Hello, there are 3 terms you will need to know in this story.
Vastaya- a species of humanoid creatures (people with animal features)
Rakan- a name
Xayah- a name
I'm a first-time fanfiction writer, but please give me constructive responses. It'd be nice if you DON'T give me the benefit of the doubt just because it is my first time. Also please leave an overall rating.
Day 72,
Work has become easier. The changing rhythm of the feathers and the music builds as my footsteps grow larger and larger. The bold dark shadow of the bar has always been my home. Ever since I started doing these part-time shows at the bar, I've found a place called home. The year has been another peaceful one without any casualties among the Vastaya people. The war has been going on for years, yet we as a race have never been involved. Among today's crowd are the usual beggar, the monkey ear gambler, the rooster winged singer, and the ever silent bird. As I glance through the crowd, I spot another figure in the back of the shadows. Rusty steel armor with a long ax. As I cast my occasional glance over the crowd, I could tell that he was sneaking glances at the silent bird. The music was starting to come to a close and my show was almost over. As I finished my last move, I saw the silent bird leave the bar followed slowly by the hunched figure with the ax. My suspicions heightened as the I saw that the figure had no Vastaya resemblance. What was a human doing here? I quickly was drawn by curiosity and flitted to the boss.
"Boss, I'll be leaving now!" I yelled as I quickly grabbed by the cape and bolted out the door.
"See you tomorrow!" Boss said as she was cleaning the dishes with her pincers.
As I exited the bar, a rush of cold night air blasted into my face. I scanned the streets for the human. As I looked at the end of the street, I saw the glimpse of a steel boot heading into an alley. I ran to the alley opening to see the human walking behind the silent bird, following at a distance. Very suspicious. He lifted his ax as he walked so that there would be no sound. I didn't like the aura of danger that radiated from him, but I could not leave for insatiable curiosity dwelled within me. I started to fly upwards, allowing the heavy breeze to carry me upwards until my feet glanced off the rooftops. I crept forwards following the human and bird. All of a sudden, the bird glanced my direction. As she turned around, I saw the big sharp purple eyes of a bird. I saw her dark glossy hair flowing down the side of her neck as her eyes started to squint at the rooftops. Her dark purple wings started to rise as she prepared to launch herself into the air. I saw that she had daggers strapped to the underside of her wings. It was then he attacked. The human charged out of the darkness preparing to swing his ax at her. She snapped her gaze from my hiding spot to look in surprise at him. She was too slow as the ax started to swing through the air.
Slice!
I had to react. As my right side was bleeding, I realized that I could not feel my right wing. I looked upwards to see that she was looking in horror at me. That's when it hit me, I was flung upwards into the sky with the hilt of the ax as the man swung at her. I hit the wall and collapsed. I tried to keep my eyes open when he swung at her again.
"Look out!" I screamed in a panic.
She looked at me for a split second and then, her wings unfurled. She took off into the sky with daggers flying. She shot daggers at the man in astonishing speed. The man held his ground, though not without getting pierced by some of the daggers.
"For Noxus!" The man yelled as he threw his ax at her.
She soared higher, but not without being hooked first. The ax caught on one of her wings.
Rip!
I watched in blind horror as her left wing was ripped off. She started to waver and in a last attempt to stay aloft, she spun, releasing a whirlwind of blades flying at the man. He started to laugh as the feathers glanced harmlessly past him until he looked into her eyes. She swept her hands in a circle and with astonishing speed, the daggers implanted themselves on the man from behind. I watched as both of them collapsed. I tried to get myself closer to help the girl, but that's when I felt the emptiness. My right wing was gone. All I felt was the pain and blood. I spotted my wing in front of the girl's body and I crawled to the best of my ability over. Every step I took, the pain was blinding. Wings were the core of a bird as a lung is a human. As I reached the girl's I saw that she was awake with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her left wing was gone. Ripped from her body. I knelt down next to her.
"Your wings…" she said as she choked on tears.
"I know. He's dead." I say slowly trying not to harm her feelings.
"You saved me… at what cost," she said.
"Well, I couldn't allow someone to be murdered without a fight," I say.
"You don't even know me." she said through tears.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you. We can protect each other ya know. I have a left wing, you have a right wing. We could be a team…" I suggest with a smile. It didn't reach my eyes. I tried to think of anything that would make her stop crying. It made me feel queasy.
"Nice joke." she said sadly.
"It's fine, I can stop the blood." I plucked a feather from my remaining wing as I winced in pain. I started singing the lullaby my mother used to sing. As more words flew out, the feather started to glow a light green. The more I continued to chant, the less pain I felt. I looked upwards to see her purple eyes gazing at me. When my song ended, I saw that a tear escaped from her eyes. I wiped her tear away and brought her into a gentle hug.
"It's fine. We are two parts of a bird. If you need anything come back to me." I whispered.
She nodded her head. Her hood fell down to reveal fox ears.
"I never got to introduce myself. If you need anything go find Rakan." I say.
"Rakan." she said.
"Do you want help with something?" I say.
"No no. My name is Xayah. I am indebted to you for saving my life." she said.
"There is no need, I acted on instinct. I couldn't let a maiden like you get killed could I?" I say as I wink.
"Well if you're gonna be a jerk about it, nevermind. Hmph!" She says as she turns out of our hug and walks away into the darkness. Her right wing hanging without the left.
"Xayah," I say. I will remember that name.
"Xayah…."
Day 128,
The weeks after the incident had been a struggle, the most endearing were the questions. Boss never could give me a break about what happened. I told her it was just an accident, but she was like, "Well you ain't no fool to get cut from an accident." It was all I could do to avoid the questions as I had never seen Xayah again. My dancing had been a bit hard, but I was given permission to use charms to attract a crowd. Now my title was, Rakan, The One-Wing Charm. I always got a large crowd, but no matter how much I searched, I could never find her. I expected today to be no different until I recognized the fox ears of Xayah. I glanced over them at first not comprehending the truth, but as I finished my dance I got a good look to confirm that it was Xayah. I started to prepare the couples dance and when the crowd realized it was time for the dance, they started grabbing partners and moving onto the stage. As the music started, I stepped off the crowded stage and made my way to Xayah's hunched figure.
"What do you want?" Xayah said.
"Oh nothing, I haven't seen you in a while that's all. So how are you doing babe?" I say wiggling my eyebrows.
"One, don't hit on me. Two, Don't call me babe. Three, I'm fine. I only came here to check on you and it seems you're doing fine." Xayah quietly says.
"Oh come on, well anyways, join me for a dance," I say.
"No thanks. I don't flit around." Xayah says.
"Are you sure? I have a whole mob of girls who would die to get asked by me I'll have you know." I say.
"Well, I'd rather die than be in your stupid fan club. First, I told you don't hit on me. Second, I'll be leaving now." Xayah says.
She stands up and starts to walk away, but I instinctively grabbed her arm. As I grabbed her arm, an indescribable feeling swept over me. Longing and something more.
"Stay. Please join me." I say as she turns around.
"Let go, I don't need or want to dance. I only do things I must." Xayah says bitterly.
She pulls her arm away and runs out the door. I wanted to chase after her.
"I'll be leaving now. I'll come early tomorrow." I yell at Boss.
"Sure thing, you get her Rakan!" Boss says as she is changing songs.
"Thanks, Boss!" I say as I hurry out the door.
A cool spring breeze blew by as the clouds covered the sky like a tapestry. I saw Xayah sitting on a bench nearby. She looked a bit sad and depressed. I started to walk towards her.
"What now?" Xayah said.
"Nothing," I said as I came from behind and wrapped my arms around her.
"Enjoying the view?" I say.
"Sure. Without my left wing has been hard. I can no longer do my job. I was fired." Xayah said slowly.
"What was your job?" I asked.
"A messenger. I was a messenger for the kingdom," she said as she laid her head on my arms.
"You know, maybe I'll start over on a new life? I could go journey out into Runeterra and fight for innocent people. I don't want people to get harmed like I was. I could make a name for myself." Xayah said.
"If you do that, then I'll come with you. I'm known to be amazing company." I say
smiling.
"You know, I don't mind going alone. You could be anything you want why would you come with me?" Xayah said.
I leaned my head against her ears.
"Because I feel like it. Because I could be anything I want, I'll be your left wing man." I say as I wink.
"Funny," Xayah said.
She sighed and slowly nodded to sleep against my arm.
"Don't worry, you can always count on me," I whisper.
In the fading sun, I saw the faintest signs of a smile form.
Day 154,
Xayah and I met more frequently over the past few days. I would take her shopping for gear. All I wanted was her company. Her eyes, her hair, her everything. If she said that she would jump off a cliff, I would follow her. My head would be filled with my moments with her. Even the traumatic evening when we met.
"You okay?" Boss said.
I snapped my head up to realize that the food I was preparing was getting burnt.
"Nah I'm fine. Sorry Boss." I say, flustered for my mistake.
"Lemme guess, it's a girl, isn't it. That pretty bird lady that you chased after?" Boss says.
"Yeah… is it that obvious?" I say.
"Well, you chase after her every time she comes to see you, you are sloppy about your work because you keep daydreaming, and both of you are missing wings. Definitely not a coincidence." Boss says as she continues to prep the rum.
"We are just friends that's all," I say blushing.
"Okay honey, I see love when I know it so you better know it too. You like her so tell her that. Or else your work will get sloppy and I'll have to fire my best employee." she says.
"I'm not in love," I say flustered, "I'm also your only employee."
"Well sonny, don't miss out on love. You better get her before it's too late." Boss says. "You know what, go find her today and confess to her. I'll take over today." Boss says sassily.
The thought of telling Xayah that I loved her was beyond legendary. She was just so perfect, and amazing.
"Boss, but I don't know where to find her. I'll just be rambling around town." I say.
"Well, that ain't none of my problem," Boss said.
"Fine. I'll go tell her." I say.
I was starting to get excited over this. What should I tell her? I hurried out the door grabbing my cape. I started to run over town looking for her. She was nowhere to be found. The riverbank, the bridge, under the tower, in the park. Nowhere. I sat defeated on a bench waiting for the night to come as the sun faded away. The river only meters away. A scent of jasmine wafted through the air. I felt two hands wrap themselves around my neck.
"Hello. Whatcha doing here?" Xayah says.
"Looking for you," I say gently.
"For me? Why?" Xayah says.
I saw her puzzled face next to me. As a hint of understanding shown on her face.
"Do you have everything ready? To leave?" Xayah asks.
"No. I came for more. Xayah, be my right wing. Be the ocean as I am land, be the night as I am the sun. Be my half. I love you and I ask to journey with you." I say with red flushing to my cheeks.
Xayah had a startled looked as the truth settled into her.
"Why me?" Xayah said.
Why that is the question. Because I find that even though you are quiet, you are a loving person who is willing to explore the world.
"Because you are you. Everything is perfect with you. So be my lover." I say.
Xayah thinks for a moment. Her eyes dart to the side as she fiddles her fingers. A hint of a blush appears on her cheeks.
"I think I should tell you this, I like you too." she says obviously flushed and nervous.
"So are we one bird?" I ask as I bring her into a hug.
"Yes."
