* ' STORM INCARNATE.

          soft giggle fell from lips.   despite age,   in nature,   you were still so childish.   however there was not one potential fault from this behaviour.   “   what are...   cinnamon buns   ?   “   one brow arched in curiosity.   there was still too much you didn’t know about the world   &   things in it   (   too much that they wouldn’t let you learn.   )   “   i really appreciate the fact you made me something.   it’s the thought that counts,   after all.   “   you pointed out,   “   have you been okay since i last saw you   ?  “

          “   i don’t know what a warlock is.   “   you admitted,   brows creased at the comment.   you noted the marks on her skin;   couldn’t help but wonder what they were for.   but you did know the concept of angels and demons   -   you had briefly met one in the facility.   it was strange,   all things considered,   that they wanted to keep dirk away from you,   because you were too dangerous.   but then they allowed two dangerous subjects in the same room.   anyway,   your naturally inquisitive mind took over for a second,   your head tilted.   “   &   i’ve never heard of a shadowhunter either,   it sounds pretty dangerous.   hunting demons...   “   words became your stream of consciousness.   “   since you introduced yourself;   i’m aella.   at least that’s what they told me,   that’s all there is to tell you.   “   it’s all you knew.

before directly answering his question,   she thought for a second.   she didn’t recognize some of those words,   couldn’t even try to grasp the meaning.   and she didn’t know how much to ask for before he might tire of the conversation.   after all,   she didn’t know much about anything outside.   “   i’ve been here since i was five years old...   “   she stated,   her brows creased.   “   as you surely guess i don’t know much about the outside.   they never really told me anything;   it isn’t need to know until i need to know.   i wouldn’t know what questions i want answered first.   “

           “   only one   ?   easy.   “   lips turned heavenward   (   you craved the validation of friendship,   never having got on easy with people.   )   if you were a psychologist you would know that’d be down to the deprivation of a childhood.   you didn’t know how to attach;   how to maintain friendships of any kind.   &   most,   you didn’t want to put them in danger.   you knew better than most that blackwing must still be active,   &   that there’s no way they would have given up on their storm.   but for now you were safe,   so what was the harm in teaching a fellow classmate how to draw better.   “   wine   ?   “   a beat of a pause.   “   oh   !   yeah sure,   the drink.   if you think that’ll help you.   “   you stated,   a definitive nod.   “   a benefit is that i have a great personality.   “

           you could tell he didn’t quite understand.   “   have you ever had ice cream   ?   “   you questioned.   lips turned heavenward at the concept,   you knew how many flavours there were,   and you still had yet to try them all.   that was one minor goal of yours,   amongst thousands of other hopes and dreams.   but if the other had not experienced even one yet,   you knew that was something you could help with.   “   i promise it’s not something that you want to miss out on.   “

         a sigh fell from your lips;   disappointed.   “   really,   high lord,   you expect so little from me   ?   i am not a beast like those you locked up in your prison.   that’s why i am still free,   no   ?   welcomed by high lord helion to stay here,   when the weaver’s forest gets too dull.   “   you proceeded to shake your head,   you were of the same breed as the rest of them,   but you didn’t want those to assume you had the same personalities.   “   &   i am not idiot enough to threaten the most powerful high lord,   even if i am stronger than you,   in the end.   “

          you understood,   you really did.   that is why you offered hand to him,   allowing him the choice of touch or not.   but your words were still going to come,   whether he happened to want to hear them or not.   “   i know.   i understand   &   it sucks,   “   you commented.   “   but that is what they wanted us to feel like.   because if you think you’re a monster,   you stop fighting.   &   you know what they always wanted us to do   ?   stop fighting.   everyone in there had the abilities to do remarkable things,   &   i worked it out years ago,   they wanted me to change the tide of wars.   a naturally destructive force;   and couldn’t be traced back to them.   but this is why i am telling you,   loss is not your fault.   energy is a circle;   they’re visibly gone,   but energy cannot be destroyed.   &   so you have to trust me when i say let go of your blame.   let their energy be transferred elsewhere.   “

          “   i have no idea what that word means.   “   you answered;   brow arched.   she assumed it must be a word that belonged to the humans on the other side of the wall.   “   it’s not like you’re even trapped here,   nesta.   i’m not an enemy.   i don’t know feyre personally but i’m allied with all the courts on the right side of this war.   “   your words purposefully excluded spring from the narrative,   having heard of their high lord’s alliance with hybern.   it was a shame,   you never thought bad of tamlin until now.

          your laugh echoed around you.   “   trust me,   i don’t take my place from anyone but myself.   you don’t have anywhere near as much power as you think you do,   does that upset you   ?   “

truthfully,   aella is not at all scared of death.   i think she’s thought about it,   and where she doesn’t know much about her ability,   she knows intuitively even if something happens to her physically;   something of her would continue to exist.   through this knowledge,   she is mostly unconcerned with the idea of death.   perhaps the only thing she would miss about having a physical form would be interactions with her friends   (   namely:   dirk   )   i think that she would almost certainly want to be the last person to go.   and as for regrets,   i don’t think she has many.   she lived her life to the best of her ability,   especially considering lack of opportunity until she was almost seventeen.  &   due to lack of education she was severely limited in that respect,   but i think no matter what else she might have wanted to have done,   she was happy with the life she lived.

          “   i don’t mean to play games.   “   you answered,   if the made truly thought this to be a game,   then she had a long way to come in the understanding of the fae.   &   you were not entirely sure that she was going to enjoy it.   “   i can be of use,   you want to leave   ?   but leave to where,   nesta   ?   “

          “   isn’t that the point of looks;   to mislead   ?   “   or at least that’s what they’d taught you.   “   the weather would speak for itself.   “