*So the superheroes won't leave me alone, and there was a writing contest, so here ya go. XD Something that may or may not happen in a webcomic I'm planning.
Finella watched Karl's chest rise and fall steadily as he lay on the recovery bed, fists clenched around the fabric of her pants. They hadn't changed him out of his uniform or hooked him up to anything yet, so the tears created from his own beasts were still visible in the deep blue fabric even though the injuries had been healed completely yesterday.
Claudia had joined her in this vigil only a few minutes ago, her long pink hair uncovered by a hood for once and her golden eyes serious as she also gazed at their friend. Her blue stuffed toy cat, Kane, was peering under the bed at the shadow creature underneath. "I had no idea," Claudia remarked softly, turning her gaze to the floor. "That a power could have such terrible repercussions."
"It's kinda obvious, isn't it?" Finella shook her head, familiar irritation swelling in her chest before she crushed it. Quelled it. Now especially wasn't the time or place. "Shadow beasts are infamous for their brutality and inability to work with other races. The only reason they aren't extinct is because they just come from the shadows. Being able to control them and losing that control in the heat of battle has got to be hard on the mind."
Claudia winced. "You've been here all day, haven't you? Has he stirred at all?"
"Not a peep." Finella looked towards the shadow under the bed, blue eyes narrowing. "Yo, abnormality. I don't suppose you could help your master out of a coma?"
There was a faint growl. "Finella, that's not how you ask for a favor," Claudia sighed. "Laurens, we appreciate all that you've done. Truly. But he's been asleep for nearly 24 hours now, and it's worrying us."
The creature gave a quiet whine. Karl twitched in his sleep, turning his head to the side as he muttered faintly. Finella leaned forward. "Karl?"
There was no more of a response than that though, their classmate settling right back into sleep. Laurens whimpered. "It's not your fault," Claudia soothed, and Kane's ears twitched forward. "His Highness has agreed to come in anyways. If anyone can fix this, he can."
"...This is the first year I've missed him flying in," Finella realized, her grip on her pants loosening. She looked up at Claudia. "New Year's Day hasn't really registered for me yet."
A faint, wry smile tugged at the other girl's lips. "After all that happened yesterday with that fairy, I'm not surprised. You've always only been able to focus on one thing at once."
Finella gave a slight, irritated huff, but just then the door slid open, and it was suddenly like nothing and everything existed at once. "Dearie me," was the soft, musical remark as the leader of the Northern fairies stepped into the room, pale golden eyes fixed on Karl. "This really is a right mess, isn't it?"
Finella shot to her feet, Kane scrambled to Claudia's side, and all three of them sank into a deep bow. "Your Highness," both girls greeted him.
"That's not necessary." The Prince of Sound and Fury waved a hand, coming over and bringing what seemed to be a perpetual glow with him. Finella looked up. This was the first time she had ever seen up this up close, and without his wings and bodyguards. Yet the same awe and the overwhelming presence that she had felt every time she had stood in the crushing crowd that watched him and his escorts swan dive and land gracefully upon the fountain in city square were both still present while he merely walked across the room. "Finella Ikram and Claudia Ortrun, correct? My good friend the chancellor told me that you two were very brave in the fight against one of the Southerners."
"It is our duty, Your Highness," Claudia replied immediately.
He glanced up that, arching one delicate silver eyebrow. "...Not yet, it's not," he told her quietly, then turned his gaze to Finella. "Either of yours. You're young still, and though you are both capable, you are not duty bound to defend this city quite yet."
Finella stiffened at the rebuke, but he had turned back to Karl before she could even open her mouth to speak. "Defending your friend, however, from himself..." he continued. "That is to be commended." He placed his hand on Karl's forehead. "I have not seen one of the Parkers command the loyalty of a creature so thoroughly that it remained loyal through him overexerting himself for a very, very long time. Perhaps because those who lose control usually die." The hazy aura surrounding him grew to cover Karl as well. "I am glad that's not the case this time. He's too young and talented a human to have his melody end so abruptly."
Karl's brown eyes flickered open, and he blinked up at the fairy uncomprehendingly. "Nnh?"
"Ah, there you are." The Prince smiled, the expression as light and airy as the rest of him. "Mostly, anyways. Seems you were fighting a bit too hard to come out of it all at once." He gently tousled Karl's dark green hair before taking his hand away. "I'd stay longer, but my aides will be looking for me." He turned his back, the hazy aura following him as he moved to the door, opened it, and then smiled back at them playfully. "Happy New Year, you three. Let's make it better than last year, shall we?"
And just like that, the door closed, he was gone, and Finella could breathe again. Karl stirred further, sitting up with a hand to his head. "You okay, man?" she asked, reaching toward him and putting a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, just... groggy. Did I just see the Prince of Sound and Fury go out the door, or am I worse off than I feel?"
"He came in to help you," Claudia replied quietly, picking up Kane and holding him close. "I'm glad to see you awake."
There was another whine from under the bed, and Karl blinked, recognition coming back into his brown eyes. "Laurens?" The shadow creature crept out just slightly, white eyes glowing in its doglike face. Karl's normal, gentle smile appeared on his face. "Good boy. Stay under the bed for now, alright?"
The creature disappeared back under the bed, and Claudia gave a faint smile herself. "I should go. My aunt and uncle will likely be looking for me."
"By all means." Karl raised his hands with a soft chuckle. "Sorry to worry both of you, I should be fine, especially if Laurens is still around."
"Just don't do that again," Finella huffed, taking her hand back. Claudia nodded, heading out the door herself. Finella watched her go before turning her sharp blue eyes back to Karl. "Ask for help before you pass out."
"I did, technically." He looked down at the covers, smile fading. "And I appreciate what you did back there. If you hadn't driven back most of the pack with your flames, I'd likely be dead."
"Laurens did a lot of the legwork." Finella tugged on her ponytail again.
She blinked when his hand reached out, taking hers away from her ponytail. "Still. I know you were doing something else when you heard the struggle," he replied softly, smiling once again. "Don't worry, Finella. It's a new year. We'll find her."
Finella remained quiet for a moment, just curling her hand around his, gently shoving thoughts of silver eyes and freckles aside. Her friend was still somewhat cold- happened after people had close contact with a fairy. "You are entirely too good at reading people, Karl," she grumbled, and he gave a soft huff of laughter. "If you can stand, we should probably find your family. They'd have come in to see the Prince, right?"
"Right," he replied softly, and she helped him carefully stand up from the hospital bed, Laurens coming out to nudge him into being balanced as well. He was right. It was a new year, and he wasn't unconscious anymore. They were all fine.
Her own problems could wait just a little while longer. Like the Prince said- things would be better this time around.
