"You there?"
"..." There was no response
"I'm sorry I… just... I'll leave." Sighing slightly, the man started to retreat. The door then slowly opened, revealing a tall man, peering at the guest who was wearing a torn jacket.
"Mi-" "shh.." he was pulled inside, shutting the door quietly afterward.
Hand in hand, they walked across a blurry hallway towards a room.
With a creak, the older opened the door, leading the younger inside with a nod, staying quiet.
"What happened?" Once they were sure to be alone, he finally asked. What was supposed to be a bedroom was a total mess, beyond saving anymore. Clothes were thrown all over the place, cushions disemboweled, leakings littles white feathers on the ground. Even some furniture was upside down.
"Don't worry" the voice was soothing and scarily familiar.
"I.. caught you at a bad time, i-" the younger man's tears welled up as the other man reached out towards him.
As the blur took over, Mike's eyes shot wide open. He finds himself on his knees holding a brush and paper.
There was ink spilled on his robe but the paper and brush were untouched. He looked around in confusion. The luxurious and unfamiliar room was still as messy as before but seemed to have shifted into a different type of mess.
He dropped his items in shock.
That wasn't him right?
But now he's dirty…
As he was about to reach towards the sliding door, it opened by itself and there was a servant standing in front of him.
"Prince Kioshi!" He quickly bowed his head.
"I got told to deliver some fresh, light clothes... And then bring you to your mother."
Once more, Mike couldn't hear a thing, too distracted when he noticed the twitching ears of a dog above the servant's head.
"Are those.." The prince's hand reached to grab onto an ear, giving it a quick rub.
The servant stood still.
"I don't want them."
"But-"
"I want a long sleeved shirt... And long pants that stay smoothly without sticking onto my body."
Mike was sure that's all he needed, the boots were fine.
"But those are.. sleeping attire... Your mother won't be happy, please reconsider!"
"I'll manage."
That response dismissed any future objections and the servant began shaking.
Mike turned away, closing the door behind him, his hands shivering as he looked at them in disbelief.
Holy... Why does this scare me! Those ears were real...
He took heavy breaths, yet his heart kept pounding wildly. No, it pounded too much.
Mike fell onto his knees gripping his chest. It's scary… The fear obstructed his throat and the panic took over his body.
"Remember, slow and steady breaths."
Those soft words rang like a faint memory as he could finally soothe the stress. After some time calming down, he finally managed to let out a nervous laugh.
He felt like himself.
He let out a beaming smile as confidence took over. If this is a dream, he won't be alone in it!
A knock came from the door. He quickly threw it open only to find the set of clothes he requested.
He put them on in no time, throwing his tainted robe in a corner of the already enough messy chamber.
Nice and simple! There were some thin golden lines of gold silk around the turtle neck of the shirt, but everything else was plain white.
He did his best huh? I'll give him that! I really do look like I just got up from a nap!
He walked out the door and began to roam searching for his mother, until he inevitably got lost.
"This all looks the same…"
"BROTHER!" a gallop began to make its way towards Mike, almost tackling him down in the process of hugging him after a leap.
"Are you looking for Mama! Stay with me!"
Its voice was squeaky and whiny, nothing like a centaur, but he is a kid…
"Don't run away again…"
Tears began to well up as the kid started to grip onto his pants so tightly they almost tore.
"I won't run!" Prince Kioshi dropped onto his knees, extending his arms for a proper hug.
The kid was frozen, standing still.
Brother has never initiated a hug first.
But it's an opportunity he didn't let slip. He practically threw himself into his brother's arms, who quickly picked him up, supporting his lower body with his other arm.
"Is this comfortable?" "YES!"
"Okay, let's find her together." "Her?"
That word simply passed as Mike turned around and began making his way through the indistinguishable corridor, the little centaur navigating him.
While they took their leave, a little shadow from afar peeked out the corner in silence before vanishing away.
It didn't take them long before finding the right room. "I'm here." The little brother still in his arm, Mike announced himself, his mundane voice barely reaching the door before they immediately opened themselves.
How fancy! Reminds me of my old place… He got lost in his confused thoughts for a second before he finally came back to reality.
As he walked in, he saw the same frail man with the bruises on his legs he saw when he came to the palace for the first time. This time, he was seated upon a plush cushion and not on the back of the centaur. It's my mother..?
"Kioshi. Why did you take Huro with you?"
"He was lonely."
"Get him out."
"I don't think so."
The room felt heavy. The servants who were ready to receive orders, standing still around the room, raised their heads in shock at the cheeky retort.
Huro clung onto Kioshi's clothes but his mother's smile froze.
"What's with your clothes?"
"The ones you offered were stuffy."
Truth be told, Mike never even took a look at them. He just didn't want it to be another damm kimono!!
"We have guests, leave Huro. And go now and change!" His voice was high pitched and demanding but Mike decided to sit down onto the cushion opposite of him instead of listening.
Huro was buried deep in his arms, staying quiet.
"What is it that you called me for?" Mike asked bluntly.
He didn't intend to back down. No. Even the opposite. Whatever this life is, it's his.
"I told you… guests are coming. Your boots should at least fit your sleepy attire."
With a sigh, the sophisticated man backed down.
Huro was giddy in his arm, unaware of the tension, but Mike held him steady.
"It's what I preferred." Mike was blunt and when their eyes met, there was a spark his mother could not recognise.
"Kioshi-"
"Your Majesty, they're here!" A guard politely stated after entering the room. The mother of Huro could only grip onto the cup he was holding while responding calmly.
"I see, bring them in."
His eyes met Mike's in a challenge, but Mike was long past his obedient phase.
Heavy steps began to approach the door, including hooved ones.
Must be my father... This mother is an ass.
Huro began to cling onto him more tightly, burying his face into the thin fabric.
I guess as a centaur, you don't really wear clothes… He quietly observed Huro's lack of attire.
Mike turned back to face the small delegation of larger men who came in. The first was his father. His eyes were filled with disapproval, but this loud mouth can't be starting a shouting match with company over.
Another man walked in after the big centaur. The hair of this guest was fully covering his eyes, just like these twins Mike assumed to also be his brothers. Wait, that's not also a family member right!?
Medium length ruffled black hair, horns and wings sticking out, but they look demonic. His horns bent curved and sharp... but feathery wings... hair reaching only his shoulders, no… not family.
He began to check every detail, until the man approached him and gracefully kneeled, snapping him out of his observation.
"I am the royal Zikan, from the Shibu nation." His hand extended gracefully. The lack of clothes was clear as his chest was fully exposed, except a line of furr over his shoulders. He also wore heavy pants and boots similar to Mikes, simply much larger and thicker.
Mike instinctively moves one hand away from Huro for the man to take. A rough kiss was then placed onto his palm, before Zikan got up from his kneel with a soft release.
His hand fell limply back onto Huro as the gentleman vanished out of sight to take a seat.
I won't… survive this....
A beauty unlike any other, purely made of water, approached Mike. His hair was flowing like an endless waterfall and his clothes were made with the most outstanding glow of light. As he lowered his head, his water hair dangled. It easily reached down to his chest. It was smooth and thin, despite being made of water.
"I, Prince Cassiel, must hereby humbly apologise for my displeasing appearance. I attempted to meet the human standard as best as I could with my limited capabilities..." His glossy hand raised to grab Mike's hand, placing it onto the cool watery surface of his face.
"I must beg your pardon."
Mike wasn't sure whether to retreat or dunk his fingers in. He's never seen anything like this before… He was so surprised he was beyond shock anymore. His mouth was slightly left agape. The creature's slender fingers then raised to carefully close his mouth…
"I must not stay too close to your majesty, I do not wish to wet the refreshing glow of your attire..."
With the fingers leaving, so did Mike's sanity.
That was a pure man… of water... But he had so many features… sculpted by the very ocean he was raised by for sure... His eyes chased the man's form for just a bit longer before they swished away to take a seat.
Prince Kioshi's mom was wise, the men he picked were specifically made to be impossible to refuse. His eyes gleamed knowingly on him while Mike could barely contain his confusion and desire.
Another man approached Mike after Cassiel. Huro shook his clothes to snap him out of it. A real wingman…
Mike held his breath. Okay, I'm gonna take in every detail now!
When he moved his gaze, he was met with a rough looking dude. His eyes lacked pupills and they were gleaming red, his long hair was unkempt, and of a shade of black that could swallow the light. They mercilessly covered his back and almost half his face, hanging loosely off his shoulders.
SHIVERS!!
He looks scary enough, let alone that white scaly tail following right behind him. Its spikes could kill!!!
Mike was left frozen as the man kneeled.
"I am no prince, simply a Sailor. I am here with the favour of the current ruler. Please do not feel pressured by me. You may call me Kier."
Mike's heart immediately fluttered as he extended his hand. Once they met, the other party could see the huge size difference.
W-wait...
Mike got up, Huro following in his arms. Huro has been sitting so obediently still that the prince's only noticed it now!
"What's the matter?" Huro's quiet voice echoed through the hall as their father eyebrow twitched at the revelation of his presence.
"What are you doing, Kioshi?" His mother spoke with a stern voice, but Mike approached Kier without a care.
When close enough, he took a better look at their size difference. Sure enough he had some fancy clothes and defined muscles BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
WHY THE HELL IS HE SO HUGE!?
Mike used his eyes to measure but he stood tall, way too tall. Mike reached his chest only through standing on his tiptoes! And that's not counting the size of this man himself! He's built! WHAT THE HELL IS HE!?
"Is something the matter?" His voice rang low, sending Mike a step back. He turned away with a huff.
"Nothing... Please take a seat, I apologise for my indecency."
Not even his mother could tell what was going through his head. He merely glanced at his son with doubt hidden from his perfect face.
Mike turned to the final person.
A beastman...
His eyes were glowing, his furr looked so soft! The beastman stood tall with merely a thin layer of fabric used as pants.
"Prince Amon. I hope my appearance has not startled you." He goes on one knee making himself look smaller than that huge boulder earlier.
"I understand in your solitude you have not gotten the chance to meet Beastmen. Despite looking like an animal, we are far from it."
The introduction was clear and his voice carried it so smoothly, Mike almost felt himself turn into jello.
It's been so long since I have met so many people before.. It's been so long. It's been so.. long.
Mike's hand was lifted and a soft furry kiss was placed at his fingertips.
He looks like a tiger beastman but I feel like there's something I'm not grasping... His fur looks beautifully striped, with nice shades of grey black and white, like a weird tiger. But there's horns on his head. They look like gazelle horns.. what is he? There's also excess fur on his ears almost making them look triangular.. Siberian tiger with horns?
"I am grateful." The beastman's ears perk up at Mike's sudden comment.
"I've closed myself off for so long I am quite afraid of even making a mistake of your unique men's species."
Huro raises his head to gaze at the odd beastman as well.
"If anything, you've helped put my heart at ease. Even if unconventional, you have reminded me of two beautiful animals I loved as a child, it makes my heart feel much more at peace knowing there's something I can recognise and think of."
The room fell silent as the beast man's jaw was slightly agape in surprise.
Everyone was now curiously observing the prince.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!!" He quickly turns away to take a seat at his cushion while Huro nuzzled back into his chest.
"I've kept you not only standing, but listening as well for far too long. Please, take a seat."
Where'd all this come from!! I felt so fancy! It came so smoothly.. but that totally was out of character.
The beastman left to take a seat and that concluded everyone's presentation.
Everyone who made Mike's head dizzy!
"I hope you understand that this is simply preparation for what's soon to come…" his mom snapped him out of it until their eyes met.
He could not recognise his son's eyes, they were filled with mischief. Even if he didn't smile, his eyes might as well have shaped his mouth into a mischievous grin.
"I am counting on it..." He responds curtly, his body leaning forth.