#demon rys

“Stupid tricks?“ Ryszard echoed in confusion. He was a bit lost on what Armisael meant by that. The first two were simple and easy enough to understand, but that one...maybe he was still a little too drunk to get it. However, he listened to the rest of what she said and nodded slowly as he took her hand. 

He could not put into words at the moment how happy and relieved he was that she was not telling him to go and leave her alone. That she was going to give him a chance. What Rys could do though, was bring her hand to his mouth so he could kiss the back of it. 

Slowly he embraced her once more. “I can only...hope I can be even a fraction o-of my father when it comes to how much he loves und-und cares for my mother,” he said softy. “For...for even a fraction would move mountains if it would make our beloveds happy.”

Audwine watched his brother and Armisael with some relief, as the tension seemed to be easing. However, he was still a little alert just in case Rys suddenly crashed and needed to be taken home, or something else happened. He could not help but chuckle a little at his brother’s remarks when it comes to their father. “Move mountains und redirect rivers,” he lightly corrected before looking over at Shamsel and giving her a loving smile. 

It was true. While Ryszard had looked in the direction of the counter, he had not really looked at the counter. He lifted his head off of his brother’s shoulders enough to properly look at the counter and what was on it. Rys took a moment to wipe his eyes, but a fresh set of tears came when he noticed them. 

Every single one of the figurines he had made for her were displayed. 

All accounted for and intact. Seeing them all together like this also showed him the progress he had been making. And he thought he wasn’t getting better, but the proof was there before him that he was wrong. 

“Audwine...let me go bitte...” Rys said quietly to his older brother. 

“If you do somezing stupid, you know I’ll have to step in again, ja?” Audwine responded quietly in return. Ryszard nodded and wiped his eyes again. Then the older Richter slowly let go of him and moved out of his way. Rys took a moment to steady himself, not realizing how much he had been leaning on his brother, before moving over to Armisael. 

It did not matter that she was not looking at him at the moment. He slowly embraced her, leaning his head lightly on hers. “You...you kept all of them,” he said softly. “I’m...sorry they aren’t pro...pro quality, but I tried. Und...at-at least they aren't a mess,” he said. “Und...I’m...sorry for being a pest, und such a drunk fool right now, but...danke for not...hating me. I’m-I’m...really drawn to you Armisael, but I...” Ryszard trailed off into a little sigh as he took a step back. 

Audwine was sitting in the bakery eating some blueberry treats while watching his fiancee and her twin do their thing. As usual he tried not to draw too much attention to himself, but he was also ready to act just in case something happened. What he did not expect today, however, was his younger brother Ryszard coming through the door and calling out to Armisael. 

He quickly stood and moved to block Rys from going further. Audwine was ready to escort or kick him back out, as was his promised duty, but Rys struggled against him. Halfheartedly reaching out towards the counter. 

The older Richter brother noticed then that something wasn't quite right with the younger. Ryszard’s eyes were faintly glowing and also glassy, and when next he spoke Audwine could smell it on his breath. Rys had been drinking, and that was concerning. 

Ryszard, when drunk, could be very unpredictable.

“Warren says...says you hate me,” Rys said towards Armisael. “Why? Why do you hate me Armisael?” he said, lowering his voice slightly, and trying to keep his words from slurring together. Audwine still kept him from getting closer, but did not try to push him out yet. For now he would let his brother have his words so he wouldn't try to just barge right back in. 

“He says...Warren says...I should go back to flirting with other women. But how can I? You are on my mind so much! No...no one seems-seems as interesting anymore. You-you make me feel things I’ve never felt before Armisael,” Rys continued as he conjured his latest figurine to his hand. This figurine was much better than the last one he left for her. It had the most effort put into it, although...it was likely still not up to par to ones that could be bought. But it was one of a kind, Rys could proudly claim that at least. 

Unless...unbeknown to him, someone else had made a figurine of Armisael.

Still he made it float over to the counter, and like all the others he had left behind it had a pink bow carefully tied around it, and had ‘For Armisael’ on it. “My twin, Warenhari...he thinks I’m wasting...wasting my time with these. Maybe you just throw them out...or-or give them away. He says...he says you must be happier without me coming here...or else...you’d tell Audi to let me in. I...is he...is he right? I...I...”

Ryszard hugged his older brother and let his head fall on his shoulder. “Audwine...why? Why does this hurt? I-I’ve been rejected before. I-I’ve accepted it before but...why does this hurt bruder? Why is this different?” he began asking in a quiet tone as he started letting tears flow. 

Ryszard sighed as he looked down at the bakery from a nearby rooftop. If he tried to get any closer Audwine would likely know somehow and stop him. It wasn’t fair, Audi was just doing this to be on Armi’s good side so he could be with Shams easier.

And yet...

Rys sighed again as he turned away. Warenhari’s words were starting to come to mind again. As much as Rys tried to ignore the things his twin would say, they were starting to get to him, starting to hurt. 

‘I don’t know why you keep trying bruder. If she’s fine with Audwine keeping you at bay...man, I don’t think that’s a good sign.’ ‘Are you moping again Rys? Jeeze. Honestly, I think Audi’s doing you a favor. She’s probably happier without you stopping by. You realize that right? I mean, if she missed you or anything she’d tell our bruder to let you around again...’

‘Dude face it. How long has it been now? There are plenty of others out there. Don’t be so hung up on her. We can’t all have it as easy as Audwine...‘

Looking down at the small figurine he had in his hands, Ryszard slumped his shoulders. It wasn’t the prettiest thing or the most well made, but he had tried hard on it and one could tell it was a person at least. A pink bow was tied around it and it had a tag on it saying “For Armisael”. He didn’t sign his name on it or gave any indication that it was from him. 

Rys turned back around and gently toss the little figurine towards the bakery. Using his magic, he gently guided it to float down and land on one of the empty little tables outside it. For the third time he sighed as he made his wings appear. “Maybe...maybe I am only meant to admire from afar like all the others,” he mused quietly. “She did seem...more annoyed to see me than not. Well, maybe at least she likes these figurines I’ve been leav...ach who am I kidding? She probably has just been throwing them out. They are...horrible in comparison to the ones that can be bought! No matter how hard I try...”

He slapped his forehead and turned around to take off back for home. Why was he doing this to her and himself? He was probably annoying her with these as well. He knew they weren’t the best, yet he still wanted to give them to her anyway. 

He hated how negative his twin was being about the situation and how his heart was starting to lose hope because of Warren’s words. Rys couldn’t help but be a little jealous of Audwine. Despite how Audi had been at first, Shams still liked and was friendly to him. 

Ryszard found it interesting to learn a little about them. It was nice to know that there were still other good clans out there, even if they were small at the moment. Still...

“I always tried to ignore what the old council und their supporters said. I was never one for the family politics anyway, und to be honest? I didn’t like what it would often do to you, Diet, und Alva,” he said his expression slightly sour. ”However, they are gone now so we can make things happier for us und do things differently than the old ones. Mama und papa were happy for Audwine und I und our brides, und so were the rest of our siblings. For him und I, that was all we needed. Not the approval of the old bast...council,” he said and ran a hand through his hair.

“Ja...it can be hard to stop her once she’s on a sweet roll,” Rys said with a stupid little laugh. He really couldn’t resist the pun opportunity. Not when it came to him so quickly anyway. He took a step back so he couldn’t get hit so easily. 

He smiled proudly as he noticed his big sister watching the boys for a moment. “Arthur, Simon, und Julius are such good boys. They’re always trying their best,” he said softly. There were a few time where he wasn’t sure what he would have done if it wasn’t for them. Ryszard was quite thankful to have them in his life. 

The younger Richter noticed that Ulrike was glancing out side and followed her gaze once more. He noticed a family going by and there was something about them that seemed like he should know them. It took a moment but it came to him. “They’ve been in here before, though I didn’t get to talk to them myself...” he mused aloud as he tilted his head. It reminded him, however, that he was going to do something. 

Ryszard had watched his sister eat the treats with a bit of satisfaction. He did snort lightly, however, at her comments. “The hardest thing they have to endure from me are my jokes dear sister. If you remember how those can be,” he said with a bit of a chuckle. “Though uncle Aldi always liked them,” he added as he thought about it. 

 To be fair, their uncle was probably the reason he had the sense of humor he does.  Still he smirked a little himself. “Ah, as true as that may be Ulrike, I was still one of the first of our siblings to get married,” he said. Rys then looked serious and glanced towards the kitchen. “But, ja, I did make my mistakes. I’m trying not to make them again, however, und I think I’m doing good so far,” he said and then looked fully at his older sister with a smile. 

Rys sighed softly as he briefly returned her embrace. Something was up with his big sister, but it was hard to figure what it was. He knew it could be any number of reasons, but for now he just paid close attention to his sister’s choices and nodded. After watching Ulrike go to the seat she chose he began to get a generous amount of what she had selected. 

Not that he expected his sister to have it all now, but he wanted her to have some to take home as well. As long as some of their mischievous siblings didn’t try to sneak them away. However, he had to grin. Considering that this was Ulrike, there was only perhaps one who would try, that being Aksel. The others may not feel like risking it. 

Once he finished gathering everything on the serving tray Ryszard began to make his way over to his sister. He noticed that one of his adopted sons had poured her some water and was talking to her. It made him smile as he approached.