Winter

[willysilver]

It wasn't warm but it was pleasant. The wind was light and the air crisp. Willy needed nothing to guard against the weather but knew mortals would look at him strangely if he did not wear a jacket. So he wore his leather with the buckles and studs that he was so fond of. It was punk as punk could be and was a signature look for him. He wore a black Blue Oyster Cult t-shirt, black jeans, black belt- his uniform, practically. The only color was his white forelock and the silver triple moon earring he wore that was so shiny it glinted in the merry light.

The London Eye was a popular destination. The sun was only just beginning to set and people clammored to ride the wheel to see the sunset over the Thames. Willy played not far from the queue. Tonight it was his violin that filled the air with music.

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama, any way you feel
Ooh, ooh mama rock me...

He sang the original, not the newer country version. Willy was quite partial to the Old Crow Medicine Show's repertoire.

He was to meet Winter soon and they would spend the night together. Willy had promised the little one dinner and was thinking Indian food would be a delicious treat. On an autum night like this perhaps a pumpkin curry. He kept his eyes out for the pixie, unsure if he would have taken his potion or not.

Comments

[winter_wisp]

Winter followed along, looking uneasy at first, but eventually climbing onto the metal horse.

"Do not go too fast, Fae Willy," he said quietly.

[willysilver]

Willy took great care, not going fast- and yet somehow keeping up with traffic. And he made good on his promise and the sound of the machine was muffled and distant. Soon enough they pulled up at therestaurant, no worse for wear. Hardly even a hair out of place.

"Was that acceptable?" he asked warmly.

[winter_wisp]

"It was quite exhilarating," Winter chirped cheerfully. "I almost enjoyed it, Willy. Thank you."

[willysilver]

"Good! Very good. And now we will eat until our bellies are round," Willy beamed, leading Winter into the restaurant. The perfume of spices and incense was heady and rich and Willy expertly ordered dish upon dish, and lager to accompany it. The meal was decadent, fit for royalty.

[winter_wisp]

Winter ate his fill, enjoying the strange flavours and delightful smells as he tucked in happily. While waiting for their bill, Winter found himself looking out the window. He watched as many mortals wandered past carrying paper cups with odd symbols on the side, studying them curiously, then looking to Willy.

"What is it those mortals are carrying, Willy?" he asked.

[willysilver]

"Those are coffee, my friend," Willy explained. "The best of all is called a breve, which is deliciously hot, strong coffee mixed with pure cream. It is quite decadent," he smiled.

[winter_wisp]

"Can we have coffee?" Winter asked, enchanted by the idea of the foreign beverage.

[willysilver]

"Of course we can," Willy smiled. "If you're done eating we can go get some now."

[winter_wisp]

Beaming at the fae, Winter nodded with excitement. "Oh please, I'd like that very much."

[willysilver]

Willy pulled out his wallet and left several notes on the table, far more than the bill would have been but he wasn't patient enough to wait for the server to bring the bill to settle. He did this far too often and had yet to hear a complaint.

He got up and offered his hand to Winter. "Come, we shall get drinks and enjoy the autumn nigh, yes?"

[winter_wisp]

Winter rook the offered hand, looking positively gleeful as they walked. That childlike nature of a pixie couldn't be dampened easily, and the pale creature was nearly skipping as they went.

[willysilver]

Willy had no desire to dampen Winter's spirit. After so long in captivity it was heartening to know he wasn't broken. Willy smiled as the smaller creature cavorted beside him all the way to the coffee shop. It was bustling inside and the rich scent of coffee perfumed the air. To Willy there was no other drink to be had than a breve. For him it was akin to a stiff drink of the highest proof rum. He was sure Winter would love it and so he ordered two.

"You will enjoy this, my friend," he promised.

[winter_wisp]

"It smells wonderful in here," Winter said, rocking back on his heels as he looked around. "Some places mortals go are cold and airless, but not here."

[willysilver]

"That would be a thing called air conditioning. Curious invention. It dries and sterilizes the air, circulating the same dead as around a building for everyone to breathe. Buildings whre the windows do not even open," he said derisively. He stood patiently as the barista passed them one piping hot cup and then another.

[winter_wisp]

"Though nothing is as awful as that rail road they keep beneath the city," Winter whispered, shivering at the memory.

[willysilver]

"That is indeed terrible," Willy said softly. "I will not go down there. And some of our kind live down there...but Unseelie, for the most part."

[winter_wisp]

"I could never live down there," he said softly. "A mortal took me there while I was searching for you. It was awful."

[willysilver]

"It astounds me that the mortals see nothing unnatural about racing around below the streets. In the darkness. Under the Earth. And it's not like King Brian's Kingdom under the mountain," he said.

[winter_wisp]

"They're so very odd- But lovely. I've liked all the mortals I've met so far, Willy," Winter chirped.

[willysilver]

"There are some more like Aspid. And some who do not believe in the fae...or wonders at all, really. When You have lived amongst them longer you will be able to pick those ones out of the crowd," Willy said wisely.

[winter_wisp]

Winter wilted at the mention of Aspid, but nodded his understanding.

"I have you to keep me safe though, Willy," he said, holding onto the Fae's arm and leaning lightly against him.

[willysilver]

"Indeed you do, my friend," Willy replied warmly.

With coffee in hand, Willy lead the way outside so they could enjoy the chill in the air. He was of the summer kind, but he did enjoy the change of the seasons, though he was not looking forward to winter.

"Do you like the cream warmed like this?" he asked, already feeling a bit giddy after just a couple sips of the cream.

[winter_wisp]

"It's wonderful, Willy. I could drink this always and never tire of it. It's divine, really," Winter smiled, taking another long sip and sighing contently.

[willysilver]

Willy kept quite close and cast a bit of a charm to make the foot traffic break around them so that no one bumped them or even really came close.

"Tell me, my friend, how are you finding things? You are slowly getting stronger- that is heartening."

[winter_wisp]

"I like it here Willy. I feel as though I could find a home here eventually. I know I can't stay with you forever- though I wish I could. I feel safer with you," he confessed. "Though I fear that when I run out of my potion, I will have to return home. This world isn't built for someone my size."