“Axxi!” He froze on hearing his name, his body half out the side door used by servants. But the voice didn’t belong to anyone from the castle; rather, it belonged to his friends, who were running over with a leather ball and big smiles.
“Shush!” The group giggled as Axxi hurriedly pushed them away from the door, still anxiously checking for any watchful eyes. Only when the walls were a while behind him did he relax, to the continuous enjoyment of his friends.
“Your ma is just a cook right? Why she be so strict about goin’ outside? You ain’t even a noble.”
“I dunno, she just hates the town.” The casual dialect slipped easily out of his mouth, along with the lie. No one knew he was the prince - how were they supposed to know, when even his existence was a rumor? He has never even left the castle once officially, so the townspeople doubted the king had a son. But Axxi was grateful for this secrecy for once, as it meant he could talk to other kids without them shying away because of his status. He could pretend to be like one of them.
“Whatever, let’s play!” He jumped up and kicked the ball out of his friend’s hand, leading to angry shouts and a fierce game of tag. They tackled each other and the ball flew right at Axxi’s face at one point. This would have never happened if they knew he was the prince. Which was why he loved it. There was nothing gentle about how they treated each other, nothing wrapped up in formality and respect. They were all equals here.
***
Sneaking back was probably harder than trying to leave. He couldn’t predict if he was discovered to have left, and the dirt on his clothes was hard to explain. A prince should not, did not, roll around on the ground. Plus his clothes resembled the commoners’ dressed. So he had to change quickly, and put the, admittedly stolen, outfit back into the laundry as if it were someone else's. Axxi found his way back to his room, and opened the door, yawning and tired from all the running. He froze mid-stretch, seeing his parents sitting sternly at his table, their gazes sharp.
“You left the castle.” It wasn’t a question. Axxi could feel his protest die before it was even said. He obediently sat opposite them, head hanging low, and his mind braced for whatever was to come.
“You know there are people after you, so why do you insist on leaving?”
Because I’m always alone in the castle and there’s no one to talk to or play with.
“The moment our enemies catch you, we’re all in danger, do you understand that?”
You mean your enemies.
“Until you can show that you’re in control of your powers, you’re not going anywhere.”
How could I control it if I can’t even practice using it?
There was no purpose in arguing when his parents were this upset. He knew they were concerned about the safety of him and the kingdom, but couldn’t he have at least one friend?
***
Axxi sat in his garden, a miniature park filled with animals. It was dark, so everyone was asleep, and the lack of wind made the scene before him like a picture - quiet and still. He came here often, especially when he was troubled, since this place calmed his mood. He could watch the animals play, or he could look at the night sky, as he was doing now. But coming didn’t solve the problem he now had: his parents decided placing more guards on all the exits were the solution to his tendency to leave. And they had threatened that if he was caught departing, they would ensure he would be watched by guards, for all hours of the day. What was he to do now? Axxi knew he would go mad if he stayed inside. Couldn’t they give him someone to talk to rather than restrict him more?
Something rustled the bushes, and he looked, curious if one of his pets were awake. But instead of an animal, a stranger stood there, leaving the hedges. The prince immediately thought of his two options: talk to the stranger, or call the guards. But his interest in the stranger overcame any concerns that this person was an enemy of father’s - they looked like someone his age, and not an all an adult. He couldn’t help but wonder if the stars had answered his wish, and gave him a friend. He stood up and approached them, though carefully, to not look so eager. The first thing he noticed about them was their beauty, noticeable even at night, and secondly their calmness, even though they were here, trespassing in the prince’s garden.
“Who are you?” He asked, giving them a warm smile in encouragement.
~Writing by FluffyBirdie
-Growth By Aey
-Design by Kyo(aka nursery batch)
Edits
Standard - shine, tooth
Common - backmane, tail, fur, hair
Uncommon - tongue, pupil, ears
Rare - Glow, extra eyes
Legendary - smoke