Hi hello it's been a hot minute since I threw something up but like
ok mostly it's bc I keep forgetting of a Sunday morning
anyway we're here now
~~
Halliel landed in the park and pulled the stick free of her bun, letting her hair unwind down her back as she hurried to meet her friends.
"Ok, that," Kit said, watching, "is unfair. What the fuck."
"It's all in how you make the twists," Caria said. "Allegedly." She handed Halliel a takeout cup. "I did my best."
It was on the cooler side of a drinkable temperature. Halliel sat beside Caria, stealing part of her lap blanket as she drank the coffee. "Thanks. Sorry I'm late."
"So Syn's still not back," Conly said.
Hail winced.
"What? They'd have been on time!" Conly shrugged.
"Maj also isn't here," Kit said.
"She said she was going to be late, though."
Halliel sipped at her coffee. "I got… held up. Cat." And a general unwillingness to leave Syn's - rapidly becoming hers - flat.
"How long's that been? It's getting ridiculous."
"Halliel is getting all mopey," Salathiel said, and stuck out her tongue in Halliel's direction.
Caria's tail looped around Halliel's wrist, hidden under the blanket.
"I hope their parents are alright," Fig said. "Why didn't you go with them?"
"I told her," Peri said. "Hope that was fine?"
"Well - someone had to look after Trixie. Their cat," Halliel explained. "And it was hardly my place to go."
"I suppose," Fig said slowly. "That's very - brave of you. I'd hate for my partner to go through that alone." She leant into Peri's side.
Halliel sighed. "What exactly did you say, Peri?"
Conly was cackling; Hail and Kit exchanged money, because of course they did. Salathiel hid her snort of laughter behind her hand.
"Well," Peri started, laughing "in my defence-" he cut off as his laughter grew uncontrollable.
"I've misunderstood something." Fig looked around the group. Halliel caught a flash of her purple eyes, familiar but unfamiliar, because Syn's had never been nervous or self-conscious.
"No, they're just in denial about it," Conly said.
Halliel suppressed her eye roll.
"They're obnoxiously close friends," Caria said. "Nothing else."
"Oh." Fig bit her lip. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. Just, the way everyone speaks about them…"
"I know." Halliel puffed out her breath. "Everyone assumes it at least once." And normally it wouldn't bother her, but right now - amongst people who knew better, who'd been told (who didn't know what was really happening) - it wasn't… welcome.
"Halliel doesn't help it," Conly said, too cheerfully.
Halliel drained the rest of her coffee. "Does anyone want another?"
"Well, if you're offering," Conly said, grinning at her.
"Please." Hail passed over jer travel cup.
"If that's alright?" Kit asked.
"Everyone?" Caria got to her feet. "I'll help. Come on."
"Thanks." Halliel was holding her wings tight to her back as they walked away from their group of friends. "Sorry."
Caria shrugged. "It's way too cold to be having a picnic, but here we are."
"That's not-"
"There's really been nothing?"
"Maj hasn't said."
"Maybe they're just really busy. Or forgot. Got sidetracked.
Halliel hummed. It was all plausible, but…
"Oh." Caria stopped short.
Halliel looked over, following Caria's gaze to where Maj was striding towards them. She caught her breath and slowed to a halt.
"What's happening?" Caria asked, as Maj reached them. "Because we're not working today, and you-"
"It's Syn," Maj said, effectively silencing Caria.
Halliel stopped breathing, her world hanging on Maj's next words.
"They've arrived."
Halliel sucked in her breath and nodded. "Good. That's good. They didn't say-?"
"My other agents said they seemed fine." Maj was watching her.
"That's good," Halliel repeated. "Thank you."
"You understand I can't pass on anything else."
Halliel nodded. "Of course. They're - that's all. That's good."
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that ask from @elkieselkiewrites got me to thinking and while we're not going to see early friendship Halliel & Syn in story, you can have this scrappy thing I wrote somewhere close to midnight a couple days ago
who knows how accurate it is
~
They hesitate, staring down the fox-form on the other side of the two swords. Pretty; dark skin, red fur, ears perked mostly upright. Not as tall as the form they've given themself, but curvier. Dressed in a flowing skirt, corset, wristguards, and a wrapped twist of fabric keeping her hair in check.
They almost swap their antlers for fur, but no that's not done here.
"Well?" The fox-form raised her eyebrows, holding out one of the swords. "Sword where your mouth is, yes?"
"If you insist." They take one of the swords. Swords are... different. To hold something with intent not to distract but to... to hurt?
That's what teeth are for.
They grin, baring each one of their perfectly pointed teeth.
The fox-form whipped her sword through the air and lunged.
They laughed, jumped backwards to avoid the strike, and try to counter.
Damp ground under their feet, mud slippery and sliding and they don’t think but change feet for something more paw-like, little hook-claws slicing through the mud and catching grass to give them grip. If no one notices, it doesn't count, yes?
The swords crash shriek-bright against each other, arcing beautifully as they twist and duck only for the fox-form to disengage and ram them, send them stumbling back.
They laughed again,continuous, delighted, tripping to a near fall over the root of a nearby stump.
Change feet for hooves - they're deer-form, that's allowed, it's thematic - and bound onto the stump itself for the high ground, jump the next swipe.
They really ought to have got the fox-form's name, she's good, they want to learn.
A crowd is gathering, since the actual ring is empty, a break between bouts.
They raise their free hand, bring the sword down at the fox-form's head. She looks like she could be an Ember, maybe.
Fox-form raises her sword to greet their own in another shriek-bright glare, pushing up onto the stump and closing in too much for swords to help.
An assumption based on fur colour, for certain, but how else do they choose their names? Others choose for them?
"Too tight for dancing," they say with a wink, and push backwards from the stump, hoping there is space behind them, that people will clear.
They land with a thump and a flourish, and beckon the fox-form to follow them.
There's a murmur of laughter, slight applause. They lift their chin, grinning again, preening for the crowd. Turn a little. Wished they'd found clothes a little more flourishy, a little more swish to them than merely trousers and a half-cut top.
"Behind you," someone called, only they don't turn quite fast enough and the fox-form has her sword at their throat, resting on their shoulder.
They hum. "Two out of three?"
"Iren," someone else called. "You know the rules."
"They made a bet," the fox-form replied.
"Iren," they tastes the name. "Which rules?" There are so many in these lands, holding everyone in shape.
Iren whips her sword away from their neck.
They adjust their collar as they step away, turn.
There's an angelic striding towards them - Iren, mostly - with a sword of her own at her waist and peach-faun wings hooked high at her back.
"I did make a bet," they said. "It's probably not Iren's fault."
"Iren is aware of the rules surrounding duelling," the angelic replied. "And-"
"Yes, but I made a bet," they cut across her. "Bets are sacred in these grounds." They were grinning again. "I know that much."
Someone in the crowd laughed. "They have you there, Halliel."
Halliel narrowed her eyes. She's wearing leathers, protective gear, rings of metal at her joints. Dressed for a fight, hair tied tight at the base of her neck.
They handed the sword back to Iren. "Diverting," they said. "I enjoyed that."
Iren frowned, not sure what to make of them. "Thanks."
They got that a lot, or had since their arrival on these shores, certainly.
"If you want to duel, you should sign up." Halliel gestured with her thimb over her shoulder, towards the tents.
"I don't think swords are my thing." They shrugged. "Fun, though."
Halliel frowned. "Did you get hit in the head?"
They ran their hands over their skull. It still felt right, unbroken, properly shaped. "Nope! Everything working as it should."
A gong sounded out behind Halliel, back by the ring. She looked back over her shoulder.
"I should be - don't you go anywhere," she said. "Or - Caria, can you show them around?"
A cat-form looked up. "As long as I still get to watch you beat Rex into a pulp." She laughed. "You don't mind, do you?"
"You have to fight someone?" They took three steps forward, to Halliel's side and beyond, towards the ring.
Halliel turned to watch, taking the step to stay beside them. "Yes, it's the second tier match."
"Which means...?"
"If I win this one, I just have to beat last year's champion."
"Important?"
"I'd like to."
"Then you should do that." They started walking towards the ring. "I'll watch."
Halliel caught up, let out an awkward laugh. "Sorry, who are you...?"
They blinked. "Oh! I'm Syn." They smiled. "With a y."
"Syn with a why," Caria murmured.
Halliel laughed.
The gong sounded again.
"I really have to go." Halliel jogged two steps forward.
"Go kick his arse!" Syn called. "He deserves it!"
Caria snorted. "You'll fit right in." She gestured for Syn to follow her.
"Or at least take Syn with you. They're unmanageable when you're not around."
Syn cackled.
"When I'm not around? You should see what they're like when there's no one else here."
"No thanks." Bora grinned.
"So clearly Halliel is the-" Syn cut off, laughing. "Ok, ok! I'm the problem, I get it!" They pushed away Halliel's hand.
"Our problem," Gry said, at the same time as Bora said,
"You're lucky we love you."
"I am," Syn agreed. "Always. Not my fault I show my appreciation by being a menace." They bounced ahead, towards the meeting place. Food and then a drive through the encroaching night, home and then work.
Syn stims by fiddling with any bracelets/rings they have on, just gotta spin things round y'know? Half the time they're not that aware of it lmao
Halliel taps her fingers and tries to stop herself, or at least hide it. Normally against her sword's scabbard. Her nails against it make very fun sounds
Do you have 5 fun (or sad, because I know them and I know you) facts for me about Syn/Halliel?
Hey no you know what that's fair but have you considered
They do have fun facts because how else am I supposed to make this hurt more <3
I'm well versed in bastardry, thank you
anyway 5 facts of fluctuating fun for Syn/Halliel!
Syn falls first (and it's more of a "oh. of course" moment even after the "oh shit she's hot" sword-to-the-throat moment), Halliel falls harder (and instantly commits treason)
they met about three or so weeks after Syn arrives in Flossir when Syn may or may not have got way too into watching the friendly sword fight/display in one of the parks, made several [disastrous] bets that resulted in them having a minor sword fight and getting their arse kicked. Halliel vaguely intervened and they've been mostly inseparable ever since
if Plot hadn't intervened they probably would never have Realised. would've been queer platonic besties to the end of days (and continued to lean into it For The Bit, but never more seriously than that)
Halliel, as much as she often pulls the "Synchronicity Hfezda McCullough I'm unimpressed with your bullshit", enjoys a good "yes and". (Halliel is more readily believed because she's got subtlety, Syn, ever heard of it?)
Halliel likes a good organised day out for sure but also really enjoys the chaos of a Syn "wow this seems like a fun detour lmao I'm driving let's go" moment. She's learnt to do bare bones and few hard time scales. (Syn, for their part, if told that they have to be somewhere by a certain time for a booking, also appreciates having a target to aim for. Sometimes a limit is good for the soul)
Ooh you want to distract me from work so bad. Go on. Send me a pairing to talk about
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have early light hearted times because the end game sads were uh. well. Sad?
~~
Halliel was still ignoring the communication she'd received in Shutora. She was justifying it by not being back in work yet; they'd arrived back with a day of it to spare, by design. Everyone else might be back in work, but she and Syn had planned for this and meant for a day of doing very little.
For Halliel, this meant turning up at Syn's with snacks and soft drinks in tow somewhere after midday.
The window was open for her; Halliel slowed her flight, adjusted her position to upright, and folded her wings as she stepped in.
"Where's my best girl?" Halliel called, pushing the window shut and then onto a tilted open.
"Halliel?" Syn's voice rose in a startled squawk from somewhere further inside.
"You forgot, did you?" Halliel set her bag down on the nearest chair, stepping out of her shoes.
The door cracked open and Halliel saw the striped grey tip of the tail before she saw the rest of the cat as it leapt up onto the back of the chair.
"Hi baby." Halliel reached over to scratch the cat's ears. "There she is." She smiled as the cat leant into her hand with a quiet chirp.
"I didn't," Syn called back, "I just. Might have got distracted? Wait - shit!"
There was a muffled thud to accompany their words.
Halliel snorted. "Should I come back later?"
"No, no, you're fine I just - hang on a moment."
Halliel picked up the cat and sat down in her chair.
"Just cleaning up a little. Ok." Syn pushed the door open with their foot, smoothing their hair back into place. "Hey, Halliel. How's it going?"
"I brought snacks." Halliel pointed with her wing.
"Oh, fun, food." Syn reached over for the bag. "Not to say I haven't eaten today." They scratched the cat's head as they walked by. "Because I have, but. Snacks, you know?"
"I know." Halliel eyed Syn. "Would you like some help?"
They looked less put together than normal. Their shirt wasn't fully buttoned and was only partially tucked in, the sleeves pushed up to their elbows rather than folded. They weren't wearing a waistcoat, and their hair was in a messy tail, still partially caught on their antlers.
"You have a cat on your lap."
"So that's a no, then."
Syn laughed and sprawled onto the couch, opening the packet in their hand. "It's not important."
Halliel nodded, stroking the cat. "Hey, pass me a packet?"
Syn twisted to look over at her. "But I just sat down!" They're grinning even as they whine.
"I have a cat on my lap."
The cat in question yawned, stretched, and curled up even more.
"See?"
Syn laughed and rolled onto their feet. "Fine." They checked their phone as they sorted through the snacks. "Conly's asking where you are and also if we forgot." They turned to snap a picture of Halliel, too quick for her to pose. "Oh, that might be where we are."
"It's probably where we are. What did we forget?"
"Uh… meeting up? Apparently?" Syn frowned. "That was today?"
"I have no idea what the date is."
"Oh, same." Syn tossed the packet towards Halliel. "The most of them are out by the cafe, if we want. Maj has already made excuses."
Halliel sighed. "Cat."
"She's not taking that as an excuse." Syn laughed. "Actually, she's saying to take Trixie with."
Trixie looked up at her name and chirped, leaving Halilel's lap to wend her way around Syn's legs.
"We could always say no. Long week of socialising already." Syn crouched to stroke Trixie.
"Nah, let's go." Halliel stood, stretched. "Otherwise we won't see them for a month."
"Alright." Syn sent one last reply. "Back here after?"
"I didn't get all the snacks just so you could hoard them."
"You hear that, Trix?" Syn tucked their shirt in and reached for a jacket. "Halliel isn't giving us the sweets all for ourselves."
Trixie returned to Halliel's empty seat and curled up again.
"Guess she doesn't give a shit." Halliel grinned.
"Man I wish that were me."
Halliel followed them down the stairs. "We don't have to go. Or I can make excuses for you."
"No, sorry, it'll be good to see them. I'm just distracted, that's all."
"The letter from Command got you as well?"
Syn frowned, swinging around to look at her. "How did you - wait. What letter?"
"The one we got in Shutora, about Sallen."
"You opened work nonsense while we were on holiday?"
"I know," Halliel sighed. "They don't own our nights."
"Beloved, they barely own our days." Syn nudged her. "What did it say?"
"Tensions rising, something ought to be done, we're going to refocus our efforts." Halliel winced in the light as Syn pushed open the door onto the street.
"What a fun time."
"What did you think I was talking about?"
"Oh - doesn't matter." Syn shook their head. "Just something from home, that's all."
Hello here is. a? Halliel sword fight scene? It isn't the one I started writing last week and it also isn't the one I intended to write, so
There will be at least three Halliel sword fights for you eventually lmao
~~
Halliel side-stepped, slapping her opponent's shoulder as he lunged into her space.
He stumbled, recovered, tried to shoulder-barge her.
Halliel was already pushing back, wings opening in a reflexive movement to make herself look bigger.
Her opponent - dog-formed, his ears tipped back and short tail stiff behind him - shook his head and dropped back to a starting position.
Halliel reset her grip on her sword, tilting her head to watch.
He was light on his feet, quiet against the murmur of the spectators. Fast, with the muscles to back it up.
She couldn't remember his name. They had been introduced.
Halliel stepped in, meeting his position with the next sequence. This was a show, it was just entertainment, there were rules.
He broke them immediately, jumping from second to fifth to a new set entirely.
Halliel gritted her teeth, blade screeching against his in a hasty block that had her staggering back.
She steadied herself with a swirl of her wings, beating up the dust on the ring around them.
He smirked at her, sword point lowering to the ground. Blood running down its edge.
There was a thin burn in Halliel's leg, a rip in the fabric of her trousers.
When had he…?
Halliel spread her wings and threw herself three paces to the side and then into the air, twisting over to bring her sword down at his head.
If he wasn't going to play by the rules, then why should she?
He blocked, arching backwards, sword flat against the gloved palm of his hand as Halliel pulled back to correct her flight.
For a second, she thought she saw Syn amongst the audience, but those antlers weren't nearly branching enough.
She landed in time to divert his next hit and folded her wings out of the way.
He was baring his teeth in something that could have been a grin.
Halliel didn't bother responding in kind; she set up the next set of attacks and pressed in, pushing him back to the edge of the ring, not giving him space to change the name of it all. Her wings were rising again, spreading out, eclipsing him in her shadow.
The bell pealed out, signalling the end of their bout.
Halliel stepped back, pulled her wings back in, returned to rest.
Her opponent straightened up, lowering his sword. "A good match," he said, winded.
Halliel nodded. "Yes," she replied, remembering her manners. "You had some… elegant switches."
He laughed. "I'd be interested," he said, stepping to her side and bowing to their audience together, "in another match. Perhaps without the rules of a showcase involved."
Halliel snorted. "So you have less to pay attention to?"
"So you can make better use of your wings," he returned.
"I'll think about it."
The prince and Rion were approaching. He had the dragon touched bodyguard at his shoulder today, and they were watching Halliel like they were sizing her up for a fight of their own.
She wanted to fight them so badly but she hadn't seen their name on the list of fighters.
Happy Storyteller Saturday! How do your OCs react to jumpscares?
hey happy Storyteller Saturday!
Syn instinctively shifts Bigger. They gotta out-intimidate things by being more of a threat, tends to get inhuman with it, then they'll try to play it off and make like they weren't startled at all
Halliel probably started by going for her sword, but considering how often it's Syn that's jumpscaring her, now I think she just yells.
