Oh Anon~ Did you really think I was finished with you? There are SO many more experiments I want to conduct with you. Think of all the fun we'll have when you're at my lab where you belong~ There, it will be just the two of us; as it was meant to be…I'll be able to dissect you down to Every. Last. Piece, that makes you…you. I'm the only one who can unlock your secrets~ You WILL give them to me willingly…Wouldn't you like that? I would. You are mine Anon. One way or another, I'll have you just where I want you again.
There will be no escape for you next time either. No matter how much stronger you get. No matter what new spells or powers you obtain, there will be nothing you can do to stop me from getting what I want! I can give you what you want too~ I can give you so much that you will ask, no! You will BEG for me to never stop. I can't wait to show you what research we can conduct together~
While we wait for our inevitable reunion…why don't I show you some of my favorite instruments. I think you'll really like this one…it can even cut through bone like it was butter! But don't worry~ I have a special concoction of my own design that can grow your bones back! The process is excruciating! Doesn't that sound fun!? I can barely contain myself!~ Run fast Anon! Run fast so you can make your way back into my hands!
Your eyes fire open to the familiar scenery of Polka's vibrant tent. The thundering beats of your heart make it feel like you might be on your last breath, as you gasp to fill your lungs with air. You quickly sit up in an attempt to stave off the overwhelming dread that made you feel as though you were falling upwards. With trembling hands, you press your palms against your eyes and slowly drag them down along your face. Everything feels intact, but you don't stop there. Next, you trace your fingers along more of your skin, looking for any possible cut, burn, or even bone.
The reality that Koyori was not anywhere near you begins to finally set in. The still slowly rising and falling shapes of each of your friends in their own sleep sacks is all you can make out in the darkness. You exhale in sweet relief. Another bad dream…but it was easily the worst yet. That sick coyote was actually talking to you. The words she said still burn in your mind. They were so specific, and so…her.
Carefully, you get up and exit the tent. It's hard to tell if the actual fear from Koyori forces you to need to use the bathroom, or if your body has simply gotten used to a schedule now. Either way, you find a secluded spot within the Talonclaw settlement to do what your body is asking for. Once you are finished, you decide to take a small walk before heading back to the tent. The air is filled with silence throughout the camp. You take a moment to admire the moon that shines just above the peak of the mountain you are to begin climbing in the morning. Koyori's words ring again in your ears.
What if she's right? What if expanding your use of magic doesn't protect you at all from her? As your thoughts begin to spiral out of control, you use what little reason you still have to give yourself a firm slap across the face. Your breathing has quickened again, but the panic is starting to slowly die down thanks to the sting you feel on your cheek.
"So do you usually slap yourself after using the bathroom?" Polka's voice comes to make you jolt as if you were leaving your own skin.
As you turn, your heartbeat quickens again, instinct forces you to begin channeling your mana into your hand for a spell, while the other clutches your chest. The shape of pointed ears and a fluffy tail are all you can focus on. Your magic grows more in a panic, as you plead your own body to yield something strong enough to wash away the insane coyote. Only when your eyes meet the sleepy, but worried fennec, do you start to know that you are not actually in danger. Breathing heavily, you slowly let the light of your magic dim and disappear. You were actually about to fire a spell at your own friend in an induced hysteria…You feel absolutely disgusted with yourself now…
"Don't scare me like that Polka…" you say downcast.
"Says the guy who was ready to douse me in water." Polka tries to joke. "Who else could I have been anyway?"
"What are you doing up?" you ask to avoid the question. "Nature's call got you too."
"Nah. I just heard you leave." the fennec says while making a playful point to both her tall ears. "So what's up? Talk to me."
You are way too tired to be having this talk right now. It also twists you up in a strange way to have your plans rearranged on you like this. You had planned to talk to Flare about this next, but now Polka was changing up the order on you…but maybe you should still try. Undine did say to let their light guide you after all; Polka is sure a light of her own special variety. The fennec just looks at you expectantly, but patiently. She will likely not let this go anyway.
"You can still see my soul and such right?" you begin after taking a deep breath; the cold night air helps to steady and reinvigorate you. "Has anything been…off about it lately?"
"I try not to look too closely most of the time." Polka shrugs. "It can kinda make me hungry after all."
"Do you not get that way with Nene or any of the other humans we've been around though? What about Flare?" you ask, genuinely curious, but also eager to switch topics.
"Honestly, just being around Nenechi and Flare seems to do enough that I don't need to actually feed anymore. I think the close proximity we have somehow keeps me from feeling sapped. It's actually been such a relief."
"But you're still hungry for my own soul sometimes?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Look, I'll tell you the embarrassing truth about that, if you tell me what's been going on with you first." the fennec counters with her arms crossed.
"Fine…it's Koyori…what she did to me…what I'm afraid she will do to me. It's been in my dreams almost every night. That's why I asked if anything was off about my soul. What if she did something else to me? What if she somehow implanted something within me that wouldn't let me get away from her? What if-"
Now both your cheeks were sporting a faint red mark after Polka's hand flew across your face.
"You mean to tell me you were actually dealing with nightmares about that pesky coyote and didn't feel like you should tell your friend Polka!? Honestly Anon! What does a girl gotta do to prove she's the best at giving smiles and easing your worries!?" Polka huffs, her eyes narrow as they pierce yours.
"I don't know…" you say, almost apologetically. "I don't have any idea what I should do? I was hoping they would just stop and go away. I hoped it was just something I would have to work through myself…but it's just getting worse."
"I hate to ask, but I can't help if I don't know the full picture." Polka says with her own apologetic look. "Worse how?"
You try to steel yourself as you bring the thoughts and images to the forefront of your mind. Your hand subconsciously grabs and turns the fabric of one of your pant legs. You don't want to do this, you don't want to speak more about it out loud. Every time you are forced to remember, the more it feels like Koyori is stitching herself onto your very being.
"Anon…" Polka says as she takes your other hand in hers. "Please?"
Those damn cute eyes of hers. Those colorful and fun pools that somehow can make you forget where you are. You and Polka have been through so much together already, so many hard, but even fun battles. This is a girl who has literally touched your soul and has never done any real wrong by you. She deserves to be let in.
"At first I couldn't really see or make out anything that I dreamt. It was all just residual feelings, like reminders of the pain and fear. Then, the images were clear again, I was back in Koyori's clutches…reliving the torture." you say shakily.
"While it was awful to see that, to feel like I was there again…but it was easier to try and brush off. Tonight though…was the most frightening thing yet. I dreamt she was talking to me! There was nothing except her voice! Everything about what she said and how she sounded was exactly like her! I don't know how to get her out of my head, Polka. I'm tired…"
Polka says nothing at first, but then she slowly wraps her arms around your neck and hugs you close to her. The embrace soothes you considerably, so much that you find the will to return the hug.
"I'm sorry I don't have the power to just yank her from your soul, Anon." Polka starts, her own voice a little shaky as she feels like she's holding back tears. "I wish I could take all the burdens you feel because of her for myself…but there is one thing I know I can do. I'll never let you stay sad or scared. You can always count on Omaru Polka to make you smile, okay?"
The hug around your tightens and you nod your head against the fluffy hair of the fennec. It still hurts a little, you're scared, but somehow you know everything will be alright in the end.
"You know who might really be able to help you?" the fennec then asks.
"Flare." you say back, already knowing where this conversation will lead.
"Mhmm. Your little duo mountain climb sounds like a perfect situation to do that too."
"Yeah…I already promised Undine I would."
"Before you promised her you would talk to me!?" Polka gasps sarcastically as she pushes herself from your chest.
"I probably would have talked to you right after…" you retort. "You were the one who barged in on me."
"I tend to do that." Polka says proudly. "And while I really wish I could come along with you and Flare so I can 'barge in' at the perfect moments. I know that this is something that will be good for the two of you. JUST the two of you. So don't blow it~"
"For two of us?" you repeat.
"Whoops! Might have said too much." the fennec grins. "Just be sure to share with Flare what you've been going through, okay? We all care about ya, and there's no one with a better head on her shoulders than Flare. I know she can help you."
"And speaking of sharing." you say with your own growing grin. "It's your turn."
"I was kinda hoping you were going to be caught up in the moment and forget…" Polka sulks.
"Forget the chance to hear something that even you think is embarrassing? Never."
"Alright alright." Polka waves. "I did promise after all. The truth is, yours is the first soul I actually fully fed on. Back where I grew up, kitsunes don't need to feed on the souls of others to feel energized, and like I said, we can curb that hunger by just being around other souls that are close to our own. I'm kinda a little ashamed to say…but yours is the only soul I think about feeding on."
"I see…so I was your first huh?~" you say mischievously. "Guess that means I'm the only one who can satisfy that hunger then."
"Don't say it like that!" Polka laughs while she begins to blush. "You're making it sound like something else entirely!"
"I learned from the best after all." you say honestly. "Feels good to put what I've learned by being on the receiving end into practice. Maybe I'll do it more often. Should I let the others know about how I was your first and the only soul you'll ever want to feed on?"
"Don't you dare!" the fennec points a threatening finger toward you. "Flare would never let me hear the end of it!"
"I don't know~ Flare and I are going to be all alone for probably two whole days. What if she asks me herself? I can't lie to her."
"Anon I swear!"
You then take that frantically wagging hand in front of you within your own and pull Polka in close again for another hug.
"Kidding!" you say with a big smile on your face.
"You're awful…" Polka whines as she hugs you back.
"Like I said; learned from the best."
"And don't you forget it." Polka says with her usual pride. "And you better also remember that I'M the only fox allowed to snack on that bright soul of yours. Now let's get you back to sleep. You got a big climb ahead of you in a few hours. You and Flare both need to be at your best."
Feeling considerably better, you break the hug and walk with Polka back to your tent. Fortunately, everyone seems to still be asleep as you both quietly go back to your respective bedrolls. Koyori still has a lingering presence in the back of your mind, but opening up to Polka felt…good. The fact that she admitted yours is the first human soul she ever fed on as a kitsune was also strangely empowering. It makes you more confident in yourself for some reason. With this surge in self worth, you fall back to sleep for the rest of the night.
Mayla comes to retrieve both you and Flare at dawn. While you would have liked to sleep a little more, the rite of ascension is calling to you. Through sleepy eyes, Watame, Nene, and Polka trail behind you on the way to the mountain's base. The sacred sight to the Talonclaw only grows taller with every step you take. It's hard not to feel a little intimidated by the idea of getting all the way to the top. If you had wings however, that would be another story.
"You alright back there?" Flare's voice snaps you out of your sudden daydream of what it might be like to fly with wings on your back. "Did you get enough sleep, Anon? You got a goofy look on your face."
"Oh! Yeah I did." you quickly collect yourself. "I'm just excited for the climb. Aren't you?"
"I actually am. This will be a new way to test and improve myself. I'm also excited to see the look on your face when I cast a wind spell before you at the top." The half-elf remarks with a smile that brims with confidence before it starts curving to something a little more…mischievous?
"I'm a little jealous I won't get to see what it looks at the top." Watame yawns, but is clearly a little disheartened she can't come along with you.
"The winds have a way of making sure all things meet where they are supposed to." Mayla offers.
The fluffy sheep's brain is hard at work trying to decipher the meaning of the tribeswoman's words; you admit silently that you are not even sure what she could mean by that in response to Watame. You've gotten pretty good at water metaphors so far, this is probably as good a time as any to start getting familiar with more wind based ones. It might be expected for a summoner to talk like that sometimes, hopefully it just starts to come to you as you go.
A small group of the Talonclaw with Elder Ruumal await your group near a steep path that leads up the mountain. There, you and Flare both are given a small pack of provisions to last you more than a few days. After morning greetings are done between yourselves, the elder, now wearing an elaborate robe whose edges are fretted to resemble eagle feathers, beckons the two of you to stand before him.
"To reach the top of Ohn'ahra's plateau as all Talonclaw do, you will have to meet a series of trials along the way. Each will test not only your connection to the winds that guide us, but also your courage, your mind, and lastly, your trust in one another." Elder Ruumal says directly to the two of you.
While you have been questioning your own courage, and even your mind the past few nights, there's one thing there you will never question; your trust in Flare. With her at your side, you know you can overcome anything this eagle god might throw at you.
You and Flare straighten and give the elder a nod of acknowledgment. The older man stares at you for a moment, as if searching for something. You look back into his eyes, growing a little anxious as a sudden breeze blows through your hair and seemingly shifts its direction upward toward the mountain peak.
Elder Ruumal's expression turns to a satisfied smile as he steps out of your way.
"Is there anything we need to know for these trials?" Flare asks. "Are there any rules?"
"Are there rules to finding your way to your destination?" Ruumal chuckles. "No. There are no rules to this rite, young half-elf. The trials themselves will become clear as you meet them."
"All we need to worry about is getting to the top." you say to Flare. "How we do it, is entirely up to us isn't it? That sounds great to me."
"Your partner is already beginning to understand." The Talonclaw elder says to Flare a smile.
That seems to light a fire under the half-elf, as she looks to you and then back to the mountain path. The mild uncertainty in her eyes is gone.
"I'm counting on you then, partner." Flare says to you with a wink.
"Likewise." you say before looking back to the rest of your friends. "You guys take care alright? We'll be back in a few days."
Before you can make another step, Watame steps forward and gives you a fluffy hug. It only just dawns on you that this will be the first time since you've met that you will be apart for over a full day. You wrap your arms around that beautiful sheep and hug her tightly.
"Please be safe, Anon" she whispers, before breaking the hug and stepping back to talk to Flare as well. "Now go climb that mountain! I want to see you both doing the best wind magic when you come back."
"You got it Watame!" you give your sheep a thumbs up.
You and Flare give a final wave to the rest of your friends, and begin to walk up the incredibly steep mountain path together. The two of you continue to look over the edge at your friends as they grow smaller and smaller.
You both wave one final time to your friends down below as you turn the corner to remove them completely from sight. Both your eyes turn forward to the inclining path. Thankfully the walkway is not as rocky or narrow as you might have expected. You suppose years of travel along this same route has done wonders for smoothening it out. Even from the meager height you've both ascended up the mountain so far, the scenery from the cliff edges is amazing. For miles you see those same verdant fields of grass you walked across just yesterday. You can't wait to see how far you'll be able to see from higher up.
"Thinking about what you'll see later?" Flare suddenly asks as she walks beside you.
"Am I that obvious?" you reply, turning your gaze from the horizon and to your friend.
"Just a little bit~" the half elf smiles. "Don't keep it all to yourself though. We're partners on this climb after all. Tell me what goes on in that head of yours."
"I thought you could see what's going on in my head just by looking at my face." you fire back, before immediately remembering what you are supposed to be doing on this climb, in addition to making it to the top.
"I can't be looking at your face the whole time, Anon. What if I don't see a shift in the path, or trip over a rock and fall off?"
"Yeah, like you would ever be so careless." you scoff. "But if you really must know, I'm thinking about what places we might be able to see from the top. Do you think we could see the mountain that Uisce lives in? Or maybe we'll see some buildings from another town. There's still so many different things out there to see."
"You know, I didn't really care much about seeing anything further than where my parents were from at first." Flare starts. "But after traveling with you, Watame, Polka, and everyone else. I want to keep seeing more of this world too. Now that I think about it more, it's more your fault than anyone else's."
"I'll gladly take blame for that." you say cheerily. "Now I wonder what I can blame you for."
"You can blame me for dragging your butt to the top of this mountain and making sure you learn how to cast wind spells! Now let's go Anon! Daylight's burning."
With a burst of energy, Flare sprints ahead of you up the mountain slope. Her excitement has certainly infected you, even furthering the glee you had already. You begin to match her speed, but something compels you to slow down. Your eyes are drawn to the dancing frills of her skirt that barely hide the mold of her romp as she picks one leg higher up after the other to traverse the increasing incline.
It was almost hypnotizing, watching those alluring thick thighs move up and down. The way her white stockings and gaters hug around those legs is also proving to be very distracting right now. You wonder if you slow down enough, if you can possibly get a view of what is waiting underneath that skirt…
You shake off such thoughts for now. This is supposed to be a trial for learning the nature of wind, and it's actually becoming a pretty hard climb; you are easily feeling the burn in your leg muscles already with every step you take. You pick up your pace, giving your legs all you got to pick them up even higher, as you race to walk next to the alluring half-elf. The both of you need to stay alert during this trial, the answers you seek could be anywhere.
By the time the slope begins to even out, the two of you are winded. Slumped against the solid mountainside, you both take a break to rehydrate thanks to the water skin attached to your packs.
"We've been at this for a couple hours now, and it's a lot less…mystical than I was expecting." Flare says between gulps of water.
"I have to admit, the path itself has been pretty plain so far. I was hoping there would be like, statues, carvings, or literally anything that would mark this path as sacred to the Talonclaw people. Maybe things will get more interesting when we get to the first trial?"
"They better. I don't think I can learn anything from just walking uphill for two days. If my legs will even last that long…" the half-elf sighs as she begins to take another drink.
"Well…maybe when we stop for the day…" you begin, your face already a flush with what you're about to suggest. "I could…massage your legs for you? I-It's a good way to keep your muscles from tensing up too much from overuse."
As you look away toward the cliff side to keep your reddening face from Flare, you hear her cough slightly, which brings your gaze back to her. As she recovers, both your eyes meet. Her cocoa colored skin sports a slight pink tinge on both her cheeks as her orange eyes stare at you widely.
"Y-You're actually being serious?" she asks in a low tone.
"Why wouldn't I be?" you shrug. "We both know it works too, our dads taught us that much. If you'd rather do it yourself that's fine, I just figured it might be nice to have someone else do it for you."
"I'd umm…actually like that then. Are you any good at massages?" Flare asks, with a shy smile.
"You'll just have to wait till later to find out. I'm still good to keep going, but if you need to stop for now…" you say with a grin.
"Before we even get to the first trial? No way!" the half-elf exclaims as she forces herself to stand. "We got a lot more mountain to climb, Anon. I better not catch you slacking off either."
"And fall behind you? Not on my life!" you cheerfully say as you grab Flare's outreached hand to pull yourself up. "I'm still gonna win our bet, you know. If there are answers to the wind in the scenery itself, that's my wheelhouse."
"Yeah yeah. You just keep telling yourself that. It'll make it that much better when I figure out a wind spell first. Now let's go! The first trial won't come to us after all!"
With renewed energy, the two of you continue your ascent. The incline had thankfully begun to even out, leaving only a slowly winding path that brings you closer toward your goal.
The path eventually leads to the mouth of a cave that leads directly into the mountain. You and Flare quicken your pace, happy to take this as a sign of progress, but also happy to be off the narrowing cliff side.
The sun of high noon shines into the cave's entrance to reveal…not all that much at all. Again, things look very ordinary and plain. You both continue until the light from the outdoors leaves your sight, and you both create a small orb of light of your own to help illuminate your surroundings. While there were no ancestral markings or displays to speak of, the way the silver-white light of your magic dances with the pure yellow-gold of Flare's against the solid stone walls, is pleasant in its own way.
A third stretch of light begins to creep in along the walls from up ahead. At first you wondered if it was sunlight from the cave's exit, but the way it dances and flickers tells you that it must be the light from a fire. Flare and you continue onward to the flame's source until you find yourselves in a vast circular chamber. Like you guessed, a brilliant fire roars in the center atop a large brazier, whose light reveals a series of seven pathways on the far side of the room. As each path stretches, so does the natural wall of rock and earth that eventually separates each one from the other.
"I guess this might be our first trial." you say as the two of you walk to the center to get a better look at your choices.
"I want to say I'm a little unimpressed, but the idea of getting lost inside a mountain is nothing to laugh about." Flare scoffs. "How are we supposed to guess which is the right choice anyway?"
"Maybe there is a clue or something in the Talonclaw's teachings?" you offer.
"That would be great…if we actually knew any of the specifics…this IS a trial their people take when they reach a certain age. A trial they are likely prepared for thanks to their own spiritual teachings…that the two of us barely know anything about." the half-elf retorts, growing annoyed.
"I doubt Mayla and the elder would have let us make this climb if they didn't feel like we could pass these trials. Let's try looking around first. There might be a clue right here in the room."
Flare sighs, but begins to help scour the room with you for anything resembling some sort of hint of which path you should take. The cave walls are bare throughout the room, and you even bring your orb of starlight closer to make sure there are no faded images or markings. Eventually, you bring yourself to the selection of pathways that you can choose from. Each looks pretty much identical to the other. You stop at one and ponder what exactly you are expected to do here.
As you stand in try to make sense of how this trial could teach the Talonclaw the ways of the wind, you feel…something. If your eyes hadn't been closed, you might not have noticed, but you could swear you felt the tips of your hair blow slightly. Could it be? Could one of these paths lead directly outside?
"Hey Flare!" you call to get the half-elf's attention. "I think I might have figured something out."
"I think we've been looking for the answer the wrong way." you start once Flare has joined you at the split pathways. "It's just like why you haven't been able to make a wind spell as easily as others. We focus too much on what we can see, when we should be using our other senses to guide us. Close your eyes for a second. Just let everything go blank, then tell me if you notice anything."
Flare nods and does as you ask. She closes her eyes and you can almost see the thoughts and questions she was having earlier pour from her mind. She can wear a similar look on her face when she's about to do a more strenuous magical exercise. It always amazes you how much she becomes capable of with a calm state of mind.
While Flare is concentrating on sensing what you had just a moment ago, you find yourself getting a little lost within her features. The way her dark blond hair falls over her forehead with those two particular strands of white is just…well beautiful. The way her pointed ears jut out through those silky follicles almost begs you to run your fingers down their entire length, just to discover that they are truly all there behind what hair covers their bottom halves.
"I hear it!" Flare's eyes snap open in excitement, snapping you out of your own trance of sorts. "There's wind actually blowing in here, Anon! The only problem is, I can hear it blowing from different directions."
"I knew it! The wind must somehow be flowing into the exit from the other side. Now we just gotta find out which path is making the most noise. We just need to listen again."
"We should let our light spells fade too." Flare adds. "One less thing to be conscious of."
You agree and let the ball of light in your hand disappear, leaving only the dim light from the brazier behind you. You then close your eyes and take a deep breath. Within the blackness, you hear a slight gust, an echo along the cave's walls. You then feel a tickle of air at one of your fingertips. With both senses guiding you, you take a step forward, and then another, before finally opening your eyes to see a singular path in front of you. This is definitely the one.
"You think it's that one too?" Flare asks as she walks to join you. "There are a few I still couldn't decide between, but the one you picked is definitely one of those."
"I think this is our way out." you say confidently.
"You know what? I believe you." the half-elf says smiling. "If you're wrong though, you know I won't let you live it down anytime soon. So you're sure this is the one?"
"If you'd like, you can keep trying to decide between the three or four you THINK could be the way out. And once you're wrong, I won't let YOU live it down anytime soon. Just like what I'm gonna do when I learn wind magic before you." you fire back.
"Alright tough guy, we'll do it your way." Flare giggles. "I like the confidence, even though being cocky still won't help you master a wind spell before I do. Shall we?"
You nod while focusing your own mana again to create a small ball to help light the way, as you both begin to walk down the path you have chosen. It's amusing, here you are walking through a cave that you are mostly going on gut feelings and a little help from your senses, hoping to find the exit, and you feel so content. If you are right about this, you might have an actual real fighting chance at figuring out a wind spell before Flare! You would finally have beaten her in something magical.
The wind begins to pick up as you walk through the darkened pathway. The refreshing gusts fill your lungs with fresh air and caress your face. You had been feeling pretty bushed from the climb so far, but you think you've literally been given a second wind. You and Flare pick up your pace as the wind does the same against you. Further ahead, the light from the sun can be seen peeking into the cave.
With a final push against the wind as the exit is mere feet away, you both burst to be greeted by the late afternoon sun. The natural light makes you squint for a moment as you try to quickly move yourself further up the ascending mountain path to the left of the exit. As soon as you step out of the way of the cave mouth, the pressure of the wind completely disappears. You and Flare both share a confused look.
To sate your curiosity, you extend an arm over the cave's entrance. Your arm immediately feels the push of the wind against it as you struggle to pull it back to yourself. Flare looks around over the path's edge, and then up at the sky, trying to find any tangible explanation for what you both had just experienced.
"I'm not sure we're gonna find a clear answer for this one, Flare." you resign, as you walk back up the path to join her. "Looks like this eagle god actually wanted to make this climb interesting for its people. I'm kinda good with that. I was getting a little worried we wouldn't really see or experience anything interesting or unique to this Ohn'ahra."
"You'll like this then too." Flare remarks as she points you to a spot along the mountainside.
A trail of carvings lay etched into the stony surface; all seeming to be people's names.
"There's got to be hundreds of these." you gasp in astonishment. "Do you think the Talonclaw who passed this trial put their names here?"
"That would be my best guess. Why don't you put your name in first, Anon? You did make the choice that ended up getting us through the trial after all." Flare says to you with a warm smile while she hands a jagged rock that was left on the ground.
You happily take the etching instrument from the half-elf and feel a slight bolt of excitement from your fingers brushing against hers. You quickly recollect yourself and begin to start carving your name onto a free area on the mountainside. Once you are satisfied with your work, you hand the stone to Flare to let her do the same. You then take a second to observe the overlook. Again you are greeted by the verdant rolling plains, but from what side, you can't really know for sure. The path within the mountain had so many turns at the beginning, it was almost impossible to know what side of the mountain you were actually on now.
"All done, Anon! Let's get moving! We only got a few more hours of daylight left!" Flare calls for you from further up the mountain path.
Not wanting to fall behind, you quickly run up to join the half-elf. You only catch a glimpse of the marking you and Flare made together onto the sacred mountain, but what you think you read fills your heart with joy.
Anon + Flare - A Blazing Star
With the passing winds growing stronger, the two of you slow yourselves down, so as to not be blown off balance. It's so strange, but the gusts you feel seem to only be around the mountain itself. As far as you can tell, the air along the plains seems perfectly calm today.
As the path you walk spirals upward, the howl of the winds grows more fierce. From the look on Flare's face, she was likely thinking the same thing you are. Was this another one of the trials? Unfortunately the blustering winds have gotten so loud against your eardrums, that you can't hear anything else. To make matters worse, visibility was declining. It was getting harder to keep your eyes open in the face of pelting gusts.
You keep your face pointed toward the ground, as you try to shield yourself with one of your arms. From the corner of your eye, you see Flare's feet stumble. Spurred to action, you force your legs to push you against the howling gale to put yourself between your friend and the torrent of force.
Finally able to open your eyes fully again, you quickly grab ahold of Flare's outreached wrist and yank her close to you. You buckle against the assault of the winds at your back, but you keep yourself and Flare steady.
This feels like trying to fight a tornado! It feels like it's getting even stronger too! What the hell do we do now!? Should I try to break the wind with a spell? No. That wouldn't make sense. The Talonclaw don't seem like the type to brute force their way through these trials. I'm not sure what else to do.
While your mind continues to race through options, you suddenly feel Flare push herself from you and look directly into your eyes. Those orange orbs of hers look so sure of something, so determined. You can tell she wants to try something. There was no need for words, not that either of you could hear each other anyway. You give the half-elf an assuring smile and nod. Whatever she wanted to try, you would support her with everything you got.
Flare nods back and steps backward enough so that one of your arms would be freed. She then takes on your hands firmly in hers, and steps to stand beside you against the wind. The galeforce is simply staggering. Each pulse in the air threatens to knock you off balance. With a loud grunt that you could feel the vibration of through her hand, Flare pushes one leg in front of the other while she slowly guides you along with her arm to trail behind her.
With her own back to the wind now, she pulls you both along one step at a time. As Flare shields you from the wind, your steps become easier, you are able to help push both of you along as she pulls. A couple more steps upward, and Flare's method for beating the wind tunnel you now found yourselves in starts to take its toll on her. Her legs begin to shake as she digs her heels in to keep herself standing. It was your turn.
You get Flare's attention with a firm squeeze of her hand and nod to her. She gives you a thankful smile and nods back. She offers her hand which you gladly grab ahold of, and in one fluid motion, you swing yourself forward while Flare is brought behind you. Excitement sparked in your heart as you completed another step in what might even be called a dance, that you and Flare were doing together within the raging winds.
Pulling Flare along, you slowly step backward uphill. Each step feels like a boulder is trying to push you down from behind, but what keeps you going is the look from Flare's face. That strong expression she wears, that blaze in her eyes that compliments her confident smile that always told you that she can do anything. Those things give you strength. You don't have to worry about seeing what's behind you, Flare can see it all. As soon as something comes your way, such a rogue rock or runaway tree branch, she guides you both out of harm's way.
While you are ready to keep going, Flare squeezes your hand to indicate that it's her turn. You nod and allow her to initiate your windy two-step. With you in the back position again, you help push Flare along while being the one to keep her from random debris being carried by the winds. It's marvelous how two hearts can connect and overcome what would have been an impossible challenge for any singular person. With each step the two of you get faster, more in sync, you are almost able to anticipate the exact moment when Flare needs you to change positions.
The incline begins to even out under your feet, the trek becomes just a little easier this way. The wind is still relentless, but you grit your teeth and continue to be Flare's shield from its assault. Your legs are close to collapsing from under you, between the climb earlier, and the current trial, you may not have much left to give. Flare is near her limit too, that's what prompted your latest switch, you will have to keep powering through for her sake. You look back at those inspiring, courageous eyes of hers; to find more intangible fuel to keep your muscles going for just a bit longer. Flare's eyes now look past you with relief and hope as she points to something ahead of you.
That had to be the end! With a last burst of strength, you pull Flare along as you command your legs to lift you to your goal. One. Two. One. Two. You repeat in your mind, the marching chorus of your favorite sheep blaring in your head. Your legs move in tandem with Flare's growing faster and faster, until you are practically running backwards against the wind. With a mighty yell, you engage in what would likely be your final sprint.
The burst of speed almost takes Flare by surprise as she is pulled along by your hand. You keep going, never breaking your gaze from your partner that would keep you safe. The ground beneath your feet becomes even flatter, and suddenly, the push of the wind completely vanishes.
With the resistance of the wind no longer there, you spring forward and quickly lose your footing. Flare also trips forward like a rocket into you, her forehead instantly colliding with yours to knock you flat on your back. For lack of a better term, the wind is blown right out of you as you land. It would be hard to say that it was all unpleasant. Sure, the hard solid mountain path against your head and back hurt, and the front of your head hurt like hell, but the feeling of Flare, pressed and laying on top of you…might just be worth it.
"Crap! Anon! Are you alright!?" Flare cries as she lifts herself up and looks at your likely reddened forehead. "I'm sorry! The wind just suddenly stopped, and we were going so fast! And-"
You silence her by placing a gentle hand under her bangs to get a look at her own forehead. There was a small bright red circle where she must have made contact with you. That looks like it hurts, maybe there is something you can try to help with that tough.
Funneling your thoughts with gentle, pure water, you begin to channel a very small amount of mana into the palm that rests against Flare's forehead. You watch her look at you confused, as she begins to notice you doing something, but her expression quickly becomes soothed and blissful as you manage to make a slim, cooling veil of water over your hand.
After a moment of just letting your hand rest and quell the pain she must have been feeling, you slowly remove your hand and are happy to see most of the redness has vanished.
"I can't close wounds or fix bones like Harold probably can, but I can at least help soothe a bump on the head." you grin happily as you let your arm fall outstretched beside you. "Feel better Flare?"
"Mhmm!" she hums. "Now let's fix you up a little too. Get ready, this will be chilly."
Your eyes dart open when you realize when Flare was about to try on you. She looks down at you with a warm smile as her one hand begins to glow with white mana. Before you can try to protest, a chilly, icy hand places itself on your forehead as the throbbing pain of being headbutt by the half-elf is replaced with a frigid brain freeze. With most of your body exhausted from the climb, you can only chatter your teeth, as the cold embrace of ice spreads over your head and makes your entire body cool. After another moment, Flare removes her hand gently and you can instantly feel your temperature start to return to normal. You let out a relieved, but satisfied sigh. Flare's method was certainly a lot colder than yours, but it did the job.
"Thanks Flare." you say softly, looking back up at the half-elf who still sits upright on top of your chest. "For that, AND getting us past what I hope was the second trial."
"Hey you deserve some credit too!" she chirps. "You knew exactly what I wanted you to do even though we could barely hear our own thoughts in that windstorm. You also kinda gave me the idea when you saved me from falling backward…"
"I couldn't quite figure out why this rite required exactly two people." Flare continues. "But when I felt the winds stop pushing me after you kept me in your arms; it became clear that we could only overcome that trial working as one. Although…you almost seemed content to just keep me hugged tight~. Your grip was especially steady before we started to put my plan into action."
"Says the girl who is still on top of me." you fire back with a grin, which earns a stunned realization from the half-elf as her face flushes slightly. "Which I'm not exactly complaining about, but…"
The exhaustion of today's challenges catches up with you both and your stomachs growl in unison. Flare's face grows an even deeper red from the involuntary vocalization of her hunger.
Reluctantly, Flare gently slides herself off of you and begins to slowly bring herself to a stand. You roll onto your stomach and using your arms, which have marginally more fight left in them, push yourself to your knees. A helping hand from the half-elf is what helps bring you back to your feet as you finally get a look around at where the second trial ended.
It was almost as if the mountain itself had created a room within the great outdoors. A spacious area enclosed by the walls made by the natural spire of earth. You can see the path to continue forward on your ascent, but you also see the makings of a small camp. A small unlit campfire that rests in front of a pair of rocks smooth enough to sit yourself on. Overhead, you can clearly see the orange sky as the sun begins to set.
"We should take it easy for the rest of today." you say to Flare, as you walk over to the campfire and begin to dig through your pack to find something to light it with.
As you just find the flint and tinder you had been searching for, you see the fire come to life next to you in a sudden blaze. You look behind you and see Flare with a smug smile on her face and a small flame dancing on her extended finger. You're not even sure why you're surprised at this point.
After taking a careful inventory of your food provisions, you both set aside what is meant for today and begin to eat. You had no idea how hungry you actually were.
"How did we survive skipping meals!?" Flare asks in between bites of dried meat.
"You think this is what Polka and Watame were talking about?" you answer with your mouth half full.
"That thing about us being competitive and bringing 'something', out of each other? We haven't been competing though. We have just been helping each other climb this mountain." Flare answers plainly.
"We do tend to focus a lot on whatever we are doing together, and not think about much else." you offer. "At least, that's how it feels for me. Nothing else seems to be there besides you and the task we set for ourselves. So, it's no wonder we forgot to eat."
"I suppose you have a point there. I never really thought about it until now, but I think I feel the same way, Anon. I don't really think it's a problem anyway. We pushed hard and made it through two of the three trials already. Now we'll give ourselves time to rest, and make it all the way to the top tomorrow!"
"And speaking of rest." Flare starts again after finishing her last morsel of food. "Someone promised me a leg massage, and boy do they need it. Let's hope you're at least halfway decent at this, Anon."
Crap…you did promise that didn't you? It made so much sense earlier. Offer to make your friend's legs feel better after the harsh climb. It would ultimately help you both anyway the following day. You also know that is only half the reason you offered. Those tanned thick legs have been trying to draw your eyes to them since you started. Of course you took the chance to secure a time to actually touch them. After that windtunnel trial though, you are bushed, but a promise is a promise, especially one to your friend.
You turn your body so your knees are directly facing the half-elf from your seat on the rock, and pat then expectantly.
"Alright. Let's get started then." you say plainly, slightly deflated that you might be too tired to enjoy this as much as you were planning too.
"R-Right!" Flare says as she nervously turns to you upon her own seat.
She looks at you pensively before with a small sigh, forces one of her legs up towards you. With shaky hands, you reach forward and let that meaty leg fall onto your hands. The contact sends a brief shock within both your bodies, as you can feel each other tense up. Gathering your nerve, you gently guide Flare, so that her foot rests securely on top of your thigh, giving the length of her leg ample space to sit upon the rest of your own.
You find yourself staring down a leg that seems like it could stretch for days. You can feel your heartbeat thud against your chest as you slowly caress the fabric of Flare's white stocking that covers most of her magnificent limb. It's incredibly soft against your fingertips, and you can still feel the heat from her body.
Once you are satisfied that Flare's leg is in a comfortable enough position for both of you, you look up at the half-elf to see if she is ready for you to start. What you see makes your heart skip a beat.
With the nearby fire's light dancing across her features, Flare looks away from you and towards the ground, her fist raised to cover her mouth, but not her cheek that is possibly more red than the hot flames that warm you both. Her eyes shyly look toward you, half hooded. She can't seem to bring herself to acknowledge you vocally, not that you are faring much better. Your throat feels like it's tied itself in five separate knots.
Swallowing hard, you gather yourself and just go for it. You slide your hands under Flare's calf and give it a firm squeeze.
A muffled gasp escapes Flare's lips which causes you to jolt.
"Y-You could have said you were going to start…" Flare whines.
"I figured my hands wrapped around your leg was enough of a warning…" you retort. "I'm going to continue…alright?"
Flare nods in acknowledgement and you turn your focus back to your task as you begin to knead the half-elf's calf with both your hands. Her calf is toned, but still gives slightly underneath your fingers. You bring your fingers as close to your palm as you can as you grip Flare's skin from underneath her stocking, and pull towards you.
A sharp inhale comes from Flare as you work, followed by a pleased sigh. This prompts you to continue your efforts. You dig your fingers as deep as they will go, and begin to make a circular motion as you stretch and work at the calf muscles to loosen.
More approving sighs not only urge you to keep going, but to also start exploring more. As you trace your hands upward towards Flare's thigh, you give each palm sized area a tender squeeze. Every touch, every new inch your hands undo underlying knots from, earns more noises of approval from your friend.
"So what do you think? Am I, 'halfway decent'?" you ask as you give the top side of her thighs a firm press from your fingers.
"Yeah. I'd say you are exactly halfway." Flare answers playfully.
You cease your treatment of Flare's aching muscles and look at her unamused.
"L-Let me finish!" the half-elf scrambles, clearly regretting her previous choice of words. "You're only halfway decent right now because…there's still another leg~"
As if knowing exactly how to punish you for attempting to be the better of the two of you, Flare lifts her other leg and effortlessly rests it next to the other upon your own. She was a flushed mess when we started. Now you're the one who can feel the heat burn in your cheeks. Where did this surge of confidence come from?
"Very funny…" you almost squeak as you place your hands firmly on the fresh leg at the knee.
You begin to run your hands up and down Flare's leg from her kneecap down to the end of her shin. The pressure from your flat palm undoes the stress her muscles endured today.
"I didn't even know you could massage shins like that!" Flare sighs in bliss.
The tone and words of the half-elf light a fire deep within you. Your once tired fingers now work with renewed vigor. You begin to pull at Flare's voluptuous legs harder, digging even deeper down to massage the muscles at their core.
Your hands glide as far up Flare's long legs as they can from your position, your fingers just barely able to touch and caress her bare skin that lies exposed just above her stockings.
As you get lost in thoughts of touching more of that cocoa colored skin, one of Flare's hands places itself on top of yours, causing you to stop.
"I got an idea." Flare says through a relaxed stupor. "I'll lay down. You can massage better that way."
"And who said this wasn't all you're getting?" you say, trying to put actual conviction behind your voice.
Not acknowledging your protest, Flare lets herself off of you and reaches down into her provisions pack to pull out the rolled up blanket the Talonclaw supplied. She lets it unfurl next to the fire and happily lays down on her stomach. You try to stand firm with what you said, but as Flare lifts one of her legs and gives you an inviting flick from her foot, your resistance seems to be torn down easily.
With a small groan, you push yourself back up to your feet, and sit on your knees upon the soft blanket. The view from this side is actually even more dangerous than the one you had before. With her front pressed against the ground, Flare's thighs looked even bigger, plumper, and even more enticing. Tentatively, you bring your hands atop the half-elf's calves and begin to knead into them again.
A long exhale escapes Flare as she continues to enjoy her pampering. She was right about one thing though, at this angle you can put a lot more strength into smoothening out each and every knot under her skin that you can find. The full force of your weight is now used to better press your fingertips into her giving skin.
The more Flare vocalizes her approval, the bolder you feel. Your hands begin to ascend upwards again, before finally getting to that line where her stocking so tightly hugs her leg. Your eyes become captivated by the latch of her garter belt. You press and fold the skin all around it, undoing quite a few nasty knots in the process. Your mind begins to wander to what it would be like to undo that mystical piece of clothing, or to see what exactly it leads to. That is certainly a form of wanderlust alright.
The light from the emerging moon above brings you back to your senses before your hands wander too far upward. It was quickly becoming nighttime…which means you would need to sleep soon…right.
I promised Polka and Undine I would talk to Flare about the nightmares. I have to do this…but how do I even start? "Just let that big heart of yours tell you what to say" right?
"Flare?" you begin as you continue to take the half-elf's thighs between your fingers and massage them gingerly. "How did you do it?"
"Do what, Anon?" Flare asks groggily. "You're going to have to be more specific than that."
"How did you…move on? After what happened in Lu'Shaldor. Does it ever…haunt…you?" you say, struggling with actually opening up this conversation.
You feel Flare shift and tense under your hands, as she turns to look at you over her shoulder. You have to wonder what exactly she sees right now. Does she see the nervous, unsure boy that you feel like right now? A boy who she once called her hero, afraid at the very idea of falling asleep.
"Is this about what happened with HoloX?" Flare asks, somehow seeing half the intent behind the surprise topic.
"Yeah." you nod, giving those wonderful legs one last squeeze before removing your hands from them.
"Anon." Flare says as she pushes herself to her knees and sits herself in front of you. "What's wrong?"
"I wish I knew for sure." you say, your voice beginning to break. You quickly kick yourself for such a bad lie and shake your head. What are you thinking trying to lie to Flare? She can see right through you. Man up!
"That was a bad lie." you say before you let Flare say those very words. "I know exactly what's wrong…it's Koyori…"
Flare says nothing. She only looks at you with concerned eyes, even though it hurts, you have to fully explain.
"The night after you all saved me from HoloX…I've been having nightmares. At first it was just hazy images, lingering feelings of what I went through. Then everything was vivid again. I saw myself back in Koyori's clutches. But after that…something even more scary happened."
You take a deep breath. You REALLY don't want to repeat this part, but you can't keep running from it. You can't run from Flare. You don't want to.
"Last night…Koyori was talking to me in my dream. She said things that still make my skin crawl just thinking about it. I'm almost scared to sleep again, Flare…I don't want to see her again." you force yourself to say, your fists clenched and shaking as you dig your knuckles into your leg.
"How do you do it, Flare? How do you move forward after something like that?"
"One step at a time." Flare simply says as she places one of her hands around your quivering fist. "What I went through also doesn't come close to what happened to you, Anon."
"Wh-What do you mean? Those nut jobs basically kidnapped you! Gildmoore almost erased your mind of everything! How is it not close?!"
"What you went through, you were fully there in every single moment." Flare starts with a somber tone. "After they brought me to the tower, I was basically knocked out, and the next thing I knew, I was in that weird orb thing. I was pretty scared at first, but soon, things started going blank. I assume that's when Gildmoore started using that disgusting mind magic on me. I still remember how it kinda felt though…like I was just floating right outside my body."
"I'm sorry!" you blurt out as tears start to form in your eyes. "I'm so sorry I was such an idiot! I didn't even think to ask if you've been okay, and now here I am dumping my own trauma on you first…"
"Hey hey. You don't have to be sorry. I have been okay for the most part. The first couple nights were a little rough I'll admit, but you were there helping me every single day."
"Wha?"
"You, Polka, Watame, Undine, and Aunt Lena. You all helped me through that. There were nights I would lay awake and wonder if those master mages would somehow find their way out of jail and come after me. That was scary enough, but you know what scared me even more? The thought that they would come after you first. Or after Polka, or Watame, or anyone else I care about. When I would think about that, I would just look to you all."
"Undine said something similar…" you bring up.
"That's because she's smart!" Flare exclaims, her eyes bright with pride and affection. "When I would look at you, and all our friends, I knew there would be no force strong enough on this planet to keep us apart. I found myself some of the best friends a girl could ask for. As long as I have them to protect me, and as long as I'm here to protect them, those mage creeps will never capture me again."
You want to believe Flare when she tells you nothing can forcibly separate you from each other. You want to believe with all your heart, but something keeps holding you back from doing so. HoloX is just such a different beast, and worst of all, they could be anywhere. They know about you now, and Koyori swore she would find you again, both in person, and in your dreams.
"You said one step at a time right?" you bring yourself to say as you move your hand over Flare's. "With everyone's help…I think I can do that. I'm just so afraid of what might happen next in my sleep. I wish I didn't even have to dream."
"Maybe there's something we can do about that." Flare says warmly. "You said the nightmares didn't start until AFTER the first night, right? I remember very clearly how Watame said she was going to keep you close that night."
You nod with a likely stupid smile on your face. You can still feel how fluffy and wondrous it felt to sleep while in the embrace of that sheep. You've never felt more comfortable as you did then.
"I think your next step is obvious then. Anon, you gotta sleep with someone!" Flare says matter of factly.
What started as a very serious conversation, which eventually changed into something hopeful, was now completely derailed, as your mind whips back and forth in such a way it feels like your head is actually spinning. Before you can even begin to try and guess what exactly Flare meant by this specific phrasing, you hear her try to contain her giggling.
"You should have seen the look on your face!" Flare lets out as she starts to laugh. "I think that was even better than when I said you could ask Noel to marry you! Just what did you think I meant Anon~"
"You know damn well what your phrasing implies!" you say with flustered anger. "Here I am opening myself up to you, and you STILL have the nerve to tease me like that. Well how do you like this then!?"
Placing both your hands around Flare's, you quickly bring your mana to the surface, and let the wet embrace of water pour over her once dry hands. She struggles to pull herself from your grip as the uncomfortable sensation reaches her, but you are not letting go.
"You're the one who decided to interpret it that way!" Flare snaps back, but still giggling. "And if you think you have me beat. Think again!"
Flare's hands shift from underneath yours, so that both your palms are against one another. The cool wetness of your water is quickly overtaken by the frigid ensnare of ice. You try your best to grit your teeth and bear it, you try moving your body in any possible way to keep warm. It soon becomes too much, you force your legs to stand you up, taking Flare along with you.
"H-How's that!?" Flare asks through chattering teeth.
"N-Nothing to someone who will eventually be able to summon the spirit of ice!" you lie.
"Y-You won't mind if I s-spread it then!?" Flare threatens as the ice around both your hands begins to slowly expand.
You stare back at the shivering half-elf with determination. You will not lose to her this time. She takes your rebellious gaze as a sign to make true on her threat, as the ice slowly begins to wrap itself along your arm.
Not willing to just take this, you struggle against Flare to move yourselves closer to the fire, and in a rather ingenious maneuver, you position your locked together hands right over its flickering flame.
While Flare's own magic is strong, the heat of the campfire still makes it through to your hands, giving your body a much sought for relief. You both stare directly into each other's eyes. In your reflection you see yourself…smiling. You can't help but start to laugh, which causes Flare to start again as well.
"Look at us!" you bellow. "Maybe we actually do need a chaperone after all."
"I don't know~ I think this is pretty fun." Flare says back.
"Can't really argue with you there. How about a truce though? I think we will just make things worse for ourselves if we give ourselves frostbite or burns."
"Alright. Truce."
With a shake of both your hands against one another, you and Flare both halt your magic and let the flames of the fire melt the ice around you. Once free, you both warm yourselves up a little more, still laughing at how quickly that escalated.
"I was serious about the idea, you know." Flare suddenly says. "You should try just falling asleep next to someone. See if the nightmares still happen."
"It might be a little more complicated than that…" you admit. "Even with Watame and Undine as close as they are inside the tent, the bad dreams still kept happening."
"It doesn't have to be complicated." Flare offers as she lays herself down on her side over the stretched out blanket next to the fire. "Just come here, we can both help each other sleep better."
"What do you mean?" you raise an eyebrow.
"Just stop thinking and lay down with me." Flare almost demands.
With a twinge of nervousness, but also excitement, you comply with the half-elf and gently lay yourself down so your back is to her. Before you can wonder what might be next, you feel her arms wrap around your chest and pull you closer to her. Flare's embrace is so gentle, but also, so very warm.
She lets out a heavy relaxed sigh into the top of your back, as she nuzzles in deeper. The sensation makes you jump slightly.
"Much better~" Flare coos. "I was afraid I'd have to tough out the night without something to hold."
"Wait…is that why you got one of those huge pillows on your side of Polka's tent?" you ask suddenly. "You hug it to sleep?"
"Yes…you don't think that's weird do you?"
"Not at all. I certainly don't mind in this case." you admit. "So what happens if I need to get up for some reason?"
"Sorry. That's not allowed." Flare chirps as she tightens her grip, but in doing so she pushes her ample chest into your back.
"G-Got it!" you stammer as you try to contain the jolt surging through your body that actually being in contact with a girl's breasts has given you.
"Are you comfortable, Anon?" Flare asks. "If you don't think you can fall asleep like this, we can think of something else."
"No, I'm fine. Actually, I think I'm great." you let yourself say. "This feels nice…thank you Flare. Thanks for listening to me tonight."
"Thank you for indulging me, and not thinking I'm weird…and for the massage. You'll have to do my shoulders sometime."
"Does that mean I'm well past 'halfway-decent'?" you ask smugly.
"If you keep showing me what those magic fingers of yours can do, I think you can just make it to exceptional." Flare purrs.
The way she says that makes your heart race. Something is urging you to want to turn around, to bring Flare's body even closer to your own. Thoughts and fantasies are swirling in your head about treating her to that massage right now. You want desperately to touch and explore her body again, but you keep these desires in check for now. There is still one last trial to overcome, and you both would need your rest. Maybe there will be more opportunities for what your body aches for later…you're dead tired on all fronts.
You bring one of your hands over Flare's that grips the fabric of your clothes between her fingers to better hold on to you. The connection makes you both exhale in comfort.
"Good night, Flare."
"Good night, Anon. Sweet dreams."
You close your eyes and hope so desperately for that to be the case tonight. You remind yourself of where you are, in the embrace of a very important person to you. A person who has overcome similar struggles by looking to you. You feel good about doing the same as you let yourself doze off.