Returning to Trollmarket
Both sisters walked through the threshold to Trollmarket, breathing in the ancient scents that had been gaining character for the past centuries. The crystal stairs shone upon the first step, lighting the way down. Yet another wave of nostalgia coursed through them.
“It's so nice to see that again!” Suniva chuckled, summoning her wings to her back, the light from the crystals reflecting the golden scales.
“It really is! So much and yet so little has changed!” Avaluna agreed, bringing forth her wings as well, taking a moment to caress and fix her black feathers. “Shall we?”
Before an answer, Suniva jumped, gliding down the steps with her older sister behind her. It was soon until an old troll came into view, with twisted horns and a white beard iconic to his figure. As they settled on the ground once more, smiles overtook their faces as they met with Vendel.
“Avaluna, Suniva! Welcome back to Hearthstone Trollmarket!” He announced, gently bowing down towards them.
The duo gave a courteous bow in return, before swiftly moving to give the old goat a hug. “It is great to be back, Vendell.”
“Yes!! We’re so excited!” Suniva clapped and hopped in place with some giggles coming through her smile. “Now! Is the trollhunter here?”
“Not yet. Apparently he has ‘more important things’ during the day.” Vendel scoffed, turning around and beginning his path through the underground.
“Well, according to your letter, he IS young. And according to Blinkous’ letters, he is at the age where humans start taking a lot of responsibilities.” Avaluna defended, following side by his side.
15 years old, dragged into a magical world. She and her sister had the luck of being raised next to magic, but to be dragged out of nowhere into a world you believed never existed was something harder than many believed. Suniva was also quick to fight to the boy’s defense, frowning upon the distain of who was once their kind.
“And also Vendel, don’t sound so defeated! This is a brand new experience! Just like with all trollhunters, he shall be trained in the art of fighting and soon, he might be the strongest defender of trollkind yet! He just needs some extra guidance!” She puffed her chest, standing at Vendel’s other side. “Everything will be right at the end!”
“You have spent a bit with humans, have you now, Suniva?”
“Well, unlike my sister, I do enjoy spending time in the sun!”
“Now, you must understand sister, I have not much need for the sun as you might have guessed!” Avaluna retorts, pointing to her own pale complexion. “But I AM glad you enjoy the sun!”
Suniva giggled, rushing ahead and gazing out into Trollmarket in all its glory. She grinned, finding new faces and old in the crowd. Basking in the warmth of the Hearthstone, she smiled.
“It's lively as ever!”
Vendell nodded, guiding both sisters through the crowd of trolls and younglings, some of which turned their heads upon sight of them. Whispers quickly grew in the crowd, some louder than others. Although Avaluna stuck closer to the headmaster, she had her ears just as much on Vendel as on all else. She waved at them, they waved back, the warmth and welcome feeling she had missed for 300 years.
As the lunar sister walked, one spot, in particular, caught her eyes, a smile bright as a full moon crossed her face as she excused herself. Heading to a shop she knew all too well.
“Would perhaps this store be open?” She queried, browsing through the new products.
The sound of crashing and the voice of the owner brought a chuckle from the oldest sister. “OH!! Oh!! I know that voice!!”
Bagdwella came rushing out of the shop, the moment her eyes fell upon the black-haired, a squeal (or squawk, depending on who you ask) escaped her throat as she brought the wizard into a tight hug. All of Avaluna’s spine segments popped, bringing relief, whilst the spinning made her a bit dizzy.
“OH JOY!! OH, JOY!! THE SISTERS HAVE RETURNED!! OUR WIZARDS ARE HOME!!!”
“It is good to see you too Baggy!... Please stop spinning however, I am getting dizzy-”
At the same moment, the troll shopkeeper put her down. “My apologies, Luny! I just could not contain my happiness is all!”
Vendell and Suniva reached the shop and the owner was quick to give Suniva the same treatment, the warm, and very tight, troll welcome they were used to. Soon, they were surrounded by the inhabitants of trollmarker, all biding their greetings properly to the sisters.
As per their teachings, they greeted all with respect and kindness. It wasn’t long before that was interrupted though, by none other than the son of Kanjigar.
Drall charged, pushing aside bystanders and reaching the sisters. More specifically, reaching his favorite sun wizard. “SU!! NI!! VA!!!”
“DRALL!!!”
He tackled her and rolled on the ground, striking other trolls in front of them like bowling balls. The woman was unharmed, laughing as she pulled on his horns for the recklessness. The older sister and the elder shared a glance, Vendell sighed, Avaluna was a tad confused at the reaction but left it to simply enjoy the reunion.
“PEBBLE BRAINS! Look at you, training a lot I see!” Suniva smiles, climbing to the crystal back’s shoulder.
“And you?! Not a ‘couch potato’ anymore huh!” He spat back, playfully poking her.
Suniva instantly grabs his finger, pulls it on, and brings his arm behind his back. Swiftly, with a quiet movement of her feet, she threw him over her body and slammed the 8-foot-tall troll onto his back. Miraculously, he did not break any of his crystals as he hit the ground.
“And you’re not as sharp on your reactions as you once were!” Drall tried getting back at her, but she hopped out of the way of his swipe. “I’m ahead now!”
“Oh, I will get you back for it!” He assured, chuckling.
Vendell finally intervened, approaching the two and putting his staff between them. “I supposed, you two have much to recount upon. And knowing one of you specifically,” He turns to Suniva, who rolls her eyes playfully, “It would be best to clear your mind. So go, you have a while until the trollhunter arrives.”
Suniva smiled, flicking Drall in the nose ring and running off, him chasing after her through the crowd. Avaluna watched the exchange, smiling and happy, it was nice to see her sister be playful like that.
“Blinkous is in the library, as always. I am sure you have a lot to talk to him about as well.”
Vendell didn’t turn to her, already walking off.
The wizard took the opportunity, flying towards the direction the headmaster had pointed, smiling as he headed off. He was an old goat, she didn’t expect him to be too cheerful, as he never had truly been.
Flying through Trollmarket was still the same, although now she had to be more careful of the walls covered in wires and plumbing, it wasn’t a bad thing. It showed progress.
