A Beau for His Beast. ((Gent & Artemis))

[ode]

The house was silent, just the way Gent remembered it when he was a child and just the way it had been since the last housekeeper had left two weeks ago. The eerie quiet was a mix of lonely and comforting, reminding him of his need for some kind of human companionship while at the same time encouraging his solitude by ensuring he never ran into another soul to run in fear of his horrid face. As the last housekeeper had.

Silly fool had come upon Gent and cried bloody murder at the mere sight of his left side before running back to the kitchens crying. He had for three days cried and shook whenever he came near Gent to serve him his meals until finally the Giver could bear no more and cast him out. Roaring at the ninny like the beast he was assumed to be.

It was just as well, he supposed, he needed a lad of strong constitution if they were going to deal with his particular brand of employment. Someone who was not so weak stomached and melodramatic. He just wanted someone to cook and clean, there was no point in conversation at all. No, the mere sounds of the household chores being done was enough to kill any lingering longing for companionship with another individual. He knew better than to hope for more, at twenty-seven he had been this way – scarred and sullen – for nearly three years and held no hope of ever finding his mate. Blanserta, he held no hope of that before he became this monster that he now was. But there had been a chance and seeing himself after the accident… that killed any possibilities remaining.

Leaning back against the wall, he stared down, out of the window over his courtyard and beyond to the winding road before his home. Set back as it was so far from anyone or anything, there was a lovely view of nothing but trees and grass, fields and a few roads. But at least he could see someone coming from far off and knew when was a proper time to hide and when to give in and settle down with his ex Captain who visited occasionally for no other reason than remorse. The man felt guilty that Gent had stepped before him blocking the explosion and that was it. Neither man held a particular like for one another, but he knew enough to be courteous to a higher-ranking officer, even if he no longer was a military man.

A small speck in the distance caught his eye and he watched as a gramba pulled carriage pulled up his drive, he didn’t bother to move just yet. He had to wait and see if the new housekeeper, for surely that was the only person who could be arriving so early and in so little style, would remain or jet upon seeing the dark castle-like manor before him. Two had done so before and there was no use dragging himself away from his favored spot if he was to be presented with yet another ninny.

[clementine]

The ride to the apparently haunted house was taking forever! Artemis moaned in agitation, squirming in his seat and earning a killing look from his manager. The fae just huffed, crossing his arms and pouting at the dark haired Zercan. Stupid house being so far away. He didn’t know why he’d been chosen to work at such an out of the way place. Not only was the mansion creepy as hell, but apparently the owner wasn’t any different.

There was stories about the guy who lived in the house and they hadn’t been kind. Evidently, the male was hideous ugly and no one could look at his face without screaming in terror and turning to stone. It was all nonsense to Artemis. No male was that ugly, especially after that incident involving a fat man and pudding. Artemis shuddered at the thought. His outlook on males had changed drastically after than.

“Now, look Artemis.” Reggie, the manager, said sternly, snapping Artemis from his reverie. “You’re nearly the sixth housekeeper I’ve sent to Mr. MacCallun and you better be the last. Unless you die, you’re not allowed to quit. If you do, you’re fired.” He warned.

“Whatever.” Artemis just scoffed. “If that guy’s that horrible then I will quit. No job is worth putting up with that. I don’t think--oh look!” He cried, interrupting himself as he stuck his head out the carriage window. “There it is.” The fae grinned mischievously, glossy wings thrumming excitedly.

“Artemis don’t you dare!” Reggie yelled. But, it was too late! The teen had already squirmed out the window and was zooming across the large yard, nothing but a blur. He wanted to see how ugly Mr. MacCallun really was! Searching to see if the male was anywhere in sight, Artemis spotted a figure in a high window. He buzzed to investigate further and was disappointed to find not an ugly male, but a fairly handsome one! Artemis hovered in place and pouted. He’d gotten all excited for nothing.

“Get down here this damn minute!” Reggie shrieked from the ground. The carriage had already rolled to a stop in front of the doors and the staffing manager was already out, looking like he wanted to kill the little fae.

[ode]

Gent couldn’t believe there was a damned Fae intruding upon the solitude of his sanctuary. And he was a fast little bugger to boot; Gent had barely had time to cover his scarred face before the man had flown right up to the window. Luckily, his good half was to the window or surely the housekeeper – Please don’t let that be my housekeeper, he mused – would be gone then and there.

Still, the rudeness of such an action had him livid and storming down the stairs in the darkness where he was to met the manager of housekeeping and his newest keeper. Once entering the room, he stayed to the shadows as he usually did but his voice was none too kind when he bellowed, “Is this what my money gets me? Rude creatures flying up to my very window! You are a manager, how dare you not manage your employees to have more restraint and… more…” he cut off, his words choking him when he caught site of the Fae once more, this time close up.

He stared for a long moment before snorting and turning away. It only figured the man would be so very attractive and appeal to him in every way. Like he didn’t have enough to be sullen about, he had to stare at someone ridiculously handsome while hiding his own horrid face.

“Just… show him the round abouts, Reggie, and fun him through my meal schedule. I want someone who can actually cook this time,” that said he stormed back out the way he came, his face never being seen as he knew the shadows so well as to cover him.

[clementine]

Reggie managed to hustled the sullen Artemis down before the yelling began. While the professional manager took it like a man, the little fae was pissed off. “I’m a fairy, that’s what we’re supposed to do!” Artemis yelled back at Gent‘s retreating form. “And I can too cook, maybe if your weren’t so--“ Reggie promptly clapped a hand firmly around Artemis’ mouth. The teen was unhappy, but after a good shake and a warning from his boss, the fae cooled down. He was still angry though, especially since he hadn’t seen all of Gent’s face. Apparently that was the ugly part, but Artemis did believe it.

After a few moments of heated conversation, the two went to go unload all of Artemis’ things. While they lugged the stuff to the fae’s designated room, Reggie explained the do’s and don’ts of the house. “And whatever you do, don’t look at his face for Zerca’s sake. He hates that so just don’t do it. You saw what happened.” The big Zercan tossed Artemis’ suitcase onto a rather lavish bed. Though the teen was astounded at how nice it was, the place was still a little dark and cold. He was determined to make it look more…friendly.

Before Reggie left, he showed Artemis the equally large kitchen and the meal plan. “Mr. MaCallun’s next meal is in an hour. You’ll serve him in the dining room through there.” Nodding in understanding, Artemis bid his manager goodbye before starting on the food. Soon, the entire kitchen and even some of the manor was smelling deliciously of something akin to lasagna and garlic bread.

[ode]

Gent had heard the boy’s mouth but figured Reggie had straightened him out. After all, it wasn’t like Reggie to hire such insolent boys. Idiots, yes, but not hot heads. Perhaps the kid was merely tired from his long journey? Who knew and he supposed it really didn’t matter. He liked to eat and needed someone to feed him. He also liked a clean residence and he wasn’t about to scrub the floors himself!

He was currently in the library looking over one of his newly delivered books. Not a digi-book like most Zercan reading material was but an ancient honest-to-Stars bound book. It was a historical novel telling of the very first inter-planetary mating on Zerca and the trend that seemed to have… followed…

His nose had him pausing, his stomach growling shortly after the delicious scent reached his nose had him placing the book down and checking the clock. Perhaps he was merely hungry after two weeks of thrown together sandwiches or perhaps that really did smell that good. Pleased either way that it was time to eat, he made his way through the dim corridors to the dark dining room and lit the candles at the end of the table only to sit at the farther end away. This way, the lad could serve him without the worry of viewing his face and this way Gent could eat at his own damned table.

Settling in his seat, he glared at the clock, noticing his plate was five minutes late, which had him growling out, “Hurry up, you! I’m hungry!”

[clementine]

“Shut your damn mouth I’m coming!” Artemis called irritably from in the kitchen. Gods, could the male be any more impatient? No wonder no one wanted to work for him. Gent was a complete asshole. Well, if he was going to treat Artemis like dirt, then the fae was going to show him the same courtesy. Growling under his breath, the teen slopped two plates together, both heaped high with good food. One for him and one for the ungrateful Gent. The drinks and silverware were already on the table so he didn’t have to worry about that.

Not hurrying at all, Artemis practically sashayed out of the kitchen, humming under his breath while he glared at Gent. He paused to frown over the dim lighting before continuing on to Gent’s end of the table and setting the full plate gently in front of him. Artemis then set his own plate in front of the empty seat beside Gent. Like hell he was eating alone. If MacCullen had a problem with it, then he could just shove it. Artemis, surprisingly didn’t try to catch a peek of Gent in the dim lightening as he shoved food angrily into his mouth.

[ode]

Gent stared at the male like he had lost his mind. As if his loud mouth wasn’t enough, the kid was going to share his table? Without so much as a request or offer? “What in Blanserta do you think you’re doing?!”

[clementine]

Artemis looked at Gent coolly. "Are you blind?" He asked. "I'm sitting here, eating. And before you say anything, no, I'm not moving. Unlike some people I could mention, we can't all be antisocial." That said, the teen shoved another mouthful of lasagna into his mouth, just daring Gent to say anything more.

[ode]

Gent growled and before he thought better of it he took his plate and threw it against the wall before flipping his chair over and exiting the room, his face conveniently facing the wall and so out of sight. Before leaving the door, he growled over his shoulder, “Are you blind?” he sneered the words back, “Clean that mess up.”

He knew he had cut off his own nose to spite his face in his tantrum, he was still hungry and he was already regretting his wastefulness as his belly protested. Damn, he needed to learn to control his temper.

[clementine]

Artemis' clear wings suddenly turned a burning red as he grew furious. He was absolutely speechless at the tantrum, unable to even scream at Gent as the male walked out. What. The. Hell? He wanted to go and rage at the male, but the mess beckoned. Growling to himself, the fae went about cleaning up the mess, his own meal forgotten.

Something was bothering Artemis though, a lingering feeling of pain and something else. Sighing, unable to go against his Sensaphorian nature, the teen made another plate. With the food covered in a warming tray, Artemis left it sitting outside the library door where he knew Gent was hiding.

"Bastard!" Artemis screamed, kicking the door hard to get the male's attention before fluttering off to go sulk in his new room.

[ode]

Gent was so close to jerking the door open and throwing something at the bearer it wasn’t even funny. Only the knowledge that the beautiful, high string Fae would no doubt see his deformity stilled him. Though after awhile that delectable sent was still beckoning him and he contemplated if it were possible to sneak into the kitchen unnoticed. He doubted it, but the thought had him creeping open the door nonetheless. Perhaps if he hear where the Fae was then he could move around him to the kitchen.

A sight caught his eye and he glanced down, the thermal plate was sitting just outside of his library. Glancing back and forth, he felt rather paranoid and wary of reaching out for the food. What kind of a person would still serve someone after the stunt he had pulled? Still, his hunger won out and he quickly grabbed the plate and brought it inside, locking the door after himself.

Removing the lid, he sighed when he saw a full plate. Raising his eyes to the heavens, he prayed the male hadn’t spit in is food and dug in.

[clementine]

No, Artemis had not spit in Gent's food. Though...it was a good idea and the fae pouted when he thought about it after the fact as he laid down to sleep. The teen lay in bed for a few hours, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. It had been a busy day, but he was just too...emotional to be able to settle his mind.

Sighing heavily, Artemis got up and headed for the window. Throwing the bay doors open, he darted out to go burn off some energy and explore the property.

[ode]

Gent stared out his window as he always did. Happy, sad or just blank like he usually felt, it was his favorite spot where he could view the world even if he couldn’t be a part of it. Only this time, he viewed something a little different than usual when he saw the Fae fly out of his window.

He watched the boy fly about, his eyes locked on those lovely wings shimmering in the moonlight and had a sudden thought. If he were ever to have a mate, he would have wings like those. Glossy and glamorous, nearly glowing in the natural light the night sky gave off. It would be a beautiful addition to his ugly life.

Rationally, he knew he should not hope for such things as he knew in the end he would merely end up dwelling on the fact that he would never have a mate. But, well, he supposed even he was allowed to give in to fantasies every now and again.

[clementine]

Sometimes, when he was alone, Artemis liked to drink the nectar of flowers. He was in the process of doing so when it felt like he was being watched. He looked up, a bright petal of a flower stuck to his lips as he spotted Gent in the window.

Feeling rather vindictive, Artemis darted to the window like earlier. He looked at Gent for a moment, still unable to see that one half of the man's face. Frowning, the fae suddenly pressed his face against the glass, sticking out his tongue and making a hideous facial gesture at Gent.

[ode]

Gent stared at the fellow like he had lost his mind. But as the Fae continued in his childish antics, even Gent could not hold back the dimpled smile that found his mouth and had him shaking his head. Realizing he had given in to such childishness, he immediately got up from his seat and extinguished the remaining light to encompass himself in darkness and heading for his bed, stripping along the way.