Alright! Chapter two! Let's see where things...er...well, my MIND will take me.
Obviously, I don't know much about Faerie OR Faeries, so don't go off on me if I wrote anything wrong/contradicting. This is purely made up with some references from books. Let's just have fun!
Tell me what you guys think!
Happy Reading! :)
Outside, they lingered.
The charm they gave off followed them wherever they went.
Chime-like giggles resonated from them as they watched their long awaited King.
Through the window, his red hair made him stand out from the rest.
If it wasn't for the Faerie Queen, they would've rushed in and took their King with no further notice.
But there were rules.
They needed him willing.
They needed to wait a bit more.
Just a little more…and their court would be complete.
Black eyes without pupils stared out through the cold mist, warmth emanating from them. Their luminous skin, however beautiful, displayed the evidence of what they are.
"What must we do my Queen?" a wraith, tall and slender and had a mouth full of shark-like teeth, turned to the Faerie Queen.
The queen regarded her with ocean green eyes filled with malice. A gigantic wolf with fur the color of midnight and a streak of silver moonlight circled her, guarding. "We'd wait for the morrow's twilight."
The wraith, along with three Feeorin that were flying around in erratic circles, looked disappointed and unsettled.
They could not wait!
But the Queen's word is law.
"Yes my Queen…" the wraith bowed.
And the Seelie court continued to watch the temple with hungry eyes
"Master Genkai," Rhoswen's sweet voice quivered with uncertainty. "Shouldn't we stop them?" Her multicolored eyes darted at Chu and Yusuke who were both amusingly drunk.
"If they want to get wasted and have their livers shrivel up then so be it," Genkai watched the scene with a grin.
Rhoswen smiled awkwardly at her Master's response, "H-Hai…" Even so, Rhoswen watched her friends as they engaged in a dangerous game of 'Who-Can-Drink-The-Most-Beer'.
"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" chanted everyone as Yusuke and Chu each drowned a bottle of beer. Sin was on Kuwabara's back, using the tall man as leverage to see the game. Shishiwakamaru was shaking his head with distaste but a hint of smile graced his lips. He was looking forward to the aftereffects of alcohol.
"Chug it!" Mal joined in, wanting to see how things would work out. Only two people seemed to be showing their dislike of the game and they were Keiko and Yukina. Keiko was both worried and annoyed. Though she knew her boyfriend was strong enough to handle alcohol, she still didn't like the thought of him being drunk. Yukina worried for everyone.
"Kazuma, I think it's time to stop them," her mild voice made Kuwabara look at her.
"My love, I would gladly fight a raging lion for you," Sin almost snickered but managed to stop herself. "But I can't stop a beer-chugging contest! It's a sacred test of strength and manhood! Once the challenge has been made, no man can back out of it without risking his honor and reputation as a tough-guy." He looked on, solemnly. "I'm sorry, Yukina, but I can't break up this beer chugging match. It would mean risking Yusuke's honor as a man."
Sin coughed, masking her laughter.
"But it is unhealthy to drink such a large amount in so little time!" The Koorime gave Kuwabara a doe-eyed look that, unbeknownst to her, no man could resist.
Kuwabara gulped, his face almost as red as the drunken men's, and straightened himself. He clapped his hands once and with a booming voice, "Alright that's enough! It's all fun and games until someone throws up!"
There was a brief pause, and then everyone resumed what they were doing. Kuwabara twitched and rolled up his sleeves, ready to pound the drunkards' faces when Sin laughed and pat his head, "Aw, poor Kazuma being ignored."
"Shut it little missy!" he said as he walked towards the center of the room. Sin was about to retort but stopped when they saw Emina walk in front of them.
"Aw c'mon Kuwabara, it's fun!" Her red eyes sparkled with mischief. Then she turned to Yukina, "Don't worry Yuki-chan. You're forgetting that these two are demons. They can handle it," her voice had a bit of a slur.
Although Yukina didn't look reassured, she let it go and wandered over to Botan who was indulging in some gift wrapping.
"Emi…what's up with you?" Sin climbed down from Kuwabara's back and looked at her friend a bit more closely. Despite arriving only two hours ago, Emina looked like she's been in the temple partying the whole day. She had already discarded her black trench coat and was now only clad in dark jeans and a sleeveless shirt. Her hair was mussed a bit and she reeked of alcohol.
Sin's eyes widened, she knew better than anyone that Emina could not handle alcohol, "Emi! Have you been drinking?"
Emina giggled and slung an arm around Sin, "Aw c'mon! Of course I haven't!...well…maybe I have…but just a teeeeeeny wittle bit!"
Sin shook her head. She herself had a bottle or two but she could hold her alcohol better than the cat demon.
"Let's do a contest too Sin-chan!" Emina's excitement was making Sin smile a bit. "C'mon! It'd be fun!"
But Sin's better judgment won and she shook her head, "No Emi. You've already drank more than what you can handle an-"
Emina was off sashaying towards the beer case next to Chu and picking up a bottle. Without struggling, she was able to twist the cap off and drank the contents in steady gulps.
"Crikey! Look at the little ankle biter go!" cheered Chu who had finished his drink before Yusuke. "Here, 'ave another!" He held out a bottle of something stronger and Emina didn't hesitate to take it.
She tipped her head as she drank the bittersweet liquid.
As she drank her self away, Emina thought about miscellaneous things. Mostly, she wondered why she was drinking. She wasn't one of those who'd be up in bars or have a stock of alcohol in her cupboards.
"Because alcohol makes the problems go away," a small voice in her mind whispered, and for the moment, she believed it.
"Bwah! That's good broosky!" Emina giggled when she finished the drink. Her mouth tasted weird but she didn't care. "Maybe Kurama would take me to my room." She wondered absentmindedly.
Indeed, someone stopped her. But it wasn't Kurama.
Looking up, Emina met Jin's ocean blue eyes. They were filled with worry that she appreciated.
"I reckon ya've had plenty enough there, lass. Ya might wanna take a bit of a breather, save a few pints for the rest of us." he plucked the bottle from her hand and put it away. "Lets you and me go be havin' a sit down, ya see?"
Emina smiled goofily and reached up to touch Jin's horn. She laughed and draped her other arm on his shoulder, leaning her weight against him. "Hey there cutie! Wanna dance wif me?"
Jin hesitated but shook his head, "No, I'd rather we had a bit of a sit down about now, so's ya can rest that little head of yours. You're lookin' right shlossed, you are."
"Psh. Y'r no fun y'know that?" Emina wobbled a bit and Jin caught her in his arms. For an intense moment, their eyes met. Everything seemed to go silent as Jin and Emina looked at each other. Jin started to move away but Emina snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him in a deep French kiss.
Silence settled around the room. It would seem that Emina had caught everyone's attention with her drinking fit.
Jin froze.
Despite liking the fact that a gorgeous cat demon was giving him a deep kiss, Jin knew better than to return it. He tried to pull away, but Emina's hold on him was strong enough to keep him still. There was a rustle in the background then someone firmly put their hand on each of the pair's shoulder.
"Alright, that's enough! You're making us all sick," Mal's voice penetrated through the trance that Jin found himself in. He was able to pull away and look at Mal. Jin smiled slightly and whispered, "As fine a save there as I've ever seen, old sweat. Quite a spot I was in there, an' no two ways 'round it!"
Mal nodded and turned to Emina who was currently trying to walk away. He caught hold of her and pulled her to face him, but it was no use. Emina pulled away and in a blink of an eye, she was out and about in the middle of the night.
Human as he is, Mal felt concerned. Never had he seen Emina get drunk! Sin was always there when they attended parties, controlling what Emina drank and what not. He looked around, examining the faces of those who were present.
Chu seemed sober enough to look worried and Yusuke just looked downright confused.
Hiei tensed up, he hasn't moved from his spot at the window seat. He seemed fixated on something and Mal couldn't help but notice the troubled look in his eyes. It was enough to set alarm bells in Mal's head but he kept it to himself. It's just the holiday rush that's getting into him.
"Kurama," Sin's voice trembled with anxiety, she knew her friend didn't mean that kiss. "You need to go look for her."
When Kurama didn't respond in any way, shape or form, Sin seethed and stomped out. "Fine! I'll get her myself!"
"Wait! Nee-san!" Rhoswen reached out and caught hold of the black-eyed girl. Sin looked at Rhoswen and felt a bit calmer. That was odd. "It's too dark outside. You can't just-"
"Sweetie, do you honestly know who you're talking to?" Botan spoke from behind them, her voice filled with laughter. "I don't think the dark would scare our little Sin," Botan put a hand on Sin's shoulder. Sin growled at the word "little".
"Well, we best get her back in a hurry. The little lass might get 'erself into a spot a' trouble, an' we can't risk losin' such a pretty face." Chu eyed the crowd blearily. " 'Though maybe we got enough her to make due…" The big man's slurred voice accompanied by his Australian accent made Sin want to giggle, but she manage to restrain herself. It's not wise to laugh at intoxicated people.
"Do we really have to follow her?" Suzuka asked. He was on the floor, his arm propping his body up. "It's not like she's weak or anythi-" he was cut off with a strike from someone.
"Idiot!" Shishiwakamaru was armed with a paper fan, and he's not afraid to use it. "To say that about such a lovely girl! You really are a fruitcake!"
"I am not!" Suzuka stood up and faced the purple haired demon. "I'm just saying that it's a waste of ti-"
"Suzuka is jealous!" Rinku jumped up and down, chanting it over and over.
"Beautiful Suzuka! And I am not jealo-"
Chu let out a roar of laughter, "C'mon now lad! Let's not muck about-"
"ENOUGH!" shouted Keiko. Everyone was stunned and looked at the brunette who was practically simmering with annoyance.
Just then, the radio switched songs and Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" filled the room. The enchanted melody of bells and flutes poured out from the radio, making everyone in the room strangely captivated. The symphonic orchestra blended together with impeccable timing. From the strings, the brass, woodwinds and percussions, everything was precise and a hint of magic could be heard from the beautiful collective piece.
When it was over, no one moved. It was Mal who broke the silence this time, a bit unsure too. "Well that was odd…"
"Well…it is almost Christmas. The Nutcracker's very popular during this season," Shizuru lit her cigarette and took a long drag.
"It reminds me of faeries…" Mal said in a hushed yet clear voice. He looked around and rested his eyes at the window that overlooked the green forest. "I wonder if they exist. Here, I mean. Seeing as the place is surrounded with nature." There was a hint of spark in his eyes.
"Well, I'm a'fearin' I don't know so much about the Fair Folk, but I been readin' a bit o' th' Lore and Legends, when I been findin' the time." Jin scratched his head absentmindedly. "An' speakin' as a demon m'self, I be thinkin' ya may've got the wind with ya on that one. Very well might be a few o' the little folk runnin' about in these trees."
"That's true," Mal didn't take his eyes away from the window. "I've heard they tend to kidnap those that 'stand out' from mere humans. Have you heard about the Tithe to Hell?"
"Oh, Aye! Blew across that one not many moons back!" Jin raised his hand like a student wanting to get called on. "It's a happenin' seen once in seven years. The wee folk be kidnappin' someone from another land as a bit of a sacrifice, or somethin' to that end."
There was an audible gasp but they didn't know who it came from.
"But…why?" Keiko seemed to be interested enough to ask.
"Well, there is a belief that the Sidhe were demons," Shishiwakamaru, the former member of the Fractured Fairytales, leaned against a random beanie bag. "But others thought they were fallen angels. Overall, they didn't quite make it to either extreme, putting them in the middle. I guess that's why they take someone and sacrifice them to the lords of hell…"
"It still doesn't quite add up," Yukina's slight voice questioned the demon.
"Right, but those are just tales. They said they kidnapped people because they needed to sacrifice someone. Some said they just fancy artists' company." Shishiwakamaru shrugged.
"Well, for my piece, they've always tickled me wind, they have. Right odd things, they are, and you be hearin' that from the king o' the odd ones, so you can be sure to be hearin' the truth, wouldn't you say me boys?" Jin's ears twitched with excitement.
"What does that have to do with Emina?" Sin glared at Mal for starting the subject. It was wasting her time!
"Don't glare at me Sin, I'm just saying. It wouldn't be impossible if faeries exist and they fancy Emina." Mal's eyes held mischief. Sin thought he was acting a bit out of character.
"Bullshit!" Sin made her way across the room. "That's the stupidest thing I ever hea-"
"There's something out there," Hiei's sharp voice resounded throughout the room. He didn't turn away from the window. His eyes were focused on something and that made Sin panic. But none of them could beat Kurama, who was the first one to bolt out of the room.
The King watched as his Queen fled from the temple. Her white hair, streaked with dark violet, swaying beautifully behind her.
The wind stirred restlessly upon her wake. Her energy, displayed for all to see, made him certain that she was, indeed, the missing Winter Queen.
"She's not herself, my King." The phooka grinned up at him. "Alcohol has entered her system. We should take this chance and-"
But the winter King silenced her with his icy gaze. The phooka bowed apologetically, "Forgive me your highness."
The King was displeased with her intoxication. For one, alcohol is poison and he wouldn't want his Queen to slowly die; though she's stronger than that…it is best to keep her out of any harm's way.
And second, he didn't want to appear to her when she's under the influence. Intoxicated people tend to not take him seriously.
"We should talk to her," a hag giggled from behind, her skin looked like ancient parchment.
"Oui! We shoulz make our pwesense knewn!" A lutin whose pointy ears stuck out from under a triangular red cap suggested. He was skin and bones. His eyes were nothing but a pair of filmy enamel that contrasted from his blue toned skin. And his lips were the color of frostbitten toes.
The King shook his head, "Not all at once."
He looked at the girl who was walking in a skewed path and shook his head.
He cannot leave his Queen unattended while she's "under the influence". Slowly, the King of the Unseelie court gathered the magic from his surrounding, preparing for the proper Glamour.
Emina unsteadily walked away from Genkai's temple. She wandered towards the thick row of trees and giggled to herself.
"You've done it Emi…you made 'm not like you even more," she looked up at the inky sky as the wind caressed her face. "Oh well…too bad Jin didn't kiss back." She licked her lips. The lingering taste of Jin wasn't…unpleasant.
After walking aimlessly deeper into the forest, Emina found a smooth rock and settled there. Her vision wasn't at all 'right'. For one, she didn't know which was left or which was right. "Dummy…its 'cuz you shouldn't 've drank a lot."
Another was that, she's having a hard time at keeping her imagination under control. She kept seeing things move within the shadows, things that she can't quite decipher under the poor lighting of the moon and her impaired vision.
She laughed merrily at the thought of alcohol enhancing her imagination, "Maybe I should drink more…gonna keep Misha off m'back."
Thinking about her manager just made her head spin even more. She wasn't involved in some grand company. But to earn money, Emina decided to take a part time job in a comic store. It didn't pay a lot, but it was enough. Her parents insisted on giving her more, but Emina refused. Under these circumstances, Emina was somehow involved in a drawing competition. Her art, shockingly, won and attracted a small business' attention. Now she works for them, giving them designs for products, brochures, raw ideas, anything! Generally, her ideas were a hit! Drawing posters of famous shows and artists earned her more money than working in the comic book store. But of course, her imagination isn't infinite. That's where Misha comes along.
"Aw damn it! Get outta my mind Misha!" she yelled at no one in particular.
The shadows shifted and if she looked at the corner of her eyes, she could see…demons! Despite drunk, Emina still had her instincts.
She jumped up. Wobbly, yes, but still capable of killing.
The wind swirled and picked up at her command, the few fallen leaves around rode the waves of the powerful gust. Overhead, the clouds drew nearer, preparing for lighting bolts at her disposal. Emina waited, but nothing came out.
Still, the distinct feeling of being watched was there.
Cat traits materializing, Emina listened-or at least tried to- carefully. She tried to concentrate at the danger lurking in the shadows but no matter how long she stood there on her unsteady legs, she didn't see anything.
The wind settled and the clouds parted, allowing the moon to peak over them again.
Emina sighed, poised to walk when suddenly, strange music whispered from the depths of the forest.
She tensed up.
That music again…
She shook her head, telling her self it's the alcohol. But the shaking didn't help, it only brought up the nausea. She almost lost her balance, but the sudden wind, a bitterly cold one, kept her upright.
Strange…
She looked towards the shadows that the trees produced, it oddly…beckoned to her. Looking closer, there seemed to be something...
"Shiny!" Emina squealed happily and ran towards the light. She could hear them. She was sure of it. It wasn't the alcohol. Though it did made her run slower since almost every minute, she'd hit a tree. But in no time, the light was getting closer.
She was almost there.
But then something jumped out, blocking her way.
Due to her slow reflexes, Emina ran into a stone hard object. She flew back, hitting her bottom painfully. She hissed and looked up, glaring at the obstacle but…nothing was there.
"Oh my," a rich voice made her jump. "Are you alright my lady?"
The voice was strangely calming, as if the alcohol was never there. Toned arms lifted her up and gently turned her around.
Emina reveled upon the view and she forgot how to breathe.
When Kurama left, everyone followed almost immediately.
Despite Keiko's disapproval, even Yusuke joined the search. Sin moved as well, but was immediately stopped by Hiei.
Her heart constricted and sped up at the same time. She cursed it for reacting this way.
"Let me through Hiei," her voice didn't sound convincing which irritated her to the extreme. Who was this demon to make her feel that way?
"Don't be foolish. Whatever it is out there, it's too strong for even my Jagan to detect. I am not willing to let you go out there, blindly looking for trouble."
It puzzled Sin.
Like Mal, Hiei was acting out of character as well.
Is it because of the woods that surrounded the temple? Or was it the temple itself that affected the people in it?
"Since when did the great Fire Demon care about the little enchanter?" Sin brushed past Hiei, trying hard not to run into his arms and hold onto him tightly.
"You're acting as stupid as always. It doesn't take much alcohol to mess up your judgment doesn't it?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "My mistake, you don't need alcohol to mess up your judgment. You're managing that all by yourself."
Sin twitched.
She knew Hiei's unpleasant, but that was just out of line.
"Listen here you midget! I didn't come here to listen to your crap and act like it doesn't matter. Now," she tried to get to the door which was just a few steps away. "If you'd excuse me, I'm going to look for my fr-"
There was a sudden tap on the window. Sin and Hiei looked at the source of the sound instantly. The air around them turned sickly hot and neither Sin nor Hiei understood where it came from. It sure didn't feel like demon energy.
There was another tap, this time more insistent.
Hiei moved in front of Sin, drawing his sword. He didn't like being ignorant, especially when there's an unknown enemy lurking outside.
The tapping grew louder, more aggressive. This time, Sin's eyes grew wide as she saw a clawed emaciated finger materialize out of thin air. It moved against the glass, tapping hard as if trying to break it. Tracing the fingers with her eyes, Sin was able to make out a face. It wasn't a pleasant face. It was dried and ashy, like the bark of an old tree. But it wasn't brown. In fact, the creature was the color of green vomit. Vines twirled around the creature, filled with poisonous red thorns. Its eyes stared out through the window that separated them; glassy, pupil-less, and filled with malice.
Sin couldn't bear to look at those eyes.
At first, Sin deemed it was a demon.
But the aura just didn't seem right.
The creature continued tapping, constant and demanding.
It smiled at them, showing crooked yet sharp teeth that were tinged with brown. And Sin didn't think those as chocolate stains.
Well! Another chapter done! I thank Mal (Ne_Gok_Sa) for fixing the accents and some of my mistakes.
Don't forget to Review or subscribe or whatever! Check out my other stories! Arigato!
