(ignore the last ask, I was rushing and completely missed the faegon's gender :'>)
Summer is at its peak, and humans aren't the only ones who noticed. The forest is filled with the sound of bird song and rushing water, scented with every kind of flower and tree. It's this time of year that Talentless enjoys walks in the forest the most. The summer breeze and sunlight can disturb their senses all they want, but for them? It's a reminder of a life long gone, an assurance that they can survive without the cold just fine.
They have Fuego with them. Or, rather, the tuny graces them with his fleeting presence. He's far from attached to the fae like they are attached to him; as expected from a rot tuny, the guardian of the forest. But he visits, and even lets them pet him from time to time. It's a comfortable arrangement for the both of them.
Talentless is in the middle of gathering birch bark for the fireplace (magic is cool, but lighting a fire by hand is more rewarding) under the strict, but calm stare of Fuego, when a hollow thud breaks the pleasant atmosphere. They snap their head in that direction, Fuego following suit, the bark in their hands forgotten as they rise to their feet and brisk-walk where the sound came from.
The fae and tuny don't have a long distance to cross. Behind a fence of blackberry bushes is a faegon. Its pink, white and black fur is a blur as it flails, and Talentless has to intently focus to find the ivy coiled around its back legs like shackles.
Why doesn't she just fly away? Talentless thinks, but then the faegon stops to breathe and they see her broken antennae. She's grounded, and what they now recognize as poison ivy weakened her legs enough for her to be stuck.
Where Fuego would normally descend into execution for stomping on nature’s flora, he stands still, gaze leveled and empathetic. He's holding eye contact with the fae as he sits down. He understands. He won't intervene.
Slowly and carefully, Talentless approaches with visible palms. The faegon stills, breathing heavy, staring back with obvious distrust. The humanoid tries for a reassuring smile as they round her to his stuck legs and inspects them.
They keep an eye out on the creature’s reaction as they call upon their magic, feeding it their concern and sympathy. In less than a second, the ivy is severed with a clean cut, and the moment she realizes, she bolts to cover behind a tree as she shakes the venomous remains off.
Talentless waits. Soft footsteps tell them that Fuego joins them in observing the faegon. Best case scenario, she'll let them heal the irritated skin, and maybe they'll be able to come up with a solution for her broken antennae. Though, if she leaves and never comes back, they'd understand that too.
The faegon locks eyes with the humanoid from behind the tree, wild timidity meeting immortal patience. Then, hesitantly, with every fiber of her being tense, she approaches the duo. Every step is done with caution, with pauses between them that grow slower the closer he gets.
In a minute, she's a foot away, and Talentless comes back to her injured legs with a grateful smile. Using their relief, they heal her legs, and once they're done, they straighten back up and look to the creature with a nod.
Against their expectations, the faegon doesn't leave. She observes them, still fearful, but now also curious.
Talentless’s smile widens. “You know, you could come back with me. I help hurt creatures on a daily basis. I'm sure we could figure out a way to help you too.”
The faegon’s intact antennae twitches as she turns to face them. Talentless raises a hand for a touch, which she eyes. Then, she nuzzles against it with her forehead, just between her antennae.
The fae laughs. “Okay then. Let's call you Mage.”
You can post this as fanart if I'm not lucky <3
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Mage loves her name and is excited to go home with you, and she thanks you for freeing her from the poison ivy!!!
