Rise Up, Ting Ting, Like Glitter And Gold

Today is the day. Aqua eyes look around the dark room that Fern shares with Rudy while she still lies pressed against him. He has a leg resting over her side and Fern carefully extracts her body from the warmth of his body. The gray girl had thrown herself in training, rising with the sun to make her way to the training rings outside the castle. For hours she would drill herself, moving through stances and attacking dummies. She had been determined to make Rudy proud. But then the pirates had attacked the Hallows. In the flurry of defending the castle, Fern had neglected her drills, instead staying close to Rudy. When he had come back wounded, Fern had been beside herself, fretting over him as flashbacks of finding him by the falls filled her head. Ultimately, the wounds were minor requiring only rest to heal. But still, she had worried.

Fern had hated the feeling of helplessness and fear that filled her, vowing to herself to be ready to help attack if that ever happened again. Art’s words rang her head, reminding her that she has to her purpose. That is when she had found it, that was the moment she knew what would make her happy. She had approached Art, letting him know she was ready to learn how to wield a sword. Art was ready for her, telling her to meet him at the training ground before dawn and Fern had agreed. Now she stands in her room, looking at Rudy’s sleeping form and letting the fear she had felt flow through. If left unchecked, fear can swallow one whole, drowning the endless possibilities the future under layers of panic and uncertainty.

For a moment, she allows it to swell, growing and growing, until it is ready to pull her under. But this time, Fern is ready. She adds anger to it, a righteous indignation at the feeling of helplessness it brings. Fern harnesses the fear, making it work for her. The fear is quelled and, in its place, is smoldering fire of anger that she will use to her advantage. With a smile, Fern reaches toward the sleeping form of her love and plants a kiss on Rudy’s cheek. With that, she quickly turns and slips out of the room. Gray paws stealthy make their way through the castle, determination pulling her onward. When she hits the courtyard, the brisk autumn air hits Fern, causing a small shiver to rack her frame. But she keeps moving, the crisp grass crunching under her as Fern makes her way to the training area. Torches have been lit around it, bathing the ring in light since the sun has yet to rise. Making her way into the center of torchlit area, Fern opts not to sit down. Instead, she starts to stretch, loosening her muscles for what lays ahead.


"Fern"