#ish...?

“Huh? Why?”

“That settles it, then.” Malleus rose to his full imposing height, and Silver’s eyes widened. He didn’t know why the Crown Prince of Briar Valley occasionally came to seek him and his father out, but he was grateful nonetheless. Lilia lived so far from the capital that Silver rarely got to see anyone besides him and Sebek — Father always said they would go to the castle someday for his training, but he privately wondered if that day would ever come. Malleus dusted off his robes, turning away towards the forest. “I shall arrange a meal for your birthday.”

Silver followed after him, nearly tripping on a tree root. “Really? That’s — that’s very kind—“

“Nonsense. How old will you be turning, again?”

“Thirteen.” Silver allowed himself a small smile — he’d finally be a teenager. And Sebek had promised to come to their house to celebrate (with as much enthusiasm as he could muster, which was a lot).

Malleus laughed again, reaching down to pat Silver’s head gently. “So young,” he mused. “But I suppose to a human, it must be a very grown-up age. In the meantime, a gift.”

A flicker of green sparked at Malleus’ fingertips, and Silver watched, eyes wide, as a jewel dropped into his hand. It was nearly the size of Silver’s pinky, and he handled it carefully as Malleus tipped it into his palm. “Um — thank you, Malleus.” He wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it. Maybe he’d ask Lilia.

No response. Silver looked up, mouth open to repeat his thanks, but Malleus had already vanished in a swirl of green fireflies. They buzzed around his face before dispersing.

“Oh.” Silver looked around, though it was pointless. “Um.”

The sun was still high in the sky, casting sunlight in green film through the tree leaves. Now that Malleus was gone, the animals of the forest began to emerge — deer from behind trees, rabbits from beneath the underbrush, squirrels from the branches. Silver sighed, gently lifting the bird from atop his head (the only one who hadn’t hidden at the sight of Malleus) to place him on the log beside him. A bunny leaped into his lap, and he caught it with a soft grunt.

“That isn’t very nice, you know,” he scolded gently, stroking the rabbit’s soft back. “Malleus is very kind. And I’m sure he’d love to meet you all.”

A deer nudged at his cheek, and a squirrel scampered up his arm to rest on his shoulder, chittering away. “Hey! I’m being serious. I know he might look kinda scary, but I bet Malleus would be really happy if he got to meet you. He said he doesn’t see many new people, and it’s not nice that you won’t come when he’s around just because of how he looks.”

The rabbit’s ears flattened, and Silver sighed. “Fine, forget it.”

“Ugh!”

Silver turned around, startled, but didn’t see anything. “Huh? Hello?” Nobody answered, and he turned to the deer, shock written all over his face. “Did you guys hear that?”

The animals chittered affirmatively, all looking around in search of the noise’s source.

“Hello?” Silver called, but still heard nothing. He glanced at the animals, crouching to their level. “You all heard that, right? Can you find the person for me? They might be in trouble.”

The animals all scampered off in different directions, searching for the mysterious voice. A lizard perched on his shoulder, Silver set off as well, wandering between the trees. He tried again. “I promise Malleus is really nice,” he whispered to the lizard, gently scratching its head. “And I bet he’d really like you.”

The lizard just blinked slowly, one eye after the other. Silver sighed. “Come on, let’s go then.”

He searched the woods for another few minutes before the animals found him again, all clamoring for his attention. “Huh? Did you find them?” They tugged on his clothing, all dragging him along in one direction. One deer had the hem of his shirt in its mouth, moving forward determinedly. “Hey! Slow down!”

The animals obliged, but still kept on at a fast pace. What could they possibly be so worked up about?

Oh.

When they finally stopped, Silver found himself at the edge of a clearing, staring at you. You faced away from him, hunched over yourself. Most importantly, you were weeping.

Silver was suddenly, inexplicably shy. Maybe it was because he didn’t know many people, and certainly not a girl. The only woman he’d ever met was Mrs. Zigvolt, who was loud and cheerful and had never cried in front of him before. You looked his own age, and had soft skin and silk slippers, and were wearing a pretty blue dress.

“S-sorry, um, are you alright?” Since when did he stutter? That was new. “Um…Miss…?” That, he thought, could not be the right way to address a girl who was also a kid, but he wasn’t quite sure what else to say. He edged closer, a fox headbutting his ankles insistently to force him forward. Gingerly tapping your shoulder, Silver nearly jumped back when you turned to look at him.

Your eyes were puffy from crying, and your cheeks and nose were red. Even as he watched, a few more tears slipped down your face; you seemed to have given up on wiping them away.

“Oh! Um. I — are you okay?” He rummaged in his pockets, a little flustered, and finally pulled out his handkerchief, handing it to you. “Did something happen?”

“I’m fucking lost,” you sniffled. Silver restrained a gasp. You squinted at his expression, then looked down again. “Sorry, I don’t usually swear, I promise.”

“It’s okay,” Silver said, gingerly sitting on the log beside you. “I bet you’re not usually lost, either.”

That got a smile out of you. Accomplishment! “No, I’m not.”

“I like your dress.”

“Oh. Thanks?”

“Blue’s my favorite color,” Silver hastened to explain, cheeks pink. While you wiped your eyes again, he whipped his head around to look at the animals in a panic. Why had he said that? Silver wasn’t a liar!

But his favorite color was purple.

“What are you…” You turned to see what he was looking at, and gasped. “Oh! There are so many animals!”

“Do you like animals?”

“Yes, but I don’t see them very often…”

Silver was already gesturing for them to come closer. They all beelined to him, but he quickly began handing them off to you, whose jaw had dropped open.

“They listen to you!”

“Well…I mean, I suppose, yeah.”

You huffed a laugh, stroking the neck of a deer that had sidled up to her. “That’s amazing! I didn’t know anyone could do that! Well, except for an animal trainer, I guess.” You surveyed him critically; Silver tried not to fidget. “Are you an animal trainer?”

“No, I’m twelve.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be thirteen soon,” he added quickly. What if she thought he was just a little kid?

“I’m twelve too!” You beamed, tears forgotten, and Silver pinked. “It’s cool that we’re the same age.”

“R-right! Yeah, it’s really cool.” You cooed over the animals, petting as many of them as you could reach. “Um, you said you were lost…?”

“Oh! Right.” You stroked a rabbit’s ears, marveling over the soft fur. “I’m not even supposed to be out here, technically…I was meant to go to piano class.”

“Why didn’t you go?”

“I didn't want to.”

“…that’s sort of fair, I guess.”

“Anyways, I didn’t think I would see anyone in here, but I’m glad I did. Do you know how to get back to…uh…the village? It’s the only one around here for miles, so if you know about it, it’s probably the right one.”

“Um…” Silver was supposed to be getting home. Silver was supposed to go back to the cottage so Lilia could feed him horrible food. Should he take you to Father? He would probably know what to do more than he did, but a small, selfish part of him whispered not to. “Well, yeah. I can show you the way back.”

You brightened, and Silver flushed, a pleased smile on his face. “Thank you so much! I’ll make sure to repay you.”

“Oh, no, that’s not necessary—“

“I insist!” You smiled so wide your eyes nearly closed, and Silver’s words stuttered to a halt. “There’s a festival in town right now, I’ll show you around!”

A festival? Like the ones in fairytales? Father had told him about them, and Malleus…surely it would be alright if he went? It’s not like Father was expecting him home that soon…

“Here.” He thrust out his hand, looking away with a fierce blush. “I’ll…I’ll take you back to the village.”

Did you have to hold hands? Probably not, now that he was thinking about it — it’s just that that’s how they always did it in stories. He took her hand this and they held hands that. But before he could pull his hand back, he felt yours slide into it, soft and hesitant.

“Okay,” you said.

He stared at you, feeling like all his hair was standing on end. He had never been this close to a girl before — did it always feel like this? Looking at you, he realized he was just a little taller, and that your cheeks were rounder than his. For once, he wasn’t the least bit sleepy.

You tilted her head curiously. “Are you alright…?”

Silver snapped out of it, face burning brighter than before. “Right! I’m good. Let’s — let’s get you back home.”

Silver knew the woods like the back of his hand — or rather, the animals did. They scurried along beside you and leaped from branch to branch overhead, guiding you back to civilization. You traipsed alongside him, tears all dried up, your dress brushing his legs whenever you got too close. You chattered to him aimlessly, and he listened, absorbing everything. Apparently you had gone into the forest because you heard nobody was in there, and you wanted to explore by yourself, and that was how you had gotten lost. How had you not left any markers, Silver wondered. That was the first thing Father taught him when he began going off in the woods by himself. Your laughter was like nothing he’d heard before — at times loud and pronounced like a firecracker, other times soft and chiming as bells — and he was entranced by it.

“By the way, what’s your name?” You asked, finally turning to him, as though you’d just recalled he could speak as well.

“Oh — Silver. Just Silver.”

“Like your hair!” You nodded. “I guess your parents must be very practical.”

“You could…I guess you could say that…” Silver cleared his throat, wondering if Father had set the cottage on fire yet. “What’s your name?”

“I’m [name].” You smiled at him again, and he felt like the sun had punched him in the chest. “It’s nice to meet you, Silver.”

“It’s...nice to meet you too.”

He tugged you along gently, the light warming to orange through the trees as it sank to the horizon. The animals drifted to a halt at the edge of the forest, and Silver led you out to the path that ran near the border.

“We’re here,” he said quietly. “I’ll head home, now.”

“Wait!” You caught his arm, looking up at him earnestly, and he froze. “I said I would take you to the festival, right? Come on, I’ll even pay for everything!”

“Oh, I don’t want to bother you—“

“It’s fun, I promise!” You tugged him towards the center of the town, where Silver could already hear music and laughter. He shrank, uncertain — he’d never been near so many people before — but you kept onwards. “I’ll take care of you!”

Warmth bloomed in his chest, like a candle flame rather than a blast of light this time. The sky was beginning to fade to lilac, then blue velvet, stars twinkling above. Swirls of smoke and steam rose from fires all around the town square, food vendors lining the streets. You pulled Silver towards one stall, which displayed a tray full of pastries.

“Hello, sir! Could we get two of those?” You pointed to the cream buns on the end, and Silver did a double-take — they were nearly the size of his head. “Thank you!”

You fished into your pocket, dropping a few madol into the vendor’s hand and snatching up the cream buns. You waved goodbye, already heading somewhere else, and Silver hurried to follow.

“Here, try one of these,” you instructed, handing him a pastry. Silver stared at it doubtfully. His stomach hurt every time he ate something — why would this be any different? “It’s good! Here, I’ll try it first.”

You took a large bite, cream spilling out on either side of your mouth, and Silver watched as you chewed, then swallowed. “It’s really good,” you repeated.

Hesitantly, Silver took a bite of his own. Had anyone else been watching him, they might have thought he was having a heart attack or a stroke; as it was, you were the only one looking, and the thought didn’t even cross your mind. He froze in place, pupils dilating as sugar burst on his tongue.

“This is amazing.” He took another bite, eating much faster now while you giggled. “I didn’t know food could taste like this.”

“First time having a pastry?”

Was it? There was something Father had made once that kind of looked like this, but it was far blacker, and had mysterious lumps in the filling. “I think so?”

You led him around the square, introducing him to new foods at every stall: pasta, crepes, layered cakes, meat skewers. Silver was fuller than he had been in a while, maybe because he was able to finish everything he ate. By the end, he was drowsy, but not like he usually was — just satiated and warm. He bumped your arm with how close he was keeping to you, though he was too happy to care. You stopped before another stall, this one selling hair accessories instead of food. Silver watched your eyes trace over every item, small hands clasped together in the folds of your skirt. Reaching up, you stood on tiptoes to pull a hair ribbon down from its display. It was pink and dotted with white flowers, and Silver thought, somehow, that it fit you perfectly.

“What do you think?”

He startled, taking his eyes off of you to look at…well, you. You held the ribbon against your hair, smiling at him, and he could hardly breathe.

“I think it’s great.” He managed a weak smile. Apparently that was good enough for you, because you turned back to the vendor.

“How much for this?”

You got ready to pay, but Silver stopped you with a gentle hand. Reaching into his own pocket, he pulled out the jewel Malleus had gifted him earlier — he wasn't sure if it was enough, but it was all he had.

“Can I pay with this…?”

The vendor, a stooping grandmother with white curls, smiled at him. She looked at you, then back, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. “That’s more than enough, child,” she assured him, taking the jewel from his hand. “Here, enjoy your ribbon.”

She pressed the ribbon into his hand and puttered to the back of her stall while Silver led you away, feeling his cheeks heat up. He sat on the rim of the fountain in the center of the town square, looking up at the sky. You sat beside him, smoothing your dress down. The two of you sat in silence for a moment, just taking in the night.

“Ah — you didn’t have to do that,” you said, breaking the silence and laughing awkwardly. “I’m the one who’ll be using it, anyways.”

“I wanted to buy it for you,” Silver said firmly. He hesitantly reached up, touching the tips of your hair. “Um — do you want my help to—“

“Yes.” This time it was you who said it too fast, and he was rather pleased to see your cheeks tinge pink. “If you would.”

“Yeah. Turn around.”

Faced with your hair, Silver realized he didn’t actually know how to do hair. His was long enough that Father had tied it back a few times, but he wasn’t entirely sure how to do it on another person. Fortunately for him, you seemed to recognize his plight.

“Try gathering the top half of it back?”

He did so obediently, smoothing out any obvious lumps as best as he could.

“Then take the ribbon and wrap it around the hair a few times, then tie it off.”

This part was a little trickier, but he got there in the end. Your hair was…well, it looked like it was done by a twelve-year-old boy, but it got the job done. You leaned over the edge of the fountain, reaching up to touch your hair.

“It looks nice,” you said softly. “Thank you, Silver.”

The blush was back with full force, and he looked away quickly. “It’s — it’s no problem. I’m glad you like it.”

He yawned, eyes already closing. Damn it! He didn’t want to fall asleep — not here, not with you. But he had no choice. Sleep was already dragging him under.

“Silver? Silver?”

I’m sorry, he wanted to say, but he was already gone.

When he came to, his head was resting against something soft, and the activities had wound down significantly. The sky was fully dark now, glimmering with stars, and the lamps had all burned low. He lifted his head, drowsy — where was he?

Oh no.

He sat up quickly, face burning with mortification. How could he have fallen asleep in front of you? Damn it. Damn it!

“Silver!”

He turned around, startled, and came face-to-face with you. You were rubbing your eyes as well, looking like you’d just woken up — had you fallen asleep too? His gaze dropped to your legs. Oh. You must have let him rest on your lap. The very idea made his face flare with heat. “Are you okay? You just fell asleep all of a sudden, I thought you’d fainted.”

“I am so sorry.” You looked startled at his serious tone, gaze dropping to your hands as he grabbed them. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep, I swear this just happens—“

“It’s alright!” You said hastily, shaking your head. “It’s fine, I promise.”

Silver looked around, but didn’t see a clock anywhere. He was supposed to go back hours ago! “What time is it?”

“It’s high time you came home, young man.”

Silver’s heart dropped, and he looked up to see Lilia, one eyebrow raised in mirth. He didn’t look upset at all — on the contrary, his expression was quite giddy.

“Father! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to stay out for so long—“

“Not to worry!” Lilia sang, helping Silver up. “I’m glad you had fun. Who’s your friend?”

“Oh! I’m [name].” You dropped into an awkward bow/curtsy, unsure what to do. “Are you — um. Who are you?”

“Silver’s father,” Lilia introduced, positively gleeful. “My, you are very polite.”

“His — his father?” You squinted at him, but seemed to take it in stride. “Nice to meet you…?”

“Nice to meet you too.” Lilia ruffled Silver’s hair lightly. “Say goodbye to your friend, Silver. It’s high time you were in bed.”

Silver wanted to explain to you that he did not have a bedtime, but seeing as you had watched him fall asleep before your very eyes, he figured it was best to just leave it. “It was nice meeting you, [name],” he said softly, his gaze tracing your features.

You gave him a sunny smile in return, and Silver thought he had never met someone so lovely. “It was nice to meet you too, Silver.”

Lilia began leading him away, but he paused at the edge of the town square, hurrying back for a moment.

“If you…if you'd ever like to see me again, you can just come into the woods,” he said quietly, hoping Lilia wouldn’t overhear. “The animals will tell me you’re there, and I’ll come and find you.”

He didn’t have time to see your response, quick to hurry back to his father’s side, but you nodded anyways.

Back at the cottage, Lilia got Silver into bed, not even scolding him — Silver waited for the concern, for the lecture, but none ever came, and he was asleep before he could wonder why. Lilia gazed down at his son’s sleeping face, bending down to kiss his forehead fondly before stepping outside.

Malleus was already waiting in the garden, and Lilia sat on the stoop of the house, beaming up at the stars. Lovely old sky.

“He seemed to have a good time today,” Malleus observed. On his shoulder was a small lizard, who occasionally stuck its tongue out to taste the air. Apparently it thought Malleus was acceptable. It would likely say as much to Silver tomorrow, not that he would understand. Lilia kicked his legs giddily, cupping his face in his palms.

“He’s got a girlfriend!”

“A friend who is a girl.”

“He likes her, I can tell.”

Malleus frowned. “How can you know that? You observed them for one day. Are human emotions not fickle?”

Lilia gazed at the sky thoughtfully, considering the point. Yes, humans could be fickle, their loyalties and feelings shifting ever so quickly. He supposed that when your lifespan was so short, of course your feelings would have to be fleeting. But he had never seen his son’s face so red, his smile so wide. And if you were the one to make him look like that, then Lilia could forgive you even for introducing Silver to proper food.

To explain this thing, Cleo is shown holding a stake with a spray of blood separating her closer image from Doc's further away one. It's meant to be a weird play on time, with Doc looking out onto the sunset and Cleo in the moment of staking him, without actually showing his death.