Ace
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I think I might have too much fun doing his posts. :) Hope you enjoy!
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Tapping my pen against my chin, I absentmindedly stroked my twitching ears, puzzling over what to write next. Though I didn’t mean to brag, I was pleased with how the story was coming along, especially after the long period of time I’d spent without writing a single word.
Yet, I couldn’t focus, not completely. There was a slim corner of my mind that continued to drift away, thinking instead about a tall, thin frame, pearly skin, luminescent wings, and eyes that seemed to capture the light at every angle.
Solana.
What made her so different? Was it her stunning appearance? No, plenty of women I’d seen were beautiful, some even more so than her. Then what?
Maybe it was the way she seemed almost oblivious to my words. She was... innocent. Strange, for an adult in this day and age. I would hate to corrupt such a creature.
With a sigh, I pushed away from my desk. After a few days in the mansion, I’d requested having one of the ones in the library moved to my room, and, naturally, it was granted without complaint. Tugging my cap over my head, I dropped my pen, closed my notebook, and donned a black jacket. Maybe some fresh Autumn air would do me good.
On my way down, I found myself face to face with a petite creature with tanned skin and a matchbook in her hand. Clearing my throat, I drew her steely gaze to me.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Ace,” I smiled, offering a hand. Immediately, an annoyed expression crossed her features.
“Bellinda. Now we have,” she barked, turning away. Ouch.
“What a lovely name for a...” I hinted, urging her to reveal her identity. Sighing, her eyes flickered to me once more, their chestnut color complimenting her dark brown hair.
“I’m a dragon hybrid. Could you leave me alone? I’m kind of busy,” she groaned, striking a match on the strip and eying the flame.
“I just thought you might like some company. No woman should have to be alone, especially one with such natural good looks.” Keeping a grin plastered on my features, I struggled to retain my upbeat attitude. Why were so many of the members in this MCC so opposed to compliments?!
“Okay, no. Nice meeting you, or whatever. I’m leaving.” Rolling her eyes, she pinched the small fire to extinguish it, storming away.
“Jeesh, and I thought Akira was stubborn,” I murmured, letting out a sigh.
“What was that?” a familiar voice barked from behind me, making me cringe.
“Ah, nothing... Akira,” I smiled, cursing myself for my carelessness. Way to get on her good side. “Just talking to myself as usual.” Her red eyes narrowed.
“Whatever. Ace, why don’t you go down and mingle instead of staying holed up in your room like a hermit?” she suggested snidely, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Actually, I was doing just that!” I replied, grinning. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed herself, striding down the hallway in the opposite direction of what I was heading.
I took the stairs two at a time, leaping onto the ground floor in a bound. How long had it been since I’d done any running, anyway? Weeks? Months? It was definitely time to break that streak.
Naturally, I was intercepted on my way out the door by two practically identical girls, half their skin shining to accentuate their wooden features.
“Who are you?” one of them queried, eying me with obvious suspicion and intrigue. Peering at me through thick bangs, she glanced at my cap and gave me a once over, trying to determine my species. Beside her, who I assumed was her long-haired sister merely stared at the ground, refusing to meet my eyes.
“Ace, and, my dear, I am a Fennec. A fox,” I winked, earning a blush. “And who might you two lovely young ladies be?” Laughing loudly, the short-haired girl returned my smile.
“I’m Rano, and this is my sister, Toño. We’re Bakru, wooden twins,” she giggled, batting her eyelashes yet staring anywhere but in my eyes. Peculiar.
“Well, it is very nice to meet such charming girls. I’d very much like to talk with you some other time. I’m headed out for a quick run, if you don’t mind.” Offering an apologetic shrug, I gestured toward the door.
“Yeah. See you around,” Toño dismissed, her lips twitching into a brief smile that lasted a mere two seconds. Hey, it was an improvement. Tossing a wave over my shoulder, I wriggled past them and out the back door, eagerly accepting the warm sunshine that embraced me. After living the nightlife for so many years, I’d almost forgotten how great it felt to be enveloped in the light.
Figuring it was now or never, I broke into a jog, making for the line of trees closest to me. The burning in my legs was nothing compared to the sudden light-hearted feeling that overwhelmed me as I breezed past the foliage. After so long of being cooped indoors almost constantly, this fresh air, this freedom, was exhilarating.
A good ten minutes passed before I found myself becoming out of breath. Huh, I distinctly remembered being in better shape, but I guessed that’s what I deserved. I had plenty of time, now, so I could build up my endurance again. That is, whenever I wasn’t spending my time writing.
Resting against a lonely oak, I freed my ears from my cap, tugging my tail from my jacket, as well. God, how long had it been since I’d truly let myself be exposed like this? Far too long, that was for sure.
As I began to quiet my breathing, a gentle rustling in the trees above caught my attention, and, with a start, I spotted familiar, colorful hair drifting in the soft breeze. Solana? Out this deep in the forest?
Curious, I moved toward the tree I’d seen the flash of color atop, eyes focused on the sky. Without watching where I was going, I stepped down hard on a dry branch, an echoing snap! sounding through the area and breaking the near silence, aside from the chittering of Solana and... friends.
For a few moments, nothing made a sound, silence reigning, and, even though I couldn’t see her, I feared I’d scared her off. Still, after a few seconds, a snow-colored face peeked down from the dying, beautiful leaves.
“Ace?” she whispered incredulously, her eyes wide. Offering a grin, I nodded, laying a hand against the tree’s trunk.
“Who else, dear Solana?” I replied, inviting her down to join me. Flushing, she complied, her fragile wings catching the air as she drifted toward me, averting her gaze. “May I ask what you’re doing way out in this deep, dark forest? I thought you didn’t like being this secluded, sweetheart.” Her cheeks burning a very becoming shade similar to rose petals, she met my eyes for the briefest of seconds.
“Well... I wasn’t... alone,” she murmured, pursing her lips and fluttering her eyelashes unintentionally. What was it about her that made her so... appealing to me? When I only stared at her, she twiddled her thumbs, glancing up at the treetop. “Zuelia? Salem? Olive? Come down here... please,” she called, and, in response, I raised my brows. Who was she talking to??
At her command, three small forest creatures leapt from the tree and into her waiting arms: a scrawny, gray squirrel; a dashing red Cardinal; and a lively-eyed deer mouse. Stunned, I peered into her slightly amused eyes.
“You... you can talk to animals?” I queried, unable to disguise my shock. A soft giggle escaped her lips, the faintest hint of a smile tickling them. In response, my own lips twisted into a wide grin.
“Ah... yes,” she confirmed, her cheeks now a brilliant crimson. “When I lived in the forest.... they.... they were all I had.” I felt my happiness slide from my features.
“You lived in a forest? By yourself?” I asked gently, absently stroking the squirrel’s fur. I was relieved she didn’t bite my finger off.
“Yes... since I was... eight... So... for thirteen years,” she explained, nervously petting the mouse’s fur.
“I never would have guessed,” I mused aloud, catching her confused stare. “What I mean is that... you seem so peaceful. I’d expect someone who survived off of so little for so long to be quite feral. You’re the opposite. Dollface, you are something special.” Running a hand through her hair, she shrugged.
“Well... I guess everyone is, though,” she countered. As she spoke, the squirrel (who I somehow assumed was Zuelia) leapt at me, perching on my shoulder. Eyes wide, Solana couldn’t help but stare. “Oh... my... None of my animal friends ever do that. They’re terribly afraid of other humans.”
“Babe, I’m not human,” I chuckled, my tail beginning to wag back and forth. What was happening to me? Was I some sort of dog now? After eying my tail, she nodded in agreement, finally lifting her head to meet my eyes. Though I couldn’t explain it, I found myself captivated by them.
“No, you certainly aren’t,” she muttered, cocking her head to the side. “You’re... better... than a human. You’re an animal, too.” In a voice she probably thought I couldn’t hear, she added, “Maybe that’s why I like you so much.” Caught off guard, I managed a smile in response, earning another blush.
“Well, doll, I like you, too,” I confessed, surprising myself. “You definitely aren’t what I’m used to.” Frowning, her eyes drifted down, but, without thinking, I caught her chin with my hand, causing her to freeze. She looked as though she was desperately trying not to flinch, so, trying to be considerate, I released her. “I meant that in a good way, angel.”
“Ah... thanks... Ace,” she murmured, flushing as she stroked the bird’s ruffled feathers.
“My pleasure.” Solana seemed uneasy. “Hey, would you care to accompany me back to the mansion? I’d love to share this wonderful scenery with someone, especially you.” Her mystic eyes darted up to meet my own.
“You mean... you actually... like nature? You don’t find it... boring?” she asked skeptically, releasing her animal friends and sending them on their merry way.
“No, of course not. I’ve always found it rather breathtaking.” Seeming pleased, her gaze softened.
“Me, too,” she replied, her voice light.
“I find you rather breathtaking, as well,” I blurted gently, blinking as soon as the words left my lips. Where the h*ll had that even come from? Her mouth slightly agape, her face flushed numerous shades of red, more so than before.
“Ace...” she began, eyes wide, unable to come up with something to say in response.
Yet, as I peered at her, secretly admiring her pearly skin and enchanting eyes, her lips tilted upward into a genuine smile, an expression I had yet to see upon her features. Timidly, she trembled as she lifted her arms toward me, beckoning me in for a hug. Of course, I was surprised, but, after a mere moment of demur, I answered her request.
She threw her arms around my neck, her skin cold and soft, and, only hesitating for a second, I placed my hands around her thin waist, her frail, prominent bones cutting into me, her entire body trembling. God, how had I never realized just how skinny she was? It wasn’t healthy in the slightest. She was worse than the starving kids always featured in those Feed the Children ads for Africa. I was terrified I would break her.
Burying her face into my neck, she let out a shaky breath, tickling me. Her fingers wove into my hair, and, stunned, I didn’t know how to react. As far as I knew, this was the first amount of physical contact Solana had allowed here at the MCC. While I felt honored, I didn’t want to do anything to offend her.
“Thank you...” she murmured, nuzzling me as though she was a kitten. “That means so much. I’m... I’m so glad I met you, Ace.” As her wings fluttered against my fingers, she pulled away, wiping at her eyes. Once she regained her composure, I smiled at her kindly, at a loss for intelligent words.
“Solana, I’m glad I met you, too,” I admitted honestly, allowing a sharp sigh to escape my lips. “I’m going to head back. Care to join me?” With a nod, she locked eyes with me.
“I’d love to,” she murmured, swallowing as she stilled her wings.
As we trekked back through the woods, admiring the crisp Autumn leaves and occasionally stopping to meet a new woodland creature, I found my mind drifting into the realm of no return.
What was happening to me? Why was she so different? Why do I feel this way?
But, with a single glance at her, my questions were silenced. They didn’t matter anyway, not anymore. I had more important things to worry about, specifically a girl who was in desperate need of affection and care.
And I was determined to provide that for her.
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Yay, another post down! Ah, I hope I did alright with Solana. And, as for the critters, I kind of determined that the theme was names meaning "peace." I really hope I was right in that... XD Sorry again I didn't use many characters. I'm trying to include them all at different times I'm a little nervous about using Vevila... I don't even... know... how that would turn out... Comments and critiques are welcome and encouraged!
