Fic Friday: Mirror of Erised (Emps/Arlette/Mike)
As always, I am late for my own party~ @the-fluffy-underbelly
I went with the prompt: “Alien artefact is actually the mirror of Erised”. And if you think that something so sad but ultimately nice/hopeful can’t possibly be made terrible? Then all I can say is: “Oh sweet summer child. Not all the heart’s desires are things we wish to see, or things we should allow to be.”
“A gift? And it isn’t even my name day,” the Emperor remarked, an amused smile playing around His lips. A Companion walked one either side of Him, resplendent in their red robes and golden light plate. They had blindfolded Him for the occasion. Arlette held His left arm to guide Him, though she doubted He needed her help – or His eyes for that matter – to navigate the Imperial Palace. “What did you two do, this time?”
“Nothing, your Majesty,” Mikaelor replied solemnly beside Him. “We came upon it in the course of our duty and thought you might like it.” Arlette gave him a look from across the Emperor’s side that spoke volumes of disapproval at the half lie.
“Really? And it so happened to be on your assigned route?” He enquired as they led Him into the oldest parts of the Imperial Palace. He could tell because the smooth marble was abruptly replaced by ancient wood boarding that creaked underfoot. Judging by the cool breeze they had entered the peristyle courtyard that laid in front of the Serene Court – the halls surrounding His own - that the Companions resided in. Whatever their gift was, they had apparently hid it under their bed. Curious.
“Well, we were just-,” Mikaelor began, but Arlette interrupted him before he would be untruthful to the Emperor’s face: “We found it during an investigation,” she said. “And felt it prudent to bring it to your attention, my Emperor.”
“I see. And how is it that my two most beloved Companions found themselves an investigation when they were under strict orders to guard and not leave the D4-quadrant of the Inner Circumvent?” He smiled faintly when He felt the two young Custodians flinch, both physically and psychically. Just as He’d thought, then.