Lumikki of Iceberg

"One is an Omen, Eight for a wish"

”This is the forest?” Lumikki clicked her beak in annoyance as she soared the sky in the form of a rave. Followed by many other who often occupied her side within the flock. ”This is where the blue-haired man was mentioned to have gone?” Her voice bore the echo of frost and chill like words through a frozen caverns.

Lumi was in Caelum to sort some matters for The Valr Frostguard, or more like Aurelius to be more specific. The sarcastic, pragmatic man was hoping to gain more favor in his homeland and insisted the Demoness took the opportunity to promote them. Claiming that it was fairly beneficial on both sides, but Lumikki couldn’t be so sure. Still, it gave her things to do and a reason to see new lands. What more, there were interesting tales among the locals that she now hoped to explore them; but first, she was off to seek out the lost man who disappeared three days prior.

”This it is, my Revna. And we can feel their influence already.” Lonu remarked, ever quick to answer. He was a forest spirit turned raven, but him and the others evolved to be past ravens long ago. Now more akin to Daemons or familiars now. It would be this touch of darkness that let them peer through the veil before them, and the Obscura that lets them pierce though the nature magic woven thickly in the air.

”The question is, where could he be? Where would we start?” Trygve, but another of her ravens answer. He was clearly overwhelmed by the task, but put up a front otherwise. Gunvald however, would see right through it and not grant the bird any peace. ”Flustered are we chick-a-Dee. You know well, you could have stayed behind. No need for cowards by our Mistress’ side.” He broke into a cackle that acted like salt in the wound and Trygve puffed up his chest as if to prove against his point.

”Fairies huh, it’ll be interesting to see some.” Alune, the white raven among them had plundered out loud. She wasn’t interesting in the dispute beside but rather the task ahead. ”—Aye, let’s see if they’re as annoying as the the stories claim.”

"Pity those who hold the gaze of me flock."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"One is an Omen, Eight for a wish"

”I’d have to peck yer head on that later then lad. I for one enjoy a good or read or two, seeing it’s a passion of mine. Advantage? Suppose I’d agree to that. Leave it to a bird to have a wealth of useless knowledge. But I for one happened to special in myths, lores, stories of old, and tales. This one just being one of many.” Swift in word the raven retorted. His mention of other literature snagged her interest and favor however, swelling her with curiosity and enthusiasm. Though she’d break into a chuckle by this next remark. Her laugh a soft croak rippling through her feathers.

”Perhaps yer seeking to be murdered than lad.—Though..if ye have peanuts to spare for me birds, we’d be grateful. Good things come to those that make offerings—good omens if ye will. Like leading a man who’s been lost for three days time since before I’ve entered.” The man began walking, and Lumikki kept clutched to his shoulder. Sticking tight despite his pace as he followed her flock. Her body bobbed with each of his steps, rocking small frame with each taken.

”Clever ye are, lad. Can’t say I move meself to every plea of a human, yes. But at times, I like to do things as entertainment. Like seeing how I fare amid the fairies. They don’t like me very much see,” the last bit spoken in a hush as if it were a secret. Lumikki would continue the low tone in her voice, playfully acting out the occurrence of them being spied, which was hardly out of the realms of possibilities. ”Oh, they’ve been evading me all day. Wasn’t still that wee lass was more wrapped up in yer misery than me presence that I got the sight of one. Though…I was almost sure they’re suppose to be far bigger than that….perhaps a lesser, if that…” Her head tilted once more as she gave it thought, but it would all be cut short by his introduction and remarks.

”Oh, that won’t do. Ye’ve given me a name. The bold one ye are, but I kid. I come in peace, if ye could believe it. Merriment more like it.” Lumikki broke into another chuckle, though this time she’d drop herself off his shoulder. Before her talons could touch ground, a vortex of black feathers wrapped around her. Swallowing the bird’s small frame before expand to something much larger. From which, a girl of short stature just barely touching five feet, rose from the plumage. Her cool brown skin with tattooed makings in contrast to her pale white hair half braided and thrown into a bun. Her eyes were like the twilight sky, with one gold while the other a nightly purple and blue with golden flecks that appear as if cast by the other and golden pupils. She wore a short black dress in Caelum fashion, with an assortment of patterns and her hands seemed as if stained with black ink with nails resembling black talons. Around her legs coiled a lively darkness, while her shadow broke into two figures both occupying her silhouette albeit, one was the pitch of night while the other pure whiteness. Around her neck hovered six beads in rotation, and amid her features were fresh flower blossoms and leaves sprouting from her hair and steps.

”Hmmm should I offer ye mine is the question. Perhaps Raven suits me well for now, aye lad?” She’d turn to him, looking up with a smirk of her own that showed fangs. But everything about her was more playful than threatening.

"Pity those who hold the gaze of me flock."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"One is an Omen, Eight for a wish"

”Do ya now?” Lumikki’s voice rung with absolute intrigue. He could hear it in her tone, the richness of her curiosity. ”Please if ye would, well….more reason to assure ye get out isn’t it….then I shall guarantee yer exist of this abysmal place.” Lumikki was already making mental plans for the trip and planing outfits for the heat when he interjected her thoughts. ”—Huh! What do ya mean, if it’s still there? Hmmm should we make good on checking it now rather than later lad?” Lumikki was serious about the invitation, but the conversation went on and the prospect of getting her birds fed pleased her.

”Carriage? I personally prefer flying but a mount or two comes in handy as well….but..no leg room ye say—ya know, I had always wanted to try it sometime but that detail makes it not so tempting…hmmm. Ever tried the trains? There is a nice station back in Orchidia I never took that time to take, but a las, hardly a reason to use it.” As the raven spoke, here eyes made note of the peanuts in his hand, though they only lasted a moment. She ruffled her feathers happily all the same.

”Is that what, that was? A curse? Honestly I thought it was a part of yer charm, really presents a stoic allure doesn’t it. But if ye want that thread snipped, and rid of that Demon of yers, well then, I’d be happy to assist. Just so happens I’m in the business and we don’t need more of ‘em here do we. Oh, no, no, no. But first, we should get ourselves out of this mess huh, and I still wanna see that collection…I think I like ye Kenzo. Yer far more worth the trip than seeing small fairies. Ye gave me many things to be excited for.” A chuckle fell from her lips like the chiming of small bells, it was clear to see the woman was indeed amused. It only transfigured to a cackle the moment her mention of time finally sunk in. His reaction was delicious and the Demoness ate it hungrily.

”Aye mate, they sent word for anything who could bear to help ya on the second day. Mentioning something about the man wandering among fairy territory. The mayor of the town back was very worried too, saying that the sooner someone collects ye, the better. Else ye could spend a few days in here and returned back to perished friends and family. Time here just ain’t as it is there. So perhaps it’s best we settle this out rather quick but, looks to me the next marker awaits.” The pair wander through the wood with croaks of her ravens echoing amid the trees. Their calls should fizzle as soon as they past, yet there was an odd echo to be heard within the fog they were in. And a cool mist inching along their feet.

The cried of the captured fairy had not faded, and it pulled the attention of others. Only seeing the Demoness quelled any bravery they had mustered, as none were keen to confront a beast of the dark. Still, the pair could somewhat make out the sound of their whispers. Tattling on their hiding spaces among the leaves. But as long as they didn’t bother her, Lumikki didn’t care. Granted, she came to see them for herself but now there were new motivating factors to entertain and one of their own already in her clutches.

”What possibly could bring ye this direction anyways? Didn’t ye notice all the fairy circles on the way here?” Lumikki wanted to drown their yammering with her own, and enjoy his company while she veered them to the next clearing.

"Pity those who hold the gaze of me flock."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"One is an Omen, Eight for a wish"

Kenzo’s words were cut short the moment a loud explosion struck the location barely meters away from where they were headed. Her ravens responded by flying away in one cloud, but the smoke and brightness would disturb their synchronized flight, leading them to pull apart and disperse.

Lumikki had enough strength to brave the crashing gale, with her posture squaring enough to lean into the gust. Svanvartr, the Demoness’ black shadow rose from the ground, arcing over Lumikki to unfurl her wings and deter the debris, while her sister Hlaðguðr, the white shadow stood behind Lumi with a posture poised for battle. The trio tasted conflict on their tongue, a sensation that pass through them all in the same instance. But it would be Lumikki who fed off that prospect hungrily just before a fairy about the size of a grown red-oak stomped his approach toward them amid the source of the blast. Yet despite his introduction, Lumikki couldn’t stop herself from breaking out into a laugh.

”For-forgive us…” Lumi blurted between her cackling, it was rather difficult to say words. ”Ye see….we’re simply trying to leave.” Finally the Demoness was winding down, though she still needed a moment to catch her breath, her words were flowing again an her tone correcting. ”Course the lass of yers wanted to make it more difficult but we could remedy it now. Wouldn’t mind showing us the way out, wouldn’t ya dear?” She wiped the last of her tears and blinked the merriment out of her eyes, now she stood with a polite smile and relaxed posture.

Was she truly unbothered however was a different story, hints may have been showing in both sisters that could tell otherwise. With tense stances, they were ready to lunge at any moment, while the mage’s eyes remained wide and locked onto the behemoth. ”Isn’t that right Jabber? We only wished to leave.” She didn’t want to use the name he gave as she didn’t trust the fairies to leave him be should they know. And as she spoke, her four black wings unfurled, a measure should she need move or attack rather quickly.

 

"Pity those who hold the gaze of me flock."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"One is an Omen, Eight for a wish"

The thunderous scene progressed, but Lumikki was quite unaware of the inner turmoil of her companion. Her thoughts were also elsewhere, mostly in their safe passage. But the Fairy before them was making sure such a goal proved difficult, and so it put Lumikki in a more cautious stance as well. Her posture and poise were on the fringe of being defensive, but she saved just enough face to seem calm.

Kenzo mirrored her sentiments with a fervor that was surprising, considering he had not heard any word she said. A truth she wouldn’t be aware of, and so she’d move on as if they a single front. Hoping that this ordeal could be as smooth as the last.

Of course, this fairy wanted anything but. Jorben was as keen as she to show off whatever power he had if it meant putting his opponent in place. A sentiment that Lumikki didn’t abandon as the golden sphere grew around them. Rather, the Demoness too doubled down, if it meant putting the fairy in place.

Lumikki leaned back, falling into a frost chair of her making. Proving to Jorben In that gesture, that her could not stave off all her magic, simply weaken it. ”A bout of strength ye say? As if ya could have me friend beat Jorben!” Lumikki exclaimed. Her head rested on her arm in a relaxed posture but she’d bring up her free hand to introduce Kenzo to stage. ”Not many I know who could best a warrior of his caliber and I’d assume a fairy like yerself to be out of touch.” Her sisters, as if playing along with the rouse, would take their spots beside Kenzo. The Swan in White throwing her hands in the air to conjure a flurry of snow reminiscent of confetti and the Swan in Black made a carpet of darkness for him to walk upon, before both spinning in a pirouette and taking elegant poses that welcomed him to the challenge. At the end of the black path, frost rose from the ground. Interlocking like the ice in snowflakes forming, instead, thicker and stronger. They formed a table and two chairs for the combatants to sit and take their chance.

In truth, Lumi and Kenzo were fairly equal in strength. Her eyes revealed that much, but she wouldn’t act on it. Instead, she wanted him a moment to break a trail, and what more in a way he’d enjoy most. Brute force! The means most warriors preferred if they had the choice. Meanwhile, Lumikki was practicing devilish things in the absence of their attention. She was trying to drown the dome in darkness, in hopes it would eat at the nature of the fairies magic and weaken their resolve. Starting with the ones who hid in the fringes of the field, snuffing their cries and binding them into place.

None were harm from her meddling, but it did server to even the playing field. She did not care to slay the creatures she admired, but she did not trust them like she didn’t trust a Demon or Seraphim.

"Pity those who hold the gaze of me flock."