Work Text:
As a toddler, Solar's curiosity knew no bounds. Each secret, knowledge, and hidden code, Solar was determined to uncover. Growing up, he would solve every puzzle he could find - even the crossword puzzles his grandfather enjoyed. His parents were so impressed by his academic achievements as a child, as he attended school and excelled in every subject. Due to his gifted mind, his education had to be accelerated. Furthermore, Solar, as well, was an eloquent individual: he was a gifted writer, a persuasive speaker, and fluent in more than 7 languages such as English, Tagalog, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian, Korean, etc.
Because of his gifted mind and ability to excel academically without difficulty, Solar had developed a sense of superiority and narcissism. So, one day, his parents decided to take him, along with his two siblings, on a vacation in a forest, where his parents owned a log cabin home, far from things that might distract him.
While walking in the woods with his older brother and younger brother, Solar pointed to a medium-sized tree with three veins arranged in opposite directions. There was a dense hairiness to the petioles of the leaves and the stems of the plant as well. Its fruits were dark purple drupes with yellowish flowers.
"Ah, Cinnamomum javanicum flower," Solar began, eliciting a groan from his companions. "Traditionally, it has been used as a medicinal plant in conjunction with the Kadsura scandens flower to treat stomachaches, as well as to induce abortion. Despite my lack of spirituality, indigenous tribes burn their roots to release fumes that repel evil spirits. The root of the plant can also be used to treat fatigue and chest pains.."
"Dude, shut up. We're here to enjoy our vacation," Solar's younger brother, Blazey complained.
"Clearly, Mom and Dad were wrong to believe that that nerd would keep his nerd shits in his head in a forest with medicinal plants growing all over." Solar's older brother, Thundy snorted, walking away from his younger brothers. "Better get back to the log cabin than suffer hearing shits I won't even use even in a million years."
"That's where you're wrong, older brother. In order to survive-" Solar tried, but his brother had already walked away from him and Blazey, giving them a slight wave to brush them off.
"Ya know, around 2,000 people get lost in the woods each year, but Thundy would never be one of them, bro." Blazey laughed beside Solar, giving Solar's back a brotherly pat. "But wait up, bro Thundy! I don't wanna be stuck with bro Solary alone in this forest!" So, Blazey quickly ran after their older brother. "He speaks worse than an old man!"
His lips could only heave a sigh as he watched his older and younger brother leave, following his older brother's footsteps. With only a book about "The Alchemy of Herbs" in his hand, he was left alone. Since he was not in the company of someone who was constantly annoyed, and with someone who loved hearing the sound of their voice, he would be better off finding a peaceful place where he could read.
"How did you know that this tree was capable of soothing stomachaches?" Suddenly, his ears were alerted to a curious question, which he answered instinctively.
"I am interested in the medicinal and study other uses of plants." As he replied, he turned to look in the direction where the curious voice had originated from.
"Waah! Study?!"
There, beneath the tree that had made his siblings lose interest in his company, stood a teenage boy with innocent, wide, emerald eyes. Brown glossy hair covered his head. A metaphysical glow emanated from his porcelain skin as if golden fireflies surrounded him. The mysterious boy was of a slight build and shorter in stature than Solar, which he knew made him ideal for tucking under his chin. The boy wore a garment that resembled a dress made of flower petals, which Solar could smell from where he stood barefoot. It was soothing. Like a blooming sunflower in summer, the boy's face was elfin and bright. In spite of the boy's beauty, Solar was most intrigued by his pointed ears and the filamentous, transparent wings sprouting behind him.
Could a butterfly crossbreed with a human?
It was highly unlikely that such an event would occur. Additionally, he felt stupid for having even considered the idea.
"How do you study?" The elfin boy's filamentous, transparent butterfly wings fluttered as he flew towards him. As the mythical creature steadily landed in front of him, he asked with curiosity, "Do you dance when you study? Do you sing and hum with the plants and flowers when you study?
The mysterious boy's already bright emerald eyes were even more vivid, demonstrating his genuine desire to learn what Solar meant when he mentioned the word "study". As a result, Solar couldn't help but be captivated, taken by the supernatural being standing, and eagerly awaiting his answer.
Thus, Solar finally opened his mouth, ready to provide an answer.
"There you are, Solary!"
A concerned voice rang in the clean air of the forest, startling Solar and the mythical being before him. Consequently, the being quickly pushed himself away from him and ran into the deepest part of the forest until ultimately, his appearance and presence disappeared without a trace.
As Solar gazed at the scene where the creature disappeared, he was unable to call or ask for the being's name at all.
"Solary, are you all right?" His mother asked, and he did not even notice her standing before him, cupping his cheeks with worry on her pretty face.
Enchanted, Solar was.
"... I..."
"Honey, you shouldn't-"
"Mom..." He started without looking at his mother's face at all. His gaze remained fixated to where the fairy had disappeared into.
"We should head back to the cabin. I swear I will scold your siblings for leaving you-"
"I think... eloquence is Inferior to Supernatural..."
"... er... what?..."
For Solar, an eloquent individual, was enchanted by a supernatural being called a fairy.