~Red Revenge~ (Douxie x OC)

2|Pouring Red

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Azara's POV

The soft tap of my pen against my book keeps a steady rhythm as I watch the sun set from my spot outside the flower shop. My back leaning against a wall, replaying my long day over with a blank expression. There's really not much to exalt about today, considering it was similar to the day before. Well...the only thing different is Douxie, and his persistence in being my friend. He's been showing up every day since he realized I was here, and I can see right through his friendly act. He knows it's me, I'm certain of it. At first I was frustrated, conflicted even, since Merlin had been clear about our paths needing to stay disconnected. Not just for Merlin's 'grand plans' but also because he was better off far away from me. Safer, the more distance there was between us. Though I guess my mind and heart have never been strong enough to deny Douxie of anything. Even if it's just letting him believe he has a chance.

For a while now, the flower shop has been a source of peace and calm for me. A place where I can just come and distract myself from everything, but lately it's not feeling like that at all. Sure, I could spend hours tending to my various species of plants and flowers, but it's not going to change anything. I lean my head back against the wall, closing my eyes with a sigh, and then stand up, dusting myself off and leaving my book on the ground. Looking to the field in front of me, I almost lose myself in thought until a rustling from nearby bushes catches my attention and makes my head snap towards it. In a quick, instinctive motion, I grab my umbrella and swing it in the noise's direction, holding it up defensively.

"Hey, watch it! It's just me, Red." Hex, my familiar, barks at me in surprise, jumping out of the bushes and stomping his paw on the ground with a huff. I relax my stance as I realize it's him, lowering my umbrella and tilting my head to the side with a questioning expression.

"I see that... but aren't you supposed to be with Jim? Ya know, to make sure he isn't doing anything dangerous or insane?" I respond, raising a brow at my familiar with expectancy. His large, wolf-dog stature, black coat, and quick nature, perfect for looking out for my brother, is exactly why I assigned him this task. He looked back at me with his sharp eyes, both brown and blue, looking back at me.

"So? Why are you here, Hex? Is something wrong with Jim?" I ask, suddenly a bit worried at his quietness. My brother has a serious habit of getting into trouble, especially when I'm not around to protect him. Figures. But Hex's expression softens for a moment, avoiding my eyes.

"No, no, it's not that, I just felt like you needed me, so I came looking for ya" He says, gruff voice hiding something. I can tell he's a little unsure, like he knows something I don't, which is rare. I lift an eyebrow and stare at him questioningly, hoping to get an answer from my companion. He looks around as if looking for something.

"I felt something crossover from the shadow realm. Something dangerous," he admits, stepping closer to me and sitting near a patch of flowers near my side. I don't look too surprised, my expression softening with a sigh. I knew something had happened in the shadow realm; I was just so busy with other things and people that it must have slipped my mind a few times. Well, I hope Merlin doesn't hear about this one...it would only bring me more trouble.

"So, can you sniff it out? Or should I try finding it myself, with only my wits to help?" I teased, smirking and raising a brow, just trying to lighten the mood. These shadow realm problems are always a pain to deal with, literally. "I was getting pretty bored today." Hex rolls his eyes at me, and I can't help an amused huff whilst I begin following him into the woods, just behind the flower field. With a stronger hold on my umbrella, I take a deep, concentrating breath in.