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(Princess) Blaze the Cat ([personal profile] pyro_princess) wrote in [community profile] happilyeverbeginning2017-03-17 08:51 pm

Guardian Angel - Revealing Yourself - Percival & Galahad

 It was very late in the kingdom. Most of its citizens were deep in slumber, and it wouldn't have been terribly surprising if Galahad was among them. Percival felt slightly guilty about doing this to him if that was true, but that was minuscule compared to the guilt about her biggest secret. But he had a right to know - he had protected her time and time again, even when she was more than capable of fending for herself.

Tonight would change things forever. There would be consequences from above - although what they were, Percival didn't know. Someone in her position revealing themselves had rarely been done, if ever. Yet she felt ready to face whatever punishment would lay ahead. Besides, she was much more worried about Galahad's reaction.

At his home, she began to knock loudly, urgently, quickly. Hopefully this wouldn't wake the neighbors - a woman entering a man's house in the dead of night would definitely cause rumors.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-18 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
A tired yawn filled the air. Even if it was somewhat un-knightly to look as tired as he did, he couldn't help the yawns as the unflattering tiredness washed over him.

Galahad thought that things would change a little once he'd been Knighted. Perhaps he would be sent on quests or sent to foreign lands to do business in the name of the King. But.. he wasn't aware that things would change so little. It seemed like once he had taken the oath he'd done nothing but guard duty, and longer shifts at that. Apparently, the Kingdom still didn't trust its newest and youngest addition to the Knighthood.

At the Knighting ceremony, the seer that had attended the festivities had told him of a great and perilous destiny... One that he needed to survive if the Kingdom was going to flourish. He had a difficult time believing that to be true if it was his fate to serve as the cities ever-vigilant watch. He imagined the letter they'd sent him earlier in the day which he had yet to open--closed with the royal wax seal--promised more of the same guard duty.

The horse he walked with nudged him and broke him out of the thoughts. "Ah. Sorry." He apologized, giving the horse a pat on its soft nose. "I didn't mean to ignore you." As he straightened and looked onwards towards his home, it seemed he had managed to ignore someone else as well. Percival, his comrade; The horse had always been fidgety around her. "Good evening...?" He managed to Percival.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-18 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
He straightened, the tiredness suddenly subsiding in light of the seriousness in her voice. His first thought, oddly enough, was of the letter on his table that he'd neglected to read this morning when he'd gotten it. Perhaps there was something important inside that was urgent? Was it a mistake having not read it and she was there to talk of details on a mission he knew nothing about?

He felt a sudden pit of dread in his stomach.

"Of course." It would take him some time to get his horse settled, so he hurried to the door and unlocked it with a small iron key before heading back to the horse. "Please make yourself at home. I'll only be a moment around back."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-18 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Urgency? Oh, no.

Galahad hurried to the small stable behind his house and practically tossed the saddle onto the ground as he ushered the horse in. He turned to leave, though a snort from the horse summoned him back long enough to realize that the mare hadn't been fed. A messy pile of oats was shoveled into the pen with an apology (and an apologetic bow...) before he hurried off.

After rushing through the front, He found himself making a line towards the letter on the table. Perhaps he could read it while Percival talked to make sure he wasn't completely caught off guard if it was a mission. He kept his back to her, quickly breaking the seal and setting the paper down so he could read and take off his things at the same time. "Is... something the matter?" He managed, setting his sword on the table with a clink.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-18 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
The statement from Percival was enough to get him to look in her direction warily. What did she mean that.. she hadn't been 'honest'? He didn't care to question everything that she'd done, not at that point. No..

Instead, he turned his attention back to the letter. After a moment, he spoke. "It's... a mission." Galahad continued to read the letter, turning to her since he'd clearly been terrible about trying to hide that he was reading. As his eyes scanned the page he could feel the blood in his veins turn cold our of the sheer fear that came over him.

Was.. this serious? Of course it had to be serious, it had the royal seal on the letter but...

Even if his fur were already a bright shade of white, somehow he'd become more pale and his fur more fluffed after reading what was on the page. "It.. says that they want me to travel outside of the city to a Dragon's nest that they've found nearby." Dragons were notoriously feared...everywhere. No one had dispatched a Dragon by themselves in decades, and he'd earned a Knighting just by deflecting their flame from the castle. "They want us to get rid of the dragons and the nest by 'any means we deem necessary'. They apologize for the abruptness, but the troops they've sent over the last month haven't come back." He gripped the side of the counter, suddenly feeling very sick.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-19 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
It didn't make any sense. If they didn't know how to defeat a nest of dragons then why send him? Why one Mobian? Perhaps they were sending the only person that had subdued a dragon's power in the hopes that it would be effective. After all, a nest of deadly dragons near the Kingdom would be a death sentence for everyone who lived there. A few lives might have to be a necessary sacrifice.

If he were thinking clearly, perhaps he could put together that she knew things she shouldn't and said things that wouldn't normally seem correct. Though, honestly, he was just..scared.

"If it is a death sentence ..I can't ask you to come with me." His hand clenched. And for a moment, his eyes shined. He quickly blinked back what might've been there. "I don't have the luxury of considering my own life now. My life is no longer my own."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-19 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
He figured her explanation was more a figure of speech than literal fact. It being Percival's mission to protect him..could explain why she had been so kind. Why else would a stranger offer to provide lessons with no strings attached, or do all the other things that she'd done to help him?

Galahad sunk to his knees with the letter still in his hands. He didn't want to think that their friendship, too, was just a part of her mission. No, he wouldn't accept that as some farce.

'Who gave you that mission?' He didn't say the question out loud, but rather mentally. Talking to other people like that was almost never on purpose.. but it happened if he was upset. And he didn't even realize he was doing it half the time.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-19 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Not surprisingly, his eyes widened at the sight of her. If not for the wall to his back Galahad might've tried his luck at running in the opposite direction. He wasn't at all sure what he was seeing.. or what it meant concerning his question, But he knew of such winged beings from books he'd read in the castle library. They were always regarded with fear and reverence for the otherworldly skills.

He said nothing and his mind went completely blank but--almost comically--Galahad slowly ducked himself behind the edge of the table and peeked over its surface at her, almost like he was trying to hide from what stood before him.



[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-19 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"..." He peered over the table and seemed to consider her words carefully. It was a conflicting feeling to be afraid of someone he'd only known as his friend and mentor. Having that change seemed...wrong.

It was a moment before he dared to ask, "Are..." Galahad looked off. "Are you still my friend, then? Are you still the Percival that I know? Or.." He took a breath. "Are you a guardian."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-19 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
In retrospect, it could explain the mannerisms he'd endured when they had first met. Percival had been kind enough to offer to train with him but she still seemed guarded and distant outside of that. Any time he had tried to change the conversation to anything friendly he was shut out for very a long time. Galahad had thought it odd but let her open up if she felt like doing so.

"You did that for me...? I.." He slowly stood, still seeming hesitant in spite of the news. His hands hung at his side. "Perhaps you were sent here for a mission but ...you have my back just as I have yours. That will not change."

And with that, he leaned forward and hugged his friend.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-20 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
A nod. "I promise. No one else will know this." Though his mind did wander to his father. He couldn't imagine ever lying to Lancelot about ..anything--Galahad was a terrible liar anyway--but there didn't seem to be any possible way for the subject to arise without him bringing it up. If it did, flatly saying that he couldn't talk about it would have to suffice.

He leaned back. "Though.. i-if I may. I have some questions."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-21 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Galahad took a moment to compile a list of questions in his head. And, like a dam spilling over, they started to come out all at once.

"Do you still have a mortal life with our limitations?" In other words, would she be in peril if she accompanied him on the task he was given. "How did you know I was the person you were supposed to be guarding? I was a child when you came to the city." A millisecond of a pause. "Do you have a family back where you come from? What of the letter. How did you know that it was important before I'd even opened it? It was sealed." He stopped long enough to take a breath this time. "Where had your wings gone all this time?" He peered around her. "How are they here now? Is this how you were able to fly just now?"

And finally, he gave a longer pause and seemed to realize the extent of what he'd asked. "Would you be punished for telling me any of this? If so... you don't have to answer anything. I will take you at your word. "

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-22 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
He listened to her answers very attentively. Though Percival may have been an assigned guardian, he asked them out of sincere curiosity over her wellbeing.

The question about her family was meant to ascertain if she had a family who would miss her if something were to happen; Insight into her abilities would be important to glean if she could tell what he intended to do and when; And the most important detail he was trying to glean from her words was how she could fair against so many dragons. If she had the abilities and endurance of a mortal then it would be near certain death to face a clutch of mythical beasts. There would be no point to both of them potentially losing their lives, so he would have had to have made plans to escape for the Dragon's Nest in the night without her.

Galahad didn't like to use words against her in that manner and think so deceptively.. but it could not be helped. He needed to know the extent of the risk for his friend. And even with the abilities she listed, it still seemed like a risk.

He cradled one arm with the opposite one. "I did not intend to cause trouble for you or anyone like you." He frowned, glancing to the floor. "My last question." And an important one in its own right. "I.. have been told I have a great destiny. I have you by my side to keep me safe throughout that journey, but as your friend, how do you know that you draw the line between pushing my abilities and protecting me?" In other words, did that friendship make her coddle him more than those other people she had guarded? Not that she could be called the epitome of soft. Oh, no. He couldn't count the amount of bruises he'd gotten in her training. But those bruises had been given under her watchful tutelage. Galahad had to wonder if this ..task was meant to test his abilities.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-23 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I would forgive you no matter what you said or did." He admitted. Maybe it was foolish and naive of him to admit to such a thing, but it was how he felt. No matter how many times she'd driven him beyond exhaustion or slighted his skills he'd felt nothing but admiration, and he couldn't think of anything that she could do to change that.

Suppose that they'd have to prepare to leave, then. With her help perhaps there was a chance he could accomplish the task that he was given. And live to see the end of it.

With a sigh, he turned and began to open cupboards and grab things they may need for their journey. He'd need to leave tomorrow morning. "But..I'm grateful. I need to be as strong as I can be to defend those who call me ally, as well as those who call themselves enemies." He looked down. "I have been told I was a fool for thinking any Knight could do that and never take a life." He didn't know what he would do if the King ever ordered him to kill someone. Hopefully that would never happen.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-24 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
He stopped dead once he felt her press into him from behind. No matter how much he tried to will it against happening, the slight flush rose to his face anyway. Galahad had hugged her on occasion, yes, but it always seemed much more personal when she returned that sentiment given her usual demeanor.

"Thank you..." But there was a silent question in his words as he slowly began to realize something. Percival had always had orders or someone to guard, hadn't she? And as soon as the last person had perished he was simply the next mission in line. And after he perished sometime in the far-flung future, she would move to the next mission or face punishment. His chest tightened just thinking about it, the thought that his friend was not free.

Galahad lifted a hand and tentatively placed it on the ones she'd folded over his chest. "You should be free to make your own decisions without a mission or master in mind."He shook his head, "It's cruel that you've lived in this world for so long and yet you haven't been free to live in it as you see fit." After a moment of tentative silence he added, "After this mission, I'll beg your Leaders to let you out of being my guardian. Out of being anyone's guardian. You shouldn't be forced to guard anyone for eternity."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-25 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
Galahad closed his eyes and took in every word of her oath with a light nod. It was amazing that she could feel such a way after having lived so long. Most of the people he'd met who had lived long enough to see Kingdoms rise and fall seemed so indifferent, but there was a spark in Percival that never seemed to go out.

He let started to let himself lean into her, and when he realized that he'd started doing it he immediately tried to correct himself by hurriedly yanking his hand away and straightening. "I.." He stammered, "..need to pack for tomorrow. And get some rest."

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-26 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Over the next few days, they'd traveled due the north of the city where the dragons caverns were said to be tucked high atop a mountain's face. Galahad spent a few days after that observing the creatures. If he knew what they did, it would give a better idea when they might be most vulnerable to attack - Knowing that might be their only advantage.

So he crouched on a precarious mountain ledge as he watched a dragon soar high into the sky. The few families that had settled in the alcove didn't seem intent on bothering anyone, which was the strange part. ' If I could understand why they attack, perhaps none of them would have to die.' He thought.

He stood and scanned the mountainside for his companion, unaware that the Dragon he had been watching above had been watching back the entire time.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-26 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Once he'd spotted Percival a fair distance away, he made his way to climb down from the mountainside perch. It was a hot day.. and something to drink sounded nice after sitting on a hot ledge for hours on end. 'Just don't look down..' Galahad said to himself with a gulp as some small stones skittered down the rocky mountain face.

Step by step he descended to the safety of a flat tree-laden area where they had set up camp. Though as he was clinging to a particularly precarious rock, a huge crash sent a shower of stones down the mountainside. Galahad ducked down flat against the mountain until he was sure the sound cleared. When he dared to look up to see the source of the noise, rocks weren't what he saw. Galahad looked into the giant green eye of the Dragon he'd been watching fly overhead a few moments earlier.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-26 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
There was no time to think before the giant creature reared its body and screamed in pain. "No...!" Galahad glanced up to see a winged silhouette hovering close to them, a strange sword in their hand.

Those wings... her wings.

He let go of the mountains face so he could hold out his hands towards Percival and shield her from the inevitable retaliation from the Dragon. He concentrated to try and keep himself aloft over the sheer drop and shield her at the same time, just as the Dragon reared its head back and spewed a stream of blue fire.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-27 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"AHH!" The fire slammed into the wall that Galahad had made and he strained under the force of it. He could feel wisps of cold seeping through as the barrier began to break apart; Dragons fire always felt bizarrely cold to the touch, though that didn't mean it burned any less.

Once the first blast of blue fire ceased, he glanced beyond the angel's feathers to see more winged shadows approaching. The other dragons had heard their comrades cry and had come to help. Galahad's heart sank. He'd have no choice but fight them now.

"Are you all right?" He rushed to say, taking her face in his hands.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-28 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
"I..." The dragons loomed close. He'd only have a moment to decide between obeying her order or completing the mission that was given to him; Live or die. Galahad shook his head. "I can't do as you ask. This is my mission and I will not just leave it. I will not leave your side like a coward..!" It must've been the first time he'd outright refused to do anything she asked.

Galahad turned to place both hands on the side of the cliff face and squeezed his eyes shut to concentrate. "Even if being by your side means moving mountains, I will not run away." He'd bring the very mountain they lived in down on them. It was the only way he could think to win against such a hoard of creatures.

The earth began to rumble, and rock began to crack.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-29 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I ...do not know." The words came across strained. He could feel a nosebleed coming on already, which always happened when he pushed himself too hard. Blood ran down his face, "But it will take something of legend to defeat a hoard of dragons." There was no choice. His fingers tensed and curled as he put his all into trying to get the rocks of the mountain to move.

But he felt a strange sort of calming power when Percival wrapped her arms around him.

A green light filled the air as a giant crack etched its way across the mountain's face. As the crack deepened, rocks and boulders began to fall on the unsuspecting dragons. Wild screams filled the air, barely audible above the crashing noise.

[personal profile] ex_predetermined775 2017-03-30 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
He could feel himself begin to reach the brim of his power and push past it within minutes. Galahad coughed out a bright red blood in spite of the splintering pain that shot through him. 'Not yet..' He thought.

But all of a sudden, as Percival's grip tightened, he felt a crackling warmth around him. It ran through him like a soothing light. It felt.. unearthly, somehow, but absolutely peaceful. The pain and the noise slowly began to vanish as the next few minutes ticked past.

As Galahad opened his eyes, there was nothing in front of him but empty sky. He glanced sidelong where the dragons had once been. "We're okay." It sounded more like a question.