>It hadn't been all that far since they'd left the carriage, the open plains weren't exactly a difficult trek. In the height of summer he was particularly thankful for his hat, for though the heat didn't bother him at all, sunburn was still a problem. Normally he had lotion for that, but in his case it tended to be fairly minor.
>The worry, then, turned to Melody, who was from a place to irrationally cold that she was probably about to die under this kind of sweltering summer sun.
You alright back there? The woods are just over that small ridge and past the river, you can see them from here.
>About two miles from where they were standing was a treeline that slowly disappeared to the left, and gradually increased to the right. Given that they were headed south, left was east towards the coast, though no sea could be seen from where they were. To the right, in the far distance, were the Astrolian mountains, and very far to the south was Mount Turin, standing almost in solitude amongst everything else.
There should be a small village in there we can stop at. I think we just have to follow the path after the bridge.
>>41201132 >Thankfully when he looked back the Neige girl hadn't turned into a puddle. Though even if she was hiding under a parsol she packed and had a fan in her other hand to keep herself as cool as possible...
I'm doing fine...
>She was sweating bullets and her face was getting pretty red. How the hell could Patrick stand this heat!? Well... she knew how really, but still!
>And even worse was the fact he was prancing around like he was going to the beach or something. Those exposed abs... the sweat rolling off his muscular arms...
....
>It didn't help matters at all. >But hopefully the pit stop at that village will help her cool off a fair bit.
Have you been there before Patrick?
>Just thought she'd ask, maybe there'll be something interesting there.
>>41201669 I've been quite a few places! That wasn't my first stop in Empyrean either, y'know. Then again, when you get into trouble as much as I do, you're kinda forced to move along pretty quick.
I sure hope they've forgotten the fruit pie incident... otherwise we're in for an interesting time.
>Looking back to check on the girl, it wasn't hard to notice she was handling the heat less well than he thought. Maybe ditching the carriage in the middle of the year for a long walk hadn't been the best of ideas, particularly when they were essentially walking across farmland, which had no cover at all for obvious reasons.
Trust me, I'll be doing just as poorly as you once Lunair comes. On the bright side, this means that my strength is at its peak right now, so if anyone tries to come and get us then you don't have to worry about that.
Oh yeah... didn't you say your home is snowbound for most of the year? Isn't now around the time when it'd be a lot more open?
>>41201691 >Ah yes, her home. Just thinking about it made her cool off some.
Yes, the last month of Caelum and all of Solair. That's when the blizzards stop, the beasts of the cold leave for the mountains, and we can finally go outside once more. Oh Mr. Gudo's probably harvesting his crops as we speak... I wonder if he'll make more of that crisp pumpkin pie he baked for me and Victoria when were still kids.
Too bad I'll miss out on it this year.
>It was one of her favourite times of year actually cause she wasn't struck in under ground tunnels all the damn time!
>>41201758 Who says you have to miss out? We can make it to Alaestus and back within the month! All we gotta do is catch a train.
>The point sounded absolutely ludicrous from a fugitive point of view, but Patrick seemed so confident in that option that the possibility seemed to open itself up - travel around as freely as that, even though they were being sought after?
Sounds really nice. I'd rather visit before the chill sets in. In the meantime, though, you've gotta deal with this heat!
>Turning right around in a strangely smooth motion, Patrick walked right up to Melody and looked down at her with a confident smirk.
Here ya go!
>And placed his hat on her head without a word of permission or caution, the smirk turning into a bright grin.
That oughta help. Now, onwards!
>Thus, he turned and continued, opting not to breathe a single word about the dreaded pie incident and what the consequences could entail.
>>41204884 >He seemed pretty confident in being able to just stroll back through Termina in spite of all the people now after his head. Worse still he wanted to do it by train.
...
>She would have objected but Patrick placed his hat on her head and she frowned. She didn't need his sweaty hat! Even if it did cool her down a bit... and smelled like him too.
>She'll keep it for now, it would be rude not take it and any bit of shade helped. >She wasn't pleased about him avoiding her question though. He seemed make a vexing habit of doing that.
>>41204943 >Regardless of whether he wanted to tell the tale or not, such events would come back to haunt him. After a short while, the two passed over the small bridge across the river and made their way into the small thickets of trees that eventually spread into a wide wood. The path ground into the dirt was easy to follow, otherwise the village itself wouldn't really be able to get any trade to and from the outside.
>The trek was beginning to feel like it'd last for miles, but the shade of the trees helped to keep the heat off their backs. As they moved further in, however, Melody would likely notice that some of the area appeared slightly burnt, and even a few of the trees seem to have up and died, merely thick stalks of ash. Up the side of a small hill and around a particularly large berry bush, the first sign of actual civilisation revealed itself - an opening in the trees and a small wooden fence bordering the area beyond, a large gate standing tall at the end of the path.
Aaah, here we are! This place'll be perfect to take a rest before going south some more, Terminian patrols only come through here once a week or so.
Let's go give 'em a knoc-
>Before Patrick could even finish the thought, the gates were opening up, and several men and women were exiting the village with what looked like small weapons of varying kinds, along with a particularly old man who was hobbling in front of the group, before they all halted shortly outside the gate.
PATURICK FURAI!
>Despite being fairly elderly, the man's voice seemed to boom across the distance between the adventuring pair and the village gate.
You havu been banished from this pulace! Never to return! We have a rongu memory! Do not think you can deceive us withu your turicks and ries!
>The accent was particularly hard to place, though if one were to make any sort of guess it would seem they were an immigrant tribe from the north-western reaches of Astrolia, where regional accents were a lot more common.
>Patrick himself, meanwhile, simply bore a nervous grin as he gave the small mob a wave from a fair distance.
Awh, c'mon Elder Farris, that was years ago! I said I'd pay for the damage, didn't I?
Years ago it may havu been, but your desutruction isu still visible for miles! And we havu never received any such payment!
Oh, uh... well, whoops! Did I overlook that at some point? I could've sworn I.. hrmm...
>This situation seemed to be taking a turn for the worse the longer the conversation went on.
>>41205934 >>41207224 It isu not a matter of paying what he owes! It isu a matter of principuru!
Elder Farris, I think that girl's... >Whisper whisper whisper whisper
... MISSU NEIGE!
>Immediately the ones surrounding the weapons put down their weapons, giving a very polite bow, whilst the elder made the effort to walk right up to her, even kneeling before the girl in a gesture of prostation that Patrick hadn't even had the faintest glimpse of before.
It isu a wondrous occasion to host you here, Missu Melody, Genuru Neige has always been a steadufast surporter and defender of our small home during times of curisis. I aporogise for the aggression of the others before, it isu just...
>The elder raised his head only slightly, simply to gesture at the man now standing behind her.
... what isu a fine lady like yourself doing withu a vagrant such as he?
>The old man's voice took a very hushed and worried tone.
Don't tell me he hasu you against your will..!?
>Patrick, meanwhile, could only stand and stare at the spectacle before him, wondering just what the hell he was getting into with this girl. Sure, they weren't too far from Termina, but it wasn't like she was a princess or anything. Was Victoria that well known? Or was Melody far more than what she seemed?
>>41207240 >The younger Neige girl was just as surprised as Patrick at the turn in events. But from what she gathered, her sister had assisted this place in the past and may have told them of her little sister was well. Or maybe she was a more well known noble then she thought. Regardless either answer was concerning. That meant there'd be just that much more witnesses for whoever came looking for them.
>But that was a problem for later, she needed to explain what's going on now before Patrick was put under fire once again. So, she puts in her provable Noble Suit and addresses the elder of this village. With a regal calm tone befitting an ambassador, and a small smile on her face, Melody gets to work on spinning a magic tale with words alone.
No, he has not taken me against my will good elder. I have had him become my body guard while I travel the kingdom and visit the villages that my sister has told me about for myself. She has always said as one raises higher in rank, their responsibility to the people they serve and protect raises as well. As such I came here to better familiarize myself with the locals and learn how to better provide for you all in the future.
>She looks over to Patrick and the subtle look she gives says how annoyed she is for not being informed of the situation before it was too late.
Yes he is a vagrant, dense, undressed, hopelessly reckless, and has the occasional issue with body odor, but he is also a skilled mage and will do well to ensure my venture is not only successful, but safe as well. I have put much faith into his abilities.
>And now she bows herself, a very rare thing for a noble to do to another one of their own rank never mind anyone considered 'lower' then them.
Even if Mister Frye wasn't under my employ at the time of this incident, I apologize on his behalf regardless. I'm positive that even as disastrous as the results were, he had nothing be good intentions and only wanted to help you the best way he knew how.
<"Which was to light their property on fire like the idiot he is!!"
>>41207325 >In that moment, the Elder looked both shocked and conflicted. Someone of such a valued status taking on a poor excuse for a mercenary or less than that, even, a vagrant and a vagabond, as a personal bodyguard? Alone, no less? It was near-unthinkable, and yet she was also right. Of all things, his ability to destroy was certainly high and it's possible he might be able to serve as some kind of defence against those even worse than he was, as few as they were.
>But what completely overwhelmed even that sentiment was her display of reverence toward him for that same idiot's sake. Truly, she was a noble among the nobility, a true people's protector no matter their shame.
My lady, you are trury kind. We wiru overlook his transgressions against our village for the duration of your stay. Know that you are wercome here anytime, Missu Neige. Prease, enjoy what little we have to offer someone such as yourself.
>Patrick wasn't sure how to react. In fact, he was pretty sure it was best not to react until he was far away from the prying eyes of anyone remotely involved in any of this, because if he said or did anything to fuck this up he was probably going to regret it for a particularly long time.
>Now he owed her twice. A girl who looked half his age. Just where was life taking him, right now?
>>41207499 >Perfect, that was the situation under control and now they could safely recuperate for a time until they were both was ready to go.
Thank you so much for your forgiveness and hospitality Elder Farris, I truly appreciate it.
>With that done, it was time to take care of the other important matter. Getting out of this heat before she actually did melt and to stock up for the longer parts of their adventure.
Right now, we could use some more supplies for our travels. Could you please point us to the closest general store?
>>41208470 Ofucourse, ofucourse, prease, head inside. I will show you wher-
Elder, with all due respect, you should be resting. Please, allow me to guide Miss Neige.
>A relatively young woman spoke out with concern for man's age, somewhat short but slender with relatively toned arms from the work such a place required. Her accent was almost nonexistent, which was likely due to the younger generation being mostly Terminian rather than from the far reaches of Astrolia, but her old tribe's mark was easily noticeable through her ashen hair and grey eyes, something many of the ones surrounding them shared. Merissa? Are you sure? I suppose I should be preparing for the harvest festival, but...
Please, don't fret. I'll be along to help once Miss Neige is feeling settled.
>Though he held for a moment, eventually the old man nodded and began to hobble back over towards the village gate. Farris was loathe to allow Patrick back in after what happened, but it couldn't be helped given the circumstances. Hopefully Miss Melody had him on a short leash, lest disaster strike anew.
>The girl, meanwhile, turned to face Melody properly, giving her a similar courteous gesture to the one Elder Farris had provided.
A pleasure to meet you, my lady. I'm Melissa, as you may have heard. Please, allow me to show you to Uncle Rowen's store, I hope you can find things to your liking.
>As the others of the village turned and began to leave, the once-quiet ex-or-possibly-still criminal took a moment to make himself known again, folding his arms across his chest before raising one in a finger-gun type of shape.
Well, if it isn't Melissa Farris. As gorgeous as ever, I see!
>With a deep sigh, Melissa dropped all prior pretenses and stood up with a relaxed posture, this time looking over towards the formerly-outlawed brigand.
Patrick, as stupid as you were when you left. Forgive me, Miss Neige, but I sincerely hope you find a different bodyguard within the next day, or perhaps even in the hour.
>>41208821 >Well it was good to see that Patrick didn't save his wonderful ability to make an impression on people just for her and her sister.
Please, Melody is fine and thank you Melissa.
>Formalities were nice but if she was going to be her for any length of time she didn't want others to stand on ceremony for her.
Though while I probably could have been provided with someone more...
>Was there even a word for him?
Not Patrick, I don't think my sister would feel ok with a protector that couldn't stand toe-to-toe with her. Since he has, and circumstances made few other options possible... many of his lacklustre qualities were overlooked in favour of what boon he does have.
>She didn't even attempt to be subtle about bashing him now. Probably because Melissa already knew what the oaf was like and it wasn't a matter of people mobbing him.
But regardless, I am just happy to finally be out here. This journey of mine has been long overdue.
>Seemingly a lot more relaxed now than she had been just earlier, Melissa seemed to fit a lot better into the role of a guide, appearing confident and capable, far moreso than a lot of the other villages who had arrived with shears and pitchforks without much idea of how to handle them.
Wait, toe-to-toe with General Neige? >Her eyes wheeled back over to Patrick, who stood nonchalantly, whistling away like he hadn't a care in the world. What kind of bullshit lies are you spinning now, you ass!? First you come here talking about an ancient shrine and now you're spreading rumours about yourself!?
You don't tend to read the paper, do you? >Patrick grinned with confidence, folding his arms and shooting their new acquaintance a snarky smirk. I beat her up twice over, 'til she got a lucky shot! Spent nearly two months in Empyrean's highest security cell, too, 'cause she was scared of what'd happen if I got out.
>Okay, now he was definitely embellishing the truth, but there was still some truth in there to be had.[/i]
Last Edit: Sept 24, 2017 20:04:03 GMT by Star Fall