"Oh, I want to have a party!" Sylfie squealed as Ruala finished telling them about what had happened on the mountain. Toshiro scowled at her and stayed next to Myndræl, the dragon having been the first to greet him off the mountain.
"A party, really?" He said to her.
"Hey, you passed the trials in record time, and at such a young age too." Sylfie snapped back. "Besides, I've been gone for weeks on business; I need something to get my high spirits back."
"You have plenty of that."
"You'd be surprised." Ralæn snickered. "You'd think she's the kid around here with how much energy she has, and nothing you say can put her down."
"I suppose that's good for something." He shrugged.
"Something?" Sylfie accused, darting over and poking at his chest. "It's my high spirits that keep everybody up and moving. If I wasn't here the depression and angst in this realm would be nauseating!"
"I'll take your word for it." The prince pushed her hand away.
The woman's daughters giggled at that and Myndræl smirked.
"Anyway, to celebrate." Sylfie quickly changed subjects.
"I only got one symbol; it's not really that much to celebrate." He argued.
"Nephew of mine." She tsked, putting an arm over his shoulder. "You fail to see the point here. Must I spell it out for you?"
"Humor me."
"You, child, are the youngest Soul Prince ever to be called to the throne. You're the youngest to gain a dragon companion; your own zanpaktou is a dragon! Also, you defeated the Five Trials in three and a half weeks. The fastest those were ever done was in five weeks, one week per trial, and done by the woman you just fought with today on the mountain, who happens to be the most powerful Avaintha of all. What's more, you've been named the Dragon King! How can you not see what's to celebrate!?"
"I realize I learn fast, I am considered a prodigy, but I don't see why we have to celebrate."
"Good Gaia, someone help me!" Exasperated, the green haired woman threw her arms up and walked away.
"Uh…Gaia?" Toshiro turned to Ralæn.
"We come from a line of elves, remember?" She shrugged. "One of our gods was the goddess of the earth itself, Gaia. I'm sure you've heard us use it before."
"Guess I was focused on something else…"
She just shrugged and walked away.
"You're no help at all!" Sylfie accused.
"Mom," Ralæn put her hands on her mother's shoulders, "I love your parties, I really do, but sometimes you get WAY too overboard."
The green haired woman pouted and let the older twin finally return indoors. Instead, she turned for her other daughter for assistance. Taken aback, Ælfwyn looked around nervously for an escape.
"Um…well…perhaps just a little one, mother." She smiled sheepishly.
"Alright, alright." Sylfie waved her off. "A little one, then. As long as I can have one!"
"You're crazy." Toshiro deadpanned.
"And you get to endure it for one more day." She ruffled his hair, causing him to scowl, before darting off inside.
"Oh dear…" Ælfwyn sighed heavily. "I better make sure she keeps it small."
With that the Greenleaf Family was gone, leaving only their adopted Avaintha, the Soul Prince and his ice dragon. The second let out a pent up breath and leaned against the cold body of his dragon, letting it soothe him. It was hard to keep up with Sylfie on a daily basis. There had to be something he could do to relieve some stress other than taking things out on the surrounding woodlands. The poor trees didn't deserve to be frozen by his annoyance.
Well, he'd finished the Five Trials finally, which meant he had enough control over his Spiritual Pressure to return to the Soul Society for a brief visit. That was welcoming. He wondered how soon he could go. A thought hit him and he turned to the silent girl still standing with him in the room, playing with Sofia to pass the time.
"What's the date?" He questioned. "I've lost track."
"May 4th, I think." Ruala replied, confused.
She saw him think to himself for a moment, the blue dragon beside him looking at the boy curiously. Why did he want to know the date?
"You did say I could visit the Soul Society when I finished the trials, yes?" She could tell he knew the answer but was confirming it, just in case. She nodded. "I think…I'll go there in two days, so I can prepare."
"May I go with you?" Myndræl perked up.
"I'm not sure how the Soul Society would react to a real dragon showing up, I don't want to risk anyone coming after you." Toshiro replied, shaking his head to the dragon. The blue dragon pouted but understood what he was getting at.
"Is there something special about May 6th?" Ruala questioned after counting the days down to that date.
"Not…particularly." He avoided her gaze. "I just…want some time to prepare, is all. I haven't seen them in a few weeks…I'm not sure what to do."
She lifted an eyebrow in question but set it aside for now. That date was special but as for why, that was none of her business. She was to be the one to go with him, most probably, so she'd find out. Besides, she had to build his trust in her back up, and prying into secrets before getting permission would lose her those points. At least the Fear hadn't progressed. He was repressing it quite well. The light power he'd inherited from his father did help him, which gave her time. His confidence in his powers was also a boost that prevented the fear from spreading.
He left shortly after that, Myndræl curling up to sleep for the night. Toshiro spent most of the evening reading again, trying to finish it. Since he'd read through it for a whole day he'd almost completed it, but the print was small and the pages many, even his quick reading skills wouldn't let him finish within a day or two. And there were still many things left unanswered. That information would probably come from his father, passed down by word just like the location of the King's Key was passed down verbally through the Head Captains.
'You could have told her.' Hyorinmaru grunted, the zanpaktou resting close by his master's side, one hand resting on the sheath as if to make sure he was still there.
'Even in my head it sounded…awkward. There's no way I would have said it out loud.' He argued.
'Well, she will find out.'
'Obviously, it's not like I'm trying to hide it from her.'
'On another note, then, what do you plan on saying to the birthday girl?'
'I don't know…sorry, I guess. I'll think of something. This will probably be the last time I can visit for a long time, at least until this demon man business is over.'
'She'll strangle you.'
'It's not like I have any other choice!' He outwardly scowled and closed the book; after saving the page of course.
'Which is why she'll strangle you.'
'That's hardly fair.'
'She tends not to care, if you've noticed.'
'Oh I've noticed. She's far too much like her brother for her own good.'
'I wouldn't say that. Perhaps she's just…rebellious.'
'And her brother's not?'
The dragon snorted and did not answer, deciding not to argue on that point. Now was not the time anyway, it was a good thing he was even considering going back when they had so much to do.
With the book already set aside, Toshiro decided to retire early that night and lay down to sleep, wondering what to do tomorrow while he waited. Then again…Sylfie was planning her 'small' party, so he had something to do. And he still hadn't explored the rest of his father's level of the palace, so there was always that. Yes, he had plenty to do while he waited.
After the trial silliness ^^ Next chapter he goes back to visit friends, and the one after that he visits the Living World ;) Enjoy!