A Day off

A day at the beach was exactly what Valeria needed after what was possibly the longest month of her existence. Surely others would’ve realised by now not to make deals with a witch they couldn’t live up to but no, so she had to make, examples, out of them which actually was all in the contract said unfortunate souls signed so it’s their fault in reality. 

Ultimately though it had dragged the week out, runes had to be recast and new sigals in places of older more ruined ones were updated to ease workflow. Bless her young apprentice Echo and her darling girlfriend Suki for helping out, Val was one of few to know about the twos relationship since well, and Aphex with a Dephx wasn’t exactly the most common of things but Valerian didn’t care so long as they were happy, plus Suki was wonderful. Even Bumble, the big cuddle bug, literally, had proved his use helping to deliver and carry stone carvings and other supplies around this busy week. 

So a she thought day off at the beach wouldn’t hurt to take, especially since Suki had expressed not visiting the ocean before and Echo was beside herself with that knowledge, she truly wanted to give her girlfriend everything it was sweet. So Val had simply told them they would have a day off and she was going to use the ruin teleportation circle to take them where they needed to go, the two young girls trusted Valerian of course and Bumble even decided to tag along. Now Val watched from besides Bumble as Suki and Echo played within the shallows, splashing each other and giggling like lovers do. Val had picked a place she knew wouldn’t get too much attention, there were vicious creatures lurking in the waters around here which didn’t make it the usual spot for happy family’s but if anyone even dared to approach Suki well then Valerian made quick work of dismissing them. 

“Lady Blackthorn!” Suki came bounding up with Echo not to far behind her. “You really must join us the water is perfect, I even caught a fish in the shallows” The Dephx exclaimed happily but Echo let out a bark of laughter from behind.

“Yeah a fish that you caught and promptly ate without a second thought the poor thing!” The Aphex playfully shoved at her girlfriend. 

“I do apologise some of us have to eat and not just photosynthesis” Suki raised her hands and mocked what was probably meant to be a flower dancing in the wind but it looked ridiculous and only caused the two to giggle more. 

“I do appreciate the offer Suki but I much prefer sitting in the shade with Bumble here, it seems we both aren’t too big of a fan of the heat today” Valerian hummed as she put a hand in the creatures soft fur, it simply replied with a soft buzzing sound but didn’t look up, he was much to happy laying curled around Valerian and her snake tails to care. 

“Then my lady why did you take us to the beach?” Suki tilted her head slightly.

“I overheard your conversation my dears, I have seen every corner of this world and experienced it all, I simply wish to relax on my own time” Suki opened her mouth to speak again but Valerian continued. “It is much more enjoyable for me to watch you two experience things for the first time and bask in your happiness, it is almost like a strange form of relaxation and brings me much joy knowing I can help the two of you live your dreams” The older Aphex continued and Echo let out a small huff of laughter.

“You’re going soft in your old age my lady” The young Aphex’s eyes crinkled at the corners which Val knew was a sign of her smirking even without the need of a mouth. 

“One must never discuss a ladies age” Valerian replied back with a wink before waving her hand at the two. “Now go, enjoy yourselves you deserve as much” 

Honestly Valerian felt rather content just sitting with Bumble drawing out runes in her spell book whilst Echo and Suki played in the sand. Everything was perfect, no one was around and the world seemed blissfully unaware of the monsterousitys that lurked on its surface even if it was just for this moment in time. 

“Er-Erm excuse me miss?” A voice spoke up from behind, Valerians snake tails whipped around first and let out a warning hiss before the Aphex herself slowly cocked her head. “So sorry I didn’t mean to alarm you guys!” A rather short for their size, Xoede stepped into view rubbing the back of their neck. 

“Well out with it then, that’s why you’re hesitating is it not? You aren’t alarmed about myself or the close proximity to a dephx so whatever you have to say get on with it” Valerian said rather abruptly which took the Xeode by surprise.

“O-oh erm, I was a Dephx in the past, that’s why I’m okay” They offered but Valerian just raised a brow and motioned for them to continue. “I was going to ask for your friend's help, I lost my bag of sea glass I was collecting for a friend and could really use a hand, my paws are a bit too big to sift through the finer sands” They continued.

“That is all?” Val asked as her snakes seemed to look at eachother almost confused. The fact was she had a charm on herself currently with a truth rune etched into it, only so she could tell if anyone with ill intentions was trying to play her or her apprentice if they’d dared approach. Not only that but she’d also cast an aura before sitting down to keep most people away so they could have peace, so for this Xeode to get by without worry meant they were genuine.

“I apologise for my rudeness before I am most cautious” Valerian spoke softly as she stood and brushed herself down before extending her hand. “Valerian Blackthorn”

The Xeode seemed to perk up instantly at her change in attitude and shook her hand. “Pier! It’s nice to meet you, don’t worry about being rude I knew you had some kind of affliction or something up I just didn’t want to startle you guys” They admitted. “I only have a tame affliction but I can sense auras around others, I knew yours was faked that’s why I came over, I’m too curious for my own good sometimes” They chuckled lightly. 

“It is wise to be curious or we would never have pioneers or adventurers, let me introduce you to my apprentice and her girlfriend” Valerian said as they walked to join Echo and Suki on the sand, neither of the two seemed alarmed in the slightest at Piers presence, they knew to trust Valerian. “Pier this is Echo my apprentice”

“A pleasure!” Echo perked up.

“And her girlfriend Suki” 

“It’s nice to meet you” Suki bowed her head slowly as a sign of submission. 

“It’s nice to meet you both and to see a Aphex and Dephx relationship again, I was a dephx in my previous life and my other half of my heart was an Aphex” They said fondly. 

“That’s really sweet, I hope you two were happy” Suki said with a small smile. 

“Yes, I still visit his grave everyday to talk to him, in fact that’s why I came to ask for help” Pier spoke up. 

“Oh you are in need of assistance?” Echo tilted her head.

“Yes please if you wouldn’t mind, I was collecting some new sea glass for Azure, my other half, to decorate his grave as he loved the ocean and finding hidden treasure. But I lost my bag of the glass I had collected and well, my paws are clumsy even after all these years and I just can’t sift through the finer sand as well as I used to” They huffed out a small laugh. 

“Of course we can help you! Right Suki?” Echo almost bounced in the balls of her feet from excitement. The dephx simply nodded with a smile as they both looked to Valerian for approval.

“Well of course you can, why’d you think I brought Pier over” She rolled her eyes in an amused fashion. “I need to complete my work though so I do wish you Goodluck, I’ll be back under the tree if you need me for anything” 

“Thank you ma’am!” All three of them echoed at once before falling into a fit of giggles at their joint choice of words. 

So Valerian just made her way back to her spot besides Bumble under the tree as she listened to the sounds of laughter and excitement from her girls and newfound friend. She idly drew a rune in the sand that would give them good luck and fortune on their find, not that she’d ever tell them she’d helped though. At the wind catching her fur and curling around her Valerain hummed lightly before tracing out another rune in the sand that as quick as she’d finished it got blown away by the same breeze that had curled around her. 

“I’m sure Pier knows you still love them Azure, they know you’re still watching out for them even from the heavens” She hummed softly as the breeze wrapped around her once more before trailing off in the direction of where her girls and Piers were searching for sea glass. 

This was why she’d become a witch. For the good things in life.