Chapter Text
About a month after Laios became king things finally started to settle down. More kingdoms nation wide began to acknowledge him as a legitimate ruler and more people started to respect him. Almost everyone knew the story "Laios defeated the mad mage and together with his party took down the winged lion." What many didn't know was that even though the mad mage was defeated, he wasn't dead. Only few knew this fact aside Laios and his party such as Kabru, Namari, Mithrun, citizens of the golden country, and a good amount of the castle staff. After the feast on the red dragon ended, they took Thistle to the castle and got him his own room where they hoped he'd recover. Things have been slow, buta that's just how it was expected to go after the winged lion at his own will to live.
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It was quiet, peacefully quiet. A gentle breeze flow through the room, the sounds of birds chirping and gentle sunlight descending upon his face. Thistle, who lay in bed unmoving looking dead the only sign of life being slow rise and fall of his chest, didn't move whatsoever. He just laid there, eyes open staring at something through the window, or nothing. His eyes were empty devoid of joy, sadness, anger, fear, or any emotion. They were just open. As the peaceful atmosphere continued to acummilate around Thistle in his quiet room, the door suddenly opened.
"Good morning Thistle!" It came from a girl with short blonde hair, wearing a bright smile.
"Feeling any better?" This time it came from a man, with much shorter blonde hair, yet the two looked so alike.
They both walked into the room, closing the door gently. Grabbing two chairs and setting besides Thistle's bed they both took a seat, looking at Thistle Yet, he can't even be bothered to turn his and return their greeting.. it's not that he doesn't want to, but he feels no need to. The girl gently grabs Thistle's face and turns it towards the two of them. Now having a full view of their faces Thistle feels as though he can vaugely recognize them, but he has no desire to recall who they are.
"Ah.. are you sure he'll get better? I want to be optimistic but.."
"Don't worry Falin, you know the retired canary right?" As so the girl's name was Falin. "Well he also had his desires eaten by the demon, and once we defeated the winged lion his desire for vengance was gone. However, Karbu helped him with an amazing speech saying, "New desires can be created constantly, so just start with this meal and slowly get more." or something like that.." The man rested his elbows on the bed right next to Thistle, staring at him.
"Hmm.. so if we can get Thistle to slowly recover he might be able to get new desires?" The girl, or Falin, sounded excited at a chance for something Thistle couldn't care for.
"Exactly! Plus it's only been a few weeks, give him some time and I'm sure we'll see progress."
Thistle heard them talking, yet he wasn't listening, off in his own world. Though his world was empty, it was just him and.. oh Delgal's here. Why is here? Thistle couldn't quite recall, he knows Delgal is important to him and yet why? As he was zoning out, the man and Falin continue to talk. Eventually, Thistle begins to listen in on their conversation, not neccessairly intentional but it's what he's doing anyways.
"-is, Kabru suggested I host a banquet and invite all the other kingdoms to attend."
"Oh that sounds like a great idea! It'll be fun with all the people nation-wide, you should do it Laios!"
Hm, so the man's name was Laios.. Falin and Laios. Those are nice names, they must be siblings with how alike they are. Thistle continued to observe with an unwavering and empty expression on his face. Falin had sharp teeth and feathers all over her arms and chest. Thistle's not sure why though, a small deep down part of him is curious. The more the two siblings talked the more focused Thistle became on Laios. HE was an interesting man, anything involving court and royal duties he sounded bored of. When dungeons or monsters were brought up he got excited, but that excitment slowly turned to a more sorrowful tone. Thistle didn't mind their conversations it helped fill an empty space in his head with liveliness.
"-istle, Thistle!" Thistle, for the first time in a while actually turned to look at Laios who had been calling his name.
"Ah see that brother! He actually looked at you, he responded.. sorta but still!" Falin had a huge smile on her face getting all giddy about such a small movement and Thistle just couldn't understand why.
"This is great! See he's already making progress!" Laios clapped his hands together in triumph. "Anyways Thistle, I was wondering if you'd like it if we got you some new clothes!"
Thistle looked at Laios for a moment just staring and yet deep down something within him felt... happy, no angry. He couldn't tell what he was feeling but it certainly there. He slowly moved his hand from Laios to his own body examining the clothes he was wearing. A plain tan shirt, slightly big for him with how long it was. He was also wearing pants, more fitted to his size but still loose. Then slowly he returned his gaze back to Laios, opening his mouth to respond. But he closed it after, why wouldn't he just say something? Instead he just nodded slowly.. up and down.
Laios stood up with a jump, "Great! This is great! You're actually responding, a little faster than I thought but still great!" Laios sounded happy and moved from his chair, "I'll go get started on those now, Falin would you mind helping me get stuff he might like?"
Falin looked at Thistle for a moment and just smiled.
"Sure! You go ahead, I'll be right with you." With that, Laios left muttering something to himself. Thistle looked at Falin, the only one who remained in the room.
"I'm so happy really.. you're recovery might actually be faster than we thought." Falin sighed and grasped Thistle's hands between her own. "With this you might start eating more! You'll be healthier again and soon enough you'll be able to live on your own!" Falin got up putting back her chair, she turned back to Thistle. "I'll be leaving now to help brother, but I promise I'll be back later for dinner!" Falin left the room, gently closing the door.
Thistle stared at the door recalling what Falin had said, living...? Though not on the surface, Thistle smilled. That sounds nice.