A/N: What's up my readers?! I've decided that because of my writer's block, I am going to write a new story about my favorite couple, KonoSetsu! Unfortunately there is no poetry in the actual story, but I've decided to include some in my little introduction. But first, an awesome update of my life. And no, it does not include a girlfriend. Instead, I got a new job. Hooray! No more working at an evil fast food restaurant! I now work at GNP, which, for those of you who don't know, is Central North America's leading producer of chicken. Factory work though it may be, I like it. I'm finally getting strength back in my arms, I get paid almost twice what I had at my other job, and there's finally a good mixture of cultures, because I live in a primarily white town, which I think sucks! Oh, and I'm the Lead's gopher, which is a compliment to my work effort and quick to learn skill, don't you think? I'm saving up for an apartment, although it's hard to find a cheaper one that's in a good neighborhood in my town. Well, I just might have to get a conceal and carry license, or carry one of my good knives with me. Oh, well. Moving out is supposed to involve some risk. And when I get a raise, I can always upgrade. There is one problem I have to deal with at work. All of the Somali guys seem to have a crush on me! I have no prejudice, but I like girls, and I'm not really into being anyone's third wife. Anyway, let's get this story amovin'! First, here's a little poem I made up as a possible pickup line for girls. Feel free to use it if you think it might work for you.
Before me's a cute little miss;
Who's greatly deserved of a kiss
If I were more forward, I would then move toward
Becoming this cute miss's bliss
Important A/N: I have to give credit where credit is due. I borrowed a few ideas and themes from 'Sword and the Needle,' A brilliant work of fiction by Kailor Aurelius. Such themes include vague mention of slavery, tyrant king (but not a demon lord), and hidden rooms within a certain princess's castle, except for different reasons than Kailor's. And I do not in any way own Negima?!
Well, to use a very popular and in my opinion, very worn-out intro, "On with the show!"
Prologue
The sun was shining, bright and cheerful as Konoe Konoka, princess and heir to the throne of the kingdom of Mundus Magicus rode in her royal white carriage for yet another publicity engagement for the continued support of her family's reign. This particular visit was to one of the farms that supplied the castle with food deemed fit only for royalty.
As the carriage moved slowly and elegantly down the ridiculously long path leading to the farmer's house, she sighed, staring out the open air window at the vast fields of wheat waving from a gentle summer breeze.
Another tedious meeting to serve as a tool to ensure father's rule. Sooo much fun. She thought sarcastically. There was bound to be much bowing and scraping from the farmer and workers, which annoyed her to no end. But don't get her wrong. She liked spreading kindness among the people of her kingdom, but since it was the season of crop growth she had seen way too many farms in the last few months.
The carriage finally approached a quite impressive abode, looking more like a plantation mansion, than a farmhouse. Stopping near the elaborate porch, complete with marble columns supporting its roof, her main attendant; Hiroshi; dismounted from one of the many pristine white steeds that formed the princess's caravan and opened the door to the carriage. Lightly grasping the elegantly extended hand from the doorway; he assisted the princess down the few small steps leading to the dirt gravel ground. Luckily, there had been no recent rain, so mud was not an issue. The farmer and the main foreman waited for Konoka at the bottom of the porch stairs, bowing deeply as she approached them.
Oh, great. Here we go…
"Greetin's yer highness," the farmer said, attempting to formalize the words as best he could with his simple country accent. "We sincer-sincerler-sincinerler…Greatly appreciate yer highness gracin' us with her presence." The man stuttered horribly. Konoka sighed in her mind.
Why, she wondered, do they always try to speak 'royal' to me? Blue blood, or redneck, it all comes out the same kind of bullshit.
"I am very much honored to be here," Konoka replied, putting on a tight smile. Hoping to end the visit as quickly, yet gracefully as possible she quickly added, "I eagerly await the tour of your lovely facilities. So, let us dispense with the formalities and proceed."
"Certn'ly, yer highness. Right dis way," The farmer gestured in the direction of one of the vast wheat fields. The one that was the most vibrant and beautiful. Unfortunately the farmer set a rather slow pace, making sure the princess could gaze at every detail of the establishment, no matter how insignificant.
They stopped at the edge of the wheat field, and Konoka ran her hands through the swaying stalks, in an obvious attempt to show appreciation for the quality of the grain.
"Here's the main field we harvest fer the wheat used in yer table's bread. This is the most fert-the most ferti… the best land we got and its sole purp-uh its purpo-its…We only us it for y'all. It's tended by our best workers and run by our lead foreman, Mr. Shiina. This field is given the best…" The farmer droned on and on about the whole process of growing the wheat and harvesting the crop, until Konoka silently pleaded desperately to Hiroshi to get this tour moving.
"Can you show us the process of grinding the wheat into grain, I imagine it's most fascinating?" Stated the attendant tactfully. The farmer realized he was blabbering on, and took a small hop as he gestured for the tour to move forward.
They proceeded to a large building, booming loudly with the sounds of the grinding stones. A small wonder of mechanics and a little bit of magic, it reduced the chances of anyone losing a hand to the dangerous apparatus. The farmer then began to drawl out another long, and probably rehearsed speech, when, between the mill and the chicken coops that provided eggs to the castle, Konoka heard a loud yell of pain. She turned towards the noise, and a look of horror spread across her face as she spied the source. A man wielding a nasty looking whip cracked down upon the dirty, disheveled form of a girl who had apparently collapsed whilst attempting to move a bag of grain much too heavy for a normal person.
"Get up ya worthless hanyou! We don't feed ya for nappin' on the job. I said MOVE!" CRACK! Another harsh smack was heard as the tightly braided leather struck the girl's backside once more. Listening the man's words, Konoka then noticed the dirt-covered, muddy brown wings protruding from the girl's back, along with clearly seen vertebrae. The girl yelled once again, struggling to get up, but failing and slumping pathetically on the ground.
"Have it your way you abomination! I'll help ya up." The man sneered, firmly grasping the girl's right wing and twisting sharply. Even from where Konoka stood, an audible crack was heard. The girl gasped and groaned in terrible agony as the man released her wing, which now hung at an odd angle. Barely able to get to her knees, the girl was then viciously kicked in the ribs, causing her to collapse, unmoving.
Konoka's face twisted into a snarling position, teeth bared in rage. She stalked from her location aggressively, before loudly incanting a spell and shooting arrows of light at the girl's tormentor. The man flew backwards and hit a fence, breaking it. She bent down, intent on lightly brushing the girl's shoulder, only for her to flinch back from the touch.
"Easy now. No one will harm you anymore. Just stay still." Konoka comforted, as if trying to soothe a frightened animal. The girl began shaking, scared of everyone and everything. The farmer had finally noticed the princess's absence and looked around frantically, finally spotting her down the small alley. He saw what drew her attention, and his face turned white in fear.
"Oh, no…"
Phew! That was tough. Haven't written anything in chapter form for a none-poetic story since…Well, it's been awhile. So, whaddya think? Please point out any spelling or other type of grammatical error, unless it's a deliberate mistake on the part of the farmer's speech pattern. I constantly reread and correct my stuff, but I always seem to miss something. I know it's short, but I've a feeling all my chapters will be near the same length, unless I get a particularly juicy idea in my head of how the story should go. Well, I am going to attempt sleep now folks. Reviews are welcomed, good, bad or ugly! And I will finish Paparazzi also. Peace out and good night readers!