Sticky's Destiny (WoE #9 Snowfall/Secret Challenge)

Write at the Merge gave us a snowfall and a revealed secret.

I'm happy to return to Sticky's world. I stumbled across a direction I wanted to take him and his friends and this challenge was an excellent starting point. We last met Sticky and crew pulling off the perfect chocolate caper for the Seeress.

I offer the following in response: Sticky's Destiny

Sticky dragged the satchel of chocolate bells through the Well, “Seeress! I’m back!”

“I know. The Pearl showed me.” The Seeress unfolded herself from the acorn throne gracefully, extending her silvery wings to their fullest length. They showed her age in the delicate patterning of iridescence and size at mantle. In truth, Sticky knew of no one who could remember when she was a hatchling.

He straightened, remembering his sister’s warning not to slouch. “Sellamina insisted I tell you. I, well my friends and me, we ate one.”

Her almond-shaped eyes reflected light like the obsidian glass of the Pearl. “One?”

He chewed his lower lip. “Maybe two? But it’s not our fault,” he added quickly. “The metallic skin peeled off.”

Her laughter chimed in the vacant chamber. She waived him over, excited. “Sticky-tagger, your fetching skills are improving just as I hoped. You’re almost ready.”

He passed her the handle of his satchel. “Ready for what, Seeress?”

“To join the Fetchers.” She withdrew a silver bell from the sack and cradled it lovingly in her arms.

“Me? A Fetcher?” Pride swelled his heart so he thought he’d burst. A Seer’s Fetcher carried great respect and honor in the clans, and there were only ten Fetchers in the Sundial clan.

“Yes, Sticky. I believe you would make an excellent Fetcher someday.” A solemn expression drove her smile away as she returned the chocolate to the bag. “But I must warn you: Fetching is a very serious and dangerous occupation. While it is a critical function for the Well, it carries with it the burden of secrets and responsibilities. Not all Fetchings are glorious. Some tasks will be boring, tedious chores, but they must be done and done well and promptly when assigned.”

“I can do that,” he agreed eagerly. “I can keep secrets for the Well.”

“Even from,” her tone was sly, conspiring, “your sister?”

Sticky never kept a secret from his sister before. He tried once, but Sellamina shot him her withers-butterflies-look and that was that. He scratched his head. “Would I have to? Really?”

“For her safety, you might.” The Seeress looked through him and his skin crawled. “Oh, Sticky-tagger, my favorite-born of the Trin, it would bring me the greatest joy imaginable to keep you sheltered from the ills of the world. If only I could spin you another cocoon, one that could forever protect you, to shield you from your future, your destiny. That would be magic unheard of for a millennia.”

Destiny? Future? Suddenly, becoming a Fetcher was at the bottom of the list of things he wanted to do. “I don’t think I understand Seeress.”

“Your destiny was foretold to me by the Pearl. But it’s a matter for another time, when you’re ready.” Sticky wanted to ask further, but the Pearl seemed to awaken at its name. The Seeress peered into the glow. “Ah, delightful! The weather is changing again. We’ll have snow yet.”