Whispers on the Breeze

Marluxia "There is no such thing as an unwanted weed." Nature Spirit:Fawn ALTERNATE UNIVERSE Marluxia from Kingdom Hearts; RP side-blog

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

gracefulflowerfall:

“If you say so.” Marly wasn’t going to pretend he understood how the Elves thought. He hadn’t managed it yet, and by this point he figured he never would.

The catch…was appreciated, for more than one reason. It grounded Marly back on the actual ground, for one, making him look up at Elrohir and focus on him, instead of the vague tingling still echoing through his ear. “…oh…” Well, that did make more sense than what Marly had thought. Still, though… “So…touching my ear was…not intentional?” …he had to ask, shy or not. “I-I’m alright.”

“Uh. No?” Elrohir blinked, then scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” He really hoped not. He knew how sensitive ears could be–nothing like getting them stuck in helmets to make you aware of that. “…I’m glad you’re all right, though.”

Elrohir’s sheepishness wasn’t lost on Marly, though it was misplaced slightly amidst the creeping blush making its way up the fawn’s neck. “O-oh...n-no you didn’t...didn’t hurt me. That...” Oh Eru, how did one explain this? Was it something to even be explained? Or mentioned? It wasn’t as though it were something forbidden or anything, just...embarrassing. Or with the potential to be. “...that...felt good. R-Reason I asked.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

Elrohir nodded. “That does make sense.” Maia were all shapeshifters, after all. They had no set form. So if they wanted to become a deer, they very well could.

Admittedly, now he was picturing Gandalf as a small pink deer, and therefore fighting off giggles.

He bit his lip to bring himself back to reality, then reached out and patted Marly’s hair, accidentally brushing his other ear. “All right. If you do think of a way, let me know.” He would always try to keep his friends calm and happy, after all. Else, why would they be his friends?

“It does?” Marly wasn’t sure how, but then again, he didn’t have much contact with other shifters either. If one could truly call Marly a Maia, he was a very limited one. A Scion of Spring, with only two forms he could take, if one discounted the glamour he sometimes used to appear more closely human…a glamour that he hadn’t the energy to even attempt at the moment.  “I…suppose so.”

He blinked, refocusing on the elf in front of him – why was he shaking a little? – only to find Elrohir’s hand in his hair…and then his ear. Which caused a shudder to run through Marly, a sharp intake of breath accompanying a sudden glazing of his eyes, a falling of his shoulders. Made the ear Elrohir had brushed flick forward trying to follow his fingers instead of remaining back as usual…and made Marly lean just a little too far to the left, causing him to nearly lose his balance again before he caught himself, snapping upright and looking startled. And he hadn’t really heard anything Elrohir said…because of the ear. “Let you…what?”

[stardomescions-blog]

“It does.” Maia came in all shapes and sizes, after all, from great Eonwë to will o’ the wisps. Marly wasn’t at all unusual when it came to his powers. If anything, he was likely the average for Maia.

The shudder made Elrohir freeze, eyes a little wide. A moment later, he caught Marly by the shoulder as he tilted, trying to keep him from falling over. When he saw that Marly was stable again, he brought his hand back to his side, blinking. “…let me know if you think of a way I can help? Are you all right?”

[gracefulflowerfall]

“If you say so.” Marly wasn’t going to pretend he understood how the Elves thought. He hadn’t managed it yet, and by this point he figured he never would.

The catch...was appreciated, for more than one reason. It grounded Marly back on the actual ground, for one, making him look up at Elrohir and focus on him, instead of the vague tingling still echoing through his ear. “...oh...” Well, that did make more sense than what Marly had thought. Still, though... “So...touching my ear was...not intentional?” ...he had to ask, shy or not. “I-I’m alright.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

Elrohir nodded. “That does make sense.” Maia were all shapeshifters, after all. They had no set form. So if they wanted to become a deer, they very well could.

Admittedly, now he was picturing Gandalf as a small pink deer, and therefore fighting off giggles.

He bit his lip to bring himself back to reality, then reached out and patted Marly’s hair, accidentally brushing his other ear. “All right. If you do think of a way, let me know.” He would always try to keep his friends calm and happy, after all. Else, why would they be his friends?

“It does?” Marly wasn’t sure how, but then again, he didn’t have much contact with other shifters either. If one could truly call Marly a Maia, he was a very limited one. A Scion of Spring, with only two forms he could take, if one discounted the glamour he sometimes used to appear more closely human...a glamour that he hadn’t the energy to even attempt at the moment.  “I...suppose so.”

He blinked, refocusing on the elf in front of him -- why was he shaking a little? -- only to find Elrohir’s hand in his hair...and then his ear. Which caused a shudder to run through Marly, a sharp intake of breath accompanying a sudden glazing of his eyes, a falling of his shoulders. Made the ear Elrohir had brushed flick forward trying to follow his fingers instead of remaining back as usual...and made Marly lean just a little too far to the left, causing him to nearly lose his balance again before he caught himself, snapping upright and looking startled. And he hadn’t really heard anything Elrohir said...because of the ear. “Let you...what?”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

Elrohir raised his eyebrows at that. “You can shapeshift?” A moment later, he bit his lip and looked away. “Ah, sorry. Don’t feel that you need to answer that.” He was curious, though–he really hadn’t met many shapeshifters, even among the Maia. Blame his Noldorin heritage for his curiosity.

He smiled as Marly looked at him, gentle. “If you’re sure. Is there anything I can help you with otherwise?” Marly still looked rather pink, after all, and he would rather that the fawn didn’t blush himself to death. He wasn’t sure how to go about that, but if he could help, he would.

Marly took a step back, ears flicking back a bit, almost-nervy. He watched the elf look away, biting his own lip for a moment before he spoke. “Well...I m-mean...I am a...spirit...” Half an answer, anyway. Half an answer. That would and could do. Elrohir really deserved a full answer, but that was the best Marly could allow himself to give, at least here and now. “I...oh...um...“ Well that was the question, wasn’t it? “I-I’m not sure if there is or...not, not...really.” He was entirely too flustered, that was for definite, but what could be done to stop that without revealing to Elrohir that he was the source of it? And for no real good reason, as far as Marly could tell immediately. In his thinking, he reached up for one ear, tugging on it absently and making his own breath catch and his eyes lower, drawing him back out of his thought with a start once he realized what he was doing. “...n-no, not really, Elrohir. I don’t...I don’t think. I don’t know.” Was it better to joke? Marly didn’t know that, either. “I don’t think you can help your soul, s-so...heh. N-not much to be done about my n-nerves.”

Well...not that he would say out loud, anyway. That was as good as the full truth, right?

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

gracefulflowerfall:

Marly watched the elder of the twins go with a mildly-anxious earflick. He had no reason to think that Elladan would make off with his spices; he’d give them to the elves if they asked, so there was no need. It was just general anxiety making him twitchy, he knew that. Still, he watched until the elf was out of his range of vision, then turned to look back up at Elrohir, trying not to bite his lip.

“Oh…um…” Well…they already knew where he lived. Wasn’t like there was much keeping them from it. “I…we’ll see. I-I don’t know yet.” Technically he did, but he was reluctant to accept help, for multiple reasons. The twins would worry, for one, and for another, he would worry. And be potentially embarrassed, if that mention of being carried was any indication. “I’m…not sure you can carry me the way you carry humans, anyway. M-my legs bend…slightly differently.” Using that as an excuse, yes. Sure. That would work. “But…we’ll see. How long it takes to get wh-what I need is a factor. I still can make it back home r-right now.”

Elrohir nodded. “All right.” He smiled slightly, eyes twinkling. “I’m sure we could manage, though. We’ve dealt with far worse, and you only have two legs.” Also, he knew that they would be helping. Foals did not, and they’d been kicked plenty of times in their long, long lives. Marly would be easy in comparison.

Marly’s ears flicked at the smile, making him blink and tilt his head for a moment before he realized what it was for. That Elrohir was teasing. And what teasing it was, making Marly keep the pink that was staining his cheeks almost brighter than his hair. “Well o-of course I have two legs, I ha-haven’t shifted in....I-I don’t even remember when!”

Something about the thought of Elrohir carrying him was flustering him. Pretty sure it was mostly the ‘carrying’ bit. It was embarrassing, and it showed. Even though it wasn’t happening. Marly had enough anxiety and enough of a vivid imagination that it didn’t really matter whether it was currently happening or not, he could easily give himself second-hand embarrassment just from the thought.

At least he recognised it, making him raise his hand to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose and huffing softly into his cupped hand, trying to calm himself down. It would do no good to get flustered at the moment, for multiple reasons.  As though telling himself that did any good whatsoever; his face was still a brilliant shade of pink when he lowered his hand again, raising teal-green eyes to meet Elrohir’s a bit shyly. “I...think I’ll be alright, though. I...I think.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

“Well, that’s a good thing, at least.” He’d seen enough horses with broken legs to know how that usually went, even with their skill at healing. At least elven horses tended to be sturdy.

Elladan blinked, then nodded and took the bag. He could smell the spices inside, and it made sense–a baker could make good use of these, and could always get more flour. “All right. …what kind of flour did you want, by the way?” He didn’t want to come back with the wrong type, in case Marly was allergic to bleached flour. That would be a rather brilliant way to destroy a friendship.

“Mm…yes, yes it is…” Marly shifted from foot to foot, letting his hand drop once Elladan took the payment, going back to fiddling absently – nervously – with the strap of his bag.  “Just plain brown flour. None of that treated s-stuff. It…doesn’t cure what hibernation leaves behind.” And that was the main problem at the moment, anyway. He was slowly starving to death thanks to that late hibernation,and without his normal food being anywhere near ready (and requiring that he finish growing it first anyway) he needed bread to not die for a bit. White flour had most of what his body required stripped away in favour of taste more palatable to humans and…elves, he supposed, but it wouldn’t do for him.

Marly shook his head, one foot going out a bit more to help him keep his balance, ears finally starting to droop back down. “If…if you don’t mind, please do hurry? I still..have to go back home, and have enough of myself left to make food after.”

[stardomescions-blog]

Elladan nodded. “I can do that.” With a smile and a quick pat, he jogged down the road, toward the market. He’d grab some honey-cakes too–they were nearly as good as the Beorning’s, and he couldn’t pass that up.

Elrohir watched his twin go, then looked at Marly. “We can help you home, if you want. Even if it’s just carrying you, we can help.” He wasn’t really sure that Marly could or would want to ride in a car, but he was small enough and they were fast enough that it would be no trouble to carry him. “No need to exhaust yourself.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

Marly watched the elder of the twins go with a mildly-anxious earflick. He had no reason to think that Elladan would make off with his spices; he’d give them to the elves if they asked, so there was no need. It was just general anxiety making him twitchy, he knew that. Still, he watched until the elf was out of his range of vision, then turned to look back up at Elrohir, trying not to bite his lip.

“Oh...um...” Well...they already knew where he lived. Wasn’t like there was much keeping them from it. “I...we’ll see. I-I don’t know yet.” Technically he did, but he was reluctant to accept help, for multiple reasons. The twins would worry, for one, and for another, he would worry. And be potentially embarrassed, if that mention of being carried was any indication. “I’m...not sure you can carry me the way you carry humans, anyway. M-my legs bend...slightly differently.” Using that as an excuse, yes. Sure. That would work. “But...we’ll see. How long it takes to get wh-what I need is a factor. I still can make it back home r-right now.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

“Well, that’s a good thing, at least.” He’d seen enough horses with broken legs to know how that usually went, even with their skill at healing. At least elven horses tended to be sturdy.

Elladan blinked, then nodded and took the bag. He could smell the spices inside, and it made sense–a baker could make good use of these, and could always get more flour. “All right. …what kind of flour did you want, by the way?” He didn’t want to come back with the wrong type, in case Marly was allergic to bleached flour. That would be a rather brilliant way to destroy a friendship.

“Mm...yes, yes it is...” Marly shifted from foot to foot, letting his hand drop once Elladan took the payment, going back to fiddling absently -- nervously -- with the strap of his bag.  “Just plain brown flour. None of that treated s-stuff. It...doesn’t cure what hibernation leaves behind.” And that was the main problem at the moment, anyway. He was slowly starving to death thanks to that late hibernation,and without his normal food being anywhere near ready (and requiring that he finish growing it first anyway) he needed bread to not die for a bit. White flour had most of what his body required stripped away in favour of taste more palatable to humans and...elves, he supposed, but it wouldn’t do for him.

Marly shook his head, one foot going out a bit more to help him keep his balance, ears finally starting to droop back down. “If...if you don’t mind, please do hurry? I still..have to go back home, and have enough of myself left to make food after.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

They did appreciate the apologies; they just weren’t needed. Elrohir gently patted Marly on the shoulder, then chuckled. “Ah, sorry. We’ve seen plenty of horses slip on cobblestone, is the only reason we know that.” It was a helpful thing to know, though, considering that without it they would have lost plenty of horses in human cities.

Elladan glanced at the sun, then nodded to himself. “I can get there before it closes, if you’d like. Is flour all you needed?” It wasn’t a problem if not–he was plenty strong enough to carry a load of groceries.

Marly pricked his ears up just a little further, giving him a bit of a surprised look at the gentle pat. “That’s...that’s alright. No need to apologise for me. Thankfully my legs do not break as easily as a h...horse’s. I just have a harder time getting back to my f-feet.” He turned -- cautiously, cautiously! -- toward Elladan, eyes narrowing just a bit as he thought. As careful as he was, part of him still didn’t quite trust the twins, though he knew them to be trustworthy. It was just...a precaution. An ‘in case’, as it were. But he overrode that small part of him after a moment, deciding to listen to the less-cautious part of his heart. “It...it is. I have enough supplies to make what I need before I starve, a-and everything else I can...make later.” He held up a fine-boned finger, though, trying to get Elladan to hold on a second, rummaging with his other hand in his pack. “Hold on, I have the payment...” A moment later he was holding out a small cloth bag. “Give this to the...the seller? It should be taken, I hope.” He had no money -- what need did a fawn have for it? He rarely came in contact with others, he was too nervous -- but he’d learned that most sellers were glad to barter for the ‘exotic’ spices he raised, once they saw them.

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

Elrohir shook his head. “It’s fine, Marly. We’ve had much, much worse.” Launching themselves off of balconies, cliffs…this barely qualified as a scuff for them. His headache had already faded, and Elladan was no worse for wear.

He waited until Marly had his balance to let go, then smiled slightly. “I can’t blame you–they’re slick enough for normal feet.” They were lucky in being elves, since they didn’t slip easily. He tilted his head, then nodded. “Do you need help? We have nothing specific to do, so we can go wherever you might need.” And perhaps pick him up some extra things, just because.

That made Marly feel a little better. He couldn’t really help the apologies, unfortunately; he was a prey animal at heart, and they came as naturally to him as breathing in an attempt to keep him from being attacked. Also there was the fact that he was genuinely sorry about knocking the two of them down. He really hadn’t meant to. “Mmm...I suppose they...they would be. I wouldn’t know.” Since he had never had ‘normal’ feet. Not that he minded. He much preferred his hooves, if truth be known. They were quieter. Usually. Over cobblestones didn’t really count.

That, however, surprised him. He hadn’t expected the elf twins to offer to help, and...it kind of showed. His ears pricked through his hair, making him look just a little bit more alert than he truly was, and he stared at the twins for a long moment before deciding that yes, he could answer. “I am out of flour. Without flour, no way to make bread. I c-could grind my own, but...right now it would take too long.I was trying to get to the market before it closed...”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions

Elrohir came up first, shaking his head and squinting one eye as he waited for the back of his head to stop aching. Elladan had a way of making him smack his head against things, and he didn’t appreciate it.

At least Elladan seemed to be suffering a similar affliction as he reached up to rub his forehead. Elrohir patted his brother on the shoulder, then looked over at the person who was currently apologizing to them.

Eru…? Elrohir squinted slightly, then smiled broadly. “Marly! I’m glad to see you, though…perhaps not in these circumstances. Are you all right?”

Marly was….attempting…to get to his feet (somewhat unsuccessfully, he was shaken and the stones were still slick) and ignoring the ache in the side of his head and shoulder when he heard the voice. That alone was enough to make him stop, jerking his head up to stare at the…two…elves.

Well at least it had been someone he knew. Though really, Marly wasn’t sure that made it better or worse. “…Elrohir? Elladan?” A hand came up to cover his mouth, slight horror crossing his features and making him stay on one ‘knee’. “I didn’t realize it was you. I’m so sorry! I’m…I’m alright, I suppose. Trying to get back up. I swear I didn’t mean to knock into you like that. Are you alright?”

[stardomescions-blog]

“We’re fine.” Elladan finally sat up, rubbing his forehead still. “I should have been paying attention.” Legolas was going to laugh until he couldn’t breathe when he heard this. They were elves, for Eru’s sake! They shouldn’t be getting knocked over!

Elrohir stood up, then held out a hand. “Here, let me help. What brought you into town today?” They hadn’t realized he would leave his little island-within-an-island, and it had him curious. What brought him out here?

[gracefulflowerfall]

“Iamsoveryverysorry...” One could honestly think that Marly had rabbit ancestry instead of deer, as fast as he spoke. That or perhaps a flame spirit, the way his cheeks turned as pink as his hair with embarrassment. And nerves. The nerves were visible, even with his ears kept (mostly) hidden. His hair moved, for one, and his eyes remained far too wide for comfort.

He still took Elrohir’s offer, though, and his hand, pulling himself up with the offered brace, hooves clicking again as he...tenuously...found his balance. Marly widened his stance a little, making himself uncomfortable, but steadier, and managed to keep his feet this time when he released Elrohir’s hand again. “I...um...thank you...I hate these streets.” He fiddled with his bag for a moment, making sure he hadn’t lost anything,then looked back up, finally answering the Elf’s question. Eeeven if it meant he wouldn’t (or couldn’t?) look Elrohir in the eye. “I...I have run out of a few th-things...and it’s...too...much time right now for me to manage to make them back m-myself. I’m too hungry for the time taken. S-so I had...to come to town. As much as I don’t want to.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions

Elrohir came up first, shaking his head and squinting one eye as he waited for the back of his head to stop aching. Elladan had a way of making him smack his head against things, and he didn’t appreciate it.

At least Elladan seemed to be suffering a similar affliction as he reached up to rub his forehead. Elrohir patted his brother on the shoulder, then looked over at the person who was currently apologizing to them.

Eru…? Elrohir squinted slightly, then smiled broadly. “Marly! I’m glad to see you, though…perhaps not in these circumstances. Are you all right?”

Marly was....attempting...to get to his feet (somewhat unsuccessfully, he was shaken and the stones were still slick) and ignoring the ache in the side of his head and shoulder when he heard the voice. That alone was enough to make him stop, jerking his head up to stare at the...two...elves.

Well at least it had been someone he knew. Though really, Marly wasn’t sure that made it better or worse. “...Elrohir? Elladan?” A hand came up to cover his mouth, slight horror crossing his features and making him stay on one ‘knee’. “I didn’t realize it was you. I’m so sorry! I’m...I’m alright, I suppose. Trying to get back up. I swear I didn’t mean to knock into you like that. Are you alright?”

[gracefulflowerfall]

stardomescions:

The twins were not out of flour, or sugar, or any other baking foodstuff. They just wanted to look around the town, sample the wares, that sort of thing.

Enjoy themselves, in the relative safety of a modern town.

There was just one problem with that, apparently–their luck refused to hold. They’d heard something clicking, and turned to investigate, only to have something surprisingly solid smack into them. Elladan went down first, flailing, and brought Elrohir down when he caught his coat and pulled.

The end result? Three groaning non-humans, all garnering a couple of confused stares before the locals went about their business.

Marly hadn’t exactly wished for his feet to fly out from under him, but when walking on cobblestone, he didn’t have much choice if he misstepped even slightly. And of course, he had. Only to be body-checked by...whatever it was that hit him. Or he hit. He wasn’t sure.

That ‘whatever it was’ that was groaning alongside him as he stared up at the sky, wondering just exactly how it was he’d managed to get down here. Groaning meant living, which prompted the fawn to sit up...far more quickly than he would have otherwise, ears poking through the edges of his hair before he thought to push them back into hiding. It also meant he was scrambling backwards away from the two -- two? -- he’d managed to knock silly when he slipped, albeit with slight care to try and avoid kicking anyone. Though mostly that was him trying to hide his legs again, since falling meant his robes had splayed out everywhere as well. “Oh Eru I-I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...kno-knock anyone sprawling.”

So much for being unnoticed.

[gracefulflowerfall]

He had run out of flour.

Of all things, he’d run out of flour. Granted, Marly could grind his own; it would take a good while, though, and at the moment, the transfigured Spring faun had...little love or time for waiting. He’d only been out of hibernation for a week, thanks to the late spring and the cold deciding to just simply not leave his deep mountain home, and he was all too easily starving himself into immobility if he took  too much time.

So instead of having to take hours his body didn’t have to grind his own from the dried wheat waiting for him, he made the (much shorter) trek into town, his pack slung over his shoulder.

And, of course, quietly grumbling to himself the entire way.

“Of all things to run out of bread supplies when that’s what I live on, how in the world did I not even notice the bin getting low...” And similar, mostly to hear himself instead of thinking too hard on the rapidly-darkening wood around him. His nerves weren’t the best, after all.

The edge of town saw him stopping as his hooves went from softly thumping against hard-packed dirt to clacking over smooth stone, his ears flattening against his skull. “...oh Eru, stone. Of course I forgot they have stone for their roads. Why do flatfoots like to torture themselves with such things? And now I sound as though I am wishing to be seen...”

Which...really...just made him turn all the more slinking, trying to make his way over stone streets without clacking like the hooved creature he was, in the process forgetting (or ignoring, even he wasn’t sure which) that stones and hooves tend to have one other problem if you are not born of a mountain goat.

Namely: they’re slick. And two slick things tend to slide over one another. As he was about to find out.

[gracefulflowerfall]

The harsh Maine winter had finally given way to spring. Snow was still on the ground of Isle au Hait, but the first few crocus and scilla had poked their heads above the blanket, lending tiny, bright patches of purple to the otherwise-barren landscape. Daffodils -- those of the old country -- were shooting green stalks up to join them, though they had not yet bloomed. They would, and soon.

It was enough.

The warren was cold, and had been for weeks, its lone occupant locked in the deep sleep of Winter’s Death. Near-colourless, hair and skin the same shades of grey as the lichen-strewn floor beneath the Elf-given blankets surrounding him, Marluxia managed to cling to life only through his connection with the still living Earth.

So it was to cold that he awakened, teal eyes sudden bright spots in the sea of grey. The Fawn sat up slowly after long minutes -- or was it hours? -- Elf-scent still lingering thanks to the cold, reminding him of those who had come to check on him during the harsh darkness of the Winter.

He felt the soft, lilting voices welcoming him to spring, coming from those little early wakers outside the warren and scattered through the wood, felt their tiny lives giving him enough strength to get to his feet, stumbly though he was, and make his way outside, the giant, ancient oak that lended its roots to form his doorway and part of his roof gently moving said roots aside just enough to let the Fawn stumble through.

Antler-nubs were still just nubs, the soft, pale pink velvet just barely peeking out of his hair, just enough to irritate him if something touched them. The tree where he made his home was kind, lifting itself just far enough out of reach to not hurt Marly’s new and sensitive antlers, though it could do little else.

The snow crunched under-hoof, making his stumbling worse, but breathing in the cold air, laced with faint scents of awakening plantlife, woke Marly up a little more, pale, washed-out hints of colour slowly returning to his skin and hair.

Spring was finally here.

[stardomescions-blog]

“…Almost. There are chemicals in them that react to produce heat, and once they run out, they cool down and usually can’t be reactivated.” Elrohir smiled and slid another handwarmer down the back of the blanket. “The blankets will help the heat stay around for longer.”

Elrohir leaned against the warren wall as Marly took the fruit, then smiled at the thanks. “You’re welcome. Eat your fill.” He felt the fawn jerk as he bit into the orange, and steadied him so he didn’t fall over. “Just take it easy-don’t make yourself sick.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

“Mm…” Marly was distracted, that was for definite. “So…one-time firestones, then.” It would be close enough; he wasn’t alert enough to pick through the actual explanation just now. That would have to wait until the Maine winter lightened up and things warmed up again. At least to the point that he could remain awake without trouble, anyway.

The heat slipping down his back made him pause, eyes closing for a long moment while he got used to it, letting it register and seep into him. Then he went back to the orange, the bitterness of the peel unnoticed as he ate into both it and the tart fruit itself, leaning against Elrohir. He was grateful for the steadying. The shock of the orange’s acidic taste had been unprepared for. “I…” he had to swallow. “I won’t. It has just been a long time since I have had one of these.” And the only ‘problem’ was that he was only halfway through the orange and he could already feel his stomach filling up, shrunken from these long weeks locked in slumber and the natural diminishing he had to endure every winter.

Marly yawned, shoulders falling a little as a wave of sleep-desire passed over him. “I hate the Winter Court…”

[stardomescions-blog]

“…Essentially, yes.” It was close enough-the main thing that Marly needed to understand was that they wouldn’t reactivate. That way he wouldn’t rip them open and potentially hurt himself or the ground with the chemicals. “I’ll leave some unactivated for you-all you have to do is squeeze it as hard as you can and then shake it a bit.”

Elrohir hummed softly as Marly leaned on him, then smiled. “Then I’ll bring you more later, since you seem to be enjoying it.” He liked seeing people happy, after all, especially when it was simple to make them so. Even if Marly didn’t finish it, he would still have eaten something he liked, and that was the important thing.

His last comment made Elrohir chuckle and ruffle his hair. “Winter is a time for rest, both for those things that hibernate and those that don’t. I understand hating it, but the spring will taste all the sweeter for it.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

Marly squinted at the ruffling, feeling the odd bareness of his head remind him, once again, that his new antlers were not yet growing. It was still a vague thought, one that would have normally left him shy, as his antlers were really one of his two means of defense, and lacking them made him far more vulnerable. Not in the presence of the Elves, however.

Another pull to Sleep, the death of Winter tugging softly, but insistantly at him, making his heart ache for the plants dead and gone, their children still sleeping beneath the ground, not yet old enough to live. He twitched his nose, intentionally breathing in the tartness of the half-orange he still held, waking him up momentarily and giving him good reason to look up at Elrohir, taking his words into account. “I do not hate the Winter Court for those who sleep. I hate for the loneliness it brings in the Death.” It was simple, and perhaps a bit blunt, but Marly wasn’t exactly awake, either. He yawned again, ears drawing back against the sides of his head.

He shifted slightly, unwilling, rather, considering Elrohir’s warmth, but he gently put the half of the orange he could not eat down against the ground, its rind facing up so that its seeds could feel the earth below. “It will grow here in my Summer,” he murmured, feeling faint signs of life from the seeds as they encountered the magic-laced ground of his warren. “...in the old way, long lost. Not as  a tree as Man made them to be. ...huh.” It had been a long time since a vine had grown to bear fruit, long before Marly’s memory. It would be a good thing, he thought.

The Fawn leaned against Elrohir again, the hints of colour in hair and skin slowly beginning to fade to bleached-pale once more as Sleep tried to overtake him. “Thank you for leaving the...firestones. I will...I will remember...” Teal eyes were slowly falling closed again, a foggily-visible sigh escaping Marly as Winter laid its icy hand on him once more, his body losing tension in his lean against the friendly Elf.

[gracefulflowerfall]

WHAT’S YOUR MUSE’S PLANT PERSONALITY? TAKE THIS QUIZ AND POST YOUR RESULTS (repost, don’t reblog!)

Tagged by: Nobody

Tagging: Nobody

My Plant Personality: CFN

Chamomile: Easy-going, friendly and well liked, you’ve got a gentle and sweet nature and a calming presence that puts others at ease. Your sensitivity to others may cause you to take on too much of other people’s feelings, though, and you may even be prone to worry.

Fennel: You’re quiet, sometimes shy, with a tendency to be reserved. You have a humble, kind nature and often find yourself taking care of others. You can be known to hold things in, and you don’t always speak up for yourself. This tendency to hold things in can lead to disturbances.

Nettle: Truly a nurturing and supportive friend, you’re the kind of person that just isn’t for everyone. But those who take the time are rewarded with your gentle disposition, and the kind of friendship that does a person good no matter the difficulty they’re facing. When out of balance, you can become more prickly than supportive or nurturing, though—a sign that you need to shower yourself with the same kind of nurturing you so freely give to others.

[stardomescions-blog]

“…Almost. There are chemicals in them that react to produce heat, and once they run out, they cool down and usually can’t be reactivated.” Elrohir smiled and slid another handwarmer down the back of the blanket. “The blankets will help the heat stay around for longer.”

Elrohir leaned against the warren wall as Marly took the fruit, then smiled at the thanks. “You’re welcome. Eat your fill.” He felt the fawn jerk as he bit into the orange, and steadied him so he didn’t fall over. “Just take it easy-don’t make yourself sick.”

[gracefulflowerfall]

“Mm...” Marly was distracted, that was for definite. “So...one-time firestones, then.” It would be close enough; he wasn’t alert enough to pick through the actual explanation just now. That would have to wait until the Maine winter lightened up and things warmed up again. At least to the point that he could remain awake without trouble, anyway.

The heat slipping down his back made him pause, eyes closing for a long moment while he got used to it, letting it register and seep into him. Then he went back to the orange, the bitterness of the peel unnoticed as he ate into both it and the tart fruit itself, leaning against Elrohir. He was grateful for the steadying. The shock of the orange’s acidic taste had been unprepared for. “I...” he had to swallow. “I won’t. It has just been a long time since I have had one of these.” And the only ‘problem’ was that he was only halfway through the orange and he could already feel his stomach filling up, shrunken from these long weeks locked in slumber and the natural diminishing he had to endure every winter.

Marly yawned, shoulders falling a little as a wave of sleep-desire passed over him. “I hate the Winter Court...”