When You're Down, We'll be Around (Secret Santa for @MeForever

[lunarcat42]

Hey @MeForever! This is only part one of the secret santa gift, but as I'm probably going to be getting busy around Christmas (My birthday is like, right afterwards) I wanted to have your present ready for you! I wasn't familiar with any of the fandoms you listed, but I looked them up and saw that Critical Role was a fantasy one so I tried to do something in that vein. Hopefully You enjoy it and everyone else likes it too!

The anthro/furry part is just because one of the main characters is a fairy-deer type thing, but she's not the one doing the sneezing, even if she does cause a few :3. I'll finish up the story when I get back after December because I'm enjoying the heck out of it as well!

Characters:

Ignis Haycien: A playful young elven prince who would much rather be a charming bard and go on adventures with his best friend Aya. Has straight white hair with orangy/red tips that he wears long, pale skin and green, catlike eyes. He has a mischievous streak but is also quite caring and good hearted. Tall and thin, but obviously masculine. Age: early twenties (human standards)

Aya: A fluffy purple fairy-deer with one dragon wing and one feathery wing. Has blue small antlers, small fangs, and sparkly hooves and nose. She's a chef back in her village, using magic to cook, and is childhood friends with Ignis. Tries to be the more level headed one but is still just a playful young fawn at heart. Not a very strong flier but tries hard. Age: 19-24 (human standards)

Styx Blackfeather: A lich of unknowable age, from a civilization long past, has immense magical power...and no memories. The magical machine meant to revive him didn't work perfectly and so instead of waking up hungry for vengeance, he woke up hungry for...toast. He's eccentric, wears bright dandy clothes, and is neither elven, fairy or human, but he is DEFINITELY a skeleton of some sort. Befriended Ignis and Aya a while back, and while he trues to hide it, he is grateful to have such good friends. The fantasy lich version of your local mad scientist, he is helped in his experiments by his demonic assistant Sorrel. 

Sorrel: Every mad scientist needs their Igor, and Sorrel is Styx's. He used in many experiments and is Styx's one remaining servant, having formed a pact with him long ago. Don't let his twitchy persona fool you, he GREATLY enjoys taking part in painful experiments and 'dying' and being 'revived'. The anxiety is only somewhat of an act, he might be a little mad, but only in all the best ways, and often finds himself trying to help the others with personal problems. Sorrel is not his real name but that one requires you to have three tounges to say correctly, so everyone just calls him Sorrel. 

Without Further Ado, lets get this started, merry Christmas!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

When You’re Down, We’ll Be Around

 

Aya rolled onto her back and laughed with a whinny and a snort, throwing her sparkly hooves up into the air. She coughed on mirthful tears and struggled for air between fits of giggles.

“Oh Ignis! You always know what to say!” She said, before taking a few deep breaths and shakily regaining her composure. Ignis flashed a white toothy grin at her, as Aya walked over to her elven friend and nudged him with her round nose. “You know you can’t ever repeat that to your father, he’ll have your hide,” she said, but grinned while doing so. It was high time someone finally took that ranger Silvercloud own a peg, ever since he tried to stick an arrow into Aya’s side the two had never really seen eye to eye.

Ignis wrapped a slender arm around Aya’s furry next in a playful manner, and ruffled up her puff of hair.

“Oh, you know me, Aya just a regular hero of the people is all. But that whole thing about father, erm… you wouldn’t say anything of course but you know how my royal guard is. Think she knows by now?” Aya nodded and Ignis’ smile quickly faded. It was not that he was not used to getting in trouble, it was simply that he hated to disappoint his father so. Ignis couldn’t seem to help it, he was no prince, not really, he was still just a young man, who be a rather splendid bard or writer, but a king? No, he was far too fond of getting into trouble and making others laugh and feel that golden glow inside to worry about, well, whatever it was kings did (which to him mostly seemed like being stuck inside a castle all day listening to overdressed viziers talk about taxes.)

He loved his father but it was clear his heart belonged to songs and stories, not to political negotiations. Ignis looked up over Aya’s antlers to where he could see just the top of his castle home breaching over a grassy hill. He had to face the music sooner or later.

Just as the thought to bid Aya farewell started to take hold, he heard the disgruntled voices of his royal guard Io and the grumbling tones of the ranger Silvercloud passed through his pointed ears. The two friends looked at each other, and Ignis gave a somewhat cheeky smile.

“Perhaps we could take just one more stroll?” Aya rolled her eyes but nodded her head with a grin.

“And I think I know just where to go.” Ignis quickly mounted onto Aya’s strong back and with a few flaps of her wings they were off into the warm evening air. Ignis looked behind down at the receding ground. Emerald green hills and oaken forest trees fading below, mixing with the violet sky tinted by the setting sun. Ignis faced forward and wove his smooth hands into Aya’s mixture of fur and feathery down. The lavender hued fairy deer always smelt of fresh clover and dew-covered flowers. He nuzzled his face into her fur to protect against the chilling wind. She was so warm, and soft, and understanding. There are plenty of stories about a boy and his pet dog, or dragon, but truly there was no prince luckier than him to have a friend like Aya.

A quick bank to the left thrust a face full of fur and feathers up the young prince’s nose. The fluff prickled at his nostrils and tickled his nasal cavities. He jerked his head up, something Aya felt.

“Sorry your highness, some wind caught me off guard, you know I’m not the best flier in the kingdom…” Her tri-tufted ears tilted back at the slight sound of what sounded like gasping. “Prince? Uh…Ignis- “

Iiiihhh’Tchuuu! Aya shook as she felt the sneeze ripple from her friend.

“Did you just…sneeze on me?” Aya asked in a faux shocked voice. His sneezes were usually light and breathy, like a gust of spring wind, she must have tickled his nose quite a bit to get such a reaction from him, small as it may have been compared to some other sneezes her feathers had triggered.

Just one of the disadvantages of being part bird, Aya supposed. They quickly approached the ground as she heard Ignis start winding up again for another sneeze, but then stopped himself, and with a moment of hesitation, responded.

“Ah, goodness…My dear Aya, please forgive me, I believe a bit of down must have decided to say hello to my no-n-nose…h-hehh…”

        “Oh no you don’t mister!” Aya gently dove towards the rocky ground, and Ignis rubbed his nose, his curled lip relaxing somewhat, though not without sniffles. Aya’s hooves skipped across the ground, coming to a graceful halt. Ignis jumped off her back and sniffled and hitched in a dramatic fashion.

“ihh…h-hihhehh…”

Aya rolled her eyes and swept under his nose with the edge of her bird wing. Just the light brush of the edge of her primary feather, the powdery down entering his already irritated nose caused him to quickly go from a stuck sneeze to an escalating one. His nostrils flared slightly, he took in one last gulp of breath and-

“Aaahhtchieww!”

“Bless- “

“-Cheww!”

“-you. And… bless you again?” Ignis wiped his nose on his sleeve and shook his head. “Wasn’t me that time.” They looked up at the castle beyond them, nestled deep in the valley of glowing crystals, built on a bed of black rock and sand. Aya turned back to Ignis, “can liches sneeze?” she asked, only half-jokingly. Ignis nodded to Aya to follow him towards the dark, and rocky castle. From the looks of it the building was made from one giant piece of dark, marbled stone, with grey, cracked streaks sewn throughout, like lightning that was permanently etched onto the face of Castle Gloam.

It certainly added to the classic ‘haunted castle’ environment. And perhaps at one time that was what the owner intended.

Ignis skipped across the cobblestone bridge that hung over a long dry moat and knocked the heavy ebony doors in a manner not unlike an innocent countryside ingenue in a play would. Aya giggled and prodded Ignis with her sky blue antlers gently. Slowly, the doors pulled open to reveal…

A skinny, black, spotted cat-like fellow with darting yellow eyes and two small batwings on his back. He looked at Aya and Ignis before answering in a soft but refined voice.

“Can I help you?”

Aya nodded, “is Styx in, Sorrel?” The cat being, who’s name was not exactly Sorrel, but was too long for most mortals to comfortably pronounce, raised a finger to his mouth in thought, “w-well, I suppose to a- “

“ARRUSHHEWW!”  The sudden sneeze was followed up by a dapper skeleton dressed in red and gold robes with a feathered tricornered hat stumbling into his faithful servant.

“Ah, Aya, Ignis!” He said without missing a beat. “Welcome! Come…” the skeleton paused, then sniffed, an action which caused the two friends to look at him, then each other, with concern. “Come in!” Styx continued. Aya took the first steps into the dark castle, her hooves clopping on the stone floor.

Even under her fluffy fur she could feel how much colder it was inside than outside. Seemingly to prove her point Ignis hugged his shoulders and sneeze in a way that Aya was uncertain whether it was fake or real. She looked up at Styx with some worry. “Styx, it’s freezing in here! Is that why you were sneezing? …Can you even sneeze?” Styx put his hand on Aya’s head and stroked her gently. “That? Ah, that was simply some dust, I had been looking through my books earlier and…and…”

His hand dropped down to his side. Styx looked out into the middle distance and rubbed under his, well, where his nose USED to be at least. The holes which were left behind were quickly expelling and inhaling the chilly night air. Right as his head tilted back and his jaw dropped, Ignis pressed a slender finger to the area right below Styx’s nostrils.

“Huhhnnn…” The lich slowly reopened his eyes, or, eye cavities as the case may be, and turned his head slightly towards Ignis. “Th-thank you,” he said with a stuffy sounding sniffle added onto the end.

“Oh Styx, you sound just dreadful!” Aya ran over to him and nuzzled him. “You should be in bed, I’ll make some hot soup.” Styx almost smiled at this, Aya was well known for being an excellent chef.

“Indeed, poor fellow.” Ignis held out a soft handkerchief to his friend, “I hardly even knew liches could catch cold, but even so, Aya is right, this palace is freezing, you’ll just end up getting sicker. Poor chap.”

Styx suddenly drew back from his worried friends. “Ah, well, that’s very kind of you, but I would hate to impose. Besides, I’m not ill, as I said before, twas just some du-duhh-Huhhhhnn- “

Ignis quickly took the handkerchief from earlier and pressed it up to Styx’s nose. The lich inhaled deeply a few more times, until the sensation started to fade. Ignis rubbed at Styx’s nose, attempting to have the soft fabric soothe it, unfortunately it simply seemed to coax the sneeze out once more.

“AAAASHOOOO!”  

Ignis jumped back in surprise, but Styx was not quite done yet.

“Ah-Choo! Haa-Tchewww! EHHHCHOO!” This last sneeze was stronger than the rest, and afterwards Styx swayed slightly. Ignis crossed his arms, then went over to the skeleton and let him lean on his shoulder for support.

“Right, straight to bed then?”  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Part 1 end!

[Usagi]

These characters are so cute! I love this, and look forward to more parts. The fact that he 

7 hours ago, lunarcat42 said:

 

A quick bank to the left thrust a face full of fur and feathers up the young prince’s nose. The fluff prickled at his nostrils and tickled his nasal cavities. He jerked his head up, something Aya felt.

 

 

7 hours ago, lunarcat42 said:

 

“Ah, goodness…My dear Aya, please forgive me, I believe a bit of down must have decided to say hello to my no-n-nose…h-hehh…”

        “Oh no you don’t mister!” Aya gently dove towards the rocky ground, and Ignis rubbed his nose, his curled lip relaxing somewhat, though not without sniffles. Aya’s hooves skipped across the ground, coming to a graceful halt. Ignis jumped off her back and sniffled and hitched in a dramatic fashion.

“ihh…h-hihhehh…”

Aya rolled her eyes and swept under his nose with the edge of her bird wing. Just the light brush of the edge of her primary feather, the powdery down entering his already irritated nose caused him to quickly go from a stuck sneeze to an escalating one. His nostrils flared slightly, he took in one last gulp of breath and-

“Aaahhtchieww!”

“Bless- “

“-Cheww!”

 

These two parts killed me as well! Just had to say so! 

[M214186]

Intrigued by these characters 

[MeForever]

Oh my god this is great! I can't wait for the next part. This is not the type of stories I usually read, but I love it!

[lunarcat42]

Aww thank you guys so much! I'm really glad you enjoy it @MeForever (I was really hoping I did a good job, I'm so happy!  ). 

I'm working on part two, but for now I'll just say, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! I hope all your winter nights are beautiful and cozy!

 

[Shikee12.haley]

Oh my god you simply must continue I just love this type of writing style 

[lunarcat42]

Hey everyone! I'm back from the cruise (it was so fun!) with part two to present! Still working on part three. Thank you for your patience! Happy New Year! I hope all your resolutions come true!

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Styx pushed himself back up, almost over balancing to the other side, but corrected himself before he could topple over.

“A very kind offer my friend, but I have some more things left to do today, potions I was working on, tomes I was going through-“ A chest rattling cough echoed through the lich’s frame. Ignis put a hand on his shoulder, Aya rubbed her head against his torso. “Things children should not be playing with.” Styx finished. He sniffed, and then quickly snatched the handkerchief from Ignis’ hand, and smothered a sneeze into it.

Aya and Ignis looked at each other, they knew that once Styx had his mind set on something, it was near impossible to change it. Not helping matters was how certain he was about denying his illness. But, that hardly meant they were going to abandon their friend to shiver and sneeze alone in this dreary castle.

It was Aya that spoke up first.

“Perhaps we could at least assist you with your errands?” She said.

“Indeed, many hands make light work, and besides Styx, we’re not that young,” Ignis added.

“W-well…” Styx stammered out. Sorrel walked up to the group.

“Master, if I may interject, the young ones are right, if we all work together we can finish things much quicker. And of course, I’ll shall be on hand to assist. What do you say to that?” Sorrel finished making his point by tapping gently on the thin nasal cavities of his master. This triggered a sudden intake of air, and yet another two, empty, unproductive sneezes were blown into the cool cloth handkerchief.

“Ahh-hewww! Ehhhh’hewww!” Another few coughs and finally a pause, as it seemed the tickle in his nose and throat was placated for a moment. “Well…perhaps. But! I insist I be there. I’d much rather that, were anyone to get injured, it would be your silly friend Styx rather than one of you loosing an eye. After all,” Styx grinned “I don’t exactly have any eyes left to lose.”

Ignis nodded, “fair enough Styx, now, what is it you need us to help you with?” Styx conjured up a yellowed looking scroll, with many strange symbols written on it in a clean, orderly fashion. To someone else these strange, unknown phrases might seem threatening, to Aya and Ignis, it was more likely they were some sort of grocery list Styx had given to Sorrel earlier in the day, and judging by some of the inky smears on it, he had most likely used it as a hanky at some point.

“I suppose them most important things I had on my list was cataloging some tomes in my library, and attempting to recreate a potion I had found in one of my old diaries.”

“Sounds simple enough! Books cannot be that difficult to wrangle, where do we start?” Asked Ignis. Any chance to explore Castle Gloam was always a good idea to him, hidden passageways, strange artifacts, he might not understand it all but it was certainly always exciting! Surely father could wait a while, he’ll just explain he was spending the night with a friend.

It wasn’t a total lie at least.

“Now hold up a moment there young prince,” said Sorrel, “a lich’s library is not much like the one you know. Or, perhaps it is, just the areas that you’re not allowed to go into. It can be more dangerous than you think. Trust me, I know.” Sorrel’s odd smile at the end made Ignis unsure weather to sympathize with him, or simply heed his words.

“Well what are we waiting for? The sooner we begin the sooner poor Styx here can get his bedrest.” Aya said. Styx dabbed at his poor, itchy nose with his (or, rather, Ignis’) handkerchief and nodded in agreement. Aya flapped her wings in a happy, gentle manner, and the group together headed towards the west wing of the ebony castle.

Unfortunately, it seems that a small bit of downy, fuzzy fluff had dislodged itself from Aya’s fur during her mini-celebration and was currently floating around the four of them, only to get sucked into Sorrel’s triangular nose with a sharp intake of air. It made its visitation into Sorrel’s nasal cavity obvious immediately, and his nose twitched this way and that. Not wishing to take importance away from his poor, suffering master, he attempted to stifle his quick sneeze, but was not fully successful.

“Heh’Knntz!” A small plume of green fire exited Sorrel’s nose and mouth, taking with it the irritating fluff. “Bless you.” Styx responded, with little joy. “Are you getting sick as well?” Asked Aya, but Sorrel shook his head. “Not to worry miss, I feel ship shape, perhaps a feather or two tickled my nose?” Aya looked away, sheepishly.

Ignis looked towards Styx as they entered the library. “Heh, you must be lucky Styx, usually in stories when magical beings sneeze it causes some disastrous outburst of magic, like poor Sorrel back there.”

“Yes…luck.” Styx replied in a distant voice.