Hey Descendants!
Another chapter! I'm sorry it was late getting out. Took a few hours of sleep after a twenty-hour writing session with Twisted! And the best part? We get to write tomorrow too. I love extra days off!
Also shout out to devinnnicole! Thank you so much for your reviews, and we look forward to hearing any thoughts or feels you have on our story. Don't worry, T's secrets are going to spill out here soon. These characters are to smart to not connect some of the things they're noticing and we can't wait to have it come to light either.
Dobby, we totally get it, school has to come first. Just be sure you work in plenty of breaks ;)
Thank you for the tag Fandom! You're it now ;)
Lots of love!
Dark
A few days later...
Carlos snatches up a handful of raisins from the blanket holding food before he rushes back over to his pile of books where he and Deez had set up shop.
"Carlos! I'm not done setting up yet." Evie scolds, though the smile softens the blow.
"SMORWY E!" Carlos apologizes with a mouthful. He loved when Evie set up picnics, she always got the best food, and it was always right there, in pretty bowls and on pretty plates, begging to be eaten.
Mal snorts, "Swallow first kid." She mocks as she primes her can of spray paint.
Carlos blushes as he instantly swallows, "Sorry." He repeats as he turns his head into his shoulder.
Hyades chuckles as she pulls a book from her bag and looks up to, "Here Carlos, I thought you might want to read this before I return it to Yensid."
"What's it about?" Carlos takes the offered book, already flipping it around in his hands. He usually didn't like fiction books, but Hyades had a good taste.
"A scientist ends up in a world of magic that's being taken over by an evil mage," Hyades smiles, "I liked it, and it made me think of you."
"Oh cool, that sounds awesome." He nods before he starts sorting through his books, he knew he had another book on metallurgy and smelting that he'd been wanting to discuss with Deez.
Jay chuckles, "Don't get too into that book C." He warns as he leans his hip against a crumbling wall of cement. "Mal wants you sparring T first."
"Sure, sure." Carlos rolls his eyes. He hoped that could wait until after lunch. He hadn't gotten dinner last night, or breakfast this morning. The raisins had been amazing, hardly even any mold on them, but all they'd done was make him realize how hungry he was.
"Where the fuck is your obnoxious fucking tard anyways?" Mal asks with a raised brow as she turned to Jay.
Jay takes a deep breath before he turns to face Mal, "I'm not sure, Mal. I don't keep tabs on him anymore."
Mal's eyes narrow before she frowns. "Keep up the tone Jay, and you will be."
Jay bites his tongue and turns back to continue marking out the sparring ring with the can of pink Ma; had given him.
Carlos grimaces behind his book. He hoped she didn't start that up again. That would be awful for their 'book club' meetings. The last thing they needed was Mal breathing down T's neck again. He shakes his head if she ever found out what they were doing... He swallows as he tried to focus on the book again.
Evie's laughter soothes his nerves like a balm. "Well since he's late, unfashionably so, is anyone hungry? I just finished setting up."
Carlos instantly jumps up, snapping his book shut as he runs over to sit next to Evie. "Me." He would have blushed at the laughs, but he was just too hungry to care.
"Good, because there's plenty." Evie smiles as she passes him a plate and sets another to her left as Hyades joins.
"Thanks, E," Carlos mumbled as he takes the loaded plate from Evie with a blush on his cheeks when his stomach lets out a loud growl.
Mal and Jay both turn to look in concern, but after a moment they look away again, both uncomfortable as they take seats at the blanket.
"So, what have you four been working on?" Mal barks after a moment of tense silence.
"Reading, a couple of science experiments…" Carlos answers automatically before he takes a big bite out of a strange-looking pastry, "I'm working on a robot that I can program to fluff furs and another to sweep." His eyes widen in surprise at the savory taste of the filling.
"Huh. Fuckin' nerd." Mal rolls her eyes.
"Hey, if it makes life easier…" He shrugs before shoving the rest of the pastry into his mouth.
"A robot can't clean as well as a princess though." Evie bats her eyelashes.
"True." Carlos admits through his mouthful, "But I'm not a princess and I want more free time."
Jay snorts, "Man, mind makin' one of those for me?" He chuckles. "Get my old man off my ass."
Carlos grins. Jay's never shown an interest in his science before, it made his chest warm, "Uh yeah, dude I get the kinks worked out you'll be the first to know."
"Fuckin' nice." Jay grins at him before he turns back to his plate.
"I just finished up the last of my designs for additions this one's wardrobe." Evie smiles prettily as she pats Hyades' head.
"I'm sure they'll look as amazing as this tastes." Carlos states after making sure to swallow.
Evie puts a hand to her heart, "Aww, I know. I'm the best at cooking and cleaning and sewing."
"And you can keep those titles." Mal rolls her eyes. "You earned em."
"Thanks, M." Evie flicks her fingers to Mal appreciatively.
"What about you Mal?" Hyades asks, "Last time we hung out you were having artist block."
"Still fucking stuck." Mal sighs as she looks up at the clouds above her.
"I get that." Hyades frowns, "I hate not being able to write because I can't come up with anything."
"Tch." Mal scoffs, "What? Run out of people to write about?"
Hyades shakes her head, "No, but sometimes it's hard to find the right words to make something… right... And it's important to me that it be right."
"I fucking get you there." Carlos blurts out before he can stop himself. "Words are a struggle."
Hyades smiles, "Definitely."
Evie giggles prettily behind her hand. "I have no idea what you two are talking about, I always know what to say, how else will I ever charm a prince?"
"I do not have that talent." Hyades huffs, "Talking is hard."
Carlos can't help but silently nod on with agreeance, "That. Same."
Mal snorts, "You two are so ridiculous."
"Do you always know what to say?" Hyades asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course." Mal nods, "Wouldn't be a leader otherwise."
"That's not what makes you a great leader." Hyades shrugs, already paying more attention to a strange honey-covered bun."
Carlos catches Jay grimace, as he too looks away.
"Oh?" Mal lifts an eyebrow her eyes flashing at the slight.
"You're a great leader because people trust you," Hyades slowly explains, "and you know how to best use the strengths of everyone who follows you while obfuscating their weaknesses. You cultivate loyalty and protect those you consider yours." She takes a bite out of the bun and smiles as she chews.
Mal blushes as she looks away.
Jay, Evie, and himself knew better than to draw attention to an embarrassed Mal.
"This is great!" Hyades exclaims with her mouth full as she turns to Evie with the rest of the sticky bun in her hand.
"Aww, thank you so much, Deez!" Evie gushes. "I was hoping you would like it." She claps excitedly. "Your apple tarts inspired me."
"Trade recipes?" Hyades asks hopefully.
"Ugh." Mal rolls her eyes. "You two make me sick with that shit."
"Liking to cook?" Hyades frowns as
"Yeah, what's the point if it's not to poison or slip someone a potion?" Mal asks with a raised brow.
"Because it's good practice?" Hyades shrugs, "Who's going to eat it if it doesn't taste good?"
"And how are you ever going to get a prince with that attitude." Evie tuts her tongue. "Bad enough you are constantly crinkling your forehead…You're gonna get crows feet."
Mal rolls her eyes, "Cause I care about princes and wrinkles. It's all just means to an end princess. I doubt I'll need makeup skills when taking over the world."
"Ambitious." T greets, "I like it… But you might want to find a way off the isle first…"
Mal bristles at the other boy's voice.
"Find anything good on the barge?" Hyades asks with a smile.
Carlos furrows his brow. What made D think T had been on the barge? His guess would have been hanging out with the Rats, judging from the way water was still dripping.
T shrugs, "If I didn't ruin it." He drops an old camera by Carlos. "Mind doin' your thing?" He asks as he looks back to Hyades. "This is not as comfortable as it looks."
"Oh. Of course." Hyades jumps up from the blanket, "Sorry."
"Maybe if you didn't wear fifty fucking pounds of clothes it wouldn't be a big fucking deal." Mal retorts.
"It does make you hard to dry off." Hyades shrugs as she lights up her hands with soft orange flames and starts moving them around T.
T shrugs, "Don't act like you don't need the practice."
Mal's eyes widen, "What the fuck?" She demands when she notes what the other two were doing.
Carlos chuckles quietly as everyone turns to look at their fearless leader gaping at Hyades' control.
"Oh, I guess I haven't gotten a chance to show you." Hyades looks from Mal to her hands before she continues to steam dry T.
"Damn fucking right you haven't shown me," Mal shakes her head. "So what? You're a walking blow dryer now?"
Evie lets out a high pitched noise of protest. "Mal, that would completely fry your hair, don't you dare."
"I like to think of myself as more of a person now," Hyades chuckles dryly, "and less of a living flame."
"I just appreciate it." T shrugs. "Wet clothes chafe."
Jay snorts. "How'd you end up swimming anyways?"
Hyades points to the camera at the same time T does.
Carlos finally puts down his plate and picks up the camera. It was an old one with a pop-up light at the top. He fiddles with it in his hands, surprised it wasn't nearly as wet as T.
"It looks like one of the cameras Gothel has in her class." Evie points out, "I took amazing selfies with it. Got an A-plus."
"It's the only class you got an A." Mal rolls her eyes.
"Guess it's the only class I cared about." Evie blinks prettily. "Can you blame me? The camera knows gorgeous when it sees it."
Mal holds up her hand. "And that's great and all, but can we go back to D controlling her fire? Since when? How? These are the questions I'd like answered now."
Hyades bites at her bottom lip as she focuses on drying T, "I said I was working on it… And then… The last time we were here… I just… I worked hard and found things to help me practice. Like glass blowing and-"
"Hide and go find Deez." T supplies, "We've added another layer l like to call surprise."
"It has helped me not lose control so easily, which helped me figure out how to control more aspects of it, like where and how hot the flames are."
"What's surprise?" Carlos can't help but ask.
Hyades rolls her eyes, "When T finds me he jumps scares me and attacks so I also have to practice defending myself."
Jay closes his eyes as he takes a deep breath and releases it.
Carlos drops his eyes to continue fiddling with the camera, hiding his smile at Jay's exasperation.
"Yeah, that sounds safe." Mal rolls her eyes.
"Tch." T shrugs, "Worked out so far."
"It's been a long time since I last lost my cool." Hyades whispers.
T nods, "It's been a fucking minute for sure. The last time was right after… Well this, from last time… She's been pretty good about not burning the fuck outta me."
Hyades glares at T, shaking her head slightly.
Carlos had to admit, she looked pissed, but the color of the flames and the size didn't even flicker.
"Whatever… Thanks for making me the last to know assholes." Mal crosses her arms over her chest.
T opens his mouth before he glances at Jay and shuts it.
That was weird… Carlos looks from Jay to Mal before he looks at T and D. Why was everyone acting so weird?
"I don't think anyone meant to purposefully leave you out of the loop Mal." Evie consoles Mal gently. "I think that we've all just been so busy it's been hard to track anything more than my beauty sleep."
"I didn't think you'd care Mal." Hyades shrugs, "I know you just expect me to get better."
Mal looks away hurt. "Of course I don't." She scoffs, "I just hate being the last to figure something out."
"You're not used to-" T stops himself. "Playing the game yet…" He blinks. "I bet you'd really like surprise."
Jay reaches out and grabs a large pastry, shoving it into his mouth in one bite.
Carlos narrows his eyes. He was pretty sure Jay had just covered up a laugh.
Mal's lip turns, "Only if you're the one I'm attacking."
"Ooh Mal, that sounds like a challenge." T's eyes light up.
If nothing else, that was one thing he'd never understand about T. He could sit next to him quietly, reading, and helping put stuff together- Then do a complete one-eighty. T wasn't like him or Deez. He actually enjoyed doing the physical side of shit too.
"I mean, it's hardly a challenge, but sure. I could use a laugh." Mal shrugs, "Looks like we'll be the first match after lunch."
T nods before looking back to Hyades. "Thanks. Much dryer now."
Hyades nods as she drops her hands, the flames already out. "I was starting to see less steam." She smiles as she pulls T to the blanket and passes him a plate, "You should try this, it's amazing." She immediately drops a sticky bun on the plate.
"Fuck yeah." T nods before he takes the plate and picks the bun apart, popping one piece into his mouth daintily. His eyes light up as a small grin turns the corners of his lips.
"Right!" Hyades leans back against Evie with a grin, "I'm trying to get her to agree to teach me how to make it."
Mal's eyes narrow suspiciously with every bite T takes as she glares at him from across the blanket.
She hated to admit it, really hated it, but T was doing a hell of a lot better than she'd been anticipating. She found herself working up an actual sweat as she weaved through T's attacks and defense. He'd gotten quicker, lighter on his feet…
Mal wasn't sure if she should feel proud of the changes, or angry.
T's new style was interesting, and a complete opposite of her. Which was weird because they were holding their swords and daggers in the same hands. But where she used her off-hand dagger in conjunction with her sword to block or cause a distraction, T was using the sword strictly for blocking.
When the fuck had this prick gotten so good? It really shouldn't be pissing her off, but it was. It was under her skin and steaming. Was Jay that good of a teacher?
Mal glares at T as they dance away from each other. Both wiping sweat away from their eyes.
The only thing she could see still going for her was that T, for whatever T-like reason, hadn't removed any layers. She hadn't gone for the easy disarming because she'd been interested to see what had Jay so excited. But now…
T had to be knocked down a few fucking pegs.
She rushes in with a low growl, feinting to one side before she wedges her dagger against the hilt of T's sword and pops it from his hand, using the fabric from his long sleeves for leverage.
She dances back with a wicked grin on her face, expecting a witty one-liner or something. Instead, she instantly guards against T's dagger.
Where were the kids flashy comebacks? She narrows her eyes at the realization that neither one of them had spoken since the spar began.
What the fuck was that about? She was busy gauging his value, why wasn't he lobbing insults?
Mal shakes her head, "You've gotten better, but you still suck with those sleeves."
T opens his mouth to close it again, to shake his head. "Good to know."
Mal feints to one side before she rushes in again. This time she catches T's dagger with her crossed sword and dagger before she wrenches to the side, popping it from T's grasp before she delivers a square kick to the gut.
Carlos dodges Jay's blade by the skin of his teeth. He'd never been so grateful not to be paired with T. After watching his fight with Mal he had been afraid that fighting either of them would end up with him bloody.
He jumps back as he blocks Jay's attack, much to the older boy's annoyance.
"C'mon C, I already know you can defend." Jay shakes his head.
"Better to master one thing in this instance," He breathes out, sword ready to defend at they circled each other. "Than to be mediocre at all of it."
"Well, you better start mastering fucking offense." Jay clicks his tongue. "Come on man, give me what you got…Dragon's watching." He adds lower. "Before you get stuck actually doing lessons with me and T." He all but breathes into Carlos' ear when they connect blades.
Carlos blanches at the thought. He did not want to spend his free time sword fighting when he could be making something. For instance, the camera T had salvaged. He would rather be figuring out how to fix that than be sparring. He got needing to defend yourself, he did. But at the end of the day, he'd rather be robbed blind than actually pick up a sword. Not that he'd tell anybody here that- Except for maybe Hyades and Evie. They would understand at least.
His arm shakes as his sword rebounds off Jay's, the sensation making his hand numb.
"Don't you dare fucking drop it, C!" Mal calls out.
Carlos clenches his teeth as he fixes his footing. He'd been sword fighting with them for years. He could hold his own. He just usually didn't have too and preferred it that way. He jumps back.
"Nice." Jay nods in approval.
"Better." Mal nods once.
Carlos blushes under the praise, looking away when he feels his ears start to burn. "Can I go back to reading now?"
"If you must." Mal rolls her eyes.
"Okay Deez, show us what you've been practicing," Jay calls out as he holds out his sword for her.
"I don't want to ruin my clothes." Hyades pouts as she looks down at the blue, black and grey flowy top and pants she was wearing.
"D!" Jay snaps in exasperation.
"Fine," Hyades grumbles as she takes the sword.
"Jay," Evie blinks at him. "I spent a lot of time on her wardrobe-"
"Which is why T is going to spar her." Mal interrupts.
"How does that save my stitches?" Evie pouts.
"Because he's the only one who actually cares about sparing your thread." Mal smiles too sweetly, the tone just as insulting.
T shrugs, "I know how much time she puts into that shit."
"And Deez…" Jay grabs the much shorter girl by her thin shoulders, "Do not play the waiting game this time. Attack and Defend."
Hyades rolls her eyes, "Okay, fine. Gods."
T snorts as he picks himself up and walks over to jump in the pool. "Ready when you are, princess." He calls out, dagger and sword at the ready.
Hyades nods once before she side skips and rushes into range on the offensive.
T laughs joyously, as he jumps back in surprise, before launching into his attack. "Nice one D."
"Still didn't get the surprise off though," Hyades growls as she brings her sword up in a slicing arc.
T's eyes widen as he backbends before he flips out of the way. "Fuck." He laughs again. "That's what I'm talkin' bout." He jumps back to his feet.
"Be careful what you wish for…" Hyades smiles before she presses forward again.
T blocks the swings to the best of his ability before the tip of his sword goes flying.
"Ha!" Hyades giggles as she bounces in, launching herself at his back before she gets T in a headlock.
T smirks, as he twists his dagger up and points it towards her face.
"Fuck… I forgot you had a dagger." She pouts as she drops down from T's back.
"Nice fucking disarm though." T smiles down at her. "You've gotten a fuck ton better."
"I haven't had many choices since learning to control my fire have I?" Hyades grumbles as she looks down at the sword in her hand.
T lets out a low chuckle as he pats Hyades back.
"I think I broke your sword, Jay." Hyades sighs as she turns to offer him the blade.
Jay tilts his head to the side as he takes the blade back in confusion. "No big." He swings it experimentally, feeling the balance shift. "Oh. You mean actually broke it."
"It looks fine." Mal glares.
"Here." Jay hands the sword over to Mal.
"You made it loose in the handle."
"I gripped too hard," Hyades pouts, "sorry Jay."
T lets out a low bark of laughter. "Don't apologize. That's fucking badass. You're getting better with controlling your strength as well."
Mal folds her arms over her chest, "Finally." She rolls her eyes. "Took you long e-fucking-nough."
T rolls his eyes, opening his mouth before he makes a fist and shuts it again. He was already so sick of this whole not pissing off Mal thing. It was giving him a headache, not to snark back with her. It was totally worth it if it meant seeing Carlos and Evie and training with Jay.
Besides that, it had been a fan-fucking-tastic day. He'd found a good haul at the Barge. Got to eat Evie's cooking. Got closer than he ever had before to besting Mal. And got to fight Hyades. And spend time with the usually exclusive core four.
He hoped it was enough to keep Jay from being frustrated or disappointed or whatever the fuck he had been feeling towards him last Tuesday. He loved his freedom. Craved it.
But…
He was starting to crave spending time with people too. Wanted their approval. Their praise. Their criticism.
He just wanted to pretend that his life was fucking normal.
Hi again :)
So, we're struggling to keep up with the questions that we oh so love posing to you all, but I'll do my best to fill Twisted's curious shoes...
Did you enjoy seeing the characters return to the pool? A picnic seemed to help smooth things over before they moved on to their sword sparring this time. Leave it to Evie right?
Did the sword sparring surprise you? Twisted and I know we have to get better at writing action scenes so we do try to sprinkle these in every now and then, but this chapter had three of them back-to-back. Did you have a favorite match up? Did anyone surprise you?
What do you think of T's latest find on the barge? The kid loves finding and fixing stuff, especially with Carlos.
Also, side note, the book Deez was describing to Carlos is actually a description of one of my favorite animated movies from when I was a kid. The movie was based on a book, but I have yet to be able to get my hands on a copy of it. Did anyone out there feel like they recognized that plot? I'd love to see guesses. :)
What are your thoughts on the character development we had going in this chapter? I know we tried to shine a light on each character in this chapter to show progress in one way or another, do you have a favorite moment?
Was there any part of this chapter that felt underdeveloped?
And last question... Are you enjoying the rapid updates?
I think this will be chapter 65, last night we wrapped up chapter 105, with a possible 115 chapters dedicated to this book. Think we can make it? I'm willing to try if you are. Good luck all around, and may the odds be ever in our favor (Couldn't resist.) Also, hope for Florida's afternoon rain to be light, I've been losing power during the storms and it's kind of killing me. X.x
-Dark
