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Ch. 1

Outset Island

In the southern part of the Great Sea lies a small island called Outset. It has a small population, but the inhabitants are very friendly and helpful. They live in harmony with the sea as well as the soil they have dwelled on for generations. Life on Outset was a paradise.

This island has a tradition that was started by the island's first humans to live there. It's a tradition that when a boy becomes of age to have a celebration in honor of him and of the hero of legends. Today, on a sunny March 29th, the islanders are celebrating the birthday of one of its children, a boy named Roy, who has finally come of age. The villagers are eager to start Roy's Birthday celebration.

But Roy cannot be found anywhere…

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"…Tee hee."

Cerulean eyes opened to be met with the afternoon's bright sunlight. A young man of 16 with flame red hare sat up, scratching the back of his head. He glances over to ladder of the island's lookout. He could have sworn he heard someone laughing.

"Hey there, Roy!"

Rot turned to see a short boy with dark red -almost brown- hair with eyes equally as blue as his. The boy was hovering over him with a warm smile on his face.

"Why are you up here, big brother? The whole village is looking for you!"

Roy looked up at the boy with an annoyed look on his face. He stood and stretched then looked down at his younger brother. "Why do you think I'm up here, Owyn?" he lightly snapped while dusting off his shirt, "I don't want to go to that stupid party."

Owyn gave him a disappointed look and grabbed his arm. "But Roy…"

"Everyone is just going to make a big fuss about this 'coming of age' ceremony and embarrass me," Roy shook his brother off of him, "No thanks!"

Thant did not stop Owyn's pestering. The boy just grabbed Roy's arm again and began tug on it. "Aww, but Roy! There will be food! Lots and lots of food! You like food, don't you?"

"Fine, fine, I'll go! Just stop tugging my arm off!"

"Yay! I win!" Owyn whooped as he danced around his brother. Roy crossed his arms and huffed over to the ladder, mumbling and grumbling under his breath.

--

When he and Owyn arrived at the beach they were greeted with the warm welcome of the villagers, despite the fact that Roy had a sour expression on his features. Owyn held his wrist and pulled him towards the tables. "See, Roy? Everyone's here! And they have presents for you!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Oh, don't be like that, Roy! Have some fun!"

They were immediately met with some of their neighbors when they got to the nearest table. "Hey, Roy," Mr. Raven greeted with a smile.

Mr. Boyd, being a nosy person, decided to join in. "We were looking all over for ya! Where've ya been?"

Roy just kept quiet and held an annoyed expression. His neighbors just ignored it, or either they didn't notice it since they just kept talking to him. "So," Mr. Boyd walked to him and clapped him on the back, "to day you're a man, huh? Must be pretty exciting, huh? Roy shrugged.

Mr. Raven took a sip of his lemonade then joked, "Yeah, next thing we know, you'll be married and have kids, heh." The two older men and Owyn laughed while the older redhead continued his annoyed silence, that's when Owyn stopped laughing to add, "Oh, Roy's to shy. He's probably never talked to a girl, tee hee!" Roy's face became pink and glared at the three laughing males.

"That's not true, you little –"

"Roy, were you off napping again?" a kind old voice interrupted his angry insult. He and Owyn turned around to see their short grandmother gently smiling up t them. "You're so predictable, Roy."

"Grandma…"

"You need more of Granny's Soup, Roy, to make you strong and healthy," she took his hand.

"Aww, Grandma-"Again he was cut off by his grandmother, who gave him a soft slap on the wrist and a 'tisk tisk' sound. "Now, look at you! You're clothes are all wrinkled. What a mess!"

Owyn snickered behind him "Grandma, I'm old enough to-"and, again, the old woman interrupted him with a shush and guided him to the table.

"Roy, come open your presents now. Everyone's been waiting! Sit down, sit down!" Roy obeyed his grandma ad say at the head of the table where she had pulled out a chair for him. When he got settled into the chair Lilina, an old friend of his, cane right up and thrust a present in his face. "Open mine first, Roy! I'm sure you'll love it!" She gave him a flirty smile.

Roy ripped the red and purple paper off and took off the lid of the box. HE reached into the box and pulled out a red headband and a matching red sash. "Err…Wow, Lilina…a headband and a sash." She smiled even wider and put her hands on her hips. "I made them myself! Just for you"

Roy put the pieces of cloth back in the box and pushed them to the side. He reached out to get another present when Owyn ran up next to him with his hands behind his back, a cheery smile was on his face.

"Big Brother, open mine next please? Roy gave him a surprised look.

"Aw, Owyn…You didn't have to get me anything." The younger brother just shook his head and made a pleading expression. "Please just close your eyes? Just for a second?"

Roy gently smiled and shut his eyes. Owyn gave an excited squeak and moved his hands from his back to place his gift in Roy's hands. "Ta-da! Now, open your eyes, big brother!" The teen obeyed and opened his blue eyes to see a bright red and gold telescope with seagulls painted on it in his hands. He raised his head and looked at his brother with astonishment in his eyes. "Owyn…this is your telescope! I can't-"

The young boy shushed him and grinned. "You can borrow it for a little while. You just have to promise to give it back, ok?" He rocked back and forth on hid feet while replacing his hand behind his back. Roy smiled again.

"Thanks, Owyn."

He set the telescope down carefully and continued to open his gifts. When all but one preset was left, his grandmother came up behind him and placed a large yellow box in front of him then rested her wrinkled hands on his shoulders. "Now, time for my present."

Roy's eyes lighted up as he grabbed it excitedly. "Alright, this should be cool!" He tore into the box in top speed; paper flying everywhere.

"I hope it fits…"

Roy ripped off the lid of the box and snatched out what was in the box. When he lifted it out he held it in front of his face. "Grandma, you made me a dress!?" he exclaimed in horror. The old woman smacked him on the head. "Roy. It's not a dress, it's a tunic!" Roy rubbed his head and looked into the box to see if there was anymore, only to see more pieces of clothing to go with the red and silver…thing.

He groaned. "It looks like a dress to me…"

His grandmother shot daggers at him, but said in a sweet voice, "Now, you silly boy, go try it on!" The redhead groaned again and Owyn laughed.

"But, I'm hungry!

"Please, Roy, for me? I want to see how handsome you look in it! Oh, and don't forget the headband and sash that Lilina made for you!" Roy sighed and gave in. He stomped back to their home on the beach, mumbling under his breath.

"Yep…I knew this wasn't going to be good…"

--

Yeah, I re-did the opening.

Note: Roy's now 16 and Owyn is 7.