The Spark in the Trees

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@ Jinx...
This was the first time that Aelia's ever been to a gathering of the Kingdoms. Usually, it'd be her older brother who'd attend with her brother. Not this time, no, he was busy on the front lines protecting her people while she was here mingling with people. Her father, the current King of Maelon, was trying his best to gain aid. Trolls were attacking them from the west and they were slowly pushing into the Kingdom.

Lia raised her glass of water to her naked colored lips. Allowing for the cool liquid to quench her thirst as her bright green eyes looked around. She could feel eyes of all the royals on her, those who didn't know the young girl that is. The second Princess of Maelon, the black sheep. The only one who did not wed yet. She was only seventeen, what did they want from her? No, actually she was the black sheep because her bright green eyes were not those of her fathers. They were of the mistress he had taken when the queen had past. She was only legitimatized after the King went through every possible channel to make it so.

She knew no one here. Not personally anyways, only by what her father had told her and Lia put the pieces together. Slowly, the young dark-haired girl turned to walk towards the other end of the room where her father was talking to some King that Lia forgot the name of, when she bumped into someone. Her water sloshing out of her glass a little and getting the person a little wet. "Ah, I'm so sorry. I-I wasn't paying attention." Lia rushed the words out of her mouth as she apologized over and over. Her emerald green eyes looking up to see who she had bumped into. Hoping it wasn't some King who'd behead her for not paying attention.

--

Spring had always been Lucas' favorite season. The bloom of new flowers, the trees were turning green once more and the people of the villages were able to come out more. Especially that little redhead that he had found a great interest in. He couldn't quite remember her name, but the sound of her laugh. The bright fiery red of her hair and those gorgeous eyes that she possessed that could make any young boy around her age blush and want to pull her hair as he picked on her.

The tree upon a hill near a brook that babbled like crazy. That's where he had first seen her. She was reaching in to grab her shoe that fell in when she was jumping rocks. She would of fallen in if it wasn't for Lucas diving into the barely waist deep water for her to retrieve the shoe. At the time he thought it was weird that she was so taken to getting the shoe, but as he got to know her, he understood that it was what her family could afford. Luke never held that above her head though. Not then, and not now.

The gathering of youth all mingled together. Large smiles appearing on their mask covered faces. No one knew who was who, which made it quite easy for them all to forget formalities and just be themselves. Connect to those who they would normally not be able to converse with. Lucas reached up and adjusted the black mask that caused his bright ice blue eyes to stick out like a sore thumb. A throng of human girls walked by him, giggling as they talked about finding a rich man. Oh how they didn't realize they just past a crown prince. The thought caused a small smirk to appear on Luke's face as he scanned the crowd to find a beauty to dance with for a bit, then, he saw her. The red fiery hair from his dreams.

@ FallenHope95
Orion looked around as he moved through the crowd looking for his brother who yet again was no where to be seen as he was suppose to be at these events. He knew he would be expected to fill those obedient shoes since the crowd prince was not willing to be responsible enough o be here. As he walked to go mingle with those his father had pressed upon him to introduce himself to, many single princesses from neighboring colonies, when he couldn't avoid the bump from a very interesting dark little haired lady.

Orion noticed her hair like sun rays first looking up as she tried to whip up the spill on his shirt. He chuckled and placed a hand over hers as his eyes met her startling green eyes. "Please do not fret." he said and let her hand go gently. "It's only water and it is only a shirt." he said and grinned. "But I think as consolation I should be allowed a dance." he said and help out his hand for her to take this time thinking it would be fun to get to know this new encounter. Orion believed in many things and seeing what the universe put in front of you was one of them. "It is a pleasure to meet you I am Orion of Eastedge." he bowed with flair showing off and trying to be funny with his sarcastic eloquence. "What brings you here?" he asked because he had never seen her before. He didn't go to all of these things, just the ones his brother didn't show up for but the ones he did he still couldn't remember her face around and he believed he would with eyes like hers.

---

Juniper always thought of her little imaginary friend around the solstice. How could she not when there were talks were going around of fae and the stories told too chidden about how to be careful otherwise the fae would steal them. She remembered how she had gotten lost one day in the forest just following a butterfly and ended up at a creek. She had been hoping rocks when she lost her shoe and was running after it.

Juniper still felt how angry her mother would have been if she had lost her shoe that day. When the tears started to swell in her eyes somehow her shoe popped out of the water and a little fairy boy placed it in her hands telling her not to cry. The tears had spilled over anyways but then he joked with her making her laugh. They played until it was nearly dark and he walked her back to the village. He wouldn't leave the trees but he stayed with her until she was safe and knew where she was going. They played everyday for a long time, or what felt like it as a child until one day he didn't show up. Juniper had sat in the little stone circle they had made so they could meet up in the same place but she waited and waited until it was nearly dark and he didn't come. She had cried as she walked home because she had thought she was too old to see him anymore because he was magic and she wasn't.

Juniper was dressed up for the yearly solstice party. The longest day of the year was a magical day were stories of the fae came out and made all the odd memories surface for her. She walked around as people started to really gather around the fire that was going to be set soon. The sun had just dipped down and the first stars had began to show. Juniper looked up at the sky smiling softly as she watched them twinkle on. She was standing here when the fire was lit and a large shadow was cast over her. Juniper looked up through her blue mask at the figure staying in front of her. She smiled softly a little embarrassed someone had caught her daydreaming as she usually did when she was alone. "Sorry...." she stated to say something when the song for the woman dance started up and she was swept away to join the dance of giggling women of age.

Juniper joined in the twirling and let the music take her over as they went round and round from the fire and too little groups until they were all breathless and their eyes wild with joy. The music changed and she laughed as she stepped out of the dancing to a nearby tree leaning back against it really wishing she had stopped to get a drink but the fresh cool air from the forest sounded even nicer right now.

@ Jinx...
A flutter formed in Lia's chest as she felt the strangers hand over hers. His bright mysterious eyes stared into hers and caused Lia to forget where she was for a moment. "U-uh." She totally embarrassed herself like crazy right then and there as she felt his hand remove hers from his damp shirt. His words, snapping her from her loss thoughts as she couldn't help but to roll her eyes and smirk a little. "Do you know?" She said, her head tilting a little in a teasing manner. The corners of her lips trying to lift as she tried to hide her smile. "Well, I suppose. Since it is my fault for spilling water on you." Slowly, Lia placed her smaller hands into his larger one. The feel of his hand was a little rough, which was to be expected as weren't most men suppose to be well trained with the sword?

"Aelia Genesis of Maelon, It's a pleasure to meet you Sir Orion of Eastedge," Lia replied, grabbing the edge of her human fashioned dress and curtsied for the jokester. Then, as she stood up, Lia smoothed out the dress and looked at him a little inside if she should be honest. "Fathers looking for more alliances, I'm just here to look pretty," Lia told him and fluttered her eyelashes cutely. "What about you?" She asked, tilting her head curiously as she waited for an answer.

Then, as the next song started, Lia looked up towards Orion and grinned. "Shall we?" She asked, gently tugging on his hand as she stepped back towards the dance floor. Maybe being at this boring thing wouldn't be so bad.

--

He had missed that voice, it still haunts his dreams. He might sound like psycho thinking that, but it was true. She was his first crush and how many times he had wished to just take the young human away with him to his world and show her things that she had only heard stories about. Dreams for her becoming a reality as magic started to swirl around her and dance just like she was around the giant fire that the humans had created to dance around. Showing off for all of those who were without lovers to gaze and get a glimpse of what they were missing in their lives. Women of all statuses making a marvel of themselves as they have fun and danced their childhoods away as they come into the adult world.

Lucas didn't see the redhead with her mask off, but he knew. He knew that it was Juniper and his heart tugged as he watched her dance. The way she twirled and enjoyed the music, the smile she made each time she switched dance moves and moved to different groups. She was beautiful, she really had become a beautiful woman. She needed to come home, she needed to join Luke on the throne and be his queen. If she disagreed, he wasn't sure what he'd be able to do with himself.

Making his move when Juniper left the group, Lucas grabbed the mixture of water and potion from the table to his right and walked towards the pretty redhead. "Thirsty?" The blue-eyed Prince asked as he approached the redhead, offering her the drink.

@ FallenHope95
Orion smiled as she agreed to a dance. He was glad she had found his humor amazing. It was a boring ball and what could liven it up but a stranger? Orion smiled liking how she teased him back. It was fun just to be odd together. He chuckled as she curtsied. He liked that she wore more than the normal fae might. There were times he questioned some of the fae clothing in comparison to the human clothing but there was a time for such things.

"I am sure you are here for more than that or they would have suggested you wear something a little different." he said and shrugged. "I am pretty much here for the same thing. I only am required to come when my brother does not show up. I am the responsible one oddly enough." he chuckled and shook his head. "So I am here to make the kingdom look good and potentially find a partner that will benefit the kingdom." he shook his head. "It's not my favorite thing to think about but I am sure you know exactly what I am referring to." he said knowing women, even in the fae society, had it harder than most men. It was in some way unavoidable unless they changed the everything their culture was based upon.

Orion took her hand and lead her out to the dance floor. Her hands were not as soft as some of the other girls he had held and he liked it. It meant she worked and did things besides sit there and look pretty. To him those kinds of princesses were looking for someone to cater to them but she seemed like she actually had a head on her shoulder she wanted to do something with, or that was his first impression at least. "Yes lets." he said and walked with her until he turned to her placing his hand on her waist. He began to lead her in the song. The dance floor was what humans would refer to as as fairy lights with the dew amplifying the candles above the polished wood of the ball room. It was an elegant room, really a very beautiful city all together but sometimes it felt more like a pretty prison than a home.

---

Juniper smiled as the handsome man walked up to her handing her a drink. "Thank you." she said and took the drink sipping it. She looked up at him. "So were you watching the dancing." she said knowing he was, she had seen him with his eyes glued to her and she was fairly sure she had never seen him before but there was this nagging feeling that he was familiar to her. "Did you have fun?" She asked smiling. Juniper couldn't tell with his mask on and she had a feeling she really needed to find out. Something inside her would not let it go.

Juniper blushed as she looked up at him. There was something in her eyes that compelled her to ask. "Have we met before?" she asked not really expecting to really get a response. She didn't know him, she knew that and yet something in her said she did. Juniper sipped the drink studying the man in front of her. He was tall with hair she could run her hands into and lips that almost pouted all the time. She looked up into those captivating and stunning eyes that made her breath catch in her throat.

Normally at these village events she was alone most the night until everyone was drunk only then did men find the courage to talk to her. Maybe it was her red hair that scared people off. It was rare for redheads in her village so maybe it was something there. Juniper was glad that this man was here talking to her before people were drunk. She was surprised as well that he came over as it happened so rarely to her. She was going to make the most of this and enjoy the company, the handsome company.

@ Jinx...
"Of course, it's important to carry on our families bloodlines through strategic unions by marriage," Aelia said quietly, quoting something her father once told her. She followed Orion onto the dance floor. Her human styled dress swaying around as she followed Orion, just a step behind him as her legs were shorter than his were. Much to the usual way things were, or at least what Aelia had recognized. Males carried stronger genes, hence why they were always bigger than the fae females. At least that's what daddy dearest always says, his old school ways of things always bringing the young girl down.

As Orion stopped, Lia placed a hand gently onto his shoulder as she felt his large hand press to her waist. Her bright green eyes looked up into his hazel orbs. A small smile playing along with her lips as they danced together. "So I'm stuck with mister responsible, how boring," Lia said, teasing Orion about what he had said about being here. "What do you like to do then when you're not forced to take your brother's place?" She asked, her head tilting to the side slightly in curiosity.

--

For a very rare moment, Lucas was nervous that the young redhead would reject the drink. The potion that he had mixed in was hard to come by, and it took months to get the ingredients for. So, if she had rejected it then he'd have to find a new way to get her to accept it. Thankfully though, she took it happily and by the end of the night, she'll be home with him in the fae world. Where she belonged.

"I was and I did," Lucas said, offering the young girl a smile as he raised his head to glance towards the other humans. A few of them were still dancing, while others seemed to be starting their drinking festivities. "What about you? Did you have fun?" He asked, turning his gaze back towards the young beauty that was in front of him. "Are you tired at all from the dancing?" He questioned, wondering if he should find her a spot to rest since humans tired from simple things so easily.

@ FallenHope95
Orion chuckled when she called him Mr. Responsible. "Some people would call being reliable a good quality." he winked and spun her. He might be responsible but that did not mean he didn't know how to have fun. "Well when I am not obligated to be doing something I am out in nature finding something extraordinary to do." he said and grinned mischievously. "Like diving off a waterfall until I plummet into the waters below, or finding a fast wind current to surf off of. There are some amazing sights and daring things to do when no one is expecting you to be a prince." he chuckled. "And you? When you're not being shown off at a party trying to win the heart of someone influential?" He smirked knowing he hit a mark there at the flash in her eyes. It was really normal for kings to use their daughters as political pawns. It drove him insane but that was why he would never be a king and only a prince.

Orion couldn't help but admire the beauty of Aelia. There was more than just her looks, there was something inside of her that shown through and made him curious. Other men would see that spirit as something to conquer but he wanted to know more, to foster it and watch it grow. Orion was pleased with how well they danced together. It was normal to dance for a fae but that didn't mean that the rhythm of two fae would match to make it as easy as it was with Aelia.

---

Juniper laughed as he admitted with no shame he was watching and enjoyed it. It was so easy for him to admit. She liked that. "Yes I did have fun. I love to dance." she admitted and watched him as he stood there with a nervous energy and yet so much confidence. She bit her lip as he asked if she had fun. She nodded. "It doesn't matter how many times I dance that dance I enjoy it." she said and looked down with a blush just barely hidden by her mask. Juniper's eyes snapped up looking at him. "I'm not tired. I could dance all night. Do you dance?" she asked. Come to think of it she didn't remember catching his name. "I'm sorry I must have missed your name... I'm Juniper." she introduced herself holding her hand for him to take. Once he took her hand she giggled as he introduced himself before she pulled him into the middle of the dancing. She giggled glad he was playing a long with her as she started into the dance with him.

Juniper was surprised how light on his feet that he was for being such a big man. He was tall and captivating with intrigued her. They both stood out in the crowd with was something she was use to doing on her own but for once it was nice to do with someone else as well. Juniper wrapped her arms around Lucas's neck as they spun and she laughed loving how she was feeling. There was a bubbling inside of her she didn't know what to call but it made her feel so light. What she didn't know is that with the first rays of light her world would change. The shortest night of the year and it was all she had left in her human life and she had so much to share before the portion sent her into a deep sleep for the transformation.

They danced for what felt like hours before Juniper needed a break and she took Lucas with her towards the edge of the crowd back towards the woods. She sipped a drink and looked up at him. "Okay so I know you're good on your feet but I still have to ask the question on such a night as this. "Are you afraid the Fae will come to take you away?" she laughed teasingly. "But no seriously do you think they exist?" she asked trying not to look as serious as she felt.