Ok, so I've started a thing (yes the summary is horrible and doesn't nearly scratch the surface). This will be heavy on the Stydia, but I have to build the plot a bit first. You won't see any real interaction between the two until chapter 5. I'm not usually one for writing multi-chapter fluff lol. I'm a plot girl. Most chapters, every one I've written so far, will be from either Stiles or Lydia's POV, but given that this is sort my idea for 3b I'll probably add some POV chapters for the other characters simply to make the plot make sense lol.
I'm doing a ton of research, but a lot of things will be tweaked because I'm not exactly a Celtic Mythology Professor ok? Most things will be based in myth though, of that you can be sure.
Bonus: The Fox and the Crow is actually one of Aesop's Fables and it inspired me to start this. It'll make perfect sense eventually.
It was 6am on a Saturday, two days after the Darach incident, and Stiles was sitting on a patch of sidewalk outside of Deaton's office. Leaning his head back against the brick wall he shut his eyes tight, trying to rid himself of the nasty headache that he'd had since crashing his Jeep into a tree. His concussion had been mild and no one forced hospital time on him, which was always a bonus. Despite how much time he'd been spending there lately, Stiles hated hospitals.
His dad on the other hand was forced to spend the night, along with Ms. McCall and Mr. Argent. All three were home now and healthy, which he was more than thankful for.
"Mr. Stilinski," a familiar voice called as a shadow blocked out the sun from above, "I didn't realize that I would have the pleasure." Deaton's face was kind as he offered a hand up to the teenager.
"Yeah, well I didn't realize I was even coming here until I was here so…" Stiles replied as he brushed off the back of his pants.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to need to walk and talk. I have to get a few of the animals ready for an early pick up."
"No problem." His voice was slightly mumbled as he followed the older man into the office, but he didn't say much more. The reason his mind had brought him there wasn't lost on Stiles, he just didn't know how to bring it up.
Stiles Stilinski at a loss for words, it had to happen someday.
The minutes past and, instead of following when Deaton disappeared into the back, Stiles was passing the time in the waiting room. The room was quiet except for the soft tap of his sneakers on the floor.
"Stiles," Deaton started as he walked back into the room. While Stiles waited, the vet had exchanged his street coat for a white lab one. "If you're looking to have a conversation with me concerning recent events, I'd prefer it if you came into the back. Wouldn't want anyone overhearing."
"Oh, yeah sure." A moment later Stiles was leaning over a steel table with his head in his hands trying to put his thoughts into words.
"No need to be hesitant, I'm not surprised that you're here. I honestly expected you to come sooner-"
"Are you human?" the question slipped out before Stiles could stop himself, he needed the answer before he decided…
Deaton wasn't shocked or angry; the vet smiled in return, "I am."
"So, being a Druid that's not like...like whatever it was that happened to Scott or any of the other werewolves for that matter."
"No, no it isn't. I'm a Druid because of my ideals and beliefs. Last time I checked, I was still most definitely human."
"What about that spark crap that you told me when I had to use the mountain ash?" his words came out harsher than he meant them to. Stiles's nerves were shot and he was sick of putting up a front. "I mean, ideals and beliefs, that can't be all there is."
Deaton cleared his throat and leaned forward on the table across from the younger man, "For most that is all there is. It is a religion after all." For a moment, the vet seemed to think over his next words and leveled his gaze, "But for a few, there's a bit more to it."
Stiles sighed, straightened and took a slight detour on the subject matter, "You said what we did, it would draw things here. That it would darken our hearts…."
"I meant it. A ritual like that cannot be done without a cost."
"Will whatever's coming be drawn just to the town or…to us; me, Scott and Allison? I didn't exactly have a chance to read the fine print."
"I won't know for sure until it starts." Deaton replied as he took a step back and began to pace like a professor, "It could be that the energy created by the currents will conceal the darkness inside the three of you enough that you can get by unnoticed."
"I feel like a but should be in there somewhere." Stiles's humor fell flat as his heart raced.
The vet's eyes fell to the floor and the tone of his voice turned grave, "But, if that isn't the case, the three of you have turned yourselves into glorified monster magnets."
"That's…that's just wonderful."
"Desperate times…"
Stiles shook his head, "Ok, back to the Druid thing. How'd you know I could use the ashes? It's not like I've been walking around with a Druid bible or anything."
"Because I just knew. Of course there were signs, but this isn't an exact science. I will say that there are very few people who possess the strength of will and level of conviction that you have. I've watched you grow Stiles, I've seen you accomplish great things against fantastic odds. The only other person I've met like you is Scott and we both know how that's turned out."
A lump had formed in Stiles's throat and he fought to remove it before he next spoke, "Can you…can you teach me?"
For some reason, Deaton smiled and Stiles's kind of wanted to punch him. He finally understood how annoyed Luke must've been with Obi Wan or Yoda for that matter, "If you'd like, I don't see why not. Though, you should know that it won't be easy on you."
"Yeah well…desperate times. I mean, it's not exactly like I can rely on sarcasm forever."
"You've excelled at it so far." Deaton replied using equal amounts of sarcasm. "Now, while I promise that we can begin your lessons as soon as possible and I do understand that you would like a means to protect yourself, first you must realize that this won't be like the power Ms. Blake had been able to harness."
"Figures, the darkside usually has things a lot easier."
"Also, I can't teach you the magic without the religion. I'm sorry, but it's a pretty packaged deal. Though, I do believe I have something that might help you through it." Deaton left the room, not sure as to whether or not his should follow, Stiles put his hands in his pockets and stayed exactly where he was.
The teenager was just about to look for him when Deaton returned with what looked like an old set of journals, "These belonged to an old friend and I think they might assist in your studies."
Not bothering to hide his confusion, Stiles accepted the books the moment they were offered. The cover of the top book flipped open on its own and the name written neatly on the front page almost caused him to drop the stack in his hands.
Claudia Novak.
"I was asked to keep these incase a moment like this should present itself."
"You knew my mother?" Stiles asked with a thin voice and wide eyes.
"Claudia was my best friend and the most powerful priestess I'd ever known."
Reviews are like little butterflies that float around and tell me to keep working lol