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The General's Crusnik	By : vbruce Category: +S to Z > Trinity Blood Views: 4086 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood. All rights, proceeds and monies go to the original creator. Making no cash from writing this. It's just for fun.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Abel was fidgeting, but he couldn't help it. They were starting to land and Lucien hadn't let him look out the windows to find out where they were. He honestly didn't know where they were because the ships the True Vampires owned could go much faster than anything the Methuselah or humans had, which meant they could have been anywhere in the world from Albion to Canada to even Japan itself.
Lucien smirked a bit. Ah he couldn't wait to see his beauty's reaction to where they had landed. Especially since he'd talked to Seth while Abel was asleep and she was meeting them at the landing sight.
He forced his hands back down to his sides after he found himself straightening the cuffs of his shirt for the umpteenth time. With a frustrated growl, he whirled around and stalked to Lucien's side, curling up against him a bit and using his scent to settle his nerves.
"Why are you so nervous, my beauty? You know I would never take you somewhere that would endanger you," Lucien said, stroking down Abel's hair like a cat to calm him a bit.
"I don't know," he sighed, relaxing even more. He turned his head a bit and offered a small smile. "Maybe it's because I don't know where we're going so I don't know what to expect." He looked at Lucien. "I don't want to embarrass you."
"Trust me, my lovely. You could never embarrass me no matter where we go."
"But there's so much I don't know," he whispered. "How do you want me to behave in public? What form do you want me in? Should I continue to pretend to be human?"
Lucien sighed heavily. They really should have had this discussion previously and would have if he'd known his beauty would be so nervous about everything. "In public, you will behave as though you are your own man, because you are. However, remember that you belong to me and I will not allow anyone to touch you without my express permission."
He nodded, resting his hands on his master's hips, just to touch him. "Do you wish me to pretend to be human?"
"No. I do not. Since you are not now nor have you ever been in that sorry state. As for form, you know I think your wings are beautiful and they're very much a part of you. Though I do understand if you feel a bit self conscious about showing them off at first."
That got a small chuckle. "Those shirts you had tailored for me will have to be adjusted for wings unless you want me to tear them," he teased, feeling himself relax even more.
"You've obviously not checked through all of them, my beauty. Some of them were. I wanted you to have options though. It is completely up to you how you wish to present yourself here. When we arrive home, your wings will be much envied."
He pulled back and looked at Lucien. "Really? I never would have thought that they would be anything but something that marks me as 'different' and to be feared."
Lucien laughed. "You obviously don't know his Majesty very well. Stories of the Crusnik have abounded in our area for centuries. Everyone will know exactly what you are, my beauty. I also doubt you could get any of the true vampires to fear you terribly much. You'll have droves of them willing to donate to you."
"Then I suppose I had better get used to people staring at me, hm?" He straightened, much more calm now that he had a better idea of what to expect. "Help me find a shirt to fit my wings real quick?"
"Of course," Lucien said, digging through Abel's armoire to find the light blue silk shirt he'd had made to accommodate his wings. "Here you are, my beauty. Shall I help you redress?" Lucien asked, one eyebrow quirking up and a smile full of mischief gracing his lips.
He slipped out of the other shirt, folding it neatly away before shifting to spread his wings a bit. He looked at Lucien before nodding. "Please? I'm not use to fitting things around my wings yet." He grinned. "Perhaps I should run around without shirts on."
"Much as that would please me, we might get more situations like what happened the first day you were here. That simply will not do," Lucien said, helping adjust Abel's wings through the holes in the shirt. He smoothed the feathers that had been ruffled upon pulling the wings through and smiled at his own handiwork. "You know, I've developed this deplorable urge to smile all the time. Really so unlike me."
He shivered at the gentle touch before doing up the shirt part of the way. "Then they would be even bigger fools for trying your patience." He turned and brushed a small kiss against Lucien's lips. "I like your smiles."
"I'll save them just for you then, my beauty." Lucien looked around for a moment after feeling the ship begin its descent. He reached over and grabbed a blindfold from one of the end tables. "Turn around. You'll not see where you are until we meet the person we're here to see."
He sighed but turned around and knelt so Lucien could tie the blindfold much more easy. "All right."
"Don't sound so put out about it. You know you like good surprises."
He chuckled. "Yes, but there have been a lot of them since you claimed me. I think I'm going to need a couple of journals to get things straightened out in my head."
"Did you want the electronic journals or the pen and ink ones?" Lucien asked, taking Abel by the arm and helping him to his feet before starting to lead him down the hallway to the disembarking area.
"Pen and ink. It is more satisfying to write things out that way." He had his other arm partially extended but allowed himself to be guided by Lucien, putting his complete trust in the Ancient One.
Lucien placed a quick kiss on Abel's temple. "I quite understand that. Step down," he said, putting an arm around his waist to steady him better.
He cautiously stepped down, feeling for the step with his foot before placing his weight on it. He was grateful for Lucien's steadying grip because he was highly disoriented.
Lucien smiled a little as they stepped out into the fresh air. He squinted up, eyes watering a bit. He wasn't used to sunlight at all by this point. He'd have to see if they could get the tech for the UV filters the Methuselah used.
Unable to help it, he sniffed the air, trying to figure out where they were. There was stone, steel, and the scent of a large city with a bit of clear water in the air, but there was also something else. Something naggingly familiar that he just couldn't place for some reason.
Lucien grinned, wondering how long it would take Abel to realize they were in the open and he was feeling sunlight, not just artificial lighting.
He froze as his foot produced the familiar crunch of rocks scraping on concrete and he frowned hard. That wasn't a sound usually produced by a corridor. Besides, the smells were too fresh. But Lucien couldn't go outside, not without burning and *that* scent wasn't present. Unless... He suddenly placed the strange scent in the air. The UV shield that protected "Byzantium."
Lucien chuckled a bit. "I take it by the expression on your face, you've discerned where we are," he said, sounding amused. He glanced to his left and smiled a bit as he saw a flash of brown and green and the Methuselah Empress flying down the walkway.
"The capital city of the Empire," he replied, cocking his head at the sound of lightly running feet.
The almost battle call of "Abel!" could doubtlessly be heard throughout the city it seemed so loud. This was just before, in a very undignified move, Seth literally pounced on her brother, almost completely bowling him over.
He staggered backwards a bit, his arms automatically coming up to wrap around her and hold her close as his wings flared, balancing him again. "Hey Seth."
Seth wrapped her legs around him then yanked off the blindfold and grinned at him. "Hey, yourself."
He flinched at the bright sunlight before grinning at her, his eyes adjusting. "You realize this behavior is unbecoming of an Empress, correct?" he teased with a grin.
Seth snorted. "Like I care," she said, sliding down and moving slightly sideways to do the same to Lucien.
He shook his head and watched his sister by adoption and his master interact. He did wonder how much contact they had kept over the centuries.
Seth was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring up at LaCroix. "You were supposed to be here two days ago."
"I do apologize, Dear Empress. We were unfortunately sidetracked."
She grinned wickedly at him, glancing at Abel. "I'll just bet you were. You're such an ass, General. Come on. Luncheon is ready and I'm sure Astha will be eager to see you once she knows you're here along with Ion.
Abel sighed and looked at Seth. "Will you save me from her temper? I never told her about this side of me, but Lucien refuses to let me play human any longer." The last was said with a small smile towards his master.
Seth snorted. "Hell no. You're on your own there, boy-o. You've had years to tell her about it."
"I refuse to allow you to hide what you are, my beauty. It is as simple as that," Lucien said.
He tossed her a withering glare. "Fine. See if you get any presents from me this year," he sniffed, folding his arms across his chest.
"I only want one thing from you and you know it doesn't come in a package with a bow, Abel," Seth said, flouncing around to lead the way to the palace.
That got his cheeks turning bright red even with the Crusnik paleness, and he sighed, letting his head fall into his hands. "I'm going to die of sheer mortification before Astha can kill me."
"Why is that, my beauty?" Lucien questioned.
"Because that was her not so subtle reminder for a child," he muttered, following after Seth.
"Oh, I thought it was extremely subtle," Lucien laughed. "For Seth that is. She does have all the delicacy of a cannonball shot through paper."
He chuckled and reached out to lace their fingers together. "I have to wonder how long it will take before she shows up in our room, strips, and climbs into bed with us."
"That could be entertaining," Lucien said with a smirk.
"You're going to suggest it to her, aren't you?"
"I doubt I'd have to," Lucien said. "She's after you, not I, my beauty. Since I've no way to father children in the more traditional sense."
"You would make beautiful children, Lucien."
"I did. Divia is stunningly lovely. But my progeny have always been troublesome. Genetic or created."
He smiled and kisses his cheek. "Because you would grow bored if they were complacent."
"True enough. It is odd to have my daughter be my mother at the same time. Though I am grateful to her after a fashion. Were it not for her Vesuvius would have buried me along with everything else."
"I am grateful for her as well." He smiled. "Now, aside from visiting Seth, why are we in the Empire?"
"Was it a necessity to have any other reason?"
"Considering I don't know all of your business, and didn't even know we were heading here, you could have any number of reasons for visiting from checking up on old friends to checking up on any of your businesses," he pointed out.
"True. However, this is strictly a social call. I did want to meet your Duchess though. Her reputation does precede her."
Abel chuckled. "I'm not sure if that would be a good thing or a bad thing," he mused before looking ahead to where Seth was almost skipping along. "I want to talk to her about what you told me. Adam, Eve, what the military did to Cain. Maybe she might have an idea about where those files are. She was on the station longer than I was after Lilith was murdered, closing everything up."
"I can understand that. I have no objections to it."
He smiled at him. "Thank you. I might need your assistance or at least support when I do."
"Hardly any trouble, my lovely. I should see if his Majesty has any of the original files on Eve. Perhaps that would help as well."
"Thank you. For everything."
"Again, it isn't any trouble," Lucien said, following Seth's bouncing form.
"Come on! Slow old men!"
"Just how much sugar have you had today, brat?" called Abel, a grin on his face. "You're acting like you ate an entire box of pixie sticks!"
"An entire CASE," Seth fired back over her shoulder. She pushed the side door open to her private rooms and bounded in.
"We're doomed," he wailed in mock horror as he shook his head and followed her in. "We'll be bounced to death by Her Hyperness."
"I'm sure she's just happy to see you. Especially since you look somewhat healthy now."
"I'm getting there. Thanks to you, master Lucien," he purred with a sultry look.
"Hmm. I'll need to feed you again soon as well," Lucien said, looking Abel over thoroughly.
He blushed faintly and licked his lips. "I'll be fine for a while still."
Lucien gave him the LOOK that spoke volumes before saying, "You need more than solid food just now while you're healing, Abel."
"Yes sir," he caved, ducking his head, chastised.
"I'm certain Seth will have some donations for you as well," Lucien said. He wasn't terribly happy about Abel being fed another's blood but it could easily be turned as a gesture from the Empress and made a political thing if he refused. Knowing Seth, she would pull out all the stops to see Abel healthy and Lucien's odd inclinations be damned.
"She did the last time I was here. I was able to escape from Esther and Ion for a bit to drink them."
"Esther?" Lucien questioned. "I know you've mentioned her before."
Abel looked at him. "Esther Blanchette, the current Queen of Albion? Her father, the Crown Prince, hid her at a church when there was that threat of assassination following him. Unfortunately, the assassins got him before he could reclaim his daughter."
"Ah, yes. I'd heard that story. But what are your connections to her, my beauty?" Lucien asked, eyes narrowing.
"After her church and foster mother were destroyed, she was transferred to the AX. I trained her for a while, and were sent on a few missions together." He shook his head. "She was horrible at following orders, wanting to prove herself." He tilted his head. "I think she also had a bit of a crush on me at one time, but if she did, it didn't last past Carthago. She was awake to see my actions."
"In her defense, she makes a better queen than a nun," Seth said. "Ion's about gotten her out of her odd little obsession with you too, Abel."
"Thank the gods," sighed Abel in relief. He shook his head. "It was hard enough to not get attached to her. The gods only know how many times I had to remind myself that she wasn't Lilith."
He looked over at Lucien. "Esther has blue eyes and the same shade of red hair that Lilith had."
"And the interest in dangerous men," Seth said with a smirk.
He snorted and reached out to tug on a lock of her hair. "What about you, my Empress, hm? Don't your tastes usually run along those lines?"
"Well, since the only truly dangerous men I know are friends and family . . ." she said, grinning. "Speaking of Esther though, did I tell you that Ion had proposed to her?"
"Good for him. I wish them nothing but luck." Abel grinned. "She did accept, right?"
'Yes. They're playing it off to the people as a political joining. Can't say that I blame them for that in the slightest."
He nodded. "That makes the most sense and the easiest to explain." He chuckled. "I'll have to find something for them as a wedding gift."
"Indeed you will."
Abel tilted his head, thinking. "Perhaps Nicolas would be willing to turn a picture of the AX into a portrait for her."
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind that," Lucien said. "He's fond of doing paintings from pictures."
He nodded and glanced at Seth. "How much time do we have before Astha and Ion show up?"
Seth cocked her head and listened for a moment. "I'd guess about a minute."
He nodded. "Then I'll talk to you later about some private things," he said, turning towards the door just as Astha walked in.
Astha paused at the sight of Abel standing there with red eyes and *wings* and... were those fangs?
Abel smiled at her. "Hello, Astha. It's good to see you again."
Lucien began a mental count down as to how long it would take for him to be accused of maligning the Duchess' beloved tovarish.
"Abel? Tovarosh?" She frowned as she took a hesitant step towards him, confusion clear on her face. "When did you become a Methuselah?"
He sighed and shook his head. "I'm not a Methuselah. Nor was I human."
"You... lied to me? But why?" Astha wasn't sure what to believe right now, so she focused on that one thing.
Lucien shifted his weight and angled his body slightly, putting Abel just a little bit behind him.
The motion caught her attention and she switched her gaze to the pale man in the dark clothes. Who was he? She growled and tensed. "Just who are you and what have you done to my tovarosh?"
Abel shook his head. "He didn't do anything, Your Grace," he pleaded, reverting to her title to try and snap her out of her temper.
One of Lucien's eyebrows lifted fractionally. "Well, that certainly didn't take long."
Snarling, she lunged for him only to find her wrists caught by Abel's hands. "Let me go!" she snarled, struggling in his grasp.
"Not until you calm down, Astharoche Asran," Abel stated, his voice commanding as he easily held her.
"Abel, I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles. This was bound to happen at any rate," Lucien said.
"Yes, but I don't want you hurt," Abel remarked, glancing back at him.
Lucien sighed. "I'm supposed to be protecting you, not the other way around."
That was all the distraction Astha needed as she shifted her grip and kicked Abel in the back of the knees, sending him to the ground with a pained grunt and releasing her before she lunged for the man again.
Lucien caught her just as easily as Abel had only he took the opportunity of dangling her off the floor by her wrists. "Do not make the mistake of thinking I'll not hurt you just because you are dear to this man," he said, tilting his head toward Abel. "Now, when you can act like a Duchess and not a guttersnipe, I'll release you."
"Not until you tell me what you did to him!" she growled, struggling in his grasp.
Lucien sighed and continued to hold her up. "Dear Empress, can you control your minions even slightly?" he asked.
"I'm just enjoying the show," Seth said.
Slowly, Abel got up off the floor and moved over to stand next to Lucien's shoulder. "Astha, he didn't do anything to me. I've always been like this since I was created over nine hundred years ago."
*That* caught her attention, and she stared at Abel. "What?"
"I didn't want to tell you, because you first met me and barely tolerated me thinking I was human." He shook his head. "I didn't know how you would react to knowing I had been created as a predator to Methuselah."
"You're hardly a predator or you wouldn't be starving like you have been," Lucien snorted.
"I was handicapped by being associated with the Vatican," Abel remarked with a shake of his head.
"Hardly a viable excuse."
Astha was looking between the two like it was a tennis match, but she had stopped struggling.
Abel sighed. "What was I suppose to do? Walk up to a Methuselah, say 'excuse the robes and the fact the Church has persecuted you and your kind for a couple of centuries, but can I suck a couple of pints from your veins?'."
Seth roared with laughter at that. "Oh, yes, I can SO see you doing that," she giggled. "General, would you please put my Duchess down. It's unbecoming."
"Be happy I've not tied her up with the curtains yet," Lucien said. "Are you willing to act as though you're nobility?"
Numb, Astha nodded as her thoughts whirled, trying to fit this new information in with the goofy but loyal priest that she had made friends with.
Abel sighed and moved over to stand near Seth. "Was Ion going to join us as well?"
"I sent word to him," Seth said. "He should be here soon."
"Will I have to deal with another reaction such as this?" Lucien asked coldly, nodding to Astha and looking like there was a very bad smell under his nose.
Abel shook his head. "No. Ion was not as close to me as Astha is."
There was a polite knock on the door and Ion was shown in. "Forgive my tardiness, Your Majesty."
"No trouble," Seth said. Waiting to see the newcomer's reaction to Abel's much altered appearance.
Ion blinked at Abel's appearance before walking over, a confused look on his face. "Father Nightroad?"
Abel shook his head. "Just Abel, my Lord. I'm not with the Vatican any longer."
Lucien cleared his throat after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "Abel? Proper introductions are in order."
"Oh! Forgive me." He bowed slightly to Lucien. "Ion Fortuna, allow me to introduce General Lucien LaCroix of Canada. General, this is Ion Fortuna, the Earl of Memphis."
Ion bowed to Lucien. "It is a pleasure to meet one from across the ocean," he greeted. "You have traveled a long ways."
Lucien returned the bow. "Indeed it is a long journey. Thank you for the cordial greeting," he said, glancing at Astha so the point was not lost on the Duchess.
That managed to break through the numbness and she bowed very low to him. "Forgive my actions, General. I have been warned many times about my temper."
Lucien sighed and put his hand on the top of her head. "It was to be expected, child. Now stand up properly."
She stood up but kept her eyes lowered, ashamed of her actions.
Ion looked over at Abel, a bit confused. "Fath.. I mean Mr. Nightroad, when did you change?" He waved a hand to indicate the wings and fangs.
Abel offered him a small smile. "I've always been like this. In a way, this is what I truly look like." He looked at the young noble. "You don't seem surprised or scared."
Ion gave a soft chuckle. "Probably because I've seen you like this before, but I thought it was a dream brought on by the knowledge of you saving my life in Carthago."
Lucien chuckled. "Out of the mouths of babes," he said.
Ion looked over at Lucien with a wry smile. "I've been working with my fiancée on both of our tempers and impetuousness." He turned back to Abel. "Do you have a scythe too or was that part of the dream?"
Shaking his head, Abel looked at him. "I have a scythe, but what do you remember?" He wanted to know if he needed to apologize to Ion for taking his blood.
That got a thoughtful hum. "I hurt. A lot. Someone was lying on top of me, the scents of blood and ozone were thick in the air. Voices in the distance. Then an explosion before an angel descended from Heaven to protect us."
Lucien's lips twitched at the description. How often had he called Abel his fallen angel in the last few days, he mused.
"I am glad you have not suffered any lasting effects from that time," Abel remarked with a blush on his cheeks. "Except for love."
A faint pink dusted the young Methuselah's cheeks as he bowed to Abel. "Thank you for your actions in ensuring that we both survived long enough to discover each other."
"You seem very happy, young man," Lucien said, looking not at Ion but Abel.
Ion took a closer look at Abel. "You do seem much more comfortable, Mr. Nightroad."
Abel's hand came up to touch the collar at his throat. "I've found where I belong now."
"Okay, that was . . . interesting," Seth said. "Luncheon is prepared for those who actually eat. General, we have bloodwine for you."
"Thank you, dear Empress. Honored, as always," Lucien said.
Abel paused and offered his arm to Astha who blinked in surprise but took it. Then he escorted her towards the table.
Lucien pulled Seth to the side as the others went to the table. "Do you recall what we discussed concerning Abel fathering a child?"
"Of course," Seth said.
"I have no objections to that if it's what he wishes."
"Good," Seth said.
Abel held the chair for Astha, before moving off to the chair that was next to the one that only had a wine glass sitting there.
Ion politely stood next to his own chair, waiting for the Empress to join them.
Seth waved Ion into his chair, looking speculatively at Abel for a moment before taking her own seat at the head of the table.
Abel glanced up at Seth as she sat down, curious to see what would happen.
Ion slipped into his seat and both he and Astha waited for either the food or the conversation to start again.
Lucien sat down and picked up his wine glass, glancing over at Seth. "I've been meaning to ask you about the UV tech you use here."
"Oh? What about it?"
"I was merely curious as to how it was made and if any attempts to replicate it had been made elsewhere."
"Not that I'm aware of," Seth said. "I can get you the specs for the tech and such though if you'd like."
"Thank you. That would be wonderful. I can think of many who would love to see the sun again without fear."
Abel glanced at Ion. "How are the wedding preparations going, my Lord?"
Ion sighed and shook his head. "It seems that the wedding coordinators do not want to listen to Esther at all about what she wants. I've threatened to hang more than one outside on a church steeple but it doesn't seem to help any."
Lucien laughed at that. "It would probably be best to just elope and then have the wedding for the state later," he remarked, having seen this happen more times than he cared to count.
"I've suggested it a couple of times, but she is determined to get her way, General," Ion remarked before muttering. "I thought she was stubborn as a nun."
Unable to help it, Abel started laughing.
"I think you'll find that queens are vastly more stubborn than just about any creature known," Lucien chuckled.
Seth had the good grace to smack him with her napkin. "Really, General? I can think of one that's worse."
"Touché, Dear Empress."
"Well at least she's growing into her own now instead of trying to impress the world with her abilities," Abel remarked, finally calming down and taking a sip of his water.
Lucien chuckled. "I seem to recall another who was like that," he said.
"Yes, but I required someone could hold my leash securely. She just needed a good spanking once in a while," Abel countered.
"It is a good thing you've found that individual then, isn't it?" Lucien said.
He smiled and raised his glass in a toast towards him. "Yes it is."
Astha made a small noise of surprise before ducking her head, focusing on her food.
Lucien caught Abel's eyes and nodded toward Astha.
Abel glanced towards Astha. "Was there something you wished to say, tovarosh?"
She looked up before a faint blush stained her cheeks. "I had not realized you were in a relationship, Abel."
"It's a very new development, but one that was severely lacking in my life before."
Lucien turned away from the conversation, allowing them a measure of privacy. "Is there perhaps somewhere that we can rest soon, dear Empress. It's been a long journey," Lucien said.
Seth nodded. "Of course. I have a room prepared for you. I'll take you as soon as we've finished."
"Ion, I wanted to see about getting Esther a painting of the AX as a wedding gift. Would that be all right with you?" Abel inquired, turning his attention to the earl.
Ion nodded. "That will be fine, Mr. Nightroad. I'm sure she'll love it."
Abel smiled and decided to track down a picture of Esther to get a painting made for Ion as a surprise.
"Please do send Abel an invitation if you wouldn't mind, Earl. I'm sure he wishes to attend."
Ion laughed. "I believe he is second on the guest list, right behind Cardinal Sforza. She also has plans to ask His Holiness to preside over the ceremony, because he is a friend as well as to show a political unity between Albion, the Vatican, and the Empire."
"A very wise decision. Personally and politically," Lucien said.
"General," Seth said warningly. "This is social time, not business."
"Do forgive me, dear Empress. I fall into my role out of habit most of the time."
"But some topics can only bring up politics and business, my Empress," teased Abel with a grin.
Seth stuck her tongue out at him.
"I see you've matured, dear Empress," Lucien said with a laugh. "Before you would have thrown something at him."
"That might still happen," Seth said.
"Give her time. The meal's just starting," Abel remarked with a smirk.
Seth threw her napkin at him.
Laughing, Abel caught it and threw it back. "You lost that."
"I'd clear the way before they begin the duel via silverware," Lucien said dryly.
"I have more manners than to do such a thing anymore, Lucien," Abel stated in a rather prim manner.
"Since when?"
Ion looked like he wasn't sure who to believe while Astha was just shaking her head in disbelief.
Abel hummed. "Since about twenty years ago."
Lucien sat back in his chair, cradling his wine in one hand and thinking. The Duchess thing would be interesting and would have to be handled very carefully he thought, frowning slightly.
"I have not seen you this... playful before tovarosh," remarked Astha, apparently choosing her words carefully.
"Because it wasn't part of what Father Abel Nightroad was. Cheerful, a bit foolish, kind, perhaps a touch naive. That was Father Nightroad." Abel shook his head. "I'm relearning how to be *me*."
Lucien nodded absently, still thinking to himself.
Astha licked her lips. "Then was the man who taught me how to open my eyes a lie?"
"Oh, no, Astha. I am still honored to be your tovarosh, but what you saw both in Venice and later in the Empire, that was only part of me." Abel sighed. "I've been hiding for so long that I've lost parts of myself and to keep myself safe, I created the foolish priest."
Ion looked at Abel, a faint frown on his face. "Mr. Nightroad, what happened in Carthago? After we were surprised by Radu in the stolen tank?"
"Tank?" Lucien questioned. "Yes, what did happen? I think I want to hear this as well."
Abel put his silverware down, his appetite vanishing. "Brother Petros managed to shield you and Esther from the worst of the blast while I pulled myself out of the wreckage of the car. When I finally got free, Petros was down, and Radu was getting ready to kill you. I.. shifted to this form and managed to channel enough electricity into the hijacked blimps to destroy them through their network. That distracted Radu away from you and I stepped forward to meet him." He took a breath, forcing himself to go on. "I apologize, my Lord, but the blood you had lost from your wounds, I took to heal myself. It unnerved Radu a bit and I further pushed him into a panic by taunting him. He fired on me, wasting the last of the shells, and then I destroyed him and the tank. Or so I thought."
Ion tilted his head. "What happened after that? There's more."
Astha was looking at Abel in a mix of surprise, speculation, and a touch of fear.
Closing his eyes, Abel bowed his head and folded his hands in his lap. "I had been blown back into the air from the explosion, and when I landed, Esther was a bit hysterical from everything."
Lucien's eyes narrowed as he mulled a few things over in his mind.
"Then the crux of the matter was, you put yourself between them and a madman in a tank. Am I correct in presuming that, Abel?"
"Yes sir." Abel still didn't look up, his appetite gone as he tried to ignore the memory of Esther staring at him in horrific fear as she screamed at him to get away from them.
"Were you thinking or simply reacting on emotion?
"I knew I could survive whatever was thrown at me, Armageddon proved that, but Ion Fortuna *had* to survive to prevent another war," Abel replied.
"We will be discussing your inclination to self destruction later, Abel," Lucien promised.
"He's right, General," Ion stated, his voice soft. "That's what Radu wanted, for it to appear I was killed by humans thus starting off another war." He turned to look at Abel. "Abel Nightroad, as you saved my life more than once, I am honored to know that I was able to assist you in a small way by donating blood. There is no need to apologize for that."
Abel offered him a small smile before letting his head fall again.
Lucien nodded to Ion. "I believe this young man will be an excellent consort to a queen."
Ion inclined his head, accepting the compliment. "My thanks for your belief in my abilities, General."
"I say things as I see them. Usually without inclination to mercy. Ask your Empress."
Ion glanced at Abel. "I apologize, Mr. Nightroad, if my question bothered you. It was not my intent to rob you of your appetite."
Abel shook his head. "You asked a question. If I had not wished to answer it, I wouldn't have."
Seth glanced around at everyone at the table. No one seemed to be eating much anymore. "Well, if you'd like for me to show you your room now, General, Abel, I can do that. Since I have a ball planned in your honor, you might want to rest up a bit."
Abel glanced at Lucien before nodding. "Thank you, Seth. That would be appreciated."
Astha looked at Abel. "Perhaps I will have a chance to get to know the rest of my tovarosh too?" She smiled, a small one but still a smile. "If I may be permitted to save at least once dance on my card for you."
Abel nodded. "As long as my card isn't too full itself," he remarked with a sideways glance at Lucien.
"I'll make certain he has free space by any means necessary."
Astha smiled and nodded before looking at Seth. "Then by your leave, Empress?"
Ion also rose to his feet. "If you will also excuse me, I wish to make sure Esther hasn’t sent any of the designers to the dungeon for disagreeing with her."
"Now that would be amusing," Lucien said, standing and taking Abel by the hand.
Abel accepted the hand and rose as the two Methuselah left. He glanced at Seth. "My apologies to your chef, Seth. The food was delicious."
Seth waved a hand. "It's fine, Abel. The conversation was bound to get heavy at some point."
"When exactly did you plan this ball, Empress?" Lucien asked.
"The minute I knew you were coming," Seth said.
Abel glanced at Lucien. "Do we have clothes for a ball? I figure you probably do, knowing how you often travel, but all that I have is what you bought me in Rome."
"You do. I tend to expect the unexpected."
He nodded before twitching a wing. "With or without wings?"
"You have been outfitted for both for formal occasions. Whichever you choose."
"I think without wings tonight." He looked at Seth. "How much time do we have before the ball? I do want to have that talk with you."
"A few hours. But I have to get back to ruling a nation in that time. Can we talk afterward?"
He nodded. "It's waited nine hundred years, it can wait longer." He smiled at her and bent to kiss her forehead.
"Okay. Sorry to spring this on you. Well, no not really. It's been ages and I'll take any excuse for a party."
He smiled. "Then I will insist on claiming a dance as payment for this being sprung on us."
"You'd better save the first dance for me, buster."
He tilted his head, acting as if he was thinking about it. "I don't know. My card can fill up rather quickly." He glanced at Lucien for his permission.
Lucien smiled. "Well, since it's in your honor I don't think you can refuse, my beauty."
Abel ducked his head and kissed her forehead again. "All right. First dance is to you. Now, those rooms?"
Seth rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said, starting off down the hallway.
He chuckled and grabbed Lucien's hand, following after her. He was feeling a bit better.
Lucien chuckled a bit to himself. This should certainly be interesting, he thought.
Abel followed along behind Seth, wondering what Lucien had made for him for the ball. But he did want to just curl up with Lucien for a bit and settle again.
Seth opened the door to the massive suite and led both men in. "Sorry, I can't stay. The whole Empress thing. Have fun, boys!" she said, flouncing off.
"Bye brat!" Abel called before entering into the suite. He dropped Lucien's hand as he moved over to stand near one of the windows, pulling his wings in for now.
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The General's Crusnik