A Web of Affection
By: ChocolateEclar
Disclaimer: Some characters belong to the magnificent authoress, Diana Wynne Jones. I just borrowed them for a while. She also owns the entire world she created (i.e. Ingary, Zanzib, etc.)
Claimer: I own Wyn, Aidan, Nate, Nesta, Stephen, Oliver, Evan, Kamania and Chris Aprilian, Mr. Calypso, Professor Weph, Life, Death, Apocalypse, Rhys, Mackenzie, Vihari and Mayuri Clavis, Damian and Damodar Reskin, and the country of 'Filar.'
To Artemis Obscure: ^_^ Thanks for reviewing! Which Japanese shows do you like? Your review has inspired me to finally write the Rhys/Mayuri story I wanted to do. So here it is!
A/N: This is another story under Rhys's POV. Hope you like it!
A/N 2: The title kinda has to do with the following quote at the beginning of the chapter.
Chapter 1: In Which Rhys Is Ensnared in Two Women's WebsRhys
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." - Sir Walter Scott
Darn good advice if you ask me. If only Wyn had told that proverb to me when I first started dodging Talitha and Mayuri. If she had done that, then I wouldn't have human teeth marks on my left arm…
But enough about that, let me explain why I originally started evading the girls.
It all began, I suppose, the moment Mayuri and Princess Talitha laid eyes on each other. It was hate at first sight, I swear. By the time I was twenty years old, the two of them were constantly getting into 'cat fights' that always led to either one of them ripping an item of clothing or me getting hurt trying to constrain them. After a while I strived to make them see as less of each other as possible. But some things just can't be helped.
I've compiled a list of what they've dubbed each other:
Talitha to May-
1. Hussy
2. Cranky peasant
3. Um…Let's just say that's all that's atleast somewhat appropriate.
May to Talitha-
1. Okay, so I can't say anything that she says about Talitha except 'wench.' The rest are far cruder than Talitha's insults…
Anyhow, let's just say bickering and 'cat fights' were only the beginning.
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"Yo, Uncle, the broods are going to try an' kill each other again!" screamed Nate, my fifteen-year-old nephew, from my front doorway. I was twenty-two at the time and it seemed my personal job was to keep 'Princess Pain-in-the-Butt' and Mayuri from knocking the stuffing out of each other.
I lived in a small apartment in the capital of Wales, Cardiff. It's an interesting place filled with a culture still very much alive. My main room was littered with paintings, sketchbooks, and doodles galore for I was still attending art school.
Outside my paned window, I have a wonderful view of the Taff River in the distance but at the moment I wasn't enjoying my temporary home. Instead I was grabbing my jacket and transporting Nathaniel and myself back to the moving castle.
"Where are they?" I asked.
"Down in Market Square, I'm 'fraid. They's trying to murder each other!" replied Nate. Nate always talked in a way that would make any English teacher cringe; he did it on purpose I suspect considering he used to talk as normal as his twin sister.
"Come on then!" We rushed out of the door and into Market Chipping. It was two blocks to the square and time was of the essence so I teleported us once more.
What awaited us confirmed Nate's worries. Mayuri and Talitha, the princess of Ingary, were attempting to strangle each other right in the middle of the square and no one was trying to stop them! I mean seriously, the few royal guards watching Princess Talitha were just examining the brawl silently like it was no big deal! Hello, Mayuri's a tad bit tougher than Talitha, which sort of makes this a national incident!
I hurried forward and grabbed Talitha by her lacy collar. "Unhand me, you-" she began. "Oh its you, Rhys, dear!"
I grimaced and Mayuri's coffee colored face turned red. She looked rather ruffled, her brunette hair standing on end and her violet dress appeared to have dirt on it.
"What have they done this time, Rhys?" came a young familiar voice.
"The usual, Vihari," I replied turning around.
Mayuri's little, now twelve-year-old, brother was standing nearby. His dark hair was cropped and he was adorned in a scarlet robe-like suit with golden trim. He grinned at his sister laughingly and inquired, "You girls can't seem to stop quarreling, now can you?"
Mayuri growled and snapped, 'Oh shut up, Vih!"
Vihari stuck his tongue out at his sibling and told me, "Mrs. Jenkins says as long as you're here, Rhys, you can have dinner at the moving castle. I think she's got onion cake for dessert too!"
I smiled. Mom's cooking was always delicious! I plopped Talitha back on her feet and said, "Let's get goin' then." Mayuri followed me silently while Princess Talitha fumed.
"I thought you promised to have dinner with me the next time you returned, Rhys!" she whined.
Urgh! I loathe that woman's voice!
"I did no such thing, your grace," I said leaving. My teeth were grinding. Why did she always have to say such garbage all the time?
Talitha pouted and exclaimed, "How dare you walk away from royalty like that, Rhysie!"
God, did she just call me 'Rhysie?' AGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
I sighed. "I'm hungry, princess. Can't you just let me be? I don't honestly care if I remain a bachelor forever! All I want is for you to stop PURSUEING ME!!!" I yelled. As soon as I said it, I regretted it.
I, my friends, was going to prison for life… Double 'AGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
"What ever do you mean, dear?" cried out Talitha in front of my family, friends, some royal guards, and a hundred people of Market Chipping.
I probably would have been carted away by guards right there if my dear brother, Morgan, hadn't come along.
Morgan was about twice my age with three children and in his 'old age' was becoming even more strong-minded it seemed. "Balderdash!" he yelled. "For Heaven's sake, leave the poor boy alone, your highness, or I'll tell your mother!!!" Morgan meant it too. Though I didn't like being called a 'poor boy' I still remained silent. Morgan was my savior after all.
The next of my family members to show up was my sister-in-law and Morgan's wife, Mackenzie. "What's all the commotion?" she asked, her dark haired head appearing amongst the crowd of spectators.
"Hello, Uncle Morgan, Uncle Rhys!" yelled Nesta, Nate's twin, appearing a moment later. Evan, Morgan's youngest child, was holding onto her hand.
"Come on, Rhys! Mum is waiting for us, you know," Morgan said.
I followed Morgan out of the square, never looking back at Talitha. I was definitely back in old, magical Ingary.
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A/N: Yippee! I've finished the first chapter of my fourth HMC/CitA fanfic! *does a dance*
A/N 2: This story may not be all in Rhys's POV, I'm not really sure where I want to take this yet…
Vihari: Don't forget to review!
Me: I'm supposed to say that! -__-
Vihari: …
Me: ^__- Review, people!
A/N 3: BYE! ^___________^