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]

Phouka had only a little magic, enough to shapeshift and just enough more to, if he thought very hard, direct a mirror to take them a certain place. He stepped through into their flat and breathed a sigh of relief. The sun was only just setting.

[winter_wisp]

Winter peeped happily, hopping off Phouka's shoulder and returning to full height. With just a little magic his wings were gone, as were the holes in his shirt. Though he felt a bit spent afterwords.

"Where should we hide the stone?" he asked. "It needs to stay secret."

[phouka]

"Under the mattress. No one will look there," he said with a nod. "We are to change our own bedding so we will be careful and they will never suspect."

[winter_wisp]

Winter pouted, but nodded just a little.

"Okay," he agreed. "I will try and remember, Phouka."

[phouka]

"When do you think we should present it to Fin?" he asked, his eyes twinkling merrily at the favour they were going to gain for this feat.

[winter_wisp]

"On the day of the pink rabbit," Winter replied. "Though I suppose we should set it in something."

The pixie hummed, then sat down on the edge of the bed. "It should be placed in something that Fae Willy will view often, so he remembers our generosity always."

[phouka]

Phouka admired the gem for a long moment and then smiled.

"We could set it in a necklace. Fin wears necklaces and any time they undress the prince will see it."

[winter_wisp]

"Gross," Winter replied, pulling a face, then giggling as he flopped onto his side.

"That's a good idea though, Phouka. You're so clever."

[phouka]

"I think you are the clever one to think of the Crystal Caves. We got the gem honestly, no trickery or stealing. You paid the elf. The prince and Finlay can only admire us," he decided.

[winter_wisp]

Winter blushed, then shrugged, visibly embarrassed but pleased by the praise.

[phouka]

With the gem secured beneath the mattress the Phouka joined Winter and took hold of his arms.

"I am grateful for the adventure," he said warmly before kissing Winter lightly on the lips.

[winter_wisp]

Winter went pink again, but smiled at the kiss.

"I will adventure with you always, Phouka. You are my best and dearest friend, and I will never allow you to suffer your boredom alone. ...Or at all," he added cheerfully.

[phouka]

"You are my most treasured favourite," he said with a smile and kissed Winter again, this time on the forehead. He was eager to be close but his belly growled, empty after their long journey.

[winter_wisp]

"Your stomach is so empty, Phouka," Winter giggled, wiggling away so he could sit up. "We should feast, celebrate our success with pizza and fizzy pop."

[phouka]

"You see? You are the most clever," he replied and started for the door. "I will call and order it. Do you want pepperoni?"

Phouka was quite fond of pepperoni and his mouth watered as he thought of it.

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded eagerly, getting up off the bed and wandering over to the closet.

If they were having pizza, he very much wanted to eat it while wearing his favourite pyjamas. ...Perhaps he could even convince the Phouka to watch some telly with him as well.

[phouka]

The Phouka was very hungry and feeling gluttonous and so he ordered two pies with pepperoni and extra cheese and a bottle of fizzy pop for Winter to enjoy. Then he went to the box where they kept money specifically for pizza and he stood there, watching the door and waiting for the man to knock.

[winter_wisp]

Dressed in his pyjamas, Winter wandered over to where Phouka stood, watching him for a beat, then looking at the door. He was puzzled for a moment, but Winter's mind was fairly sharp when he chose to actually use it, and he soon worked out what had his friend so transfixed and still.

"Phouka, he wont come for some time. Come sit with me," the pixie pouted, tugging on the Phouka's sleeve.

[phouka]

Of course he was aware it took time, but he was so hungry and he hoped the man would hurry. But at Winter's insistence he tucked the money in his pocket and joined the little one on the sofa.

"I like these pyjamas. They are very soft," he said, petting Winter's leg.

[winter_wisp]

"They are warm," Winter replied, pulling his legs up onto the sofa to sit criss-cross as he leaned into the Phouka and peeped cheerfully. His bare toes wiggled happily, but went still as he rested his head against the Phouka's arm.

[phouka]

The Phouka turned his head to press a kiss to Winter's hair and stayed right there, breathing in the scent of him.

"I am so pleased with the adventure today, and also that we will not be in trouble. It is the best of days."

[winter_wisp]

"I will adventure with you any time you like, my Phouka, mine," Winter cooed. "You only have to ask."

[phouka]

"Where shall we go next?" he asked, smiling before he kissed Winter's hair again.

[winter_wisp]

"Wherever you wish, Phouka," Winter smiled. "The world is very large, and the universe endless, so there are more possibilities than there are stars."

[phouka]

"That sounds delightful," he said, but in his heart he knew the prince would never allow him to travel far and wide with Winter. He was needed her to protect not only Winter but also Finlay.