(A short introduction, to test the waters I guess)


He couldn't get out. He didn't mean to let the chest latch, but it pinched suddenly and he let go. Momma always said never to play in or around it, and he was a good boy; Ginger wouldn't think to look in here. He could hear her warning their parents would be back soon, and he'd be in big trouble if he didn't come out.

It felt like hours until she heard him, and finally came to his rescue. As she hugged him, held him and scolded, he felt the safest one could be.


Dust was cold. Under covers he was too, too hot. Fidget didn't let him out of bed. Nor did Avgustin, who'd carried him back to Aurora after he fell unconscious in the Meadow. Dust told them they needed to get to the Basin, they were running out of time, Gaius would kill them all. Ahrah took no side.

Dreams of Jin and hopeful times made him wish for endless sleep; innocence and believing his sister would protect him forever. But he knew he had to persevere, an entire race depended on it. And Ginger.

Avgustin was nervous too as the days rolled by with no sign of recovery, and four days passed before Dust snapped. "You know something I don't," he'd say, "It's happened, yeah? They're dead?!"

"Gaius' army hasn't moved, Dust. Ginger even sent medicine for you yesterday, she says not to overdo yourself. But you need to relax, worrying every minute won't help you get better."

"You're trying to delay me! Traitorous rat! I'll flay you alive!"

As he shouted, Fidget quickly came over to cradle his head, assuring him he was Dust and Dust was safe. He calmed after some minutes, head resting against her soft body. Before sleep took him, he heard an urgent knock.


Jin giggled as caught and released the butterflies in the garden, Ginger watching over him as she watered the flowers. He chased on particularly beautiful specimen until his chin smacked into a tall, dark fox's ribs. Terror filled him as he looked up, though the stranger was no aggressive.

They shared a gaze for several moments until Jin felt he was suffocating, blurting out "Not yet." Cassius wasn't in the story yet. But he just grinned softly, handing Jin the crushed remains of that beautiful butterfly.

"I was here longer than you thought, Genie." he purred, ruffling the younger boy's hair and tipping his hat to Ginger before walking away.

She didn't speak of this at supper, so he didn't.