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I'll huff and I'll puff... — Description

"And I'll freeze this dang mulian fruit!!"

Swift chuckled lightly, holding the gross, drippy plant up for Nymble to practice on. She covered her mouth with her scarf, preparing for a cold frost to hit her face.
However, all that came out of Nymble's mouth was his hot breath. Perhaps helping Swift with her fire breathing wasn't the best activity before learning more ice magic.
Zagor had seen the boy breathing an obscene amount of fire to help Swift and promptly yelled at him, claiming that it would only hinder his ice magic learning later. In fact, Zagor had made the suggestion to Nymble that he stop using fire magic all together until this ice magic was sorted out and he had the basics down. The two elements were some of the hardest elements to switch between, so it was vital that Nymble stop with the fire magic.

This was easier said than done, as Nymble and fire went together like hot and chocolate.
But, Nymble had to admit that this ice magic was really frustrating and difficult, so he did his best to avoid using fire magic and chill out.

"Why don't you take a deep breath? Like Zagor suggested."
Nymble sighed, feeling really stupid that he couldn't get this frost breath working. "Alright..."
"If you get frustrated it'll just make it worse. Try to think peaceful thoughts..." Swift suggested lamely. She knew it wasn't the wisest of advice, but she was trying.
"Easier said than done." Nymble commented, but gave in and took a deep breath, flapping his wings slowly to try and find some calm.

It took a while, but after clearing his crowded head from all the insecurities plaguing his life for a moment, Nymble's magic glands glowed the appropriate shade of icy blue and frost made its way into his breath.
The excitement of the ability working gave Nymble extra determination and he huffed at the fruit like never before.
But that excitement didn't seem to be doing him any good, as the frost soon disappeared into just air.
"Ahhh what the heck! I had it!" Nymble shouted.
Swift held up the ice covered fruit and examined it. "Well you did it! See?"
"Yeah but, I can't anymore!" He huffed again and again until he started to feel light-headed.
"Well you uh... lost your... cool." Swift said, smiling a little awkwardly.
Nymble just blinked at her. "Did you just make a pun?" He lifted an eyebrow.
Swift laughed clumsily, feeling sort of silly at it being pointed out at this point, but Nymble just laughed back with her.
"I hope Zagor isn't rubbing off on you!" He said.
"I don't think Azoth would be too pleased if he did, heh..." Swift mentioned awkwardly, without realizing who she was mentioning to whom.

Nymble's face contorted into an uncomfortable expression, despite not wanting to show it. "Ah ya... still going over there are you?" he asked casually, although the tension was now thick in the air.
"Oh, yeah. Just to read and learn history.. stuff like that..." Swift said, looking away, trying not to make it more awkward since she had forgotten that Nymble hadn't spoke with Azoth since him and Dryft got into a fight.
There was a moment of silence between the two before Nymble finally spoke up.
"Have you seen Dryft, then..?"
"Oh, yeah. He's there."
"How is he..?" Nymble asked shyly.
"Oh he's..." Swift tried to think of something to say that wouldn't make things more awkward. "He's the same stubborn grump." She smiled sweetly.
Nymble smiled and forced out a small chuckle.

"You should come by sometime with me, maybe... I know Azoth would love to see you again..." She tested, hoping Nymble wouldn't respond poorly to the suggestion.
He just stood there, thinking about it, biting his lip.
"Did he say that?" Nymble finally asked.
"Well, he did say he hoped you'd come by sometime."
"Then why doesn't he just ask me? Neither of them have reached out to me either..." Nymble voice suddenly became bitter.
"I think he just wants you to come on your own time... he doesn't want to force you..." Swift ducked her shoulders a bit, worried about his reaction.
"Yeah... well, maybe later." Nymble answered, hoping to move on from the conversation.
"I can go with you, if it helps." she chirped, smiling awkwardly.
Nymble just smiled back half-heartedly. "Yeah I know. Thanks Swift."

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TLDR: Nymble finally is able to use ice magic (a little bit) and discusses going to see Azoth and Dryft again with Swift. He hasn't seen them since he got in a fight with Dryft after leaving the Nook.
Swift is friends with his brother and still visits Azoth's cottage, so she serves as a good middleman for the bros, haha.

Collab between RabidWuff and I! (who owns Swift) She did the sketch and I finished it! Thanks Iris!

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