Flowers and Claws

White Rose

We all stood up and started walking again. Jaebum held my hand as we went, guiding me to our destination.

"So I told everyone to meet in the back yard. I thought it would be the best place since we have all of the grass and it's incased in the glass so we won't get rained on." The Jaehyun man said

"Is the grass to show what Jinyoung can do?" Taeyong asked

"Yeah, we're planing on letting them now about him they way we let them now about you. But instead of you standing in the water we'll have him stand in the grass."

I was surprised by that, I didn't think Taeyong would be a water nymph. I thought he would be a forest nymph like me.

"You're a water nymph?" I asked

Taeyong turned to me and slipped into Greek, "Yep, how they had introduced me to the family was by having me stand in the middle of a pond in the back yard. I closed my eyes and made the water rise and swirl around me. I let fish stay in it too."

My eyes lit up as I listened, it sounded so beautiful. I didn't think I could do something so extravagant.

I heard Taeyong explain to everyone what we were talking about but I zoned out. I started thinking about what flower I wanted to show everyone. It had to be something good, something that would show them that I was worthy of being protected.

A small smile crossed my face as I thought of the perfect one.

We stopped at the door, Grandma turning to me.

"I know you don't want to have shoes on so nothing blocks you from the grass and flowers growing. But we want it to be a surprise, so can you slip on these shoes?" She asked

I looked a Jaebum, confused at how to answer. Taeyong told me earlier that shoes were to protect your feet. I also knew that I really didn't like the idea of wearing them. But if it made them accept me faster, then I would do it.

I changed from looking at Jaebum to Taeyong. Silently asking him what to do.

"Ναι ή όχι." He questioned

"Ναι." I answered

Taeyong went over and grabbed the shoes and brought them over to me. He helped me put them on and then we all walked outside.

I didn't really like the feeling of the shoes. They weren't as soft as the plush grass. But I so badly wanted Jaebum to be proud to be my protector. So I bared through it. I knew that I wouldn't have to keep them on forever as well. They reassured me that I could keep them off once I showed everyone that I was a nymph.

I looked around the back yard. It was absolutely beautiful. There was a pond in the middle of it, a few stone paths branching off of it. The rest of it was all grass, which was what I really wanted to go to. But there were already people back here, and I really didn't want to ruin the surprise. So I just stayed with Taeyong instead. He took me to a few people, talking to them, not telling them about me really. He wouldn't really say anything to me because of the language barrier. So he just let me listen.

Soon the back yard was filled with creatures. Jaebum coming up to him.

"Come on my prince. It's time for you to meet the family." He said, smiling

I smiled back, moving my hand out for him to take. He laughed lightly at it and walked me over to a patch of grass. He pressed his lips against my cheek then turned away from me. Standing beside me instead. He dropped my hand for a second, I missed the warmth but I let it happen as I stood still.

"Everyone, please come gather around. We have something very important to show you." Grandma stated

All the creatures turned towards me and walked over, gathering so everyone saw.

Jaebum whispered to me, "Find a place in this area where you want to show them your gift."

I nodded, looking around. I saw an area behind me that had something see-through by it keeping us out of the rain. I walked over to it and waited.

When I was in place Grandma spoke again.

"We would like you to meet Jinyoung."

I turned to face the see-through material and took off my shoes. I pressed them against it and thought of the flowers. I then slowly started to feel vines start to branch across the material. I felt thorns poking at my feet, a smile spreading across my face at it.

When I opened my eyes again the material was now covered in vines full of white roses. They branched every which way, reaching far and wide. I stepped back from it and turned to face everyone.

Their eyes were wide, small smiles across most of their faces. I was happy to see it. I felt as if I did well.

Jaebum walked over to me, "You did great my prince. They're all so impressed."

He looked over the flowers then back to me.

"White roses." He said

I nodded, "I-I'm wort-thy to be wi-with you."

He smiled even wider, "Yes you are."

He took me back to where I was before. Standing beside me proudly.

"This is Jinyoung, the forest nymph. To be more specific. My grandson Jaebum's nymph. The creature he is meant to spend his life with."

Jaebum reached down and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. He looked over at me and I looked back. Smiling as wide as possible.

Grandma turned to me, "Welcome to the family Jinyoung."

She bowed and I bowed back, smiling.

She then looked to Jaebum, "May I talk to you for a while."

"Sure, Jinyoung, why's don't you try talking to a few people. There are a lot pups who would like to talk to you and see what else you could do."

I nodded, than headed off, looking for anyone to talk to.