Linnie lay behind the bush, watching as the fireflies zipped through the air and holding the conduit in his hand. Soon, he'd have to get up and walk back to camp. But in that moment, he didn't want to. He'd probably have to talk and interact with the others, and he was, well, too tired.
He smiled stupidly as he watched the pretty fireflies glow.
Suddenly, though, he heard footsteps. He was far enough from the camp that he wasn't sure why anyone'd walk over.
'Maybe they're using the bathroom? Wait, I don't wanna be caught hiding while they're pissing or anything!'
Having this revelation, he slipped the conduit back inside his pocket and moved to sit up, starting with, "Sorry, I—"
"What'd you pull me over here for?" Alwyn asked, audibly annoyed. "It's getting late. This really can't wait?"
They hadn't heard Linnie, and so, letting his curiosity get ahold of him, he fell back to the ground, quiet. In fact, he was even holding his breath.
"We've gotta talk. It's long overdue, I'd say," Aliza said.
'Aliza took him all the way over here to speak? Why? Don't tell me... am I eavesdropping on a romance!?'
Linnie's heart started pounding, and he couldn't stop a smile from stretching across his face. He wasn't too familiar with the matters of romance, but they did get him quite excited. Especially when it was the two people he knew the best.
Alwyn hesitated for a moment. "About what, exactly?"
"Don't play dumb. You don't actually think I haven't noticed?" she said, crossing her arms.
Linnie heard a rustling come from behind him and spun his head around. Wide-eyed, he nearly screamed in surprise. Inches from his own, Liora's face had appeared out of the darkness.
"The hell!?" Linnie whispered. "What're you doing?"
"Oh, I wanted to see what these two were talking about in secret. Aren't you doing the same thing?" she whispered back, settling beside him behind the bush.
"Well, yeah, but—forget it! Just be quiet. It'd be bad if they found us now. I think Aliza's..."
"Confessing? No way! I knew there was something between them!" Liora giggled, quickly giving Linnie's shoulder a few slaps out of excitement.
"Shhh!"
Linnie slapped his hand over her mouth. Shortly after, he felt a warm, wet feeling. He yanked his hand away, revealing her mischievous grin, tongue sticking out.
The two adults started talking again, causing Liora and Linnie to shut up and focus on the conversation.
"No, really, I've got no idea what you're talking about," Alwyn said, yawning and even picking his nose. "It's a shame though, the four of us were having a pretty good night together. But there's always something with you, isn't there?"
Aliza rolled her eyes, saying "Tch, okay then. What's really the matter with him?"
"Huh? What ever do you mean?"
"I said stop playing dumb already, Alwyn. Linnie. You know I already love him like my own kid brother, but you can't tell me you haven't noticed it."
'What? This isn't about romance at all, is it?'
Linnie felt himself going cold. He quickly glanced at Liora, who was still listening intently. She, too, picked up that this conversation wasn't quite what they thought it was, and had started to gnaw on her thumb's nail.
"...Be specific, will you? I can't stand your tip-toeing. There's no eggshells here—just me and you. Like the good times!"
"Ha-ha. So that's what we're doing, then? Alwyn, those stories? Like it was normal, he talked on and on about the animals he'd kill, about the kids he'd hurt, the trouble he'd get into. Not to mention—the only family he had, those three boys, died in front of him. And he doesn't even care?"
Aliza sighed, exasperated.
'The hell!? They're gossiping? You said my stories were funny!'
Linnie was already shaking in anger. Liora barely payed him any attention, still eavesdropping on the conversation with her curious brows furrowed.
"Listen, he's had a troubled childhood. Of course he's a little insensitive—isn't it better that way? Where he's going—where we've all been—he'd end up that way, anyway. What's the harm in it happening a little earlier than usual?"
"Alwyn, it's not like that. I know it isn't. It sounds scary, and wrong, but you can't tell me you haven't at least thought about it," she said, pausing for a second, leading Alwyn to gesture for her to continue. "Psychopathy."
'Psychopathy!? The hell is that? Is she saying I'm a psycho or something?'
He started to get up from the ground, but Liora pulled him back down, shaking her head.
"Hey! Don't you wanna hear the whole thing?"
Linnie opened his mouth, then closed it. He nodded, settling back into their spot behind the bush. It was now he who was struggling to keep quiet.
"Oh, please. He's not a psychopath. Linnie—he may have psychopathic tendencies, sure. But all us wizards do. It's a part of the job," Alwyn forced a laugh, flicking the nose-gold away from his fingers.
'Thankfully, Alwyn's defending me. Looks like he's got some sense. Tch. Wait... is this because of before, in the forest?'
"Dammit. You're acting like an idiot. Why? Are you so scared of what it might mean?"
"It's always so damn dramatic with you. I'm not scared of anything—ha, and certainly not Linnie."
'That sounds kind of condescending.'
"No, maybe not. Not personally. But you're torn. Torn between snuffing out this... dark flame of potential, or letting it grow into a raging, consuming, brilliant fire. A flame that, on one hand, may provide a super-awesome-fantastical backdrop on your legacy—which is the biggest reason you're taking apprentices, I'm sure—"
Alwyn snickered, but she continued.
"—or one that may consume your ego and burn everything you've worked for to the ground. Because you and I both know that there is nothing more dangerous in this world than a wizard who is equally unstable as they are powerful."
'U-unstable!? I'm perfectly stable!'
Alwyn, after a moment of silence, burst into sick laughter and wiped tears from his eyes.
"...Are you writing a novel or something? 'Dark flame of potential,' wow! You did always score well in literature—doesn't mean you've gotta speak like some... novelist. Or—wait, don't tell me! Are these are lyrics for a new song of yours? That's great! Well done! Musical genius, here!"
Aliza shuddered with rage, resisting the powerful urge to sock him in the jaw. Not like it would've been likely to land...