Lost In Termina ch6

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Chapter 6
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NIGHT OF THE SECOND DAY
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Lessons to Learn.
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The forest around was filled with the soothing sounds of chirping crickets with the sweet mix of the quiet winds. The sky was blanketed in a deep dark blue, as the stars and the nearly-full moon illuminated the darkness that spread across the forest floor. With the exception of the small beams that shone through the trees, creating a speckled earth of soft pastel light in the dark of night.

At the trunk of an old alder, the deku girl laid against the tree asleep. Jace slept next to her as they'd leaned over, their heads resting on one another. Iris soon lightly opened her eyes, allowing her vision to wake. "Wh-?"
She gazed at the night-coated forest. "I slept that long...?" She looked over, as Jace still remained asleep. Skits was laying next to her, puffed up with his face buried in his feathers. Iris groaned tiredly and she stood. Jace fell over before quickly getting up wide-eyed.
"What the?" He muttered in a tired tone. He scratched his head, the light in his eyes burning at their usual brightness. He looked up and spotted the familiar girl in front of him. He found himself focusing, attempting to wake a little better to get a grasp on his surroundings.
She turned around to face the blond boy "Get up. We slept too long..."
It wasn't as sweet-sounding as he was hoping. "You sound grumpy..." He remarked. He stood and stretched his arms out forward.

"What can I say? I'm a grumpy person." She retorted before looking up.
Skits shook and hopped to Iris.
After taking a moment to blink himself awake, Jace looked around, remembering their training earlier that day. "Hey, you feel any better?" He asked.
"Hm?" She blinked, wondering what he was talking about. A slight hard to notice pain in her arm made her remember. "Oh, the training. Yeah, I'm still a little sore, but not as bad."
Jace walked into the clearing and he picked up the blades they'd trained with. He took them back into his burrow, then walked out and moved the large log over the tunnel hole.
"Wait... Why don't we take those with us...?" Iris asked.
Jace looked up. "The swords? It'd be too much trouble to lug around since they’re not very useful. They’re dull. I don't have anything to carry them with, and we have those knives anyway."
"Knives aren't as good." Iris responded.
Jace looked at her and added. "Maybe to you. But they can be just as good if used properly. And like I said, these swords are dull, they wouldn't do us much good."
Upon remembering, Iris removed the ponytail out of her leafy hair. "Here, I forgot I had this."
"Oh, thanks." He responded, taking the ponytail. He reached back and messed with his strand-like leaves and put the ponytail back into a tight hold. The bush behind his head was restored at long last!

Jace threw his rucksack over his shoulder and walked on. "We better get moving... I didn't want to waste so much time sleeping."
Iris caught up with Jace. "Where to then?"
"Well... I was going to look around the forest more for signs of where the fairy might be held, but it's much too dark to see anything... I mean, it's brighter than usual, but the leaves are hard to examine from here in the dark, so I can't really tell which ones are dead..." Jace responded with a pause, before adding. "So I guess we'll just move onto Clocktown. There's supposed to be a fairy there, so it's worth a look."

Jace lead Iris through the dark forest until they reached the bustling Deku Village. Iris stopped and looked around. The whole village was covered in lights and decorations. She'd never noticed them before, but figured they'd probably been there all along. She soon continued following after Jace. Iris rubbed Skits' head as she held him close all the while. There were new shops up in the village now, and some deku scrubs that looked like they were maybe from different parts of Termina. Some deku were still putting up decorations, too!

They completely passed by the village and continued through the forest. They eventually reached the palace once more. Jace walked up to the doorway that lead out, not even noticing Iris stop to look out toward a lily pad out on the water, about six yards out from where she stood. There sat a deku scrub girl, running her hand through the water sadly. Iris blinked then looked to see where Jace was, she then turned her view back to the girl. "Hello?"

The girl's leaves twitched. She soon turned, she wore tribal makeup on her face. She also wore a gorgeous petal dress, and tied her long colorful leaves in a high ponytail. Upon her head was a small crown. Iris automatically realized she was of some kind of high social status; probably really rich. The girl had been crying, as seen by tear stains on her young face. Iris began to feel sad just looking into this girl's eyes.
"Are you okay?" Iris questioned concernedly.
The girl blinked before turning around again. Iris looked down at Skits in unease...

"Iris!?" Jace came running back, panting. "You need to stop pulling your vanishing acts, you scare me that way!" He scolded worriedly. "I thought something got you." He sighed.
"Calm your leaves..." She rolled her eyes, then included. "Who's that girl out there?"
Jace walked up and looked out. His eyes then grew in surprise. "That's the princess! What's she doing out here?"
"Looks like she's been crying. I asked her if she was okay, but she wouldn't even answer me."
Jace scratched his head. "That's because she can't answer you."
"What? Not allowed to talk to other people?" Iris questioned.
Jace elbowed her with his brows slanted. "No, I mean she really can't. She's mute," he replied.
Iris' leaves drooped. "...Ohhhh… Okay, that’s a good reason."

"She's usually not the kind to wander off on her own, though... Something must be wrong if she's out here with no guards." Jace hopped out towards her, skipping across the water and landed on a lily pad in front of her. "Princess Aritha?"
Aritha looked up at Jace. Iris was right, she'd in fact been crying: her makeup was running. A sad expression captivated Jace's face. "Do you remember me?"
She breathed in deeply, before nodding.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
She slowly glanced down.
"I'll take that as a no..." He sighed. "Is something wrong inside the palace?"
She shook her head no, before looking off away from Jace. He was a bit deterred. She didn't even answer with sign language.

The blond boy hopped back to Iris, "She wouldn't give me any clue as to what's wrong... She's usually never left unsupervised." He looked to the palace. "I'll be back..." He turned and walked around until he reached the docks that lead to the main gates. A guard popped up out of a deku flower at the gate, nearly knocking Jace over.
"You do not have business in here, peasant!" The guard said coldly.
Jace hated it when they did that, scared the living day lights out of him. He glared, a growl in his tone. "I know you remember me. I am permitted to come and go as I please... It's important, It's about princess-"
"Princess!?" The guard exclaimed. "Where!?"
Jace pointed out. "On the side of the palace… You’d know that if you weren’t in your flower all day and night."
"How did she leave the palace safety without my notice!?" The guard popped out of the flower completely, before scurrying deep into the palace.

Jace groaned. "Ugh, like talking to a bottle cork..."
"Hey!" One yelled from another flower.
"Heh, sorry..." He replied. "Didn't know you were there."
He turned to walk back to Iris -who was waiting from afar- before an annoying voice sounded from behind him.  "Wait, peasant!"
Jace let out an exasperated sigh and slowly turned himself around. A guard from before scuttled out and huffed. "Oh, you're that mongrel seed, Jace..." He added coldly. "Well, in that case... Could you please escort Princess Aritha back in? The Queen is worried sick."

Jace blinked sarcastically, though taking advantage of the chance to be a little turd. "Oh, listening to the queen for once instead of humoring his royal a-"
"AHEM- Yes, yes, whatever you say… As a friend of the Princess and Prince, you may enter."
"Ah. Okay." Jace turned. "I guess that's good enough reason..."
If he could, he would have shot his tongue rudely at them after he walked past. And mooned them. That is if had either.

He walked back and hopped across the water, Iris having no idea what's going on.
"Princess Aritha, could you please come with me?" He held his hand out to her. She looked up. He added, "Your mother is worried about you..."
Her eyes opened a little more as an "Oh?" expression took to her saddened face. She then nodded, taking his hand and letting him help her up. She hopped across the water to meet eyes with Iris. She moved out of Aritha's way and allowed the Princess and Jace to pass by. He looked back and motioned Iris and Skits to follow.

After passing the dock quietly and coming to the palace doorway, Iris was given skeptical glares by the guards. She just remained behind Jace quietly. It was a long walk down the straight path to the palace throne room, with the passing of occasional rooms through the walls. Two of which were huge gardens. Jace looked into the throne room, surveying the… Rather empty room. Tasteless decorative choices by the king as always. He stopped Iris as he turned back to her. She gave him a raised eyebrow.
"Why don't you stay here, Iris?" Jace asked, as much as he hated it.
Iris glared, "Why?"
"The guards probably wouldn't want someone they don't know in the throne room." Jace added. Iris crossed her arms with a huff.
"Fine." She chirped.

Jace walked in and lead the princess in with him. He looked to the back of the room and saw the Queen standing up, awaiting the Princess.
"Oh dear!" She stepped down to look her child in the eyes. "Where were you!? You know you can't go wandering off..."
Aritha looked saddened once more, this time, for worrying her mother. The Queen looked over her daughter and wiped the tears from her face. And not feeling welcome, Jace soon turned around to leave.
"Hold on, Jace!"
He halted and his leaves perked up. He soon looked back, his expression softening. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"It's been quite a while since I've seen you, son. Thank you. I was so worried..." The Queen spoke kindly.
Jace smiled lightly, simply at knowing that the Queen called him son. "Anytime." He paused, and couldn't help but ask. "Um... I was wondering... Did something happen?"
"I'm afraid so." The Queen paused, sending Aritha to another room. "Please, go clean up dear... I'll be there soon." She looked back to Jace. "An old friend of hers has gone missing recently..."
Jace's leaves drooped. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that, Your Highness."
"He was a kind old monkey." She sighed. "They used to play together all the time... But ever since he disappeared, she hasn't stopped leaving the palace like that. She's starting to worry me."

Meanwhile, as Jace spoke with the Queen, Iris eventually wandered into the garden she'd passed earlier. It was a huge area; flowers everywhere were in bloom! It was a shame; chances were they'd eventually die along with the rest of the swamp. Iris passed along the walls, examining everything from the high walls to the beautiful green vines that climbed them as if reaching toward the stars. Of course they fell short at the wall’s peak where they appeared to spill over the opposite side.

Jace, now showing his more polite side, nodded respectfully to her. "I'll keep my eye out. If I see him, I'll be sure to inform you."
The Queen dipped her head in return, "It would be appreciated."
"Hey, let go of me ya freakin’ potato!" Iris shouted from the hall.
Jace winced. “Oh boy… What now…?”

He turned back, only to see that Iris was already in some form of trouble with the guards. Iris was forced into the room by a few different guards, shoved heavily into the Queen’s presence. "Your Highness! We found this intruder in the royal garden! What should we do with her!?"
Jace rose his hands, "It's okay! She's with me!"
Iris glared at the guards. They sized her up in a sense, not really liking how aggressive she acted. "I'm afraid you'll have to leave!"
"It's okay." The Queen's soft voice sounded. "She's a friend of Jace's. Let her stay."
They bowed. "Uh, y-yes Your Highness!" They pushed her forward, knocking her into Jace. They scurried back out soon after. Iris growled and muttered an indistinct insult at them as she pushed herself away from Jace.

The Queen looked Iris over. "You're a new face."
Iris didn't really know what to say, seeing as she'd never knowingly spoken with anyone of royalty. Skits was hiding behind her leg.
"Where did Jace find you, my dear?" The Queen asked. "You're a little different than most."
Jace replied for her. "She's not from around here."
Iris unexpectedly appeared more shy than she usually would. She nodded to confirm Jace's response.
"I'll say Jace, you picked a wildflower this time, huh?" The Queen chuckled. "You make quite a pair."
Iris jumped and she stuttered. "Uh, w-we're n-not..."
Jace chucked an arm out around her and pulled her close, trying to brighten up the room a little. "She's beautiful, huh?"
Iris was trying hard not to give him a good wallop in front of the Queen, seeing as it would be rude. Though the temptation of chucking her fist into his face sounded nice. She begrudgingly let him continue. Though as soon as the Queen was no longer in sight, she'd whack him good.
"She's a wildflower alright! And she's tough." Jace winked. "She has an attitude like no other, and looking into her eyes is like staring into the heart of a deep, burning flame! Why, her autumn leaves only make her all the more beautiful!"

Iris rolled her eyes at his compliments, which he was obviously overly sweetening just to impress Iris. If anything, it made him sound really stupid.
The Queen giggled at Jace's words. She could tell they made Iris uncomfortable.
"I could go down a list of things about her that takes my breath away." Jace continued.
Iris finally pulled away slightly, giving a forced shy smile. "Okay, yes, we get it..."
Jace smirked. "I'm just stating the truth here."
"The, quote-on-quote, "truth", is making you look like a imbecile." Iris put her hand to her forehead, and mumbled something else, though what was unheard.
Jace looked to the Queen. "She's a little awkward, doesn't really like talking about us much." He joked.
This made her leaves stand up for a moment, before she slowly turned to look at him. Her body arched a little with her fists on her hips. He was glad he wasn’t looking at her to see that absolutely disgusted face... "_{Say us again, and I'll make you the awkward one when my fist is--}" She mumbled the rest in an indistinct tone.

The Queen chuckled. Oh Jace… Always had a thing for the weird ones. Her Highness looked down at them both, before looking to Iris- primarily her eyes. "I could already tell you weren't from around here. I have seen someone with traits like yours. He was from another land, far from ours If I remember right. I never did get to tell him how much he reminded me of someone special." She paused. "Come closer my dear."
However, she was interrupted by the sound of a squeaky voice echoing through the room. “Queen Acacia, where are the towels? The Prince took a ‘swim’ fully clothed again.”
Jace sniggered… Acacia pointed the guard upstairs, replying in haste. “They’re upstairs. Ask the maid. You know- the small, vined one.”
“Gotcha, Boss-- I mean, Your Highness!” With that the guard scuttled away to do their work.

Acacia returned her attention to Iris, clearing her throat. Iris stepped forward nervously and stood before the Queen. Acacia whispered, "Are you really friends with this boy here?" She pointed to Jace, as she bent down to Iris' level. This made Iris a little nervous. Iris replied, "I… I guess you could say friends…"
Acacia continued softly, "_{You may be just who he needed... He's got a good heart. Don't let him go without a second thought, because you never know if you won't see him again should something were to ever happen to him... Be sure to make the memories last.}" Iris felt a little awkward about the whole thing. Her and Jace weren't together, they were just traveling together, that's all. And she'd eventually leave anyway. She looked to Jace, who was gawking at them both in confusion.

Acacia finished with, "_{I know the pain of letting someone go when I needed them most without knowing till it was too late... I never saw them again, so remember what I've told you. I can see a wildflower like yourself has trouble opening up to people, but he needs a friend in these current days, because he has no one anymore. He has no family, and he always travels alone. Perhaps you can enlighten his lonely heart and teach him a thing or two?}"
She stood tall once more and smiled down on them both. Iris held her arm nervously, looking at her own feet.

Jace smiled back. "I guess we'll be leaving, Your Highness. I certainly hope things get better for you all, and that you'll find Princess Aritha's friend."
The Queen sighed. "Your kindness is appreciated. Be safe young ones, stay strong. And don't let Auran see this young lady; you know how that will go down." Acacia chuckled.
Jace laughed! "Indeed, I know what you mean."

The lad then bowed with- “Now take care! And give your lovely palace-potato guards a farewell for me. Oh, and His Heinie, too.” before leading Iris out of the throne room.
Iris was very, very quiet on the way out. Jace was expecting her to explode in a flustered shout after what he did in there. He grew concerned, knowing her actions as of now weren't like her. Whatever the Queen told her obviously got to her. He smiled, and spoke. "The Queen's very sweet, huh?"
"Uh, what!?... Oh, yeah, nice..." Iris replied.
Iris seemed to have paused, before finally glaring at him. "You seem to be quite popular, if even the Queen know's you so well."

The deku boy laughed. "Are you kidding?" He paused, "Everyone here knows each other. If you were born and raised in the village or kingdom, people will know your name. It's not that I'm popular, it's just that I'm such a common person here. That, and the Queen used to know my mom and dad, she used to babysit me from time to time. And after my dad died, she kinda took me in for a short while, so she knows me well."
Iris glanced off. "Oh… So, she raised you, sort of?"
"Mm-hmm… So, what did the Queen have to say?" Jace asked curiously.
Iris' face flushed. "That's not really any of your business, now is it?"
"I'd say it is, she was pointing at me." He smirked.

The deku girl groaned, and looked away a slight.
"C'mon Iris. It must be important if the Queen had to whisper it to you." Jace added.
Iris cut her eyes. "Then wouldn't you think there was a reason she whispered?"
"I guess." Jace glanced back. They reached the exit as they stepped out into the swamp again.
Iris sighed. "She'd said she'd known the pain of letting someone go, when she needed them most without knowing, and for me not to do that... To you. That something could happen to you."

Jace gazed to Iris sincerely, though he seemed a bit shocked. "What else did she tell you?"
"That's it." Iris looked away. Jace sighed, seeming relieved about something. This made him stop joking around so heavily for the time being. His eyes were focused ahead, focus darting around casually in thought.
Iris scoffed, "Anyway... I don't understand what the Queen was talking about, though."
Jace seemed to apparently, but left part of it unvoiced. "She must be referring to that boy from long ago."
"Boy?" Iris looked back to him.

"It's a sad story, that's for sure. I don't remember his name, but he was their butler's son." Jace began. "Long ago, when the Queen was still just a little girl, she'd met the butler's son. From what I was told, she had a crush on him... The King had even grown to like the boy, and not too long before his disappearance, the King had even suggested to marry the two. It was huge news at the time, everyone knew about it. But he disappeared without explanation. She once met a guy who looked like him later, but it turned out he had no relation to him at all. The boy had later been found dead, spellbound as a sad tree… Cursed. The King had grown ill, and arranged a forced marriage with some other person to rule in his place, given her first fiancé had passed."

"That's awful..." Iris stated sadly.
With a soft scoff, Jace nodded. "My dad told me that not long after this news was revealed, she would stay in her room and hardly ever came out... I could only imagine how hard that must've been on her. Love can be cruel. Especially when it’s so close yet so far."

Iris' face fell to stare at the ground.
"But why the Queen would mention it to you is far beyond me." Jace paused. "She really took a liking to you, though."

Iris couldn't help but ask, and to change the depressing subject. "So what of Princess Aritha?"
"We used to play together all the time when we were little. It was so long ago, though." Jace chuckled. "She's a real sweetheart, but it's very easy to hurt her feelings, the poor thing. She's got such a tender heart."
"And also... Who's Auran?" Iris questioned. "I remember Queen Acacia telling you not to let this Auran guy see me. What's up with that?"
Jace laughed. "He's the prince. And also thinks he's the gods’ gift to girls because he's royalty."
Iris cut her eyes at Jace. "Sounds like someone else I know."
"He's much worse than me." Jace chuckled nervously. "And knowing you, you'd have probably already beaten the guy to a mulch. If you don't like me, then you would hate Auran."

---

As they traveled away from the palace, conversation fell silent. The two deku scrubs and their bird were on the lily pad again and were making their way down the swamp. Iris was the kind of person who hung onto things. She couldn't really help but think about what the Queen told her. She looked to Jace and stared. She felt he was hiding something deep from her, and she was actually growing concerned for him.
Skits took notice to the odd silence and felt a little uneasy.
"Why the staring?" Jace spoke.
Iris tuned everything out until she'd heard the sudden voice. She snapped back to reality. "Huh?"
"You look bored." Jace said, before turning forward again.
Iris replied, "I am, I guess."
She released a yawn, before looking off elsewhere. Her thoughts rang. 'What's up with Jace? Why would the she tell me that?' She thought 'I mean, what If I do-... No. I won't say that, it's just my overactive imagination. I think I'm just hanging onto this too much. As to why, I yet know. It's starting to bug the heck out of me.' She glanced back at Jace before it turned into an irritated glare. 'Why would I care anyway? I'm not even from here, it'd be pointless.'
Skits was gazing up at his deku-sister with a raised eyebrow at her expression. He looked to Jace, then back at Iris. He started to wonder if Jace was the one more focused right now- which would be something new in Skits' eyes. He gave a low concerned caw, catching Iris' attention. She blinked before smiling at him and patting him on the head to pull herself away from her thoughts.

Jace stopped the lilypad and lead Iris through the pathway. He stopped when he reached the two paths that connected to a single dead tree. Huh- it was kinda short... He looked around, growing agitated. "What happened here!?"
Iris frantically glanced about as well. Trees everywhere had fallen! They were completely dead, and blocked the main road. "I'll say!"
Jace walked around the area to examine everything, there wasn't a way out here. He growled under his breath, before turning around. "C'mon, we'll take the long way..."
"Long way?" She repeated in an unsure tone.
"We'll have to go back a ways. I've only taken it a few times, but I think I remember my way around."
Iris groaned. "Well that's comforting... Hope we won't get lost."
"We won't get lost, just stick close." Jace seemed just as irritated as Iris about having to go back.

Iris had grown tired by the time they'd reached an old grown-over pathway that lead deep into unknown territory. The plants were so thick here, the moonlight hardly even shone through. Jace walked through, being hesitantly followed by Iris and Skits.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Iris spoke.
Jace looked back at her. "Don't sweat, I've got a great memory, so we'll be through it in no time."

Several hours later…

"Just admit it!" Iris exclaimed!
Jace’s eyes narrowed, clearly irritated. "We're not lost! We're just..."
"Lost?" Iris huffed. "We should've just waited till day time... We should've just stayed back at the tree near your burrow..." Iris continued on while Jace tried tuning her mumbling out, but had a hard time doing so.
Jace threw his arms into the air, finally tired of hearing her rant. "Fine! We're lost! Happy?"
"Why wouldn't you tell me before, ya' idiot!?" Iris barked.
"I know how much you spaz over stupid stuff. You would've been freaking out!" The blond boy replied in an unintentional shout, scaring birds out of a nearby tree. Skits raised a brow at him afterward.
"And I'm not already freaking out!? The forest's are dangerous at night!" Iris looked around as she said this.
Jace groaned. "You're being too dramatic, Iris... It's not that bad."

"You keep saying that, but don't come crying when you get attacked by some monster!" Iris glanced back at Jace.
Jace laughed. "Me!? You're the one who runs crying to people!"
Iris took in a deep breath, before letting out. "That is bullcrap! But one way or another, you're finding our way out of here!"
"Okay... But you're helping me!" Jace pointed, his leaves pinned back.
Iris cut her eyes, growing angrier at him by the second. "Ugh! Fine! But you're not leading us anymore after this!"
Jace crossed his arms, and cut his eyes back at her "Fine!"
"Ugh..." Skits groaned aloud.
"What?!" The bickering scrubs exclaimed at Skits. The bird just looked at them and cawed- having been startled by them both.
Iris glared back at Jace and spoke with an icy tone. "...Well? What're you waiting on?"
After staring Iris up and down for a few moments, Jace turned and ignored her. She blinked, before begrudgingly following him as he walked on through the sticks.

Iris grumbled something. Jace turned with an irritated glance. "What was that?"
The deku girl ignored him, and looked off elsewhere.
His eyes looked her over. "Okay, be that way..."
Jace returned ahead. Though, he started to feel stupid for fighting with her, it wasn't helping matters any. He finally sighed silently and scratched the back of his head. He would've apologized but she'd just ignore him anyway. After a long quiet walk, light began growing into view. "Hey, I think I've found our way out." He replied. Iris pushed passed him, bursting out into the moonlight... To another large clearing. Her leaves drooped slightly and she looked upward with an exasperated groan. "Ahgghhhhh… Nope.."
"Oh, I forgot about this place!" Jace walked out into the clearing and looked around. "Wow, this place really grew!" He looked back, spotting Iris walking out to a tree in the darkness. "What're you doing?"
"Taken' a rest. Is that so wrong?" Iris' tone dropped to a cold one again.
Jace blinked. "No..." His attitude had already cooled again. Despite Iris' coldness, Jace just remained calm, he didn't want to start arguing again.


"Ugh..." Iris groaned as she plopped down next to the tree. Her bird-brother took to a limb above Iris. Thanks to the near-full moon, everything seemed so bright that night. The only bit of darkness was the shadows cast out by the thick forest. The view of the moon seemed perfect. Jace leaned on a tree and gazed at the moon in adoration. "It's so beautiful tonight. Eh, It's not so bad being out here." trying to cheer her up again.

Iris simply turned, and glanced at the moon, "Yep." before she turned back to the darkness and closed her eyes.
Jace looked her way and blinked. "I'm sorry for arguing with you, Iris..."
"I'm very tired, Jace, so please shut up..." She growled. "The sooner I get some rest, the faster I can get a move on later..."

Ouch. That stung… Jace's eyes fell slightly, before gazing out at the moon once more. Something kept floating around in the deku boy's mind. It was then that he laid eyes on Iris' shadowed form once more, ignoring her order. "Y'know." he began, "The Carnival Of Time is tomorrow night."
"What's that?" Iris simply replied.
Jace seemed a bit taken aback, and wasn't expecting her be the slightest bit interested in knowing what it was, seeing as how irritated she was. "Well, it's a time when people from all across Termina gather to celebrate the new year. It's a lot of fun. There's all sorts of cool things to see during the festival, and I figured since we're going to Clocktown anyway, you'd like to check things out. I think you'd like it. There's going to be music, dancing-"

"Dancing? Nuh-uh..." Iris quickly made up her mind.
Jace froze in his explanation. "What's wrong with dancing?"
"Just not my thing." Iris chirped before closing her eyes.
Jace remained silent for a moment "... Do you even know how?"
Iris glanced at Jace "Not really, don't really intend on learni-"
Jace cut in, "-I could teach you."
Iris simply looked him over, before turning back-to-back with the tree again. "No thank you." She huffed.
Jace crossed his arms as a he raised an eyebrow and lowered his head slightly. "What, you cucco?"
Her eyes opened wide. "What'd you say?"
"You heard me." He replied with a chuckle.
"I-" She began "For your information, I'm not. I just have no interest in learning to do such a silly thing. If it won't keep you out of danger, it's not important."

Jace leaned on the tree again. "Aw c'mon, you need to loosen up a bit, learn to have a little fun every once in awhile. You're always so serious with everything; live it up." He spoke, trying to lighten things up from the tension before.
Iris sighed. "… I-… You're just-… Ugh, fine."
"You mean you'll give it a try?" Jace replied.
Iris added with a groan. "Sure, why not? Might as well get it out of the way and get you to shut up. If I have to listen to you yap any longer, I'd have shoved a rock in your snout and call ya an octorok."
Jace walked up to Iris. "Well, now we don’t want that!" he replied jokingly. Ugh, she couldn’t stand it; he was trying too hard.

He reached for Iris' hand to help her up. Skits of course came dropping out of the tree and screeched in Jace's face, causing him to stumble backward. "Whoa!"
Iris laughed and stood up. "He still doesn't like you. I wonder who he gets it from?"
"Yeah, I can see that..." He said as he cut his eyes at the puffed up black bird.
Iris stretched, then pet Skits. "It's okay buddy."
Skits continued glaring at Jace while the deku boy walked out into the forest clearing.
"You coming?" Jace called.
Iris had her back turned to him and held Skits. "Yeah, just a second." She held her hand up, giving Skits a lift to fly up to his branch again.

She turned, and at that moment, she found herself frozen. The first thing she noticed were Jace's leaves shining ever so brightly in the moon's light. She'd never seen him glow like that, or maybe she just never noticed it. This made her all-the-more hesitant to walk out there with him. She just noticed simple blond before, but it looked almost gold now.
"Wow..." She muttered aloud.
"…Wow what?" He asked.
She realized she'd said it out loud, and stuttered a lame recovery. "O-Oh! Y-you were right, the moon is beautiful... Never noticed before."
She remained under the dark of the tree and rubbed her arm.
Jace chuckled as he reached his hand out. "It's okay, I won't bite."


Iris' bright glowing orbs were set on Jace again as they washed away the darkness on her face, when she slowly walked out of the blanket of shadows. Jace's hand lowered slightly, his eye's widened. Her long fall colored leaves shined brightly in the light as they swung slowly behind her with each step she made toward him. It was like watching a pendulum, and it put him in a daze for a moment. Her colors reminded him of fall. Her beauty caught him paralyzed.
'She's beautiful…' He thought to himself.
She stopped in front of him, looking as nervous as could be.
He pulled himself out of the trance of her glow, when he reached out to her once more. "Okay. First, take my hand." He said with a soft tone.
She stared at his hand for a while, then hesitantly laid her hand in his.
"Now, just follow my steps." Jace added.

Skits watched from his branch. Sure that Iris would probably just tell him "No" sooner or later and come back. Though, this seemed to be less than likely, as she continued to follow Jace's steps, seeming to get a little better with each one. She seemed to be enjoying herself. Skits growled lowly, still having his distrust in pretty boy out there.

"Hey, you're getting it!" Jace said.
Iris chuckled. "This isn't too bad."
"Heh, look who's having fun now!" Jace added joyfully. He threw his arm out to release her briefly with a small spin, before she grabbed his hand again and pulled herself back to him. Jace soon took both of her hands and lead her through step-by-step. It was hard for Jace not to get lost in her eyes. He gazed with a smile as his spirits met hers. She simply gave a shy smile in return before taking a step forward and back. The deku girl felt so happy just being right here, and honestly had no idea why. Jace threw his arm out again as Iris kept her hand in his. She followed along, and they separated briefly. She drew closer to Jace once more, and remained close. She had a sudden case of butterflies in her stomach when she'd realized how close they were, but tried not to be awkward. It was a feeling that kind of scared her… Though she kept telling herself this was casual, and she only did it for the lesson- there was nothing else behind it.

"’Don't know how to dance’, yeah right!" The blond boy teased, holding her closely.
Iris chuckled quietly. "Well, maybe I've watched some people back home do it."
A sincere delight sparkled in Jace's eyes. 'She has no idea how much this means to me...' His thought's rang. 'Her hands touching mine alone is a shock…'
Jace soon added, "If you do know a little bit, then why don't you show me how the people of your world dance then?"
"Well… It's pretty much the same, really..." She replied uncertainly. "I guess I only know little bits."
Jace shrugged. "That's okay. You learn quick, though."

He found her leaving his side to move off further from him, keeping her hands in his. They were stepping back and forth rhythmically in a quick pace. Iris was off every so often, and even nearly stepping on Jace's foot a few times, it went unnoticed by Jace however- or he paid no mind.
The deku boy gave a large step toward her and she moved her foot back at the same time, before reversing their actions to return to the old-motioned position.
Jace smiled lightly. "You're not half bad with quick dancing, that's for sure."
Iris managed to chirp a small nervous, "Thanks."

They slowed down some as they began to sway softly. Skits simply rolled his eyes. He puffed up and sat down with a growl.
Iris eventually shut her eyes, it was just too calm and relaxing. Unintentionally, she laid her head on his, which caused Jace's visage to flush. His leaves twitched nervously, taken aback by the sudden off actions Iris gave. She was so mad at him before. It was moments after feeling Jace's leaves twitch across her face, that Iris opened her eyes again, she then so suddenly jumped back.
"Gah!" She'd nearly knocked both her and Jace to the ground while pushing herself away from him.

Iris blinked, her whole face flushed and she became a little dazed for a moment. Skits was up on his branch laughing, which earned him an embarrassed glare from Iris.
Jace still looked surprised, but had at least fit a small smile on his dumbfounded face through his eyes. He laughed, "Cozy, are we love?" He teased lamely.
"Shut up!" Iris replied coldly. "You did that on purpose!"
Jace laughed once more. "Did what? I didn't do anything, that was all you. My only intention was to teach you to dance."
"Whatever." Iris huffed. She dusted herself off before walking back to her tree and sitting down, back facing Jace.

He stopped chuckling. He walked up to her, he had no idea why she was being so mean so suddenly. "Hey..."
"Don't you even talk to me." She glared off into the dark.
Jace looked to her. "You sure are acting strange... Are you okay?"
"What makes you think I'm not okay?" She spoke faintly.
Jace responded. "Well... For one thing, you've been very quiet- aside from the small fuss earlier. You're not acting like yourself, I guess."
"Myself? Myself??” She began winding up... and now, for the pitch! “You clearly don’t know me, how would you know how I am normally!? You think I can’t do anything on my own, when it clearly isn’t true! If you want to know, tonight's been awful, okay!?" She suddenly exclaimed in a cold response.

Jace backed off slightly, recoiling his hands to himself. "I-I'm sorry. There's not really anything I can do about that… But, I--" Jace wondered how it was so awful. She was just having a blast a moment ago... But he didn't know that the way Iris felt right now simply startled her. And being startled only made her feel angry… Not to mention, how he’d made her feel.
She finished, "And you only make it worse... You've done enough. You just… Make me angry for some reason… If you’d just give me a chance, maybe you’d find out I’m not some stupid little whiny damsel!"

An arrow to the soul. In that instant, Jace's heart sank. He didn't know what he'd done. At least, half, since she just made him aware of his own doings. He was being so sincere and nice earlier. He was about to speak, but his eyes said more than he could convey, though she was not looking. Jace looked away, then turned to walk opposite from her and sat down next to his rucksack that he'd laid next to another tree.
'I don’t understand her sometimes… Have I been too harsh?' He questioned to himself. He leaned on his rucksack, when something hard poked him. "Ow..." He looked back at it and opened it. He was checking to see if a knife fell out of it's case, but instead found the Moon's Tear he'd bought about two days ago. He completely forgot about it! He put it back in the bag, and put the bag aside. He glanced at Iris, thinking about what she said before.
"_{Maybe I--...}" Jace faintly spoke to himself. "_{I was just trying to be gentlemanly. We were having so much fun… I screwed this one up.}"

Skits knew to avoid Iris when she got so irritated. Even Skits noticed her acting different. He was expecting her to stay this way for a while, seeing as she's known for holding up her frustrations sometimes. She certainly isn't one to get over it quick.

Her eyes were closed, and in all truthfulness, she felt more embarrassed than angry. Only way she knew how to react to it though was through anger. She felt emotions that scared her. Back in Hyrule, she wasn't used to anyone being nice to her, especially other deku. And she didn't know well how to respond to that kindness. But then his random quips about how capable she was… It just boiled her- hurt her even. She cracked her eyes open slightly to gaze off into the dark. She lived her life back home turning all of her unwanted emotions into anger, thus, she'd just now done it.

Though, the bright glow of Jace's eyes as they blinked pulled her from the dark, seeing as it was easily distracting. Jace looked very... Mopey, and a little hurt as he looked off through the clearing. She wasn't expecting her words to effect him that way, and for some reason, seeing his heart broken that way made her feel sad. He'd usually blow it off when Iris was rude, but not this time. She ran her mind over her words and the situation before, and realized that, at least the blunder with the dance, was her fault. She shouldn’t have been angry about that. It was this weird way he made her feel that scared her.

What the Queen said earlier that night, about Jace needing a friend; Iris began to wonder if it wasn't herself who needed a friend. She honestly wasn't intending her words to be so harsh. 'For the love of…' she thought. She felt bad just looking at him. She sighed, before standing up. As off as it seemed for her, she managed to put her feelings aside to begin walking toward him, much to Skits' confusion and surprise.

Jace noticed her, but never looked at her directly and remained silent. Out of not wanting to make it worse, as she said he does before.
She hesitantly sat down next to him. "Um." She lamely began.
He twitched a leaf, to show he was listening.
"I'm... uh." She scratched her head, and cut her eyes at the ground. "_Sorry..." She managed to begrudgingly mutter.
Jace's eyes opened a little more, before slowly looking back at her. "Huh?"
"You heard me... Sorry." She muttered a little louder.
He blinked. "Sorry?"

"Overreacting... F-for that." She continued to glare at the ground.
Skits about fell out of the tree! Apologizing is something he never saw her do much of. Or admitting anything. He could tell Iris had a hard time doing it, but she did it.
"Why're you apologizing?" Jace asked, not expecting her to make amends.
Iris glanced up. "I just told you..."
"I-I know that, but what on earth made you think you had to apologize?" Jace responded.
Iris sighed. "You really looked pathetic moping over here."
"Well that's unlike you." Jace spoke looking directly at her.

Iris added lowly. "_{I didn't think it'd effect you like that, all those things I said.}"
"Well, of course it would." He began. "It… kind of hurt. I wouldn't want to be the one who makes things worse for you. If anything, I want to help. I knew you were upset, I just wanted to make up for the argument earlier."
Iris looked down sadly. She felt bad for that argument too, since she started it. But she needed to express what he was at fault for… Albeit, attempting a bit nicer. “You belittle me sometimes. You don’t even know me that well. Telling me I’m not good at certain things at a first glance, saying that I can’t take care of myself. You couldn’t possibly know how much that hurts. I mean, of course, everyone just loves you.” she finished, slightly salty. “So you wouldn’t know that judgement… Now would you…?”

His leaves lowered… Why, he didn’t mean all of that! And all he said in the argument was all out of anger. Perhaps he shouldn’t act out on that...? Or maybe he needs to accept that he can’t be the hero all the time? He sighed heavily. He didn’t realize how much of a jerk he made himself out to be.
“Ah, Iris… I-… had no idea. I shouldn’t have said those things to you.” he commented sullenly. “I’m still getting used to having company, so I really am out of touch with where to draw the line. I’m sorry. I’ve gotten a little too ahead of myself; not really thinking about how you’d feel.”

She crossed her arms, looking away from him. “I may be some stupid wild animal, but I’m not helpless and I have feelings. I’d just like that to be acknowledged.”
“I really am sorry. I never even noticed. I know you can handle yourself, I was just being stupid.” he replied. He then included, "And if something made you uncomfortable when we were dancing, I completely understand." Jace scratched his arm. "Heck, we're stuck with each other for now, so we don't really have any choice but to be honest if we're going to work together to save the fairies."
Iris was surprised, but what he said made sense.

"So next time, if there's something you don't want to do, just tell me. I mean, you didn't have to dance. Just a strict, ’No, Jace, I don't want to’, would've been good. I know I may seem pressuring, but I’m normally just joking and I’d never sincerely want to just force you to do something." Jace smiled "Okay?"
Iris remained quiet for a while, before having a hesitant, small smile. One only another deku could possibly see. "... O-okay."

'My sister has officially lost her mind…' Skits appeared to think.
Silence gave a quick run by, before having it broken by the now shy-sounding voice of Iris. "But- um... I did have fun dancing..."
"I'm glad." Jace softly smiled. "So, despite today... do you want to check out the Carnival tomorrow when we get to Clocktown?"
"... I don't see why not. Might as well, seeing as we'll be there anyway." Iris paused. "If we get out of the forest by then."

Jace laughed and stood. "I'm sure we'll find our way out. I know this area here, so it can't be too far. Let's just avoid arguments on the way, and we may get out quicker."
"I second that." She laughed back.
"So, want to continue on now?" Jace asked. "And be truthful."
Iris took his outreached hand, and pulled herself up. "Yup."
"Alright." He looked back at Skits. "C'mon, bird brains."
That comment earned Jace a glare from the apparently still dumbfounded black bird. He flew to Iris and landed next to her.
Jace threw his rucksack around his shoulder and set off into the forest, as Iris and Skits continued behind him.





To Be Continued...