Kai

Kai was immediately recognized by his dazzling eyes. The swirling pupils left most stunned and bewildered. The shy fae tended to tug his hat down further over his face if anybody dared stare to long or point them out. They were beautiful, that's what many people said, but he wasn't quite sure why they had to stare so hard. He had delicate features and a small stature that most might consider feminine and while he didn't see a problem with that, it didn't help him much with the intrigued looks he received.

His desire to avoid stares was part of the reason he hid away in the small forest cottage to begin with. He didn't need attention, in fact he wished he didn't get so much of it. Now only the trees saw his swirling gaze. And...well...his sister and the familiars they both cared for. He didn't fear their gazes, they were family. In fact, after so many years, the trees were family as well. He formed a bond with the forest he took up residence in.

He adored his life surrounded by nature, he found it to be so very fulfilling. Every morning he woke up just as the sun peeked out over the horizon. He donned his apron and his sunhat after brushing out his long, luxurious hair. He took great care of his appearance, grooming almost obsessively to ensure there wasn't a hair out of place even if the wind might tousle it the moment he stepped outside. He'd wake his sister Hazel after his meticulous grooming session and urge her to come along despite the fact that she wasn't an early riser like he was.

Ready to embrace the day, he stepped out into the meadow surrounding his humble cottage to start his morning routine. By then, his sister Hazel was awake and put-together enough to join him. He was only content when she was right there at his side though she did steal away into the forest from time to time while he was cooking as she couldn't be bothered to wait while he did all the work. He could excuse such a thing though he missed her deeply when she was away.

Behind the cottage was a garden tended to religiously by Kai. Hazel was more inclined to pick flowers rather than grow them but these flowers weren't for harvesting. He grew them with tender love and affection, ensuring their their petals were bright and healthy. The delicate little fae took a liking to flowers as they were quite similar to himself in a way. They, however, didn't wilt away from staring eyes and compliments the way he did. He supposed he could learn a lot from his confident plants. While they weren't for plucking, the fresh tomatoes and other vegetables were. It was a harvest day and the crops were ripe and ready to be taken in for meals.

Ripe red tomatoes were almost reflective they were so shiny and bright. Carefully Kai collected them from the vines, placing them in a basket helpfully held by his sister. Some of the tomatoes were a vibrant yellow, boasting a different color and flavor than the red ones and having a different use in cooking as well. Kai knew what all the colors tasted like and how they altered when cooked. Despite how similar potion-making and cooking was, Hazel could never wrap her mind around all of the different tastes and what they meant. Her brother was fluent in such things.

A soft bell-chime sounded just as they were moving along to where the shallots were planted. Lifting their gazes, both siblings locked their green eyes on Belle, the oh-so-cleverly named Bell Goat familiar that belonged to Kai. The creature created a recognizable chiming with each step as its hooves met the flat stone path leading into the garden. It was like soft music carried in the wind until it stopped abruptly as the goat did. Belle huffed, copping an attitude as she always did if Kai didn't wait for her before he started the harvest. If she wasn't around, how would she be able to eat the discarded scraps and dead leaves peeled back from healthy crops?

With a quiet laugh, Kai reached out to pet her atop her head while offering up a small bundle of discarded plants. She eagerly took them into her mouth, chewing on them as if they were a delicacy. For having a chef as a keeper, she enjoyed almost exclusively 'garbage' for her meals. Kai didn't mind as it meant a reduction of waste but he did wish she didn't turn her nose up at homecooked meals. Hazel snickered and taunted her poor taste in food but she was promptly ignored.

Moving on, they plucked up shallots. Kai brushed the dirt off of each one, careful not to leave too much behind so it was easier to wash later. Insects scrambled around the ground in a panic where he had uprooted the crop and he muttered a soft apology to them for disrupting their homes. While he preferred cleanliness, he didn't much mind the dirt on his claws. Something about the earth was different when he was working in the garden. He would obsessively wash himself clean after the visit to the garden regardless as he needed to be spotless before cooking anyhow.

As they day grew warmer, the garden lost every ripe fruit and vegetable it had tirelessly grown. Kai replaced each and every plant with a seed, mounding dirt over while Hazel fought Belle off of their pickings. His work was finished and when questioned about why he neglected to water the new seeds, he pointed at the sky. Much to Hazel's surprise, there was a thick gathering of storm clouds starting to roll in overhead. It had yet to block out the sun so she hadn't noticed it.

"Sometimes I think you are more magic than I am." She teased him, drawing a shy blush from his cheeks. He was pleased to hear it though as he had been nothing but painfully normal regardless of the swirl of his strange eyes. To be told he might be magic, even if she was just teasing, it brought a smile to his face. He liked to think there was something special about himself and his connection with the earth. He didn't know his parents so he wouldn't be able to ask them just why he looked the way he did or what it might mean. In the end, he decided it didn't matter. In the end, he was happy where he was and how he was.

He beckoned Hazel inside as a drizzle started to wet the ground. Belle trotted along happily, her chiming sounds non-existent on the soft grass and soil. She had a new bundle of discarded leaves in her mouth and dropped bits all over the ground as she followed behind the siblings. Neither of them noticed as that trail continued into the house. Kai would notice later and instead of scolding his familiar, he would diligently sweep up the mess with a smile because he wouldn't dream of complaining about any aspect of the beautiful life he lived.

Lore by Azabelle #161232


Chibi, headshot and plushie art by Osstali

Gijinka art by tehstripe