19
Ruva got up bright and early, today she was going to Arra's house. Since she had never seen the house before, Arra had to send her a pre-programmed bubbledoor, otherwise she would never get there. Ruva was rugged up well, the weather had only gotten colder during the week. Ruva had already packed overnight bag, already said goodbye to Sela and Corbin, and was now walking to the receiving room, the only part of the palace that bubbledoors worked. Once she entered the room, Ruva smashed her bubbler vial, leaving the palace far behind her. Ruva was flung at a million miles an hour, but she couldn't help but feel nervous. Tonight was her first ever sleepover.
When Ruva was flung out of the bubbledoor, she didn't see a house, she saw a café. Arra's mum's café, if the bubbler had brought her to the right place. Ruva looked around again, Arra was nowhere to be found. Ruva took in a deep breath, and walked into the building.
Inside it was warm and cosy, the bubbling chatter of many people flowing over Ruva. A large counter ran alongside two walls of the room, and large windows covered the wall to Ruva's right. Ruva slowly walked through the café, trying to find Arra. Ruva walked another lap of the café, thinking she might have missed Arra.
A hand clamped down on Ruva's shoulder, making her jump. She spun around to see a short girl with owlish eyes and mousey brown hair.
"Are you looking for someone?" the girl asked.
Ruva nodded, realising the girl was a waitress. "I'm looking for Arra. Arra Squeaker,"
The waitress smiled. "You must be Ruva," she said, holding out her hand. "I'm Pipsqueak, Arra's older sister,"
Ruva shook Pipsqueak's hand, realising that she had the same eyes and hair as Arra's. But that was where the similarities ended, Arra was a head taller than her older sister, and her skin was slightly darker.
"Arra's in the kitchen, she's been waiting for you and the others for hours."
Ruva nodded slightly, unsure if she should wait for the boys.
Pipsqueak noticed her hesitancy. "Go on, behind the counter and through the first door. I'll send in the others when they arrive," Ruva forced her feet to move in the right direction. She crossed past the tables filled with people, all of them eating delicious-looking food. Behind the counter, Ruva became overwhelmed by the smells coming from the kitchen. Following her nose, Ruva went through the door and into a warm, slightly crowded kitchen. Arra was standing in front of the most decadent cake Ruva had ever seen.
It was a pale white cake, with three layers of chocolatey cream. The same chocolatey cream sat in little tufts on top of the cake. Delicate whirls covered the side of the cake, and Arra was now adding tiny orange flowers to the swirls. Arra was so concentrated on her craft, she hadn't noticed Ruva entering. She also didn't notice the brown frosting smeared on her cheek, as good as her concentration was.
Arra placed one more orange flower, then looked up. She burst into a smile as she saw Ruva. "Hi, Angel. Was your Kaldoras good?"
Ruva smiled, the nerves she'd felt up to this moment instantly melting away. "It was great. I got to go ice skating on the lake with all the fancy palace people."
Arra smirked. "I bet you left them in the dust."
It was true, Ruva had much more talent than any of the palace guests. While they glided around the edge of the lake, Ruva did various tricks in the middle. At one point she realised that almost everyone was watching her, it distracted her, and she ended up falling over. Gasps and distressed cries filled Ruva's ears, but she just kept on skating.
Ruva told Arra this story while she put the finishing touches on the cake. Once she was done, she slid it onto a decorative silver plate, and she carried it out of the kitchen and into the display window.
"When do you think the boys will be here?" asked Arra.
Ruva shrugged. "I haven't heard anything."
The bell tinkled, and Leo and Harry walked in.
Arra snorted. "About time, you guys, I thought I would have to send a search party." Despite her impatient words, Arra walked over and hugged them both. Ruva followed suit, but she didn't let her eyes linger too long on Leo.
The boy's attention was quickly drawn to the decadent cake on display, giving Ruva the chance to ask Arra something. "Where's your room? Do you have a bedroom to yourself?"
Arra smiled. "It will be easier to show you," then, to Harry and Leo, she said "Come on, I'm going to show you my room."
"Ugh," groaned Harry. "I'm not ready to go yet! I still need a few hours to admire this cake properly, let alone eat it!" Harry looked at the cake and sighed. "Whoever made this is a goddess."
Arra cleared her throat pointedly.
Harry blinked, before shock washed over him. "You made this cake?!"
Arra gave an unimpressed nod.
Harry laughed. "Then I apologise sincerely for not following your commands, Mighty Goddess. Please refrain from smiting me with your almighty cooking power."
Ruva and Leo started laughing, and to Arra's credit, all she did was roll her eyes.
Arra's room was cosy, with a double bed taking up most of the space. Behind the bed there was a large window that covered most of the wall. To Ruva's right there was a wardrobe, and to the left there was a small desk.
Once they were all sitting down, Harry spoke up. "You know what? I think our friendship group needs a name."
Arra looked up from the bed. "What do you suggest?"
Harry gave an awkward smile. "I don't know, maybe something like Harry and the Messed-Up Monsters."
The response to this name was unanimous, and Arra punched Harry's shoulder hard enough that Ruva could still see the mark.
After a few minutes, Harry suddenly perked up. "Hey I know! We can be called The Shorties!"
The room was silent, all of us staring at Harry in question. Noticing everyone's gaze, Harry explained himself. "I just realised that – besides from Leo – all of us are pretty short. So that's where I came up with…" –Harry created a drumroll on his knees– "The Shorties!"
When they all remained silent Harry sighed and slumped, mumbling something about a tough crowd.
…
The four of them spent a few hours chatting in the bedroom, until they were drawn downstairs by their hunger – well, Harry's hunger. In the café they feasted on gourmet pizza. They all called for seconds – and thirds and fourths in Harry's case. – It was the best meal Ruva had in ages.
In the late afternoon, Arra invited them all into the kitchen, where they spent an hour decorating cupcakes. Harry spent more time eating than decorating, but he still complimented them all highly on their cupcake designs.
When it started getting dark, everyone put on their jumpers and jackets. Mardenia always had fireworks on New Year's Eve, and Ruva could not wait to see them. They decked out on the roof of the terrace, covering the frosty ground with blankets. Arra had made gourmet popcorn, something Ruva didn't know was possible until she tasted it. They waited on the roof, snacking on steamy popcorn as they waited for the fireworks. Harry ate a whole bucketful of popcorn, and Ruva wondered how he didn't burst.
Arra checked the time on her new comTCD. "Five minutes to go, everyone."
Ruva heard the city around her slowly hush, it seemed as the air around them held its breath. They waited in silent anticipation. When there was surely – surely – only one minute left, Harry's belly let out a groan. All of them giggled, the tense atmosphere suddenly disappearing.
"How can you possibly want more food?" asked Arra.
Harry tried not to laugh. "Well, I'm not hungry for more food. My stomach is grumbling because it wants – uh, – less food," An awkward silence enveloped them, none of them understanding what Harry was trying to say. Harry cleared his throat. "What I meant to say was, I need to get to a toilet, before I throw up, wet myself or… worse." There was a moment of silence before they all burst into giggles.
Harry suddenly jumped up. "I need to go, and I need to go now," Harry started running towards the ladder. "Arra! Where's your toilet?!"
Arra got up. "I need to show him where the bathroom is, or we'll have a major disaster." She ran after Harry.
When they finished giggling, Leo wrapped his arm around her, and Ruva leant her head against him. Without knowing why, Ruva activated her second gift. The ribbons surrounding her gave her comfort, and she didn't realise she was sharing them until she heard Leo's gasp.
'Is this… Is this your gift?' asked Leo.
Ruva didn't know what to say.
'But… your gift was – is – animal speaking. How is this possible?'
Ruva didn't have the words that Leo needed, so she showed him instead. Ruva picked up his hand and made it touch her green gift ribbon. They both became absorbed into a memory.
I watch Jacinta put our child to bed. Sweet Ruva, she doesn't deserve any of this.
Ruva gasps as she realises who the memory shows. She was looking through the eyes of Edward Springden, her late father. Ruva's breathing became faster, and she knew she was spiralling into a panic attack.
But then Leo clasped her hand, and Ruva felt herself calm down.
'Who are these people?' asked Leo. 'Is that little girl you?'
Ruva gave the smallest nod, saying, "Yes, and these were my parents."
Leo squeezed Ruva's hand once more, and they continued to watch the memory play out.
My head is getting sore already, and I know I won't be able to sleep tonight. The only way I could keep her safe was by connecting her to me, and holding that connection for as long as I can.
The Hyroa is still on the edge of our camp, unmoving as a boulder. I can't even hear it breathe, and that's what scares me.
Ruva took in a stuttered breath, now knowing exactly what this memory would show. Leo asked what was wrong, but she shushed him, needing to know what happens next.
Someone comes out of the woods to our left. The Hyroa growls, and leaps at the person. I don't see what happens next, but the Hyroa lets out a roar, an injured roar. The person stabs the Hyroa, and it lets out one desperate roar before it dies.
I feel a twang from my gift, and I know that Ruva is awake. I see her tiny head peak out of the tent, her face crinkled in worry. I will her to go back inside, but she stays there, watching.
The man turns towards us. His beautiful, horrible eyes light up in recognition.
Aven Dalmarta.
Aven Dalmarta stands in front of us, holding his legendary blade, Ae'nara. We learnt his secret years ago, and so far have managed to avoid him. But here he stands, twenty years later. Aven moves faster than I can follow, and then he is holding the blade against Jacinta's neck. He slowly presses the blade, and blood flows down her neck.
I stop, rigidly still, as I watch my wife mouth four words. "I… Don't… Regret… Anything…"
I dive for Jacinta, and he stabs me faster than my human sight can follow. I feel Ruva's emotions, the shock and distress running through her.
I am covered in blood. My blood, my wife's blood. I feel myself rising upwards, and I know I am dying. But then, I feel a tug. My gift is still connected to Ruva, and it wants to come with me. With everything I have left, I shove my last memories and my gift towards Ruva, severing it from myself.
I will die, but my gift will live onwards.
Ruva gasped, the sound echoing around them. Her control wavered, and the ribbons around her disappeared. Ruva's breathing was becoming uneven, and little dots filled her vision.
What she just saw…
Leo turned Ruva's head so that it faced him. 'Did you really see your parents die?' Ruva could see the tears in Leo's chocolate-brown eyes.
"Y-Y-Yes. I did. I saw it all."
Leo brushed a strand of golden from her face, his hand lingering on her cheek. 'I wish I was there to support you.'
"It happened a long time ago. I'm… okay with it now," As Ruva spoke, an unavoidable wave of tiredness washed over her. She was barely able to keep her eyes open, so she quickly spoke, "I've overused my gift, and…" –Ruva yawned– "and I'm going to fall asleep," The last part of her speech was slurred, and she now leaned fully on Leo.
The fireworks started, the bright colours reflecting in Leo's eyes. Ruva shut her own eyes, the bangs from the fireworks like a distorted lullaby.
'Sleep well.'
Leo smiled as he looked at Ruva's peaceful face. The fireworks in the distance splashed colours over her golden-blond hair. The yellow fireworks made Ruva's hair look like it was made from solid gold, and Leo liked that best of all. The scent of peaches wafted around her, and Leo couldn't help but relish it.
Ruva's face scrunched slightly, and Leo knew she was having a dream. He shuddered as he remembered all that Ruva had been through, she witnessed both of her parents die at such a young age. Leo knew he could never face such challenges and turn out okay, and he admired Ruva's strength.
Ruva started shivering from the cold, and Leo realised it was time to bring her inside. He swept her into his arms, and started carrying her to the ladder. Ruva smiled in her sleep, she leant her head against Leo's chest. Electricity thrummed through Leo's veins, she hadn't done this since he pulled her out of the lake. He walked down the stairs, trying not to jostle Ruva, and carried her to Arra's room. Leo laid Ruva down on the bed, but when he tried to pull away Ruva protested. Her arms reached around, trying to find Leo, and she started making a whimpering noise that reminded him of his younger sister.
Leo reached for her hand, her fingers were long and thin. He could feel callouses from her riding, and the rough parts she used for climbing trees. Her fingers felt up his arm, and brushed across his face. He let Ruva's fingers follow the crease lines on his face, her delicate hand ending up on his lips. Leo placed a kiss on her hand, before gently putting it down. She didn't protest, and Leo left without a sound.
…
Ruva woke up, wondering how she got into Arra's bedroom. Arra was leaning against the wall, eating a delicious looking cupcake.
"Morning, Angel, enjoy your beauty sleep?"
Ruva sat up, belatedly noticing the sun streaming through the window. "What time is it?"
Arra smirked, "It's eleven-thirty, you slept like the dead last night. Harry and Leo have already left."
Ruva remembered what happened with Leo, and her face slowly turned red. Arra noticed her expression. "I noticed you looked pretty cosy with Leo last night, anything I might find… interesting?" Arra waggled her eyebrows.
"Nothing," said Ruva quickly.
"Change into your clothes so we can have some lunch, your parents are waiting for you to come home," Arra walked out of the door and down the hallway, "I'll see you in the kitchen!" she called. Ruva got up and quickly got changed, she wanted to savour this time with Arra.
An hour later, Ruva was full and ready to go back to the palace, she waved goodbye to Arra and stepped through the bubbledoor. This was the last weekend of the holidays, before she was back to Akarnae.
Back to her friends,
Back to Leo.
