natus ignis

aries x louisa { @baelburningstar​ } / location: the coronation weekend celebrations

Louisa had a desire to be anywhere but court. If she had to attend another bureaucratic meeting about the previous meeting’s minutes and talk about something that won’t get decided until the meeting after that one, well, she might rip another head off.

She spun around on the dance floor and locked eyes with Aries, who was leaning against the VIP bar with a debonair grin. Louisa left the floor as one song seemingly faded to another. She walked over to Aries and the crowd parted around the Hybrid Queen. “Hey stranger,” Louisa grinned a toothy grin at Aries. She turned to face the bar and requested her favorite drink presently—sanguine negroni sbagliato.

“Glad you got my email and you were too engrossed in your own work to have a little fun. Too much work, and I won’t enjoy your company anymore. I have a reputation to protect. I can’t be seen with workaholics,” she joked and pulled her drink to her lip glossed lips and took a satisfying sip.

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The coronation weekend was in full swing, and Aries was looking to enjoy himself. He was doing his best to navigate the politics of the event, considering the tension caused between Haven and Kings Hill regarding the hiding of an heir under the noses of Haven’s government. That reflected poorly on their neutral stance in the world’s affairs. 

He was lucky his own personal affairs didn’t reflect on his realm, otherwise he would be been seriously limited for fun. He’d come to find one of his lovers, Louisa, who had sent him a rather tempting message and almost-promise if he made his way to her. “Hard work deserves hard play.” Aries responded, taking a drink of his whisky ginger. He leaned down to speak against her ear. “Are you going to force me to dance, or can I steal you away now?”

“Do you have beer? Seeing as you’re a King and you give off this very fancy vibe, I’m not sure if you just have a six-pack chilling in the fridge. If not wine is fine.” Alden felt as though he’d stumbled into connections to royalty and he didn’t really have a taste for wine etiquette but would try at least to seem less of an embarrassment than he felt when he stepped foot into the palace.

“Our safety. Is…Is what we are really a danger?” He couldn’t fathom how it could be, but then again Alden couldn’t fathom what was so special about them that people knowing could mean danger. “I promise to keep it between us.” Alden’s eyes widened at the thought that they could be related. “I’ve always known my mother. She didn’t truly know what she was either, but my father just came back into my life. He bailed after he caught some kind of amnesia or something that’s apparently common for us after physical trauma or death he said. But when he remembered me and who he was in a past life…which is weird that we could have a past life…he said his dad was someone named Bael. Are you related to that guy?”

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“Beer can be arranged. Although I will admit, it might not come out of a... six-pack. I prefer glass bottles.” Aries admitted with a smile. He went to a phone on a side table, turn-dialled a number and spoke to his kitchen staff, asking for Alden to be brought a beer. “It’ll be with us in a few minutes.” Aries promised, putting the phone down and wandering back into the centre of the room. 

“It can be. There are those out there who will consider us a threat. There are others who will seek to use our powers for their own gain. It’s been that way for thousands of years, so you should learn to keep your wits about you.” Aries took up his glass and took a drink of wine. He listened with serious concern, but his eyebrows rose when Alden revealed his father was... his son. Aries felt his stomach drop. So, at least one of his children was an Immortalem. And he had gone on to have his own children. Alden... was his grandson. 

“Yes. When we die... we lose our memory. If our body suffers too much damage, we cannot... recover, so instead we are reborn. Our body returns to it’s infant state, and we grow and live again. I believe something happened on the night of the Sturgeon Moon, last year. You might’ve heard that I collapsed and fell into a coma for several days. When I awoke, I remembered everything.” Aries approached Alden, taking in his features. He did look like him... 

“I am not related to Bael.” He said, his face immoveable. “...I am Bael.” 

After meeting Aries Alden had taken heed of the man’s word about keeping what he was a secret. Truth be told, finding out about immortalem was a feat in and of itself. His entire being was some secret, obscure myth that he found trouble even remotely learning much. Books on the subject looked like they were older than the world itself and it was as though after a certain time people stopped caring to find out more about said species.

Getting an invite by Aries surprised him, but excited him at the potential to find out more and gain some perspective. After being led into the room where Aries was, Alden smiled in greeting, shaking the man’s outstretched hand. “It was. It always is when I journey here.” He respected the peace of Haven and actually enjoyed knowing that it was one of the most secure places in Lume. “Thank you for inviting me here. It’s been a while and our last conversation left me on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I have kept quiet about…what we spoken about.” Their species.

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“I’m glad. If there is anything you need during your stay, let me or any of the staff know, and it can be arranged. Within reason, of course.” Aries made a move back towards the table, reaching for a bottle of wine. “I’m glad to speak to you again. We can talk about it here without fear of being listened to. No one will disturb us unless it is of grave importance. Wine?” He offered, after pouring himself a glass. The liquid was a deep, rich red. 

“So... I must ask that what is said between us remains between us. For our shared safety and... for the moment, best interests. In case you haven’t realised it, the reason I told you to stay quiet about being what you are... is because of what I am. I am also Immortalem. Specifically Ignis Immortalem. There are different kinds of us. And while we’re being completely open... I believe you might even be related to me.” Aries admitted, turning to look at Alden. 

“Are you aware of your true parentage?” 

Markus entered the room Aries had been placed in with a quick smile and bowed to his fellow leader. “I wasn’t expecting you. I’m sorry for the wait as well. I have been particularly busy with Rowan’s maternity leave and such.” He cleared his throat before stepping closer and extending his hand. “I heard you have an interest in my collection. It’s more of a museum. I’ve enjoyed collecting things from all over Lume.” His brow raising, “If you follow me I’ll show you the more private pieces of my collection. I have some on public display but others that I haven’t really been able to discover their past their I keep to myself.”

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Aries returned the smile and the bow, inclining his full head in respect. “Not at all, I’m happy to wait. Please pass on my well wishes to your lady wife. You must be very excited about the new addition of Princess Scarlett to your family.” Aries replied, taking Markus hand in both of his and shaking it. 

“Yes, I’ve heard great things about your collection. I’m lucky to finally have the time to take it in properly.” Aries admitted, letting go of Markus’ hand and falling into step beside him. “It would be an honour to see your private collection. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of our realms. I’m particularly interested in ancient artefacts.” 

Between chaos and Valentine’s Day, Roxana needed a break and fun that she didn’t have to plan first. She had been pleasantly surprised when Aries invited her to a private party. As she sat, taking in the scenery around her, she was pleasantly surprised at how lively it was and how intimately private it was. This kind of party reminded her that in life she’d become exactly the woman she fought so hard to be.

She had a successful career, had a budding PR firm with the Northland Falls High Lord as her first client, and saved a realm from disaster and now had been given a title in Westland and a duchy. Roxy had become a self made woman to be proud of, and now she could celebrate by taking a night off and enjoying herself with the King of Haven realm.

When he returned, her pensive moment ended. “I was just thinking about how nice it is to attend a party that I didn’t have to plan. But don’t worry I’m prepared for a little rowdiness. So is this my glimpse into the kind of nightlife you enjoy?” she wondered aloud as she picked up her glass to clink to his before taking a sip of her wine. “After Valentine’s Day, I assumed you’d be in high demand now that you’ve confirmed to the masses that you’re single with that bee broach.” Roxy was only teasing. “I’m glad we get a do over hanging out since our last encounter was filled with zombies essentially.” She visibly shuddered, but grinned all the same.

.

Aries grinned at her. “On occasion I like to have a little fun. All work and no play makes for a dull boy.” He clinked glasses with her and took a drink. It was good, and it went down very easily. He laughed at her teasing, his eyes alight with mischief. He settled down beside her, his arm easily resting on the sofa behind her, close but not quite touching. “What was it I was dubbed? The Bachelor King.” He laughed, taking another drink. “I was only trying to get into the holiday spirit.” 

“I’m glad I get to spend time with you again too.” He grinned at her. “I’ve already decided that even with any nasty interruptions, I’ll keep you out of harms way... and I’ll still be holding to my promise of body shots.” He assured her in good humour. 

Aila had been just watching the pools, lost in thought as she sat pondering it all. How exactly she would handle her seemingly delicate situations. She nearly jumped when Bael addressed before she stood up to curtsey to him, and sat back down. “I needed to step away for a bit and found this. It’s very gorgeous here.” She shook her head, “I don’t mind. I’ve just… got to where I have to find time to think on things a little more than I used to.” She scooted over on the bench to make room for him, “Thank you for inviting us here by the way. I’m very thankful to be able to learn more about Haven since Sebastian was here for so long.”

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“It is very gorgeous. These pools and gardens are open to all occupants and guests of the Palace, including their families.” Aries explained, turning his gaze to look over the pools. In a few months, the Dry season would be upon them, and the pools would be drained and cleaned before they filled again. Their water was maintained, unless the water urgently needed to be used somewhere else, but that had only happened a handful of times in Aries’ current lifetime. 

“You are welcome to come here whenever you wish. To the water gardens, to Haven. Even if it’s just for a few hours to think.” Aries told her, turning to look at her. They had only met the once, but Aries had grown fond of Princess Aila. Their conversation at the Celebration of the Dead had been open and vulnerable. He hadn’t talked about the people he’d lost in his previous lives, and although he hadn’t revealed the full truth of that to her, he had felt comforted by her understanding. She seemed such a sweet, shy creature. It made Aries want to treat her gently. 

“It’s a pleasure to have the two of you here. And to meet you again. I appreciated our talk during the Celebration of the Dead.”

It had been six months since Aries had stumbled across Alden Michaels of Kings Hill at the Westland Realm’s Celebration of the Dead. Their interaction had been brief, but the boy had revealed himself to be like Aries, an Immortalem with the magic of fire. Aries blamed his youth for revealing himself so easily to a stranger, and had urged him to seek him out after the events of that week. Now they would finally be able to speak alone, and Aries could maybe find himself getting a little closer to the truth he desperately sought. 

“Alden Michaels is here to see you, my King.” A servant announced, and Aries nodded, urging him to let him through. They could speak privately here without fear of being overheard or interruption. When the door opened, he stepped forward to greet Alden, extending his hand for the other to shake. “Alden Michaels. Thank you for meeting with me. I trust your journey was pleasant.”