Once towering mountains now loom as tiny hills. Enchanting light blue grass bleeds back into typical green and white. The path the wagon follows is little more than matted-down blades. Along the outskirts of wooden fences, the squeaky wheels tread on.
Sweet air brushes through the farmland.
Fields of wheat-like grains dance amidst evenly spaced lines. Their golden figures almost shine under the sun.
A nostalgic scent of pollen enters the airways.
For one reason or another, Sirius feels he could cry again.
Gazing out at the endless rows of harvest instills a peaceful bliss. The gentle wind caresses his skin, carrying with it that familiar smell. The muted groans of a wagon carried by the footsteps of two leopards. Being surrounded by two people who have only shown him kindness.
A beautiful girl with teal hair and gradient eyes. She is wrapped in a blanket one can only assume comfortably blocks the chill breeze. Her lips are curled into a subtle smile as her eyes wander around the painted landscape.
A boy of Earth, despite meeting others of similar descent, who is the only source of relation in this strange world. A cheerful personality, while hidden, shadows a dark and deeper side. His joyful, honey eyes gaze out amidst the wonders.
All these factors and these two people produce a blend of senses and feelings that fit together so perfectly. Sirius is unable to restrain his smile.
Moments like these are something he could have only dreamed of. A fantasy which he thought would never come to fruition now stares him back in the eyes.
It's almost too much. It's all happening far too fast.
-I don't even know these people...
Despite that, he smiles. A genuine smile with the thought that: maybe everything will be alright.
-Maybe my life is finally starting.
For too long has his life stood at a standstill. Now it presses on quicker than thought possible.
Meeting people, exploring, learning, crying...
All of it, while only occurring over the past couple of days, marks his heart.
A new chapter is starting.
A new life.
-Don't waste this one.
Only one question remains...
How do I do that?
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
The half-day voyage nears its end. Farmland once abundant trickles out into open pastures littered with livestock.
Conquering over a steep hill reveals the destination.
"We are nearing the mansion," the old man driving the carriage announces.
Wilphrey had been quiet the entire trek. Being in the front seat, he could surely hear the conversations behind him. No one occupied the carriage itself, meaning his only company is the two leopards pulling the vehicle. Yet not a single peep arose from his lips.
Upon the announcement Korlin jumps to his feet, shaking the flimsy wagon. He leans over the side, almost falling out. His eyes dance with newfound vigor.
Aureole, already leaning back onto the railing, shifts her head to the same sight. Its grandeur doesn't have quite the same effect as it does on Korlin, but the view holds a high light in her mind.
Sirius stands himself, holding Korlin in place so he doesn't fall overboard. A glimpse of the mansion fills his amber irises.
It stands in an open plain surrounded by mountains wrapping themselves into an almost perfect crescent moon. Natural walls make the massive house seem tiny. Two dirt paths, one including the trail they follow now, slither into one of stone at the mansion's entrance.
Calling it a mansion is an understatement.
It resembles something more akin to a small castle.
A wide box-shaped building with spires elevating the roof. Hundreds of rectangular windows with chiseled stone trims. The masonry itself is more marvelous than that of the city, closer to that of the castle in the center. Large, maintained bushes decorate the perimeter, originating small vines climbing up the stone walls.
The surrounding area is humble. Large beds of flowers and other beautiful plants symmetrically row towards the entrance. Cupped luminous flowers sprinkle the remaining land, filling in what would otherwise be a lonely space. Apart from the stone ones surrounding the flower beds, there is an absence of fences.
Smoke plumes from the thin chimney, blowing quietly in the chill air.
Despite the subtle feeling of loneliness, the mansion's sight is magnificent.
-Who exactly is this lord? Who exactly is this girl...?
...
Don't think about it too deeply.
Just let nice things happen.
"We're going to live THERE?" Korlin snaps Sirius out of his thoughts.
"For as long as you'd like," Aureole smiles. "Assuming the lord approves, of course."
"Are you really sure this guy will let us in there?" Sirius can't help but question. "It seems really important, I'm not sure we'll fit in."
Korlin jabs Sirius in the side. His face tells Sirius to shut up.
"I'm sure it'll be fine as long as you don't get in his way. He is a busy man. His hands are full with me and finding Witch Spawn."
...
Sirius and Korlin share a concerned stare.
"Um... he's trying to find Witch Spawn?" Korlin nervously asks.
"Oh yes, I'm not really sure why but he's really adamant about it. He's always reading books in the library about them. I wish he would just find one by now."
"..."
"Do you," Sirius hesitates. "Do you know what a Witch Spawn looks like?"
"No, I've never seen one before. Why?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
There is the faint sound of a forehead being smacked near the front of the carriage.
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
The pathway leading to the front set of doors circles around a glorious fountain. The flower beds up close are even prettier. The once lonely-seeming abode now takes up their entire vision, it's truly massive.
The knocking footsteps come to a halt and the wagon's wheels end their turns.
What lies before them is a slightly larger-than-normal wooden doorway, trimmed with even more impressive stone. Above the door is a small sculpture of a face. A face resembling the bat-like assailant from before: a wailian.
Odd...
"It seems the lord is out," Wilphrey declares. "The other carriage and wonics are missing."
"Hmm," Aureole sighs. "Well, it should be fine. Let's head inside!" The girl stands and folds the blanket neatly. She leaps out the carriage and motions them to do the same.
The boys follow her lead. Sirius' feet had fallen asleep at some point, so it feels strange to stand.
"I will tend to the wonics, you all enter and make yourself comfortable." Wilphrey hops off his post and begins walking the leopards to a stable. The stable is spacious, built into the walls of the mansion, akin to a parking garage.
"Alright, let's do it!" Aureole is awfully giddy. She skips up the few stairs and grabs the golden door handles.
Korlin is shaking with excitement.
The handles cave and the two doors open a portal to elegance.
The girl gestures them inside the daunting abode. Korlin gleefully prances in, and Sirius enters slowly.
Spacious.
Spacious is a word that comes to mind.
A gigantic foyer with cloud-spanning ceilings. A dualling staircase trimmed with pristine wood ascends to a second floor with outcropping balconies. Floors and stairs are carpeted in a slick royal red. Barren walls are only decorated with flawless carvings depicting the moon.
Hallways in all directions span far with curling staircases at their ends, doors line the white walls the whole way down. Small circular tables sprinkle the halls, housing flowerpots and other commodities. The mansion's expansiveness allows it to appear unending.
In its infinity, just like as it appears from the outside, it carries an air of loneliness.
If one were to scream, surely their voice would echo down the halls.
There is so much space in this house, it makes it appear uninhabited. No paintings, no shoes by the door, perfectly clean without a speck of dust.
Sirius comes from lower-middle class households. Primarily living with his single mother who is getting by the best she can. Their home was on the smaller end, with just enough room for a second floor with rooms for both children.
When he was younger, Sirius would go to his friends' homes. They were always much larger, so Sirius always felt a tinge of envy. Over the years he became aware of his family's financial situation, causing his envy to evolve into sympathy.
Now, standing in this grand space, it all feels redundant. While impressive, it feels like a waste of space. Does anyone else live here?
An intricate chandelier hangs high above their heads from a chain even higher. A main stairway diverges at its base only to wrap around and meet at the second floor's entrance. Between the staircase rests a stone statue of another wailian, meticulously crafted to look divine. The statue of the beast is in pure contrast to the one that attacked him.
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"This is AMAZING!"
At some point, Korlin had climbed a staircase and is now sliding down its railing.
He repeats this process seven more times.
"What do you think?" Aureole asks, noticing Sirius' hesitancy.
"It's really nice," he says while continuing his scan.
"...But?"
"I don't know it just feels kind of... empty."
"Ah, tell me about it. The butler is nonstop cleaning, anything we leave out gets picked up instantly. He's a good guy, I just wish he'd let this place have some personality." A somber smile curls her lips. "This place not for you?"
"I can't answer that yet, I haven't even moved." They share a brief laugh. "...What about you?"
"..." The somber smile returns. "It's impressive, way larger than my previous home. But..." her voice trails off into a whisper. "I don't think this royalty thing is for me."
-So, she is royalty?
"...Does anyone else live here? Besides you and the lord?"
"Of course," her smile regains some light. "Pholy and Hyacinth should be here now."
"Who are they?"
"They're really nice people. You'll meet them sooner or later; they don't go out that much."
-That didn't answer the question.
"Will they be alright with us living here?"
"Um... maybe? Pholy will warm up quickly... probably. And Hyacinth... she's not the best with strangers."
"That's awfully foreboding."
"You'll be fine, they don't bite," she playfully nudges his arm. "Now then," she sighs heavily.
"Hm?"
"I need to go study, so once Wilphrey comes back have him show you to your rooms-"
"Can we go explore?!" Korlin, sliding down the railing, shouts. He falls off and stumbles down a couple of stairs. "I'm alright!"
"Sure! Go ahead, we probably have a while before Rawlin comes back. Feel free to wander around, just stay away from his study. It's the room that looks like a big library."
"Yes!"
"Also, stay out of his office and anyone else's rooms!"
"Roger!" Korlin salutes and rushes off to the left hallway. "Sirius, I'm going to go find a bathroom!"
"Alright... I guess?" Sirius scratches the back of his head. "How do I respond to that?"
"Good question," Aureole giggles. "Well, happy exploring. I'll be upstairs and to the right if you need anything." She begins walking towards the dualling steps.
"Thank you again."
"Don't mention it," she smiles then ascends up and around the corner.
...
Now then...
Where to go...
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
The halls are endless, like walking in an infinite loop of doors and candlelight. The only counter to the idea is slender windows peering out into the courtyard. Sunlight pours in with dancing dust particles.
He opens doors sporadically, the majority leading to empty bedrooms with a single bed. Others occasionally enter into a large bathroom with five sinks and multiple holes. Holes refer to what appear to be toilets.
-Have I peed since coming here?
Thinking of peeing immediately gives him the need to.
The bathroom is well-kept and shiny. A large oval mirror positioned above the row of sinks reflects the entire room. Sirius approaches the hole.
Hole is not the best term; the toilet is more along the lines of a funnel. Or a glorified latrine.
Polished stone sunken into an upside-down cone, funneling down into an abyss. The material looks like it would be excruciatingly cold to sit on. One cannot see the bottom of the drain, or any water.
-What am I even looking at?
Sirius concludes his business without flushing, due to the fact there was no handle to flush. The sink he uses functions as a normal sink would, it drains into a smaller dark hole. He dries his hands on a neatly folded towel and folds it again afterward.
He continues through the two-directional maze, the length of the hallway is tiresome. Not a soul in sight crosses his vision. No sounds besides his own footsteps and the wind gently rattling the windows.
Eventually, the hall ends with a mirror.
A staircase leads up to his right. But his eyes tend to his reflection.
He looks well. Healthy. The sight brings up an unpleasant recollection.
Only once in the hospital had he seen his reflection. The memory still stands vividly.
Engravings of the asphalt all around his body and face. His eyes bloodshot and bruised. Hair damaged in a mangled mess. His limbs were swamped with casts and tubes, but still, he appeared thin.
Now, standing in front of this mirror, he looks the best he ever has.
His skin is smooth and scarless. His eyes are still slightly bloodshot, but much less than before.
Before the accident, his body was lean and well-defined. Now so even more. Korlin was right, my arms are veiny.
He had been growing out his hair for the better part of an Earthen year. Even before the incident, it was damaged. Split ends, tangled, randomly dry likely due to excessive hot showers.
Now his hair looks smooth, it feels smooth. The tangles cease to exist amidst his hydrated strands. Before, brushing was a pain, he hardly even did it.
In fact, his dark umber hair seems to have grown longer. I could probably put it in a ponytail...
The idea excites him. As a child, his hair was always cut short, only recently had he let it grow out.
Sirius runs his hands through the strands near the back of his head, letting his bangs hang. He creates a makeshift hair tie with his fingers and tests out the look.
It's strange, foreign to him. He likes it. A smile threatens to form.
...
Something is not right.
His father.
-"You need a haircut."
The boy's hands fall from his hair.
Sirius' father has always cared for appearances. He himself bearing short spiky hair and a constantly shaved face. Bulky chest and arms, the only hindrance to this obsession being his gut.
Whenever Sirius' hair had grown too long, it would get buzzed. Long hair isn't for men, he'd say. This carried on throughout middle school, but once in high school, the buzzing ended. Instead, he was taken to an actual barber for a hairstyle akin to his father's.
After each haircut, he would always look pleased. Like the failure had been shaved off.
This is what you should look like.
Sirius has never cared about his outward appearance. So even he doesn't know why he's let it grow so much.
-Do I want this?
...
-I don't know.
...
His amber eyes diverge from himself.
-I don't even like looking at you.
...
Walking up the steps takes a lifetime. The steps spiral unnecessarily to the second floor.
This hallway is much wider. Pathways branch out from the main one into a much more diverse set of rooms.
A room of baths and hot tubs, a room covered with plants, one with a large meeting table, one filled to the brim with bizarre clothing. The first floor must have been solely for guest rooms, or just the side he explored. Much larger bedrooms exist on this floor, filled with desks, bookshelves, nightstands, and much larger beds.
He hasn't spotted a library or anything resembling a study. Though, the bathrooms on this floor are much nicer. They were already nice on the first floor, but the ones on this floor are divine. Unfortunately, they are still just funnels.
Sirius turns a corner and spots his companion at the end of the hall.
Korlin is spying on something around another corner.
The boy must have sensed Sirius' footsteps as his head whips over. Korlin cautiously approaches, like someone is watching him.
"Sirius!"
His hushed yell is followed by sporadic eye movements.
"What's up? You alright?"
Korlin gets in close and whispers in his ear.
"Do you know what a loli is?"
"A loli? Like a really short girl?"
"Yes! Sort of..." Something along the lines of regret makes up his expression. Interesting. "I think I just saw one over there."
The two peer around the aforementioned corner.
A girl of small stature stands on the tips of her toes, watering an overgrown plant twice her size.
Golden hair stretches down to her lower back. Her bangs lie unruly over her larger-than-average forehead, you could play a game of tic-tac-toe on it. She carries long dark eyelashes that circle her fuchsia eyes.
"She's as tall as my knee..."
Korlin's remark makes her eye twitch.
"It's like a midget had a child with an even shorter midget."
"What...?"
"I feel like I could punt her across an entire football field."
"???"
The girl's grip on the watering can is getting less and less steady.
"I bet she can fit in my pocket."
"Why are these your thoughts?"
Water is splashing all over the walls.
"I bet if she lays on the floor she can slide under doors-"
"WHO EVEN ARE YOU PEOPLE?!?"
The small girl's watering can barrels into Korlin's forehead, sending him flying backwards into the wall. He slides down into a seated position, revealing a fissure in the wall behind him. Sirius barely dodges the assault, only to witness the gash in the boy's skin. A faint trail of smoke emits from the can.
"Ow..." the boy struggles to get out, despite appearing he passed out.
The child-sized girl marches forward, her eyes burning a brighter pigment.
Sirius slaps Korlin repeatedly across the face to snap him out of it. It works miraculously as the boy blinks erratically. Sirius helps him to his feet quickly.
"I'm sorry about him, he doesn't know how to talk to women. Or anyone for that matter."
Korlin remains dizzy, a thin stream of blood running down his nose.
"Yeah, I can tell," she stops directly in front of Korlin. Her eye level reaches to his upper chest.
Korlin shakes his head and comes to. He obliviously looks around before realizing he needs to look down to see her.
Korlin snorts at the fact.
This time, the boy is backhanded into the wall.
"Ow..."
His cheek is faintly singed with the imprint of her hand.
"Dude, she's not even that short."
The girl glares briefly at Sirius.
"Sorry, sorry..." the boy stands himself up with the assistance of the cracked wall. "I might have gone too far."
"..."
The girl sneers at the boy with the full intent to whack him again.
Both the girl and Korlin's eyes lock.
Within less than three seconds, the boy's expression morphs into one of awe.
Her expression softens as a result.
Up close, the girl's childlike features appear much more mature. Her large eyes blaze with a radiant flame. Her nose is short and her lips soft. Even her once intimidating forehead is tame. While lacking in the height department, her looks more than make up for it.
She's very pretty, adorable even.
The boy produces a face that perfectly encapsulates the phrase "lovestruck." Her face in his eyes is nothing short of flawless. If this isn't the face of someone in love, there is none.
Without hesitation, his thoughts pour out from his lips.
"You might be the cutest girl I've ever seen."
Everyone takes a moment to process what he has said.
Her cheeks burn a bright red, she is taken completely off guard. Her mouth tries to form words but fails miserably. Hands tremble, likely with the urge to smack the boy into the wall.
"Wha- who even..."
"Wait."
...
The boy's face shifts as if he has entered a business meeting. No joking, no ulterior motives, just pure and utter business.
"What-"
"How old are you?"
...
Sirius presses his fingers into his eyelids and rubs them.
"You were doing so well... I mean not really, but still..."
"What? It's a valid question! Look man, I'm not catching a case-"
"Twenty-four," the girl butts in.
"Twenty-four..." Korlin enters deep thought. "Sirius?" his thought is immediately broken.
"That's like eighteen in Earth terms. I'll teach you age conversions later."
Korlin looks as if the grace of a celestial being is washing over his mortal body. Pure bliss covers every pore of his skin.
"Yes... thank you..." he can truly die happy. "Wait, that means you're slightly older than me..." he enters the bliss once more.
The girl and Sirius watch on.
"What is he doing?"
"I have no idea."
"How old are you guys?"
"Believe it or not, we are both twenty-three. He's... a little mentally deranged though."
"I can hear you," Korlin chops Sirius on the foot. "Anyways, I apologize. I just haven't felt this way before."
"Right..." the girl nods her head reluctantly. "And what about the whole calling me short thing?"
"Huh? Well, you are really short, but personally, I think it only adds to your charms-"
The boy is smacked down the hallway into a different wall. Her brute strength is no laughing matter.
...
"Is he always like this?"
"Yes, yes he is. But he means well, I don't think he was joking about the compliments."
"Hmm..."
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
Sirius departed from the short girl without even catching her name. She simply stated she had plants to tend to and left.
Sirius now carries the boy with two handprints on his face over his shoulder.
"She's so cute..."
"Don't start obsessing over her please, you'll scare her off."
"Who do you think I am?"
"A guy who almost fainted because of a loli."
"I should have never taught you that word..."
Sirius lifts the boy off his shoulder and plants him on his own feet. They continue searching the mansion together.
"Is all you care about looks? I mean, she smacked you across the hall for calling her short."
"And I savored every bit of it."
"Are you into that?"
"I will neither confirm nor deny... Seriously though, why is everyone here so hot? Everyone I have seen in this world is absolutely beautiful for no reason. Apart from Gary."
"That's true."
"I mean dude, she was probably the most attractive person I've ever seen. She surpasses main heroine status. Don't you think so?"
"She was cute."
"I know..." a hint of his bliss state returns. "But don't get any ideas, she's mine."
They share a short chuckle.
"Calling her "yours" is a bit of a stretch. But fine by me, besides, I've already seen the prettiest..."
A girl exits a nearby door, stepping into the open hallway.
Deep purple hair that if any darker would look black. She wears a sweater that only covers one of her shoulders. Gorgeous violet eyes shine like amethyst.
Holding a timeworn book in her slender arms, she shifts her attention to the two boys. The deadpan expression she wears wavers.
Amber and amethyst meet once more.
-Isn't that...
Before a single word is spoken, her taken-aback self takes itself back into the room. The door shuts carefully as if to not make too much noise.
The interaction leaves them speechless.
But only for a moment.
"Oh my god?!?" Korlin's mouth is gaping. "She was gorgeous! What the hell?!"
"She was..."
"I swear if the master is also hot, I'm going to flip out."
"..."
"You good?" he asks while nudging him in the arm.
"Yeah, I think I've met her before."
"That so?"
"At the bookstore when I got our journals. I helped her grab a book and then..." Sirius' tone sours.
"...Then?"
"She hurt my feelings."
"Wh-"
"Anyways, let's go find the old guy."
Sirius is already halfway down the hall.
"Alright," the boy sighs. "Let's get him to teach us magic!"
They wander the maze of walls and windows. Korlin glides his hands against the wallpaper, admiring every detail of it. The boy's footsteps echo through the empty halls as he runs down them.
Occasionally, the boy sniffs the carpet.
Eventually, the halls loop back into the foyer.
Climbing up from the bottom of the main stairwell is Wilphrey. His hazel eyes soften at the sight of the boys.
"Ah, there you are, I was just beginning my search for the two of you."
"Oh right," Sirius feels the need to be very polite to the man. To not disrespect and to be a perfect person in front of him. "You're going to show us to our rooms, right?"
"That will have to wait I'm afraid."
"MAGIC TRAINING?!?" Korlin almost falls over the railing.
"Nay, that will also have to wait."
"What's up then?" Sirius pats a sulking Korlin on the back. Sirius gives the man a bright smile.
The man's kind features stiffen into fret.
"The lord has arrived. He wishes for a meeting with the house."