Chapter 2: Arie the Matchmaker
"28 bottles of beer on the wall…28 bottles of beer! You take one down and pass it around, 27 bottles of beer on the wall…"
As the little cleric was singing, Chaos, Fenris, and Loki could be seen with looks of annoyance. Chaos had a vein showing, and trying to calm himself down before he would crack and punch out a tree. Fenris found her self, hitting her self with Laevatein until it couldn't take it anymore and told its master to stop. And Loki was contemplating an approving and beneficial death for the singing monstrosity.
"25 bottles of beer on the wall…25 bottles of beer! You take one down and pass it around…"
'Only 24 more bottles of beer and this stupid song will be over and I won't have to waste my energy destroying half this forest,' thought Chaos.
'I sometimes wish Laevatein didn't feel anything that way I could still hit myself…' thought Fenris.
'And then I'll ring her neck and toss her around and then I'll use my Sword of Shadows to-but wait…what will I do with the body after she's dead…it takes up too much time digging a grave…' pondered Loki.
"1 bottle of beer on the wall…1 bottle of beer! You take one down and pass it around…no more bottles of beer on the wall!"
'I feel sorry for these people in a way. I mean…who in the world would be able to stand this girl singing that damn song let alone refraining to kill her…' thought Arie.
(AN: the mysterious presence from chap 1)
"Thank you gods it's-" Chaos began to say screaming in to the sky, but was interrupted when Iris exclaimed:
"Let's sing it again! Sing with me you-ugh…Fenris…wheeze…can't…cough…breathe…gurgle…"
"NO! I refuse to have to listen to that EXCUSE of a song one more time! I'd rather face a GIANT OCTO- no-TEN GIANT OCTOPI than THAT," screamed Fenris at the top of her lungs as she choked Iris with Laevetain.
(Sweat drop)'Okaaaaay…I take that back…' thought the Pixie.
Chaos and Loki stared dumbfounded at the usually reserved and PATIENT warlock strangling the little cleric.
"As much as I enjoy watching this little scene…and wish that I was the one conducting it…we are at the clearing," stated Loki in his monotonous voice.
Everyone stared at the assassin. Even the cleric was able to stare at him as the warlock loosened her grip on Laevetain (much to her relief).
Then Iris blinked in realization, rage, and irritation and shouted, "…HEY! What do you mean 'and wish that I was the one conducting it'!"
"Guys cool it. Iceman's right! Just quit bickering and lets set up camp," stated the Rune Knight. Everyone else took a glance at each other.
"Whatever…"
When the gang reached the clearing, Chaos handed out the jobs:
Loki-gather firewood
Fenris-fetch water
Iris-food
Chaos-putting up shelter
Loki and Fenris both set out to do their tasks together. Because Fenris had to go to the nearby stream to get water, Loki just picked the wood along the way and back.
It gave him some time to think about the relationship between him and his fellow companions, and to try to figure out exactly why in all of Rune-Midgard he put up with them. They kept on calling him their friend, but he still did not understand how they can call him, The Master Assassin, the cold blooded killer, and one of the 7 members of the Assassin Cross, a friend. Especially considering the fact that he hardly speaks to them, and was very anti-social. Hence the given nickname: Iceman.
He snorted at the nickname and could be heard mumbling something about, "Stupid Farmboys."
But thinking about the last 4 months together, he noticed that he did talk more than…usual. Whenever answering to anyone calling out to him, he would normally just give them a look and lead on. But now, he actually addressed his so called "friends" by their names, and actually held stable, and occasionally, long conversations. It seemed that these people who he had come in contact with were making seem more human, or at least getting him to talk more. And it made him feel...better about himself. Well…better than feeling like some…drone that took orders…or some…oddball.
While Loki was thinking about his changes, and occasionally stopping to pick up some sticks, Fenris was thinking about the man beside her, and sneaking glances at him whenever he looked the other way. She had gotten over Chaos a while back (AN: sorry, don't really like all those dramatic things with her and Chaos) and had begun to accept his relationship to Iris. Besides, Chaos seemed more like a little brother, one of the more annoying ones. It seems that everyday, one of his mannerisms would get to the point of unbearably annoying. And the same with Iris, she was the baby sister she never had. So she had already started the healing process of her broken heart.
Thinking about it, she had become rather close to the Assassin, and spent most of her time with him when she wasn't having an animated conversation with Iris.
Whenever Fenris had a conversation with him, it always relaxed and thoughtful. They would always sit away from their other two friends and contemplated the stars, or talked about the constellations, heck, they even talked about Chaos and Iris' previous arguments. Sometimes, they didn't talk at all and just enjoyed the other's presence. It was never uncomfortable, just laid back. She didn't know how she could stand him not being there to talk with her. But after that thought, another one came to her:
'Once our paths change, he will no longer be there to comfort you or have those relaxing conversations'
For some apparent reason, when this came to mind, she felt distressed, sad, and alone. And as she did she hadn't noticed the little hole in front of her. When Fenris did, it was too late. Loki, who was leading the way to the stream, hadn't seen her trip till the last minute. When he turned around to inform her they were there, they both fell to the ground.
Fenris' POV'Ugh, what happened, I think I fell over on something. I shouldn't think so deeply when I'm walking. Who knows what could happen! There's something hard under me, and my face is next to something. It feels so warm and soft. I can't help but like the feel of it'
Without opening my eyes, I start to nuzzle the warm/soft object. It feels so good.
"Mmmmm…" I start to moan as it starts to nuzzle me back. And I felt a little pressure around my waist but paid it no mind. But as my hearing became more focused, I hear breathing coming from it. I tense up suddenly, and I stop what I was doing, and I open my eyes.
End POV Loki's POV'Well, that was unexpected. So much for being the 'Master Assassin.' I am supposed to be alert and attentive. But I cannot even prevent Fenris from falling on top of me…but it is not really that bad. I kind of enjoy-whoa! ENJOY? Do I even know the meaning of the word?'
After opening my eyes, I found out that I was staring up at the trees, figures. But then I started to feel my cheek being rubbed by a warm source. It felt really good to have that feeling. I believe it is Fenris that is nuzzling me, but I did not want to instruct her to stop, it feels nice having her on me and nuzzling my cheek. I then closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around her waist to keep her in place, and started nuzzling her back sub-consciously. I hear her moan, she is enjoying this? Well, I know I am enjoying the feel of this. Maybe I do know the meaning of the word if it feels as good as this…
She suddenly tensed, and ceased her actions. If I were not me, I would have groaned for her to continue. I decided to loosen my grip on her thin waist still keeping my arms around her. Then I felt her lift her wait up off of my upper body. But by sitting up, she put some weight on a certain part of my anatomy, which I am quite partial to and caused my stomach to clench a little. She then looked down as our eyes met, and her eyes widened when she saw me underneath her.
End POVWhen she opened her eyes and sat up, she and Loki were in a very compromising position. She was on top of him sitting on him while straddling his waist, just a little ways off of his groin, while her hands were both on his chest. His legs were apart, and his arms had a loose grip on her waist, but still held on to her. And her eyes then widened and she flushed as she realized that she was just cuddling with him…and he cuddled back! He blinked once and she immediately scooted off of him.
'By the gods! I was just cuddling with Loki, and he did the same with me! This is so embarrassing! But it felt so good to be so close to him. Can this get any worse?' while her face slowly turned a light shade of pink.
"I am so, so, so, so, so sorry for falling on you Loki! I should've paid more attention to where I was going instead of my thoughts. Really, I didn't mean to topple over you."
While she was rambling on about tripping over him, his thoughts were along the lines of: 'I am not sorry you fell on me, it felt nice to have you that close to me. Especially when we cuddled. And you looked cute with your far off expression earlier'
After that last thought, Loki blinked again in order to stop any more thoughts coming in like those ones before he strode too far into the gutter. Besides, he never knew he could use the words 'cuddled' and 'cute' in the same train of thought. 'Well, you learn something new everyday…'
"It is alright Fenris; I know you did not mean to fall on top of me. Just hurry and get the water before Chaos and Iris notice our long absence."
"Alright, Loki. I'll be fast so we can get back."
While she went to bend down to get the bucket, Loki found himself staring at her and thinking:
'She looks cute when she blushes...'
He shook his head to get rid of the images flashing in his mind and bent down to pick up the firewood he had dropped.
'There I go again using the word cute! Not only that, but I sound like a lecherous twit.'
While he was doing this, Fenris had already gotten the water and stared at him thinking:
'He really is cute when he pouts like that...'
She then started to blush faintly at the thought and turned around before he caught her. They then started back down the path to camp.
On a high tree branch, Arie was leaning against a small shovel and was watching what had just happened with a huge smile on. As much as she loved embarrassing people, she loved playing matchmaker even more.
'Oh my goodness! This is going to be good! It's been so long since I've played matchmaker. And these two definitely have a thing for each other. This will be way better than all those other people who've come in this forest before. And it's a five-day walk to the village at the edge of this forest…plenty of time! Playing matchmaker for these two and their other two friends will be the best so far. Speaking of which, I better go check how those two are getting along. I did leave them in a BIND back there. This'll be great.'
After that thought, she snapped her fingers and vanished.
Earlier with Chaos and Iris
"Hey Chaos, how's the shelter coming' along?"
"As good as the 'food' you're 'making'"
"Hey it's not my fault that Loki and Fenris haven't come back yet with the firewood and water. So all I can do now is peel potatoes and cut up the veggies. Besides, don't you remember the last time we let you cook our dinner?"
Flashback
"Hey you guys! Have you seen the lighter fluid?"
Chaos looked towards the others as they were setting up camp. It was his turn to cook their dinner.
"I think it's in my bag, Chaos!" Fenris called back to him.
He turned to see Fenris' bag next to Iris' and rummaged through it. Chaos found two bottles and unscrewed one and smelt it to see if it was the fluid. Seeing as it smelled as bad as lighter fluid, he turned to the others, yelling to them that he found it, and turned back to the fire pit and poured some in. He took out a match and lit it, and dropped it on top of the fluid and the firewood.
BOOM!
Fenris, Iris, and Loki look at Chaos with anger as he smiled sheepishly back. His face, hair and clothes had covered in black soot, and his shoulder had a little flame burning on it. The others stood before him with soot covering all of them head to toe. And the pot that was supposed to be boiling water was blown to bits, as was the fire pit. It turns out, he had accidentally used Fenris' Dragon Sulfur Water thinking it was lighter fluid for the fire…and…well you know what happened.
End FlashbackChaos rolled his eyes and continued tying the rope down to the stake. She just HAD to bring that up again.
"Yeah, but do you remember the last time we let YOU go out and collect the firewood?"
Flashback
Iris was walking around the wood as she occasionally picked up a stick or two from the ground. She saw a stick a little bit ahead of her and bent down to pick it up. It was stuck and wouldn't budge. When she gave one last pull, she heard a growl above her. She looked up and saw really scary and pissed off tree spirit. And in her hand was its hand.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" When she ran into camp, so did the spirit and it chased everyone around until Loki had enough sense in him to cut it apart.
End Flashback
Iris glared at him and just "hmphed" before returning to her chore.Chaos just sighed at that. He somehow always managed to get into an argument with Iris. It was fun though whenever he teased her, and she looked cute whenever-
'Hold on a second... Did I just say Iris was CUTE? Oh well, it's true anyways, I guess. Whenever she gives me those eyes, I can hardly ever say "No" to her. I'm surprised she hasn't used it to her advantage yet, like asking me to jump off a cliff…'
While he was in deep thought, he hadn't noticed the Pixie, Arie, tie the rope he was using into a tangle on his hands making it impossible to even wiggle a finger out. Or the fact that she had bound his legs together.
And while this was happening, Iris was in deep thought about the said Rune Knight. For a while now, she had started falling for him, even though she didn't exactly know that. She could hardly ever keep her mind on some tasks; she'd always start thinking about him.
'He's so funny whenever I piss him off. It's really cute on him. And I'm surprised he still can't resist my 'Puppy-Dog-Pout', it gets him every time. You'd think that going through three years of it, he'd be immune to it, oh well. Maybe I should try asking him to jump off a cliff; that would get a few laughs…'
"Hey Chaos, I need some help with this damn fire pit, the rocks are too damn heavy. And do you think you could go see what those two Loki & Fenris are up to?"
When Iris had called to him, he turned around and ended up falling to the ground face first and making friends with Mr. Dirt. When he got onto his back, he looked down on his feet and legs and noticed that they were tangled rather tightly with the rope he was using.
"As much as I'd like to Iris," he shouted behind him, "I'm kinda tied up at the moment…LITERALLY!"
"What do you mean your 'tied up at the moment'," she called back as she turned around to face him. She looked at Chaos who was indeed tied up with a rope and was quite flustered. Iris blinked once, then twice and broke out into fits of hysterical laughter. Chaos now had a red vein popping and yelled, "It's not THAT FUNNY, Iris!"
She then put on a serious look and replied solemnly (or at least as solemn as someone who just came out of the kitchen after eating half their weight in Double Chocolate Fudge Swirl ice cream with sprinkles) "You're quite right Chaos, it's not funny it's Hilarious!"
She then broke into another laughing fit, which lasted 15 minutes, until she stopped and decided to help him.
"Okay, Chaos I need you to try and get up. I'll just cut the ropes off with my-"
"NO! Don't use your sword. The ropes are too close to my skin, you'll end up cutting me," he yelled as he began to get up off the ground.
"Well then what do you want me to do," she asked while giving him a look over.
"You'll have to untie knot by knot, then when it's loose enough you can cut it."
"If you say so…"
Chaos finally managed to get up and began hopping his way over to Iris. She rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it all while she smirked at him.
'Man, Chaos has no IDEA how cute he is when he acts stupid.'
'Her face looks really cute when she smirks like that. She should do that more often.'
When she stepped up to him, Arie gave him a push and he fell on top of Iris.
'What the Hel, something pushed me! Oh shit, IRIS! I'm right on top of her, not good, not good at all. Can this get any worse?'
'OUCH! That has got to hurt. I think this is my cue to go and check up on those other two' (AN: guess who that was!)
SNAP'Ugh, Chaos sure is heavy! How the in Hel am I supposed to get him off me? This is just a little to close for comfort. Can this get any worse?'
"I'm so sorry Iris, I think I lost my balance…err…or something like that," explained a very embarrassed Knight to a red faced Cleric.
"It's…o-okay…Ch-chaos…b-but… do ya' think you c-can g-get off of…me?"
After she gave her reply, he hurriedly turned over to the right side and landed on his back next to her.
"You okay there?"
"Yeah, thanks. Let's get you untied okay?"
When she sat in front of him, she noticed how close they were to each other. And Chaos also noticed how close she was to him. The whole time, both had a tinge of blush on their cheeks as Iris slowly undid all the knots until they were loose enough to cut after about an hour. So after 15 minutes they got the last knot cut.
Luckily, Arie had made it back in time to see that they were blushing. Yelling in her mind: 'YES!' as she saw them steal glances when the other wasn't looking while they got up.
'Just in time, too, Loki and Fenris will be back any minute now and I definitely would not want to explain why I/Chaos was tied up, and how I/he fell on top of her/me,' they both thought in unison.Just as they were about to go back to their tasks, Loki, leading a faintly pinked faced Fenris, came back with the firewood and water. Fenris looked up and got rid of any traces of her blush and called out to them:
"Hey guys! Did anything interesting happen while we were gone?"
"And do you care to explain why the last of our rope has been cut into shreds?"
A/N: Was it good or bad? Not to sure 'bout the fluff between the two couples, though. I can always think it up in my mind, but I can never really put to words. Too confusing. Please review me.