Ok apparently they have huge grapes over in the U.K.. I asked Simply about it and she says Ro is about five inches tall.
Late the next morning the twins sat in the woods. Al using the privacy to rid himself of loose feathers and preen a bit. Matt watched patiently, always a little jealous that all he had was paws...
At least he could still swim and stand the cold.. It wasn't just Al's wings though, his sickness had effected his entire coat and now that he started regaining health it was a full body molt. They had to take the bandages off anyway to change them and the feathers would be trapped by the wrappings otherwise.
Matt had always fancied flying... Just once. But Al had a point. He picked up a couple of feathers, twirling them idly between his thumb and finger.
They could have done it back at the house but despite the instances when he had, Al was still shy about shifting in front of the others. 300 years of secrecy was a hard habit to break. It was a bit silly really though... Considering two of them were mages, they couldn't comment on his shifting. Arthur had shifted himself, as had France. Still, if he wanted the privacy, they weren't going to begrudge him that.
Finally he finished. He could have just left it but he'd be left with an all over itch.
Matt smiled softly. *Feel better now?*
*Yeah*
*That's good... What do you want to do with the feathers?*
*Just leave them I guess, I'm sure they'd make good nesting.* He did however pick some of the healthier ones for his dreamcatcher. He planed to make a small one. Though they work best hanging over the bed, with him napping all over the place he wanted to keep it close. Perhaps put it on a necklace.
Matt just nodded, finding a nice healthy one to tuck in his hair as a little keepsake. *I like the color.*
Al smiles. *Should we go back or do you wanna stay longer?*
*It's up to you. Iain said we were protected so long as we're within a mile of the house, so...*
Al shrugs. *I guess we could go back and look for string and stuff.* He was so tired of nightmares..
*Sounds like a plan,* He got up, dusting off his jeans. *I think it's about time you got a decent rest.*
Al nods, he needed to get rebandaged anyway. There were a few bald patches in his coat now, another reason he wanted privacy. Without the feathers he felt slightly naked. Then again, though he never voiced it, preening had always felt like some odd combination of brushing his hair and bathing.
Al stands up and shifts back. They head back to the house.
The house was quiet when they got back. No one seemed to be downstairs. Al blinks at that but heads to the bathroom. Matt shrugged and went to find Ro. Al looks himself over in the mirror, checking his wounds. They were healing, but slowly. Scabs were starting to form here and there, some peeling already.
Al frowns softly. Normally things like this would be healed by now for a nation. But the sheer number combined with his weak body was slowing things quite a bit.
It was kinda pathetic really... +Pathetic... Absolutely pathetic...+
Al shakes his head trying to get rid of them.
+Hopeless... You nearly killed everyone...+
Al rubs his eyes before grabbing the medical kit. It kept hissing in the back of his head, determined to get to him. His hands shook lightly as he dug for the disinfectant cream. 'I'll get them back..' He argued.
+You can barely get your strength back, Mr. Superpower. Some hero you played out to be.+
'Shut up!'
+Can't handle the truth, poor baby...+
He leans on the counter shaking with a slight anger.
+Still can't hold it together.+ /Alfred/ +Pathetic, useless waste.+ /Alfred, listen to me./
Al's fists clenched. Gentle hands pressed into his shoulders, holding firm. /Alfred.../
He jumped, he didn't even notice Iain come in.
/Shh, it's okay.../ Iain's eyes smoldered with confusion and concern. Al sighs slumping.
He sat him on the floor, kneeling. /What happened?/
Al rubs his face shakily. *Those stupid voices..*
/Thought so... Come on./ He pulled him up gently, taking him to his room for some privacy. Al lets him lead.
He sat him on his bed, just talking quietly as he set about tending his wounds. /They're coming more regular, aren't they...?/
*A bit..*
/Ignore them... They're just telling you lies.../
He wanted to, but there also was this tiny part of him that agreed he was totally helpless. That part always hurt whenever he got insulted at would meetings.
They all had those parts in them... But being so young... Al really didn't have a decent coping method just yet... /No... Don't think like that./
Al glanced up. Iain was frowning, but his eyes were unusually gentle and compassionate, fatherly, almost... Was this how he looked at Arthur?
*What do you mean?*
/You thinking yourself down... The voices don't help.../
Al frowns slightly.
He sighed. /I can hear them too... It's faint and I miss a lot, but it creeps through this link.../
Al sighs. *I just feel like I could have done more..*
/Even I couldn't have stopped what they did to you... None of us would have done any better in your place, trust me.../
Al's mouth twitched up for a second.
/Look, no matter what they say to you, just remember... You might not have been strong enough to stop them alone - It took ten of us to get you out - But you were strong enough to stick it out till we found you... And that's something to be proud of./
Al sits for a second. Then leans over to hug him. Iain let him hug, rubbing his back gently. Al needed a father right now, but Arthur was still picking himself up... So an uncle would have to do...
After a bit Al pulls back smiling softly. Iain ruffled his hair slightly, his usual crooked smirk coming back. /Chin up. You're doing good./
Al smiles.
/Mata's looking for you./
*Ok. And thanks.*
/No problem. I told you, you know where I am if you need me./
Al smiles again then goes off in search of his twin. Matt was roaming around downstairs, Ro on his shoulder. *Al?*
*Hey..*
*Where did you go?*
*Just getting wrapped up.* Al shrugs.
*How are you healing?*
*Slowly.. But it's healing.*
*Slowly is better than not at all.* Matt smiled.
*True.*
*You want a snack?*
*Yeah.*
*Anything particular?*
*Not really.*
Matt shrugged and made him a sandwich. Al goes to the fridge looking for a drink. They had milk and fruit juices, a wide array... Even a few cans of soda right at the back. He grabs a soda.
Matt saw and hummed. *You couldn't be healthy for five minutes...* Just gentle teasing.
*Hey it's not like I always drink it.*
*I know... Maybe some oj too though? vitamin c...?*
*Fine, whatever you say Mapleman.* Al smiles.
Matt scowled playfully at him. *Hey, Iain wanted to force feed it too you.*
Al chuckles.
He wouldn't really, but he wasn"t above it. *Just try to be healthy?*
*Alright.* Al grins.
Matt chuckled. *In the meantime, I think Dad wanted to treat you to takeout.*
Al looks up at that.
*He figured a treat would boost your mood.*
Al smiles happily.
*Want me to tell him to order chinese or something?*
*Sure, pizza?*
Matt nodded, slipped off upstairs and soon came back with the phone and a menu. *He says pick three.*
Al looks it over and picks his toppings, handing the menu back. Matt just smiled and placed the order. Al sits at the table. Matt sat with him and handed him his sandwich.
Al takes it and eats. The pizza wouldn't come till dinner.
Things grew quiet... And one of them was annoyed by that. "Why don't you two ever talk?!" Ro stood of the table, kicking crumbs around Al's plate.
Al blinks, he never noticed the quiet with Matt around.
"Seriously, you never say anything!" She whined.
Al breaks out in squeaky giggles. She gave him a weird look, unsettled by the noise. Al laughed for a few minutes before he ended up in a coughing fit. Matt was smiling, even as he patted his back, helping ease the fit.
Finally after he calms down he starts signing. 'I've never been called quiet before!'
Matt chuckled and hugged him. "First time for everything, I guess?"
Al grins still chuckling slightly.
Just seeing him happy was a godsend, even if it did confuse the fae.
Al sees her face. *Uh dude?*
He looked, still chuckling. *Yeah?*
*The fairy?*
*She's fine. She's just not really used to people.*
*No I think she wants to know what we're saying..*
"Oh," Matt laughed. "I keep forgetting. Sorry Ro.."
Al grins. She pouted, folding her arms over her chest. Al glanced to Matt.
He lay his head on the table, gently prodding her with a finger. "C'mon... You know we didn't mean to shut you out..."
*She doesn't know dude.*
*Not helping bro.* "You're prettier when you smile." She just hopped away, frowning.
Al chuckles. Matt sighed, pouting softly. Al grins poking his face.
He couldn't help laughing at that. Al grins at him.
Even this seemed to annoy her though... She just felt excluded.
*I think you should talk to her.*
He took one look and nodded, turning to her. "Hey Ro...?"
Al goes back to his sandwich. Matt just sat, slowly coaxing the little fairy back to them. She was wary of them, but so would you be if suddenly your survival depended on a creature that could easily kill you...
Al sits watching. He always thought it odd that rabbits practically flock to him when he literally was a predator at heart. But Al was gentle and they could sense it.
She had the same distrustful thought patterns as people... But she clearly wanted to trust them, because she edged over cautiously. Al smiles. She was soon letting Matt touch her again, leaning into the little affectionate rub. He smiled. Al watched finishing his lunch.
Matt hummed. "What do fairies eat...?"
Al shrugs.
She grinned, giggling softly. "We like chocolate...?"
*If that isn't a sneaky little con.* Al smirks.
*I know... We should probably ask Iain. She'll want anything she shouldn't have.* "I don't think we have any..." She huffed and pouted.
*Try some grapes maybe?*
*Worth a shot.* Matt shrugged and fetched some, offering one to her.
Al watched curiously. She frowned at it, the fruit nearly as big as she was. "How am I meant to eat that...?"
Al blinks at that. He didn't realize she was that small. She was tiny, even by fae standards. It was why Matt couldn't resist helping.
Al stands and shuffles through the silverware drawer. He comes back with a knife handing it to Matt. Matt took it, planning to cut the grape for her but she panicked and scrambled back, trying to fly. She just landed on her face.
Al glanced at her worriedly. She eyed the knife distrustfully. Matt watched for a moment before cutting the grape and putting the knife out of the way.
Al sits back down. *She's awfully skiddish..*
*I know... You think she's used to humans hurting her...?*
*I don't know..*
Matt let it go for now, offering her a bit. She just looked distrustfully. Al sits patiently. Slowly, she crept out, tentatively taking it from him. Al leans over resting his head and arms on the table. Matt rested his chin in his hand, watching as she nibbled her grape chunk. They sit letting her eat.
She barely had half the grape before getting full and sleepy, like Al. Al smiles softly. She sat against the salt pot, rubbing her eyes like a child.
*Naptime?* Al smiles.
*Looks like. You wanna nap together?*
*Sure.*
*Couch or bed? We can get her something too.*
Al shrugs. Didn't matter to him. To be honest he wanted to sit in the tree for a bit. Matt opted for bed, but to keep the windows open for air. Al went upstairs and settles in.
Matt brought up Ro and let her settle on a stuffie before opening the window and joining his brother. Al snuggles up to him while hugging Mana. Kuma climbs up by their feet. Matt hugged him protectively. Al yawns starting to drift off. Matt just relaxed with him. Soon enough all three were asleep.
Next door, Arthur woke. Francis was sitting nearby reading. Arthur smiled up at him. "Morning."
Francis looks up. "Morning."
Arthur sat. "What time is it?"
"Almost noon I think."
Arthur yawned and scratched his head. Francis sets his book aside.
"How are the boys, do you know?"
"Not really.."
Arthur shrugged. "Seen Iain?"
"Nope."
Arthur spun his legs off the bed and stood shakily. Francis stands up helping him. He was getting stronger, but slowly. France lets him lead but supports him anyway.
They head downstairs, keeping an eye out for others. The boys were still upstairs asleep. The house was dead silent... "Uh..."
Francis frowns searching around. There were a few grapes on the table but that was all. He sighs turning to Arthur.
"Upstairs?"
Francis nods going back upstairs. Arthur plodded along with him. They glance around checking the rooms. They found the twins and let them be, but Iain's room was empty. Francis frowned.
"Where'd he go...?"
"I'm not sure.."
Arthur frowned. "He needs to stay in the circle or it breaks..."
"Perhaps he's just using the toilet?"
Arthur frowned harder and went to see. Francis walks behind. The bathroom turned up empty too...
Francis turns to Arthur shrugging. Arthur hummed and limped off on a hunch. Francis follows again. They ended up in the library. The pair looked around. It was a cozy room, loaded with books and seating for seven. The Scot sat in a chair by the fireplace, facing the dying cinders.
Francis watched him before glancing to Arthur. He frowned, walking over. Francis watched the two worriedly. Arthur stood in front of Iain and gasped.
Francis quickly comes over. Iain sat up straight, eyes wide, but pure white as they seemed to bore into the fireplace. Francis's eyes widened and he touched the Scott's shoulder. He was frozen, cold as ice and slightly damp to touch. "Arthur..?"
"I-I don't... t-this hasn't happened before..."
Francis frowns looking for a pulse. It was there and weak... Arthur confirmed that the protections were still going strong though...
"Can you cut him off?"
He shook his head. "It would need a new power source or it would die... The house would be open... I still can't access my magic..."
"We don't really have a choice.." This reminded him too much of Arthur back at the mansion.. If it continued he fears death wouldn't be too far off.
"Francis, I can't cut it. I need magic and that is something I don't fucking have!"
Francis frowns. Arthur looked between the two of them frantically for a moment. "...Call Ireland..."
"You sure?" Francis had half a mind to drive him off property, maybe it would snap him out of it..
Arthur nodded, swallowing anxiously. "She's the only one that can overpower him..." And become the new battery... Iain had been at this for a month solid...
But then the same problem would happen to her.. Francis was about fed up with the shield.. They needed it though... At least with two batteries, they could alternate...
Francis sighs relenting and heading to the phone. Arthur stayed with his brother. Francis comes back a few minutes later.
Arthur looked up. "Well...?"
"She'll be over soon.."
"Did she sound too pissed off...?"
"Mostly at him.."
Arthur sighed. "Did you tell her she might need to power it for a while?"
He nods, though was still against it..
"How likely is she to slap us when she geta here..." Arthur hated calling on their sister... She preferred to keep to herself.
"Now that I'm not sure of.."
"Thought so." Arthur sighed. Francis rubs his arm gently. Arthur leaned into him. Francis wraps him in a hug. Arthur hugged back, hoping this would settle quickly. They sit for a minute.
"How long before she's here?"
"She didn't say."
Arthur sighed again. "Great..."
Francis rubs his back. "Come on, we should take Iain to bed."
"I don't know if we should move him..." Arthur really had no clue what to do here...
"Alright." Francis hugs him again. Arthur pressed close, just staring at the frozen living corpse his brother was becoming...