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]

The Phouka's blood was hot, rushing through his veins. All around him were the bodies of little dead Unseelie.

"Yes, yes...I will take you home," he said, bouncing a bit as he stepped.

[winter_wisp]

"Phouka stabbed so many things. How many things do you think you stabbed tonight, Phouka?" Winter asked, doing his best not to look at all the wee corpses as he walked at Phouka's side.

[phouka]

"Many, many things," he replied proudly. "I am the best warrior and protector. I have protected many mortals tonight. Maybe even a hundred."

That was a gross exaggeration, but Phouka was quite proud of himself...and he wanted Winter's ballad to sing his praises very highly.

[winter_wisp]

"...Maybe," Winter agreed with a soft chuckle. "You were very mighty, Phouka. Very brave."

[phouka]

"The mightiest Phouka in all of London!" he replied. "My ballad will be glorious. Did you see how disciplined I was with my blade? And how fast? I was very fast."

[winter_wisp]

"The fastest," Winter nodded, slipping an arm around Phouka and keeping close the whole way home, happy to talk all about how talented and brave the other creature was.

[willysilver]

By the time they reached the tree, the Phouka was puffed up with praise. Hearing Winter tell him wonderful things made him swell with pride.

"It will be dawn soon," he said. "Then the war will end. I am sure we will be victorious."

[winter_wisp]

"You sound so sure," the pixie said softly. "I envy that, Phouka. I never feel sure about anything anymore, even when I say I do. I tell so many fibs."

[phouka]

The Phouka opened the door and waited for Winter to enter before closing it securely behind them and locking it tight. He laid his sword aside.

"Why do you do that?" he asked, then tilted his head. "Do you fib to me?"

[winter_wisp]

"I lie to everyone. Not big fibs, but little ones. Like when people ask if I'm OK, I say yes, even when the truth is no. ...I don't know why I do it though. I just do sometimes. I fib about me."

[phouka]

"I think that is a very mortal thing to do," The Phouka said. "Mortals say they are fine, but they seldom are. I read a think of the internet about it. It confused me."

[winter_wisp]

"People keep saying that. That I'm acting mortal," Winter said softly. "I don't know how I feel about that. Sometimes I think its good, but sometimes it makes me mad. ...And that isn't a fib, that's true, Phouka."

[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.