Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 13, 2020 22:36:44 GMT -5
( Muaha, true. xD )
Sol pushed a fry slowly through a glob of ketchup. "He died when I was eight. The previous Pirate King attacked my father's ship and slaughtered the whole crew, for no other reason than because he was bored. That's what he said, anyway." He ate the fry. "He saved my father for last, and decided to take his time with him." Sol stared at his plate. "Then he tied me to a lifeboat and gave me to the sea."
~ • ~ • ~ ( I feel like I've heard of that before. Is it good? )
Seth continued to lead the way to town, though she probably knew the way better than he did. When they got there, they found Aidan waiting for them. He was playing with Star... and a bunch of puppies.
Seth stopped dead. "Aidan," he said, eyes on the four mini Stars. "What are they doing here?"
Aidan looked up and grinned. "Seth!" He quickly scooped up a puppy and ran toward them. The other three puppies followed at his heels. "Hi! You said you wanted to cheer up Anya, so... I brought them! Everybody loves puppies. Here!" He held the puppy in his arms out for Anya. "This one likes to give kisses."
~ • ~ • ~ ( Yes, well, they'll cross that bridge when they get there. 😈 )
Morgan's head came up with her urging, but his eyes remained downcast. "I'm fine," he said after a beat. He made a fist out of his bloody hand and pulled away from Kyra's touch. "I'm fine," he repeated, though his repetition gave the opposite impression.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 8:09:56 GMT -5
(Let him have fun with it. XD)
Parker grew silent as he listen, the atmosphere at their table suddenly grew a lot more gloomy, for lack of a better word. Of course, he could guess that Sol's father had died, but he didn't think he would have been killed so cruelly. And losing a parent at any age was never easy. But as shocking at that information was, there was something else that made the whole story worse. "You were there when it happened?" he asked.
~*~*~
(It's great! If you like psychological thrillers and cop/investigation shows, you'll love it. It's on Netflix as well, I think, but it's only one season.)
Anya was little more than his shadow as they made the journey to town. She knew the way so well that she didn't even have to think about where she put her feet. The woman's mind had begun to wander off again, and would have zoned out entirely if the movement of several small things didn't catch her eye. Looking up, she spotted Aidan and Star, along for four fluffs of fur bouncing on the ground around them.
The kid wasn't wrong. As he held out the puppy to her, Anya felt her lips life into a small smile as she took it. She had seen the puppies one or twice before, but they're gotten bigger since then, and fluffier. Holding the puppy close, it was proven that he, or she, did like to give kisses. It squirmed excitedly in her arms, little nose outstretched in efforts to reach her face.
~*~*~
(I'm afraid for them when they reach that bridge.
Also, does Kyra know his aversion to killing? Or would she have left before he made that decision?)
Kyra didn't try to fight him when pulled away, but she most certainly didn't let this go. "Morgan, look me in the eye and say that," she told him. He wasn't fine. They might have been apart for years, but she knew him well enough to be able to pick up on the changes of his behavior.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 14, 2020 9:24:56 GMT -5
( Oh, I've no doubt he will. xD )
Sol ate another fry. "Yes. I was." His gaze drifted to the window, and the ocean he could just see between the buildings. "My father practically raised me on that ship, on the ocean. Even with reports of pirate activity becoming more common, it would have been stranger to everyone if he left me behind." He gave a wry smile. "I wasn't meant for dry land."
~ • ~ • ~ ( Sweet. I'll add it to the list! 😁 )
Seth heaved a sigh and avoided looking at the puppies for as long as possible. It was a true effort of willpower, so he focused on Aidan to make it easier. Only it wasn't easier, because Aidan picked up another puppy and held it out to him with a grin.
The last time Aidan took them to visit the puppies, Seth had made himself scarce. He could not be trusted around baby animals. It was the same with the barn cat's new kittens. He had done his best to avoid the barn ever since he heard they had been born.
But with one look at the golden furred puppy in Aidan's arms, Seth's willpower broke. "Oh, damn it." He accepted the puppy, who immediately crawled further into his arms and gave him a kiss.
~ • ~ • ~ ( Don't be. I have one more surprise in store for you. ;D
Yes and no. Morgan's always been pretty anti-kill (he would rather solve problems with words not swords kinda thing), but the idea of him taking a life never would have hit him this hard before. That only started after Morgan's magic specified, and he almost killed someone with it by accident. Then, suddenly killing became a real possibility. Combine that with how Seth spiraled after taking a life, and Morgan threw himself into NOT killing, ever. )
Morgan lifted his gaze to glare at her, but it lacked any real heat. And when he opened his mouth to tell her again he was fine, nothing came out. He looked away again, only his gaze landed on the Rider. He flinched at the sight of the dead man, Morgan's sword still stuck in his chest.
Then Kyon was there. He carefully hooked one claw in the Rider's shirt and pulled him several feet away. Then he moved to block Morgan's view and lowered his head to meet his gaze. You did what you had to, he said gently.
Morgan squeezed his eyes shut. "Then why does it feel so wrong?" he whispered.
Kyon had no answer for that, so he just pressed his nose to his Rider's chest in silent comfort.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 9:54:44 GMT -5
Parker nodded slightly, searching for the right words to say in this moment. There was no point in offering words of comfort for something that already so long ago, but he didn't want to say something that could be insensitive. "Still, to have witnessed all of that at a young age," he murmured. "How were you able to track the former Pirate King down?"
~*~*~
( XD )
Anya scratched the little puppy's ears gently for a few moments before she glanced over to Seth, who was in a similar situation as she was in. "I take it this wasn't supposed to be part of the plan?" she asked.
~*~*~
(Oh, boy I'm not ready. xD
So she would know he's a peaceful person generally, but she wouldn't have been there when his power started to really manifest itself. Unless you want her to have still been there when the accident happened.)
Kyra held his gaze without emotion, watching as he struggled to claim he was fine. There was no sense of satisfaction or smug that she was right when he couldn't do it. The woman stayed silent as Kyon moved closer, moving the dead Rider out of sight. This was not something she could help him with. Morgan had always been a lover not a fighter if he could help it. He could, and would, fight, but he always tried to talk things out. She just assumed that he had experienced killing in the years she had been away. Apparently, she was wrong.
"He would have died either way," she told him. "I wouldn't have left him living for much longer. You just beat me to it." It was not a statement of comfort, she knew that. It might just have made things worse, but she wanted him to know that the Rider's death was unavoidable.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 14, 2020 10:14:05 GMT -5
"It was a ling time ago." Sol forced the memories away. They didn't pierce him like they had in the tears after, but it still wasn't anything he liked to think about. "I became a pirate." He answered simply enough, but the pause that followed suggested it hadn't actually been as simple as that. "I did... a lot of bad things, so I could become notorious enough to earn an audience with him. It didn't exactly work out that way, but in the end, the result was the same. I got my audience. And first chance I got, I killed him."
~ • ~ • ~ Seth snorted grumpily, but everyone could see it was a show. "No, it was not. Aidan, I can't have a dog."
For that was no doubt the ulterior motive of the little devil. He had been asking Seth, and every single member of the Dorreh family, if they would take one of Star's puppies. He was smart enough to know he couldn't keep them, though he sometimes spoke as if he planned to. But he also didn't want to give them to strangers.
Aidan just shrugged, the picture of innocence. "I didn't say anything about that. I just brought them to cheer Anya up."
Seth glared at his grinning face. "You're the devil," he said, not without affection.
Aidan's grin only got bigger.
~ • ~ • ~ ( You're really not. xD
No, that happened almost a year after he hatched Kyon, which would make him seventeen. And Kyra left when they were sixteen, so she probably wouldn't know much about his power at all. )
Morgan laughed, though there was no humor in the sound. He turned his head just enough to see her. "No, Kyra. You didn't see him fight. He was twice as good as the woman you fought. I would have struggled against him, in a real fight. You wouldn't have stood a chance. That's why I... I couldn't just sit back and watch that happen. Not again."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 17:46:17 GMT -5
To become so caught up in revenge to do all of that was hard to imagine. Parker wondered how hurt he must have been to go to those extremes. Then he wondered if he would have done the same if it had been him. He wanted to believe he wouldn't, but if it was Anya that had been killed, then there was a chance he'd do the same. "And now you're here, Pirate King, savior of idiot farm boys unlucky enough to be sold to slaves."
~•~•~
"Well, I think they're working a bit," Anya admitted. It was hard not to smile when there was a tiny puppy demanding for attention, all besides itself in excitement. "I would take one, but I don't know if it could travel with us."
~•~•~
(Okay, got it!)
"Then don't think too much about it," Kyra told him. "Right or wrong, it makes little difference. He was a murderer, ready to kill an entire village of people just so he could kill you. The law system wouldn't be able to touch him, and Genevieve would have praised him. There was no good way to end the fight. Someone was going to pay. It just happened to be him."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 14, 2020 18:52:34 GMT -5
Sol snorted and rubbed his forehead, smiling with wry amusement. "Pirate King. Yeah, that definitely wasn't part of the plan. Neither was rescuing a down-on-his-lick farm boy."
~ • ~ • ~ At that, Seth forgot about the temptation the puppies represented and just watched her for a minute. The puppy in her arms was a wriggling bundle of joy, just happy to be held and cuddled. The smile it was bringing out in Anya was worth it, even if he ended up with a dog he couldn't have.
"Why not? They're very smart," Aidan said, clearly trying to sway one — or both — of them. "And Star wasn't afraid of Stel or Corrik. I bet if she was there and helped you introduce the puppies to them, they wouldn't be afraid either. Plus, Star isn't very big, so her babies probably won't be either. And —"
Seth reached out and covered his mouth with one hand. "Alright, kid. First of all: exactly how many puppies do you expect us to take? Second: your definition of "not very big" needs work. Star has to be at least fifty or sixty pounds, and that's only when she's half starved. In perfect health, she could probably put on another ten plus pounds. That equals large breed. Or, breeds, seeing as she's a mutt. Not to mention, you don't even know what dog sired these puppies, so there's no guarantee they'll get as big as mom and no bigger. The males,at least, could end up almost twice her size."
Aidan blinked up at him. "Are you done?" Seth scowled, but Aidan kept going. "I know you want one. Why do you keep making up excuses to say no?"
Seth didn't have a good answer for that. He sighed and placed his puppy on the ground. It immediately pounced on one of its siblings, and they tumbled into a wrestling match. "I don't know, kid. I guess I've just heard "no" so many times from other people, I've started giving myself that answer too."
~ • ~ • ~ ( Okay! Are you ready for your surprise? 😉 )
"I know that. You think I don't? I know too many people back home who are just like him. They need to be stopped, and deserve to be punished. But what right do I have to deliver that punishment? And taking his life? How does that not make me as bad as he is?" Morgan stopped, breathing a little hard, and looked away, toward the other body he found himself stuck between. "And that's still not as bad as sitting back and doing nothing while he killed —"
Callum sat up with a gasp.
Morgan fell back with a start and stared, wide-eyed, as Callum pulled in large gulps of air, as if he had been holding his breath for too long. He had one hand pressed to his chest. The blood was still there, as was the tear in his shirt, but the wound that had killed him… it was gone. As if it had never been.
Callum suddenly squeezed his eyes shut and fell back with a groan. "Shit," he said. "That freaking hurt."
Morgan felt his jaw drop. "That… you…" He sat upright. "What the hell?! You're dead! You were dead!"
Callum just raised one arm to cover his face. "Thank you, Sherlock. I hadn't noticed. And can I just say, I recommend you don't try that at home. I don't know which idiot said dying was painless, but he lied. Dying freaking hurts."
Morgan just stared at him, utterly speechless.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 19:15:48 GMT -5
"I've never really properly thanked you for that," Parker said, hoping to bring things back to a more easy topics. "And I know it wasn't just you who did the rescuing, but I'm sure had you not given the orders, I, and all the others, would still be on that ship heading to who knows where. Thank you, Sol. I owe you a lot more than I can repay."
~*~*~
At that, Anya turned her gaze to Seth. There was a moment where she didn't know if she should say anything, but the part of her that wanted Seth to break from what he was forced to be won out. "Well, no one is here to tell you no now," she pointed out.
~*~*~
(No, but you're going to give it to me anyway. XD
O.O Callum, what the hell, man?!?!?! What's been in the water you've been drinking?)
Kyra drew in a breath, ready to tell him exactly why he had the right to take the other Rider's life. But she never had the chance. For at that same time, Callum bolted upright, gasping like a fish out of water. Well then, things just got more interesting.
While Morgan sat speechless, she walked over to where Callum was. "I think you've got some explaining to do," she said, tone light as she crouched down in front of him. She studied him, noting the site of the fatal injury. "Welcome back, of course, but I don't think we have the time to exchange much small talk. I take it you're well enough if you're breather and talking."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 14, 2020 20:07:58 GMT -5
Sol shook his head. "You don't have to thank me. I wouldn't be a very good Pirate King if I let pirates break the rules on my ocean."
~ • ~ • ~ Seth glared indignantly at her. "Who's side are you on?"
"The puppies'!" Aidan exclaimed with a laugh. He knelt down in the dirt, and was instantly swarmed by cuteness. "Come on, Seth. You know you waaaanna."
Seth tossed up his hands and tried one more thing. "Are your parents going to let me have a puppy?" he asked Anya. "Cause it's their house, but if I take one, I am not making him live outside or in the barn."
~ • ~ • ~ ( Muahaha! Another brilliant plan thought up by my amazing mind! xD )
Callum lifted his arm just enough to shoot her a glare. Then, with a sigh, he sat up... and redirected his glare his his torn and bloody shirt. "Figures," he muttered. He finally focused on Kyra. "Yeah, I'm fine. The cut I got from the bastard's knife is still there, but I think it's healing already. He lifted his shirt to expose his injured side, and sure enough, the long gash looked like it was already days old. Still red and render, but no longer bleeding. He dropped his shirt. "Okay,that part I can learn to like."
That snapped Morgan out if his stunned stupor. He jumped to his feet and came over to crouch beside Kyra. "Wait, are you saying you knew this would happen? This whole resurrection thing? You knew?"
Callum shrugged. "Technically, yeah. I didn't fully believe it until I woke up just now, though."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 20:51:57 GMT -5
"Still, you could have been the kind to let the crime run wild," Parker said. "but you weren't."
~*~*~
"So long as you're the one cleaning up after him, I don't think anyone would mind you getting one," Anya told him. "It's not like they're not used to having animals indoors."
~*~*~
(Well, it solved the problem of having to tell his mother he died. XD)
Kyra wasn't phased by his glare.If anything, she was a little intrigued with this turn of events, but it did come at a very complicated time. "Yep, you're going to have a lot to explain," she said, standing and offering a hand down to him. "But not here. We need to go somewhere else before that dragon finds any friends near by."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 14, 2020 21:27:24 GMT -5
"No, I'm not," Sol agreed,and left it at that. After a beat of silence, he asked, "So what would you consider the perfect date?"
~ • ~ • ~ Seth looked like he was trying to come up with more arguments, a reason to say no. He was failing, even before one of the puppies decided to scamper over and untie the laces of one of his boots. Seth looked down, surprised, and the puppy looked back, chest to the ground in a play bow, Seth's shoelace in his mouth.
Suffice to say, he stopped fighting the idea after that.
He smiled as the puppy started tugging playfully at the shoelace. "Now that's a face you can't say no to." The puppy barked, as if agreeing, but dropped the shoelace in the process. He growled at it and pounced, capturing it once more.
~ • ~ • ~ ( Haha, yep. I only killed him off because I intended to bring him back, so I didn't even think about "breaking the news" to Cresseida. xD )
Callum waved off her help and stood easily on his own. Morgan could have sworn there was a slight difference in his movements now, an added smoothness and face that hadn't been there before. What exactly was Callum? For Morgan was sure now he wasn't human, at least not entirely.
Morgan stood up. "She's right," he said. "About explaining and leaving. Come on." He started walking toward Kyon.
"Uh, Morgan?" Callum pointed when Morgan turned. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Morgan stiffened and refused to look where Callum pointed. He knew what he was talking about. His sword, still impaled in the chest of the man he killed.
Callum crossed over to the Rider and lightly kicked the dead man's boot. "Nice job, by the way, though I wish you'd left him alive. I would have liked to pay him back for killing me."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 14, 2020 22:02:23 GMT -5
The switch in conversation was so drastic, Parker couldn't help but laugh a little. "A perfect date? You want me to give one of those cheesy generic answers, or what I actually think?"
~•~•~
"Guess you've got a dog now," Anya said with a small laugh. She was really considering adopting the one she had, but really she wasn't sure how well she'd be able to care for it later on when they have to eventually leave.
~•~•~
(I guess that is a good thing because I don't think I could handle a crying Cresseida. 🤣)
Kyra rolled her eyes at his refusal for help. Let him be petty. It did nothing against her. She simply turned and headed towards Kyon. Now with the brush of battle had subsided and adrenaline had run it's course, the burn on her shoulder was making itself known. Reaching up,he gently touched the front of her left shoulder, feeling the ruined trap of her tank top and the blistering skin. It was hard to tell how bad it was without being able to see it, but she would put up with it.
"We can discuss would've, should've, could've on the way," she called back to the boys. "Time is of the essence."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 8:19:00 GMT -5
Parker smiled. "Then the perfect date would be a fine diner followed by a long moonlight stroll to procrastinate going home, filled with conversation and laughter, maybe end up holding hands," he replied, trying to think of nearly every cheesy romance movie he had ever sat through. Then added more as a joke, "perhaps even a moment to break out into song to declare affections. You know, the normal stuff."
~•~•~
"I would love one, but one dog accompanying us might be enough," Anya said. "However, my parents have had a sheep dog in the past. Perhaps they might be persuaded if they saw how good they could be trained."
~•~•~
(Good. As new of the only positive parents here, she does not need heartache. XD)
Kyra stayed in her position on the saddle just until they had landed. Then she jumped down, wincing a bit, and glanced around. The town was unscathed, and there several people milling about in the streets. The fire was out, but they still looked uncertain if they should stay or leave. She looked back at the boys. "We'll stay here for a few hours. Kyon needs to rest, and we all need to recoup. I'll send a letter to the Veras and let them know we're on our way. I'm going to go fetch the healer, if they're still here. You two go grab food."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 11:28:12 GMT -5
Sol knew Parker was joking around, but he had to wonder if that really was considered a normal first date to most people. He shook his head slightly, amused. "Alright. Now what's your idea of the perfect date?"
~ • ~ • ~ Aidan expression went from disappointed to excited between one heartbeat and the next. "I can do that!" he said. "I've been hearing about the festival for days now, and there's a sheep herding competition, right? I want to enter Star. She could totally win!"
"You really think so?" Seth asked. He had finally freed his shoelace from his new puppy, and was now trying to keep him occupied by trailing a stick around for him to chase. He let the pup catch the stick so he could look up as Aidan nodded vigorously. Seth grinned. "What do you need to sign up?"
"For the junior competition, nothing, besides a sheep dog. Well." He pursed his lips as he studied Star. She was grooming two of her puppies as they tried to suckle. "I might need a collar and leash for her, too."
"Then we'll get them," Seth said simply. He used his hand to block his puppy as he grew bored with his stick and went for Seth's shoelaces again. The pup tried to go around, but Seth blocked him again. Then again. Then again, until he realized the little smartass was turning this into a new game. With a smirk, his hand quickly shot out and scooped the puppy up. He gave a yelp of surprise, but wasted no time cuddling into Seth's chest. "I need to go shopping now anyway." He looked at Anya. "Unless you would rather head right to your first surprise destination? Today is still about you."
~ • ~ • ~ ( She really doesn't. xD )
The boys, having dismounted behind her, said nothing, just watched as she headed off like a girl on a mission. Callum glanced at Morgan. "Has she always been so bossy?" he asked.
Morgan felt a small smile touch his lips. "Yes. She and Seth were constantly butting heads, because they're both leaders, not followers. Even when they both wanted to do the same thing, they found a reason to argue over it."
Callum's next glance was knowing. "Well, that answers that question."
Morgan frowned and finally looked away from Kyra's retreating figure. "Which question?"
Callum smirked and started walking. He said casually over his shoulder, "The question about which one of you has shared a bed with her."
Morgan blinked, surprised. He wasn't embarrassed, though, like many guys probably would be in his situation. After a moment, he jogged to catch up with Callum. "Technically, we both have. I mean, not like that," he added hastily at Callum's arched look. "But, like, we've all slept in the same bed before. It's called a sleepover, and no funny business happened. We were, like, twelve. And anyway, Seth was always hung up on Ari back when we were all together. I don't think he's ever seen Kyra as more than a friend, or a sister, even."
Callum just grunted. His expression said he had lost interest, but Morgan knew he was listening. Though, he wasn't sure why he was talking about it with him, of all people. Only, as soon as he asked himself that question, he knew the answer. "You know, you and Seth are a lot more similar that either of you want to admit." Callum shot him a glare, but Morgan just grinned. "Exactly." When that made Callum look inclined to hit him, Morgan laughed and jogged ahead. "Come on, Vera. Let's go find some food."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 13:02:52 GMT -5
Parker thought about that for a moment. Finally, "I don't know. I guess it's not really anything much, but I've always kind of just thought star gazing would be one of those dates that's be hard to mess up." He shrugged and took a sip of his drink. "I've spent a lot if times doing it growing up whenever I couldn't sleep or in the summer when we could let the sheep stay in the pastures. We'd all take turns camping outto watch them, and it was just a peaceful time."
~•~•~
It was a good idea, entering Star in the competition. With good meals and proper grooming, she had turned into a lovely dog. If people saw how smart she was, then Aidan might find himself having more people interested in the puppies. "No, we have time," she responded. "Besides, I think your plans had derailed as soon as you saw the puppies. What's one more extra stop going to hurt?"
~•~•~
Kyra heard Callum's comment, but didn't bother to turn around and make any comment. Yes, she was bossy, and most of that was because she was tired, in pain, and half still filled with worry over how close a call they had just avoided. Taking things back in her control was the only way she knew how to get things back to a normal state.
Finding a healer took longer than she had wanted to spend looking. The townsfolk were all scattered about, and the more she had to wander, the more irritated she got. Eventually, she did manage to find the woman and talked her into coming with her to wherever the boys had went. Of course, the healer, whose name was Nina, offered to take a look at her injuries first, but Kyra declined, claiming she could wait until the others were seen to.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 15:42:08 GMT -5
"I knew it," Sol teased. "You are a hopeless romantic." He slid out of the booth and offered him a hand. "Luckily for you, I know just the spot."
~ • ~ • ~ Seth shot the puppies a mock glare. "They certainly did." His pretend irritation didn't last. "Are we bringing them all with us for this side trip, or do we need to make a detour to their den?"
Aidan looked at the puppies, considering. "Well, we could bring them, but they might be more comfortable at home. And it's almost their nap time, so their energy probably won't last much longer."
~ • ~ • ~ Turned out, Callum wasn't on the hunt for food. Instead, he went to the shed where he had stashed his bag of belongings. He wasted to time shedding his torn and bloody shirt and replacing it with a clean one. He was quick about it, but Morgan still saw his injuries, or lack thereof. The killing wound he had recieved was well and truly gone, like it had never been, and even the dagger wound was healing at a rapid rate.
"What are you, Callum?" he asked, not really thinking. But Morgan was beyond curious. Callum was two years older than him. He had a mother and a sister, both of whom were very much human. Then again, Callum had seemed very much human too, before he died and came back to life. Morgan knew there were supernatural creatures out there beyond the known ones — humans, dragons, elves, dwarves, urgals. But most were extinct, at least in Alegäsia. Had one returned and somehow sired Callum? But what? And if Callum wasn't all human, did that mean Cami wasn't either?
Morgan's question made Callum freeze for several seconds. Then he yanked his new shirt the rest of the way on and bent to pick up his bag — and Morgan's sword, which he still had. "Later, Morgan," he said. "If I have to tell you anything, I'm not saying it twice. Let's go find Kyra."
He stalked off, Morgan following him a moment later. "Alright, but food first. That is what she told us to get."
"Then you get it," Callum replied. "I'm not her errand boy."
"Hey," Morgan protested on Kyra's behalf. "She asked us to get food for all of us, not just her. Aren't you hungry? After a fight like that, not to mention whatever inherent magic you used to come back to life, you need food."
Callum rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Lead the way, oh obedient one."
Morgan just gave him a look. Callum just arched his brows back at him, until Morgan shook his head and set off, this time for food.
Their task was easy enough, though Callum made Morgan carry everything, of course. Before he could even try to argue about it, Callum had pinned him with a look and told him to either carry the food or take his damn sword back.
Morgan chose the food. He wasn't proud of it, but he wasn't ready to take back the weapon he'd used to end a life. Two lives, technically. It probably made him a coward, but he wasn't yet ready to face that demon.
They returned to the square where they had landed, and where Kyon still was, curled up in the middle like a giant golden cat, fast asleep. All the flying and fighting and worrying had finally caught up with him. Morgan wouldn't be surprised if his dragon slept the rest of the day and night away.
Morgan went and sat beside him. Callum dropped his bag, then Morgan's sword atop it, a few feet away, though he chose to remain standing. Morgan alternated watching him and the streets, looking for Kyra's return. Callum stared off into space, ignoring everything and everyone.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 16:22:17 GMT -5
"Didn't I confirm as much?" Parker asked, a little confused when Sol suddenly stood up. "Wait, right now?"
~•~•~
"Then let's get these little ones to bed so they can nap," Anya said, smiling softly.
~•~•~
Kyra's return path was a straightforward one. Not sure what direction the boys would have gone, she just made her way back to where she knew Kyon was. From there, she'd be able to track them down. Turns out, she didn't need to. They were already there, waiting by the sleeping dragon.
"Morgan, Callum, this is Nina," she introduced.
"I'm told you three took care of the people responsible for the fire," Nina said. "Thank you. I'll be more than happy to look at any of your injuries."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 17:04:21 GMT -5
( Did he? xD )
"Yes." Sol held his gaze steadily, hand still offered to him. "Unless you would rather stay here for dessert?"
~ • ~ • ~ "Okay. Come on, puppies!" Aidan started running, the puppies yapping happily as they chased after him. Seth put his down so he could (hopefully) exert the last of his energy chasing Aidan with his litter mates. He followed slower with Anya.
By the time they arrived at the little shack Aidan called home (the outside looked worse than the inside), Aidan was already herding the puppies inside. He brought them right to their corner, where Star had arranged a bunch of old blankets and towels into a nest. Once they were settled and playing amongst themselves, Aidan snuck out, Star on his heels.
"Okay, let's goooo!" And he was off again, thos time toward the town square.
~ • ~ • ~ Morgan stood up and approached as soon as the women appeared. Callum only turned to watch from his chosen spot. Morgan ignored him and greeted Nina warmly.
When she mentioned injuries, he blinked. "Oh. I don't have any. But I think Callum —"
"I'm fine," he interrupted. "I don't need a healer. But thank you," he added as an afterthought.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 18:06:37 GMT -5
(He said Anya would call him one, which is the same as admitting he was. XD)
Parker hesitated for a second, but only a second. As good as dessert sounded, Sol had peaked his curiosity. So he took the hand, with the same amount of hesitation, and stood up to follow him.
~•~•~
As much as she loved the little furball in her arms, Anya set the puppy down so it could follow its siblings home. The sight of all of them running after Aidan was almost enough to make her laugh. While they hurried on, she walked behind with Seth.
"Looks like we'll need to puppy proof our room when we get home," she commented.
~•~•~
"Are you sure?" Nina asked, looking at the men. Surely Kyra hadn't been the only one to be hurt in that fight like the one they'd been in. After all, they had stopped not only the people who started it, but the fire as well. She would have thought the Rider might need some assistance.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 18:28:03 GMT -5
( Oh yeah. xD )
As soon as Parker took his hand, Sol turned and led him toward the door. They passed Mandy on their way. He paused just long enough to tell her the food was delicious, and to send their bill to the Comet. She nodded, thanked them for coming, and then they were off again.
Sol headed toward the docks at first, but just before they reached them he took a small side street, easily missed if you didn't know it was there. From there, he led Parker out of town and away from the lights. The outskirts of town quickly gave way to a meadow, in the center of which stood a massive tree. Easily visible among the branches, as fall had made the tree shed most of its leaves, was a treehouse, with a platform open to the sky.
Sol stopped on the edge of the meadow to let Parker take in the sight. "What do you think?" he asked. "Perfect stargazing spot, right?"
~ • ~ • ~ Seth just shrugged. "That shouldn't be hard. Anything we don't want chewed on, I can store in a pocket. But I'll be getting him lots of toys, so hopefully that won't be a concern for long."
Aidan was waiting for them ahead, Star sniffing around a nearby bush. When they were close enough, he smiled sheepishly and said, "I don't know where to go for dog stuff."
~ • ~ • ~ Morgan shrugged apologetically. "Yeah. I exhausted myself with magic, so I wasn't able to put up much of a fight when the bad guys kidnaped me. Oh." He lifted his hand to the back of his head. "One of them did hit me, though... There doesn't seem to be much of an injury." He healed fast, thanks to his elf heritage. Not nearly as fast as Callum seemed to, though. "You can take a look anyway if you want," he offered.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 19:17:21 GMT -5
The whole way, Parker struggled with not k kwing if he should keep a hold of Sol's hand or not. The captain hadn't let go, but he still didn't know if he had intended for them to actually hold hands this long. Or perhaps he was simply overthinking it. It felt nice, he'd admit, to be doing so, even if he wasn't meant to. But those worries vanished the moment they reached their destination.
In front of them was a large meadow, one singular tree, and the biggest treehouse had ever seen. It was incredible, and he said as much. "How did you know this place was here?" He asked.
~•~•~
Anya nodded. "If we let him run around outside enough, he might be too tired later to cause much damage," she added. Then, when they caught up to Aidan, she smiled slightly. "The general store has some stuff," she informed. "I'm sure we'll find what you need there."
~•~•~
Nina nodded and stepped around to inspect the back of his head. There was a ight bruise in the spot he indicated, but nothing too major. She healed it easily enough. "There you are," she said. "Now, if you're sure that's all I can do for you, I'll go start on Miss Kyra."
Kyra cringed ever so slightly at the use of "miss" before her name, but otherwise remained silent as the healer worked. The healing process stung uncomfortably for several heartbeats, but it soon faded. She moved her shoulder a bit to test it out and found no residing pain. She thanked Nina.
"No problem at all," she replied. Once more she made sure there were no more wounds in need of tending before she went on her way.
"I see you got the food," Krya commented. "Should we find a place more private to talk? Or are you fine doing so here?"
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 20:52:05 GMT -5
"My best friend grew up here," Sol answered. "She knew the kid who built this with his brothers. They even let her up once, she said. They're all grown up now, and most of them no longer live in Narda. I'm not even sure it'll be safe to climb up there." He didn't sound too concerned about it, however, as he started crossing the meadow to the tree.
~ • ~ • ~ Aidan brightened again. "Right!" He set off once more, but at a slightly more reasonable pace this time.
Seth couldn't help smiling. "That kid," he started, but stopped and just shook his head, trailing after him.
~ • ~ • ~ Once the healer left and Kyra proposed her question, Callum finally turned and gave them his full attention. "Here is fine. Just keep your voices down." He spoke to both of them, but looked pointedly at Morgan.
He blinked back, affronted. "Why are you looking at me? I can be quiet!" he said... loudly. He sighed. "Never mind. I'll just sit here and eat. Kyra can ask the questions."[/font
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 21:07:42 GMT -5
"Your friend must have had the best of time up there," Parker said. "I would have loved to have a tree house like this growing up. Sadly, all the trees near the house wasn't suitable for holding a house full of kids in it." If he seemed worried about the questionable state of the tree house, it didn't show. For Parker was more excited about climbing up into it than to be concerned for safety.
~*~*~
"I'm sure Cresseida said the same about you when you were his age," Anya said, giving him a small, teasing smile.
~*~*~
Kyra fought back a smirk as Morgan proved to be the louder one of the group. "Alright," she started, voice lowered so only they could hear, "I believe the first question is to be what exactly are you?"
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 21:32:21 GMT -5
"Well, you get to have one for the rest of the night, if that's what you want," Sol said with a grin. He stopped at the base of the tree and looked up. The main platform of the treehouse was ten or fifteen feet up. It still looked solid enough. There was even a rope ladder, though it ended several feet out of reach. Well... mostly.
Sol took a few steps back, then ran at the tree. He jumped, using the trunk to give him more height, and grabbed the bottom rung of the ladder. Using nothing but upper body strength, he pulled himself up until his foot could reach the bottom rung. Then he looked down at Parker. "You coming, lubber?" he teased.
~ • ~ • ~ Seth chuckled. "Her and many others," he agreed. Her smile made him grin. "And they've said it when I was a lot older than him too."
~ • ~ • ~ Callum sighed. He came closer and sat down a few feet away. He studied his hand for a minute before answering. "It's called a cait sith. It's an ancient species hailing from the continent Pleyica. Apparently, that's what my dad was, though he certainly never told us that." He glared at his hand, then made a fist and looked up. "Being cait sith, in the simplest terms, means that I have nine lives. There's more to it than that, but the man who told me what I am left before he could tell me everything. All I really know is, I can't die, not really. I'll just keep coming back, until I run out of lives."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 21:50:00 GMT -5
He might be a lubber aboard the ship, and he bore the name in good humor. But here, Parker knew he could hold his own. He did spend his childhood climbing trees even if there was no house to climb to. So, when Sol was out of the way, the young man gave himself a running start and mimicked Sol's ascent to the ladder with ease. The early morning training and work on the ship had brought his strength back to normal, if not improved it. He smirked up at the other man. "Hurry up if you're going," he responded.
~*~*~
"I can believe that," Anya replied, nodding slightly. "I think I've said it at least twenty times. I've lost count."
~*~*~
Kyra couldn't help it: she let out a barely contained snort of laughter. "So you're a cat?" she asked, having as least the discipline to keep her voice down. "You sure you're not a werecat on top of that too? Do you purr? Or are you just all hisses and bites?"
(Unlike Kyra, I am impressed and intrigued. XD)
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 22:07:16 GMT -5
Sol laughed and climbed higher. When he reached the treehouse, he pulled himself up and crouched on the edge, out if the way but close enough to afford him a perfect view as he watched Parker climb up after him.
~ • ~ • ~ Seth smirked. "I do have that effect on women," he said mysteriously.
~ • ~ • ~ Callum shot her a glare. "No. The myth about cats having nine lives came from cait siths, not the other way around. I'm still human, more or less. I'm just harder to kill."
"How do you know?" Morgan, to no one's surprise, couldn't keep quiet the whole time. At Callum's dark look, Morgan clarified. "You said the guy who told you what you are didn't tell you everything. So how do you know you don't have the power to turn into a cat? After all, myths like cats having nine lives wouldn't have started if it was humans coming back from the dead."
Callum looked momentarily stricken. "I cannot turn into a cat."
Morgan grinned. "Maybe not yet, but don't lose hope, buddy."
Callum glared furiously at him and said nothing.
( Haha, yeah I was too when this idea struck me. xD I will admit, though, Callum was not the character I originally planned to make a cait sith. That idea just came to me while trying to write his fight scene. ^^ )
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 15, 2020 23:22:46 GMT -5
Parker reached the top of the ladder shortly after Sol did. He reached up and used the floor of the house as purchase as he pulled himself up the rest of the way. Once sitting on the edge of the opening, he grinned at Sol. "Not a bad climb. Could've been higher," he said.
~•~•~
"What effect? The fact that they'll believe what you say, or that they lose track of how many times they think you act childish?" Anya asked. She knew it was neither of them, but she thought she'd try and put on s lighter moid, even if she wasn't feeling completely up for it.
~•~•~
"Either way, I think you should talk to a werecat about it. They knew all sorts of strange things. I'm they'd know something about this," Kyra said, returning to a more serious state. "There are actually a couple of them back at the rebel camp, but that can wait. Next question: Does your mother know you are a cait sith? And is your sister one too?"
(He needs more relevance, so it works out well. XD But now I'm so curious about his and Cami's father(s?). )
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Aug 15, 2020 23:40:49 GMT -5
Sol nodded to something behind him. "There's another level, and it looks like you can climb the tree itself from there if you really want to." He shifted into a more comfortable position, one leg up to support his arm, the other dangling over the edge. "I'm as a high as I want to be, but it's well past time you showed off some of your land loving skills."
~ • ~ • ~ Seth chuckled and shook his head. "Sure, let's go with those." There weren't untrue; they just weren't what he had been hinting at. But in typical Anya fashion, his true meaning went right over her head.
~ • ~ • ~ Callum continued to glare at Morgan a moment more before letting his gaze switch back to Kyra. "No and no. Well, mostly no. Cami is only half cait sith. As such, she won't technically be one unless she dies an unnatural death. In other words, if she is killed." The mere thought had him scowling. "Her powers won't awaken unless and until she experiences the First Death. If she lives to a ripe old age and dies in her sleep, she'll die a human death."
( Yeah. Exceptnow my mind is brainstorming a new story for him that takes place after the war. Which is both great and not, because it's got me all excited, but I still have so many other stories in this world I should finish first. But that is my fatal flaw when writing: I suck at sticking with one project until it's finished. xD They have the same dad. Callum just takes after him more than Cami. Plus what Callum said. xD )
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 16, 2020 10:04:29 GMT -5
"So you want me to go climb higher," Parker said with a laugh. It was a simple task, so he stood and walked towards the second level entry. It took seconds to be up the ladder. From there, he scanned the branches above him for a good spot to climb. The tree was large, which meant it had plenty of spots to easily grab purchase, and the smaller branches were still strong enough to carry his weight. He picked one and began his assent.
None of the trees back home were this tall, but it was thanks to bis experience riding Corrik that the heights didn't bother him. Going slow and steady, he stopped at a point ten feet above the treehouse, glancing down at first to see how far he'd come, then glancing up toward the sky. It was a breathtaking view from his perch, on he could have easily stayed for the next hour or so. But he did have a date down below, and he didn't need to just leave him. Not after he had been the one to bring him to this spot.
~•~•~
Anya smiled and lightly bumped her shoulder against his as they drew closer to the store.
All around them, the preparations for the festival were up and just about finished. Stalls and games were left unattended but ready for tomorrow's fun. Stores were decorated and some even had moved certain wares out onto displays in front of there buildings. Traffic was still bustling with productivity as everyone went to finish last minute details. The general store was no different. Outside the shop, hanging up streamers and other decor above the front window was Warren and Madilyn.
~•~•~
Kyra nodded. "And what of you?" She asked. "Judging by your reaction, I take it this was your First Death? Or were there other instances?"
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