Rainbows In The Dark

Chapter 20

Fennec

Fennec thought he was just being paranoid at first, but now he was sure.

Stingray was hitting on Oleander.

He hadn't expected her to try that but it was funny to see how Oleander reacted.

The two of them landed behind him on the second floor.

"That's weird. There's no hole to the first floor." Fennec said.

"Yeah, there's stairs for the first floor since it's the only place we hold meetings. It is also underwater, bet you've never been in an underwater room before." Stingray said proudly.

"I can't say I have," Oleander said, smiling back at her.

Fennec felt the back of his neck tingle again. "Stingray, you should probably go first, right?"

Stingray nodded. "Yeah, give me a second." She started down the stairs on the side, sending a wink at Oleander, whose face couldn't be any more flustered.

"What were you two talking about?" Fennec forced out past his gritted teeth.

"Um... nothing." Oleander said. She looked up at him and smiled. "Hey, don't worry, I'm fine."

Fennec frowned. "But you'd tell me if you weren't, right?"

"Yeah, I would."

Stingray came rushing back up. "They're almost done, just give them a minute." She turned around, a smile on her face.

She hummed to herself as she fixed her eyes on the stairs.

Barely a minute later, Lavender came up the stairs, followed by Comet, Riptide, and a Skywing with a scar over his snout.

The Skywing immediately took off and up through the hole, leaving them alone on the platform.

"Sorry if we took too long," Riptide said.

"It's fine," Fennec said. "How was the meeting?"

Lavender sighed. "It might have gone a tad smoother if someone hadn't antagonized the Skywing." She glared at Comet, who was trying his best to stare down the wall.

"Is there any news on the war?" Stingray asked.

Lavender nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. The Skywing Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Sea are having an alliance meeting near the eastern border so we'll have to be careful on the way back."

"Whatever you decide, you shouldn't go today." Riptide said. "There's a hotel in Sanctuary where you can stay for the night."

"I can take them, dad!" Stingray offered.

Riptide nodded. "Alright, but be careful."

Stingray rolled her eyes. "I'm always careful! I'm not Mako."

Riptide looked out at the open wall and sighed. "Okay, I expect you to be back in an hour at least."

Stingray saluted with a wing. "You can count on me!" She turned to the opening and looked back at them.

Lavender strode past her and took off into the night.

Comet sighed. "Let's head after her."

Stingray grinned. "Alright, follow me!" She spread her wings and lifted off.

Fennec, Oleander, and Comet flew after her. Lavender was visible in the distance, winging her way across the lake.

"Who's Mako?" Oleander asked Stingray after a minute in the air.

Stingray smiled. "My brother. He's off helping my mother and uncle in the Kingdom of the Sea. He means well but he's a bit of a doofus."

"His shrimp was excellent though," Comet commented. "I still don't know how he was able to heat them up..."

Stingray laughed. "Hey, your friend's waiting for us down there." She said, nodding at the shape of Lavender down by the shore.

Oleander brushed Fennec's wing as Comet began his descent. "Are you okay?"

Fennec nodded, glancing down at the shape of Stingray and their companions. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Sorry, you just seem to be thinking about something." She said, the inside of her wings was a dull shade of green, barely visible as she held herself up in the air.

"No, I'm- I'm fine. I was just wondering what the meeting was about." Fennec said.

Oleander smiled. "Well, let's find out, shall we?"

Fennec smiled back. "Yes, we shall."

The two glided down toward the shore, where the adults seemed to be finishing a conversation with Stingray.

"So you two are all good?" The Seawing asked.

Comet faked a smile. "Y-you bet!"

Stingray walked back over to Oleander, trying to quell her grin. "Will I see you tomorrow before you leave?"

"S-sure," Oleander said, smiling back. Stingray gave her a quick hug before taking off toward the tower.

"So where are we staying?" Fennec asked Comet.

He began walking toward Sanctuary. "There's a hostel near the end of town, and I'm hoping Lavender has some money on her."

"We don't use money in the rainforest, but I was able to get a handful before we left." She said, her scales a prideful purple.

"My sister's boyfriend gave it to us," Oleander explained, making eye contact with Fennec to avoid Lavender's glare.

Comet squashed his grin. "Oh, well I'm sure Lavender had to persuade him, right?"

"He came to us right before we left actually, he wouldn't let us give any back." The princess said.

Fennec raised an eye. "No way... is she messing with Lavender on purpose?" 

"I think that's it." Comet suddenly said.

Fennec turned his attention back to the path. Less than a mile away was a black wood cabin surrounded by a garden and a fountain with a statue on top.

Lavender frowned. "That's weird, the lights are still on..."

A low orange light was coming from the front windows, flickering every once in a while.

"Let's check it out," Comet said as he started forward.

Lavender grit her teeth. "Comet, wait a minute!" She called as she stomped after him.

Oleander looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Fennec shrugged and began following them.

He looked back and smiled at her. "Are you okay?"

She smiled back. "Yeah, I think I just need a minute out here..."

Fennec's smiled faltered for a second. "Oh, okay, well, we'll wait for you."

She shook her head. "No, no. Go ahead and head to sleep, I'll be in soon."

Fennec gave a nod. "Sure, I'll see you later."