Card Six: The World

How in the world did this happen again? Feather had been keenly aware of Cirrus' bothersome existence in this town, following him or whatever his companions' theory was on the matter, but he'd made certain that Leocadies was the one to burn the plague seed to a crisp using the concept of flames, all while he blurred both of their presences and healed the rest of the continent with ease! After all, he could do anything, so making himself properly invisible should be one of the easiest tricks in the book. And yet Cirrus had not only seen through it once, but twice now! What was going on with that man?! He'd like to take a closer look at him, to find the truth behind the ability, but he didn't want to risk Cirrus somehow seeing him for a third time if he got too close. Better to just run away! 

Jumping down the chimney, of course, had been another calculated movement. He obviously needed to escape somehow, but if he revealed any other types of concepts, that would only serve to garner more unwanted attention for himself, so he'd escaped in the only way he wouldn't have to use any. Because when it was all said and done, Feather didn't seek out or desire any attention at all. He didn't seek it from strangers, much less people he actually disliked. He didn't need praise or recognition for the things he did, either. He just helped people because he wanted to. Perhaps he tried to escape recognition so actively because recognition came far too often with responsibility in hand, and that was the very last thing Feather wanted… he'd much prefer to help the world on his own terms, without the expectations of others weighing him down. 

Cirrus was the opposite of him, he knew. Back when Feather used to see him quite a lot, as their status as nobles were similar and had them crossing paths more often than you would think, Cirrus had always been the type of person who carried responsibility like he couldn't imagine a world without it. Feather remembered a day long in the past where he'd decided to ask the prince what his thoughts were when it came to being the center of such a grand prophecy, and if it bothered him that so much was forced on his shoulders when he was so young. But Cirrus' response to that question had been nearly incomprehensible to a person like Feather. It really made no sense to him at all. If anything, it only made Cirrus sound even more ridiculous. 

“Oh, it doesn't bother me much," Cirrus had smiled, with a voice that sounded far too tired to match his words. “Actually, I find it comforting to have a purpose I always know is there. It makes me feel like I have a goal I can grow into already laid out for me. I won't have to worry about what kind of person I’ll be or what future awaits me, as the prophecy has already given me along with everyone else those answers. Without it, I really don't know who I'd be or what I would've been doing instead, so… it's nice. It's nice to have that clarity.”

Tch, and that right there was why Feather didn't respect the man. That foolish idiot had said it so casually, too, like it really didn't bother him to have such grand responsibilities placed on his head even as an infant. If Feather had been in his position, he would've denied that prophecy and run off a long time ago. And yet, even though their views greatly differed, he didn't exactly… well, he didn't hate Cirrus, per se, and he thought he was a genuinely good person with kind and well-meaning intentions. But the fact he had no sense of freedom or agency was why the two of them would never get along. The chosen prince was okay walking down a path he hadn't made for himself because it was easier. Feather would never understand that. If he'd tried walking down the path his father had attempted to lay out for him… he would never have survived it. 

And now that insufferably pathetic man that had always seemed to lack even the slightest bit of a backbone was staring down at him, his eyes wide and amber as they followed Feather inch away from him on the ground. Being this close to him, he could now tell with utmost certainty that Cirrus wielded the concept of the all-knowing eye, which would explain why invisibility had little effect on him. Which also meant it was pointless to prevent himself from being recognized now. Even after more than four hundred years had passed, humans would've long stopped aging, meaning he should look relatively the same. And yet, even with that all-seeing eye peering down right at him, Cirrus merely frowned as if he didn't notice a thing, and asked with hesitance, “Did… did you just, um… heal this entire continent? Did you do that?”

…hm. What a horrible question. Cirrus clearly must not trust his all-knowing eye very much to be asking this. But okay Feather, let's think. He could use this man’s immense stupidity to his advantage. And when thought about carefully, what were his options? He could tell the truth and be harassed with responsibilities he didn't want, or he could lie. Haha, it was obvious which one he should go with, so he raised his chin high with the smuggest of grins, and confidently spoke, “No, that wasn't me.”

He seemed so proud of himself, so genuinely confident that his statement would be fooling in any way. For a moment, Cirrus could only blink at him, trying to look for any sign that he might've been joking, but when he came to the realization that this incredible healer was entirely serious, he couldn't help but smile. “I can tell that's a lie. You must be a very talented healer,” he complimented gently, moving to wrap his eyepatch back around his face while gazing at the blond. 

And he truly was as soft as he was weak, his smile so incredibly kind that being the subject of it made Feather want to run away and hide. However, his chance to do that was only slipping further away now that the woman with the poison and disease concepts was here as well. Achitha Washema was indeed very formidable, and he didn't want to make himself seem more suspicious by inviting over his own allies. But still, when Cirrus outstretched a kind hand to help him up, Feather only slapped it away like it carried the disease he'd just purged. “I'm not standing up. You'll have to make me,” he spat with a childish snarl, the two nobles giving him sideways looks. 

Cirrus wasn't entirely sure what he should make of that. It seemed so… child-like, like it’d come straight from a child’s mouth. But the man in front of him was clearly much older than that, as he had already been able to gather his age from his all-knowing eye. Though it looked like Achitha didn't know what to think either, looking between her prince and the man on the ground at his feet, before she took a step forward to take initiative for her leader. “I understand you most likely don't know who you’re talking to, so your disrespect can be excused just once, but I'll have you know—”

“Huhhhhh? What the hell are you going on about, lady? I know exactly who you two are,” Feather interrupted with clear disdain, his tone so entirely petulant that Achitha couldn't help but scrunch her nose in disgust. Though she only became more offended when this already incredibly rude man pointed a finger right at her prince's face and announced as if he could get any ruder, “You're Cirrus Aixon, the famous pushover prince of Lilino! And you,” he grinned more slyly, a manic giggle escaping him when he directed his finger towards her, “Are Poison Achi! Hahah!”

Hey, boss!! Do you want me and Kya to intervene? came Leocadies’ telepathic call, but Feather only gave a slight shake of his head, something barely noticeable unless you were a man with Leo's special concept, refraining from saying anything out loud while he did nothing but receive Cirrus and Achitha's odd stares. But Leocadies was quick to adapt, and merely added, Alright, but we'll be watching from afar! Just holler if you need us, you know I'll be able to hear!

Well, that was always comforting, at least. It was nice to know his back was covered, especially when Cirrus finally regained his nerve to speak, the noble prince raising a hand to stop Achitha from getting into an argument with him before he began to press. “Alright, good, so you know who we are. That makes things much easier. Why don't you come with me so we can have a talk? I'm looking to recruit—”

“Recruit someone else,” Feather immediately snapped, staring listlessly out of the pretty stained glass that depicted an angel with dark skin and golden hair flowing into countless braids, with four large and beautiful amber wings expanded over the orange sunset in its background. It was a fairly accurate depiction of an angel, though he'd never personally met one with two sets of wings. He wasn’t sure they even existed anymore, as the angels were now a dying race, despite many human religions revolving around them as if they were something so holy. The large, pretty window hovered on the opposite wall from his position on the staircase where he sat, and whether those kinds of angles existed or not, it was a much more interesting view than what Cirrus was giving him, that was for certain. “I don't want anything to do with you. If you know what’s good for yourself, go away and leave me be. We need never to cross paths again. And, as for right now, all you’re doing is irritating me.”

His words were rude. He was very aware of that. It was true that, in general, he was a very rude and inconsiderate person, and he had no drive to change those flawed qualities of his. But this time, there was at least a logical reason to be rude. Because the man right in front of him, Cirrus Aixon, had never been able to handle the tone he was using ever since the day they’d first met. It would always get this pathetic pushover of a prince to back off, as he was the type of person who couldn’t even handle those who were more blunt or direct. So by all accounts, Cirrus should be willing to give up right about now. Honestly, the only unusual thing about this interaction was the fact Cirrus didn't recognize him at all. Sure, it'd been over four centuries since they'd last seen each other, and parts of his body had undergone great changes, but the man couldn't even recognize him when using the concept of the all-knowing eye? If that was the case, he clearly hadn’t mastered that concept even a bit. As expected, he was still so pathetic… though if Cirrus didn't recognize him, Feather wasn't going to complain. 

Yet, somehow, entirely beyond his expectations, Cirrus didn’t back off at all. In fact, he looked the least bit phased and only continued to be pushy with his annoyingly polite facade. Hm. Looks like he'd finally grown up a bit from the boy he was in Feather's memories. Tch, how stupid. And as if to flip the tables on him entirely, he finally began to feel a little intimidated when Cirrus extended his hand out once again, and spoke rather simply, “You know, I could always make this an order. I want to talk to you, so please give me just a little bit of your time. The world is in danger, so I’m looking for strong people who might be able to help. Surely you could at least entertain me for a little while about something like that, yes? Without me needing to exert any force?”

Uh… wow. Had Cirrus seriously just threatened him of all things? That had honestly been the very last thing he'd ever expected, Feather unable to stop himself from gawking. Since when had Cirrus ever been the type of guy to exert force? This was absurd, just how much had he matured?! Tch, stupid time. Stupid aging. Stupid mental development or whatever it was. 

Still, he wasn't about to give up now just because this foolish prince had changed a little, and merely stubbornly crossed his arms and looked away with a small puff. He’d let Cirrus win this round, but he would not hand over the next so easily. “Fine, I'll listen. But I'm not moving.”

A rather inconvenient move for the both of them. After being healed, everyone within the church who had previously been ill were starting to move and wake themselves, and the commotion up here was only going to drag Feather into more of a scene if he let this continue. He knew that was a problem for him, as he didn't want to attract any more attention than he already had. 

Cirrus, too, could clearly see how bothered he was by his own immature decision, gaze looking down to where the thin blond bounced his knee impatiently on solid wooden steps. What a troublesome man. It almost made him wonder if he was really worth recruiting. Sure, his grandmother had specifically foretold their meeting and his disrespect towards him, and had specified that he work to recruit him regardless, but… wasn't this attitude a bit much? At this rate, there would be no winning with him unless Cirrus twisted a few of his words. So, thinking in that direction, a slight smile shifted its way up his features, and moved to lean over Feather’s head and press his forearm against the wall, at least finding a little bit of amusement in this whole ordeal. “Hmm… well, then, can I move you?”

“Uh, can you what? What nonsense are you—” Feather went to respond, before he found himself at a complete loss for words along with the pure intensity of his shock, not able to comprehend what was being done to him as he felt strong arms go under his legs and around his back, where he suddenly found himself being hoisted into the air. That horrible man was flashing the most innocent smile he’d ever seen, but the look only made Feather's vision blur dangerously red. 

“Alright, perfect. Let's go somewhere else without making you move a muscle,” Cirrus smiled, Feather barely remembering to struggle as Achitha laid a hand on her leader's shoulder, and they were all teleported far outside and beyond the outskirts of town. Of course, they were quickly met by Cirrus' other two subordinates, Jayce and Eve having also felt that strong, soothing wave that had healed everything in its path. Because of that, they'd definitely been expecting their prince to come back with news, but what they ended up seeing was… certainly quite the show, if nothing else…

Feather was absolutely livid. This was a princess carry. He wasn’t a princess, and he was offended to even be treated like a resemblance of one. In his blind fury, he was immediately pushing and clawing at Cirrus' face, struggling like a madman as he screamed, “Put me down, put me down right now!! I'll fucking murder you with my pinky, you asshole!! Pushover fucking bastard!! Stupid man who doesn't know not to touch strangers without permission!! Stupid man who doesn't even have an inch of a backbone and who only does whatever his mother tells him 'cause he's such a pathetic wuss!! Stupid man who's a fucking idiot and a cow and a bitch and a loser and a stupid fucking incel,” he kept rambling on, his insults only getting more and more extravagant as Cirrus began to sweat, trying with all his might to not just drop Feather on the ground so he could put him down properly. 

However, the manic little gremlin was too busy screaming his head off, before he reached around and slapped Cirrus straight across the face with such a heavy-handed blow that he was finally dropped, only to land perfectly in a squat as he seethed like some stray cat. With how he'd reacted to getting picked up at all, perhaps he really was one. “You fucking little fuckwad with no respect and no culture and a small ass dick who doesn't have a shred of pride or freedom in you and a stupid future to boot, how fucking dare you pick me up like that, I'll murder you!!”

“Ah… ah, I’m sorry…” Cirrus wobbled out, the side of his face throbbing and pulsing with a large bruised mark appearing from the slap as he attempted to try and calm the hissing cat he’d startled so badly, only for Jayce's glare to harden and shift into one of raw disbelief just from watching the spectacle. After all, this was no way for his leader, the crown prince of Lilino, to be treated, and he would make sure to tell this insolent brat exactly that as reached out to grab hold of Feather's shoulder. 

“Hey, you, do you even know who you're talking to? Calm down, you can't just—”

“I'll do whatever I want, you're not the boss of me!!” Feather screamed, reaching around with an energized hand to hit right across Jayce’s olive complexion, before two figures suddenly burst in like heroes, Cirrus not quite sure what was going on anymore. But Leocadies and Kya were here for the rescue, Leo stopping Feather from striking Jayce with a blow that would have most certainly injured him greatly and given away his identity as the miracle worker, all while Kya offered him candy. 

“Look, boss! He wasn't trying to insult you by carrying you that way, I promise!” Leo cooed sweetly right in his boss’ ear while Kya popped the sugary sweets into his mouth, Feather instantly seeming to calm himself once he tasted something sweet against his tongue, the chemicals in his brain being triggered just right as he relaxed into Leocadies’ grip. 

But he was still rather agitated, and as he swirled the solid honey around in his mouth, he made sure to voice his objections. “I don't want to be carried like that. I'm not a princess.”

“Of course not, boss! It was just the easiest way to carry you! Think about it functionally!” Leocadies nodded with more eager explanations, Kya carefully leaving it to the expert at managing Feather's erratic emotions as the man explained things with logic that barely made any sense… but at least it made sense to Feather. “You know, it's a comfortable way to hold someone, and it’s easy to access quickly and doesn’t strain either person! So our good friend Cirrus here was actually just trying not to be rude! You know how he is, always the nice guy, so why don't we cut him some slack? He wasn’t trying to insult you, he was just trying to teleport you in a way that was comfortable and easy for everyone. Isn't that nice of him?”

“Mm… I guess so,” Feather shrugged droopily, extending out a lazy hand to Kya for her to give him more candy, slowly unwrapping it with sluggish movements. “Thank you…”

“Sure, sure, anything for you, boss,” Leocadies assured, Feather's mind pleasantly itching with the candy in his mouth and the firm sets of arms that were holding him so strong and gently. He felt much better now, and finally had the energy to shift his sky blue eyes back to Cirrus, who was staring at him utterly dumbfounded. 

His cheek also looked big and swollen, as Feather hadn't held back with that slap at all. And now that he was thinking clearly again, and no longer felt like he was being threatened, he could see how he’d overreacted. So he raised his pinky and pointed it towards Cirrus, grinning wide as he teased with sly comments, “Sorry for hitting you, mister pushover prince, sir. I guess I'll heal you with my pinky instead. And, hm… I suppose I can listen to you about the end of the world or whatever, as repayment for the trouble,” he conceded on a whim, Cirrus' visible eye widening in even further surprise as all the pain in his face suddenly disappeared. Though what shocked him so much more was that… his all-knowing eye was also no longer burning. This incredible man had just taken away the pain from his concept, a feat no healer had ever been able to do for him before. It shocked him all the way down to his core, and he didn't know what to make of that flighty smile as he watched Feather lean on his companions and offer in a drawl, “Hehh, is the world really in such bad shape that the esteemed Cirrus Aixon of such a famous and overrated prophecy needs to come all the way out here? I guess I am a little curious about that, if I'm honest… so why don't we get started? Go on, start talking. I'm not gonna listen to you all day, and I could get bored at any time, so you should hurry up and start while you still have my attention.”

…once again, this legendary healer’s words were as disrespectful and rude as words could be. If anything, Cirrus hated dealing with those types of people more than any other. But this time, he didn't find himself as bothered at all. Somehow, despite such an unruly and immature attitude, he couldn’t sense even a shred of malice underneath it. He could sense chaos, unfiltered emotions, but more than anything, he could sense unbelievable power, if healing such a large continent of plague all at once wasn’t already enough proof of that. And, most impressive of all, he’d even been able to heal his all-knowing eye beneath its patch… he was certainly talking to an amazing man. Even if he wasn’t the miracle worker they were looking for, as Cirrus could tell this bratty healer only had one concept… he was still a man of miracles nonetheless. Ruba was right to say recruiting him should be so important. Which was why, even if it killed him, he would recruit this wonderful healer, no matter what kind of disrespect he was shown.