Disclaimer: Alas, I shall never own the rights to Newsies....... but I guess weaving them into complex story lines is almost as good. The forest belongs to me. Everyone else belongs to their creators respectively.
A/N1: Sorry I didn't make it clear, but Ducky, Buttons, and Ginny are Harpies. I hope that clears things up! Now, please sit back, relax, and enjoy the newest installment.
Chapter 3
Do I sit here and wait for someone to find me, or should I go look for help? Mush asked himself as he stared wide eyed at his surroundings. Well, what are the chances I'll be found out here in the middle of nowhere? By something that doesn't want to eat you? Not very good. You should probably start moving. Mush agreed with himself, and got to his feet.
He walked until he came to an open meadow, here he stopped and listened. He could hear a very peculiar sound, it was very soft, but no doubt there. It sounded a bit like a mix between the purr and the growl of a cat. Mush looked around, but he saw nothing suspicious. In fact the only other thing he could see was a patch of orange and black flowers a few feet away surrounded by a rather large area which was just grass.
Just then, something flew past his head. It was a dragonfly.
Wow. Mush thought. I've never seen a black and white striped bug before. He watched it as it flew lazy circles around the field, it's wings flashing brightly in the sun. Suddenly the sound grew louder and, as the insect flew over the stand of flowers, one stretched forward and its petals pulled back, revealing a very sharp looking set of fangs. It snatched the bug out of midair, and with a sickening crunch, devoured it whole.
Mush took an involuntary step backward, eyes wide. He thought about the girls who sold flowers on the street corners back home, and finally the name came to him.
"Tiger lilies." He said to himself, laughing a little shakily as he backed away, eyes never leaving the stand of flowers until he came to a new path. This he followed more cautiously, giving the meadow a wide berth.
"Please God," He prayed quietly, "If you let me live through this, I will never cheat another customer ever again, no matter.....!"
"WHAT THE HELL!" Spot was beginning to seriously dislike forests. Not that he had ever had much experience with them before. But currently, it was thorns in particular which had pushed him into his current mood. As if waking up in a strange place wasn't bad enough, he had come into consciousness just in time to find himself in the middle of a bramble patch.
After carefully picking his way out of that mess, and acquiring a few dozen scratches for his trouble, he had been a bit irritated, and rightfully so. But as his luck would have it, not ten minutes later he had come upon a small hedge of bushes.
In his defense, Spot had never seen a rose bush before in his life. Coming out on the other side, Spot's pants were sporting several holes which the manufacturers had never intended, and Spot himself was bleeding in several places. Not to mention the angry red welts which now ran the length of both of his arms and any other bare patch of skin. Currently, Spot was sitting waist deep in a burr patch, having lost his footing on a small hill, and tumbled down to the bottom.
What is the purpose of this stupid plant anyway? Spot asked himself as he picked futilely at the small toothsome balls of thorny hooks which were now clinging to every available surface of Spot's person.
So Spot sat for quite a while, pulling off the evil burrs, and using his extensive vocabulary, living next to the Brooklyn docks has its advantages, to his advantage. It was in the middle of one pointedly creative use of several choice words strung together, that he heard it.
So soft at first, that it seemed a mere hint of a tune on the wind.
I've never heard anything so beautiful. Spot thought to himself as he got to his feet, completely forgetting his previous misadventures. I have to find the owner of that voice.
He moved slowly, as though through a dream. A deep calm settled in his head, and the only thought that mattered was that which was centered on discovering what magnificent creature could produce such a melody.
Mush hears it too. He thought off handedly as he watched Mush come out onto the path he was following a few paces ahead of him.
The fact that he ought to be curious, agog, and amazed by Mush's presence out here in the forest never even crossed his mind.
They drew ever closer to the source, until, finally, the haunting lyrics became intelligible.
Draw near, closer now
Into my painted wings
What man can resist
When the siren sings
Let not your ears be deadened
By the ocean's roar
Just hear my sweet lament
And I'll ask no more
Give up your will to me!
You've traveled far, my love
And the road's been cruel
Come rest with me a while
Why act like a fool
For I will guide you
To my welcome shore
So give you're soul to me
When you hear the call
Upon this crimson rock
Your body lying still
And from your broken veins
I will drink my fill
Your love has given me
Meaning to my song
Within my empty heart
Is where your blood belongs.
The twisted web of words was woven thickly around the boy's thoughts. Neither could grasp the meaning of the words, and both felt a yearning deep within their souls to follow the originators of this melody to what ever end. Spot could not deny that a more captivating harmony had never graced his hearing.
"That must be what angels sound like." He whispered out loud, though his voice sounded distant, and somehow fragmented, as though it had hit a prism on its way out from between his lips.
Closer still the two boys drifted, until finally the screen of trees gave way and they were standing on bare rock. There before them were three creatures of unequivocal beauty. They sang together, their voices blending and folding over one another. Each elegantly beckoning with pale hands and slender fingers.
The tallest, though not by much, was standing to the far left. Closest to the cliff's edge and the ocean below. Her piercing blue-gray eyes held Spot's gaze, and he was helpless to break the contact. Her curly red hair swayed with the slight breeze. Next to her stood a girl of smaller stature, but no less beautiful. Her wavy black hair fell softly to the middle of her back, a striking contrast to her eyes. Her steely bright purple gaze was now holding Mush captive. The girl closest to them seemed to be the eldest. Her dark brown hair fluttered in the breeze as her penetrating gaze caressed first one boy and then the other.
Her green eyes burned with some inner flame as she drew an intricately carved bone-handled dagger from a sheath, which was previously concealed in the folds of her skirt. Each girl wore a similar outfit, loose, flowing layers of blue and gray. She drew ever closer, her gaze now fixed upon Spot, none of the trio had yet abandoned their enchanting melody.
Spot stood paralyzed, not having the strength of will, nor the desire to move. Hypnotized as he was, thoughts of his own mortality were furthest from his mind. The girl circled him until she stood directly behind him. Gently she placed the first two fingers of her left hand under his chin, and tipped it up, revealing a pale column of bare throat.
With her other hand, she brought up the knife, placing it against the pulse visibly fluttering in his throat. She slowly added pressure, prolonging the actual event as long as possible. As the razor sharp point bit into his neck, a drop of blood, crimson in stark contrast to the glinting silver, welled in the hollow, and slowly slipped down his neck kissing his collarbone before disappearing from sight beneath the collar of his shirt.
"You would do well to stay your hand." Came a voice from just behind them.
The siren's song was cut short, and the knife fell to the stone with a clatter. All three sirens hissed, barring their teeth, revealing long sharp fangs. Both boys came to at once, and shook their heads as if to clear them of confusing dreams only vaguely remembered.
What just happened? Spot thought, bringing a shaking hand to his neck which burned and stung fiercely. He brought his fingers away only to find them smeared with scarlet. Mush rushed over to him just as his legs refused to support him any longer and realization set in. Another three seconds, and I would have been dead.
"You have no power over us Emotions." The girl who had dropped the dagger spat.
"I seem to recall a representative of your race attending the council which asked my advice and begged for my help. You Milkshake would so readily destroy those who I have acquired to help you defeat your enemies?" Emotions asked angrily. Milkshake's green eyes flashed hatred.
Spot turned for the first time, beholding the girl who was his savior.
I've seen her before. Was the first thought to blaze a path across his mind. Then he got his first real look at the figure in white. Though her face was young, her eyes were wise beyond their years. He could catch small glimpses of auburn hair, but most of it was hidden by a white hood. She was wearing many layers of white robes, with a white cloak wrapped around her shoulders. She was purity. She was light. She was good. She was hope. She was Emotions, the Witte Wieven, the most powerful being in the land.
"We asked you for warriors!" Milkshake growled.
"And there you have them." Emotions stated with deadly calm.
"They are male, and they are young! What good are they to us?" Milkshake shouted.
"They will prove their worth in time, but do what you will." Emotions said, "If you do choose to kill them, know this; any allegiance you held with me will be broken, you will have the friendship of no other creature in this forest, you will be forsaken." With that she turned and disappeared into the dense woods.
Okay, being left unsupervised with the murderous broad was not exactly how I wanted that to go. Spot thought as he felt their combined gazes raking over Mush and himself.
"Coin," Milkshake called after a minute. The girl with the purple eyes looked up. "You are on guard, no one comes into our territory until this is straitened out."
"As you wish." Coin said, heading off to the border.
"Red?" Milkshake called again.
"Yeah?" The redhead answered.
"Will you see if you can find us something to eat?"
"Right away." Red replied before setting out to find new prey. Milkshake bent and picked up the dagger.
"As for you two." She said, pointing the knife in their direction. "If you take one step off of this rock, I will hunt you down and kill you slowly. Do you understand?" Both boys nodded. "Good, and trust me, if you test me, you'll regret......"
It really is a beautiful place. Pie Eater thought as Chameleon led him down the beach. Coming around the final bend, Pie laid eyes on a familiar face.
"Blink!" He shouted happily. Blink looked up, startled.
"Pie!" He answered with equal enthusiasm and surprise. Pie Eater raced forward and embraced his friend tightly, nearly toppling them both back into the shimmering water.
"What happened to you?" Pie asked, pulling away and looking down at his now damp shirt.
"I don't really know." Blink answered. "I woke up and I was underwater."
"Are you all right, God, I never thought I'd see anybody ever again."
"I'm fine now, Pie, this is Imagine." He inclined his head toward the girl he had been talking to. "She saved my life."
"It's a pleasure to meet you miss." Pie said. "This is Chameleon, she said that she and her friends might be able to help me... well, us now." Blink tipped his hat to the girl.
From the edge of the cove, there was a splash, and a flash of blue which shimmered magenta and green in the light.
"That's Tig." Imagine said as the new comer swam up, her black hair flowing out behind her, and her blue eyes alight with curiosity.
"Hi." She said brightly as she reached the shore where the boys were currently occupying a couple of flat rocks.
"Hello." They returned amiably.
"Tig, this boy is Kid Blink, and the other is Pie Eater." Chameleon said, pointing to each boy in turn.
"Welcome to our home." Tig said, smiling sweetly.
"Thank you." Blink said.
"Cricket!" Tig welcomed her friend, as a fourth girl entered the pool.
She has no hair. Was the first thought to cross Pie's mind. She is absolutely beautiful. Was the second. The obvious lack of hair, drew attention to her eyes which were sharp and intelligent. The deep green of her irises blended into the soft brown of her pupils, giving her eyes an eerie quality. Also quite noticeable, was the tattoo on the right side of her head. Beautiful and ornate, the Celtic cross stained her skin. Her fin as she swam, flashed from an uninteresting sea green to bright glittering silver in the sun.
"They need our help." Imagine said by way of explanation. Cricket looked over both boys for a long moment before nodding.
"We will do what we can to help you." She said quietly. "But perhaps you can aid us as well."
A/N2: If anyone has a problem with the speech patterns of their character, please tell me and I'll try to tone it down a bit. Right now I'm simply writing the characters the way they want to be written. Once again, the next chapter will be out as soon as I find enough time to write it. Please review!
P.S. The song "Song of Siren" belongs to Inkubus Sukkubus.
Shoutouts!
(longer this time!)
Shinigami nanada- I NEED FLUKE'S PROFILE! If you did not get my email please review or email me and tell me. If I haven't heard from you by my next chapter then I can't use her! So PLEASE contact me!
Lady of Tir Na Nog- I've read the one's where they cram them all in too, and I promised myself that if I ever did a casting call I wouldn't do that. Thanks for the review, and the complements : )
geometrygal- It is a lot. I honestly didn't expect that big of a response. Hehe, that was my favorite line too. God I love Snitch. Thanks for the review!
Thumbsucker Snitch- Yay, you loved it! And Yay, I get hearts and lots of sugar! Lol, thanks for reviewing.
Dimonah Tralon- Thank you very much, and thanks for the review!
Trolley- Thank you so much, and thanks for the review!
SpecsGlasses- You are the best reviewer ever! You make me so happy. And if you were excited about your name, you must be very happy now! Your in the chapter! Lol. Sorry your part's not big yet. Thanks for reviewing!
CiCi- You are in this chapter, I made sure! Thanks for the review.
Coin- Yay! Socks are being rocked, my life goal is complete : ) They're harpies, sorry I didn't make that clear, I tend to write around midnight, and things like that slip. Thanks for the review!
Strawberri Shake- Yup, they're harpies, sorry I didn't make that clear. Thanks for the luck, I'm gonna need it, lol, and thanks for reviewing!
Sita-chan- Hehe, that was my favorite line too! It was a terrific review! In fact it made my day. Thank you for reviewing.
Written Sparks- Thank you very much for the complements, and thanks for reviewing!
C.M. Higgins- Thank you, I hope you liked this chapter too. Thanks for the review!
Oxymoronic Alliteration- Yay! I get a cookie, much sugar for me! Lol. I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Legallyred- Thank you very much, and thanks for the review!
Checkmate- Thank you so much! Yes, there will be adventures abound.... eventually, lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Emotions- (Takes several deep breaths) : ) Thanks! And thank you for reviewing.
Shooter O'Brien- I got your profile, all's well in the universe : ) Thanks for reviewing!
Ccatt- Thank you so much, I was actually worried about what people would think of the way they talked. Thanks for the review!
Matchin' Laces- Thank you very much, and thanks for the review!
Cassies-Grandma- Don't worry, I'll use Smarty soon! Thanks for the review!
Moonlights Sundance- Yay, I got a cookie! Sugar makes me happy : ) Thank you so much for the complements, and thanks for the review!
uninvisible- No, I've never read Tamorah Pierce, I usually don't really like fantasy, but my best friend loves her stuff. Thanks for the review!
Buttons14- Don't worry, I forgive you. After all, you took the time to review! Don't worry I'll get around to Les soon. Thanks for reviewing!
SparkS- Lol, yeah, I like Blink too. He is really easy to pair off. Thanks for the review!
