OTA

[phouka]

The first day of Spring had come and gone. The prince had left to the Seelie lands, but only for battle preparations. He was back with the full moon. Phouka had remained behind to see after Winter and Fin, though for them the days were much the same. In truth, Phouka was a bit bored. He longed for court intrigues and gossip. As a guard he'd never been a part of things, always on the outside, but he'd heard and he'd seen. Now he got his entertainment from the telly. He found it to be so contrived. It lacked fire. Passion.

And so with the prince back he had been given leave for the day. He immediately set out to find intrigues. He wandered the park, found a market, sat outside in the chilly air to sip a coffee and watch. Watch and see. Everywhere he looked he saw people with lovers, with friends. He didn't know their lives so some of the drama was lost. But at the cafe he found hope. On one side of him sat two women chatting incessantly about the one's disasterous love life. The friend concurred with the righteous anger over many, many men. On the other side sat a couple who, at first, were the picture of romance. But then he checked a text and the woman...well, she became a bit mad. Angry, yes, but Phouka thought she was absolutely nutters as she questioned him on who he was talking to, grilling him with such jealous fury the Phouka kept waiting for the man to leave. Watching them he saw what others might not see. The man was positively eating up her jealous outburst. It stroked his ego, clearly.

"Hmm." Just that. One small sound. And he sipped his coffee.

[Find him at the cafe or in the park, market, or on the street, wherever works best!]

Comments

[phouka]

"Things that should be are not always so, Winter. You know I cannot simply go," he replied. "It worries me not. If I stay then I shall have you," he added with a smile.

[winter_wisp]

Winter cooed softly, but it was hard to tell if it was a happy or sad sound.

[phouka]

The Phouka tightened his hold around Winter's shoulders and gave him a kiss on the head.

"Enough of this. The future is uncertain. What shall we do now that we are together?" he asked.

[winter_wisp]

"We should go on an adventure. Something exciting," Winter whispered. "We should go on a search for something shiny."

[phouka]

"What a fine idea," Phouka said cheerfully, always up for a bit of Winter's brand of fun. "What kind of shiny? Gems? We should find the most beautiful gems."

[winter_wisp]

"Yes, something glittering. Something precious," Winter nodded, looking thoughtful. "We should go to a mortal museum, and pinch something. It will be the day the mortals worship pink rabbits soon, imagine how impressed Fae Willy will be if we gift his mortal something precious. He will be so pleased he will have to allow you to go home for a visit, Phouka."

[phouka]

"A very good idea. I wonder what Finlay will like? We should go see what the museum has to offer. The things only sit there to gather dust. They should be loved. Come," he said, slipping his arm from around Winter's shoulders so he could take hold of his hand instead.

[winter_wisp]

"I don't know, he likes dumb things," Winter replied, taking the offered hand and wrinkling his nose slightly as he thought of the things the zombie enjoyed. "He likes weird smelling cigarettes and sad music."

[phouka]

"I have noticed this as well. We should find something cheerful to counter the sad music and bright enough that he doe not fall asleep on the sofa as he admires it," he replied. "Do you think we can find such a gem?"

[winter_wisp]

"Sure, mortals love shiny rocks. They'll have plenty," Winter shrugged. "We will simply swap it for a copy. I can surely conjure up something passable. They will never know it is gone."

[phouka]

"Oh, good. And then the prince cannot be upset, only happy," he agreed, thinking this was a wonderful thing they were doing for Fin. Everyone would surely be pleased.

[winter_wisp]

"We will be his favourites for months," Winter peeped- before stopping in his tracks and gasping.

"Or we could get something even better. We could get a gem from the crystal caves! I bet not even Fae Willy has such a gem!"

[phouka]

"Then we would be favourites for the whole year!" he replied. "Oh, yes. Do you think we can get there and back before he notices?" he asked then, a touch nervous to go anywhere without the prince's permission.

[winter_wisp]

"Probably," Winter shrugged. "We're very clever after all."

[phouka]

Phouka thought Winter was much more clever than he was and he trusted the pixie...and so he nodded.

"All right," he nodded. "We should go now, then. So we have as much time as possible."

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded, tugging the Phouka into the nearest clothing shop.

Mirrors were still the easiest way to travel, and the pixie made his way to the back of the shop, where the changing rooms and large mirrors were. The pixie giggled a little, then waited until they were definitely alone before hopping through the mirror with little regard as to where he might come out on the other side.

[phouka]

Phouka followed after quickly, not even casting a glance back before stepping through. Mirrors could be so tricky. They could come out almost anywhere, so Phouka was on his guard in case they stepped out somewhere dangerous- like the Queen of Air and Darkness's palace...

[winter_wisp]

Winter didn't know his way very well, and when he found himself in the middle of a dark and thick forest, he made a nervous little peep.

"Which way, Phouka? Which way?" he whispered.

[phouka]

Phouka looked around and took it all in. It was nowhere he had been and when he looked up he could not see the sun, nor any shadow to tell him which way to go. But there was a path trodden in the undergrowth not far from him. He took to hope and smiled at Winter.

"This way," he said, choosing to go right on the path rather than left as it crossed before them.

[winter_wisp]

Nodding, Winter wandered along at Phouka's side, holding his hand and keeping near.

"It smells as if we're near the wizard village," he murmured softly.

[phouka]

"We may be," Phouka agreed. "If we come out somewhere familiar do you think you can get us to the Crystal Caves from there?" he asked.

[winter_wisp]

"Yes," Winter nodded, "Aspid took me a few times, he liked the company."

[phouka]

"But now he is not here and I am," Phouka said warmly. "And we shall find the best, brightest gem for Fin...and maybe some for ourselves as well."

[winter_wisp]

"What would you do with your gem, Phouka?" Winter asked curiously. "Would you wear it, or would you stash it away and keep it safe always?"

[phouka]

"I would set it into a ring and wear it every day," he said with a bright smile. "We could find matching gems and wear them as mortals do!"