Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 8:18 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone gave a loving smile, “I’m glad that we have them. Our little miracles.” She thought about the older kids and she shook her head, “They aren’t allowed off the island. Maybe Rex…” She was stubborn, “I’ve never had grandchildren before.” She closed her eyes. “Maybe we should build them a little cottage. Keep Lucas and Ezili close. I would miss the storytime with Lucas.”

The mother laid there for a moment and she sat up and looked at Lewis, “That’s good. He’s only human Lewis so we have a limited time with him.” She took his hand. “And… I am sure that he would like to meet Janus and Lila too. He seemed to really love your mother. Whoever… stole you. Together we are stronger than they are anyways.”

She turned her gray eyes to him, “Do you like that idea? We can go together.” She knew he wasn’t promising anything and she squeezed his hand. “If we put it off though we’ll never do it.” The enemies would find out that they were married with children no matter what they did… They showed them around Vilpamolan.

“We’ll just have to be more careful in the second house. That’s all.” She rolled over and kissed his cheek. “Let’s get ready then. No time like the present,” she nudged him lightly. “Besides… Three… Two…”

There was ungodly screaming coming from the nursery as Simone gave a face. “Your children are hungry.” So much for a peaceful morning.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 8:09 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

“And Lila has your stare,” Lewis responded as he ate more of the breakfast that Simone had made. “She gives this incredulous look whenever I do anything remotely funny. She tries so hard not to laugh…” He smirked. “It’s cute…” He laid back in the bed, and let out another yawn as he stretched.

“Ezili is the happiest I’ve seen her lately….Lucas is well on his way to becoming a scholar at the rate he’s going. Kid’s a genius. Rex…” The assassin shrugged. “Well, I’m sure he’ll manage just fine. Soon, they’ll want to leave and be out on their own. Fiori and Mira won’t be far behind…” He wasn’t sure why he was bringing all of this up now.

“We’ve done a lot of good for them…” He stood up finally, and started to get dressed in some of his more casual clothes. “I…think I’ll meet with him. Roma…” He gave Simone a look. “I can’t promise anything…but…” He wondered what it would be like to lose Janus or Lila…assuming they were dead all this time, only to discover that they had somehow survived.

“He deserves at least that much…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:54 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

There was a laugh and a snort as she tried to contain herself as he sat up. “Just a thank you,” she chimed in as he smiled. “I’m glad you like them…” She kissed his forehead and plopped by him. “I haven’t eaten, I’m not hungry,” she shook her head. Her body was weird and some days she was hungry and some days she wasn’t. She did eat to keep her strength up when she needed to though and she found herself looking out the window. “Should have seen Rex’s face when he caught me carrying them. Baskets full of them. I stole the laundry baskets,” she chuckled. “Hopefully, the maids aren’t too upset.” She stuck her tongue out lightly.

She kicked her feet off the side bed in a relaxed state as she thought, “I’ll eat after I feed the babies… How about that?” She knew he worried about her. “They were up for a little bit but I managed to get them to go back to sleep without feeding them. You know them… Little gluttons.”

Simone rubbed at her breasts and made a face, “They got teeth now you know? They are biting. This is the worst part of it,” she complained before throwing herself backwards and looking up at him. “I suddenly feel bad for that wet nurse we had for Everett and Alshaya… She had to deal with them both,” she chuckled a bit more. She settled into the flowers and closed her eyes.

“Janus… He has your smile you know. Also your tolerance for crowds.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:41 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis was half conscious as Simone helped him get ready for bed, and the moment he hit the sheets, he drifted away. He fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of a beautiful garden with Simone at its center, her voice ringing out as she read more poetry. The children were all there, relaxing in the garden. Ezili and Lucas were leaning against each other, sitting on an ornate, stone bench. Alshaya and Everett were chasing each other through the lavender peonies, their laughter echoing. Janus and Lila were beside Simone in a cradle, gently being rocked. Fiori was dancing with a handsomely dressed squirrel in the perfect shades of green, a content look about her face, while Mira was talking to her ‘friends’, trying to show them how important it was to listen to their mother. Even Rex was there, lazing about behind Simone, resting in front of a beautiful fountain with a statue of a night phoenix rising from below…

The dream was wonderful, but it had to end. He stirred at the real Simone’s voice, and he opened his eyes. Waking up to her this way was…different. The bed felt so soft and comforting, and he was well rested. He yawned, and sat up, noticing that flowers had started to fall off of him.

“W-what’s this?” he asked, confused as he looked around. “One hundred flowers…” He didn’t have to count. He looked at her as she put the tray of breakfast at his night stand. “What…what is all of this?” he asked again. There was a smile spreading across his face. He took a bite of the eggs that she had made.

It was true that they were not as good as Silva’s, but they were still delicious. If anything, the love that she poured into them was more important than the taste. “They’re amazing, Simone…” He once again looked at Simone.

“What about you…have you eaten yet?”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:23 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone smiled and nuzzled his face softly. “I’ll give you a hundred flowers every day,” she sang to him and she snuggled him. “A hundred flowers every day as a thank you~” The life they had wouldn’t have happened had it not been for Lewis going to Angela. Their children… Their twins… Their marriage. She kissed the top of his head. “You’ll wake up covered in them.”

She got them out of the bath, dried them, and snuggled up in bed. “I love you more than anything… Ever.” She repeated it but didn’t get as far as him as she drifted off to sleep. In the morning, just before first light, Simone snuck out of bed easily enough.

She put on her nightdress and her robe and left the room leaving the door wide open. Lewis was out like a light and it was that good deep sleep he only got when he was home. Once morning light was up for an hour or two Simone came upstairs with a breakfast tray with food and a glass of juice. “Lewis, honey wake up.”

What he would find though was… a hundred wildflowers covering him. “I made you breakfast. It’s probably not the greatest thing in the whole world. I’m still not the best cook ever, something about not honing the skills and practicing it.” She winked at him. “Silva is better than I am but I figured you would appreciate it more if I did it for once.”

She came over to his side of the bed and set the food down on the nightstand he had.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:14 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

It was a touching moment between the two, and one that they rarely had like this. Lewis was exhausted, and drifting off as they spoke, but he was hanging off of every word she said, barely holding on. “It’s so hard to focus on the good, isn’t it?” he said sleepily. “There was once this girl that we rescued from a life of slavery…she was to be sold to a noble and used for…gods could only know what. She couldn’t have been much older than Fiori…”

“I think…her name was Emma. A lot of the boys in the guild found her cute, but…she came to me with a flower. Flowers were hard to come by on Hoja…but she found one, and picked it for me. I didn’t know at the time what it meant…” He opened his eyes, and smiled at Simone. “It was a thank you…” He closed his eyes again, and nuzzled closer to Simone. “Xeik had me put the flower in a leftover ink jar, and put water in it. I hadn’t the slightest idea what to do with it…but…”

“It made me happy.” He hadn’t told anyone this. Ever. When he was younger, he saw it as a weakness, but now…

“I’ll share every happy moment with you, Simone…” He yawned. “Because I love you more than anything…more than life itself. Beyond death…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:00 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone listened and smiled as she moved her hand to pet his hair. It was a soft stroke and she actually laughed a bit. “The town of Benin thinks we hate each other by the way,” there was a smirk on her face. “I never realized it was because we spend most of our time communicating through the link. Even when we are just joking or saying I love you. We talk in front of the kids but after that… You know?” She wrapped herself around him and kissed the top of his head.

“You can hear my voice whenever you want though… You can just ask me and I’ll always find something to say even if it’s just a poem or two.” She sank into the water and leaned against the side of the tub.

“I… realized that we go forward so much without ever talking about the past that eventually it all catches up. Like the situation with Llywellyn… You never knew he even existed or that he was a safe person. You don’t know about my life before I became like this. Sometimes I don’t know if you would like to hear it… but then I realized how little I know of you two before the second dream dive. How much we actually don’t talk or know about each other.”

She pulled him closer and closed her eyes. “Even though we know each other we don’t actually know about each other. We know what we’ve made and how we are but not how we got there. Not really. Maybe we do need to spend more time talking about it so we stop getting so… slapped in the face by our pasts?” She found it hard to phrase it because it wasn’t like it was a bad thing. “Not everything in my past was bad. Not really. There are lots of good memories that just get hidden but if I focus I am sure I can find them and share them with you. Will you do the same with me?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:52 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis thought on how best to answer. At first, he wanted to just show her what it was like, but he hesitated. They relied so much on thought instead of words, but there was something special about speaking to one another that he didn’t quite get from their mental interactions.

“It felt like you, but…it wasn’t. I knew she wasn’t you, but the way she spoke and acted was something that the old you would have done.” Lewis furrowed his brow. It was so hard to explain. “It’s not making sense…it was like…a memory of you, but mixed with the current you. Whatever spell they used drew a basic scenario, but pulled a lot of the intricacies from my memories…” He ruffled his own hair.

“I don’t get it. It’s too hard to explain.” He sighed. “It made me realize…we rarely talk. We take advantage of our bond, and by no means do I think there’s a problem with that, but…” He thought for a moment. “I like hearing your voice. Sometimes, it’s more soothing than a thought…” He moved over to where she was, and floated into her lap, curling up against her chest.

“It’s like being intimate. Feeling the warmth of your skin instead of seeing it…” He closed his eyes. “Does that make sense?”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:44 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone smirked at all the children who piled on their father. They knew what would make him happy. She stood back with Janus who was watching the utter chaos. Like Lewis, Janus looked up at his mother and just clung to her instead.

It took nothing to get the twins down for bed. They were almost instantly tuckered from the excitement in the room. Simone hovered over their crib and sang a light lullaby for them. Out like lights, easy as pie. She closed the door with Lewis and they headed to their room.

Sinking into the tub with him she smiled up at him. It was odd to feel him searching her memories, it was something he had never done before with her. Did he finally want to know more? She looked a bit shocked as he continued on and finally she just smirked. “You’ve learned a lot. You’ve never asked before… Where the names for the children came from.”

She took his face and kissed him. “You should have seen my face when I found them though… I loved them but I love you more.” She snuggled into him and relaxed. “Alshaya was the name of a weeping willow in a poem about a man who loved his tree. He protected her all his life and he named her Alshaya. When he finally died he got to meet the spirit of the tree who loved her name. Alshaya was born of love… Perfect for our Alshaya.”

Simone closed her eyes a bit, “Fiori means flowers… After the island and all the hard work, we put into it. Our life is a bouquet after all of many different things. Different experiences, people… All flowers in some way. Our Ezili was named after a Goddess of Benin in a story, I told you that though. Fiori though is the only one not named after a story or a poem but if you think about it… Flowers are the language of love… A language we speak pretty well,” she tilted her head back and looked up at him. “Even if it isn’t out loud… No one loves like we love.” She took his hands in her own and squeezed them.

“You talked to her… In your illusion. How was it?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:32 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Roma was reluctant to let this opportunity slide, but when he saw how genuine Simone was, and how much Lewis didn’t want to be there, he finally relented. As the two left, Xeik and Roma started discussing a many heavy topic, which also included the man’s safety as well as the safety of those whom he had affected.

“It’s gonna be a long night,” Xeik said.

–

When Lewis came through the portal, Lucas and Ezili were both happy to see him. Even Rex in the corner perked up, happy that his adoptive father had come home. They all wanted to ask what had happened, but the look that Simone gave them was one of ‘not now,’ and they backed off.

As Lila was handed to him, his entire mood and demeanor shifted, and it was all smiles and snuggled from him to his wonderful daughter. Fiori, Everett, and Alshaya came up to him as well, and it was suddenly a cuddle pile on top of their father, all of them happy to have him home. As Simone asked if they wanted to go upstairs, the older children scattered, hearing that a talk was needed. He nodded, and put his nose to Lila’s.

“Let’s…” The two put Lila and Janus to sleep, and moments later, they were sinking into the warm bathwater. Lewis let out a deep, relaxed sigh as the water soaked into his weary form.

He was quiet for a moment as he shut his eyes. Simone felt something…strange, as if he were searching her memories. Finally, he smiled, and without opening his eyes, started to speak.

““Stay, I said
to the cut flowers.
They bowed
their heads lower.

Stay, I said to the spider,
who fled…”

He said aloud the remainder of the poem, and a few others, the last being of nightingales who hid amongst lavender peonies. He opened his eyes, eager to see what her face looked like.

“A poem, by Everett Booker, right?” he said. “Or what about Janus Webb’s, Lila?” Lewis sighed. “We know the most intimate things about each other, yet there are still new things for us to learn about each other. Your love of poetry…and my knack for surprises…” There was a sad look on his face.

“It got ruined. But…I’m not mad. It lead you straight to me…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:13 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone looked between her husband and her father-in-law. She took a big breath and got between them. Maybe, someday when Lewis wasn’t being overwhelmed… They could talk. “He’s just overwhelmed.” For once, Simone had a very soft smile on her face. “It’s obvious that we have enemies near you too now. He’s apprehensive probably not only because he didn’t know about you but also because we have children.” He could at least know that much. “We only have our twins that would be a blood relation to you but… Just know they exist and that we’re protecting them. If they found out they existed can imagine how much pain we would have?”

She crossed her arms and it was one of the few times that Simone was being soft in front of others. “I know how my father would react in this situation. He would be happy to know I was alive and that I have wonderful children and a lovely spouse. I’m not saying that we can’t in the future produce something… but for now… for THEIR safety… We need to stay away.”

Her gray eyes were staring into Roma’s. “I’m sure you would have done the same with Leto if it meant she could live. It’s going to hurt but… This is the best option for everyone right now. I would put the papers in a safe place and pretend we never made it this far. Enemies are around.” She looked at Xeik.

“I’m… going to take Lewis home. Will you be okay? To go get Yelena and Rhenakos?” He had been through too much… She wanted to get him home now. The portal was quick to open and Simone gently moved Lewis through. The twins were right there to greet him. They were sitting up on the floor with some blocks. Ezili wasn’t too far from them and they released squeals as soon as they saw Lewis and Simone.

“Hey, you little monsters,” Simone came in and swooped them both up closing the portal behind her. “We got it from here,” she smiled at Ezili who left. She handed Lila to Lewis, “Wanna go upstairs? Put the twins down for a nap? Bath?” She kissed his forehead. “You said we had to talk.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:57 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

The father, Roma, made it very clear that he was in no way offended at the way Simone acted. If anything, he was impressed that there was someone who had so much devotion for Lewis. The fact that Lewis looked so much like his mother was all the proof he needed that his son was well and alive.

Xeik made the decision that, between the three of them, they could handle a single man, and released the sands that were binding him. At once, Roma was up, and looking at Lewis with a variety of mixed emotions.

“You’re creeping me out,” Lewis said, taking a step back.

“My wife passed away a few years ago, but…well, we never truly loved each other. It was an arranged thing…” he said, almost as if he had been asked.

“I really don’t care,” the assassin replied. “I’d rather just go home now.”

Roma seemed to ignore him, and continued. “There was a maidservant…Leto. I won’t bore you with the details, but…we loved each other very much, and you were the result of that. I…made a lot of enemies throughout my life, and somehow they found out about Leto and you. And…”

Xeik sighed. “She was killed. A tale as old as time…” He looked to Lewis, who was rolling his eyes. “So, the question is…what’s going on now? Why has this all been brought to light? If they had just let Lewis be, nothing would have changed, and-”

Lewis cleared his throat. “Look…I don’t really care who, or why. I’m going home. And then I’ll track down the bastards who did this. And then I’ll kill them. It’s simple. Elegant.” It was clear that he was getting annoyed.

“The fact that you’re still alive is…” Roma was still in awe. “I have so much to tell you. And I want to know how you’ve been! What you’ve been doing! You have a loving wife, and one with a hell of a right hook,” he said with a chuckle. “I just want to-”

“I’d take it easy there,” Xeik said as a warning. “Lewis isn’t the kind of man to be sentimental like that.”

That caused Roma to frown. “Ah…I see. He has gone his entire life without me…I cannot blame him for wanting nothing to do with me at this point.”

“Good, can we go now?” Lewis replied hastily.

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:02 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone looked almost hurt when she was pushed away. Something was most definitely wrong especially since they couldn’t feel each other. Simone held up her hands when Xeik commanded her not to move, “I’m not.” He was done with the whole thing and she wasn’t about to disobey not with Lewis clearly alright now.

Once the resonance was back online it was clear from the exhale that Simone did. Her worry, her love, and all of her care rushed over Lewis like a vast ocean. She missed him greatly. She hugged him tightly and kissed him once more. “We do?” She smirked at him and kissed him again. “I love you too…” She had forgotten about the presents for now, all she needed was Lewis.

Simone looked at Lewis and then back at Xeik. “I might be able to fill it in. Now that I’m understanding the situation a bit more from Lewis’s memories. I can’t hear anything that was said but just from how I look… The information they have on Lewis is very old. It was from back when I first arrived in the tower after Lewis killed me the first time…” She corrected herself. “First three times?” She couldn’t keep track. “So… They have no idea we’re even married now. Or about the children… It could have gotten much worse had they figured that out… Which means our track covering has worked.” She was pleasantly surprised and happy at how much they had managed to hide.

Her color drained, “That… means I was slapping my father-in-law…” She facepalmed immediately and hid her face into Lewis’s chest. “I can explain!” She held out her hands. “I just get very, very upset when my husband disappears. Our bond is unique. I can feel him at all times… and I felt him go missing. So… when they said that this was where they took him I just assumed that you were the one who kidnapped him and I just reacted… I’m very, very protective over Lewis.”

…They couldn’t begin to understand how much their love.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:40 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis was extremely confused at what was going on. Why was Simone here? And she was older than the other one, but somehow this one felt different, more real, closer than the one in his heart. But there was also the man who was supposedly his father, but instead of that commanding presence that he held before, he was acting as though he had seen a ghost.

“Okay,” he said as he pushed Simone off of him and drew a dagger. “Everyone needs to start talking, now. What the fuck is going on!”

Simone looked at him, “What do you mean? We’ve come to find you!” She looked back to Xeik, once more commanding him to fix Lewis.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” Lewis said as he drew a dagger. “First, this man over here tells me to go get documents, but then he’s here? And Simone was there, but she wasn’t you, and-”

Xeik rolled his eyes, “Oh for fuck’s sake.” He threw out the Divine Sands, and they slammed into Lewis, pinning him to the walls. Lewis struggled against it, glaring at Xeik. The older man who kept acting like Lewis’ father started to move, and Xeik tossed sands his way as well, tying him down to a chair. The Divine Mender looked to Simone with angry eyes. “Don’t you dare move, or I’ll knock you out.”

He moved to Lewis, and examined him. “He’s under a powerful illusion spell. Not sure the origin. Easiest method is…” He tools his fingers to Lewis’ neck, as well as several pressure points in his arms and legs. At once, both Simone and Lewis felt each other. The powerful magic they shared washed over Lewis, disrupting the spell.

“Now…are you going to stay calm?” Xeik asked Lewis.

“If I must…” Lewis said as he was let down. The first thing he did was go over to Simone, and give her a loving embrace. “I’m sorry…there’s a lot that’s happened…” He nuzzled her for a moment. “We have a lot to talk about…” There was a genuine smile from him. “I love you>”

Xeik rolled his eyes, “Not the time.” He turned his attention to the older man. “Start talking. Name. Occupation. And what the hell do you keep saying to Lewis.”

The man was still staring at Lewis. “You look like Leto…your mother.”

Lewis looked at him with an incredulous look. “My mother died a long time ago…”

“Yes. She was killed…and I thought you were killed as well. That was what I was told…” He cleared his throat. “My name is Roma Granados. And…I think I may have an idea as to what is happening…” Roma looked to his desk. “In there is my will and testament…I do believe that it may explain some things.”

Lewis walked over, and pulled up the documents, reading over them. “It looks like here that you’ve nullified your children’s inheritance.” He looked to Roma. “What does this have to do with me?”

“Well, Lewis…” He looked the assassin in the eyes. “You’re my son. And the way the will is phrased…”

Lewis looked back to the documents. “Wait. It just excludes a few names. Says everything is left to a living relative, but it doesn’t have a specific name. That would mean that-”

Xeik crossed his arms. “If it could be proven that Lewis is your son, then the inheritance goes straight to him.” The healer shook his head. “But how. If everyone thought he was dead. There’s no way you could have tracked him down.” There was a sigh. “No…that’s a lie. There’s probably a hundred different ways to do it. It’s less on how at this point, and more that they did…”

The assassin threw up his hands. “What the fuck does this even mean?”

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:16 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

“Xeik. XEIK. You fucking let me go,” she was fighting with all of her might but all of her might still made her less strong than Xeik was. “I’m finding Lewis. I don’t fucking care what I have to d–”

The moment that Lewis broke into the room Simone was instantly done fighting. “Lewis!” Simone’s face instantly lit up and the fire stopped having a tantrum. Xeik let Simone go the moment she started to fight him again knowing she was okay. “I was so worried,” Simone ran over and she instantly took her face in her hands and kissed him repeatedly. “I still can’t feel you though…”

She looked at Xeik, “Fix it.”

She was so focused she didn’t see the man getting closer to him. “STAY AWAY FROM US,” she hissed as she took hold of Lewis and the fire exploded from the fireplace. Xeik grabbed the man to pull him back.

“You look just like your mother,” the man said and Simone paused her anger as she held Lewis tightly.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:09 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

The whole thing was confusing, but Lewis had no other choice but to go through with the job. Perhaps the documents that he would be stealing would pull things into a clear view. It wasn’t his usual type of job, but if it was his ‘father’ asking, it was an important job. Still, as he snuck through the area and made his way towards the office where the inheritance paperwork was being held, he couldn’t help but feel as though this job were completely wrong.

It was when he found himself outside of the office, that he realized that he could hear a woman arguing with a man in the next room. It was easy enough, either eliminate them both or wait until they left. Since this involved inheritance, that meant that it was important to leave people alive, lest it cause legal issues down the way. Lewis scoffed. Much slower. He frowned.

“WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!?” the voice yelled.

Lewis cocked his head to the side. The voice sounded familiar, but before he could try to identify it, he felt a presence coming towards the office. The assassin hid himself in the shadows, and a man darted into the room, one who looked panicked. Wait, is that…?

Lewis peeked into the open door, and his eyes widened at the sight that was happening before him. Xeik was there, pulling Simone off of the man who claimed to be his father. “What the hell is going on here?”

The three of them all stopped, with Simone’s eyes growing wide at the sight of her husband.

The older man looked shocked as well. “My gods…you look just like her…” His face paled. “You survived…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 3:31 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

The old man looked at Simone and shrugged before he looked towards Lewis, “I need you to steal some documents for me and hand them off to my other sons at the west airship dock. They are a set of inheritance notes and are of great importance. You’ll know your brothers by the fact they look like me. They already know about you Lewis, my boy. I’ll take care of Simone until then.” The rest of the details of the mission were given to him.

Simone was holding onto the book. She looked worried, “Lewis… I… You should sleep before the job. I’ll be safe until you are done.”

Lewis found himself drowsy. When he woke up he was in a room similar to the one he woke up to with Simone. He still had the anti-magic on him so he could do the job. There was no way they could have known about Simone.

It would be easy. Except something had gone wrong. Once he made it outside the room where the notes were being held… He found a particular scene. “Wait! I don’t know what you are talking about!! PLEASE,” the man from his dream was on the floor with a very pissed off Simone holding him by his collar.

“WHERE. IS. MY. HUSBAND?!” She slapped his face again. This man had her Lewis. Her rage was seething and it showed from the way the candles were almost breathing with her in the room.

Xeik burst through one of the office doors and grabbed Simone. He was attempting to restrain her the way he had been taught if necessary.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:56 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis looked between the two. Things were horribly wrong, but they were acting as though everything were normal. It’s either them, or me His memories were still in a haze, but things were starting to get clearer. There’s no way that this is real, but I guess I don’t have much to go off of. He crossed his arms.

“Sorry, father,” he said. “I…haven’t been feeling well today.” Simone had mentioned he was acting weird, so the excuse could work. The old man was talking about a job. Did that mean he took the place of Lord Raith? There’s no way I imagined him. Raith guided me to become the assassin I am today…that much is clear. He took me in…

“What’s the job?” Lewis asked finally. Does that mean I assassinate for this guy, who claims to be my father? There was the real question. Wait…the way everything else seems to be going…am I even an assassin here? Out of habit, he checked for his daggers, which were all where they should have been. He was hoping that even his hidden ones were still where they belonged. I at least have my weapons…I’ll play along for now. I don’t have much else to go off on.

Author: Simone, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:47 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone blinked at him a bit, “Kids?” The younger Simone let out a gasp as she kept up with Lewis. “Why… are we running? We don’t have any kids… Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Simone was confused by what was going on and she gave several different faces as she tried to think.

When they made it into the throne room Simone separated from Lewis for a moment, “You are scaring me, Lewis. You don’t remember? You brought me to your father’s tower and he told you that you could keep me here. Don’t you remember? He told you that he felt bad about your mother…”

She shouldn’t have said anything as she covered her mouth. “But you always get mad at me for asking about her.” She bowed to the older man. “I took a book from the library… Is that okay?”

“Did Lewis say it was?”

“Yes!” Simone’s eyes lit up.

“As long as you return it then…” The man looked down at his paperwork. “It is good timing that you are here though Lewis. I have a job for you.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:36 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis was surprised at how talkative she was. It was like a switch had been flipped, and she was opening up. What was more surprising though was the authors and names of poems she read off. I’ve not heard of those. But the names… That brought a genuine smile to his face as he stopped. It was taking a lot for him to control the emotions he was feeling. Those are the names of… His head was hurting, but he was close to an answer.

Janus. Lila. Everett. Alshaya. “Our kids…” He looked to Simone, his eyes wide. “Those are the names of our kids…” Things were slowly starting to click into place on why this didn’t feel right. “Quick, come with me. We need to hurry!” He ran past her, grabbing her arm. “Keep up.”

The entered the throne room where Lord Raith should have been, but there was a man sitting there instead. The man was just a little taller than Lewis, burt much wider. He was wearing a fancy looking coat, and had a small table with paperwork in front of him. His black hair was striped with silver, and he had a set of reading glasses. What was odd, though, was that he held himself much like Lewis would, with a piercing gaze.

“Who invited you here?” he asked harshly. “Oh…it’s you, Lewis. And Simone.” He nodded, pushing up his glasses. “Just in time.”

Lewis narrowed his gaze. “Who the hell are you, and where is Lord Raith?”

The man scoffed, “How dare you talk to your father like that.”

The assassin froze. “Wh-what? Who the fuck….I don’t…” He looked to Simone. “What the hell is happening here?” This isn’t real…this can’t be real…

Author: Simone, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:28 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone once more blushed and hid her face from him. He was being adorable now that she thought about it. He was missing some weight to him though, she could tell. Did he not eat a lot? She got excited as she carried the book with her.

As they walked the hallways he wasn’t ignoring her like normal. It was weird but not unwelcome. If anything it made him seem more human to her. She did a little run to catch up by his side and she thought about it. “I guess… I can’t remember the book it’s in but… There was a poem called Nightingale in the Peonies by Everett Brooker. It was all about a nightingale who hid in lavender peonies. Which is silly because… lavender peonies don’t exist. At least I don’t think they do… but I really like it. It's why peonies and lavender are my favorite flowers and color. There are a few others like Lila by Janus Webb but I don’t know it as well. I just know it was dedicated to his sister.”

She blushed a bit, "I haven't talked about it for a long time I feel… which is silly. I…" She felt her head a bit and shook her head. "It hurts to remember when the last time was."

Author: Dusk, Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:15 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

As she read aloud another poem, Lewis once again matched the prose, word for word, and as she finished, he looked away. What is this? Why do I know so much about you? I know you, but you’re unfamiliar. This isn’t the real you….

“You have a good voice,” Lewis said aloud. He looked back to her when she asked if he had found what he was looking for. He frowned. “No…no I haven’t. But I don’t think it’ll be here,” he said. The assassin sighed, and shook his head. The Simone that my heart remembers was not so quiet and timid. Yet, she was here. Why was that?

“You can take the book,” Lewis said as he walked towards the door. “Let’s get going. I’m going to introduce you to Lord Raith.” Maybe he knows what’s going on here. If anyone does, he should. As they traversed the halls, Lewis started to talk to Simone, almost casually. There was a strange, unfamiliar sensation to it, as though he lacked the capacity to form the words he was looking for. It was much easier to form thoughts of what he wanted to say, but not the words. It made his speech…awkward, at best.

“You know a lot about poems…” he said. There was a brief silence. “What…is your favorite? You rarely speak of things you enjoy…you only ask for hobbies.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:29 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

He was surprising her slowly. Maybe he had a fever. Before even a little noise had him agitated at her but now… She began to read again and he started to read with her. Her face flushed as she put her face closer to the book so she could continue to read it. He had the entire thing memorized like he had heard it a thousand times. It was impressive. She didn’t think a man like him would like poetry like this.

“You remember it?” She lowered the book and it showed her face in full flush and awe. “It’s like you’ve heard it a thousand times. You even-paced it with me…” She nervously pushed some of her hair behind her ear. “Are you messing with me, Lewis? I didn’t take you for a sappy poetry guy at all…”

Simone blushed a bit more and turned the page in the book,

“Stay, I said
to the cut flowers.
They bowed
their heads lower.

Stay, I said to the spider,
who fled…”

She continued to read the poem aloud and finally, she ended it and looked up at Lewis. “Did you… find what you were looking for? Do you think I can take this one with me? I like this one…” She turned it around after she closed it and rubbed her fingers against the cover.

It was the same book that she had purchased with Lucas. One that she had read to Lewis on several occasions. It had become her favorite.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:16 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Although lost in thought, he heard Simone start to read off poetry, and immediately his mind and focus was drawn to her. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sound of her voice. I missed this. He opened his eyes, looking confused. What is there to miss, though? We’ve never done this… When she stopped, though, he looked to her.

“No…not too loud at all,” he said as he stood up. “I didn’t mind it…” Lewis crossed his arms. “You can do whatever you want…”

Simone seemed hesitant at first, and then reopened the book, and started to read. Her voice sang out once more, and Lewis smiled.

“Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him….”


Lewis took a breath, matching her tone and cadence, and started finishing the remaining poem with her, his voice in resonance with hers. It was a rather long poem, and the words seemed to have a deeper meaning than first conveyed, but Lewis had memorized it. It had been something he loved doing…listening to her read. But when…?

“….Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!”

As they finished, Lewis looked to Simone. “I remember this one…” You read it to me while I was away…so very far away…you were sad I was gone, but we were still connected…

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:02 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone tilted her head at him confused. “How did you know that?” Was it just a good guess? Was he trying to just get in her head?

Once more he surprised her as he gave her a word of caution, “You are caring today. It’s weird.” She spoke in a soft voice as she moved away from him.

Going to a small section of books she started to thumb through it and she tilted her head as she came across a red book. It was bright red and it reminded her a lot of something… Blood?

“Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the even-song;
And, having pray'd together, we
Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
We die
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
Ne'er to be found again.”

Simone’s voice carried as she walked around with the book. She spun around on her heel going from page to page as she read. She peeked up from the book. “I’m not too loud am I?” What if he took her books away from her?

She best not annoy him too much.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:56 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

As they walked down the spiral staircase, Lewis answered her question. “The library is pretty big here. Bigger than most…” He paused as they hit the door, and smiled. “I know…you’ve always liked poetry and all of that sappy stuff…” It’s one of the more charming features you have. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Something was telling him that she wouldn’t believe it at the moment.

It didn’t take them long to get to the library, and to Lewis’ slight surprise, they didn’t seem to run into anyone that he could question during the transit. It didn’t change the end goal, though, and when they entered the library, Lewis noted that there wasn’t a soul in the room either. He frowned. Odd. He let out a sigh, and closed the door behind him. “Take your time. You’re free to explore to your heart’s content. Just…be careful. There are books here that can devour your life if you speak its name. Just…stick to what you can read in common, please…”

He walked over to one of the lounge chairs that faced the exit, and sat down. No one here. I don’t understand. Normally there’s at least a few people here…I think… His memories seemed transient at times. There were points where he could remember everything with perfect clarity, yet there were a lot of things that weren’t making sense.

Lewis groaned, ruffling his own hair. “This is so stupid…”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:45 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone made a pout face at him and crossed her arms tightly before looking out the window. “Why are you apologizing? That isn’t like you… Maybe you really are sick.” She sounded concerned for a second before switching it off. Why should she be concerned for someone who literally always threatened her? Why did he care about her now? She didn’t even know why he had her to begin with.

She perked up once he said he was taking her to the library. “Really? We can go?!” She got all excited but she hesitated when he offered her his hand. He had never done that before. He had just ordered her around. Simone was distant for a moment but she felt compelled to put her hand in his.

“Is the library here big?” She liked books. “I like to read. I like to read poetry.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:41 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis crossed his arms. “You’re acting rather bratty today, all I did was ask a question. Maybe I should just sew your mouth shut,” he said as his eyes narrowed. “So I suggest you watch your tone with me.” But why…? Would you normally speak to her like this? He sighed. “I must not be feeling well…I-I’m sorry for saying such a thing…” He closed his eyes. Was I really like this? How could I treat her like this? Whatever was happening right now was trying to push him back to his old ways, but there was a higher mind at work fighting against it.

“Let’s…get you to the library,” he said finally. Lewis needed more answers. Something was terribly wrong, but he couldn’t quite figure out what. He was starting to wonder if everything had been some sort of elaborate dream, and that when he awoke, he merely forgot it as one did.

But her smile. Did I dream it…? That was the most curious part. Somehow, he knew that this Simone was not quite the one that he knew in his heart. But…was the one he knew the true Simone? To the library… Perhaps he would meet someone along the way, and he could gather more answers that way.

Lewis reached out to take her hand, and pulled her off the window. “Let’s go.”

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:33 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Simone gave him a look like he mad. “The last thing we did? What do you mean? It’s been a week since you brought me here. We took a bath and you talked about finding solutions with someone.” She was curled up on the chair looking at him. “You got dresses made for me and made the dress man disappear.”

Her eyelashes batted at him. “Are you not feeling good? Maybe you should find a healer. I don’t want to die in here from starvation if you suddenly keel over.” She wasn’t normally so agitated but she got so whenever she had been bored.

She pulled her legs closer and looked back out the window. “Maybe you should take another job. Maybe that might make you feel better. You are even talking weird to me.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:29 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

Lewis opened his eyes, and bolted up, looking around. He had heard Simone calling his name. “Simone?” He looked at her, confused. Where am I? And why is Simone… His eyes widened. They were back in Raith’s temple, in his old tower. He looked at the younger Simone, who was complaining about the lack of things to do. What’s happening here? The world swayed for a moment, and he held his head.

Simone seemed annoyed at his lack of attention, and went over to the window. This gave Lewis some much needed time to think about the situation. I don’t understand what’s happening. How did I get here? He closed his eyes. What is the last thing I remember? He grimaced. I can’t….

He growled, getting annoyed. “Simone…what’s happening?” Lewis looked over to the girl. “Simone? Hello? Simone!” He snapped his fingers, which got her attention as she went off on the assassin.

“I need you to focus,” he snapped back. “What’s the last thing you and I did together?” Lewis was having issues grasping at memories. He was forgetting something important. Faces. Names. Locations…[.i] There was only one thing that he had a clear memory of. Simone.

Author: Simone, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:20 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

When Lewis woke up he found a younger Simone looking over him with a pout, “You can’t stay in bed all day LEWIS.” She said his name with sarcasm that was much like that of the young Simone when Lewis would yell at her for saying his name so casually.

They were back in his room in Raith’s tower. “I want to go to the library… You promised. I did everything you asked me to… and you haven’t even got me any more handicrafts.” Her gray-blue eyes were bored and she moved over and defiantly picked something up and organized it.

“I’m beginning to think I should just let you cut off my leg… It might be better,” there was another pout as she left the room and slouched in her own room looking out the window. She had that look like she did when she was daydreaming.

Once he tried to get her attention she snapped too, “What am I not allowed to daydream anymore? Does his highness not like it?” She was agitated because she was bored. It had been three days since she ran out of activities.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:15 PM, Post Subject: Cruel Illusions [p/r]

It was dark. The world started to spin for a moment, but Lewis focused hard. Blindfold. Instinct told him to groan as his senses slowly came back, but his training fought it back. Don’t let them know you’re conscious. Stay still. His breathing remained shallow. Sounds were next to come back, and he could hear an argument in what he assumed was the next room. What are they saying? He tried to focus on the words, but to no avail. Everything was still swimming, and the most he could muster was to stay conscious.

I can’t feel Simone. Magic shackles? Was there anyone else in the room? He couldn’t tell. If he moved now, they would know he was awake. This was the moment he had to figure out as much as he could. Once more, he tried to focus on the voices in the other room.

“…because of father…”

“How the hell was I…..”

“…..kill him now.”

“…can’t….”

I don’t understand. It could be assumed they were talking about killing him, but for some reason they couldn’t. There was shuffling, and the two who were arguing walked in. The sounds of a third individual came in.

“Do it, as planned.” There was a sudden massive burst of magic, and Lewis felt the world around him sway. What the fu…. A magical sleep overcame him, leading Lewis into a dark abyss….