This is a rewritten version of 'Saffron's Fantasy Life'.
Why am I rewriting it? Mainly because I want to experiment. The previous version is a sequel to my Dragon Quest IX fanfic so I was thinking what it would be like if the story was a not a sequel, so this was made.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Fantasy Life, just my oc, Saffron.
Enjoy.
Chapter 1: Getting a Life
The rays of the morning sun leaked through a pair of cream-coloured curtains and lit up the small attic room that only consisted of a wooden wardrobe and a single bed with a lump. The lump squirmed at the sun's light and then a young girl emerged from under the duvet. As her light brown arms reached up towards the ceiling, her long, black locks of wavy hair cascaded down her back and pooled around her waist. She had one of her red cat-like eyes open to adjust to the sudden brightness of her room before opening the other one. The girl let out a loud yawn before getting out of bed.
As her feet touched the wooden floor, there was a knock on her door and a chubby woman with bushy brown hair entered with a big smile on her face.
"Good morning, Saffron! I hope y-" the woman started before taking a good look at the girl and frowning, "Miss Ryudo…I know you just woke up but you're a young woman. Show some decency."
"Huh?" was Saffron's response and she looked at her down at her body. Instantly, she remembered that she was still in her underwear from when she went to bed last night. She chuckled sheepishly and swiftly grabbed her dressing gown from the footboard and covered herself. With a smile, Saffron apologised, "Sorry Pam."
Pam continued to frown for a moment before switching into a similar grin, "Nah. Don't worry. I was the same at your age."
Saffron's smile grew a little wider as she was grateful to have a fun-loving landlady who was kind enough to let her live in the small attic room even though she had little money. Pam then asked her if it was true that she finally chose a Life. The girl walked to her wardrobe and opened it. She begun to rummaged through it as she explained to Pam that the Life she chose is what she would call her "Main Life" as she plans to tackle all twelve of them at once. The woman was shocked at her choice (and the way she said it so casually) and asked if it's possible.
"There are rumours that a man did it," Saffron replied, doing up the buttons of the white blouse she had put on, "Besides, according to Taylor, you can switch anytime you like and go up the ladder at your own pace. I'll be fine."
"That's true but why all? Why not just one or two?"
Saffron thought about it for a minute before answering, "I honestly don't know. Maybe once I get started, I will find my reason."
There was a silence. Saffron wondered if her landlady was thinking of something to say or did her mind wondered to something irrelevant.
Then, Pam said, "Well get dressed and meet me outside. There's a letter for you and I think it's from the King."
Saffron made a noise of affirmation and when she heard the door shut behind her, she sighed.
It has been roughly six months since Saffron stumbled into Castele during a cold and stormy night and begged Pam to give her a place to live. Ever since then, Saffron has been adapting herself to her new lifestyle in this little town as well making new friends like Taylor and Isobel. Her only regret is leaving her old friends behind and she often asks herself why didn't she take them with her so that they all can be free.
"Saffron!"
The call of her landlord brought her mind back to the present and she quickly put on a cardigan, a skirt and a pair of brown flats and rushed out of her room. As usual, she was greeted with the noise of the nattering of the townspeople, the calls of merchants and the laughing of the children. Looking down, she could see Pam waving an envelope to her. The girl hurried to her and took the envelope. It was white with a gold border and at the back was the royal seal meaning it was from the King. Opening it, she found a letter saying:
Dear Saffron
Upon hearing that you have chosen a Life, I have requested your attendance to the Royal Court once you have received your licence.
King Erik of Castele
"I was right!" Pam squealed in delight, "It was from the King!"
"Don't you ever get tired of reading my mail?" Saffron asked, knowing that this wasn't the first, second or third time Pam checked her mail for something juicy and scandalous.
Pam pouted, saying how she often weeps for Saffron's low regard towards her youth and took it upon herself to spice it up a little even if it means checking the mail for love letters.
'Just how old does she think she is?' Saffron thought. Nevertheless, she smiled at her landlord's enthusiasm and accepted the small piece of chocolate before she left to go to the town's guild office to get her license.
The guild office was not hard to find and it was a five minute walk from her house. By the time Saffron was at the front door, she had already finished her chocolate. As she entered, the guild master looked up from his desk and greeted her with a jolly laugh, "Ho ho ho! I guess you're here for your license, eh lass? Finally chosen a Life?"
Saffron smiled and responded with, "Actually, I'm planning to tackle every Life but I'll start with Hunter for now."
"Aye, wise choice," the guild master agreed. He turned his back to her and searched around his desk behind the counter. After some shuffling and rustling, he finally came across what he was looking and gave Saffron a card, "Here's your Novice License. Don't be losing it now, you hear?"
The newly appointed Hunter looked at the card and imagined what challenges might lie ahead when suddenly…
"EEEEEEEEEK!"
A high pitched shrill was heard from outside. Saffron looked at the door and listened to muffled voices. It sounded like a girl was begging for something but the man she was begging to sounds really mad and wouldn't abide her wishes without some form of punishment. Worried about the girl's safety, Saffron put her license in her pocket and dashed out of the office to see what the commotion was. Outside, in the centre of town, was two grown men; one brawny and blonde and the other short and stumpy, who looked like they were ganging up on…a tiny butterfly?
"Please let me go!" a little girl's voice (which Saffron can only assume it belonged to the butterfly) pleaded.
"After what you said to us!?" the blonde man bellowed, "No way! Still…a talking butterfly is rare."
"Y-Yeah," the short man concurred with delight, "We'll be eating well tonight."
"Y-Y-You're going eat me?!" the butterfly asked, voice trembling in fear.
"Nah," the blonde man cackled, "We'll sell you instead for a lot of Dosh."
It was at this point, the girl sighed. Everyone knew who the two men were: Pierre and Butch, brothers and self-proclaimed crooks. No-one has deemed them a threat since all they do is pathetic money-making schemes, collect mushrooms and dine and dash. Pierre is the older of the two and considers himself as a handsome playboy who ladies secretly love. From time to time, he'll flirt with various women and used to flirt with Saffron before she gave him a thrashing last night.
Butch, as Saffron likes to believe, is mainly misunderstood and is judged due to his older brother's reputation. There has been rumours that he's an animal lover and when Pierre is not around, he behaves like good boy. He may not be the brightest crayon in the box but anyone could see he greatly admired his brother.
'That's probably the reason why he follows Pierre almost everywhere.' Saffron thought. She made her way through the crowd where the three were and called out, "What are you two up to this time?"
Pierre and Butch turned their attention towards her and so did the butterfly. They were quite surprised to see her standing there with her hands on her hips. Pierre soon sneered at her saying that it was none of her business. The girl smirked and said that she couldn't help but notice how low they went as to pick on a tiny butterfly.
"U-Um excuse me?" the butterfly spoke up in a mild manner, "I appreciate you trying to h-help but I'm f-fine. I have to deal with these r-ruffians myself!"
Pierre's face went red with anger at the insult and bellowed, "What did you just call me?!"
The butterfly whimpered, realising her mistake and screamed as he marched towards but Saffron got in between them.
"That's enough. Just go back to collecting mushrooms before someone gets hurt." she commanded in a stern tone.
Pierre growled in response but he then switched back to his usual overly-confident self and grinned, "Heh. If you want to save the butterfly that badly, give us all your Dosh."
'Looks like Pierre's getting desperate.' the girl thought and brought out the empty wrapper that the chocolate was in. When she informed them that this was all she had, Pierre did not believe her and ordered Butch to search her. Butch hesitated. Saffron could tell that he wanted to go against his brother but with the state he's in now, it wouldn't be wise. He slowly went towards her and gave an apologetic look. Feeling sorry for the guy, the girl returned the same expression and turned her pockets inside out, further proving that she has nothing more to give.
Butch informed his brother but he did not respond. Pierre had his eyes on something else that was on Saffron's person. Pierre gave her a smug look and said, "I don't know who you're trying to fool, little girl. I see that little trinket on your neck and you're going to give it to m-huh?"
Pierre was pretty he was charging towards the girl but all of a sudden, she vanished and then…
BAM!
Pain struck him right in the stomach and he felt his breakfast steadily rising up his throat while everything was going in slow motion. Looking down, he's finds Saffron pushing her fist against his stomach. It took him a moment to realise what happen before he fell to his knees and clutched his stomach.
"Brother!" Butch cried as he rushed to Pierre's aid and helped him up. Pierre growled at his opponent and limped away, yelling over his shoulder, "This is far from over!"
The Hunter let out a breath in relief. The problem was gone but she felt as if she was forgetting something.
'Oh! The butterfly!' she remembered. The tiny creature hasn't said a word since Saffron stepped in to save her and she was now perched on one the benches, safe from harm. The butterfly looked really worried and asked if she was alright. This surprised Saffron as she was sure the butterfly would fly away. She assured the butterfly that she was fine and the insect said goodbye and fluttered away. Saffron mumbled a "goodbye" and continued making her way to the castle. It was located at the far north of town and had three separate parts: on the left side of the castle is the Paladins' Hold and on the right is the Royal Castele Library as well as a small alchemist lad. Saffron walked down the centre and pushed through the double doors that led to the castle itself.
Just like any castle Saffron has seen through her travels, the castle's reception hall had a high ceiling. However, she was surprised to see not much interior; just a pair of armoured statues standing on either side, unlit candle stands, small arched windows and a red carpet stretching along the shiny tiled floor. The Minister welcomed her with a warm smile and informed her that the King was waiting for her in the Royal Court upstairs. She went upstairs to another set of double doors and was about to push through when one of the guards by the door stopped her.
"Halt!" the guard ordered, "This the Royal Court. We do not allow anyone to pass these doors unless they are in appropriate attire!"
'They're kidding, right?!' Saffron thought.
"Well, you don't need to be in formal attire from head to toe," the other guard interjected, "I'm afraid your um…look…goes against the royal protocols! This is the King we're talking about so maybe where a tie or bow or something…"
'Nope. They're not kidding.' the girl mentally corrected herself. If she was in her nightwear, she would understand completely but they wouldn't let in because she not wearing a bow? She was sure that was not mentioned in the invitation. The Hunter was wondering on how she would get a bow when she heard a familiar voice cry, "You meanie!"
Looking over her shoulder, she could see the butterfly from earlier at the entrance trying to get past the Minister.
"Hush! Keep your voice down!" the elderly man ordered in a low tone.
But the butterfly refused to comply and begged, "Oh please let me in!"
Curious, the raven haired girl went back the entrance to see what the commotion was.
The butterfly noticed her and cried, "This man's being a meanie! He won't let me see the King."
"I'm not being mean!" the Minister argued, "I was just saying that the King is a busy man and he has no time to listen to the jabbering of a sparkling, talking butterfly. Now, I'm sorry but I have to ask you to leave."
With that, the Minister went back to his post. The butterfly was still fuming about the prejudice views on a butterfly but still was kind enough to ask, "What you doing here in the castle?"
"I was personally invited by the King himself…" Saffron explained, "…and they turned me away for not wearing a tie."
"That's horrible!" the butterfly exclaimed, "Are all royalty and nobility like this!?"
"From personal experience, I can easily say that it's not always like that with nobility. Some are pretty cool people."
There was a moment of silence before the butterfly exclaimed that she had a brilliant idea that would guarantee their audience with the King. This made Saffron a little sceptical because the last time a tiny person with butterfly wings told her they had a brilliant idea, she almost got eternal imprisonment.
"I dunno…" Saffron said with uncertainty.
"Don't worry. Just lift your chin up a bit."
Seeing that she had very little options that did not include storming into the palace, Saffron sighed and did as she was told. She raised her chin slightly and the butterfly flew over and settle just below the blouse's collar. The girl felt the light pressure of something cold pushed against the centre of her collar bone and she asked, "Are you okay down there? If it's uncomfortable, I can…"
The butterfly assured her that she was fine and it shouldn't take long. Saffron went back upstairs again and- just like las time- she was stopped by the guards. Surprisingly, they mistook the butterfly as a bow tie and let her through without any questions.
Despite encountering a sparkly talking butterfly, Saffron did not expect to find a little blonde haired boy sitting on the throne with a well-dressed woman standing next to him. She sniffed the air a little and detected no dwarf blood, just human blood and a faint scent of celestial blood (which she can only guess it's from the butterfly).
"So, you're finally arrived," the little boy greeted, "I am Erik, Castele's eleventh King and ruler of the realm."
King Erik went through his speech on how many citizens of Castele have pursued many varieties of Life in order for the kingdom to prosper and he congratulates her on choosing a Life.
"Er…" the King paused and thought for a moment, "Um… what Life was it again?"
The woman giggled and said, "Darling, really!"
'Please, for the love all things holy tell me this woman is his mother!' Saffron mentally screamed even though the answer was obvious at this point. The boy dismissed his forgetfulness and says that he's sure that Saffron's Life will lead her down a path of wonder and excitement. The butterfly was thrilled to see the King.
"Aww," she whispered, "He looks so cute…like a little boy!"
"That what scares me," Saffron mumbled, hoping that the King won't notice.
He did notice and he smiled, "You do not need to mumble to yourself as the dry formalities and boring speeches are over."
The girl let out a sigh of relief knowing that this King was laid back. The last King wanted her in the dungeon simply for refusing to marry his eldest son. She was lucky those pirates were nearby to distract him.
After being introduced to his wife Ophelia and his absent daughter, Laura, King Erik gave another speech. Saffron then received three gifts from the royal family: three hundred Dosh, a map of Reveria and a set of novice Hunter gear which she was asked to try on in the King's Chambers before returning. She was then instructed to meet her Life Master who should be somewhere in the east of Castele. The girl left the castle and the butterfly hopped off.
"Wow!" she breathed out, "That was incredible. I never knew the King would be that young."
"Neither did I," Saffron agreed, taking the weird hat off her head, "I'm gonna assume he's cursed."
"Well… I think it's time we parted ways. It was nice knowing you." the small insect mumbled the last part and she slowly flew away. She was only a foot away when she decided to turn around and say, "H-Hey um… is it okay if I stay with you?"
"Huh? Why?" Saffron asked, raising a brow.
"I…It just occurred to me that a butterfly's life is not all that great and…well… I could really use some company."
Saffron thought about it carefully. On one hand, she didn't feel the need for a companion as she has travelled alone for six months and it wasn't like she was going on a life changing adventure soon. On the other hand, the butterfly did give her easy access to the Royal Court and ever since the Pierre, she can't help but feel sympathy for the tiny insect and strangely attached. Eventually, she decided to let the butterfly stick around.
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" the butterfly cheered, "By the way, you may call me… Flutter. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Saffron replied.
So that's chapter 1 done. On to chapter 2