The Forgotten Zodiac

"They'll quit, I promise. I'll protect you," Gabe promised. "I want to catch more butterflies."

Manny shivered. Some part of him wished that these children would just go away already, just leave him alone. But...they didn't. Gabe and Manny sat there for what felt like an eternity, until finally, Aries decided to check on her son.

"What in the name of everything good in the forest is going on here?" She shouted, which stopped the rock throwing at once. "You lot...better scurry back home before I catch you. Or so help me...I'll skin your hides and use your scales for my boots!" She screeched at them.

"We're not scared of you, rabbit!" The oldest boy snapped back.

"Oh really...?" Aries raised a brow.

By the time she was done, the other children had long since run for it, and the oldest boy was tied to a tree. "Now then. You'll sit here and think about what you've done." Aries finished her knot. "Or you can apologize, and I'll untie you right now."

"I don't apologize to anyone, you crazy woman!" The boy thrashed. Aries shrugged and turned away. "Gabe, you did a very good job in protecting yourself and Manny. Are you boys okay?"

"I'm alright..." Manny murmured, though he had a nasty bruise on his forehead now.

"I'm fine, mom," Gabe said. He had watched closely as his mother sorted out the issue at hand, and now watched the manakete boy with some interest. Then, he turned to his mother. "Want me to catch the tree on fire?" he asked.

Aries smiled. "I think that's a good idea. He'll be found much faster. But...the smoke will probably scare off the butterflies. Didn't you come out here to catch some?"

"I still have one," Manny held up his catch. The butterfly had rested on his finger. It was still moving, obviously, and flapped its wings once or twice, but didn't seem very intent on flying away. "His name is Pann. He likes my finger."

Gabe nodded. "So fire it is," he said, then cast the spell quickly. The leaves were quickly ablize, before he seemed to realize something. "WAIT. WE'RE ON THE SIDE OF THE FOREST WHAT HAVE I DONE."

((That was more Hannah talking than Gabe. XD))

"You're insane! What kind of foresters would set fire to a tree?!" The boy screamed, thrashing and kicking and trying desperately to get free.

"Well...you could cast a protection spell on the other trees," Aries suggested, frowning a bit. "Ohh, Sylas isn't going to be pleased..."

"Hang on, I can fix it!" Gabe said, hitting his forehead a few times. "Oh, oh, it was a rain spell, right there, right in my book next to the... oh oh oh, what was it..." He struggled for a few more moments, before waving his arms and muttering something.

He got a thunderstorm, but it seemed to work well enough.

"ARE YOU STUPID?!" The boy shrieked. "I'm gonna get hit by lighting! You...I...I'm sorry, okay?! Just untie me already!" He wailed, kicking more.

Gabe watched as the fire on the tree was put out, then muttered something different under his breath that caused the clouds to part. He looked up at Aries. "...he said sorry."

"Yes, he did. Although I think it was more out of fear than anything else. I suppose that's the best we can hope for." Aries nodded thoughtfully. "It's your call, Gabe. He was the one throwing rocks at you. You can decide whether to let him go or keep him there."

"As long as he promises not to bother Manny anymore, he can go," he said. He looked to the manakete boy. "Well?"

"...okay, good enough for me," Gabe said, trotting over to Manny. "Let's take the butterfly to Sylas, right?" he said, taking hold of the mannequinn's free hand.

Gabe took hold of Aries's hand, keeping hold of Manny's with the other one. He smiled up at her, then headed up the stairs to their room.

"Let's go!" Gabe declared, rushing off to the greenhouse.

"We got you that butterfly!" Gabe said, pointing wildly at the insect as it fluttered around. "YOu see it? YOu like it?" he asked.