ATtD Ch 58
The Portent Tribe was a small group consisting of little more than five hundred occupants of the Nie-Hastrel plains, located twelve miles from Fiery San Temple. The majority of their village was actually located beneath the sand, dug out thousands of years ago to protect the people from the unforgiving heat of the land. Since it was the middle of the night though, the villagers were out on the surface, some hovering around a large bonfire, while others played and chatted by the village wall. They were a hodgepodge group. Most Tribes were created through location instead of focus on blood like the Clans, so it wasn’t unexpected to find dozens of different Faelings there. Nor was it odd to spot a group of non-humanoid Fae, and wizards in the mix as well. As it so happened, because of the location, forty percent of the Portent Tribe consisted of nagas.
“Will you calm down already.”
“I am calm!” Seamus snapped, stepping away from Musa, who insisted on invading his personal space. The boy had turned from soused to smug the instant they had started their little trip that night, and had spent the time telling Seamus all the things not to do, as if he were an idiot.
“You most certainly are not.” Musa sniffed, holding his head a little higher and looking out at the people surrounding the flames at the edge of the town. They had already noticed their arrival, and soon would be sending greeters to come and welcome them in. Something they would be less quick to do when their happened to be a jumpy Anhk Ro in their midst. He considered putting Seamus under his spell again, but decided it would only piss the boy off in the long run. Instead he smacked him on the shoulder in a show of camaraderie, hoping the Portent Tribe wouldn’t be offended as long as Seamus was considered his responsibility.
“Gods damn-leave me alone.” Seamus hissed, pulling his wings tighter to his body, as if the stupid fluttery things could somehow protect him. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar.” Oran butted in softly. “Everyone can smell your anxiety, never mind your aura is spiking like you’ve just eaten a handful of sugar. I suggest you try and relax. No one here will hurt you.”
“They will if they think they need to defend themselves against a twitchy Anhk Ro.” Musa muttered under his breath, while waving pleasantly to the approaching group. “The Blood Elf in the blue garb is Souran. He is one of the leaders here, and a formidable hunter. Make sure when addressing him you call him Cred Souran; anything else is considered disrespectful. And don’t you dare flinch when shaking his hand.” Musa added with a dark look at Seamus. “The man is a good friend of Juro, and protects these lands well. He is very accepting of newcomers and will likely treat you higher than deserved, anyways. And stop glaring at me, it only makes you look foolish.”
The thousands of vicious, and likely petty retorts Seamus wanted to make were lost as he looked up to find said Blood Elf only a few feet away, followed closely by his entourage. Souran was dark, and narrow, with an inhuman slope to his shoulders that connected to strangely long arms ending in claws. He moved like water on his long thin legs, and even though he looked completely at ease, Seamus had the feeling that the muscles rippling smoothly under the red tinged skin could just as easily tear someone apart with a simple motion. And then he smiled.
Scary, was the first word to come to mind. Mental images of being gutted and left to rot on the ground quickly followed when faced with the dark, sharp teeth.
“For Furiae’s sake, stop pulling my hair.” Musa hissed under his breath. Oran chuckled quietly, while Regan kindly unfolded Seamus’ claws from the unconscious death grip the boy had taken.
“Ah, the beautiful Musa, you grace us with your esteemed presence. It’s been too long since we’ve last seen you.” Souran, his red eyes gleaming brightly beneath silver bangs, held his arms open, Musa quick to slide over and embrace him.
“Forgive me, dear Souran. I’m afraid I haven’t been out much these past years since I’ve returned.”
“Has Juro locked you away? He’s always been so protective of his little son.” Souran looked up, eyes falling first to Seamus, who appeared as if he was going to shake apart, and then to the three other Anhk Ro behind him. “You’ve brought friends, I see. Portent will do its best to accommodate you all, of course.”
Musa pulled back with a smile. “Yes, these fine gentleman are actually guests of my father. This here is Master Kayne, Master Oran, and Elder Regan, of the Anhk Ro. And this whimpering pile of feathers here is Seamus. As you can likely tell, he’s just had his exritus, and is still easily overwhelmed.”
“You poor dear. I can only imagine the torment our little Eclipse Dragon has wrought on you. Not to worry though… I believe Celeste and Agron have just woken. They’re very good with the more unstable newborns. Kal, would you kindly fetch the two of them?” Waving a short, blonde girl with a bushy tail off, Souran turned with a more serious tone to Kayne. “You honor us with your presence, Masters Kayne and Oran, and Elder Regan. I would not take offense if you do not accept, for you are Anhk Ro, and become delirious when faced with blood, but would you permit me to greet you more formally?”
“I would be more than happy to, Cred Souran. Unfortunately for my brothers, they cannot do the same. They still have the normal weakness, and they mean no disrespect as well… Musa, would you kindly escort Seamus to a less populated area, while I speak with Cred Souran?”
“Of course. We’ll join you later, after I’ve shown Seamus around a bit.” Musa smiled sweetly at Souran, and grabbed Seamus roughly by the shoulder as he led him to the wall, and awaiting people. Seamus struggled slightly, turning his head to see what was going on, but Kayne moved, placing his back to Seamus’ line of view. He caught Oran’s eye, and the man gave him a cheeky half salute, before focusing back to Kayne and Souran.
“What is it?” Seamus finally asked, swiveling his head back around to the boy beside him.
“Something I’m sure you wizards have many a law against.” Musa replied with a roll of his eyes. Seeing that Seamus wasn’t satisfied with that answer, he elaborated. “Blood rites. We greet with blood… it’s like imprinting. You’d understand if you’d experienced it.”
“Oh.” Seamus glanced back into the dark, still unable to see what was going. “…So why don’t Oran and Regan do it?”
“Because blood tends to make you Anhk Ro go nuts. Some become violent, but for the most part you all just get very… senseless. And touchy feely for that matter.” He added with a smirk, and a glance behind him. “Obviously no one wants to see you in such a condition, since they’ve sent you away.”
Seamus really didn’t think he wanted to be in such a condition, to be completely honest, but he had caught the taunt in Musa’s voice, and glared accordingly. “I noticed no one was asking to suck your blood either.”
Musa’s smile was smug. “That’s because you only need to do it once. I’ve already imprinted with the leaders of the village.”
“Damn it.” Seamus growled, only causing Musa to laugh aloud and rest his arm on the pouting boy’s shoulder.
“Relax; I’m sure Souran would love to greet you properly. Unfortunately, to do so is to risk his pretty neck, and I doubt he’s fond of you enough to do that. You newborns are very explosive after all…” He trailed off, waving over a beautiful girl robed in white.
Seamus stared; she was wearing silver and red makeup much like Musa’s, three small jewels glittering on her forehead. Her hair was red, pulled back tightly from her face and plaited down her back so nothing could hinder her milky white stare. Furrowing his brow, he dared to look down beneath the layers of cloth. Sure enough, she was a naga.
“Celeste, you look well.” Musa held a hand out and embraced the girl lightly, but in a less familiar air than when he had with Souran. “I’ve heard about your Union. You must be pleased.”
“Yes, Agron has been a fair match, in more ways than one.” She replied in an airy voice. An airy human voice, Seamus noted, that did a fair imitation of Musa’s own entrancing tones, but without the magic, or the parseltongue to make it as useful. “We were lucky to have found each other.”
“Hmm, considering he nearly died finding his way here, I imagine the gods are watching very closely over him.”
“…You must learn to let things go, Musa. He’s explained himself on many an occasion.”
“Perhaps having to explain himself is more damning than the actual incident.” Musa replied back just as evenly. “In any event, I do hope he won’t be causing any trouble tonight while my guests are here. Seamus needs a steady, calming atmosphere.”
“Agron knows his place. If you like, I can bring the Anhk Ro to the Shadow Halls. He can rest there in silence with the Aged while you join your other guests.”
Musa raised a brow, meeting anxious gold eyes. “As much as you might enjoy that, Celeste, Seamus doesn’t leave my side while here. He’s not here to be someone’s plaything.”
“I would never suggest such a thing.” Celeste said breezily, her unblinking stare now turned on Seamus’ blush. “You shouldn’t tease the boy so. He’s obviously frightened.”
“Hmm… consider it the consequence of annoying me with the scent of his senseless fear. Besides, it’s amusing.”
“You know, I don’t have to take this sort of shit from you. I can leave right now, you bloody-!”
“Oh, he’s cute.” Celeste laughed, pressing a slim hand to Seamus’ shoulder. “No wonder you tease him; he’s adorable when angry.”
Musa just smirked and led them towards the large bonfire where the majority of the nocturnal occupants that weren’t out hunting sat. He chose an isolated spot, leaving it up to the villagers to come and greet them, instead of forcing Seamus to whirlwind through a large crowd of introductions. It also allowed him to watch, and make sure Seamus wasn’t set off from any bad scents or movements.
“On your left, kiddo.” Seamus looked up, waving halfheartedly to Oran, who was sitting with Regan at the edge of a large group of people, Kayne and Souran in the middle with another Blood Elf, and a female naga that had strange markings painted on her skin that identified her as a leader. He wasn’t quite sure what they were talking about, but he had a fair sense that Oran and Regan were making sure he didn’t do anything stupid. Instead of being offended, he was rather thankful for the extra support, if only because he didn’t quite know what to expect from himself, never mind the strange beings around him.
“Half muggle? That must cause troubles for you, Seamus. How do your peers treat you?”
“Huh? Uhh… well most don’t really care, I suppose. I mean, some care, some are a bit insane about the whole thing to be honest, but for the most part, the people I care about don’t have a problem with it. Why… is that something looked down around here?” He asked the white naga, wondering if she meant to cause trouble for him so early on. He wouldn’t put it past Musa to tell her that, just to get him in bad with the village.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop glaring at me?” Musa gave him a light snap on his knee with his tail, smiling serenely when Seamus growled back.
“Wizards are a bit odd to us, no offense, Seamus.” Celeste answered gently. “Something as pointless as lineage is not a reason for such social misbehavior among Tribes, although it has been known to disrupt some Clans. But Clans are based on family, and many a family has been destroyed by such ‘bad blood’. You have no worry of any here finding you at fault for something you had no control over, such as your lineage.”
“They’ll find many a better reason, not to worry.”
“Musa… I do believe you’re trying to initiate a fight.” Celeste said slowly, her tone a mix of disapproval and amusement. “I think it was just as well that Argon had to join the hunt tonight. The two of you would be at each other’s throat within minutes.”
“I think you mean at my back, dear Celeste.” Musa replied smartly, snapping his tail again inches from Seamus’ foot. “I’m just having a little fun with Seamus. He’s lived among wizards all his life; I thought it might be nice to give him a little barbaric banter reminiscent of his home.”
Seamus jumped to his feet, his eyes flashing. “So help me, Musa, I’m going to-!”
“What? Just what are you going to do, little birdie?” Musa asked lowly, the teasing gone from his voice. “Many a bird has ended up dead by the fangs of a serpent.”
Celeste raised a hand to Musa’s arm. “I think you need to calm yourself.”
“Fuck that.” Seamus broke in, his anger about to explode. “ I’m a god damn human and we’ve killed more than our fair share of snakes, nagas included. I don’t know what the fuck I did to you, to make you hate me so much, but I have no intention of letting you insult my family and friends just because you’re unhappy with me!”
“Oh, you just love that, don’t you, your race killing nagas. Are you proud of it? Are we beneath you, oh great human?”
“I never said anything like that!”
“But you think it! If we don’t look like you, then we aren’t as good as you. The instant you saw my tail I became something for you to fear. I saw it in your eyes.”
“I didn’t know you-Did you expect me to be rational right after something like that?! You fucking hypnotized me! What was I suppose to do, thank you for stealing my will? I was afraid!” He spread his arms wide, his wings unfurled, and claws wide. “Look at me! I’m a walking death machine. Everything scares-I scare me. What makes you think you’re so special that I wouldn’t be afraid of you?!”
Musa clenched his fists, his form so tight with anger that his voice wouldn’t come. And what if I had been human? What if I had been a normal human boy inviting you outside? You wouldn’t have been afraid then, admit it!
“Yeah I would, because a normal human wouldn’t have hypnotized me!”
A normal human would be dead! If I hadn’t ensnared you with my voice you would have attacked me!
“No! I would never-you, you shouldn’t have done that!”
I shouldn’t have protected myself?!
“You shouldn’t have come! You should have left me alone! I didn’t ask you to disrupt my already chaotic life! Just… just leave me alone! I didn’t ask for this! I didn’t ask for any of this! And I sure as hell don’t need you around to rub it in my face every second!” He turned to run, hoping that once he left the village no one would bother to follow. He was fast; maybe even Kayne wouldn’t be able to catch him if he went all out…
“None of us asked for the life we were given, you fool!” Musa surged forward, grabbing Seamus by his legs before he could go, and knocking them both to the ground. “All I wanted was to be your friend! Why the hell did you have to such a crybaby about the whole thing!”
“Because… because I nearly killed you!”
“Hah! You did no such thing!”
Seamus struggled, kicking his legs free only to have Musa grab his left ankle and bite into his scales. He would have laughed at the ridiculous move, if it hadn’t hurt so much. “Bloody Hell-!”
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re not strong enough to kill me!”
“…Maybe so… but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be friends with you!” Seamus yelled stubbornly, swiping with his free foot, and catching Musa in the head, the boy hissing and rolling away to grab the spot.
“Don’t flatter yourself! The last thing I want is to be friends with a discriminating human like you, anyways!”
Seamus just glowered, holding his ankle and examining the thin holes leaking blood left from Musa’s teeth. “Maybe if I wasn’t human, you wouldn’t feel that way, damn hypocrite.”
“…He does seem to have a point.” Oran stood over the two, a blank expression on his face. “Little bird, come sit with us for a while. You seem to be a little too excited for your condition.”
Coming back to himself, Seamus looked around, finding the majority of everyone there to be staring, or pretending not to be staring at them. Bloody perfect. He got up, limping silently after Oran, and sat with a sigh next to Regan on the low bench the two had been sharing. Burying his head in his stupid, oversized hands, he tried to block everything, and everyone out.
“That was quite the display. Odd, because you never really struck me as the type. I guess you can’t always tell with this sort of stress.”
Rolling his eyes, Seamus mustered enough energy to grunt back. “What’s your point, Regan?”
“I didn’t think you were the type to displace the anger of your situation on a boy you’ve only just met, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Seamus sighed again, his body drooping like a deflated balloon. “Is that what I’m doing?”
“You appeared exceptionally angry.”
Seamus slowly lifted his head, staring deeply into the flames rising up before him. “…This isn’t going to go away, is it?”
“Sorry kid. Just know you’re not the only one to go through it.” Regan patted him lightly on his back, letting his arm rest there. Seamus leaned into him, eyes glazed unhappily. “It’s good to get the anger out… just not at the wrong people.”
“Hmm, I can certainly agree to that. Poor Kayne took many a scar from my rages, and I’ve gotten a fair share for my troubles.” Oran held his arm out, revealing a long scar that a newly changed Anhk Ro had given him. “By the way, how’s your leg? Bet his teeth got down to the bone.”
Shrugging, Seamus turned his foot, revealing the still weeping holes. “Think it’ll scar?”
“The meaningful ones always do. You’re lucky he didn’t poison you.”
“…Probably deserve it.”
“Oh, you’re beating yourself up quite well without Musa’s help, I think.” Seamus glared at Oran’s smirk, but didn’t resist the offered hand, clinking their claws together lightly. “It’ll work out, little bird. This will be a weak, embarrassing memory in a few days, and nothing more than a glimmer of a fun holiday in a couple of years.”
“Fun…?” He glanced at Regan and Oran with a thoughtful look, eventually nodding to himself. “I should go… uh… you know.” He shrugged towards where Musa was sulking away from the fire, the boy’s glare enough to send any sympathetic soul running.
“Try not to get killed, kid.”
*******
Apologizing to Musa was not as simple as it had first seemed. Oh, Seamus hadn’t been naïve enough to think it would be an easy task, but he certainly hadn’t expected the boy to speed away when he had noticed his approach.
“Go away!”
“Will you just listen for five minutes?!”
“No!”
“You can’t outrun me, you know!”
“Well seeing as you’re too afraid to get close enough to catch me, it doesn’t really matter, now does it!” Musa shouted behind him. His head turned, he missed the rock in the poorly lit terrain, and barreled to a stop with a curse. “Shit!”
Biting his lip, Seamus caught up, kneeling to see the damage. Musa’s arms were bloody raw from the skid, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Before the boy could return to his original target of anger, he grabbed his hands and kept them out of reach of his own vital organs.
“I’m sorry. I’m an idiot, and took it all out on you. And, although you’re also to blame for half of it, I didn’t mean that shit I said about nagas because…” He closed his eyes, taking a calming breath. “Because it was my fault for believing the shit in my school books when I know damn well that the Ministry has exaggerated the worst, and outright lied about a lot of different magical creatures. I don’t think you’re a monster. You’re not-well, I mean, you bug the shit out me, and you’re obviously good at putting on a face for every bloody situation and all… But, well… I don’t think you’re a bad person. Actually… I may think you’re a good person, to be honest… but I’m still sort of mad at you for intentionally trying to piss me off back there.” He rambled to a stop, staring intently at the top of Musa’s bowed head. “I’m sorry. We started off in a bad way, and it wasn’t fair for either of us.” He dropped the boy’s hands, taking a step back and waiting expectantly.
Musa rubbed his arms carefully, refusing to look up while he processed Seamus’ blurted apology. The boy really needed to work on his decorum, but other than that, he was certainly sincere about it all. Obnoxious… but sincere. Explosive… but only because he had provoked him. Foolish… but… walking away…?
“Hey! Don’t go running off after you apologize! You have the worst… manners…” He trailed off, catching sight of where Seamus was now looking. In the distance, soft blue lights hovered in the air, announcing the arrival of the village hunters. Either the hunt had gone well, or something was wrong; usually the hunters didn’t return until morning light.
“…rotting…”
“What?” It took a moment for Musa to pull himself from the ground, his arms stinging painfully. Finally he straightened, awkwardly pushing long strands of his loosened braid from his face while he tried to see what was wrong with Seamus. The boy had gone unnaturally still, staring off into the distance towards the approaching lights. “What’s wrong…?”
“Musa? …Is that you?” A familiar voice called from the darkness. “Musa!”
“…Heine fucking hell, why me?” Not one for poor language, he let out a long stream of the crudest he had learned over the years as Agron came into view, the dim moonlight turning the waving man into a ghastly sight of dark pitted eyes and gleaming teeth. “Come on; lets go finish this conversation as far away from him as possible.” He grabbed Seamus’ arm, realizing his mistake too late when he met razor sharp scales instead of the normal fleshy protection. Biting back his pain, he whirled on the boy, meeting his eyes.
Empty gold stared past him, tight on Agron’s cheerful form. “Oh… this is bad… this is real bad…” He considered letting Seamus kill Agron; stopping him would likely only get himself injured, as strong as he was, and it wasn’t like Agron didn’t deserved it… But that annoying voice in the back of his head said otherwise. The memory of a haunted eyed Seamus promising the other Anhk Ro that he would never kill again surfaced from the night he had spied on the group. “…Damn it. KAYNE!!! ORAN, REGAN!!!”
*******
Seamus awoke to the echo of lost screams banging around his skull, and the sense of red… overwhelming, rotting red…
He sat up with a choked cry, stopping short to grab his pounding head. A large, egg sized bruise greeted him from his right temple. He touched it gingerly, trying to remember just what had happened. He had been fighting with Musa… and then apologized… and then he had noticed the smell and… and… then what?
Gods… had he killed again?
“Hey, are you-don’t freak out, idiot!” Unhearing, Seamus jumped away from the voice, only to have his wrists captured and held tight until he finally looked up long enough to recognize the boy next to him.
“…What the hell happened to you?” He finally asked, staring at the once immaculate Musa. His hair was a shiny tussle of darkness free from its braid, and his makeup was rubbed clean across half his face where blood-whose, he wasn’t quite sure-had splattered. Actually… for the first time he looked relatively human, Seamus noticed thoughtfully.
“You, you bloody fool. You happened.” Sniffing disdainfully, Musa continued to comb his hair back into place with his claws, a more formidable task than what appeared, because the texture of his hair was much thicker than the sleek braids he tamed it in. Seeing as the boy wasn’t particularly murderous towards him, Seamus looked around, trying to figure out where they were. It was dark, and cool, and somewhere the scent of death lingered, although he sensed no sickening violence like he had in Fiery San Temple. It smelled more like… old. Wrinkling his nose, he swayed and pulled himself to his knees in hopes of seeing better.
“Hold on a second. I need to say something to you.” Musa left his hair to knot, turning to Seamus with a serious look. “I haven’t been completely forthright with you, and… well, I don’t have an easy relationship with humans. They’ve made my life hell, honestly, and I was shifting that anger on you. So… I’m sorry.”
“Uh, yeah… accepted, man. I mean, I was being a prat too and all.” Squinting slightly, he held his hand out to Musa to shake, a weak smile on his face.
Musa just stared at the large hand offered to him, a skeptical look on his face. “…I was thinking more on the lines of this, actually.” With a quick movement he sliced his own shoulder open, withdrawing a fair amount of blood on his thumb to give to Seamus.
“Err…?”
“Blood rite. Considering you’ve already knocked me around tonight, I pretty much know what to expect if you lose it.” He nudged his hand closer, Seamus’ eyes losing and regaining focus from staring at his thumb as it moved near his mouth. “My name is Musa, child of the Eclipse Dragon, Laskour, and the human, Dorea. With this blood I expose my soul. I open up my heart so that you may know me, and I you more completely. With this blood I welcome your soul. I offer up my heart so that this friending may be genuine and complete. With this blood I give you my friendship. You shall remember me, and I you, until our life fades. Do you accept this offering, Seamus?”
Moving his gaze from his hand to his face, Seamus found Musa’s one unadorned eye, even more startling without the makeup to combat it. There was pride there, and a wary darkness from one who had seen more than his share of trouble. But more importantly Seamus found an openness he hadn’t seen from the boy before.
“…Yeah, alright. Do I have to say something?”
“No. Just…” Musa waved his hand slightly, beckoning him closer. Very hesitantly, Seamus licked the digit, refusing to look up for fear of seeing laughter from the other boy. He’d made enough social mistakes that day to trust much of anything.
It was sudden-stale, cold, and sore was turned to warmth and life. A bright spark of fire flared in his chest before quickly dying just as fast, leaving new warmth to glow in its place. Seamus found himself staring up from the floor, not sure when he had gotten there, or just how much time had passed. He licked his lips, the sharp tang of blood jolting his senses. “…Weird.”
“At least you’re not freaking out.” Musa chirped, his smile wry. “Come on, give me some blood so it will be complete.”
“Oh… sure.” Seamus cut into his shoulder with little thought about the action, having never thought much about personal pain before. The blood on his claws stopped him cold, though. There was too much there for it to just be his. He stared blankly at the scarlet drip, trying again to remember just what had happened earlier when his mind had faded into a red haze of violence.
“He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
Seamus nodded slowly, and began to run his hands over the floor in an attempt to free them of blood. “Is that why you’re so…?” He shrugged at Musa’s torn appearance.
“Yes, Seamus. That’s why I’m so ragged.” Musa said heavily. “You strangled the bastard a bit, but any broken bones Agron suffered were inflicted by me, so don’t waste your time crying over him. He deserves a lot worse.” He bent down, catching the Anhk Ro’s eye. “Tell me your name.”
“Oh, uhh…” Seamus thought back to how Musa had said his part to the ritual. “My name is Seamus, son to the Fae witch of the Green Song Clan, Fiona, and the human, Quinn. I… umm…” He bit his lip. He should have paid better attention… and concentrating seemed rather difficult at the moment. The cut on his shoulder throbbed dully, and he reached for it, proud that he had remembered at least something.
“Do you willingly expose your soul?” Musa asked, making it easier on the boy by going through the ritual for him. “Do you open and offer up your heart in the name of good relations between our people? Do you willing offer me your friendship?”
“Yeah… yes. With this blood I fulfill all that you’ve entailed.” Seamus answered a little more steadily. “Do you accept my offering?”
“I readily accept of my own free will…” Musa paused, inspecting Seamus’ offered hand. Seamus blushed, realizing along with the blood, his hand was covered in sand. “S-sorry, I’ll-”
“Relax.” Musa ordered with a roll of his eyes. Ignoring the hand, he bent forward and licked up the side of Seamus’ arm, holding back a laugh when the boy shrieked in surprise. Bathing in the sudden warmth from the spell, it took him a moment to realize the other was half frantic by the time he raised his head. “What…? Oh.” He sat up carefully, flexing his tail just incase he needed to move quickly. “…What are you feeling?”
“I d-don’t know.” Seamus whispered, his chest heaving and his hands freshly gleaming in blood. Things had gone hazy for a moment, and then his mind had cleared to find him slicing Musa’s back.
“Look at me.” Musa ordered gravely, his head bowing slightly to meet Seamus’ level on the ground. “Do you want to injure something?”
“No… I… I don’t know.”
“Are you angry? Afraid?”
Seamus slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid I hurt you… but that’s not why I… I… I feel strange. Wild…”
Musa blinked, a smile quickly breaking across his face. “Hah, you idiot!”
“W-what?” Seamus asked worriedly, trying to slow his racing heart.
“This, idiot.” Musa deliberately slid a claw down Seamus’ arm, blood beading around the thin wound. Seamus’ heavy gasp was proof enough. “You, my friend, are a pervert.”
“Am not!” Seamus answered too quickly, his voice an octave higher than normal.
“Are to.” Musa replied with a chuckle. “It’s better than being homicidal; I think we should both be happy about that.”
Seamus just licked his lips, eyes tight on his hands. “…Just… I don’t like you l-like that.”
“Oh, don’t be such a wet blanket. Most Fae go a little wild over blood… Oh, but I imagine that’s not something you’d want to be associated with, seeing as you’re so human and all.” He added with a smirk, his tone hardly stinging like it had been earlier in the day.
“Shut up… just don’t talk…” Grabbing his head, Seamus tried to focus on anything else but the strange heat welling up in him. Yes, it was better than the killing instinct, but the struggle was possibly more annoying because his logic seemed to have no ground when lust was involved. “…This is not happening. I don’t like blood like that… blood is gross… gross a-and this isn’t happening…”
“Talk about denial.”
“I do not like you!” Seamus growled. “You’re annoying… and weird looking…”
“Weird looking…?” Musa’s brow creased in confusion. “Weird looking? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re weird looking… like a peacock… or a girl, or something, all colorful and shit… Will you just leave me alone for five minutes?” Seamus moaned, biting his palm in a fit of desperation.
“I think I will.” Musa said with a sniff. “Weird looking… hmph! You know, I was going to help you out, but now I think I’ll just let you suffer.”
“No-wait! Damn it… Can you really help me?”
“I can. But I won’t.”
“Please… please, I didn’t mean it. We’re friends, right? Just help me just this once.” Seamus pleaded in a meek voice, his eyes hazy and dark.
Musa paused, turning back with a guarded look. “…Come here.”
Seamus scurried the few feet to the naga, his knees and arms shaking unsteadily. “The eye thing, or maybe… wait…” The touch of claws to his chest sent his head spinning, and when they bit in, he knew he was in real trouble. “Shit-stop…”
Musa ignored him, leaning his head against the boy’s ear and hissing soft nonsense, only compounding Seamus’ problem. He sliced a narrow path to Seamus’ navel, tearing his shirt free and leaving small scratches to heal. “The thing is, friend…. being weird and all, I just don’t think I can help you out.”
“You damn-hell-ass…” Chuckling cruelly, Musa gave a hard tug to the band of Seamus’ shorts, and used the momentum of his lost balance to catch his mouth with his own. Seamus gave a surprised gasp before melting, grasping uselessly at Musa’s tussled locks. Using his free hand to keep the boy from pulling him closer and winning control, Musa kissed him deeply, thoroughly winding him up. He let Seamus go with a soft, wet sound, staring smugly as the boy wavered dizzily on his knees.
“…Musa… please…”
“Suffer.” Musa taunted lowly, leaving the boy to the fiery hell that would rage for at least a good hour because of his help. Weird looking… the brat was just lucky that he considered him a friend.
*******
Eyes squinting unhappily to the noise of someone pounding on his door, Seamus awoke with one clear goal: he was never talking to Musa again.
It had been a hell of a night, and even when the worst of the overwhelming lust had left him, he had been plagued with random, irrational moments of sweaty insanities that lasted well past noon the next day. He had finally fallen to sleep around ten, and with five hours of sleep he was far from cheerful to have someone knocking at his door.
“Come on, little bird. You’ve got training.” Oran’s distinguished timbre called from behind the door. “You’ll like this one, promise. It involves large amounts of sky, and those little feather dusters you call wings.”
Peaking an eye free from his face plant in his pillow, Seamus queried curiously. “We’re flying today?”
“Right-o! But you need to get it in gear, boy, because it takes a while to get started and there is no way Kayne’s going to let you fly in the dark.”
“…Fine.” Seamus pulled himself reluctantly from bed, trying with little success to blink himself awake. “Are you going to actually help, or will you be laughing at me from your seat like yesterday?” He asked loudly while he went about getting himself ready for the late day.
“Cocky little bird, aren’t you? I will be there for moral support, and catching your ass if you happen to fall like a stone. Anything more is wasted on a troublemaker like you.”
“Troublemaker?” Muffled sounds of rustling clothes, and thrown bed sheets were heard behind the heavy door. Moments later Seamus pushed his way out, dressed in shorts and another altered tank top that kept his wings from catching. “I’ll have you know that I’m considered a saint back at Hogwarts.”
Oran just raised his brows in disbelief, and pointed the boy down the corridor. Seamus was almost sure he was going to get away with an uneventful trip. Then Oran gave him the special look that, in his short time knowing the man, he had learned meant trouble.
“Oh no.”
Oran ignored him, humming innocently. “Little bird, you will not believe the rumor I heard last night.”
“No. I refuse to play this game.” Seamus said defiantly, quickening his pace.
“It was about a newborn Anhk Ro-well, I guess there were only so many newly born Anhk Ro visiting the Portent Tribe last night. Mainly… you.” His smile grew exponentially. “And Musa. In the Shadow Halls. Ma-”
“Say it and I’ll kill you!” Seamus threatened.
“…Making babies.” Oran finished quickly.
“Huh?” Seamus silently mouthed what the man had just said, his expression going blank. “…Gods, you are so lame sometimes!”
“Hmm… I don’t hear you denying it.” Oran wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
‘Because it’s so ludicrous!” Seamus hollered back, having started running once he realized the older Anhk Ro wasn’t going to let the subject go. “And if you dare repeat that in public, I’m telling Kayne exactly what you did with his traveling cloak!”
Unfortunately for Seamus, once outside and in the gardens, he realized that he would be crashing and burning in front of guests. Three new people he had never seen before were talking in hushed voices to Kayne and Regan in the corner of the garden. He hovered hesitantly, waiting for Oran to catch up before he actually approached the group. It was good to have someone there to keep him from killing people… just in case.
It was an odd group, consisting of an older gentleman stooped over so deep, Seamus wondered if he must need help walking, a young anxious looking boy, and a fierce looking naga, likely a guide from one of the surrounding Tribes. Seamus kept quiet, taking his cue from the older Anhk Ro on when to speak and with whom.
“Here he is.” Kayne looked up, moving to the side so that he was no longer blocking the view of the garden entrance. “Seamus, come meet your guests. They’ve traveled a long way to find you.”
The pit in Seamus’ stomach dropped to his knees. He had thought the Unvoiced wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow. “Uh… hello. Nice to meet you.” He held his hand out to the older man, who up close seemed to rival Dumbledore in years.
“The pleasure is mine, young Elder. I am Sir Pascal Le Calve, and this lad here is my grandson, Erald.” Sir Pascal had a surprisingly strong grip, and although there was certainly age in his eyes, there was also a weight of knowledge that left Seamus feeling small and somewhat weak when faced with it. “I believe you’ve already met the young Elder Musa.”
“Yeah, I… what?” Blinking from his stupor, Seamus whirled to the silent naga to find intense blue eyes laughing at him. “You-I didn’t even recognize you! What happened?”
“You seemed to find my more formal attire weird…” Musa reminded softly while he fixed the balance of the large sword on his back. “I felt no need to take the time if you were only going to insult me. I was off to train when Regan asked if I would accompany him in escorting your guests here. It’s very easy for strangers to get lost in these lands, after all.”
“Ah, I didn’t mean it that… well, that is… you weren’t weird, so much as…” Seamus stuttered, going red.
“No apology is needed, Seamus. I imagine everything seems weird to you right now.” Musa interrupted smoothly. For a short moment Seamus thought that he actually meant it, but the telling edge in Musa’s eyes promised that he was not so easily forgiven.
Not looking forward to any more retaliation, Seamus decided now was as good a time as any to get things straightened. Momentarily excusing himself to the adults, Seamus grabbed Musa’s arm and pulled him away so they could talk in private. “Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have said that. It hurt your feelings, and well, it was completely untrue. You don’t look weird, no matter what you’re dressed up as.”
Musa huffed and examined the tree to his side, not looking at the other boy. Seamus rolled his eyes, clearly remembering just why he had promised himself to never talk to this person again. “You not only do not look weird, but very distinguished, and at the time yesterday, beautiful. I mean, it’s obvious; everyone in Portent was practically drooling all over you.”
Glancing sideways, Musa gave a bored sigh. “So? Who cares about stupid stuff like that anyways?”
“Y-You do, you jerk!” Seamus hopped in anger, feeling his frustration compound. “I said you looked weird and now you won’t get over it. Obviously you have a problem!”
“You know… if you keep apologizing for everything, I’m not going to like you anymore.” Sliding away breezily, Musa didn’t miss the dumbfounded look on Seamus’ face.
“You… I-argh! I don’t know why I bother!” Seamus crouched low, grabbing his hair and trying to calm his anger. That little… arrogant… confusing as all Hell-!
“Little bird, your levels are soaring.” Oran poked him lightly on the back of his head, smiling wickedly. “What’s wrong? Has Musa discarded you for another so quickly?”
Seamus glared up at the man, feeling very spiteful. “Kayne, Oran fed your cloak to a gargoyle!”
“Hey-!” Oran jumped away as if bit, whirling to see how angry his mentor was.
Sighing deeply, Kayne was far better at repressing his emotions. “Newborn, you must converse with your guests. I don’t think Juro will have a problem letting you use his sitting room while he is out. But first you will go through your exercise and let the Le Calves settle in after their long journey. Once you are done, I expect you to change and join us for dinner, and after that we will deal with business. Understood?”
“Yeah.” Seamus straightened reluctantly, patting his feathery hair down.
“Oran, I expect an explanation-later.” Kayne finished sternly, cutting off Oran’s excuses. “Regan, you will rally the house elves and join us later. Musa, you’re free to do as you please. I only ask that you don’t disturb Seamus while he is exercising.”
Musa gave a slight nod in agreement. “Let me show you gentlemen in. You can leave your bags here for the house elves to get. Oh, don’t mind the snakes, Erald; they won’t bite you.”
Seamus stared after the leaving group, feeling half relieved to not have to deal with the Unvoiced just yet, and half left out for being stuck doing exercises.
“Eat this, little bird.” Oran handed Seamus a strange fruit, pulling it from his satchel. “In a few days we’re going to start with meditation, and believe me when I say everything will feel a lot better then. Your levels will have settled more, you won’t be so grouchy, and anything the little dragon says to you will have hardly an effect like it does now. Just hang on, okay?”
Seamus nodded, automatically clutching the fruit. “…Didn’t mean to rat you out back there.”
“It was well placed. I keep telling you, you have to teach Regan a thing or two about good timing. He’s horrible when it comes to mischief.” Oran gave him a small smack on the back, leaving with a meaningful look. Studying the ground blankly, Seamus bit absentmindedly into his food while wondering just what was next for him.
It all just seemed to be crashing down all at once. He didn’t want anything more. Still staring off into empty space, he sat. Exercising didn’t seem so appetizing at the moment.
ATtD Chapter Index Links
“Will you calm down already.”
“I am calm!” Seamus snapped, stepping away from Musa, who insisted on invading his personal space. The boy had turned from soused to smug the instant they had started their little trip that night, and had spent the time telling Seamus all the things not to do, as if he were an idiot.
“You most certainly are not.” Musa sniffed, holding his head a little higher and looking out at the people surrounding the flames at the edge of the town. They had already noticed their arrival, and soon would be sending greeters to come and welcome them in. Something they would be less quick to do when their happened to be a jumpy Anhk Ro in their midst. He considered putting Seamus under his spell again, but decided it would only piss the boy off in the long run. Instead he smacked him on the shoulder in a show of camaraderie, hoping the Portent Tribe wouldn’t be offended as long as Seamus was considered his responsibility.
“Gods damn-leave me alone.” Seamus hissed, pulling his wings tighter to his body, as if the stupid fluttery things could somehow protect him. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar.” Oran butted in softly. “Everyone can smell your anxiety, never mind your aura is spiking like you’ve just eaten a handful of sugar. I suggest you try and relax. No one here will hurt you.”
“They will if they think they need to defend themselves against a twitchy Anhk Ro.” Musa muttered under his breath, while waving pleasantly to the approaching group. “The Blood Elf in the blue garb is Souran. He is one of the leaders here, and a formidable hunter. Make sure when addressing him you call him Cred Souran; anything else is considered disrespectful. And don’t you dare flinch when shaking his hand.” Musa added with a dark look at Seamus. “The man is a good friend of Juro, and protects these lands well. He is very accepting of newcomers and will likely treat you higher than deserved, anyways. And stop glaring at me, it only makes you look foolish.”
The thousands of vicious, and likely petty retorts Seamus wanted to make were lost as he looked up to find said Blood Elf only a few feet away, followed closely by his entourage. Souran was dark, and narrow, with an inhuman slope to his shoulders that connected to strangely long arms ending in claws. He moved like water on his long thin legs, and even though he looked completely at ease, Seamus had the feeling that the muscles rippling smoothly under the red tinged skin could just as easily tear someone apart with a simple motion. And then he smiled.
Scary, was the first word to come to mind. Mental images of being gutted and left to rot on the ground quickly followed when faced with the dark, sharp teeth.
“For Furiae’s sake, stop pulling my hair.” Musa hissed under his breath. Oran chuckled quietly, while Regan kindly unfolded Seamus’ claws from the unconscious death grip the boy had taken.
“Ah, the beautiful Musa, you grace us with your esteemed presence. It’s been too long since we’ve last seen you.” Souran, his red eyes gleaming brightly beneath silver bangs, held his arms open, Musa quick to slide over and embrace him.
“Forgive me, dear Souran. I’m afraid I haven’t been out much these past years since I’ve returned.”
“Has Juro locked you away? He’s always been so protective of his little son.” Souran looked up, eyes falling first to Seamus, who appeared as if he was going to shake apart, and then to the three other Anhk Ro behind him. “You’ve brought friends, I see. Portent will do its best to accommodate you all, of course.”
Musa pulled back with a smile. “Yes, these fine gentleman are actually guests of my father. This here is Master Kayne, Master Oran, and Elder Regan, of the Anhk Ro. And this whimpering pile of feathers here is Seamus. As you can likely tell, he’s just had his exritus, and is still easily overwhelmed.”
“You poor dear. I can only imagine the torment our little Eclipse Dragon has wrought on you. Not to worry though… I believe Celeste and Agron have just woken. They’re very good with the more unstable newborns. Kal, would you kindly fetch the two of them?” Waving a short, blonde girl with a bushy tail off, Souran turned with a more serious tone to Kayne. “You honor us with your presence, Masters Kayne and Oran, and Elder Regan. I would not take offense if you do not accept, for you are Anhk Ro, and become delirious when faced with blood, but would you permit me to greet you more formally?”
“I would be more than happy to, Cred Souran. Unfortunately for my brothers, they cannot do the same. They still have the normal weakness, and they mean no disrespect as well… Musa, would you kindly escort Seamus to a less populated area, while I speak with Cred Souran?”
“Of course. We’ll join you later, after I’ve shown Seamus around a bit.” Musa smiled sweetly at Souran, and grabbed Seamus roughly by the shoulder as he led him to the wall, and awaiting people. Seamus struggled slightly, turning his head to see what was going on, but Kayne moved, placing his back to Seamus’ line of view. He caught Oran’s eye, and the man gave him a cheeky half salute, before focusing back to Kayne and Souran.
“What is it?” Seamus finally asked, swiveling his head back around to the boy beside him.
“Something I’m sure you wizards have many a law against.” Musa replied with a roll of his eyes. Seeing that Seamus wasn’t satisfied with that answer, he elaborated. “Blood rites. We greet with blood… it’s like imprinting. You’d understand if you’d experienced it.”
“Oh.” Seamus glanced back into the dark, still unable to see what was going. “…So why don’t Oran and Regan do it?”
“Because blood tends to make you Anhk Ro go nuts. Some become violent, but for the most part you all just get very… senseless. And touchy feely for that matter.” He added with a smirk, and a glance behind him. “Obviously no one wants to see you in such a condition, since they’ve sent you away.”
Seamus really didn’t think he wanted to be in such a condition, to be completely honest, but he had caught the taunt in Musa’s voice, and glared accordingly. “I noticed no one was asking to suck your blood either.”
Musa’s smile was smug. “That’s because you only need to do it once. I’ve already imprinted with the leaders of the village.”
“Damn it.” Seamus growled, only causing Musa to laugh aloud and rest his arm on the pouting boy’s shoulder.
“Relax; I’m sure Souran would love to greet you properly. Unfortunately, to do so is to risk his pretty neck, and I doubt he’s fond of you enough to do that. You newborns are very explosive after all…” He trailed off, waving over a beautiful girl robed in white.
Seamus stared; she was wearing silver and red makeup much like Musa’s, three small jewels glittering on her forehead. Her hair was red, pulled back tightly from her face and plaited down her back so nothing could hinder her milky white stare. Furrowing his brow, he dared to look down beneath the layers of cloth. Sure enough, she was a naga.
“Celeste, you look well.” Musa held a hand out and embraced the girl lightly, but in a less familiar air than when he had with Souran. “I’ve heard about your Union. You must be pleased.”
“Yes, Agron has been a fair match, in more ways than one.” She replied in an airy voice. An airy human voice, Seamus noted, that did a fair imitation of Musa’s own entrancing tones, but without the magic, or the parseltongue to make it as useful. “We were lucky to have found each other.”
“Hmm, considering he nearly died finding his way here, I imagine the gods are watching very closely over him.”
“…You must learn to let things go, Musa. He’s explained himself on many an occasion.”
“Perhaps having to explain himself is more damning than the actual incident.” Musa replied back just as evenly. “In any event, I do hope he won’t be causing any trouble tonight while my guests are here. Seamus needs a steady, calming atmosphere.”
“Agron knows his place. If you like, I can bring the Anhk Ro to the Shadow Halls. He can rest there in silence with the Aged while you join your other guests.”
Musa raised a brow, meeting anxious gold eyes. “As much as you might enjoy that, Celeste, Seamus doesn’t leave my side while here. He’s not here to be someone’s plaything.”
“I would never suggest such a thing.” Celeste said breezily, her unblinking stare now turned on Seamus’ blush. “You shouldn’t tease the boy so. He’s obviously frightened.”
“Hmm… consider it the consequence of annoying me with the scent of his senseless fear. Besides, it’s amusing.”
“You know, I don’t have to take this sort of shit from you. I can leave right now, you bloody-!”
“Oh, he’s cute.” Celeste laughed, pressing a slim hand to Seamus’ shoulder. “No wonder you tease him; he’s adorable when angry.”
Musa just smirked and led them towards the large bonfire where the majority of the nocturnal occupants that weren’t out hunting sat. He chose an isolated spot, leaving it up to the villagers to come and greet them, instead of forcing Seamus to whirlwind through a large crowd of introductions. It also allowed him to watch, and make sure Seamus wasn’t set off from any bad scents or movements.
“On your left, kiddo.” Seamus looked up, waving halfheartedly to Oran, who was sitting with Regan at the edge of a large group of people, Kayne and Souran in the middle with another Blood Elf, and a female naga that had strange markings painted on her skin that identified her as a leader. He wasn’t quite sure what they were talking about, but he had a fair sense that Oran and Regan were making sure he didn’t do anything stupid. Instead of being offended, he was rather thankful for the extra support, if only because he didn’t quite know what to expect from himself, never mind the strange beings around him.
“Half muggle? That must cause troubles for you, Seamus. How do your peers treat you?”
“Huh? Uhh… well most don’t really care, I suppose. I mean, some care, some are a bit insane about the whole thing to be honest, but for the most part, the people I care about don’t have a problem with it. Why… is that something looked down around here?” He asked the white naga, wondering if she meant to cause trouble for him so early on. He wouldn’t put it past Musa to tell her that, just to get him in bad with the village.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop glaring at me?” Musa gave him a light snap on his knee with his tail, smiling serenely when Seamus growled back.
“Wizards are a bit odd to us, no offense, Seamus.” Celeste answered gently. “Something as pointless as lineage is not a reason for such social misbehavior among Tribes, although it has been known to disrupt some Clans. But Clans are based on family, and many a family has been destroyed by such ‘bad blood’. You have no worry of any here finding you at fault for something you had no control over, such as your lineage.”
“They’ll find many a better reason, not to worry.”
“Musa… I do believe you’re trying to initiate a fight.” Celeste said slowly, her tone a mix of disapproval and amusement. “I think it was just as well that Argon had to join the hunt tonight. The two of you would be at each other’s throat within minutes.”
“I think you mean at my back, dear Celeste.” Musa replied smartly, snapping his tail again inches from Seamus’ foot. “I’m just having a little fun with Seamus. He’s lived among wizards all his life; I thought it might be nice to give him a little barbaric banter reminiscent of his home.”
Seamus jumped to his feet, his eyes flashing. “So help me, Musa, I’m going to-!”
“What? Just what are you going to do, little birdie?” Musa asked lowly, the teasing gone from his voice. “Many a bird has ended up dead by the fangs of a serpent.”
Celeste raised a hand to Musa’s arm. “I think you need to calm yourself.”
“Fuck that.” Seamus broke in, his anger about to explode. “ I’m a god damn human and we’ve killed more than our fair share of snakes, nagas included. I don’t know what the fuck I did to you, to make you hate me so much, but I have no intention of letting you insult my family and friends just because you’re unhappy with me!”
“Oh, you just love that, don’t you, your race killing nagas. Are you proud of it? Are we beneath you, oh great human?”
“I never said anything like that!”
“But you think it! If we don’t look like you, then we aren’t as good as you. The instant you saw my tail I became something for you to fear. I saw it in your eyes.”
“I didn’t know you-Did you expect me to be rational right after something like that?! You fucking hypnotized me! What was I suppose to do, thank you for stealing my will? I was afraid!” He spread his arms wide, his wings unfurled, and claws wide. “Look at me! I’m a walking death machine. Everything scares-I scare me. What makes you think you’re so special that I wouldn’t be afraid of you?!”
Musa clenched his fists, his form so tight with anger that his voice wouldn’t come. And what if I had been human? What if I had been a normal human boy inviting you outside? You wouldn’t have been afraid then, admit it!
“Yeah I would, because a normal human wouldn’t have hypnotized me!”
A normal human would be dead! If I hadn’t ensnared you with my voice you would have attacked me!
“No! I would never-you, you shouldn’t have done that!”
I shouldn’t have protected myself?!
“You shouldn’t have come! You should have left me alone! I didn’t ask you to disrupt my already chaotic life! Just… just leave me alone! I didn’t ask for this! I didn’t ask for any of this! And I sure as hell don’t need you around to rub it in my face every second!” He turned to run, hoping that once he left the village no one would bother to follow. He was fast; maybe even Kayne wouldn’t be able to catch him if he went all out…
“None of us asked for the life we were given, you fool!” Musa surged forward, grabbing Seamus by his legs before he could go, and knocking them both to the ground. “All I wanted was to be your friend! Why the hell did you have to such a crybaby about the whole thing!”
“Because… because I nearly killed you!”
“Hah! You did no such thing!”
Seamus struggled, kicking his legs free only to have Musa grab his left ankle and bite into his scales. He would have laughed at the ridiculous move, if it hadn’t hurt so much. “Bloody Hell-!”
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re not strong enough to kill me!”
“…Maybe so… but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be friends with you!” Seamus yelled stubbornly, swiping with his free foot, and catching Musa in the head, the boy hissing and rolling away to grab the spot.
“Don’t flatter yourself! The last thing I want is to be friends with a discriminating human like you, anyways!”
Seamus just glowered, holding his ankle and examining the thin holes leaking blood left from Musa’s teeth. “Maybe if I wasn’t human, you wouldn’t feel that way, damn hypocrite.”
“…He does seem to have a point.” Oran stood over the two, a blank expression on his face. “Little bird, come sit with us for a while. You seem to be a little too excited for your condition.”
Coming back to himself, Seamus looked around, finding the majority of everyone there to be staring, or pretending not to be staring at them. Bloody perfect. He got up, limping silently after Oran, and sat with a sigh next to Regan on the low bench the two had been sharing. Burying his head in his stupid, oversized hands, he tried to block everything, and everyone out.
“That was quite the display. Odd, because you never really struck me as the type. I guess you can’t always tell with this sort of stress.”
Rolling his eyes, Seamus mustered enough energy to grunt back. “What’s your point, Regan?”
“I didn’t think you were the type to displace the anger of your situation on a boy you’ve only just met, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Seamus sighed again, his body drooping like a deflated balloon. “Is that what I’m doing?”
“You appeared exceptionally angry.”
Seamus slowly lifted his head, staring deeply into the flames rising up before him. “…This isn’t going to go away, is it?”
“Sorry kid. Just know you’re not the only one to go through it.” Regan patted him lightly on his back, letting his arm rest there. Seamus leaned into him, eyes glazed unhappily. “It’s good to get the anger out… just not at the wrong people.”
“Hmm, I can certainly agree to that. Poor Kayne took many a scar from my rages, and I’ve gotten a fair share for my troubles.” Oran held his arm out, revealing a long scar that a newly changed Anhk Ro had given him. “By the way, how’s your leg? Bet his teeth got down to the bone.”
Shrugging, Seamus turned his foot, revealing the still weeping holes. “Think it’ll scar?”
“The meaningful ones always do. You’re lucky he didn’t poison you.”
“…Probably deserve it.”
“Oh, you’re beating yourself up quite well without Musa’s help, I think.” Seamus glared at Oran’s smirk, but didn’t resist the offered hand, clinking their claws together lightly. “It’ll work out, little bird. This will be a weak, embarrassing memory in a few days, and nothing more than a glimmer of a fun holiday in a couple of years.”
“Fun…?” He glanced at Regan and Oran with a thoughtful look, eventually nodding to himself. “I should go… uh… you know.” He shrugged towards where Musa was sulking away from the fire, the boy’s glare enough to send any sympathetic soul running.
“Try not to get killed, kid.”
*******
Apologizing to Musa was not as simple as it had first seemed. Oh, Seamus hadn’t been naïve enough to think it would be an easy task, but he certainly hadn’t expected the boy to speed away when he had noticed his approach.
“Go away!”
“Will you just listen for five minutes?!”
“No!”
“You can’t outrun me, you know!”
“Well seeing as you’re too afraid to get close enough to catch me, it doesn’t really matter, now does it!” Musa shouted behind him. His head turned, he missed the rock in the poorly lit terrain, and barreled to a stop with a curse. “Shit!”
Biting his lip, Seamus caught up, kneeling to see the damage. Musa’s arms were bloody raw from the skid, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Before the boy could return to his original target of anger, he grabbed his hands and kept them out of reach of his own vital organs.
“I’m sorry. I’m an idiot, and took it all out on you. And, although you’re also to blame for half of it, I didn’t mean that shit I said about nagas because…” He closed his eyes, taking a calming breath. “Because it was my fault for believing the shit in my school books when I know damn well that the Ministry has exaggerated the worst, and outright lied about a lot of different magical creatures. I don’t think you’re a monster. You’re not-well, I mean, you bug the shit out me, and you’re obviously good at putting on a face for every bloody situation and all… But, well… I don’t think you’re a bad person. Actually… I may think you’re a good person, to be honest… but I’m still sort of mad at you for intentionally trying to piss me off back there.” He rambled to a stop, staring intently at the top of Musa’s bowed head. “I’m sorry. We started off in a bad way, and it wasn’t fair for either of us.” He dropped the boy’s hands, taking a step back and waiting expectantly.
Musa rubbed his arms carefully, refusing to look up while he processed Seamus’ blurted apology. The boy really needed to work on his decorum, but other than that, he was certainly sincere about it all. Obnoxious… but sincere. Explosive… but only because he had provoked him. Foolish… but… walking away…?
“Hey! Don’t go running off after you apologize! You have the worst… manners…” He trailed off, catching sight of where Seamus was now looking. In the distance, soft blue lights hovered in the air, announcing the arrival of the village hunters. Either the hunt had gone well, or something was wrong; usually the hunters didn’t return until morning light.
“…rotting…”
“What?” It took a moment for Musa to pull himself from the ground, his arms stinging painfully. Finally he straightened, awkwardly pushing long strands of his loosened braid from his face while he tried to see what was wrong with Seamus. The boy had gone unnaturally still, staring off into the distance towards the approaching lights. “What’s wrong…?”
“Musa? …Is that you?” A familiar voice called from the darkness. “Musa!”
“…Heine fucking hell, why me?” Not one for poor language, he let out a long stream of the crudest he had learned over the years as Agron came into view, the dim moonlight turning the waving man into a ghastly sight of dark pitted eyes and gleaming teeth. “Come on; lets go finish this conversation as far away from him as possible.” He grabbed Seamus’ arm, realizing his mistake too late when he met razor sharp scales instead of the normal fleshy protection. Biting back his pain, he whirled on the boy, meeting his eyes.
Empty gold stared past him, tight on Agron’s cheerful form. “Oh… this is bad… this is real bad…” He considered letting Seamus kill Agron; stopping him would likely only get himself injured, as strong as he was, and it wasn’t like Agron didn’t deserved it… But that annoying voice in the back of his head said otherwise. The memory of a haunted eyed Seamus promising the other Anhk Ro that he would never kill again surfaced from the night he had spied on the group. “…Damn it. KAYNE!!! ORAN, REGAN!!!”
*******
Seamus awoke to the echo of lost screams banging around his skull, and the sense of red… overwhelming, rotting red…
He sat up with a choked cry, stopping short to grab his pounding head. A large, egg sized bruise greeted him from his right temple. He touched it gingerly, trying to remember just what had happened. He had been fighting with Musa… and then apologized… and then he had noticed the smell and… and… then what?
Gods… had he killed again?
“Hey, are you-don’t freak out, idiot!” Unhearing, Seamus jumped away from the voice, only to have his wrists captured and held tight until he finally looked up long enough to recognize the boy next to him.
“…What the hell happened to you?” He finally asked, staring at the once immaculate Musa. His hair was a shiny tussle of darkness free from its braid, and his makeup was rubbed clean across half his face where blood-whose, he wasn’t quite sure-had splattered. Actually… for the first time he looked relatively human, Seamus noticed thoughtfully.
“You, you bloody fool. You happened.” Sniffing disdainfully, Musa continued to comb his hair back into place with his claws, a more formidable task than what appeared, because the texture of his hair was much thicker than the sleek braids he tamed it in. Seeing as the boy wasn’t particularly murderous towards him, Seamus looked around, trying to figure out where they were. It was dark, and cool, and somewhere the scent of death lingered, although he sensed no sickening violence like he had in Fiery San Temple. It smelled more like… old. Wrinkling his nose, he swayed and pulled himself to his knees in hopes of seeing better.
“Hold on a second. I need to say something to you.” Musa left his hair to knot, turning to Seamus with a serious look. “I haven’t been completely forthright with you, and… well, I don’t have an easy relationship with humans. They’ve made my life hell, honestly, and I was shifting that anger on you. So… I’m sorry.”
“Uh, yeah… accepted, man. I mean, I was being a prat too and all.” Squinting slightly, he held his hand out to Musa to shake, a weak smile on his face.
Musa just stared at the large hand offered to him, a skeptical look on his face. “…I was thinking more on the lines of this, actually.” With a quick movement he sliced his own shoulder open, withdrawing a fair amount of blood on his thumb to give to Seamus.
“Err…?”
“Blood rite. Considering you’ve already knocked me around tonight, I pretty much know what to expect if you lose it.” He nudged his hand closer, Seamus’ eyes losing and regaining focus from staring at his thumb as it moved near his mouth. “My name is Musa, child of the Eclipse Dragon, Laskour, and the human, Dorea. With this blood I expose my soul. I open up my heart so that you may know me, and I you more completely. With this blood I welcome your soul. I offer up my heart so that this friending may be genuine and complete. With this blood I give you my friendship. You shall remember me, and I you, until our life fades. Do you accept this offering, Seamus?”
Moving his gaze from his hand to his face, Seamus found Musa’s one unadorned eye, even more startling without the makeup to combat it. There was pride there, and a wary darkness from one who had seen more than his share of trouble. But more importantly Seamus found an openness he hadn’t seen from the boy before.
“…Yeah, alright. Do I have to say something?”
“No. Just…” Musa waved his hand slightly, beckoning him closer. Very hesitantly, Seamus licked the digit, refusing to look up for fear of seeing laughter from the other boy. He’d made enough social mistakes that day to trust much of anything.
It was sudden-stale, cold, and sore was turned to warmth and life. A bright spark of fire flared in his chest before quickly dying just as fast, leaving new warmth to glow in its place. Seamus found himself staring up from the floor, not sure when he had gotten there, or just how much time had passed. He licked his lips, the sharp tang of blood jolting his senses. “…Weird.”
“At least you’re not freaking out.” Musa chirped, his smile wry. “Come on, give me some blood so it will be complete.”
“Oh… sure.” Seamus cut into his shoulder with little thought about the action, having never thought much about personal pain before. The blood on his claws stopped him cold, though. There was too much there for it to just be his. He stared blankly at the scarlet drip, trying again to remember just what had happened earlier when his mind had faded into a red haze of violence.
“He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
Seamus nodded slowly, and began to run his hands over the floor in an attempt to free them of blood. “Is that why you’re so…?” He shrugged at Musa’s torn appearance.
“Yes, Seamus. That’s why I’m so ragged.” Musa said heavily. “You strangled the bastard a bit, but any broken bones Agron suffered were inflicted by me, so don’t waste your time crying over him. He deserves a lot worse.” He bent down, catching the Anhk Ro’s eye. “Tell me your name.”
“Oh, uhh…” Seamus thought back to how Musa had said his part to the ritual. “My name is Seamus, son to the Fae witch of the Green Song Clan, Fiona, and the human, Quinn. I… umm…” He bit his lip. He should have paid better attention… and concentrating seemed rather difficult at the moment. The cut on his shoulder throbbed dully, and he reached for it, proud that he had remembered at least something.
“Do you willingly expose your soul?” Musa asked, making it easier on the boy by going through the ritual for him. “Do you open and offer up your heart in the name of good relations between our people? Do you willing offer me your friendship?”
“Yeah… yes. With this blood I fulfill all that you’ve entailed.” Seamus answered a little more steadily. “Do you accept my offering?”
“I readily accept of my own free will…” Musa paused, inspecting Seamus’ offered hand. Seamus blushed, realizing along with the blood, his hand was covered in sand. “S-sorry, I’ll-”
“Relax.” Musa ordered with a roll of his eyes. Ignoring the hand, he bent forward and licked up the side of Seamus’ arm, holding back a laugh when the boy shrieked in surprise. Bathing in the sudden warmth from the spell, it took him a moment to realize the other was half frantic by the time he raised his head. “What…? Oh.” He sat up carefully, flexing his tail just incase he needed to move quickly. “…What are you feeling?”
“I d-don’t know.” Seamus whispered, his chest heaving and his hands freshly gleaming in blood. Things had gone hazy for a moment, and then his mind had cleared to find him slicing Musa’s back.
“Look at me.” Musa ordered gravely, his head bowing slightly to meet Seamus’ level on the ground. “Do you want to injure something?”
“No… I… I don’t know.”
“Are you angry? Afraid?”
Seamus slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid I hurt you… but that’s not why I… I… I feel strange. Wild…”
Musa blinked, a smile quickly breaking across his face. “Hah, you idiot!”
“W-what?” Seamus asked worriedly, trying to slow his racing heart.
“This, idiot.” Musa deliberately slid a claw down Seamus’ arm, blood beading around the thin wound. Seamus’ heavy gasp was proof enough. “You, my friend, are a pervert.”
“Am not!” Seamus answered too quickly, his voice an octave higher than normal.
“Are to.” Musa replied with a chuckle. “It’s better than being homicidal; I think we should both be happy about that.”
Seamus just licked his lips, eyes tight on his hands. “…Just… I don’t like you l-like that.”
“Oh, don’t be such a wet blanket. Most Fae go a little wild over blood… Oh, but I imagine that’s not something you’d want to be associated with, seeing as you’re so human and all.” He added with a smirk, his tone hardly stinging like it had been earlier in the day.
“Shut up… just don’t talk…” Grabbing his head, Seamus tried to focus on anything else but the strange heat welling up in him. Yes, it was better than the killing instinct, but the struggle was possibly more annoying because his logic seemed to have no ground when lust was involved. “…This is not happening. I don’t like blood like that… blood is gross… gross a-and this isn’t happening…”
“Talk about denial.”
“I do not like you!” Seamus growled. “You’re annoying… and weird looking…”
“Weird looking…?” Musa’s brow creased in confusion. “Weird looking? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re weird looking… like a peacock… or a girl, or something, all colorful and shit… Will you just leave me alone for five minutes?” Seamus moaned, biting his palm in a fit of desperation.
“I think I will.” Musa said with a sniff. “Weird looking… hmph! You know, I was going to help you out, but now I think I’ll just let you suffer.”
“No-wait! Damn it… Can you really help me?”
“I can. But I won’t.”
“Please… please, I didn’t mean it. We’re friends, right? Just help me just this once.” Seamus pleaded in a meek voice, his eyes hazy and dark.
Musa paused, turning back with a guarded look. “…Come here.”
Seamus scurried the few feet to the naga, his knees and arms shaking unsteadily. “The eye thing, or maybe… wait…” The touch of claws to his chest sent his head spinning, and when they bit in, he knew he was in real trouble. “Shit-stop…”
Musa ignored him, leaning his head against the boy’s ear and hissing soft nonsense, only compounding Seamus’ problem. He sliced a narrow path to Seamus’ navel, tearing his shirt free and leaving small scratches to heal. “The thing is, friend…. being weird and all, I just don’t think I can help you out.”
“You damn-hell-ass…” Chuckling cruelly, Musa gave a hard tug to the band of Seamus’ shorts, and used the momentum of his lost balance to catch his mouth with his own. Seamus gave a surprised gasp before melting, grasping uselessly at Musa’s tussled locks. Using his free hand to keep the boy from pulling him closer and winning control, Musa kissed him deeply, thoroughly winding him up. He let Seamus go with a soft, wet sound, staring smugly as the boy wavered dizzily on his knees.
“…Musa… please…”
“Suffer.” Musa taunted lowly, leaving the boy to the fiery hell that would rage for at least a good hour because of his help. Weird looking… the brat was just lucky that he considered him a friend.
*******
Eyes squinting unhappily to the noise of someone pounding on his door, Seamus awoke with one clear goal: he was never talking to Musa again.
It had been a hell of a night, and even when the worst of the overwhelming lust had left him, he had been plagued with random, irrational moments of sweaty insanities that lasted well past noon the next day. He had finally fallen to sleep around ten, and with five hours of sleep he was far from cheerful to have someone knocking at his door.
“Come on, little bird. You’ve got training.” Oran’s distinguished timbre called from behind the door. “You’ll like this one, promise. It involves large amounts of sky, and those little feather dusters you call wings.”
Peaking an eye free from his face plant in his pillow, Seamus queried curiously. “We’re flying today?”
“Right-o! But you need to get it in gear, boy, because it takes a while to get started and there is no way Kayne’s going to let you fly in the dark.”
“…Fine.” Seamus pulled himself reluctantly from bed, trying with little success to blink himself awake. “Are you going to actually help, or will you be laughing at me from your seat like yesterday?” He asked loudly while he went about getting himself ready for the late day.
“Cocky little bird, aren’t you? I will be there for moral support, and catching your ass if you happen to fall like a stone. Anything more is wasted on a troublemaker like you.”
“Troublemaker?” Muffled sounds of rustling clothes, and thrown bed sheets were heard behind the heavy door. Moments later Seamus pushed his way out, dressed in shorts and another altered tank top that kept his wings from catching. “I’ll have you know that I’m considered a saint back at Hogwarts.”
Oran just raised his brows in disbelief, and pointed the boy down the corridor. Seamus was almost sure he was going to get away with an uneventful trip. Then Oran gave him the special look that, in his short time knowing the man, he had learned meant trouble.
“Oh no.”
Oran ignored him, humming innocently. “Little bird, you will not believe the rumor I heard last night.”
“No. I refuse to play this game.” Seamus said defiantly, quickening his pace.
“It was about a newborn Anhk Ro-well, I guess there were only so many newly born Anhk Ro visiting the Portent Tribe last night. Mainly… you.” His smile grew exponentially. “And Musa. In the Shadow Halls. Ma-”
“Say it and I’ll kill you!” Seamus threatened.
“…Making babies.” Oran finished quickly.
“Huh?” Seamus silently mouthed what the man had just said, his expression going blank. “…Gods, you are so lame sometimes!”
“Hmm… I don’t hear you denying it.” Oran wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
‘Because it’s so ludicrous!” Seamus hollered back, having started running once he realized the older Anhk Ro wasn’t going to let the subject go. “And if you dare repeat that in public, I’m telling Kayne exactly what you did with his traveling cloak!”
Unfortunately for Seamus, once outside and in the gardens, he realized that he would be crashing and burning in front of guests. Three new people he had never seen before were talking in hushed voices to Kayne and Regan in the corner of the garden. He hovered hesitantly, waiting for Oran to catch up before he actually approached the group. It was good to have someone there to keep him from killing people… just in case.
It was an odd group, consisting of an older gentleman stooped over so deep, Seamus wondered if he must need help walking, a young anxious looking boy, and a fierce looking naga, likely a guide from one of the surrounding Tribes. Seamus kept quiet, taking his cue from the older Anhk Ro on when to speak and with whom.
“Here he is.” Kayne looked up, moving to the side so that he was no longer blocking the view of the garden entrance. “Seamus, come meet your guests. They’ve traveled a long way to find you.”
The pit in Seamus’ stomach dropped to his knees. He had thought the Unvoiced wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow. “Uh… hello. Nice to meet you.” He held his hand out to the older man, who up close seemed to rival Dumbledore in years.
“The pleasure is mine, young Elder. I am Sir Pascal Le Calve, and this lad here is my grandson, Erald.” Sir Pascal had a surprisingly strong grip, and although there was certainly age in his eyes, there was also a weight of knowledge that left Seamus feeling small and somewhat weak when faced with it. “I believe you’ve already met the young Elder Musa.”
“Yeah, I… what?” Blinking from his stupor, Seamus whirled to the silent naga to find intense blue eyes laughing at him. “You-I didn’t even recognize you! What happened?”
“You seemed to find my more formal attire weird…” Musa reminded softly while he fixed the balance of the large sword on his back. “I felt no need to take the time if you were only going to insult me. I was off to train when Regan asked if I would accompany him in escorting your guests here. It’s very easy for strangers to get lost in these lands, after all.”
“Ah, I didn’t mean it that… well, that is… you weren’t weird, so much as…” Seamus stuttered, going red.
“No apology is needed, Seamus. I imagine everything seems weird to you right now.” Musa interrupted smoothly. For a short moment Seamus thought that he actually meant it, but the telling edge in Musa’s eyes promised that he was not so easily forgiven.
Not looking forward to any more retaliation, Seamus decided now was as good a time as any to get things straightened. Momentarily excusing himself to the adults, Seamus grabbed Musa’s arm and pulled him away so they could talk in private. “Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have said that. It hurt your feelings, and well, it was completely untrue. You don’t look weird, no matter what you’re dressed up as.”
Musa huffed and examined the tree to his side, not looking at the other boy. Seamus rolled his eyes, clearly remembering just why he had promised himself to never talk to this person again. “You not only do not look weird, but very distinguished, and at the time yesterday, beautiful. I mean, it’s obvious; everyone in Portent was practically drooling all over you.”
Glancing sideways, Musa gave a bored sigh. “So? Who cares about stupid stuff like that anyways?”
“Y-You do, you jerk!” Seamus hopped in anger, feeling his frustration compound. “I said you looked weird and now you won’t get over it. Obviously you have a problem!”
“You know… if you keep apologizing for everything, I’m not going to like you anymore.” Sliding away breezily, Musa didn’t miss the dumbfounded look on Seamus’ face.
“You… I-argh! I don’t know why I bother!” Seamus crouched low, grabbing his hair and trying to calm his anger. That little… arrogant… confusing as all Hell-!
“Little bird, your levels are soaring.” Oran poked him lightly on the back of his head, smiling wickedly. “What’s wrong? Has Musa discarded you for another so quickly?”
Seamus glared up at the man, feeling very spiteful. “Kayne, Oran fed your cloak to a gargoyle!”
“Hey-!” Oran jumped away as if bit, whirling to see how angry his mentor was.
Sighing deeply, Kayne was far better at repressing his emotions. “Newborn, you must converse with your guests. I don’t think Juro will have a problem letting you use his sitting room while he is out. But first you will go through your exercise and let the Le Calves settle in after their long journey. Once you are done, I expect you to change and join us for dinner, and after that we will deal with business. Understood?”
“Yeah.” Seamus straightened reluctantly, patting his feathery hair down.
“Oran, I expect an explanation-later.” Kayne finished sternly, cutting off Oran’s excuses. “Regan, you will rally the house elves and join us later. Musa, you’re free to do as you please. I only ask that you don’t disturb Seamus while he is exercising.”
Musa gave a slight nod in agreement. “Let me show you gentlemen in. You can leave your bags here for the house elves to get. Oh, don’t mind the snakes, Erald; they won’t bite you.”
Seamus stared after the leaving group, feeling half relieved to not have to deal with the Unvoiced just yet, and half left out for being stuck doing exercises.
“Eat this, little bird.” Oran handed Seamus a strange fruit, pulling it from his satchel. “In a few days we’re going to start with meditation, and believe me when I say everything will feel a lot better then. Your levels will have settled more, you won’t be so grouchy, and anything the little dragon says to you will have hardly an effect like it does now. Just hang on, okay?”
Seamus nodded, automatically clutching the fruit. “…Didn’t mean to rat you out back there.”
“It was well placed. I keep telling you, you have to teach Regan a thing or two about good timing. He’s horrible when it comes to mischief.” Oran gave him a small smack on the back, leaving with a meaningful look. Studying the ground blankly, Seamus bit absentmindedly into his food while wondering just what was next for him.
It all just seemed to be crashing down all at once. He didn’t want anything more. Still staring off into empty space, he sat. Exercising didn’t seem so appetizing at the moment.
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