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Elaine Reagan Delacroix's Mood Board

***

Dominique Odette roamed her sight at the foul stench that reeks through the edge of the town they escaped. The sign board creaked and is left hanging at its only remaining hinges.

"So long, Berkshire."

She scoffed. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing leaving."

He returned a scorn. "A bad thing? Nonsense, it's safe to say that I'm reminiscing the bad old days in this small town."

Right. He's not wrong. Just like the day when they realized that they only have each other's back to lean on. Dominique groaned in frustration while taking off the small branch that got stuck on her unruly raven hair, the white highlights making the sight peculiar.

Domino only patted it harshly to annoy his sister more. They weren't siblings, until they decided to be. Lonely creatures wandering around until they found each other's warmth, with that crow...

"Here it is. Once we cross the border, we're no longer in this land. We're finally leaving Mórdoom to continue- Hold on, what's that commotion?"

The border of the continent of Lilith Grove. Mórdoom and Valistia, leaving the end of the trail of Berkshire will led to the other side of the continent. Valistia. The land of mythical beings or creatures, ruled by two Kings. As what piqued the sibling's interest, they were told that diversity matters in this Kingdom... And that's what they all ever wanted.

"My wings! Help!"

Their attention was drawn at the sight of a troll in rage while stomping every trees on its way. Just when it sprinted and crossed the bridge of the border coming to Valistia, a gleaming light reflected through its greedy eyes.

"Disgusting," Domino spatted while aiming his angle.

"Oh brother."

Dominique only managed to watch his brother getting triggered at the scene. Forming his hands into a fist, he snapped it revealing his spear of lux. The troll was massive, filled with dirt, and greed in his orbs. It cornered the poor faerie, aiming for the wings, but little did it know, Domino appeared right before its eyes, protecting the faerie, while chanting an unknown spell.

"Aris verte."

He skilfully wrote runes in the air swiftly that no one can catch, the next thing they knew, the troll lit up in such brightness as it was tortured and left in ashes. It was tormented by the light.

Domino couldn't help but feel irked, he scoffed as his brows furrowed while glancing at what Dominique did, but it was replaced by a soft look when the faerie jumped and embraced him.

"You didn't have to interfere," Domino whispered at his sister.

Dominique clapped her hands slowly and whispered back, "My show off brother, you didn't see the poison in that trolls body when he showered it everywhere."

Domino got stunned. She's right. He actually didn't. If Dominique didn't activated her trap spell to refrain that troll from moving, the faerie and her brother might be poisoned now. And sure that is a problem.

He only sighed and thanked her while gritting his teeth. His attention was moved at the faerie wiping her tears that seemed like sparkle dusts. He patted her hair and tucked some strands back behind her ear.

"It's alright. The troll is gone. What's wrong?"

The faerie gasped some air before getting herself back together. Once she calmed down, she thanked Domino countless times. Dominique didn't butt in this time, her brother deserved that recognition.

'Well, I mean, I don't really have plans to save her at all,' Dominique whispered.

The faerie sniffed. "Did I s-say thank you?"

"You did. Calm down. It's no big deal."

Dominique groaned. What a wuss. She clapped her hand to draw an attention while walking directly at the faerie.

It was kind of a sight for her, and she disliked the drama. As much as possible, they don't want to draw attention and meddle with the citizens in here. Dominique needs to get out of this mess with his brother.

"Okay, enough drama. What's the big deal? He saved you, and poof, done. Did the troll did something? And second, you're clearly from Valistia, pretty obvious, what are you doing at the border of the two Kingdoms? Much likely, you're literally at Mórdoom if only that troll didn't chased you back in this bridge to Valistia. Damn suspicious to me and-"

Domino's elbow flew at Dominique's face. Why did she even have to ruin that moment. "Don't mind my nosy sister. But do tell us if something is bothering you. No creature would dare to pass the other side- Okay, never mind."

The faerie looked at them confusingly for a fact that they also crossed the border as Dominique only made a face at what have they done. Great, just great.

It happened too quickly, the faerie invited them at a small hut near the bridge. The siblings didn't mind- Dominique did, but at least they found a local that can help them if they ask informations.

"May I know your names?"

"It's Domino, and this is my sister, Dominique."

They look nothing alike. But it's much better that way, no one has to know about their life. Not that it matters. Dominique's crimson orbs is as bloody as the unholy crow's eyes, Elaine nearly assumed that she's a vampire. She has a raven hair with white highlights. The mere sight of her sharp eyes would make you wish not to stumble upon her. As for Domino, his silver streak hair, charming golden orbs, and such angelic façade. The faerie tried to shrug his appearance off in her mind.

"It's Elaine. Elaine Reagan. I'm a faerie, as you can see, and before anything else, I would like to thank Domino again, you don't have any idea how grateful I am that I could owe my life to you. As for Dominique, thank you very much as well for the traps."

Dominique cringe at Elaine's word.

'Owe her life to him? Bah.' She hid her scorn as she observed how her brother would react, and 'oh my gods,' she say.

"I didn't know what soul possessed inside me, that my body just moved directly to help you."

Feeling cringed at the atmosphere, still Dominique couldn't help but to feel proud of her brother. Always doing the good and right part. That's him.

She gently bumped her shoulder to his. "That's the spirit." She was smiling but it faded when Domino grimaced, Elaine too.

"What?"

"No pun intended?" Elaine asks in which she returned to her signature scowl and blank expression. "Answer my question."

Elaine sighed, feeling a bit amused about Dominique's personality. Intrigue, you can say that, Elaine is quite curious about these two.

"My wings. Once they are torn apart. Slashed, any sort, as long as they are removed from my body, they can grant the creature who tore them three wishes. Forgive me if I reacted too much. I've never been thankful."

Dominique got taken aback. Elaine noticed it as she added, "And if you're going to ask why I am here or in the border, I'm not answering that if you won't answer my question too. Why are you here and who are you?"

The two D's stiffened in their seat while blinking their eyes uncomfortably. They have nothing to hide or to tell. Their intentions are far away from being evil.

"Thought so." Elaine only heaved a big sigh while noticing the sun setting down.

The hues of the clouds are forming into a pigment of tangerine and darkness. The ending.

She gasped. "Oh no. I better go. Excuse me, I must leave. I'm sorry but you can stay in this hut if you want. I'll come back tomorrow," Elaine eagerly uttered.

Dominique's brows rose. "You'll come back tomorrow? Why?" Her tone was nowhere friendly.

"I- I..."

Domino nodded at her, reassuring that it's okay to go on.

The faerie only bit the insides of her cheek while twisting her fingers. Her glittery wings that almost seemed invisible because of how clear it is with all the tiny gems surrounding it. Dominique was in awe while gazing at it with so much interest.

It would be a shame to tear it apart at least. Such masterpiece- an art.

"A glint of feeling is telling me that I held responsibility of you guys, and I- ah, just felt that maybe I'll tour you around tomorrow? It's okay if you won't tell me where you're from, your faces are unfamiliar and you came from the other side. It's obvious as it is. And if you fancy staying in Valistia, I'll gladly accompany you to the Kings for your citizenship in this Kingdom."

"Well, we have plenty of time tomorrow. I'll come back first thing in the morning. See you, Domino and Dominique." Elaine smiled before departing away.

The siblings are thankful enough for having the hut in the meantime to say. Dominique heaved a sigh and glanced at her brother. She looked away but quickly turned back to glance at him again. No way. He did not just looked like a fool while grinning to himself. Not that he was wickedly smiling because having that wings and tearing it apart would be a quick shortcut for their desires... But no.

"Odelle, no. Domino Odelle. What in the world of crows are you thinking?!"

He bit the insides of his cheeks to suppress himself from smiling but he failed. Out of the blue, Domino groaned and flew his palm into his sister's face and looked away.

"Quit it!"

"Then stop looking at me like that!"

Dominique gritted her teeth harshly.

Domino stood up and checked the hut. He created a barrier while chanting a spell for protection. He also took his time to create a fire.

Dominique chuckled sarcastically. "Weak."

"What?"

"Why do you get so smitten easily?

--

Dominique didn't anticipated the faerie to come back. But she actually did, as promised. As giddy as ever, she started showing the area around to them. She made a deal with her brother, just right after this so called tour, they will scram and pretend that nothing happens on that day when they saved the faerie. No connections and as much as possible they should stay away from any creatures they'll stumble. They just need to know this place and this faerie is a good help. What's done is done.

"Let's get started then shall we."

The faerie swayed her hands as the thick bush moved away revealing them such wondrous and magical land- that's even an understatement. No words can be described how the two of them felt different gazing at this Kingdom.

Their continent, the Lilith Grove, consists of two Kingdoms. Valistia and Mórdoom. The faerie thought if the two of them wanted to know the history of their continent, it'll be much better if they will find it out in their own. For now, Valistia is in her priority to discuss with them.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Valistia. Ruled by two kings, King Caspian and King Kindell."

A glint of amazement and shock is very evident at Domino and Dominique's face. This is the very first time that they heard about two kings ruling a Kingdom. They're just waiting for a little confirmation about the first thing why they went. 'Diversity.'

Dominique smiled at herself. Looks like it is true then. Valistia...

'This Kingdom will lead me to my questions and quest in life,' she thought.

Elaine stopped at the huge bulletin with the map of their kingdom. She giddily explained everything to them about what she knows and all the information.

"Our continent is much different. Though we don't talk much about the other side. As what made Valistia rose is because how the Kings declared the new law for each race and magical creatures to join together with equality. A lot of monsters, and other beings were against it. You can still visit the forest of Driaedge, guarded by the mystical woods, and visit the wide lands of each beings. The small falls near the pond, dive beneath and visit the vast ocean of Merlandia, the merfolks finally living peacefully down there. At the very heart of the forest, my folks are there too, together with everyone. Faeries, elves, pixies, and a lot of creatures. They settled at the forest as their home, and their protector too. I mean, it's also very near to Hawksley, our market. The townspeople have their own places around the Kingdom, they work at the castle town to sell some souvenirs and other necessities. And we have Madlock as well, erm, the town for the creatures who's highly against of the Kings rule. Our dear excellences didn't banish them for they gave a place for their comfort."

"How about the dragons?" Dominique asks.

Elaine blinked her eyes while biting her lips. She swallowed the lump of her throat as her voice trembled. "U-uh, no. The legend says that they have gone extinct, but there are powerful rumors that the races of the dragons are hiding at Mórdoom. But until now, we haven't seen one."

Domino eyed her sister especially how the faerie reacts. "I see," Dominique responded as she made sure to make her voice dismissive as possible.

So far, so good. Dominique was in awe for hearing good things about this Kingdom. She bit her tongue for almost saying something not good again. It's too perfect and it's sickening to say that word. Nothing is perfect. She knows that there must be a dirt somewhere hidden. Domino stayed silent, obviously paying attention for his sister's behaviour, whatever step she might put.

Elaine muffled a gasp.

"What's wrong?"

Her rosy cheeks turned a bit pinkish. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?!" she said so loudly.

Domino scratched his jaw. "Is it me?"

Elaine eyed him. "Silly. Come to our school! The enrolment starts in the next three days!"

Dominique sighs. "Aren't we a bit too old for that? We're nineteen." She gritted her teeth.

Elaine snorted. "Okay, clowns. Says the faerie here who's a hundred years old."

Domino laughed with his heart out, really amused at Elaine's pun again. "Yeah, and pigs can fly." He stopped. "Oh shit. You're not kidding."

She really is not.

While silently observing, Dominique clenched her fist under her coat. Feeling the pain of her sharp claws marking her palm. School? Hah.

"I think my job here is done. If you change your mind. You know where to find me. I'm expecting to see you again, Domino and Dominique."

The lass then waved her hand as she disappeared quickly to the crowd, leaving the siblings whose minds are starting to drown them in the abyss.