Hey y'all! I'm so excited to share with y'all some of Amulet's art she made! It's so awesome. I have no idea how to make pics show up on ffn so if you go find this story on AO3, you will see the art. This is a fun little 2 part AU chapter like the Christmas one, but back in the Ren Fair. You will find some hints and just those situations that can only occur when ME beings end up in earth.
"I am so excited for this year's Ren fair" Chloe said sighing happily as she collapsed back on Leila's bed.
"same" Leila said continuing to click on her laptop hunting for makeup ideas to go along with their costumes.
"How come you don't want to be fairies again?" Chloe asked closing her eyes lazily.
"we have done that for the past 4 years Chloe. I want to try something else" Leila said jabbing a finger towards the closet which Chloe didn't see as she had her eyes shut.
"But, come one Leila, why peasants?" Chloe murmured in a slightly sardonic tone. She quite liked the dresses they had as "peasants". Leila made a noise of protest at Chloe's insufferably, but did not comment.
"Its nearly 6am" she said instead "we need to get dressed and look at these two simple makeup ideas I have saved for us". Chloe made a sleepy noise of contentment until Leila got up and smacked her across the face with a pillow.
"Alright, alright, I'm up already jeez" Chloe pushed herself back off Leila's bed and headed towards the closet. "What did you say these are called again?" Chloe asked as she woven a metal chain like a corset across the front after a minute of dressing herself.
"A dirndl" Leila said way too cheerily for the early hour as she approached Chloe with ribbons in her hands. She was already dressed and waited patiently until Chloe sat and she could braid the ribbons into her golden blonde hair. She was very efficient and soon Chloe was braiding Leila's dark brown, nearly black, locks and placing fake flowers in them.
"Maybe we shouldn't wear makeup" Chloe said as Leila began rifling through her drawers for her makeup supplies "peasants didn't, right?" Leila glanced up at Chloe considering.
"but maybe" She started until Chloe interrupted.
"It so hot that it will melt off and be problematic in the afternoon anyway" she argued not wanting to go to the effort of makeup.
"that was never a concern when we went as fairies" Leila grunted, but acquiesced.
"Let's go then!" Chloe squealed.
"Who is driving the first half?" Leila asked. Chloe shrugged noncommittally and Leila rolled her eyes heading to the driver's seat. 15 minutes later Leila was contently listening to podcasts as drove onto the highway while Chloe had managed to fall asleep. She slept until Leila had driven halfway and woke with many grumbles before taking her turn driving the rest of the way to the Ren Fair.
"we need a map first off" Leila said as they approached one of the entrances.
"No, lets just explore anything and everything. We can find specific things later" Chloe said shaking her head.
"But we should get a map in any case even if its for later" Leila argued rolling her eyes and picking up a couple of maps.
"Quite right. You should always be prepared" came a surprisingly silky voice from across Leila's other side. Both girls looked over in surprise towards the voice. Leila stared in shock in at the man's appearance and Chloe could feel a blush rise. He looked back at them quirking an amused eyebrow at their obvious shock. Leila forced herself to glance away quickly before asking who he was.
"An old friend" he responded easily with a charming smile. His golden red hair gleamed in the morning sunlight like it had a hidden glow inside it rather then just a reflection of the sunlight.
"Where did you get your wig from?" Chloe piped up before she could stop herself marveling at the hair color as it fell down his back. He gave a light shrug and an easy wink before gesturing them through the entrance. The girls exchanged glances as they walked by and Chloe barely muffled the giggle that escaped as Leila elbowed her.
"Damn, he was so hot" Chloe whispered glancing back towards the entrance, frowning, when she could not find him. Leila shrugged and tried to hide her own blush. Chloe just smirked not fooled at all.
"Come on" She said clutching Chloe's arm and dragging her deeper inside the fair.
"Look! Horses! I adore them" Chloe said pointing towards a makeshift stable outside a large sandy arena.
"Must be where the jousting is" Leila said pulling out her trusted map and consulting it with a nod.
"let's go see if we can pet them" Chloe said cheerfully and heading towards the makeshift stable.
"I doubt its allowed" Leila said speculatively. Chloe ignored her and continued on without looking back to see if Leila was following.
"Excuse me" Chloe said approaching a man holding onto two different horses. Both were tall at around 16 hands and were dressed as if they were about to be mounted for jousting. They had on the horse armor and colored fabric of specific knights.
"How can I help you?" He asked smiling benignly at Chloe and giving Leila a suspicious look. Leila felt taken aback but refrained from commenting. She felt immensely glad she hadn't as he turned and both caught the full effect of his tall figure and dark hair.
"May we pet your horse? Uh horses" Chloe asked shyly as his dark grey eyes caught hers. There was something strangely familiar about him.
"Of course," He said easily "you've always liked animals."
"I, uh, what?" Chloe said baffled.
"You seem like an animal lover" he said amending his statement with a brief inclination of his head.
"Your Fae or Elf costume is very well done" Leila said peering at his ears. You could not even see where the point was artificially connected. He looked at Leila with a strange gleam in his eye and thanked her courteously.
"Yea, the golden ribbons are very pretty" Chloe said as she patted the nose of one of the horses. Leila hesitated at the dark haired-man's gaze upon her as she mimicked Chloe. It was an aggressive gaze, but it was not the friendly one he had given Chloe and she couldn't understand why.
"Thank you" Chloe said scratching the horse's ears as he leaned his head into her "I'm Chloe by the way and that is Leila"
"Fin" he said nodding at her introduction and reached out to pat the horse himself.
"What are you doing here? Stay away from her" spat an aggressive voice and everyone turned in unison. A very tall man, taller than Fin, black haired and angry stood before them. One of the horses tried to break away with a snort of terror until Fin started whispering soothing words to them. Chloe and Leila stared at each other and backed away a few steps.
"The red eye contacts are kinda fitting" Chloe whispered to Leila behind her hand.
"they are not contacts!" he spat spinning to face them. Fin got in between the three of them with a sardonic look.
"now now brother. Let us not scare strangers away with our method acting" the golden haired one from the gate seemed to almost sashay into place beside the black haired one. He gave him a ferocious scowl.
"So what roles are y'all acting out?" Leila interjected bravely quailing under the black-haired ones look of fury and the golden ones smile.
"We can't just let anyone know our roles" the golden smiled brightly patting a horse "it would ruin the effect"
"Get your hands off him" Fin spat glaring with surprising anger in his grey eyes.
"Maybe everyone should just calm down" Chloe squeaked out putting her hands up in placating gesture.
"but of course," said the golden haired one as Fin scowled, but nodded after a pause. Everyone then looked towards the black-haired guy. His arms were crossed as he gave everyone a stare down.
"So, what is your name?" Leila finally ventured when it became clear the black-haired guy wasn't going to verbally acquiescence.
"You may call me Mairon and this is my..brother..who we just call K" He said making Leila blush as he winked at her.
"Nice to meet you" Chloe said hesitantly holding out her hand to "K" who was looking at her oddly. He stared at her hand before taking it in his and proceeded to tuck it into his arm. She let out a choked noise of surprise as Leila glared at him.
"Unhand her immediately" Fin spat looking pissed and cold at the same time.
"She is mine" he said not moving an inch as Chloe tried to surreptitiously tug her hand away.
"No, she isn't!" Leila snapped hackles rising "this method acting is going too far" she finished with a look at Mairon.
"She's the Feanorians now" Fin hissed with an almost invisible smirk.
"I crushed you underfoot like a mouse for stealing her once already. I'll make you pay again for eternity if you wish" He snarled as Chloe yelped at the tug on her arm.
"steal?" he scoffed "I think rescue is a better term"
"Now, now. Let us all remember the rules and play nicely" Mairon said waving a hand. Leila scowled at everyone. He said something in a strangely musical language to black-haired guy and with a sulky glare finally released Chloe's arm. She scurried behind Leila and they grabbed each other's hands tightly.
"sorry" Leila said not sounding sorry at all "we need to go"
"go where?" Mairon said smiling at her.
"go to the weapons store" Chloe blurted out randomly as Leila looked at her in alarm. All three turned to stare at her. She looked towards Leila in alarm and they both turned and scurried off quickly leaving the three beautiful weirdos behind.
"that was so bizarre" Leila whispered to a rapidly nodding Chloe "don't look back in case it encourages them."
"Let us actually go to the weapon store" Chloe said with a furtive look around "I want a sword." Leila laughed a bit too hard and pulled out her map. They trudged off a moment later both shooting glances around the fair.
"welcome" the smith, or store owner, or both said glancing up as they walked into the spacious tent.
"So heavy" Chloe grunted hefting a long sword up.
"very heavy indeed" said a silver haired man approaching them with a small smile at Leila and a glance at the sword "but" he began leaning in "of inferior make."
"inferior make?" Leila asked shooting a quick glance at the store owner, but he did not seem to have heard the stranger.
"You can call me Cel" he said by way of greeting.
"Why is it inferior make?" Chloe whispered leaning towards him. He smiled knowingly and shook his head.
"It's quite hard to explain to those who are not smiths or craftsmen" he said lifting a knife and spinning it around idly.
"ooh" Leila said looking interested "are you a craftsman"
"One of many" he said giving a strange gesture and bow towards Leila and leaving the tent.
"Looking for anything in particular?" the owner asked approaching them and looking with concern at the heavy sword Chloe was still holding up.
"Oh, I, um, just looking" Chloe stuttered quickly allowing the owner the take the sword and gesture at smaller weapons with an amused smile.
"Find something or lets go eat" Leila said looking at Chloe as her stomach rumbled. Chloe rolled her eyes and with a quick thanks to the store owner, they both left.
"not checking the map?" Chloe said smirking at Leila.
"You just follow the smell of food" She snapped back rolling her eyes.
"Going for food? Allow us to accompany you" Came the silky-smooth voice of Mairon from beside Leila. She stared at Chloe in consternation and narrowed her eyes at the black-haired one that appeared beside Chloe.
"they won't take no for an answer" Fin sighed walking up from behind all of them "but I will go with you too."
"Your presence is unasked for" K sneered as Fin gave him a frigid glare.
"let us have a rematch" he said giving K an appraising look.
"I am older than time you little elfling. Yet one death under my heel was not enough for you" he said sounding incredulous.
"Let us settle this in the arena after we break lunch" he said cocking his head challengingly.
"OOOH" Leila said excitedly "Method acting for the jousting!" She turned to Chloe relieved to find a sane reason for their behavior.
"I don't know what this word "joust" means" K said straightening "But I will crush you underfoot again"