Chapter Text
Apo did not remember her mother. She did not remember her father either. She did not remember much of her early childhood at all, really. Apo's first memory was riding in the cart through a grey cloudy evening, the uneven planking creaking beneath her as the sun set, and then standing in front of a heavy wooden door. The servant's door to the kitchens, she would later learn.
A cloaked figure reached out and knocked on the door. It opened inward to reveal a large intimidating woman with mismatched eyes. They glanced down at Apo and then back to the green cloaked figure. There was a hushed conversation while Apo stood there, holding the figure’s hand.
“What do you want?”
“I've brought you the kid. I've fed and housed them for long enough, now it's time their family take on the burden.”
“Why? Who's is she?”
“They're Pearl's.”
The woman looked Apo up and down with assessing eyes.
“You can see it in the eyes.”
Apo stared back into the woman's mismatched eyes, and they seemed to decide something. “Yes… I can see that. Well. Come here, child.” They offered their hand. Apo looked at the slightly green hand. “It's a skin condition. It's not contagious. Come on.” Apo took the hand, looking back up at the woman. The woman turned back to the cloaked figure, but they were gone. “Stars,” the woman swore under her breath, then looked back towards Apo with a sigh. “Well child, do you talk? Do you have a name?”
“It's Apo,” she annunciated, high and clear. “Apokuna.”
The woman snorted as she turned back inward, holding the door open for Apo. “Apokuna, hmm? What a mouthful for one so young. I'm Cleo. How old are you, do you know? How many summers have you seen?”
“Six.”
Cleo swore again under their breath and looked away. “Let's get you to King Ren right away. He’ll know what to do with you.” They walked Apo through a warm stone room past tables of soldiers in various states of armor. Some wore padding that was dirty with sweat, some wore loose fitting cleaner clothes, and some hadn't bothered to take their chest plates off. Apo was more interested in the food they were eating. The smell of fine spices and slow roasted lamb mixed with fresh bread and butter. Most of them didn't glance twice at Apo, engaged in jovial but quiet conversations with one another.
As they reached the door on the other side of the room, Apo heard one of the voices call out to Cleo, “Who's kid did yeh get saddled with now?” And her reply, “Shut it, Bdubs.” The door closed on raucous laugher.
Cleo turned right, leading Apo through a maze of hallways by the hand. The interior was stone with high light fixtures and ceilings. Apo's soft booted feet did not make a sound as she shuffled after Cleo's larger gait. It wasn't dark, but neither was it very bright inside. Every so often, they would cross another hallway or pass an alcove with a few candles. The doors they passed had ornately carved door lentils. Apo tried to guess what was behind each one. It seemed to go on and on to Apo, who had never been in a building with more than three rooms.
Apo's stomach let out a growl of protest as the delicious smells of the kitchen changed to a cool woody scent Apo couldn't quite place. Cleo glanced down, briefly meeting Apo's eyes. “And of course you're hungry,” they murmured to themself, “you must have journeyed to get here. From where, I wonder?” Apo opened her mouth, but no reply came before Cleo turned away, still murmuring. “Of course I expect you won't know. You're just a kid, after all. We will get you taken care of.”
Cleo stopped abruptly, turning towards two armored figures guarding an arched doorway to the left. Their armor was pale and gleaming, polished to shine even in the dim interior light. In contrast, their cloth was so dark blue it appeared black. Only when Cleo started forward again did Apo realize she'd missed a quick murmured conversation. One of the armored figures fell into step behind them and announced, “Zombie Cleo and child seeking an audience with Your Majesty.” Then Apo was being tugged through into a spacious office. She caught a glimpse of richly polished and bright wooden decor before being pulled down to the plush carpet in front of a wooden desk; Cleo was bowing on one knee, and the hand that held Apo's was flush with the carpet. Apo looked over at Cleo, saw their head bowed, and copied them, taking in the bright red designs woven into the maroon rug.
The rug was soft. Apo's hands sunk into it as she knelt. Apo heard a rustle of papers, then a soft, deep voice said, “Oh, if only these papers would sort themselves, I'd be set. Sir Cleo, please rise. You know I do not require such deference.” A low fire popped and crackled in a fireplace tucked into the side of the room.
“My liege,” Cleo intoned, frowning slightly. They paused another moment before rising. Apo scrambled to keep up, but Cleo held their hand out for the child. Apo finally caught her balance and rose. The great wooden desk was finely carved and polished to a shine. It came up to her chest. But what caught Apo's eye was the man behind it. He was wearing more fabric than Apo had ever seen in her short life. The fabric was fine gold-embroidered velvet, several different furs, and some shiny material that Apo didn't know. He had rings on almost every finger, most with jewels. Atop his head sat a golden crown. Apo stared for a moment too long and the man caught her staring. His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners. Apo dropped her gaze immediately and started fiddling with the hem of her shirt.
“And who is this, come to see King Ren in his office?”
Apo froze. She didn't know how to address this strange man. Behind her, Cleo squeezed her shoulder and spoke. “She's Pearl's get, your majesty. A cloaked man just dropped her off at the door to the kitchens with the first person he saw. It was chance that I got to the door first.”
There was a pause. Apo risked a glance. King Ren's gaze was focused on Cleo like a hawk. “Pearl's, you said?” Cleo nodded. “And how old are you, child?”
“Six,” Apo repeated. “And my name is Apokuna.” The king's eyebrows rose and he frowned at her. “Your majesty,” Apo added as an afterthought. Cleo tucked their chin, tilting their head sideways at the king while staring at Apo. Apo hastily bowed her head and dipped her knees for a quick and clumsy curtsey. When she looked back to Cleo, there was a hint of an approving smile at the corner of the knight’s mouth.
The king leaned back and looked Apo over, his eyes half lidded. His hands seemed to steeple of their own accord. Apo waited as the silence stretched out. “Well, Apokuna,” the king finally said. “What are we to do with you?” Apo didn't have the faintest idea how to answer him, so she stood still and silent, watching and waiting. “Yes… I do believe they are Pearl's,” the king murmured almost to himself. Cleo shifted, but Apo kept her curious gaze on King Ren. His expression seemed to soften a bit. “It's in her eyes,” the king murmured. His eyes sharpened and he shook his head once, then leaned forward. “Well now, child. Apokuna. I have an offer for you. I will feed you and clothe you. You will not go hungry. I will give you a place to sleep. You will have a proper bed. I will see to your education. You will learn to read and write, and whatever else may be useful knowledge. And in return, all I ask of you is your loyalty. Devote your life to the crown. To me. To Soluna. What say you?” King Ren paused. His gaze felt heavy on her skin.
Cleo made a small noise of protest, but King Ren waved two fingers and Cleo fell silent. Apo opened her mouth, glanced at Cleo, then closed it again. Cleo nodded with a frown, then looked away. King Ren's eyes were sharp as Apo hesitantly nodded. “I don't have any other place to be,” Apo admitted.
“Take your time to think about it,” the king murmured, “but you don't need to decide tonight. We will still house and feed you until you can get an apprenticeship.”
Apo's eyes widened at that. She hadn't considered her future before. No one had ever asked what she wanted before, either. She'd been passed around without consideration for her own desires. So she took her time. Apo tilted her head. “You won't toss me out if I don't agree?”
“No, I will not toss you out,” King Ren said gently, a flash of a smile visible in his eyes. “But you do need to decide.”
“And if I do agree, I can stay forever?” He nodded. He was offering her food and shelter for the rest of her life. And all he was asking in return was loyalty? Apo looked up at King Ren with the most serious expression she could muster and nodded.
“Excellent!” King Ren gushed, “Oh, wonderous, joyful day!”
Apo stuck out a small hand. “It's a deal. Let's shake on it.”
King Ren chuckled, but he reached over his desk and shook Apo's hand. “And to seal the deal,” he said, “I will give you a secret pin. This pin will let all know that you are loyal to me. Do not lose it. Keep it with you at all times, on the inside of your cloak. This will be the sign that you are mine. That you belong to Soluna.” He produced a small circular pin and showed it to Apo. It looked like a tiny stylized bronze sun.
“Pretty,” Apo breathed, despite herself. The king chuckled and pinned it to the inside of Apo's cloak, next to her heart. Then he leaned back and Cleo took Apo's hand. Apo felt the pin, heavy and solid, against her collarbone. She looked back as Cleo guided her to the door. King Ren smiled at her, then picked up his pen and bent over the scattering of papers on his desk.
She ran her thumb over the sun shape as Cleo led her back through the maze of hallways. Cleo's voice broke into Apo's thoughts. “You belong to the Crown now,” she said gruffly. Apo's smile disappeared. Cleo glanced down. “Oh, it's not so bad. You'll never have to worry about food or shelter.” Apo ran her thumb over the pin again. She was wanted. This was a place where she could belong.