#shifty was never good with words and the long quiet goes through the construct again and again to meet her half way

[perpetuallyscreamingbird]

Going feral over "this is a love story" because it so is.

How could the Narrator tear a god in two and expect them not to love each other? Not to love the first thing they knew that wasn't them, not to love that lost part of themself? Maybe it's because hating yourself is such a human thing, it's impossible to imagine a being torn in two loving its lost parts. Even when they're not perfect. Especially when they're not perfect.

Even when you get the worst outcome on a route, or one of the vessels with so many reasons to be angry, The Shifting Mound still loves The Long Quiet because they're gods, and death is to them what a paper cut is to us and this too shall pass and she loves him through all of it.

They are everything. They can be as good as they can be bad. They can love each other and hurt each other and those things are rarely mutually exclusive. They can meet afterwards and talk with kindness. There isn't a single part of them that doesn't have the potential to be something better. There isn't a single part of them that doesn't have the potential to be something worse. They're the same entity. Theyre the only different being the other has ever known. This is a love story.

[saffirestars]

First Date

Fandom : Happy Tree Friends

Pairing : Lifty x Reader 

Word count : 4701

A/N : Took a while, but I finally got this done. I haven’t written a one-shot in a long time and I’m hoping to improve my writing and editing by getting back into it. Constructive critiques are welcome as there’s always room to improve

~~~

I sat on the couch. The clock on the wall ticked away, daring me to check it once more. Grabbing the closest throw pillow and tugging at the corners, I resisted looking at the clock for as long as I could. Anxiety won in the end and I check the time. Five till seven. Five more minutes before he’ll be late. Well, maybe more like fifteen more minutes before he gets worryingly late.

My stomach ties itself in knots and I stand since sitting down is doing me no favors. Padding over to the window, I sweep the curtains aside but find no trace of anyone outside. There’s a slight pang in my chest as a thought popped into my head. What if he doesn’t show up? What if this is just a prank? I try pushing aside those thoughts before going over to the mirror. I brush a few stray hairs back into place and manage a weak smile to the cute reflection in the glass.

My thoughts wander to how my date will react when he sees me. Will his eyes light up and call me beautiful? Will he take my hand to kiss and say I look dashing? My face burns and I try to think about something else. Anything else. But all thoughts lead back to the thief I’m left waiting for.

The green raccoon, mischievous, troublemaking, and... very sweet. Lifty and his twin had crossed my path around town countless time, and despite not being well liked by the others, I always smiled and offer them a kind greeting. While Shifty never seemed to pay me much attention, Lifty always returned a smile.

And then, just the other day. I picked up an extra shift at the store when the twins came in. I planned on letting them be and focus on the job I had returns to put away. Then I got to the aisle the twins stood bickering in. At first I minded my business and put the returned items back on the shelf. As I made my way down the aisle, I smile to the pair once close to where they were. Lifty tensed up and turned away while Shifty crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

I had asked if everything was alright, worried about why I had gotten that kind of response. Shifty glared from his brother to me and muttered something when Lifty jumped at him. I had taken a step back and Lifty let out a strained sigh to regain some composure. I noticed with him turned to more towards me that a vibrant red dusted his face under his dark green mask.

The hatless twin sucked in a breath before he asked if I wanted to go on a date with him. I remember my cheeks burning. He mustered up a smile, one drastically different from his trademark grin. A genuine smile that melted my heart. Once the ability to form words came back to me, I couldn’t agree faster. The thief’s face lit up at my answer.

A knock at the door cut me out of my thoughts. Heart pounding in my chest, I scamper over to the front door. I pause a moment once getting there, not wanting to give the idea that I had been sitting next to it waiting this whole time. I open the door and find a handsome raccoon with a devilish grin leaning against the door frame. His grin, however vanished as a blush intensified across his face. He turned his head and cleared his throat, seeming to want to keep one hand behind his back.

“Hey there, doll,” he greeted after regaining his nerve. I smile and return a greeting. Lifty offered me the small gift he had behind his back, my favorite type of candy. Before I could say anything he said, “I noticed you always get that kind, so I fought off Nutty to get you the last one the store had.”

“Thank you! That’s sweet of you.” I smile to him and put the candy in a pocket for later. “I... didn’t get you anything though. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” A soft smile pulled at his lips, and he offered me his hand. “I got some fun ideas in mind for tonight. So long as you don’t mind... breaking a couple rules.” I glance away as the knots in my gut twist again. Of course he’d want to stir up trouble. This is Lifty. This seems like it could get bad fast. What if we end up getting Splendid’s attention? Things would end up from bad to worse if the reckless hero showed up. But. At the same time. Breaking a few rules and just having fun sounded thrilling.

“Sounds fun.”

My face felt warm as I reached out and took his hand. Lifty’s smile stayed soft and kind as he gave my hand a small squeeze, which made my face burn with more intensity. Despite the burning feeling it caused on my face, I kept hold of Lifty’s hand as we walked down the sidewalk.

The night was peaceful. Cool air whispered passed, giving the night a refreshing chill. Most shops along the way were closed up, leaving only the streetlights to illuminate the path. High above, the sea of stars twinkled in the inky void. And next to me walked a raccoon with striking violet eyes with a wonderful and mischievous gleam to them.

“Liking the view, doll?” He asked, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. I bite my lip and glance away, earning me a short laugh from him. “Hey, don’t be getting shy on me. I wanna see more of that beautiful face of yours.” Lifty squeezed my hand again. Flustered as I felt around him like this, it was also comforting. I peer back to him and the corners of my lips twitch up. “That’s more like it,” he cheered.

When we made a turn, Lifty pointed out the theater up ahead. He nudged me, asking if I wanted to see a movie. I couldn’t recall anything playing that interested me too much. I mention the one I thought sounded the most interesting, but when we got up to check the show times, the closest time was half an hour ago. And waiting an hour and a half for a movie I’m only a little interested in seeing didn’t sound very appealing.

I focused on the board, checking for something else good when Lifty pulled my arm some to get me to follow him. The action confused me for a moment, only to end up giggling after catching on to what he had planned. We slink off around the building to an employee door. Lifty got it open in no time and we slipped inside. We looked over the rooms to find the one showing the movie.

Many moviegoers filled the rows, but there were still seats. We snag two seats at the end of a row in the back and sit to watch the film. My excitement from the thrill of sneaking in only lasted so long. Soon the film’s dull mediocrity broke through and put a damper on the fun. I lean over to Lifty and in a hushed tone ask, “Is it just me or did the trailer for this seem way cooler?”

“The trailer is cooler,” he whispered back. Lifty leaned back in his chair and draped an arm over the back of mine. “The hell is that guy even doing? Isn’t he supposed to be smart or something?”

“I know, right? What kind of dumbass runs into a toxic environment without a hazmat suit or something?”

Lifty snickered before we both went back to watching the movie. Something shook the back of my chair. It was subtle, but there. Tiny vibrations went through the back as it crept down closer to me. I smirk and adjust myself in my seat to lean more towards Lifty. I catch his surprise in my peripheral, noting the contrasting red painted on his face. He gets a hold of himself and drapes his arm over my shoulders.

While the dumbass on the big screen makes all his problems worse for himself, I pull out my candy. I offer some to Lifty but he declines. I shrug and munch on it as the movie goes on. In between bites, I continue making snide comments on it to Lifty, trying to get more laughs out of him. One of my comments gets a guffaw out of him, causing us to get shushed by the other moviegoers.

Lifty chimes in with some comments of his own, and I have to fight back snickering. I can’t let him win that easy. But then he just makes an absurd remark at the expense of the film, and I can’t hold back my laugh anymore. We get shushed again and I stick my tongue out at the others. While trying to quiet my laughter, Lifty points out that someone with a flashlight came in.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet. We dashed out of the theater, zigzagging our way to the lobby. On our way passed the concession counter, I snag the bucket of popcorn. The two of us made it outside soon after, with some popcorn flying out of the bucket while running. I saw that some popcorn had gotten caught in Lifty’s fur and start snickering at the sight. When he looked at me, he joined in snickering, and I knew I must have had popcorn stuck all over too. It soon became a bout of full-blown laughter between us as we walk down the street.

I snack on what’s left in the bucket, and Lifty takes a few handfuls for himself. My gaze wanders up, and the moon rose higher in the sky. After several more bites of popcorn, the bucket is getting down to the smaller broken pieces. A chilly gust breezes by getting a shiver out of me as it went. I step a little closer to Lifty and he pulls me even closer when he rests his arm over my shoulders.

A few minutes later Lifty looked off to somewhere and I try to find out what caught his attention. The park, still and dark, was a short ways away. While the expansive field was open, sectioned off behind a chain-link fence sat the playground, only half built. I shiver, recalling the reason for the playground to be under repairs this time. Why Lumpy thought it was a good idea to drive up the slide as if it were a ramp is far beyond me. All I know is that having a car fall from the sky and land on your back hurts like hell.

Lifty’s grin stretched across his face and he nudged me in the park’s direction. “You wanna sneak in there?” I press my lips into a tight line as I look from the emerald raccoon to the fenced off playground. He smiled brighter. “Come on, no one’ll be around. We’ll have the place to ourselves!”

I frown some before heaving out a sigh, “Okay. But if one of us dies, I’m blaming you. And you have to promise we’ll continue this date sometime tomorrow.”

“I’ll make that deal with ya, doll,” He chuckled and veered towards the park, “How ’bout around noon? We can get lunch then if something bad happens tonight.”

“That sounds good to me” I said with a bright smile.

Back-up plan in place, I walk with him to the park. Now with more enthusiasm in my step. He was right about no one being around, making it super easy to slip through a gap in the fence. We tour the construction site, looking at all the playground equipment half installed. Lifty pointed to the one thing assembled and in place. The swing set.

He pulls me over to it and I giggle at his adorable enthusiasm. He has me sit on a swing and starts pushing me. I let out a laugh as I get higher and higher, and as Lifty puts as much strength into it I end up soaring. Thankfully, Lifty had the sense to dodge out of the way as I swung backwards.

He got on the swing next to mine and tried to catch up to my speed as quick as possible. Soon we were neck and neck, and I tried my damnedest to out-swing him. To swing higher and faster than he could. I catch his eye and I broke. A stupid cheerful grin spread on my face and I couldn’t hold back my giddy laughing. I felt like a kid again.

“Hey Lifty, bet I can jump off and land farther than you,” He scoffs at my boast, trying to hide the hint of amusement written on his face. I puff up my chest and am determined to make good on my brag. After a few more swings, I reach my top speed. Then I jump out. I sail through the air, free as a bird for a moment before landing on the grassy earth.

Lifty jumped a moment later and landed about the same distance from the swings as I did. The gap between us made it hard to tell who edged out ahead, so we meet in the middle to figure it out. I take care to make sure my steps are in a proper line and when I got close enough to Lifty; I frown. He was a half foot farther away from the swings than me. I pout and cross my arms. He must have taken subtle side steps as we closed the gap.

He grinned that stupid cute grin of his and laughed, saying I can get a consolation prize. Before I can ask what he means by that, Lifty takes my hands and pulls me close. My face was scorching hot, and only burned brighter as he slid his hands to the small of my back. I can’t bring myself to look the charming raccoon in the face and opt to glance down passed his shoulder. As flustered as I was, I don’t break away. My hands rested on his chest, plush with soft dense fur.

He held me for eternity and yet not long enough. He leaned back some, as one of his paws slipped away from my back to nudge my chin back to face him. A coy smirk graced the raccoon’s face and I bite my lip. He leans in and whispers that he has a fun idea in mind that we could do. Prompting him for further details only gets me the answer that he’ll just show me.

Slipping away from me, Lifty only held one of my hands as he lead us back to where we snuck into the park. From there we get back to the sidewalk and stroll random streets. Lifty looks over one street, promptly followed up by another. I ask what he’s searching for, but he says it’s a surprise.

We finally get to a street that causes his eyes to light up, and he pulls me down it, eager as a kid in a candy shop. I try to discern what this street had that the others didn’t when I notice the parked car in the road. I blink at the lone car before I bite back the laughter bubbling up.

“Seriously?” I chortle, “That’s your fun idea for a date activity?”

“Stealing cars is fun!” the thief said, laughing back as we got the other driver’s door of the vehicle. “Time me! I wanna see if I can beat Shifty’s time and he counts too fast on purpose.”

I shake my head and glance away, laughing more. How can he go from charming and smooth to dumbass dork that fast? I agree with a grin just as stupid and happy as his. He pulls out a crowbar and gives the signal to start counting. I count the seconds out loud for him as I watch Lifty smash in the driver window. He pulls open the door, brushing aside the shards of tempered glass in the seat, and starts fiddling with something near the steering wheel. Soon after, he starts the car.

“How long was that?”

“Two minutes, thirty-nine seconds.”

“I knew it! I knew I could do it in under three minutes!” he cheered from the car. All I can do is shake my head at this excited raccoon. the car locks click, unlocking the doors. “Come on, doll, I wanna take this for a spin.”

I run around to the passenger side and hop in. My seat belt isn’t even on before Lifty takes off down the road. I squeal out and snatch the little handle above the window for a bit of extra stability. He drove like a maniac, swerving in between cars, making sharp turns, zooming passed red lights. I’m almost certain he caused someone we blew by to have crashed.

After getting into the sway of the car, the thrill of it all makes it fell almost like a roller coaster. Lifty accelerates as we go up one of the steeper hills in the town, and I swear we were airborne for a second. Weightlessness followed as we sped down the other side of the hill. And just as we were looping back for another jump, the stinking car runs out of gas.

We ditch the car on the side of the road, worse for wear. Once back on the sidewalk strolling down I wrap my arms around one of my date’s and lean into him. We walk on, enjoying the night with the sound of various car alarms going off in the distance. Lifty suggests that we just walk around for a bit.

“That sounds nice,” I giggled, a tad surprised he suggested something rather mundane to do.

Things grew quiet between us as we walked along. A beautiful, peaceful quiet so oddly in juxtaposition to the chaotic joyride. It was a welcome change of pace, even if it didn’t last long. Lifty ended up breaking the silence. He huffed a small laugh and with his free hand scratched the back of his neck.

“Hey, I just wanna say, this has been a blast and I like you.” He tensed up after letting that slip out. He quick sputtered, “I- I like hanging out with you. I mean. Not- not that. I don’t like you too. I just-”

“I like you too.”

My arms wrap tighter around his and I lean into him. I glance up and see eyes of amethyst shine bright. He leans into me in response and I giggle. He laughed a bit himself and said, “Guess I got to thank Shifty later, finally got me to ask you out.”

“How long have you been wanting to ask me out?”

“Couple of weeks?” he said with a red face, “I was driving Shifty up the wall when I always chickened out of asking. You’re always so kind to everyone I kept believing you’d turn me down.”

“Well, I proved you wrong,” I say, snuggling his arm. I then glance up at him. He may be a cunning thief, but that’s only one aspect of him. An unflappable dork who looked absolutely adorable. Eyes full of life, a light-hearted mood, and a face vibrant with blush. And his mirthful smile. One that was bright and kind. A genuine, joyous smile.

There was a brief quiet between us once more. We walked on. At first I thought it was an aimless meandering. Our turns, however, gave the impression Lifty had a destination in mind. Asking where we were heading got me no straightforward answer.

“I got one last thing planned for us, but you have to agree to it first before I give ya the details.”

I puff out my cheeks and lightly shove his shoulder. “That’s not how deals work!”

“That’s how this one works,” he chirped. I shake my head, smiling before agreeing to whatever he has planned. Lifty’s grin twisted into one of scheming and he wiggled out of my arms. He took hold of my hand before he started to practically drag me along. “Let’s commit some crime!”

He only stops when we are in front of the town’s museum. I look him over after we stop, signature grin plastered on his face. I give him a blank stare. At least I try to at first, but I can’t fight down the smile spreading on my face.

“The museum?” I ask, holding back as much of a laugh as I could manage.

“Well, yeah,” Lifty shrugged, “What? You thought we’d rob the bank? Shifty said museum would be nicer for a date. But we could break into the bank.”

“No, this is fine,” I say, smiling and waving away that idea, “The museum is fine.”

He nods and guides me up to the front door. I asked how we’re getting in only for Lifty to pull out the crowbar again. He jams it in between the doors and pries them open in no time. Once pried open, he bows some and gestures for me to go in first.

I step in and not a moment later Lifty is beck next to me. He has two burlap bags in paw and hands me one while saying, “Take anything that catches your eye, doll.”

I blush and laugh it off, murmuring that I can’t fit him in the bag. Lifty’s face turns from green to scarlet. He gives a crooked smile and looks away, scratching the back of his head. “You don’t have to go saying stuff like that.”

I smile brighter and lean closer to him. Lifty’s brows knit with confusion, but he didn’t shy away. A second later, my lips peck his warm cheek. Before he could do anything else I straighten back up and bolt away, shouting that I’ll get more loot than he can.

It didn’t take Lifty long to recover. He blew past me before I could even make it to the main gallery hall. He shouted over his shoulder, “I’ve been doing this for years, doll! No chance you’re going to beat a pro like me! Shifty can’t even come close to me!”

Determined to give a raccoon a run for his money, I pick up the pace. I pull down painting after painting, stuffing them into the bag, admiring the piece for only a brief second before moving on to the next one.

I made my way along the gallery, starting on the wall opposite Lifty. He had a similar strategy to me as we left the walls bare and ended up in the middle in front of the last painting. Both bags filled to burst with priceless pieces of art, and here I am standing in front of the most handsome thing in the room.

I start to speak up when a cough cut me off. My eyes grew wide at the sound. The cough surprised Lifty just as much as it did me. We both turned towards where it came from, and my blood chilled. A blue squirrel floating a short distance away glared at us with his arms crossed. I shrink back, taking a side step closer to Lifty. My gaze darts from the superpowered rodent to the green procyonid, praying he had some idea of what to do.

My date seemed rather calm, which helped me from freaking out. Lifty took a step, getting closer to me while also blocking Splendid from me. “Long time no see, Splendid,” Lifty said. His tone made it sound as if nothing was wrong, as if this was a normal occurrence. Then again, this probably is a normal occurrence for them.

“Not long enough,” Splendid bit back, “It’s bad enough dealing with you and Lifty.” “I am Lifty ya jerk!“ “Which ever one you are, shame on you for dragging an innocent civilian into your criminal lifestyle.”

My paws balled into fists at the rodent’s remark. Daring to step closer, I shout back to the reckless hero, “Hey buddy! Lifty didn’t drag me into anything. He asked me out, and I accepted. Speaking of! This is our cute date heist, and I don’t appreciate you barging in like this.”

Both Splendid and Lifty looked utterly baffled by my words. And while Splendid’s shock lingered, Lifty soon grinned his mischievous grin. He draped an arm over my shoulder and gently pulled me closer to him. “Yeah, what my doll here said. What’s with you barging in on our date?”

“Date!?” Splendid sputtered out, “This is a criminal act and you two are treating it like some romantic outing?” The hero rubbed his temples for a second before grumbling, “Fine, you both can answer for your crimes.”

Lifty let go of his burlap bag to better dig through it. I lean forward some to see what he’s getting when Lifty pulls out a red box adorn with gold. My brows knit as I look at the box, wondering why he took that out. Splendid on the other hand flinched when he saw the box, which only confused me further.

Lifty flicked his wrist, and the lid swung back, revealing an iridescent green gem in the shape of an acorn. It glowed with an eerie light, looking radioactive, and yet I felt no strange or painful effects. Splendid however recoiled, dropping to the ground and clutching his stomach. Lifty snickered while Splendid looked like he was on the verge of getting sick.

“You think me and Shifty wouldn’t dig up more of these little gems after seeing they do to you?” The raccoon laughed. The longer Lifty held out the box, the sicker and sicker Splendid looked. I wondered if that’s all it did to the super squirrel, and then he ended up barfing.

I can’t help but gag and avert my eyes. Meanwhile, Lifty set the box back in the bag, making sure the gem was still out in the open. He picked up his spoils and walked me out of the museum, giving the sick hero a wide berth.

The moon was high in the sky once we stepped out, and the town was rather calm. For Happy Treeville, anyway. Car alarms screamed out and I think I can make out some smoke billowing up in the distance. Regardless, it was getting late.

Lifty walked me back to my place, his paw holding mine, taking in the beautiful night. The walk was peaceful. No words exchanged between us, but they didn’t have to be. It was a comfortable silence.

It wasn’t until we approach my house that I feel a pang of sorrow. This is where we part ways. Once at my front door we pause. I reluctantly let my hand slip from his and half turn to the door. I hum in thought and ask, “You want to come in for a drink before you leave?”

“That’s sweet of you, but I better get going.” He answers while scratching the back of his head. I frown a bit until he adds, “Besides, we still got that lunch date tomorrow, right?”

Any hint of sadness I had wiped clean as a bright smile spread on my face. “Y-yeah! We do. Then... you’ll come by around noon?”

“Yep!” he said with a grin, “wouldn’t miss it for the world. Unless. You know. I end up dead early tomorrow.”

“We can just get a rain check if that happens,” I giggle. Turning, I open my front door but pause. I spin around and brush my lips on the cheek, noting his fur felt silky. I lingered only a moment before bidding him a goodnight.

Unfortunately, we had to end up getting that rain check for our lunch date. The cafe ended up catching fire, and we were unlucky enough to get stuck in it. Oh well. Some other time.

[nnt-nextgeneration]

A gift for @okamideimos as part of the @creators-anonymous exchange. Here’s your Storm and my Astrid. The prompt was bonfires. Thank you for your friendship! - Galfridus1

Cheers rang out, so loud they could be heard even over the bangs and whistles emanating from the sky. Storm looked up, his face stinging with cold as he watched patterned lights exploding in the dark in a wide array of greens and reds: Camelot’s colours carefully chosen for the occasion and choreographed to perfection. It was all very flashy and the humans around him were oohing and aahing in the appropriate places, their joyous faces shining in the light of the fire.

Not that anyone was allowed to get close to it of course. Storm pouted a little as he regarded the bonfire that blazed in the middle of the field, surrounded by a wide cordon so no one could approach. “You children cannot be trusted to keep yourselves safe,” Merlin had said with a scowl when he complained. “Besides, why do you need to go near it anyway?” Storm had looked up at his mother innocently and said, “No reason,” then wandered quickly away before she could ask him more questions. He had felt Merlin’s eyes following him but, thankfully, Arthur had gone to see her about something or other and she had needed to give the king her full attention.

But Storm still faced a dilemma. The firework he has built all by himself was practically burning a hole in his pocket and all he wanted to do was set it off. He had watched as Merlin developed her own specimens, mixing different types of powder in careful measure, and decided he too would have a go at the craft. And for his rocket there would be no half-measures. It was going to be an absolute whopper that put these little puny firecrackers that made a few tiny bangs squarely in their place.

Head cocked to one side, Storm surveyed the scene. There was no way he could approach the bonfire unnoticed: Camelot’s citizens encircled the flames, the ones who had worked their way to the front of the crowd standing right up against the rope that kept everyone back. Even if he was sneaky and even if the humans all had their eyes glued on the explosions above, the auburn glow of the fire would betray his location. It would only take one person to see him for his ruse to be up.

He could, of course, set his firework off with a blast of Hellblaze and he was sorely tempted, but even he knew that was a bad idea. The purple flames were pretty distinctive. If he somehow managed to escape suspicion, which was by no means likely, then blame would no doubt attach itself to Tristan or Max, neither of whom could afford to forfeit any goodwill. Max was on his last legs as it was. Storm bit his lip a little as he remembered the snatches of conversation he had overheard just a few days before between Merlin, Gelda and Zeldris, his own mother sounding uncharacteristically sad and defeated. He knew she was telling Max’s parents that the time was fast approaching when the boy would have to sent away from Britannia, his power and volatility growing too great to contain. This pronouncement had been followed by a long, unnerving pause; Gelda had cried and Storm had never before known Zeldris to be so quiet.

“What are you doing?”

Storm, jumping a little into the air with the shock, turned quickly around to face the voice, his heart rate returning to normal as he saw Astrid looking up at him with wide, violet eyes. She was sucking on a toffee apple that was nearly as large as her head, her face gleaming with residue from the sweet. When he failed to answer, Astrid giggled then thrust the apple in his direction. “Do you want a bite?” she asked and Storm had to step back to avoid being covered in sticky goo.

“You’re alright, thanks,” he said wrinkling his nose.

“You’re plotting something,” Astrid gloated as she looked at him more closely. “Mummy says you’re always plotting something. She says you’re the naughtiest little boy she’s ever met.”

Storm, feeling the injustice of this, snapped back, “At least I’ve never destroyed the castle. Well, only that one time, or maybe two times,” he amended a little sheepishly. “Your brother does it nearly every month.”

“Mummy says he can’t help it.” Astrid peered at him some more and Storm shivered a little. It was as if she could see right through to his soul. “Max is rough but he’s not naughty. He doesn’t plan it. When he loses it he just goes mad. But you have a lot of power too,” Astrid said thoughtfully and Storm gasped as he felt her energy running up against his. “Loads of it, wow! Way more than me. Just like Max. Do you find it hard to control? They want to send Max away,” she added abruptly and her lip started to wobble. “He’s going to be lonely. I want to go with him but mummy said no, and daddy agreed and it’s not fair!”

To Storm’s horror the little girl burst into tears. A few of the nearby humans glanced in their direction, looks hardening to stone they saw him next to the sobbing child. Quickly, he put an arm around Astrid. “Hey, it’s alright. Stop crying. Please!” he hissed in her ear as she ignored him and the humans continued to glower. “Please stop! They think I upset you. I’m going to be in so much trouble.”

Astrid gulped, then swallowed hard over and over again, relief flooding Storm as her sobs gradually turned into hiccups. “I don’t want Max to go away,” she said sadly. “Daddy says he’ll be happy but how can he be? The demon world is horrible,” she said with a shudder. “I went there once. It’s all black and grey and cold. There’s no grass,” she explained. “How can you live with no grass? Or trees?”Storm said nothing, his arm still awkwardly around the small girl. “Um… would you like to see something interesting?” he asked tentatively, his other hand in his pocket, fingers running over the rocket he had constructed.

Astrid wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “What is it?” she asked.

“A rocket. A massive one,” Storm boasted. “It’s much, much better than the ones we just saw. All I need is some fire to set it off.”

“Oh! I can do that,” Astrid proclaimed. With a shifty sideways look she glanced around at the humans who, now the fireworks display had ended, had started milling about, exchanging pleasantries and buying spiced wine and smoked sausages. “Mummy said I mustn’t show anyone but you’re not going to tell on me. You have your own power.” Eyes darting around, Astrid turned her back on the crowds, pulling Storm with her. Then, to his amazement, shielded from the people’s view by both of their bodies, the little girl opened her hand to reveal a bright, burning flame.

“Mummy said the humans don’t like it,” Astrid said sadly as she closed her fingers, snuffing the fire out in an instant. “I think it’s pretty, don’t you? But some stuff happened before I was born and they don’t like magic anymore, unless it’s Lady Merlin’s, that’s what mummy said.”

Storm gave a small nod. “Yeah,” he agreed. “It’s best not to show them. So, no one knows you can make fire?”

“No, just my family. They said it’s a secret.”

“Good.” Storm pulled Astrid even further away from the bonfire and into the shadows. “No one will suspect you then. Just send out a spark and light this fuse,” Storm instructed as he pointed to the bit of rope that trailed from the body of the firework. “Then you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

Astrid looked up at him, grinned and, without another word, sent out a flash of flame to ignite the string. Instinctively, Storm pulled her back and away from the rocket, dragging her into the crowd just as a piercing whistle rang out over the land and, with a tremendous boom, the missile launched into the air, spitting every colour of spark in its wake.

“Woah,” Astrid cried appreciatively as the rocket whizzed up into the velvet black of the sky and then broke apart in a shower of blue and purple and gold, three heads of silver snakes angrily hissing outwards from the copious plumes of smoke. The people below gasped, children huddling close to their parents as the serpents writhed and coiled, their fangs gleaming as streams of light scattered down from them to the ground. A few of the kids started screaming and panic settled over the crowd, the tension palpable until, with a burst of flame that matched the sudden rush of relief, the snakes vanished as quickly as they had arrived, leaving nothing but light grey streaks of cloud behind them.

“That. Was. Amazing!” Astrid gushed. “Do it again! Please,” she begged as Storm gaped at her. “I want to see another one. That was… Oh…” she trailed off, her face collapsing as a shadow fell across her face. Storm bit his lip, already knowing what he would see as he turned to look at what was behind him.

“Storm!” His mother was fuming, her eyes narrowed and her hands planted firmly on her hips. “I know that was you. You made that… aberration while I was working. How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing these things? Why can you not just behave, like Astrid here? She is never in trouble.”

Storm swallowed, begging Astrid in his head to keep her mouth shut as Merlin continued, “How even did you manage to set the thing off? I did not detect any trace of Hellblaze. I was on the lookout specially…” Merlin paused, her eyes flitting to Astrid, then to Storm, and back to Astrid again. “I knew you had the power of flame,” she murmured under her breath as she peered at the girl. “How could you not given your parentage. But to exert that amount of control, at your age and without any training?”

Storm gulped. “It wasn’t her…” he began.

“Do not dare lie to me!” Merlin ground out through her teeth. “You are both of you in serious trouble. Astrid, I had come to expect better from you. You have a reputation for being an obedient child. Think carefully before you sully yourself next time.”

Astrid shuffled her feet uncomfortably and looked as if she were about to burst into tears. Merlin sighed, then patted her on the head. “Do not fret yourself child. There was no harm done. Everyone seems to think it was part of the display. It is my reputation that shall take a beating on this occasion, but I can weather it. And I am interested in exploring this power of yours. I am disappointed that your parents did not see fit to confide in me about your abilities but… perhaps after all I can understand their reticence. Be that as it may you must commence training, starting tomorrow. Come to my laboratory with your brother in the morning.”

“You mean it!” Astrid grinned so widely Storm thought her face might crack. “I’ve always wanted to do that. Thank you! I’ll be good. I really will!”

“I know you will child,” Merlin said kindly. “And Storm,” she barked, halting his progress as he had started to slip quietly away. “You are in disgrace. You will spend the rest of this evening in your room and, barring emergencies, you will not emerge again until morning. Is that understood?”

“Understood,” Storm said with a sigh. Astrid gave him a little wave as he set off for his room, smiling to himself in spite of the punishment. “This should be fun,” he muttered under his breath as he made his way back through the dark line of trees.

[aellesaan]

Wanderings in Mac’Aree: Part One.

Part two

(Warning: Very long, but worthwhile read.)

It was the third time Te'Amun had been summoned by the Justicar and the Lightwarden to the streets of Mac'aree. The enourmity of the Univesity district was now mostly passified by their previous adventures as well as the efforts and skills of the Army of the Light who was meticulously cleaning up and carving a swathe across the scarred and hardened land that their people once called home. It was here amongst several tall buildings, skyscrapers as they could be described created seemingly out of a rich pearly white marble towering into the skies, their bodies glittering in the light of the sun, sparkling almost as if jewels had been inlaid in the surface, that the members of Te'Amun and those sworn to its service arrived. They would be greeted with the familiar sight of the curator. Obviously someone had "encouraged" it to come along to lend what it called ‘aid’ to the group, after all even if it was an asshole, at least it did know what it was doing and could provide some advice on the matter at hand. Interestingly enough it appeared that Rhuua and Justicar Epilvik, the leaders of Te’Amun, stood just in front of a large double doorway to one of the many towers; seemingly no different than the others, except this one they had propped open with several large stones, the murky darkness inside seeming to eat away the light. Two enormous dire-wolves stood on either side of Rhuua and Epilvik, legs bent as they looked into it, almost as if protecting their masters from whatever danger it was that laid inside the building.

A quiet rangari Draenei, Phaelastra, ominously appeared out of the shadows, Her lanky, sinewy muscles clad in the traditional rangari armour of Draenor. She took in their surroundings, her breaths silent behind her mask. With careful hoof steps, she made her way to Rhuaa's side (or rather, the side of the wolf next to Rhuaa - allowing the beast to gain her scent) and gave the other wolf a nod of acknowledgement. No words were spoken, out of caution.

Akaepi, a rangari as well, dipped her head, a small and respectful bow offered to the pair before her as she arrived. Her usual beast of burden, a hydra, lurked at her heels with three heads looming over the Rangari. Surveying the immediate area before settling with little more than a quiet hiss. A hand lifts in greeting to Phaelastra, regarding her for a moment then attention flickering back towards Rhuua and Epilvik. Her blue eyed hues scanned the immediate area to take note of any others approaching.

The quiet, eerie silence was broken by a sing-song voice, and the rhythmic skipping of hooves, gradually getting louder. "1,2... it's coming for you 3,4... better lock your door 5,6... grab your brick 7,8... going to stay up late 9,10... never awake again. As Aellesaan got closer, she ceased her singing, and looked around. As her wide, round, eyes landed on the door, she tilted her head in curiosity. "So, who is going to be the ginea-goat  and go in first? Nose goes!" She promptly puts a delicate, well manicured finger on her round nose.

Filaanu arrived in quite possibly the loudest way possible, having found a way to ride her gnomish chopper throughout the streets of Mac'aree, most likely ruining the air with the exhaust of her bike. In the passenger seat, her two mastiffs, Dexter and his mate, Spot, sat quietly, their floppy maws flapping about while Filaanu rode up towards the others. Stopping the vehicle when she was near, Filaanu climbed out and approached the others, canting her head to the side once she found Aellesaan with her finger on her nose. "That's not how you pick your nose," she commented before looking to the others, her eyes stopping at the large doorway, "What's through there?”

"I've only been here a few moments," Phaelastra's tenor toned voice replies. There's a slight wave to those who've followed, her tail coiled in a tense formation behind her knees. She pauses, studying Aellesaan with an odd expression - one that's thankfuly hidden behind her face mask - due to her confusion at the saying. Nose goes? With a shrug, she shifts her long bow to her opposite shoulder, a hand reaching back to make sure her quiver is secure. "If no one else wishes to be first, I am quiet enough to go undetected. No use in sending everyone in if it can be prevented."

Aellesaan blinks at their apparent confusion, and lack of understanding. Perhaps it was a human game after all. With a shrug she takes her finger off her nose and glares playfully at Filaanu for her comment. "I am quite alright being here, in the light, and not going first. I've always disliked the dark." To emphasize her point, she sits down, and practices making ice in various forms.

Akaepi merely lofted a brow at the group, a faint huff of what one would assume was laughter falling from her lips. "I do not believe it is our call as to who enters first." She calls out, a small nod of her head given towards their esteemed leaders and the direwolves that loomed near. "We should merely wait for now." A hand lifted, scratching over the many heads of her Hydra as she waited.

Rhuua, mate to Epilvik, dropped a hand to her wolf's head, but the touch did little to soothe her mount's discomfort-- the great beast seemed to quiver with anticipation, the fur along the back of her neck bristled on end as she stared into the darkness. "This is your territory, my love," the Lightwarden's voice was soft, as though she loathed disturbing the silent dark which loomed before them. She canted her head to the side, watching her mate for direction.

Epilvik turned to his mate with a nod as several of their people arrived. "Thank you my friends for coming once more. As we all know from the previous two expeditions, where our "friend" here explained, we must retrieve the third and final key in order to complete the locking mechanism that holds the sceptor of such great power. One that we might even be able to use to harm the Dark Titan himself. We have the tablet, we have the compass, and now we need the next item." Epilvik explained to them. "However as before... it seems.. whatever is down there in the heart of this planet, whatever malevolent being or creature resides down below, is now activly working to stop us. Thus the wolves guarding to stop anything coming out. We will need to work swiftly, and accurately; we cant make mistakes here, else...." He said with a grimace. "Albeit the Curator of the Universities has already somewhat explained that like before this area will be heavily dependant on your cognitive reasoning, would you care to explain, Curator?" Epilvik asked the robot(construct). "Not particularly you over important, self worshipping, lump of shit. But yeah, by all means go run in there. I’m sure you’ll do fine; just a couple of puzzles, and you’ll be done. You’ve done fine so far; dont worry about the rest. It’ll be fine, just get in there and get it done," He responded to Epilvik. Clearly, the pair didn't appreciate one another very well as Epilvik responded by punching it in the face before loudly swearing as he cradeled his fist in pain. Perhaps another might be able to get it out of him with their feminine wiles.

Akaepi merely stared at the exchange between Epilvik and the Curator. Ah yes, diplomacy at its finest! Only the barest hint of laughter bubbled over her lips, a twinkle of mirth wrote upon concealed features. "Come now-... There is clearly a reason for you being here," Words addressed to the Curator with an off-handed wave towards Epilvik; Please forgive her, she's trying, but feminine wiles is not her forte. "Does it not speak volumes that our esteemed leaders would turn to you for your infinite wisedom and advice in this?" The bristle of that wolves fur did not go unnoticed and, certainly, made Akaepi's form that little less at ease about the entire situation. Forboding darknesses never had a good track record for her. "If nothing more then would it not be a kick to their teeth to know that you are doing what they could not by assisting us?" Pandering to ego's however-... That usually worked as far as Akaepi knew. Well, it did in those silly books she read anyways.

As Epilvik explained the situation at hand, and conversed with the "charming" Curator, Danarshi was approaching the group on hoof, wandering towards them at a leisurely pace. Upon close inspection, the Anchorite appeared refreshed. The small gathering in Dalaran the other day had certainly reinvigorated him. Having only been a small number of metres away, Danarshi had overheard the exchange and, therefore, understood the situation at hand, despite the Curator's deliberately poor choice of wording. Halting to a stop a few paces away from his kin, he issued them with a singular salute. "Hail, brothers and sisters." he greets them. His eyes turned to the tower ahead of them, more specifically its entranceway. His mouth drops open as he falls amidst his own thoughts. Ultimately, the Anchorite's eyes rested upon Epilvik. "Puzzles have never once been my specialty, though regardless, my hand is yours, Justicar. I shall progress upon your word." he swears. He cannot help but to send the Curator a shifty glance. It did not feel as though the spirit was on their side. He would be weary of her.

Phaelastra frowned behind her mask, remaining silently otherwise. She crossed her arms, gaze flickering to Akaepi, to await further orders. All the talking seems to make her uneasy. Filaanu remained just as silent, looking back to her chopper to make sure her mastiffs had climbed out and were at her side before simply crouching down to pet one of the dogs. Shortly after, she stood back up and yawned, glancing to the tower ahead.

The Curator tried to hit Epilvik in the balls which he only deftly leapt out of the way of, hiding behind the otherside of Rhuua; now deliberatly out of range as Akaepi approached the robot construct in his stead; addressing it in a very civil and adoring manner. "Theres a reason alright That boso dragged me across the town to bring me here. Didn’t even try asking, he was very rude. You know, Lord Archimonde would have done no such thing no no, a gentlemen and a scholar that man was. Ahh his return will be sorely wanted," he commented wistfully as Epilvik nodded to Danarshi in greetings. The construct seemed to consider Akaepi’s words carefully as if evaluating them as she spoke. "Hmm your words speak reason, after all, it takes a certain mind, a genius if you will, to grapple with the magics and mystery that surround this task. After all, the locking mechanism was designed by yours truely. Although after Archimonde put me in this body, he forced certain parameters that stoped me from just guiding and giving the answers. The most I can do is provide advice." He explained. "Hmm fine, the final object you need is at the end of this passage, on the sixth floor of the building in the conference room, that is where you will find the answer. Once you enter, the building will seal until you either die or succed, sending advance parties or groups will not help you here."

The Rangari merely paused. There was a flicker of surprise that it actually worked though it was short lived. She dipped her head down low in a bow, smiling. "You would honour me with any advice you could impart. Despite how rudely you were pulled away to assist, you are proving to be beyond helpful and we would be in your debt." Standing up straight again, her gaze flickered to the building once more. Going in there did not sound like a fun time at all. Oh boy, sixth floor; all or nothing.

Aellesaan looked up at her peers, and the construct, listening carefully.  With a sigh, she stood up, and idly scratched at her blonde hair. "Well, lets get this party started shall we!" She started dancing towards the door.

Danarshi bites down upon his lip in sudden concern. Sealed until success or death? This was certainly a risk. As his kin each prepared to enter through the doorway, the Anchorite steped forward. "Wait," he abruptly lets out in an attempt to slow their approach. "If we venture beyond this doorway, there is no guarantee that we will be able to return." Danarshi reverts his attention to Epilvik. "Forgive me for my suspicions, Justicar - I intend not to sway from your lead, though, what is the intended purpose of the artifact that we seek? If it is worthy of the cost of sealing ourselves within this tower, then I would expect that is exceptionally powerful." he expressed. He bats yet another eye in the direction of the Curator, distrust present upon his face. Inside the tower, they could very well be placed beneath the mercy of the defiant spirit. He had heard of Vigilant Quoram, a similar entity who had acted in much the same manner. The constructs of Mac'Aree, thus far, were not of the trustworthy category.

Epilvik looked to Danarshi before nodding in response. "True, there is not, we may fail, but with our experience, our knowledge, and our diverse skill set it is unlikely to be the case that we will. However as for what is inside, in here is only a key, but it is the final key to our end goal, that goal being the sceptor of Archimonde himself, he who founded the University district on Mac'Aree, the principle place of higher learning, experience, and knowledge of our ancient and powerful race. It was here that our experiements, and our thirst for knowledge and power first drew the attentions of the Dark Titan." Epilvik explained to him. "That staff, was with Archimonde for millenia. So very, very long in fact, that the measure of power contained in the staff will be immense. Such force possibly, as much raw energy, as the sceptor of Sargerus is capable of." he added further. "That and that alone is why we need it, with such raw power, it is likely even a titan can’t stand before such an assault." Meanwhile the Contruct had been speaking with Akaepi as she continued to flatter and flirt with him as much as she knew how to at least. "Mhmm you’re right, I was quite rudely pulled away and abused wasn’t I. Humpf, we Vigilants really need to unionize. That'll show all those people who think they can boss us around what’s what. Yeah yeah thats a good idea." he said to himself going off on a tangent. "Hmm any advice huh? Well I suppose I'll tell you the solution for your first puzzle. Let’s see,

I have an eye but cannot see.

I am fast but I have no limbs.

What am I?..

There that is your hint, now please go right ahead. If you make it through the first I'll see you on the otherside." He commented before waving the group inside. Who would dare enter first?

Phaelastra's gaze followed the blonde Aellesaan. With slow steps, the rangari’s body dissapeared into the shadows once more, where she followed the path of the other. It would seem that she perhaps has the intention to prevent any harm that would come to her comrad, though they barely know each other.

Aellesaan didn't even take a second to recognize Danarshi's concern, but kept dancing her way to the door, and glided into the murky darkness. "Ah yes, darkness my old enemy. I have never missed your presence. Yet here we are, meeting again." She looked back for the Rangari she had heard called Phaelastra, but the darkness was so murky it prevented her vision. She lifted up her delicate hands, but she could barely see them. Fear gripped her heart causing her thick, decored tail to twitch, and her facial tendrils to go stiff. Aellesaan no longer wanted to sing.

Phaelastra was right behind her. Darkness had always been a friend to the woman, something that she’d used many times in the past to help her do her job. In a swift motion she steped out - just barely able to make the outline of Aellesaan. One of her strong arms wraped around the woman’s waist in attempt to comfort, her voice breaking through the shadows. “We should stay with the others, sister. Let us return to the others, yes?” Truthfully, Phae had stopped paying attention to all the talking - and would like nothing more than to get on with their mission. However, she also knew leaving Aellesan like this would keep them from doing so. She waits for the other woman’s response before she takes any further action.

Aellesaan jumped at the light touch of Phaelastra, but quickly calmed down at the familiar touch of a fellow sister. Looking into the Rangari's eyes and seeing a calm, collected demeanor, she nodded at her words. Aellesaan took a few steps back towards the door and waited for the others. "Thank you, sister. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, I charge ahead with no thought except for the goal ahead of us. It is both a blessing and a burden. Let us wait here for the others to join us, you are right." Aellesaan began to hum a bright melody as if to bat away the darkness cocooned around them.

This brought a smile to Phaelastra’s face that carried to her eyes. “It’s quite alright. The Naaru bless us differently for a reason, yes?” She lowers her arm, until her hand rested against the small of Aellesan’s back - a gentle reminder that she’s right there, the friend in the darkness. With each step of Aellesan’s, Phaelastra followed - allowing Aellesaan to set the pace. From time to time she found herself swaying her tail to the tune of her fellow Draenei, something she’s glad neither of her brothers were there to tease her over.