Debut - Willy

[winter_wisp]

It was a perfectly normal morning, Aspid was busy making something in his cauldron, and Winter was fluttering around in his cage, watching the wizard work.

"If there's no chores to be done, and you don't need me- you could let me out in the garden for a while," he said, fluttering as high as the delicate chain that was locked around his ankle would allow, then settling at the bottom of his cage and using the big toe of his other foot to draw playful swirls of frost that swiftly melted away. "I need some sunlight, I need it desperately," he sighed.

"Don't be dramatic, little one. I will take you out when I have time. Now stop chattering, you're distracting me. If I burn this potion because of you, you'll be very sorry," the wizard warned.

Winter's wings drooped, and he sank down to sit on the floor of his cage, picking up the sliver of cake he'd been given that morning and nibbling at it. He supposed he should be thankful to be ignored. It was certainly preferable to the days when Aspid demanded his full attention. As much as Winter enjoyed being made so very tall for a few hours, he didn't like the way Aspid touched him, or the things the wizard expected him to do.

No, this was much better. A quiet morning in his cage, with cake and a thimble full of cream.

Comments

[willysilver]

"I am doing what I can to prevent that. That was what brought me to the wizard's door today. I was hoping he might have a way to keep my love from wilting," he replied.

He was beginning to think that might be folly, but he had to try. he had to try even though Fin simply enjoyed him and what they had. The little mortal was not in love with him and it was beginning to take its toll. Willy, who did not usually sleep, could not get enough rest. He could hardly eat. He was also becoming slightly...gray. It was faint, but Willy was sure if Fin never loved him he would pay the toll for losing his heart to the young man.

[winter_wisp]

"There are many mortals though. Perhaps you need a younger one with more life left to live," Winter suggested, having no idea what love was, and no way of understanding those feelings.

"Or you could take your love to the puppet man, and have them turned to wood- then they would live forever- Just smaller and with strings. ...Or, perhaps, you could drown them in the river of life, and they could be at your side for all eternity as a spirit."

[willysilver]

"I have considered such things, but...it is a bit more complicated than that," Willy said softly. "But this is all dark subject matter to discuss on your first day of freedom. Come, be cheerful. We need only to go to the other side of the village now..." he added as they entered the cluster of buildings where the wizards had established a small town.

[winter_wisp]

The moment there were people around them Winter seemed to wilt, practically hiding in Willy's hair as they made their way through town.

"I do not like it here, fae Willy. I do not like it at all."

[willysilver]

"Why is that, petal? None of them will harm you. I swear it," he replied gently.

[winter_wisp]

Winter said nothing, only chirping nervously when a wizard brushed past them. Folding his wings close to his body, the pale pixie sat on Willy's shoulder and held on tight.

He didn't trust the wizards- He wasn't even certain he trusted Willy yet.

[willysilver]

Willy took note of the little fae's anxiety and took mercy upon him. Magic shrouded them, a simple glamour coupled with an extension of power. It rendered them invisible and made sure that any wizards they encountered gave them a wide berth.

"Be of good cheer, my friend," Willy said quietly. We are almost there and once we are in my home you will be more comfortable."

Willy's long legs took them straight to the wizard's pub where he immediately went to the loo to where there was a full size mirror on the wall. A wave of his hand and they looked into the small cottage. Then it was merely the matter of a step into the mortal world.

[winter_wisp]

Winter had calmed a bit, and he held on tight to willy as they approached the mirror- Before growing bold and taking off to fly through it.

Passing through was nearly enough to send the pixie crashing to the floor, but he managed to catch himself at the last moment, fluttering around the cottage and exploring every inch.

He examined nearly everything, before finally landing on Willy's guitar.

"You are musical," he chirped cheerfully. "Will you play? I have never seen a lute so large."

[willysilver]

"It is called a guitar, my friend," Willy said. He shed his jacket and fluffed his hair, then went to the instrument. "I play music to get money- something one needs to get by in the mortal world. You will have so much to learn here, now that you are free. But there is no rush, Winter."

He took the guitar and sat, then began to strum.

"Do you know a song you would like me to play? Something from when you were wee, perhaps?"

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded, though he knew no names for the songs he'd once known. Instead he began to hum a melodic tune, fluttering around Willy as he did so.

"Do you know that one, fae Willy? That one is my favourite," he said.

[willysilver]

"That takes me back to my childhood," he chuckled and began to play. He remembered the tune quite well and played through a bit before beginning again, singing along this time. He watched Winter closely and found himself concerned for the pixie. He wondered as he sang if the little creature would ever adjust to freedom.

[winter_wisp]

As Willy sang, Winter began to sing along, dancing gleefully and spreading his wings out. Like this he could almost remember what freedom had once been like. It filled him with fear and joy, and he moved to perch himself on Willy's guitar, enjoying the way the music made it vibrate beneath his feet.

[willysilver]

Willy played through the tune Winter had asked for, then continued with other tunes of his childhood- one after another. He could play and sing for hours, though he kept it limited to just four songs before he stopped.

"We should set up a space for you, petal," he said. "Where would you like me to make your bed and things?" he asked, gesturing around the cottage. "I would speak against anything near the oven. Brown Meg would have words with me if I put you in the way of her work."

[winter_wisp]

Winter looked around, clearly not accustom to being given any choice, then fluttered over to what looked like a rustic old bird cage- assuming Willy would keep him as Aspid always had.

"This placement is fine, fae Willy. I thank you for such spacious quarters."

[willysilver]

"You don't want to be closer to the window?" he asked, waving his hand to clear the space Winter had selected so he could create a bed just the pixie's size. The old cage unwound itself and began to twist itself into an ornate filigree bed frame.

[winter_wisp]

Winter watched in awe as the bars melted away into something beautiful and open, fluttering around it and looking at Willy.

"A bed for me? No cage at all? You are so generous, fae Willy. You are so kind..."

He settled cautiously onto the bed, sitting very still and very quiet for a moment- as if he thought it might be a trap. Eventually, however, he relaxed, reaching out to touch the bed frame.

"It is beautiful. I will be content no matter where it is placed," he said softly, his eyes growing damp as he spoke.

[willysilver]

Willy was quite touched by Winter's words and felt quite tender toward the little pixie. He wasn't given to compassion, really, but Winter was kin. This was different than anything he might feel for a mortal.

Willy's magic transformed the entire corner into a private space for Winter. Not only the bed, but a chest of drawers and wardrobe appeared, filled with fine garments sized perfectly for the small pixie. a carpet came together beneath all of it, soft and plush for the little one's bare feet. It was a room fit for royalty.

"There, now," he smiled. "And what of food? I have bread and honey, and some fruit," he said. "You are welcome to help yourself any time you would like to eat."

[winter_wisp]

Winter looked a little overwhelmed at first, peeking in drawers and examining every last item- But he stopped everything at the mention of one thing.

"Honey? You have real honey? You would share it with me, fae Willy?" he asked, fluttering over to the fae and perching himself on his shoulder again. 'I have not had honey in so long."

[willysilver]

"Winter, my home is your home. Anything I have is yours," he said. "You are free now. Truly free. It will take some time for you to take that to heart, I know, but in my home you are safe. Eat, sleep, play...your magic will come back, you will grow strong. And you may stay as long as you like, my friend," Willy said.

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded a little, then nervously fluttered off to look around the kitchen. He poked around in cupboards and the like, but was soon distracted by the sink. It took some work, but he managed to turn the tap on low, and happily splashed around in the water, peeling off his old ratty clothes and washing himself.

For the past few years he'd only bathes in cups and bowls while Aspid supervised. It was freeing to be under the spray of fresh water without anyone telling him how to wash or scold him for doing it too fast or too slow.

His wings glittered under the water, and when he was done he let them flutter until they were dry before taking off again to find something fresh to wear.

"Will you eat with me fae Willy? May we dine together?" he asked.

[willysilver]

While Winter bathed Willy busied himself with putting his guitar back, affording the little pixie some actual privacy. He had no issues with nudity or bathing and wasn't attracted to the little creature, but he could only imagine the lecherous gaze of the old wizard...Winter had probably always had eyes on him. And so, now, he purposely looked away.

When Winter was done and spoke to him Willy smiled.

"We shall feast," he said and went to the kitchen area to pull out good brown bread, honey and butter, cheese and berries, and some cold cream. "You shall eat your fill every day, Winter. I insist."

[winter_wisp]

Dressed in a simple tunic now, Winter flew over and landed on the table, wandering around as he looked at all the food.

"You live like a king, fae Willy," he said, clearly impressed as he took a small berry and held it with both hands before biting into it.

[willysilver]

Willy smiled at that. He had come up in the palace and to compare that decadence to this simple life in the mortal world...there was no comparison. But if Winter thought this was royal treatment then so be it.

"Then so shall you," he said simply. "You shall be my ward. In the event you have need of me when we are apart all you must do is call my name thrice and I shall come to you."

It was the same offer he'd made to Fin, an offer which had proved to be useful.

[winter_wisp]

"You're so kind, fae Willy," he smiled, practically glowing as he sat down.

He hadn't felt this much joy in a very long time, and his wings glittered and skin sparkled, casting a faint glow all around him where he sat.

[willysilver]

Willy feared he may well overwhelm Winter, so he ate in silence, watching the little creature glow. He wondered when the last time was that he lit up like this. In a cage at the wizard's...it was likely a long time.

He drizzled honey on a bit of bread and passed it to Winter without a word. He'd lived too long among mortals to think anything of serving the little one with his own hands.