Court Mage and the Golden Cage

<Fade in>

Shhh....

Shhhh....

My love is waking...

A beautiful sight indeed, yes.

It's like the rising sun at the brink of dawn. The world awash with golden glow...

Speak nothing, my love. Speak nothing more, until you are needed to do so. I would hate to sever that tongue completely.

You've wounded me greatly, precious.

{Pause}

You know exactly what I mean by that.

[Full of it] I read about it in that journal you keep. So detailed! So hidden.

One week ago, you thought the High Mage was following you too closely, and were worried she was going to make a move soon.

Well, you were right~

Talk about intuition. I was hoping to have courted you during the ball. The one for the second princess' coming of age?

My plan was discreet enough, just as you like to be.

My little court noble...

So subtle...so...unassuming.

It's as if you fade into the very tapestries you stand by!

A quiet motion. Few prying eyes to spot us out of the crowd. The focus would be on the princess, after all. One of the few times it would never be on me. On us.

I could have given you what you wanted.

Instead...

You faked a pressing matter to return to your lands at once. You leave under cover of darkness, and with hardly more than a note to the court at large.

There was no emergency. Nothing here was amiss. You might have gotten away with fooling everyone else...

But, I know you far too well to know you weren't telling the truth.

You have subtle genius, precious. One barely recognized for what it truly is.

You chose to stay away from your primary estate, or at the estate of your father.

Instead, you picked this small, secondary home by the lakeside. Away from any trails, and far from the prying eyes of any cartographer.

If it weren't for my magic...I never would have been able to find you.

[Singingly] But I did~

{Pause}

I would be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat disappointed. You knew I cared for you deeply. Cravingly. And instead of being a good little noble and giving into my wonderful advances, you turn me away...

Very disappointing.

{Pause}

But it's okay, precious...I forgive you.

We all act irrationally without guidance.

We just need to...course correct your behavior.

Do you feel the magic I've already imbued into you? The strings I've wrapped around your soul?

I placed them years ago. I knew ever since then that I would have to make you mine.

Time isn't always of the essence, you know. We have plenty of it.

I had hoped they would guide you to me. That their pull would entice you along to learn more about the mysterious head mage.

The one so closed off from the rest of society...but would open up to you without question.

You did notice that, at least.

I'd always cosy up to you near social gatherings or move your assignments to be under my jurisdiction...

Trying to tease the bond between us to grow tighter. Firmer. Strengthened in love and devotion.

I doubt it was working, though. You haven't fallen for me nearly as much as I'd hoped.

Not to worry, though. Some people in life need more than a little guidance. [Slowly] They need a big, whole, push to get things started.

I'm done waiting, precious. Ten years of serving this court and not even so much as a full dance together. It makes my soul itch with anticipation.

You should have noticed me sooner.

Now...

Now I get to take matters into my own hands.

What was it the queen always said? "Be the change you want to see?"

Well. There's a lot of change I need to see in you. And I will!

But...many things will also stay the same. Many, wonderous things about you.

I know them all, of course.

Your habit for documentation and writing thoroughly. That journal of yours is almost out of room, and it's only been a year! I do so hope there are others you'll let me read. Even your notetaking for gatherings or proclamations are impeccable. Every word down to the smallest cough! Your attention to detail is delightful.

I also know of how you speak with your people. Few allow direct correspondence to begin with, but allowing them to meet with you directly about issues affecting them...well, that's most certainly admirable. You care for your country, sure, but also for your land and people itself.

A delicacy in personality, certainly lost upon the other barbarous nobles in the court.

I even know...of your secret garden.

{Pause, listener horror}

[Giggle/Light Laugh] Mhm~! It's true!

Hidden on the top of an unassuming hill. You have had glass forged to fit into the top, allowing sunlight to enter.

It's a most gorgeous arrangement. Flowers of all varieties, including some from far off lands.

You enjoy that little garden of yours, safe and tucked away from the world. It's a bit of a dedicated home for you, no?

The books you keep along the walls of this garden are most intriguing as well, but, I'm sure you'll be telling me all about them later...

Once we share it, of course.

You'll be sharing a lot with me here soon. Just as I will be sharing a lot with you. A most mutually beneficial marriage, wouldn't you agree?

Most married nobles are so dull. It's all about land disputes and benefitting families. It's such a formal wreck.

We have the ability to engage out of passion. Out of trust! Out of genuine interest. And...out of love~ {Say the word "love" almost like a threat}

{Pause}

Oh, but we are in love, precious. You just need a little assistance in seeing it.

{Further listener protest}

Nobody in the court is going to try and stop me from claiming a spouse. Why would they? To be with the High Mage is one of the most esteemed privileges one can have...and nobody would be foolish enough to stop me from getting what I want. 

The queen knows that most of all. I ask for little. I cause minimal disturbance. I reveal excellent results and returns.

So if it's a person I'd like to see in marriage...

Well, even if there were objections personally, I'm sure they'd be happily overlooked for the benefit I bring to this kingdom, no?

A reward for fruitful endeavors. That goes for both of us~!

You certainly don't despise me any. Having someone intellectually stimulating around would thrill you! 

You'd have so much more time on your hands. Lesser responsibilities...fewer necessary court appearances...

{Pointed} More time to work on that garden of ours~?

Sorry, yours. For now.

I'll make you see the truth soon enough.

You haven't been able to move for a while, as I'm sure you've noticed. Little bit of magic helps me with that.

This spell was extra-potent on you...as well as all of my spells, for that matter. Those magic strings around your soul weren't just to warm you up to me.

I'm sure even now, you don't quite fully hate me. Maybe not fond of the situation you're in, but your hatred has been deeply quelled.

My magic has also begun to seep into you. Slowly making its way around your body from the inside, and familiarizing it to you.

It's softening any...resistance...you might have to its wonderful effects, precious.

You're just a little malleable right now. We'll be fixing the rest of that up here in a moment.

My magic loves you too, you know. It curls around every fiber with excitement and power. You've certainly made quite the impression.

{Pause}

You're not truly petrified. Not really. I'm simply not giving permission for you to move.

You're being oh so tense right now. That simply won't do. We'll have to think of something to ease those stresses away.

I'm going to work on molding you now. Just a little bit. You'll still be you when this is over. I'm just going to...guide you in the right direction.

I'm sure you'll forget all about this when I'm through...

{Pause; can optionally move speaker voice closer to listener; slow down delivery a bit}

I'm going to gently put my hands right here, right on the top of your chest.

It'll make it easier for my spell to work its way through you. 

<Magic sounds; can be either crystalline or a soft hum>

It'll start slowly. You won't even feel a thing, yet. Just keep breathing nice and deep for me, won't you?

Slow and steady, just like that.

You just need to find the right rhythm. Once you do, it'll fade right away like nothing at all.

In...

Out...

Relaxing makes this whole process so much cleaner.

All those stresses and tensions build up like a grime throughout the body.

In...

Out...

All you can do is breathe. The strings will guide you to how it needs to be.

In...

Out...

That's more like it.

In...

Out...

In...

Out...

You've reached a good pace. And without much resistance, might I add.

I'm proud of your...willingness to cooperate.

You are willing to cooperate with the magic...

That's right. You are~!

It wouldn't flow into you if you weren't willing, even a little bit.

But my magic is flowing into you steadily, isn't it?

In...

Out...

It's all so easy to let the spell do what it needs to.

Focus on my words from here on out, okay? It'll help the magic take root.

Take root, sprout, and blossom...

Just like those plants of ours.

The plants you love to share with me in our happy little home...

Can you feel it? The soft, warm little feeling in your chest? It stems right from where my hands are placed.

It slowly inches further outward from my hands, growing a little more with every breath.

In and out...

The more you focus on the sound of my voice, the easier it is for this feeling to spread. Soon, this gentle warmth will reach the very corners of your shoulders.

They release even more of that tension as they fill up every little space. As they relax, you'll sink even deeper into the plush bed you've been lying on.

Only the softest for my sweet, precious, noble. 

{Pause}

That softness has spread to your back as well, hasn't it? Breathing in and out lets the magic travel up your spine. Slowly weaving and twisting its way to your neck...up the scalp...and filling that head with fluffy, soft goodness.

It's a warm haze. Everything is still right where it needs to be, but just a little...fuzzier.

In and out...

I don't just want your head, though, silly~! I want all of you.

Just like you want all of me! We'll send a little more magic into you.

From the placement of my hands it trickles downward, through your arms, passing by your stomach, and into your thighs.

So warm, so light, and so fuzzy.

It might even tickle, a little bit!

The magic will keep curling its way down your legs, through your ankles, to the very tips of your toes.

Now you're nice and floaty and fuzzy for me.

That's exactly where you need to be. You're almost as unbound as you need to be!

The magic is going to start changing in you. Just a little bit! 

Just keep breathing in...

and out...

In...

and out...

{Pause}

It's time to put you under. Just for a short glimpse, I promise~!

You're already doing so well, floating in that sea of fuzziness and comfort. Now it's time for the final little push to get you where you need to be, okay~?

I'll slowly count down for you. Once we get to the bottom, all that warm fuzziness will be just how I need it for your little gifts.

[Count slowly from 20 to 11]

Halfway there, almost swirling with my magic...and my touch.

[Count slowly from 10 to 4]

The magic is so thick within you now, you're almost set to burst...

3...

2...

1...

Pop~!

You've started to rise in that puffy sea of comfort, flowing above the waves that once carried you.

The magic in you has broken the pull of gravity itself, as you float in the air for me.

Floating and fuzzy...

That's how it feels to be in my presence, precious!

Floating and fuzzy.

Whenever you're near me...

...you'll be floating and fuzzy.

Whenever you think of me...

...you'll be floating and fuzzy.

Whenever you hold me...

...you'll be floating and fuzzy.

Just how things should be~

No pull of the outside world...no pull of gravity.

The only thing you need pulled to is me.

That's what you need, deep down. You need to stay tied to me in order to keep from floating away.

The closer to me you are...the more grounded you will feel, won't you?

Mhm~

You'll find that without me nearby to guide you, life seems a little weightless...airy...

Fuzzy...

{Pause}

I have some gifts for you. It's time for you to receive them!

May you treasure these gifts always. They're symbolic of our love, after all. 

<Shimmering; very light chains>

The first is this anklet. It is small, silver, and thin. So thin, even, that you might not even feel it. It blends into everything else around you, with the way it reflects light. Or maybe it's just the magic...

The silver represents obedience and subserviance. With this on, you'll be much more compelled to listen to my commands...though, I'd prefer to think of it as guidance.

It's woven in strands with gold...you know what gold represents, don't you? Gold is for devotion and connection.

You'll feel compelled to care for me, or to seek me out—Far more than the strings could ever manage. You will need to get closer to me to feel content. You will need to strengthen our bond.

{Wistfully} ...and I'll let you, of course!

The chain represents binding, of course.

I don't want you to feel shackled to me, though. No no no...you're simply...kept close. This isn't forcing you to stay close to me! It's rather...just ensuring you don't drift away again.

{Pause}

My other gift for you is this ring. It's been specially crafted by some of the finest forgemasters in all the land. A thick band of gold, wrapping around a thin band of bronze. Bronze is for strength and stability. This ring is imbued with spells that will protect you from harm...and will tell me where you are, of course. You'll find it oh so difficult to take off, won't you? Of course you will.

Keep my gifts on as much as you can~! I'd prefer it to be "always". You'll find it quite uncomfortable to be without them.

It's no wedding ring, of course. I'm sure you will find something suitable for us both soon enough.

With any luck, you'll believe that it was actually your idea. [Pleased Giggle/Chuckle]

I figured you would want to take matters in your own hands. You're shy like that, in a way. It would be really flashy if I came to you in a crowd.

{Pause}

Hmmm...

You probably won't remember most of this. Most of that fuzziness is going to mess with your memory a bit. I hope your soul is listening to me instead...

You're to meet me in my study starting tomorrow. You may do so as soon as your duties as a noble are complete. Come alone, precious. We'll have much to go over.

There is a ball in two weeks time. I fully intend for you to ask me for a dance there. I, flattered, will have no choice but to accept. This simple act will signify to the whole court that you're taken. That you're mine.

{Almost as an afterthought} And...that I am yours, of course.

<Strings tightening again; heartbeat or two>

My strings will happily ensure that you'll make the right decision...should you think of misbehaving.

Yes. This should do quite nicely.

See to it then, precious.

This spell has served its purpose well enough, wouldn't you agree?

<A set of crackles and light "hiss" releases most of the spell>

It's time to wake up now. I don't want you getting too fuzzy now. Otherwise, you won't come out of it properly!

I'd rather keep you intact, instead of some mindless servant. It's the understated personality and cunning intellect I've fallen for, not just the body.

{Pause}

[Sigh, content]

Well. I should be going. There's much to be work to be done! I'll let you rest on that wonderful plush bed I arranged for you. If anybody asks, we'll simply say you fainted for a moment and needed to recover. The heat does get dreadful this time of year.

Take as much time as you need, precious. I'll watch over you, like I always do.

<Footsteps starting to leave; turn to say one more thing>

My darling noble...I can't wait to stay with you forever. You'll make me the happiest wife in all the land, I'm sure of it.

See you tomorrow, precious~

<Footsteps away; fade out>

END.