Disclaimer: We, Mic Mic and Eva, do not own Tangled or Rise of the Guardians. If so there would be a Jackunzel island for our OTP to live on forever. This is a collab story by puppiescute a.k.a. Mic Mic and Eva Maverx, incase you couldn't already guess. We hope you enjoy :)
Moonstrokes of agony crept across burdened forms, trembling and reaching for something they didn't even know they wanted to attain. Hazy words curled in the air as sun drops flickered out now useless as darkness erupted out the words. "Death is too forgiving for you children."
-Sun Kingdom-
"Are you scared Rapunzel?"
A woman of young mind and a deceiving look of young body lay half swallowed in an ocean of flowers, watched the spirals of orange, red and yellow streak across the bruised sky. Two circles of emerald reflected the burning heavens while full pink lips mouthed nonexistent words to imaginary songs. Glowing blonde hair swept in it's continuous liquid motion within the air, never stilling or settling from it's loops and spirals as gravity could never touch it. Between fingers she rolled the burning ember pollen of a nearby blossom, bringing it closer to hear their faint crackling then blowing the hot ash onto a passing breeze. A hot breath of the star's air swept the entire field, taking a colony of flaming debris up to the sky. It was beautiful, always had been since she was young and imagined them as tiny lanterns like the ones on Earth, but it did not calm her today. Her very being was vibrating with premonition as she finally replied.
"No."
Petals rustled beside her as paler and shorter blonde wisps of hair tangled with her own looming cloud and she glanced to her younger sister, smiling at the face only she described as fresh as a raindrop. She'd said it, one day that felt like eons ago, after a long several days of Earth-gazing with another sister and it seemed to just fit. The others scoffed asking how she could have the slightest guess as to what a raindrop could be like. But nothing could deter her, adoring the younger sister enough to gift her with something unique in words.
"I'm excited, Prim."
Prim smiled, small and sweet like herself, tracing fingers upon a nearby glowing petal before announcing her true feelings in a pathetic sigh and an ever more pathetic complaint that Rapunzel saw right through.
"I'll miss drawing with you; you'll be skipping at least several dozen lessons."
Laughing she grasped one of Prim's delicate hands in a loving manner, but the girl still pouted. Refusing to raise the clear blue eyes that still held every ounce of innocence she was born with.
"As if you still need me. You've gotten so much better. And you'll still have Alice and Cinder to practice with."
Prim looked up slowly and revealed a tiny but honest playful grin, "You know she hates it when you call her that."
Rolling her eyes, Rapunzel waved a free hand dismissively around her floating hair while matching with her own grin; one that came from being grateful Prim's mood had perked. "Fine. Ella then."
Another giggle and Prim had curled up into a small ball against Rapunzel's side, resting a soft warm cheek upon their clasped hands. "You're halfway there. But anyway, they're not as good as you."
"Don't tell Alice - she prides herself in her wonderland concepts. I'd like to see you try and make up a world as creative as hers from scratch." Rapunzel chastised in anything but a serious manner, yet Prim had the mind to blush at her unintentional affront.
"Maybe I'll gaze with Ariel. I'm not as obsessed with Earth as she is, but at least that way I'll be with another insatiable daydreamer."
"Why I'm insulted!" Rapunzel gasped hysterically before they dissolved into gleeful laughter.
The flowers gave telltale sounds of someone approaching, crunching and crackling in protest as the person sprinted towards the resting girls. When they grew closer a voice was able to be heard over the whispers of the several thousand tiny fires.
"Rapunzel!"
Hearing her name the young woman rose carefully on her elbows to discover whoever was calling her, Prim only interested enough to slightly turn her head. Indifferent at first until the messenger came into clearer view through thick heated air. Rapunzel clamored onto her knees as the individual slowed to her side. A bated breath was held by the newly arrived blonde until rouge lips smiled and she nodded eagerly down to her sister.
"He's coming."
Rapunzel shrieked in delight, feet not getting her up fast enough to tear across the field. Behind her a literal blazing trail followed her wake when the hearty length of hair whipped about to keep up. The arrived blonde huffed in annoyance, but more affection, before helping Prim up, and they both followed the now distant speck of running light.
"It's really time Aurora?" Prim asked up to the taller woman, looping a thin arm into the crook of Aurora's offered one, her timid voice not holding any of the usually infectious buzz it took from being around Rapunzel.
Aurora smiled knowingly down at Prim, patting the shaking hand upon her arm kindly to try and disperse the younger girl's worries.
"She'll be fine Primrose."
~l~
Except for Prim and a scant few others, Rapunzel was younger than most of her sisters, by several centuries, and it showed in her juvenile bounding that wasn't encumbered by her flowing gown. The closer she drew to the large gathering of women around the colossal white dome the faster her heart raced; it was finally her turn.
On the star inhabited by only daughters the occasional arrival of a man was a bit of a spectacle to them. It wasn't that they didn't know what men were; they were aware and saw the engaging difference in their bodies. The viewing of a man in person was fleeting on the sun, most would simply gander at the blue-green planet for a small peek if they were terribly curious. But living a life that warranted no desire or reason for a man, like it did on the far away Earth, made their interest merely that of curiosity for the anomaly. So when their scheduled male arrived it was a sight that a decent amount the sun's inhabitants gathered to merely observe with mild appeal. And it was this crowd that Rapunzel was trying to work through as quickly and courteously as possible.
Passing in the wide array of exemplary white below a vast sea of scarlets, ambers, corals, and honeys Rapunzel smiled and nodded politely to every sister that wished her well and gave blessings. A few were placing the trademark blooms in her long hair that she'd become so well known for.
Two reached and stopped her, imploring hands twining long sun fibers into her hair with loving touches while rattling off on what their trips had been like. Both had matching sets of living lustrous yellow locks and bright blue eyes that had aged longer than hers. One known for her dramatic antics had decorated gold on her lips, eyes, arms and a revealing chest in simple but attention catching patterns. Rapunzel wondered fleetingly if it was to attract the male's attention; which to her knowledge had never been done in his years of service. The other, known more for her kindly demure, yet clumsy posture left her white gown almost untouched in adornments, opting for distinct two round buns spinning light ribbons from her head. Once finished with Rapunzel's hair they each clasped one of her hands and Rapunzel beamed in gratitude for the decorative braids.
"Thank you Mina, Serena."
"When you return you'll have to spend at least several orbits with us. With your curiosity I know you'll be only one to share into Mina's fascination with the Moon's son."
"I'm not fascinated!" Mina hissed, her grip tightening on Rapunzel's hand, who said nothing but smiled along with Serena at Mina's defense.
"He was just so...different."
"Of course he's different Mina. He's a he." Serena teased.
"It's was more than that. There was something...sad about him."
Before Rapunzel could question what Mina meant, a shock wave of sound broke over their heads signaling the arrival of Rapunzel's pick up. Knowing her sister's meant well, but overcome with her restlessness Rapunzel quickly kissed each their cheeks. Giving thanks for their attention and slipping her hands away, easing back into the crowd before they could speak.
Once at the cusp of the gathering Rapunzel wanted to be surprised to see Aurora already standing there, waiting patiently with a white wrap in her arms, but of all her sisters Aurora was the best at predicting her.
"I've packed everything you'll need. You may feel weak a couple weeks in so there's some cibus that should last you the entire cycle."
"Thank you."
Holding the soft bundle to her chest Rapunzel drew her sister into an embrace, holding a touch longer to ask quietly in her ear. "Tell me again."
"Rapunzel, you'll be there shortly."
"I know but please." Aurora began to pull away but Rapunzel held tight now to plead.
"Please Briar Rose."
It was the nickname that did her in and trying to keep a firm resolve was pointless now as she was known to being a constant victim of Rapunzel's sweet imploring face. Aurora gazed off thoughtfully, her fingers taking comforting residence in Rapunzel's hair, dragging out the molten strands like she did her silence for as long as she could before softly speaking.
"It's quiet. And it's cold."
"What's it like being cold?"
Wanting to shake the eagerness out of the younger girl, Aurora sighed heavily instead. "I've told you, you'll find out when you get there."
"Please."
"It's like..." Aurora motioned her hands obscurely in the air while trying to conjure the right phrase. "It's like a stinging burn you can't control. It doesn't hurt...but it's, uncomfortable."
After that she shook her head and didn't speak, no matter how imploring Rapunzel tried to look, she made it clear there'd be no further walking in those memories. This was the typical response from her sisters when questioned about their moon cycle. She'd hoped being closer to Aurora would gain more access to this information they all kept locked away, but no such luck was to be had for her. Not one had ventured any more than simple stating they didn't like it on the moon.
Being guided to another group that wanted a few final words, she tried to keep her gaze straight ahead, but the curiosity was always her enemy and she glanced quickly to the left.
It was the shooting star; Night Fury. Throughout her life she'd caught glimpses of it countless times, so maybe the fact it was here for her this day made it more glorious than usual to look upon.
An absolute creature of ebony scales that glittered of greens, blues and purples under the glow from the crowds of daughters. Folded into its sides she saw the outline of large wings, her heart beat a litter faster in anticipation of seeing them open with her upon its back. A large flat head garnished in horns and curious ears never moved but eyes like green fire watched the surroundings in silent intelligence.
Walking away from her last goodbyes, she didn't remember what Odette said, what Stasia lectured or what Jean warned her about. Everything cluttering her mind dissolved with each placement of her foot towards the star.
Behind it there was a glimpse of the man who handled the star, he seemed to be talking to a sister, one with a spiral cloud of red. As Rapunzel came into the clearing he turned about and instantly she thought, even layered in wraithlike dusky amour that compared to the star, he had a sweet face. Not at all what she expected from the famed rider, but it made it easier for her to approach him without fidgeting too nervously.
He glanced behind him quickly, as if looking for the red head, she'd disappeared already, before straightening his posture. His horned helmet was taken off so he could bow in respect which she returned with a practiced curtsy. Straightening themselves, there was a moment of unclear awkward silence but she broke it with giggles that let him give a darling boyish smile.
"So it's your turn..." he trailed off openly with his eyes, that she noted were a bold green, asking the apparent question.
"Rapunzel." she nodded.
"Rapunzel. I'm Haddock. But you can call me Hiccup if you want, it sounds less intimidating."
Not being able to stop the next round of giggles she was pleased he didn't seem offended, even laughing with her till the amusement died down. Stepping around he laid a hand on the Night Fury's nose that at the touch melted into the man, nuzzling with amorous affection that helped lift Hiccup onto its back. Rapunzel was going to blame her firing nerves on the laugh she sputtered this time, even though seeing that the star's terrifying looks were deceiving of its abundant fondness for the man was adorable in her opinion. Once settled solidly around the creature's shoulders, Hiccup motioned at the head that was pinning her with its profoundly sharp green.
"This is Toothless."
"Tooth...less?" she trailed off with raised eyebrows watching at Hiccup's encouragement the wide outline of its mouth upturned to reveal shiny empty pink gums in an oddly charming smile.
"Long story, but he's tame, I promise." he shook his head, a grin that spoke of past intents flittering on his lips, and gave the large head a firm stroke. "It's time to go, are you ready?"
She nodded frantically before even doing a mental check of if that was actually true, even if not there wasn't anything she wasn't willing to leave without if it meant departing this very second.
Offering a single arm for her to grasp with both hands she was surprised how effortlessly he pulled her up in one fluid motion behind him. Straddling the coarse scales felt strange so she prompted her downy skirt to grow long enough that it'd cushion softly. If the gown's added bulk bothered Hiccup he didn't voice it, only quirked an eyebrow and smiled as he turned to say,
"I need you to hang on real tight okay? And don't worry about the sparks, they don't hurt."
There was a small fluttering in her chest that started when she pressed into his flat back, the contact triggering small bursts of white and purple lights on the obsidian armor. True to his word they didn't hurt, instead favoring to delight the open skin of her arms as they circled around his abdomen.
With her parcel stashed firmly between their bodies Rapunzel took one final lingering glance into the crowd, instantly finding the sheepish eyes of Primrose and tender smile of Aurora. Her own smile was blinding back, enough to ebb away a little of the worry around Primrose's mouth and let her return it in fractions. As the sisters combined voices of farewells collected into a crescendo Rapunzel's vision was abruptly blocked by rising curtains of webbed black that stretched skyward.
By the time she realized what they were, Hiccups quiet words "Let's go buddy" sent the wings snapping down and they took off from the ground in an earsplitting boom.
Her head snapped back on her neck and her fingers hooked into the armors creases as they hurled upwards, each beat of wings gained momentum. A gravely howl encompassed them and just as she wondered why Toothless would be making such a cry she realized the roar wasn't coming from him, but them as they pierced into space. Everything blurred into a spiral of ink dotted in small white streaks, when enough strength came that let her look behind and saw her home a ball of fiery orange no bigger than a fist.
Soon the roaring faded down, quelling into a thrumming purr against her body, and then it was quiet. So very quiet except for the occasional stroke that kept them propelling onwards. When she finally dared to look around the sight took her breath away in one powerful sweep. Her molten gold a spiraling banner so stark in the vacuum of space she was actually dazed with its sight.
Tentatively reaching out she brushed her fingers along Toothless's wide baring back near a wing's muscular root. "He's amazing..." She wonderingly said, not missing the slight ruffle of his head that let her spy a flicker of clever green and the curl in his mouth's corner. Hiccup watched the gesture with caution until Toothless's ear's twitched in pleasure and he smiled at her then gave a firm pat against the star's side.
"That he is."
Time faded in irrelevance, they'd been soaring in countless hours or she'd merely blinked a second but either way when she looked up a faint sphere was growing into view. Her heart stuttered the larger it grew that by the time they landed soundlessly on the desolate gray surface Hiccup remarked in a chuckle, "You okay back there? I can feel your heart racing from here."
Her head bobbled in a light affirmation while her mind was still wrapping around the foreign surroundings, and that it could be deathly quiet, yet the silence itself was deafening. For an immeasurable distance all she saw was dusty empty white littered in stones and the longer she looked the heavier her stomach pitted.
"Where's the ice?"
"It's still the eclipse. In a few hours it'll be a full moon again and you'll see the ice then."
"How? Where does it come from?"
He smiled at the questions that stroked her excitement back to full swing, a twinkle in his eye that he refused to reveal to her any more than a tepid, "You'll see."
A short walking distance from them was her temporary den for the following months; a temple fashioned in materials taken from the sun. She had an urge to inspect it but that dwindled against her raging curiosity that caught sight of a distance sharp structure. Squinting, all she was able to determine was its daunting height and jagged edges imploring towards the spacious sky. Before she could inquire of her escort about the tower's purpose, he congratulated Toothless for another successful ride and swung his legs over.
Hiccup hopped off first with an ease that Rapunzel envied but didn't dare copy, her body still vibrated like jelly from the abrupt landing. But he was ever the gentleman by turning and offering arms which she gratefully fell into so he could set her daintily on her feet. The instant bare toes touched the cool sand she yelped, startling Hiccup enough he wrapped her in his arms, fearing she was hurt or about to fall. But she started laughing and wiggled to be released. Confused but accommodating, he did so, watching bemusedly as she did some kind of sporadic jig on the balls of her feet that kicked up spurts of white sand. Each bounce prompted a small amused sound that he found quirky adorable; most others were cursing the frigid moon and slinking into the shrine's glowing warmth.
"Might want to put on your shoes soon."
She nodded in a way he could tell no real listening was happening, the gleeful sun daughter too fascinated with the sensations in her chilly feet. He chuckled, lightly touching her goose bump riddled arm to get her attention as he pointed off their far left.
"You'll find him over there; I'm apologizing for him in advance because he's not really one for warm welcomes."
Before she could inquire further, Toothless's scales rustled, a few standing on end while his pupils shrunk to slits and Hiccup gave a comforting pat along his side. "That's our cue to leave. It was a pleasure meeting you."
He looked back to Rapunzel and said, "Be nice to him okay?" his smile small as he vaulted back atop Toothless and they were gone with a sonic boom on giant black wings.
Left alone to her own devices Rapunzel, stood a little bewildered for a moment, wondering exactly what she was supposed to do before walking towards the shrine. Just one step in and it felt like home, warmth drove away any chill that had followed her being.
It was comforting and nice, but she wasn't interested in the least. Leaving her bundle among a throw of pillows she raced back into the cold; the abrupt change of temperature making her skin dance. She enjoyed the delightful prickles before heading in the direction Hiccup had instructed, towards a large accumulation of stone like structures.
Along the way she savored in every flitter and stutter at her feet and the nip in the air. Why did every sister complain about this? It was like her skin was alive for the first time. Approaching the stones she spotted a slip of a person in blue and silver resting atop a tall pillar, idly spinning a long staff in his fingers. She stared for a while, waiting for him to acknowledge her, but when it seemed that was a wistful thought, she cleared her throat loudly and called out,
"Hello?"
Finally he looked down, staring for a few spare moments before tapping his staff and literally floating off the rock. Watching him was breathtaking for her, moving with a grace she'd never seen before. The closer he got the more she drank his appearance in eagerly until he landed right in front of her.
She had seen men on Earth, and caught glimpses of the few other male shooting stars, but none of them had prepared her for this amazing creature that was daunting her senses.
If her lightly tinted skin and gleaming hair were the epitome of the sun than his white hair rivaling her dress and pale complexion were perfect to match for the crystal themed globe. Vaguely in the back of her head a small voice teased, sounding disturbingly like Mina, that both were the most breathtaking sights she'd ever seen.
With a stoic cobalt gaze and lean face that curved into a strong jawline she felt a queer curl within her pit as she acknowledged he'd easily be considered handsome in anyone's standards.
He was tall enough her neck had to yield back in the slightest to take in his entire physique, that was frozen in its prime like hers. A crocked staff that rounded off a foot above his head clutched in one hand and his body leaned naturally into it. His skin was paler than she thought possible, it didn't look odd but rather striking with an ashen tint. White tufts of hair that she believed glittered like the frost she'd seen so long ago spiked out from underneath the thick hood of his cloak. Robed in a deep blue shirt and trousers, lines of silver trailing along the seams, he seemed to appear the part of lunar royalty well enough.
For a moment she thought he sparkled naturally, but focusing long enough she saw edges of his clothes were trimmed in tiny branches of frost. The clothing he wore left his arms bare. Instead dark brown wrappings encased his lean forearms. Following the lines of his legs, seeing the same ties covered his calves, she had to squish a giggle when seeing he was barefoot. He said nothing for a while, examining her with more caution than she warranted before drawling,
"Your hair."
~l~
The frustrated moon spirit lounged upon an empty collection of stone, his gaze teetering out into the distance for the ever annoying shine that was to come. A new moon cycle meant he had to consort with those girls from the sun. Such things were right up there with listening to his father nag, and wearing stuffy royal attire. Either one was usually preferable to conversing with the mildly uptight women of the sun.
As she grew closer he played the part perfectly of being utterly ignorant to her existence. Even from the top of his rock her warmth tingled along his skin with the faintest touch; it irked him to no ends. Still he stared up into the black sky, wondering to himself how much longer she'd wait for him to acknowledge her. He'd played this game before and he held a winning streak against the other daughters; always fun to watch them huff off like the spoiled brats they were. Finally she made some sort of noise and called out,
"Hello?"
'That's new' he thought, mostly they just hide in their little haven the moment of touch down and aren't seen from ever again; he wasn't keen on breaking routine. A little grumpy he had to accept that she was there, but also a touch intrigued by her, he slowly titled his head downwards. He dragged out a few more moments of lethargy by simply staring at her.
Standard sun daughter appearance of a spotless white gown, specks of gold adorning her shoulders down the abdomen and weightless kindle hair. What startled him a pinch, and only because it was something even he knew wasn't normal for the women, was her hair. He had to blink several times to make sure his vision was correct in seeing that her molten hair trailed an absurd length behind her.
Tapping his staff he floated agilely downwards, landing perfectly on his toes purposely closer to her than he would to try and warrant a startle. If she was alarmed she did a bang up job of hiding it, keeping a pristine smile in place. A little bit more he became intrigued; it had been a while since one of them had the courage to come this close and stay longer than a few seconds.
She was beautiful, of course, skin colored with glow, spacious emerald eyes, a slim body wrapped in the regal gown. What was bothering him most was her hair. All daughters had hair that defied gravity, it flowed as if submerged in water and never settled from its constant motion. Hers was a shade of gold he hadn't seen before, perhaps a little brighter and more of a match for the gold light he saw some the distant sun. The kicker to him was it was long.
Like really long. Watching it sway in the air he was having a hard time finding the end. And the longer he stared, the more it bothered him.
"Your hair."
"What about it?"
He squinted his eyes to stop the mocking roll they craved to do. Of course her voice would chime like freakin' insatiable bells around his ears; everything about this woman was working against his tenacious resolve. So to ease a bit of the mounting tension gathering at his spine's base, he slipped into his characteristic charm.
"It's preposterously long."
"You say it as if I'm not aware of that. It is attached to my head you know." she smiled, but he didn't return it, keeping his amusement for the girl's slight wit to himself.
"How do you get around with it?"
"Well," she chuckled; pink flesh that he was becoming wary of pursing to let her speak. "It does float. And it doesn't weigh anything." In example she grasped a handful and offered it to him but he made no move to touch it, though he wouldn't deny to himself that interest was piqued. He'd always wondered what it felt like.
He said nothing for a while, then hopped back several feet, the whole movement in a slow delayed motion as he floated down and bent in a deep, if not exaggerated, bow. An engrained curtsy worked her hands to gather handfuls of fluff and dipped her back skillfully forward; she looked as enthused of doing formalities as he did.
"On behalf of the moon, I welcome you for your lunar cycle. I trust you have seen your quarters?"
She nodded mutely, obviously unsure of him and the stuffy attitude, looking a little sullen. If she was expecting hour long intellectual conversations and guided tours of his home, well he's more than eager to pop that fantasy bubble.
"Everything should be in order."
"Were you not supposed to be waiting for my arrival by the shrine?" It didn't sound condescending, merely curious like those annoying green pools that were having a field day looking him over.
"This is me waiting; it's just lost some finesse over the past couple hundred years." Propping his head on a hand resting against the staff he asked dryly, "Were you wanting something grander?"
"No," she mumbled, a deep flush rising on the apples of her cheeks while small hands gripped a less rebellious handful of hair in a habit he could guess was a natural quirk for her. Watching her do the mind-numbingly simple task of stroking the favored section in her hands, an abnormal tightening of his body signaled him; he was done fraternizing for the day and probably the rest of her visit.
"Enjoy your stay." he stated with a practiced spin of his staff, then tapping it to the ground and lifting off into a howl of wind before she could say another word.
~l~
Alone once again, Rapunzel was left standing, the events of the past few minutes seeping in, and watching the figure fade smaller and smaller into the sky 'til all she saw was the black sky dotted in ethereal white lights. It was all so very surreal she had to blink rapidly a few times to concur that she was indeed on the moon. While she was beyond dazzled by each new sight, touch and sound so far, meeting the moon's son felt very...anti-climatic.
She'd been dreaming about coming to the moon since the very first time Aurora had come back from her cycle. Her sister had surrounded herself in as much sisterly warmth as possible, and when Rapunzel went to embrace a silver glimmer caught her eyes. Hidden in the delicate layers of Aurora's golden hair was a single glistening flake that had escaped it's holders notice. Yet just as Rapunzel's fingers reached to touch the frail beauty melted, the small drop now warm and quickly evaporated against her skin. Ever since then the mesmerizing design had never strayed from her mind. She yearned to not only see the fabled frost but to touch it.
And no bewitching anti-social boy was going to ruin this for her. So following the direction he'd propelled off to she eventually happened upon a cavern that was carved from the ground in a mixture of stone and frozen crystals.
As something new, she felt her vague fear should be a little stronger at the ominous sharp edges that reached out to her from the entrance. But when she entered and her natural light reflected upon each clear surface the chamber burst into white light freckled in an array of colors. It was beautiful; she twirled several fanciful times until a voice echoed above her.
~l~
He was relaxing in one of the several dozen hiding places he kept secret from his father and the court; escape routes were always needed for the days he was called into stuffy ordeals. High on a ledge deep within one of many caverns he'd created, he rested, letting his mind clear away the small disturbances from just before. The edges of complete blissful diversion brought on by his shadowed haven were shattered when a shock of white light pierced against his eyelids . Startled he straightened up, rubbing the dull pain in his eyes, then rolled onto his stomach so he could peer over the hiding place's edge, and a heavy stupor took over.
Seriously? ...seriously? She followed him? What was with this girl? And why was she spinning in circles?
"What are you doing here?" He wasn't trying to sound threatening but when she only tensed and turned curiously towards him, he huffed that she didn't flee like all the others when seeing him past the first greetings. Running like small prey, truly believing he would actually harm them. And while it was amusing to watch them scurry in froufrou dresses, it still irked him that they ran.
"Am I not allowed to be here?" Brought back with her question, his mouth stopped mid-word and considered her own, because it was a question he'd never been asked, and his tone wavered in that unsure feeling.
"No...but you usually don't venture this far from the sanctum."
"Me?"
"Sun daughters. They've only stayed inside their little sanctuary because it's cold outside." Rolling his eyes, he flipped off the cliff's edge, slicing through the air to land agilely a tempting distance from her.
"I like the cold."
"You...like the cold?" He spoke slowly, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop in her bizarre statement, flicking his eyes around to avoid connecting with her unwavering gaze. Why did it feel so intense?
"Yes."
"Well you won't like it for much longer. The novelty always wears off." Bitterness dripped across every syllable, thick from years of buildup and now with an outlet standing before him it felt childish against the remarkably unmoved smile. Was she forever in this constant state of...perkiness?
"How? It's wonderful."
She was really starting to puzzle him, speaking so wondrously about something that'd been despised by all her predecessors; was she for real? He was becoming unsettled not knowing if he should subside with an accustomed callousness or venture into a well reserved longing that'd been fermenting for most his life. He scoffed, 'I known her for barely an hour, she has nothing to offer me besides another layer to my eternal migraine.'
Leaning into his sights, her smile impossibly widening further when he reluctantly made eye contact. He reasoned if he didn't she'd never leave him alone for the day. "I'm going to be here for the next six months."
"I know, I have been doing this over a thousand years." he grumbled, but her face was unfazed and he had to turn away to choke his next words, ones that would deal harsh punishments should they circle to the irritating dignitaries. Their constant badgering to attend the drab boredom they deemed important conferences was just a leg up over the daughters on his irritation scale. Just enough he worked to keep himself in check to avoid any further contact with them.
"So let's try to get along okay?" That line irked him; talking as if they were children on a setup play date and everything could be solved with kind words laced along pretty lies. Yet as he whirled to give a scathing glare that had a track recording of sending many of the girls fleeing for her sanctuary, he froze mid daunt.
"What are you doing?"
As she walked towards him purposefully he didn't want to admit the confident sway of her body made him unnaturally nervous. "We're going to redo our introductions"
"Why?" he asked incredulously.
"Because we're starting over. So no bowing or anything."
Getting closer than anyone had dared to she stuck out her arm, hand open and welcoming from her natural light. The greeting she offered was one only witnessed on Earth; he'd shared it once with Hiccup, many eons ago and he couldn't recall the reasoning. But he did remember it held a personable comfort that wasn't present in any of the regulated greetings that'd been drilled into his mind.
"I'm Rapunzel."
The inside of his cheeks were massacred to hold in the chortle and words raging to sneer, 'Nice name' but he was anything if not deceivingly formal; sometimes. The hand before him was small, dimly glowing like the rest of her being, and seemed like the least dangerous thing in the universe. So why was his heart blaring like it could be the death of him in that soft looking palm? Several moments went and her arm nor face never faltered, both reaching out eagerly to him. Sighing he cooperated, berating it was because she looked ridiculous waiting, and grasped her hand. No one had ever smiled so brightly at him before as her hand embraced his. The smile's pure beauty was staggering, and left him staring blankly. Wasn't there something he was supposed to say?
An involuntary twinge sparked in his hand and she suddenly gasped, snapping him to look down and see with a little horror he'd sent a spiral of frost up her arm. He dropped her hand immediately, as if she was the one that did wrong, his stomach twisting at how wide her eyes were looking at the ice. It halted before her elbow and left an intricate glove upon her tanned skin.
"Sorry," he mumbled. 'Well there goes that hospitality.' he growled in his head, bracing himself for a royal tantrum.
But the reaction she gave was unexpected, and he was starting to get an inkling that it was going to be an unnerving habit of hers.
She laughed.
Laughed. A giggle that glittered like the frost on her arm when she raised it to catch silver rays bouncing in the cave. The frost melted shortly after, running water down her arm that she wiped idly on the dress as she wiggled in the aftershocks of cold.
"That...that was..." she trailed off, snapping her fingers to try and bring forth the words. He was still too stunned to really do anything except stand and stare open mouthed like a twit. "Exhilarating!" Her voice echoed buoyantly around the empty air.
'It was something alright.' He smirked in rare amusement as she bounced on her toes.
"Again?"
He sucked in a breath at her word and looked back at the hand that was already presented once more.
Her face was eager when he reached out to carefully take her hand, he told himself as he caved in that it was just this once more, and let his cold presence overwhelm the warmth radiating from her. When her eyes twinkled and her smile grew a bit in one corner, he smirked in return and squeezed slightly. This time they were prepared and while he kept the frost from creeping farther than her wrist she delighted loudly in the pure feeling of it. Their eyes meet and he unknowingly gave in for another time, he just wouldn't understand what he'd bestowed to her until much much later, and spoke,
"I'm Jack."
-Earth, 6:30 A.M.
Swirls of deepened hues of cerulean and strands of gold that caressed against gravity faded through murky burnt coffee, as sleep deprived eyes creaked open to face a loathsome reality once more.
"Jace, wake up! Do not make me write excuse!" A thickened Russian accent commented, large muscular hands reaching for the dull wrinkled blanket, once again tossed carelessly to the side.
The darkened room painted obsidian lit up a shining light, as the curtains were thrown open by a similarly tattooed man. His stature was that an army sergeant, a middle aged man with a physique still in his prime. Coal hairs mingled with proud silver, the curved path thick swirling tattoos peaking out beneath his rolled up business shirt sleeves contrasted his rigid nature.
The brightened sun illuminated etched cuts of half curves into the drywall, that were hidden haphazardly beneath posters of skateboards.
"Another one? If I see one more mark in these walls so help me Jace I'm going to-"
"What?" Jace challenged. "Heh, you aren't even my legal guardian. There's nothing you can do anyway."
"Is there? How about that 380 hours of community service you have to turn in to the court? Last time I checked you needed all our approvals to get in good with that judge. And I can make your community service riddled with nothing but paperwork, and errands. How's nothing sound now?"
"...Whatever, there's no point in school anyway." The boy in question grunted out the change in subject, covering his head abruptly with a pillow.
"Of all the lazy-get up!" The bothersome Australian drawl once again assaulted him, as his pillow was launched across the room and he was unceremoniously dropped upon his feet.
"As if we're gonna let yah sleep yah life away. North might not be up for letting you fail. But me other hand, I'm just waitin' for the opportunity to ship you off to military school."
Jace rolled his eyes in annoyance, clearly put off by Aster's statement. North's roommate and cousin was nothing but a nuisance, constantly popping up when he wasn't wanted, or at six o' clock a.m. every morning sharp. You'd think at this point he would have given up on him. Something like that was easy to do after all.
Heavily aged, wide calloused hands pawed through his nappy auburn locks, gelling the wild pieces in violent disarray.
"Let me do it, North! The boy has to look at least somewhat presentable, 'sides we don't want them thinking the leaders of the wish foundation can't even take care of one foster kid."
Jace quickly twisted out of North's hold, offhandedly pushing Aster's prying hands away.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm seventeen years old, I'm pretty sure I can handle fixing my own hair." The teen stubbornly stalked away toward the bathroom in the main hall, cursing the lack of privacy as he headed past another one of the leaders of the foundation.
The matronly woman adorned with a rainbow of colors glanced at her jeweled watch. It was also decorated with her own rather unique feathered design. Why the woman was so wrapped up in DIY projects he would never need or want to know. His hand promptly drew upward as he pursed his lips, noticing her about to make a comment.
"Save it," he coldly barked out, roughly shutting the bathroom door with a gruff sigh of exhaustion.
He hated early mornings with a passion. They stole him from that dream of shining illusion and prompted him into his cumbersome everyday routine. He didn't hate the leaders of the wish foundation; he merely wanted something more from them. He was a mascot. He'd been dumped off at the oversized nuthouse since the end of May, happily wearing out his welcome at his last stop.
Now he was stuck here, by request if nothing else! Those months he'd spent getting acquainted with them had come and gone, and at this point he had gotten used to the evoking sickness of them all. Apparently this was their year to come together, given that they all apparently had worked in smaller charities across the world.
Toothiana's organization in India was a brilliant palace of a building, ornate with glittered jewels and the twinkle of faux emeralds. It was a wonderful place for children to play and enjoy themselves but it had left her wanting to expand. She and the other Guardians had come together on this joint arrangement years ago, founding a place where they all could share their unique talents and grant the wishes of children.
He could moderately tolerate North and Sandy, even the flittering about of Toothiana wasn't beyond escaping. However, E. Aster Bunnymund was truly a name he'd come to loathe. His late nights trailing in past the A.M. and entering with the glow of morning were always met another nagging lecture, and complaint about his tattered clothes. He didn't mind wearing his jeans into rags, he had to become used to that a long time ago. However, he'd lately become sickened from the smell of Oxi-clean, coerced to remove the stains that littered the fabric. He decided not to let it faze him, after all his specialty would forever soak in any thrill he wanted to collect.
His fingers trailed to his stomach, as he tossed off his shirt with ease, lean muscle peppered with the occasional scrap from a bad trick on his board revealing itself. He sighed, throwing it aside as he stepped underneath the showerhead. He willed the frigid water to lace with his heated veins, finding completeness in the temperature that calmed him from his dreams.
Annoying, he didn't want to go that temporary learning daycare anyway. Only one more year and then he'd be free. No fosters, no school, complete freedom. He grimaced, throwing his fist upon the wall in anger. He didn't expect them to keep him, he preferred the sure knowledge that they'd throw him on the streets the minute the check stopped coming. That's what he had to prepare for. Everyone lied. Everyone's smile was crooked. That was reality.
In their eyes he was just another unprivileged charity case that they could parade on display on their mounting list of successes. That's why he could care less about showing up on time or being a model student, all of that was no different than being a mere puppet dragged along by their strings.
As he stepped out of the water he ran a towel across his body in a quickened fashion to get dry.
Jace glanced into the mirror. His very aura alluded danger, pale skin a testament to his penchant for nightly prowls. Tiny scars littered along his arms, some faded and a few new. He wore them as badges of memory to a new thrill, indulging in the heaviness of silver that rested in his pocket. Hardly anyone managed to inflict those, yet the reward he'd given them in return for their mark was more than enough to make him treasure every slice.
His eyebrows were narrowed downward making his expression into a permanent grimace. His strands of burnt coffee were slick with drops of moisture, dripping down onto the bathroom sink without care. Darkened coffee eyes that matched that hue analyzed his appearance with a smirk of satisfaction.
With an easy step he hopped into his blackened jeans, slipping a belt with scarlet blood spatters through the loops. Jace tossed on his crimson shirt, before throwing on his usual blackened hoodie jacket; zipping it up halfway.
He ran his pale fingers through them to toss away the gel they'd meticulously implanted, curving his obsidian beanie over his head; a collection of darkened caramel spikes poking out the top.
No hats.
They were bending that rule today. As he moved to exit the door he slung his backpack over his shoulder, kicking out his board by the entrance. The powerful hue of darkness blanketed his preferred method of transportation, hiding the intricate design beneath it. His fingers drifted to pick at the silver chain resting around his neck.
As odd as it was, the links of metal brought him comfort as he hurried out to begin another mundane year of school. He easily built up momentum, gliding across the concrete with a rapid speed. There was nothing to hurry for, but he wanted to get it over with already. One day down, ten months 'til release.
-Earth 6:30 A.M.
The harsh ring of the alarm jerked Raye to her feet as the restful illusion of a pleasant chill, and a fading grin of mischief, retreated beneath her widened brown eyes. She scrambled for her books, sitting beside her table, grabbing each one without any mind to the overbearing weight. Stumbling toward the door she dashed for the mirror, quickly raking a brush through her meager spiky caramel locks. Her doll-like face fell as she gazed within the reflected glass, disdain blanketing her slumped posture at her thinning form. She threw off her nightie, hurriedly pulling on her ruby red sweater dress and drawing up her blackened footless tights with care. Her feet curved into her matching crimson flats as a sigh left her lips, glad she didn't have to see her naked skin.
Her curves were nonexistent to her eyes, fingernails chipped from nervous bites and picking at her lightly tattered sleeves. They were damaged from her constant abuse of pulling them over her wrists whenever she was nervous. She careened out her bedroom door, colliding down the stairs toward her exit.
Glancing about her she let out a sigh of relief as she caught the clock face. Six forty-five, there was still time to make it to school if she ran. She dumped her books into her backpack, throwing the burdensome load around her shoulders. Her fingers turned the doorknob halfway before the fearsome tapping of a heel sent her consciousness into red alert. That painful heat of nervousness churned in her belly as she tightened her hold on the metal contraption; it was inches from bestowing her freedom.
"What have I told you about carelessness, Raye?" The callous words were spat out with a cruel drop of silence between each line. Every click closer sent another stroke of fear through her core, as a sudden thud upon the floorboards caused her to jump in surprise.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Gothel, I just forgot it." She stammered out the words with a quiet reluctance as her fingers fiddled with the knob.
"AP Calculus. How you managed to enter such an advanced class is beyond me. After all, I know you're not capable of doing such complicated things like mathematical equations."
Raye pursed her lips, detaching her fingers in a solemn movement from her exit out of turmoil. Her knees bent slightly to kneel upon the splintered floorboards before her guardian, aching hands from lengthy essays wrapping around the elaborate thick text. She drew the collection of responsibility in toward her chest, clutching it like the lifeline it would hopefully provide.
Her knees uncurled as she rose upward, her small form cringing slightly as muggy hands clasped her underneath her chin, lifting it with careful analysis. "Mmm, you're getting rather chubby, darling. Perhaps you should consider more exercise. You certainly could do something better than those mindless community service projects that only enable the weak." Her fingers lightly patted along her cheek, pinching it with a quirk of delight.
"Oh, I'm only looking out for you my dear. That choppy disarray on your head doesnt give you much to offer but if I could give you some kind of advice to better yourself, I'm more than happy to do it."
"I know that, Aunt Gothel, I've tried growing it out but, it just isn't very manageable with all my extracurricular activities. And I know that I haven't exercised for a while but, I hope to get back into that soon. It's just with senior year there's so much to-"
"Excuses as usual, my darling. All you have are excuses. Don't expect getting one from me again this morning." Raye's eyes darted to the clock at those words of purpose.
"Late! I'm late! I'm sorry, Aunt Gothel, I have to go!"
"Ah-ah-ah!" Manicured fingers rolled open before they reached out to urgently encase Raye in her arms. She nervously bowed her head toward her Aunt, who patted it in a condescending fashion. The very motion was enough to send a sweet hope through her heart, banishing the biting words of cruelty from the forefront of her mind. Gothel's lips pecked the top of her auburn locks with quickened necessity before she released her hold.
"Now, try to not to completely embarrass me today, dear." The tone was slightly teasing and just enough to relapse truth to her hopeful foolishness.
Salmon lips quirked upward in a forced smile as she nodded, finally free to escape to a world that created her own purpose. Her slip of a finger traced the curve of molten gold hanging around her neck before she continued on her way. "I'll see you tonight, Aunt Gothel." She hurriedly uttered, dashing off toward her school.
Mic Mic: Sooo that's the chappie! I'ma let Eva add her words here too but I hope you all enjoy it. Here's our tumblr where we will be posting art from the story, plot points, and fun little teasers maybe. moonstroke-race . tumblr .com
Looking forward to talking with you there too!