jikan_network | [Video; UN: grapefairy]

[ She would deserve to be turned into something. Just to remind her he can, really. But he doesn't.

Yet.

There's a tolerant little grin at her delight at finding the little cakes and he studies the tiny, cute wings at her back. They're rather expressive!

As for his wings - her suggested offer has him pause, side-eying her for a moment. Never mind how his heart does some odd skipping around in his chest. ]

Very well. Because of your insults earlier, I will let you tend them.

[He is going to turn her into something worse, isn't he? A quill? A piece of parchment? A mop?! She will be vocal about it - for his ears only - no matter what form she takes.

The cakes are so cute and she quickly swallows the bite she had taken - mainly to prevent choking. His wings are...a surprise! Setting the cake down, she hurries towards him and gets a better look.

They are...handsome. Are these phoenix feathers?]

I was only telling the truth. You were a cruel teacher.

[But her hands are soft as she pets the feathers.]

I like these more than your black feathers.

[ Maybe a chair. Then a mop.

He won't admit the shyness that sets in as she approaches, and then gentle hands touch his feathers. He knows his cheeks are pink again and picks up his cup of tea to try and maintain some control over himself.

His wings, however, decide they like the attention and fluff at her proudly, showing off how they catch the light to sparkle and shine vibrantly. ]

Charred flesh tends to be black. Feathers, the same. Surely you know this.

[ Maybe she should spend some time as a cooking pot...? To get to know fire better, obviously. ]

[He is gonna sit on her! That's rude, sir.

Jin Mi mostly ignores him in favor of petting the pretty feathers. The way they shine reminds her of fire and sunlight. His armor had been like that too. Gold suits him while silver suits his brother.

Leaning in before she can reprimand herself, she rubs her cheek against the feathers.

And then she remembers belatedly who the feathers belong to.

Oops...?]

I never saw a bird before you.

[Since they tend to eat plants and fruits.]

If I was burned like you, I don't think I would ever heal. Someone was trying to hurt you when you were vulnerable. I'm not sure who.

[ How do flirt?

Well, she wanted to see them, right? Xufeng feels his whole face flush when he realizes her cheek is rubbing against his feathers, and retaliates...by unfurling his wings fully. Letting their full span be seen and admired. Clearly they are strong enough and big enough for actual flight. Even without magic bolstering them.

She'd never seen a- he blinks and glances over his shoulder at her. But he supposes it makes sense, considering where she grew up.

And his stomach churns unhappily, even angrily, at the idea of this bright flower fairy being burned or harmed in any real way. ]

You would. My brother or I would heal you. [ No ifs ands or buts. ]

They had to know what was going on inside the palace. And that narrows the list down. They'll be found and punished.

[She is worse than him at it.

Seeing the full, awesome display of bright feathers has her bouncing and clapping in delight! How pretty! She remembers his lesson on how to preen - though doing that on herself has proven tricky. Her wings aren't big enough for her to reach. They couldn't hold her weight even if she used magic to bolster them.

Carefully, she begins preening him, blushing at how certain he sounds.]

My nature doesn't complement yours.

[Much to her irritation when she consumed those Vermillion Bird eggs. Who knew ice and fire wouldn't mix?]

What if they follow you here and you don't recognize them?

[ He flushes, smile wide at her enthusiastic delight.

When she starts working on the feathers he really can't reach, his wings settle back, closer against him. But they are not static. They shift here and there, moving as he breathes, stretching a little when there's a particular spot she needs to fuss over. ]

No. But there are ways for healing energy to be adjusted to be safe. We both know how to manipulate it. [ Runyu might be better. But a spike of unease and uncertainty keeps him from saying so out loud. ]

I'm certain Runyu knows who it was. Should they come here, he will know.

[Those spots are fussed over! Jin Mi grins to herself and uses a soft cloth to clean between the feathers before laying them down neatly. Then she peeks over his shoulder, gasping quietly.]

He does remember more than us! That's good. You're safe then, Phoenix.

[Because she can't imagine the brothers being at odds with one another.

Ha...

Ha...

Haaaaa.]

Has he told you much about...the future?

[ Xufeng finds himself relaxing, eyes sliding closed as she shows herself capable of this.

Maybe she can be his professional feather cleaner now. The thought brings a little grin to his lips but he keeps it to himself. He hopes she'll volunteer. Most wouldn't dare.

But Jin Mi? Is different.

He glances over a shoulder, raising a brow as if stern. ]

Why are you so worried? I thought you wanted me locked away for being a criminal.

Mm no, he has said very little. [ But he can guess some of it, and it bothers him.

He just can't see a world where he and his brother aren't side by side, supporting each other. ]

[This is a task she would enjoy - it's a bit like tending to flowers. If his feathers get dirty, he could lose them or get sick. Just the idea leaves her cold and she concentrates on her task again, bravely pushing his hair out of the way to tend to the feathers near his neck.]

I was trying to get your attention. [Couldn't he tell?] If I ask nicely, you might ignore me. But if I scream and say something crazy, you will probably answer.

[The bit about Runyu worries her too.]

He seems sad. I don't know if I did something to him... But I wouldn't! I like Fish Fairy.

[ Almost anyone else doing this would be rebuffed. But he allows her to move his hair out of her way, even tilts his head out of her way.

His wings fluff at her explaining she'd just...wanted his attention. He feels his heart leap and his face flushes again. He raises a hand to cover a laugh-disguising cough. ]

I see. I'll have to punish you of course. Giving people the wrong idea about others is not nice.

[ His mirth fades as she speaks, hinting at her thoughts. He remembers how uncertain his brother had been when they'd first bumped into each other here. ]

Talking about it upsets him. Just be yourself, that might help him.

[ Or make it worse shhhh ]

[Is he coughing? Is she too late for cleaning his feathers?! Jin Mi feels a sudden, all-encompassing, pore-drenching guilt and she hurries to pour him a cup of tea.]

Don't get sick! [...there was something about her punishment? Wow, she should learn to listen!] I called you Crow. Only you and maybe Fish Fairy know I call you that.

[So no punishment is necessary?]

Mm I'll try. I think he's been alone too long. Does he have friends here?

[/plays "Sexual Healing" for poor Runyu]

[ Xufeng doesn't correct her fear, only accepts the fresh cup of tea with a nod of thanks and sips it.

Her worry warms him, just as even his favorite fires do. Maybe...better? In a slightly different way. ]

He's made several friends here. At least two are very close to him.

[ Very close. ]

[She watches him intently until she is certain he won't pass out or forget how to breathe. Not that she's a great healer or anything. But she won't let anything bad happen to him!]

Then we should meet them! To... [Hummm.] make sure they treat Fish Fairy like he deserves.

[ He makes sure to take extra big breaths for her. And he can't help smiling at her. ]

Maybe he wants to keep them from you. [ Teasing. He can't imagine anyone (at this point) not liking Jin Mi. ]

He's happy with them.

[Good! She pats his chest, congratulating his lungs and heart. Because!]

Why do you say that? [Jin Mi shakes her head stubbornly.] If he's happy, that's all that matters! I just don't want anyone playing tricks on him. If they try, I'll chop them up into tiny bits and use them as fertilizer!

[ He doesn't give into the impulse to catch her hand and hold it in place. ]

Because he is my brother and I have known him all my life. [ NOT HUFFING, NOPE. ]

You should ask him about them. Maybe even you will see what he thinks of them.

[Touching him makes her chest ache and she frowns faintly, glancing down at herself. Huh. Weird!]

It must be nice to be that close. [She has always felt a bit...independent. She had friends, those she considered family, but the way she was treated was...different.]

I will! He is my friend too. [Not...like that, however. She only recently figured out boobs.]

[ Oh no, no she's not allowed to frown. ]

Jin Mi? What's wrong?

[ Now it's his turn to pour her a cup of tea! He holds it out to her and encourages her to take a seat. And if that doesn't work, maybe she needs a kiss to feel better? ]

Yes, it is.

[ She bounces right back. He can only enjoy that. ]

Good. [ He just hopes she likes him more. ]

My chest...hurt. But just for a few seconds!

[She blushes at the care and gently tugtugs on his hand once she is seated. Join her? Kisses might follow!]

I feel warm when I am around you, Phoenix. When I thought about someone hurting you, I didn't like it.

[It's the first time she has felt like wielding a weapon.]

I promise to learn how to be a good goddess.

[ He doesn't hesitate at the tug to his hand, still watching her closely for a return of that pain. Slowly his frown fades and he thinks maybe...it's not actual pain? But something else?

Either way, he sits beside her, wings settling comfortably and happily preened. And he can't help the grin or...how he impulsively leans in to press a very gentle kiss to her lips. Secretly he likes being the one who makes her feel warm. ]

If you work hard, I'm sure you will succeed.

[ He'll help however he can. ]

[For her, unfortunately, pain will be mixed with her affection. Unless they find a way to remove the amulet lodged in her chest. But, really, she doesn't mind enduring pain if she can spend time with...well...him.

Thus the kiss isn't stopped - it sends warm tingles over her body and she is suddenly very aware that Phoenix is someone she might like kissing. It's not like she has had practice with anyone else!

But her chest hurts again and bright color pulsates just under her skin, revealing where the amulet resides. Jin Mi goes from flushed and amazed to pale as she forces herself to breathe.]

I... I don't know what's wrong with me. It got bad when I grew my wings.

[ Once he figures out what's hurting her, he'll just have to find a way to fix it! Surely there's a way!

He's not pushed away. It sends a thrill through him, though he makes himself keep the kiss gentle and sweet.

He frowns when she seems in pain again and this time wraps a supporting arm around her. ]

Has this happened often?

[ His stomach churns angrily, energy wanting to lash out at whatever is hurting his fairy. But he has no ready target, and it flounders. ]

[She doesn't want to push him away. Of course it isn't fair to leave him in confusion either! Since she was never made aware of the spell placed on her as a baby, Jin Mi can only tell him what she does know.]

Father said there is something suppressing my power. He wanted to bring me to Lord Dou Mu. She is the only one capable of breaking the spell.

[And maybe the spell has something to do with...this...too. Jin Mi smiles a little and leans forward, embracing him.]

I'll keep looking for someone powerful here.

[ The mention of her father reminds him of one possibility.

He's stealing this fairy from his brother. Guilt gnaws at that thought, then he forces himself to set it aside. Because she...

Her spirit calls to him.

And she seeks him out. Wants his attention. Says he makes her feel warm.

Determination settles over him and he holds her close. ]

I'll look too. Surely someone can help.

[Video; UN: grapefairy]

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