4
Yamato leaned closer, the merchant whispering quickly. "I-I'm sorry, but would you mind speaking up?" The merchant stopped, his mouth snapping closed into a grimace. "Well well. If you'd listen closely I wouldn't have to repeat myself. That will be one more coin."
His hand dug deeper into his pocket, gripping his final coin. Yamato flicked it across the table, "It's my last one. Now speak up." He was growing impatient.
"Of course, yes. Lady Sora," the man nodded, his long nails clacking softly on his pointed chin, "Trouble that one is. She is always bringing trouble around. Her family was cursed, all dead now. Sad tale, but one worth more coins." The merchant paused, waiting for his offer to be taken up. Yamato rolled his eyes, "but that's not all. She has a gift… I'm guess you've experienced it? I sense her in the market… Maybe you'll be lucky enough to find her. You're searching for her after all… And you aren't the only one searching for her."
Lloyd huffed. The merchant's words were of no help to his cause. "Let's go," he gripped his partner's shoulder, dragging him away from the exchange.
"So that's it, hm?" Yamato glared. He rubbed his chin, giving the man a stiff smile, "Thank you, so much. Really." He hoped his sarcasm was obvious. With a quick push of his legs, Yamato briskly walked off.
"I hate this place.. I can't believe I've been dragged into this…" Yamato was mumbling, his gaze on the cold stone that paved the market. He missed Tokyo, more than he would like to admit. He thought he hated it, his heart even beginning to miss America and what it had offered him. But this place? Yeah, he missed Tokyo. "Like seriously? All because I thought I was being a good perso-"
"Hey! Watch where you're going, blondie." Yamato felt his body bump into another. He glanced up to mutter an apology, "Sorry…" He let himself take in the man he ran into. Yamato has ran into too many strange characters since his arrival in Reigndom to not take note. His hair was brown and bushy, his frame taller than his own and… And was that… "Sora?" He asked.
The redhead gave him a soft smile from behind the man's shoulder. "O-Oh Yamato. You were able to cross the bridge?" She chuckled, noting the glare coming from the steal blue eyes. Why does she sound so surprised? Did she expect me to die?
"Yeah… I've been looking for you," Yamato said through clenched teeth, "You're not easy to find." He was done, his patience wasted on the vendor who conned him out of his coins.
"That's the point," Sora nudged past her tall companion, "I'm not in the place to be easily tracked. I have unfinished business is all…" Yamato sighed, "Right. That's what the vendor was saying."
Sora blinked, confused, "Vendor?… Oh! This is Taichi." She moved to the side, motioning to the man who stood protectively over her. The man's eyes swept up the blonde's body, scaling him down to what he really was. Yamato shifted uncomfortably, jumping in surprise as he extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you. So sorry Sora has dragged you into this." Yamato glanced at Sora, the woman rolling her eyes as she brushed Tai's hand from her shoulder.
"Thanks…" Yamato shook his hand. "Now that we've all met," Sora said, "I think it's time Taichi and I get going… We have a guide to find."
Yamato scowled, gripping Sora's arm as she turned to leave, "Oh no no. You aren't leaving me alone again. It's your fault I'm here anyway! The least you could do is get me my old life back."
Tai stepped between them, "Hate to break it to you, but as far as we can tell," his fingers pointed to him and Sora, "you're stuck here until further notice." Yamato didn't like the answer. He crossed his arms in frustration, I'm not sure how much I like this guy… His glare followed a smirking Tai as the man grabbed Sora's shoulders and guided her away. The redhead looked over her shoulder, giving Yamato another apologetic smile.
"Oh I don't think so…" Yamato growled as he followed them closely. His shoulders pushed bustling strangers aside. Good thing this guy's hair is obnoxious. It's impossible to lose sight of him. Yamato smirked as the two slowed in front of a small merchant's table in a far corner of the market.
"Hello," he stopped in his steps as a familiar voice greeted the two he was following. He craned his neck around Tai's body. It was her. Mimi. His blue eyes darted to the sign of her booth. What could she be selling.
"Guidance," the sign read. "And how may I help you two?"
Yamato stepped up next to Tai, "Us three. We're traveling." He gave her a toothy grin before flashing a victorious smirk at Tai. Tai's lip turned up in an annoyed glare, "I thought we said our goodbyes… Otherworlder." This earned him a nudge from the small redhead, "Tai… Stop. Maybe Reigndom wants him to come with us."
Tai put his hands on his hips, his voice mocking Sora's, "Maybe Reigndom wants hi- Fine," he ran his hand through his hair, "But I'm not helping him if he gets into trouble…" Tai mumbled, his brown eyes sending a warning to the blonde. Yamato chuckled, "I promise to be on my best behavior."
Sora smiled at Yamato. His cheeks flushed a light red, Sora's sweet smile making his heart jump. The change of color in his cheeks earned the man another glare from the frustrated Taichi. This'll be fun, thought Yamato.
"Can we just get a guide already." Tai groaned, turning his attention back on Mimi. Mimi chuckled, nodding. "Yes! I'm afraid our usual guides have been assigned already…" Sora sighed, "But I can assist you." Mimi added.
Yamato's eyes widened at the idea of being guided by the brunette beauty. "Where are you three hoping to get?" She asked as she began to close up her small shop.
"Well…" Sora said, tapping her chin, "The journal said Bliston… But I'm not sure if even the guides know how to get to Bliston…"
Mimi chuckled, "I'm not the usual guide, Lady Sora." Yamato glanced at her booth, the contents gone with only a table remaining. He shook his head, deciding not to waste time with questions. "Please," said Sora, "Just call me Sora. No need for formalities on our journey."
Mimi nodded, "Very well. Shall we?" She began to walk out of the market. Yamato failed to notice that the sun had began to fall.
—
The streets of Reigndom mirrored those of Tokyo. The sun had fallen and the nightly chill passed through Yamato's body. He shivered, his hands rubbing his arms.
"Cold?" Mimi asked him as she walked next to him. Tai and Sora were arguing quietly a few feet back. Yamato glanced over his shoulder, "A bit… What's their problem?"
Mimi shrugged as she moved her arm to link with his, "I'm not too sure… You don't mind if I do this? I'm a bit cold as well… I'm never ready for nightfall." He blushed, nodding as he tried to play it off. "I-It's fine. Get as close as you want."
The woman smiled, giggling. "Reigndom at night isn't the safest. Yes, otherworlders pass by and we remain unnoticed, but the ones who notice us are usually followed by danger…" Her brown eyes followed a couple as they walked through the park and sat on a bench. She smiled, "Ah… Love. It's always so sweet…"
The couple sat on a dark wooden bench, the two looking to be in their early twenties. The girl giggled, nudging the man playfully. He smiled back, pulling her closer as the fog of their breath formed a cloud in the cool air. Yamato sighed, thinking of Tiffany and how they would walk in the cool night air…
"Isn't it sweet and innocent? How he looks at her… And how she leans into him," Mimi sighed, "But there's always an ugly side to it, isn't there…" Her head nodded towards Tai and Sora. An obviously angry Sora had her arms crossed. A flustered Tai quietly trying to make his case. "Have you ever experienced love, Matt?"
He blinked, "Hm? What did you call me?" Mimi smiled, "Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought it suited you more… I hope you don't mind?" He shook his head, "Nah. Call me what you want." She nodded, "But love. Have you ever been in it?"
"Love? I… I think so… Well, the ugly side of it at least. I was going to propose to a woman I thought I loved," he scratched his neck, the couple on the bench exchanging soft kisses, "But the more I think about it, it wasn't love. Not like that," he nodded towards the bench, "or even that," his head shifted towards the two others.
Mimi nodded, taking in his words. "What about you, Mimi the Guide? I shared… I think it's only fair that you do too." Her lips formed a secretive look, "I am in love… But I can't share more!" She chuckled, covering her mouth, "I'm afraid I'll lose it if I talk about it out loud." He felt his lips tug up, joining in on her contagious laughter.
"So Mimi," he said, "What exactly does a Guide do?"
Mimi pursed her lips, choosing her words wisely, "Hmmm… Well we guide, obviously." She rolled her eyes playfully, "But I'm special." She smirked, examining her nails as she pinned him under her brown eyed gaze, "Do you want to know why I'm special?" Her words were barely above a whisper.
Yamato nodded quickly, his breath hitching as she leaned closer. She smiled, noting how her teasing made him squirm. "Okay, I'll share," she said as she turned to continue walking, leaving the couple on the bench to their loving. "I know my ins and outs… I have ways of getting into places… And I know people." She shrugged, "For example, Sora's Talent is finding doors… My Talent is finding ways." She wiggled her fingers playfully. "Pretty cool, huh." He smiled.
"I don't have any talents," he shrugged, "I mean, I can play the guitar mediocrely and crunch numbers quickly." Mimi gave him a nod, "You'll see. I'm not sure if you've figured it out…"
He raised an eyebrow, "Figured what out?" She shrugged, "Reigndom doesn't take otherworlders by accident. I think you found Sora in that ally for a reason…"
Her words died down as Tai and Sora caught up, "Where are we headed again, Mimi?" Sora asked, her eyes looked red from the cold… Or maybe crying, Yamato noted.
"Oh! You two caught up just in time," she giggled, grabbing Sora's hand to pull her forward to walk with her, "Only a few more minutes. We're almost to the train station." Sora blinked, not attempting to pull free from Mimi's grip on her hand.
"Wow… She's eccentric," Tai mumbled to Yamato as the two women began to walk in the front. Yamato nodded, "Yeah… Sweet as can be though." Tai shrugged as he picked up his feet to follow.
"Sooo…" Yamato said, his hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his coat, "You two always fight like this?" He heard Tai sigh.
"No," Tai shook his head, "Believe it or not. We actually haven't seen each other in a few years… She kind of cut me out after I made a comment awhile back." Yamato nodded, not pushing for more.
"Basically," Yamato was surprised when Tai continued, "I told her she wasn't… Nah. You don't want my drama." The brunette's gaze was forward, watching the redhead as she laughed at something the other woman said. "We always end up okay. I'm just happy she needs me again, even if it's because of shitty circumstances." He smirked.
"Why does she need you?" Yamato asked, "Wait I mean, what's your Talent?" Tai gave him a confused look, Yamato wanting to punch the look from his face. He had never felt more stupid. "Talent? Is that what Mimi is calling it these days?" He chuckled, "Don't call it a Talent if you want to avoid getting the shit knocked out of you. It sounds dumb."
"Noted…" The blonde mumbled.
"I protect," Tai said. Yamato waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "Okay… Protect what?" Why was this guy being so difficult.
"Right now, I protect Sor," he pointed to the woman, "Meaning if anything tries to ruin her day by killing her, I step in."
Yamato shook his head, "I get that, but how exactly?" Tai smirked, giving the blonde a pat on the head, "Let's hope you never have to find out."
Yamato smacked his hand away. "Whoa whoa don't bite… Didn't mean to mess up your pretty do," Tai ended his statement with a wink.
"Yeah, don't touch it. It's the only thing about myself I'm certain about anymore," he smirked as the women came to a stop in front of a familiar building.
"The train station…" Yamato said. Mimi nodded, "Mhm! See?" She motioned to the station. Otherworlders quickly bustled around the outside. Some in a hurry, some not so much. One man dropped his briefcase, the contents tumbling to the floor.
Yamato knelt down, picking up a few papers for him. He handed them over, realization hitting him as the man continued to fill his own case and ignore Yamato. "He can't see me… Huh…" Tai chuckled, "Thought you'd learn by now. It looks like we're in Tokyo, but we are faaaar from it pretty boy." He patted Yamato on the back, earning a giggle from Mimi.
Looking down to hide the blush on his cheeks, Yamato stood to join the others. "So why are we at the station?" Sora asked Mimi. Mimi smiled, "How else would we make it to Kendrig?"
Yamato rubbed his eyes, "Not to be the otherworlder or anything, but what's Kendrig?" Tai let out a dramatic sigh, "Kendrig is where the rich people meet to show each other how rich they are. Actually, Sora's family is from there," this earned him an eye roll, "wait, why do we need to go to Kendrig?"
Mimi gave the man an innocent smile, "I… Have some unfinished business…" Sora interrupted, "And I need a key… For Bliston," her eyes darted to Tai's, "And no, I'm not explaining why now." Tai didn't push, he already tried his luck with her on the long walk over.
The group headed in, following Mimi to a train Yamato thought had stopped running. "Before you ask, Matt," Mimi said, "The train no longer runs in Tokyo. It's used by us!" She smiled, standing far back from the platform as the train pulled up.
Sora and Mimi boarded the train. Yamato hesitated. "C'mon, blondie," he heard Tai from behind him, "Don't wimp out now." Those words were enough to push Yamato forward, "What? Wimp out?" Yamato smirked, "I was just being polite…" He stepped to the side, motioning for Tai to board, "Ladies first, Taichi."
—
Lloyd took a long sniff of the air, chuckling as him and Varnet passed a couple on a park bench. "Ah," he said, "They are so close. I thought the Lady Sora would be harder to catch…" He chuckled.
"Yes boss," said Varnet, close behind Lloyd, "Very close, yes."
The two made their way to the station, stopping as Lloyd tried again and again to pick up the scent of roses that mean Sora was near. "Hm… The scent ends here…" Lloyd sighed. "Boss," mumbled Varnet, "Does this mean they boarded the train?"
A thin smile spread across Lloyd's face. He tossed a frog leg to Varnet, patting him on his head, "Very good. Yes, the train." They slinked off towards the station, waiting to board.
*Author's Note*
Hello! Thank you so much for those of you who have read this far. I'm having a ton of fun writing it, but my updates are about to get slower. I'm currently in the midst of getting a Masters degree and break has officially ended until December.
Firefly Gold Sky: There's some Mimato interaction for you :) I hope you enjoyed the small sliver of it! I'm still trying to shape my take on Mimi's character… She has some development to endure.
NoctIsFishing: Thank you so much! I love a good AU. Reigndom is a bit weird. I hope I do it justice by translating my image of it into words. Yamato has a TON to learn. Poor guy. And yes, Tiffany was the WORSE thing… But I loved writing her lol. Taiora till the end ;)