private PSL

[srsbznss]

[Part of the problem with being a financial advisor, Ali realized, was that it meant he had to work. And it wasn't even the fun kinds of 'work' like stacking coins and sorting them by the quality of their gold or silver, oh no. The king had made it quite clear that any coin-counting was to be done only when requested, or outside of working hours. No, Ali had to do things like read and fill out paperwork, or run analytics on tax revenue and what kind of surplus or expenditures there were in the quarter. Or, at the very least, he had to assign all of that work to one of his several secretaries. After all, he at to at least keep up the appearances of being a financial advisor, and over the last few decades he had gotten pretty good at that. It wasn't impossible, but it also wasn't nearly as fun as counting coins.

Of course, he would get odd looks if he just sat around counting coins all day. To anyone else looking in, they did not see the fearsome dragon Aligrezoph, guardian of the kingdom's treasury. They saw Ali, a normal- albeit quirky- man who kept a very small social circle in the finance department and spent most of his days trying to keep expenditures to a minimum while saving up as much as he could. All for the kingdom's benefit, of course. It totally wasn't so there would be an even bigger pile of coins for Ali to count on his breaks.

Indeed, most who looked at Ali would just see an average-looking man. shoulder-length black hair tied back with a black ribbon, piercing blue eyes, a perpetual frown stuck on his face in most situations. A lean body that was more built for flexibility and speed than strength, and a very simple style of dress in neutral colors. He looked every bit like a stuffy accountant, though Ali would argue that he wasn't really THAT stuffy. He was just comfortable with the form!

He also would not talk about his other form under any circumstances.

On that day, Ali had an armful of expense reports with him. There was to be a meeting, and he had stayed up all night with two of his secretaries preparing these reports. With the midsummer festival coming up, the festivities had to be decided upon and paid for. And, as usual, Ali wanted to keep the expenses as low as possible. For the good of the kingdom, of course. Ultimately his team had prepared a few possible expense reports, with varying amounts spent on decorations, hiring out staff, and paying guards for keeping the peace. Any one of his plans would be acceptable, but Ali was sure that someone would complain. There was always someone who complained and called him a 'coin-pinching cheapskate', but those complaints had picked up more in recent years. Already Ali was annoyed just from the thought of the argument that would happen that day when he butted heads with a certain other advisor. Sparks would fly as usual, and these weren't the good kind of sparks.

But Ali was willing to give it a chance. As people arrived at the meeting- a meeting between the king and his dozen or so advisors in the various ways of running the kingdom- Ali worked to lay out one set of expense reports at each desk. It was only two pages of paper per table spot, so hopefully everyone liked to read!

Of course, when Ali passed a certain advisor, he had to fight the urge to make a snide comment. Instead, he just held out the two-page document to him, trying not to show too much contempt when he spoke.]

Do take care of those papers, will you? My staff stayed up all night finishing them.

[He was a dragon in hiding, not a snake in hiding, but his words still had bite to them.]

Comments

[srsbznss]

[Someday, when Ali is reminiscing on this point in his life, he'll look back on it fondly.

Today, though, he lets out a 'gah!' and pulls his hand back so he can wipe it on his work coat. He's too frazzled to even lie much, so he gives a sarcastic answer instead.]

As I said, I've dealt with this in the past on my own. Waiting it out is honestly the fasted option, hatching a dragon egg takes months.

[He does glance back at the nests of chicken eggs though...he's half-tempted to steal some, but he'll hold off on that temptation for today.]

[virtuesignal]

[A long, long stare. Concord's eyes just sort of slowly narrow into a suspicious look, though it's more confusion than weariness]

... you can lay an egg? [a really wonderful thing for some random farmhand walking by to overhear, but at least it's the usual oddness from Concord.]

[srsbznss]

No!

[That exclamation is loud enough for the random farmhand to hear too. It confirms that it's the usual oddness from Concord at least.

But after that Ali glances around quickly before leaning in to explain further in a harsh whisper.]

I'm a male, only females can lay the eggs. But male or female can hatch them.

[virtuesignal]

I... see. [does he, though? He does still have a hand on Ali's shoulder despite the strange conversation and Ali's flustered squawking at him.]

So, you cannot have one, but you still want for one. That does sound frustrating. [a yearning with no easy answer, sounds familiar enough for them]

[srsbznss]

[Ali really questions how much Concord understands sometimes. He has long since resigned himself to being the brains of the pair. He is completely wrong there, he can be the brainless one sometimes too, he just thinks he's the smart one.

But Concord seems to understand how frustrating the whole situation is, so that's something at least. Ali sighs before answering.]

Pretty much. But like I said, it will pass in a couple weeks. Then I'll be less...

[Fussy. Uptight. Broody.]

...bothersome.

[virtuesignal]

Bothersome or lonesome? [Too direct, probably, for Ali's taste. Concord doesn't say this harshly, he does say it with a softness he's very rare to express. Stern or stoic is his usual, but Ali has a knack for easing him to something more compassionate.

Many would think that's easy for a unicorn, or inherent, but Concord had too troubled a past... he still doesn't trust easily. Vulnerability isn't his strong suit.]

[srsbznss]

[The tone does help soften it, and Ali knows Concord is trying his best. It's true though, he's being quite direct. It makes Ali run a hand though the loose parts of his hair as he tries to think of the right words to say. Concord wants to know, but can Ali think of the words to express it?]

I feel like...kind of like a broody hen without a nest. My body's telling me what I need to do, but it's not something I can do. And there's nothing I can do but feel irritated until these weird feelings pass.

[He sighs again and pulls away from Concord.]

Besides, it's the end of the month and there's work to do. I wouldn't have time to care for an egg even if I had one.

[virtuesignal]

An egg seems so easy to care for. You leave it somewhere safe or carry it about in a sack, right? No, nevermind. I do not need to know...

[While Concord does lift his hand away when Ali pulls back, he flicks his gaze around to see if any are near. They are alone for a brief moment, so Concord steps back in, closing that distance to lean in to Ali's ear, speaking as quiet as usual]

Allow me to come by tonight. I would like to keep your company.

[srsbznss]

[Oh, that earns the most confused look from Ali.]

A sack?! No, we're not possums!

[He's almost ready to just walk away in sheer confusion, but then Concord gets close and whispers to him and it makes Ali shiver a little. He doesn't answer verbally, he just gives a nod. Maybe having company at night would be alright, even with how particular Ali is being.]

[virtuesignal]

I will bring a present. The usual and also something not usual.

[Cryptic, but that's all Concord has to say about it. Ali gets one more shoulder pat before he turns and goes, the farrier needing him to return to the stables.

He'll be by the treasury that evening, one silver coin and a... sack with some pretty robin eggs in hand.]

[srsbznss]

[A cryptic ally with benefits with maybe some romance too. Yeah that fits Concord.

The coin is appreciated and quickly slipped into his pocket, where all new coins go. He has to carry them around for at least a day before they're added to the carefully-constructed pile on his dresser, though he often picks one or two to carry around anyway.

The sack is a surprise though, and he gives Concord a questioning look before he opens it and sees the delicate treasure inside.]

Is this- where did you get these?

[He's not mad, just very surprised and a little worried because his broody mind instantly goes to things like egg temperature and positioning.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord did, with utmost care, put the entire birds nest at the bottom of the sack he brought them in, so the eggs remain nestled comfortably in a bed of twigs and feathers.]

I did not steal them. [he feels a need to clarify this] The nest was orphaned from its mother and was discovered by a groundskeeper. I do not usually intervene in the natural cycle of such things... but I thought to make an exception. Solve your plight with that of another. [a bit poetic, he thought, but does not voice]

Or three others, more precisely.

[srsbznss]

So you think I'm going to hatch out some birds because I'm being moody right now?

[He's a bit peeved, but it's more because of how observant Concord is being. Already Ali's mind is calculating how best to keep these eggs alive, he was doomed from the moment he opened that bag.]

These are things a dragon normally eats, you know.

[virtuesignal]

If you wished to, yes. I thought so. [Concord shrugs, he is not so precious about the nest that he would be upset with Ali popping the eggs in his mouth right in front of him. Maybe he's not upset at the idea because he trusts that will not happen. Ali is stubborn and spiteful, but he's not cruel.

The eggs will be safe, he can see it in the dragon's eyes and posture he's immediately bonded to them]

I gift them to your care. May it ease your instincts.

[srsbznss]

[It's a risk, but it's likely that Concord has made the right choice. Ali's words have some bite to them, but as he removes the next from the bag he's treating it like it's the most precious thing in the world. His eyes don't move from the eggs as he speaks.]

...well...if you've given them to me, I guess I can care for them. It can't be that much harder than a dragon egg. I'm not in the mood for an omelette anyway.

[virtuesignal]

If you consider them a burden, I could put them in another's care. If you do not like the gift, that is. [Concord is having a hard time reading Ali, but in defence, Ali is not making it very easy. Mixed signals, as usual. Sometimes, he's very obvious, sometimes, he scrambled the naive unicorn's brain.

This is a bit of the latter, but Concord would never wish to give a preset to someone that was more trouble for them than gift]

[srsbznss]

[For a moment panic flashes over Ali's face, and he pulls the nest closer to him.]

Nono, it's alright. I'll- I'm up for the task.

[Ali sends far too many mixed signals for his own good. He's going to have to start being more honest, his boyfriend needs blatant language to get it.]

So! Let me take care of these, will you? I need, er, privacy. To make sure I set them up in a proper nesting spot.

[virtuesignal]

["His boyfriend" would also like to know that "boyfriend" is the word Ali is assigning him as mentally, but that's another matter entirely. It isn't like Concord has give this a name... whatever it is that they are to one another. Lovers? Mates-? Dedicated rivals who fuck-? He tries about as hard as Ali does to not whittle down into the particulars.

Ali is Ali to him... Concord puffs some air out of his nose at the reaction, bemused]

I do not understand why that needs to be a private affair... but I will go, if you wish to be alone. [he does want to stay, to spent more time with Ali, to watch him fuss over the eggs even. To close the door and kiss him. To do more than that, if Ali wished, but he seems too frazzles by his instincts. Oh well, Concord does not give gifts in order to get anything in return, this has been true since he brought along that bottle of wine to Ali's office...]

the quotation marks are for someone besides Ali talking

[srsbznss]

[Honestly they could probably go without naming this for the next 50 years and be just fine with it. They're both a little constipated when it comes to talking about feelings.

But Ali does shoo Concord out and shut the door behind him. He doesn't mean to be rude, but instincts are strong and dragons nest alone. In fact, Ali won't be seen around the castle for a few days, his absence a mystery to everyone but Concord.

It's only after about five days that a nervous assistant of Ali's will go looking for Concord. In the months since Concord and Ali had started seeing each other, this particular assistant (Liam, with short red hair and freckles on his face) has always been friendly to the unicorn. This nervousness is unlike how he normally acts.]

"M-Mister Concord, I hate to ask, but I need your help with something."

[virtuesignal]

[Concord is driven from the room and will leave Ali to his peace. Once a day passes without seeing the dragon, Concord will stop by to knock on the door. Check up on him, making sure he's alive and not fallen down from a heart attack in his own dungeon lair. He'll take a hissing recognition of being fine as fine enough to not break the door down in concern...

After five days of doing this little pattern, slipping his usual silver coin gift beneath the crack of the door each time he checks in, it does seem strange. Little robin eggs do not require so much attention- did they make his state of mind worse to oversee?

He startled briefly from his thoughts at Liam's inquiry, focusing up attentively]

I will help. [before even knowing, that's just Concord's way] What is it, lad?

[srsbznss]

[Liam has likely seen Concord in the area, and is assuming he's tried to visit Ali. So he presses forward with his explanation.]

"Mr. Ali has been acting really strange lately. You've seen, haven't you? He never leaves his room and refuses all contact. Jason tried to take some food to him earlier today and he just hissed at him and kept the door locked! He also said it smelled of brimstone at the door."

"Not only that, but he hasn't been to work in five days and he's the one who has to sign off on expense reports before they can be paid out. Nobody in the castle will work if their wages aren't paid next week. Can you...I don't know, go talk to him? See what's going on? He's been moody before but never this moody."

[This is definitely someone who doesn't know Ali's secret. He keeps his dragon heritage a tightly kept secret. But the secret might come out before too long...]

[virtuesignal]

I understand. Leave this to me. In fact, I will clear out the halls around his room for good measure. [Concord gives orders with military strictness, as serious as ever as he looks to Liam. His confidence is ironclad as he immediately makes up his mind about what he needs to do in this situation.]

And bring me the expense reports. I will bring them along to deliver to him. This will be sorted out.

[He's not humoring questions from the man, marching off to do as he said. The halls around the treasury and Ali's den are cleared of any lingering people, told by Concord they need to keep away for now. He wants to make sure he and Ali have some privacy for this, but also... doesn't want anybody choked by brimstone smoke if it comes bellowing out from Ali's room when he kicks the door in.

Which is just what he does, expense reports tucked beneath one arm, he gives precisely one warning,]

Ali, I am coming to check on you. You can open your door or I can break it off the hinges. [a very delicate man in all things, isn't he?]

[srsbznss]

[When Concord first walks up to the door his steps are met with hissing. But as soon as that threat is made, the tone to Ali's voice changes immediately.]

No no, don't do that! I'm coming!

[Noises can be heard from behind the door- the sound of a bed moving, the way the clicking of talons changes to human footsteps, and then finally the key turning to unlock the door.

Concord was right, the room absolutely reeks of brimstone. But here is Ali, looking very human and also very exhausted. The bags under his eyes speak to how little sleep he has gotten. Still, he talks like he's trying to sound like he's alright, even though he is very much not.]

Um. Hi. It's been a few days, hasn't it?

[They have not been apart this long since the fireworks show last summer.]

[virtuesignal]

[The snap of change in demeanor is striking enough, Concord waits patiently for Ali to gather himself and open the door. He waves smoke and smell from his face when it pours out from the room, looking to Ali's disheveled self once it is clear enough to see him.

Concord feels a bit guilty, wonders if his little gift caused such a reaction in the dragon. What is all this?]

Five days. You are behind on your necessary duties... [he hands a roll of scrolls over to him, which he'd had tucked under and arm]

More importantly, you are clearly not okay. What is going on?

[srsbznss]

[If it were anyone else, Ali would have lied through his teeth and pretended he was fine. But this is Concord. His...something. Words don't really describe what they are, but Concord is important to him and he feels like he can't lie about this.

So, with a guilty look in his eyes and papers in his arms, he looks back into his room, in the direction of where his bed is.]

...the eggs haven't hatched yet...