Solstice War - Gathering

[willysilver]

The Solstice was upon them. When the sun went down the magic began to swell, the veil between this world and the Other Side thin as vapor. Mortals could sense it, even, though they may not have a name for it. They gathered together, not realizing the animal instinct of safety in numbers.

But all around the city, from the dark parts, fae began to come together as well. Unseelie filled the city- boggarts and Red Caps and things unseen for many a year with bright eyes and sharp teeth. But they were tricksy, dangerous and malicious but no worse than they ever were. The real threat, the ever present danger this year, were the Milesian that crawled out of the sewers and tube tunnels to prowl they city. They were hunting tonight. They had eyes black and soulless, eyes too wide for their white, gaunt faces. Larger than their eyes were their mouth. The smile of needle fangs glinted in the street lights. Long arms ending with spidery, spindly fingers reached and clawed at passers by from the shadows.

There was a war in the city tonight and the nature of the foe, the Milesian, meant no bound mortal needed to be near any battle. Death would come to one or the other if a killing blow came down.

But there was hope. Seelie fae prowled the city as well, fighting for Light and Air. Even the Queen had seen fit to step through with her sword and shield. Such was the threat to the Fae way of life that the Milesian presented.

The longest day of the year dawned but the sunlight did nothing to frighten off the dark forces. The longest day of the year simply meant the things that went bump in the night were attacking in the light.




(Tag in, tag around! Open all week so check back. Have fun with your adventures. If you don't want any Milesian, there are plenty of Unseelie, too. Day or night, whichever works for you.)

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[willysilver]

Willy tapped the address of the cafe he was at. They were about to close, but he sat outside with his water and his sword and he waited for Fin.

Things had been strained since their bond had been broken, but Willy put his faith in their love. He would cleave to Fin for the rest of their lives so long as the man would have him. Growth and understanding had been painful, but he had come to certain realizations about love.

Yes. They would do this together.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Unable to get an uber, Fin had demanded a car take him- An act that started the cast and crew. It wasn't really like Fin to demand anything really, and there was a feeling of concern and tension in the air as the fae hopped in the car and took off to meet Will.

"Been worried about you all day," he complained as he got out the car and made his way over to the other fae, waving for the driver to go.

[willysilver]

Will stood, his sword hanging in his hand.

"I have been busy," he said, as the black spatter on his shirt described quite well.

"I am glad you have come," he continued. "But it is very dangerous. I should take you home."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'll take you home, you wanker. Fuck off," Fin huffed, not about to be tucked away in some tower while a war was going on right here on the streets.

[willysilver]

Will nodded at that, understanding the sentiment.

"Have you a weapon?" he asked simply.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I've got my dagger, always," Fin replied. "And my magic- That's worth something, isn't it?"

[willysilver]

"It is worth much," Willy said. Then he smiled. "We are at war. Let us hunt," he said.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Right, of course. ...Must be date night," Fin muttered, looking unsure and then shifting into his fox form. It was easier like this, he'd found. His vision was sharper and it kept his magic charged up and at the ready. It only took a moment to change back after all.

How many so far? he asked, looking up at Will as he trotted at his side.

[willysilver]

"So many," he said. "Through last night and today, dozens. And yet they keep coming like a plague upon the mortal realm."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Are you hurt at all? I can heal you if you are, Fin reminded him, the fox letting out a soft whine of worry.

[willysilver]

"No. I am well so far," Willy answered, walking along and thinking nothing of the fuzzy, white companion he had.

"Stay alert. The Unseelie and the Milesian alike are afoot tonight."

[prince_of_nymphs]

I will bite them the fox insisted, though the fae knew that was a silly thought.

I've encountered a few, Fin confessed, looking up at Will. They're much more unsettling than the fae that came for us before, aren't they?

[willysilver]

"Very much so," Willy said, his long strides challenging Fin to keep up. "The Milesian were banished, dark creatures twisted by solitude. They are infinitely worse than the Unseelie, my love."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin bounced along at Will's side, rushing to keep up with him.

So we fight them. We fight, and we win.

[willysilver]

"That is my intention, little one," he said. Willy looked down at him, then back up to the horizon. "We will conquer this foe. There can be no other option."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin nodded, then slowed to a stop and sniffed the air.

One is near, he said nervously.

[willysilver]

"I can feel it," Will replied, slowing to look around. From the shadows a spindly hand reached out and what followed was a horrific creature. Its teeth gleamed when it stepped into the light.

Willy raised his sword.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Shifting back as they passed through a shadowy patch, Fin returned to his human form and drew his small, but effective, blade.

[willysilver]

The Milesian hissed and lunged for Fin, but Willy swung his blade hard. The thing screamed as the cold iron bit into its pale flesh. Willy moved then, well trained in battle, so they could both attack and not harm one another.

"His hands," he said. "Watch out for his hands..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wasn't half the fighter Will was, and he jumped back before throwing up a shield to give himself a moment to think. What should he do? What should he do...

[willysilver]

Will did not hesitate. The Milesian turned its fury on him and he swung his sword, cutting off its head almost entirely. An unholy shriek came from it before it evaporated.

"Others will have heard that," he said. "Be prepared for more."

He was breathing heavily as he lowered his sword, his hair and eyes both wild with excitement.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Then maybe we should run," Fin hissed, tensing and looking around. "Maybe we should run, Will."

[willysilver]

"And let them win? Win the city? Win the war? I think not," he replied firmly. "I will stand and fight."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hated this, hated the fact that Will was so stubborn, hated that he felt guilted into staying too.

"Fine. ...Fine," Fin said softly. "We'll fight."

[willysilver]

"Fin...it is not your war. You need not fight," Willy said. In fact, he'd prefer it if Fin was home and safe. This night was dangerous. "Go home?"