Chapter 4

Wilbur POV

I watched as dad nervously paced back and forth in front of the fire. It was starting to get late and we hadn't heard nor seen anything from Tommy. Techno had gathered a few other ingredients he had found in the forest and was currently looking through a book he had brought along titled "Survival meals 101" Very subtle, I thought to myself. Even if it seemed stupid at the time, Technos 'wilderness survival guide's'' had come in handy. After the war started, he spent a few months researching and preparing if we ever needed it. He had become paranoid and very anxious. It did end up working, hence this situation right now, but it was still a little obsessive. I miss home, and Niki. Niki Nihachu was my best friend. We had met and become friends during a festival where I got lost and began to have a panic attack. It was one of my first times in town and I couldn't have been more frightened at the ridiculous situation. If only being lost was my only problem. I huffed, thinking about the mundane ordeals from before the war only made me miss it that time much more. I'm starting to sound like some old guy. I chuckled to myself, earning a strange look from Techno. Realizing he was staring at me, I stopped chuckling and excused myself to get some more firewood, already knowing that Techno had gathered enough firewood for at least 3 weeks. I walked out of our little campsite, slightly embarrassed. I rubbed the back of my neck before shrugging it off and taking a deep breath. The woods, although not my typical hangout, are actually quite relaxing. I took in the scenery, the bushes, the trees, small rodents crawling around, the smell of trees and moisture from the greenery. It was around 6 in the afternoon, the sun will set in about an hour or so. Trying to distract myself from any ideas of what Tommy has probably gotten himself into, I started walking around, toward the direction Techno had come from with the fish, hoping to find a river or lake of some sort. To my relief there was a small river that flowed into a lake. Water and music had always been an escape for me from all my problems, so finding this gorgeous lake in the middle of the woods was quite a blessing. Relaxing myself, I inhaled the fresh air and sat down by the side of the lake. I leaned against a tree that sat on the edge of it and before I realized it, I had drifted off to sleep.

Tommy POV

I was bloody tired.

So much had happened in so little time, and even if you're half as much of a strong guy like me, you'd still be somewhat exhausted. I watched as the, whom i'd assume to be chiefs', expression changed from one of thinking one to one of worry and surprise. She crossed her arms and inspectioned the black demon before glancing at me then back.

"Bad", she paused briefly before continuing,"It's been a while." What the fuck is going on?

"Captain Puffy, please, we have no time to waste! I advise we move your camp and the other halflings further up north. We have at most a few days before they get here!" He seemed very panicked.

"Woah Woah woah, Calm down BBH. We're safe here. And we're still working out some things with the neighboring villages to form some type of alliance based defense system." She put her hand up in a 'stop' motion. He lowered his head and muttered an apology. The blue guy, maybe some type of jewel or crystal demon, put his hand on the other's shoulder.

"Hey, let's talk this over some food, yeah?" He smiled and began pushing the black demon, Bad, I assumed, towards another door as the chief followed behind, stopping briefly to glance at me. I awkwardly smiled and once again began to follow them. We walked down a long, oak corridor that stopped at some birch doors. Skeppy, the demon, opened the doors to reveal some kind of celebratory hall, probably for community meetings. There was a lengthy table covered in food. It made my mouth water. The smell that hit me when those doors opened was heavenly. It was quickly accompanied by a homely feeling.

Wilbur POV

I felt something warm on my cheek as I slowly came back to consciousness. I pried my heavy eyelids open and saw the silhouette of...a fish...or a girl? My vision was still blurred but I felt her panic and speedily disappear from my side. My mind was still trying to process the situation when I was fully woken by someone, very rudely, splashing me with water.

"H-Hey!" I stood up, inspecting my now wet attire. Flustered, I looked for the perpetrator of my nap, only to be met with a now darkening sky. Confuzzled, I started heading back before getting hit by 'Smack!' against the back of my head. "What the hell?!"

I heard a giggle followed by a swift, 'Sploosh.' Curious now, I walked back to the creek and bent over. As I peered into the creek I was met with a gorgeous pair of midnight eyes. The beautiful creature emerged from the water slowly. Her ginger hair is as bright and warm as the sunset. I felt my face heat up when I realized how close our faces were. She took my breath away...and there I stood, frozen.

"Um...hello!" She smiled cheerfully.

Taking in her beauty, I gazed at her and watched as she began to flush. I shook my head. Not right now Wilbur, say something before she leaves!

"Oh uh- Good morning!" I waved and mentally beat myself up with a frying pan. IT'S DAWN WILBUR. DAWN, NOT MORNING. You dense motherfuck-

She giggled. A warm and sing-songy giggle. Seemingly more comfortable now, she swam up to the lake side and layed her salmon tail on a large rock; with a playful smirk she wittingly responded, "Morning Sleeping beauty!"

Embarrassment crawled it's way up my spine as I thought, My god- She's amazing! But being the competitive, lady charmer that I am I thought, I can't let her get away with that swing at my already withering ego. Yes, those exact words. I don't have very good self esteem either, but heck, at least I'm honest...right?

With a troublemaker smirk I cunningly outwitted her by saying, "This, My fair lady, is not a fairy tale, although- It might as well be, with the ironic timing of everything recently. Would that make you my princess? Which of the brother's Grimm's famous storylines would this be? Would I be a beast? Or your knight in shining armour that must enamor you with a magical kiss?" She rolled her eyes and scrunched up her nose. I felt my heart flutter.

"Alright then, let's say that rhetorically; you were my prince charming. How would I know? What makes you different from all the other fairy tale princes? And even then- I don't know your name! As a wise woman once said, 'You can't marry a man you just met!' Or with fake sideburns- but that's besides the point." Without thinking my hand went up to the side of my face- forgetting that I don't even have sideburns to begin with. I quickly played that off by laying my other hand on my elbow and acting surprised.

"Fake sideburns?! I wouldn't even dream of such endeavors! However-" I took this as my chance to make a move. I turned and examined the area to find a singular white lily, just at the peak of its bloom. It's a sign~ Quickly, but carefully, snapped it off it's branch at just the right length to hold.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose; That by any other name would smell just as sweet?" This time I could practically see her heart flutter.

"Shakespeare-" With a small gasp she reached out towards the lily, the moonlight highlighting her pale skin.

"Wilbur Soot Watson, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." I took her hand, knelt down, and placed a gentle kiss upon it.

"Pft- that wasn't even a rose, but alright... I'm Saline."