Page 122 of Beyond The Maples
Farra hops up to rip the canteen out of his hands, and I frown. Leo is talking into the hole, droplets still plopping out over his hands.
"Come on, don't make me look like an asshole," he mutters.
Just as I'm about to take Leo to the infirmary for absolutely losing his mind, a thick glob of water slops out of the canteen and into Leo's hand.
I watch, utterly in awe, as the water blob twirls in his hand. It looks like water, clear and faintly blue at once, but the consistency isdifferent. Gelatinous, almost. My eyes widen as Leo whispers to it, and it sways. Taking form in his hand is a tiny being. Arms and legs sprout, and drip with water. Its round middle bounces from side to side as it finds its balance. A head pops out from the round center. It glows faintly, reflecting any light that it catches. Tiny eyes blink open, while it stretches and yawns.It fucking yawns.Like it's just waking up from a lovely nap.
Farra squeals, backing up.
I can do nothing but blink, standing at the edge of my bed like a statue.
"So, umm. I found this little guy lurking. In my cup. In my room. He's a..." Leo seems a little lost for words.
"He's a sprite," I finish for him. Creatures that have been gone for half a century, at this point. Creatures that, even before the war, had been shy and elusive.
"He's a sprite," Leo confirms.
The little creature seems to scowl, and shakes his drippy arms, sending soft water droplets everywhere.
"Oh, sorry. He's awatersprite. Which is..." He points to the water still dripping off his hand in consistent slow drops, "... obvious, I would think, but apparently needs to be clarified." He shrugs.
"And you found him… in a cup?" Farra asks.
"I think technically he, um, was in the pipes. I heard a thunk when I was getting water, but I didn't think anything of it until I went to take a drink and got smacked." Leo chuckles, looking at the little creature endearingly, like they’re old pals.
Farra and I stand there, speechless.
Leo raises his palm, and gives the sprite a look.
"Well, my new little friend, these are my best friends, Farra and Maple." He points to us, and the little creature does a spin, water circling him like a tiny tornado, and then folds himself into a bow and... was that a wink?
"It’s... nice to meet you. Do you have a name?" I ask.
The sprite looks perplexed for a moment, kicking at the puddle forming in Leo's hand.
"We'llfigure out a name for you. Don't worry," Leo says, giving the sprite a soft smile.
"Leo... what do we—how are we—what?" Farra can't form a complete sentence, and I don't blame her.
My mind is working on overdrive. This has to mean something… wait.
"Leo, has anything else weird happened to you? Other than finding the plant and our new friend?"
Leo slumps slightly, and gives me a guilty look.
"Leo," I scold.
"I'm sorry. Forgive me for not wanting to tell you every little odd thing that happens, after last time..." He gives Farra a pained expression. "I have had a few strange things. Mostly weird feelings. Tingling fingers. I woke up in a puddle of sweat the other night, but it was way more water than I thought humanly possible. I thought maybe I was getting sick..."
He trails off.
"What else?" I can tell there's more.
He sighs and sits on the bed, careful to keep his hand hovering away from it, so it doesn't get everything wet.
"You're going to think I'm crazy," he says.
Farra jabs her finger towards the creature he's holding. "Highly doubtful after this."
