Phouka

[winter_wisp]

Winter's colour was slowly returning to him, and his wings were still weak, but were starting to shine once more. He slept often, and for long stretches of time, but it was clear he was slowly mending.

...It was also clear that being kept inside was driving the little pixie mad. He craved sunlight and the kiss of the moon, and he'd taken to spending much of his time pressed against the window looking sad. More so today than ever, since Willy and Fin were out and about. Something to do with Fin's 'work', that was all he'd been told, and he'd blown a raspberry at their backs as the pair had left, then wasted the morning gazing out the window.

"Phouka," he said, whining just a little. "I am bored- The mortal's home is so dull. Give me my potion so I will be tall, and we can go and have hot chocolate in the park," he grinned.

Comments

[winter_wisp]

"Maybe I want to be bad," Winter replied. "Maybe I'll become a dark pixie- Or a pirate! I'd like being a pirate, they go on boats."

He smiled at the thought, then turned to Phouka again. "Why did you agree to help fae Willy? Are you in his debt?"

[willysilver]

"No, Winter Wisp. I agreed because I am his friend," Phouka said smoothly. It wasn't exactly a lie but it was hardly the truth. Friend sometimes had such a loose definition.

[winter_wisp]

"And now you are my friend also," Winter smiled, wrapping his arms around Phouka's arm and squeezing it happily.

"Tell me you will not become the mortal's friend and abandon me as Willy did."

[willysilver]

"The Prince has hardly abandoned you, little one. Do we not all live together? I t is almost a village in the flat," Phouka chuckled, tugging his arm in to pull Winter closer.

[winter_wisp]

"Now he is attentive, but before I was harmed he was gone for so long," Winter sighed, leaning against Phouka as they walked. "He loves the mortal and has no time for poor Pixie Winter."

[phouka]

"You are not taking into account the power of love. When it grips someone, fae or mortal, they are helpless. It is not his fault. Be kind, Winter. He will surely die because of it," he replied, a note of sadness to his voice.

[winter_wisp]

"Will he?" Winter asked, looking shocked. "But the mortal can't die now. Willy put a magic heart in him. He will not age, or die... Did fae Willy not tell you?"

[phouka]

Phouka was quiet for a long moment, weighing the truth of that. Oh, Prince, he thought, what have you done?

"He did not tell me," he said quietly. "He must be truly happy."

Phouka did not sound pleased about that. At all.

[winter_wisp]

"The mortal was very cross, but he seems fine with it now," Winter said, tugging Phouka towards the cafe he favoured.

[phouka]

He gladly followed along and soon enough they were inside and Phouka was passing his enchanted notes in exchange for rich cocoa topped with the sweetest whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

"Shall we sit outside and enjoy the sunshine?" he asked.

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded, sipping his drink as he held it with both hands.

"Yes. I have missed fresh air. The mortal's home is sealed so tight, and the windows hardly open."

[phouka]

"The air in this city chokes me," the Phouka said. "But some places are nice. The parks are good. I have always preferred the countryside when I have needed to coome to the mortal world."

[winter_wisp]

"I have never been to the country," Winter said, sitting at one of the empty tables outside. "I have not seen much of anything, anywhere," Winter confessed.

"Not our realm, or here. I was trapped so long, I have hardly lived."

[phouka]

"You have so much time now, Winter. So much life. You do not need to hurry to catch up. Simply let the world unfold for you. You will find more delight that way," The Phouka said sagely.

[winter_wisp]

Winter smiled at that, then nodded. "You are very wise, Phouka," he chirped. "Wise and kind. I am very fond of you already- I feel we are fast friends."

[phouka]

He flashed a smile, his white teeth slashing like a white blade shadowed by his lips. His eyes were bright, though, and full of mirth.

"You will need to learn to take care with making friends, primrose. Not all are as worthy as the Prince and I," he laughed.

[winter_wisp]

"I intend to collect many. So many that I will never be alone for a moment!" Winter replied. "They will all be good, I am a good judge," Winter assured him.

[phouka]

"Are you?" Phouka laughed. "Perhaps you are. A good a pixie as you will surely have only good luck with the creatures you choose to surround yourself with. How are you feeling? Is the chocolate lifting your spirits?"

[winter_wisp]

"Yes," Winter nodded, smiling softly. "But, my wings still ache, and I feel tired even though I have slept so often lately."

[phouka]

"Perhaps we should do something active. We could ice skate. Or there are bicycles for rent. Surely not the same as flying free, but fun," he suggested.

[winter_wisp]

"I would love to do both, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough yet," Winter confessed. "We could walk through the park though."

[phouka]

"I would enjoy that very much," he replied, warmth and gentleness radiating off of him. Phouka took a sip of his cocoa and savored it, oblivious to the plot of cream on the end of his nose.

[winter_wisp]

Giggling, Winter leaned over and whipped the cream away, then kissed the tip of Phouka's nose.

"Messy," he smiled. "Delicious though."

[phouka]

He made to bite at Winter's fingers, a theatrical gnashing of his teeth, and then he laughed.

"I could have licked that off, you know, if only you had told me," he said.

[winter_wisp]

"Perhaps next time I will not clean it, or tell you," Winter grinned, looking positively mischievous.