"Prince of Nothing you say? My my what a splendid title, to be a prince, the prince of Nothing. Adorable! Exquisite!" The man laughed in earnest.
"You can call me..."
My my what a fool? He thinks my name isn't Prince what an idiot!
I mean, it kind of isn't my name, but its close enough of a name for me.
"Peasent, call me Peasent"
For a moment nobody spoke.
Prince stared at the man in silence - quite awkward it was, looking like Romeo and Juliet the moment before they kissed.
Prince had a gnarly frown but then Prince laughed.
What a fool !
Prince laughed heartily!
A sinister laugh!
The euphoria leaked out his throat like a leaky pen!
Indescribable ecstasy!
The man's smile was stolen - coerced into a fearful frown, a shocked expression.
Did he realise his mistake?
Laugh!
Prince laughed!
And when he was finally done laughing, a beautiful smile erupted on his face - a smile which stretched his skin from ear to ear. His eyes popped like bulging veins.
This feeling which cursed Prince - truly beloved to him!
This man, I'll kill you. I'll take my time too! How dare you bastard? Rob me of my power? Shock me with your presence? You should have stayed dead bastard! I would have spit mercy on you! You refuse! You cling to life like a cockroach you silly bastard! I will show you! I will show you who Prince is! I am a demonic figure, an angel in red. My tattered clothes are the washed rags saints wear! I am a man of conviction, a heavenly soldier. And you! You will face my harrowing bone blade with indifference! For you have trespassed on what is not yours!
The man's fearful gaze had subsided in Prince's silence and so had Prince's hollow monologue.
Hilarious!
Breaking the frosting ocean the man spoke again, "What's with that devilish look?"
Amusing.
"What devilish look? This is the face of an angel." Prince brimmed.
The man was unamused.
"The face of an angel? You're no angel boy. A fiend in nature you are." He paused, "So tell me boy... Peasent, is that really your name?"
"Why how could it not be?" Prince retorted.
Bastard, I made it obvious I guess, why did I have to go and laugh? It's fine, this bastard's stupid anyways. It's fine.
The man spoke in amusement.
"Laughter, that of a devil's spawn, and you expect me not to raise an eyebrow?"
Prince chuckled, "Quite perceptive aren't you old man, is that why you're dying on this bed... Alone?"
Prince laughed again, truly frightening laughter, unable to contain himself.
Just look at you ! Your rotting away you disgusting bastard.
Ravenous laughter.
Ravenous laughter echoed everywhere.
But a new laughter emerged, not the ravenous type, slightly ravenous, but not entirely - rather it was a mix of things, happiness, pain, apathy, curiosity, anger, pride. That laughter was like a mix of colours creating the colour brown in finality on the surface - underneath still possessing their individual tones.
Prince was unnerved.
That laughter momentarily sparked a fire inside of Prince which Prince had put out long ago.
What was it?
Prince couldn't put his finger on it.
The man spoke again.
"Tell me boy, tell me your name, im dying how can I harm you from beyond the grave? Let us have a heart to heart - something to ease this man's soul."
Prince was compelled.
Truly the man had spoken to Prince's grey heart.
Infected it with a rainbow's seed.
A seed which would have a short life however.
He's right, he doesn't have long left to live, even if he does, i'll put a stop to that.
Prince laughed.
So what's the harm, why don't I entertain this for a while?
Prince gave in, "My name is Prince old man - happy?"
The man smiled, "As happy as a rabbit."
What the hell does that mean?
Anyways...
"Now we have got those things out of the way, spill the beans old man. Tell me about the inside of this building."
The man smiled.
"Why sure, but you have to answer my question for every question I answer, sound fair?"
Prince's mind lit up like a dance floor.
"As fair as a frog!"
Prince laughed out loud, he had no idea what that meant.
So did the man, he laughed along with Prince.
"What a wonderful simile, do ask your question then."
Prince didn't hesitate.
"What's a simile?"
"Why a simile is -"
"Nevermind!" Prince hastily cut him off.
"Where's the door for this room? I don't see it" Indeed Prince did not see it, how could he have? He was so intently focused upon the man, i mean who knew how dangerous he was. But even as Prince surveyed his surroundings now - mostly indifferent to what he first saw, he couldn't find a door.
The man spoke, "It's behind you idiot"
"Behind me?" Prince was confused.
He turned around, "Where I don't see it?"
The man's thin ears would have turned red if he wasn't such a level-headed bastard. "Oh right, it's really dark in here isn't it, im suprised you even saw my face, have a feel around you will find a handle, but don't open the door."
Prince's face betrayed his emotions.
Idiot huh, he called me the idiot, what a smart lass he is !
Prince donned an unnapreciative look in his mind.
Prince began searching for the door handle.
"Found it."
The man's tone brightened. "Ah good, now my turn! Tell me Prince! Who do you love?"
Prince was confused again.
A dumb expression wormed its way onto his face.
Who do i love? What's with these odd questions?
"Humour me Prince! Take your time." The man reassured him.
Who I love huh. I love myself. Why, who else would I love.
"I love myself."
The man smiled painfully - then burst into short laughter.
Laughter that felt forced. Was it forced? Hints of sincerity leaked through his voice - was it madness or amusement?
"That's a good answer." The man spoke stoicly. "Splendid answer indeed." The brewing fires burned brighter - just slightly.
"Your tu-" He was cut off.
"Yes my turn." Prince affirmed.
Prince didn't speak for a while but their eyes continued their erotic exchange.
Why I'm at a loss, what the hell do I even ask this man? I mean, old man wisdom? Or more about this stupid hive? Oh I know! I'll ask him how long he has been here! Living here!
Prince broke the silence the man patiently respected. "Tell me mister, how long have you been staying here then?"
The man spoke instantly again, "Don't you wanna know my name Prince?"
Prince's mind danced.
"Well sure when you put it that way, but no wait, answer my question too!"
The man smiled, "Sure, the name is Parath, Parath of the fallen."
Prince's blood ran cold.