Two of a Kindda

Chapter Two: Headlong...

"Fool!" Nuada swept Aodh clear of his shoulder, "I do not wish to drink your beer. Or remain here." He stalked out the bedroom door, "I will find my sister and continue my fight. Nuala will know where the crown is. She will be with that creature. Abraham."

"Dust! This guy is endless amusement! Hold on Geronimo." Aodh ran laughing after Nuada. "Before charging off to battle... you might want some shoes. And some money. Do you even know where you are? Hey whats up?" Aodh asked become the pale prince was standing frozen in place with his head cocked to one side as if listening.

"Nuala. I cant feel her." Nuada answered Aodh when he had circled around him to see his face. "Our link. I cant feel her at all." The expression on his proud face was one of infinite lost.

"I'm sorry, really..." Aodh found no pleasure in witnessing the prince's pain, "but maybe dying had something to do with that."

"Then Nuala is dead as well." Nuada's hand went to his chest, seeking once again, for the wound that had ended his life. "She... killed herself to stop me." A shutter of breath as he accepted his lost. "But... I was reborn."

"Maybe she did too!" Aodh supplied, eager to give the prince some hope. It shocked him to learn that this proud man's own sister had done such a horrid thing, to them both.

The prince just glared at the faery, not at all comforted.

"Nuada how about instead of leaving tonight; this whole charging half-cocked, half dress, to battle, to find your sister; why not stay here and we'll discuss proper battle strategy? A warrior and prince such as yourself should appreciate the value of preparation." Aodh awkwardly pushed Nuada towards his low slung leather couch. "Here... use my laptop." The faery thrust the device into the resistant hands of the prince. "Why don't you google weapons while I make us something to eat. You'll find tonnes of sites of 'costume' or 'museum' replica quality weapons. Just keep at it till you find something that satisfies you."

Aodh sighed shaking his head as he moved about his loft. Whatever was ticking away behind those shaded golden eyes, the elf wasn't opening up readily. The story behind why the winged God had shown up giving this man a second chance, and all what his lessons entailed, were locked away.

He retrieved the neglected beer he had offered the prince, replacing it with crystal tumblers, pouring two healthy shots of Moniack mead into both, bringing one to Nuada.

"This maybe more to your taste." A pale hand accepted the glass without glancing towards Aodh as he tapped away on the keypad. Aodh smiled. 'Well its a start.' He went to his kitchenette inspecting his refrigerator for something reasonable edible.

He pulled out a carton of eggs, there were four remaining. 'Plenty!' he thought with a smirk. Than he spotted some back bacon The Twins' father had send them fresh. Why it was in his frig was simply because neither boy as charming as they were, were equal in skill to the faery in cooking. And they knew it. They teased him that he cook just like their mom.

Aodh gave the bacon a sniff and decided it was still good. He grabbed a number of different items from within and about the kitchen collecting them on the counter.

While he got the bacon frying he glanced over to see the prince still focused on his internet search. He started salted water and vinegar heating in preparation for the eggs.

Aodh was often a typical bachelor, he ate take out, or stuffed his face with whatever he could find on the run, he loved pizza, and had quite a few favourite restaurants, but he also took pleasure in a serving his own meals specially to an appreciative friend. He hope the extra effort would win points with the hardboiled prince.

The only less than satisfactory ingredient was jarred mayonnaise he'd have to substitute for homemade Hollandaise sauce, due to his limited number of eggs. He'd make up for the lack later. Besides he'd grown to like mayo served on food.

He had just placed the eggs to cook and was about to grate a brick of cheese when Nuada shouted from the living room. "Lies!" His copper eyes lifted away from his task to see the prince glaring at his laptop with such ferocity that he seriously considered he'd need a replacement.

"You okay there?" he asked concerned.

"You said you knew not of my sister or I!" Nuada shot Aodh an accusatory stare.

"That's true. What have you discovered that makes you think otherwise?" Aodh asked curiously, flipping the slices bacon to make sure it was cooking correctly.

The prince spun the laptop around to reveal a site 'Alter Ego Comics' advertising 'an exquisitely detailed replica of the principal weapon of Prince Nuada, as featured throughout the movie' with pictures even. Supposedly part of the prince's indignation was due to the fact it was listed in the 'Clearance Section'.

"Nice leaf-blade.. sword? Its blade is quite short compared to its hilt, but it has a grace. I like it."

"Its a spear. The original is. The hilt expands."

"Cool!" Aodh smiled, "Its not real tho... thats why you are displeased?"

"No thats not the point Fool!" Nuada glowered. "You said you knew nothing of Nuada Silverlance, so why is my cherished spear, my namesake being sold to humans as a costume piece!?"

"Ahhhh... I see your point now." Aodh shifted the bacon off the burner to drain, so he come come look closer at the site in question. This demonstrated either vast stupidity or extreme bravery to do so.

Aodh shifted and sat beside Nuada, first reading the monitor from the prince's lap, than edging over till he just took the laptop completely. Then he looked over the site, and followed a few links of key words, finally he exclaimed, "ITS A MOVIE! ABOUT YOU! Amazing!"

"I don't see why this is exciting." glowered the prince.

"Oh wait... wait... Hey! YES! Hey look you got fanvids on YouTube! Oh look at the comments! They LOVE you!" Aodh flick through a few different ones quickly, "Oh I like this song!" He bopped along to the music, staring at the images flickering by of scenes from a movie, of an actor playing the Prince, "Oh this is rich!"

Nuada grabbed the laptop back off the faery's lap, closing all the windows and turning it off. "I forbid you to watch any more of it." his voice was stern, but Aodh also detected an deep undercurrent of pain.

"Okay..." Aodh skipped back into the kitchen to continue cooking, "Anyways, you are so much more beautiful to watch!"

"Fool." Nuada muttered. He studied the faery as he worked in the kitchen. He was an odd looking creature. Too tall and thin, but unlike an elf, he looked more like one of the small flying fairies, stretched and pulled out of shape, with his wings stripped off. Strange, why he adorned his face with some much metal. As he watched he raised to his lips the glass the faery had given him earlier. As soon as the heady scent reached his nose he smiled. Than as he savoured the sweet potent alcohol, he sighed. There was at least one touch of beauty here to sooth his soul.

As Aodh toasted the english muffins, rescued his eggs, and finished grating the cheese he couldn't help smile, watching the Prince relax. Finally he layered all the ingredients, muffin, bacon, eggs, mayo, and the cheese on top and popped the whole thing in under the grill for the utmost perfection. While waiting he started coffee, than he loaded two plates and brought these out to the prince, "Breakfast for dinner my Prince!" Aodh gave a sweeping bow and set a plate in a very confused Nuada's lap.

Aodh caught the expression, "What now?" he asked, hurt that his meal wasn't pleasing.

"You wish me to eat from my lap? Do you not have a table we can dine at?" Nuada asked looking about the loft, what he noticed was a multitude of musical instruments, but other than the couch no actual dining table or desk or even much room to move.

"Ahhhh... I'm normally quite casual." Aodh set his plate down on the coffee table and moved it a few feet away from the couch. "Here, we can dine as Japanese." and he folded down gracefully to his knees.

The Prince followed the faery's example. The two ate in silence, though he said nothing, Aodh noted small expressions to prove Nuada enjoyed his eggs benedict au gratin. When he finished, he licked his lips and the faery's eyes were drawn towards that gesture, wishing he could taste them himself.

"Ill get the coffee." he said escaping to the kitchen. He stayed there readying a tray till he felt he could face the man again without jumping him.

"You said we should plan my course of attack. I despair finding what I require on the humans' internet. I must return to the Troll Market. There I will be able to purchase and make what I need." Nuada said as he added a small amount of sugar to his coffee.

"And where is the Troll Market?" Aodh feared that Nuada believed he was in a reality that related to his own previous one.

"Under the Brooklyn Bridge of course. I will go there, before I seek out my sister and the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence; so laughable." he added in scorn.

"New York is far from here. If you will indulge me, I'd like to purchase some clothing more suited to you before we make the trip there." the faery choose to mimic the more formal speech patterns of the prince.

"Distance is unimportant. Tell me where I am now." the prince seem to had dismiss Aodh's use of the word 'we'.

"TO.. I mean Toronto. Ontario. Abit north and west of New York. And in Canada. Not as far as Budapest but you still aren't going to walk to your Troll Market I hope."

"No, that will not be necessary. Not completely. I will just need to find a troll tunnel. Any old bridge should do. Why do you not know this faery?"

Aodh shook his head. "Nuada, this is my world, I know of it. I have not seen a troll for many a long year. Beside our conversation about royalty, didn't finding the fantasy movie impress on you the fact that you are 'A Stranger in a Strange Land'?"

"What are you saying faery? That trolls no longer exist?"

"No I'm saying..." in his mind eye, Aodh saw again the scars littering the prince's pale body. "Cant you give up this? Why must you seek more pain? You've been given a chance at a new life. A new beginning! Enjoy this!"

"No." Nuada's head turned away from the faery as his glaze moved to some unseen vision. "I was reborn. But I am still Prince Nuada Silverlance. I can not stop. Even if this is not the world I knew, I will still fight here. If the rules are different, than I will learn them. But I am here to claim what is rightfully mine."

"I fear for you on this path you are walking. I can't see that it leads to any destination you will be able to live with."

"It is all I have." fists clenched he stood up than and walked back to the bedroom, needing some peace to think.

The infinite sadness and resolve of Nuada's final statement tugged at Aodh's heart. He'd love to give the pale prince much else to live for, maybe he could. But he couldn't just glamour him, seduce him, and create in him a love he felt. Shrugging the faery picked up the remains of their meal to wash up.

In the bedroom Nuada sat with his head held in his hands. He longed for his silver spear, as he found comfort from distress when he was able to practice. A release of the mind and his plotting, in the simple pleasure of pushing his body to exhaustion.

From the other room he could hear the faery singing. A shiver slid up his spine; The Fool was singing in his own elven language. Familiar words and and yet he knew not the song. As he listened to the haunting lyrics he blushed realizing it was a lover's song.

He spun in his mind gossamer images of his twin, his beloved sister, but the images were disturbed by that creature Abraham, whom his sister's feelings were entangled with. And than another's face imposed itself upon his mind's eye; the smiling laughing face of the song's singer. Nuada shook his head as to cast out the bothersome image. The Fool... he snorted. He hadn't missed the looks given him, sideway or straight forward and blatant. He suppose he should be grateful at least the man had not pushed himself unwanted upon him. But the song haunted him, eerie and beautiful. How could so crass a being produce such lovely music?

Than a sound to his left attracted him. He turned his head seeking the source, but there was no one... eyes than his hand moved towards the musical instrument leaning casually against the bed, but he didn't touch it. The guitar was humming, its strings vibrating in tune with the song. Nuada's eyes widen. Sure as truth, this was an ancient relic, a creation of supreme artisanship infused with powerful magic, he could feel its soul. And then a small smile touched his lips. Her soul. He was corrected. He was amazed. The Fool had a true spirit. There was some strong old magic in this faery's world.

He was entranced, hovering beside her, listening, awed as the instrumental 'spoke' in her own special way, a undercurrent of notes, whispering her love for the singer she shared her soul with. She was beautiful, finely crafted, well used, and yet also well cared for. The prince reluctantly appreciated that such a instrument would be one with that singer's voice.

"Is Méadhbh Aoibh talkin' to you?" Aodh asked. He was leaning in the doorway of the bedroom. He smiled as Nuada turned startled. "A beauty isn't she? Intoxicating beauty." Aodh closed the distance between himself and his guitar lifting her into his embracing arms. His long fingered hand moved upon her strings and as she responded with a delighted squeal. "Jealous wench. I played you just tonight. Greedy, you're always wantin' more." He sat upon the bed beside the prince and began to play the same song but now letting Méadhbh Aoibh voice the song.

Copper laughing eyes closed, his bright haired head slightly bowed, as he gave himself completely to the music, a small smile lifting his long lips.

Nuada felt his own heart soften. He felt helpless to resist the power of that song, the emotions it stirred. His glaze fixed on the two magical beings wrapped in upon themselves and yet pulling him in to share. Without lyrics the song seemed to mean so much more. Pulling him. Shaping his memories. Reminding him of his loves. Tears crested on his dark lidded pale eyes and when the song ended he wiped at his face.

"Nice song huh? I'm gonna have it at the end of the next concert. Start as an instrumental, faster tempo, than run it thru with the lyrics, than finally just instrumental with the others dropping away till its just Méadhbh Aoibh at the end. Should be quite a powerful piece." Aodh tilted his head to the side, waiting for Nuada's critique.

"Concert?" was all the prince managed.

"Yes. SabbathNight is quite popular." Aodh smiled as if that was obviously a good enough reason for anything.

"A music concert for humans? You sing 'our music' for humans?" Nuada asked with barely restrained anger.

Setting his guitar a side, "Ahh yes." Aodh lay down again and gathering up his sheets of music. His head bent as he began scribbling down notes. "Its what I do... when I'm not bangin'." His feet started to swing over his back again, in a characteristic relaxed way.

"Stop that." Nuada demanded.

"What?" the faery asked without lifting his head, still busy transcribing the song in his head down onto paper.

"Stop that writing. Stop lying there ignoring the fact that you are their puppet, performing for their pleasure."

"Not while you use that tone of voice." Aodh's ears twitched. "I can do what I like. I've been doing what I please long before you were dumped on me. I'm not about to change now."

"Fool!"

"You keep calling me that. But I'm happy with my life. Can you say the same?" Aodh smirked, his pen waved at Nuada. "Maybe... What's another word for... transcendent... yup that works." He continued writing.

Nuada's hand reached for the sheets of papers, about to pull them away from the faery.

"Touch 'em and I'll bite you!" Aodh laughed but kept writing. "Listen, I'm gonna finish this song so the band can practise it while I'm busy with you. So be a good boy and Ill make it worth your while."

That was more than Nuada could bare. Fists clenched he removed himself, distance himself from the bothersome faery, that had so infuriated him. He couldn't believe one moment he could produce such beauty and the next... be so mundane. His fist snapped out connecting with the drywall and it crumbled. He leapt and spun and twisted, even with out a weapon, his movements still deadly; still a source of some relief. Some of the minimalist furniture suffered. The coffee table he landed on and went straight through, he put his foot also through another wall running up it and broke the overhead light.

"Happy now?" Aodh asked leaning in the bedroom doorway again.

Nuada stopped, his hair fizzy and fluffy about his head. "I wish to have a shower."

Aodh waved his hand to the door beside him. "Thru there Mr. Violent." Aodh watched the pale prince's back till the door shutting blocked his view. "Dust... to be a bar of soap now!" he chuckled. Than shaking his head in dismay at the mess, began to clean up.

end of chapter 2