Oddity

[Clover_wolf]

Hello!
This is a book Im writing feel free to read. Please DM about any questions and do not post! Thanks

[Clover_wolf]

The previous night’s rain shined off the grey bricks that made up the road, and the air felt damp. The skies were still dark, as the morning sun had many clouds covering it. The ground between the bricks had a lot of mud. Fog made the mountain in which the castle sat atop barely visible. If someone ran just a little too fast, they’d trip a thousand times.

Terraepura rarely got rain, but when it did, there would be an excessive amount. The snow in the mountains made lower towns flood from runoff. It would always be an issue if they got rain. With more rain, surely there would be more snow in higher regions, causing flooding next time the land got sun.

They walked to beside where the market stalls were placed near the villages, scanning each booth for any interesting items. The market wasn’t opened for another ten minutes, and they weren’t meant to be there yet.

For them to bring their backpack to an outdoor market felt unusual as they did not often have to carry many items. However, the festival would start soon, and Colby looked to steal as much as possible before it would. Having dressed in normal civilian’s clothes, it would be unlikely anyone would suspect them at first glance.

Even before the festival had started, over a hundred people had crowded around, especially around the popular seller’s booths. Many people managed to get in without permission, so the royalty stopped worrying about it. The Royal territory had been famous for holding the celebration each year, but with the crowd it always would be nearly impossible to get in. In addition, many assassins or murderers would often go, and there is no reason, they knew, to risk ones life for a famous event.

Colby spotted a shop for wires and inventions. The booth had been set up and fully stocked, but the caretaker or any surveillance were absent. Likely the easiest target, they thought, and the most efficient to steal from. Although they’d rather steal something needed, like food, they could possibly resell some parts to an inventor for money, which felt more valuable.

As they arrived at the booth, they saw no one watching and stuffed as much supplies as possible into their backpack. As the person came back, Colby ran away, but the person clearly realized the stolen or missing parts, and looked upset. Maybe next time, they mocked the seller mentally, you should consider watching your booth!

Colby repeated this for a few stalls, managing to get away uncaught. Once the festival started, there came many more people. They flipped their hood on and hid their tail, hoping no one would realize their species, for it could narrow down suspects if anyone noticed their thievery with the now even larger population coming into the festival.

They made their way through the crowd. They noticed an entertainer who sang. She seemed to be wearing a popular and expensive necklace made by precious jewels. Now that could sell, Colby instantly realized. However, with the large population around and having their face still showing, there would be no way Colby could take the necklace without being caught, recognized, or causing a fuss.

I probably will have to create a scene, and people will see me robbing her.. They shuddered at the thought, if anyone knew about them they’d certainly be wanted, and with a reputation like that, they’d be arrested on sight. They had changed the Mechanized territory’s records only to avoid those consequences earlier. Should they really risk having to clear their name again?

In the end though, they decided it would be a better idea to steal it than not. Oh, screw it. they thought, It’s fully worth the money. The necklace, popular and easy to sell, would be worth many golden staruns. If they were anonymous, they might not be arrested. They took a handkerchief from their backpack and used it to cover their face to be anonymous.

Devising a quick plan, they snuck behind the platform the entertainer stood on. As they couldn’t have the singer fighting back, they quickly grabbed her by the necklace, put her in a headlock, and used it to strangle her. Though it would not be enough to kill her, it did knock her out.

People reported it, frightfully screaming ‘assassin’ or ‘thief,’ but Colby had gone this far and couldn’t just stop. They kept their head down to stay anonymous, taking the necklace as quickly as possible and running away even quicker. They could only hope to get away without slipping, and they sure did hope.

~-°^⭐^°-~

Toinyn wandered along the road. He, trying to get home, had been bombarded with all these people seemingly appearing from nowhere. Toinyn’s wings felt cramped in the now-crowded space. Once it found a way to escape the crowd, he stretched his wings and launched up, relieved to be away from the strangely appearing people.

When Toinyn looked down, they saw their home, thankful to see its familiar appearance again. They landed, then opened the door. Glad to be on the ground again, it sighed, but also missed the sky a bit.

“I’m home,” Toinyn called as they took their bag and placed it beside the door. Maimai came down the stairs, welcoming them with a big and bright smile.

“How’s it out there? I hope you had fun! Aw, my baby’s finally all grown up!” she exclaims, her wings unfolding, showing her excitement clearly. It is common for Wingspri to move their wings when they have positive emotions.

“I... I did.” Toinyn assured, a hint uncertain. He rubbed his feet together, trying to stay calm around her. “Thank you, Aunt...”

“Please, call me Maimai. Your actual mother had no good in her.” Maimai reassured. Toinyn nodded in a nervous manner. In Wingalorian, Maimai meant mother. He could not be sure about calling her that. His real mother, as she said, had no good in her, and he associated the nickname with such people.

“I... I will... um... I am going to head upstairs, okay... Maimai?” Toinyn says, smiling dishonestly. They walked up the stairs without another word. It did not want to talk so much at the time. A simple escape from that, he felt, would be for it to go upstairs.

~-°^ ^°-~

That night, there came a crash, as if a window broke, followed by footsteps. Somebody had broken into Toinyn’s house. It could not be a careful thief knowing they had already knocked about three things over, and any other would have at least a small care if they were robbing someone.

Toinyn jumped at the noise. He had been practicing his dances for fun. They screeched loudly, loud enough for this strange thief to hear. It grabbed its pillow and knife and ran downstairs, hoping to catch this thief quickly.

He saw a shadow run past him, and he tried to catch it, but failed. The thief ran out, dropping a beautiful necklace. They picked it up and gasped.

“This is the same necklace that had been stolen during the festival...” It whisper-shouted.

“Toinyn? Is everything all right?” Maimai said, coming down the stairs.

Toinyn quickly hid the necklace in his pocket and began ‘sleepwalking.’ Maimai saw this and chuckled.

“Alright, you silly boy. Let’s get you back to bed.” She folded in her rippling wings and picked up Toinyn. She quickly put him back in bed and turned off his desk light. “Goodnight, my super Wingspri.” She whispered as she closed the door.

Toinyn sat up, looking at the door thoughtfully. He smiled for the first time in many years. Their wings began moving in a calm way as it laid back down, finally being able to sleep.

~-°^⭐^°-~

Xander strolled through the streets, humming a small tune. I need to make more potions soon; he thought as he walked to his house looking up at the midnight sky. Luckily, I have these new ingredients. He looked through his bags, examining the herbs he had picked.

He had picked Dialsia, the main one he needed. An herb with dark green leaves. Usually used for cooking, however also used to make a potion called the spirit potion. Dialsia, Ceraoe, and Feage were needed to make it, but he wasn’t looking to make it at the moment.

A Ceraoe plant, an herb with star- shaped leaves, had strange properties when used in potions. Xander also used this herb for making his Weajtoa soup. When used in food, it would be safer than usual.

Feage looked more like a weed than an actual herb, with its long, spiky green stem and average looking leaves. It would be a bit harder to find than others, unless one looks closer, but if it were just a glance, then indeed it would be hard to find.

Roseberry. Not the most delicious food, or at least in Xander’s opinion, although he could not understand why anyone would like it. It lacks flavor to most people unless they have an extraordinary taste sense and tastes terrible if one can even taste it at all, which is why it would be vital for a poison potion. When you cannot taste poison, it is easier to use stealthily. Plus, Roseberry knocks people out quickly.

As for Ragander, it had a long bright small green stem with purple leaves. Usually for reducing pain, but it’s used more for decoration than herbs since it stayed common and beautiful. It belongs in the pain relief potion due to its properties.

He shook his head, focusing again, and started walking faster. Maybe I should invite Sage over. It would be nice to see him.

He opened the door, which let out a loud creak. He felt off. That something felt different than usual. It wasn’t common for him to feel like this, so he knew something was wrong.

He looked around, spotting a figure trying to get out through the window. “HEY!”

Xander huffed and grabbed the person’s legs, dragging them out from the window. He noticed that they were a child. No-- a teenager.

As the person landed, his eyes narrowed in recognition. “Colby?!” He smiled. “Hello my child! You're not allowed to steal, haven’t I told you that?”

“Don’t you steal? And have a jail record?” Colby felt puzzled why he would tell them not to do something he would do any day. “…That’s... beside the point.” Xander whispered.

“I didn't know you had a house anyway! I thought you were homeless! You were poor, last time I saw you!” Colby frowned.

“Well technically I don’t own the house, I just rented it.” He looked back at Colby.

“Do you need a place to stay?” He asked. “I can offer you one.”

“No! I'm doing fine on my own! Completely fine on my own. See, I haven’t even died yet!” They argued. “And also, I am not even your child—I never even agreed to that!”

“Well… too bad. You’re staying here, you’re too young to be on your own.”

“Clearly I am not too young—because I’m not dead and..and- ‘’ They search for words. “Well, see! That’s enough proof.”

“Hm…well…too bad.” He grins. “Welcome to the family.”

Colby sighs.

Blood dripped on the floor. Breathing heavily, the man in which the blood belonged to begged “Please, do not do this...” For all Roy knew, it was useless. Either way the man would die.

While Roy was away, this man had broken into the bandits’ camp in wishes to steal gold. When refusing to leave and drop the gold, he had punished the man accordingly.

Roy, without another word, gave the man his deathblow. The man choked on his own blood and fell motionless.

He didn’t know, or care really, where these men were coming from and how they survived long enough to tell others the location of the camp. If they knew there was an assassin then perhaps, they wouldn’t, but they all made the same fool’s mistake.

Roy didn’t care that they kept coming, though. He didn’t want to stop them because all their flesh did was give him something to eat. Plus, it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, and only lessened his need to hunt.

[Clover_wolf]

CHAPTER 1
Haunting past
Toinyn stretched out his wings slowly, showing how tired he was. They barely got any sleep last night, getting a bit too obsessed with writing in their diary. He walked downstairs to find Maimai making breakfast.

“Good morning, darling!” She chirped. “Want to go shopping today?”

“Sure...” Toinyn replied hesitantly. Old Maimai loved to go shopping.

“Good! Now, go get dressed. You don’t want to go out in this, do you?” Maimai said, looking down at their old, torn up clothes.

It nodded and went upstairs to get changed.

Once he was done, they ate breakfast and followed Maimai outside.

“I need to get some more food, and I was hoping to get you some new shoes.” Maimai broke the silence. She looked into her almost empty pouch and sighed. “But probably just food.”

Maimai’s been overworking herself, and she still can’t get enough staruns. It thought. I wish I could help... Maybe... I can!

“Why don’t I sign up for a job?” Toinyn asks. “That way we can get a little more money.”

Maimai looked at him surprised, then smiled. “That would be such a good help! You are old enough by now, right? 16?”

“Yeah, so I should be able to get a simple job, like in the mines... Or maybe as a dancer...?” They felt as if they had stars in their eyes as they imagined dancing on stage. It almost forgot about its trauma until looking at his hair's pink feather. He grabbed it and looked at it, still walking alongside Maimai.

“Thinking about your siblings?” Maimai whispered. “They all had those pink wings, like mine, right?”

Toinyn nodded. “They’re in a better place now... I don’t have to think about them.” They felt tears in their eyes but wiped them away. The phrase “No crying!” echoed in his head.

“Of course you can think about them!” Maimai yowled. “You don’t have to hold back all your feelings. It isn’t healthy.”

Toinyn nodded, sighing. It took out the single golden starun it had. This starun was the only reminder he had of his father, but he knew they’d never learn any more about that guy, so he handed it to Maimai.

“Maybe we can still buy those shoes...?” It peeped quietly.

“But... This is...” Maimai looked stunned. “I couldn’t take this from you!” She screeched.

“We need all we can to survive. These shoes aren’t going to cut it if I want to have feet.” He reasoned.

Maimai nodded, as they finally got to the market. Maimai went to go buy food, and Toinyn found a shoe store selling each pair for one golden starun. That’s surprisingly cheap. They thought.

“Hello there, sir! Would you like a pair of shoes?” The seller asks.

“Um... Y... Yes!” It stuttered, not the best at social interactions. The seller appeared to be an Avian, which always felt strange to Toinyn. They’re birds, like some other Wingspri. Why can’t they fly? He thought.

“What would you like?” They said, moving to show nine different pairs of nice, casual shoes. Toinyn looked down at their own shoes, then looked back up at the choices available.

“Could... I... Um... Could please...... Um... Have those... Pairs...? I mean... Shoes?” It stuttered, pointing at a pair of black leather shoes.

“Sure thing! That’d be one starun.” They said excitedly. Toinyn blushed a little at their enthusiasm, but quickly shook it away.

“Here.” he said, handing them the starun.

“Y’know, you're my first customer! I’ve had my stand up for a month or two now. The name’s Yoiliish! You?” Yoiliish said enthusiastically.

“Um... I’m... I’m Toinyn..” They say nervously. It’s never actually communed with a seller before like this. It felt... Nice.

“Well, see ya! Thanks for buyin’!” Yoiliish called as Toinyn walked away. He was still blushing slightly. What is this weird feeling? They thought as they approached Maimai.

“Nice shoes!” She smiled. “Oh, I also got some fresh apples! They’re in season!” She added in singsong.

“Yeah.” Toinyn replied, barely listening. It was still thinking about Yoiliish. Their name was even in Wingalorian. Poi... Leash... I’ll remember that name.



~-°^⭐^°-~

Toinyn lay in his bed, still covered in sweat droplets from their dancing session. Yoiliish.. I hope I see you again. They thought, getting up.

“Toinyn! Dinner!” Maimai called from downstairs.

“Coming, Maimai!” It’d gotten used to calling her by that name. It just made him feel comfortable.

They raced down the stairs to see Maimai putting an apple pie on the table. “Maimai! You didn’t have to...” Toinyn said, staring at the pie. Apple pie was its favorite, after all.

“Oh, my poor, poor ploplo.. Please! I insist!” Maimai whistled. It has been a while since Maimai called him ‘ploplo.’ It meant son, or brother in some cases, in Wingalorian.

“I-... Okay...” They had to say yes. It’d be rude to say otherwise. There really was no point in fighting back. I wonder how Yoiliish is doing... It thought as it ate. I hope they remember me... Ah! What am I thinking!? I just met them! Toinyn rubbed his head.

“Are you okay, Toitoi?” Maimai fretted.

“I’m just...” He freezes. “Thinking about someone...”

Maimai looked puzzled for a second, then looked surprised. “Oh. Oh my! I hadn’t realized. Oh... Who’s the lucky girl? ~” Maimai stuttered. Toinyn looked uncomfortable in a somewhat judging way.

“I-... I just met... Um... Her... Uh... You can meet them later, okay...?” Toinyn yowled.

“Yeah... Sure thing, ploplo!” Maimai tweeted.

Toinyn and Maimai ate in silence for the rest of their dinner. Toinyn quickly went outside for some fresh air. Maybe I could see if Yoiliish is still at their stand. He went back to the market to see someone stealing from Yoiliish’s stand while they weren’t there.

“Hey!” Toinyn howled out. “Give that back!”

The thief looked at Toinyn and ran. Toinyn took to the sky and chased them in an epic chase scene. They chased the thief until they grabbed their shoulder and knocked them over. It took the item they stole, which was a big gear. They would probably sell that to get money. Toinyn looked back, but the person was already gone. He grunted and took the gear back to Yoiliish’s stand. They weren’t back yet, so Toinyn placed it in a big empty spot and walked away.

“So much for visiting Yoiliish.” It muttered.

“Hm? Oh, hey Toinyn!” Yoiliish called. Toinyn’s ears perked up and he came back.

“Oh... Hi... Um... Hi Yoiliish..!” They stuttered.

“I was just about to close up. Mind if you give me a hand?” Yoiliish asks.

“Oh... Sure...! I had a small question, though.” Toinyn tweets.

“Okay, sure! What do ya need?” They squeal.

“Um... Your name... It’s in... Wingalorian, right? You spell... You spell it with a... ‘Y’ instead of... of a ‘P’?” It asks, already realizing it was a stupid question and wanted to take it back.

“Oh, yeah! You noticed? I always thought Wingalorian was cool. It must be nice having a language for your species, huh?” Yoiliish replied with a big, bright smile.

“I mean... I guess... But, uh... What do you, um... Need help with?” Toinyn shifts his foot uncomfortably.

“Just bagging up my things. I have a better plan of what I want to sell, but for now I’m just selling things I find that I don’t want or need anymore.” Yoiliish explains. “You get the shoes and clothes; I’ll do the rest.”

Toinyn nods, glad to help. They may not be the best socially, but at least they’re a good helper. He begins with taking shoes and putting them in. Then socks. Then the shirts. It appeared that’s all Yoiliish really had for clothes.

“Mind if I come to your house sometime? I know it’s kinda quick, but I see a friendship here!” Yoiliish asked, full of excitement.

“Oh. Sure...! Maimai would love to know I made a... Friend.” Toinyn felt a warm feeling in their heart. Yoiliish sure was nice.

“Any Foufou that might be any trouble? Did I say that right? Fou... Fou...” Yoiliish pondered aloud.

“Um... I never... Met my Foufou..” Toinyn mumbled.

“Oh, my goons! I am so sorry! I didn’t know! Just your Maimai. Got it!” Yoiliish blurted out, obviously startled and sad that they made Toinyn upset.

“It’s... It’s okay. When could you... Um... Come over?” Toinyn felt a shiver go down its spine when he said that. It felt weird.

“Maybe tomorrow. I could even stay the whole day! My parents will be gone all day, and they wouldn’t mind anyway.” Yoiliish responds.

“Um... Yeah... I’ll tell Maimai. Um... See you tomorrow?” Toinyn giggles nervously.

“It’s a date!” Yoiliish responds, taking their bags and running off.



~-°^ ^°-~

Toinyn lay awake in bed. “They’re coming... Tomorrow.” They thought aloud. The words ‘It’s a date!’ echoed in his head. Date...?

They tried to fall asleep but couldn’t. Toinyn covered its face with his hands. This is probably the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me, but also the worst at the same time... Toinyn thought. His wings were tight, and they wanted to scream so badly.

Then Toinyn’s negative thoughts kicked in. What if they think it’s dumb that I’m so poor? What if they don’t like my house? What if they think I’m weird, or about the fact that I don’t have a dad, nor have I ever met him? What do I say? Should I give them a flower? Is that too forward? Did they mean this platonically? Toinyn screamed into his pillow.

“Is everything okay up there?” He heard Maimai whine from downstairs.

“Um... Yeah, Maimai! Just can’t sleep!” They yell back down, nervously.

“Okay. Call me up if you need anything!” She yowled.

Toinyn sighed. Just sleep. That’s all you need to do. Sleep... Sleep... Sleep... It thinks, closing his eyes.

Eventually they found themselves in a dream. It was so peaceful. Maimai was sitting in a hammock reading a book. His two brothers played with a ball in a clearing. His sister practiced her flying technique.

A black shadow covered the area, showing Maimai going crazy and being taken to jail. One brother hanging himself. The other drowning. His sister with cancer. This was no dream. This wasn’t even a nightmare. This was a message. The brother who had jumped into the river came back out with a feather. The same feather Toinyn had in its hair.

“Doloy...?” Toinyn took the feather Doloy held out to him.

“Find the past siren. They will help.” Doloy says as he disappears.



~-°^ ^°-~

“Ah!” Toinyn screeches. His breathing was heavy as he looked around their room. Looked the same way when it fell asleep.

“Toinyn! Breakfast!” Maimai called. Toinyn went down the stairs.

Someone knocked at the door. “This must be the Yoiliish you spoke of, right?” Maimai wondered.

“I... Think so.” Toinyn opened the door, and it was Yoiliish all right. Their blonde hair shined in the light, but one thing was new. They had a leaf in their hair.

“Hi, Toi! I got a cool leaf for you! I thought it’d compliment the pink feather in your hair.” Yoiliish said, handing Toinyn a thick, red leaf. Toinyn put it in his hair and lead Yoiliish in.

“Welcome! You must be Yoiliish! Wonderful to know my Toitoi made a friend.’ Maimai whistled.

“Yeah! I am! I have a whole list of things I want to do today. A tour of your house, going to the museum, going outside, going to a nice café, etcetera! Aren’t you so excited!” Yoiliish smiled.

“Um... Yeah... I’ve never been able to see the museum before.” Toinyn replied, their wings pulled in tightly.

“So, let’s go!” So, they did. Yoiliish got a tour of the house and loved how ‘rustic’ it was. They went to the museum and looked at cool inventions inventors had made. Toinyn found the museum amazing. It flew around the flying course they had. The inventor was named Boliien V. Colger. Interesting.

Then they had some fun outside. Toinyn couldn’t believe he could smile this much. Who knew meeting Yoiliish was the key? They went to the café and had a ton of fun talking and getting to know each other. By the end of the day, they ate dinner back at Toinyn’s house.

“My, I’ve never seen you smile like this before!” Maimai squealed. Then she came to realize. “Say, what’s your opinion on Yoiliish?” she asks slyly.

“Um... They’re a good friend...?” Toinyn answered, nervousness in their tone.

“Really?” Maimai chuckled.

She knows... Toinyn thought.

“I support you, though keep it a secret. I don’t want you going to jail for such a dumb reason.” Maimai worried.

“So, I couldn’t hide it? But... I just met them! It’s probably just a phase...” Toinyn denies.

“Nobody has ever made you smile like that before, not even me or your siblings! Admit it!” Maimai is thankfully supportive of Toinyn.

“I guess that’s true...” Toinyn shrugs.

“Go get ready for bed, you silly goose.” Maimai chuckles as she cleans up dinner.



~-°^ ^°-~

Toinyn was wandering around the market to go find Yoiliish when he heard a scream. “Thief!”

Toinyn’s ears perked up when they saw them. The Scarlet Thief themselves. Toinyn knew it should do something but didn’t move. Instead, he stuck his leg out and tripped them. They looked down at them and growled.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He yowled.

“Ah! Colby! My child! Where did you go?” A voice called from the crowd. “There you are, Colby!” A Vulpian ran over and picked up the Scarlet Thief. “What did I say about stealing at the market when it’s crowded?”

The Scarlet Thief stood up, obviously taller than the Vulpian. “Not to...” they sigh. “...but you can’t tell me what I should do, you’re too short---and barely older than me--- for that!” They shot back. Toinyn was very confused as they ran off. Toinyn decided to go home instead because of this strange encounter.



~-°^ ^°-~

Toinyn woke up and did his regular routine. Goke up, got dressed, did stretches, practiced dances, and drew a bit until Maimai called for breakfast.

“Breakfast, Toitoi!” She called.

They flew down the stairs like a rocket and ate quickly.

“We’ll be heading to the thrift shop today. It’s about time we sold those clothes you don’t fit in anymore. It’s sad to see them go, but us Wingspri grow much too quickly. Are there any other things you might want to give?” Maimai explained as she collected some of her old things and Toinyn’s old clothes.

“My old art supplies. I got new ones from a friend a bit ago.” Toinyn replied, remembering a couple of days ago when Yoiliish gave him new art supplies when they found out it drew.

“Yoiliish, right? Well, get those. We’ll head out when you’re done.” Maimai clarified. Toinyn did as he was told and got old things he didn’t need or want anymore. Once they were done, it followed Maimai to the thrift store to sell them. The person working there was a silver Vulpian.

Toinyn and Maimai placed down their boxes. That’s when Toinyn realized. That’s the Vulpian from yesterday who treated the Scarlet Thief like their child! Toinyn remembered.

“Why, hello! My, you have a lot to sell here. This will get you fifty golden staruns.” The Vulpian said, handing them the gold.

“Wh- what!?” Maimai screeched, shocked. “What we gave you should only be twenty golden staruns!”

“Well, I’m being generous.” The Vulpian said. “The name’s Xander, by the way.”

Toinyn looked at the staruns in shock. Xander picked through the boxes and grabbed the necklace that Toinyn had gotten from the thief a while back.

“Oh, my! This is Colby’s necklace! I should return this to him.” Xander muttered quietly. Maimai struggled to find room to hold all the staruns. She eventually just grabbed a large basket and put it in there.

“Would you mind if you stayed here for a bit, Toinyn?” Maimai asked.

“Um... Why?” Toinyn asked in a stern tone, almost as if he wasn’t even asking a question.

“I just need... To get this home.” Maimai said suspiciously. “I’ll be right back.” She said, walking out the door.

“Did she just...?” Toinyn looked as she ran off with the staruns.

“What a greedy brat! This is why I hate mother figures.” Xander grumbled. “Say, why don’t you stay with me, child?”

“Um... Huh!?” Toinyn yowled. “No way. I don’t stay with creeps like you.” They grumbled.

“Too bad!” Xander spoke in a high-pitched voice. “I’m adopting you!”

“That would be considered kidnapping.” Toinyn looked at Xander.

Xander stared at him for a bit with a smile before speaking again. “I know!”

Toinyn just looked back, not even in shock, just ‘this man is insane.’

“You are now my child. I’ll let you meet Colby!” Xander yipped. He walked away from his stool, around the counter, and towards Toinyn. He grabbed him by his leg, being very short next to Toinyn, and tried dragging him. Toinyn didn’t even budge, and its pupils narrowed.

“Fine! I’ll follow you.” Toinyn growled as he followed the tiny Vulpian into a room. A Feline was in there, scratching up the floor.

“Colby! We have a new child!” Xander called. The Feline looked up from what they were doing to look up at Toinyn.

“Why is it... So tall?” Colby asked, looking up.

“Because I’m a Wingspri.” Toinyn growled.

“It looks dumb.” Colby hissed.

“Now, now! No fighting on your first day here!” Xander tried to calm the two down.

“I eat birds like you for breakfast.” Colby purred teasingly.

“Oh, really? Try me.” Toinyn hissed back.

“Say. That. Again.” Colby dared, a threatening look in their eyes.

“Try. Me.” Toinyn growled.

Colby pounced up and onto Toinyn, and Toinyn used his wings to block them. Then they knocked Colby away and stood there.

“Stop!” Xander cried out as Colby was just about to scratch Toinyn. The two froze in place and looked over at Xander.

“You two are going to get along whether you want to or not!” Xander yipped. “Sit down!”

“And what if I don’t want to-”

“SIT. DOWN.” Xander interrupted Colby. Toinyn and Colby winced and sat down.

“Now, you two are going to stay here and get along! We’ll stay here all day if needed. Maybe even all night.” Xander hissed as the two glared at each other.

“Toinyn.. Right...?” Colby said with a stubborn tone.

“Yeah... Colby...” Toinyn growled under its breath.

Xander watched the two with a stern look on his face.

“OKAY! That’s it!” Colby screams. They stand up and walk away into a corner.

“Hey! I did not kidnap you to be like this!” Xander yipped.

“Huh.” Toinyn looked at Xander. “Kidnapped?” He looked confused.

“Yep! Like how I kidnapped my other 1,567 children!” Xander said happily.

Colby grabbed a large piece of wood and threw it at Xander. Because he was so tiny and weak, he got pinned under the wood. Colby pounced on Toinyn and scratched at their wings. Toinyn flew up and tried kicking Colby off, but Colby had too good of a grip. Toinyn broke through the ceiling and flew up high, grabbing Colby and forcing them off. Colby fell back through the hole Toinyn made earlier and landed on his two feet. Toinyn swooped back down through the hole, its wings ruffled up and growling at Colby.

“STOP, MY TWO DUMB CHILDREN!!” Xander screamed. He squirmed out from under the wood and held up his little stars. “Whoever sits down first gets a star of approval.”

Toinyn quickly sat down, never having this ‘approval’ before. Xander gave him the star and nodded. “Good, Toinyn.” Xander gives Toinyn head pats and slaps the sticker on his shirt. Colby shrugged and found a knife.

“What do you have...?” Xander asks suspiciously.

“Are you blind? What does it look like, huh? It's pretty obvious Xander.” They teased. “Can you not see the knife?”

“No!” Xander screamed.

Colby quickly threw the knife through the window at a random plant. Somehow, the plant dodged it and went back to being a normal plant after.

“What...?” Toinyn puzzled. He growled under their breath.

“ENOUGH WITH THE CRAZY!” Xander screamed.

Colby and Toinyn looked at Xander. “Go to bed, you two. Or else I’ll un-adopt and leave you begging in the street!” Xander screeched. Toinyn sighed and did as they were told, but Colby did not.

“Ha! I already lived in the streets for...” They looked towards nowhere as they tried to think. “...a very long time. I can handle myself.”

Xander growled but just walked away to his own bed, annoyed.



~-°^ ^°-~

Toinyn lay awake in bed, holding the pink feather and dark red leaf he had in his hair. They got up and out of bed and looked around the room. Xander had prepared a dresser and a mirror, but, besides the bed, that was it.

It looked to the other wall, where a window was. Toinyn walked up to it to look outside. It was dark out, and two large trees and a bush decorated the area around the outside of the window.

He blinked, and then Toinyn saw two red eyes staring back at him. They screeched silently, so it doesn’t wake anyone up by his high-pitched, loud screeches. They rubbed their eyes, and the eyes were gone. Toinyn backed away from the window and sighed.

“My eyes are just playing tricks on me.” It decided. He went to the middle of the room and knelt. They began practicing their dance. It decided on doing this for a while, before finally going to bed.