We're just talking, that's all
1855 Words
I followed Aria to this balcony that was up a few stories, and yeah, I was exhausted climbing these steps. Why are there so many stairs, why?! My legs better get used to these or I’m gonna have to find another way up this palace.
Oo! Maybe I can get a pet griffin and have it fly me everywhere. That would be so cool.
But until that happens, or if that happens, Aria and I walked onto this balcony that had a stone bench with vines wrapped around the rail.
“This is where I like to go to clear my head,” she told me “And because of the view.”
I walked over to the rail and wow- this view was amazing. I could see above the woods and out on the horizon. Beyond the woods was a small city with pathways here and there. As I gazed around, I noticed that there wasn’t much surrounding the castle, just hills, and trees. But overall, it was a beautiful sight.
“Wow,” I breathed with amazement “This is beautiful.”
“You should really see it during autumn” she smiled “It looks so beautiful with the warm colors.”
“Oh, I bet” I agreed “Although, there isn’t really much around here except for that little city.”
“I know, but that’s because you haven’t seen the rest of Fantastopia. This world is actually really large, only a few have seen everything, not even I have been to every part of this world.”
“Really?” I remarked.
“I mean, part of me wants to see everything, but another part of me doesn’t because you probably know that this place has a lot of danger.”
“Oh yeah,” I nodded “From what I read in my grandfather’s book, this world is quite dangerous. And thanks to Dale’s warning, I apparently have to be careful around fairies.”
“Oh,” she giggled “He’s not wrong there. The main thing is, don’t piss off any creatures. But I’m sure you’ll remember that.”
“It’s basically like how I am in the real world, I don’t know who to trust until I get to know them.”
“Exactly” she agreed as we sat down on the stone bench “So, Wren told me that you got attacked last night by goblins.”
“Oh, yeah” he snickered “I was walking outside at night as they just came out of nowhere. I knew walking at night wasn’t a good idea. Not only was I alone, but the only weapon I had was my textbook which even though it’s hard as a rock, it was only useful for a few seconds.”
“Damn” she breathed “I knew this would happen. And it’s gonna happen again when you’re not prepared.”
“So, how can I prepare myself? I can’t exactly carry around a sword with me at all time or else I’ll get arrested.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find some ways. But just so you know, goblins aren’t the only dangerous creatures that can enter your world.”
“Can anything from this world enter my world?”
“Not everything. Elves obviously can, also Lindel and Oswind who I think are the only ones of their kinds who can, though I’m not entirely sure. Over the years, the residents here have been trying to find ways to enter your world, and I don’t know if they were able to succeed. But all I can say is that we must be prepared in case it does happen.”
“Wait” I spoke when a thought came to me “So any being from this land can just go up to my world and do whatever they want?”
“Well, that’s more of what the elves do. The other creatures usually go up there for important missions and things like that. But now that pretty much all the land knows you’re the new chosen one, they’re gonna find ways to get that ring away from you, and you better watch out, especially when you’re alone cause that’s when they usually strike.”
Oh man, chills just went down my spine. And yep, my ring just turned orange.
“Hey” Aria gently spoke, “It’s okay, we’ll help out.”
I hope so. Because this new life is gonna have me looking behind my back every minute. And I can’t live like that, not in fear, not again.
“So” she suddenly said a bit perky “Changing the subject to a hopefully much better topic, tell me more about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything” she smiled “Um... tell me more about your family.”
“Okay,” I shrugged “Well, I already told you I have a younger sister who I don’t really get along with.”
“Kendra, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Have you guys never gotten along?”
“We may have when we were little. But as we got older we kinda drifted apart. I mean don’t get me wrong, I still love her, but it’s not the same as it was back then.”
“Aw,” she pouted “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be” I sighed “At least you don’t have to deal with sibling drama.”
“Hey, drama comes in all shapes and sizes, don’t act like you’re the only one who’s experienced it.”
“Right...” I chuckled.
If only she knew all the drama I’ve been through my whole life.
“Okay,” she put in “Let’s not talk about drama, tell me more about your family. Your mother is your grandfather’s daughter, right?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Margo.”
“Margo?” she remarked astonished.
“Yeah?” I replied puzzled “Why do you sound surprised? You don’t like the name?”
“Oh, no” she shook her head “It’s just I thought he would’ve named her after Luna, his old love.”
Whoa. I never thought of that. Well, that just struck me all of a sudden.
“Huh,” I huffed surprised “I never thought of that. I mean, Margo was the name of his mother who died when he was young, so I guess he and my grandmother decided to honor her that way.”
“That makes sense” she agreed with a shrug “So um, are you close with your mom?”
“I am” I smiled “She’s great.”
“What does she do for a living?”
“She’s a florist at our local flower shop. So you can say she knows a lot about plants and flowers.”
“So do the fairies here” she grinned “I love flowers too, especially carnations, they’re my favorite.”
“Well, they are very pretty” I agreed, grinning back as well.
Man, I am liking this so far. I would love to hang with Aria as long as I wish. I just met her a few days ago and I’m already liking her so much more.
“Now tell me about your dad” she put in.
“Well,” I breathed “His name’s William. He has some job that involves a suit and a briefcase, I actually don’t know what he does.”
“Seriously?” she laughed.
“Hey” I laughed as well “He doesn’t talk about his job very much so we don’t know a lot about it. Not that I care actually, which I don’t.”
“Well, I guess that’s fine.”
“Now you tell me about your parents.”
“Well,” she began “You already met my dad, King Hardwin. And um, all I can say is that he’s the best. I love how he supports me and helps me train which is not what a stereotypical princess should be doing but, lucky for me, I’m not a stereotypical princess.”
“Which makes him not a stereotypical king” I pointed with a grin.
“Exactly!” she beamed “That’s what I love about him. I love that he and I can break the stereotypical title and just be ourselves.”
“He’s a great dad” I commented, “I bet your mom would be really proud of you right now.”
“She would’ve” she nodded with a small smile.
“Do you mind if I can ask you about your mom?” I asked gently “You don’t have to if it’s too hard.”
“No, it’s okay. I actually enjoy talking about her.”
Oh, that’s good to know. I was afraid she would try to change the subject cause I was really wanted to know more about her family.
“For starters-” she started “Her name was Gemma. And ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be like her. My father told you that she was a warrior back then and that’s what made him attracted to her. She was so brave and confident, I can’t believe she’s really gone.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied sadly.
“At least she died doing what she loved, being a hero.”
“How old were you when she died?”
“I was 10.”
“And she died saving you and other kids from a fire, right?”
“Yeah” she sighed “It happened at a friend’s house. I don’t remember why we were all there, but when my mother left me and the other kids alone in the house, that’s when the fire started. We don’t know how it started, and we still don’t know. But my mother fought hard to get us all out. Apparently, she was only able to take us out one by one. And since she only had one mask to block out the smoke, she made each of us wear it as she took us out. But unfortunately, since she sacrificed her only mask to save us, she later died of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
“Damn” I breathed gloomily “That was really heroic of her to go into the burning house to save all of you.”
“It was” she mumbled with a small smile “I’m still sad that she’s gone. But if it wasn’t for her, we all wouldn’t be here.”
“What happened to the other kids that she saved? Are they still around.”
“They are, you met them already.”
“I did?” I remarked surprised “Who are they?”
She gave me the smile which answered my question as my jaw dropped.
“Hazel and Dale?” I gasped as she nodded “No way! So that’s why they’re your best friends!”
“We actually weren’t that close at that age of the incident. But after the fire and we all recovered, we grew closer. And the next thing I knew, they became a part of my life. Sure one of them is kinda scary and the other isn’t very wise, but I love them to death, and I can’t imagine my life without them.”
“Wow” I chuckled amazed “And I thought they’re your friends because you decided to adopt them.”
“Oh, I practically did” she nodded, “They were both friendless before it all happened. And you most likely know why.”
“Um... I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Don’t feel bad, they know it. But that’s all in the past, what matters now is that we’re all friends. And now, you’re a part of us.”
“I am?” my face lit up.
“Of course. I mean, unless Hazel scares you too much and you don’t have to be a part of our group-”
“No, it’s okay” I assured “It’s just, I’ve never part of a group before. And I was expecting you to have more friends in your group.”
“I do have other friends, but I consider them more as allies. Hazel and Dale were always around me growing up, so they’re the ones who are closer to me. And I would like it if you could get to know them some more because they’re gonna be around you a lot.”
“Well,” I thought about it “As long as Hazel doesn’t stab me with her knives, I think I can do it.”
Aria let out a small laugh “Don’t worry, Hazel will never kill anyone for the fun of it. But when she has her knives in her hands, that’s when you need to keep some distance.”
“Shouldn’t I already be keeping my distance from her? Even without her knives?”
“Good point” she nodded.
- Writer
