A Present

The ball came to a quiet end, with the three of us saying our goodbyes to Aella as we climbed into the carriage. The carriage rocked gently as we passed through dimly lit streets and heard distant sounds of the city. Malti was completely drunk and slumped onto the side of the carriage, unconscious.

"Looks like she had a good time..." Kassim said.

"Yeah, looks like it."

I didn't drink anything. I don't know how my body would handle it, and I didn't want to make a fool out of myself in front of all those people. It seems like it wasn't a concern for Malti, though. We sat in silence with only the sound of the rattling of the carriage in the background.

"So, what are your thoughts on Aella?" Kassim broke the silence.

"Umm..."

To be honest, it was hard to form an opinion of him. We met and talked for only a few minutes before leaving them to talk.

"He seemed... genuine?"

Kassim tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "Come on, what do you really think?"

I paused. "Well, it seemed like he wanted something... His body language, the way he acted towards you."

"Exactly, Sern." Kassim leaned back against the cushions.

"So what does he want?"

"He wants to join us in our endeavor."

"Do you trust him?"

Kassim started to fiddle with his rings. "Well... I've known him for a while now, and he does have a certain hatred for my brother. But I don't think that's the main reason why he is willing to come to my side. It would be too dangerous to join me for simple reasons like that..."

"You think he wants to betray you?"

"No, not yet at least. I think he is much like me. I think he has a lot of ambition, and with his father out of the way, he can make decisions as the head of his Great House."

"So he just wants more power?"

"Yeah, it seems that way. But even though it's not loyalty or friendship, it will have to do." Kassim paused. "I don't think we have much time left... my father is getting weaker by the day. I can't be picky with my allies now, especially an ally like Aella."

A solemn mood filled the carriage.

"...Well, that's why you have us," I said, trying to cheer him up.

Kassim looked up at me, and a smile spread across his face.

"You're right."

Kassim paused for a second, then reached back to grab something from his pocket.

"I know most demons don't celebrate birthdays like humans do, but I wanted to get something for yours."

He pulled out a gold braided bracelet and handed it to me. The gold reflected the moonlight filtering through the windows of the carriage. I stared at it for a good few seconds.

"Happy sixteenth birthday, Sern."

To be honest, I was happy to get anything for my birthday. In this life and my previous one, I had become accustomed to my birthday just being another day. I thought today was just going to be any other day, too. But to receive a present, and one as awesome as this... I mean, who doesn't like gold?

"This looks... expensive. Thank you. But how did you know it was my birthday?" I was confused about that.

"I asked Malti about it."

That made sense. I told her about it, and I guess she told him. I ran my fingers along the bracelet, feeling the ridges and divots. Slowly, I slipped the bracelet onto my left arm, seeing how it felt and looked. It was a snug fit, reflecting the moonlight back into my eyes.

I looked up to see Kassim smiling at me. I probably need to give him something on his birthday... when's his birthday? Thinking about it, I know almost nothing about him. I mean, he knows so much about me, my situation, my goal, my birthday, my favorite foods... What do I know about him? I know he is a prince, and he wants to become king, but what else? I know nothing of his personal life, not in the way he knows mine.

The quiet rocking of the carriage was making me tired. My eyelids were growing heavy as I tried to keep them open. I wanted to know more about Kassim. Things that make up Kassim the person, not Kassim the prince. I want to know his favorite foods, his hobbies, his favorite places, his favorite people... My eyes closed as I slumped onto Malti.

I should probably start off simple, huh. I guess I'll have to ask him about his birthday tomorrow...