and at last i see the light (for Davin & Kat :D)

[jamesthorn]

As soon as James opens his eyes, he knows something is wrong. It's too dark for one thing. When he rolls out of bed, he stumbles into something hard and he's cursing the pain in his foot. He needs his gun, but there's nothing there when he reaches his hand out. All he finds is a cool draft in the room instead of his nightstand...and a smell. Something stale and musty. He's able to quickly deduce that he is not in his bedroom by the time he gets to his feet. That was not his bed. This is not his house.

He looks down at himself. These aren't even his clothes. Though he remains calm on the outside, his pulse is elevated, racing with panic and adrenaline, but he remains calm. Whoever has taken him, he doesn't want to alert them that he's awake. Though if he's been taken there are no guards in the room, no one here to watch him. It's just an empty stone room. He actually isn't sure...what the hell he's wearing either. He looks around further once his eyes adjust, and he finds a small circle window covered by wood shudders. With a grunt and his shoulder, he manages to push the window open. Once he does, and he gets a look at the world below him, that's when James really panics.

Not again, he thinks. Not again. The last time this happened to him....it was Violet Coombs. Where she trapped him in that labyrinth deep beneath the town, where he almost died. He hasn't seen Moira in months, and Violet too. How can this be happening again. This...building...room...wherever is a tower of some sort, suspended high in the air. All he knows is this is not Siren Cove. This is not a world he's ever seen.

He stumbles back from the window, overwhelmed for a moment with confusion, and he falls stunned into a wood chair. He tries to recall the last thing he did last night, and all he remembers is going to bed like any other night. He read a few chapters of a book. Checked his messages. That was it. He sits for a long time trying to think...

After several seconds of that, he jumps up from the chair and heads for the heavy iron door in the corner and decides to leave. Except he can't because it's locked. He's trapped in a room....in this tower...in this strange place with no way out.

Comments

[jamesthorn]

"Oh. Right. Because you think I'm a...prince. Right," James says with a small nod. At that, he takes a moment to look over Davin's state of dress and his appearance. He supposes commoner doesn't exactly mean well-fed, and he can tell Davin has missed his fair share of meals. With a sigh, he nods again. "Of course. Davin, you can have anything you'd like." Even though he's never seen this palace or the people there, once they arrive he's going to stuff Davin full of food.

They continue walking for a bit, and James makes sure to pay close attention to the trail they take, trying to get his feel for the lay of the land. "Did you never see me in town?" he asks wondering just how strict the rules are around here. "We never spoke at all?"

[davin]

"Well, I mean, here ya are a prince. Once we get t'the palace, you'll be treated like one." Davin is suddenly worried that he won't be allowed to enter the gates, but if James says he can, they have to let him, right? He squeezes his hand at the thought and he's so distracted that he nearly misses the question. "Hm? Oh, well. Not really? I would see ya sometimes, but there would always be guards around an' stuff. A prince can't really wander the marketplace alone, I s'pose. An' I don't know that I would have approached ya anyway. Your family isn't really known for bein' fond of magical types like me."

Davin does stop then, tugging on James' hand and looking at him excitedly. "If we're together, ya must know that I'm a witch, right? An' ya don't care? The king - your father, I mean - he wouldn't be happy with that at all. He'd probably try an' throw me in a dungeon somewhere."

[jamesthorn]

"I know you're a witch," James confirms with a nod. Davin's powers have never been a big issue for them, but he knows with or without a spell his father would be less than thrilled. His own issues with magic are another thing all together, but he finds himself pushing away those misgivings more often than not because he cares for Davin. He doesn't want to stop seeing him, so in his own way he's been trying to find a way to deal with their differences.

He looks at Davin. "Nothing's going to happen to you. I can handle my father in this world or any other," he says, putting a hand to Davin's cheek and nodding pointedly. Witch or not, he'll stick up for Davin and protect him from his father's vile behavior, just as he had before. Magic makes James a little uncomfortable, but he's not his father, whom he thinks would toss Davin in a dungeon too.

"Come on, let's keep moving," he says, hoping they will make it to this palace before the sun goes down.

[davin]

It doesn't escape Davin's attention that James answers only the first part of the question and not the second, and it leaves him frowning a bit. It's an expression that quickly melts away when James cups his cheek and ensures his safety, and Davin finds himself nodding with pink cheeks and bright eyes.

"Okay," Davin says quietly, walking alongside him again. After a moment he tentatively reaches over and takes James' hand again. It's such a new, novel thing and Davin enjoys the contact. "We're closer than I thought. I must have really wandered off the path this time."

They make quick work of getting to the village, and Davin leads James around to the edge of town, explaining that it would be best to avoid a commotion. His excitement and nerves alike both grow as they approach the lavish palace, and Davin pulls his hand away from James' as they approach the gates. He gets more nervous with every step, and he hangs back a respectful distance as they step up to it.

"Prince James!" The guard opens the gate and rushes towards them, ignoring Davin completely. "We've been looking everywhere for you. Come, let's get you inside."

[jamesthorn]

Eyeing the man approaching them with a keen eye, James attempts to just act normally even though the idea that all these people believe he is a prince is very unsettling. Someone has just simply changed the entire town's memories. That type of power simply can't remain unchecked, and in his head, he's trying to put together a suspect list. Aside from Violet Coombs, whom no one has seen for months, he doesn't know who would attempt this on their own.

"Oh. Okay---" James looks around for Davin trying to make sure he's with him. "Come on." He waves Davin to join him. Even though James isn't a prince, he is somewhat used to dealing with servants employed by his family. "This is Davin. He'll be staying here. At the, um, palace. As my guest. I'm certain we can find him a room."

Very certain, James thinks as he gets a look at the place. It's even bigger and more grand than his family's actual estate. "Please also prepare us dinner. Whatever he would like." He looks around as they walk through the gates.

[davin]

The palace guard eyes Davin with a certain level of suspicion, but nods and moves out of the way to let Davin pass. He scurries forward and sticks to James' side, resisting the urge to clutch at his sleeve as they're led through the palace. Davin looks around with wide eyes, taking in all the lavish decorations with a vaguely slack jawed expression.

The guard passes them off to a different servant, and this one is a girl who looks like she could work in the kitchens. "What would you like prepared for dinner, your majesty?"

She's addressing James, and she looks confused when James gestures at Davin to answer. Davin is fairly certain he's never actually placed an order for food before, and it takes him a moment. "Meat and potatoes? And some milk?"

It's the first thing he thinks of, and his stomach growls loudly just at the idea of such a full plate. And milk, god. He can't remember when he last had a glass.

"Of course, sir," she says, and Davin's eyes bug out a little. She turns back to James with a pleasant smile. "Would you like me to show your guest to the chambers next to yours?"

Davin looks at James over her shoulder and nods, gesturing for him to say yes, because that way they'll know here in this huge castle James' chambers actually are.

[jamesthorn]

"Please do," James says with a slow nod. It's weird to think that somehow he could be behaving out of character, even though he is playing himself. Still, all these people believe he is royal prince that lives in this huge castle. Maybe his family is rich, but he's not a prince. He doesn't know where anything is or even how this new world works if someone were to ask, and he definitely doesn't want anyone to get suspicious of them so he just tries to remain calm but assertive.

She bows and leads them through another wing of the castle until they get to a split staircase. They move through a hallway, lit by wall torches, until she takes one and stops in front of the large door at the end which opens into a bedroom. Maybe it isn't the Waldorf, but it's obviously luxurious and meant for comfort and highly esteemed guests.

He nods at the servant after she starts a fire in the fireplace. "This will do fine. Let us know when we are needed for dinner," he instructs and she leaves the room. With a sigh he takes a seat on the wood-carved loveseat near the fire, a little unsure what to do next. "This is not how I thought my day was gonna go," he says, rubbing a hand across his eyes tiredly.

[davin]

James, for all he says he doesn't remember any of this, doesn't seem a stranger to being waited on in lush surroundings. Davin on the other hand is gaping like a fish as they enter the chambers. There's a big four poster bed off to one side, and Davin can't even imagine what it might be like to lay in that. He wants to help James, obviously, but getting a good night's rest wouldn't be such a terrible thing.

He turns to join James on the sofa, but he suddenly he just feels dirty and awkward. One of these things is not like the others, and it's Davin trying to sit in this plush bedroom like he belongs here. He's clean, because he may be living on the street but he still has his pride, but his clothes are old and worn. He squirms a bit awkwardly and does his best to ignore how out of place he feels.

"Mine either," he says with a quiet chuckle. He looks over at James and feels the strongest urge to curl up against his side, but he stays on his side of the sofa. He already feels awkward enough that he doesn't want to try and take any liberties. "But we'll figure it out, James. I'll help ya however I can, I promise."

[jamesthorn]

At Davin's words, James lets his hand fall away and he smiles at him. "It's funny. You're not you, but you are," he says. He knows Davin doesn't remember their relationship, but he still is himself and it puts James at ease when everything else around him feels so unfamiliar.

"In the morning we'll figure out where to look first. Tonight I think we should just try to blend in and gather as much as we can here," he suggests angling his body towards Davin to face him. "Thank you. I'm just glad you're here."

[davin]

"Of course I'm me," Davin says with a laugh, reaching out after a moment to rest his hand on James' knee. He nods along with James' plan and sits up a little when James turns to face him, cheeks slightly pink. "Stay here? I can do that."

He watches James' face sighs happily. Maybe he's not this Davin that James remembers, but part of him has to be. It feels like they know each other, and Davin can't help but to wonder just how well they actually do wherever James is from. "I'm glad I'm here, too. Maybe I was s'posed t'find that tower, y'know? Maybe we're meant t'find each other no matter what."

[jamesthorn]

"Maybe so," James agrees with a fond smile. Whether this is truly the Davin he knows or not, there is something innate about him that James feels a connection too, something about his presence that draws him in, and he knows it's because his feelings for Davin are strong. It would make sense that he would like him in this world too.

He looks over at him, guessing that the servant will return for them when dinner is prepared. "Well, what do you do here? Where I'm from, you are a mechanic. You fix things," he says. There's probably no such occupation here as there aren't exactly cars being driven around.

[davin]

The way James is looking at him makes Davin feel so warm and smitten, and Davin sighs happily. He's thought of James since their encounter at the party, but this is so much better. This feels so much more real and Davin feels a connection between them, sparking like his magic. He's so entranced that it takes him a moment to realize that he's been asked a question.

"Hm? Oh! Well, I dunno what a mechanic is, but I am good at fixin' things!" Davin tells him with a bright smile. As he talks, he reaches over to take James' hand without even really thinking about it. It just feels natural, and right, and he threads their fingers together without even realizing it. "I do odd jobs where I can, an' I was workin' in a pub, but mainly I'm spendin' my time as an apprentice, tryin' t'learn all I can about my magic."

He's about to ask what James does where he's from, but a servant knocks and pokes her head in. She looks at their entwined hands and flushes, causing Davin to pull his hand away with a deep blush.

"Dinner is served," she says politely, and Davin tugs James up to follow her before they can get lost trying to find the dining room.

[jamesthorn]

James doesn't notice that Davin has reached for him until he pulls his hand away upon being caught by the servant. It feels like something Davin would naturally do that he doesn't think anything of it. But the blush on both the servant's face and Davin's makes him realize that this isn't altogether the same thing. He suspects if the servants are anything like the ones at Thornton Estate, the news that James has brought Davin home with him will be common knowledge throughout the castle by nightfall, if not already.

He sits up from the couch when Davin tugs him along, pulling him back once the servant is within view but far enough away that their conversation will be private. "Uh, I feel strange asking you this, but there won't be a major ruckus about the fact that you're...a man will it? She's not about to find some pitchforks, is she?" he asks, but this world is definitely less modern than the one he's used to living in and he isn't sure if different sexual preferences are acceptable here or not.

He just wants to know what he's in for tonight.

[davin]

Davin looks at James curiously and reaches out to touch his shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. "I mean, not everyone is okay with it, but it's not that big of a deal. Anyone here is gonna care way more 'bout me bein' so far beneath your station than anythin' else."

He frowns slightly and looks at James in his fancy clothes, shrinking in on himself a bit as they follow the girl into the lavish dining room. They're the only ones in here, but it is a little early for actual dinner. The girl leads them to the end of the table with James at the head and Davin sitting next to him. "But as long as you're okay with it, that's all that matters, right?"

He's trying to reassure himself as much as anything else, and he sits stiffly as servants serve them food. His eyes bug out slightly at the sheer amount of it, and he reaches out to pick up his fork with an eager expression. Still, he wants to be polite, so he waits until James is ready to eat as well.

"This looks so amazin', thank you," Davin tells the servants as they leave, and they all look a little surprised and bow their heads before leaving the room. Davin looks down at the huge piece of meat, coupled with potatoes and vegetables, and then over at James with bright eyes. "I am so incredibly happy right now."

[jamesthorn]

James isn't sure what to think about all of this either. Even this dinner is a bit above the way he was raised. They had a cook and maids, but they didn't have guards and an entire house staff to treat them like royalty which is what Davin keeps telling him his family is in this new world. He just tries not to look too weirded out, pulling the napkin down into his lap as he waits for all the food to finally reach the table. When it does, the meal is truly overwhelming. It's just him and Davin, but there's an entire feast in front of them.

He looks up once they are alone with a smile, watching as Davin digs into his plate. There is a light in his face that is nice to see. "So I have to tell you. When we first went out, I asked you to a dinner at my family's house. It's nothing like this place, but I think you were a little overwhelmed by everything. It didn't seem to scare you off though which is good," he says.

[davin]

This is so much food. He's never had so much food in front of him and even though he's starving, he remembers his manners. He eats with gusto, but he doesn't stuff his face or talk around his food. Still, he can't help the pleased noises that he lets out as he eats.

"I think it would take a lot t'scare me off," Davin says with a fond smile. He wants to ask if James' family liked him, but he's a little afraid of the answer. William doesn't seem like the most pleasant man, and he can't imagine that he would appreciate James being with someone like Davin. Not only a peasant, but a magical one at that. "This is nice, though. I'm a little overwhelmed, but I'm glad t'be here with ya."

He picks up his milk with reverent hands and takes a long sip, licking his lips and grinning as he sets it down. "What else do we do?"

[jamesthorn]

James matches Davin's enthusiasm for the meal they've been served. He hasn't eaten all day, and after their long trek to the castle, he is actually pretty hungry too. "Honestly, this is all very strange to me as well," he says, taking a sip from the glass in front of him and he places it down with a smile.

"I dunno. I guess, just this---" He waves his fork at the food in front of them. "We eat dinner. Watch movies. Sometimes we stay at my house or yours. We just kinda spend time together. That makes sense, right?"

[davin]

"I suppose it would be, aye?" Davin chuckles and takes another bite of his steak. It's not that he forgets that James isn't familiar with this version of himself, but he just looks so at home here. Davin feels so comfortable with him, and sometimes it's easy to forget that there's something wrong with the situation. "It does, except for the movie part. I don't know what that is."

He laughs again and looks up when a servant enters, telling them that dessert will be along shortly. Davin boggles a bit at there being even more food coming and then opens his mouth to speak, but defers to James instead, leaning so she won't be able to hear im. "Should we take dessert in your chambers? We might be more comfortable there, instead of being out here in all the - " He waves his hand around at the large, lush dining room - "y'know, royal stuff. And we might be less likely t'run into someone ya supposedly would know."

Davin blushes at the suggestion and realizes only after how bold that was, asking someone to slip away to their bedroom, but it all goes along with how at ease with James he is. Doing something like eating cake in bed with him doesn't seem like something out of the ordinary until he stops to think about it.

[jamesthorn]

James agrees with a nod, pushing away his half-empty dinner plate. He can't possibly eat another bite of food, so he gestures at the servant to catch her attention once she re-enters the room carrying a tray with what appears to be a tea set. "I think we'll have dessert back in the guest chambers," he says with a nod. The young woman gives Davin a momentary glance, but she tells James everything will be ready shortly.

"Well---" He leans back in his chair, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "You and I have definitely caused a scandal tonight." Davin's probably right though that they'll want to be hidden away. Chances are if there's a horrible version of his father in his own world, there's one in this one too. Standing up from his chair, he looks over at Davin. "I think it's a good idea we keep out of the way. I believe my father would be able to tell I'm not myself. I'm uncertain how he'll take the news."

[davin]

"I'm sorry," Davin says uncertainly, but James doesn't necessarily seem bothered by the fact. "Maybe if ya sleep in your own room, it'll settle?"

Davin frowns though, because he suddenly finds that he hates that idea. He doesn't want to be separated from James at all if he doesn't have to be, and that's such a sudden and somewhat overwhelming realization. "If ya want to, I mean."

He's blushing and he looks at James shyly from under his lashes, and then he stands up and places his napkin on the table as they exit the room together. "That was my thinkin'. I've never met your father, obviously, but he doesn't exactly have the best reputation. Ya may be able t'avoid him until the ball, if we're careful."

Somehow the servants beat them to the room, and they enter to see them setting up dessert. Someone has lit a small fire in the fireplace and Davin looks around, noting how warm and comfortable everything looks. One of the servants gives him another look as they leave, but it's more curious than unkind, and Davin smiles as they shut the door.

"This is better," he says with a happy sigh, taking James' hand and leading him into the room. "Jus' you an' me."

[jamesthorn]

James sees the tray of desserts set up near the fireplace when they walk inside, and he's suddenly reminded of their night together at Davin's apartment on Valentine's Day. It's eerily similar, but just different enough. It's just like everything else in this new world. Davin is so much the same but just different enough, that James knows he isn't the exactly who he is supposed to be right now.

Still, that night at Davin's had been a good night so it's a pleasant rush of thoughts and memories. He pulls off the heavy coat he's wearing, glad to be out of it. These clothes may belong to the James in this world, but they definitely aren't his.

"Where do you live?" he asks as he pours them both cups of the coffee that's been left.

[davin]

"Um, not really anywhere officially," Davin says with a shrug. "I can usually stay above the pub if I do some of the washin' up an' stuff."

Davin isn't ashamed of his situation. He's still young, and he's doing the best he can for himself. Still, it's a little strange to be talking about it with someone like James, who is so well off. The smell of coffee distracts him from his discomfort and he comes over to sit on the sofa next to James, smiling over at him.

There is a chocolate cake and fruit sitting on the table and Davin furrows his brow a bit, suddenly seeing a vivid image behind his eyelids. He's straddling James' lap and cupping his cheeks as he kisses him and licks melted chocolate from his jaw.

Davin clears his throat and nearly knocks over his coffee, cheeks flushed a bright pink as he looks over at James with wide eyes. "Oh wow. I just - we've done this before."

He looks over at the cake and flushes even deeper. "There was chocolate. An' we kissed. An' it was - wow."

[jamesthorn]

James looks up from stirring a shot of cream into his cup, giving Davin a frown, clearly confused by the statement and the red in his cheeks. Until he mentions the chocolate and them kissing. However, the recognition of the memory only serves to confuse James even more. "You do remember," he says a little surprised, placing the spoon and cup aside and shifting a little so he can see Davin completely. "That means...something is blocking your memories."

It means that maybe this isn't a new version of Davin at all. He just needs to remember who he is.

He nods at him. "What you're talking about. It was Valentine's Day. Just a couple months ago. We ate dessert on your couch. You asked me to stay the night with you." He pauses thinking for a moment. "Your own powers can't break this spell?"

[davin]

"Yeah, kind of," Davin says thoughtfully, blushing as James looks at him so intently. What James says feels almost familiar. He remembers, almost, what it felt like to kiss him, and his cheeks go red when he mentions staying the night. He sees flashes of skin and bitten red lips, and he smiles almost shyly at James.

"Ya think it's a spell?" Davin frowns a bit at that, because he isn't sure what to think. His life feels so real. He remembers little details spanning back to when he was a child at the orphanage, so if it's a spell, it's an incredibly powerful one. "I don't know. Spendin' time with you helps, I think. I keep seein' like, flashes. They must be memories."

This is crazy. Davin should be freaking out or running away, but he just looks at James warily. For as crazy as it sounds, it doesn't feel crazy. It feels possible, and that's enough to make Davin stay where he is.

"Tell me more about us," Davin says, reaching out to take James' hand. "Make me remember."

[jamesthorn]

"That must feel strange." To remember the feelings, or the edge of feelings, but not have all the memories behind them, James isn't sure he'd be as calm. He carefully watches Davin's face, how it flutters between curious to shy to flushed, and he can't be certain about everything Davin knows or remembers but he clearly remembers something about their time together.

Then Davin takes his hand, and James eyebrows go up as he looks back at him. "Make you remember?" he repeats and softly shakes his head, feeling like that's a large task. A spell that can overtake an entire town doesn't seem like it's going to be broken by James telling a few stories. But he is willing to try anything to help.

"I can try. What do you want to know?" he asks.

[davin]

"I dunno, it's kinda nice. I've never felt this before, an' I like it." He shrugs and slides his fingers between James', bringing their palms together and looking up at him with a soft smile. James asks him what he wants to know and Davin's expression goes a little thoughtful.

"Are we like this as you remember, too? Am I the pauper t'your prince, I mean?" Davin furrows his brow slightly and looks down at their entwined hands. "Why d'ya even like me? I have nothin' to offer ya."

[jamesthorn]

James just shakes his head, seeing emotion pass over Davin's face that he doesn't completely understand. It is obvious that Davin in this world has lived a harder life, and that the spell has cast a strong enough spell to give him a full new set of memories. It's nearly unfathomable. "I think. This world and the one we're from is very different," he says. "There are no kingdoms. Or princes. You are not...you run a business. I think you are quite successful at it."

"It's not about offering me things. Things I have. I like you because you are kind and you don't expect me to be things that I'm not," he says with a smile. "And you're not bad to look at..."

[davin]

That pulls a laugh out of Davin and warms his heart all the same, giving him in the confidence to lean in and rest his head on James' shoulder like he's been aching to do since they sat down. A pleased sigh escapes him and he squeezes James' hand, bringing it up to press a quick kiss to his knuckles.

"You're not such a bad sight yourself," he teases, turning his head so he can look up at him. Part of him does believe what James is saying. There has to some truth to it, after all, to explain the flashes of things (memories?) that Davin keeps seeing, and the feelings that exist so prominently within him. "We'll figure this out, James."