Submission (#1997) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 1
Act Type: Bravery
Word Count: 1032
Adult Elnin Present: Noctis [ELN1801]
Regional Affinity: Silveil
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Aria [ELN1800]
[Noble] Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: n/a

Despite having grown up in Silveil, there were still a lot of places that Aria wasn’t overly familiar with, nor felt comfortable frequenting. One of such being the deep forests of Silveil. Most may describe it as an ethereal experience, wandering about the lost woods as if out of a dream, guided by wayward spirits in the guise of wisps and fireflies with paths illuminated by bioluminescent flora. She had to admit it could be dreamy, but she disliked the darkness of the forest, and while the stars were still visible, they tended to be obscured by the tall gnarled branches of foliageless trees. Oftentimes her mind would play tricks on her, making her think a branch was an outstretched claw, making her fearful that it was perhaps the Hallowed Witch herself, but that was just a myth, right?

At least, that was what most would think. Noctis, however, told her that she WAS real. His foster-dad had an encounter with her himself, but was smart enough not to strike a deal like many other foolhardy elnins would, often offering an eye, or their heart in exchange for some ludicrous deal. But then again, it could also be a tale just to scare her. Shadow had never outright SEEN the witch aside from being aware of her presence, and she knew Noctis had inherited Shadow’s love of being overtheatric and weaving tall tales.

Seeming to read her mind, the navy blue elnin grinned, his body barely visible in the dark woods aside from the glimmering of his white canines.

“She’s real, ya know, and if you’re not careful, she’ll GETCHA!”

He pounced at Aria, laughing as she shrieked and lept back, fur on end.

“Noctis, stop!!!”

He continued laughing, rolling on his side as Aria huffed, swatting at him with balled up paws.

“You make it too easy, sis. Are you really that spooked?”

He opened his eyes to see her expression, freezing when he saw it. She was annoyed, he could tell, but now she was staring at him, tears starting to well up in her eyes as she shook. Had he really scared her that bad?

“Ah, geez, sorry I didn’t mean to-”

“I know! You don’t need to say anything!!”

He flinched as she shouted, tiny body trembling with what he assumed was anger.

“I-I know… that I’m always a scaredy-cat, that I get spooked really easily, and that even though you and Momoko are all grown up now, I’m… I’m still…”

She sniffed, rubbing at her eye. Stupid tears.

“H-hey…”

He reached out, placing a paw on her head as she started to cry.

Pulling her close, he stroked her back as he heard her muffled hiccuped sobs against his mane. It felt.. Kinda uncomfortable (as one would with damp fur) but this wasn’t the time nor place to say it. After all, he supposed this was… his fault…

“I wish, I wasn’t always so scared. I wish I was more brave like you, or cheerful like Momoko. Maybe I’ll change I’m bigger, but then-”

“Whoa, whoa, slow down.”

He pulled Aria back, giving her a stern look.

“Stop that. You are you, and I am me. We each have our own personalities and quirks, and you’re fine the way you are. If you want to improve yourself, that’s fine, but please do it at your own pace. You shouldn’t be in a rush to grow up, ok?”

Still sniffling, she nodded. He sighed, and patted her on her head once more.

“That said… you still want to do this?”

She nodded again.

It was understandable why he asked, especially after… her outburst. He had approached her the night before, chattering about how he had found an “awesome hideout” deep within the forests of Silveil. She had been by Starlake, possibly her most favourite spot in Silveil, gazing out towards the city when he approached, and while she was apprehensive at first, she reluctantly agreed. Probably because of him egging her on.

But now, she was here for a different reason. She wanted to prove herself. She didn’t want to be the same kittom who was spooked by her own shadow, or who would shriek anytime Noctis crept up on her (honestly it was probably why he kept doing it). The forest still unsettled her, but she tried to focus on the positives. They were still in Silveil, and it wasn’t like the forest was COMPLETELY dark. The sky was still the same, the ever present stars guiding her path. The bioluminescent flora still unsettled her a bit, but it provided a source of light, not unlike the glow emitted from her own horns and eyes. She lifted her paws, her toebeans emitting the same source of light, and it gave her some comfort.

The two trotted onwards, with Aria following Noctis’ lead. Though he didn’t live with her, having stayed with his foster dad, he still resided in Silveil. Every week he’d come to visit, and the two would play together. Now that he was grown up… well, he still visited, and they still played together, but it felt… different. After all, he was bigger now, practically a grown up, and she… She didn’t want to hold him back, so she would often decline, thinking he’d have better things to do, and yet…

He stopped, and Aria bumped into his leg.

“We’re here~”

She looked around him and frowned. This was…

Before her was a small shambled shack, covered with overgrown foliage. Part of her wondered if the ceiling would cave in on them if they went in, and it made her hesitant, but if Noctis confirmed it was safe, then…

The two ventured inside, wandering about. Even in the little corners of the shack, small shrooms sprouted, dotting the darkness with a small subtle light. With the various bioluminescent blue and green, it made the place seem… oddly homely. If one enjoyed damp darkness. Still, the venture itself seemed to make the trip a lot more intense than it was, and she now felt a little silly getting so worked up over it in the first place. In the end, she was glad she came.