Keepers of Knowledge - A Fairy and her Goo

It had become late and after the work in the study ended, Ina was busy reading up on information about the goos that lived in Sunnyglade, especially compared to her home. They were a lot more sentient in her dimension. „Hmm, so the native goos don't develop cores at all. But doesn't that mean they lack any kind of mind whatsoever. Where do they think?“ Ina mumbled her thoughts, deeply immersed in her studies.
Runa's work was finished too, she was already the last to leave, as she had to keep order. But that didn't stop her to look for new fun later. With Leah gone on an errand and Vivien out to get her mad with her elemental mischief, Runa decided to pick on her little pet in return. Ina wasn't new in the study, but she was boring. Runa knew a lot about those goo things, and all she knew were stupid for the most part. Just because Vivien told her otherwise about this one, could still mean she was wrong. Now if Miles had said that, the story would be different.
Runa found ina in a backwards area of the study, cuddled in a pile of books she had taken from the shelfs. Hoping to get her way, she flew over and looked at her from a distance.
Unaware of her new audience, Ina continued to muse about herself. „Maybe if I find one, I could study a core from this world and find a way to help mama, err... Undine.“
Runa heard her talk about a mama and an undine in one sentence, but she also understood a maybe adoptiv relationship. She wafted over the shelfs and towards her, but remained high in the air to stare down in safety.
After a while Ina closed the book and sat there, simply looking out the window, again lost in her thoughts and self-reflection. „I really miss home. The lakes around here don't feel right.“ Ina had no idea she was being watched.
Runa still felt indifferent about the little goo. Nothing to like her, nothing to hate. She even waited for something interesting. Maybe she needed to make it interesting herself. She moved onto the bookshelf right next to the northern window and sat down on the top. Maybe fairy magic could help here, it did spice things up in the past, especially when she let nature run its course. Despite her thoughts, she waited for something else to happen first.
Ina stretched herself out down below, before she looked at her blue heart-shaped crystal core. „Well home is were the heart is as they say.“ Her joke didn't make her homesickness strike her down less. „Well I might as well do some study on those annoying gummy's!“ She tried to cheer her reflection in the window up. „This might have some benfit!“ Quickly Ina grabbed another, smaller book on the gummies the two researchers wrote and opened it.
Runa saw Ina grab one of her master's new books about the recent curses and that one wasn't even finished. Angered about this disrespect, she intervened. „Hey goo-brain, don't sully master Miles' books!“ She flew off the bookshelf and came storming down to rip the book out of the goo girl's hands.
Ina jumped at the declaration and dropped the book in shock. „Huh! What, who are you?! Vivien didn't mention we had a fairy here.“ Ina said, rather certain of her declaration and quite startled at the fairy's sudden apperance. Vivien had mentioned Runa before, but not her race.
The angered fairy didn't even answer her at first, she swiped through and grabbed the book, which she easily carried and closed despite her four inch size. „Stupid goo! Runa saw you several times. How can you forget the beauty that is Runa!“ She posed for Ina to admire her grace. The book stood beside her... slightly taller.
Ina herself was about two foot in height now, thanks to here gummy encounter and food intake, but still was surprised by the fairy's sudden appearance. „Erm, sorry what was it ...Runa!? But I've never seen you before, and also the pile of books here, including the one you have, were what I was allowed to use by Vivien to study. Now, if you please, I still need that for my research.“ Her meek disposition didn't help her against the cunning fairy.
„No!“ Runa grabbed the gummy notes with new fervor and flew off to the top of one of the bookshelves to drop it there. She chimed back from up there. „You~ don't~ get~ Master ~ Miles'~ books~. Goofinger!“ The last word didn't carry any vocal grace, only its intended insult.
Ina rubbed her head, surpressing her emotions for the moment. „Goofinger, really? What are you...“ The goo girl tried to reason. „I've been reading books from here for the last week or so, and not one of them is damaged by my hands.“ Yet, ultimately she gave in to her frustration with the fairy. „Now hand it over, I need that book to find a way to help Undine!“ Ina literally screamed with her whole body.
„A stupid goo stays stupid. That is no book about undines.“ Runa stood flippantly on the book atop the shelf. „But Runa could show you one. She knows this study in and out. Of course only if you do something for her in return.“
„My gods, you don't listen, do you? I already know more than enough about undines, I was raised by one. For Neptunes sake, I need to read up on a way to help her by using other races traits!“ Ina took a figurative deep breath. „But if you really want to help me, what do I need to do.“
Runa sat down on Vivien's and Miles' book. „Let's play a game. My dare is all the knowledge, even those of my master. Yours is your loyalty to me. No take backsies!“ Runa was in her element and even droped her cutesy act.
„Sorry, I'm already loyal to Vivien. She has earned it. You have not!“ Ina jumped off the table and onto the floor. „And if you are so bored to play games, you could have just asked someone to play with you.“
„How do you figure I am bored?“ She picked up the book from the shelf and hovered above her. „I am the one who needs to clean up your chaos afterwards. I always got enough to do for my master alone. What does the scarf have to do, aside of looking stupid by colour and look around Vivien's neck?“
„Besides giving my all to save the life of the women who raised me and help the rest of my race?  Also, I always return my books when I'm done.“ The goo tried to break into a victory smile. „You wouldn't have bothered me if you weren't bored.“
„Runa is inquisitive by nature. Today you are her research target, a real obstinate one. Be honored!“ Runa quickly made a u-turn, dropping of the book two shelves further away. „And you are not saving anyones life with flickery curse magics. They don't leave town anyway. You should get fairy magicks! We bond with nature!“
„I can't use magic of any kind.“ Ina declared solemnly. „And if you want to know more about me, just ask Vivien.“
„Fine, think what you want about Runa. Stupid goo thingie~. She won't help you anymore!“ Runa got ready to fly off, mildy annoyed, but happy about her prevention of Ina's advance in return. „And Runa saw her notes about you anyway.“
By this time Ina's selfcontrol was slipping and gave way for her insecurities. „I'm not a goo thingie, my name is Ina! And I have no problem with you as long as you don't keep trying to hurt mama!“
„Hurt her? And what if I do?“ Runa got restive. „Undines are not my speciality, but maybe my chaotic free reigning magicks could do something to her; like give her a rash, make her hair grow out or make her float on the surface? Wanna see them 'Ina~', my magicks~?!“ Runa flashed her teeth towards Ina in her evil illusion of two rows of sharp little spears.
Confronted with the horrific display and threat of Runa, the actual still young Ina slipped back fully into her more childish persona. „No! Please! Don't hurt mama! Ina will do what Runa asks, just no, no hurting of mama!“ The goo was about to cry if she could.
„Fine.“ Runa said, but with a played disappointment. She orchestrated herself sitting down again. „Then swear by your mama's health, that you will follow my words whenever Vivien is not there to distract us. And in turn I shall even help you find a cure for your mother.“
Ina seemed taken by surprise. „Really? You will?“, Ina said childishly. „Okay, Ina swears to do what Runa says.“
Despite Ina's clear words, Runa was not convinced. „Ina, we really mean it if we promise a thing towards anybody. I am a fairy. I don't break promises. So I want you to take my offer seriously, too.“ Her eyes stared down on the goo. „Make a 'proper' promise. Swear by your mama's health.“
„Ina swears on mama's health to do what Runa says.“ Ina fidgetted, unsure of the reception. „Is that better Runa?“
„Fine.“ Runa was still disappointed, but maybe that was just Ina. After all she didn't expect much from a goo. „Wait a moment.“ Runa flew off again, this time to get the gummy notes back and dropped them in front of Ina. „I don't think that will really help you, but as long as you keep it clean and in good condition... I guess I shall lend it to you.“ Runa got ready to fly off again.
„Huh? Why does Runa give Ina a book she can't read?“ Ina struggled with herself, as her mind tried to regain control over her natural simple self.
„Hey you wanted to read it to look for a way to save your mother and race stuff, right? So drop the cutesy act, that belongs to Runa! I sure hope you don't mean the mindless sludges in our swamp.“ Runa opened the book in front of her for the confused goo girl and skipped the introduction to gummies. „Here. Read about their characteristics. Let's see... addictive flavor... potential to become infective at wish... Boring! You know, read yourself.“
Ina started to rub her head, assuming control again. „Huh... what?“ With Runa's previous words still ringing inside of her, Ina picked up the book and started to read. She understood it again, but stopped immediately as her adult self kicked back in. „Hm? Oh those manufactured bimbo goos?! Gods no! Why would I save those...“
Runa smiled about her moral outburst and flicked Ina's goo tummy. Caring for dumb pudges was stupid, she agreed, but Ina had the wrong idea. „Runa meant the little cute ones silly. What does she care about those tit giants. You are no tit giant either... though you have grown recently. You don't go all tit giant on Runa are you? Runa forbids it!“
„I'll grow up eventually, Runa. How else am I to reproduce? Also, those small ones are just mini bimbos. They are just as mindlessly and lustful as the tit giants.“
Ina was awfully happy while slandering her little look alikes, which made Runa stop touching her. „Now 'you' are being mean. Some of them are really nice to be around... just not the best for a proper conversation. They don't fuck people unless you order them.“ Runa flew off and hovered back a little to match Ina's height. „So, do you need something else to help mama Undine?“
„Not really“, Ina smiled now, „I just needed this for the make-up of the gummies. And I just memorized it. After that I'm going to relax.“ Ina was now cheery, she had gotten what she wanted, despite making a promise to a fairy.
„Alright“, Runa joined in, „Runa got free time too, so she guesses we will relax together.“ Runa landed demonstratively on her head. „You don't mind Runa using your body as a trampolin afterwards, right? You promiesed her.“ She stroked the gooey head of Ina.
„I see no problem with you jumping on me while I sleep. My core doesn't feel much outside anyway, unless I want to.“ Ina moved towards the door, Runa in tow.
„Then it's settled. Off to Ina nappytime and Runa jumpytime!“ Runa pointed forward on Ina's head, like the master of a slave carriage, more for her own sake than anyone seeing it.
„Where do you want to jump on this floor? I'm not good with stairs.“ Ina asked.
„Well the demon dingies are bad. So not the south obviously. Runa doesn't like the graves either... but Runa wants jumpytime so something close. Let's just use the chapel. Or we go to my secret back corner. No! You are not ready for the corner, Ina. To the chapel!“
Ina shrugged Runa's rambling off and headed to the ordered chapel. „Well, I'm gonna curl up here and you enjoy yourself.“ Already on her last words, Ina reformed into a dome-like shape.
Runa immediately started jumping, but didn't really enjoy it that much. Sure she flew for a moment without wings, but then again it never tired her to fly in the first place. And then it was rather boring alone. Couldn't Ina ask for a jumping massage? Runa could have as well created a jelly puddle in the courtyard, she didn't need to abuse Ina for that, no matter her consent. „Don't turn on me now.“, the fairy whispered and lay down on top of Ina instead. At least she wasn't alone, but without Leah's mana consumption, sleep was nearly impossible. The magicka of Sunnyglade always kept her awake. The state of the town was a bother for a fae like her. „I guess I am gonna recall all my sisters name's again. Stupid robot... Runa can't sleep without her. Boring~.“
Ina wasn't quite asleep and wanted to watch Runa for a while. Instead she now listened to Runa venting her boredom with the stories of her sisters' and home. Gently, she reshaped herself into a pillow below the fairy, who would never sleep with her.
Runa noticed it and was actually quite happy with Ina's gesture, but continued to mumble in a more silent voice to not let Ina hear her sister's names. At least she had something to do, while she had nothing to do. And at least she was together with someone, while being alone. Sometimes she missed the lively swamp glade or wished to finally have a triber of her own, like their great sister back home.