Just Checking Up! Part Fifty-Seven: Cheers to Being a Misfit!

Silks:

“Cheers to thriving together!” The dark version of me sang out sarcastically, her inky eyes meeting mine. Choosing to ignore her, the row of bookshelves had to be my library of my memories. Fantastic, my dumb ass had passed out. Curse that dragon magic, I thought bitterly to myself. The echo of my thought unsettled the shit out of me, my dark version cocking her brow as she adjusted her matching leather burgundy gown. Kicking at the two slits, neither of us could speak for a couple of seconds. Parting our lips several times simultaneously, a chill hung in the air.

“Can’t be good if I am seeing you.” I shot back via an exhausted tone, sympathy shutting down her sarcasm. “Wake me up so I can help o-” Cutting me off with a death glare, her fist smashed into my gut. Blocking her next punch weakly, her point had been proven.

“Yeah, in this shape.” She pointed out in between nervous chuckles, her neck cracking as she relieved clear tension. “Look, your tendency to hack at a problem is what brought you here. So let’s get these emotions in check.” Turning my back on her, a spin with her hand had her face inches from mine. Cupping my cheeks, that stern frown shut down my protest. Huffing in defeat, her arms hit her sides limply.

“Lightning doesn’t play with a flared temper or wild emotions. Grief is a valid emotion but you need to lose the guilt anchoring you down.” She uttered kindly, a tremble claiming my muscles. “My previous master didn’t know how to do shit. No lightning for him. You, something about you is special. As far as your rabbit friend, could you have changed it in the end?” Broken by her query, an arrow might as well have struck my heart.

“Not in the slightest.” I confessed dejectedly, her thumb tucking a piece of hair behind my ear to expose my bell. “Flamios isn’t a similar cause, my inability not saving him in the end.” Playing with my bell, every jingle had sorrow staining my cheeks. Wiping away my grief, a circle of lightning crackled to life around us. Twisting into a smoking necklace of burgundy crystal lightning bolt, childlike wonder rounded my eyes at it floating over my head. Adjusting it to choker length, lightning struck it a few times.

“That should do.” She hummed serenely, her steady hand tightening up my mask. “This won’t last forever. How about we protect those elementals?” Bewilderment twisted my features, a long sigh slipping from her lips. What was she up to now?

“Flamios sacrificed himself for you, honor his memory by fighting on.” She urged me via my genuine smile, the sight of it creeping me out. “Shock the shit out of the bastard for me.” Pushing me real hard, a shelf began to glitch.

Landing on a wobbling bottom of a cage, fear widened my eyes at lightning cooking it to nothing. Cursing under my breath, a pile of debris caught me. Rolling over to a chaotic scene of wind blades, green branches and waves, something felt off. Examining the evil elemental, his DNA had a bit of dragon in it. Clicking the puzzle pieces into place, cracks lined his form. Grinning deviously, a couple of taps sent lightning in his direction. Striking him in his heart, several lightning seeds had been planted within his body. Attempting to get up, frustration brewed in my eyes at every failure. Time to play ball on the ground, I mumbled to myself.

“Don’t do this!” My dark version pleaded desperately, her words falling on my deaf ears. Extending my claws, roots gripped onto his soul. Gathering what strength I had left, a quick spell had to come to mind. Think, you fool!

“Bloom!” I spluttered between coughing fits, all eyes flitting over to me as black lightning lilies blossomed out of his wounds. Glitching out, Rip pleaded for me to stop as inky blood cascaded from underneath my mask. Thunder announced his body exploding, blood and guts raining down a bit before turning to silver ash. Too stunned to speak, none of us registered the edges of the book fraying to the same type of silver ash. Breathing became labored, everyone tripling. My new gift crumbled to nothing, all of me wishing that it was still there. Faces blurred, sand scratching my cheek. Waves crashed over me, that damn salt water aggravating any cuts. Exhaustion weighed down my eyelids, a heavy darkness swallowing me whole.

Landing myself back into my memory library, my dark version waved at me. Staring down at my curled up form, her stern expression threw me off. Folding her arms across her chest, her boot tapped incessantly.

“ Flamios had his work cut out for him, didn’t he?” She hissed through gritted teeth, the floorboards creaking as crouched down to my level. “Time for me to step up. He may have been more gentle but I like to be as blunt as you. We can’t be reckless with lightning. What the hell was that?” Rolling away from her, my fingers tapped on the floor. Guilt laced sorrow drowned out her protests. When did the sanctuary of my head become her damn therapist’s office?

“Back off. I merely performed what I know!” I barked hotly, my mask slipping off. “Flamios loved me like a family member. How are you going to do that when I can’t even escape here!” A bitter silence stung the air, squeaking preceding her flipping over me. Laying down across from me, wet eyes deepened my already present guilt. Having nowhere to look, this mirror was proving to be a pain in my ass.

“Concern is where I approach from.” She pointed out brokenly, her palm cupping my cheek. “Didn’t those burns sting? Fire hurts but lightning bites a hell of a lot worse, my dear.” Showing me her own scars, layers of electrical burns warned me of what could be. Softening my frustrated expression, the very thing arose from an overflowing pool of regret and sorrow. Parting my lips several times, words failed to reach the tip of my tongue.

“That being said, I loved the show.” She complimented me sincerely, her attempt to brighten my mood flopping. “What can I do to help you?” Struggling through my racing thoughts, I didn’t want her to pass under my watch as well. Scratching at the nape of my neck, inky ribbons oozed to life. Coughing up a stew of blood and organ tissue, panic rounded her eyes. Waving away her concern, a special bath would heal me.

“Worry not. They know what to do.” I wheezed between coughs, fresh blood cascading from the corner of my lips. “Just as we are family, you can always count on me. No matter how hard it hurts me, you guys come first. Remember that, okay.” A fever chilled me to my bones, a clammy sweat beading on my brow. Dull aches throbbed my muscles, the slow exposure therapy beginning to aid in my body’s resistance to dragon magic.

“Don’t tell Rip but I have been exposing myself to dragon magic to build up a decent tolerance. Much like the other venom in the world, people were constantly attempting to kill me via food. One crazy lady scooped me up out of the shadows. So yeah, she will always be a mother to me.” I continued gently, our weakened genuine smiles matching to a tee. “Give me a spot of time to warm up. Haven’t you been bullied before or do you forget with every being you get absorbed into?” Shivering in her spot, a nerve had been struck. Please don't shut down on me.

“How could they not hate the darkness? People fear what they don’t know.” She confessed openly, her smile dropping into a dejected grin. “Yet, your arms stay wide open. Not sure if that is smart or dumb on your part.” Groaning into a sitting position, she did the same. An immense amount of protest confronted me, her abrupt embrace shocking me stiff.

“Come now, Who would I be to abandon you when all of us have shadows in a world of darkness?” I sang brightly, a coughing fit chasing my smooth sentence. “Cheers to a life with another misfit like me.” Laughing together, a clink of invisible glasses solidified our bond. Basking in the moment, neither of us had registered how badly people treated us. Golden water trickled in, our little session ending rather soon. Pushing me gingerly, golden water flooded over me.

Bursting from the fountain in the Golden Phoenix’s garden, a ragged breath revealed how little I had managed to heal. The rough stitches remained, only the dragon magic damage getting reversed. Cursing under my breath, Rip clutched me close to his chest. Whimpering at the jolts of pain coursing through my body, abrupt apologies accompanied him setting me across from him gingerly. Resting his clenched fist on on his thighs, a blast of our flames dried us off.

“Please stop.” I wheezed until I captured my breath, “Apparently her wound is far more powerful than that shit. I vow not to push myself, my dear king.” Exhaling a sigh of relief, his eyes traced the gold enforced stitches through the tears of my dress. Crawling over to him, his arms draped around my waist as I plopped onto his lap.

“Someone seems more at peace.” He pointed out serenely, a few phoenixes soaring over our heads. “The Elementals did great fighting. When did you learn that lightning trick and what do we need to do in order to prevent a different type of burn?” Blushing a deep scarlet, his willingness to help me seek out a solution blossomed a deeper love for him. Glancing back at him affectionately, a sweet confusion twisted his features.

“Must you be so sweet?” I breathed softly, his finger lifting up my chin. “Truth be told, I am not sure about that one. Why am I so blessed to have you?” Hovering his lips over mine, a gentle tension brewed between us. Our breaths became one, the Elementals sprinting up to us ended the moment. Waving to them, fresh wounds dotted their exposed skin. Sitting down across from me, exhaustion showed in the dark bags under their eyes. Pressing my palms together, three orange fire lilies blossomed at their knees. Plucking them, childlike wonder rounded their eyes. Happy to see them enjoying their gifts, life didn’t have to be so difficult for them.

“Thank you for saving me.” I gushed graciously, joy illuminating their features. “Pride would flow through your parents’ hearts.” Bragging about their moves, my added input pleased them further. Remembering Flamios’ smile, tears welled up in my eyes. Was this what he desired or was I screwing up? Staring numbly at the orange moon, the inky spots did little to alarm me. Hoisting myself to my feet, protests fell on deaf ears as I wandered off. Pausing in front of an odd mirror, the flaking carved metal threw me off. A slow clap had me spinning on my heels, the surface wiggling like waves. A clawed hand yanked me through, a smoky cobblestone meeting my cheek. Yelping in raw agony, a cloaked figure darted towards me. Raising a knobby club behind its hood, a crack announced a concise blow. Inky blood splattered around me, everything tripling. Reaching for a pair of worn boots, exhaustion swept me into a rough slumber.

Groaning awake, mold covered wallpaper taunted me. Mumbling under my breath, something told me that I wasn’t in an ideal situation. So much for laying low, I thought bitterly. Cocking my brow, a haze prevented any view out of a soot covered window. Where did that mirror take me? More importantly, could one get out of said dimension? Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, the lack of boots infuriated me further. Limping over to the door, the cracking crystal handle wiggled to no avail. Chewing on my lips, this room might as well be a damn cage. Why not keep the pattern?

“Did he collect you too?” A meek voice inquired on the other side of the closest wall, horror rounding my eyes. “They call him the Toy Master. He captured me a few years ago. They call me Dollzy around these parts. If he picks you, a doll outfit could be your freedom.” Cracks danced along my soul, my back sliding down my side of the wall.

“People call me Silks. Count on me to get you guys out of here.” I promised her sincerely, heartbreaking weeps echoing on the other side of the road. “What do you mean a doll outfit?” A box bounced off the top of my head, a burgundy dress floating ominously to my knees. A brisk fuck escaped my lips, the black and white striped thigh high socks not helping my mood. Changing into the frilly number, my destroyed dress fluttered to the floor behind me. Adjusting the pale orange collar, the socks clung to my legs. Kicking on the black Mary-Janes, frustration brewed in my veins. Fixing my hair, a ring of a shrill bell had my door swinging open. Horror joined dread, my clumsy stumble into the hall barely allowing me to make it in time. Straightening up the best I could, demons of a petite nature made me stand out. The closest one stared me down, fear quivering in her ruby eyes. Her wavy bob danced with her apparent panic attack, her blood stained black and white silk doll dress refusing to stay in place. Approaching her cautiously, the corner of her black lips twitched as I smoothed out what I could.

“Dollzy, I need you to listen to me. Freedom will be ours.” I assured her in a hushed tone, her head shaking in protest. “Trust me. No one imprisons the great Silks and gets away with it.” Clacking over to my spot, a chill claimed the hall. Every heavy footfall echoed in my ears, my heart threatening to beat once more. Coming to a stop in front of me, milky eyes and fangs was all I could see.

“How come you aren’t short like the others?” He growled in my face, my patience wearing thin. “The difference might be nice to show off to my guests. Dollzy, and Silks! Today is your day to shine. Don’t screw up or those four walls will become your prison.” Something about his tone nearly brought me back to my human days, my composure slipping. Snapping his fingers in front of my face, a slender hand curling around mine prevented me from lashing out. Dragging me past him, our footfalls clicked in my ear. Her words went in one ear and out the other, bad memories of my childhood playing out like a movie. How many times had they yelled at me in such a manner? How many? Shaking it out, a garish room with a single ivory marble circular table taunted me. Forcing me to sit down across from her, a simple snow white tea set appeared in front of us. His ragged cloak floated up as he took his seat, his milky eyes flitting between the two of us.

“New toys don’t come by too often.” He mused playfully, his muscular hands pouring us a cup of sludgy tea. “Forgive me for the tea quality. I am afraid that I can’t see much.” Soaking in his massive frame, a deep sorrow tainted his jet black aura. Shrinking back, a squeeze of my hand had me perking up. Fighting a wave of fear, I flashed him a shadow of my genuine smile. Not that he could see it, I grumbled anxiously in my mind.

“Allow me to make it within your supervision of course.” I offered in a bit of a ploy, Dollzy catching on. “I make a mean cup of tea.” Adopting the tone my parents and their guests loved, a groan had him shoving the teapot into my arms. Forcing me into a standing position, the two of them guided me to a black and white Gothic kitchen. Rushing over to the sink, a quick scrub had the criminal offense of the tea washing down the drain. A potential knockout leaf glinted on the counter, a swift mix of the Lust district’s tea and a few leaves would make it a smooth tea. Carrying it over to the burner, a few clicks had it roaring to life. Spinning around to face my current issue, Dollzy danced over to me. Leaning against me, her trembling hands clung to my arm. Tuning out his words, my additions to the conversation seemed to play him into my hands. Play the part of a doll and win him over. Fear wouldn’t suffice, my wit carrying the brunt of the weight here. A whistle snapped me out of my train of thoughts, the tainted tea announcing that it was ready. Pouring a cup of tea for him, his eager ass gulped it down. Cup after cup had him getting drowsier, a thud confirming my minor victory. Keys rolled over to my feet, the next step would prove a bit more difficult. Kicking them into my clammy palms, pops announced my stitching giving up. Clasping my palms together, a prayer for good luck went to the big guy upstairs. Home called out to this demon, determination most likely getting me there.