Faerie Tale - For Sitruuna

[Scion]

Okay, so this is for Sitruuna! Hope everyone else can enjoy it as well! It's really fun to write, so, yep. I'm sorry I'm doing the requests out of order, but I'm giong to attempt to switch off between m/m and m/f! I'll get to you all eventually, I promise!

This is Ferryn (yes, I gave him wings lol): http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb327/wavy3/Ferryn-1.jpg

This is Alan: http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb327/wavy3/Alan-1.jpg

I'm sorry if you don't like the pics. And I know Ferryn doesn't really look small, but...I'm not a miracle worker! And I can't draw.

Faerie Tale

Part One:

Ferryn sat crouched inside a tulip, peeking out from between two soft yellow petals. The human who lived in the small, scenic cottage almost never emerged, but once in a while, Ferryn would be gifted with a quick glimpse of him, a flash of his morning glory blue eyes and his tumbleweed hair.

His fellow faeries knew of his human-peeping habits, which made him sort of an outcast in the faerie world. Even his own parents found him unduly strange. No faerie was supposed to take such an extreme interest in the human race. Faeries were superior creatures, and humans were to be regarded as not worth their time.

Well, Ferryn liked humans. Granted, he’d never actually met one, but he’d spied on enough over the years to have some idea as to their customs--though even he didn’t particularly like those humans who traditionally chopped down perfectly friendly evergreens for the purpose of stringing them with little twinkling lights.

“Ferryn?”

He jumped, startled, and spun about to see his sister, Daisy, peering at him through lavender eyes. “Oh!” he squeaked. “Hullo, Daisy.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Were you spying on that odd human again, Ferry? You know if mom and dad find out--”

“Human?” Ferryn peeped guiltily, shoving a lock of bark-colored hair from his face. “What human? I don’t know of any humans.”

She only rolled her eyes and sighed, “I just don’t want you to get into any more trouble, Ferry. You know what Queen Cordyline will do if you’re caught within ten feet of that human.”

“Tear off my wings?” he said meekly.

She nodded, long ringlets of green hair tumbling over her shoulders. “I don’t want that for you, Ferry. It’s practically a death-sentence!”

He shivered at the thought. “Okay. I’ll be more careful, Daisy,” he vowed.

It was a vow very quickly broken.

-------

An unexpected chill blew in overnight, forcing Ferryn to curl into a tiny ball inside his tulip with only his thin leaf-blanket for warmth. The bitter wind rocked the flower to-and-froe, and Ferryn had to cling to the style to keep from falling out. Finally, long hours later, the warm gaze of the sun brought a welcome warmth--

But it was already too late.

-------

“Hih’tchiiew!” Ferryn snapped awake, searching for the source of the disturbance. His nose twitched, and then: “Kk’itshh!” He sniffled, rubbed his bleary eyes. He tried to swallow, but found his throat was too dry.

He stood up and stretched his wings, then took flight, swooping across the vast garden and landing on the edge of the cement bird-bath. It was empty. Ferryn clutched his aching throat, eyes scanning the perimeter for a way to quench his thirst. And then he saw it, not far off, a small bowl filled with milk. But it was on the human’s porch…an area that was absolutely forbidden to him.

“Hihh…” Ferryn wiggled his nose from side-to-side, trying to disperse the tickle with little success. “Ihh…Ipshh!”

After one final glance around to make sure no one was watching, Ferryn made a dash for the porch, streaking through the air in a blur of color. He miscalculated his landing a smidge, and ended up splashing directly into the milk. He swam to the surface, coughing, and paddled to the edge of the bowl, grabbing onto the rim.

Something slimy and spiky raked over his back, and he let out a stifled squeal of alarm. A second later, an enormous fat cat trotted into view, staring down at him and licking its lips as if preparing for its next meal--which Ferryn hoped was to be the milk, and not himself.

The cat opened its mouth, revealing a long, pink tongue and two rows of sharp teeth that made Ferryn’s pointed ears twitch with dread. “Nice kitty,” he piped. “You don’t want to eat nice Uncle Ferryn, do you? Uncle Ferryn really wouldn’t taste very good.”

The cat’s mouth descended upon him, and Ferryn closed his eyes, praying it would be a quick, if very painful end.

The door to the house banged open and the human emerged, hair a tousled mess, eyes full of grumpy annoyance. “Where have you been, Delilah!?” he demanded of the feline.

The cat purred dismissively, and lazily skulked past the human and into the house beyond, leaving Ferryn alone in the bowl of milk. The human grunted and turned, but before he could slam the door, Ferryn slipped in after him.

------

Alan Banks sat down in front of his computer and sighed heavily. He was halfway through his sixth novel, The Beginning of the End--the story of a man who has to pull the pieces of his life back together after his wife and son are killed in a plane crash--and was stuck. He’d outlined the story, of course, but now he was having second doubts, and when he was having second doubts, he rarely ate. Or showered. Or left his house--which is something he rarely did anyway.

He was twenty-three-years-old and already a successful novelist with four of his five published books appearing on the bestseller’s list. He had every reason to be happy. And yet he was not.

The sound of footsteps approaching had him leaning back in his chair with a groan. “What is it this time, Talbot?”

Talbot Frost was a twenty-year-old kid who’d showed up unannounced at Alan’s house one day, asking for Alan to sign a copy of his first book, Stranger Days. They’d formed a sort of strange friendship after that, and Talbot became Alan’s connection to the land outside his own mind, keeping him up-to-date with the status of the real-world. Alan liked the kid…he really did. But right then, he just wasn’t in the mood.

“Oh, come on. It’s been two weeks, Alan. It’s not like I’m living in your armpit,” Talbot scoffed, padding into the room Alan called ‘the book-den.’

Alan shook his head. “Sometimes you say the most disturbing things, kid. Now get out. I’m not in the mood for you today.”

Talbot attempted to hide the hurt from his face--and did a bang-up job of it, too--not that it mattered, since Alan didn’t bother to glance at him.

“I wanted to ask you--”

“No,” Alan snapped. “Get. Out. I’m busy, kid, and I don’t have time for you. I’m on a deadline.”

Talbot stood his ground. “It’s important, Alan. I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

Alan ignored him.

“It’ll only take a minute,” Talbot pleaded.

The kid just didn’t understand the meaning of ‘no.’ “I’m giving you ten seconds to get out of my house, and then I’m calling the police.”

“Fine,” Talbot spat. His footsteps started up, then faltered.

Alan whipped his head up. “I thought I said get--” He blinked, frowned. “Talbot? What are you doing?”

The boy was on his hands and knees, staring at the floor. “S-sorry. I’ll g-get out of your w-way,” he said through chattering teeth, and began crawling from the room.

“Good Christ!” Alan exclaimed, hustling to Talbot’s side and squatting beside him. “Hold on a second, kid. What--?” He took in Talbot’s colorless face, noted his scarily skinny form, and growled deep in his throat. “Are you sick?” he asked roughly.

Talbot shrugged and bobbed his head. “I…don’t know,” he said thinly. “I’ve been feeling…really weak lately, and I haven’t been able to keep anything down.” He said this all matter-of-factly, as though reading from a script.

“Well,” Alan said gruffly, helping the kid to his feet, “why don’t you lie down on the couch for a while. I’ll make you something to eat. Whaddaya want? Soup?”

Talbot nodded. “Thanks. That sounds good.” He dropped down onto the couch and closed his eyes.

Alan covered him with a blanket, then went to the kitchen to fix the kid some soup.

He was dumping the can of chicken noodle into a pan when something whizzed by him, a flash of gold. “Goddammit,” he growled. “That better not be another wasp.”

He leaned back against the counter, eyes perusing the kitchen, waiting…then he saw it again, a quick fluttering of sun-beam wings. A butterfly? Shrugging, he returned to the soup preparation.

-------

Ferryn swept down onto the counter and light-footed across its surface until he was hiding behind the big silver rectangle that the human had used to open the silver spherical thingy. There were crumbs everywhere, most of them starting to grow green with mold; Ferryn wrinkled his nose--bad move. He immediately had to sneeze, and he could tell by the immensity of the itch that it was going to be messy.

Desperately, he secured his nose between two fingers, body coiling in preparation. “Hp’nchh! Hh…chiih!” Wetness seeped through his fingers and dripped down his grass-woven tunic. He needed something with which to wipe his nose…but what? He took hold of the acorn around his neck and prayed none of the other faeries noticed his absence.

------

Yep. It's different, I know, but I like different!

Edited April 17, 2011 by Scion

[Quite Contrary]

Oooh...cute little faery and moody author! This sounds interesting...I can't wait to see where this goes! I like Ferryn already, I feel like he's going to be fun. Not sure what to think of Talbot yet. I bet Alan is a big softie deep down though. I can already see it.

[Emily]

This is certainly a different approach. I was never one for fairies with facial hair, but then again, I like my boys clean-shaven. Hmm...interesting. This looks like it'll rather comical. I'm not exactly loving Alan though; he strikes me as a guy who would be dumped by his first girlfriend and being traumatized for life, never goes out with a girl again and becomes a grouchy hermit in the woods. Sorta like how he is now. And then he goes insane from going out of contact with humanity and hearing strange noises at night while writing his novels.

[Scion]

This is certainly a different approach. I was never one for fairies with facial hair, but then again, I like my boys clean-shaven. Hmm...interesting. This looks like it'll rather comical. I'm not exactly loving Alan though; he strikes me as a guy who would be dumped by his first girlfriend and being traumatized for life, never goes out with a girl again and becomes a grouchy hermit in the woods. Sorta like how he is now. And then he goes insane from going out of contact with humanity and hearing strange noises at night while writing his novels.

What facial hair? I don't see any facial hair? Alan is a human who has facial hair. Ferryn...I don't see any on him?? I was asked to write a fairy story, so I'm sorry if you don't like it. As for Alan, hmmmmmmmm. I feel like I'm kinda like Alan, lol! I sit in my dorm room all the time writing and everyone thinks I'm a weirdo hermit. Although I'm not in the woods. I'm sorry you don't like him gahhhh. BUT I guarantee he doesn't hear voices! HOWEVER, I must say that, usually you're right, but I think you're off-base with Alan. He IS grouchy, though. Can't deny that. As for the girlfriend...he's never had one.

Edited April 17, 2011 by Scion

[sneezytwilight]

I like this change. It's nice to read somthing fictional for a change. Somthing tells me Ferryn and Talbot will become friends somehow. YAY!! This may be the most interesting story on here....Just have to wait in a couple of posts before I can really descide.

[Anonymouse]

I didn't look at the pictures because I prefer to use my imagination, but Ferryn seems really super cute! It's definitely different but I love it so far. Some people here are into giant sneezes but I'd rather see little people sneezing. It's just so much cuter.

[murphy dee]

Ohhhhh I like this!! And I actually REALLY like Alan - I've got a penchant for characters who are writers, especially if they're much too young to already be as bitter as they are.

And Ferry's so cute! He kinda reminds me of Crysta from Fern Gully, if you've ever seen that movie - not physically of course, but they seem like kindred spirits.

[queenie]

This was a really cool start. I've already laughed AND formed an unreasonable attachment to the token "ill boy" character (who for once is not the one sneezing, which is interesting.)

[Zane]

This is amazing! I love it! looking forward to more! the ill fairy idea is so adorable I love it!! thanks

[Scion]

Quite Contrary: Thank you! Your comments seriously make my day/night ten times more awesome. Hehe, and I'm glad you can see right through Alan! Softie indeed.

Emily: Well...I think I said it all. Gahhh, I don't know why it bothers me so much that you don't like this lol! You're my future wife! You. Must. Like. Everything! Just kidding. You can totally share your dislike for Alan etc. It amuses me. Oh, and I still don't think Ferryn has facial hair hehe.

sneezytwilight: Thank you! I'm so happy you feel that way, 'cause I was a bit nervous about posting this, so...you've made me very happy! And you're spot on about Talbot and Ferryn!

AnonyMouse: Oh, I'd be the same way if I were you! I'm usually disappointed by other people's visions of characters b/c I already have my own vision. Little people sneezing! Hahaha, aww! Well, I'm glad you like little people sneezes! Thank you!

Murphy D.: Ohh, ohhh, yay! Someone else who really likes Alan (that other someone being me, lol). I completely agree with you about the young, bitter writers, and Alan is just that. OH my gosh! I remember that movie! I used to love it because it's the only movie I've ever seen that has a character with my name...hehe, Crysta. Spelled differenty, but close enough. And yeah, Ferryn does seem a bit like her, now that I think of it! Oh, and thank you so much for commenting!

queenie: Haha, thank you! Yeah, I had to throw an ill human in there somewhere. Ahh, I'm so predictable.

Zane: Thank you so much! I'm really glad you like it! Having an ill fairy was not my idea, though I kinda wish I HAD come up with it!

Part Two:

“Here you go.” Alan pushed the coffee table up to the sofa and put the bowl of soup down. Talbot didn’t stir. “Hey, wake up.” Alan shook the kid’s shoulder, watched as his eyes slowly labored open. “Soup’s done.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks.” He still didn’t move.

“Well…bye.” Alan went back to his book-den and sat down in front of his computer, trying to focus his mind.

A tiny sound, like the squeak of a mouse, caught his attention, and he swung his gaze around the floor…no mice. Strange.

His hand moved instinctively to the bump just beneath his shirt-collar, and his fingers curled around cool metal. He sighed, knowing moping about in the past wouldn’t help him any…and not really caring. He just wanted to go back…to change things somehow--which, of course, was impossible.

“I miss you,” he whispered to the air. “Both of you.”

-------

Ferryn crouched behind what he assumed to be a stack of square white leaves, each one of exactly the same size. The human was very, very close. He was glaring down at his hands as if they’d somehow betrayed him, and from this close, Ferryn could see the sadness in those morning glory eyes for the first time. He didn’t like it.

Nor did he particularly like his nose at the moment--it was about to commit a betrayal of its own. Ferryn pressed both hands over his nose, blinking rapidly, but the sneeze would not be held back. “Ntshh!” He made the mistake of sniffing, which caused another sneeze to slip free. “Hih’Chht!”

The human’s head shot up, and his gaze landed squarely on Ferryn’s hiding place. His eyes narrowed as he extended a hand out toward Ferryn; he looked…dangerous. Frightened for the first time since he’d entered the human’s domain, he backed himself into a literal corner, his wings sliding back into place at his back.

He pinched his eyes shut and hoped his last thought wasn’t about his last thought.

-------

Alan shoved the papers on his desk aside, sure he’d find a mouse staring back at him and seeing instead…the butterfly. No…not a butterfly. He inched his chair closer, brought his face right up to the little creature…then gave his head a swift shake. He was seeing things--hallucinating. That was it; he’d finally lost his mind. Well, he supposed it was about time.

So, why was he hallucinating a…faerie? A tiny little…boy faerie with a sprig of brown hair and a lightly freckled face? And…wings, pretty green, cinnamon, and gold wings that had just started to peek out from behind its back.

The faerie opened its nut brown eyes and peered up at Alan with undisguised fear. “Um…hullo,” he squeaked, cringing slightly.

Alan attacked his eyes with his knuckles, blinked a few times, then took another look. Yep. It was still there, staring at him with unblinking eyes.

“My name’s Ferryn,” the creature said shyly, fiddling with the baby acorn around its--his?--neck.

Alan decided that if he ignored the thing, it would go away. He turned back to his computer, even put his hands on the keyboard…

“Hh’ish!” Sniffle. “Excuse me.”

He would not look. No matter what happened, he would not set eyes on that imaginary faerie.

“Ikshh! Hp’tchu! Hhh…pshhu!”

Dropping his head into his hands, Alan groaned.

“Excuse me. I have a bit of a chill.”

That was it. Alan snapped. “No, you do not have a ‘bit of a chill,’ because you don’t exist! You’re a figment of my broken mind! Right now, I am sitting here conversing with myself! I’ve gone crazy! Now shut up and leave me alone so I can try to pretend I haven’t gone off the deep end!”

A stretch of quiet, then… “Itshu!”

Alan ground the heel of his hand into his forehead. He thought he should feel more…upset about his apparent insanity, and yet…he couldn’t bring himself to care. He was already in hell. Maybe this loss of his mind would be a blessing.

“Um…”

“WHAT!?” Alan barked, ramming a fist into the desk in frustration and defeat.

The tiny faerie flinched, tripped over his own feet, and flopped onto his even tinier behind. “Never mind!” he peeped, forming a shield with his hands. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you, Mr. Human, Sir. Please, pretend I never spoke!”

Alan was annoyed by the spark of guilt he felt at intimidating someone one-one-hundredth of his size. “Well, what is it, then?” he sighed.

The nut colored eyes widened. “Um…well…I was wondering if perhaps you had something to…?” He mimed wiping his tiny pink nose.

Grunting a ’yes,’ Alan got up, retrieved a single square of toilet paper from the bathroom, and brought it back to his desk. There, he tore the thing into four, smaller squares, and handed one of them to the…faerie…creature.

“Thank you!” it--he--exclaimed. His little brow knit as he looked down at the paper. “What, if I may ask, is this?”

Oh, Jesus. Out of all the hallucinations in the world, his mind had to spout out this one? Life was seriously, seriously demented. And apparently, so was he. “We humans use it wipe our asses,” Alan grumbled distractedly.

Amazingly, the little guy actually…blushed. “I see,” he croaked. “Well, I thank you for your…generosity and hospitality.”

Alan scoffed. That was a good one. He rolled his eyes. “Just…blow your microscopic nose and shut your mouth. I’m trying to work.” He opened up Google and searched ‘fairy hallucination schizophrenia.’

A minute burbling sound, followed by: “Ifshhih!-shih! Hp’ichh!”

“Why don’t you go fly your butterfly butt into another room and leave me in peace?” Alan gritted, and felt his left eye twitch.

“Okay,” came the slight voice. A fluttering of earth-toned wings, and the…faerie…swept out of the room. The tiny pink blossom of a flower sprung up in his place.

Alan groaned. There was no escape.

-------

Talbot opened his eyes to see a teeny faerie perched on the tip of his nose. He felt his brows lift. “Hello,” he said cautiously.

The faerie’s pouty mug brightened immediately. “Hullo! I’m Ferryn!”

Talbot said, “Hi…uh, would you mind maybe…not sitting on my nose? It kind of tickles.”

“Oh! Sorry! That was very rude of me!” He stretched his wings and coasted to the edge of the coffee table. “What did you say your name was?” he went on in a small and yet very smooth voice.

“Uh. I’m Talbot,” he rasped, sitting up and rubbing the back of his aching neck--not that every other inch of his body didn’t ache, of course.

“Pleased to meet you, Talbot! I’m Ferryn.” He slapped his forehead. “Oops. I already said that.” His happy expression grew contemplative. “Do you know what you are?” he asked.

“I…yes, I do,” Talbot admitted. He was still exhausted, despite the fact that all he’d been doing lately was sleeping.

“You shouldn’t be alone,” Ferryn went on, looking concerned.

Talbot shrugged. “Not much of a choice, really.”

Ferryn was about to reply, when another, louder voice cut him off. “WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO!?”

Both heads snapped to the doorway, where Alan stood, glaring, fists clenched and chest heaving.

“Well, Alan,” Talbot said, “I’m talking to Ferryn.”

------

Um. Yeah. I don't know.

Edited April 18, 2011 by Scion

[murphy dee]

Hahahaha...I love this so much. And I love Alan because his reaction to seeing a fairy is to turn back around in his chair and ignore it, but poor Ferry keeps sneezing and makes himself impossible to ignore! Ohh I lol'd heartily and am unashamed.

And I find Talbot so curious! He didn't seem shocked to see a fairy at all! Haha, Alan's going to flip when he realizes Talbot can see Ferry too.

You write quick, by the way! I agonize over every sentence, but you write as if your fingers just breeze over the keyboard.

Edited April 18, 2011 by Murphy D.

[sillystarsmoons]

Ohh I missed two chapters already! This is great! I can't wait to see more. Yay.

[Quite Contrary]

Ok...and somehow, this just got way more interesting. Hard to do because...it was already really interesting. I mean, fairy story, hello? Ferryn is freaking CUTE!

This: “No, you do not have a ‘bit of a chill,’ because you don’t exist! You’re a figment of my broken mind! Right now, I am sitting here conversing with myself! I’ve gone crazy! Now shut up and leave me alone so I can try to pretend I haven’t gone off the deep end!”

And this: The tiny faerie flinched, tripped over his own feet, and flopped onto his even tinier behind. “Never mind!” he peeped, forming a shield with his hands. So adorable!

Love, love, love this story, your excellent writing, and Ferryn's cute tiny sneezes. Also, very curious about Talbot? Can't wait for more, as always!

[Ciuty80]

OHHHHH MYYYY DEAR GOOD GOD!!!! I REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS KIND OF STORY!!! THIS IS BRILLIANT!!! GORGEOUS!! FANTASTIC!!! AWESOME!!!!

this is my crap!!!

and ferryn - he is such a cute faerie - with soooo much cuter sneezes!!!

please even much more of this brilliant stuff of yours, dear Scion!!!

[Sitruuna]

GOD WOMAN. That. Is. A. Hot. Man. Alan. In the picture. And Ferryn? Aww... Alaannn... I'm glad his the other one of these two guys. And mmmmmmm...

Oh yeesss... Lovely little fairy.

You write this so ncely and I just don't know what to say (other than that I love it<33).

ANd as Quite Contrary said (I think), very curious~

*melts*

Edited April 18, 2011 by Sitruuna

[Emily]

LOL on second though, I think this is the most lighthearted story you've posted on the forum ever. And you devil you, using those sarcastic comments I love so much with Alan. I could learn to love a hermit I suppose. And it also seems that I mistook Ferryn for Alan... ASDFGHJKL. I'm developing some attachment to Talbot though, I'll have to give you that one.

[Tassielli]

Why is there not more? There should be more. I want to know. Who does he miss? I'd talbot a faerie too? Or something else? Éeeeee. Okay zo before I was all don't rush and all but now... Rush! Rsh! Rush! I need to know! Nesecito saber. Es muy importante chiquita! Me voy a estar loca. Y También tengo hambre. Porque no comí el almuerzo. Eso es muy estupide de yo, lo sé, pero no tení plata temprano. Adíos.

[sneezytwilight]

NOOO NO NO NO NO!!! Cliffhanger!! GAH!! (btw when i react like that its a good thing ) But B-bbbbut....Talbot better not get into trouble... Alan is um..okay for now. But this is soo interesting! I love fiction writing. It makes things..well ... more interesting and out-of -the-ordinary.

[Anonymouse]

Ferryn crouched behind what he assumed to be a stack of square white leaves, each one of exactly the same size.

Aw so cute! Faerie misconceptions (though he's not thaaat far off).

Alan attacked his eyes with his knuckles, blinked a few times, then took another look. Yep. It was still there, staring at him with unblinking eyes.

At first I read that as "attacked Ferryn with his knuckles" and I was like oh, okay, end of story I guess.

I love how Alan thinks he's going crazy. His internal dialogue is hilarious. I seriously laughed at every sentence in that middle section, especially when a flower sprouted out of the spot where Ferryn had been standing. It's just so delightfully absurd. Ferryn's sneezes are becoming increasingly adorable and I love that he tickled Talbot's nose.

[Scion]

Murphy D.: LOL! Well, I was laughing while writing it, so...haha. Errr, anyway...thank you so much! And yes, Talbot is being very mysterious at the moment. Can't have a story without a little mystery (well, I can't, anyway). Haha, nah, there's definitely some agonizing going on behind the scenes! I keep trying to find new ways to say "tiny."

sillystarsmoons: Haha, yeah, I wrote a lot yesterday! Oh, and you like it! YAY! Thank you!

Quite Contrary: Ohhh, awesome! You're comments always make me ridiculously happy. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And yes...about Talbot. I must keep you in the dark a bit longer, 'cause I'm evil like that.

Ciuty80: Hahahahaa, wow!!!!!! Yay! I'm glad you like this kind of story! I kinda do, too! And it's so, so fun to write! There will always be more, darling! And THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

Sitruuna: OH YAY! You like it! AND you think Alan is hot! Double yay! I'm so relieved haaha. Thank you! It means a lot that you like it! And I hope you like the rest, as well!

Emily: Muahaha, it seems all I do is corrupt you! I am making it my goal for you to like Alan. I will pull out all my tricks. Wellll, yes, it is lighthearted...now. Okay, so it won't be totally dark, but...some stuff's about to go down. You know how it goes. Ohhh, a Talbot attachment! Could this be b/c he is sickly!? LMAO!

Tassielli: Hahaha, sorry...you're not really gonna find out anything in this update...THE NEXT ONE, though! Bahaha, I will go as fast as I can. BUT YES, you will find out at least SOMETHING tomorrow. I have to keep you in suspence. It's my job.

sneezytwilight: Hehe, sorry! And here I go giving you ANOTHER cliffy. Lol, it's okay if you don't like Alan. he is a bit of a grump at the moment! And I know what you mean! Most of the stuff I write outside the forum is all fantasy.

AnonyMouse: Okay, I seriously laughed for like five minutes after reading your comment. I kept picturing Alan punching teeny little Ferryn, and..ohman, it shouldn't be THAT hilarious, but it is! He doesn't ask questions, he just attacks LMAO! Poor Ferryn! I should not find this amusing. Haha, love your comment. Seriously. And yeah, the part where the flower pops up. I was smily evilly when I wrote that part.

Part Three:

“You--you mean, you can see him!? That little--that--talking butterfly!?” Alan spluttered, his face a deep shade of rose.

“Yeah,” Talbot said simply. “I can.”

Alan’s anger drained away suddenly, and he just looked…tired. Then, in an instant, the anger was back and he was barreling across the room. He wrapped his hand around the little faerie, picked him up, and shoved him into Talbot’s face.

“THIS!” he spat, waving Ferryn back and forth. “You can SEE THIS!?”

“Yes!” Talbot snapped, mustering up a glare. “Now put him down before you break him in two!”

Alan stopped swaying his hand about, and slid his gaze to the infinitesimal creature clutched in his fist. His teensy face was cherry-red, his acorn eyes bugging out. Guilt clawed at Alan’s chest, and he returned the thing to its perch on the coffee table. The little guy stood for about half a second before wavering and falling onto his peanut-sized rear.

“Sorry,” Alan said gruffly, then put a hand to his head. He was talking to a faerie. A real faerie. Not one conjured up by his vengeful mind.

Talbot placed his hand palm-up on the table, and the little thing--Ferryn--crawled onto it, allowing Talbot to carry him to Talbot’s knee. Ferryn’s miniature hands clutched the fabric of the kid’s sweats as he began creeping his way up Talbot’s leg toward his chest, leaving tiny little wet specks in his wake. Tears.

Oh. God. Alan slumped down onto the couch next to Talbot, who gave him a dirty look, cupping a protective hand around the faerie. From beneath the kid’s hand came an almost inaudible noise.

“Htsh’chu!”

“Oh, bless you,” Talbot said to his hand--or what was under his hand.

“Thank you,” came the timid squeak of a reply.

The guilt increased. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have done that, but I thought--I thought--I didn’t think you were real! You’re supposed to be fantasy! I hate fantasy! Fantasy isn’t real!”

Talbot laughed mirthlessly. “No, Alan. Fantasy isn’t real. But faeries aren’t fantasy, and Ferry is just as real as you are.” He lifted the faerie up to his shoulder, where it sat cross-legged, its--his--head in his hands. Talbot patted the faerie’s head with his pinky, and the little guy looked up at him with moist, sad eyes.

“Listen…Butterfly,” Alan began haltingly. “I really am sorry.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“You seriously suck at apologies,” Talbot scoffed, and Alan glared at him.

The faerie sniffled, wiped his eyes. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I forgive you.” His little face screwed up, and his mini hand came up to hover in front of it. “Hishhih! Hhh…utshh’ch!” He tweaked his own nose. “Excuse me.”

“I didn’t know faeries could get sick,” Alan grumbled.

Ferryn smiled shyly. “It’s just a bit of a chill.”

“Uh-huh,” Alan said, wondering if maybe Talbot, too, was a hallucination--that would explain why he could see Ferryn and why he didn’t seem at all surprised to find out that faeries were real. Maybe if he just got some sleep, took a quick nap, everything would go back to normal. His gaze slid over the untouched soup. Made sense. Hallucinations couldn’t exactly eat, now could they? “You didn’t eat,” he said, wondering what excuse the kid would come up with.

“Sorry,” Talbot offered, rubbing his stomach. “I just don’t think I’ll be able to keep it down.”

“Then why’d you ask for it?” Alan grated, irritated beyond belief.

The kid shrugged. “I was hungry.”

“And now you’re not?”

“Oh, no, I’m still hungry. Just can’t eat,” Talbot replied in a flat, lifeless tone, once again sounding as if he were reading from a script, like he had no attachment to his own emotions.

“Why, if I may ask, are you on your own?” Ferryn spoke up.

Talbot shot a wary glance at Alan before answering, “I just…am. It’s not what I want, but…”

“But you can’t survive on your own!” the faerie insisted worriedly as he peeked up at Talbot. “You must make them accept you!”

Alan decided not ask what the hell they were talking about. He wondered if it was odd he was confused his own hallucinations, then shrugged it off.

The little faerie squeaked, his face doing a nosedive into his cupped hands. “Ip’ish!-chh! Hhh’nxtsh!” His eyes darted about for a while before he finally piped, “Um, may I please have some more of…of that…white…substance…?”

“Huh?” Talbot said, then understanding dawned. “Oh, here.” He lifted up the edge of his collar. “Use my shirt.”

Ferryn hesitated. “Are you certain…? I wouldn’t want to be a bother…”

“Eh, it’s fine. It’ll get washed eventually,” Talbot told him.

Ferryn removed his hands from his face and allowed Talbot to gently swipe at his jelly-bean nose. “Thank you! Your kindness is much appreciated!”

“Yeah, sure.” Talbot yawned and slumped back against the cushions, closing his eyes. “What time is it?”

“Do I look like a clock to you!?” Alan demanded, then sighed, shaking his head. He was becoming soft. Now, all anyone had to do was look a bit pathetic, and he was willing to do their bidding. “If I had to guess, I’d say it was about three.”

Talbot winced. “Damn. It’s that late already?”

“Hih’tchu!” Ferryn buried his face in Talbot’s shirt-collar, and Alan noticed that each time he sneezed, his wings sort of…vibrated, or twitched, and a shimmer of silver seemed to float across their gossamer surface. “Up’shiu!” He gave his teeny head a shake, then curled up on Talbot’s shoulder, folded his hands beneath his cheek, and closed his eyes.

“Three is late, now?” Alan asked the kid, feeling even more confused than ever. He was so confused, in fact, he almost forgot to be snappish. “I mean, three is late, now?” he repeated, adding some venom to his voice.

A shiver rolled through Talbot, visible to the naked eye. “I guess not.”

“When’s the last time you ate something?” Alan asked, then snapped, “Goddammit, I’m not your mother!”

Talbot opened one eye. “I didn’t say you were.” The eye closed. “You asked all on your own.”

“Well, you might as well answer the goddamn question, then!”

“About…two days ago.”

Alan clashed his teeth. “Two. Days. Ago?” he bit out, stabbing a glower at the kid, who, with his eyes closed, didn’t even notice.

“Yep,” Talbot said robotically. “I told you, I--”

“Yeah, yeah.” Alan waved a hand to silence him. “You haven’t been able to keep anything down. I get it. Both of my hallucinations are suffering from mysterious illnesses."

“Nothing mysterious about a chill,” Ferryn chimed, then sneezed into his delicate little hands, tousling his earthy hair. “Ih’kishh!” His head came up, and Alan swore he saw those miniscule nostrils flare before disappearing again behind the faerie’s hands. “Npssh! Hihh…ihh…Hk’ichih! Flying ferns!” he exclaimed, face pink. “Excuse me! I don’t mean to be so disruptive!”

Alan snorted. “Yeah, keep it down over there. I might go deaf.”

Ferryn flushed. “Oh, I’m very sorry. Was I being loud?”

“Be nice,” Talbot rumbled sleepily.

“No, no,” Alan relented. “By all means, sneeze as much as your little bitty nose desires.”

Ferryn smiled brilliantly, flashing tiny white teeth, and Alan felt something in his gut twist. He hadn’t seen a smile so pure and innocent, so carefree, since…

He stood abruptly. “I’m making lunch. Talbot, you’re eating because I say you’re eating, but don’t mistake that for me giving a shit. Butterfly, what the hell do faeries eat? Bugs? Grass?”

Ferryn made a face. “We do not eat bugs!” He stuck out his tongue. “Bugs are our friends!”

“Of course.” Alan rolled his eyes. “Bugs are your friends. Why not? Well, I’m gonna go stuff some crap into a microwave. You can eat or you can not. I really don’t care.”

“I’m not…eating,” Talbot croaked.

Alan spun on him, then bit back a retort as he saw the kid’s face. He really didn’t look good at all. He was covered in a layer of sweat, and his face was so white as to be almost…gray. Frankly… “You look dead, kid. What’s wrong with you?”

“Sick,” he breathed.

Ferryn shook his head miserably. “Not sick,” he said. “Dying.”

-------

Soooooorrrrrryyyy!

Edited April 19, 2011 by Scion

[Tassielli]

What the he'll? Dying? Legit? Come on! This better not be a tragedy. Well doctor says u can't use my phone In the hospital so gtg bye!

[count tiszula]

Golly, this is terrific; fantastic and compelling [as all your stories are]. I just wonder if a good trip to fairyland could cure all their loss of mirth.

I have to admit I was expecting Ferry[n] to misunderstand what was meant by wiping our asses, but that's just the Olde Englishman in me....

[Plata, eh, as in the River Plate...]

[Quite Contrary]

Hmm...okay...I'm seeing some connections forming here maybe? Or not. Haha I can never tell. Ok so, when Alan shook Ferryn, he was so comically mad that I kinda laughed at that mental image. But then Ferryn crying broke my heart and I thought about it...he's so little! That would've been terrifying! Ferryn is just. so. cute! I wanna shrink so I can hug him K I'm done babbling. Awesome story, I love it! Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Zane]

ok now I'm really interested in this story! It's starting to get addicting! thanks for writing this!

[queenie]

He can't die! Ferryn and Alan can save him, right? I'm too fond to let him die! Ours was an immediate attachment founded only on him being thin and pale and sickly! He cannot continue to be adorably pathetic and receive my love if he is dead!

Also, I laughed out loud at my computer when Alan said that bit about eating because I say so and don't confuse it with me giving a shit. Really priceless. I could just imagine his snappish tone as he said it, too.