Chapter 4: Of Daggers and Swords
Ok I feel like I've been rushing the last two chapters along. So I'm gonna try to slow down a little in this one. I'm just excited to start the mission instead of having them hang around the castle so much. I wanted to get to the more actioney part even though I've never written any sort of action anything. Looking forward to trying though. ^_^
And since I've had the last two chapters more from Bricks perspective I thought I'd go back and give you Blossoms take on things. But I'm warning you now, I don't write Blossom as the uptight nerd everyone seems to take her for. Shes still insanely smart but shes got an bit of an attitude in this. And maybe some denial issues. Now it's time for the ever annoying
Disclaimer: I do not own PPG or figures from Norse Mythology. I do own a cookie though! And I'd share it if I could.
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White, white, and oh look, more white. This place was always a bit of a downer to Blossom. Sure it was home but when all you see is white, blue, and the occasional grey you tend to start feeling depressed. She traveled the halls of this castle for so many years but if someone were to ask her how, she'd have absolutely no answer. Blossom had no idea how she could navigate this frozen place. Maybe it was the almost unnoticeable changes in white and blue on the walls. They had all looked the same when she was younger but now she could find distinct differences in shades, though once again she couldn't explain this.
A near burning heat grabbed onto her shoulder then. This didn't stop Blossom though, she knew it was just Accendo whom was desperate not to get lost. The loud clap of Brick's shoes echoed a little behind her as well. It was a wonder how this boy could make so much noise. Nifilheim residents prided themselves on their graceful movements and light feet but him, HA! In the otherwise silent corridors, Brick was moving around with the grace of a bulldozer and sound to match. She could only pray the coming trip wouldn't call for any type of stealth work cause if it did…they were doomed.
"Where are we going?"
Without sparring him a glance, Blossom continued on. "Were going back to your room so I can explain a few things."
"Why my room?" she didn't even have to look at him to know he was trying to strike a nerve.
"Because we both know that if we went to my room it would be more of a hassle for me." starting to get irritated Blossom tried to keep her breathing steady. "Not only would I have to walk you back to your room before returning to mine, I would have to deal with your constant whining about how cold my room is." 'Not to mention I'd have to watch that you don't break my things again.' she added to herself. She stopped to open the door then, waiting for him before she closed it. After the three of them were in the room Blossom locked the door.
"What is up with all this sneaking around!" Brick grumbled. It was obvious that he was even more irritated than he had been when she found him earlier. He had probably been simmering throughout their entire conversation with Nix and was finally gonna blow. "I'm tired of all this hiding crap! The sons of Muspell DON'T HIDE!"
"Calm down before you break something." She never changed her tone. 'Not like he'd listen to me anyway.'
Blossom walked over to him then, she snatched the bundle of cloth Nix had given them before Brick could accidentally burn it like usual. She placed it on his bed before trailing around his room to close the few windows there. No need for prying eyes to see what they had with them. Brick just kept ranting the whole time until he noticed how dark it was. Pausing to look around the room, it was clear that he couldn't see anything in the dark. Even though he and Accendo were about as bright as candles. Accendo was currently busying himself with lighting the chandler hanging in the middle of the room.
"Hey, what are you doing?" he asked after his eyes had finally adjusted only to find Blossom sitting in the middle of his bed opening the bundle of cloth.
"Nix told me to explain how to use them so I will." not looking up, she continued to unravel the many layers. 'How did Nix even find the time to wrap this so many times?' Once open she placed each delicately onto the red blanket. "Well do you want to know what these are or not?" He was quick to seat himself beside her as she knew he would, the boy had always been too curious for his own good.
She was suddenly very uncomfortable with the situation. Being holed up in a dark room sitting on the bed was perfectly fine with her, after all the sun never shone in Nifilheim. On the other hand, being holed up in Brick's dark room on the bed wasn't. Especially when the boy in question had no sense of personal space and was practically breathing down her neck. It didn't help any that his breath was uncomfortably hot on top of that.
She tensed up slightly before grabbing one of the two smaller hilts. "These four hilts are ancient weapons created by both Nifilheim and Muspell. The smaller two are daggers that were made for the first queen of ice. The larger ones are swords that belonged to the first fire king."
"Meaning they belonged to the original rulers of Muspell and Nifilheim." Brick summed up as he grabbed one of the larger hilts. "But how are they supposed to help us if they don't have blades?"
"That's the part I have to explain." Blossom turned around to face him. "They never truly had blades to begin with."
"There's no point to a sword the docent have a blade." Brick tossed the hilt back onto the blanket then which earned him another cold glare from Blossom. "What? It can't be considered a weapon if it's just a handle."
"Wrong." her hands lit up in a soft pink glow as the temperature around her dropped. "The wielder creates the blade."
"What are you talking-" Brick nearly jumped back in shock. The moment Blossoms hand closed around the hilt the energy was absorbed. Flipping her palm upwards for him to see she curled one finger around the hilt before a pulse rippled across the surface. Moments later a trident shaped hot pink blade shot out of the other side of the guard. "How did you-?"
"The blade is created by the wielder." Blossom repeated as she place the dagger into Bricks hand. He was quick to examine it, searching over every inch he could. "It absorbs the energy of the one who uses it and creates a weapon to fit them."
"Awesome." He whispered running a calloused finger lightly over the blade leaving shallow cut. He began to spin it around his fingers in small circles. "It's light as a feather. Even the shagreen's brand new."
"Here." Blossom handed him back the larger hilt, holding out a palm for the dagger.
Brick returned the blade, quickly snatching up the sword hilt before turning towards the bedpost. "Shut up Accendo!" Blossom could only guess that the bird had somehow insulted him again. Though she'd never admit it she was jealous of Brick for having Accendo. Most everyone manages to summon their familiar by their thirteenth year but Blossom was still having trouble with hers. She quickly blinked before looking away when she noticed Accendo looking at her. He seemed to be talking to Brick again as the boy just nodded his head. The bird dropped off of the bedpost then landing on the bed next to Blossom before rubbing against her. She gave in and pet the bird a little.
She stopped when she noticed the look Brick was giving her. It wasn't necessarily mean but she disliked it nonetheless, a such a gentle expression didn't belong on Brick of all people. "Well. Are you going try it or not?" she questioned gesturing to the hilt in his hand.
He quickly advert his gaze to his hands as he grasped the hilt. The already warm room got worse as Brick tried to channel his energy into the weapon. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, hands flashing with a dull red glow. Accendo being a familiar tried to help with the task. Before long the rooms temperature reached scorching new heights the air around both sparked and crackled with their fiery energy.
"This isn't working!" Brick growled wiping a drop of sweat from his forehead. Accendo squawked in agreement.
"Your trying too hard." Moving to sit next to him, she plucked the hilt from his hands. "Your not supposed to force it to absorb your energy. Just let it flow." her hand glowed with a soft pink once more as ice crystals formed around her fingers.
He snatched the worn artifact back from her grumbling softly. He was now glaring at the hilt as if it had personally offended him somehow. Then again it was Brick after all. He was probably mad that she had made the weapon work so easily while he was having difficulties.
After she lost track of his many unsuccessful attempts, and the room reaching near sauna status, Blossom was officially ticked. Watching him toil in misery was rather funny but she absolutely could NOT stand the rolling waves of heat coming from the boy and his familiar. It was beginning to drive her insane.
Before she realized what she was doing she had already brought the hilt towards her hand and all. This earned a startled look from Brick as he glanced between his captured hand and the irritated Blossom. "I told you already that your trying too hard. If you keep doing that your just wasting energy you dolt."
"Since your so good at it why don't you do it yourself you uppity witch!" He snapped before turning to Accendo again. "One more remark like that and I swear I WILL wring your neck feather brains!"
Blossom closed her eyes taking long deep breaths to calm herself. They'd get nowhere if both kept arguing like they were. "Ok… let's try this again." she held a hand in front of his face palm up releasing a soft stream of energy. "See how I'm only using small portions of energy?" the only response was a deep throated growl. "There's enough to form small ice crystals but nothing bigger right?" another growl. "So what does that tell you?"
Refusing to answer he lit his hands with dark red energy. Without releasing either his hand or the hilt Blossom brought her glowing palm next to his as reference. In moments the red glow began to spark and crackle. When he began releasing too much energy again she lightly squeezed his hand ignoring the slight burning sensation. The light continued to waver between bright and dim shades of red. After a while the hilt began to pulse slowly. The corners of Brick's mouth turned up in excitement, unfortunately his power began to fluctuate as well. Blossom quickly wrapped both hands over his, a steady stream of her own energy flowing out to stabilize his. Moments later a long, thin, blood red blade erupt from the guard, the surface of it dancing like liquid fire.
Brick lit up like a candle then, the entire room flashing to life with his triumphant blaze. He crowed jubilantly as he shot small flames from his palms. The fires literally danced around the room as he nearly ran around in elation. Blossom just watched him as she crossed her arms, tucking her hands away. 'He's such a kid sometimes.' She allowed a small smile to creep onto her lips as she watched the boy and his familiar enjoy their accomplishment.
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Well this wasn't quite what I expected to write... I was supposed to write about them getting ready for the trip but I ended up writing a little red moment instead. I wonder if this can be considered fluff? I'm not really sure.
And to my anonymous reviewer Dreams I'd like to say thanks for the support and tips. Unfortunately I'm not sure if this story can be considered romance or not which is the only reason I haven't placed it in that category.
Oh well I still liked it. I hope you do too. Please leave a review.