Twil exits her workshop with a scowl, slamming the door behind her. “Where is Marrow? I need to hit something!”
Nox perks up from where he rests in the sun, keeping watch over the gardens and basking in the warmth. His fur glistens. “Why do you always go for Marrow? Is this about the ducks again?”
“No!” Twil stomps towards Nox instead, fists clenched and ready to start a war. “... He’s just fun to hit when I'm frustrated.”
“That's unhealthy.”
“...” Twil plops down beside him, his soft fur brushing her cheek. “I got stuck again. The idea fizzled. I'm so close to the end!”
Nix’s cold nose against her neck makes her whine, “End of what, my love?”
“My story… but I need so much help. I don't know how Root does it. She has these ideas and she can just churn out stories with hooks and depth like anchors in a storm. And I…” Twil sighs, rubbing her eyes against the sunlight. “Did you have to pick such a bright spot?”
Nox chuckles, nudging her with his nose once more. “You're just dark and pouty today, aren't you? You shouldn't compare yourself to someone else's progress. Look at what you've already accomplished on your own. Everyone needs help, my Love. We know that better than most. Root’s journey is not important to you.”
“I know… I just…”
“My love, you feel so deeply. Your escape from your world is entwined with characters so rich and full, who wants to be parted from them? That takes time. You get so frustrated because you want to finish, but you know the finish means you must leave them behind.”
Twil sighs at last, peering up at the wolf. “When did you get so wise?”
Nox gives a toothy grin. “When I decided to keep you.”
“Keep me? Am I your pet?” a playful nudge of her own.
“My love, you are no one's pet.” Nox shakes his fur out, shifting human once more.
“I still need to work… there's so much to do.” Twil’s wings start to twitter nervously.
Nox is quick to grab her shirt around the collar and pull her up to his face.
“Unhand me at once! Brute! Lemme go!”
“This is the real reason you like picking on Marrow. He's more your size.”
“Nox!!”
Nox watches his flailing fairy with a growing smile, eyes glittering as she shrills. “So feisty for such a little spark.”
“I'll show you a spark! Lemme go!”
That entices a laugh. “Oh, I've no doubt, but if you hurt your hands, you'll have more trouble getting your first book out. Come on. A little fresh air will do you good!”
“Ayiiie!” she flies through the air with a flick of his wrist. The shock of it nearly has her careening towards the ground as Nox shoots out a hand to catch her again.
The last second has her wings working and she flies around his head like an angry bee, a trail of dust in her wake making him glitter for a moment. She wraps her arms around his neck, her cheek pressed against his. “Go for a flight, my love, the answers will come.”
“And if they don't?”
“Speak with Root, or catch another idea-”
“If Marrow’s ducks don't eat them.”
“My love,” a tilt of his head has her sighing again.
“Alright. A flight.”
“Perhaps your story isn't ready to end either, which is why it gives you trouble?”
Twil freezes on his back. “You mean I'm missing something?”
“Are you?” He prompts, fighting a smile.
Twil kisses his cheek forcefully, squishing his face. “I adore you.”
“You figured something out?”
“Maybe… it's still ruminating.” Nox sees the light forming at her temple. He wonders if she even knows. It flickers faintly. “Breathe, it'll come, Love.”
The light fades as she sinks back to the ground with a heavy sigh. “It’s no use… I’ll never finish a story, be published…”
“Why do you think that?” He joins her back on the ground.
“Because,” Her voice breaks. “Because there’s just so much. I don’t even know where to start.”
“My love, you do.” His arms wrap around her tightly. “Just write.”
“But I don’t know what to write!”
Her whine only makes him smile. “Oh, my love, my love, my love…”
“No, I really don’t. There’s- it starts out so strong. I can see all the major plot points. I can see point A,b,c,d, but then it gets all muddled on the journey.”
Nox opens his mouth but she pushes her hands against his mouth.
“Don’t even say ‘the journey is the part of the fun!’”
He pulls her hands away, “I was going to say ‘it’s the point.’”
“That’s even worse!” Twil tackles him in a flurry of glittering dust and black fur.
Nox only laughs, holding her at bay with a hug meant for bears.
