Clan War

two step back,

~Ciaran~

I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from the Ximian as she gazed at everything with wonder in her eyes. She was like a child when they first opened their eyes. I suppose it made sense as everything that has life would be new and a stark contrast to her icy home. Her hand slipped from mine as she chased after the butterflies. Fighting my urge to grab her hand, I focused on the poor Leopard she had stepped on earlier. It had come back, most likely curios about the unfamiliar people. Although I was surprised to find it this far from its home, I was glad it was one of the tame ones.

A small noise came from where the girl had been. My eyes lazily made their eyes over. The Ximians' arms were parallel to the ground allowing her entire upper body to be covered in the glowing butterflies. Her eyes were wide. She looked frozen between fear and genuine excitement. Stifling my laughter, I slowly walked over so as not to scare them.

"They aren't poisonous are they?" She whispered.

"You're asking now?" I couldn't help but smile at her question.

"I didn't exactly think they would become like this!" Although she said it harshly, her smile banished any anger I might have felt.

"Give me your hand. Slowly." I replied, eyes darting between her face and the butterflies.

She nodded and immediately my smile turned serious. Slowly, her arm started to move towards me, her fingers outstretched. Her smile hadn't vanished at all. Her eyes shined with amusement. Our fingers curled together and before I could truly understand the situation, I pulled the Ximian towards me, Scarring the butterflies off of her. What I failed to understand is that pulling her towards me would end with her being so close.

Of course it didn't help that she had butterflies flying all around her. Clearing my throat, I pushed her away and focused somewhere else. Suddenly, she started to laugh. At first it was quiet but then grew a little in volume.

"Did you bring me here so you could push me around?" She asked after her laughter died down a little.

"What?" My head whipped towards her, and she was laying on her back. I could feel the embarrassment creep up on me. Shaking my head, I offered her my hand. She made no move to grab my hand.

"Have you ever looked up at the trees?"

"That's not why I brought you here." I retorted.

"Fine. If it wasn't to push me around without the others," She sat up on her elbows "Then why oh why did you bring me here?"

I offered my hand once again and thankfully, this time she took it. Hauling her up, her cloak hood stuck to her head. For a few minutes, we simply stood in silence. Then she raised one of her eyebrows and I gestured for her to go first. She was hesitant at first but still complied. I guided her towards the rock once more. She looked back at me in confusion but I continued looking forward. As she followed my line of sight, Her body became tense as her eyes landed on the ancient carving of a face. Vines and moss had covered and hidden it from view. She wouldn't have seen it if she hadn't been by the sun rock. She took a step back and bumped into me. Instinctively, my arms came up and held her in place.

Do not be afraid, lost one. The halfling was wise in coming here with you.

The Ximian looked back with betrayal and anger in her eyes and for some reason, I felt hurt by that. My jaw clenched as I looked down before placing a mask on and facing the carving once more. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her shake her head before turning back as well.

You may leave now Halfling. We have matters to discuss that do not concern someone like you.

"I don't think so. Ciaran is staying with me." The girl spoke and the forest fell silent.

He cannot.

"And why not?"

We do not speak with the like of him in our presence.

"I do not care for your preferences like you did not care for mine. If we are to speak then we are speaking with Ciaran by my side."

How dare you~

"No! How dare you! I don't care what you think of Ciaran and I really don't understand why you are calling him a halfling but I would rather take my chances with a jerk like him than disembodied voices that think they are better than me!" She shouted back. I couldn't help but look at her in surprise and wonder. Determined anger was written all over her face as she simply stared down the carving.

We are not speaking with filth in our presence.

"Then we are done talking."

She then turned around. Her face was a perfect mask of neutrality. She scooped up my hand and started walking back the way we came. I had no choice but to follow her. After a few minutes of walking, she stopped. The only sound breaking our silence was the forest animals. I had forgotten we were holding hands until she dropped mine and turned to look at me. Her face was marred by her anger.

"Start talking."

"I don't have to say anything to you." I replied stubbornly.

"Oh really? Then should I go back and ask the head? Maybe they would be more willing to share with me why they called you a halfling. Or maybe why you brought me there in the first place? I'd settle for anything because you haven't given me anything! I am swimming in the dark asking you for light and you refuse time and time again! Every time you refuse and simply would prefer me to drown where I stand."

"That's not true."

"It isn't? Then please enlighten me with reasons why it isn't?!" Her voice echoed in the forest. My brain was blank. I couldn't believe I had said that and the girl had called my bluff. She simply nodded at my silence. An emotion flashed across her face but was gone before I could determine what it was.

"I thought as much." With that, she continued walking and left me with my thoughts.