When we arrived, the table was all set and there were 12 seats ready. Each seat had a plate, utensils, a cup and a name marker on the plate to show where to sit. It reminded me of the tea parties Cove used to throw when we were in elementary school, and I could tell that’s what she thought because she had a smile on her face as she sat down, practically jumping up and down in excitement. I was sitting in between Sunny and Devin, Cove was sitting next to Ashter and Ashter was sitting in between Cove and Birch. Mercedes got one of the end seats and the others sat on the other side with Nova sitting at the other end.
“Uhm, you have feathers in your hair, Forrest.” Devin commented as I sat down.
“Haha, yeah...” I mumbled as I pulled out the feathers.
“Did you fight a giant bird?” Sunny asked as she picked up a feather from the floor.
“Not exactly.” I replied with a slight chuckle.
“Forrest started it.” Birch said as he fluffed his hair, getting out some small pieces of fluff.
“Then maybe you should put your book down sometimes, you hopeless romantic.” I said with a slight glare, the words coming out a bit ruder than I meant.
“You can’t be calling somebody a hopeless romantic when you can’t even find romance and get rejected each and every time.” He retorted, sending a glare right back.
The table went silent and I felt my face turn red.
“Says you who hopes you find a fairy tale prince that you’ll never get!” I exclaimed and slapped my hands to my mouth, regretting what I said instantly. Birch had a look that showed sadness and betrayal as he stood up from the table and walked away without a word.
“Birch-” Ashter started as he stood up and walked after Birch as I buried my face in my hands. I wasn’t crying, but I felt terrible, after all, I’d not just yelled at him, I’d also outed him in front of strangers.
“I-It’s ok, Forrest.” Devin mumbled and he sounded like he didn’t know how to comfort me, but I appreciated the effort. As I looked up from my hands, I saw Alev walk in, oblivious of what had happened and she was humming.
“Uhm, why does everyone look so depressed?” She questioned, no longer humming.
“Nothing.” I replied a bit too quickly.
“Sibling fight.” Sunny said as she brushed a feather off the table.
“Ah.. you guys don’t look like you had a fight.”
“Me and Sunny don’t fight.” Devin said and glared at Alev.
“Sorry, but you really need to lighten up, hybrid.” Alev replied with a shrug, sitting down at her seat.
“Excuse me?!” Devin exclaimed, standing up and slamming his hands down on the table.
“Devin, sit down and relax. It was Forrest and Birch.” Sunny spoke in a calm and even tone, then Devin muttered something under his breath, probably a curse, and sat down again.
“Then where’s Ashter?” Alev asked.
“He went after Birch.” Luna replied. I hadn’t heard her speak since she started talking to Alistar earlier, it had been at least a few hours, but her voice sounded different. Like she had forced cheer in her voice. “Uhm, H-How about some dinner?” Alistar asked as he nudged Luna in the ribs.
“Ow!” Luna hissed slightly in pain and shot a glare at Alistar.
“Sorry, sis, just want to get this tense mood to pass…” He mumbled and Luna sighed, then snapped her fingers and food appeared in all the seats except for Birch and Ashters.
“Woah, how do you do spells without inciting the ruins?” Devin asked in complete awe of Luna’s abilities.
“Practice. I could show you later if you want.” Luna offered with a small smile.
“Would I?! I mean, yes, thank you.” Devin replied, his cheeks flushing red from embarrassment. Sunny and I snickered at Devins sudden energy outburst.
“Well, dig in guys, then desert if you have room.” Luna said before eating her food. Everyone had a different dish, and I assumed each dish was each person's favorite, because Cove and I’s food were our favorites. Cove had gotten homemade French Toast. I had gotten a fruit salad with grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits and berries. I’ve never really eaten much. Small meals always worked best.
“Forrest! It tastes like the toast we used to make!” Cove exclaimed as she set down her fork, already done with her food, while I had barely taken a bite. Sunny and Devin were finished, so I assumed they were much hungrier than I was.
“You ok, Forrest?” Cove asked.
“Hmm?” I realized I had zoned out, there wasn’t much left of my salad, I had been eating, but slowly. “Yeah, I just got distracted.”
Cove looked concerned, but she was also a worrier. I finished up and excused myself to go back to the rooms, but instead, I walked around the mansion. I noticed an open balcony area and walked out to find Birch and Ashter sitting on the porch.
“I-” Birch was about to say something when he noticed me. “I’d better get going.” He huffed, stood up, and walked past me out the door.
“Did I, uhm, interrupt something?” I asked and Ashter sighed.
“No…”
“Are you ok?” I asked as I sat down in the chair across from Ashter.
“It-It’s just, it feels like we aren’t really friends anymore. And it feels more… awkward?... when I’m talking to him. I-I don’t know.” He muttered with a sigh and put his face in his hands.
“It’s ok, he knows you better than he knows me. He grew up with me and never knew I was an elf.” I said quietly. “And besides, you’re his best friend. Nothing could come between you two.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He mumbled as he stood up and walked to the door before stopping. “Oh, and thanks.”
I nodded and he walked off, leaving me alone on the balcony with my thoughts. I walked to the edge and leaned up against the railing, the view was gorgeous. We must’ve been really far from the city since all I saw was the deep ocean, tossing and turning below me, the moon reflecting off of the mirror of an ocean below, creating a beautiful sight to be seen. (Ugh, sorry, Birch loves poetry and reads me poems.)
“You ok?” Alistar asked as he walked onto the balcony and stood next to me on the edge.
“Yeah, just feeling bad..” I admitted quietly and he shrugged.
“That’s a part of having siblings, sometimes you fight.”
“Yeah, but you also have 3 siblings.”
“Ha, touche. Me and Celestial get along best. He’s not deaf, but he rarely talks. He’s a listener. And Nova, she’s full of energy and does everything with an amazing, positive, attitude.” He said with a sigh and looked at the moon. “And Luna, she works so hard to help us and puts everyone and everything ahead of herself… I just wish she could take a break and let me do the work for her sometimes..”
“You seem like a good brother.” I said with a smile and he shrugged again.
“I guess… just know, Birch loves you, it may seem like you hate each other sometimes, but in the end, you’re still siblings, and nothing will change that. You may dislike each other sometimes, but you’ll always love each other.” And then walked out the door. I sat down on the outdoor sofa they had, listening to the waves crashing, and next thing I knew, I was asleep.
—
“Forrest, wake up. Forrest, FORREST, WAKE UP!” I woke up to Cove shaking me awake.
“Huh?” I mumbled and opened my eyes. “Wha’s happening..?”
“C’mon! It’s time for breakfast!”
It took Cove a bunch of convincing, but I finally got up and followed her to the dining room. Everyone was sitting there, and there were 3 extra chairs. This time, I was in between Cove and Devin, and Devin was in between me and Sunny. Birch and Ashter weren’t there, so I figured both were asleep. Mercedes was running around with Nova, giggling, when, POOF, they both landed perfectly in their chairs.
“Hey! Luna!” Nova complained, crossing her arms over her chest with a pout.
“Nova, it’s time for food. And besides, Sky, Dexter, and Aaron are going to be here soon.”
“Yay!” Nove squealed as she practically jumped up and down in excitement.
“Who are-?” And my question was answered as 3 people walked in, well, one was an elf. I should probably stop asking questions since they get answered before I can get them out....
“Sky! You look amazing!” Alistar chimed as he hugged the elf. She had strawberry blonde hair, a light tan, and her cheeks were colored light red with blush. She wore an oversized sweater that was light blue with white clouds floating on it (not literally, figurative language people). She wore torn denim jeans and had piercings that were diamond clouds.
“Thank you, so do you!” The elf, Sky, said with a smile, hugging back.
Cove rubbed her dominant hand in a claw shape above her stomach counter-clockwise, the sign for gross.
“You’re fine, and so immature.” I said with a chuckle as I looked at her.
“And you realize I know sign language, right?” Alistar asked with a slight smirk as he looked over at Cove.
“He he, sorry.” Cove rubbed her head, looking kind of embarrassed.
“Get a room.” One of the humans grumbled
“Aaron, ‘get a room’ is for when they’re kissing, a lot, and they’re not.” The other human said with a look towards the first one.
“Shut up, Dexter.” The first human, apparently Aaron said. He was wearing a black hoodie and dark denim jeans, and Dexter was wearing something I don’t think I ever would’ve expected. He was wearing a white cropped t-shirt, light blue denim shorts, a pink hoodie wrapped around his waist, and white tennis shoes. He pulled it off flawlessly though. Dexter had deep brown eyes while Aarons were light blue, but they both had the same dark skin and brown hair as Cove.
“Quit fighting and sit down.” Luna scolded with a slight chuckle.
“Whatever.” Dexter said as he rolled his eyes and sat down in the seat that had the name, Welch, Dexter, on it. Sky sat next to Alistar, and Aaron next to Cove. I’m not going to name where EVERYONE at the table was sitting, so I’ll stop here. Luna made the breakfast appear and no food appeared on my plate which relieved me. I’ve never been a breakfast person, unless it’s the pancakes me and Birch used to make with Cove and Ashter.
“Do you want some food, Forrest?” Cove asked, offering some of her hashbrowns.
“No, I’m good. I think I’m gonna to go take a walk.” I said and excused myself before walking away to explore the mansion some more.
“Hi, Forrest!” I nearly jumped out of my skin, before I realized it was Alev.
“Gods! You scared me, Alev!” I said and let out a quiet sigh.
“Sorry.” She shrugged. “So, why aren’t you at breakfast?”
“I’m not a breakfast person.”
“Same. Wanna go on a tour of the different rooms?” Alev offered a small smile on her face.
“Sure.” I replied with a smile growing on mine. As we walked, I learned more about Alev. She was really energetic and talkative, she reminded me of Sunny. I had a feeling the two would get along if they ever spoke.
“Welcome to the weaponry.” Alev said, standing in front of a large door with copper and silver trimmings.
“All of the doors here are really fancy.” I commented as I stared at it.
“Eh, Mr. Orion designed the place before he died.” Alev said with a shrug.
“Wait, Mr. Orion? Luna, Alistar, Celestial, and Nova’s dad?” I questioned.
Alev nodded. “Yup, they don’t talk about him much, it brings painful memories to them as well as most others here.”
“But, Luna said he was away at work..” I mumbled. It wasn’t adding up for me, but then again, I’m also slow to figure stuff out.
“Yeah, she says that. It’s not true.” Alev said with another shrug. I wanted to ask what had happened, but someone opened the door.
“Alev! Need some updates for the sword?” The person smiled then noticed me. “A new face! Haven’t had one of those since the start of-”
Alev shot the person a glare and that got them quiet.
“Uh, anyways, I’m Micheal, but you can call me Mike for short.” The person, Mike, said as his smile came back.
“I’m Forrest.”
“Pleasure to meet you!” He said with a growing smile. He had buzz cut black hair and a gray t-shirt under a blacksmiths apron. His skin was a sandy color like Mercedes and he had bright brown eyes. “I make the weapons here, why don’t you come in and look around?” He offered and I agreed before I went in. The inside looked huge. There were so many different weapons it was amazing. And I saw a large forge where there were all sorts of smithing tools.
“Oh right, Alev, the sword is done.” Michael said, pointing towards the forge.
“Thanks.” Alev replied and reached into the forge as she pulled out a red hot sword that looked like it had just been forged.
“It’s perfect! Thanks, Mike.” Alev said and put the sword into a holster on her belt.
“No problem, but we need to get your friend a sword.”
“Wait, I-I don’t even know how to use a sword!” I said with slightly widened eyes. I didn’t trust myself around sharp objects, especially since last time I used a knife, I nearly lost a finger. It’s a long story for another time.
“Alev can teach you. She’s the best sword fighter we’ve got!”
“I wasn’t good enough.” Alev grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest with a solemn look.
“Alev, that was the past.” Micheal said with a sigh and Alev muttered something then walked out.
“Sorry, she thinks down about her sword fighting skills since someone she knew died since she couldn’t save them in time.” He explained.
“Oh..” I mumbled.
“It’s best not to dwell in the past though. Follow me, I’ll fix you up a sword.” Micheal said with a returning smile and I nodded as I followed him into the forge. All the weapons were lined up neatly, some newer ones without dust, some older ones, covered with dust.
“How far back does this room go?” I questioned.
“Pretty far.” Micheal responded.
“How old are some of these swords?”
“Thousands of years old.”
“How old are you?” I asked, wondering if he was as old as some of the swords.
“Nineteen.”
My head was spinning, nothing was making sense, then he stopped at a wall.
“There’s nothing here?” I said, though it was more of a question.
“I need you to touch the wall for me.” He said and stepped back. “Uhm, why?”
“You’ll see.” And he stepped back again.
“Ok..” And I reluctantly touched the wall and nothing happened, but Michael stepped back again.
“What are you-” And I was blinded by a blast of light and when I looked towards the wall, a sheathed sword was there. Yeah, I really need to stop asking questions.
“You are the one…” Michael muttered and picked up the sword to hand me. The sheath had an intricate design with silvery green designs that reminded me of vines, then some darker shades that reminded me of fire. The hilt was a black obsidian with a small gem that looked like the gem that Devin had shown us forever ago. The colorful one that looked like my eyes.
“W-Wait, I don’t even know how to use a sword!” I said again.
“Alev can teach you. Take it and I can help you get a holster for it.” Micheal assured me and I was hesitant to take the sword from him, but I did, and it felt right.
“Huh, I’ve never held a sword before...” I said quietly.
“Feels right, huh?”
I nodded and followed Michael towards the front where he helped me get the sword on, I chose to have it on my back, it felt more comfortable.
“I’ll let Alev know to start training soon.” Micheal said and I nodded then went towards my room.
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