x Crying Lightning x (C!Flare's PoV)

I'll be the Roundabout

Flare was passed out in a bush since she didn't have a house yet. She had a journal over her eyes and she was clutching a satchel with her hands.

She may look like she was at peace but her dreams say otherwise.

<>

Flare was standing on a hill, feeling rather suffocated. She was staring in shock as she saw a whole village on fire. The smoke was getting to her.

It seemed...familiar.

Then she saw a large figure limping towards her. She was confused.

Who are you? She wanted to say but no words escaped. The figure looked at her with empty eye sockets and said two things.

"Your Fault."

<>

Flare woke up with a start and sat up, leaves in her hair. She yawned and stretched.

What was that all about? She thought and a voice above her spoke up.

"G'morning, Flare. You ok down there?"

"Eh? O-oh hi, Faded. Just had a weird dream," Flare closed the journal and placed it in her satchel. She got up and kind of looked at Faded's shoulder. She doesn't like looking at people in the face.

"Sorry if this is rude, but is there another arrow stuck in there or do you just not want to look at my face? That's fine. I would just need to know about an arrow, you know," he scratched the back of his, well not hair but hood.

Flare quickly glanced at Faded before replying, "There isn't and it's just a personal thing...I think."

She began to fiddle with the satchel's straps. There were two books inside of it.

"Okay, good to know. Anyways, how are you? Also aren't you afraid for the calendar? It's days are numbered," he both asked and joked at once. Without seeing how that might ever get confusing.

"E-eh?" Flare stopped fiddling with the straps to stare blankly at Faded.

The calendar...? She thought.

"It's a sheet of paper with the days of the week on it. I could show you one if we ever get out of here if you want. I would make one but how would we know which month or day to start with?" Faded replied.

He added on, "Anyways, how are you? Sorry if I've asked that already. My brain defaults to it when I don't know what to say."

"Doing better than what I expected. Although...," she slowly turned her head to the entrance of the maze and looked down, biting her lip with anxiety.

"Hm?" Faded asked, curious.

"I've been meaning to ask. Were you ok the other day? You kind of just disappeared. I was worried about you. I'm sure Anna was too but I refuse to put words in one's mouth," he added on.

"I mean, I made it out in one piece so I guess I was ok. As for why I wandered off...I don't even know myself," Flare admitted.

Those wisps that she saw yesterday were still bothering her. Is she the only one who could see them or can others see them?

She remembers Faded talking about a figure so maybe he has something similar.

Who knows...

"Oh I found some things though! Like this satchel and these books. One is an empty journal with a pencil and another is this book. I haven't read the title yet," Flare explained.

"Interesting," he stated although he still seemed somewhat concerned.

"As for wandering off, try not to do it again. While there is no order or anything, the maze is dangerous for people alone. Anyways, perhaps you should read the title," Faded suggested.

"Right, I won't do it again." After yesterday, Flare doesn't even want to set foot in the maze again. She then took out the book and read it out loud.

"The art of flame."

"Is this another red herring title?" Faded questions as he pulls a book out of his pocket and stares at the title.

He puts it back in his pocket and stares at 'the art of flame.' "Certainly intriguing."

"Yeah...so I have been meaning to ask. Who else is here? I only know you, Anna, and Bird but we can't be the only ones here right?" Flare asked as she placed the book away.

"I've only really spoken to you and Anna. Of course there was Bird that one time. Also Oxeye. Oh yeah there's also Sarah and Aspen. I think two other people I haven't met yet. Not sure about those guys but yeah that's all I know. Anyways earlier, you seemed like something was bothering you so sorry if this sounds pushy but are you sure you're okay?" Faded asked with a seemingly worried expression on his face. At least, that's what Flare assumed.

"I see," Flare picked at her nails as she tried to think of a response to reply to Faded. She doesn't want to worry him and she just met him so she isn't going to vent that much to him.

Hmmm, what to do, she thought.

"..."

Eventually, Flare took a deep breath.

"You mentioned that this is a death trap?"

"Yes, I believe the fact that I've been shot before is enough proof of that," Faded stated, simply.

He then shook his head, "Also don't feel pressured to tell me anything. Worry is an emotion that exists when you know things and don't know things, it's kind of special like that. Don't feel ashamed for not telling someone something, we all have secrets of our own."

He added on, "we don't typically tell things we keep to ourselves to every stranger we meet but if you need to talk to someone, I can tell you this much," he proceeded to shrug, "I'll listen. Perhaps the offer is weird especially from...well, someone of my species but it's there nonetheless."

"Anyways, do go on," Faded gave the smaller one a nod.

"Thank you," Flare was taken by surprise when he said this. Faded was definitely interesting and had mostly good vibes from him. Flare could see herself trusting him.

"Yeah, so let's just say," she glanced at the maze again, "I have a feeling that the maze holds many secrets."

"Yeah. Kind of a guarantee. Especially if you pay attention to the coded messages," he chuckled awkwardly.

"...I suppose so," Flare said.

I should really make a house, she thought as she distractedly pluck a leaf out of her hair.

Faded then walked away from her, whether he did so subconsciously was unknown to her.

Flare, once Faded was out of sight, decided to make a house. She collected some sticks and fixed up the bush that she was sleeping in.

It took a while but it was eventually made into a shack. It wasn't much but anything to keep something over her head.

Flare looked at the tree that was next to it. One day, she will make a tree house and then they'll see who's the short one now!

A/N: hey y'all, it's been a while. I know, I know. I decided to add music at the end, don't mind me.

Yeah, C!Flare is just a bundle of anxiety and worried mess. Don't mind her.

Also some lore.

Yeah I got nothing to say other than...

Cya in the next one -Flare