Artemiss

[bumbleebumblebee]

"...but, it wasn't supposed to be yours, either."

---

I suppose you know most of the rest, from this point onward, but I've yet to share just why I travel alongside you, with the others. So, I'll continue...

After a time my supplies ran low, and eventually, I was left without anything to keep me occupied before bed. All I had was my old drawings, old paintings, to keep me company. The few I wasn't forced to destroy, out of fear of my mother or one of the servants finding them. This went on, for months, until my family and their guard were summoned away. I didn't know, and still don't know as for why, as my family didn't keep me informed of such things. But, thanks to the chattering of the servants, I knew that the manor would be mostly empty one weekend.

So, I devised a plan.

Throughout the week, I gathered small things they likely wouldn't notice missing. A few coins, here and there. Silverware, that I could sell at the marketplace, and I look a map of the town from the study. On Friday, they left, and that Friday night, I snuck away from the manor. I remember finding a bench in the marketplace to sit, waiting for the sun to rise, so I could purchase whatever drawing supplies I could, and sneak back into my chambers. I had everything planned out, everything except for meeting you.

---

"..."

"...m-my name? It's...Artemiss."

"..."

"...oh, that's a pretty name."

"..."

"O-oh, I'm just here to get some paint."

"..."

"My parents? Probably asleep."

"..."

"It's late, but I'm not alone, see?"

"..."

"You..like it? The only other person who liked my drawings is father- h-hey, don't touch my hood--"

"..."

"...yeah, horns. Antlers. Mutations. Don't tell anyone, I'll get into a lot of trouble, and so will my family, if they find out about 'the freak'."

"..."

"No, I am. It's okay."

"..."

"Lonely? I guess, but you get used to it- hey, wait, give that back!"

"..."

"Mister bird! He's alive, how did you-"

"..."

"W-wait. I can do that, too? How? S-show me..."

---

The next two mornings I snuck out, to meet you upon the same bench. It felt liberating to speak with someone, to tell them about my passions, about anything, really. I enjoyed those early mornings, showing you the few pictures I'd managed to keep hidden. I enjoyed being able to talk with one, who didn't care about my mutations, and above all else...

I enjoyed learning how to make those imaginary friends, real. I enjoyed making a real  friend. It was the first time I can remember being happy, since father stopped visiting. I remember how sad I felt, saying goodbye for what I thought would be the last time. But, I'm glad I saw you again. Even if the reason, for why, will likely forever haunt me.

...for I'd devised a plan, for when my family returned. I was going to show them the gift you'd given me. Convince them, that I wasn't an abomination. Show them, that I was special and different, but not a monster. I could use my passions, my talents, for the family, I could finally meet that princess, and help her. I didn't have to train for battle, to fight in wars I knew nothing of, for people I'd never met, for a family who'd rejected me.

I wanted to believe you, believe that I wasn't a freak, and while I was too weak to stand up for myself. I could easily do this, with the support of my friends.

But, it looks like we've visitors headed our way. I'll return to my drawings, and finish this tale another time...

Oh, right, this part you might not have known! Or maybe you did, and didn't care-- I lied to you, once. Artemiss wasn't my name, at the time. But, I buried that old name alongside the rest of them.

---

"I've long since absolved myself of guilt for it, now. It's ironic, though. In your pursuit to save that monster, all those worries and fears came to life. I became the stain upon that oh so very special bloodline. Imagine what would've happened, if a single one of you did what he did: treated me like a human.

But, it's too late for hypotheticals now, isn't it?"