Love is Always Unfailing

Chapter 4 ~ Understanding

Today was gonna be... what word should even be used for this? Fun? Odd? Who knows? Lennia was coming up to the river in the middle of the woods.She had plans with her best friend. Asriel was already there, nervous as all crap about this. What was she gonna do first? What was she gonna do last? Why was this choice so difficult...? Come on, Asriel! Get a hold of  yourself! Asriel thought to herself. After a few more moments of sitting and waiting, Lennia finally showed up at the river bed. "H-Hey, Len. Are you ready?" Asriel asked nervously.

"Sure! Let's see what's had you so occupied for so long," Lennia replied.

This is it... Oh please, lord, don't let me lose a friend today... Asriel thought to herself. Why was Asriel so nervous, you may ask? Today was the day she showed Lennia some of the magic she's been working on for so dang long. It was time. Asriel sighed, "Did you bring that dead flower I asked you to bring?" Asriel inquired.

"Yeah. I still don't understand why in the world you would need a dead flower? I felt horrible having to let it die with no help..." Lennia may be tough, but she was a complete softie at heart. 

"Don't worry. It'll be fine, Len," Asriel attempted to reassure her friend.

Lennia gave her an unsure look, then, after much hesitation, placed the flower pot on the ground in front of her. "Fine. Just... be careful," Then, Lennia noticed what Asriel was wearing (look at the cover for the outfit. Leave out the color in her hair, we don't need to look at that... yet...) "What are you wearing?"

Asriel seems surprised. Not due to what question was asked, more do to when  the question was asked. "You didn't notice already...? Eh, it doesn't matter now. It's the only thing that helps me even start to slightly blend in with the surroundings of this area. That's important. If anyone sees me moving, they may just think it's the tree's leaves moving about in the breeze. That's the main reason I spend most of my time out here around nightfall. It's more peaceful then, too. that's another reason I asked you to come out here this evening instead of earlier on. You'll see the other reason I stay out so late last," Asriel explains. Somehow, Lennia understands most of it.

"Okay... Go ahead and show me why you needed a dead flower instead of a live flower," Lennia says. Well, with her tone of voice... It was more like an order.

"Okay... Jeez," Asriel replies 'cooly'. She closes her eyes and puts her hands on opposite sides of the flower- not even touching a petal or leaf. Her palms start to glow a faint white. There seems to be color coming into the leaves and petals. The flower- which was originally red- was now a beautiful purple and white petaled dahlia (picture shown at the top). Lennia's shock was very obvious. Asriel giggled at her expression. "What? Never seen a flower magically get it's life back? You seriously look like you've seen a ghost!" Asriel says teasingly in between giggles.

"Oh, shut up! At least you've learned to not be surprised since your the one with this whole magic thing. You do realize that at this age, we're trained to learn that magic isn't real... right, Azzy? I know now that that is completely wrong. People really need to get their facts straight," Lennia says, seemingly annoyed.

Asriel goes pale, "Lennia, I am going to say this once, and that's right now. You cannot, I repeat cannot tell anyone about this. Do you understand? I've seen the movies and stories about this sort of thing. Someone who isn't supposed to find out about magic finds out and then tells the police. Then, the person with the magic gets tested on or get killed. I hate to admit this, but I'm scared, Len. I have been since I found this out... That... That's why I've been so isolated, " Asriel chuckles emotionlessly. "Sounds stupid, doesn't it?" She gives Lennia a sad smile. "I've been isolating myself away from friends and family... just because I'm scared of my own abilities. Heh, makes me sound weak, doesn't it? I... I can't even trust myself not to accidentally spill what's going on with me to the people I hold closest. It sounds even dumber when I say it out loud."

"Stop it, Asriel. You're not stupid. Never say that," Lennia says, taking Asriel's hands in hers. Asriel looks up a little bit. "You have a very good reason to be scared. We just didn't understand. Azzy... When do you plan on telling everyone else? You'll have to eventually..."

"I honestly don't know, Lennia. I'll figure that out later," Asriel explains honestly, looking up to the sky. "Wow, it's already sundown," She smiles. "Now, you get to meet Twyla."

"Who?" Lennia inquires. "Azzy, have you gone mental? Who in the world is 'Twyla'?"

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There's a howl. It's faint, but it's there. "Uh, Azzy? I don't think we should be out here anymore... There's wolves and other things like that... I really don't feel like dying today," Lennia sasy hurriedly.

"Chill out, Len," Asriel smirks. "Are you- Lennia, the toughest person I know- scared of some wolf? Come on, have some courage, my friend. It'll all be good. I come out here almost every night, remember? And lookie here! I'm not dead, am I?" Asriel teased her friend.

"For real right now, Az-" Lennia was cut off by loud rustling in nearby bushes. "Azzy, we need to leave," Rustle, rustle... "NOW!" Lennia says, trying to run off.

"Lennia, wait. It's only Twyla!" Asriel exclaims.

"Who the crap is Twyla?!" Lennia was seriously freaking out.

"Heheh... Look," Asriel says pointing at the bush. There's more rustling.

"Azzy, what is going on?" Lennia asked. There was more movement.

Rustle, rustle...

Rustle, rustle...

Rusltle, rustle, rustle...

".... Azzy...?"

A head poked out of the bushes slowly. "What the..." Lennia started. A wolf poked out of the bush. "A wolf! Azzy, we gotta go! Now!" Lennai exclaims grabbing Asriel's arm and attempting to pull her away.

OOOooooooo..... Cliff hanger! I hope you enjoyed this. I'll get the next chapter out ASAP. Bye!