Chapter 7: Ratatoskr
Disclaimer: I STILL DON'T OWN ANYTHING!
My apologies if this chapter seems a bit nutty. I was hanging out with my best friend before I wrote this. And we tend to get insane.
Another thing, after rereading my last chapter I realized that I forgot to mention that Eire Raptors have long necks. They have the body of a normal raptor but they have a more snake like head with protruding fangs and straight dragon-like horns on the back on either side. They also have extraordinarily long tails to balance them out and at the end of the tail is a series of feathers that spread out in a fan sort of shape similar to a birds tail. Just wanted to make that clear now on to the story!
•••000•••
"Are we there yet?"
"For the two-thousandth-five-hundredth-fifty-SIXTH time! NO WE ARE NOT THERE YET!"
"Well maybe we'd be closer if you stopped conjuring up blizzards!"
"Gee I wonder WHY THERE'S A BLIZZARD!"
"Maybe you just don't know how to lighten up!"
"Aaaahhhh! Forget this! CURRERE!" Blossom screamed and Noctis immediately took off. She wanted to pull her hair out by the roots! If she had to listen to his whining for another hour she'd kill him! Screw the mission! Screw it, Lord Odin himself could show up and she'd still throttle the boy! She didn't care what method they used to protect him she would find a way past it and strangle him until he turned PURPLE! Or blue, which ever came last.
It had been less than half a day since they had left the castle and already the two teenagers were getting under the others skin. Blossom had gone back to her usual silent behavior and remained so for most of the morning. Brick on the other hand was talking non-stop, well, mostly grumbling. He had remained quiet for as long as they had been within the barrier. But as soon as they got out he was going a mile a minute. He was uncomfortable with the weather and was getting cold, even under three layers of clothes and boy did he let her know. Hence, he had taken up childishly bugging her to get his mind off said cold.
Speeding on ahead, Noctis plowed through the thin layers of snow that had managed to accumulate. The land was mostly barren except for the odd rock or two. The wind howled like every other day but it seemed a lot lighter. The cool air made Blossom feel so much better. It helped to calm her flaring temper and as long as she didn't listen to him she'd be fine. That is until he zipped past her on Iento yelling like an idiot for the lizard to slow down.
"Moron." she mumbled. "Noctis, ocius!" The Erie Raptor roared loudly and took off as he was told, running faster until he caught up to the runaway duo. Side by side with the idiot boy and Iento, she leaned over hooking her foot around the saddle horn. Using it for balance, she reached out and snatched Iento's reigns from Brick's hand shouting "MODERO!" Both reptiles slowed down coming to an easy jog.
"What was that about?" Blossom asked in clipped tones. "I thought you said you could handle her."
"Well she's not exactly understanding me." he muttered defensively.
"And how may I ask are you talking to her?" She asked still holding both reigns.
"I was sorta sending her pictures of what I wanted her to do." at least he had the decency to be embarrassed. "You know, since she won't listen to verbal commands."
Blossom stared at Brick for the longest time thinking of just how stupid he could be. When he began to fidget uncomfortably she finally spoke. "They listen to verbal commands ONLY! That's why you cant get her to do anything right."
"But she docent listen when I talk to her!" Brick shouted defensively. " I tell her to walk she runs, I tell her slow down she runs, I tell her to stop SHE STILL RUNS!"
She just stared silently as he ranted for a few minutes about how Iento wouldn't listen. When finally, she snapped "Shut UP!" he gave her a wide eyed look for a second before growling and trying to snatch the reigns back. "You have to use the right commands! You don't just go around shouting at her! If you want her to walk tell her 'ambula'." as the words left her mouth both Erie Raptors came to a walk. "You want her to slow down tell her 'modero'." They moved even slower. "Want her to stop say 'claudus'." The raptors came to an immediate halt.
Glancing at Iento, Brick looked a little confused as he processed the new information. "Alright I got it." he reached a hand out, holding his palm up to indicate that he wanted the reigns back. "Can we go now? It's not getting any warmer."
Blossom flicked her gaze between his upturned hand and those blood red eyes. 'They have a nice shine to them...wait WHAT?' an evil smirk crossed her face then. Releasing Noctis's reigns she handed Brick Iento's. The ornery lizard tossed his head flipping the straps before snapping them up with his teeth. As soon as he did so Blossom grabbed hold of Brick's outstretched hand. "Laxat."
Both raptors started off at a brief trot. "You can handle her huh? Let's see about that. Currere!" in a flurry of white powder the creatures took off dashing through the snow with ease. Brick seemed to get what she was trying to do as he gripped back pulling her, and Noctis, closer. He wasn't giving in so easily, he'd hold on as long as he had to. "Ocius!" Both raptors sped up going faster and faster until the wind whipped around them, driving once harmless snowflakes into their skin like scalding irons. They were moving fast enough that any who saw them would only distinguish black and red blurs before they disappeared into the distance. The lizards raced on blitzing over the snow, swerving at tight angles around boulders so close a hair could scarcely fit. It was like the hounds of hell were at their heels.
Neither teen let go, both waiting for the other to give in first. They reached a stale mate. Neither was willing to break away first. The Erie Raptors continued on at the break neck pace with ease, twisting and turning through the snow with sure steps. It didn't matter if they got no instructions from the redheaded riders, they both knew where to go having traveled there hundreds of times. Black taloned feet tore through the ice gouging trenches into the glassy sheets. A large gap was coming up and they knew they would have to jump it. No going around this one. With a mighty leap they careened over smashing back to earth on the other side without missing a beat.
Before they knew it the party had entered the rocky gorge that marked the area around Yggdrasil's root. They should have reached their destination by morning at the earliest, but the pace that was set brought them in the later part of the day. The raptors slowed down coming to a complete halt as they reached the base of the enormous root. The redheads on their backs continued to glare at one another for a while. Finally the familiars got fed up with the childish displays. Accendo whom had spent the trip curled up in a bag of clothes dug his way out. Stiria on the other had spent the trip on the back of Blossom's saddle. At almost the same time Stiria bit Blossom, Accendo clawed Brick. Both teens yelped, Brick shot Accendo a dirty look while Blossom swatted at Stiria.
'How long ya gonna keep holdin his hand hmm?' Stiria questioned smugly as she dogged. Though no one else would be able to tell the difference Stiria knew her partner was blushing.
"Shut up Stiria." Blossom hissed at her familiar as she snatched her hand from Brick's grasp. For a second she could have sworn he looked a bit sad but she brushed it off when he began glaring again. "Well were here."
"Yggdrasil's root." Brick muttered, voice horas and dry. "You think Nidhogg's around?"
"No not today." Blossom muttered. She would have loved to see the dragon before she left. He was a good friend of hers but Nidhogg wouldn't be here right now. "Its the first day of the month and he would have traveled to the lake today."
"Then what the heck is that?" Brick asked in hushed tones pointing higher up on the root. "Somethings moving."
Searching the length of the wood Blossoms eyes fell upon something brown and furry. Noctis sensed the change in mood and quickly crouched down. Blossom lept off the lizards back landing silently a few steps away. Like a ghost she sprint up the edge bobbing and weaving over the rough bark. Sliding her hands beneath the hem of her clothes she grasped the hilt of her daggers. When she was close enough to the brown furry mass she pounced.
"I DIDN'T DO IT! DON'T EAT ME PLEASE!"
Blossom stared down confused at the near human figure beneath her. She had pinned it down and was holding both daggers to it's throat. Looking over the creature she couldn't help but ask "What are you?" the brown fur Brick had seen was a large furry tail that was far longer than it's owners height. Or it could have just been the fact that what ever it was, was curled up. When it heard her voice the small creature straightened out a bit. It looked like a tiny boy. He was wearing bright green clothes the like of which Blossom had never seen before. Where there should have been feet furry paws stretched out. Claw tipped fuzzy hands were wrapped over the top of his head covering a pair of long rabbit like ears.
"Mmm-my nn-names Ra- Rrrru Ratatoskr." he stuttered out looking at Blossom fearfully with the biggest most watery jade green eyes she had ever seen. Both his cheeks had a pair of whiskers and were flushed a cute pink shade. "Ppplease don't hhhurt mmu-mmu-me."
Blossom couldn't help but feel bad. He looked like a tiny animal that needed protection. He was just so cute! Part of her was begging to drop the daggers, hug the little guy and tell him it's ok. She wanted to pet him like a cat and tuck him under her chin. But the more logical side told her not to trust someone she'd hardly met.
"Well, Ratatoskr. What are you doing here?" Not taking her eyes off of the brown haired boy she listened to Brick's authoritative voice trying not to shiver at the tingle it sent down her spine. He never used this one on her before. It was nearly colder than her own when she was mad. "I've never seen you around before."
"Pppp-please I-I-I'm just a aaauh message carrier!" Ratatoskr whimpered tears spilling over as he shook violently. Her super hearing allowed her to hear his racing heart. His breath came in short uneven gasps and he looked like he was having a heart attack.
The guilt was too much. Blossom removed the blades from his neck and slipped one away. Standing up off of him she reached out a hand to help him up. He just stared at the offered hand as if it were a poisonous snake about to strike. With an irate growl Brick snatched him up by the collar jerking him to his feet. The small boy squeaked pathetically as he cowered in the teens grip.
"Brick!" She scolded. "Don't be so rough with him."
"Says the girl who was just holding blades to his throat." Brick grumbled not taking his eyes off the boy. He complied anyway as he lowered Ratatoskr to the ground.
"Ratatoskr, I'm for scaring you." Blossom apologized after finally coaxing Brick to release the kid.
"I-I-it's ooo-ok. I-I-I'm used tttt-to it bbb-by now." Ratatoskr replied still cowering slightly. "Ww-when you wwwork ff- for Nidhogg and tt-the nameless eagle, yyyou get used tt-to tt-threattts."
"Why are you so jumpy?" Brick snapped. She could tell he was getting irritated by Ratatoskr's stuttering.
"Im sorry!" Ratatoskr ducked down covering his head. "I hh-have rr-really bb-bad anxiety ppp-problems!"
"You said you work for Nidhogg?" Blossom continued in a softer voice, trying to calm the small boy. She shot Brick a stern look before sliding away her other dagger and placing a hand on Ratatoskr's shoulder ignoring his flinch. "That means you carry messages for them?"
"Yah I just carry messages." he whispered. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing for you to be sorry for ok." Blossom reassured. "I'm the one that needs to be sorry. I didn't look before I leaped and I scared you pretty bad."
"It's ok. And you can call me Rata if you want. Ratatoskr's actually my family name." wide green eyes met pink as gave her a look that made her insides melt. "Bbb-but you ddd-don't have tt-to if you dd-don't want."
"Come on! We got work to do." Brick huffed in annoyance as he grabbed Blossom by the arm dragging her away. "Later Rat! Tell Nidhogg we said hi and don't forget!"
Rata flinched at the venom in Bricks voice but quickly agreed. The small boy ran off scampering over the tree root on all fours before Blossom could stop him.
"Brick. What'd you do that for?" she grumbled rounding on the teen. "You scared the poor little guy even more."
Refusing to answer he grabbed hold of Iento's reigns and walked off deeper into the gorge.
'I think somebody's jealous.' Stiria sang out from her perch on Noctis.
Blossom ignored her as she followed after Bricks retreating form.
•••000•••
Awww! I hope I made Rata sound cute enough. He's technically a squirrel but I thought he'd be cuter with big floppy ears. He's based on the Norse figure Ratatoskr who is well carries messages between Nidhogg the serpent at Yggdrasil's root and the nameless eagle who's perched at the top.
Hope ya like this chapter. I tried to make it a little on the actionie side with the Erie Raptors little derby moment. I also worked in a small Red moment, ya know, If ya squint really hard and tilt your head to the side.
And I almost for got. There's a reason I haven't really brought up Brick and Blossoms past. I'll go into detail on it later since it has a role in the red relationship I'm trying to work out. But if you really have to know, the general idea is explained in the Bio about Vertex dying and them changing their personalities.
Well anyway. Please leave a review. Thank you!