Rain and Rhyme

Fandom: Infinity Train, The Owl House

Relationships: Ryan Akagi & Raine Whispers, Darius Deamonne & Raine Whispers, Darius Deamonne & Adrian Graye Vernworth

Characters Featured: Ryan Akagi, Raine Whispers, Darius Deamonne, Adrian Graye Vernworth (The Owl House), Emperor's Coven (The Owl House)

Summary: Ryan Akagi been on his own for a while after he left his hometown, but he seems to have found a place for himself with like-minded bards. But sometimes he wonders if leaving the life he once had was the right choice for him.

Raine Whispers has been stuck in a slump for weeks, so Darius takes them out to a club for a night of fun. They meet a young bard who they realize have a lot more in common with than they're willing to admit.

Notes:The drinks mentioned at the beginning are all non alcoholic! I'm not sure what the drinking age in the Boiling Isles is, so the club they go to does not serve alcoholic beverages.

Other Tags: Minor Ryan Akagi/Min-Gi Park, Minor Raine Whispers/Darius Deamonne, Previous Golden Guard Mentioned, Ryan's exes are also here but theyre not his exes just his bandmates, Mentioned Eda Clawthorne, Two Shot, pretty sure ryan and (young) raine would be around the same age in the 80s so..., Ryan would be 18-19 as he is in canon, I'd put Raine/Darius/Adrian at 20-21, very vague tholomule family content

“I can’t believe you even know of this place, Darius,” Raine said as their pailsmen glided down to the cave right under them. “This doesn't really seem like your scene…or mine.”

“What, you think you’re the only bard I know with access to the secret venus just outside of the emperor’s eye?” Darius replied. “I know people from many walks of life.”

Raine gasped in mocking horror. 

“You know other bards?” they teased. “Do you call them ‘Songbird’ too?”

Darius rolled his eyes and helped them off their own palisman.

“I’m sure you’ll have a fun time tonight. You seemed like you needed to get away from things for a while.”

The young bard frowned, knowing he was right. A few months ago, they spent a night with Darius as they buried their heartbreak under junk food and old cartoons. Over the past few months they practically drowned themselves in their work to take their mind off of their ex. Darius showed up at their door every other week insisting they go out and do something together for the weekend instead of being stuck inside all day. Just like back at Hexside. Almost every time, Raine made an excuse to take a rain check. This time, Darius sounded awfully convincing.

Raine eventually agreed, promising to be ready by evening. They weren’t sure what Darius had planned for the evening, but they decided to dress a little nicer for the event.

Darius led Raine into the cave, where it became really dark. They unconsciously clung to Darius’s arm, and did not realize how tightly they held on until Darius audibly winced. They loosened their grip, but remained close.

“Darius?” They asked pensively. “Is this some kind of prank? I don’t see how this is supposed to be--”

Darius tapped his foot once, twice, then snapped his fingers. The ground beneath them rumbled softly. Light began to shine through an opening crevice in the earth. Darius took two steps forwards before disappearing into the opened portal. Raine stood in front of the hole, considering ditching this so-called night out and spending the rest of their evening watching bard history documentaries. Turning around, they realized they knew of no way to leave the cave on their own. Damn it, Darius .  They sighed and stepped into the light.

When Raine could comfortably open their eyes, they found what looked like an underground club with witches and demons alike running amok. They spotted Darius at a bar sitting next to an old classmate. The man looked up and gave them a half smile as they approached. Raine suddenly got the impression that they were overdressed compared to everyone else in the club.

“Vernsworth, you remember Raine Whispers from homeroom?” Darius asked, nodding his head towards them.

“How could I not remember the star of Hexside’s ‘Rats’ production,” he said with a smirk. Darius elbowed him, causing him to chuckle. “Darius and I were just reminiscing on old times.”

Raine flushed and rolled their eyes. “That was four years ago,” they scoffed. “It’s not my fault my costume got caught in a nail.”

“Which… caused you to forget all your lines and run off the stage… with the entire set?”

Every day, Raine wonders how Darius ever hung around someone as annoying as Adrian.

“That’s enough, Adrian,” Darius cut in. “We didn’t come here to make fun of Raine. It’s not every day we get the chance to be out here for a night of fun.”

Darius waved his arm high, summoning three cups brimming with drinks. He passed on to Raine and another to Adrian before taking his own.

“Thanks.” They grabbed their glass as they took in the rest of the club.

“The dance floor’s pretty open,” Darius suggested. Raine figured he was trying his best to get them to do something fun and cheer them up. He was failing miserably, despite his best efforts. Raine gave him a small smile and placed their hand over his resting on the bar.

“Thanks but… you know I’m not one for dancing in front of crowds,” they said, taking a long swig from their cup.

“What if you had a dancing partner?” Raine looked up and noticed Darius’s unusually intense fixation on the glass in his free hand, avoiding their gaze.

“I’m flattered, but I could never embarrass you out there with my dancing,” They say, tracing imaginary lines on the top of his hand.

“Well, we should at least order something to eat,” Darius said, summoning a menu. “We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”

As they waited for their meals, Raine caught the eye of a witch around their age, likely a little younger than their graduating class. Judging by the attire, Raine assumed the young witch was a bard like they were. They waved goodbye to a group of witches they were surrounded by and started to walk over.

“You new here? I know every single person who’s shown up at least once and I’ve never seen you around,” the witch said, practically dancing in circles around Raine. “I’m Ryan Akagi.”

“Raine,” they said quietly. “My friend Darius brought me here.”

“Yeah, I know Darius! He started coming here with some older guy last year. Haven't seen the guy in a while though…it’s usually just Darius these days.”

Out of the corner of Raine’s eye, they spotted Darius clench his glass tighter, and he looked away from Ryan. They made a mental note to check in with Darius after tonight.

“Do you own the place?” Raine asked in an attempt to change the subject. Darius visibly relaxed.

“I wish. I just know the owner really well. He lets me play with the band sometimes. We’re practically besties,” Ryan said, leaning on the bar. “What brings you here?”

“Like I said, my friend brought me here…I guess he was trying to cheer me up,” Raine whispered.

“How come?”

“I uh…I broke up with someone a few weeks ago. It’s been kind of rough for me lately”

Ryan frowned, nodding his head in understanding.

“Well, nothing like a night out to take your mind off of stuff like that.”

Raine sighed, glancing back at their friend and old classmate talking at the bar. “Darius means well, but…”

“You’re not having a good time?”

“I enjoy his company. Everything else, however…Look, I don’t want him to cut his fun night out because of me-”

“Tell you what, I can show you around, if you’d like? There’s places a lot quieter around here if the main area isn’t your scene,” Ryan offered. “You can stay there until your friend’s ready to take you home."

“Well, I wouldn’t want to leave Darius here on his own--”

“I’m right here,” Adrian cut in indignantly.

“I’ll be fine, Songbird,” Darius insisted with a wave. “Maybe by the time you and Ryan get back, the food will be here.”

Ryan looked back at Raine with a grin, holding out his hand. Tentatively, Raine reached out and took his hand. Immediately, Ryan snapped his fingers, summoning a flaming phoenix on a staff. He got himself setted in the front and motioned for Raine to join him.

“Are you sure we should be riding your palisman in the building?”

“I do it all the time,” Ryan said casually. “I’ve only fallen off like… once. Cute healing witch patched me up and I scored a dance with him afterwards.”

The two of them went soaring through the air, high over the other patrons in the club. Raine was used to being up at this height…when they were in control of the palisman. Ryan’s way of riding palismen was wild and unpredictable. Their knuckles started to turn white as they gripped onto the staff for dear life. Ryan took the two of them through loops and sharp turns, laughing boisterously as he flew through the magical hoops that hang near the ceiling. Raine shut their eyes, waiting for the palisman to come to a stop.

“Have you lost your mind?” the older bard gasped when they could feel the ground underneath their feet. Their legs nearly give out on them as soon as they dismount his palisman. 

“Did we die?” Ryan simply asked in response. “Look around.”

Raine got themselves together and found themselves in a cozy room filled with muted colors and soft lights. Three witches lay casually on the chairs and couches. A dark skinned witch with an ombre mohawk swung her legs over and got up when she spotted the two.

“Ryan, dude. You know what we said about bringing randoms back here,” she said, glancing at Raine.

“I know, I know. But we-”

“It’s a miracle there hasn’t been any coven scouts sniffing around here. We don’t want too many people knowing about this place,” a tanned witch with long blond hair said.

“Come on,” a third witch with wavy black hair piped up. “Everyone here’s given a Balladeer’s Oath not to say a word about this place on the surface.”

Raine looked confused. They’ve checked out almost all the books about bard history and culture from the library at least three times. Not a single one mentioned anything about a Balladeer’s Oath. The girls could sense Raine’s hesitation, and zeroed in on them.

“Ryan…they did take the Balladeer’s Oath before you brought them down here, right?” Casey asked. Ryan glanced at Raine and shrugged.

“I’m sure Raine took care of that when they got here, right Raine?” he asked, looking at them.

“Uh… right! Of course,” they lied.

“Good, because we’d have to wipe your brain if you didn’t,” the girl with wavy black hair says, an ominous look on her face. Raine gulped and avoided her gaze.

“Allow me to introduce you to the band,” Ryan says, gesturing to the three witches. “Witch with the mohawk is Faith, the witch with the long blond hair is Casey, and the one with the tinted shades is Naomi.”

“And Ryan here is our little groupie who likes to crash our concerts sometimes,” Naomi teased, pinching his cheek.

“And also our rehearsals,” Casey added.

“And also our break times,” Faith continued. The three of them dissolved into laughter. Ryan laughed as well, but something about his laugh felt slightly less genuine than the girls.

“So…yeah. This is the band,” Ryan said. “I’m gonna take Raine to see more of the club.”

“We wanna come,” Casey said suddenly. “We’re not expected to go back onstage for a few hours.”

“Fine by me,” Ryan said, leading Raine out of the room as the girls followed suit. They followed him to what appears to be a dead end. Ryan lifted his hands up and sent a red spell circle flying into the wall, causing the wall to light up and reveal a previously hidden door. 

“What's this place?” Raine asked.

“Studio,” Faith answered before Ryan could say anything. “Other bards come here to chill and practice their magic when we’re not performing. No one comes around here without proper authorization. A.K.A, one of us has to let you through.”

“The door only responds to our magic specifically,” Ryan cut in. “It’s a safety precaution.”

“This place seems secure as is…” Raine murmured as they followed the other witches inside. They wondered how Darius was faring being left at the bar with only Adrian Graye to keep him company.

The group froze, seeing a strange individual poking around the room.

“Hey, how did you get back here?” Faith demanded, pulling out her bass. Before she could play a single note, the figure sent a spell circle her way, wrapping the strings of her base in thorn-filled vines. She winced and dropped her instrument. The other two circled the intruder, using the cords of nearby mics to restrain him. 

“He’s from the emperor’s coven!” Casey gasped, removing the mask from his face.

“How did you get here?” Faith demanded.

“I thought you said the doors only respond to your magic?” Raine pointed out.

“It does. So he must’ve snuck in somehow…or one of you let him in.” Faith said, turning on Ryan. He scowled.

“You think I did this?”

“You do have a habit of being too liberal with who comes back around here…”

“Well I’d never let an Emperor’s Coven member back here!”

While Faith and Ryan argued, Raine noticed Casey and Naomi were struggling to restrain the coven scout. They tried to warn the two, but it was too late. Within seconds, the scout burst free and sent the two witches restraining him flying backwards. Ryan moved out of the way quick enough, but Casey slammed into Faith and they both crashed into sound equipment. The coven scout sent another two spell circles towards the girls. Blue clouds burst throughout the room. When Raine could see again, they saw the three girls ensnared in vines.

“I’m so getting this promotion after this! Soon, all of the Boiling Isles will know the name of Bart Tholomule,” The coven scout said excitedly, casting a spell circle and sending it into the air. “The guards are gonna be here soon to shut this place down for good.”

“Guards? What for?” Ryan asked. “We didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Uh, duh? You’re running an underground club without the Emperor’s approval, helllooooo? Don’t worry, you five stay put here, and I’ll put in a good word so maybe you won’t be petrified once we finish arresting everyone in this place.”

“Look, we’ll make you a deal,” Ryan said, stepping forward pensively. Raine watched him carefully, trying to figure out what he was trying to do. The coven scout looked up at him, arms poised in the air to cast another spell circle.

“What could you possibly offer me?”

“I know the owner, I’m sure we could work something out…” Ryan continued to approach, keeping his hands in sight. “I’ve got nothing behind my back or up my sleeves. You can check if you want.”

The coven scout stepped forward, scanning Ryan’s hands carefully.

“Ok… I’ll hear you out.”

“What? Ryan, have you lost your mind?” Faith called out. Ryan ignored her, heading towards the door with the coven scout. But when his hand touched the wall, he dissipated into blue smoke.

“What?!” The coven scout whirled around on his heel sharply. Ryan appeared in front of him, guitar in hand. He struck a high chord, sending a powerful reverberation forward and slamming the coven scout into the wall. He walked forward, checking the scout’s pulse.

“He’s alive, just out cold,” he said to Raine who was staring at him with wide eyes. “Come on, help me get the others free.”

Raine grimaced from the thorns from the vines pricking their fingers as they attempted to untangle the three witches. 

Once Faith was free, she urged Ryan and Raine to head back into the main area to warn the patrons and the owner.

“I’ll help the other girls, you’ve gotta get everyone else ready for a raid,” she said. “I don’t know if that coven scout managed to send a signal here, but better safe than sorry.”

Ryan pressed his hands onto the wall, opening the exit. 

“How did you manage a magical feat like that?” Raine asked quietly. Ryan smiled wistfully.

“I saw an old friend do it. He joined the illusionist coven right after graduation,” he said. “I wonder if…”

“What?”

“It’s not important,” he sighed. “We’ve gotta warn the rest of the club, and quickly.” 

He summoned his palisman and gestured for Raine to join him. They sighed and joined him on his staff, clinging for dear life once more.

TBA! (Possibly...)