Sep. 13th, 2024, 8:12 pm

Valentin stood outside of the music practice room leaning against the doorframe with his head down and arms folded. Despite his inescapably striking appearance, the albino wasn’t keen on attracting attention to himself now when anyone could walk up to him and start conversing or making requests of him. It was after dinner and most students not already off studying were coming up with new trouble to get into on this Friday night early in the semester. The occasional passerby still flitted past. Even outside, with the sun just below the horizon, the last daylight-loving creatures were settling into their nests while dusk hunters slunk into the shadows on the prowl.

Arranging the practice room’s reservation for the remainder of the evening was the least of the strings Valentin had been pulling in the last week. It wouldn’t do for the champion to play hooky, let alone to pose a bad influence on others, so he’d had to arrange for his plans to accommodate the Institute’s schedule… otherwise Val would have plucked Nikolai up onto his broom and shot into the distance first thing in the morning.

Glancing up occasionally to nod at anyone who crossed his path, it seemed like everyone knew him on sight now. If only I could know what they’re all thinking right now… pondered the captain. He could only keep up with a certain amount of the changes in peoples’ lives. Worse, for those like his keeper Johannes, Val never truly grasped the lion's share of what was going on. Yet, even if he had such power, would others even welcome its use? Furthermore, if the captain knew all the biggest problems of people around him, how was he supposed to have enough time to help with them all?

A friend to all is a friend to none, Ginyami told the seeker earlier that summer. Yet, it was Valya’s own countless limitations that really kept him bound to a single place at any given time. It wasn’t possible with his mostly human body to be an everpresent friend to all, even with magic at his command. Valentin had to choose priorities. Ginyami knew it, and his insistence had brought the point home to the far-travelling comet of a seeker. Every minute spent setting up this evening was one less ensuring that Mikael didn’t end up drowned in the nearest body of water. Each moment away from his studies sacrificed one thing or another that could have benefited someone, like his team mates. The longer he stayed out of Romeo’s way, the less the Italian would depend on him. For as infinite as he had presumed himself to be as a child, Valentin was coming to accept that even his time as captain and champion would eventually end. Upon graduating, sword in hand, where would he go (Stribog willing)? What great cause would he dedicate himself to serving?

Smoothing out a wrinkle in his white silk vestment as he continued to wait, Valya thought back on his conversation with Hans when they first met. Out of all those stars in the sky, we only need the Sun to sustain life on this Earth, the brown-eyed boy said. Shaking his head, Valentin just couldn’t entertain the notion of becoming a custom broom maker anymore. He wanted to help others soar to new heights, but the literal meaning of that just wasn’t good enough, at least not anymore. It had all come to seem shallow compared to the passion that threatened to consume him every day and night. Tapping his finger against the side of his tense left arm, Valentin knew now that his greed would not be so easily sated. If I am to eat of something, then let me devour the sun, nay, an even greater star – the brightest, or the darkest… not just any and all passing satellites… even if it requires lightyears of determined flight. The songs say that when the colddrake's eyes have turned completely ultraviolet, the time has come for it to claim a home. Ginyami spoke the truth. I can’t keep putting off my own dreams forever. In less than a month, I will lock in my destination.

From his deepest pocket Valentin extracted the long pick he preferred to use when playing his Turkish oud. That blasted fox understood all along, even if he didn’t know everything. Now is the time for me to give in to devotion. Mortality demands it, but more importantly, someone deserves it. Pressing the flexible pick to his lips, Valentin closed his eyes to silence his firestorm of thoughts. Fragments of his childhood kept falling away in dozens of little scales, but a new life was emerging to take their place, like a muscular snake shedding its skin. This evening marked a time of new beginnings that were no longer separate from his own. For years the seeker had pushed the bleeding edge as a vanguard, but he wasn’t alone anymore. The familiar rhythmic footfall of his blood brother echoed down the hall, summoning Valya’s complete attention. Nikolai was here.

Nikolai's time at the institute had been a solitary confinement of falsehood where no one was to reach more than an arms length towards him and perfection was the only possibility accepted by his family. Despite the notion that this life was no longer the one he belonged to there were some things he would never be prepared for. Two years he had spent alone on this day, two years spent silently watching the world as it passed him by completely unaware of the significance of the day for that was the inescapable truth, it wasn't significant at all. For two years the day could have been as ordinary as any other for Nikolai wandered the halls as a ghost, unseen... invisible.

Yet the world burned a little brighter the morning of the 13th September 2024. In fact the whole world felt a little lighter. It didn't take long for Valentin, his guardian angel, to intercede him and pass along his instructions for the evening. Despite his unwavering devotion and love for the bright spark that Valentin was Nikolai sat class through class stressing about the extravagant lengths the aristocratic boy had prepared for him. In the last year they had proven time and time again that they would spare no length in how far they were willing to go for each other and while typically that was the most beautiful sentiment, today it only left a feeling of dread.

After two years of nothing Nikolai had become accustomed to the lack of celebrating and that was a condition of life he had led himself to believe he was content with. Now presented with the truth however it couldn't be more contrary. As soon as lessons finished the nerve wracked boy tepidly made his way back to his dorm room hoping to pass by the masses as unnoticed as he used to. For Valentin was not the only one of whom the significance of the day had resonated and at least three actual humans had wished him the best wishes, heart-warmingly caring and yet heavily anxiety inducing.

By the way he made it to the door you would have thought he was being chased by the darkest creatures of the wizarding world rather than simply avoiding genial social engagements. Yet finally he found solace in the four walls that since mid last year, when a completely accidental fire cleansed the space, now really felt like home. In his fears of Valentin's plans he had forgotten another may subjugate him to just as much attention on the other side of the door. Accepting the boys request they went on a hike that ended up being exactly the medicine he required.

Now returned to his dorm he got changed into a simple outfit so muggle his parents would summon an unforgivable on sight. That was to say he took a pair of jeans that Hans had helped him style along with a simple burgundy and white sweatshirt on top of a smart white shirt pressed to perfection, the only thing on him that was at all considered presentable and yet hid behind the polyester of his sweatshirt. Finishing the outfit with his amber eyed dragon broach that held the snowdrop Valentin had passed with his note in a gentle embrace.

After a long day, that hadn't been even the slightest bit arduous as his dreams had inferred, he was ready. Striding down the hallway to the music rooms he found himself beaming with smile while a song filled his full heart gifted by the best roommate the likes of Durmstrang had ever seen. A laugh couldn't help but escape his lips while he strolled thinking about the years he only saw the idiot as nothing more than an overconfident fool. He was still an idiot but now he was his brother, and a surprisingly emotionally intelligent one at that. As Nikolai found the ethereal vision of his blood brother the warm glow of his heart only exemplified further.

The pair could sense each other from the very rhythm of their heart beats by now, intrinsically tied in life and blood. As their eyes met the explosion of overwhelming emotion lay bare between them and suddenly Volka could scarcely understand why fear and nerves ever managed to grasp him. It was something about the presence they shared that made all tension ease and worry wash away. It was the marvel of Mr Schnell. It was the greatest gift of all. "Hey Val" The words were small and said with such quiet sweetness and yet they harboured all the love in the world. However, to make sure the point was reinforced he began charging towards his brother arms wide seeking the embrace that had calmed him through every storm this last year and would forever more.

Sep. 13th, 2024, 8:15 pm

As the music of Nikolai’s footfall reached Valentin’s ears, the sweetness of its sound brought out a smile both radiant and tense with thrill. Would Nikolai like what he had prepared, or was it too much of an imposition from the chronically ambition-demanding Frost Captain? With his heart fluttering the instant the pair’s eyes met, such worries incinerated in an instant. Why was it that no one’s gaze had ever so commanded his attention as this pair in icicle-sharp blue, when it had always seemed to be Val’s hypnotic eyes singing a siren song? For Valentin, the very presence of Nikolai overtook any room he entered, even if no one else could understand. The sheer purity of the boy could have brought an angel to envy. Nothing was more impressive to Valentin than this sanctity of spirit, in all of its light and dark brush strokes. Indeed, the Vol’ka would not be such a masterpiece without the fierce and devoted gothic arches of the boy’s mind, just as Nikolai’s eyes couldn’t shine like stained glass windows without their holy glow within. Never had Valentin known a person more beautiful both inside and out.

"Hey Val" came the small words, sweet and warm. Like a chord in perfect fifths, this was the sound of home. The purr of a kitten, the warmth of a fire, the smell of bread wafting from an oven – all of these fit within the span of two syllables, together with the sharpness of an elegant blade that swore unity and defense even as shadows gathered in the corners of the world. In a swift rush, Nikolai charged straight into Val’s arms as they opened and snatched him out of the air like the most brilliant golden snitch. With a slight twirl of the boy in either direction, Val buried his nose in the other’s pale blonde hair. Inside his chest it felt as open and bright as a cloudless summer day filled with Nikolai’s sunlight. Just being together again felt like regaining a lost piece of himself. The more their bond grew, the fuller this sense of completeness became. If only he could know every valley and peak in this boy’s mind, Val wished. There was still so much mystery to him, and the darkest of caves had still remained out of his reach so far. After all, there was so much to explore and human words – no matter the language – were slower than an oxcart to traverse the expanse of Nikolai’s inner universe.

“Amin melin, Nikolai. Acarië elenion.” “I love you, Nikolai. Happy birthday.” The words in veela came melodically, as if through a haunting melody in a dream. Sublime love permeated each note unmistakably as they entered through whispers into the boy’s ears. “This is the Veela language, spoken by my mother and her ancestry. I’m wishing you a happy birthday.” Kissing the boy’s head, Valentin blinked as he realized how easily such a long-held secret just flew from his lips. It was the magic of Nikolai. Just as he yearned to know everything about the Vol’ka, he wanted Nikolai to plumb the depths of all his own otherwise silent truths. It was the only way they’d ever find true unity, and finally Valentin wanted so reveal every one of his own vulnerabilities that went unmentioned in his lifestyle as a leader at Durmstrang. It wouldn’t do to wear his weaknesses on his sleeve when rivals were ready to use them against the Institute, let alone baiting more violence against the last scion of Zinoviya’s line.

“You look so fine in those colors. The muggle style looks so exotic to me. I love that you can just be yourself like this. It makes me so happy when you are free.” Pulling back slightly to smile at the other, a swirl of silver glinted at the center of Valentin’s intensely violet eyes.

“Come, Kol’enka,” soothed Valentin as he began to lean backwards towards the doorway, still not releasing his embrace. It had become the usual pattern around Nikolai – Val’s words would suggest their next action but his body would lag reluctantly behind. Eventually the seeker’s long athletic arms would melt away, taking one of Nikolai’s hands and using his opposite shoulder to push forward the cracked-open door to the music room.

When they entered, Valentin would not say anything as he allowed the boy’s eyes to take in the sights. What had previously been quite a spartan castle interior now twinkled with floating star-like glowing lights above and, lining the carpeted hardwood floor in row after row, it now held dozens upon dozens of musical instruments from around the world. A mysterious saz, a larch acoustic guitar, a rosewood cello, a silver flute… a pearly lyre, a blood-red zither, a mother-of-pearl-lined balalaika, a blue-and-white bouzouki… countless varieties of drums and percussive curiosities… instruments ranging from the most gigantic rudra veena to the littlest mouth harp, there was no limit to what Nikolai could find here. Some pieces were clearly historical while others were of new construction. In the far corner, a jet-black Turkish oud sat on a wooden stand alongside a pure white grand piano with its top open. Letting go of Nikolai’s hand was not what Val wanted to do, but it was necessary to indicate that this was not simply a visual display.

“I’d like for you to have a musical instrument to accompany you on your next trip around the sun. You know, this is a blessed day for me because I get to celebrate the dawn of another year with you on Earth. Please try something out, or try them all. Play. Be free. Follow your heart and I will try to pull all the limits away from your path. I hope something here will call to you.”

Gazing at Nikolai, the pure pain of adoration pierced Val’s heart. It was the sensation of yearning so badly for someone else’s happiness that he would do anything to attain it. Putting his hand over his own chest, Valentin’s eyes moistened. He’d never wanted anything so much in his life.

Surprising was a word that knew no bounds with Valentin Schnell for it was long suspected by Nikolai that he was the very inventor of the concept as he never failed to achieve its effects in such masterful display. Truly a more talented person was never conceived at least in the electric eyes of Nikolai who stared deeply into the nexus swirling pools of his brother with such adoration it practically spoke between them. "Thank you for the birthday wishes and for sharing another part of yourself with me. You know that means the world." Shared knowledge and open communication had long since become akin to a love language of theirs that bonded them intrinsically.

As expected, as if it even had to be questioned at this point Valentin was thrilled to witness Nikolai in the attire that he felt most comfortable in thought he was one of select few, "You should have seen Sergei's face when I put in the orders for an entire wardrobe of non-magi clothes. I think I might be taking years off of his life." After a summer of living together it made his heart soar how truly linked their lives had become for not even a year ago Nikolai was certain he would never live in a house of love, wasn't even certain he'd survive his own home. Allowing the embrace to carry them towards the doorway Nik practically buzzed with anticipation as lightning flickered in his blue eyes sparked with adrenaline.

Breathtaking, mesmerising, astonishing, sensational. All words that could have easily been used to describe the orchestral symphony that awaited him in the transformed room and yet all seemed far too mundane, too human to truly grasp the composition. Nikolai had to take a step back almost instantly simply to let the view settle as he individually etched each section of the room into his brain lingering far too long in awe. Before he had even been able to purview the vast arrangements of instruments his eyes had been drawn to the soft twinkling of the starry lights reminding him so much of his white star whom he clung to in utter disbelief. In previous years Nikolai had been lucky to receive a card from his parents, the brothers tried their best but money earned was seen as family profit so in comparison this was... well there were simply no words.

“I’d like for you to have a musical instrument to accompany you on your next trip around the sun. You know, this is a blessed day for me because I get to celebrate the dawn of another year with you on Earth. Valentin's words were in truth more important than any of the material wealth he had spent for this was not simply an act of financial support but emotional. The seeker knew all too well that his golden snitch wanted nothing more than to explore who he was since leaving his past and shedding his name and that was what he had provided. Where once he had no choices Val showed him the road and lay each brick until he was able to make his own. Eyes glinting under the starlit room he looked towards his white star and said, "Another year on Earth but the first year truly being alive, thanks to you."

With a longing gaze and a head buried into his brothers chest he pushed off and began to explore every intricacy of the carefully curated act of pure generosity. Running his hands along ivory keys, finely carved resin cured woods and the shining metallic silvers. Eyes ogling at every detailed pearl and engraving taking such care you would think he feared it all falling away if he blinked. As he moved he played light tunes on a few instruments mostly focusing on the strings and woodwind sections for that was where his proficiencies best lay. Yet he couldn't the resist the hauntingly high pitched glockenspiel performing a light roll between two notes filling the air with an looming ringing.

The more he moved the more he found himself drifting back to his ancestral home and hours upon hours of forced practice with his brothers. For a Volkov heir was not simply to be a master of academics and society but a scholar of the arts and leader beyond all else, for what was a man without power. It might have left a bitter taste in his mouth but those precious moments playing with his brothers couldn't ever be soured for in lessons together they formed a true family. A family that was now scattered. Nikolai wouldn't tell Val or Hans that he hadn't heard a thing from them, it was too painful and this was to be his first happy birthday. A phrase until this very day he hadn't been able to relate to. So instead he continued searching until a rather strange item caught his eye.

Unlike the rest of the collection that had been openly presented and shone with all the grace of their elite craftsmanship a lone black box sat next to the Rosewood cello clasped shut. Valentin's words suddenly re-entered his head speaking of an item that called to him and although unsure why, the box absorbed his entire vision luring him forward. Turning back towards his seeker to check that he was fine to proceed he already knew there would be no denial for it was long since clear Valentin would do anything for him and the same was returned.

Within he found a violin or fiddle that's maple wood shifted perfectly in season from rich yellows to a deep brown marking autumn's bounty in its wake. An assortment of carved runes wrapped the sides adding to the already enchanting lure and begging him to explore and research every inch of the antique. Yet air truly drew from his lungs when he gently twisted the instrument to its back to find a carving of the Norse dragon Fafnir engraved into the sleek wood. From the moment his fingers rested on the gentle resin coating on the instrument he had felt connected and with every detail he found himself deeper enthralled in its grasp. This was without a shadow of a doubt his instrument. It wasn't nearly as fancy or ornate as the rest of the collection but it was himself, through and through and that was more than enough. Or so he had come to know.

"его величественный, сез искиткеч" The first of his words being in the familiar soft Russian he spoke often before moving into the Tatar he knew meant so much to his brother. As the languages switched so to did the looks the first reverent of the instrument before him but the second entirely focused on the boy behind him, the boy who changed his life, who gave him a life.

@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Valentin Schnell
Translation - "It's majestic, you are wonderful"

Laughing hard at Nikolai’s comment about the look on Sergei’s face when he’d ordered a wardrobe full of non-magi clothes, Valentin had to wipe an amused tear from his eye. At last the seeker had someone in his home he could be himself with and not expect slurs or denigrating comments in return. From now on, he decided, he would not hide his muggle artifacts from public (specifically Sergei’s) view. It never sat right with him, anyway, even if the secrecy was ostensibly for convenience. Bigots would just have to get used to being uncomfortable until they realized that diversity was no true threat to them.

“I feel so much more comfortable in my own home with you there, now. I love what you’ve done with your tower, too. Ah…” Sighing with contentment, Valentin began to consider which of the musical pieces he liked to play might coordinate well with violin. Of course, as was often the case with Val as a leading strategist at Durmstrang, the captain had greater objectives in mind than delivering a simple birthday gift. Not only was the instrument intended to open doors for Nikolai in his pursuit of self-discovery, fulfillment, and growth in life, but Val also wanted the violin to be there for him when words could not express what was inside. The anxiety that racked the young Durm was palpable to Valentin every time it washed over Nikolai in his presence, and as Val sensed that the two of them were fundamentally similar, he figured that such an instrument would allow Nikolai to communicate beyond spoken language. Inside of the young dragon was a colorful nebula of emotions and a powerful pulsar of a heart, so surely it would suit him to have a matching instrument through which he could pour out his beautiful feelings. It was, in fact, the boy’s heart that Val loved most about him. He almost felt selfish for wanting to see and know more of Kolen’ka’s spirit by providing him an instrument, but it was always up to Nikolai if and how he wanted to use it, let alone what he would use it to express. Furthermore, if it could help heal his troubles in life by giving him the release of catharsis, then it was fulfilling an especially important role. Still, there was one more ulterior motive that Valentin would not keep a secret…

“What a fine choice you’ve made. It’s perfect for you, as I suspected. I don’t know how I knew, but I knew. I thought if I left it concealed, if it were really meant to be, it would find its way into your hands anyway. I’m happy that this intuition was right. You must imagine how I tried to convince myself that I was being fantastical, but here we are. How mysterious. The instrument chooses the player, I suppose. Anyway, I’ll hire a tutor to be on-call whenever you wish. I know just the person. She can teach you increasingly-advanced techniques and whatever types of music you want, but I hope you’ll also humor my request…” Putting his hand on Nikolai’s shoulder, an almost pleading twinkle flickered through his eyes.

“Do you remember when we were up high this summer, discussing eternal life? The precious inheritance that I am to destroy if our work is ever uncovered by your family? My sweet, beloved Kol’enka, if I may, I would like to teach you the music of my ancestors. I need your help piecing back together the fragments that were almost lost forever in the fire of my father’s tower. The lost knowledge of the ancients that even my parents were still trying to decipher… this is my inherited duty to reconstruct. I am the last of my kind, and if I do not succeed at bringing the songs of old back into existence, then their sacred wisdom will vanish. It's a kind of old magic that will go extinct with me when I die if I do not pass it on: it's not as simple as publishing some trifling sheet music. These songs are not mere melodies. They require a harmonic unity beyond mere sound. To truly bring this music to life, a unity of souls is essential. You see, Nikolai, I want to give this gift to you, my birthright... making you indeed a true member of my inner family, no… an inextricable part of me.”

Turning his amethyst eyes from the gorgeous instrument in Nikolai’s hands up to gaze into his lightning-shocked prisms of blue, Valentin passed his hand through the back of the other’s hair.

“You have time to think about it. My gift is unconditional, and you don’t need to do anything to repay me. If you decide that you truly want to pursue what we spoke about above the clouds on that day of victory, then I will show you everything I have, everything I know, everything I am through such melodic rituals. It will take you some time to become used to your instrument, I would suppose, so please take your time. In all honesty, I’m not quite sure what I’m doing – it’s a kind of research – but I feel it pulling me forward. I simply have to have faith that it will all come together as I put in the time. I would be so happy if you would join me, dearest. I’ve always wanted us to reach each other on a level beyond normal human partnership. It’s also dangerous, I must warn you. Because it’s all fragmentary and I don’t understand it well, it… Well, it could kill us. It is dangerous and that is why it was so strictly controlled in times past. My ancestors were the only ones allowed to pass down this music because it was deemed too dangerous to spread into the public sphere. We were meant to be the guardians of the techniques, you see, but as a result they also restricted our bloodline with an iron fist. This, along with purges against my predecessors whom were labelled monstrous and a threat to society… these murders are what have left me alone in this world. Well, not alone, so long as I have you.” With a flutter of white eyelashes, a bashful laugh settled quietly across the fine acoustics of the practice room. Stepping away to collect his black oud from the stand beside the piano, Valentin sighed.

“Regardless, I’m always happy to play music with you. I’ll have Sergei take the rest of these away, don’t worry. If you want to play some of that tonight while I’m here, please feel free. Still, if you want some time alone with it or want me to call your tutor for later tonight, that’s also fine. We can just retire for the night if you prefer, or… well… it’s your birthday. You’re the prince, and it would be my pleasure to accommodate your every desire.”

Chuckling as he leaned the oud by the neck over his shoulder, Valentin sighed. As he gazed at the placement of Nikolai’s hands around the violin, Valentin nodded to himself once, twice.

“You two are really perfect together. Wonderful.”

Tracing his eyes over the carved motifs of the violin, Valentin’s eyes seemed to moisten.

“So what will it be? Shall we call it a night, or is there anything else you’d like?”

It took a very special bond to know each others intricacies and the pair shared it effortlessly. They had done since their first meeting when they had decided to forgo meaningless rambles and delve into the depth of wishes only for the very conversation to sprout the young boys wings and fly him forward to freedom. Now as he listened to his white star speak he waited patiently knowing that listening was just as important as his response. Sometimes he felt as if he could listened to that voice forever lull him to greener pastures and take him far beyond the world past all the seas into the infinite unknown. Val was endless and Nik's love for him matched that distance to accommodate.

There wasn't an ounce of hesitation after the seeker had finished. Nik was not only incredibly honoured for the opportunity but took it as a chance to get to know Val even more and truly was that not the most precious gift he could ever receive. While the instrument was ornate and perfect in ever facet the true gift of this year had so clearly been the friendships, brotherhoods he had developed that had brought him to new heights. Knowing this year he would continue to brave new challenges with his two brothers was enough gift for a lifetime and he would cherish every second he could take.

Excitement layered thick in his voice he said, "Val you know I couldn't think of any greater gift than respecting you and your ancestors with this gift. I would be honoured to learn the music and if its dangerous then we will face it together, nothing can defeat us when we stand side by side. Hasn't this last half a year proven that to the fullest!" Throwing his arms around the neck of his knight he held on tight trying to make a minute last a lifetime. "Thank you for everything this year Val. I'm overwhelmed truly, it's been the best birthday I have ever had." A severe understatement the more truthful remark would be that it was the first proper birthday he'd ever had.

Features rested easy with a light smile he let the seekers neck breath from the embrace while stepping backwards a thought beginning to form in his head that he wanted to share. Laughing slightly as his muscle memory engaged and he found his bow positioned masterfully in place, felt the strong vibrations of the rhythmic strings as he plucked reminding him of the past. Bittersweet but nostalgic. "I think I should retire soon I don't want to chance anything ruining such a perfect day but I'd like to play something for you before I go." Waiting for his captive audience to take a seat he raised the violin to his chin familiarity flooding through him as the wood graced his skin. It had been so long but the feeling of connection was instantly reborn.

The piece was one of his favourites and instantly dismissed any notions the elder boy might have had for the need for a tutor. In truth Nikolai had been somewhat of a prodigy on the instrument as a child. Yet music was a weapon of passion and the Russian was to be nothing but an instrument of war. The piercing splinters of his broken violin had punctured his skin and in that moment he swore he could feel the sting still on his skin but Valentine was not Mikhail. Val wanted the boy to float on a cloud of dreams and expand his horizons of his capabilities in every way. True freedom, a gift unlike any he could have ever imagined.

The piece was for a concerto but as he began to play the solo introduction Nikolai swore he could hear the union of instruments a perfect harmony as he continued playing. For the first time in a long time his birthday had truly become a time of celebration and Nik had been blessed to share such times with his two favourite people in the world. When he finally ended the boys eyes reopened to the world and everything shone a little brighter. The world born a new with threads of fate he thought long gone reopening to him. Joining the positively beaming face of his brother he ran for another hug before nestling his head into the older boys shoulder and with a small yawn and tired eyes dreamily spoke, "I love you Val, not for the violin though it is far too generous but for you. You are my best gift!"

Tiredness betraying him he let another yawn overtake him and wiping his eyes to keep himself away he said, "I think it's time for bed now but I promise to you I'll learn your music, we will be create the most perfect union when we play it together and everyone will understand the truth I know to be. Cold drakes can be dangerous but they can also be enchantingly harmonic. Everyone will know you to be the angel I see, not a monster." With that his eyes were truly beginning to fade and in the warm embrace of his brother he felt his eyes begin to close wrapped up in the most comforting safety. Falling asleep, ending the most perfect birthday he had ever experienced.

@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Valentin Schnell

Nikolai accepted the seeker’s offer without hesitation, filling Valentin with hope. Maybe his dreams really could come true. Just maybe, if Kol’ka kept his promises, he truly would grant the colddrake’s wish. It wasn’t something the Tatar would mention, but he was putting his heart on the line by trying to give away this most vulnerable piece of himself. On the surface his gift could be passed off as a forgettable trifle, sharing some dusty old music, but Valentin was betting on Nikolai to be the one capable and worthy of an inheritance that history foretold would be more valuable than any sum of money. Across the centuries, generation after generation depended on the proper stewardship and transmission of what was at once both terribly powerful yet fragile. Battles were fought to suppress it, sacrifices made to preserve it, and though the cost was great, those who understood its value dared not let it slip into the wrong hands.

“One day you will see just how much this means to me. Thank you.” Leave it to Val to give thanks for someone willingly receiving his gift. Still, the gesture was indeed one of such importance that he had been waiting for years to offer it to the right person.

Nikolai threw his arms around Valentin, who hugged him tight and buried his nose into the back of the boy’s neck. To the seeker, everything was at peace so long as they could hold each other with such pure love. It could have been doomsday and it wouldn’t have mattered. The balance of the scale inside Val always tipped to one side when Nikolai was involved, as this one boy’s heart outweighed everything else the champion ever knew.

After a lingering moment, Nikolai pulled back and placed his new violin beneath his chin. Moving automatically as he sensed the other’s intentions, Valentin found a seat atop a closed crate containing musical accessories for the various instruments. Amethyst eyes began to trace the details of what he saw before him, acknowledging the flawless angles and hand posture of Nikolai as he held the instrument with such grace he might as well have been born with it in his hand. Even before the first note rang out, Vol’ka might as well have been a masterpiece sculpture. Yet, as the music stirred from within and seemed to almost possess Nikolai, Valentin came to realize just what level his blood brother was already at.

Schnell was the son of two world-class musicians and had spent his childhood competing in piano competitions on the international stage. His ear was trained to profoundly appreciate the nuance, complexity, and soulful expression Nikolai attained by mastering such a difficult piece and making it his own. Having lived firsthand the pain required by the instrument in order to reach such heights, Valentin understood that Nikolai was not just conveying emotions, nor even simply history, through the piece. No, by showing this side of him, Vol’ka was opening the door for Valentin to understand his inner universe.

Transfixed as he watched and listened, the seeker immersed himself into the grand story revealing itself through Nikolai’s body. No orchestra was necessary, as Valentin’s mind filled out the rest of what he already knew by heart. Along with Rachmaninov, Prokofiev was among his top favorites, especially when it came to concerto compositions with such power and showmanship. This was the type of music built to reveal the range of hard-won skills attained over the course of years of dedication. Wryly Valya smiled as a spat of jealousy overtook him, seeing the violin held so perfectly by Nikolai and played with such unity with the boy’s spirit. It wasn’t as if the lightning-eyed boy lacked that control over Valentin’s heartstrings, as he certainly had the power if he so chose to wield it. Yet, for as bonded as they were, Valya wanted to be closer. If only he could put that masterful violin to shame, and then reciprocate the same. How exquisite it would be if they could exchange more years of devotion than that instrument ever received, despite all the pain and joy and frustration this entailed.

Letting the feelings pass, Valentin’s mind fell silent as the spell of Nikolai’s music took him over once more. In this moment, while Vol’ka was still playing, Val had the rare gift of sensing every fluctuation of the boy’s heart as it poured out into the vibrating air. Another impulse overcame the albino then: gratitude, a sense of potential, a knowing that a puzzle could be completed. This prodigy that Nikolai was – he could understand Valentin to a degree that few people could, since this deep musical realm offered a shared home for them. They could use this as a conduit to find each other on a plane of existence few could hope to match. An isthmus connected two great inner kingdoms, so long as they would cross it to find each other. The problem was that Valentin hated for the lands to be riven in two, but such were the wages of being born in separate bodies with different lives.

Nonetheless, as music wove through the air Valentin could feel the roughed up contours of past emotional damage smoothing over. Like during their time in the aurora tent, Nikolai was beginning to heal parts of Valentin that no one else attempted to reach. The concerto was painful, but so too was resetting a broken bone. By the time the last notes filtered down through Valya’s mind and gave way to the emptiness of silence, he could swear that the melody had carried there with it some little part of Nikolai.

Valentin’s hands began to clap, fulfilling their part of the sacred ritual, but it was his gem-chip eyes that told the higher truth. By the time Nikolai roused from his position on the violin’s chin rest, he would find Valya’s face streaked with twin unceasing rivers of tears. Behind the wet shine, however, the seeker’s expression beamed. For all the turns the roller coaster of a piece took them on together, in the end Valentin had only succumbed to a deeper adoration for his blood brother. Esteem and hope and aching fused into the seeker’s gaze with a multi-layered expression of love. Confirmation of what he had always felt for the boy only crystallized with greater certainty now, and this brought out the peace of security and comfort. Valentin had taken a risk, but instead of meeting with heartbreak once more, he found himself stumbling into a cavern full of riches brighter than jewels and gold.

As Nikolai ran to him and wrapped around Valya, nestling his head into his shoulder, he would feel a tremble pass quietly below him as Val exhaled a rattling sigh of relief.

"I love you Val, not for the violin though it is far too generous but for you. You are my best gift!"

“…….…….…….…….” Valentin had no words. How could any suffice in conveying what felt like an entire world of prismatic sentiments? No less than a symphony could communicate what yearned to burst out from within.

Nikolai gave a small yawn with tired eyes, and then another, but these were no casual motions. The way he was leaning so heavily within Valentin’s arms indicated deep exhaustion rather than a simple suggestion to bring their evening to a close. Such a performance was no trifle, as the platinum-haired boy’s returned gift had required immense power.

"I think it's time for bed now but I promise to you I'll learn your music, we will be create the most perfect union when we play it together and everyone will understand the truth I know to be. Cold drakes can be dangerous but they can also be enchantingly harmonic. Everyone will know you to be the angel I see, not a monster."

Valentin’s lips parted but he still could not find the words. A swirling mixture of tenderness, passion, and wonder escaped his ability to reply. Could it be true? Did he really mean it? Such a promise was unrivalled by those of any other, and had greater capability to destroy the seeker if he was led to believe a lie. Yet, Valentin couldn’t care less. If this boy was to be his end, then so it would be. Through those bars of music Nikolai bore his soul so immaculately that no part of Valya could refuse the calling. Any doubt would only mar Valentin’s devotion, and so he cast them all away like stones into the sea.

“Nikolai Vol’ka, I love you with all my heart. That you were born on this day is a greater blessing than I can even comprehend.” How could this, any of this, be real? Until the young Russian swan came along, Val had resigned himself to the unlikeliness of ever meeting someone who could make his dreams come true. If anyone had profound enough insight to prove to Val what he himself could not believe – that he was no demonic drake-spawn, but rather, an angel – surely it was the knight’s own prince. Now all Valentin could do was bow his head in humility to kiss the crown of pale hair nesting within the curl of his embrace.

Nikolai was an elegant lightweight, delicate and strong like his violin itself, but Valentin could feel the subtle shift of weight accompanying Nik’s passage into slumber. He had pushed himself so hard that he’d fallen asleep standing. Valentin’s heart swelled with pride and affection as he held the boy stably in one arm while plucking the two pieces of his instrument from Nikolai’s slackening grasp with his other hand. With a contented chuckle, the captain then bent at the knees and scooped Nikolai up across the bridges of his forearms.

“No matter what any fool says… you’re my own true angel. No one is purer nor more precious to me.”

Pushing the heavy oak door of the music room open with his left shoulder, Valentin began to carry Nikolai and his instrument back to their dormitory tower. After entering the other’s room he would place the instrument on the other’s desk before laying the boy across his bed. Tucking him under the covers and brushing locks of hair from Nik’s closed eyes, Valentin’s chest felt full to the point of overflowing. Somehow a miracle had blossomed despite the winter of his life, like a seed thrown from some mysterious source.

“I love you, Nikolai. Good night, sweet prince.”

Placing a kiss upon the boy's forehead before standing up to look him over one more time, Valentin passed his hand across the top of Nikolai’s hair. He lingered, gazing for a minute as if this might be their last moment on Earth. Then, bowing his head, Valentin turned away to ascend to the top of the tower. Now it was his turn to meet the oblivion of night. Yet, the tingling in his arms felt as if he was still holding the other boy. Despite the persistence of distance between them, Nikolai’s special day had still drawn them closer and watered a hidden garden awaiting the return of spring.