AN:
Song is Paul denman, Sade, Stuart mathewman and Andrew hale, by your side
8*8
Splintered flying:
After witnessing Elanye take into the air after mounting on a broom handful of times she left him. Left Constantine being allowed to inspect her broomstick with a chuck of Euclase. He found nothing special than the angelic steel and silver embellishments found throughout. How he found himself back in the clearing, in the woods, for a private demonstration.
"I can't wait to see this." Octavia watched from the sidelines.
"Feat of flight is not an easy task to master," Constantine recalled the years he spent learning, "Involves risks and great focus."
"You guys can do it." Octavia tried to not get too giddy.
She didn't care about lessons being canceled for this day when she came to the woods. Her excitement reminded Constantine of Mirabelle's glee when she happily squeals. Knowing she couldn't here no matter how much she whined for safety reasons. Left him to watch Hepzibah and Corbin enchanted their newly created brooms for flight in hell. Simply decorated one and more overly decorated one lay beside them.
"Ahben Tahkay Ah Tum Entay Ditum Entayah." A chant was spoken.
Way their eyes lit up as their brooms shook to life when slowly levitating into the air. Reaching both their hands that were reached out to take hold of their newly made brooms.
"Now mount with a firm stance and grip to get a feel," Elanye instructed, "You can take off if you like since harpies aren't bothered by it."
As soon as she took hold of hers, Hepzibah fell backwards into a sitting position and took off. Hoo Hoo flew after her as closely as he could as an escort for her. Corbin actually turned a set of eyes that had been watching him. Chewy and unnamed leopard watched their resting place beside empty swing area.
"Noway," Octavia seems to understand, "You sure?"
"Scared?" Corbin asked.
" … well …" Octavia paused in answering him.
How a flying tour of the woods given by Elanye on her broom. Beside her broom Constantine flew as Corbin and Octavia were right behind. Looking upon the sights under their feet that were pointed out to them. Trees left scarred from past exterminations were seen along with harpies nestling grounds and feral hellhound territory. Along with the area of woods, shades occupied at any random nocturnal moment. Ended with lunch being served to them in Wywave's garden. Where Constantine found bushes of black roses growing in place of old ones.
"Your Highness, Corbin replanted these as an apology," Wywave picked up Chewy, "He cut up his hands since he didn't use gloves and without an ounce of magic until the roses bloomed."
"Meaning he salvaged them from that golem incident?" Constantine asked as he recalled.
"Didn't let me sterilize or treat his hands afterward." Wywave still remembered bloody and thorn pricked fingers.
"I see." Constantine noticed the way the roses looked.
From how they were watered to pruned showed Corbin out great care into his uncle's roses. Each bush was also spaced just enough to not struggle for light. Had enough magic flowing through them to keep them alive year round.
"Refill?" Elanye asked the two.
Her brother made a comment about the two should give flying together a chance sometime. Pointing out whether it was on her broom or Constantine using his wings. Two should make a date of it in his own suggestive way. Stating he usually does it with Zon on slow work days or date nights. Rose one of Constantine's eyebrows at the thought of shared flight. A rare memory of his parents doing so surfaced in his mind. Smile his mother wore when in his father's arms when they took off or landed. Had him seeking his sister and father upon return to the pride ring that night. Lucifer gushing over his son wanting advice on shared flight had Charlie intervening. Suppressing her own joy about her brother's questions. Didn't get any better for Him when he also turned to his favorite aunt on the subject. Beelzebub first Shared how happy he came to her before she shared. Wasp was no help when he popped in for details on their conversation for ideas. Since meeting Hepzibah, he has been looking for new ways to interact with her outside of the party scene.
8*8
Constantine suggested Elanye wore more appropriate clothing for his flight with her. She showed up in this black Chiffon, Elastic Cuffs Cropped Top over a rose Floral Print, Jumper Skirt, Spring Summer Dress. Marzipan inspired, Embroidered Hanfu with a rounded toe and hair in a ponytail. Usual earrings and simplest makeup without her outer garments. In a confused state about his instructions on dressing and meeting location. Hoo Hoo perched on one of her shoulders just watching him. Maverick jumped off his master's shoulders when he approached her.
"My sister or your brother?" He asked about her appearance.
"My niece." She was proud of Hepzibah.
"She has my compliments." He was quite impressed.
Before Elanye could ask why he wanted to meet outside the training hall of the royal residence. Her words were halted when she witnessed all four of Constantine's wings get released. Mixture of feathers and thinly stretched membrane blocking out the light. Head tilt to only side when she stepped forward then back. Way her eyes darted over this reveal he made to her in a state of awe. Allowed him to see that side of her where steps slow down and her head tilts. Hoo Hoo almost fell off her shoulder at the sight of the prince's wings as eyes widen.
"May we?" He asked with his usual hand reaching out to her.
"All you had to do was ask." She accepted like many times before.
When their hands come together as their unspoken bond comes to life with memories and thoughts. Two saw through the other's eyes how they prepared for this day. He listened to his sister, Beelzebub, and father about their experiences in flying. Some were happy or pleasant ones surrounding private moments for them. She struggled in finding the right outfit according to Constantine's guidelines. Help came from an unlikely source when she asked her family. Had him sweep her off her feet with a secure grip on her as he flexed his wings. She ended up listening to a powerful and resonant tune that was Constantine singing. When he took flight and shared a song with her …
You think I'd leave your side, baby
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
I'll tell you, you're right when you want
Ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ooh-ooh
And if only you could see into me
Oh, when you're cold, I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
When you're on the outside, baby, and you can't get in
I will show you, you're so much better than you know
When you're lost, and you're alone, and you can't get back again
I will find you, darling, and I will bring you home
And if you want to cry, I am here to dry your eyes, ooh
And in no time, you'll be fine
You think I'd leave your side, baby
You know me better than that
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees
I wouldn't do that
I'll tell you, you're right when you want
Ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ooh-ooh
And if only you could see into me
Oh, when you're cold, I'll be there
Hold you tight to me (to me, yeah)
Oh, when you're low
I'll be there by your side, baby (by your side, baby)
Oh, when you're cold, I'll be there
Hold you tight to me (to me, yeah)
Oh, when you're low
I'll be there by your side, baby
Created a moment only two of them would share with Hoo Hoo filling beside them. Unlike Corbin and Hephzibah, who was giving Mirabelle her first flight. When the two arrived for their shifts after making their deliveries. Not taking no for an answer despite them informing her, they had work waiting for them. Along with being told by Hephzibah about getting wings of her; someday. Left her to stick by their sides as they worked for the first few hours around the hotel. From helping out in the laundry room by sorting and cleaning what went in machines. Delivery mail to the private rooms and take trash out to the dumpsters. Followed by being present for what happens after manager meetings .
"Why is she here?" Alastor asked Corbin and Hephzibah, "Adults are working."
"I Want To Fly." Mirabelle repeats what she has been waged.
"Well?" Alastor looked to Corbin and Hephzibah.
"Aunt El finally allowed us to cast a flight spell after teaching us," Hephzibah answered, "Mirabelle couldn't be there when we took our first flight. Now wants to be taken flying when we have a chance."
Alastor ended up kindly telling Mirabelle about bothering Hephzibah and Corbin. That she'll get what she wants on their first break from them. Got her own golden apple name tag when she refused to leave. Making her unofficially part of the staff during Alastor's briefing. Left to her asking a lot of questions as he addressed Niffty, Husker, Hephzibah, and Corbin. Made finishing and dismissing everyone to their duties. A lot harder when he stopped to answer her every few minutes.
Liven up the shift until Lucifer offered to watch her until lunch break. She didn't lose her interest in flying completely in those hours. She just learned what went behind running a hotel to rehab sinners. Be helping where she could without making much of a mess.
"Little duck," Lucifer discovered her desire to be taken flying, "Want grandpa to take you soaring through the air?"
"Not without Hephzibah and Corbin," She reminded him, "A promise is a promise."
Lucifer honored his granddaughter's request to wait while he watched her. She was introduced to his rubber duck and polka music record collections. Along with black veil image of her grandmother, Lilith. Where he had a painting hanging of his wife in the apple tower showed he still loved her. Had Mirabelle asking what the lively lady sounded like and who she was. How Lucifer shared the first ever recording on a wax cylinder from one of Lilith's performances with her. While telling her the tale of his wife and he once shared with their children a long time ago. Those innocent eyes filled with such gleefulness over his first hand account. Left Mirabelle to wipe tears away from her grandfather 's face when the story ended.
"Excuse us your majority?" Hephzibah and Corbin had entered looking for Mirabelle, "We are here to take a certain young lady flying."
"I got an idea." Lucifer wasn't ready to leave his granddaughter alone.
He ended up noticing the time on his suck clock had flown by when in the company of his granddaughter. Left Lucifer free to ask the teens and Mirabelle what they thought of pancakes. Not much objection came from them since neither of them had plans for lunch. To the hotel's vast kitchen for a breakfast themed lunch and plans on flying were made. Lucifer shared memories of when his son started his flying before he was trained and taught in specialized aerial flight. Led to an actual flight plan being made when they started to actually eat. When and where they were going became detailed plans.
8*8
One of the many gifts left from their otherworldly guest for Zon was a hammer pendant. He placed at the end of his beaded chain where his old pendent once laid. He then gently held when he closed the wooden box up. Recalling those few short weeks, the young man was with them as he opened his wings. Mutilated and scarred appendages have been restored by Elanye's efforts. His newly grown flight feathers had some time to grow back. He began to get back into the habit of preening and molting.
"Reflecting?" Zon's voice made him smile.
"More like getting around to finally arranging his gift for my rosary." Zon lifted his hand.
"You still have that after all this time," Wywave pointed out, "You know I can make you a new one."
"I know, but one of few things I have left from those days." His eyes fill with a soft nostalgia.
Months spent in their care when he was brought back to their cabin in the woods. Left of his armor and uniform removed before his injures were treated. Threat of his dried blood didn't stop them from accessing his form. After he was cleaned and first aid was given to basic wounds. He was given only things that survived and kept to this very day.
"You brought me into your home and allowed me to heal," He was ever so thankful to Wywave, "Showing men in a different way of life."
Wywave shut him up with a kiss upon his lips he didn't see coming with his wings retracting. Pulling away when Mun started bleating at them from his pillow he shared with Chewy.
"No treat after you did this morning to the shade." Wywave reminded the little monster.
"All he did was chase them around the old tree," Zon recalled, "Corbin was chatting with the spirit in the tree about princess' redemption plan."
"After skipping breakfast," Wywave pointed out, "To only get an upset stomach eating one of Elanye's day old bear claws."
Zon ended up laughing that morning when Corbin's bout of upset stomach almost left him to stay home. Poor thing took three bites of day old pastry Elanye made baked. Didn't agree with him and left him feeling almost sick. A cup of tea made from peppermint and ginger made his feel much better. Along with a lesson to not skip meals like he was chatting up a tree.
"Ready to take out the newest steed and head out?" Wywave asked him.
"How are we going to explain a horse to your sister?" Zon reminded him, "Not a typical demonic one."
"I just need the bones of a Hyracotherium or early draft horse," Wywave had plans, "He'll have a friend."
"Figure out what planet you are using?" Zon noticed the samples Wywave was researching.
"A aspen tree." Wywave proudly pointed.
"I should have known," Zon stopped being surprised by Wywave, "Lets see this creation of yours."
Away from the workbench the two would walk away with Zon kneeling down pick up Muun as they passed metal drum, where tubes were connected. Rest of the set up was carefully crafted machinery to collect fermented tree sap. Whatever went into it was a recipe known only to Wywave. Slowly bottled and delivered through the seven rings of usual customers. All done in a second building located in the same clearing. They walked in when out of the second building they went. Doors sealing up behind them with natural light and wind greeting them. Zon was the one that closed his eyes and welcomed the quiet chill of the woods in the air. Smells of jungle flora and acidic rain; damp moss, wet tree trunks, pine needles, wild flowers, frost and soft woods. Making him tighten his grip on his beaded chain with the new pendant.