Suta POV
Shoba gradually regained his composure and followed the girl down the jade hill.
Together, they traversed along a sinking winding road snaking through a vast green meadow, leaving Shoba awestruck by the encapsulating beauty and expansiveness surrounding him. The meadow was scattered with whimsically colored flowers across an emerald plain, creating an ethereal atmosphere that felt almost dreamlike than real.
Tall oak trees dotted the horizon, their lush green leaves framing the edges of the vast plain like walls of emerald. Looking down, Shoba noticed a golden dirt path winding through the meadow. The soil wasn't actually gold, but under the sunlight's caress, it shimmered with a golden hue that added to the meadow's enchantment.
Inhaling deeply, Shoba savored the mesmerizing scene as he dutifully followed the young girl with subtle waves of inner peace stirring in his bosom. She extended her delicate hand, gently pulling him along, whilst guiding his every step with care. Along their way, Shoba witnessed a world vibrant with life unfolding before his questioning gaze, feeling a formless mystical energy emanating from both the soil and air around him, it was a strange marvel that somehow uplifted his downcast mood into a more intrigued and slightly curious one. This world was different, the shape and colour of things were a testament to that. But more so, there was an unexplainable difference he found floating within the air
After covering some distance, they came upon a vast expanse of golden wheat fields, stretching out before them like a sea of splintered gold. Shoba came to a sudden halt, captivated by the breathtaking view momentarily, and decided to relish in the breathtaking marvel.
'This place...so-so beautiful. This...this is what a farm looks like.' Shoba traversed back to a time when he genuinely considered taking up farming.
Sensing his hand slipping away from hers, Demoria stopped as well and followed his gaze to the nearby farmhouse, understanding his admiration for the serene landscape layered before them. She creased a soft smile and allowed him to spectate.
Shoba remained transfixed in the sheer scope of this brightly arrayed world. His gaze swept over the lusciously glowing farm nestled among the undulating hills. The quaint semi-detached cottage, bathed in red with a roof of brown tiles stood out against the lush backdrop.
To the east, he observed a congregation of sheep on a spacious tract of land, their presence complemented by the distant sounds of chickens clucking and the faint bleating of goats, though he couldn't spot them amidst the verdant surroundings.
The air wafting around his flaring nostrils carried a fragrant scent of floral mixed with the outdoors. The buzzing of tiny flies and the gentle moan of the winds combing between the golden stalks of wheat, together as one, they carried a pastoral of symphonies pleasantly into his ears. Amidst this breathtaking embrace of nature, a thought suddenly surfaced within his empty mind.
'I remember now, didn't I want to become a farmer one day'
A childlike smile creased across his face, the irony of the matter cheered him up somewhat
"Suuuuuuta, why are you so lost in your thoughts today? It's not like you're seeing this place for the first time," Demoria said with a little confusion glazed against her glowing amber eyes, her words jolted Shoba free from his daydreams.
He laughed off his nervousness with a childish-sounding chuckle and resumed his walk along the golden path, pondering the implications of his presence in this body.
'I must tread carefully. The discovery of my true identity could have unforeseen consequences. Yet, the likelihood seemed slim, assuming body possession isn't a common occurrence here. My main concern would be encountering a mind reader... but what are the chances of that?'
Shoba thought to himself, he understood there was a degree of caution needed to be deployed here. Someone was bound to recognize he wasn't the previous Raito Suta at some point.
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Reaching the stables adjacent to the main cottage, Demoria peeked around the corner mischievously before hopping over a low fence. Beyond which Shoba noticed a bed of freshly trimmed grass, pressing his eyes deeper he noticed two intriguing creatures lounging by a small pond drawn in the center, covered by small grey stones. Demoria, noticing Shoba's hesitation, turned and signaled for silence with a finger to her lips, before beckoning him to follow.
Shoba leaped over the fence with ease, he found his body was lighter and surprisingly felt more in sync with his thoughts. It was a strange feeling, but he somehow understood that his body could do things his old body couldn't. He vaulted over the fence without so much as applying extra strength to his body.
'Whoa! That feels...awesome!'
He couldn't help admiring this weightless feeling. As though this body was not only lighter, but stronger and agile. Being a boy who often engaged in regular fast-paced sports and physical activities. Shoba almost instantly could tell the difference within this body.
As they neared the two strange creatures, he was able to gain a better look at the peculiar beings. They were winged creatures the size of cubs with feathered heads and golden talons reminiscent of eagles. Their faces resembled fledgling birds, one grey and the other a tawny brown shade, and both sporting sharp golden beaks.
The creatures' lower bodies were an odd juxtaposition: the grey one had the hindquarters of a horse, complete with pale hooves and a sleek tail, while its tawny counterpart boasted the muscular hind legs of a lion.
"What-what in the world are those things!" Shoba blurted out of sheer shock, drawing a disapproving look from Demoria in return.
Startled by his rather loud exclamation, the grey creature in particular, stumbled on unsteady hooves before trotting off a little further away from the pool. The tawny one stood its ground, its beak slightly ajar in a silent warning as it arched its body as though it was ready to pounce.
"Ara! Look how adorable she is—that's why Sunny is my absolute favorite. And you, Suta, get zero points for scaring off Snowy. You should know he's terrified of loud noises by now. Humph! Silly Suta."
Demoria chided half torn between reprimanding Shoba and cooing at the cute little furry creatures.
Shoba, unfazed by her reproach, was more intrigued by the two creatures. He smoothed his chin trying to subtly recall a name given to such mythical creatures back in his old world.
'Chimeras!' A name sprang to the forefront of his mind at that moment. 'They aren't supposed to exist though-heh...this is, fascinating.' Meanwhile whilst Demoria continued her berating, a sharp whistle diverted their attention from beyond the fenced playpen.
Behind them, a burly man with tanned skin, dressed in farmer's attire, stood beyond the fence, his fingers withdrawing from a whistling position. Shoba beheld the giant for a short while, his features were unique, with small, bug-like eyes and a wide mouth framed by thick, meaty lips. An appearance that was less than appealing. Yet, the broad smile spreading across his face revealed a gentleness incongruent with his intimidating build, resembling a friendly giant more than anything.
"Looks like we've been spotted. You head over to Toto first; tell Granny I'm...uh, tell her I'm tending to the chicken coops," Demoria hastily concocted an excuse, her hands animatedly suggesting a plan.
"Yes, tell her I'm cleaning the coops and washing the saddles."
Turning her back to Shoba, she knelt beside the alert creature, cooing and laughing again. Shoba found himself left to simply obey, watching her eyes sparkling with starry glee
After a few moments, Shoba heeded her suggestion. Yet, as he prepared to leave, he cast a lingering glance back at the grey-feathered creature now peeking from behind a tall plant in the distance.
Its curious gaze flitted from him to Demoria, maintaining a cautious watch from afar.
A twinge of guilt washed over him for having startled the timid being. Despite his curiosity about these unfamiliar creatures, he couldn't ignore the enthusiastic waves of the amiable giant beckoning them. And with a resigned sigh, Shoba made his way back towards the fence, contemplating the unexpected turn his life had taken in this strange, new world.