#ooc// you don't like Victor? welcome to the queue! we'll have numbers shortly!!

[hello-from-nrc-infirmary]

Centennial Celebration

Book 2: A Century of Circumstance

[1] [2] [3] [Poll 1]

Chapter 4: A Fork in the Road

Steel hesitates, sparing a glance at Vern.

"Are you gonna be okay?"

Vern gives him a practiced smile, "yeah, I'll umm... be fine."

"..what about the winter sprite?"

"I um... don't think he would try anything with umm.. others around."

".. if you say so.."

Vern nods and gives a small wave to everyone, "I'll umm... meet you all for um.. food after. Text me the ummm... place you pick!"

"We'll meet at Folia's!!"

With a small smile, Vern turns to navigate the growing crowd. Steel watches him for a few moments. He can hear Folia attempting to reign Shirley in and the general excitement from the others. These are... Vern's friends, not his. He tucks a strand of hair behind his ear.

"It's not fun being the extra wheel."

Green flames briefly flash around his eye. Turning to the left, he stares at Folia for a moment. She grins as amusement flickers in her gaze.

"Vern can show you around just as well as we can, if you're fine waiting."

He raises a brow, "..uh yeah-"

"-did he tell you about Victor?"

"I don't know who that is."

"The winter sprite," she glances at the others for a moment, "it's not my place to speak if Vern hasn't."

"So that's his name.." he mutters.

"The meeting hall is straight down the northern street," she sighs, mischief lighting her eyes, "if you're questioning Vern's words, trust your gut."

Folia returns to Shirley's side and threads their fingers together. He hesitates for only a moment. Ensuring everyone else is distracted, he quickly slips away.

Steel scans the area as he goes. Even with the people, the small chatter only briefly fills the quiet. The air felt lighter in his lungs. A chill breeze contrasts the warmth from the sun.

Flowing ivy hair finally catches his eye. A familiar soft giggle reaches him easily among the other voices. As he gets closer, he notices Vern finishing a transaction for a pair of keychains. Odd.. he doesn't recognize the keys Vern attaches them to. They were not for the dorms. Shoving that thought aside, he steps closer as Vern puts the keys in a small pouch.

"Hey, Vern~" he grins a little as Vern jumps.

"O-oh... umm... hello..." Vern's eyes are wide. He didn't expect to be followed, "I thought you were um... going with the others..."

"Nah~ didn't wanna be a third wheel," he casually winks, "I thought you were going to a meeting?"

He pretends to not notice the slight dusting of pink on Vern's cheeks. "I um... something caught my eye.."

"Sure~ I won't pry," he follows Vern as they start down the street. The sprite is quiet, but occasionally greets someone as they go.

"U-umm... c-can I um... ask you something," Vern lightly scratches his bandages.

He shrugs, "sure, what do you wanna ask?"

"W-well... ummmm....f-fourth year is um... coming up a-and umm..."

Shit. It's almost next school year.

"...it um... gave me a thought about ummm.. after graduation.."

No, no, no. Nope!

"And.. I ummm... was um.. think-"

"-shut up," he avoids his friend's shocked expression. Vern's lip trembles slightly as he bites it for a moment.

Steel's voice softens, "Vern, I uh-"

"-I'm sorry!"

Wait, no.

"I umm... it's this building," a pained smile is on his face, "I'll um... it won't be long!"

".. yeah.. alright."

Vern quickly steps up to the entrance. The sprite stops long enough to give Steel a small wave before going inside. He waits until he can't see Vern through the glass door. Turning, he finds a bench. A small bird lands on his head, chirping as its pet.

Chapter 5A: Of Men and Fae

Vern hates these meetings. It's always the same. He reports that he's returned, then he sits in on whatever they have yet to agree on. Sitting in the original musty building, at the same oak table, with men that are... well, time has not been kind. At least he could finally see his uncle.

There wasn't much time to talk before the others started in. Their concerns were always the same, and continue to push boundaries. He had to deny them more land than necessary, again. As always, he urged them to trade with the neighboring towns.

"What of the progress on your agreement?"

Vern tilts his head, "I presume you mean the one I have with Victor?"

"Naturally."

"What difference would my answer make," his gaze sharpens.

"Victor has assured us that should his end be met first, the mother mountain line would be... secured"

Vern's stomach churns. Oh, that's how they're playing. "Regardless of the results, the humans of this valley have nothing to fear."

"That does not-"

"-Vern has watched over this valley since he and our fathers founded this town," his uncle cuts in. His voice is soft, yet firm, "yet you question his judgement now?"

Vern takes a careful breath. Chatter around the table fills the room. He glances at the clock, with a barely concealed frown.

"If there's nothing left, aside from my personal affairs, I have other obligations to attend to," he searches for his uncle. Gracing the elderly man with a nod, he exits the room. They could catch up later. Right now, he had a half-baked apology to finish.

He stops short in the hall. Charcoal eyes that contrast snowy locks meet him. The grin the other being gives him sends a shiver down his spine.

"Vern~ how've you been, sweetheart?"

"I was umm.. fine until I saw you."

He chuckles, "aw, did you miss me that much?"

"I missed you like I um.. miss a thorn in my side,"  Vern tries to move passed him, but the other grabs his arm.

"C'mon.. that's no way to talk with your-"

"-let go, Victor.."

"Mm.. no~ we need to have a little chat."

Vern takes a steadying breath, "fine."

He barely suppresses a shudder as Victor wraps an arm around his waist. Following the winter sprite, his eyes widen as bit.

"Um... why the back door?"

"I'm thinking about a nice stroll on my mountain," he hums, "just the two of us~"

Vern looks back to the front door. Reluctantly, he let's the other sprite lead the way.

Ooc// Chapter 6 will be released after the interactive part

Chapter Songs (in order of chapter): Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, Head Above Water by Avril Lavigne

Book 1: [1] [2] [3]

Book 2: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5A] [5B] [6] [7]

Book 3: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]