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.)

Comments

[phouka]

"Perhaps you are too much among mortals. What if you went home and lived with the pixie for a time?" he asked. "I could take your small potion and go with you and we could live in a mushroom house and learn how to be good pixies again."

[winter_wisp]

"You would do that?" Winter asked, slowing to a stop. "Phouka... That is so kind of you. Truly, you are the kindest Phouka. ... No, not the kindest Phouka, just the kindest. The kindest being I have known. ...And that is also not a fib."

[phouka]

That made the Phouka puff up all the more. The braves, most valiant, fastest, kindest...He was sure he'd never be as happy as tonight.

"I am the kindest," he grinned. "And you are the mot wonderful friend and love I could have ever dreamed of. Would you like to go? We can have such a fine time drinking dew drops and eating field mice!"

[winter_wisp]

"...We probably shouldn't eat the field mice. The other pixies might not like that. ...I would really like to go though Phouka, just for a while," Winter admitted.

[phouka]

Phouka pouted just a little at that. He was enamoured by the idea of having a spit roasted mouse, all crispy and brown. And knowing pixies, he'd have it all to himself. His gluttonous belly enjoyed that thought immensely.

"All right," he said. "Whenever you like. We can ward the park and have a grand adventure!"

[winter_wisp]

Just the thought of being tucked away safe in his little mushroom made Winter glow a little, and he leant into the Phouka as they walked on.

"Let's go in the morning. We'll send all our friend's postcards promising to return with souvenirs, and go on vacation."

[phouka]

"An excellent idea," Phouka grinned. "It will be morning soon enough. We will have time to set things in order. Ward the park. Hide our tree. We will have a grand time!" he exclaimed.

[winter_wisp]

"The best time," Winter agreed softly, bumping Phouka playfully, before giggling brightly and pouncing on him.

[phouka]

For as often as Winter pounced on him, the Phouka should have been more prepared. But he never was. Winter leapt and the Phouka caught him and then tumbled down to the ground with the pixie in his arms.

"Oof! Winter, we are at war!" he laughed, though for the moment the concept of war was simply an idea, and one easily overshadowed by play.

[winter_wisp]

"And I am winning!" Winter insisted. "Mighty Winter! Someone should write ballads about me!"

[phouka]

"I will write ballads!" Phouka cried, then rolled and tussled with Winter until the pixie was on his back and the creature hovered over him, panting.

"I will sing songs to the moon of your glory," he promised.

[winter_wisp]

Winter was laughing brightly but fell silent in an instant as he heard a distant scream.

"...Phouka, take me home now. I want to go home."

Once upon a time Winter had longed to fight, had begged Will for a sword and scowled at Finlay's attempts to keep him home and safe. ...Now though? Now, he'd gladly never touch a blade again.

[phouka]

The Phouka was instantly on alert again and the play ceased. He sprang up and reached for Winter's hand so they could go home. He didn't exactly run, but he did hurry Winter along lest they be caught out.

The tree was in sight, calling to them with the promise of peace and safety.

"Hurry, kitten, hurry," he panted.

[winter_wisp]

Long gangly legs raced to keep up, and Winter gripped Phouka's hand tight as they raced to the tree, easily slipping through the illusion and wards that kept it hidden.

The moment they were in, Winter sealed it up tight, his hands trembling a little as he did the magic he knew by heart.

[phouka]

The Phouka stepped up behind him and rubbed Winter's shaky arms.

"We are home now," he said softly. "We are safe. Safe. And I will see to it that you remain safe for all your days."

[winter_wisp]

The trembling stopped slowly, and Winter exhaled a nervous breath.

"Phouka, I don't like them. ...I felt them before. I felt a strange breeze last time I grew, and it was this. It was this night. I felt it coming. ...And Aspid's shadow warned me that this was just the start."

[phouka]

The Phouka wrapped his arms around Winter completely and pulled the pixie to his chest. He had little understanding of visions, but he could see that Winter was upset.

"How can I help you?" he asked. "How can I ease your fears?"

[winter_wisp]

"You are already doing it, Phouka," Winter said softly, turning in Phouka's arms to face him. "We're so very different, but our hearts align just right, don't they? You help by being you, Phouka. You ease me by simply being."

Winter leaned into him then, resting his head on Phouka's shoulder.

"You are brave and kind, and full of love, Phouka. ...Those are all such wonderful things to be."

[phouka]

He lowered his head and laid his cheek against Winter's hair. Fingers danced lightly up and down the pixie's back.

"I think you are a wonderful thing. You bring me much joy. I always want to make you smile and pounce on me. I want to chase you, and kiss you, and sleep against your back every night," he said with eyes closed and a smile on his lips.

[winter_wisp]

"I want that too, Phouka. I want that too. I am the luckiest pixie to have you in my life. The luckiest. I can't believe I ever thought myself cursed- No cursed creature could ever be so fortunate," Winter whispered, squeezing Phouka tighter.

[phouka]

The Phouka dipped down to catch the curve of Winter's bum. He pulled him in, pulled him up, and he kissed him then. The Phouka took great delight in kissing Winter, and tonight with his blood running high it only seemed fitting to snog his love a bit in the safety of their home.

[winter_wisp]

The touch would have made a younger Winter panic- But this was Phouka, and this was home, and Winter moved with him as he pushed up onto his toes to kiss his love soundly.

[phouka]

The Phouka's lips were soft and the tip of his pink tongue teasing and light.. He breathed Winter in and let the very scent of the little pixie get him drunk.

"Ohh, I love you," he sighed softly. "Above all things, I love you most. More than food, more than hunting, more than sleep...I love you."

[winter_wisp]

"So many things to be cherished above," Winter whispered, so touched that he had no idea what to say for a long moment.

"My heart is ever yours, Phouka," he said finally. "Just yours."

[phouka]

Phouka kissed him then again, cradling his face and kissing him so deep that he stole Winter's breath while his own vanished itself.

When he let go, he was smiling fondly at him.

"We should pack. We can leave at dawn when the danger has passed."