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s-creations · 7 months

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Artificial Calm - Court of Roses Fanfiction

He was just at the Masquerade.

They were being attacked.

Why was he suddenly…home?

Fandom: Court of Roses (Webcomic) Rating: General Audiences Relationship: Merlow the Rose/Nocturne (Court of Roses) Additional Tags: Other Characters are mentioned, Hypnosis, Trance, Takes place during teh Masqurate, This is a personal take, No idea if this is what the creator thought of or not, This just popped into my head.

Gift to @nintendonut1 @courtofrosescomic

Merlow couldn’t help but laugh at watching Nocturne calm the chicken formally known as Biggens down. The half-elf quickly letting out a cough to cover up the remainder of his chuckles. But the smile was still in place as the Infernal stood back up. Said chicken tucked under Nocturne’s arm.

“Nicely done.” Merlow commented, impressed with himself that he didn’t slur his own words. He was far too inebriated to be dealing with this.

Under the animal mask, a low blush started to spread on Nocturen’s cheeks. “I’m surprised it worked. Honestly, I’ve read about the trick, but never seen it practiced.”

Even with the current danger, Merlow eagerly perked up. Ears wiggling at the prospect of sharing a childhood story with Nocturne.

“Me old mate used t’do it back on the farm-”

Merlow’s eyes snapped open.

His mind slowly took in the fact he was currently staring up at a darkened ceiling. The warmth and smells of the ballroom were completely gone. His ears nervously quivered as he listened for something, anything to explain what was happening.

Where was everyone?

How did he get here?

Where was ‘here’?

Slowly, Merlow took in points that he was laying on a bed (a rather large and expensive feeling bed) with a heavy blanket draped across him. Getting feeling in his arms, Merlow yanked the blanket off of him, Immediately getting a spike of frigid air hitting his exposed skin. Which wasn’t a lot due to his long sleeved top and bottoms that actually draped over the tops of his feet.

Thankfully, the wooden floor of…wherever he was, was covered with multiple thick and plush rugs. Merlow couldn’t help but stumble out of the bed. Eyes traveling down to find his legs were normal, no doubt he was just tired and the force of being awake so quickly wasn’t helping.

Wait, no, hadn’t…

Hadn’t they changed to donkey legs?

How did they return to normal?

They had changed…hadn’t they?

His head hurt.

Rubbing his forehead, Merlow stumbled over to the closest window. Throwing open the shutters, he leaned out as best he could to find something of normalcy in this terrifying situation. It appeared the building he was in was situated in a relatively large village. The numerous homes and buildings nearby were dark as no doubt everyone was still asleep. As indicated by the inky black sky depicting a quiet evening. The only light seen were the stars in the sky and the dimmed lanterns that barely lit the street below.

Even with the darkened land, that prickling feeling of familiarity started in the back of Merlow’s head.

“...’M back in Tanworth?” Merlow choked out.

He had to know. He had to figure out what was happening. He needed to get out of this place.

Leaving the window open, Merlow made for the room’s door. Hand just barely wrapping around the handle when something shifted in the bed. The half-elf felt frozen in growing terror as the figure slowly sat up.

Was there someone in there that entire time?

How had Merlow not seen them before?

Who was that?

Even with how dark it was, Merlow could see it was Nocturne. The Infernal patted the bedside table to locate his glasses.

“Merlow?” Nocturne’s voice was heavy with exhaustion. Sitting up further in the bed to place his glasses on. Looking over to Merlow with a look of confusion. “Are you okay? Why are you awake?”

“N-Nocturne… Where…W-Where are we?”

“In Tanworth…in our home? Are you going somewhere?”

The panic was still gripping onto Merlow’s heart.

“What do ya mean ‘our home’? We don’ have a home. We…We were jus’ at th’ masquerade. There was an attack! I was part donkey an’ everyone else were changed into chickens! But not everyone ‘cause th’ rest of th’ Court were safe. But, but, but we were still under attack an’-”

The half-elf’s panicked words were cut off when he flinched away feeling a hand placed on his shoulder. Wide eyes looking up to Nocturne. The Infernal’s hand still suspended in the air, face fixed with worry.

When had Nocturne moved from the bed?

Why had he not heard the other move?

“Merlow…you’re scaring me. Are you talking about the masquerade that was held in Calcin?”

“Yes- You- How did we get here? We were jus’ there. Where’s everyon’ else?”

“They’re home, we’re home. We haven’t been to Calcin for a few months and there wasn’t an attack… Merlow, I need you to calm down.”

Merlow couldn’t help but flinch further away when Nocturne raised his arms. Calming himself as best he could, the half-elf slowly inched closer until he was gently pulled into a warm hug. Feeling that he was sinking further into the comfort and safety the Infernal provided.

“You’re okay,” Nocturne’s voice rumbled, “You’re okay… You just had a nightmare. It’s just your nerves getting the best of you. We do have an important performance tomorrow.”

Merlow let out a small shiver as hands rubbed his back in further comfort. He knew his eyes were open but for some reason he could see the world melt around him. …He didn’t seem to mind. “It felt so real…”

“I know… Nerves can get the better of us.”

“Maybe…but donkey legs?”

“Yeah, that’s a little strange.”

Merlow’s ears twitched at the weird shift in Nocturne’s tone, worried at how annoyed the Infernal sounded. He began to lift his head with a quiet, “Nocturne?”

What was happening to the world? Was it-

A gentle hand was placed on the back of his head. The Infernal gave quiet shushes as Merlow was pulled back back into the warmth. “You’re okay. I’m just agreeing with your comment. You know you’re safe here, you know I will keep you safe.”

It felt as if Merlow was sinking into warm cotton. Arms feeling heavy as he attempted to reach up to wrap them around Nocturne. “I know.”

“Then you know you have nothing to worry about when you’re here. Just listen to my voice. Know that everything is okay. Know that you have nothing to worry about.”

Merlow could have sworn the floor had disappeared beneath his feet. An unfamiliar tune playing faintly in the background, Merlow almost believing he was imagining the notes.

He didn’t seem to mind the strange events happening. Eyes finally closing as he erased the unnerving comfort Nocturne provided. Sighing softly as fingers were gently combed through his hair.

“You’re safe. Just listen to me.”

The grip Merlow held on Nocturne fell lacks. But he couldn’t tell if it was because he was falling asleep or if it was because the Infernal seemed to have disappeared from the half-elf arms.

“You’re safe. Just listen to me.”

Merlow felt as if the same warm cotton he was sinking in was also filling his head. Feeling heavy but also light. Lulling further forward as the solid form of Nocturne fully disappeared.

“You’re safe. Just listen to me.”

He should have been concerned, worried, panicking more than when was before. As he was now floating in nothing. But all Merlow could focus on was the warmth and comfort that somehow surrounded him. Somehow content with just floating within nothing.

“You’re safe. Just listen to-”

BLEEEEATUURRP

Merlow sucked air back in desperately after having his last breath pushed out of him. The warmth and calm he’d just felt was broken away. Fuzzy vision slowly cleared the more he blinked, revealing the situation before him.

He was back at the masquerade party. The strangely familiar sea of chickens before him. His friends were surrounding him with looks of worry and relief. Except for Feliks, who was on the floor a few feet away, confused as they tried to sit back up. Warren was further away, across the room, stunned as he rested at the foot of one of the large pillars. Unmoving and limp.

Air properly refilled in his lungs, Merlow weakly sputtered out, “Wha’ happen?”

He reached up to rub his forehead to collect himself further. Twitching slightly, feeling a hand being rested on his shoulder. Turning back to find a very worried looking Nocturne.

The real Nocturne.

Not the fabricated dream version.

His Nocturne.

The Infernal gave a comforting smile to the half-elf. “Well…Feliks was giving Warren a verbal thrashing, for one thing.”

“Awww…darn.”

Felik’s verbal takedowns were amazing to witness. He can’t believe he missed that.

“But it seems your bagpipes gave him a physical thrashing, so there’s that.”

“Oh, good.” Merlow was still in his own dazed state. Between his previous drinks and whatever magic he’d just experienced, he was still on shaky legs.

Shaky donkey legs.

See, he knew he had them.

“Not quite yet,” Nocturne’s arm wrapped around Merlow gently to help keep him upright. More than a welcoming touch. “Though you did break the hypnosis and taken care of Warren for the moment. His hired men are about to besiege the ballroom.”

Merlow frowned. Focusing as he straightened his stance better. The donkey legs and soaked mind not helping. “Ah…we be in for a fight, then?”

Nocturne offered his free hand for the half-elf to grab onto. “It would seem that way. ‘Floggings’ were mentioned.”

Taking a deep breath, Merlow took a moment to steady and clear his mind. Merlow’s legs were a little shaken as he put more pressure on them. Feeling a flush of comfort when Nocturne’s hand was gently placed on the back. Just in case. The half-elf offers a smile to the other before stepping away. Hefting the bagpipes up further under his arm, Merlow turned to address the rest properly.

“Right…everyone! Yer attention please! T’ would seem our new audience is fast approachin’...” Merlow swallowed weakly as his legs shook slightly. Steadying himself once more before continuing on stronger. “Which means we oughta reconsider our next set.”

“We saw how, um, rowdy they can get. So, I think our music choice should match their energy. I’d like t’ start with th’ swing piece we were developin’ an’ go from there! I know it ain’t finished. But we can all make it somethin’ special. I know it!”

Merlow shifted, hooves clicking on the polished floor while he looked over to his friends, “Am I makin’ sense?”

“Yes!”

“Absolutley!”

“Of course.”

“Gotcha boss!”

The cries of approval and bravado raised Merlow’s spirits. “Good. Tune yer tools of th’ trade friends… An’ let’s blow ‘em away.”

Is it strange that he was actually missing his donkey legs? They could have certainly added flair to his performances. But they were a hassle to walk on. Let alone trying to fight off the urge to walk on all fours. It was bizarrely strange.

Merlow paused in his path as he let out a heavy sigh. Green eyes rising to take in the numerous stained glass windows decorating the walls. Even with being returned to normal, knowing that others were being cared for, and that all who were the cause of this were behind bars, Merlow still felt numb.

He should be thrilled! They won and put on an amazing show in the process. But being brought the information that the Cleric of Pal’let had been missing for years. That they were trying to find a murderer. Weighing heavily in worry that he could just forget Nocturne at any moment. And then that dream…

The uncomfortable pressure in Merlow’s chest grew.

He’d been told it wasn’t a proper dream. None of the party had fallen asleep. They were in more of a deep trance. Deep enough that those inflicted with the spell would fall into a reality of the person’s want.

A person’s desire.

He gripped his hands together tighter, pressing them to his chest.

How painful is it to know what he wants could never happen? A quiet life to just play at so many venues with the wonderful group of people he’d meet. A wonderful home in the town where he’d been raised. A home for him and Nocturne. Were the fears of demons or loss or murders were nothing more than a memory.

Where he stood now, Merlow felt that it was a wild dream. Just a dream. Because so many pieces would need to fall into place for the world to be peaceful. Far out of his control.

But it was a wonderful dream.

He’d stood there long enough, he needed to find the others. He needed to move forward.

As he neared the front entrance, Merlow’s ears lowered in annoyance upon hearing the pompous and annoying voice of Master Biggens. Said elf sounding far less boisterous as previously sounded. Turning the corner, Merlow saw Biggens standing before Nocturne. The Infernal looked bored and uninterested. Clearly being talked ‘at’ instead of talked ‘to’ as Biggens kept moving his mouth.

All the while, Lady Crasis watched the exchange with a warm smile on her face.

Nocturne's sour mood quickly changed when he found Merlow. The uninterested expression turned to a delighted smile as the half-elf waved back.

“Very well, apology accepted. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Nocturne turned away from Biggens easily. Said elf absolutely aghast that anyone would have the gall to just brush him off.

Nocturne didn’t care.

“There you are,” the Infernal said to the other, “How are you feeling Merlow?”

“Fit as a Flaxenbrook Jig! Legs are all un-banjaxed,” was Merlow’s giddy reply.

“You’ll have to teach me what that word means.”

“Aye! But first…” The warm flush already on his cheeks grew further. Merlow cleared his throat before continuing.

“I used t’ask this t’every new troupe member. How do ye feel about yer first official performance? What’d ye enjoy about it th’ most? Anywhere y’feel we could improve? I jut’ wanna hear yer thoughts, is all.”

“Well…” Merlow put up no complaint when Nocturne gently took his hands, “I think our first set went splendidly. Clearly, all of our hard work paid off.”

Merlow nodded, “Aye, it did.”

“As for the second set… Being in the middle of all that tremendous energy…” Nocturne’s smile grew to one of absolute joyful levels. The gentle claimed hands shifted to be tightly grasped as the Infernal boisterously stated, “I have never felt more alive!”

Merlow smiled back, heart hammering as he looked at Nocturne’s beaming face. In those few seconds following, there was a spark of determination that seemed to hit deep in his chest. One that carried the idea that, even if it felt like a far off dream, why not wish for it? Why not view it as a dream that he could work towards to make a reality?

And in that moment, why not decide to work for it.

Just to make sure he could always see that wonderful smile.

“Great!

#s-creations #fanfiction #merlow the rose #nocturne court of roses #court of roses #nintendonut1 #this was a gremlin of an idea that would not let go #I hope this is good

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