Irial 1

Irial glanced back at the others in the RV. Myron and Rylie waved, and the others soon turned back inside. They were on the edge of an odd bank of fog that Anthea said was made by other fey... The only way to find out what was going on was to go through it, and he was the only one that could. He looked back one more time and Anthea was shooing him away.

"Get out of here, before we chase you in!"

He only made a face at her and turned to march through the fog. It was oddly glowy inside, reflecting the light of the full moon that was above it. He tried to relax and take deep breaths, smelling the magic that made the fog. It smelled familiar, and he liked it. Finally he could tell he was coming to the edge of the fog. There was the deep bass of loud music and then the actual song, before he heard shouts and talking like a normal huge party.

It took him a few moments to actually see how big the party actually was. On the edges were tables of drinks and food, and places for people to sit and talk, all surrounding a huge dance area shining with lights that floated in midair. Near the back, on the other side of the dance floor, was a covered pavilion with flags of the reigning fey family. Most likely that would be where he found his father, at least after what they had found out from Patrick's family- that his dad was king of the fey.

Irial took a few deep breaths and walked in to the crowded party. He had never seen so many strange looking people, none of which seemed to be worried about showing their true form. After a few minutes even he felt comfortable letting his large wings phase through his clothing and sit loosely behind him. It turned a few heads when he did so, and most of them had approving looks. He had to admit he liked the attention.

When someone approached him with a platter of drinks he took one without thinking once he saw others take from it. He drained the champagne glass nervously in one gulp and wished he had saved more. It was sweet and bubbly but richer than any sort of alcohol. It took him a moment to realize that this would be faerie food. If a human ate or drank any they would be practically enslaved to the fey that gave it to them... good thing he wasn't human.

A few moments after leaving the empty glass on a table at the edge of the party he could feel it going to his head. His powers felt more unpredictable than usual, and it looked like others were in the same state he was; giddy from the company of other fey and drunk on magic, using their powers how they pleased.

He was walking along the edge of the party when he bumped in to someone and nearly fell down. "Oh... sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He caught his balance and looked up to someone kindly holding out their hand to help steady him. The other fey was a bit taller than him, with dark hair and cat eyes like most night fey had. He had on a curious band across his forehead that looked like it was made of silver, though it was mostly hidden by his hair.

"Don't worry about it. You look a little dizzy... your first Gathering?"

Irial blushed slightly. "Is it that easy to tell?"

The other fey grinned, but in a good-natured way. "Most of us take more than one glass of ambrosia to get tipsy." He held out his hand again, this time in greeting. "I'm Phoenix, but you can call me Nix."

"Nice to meet you, Nix. I'm Irial."

"Irial? That's not a common name." Nix started walking and Irial hurried to follow him. "So if this is your first time coming to a Gathering, where have you been? Most fey your age have been to two or three by now." He seemed honestly curious, not offended or disbelieving.

"I didn't know I was fey until recently. My mom kept my dad's identity a secret." He grumbled that out and didn't look too happy about it.

"I see... Well it can happen. At least you figured it out, right?"

Irial nodded, and Nix snagged two more glasses of the honey-colored drink, handing one to Irial. "Yeah, and I found this place without too much trouble."

"This much magic in one place should have drawn you close anyway." He clinked his glass with Irial and drank most of the small glass right away. Irial tried to do that but he ended up tipping it back completely.

"Oops..."

"There's plenty to go around, don't you worry." Nix was grinning again, standing close in front of Irial. The young fey caught the scent of that same familiar magic and he leaned a little closer, trying to see if it really was coming from Nix. But when he leaned in surreptitiously, that second glass of ambrosia got to him and he stumbled in to the other.

"S-sorry, again..." He was blushing deeply and nearly fell again as he scrambled backwards.

Nix put an arm around his shoulders. "Don't worry about it." He helped hold Irial up, who was stumbling slightly and leaned heavily on him. "Maybe I shouldn't have given you that second glass... Let's get out of this crowded place and maybe you can clear your head."

Irial mumbled that was probably a good idea as he leaned against him, and sniffed again. It was definitely coming from Nix- he wasn't sure why but he really liked that smell, and he didn't stop as he was led away from the party and to a more secluded area of the party. It wasn't quite out to the ring of fog that kept the place secure from unescorted mortals, but it was away from the clearing and into the surrounding woods. Irial found himself reaching out to brush the ends of branches and twigs, making them bloom with flowers.

"Never been that easy," he muttered.

"With enough ambrosia even the weakest fey can rival the powers of royalty," Nix said softly. Irial blinked when he found the taller fey in front of him, and he leaned back on a tree to keep from falling over.

"I like your magic," he suddenly blurted out. "It- it smells good."

"Hmm... I haven't heard that compliment many times." He cupped Irial's chin in his hand and looked in to his eyes, and the purple glow from Irial's eyes reflected in his.

Irial was flushed, from the magic and from the close contact of the other. Myron and Anthea had teased and prodded him until he made out with Rylie that one time, but that was just for fun... wasn't it? Why did he feel so embarrassed around this guy? He didn't get any other chance to think about it as Nix leaned forward and kissed him intently. Irial practically melted back against the tree, kissing back weakly. He didn't fight as Nix pressed him back against the tree, leaning against him and gripping his wrists tightly.

When Nix moved back to gasp for air, Irial pressed forward and kissed him again. Nix grinned into the kiss and let go of one of his hands to slide it down his back and thigh, hitching it up against him. Irial moaned slightly, but the tense moment was broken up when someone cleared their throat impatiently.

"Phoenix, you're needed back at the pavilion." A bored looking fey was standing behind them, dressed in odd clothing and the symbol of the royal house over his heart.

He reluctantly backed away from Irial. "Now it's my turn to apologize." He bowed slightly. "I'm sure we can continue this later... enjoy the party, Irial." He waved slightly and followed the interrupting fey back into the clearing and out of Irial's view.

Irial stood up, trying to clear his head. He hadn't intended to do that... especially not with the first fey he met, especially not the first GUY he met. Embarrassed and still feeling a little woozy, he wandered back to the party. He didn't think he should go near the pavilion to try to talk to who he was sure was his dad like that, especially if Nix would be there. After working his way across the dance floor and finding some food to nibble on he felt his head clearing. He was thinking about finally going towards the royal seat when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, but the king requests your presence." It was another fey, dressed in the same uniform as the one that had fetched Nix. The way he spoke, Irial didn't have much of a choice.

"Sure..." Irial followed him nervously, feeling tense. He couldn't be sure what this was about... He was led to the pavilion and he passed a ward that made him tingle. Immediately the noise was muted and he noticed the slightly more somber mood of the area. Finally he was waved to a closed-off area. The fey held open a cloth divider and waved him through, but didn't follow.

Inside it was surprisingly cozy, even with an imposing black and silver throne in the back of the room. Irial was still nervous, keeping his wings clamped closely to his back. He thought he was alone until someone stepped out of the shadows. At first it looked like a middle-aged man, no older than 35. But as Irial looked, he could sense the aura of power around him. It was cemented by the silver crown set with rubies and sharp teeth pointing upwards that rested on his dark hair.

"Irial... it really is you..." The man gave him a surprisingly tender and apologetic look. "If I had known what your mother would do I would never have left you with her. Especially if I had known you'd inherit more of my side of the family than her's."

Irial felt his eyes get wide. "D-dad?"

The man nodded. Irial hesitated and stepped forward, finally meeting him in the middle of the room and hugging him tightly. It was a few moments later before they finally let go of each other. "Looks like you got your grandmother's height..."

Irial grimaced. "Gee thanks... I hadn't noticed..."

"You might grow in to it still! Your brother certainly did."

"Brother?"

The fey he knew to be Phelan nodded. "You may be my youngest son but you aren't the only one. You've got two sisters and an older brother. The girls are back at the capitol, but your brother is here... in fact, he's been waiting to meet you." Irial's father looked at the divider as it opened.

Irial's eyes went wide and he gasped, face going pale.

"N-NIX?!"

"IRIAL!?"

"Oh you two have already met?" Their father didn't seem to catch the horror and disgust they both were feeling and that was clearly written on their faces. "Fantastic. You are half-brothers, it's true, but I expect you'll get along just fine once you get to know each other." He put one arm around Irial, and one around Phoenix, pulling them in to a bit of a group hug.

Irial and Nix both flushed with embarrassment and quickly moved to opposite sides of the temporary throne room as soon as they were let go.

"Well I'm sure you both have a lot of catching up to do," Nix said quickly, backing out of the room. He eyed Irial one more time and hurried away.

Irial looked up at his dad. "We do have a lot to talk about, I guess..."

Phelan sighed. "We do. Unfortunately, I barely had enough time to find you and introduce you to your brother. I have business to attend to that, while I wish I could include you, can't really involve you right now." He took an amulet from under his shirt, hanging on a string as a necklace. "I'm not sure where you're staying right now, but use this to find the continuation of the Gathering tomorrow night. It shouldn't be far. Find me, and I'll make sure we talk."

Irial didn't like the idea of having to wait any longer, but he pushed back his impatience and nodded. "Right. I'll see you tomorrow... dad."

His father nodded, and Irial hurried out of the pavilion. He was looking back and ran right in to the last person he wanted to see. Irial really did fall down this time, and his brother reached down to help him up. He avoided the helping hand, though, and got to his feet to try to avoid talking to him, a blush staining his cheeks.

"Irial, wait!" He reached out and grabbed Irial's wrist to stop him. "I am SO sorry, I don't even know how to apologize for that..."

Irial yanked his arm away from Nix and hissed, "Don't even apologize... we... we didn't know. Just- don't- TELL anyone!"

"I wouldn't dream of it..." He looked as embarrassed as Irial felt. "I forgot I had something to give to you. One of the Court members was supposed to but we both left so fast..." He handed Irial a thin silver band of a crown with a tiny amethyst set in the center. "This is yours. Don't lose it alright?" Nix looked away. "I... I'm gonna go take a cold shower or something... If you ever want to talk again just let me know." He said the rest in a rush and practically ran away, disappearing in to the crowd.

Exasperated and embarrassed, Irial slipped the crown on, surprised at how well it fit, before he started marching back towards the edge of the party. He didn't think he wanted to stick around any more and hoped he'd be able to keep his mouth shut about what happened. God forbid Anthea find out what happened... He'd never live it down.