A world in colour

In a world where everything is black and white, color is known to take hold when one meets their soulmate. Still this does not make the hunt for the 'one' any easier, the key is they eyes they are known to be the first hint of the truth.
Atrel x Connor
Teenager Connor is stuck on the camp his parents sent him to to 'fix' what's wrong with him. Atrel winds up in a mushroom ring very close to the camp and the young human comes across him seeking to escape the camp even for a little while.
Kat x Kit
With her brother in line for the throne, Kat feels more comfortable wandering around the human world on her own. On one of her trips she finds Kit sketching more treehouses
Nero x Vi
Deciding that he's in need of an assistant, the royal healer Nero takes a trip to the warehouse to see what's on offer and finds Vi.

He’d been in this hellish place for exactly 2 years, 6 months, 5 days, 23 hours and approximately 4 seconds, he was always aware of the time, his going away ‘gift’ from his mother had been the watch that was bound around his wrist. The only thing that made life bearable was escaping into the forest for a few hours to listen to the Walkman that his sister had smuggled into his bags along with plenty of batteries to keep it working. Sitting up in the tree mostly hidden by leaves, the 16-year-old had had gone through battery after battery and was starting to reach the end of his stash and so his listening to music had to have become rationed. His favourite band of choice was Queen, whom his parents insisted were evil and served the devil, but the singer Freddie something about him resonated with him, as if sensing some kind of a kindred spirit in a strange way. He couldn’t make a sound whilst listening, he wasn’t about to risk being caught and punishment, considering his luck it might be the type that happened to boys who didn’t behave, he he was punished whenever anyone else was although never that severe type and thus had taken it upon himself to look after the broken boys. Helping them meant he was getting less punishments, there were many strict classes they had to go to as proper education was still important, and having been at the camp the longest he was good at helping the others. Unaware of the significance of the mushroom that had recently grown in the clearing close to his tree, the boy had a carefree smile on his face for once.

Opening his eyes to check his watch as it wasn’t worth the risk of being late a figure out of the corner of his eye caused him to panic, sitting up too quickly and slipping from his bough he’d been balanced on his first priority was to check his precious music device was alright, thankful it was he looked up and went pale. There was a stranger there, scrambling up onto his feet and hiding his walk man behind him he backed up against the tree staring wordlessly at this man he didn’t recognize, was he part of the camp? He didn’t seem to be wearing the type of clothes the workers at the camp usually wore there. The unnatural beauty of the stranger took his breath away before he flinched slightly at his thoughts, these sinful thoughts were why he was here, he deserved to be punished, the long time at the camp had taken its toll. Turning to hide the Walkman inside the hollow of the tree and covering it up with dried leaves he started wringing his hands trying not to fly into a full blown panic that would not help him in the slightest. Still his mouth had gone dry and he couldn’t unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth and his teeth in order to form coherent words, he wore very simple but hard wearing clothes and was slightly on the skinny side, there were bruises visible all over him although his face seemed to have been spared. In shorts and a t shirt with shoes that looked worn and a size too big he couldn’t tear his eyes away from whoever this stranger was although his survival instincts were trying to break through the shock to take him back to the camp. Even if he did run away what if this man was new and had been sent to find him? No one had ever found his secret hideaway before but there was a first time for everything. Finally able to free his tongue he spoke in a rush “I’m sorry! Please don’t tell them I was out here” he could only presume that the stranger had seen him listening to his music “Don’t take it away please! Please!” would getting on his knees and begging make it more favourable? He wasn’t sure but he started to visibly shake at the thought of loosing his lifeline.

It almost seemed like the attractive man was just as shocked as he was although the expression and facial movements were a lot more subtle than those he was used to. “I’m not supposed to be out here, I’m not supposed to listen to music that isn’t approved. You’re going to tell them and I’ll be punished” panicked his voice was hoarse and high pitched, the shock on the mans face seemed to vanish as if he were packing things away in his mind something Connor was quite familiar with. Briefly able to move when the stranger looked away, he took a few steps back until he bumped into the trunk of the tree fairly certain this was some sort of cruel joke and he was about to get the beating of his life, or worse chosen for the monthly punishment. Despite being seen as black and white he managed to go paler and he shook his head to himself, nonononononono that couldn’t happen it just couldn’t, he didn’t know if he’d be able to keep going if that happened to him he’d seen how it’d shattered others and he was so very tired of everything. It was getting easier and easier to just commit and believe everything they taught him, it hurt less and he was so sick of being hurt, whatever they wanted him to do he’d do, “I’ll do anything, please, please don’t pick me for the monthly punishment, I’m begging you” he’d clean the bathrooms with his toothbrush, sweep the dining hall clean with a paintbrush, anything, anything. The monthly punishment wasn’t optional, all of the boys had to gather and watch, and his gaze became haunted remembering the screams, none of the others would have anything to do with the selected victim afterwards he was the only one that’d go, look after them and help them through it but he doubted any of them would dare return the favour. His legs wanted to give way, wanted to let him curl up in a ball and rock back and forth but he couldn’t that kind of behaviour would be punished.

It took about ten to fifteen minutes for him to calm back down again, finally able to breathe again and feel like he wasn’t about to faint he was able to answer the question “The people who run the camp” the man appeared to be telling the truth and had sat down which helped reassure him he wasn’t going to be in trouble which allowed him to talk more about the camps true purpose. “Officially it’s a skills building camp, really we’ve showed signs of homosexuality which is a sin according to the bible and are here to be cleansed of our sins. I’m the son of the leader of the church, so whenever anyone else is punished I am too, save the monthly punishment” at that he shut up and didn’t say anymore, if this man was not part of the camp then he wouldn’t care. Slowly sliding down to sit on the ground he wound his fingers into the grass “I’m sorry I freaked out, this camp is going to fix us” avoiding the others gaze he took a few moments to breathe knowing he needed to start heading back soon before he was missed. He’d just bothered whoever this was with all his personal baggage, it was pathetic, he was just going to have to chalk it up to the stress of what was going on. He needed to get up and so he sent the command to his legs, he needed to stand but they didn’t move, he couldn’t move, run down and exhausted he felt all the more guilty that he was pushing this on to someone else, apologise and leave, get up. Now. Rubbing the still healing deep slices on the insides of his wrists and just wanting to cry until he fell asleep, he continued to try and order himself to get up, to no real avail.

Knowing he needed to get back or risk punishment, blue eyes flicked to the spot where he’d hid his single most prized possession before the boy beat it, heading through some shrubs, he always went as different ways as possible so as not to alert anyone to what he was doing. His ability to lie and manipulate had greatly increased ever since getting here, along with his ability to fake things, to the point where he now taught the other boys how to do it, how to survive. Meanwhile Katherine was sitting out in the royal garden with some tea and a checklist, sipping the tea she’d long resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn’t find colour, and even if she did it’d be with someone undesirable. There was enough faerie controversy around without her adding to it, there had been an uprising several years ago and she was highly aware that there was a lot of scrutiny of the royal family, colour would just unnecessarily complicate things. It’d just brought herself and her brother a large amount of pain, content with how her life was she’d recently taken more responsibilities, eager to help her parents out more and privately wishing to be picked to be the heir.

Katherine was in her quarters; she’d recently had a room converted into a study and was presently at her desk sat writing on some papers having recently taken on more work to lighten the load on their parents. There were slight bags under her eyes that were hidden with expertly applied make up, she wore a lovely burgundy and cream dress with her tiara neatly perched upon her black hair that was shoulder blade length and pushed back over her shoulder to keep it out of the way. In short it appeared to most that nary a hair was out of place, underneath however she worried ceaselessly about her twin, and what she’d felt earlier had stressed her, although by now she was better than he was at hiding what she felt from him. She’d had to or the guilt that came from him hurt her far more than anything else, it was easier to work later into the night than to lounge around eating grapes and doing nothing at court but socialize. Unable to focus on her work anymore, the princess got up and headed out into the Royal Gardens with a book she’d been slowly getting through, sitting down in a quiet corner in the sun her wings stretched out happily. Two pages in and she glanced up at the brief flash of colour she’d noticed out of the corner of her eyes, snapping the book shut she looked over her brother “it’s been a while” she could sense that he didn’t want to talk about why he’d been away or what he’d been doing, there was a reason why he was here and it wasn’t to shoot the breeze and just chat for the sake of it. He looked paler than usual, whatever had happened was to do with the disturbance she’d felt from him earlier while in her office, unsure of what else to say as there seemed to be nothing she could say, Katherine flicked her gaze away not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

The words he spoke surprised her and invoked a feeling of envy that was quickly stashed away, inhaling sharply she looked up at the sky puzzling over it before she came up with what she wanted to say “Once upon a time I didn’t believe in fate when we were human, but now after everything, I believe differently. It’s him, isn’t it? Conrad. You’ve found him twice, I only ever found you. I can’t tell you what to do Trelly, but I’d give anything to see colour and find someone, don’t squander the gift. I know you’re probably worried about being hurt again but you’re older and wiser now, you wont let things go that way again” it’d been a while since she’d talked so much and to let him understand how she felt, Kat lowered the mental brick wall that kept her emotions away from him. Letting the envy she felt, the pain, and the hope, if he’d found Conrad again perhaps there was still some hope for her. She only allowed it to happen for a few moments before the wall was back in place, wiping away the tears that had dared prickle her eyes, the princess just wanted her brother to be happy, and colour was a chance for that, a chance she felt she wouldn’t get again. He was the best she ever was going to get, she should be grateful that she at least had him in her life still, things had gotten so much harder after they’d gone to where they’d died and remembered their past lives but it was something she’d dealt with on her own, managing to be happy for Atrel who’d found Conrad so young so easily. Swallowing and pushing those feelings away for what felt like the millionth time, Kat offered him a quiet smile “I wont tell you what to do, brother, the decision is up to you” she loved him so much and just wanted the best for him.

Listening to his quiet voice, Katherine just hugged him “Now you’re just being dense, humans can easily be petted, turned or more” ruffling his hair gently “You’ve gotta make your own choices, I’ve said my bit and now its up to you. To decide what you’re going to do” letting him go Kat stood and sighed to herself. It really wasn’t her place to tell her brother what to do, he had to make his own choices, and while personally she thought he should go after Conrad again there was no use forcing Atrel, he’d only dig in his feet or leave all together. Deciding to leave him to it for now she offered him a final smile and left, heading inside once again.

The tug in his soul had kept him awake all night, the next morning he could feel Conrad pulling at him urging him to follow the call back into the forest. He could hear his voice in his ear whispering encouraging him and as usual, it was hard to resist, even though he’d get in trouble he ditched his shovel and turned walking into the forest and as soon as he was gone from view he broke into a run searching for the source of the tug. As he ran he could feel Conrad running along next to him perfectly in step, the closer he got the more his soul felt free from the prison he felt trapped in, a gleeful smile spreading over his features almost able to feel wings attached to him spread out and helping him fly. Slowing down to a walk as he reached the tree where he’d hidden his music, he looked around searching ever searching for whoever, whatever had called him here, “what is it? I’m here” he murmured to himself turning around he didn’t see anyone and felt a stab of disappointment, turning and reaching into the hollow of the tree he pulled out his walkman, turning back around he spotted someone out of the corner of his eye and stopped freezing until he recognized the man from last time. Why was it that his imaginary friend had brought him here, he didn’t dare entertain the notion that this stranger somehow had power over him, that he was drawn towards him. No way, Conrad was his imaginary friend in his head, his only friend he’d just imagined that tug surely, still he couldn’t stand here frozen staring at him, “uhh hi?” he didn't believe that the man was a threat, as he hadn’t been punished when he’d returned back last time, if the dark-haired man was working for the camp he would definitely have had his Walkman broken.

His friend who was always by his side spoke to him encouraging him to talk to the stranger, “Sorry if this is rude but, who are you, why are you here, no how did you get here?” no one wandered these forests and there were tall chain link fences with barbed wire at the top patrolled by guards with their dogs to prevent escape. He had no real idea how on earth this person managed to get in once let alone twice, he rubbed the side of his head rather perplexed over it, at the very least he had Conrad with him this time. The presence of his friend by his side gave him some more confidence, his simple question had wound up becoming several one after the other which he felt a little guilty over. Whoever this man, he owed Connor nothing especially not answers to his probing questions, was this stranger the thing that he was being tugged towards? The tug that sometimes felt like it was its own voice inside of his chest, luring him away into the unknown, where he wanted to go if he admitted it to himself, away from this camp, his father his responsibilities everything, it promised freedom and happiness. Why was it this man before him that had been calling to him without either of them realizing it, some how it felt like he didn’t have all of the information.

Well he was thankful the stranger had answered at least one of his questions he hadn’t really hoped for all of them to be answered, “escaping the nut house for a few hours, I’ve dug nineteen holes in two days I’m sick of digging” not particularly understanding why he of all people would make someone curious, Connor tucked the Walkman into his pocket with the headphones around his neck “Well. If this is a trick by them, thanks for not tattling on me, I like not being in trouble” although that had never stopped him from wandering the forest that surrounded the camp. His feet were getting itchy from standing still for too long, glancing about almost warily the boy started walking  “Probably best if I keep moving, I wouldn’t stop you if you wanted to come with me” against his better judgement he was curious too, he wanted to know more about whoever this was, why the stranger had become curious about him. At least it was still summer, he was dreading winter as he always did here, the rooms were never warm and they still had to work out in the snow one kid had gotten hypothermia and nearly died in the previous winter, and because he was here to suffer he suffered more than everyone else. What was the point in talking about it or even thinking about it though? It wouldn’t change anything, and now this tug that made him feel like he was being ripped apart in two different directions. It didn’t matter that he wanted someone to talk to, to reach out to and it definitely didn’t matter that Conrad wanted him to interact, it was safest to not get his hopes up, he was hurting enough as it was without adding more to his burden.

The strange joined him quietly, it was perfectly obvious to him that the short man was thinking about things that he didn’t wish to think about so he spoke again  “I’m Con” it was an attempt to try and distract the other male as best as he could. Whoever he was, the stranger represented the unknown, where he himself wanted to go so desperately, away from all of this, even now he could feel Conrad beside him, inside him encouraging him to fly free. He tugged his brain away from that line of thought and changed the subject  “you’ve found a heck of a place to turn up in you know, this place is supposed to be impossible to get in or out of without someone knowing about it. Can't have kids escaping after all” his tone was lighthearted and joking as that was the easiest way to deal with things. He felt nothing for the other boys trapped with him far more interested in taking care of himself even though their bad behaviour brought him more pain, he had to survive this to get back to Tess, in all honesty, if he wasn’t such a fucking coward and he hadn’t had her to worry about he would have taken the easy way out, several times he’d tried only to chicken out. Absently his hands moved to rub at the scarring on his wrists without him registering the movement,  “At least its not winter yet” he had to remain as positive as he could despite how much he was being hurt and the things he had seen by now if he wasn’t then his world got darker so he relied on a dry dark sense of humor with some positivity scattered through it.