The Stars Guide Us; They do not Bind Us - TodoMomo

||Chapter 3||

He has pulled back his hood to read and it's the first time Momo is able to glimpse what the dark intruder looks like.

The light from her golden lamp shines, highlighting short hair that is perfectly split between red and white. It is unique coloring and not a surprise that he has to use an enchanted cloak to disguise his features.

Her eyes trail lower over his face. There's a scar covering his left eye that she hasn't noticed before. But in the flickering light of her lantern, she can distinguish the discolored flesh.

A curse mark.

Probably meant to kill him, but perhaps miscast or canceled. Incomplete.

He's lucky to be alive.

XXXXXXX

Momo stumbles forward with a gasp before catching herself. The bones of the corset bite into her flesh through the silk undergarments, cinching her waist smaller.

Her personal handmaid - the only maid who never changes - Himiko Toga, stands behind her pulling on the lace strings.

"No pain, no gain," Toga says in a sing-song voice. "With my help, you'll be the most beautiful lady in all the land. I'm like your personal fairy godmother! Got to look after my sweet, sweet princess."

Momo doesn't say anything.

Toga hums happily as she ties the lace along Momo's spine. While she works, Momo testingly draws in a slow breath before a sharp pain pokes her as the whale bones squeeze her waist.

She can't breathe.

XXXXXXX

Her mouth is dry as she stares at the red and orange flames flickering in the intruder's hand.

Momo doesn't know many mages. Sorcery is rare and elemental magic even rarer.

It is said that the old emperor of the Northern lands had been a conjurer of flames, his wife an enchantress of ice. His disowned son, Toya, certainly has his father's fire magic coursing through his veins. Momo has seen her cousin's right hand man demonstrate his gift enough to know.

But Toya's flames are blue and blistering hot. Meant to incinerate and strike fear into all who behold them, allies and foes alike.

The intruder's fire is warm, and Momo realizes she doesn't mind it.

XXXXXXX

Momo settles back into her usual spot on the floor. It gives her the best view of the entire library, while also allowing for her to remain hidden.

"You really have this down."

Momo looks up at the dark intruder. He rarely speaks.

She licks her lips. "Yes," she says after a moment. "I have to be careful if I don't want to get caught. People in the castle aren't stupid. The guards have been trained by my cousin, Shigaraki. The only way to stay ahead is by being smarter."

He nods and turns back to look down at the table where a new set of books are laid out.

Momo watches him for a few moments before returning to her own volume.

XXXXXXX

"What are you looking for?" Momo asks one night.

The dark intruder looks up. The light of his flames reflect off of his eyes making him look ferocious.

Momo forces herself to relax as she approaches and places her lamp on the table. It's been long enough that she knows he won't hurt her. She pushes her loose hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze. "I don't have anything else to do. I don't mind helping you search."

He stares at her and his eyebrows furrow as if trying to read her intentions.

Momo is tempted to roll her eyes but refrains herself. It isn't lady-like.

She looks down at the table and pulls over one of the books he has discarded, History of Curses and Ailments . She flips it open.

"It's not all out of charity, just so you know," she says after a moment. Momo doesn't need to see him to feel her companion's eyes narrow. "The faster you find what you're looking for the sooner you'll leave, and the risk of me being found decreases."

She looks up and meets his gray and turquoise gaze. His expression is a mask, and she says. "Think of it as a mutual symbiotic relationship."

He stares at her, and Momo thinks a faint smile pulls at his lips but it may be a trick of the lamplight.