Ok, something wrong with me. I've never updated this much in such a short amount of time Enjoy and review please!
The kids all had their mouths open, eyes wide. "Ok… Ah think Ah'm losin' mah head." Raz managed.
"Wh-Why?"
"Cuz Ah think I see two float'n reindeer in fronta us."
"Then I think we're all losing it."
"You're not losing it, ok?" the one from before, Prancer said, still hovering in the air before them. "We're really floating!"
Raz shook her head. "Didn' Ah tell ye ta bug off?" they didn't have time for delays! They only had a day and a half to get to their destination and save their holiday! "Whaddaya want?"
"Relax little-"
She cut the smiley one off. "I'm not little!"
Paying her no attention, she continued. "-one! We wanna help you!"
"You don't even know us." Gupta pointed out. That did sound a little suspicious. Actually, very. They were a couple of floating strangers, with sparkly rainbow dust sprinkling off them, giving them creepily friendly smiles.
They probably had something nasty planned; most people just assumed kids were gullible and stupid, easily pranked. But they weren't! At least… not usually. But still, they knew not to talk to mysterious strangers, or strangers in general, especially ones that seemed overly-eager to help them. And when they didn't even need help! It was kind of disturbing…
"So where you kids headed?" Prancer asked. "Didja run away from home?"
"No!" they all cried indignantly. Of course they wouldn't run away! They had loving parents and wonderful homes back, well, home. Why would they have reason to run away? Absurd!
"Then whatcha doin out here in the middle of nowhere with no parents?" well when he put it like that, it did kinda sound like they ran away. But running away was to get away from their parents! They'd never do that. They were simply off to visit a mystical human (seemingly the only good one of that race) so they could have a much-loved holiday like everyone else. That wasn't running away… was it?
Gunner sighed. "You're not gonna leave us alone, are ya?"
"No, probably not!" the happy, smiley one chirped.
He sighed. "Alright, you can come. Just don't be too annoying."
So they plodded on. The reindeer simply floated, something the insects found strange, and definitely not in a good way. The little fireflies didn't like their new… acquaintances, for lack of better word, giving squeaky complaints to their favored children, most of which were ignored.
They continued on for hours, taking a small break for a quick nap near a large, leafless tree. Maybe a willow, or an oak… they didn't really know, or care.
Eating a small snack, they continued till dark. They wanted to go on, but the fireflies, who turned out to be surprisingly stubborn, refused. It wasn't safe for little ones such as themselves to be out at night; many predators hunted after dark, where they could use the added camouflage to stalk helpless prey- astray, defenseless young ones especially.
They ushered them into a cave an hour after dark, and the kids settled in for the night after a brief supper. They still had plenty of food left, mainly stored in Raz's pouch (she wasn't too sure she liked being their personal storage shed) for safe keeping.
They talked for a little while, until they were yawning constantly, little eyes heavy and gazing at the small, warm fire the reindeer had started by striking their hooves against the walls to create sparks. Squeaking to get attention, Shine flew over to a large space of moss spread out on the floor they hadn't notice before. The insects each led their yawning, sleepy little friends over to the soft makeshift bed. They laid down gladly, curled up comfortably and managed exhausted smiles as the seven small bugs managed to drape a leafy blanket over each. "Night guys…" someone managed to mutter before they crashed.
Vixen smiled, for once talking quietly and without a hyper touch to it. "They're cute huh?"
"I guess…" they laid down as well, near the entrance, watching them carefully. They'd find out what they were doing out here, sooner or later.
-Elsewhere-
The adults had finally decided to halt their searching for the night, finding a nice cave shelter. There was enough room to move around comfortably; it was pretty large.
While Julie and Joyeeta instantly went to sleep to ease their minds, the others went off into corners and tunnels that led back a little to think. The only one that didn't clear off was Lalli, staring out at the gentle rain that had begun to fall near the very entrance. Her poor little girl…
Someone cleared their throat behind her. "Oi… Sheila? Can Ah talk ta you?" Blayke asked timidly.
She heaved a partially sad, partially annoyed sigh, still ticked to him for his careless comment earlier about calming down. "Talk."
"Look… daling, I- when Ah said I wanted ye t' relax, Ah didn't mean…" he sighed. This was harder than he thought. His mind was clouded with worry for his only daughter, and he'd never really had to apologize to his beloved wife before. They rarely argued, they got along so well- and the occasional quarrel was usually resolved by a couple loving looks and apologetic smiles, and maybe a loving hour of tender cuddling before a warm fire (something that made their six sons gag in disgust and their daughter come and nap on Lalli's lap, if she wasn't out playing).
"Whaddid ya mean then?" she demanded, keeping her eyes locked on the outside landscape; the rain was pounding harder now, lightning arching across the sky, thunder rumbling on occasion.
"I… Ah jus can' stand seein ya so upset, alrigh?" he hopped up to stand beside. "Love, I get that yer worried, honest Ah do. 'm worried too. Heck Ah'd be worried if ye wasn't worried. Afta all, wha kina par'nt wouldn' be?"
"Obv'ously no' you!" she snapped, whirling to face him. She couldn't help it. Her emotions had been bottled up for too long. They just bubbled up like a volcano and spilled out of her. "If y' was realla worried, ya wouldn' be tak'n i' so lightly!"
She turned away and put her head in her hands. "Ah jus can' do this Blayke!" her voice was nothing but a hollow, devastated whisper. The honey colored female began to cry. "I'm so w'rried bout 'er… what if sheh's alreada gone?! Wha if were too late?"
"Lalli…" he inched closer and embraced her. The now shaking mother welcomed the embrace, completely forgetting about being mad at him.
That just added to her troubles, the fact that they were fighting. She'd heard of things like this; mates getting a divorce and going their separate ways because of constant squabbles and disagreement. Though she knew this was caused by the heartache for her daughter, she feared, what if it continued if/when they got her back? She couldn't bear the thought of losing another person she loved. It was all just too much.
He led her over to the fire, curling up together, and still she cried. He held her gladly; he wouldn't pretend to fully understand what was going through her mind, but he had a pretty good idea; and knew whatever was going on was causing her heartbreak and anger, and that she needed comfort. She needed him. And he was prepared to give her whatever she should need, he lived to make her happy. Her very presence please him. And vice versa. They truly were a perfect pair.
After about half an hour, he gently held her back. Fat teardrops still rolled down her cheeks. Cradling her beautiful face in his hands, he carefully wiped the tears with his thumbs, which thankfully weren't replaced, then embraced her again.
She still shook, but at least she was no longer crying. "Sheila, don't worr'eh. Ah promise we'll find 'er."
"Pr-Promise?"
He nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Ah promise. An' when weh do, sh'll be jus fine. Be jus as good as when sheh left. Bett'ah even."
She managed a weak smile. "…Thanks."
"Wha fer?"
She yawned and blinked her heavy eyes. "Evrathin." She promptly snuggled into his chest and fell asleep.
He smiled softly. "G'nigh love." He carefully, slowly laid her down, curling up right next to her, being cautious not to disturb her as he pulled her now peaceful form closer. "Swee dreams swee'hart." And he was asleep as well. They'd find their daughter. They had to.
Well? Do you think the scenes with their parents are bad/unnecessary? Sorry, I just thought it'd be interesting to see it from both sides. Review please!