand crown atop his head and proudly displayed the grand leaf surrounded by vines on his forehead, to the left of it was a smaller water droplet and on his left temple was an even smaller teal vortex representing Air and on the right side of the leaf was what looked like two small black angular crescent moons back to back that represented the Dark element and on his right temple was a small brown mountain representing Earth. He had never seen so many blessings on a single person before but he guessed that was just how it was among royals. The jewelry was bulky and gaudier than the normal style of the Winter Elves. Apparently the Autumn Elves followed a more Medieval style of fashion, architecture and weaponry than Aster had become accustomed to among the Japanese-leaning Winter Elves. Rumors circulated that the prince had become slightly obsessed with the Autumn Elves style which he described as much stronger and bolder than his mother’s preferences. The prince was being hand-fed at the moment by a particularly curvaceous elf and Aster let out another regretful sigh. ‘I should have made myself a Prince…’ He shook his head once more, trying to chase away the negativity. ‘Stop the regrets Aster, you’ve moved past that already.’

He continued moving around the dining areas of the large hall that reminded Aster of an elegant ballroom. The center area had some people dancing to the gentle music playing and tables were spread around it with fine china holding savory edibles. ‘Still, a nice big palace to stay in beats scrounging for a job to be able to afford renting a room somewhere.’

Aster’s thoughts returned to his living arrangements. ‘The orphanage has been kind to me, but I’m officially an adult, they can’t help me forever and this winter is the limit of the time they can care for me. Perhaps I should just go adventuring instead of settling in this town… I’d miss Rilien, Saelak and my teachers though.’

Aster frowned slightly as he dwelled on these issues, pouring more spirits into the glass goblets of the nobility, but was distracted by a commotion entering the great hall. A large cage was being brought into the center clearing of the hall as the dancing had come to an end. Inside the metal structure was an intimidating looking Earth-Blessed tiger, it’s strong muscles sheathed in tan rocks, dust falling from the spaces between the stone as it prowled back and forth, large silver eyes watching the prey around it.

Prince Tsukiyuki Hyoushin stood from his garish throne with a cruel smile and raised his hand to command the room into silence, which it promptly complied with. “Thank you for this wonderful piece of rare entertainment in celebration of my birthday. The heir to the Winter Elves’ crown will remember this night!” he announced smugly. The royal sat back down on his throne and waved towards the cage, “Now show me what wonderful expressions this rare creature can make!”

An elf dressed in all white with their dark hair pulled tightly back, showing the flame symbol above their left eye, and standing next to the cage bowed to the prince and lifted a coiled whip from the holster at their waist and Aster’s eyes widened in amazement as the length of it caught fire while it was uncoiled with a sharp crack and the crowd gave a collective gasp.

Aster felt the color drain from his face as the whip was then turned on the caged beast and the tiger gave a pained roar as the flames lashed against it. ‘What in the abyss?’

Aster was stunned at the display of torture that was being performed in front of the large crowd of onlookers and the gleeful expression the prince and his attendants all had on. The tiger tried to swipe a large rocky paw with jagged claws at the whip-wielding attacker but was met with another strike across its side.

Aster was barely cognizant of his feet moving his body towards the creature as despair seemed to settle into his chest. ‘No… this is wrong…’ The trail of fire came down again, this time over the animal’s face and Aster winced along with it. He could almost feel the welt forming on the earthy tiger. ‘Stop! This… this has to stop…’

Before Aster realized what he was doing he grabbed the raised arm of the fire mage as they were about to bring the pain down on the helpless creature again. The elf was caught by surprise and thrown off balance slightly but managed to pull their arm out of his grasp. Aster stood between the cage and the Prince with his animal torturer and entourage. “Stop this!” He cried out with a strength of conviction that he hadn’t needed to muster since he had saved Saelak in the forest all those years ago.

Alert! Combat Initiated with Mistress Marisela, level 17 Flame Striker!

Strength check successful. You staggered Mistress Marisela.

Saelak on the other hand felt frozen in fear as he slowly realized that it was Aster that had been the crazy person to stand up and confront the prince. As the terror of what could happen to his only friend started to sink into his conscience he began to move towards the half-elf before he was stopped by a firm grip on his arm. His mother had the same long silvery hair as he did and she didn’t look in his direction as she silently shook her head ‘no’ and refused to allow him to risk their family’s reputation and position of power for his unblessed orphan friend. On the other side of the room, Rilien’s father held his own arm out, barring the fire mage from rushing over to his nephew.

Aster glared at the prince, his hands forming fists at his side. He heard the tiger groan in pain and felt the slight tremor as its heavy body sank to the floor. Aster turned with concern and took a few more steps towards the cage, lifting a hand as if to reach out to comfort the creature. He was suddenly thrown against the iron bars as large vines slammed into his back, pinning him against the cold metal enclosure.

Alert! Prince Tsukiyuki Hyoushin, level 22 Forest Royal, joined combat!

Tsukiyuki cast Vine Wrap.

Reflex check failed. You are grappled, taking 5 environmental damage.

The prince stood, looking furious, as the vines protruded from his back like monstrous wings, “Who do you think you are to spoil my party?!”

Aster glanced at his health, which displayed 195/200, and tried to look over his shoulder as he struggled against the vines and yelled out, “This is wrong! You’re hurting this animal for entertainment!” He could feel the vines move across his body as they wrapped around him and he was lifted slightly then spun around to face the prince that was now walking towards him angrily.

The dark green vines lifted his face up so the prince could get a clear view of his brow. As the prince gazed at the black mark he paused a moment before scoffing at the incredulity of the situation, “You’re nothing but a worthless Cursed one.”

The vines withdrew suddenly, dropping Aster to the floor. He looked up at the prince while on his hands and knees and asked desperately, “Please, your Highness… I’m imploring you to have mercy on this creature.”

Diplomacy check initiated. You spent 20 Favor.

Tsukiyuki paused for a moment as he looked over Aster with consideration before his eyes landed on his small slightly-pointed ears and he scoffed once more, “I don’t allow half-bred scum to speak to me.”

Diplomacy check failed.

This time the vines seemed to rise from the smooth marble flooring and bind his hands behind his body, pulling them towards the floor, and another set of vines wrapped around his head and gagged his mouth, pulling his face towards the ground. Aster felt completely helpless as he tried to struggle against the bindings, his mind racing.

Tsukiyuki cast Vine Prisoner.

Reflex check failed; you are grappled.

“We have some new entertainment!” the prince cried out to his silent audience. He sauntered back to his seat and spun into it with a flourish. “Let us see what expressions a mongrel can make.” He smiled that cruel smile once more and waved to Mistress Marisela to continue her work with the whip.

The silent elf bowed once more to her prince and raised the flame-engulfed leather above her head. Aster couldn’t stop the yelp from escaping as the whip came down hard across his back. Both of Saelak’s parents were holding him back now from rushing to his friend’s aid or calling out, worried that their son might in turn receive their liege’s wrath. Rilien looked away, unable to watch the pain being inflicted on his nephew and wincing with every muffled scream that followed the crack of the whip across tattered cloth and flesh.

Marisela strikes you on the back for 10 physical damage and 5 fire damage (1 fire damage resisted).

Marisela strikes you on the back for 8 physical damage and 5 fire damage (1 fire damage resisted).

Marisela strikes you on the back for 10 physical damage and 5 fire damage (1 fire damage resisted).

Marisela strikes you on the back for 7 physical damage and 5 fire damage (1 fire damage resisted).