Sunshine and a Blue Castle Prince

Chapter 2: Magic of the Fae

The next week comes quickly and soon Shouyou and Iwaizumi are on their way down the hill.

Shouyou yawns and stretches, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Are you still tired?"

"Mhm. I haven't been sleeping well. It still feels weird not sleeping at home. Except that's not home anymore."

"Oh. Is there anything Oikawa and I can do?"

Shouyou shrugs. "I don't think so. It's just going to take time, I guess."

"Just let me know if I can help. You're part of the family now."

Is it just that? Akane's voice is light and teasing, which draws a mental growl out of her mage.

You and Oikawa! Stop teasing. Yes, I like Shouyou. He's cute and his hair is fluffy, but he's not settled and I can't be absolutely sure that he's my mate. I just want to focus on helping Shouyou adjust, alright?

Oh. I understand. I'm sorry for taking it overboard. We're just happy that you're showing real interest in someone.

"What are you doing? Your face looks funny."

Iwaizumi looks back at his adoptive cousin. "My face? Oh! I'm talking to Akane, my Light."

"What's a Light?"

"How to explain... All fae are capable of magic to various degrees. The degree of magic a fae is capable of depends on their ability to communicate with a spirit-like creature called a Light. Each mage has their own Light that only they can communicate with. Some people can't communicate at all and are all but incapable of using magic. It does take time, however, to learn to communicate with them. Akane and I speak very clearly."

"So you were talking to Akane?"

"Yes."

"Hi Akane. She can hear me, right?"

Iwaizumi nods. "She can. It's impolite to address someone else's Light, so don't do so again."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. You weren't raised fae so you can't have known."

Tell Shouyou-kun I said hi.

"Akane says hi."

Shouyou's face breaks into a blinding smile. "Will I have a Light?"

"Let me ask. Lights can talk to each other."

"Really?"

Iwaizumi chuckles. "Really."

Is there any hint of Shouyou having a Light? Would it even show right now?

A long moment passes before Akane finally responds with a smile in her voice. His Light is there, but she's only barely starting to manifest. It will probably be a few more months before they really start to be able to communicate.

"'Kane says you have one. You'll just have to be patient for a while. I'm sure you'll connect with your Light well."

"Oh."

Iwaizumi reaches out and musses Shouyou's hair. "Don't worry. It'll go faster than you think. Your Light needs to grow a little before she can talk. Today let's focus on the fair. According to Makki and Mattsun, a troupe from Johzenji has come this year."

"Is that so odd?"

"It doesn't happen every year. But Johzenji is one of the odder places in the fae world and it shows in their troupes."