xxhuntressxx

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Flame

I stiffen, imperceptibly, when Raia starts her attack on Gaul. I have a vivid fantasy of lunging onto the table in my Great Fox form and ripping her throat out. Lets see her spew her venom and accusations when she's missing lungs. The visual calms me enough that I don't start seeing red. It's a tactic I've used before when I feel the magistrates have overstepped in their opinions on my enthusiasm for topics they deem "unfit" for a princess.

I glance at my brother, answering the question in his eyes which clearly reads: What's wrong? My glance is a resolute: Nothing! I wonder if there will be a moment I can discreetly trip Raia on her way out.

My face never once slips from the cool collected royal. I've done this too long. My body only relaxes though when Gaul says he's going to help me. He's going to teach me?! I cut a quick look at Blaze. He doesn't look back. It's his turn to be rigid. Hmm talks will be had.

When Gaul asks me to stay out of trouble, I can't help but smirk. It's not my fault if trouble ends up finding me. I nod to him since I don't really trust my voice right now. His promise to help me sends a warmth rippling through my chest. I now curse this whole Valkyrie business. I'm really looking forward to being teacher's pet...

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blaze

Once a hologram pops up I slip my tablet out and download the date file. I also take a few keynotes. The notification of my log on Gaul,from earlier, flashes ready to be sent once we're out of this godforsaken communication dark zone. Inferna will be seething that she hasn't heard anything from me.

Flame leans over to scan my notes and blinks at me. I nod my head in answer and she speaks up.

Flame

So the Commander is the only Lord no one has more information on.

"I think it should be assumed with these unusual behaviors that mind manipulation is at play to make your agents complacent, Karnariel. In that case, shouldn't someone with more resistance go in to investigate?Complacent or not they're hostages and may be feeding information back if they continue to report. Could one of you Lords ask for an audience with the Commander, get in that way?"

I look down the table, pointedly, at the new Lord Baruss that everyone seems wary of. Maybe since he has no prior ties he'd be a good candidate to send. I wouldn't mind going with him to investigate either. Blaze and I both have a sixth sense and could probably pick up on the location at least of where the manipulation was coming from.

I mull these things over while I wait for an answer or addition from the others.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Flame

My mind is a whirlwind. Smough made good on my request and showed me everything. The ocean hides breathtaking views. An entire world of bioluminescence that made me giddy. I played with deep sea fish and inspected coral reefs. I never could have imagined what was all hidden below. It was indescribable.

Then Smough flew us back. The man flies. That experience was life-changing. I will say windblown hair isn't my best look but my ears and tail are fluffy perfection. Thankfully my messy long locks weren't anything a good brushing couldn't take care of.

I've experienced more than I ever thought I could. I now understand why Blaze spends so much time away from home. If he thinks he can keep me quarantined on Haust after this he has another thing coming.

For now I trail behind him, right on his heels. He's in his signature jeans, tight white t-shirt, and leather jacket. I've donned my uniform. He takes a seat near the end and for a second I'm at a loss on what to do. Do I stand sentry behind him? I take a quick glance around. This is basically like a cabinet meeting. It has the same tense undercurrent in the air as one too.

I take a seat next to my brother, reassured in my role in this. It's time to act royal.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blaze

I start the recitation in a bored tone. I'm only doing this to save myself an excessive nagging from Inferna.

"Do you Gaul Giantsbane, Last King of the Aesir, Ruler of Asgard, Warden of the Nine Realms swear loyalty in your solemn duty of Instruction for Her Highness Flame Vulpes Second Daughter of the Phantom Crown and Honorblood Garde to myself King Blaze Vulpes of Haust, House of the Phantom Crown?"

I take out the sword he gave me and plant it firmly between us. " Lay your hand upon the sword and speak your answer."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blaze

I open my eyes and turn to look at him. My eyes narrow.

"I don't fear it."  I say in nearly a growl. Anger getting the better of me this time, then I remember. He wasn't there. He has no idea what we've fought. What I've seen.

" We've gone through way more dangerous situations then I can even count. It's normal for this group. Armies, AIs, spaceships, hell a friend of ours was an extremely powerful reality manipulator we had to go and kill him. That is a long story. " I shake my head and then lean back on the floor staring at the ceiling.
If I'm going this far he has to understand it all. 

"No.  I don't fear it. I fear what it'll do to her and..."

What is this shit? I'm sharing my feelings. I shake off my reservations and make myself say it. Just say it dammit.

"I feel guilty. It shouldn't have been Flame, it should've been me, or Inferna. "
When it was time to pass on the spirit both of us passed it up and thought Flame would follow suit but... she's too much like our mom. Inferna and I are cut from the same cloth, we look more like our dad and Inferna acts more like him. Flame looks and is more like our mom.

" Flame is like her name. She's bright, beautiful, mesmerizing. She can also be wild, unpredictable, dangerous. I'm afraid that spirit will give her fuel until she burns herself out.  I don't know if it can be controlled. But you're welcome to knock yourself out trying. "
I stand up and motion for Gaul to stand.  "My other sister will have my head if I don't do this properly. Up. Please state your full title. "

Flame

When he caresses my lips with his thumb I go still. Mesmerized. I barely breathe. I have the strangest desire to nibble his thumb, then it's over. I bring my hands up to my lips, feeling the enchantment there. I suppose I should test it out.  I rub the whale goodbye before dipping into the water. Slowly, I sink a little and....I can breathe. I'm breathing underwater.  I bob back up and am already laughing. I can't wipe the grin off my face. 

"This is the most amazing thing ever! "

I shake my head and lock eyes with him.
"As a little girl since I loved pirates I also loved the sea, when my mother asked once what I wanted to be when I grew up if I wasn't a princess, I said a mermaid because they tend to meet pirates."

Now I can breathe underwater, like Ariel. I swim up close to Smough.

 " Please, show me more. "

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blaze

I knew this was coming. It was just a matter of when. Gaul deserves the answer. Hell I'd be worried if he didn't ask. He's respectful of course. Doesn't make it any easier to answer. Every time I think about what could have happened...

I take a deep breath and force control over myself. Force my pulse to stop racing, force my voice to be even. "That was definitely not me. It was my sister. What you saw was the Phantom Fox Spirit."

I open one eye to peer at him before closing it again and continuing. " It can't really be controlled just...directed. There are two. The Phantom you saw is more about rampaging. The other spirit, the Wraith is more about deadly precision. Almost like the difference between a beserker and an assassin."

It is a sufficient answer but it's not everything. I don't really want to continue but the rest comes out. "The spirits are driven by blood. The first state the Frenzied state, in this case, was to begin a blood letting. The more blood the more powerful the spirit." I shake my head. I didn't know she was building for the Fox Spirit because I didn't know she could access it. It's common practice for Honorbloods to Frenzy. Releasing the Spirit however...

I can't help it and one fist clenches. "It's a miracle the thing didn't topple the entire mountain and kill us all with how much blood was in the air. It was probably due to my sister's near death exhaustion that it only lasted as long as it did. Considering how strong the smell of blood was the second we stepped foot on that cursed mountain, it was reckless and dangerous to start a Frenzy state."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blaze

I'm brooding. By this point the only thing that might make it better is the lovely company of a lovely female but seeing as none of those are around, it can't be helped.

My stubborn brat of a sister just flipped me off. For what? For being enraged on her behalf? I start thinking of ways I can turn this into a positive. Sentence her to be marooned on Haust because of insubordination? No, anything I come up with using this will be thin. It was plain as day she was giving the bird to her brother not her King. My eyes narrow. Every muscle in my body wants to coil tightly but I force my breathing even. Force my jaw unclenched.

Gaul asks to speak with me. I look up barely catching what he said. It's a welcome distraction all things considering.I push off the post I'm holding up and follow him down.

Once we're below deck I make myself comfortable on the floor. I lay on my back, legs crossed, arms behind my head, and settle in. "Alright bro what's up? What do you got me down here for? "

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Flame

Smough's hand on my back is comforting in its steadiness. The feeling doesn't last long though because as soon as I see the whale I bolt. I'm am completely ecstatic. I. SEE. A. WHALE! I slow down within a couple of feet of the animal but it doesn't seem spooked by the torpedo like entrance I just cut towards it.

Slowly I stretch out my hand and touch it. Within a minute, I'm sitting atop the whale as it breaks the water's surface. I'm laughing. It seems to snort as it shoots up a spout of water. "OMG! You're so friendly!" I'm spread eagle, on top of the whale, it's the only way I can properly give it a hug. I stroke its slippery skin and laugh even more. "You're so gentle for a gigantic aquatic creature!" I can't believe this is happening. I. AM. TOUCHING. A. WHALE!!!! "This is so incredible!"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Flame

My mouth goes dry as I watch Smough undress. I'm painfully aware of the heat that travels up my spine as he removes his shirt. He's a god if I've ever seen one. There's no reason why a doctor pirate should be that fit. Unless he's single-handedly carried on every piece of cargo on this thing. He's chiseled alright but it's all lean muscle which is an interesting contrast to Gaul's bulk. How did I find myself in such close proximity to two mega attractive men?

I almost forget why I'm standing here until his boots thud to the floor. The sound echoes in my extremely sensitive ears. "I'd love to swim!" I answer brightly. I spin around, with the intent of asking Blaze to pull what I need out of his portal. As if he heard my thoughts, he tosses a bundle at me. I catch it with my tail as I pass him. "One second."I call over my shoulder at Smough. I dash into Blaze's portal so quickly his leather jacket flaps a bit.

I don't bother changing into my swimsuit. I just strip down to my lace underthings and throw my swimsuit cover up over it. The materials mesh and backless so it doesn't cover up much but it's better than walking out naked. I zip out quickly and can feel Blaze stiffen as I walk past.

At first I think he's angry about what I'm wearing but I can feel his searing stare. It's on my back. It's on my Fox Spirit tattoo. To look at him you'd think he doesn't have a care in the world. His posture is completely relaxed as he leans against one of the posts on deck and watches me with a bored expression. But I know my brother. He's mentally forcing his muscles to relax. His blood is boiling as it rushes through his veins. The bored expression is a mask and his eyes never leave my scarred back. I turn my body ever so slightly, and using my tail as a shield from everyone else, I give him the finger.

I'm up on the rail before he can say anything. "Ready when you are Admiral!" I'm poised on the rail with my legs crossed, facing Smough. Without another word I stick my arms up above me, and fall back into the cradle of the ocean.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Flame

With Gaul's story finished, I bounce nervously on the balls of my feet and look up expectantly at Smough. "Admiral is there any chance you could give me a tour of your ship?" I twist a lock of hair absentmindedly around my finger. There's a loud splash somewhere behind me and seconds later I'm sprayed with water.

Blaze

I hear the unmistakable high pitched squeal and don't have to turn around to know what animal just tagged my sister. Flame turns and immediately a grin splits her face. "Dolphins!!!"

She darts to the railing and leans over as far as possible trying to touch one;completely forgetting that she's in a skirt. Twenty pirate heads swivel so fast I'm sure they have whiplash. The dolphins squirt her again and she giggles. Then arches her back as she shakes off water. Those pirates can now add poor eyesight to the doctor bill as twenty pairs of eyes pop right out of their sockets.

I have murder on the mind but before I can do a thing Flame darts past me and grabs onto Smough.

"Admiral are there whales too?" The look on her face keeps me from killing pirates and instead has me waiting on Smough's answer. Her voice is full of awe, her eyes wide and so full of hope. There's nothing we can do about our differences while stuck on this ship. We'll have it out later but right this second all I want to do is preserve the look of excitement that's bursting from my sister's every pore.

If there's not a goddamn whale in this goddamn ocean I will portal Sia here, shape her into a whale, and throw her in the ocean face first for my sister to find.

I'm seconds away from making this happen. The only thing stopping me is the side track my mind went down at the thought of manhandling Sia.