mentions: fantasy au, gender neutral reader (no pronouns used), nonhuman reader, shenanigans, humor, magic & mythical beings, sfw, sun/moon/eclipse are separate animatronics, yes they are robots still :), sassy sun and mischievous moon
a/n: this fic is based off of a drabble i wrote about a year ago and decided to rework into something longer! i won't link the drabble because it's basically all in the first chapter LOL. jeez, i haven't written for the dca in a hot minute. i figured if i didnt post this now, it would never see the light of day. hope u all enjoy! :) i'll come back to edit this chapter later lmao
word count: 7.7k+
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Your favorite place to rest in the forest is this little nook formed out of the trunk of a particularly twisted tree.
It gives you the perfect vantage point, nestled a moderate distance in the air. You are not high enough to breach the tree’s canopies, but you are still able to see quite far out—past the leafy-green branches that surround you like some sort of shield. As such, the nook is good for concealing yourself; seldom did any wandering eyes catch onto your lounging form whenever you wanted some alone time here. Nor did anyone really bother you unless it was for something important.
You hum as you shift around slightly to get more comfortable. The tree’s trunk is twisted in a way where a portion of it is nearly completely horizontal. It’s also long enough that you can lay flat if you want, though you’ve settled on propping a knee up and crossing your other leg over it so your foot can dangle a bit in the air. You’re leaning against the portion of the trunk that bends upwards to the sky, and though the bark has started to dig slightly into your back, you can’t bring yourself to entirely move.
Like this, you close your eyes and just breathe in the fresh, earthy air of a vibrant forest—listen to the bumbling sounds of life all around you.
There's the rustling of leaves overhead as squirrels chase each other across branches. The scampering of tiny feet and paws on the soil below. The low groaning and shifting of roots as trees adjust themselves. There's the call of a pheasant, sharp and musical. The whispers and giggles of fairies as they pick mushrooms. The bubbling and splashing of a small river to your right as fish and nymphs flit about within.
And there's the distant call of your name, getting ever louder and louder.
Your eyebrow twitches, just a little. At first, you do your best to ignore the calls, content to breathe steadily in and out. If you exhale loud enough, it's like you can't even hear it, truly. And maybe if you stay really, really still, you can avoid detection completely.
But alas—you are not so lucky.
"There you are!" a voice chirps out breathlessly as you hear something burst through the leaves of your little hideout. Wings flap frantically about before something perches atop your propped up knee. "Gosh, you can be so difficult to find sometimes, you know that? But that's besides the point— Listen, I need to ask you somethi—"
"Chicaaa," you drawl out singsongingly in warning as you peek one eye open to stare at the little white and pink bird. "This better be important."
Chica huffs in offense, her feathers fluffing up. "Well of course it is, I know how much you like your quiet time. I wouldn't be here otherwise!"
You huff out a snort and give her a flick of your hand to get to the point.
She rolls her eyes. "Anyways," she begins pointedly, "I was flying about doing my rounds earlier when I stumbled across these two travelers. And like, I thought you were somewhere close by or something keeping an eye on them, but I didn't see you anywhere, so then I was like. Maybe you decided to leave them alone—because honestly they look kinda weird—but then I thought to myself well, what if you didn't know—"
You interrupt her again with a lift of your palm, trying to process her rapid-fire words. "Wait a second. Did you say travelers?"
"Yes!" she exclaims. She takes in a deep breath, then asks in a waterfall of words: "Did you mean to let them that deep into the forest?"
Your eyebrows furrow as you lift yourself up to sit properly. It causes you to shift your legs, and Chica makes a sound of indignation as she's forced to momentarily flit up into the air. "What are you talking about? I do not sense any travelers."
"Yeah, well, I saw them!" she says as she settles atop your knee once more. She pauses. "I guess that answers that. You actually for real didn't know?"
You tilt your head as you close your eyes to focus on the area around you. Birds and squirrels and fairies and nymphs—just as you'd heard before. You reopen your eyes. "No," you respond eventually. How odd. "You are positive they are here? Cross your heart, hope to die?"
"Yes! Well— maybe not die die. A theoretical death I'm down for but—"
"Chica."
"Right! Sorry!" She gives you a sheepish smile. "Anyways, I can take you to them right now, y'know!"
You hum a low, thoughtful note, then give her a swift nod. It's worth checking out—better to be safe than sorry, after all. "Very well, if you say so," you say as you rise to your feet in a single, graceful motion—sending the little bird flapping back up into the air with another huff—and roll back your shoulders. "Lead the way, then."
Chica gives you a quick salute with one of her wings, then immediately darts back in the direction she had come from. You follow close behind, your steps light as you slip easily between the leaves and branches like the wind itself.
The forest reveals itself in increments as you traverse atop branches both thick and thin. The day is still young, and as such, sunlight streams forth to spill its liquid gold along loose vines and growth. You keep a watchful eye out, even as you skirt past thick nests that harbor teal-colored eggs and fairies who giggle and dart around your hair to leave white blossoms within the strands.
You'd been prepared to cross the near entirety of the forest itself—maybe a bit less—but to your utmost surprise, it's not long before Chica slows down to perch herself atop a thin branch. They had been this close to you? Surely you aren't losing your touch, right? You shake yourself of the thought as Chica catches your gaze once you have settled beside her in a crouch, then gestures down to the forest floor with a wing.
"There, see?" she says in a hush as though the sounds of bumbling life around the two of you aren't enough to cover her voice. "They're weird, aren't they?"
You don't respond, instead following her motion to peer down, past the tree's canopy, at a slightly overgrown path winding through the forest. And you see exactly what she is talking about upon it.
You had been wondering how you hadn't sensed these travelers before. But one look at them makes it obvious: They're automatons. Mechs. They don't have heartbeats, they have magic—that blends in with that of the forest's, effectively disguising them. How so very interesting, you muse to yourself. You applaud them for managing to get so deeply into the forest without your knowledge. You shall learn from this.
Automatons aren't new, by any means. You've seen them roaming around in the villages and towns beyond the treeline of the forest for years—decades, even. What they do, you're unsure, but you figure they aren't much different than the humans living their own lives day after day.
They walk like people, they talk like people, and they laugh like people, so you suppose they are people. Strange and complex as they are.
This is the first time you've seen them in the forest, though.
You and Chica continue to watch the two mechs as they pick their way carefully past overgrown shrubs and tangled bramble. They're curious things, designed in such a way where their vivid colors stick out amongst all the verdant flora. Your gaze lingers on the sharp, yellow rays framing the head of one of the mechs, before it trails to the starry, navy nightcap adorning the other.
In a way, they remind you of the sun and moon. Your gaze flicks upwards at the sliver of the daytime sky you can see through the tree's canopy. Curious indeed. You do not think you've seen mechs like them before, though your exposure is rather small to begin with.
They are dressed for travel, like all the other humans that have previously ventured forth into the forest. And you suppose they are after the same things as well. Seldom did anyone venture forth through the dense trees for anything other than finding the treasures hidden within, after all. And like all the others who have searched before them, you have no doubt the mechs too will fail at their task.
The greed is nothing you aren't used to, though it is disappointing to see. You sigh gently. No matter; you will handle it as always.
Even if you are dreadfully curious.
With your steps as light as possible, you creep a bit closer towards the mechs, following them from above as they traverse the old path. In your periphery, you see Chica flutter after you before a familiar weight settles itself atop your head. She doesn't say a word, though, and you appreciate that she is quick enough to grasp the situation at hand.
You can make out a low, idle humming coming from the mech colored in shades of navy and cool grey. It's musical, soft and dolce, from what you can make out. Almost like a lullaby, you think, though not one you recognize. It is nearly tempting to let yourself sink into the sound. And indeed, you think you would have had the other, brighter mech not spoken up mere moments later.
"Can you stop that infernal humming?!" he snaps out, shooting the navy mech a glare from the corner of a glowing, white eye. Within his hands, he holds tightly onto a worn, browning map that he brandishes haughtily into the air. "I'm trying to concentrate here and you're doing nothing but distracting me!"
"Hm?" The navy mech tilts his head, ruby eyes blinking almost in a sleepy manner at his companion. "Humming? What humming? You mean this?" And then he starts humming even louder—though it’s not the same tune from before. It's something more melodious—faster, sharper, and with a bit of sass, if you are not mistaken. Your lips twitch in amusement.
The yellow mech lets out a groan, and you watch in intrigue as his rays twitch and rotate in quick, irritated little bursts around his head. "You are insufferable. Have you even managed to see anything with all your dawdling and gawking at the flora?"
"'m not gawking," the navy one replies with what you think is an eye roll. It is difficult to tell with no discernible pupils in his gaze. "Or dawdling. I've been hard at work, y'know."
"I'm sure," the other replies in such a flat voice that you have to suppress a quiet laugh. He sighs and turns back around to stick his face into the map once more. They both have not stopped walking all the while, and as such you continue to follow from far above. "This map is nothing short of utterly perplexing. How is anyone supposed to navigate with this?!"
His companion hums and peeps over the yellow mech's shoulder to get his own glimpse at the sheet of parchment. He points a blue finger at it. "You are holding it upside down."
"W-What?" the yellow mech splutters, sounding absolutely aghast. You smile to yourself and hear Chica let out a little giggle of her own. "No I'm not! I—" He pauses, squints down at the map, then flips it around to squint at it some more. "No, no. I haven't been, I'm certain of it!… Right?" He turns to look wide-eyed at his companion. "Right?!"
The navy mech only shrugs, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. It makes the yellow mech's wide eyes suddenly narrow into a suspicious squint.
"I— Wait a second. You're messing with me aren't you?" he demands, then doesn't even wait for a response as he follows up with, "Ugh! You are! I knew it!"
He whacks the navy mech on the shoulder with the old map, who immediately breaks out into soft laughter. "Sorry," he says, not sounding all that sorry at all. "Worth it."
"It was not!" the other fumes.
A chuckle. "Yes it was."
"No it wasn't!"
"Uh huh."
"Nuh-uh!"
Oh, you think to yourself, your smile steadily widening into a grin. Oh, you like them. They are so, very interesting—not like anything you've encountered before and it sparks something fresh in the pit of your stomach. New. How exciting!
Ahh… maybe they can stay for a bit. It is so rare that you find such amusement in beings from outside the forest, after all. You think you'd rather like to have your own bit of fun with them.
You grin wildly to yourself, watch their bickering for a few beats more, then shake your head and glance up to your own companion. "Thank you, Chica," you say lowly as you hold out your hand so she can hop down from your head and onto it. "I will take it from here."
"Aww," she whines as she obliges your silent request and gives you a pleading look from atop your finger. "But! But they're so much fun to watch! Can't I stay a bit more—?"
You give her a pointed look. "Do you not have your rounds to finish?"
Chica immediately sulks, knowing you've got her there. "Fine. But I'll be back quicker than you can say 'mushroom circle'! Just— Please don't—"
"Do not worry," you interrupt her as you give her a wink. "It has been a while since we have had some fun anyways, has it not?"
She grins. "Right-o! I'm off then! Don't have too much fun without me, y'hear?"
You snort in response and send her off with a wave of your hand. Her tiny white and pink form darts swiftly between vines and leaves until you are left alone once more, balancing neatly atop a branch. For a heartbeat, you stare at the tiny gap she had disappeared into, your toes curling into bark, then you turn to look back down at the mechs.
Immediately, you pause, breath halting in your lungs.
It looks like the navy mech is staring right at you.
Impossible, you instantly think to yourself. It should be impossible. No one could ever truly sense you through the canopies, much less actually see you. Your muscles feel tense, your very being wired as though caught in a trap. There is something strange about his ruby gaze that you feel prickle vaguely against your senses. Strange in a way that makes your eyes narrow ever so slightly in suspicion.
But no, ultimately you don't think he is looking at you exactly. It is difficult to tell with those eyes of his, but he can't be.
And indeed a moment later, as a teal-feathered bird darts just over your head, you watch as the mech turns lazily to follow its path as it flits through the trees. You let out a breath of air, willing yourself to relax. Bird watching, then. Nothing to be alarmed of.
Still… you make a mental note to keep a particular eye on him.
It becomes part of your routine, watching over the two automatons.
You've kept a constant eye on them throughout the entirety of their journey deeper into the forest—keeping your distance, yes, but you have been growing bored enough to creep closer and closer with each passing day.
They amuse you. With their connective designs to the universe and their gentle bickering you can hear from time to time. They have not stopped to rest for long, nor do they eat or sleep. A difference, you muse, from regular humans.
They show a certain respect for the forest that you have not seen from outsiders in a long, long time. They do not hack their way through the thick foliage or greenery; they neatly pick their way through or find alternative footing. They do not scare away the wildlife that sniffs at their heels—the rabbits, the foxes, the birds. Instead, they allow the little ones to follow and tug at their clothes in curiosity. And when night falls, they do not light torches to guide their way—they walk through the darkness without issue, as though they can see just as clearly as during the day.
It only piques your interest for them even more. Makes you more keen on learning as much as you can about them.
Unfortunately for you, they do not talk much about their personal lives. Ah, not that you can blame them, really. It appears they are here strictly for business.
…Which makes it even funnier when you confuse them by altering the path they're taking. The yellow mech is so keen on following that old map of his that it befuddles him the most—and he has just the most amusing reactions!
But that's besides the point.
One thing you eventually do find out are their names, after spending days on end eavesdropping on their sparse conversations. Sun and Moon, you had filed away in your head in delight once you had heard them refer to each other as such. And how concise and so very fitting they are. In hindsight, you probably could have guessed them yourself.
Sun and Moon, Moon and Sun. A strange duo. You do not get much else other than that.
Chica, of course, joins you in your tailing from time to time. But once the novelty of the two automatons wears off, she starts dropping by less and less. It does not surprise you. She has her own matters to take care of anyways. And it isn't like there's much for her to do or watch when you aren't directly messing with them.
One thing is for certain though: you and her are not the only ones who've noticed the automatons.
It was inevitable that the other occupants of the forest would take note sooner or later, especially once it becomes apparent that you're following them. Nymphs that giggle to themselves as they observe from their trees. Pixies that chitter excitedly as they follow by darting from flower to flower. Harpies that poke their heads from the thick canopies to watch with large, yellow eyes.
You allow them to satiate their curiosity—but only through watching. Not a step closer, you warn. At least for now. The pixies put up a bit of a stink about it, but they all listen.
The two mechs notice the new attention, of course. It would be difficult to ignore a harpie staring them down from a tree mere feet away, after all. You keep a careful eye on things from afar, but all the mechs really do is cautiously watch back. And eventually, the curiosity for the mechs dies down, and you are once again left relatively alone with them. Following them, hour after hour, day after day.
…Quite frankly, it was only a matter of time before your boredom peaked enough for you to reveal yourself to them.
Sun has been scrutinizing that old map in his metal hands for the last few hours, turning it this way and that as he peers critically up at his surroundings. The leaf-laden trees are painted in sunlight as though from an artist's brush. Flowers and blossoms litter the dirt-covered ground like nature's version of a loose carpet. Branches extend their scrawny fingers to tug at the mechs' clothes.
He huffs as he stops walking and seems to glare at a particularly thick tree covered in wisteria. "This is the third time we've passed this tree."
Moon chuckles as he comes to a halt next to his companion and peers up at his irritated face. "How can you tell? They all look the same."
"I can tell because I marked this tree!" Sun says shrilly as he points to a spot where he'd peeled off a bit of bark on the trunk earlier. "You watched me do so, Moon!"
"That could've been missing beforehand," Moon replies in amusement. And when his companion only gives him a dry look, he relents. "Alright fine. What do you want me to say, Sun? That we're lost?"
"Well no, but some help would be greatly appreciated!" Sun says in exasperation as he throws his hands up. He points a finger at Moon. "You've been letting me do all the mapping and navigating. I haven't seen you do anything other than look around and mimic the birds!"
And to your absolute pleasure, Moon cocks his head at Sun and does precisely what he has been doing for the last hour: He releases a sound similar to the call of a pheasant, short and musical. You are unsure how he is able to do so, but it is nothing short of hilarious.
Sun gives Moon a withering look. All it does is make Moon break out into soft laughter.
Sun sighs and it is a long, weary thing. "At this rate we won't ever be able to return home. Here, you try navigating." He thrusts the old map towards Moon, who takes it easily. "If I have to look at that thing for one more second, I'll short circuit myself."
Moon snorts and peers down at the map to hum at it. They are both standing just in front of the tree you're camped in. You look down to see if you can finally catch a glimpse of this map of theirs and have to hold back your own chuckle when you see how inaccurate it is. That certainly isn't helping—your own meddling aside.
Moon hums. He turns the map left, then right, then completely flips it upside down. He nods to himself.
"Yep, that settles it," he muses to himself.
Sun tilts his head, crowding over his companion's shoulder to look down at the map as well. Interestingly, one of his rays shrinks down to avoid poking Moon's face. "Settles what? Did you figure something out?"
"Yes. We're lost," Moon announces, then crumples up the map. Before he can stick it into his coat's pocket, however, Sun snatches it back. You have to hold back a snort.
“Give me that!” he snaps and un-crumples the map so he can attempt to smoothe it out. He then groans at the messy paper and runs his hands down his flat face. "Oh why did I have to get stuck on this task with you."
When all Moon does is cackle in response, you finally decide it is an appropriate time for you to make an appearance.
Quietly, you make your way to a branch just in front of them, above their heads, and allow your body to swing backwards to hang upside down before their faces. "Hi!"
Abruptly, Sun shrieks and leaps back. You grin as you watch him take on a defensive pose, his hand lingering at the leather satchel hanging from his shoulder. You have yet to see him open it. Your gaze darts over to Moon to see he has not moved an inch. Instead, he stares at you with those ruby eyes that you are unable to decipher. But you can feel the way they analyze your form intently.
Your grin widens at him, eyes squinting ever so slightly.
"You guys look mighty lost," you say cheerfully, your legs flexing a little where they're hooked around the branch. "Do you require some help?"
You're looking at Moon as you ask, but it's Sun who responds.
"No, thank you," he says stiffly. He straightens, though he still keeps his hand near his satchel. There is wariness lining his body and the white glow of his eyes, that much is apparent. Not that you blame him, really.
"Aww, don’t be like that." You lift your hands up to cross them behind your head; the picturesque form of nonchalant. "I do not bite, I promise! No one knows the forest better than I do!"
"We know better than to trust random humans we encounter. Particularly out here," Sun replies coolly.
You giggle. "I am not a human, silly. I am a spirit of the forest. Look!"
And with a small wave of a hand pointed at Sun, you will tiny blossoms to start sprouting from his clothes—littering them like he'd just had a basket of flowers thrown at him.
Sun jumps slightly as he looks down at himself and seems taken aback at the little buds. His gaze flits back up to you, though he is still just as cautious as before. "A forest spirit is just as untrustworthy as a human. There's a reason why this is called The Forest of Disappearances, after all."
You cock your head. "Is that what they're calling it?" You hum thoughtfully. "I have not heard of this. Surely you mean another forest?"
Sun scoffs and brushes the flowers off of him. They flutter sadly to the ground. "I am quite certain it is this one."
"Then why have you come here?" you ask curiously. Flipping yourself off the branch, you land nimbly on your bare feet and straighten up with your hands clasped behind your back. You had not noticed it before, what with you sticking to the trees and all, but these automatons are rather tall. "It would be better to avoid a forest with so-called disappearances, no?"
"That is none of your concern," Sun harrumphs and crosses his arms. For all the wariness he's regarding you with, he sure is willing to continue the conversation.
Your gaze flicks briefly over to Moon. He is still quietly watching you.
You look back at Sun. "I am being genuine in my offer to help you, you know. Do you not know forest spirits are kindred beings? It goes against our very nature to misguide."
"Yes, well—" Sun starts, but you do not give him the chance to continue.
"Besides," you interrupt as you slowly start to circle the two. This close, you are now able to properly look them over—picking out all the minute details that make them real. The expertise with which their clothes have been crafted. The panels and seams of metal that make up their exposed arms and faces. The low humming that emanates from somewhere within their chests—so low that you are only able to hear it from being this close to them. "I have not encountered people like you before."
Sun looks stunned, momentarily, though the expression quickly disappears. "People? No, you are mistaken. We are robots."
You tilt your head at him. They are both spinning around steadily to keep you in their line of sight. It allows you to take in the way they hold themselves—the rigidity of their limbs, the terseness of their torsos. "You act like people. Therefore you are."
Sun's mouth opens like he is about to refute you. But he stops when Moon says his name in a low, warning tone. Your eyes flick back and forth between them as you note each and every reaction. Curious, curious. You decide to drop the topic.
"Well, in any case," you continue lightly, "allow me to help you with your task. I insist."
"Persistent, aren't you?" Sun snaps out, then makes a motion like he is taking in a deep breath of air. "No. No, we are quite fine, thank you," he says shortly as he turns with finality to stick his face back in the map and start walking off in a different direction. "Come on, Moon."
As Moon slouches after Sun, you deliberate stopping them, or making it apparent that you are following them instead of sticking to the trees. But ultimately you decide to let them go. For now.
"Be careful!" you call after them, waving a little when the two glance back at you for a moment. "There are far worst things in this forest than a simple spirit such as I."
They do not deign you with a response. Your smile is all teeth as you watch their backs retreating into the distance, your hand lowering so you can clasp your fingers firmly together.
Oh this will be fun indeed.
As the two automatons venture further into the forest, the foliage gets ever thicker and thicker.
You applaud their tenacity, you do. Sun is so determined to stick to that silly map of his that he doesn't even notice the vegetation getting denser, despite it snagging on his clothes and legs. You don't say anything though, bemused as you are; you just watch them as you continue to quietly follow from the canopies above.
Eventually, it’s Moon who brings them both to a stop with a hand on his companion’s shoulder. “Sun.”
Sun doesn't look up from the map. “Hm? What is it? Can't you see I’m busy I think if we turn left in a few meters we mi—”
“Sun,” Moon interrupts flatly. “Look around us. We’re stuck.”
“What do you mean ‘stuck’, we’re not—” Sun cuts himself off once he looks up and finds that there is no path in front of him, nor behind. There is only wild, vibrant shrubbery. Finally. You smile to yourself and tuck your fingers together. “…Stuck. Where did the path go?!”
“Disappeared a couple hours back.”
Sun spins around to give Moon a sharp, wide-eyed look. “And you didn't say anything?! Why, pray tell, didn't you warn me?!!”
Moon shrugs and gestures at the map. “You're the navigation expert.”
“I— You—!” Sun sputters, then makes a movement like he’s pinching the bridge of his nose, though it doesn't quite come off right with how it is just a crescent-shaped carving into his face. He mutters something under his breath, before seeming to collect himself enough to valiantly struggle through a few steps into the thick plants. He groans. “Stars above, how are we supposed to get past all of this?”
You pop your head upside down from the branches right next to him to exclaim, “You could always ask nicely, you know!”
Sun shrieks and likely would have jumped a foot into the air had his ankle not gotten caught on a stray vine. His arms pinwheel around a bit as he just barely manages to catch his balance, before he spins around to give you a squinted glare. “You again!”
“Me!” you respond in kind, shooting him a grin.
“What are you still doing here?!” he demands as he backs away to stand next to an ever quiet Moon.
“I live here,” you reply in amusement. Then, gesturing to the surrounding foliage, you add, “Did you not hear what I just said?”
“I did,” Sun says with a sniff, “I am just choosing to ignore it.”
You snort and direct your gaze to Moon instead. “I am being sincere, surely you recognize that?”
You don’t get much of a response; Moon just hums and crosses his arms. Rolling your eyes, you sweep a hand out at the forest’s floor, then snap your fingers. Immediately, the thick vegetation shrinks—as though the plants’ growth is being reversed—until it sinks back into the dirt and a clear, winding path reveals itself before the two mechs.
“Ta da! See?” you say happily as you flip yourself down from the tree you’re perched in and land gently atop a spot of grass. “Just ask next time!”
For a moment, the two simply stare at the vacant path. You think you catch a glimpse of Sun’s mouth hanging open before Moon reaches over to close it with a finger. It jolts the yellow mech into motion, the rays around his face twitching minutely as he whips around to aim the most calculating look at you.
“And what makes you think we’re going to trust any path you conjure up?” he snaps, one of his hands clutching at the strap of his satchel. “For all we know, it could lead to— to a spike pit or a fire-breathing dragon or whatever!”
You laugh. “Now why ever would I do that?”
“I don’t know!” Sun fumes. “To trick us! To make us disappear!”
“I told you I have never heard of this forest causing disappearances,” you tell him calmly. “Besides, look how beautiful it is!” You gesture out at the surrounding woods—the dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, the vibrant flowers blooming from both vines and the earth itself, the gentle chitter of wildlife in the air. “I have a difficult time believing you.”
Sun eyes everything doubtfully. “Yes, well. Looks can be deceiving.” He then clears his throat and struts forth—off the path you have made—to struggle through the dense shrubbery. “In any case, we will not be following your lead, no thank you!”
You shake your head and send Moon a raised-eyebrow look. “Is he always like this?”
But the navy mech isn’t looking at you; instead he stares out at the path you have made. You’re unsure of what he’s looking at exactly with those entirely ruby eyes of his, but you hope it means he’s taking your words to heart. Despite not saying a word to you.
Ah well. You’ll get him to entertain a conversation with you eventually.
You turn to look back at Sun, who has made it quite a distance away through the foliage. Hm. He is quicker than you’d thought he’d be. “Hey!” you call out with a hand cupped near your mouth. “If you keep going that way you are going to end up at a cliff, you know!”
“Forgive me if I do not believe you!” Sun faintly calls back. He wrenches himself, step by step, farther away. “As if there would be a— aaaooOOOAAAAAAA!!!!!”
Oh, there he goes, you think blandly to yourself.
Moon snaps back to attention just in time to see Sun topple forward and promptly disappear beyond the treeline. “Sun!”
As Moon lunges forward in a clearly vain attempt to save his companion, you let out a soft titter under your breath and lift up one of your hands.
“Ah, do not worry,” you say loud enough for Moon to hear. He whips his head towards you as you make a motion like a puppeteer with your fingers. “I have got him.”
Indeed, the vines you had willed into existence at the edge of the cliff have already latched themselves onto Sun’s figure and steadily brings him all the way back to where you’re standing—threading and winding their way through the verdancy. You manipulate them into gently setting him on the ground and unwinding from his limbs to fix his askew clothes before they sink back into the dirt.
The yellow mech remains frozen in place, both of his hands clutching tightly onto his bag. Moon approaches him quickly to fretfully hover around his form, hands raised as though unsure of how to comfort him.
“I did warn you,” you say mildly to Sun’s pinched expression. A singular vine winds its way back towards you with the map he had been previously holding. “You dropped this as well.”
One of Sun’s eyes twitches, followed by one of his rays. “Yes,” he eventually replies thinly. You have to press your lips together to avoid smiling. “Yes, you did warn me.”
And then you watch in amusement as he makes a motion like he’s taking in a big, big breath of air—though you’re certain they don’t need to breathe—before he promptly snatches the map from your vine’s grasp.
“Thank you,” he grits out as the vine disappears. “Now go away.”
“Aww”—you pout at him—“surely you have realized that I mean no harm? I want to help you both!”
“You can help by leaving us alone!” Sun huffs and brandishes open the map to peer critically at it. He rotates it left, then right, then flips it up, then down before settling on a direction with a quiet grumble. “This place will be the death of me.”
As he starts to stomp his way down the path you had cleared—Moon following close behind—you allow yourself a short moment to smile widely, before you start to trot after them.
Sun notices you tailing them, of course, shooting you what you think is a side-eye. “You’re still here.”
“Yes,” you reply cheerfully. “A cliff will not be the worst thing you may encounter out here, after all.” You are merely teasing him, but he does not seem to pick up on it.
“There you go again, insinuating that there are bad things out here!” Sun exclaims haughtily. “I do hope you realize that contradicts everything you have said about this forest not causing missing cases!”
“I merely stated that I have not heard of such a thing,” you counter lightly. “Besides, these ‘bad things’ do not necessarily have to be correlated to the ‘disappearances’ or whatever else has you so on edge. I am merely looking out for you.”
Sun gives you a long, flat look. “…That is ridiculous.”
You chuckle and skip ahead on the path. Spinning around, you start to walk backwards as you splay out your arms in a grand gesture at the two automatons. “Come now! Do you not think that it is absurd to generalize that everything in this forest is bad? There is good; I have seen it myself.”
“Yes, well, forgive me if I do not believe your word,” Sun says with a frown. “And I am to assume that you are referring to yourself as being good, too?”
“Of course.” You send him a grin that he unfortunately does not return. It does not deter you. “Ah, what will it take for you to believe me?” You are struck, suddenly, with an idea. “Here, ask me anything! I am an open book!”
“Right,” Sun intones. “As if you wouldn’t simply lie to us.”
At that, you laugh hard, your stomach cramping so much that you have to stop walking to clutch at it. Tears form hotly at the corners of your eyes that you wipe away with the pad of your thumb. “Oh you are hilarious! Do you even realize how funny you are?”
It seems you have taken them both by surprise. Sun exchanges a befuddled look with Moon before he aims another frown your way. “I fail to see what is so funny.”
You chortle and manage to collect yourself enough to straighten up and regard the two mechs. “You both do not know much about magical beings, do you?”
Sun bristles at your words. “I’ll have you know we have both read extensively on the matter—”
“Then you know,” you interrupt him, “that spirits are unable to lie. Do you not?”
It’s minuscule, but Sun falters, ever so slightly. “…Right.”
You shake your head in good nature and resume your backwards pace. “Well?” you say with a flick of your hand. “Ask away, then!”
Leaves rustle overhead with a gentle breeze. There is a long moment where it looks as though Sun is seriously ruminating over the opportunity you’ve given them to question you. He frowns thoughtfully to himself, rubbing his finger along the bottom of his face, then levels you with a pensive stare.
“Who are you, really?” he demands.
You smile, interlocking your fingers together behind your back. This will be fun. “I have told you this already. I am a spirit of the forest.”
Sun’s gaze narrows. “Yes, but that is just barely surface level information. Who are you? What is your name? Where did you come from?”
“Oh, have I really not introduced myself all this time?” you muse out loud. It must have slipped your mind. “Apologies.” You introduce yourself with a sweep of your arms and a bow, a small grin popping on your face as you straighten up and send them a wink. “At your service! I have lived in this forest my entire life. It is all I know.” Then, you add, “And you are…?”
Sun seems reluctant to return the favor, but he eventually relents with a small sigh. “My name is Sun,” he says sullenly. “And this is Moon.” He gestures to his side at a silent Moon. Those ruby eyes are pinned to your form—all he does is give you a low hum. He was being so chatty earlier with Sun; now, he sticks to quietly watching. Assessing, this entire time. It has not slipped your notice, though you don’t comment on it.
“Great! Now we are acquainted!” you say cheerfully with a clap of your hands. “Anything else you want to ask?”
Sun doesn’t hesitate. “What do you want with us?”
“Is it so difficult to believe that I want nothing?” you ask with a raised eyebrow. When all you get is a doubtful look from Sun, you laugh. “Well, I am curious about you both. Perhaps ‘knowledge’ would suffice as an answer?”
“‘Knowledge’,” Sun scoffs. “Right. Is it your intention to trick us? Kill us?”
“What would I gain from that?” you ask with a tilt of your head. “All I simply intend to do is help you! And if I am able to learn more about you in the process to quell my curiosity, then is that so bad?”
Sun crosses his arms with a huff. “Your help is unnecessary, is what it is.”
“I disagree,” you say plainly. And when Sun raises an eyebrow at you in response, you add, “Surely you have noticed the attention you have garnered by being here? You are both… new. Who knows what else might come along.”
That certainly throws Sun off, but he recovers quickly enough to exclaim, “You do not even know why we are here!”
You lower your eyelids at him. “Well it is up to you to tell me then, hm?”
Sun doesn’t deign you with a response; he only averts his gaze to stare off to the side with a look you are unable to decipher. He is thinking about it, at least. You’ll need a response eventually. For now, you settle him with a patient smile and fold your hands together. “Well, if that is all then—”
You are interrupted, surprisingly, by Moon.
“My turn for a question,” he says coolly.
And as you turn to give him your attention, you startle when you realize he is much closer to you than you’d expected.
Your head cranes back just so you can look at his face. He is quite tall, his shadow casting itself over your form to bathe you from head to toe. You blink as your eyes dart over to make contact with his own glowing gaze. Ruby light brushes against the smooth planes of your face, but it is not tender—just like the hold he has taken over your upper arm. You allow it, for now.
“Why,” Moon growls out through teeth shaped like the jagged line of a mountain range, “have you been following us all this time, Little Spirit?”
Immediately, there is the internal click of realization that he has been aware of you, this entire time. An unlikely circumstance that has come to fruition—one that you cannot address right now, for there’s that strange feeling you had before when you first saw his eyes. A haziness that prods underneath your eyelids. A type of magic, then. Meant to lure you under. How interesting. You file that bit of knowledge away for later.
Perhaps you can have a bit of fun with this.
Blinking sleepily, you murmur, “I was… curious.”
“So you have said”—Moon’s grip tightens on your arm—“but why else?”
Your breathing slows, your muscles relax. In your periphery, you can make out Sun coming to stand next to Moon to observe you, a contemplative, pinched frown on his face. Two is a crowd, but you are versatile. “I…” Your head lists slightly. “I had to make sure you both were not… dangerous to the forest and its inhabitants.”
Then, you force yourself to shake your head and snap yourself away from Moon. He lets you go easily, and you take the chance to retreat a couple steps back. You rub viciously at your eyes, then level him with a wary look. “I would not do that again if I were you.”
Moon looks unperturbed. “Why would we be a danger?”
Straight to business, this one. You just give him a pointed look as one of your hands rubs idly at your forehead. You sigh. “I am sure you can figure that out yourself. So instead of answering, I will say this: You respect the forest.” Your gaze moves from Moon to Sun. “And for that, you have gained my respect. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Sun speaks up once more as he exchanges indecipherable looks with Moon. You wait patiently as you watch them carefully. Whatever they just communicated must have had them coming to agreement with something, though, for when they both turn back to look at you, there is a sort of satisfaction lining their expressions. “Though perhaps… perhaps, it may just prove to be easy.”
Moon nods, his gaze like knives across your skin. “But if you do anything,” he snarls as he bares his sharp, sharp teeth at you, “I will not hesitate.”
You nod quickly. “Noted.”
Sun spares you but one more glance before he struts past you to lead the way down the path, map once more back in his hands. “Enough chitchat, we are wasting time. Come along, Moon.” Then, he adds rather reluctantly, “Spirit.”
You allow Moon to go ahead of you, before you follow with a skip to your step. He peers at you over his shoulder, then turns to look up at the surrounding trees and the birds that flutter about above.
And oh, oh, you cannot help yourself.
You grin—so widely that you feel the skin of your lips stretch across your teeth. Your eyes squint until they’re almost closed, gums bared out at their retreating backs.
yk... i had a hard time picturing the dca as being 7.5 ft tall, but then i saw wemby and i was like oh. oh thats literally them. that is so fucking tall
yk... i had a hard time picturing the dca as being 7.5 ft tall, but then i saw wemby and i was like oh. oh thats literally them. that is so fucking tall
