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Robyn loved rainy days.
Perhaps it was a testament to the fact that they lived in one of the driest states before moving to attend Dahlia Academy. They didn’t like to think back on their hometown. A small community with the same people from childhood to adulthood. The same parents who left and came back to raise their family. The same faces. Same ideals. Same beliefs. For such a small town, they’ve always felt alone. Stuffy.
The city of Dahlia was a refreshing breath of fresh air. It’s a large city with new people and new faces with fresh beliefs. Different. Despite the sheer size of it all, Robyn was able to find a few people they could call their friend.
But they digress.
Robyn sucked in a deep breath through their nose. Deep breath in. And out. They couldn’t even be too mad about their missing umbrella. The rain this afternoon was a light drizzle. They wouldn’t get too soaked if they didn’t stay out of the shade for too long. For now, they stand under the shade of the library building. Just outside the entrance. Away from anybody’s way—alone in their own world. Their hand sticking out to feel the light drizzle of raindrops. Feeling a trance as they let their hand get soaked.
Drip drip drop little April shower.
What can compare to your beautiful sound?
Beautiful sound...
The voice pulls them back into reality and Robyn quickly withdraws their hand from the rain. They shake it off on the ground, careful to not splash any innocent students walking by.
“Hello my little raincloud.” The voice continues, closer this time. They turn around to spot an unfamiliar face, peering down at them with a low grin. This individual wasn’t much taller than Robyn—not quite towering over them like Damien did, anyway. Just a few inches made the difference. There was nothing about the individual that made Robyn wary, though, so they smiled back. “Can I help you with something?”
Robyn shook their head, “Your voice sounds nice.”
“Oh, so you heard that?” He didn’t seem too bashful about being overheard. While there wasn't anything physical that made Robyn wary, there was something about his voice that made their skin crawl. Perhaps it was the lazy drawl of it. Or the way that his blue eyes seemed to pierce through Robyn’s own dark ones. Like he wasn’t...quite seeing them . Not as a person. “Well thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”
Robyn shook the thought away, deciding that they were being far too anxious and jumping into conclusions. Everybody had been so lovely in Dahlia. Even the Incubus they met at that 7-Eleven wasn’t too awful. Surely this stranger wasn’t any different.
“I was just... inspired by the current weather.” Robyn nods along and his grin seems to widen. “Water elemental, y’know. It comes with the territory.”
Their eyes widened. It was their first time meeting a water elemental. Their excitement may have flashed brightly along their countenance. A flaw of sorts of theirs. It was something that Damien constantly pointed out—something that Gavin constantly teased them about on the offhand. The man’s face lit up as well, a flash of excitement running through the nonchalance in his expression.
“Why don’t you come sit with me? I can use the company.” He stands beside them now; just close enough to brush his shoulder against theirs. “Usually I, uh, prefer to be alone. But for you...it’s an exception I’d gladly make.”
Robyn thought about the bus they had to catch. It was still very early; by pure luck, their Professor let them all out early. They liked to arrive at the bus stop early though. In the case that their bus did arrive early too.
“Um...I don’t know…” They replied, eyes downcast as they began to fiddle with their fingers. A nervous habit that they picked up from way before. “I have a bus to get to and…”
“Oh come on, please ?” The water elemental cut them off. “Just for a bit.”
Robyn glanced at the watch on their wrist. It’s old; a dumb gift from their parents from when they graduated high school. They kept it purely for sentimental value. Even if they aren’t on speaking terms with their parents, it was a nice gift nevertheless. “...I...I think I can spare a little time, then.”
“Well, thank you.” He peers back towards the library. “I know just the place to sit and watch the storm roll in.”
His eyes drop back to theirs. The same lazy drawl as before. Filled with nonchalance, despite the pushy tone he had. “Sounds fun, right?”
Robyn follows their gaze, nervous, but nods along. “...Yeah. It...It does.”
“Perfect.”
“Here we are.” The water elemental stepped into the veranda first. Robyn stuck behind, trailing, as their heads darted around the library floor. Nobody spared them a single glance. Too busy with their own coursework to care about two strangers walking around. They stepped inside anyway, following the latter into the veranda. “I love the smell of the rain.”
The door shuts behind Robyn, leaving them fully alone with the stranger.
“I’m Kody, by the way.”
Robyn opens their mouth to introduce themselves, but Kody lifts a hand up to stop them.
“At the risk of being forward, I, uh, I already know your name. Robyn, right?’
“Yeah. Um…”
Robyn flushed. They didn’t think anybody around here knew about them. No one other than the usual people they spoke to anyway.
“I...Do I have a reputation?” They questioned, hoping it had nothing tied with the Incubus. Gavin wasn’t anybody to be embarrassed about—far from it, but Robyn would implode on themself if people were gossiping about their sex life. Or lack thereof. Because nothing has happened. Gavin just liked to hang out and mess with them.
“Well, yes, you’re getting a bit of a reputation already. All good things, I assure you.”
Robyn bit the inside of their cheek.
Should they be pleased by this news?
They make a mental note to ask Damien about it later. They doubt that Damien pays attention to the latest gossip flying around campus, but maybe he could make better sense of it all.
Robyn’s eyes widened as the dots connected in her mind. Kody...the water elemental? Their eyebrows furrowed. If their sudden change of moods were overt, Kody didn’t seem to notice as he drawled on. Damien mentioned he was a creep but...maybe it was just his own anger getting the best of him?
Kody did make them nervous. Just a bit. He was a little pushy.
“But, really, I knew who you were from orientation. I didn’t do so well in my first semester here, so they made me go again to this semester’s orientation meeting.” He makes an indescribable motion with his hands. “Seems they thought that I needed to... reassess my class choices.”
“Oh.” Was all Robyn can say in return. Maybe this was the same Kody.
“Our last names must start with the same letter because I was in the same line as you.” Kody turns on his heel this time, turning to face them. The smug grin still curls his lips as he does so. “Right behind you.”
The words send a shiver down their spine. Robyn’s hands curl around their shoulder bag strap. Tight, as a way to ground them and to keep their mind from running too far away. “...Y-You could’ve said hi then. Orientation was...was a bit—a bit terrifying alone.” They mumble, stumbling along the words.
Their mind was screaming for them to get out but all Robyn could do was play along. Maybe if they didn’t act out this situation would go by faster.
Kody shrugs his shoulders. Either he was far too dense or he was willfully ignoring the discomfort settling over Robyn’s bones.
“I gotta say, and again, I hope it’s not too forward, but your magical signature was quite strong. Those couple of times we got pushed close together, your aura really lit up in my senses.”
They try to run through their memories of orientation. There wasn’t anything that stuck out during that day. Robyn was all alone during orientation. They didn’t really speak to anybody that day; mostly too nervous to be able to speak to anybody properly. Robyn just got through orientation and then went home without trouble. They would’ve lived the rest of their life without knowing Kody was right there .
“I’m not particularly practiced but I believe it felt like...freelancer?”
Robyn nods, speechless. Their mouth feeling far too dry. Like somebody had stuck a large cotton ball into their mouth. Maybe they were just being too paranoid. Maybe Damien’s words were just getting in their head. Kody did mention he was often alone—perhaps he just wasn’t the best at social cues.
Robyn repeated that in their mind like a mantra. Forcing themself to think that way.
“So, well then, in that case, your future is wide open. Is that exciting, or daunting?”
Robyn nervously slides one of their hands to the nape of their neck. Basically jittering with nervous energy. “Well...a bit of both, I suppose.”
Kody hums. “I get that. Well, not the same way, exactly. But, uh, I can understand how that must feel. What kind of classes did they dump you in?”
It’s Robyn’s turn to hum. “I have psychokinetic manipulatory studies. That one is a bit...tough.”
“Ah. That class didn’t quite work out for me.”
“I heard.” Robyn’s eyes widened. Kody’s eyes drifted back up to her eyes; a gleeful mischief twinkling along his blue eyes. “Erm. I-I...I’m partnered with Damien, this semester. For that...for that class. He, um, mentioned you.”
“Oh really ?” Kody didn’t seem too mad at least. “Well, how sweet of Damien to say so. We had different goals with the class. Let’s put it that way.” Kody pauses, thinking over his next words. “And different levels of interest in general. Suffice it to say, we were just different . I wish you the best of luck in dealing with that perfectionist. You’re gonna need it.”
Kody refers to Damien with such venom in his words that Robyn figured there actually was a problem between the two. No matter how much Damien shook it off. And no matter how much Kody treated the subject with nonchalance. Maybe it had something to do with their opposing elements. Damien said it didn’t work that way—but, Robyn could already see their differences. Maybe their elements did have something to do with it.
“He isn’t all that bad.” Robyn explained, waving their hand dismissively. As nervous as they were at this moment, they couldn’t just let Kody talk badly about Damien. “He’s my friend.”
Kody purses his lips. Their words didn’t seem to reach him, especially as he shrugs the words off.
“How about your Elemental Control Studies? How is that going for you?”
“I…” Robyn furrowed their eyebrows. “I didn’t mention I had that class.”
“Hm? Oh. Well,” For once, Kody looked to be the one unsure of himself. “Uh, I-I was just guessing. That you’d be taking that one. I mean, you’re going for a broad course of study. Taking that one class makes sense.”
Robyn nodded along, forcing themself to brush the paranoia away. “R-Right. I...well, you guessed right. I do have that class too.”
“Are you getting any help from our hot-headed friend? He kept trying to meet up with me when we had that project. Is he hounding you?”
Robyn nodded, chuckling lightly. The topic of Damien was enough to calm their nerves just a bit. For one, they can finally focus on the light drizzle of rain. “I wouldn’t say he’s hounding me but we do study together a lot. He’s a good study buddy.”
“You’re with him that often,” The words are careful, almost mumbled under his breath. From the corner of their vision, Robyn noticed the twitch of his hands. “And he hasn’t driven you insane, yet?”
“No.” They replied. “Not yet, anyways.”
“Listen, I know we just met but, a word of advice. If you can find a way, you may want to distance yourself from that flamethrower.” Robyn opens their mouth to say otherwise, but Kody doesn’t give them the chance. “He talks a big game about being more than just a mouthy hot head, but some things are innate. The same flame that can offer warm comfort will burn if you get too close. Fire is indiscriminate, single-minded and dangerous.”
“I…” Robyn purses their lips. They couldn’t find the right words but they knew deep in their soul that Kody was wrong. That the same things can be said about water. The very same water that can save you from a fire will also drown you, after all. Fire and water were not much different from each other.
If only they had a pair to say those exact words to Kody.
“And I might not know you very well but I know I don’t want to see you in any kind of danger. A kind soul like you. You deserve better.”
“Thank you, Kody but…” Robyn bites the inside of their cheek. “But I don't think Damien would purposefully hurt me. He isn’t a bad guy.”
“Hm.” Kody pursed his lips.
It was frustrating. To feel as if your words weren’t quite reaching the other person. Whether it was their own dense nature or their own ignorance. They grit their teeth, watching as Kody steps further out into the veranda. Towards one of the tables, dry under the shade of the veranda above them.
“Tell you what, if you have to spend so much time around that fireborn maybe I could at least give you a little training of my own. A little experience in water manipulation could go a long way towards putting you on equal footing. And if nothing else, if he starts to get mouthy you’ll have a way to, uh, douse that flame of his. What do you say?”
Robyn was curious. Being a freelancer meant that they were able to dip their toes into different types of magic. Fire was something they were able to try under Damien’s watch—reluctantly, to say the least. He was worried that they would light his apartment up on fire. They glance at their watch again. There is still time.
“I...I should probably get going.”
“Oh come on, it’ll be quick and easy. I’m a good teacher and I know you’ll be a wonderful student.” He motions to the spot beside him. “Think of it this way, the best way to learn about elemental manipulation is from an elemental of that type. For your final, you’re gonna have to exhibit control over all four of the elements. So practice with me could only ever help, right?”
Robyn nods, moving to the space beside Kody. “Yeah. That, uh, that makes sense.”
“Good. I’m glad you agree. One second.” He looks behind her, towards the door. Robyn turned, just quick enough to see water reach around to lock the door from the inside. They turn back to face with a questioning look. “There we go.”
“W-Why did you lock…”
“I-I just wanted to make sure that no one disturbs us.” He chuckles. “See, technically this veranda is for honors college students but it doesn’t get used much and no one ever actually checks if you’re an honor student. So I like to come up here.”
“I...I see.”
“In today’s case, there’s no better place to be. With this view of the storm out in the open air. So close to the rain as it falls it’ll be easy to draw on water abilities here.” He draws their attention back to the table. “What kind of things have you tried so far? Have you tried creating water yet?”
“I’ve managed to move water. Um, sorry, nothing too advanced though.”
“No need to apologize. It’s an advanced skill for a human-born in particular. That’s a big step.”
“...How,” Robyn pursed their lips. “How did you know I was...human born?”
“Hm? Oh. Well, I heard that during orientation too. My apologies. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“No, no. It’s okay.” Robyn reached up to fix their hair. “Um. I didn’t think you’d remember something like that.”
“Guess I just have a good memory.” Kody turns away, reaching a hand out towards the table. “But back to practice. Let me just get some rain water.”
With a single motion of his hands, Kody draws up some of the rainwater falling from the sky, holding it steady before letting the puddle drop onto the table. Careful to not let it splash on the two of them. “There we go. A lovely little puddle in the middle of the table for a lovely little elemental novice to practice on. So let’s start.”
Robyn nods. Any red flags in their mind had disappeared now. Easily distracted by the promise of learning more magic. A selfishly naive part of them that bent at the promise of more . They ready their aura.
“Coalesce the water into a shape.” Kody starts.
“Erm...What...What kind of shape?”
“Whatever shape is easy for you. Like a sphere,” Kody flicks his wrist and the puddle of water bends to his will. It curls into a sphere, just as he said. “Or a column.” Again, it shifts to a column. “Or a cube.” Again. “Or an amorphous blob.”
Robyn chuckles at the odd shape the water had taken then.
“Whatever comes naturally.” Kody drops the water on the table. “Give it a shot.”
Robyn nods. They reach their hand out, willing for the water to take into the shape they wanted. A sphere sounded easy at least. So they focused on that. It was shaky but they could see the light shape of a sphere beginning to form.
“Okay. There we go.” Kody praised before the water dropped to the floor of the veranda. The water splashed both of their shoes, though they were already wet enough to begin with. “Oh, lost it.”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drop it.”
“That’s okay. There’s plenty of water to practice on, and all the time in the world. Just you and me in the water. Close your eyes.” When they pass him a skeptical look, he passes them a smile in return. “Go on, close them. I’m here, you’re safe.”
“Please don’t play any tricks on me.” They mumbled, unable to get one of Gavin’s recent pranks out of their head.
“Good. And I promise—no pranks.”
Robyn nods and does as told.
“Now, focus on the rain. The smell of it. The sound it makes. The way the humidity feels on your skin. Focus on those things. Let them take hold in your mind.”
They do as told, letting themselves forget about everything else around them. Their mind focuses on the light drip-drop of the rainwater above. The pleasantly, ripe scent of rain enveloping their senses. The humidity was light, nothing too awful. Just enough to be aware of the weather.
Robyn jumps slightly at the feel of a hand wrapped around their own. The hand is unbelievably cold. Long and thin as it envelops their hand. They open their eyes in surprise. Dark eyes landing on Kody’s hand wrapped around their own.
“You’re okay. I’m just taking your hand in mind. It’s okay. Close your eyes.” His reassurances were enough to let them drop their guard. They do as told, letting him hold their hand as they shut their eyes close. “Perfect.”
Kody’s hand warms around their own.
“Now, the rain. Focus.” His thumb gently rubbing their hand. “Open your eyes slowly. Look at the puddle, but hear and smell and feel the rain.”
They do as told. Slowly opening their eyes and keeping all of their senses focused on the rain.
“Now try again. Don’t force the water to move.” Kody explains further as Robyn turns their attention towards the rainwater. “Water pushes back against resistance. Guide the water. Encourage it. Show it the path you want to flow into. Water is persistent and patient and thorough. You have to show that you’ll play by its rules. That’s how you unlock its potential. When you work for the water instead of trying to make the water work for you.”
Robyn keeps his words fresh in their mind. Letting the rain wash over all their senses. Letting it fill their mind until it was all they can think of. They carve a path for the water as told. Carving a sphere with their mind as they help guide the water to follow their whims. Finally, just as explained, the water does as asked. A collection of rainwater, stopping mid-air to do as Robyn guided them to do.
“There you do. You’re doing very well.”
Robyn grinned at the praise. Perhaps their initial wariness was just their own paranoia getting the best of them. “Thanks, Kody.”
“I’m sure Damien doesn’t give you the credit or praise you deserve. Just another one of those many ways we are different.”
Much like earlier, Robyn let the rainwater go. This time, in a more careful manner. They watch as the water carefully drops on the table. Forming yet another puddle. “I...I told you, Damien isn’t all bad. But thank you for teaching me this, Kody.”
“Whatever you say, Freelancer.” Kody still hasn’t let go of their hand. “Alright. Should we try something a little more advanced?”
“Wait, really?”
Kody nods with a light hum. “The air is humid. It’s full of potential. You just have to show it what you want. Guide it to take the shape of a puddle on the table instead of a molecule suspended in the air. Bring them together. Bind them together.”
“I-I don’t know if I can do that…”
“Here, I think I can help.” Their eyes nervously glancing down at their joined hands. He reaches out for their other hand to hold—the two of them joined together. “Your hands are already in mine. Our auras are in contact. With a little effort, we can bridge them. You can draw on some of my energies. I’ll let you.”
Robyn keeps their eyes on their hands. Bridging auras was not a topic they’ve heard of before. If it was that simple, why hasn’t Damien tried to bridge with them before?
“We haven’t known each other long but I feel like I can trust you with that.”
“W-wait, what—”
“I’ll initiate it.” Kody smiles, his hands tight around their own. “Just hold still.”
A rush of aura fills Robyn’s body. A foreign feeling—as if they weren’t truly themselves. It was...not the best feeling. Their breath comes out shaky, still getting used to their aura being filled with another person’s. Or maybe it was...something about them and Kody becoming one?
They don’t know.
It doesn’t feel right.
Robyn’s body felt...not entirely their own now. Kody was... here . Inside of them.
They couldn’t tell how they could tell but they can.
“Can you feel your core’s rhythm changing? Matching mine? The water should feel different now.” Kody’s voice sounded different. It didn’t sound as if it was coming from him. Like...he was speaking from inside of them. Inside their mind. His voice filled their mind until it was all they could hear. The rain became a dull background noise. “The water should feel less like an inanimate thing and more like a friend. Something you know. Something that will answer you.”
A shudder runs down their spine.
“Try it now. Guide the water to form on the table.”
He wasn’t wrong. The water felt more comfortable now. It was as if they were born a water elemental and not a Freelancer. They did as told easily. Water from the humidity around them formed with a flick of their wrist. Willing the water to form a puddle on the table.
“Perfect. You’re a natural.” Kody smiles, blue eyes peering down on them once again. They looked darker than before but there was a twinkle of glee shining through them. He looked excited at the sudden turn of events.
“Thank you.” Robyn replied, but their voice didn’t sound quite like their own. Their senses feel dulled yet their body felt like it was buzzing with the promise of bending the water.
“I think you might’ve been able to do it even without my help but I appreciate the trust. The intimacy. Like I said, I tend to be alone. It’s refreshing to be this close to someone. I get that as a human born you might not know some of the... implications of bridg—”
A knock from the other side of the door interrupts his statement. Robyn turns towards the door, eyelids feeling heavy as they look over the direction. A chuckle slips past Kody’s lips as the two of them turn to look at each other once more.
“It seems we’ve been caught after all. Shame.” He clicks his tongue and the sound of it resonates throughout Robyn’s entire body. Were they always this sensitive to...to everything?
“I feel like we were really getting somewhere. But we can always try again, later. I’d love the chance to get to know you better. I hope I get that chance.”
More knocks. Robyn was beginning to feel more like themself with every passing second. Not quite right but almost there. A bitter taste settled onto their tongue, making it hard to find anything else to say back. He bends down to level his eyes with Robyn’s. There are flecks of brown on his blue irises this time—the same shade of brown as Robyn’s. Weird.
“I’ll take care of the angry administrator. You sneak past once I open the door. Sounds like a plan?”
Robyn nods, barely grasping at the words he’s saying. He cups their face, chuckling darkly at their reaction.
“Perfect. Then I look forward to our next session. My little raincloud.”