kingdoms_of_auradon | And I Wish That It Would Never End

And I Wish That It Would Never End

I wish, my wish

The snow had finally been cleared from the room, the window fixed. And the snow outside was slowly following suit. It was still almost painfully cold outside, but the snow was no longer actively falling, and the more adventurous could find ways outside through upper floor windows. There was no way to get to the shore or anything, but there were odd glittering things in the perfect fairytale snow. The first time someone would touch one, it would grow brighter and brighter until the light exploded outward. The shards of light flew into the school mostly, but some went elsewhere, over and past the tangles of stuff.

When the light resolved, it and the other glittering things - both in the snow and now in the school - would prove to be small magic lamps. Each would have the name of one of the Missrecalled currently in Auradon, and a colour scheme that suits that person. It might be the one who picked it up, or someone else. When the person for whom the tiny jewelry sized lamp was for holds the lamp and makes a wish, that wish might come true. For a short time.

The wishes would only last the weekend, but What a glorious and bittersweet weekend that would be.

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Aqua gave him a slightly odd smile. Fond and sad all at once. "It is. For a few reasons. But can I be unfair and ask you a favor?"

Gladio rose an eyebrow, easygoing but clearly intrigued. "Nothing unfair about a favour. 'Less ya aren't gonna return it that is."

"This might be one that is unfair on its own. But here it is. If something happens and I put myself in danger to save someone else," she said, softly, "Please do not put yourself in danger trying to save me." Her voice was all but a whisper.

Gladio's eyes slid to Ignis. They looked at each other a moment, before gazes flickered to where Noct was still wrapped around Prompto, then back to her. One might get the impression the two had an entire nonverbal dialogue in the short minute.

Ignis' brow was tight. Gladio crossed his arms. He was still smiling, but the set to his shoulders matched the more serious tone his voice had taken. "Sorry, but I'm not in the business of lettin' people get hurt."

"Neither am I," she said, flatly, still quiet. "Which is why the last time I spent time with a version of you, we both almost died trying to save each other from our attempts to save first someone else, and then each other. And in doing so we put the people we were trying to protect in more danger."

That managed to finally knock the big guy's smile. His eyes flickered back to Noct and Prompto, then Ignis, he carried a grim countenance when he turned back to her again. "Fine. I won't make any promises, but your 'favour' is heard, and noted."

She nodded. "That is all I can ask, thank you," she said softly.

"Don't thank me yet." He shook his head.

"Hey Specs, miss Aqua, we just about there?" That was Noct's voice calling from the back.

"For the love of-" Ignis muttered under his breath. He sighed and turned to speak over his shoulder. "Patience Noct, we've only been walking a minute."

"A minute too long- Hey!"

Prompto had elbowed the prince in the ribs. "Dude, you won't die, be nice."

"We will be there soon. And you might be grateful for the walk when we arrive. It is warmer in here than otu there by a considerable amount."

Gladio shrugged, "Eh, we'll live. Princess back there will just be happy for a chance to spread his wings."

"I heard that!" Came Noct's indignant reply.

"I suspect if I had them I would be too."

"Would wings stop you from being - " Ven started to ask. Terra cut him off, rubbing his hair a little too roughly.

"You can think about teasing Aqua when you can actually beat her at Sparring once. Without help."

"Awwww, c'mon, Terra. I was only kidding," Ven protested.

Prompto looked a bit uncomfortable, though it was obvious he was trying to hide it.

Noct, seemingly oblivious, bumped a shoulder against his. "Hey, speaking of, we still haven't gotten to fly together yet. I bet you're just as clumsy in the air as you are on the ground."

"Hey-"

"Now now. I think Prompto's wings need a bit of maintenance before you steal him away." At Ignis's words Prompto's cheeks warmed and he looked away.

Gladio ignored the awkward air of the conversation and grinned down at Ven. "I doubt I'd have you besting a master any time soon, but if you want I'll show you a thing or two. When I'm not watching over the princess here I help train the new recruits."

Ven puffed up. "Maybe I'll teach you instead. We were taught by Master Eraquis and he's the best Master ever."

Aqua gave him a small warm sad smile.

"Unfortunately," Terra said, "Our Master was never able to teach Ven to be polite."

"Hey!"

"Hey, if you think you got something to teach me I'll give it a listen. I just think I've got a little more experience under my belt than you pipsqueak." Gladio ruffled Ven's hair, an obviously familiar gesture.

"He's always that condescending, don't listen to him." Noct rolled his eyes. "Kick his Alstor bass!" Here his face slipped from smug to confused, before resigned annoyance. Prompto had filled them in on the swearing ban. It certainly ruined the impact of his statement though.

Ignis sighed long-sufferingly. "My attempt's for our young highness have proven equally fruitless I'm afraid."

"Hey!" Ven protested. "I know lotsa stuff, and besides, our Master says you can learn from anyone if you only keep your mind and Heart open."

Gladio hummed appeasingly. "Sounds like a smart man." He grinned. "Guess we'll have to let the steel decide then, huh pipsqueak?"

"Oh please, would you-" But whatever Ignis was going to say was drowned out by Prompto and Noct's chorus of "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Steal? Why would I take anything from you?" Ven asked.

Aqua sighed as Terra joined in the chanting with a grin. She turned to give Noctis a look of shared pain.

At Ven's misunderstanding Gladio let out a hearty chuckle and once again reached to ruffle the boy's hair. "Steel, as in metal. We'll let our blades speak for us if you will."

Ignis met Aqua's look with a resigned sigh. "Honestly, sometimes I feel I'm the only one of us cursed with a lick of sense." But if Aqua was observant, she might notice the faintest curl of fondness about the advisor's mouth.

"You have Keyblades too?" Ven asked, excited.

Aqua sighed. "I am very familiar with that sensation," she said with a nod. But she too had a fond smile as she spoke.

"A keyblade? Now that's an interesting name for a weapon. And rare, by the sound of it." Going off the excited tone that was Gladio's best guess anyway. "Sorry to disappoint you pipsqueak, I mostly just use a greatsword."

The topic had regained the interest of the rest of the flock, and Prompto voiced the question. "Sooo, what's a keyblade?"

Ven raised his hand to summon his, but Aqua stepped in. "Outside, we can show them off outside, on flat ground. After the roof."

"Yessss. Man am I stiff." Noct shook his wings with an easy smile.

"Highness, keep in mind-"

"Yeah yeah," Noct waved Ignis off. "Unfamiliar territory and all that. I'll be careful Specs."

Ignis shook his head. "And somehow, I'm not reassured." He sighed, and shifted his attention back to Aqua. "I would he eager to hear of these keyblades in the meanwhile though. If you don't mind."

"So long as you don't get too near the ocean nothing in the air will be dangerous but you can't fly more than 4 feet high above your starting place," Aqua warned gently. "As to the Keyblades, Ven it will be good practice. You teach."

"Awwww, Aqua.... c'mon... you explain it better."

"All the more reason to practice," Aqua said.

Ven looked to Ignis. "You'd rather hear it from Aqua, right?"

"Four feet from where you start? What kind of rule is that?" Noct ruffled his feathers in obvious dissatisfaction.

Ignis gave a small smile to Ven. "Well, I wouldn't wish to deprive you of an opportunity for growth. If I have a question of which the answer you are uncertain, we can loop Aqua in then. How does that sound?" He turned back to Aqua. "As for this four foot rule. I too am a bit curious about it. It seems... oddly specific."

"Not so much a rule anyone set as a truth we've observed. None of us can get higher than that."

Ven huffed. "Of course I'll know the answers," he muttered.

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Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

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Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

Re: I have no clue how I lost so many old tags, I am so sorry!

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