#enchantedcastle

[defiantlords]

Periwinkle lights shimmered in the late afternoon trees. Sun rays dipped in and out of wind rustled branches as small fae folk fluttered towards their homes. Rowyn’s own home was not far from where he now stalked, but the winged beings still held him with some apprehension. A few had called on his assistance when a thunderstorm danced across the sky only some nights ago. That same power that protected them brought with it a layer of concern, especially so far out from either court. He could lord over the surrounding forest should he choose with none capable of stopping him. That, naturally, would interfere with all he sought in the last five hundred centuries.

No, he cared little for their wayward flying tonight. Someone had entered the fae realm that he had met once before. A woman gentle in her nursing and free in spirit beloved by the creatures around her. Rowyn had only spent two nights with her after twin jaws of iron had snapped shut around his foot. Burning metal delivered pain through the fur covered skin of his transformed appearance. From his first glance, Rowyn knew she was more than she seemed. He could have rushed off into the forest as soon as he was free to heal before traveling between worlds. Instead, Rowyn returned with her to a cottage filled with animals and cheer.

Crystal blue eyes had watched with curiosity even as his power closed the wound she bandaged. In time, Rowyn left, a gift fashioned in payment for her kindness. As with all gifts of the fae, the ring had been something more. Now Rowyn followed the traces of his magic that still lingered from within the stone. To his eyes only, light twisted around tree bends and through bushes of various berries. A steam tugged at the ephemeral thread to wash it away, but was not nearly strong enough. The end of his search was immobile, although most definitely not injured or dead. He could sense a peacefulness around his goal that left Rowyn further mystified.

A resting heartbeat pulsed towards his own the closer he grew. Silence reigned supreme around his approach. Rowyn wondered if she had simply acclimated towards her new environment like a leaf floating atop a creek’s surface. Instead, he spotted her without seeing her. Nestling within a tree hollow was the end of his trailing light. Furrowing his brow, Rowyn focused on the unusually strange shadow that permeated within and saw Giselle sleeping soundlessly. Cracking a smile, Rowyn wondered how she came to slumber so peacefully inside.

She was clad in a white lace nightgown from shoulders to ankles, her bright red hair falling sporadically down across skin and fabric. Twigs and leaves were intermingled along with traces of dirt implying she had been moving hastily throughout the forest. Had he looked over her more clearly, Rowyn would have seen the scratches and speckles of blood to raise alarm. Alas, he merely focused on the knowledge that she was here, within a realm not wholly her own.

Sliding a hand within the veiled hollow, Rowyn brushed away hair from her face with a featherlight touch. He did not retreat after feeling the softness of her cheek, but instead let his hand hover barely an inch away. Never had a human gathered as much curiosity since he first wondered into the human realm as the one before him did. “Giselle,” he spoke, his voice a light whisper of what it could be. “This is not your home.” A hollow such as this was surely heavily treasured by a wood nymph as either a home or a place to play in. With him around, they would not come close for the time being. Still, he had no intention of leaving her this time.

[defiantlords]

Surviving on childish wits alone, Catra had managed within the Moors' confines practically since birth. Whoever had brought her into the world made a point of abandoning her shortly thereafter. From that point onwards, she lived alone, though not from a lack of trying. Darkness enveloped the woods and as it did, also siphoned away the trust and kindness of others. Some helped, but not for long. Others expected to be reimbursed. A few grew physical at her mere proximity. She grew as she was treated, yet still a sliver of hope remained. Catra knew not why she had no mother or father, but she still saw love and tenderness inside the Moors. If other fae could have it, then so too could she one day. Catra merely needed to find the right one to be around.

Years trickled by, but Catra was still young, her already small height rarely developing. She had seen a woman walk among the forest floor, shadows trailing behind her with every step she took. At first, Catra kept her distance, avoiding the larger fae much like many others did. However, a curiosity grew over time. If everyone ran from her, then she too must surely be lonely. Catra ran less, even at the urging of others.

She's cruel.

She's mean.

She'll curse you.

Death awaits, child.

They spoke of the woman in ways Catra wondered if she too was spoken about. They didn't run from Catra, but they still avoided her. Was she in herself a curse that hurt others? Was that why she had been abandoned? Catra wasn't mean. At least not when she had a full tummy. Maybe this woman had been hungry and that instilled a fear in others. The Moors were always dark so it seemed like very little ever grew there. Catra had more than once stolen the food of another only to end up jinxed soon after. If she was older and stronger like the woman, she would have made sure she couldn't be hurt as often.

Soon, when others ran, Catra hid. She saw the black bird that hovered close by, but stayed out of its beady eyes after being caught once. Catra had managed to catch a few birds in her time, but this one seemed different and Catra didn't like that. Eventually, that hiding turned into following, her natural instincts keeping her hidden from sight. There was rarely enough light to truly give her away after all. Slowly, Catra came to realize this person never did anything actually scary. She just looked mean.

Gathering up her courage, Catra approached the tall lady and her trailing darkness. She was tiny compared to the woman and her different colored eyes looked up with a hopeful glimmer. “Hello,” Catra squeaked out, her voice trembling from the single word. “Can I be your friend?” Perhaps that's all she needed right now. That's definitely all Catra wanted at the moment.

[defiantlords]

Still laughing at the absolute failure of Mylo trying to flirt with another Undercity girl, Vi continued on through various alleyways. Her, Mylo, and Claggor had managed to nick a few trinkets to sell earlier in the day. Fresh from his victory, Mylo thought he was hot shit only to get turned down with a scoff and no words. His come on about picking the girl’s heart had been hilariously bad. By the time they split up, Vi was still wiping the tears away from her eyes while Mylo was moping off with Claggor. At least they could get some food to scarf down. Not that the money ever lasted long anyways…

Vi on the other hand was on her way back to The Last Drop. Powder had been left behind with Ekko earlier in the day as their excursion was towards a more dangerous part of the Lanes. With or without Vander’s cautionary words, Vi wasn’t going to let anything happen to her little sister. Incidentally, Vi found her two alleyways from the bar. She could have called out to her, but saw a fresh look of determination on Powder’s face. Stopping her stride, Vi waited to see what she was so focused on.

One punch followed another as Powder threw out her fists. If there had been anyone to actually punch, Powder might as well have tapped them on the shoulder. Still, she was trying. Vander wasn’t interested in teaching her yet. Not like he had with Vi. Then again, she had to practically pummel Vander in the stomach to get any type of lessons. Powder was still too sweet a kid, even for living in the Undercity. Finally, Vi had to make herself known. “You know, if you keep punching like that, you might actually manage to scare away a firefly.” Vi had noticed Powder watching her practice, but the little girl just had absolutely no technique. If she really wanted to learn, Vi would be there for her. Just as she had always been and always would be.

[defiantlords]

Chaos and terror spread throughout the castle like wildfire. Servants hid in their quarters while armed men rushed about in a frenzy. Miranda had been forced into a room with her three sisters early into the day. Stefan’s paranoia had reached its limit with the oncoming of Princess Aurora’s return less than a day ahead. Maleficent would be coming, he said. He had prepared the castle to be her tomb with iron snaking throughout the entranceways and cold stone almost too difficult to step on. She had been a thorn in his side from the moment Queen Leila died and even before that. Only the notion that she was to keep her sisters safe kept Miranda from joining the fray.

The echoes of pounding iron vibrated across the castle only to be followed by yells and screams. Miranda stayed close to the door to listen for any clues of how King Stefan’s battle progressed. It was then she heard a fleeing soldier yelling about the princess working with Maleficent. Princess Aurora was in the castle and the Sacred Sisters had not been alerted. Furious, Miranda turned back to Luanna, Setie and Wink before ordering them to stay put. Neither Maleficent nor Stefan would stop Miranda from completing the task Queen Leila placed upon her, but she would not endanger her sisters.

Injured soldiers and cowards roamed through the halls. Miranda grabbed one who sat sobbing beneath a torch and pulled him up. Cracking him hard across his cheek with an open palm slap, Miranda ordered him to tell her where the fighting was taking place. He didn’t know anymore, not after Maleficent carried King Stefan out of the castle. Princess Aurora’s location was just as much a mystery. Cursing at the man as she tossed him back towards the hard floor, Miranda rushed towards the nearest castle exit.

Stepping outside was when she saw it happen. King Stefan dropped from the sky as an anchor into the ocean, his heavy armor propelling him towards his demise. Floating in the air was the winged fae herself, Maleficent, the bane of Penceforest, the demon from the Moors, a woman with a hundred names throughout the kingdom. As her king slammed into ground, Miranda saw the princess from behind, a woman of similar beauty as her deceased queen. In an instant, the sixteen-year-old girl had become a queen and Miranda could only guess what went through her mind.

Watching those great wings land, Miranda saw Maleficent look upon Stefan. She stood motionless until Maleficent looked up towards Aurora. Instantly her bow was drawn, an iron tipped arrow notched and aimed at Maleficent. Aurora stood within her line of fire, but that was quickly diminishing as Miranda stepped forward. She had not believed King Stefan’s rantings before, but she would not allow her new charge to be finished off as long as she lived.

“Princess!” Miranda yelled out, her tone controlled and authoritative. “Step behind me.” If Maleficent intended on ending the royal line tonight, it would not be without the pain of Miranda’s arrows. Other soldiers were showing up behind Miranda at the castle exit, but they stayed at a distance, the fear from their earlier fight still etched into their convictions. For now, Miranda was the only defense their new queen had.

[defiantlords]

Something was happening to the dark queen of the Moors. Maleficent was softening. To the other fae, there was no change. Their fear kept them away from Maleficent, but not Catra. A certain amount of respect and resentment kept her interested. Maleficent paid her no mind, but her companion, Diaval, still visited on occasion. He would not talk of what Maleficent did outside the briarwood thicket that surrounded the forest edge. Diaval wouldn't even go into discussion on what he did much to Catra's displeasure. She had told the raven off more than once, shooing him away as if he were an obedient crow. Catra didn't need to know what Maleficent was doing to know something had happened.

Yet, she wanted to know. An insatiable urge demanded to know why the woman who was always so callous appeared to be tempering. So she followed the pair. Thorny tangles were pulled away by an eerie green glow. Before they could return to block her path, Catra slipped past the living defense. What she found confounded her. Maleficent was watching a young, blonde headed human girl close to Catra's own age. Catra wondered if Maleficent was going to put her to sleep and feast on her innards, but no such thing happened. Catra swore there was a level of attachment in Maleficent's eyes. They never talked and the girl never approached Maleficent, so why? Why was Maleficent changing? She even spoke her name fondly!

Catra ventured out again when the questions were too much. Vines attempted to keep her grounded, but she was too fast for them. Feline legs shot her upwards while sharp caws redirected her when a branch appeared ready to move. Finally she was over the wall and retracing her steps. The blonde human lived in a cottage with three older women who appeared absolutely useless. Catra would have kicked them out within minutes if she was stuck living with them. Regardless, Catra saw nothing of importance. A bubbling insecurity that she always shoved back down rose to her throat. Bored and infuriated at how unbelievably simple the girl had been, Catra returned to the Moors.

The question continued to bounce around inside her head. Pacing the forest floor, yelling at pixies, and hissing at wallerbogs did nothing to calm her. Maleficent wouldn't speak a word if she asked and Diaval would just tell Maleficent if he was asked instead. Only one person remained. Catra would drag the information out even if she had to do it with nails alone. So she fled from the Moors again, bounding over the wall with dexterity and grace.

Catra did not have to search the area for long before finding her. She sat beneath a thick set of trees where shade covered one branch and then the next. Only a single leaf fell when Catra landed well above the human. “Hey, Aurora,” Catra stated smoothly, the confidence in her voice one of knowing all the answers were coming. Once Catra understood what Maleficent saw in this girl, perhaps Catra could get Maleficent to-No! She did not need that woman's approval on anything. “So what makes you so special?” Catra asked, her voice light and cheery, but an edge of venom sneaking through each word.

[defiantlords]

Practically dragging Mako up to the castle gate, Bolin stopped in front of the armed guard with a large grin. Smiling still sent a spike of pain across his cheek, but how could he not be happy at being invited into a castle? From between a visor in his helmet, the man looked down, his eyes clearly angled in an unhappy furrow. “We’re here to see Queen Aurora,” Bolin stated enthusiastically, ready to watch the massive doors swing open. Instead, the pair were met with a curt, sardonic reply. “Sure you are, kid. The palace is for official business, not-“ The man seemed to catch his tongue, as if his mouth had earned a fair bit of trouble recently. “Not to wander through for fun.”

A huff followed by a groan came from Mako as he turned towards Bolin. “I told you, Bo. A queen isn’t interested in seeing us. She’s just like-“ The knight cleared his throat in warning, his fingers tightening around the handle of his spear. The intimidation tactic was enough to draw forth a roll of Mako’s eyes.

“No, no, it’s okay. She said something like this might happen.” As he talked, Bolin rooted through a sown-up sack, stitches plain along the outside and one handle fraying. “Should be in here…Ah-ha!” Pulling forth a bright blue flower, Bolin held it out to the man blocking their path. “Here you go. The queen said if she didn’t receive this today, she would relieve whoever was at the gate.” There was a moment of hesitation in the man’s eyes as he contemplated Bolin’s words. “Good thing we came today or you would have had a rough day instead, huh?”

Muttering a curse, the man knocked on the door twice. A hole slid open on the opposing side. “They’re here to see the queen. Check if she’s expecting anyone.” The hole closed and the knight said no more.

Minutes passed before the heavy wood slid back, revealing stone architecture neither boy had seen before. A guide waited for them to enter before waving for them to follow and starting off down a corridor. “See? Told you we were invited.” Bolin’s confidence kept his smile wide as Mako walked behind. “The flower. Did she actually give it to you?” Mako asked, a tone bordering on avid curiosity.

“I saw something similar in her hair the day she saved me,” Bolin whispered back. “She said her guards could be a bit mean sometimes, so I figured it couldn’t hurt.” Raising an eyebrow, Mako looked impressed by his little brother. Bolin had clearly managed to make a mark even though he wouldn’t say precisely how he received the bruises on his cheek and arm. Mako expected them to be led to a dungeon, but instead they walked through well-lit hallways and up decorated stairs. Finally, they stopped before a lavish dining room with a table meant for the largest family Bolin or Mako could imagine. Both boys looked about the room in awe, mouth agape.

[imagella-blog]

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[defiantlords]

Wiping sweat and grime from a morning at the electrical plant, Mako stepped out into the noon heat. He had been working from before sunrise until the early afternoon for the last few weeks, so getting out early was a rarity. Constantly bending had him absolutely wiped and his stomach had been practically roaring for the last hour. While Mako would have loved to return home to wash off in the arena's showers, he couldn't help jump at the opportunity given. Ha-won would also be ending her shift at the tea shop soon and he knew for sure she would be just as hungry.

Even though his body protested, Mako started up a light jog along the sidewalk. Running through Republic City was nothing new for him and the tea shop wasn't far. Furthermore, other employees were also getting off work or taking their own lunch. He could see a group already approaching a preferred food stall. Naturally, they were too slow and Mako arrived first even as a new sheet of sweat crossed his brow.

“Hey there, Iha,” Mako addressed the middle aged woman as she looked at him with a cocked eye.

“You're early.” He agreed. The food stall was fuller than when he typically arrived. “Look to be in a rush too. What can I get you?” Mako wasn't the only one. A line was already forming right behind him.

Browsing the selection, Mako had to avoid drooling liker his brother did over a bowl of noodles. “Two cups of sesame-dried sticks, four skewers of komodo sausage, and six spicy bean cakes. Wouldn't have any cherry-berry lemonade, would you?” Mako was hopeful on the last bit, but she had been out last time.

Laughing gently as Iha prepared the food in an earthen pot, she asked, “Bolin back home starving, huh? Sorry, but just have the watermelon juice like last time.” If Bolin was starving, even everything Mako ordered wouldn't be enough. Instead, Mako just gave a light chuckle as he handed over his yuans for the food and drinks.

From there, he continued his stroll at a more leisurely pace. The tea shop was only a few streets ahead and he had no intention of dropping the meal. By the time he neared the curtained door, the last of the patrons had already departed. Mako peeked his head through the entrance and found Ha-won. Her co-worker was finishing sweeping the last of carried in dust or dirt. Discarding his shoes at the front door to avoid carrying in more grime, Mako quietly walked up to the studying Ha-won.

If she was already off her feet, that meant her manager had since left. A little bit of privacy and shade indoors was much preferred than sitting outside in the sun. Besides, whatever mess they made could be quickly cleaned up before locking the doors. As such, Mako set down the clay pot full of their food with a grin on his face. She had some of the shop's sweets left over in front of her, but he knew she could eat more than that.