The second chapter! I wanted to get this started right away so I didn't get distracted by school again. I only hope this comes out sooner rather than later. XD
Please read and review! And no flaming. :D
5 Years Later. . . .
Far beyond the cursed castle, past its iron gates, snaking through the dark forests winding roads and shadowed paths, the sunlight basked in the dawn of a new morning,; its warmth glowing to greet the people of the town miles over.
This town beyond the forest was known as Happy Harbor.
Named after the harbor and sea that was miles away in the west and for bringing in fun kinds of stories and a pit stop for traders, Happy Harbor was a small, yet lively village that wasn't all too different from others you'd see anywhere else. There was a blacksmith, a baker, traders in the market, the usual grumpy citizen or town drunk. Even a librarian who owned the only bookstore in town for the latest reading was there; though that didn't get much attention from most of the citizens.
However, it seemed there was one thing that this town had that others didn't. A thing that all the people in town would talk about.
Or rather to say, a someone.
And that someone...was a girl.
Deep breath in, deep breath out.
"Just relax your body," she muttered to herself, careful to take deep breaths to calm the nerves that were twisting like metal coils inside her limbs. "If you don't ease your muscles, you'll only hurt yourself."
A young woman of eighteen years old stood by her lonesome outside a tiny cottage on the outskirts of town, her upper half dressed in a long sleeved white cotton shirt and blue cotton pants that were usually worn by men.
The dawning sun only barley peaking out from the mountains beyond, a cool smell of morning air freshened the girls mind and senses as she willed her mind to focus only on her task.
"Remember the basics and you'll get it this time," she muttered, hand gripping around the hilt of the thin rapier she wielded in her right hand. "Head up." she recited as she moved her head up a bit more to look straight ahead. "Shoulders back." she muttered while adjusting said limbs. "Left foot goes forward, not the right. We do not want the same mistake as last week." The girl mused, a frown gracing her face at the disliked memory.
Nearly stabbing yourself with a sword from a slip of the wrong foot was not the best way to start another morning. And it would not happen if she was concerned.
Moving a strand of brunette hair from her face obscuring her view, the young woman glared hard at the practice dummy placed a few feet away from her. A simple scarecrow made up of logs and bags tied around the dummy like protection, the brunette outstretched her sword wielding arm to stretch it out, only to move it back forward and take a few nimble steps forward to ease her way into the...battle.
Envision the enemy blocking themselves of openings. Find one yourself when you move and aim for it without hesitation.
Taking one last minor step forward, the brunette urged herself to move faster, pushing her legs forward as she rushed towards the unmoving target. Eyes glaring at the emotionless dummy, the brunette quickly side stepped the to left, pretending as if the dummy was caught off guard by her sudden change in direction and struck.
Twisting her body as she landed on the ground and slashing with her right arm, the blade of the rapier glinted with the sunlight of the dawning sun, the flash arcing the the air as the tip hit its target, a clean slash cutting through the bag tied to the dummy.
Bird seed beginning to seep out of the slash her sword had made, the young woman couldn't help but smile brightly at the wound she'd inflicted and jumped with joy. "Yes! A well deserved strike to the victor!"
"Samantha Freya!"
And then the young woman felt her stomach drop.
"Are you using the bird seed for your practice again?"
A chill rolling down her spine at the harsh tone coming from behind her, Samantha herself turned around with haste and felt a nervous bead of sweat roll down her head at the sight of an older gentleman standing behind her.
Dressed in a tan cotton shirt and dark brown pants, an older man of fifty years with graying hair stood a bit short compared to Samantha, about two feet or so as brown eyes stared at her with a judging look in them.
"R-Reginald! G-Good morning to you! It's such a lovely morning, is it not?" Samantha messily asked, her words fumbling from her mouth as she tried to nonchalantly hide the rapier in her hand behind her back.
Sadly, it didn't go unnoticed by Reginald.
Especially when their farms' chickens were beginning to gather for the seed that had fallen from the inflicted wound of the scarecrow.
Sighing at the nervous face the brunette was giving him, Reginald combed a hand through his graying hair and shook his head at the younger woman. "Samantha, how many times have I told you? Using the bird seed for your sword practice is only fine once the bags are actually empty."
"Um...I would say a few to lessen the severity of the question." Samantha spoke up, chuckling a little to try and lighten the mood as she pulled some long strands of hair behind her ear.
"Twelve. This is the twelfth. I hoped by now you'd realize that its getting a bit difficult to hold the seed for the chickens if you keep cutting through all the bags." Reginald explained, walking over to the bag and pulling the cut closed to stop the bird seed from escaping.
Shoulders falling at the lecture she was receiving, Samantha stabbed her rapier into the ground for sake keeping and rushed to help the old man, untying the bird seed bag from the dummy. "I know you're angry, but it was for good reason. The bags help with training and helping me imagine hitting someone. A wooden dummy is far too hard and can ruin the blade and I wanted to try and copy a move instructed in my book-"
Pulling the bag off the dummy and urging Samantha to follow him, Reginald carried the seed bag along with Samantha to the side of the cottage, resting it on a large box next to the home. Sighing, Reginald wiped some sweat from his brow. "It's alright now, Samantha. I can see you're regretful about it, so I won't talk anymore. However, please do try to find something else less valuable to hit with your sword. Seed is getting quite expensive as of late and I'm sure you could find something far better in the market while you're out today."
The reminder of her daily trip to the market suggested by Reginald, Samantha smiled and nodded excitedly. "Of course! I'll make sure to find something more suitable for practice. Perhaps the librarian at the book shop will know of some good ideas when I go back." She wondered, a relaxed expression taking over her features at the idea.
Shaking his head at the young woman's behavior, Reginald made his way back into the cottage, but stopped as he noticed an old book sitting on a barrel. Grabbing it, the old man flipped through the old book and handed it to Samantha. "Does reading this truly help you study the use of that sword? I expected you to go looking for someone to train you."
"I would, if anyone here would actually train me." Samantha mused with annoyance in her voice, taking the book handed to her by Reginald. "You know I've asked everyone in the village, Reginald. No man will teach me. Something about it not being a woman's place and that it should be left to the men." She muttered, huffing with a pout. "I'm sure I could beat any man in this village if they weren't so afraid of me."
A chuckle escaping Reginalds' mouth, the old man smiled. "Well, I gladly agree with you. This town isn't as open minded as our old home. Only a few months here and I can already tell we're a bit...different from everyone here."
Reaching the top of the porch and opening the door, Samantha smiled to the old man. "Not different. Just...eccentric, I'd say."
"Of course. Now you better run along and get changed my dear. The market will be opening soon and you don't want to miss out on the best pieces of meat and bread. Try to see if you can get us some coin taken off. We're a bit tight this month." Reginald asked kindly walking into the cottage and keeping the door open for Samantha.
Nodding, Samantha was about to walk in, but stopped herself. "Oh, wait. I almost forgot."
Rushing back outside to the bottom of the porch and the clearing in front of the house, Samantha hastily grabbed her rapier and headed back to the house, chuckling a little as she stepped inside.
"Another day, another trip to the market."
Taking Reginalds advice that it was best to get a move on to the market, Samantha quickly changed and rushed off to the village, fully changed for the journey.
Removing her shirt and pants she'd watered with sweat that morning with a quick wash from the nearby river, Samantha had cleaned herself off and changed into a white dress that flowed gently with the morning breeze, accompanied by a similar blue piece worn over it to add some color to the simple outfit. The color complimenting her elegant facial features, Samantha kept her hair tied in an intricate side pony tail, a style that usually turned most heads when she walked their way and gave a quick hug to her older caretaker before heading out, a light spring in her step from the morning exercise.
The crunch of dirt beneath her black shoes the only sound reverberating through the still early morning, Samantha hummed a soft tune, eyes gazing down to the book nestled in her basket.
"I hope Oliver has something new today. I can't keep reading the same books forever. Not that it's a bad thing." She quietly muttered to herself, a chuckling echoing through the silent plains of Happy Harbor.
Her name was Samantha Freya.
Born to a loving mother and father in a town beyond another kingdom, her parents had died long ago when she was young from disease, only to be taken in by a long time family friend, Reginald after luckily being spared the terrible fate. Treated like he was his own daughter, the two did their best to share responsibilities and make enough to get around day by day as Samantha grew, their future sometimes hanging on a thread and meals becoming smaller and smaller with each passing month.
Now only recently the two had found themselves a place to call home, a few months living in a nicely made cottage on the outskirts of Happy Harbor. Their lives became a bit better now that Samantha was older and able to help around the house, taking on odd jobs such as washing clothes or helping to clean shops for a few measly coins. It was a bit of a quiet and hard working life, but it was their life.
And when she wasn't doing odd jobs, reading and fencing took her time.
An...unorthodox list of hobbies for a woman, Samantha just decided that she was an unorthodox kind of woman. From what Reginald told her, she was like her mother and father in every way. Her thirst for knowledge was the same as her hard working father, and the dreams of adventure and seeing beyond what was in front of her was just the same as the all seeing imagination of her mother.
It was a deadly combination in someone who knew how to utilize those kinds of traits, a regular praise Reginald would tell her ever since she was young. For while the traits were a gift to her, to others they were the thing that made her different; abnormal and strange.
She was known by the townspeople as as the 'Beauty of Happy Harbor', a title she'd been far reserved from ever since hearing it one time passing by in the village. She was named for her beauty, of the long flowing brown locks that glistened in the sunlight with warm matching brown eyes. Skin as smooth as silk and just with little imperfections, the lightness of her tone was that compared to a porcelain doll, further added by her short stature of a mere five feet.
She thought it was silly, to be given a title just because of her looks when she first arrived in town. However, it seemed that the town was the kind of place that judged on what you looked like and how you acted at face value. Especially so when she heard muttering of others behind her back, gossip between bored individuals with nothing else to do. It seemed with even her appearance making a name for herself, so did the actions and thoughts she had. The ones that were passed down to her by her parents.
But she was proud of who she was. No matter what people said of her character to be.
Strange. Different. Unladylike.
The words echoing in her mind, Samantha felt her legs stop moving and stood in place, the sign that welcomed those to Happy Harbor standing beside the dirt road like a gateway to an unknown land.
'Welcome to Happy Harbor' it said.
Brown eyes gazing at the sign, a weight fell on her shoulders and Samantha broke the contact to stare at the ground beneath her feet. To be honest, she never always felt welcome going in.
"I'm not strange. I'm just...I'm me." Samantha whispered to herself, a twisting feeling settling inside her chest at the dark thoughts invading her mind. "There's nothing wrong with who I am. Everyone else is just..."
The brunette felt her words trail off, unable to find a way to finish her own sentence. She knew who she was, but she didn't have it in her to just ignore the opinions of others. After all, everyone was free to their own thoughts and ideas. If she rebuked their judgements of her from what she heard rather than what she knew of them, she was no better.
"I just...think differently, that's all." She clearly stated, swelling with strength. Taking in a deep, calming breath to relax the tension inside of her and continued on her way, her eyes gleaming at the sight of some flowers on the side of the road and plucking one for herself.
"Such a quiet morning, just like yesterday." Samantha mused, passing by one of the shops in town with basket in hand.
Getting closer and closer to the town square, the quiet peace began to swell with noises bit by bit. Boxes being moved, feet walking across the stone road, the clopping of horse hooves that carried trader goods.
It was the sounds Happy Harbor waking to the new day and Samantha had to get started before it was over.
"That'll be five copper."
"Five copper? How outrageous!"
Here we go again. Another day, another squabble between the shopkeeper and his prices. Samantha thought, shaking her head at the noises a few feet away.
Unfortunately for her, Samantha headed towards the sounds of arguing villagers, trying her best to ignore the loud shouting our insult being thrown here or there by another unsatisfied customer. As much as she hated to admit it, she and Reginald had to buy from the man despite his greedy reputation. It was hard enough to keep their budget in line for a full month, and sadly the shopkeeper was the only one who sold enough eggs for an affordable price.
Well, if you were on his good side. Which she never was most of the time.
Moving behind an older woman who was grabbing eggs for her family, Samantha waited patiently before it was her turn to step in, a friendly smile on her face to the shop keeper.
"Good morning, Mr. West. How is your morning?" Samantha asked, hoping to start a relaxing conversation.
The older blonde shop owner looked sour at her melodic voice, he looked over to the brunette with a huff, not trying to hide hi "Oh good. The crazy girl. What do you want?"
Hand gripping the handle of her basket a bit tighter, Samantha kept her mouth shut to work through the anger spiking inside her, to hold her tongue before she accidentally made a scene. She couldn't ostracize herself and Reginald further or her caretaker would never get any attention for his work.
"I'm here to buy some eggs today, good sir. Just four as usual." She said, trying to level her voice in a calm tone.
Eyeing her up and down, Mr. West snorted at the girls calm attitude, turning his back from her. "Fine. But I better not see you here again doing that reading thing you keep doing. You cost me customers for some time with that nonsense."
"Reading isn't a crime." Samantha muttered beneath her breath, unable to control the comment from slipping from her lips.
"What was that?" Mr. West asked, irritation growing in his voice as he turned back around, eggs in hand.
"N-Nothing, sir." Samantha spoke back, sighing in defeat at almost being caught.
Smiling devilishly at his apparent win, the shop keeper nodded. "Good. That'll be twelve copper for the four eggs."
Surprised by the answer, Samantha felt her eyes widen in shock and stared back at Mr. West. "T-Twelve copper?! That's crazy. That's far too much for just four eggs."
"You got a problem with my sales?" Mr. West asked, glaring back at the brunette.
"A bit, to be honest," She answered truthfully, a small bit of fire burning inside her chest. "You can't truly believe that's a fair deal. I heard the woman before me ask for the same amount of eggs and she only paid half of the price you're asking of me."
Angry, the shop keeper leaned over his goods to glare at Samantha. "Think of this as some good ol' revenge for making me lose customers with that silly reading of yours. Not to mention all the other weird things about you."
Teeth gritting against one another, Samantha matched the glare with one of her own. "T-That's discriminatory! You can't just make up rules to sell your goods just because you don't like the way someone thinks. My reading or any of my activities can't be hurting your business that much."
"Well, they are! And of course I can! It's my shop! You got a problem with it, missy? I'm the only one in town who sells any good eggs. If you don't like it, go and find some with those big words of yours." Mr. West goaded, an evil grin shown her way.
The brunette still holding the small glaring contest with the shop keeper, she finally relented and closed her eyes, falling back to land on the balls of her feet and shook her head at the shop keeper.
No, she couldn't get caught up in another squabble like this. Not when she and Reginald already had enough problems.
"I don't have time for this. Enjoy your greedy practices, Mr. West." Samantha replied back, turning back from the shop and walking away.
"Such a beauty. Too bad its wasted on a girl like that."
Samantha's hand gripped around her basket handle tighter, the woven straw nearly cutting into her palm at the comment from Mr. West drifting into her ears at her exit. Weight beginning to bare down on her body, Samantha silently moved around the crowds and made her way into a small dark alley between a few cottages, a safe haven from the people.
She had to ignore it. Forget whatever people said about her. It was a cycle, really. She did something people in the village didn't approve of, tried to fit in despite the villagers knowing, got made fun of, and she ignored it and held in her anger.
She had to be the better person. That's what Reginald told her since she was young.
"People think differently on many things. Some people may not see your gifts here, but someone out there will. I'm sure of it."
The anger that was boiling inside her began to simmer down at Reginalds' words coming back to the forefront of her mind, a calming effect washing over her like the sounds of the ocean waves that lived beyond the town. The beating of her heart slowing down and the grip on her basket loosening, Samantha placed a hand over her beating heart and took a deep breath, breathing out through her nose and letting the sounds around her overtake her senses.
"Deep breaths, deep breaths." She muttered calmly, repeating them like a mantra until the anger inside disappeared. Finally feeling like she was okay, Samantha let her hand fall back to her side and stared out at the busy square of Happy Harbor. "You're okay."
Relaxed once more, Samantha pulled back into a calm and relaxed smile to ignore the irritation she felt earlier, heading back into the square as she nimbly moved around taller men and women trying to do their own chores. Trying her best to make her day better, she'd faintly made eye contact with some and showed her bright smile to them, hoping she'd get the same in return.
Like many other times, the gesture was ignored.
Or rather like other times, instead of smiles she got more whispers from behind her back.
"Why does she smile that like? She's so odd."
"Have you seen the way she acts? Using a sword at home? Who brought her up like that?"
"She may be a beauty, but you can't mistake that she's not like the rest of us."
As if I'd want to be like the rest of you.
Ignoring the gossip behind her, Samantha lightly tapped her cheeks to snap her out of the small depressing state she was going through, staring out at the village with determination. "Okay, the eggs didn't work out too well. Off to the bakers' next."
Casually heading through the packed streets of Happy Harbor, dodging the close calls of being crushed by larger villagers or being knocked in the back of the head by a plank of wood or tray, Samantha smelled the easing scent of freshly baked bread ahead of her, the sight of the bakers' shop a comfort compared to the rough morning she was having.
Standing outside with a few trays of baguettes steaming hot outside, the baker turned back to see Samantha, waving to greet her. "Good morning, miss. Can I help you with anything?"
Far happier to this greeting than her previous encounter, Samantha smiled back cheerfully. "Yes, quite so. I'm here to pick up some bread for the day. How much would a loaf of fresh bread be today?"
"A new loaf? That would have to be nine coppers." The baker answered, frowning at his own price.
"Nine coppers? But that's more than a week ago. What happened to it only being four?" Samantha inquired, her previous cheery mood now crashing down like a newly cut tree.
Seeing her confusion, the baker shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, but the way business is going I need to raise the prices. It's nothing against you I swear miss...but I have a family to feed. That's the price now."
"I see." Samantha answered, features downcast at yet another situation now meeting a dead end. Her allowance for the shopping was already low as it was, just a silver piece that equated to twenty copper pieces. There was no way she was going to be able to meet everything on the shopping list.
And she still needed to get what she needed to make the meal for Reginalds' trip soon.
Was it worth it?
Sighing, Samantha reached into her basket and pulled out the single silver coin, eyes narrowing at the glint of sunlight hitting its edges before looking back to the baker with a kind smile. "One loaf then, please."
"Thank you, my dear." Fanning at one of the newly baked loafs of bread, the baker helped to nestle the food in her basket and cover it with the cloth within before exchanging her change back to her. "You're business is appreciated. No matter what some of the people around here say about you or that eccentric caretaker fo yours." Making sure the bread was packed neatly, the bakers' eyes settled on the worn out book in Samanthas' basket. "Ah, another one of those books from the library?"
Smiling at her item being noticed, Samantha removed the book from her basket and held it in her other arm. "Yes. It's hard to put down. It's about a beanstalk and an ogre with adventure-"
"Oh, that's nice dear," The baker spoke, suddenly distracted by his wife and turning away from Samantha. "Cassie, the baguettes! Hurry up!"
Shaking her head at the situation playing out, Samantha decided to head out on her way and left the bakers, moving on to her next task of the day. The sounds of the village beginning to grate her ears a bit, Samantha resigned herself to her book, taking out the worn literature and flipping to a scene she enjoyed, casually moving around objects that got in her way as her mind was absorbed into another world.
"She really is a funny girl."
"It may be true her beauty has no parallel, but she's always has that head in the clouds."
"Or stuck in a silly book."
Eyes scanning over the same line the third time in a row, Samantha stopped walking and closed her book shut, turning her head over her shoulder to look at the mass of people walking around the village.
"Who said that?" Samantha called, her voice clear despite the noise of the crowds. "If you have something to say, come say it face to face."
No sign of anyone seemingly taking her offer and sticking to the shadows they hid in, Samantha groaned lightly and shook her head. She should have known nobody would actually come and face her after insulting her behind her back.
"At least I made it to the book shop." She mused, eyes gleaming at the familiar sign above her head, a cute wooden welcome carved in the shape of a opened book. Opening the door to the world of literature, Samantha closed it softly behind her, the ringing of the door bell marking her entrance.
"Welcome to my...oh! Samantha, my dear! Good morning to you." The book shop owner, J'onn, greeted with warmth. Placing book he'd been carrying on a shelf, the shop keeper walked over to welcome the brunette in further, a smile grinning from ear to ear. "How is my favorite customer doing today? Haven't gotten yourself into any trouble this early, have we?"
"No trouble I can't find a solution to, I assure you." Samantha answered joyfully, a genuine smile shown back to the older gentleman. "I've come to return the book you let me borrow." She explained, handing him the weathered book in her hands.
Eyes widening a bit with surprise, J'onn took the book from Samantha and took out a pair of glasses to place on his face, better inspecting the item. "This? But I only gave it to you yesterday. You've read it all the way through?"
"Of course. You recommended it after all since I was looking to brush up my sword skills. I couldn't put it down after just the first page, and by the time I realized it I had already burned out through quite a few candles just to finish. Even used it as reference for practice." Samantha added, nervously laughing at the admission. "Would you by chance have gotten anything new today?"
Softly chuckling, J'onn placed the book on the counter and shook his head. "Not since yesterday I'm afraid. Is there anything else I have that could keep you occupied until then?"
"Hmm...I think I have just the idea." Samantha said, heading into the library and grabbing the ladder resting in the corner. Carefully carrying it towards a specific shelf in the library, the adventurous brunette climbed up the steps without hesitation or fear, reaching out to grab a blue book. "I'll take this one!" She exclaimed with a melodic sweetness to her voice.
Adjusting his glasses as he watched Samantha climb down the ladder, J'onn laughed. "That one? But you've read it twice."
Laughing a bit at the observation, Samantha landed on the library floor and hugged the book close to her chest. "I know. It's silly really, but I love it no matter how much I read it. Far off kingdoms, magic spells, sword fights and princes in disguise? Nothing makes me happier than to read about worlds like those far beyond our own."
Smiling at the genuine words from the young woman, J'onn nodded. "Well if you like it all that much, it's yours."
Shocked by the answer, Samantha turned to look at the shop keeper. "What?! N-No, I couldn't!"
"It's alright, my dear. Not many come into this shop looking for much knowledge or stories to really enjoy like you do. I insist you take it. A book should be read by those who will appreciate it." J'onn answered, a knowing smile on the older mans' face.
Clutching the book tightly to her chest as if it was gold itself, Samantha frantically nodded and smiled gratefully. "Oh, thank you sir! I'll cherish it always. And I'll come back again to repay you. Promise!"
Excitement springing in her step, Samantha waved good bye and stepped out of the shop. Careful nobody was in her way of the road, Samantha opened the new book of hers and flipped back to the beginning she'd read so many times, easily dodging any obstacle that were in her vicinity.
Reaching the large fountain that sat in the center of towns square, Samantha situated herself on the edge of the large stone seating around the neatly carved statue, the sounds of the splashing water behind her helping to drown out the noises of the village.
It reminded her of her home in the outskirts. Away from all the loud chatter, the yelling, the anger of people that went back and forth. It made her feel calm, the water helping her to picture the small pond near her home she'd sit by and read when she wanted peace and quiet.
"I'll be back soon. After I read a page...or two." She joked lightly, laughing at her own joke as her eyes rested on the first words of the tale, an illustration of a prince and woman neatly drawn in colorful ink.
"It's so beautiful," she murmured softly, unable to do nothing but smile at the picture. "I wish I could find someone like that. To love for love rather than money or safety."
She hated to admit it, even to J'onn, but despite how rough around the edges she was compared to other girls, Samantha was still an honest to good woman. Nothing made her heart flutter more than love and the idea of finding it herself one day. She may have been practical, but she was still a romantic at heart who dreamed to find the one someday.
Who she could take with endlessly about shared interests.
To be free to speak her mind and have her opinion be respected rather than rebuked.
To be cherished rather than shunned.
Someone who say her for her.
I sometimes wonder if I ever will.
*BANG*
The loud sound of a gunshot blasting through the air, Samantha jumped up in surprise at the sound, nearly dropping her book in the water as she clutched it close to spare it from a watery fate.
Heartbeat crashing in her chest at the loud scare, the brunette frowned as a sense of dread ran through her.
Throughout all of her time since coming to this new town months ago, Samantha had always had run ins with people who didn't like her all that much. Other times she would meet some rare few who actually were okay with her, within J'onn being the only rare case who actually liked her for being her.
And then there were those who liked her for...other reasons. And she disliked that particular person most of all.
Oh no. Not him. Anyone but him. My morning was doing better without seeing-
"Good morning, Samantha."
Frowning at the greeting from a voice all too familiar, Samantha pushed down the feeling of discomfort inside her and did her best to smile, turning around to look at the figure who shadowed her form above her.
Taller than her by a full foot at six feet and muscled from head to toe in sleek examples of male power, the light toned form of Roy Harper stood with a gleaming grin of pride at Samantha, green eyes boring holes into her and his short red hair swept lightly from the breeze.
While she was called the 'Beauty of Happy Harbor', Roy Harper was the opposite side of that coin to her in both personality and manners. The so-called 'Hero of Happy Harbor', Roy Harper was bred in the very town, knowing everyone by name and popular since he was young. Strong and brave, Roy had joined the Kryptonnias' army, their homes' kingdom during the last war that threatened many lives.
While the feats were commendable and he did good work, it seemed that the popularity and image he was given all went to his head, making him into the stubborn and power hungry twenty year old man that he was today.
At least, from the way Samantha saw him. Everyone else in town equated him to a God, to be worshipped at all times. She never saw it though. To praise someone who only thought power to be the most important, to be so easily swayed by popularity and only seeing things that were beautiful as the best for him? It was a barbaric way of thinking.
The kind of thinking that made her own life miserable.
For some reason, Roy thought it a good idea to pursue her hand in marriage, an idea she was clearly against. He wasn't an awful person, but he wasn't the one for her and she knew it from their first conversation.
If only he could figure it out.
"R-Roy. Good...morning." The brunette droned out, her greeting lacking the usual energy she tried to put into every greeting she made.
How was it possible seeing one person could ruin your entire morning?
—
*BANG*
The gunshot ringing in the air, the figure of Roy Harper stood proudly in the street, the road cleared as he had made the killing shot to a duck flying high above the sky. However, it wasn't his newest kill that took his attention, but that of a brunette woman sitting by the fountain.
The duck falling from the sky, the smaller form of a young teen named La'gaan rushed with sack in hand to catch the prize. Opening it wide to grab the dead bird, it seemed he'd run too far ahead in his haste, evident when the bird landed with a hard Mack on the street beside him. Hastily grabbing the bird and stuffing it within the sack, the boy rushed over to the hero himself, praising the man.
"Amazing! You didn't miss a single shot!" La'gaan exclaimed, smiling wide to Roy. "You truly are the greatest hunter in all of Happy Harbor!"
Eyes ticking to Samantha from afar, Roy chuckled at the praise. "Of course I am. However, I'd preferred my bow rather than this noisy thing. It's far too loud. Could spook my prey."
"The...prey, sir?" La'gaan repeated, not sure what the older man's as talking about. Realization hitting him moments later, the boy nodded quickly, a smile on his face. "Oh, of course! There's no beast in the world that stands a chance against you, Roy! And no maiden either." He added, eyeing a few women off a few feet away watching them.
"It it is true, La'gaan. And I have my eyes set on that one." Roy proclaimed, wrapping an arm around the boys shoulders to pull him to his side, pointing to Samantha off in the distance.
"The inventors daughter?" La'gaan asked, not sure if the hero understood what he meant. "But she's so...so-"
"So perfect, so beautiful? Yes, I know. The most beautiful girl in town, which makes her the best. And don't I deserve the best?" Roy asked, irritation seething in his question as he set his sights on his lackey for just a moment, glaring.
Fearful, the boy nodded quickly. "O-Of course, Roy! You deserve the best that the town has to offer!"
"Good! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a woman to woo." Roy proclaimed, dropping La'gaan as he made his way through the crowds of people through the town square. A cocky grin on his face and his body giving off the prideful aura of someone who always got what he wanted, Roy stopped next to an unknowing Samantha, staring down at his prey with a look of desire and excitement.
"Good morning, Samantha."
How could she get him to go away?
"R-Roy. Good...morning." Samantha replied hesitantly, not sure how to respond to his sudden appearance.
Smirking at obviously seeing the brunette awestruck by his appearance, Roys' eyes drifted up the young woman's form, hoping to take in the beautiful curves beneath her dress, but stopped momentarily at the book in her arms. Grabbing it without a second thought, Roy skimmed through the pages quickly, not even trying to read it. "How is it you can read such a thing? There is barley any pictures to make this any good."
Rolling her eyes at the observation, Samantha walked over to Roy and tried to reach for her book. "It is called using an imagination. It does wonders for the mind. Adds a bit of thought in there. At the very least, would you kindly return my book? I need to return home soon to help Reginald." Samantha added, wondering if the prideful man was even getting her wording.
Apparently not, given the smirk still plastered on his face.
And then...he dropped her book!
"You know that everyone talks about you in town, Samantha." Roy said, his words leaning towards intrusive in Samanthas' head as her book dropped into the mud with a hard splash. "It is time you stopped walking around with your nose in one of these...things. You're a woman of eighteen years now and you should be thinking about more important things. Like choosing a suitor and settling down."
Blushing at the sudden change to such a discreet topic, the brunette frowned at Roy and shook her head. "What I do with my life is none of your business, Roy. And if I were you, I'd be more concerned about turning into a megalomaniac with that line of thinking." She warned, trying to move around the taller man to get to her dirtied book.
Does Roy even know what megalomaniac even means?
Her thought was answered quickly from the look on Roys' face, seemingly beaming even more with pride at what he probably thought was a compliment."Why, thank you, Samantha. Perhaps if you seem so worried about me, you could come with me? I'll take you to the tavern and show you all my trophies. And you can keep an...eye on me instead of the old looney caretaker of yours?" He asked with roguish flare and a raised eyebrow.
A light glare beginning to surface on her face and disgust rising in her throat, Samantha moved around Roy and reached for her book, dusting it of the dirt that had smudged the pages with her apron. "Reginald is the kindest person I have ever met and has taken care of me since I was little. You cannot honestly think I would disregard my father figure's safety to go with you?" Samantha argued, looking over her shoulder to the brick wall of a man.
"It's better than him getting ya' killed." La'gaan's voice added, the young teen stepping beside Gaston who was still chuckling at his own comment and laughed as well. "He's probably senile. Needs all the help you can give him."
Unable to control her anger, Samantha glared at the laughing men in front of her, hands clutching her things for dear life. How was it two people could irritate her so much!?
"Don't talk about my father that way!" Samantha yelled back at the two, her voice booming far louder than she had intended, causing a few villagers to look their way. A hand hastily reaching to cover her mouth at the loud reply, Samantha looked away at the stares that began to pile on her, embarrassment at her voice washing over her.
*BOOM*
The shockwave of power rumbling beneath the ground at the sound of a loud explosion, Samantha fearfully turned back to the source of the noise, a small plume of smoke forming from beyond the trees and town line of Happy Harbor.
"R-Reginald!" Samantha cried, fearful at the sight of smoke coming from their home. Not waisting anymore time with Roy or any of the other gossiping townspeople, Samantha turned on her heels and rushed right out of the town, guided by the smoke from afar.
Why?
Her throat felt dry, chest crushed by an invisible weight as her heart banged against her chest cavity like a drum.
Why did today feel...different from so many other days?
Legs moving at a constant speed despite starting to feel like they were weighed down by anvils themselves, Samantha continued to will her body to keep going, dodging any road blocks that came her way as best as possible.
A wave of dust flying in the air at her speed, Samantha ducked beneath some small tree branches in her way, yelping a bit as some leaves flew into her hair and caught on her sleeve. Pulling herself free, the young woman continued on, her legs wobbling for a moment before picking its old pace back up.
It was nothing new for her. Hearing the same old words, being looked the very same way as the day before, ignoring the comments thrown here or there about her or how she acted. And the abhorrent talks with Roy that made her skin crawl.
Yet, it angered her more than usual this day.
Why?
Perhaps...she was starting to realize her days were starting to become repetitions. That this would be her life for as long as she'd live here.
Heavy with thoughts of uncertainty of the day, Samanthas' mind cleared in an instant at the sight of her home coming closer and closer to her. A swell of fear rising in her chest, the brunettes' eyes widened in shock to see Reginald walking out of the cottage, coughing as he dusted himself off.
Relief welling up inside, Samantha couldn't help but cry out, "Reginald!"
Coughing to clear his throat of the smoke and bits of ash covering his face, Reginald dusted off the remains of an experiment gone wrong from his work clothes, pulling off protective goggles from his eyes. Turning at the sound of his name being called, Reginald rubbed his eyes to see Samantha standing a few feet away from him, looking at him with shock.
"Ah, Samantha. I'm sorry if I frightened you there. I was working on something and it sort of...decided not to work with me. Haha." The old man chuckled, scratching a hand through his graying hair. "I've already put out the fire, so there's no need to fuss."
Her throat dry and burning from the running she'd gone through, Samantha simply stared back at Reginald, eyes still wide with fear as she tried to register the words her caretaker was saying to her. Fear, uncertainty, and adrenaline that grew inside her receding like ocean waves, Samantha suddenly felt...vulnerable. Arms feeling tense and a shaky breath escaping her lips, Samantha turned her head down to break eye contact with Reginald, hoping he wouldn't see the look on her face.
Sadly for her, Reginald was an all-seeing kind of man. He could spot her worry from a mile away, a trait he'd mastered by raising her all these years.
"Samantha, it's alright. I'm fine. See?" Reginald asked, raising his arms out to show his dirty body and ease the woman's worries. "No cuts this time or broken bones. Just a bit of broken pride of an old-oof!"
Reginald seemed to be unable to finish his own sentence for a moment, a sudden crushing weight hitting him front and center. A bit surprised by the sudden development, the old man blinked his eyes for a moment to readjust his still returning sight, only to widen a bit at the sight of Samanthas' basket and book thrown skew onto the ground without hesitation.
And then the old man heard strained sobs and he knew exactly what ran into him.
Clutched to his shirt with a weak shaking grip, Samanthas' emotional wall for the day crumbled down to pieces, coming out in a mix of quiet sobs that were muffled in the shoulder of Reginald, along with hot tears sliding down her cheeks.
Frowning for just a moment at seeing the reaction of his surrogate daughter, Reginald recovered quickly, the fatherly role he'd learned for years rising up to help his child in need. Smiling gently at the worry Samantha was showing him, Reginald placed a hand behind her head to let her know she could continue her crying, while the other soothingly rubbed the quivering woman's back.
"There, there. It's alright, Samantha." Reginald spoke in a soothing, warm tone. "I'm sorry I made you worry so much."
"I-I th...thou..th-thought..." Samantha mustered out, trying to speak to the old man as best she could. Sadly it only came out as broken words, only to fall back into more sobs.
Reginald just hugged her tighter.
"I know, dear. I'm sorry I keep doing this to you. Scaring you like this." Reginald spoke, regret clear in his voice.
Samantha could still say nothing, only shaking her head to protest as she rubbed her face into the older mans' shoulder further for comfort.
She couldn't get any of her words out, so instead she just hugged him tighter.
Just happy to know that there was still someone on this world that was there for her.
Who understood and accepted her.
Who didn't look at her like she was a monster. A beast.