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welcometophu · 5 years

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Missed Fortunes: Hopes & Fears 1

Twinned Book 2: Missed Fortunes

Hopes & Fears 1

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Even after a week, Carolyn still feels off-kilter. She finally feels rested, but the world still seems dreamlike, and not quite real. It’s strange to be texting with Sam, to have him coherent and home and texting her back. Del has become a constant in her life, sending random photos of her own campus, and snippets about life. They both fit back into Carolyn’s days as if they’ve never been gone.

They have a group text as well, all five of them as if it’s still high school and they’re discussing where to meet for lunch or what prank to pull. Carolyn’s quieter there, not quite ready to interact with Shawn. She can keep Del and Sam as her buffers in that space, at least.

It’s easier to see now, after years have passed, just how set apart Kit is from the rest of them. He chats, yes, but his life seems to have veered down a different path.

Carolyn’s not sure if she’s on the same path as Kit, or if she’s just pushed herself back onto the path with her old friends. Or if she’s found one of her own.

Heather is her rock amidst it all, and Carolyn leans on her in ways she hasn’t let herself since Nikita came into their lives. Nikita doesn’t sleep in their room at all during the week, and Carolyn falls asleep each night with Heather’s hand on her shoulder, lulling her to quiet. It’s peaceful to just let go, and not worry about processing everything. She knows she needs to deal with it, but at the same time, she needs a break. Heather lets her forget about everything else, and put the more difficult emotions in a neat little box, waiting to be opened later.

It won’t work forever, but it gets her through the week. It lets Friday arrive without panic, until classes are done and Carolyn’s sitting in her room with Heather, waiting for Kit and Nikita to show up. Then her phone pings, and Carolyn’s heart starts racing as she looks down at the screen.

We’re here and checked into that same motel as last time. Are you sure we want to do this?

Heather places a hand on Carolyn’s shoulder, and Carolyn breathes in the induced calm. She can almost imagine the lemon scent that Alaric always says Heather exudes, and she exhales slowly. Yes, she sends back. I don’t think it’s that we want to do it. I think we need to. I think you need to hear what Nik has to say, and I know she needs to hear about what Mattie told us. I think the only way we’re going to figure anything out—and keep the bad stuff from happening again—is to share as much information as we can.

And if your friend Nik and I try to drag the entire town into the dreamscape? Del replies.

Heather’s grip on Carolyn’s shoulder tightens.

You won’t, Carolyn types. Nikita’s under control when she’s with Heather. And I’m not going to let you turn into Dream-Del again. We brought you back, and we’ll bring you back again if we have to. No one gets lost.

A knock on the door before it opens and Nikita’s there. Kit stands in the hall behind her, his beanie pulled down low over his ears, and his phone in his hand as he texts.

They’re here, Carolyn sends. We’ll be there soon and we’ll bring dinner.

“Are we walking?” Nikita asks. “How far away is it?”

Kit glances up from his phone, brow furrowed and expression concerned.

“We borrowed Trish’s truck.” Carolyn digs into her jacket pocket to find the keys, brandishing them while attempting to get her jacket on. “Kit, you’re driving. She says I’m too out of it this week, and Heather doesn’t like to drive.”

“I’m guessing I don’t have a say in this,” Kit mutters, catching the keys when she tosses them to him. “You know, I thought about going out tonight. Trying that dating thing.”

“But Rory’s busy anyway,” Nikita points out. “He and Thorne are recording something or other, I don’t know exactly what. Demos, I think. They’re trying to sort out which tracks are going to make the cut for the new album.”

Carolyn hears what Kit isn’t really saying, that he doesn’t want to stay on this path any longer than he has to. “Thank you,” she says quietly. “I think that we’re close to finishing whatever we started, and then we can move forward, right?”

Kit gets an arm around her shoulders when she approaches, squeezes her tightly. He’s only a couple inches taller than her, but it’s enough that he can kiss her temple easily. “I think it’s going to be better when we can start moving forward,” he murmurs. “Even looking back will be easier then.”

Carolyn nods, then motions toward the stairs. She leads the way to where Trish’s truck is parked, and pulls the seats forward so Heather and Nik can climb into the back seat. It takes Kit a little time to find the right settings for the seat—he’s taller than Trish, but her legs are longer—then the truck comes to life with a roar.

Kit drives cautiously, staying far from the cars parked on the side of the road, while also avoiding the oncoming traffic. His jaw is tight and set, and he navigates carefully, parking far from other cars when he reaches the motel lot.

Carolyn has the room number, on the first floor this time, and Del opens the door as they approach.

Heather clasps Nikita’s hand, murmurs something as they walk together. Nikita lifts her hand, and Del waves back just as cautiously.

“I can do this,” Nikita says, and she moves ahead of the others, Heather still connected to her but trailing behind. She reaches Del and holds out her hand. “Hi. Let’s test this and see if we can do it.”

Del looks at her warily. “All I’m going to say is if we end up in a forest or a fragrant field, I’m over it.” She clasps Nikita’s hand and closes her eyes, wincing.

Nothing happens.

Nikita shudders, lets go of Del and moves closer to Heather. “Okay, so, on my part it isn’t easy, but I can hold on. It’s like—I feel this weird sensation over my entire body, like I’m exhausted and wide awake and then I want to explode outwards, and I’m pretty sure that’s power. Maybe we should’ve called Rory, too.”

“Still could,” Kit offers, phone in his hand.

Del shakes her head. “I think we’re going to be okay. I’m a little light-headed, but I can focus. And I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s snowing.”

Carolyn turns around and looks, and there are indeed snowflakes drifting slowly through the air.

“It was supposed to snow tonight,” Nikita says. “I don’t think that’s me.”

Del steps back, pulls the door wide. “Come on in before you get wet, I guess.”

Shawn’s in the way, standing just beyond Del, and Carolyn pushes past him to get to Sam. He already looks better than he did a week ago, and when he captures her in a hug, his grip is strong and sure. “You look good,” she murmurs, her face pressed against his.

“I sent you pictures,” Sam tells her.

“I didn’t believe them.” They only added to the sense of unreality this week, watching Sam change as the week wound on. She touches his face, feels the smoothness of his skin. “I needed to see you in person. I’m glad you came up.”

“Can we get down to business, because I feel like my skin could crawl away on its own, and I’m blaming proximity to Nikita,” Del snaps. She crosses her arms tightly, leans back against Shawn who wraps his arms around her.

“Seconded.” Nikita’s found a spot on the bed, Heather sitting next to her. She has Heather’s hand tight in her grip, so tight that her knuckles are pale and Heather’s fingers are darker. Heather brushes over the top of their clasped hands, and Nikita’s grip eases.

Everyone looks to Carolyn, and she’s not entirely sure how she ended up in charge, but apparently she is. “We need to talk about the split,” she says firmly, even though she still feels like she’s in uncharted territory with the conversation. “And we need to talk about Nik’s dreams, and how the forest intertwines with everything. And how traveling works, and what it means for all of us.” She gestures between herself, Nikita, and Del, “because I think we’re all different aspects of the same Emergent Talent. We were all Mages of some kind beforehand: Weather Witch, Predictive, and Del’s generalized magic. Something’s changed, and I think it’s all tangled together.”

“And we’re probably affecting each other, too,” Del comments. “Especially when we’re together.”

“But it started before we three all met,” Carolyn points out. “For you it started almost three years ago, and for me, who knows when it really started, but it started in earnest just a few months ago. And Nikita changed when she came to PHU. That’s why we need to talk.”

“Fine.” Sam moves forward. “Let’s start with the forest, and the shadows.”

“The shadows are in Nikolai’s world, too,” Nikita points out. “They’re everywhere there, and dangerous to the Talented people. Between them and being hunted by humans, Talented people are in danger, and Nikolai’s on the run.”

Del’s gaze goes sharp. “Okay, no, let’s start with a clearer explanation of that. Who’s world?”

Nikita fidgets, patting and stroking along Heather’s hand. “When my weather magic goes haywire, I’m usually asleep. We thought it meant I was having nightmares, which turned out to be true. I started remembering the dreams recently. And in those dreams, I’m someone named Nikolai, who’s on the run. He’s got this whole life, and I keep seeing him—being him, really—every time he comes back to my dreams. It’s easier, when I’m with Heather. I don’t panic, so I don’t cause storms, but I still dream, and it’s like I’m there.”

“And his world?” Del prods.

“Chaos,” Nikita says. “A decade ago, it was overrun by shadows. They started attacking people with Talent, and that brought magic out in public in front of the humans. And of course, the humans blamed the magical people for what was happening with the shadows, so they started attacking them, too. People with Talent have retreated—at least, I think that’s what’s happened. I only know what Nikolai thinks about, or what he and Seth talk about. But Nikolai and Seth are on the run. I don’t know where they started out, because that’s not something Nikolai likes to think about. But they’re on their own and they’re going from safe house to safe house, trying to find some kind of settlement that I think is near here. Some safe community so they can fight back.”

“So you’re dreaming some other entire life, in another world,” Del says slowly.

“That sounds like it comes from one of the shadow-infested worlds out of the forest,” Sam says. “I saw a lot of those when I was trying to find my way out. More of those than normal ones, but that could have just been the paths I chose.”

“Or it could be that the shadows are escaping out of the split, like Mattie said, and some worlds have more cracks than others to let them in,” Del murmurs.

It sounds logical to Carolyn. And disturbing. “What keeps our world from cracking? How do we know Nikolai and his world are real?” she asks.

“We go there,” Kit says. He sits in the desk chair, swinging it side to side as he moves. He stops, leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “We see if we can open up something to the place, and we go. Just like we did to get to Sam. And just like I did to get to Lora this week.”

“They weren’t in different worlds,” Carolyn points out.

“Don’t know if we don’t try,” Kit retorts. “I think it’s worth a shot.”

“You want to go directly there, not through the dreamscape,” Del confirms. She slumps when he nods. “Good. The split—that’s all the spaces off the path in the dreaming. My space—my field—is safe. And the paths seem safe, if you don’t stray off of them.”

“I saw people disappear into shadow,” Sam confirms. “They were there, on the path ahead of me, then they veered off and—”

“Fell into the split,” Carolyn finishes the sentence. “Which is what Mattie said not to do.”

Sam nods. “Exactly. The thing is, the paths keep getting smaller, and there seem to be more shadows.”

“More people without souls,” Del says. “Why?”

“Do you think that if we can go to Nikolai, I can stop dreaming about him?” Nikita asks, shifting the topic abruptly. She grips Heather tightly again, Heather’s expression drawn and pained. “Because if I stop having those nightmares, my power stops going out of control, and things can go back to normal. So I’m in for Kit’s idea of going there.”

Kit rises, grabs his bag. “Why don’t you and I go outside and talk about the place? I need a good description of it. I was able to get us to the forest after the description I had, and a picture of Sam, so let’s do the same with your Nikolai.”

The door slams as Kit and Nikita exit, Heather following quickly after.

“I don’t think it’s the same thing,” Del says quietly.

Carolyn’s not sure what to think. “I don’t think it’ll hurt anything, and Kit’s got a way to get the sketches done quickly. And maybe we’ll still end up going through the dreamscape. Either way, I think it might take all of us again. Or some of us, and the rest helping. And we’ll need to be ready for it tomorrow.” When Shawn starts to protest, Carolyn shakes her head and cuts him off, “Kit needs time to do the sketches. You guys can rest here tonight.”

“We’ll be fine,” Sam says.

“You could stay here if you want,” Del offers, pointing at the other bed. “Platonically, obviously. Pick whoever you want to crash with, and we could talk tonight.”

Carolyn can’t feel power crawling over her the way Del can, but she still feels jumpy and anxious. “No, I think—” She cuts off, because she wants to spend time with Serina. She wants to see her, let her know what’s going to happen and what they’re going to try. “I need to relax tonight before we do this, and as much as I miss everything from before it all went upside down, staying here won’t be relaxing.”

“I understand.” Sam opens his arms, wraps her into a warm hug. Del does the same after, her braids heavy against Carolyn’s cheek.

When they separate, Shawn stands there, his hands in his pockets, watching her.

Carolyn isn’t ready to hug him.

“Can we talk?” Shawn asks.

Carolyn drops her gaze, turns away slightly. She pulls out her phone and sends a text to Serina. I think I’m about done here. I’m going to walk over to see you. Be there soon.

She puts her phone back in her pocket, keeps her gaze and her tone even when she looks at Shawn. “Okay, sure. Let’s go outside and talk.”

She’s not ready for this, but then, she doesn’t think she’ll ever be ready. And if they can have clear hearts and minds tomorrow, they’ll probably be better off.

Doesn’t mean she’s happy about this conversation, though.

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#welcome to phu #welcometophu #missed fortunes #phu twinned #twinned #mf hopes fears

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ravenssunshine · 6 years

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California Bliss- Elmax

Read on AO3

This is the first chapter of my Elmax fic! I’m excited!

Warnings: swearing

Words: 1,752 (longest writing yet, I think!)

Jane Hopper didn't exactly know much about the world, but she memorized Hawkins, Indiana like the back of her hand. She knew everything there was to know about that place. She was smart and she was careful. She followed the rules, knowing there was no reason to break them. Max Mayfield broke that safe bubble she lived in. Max Mayfield was a force of nature, and she was simultaneously terrified and so intrigued. When Max invited the whole party on a trip back to California, Jane barely knew what to say. She couldn’t leave Hawkins, they all knew that. But Max had the ability to make her a rebel, make her do things she didn’t understand. So she said yes. At 9:00 am the next them they all they all piled into two cars, Dustin, Lucas, and Steve into Steve’s car (Max’s dad had wanted to meet this ‘Steve’ Max kept talking about,) and Mike, Will, Jane, and Max into Max’s car. Mike and Will were asleep by hour one, leaving Max and Jane to talk.

“I’m glad you decide to come, Jane," Max said after a few minutes of silence. her hair was tied up into a long ponytail and Jane was admiring how the sun made it look like it was on fire.

"y-yeah. I wouldn't miss it for the world," Jane replied, really meaning what she said. like she said, Max made her feel and do things she never would’ve thought about doing. “What’s California like? I’ve only seen it on a map.I’ve only been out of Hawkins once, actually.”

“Well, California is pretty cool. The people there are a lot different. More accepting, not stuck in the past. There’s not really any winter there; it’s always hot. Um... we can go swimming. Or go to the beach.”

“That’d be nice. Everyone? Or you and me?”

“I was thinking more you and me, honestly. I want to get to know you better.”

Jane nodded. “I would enjoy that.” With that they sat in silence, driving for hours and listening to the radio. Jane would occasionally point out something out the window, and Max would look and laugh. They had mindless conversations, filled with unintentional flirting.

Mike and Will woke up about 3 hours in when they stopped for lunch. The lunch break was quick, the seven of them getting out of their cars and eating premade lunches from Joyce, Ms. Henderson, Mrs. Wheeler, and Mrs. Sinclair.

When they were done they got back in the cars and were back on the road. Since everyone in Max’s car was awake, they played typical road trip games, like bingo and I Spy. They exchanged stories and they were laughing the whole time. When it was dark out, they all met up again at a motel.

“Okay, shitheads, listen up,” Steve ordered. “I’ve booked four rooms and here are your sleeping arrangements: Max and Jane, obviously, Will and Mike, who will have to share a queen sized bed, Lucas and Dustin, and moi, who gets a king sized bed to himself. We leave at 9:00 tomorrow after breakfast. Go get your room keys. We should all be on the same floor.”

They all ran to the desk, grabbing keys at random. Looking at the room numbers, they split up and went upstairs. Once Max opened the door to the room, she swore. “Jane, I think we have Mike and Will’s key. There’s only one bed....”

“I can go switch the keys?” Jane suggested.

“Y-yes. Go do that. Please.”

Jane left the room and found Mike and Will after only a few minutes. Thankfully, Steve had successfully booked all the rooms on one floor. “We have your key because Max is an idiot. Care to exchange them?” She asked.

“Yeah. I’d rather share a bed with Will than be stuck in two different beds.” Mike said, winking at Will who turned bright red.

“Disgusting! Just get Max over here and go to your correct room,” Jane said, oddly flustered. She sat one of the beds and waited anxiously for Max and their bags.

Max walked in and threw Jane’s bag on her bed. “‘Night, Jane,” she said quietly, before getting into bed. Jane grabbed her bag and changed into her pajamas, getting into bed. “Goodnight, Max.”

Jane could not sleep. She knew what this feeling was but she didn’t understand. It was love, and she only knew it because that’s what Mike had described his feelings for Will as. They were the same as this. Only, Jane didn’t understand how she felt this for another girl. She knew it was okay for boys to like other boys, but no one said that girls could like other girls. She was scared, to say the least. She couldn’t fall asleep on her own, she needed to be close to someone. “Max?” She asked softly.

“Yeah?” Came the reply from the other side of the room. Max couldn’t sleep either.

“Can I uh... get into bed with you? I can’t sleep.”

“Sure.”

So Jane walked over to Max’s bed and crawled in beside her. They fell asleep quite quickly after that, limbs entangled. Needless to say, they were both restless sleepers.

At 8:00 am, Dustin came to wake the girls up. He noticed them both asleep in the same bed but didn’t assume more. “Um... Jane, Max, it’s time for breakfast. We go back on the road at 9:00.” He said in a loud voice, hoping to wake them up.

Max sat up quickly, doing her best to pry a sleeping Jane off of her. “We’ll be downstairs in 10...” she mumbled quietly before falling back asleep for five more minutes.

After those five minutes, both girls gradually woke up. They untangled themselves best as possible, still ending up with Max having to drag Jane off the bed. (It would’ve been carry, but Jane has a good 3 inches on Max.)

“We have like, five minutes to be packed and downstairs for breakfast. Now, I know that sounds shitty but they have waffles so it’s all good,” Max said, internally bracing herself for Jane’s dramatic groan.

Jane lived up to Max’s expectation and groaned, but got ready nonetheless. Max locked herself in the bathroom, throwing on a T-shirt and some shorts, not bothering to do anything with her hair.

Jane had on a nice white blouse and jean shorts, and of course, her black bandana from Kali that she always wore was around her wrist. Her silky loose brown curls were cascading down to to the middle part of her back, her bangs pushed back elegantly with a headband. How Jane looked effortlessly beautiful all the time, Max had no idea. Jane telekinetically tossed Max her suitcase, quickly wiping the drop of blood from her nose with the bandana before it fell on her white blouse. They walked downstairs together, spotting the party sitting at a table. Unsurprisingly, Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas were all wearing pajama pants and t-shirts, and Steve hadn’t put much more effort into his appearance either, with his hair not brushed and only in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Jane and Max shared a giggle, knowing the five of them probably wouldn’t ever get dressed if no one forced them too.

Max grabbed a bagel to eat while Jane took a waffle out of her bag. There was a toaster there that she put the waffle in. Yes- she brought her eggos with her on every trip.

After they finished they split up to their cars and started driving to California. Max, who was, started talking. “So what we could do is drive straight ‘til 5:00 am tomorrow. We can take turns and then by that time we should be at my house. Something around there. I know Jane doesn’t have her drivers license but we probably won’t get arrested if she drives for an hour or two on one of the more empty streets. I think this is what the other guys are doing.”

There was a chorus of “Okay” from everyone. So that was the plan. Drive for a really long time and hope for the best.

The first few hours in the car were completely silent. Jane looked back once to see if Mike and Will were awake and they were not. their seatbelts unbuckled, they were cuddling, completely asleep. Jane laughed, looking back at Max, who's face was bright red.

"Max, you okay?" Jane asked, concerned.

Max turned her head swiftly to look at Jane. “Yes. Why do you ask?” She asked stiffly.

“You’re bright red.”

“Oh am I? Must be the sun. Sunburn.” Max said awkwardly, forcing a chuckle. She turned back to the steering wheel, speeding up a bit.

Jane furrowed her eyebrows but didn’t ask anymore questions.

The rest of their long car ride passed without any issues. They chatted, getting to know each other even more, slept, and drove. When they finally reached Max’s house in California around 5:30 am, Max jumped out of the car, pulling Jane with her. Max knocked on the door excitedly, coming face-to-face with a tall, red headed man who must’ve been Max’s father.

“Daddy!” Max yelled, hugging him tightly. Her father laughed; his laugh sounded a lot like Max’s.

“Hi, Maxie,” he said cheerfully.

He then turned to Jane, saying, “I’m Roger, Max’s father. I’m assuming you’re Jane?”

“Yes, I am.” Jane said. Her voice was laced with drowsiness and Mr.Mayfield immediately noticed.

“Steve, Dustin, and Lucas are already here. They’re in the first guest bedroom. Why don’t you two take Max’s old room and the other two boys can take the second guest room?” Mr.Mayfield offered.

The girls nodded and went to go get Mike and Will and their luggage.

Max’s room was decorated for a 12 year old, still, despite the fact that they were 17. There was a bunk bed, which Max immediately climbed up on.

“I’ll take the top bunk and you’ll take the bottom bunk,” Max asked, although it was more of a statement. Jane nodded, and after changing into pajamas, climbed into bed, immediately falling asleep.

It took Max a little longer to fall asleep, still charged with excitement from seeing her dad again. She mentally planned out everything she would do with the party and made separate lists for what she would do with her dad and Jane. After a few minutes of doing this, Max fell asleep with a smile on her face. Damn, was she looking foreword to this week.

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#elmax #maxel #jane hopper #maxine mayfield #california bliss #sunshine writing

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cherryblossomcheesecake · 6 years

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How Rare & Beautiful: Chapter 9 - A FFXV OC Fanfic

so this is a filler chapter while also slowly leading up to the unavoidable Tenebrae incident. it's a little on the short side but i stopped at the 2,000 minimum mark and it seemed like a good cut off point. I'm also doing another note at the bottom as a sort of clarification for the direction I went in when portraying certain characters. so this chapter title is taken from howard shore's "the breaking of the fellowship". lord of the rings is bomb af. WORDS: 2,011 UPDATED: 07.08.17 Master List Previous Chapter

The Breaking of the Fellowship - Howard Shore

The journey to Tenebrae was quite long, lasting a few days as we passed through the outer territories of Lucis. Moments of respite came when we approached outposts close to meal times, and needed to refuel. We usually spent the night in motels at outposts, spending a single night at the Leville in Lestallum when we passed through the city. I had just finished my novel when we reached the border of Tenebrae. I closed my book in favour of watching the landscape change as it passed by. Rather than being flat grassy plains or a desert, Tenebrae was slowly becoming an unending forest with tree covered mountains in the distance. The further into the kingdom we travelled, the more populated it became—small cities littered the mountain sides, people going about their day as they stopped to stare at the procession of black cars crawl by.

The car eventually came to a stop, a fair distance away from what could only be the palace of Tenebrae. I was assisted in stepping out of the car, doing my best to avoid ruining the nice peach-pink and golden-cream coloured hanbok I had dressed in that morning while balancing on my crutches.

I marveled at the beauty of Tenebrae's palace, awed by the white structure that had vasts amounts of nature woven around it. It looked like something out of a fairy tale, as if a tolkien elf was just going to appear from around the corner.

I was thrown from my awe when my father's hand came to rest on my shoulder, prompting me to look up at him.

He leaned down to be level with my ear, whispering quietly, "If you get too tired from walking, let me know."

I nodded my head in response, shifting my weight slightly as servants and guards appeared to take care of the luggage and escort us to the royal family. The pace was rather slow due to my crutches, however the adults didn't seem to care much as Noctis' wheelchair was traveling at the same pace as I was.

We approached an intricate archway, the hall opening up into a beautiful green garden filled with people. The murmurs of the crowd stirred at the sight of the king and Noctis, the people clearing a path across the room for the party.

Standing elegantly at the end of the path was what I could only assume was the royal family, looking tall and proud amongst the greenery of their kingdom. The queen stood between her two children, dressed in a gown of gold and blue, as the prince and princess wore white in contrast.

King Regis came to a halt at a respectful distance from the royal family, Noctis at his side while my father and I stood a few steps behind. I stared at the queen and her children silently, taking in their pale features before looking to the grass at my feet.

"Welcome, King Regis. We have been awaiting your arrival." the queen announced, formality colouring her voice. She nodded respectfully to the king, who responded in the same manner.

"Thank you, Queen Sylva. My company and I are grateful that you have allowed my son and his friend to recover here in your beautiful kingdom."

The queen smiled warmly, nodding at Noctis' father before gesturing to her children. "Allow me to introduce my children; this is Ravus, and Lunafreya." both blondes bowed their heads respectfully as they were introduced, both of them resembling their mother greatly.

The king smiled at the Tenebraen heirs, gesturing to Noctis as well.

"And this is my son, Noctis, as well as his friend Soo-Min. Thank you for offering your assistance in their recovery."

Eyes the colour of ice locked onto mine, the gaze of the queen keeping me in place as she stared at me. A chill ran down my spine as her brow furrowed and her gaze became guarded.

"Of course, Regis. It is an honour to help our friends in their time of need." queen Sylva replied, her eyes never once leaving me as she rested a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"The children must be exhausted from the long journey, please allow Lunafreya to escort them to their rooms to rest."

Noctis' father looked to his son, taking in the boy's weary appearance before nodding, my father doing the same.

The princess stepped away from her mother's side and smiled at Noctis as she slipped behind his wheelchair and grabbed the handles. Turning the boy around, Lunafreya smiled kindly at me before speaking.

"Please follow me and let me know if I'm going too fast," she said, pushing Noctis towards the garden's exit as I trailed behind.

The princess talked about the palace and the daily ongoings that happened within.

"Breakfast usually comes around at nine in the morning, lunch is usually served in the gardens at twelve, and dinner is taken in the dining hall at five. We'll most likely be together for the duration of your stay here, so you won't have to worry about getting lost."

I didn't really contribute to the conversation until the topic of our recovery and treatment came up.

"Mother will probably begin treating your wounds once you've settled in, the healing can be exhausting so you want to be fully prepared and rested before." I looked to the blonde girl as I kept pace with her on my crutches.

"Who do you think she'll begin with, princess Lunafreya?" I asked anxiously, still unnerved by her mother's stare.

"Please, call me Luna, titles aren't necessary since we'll be spending a lot of time together. And mother will probably work with Noctis first since he has more damage to fix than you." Luna answered, smiling brightly at me. I offered a tentative one in return, nodding to show I understood.

We came to a pair of white and gold doors, the princess moving to open the doors and wheel Noctis inside. I followed closely, looking around in awe at the room.

The walls were creamy white with golden inlay, and most of the furniture was made from a dark wood. Hues of blue coloured the room in the form of random objects, such as a pillow, blanket or even as flowers. Windows stretched from floor to ceiling, bathing the room in warm sunlight.

Luna turned to face me, a smile still covering her face.

"This is your room." she told me, gesturing to the bed and surrounding space, "Noctis and the king will be just down the hall, and your father will be across the hall."

I smiled in gratitude, shifting my weight on my crutches before replying.

"Thank you, Luna. You've been so kind, I don't know how to repay you."

The princess nodded lightly, her hands gripping Noctis' wheelchair. The younger boy looked between the blonde and I, worrying his lip between his teeth.

"Will you come find me after you wake up?" the dark-hair prince asked me, his blue eyes looking at me pleadingly.

"Of course, Noctis. I'll come to you after we've both rested." I assured him, resting a hand on Noctis' shoulder before Luna began wheeling him out the door.

I sighed lightly as the double doors closed, slowly making my way over to the side of the bed. I sat down on the blue comforter, placing my crutches on the floor beside the bed. I fell sideways, my head landing on the pillows as I rubbed my forehead gently.

The stress of my secret was getting to me, making me paranoid. First the king's reaction after I stupidly decided to sing that song, and then the queen looking at me so strangely for no reason. It could all mean nothing, but also mean something.

Anxiety brewed in my stomach, causing me to curl up and attempt to sleep, trying to keep my mind clear of this mess.

I woke up suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck rising as I shot up from where I lay on the bed. My eyes darted around the white room before landing one the white form of Luna, my hand grasping my chest in shock.

"Luna, you scared me." I whispered to the older girl, rubbing my chest to try and calm my heart rate.

The princess stared at me, her lips frowning slightly as she sat in her chair. Blue eyes flicked over me before settling on my face.

"You are not who you say you are." Luna bluntly stated, her tone flat and sharp like a knife.

I froze, staring at the blonde in shock as she continued.

"You have another form, I can see it, my mother can see it… We know you're not who you say you are, so what are your intentions with Noctis?" Luna's face became stoney, a quiet fury slowly bleeding into her voice as she mentioned Noctis.

I gaped like a fish, lost for an answer. The princess rose from her chair, slowly approaching the bed while I scrambled as far up the bed as possible.

My saving grace came when the blonde was inches away from me, a cool voice stopping her in her tracks.

"Lady Lunafreya, please step away from the girl." Luna jerked away from me, spinning around to face a pale, dark haired woman who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Gentiana!" the princess cried out, addressing the newcomer.

I took this opportunity to shift over to the opposite side of the bed, putting as much distance between Luna and myself.

"Please don't fret over the girl's intentions towards the Chosen King. She is as I am; a messenger of the gods and a guide for the young Noctis." Gentiana explained, causing the blonde to look over at me in shock.

"It's true… I made a deal with the Draconian—I act as a guide for Noctis as payment for bring him back from his scourge induced coma…" I whispered, looking down at my hands as they twisted together.

"But your true form, you have blood on you…" Luna trailed off, her skin paling mostly likely at the thought of the bloody gash on my head.

I sighed lightly, looking up to stare out the window.

"I died. I was born in another world. One day, I hit my head while on my way home from school and died, only to wake up and find myself here, as an eight year old."

"Oh, Six…" the blonde trailed off, collapsing on the edge of the bed, "I'm so sorry, Soo-Min… I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions…"

"Who else knows?" I ask, wanting to know the extent of the damage. The princess stared at me, wide eyed.

"Only mother. She's the oracle and I'm her successor, if I can see your true form, she can too." Luna answered honestly, her voice quiet as she watched me carefully.

I sighed lightly, rubbing my face roughly while I lay back down on my side.

"Will she tell anyone else?" I asked quietly, covering my eyes with my arm.

"No, she'll probably speak to you first. She might keep it to herself if you ask her to." Luna offered, shifting on the bed uncomfortably.

I huffed before sitting up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I stared at the floor and smoothed out the wrinkles in my hanbok. Looking over at the blonde princess, I noticed that the woman, Gentiana was missing. Meeting the blue gaze of the older girl, I watched as she stared at me in pity.

"Can you bring me my crutches please? I'd like to go check on Noctis." Luna nodded at my request, pinking up my crutches and bringing them over to my side of the bed.

I used my crutches as leverage to stand, letting Luna balance me with her hands on my waist.

I slowly made my way across the room, the princess following me at a similar pace. I allowed her to open the door and guide me down the hall to where Noctis slept.

Next Chapter

#ffxv #original characters #noctis lucis caelum #ffxv fanfic #my fics

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