(no subject)

[dustjackets]

Technically speaking, the Arcadian Archive is an autonomous, neutral entity. It's existed in Wellish territory since before Wellin even existed, and will continue to exist well after Wellin is gone. The Librarian, archivists, and other staff come from all over the world. Any person or organization from any nation may submit a request to access the knowledge stored within, and the power to grant or deny such requests rests solely in the hands of the Librarian.

Practically speaking, the Archive depends a lot on the Wellish government. They need homes to live in. Gardens to grow food in. Markets to purchase the things they can't grow or make themselves. Freedom to travel to and from the Archive. A treaty with an old king of Wellin ensured them all of these things.

But the Archive will exist even when Wellin is gone, and Wellin is gone now.

It's not an immediate disaster. No one can access the Archive without explicit permission from Aspen or his designated proxies, and he's already confiscated and destroyed all the seals granting the staff proxy powers. The chaos that comes with annexing a foreign government has prevented anyone from Caria from immediately descending upon the Archive. The staff has enough stockpiled supplies to last them months.

But Aspen knows it's only a matter of time. He might be all-powerful within the Arcadian Archive, but he and his staff are just people. Humans. They have homes they need to return to, loved ones they want to see, illnesses that must be tended to. Weaknesses that can be exploited. Weaknesses that will be exploited, as soon as their new 'rulers' identify them.

Aspen's status as an omega—an unmarried, unmated omega, at that—will only complicate things. He wouldn't call the treatment of omegas in Wellin perfect, but he knows it's going to get much, much worse once once the laws and cultural norms of their conquerors take root. He needs a solution, and fast.

So he seals the Archive, engaging an old spell that allows anyone to exit, but prevents them from reentering until he deactives the spell. And then he leaves. He only brings Zachariah, an old alpha that's been guarding the Archive since the days of Aspen's master, with him for protection; he's a reliable and loyal man, and the only one Aspen trusts to not try to stop him. Together, they travel to Caria's capital and to the headquarters of the only group more dangerous than Caria's government.

The man Aspen talks to, whom he assumes is one of the higher ups in this syndicate, seems suspicious and wary at first. Aspen can't really blame him. But the explanation he offers ends up being simple:

"I'd rather criminals have more influence over me than your government. Don't you feel the same way?"

He does, especially when all Aspen asks for in return is that the syndicate ensures that the Archive receives the same protections from Caria that they did from Wellin.

Offer accepted, the man starts to immediately babble on about the importance of legitimacy, and how they'll have to do things properly if they want the Carian government to buy it. Aspen tenses. He knows what that means but... he'd been ready for that. So he agrees, and he's immediately whisked away to some small apartment deeper within the synidcate home. There he's invited (or, well, ordered) to make himself comfortable and wait.

And wait he does. Zachariah is allowed to stay nearby, at least, and there's several in the apartment's small sitting room. He's brought lunch and even afternoon tea (but beta servants, he notes, who seem puzzled and even put off by how frankly he directs and thanks them). Still, it makes for a long, slow, and tense period of waiting.

Then, as the sun is starting to set, the door finally opens. Whoever it is doesn't knock like the servants or Zachariah did, which tells Aspen all he needs to know. He takes a deep breath, then climbs to his feet and turns to face whoever has come to greet him.

Comments

[totenklage]

Milo knew, eventually, that this day will come. It has surprised him that it took the syndicate years to make him do something like this. He feels like all the years before this, all the fights and the conflicts with other alphas within the syndicate, the constant proving of being someone he was not, the constant fear of being kicked out, or worse, killed or humiliated was just the thorned path that made him ready to this day.

His resolve on staying focused started to falter when Uvo, the higher up that has been talking to Aspen has been talking to, went into details about the deal he sealed with Aspen, and his situation. He couldn't imagine how an unmated omega with a position of power could feel right now, in the midst of the fucked up politics and hierarchies of the carian society. The desperation has to be astronomical for going to the syndicate for help, but Milo deeply understood that kind of desperation. His eye closed when Uvo finally reached the point he has been been fearing the most. "We're forcing an imprinting on you two, so you will eventually mate." The moment he heard that, his scent turned into something sour, unpleasant. A destiny he's not able to run away from was developing in front of him and it was like looking into an abyss.

Uvo, on the other hand, seems completely unaware of his struggles. "You should be fucking thankful, that omega is such a doll, so fucking pretty." He whistled, as if he was talking about healthy stock, and not a person. "Involved in the Arcadian Archive y'know? That means he's into some magic, some freaky shit, too, once you get between his legs." His laugh is so loud and boisterous that makes Milo's stomach turn, even if he tries to keep a façade of complete indifference, even some pride.

"W-What's his name?" He finally asks, and Uvo blinks up at him, as if he has sprouted a sudden new head out of his neck.

"Who?" The other simply retorts, because Aspen's presence is barely considered human. It's convenient, instrumental, useful.

"The... The omega? What's his name?" He asks again, and Uvo just shakes his head in disapproval.

"Aspen." He spats, as if his name is loaded with venom, and Milo repeats it inside of his head. "He's waiting in the guest apartment right now."

And he understands right away what that means, he has to go there, he can't make anyone wait, he can't make the syndicate look as a fool in front of anyone, not even an unmated omega in the need of help.

He knows that he can't say no, that he has to prove himself. He knows this is a fucked up test, and he's aware that if he fails, then it would be the end of him. The last time he hasn't managed to live up to the expectations, the lose of his right eye has just been a small warning, but this time the task is just too big. An omega to take care of, to provide over, to protect and to mate. All the roles he's supposed to fulfil as an alpha in the carian society. Sprinkled over a dose of cruelty, of course. In some way, for some people, Milo has reached the peak in the carian society, but he's feeling as if he's sent to his own death sentence.

As he walks there, he's trying to make his best to remain this pure ideal of alpha that the Caria society strives for. Tall, strong, serious, well dressed, cold and indifferent to his surroundings. Even if, his inner turmoil, was dominated by panic.

Don't knock, he tells himself, when he finally reaches the door. Don't bow, don't smile. He tries to recite, as a mantra, so he won't forget. Look imposing and serious and strong, scary. No matter how much as he hates it. As he walks inside and he's finally in front of Aspen, his breath just catches in his throat for a fraction of a second. He's beautiful, Uvo didn't lie to him, tall for what would you expect as an omega, but still short next to Milo's towering figure. He couldn't catch his scent, he can't tell if he's feeling as nervous, or insecure, as he's feeling about this. He hates the idea that, without knowing him at all, he already hates him. "Aspen?" He asks, trying hard to project his voice into something domineering. "My name is Milo." But then, his resolve falters. What is he supposed to say? I am your alpha, we're going to be forcefully imprinted, maybe going through a painful and confusing ritual, forcing to be together even though you probably hate me. He stood there, awkwardly, staring into the other.

[dustjackets]

And... there is is. The man that's going to determine the direction of the rest of Aspen's life.

Aspen's not always the tallest person in the room, but it's rare for him to feel small in comparison to someone. He certainly feels it now, though. He tells himself that feeling has more to do with the circumstances of their meeting than the objective reality of their height. Milo is only a few inches taller than him, and Aspen is sure that he can (at least temporarily) match Milo's apparent physical strength with his magic. But Aspen tells himself that and nothing changes: he still feels short next to Milo.

Aspen doesn't know exactly what to expect from this exchange. He knows how the rituals work in Wellin, and he has a vague idea of what they're like in Caria. His knowledge is mostly academic, however. It's not like he had time to practice, or track down a Carian omega willing to answer his questions. But he does know that omegas in Caria are generally expected to be subservient. So when Milo greets him, Aspen returns that greeting with a bow, his hands clasped politely in front of him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Milo," he says, and maybe it actually is. The fact that Milo isn't immediately being aggressive and demanding is already better than Aspen had feared. He just hopes that it lasts.

When Aspen straightens up again he takes the risk of maintaining eye contact with Milo. Still, he makes sure to keep his posture as closed off and non-threatening as he can manage. He stays where he is, not willing to approach until he's ordered.

"Thank you very much for agreeing to my request. I'm in your hands."

[totenklage]

He's still frozen on his spot, and mentally, he's trying to remember how the alphas in his life treats the unmated omegas around him, but in all honesty, he doesn't want to treat Aspen not even close to what any of them does. There are a lot of unspoken rules and disciplinary acts alphas are supposed to do around omegas, but also a lot of alphas who go beyond tradition and humiliation. He's seen alphas grabbing omegas by their hair and forcefully scenting them, Uvo is especially cruel towards them, he likes to keep them kneeling by next to him as if they were dogs, and sometimes he would gag them because they don't know how to keep their place or their mouth shut. In his own words.

The idea of doing any of those things make Milo's vision blur even if he technically, Aspen is breaking a rule in the carian society and he's supposed to discipline him, his omega. It's customary in their society that omegas walk behind alphas and neither look up to them or talk unless the are spoken to, after all. Milo doesn't mind, in fact, it makes him feel slightly less nervous, maybe Aspen doesn't hate him right away as he suspects.

But he knows this is still a test, even if he's alone with the omega, that he cannot treat as well as he wished to, because inside of the syndicate, every room has its own eyes and ears. Every little thing that happens, it will reach Uvo eventually. "Right." He says, trying to keep his voice as cool and composed as he can. "L-likewise." He can't help himself to say, even offering the other the ghost of a smile. He somehow wants to project to the other they are in the same position, even if he's supposed to be in the higher ground.

"How many details of the imprinting ceremony did you get." He asks, his tone slightly more serious. Knowing Uvo and his general hatred of talking to omegas, probably little to zero information, and the idea of having to be him the one to explain the whole ordeal to Aspen, makes him extremely uncomfortable. But then, he looks around, and realises that Aspen is not alone. He has came with an alpha, obviously, no unmated omega would be so reckless to come to the syndicate completely alone. "Ple-" He cuts himself right away, and coughs, pointing to the couch Aspen has been sitting. He can't say please to an omega, that's seen as an humiliation towards his subgender. "Sit down." An order, and it makes him internally flinch.

[dustjackets]

If Aspen had been given the entire rest of the evening to guess what might happen next, he never would have expected the stammer, or even the faint smile. Maybe it's meant to put him at ease, but it just sends tension crawling over his frame. He's too far away to even get an impression of Milo's scent right now.

Aspen's almost forgotten about Zachariah's presence. Then Milo glances towards him and it occurs to Aspen that he might be committing a faux pas by keeping him around. He has no idea if it's even considered acceptable for Zachariah defer to Aspen, though he doubts it. Aspen catches Zachariah's eye, giving him the the very faintest of nods. Zachariah holds his gaze for a moment, then heaves a nearly silent sigh. He departs without a word, leaving Aspen and Milo alone.

Aspen sits down, as ordered, leaving his hands folded in his lap. This, he thinks, is when things have the potential to get the most dangerous. He and Zachariah have already agreed that the alpha wouldn't interfere unless Aspen specifically called for help, and he's determined to not do that. Even though, much like the smile and the stammer, the abandoned 'please' just makes him feel even more uncertain of himself.

"I know the physical requirements of the ritual," Aspen replies, keeping his voice soft but steady. The bite and the scent marking seem to be consistent across most cultures, and Caria is no different. "And it's my understanding that the Carian ritual only requires the alpha to mark the omega, rather than the gestures being mutual. But I know little of the ritual aside from that."

[totenklage]

Milo is too focused on maintaining his stoic presence to consider controlling his scent all together. It's not even a strong one, another feature that marks him as a faulty alpha in the eyes of the society and particularly the syndicate, and a result of being the son of an omega and beta couple. His scent is subtle, away from the earthy and spicy tones characteristic of alphas, and more into the fresh and clean scents of betas. Right now, probably it's damp with anxiety and tension.

The moment Zachariah left the room, Milo felt slightly more comfortable, the less eyes around them, the more he could manoeuvrer around this situation. Maybe, the moment they were completely alone, away from the syndicate eyes, Milo could explain Aspen things in a way that would make him feel less uncertain, less afraid. To make him understand this is as uncomfortable and new for him as well. He moves to sit down next to Aspen, leaving a considerable distance between them, and both of his hands come to rest on his knees, his posture taut, his back straight and his stare lost somewhere into the wall in front of them. Taking a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.

God, he doesn't know anything. And Milo doesn't want to explain the gruesome details to him, it makes him feel deeply uncomfortable and he doesn't want the other to think that he supports and enjoys any of them, far from it. If he could, he would skip the ritual part all together, he would make the affair private. Not only to protect Aspen, but the two of them. "The ritual is public, settled in the obsidian temple." The symbol of religious and political power in Caria, where the two of them are often indistinguishable. He's looking at Aspen again, trying to maintain the eye contact. He's supposed to be his alpha, he's supposed to own him, looking into his eyes should be something easy. "Part of it, I mean, the imprinting and the marking." Milo knows he can make the mating process private, he will make the mating process private, there's no way he's going to make himself, or Aspen, go through that in front of the syndicate, or anyone's eyes. He has been the witness of a few rituals before, and just being there has been uncomfortable enough for knowing that he doesn't want to experience that himself. "The high priest will be there to bless our mating, we will be given a infused drink that will trigger the imprinting process." He knows there's wolfsbane in it, but the details are never disclosed, it's supposed to make people connected with their inner wolves and that will probably make Milo feel ten times more aggressive than he is, and he's fearing that the most. "Then, you will be moved to the altar and held down with enchanted chains. Then I will mark you." He says, and he can't look up at the other when he's saying that.

His voice turns down so much, he's not sure Aspen is hearing it, he even leans forward. A secret, or even, a plea. "It---It's... uncomfortable. But... But I promise I will make it quick." A promise.

[dustjackets]

Milo has been hard to get a read on, so Aspen is actually grateful when the alpha draws closer. It lets Aspen actually catch his scent... but unfortunately that doesn't do much to clear things up. He definitely is an alpha. Aspen can tell that much just from how his own instincts stir in response. It's the most unusual alpha scent Aspen has ever caught in his life, however, more refreshing than overwhelming. And the mix of emotions Aspen picks up just serve to make things even more confusing.

Aspen doesn't exactly have a typical omega scent himself, of course. Owing to the sheer amount of time he spends in the Archive he smells overwhelmingly of paper and ink. The more natural scent that undercuts that is more floral than sweet. He's not good at keeping his emotions from coming through in his scent, either. He's undeniably, obviously tense—even more so than he seems to be on the surface.

That polite, placid facade cracks when Milo says the words public. Aspen's eyes widen a fraction and he openly stares at Milo for a second. His hasty research hadn't told him that, and the chains are news to him, as well. But maybe that's to be expected. Maybe Caria is a society that tries to conceal the truth of these rituals from omegas. That, he reflect cynically, seems to be on par with what he's seen and heard thus far.

"I... would appreciate that. Both speed, and as much privacy as possible."

It sounds like they won't be required to actually mate in public, which... Well. Being marked in public, in front of an audience, will already be bad enough. Especially with his 'infused drink'. Aspen can at least guess what that's going to do to them, and being in public at all under such circumstances is already mortifying.

But, he tells himself, maybe this will be more manageable than he'd feared. Milo is clearly a little unusual for alpha standards. He might even be as unhappy about this as Aspen is. Aspen's not ready to assume Milo's necessarily opposed to the ritual on principle—maybe he simply objects to having Aspen as a partner—but it's something.

"Am I required to bring anyone as a witness?"

Zachariah would be coming regardless, but Aspen would prefer to avoid bringing anyone from the Archive or his family.

[totenklage]

"I... I will try." But he doesn't really know what will happen, really. Not after the infusing drink. He has witnessed a few rituals, he has seen alphas going absolutely feral in front of the omega they were destined to mate. Milo trusted his criteria, his empathy, his good heart despite all the years inside the syndicate, but he didn't know what will happen once the ritual will start. "But..." How sincere he can be, really. How he's supposed to explain someone he's known for less than ten minutes, someone he's supposed to mate, that this favour the syndicate is making them it's just a fucked up test to him. That if he fails, that any little mistake, would be fatal, and what worries Milo the most is that, there's also Aspen to worry about too. If he starts making mistakes, would the omega being used as a warning as well? A phantom pain in the tight scar of his eye seemed to taunt him, it made close his other eye with a sigh. When he opened it again, his whole expression was sombre. "I will make anything that's in my power to make it as quick as I possibly can." That's all he can offer, and he hopes that for now, Aspen will believe him.

"A-Ah." Fuck. He starts fidgeting, the more he's speaking about this, the more the strong alpha façade is breaking. He doesn't know how to explain this without sounding cruel, without sounding like a monster in front of the other. He hates every part of this ritual as much as he could and he hoped Aspen he could at least feel it. "Omegas don't have much of a saying in the ritual, only alphas can witness it. Only alphas can bring guests." Betas could be an exception, too neutral for being a real threat, so he could come sometimes, if they were invited. And that's probably the reason why the details aren't wildly known, omegas only know when they are part of the ritual, after all. "I... T-The person who was here, with you. I will, I will invite him myself." He doesn't know who he is. Too old to be Aspen's actual lover, but who knows? What he's sure about it's that he's not going to leave Aspen alone in the ritual with no real allies with him. "I mean... If you want to."

[dustjackets]

'I will try' is about as much as Aspen can expect. It's not encouraging, though. He's picked up by now that Milo is... a bit unusual for an alpha. His scent, his hesitant way of speaking, the way he stammers, the careful distance he keep between himself and Aspen, all of these set him apart from even the most polite and sedate alphas Aspen knows. Zachariah was more of an implacable wall than a storm, and Ivy had been charismatic rather than forceful. That might bode well for Milo's treatment of Aspen, but he can't imagine that an alpha with this sort of attitude fairs well in Carian society.

Maybe this was a mistake after all—but it's too late to back out now. Aspen listens to Milo's explanation, filing his words away. He wishes he had a pen, but even if he did he's not sure it's worth risking writing anything down. Not where Milo or the rest of the syndicate might see, at least. But later, when he has a chance to spread the news to the Wellish omegas before they're caught off guard by the demands of Carian society...

"His name is Zachariah," Aspen explains. He inclines his head again, as close to a proper bow as he can manage when he's sitting down. "And I would deeply appreciate it if he was invited to the ritual."

Zachariah can't save him from the ritual itself, Aspen is sure, but his presence might be enough to deter anyone from trying anything outside of the bounds of the ritual. Aspen's heard enough horror stories of omegas being 'taken' from weak alphas. He has no idea how true they are, but now's not the time to risk it.

"How soon will they expect us to conduct the ritual? And is there anything expected from me until then?"

[totenklage]

He smiles faintly, and nods. Zachariah, a friend, or at least someone Aspen wants to keep close to him. Milo will try not to make him feel isolated, even if mated omegas aren't supposed to pursue relationships beyond the ones with their mate. "Don't worry, I will make sure he's there."

"I know..." He looks at him again, and bring himself slightly closer. He doesn't know how to be comforting in a situation like this. He doesn't know how he's supposed to balance the image he's supposed to portray while making sure that Aspen understands that if possible he will make anything to keep him safe. "I know this is a lot, and that it sounds unpredictable but the sooner, the better. The process, it's pure bureaucracy, but the syndicate has the means of accelerating the waiting time." As it has with anything else. It's just, if Milo doesn't claim him right away, it will be seen not only as insurgence but as a sign of weakness inside the syndicate. He knows that no alpha could challenge his claim on Aspen since this was a pact with the older and the syndicate, but he doesn't want to risk any chances. The sooner they start the process, the better. "If... If you want more details of the ceremony... Of... Just... Anything that will make you feel more certain, I will answer them to the best of my capabilities."

"Nothing... is really expected from you." There's not a lot that's expected from omegas in the carian society, sadly. "As, as your alpha, I am the one who submits the mating petition and wait for the resolution, the one who just handles the entire process but..." With all the effort he can muster, he closes the distance between them, and grabs Aspen by the back of his neck. It's a typical display on alpha's power and domination, a proper way to treat omegas, but for Milo, it's just an excuse to get closer to him, so he can whisper into his ear. The older can feel how his grip is not even tight, his fingertips shivering. "There's nothing I would do that you don't want to, but it's hard to speak here, in the syndicate. Everything has eyes, and ears. I know... I know it doesn't seem like much, but I am asking you to trust me in the meantime."

[dustjackets]

"Thank you." Zachariah being there won't be much more than a metaphorical security blanket, but Aspen will take what he can get at this point.

Milo moving closer would be expected of any alpha, and in fact most would already be well inside Aspen's physical space at this point. So the fact that he does catches Aspen off guard. Aspen is already sitting up straight, but he manages to go even more tense at the gesture. He stays where he is, though, tipping his head back to maintain eye contact with Milo. He listens, attentive as ever, and finally drops his gaze again. It's a thoughtful gesture, however, his brow furrowed and one hand moving to hold his chin. So they can either rush into it, or they can try to delay it. Neither option seems particularly good, but—

The hand on the back of his neck brings Aspen's thoughts screeching to a halt. Aspen can feel how loose and shivery Milo's grip is. In turn, Milo can certainly feel how stiff Aspen is under his hand. Two different impulses are at war inside him. His training tells him to throw the hand off, stand up, and put distance between himself and Milo. Aspen has spent more than a decade dealing with some of the most powerful people in the world, alphas with enough personal force to bring other alphas to heel. Multiple times he's looked those people in the eye and told them no, their request for access to the Arcadian Archive was denied, and stood firm in the face of their attempts to convince or coerce him to change his mind.

But the simpler, baser instincts him tell him that this is right. That he should yield. That this is supposed to happen, and that having the hand on him like this is what he wants and needs. That impulse has him going still, has his breath catching in a tiny gasp before he forces himself to breath steadily again. He barely manages to process Milo's words.

Trust, huh? There's no way that can exist between them, he thinks. But... perhaps they can have something like it. But Aspen hates that he can't be sure how much of that decision is logic, and how much of that is because the hand on his neck makes him want to agree with Milo.

"... I understand," he finally murmurs, voice soft. "In that case, please submit the request as soon as possible."

He wants to get this over with and return to the Archive as fast as he can.

[totenklage]

When he feels Aspen tense up so much under his hand, he immediately regrets it grabbing him without his permission. He thinks of moving away, but he knows it will just confuse the older further. It was just the only idea he came up with for being able to talk to him with sincerity. It feels like an eternity until Aspen speaks, and when he does, he releases a shaky breath, and some of the intense tension he has been building up has dissipated. He really wants Aspen to trust him, to see him as someone reliable, who will try to protect him as much as he could while the whole situation develops. After they are finally mated, another situations will arise, but their status as a mated couple will ease, at least, the communication with each other, the chances of being alone, the understanding of each other's feelings. "Thank you, Aspen."

He releases his neck, and moves away, and when he stares at the older, there's a faint smile on his lips, visibly less tense. He looks younger when he's smiling and he's relaxed, once you past the half hidden scar under his eyepatch. "If I submit it tomorrow, there are chances there will be a response within a few weeks." He hopes that will give enough time for Aspen to prepare himself, gather his thoughts, sort the relationships will have. But the good thing it's that the moment he submits it, it will become official, the move will be registered by the syndicate, and it will buy Milo his own time too.

"W-We can see each other during that time, if, only if you want." He knows he's supposed to say he wants and will see Aspen whenever and wherever he desires to, but can't even bring himself to think about it. Or say it out loud. "But we cannot see each other the day before the mating ceremony, omegas go through a cleansing ritual. I-I am not... certain about the details about it, it's a private ceremony lead with the high priest and priestess in the obsidian temple... all I know it's that involves water." Because in Caria's belief system alphas are beings of fire and omegas are beings of water, the only subgender who can cancel out and properly control alpha's fiery dispositions are the omegas, with their calming nature. Matings of alphas and betas were discouraged, and two alphas were considered sacrilege, even between male and female couples, most of the bitching horror stories Milo has heard since he was a child has involved alpha couples.

[dustjackets]

First a please, and then a thank you. This meeting is getting more and more confusing with each passing second. Aspen keeps his head bowed for a moment when Milo finally releases him, and when he lifts his gaze again it's only cautiously. But he sees Milo smile, and while Aspen doesn't relax he does at least accept that things are probably fine for now.

He's not exactly thrilled to hear it might take weeks for the request to go through, however, and a faint frown creases his brow. That would give him time to try to look into this 'cleansing ritual', at least, but the idea of being stranded here that whole time is... disquieting.

"Am I—" he begins, and then he cuts himself short. Aspen can see that Milo is at least trying to help him out. Give him space, warn him about what's coming, allow him what little autonomy he can. Aspen can tell just by looking at him that Milo has lived a hard life, and he suspects at least some of that came from the syndicate itself. Milo has asked Aspen to trust him. Aspen figures he can at least show himself as someone who can be trusted in turn.

"That is," he tries again. "Would it be acceptable for me to return to the Archive in the meantime?"

It's not just a question as to whether or not Aspen is allowed. It's a question as to whether or not it's safe for Milo to allow him to leave at all.