Prince Tynan

What if you're unsure your ancestors' sins are even sins?

Name: Prince Tynan (Alias - Black Death)
Age: 81yrs (as of last appearance)
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Green
Race: Shadow Demon /
Physical Racial Traits: Black nails, no pulse

Abilities: Summon shadows, control shadows, transport thru shadows
Skills: Fluent in three languages (Common, Neko, Deformis), Can write/read in 
four languages (Common, Neko, Deformis, Tempus), shadow demon prodigy

Occupation: Prince of Heartless Empire
Job Entails: Learning how to command the Heartless Military, and run the 
Empire, while proving his worth as future king

"Side" Job: Assassin
Job entails: Elimination of contracted targets either thru specified or 
generalized instruction
Average pay: Doesn't care

Favorites:
Food: Pashka
Time of Day: Night
Season: Winter
Drink: Warm Milk
Thing to think of before going to sleep: Why is he the only one in the family 
with green eyes?
Contract: Once asked to kill his sister, and frame Prince Tynan (himself) for 
it. Had to turn it down.

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There was a quick flash of light.

A pudgy man spoke, "Perfect." he said.

A family of four was around a couch.

Two sitting, a woman and young daughter perhaps two years.

Two standing, a man and a young son about ten years old.

The woman stood, "Let me be the judge of that." she said walking over.
"Of course, my Queen." the pudgy man responded.
She examined the picture before giving the tiniest hint of a smile.

The woman had a long elegant gown, made of flowing shadows.

Her long gloves seemed off pitch black darkness.

"You were correct. It is perfect.

I want it framed immediately."

The man bowed taking his equipment.
The woman turned to the others, the man approached.

His outfit appeared to resemble royal attire, though his pants gave off little wisps of shadows.

"Ah, dear. You do come up with the most splendid of ideas."

The two stood with barely noticeable smiles, as they gazed at each other.

The young girl fidgeted, and fell to the side.

She was wearing a pretty green dress with black adornments.

The woman scoffed, "Crudelis! You will mess up your hair."

Her tone aggressive, and she looked to her right.
"Hand maiden, take her to her room and ensure she stays pristine until the guests arrive for the party."

The hand maiden hurried over and scooped up the girl carrying her off.

The boy was wearing black pants, and a dark formal button up shirt.

The boy's expression was one of annoyance.

He stayed in his spot, glaring at the two adults.

The man looked to the boy, "Boy, wipe that look of your face!"

The boy spoke back, "Why? Today is my birthday, and we're celebrating by taking family pictures."

The woman scoffed, "We're having a party tonight, to celebrate. Learn to appreciate what we give you."

The boy scowled, "Tonight's party isn't for me, it's for you. You didn't even let me invite anyone!"

The man wen over and quickly backhanded the child, who was thrown off his feet and hit the ground. 

"Don't you dare yell at your mother, boy."

The woman walked over, "Dear, let me handle this." she said, in a oddly soothing coo.

The man stepped back, "Do with him as you wish.
I'm going to check on the preparations."

He then walked to leave.

The boy was beginning to get up, and the woman grabbed the front of his shirt.

Their faces barely an inch apart.

"Apologize, to your mother." she said, maintaining an emotionless tone.

The boy stared her down, "No." he said defiantly.

She gave a suddenly cruel smirk, "Then suffer." she said.

A black portal opened under the boy, and she dropped him.

He fell in, and finally landed with an 'oof'.

He got up and looked up, the opening closed.

He was in darkness, a was pitch black.

He had been here many times.

The complete lack of anything was currently a punishment.

His tutor insisted that one day he'd use it as a place to think, and clear his head.

He sighed, and began walking.

It beat sitting.

He looked around, there was truly nothing.

He thought a bit, she didn't seem to upset.

She was likely punishing him, more to prove she could than actual anger.

After walking around aimlessly for an hour or so, the floor opened and he fell thru.

He was in his room, sitting on his bed.

Standing was a male, with black hair with silver streaks.

"Young prince, I have been instructed to prepare you for tonight's guests."

The boy looked to him, and laid back on the bed.

"I don't want to go. These parties are boring." he said.

The man spoke, "Prince Tynan, this party is in your honor."

Tynan sat up, "Are you sure? Cause I didn't pick any of the guests!

I didn't get to plan anything, contribute at all."

"You can plan parties, once you are older." the man offered.

The boy grumbled, and got off his bed.

"This is stupid!" he said, and kicked a toy.

"Please do not abuse your toys."

The boy looked to him, then the toy.

He grabbed the toy, and ran to the window.

He opened it and chucked the toy out the window.

The boy then looked to the man, "Go get it." he said authoritatively.

The man stared at him blankly, before sighing softly.

"As you command, please get ready while I am gone."

The man then turned and walked out.

The boy looked angry, before the anger drained and he sighed.

Why was he prone to fits of rage?

He just couldn't help it.

He went over to his cabinet, examining his 'approved party clothes'.

He didn't care much for any of them, his mother always wanted him to wear black.

Just black.

Yet his sister got to wear green.

That annoyed him too.

He wanted a color besides black.

He grabbed a garment and got changed.

He looked in the mirror, his hair was a mess.

The door knocked.

"Come on in, Temris."

The male with black and silver hair walked back in.

He held the toy out for the boy.

The boy took it, and examined it before toss it aside.

"Fix my hair." he said.
The man went and took a comb gently fixing the boy's hair.

"Are you ready?" the man asked.

"How long was I in the shadow hole for?"

"A few hours, I believe." the man said.

The boy sighed, it'd barely felt like an hour, his mother had done that on purpose.

He went and exited the room, the man followed behind.

The sound of music grew stronger, and there were people talking.

The party had started without him.

He entered the main hall, where the guests chatted and sipped beverages.

They were all adults, no other children.

Except his sister, sitting in a tall chair near her hand maiden.

No one noticed, or acknowledge his presence.

So he walked over to the table, and smirked moving to sit at the head.

As soon as he touched the chair, a hand grabbed his arm.

"What do you think you're doing?" it was his mother.

"It's my party, I should head the table." he said, maintaining a calm down.

She stared him down, "You will sit to your father's right."

She said turning him to the chair.

He looked annoyed before regaining the emotionless expression, and sitting.

After a few minutes the bell called and they were all seated.

Food was served.

He picked at his food, it wasn't any of his favorites.

If anything it was his least favorites.

Like each passed, this was a rotten birthday.

Eventually his father spoke, reminding everyone that it was in fact Tynan's birthday.

Everyone clapped, and a pudding was brought out.

Tynan scowled at it, he hated pudding.

His father spotted his disdain, "Watch your face, boy."

Tynan glanced to his father before dropping the expression.

Everyone except Tynan was given pudding.

Tynan fidgeted a bit, but made no face or movement to signify his annoyance.

Even if he hated pudding, to not be served it was simply rude.

His father then gave a tinge of a smirk, before waving a butler over.

The butler approached and placed a covered dish down at Tynan's spot.

The butler pulled the cover off to reveal a pashka.

Tynan's eyes went wide, and he nearly jumped at it.

His father cleared his throat.

Tynan glanced him, and offered a calm "Thank you, father."

His father nodded, and everyone began to eat.

Tynan smiled as he ate, it was his favorite dish.

Once they finished, the servers brought in a print of the portrait they'd taken earlier.

Everyone clapped, appreciating the good taste and such.

Everyone quietly chattered about it, as the table was cleared.

Tynan moved towards the present table.

It wasn't festive, and though there were at least thirty people present, there was only ten gifts.

He didn't care.

As he walked he overheard someone speak.

"Isn't it odd that Prince Tynan is the only one without the signature black eyes?"

"Ssshh, such remarks will get you in trouble."

"But-"
"No, we can talk about it when we get home."

Tynan paused and went over to the portrait staring at it.

It was true, his eyes were a piercing green.

The overall darkness of the picture made his eyes stand out even more.

He'd never thought on it before, various species had different colored hair and eyes.

After a moment, a voice spoke, "It is a lovely picture isn't it?"

It was his mother.

He looked to her, her eyes black.

She looked to the painting.

He spoke softly, "What color were your parents' eyes?"

She responded with little thought, "Black, of course."

"And... dad's... parents'?" he asked, cautiously.

She gave a slight shake of her head, "Black, why the sudden interest-"

She had turned her head to look at Tynan, who was now staring her down.

His green eyes stared at her sternly.

"Why are mine green?" he asked.

She stared at him a long moment, "What?" she said.

"Why, are my eyes green?" he said, making sure to enunciate each word.

Her expression became dismissive, "Who knows?" she said and turned to the present table.

He watched her, she knew.

She knew exactly why, he could tell.

His expression became a glare, before he forced away the obvious emotion.

Showing emotion always got him in trouble.

He knew better than to broach the topic again while the guests were present.

So, a few hours later, the party ended.

Once the guests had all gone, he stood in the middle of the hall.

Block his parents' path to their room.

His mother looked to him, "What?" she asked a bit of annoyance in her tone.

"Why are my eyes green?" he asked.

His father sighed, "You were just born with green eyes. Now, it is late, go to sleep."

He let his father move past, but continued to block his mother.

The two stared each other down.

Once his father had entered the room he spoke.

"You know. Tell me." he said.

She stared at him, "I know nothing, now drop it." she said sternly.

"You do too! I can tell. I wont drop it, until you tell me."

The two continued to stare at each other.

"Maybe the gods wanted us to know they gave you to us.

So marked you with the god of live's color."

Tynan knew it was a lie, perhaps that's what she'd gotten his father to believe.

"I don't believe you. I thought about it.
You two were trying to have a baby for over twenty years.

I asked a servant. He said, there were lots of unborn babies.

Why was I different?"

Her expression turned to anger, "Cause we prayed."

He knew his parents enough to know they didn't pray.

They barely acknowledged the gods, even on holidays.

"Am I even your son?" he asked, feeling brave.

She growled, and grabbed him.
Her arms had turned to shadows, as she held him in the air.

"Do you think, if you weren't my son I'd have let you live this long?

It is only that I birthed you that keeps you alive.

But I have another child, you are easily dispensed of.

Never doubt that I will not hesitate to kill you if you try my patience on this matter."

He held her arm, her whole body was turning to shadows.

She was pissed.

He gave his last brave smirk, "Than, am I his son?"

Her face suddenly turned to shadow as she screamed in rage.

She slammed him against the floor, then picked him up again.

Before throwing him threw another portal.

He landed in the portal and rubbed his head a tad dazed.

He wondered how long he'd be in trouble.

At least the night.

He walked a bit, he wasn't sure his questions had been valid.

She was probably right, if he wasn't her son she probably would have killed him.

He sighed, and sat down.
He wondered if he could open his own portal.

Escape maybe.

But he didn't want to be in the castle.

He'd always wanted to run away, maybe that'd teach her.

He was a prince though, he'd have to run rather far before someone wouldn't recognize him.

But somewhere he'd essentially be safe.

If he was in danger he's use his abilities, that'd reveal him.

He sat and tried opening a portal, nothing.

He focused, and kept trying.

He'd always been a gifted shadow demon and had been thrown in here enough...

So, he tried and tried.

Before he opened one and saw grass.

Grass? Perhaps it was the castle garden.

So he moved and fell thru.

He looked about.

It was a forest.

He got up, how had he ended up in a forest?

He had no idea where he was.

He looked up the portal was gone.

Perhaps he could go back into the shadows and just wait.

This hadn't been a well thought thru escape.

He hadn't expected to escape to start with.

He sighed and picked a direct, he probably wasn't far from the castle.

Maybe someone would recognize him.

It wasn't long before he spotted another boy.

But this boy was younger than him.

He smiled, realizing the boy had purple hair.

He'd never seen purple hair before.

And the boy had fuzzy ears flickering about on the top of his head.

What a strange little boy.

What was he?

So he said the first thing that came to mind.

"Who're you?"

The boy jumped, looked to him, and said. "Who- who are you?"

Tynan felt agitated, answering a question with the same question was rude.

Plus, he was a prince.
"I asked first" he insisted, but his tone seemed to have scared the boy.

The boy suddenly took off, running as fast as he could.

Tynan felt shocked, and chased after.

Not long after the little boy was suddenly tackled by a girl.

Though, the two were nearly identical.

The girl began betting the boy up.

Tynan ran closer, "Hey, leave him be!"

The girl glanced to him, "Get lost!" she shouted before continuing to pummel the boy.

He growled, were all non-royal children rude?
Acting on instinct he tackled the girl, knocking her away.

She moved quick trying to charge him.

A fight? He was already upset, perhaps it'd blow off a bit of steam.

So he summoned two shadows, using one as a shield.

The girl hit it, he felt himself laugh a bit as she began to pound it in endless anger.

He formed the other shadow into a sword, and swung it.

He let the shield dissipate, and hit the girl sending her flying.

She hit a tree, and was down. Unconscious.

Tynan nodded, and went to the boy.

"Are you okay?" he asked, offering his hand.

The boy nodded and took his hand, as Tynan helped him up.

"Who was that?" he decided to ask, though it felt obvious.

"My sister." the boy said, glancing to the girl. "Will... she be okay?"

Tynan could tell the concern was less for the girl's well being.

"I didn't hit her that hard. i think I just startled her...

She'll probably be out for twenty minutes."

He'd probably hit her harder than he meant to.

He imagined she had some general injuries both from his attack, and hitting the tree.
But the boy didn't seem to question his faked estimate.

"Okay, let's go before she wakes up." the boy suggested, before taking his hand and hurrying them away.

Why was this boy holding his hand?

Was that normal?

"Why does she beat you up?" he decided to ask, once the boy stopped and let go.

"I honestly don't know..." the boy said, his expression was a mixture of sad, scared and concern.

Tynan felt a tad brave, even if he didn't get home.

He'd decided he liked this boy, this boy was the gentlest person he'd met.

"Hmph, well don't worry about her anymore.
I'll protect you!" he declared, not even thinking.

The boy looked to him, before shaking his head.

"You don't have to do that.
She's just..."

Tynan spoke, offering his piece. "Crazy?"

The boy looked to him like he wanted to agree, but instead lowered his head.

"My mom said not to call her that."

Tynan felt like the boy looked like he was being punished, maybe by guilt?

Did guilt punish people for thinking?

So he spoke, trying to lighten the boy's mood, "Fine, I wont call her that."

The boy looked to him and offered a smile.

It was warm and made Tynan unconsciously smile in return.

"What's your name?" Tynan asked.

"Damiaan, yours?"

"I'm p-" he stopped, should he give his title? Even his real name?

No, he decided.

The boy looked to him, in quiet concern.

"You don't have to tell me, we can make something up."

Tynan looked to him, "Oh... Sure."

The boy examined him a bit before smiling. "Black!"

Tynan frowned, "What? Why black?"

The boy looked disappointed.

"Cause... Your hair, and clothes... Are all black, I thought maybe it was your favorite color."

Tynan examined his own outfit, before looking to the boys.

"Fine, but only if I can call you Purple."

The boy giggled, "Alright, Black and Purple it is."

Tynan felt himself relax, this place was relaxing.

At home he felt tense, and always on edge.

Someone about the castle made him angry, and like hurting people.

Here he felt safe, and like he was at peace.

As he though the boy's gaze suddenly turned to something above him.

The boy gave a gentle gasp, then giggled.

"What?" he asked, trying to look up.

The boy quickly grabbed his face, "No, don't move."

Then the boy let go, and Tynan saw as a butterfly gently fluttered away.

The boy watched it and spoke,

"My mom says that butterflies show us who kind spirits are.

Those people who are meant to bring us happiness.

That must mean you're here to bring happiness."

Happiness? Had he ever brought happiness to anyone?

Tynan looked to the boy, who's face was smiling warmly.

Yes, he had. "Thank you butterfly..." he said quietly.

Author's Note

Tynan's point of view on their initial meeting, and a glimpse of his childhood.