Encre's POV a few days later

Knock knock!

"Come in!"I say

I hear the door creak open and smile as I add another layer of paint to the canvas.

"Aaand, that should do it!"I say, smiling proudly at my work.

"Hello, Encre."A familiar voice says

I glance over and smile, seeing Fallacy leaning against the door frame of the kitchen to look into the living room.

"Bonjour, Fallacy!"I say with a smile.

"What are you up to?"He asks

"I just finished the painting Lord Reaper requested! Which is good, since he wrote that he will be coming at the next full moon which is tonight!"I say

He walks over, inspecting my artwork.

"Wonderful as always, Encre."He says

"Thank you."I say

"Soo...Lord Reaper, huh?"He says

I sigh, shaking my head.

"Fallacy..."I say

"Are you sure he is good to hang around? His reputation is literally DEATH."He says

"Yea and your reputation is literally FIRE and I'm sure about you. I don't see much difference. Besides, it is JUST a painting, Fallacy."I say

"If you say so."He says

I shake my head.

"So I hear that Jasper is trying to play matchmaker. How is that going?"He asks

"He seems to be doing very good since he got a match for Suave and I've never seen them so happy. Plut it is nice to get to know Decans now that he isn't scared...Well, as scared as when Jasper threatened him about Suave. Suave seems very happy so I can see that relationship growing as Jasper intended."I say

"I hear that you're next on the list, huh?"He says

I chuckle.

"Yep, he made that very clear. He told me yesterday that he is getting his notes together before he begins."I say

"Any ideas about who he might put you with?"He asks curiously

"I dunno, but not you."I say with a shrug.

"What?"He says

"He still doesn't think you're my type. Why? Do you want to get matched? Don't you have enough to deal with right now with Peggy?"I reply

There is another knock at the door before he can answer.

"Come in!"I say

Reaper marches in with a grin, waving to me.

"Hello, Encre! So good to see you! Have you been well?"He asks

I nod and he puts his gloves on to shake my hand. Then he glances at Fallacy.

"Greetings to you too, Lord Fallacy."He says

Fallacy only nods.

"Have I missed much here? I've heard plenty of rumors."He asks

I shrug.

"Not much has happened."I say

"I hear that Suave might be getting a boyfriend soon. Is that so?"He asks

"Jasper found him someone but it's up to them for that relationship to happen."I say

"It's about time he got someone for himself! I've known him for so many years and he has done so much over the years. It's about time he has something for himself instead of what he gives or works to do for others."He says

"Speaking of giving, the painting you requested is nearly ready. The paint just needs to dry."I say

He glances at it and grins.

"Oh wow! This is marvelous, Encre! It's perfect and I can't thank you enough for doing this!"He says, clapping his hands as his wings flap eagerly.

He glances at Fallacy, then at me, and clears his throat.

"*AHEM* May I speak to you privately about payment?"He asks

Fallacy exits, taking the hint. Reaper drops a large bag beside me as it clinks with gold.

"That's the first half of your payment. The second half is an offer. An offer for you to join me back in my kingdom for a wedding."He says

SLAM!

Reaper chuckles at the door slamming shut.

"It is so easy to set him off. I personally think that Fal hasn't caught onto my love for Geno and thinks that I'm going to snatch you away. It's my wedding with Geno that I'm inviting you to. I already know that Felicia is coming with outfits that she's designing. And since you made the artwork that I plan to give to Geno as a wedding gift, it feels right to invite you as well."He says

"Oh! Congratulations! Sure, I'd be happy to come!"I say

He smiles widely.

"Awesome! And don't worry about security! With my reputation, nobody will cause you any trouble!"He says, taking the painting and fading into black smoke.

An invite drops from the smoke, giving me all the details as the smoke fades away.

I tuck the invite away with a grin, hearing a knock at the door as I tuck the payments away. I open the door and see Jasper at the door with books in his hands.

"Hi, Encre! I found some cool stories about people who decorate their faces! Wanna see?"He asks

I nod, letting him inside. He showed me pictures in the book where faces were painted with different designs or patterns. I smile, seeing him gaze at the pages in awe.

"Yeah, I remember that when I was a kid there were these festivals where I got my face painted like this for fun. Other times it was for team games...Fun times."I say

"*Gasp* Paint can stay on faces? People actually wear it?"He asks

"Would you like to try it?"I ask

He nods.

I smile, get some paint, and have him point to a design that he likes. Soon enough he is running off with his face painted as he giggles.

"Thank you, Encre!"He shouts

I chuckle, shaking my head with a smile.

What did I just set off?

Hours later, I get another knock at the door. I find Fallacy at my door looking very annoyed and....with a different look on his face if you get what I mean.

"Umm...Hello, Fallacy..? Is everything alright?"I ask

He shakes his head.

"Worst...meeting...ever."He huffs

I step aside to let him in and we sit on the couch. He complains to me as I wonder when to mention the design painted on his face.

"I just don't know why they couldn't focus."He says

"Did you take a nap today?"I ask

"I am NOT cranky, just annoyed. But yes, yes I did."He says, crossing his arms.

"I think Jasper pranked you..."I say

"What do you mean?"He asks

-"Hmmm...How do I put this? It looks like you have yellow freckles sprinkled on your cheeks, your blue wisps are bigger, and there is a rainbow heart on your forehead. Then a dark blue stripe from your mouth to your chin. Looks like he took inspiration from some face-painting books he found and used your sleeping face as his canvas."I tell him

"How the heck did he put paint on his own face then?"He asks

"He actually requested me to do his face earlier. I think that set him off to do it himself..."I say

There is a knock before the door creaks open and Suave glances in, his face painted bright blue and yellow around his eyes like some designs I saw in the book. He readjusted his glasses and frowns.

What did I just unleash?

"One, it is nearly sunrise and I'm having to tell Jasper to clean up before bed. Two, I think he stole your paints to use on everyone's faces, Encre. He is currently doing Felicia's, who I also had to tell her to clean before bed. Three, it looks like you have to clean up as well, M'Lord. It's nearly sunrise and so you should wrap up before resting. Four, beware Encre since Jasper says that you're next."He says, listing his points

"But I just got here!"Fallacy whines, already in a bad mood.

Suave sighs, rubbing the sides of his head with his thumbs.

"I know that M'Lord, but you must come tend to things before you wrap up your day. You can always come see him another time. Might I remind you that you're the KING with duties to fulfill and that maybe Encre has other things to do than listen to your complaints about meetings? That's usually Poussière's job anyways."He says, trying to remain calm.

"Fine..."Fallacy says, exiting the house

Suave sighs, shaking his head.

"Dear moons, I dunno with him sometimes....This has been a long night....Rest well, Encre."He says, shutting the door.

TBC