A woman in a seaside town was brushing her long, pink hair. She used her magic to keep it pink, simply because she liked the color and it flattered her. After tying her hair back with a ribbon, the young woman headed down the stairs into the house's main room. "I'm off, uncle!" "Ah, where are you off to, Eilonwy?" The middle-aged man with chestnut hair called back; he was behind the counter scrubbing some teapots. "To the university; I want some more books. I'll pick up some fairy dust while I'm out!" "Alright then. Have fun, baby niece!" "I will, love you long time uncle!" She didn't let the door slam behind her.
Eilonwy made her way through the busy streets. Most people ignored her with the odd giving a smile or nod in her direction. Her journey to the potion shop was fairly uneventful. 'Still, it's a beautiful day," she smiled turning up to the sky. It had just started to sprinkle by the time she reached the shop, which was full like usual. Despite this, an attendant came to greet her within seconds. "Afternoon, love." "Good afternoon," she grinned friendly. "Anything I can help you with today?" He was polite; they always were. "Just getting some fairy dust." "Ah!" The attendant reached behind him to pick up a little glass bottle full of sparkly pink powder. "Is this all, my dear?" "Yes, thank you." "Well! The cue starts over there; I'm sure they'll see you soon." "Thank you, sir." He flashed her one last grin as she went to get in line.
Eilonwy loved fairy dust. Granted, it wasn't cheap, but it wasn't something she'd deprive herself of; plus her uncle was fine with it. She would rub it all over herself so to give her mild magical powers for the day. Made life so much easier, particularly getting her chores done. It gave her more time for what was really important- reading and studying. Being a woman, she was barred from attending university as a student. But she and her uncle pulled some strings, so the university library let her borrow as many books as she wanted; so long as she returned them on time. On top of which, it didn't hurt that the dean was good friends with Eilonwy's uncle and late father. He was always delighted to see her, which was often.
Eilonwy entered the campus teeming with young men. She always got a lot of looks here but learned a long time ago to ignore it. The pink hair woman- who consistently smelt of flowers thanks to the fairy dust- made her way straight to the library. It was a massive place with seven floors. Each floor was open at one side, going into the big void that made up the center of the library. The dean liked to mind the front desk, just to get out of his secluded, dull office. And he had help. When they weren't protecting the school at night from demonic attacks, he had his prefects work in the library with him. While most of them were normally happy to see Eilonwy- an actual female, and a lovely one at that- there was one who dreaded her visits.
A student held the library's heavy wooden front door open for her. "Thank you," Eilonwy flashed him a smile before going inside. She had just crossed the threshold when a pair of prefects were descending the side staircase. They noticed each other immediately. "Oh Eilonwy!" The first man's face lit up. "Hello, Karin," she grinned up at him. The mood tensed as her eyes shifted to the man standing beside him. Tall, with short silver hair; he was wearing a white t-shirt with black coat and dark pants. He didn't even look at her, which Karin noticed. Instead, his head turned to the side as his hand rose defensively to his neck. Eilonwy frowned while Karin rolled his eyes.
"Oh, real classy, Zero." The silver haired man didn't respond. "Uh, I-I gonna go see the headmaster," Eilonwy shyly pointed out in front of her. "Ok. Nice seeing you again, Eilonwy." She wasn't even ten feet away before she heard arguing behind her. 'That man…' Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The dean was busying cataloguing some returned books, too distracted to see Eilonwy approach his desk. She grinned and gently rose her hand up to her lower lip. "Hello." The dean's head shot up and his eyes widened. "Why Eilonwy! What a pleasant surprise!" He set down his quill. "How are you, my dear?" "Very fine, thank you. And how are you?" "Ugh! Miserable!" The dean leaned back in his chair, tossed his head back, and rested his hand on top of his head. "We've had two sea demon attacks this week! My prefects are so busy, they barely have time for their studies. And you know that serpent who overthrew Bartra, King of Liones? I've received a letter from him this morning. Apparently he wants my university to help him identify and locate the seven deadly sins! Like we have time for that!" His hands threw themselves up into the air.
Eilonwy just watched him with a compassionate expression. 'Dean Cross…. He's always so energetic and exhausted at the same time. I wish I could do something.' "Is there anything I can do? I'd like to help you, if I can." "That's sweet of you, angel," the dean gave her a warm smile. "But I'm afraid there's nothing you can do. This is up to me and my poor prefects. No, actually; wait! There is something you can do!" "What's that?" "Make us rejuvenating tea; lots of it. Tell your uncle that we need a constant supply." "I will," Eilonwy giggled. The dean's grin just widened at her. "You're such a sweetheart. It's too bad Zero didn't…." But he caught himself when he saw the look on her face. "Uh… what I meant to say was borrow all the books you want! We've got tons!" His hand shot out in front of him.
'Good save.' "Heh, thank you, Dean Cross. I'll be sure to bring you some tea soon." "Please. And can you please make sure that you brew it?" This made Eilonwy blink to him slightly puzzled. "It tastes better when you make it." 'Oh.' "Sure thing," with a smile, she waved to the eccentric headmaster. "Have a good day!" "You too, love! Say "hello" to your uncle for me!" Content, the girl didn't waste any more time scouting out her books, which took much longer than expected each and every time. It didn't help either that every student she passed asked if she was in the right place- rude- or if she needed any assistance. But eventually, nearly three hours later, she found exactly what she had come for: The History of Malaga and its Fairy Kingdoms.
"Thank you for your help today, boys," Dean Cross addressed his prefects at closing time. They were all lined up in front of his desk still in the library. It was empty by now; or nearly empty. "For tonight, I need you to patrol the campus grounds; report any suspicious action to me." "Yes sir," they replied in unison. The dean grinned. "Excellent. You're dismissed. Oh! And Zero!" The silver haired man paused to peer back at the headmaster over his shoulder. "Be a gem and close up the library for me. I have to go discuss this idiotic "deadly sins" order with the board." Zero nodded wordlessly, which was enough for the headmaster. "Thanks, son!" He quickly gathered up his papers and dashed out of the building.
Zero didn't mind closing up the library; he'd done so countless times before. One quick look around, then he'd lock the front door and go on patrol. As expected, the place was barren. He wasn't expecting to see anyone, which explains why he was startled to find someone in one of the study areas. Resting her head onto the desk, it was none other than Eilonwy; fast asleep with her book out in front of her.
The prefect didn't know how to react right away. He came closer while continuing to watch her sleep for a moment. As he stared, his eyes lowered a tad. 'This girl, this woman…..' A piece of him wanted to let her keep sleeping, dreading the thought of waking her up; especially since they were alone. But he had a job to do and she was currently getting in his way. With a deep breath, his thin pale hand reached down to give her a shake.
Eilonwy's eyes slowly fluttered open, gazing at nothing tiredly at first, then instantly widening when she saw Zero standing there. He didn't look happy, frowning intently down at her. "Where am I?!" "Where do you think? You're at the library." "The library?" She blinked at him confused. 'I must have fallen asleep while reading,' her eyes then turned down to the open book on the desk. Neither her nor Zero realized that his hand was still on her. But when Eilonwy glanced over at it, he immediately yanked back his hand, rolling it into a defiant fist and looking rather awkward.
Neither said anything for a minute. Then, quite abruptly, Zero turned to walk away, pausing only for a second to shoot Eilonwy a look. "Come on, I've got to close up." "Huh? Oh! Ok!" Leaving her book, she scrambled to approach his side. The two walked in silence down the stairs and out into the library's main hall; though she did catch Zero looking at her from time to time. His eyes would immediately shift away, only to return once or twice when he was sure she wasn't looking. They walked like that to the front door, which Zero opened for her. It had started to rain out now, making Eilonwy really wish she brought an umbrella. Zero stared at her for a brief second before shutting the door and locking it. Then he turned to face her, hands buried deep inside his pockets.
"So what now? Are you going home?" "Why do you ask?" Eilonwy responded with another question. Zero didn't look at all amused. "No reason. Just go home, ok? It gets dangerous after dark." 'There is a reason,' her eyes narrowed onto his, but she elected not to push it. Zero wasn't in the best of moods meaning that it was best to leave things well alone. Turning to leave, Eilonwy gave him one last look. "Good night, Zero. Have a safe patrol." "Yeah." With that reply, she stepped out into the rain and started to run for the street. Zero just watched with a forlorn expression, his hands still dug into his pockets.
A broken-hearted bandit and human who uses fairy magic. Their fates tied together by the strings of destiny. This- this is their story.