A Budding Romance-Beets The Beetle-12/04/22
Apr 20, 2022 16:38:16 GMT
Jaezred Vandree, Riah, and 4 more like this
Post by Beets The Beetle (Feenix) on Apr 20, 2022 16:38:16 GMT
That wasn’t the romantic date I was hoping for them…
If only I had flown faster…If I had got closer I could’ve…If I hadn’t worn that stupid dress I…
What’s gonna happen to Coll now?…
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It started off so well, I flitted up to Coll’s room to find him a teensy bit stressed…Okay he was absolutely buggin’out!-Flit he hadn’t even attempted to get dressed properly!!
It was a good job I… ‘overheard’.. Aurelia’s magic chat Jenna one morning on my usual breakfast muffin drop about Velania wanting to taking Coll on a date. I hadn’t a clue who this Velania was at the time, but if this date was needing Aurelia’s approval she must’ve been someone pretty buggin’special, and bug knows If I wasn’t gonna be there to make sure everything was romantic as possible.
Coll really did does deserve someone special. Having helped him out Great Hall at the Fort a couple times I’ve seen he’s a really hard worker, and also doesn’t judge any adventurer who comes through the door. He was is always happy to lend an ear for a tale or two, or scratch up a free meal or ale for an adventurer down on their luck. He reminded reminds me a lot of my Pa…
It’s strange..both had this strange habit of staring randomly at times…like they were hearing someone whisper’in in their ear…
Hm..So uhm yeah! I needed an in! And knowing this was to be a ‘special’ occasion with a special lady, a very fancy outfit was clearly in order, and who doesn’t do fancy better than Lolli ‘fluff bun.
————
I’ll be honest I didn’t really look too much at the box from Booysha when Jenna said I had a portal delivery from Daring Heights, though she seemed pretty excited when I told her it was for Coll. "What?! B-Beet's wait! Come back! It might be-" But I didn’t have time to talk, I had pick some sunflowers!
I had to admit, Loli and her Granny had out’flittin done themelves, I mean…An Instant tux bow-tie!
I’ve gotta say, Coll looked pretty’buggin sharp in it! He seemed completely blown away, so much so he even forgot to ask how I knew about the date, and was happy for me to come along with some others that were being invited!
It seemed Operation 'Get Coll a gal!’ was a go!
——-
Wow, Velania looked sooo pretty in her dress this morning, and Coll made an absolutely killer entrance flying down into courtyard from his window! Did have to remind him about taking Vel’s arm as we made our way to Even Bloom Hill, he was so nervous his face kept twitchin’ when he tried to wink at me-it looked like he was scowlin’ ha ha!
Evenbloom Hill was lovely. Blossoming trees, fresh green meadows, even special flowers from the Feywild Coll said, though I didn’t really recognise any of them them. There was just one small problem-the pixies!
Oh sure! What are you talking about Beets pixies are adorable, the blood cousins of fairies-Well let me tell you, if you’ve been chased by a swarm armed to the sharp teeth calling you a vile monster for just accidentally landing on one of their carts as a kid you wouldn’t think them so, ‘cute!’
Luckily they seemed fair more interested in Glint, Florian Dwirhan and the two love birds, and that suited me just flittin’fine!
It was just as we were tucking into our kindly provided meal whilst watching Coll and Vel whisper-or shout weirdly in Coll’s case- sweet nothings to each, that the pixies did a squeaky little chant thing and POOF! A BIG FLITTIN’ white dragon appeared!
I was about to get ready to see how many pixies could fit up a dragon’s nose before it turned to us, introduced itself as Qirlira The Bright, from the Court of Harmony, which is some place in the Feywilds I think, and asked if we wanted to be part of a story telling contest! WELL YOU DON’T HAVE TO ASK THIS BUG TWICE!
Everyone’s tales were so good, even the pixie’s one about a hive of bees sacrificing themselves to stop a evil dragon destroying a helpless village…
I don’t know what made me do it…I haven’t told anyone since coming here exactly what happened back home…
But before I knew it was reliving that night. The screams and cries of the villagers fleeing, the deep droning of wings in my head…the sight of… Papa half crushed under the…
The tears were threatening to flow before that dragon, Qirliria, stopped me with her tail, “Thank you for sharing your tale Beets The Beetle, but I don’t think it’s over quite yet!” Her words and gaze, like the beautiful shining moon stopped my tears in their tracks, and I was able to swallow them back!
It was then Coll and Vel’s turn, Coll taking up his story telling pose buffing a glass before-WHOOF! He was being swept away in one of those yanki-perdanki good for nothing wyrm’s claws!
I really don’t remember much what happened next. Flashes of Qir racing ahead through the air with the others after Coll, my-my claws shredding the beautiful yellow dress Lolli picked out for me, the pretty frills billowing in the wind, holding me back. My boomerang falling short of Coll’s chains! Flashes of magic, Coll becoming a bird, that wyrm slashing out at him! Coll…falling…
We found him on the ground. The others hurried to do something, but I couldn’t see past my tears. Cries that if they hurried, if they were quick enough they could bring him back-But nothing could do that?-Nothing could bring someone back when they’ve…?!
Coll woke up…
And wasn’t Coll…
“It has been 3,956 days since our last update. Please contact an administrator.”
According to the others, Coll didn’t just make that ancient city
Gadenthor fly again, he somehow, became the city…
Coll passed out again soon after -I mean he had fallen 500ft and…died…
The journey back was torture, no one was themselves and when Aurelia and Jenna arrived…I never want to see either of cry again…
The Aftermarth-Back at Evenbloom Hill: Rp'd with Riah and Velania Kalugina
As the party await the arrival of Aurelia and Jenna, they attempt to console one another.
Beets wanders silently amongst them, accepting an offered attempt at a hug or a kind word before making her way over to the dragon Qirliria curled up around amongst a group melancholy looking pixies perched under a tree, placing a slightly trembling hand on her large snout. As she stares down at the golden grass in the setting light of the sun, fresh tears form in her eyes. “If this is how my story goes…I don’t know if I want to know the rest…”
Qirliria looks at Beets, a wisdom in the silvery pools of her shifting green eyes that is beyond her dragon years before she closes them in empathy for Beets' feelings. When she opens them they are different, brighter, almost mischievous as she softly says, "Your sadness will not last, Beets. You are of the 'Wild lands where light and beauty dances with mischief and opportunity. Every story has strife, every story has woe, and every story sees the heroes struggle. But it is through such hardships that they find true greatness." She lifts her head up and the crescent moon is framed by the crescent horns of the dragon's head as she looks up to the darkening twilight sky. "It takes courage, it takes strength... It takes love. Such tales inspire poets and bards everywhere for generations!" Qirliria looks over to Velania who is beside Coll's unconscious, resting form. You think you see her frown before she shakes her head, which sends a ripple of radiant light down her entire body all the way to her tail, before she looks back to you. "Can you be the inspiration, someone's reason to never give up? That is the question. You are strong, you have potential as all living things do. What will you do with that when your friends need you, even now?" Qirliria is not expecting an answer. She is more of asking these questions of Beets as something to think about.
Beets’ gaze is drawn to meet Qir’s, the dragon’s voice swirling around her like sudden summer breeze, gently warming up the length of her beetle legs, lifting her amber wings slightly and tickling the tips of her dropped ears…She follows her gaze over to Coll and Velania and watches Velenia brush a queft of hair gently back into place. She is silent for while, appearing to be taking in Qir’s words, before looking at the dragon and asking nervously. “I-Is there a way..I could talk to you again…?”
"Of course," she says warmly. "I have already extended an invitation to Dwirhian. Should you wish to come see me in the Court of Harmony, you are most welcome to as well. I will try to return to these lands they are full of many tales, both big and small." Qirliria gives her a wink.
Beets smiled shyly back at her before going to speak to Velania.
As Beets approches Velania expresses how glad she was for Beets' help today. It was wonderful to meet her, and she already knows how lovely it would be to get together again on a… less complicated day. She ends by asking if Beets need to talk more about the story she told in the competition, or if it's not a good time.
Beet responds that she was so excited upon hearing Coll had a date arranged from…ease dropping on Aurelia message about the date Velania Jenna during one of her visits to see her at Portal Plaza, She has the decency to look a little sheepish at this. “Coll was always so warm and welcoming to everyone that came to the Fort, he always made time for you...He helped me with my act you know? The first time I performed at the fort.” A small sad smile forms as she watches him sleep gently “He deserves to have someone as lovely as you.”
At the mention of her story her hands finger nervously a at strip of her tattered dress, not meeting Velania’s eyes. “It’s not something I’ve fully told to anyone here…Especially not performed as a play in front of an audience…Let alone a buggin'dragon…It… It was a really bad idea…” she ends, biting her lip.
Velania smiles at Beets' kind words. "He has that gift, doesn't he? To give his time to everyone. To be kind and an inspiration to everyone passing through." Her gaze drifts for a moment, then she sighs heavily. "I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I could feel how much you miss him while you were speaking about it. You were very open and honest, and you were incredibly brave to explore your feelings anyway, whether in front of an audience or not. I think that takes more courage than facing any foe, so please… never regret that you did it." "Can you do something for me?" She reaches for Beets' hand to give it a squeeze. "Tell me a happy memory of him? Just one, no matter how small. I would like to hear one."
Beet felt the sadness in Velania’s voice and touch. She had never been the one asked to provide comfort before, and her desire to help gave her the courage to open up. “There is one thing…Papa always used to hum a tune…If I was ever sad he would pick me up his arms and hum it to me till I often fell asleep..It’s something I always hear when I think about him..” She begins to hum the tune, her voice rough and raw but full of emotion. She hums the tune still holding Velania’s hand throughout, a light breeze blowing through the evening air, jingling the glowing everblooms like ethereal lanterns, and gently ruffling everyone’s hair as she ends.
As Beets is humming, Velania tightens her grip on Beets' hand. After the melody, she does not let go, but sits in silence, letting the notes fly on the breeze. Eventually, she turns to Beets. She does not speak, but looks to the space around Beets and nods once, as if to acknowledge Beets' papa. Then she holds Beets' gaze. It is hard to say how or why, but the silver essence about her seems stronger, brighter. Tears are rolling down her face, but her smile is full of gratitude.
Its not long after before Aurelia and Jenna arrive in a flash of light. Vel takes charge in explaining the days events before Aurelia confirms it would be best Coll return with her to Daring Heights.
As the others packed up the remains of the picnic, Beets flits to Aurelia to give her a hug but finds her cold response warning enough to end sooner than she expected to. To Coll she gentles place one of her small hands on his for a moment..."Goodbye Coll.” Before flitting back with others, taking Jenna's hand and watching as Aurelia and Coll depart in a flash.
Beet’s remains flitting along at Jenna’s side on the walk back as night truly sets it, she would take over running Fort Ettin in Coll’s absence. Part way back she takes half the pouch of platinum gifted to her as a prize from the competition, and hands it to Jenna, "I owe Coll still for the damages to my room...but I guess I should give it to you now. I don't know if it'll cover it all...but..."
As they crest a hill they see the Fort comes into view, framed in silver light by the beautiful crested moon shining high above in the sky, Beets asks, "Do you think maybe...I could get a skylight in my room?"
