Submission (#3963) Approved

Two elnin were finally settling down into their new home underground in the caves of Zevija. Their little house used to be abandoned, but with a little tender loving care, they made it into their own. Darcy felt proud that he finally had a place to call home. Even if it wasn't exactly in the place he had hoped for, he didn't mind. For all he cared, Maverick was his true comfort.

After sweeping the porch from dust and dried leaves, Darcy set aside the broom and sighed out in contentment. He would turn to head inside to find his companion, wondering if there was something they could do that day. The faenin was usually knowledgable about Zevija, after all, he was a guide through the region. He knew the ins and outs like the back of his hand. Maverick was still new, but unable to really venture far because of his ailment. They soon needed to venture to the main city though to buy more potions so the fae could be more comfortable.

"Mave! We should ready ourselves to head out to the city," Darcy proclaimed, walking into his other half's room.

"Ah... I suppose we do need supplies." Maverick seemed a bit nervous, and Darcy didn't blame him. The cursed fae was never comfortable around others. He felt othered and pitied when he never asked for any. Darcy comforted him with words and his presence, hoping it was enough to stave off the discomfort.

"We should leave tomorrow! I can also introduce you to an old friend who is an alchemist so maybe you can make your own potions." Darcy sat across from him at the table, crossing his arms to gauge Maverick's mood.

"Yeah, I'll get everything ready tonight."

They went to sleep early that night as they had a long way to travel the following day. Both of them would need the energy, but Maverick especially needed all the strength he could get. The two faenin snuggled together for warmth and both had slept soundly and deeply.

Morning arrived soon, the smaller fae sitting up to rub his eyes. Yawning, Darcy removed himself from Maverick's arms and slid from the bed, walking into the kitchen to grab any remaining supplies they needed. He would return to their bedroom with a sack of snacks, stuffing it into their traveling bags. Darcy would hop up to wake the larger fae, lightly rocking his shoulder. "Mave, wake up. It's time to leave."

Both walked the empty streets of their town, stopping by the local tavern to pick up some breakfast before heading off to the city. Hand-in-hand, Maverick, and Darcy walked up to the surface and traveled north along a central pathway. They would converse to pass the time.

The sun was bright that day, shining across the rocky terrain of obsidian glass, the shimmers of springs in the far distance like a star. Steam spotted the landscape as well as they headed into the valley where trees and grass were scarce. The volcanic rock was hot, not only from the sun but from the activity below their feet. Sulfur was a normal scent, but it never got easier to go through. Darcy hated that smell and he would be glad they finally removed themselves from the lower valley and headed into the upper woods. Maverick's face also told him a disdain for the pungent smell.

"We should be there by sundown, the woods are about the halfway point." Darcy would find a good place to sit so they could have lunch. Maverick sat next to him, watching as the smaller fae dug through their bag to retrieve their snack sack. Darcy would hand the larger fae a bit of bread with cheese and a bladder of juice. "Eat, I'm sure you need the energy. We can rest as long as you need to."

"I'm alright, Darcy. Thank you." Maverick gave a small smile before biting into his bread and cheese.

As they ate their lunch, Darcy noticed the clouds coming in. He thought it odd for a system to blow in from Kyendi this early in the year, but it wasn't too uncommon. He was mostly worried that they'd be stuck in the rain when they were only halfway to the city. They couldn't turn around now.

"I smell the rain coming," he said, gesturing toward the darkening sky between the tree canopy. Maverick watched with him, taking his last bite of bread and cheese, chasing it with the juice.

"Think it will rain on us?" The both of them looked at each other and Darcy shrugged. He wasn't quite sure it would be directly above them, but before he could speak, a few specks started hitting the leaves around them. Soon, the pitter patter of rain surrounded them. Darcy quickly stuffed their bag back into place and grabbed it, running into the woods to find them shelter. Maverick followed, groaning in pain as he hunched down below some rocks.

"Sorry Maverick, I hope you don't hurt too much..." Darcy looked up at his partner with worry. Maverick gave a smile and shook his head. He might have said something in return, but his attention was pulled toward the strange rain. It shimmered like glass through sunlight, colors imbued into the water. Or... was it water? Darcy turned his head to view the odd rain as well. He would stick his hand out to watch the prismatic water spark into a colored mote against his skin. Startled, the small fae would retract his hand and watch as a few motes burst onto the ground much like hail.

"Well, this is a special event, isn't it?" Darcy chuckled and leaned against Maverick's arm. "We'll get to the city when it passes, but let's enjoy the sight while it lasts."

Maverick nodded and pulled an arm around Darcy's waist. "Yeah, sounds good." The both of them would enjoy the prismatic rain in comfortable silence.