Novels2Search

8: Country Fair

At five years old, it was much easier for Adrian to manipulate his hands in order to use magic. He crouched on the floor of his room, hovering his left hand over a flicker of blue flame cradled perfectly in his right palm. There we go.

A grin spread across his face as he urged the flame upward, allowing it to arc gracefully in the air, a thin, delicate ribbon of blue tracing the dark. He flicked his wrist, directing the flame to curl, then stretch again, shapes forming as if responding to his very thoughts. Almost perfect.

But just as he drew his hand in for another intricate spin, his eagerness outpaced him. With a careless swipe, the flame shot straight toward the curtain.

The boy's eyes widened instantly. Too far!

Immediately, he pulled his hand back, extinguishing the flame in a heartbeat. The curtain, fortunately remained untouched, swayed gently from the movement of air, and he released a sigh of relief, tension easing from his shoulders.

He ran a hand through his hair, unable to resist the grin that tugged at his lips. Playing with fire felt as natural as breathing now. My control should become much better in a few years.

A sharp knock sounded on Adrian’s door, pulling him out of his focus. He quickly brushed his fingers together, dispelling the remaining warmth from the flame and ensuring there was no sign of his little magic practice.

“Adrian, may I come in?” Sister Selena called from the other side of the door.

“Of course, come in please,” Adrian replied, shifting his stance to look casual.

She stepped inside, eyes sweeping over him with a knowing smile. “How are you doing this morning?”

“I’m fine, just doing a bit of… morning exercise.” Adrian said.

Sister Selena chuckled softly, the sound warm and familiar. She knows, he realized, catching the glint of amusement in her eyes.

“Well, whatever ‘exercise’ you were up to, I thought I’d come by to see if you’d like to join us. Some of the other children and I are going to the country fair today.”

“The fair? But I thought we’d be doing the harvest festival here.”

Sister Selena clasped her hands together, nodding thoughtfully. “Usually, yes. But the nuns agreed this year would be different. The fair doesn’t happen every year, and we thought it would be a special opportunity for all of you. A little adventure.”

Adrian’s eyes lit up with a mix of curiosity and excitement. “What kind of things are there at a fair?"

Sister Selena smiled, her face softening as she thought about it. “Oh, all kinds of things, Adrian! There are jugglers, acrobats who do daring flips and tricks, musicians who play instruments you may have never seen before, and sometimes even storytellers who spin tales from faraway places.”

Adrian’s mind buzzed with questions. “Are there animals? Maybe creatures that we don’t see here?”

She chuckled, clearly enjoying his excitement. “Sometimes. If you’re lucky, you might see a falconer showing off the skills of a trained hawk, or even someone with other unusual creatures."

Adrian’s eyes sparkled, and he leaned forward, practically bouncing with anticipation. “Do you think they’ll have things to try? Like spells? Or things that… you know, teach magic?”

Sister Selena gave him a fond, knowing look. “Hmm, not sure about magic, but I think there may be games and challenges that test your wits, and perhaps you’ll find things that feel a little magical."

He nodded slowly, “I want to see all of it.”

Sister Selena chuckled. “It sounds like you’re ready for an adventure, then.”

***

Adrian stood in line with the other kids, shuffling his feet as he glanced around the convent yard. The nuns moved through the line, directing the children with gentle reminders.

“All right, keep together, please. No wandering off,” one nun called.

“Hands to yourself, and let’s all be careful climbing in,” added another, ushering a few of the younger children forward.

Adrian felt a nudge on his shoulder, and he turned to see Sister Selena smiling down at him. “Come along, Adrian. You’ll be with me, Seven, and a few others,” she said, gesturing toward the wagon ahead. Seven stood just beside him, practically bouncing with excitement, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked at the large, wooden wagons hitched to sturdy horses.

Adrian climbed into the wagon, feeling the creak of the wooden floor under his feet. He settled himself onto a bench, with Seven sliding in next to him. Two other kids joined them, one of whom Adrian recognized from their chores group, Sister Selena climbed in after them.

Once they were settled, Sister Selena leaned out of the wagon, signaling to a nun standing nearby. “We’re all set here!”

The wagon jolted slightly as it rolled onto the country road. Inside, the air felt thick with an awkward silence. The only sounds coming from the clopping of hooves and the occasional murmur from Sister Selena as she reminded the children to sit still.

Adrian didn’t mind the quiet, though. He leaned back against the side of the wagon, gazing out as the scenery changed from the familiar stone walls and neat gardens of the convent to open fields, rolling hills, and patches of wildflowers that dotted the roadside. It’s peaceful here.

His thoughts drifted to his life at the convent so far: the routines, the chores, the endless stories and lessons. He’d grown stronger, more in control, especially with his magic. Cant believe it's been five years, he mused, realizing how quickly he’d adapted to a life that was so different from what he’d once known.

Adrian smirked to himself, wondering if he might get the chance to show off just a little bit at the fair. Who knows? Maybe there'll be something interesting.

The idea sparked a sense of wonder within him. Stories about the different races had always intrigued him, though he’d never seen anyone besides humans in person. He looked out toward the distant horizon, imagining what it would be like to meet someone entirely unlike the people he was used to.

But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice. One of the girls seated across from him spoke up, a mischievous grin on her face. “Hey, Adrian, do you… like Seven?”

Adrian blinked, surprised by the question. He glanced at Seven, who was focused on her hands in her lap, her cheeks slightly pink. “I think Seven’s a good friend. And she’s smart, she picks up on things fast.”

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The girl exchanged a chuckle with her friend sitting beside her, both of them casting quick glances toward Seven. Adrian raised an eyebrow, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. What’s so funny about that?

Sister Selena shot a quick look at the giggling girls. “Let’s not make Seven feel uncomfortable, all right?”

The girls exchanged glances before quickly nodding, their giggles fading into quiet murmurs. Adrian noticed Seven’s shoulders tense, and a faint frown had settled on her face. She glanced toward the wagon floor, clearly trying to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze.

Curious but careful, Adrian leaned a bit closer to her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Seven shook her head, her face composed but her voice softer than usual. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Adrian studied her for a moment, his brows knitting slightly. But he didn’t feel like pressing further, especially in front of everyone. She’ll be all right, he reassured himself, settling back in his seat.

Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to rest, his mind still filled with the unknowns of the fair and the world that lay just beyond the familiar grounds of the convent. The wagon continued down the winding road, the sounds of the fair slowly growing closer, blending with the occasional burst of laughter and music that drifted on the breeze.

The wagon came to a slow stop, and Adrian felt the jolt as the wheels stilled. Sister Selena was the first to step out, her robes swaying gently as she turned and reached out, offering a steady hand to each of the children. Adrian accepted her help, hopping down onto the packed dirt, while Seven followed just behind him.

Other wagons had already arrived, and nuns and children were spilling out onto the grass, the air filled with laughter and gasps as they took in the fair. Brightly colored tents were scattered around the grounds, each one housing a different stall or attraction. The sounds of cheerful shouts, clinking metal, and distant music mixed into a lively symphony.

Adrian’s eyes darted between the stands, catching glimpses of food stalls, and glittering trinkets on display. Not bad at all.

Sister Selena gathered the children into a small group. “All right, everyone, listen closely. Stay with your group and don’t wander off on your own. If you need anything or feel lost, find a nun. Remember to stay respectful, and keep an eye on each other.”

The children nodded, faces beaming with excitement. Adrian felt a buzz of energy from the group, but he noticed that Seven remained unusually quiet, her gaze fixed on the ground.

Once the instructions were given, the kids naturally grouped off. Adrian, Seven, and the two girls from the wagon huddled close to Sister Selena, who gave them an encouraging smile.

“Well then, let’s see what this fair has to offer,” she said, leading them toward the first row of stalls.

The stand they stopped at was decorated with jars of honey and jams in bright reds, ambers, and purples. An elderly woman behind the counter handed out samples on small wooden spoons, her face wrinkling into a smile as the children stepped forward.

Adrian took a small spoonful, letting the sweet, sticky flavor melt on his tongue. Never tasted anything like this, he thought, savoring the richness.

Sister Selena turned to Seven, offering her a spoon with a warm smile. “Try it, Seven. It’s delicious.”

Seven accepted it quietly, but Adrian noticed she barely touched the jam, her eyes distant as she let the others chatter around her. The two girls from the wagon whispered to each other, glancing at Seven occasionally with barely hidden smiles, though they kept quiet this time.

Next, they moved on to a stand selling carved wooden animals. Adrian watched as Sister Selena held up a small wolf figurine, showing it to the kids. The two girls clapped their hands in delight, inspecting the tiny painted figures of bears, foxes, and even mythical creatures like dragons and unicorns.

Adrian looked over at Seven, noticing her gaze drifting from the figures to the ground, her expression tight. She’s not having any fun… I'll try to talk to her later.

The group continued through the fair, stopping at a stall filled with sparkling gemstones, and then at a games stand where they watched other children toss rings in an attempt to win prizes. Sister Selena encouraged each of them to try, handing Adrian and the others a few coins to exchange for turns at the game. Adrian took his shot, tossing the rings with an easy confidence, though they bounced off the pegs each time, coming up just shy of a win.

Seven took her turn too, though her attempt was half-hearted, her gaze wandering even as she tossed the rings. She missed entirely, and Sister Selena placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“There’ll be plenty of other games to try,” she reassured. Seven gave a faint nod, though her face remained solemn.

When they wandered past another row of colorful stalls, Sister Selena looked around and gave the children a gentle smile. "I think I'll sit down for a while. You kids can go explore a bit, but stay close. Don’t stray too far.”

The other children barely waited for her to finish before nodding eagerly and dashing off, their laughter trailing behind them as they scattered across the fairgrounds. Adrian watched them for a moment, then turned and noticed Seven walking away slowly, her steps hesitant and her shoulders tense.

He caught up to her, falling into step beside her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Seven glanced over at him, then looked down. “It’s just… I’m not used to this many people. It makes me feel… tense.”

Adrian nodded, trying to understand. She’s been at the convent as long as I have, he thought, realizing she might never have been around so many people outside the quiet grounds. “I get it,” he said finally. “Everyone’s just here to enjoy themselves. No one’s paying much attention to us.”

Seven’s gaze shifted uneasily, and she fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. “I know, but it still feels strange."

Adrian considered her words. He remembered feeling something similar when he was first learning to control his magic, the feeling that everyone was watching, waiting for him to mess up. “Look, here’s the thing. You’re going to have to deal with people. Whether it's here, at the convent, or somewhere else, there’ll always be people. But they’re just… people, you know?”

She glanced up at him, studying his expression as if she was weighing his words. “But what if… I don’t know, what if I stand out too much?”

Adrian shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile. “You’re only going to stand out if you think you do. If you relax, act like you’re supposed to be here, no one’s going to notice. Just enjoy it.”

Seven’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression thoughtful as she absorbed his words. After a moment, she sighed. “It’s just… odd, talking to you… it doesn’t feel like I’m talking to another kid.”

"To be completely fair, I could have said the same about you."

"What? I made sure to tone down my language a long time ago."

Adrian chuckled, but something in Seven’s small smile made him pause. It wasn’t quite her usual smile; it felt faint, like she was following his laughter rather than joining in.

He caught a flash of something else in her eyes, hesitation. “Is it what the girls said in the wagon? Does that still bother you?”

At the mention, Seven’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away, her fingers gripping her sleeve more tightly. Her mouth opened, but no words came out right away, only the faintest of sounds, as though she was searching for the right answer and couldn’t quite find it.

Adrian’s heart squeezed a little in sympathy. He understood, or at least he wanted to. But as he waited for her to speak, a new, odd feeling crept into his thoughts. She’s… embarrassed? he realized, something clicking into place.

He swallowed, feeling a bit unsettled. Romance had never been a priority for Adrian, and he has a feeling that his past self didn't care for love either. After all, never once in his visions did he see the King in Blue have a queen or a beloved. Besides, while my body is young, my mind is not.

Still, he looked at her with gentle patience, noticing the way she seemed to grow more flustered with every passing second. “It’s okay, just tell me what you feel."

Seven took a shaky breath, eyes darting around as though she were piecing together her response from the very air itself. “I, well, it’s… complex. Perhaps… a convergence of sentiments? An amalgamation of differing perceptions that—”

Adrian stifled a laugh, trying to keep his voice calm. “Fancy words there, Seven. You don’t have to impress me, you know.”

Her cheeks turned even pinker, and she bit her lip, her gaze falling to the ground. “I know."

He watched her thoughtfully, piecing together fragments of things he’d read. Homunculi were rarely known for having emotions; they weren’t supposed to, in fact. Made for specific purposes, they were expected to act, respond, and think in ways dictated by their creators. Yet here she was, a flustered young girl, her feelings clearly getting the best of her. Is magical research actually more advanced in this world? Or is Seven just an anomaly?

Before he could let his mind drift too far, Seven waved her hand in front of his face. “Are you daydreaming again?”

Adrian blinked, shaking himself back into the moment, giving her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I was.”