I have to say, I love creating an original character and then having the power to make them do whatever I want after the book has finished. It really is rather enjoyable -cackles in pirate-
I hope you enjoy!
Love Daisy x
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Extras (Fan Requests) | Two
*
Camping AU
(Requested by Emma Taylor – Facebook Fan Page)
The one where the gang go camping/ skiing, and the time period is irrelevant because it's a fanfic and I can do what I like. Also, Anthemin exists because ... dragons.
*
"It's cold," Lacy whined as she collapsed at the entrance of the tent she had just finished putting up, "who's lighting the fire?"
Beside her, Circe sneezed.
Obsidian and Anthemin exchanged a look, before shifting at the same time.
"I will."
It's not a problem.
"Hold on," Cobalt interrupted loudly, "I came for the original camping experience." He eyeballed his brother and the white dragon in annoyance, "that means, no cheating."
"Oh really," Obsidian said sarcastically, as he grabbed Circe and stuffed her into his jacket, doing the zip up a little aggressively, as though he was afraid she might try and escape, "so how exactly do you plan on doing it then?"
Cobalt's chest puffed substantially, "It just so happens I have been practicing for this day," he said smugly. "I, the magnificent Cobalt Bones, will now display my superior skills to you
plebians. Behold! The original fire making method – sorry Anthemin – passed down by our forefathers. Such a technique is truly engrained into every man's soul!"
(Half an hour later)
"Cobalt, this isn't working," Lacy said bluntly.
"I think your wood might be a little too damp," Circe pointed out helpfully from inside Obsidian's jacket. She huddled in further, nestling under his chin. Obsidian let out a quiet grunt of approval and gave her a light squeeze.
"Are you going to help him?" She whispered, leaning back against his shoulder so that he could hear her.
"Not a chance," he yawned, bored already.
"We found some wood!" Nathaniel chirped as he entered the clearing, "did we get the fire going yet?"
Obsidian snorted. "Not sure where you got the 'we' part from – but Mr Lone-Male-Genius here, isn't having any luck at all."
Leonardo was hot on Nate's heels. "Actually, now that I think about it, isn't that method supposed to be used with dry wood?" he offered helpfully.
"That's what I said!" Circe piped up, from inside her cosy Obsidian oven, "It's probably too damp because of all the snow."
Cobalt threw the two sticks he had been rubbing together into the air in disgust. "You all have zero faith in the complete camping experience," he said, disgruntled, "I can't believe it."
"Did you not just think to ask Anthemin?" Nathaniel wondered. "Or Obsidian?" He looked at the pirate, "You can like, breath fire right?"
"I do not breathe fire," Obsidian retorted sullenly. Circe giggled, her hair tickling his chin, "And anyway, fat chance I'm helping him now. Anthemin can do it."
All eyes turned towards the dragon who was curled up in the snow, ten or so metres away, clearly unfazed by the temperature.
The dragon opened one eye upon hearing his name, and then closed it again, tucking his head back under his wing.
"Anthemin says that he will 'leave it up to the original creator of fire,'" Circe interpreted, looking apologetically at Cobalt, "He looks forward to your results."
There was a moment of silence, and then all eyes turned to Obsidian.
The pirate yawned.
"Not unless he says please."
There was a collective groan.
"On your mother I'll say please, you bastard."
"My mother is your mother, idiot."
"Whatever."
"Cobalt," Lacy interrupted darkly, "I want toasted marshmallows. Now."
Cobalt stared at her and swallowed.
"Fine. Please. You happy?"
"Please what?"
"Please light the fire," Cobalt gritted out.
"Why do I need to light it?" Obsidian drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought this was supposed to be an 'original camping experience.'"
"Fuck you," Cobalt said angrily, picking up his sticks, "I'll just do it myself."
"We will go get more wood," Leo said hastily.
"Yes and await your success!" Nathaniel encouraged as the two exited the clearing promptly.
Circe watched Cobalt spinning the sticks together and nudged Obsidian in the ribs.
He grunted. "What."
She lent her head back against his chest as he leaned forward so that she could whisper something into his ear.
His eyes flashed.
"You little minx," he growled quietly to her, golden eyes narrowing. Lightly, he lifted a hand, pointing a finger at Cobalt's sticks.
The was a moment of inaction, and then suddenly a spark appeared.
Cobalt's face lit up. "It's working."
"It's not working," Obsidian yawned.
"It is working, look!"
"Oh," Obsidian drawled, "so it is. Congratulations."
In front of him, Circe chuckled.
*
Highschool AU
*
Requested by Daphne Lai – Facebook Fan Page
(The one where Circe runs into the school tyrant on her first day of class.
Guess who the tyrant is)
*
"Circe! Circe, over here!"
Circe glanced up, her eyes searching through the mass of students, till she spied a hand sticking up out of the crowd, along with a mass of black curls.
She watched with amusement, as Lacy shoved her way through the crowds, her face flushed, the smatter of freckles splayed across her nose as disordered as their owner.
Her green eyes sparkled with glee as she seized Circe's hand a gripped it tightly.
"Found you!" Her friend sung in delight, "I told you I'd meet you at the gates didn't I? Welcome to Arcelia!"
Circe beamed, pulling her friend into a tight hug. "It's good to see you," she smiled into Lacy's curls, before drawing back to look up at the magnificent structure that was Arcelia College. The architecture was bright and dazzling, similar to the home Palaces of the person behind the college's creation. The familiarity made her feel slightly more at ease.
"Yo, Lacy!" The casual tone from behind them made the two girls turn to face the blonde boy standing behind Circe, who until then, had been occupied with chatting to a friend.
"Nathaniel," Lacy greeted, "Leo's looking forward to having you guys back. He's here already – he had to meet with Mr. Hobbson earlier this morning."
"Head boy duties, eh?" Nathaniel smiled as he leaned over Circe, his arm resting on her shoulder, "Nothings changed that much." He glanced back over his shoulder for a moment, drawing the attention of another golden-haired boy who was still talking to the group he had just vacated.
"Tobias, are you done? Let's go. Leo's not here, he went to see the Principal early."
Tobias bid his friends goodbye to join them, flanking Circe's other side as he peered down at Lacy with a smile.
"Lacy," he greeted softly, "it's been a while."
"Hey Tobias! How was the holiday?"
"It was okay," the older boy shrugged a little evasively, running a hand through his blonde curls, "too many people."
Nathaniel laughed and shoved his brother playfully, "You think any people is too many people." He joked.
Tobias stuck out his tongue at his twin, looping his arms around Circe's shoulders. "I'm just glad my sister has finally decided to make the move," he sighed, "having only Nathaniel and his one brain cell for company has been insufferable."
Circe and Lacy laughed.
"Oi," Nathaniel looked disgruntled, "that's a bit harsh don't you think?"
The group continued their chatter as they turned to head for the main entrance, the morning bell still half an hour away from ringing for the beginning of class.
"Do you still have anything left to get sorted?" Lacy wondered, looping her arm through Circe's, as Nate and Tobias continued their argument in front of them.
"Umm, I think I just need to pick up my schedule from the main office," Circe said thoughtfully, "everything else has been taken care of."
"I asked for you to be in our homeroom Sissy," Nate called back over his shoulder, "but I'm not sure if they will or not. Leo asked too, so perhaps we will get lucky. Being the Head Boy has to have some perks, surely."
Lacy pouted, "I want to be in your class too," she complained, "it's not fair, Circe and I are the same age." She frowned at her best friend, "Who told you to be so smart."
Circe laughed. "It's just for a few classes, and then we have different electives. And I'm sure we will meet up for lunch," she comforted her friend, "you can show me the best spots. I was never one for cafeteria's, even in France."
Lacy brightened almost instantly. "Sounds good," she chirped, black curls bouncing, "there's a spot in the gardens where we eat every day!"
Circe smiled at her friend and gave her arm a squeeze. "Perfect."
*
Lacy led Circe to the office to get her timetable, while Nate and Tobias disappeared off to find Leonardo, with promises of catching Lacy at lunch.
"We know the spot Lacy's talking about," Nathaniel assured Circe with an easy-going smile.
"We will see you in home room," Tobias told Circe seriously, "unless we find Leo early and make it back to you before then. Make sure you go straight there alright? Get Lacy to show you the way, don't talk to strange boys."
"Okay, okay," Circe laughed, "you worry too much."
"Yeah you do," Nate had frowned, elbowing his twin in the side. "What are you doing, stop making her nervous. Circe, be good, keep a five-metre radius from all boys. They are all disgusting here, you can't trust any of them, alright?"
Lacy rolled her eyes, dragging a laughing Circe away from the pair and thus missing the hissed conversation between the twins as they had hurried off down the hallway.
"What are you talking about?" Tobias scowled, his delicate brows knitting together. "You think I am exaggerating? Look at her. Look at them, looking at her. We are doomed I tell you – we are not getting a moment's peace this year."
"You think I don't know that?" Nathaniel grimaced, "but there's no point in telling her that. We just have to make sure we get to Leo to give him the heads up. He'll put the word out to stay away from her. Once everyone knows she's our sister, and Zalas's cousin, who do you think would dare to try it on with her?"
"Only everyone," Tobias groaned, "it would be better if the fact that they are related could remain secret for as long as possible."
Nathaniel ignored him. They had already argued about this four times in the past three days. "Speaking of Zalas, we need to find him too this morning, preferably before class starts. He should be on the roof."
"Assuming the territories haven't changed."
Nathaniel glanced at his twin with his eyebrows raised, unspeaking.
Tobias easily caught his meaning. "You never know, it's been six months," he warned sceptically, "anything could have happened."
Nathaniel snorted. "This is Zalas we are talking about remember." He rolled his eyes, "over his dead body he would give up his place."
The boys did indeed find Leonardo in the Principal's office, but he was deep in conversation with Principal Ambrose and could only wave at them and promise that Circe had indeed been assigned to their homeroom as per their request. Principal Ambrose had greeted the boys with a curt nod before apologising and sending them on their way – it appeared that, with the start of the new semester, their discussion was going to take longer than he had hoped.
So instead, Nathaniel and Tobias made their way quickly to the rooftop to find Zalas. It was a known secret, that the third-year treasurer, Zalas Ascian, was not only the Prince of Arcelia – literally, rather than figuratively, with the Ascian Corporation being the main benefactor behind Arcelia itself – but that he was also the leader of the school's underbelly.
Those who met Zalas would never think of him as the type to be involved with the underground, but the man himself had once told Nathaniel and Tobias, that every school had dark side and in order to make sure Arcelia's was not 'formed from the scum of high-society', it was better if he just 'did it himself'.
So of course, Tobias's scepticism did not concern Nathaniel in the least. And when they finally ascended the last flight of stairs and pushed open the door to the rooftop gardens, Nate was not surprised to find Zalas lounging, almost exactly where they had left him six months ago. The only indicator that time had passed, was that his white hair – pulled back in a low pony-tail – was now longer than before, and that the greenery amongst which Zalas sat, was now flourishing more extravagantly than it had been in the colder months of the year.
With his feet propped up on a velvet green ottoman and shaded by the canopy above, Zalas did not look up as they stepped onto the roof, continuing to read the book that was open on his lap.
The person who did acknowledge their presence, however, was the second man, almost identical to his brother in appearance, and who sat on the second couch to the left. Unabonan's startling violet eyes were as piercing as ever and but Nathaniel was used to it, and he offered the albino a light smile.
"Unabonan."
Unspeaking as always, Unabonan nodded lightly in return before turning to direct his stare at his brother. The meaning of the gaze was obvious.
Don't be rude.
Zalas sighed and tossed his book to the side. "I'm not being rude," he snapped to his brother, "they just walked in." He looked up to where Nathaniel and Tobias stood, nodding curtly. "I trust the journey back was smooth?"
"Yes, thank-you," Tobias replied, "your Uncle says hi."
Zalas snorted, attracting Unabonan's disapproving look once again.
"Oh, cut me some slack," Zalas rolled his eyes, "the old man doesn't care how I am. He just wants to make sure I will look after his daughter."
"He did say that if anything happens to Circe, he will fly over from France to decapitate you himself," Nathaniel said cheerfully.
"See?!" Zalas looked at Unabonan incredulously, "See what I have to put up with? You don't know, you never have to deal with any of this shit, being the favourite and all." He snorted derisively, leaning back against the couch as he pinned Nathaniel with a cold stare. "And where is my sweet cousin?" He sneered, "Didn't see fit to grace me with her presence?"
To the side of him, Unabonan closed the book he had been reading with a loud snap. The weight of his stare became heavier.
Under this stare, Zalas gritted his teeth and asked again, his words more polite this time. "Where is Circe now?"
"Lacy took her to get her timetable," Tobias said. Both twins were already used to Zalas's volatile attitude. Usually, as long as Unabonan was present, the Prince would be rather well-behaved. Something must have happened this morning. "Is everything alright?" He asked, bluntly, "You don't seem composed."
"Of course, I'm not fucking composed," Zalas sniped grouchily, "would you be composed if someone was waging a war against you?"
Nathaniel and Tobias exchanged a look of surprise.
"Someone dares?" Nathaniel asked incredulously. It seemed Tobias had been right on the mark this time.
"Yes apparently," Zalas snapped. "And they only came to Arcelia last semester, yet somehow they've managed to gain a following. It a pain in the neck."
"You haven't been able to negotiate a deal yet?" Tobias asked cautiously.
Zalas's expression suddenly became thunderous. "Why should someone like me, have to lower myself to negotiating with brats like that? It's a disgrace," he hissed, "a fucking disgrace I tell you."
Nathaniel chuckled, "It's been a while since you had competition," he pointed out, "it could be good for you."
Zalas tsked, "I have other things more worth my time." He insisted, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the twins. "And if you are planning on telling me that it could be a good opportunity to split some of the workload – don't bother. Unabonan has already said the same thing, and my answer to you is that – do you want your sister to enjoy a semester of being pursued at every corner? Because if people think I am going soft, that's what's going to happen."
His elegant brows pulled together in a frown, "That newcomer is worse than I am – you had better hope he doesn't find out who she is anytime soon. We will have to rethink our initial plan of letting her relation to me spread to protect her – it would be better to keep her identity a secret."
Nathaniel suddenly felt uneasy and opened his mouth to speak, but Tobias beat him to it.
"Or what?"
Zalas's frost blue eyes hardened into ice. "Or there'll be trouble."
*
Circe's morning had passed happily, oblivious as she was to the worries of her brothers. She had met them in homeroom as promised, and they had forwarded Zalas's welcome to her. If she knew anything about Zalas, the 'welcome' Nathaniel had passed on to her was completely made up by him and Tobias for the sake of appearances. Zalas was not one for pleasant greetings – never had been – and she had not expected him to make an exception for her.
Other than that, she was feeling rather blissful as she trotted back from the bathrooms in the middle of her third class for the day. Her classmates had been lovely so far, so friendly and helpful. And her teachers were wonderful – far less strict than they had been in France. She had spent a wonderful morning break with her brothers and her friends – Leonardo had found time to join them – and overall, Circe felt the day was going rather well.
She paused for a moment, in the middle of the stairwell, trying to remember if she was supposed to go left, or right, when a sudden noise from above had her looking up curiously.
She stepped back slightly, just in time to see the figure that descended down the steps towards her, his expression frantic as he scrabbled with his bookbag, his hair and clothes in disarray. Upon seeing her, the male student squeaked in surprise, and before she could ask him what was wrong, he had already edged past her to dash down the steps, disappearing off into the hall beyond.
Curious, she looked up the steps back the way he had come, trying to discern the reason for the boy's frantic appearance.
Nothing obvious stood out to her, but her curiosity persisted and after a moment of hesitation, she took one cautious step forward, and then another, before throwing all caution to the wind and ascending the rest of the way up the stairs.
She emerged out into a hallway and looked left, then right, without seeing a soul. Shrugging her shoulders, she turned to head back down the stairs, when a sudden light noise reached her ears and she paused.
She stepped out into the hallway and edged around to peer up the next flight of stairs.
Sure enough, halfway up the stairwell sat a boy, who – much to Circe's surprise – appeared to be sleeping.
His arms were folded across his chest, rising, and falling slightly with each steady breath, his long legs stretched out on the stair upon which he sat, ankles neatly crossed. His head rested against his shoulder, his face turned towards her as he rested, his body half-illuminated in the warm sunlight that poured through the windows in the hallway opposite.
The entire scene made Circe feel as though she was gazing at a rather beautiful painting, and she could not help but creep a little closer, her hand hovering on the handrail as she lightly ascended the stairs, for some reason unwilling to wake him.
She drew close enough to observe the thick lashes that kissed his cheeks as well as the ear-bud that had fallen from his right ear and was currently blasting music into the silent air around them – obvious the source of the noise that had drawn her attention.
Suddenly, as though he sensed he was being watched, the boy opened his eyes and Circe was abruptly drowning in twin pools of silver and gold.
Her breath caught in her throat as she held his mismatched gaze and she wondered for a moment how such eyes could even exist in a mortal face. Surely these were colours only reserved for the Gods.
The boy seemed surprised to find her in front of him, but in a moment the shock dissipated, and he blinked lazily up at her, like a panther who had been disturbed mid nap.
Stretching languidly, the boy began to rise from his position on the steps and Circe skittered backwards in response, her cheeks flushing for no discernible reason.
"S-sorry," she stuttered out an explanation, "there was this person – he looked rather ... I mean, I just thought I would come and check ..."
The boy unfolded himself from his position, brushing out his clothes as he did so. His uniform was in disarray, but instead of making him appear slovenly, he just seemed elegantly rumpled, as though the clothes were meant to be worn that way, and every one else was simply doing it wrong.
He descended the steps until he stood directly in front of her and suddenly she realised how tall he was. She took a small step back, feeling inexplicably nervous.
The boy stared down at her broodingly, as though she were a puzzle he was trying to solve. His enigmatic eyes were so captivating, that Circe found she was unable to look away and a light blush blossomed high on her cheeks in response to his gaze.
Suddenly, he reached out a hand towards her and she almost flinched, but then caught herself. His hand had paused for a moment in response to her hesitation, but when she didn't move, he had continued to reach forward to pull a flower petal from her hair, his elegant fingers flicking it away carelessly. The petal danced through the air before curling over once and drifting down to settle on the floor in the space between them.
"You are new here." His voice was deep, and slightly husky from sleep. Circe felt her insides melt inexplicably. He raised a hand to hide a yawn and then bent down a little to scrutinize her more closely. "Aren't you?" He promoted, pulling her from her revere; she realised she had forgotten to reply.
Distractedly, she reached up a hand to her hair, as though expecting to find more petals stuck there. "I- I'm ... yes. I mean, yes, today is my first day. I just transferred from France." She stammered.
Above his beautiful eyes, the boy's eyebrows rose in query. "You have come a long way." It was more of a statement than a question, but his tone made it clear he expected an answer.
"Yes ..." Circe found herself staring again, "yes, I have family here."
"Family?" This time the boy really did seem interested. She could see him waking up slowly, the last vestiges of sleep leaving his eyes. "At the school?"
Circe came back to herself slightly and – reprimanding herself for staring so obviously – offered the boy a sunny smile. "Yes," she said, the words flowing more easily this time, "my brothers attend here, and my cousins."
The boy's gaze seemed to intensify, but his tone was still courteous. "May I ask their names?"
Circe didn't see anything wrong with offering the information. "Nathaniel and Tobias are my brothers," she said cheerfully, "Zalas and Unabonan are my cousins. You look around the same age a Zalas, do you know him?"
The boy looked at her blankly and then, so suddenly that it almost took Circe's breath away, his face broke into a smile.
But it was not the kind of smile that Circe was used to seeing on the face of her friends, no. It was a smile that was simultaneously full of both elation and danger. Of mischievous wickedness. A smile that held both promises and secrets. His eyes danced with laughter as he looked down at her and Circe found herself feeling both apprehensive, and enthralled.
"And your name, Kitten?" He asked – but this time when he spoke, his deep voice had taken on an almost teasing lilt that brought goosebumps to the exposed skin of her arms and her neck. Her blush returned at the endearment that slipped from his lips with easy familiarity and she didn't realise that he had completely ignored her question.
"Won't you tell me?" He prompted softly, when she forgot to reply, one hand reaching out as though to grasp her chin. She waited for the brush of his fingertips, but all she felt was a slight heat and then his hand had dropped back to his side.
"Circe," she stammered up at him, her blue eyes wide.
His smile faded into a slight curling of the lips as his ethereal eyes danced over her face. "Circe," he repeated, and she could not help but wonder why her name sounded so different when he was the one to speak it. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"And your name?" She asked. She had never seen this person before today, but she felt as though she knew him – that she surely must have heard his name spoken before – and all she was waiting for was affirmation.
He looked broodingly down at her. "You'll find out soon enough," he replied with a smirk.
Her mouth dropped open as she realised she was being duped, "That's not fair," she insisted.
He shrugged, offering her a devious smile, "I'm not one for playing fair Kitten. I'll tell you that now."
He turned to leave, ascending back up the stairs.
"Wait-" Circe found herself speaking before she even realised, her feet moving forward of their own accord as she alighted the first step. The boy paused for a second, but then a familiar voice rang out from the hall below.
"Sissy? Sissy, is that you?"
Circe glanced back down the way she had come. "Naddy, I'm up here," quickly she looked back to the mysterious boy, but he had already disappeared, and she sighed in disappointment.
Something compelled her to look at the step the boy had just vacated, and when she did, she saw that he had left something behind.
She quickly climbed the steps and crouched down to scoop it up in her hand. It was a small, polished stone, the shape perfectly round, the colour obsidian black.
Nathaniel's footsteps reached her ears and she straightened quickly, slipping the gemstone into the pocket of her school dress.
"Sissy, there you are." Nathaniel breathed out a sigh of relief upon catching sight of his sister, "I was worried about you. Where have you been?"
She smiled at him sheepishly, "I got lost," she said, unsure of why she felt the need to keep the mysterious boy a secret. Part of her felt as though perhaps he had simply been a dream, and if she asked about him, he might fade and disappear.
Nathaniel smiled at her, holding out a hand for her to take as she descended the steps towards him. "Well, I'm surprised it hasn't happen till now if I'm honest," he said generously, "the school is rather large after all."
Circe gave a non-committal hum of agreement as she followed him back to class, her mind a jumbled mess.
*
(This one has a Part Two which I will post soon, so don't worry! It turned out longer than I expected – I got lost down the rabbit warren of Highschool AU and fluff T_T)