Alright lovelies, I know I said this one would be set in Ancient Egypt, but I remembered this AU I wanted to write so badly, something that came to me when I was reading a book. This AU is a favorite of mine, so I'll try to give it to you the best way so you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
Another thing; this is something like a big project, so I don't think I can fit into a week like the previous one.
I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Mana put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun. She liked summer for a lot of reasons; blue skies, good weather, people enjoying the stress-free months of the year... but sun blinding her was not one of them.
She checked her watch. She still had ten minutes until her train arrived. To pass the time, she started to check everything in her luggages one last time. The blue one had her jeans, jackets, a raincoat and two pairs of shoes. And since there was no room for her boots, she had put two pairs of shoes for sunny days in the luggage, and was wearing her boots now. Her feet were sweating terribly but there was no other choice. Gramps had said the weather there changed frequently despite being it summer, so Mana was prepared for anything.
The rest of the bag was filled with her study and reading books. The green luggage had all of her other clothes like t-shirts, dresses, and skirts. It had been a challenge fitting all of her wardrobe in a suitcase but Mana was more stubborn than the zipper of the suitcase which did not want to close.
She had her notebook, pencil case and a few makeup supplies she owned in her purse.
She checked her watch again. Five minutes.
She was going to miss her home, her brother. It was only for three months, Mana knew but it would be the first time she would ever go far away from home, she was emotional. Yes, she had been excited to go since Gramps had first called to invite them to his house for them to spend their summer vacation, but since Mahad couldn't have a summer break from his job, Mana was going by herself.
She looked forward to this little adventure. But a part of her still wanted to stay with Mahad. She didn't want to leave him alone, but when he insisted that she should go, Mana couldn't refuse.
The crowd around her started to move to the platform, and Mana stood up. Grabbing her two luggages, she followed the people where they would board the train. Get in the cabin, drag your luggages to your seat, put them away, sit, give your ticket to the conductor so he'll check it, and finally, sit and wait until you arrive to your destination.
Success, Mana thought. The train stations were usually busy and crowded, and it had been a pain to carry two luggages that were her size everywhere but now, the tiring part of her journey was over. She got comfortable in her seat and settled on watching outside. The sky was bright now, but she doubted she could arrive there before sunset.
Mana and her family had met Solomon Muto when Mana was just a little girl when he was on one of his excavations. Her family had given him a place to stay in their house, and he would remind them how grateful he was at every chance. He had stayed there for a long while, but it had been worth the wait, for that excavation had been a turning point for him. He had become the head of one of the most important discoveries on his stay there.
Mana remembered him to be a strong-willed, determined but kind and generous man. He was smart, always busy with his studies. But he would sometimes spend time with Mahad and Mana, both of them eager to listen to his stories.
When he had to return to his own home, he had left, promising that they would see each other again. But he hadn't guessed it would happen at such a tragic event. He had returned to Mana and Mahad's side once they lost their parents. Mahad was older than eighteen at the time, so there was no need for a guardian for both of them, he had the responsibility of taking care of Mana. But Solomon still made sure that at any urgencies, they would come to him. And they had never lost touch since then.
Mana had graduated from high school this year, and for a graduation present for her Solomon had invited both her and Mahad. Unfortunately, she was the only one going.
Mana sipped the tea the service attendant had brought and closed her eyes just for a second.
When she opened them, it was dark out, and the lights of the train were alight.
"Miss. Miss. The train is closing to the platform."
Mana thanked the attendant that woke her up, still in her sleepy daze, and rubbed her eyes. She knew she hadn't gotten much sleep last night but she never thought she would sleep for that long.
A bit clumsily, she got her luggages, and walked out of the cabin. She dragged her luggages to the side of a nearby wall to not stand in the people's way and looked around for Solomon. He had said he would come and pick her-
"Mana! Mana, over here. Come, kids."
Mana heard his voice and looked where the sound came from. There he was, walking towards her smiling, with someone next to him. A tall, blond boy.
"Gramps!" Mana squeaked and jumped forward to hug the old man. He returned the gesture, laughing. "It's been so long!"
"And look at you, you've grown so much in my absence," he commented, holding her hands.
"Yet you didn't age one bit, Gramps." Her gaze averted to the teen standing behind. "Hi, I'm Mana." She held her hand forward to the boy. "Nice to meet you."
"Joey Wheeler." he answered and grabbed her hand. "The pleasure is mine, Mana. Let me get those for you." said Joey and took her luggages from her.
"Oh no, you don't have to-"
"Shh. You're the guest. I'm carrying your bags."
Mana could only smile appreciatively, and watch him head to the gates.
"Let's go home for now and you'll settle in your room. We'll catch up tomorrow when you're rested. I'm sure you're tired." Solomon said and followed the young man outside.
Mana walked beside him, and they walked through the parking lot, and to the car. On their ride to the house, Mana couldn't see much since it was dark outside, but the shining city lights coming from far away looked like the mountains were covered with fairy lights.
"How far do you live from the city, Gramps?"
"Not much, you can get there easily by car in half an hour. Though I don't see the need. There is a small town nearby, I like to go there if it's necessary."
Solomon later told her that his son and grandsons were not at the house at the moment, but they would meet her in the morning. Mana didn't mind, she was thinking of heading straight to bed.
That is, if she could ever find her room. The Muto House, no, The Muto Mansion was grand, and just standing in the middle of the entrance made her head spin.
Luckily, Joey led her to her room as he was carrying her stuff. It was on the second floor, the left hall, the second door to her right; the first one being his sister's as he told her.
"And mine is this one." he pointed at the door at the other side of the hallway. "Come get me if you need help with anything."
"Thank you Joey." she shortly said and retired to her room.
Her room was a simple one. Still bigger and more sophisticated looking than her own room but a simple one compared to rest of the house. She wasn't expecting too much, it was a guest room after all. The walls were light blue, and the big windows were covered with white lace curtains. She had a white dresser with five drawers, and a big mirror on it. A white wardrobe enough to fit five times her belongings, a desk with a study lamp on it and a comfortable chair. A light gray rug was laying under her feet. The bed was big enough to fit three people, but under the huge lump of pillows, it looked much smaller.
She didn't have the energy to inspect everything thoroughly, so Mana just put the luggages away and threw herself on the bed. A car closing in and stopping outside was heard. She heard some people chatter before she fell asleep.
Yay, the first chapter is done! I'll get to the character introductions and everything needed to be explained in Chapter 1, don't you worry. Thanks for once again joining me on this adventure, and hope you'll enjoy!
xo