The conversation lulled. Willis’ attention was quick to return to the stars. She took her own glance up, but her gaze didn’t remain there long. Eyes instead drawn to the ocean waves. The way the moonlight reflected off them never did get old. 

Should I say something? Lily wondered. They didn’t need to talk. However she wouldn’t exactly call the silence comfortable. What would I even talk about? He closed his eyes, trying to recall the talk he had with Delphine the day prior. She said something about… hobbies? Interests? But I can’t just say that suddenly, without prompting. Surely? She swallowed roughly.

“I like to draw,” the words left Lily before she could think about them anymore. Her throat ached, like she had gargled nails.

Willis’ attention snapped to her, eyes wide. “Oh! That’s nice. What do you usually draw?”

“Nature. Plants. Mostly flowers,” she answered flatly. “Pretty much anything that’s in the castle garden. I don’t have much else to draw.”

“You guys have a castle garden?”

“Yes. Do you not?”

“No, we do have a big community garden of sorts though!” he explained, gesturing vaguely. “There’s a section for food and one for decorative plants.”

“That’s interesting.” Somewhat. Vaguely. Lily hummed. Eyes narrow. She picked at the blanket as her brain churned for what else to say. What would be the polite thing- Oh.“What do you like to do?” Simple, but effective follow up.

“You mean like, for fun? I like to do lots of things but uhm-” he waved his hand. As if trying to reel in what he wanted to say. “I think one of my favorites though is just walking around. Especially by the border- well the other one. Out by the plains. There’s a lot of people who travel through the area. So many of them have interesting stories to tell.”

He sighed, “I can’t imagine how nice that must be. Being able to travel anywhere. Free to see the world.” 

Sounds terrifying. “Would it not be lonely? And dangerous?” Lily pointed out.

“Who says you have to do it alone? There’s no rules saying you can’t travel with someone else,” he argued. “I’ve meant plenty of people who will travel in small groups with each other, especially if they’re heading to the same place. I think that just adds to the appeal.”

The appeal… can’t say I see it. Not that she was going to voice that. Instead, she opted for another follow up question. “Well who would you travel with then? If you did that.”

She got a blank stare in response. The other Prince tapped his leg as he mulled it over. “Honestly probably my s-” he cut himself off, flinching. He rubbed the back of his head. “...second. We’re pretty close. Though I’m not sure they would enjoy it as much as I would.” 

It was her turn to be surprised. Her ears twitched. “You have a second?”

“Yeah! They were assigned to me a while ago. I would have chosen them either way so can’t complain,” he explained, shrugging. Claws picked at the fabric of his dark pants.

I don’t even have a second yet. Is that a bad thing? Though I suppose… “I would choose someone like that as well. I don’t have a second per say but I do have a personal guard who was assigned to me. She’s like my second in many ways. She accompanies me when I go out already.” A comforting presence would be nice for something like that. Even if they couldn’t dream of doing it themselves.

“You seem like a very anxious person,” Willis pointed out bluntly. Though he was quick to backtrack when she made a face, shaking his hands. “Not that it’s a bad thing necessarily! Just something I’ve noticed.”

“I’m cautious, not anxious. There’s a difference,” Lily retorted. Her lips pressed into a hard line, doing her best not to hiss at him. Instead crossing her arms. “I don’t think it would kill you to have some caution. Any sense of self preservation.” Perhaps that one was a little harsh.

Though if he was bothered by the comment, he didn’t show it. Instead flashing her with a toothy grin. “I’m cautious! I almost ran the other day believe it or not. You scared me quite a bit.”

Her ears perked up, “Why didn’t you?”

“Curiosity I guess. I knew if I ran I’d probably never see or get to talk to you again so- had to make the most of the situation. If you actually attacked me though I would have just turned tail,” he explained, chuckling. “I was serious when I said I didn’t want to fight. Spell heavy combat is a bit of my weakness.”

“Oh? How come?” she asked despite herself. Surely he wouldn’t assume anything malicious of me asking.

Apparently so, as he answered without hesitation, chuckling more, “I think I mentioned before that I’m a bit clumsy? That extends to the whole high movement, high energy style of fighting. I trip over myself more than I’d like to admit…” His face tinted a pinkish hue, ears pulled back. “I’m much more of a sharpshooter.”

“Sharpshooter… like a bow?”

“Oh! No, no. Like a gun.”

Lily’s jaw dropped. “A gun?”

Willis squinted at her, tilting his head, “Yes…?” She moved her mouth to say something, but he beat her to it, eyes widening. “Oh!- You guys don’t have guns over there, do you? I forgot.”

“We don’t. At least not commonly. I’ve only seen one before,” Lily admitted, still reeling from the new information. A gun. Bows were deadly as it was. But from what little she knew, guns could do worse. Bullets had a tendency to tear clean through at greater speeds. The idea made her shudder. Her jaw ached.

He leaned forward, “Do you want to see mine?”

A small part of her registered that as a threat. Even if it wasn’t quite there. Interest flared in her chest, too much to ignore. “…Sure.” I want to know what I’m dealing with.

At that, Willis closed his eyes, star marks returning. The gun manifested in his hands with a sparkle of blue energy. He barely opened his eyes before he practically shoved it at her. Thankfully sideways. “Here! Don’t grab it by that end bit by the way. It’s sharp.”

Thanks for the heads up…

Lily took in the weapon before her. It was largely black, with cyan accents of varying lightness. Much longer than the one she had seen before. She willed her hands forward, grabbing it. Before then nearly dropping it.

“I got it, I got it,” she hissed when they reached to help her. Pulling it back. “It was heavier than I expected,” she muttered half-heartedly. Focus much more on the gun she now held.I could probably knock someone out with this if I smacked them with it. She fiddled with her grip. Vaguely setting her hands in a position that felt right. “This is still magic powered, isn’t it?”

“Yeah! You load it with your magic and it shoots them as bullets,” Willis explained. He leaned over while he did, gesturing to the three arrows on the side. “These glow when it's full. Once you get into a rhythm there's basically no downtime for reloading.”

Interesting. She ran her hands over the length of it. Taking in the smooth texture and chill of the metal. A bit hard to imagine using this. After another moment she handed it back to him. It didn't last long until it left his hands, returned to where it came. 

Should I show him my staff? The thought passed through Lily's mind. They had been exchanging things back and forth. I doubt it would be of much interest to him. Her gaze drifted to the moon as she mulled it over. Perking up when she realized how much it had moved through the sky. How has so much time passed? How late is it? 

She swallowed roughly, “I think I may have to go.”

“Oh,” Willis’ tone was thick with disappointment. His ears drooped. “That's alright. It is getting a bit late.” He paused. His nose and ears twitched, like he was holding something back. She waited.

“Will we… do this again?” 

There it was.

She had forgotten it would even be a question. A decision to make.

Do I want to do this again? In spite of the tenser moments, their time together hadn't been awful. I've already learned so much about what he can do. I can't imagine him being much of a problem. If he was going to be so open about everything perhaps it couldn't hurt. 

I shouldn't be doing this. The thought nagged at her mind. She brushed it aside. This would be worth it. She would know more about the Erys family than her mother could dream of. Then she would be ready to rule. That itch, the rush of thrill, shivered through her again.

“I wouldn't mind. However, a few more days between our meeting would be nice.” I need some time before my mother gets suspicious. She left that unsaid.

“Really? You're serious?” Willis kneaded the blanket, bouncing. Though simmered down when she flinched, offering an apologetic smile. “When would you like to meet again?”

She clicked her tongue, humming, “Four days from now? Same time.” she offered.

“That works for me,” he nodded.

With that she stood up. Bones cracked as she stretched. For a moment she stayed put. Mind blanking on what to say. 

Eventually, she forced out a simple, “Goodbye.” Turning heel before Willis could respond. But she heard him call out after her.

“Bye Lilium! Have a good night!”

I don’t think I’ll be sleeping much.