narnia au;

[illuminescent]

how did you get here? through a wardrobe, or through death, or maybe a portal gone terribly astray. a ring. the roar of a lion. in the bottom of a cup. because you were looking for something, or missing something. no matter how you got there, this is where you belong.

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[illuminescent]

[Oh.

Her breath eases, and she calms, and swings her legs a little. There are still weeks between any decision. There are weeks between any requirements.

She smiles again, and this time it's gentle. Pretty.]

Do you want to stay here? If Susan were to stay, would you be happy to stay?

[curlytop]

[George can't answer that because he can't let himself think that way.]

I will go where my master wishes.

[illuminescent]

He is not-

[She shakes her head.]

You are not a possession! You must have your own decisions!

[She hates slavery so much, and she wants so much for George to be free, even though she knows that it would be complicated to keep him in Narnia, but Lucy is not intimidated by such things.]

[curlytop]

[George watches her outburst with warm eyes. She reminds him a little of Marisol, or maybe Clary.]

Forgive me again, your majesty, but I am. A possession, I mean. And it doesn't do me any good to pretend otherwise.

[illuminescent]

You do not have to pretend-

[She feels like her heart is breaking a little.]

Come with me, please?

[She lifts herself up from the bannister, and her feet land on the ground.]

We are close to the beach, as it is just down there. And I do not like to go unaccompanied.

[curlytop]

[George's attention flicks back to the ballroom. He's not sure he remembers the last time he was this far from Rabadash, but he supposes that if Queen Susan doesn't want his services tonight, her sister is a reasonable option for him to protect instead.]

As you wish, your majesty.

[He offers his arm this time.]

[illuminescent]

[She takes his arm, and takes him down to the beach. Even in the dark, the beach is beautiful, quiet, the sparkling light of the stars reflecting in the foam and in the waves. It is so shining, and the sand is soft. The Narnian sea is Lucy's domain.

She takes them down to where the water is breaking against the rocks.]

When Radabash presented you, you were looking at me.

Why?

[curlytop]

[George can feel his cheeks flushing and he's grateful for both the breeze off the sea and the darkness of the evening. That's the sort of question that can get you in trouble in Tashbaan. Still, he feels like he has nothing to lose by honesty.]

Because when you looked at the slaves, you didn't look away.

Most of the Narnians I've seen...they don't know what to make of us. They know it's wrong, and it makes them...I don't know. Uncomfortable? So they look away.

[illuminescent]

You are a person.

I hate that Radabash has made you think otherwise.

[She leans against him a little, because he is a person, because he seems like he's been a little broken by what he has endured. Slavery is abhorrent. It destroys people, and Lucy knows it.]

You can stay here. If that is what you choose. I can find a way.

[curlytop]

[People have touched him a lot since he came into Rabadash's household, but this is the first time someone has touched him without a demand. Hesitantly, he places his hand over hers.]

He hasn't made me think that. I know I'm a person, majesty. I just also know that I'm his possession.

If your sister refuses him as she should, he will want his pet back, and he'll find someone else to give me to.

[illuminescent]

You are not-

[A pet.

She thinks he knows that.]

I am sorry. I do not like injustice when I see it.

Will you stay close to me while you are here?

[curlytop]

[He almost smiles then. There's a faint brightening to his expression. She cares so much it almost breaks his heart.]

If the prince and your sister allow it, I will.

[illuminescent]

You may know everything about the prince, but I gather you have never seen your prince on a diplomatic mission.

[She can almost see the smile, then, and it makes her wants to make him smile more.]

They will agree, if only to keep me from making their joy into misery.

[curlytop]

[He dips his head, his curls falling into his face.]

I can well believe it, majesty. You seem quite the force to reckon with.

[illuminescent]

Yes.

And I will make you smile, as well.

[She brushes his curls away from his face. She's very close to him, now.]

I promise.

[curlytop]

[She's too close, and he steps away. When the women of the court get too close to him, it never ends well.]

The prince doesn't like me to smile.

[illuminescent]

Never?

[She looks up at him.]

I suppose he wishes for you to intimidate.

[curlytop]

[George shrugs. He wants to smile for her, but he's a little afraid he'll get back into the habit.]

Aye, that's mostly it. I smiled too much, when he first got me.

[He shouldn't get used to this either, to talking about himself.]

[illuminescent]

But you do not have to intimidate me.

I am not afraid of you.

[She says it with care.]

[curlytop]

No, but if I smile for you here now, I may forget and smile for you another time, where he can see.

[Name of the Angel, how did he get to a place where he has to defend himself against smiling?]

[illuminescent]

Oh no.

I will not let you.

I will be most serious when he is about. I will scowl. Like this.

[She makes a terribly hilarious face, a scowl that no human would ever agree to.]

[curlytop]

[She's worse than the children in Tashbaan who make faces behind his back and scatter when he turns around. It catches him by surprise, and he snorts out a quick laugh before he can stop it.]

May you never come to Calormen, majesty. You'd put me out of a job.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs then, and claps her hands.]

Oh! I am so pleased!

[She's laughing again. His laugh is beautiful.]

You have a beautiful laugh.

[curlytop]

[He catches the laugh, but he's still smiling, if mildly. His gaze flicks back to the castle as though someone might be watching him from there.]

I haven't laughed in a very long time. Thank you.

[illuminescent]

You're welcome.

[The waves crash, and she's heading for the end of the bay. The party continues above them, but Lucy isn't going to go back right now. She doesn't want to go back, yet.]

You have accepted so much of what has been done to you.