Wildfire (Aya)

[titania]

Another fairly boring day at the grove, and Titania had still yet to hear back from her envoy. She became tense as the days went on. She had increasing difficulty sitting still and was forced to wander around the palace grounds, just to keep herself mobile. The court was off deliberating some fancy rule she cared not for. She just couldn't shake the notion that she sent some man to his demise. No. He would succeed. He had to. The implications of his failure would be unpleasant.

The leaves felt tingly on her bare feet. She paced around the areas of the grove than hadn't been cleaned, just looking for a place to think. Her normal desire for company had been suppressed by the incoming disaster her world might soon face. But at the same time, someone to talk to would be good for her.

[Ayameru]

Why did she come back?

After all of her big talk of never returning home ever again, Aya still found herself contradicting the very words that came out of her mouth that fateful day. In a blind fit of rage on that day when she left home. It was because of this that her twin sister followed her, Ani refused to be left behind. Despite Aya's initial protest, the Crossfire twins left the Sacred Grove together and adventured off into Hyrule to serve their own devices. Now the crimson fairy was back...

How the hell was she going to explain herself? Her firelight orbs for eyes flickered solemnly grateful she didn't encounter any fairies as of yet. However she could sense their presence everywhere. The last thing she needed was to find a reason why she came back after all of this time. The leaves underneath her boots gave a rather obnoxious crunching noise as she strolled slowly, staring up at the thickets of trees for a moment noticing the light of the sun glittering above the leaves. No place like home, right?

Aya stopped in her track before facing forward and acknowledged a presence before her. Out of habit, she clutched onto her oval-shaped pendant tightly as she paused her pace. Her heart got a jump start beating faster slightly startled by stumbling into a fairy, and go figure it was none other than the Fairy Queen!

"Queen Titania," she addressed formally giving a quick, and small bow. An awkward little gesture of respect, but an earnest one to say the least.

[titania]

Titania was milling about when a presence began to approach her. She thought it to be one of the Crossfires, and she was right, but it was about the last one she expected. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable. The rebellious one had returned to the grove.

"Ayameru Crossfire." Titania was almost stunned to say the name again. Judging by her exit, it sounded like she never wanted to come back. But they always did, even she, the gallivanting queen, had her duties to attend to.

She walked up to Aya, with the crown on her head they reached about the same height, though without it Aya stood a bit taller. Brushing some of Aya's bangs away from her face, the kind and thoughtful fairy queen smiled.

"You look good. I can see you've matured from your trip out in Hyrule. Although you still haven't done anything with that hair, I see." Despite being only three years older than the young Crossfire, she felt older. Aya still possessed the youthful charm Titania lost a few years back. She would say the throne accelerated her aging. But even so, the queen liked seeing one of her own return to the grove after some time away. Although the response from her sisters might be very interesting when they heard the news.

[Ayameru]

She was pretty positive word spread across the Grove on how the rebellious runt of the Crossfires stormed away. She wouldn't surprised if any of her family members talked about her as soon as she left, spreading all kinds of venomous slander of how her behavior was uncalled for, and it was thanks to her unruly behavior that influenced the baby of the family as well, Delanie, to leaving with her. Even if they didn't mention anything her of existence, she thought it might be better if they had just forgot about her. It didn't make much of a difference but it made the shock of the impact easier to carry or so to speak. It was easier to walk away and pretend it didn't exist than it was to face facts~

Aya gave an owlish look to Titania as she brushed her hair out of her face. Her smile threw her guard off uncertain of how to behave around someone of such regal, and benevolent stature. What she spoke was truth, and Aya couldn't protest against the words she said, seeing how much Hyrule had broaden her perspectives in so many ways. A small sheepish shadow of a smile graced upon her lips with the queen's teasing. "You're most kind, your highness," she rubbed her cheek softly, "Rather grateful to meet you first before anybody else of this short notice homecoming."

Speaking of which, her eyes lit up quickly before clasping her hands together before bowing before the queen again. This time in a begging gesture~ Can you guess why? Frantically Aya requested, "Can we keep my arrival in the Grove as quiet as possible?"

Goddesses forbid, any member of her family finds out about their return, it probably wouldn't end well one way or another. A grim shudder escaped her lips thinking about it before quickly throwing it out of her mind.

[titania]

Titania smiled back. Aya clearly wasn't used to praise, or being around fairy royalty.

"Peace, Ayameru. There's no protocol to be found in conversing with me. No need to bow or address me as your majesty, despite what the courts might tell you." Titles were too formal. Titania was far too laid back to accept them, and rarely did she use them outside of jest.

Then Ayameru started to beg. That was kinda weird for the fairy queen. Ayameru seemed the type to put a sword in you before begging. Or maybe those were the lies her sisters were undoubtedly spreading. Either way, while Titania didn't mind the Crossfire family, there was no reason to cause drama.

"You want this under wraps, you got it. I know you didn't leave under the best terms, and I don't need any drama in the grove. But if you wanted it so under wraps, then I have to ask; why did you come back?" Her first thought was that Aya wanted to prove her maturity, but apparently that was not the case. Her real reason may prove to be very interesting.

[Ayameru]

Aya blinked. Was she serious? Drop the formalities right then and there? Her firelight eyes did soften a bit as her tensed form relaxed, and her shoulders didn't look like perfect squares. This was going to take some time getting used to. Her smile widened a bit glad to know she could be as open as she could with the fairy queen.

Yes, Aya would normally be the type to impale one with a sword before begging, however, the circumstances here were completely different. It was easier to keep things quiet than to start a fuss over trivial matters. The last thing she needed was for her sisters to come out, and brand their runaway sibling a hypocrite. She was trying to think more before acting, but it was still a long process to go...

The crimson fairy let out a huge sigh of relief eternally grateful to the kind queen. Though it went without saying that Titania was most curious as to why Aya wanted it a secret. Her smile diminished, and the light of conflict glimmered within her firelight optics. "I'm... not sure exactly," she confessed, "I came up with a list of possible theories - the most logical reasons I could come up with to justify my presence back here."

Aya lowered her head to the ground staring at the leaves upon the grass. In the end, they were all superficial excuses. She shrugged her shoulders shamefully uncertain of what else she could say. She lifted her eyes back up to the her majesty. "I only made a list of excuses. If there is a reason to outweigh my words in the past, it would be that the Grove as a whole has done me no wrong," she explained as clear as she could at the moment.

[titania]

Titania couldn't help but laugh at the fairy's responses to everything that had happened. She clearly wasn't the one for formalities, Titania knew the moment she stormed away from the grove that it was the case with her.

She put a hand on Aya's shoulder for comfort. "Sounds to me like you missed the grove. Even if a family reunion is not on your agenda, you are still welcome here. There's no need for excuses if you just wanted to come back." Her head went towards the ground as Aya's did. She knew how the fiery fairy felt.

"I don't know how much you've heard about me, but I leave the grove often. Put on a more comfortable outfit and hit castle town, just looking for a little fun. But after a while, the grove calls back to you. It's in our blood, we can't prevent it." There was no better explanation as to why Titania left and returned so often. It was a boring place to be, but it grew on you like branches on trees.

Suddenly, something hit Titania like a rock on the head. She began to look all around her, behind her, behind Aya. She seemed confused. "Didn't your twin sister leave with you? Did you split up on the way?" She always cared for her people. It was an important thing to do when you're a ruler. She hoped nothing bad happened to the fairy.

[Ayameru]

The fairy queen's laughter brought Aya's walls down. She couldn't help but scratch the back of her head though a little embarrassed about finding herself being predictable when her emotions ran high. It was another reason why she took a quick liking to the ruler finding that her laid back attitude was so much easier to handle than the strict conducts authorities enforce in society.

Did she miss the Grove? She never did take into the consideration that she might have longed to return back to Sacred Grove just for the sake of being back in her home. Firelight eyes flickered brightly filled with gladness that if anybody gave her open arms to welcome her back then it was sealed with Titania's assurance. "Thanks," she smiled. This time it was open, and brighter.

"There really is no place like home, I guess," she concluded. Indeed, she has heard many tales of the fairy queen's adventures, and while she couldn't relate to the details of such adventures she got herself involved in, she understood the concept of freedom perfectly. That was a trait she found most admirable. The space to just be yourself openly without rules or regulations to follow~

Oh yeah. That's right. There was still some more explaining to do. The redhead lowered her head hung with guilt over her head. She poked both of her index fingers together as she hesitated a moment or two, not really wanting to admit to what happened in the past. "Yeeeeeaaah," she answered simply, "In one of our travels, we went up to Snow Peak, I ended up stabbing a snow wolf minish with my sword thinking he was harassing Ani when he was only helping her. I did apologize but I don't think he likes me after that~ Ani stayed behind to tend to his wounds, and I guess she grew fond of him." It was quite clear she made a huge mistake letting her emotions get the better of her, and was only acting out of protecting her sister that she doted heavily on.

"We met briefly in Kakariko before departing ways again," she explained, "I believe she is still with the Minish, but I trust she can take care of herself. She is stronger than what the family gives her credit for~"

While it did sting a bit to be separated from her sister, she was also happy to know she found someone she grew exceptionally found of. Not like Aya didn't have her share of love matters either~

[titania]

Titania nodded in agreements. "None." She loved home, boring as it was. Gave her plenty of free time though. Most of that was spent in the throne room being all "royal" and "regal". What a load of crap.

As Aya started to hang her head and poke her fingers, Titania felt a story coming on. However, it wasn't nearly as bad as she was expecting. Of course Aya acted rashly and Delanie felt bad. There was so story more believable than the one just told. Titania could not help but a let a chuckle escape at how predictable the story was.

"That sounds like something each of you would do. I wasn't expecting you two to separate ways, but it sounds like you each had a path to follow. It's good she found someone. Personally I don't do relationships per se. I'm sure you've also heard those stories."

She shrugged and laughed to herself a little. "Honestly I don't really get to know your family that well. Besides you and your twin, I can't tell them apart. Sometimes I get a message from them and I spend most of the time trying to figure out which one it is. At least you two I can differentiate." Many couldn't tell the difference between Aya and the rest of the Crossfires. Titania could. It was the eyes.

[Ayameru]

"To each their own, I suppose," she didn't have any quarrels with Titania's outlook on relationships. Some people just weren't into getting intimate with a significant other save for one aspect. She didn't exactly agree with that kind of lifestyle for all sorts of reasons, but Aya wasn't going to patronize the queen for the way one lived their life. Aya wasn't going to be a prude about it either since it simply wasn't in her nature. Thinking about a significant other caused an automatically reaction out of the scarlet haired fairy. She tucked a few strands of her long locks behind her ear, unveiling a priceless earring furnished from a specific Oocca's feather. The tips of her finger running against the soft edges of the feather before keeping her hands back to her side~

Aya couldn't help but allow a laugh escape her lips. Finally! Someone who understood her perspective~ For the longest time, she thought that only she and Ani were the only ones who felt that way when it came to their family. They never changed, and kept the same image for the longest time, didn't they learn anything about individuality? It was fine to be good at something, but it didn't hurt to have a variety of traits to establish your identity for the rest of the world. "They got in their heads that they're the perfect family of fairies," she rolled her eyes, "If only they could have seen Hyrule the way Ani and I have, and realize just how small their world really is."

Indeed. Compared to the adventures, and experience she earned by traveling out in the big world, Aya was no longer the same girl who lived under being nothing more than a shadow of someone's glory. She was living her life the way she wanted. She made friends, raised all hell, and most importantly... Or at least it was important to her~

Fell in love for the first time.

[titania]

Titania's eye caught the earring. She couldn't help but wonder about just whose feather it belonged to. A very interesting piece of jewelry indeed. Maybe she'd ask about it later.

Titania laughed alongside Ayameru at the mention of the rest of the Crossfire family. "I can't help but feel bad if a man comes into their lives. He'll either have a lot of women at his side or he'll make quite a few mistakes before he figures it out" she joked. If they all thought similar thoughts, that would be one incredibly lucky man indeed.

"I have to ask a kinda serious question. Do you think they'd develop an individual sense of style if they left the grove?" While the question was humorous in nature, it was serious. Titania had to wonder if it was the grove or their group mentality that kept them looking exactly the goddessdamn same. Titania didn't want to think that her home was stagnating creativity. True, she had to leave regularly just to get away, but that wasn't a creativity issue was it? She left herself in deep thought as she awaited the answer from Aya, feeling a bit bad that this conversation turned to her sisters again. This should have been Ayameru's great return and look at what they were discussing.

[Ayameru]

One Goddess-damned lucky man. There was no doubt about that~ Such thoughts brought a bead of sweat forming on the back of her head like that you'd see in anime. That wasn't something she wanted to think about, thinking it would probably end disastrous on everyone's part. There was already enough drama as it is within the household. A small sigh escaped her lips before returning back her smile. She didn't expect to be enjoying herself back at home~ In fact, she thought it might have gone for the worst, but this is what she gets for pouring an air of negativity on herself.

At the same time she liked to be proven wrong since she did leave under bad circumstances in the past. Listening to the queen's question a brow shot up interested in the question she posed. "Good question," a very good question indeed, "I can't speak for them myself, but I'm positive if they left, it wouldn't be the same. Nothing would be the same for them as it has been for me." It was quite the truth to be told actually, they wouldn't be able to share the same experiences that Aya did in her recent events.

For instance, who could imagine the dainty sisters of the Crossfires ever going up to the mountains, and skating down the slope of the mountains on nothing more than a sheet of icicle? Just an example of one of the many things the dangerous little fairy gotten herself into~

"I'm sure they'll find acceptance in things they take pride in with what individual identities they have better," she concluded, "I know I have~"

[titania]

Titania had a few thoughts on the matter herself. It was a humorous thought, even if Aya found it a bit disquieting to think about.

"I've always wanted to know if I could use them for a little espionage. You know, have one distract, the others sneak in, it might not be pretty, but the deniability for each sister would be immense. They could explain that they were talking to one guard. The ultimate in working the room." She laughed at the prospect. Crossfires didn't seem to like being sneaky at all.

"In air fairness, they don't seem like they're ever going to leave. Too much love for the grove, and for each other." She put her hand back on Ayameru's shoulder, giving her a sweet smile. "I think they miss you two. You may not be like them, but you're both family." She of course meant Aya and Ani, even if Ani wasn't here right now, she was still a Crossfire.

[Ayameru]

There was no way in hell would her sisters try, and do something like that. While Aya herself thought the whole concept of spies would be awesome to do, she could bet rupees on it that her sisters wouldn’t want to do anything that involved high risked, and sneaking into guarded buildings. Ninjas were just awesome like that~ she could imagine them being handy in magic, but nothing more than what fairies were naturally gifted with. “While in theory, it would be amazing, but good luck trying to get them to agree with you,” she snickered.

Maybe Titania had a point. They were still family regardless of their conflicts. Aya could only shrug her shoulders on the outside, but internally, it made her twirl the cogs in her ticking brain. “I won’t justify the way I live my life, nor will I regret my choice in leaving,” she explained, “I like the world outside of these woods. I think Ani could agree with me on this as well if she was here.”

How could they regret their choices when it brought before them so much than what the Sacred Grove could give? Her smile was warm and bright like fire, passionate – true to her heart with anything, and everything she did. She trusted that if anybody could understand then it would the fairy queen. “After all, I stand firm on the belief that home is where the heart is,” she commented.

[titania]

Titania listened to the fiery fairy, smiling softly. Aya had a big heart, it could be in multiple places at once. Titania knew people well enough to know she had a soft side underneath the harsh exterior.

"No one expects you to justify it Ayameru. The world outside of the grove is one that I have fallen in love with. If I were not in the position I was in, I wouldn't spend as much time here as I do. And while I'm sure Delanie would agree, you two are quite different, and I wouldn't be talking for her. I'm sure one day I'll see her out in the world." Under the heat of Aya's fiery smile, Titania remained cool. She had to make sure Aya didn't burn the grove with her smiles. A hand returned to her shoulder and Titania smiled, putting a hand close to her heart, but not on it because she wasn't sure how Ayameru felt about such things, and it was best not to tempt anyone with fire.

"You have a big heart. You don't need to isolate it in the grove. There are many people who could use your love." While Titania didn't know anything about Ayameru's little relationships with the forlorn Sky Lord, she had a feeling someone had caught her fiery heart.

[Ayameru]

Did she really mean what she said? Aya couldn't even begin to compare herself to the fairy queen. There was simply no way Aya could hold a candle to the things she could do, the way she saw the world, but it left her one thing to believe in. There was always room to grow, and plenty of space to open her heart out to the world rather than keep it closed off within the Grove.

Titania helped ensure Aya's beliefs to stay strong, and don't let anyone ever tell her otherwise that she was living her life 'the wrong way'. There was a saying that life is what you make of it, so the fiery little fairy was going to make her life enjoyable for herself, if nobody else.

"Wait... you knew I was seeing someone?" she blurted out. Crap! She just gave it away herself. The redhead began to kick herself in the back of her head. Dammit! She had to stop spitting stuff out when she got riled up. It wasn't that she wasn't a good secret keeper, but rather she tended to say things that she probably shouldn't when something triggers a spark in her feelings. Her brows furrowed slightly growing quiet for the moment not sure of what to say.

[titania]

Titania was always glad to help out people. It was one talent she had plenty of. She always made a better ruler of the people than an actual politician. The courts could handle enough politicking on their own.

And of course Titania was right again. So Aya's eyes weren't lying. That fire could only have come from finding someone. Maybe it was love, maybe it was just a fling, but there was somebody out there she cared for.

"Not until just now. But the gleam in your eyes was a clue. You probably haven't noticed this about people, but they're different when they find someone. Their eyes are brighter, the way they walk changes. I've spent years perfecting this technique, and even though I'm still working on improving it, someone like you, who wears their emotions all over their face, makes it easy to recognize." She laughed, giving Ayameru a soft, warm hug.

"Congratulations Ayameru. You've done the one thing I could never do."