Chapter Text
The forest was quiet.
It was often like this before dawn, the twilight sky the only indication of the approaching daylight. It was at this hour that Connor went outside for his walk. It was during this quiet, calm moment that he finally felt at peace, his anxiety, anger, and frustration all melting away into the silent air. He left a note on his aunt’s door, just in case he wasn't back before she woke up, and headed out the door.
The teen couldn't help but exhale in relief, feeling the cool morning air rush around him, his breath billowing into the darkened sky. He stepped onto the grass, being wary of the flowers his aunt had planted by the house. There was a frost forming on the various plants, his grey boots making a rhythmic crunch as he walked to the edge of the village. It echoed in the silence and was like music to his ears.
“Winter should be here soon.”
He glanced back at his village, the little windows on the tiny huts still dark, as nobody was awake at this hour. He smiled. The people here were almost like fairies, in a way. Most had powers or some significant connection to nature. He felt his gaze fall back to his feet which were peeking out from under his grey cloak that flowed around his ankles. He pulled his hood up and over his shoulder length hair, starting to walk into the forest, the grey, tattered garment billowing and whisping behind him like smoke.
Connor knew he wasn't like them.
They had told him that many years ago, the village scouts had heard a baby crying in the woods. After seeking it out, they had found a newborn baby with pitch black hair and skin, and bright, glowing yellow eyes, abandoned in the recent snowfall. He wasn't one of their kind and they had no idea where he had come from.
But they were a kind people, immediately warming the baby and taking him in. They had named him Connor, which meant “Child of Shadows” in their native language. It made sense, the boy figured. He did look like walking silhouette. The village became his family and home. The people became his aunts and uncles.
It was nice.
Connor looked around him and froze. He didn't recognize this part of the forest. He was so lost in thought, he had wandered into an unfamiliar part of the woods. The boy would often pride himself on how much of the wooded area he knew by heart. But right now, he was lost. And alone. And scared.
Then he heard it.
A distant sound, coming from his left. Curiosity overcame his fear and he went towards the noise. The closer he got, the louder the sound became. After a bit, he could finally make out what it was.
Humming.
It was a tune he didn't know, but it was beautiful. He felt entranced by the soft pitches rising and falling to some unheard beat. He saw a light coming through a break in the trees, pushing forward through them, allowing his eyes to settle on the source of the humming.
Connor was caught utterly breathless by what he saw.
A girl sat on the grass, tiny sparkling lights dancing around the clearing and illuminating the area. A pair of beautiful, bright, rainbow eyes watched the lights and seemed to twinkle and shine with each note she made. Her hair was the same color as her eyes but with a metallic tint, each color melting into the next. It fell to her shoulders, which were exposed to the cool air, as her blue shirt was sleeveless. It only seemed to come up to right below her chest, giving him a view of her exposed, dark silver-ish skin on her stomach.
But, damn, those WINGS.
They were huge, the rainbow of color flowing from the base of them to the very tip. They were so similar to butterflies wings, the colorful membrane separated by bright silver lines.
She was… the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
It took the boy a moment to realize she had stopped humming, his attention pulled back to her eyes.
She was staring right back at him.
Though he was shocked, and somewhat embarrassed, at being noticed, he found he couldn't tear his eyes away from her’s. She smiled, patting the ground next to her and continuing to hum.
Connor was wary, but slowly stepped forward. Each inch bringing him closer to the girl. He found himself standing beside her, allowing himself to sink to the ground. He listened intently as she hummed the same, soft tune from before. Though he didn't want to interrupt, his curiosity took over again.
“What is your name?”
The girl stopped humming and turned to him, smiling.
“Opal. My name is Opal.”
He felt a smile creep onto his face.
“Opal…” he whispered, allowing her name to roll off his tongue, “that's a beautiful name.”
Her eyes went wide and she blushed, which was somehow also rainbow colored.
“Th-thank you,” she brushed some hair out of her face and turned again to him. “What's yours?”
His eyes turned up, in that way they do when he is happy or excited.
“Connor. That's my name.”
Suddenly, a voice called from the woods causing Connor to scramble to his feet.
“I-I'm sorry, I gotta go, my aunt is looking for me! Bye Opal!”
She waved behind him as he ran towards his aunt’s voice. He practically tripped over a branch as he broke through the trees, almost tackling his family member to the ground.
“Connor! Where have you been, my boy?” She ruffled his hair, something she did often.
“I left you a note, auntie. Did you not see it?” She placed her small hands on his face and squished it, kissing his forehead.
“I saw it, my boy. I was just worried because normally you are back before daytime.”
He glanced down. He didn't intend to stay out so long. He knew his aunt got worried about him easily.
“Sorry auntie…”
She patted his head and grabbed his hand pulling him back to the village.
“It's quite alright, my boy. Did you have fun on your walk at least?”
Connor glanced at the trees that he had come from, feeling his smile return.
“Well…” the girl's face flickered across his mind, making his smile turn into a grin, “I made a friend.”