Unfortunately, the burst of flame also choked out the fire once it ignited. Jade took a deep breath drank a plasma pack and tried to ignite the fire again.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823999_32b0f70b95_b.jpgEventually, she got the fire to burn steady and the ligth attracted some flies. Jade swatted away the pests.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402351_450b968b45_b.jpgJade wasn't human. She wasn't a mermaid. She was an elemental like her siblings, but that's all she had in common with them. To an extent, she enjoyed the time she had alone. However, her vampiric traits made it difficult for her to spend time in the sun. After her vampiric power started to manifest, she grow increasingly distant from her twin and the rest of her family. She was the Spirit of the Moon and at home on Land. Her twin was a merman and the Spirit of the Sun.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401346_f70c7b2188_b.jpgEven if Jade felt alone and spent much of her teen years distant from her family, she was not forgotten by them. Zeph decided to follow Jade into the forest.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717783_bc30e971ae_b.jpgWhen Zeph caught up to Jade, he gave his little sister a hug.
"What are you doing alone in the forest?" Zephyr said.
"I'm often alone at night because everyone sleeps when I'm awake." Jade replied.
"You aren't alone Jade. Me, my twin, your twin, your older sister, dad, and mom, we are all here for you."
"I know, but I enjoy the time alone."
"It's okay to enjoy some time alone, but don't be afraid to catch up with your family."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845645_cd16eeb393_b.jpg"By the way, have you heard the lastest song on the backyard station?" Zeph asked.
"I did, but I like the sound of nature and life on land." Jade answered.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401336_2c548614fa_b.jpg"It is nice to listen to the sound of nature. Sound, it travels through the air. If you ever feel really alone, just remember that. I'm the Spirit of the Sky, I'm always with you wherever you can hear songs on the wind."
"Thank you, it does mean a lot."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52316601867_2051d58201_b.jpg"Speaking of wind, have you ever tried to fly?!"
Zeph leaned back. "I can't say that I have."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317716848_5a8c785ffe_b.jpg"You should really try it some time. I always fly around as a bat!" Jade enthused.
"But, I can't turn into a bat. I'm more of a fish, remember?"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402281_638077ab65_b.jpg"Then be a flying fish! Fly through the sea and leap out of the water!"
Zeph didn't know how to respond, but he felt more energized listening to his sister's enthusiam.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402266_c1248be887_b.jpgJade continued to enthuse about flying. "You're the Spirit of the Sky. For you the sky isn't the limit. The limit is beyond the sky!"
Zeph looked up confused, but he couldn't help but feel a burst of energy.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717713_d3e19a2e28_b.jpgZeph pointed up. "You know that, as the Spirit of the Sky, I control the weather and seasons. I don't fly?"
"You are just limiting yourself thinking like that. You gotta be what you want to be, do what you want to do."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823084_1300feb214_b.jpg"You're right!" Zeph was getting pumped. "I can control space and time. I'm the Spirit of the Sky! I'm one of the twin forces connecting the worlds!"
"See, you gotta hold onto that, especially when you are on land! You are more than a fish out of water!"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52316601817_4f1323e749_b.jpg"What do you think? Was that motivating? Are you pumped?"
"That was such a weird conversation, but I feel so energized."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317716828_2eb27f912a_b.jpg"So, I gotta ask. As the Spirit of the Sky, can you really see all the worlds?"
"I can, but I have to concentrate to get a clear view of another world. Some worlds are easier to see than others."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402236_377d29b8e3_b.jpg"What about Granite Falls? Were you able to see this world before we got here?"
"I could. I can sense changes in the weather. Might be good if we get a little rain. In fact, we'll be getting a lot rain this week."
"Can't you do something to change the weather?"
"I would, but we need the rain. Don't forget, you're on vacation with a bunch of fish out water. We need it to be a little wet to stay on land."
"I guess I can respect that."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317844765_d87ee8af44_h.jpgAs the sun rose on the horizon, Jade headed back to the lodging to hibernate. As a bat flying through the cabin, Jade saw her dad. Out of everyone in her family, she knew it was easier for her to be on land and blend in with humans. It was clear that the rest of her family would inevitably struggle with human attire. Mermadic attire was a part of mermadic culture, and mermadic culture was a significant part of how her family lived in the sea and on the Islands of Sulani.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401251_9ddfae0471_b.jpgWhen the sunshine peaked through the trees, Juniper was wide awake and left for the national park with his girlfriend. Juniper and Kendra threw horseshoes.
"I hope spending time on land isn't too much of a struggle." Juniper said.
"To be fair, I don't think merfolk typically spend this much time away from a place to swim." Kendra replied.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845505_04800e268f_h.jpgKendra tossed the horsehoe and it just missed the metal rod.
"That was close." Kendra said.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402126_3297c51739_h.jpg"Here, let me try." Juniper held the horshoe up and aimed.
'This is actually kinda fun.' Kendra thought. 'I wish we had more games to play in the water.'
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845480_4676bdddd2_b.jpgJuniper threw the horsehoe and the couple watched it fly through the air.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717578_e1b9b39b97_b.jpg"That was nowhere near the goal." Juniper said.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845440_ef28bb35e4_b.jpg"Let me show you how it's done." Kendra held up the horseshoe and aimed.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317402061_9e5fa9158a_h.jpgKendra flicked her wrist. "You gotta throw it like this."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823034_5da4081858_b.jpgWhen the horshoe hit its mark, it disappeared in the dirt.
"That was a good shot!"
"It's all in the wrist."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845405_3bae8aa678_h.jpg"But, I had a little luck from my little sunflower."
Juniper blushed. "Maybe a four leaf clover would be more lucky."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52316601402_2d4848c1e6_b.jpg"I'm feeling a little dehydrated." Kendra said. "I'll head back to the cabin and soak in the tub after a cup off coffee. It's still really early."
"I think I'll continue to hang out around the park." Juniper said. "Are you sure you can make it a full week on land."
"I'll be fine. But, it is getting a little dry up here in the mountains."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52316600722_a23cff1350_b.jpgJuniper started to hike. He pulled out his phone and checked out the guides on local plants.
"So, there are a lot of unidentified plants around here." Juniper muttered. "I had no idea."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845170_7276ed364c_b.jpgJuniper walked up to one of the bushes mentioned in the guide and picked some of the strange plants. If anyone would figure out what these plants were, it would be the Elemental of Plants.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823569_3e7d1371e9_b.jpgFor his twin sister, Juniper wanted bring back some minerals from the land. For him, it was like hunting for buried treasure.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823544_f1c1960aeb_b.jpgJuniper felt the roots in the ground, a connection between plants flowing through the forest. He felt drawn deeper into the woods.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401771_079624647f_b.jpgEventually, he found a tunnel formed by intertwined roots and branches. It seemed to call to him from the deepest part of the forest.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52316601312_8b671532bf_b.jpgJuniper was familiar with hidden paths created by plants. After reconnecting to his element, he could feel the hidden secrets within plants, the portals and connections they created.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317716678_4729d81d25_b.jpgJuniper took the plunge and pushed through the tunnel of roots, branches, and leaves.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823464_ef34e3a8ff_h.jpgIn the deep woods, Juniper found a place almost barren of plants. However, the presence of the water and air elements was strong. He knew that his older brothers would no doubt be aware of this place. The plants seemed like new growth here, possibly a result of his presence.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401716_abeaacb0c6_b.jpgSoon, a storm started roll over the mountains. The rain offered relief to the merman. Juniper was feeling a little dried out.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845075_67b88978bb_h.jpgThe rainstorm turned into a thunderstorm, and Juniper had to leave for the Cabin. He planned on returning to this hidden place deep within the woods. At the cabin, Juniper soaked in a tub of warm water. He changed back into his natural form and relaxed as best he could. The bathtub was very cramped and his tail had hang over the side.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717188_c59ed94111_b.jpgBecause the thunderstorm wouldn't let up, Juniper and Kendra went to an outdoor theater near the cabin. The movie of choice was obviously Campground Massacre III.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317823399_0c424f735e_h.jpgThe weather helped to set the mood. At first, the couple was excited to see the movie.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401086_f5c503e89c_b.jpgThe guy on the screen gave the teens a warning about an Urban Legend.
"No one survives the Chainsaw Freezer Bunny." Juniper said.
"I don't think the Chainsaw Freezer Bunny is real." Kendra added. "Let me look this up to be sure."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401671_be52428a51_b.jpgAs the movie continued, Juniper turned to Kendra. "By the way, you look beautiful."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845045_52784d85a2_b.jpg"You are quite the catch yourself." Kendra said.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845030_cd980ce663_b.jpg"You don't think this Forest is cursed like the one in the movie."
"I can't imagine it is." Kendra reassured Juniper.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717138_4b5c719984_h.jpg"Honestly, it could be with all this rain. I really wish the sun would come out already."
"We shouldn't be talking while watching the movie."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401621_4bf956020d_h.jpg"Oh no, there's the Chainsaw Freezer Bunny." Kendra gasped.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317845005_bf50bb4693_h.jpg"He's going to get the Chainsaw." Juniper sobbed. "That was my favorite character too."
"He died too young." Kendra said.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317844970_a778d0e723_b.jpg"But, I know you would keep me safe if there was a crazy bunny man on the loose." Kendra flirted.
Juniper blushed. "No one would get through me. I would definitely keep you safe!"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401596_5b8daa65e6_b.jpgWhile teens died one at a time in the movie, Kendra and Juniper continued to flirt.
"And I would keep my sunflower safe too!"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317717028_aaecd96b66_h.jpgJuniper blushed. "Together, no one would get to us."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317844910_76609323fa_b.jpg"I love you so much." Juniper said.
"I love you more." Kendra said.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317822839_248230c7a1_b.jpg"Horror movies are all the same." Juniper said. "The group always splits up."
"Are you saying they should have stayed together?"
"Of course, there's strength in numbers."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401491_f1c89dac44_h.jpg"But, there's always a guy that tries to impress the girl with his bravery." Juniper explained. "They shouldn't take crazy risks like that."
"But, what if the girl does get impressed by his bravery?" Kendra asked.
"Still, it's better to work together in those situations. Bravery is great if you live, but not everyone is that lucky in those movies."
"True, they normally have major plot armor, or there's plot holes, when they do survive"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317716968_1b171c0fd4_b.jpg"Don't get me started with the plot armor and plot holes. Have you seen some of those B-rated horror movies? They are more like comedies because of it."
Kendra laughed. "I've seen a few of those."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52317401466_af9bc171cf_b.jpg
