Team CODE collectively dragged themselves out of bed, exhausted from last night's war with ROXA. D'art ran down stairs, his sore legs still eager to be home. A large communal table was set up overnight for the students to eat breakfast. D'art ran like a bolt of lightning, charging right for the local cuisine. He filled on hash and Poulet et gaufres till his stomach burst. Owen, Eve, and Celeste tried to follow, fumbling down to the elevator and out to the main lobby with the food. The smell of fresh coffee and breakfast woke the 3 up, driving them closer and closer to the line.
Later, ROXA came down and started eating with the rest of CODE "Where's Amelia?" D'art asked through a mouth of eggs.
Olive pointed up to the hotel room. "She said she had something to do. First words she said all week."
Just then, Amelia rode the elevator down, excitedly walking to her friends' table. She threw a travel guide on the table along with a schedule. "We've got a busy day ahead, guys! We're going to go to the local museum, to the shopping district, to lunch, and then to the festival!" Amelia's excitement shocked everyone into silence. Few has heard her speak, and none this much. Amelia was flushed, moving back to her quiet demeanor. "If that's alright with everyone else that is…" Everyone nodded in agreement, looking through the travel guide.
"Oh!" D'art shouted, gesturing with his fork. "I need to take you guys to see my house!" Everyone nodded again, the plan sounding good. As D'art went back to eating his heart out, Amelia briefed the others on the ridge.
"We need to be grateful. D'art's standing as a Guardsmen will only take us so far. So no fighting." She said, looking everyone directly in the eyes. Everyone except Celeste gave a shrug, with Celeste just folding her arms in defiance. "Ok." Amelia said, her soft spoken voice barely hiding her excitement. "Let's get going, as soon everyone is done."
First up was the local museum. It was a large wooden structure. The architect had made it open air to express The Ridge's connection with nature. Statues and weapons filled the building some behind glass cases and some out in the open watched by guards. D'art appointed himself tour guide, much to Amelia's protest. "So. It all began in the early years. When man and Faunus alike walked outside of caves for the first time. The Ridge area was known for its bad storms, for its awful weather. No one could live in the valley, and those who tried died. One day, a man, Champlain, stood up among the men and women and moved towards a large stone. The rain grew larger and larger, almost as if bullets fell from the sky. He took his leg, raised his foot to the sky, and stomped on the rock. The rock separated, creating a ridge between the 2 pieces. And as he raised his hand the storms stopped, the skies parted, and the people rose from their fear. And we started."
Celeste, skeptical, scoffed out loud. "So what, this guy just raised his hands up and stomped around, like a baby, and the storms stopped? Seems crazy to me."
D'art tilted his head. "And? I can channel electricity. You can suck the life force from people. Owen can actually read minds. And that's what's crazy to you?" Celeste turned away, embarrassed. D'art sighed, continuing with his tour. "Hundreds of years passed. The Ridge saw steady growth." D'art rested his hand on an early battle axe held by a mannequin. "Then. The dark times. A new chieftain came to power. His name was Cabot. Cabot was ruthless. He saw The Ridge as the ultimate power. He moved his soldiers to the mountains to destroy any other clans or tribes. They say he killed 500,000 people in his lifetime as chief. We look back on him in fear and amazement. How we could follow him is crazy…" D'art trailed off for a second, then turned back to his friends. "He is noted for appointing the first female Guardsmen, as well as making colleges a state sponsored Part of the government and free to any citizen of the Ridge. He fought a losing war against the kingdom of Vale, practically throwing his troops at the much more sophisticated guns of the Vale Soldiers. Realizing he was loosing, at the age of 79, Cabot sailed away from The Ridge to seek asylum. He died during a military raid at age 85. After that, with no leader, the ridge fell to Vale. Then we kept working for them until the Great War. Then, we fought for them. After the war was over, we grew resentful of Vale. So we banned hybrid weapons and developed our own black powder style rifles. Mixes Dust with gun powder. Now we're here, about to be free again. To make a future for ourselves." D'art finished, gesturing to the traps, weapons, and uniforms strewn across the museum. The group dispersed, looking over the museum's content. Riliane ran her hand over a wood carving telling of the ridge's history. It was a carving of stones, of war, and of animals and nature. "Wow…" Riliane gasped slightly. Suddenly though, the group was rushed out of the museum by Amelia, eager to show them the shopping district. She even pulled Olive out of the gift shop to her displeasure. She practically dragged the two teams through trails and sidewalks to the shopping district.
The group of friends were lead through the hot weather as they wove their way through the main square. Above them, rose the shopping district, a collection of buildings tucked together with winding pathways and cutely sized rose gardens in between. The buildings were made from wood, with large glass panels that reflected the sun. Tendrils of ivy twisted and turned on their walls. Amelia turned around, her grey hair swaying as she beamed.
"Where to first?" She asked.
Celeste was rather beamused. "I didn't know you liked stuff like this."
"Organizing these things is just so exciting."Amelia replied, her voice dropping considerably to return to her usual calm demeanor. D'art scratched his head.
"I don't know. I've never been a big fan of shopping. I'll go wherever you guys want to."
"Let's eat." Owen grinned around the chocolate bar he was currently munching on.
"We had breakfast not that long ago." Celeste sighed. "Eating machine."
"Books." Eve said simply.
"Jeans." Celeste added as she tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"B-Books." Xanthic offered shyly.
"I'm fine with books." Amelia said. "Now where's the map for this place? I don't see a bookstore."
"This is stupid. None of these buildings have labels on them." Owen snapped.
"That's because you're looking at the back of them, idiot." Celeste hissed.
"Well personally I think they should have labels on the front and back of them."
"I didn't ask for your personal opinion."
"Shut up."
In the end, the group split up. Eve, Xanthic and Amelia went off in search of more bookstores and Owen and D'art stayed behind, at a loss of what to do and where to shop. Finally, Olive and Celeste went shopping for clothes dragging Riliane with them.
"Gross." Celeste crinkled her nose at the fabric, holding it by her pointer finger and thumb.
"Don't treat it like it's garbage." Olive lectured. Celeste rolled her eyes and put the pair of jeans back in the rack, her fingers skimming for more.
"What about this?" Olive asked, her hands on her hips. Celeste turned around, her eyes sliding down to Olive's boots which went to the middle of her calfs. They were a chocolate brown with a green feather on each pair. Celeste regarded it thoughtfully. Olive usually wore a red vest over a green shirt and puffy brown pants. With that she typically wore knee high boots. The ones she were wearing now just didn't do the trick.
"The color matches with your outfit but it just doesn't seem right." Celeste replied. Olive sighed.
"I thought as much. The length is off." Celeste nodded, pulling out another pair and then putting it back. She stared at herself, wondering what would fit her current outfit. She typically wore a light blue hoodie that matched her hair with a white band wrapping across her chest. Her pants were normal blue jeans. Celeste checked out another pair, putting it to her hips and then returning it. Her eyes couldn't help but linger to Riliane who was currently sitting on a bench besides them, her legs swinging back and forth.
"Celeste?" Olive asked abruptly.
Celeste jumped. "What?"
"Check this out." Celeste turned to find the most adorable dress she had ever laid her eyes on. It was a cream colored halter dress, with ruffles and a yellow bow that trailed past the hem fading into a pearl white.
"It's...cute." Celeste finished, surprised.
"Right?" Olive grinned, putting the dress over herself and frowning. "Doesn't fit me at all." Celeste smirked in response
"I know who it would fit though." Olive said mischievously, she glanced at Riliane who was humming innocently. Celeste caught the gaze and raised an eyebrow.
"Hey Riliane." Olive sang, skipping over to her. "Wouldja mind trying this on?" Riliane looked up, surprised.
"What is it?"
"It's a dress."
"Oh...I-I don't know." Riliane stuttered, looking away.
"Pretty please?" Olive pleaded. "It's super, uber, duper cute."
"Just this once." Celeste promised. Riliane sighed.
"Why can't you guys put it on?"
"It wouldn't look right on us!" Olive replied quickly. Rilane considered this.
"Well alright." She said finally. Olive grabbed her hand and tugged her to the dressing
room with Celeste trailing behind. After disappearing behind the curtain, the two girls waited in anticipation. Nearly five minutes passed before Olive began to grow impatient.
"Almost done?" Olive asked loudly.
"I'm trying to get my shirt off, the button's stuck."
"You're still on the shirt?" Olive asked incredulously. "Celeste go help." Olive ordered with a sly grin. Celeste blinked.
"Alright." She said slowly, passing Olive as she stopped in front of the curtain. Celeste hesitated before pulling it open and moving inside.
Riliane was inside, fiddling with her top with an annoyed expression. "Celeste that's you right?"
"Yes." Celeste said quickly. "If you need help you can just ask, you know."
"I know, I thought I had it." Riliane replied. Celeste walked over and gently pried her hands away from the button. It was tangled with another string, making it difficult to move, After a few seconds however, it was an easy fix. Celeste quickly unbuttoned the rest.
"Thanks." Riliane beamed and slid the shirt off. It fell to the floor and the blonde searched the wall for the dress, still wearing her leggings and a white tank top. Celeste's gaze lingered on her bare shoulders before grabbing the dress off of a hook and handing it to her. Riliane took it gratefully.
"You know, my parents always wanted me to wear girly stuff like this." Riliane said as she fingered the fabric. "They said it always made me look beautiful. But I've always prefered comfortable clothes more, or ones that serve a better purpose."
"Like armor." Celeste replied, her voice cracked and she blushed slightly.
"Like armor." Riliane confirmed, not appearing to notice. "So whenever I wear something like this it reminds me of home." Riliane laughed a little. "They would always have someone help me put dresses on, and I would insist that I could do it by myself but I would end up tearing the fabric from falling." Riliane finished, her eyes softened.
"Do you miss them?" Celeste asked softly. She knew that she could leave but her legs wouldn't move.
Riliane was silent before replying. "Yes and no. I love having my independence now, but at the same time their overprotectiveness is one of the reasons I love them." Riliane fiddled with the dress before Celeste grabbed it.
"I'll help you." She said quickly. Riliane nodded and let Celeste slide the dress over her. It fell perfectly over her legs. Celeste pulled at the straps, her fingers brushing Riliane's skin as she finished the knot behind her neck. Every time they touched there was warmth and a shock, almost like electricity. Heat bloomed across Celeste's cheeks as her fingers gently trailed across the blonde's back. Riliane's face tilted slightly in the Celeste's direction.
"Celeste?" She asked. Celeste blinked as she broke out of her trance and retracted her hand quickly.
"There was something on your back" Celeste added as she cleared her throat.
"Oh okay, thanks." Riliane said, she turned around and then spun. The white fabric flew out from her, rippling. "Well? How do I look?" Riliane asked with a laugh.
Celeste could only stare, her lips parted. It was as if the dress was made for Riliane. The creamy white of the fabric complimented her pale skin and her long blonde hair matched the shade of the yellow bow. The hem of the dress ended just before her knees and swayed as she moved, a river of rich cream and luscious gold.
"Celeste?" Riliane asked. "D-Does it look bad?
"What? NO!" Celeste said loudly before lowering her voice. "You look beautiful." Riliane beamed and hurried out of the changing room.
"Olive how do I look?" Riliane asked. Celeste looked over her shoulder, she could see the silhouette of Riliane beyond the curtain as she spun. Olive simply squealed in response.
"You look ADORABLE! You are wearing that for the rest of the day! I'll pay!"
"Oh but-"
"No arguments!" Olive chirped. Celeste smiled tiredly and walked out of the changing room.
On the other side of the mall, D'art and Owen sat on a bench, surrounded by gossiping women.
"I'm bored." Owen yawned. "It's nearly been an hour. How long can someone shop?"
"You'd be surprised." D'art said as he ran a hand through his brown hair and sighed.
"Looks like you've had fun shopping times with Cerise." Owen teased. D'art smacked him on the arm.
"Dude don't look into my head like that."
"You know I can't help it sometimes." Owen grinned and put his arms behind his head.
"But yes. I've had fun shopping times with Cerise." D'art replied. There was silence between the two of them before Owen spoke.
"It was awful wasn't it."
"God so it was awful." D'art quickly replied with a groan. "She would shop for hours on end and demand that I be there. And then we'd go out to eat, and then she would shop even more." Owen chuckled.
"At least it's kind of sweet that she wants you to be there."
"But I don't want to be there! Sometimes she just follows her urges and I don't have the strength to say no." Owen blinked before he snickered. D'art raised an eyebrow before flushing.
"Wait no, NO I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!" He yelled. Owen stifled another laugh. D'art sighed and scratched his head. "But I enjoy being with her so I guess it doesn't matter."
"How cute." Owen cooed. "It's strange though. You never mentioned her back home, so
never knew you had a girlfriend. You were never thinking of her when I peered into your brain either." Owen finished. D'art was silent for a little.
"I instinctively relate Cerise to my home. She's essentially the embodiment of the Ridge to me." D'art said slowly. "After transferring to Beacon I can't help but push the Ridge out of my mind sometimes, I get homesick and I think of everyone. And all my memories with Cerise-" He cut off, a light blush spreading across his cheeks. "I can't help but want to be with her."
"So you don't write to her." Owen finished.
"Cerise didn't want me to leave the Ridge." D'art said reluctantly. "She was furious at me for a while and I didn't know how to fix that other than coming home. Being perfectly honest I was afraid to talk to her, even through writing. I knew that if I spoke with her too much I would want to go back. So I tried not to."
"And here I thought you were just being an asshole." Owen grinned.
D'art laughed. "I think it was a bit of that too."
"Yeah. But damn. I never thought you'd land a girl." Owen admitted.
"Shut up." D'art snapped.
"She's hot too." Owen added thoughtfully. D'art tried to refrain from smiling, but in the end he couldn't help it.
"Yeah." Then D'art glanced at his friend. "What about you dude? Any love interests?" Owen's eyes darkened.
"No."
"None at all?"
"None. I mean I've had some in the past but," He sighed. "It's hard for me to fall in love." D'art raised an eyebrow. Owen glanced at him.
"It's just, every time I find someone I'm interested in I can't stop myself from reading them. And then everything just falls apart. I find what they're going to say next, how they feel, what they think. And I can't love them anymore." He looked away miserably. "If it was ever love at all."
"Wouldn't being able to read them help? You can anticipate what's coming and you can know their interests."
"Maybe. But not knowing is part of the fun of loving someone." Owen admitted. "And I can't experience that. It's like I always skip to the end of the book without reading the middle. It spoils it."
"That's deep." D'art said finally.
"Just kidding." Owen said as he grinned.
"What?"
"Just kidding! You should have seen your face."
"Wait, so that was all a joke?" D'art asked incredulously. Owen laughed.
"You're pretty easy to fool."
"Oh shut up." D'art snapped. Then he blinked "Wait, so then who do you have a crush on?"
"Not tellin."
"Whaaaat?"
"Anyways I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when they come back will ya?" Owen turned away from his friend, staring at the wall.
"Will do."
Owen sighed. Despite the joke his eyes didn't glimmer from mischief at all. Instead they were somewhat sad. His hand curled into a fist and his eyelashes flickered shut, doing his best to sleep amongst the chatter around him.
Close to Owen and D'art, was a bookstore that Eve, Xanthic, and Amelia were currently occupying. The three had sat down next to each other, reading their own books. No words had been spoken for the last several minutes.
"What time is it?" Eve asked finally, breaking the silence. Amelia checked her scroll.
"11:55." She replied. Eve nodded and returned to her book. The silence returned, except for the flipping of a page. Xanthic looked up from his book, uneasily shifting his gaze to Eve and then to Amelia.
"Not right now." He muttered so softly that no one else could hear him. "Later. No, I'm not putting it off. I just want to read, leave me alone."
Xanthic hit himself angrily, receiving the surprised glances from Eve and Amelia. Xanthic laughed uneasily.
"Sorry…" He mumbled. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them they were a lime green. Then he leaned towards Eve and grinned.
"What're you reading?" He asked. Eve stared at him, perplexed.
"Um, The Five Best Ways To Behead Someone." Eve replied. Xanthic stared at her, and then burst out laughing. Amelia cast an irritated glance towards him.
"What?" Eve asked.
"It's just out of all the things you could be reading that's the one you chose."
"I think it's rather interesting." Eve said slowly, she turned the book over and stared at the cover. "But I have several other books to read." She gestured to the pile beside her and then turned the book back over, flipping a page.
Xanthic raised an eyebrow. "You're buying all that?" He leaned back in his chair, the book he was reading lay face down on the table.
"Depends." Eve replied calmly. Without her permission, Xanthic rifled through the pile. Eve glanced at him but said nothing.
"The Sorrow of a Spring Day. I've read this." Xanthic said.
"I see."
"Have you?" Xanthic looked at Eve. Eve turned a page and then replied without looking at him.
"Yes."
"Did you like it?"
"Yes."
"What did you like about it?" He asked.
"The ending." Eve replied. "It was sad but in the end that was the best option."
"I think there was another approach to it they could have made." Xanthic replied carelessly.
"Oh?"
"If she would have fallen in love with him." He said simply.
"That was impossible for her."
"Not quite. There are ways to win a person over, even if you believe they hate you."
"Her hate is something that cannot be overcome."
"I don't think so. She fell in love with him once, it's not impossible for her to do so again."
"And what then?" Eve finally looked at him. "She would be stuck in a relationship where she would be cheated on again?"
"That was his one time mistake."
"He's meant to be frivolous."
"Frivolous does not mean he cannot love just one person." Xanthic's eyes narrowed, and this time there was a sharp blade hidden in his tone.
"It would be hard for him." Eve replied. "The only reason he wanted her back is because someone else was in love with her. Like if someone was playing with your old toy."
"That's quite a pessimistic way to view it." Xanthic's hand was under his chin and he grinned at her.
"It's the truth."
"Or perhaps he found out how much he loved her while she was gone, how much he missed her."
"That's a possibility but it doesn't change the fact that she certainly didn't miss him." Eve replied, returning her attention to her book.
Xanthic chuckled. "You're pretty set on your opinions."
"So are you."
"Less so than you."
"Oh really?" Eve asked.
"I think so." Xanthic replied.
"You are poorly mistaken, I'm afraid."
Before either of them could continue, Amelia shut her book with a sharp snap. "I'm sorry to be so rude, but could both of you please stop talking?" She pointed to a sign in the corner that read, Silent Zone. "I'm trying to read."
Xanthic whistled.
"What about you Amelia? Have you read The Sorrow of a Spring Day?"
"Please don't ignore me." She said with a frown.
"You just ignored my question." Xanthic replied.
"Yes, I've read it." She replied, a little annoyed.
"Did you like it?" Asked Xanthic.
"No. I hated it."
"Oh?"
"She should have been with him." Amelia said softly, she hesitated before going on. "It was clear that he was madly in love with her and that if she had given him a second chance, things would have gone much better for the both of them. Now please, keep your voices down.." She softly. Xanthic gestured to her and raised an eyebrow at Eve who returned his gaze.
"It's never like that in real life." Eve replied, looking away. "People don't trust others that easily. Once someone breaks your heart most can't bear to let them do it again. And based on how serious this book's tone is, it's much more appropriate for it to end the way it did." Xanthic and Amelia were silent.
"Miss Emo over here." Xanthic said finally. Eve smiled a little, the corner of her mouth twitching upwards.
"Please, no need to be so formal."
"My apologies." Xanthic slurred, rolling his eyes.
"I guess I never looked at it that way." Amelia admitted, considering Eve's statement. "I just wanted them to end up together."
"Well I'm sticking with my previous statement." Xanthic put his hands behind his head. "Happy endings aren't usually my thing but I prefer it to the ending of this one."
"Well good for you, I heard there's a sequel being made." Said Eve. Xanthic sat up abruptly.
"Really?" Amelia and Xanthic asked simultaneously. Eve nodded.
"It was announced last spring."
"Sweet." Xanthic replied with a grin. "We can see how it really ends. Twenty lien they get back together." Eve looked up from her book.
"Deal." She said. Xanthic held out his hand and Eve shook it.
"Now I wonder what I should buy with my twenty yen." Xanthic teased.
"Don't act like you've won already." Amelia said with a sigh. Eve held back another smile, placing her book on the table and grabbing the next one in her pile, opening it up to the first page.
Ten minutes later the group met back up for lunch. They talked about their purchases while their stomachs growled for food. And after a bit of bickering they all decided to head to the food court.
"What'd you call this again?" Xanthic asked while poking his plate of food with a fork.
"It's a chicken cordon bleu roll-up," D'art told him. "Just try it already."
"Don't force him to eat it," Celeste snapped and made a point of eating her salad.
"Relax, I'm not forcing him to do anything."
"Though you've been on edge since we got here," Riliane pointed out. "What up with you, Xanthic?"
Xanthic opened his mouth to answer but they heard another man's gruff voice instead, "Xanthic Picto?"
He turned to face the man with shaggy burnt orange hair and a thick scar on his cheek. "That'd be yours truly."
The man was silent as he scanned Xanthic carefully. "You really don't look anything like Orelon."
"I'm always told I look exactly like my mother," he said proudly.
"Even though your eyes are different?"
"Must be the lighting in here," Xanthic shrugged it off. "But who, might I ask, are you?"
"Basil," he answered plainly. "I'm a friend of your father."
Xanthic chuckled, "Sorry, I just- I find that hard to believe. My father isn't the type to make friends."
They all noticed Basil's gaze wander to Owen and harden into a glare, "He is far more selective in his company than you are."
"Do you have a problem with that?" Owen stood up.
Basil reached over his shoulder and grabbed the hilt of his weapon, "Sit down, Wolfie."
"Let's all relax now," D'art got between the two men who were both taller and more muscular than him. "The food court's no place for a fight." They were both ignoring him as Basil's glare was met with Owen's deep growl.
"I can easily take an old man like you."
"Try it."
"Gladly," Owen rolled his sleeves up.
"Fighting without a weapon, are you a savage or an idiot?"
"Neither, I just don't wanna waste any time in getting it."
"Idiot then." Basil glanced away and saw a clock, with a sigh, he let go of his sword, "I don't have time for idiots." He looked down at his other hand, from what the students could see he was holding a small wood carving of a red bird. Basil walked away without another word.
"I thought you said the Ridge was different than the kingdoms," Owen said bitterly as he sat back down.
"It is, I swear. Whoever that guy is he's not from here," D'art told him and looked at Xanthic. "Is your dad as bad as that guy?"
"N-no! H-he's not at all like that!" Xanthic insisted, "Th-the only times I've seen my father be… aggressive towards faunus it was because him and Mr. Belladonna don't get along- o-on a personal level though! A-and when he thought Prongs was trespassing."
"So he just has bad taste in friends then," Eve muttered.
"I- I guess so… But… I didn't even know he had friends…" Xanthic's blue eyes glanced towards the man again.
After they finished eating the group trudged through a dirt road outside of town, dragging their feet through the dirt. "Where even is your house, D'art?" Olive groaned, the excitement of the day finally getting to her.
"It's right up here." D'art said, wiping some of the sweat from his brow. They came upon a wooden cabin, quite larger than your average home. It had a patio and a chimney with an entrance to the basement around the side. "Isn't it amazing?"
Xanthic rolled his eyes, "I've seen bigger servants quarters." D'art turned around and frowned in disappointment at Xanthic, which prompted Celeste to let out a chuckle.
"It looks great to me!" Riliane called out cheerfully from the back of the crowd. Causing D'art to smile again for a second until he realised who had spoken up.
D'art opened the doors to show his friends the home. It was 2 bed 2 bath with plenty of room. Trophies and memorabilia donned the walls of every room. "Wow!" Amelia said in her quiet tone, pointing to an ursa head. "Is that real?"
D'art sighed. "Sadly no. But we have plenty of people in town who can make replicas. My favorite piece of treasure though, is this." D'art pulled out a fur coat, marked with the ridge's flag. "I got it after doing some work in the mountains for the people up there. Oh and there's this sword, which Aramais used to cut down a Beowulf from a mile away. And then there's…" D'art droned on and on, with no end in sight. Some of the group took to exploring the house. There were furs of all shapes and sizes, of all colors and animals. Riliane felt the patterns on a few of them, the softness grazing her fingertips. Amelia stumbled into D'arts library, where he had many books, but only in Créte. Olive, excited to rest for a second, searched desperately for a place to lie down. Finally, a bed room. Olive opened it up to see a loud vibrant red room, filled with flowers and knives.
"Uh. Who's room is this?" Olive shouted, pointing inside.
D'art scratched his head. "I don't know. Guess Cerise took the whole house sitting thing as a temporary home. Oh well." D'art went back to rambling about a canoe hanging from the ceiling, letting Olive slip inside the room. She laid on the bed, the sheets warm and comfy. Suddenly, she felt something edge her back. It was a book, hidden under the covers. "Awwwww. Cerise has a book." She opened it up to the first page. It read 'I miss him already. It's only been a week. I try to go and hunt and get my mind off him but I just can't. He's always there in the back of my head, smiling and laughing about life. I need to do something. Maybe I can give this room a redecoration..". Olive kept trying to read, but closed the book as the later chapters were less and less interesting and more about D'art. "Well" Olive wondered out loud "seems like she really likes red." Just then a knock on the door interrupted the afternoon. D'art opened the door to a tired mailman, handing him a letter. "Oh crap! The festival! Nous devons nous déplacer si nous ne voulons pas le manquer!" Everyone sighed collectively, moving out of the house to the festival.
After checking out the various vendors that stocked handmade crafts and basic weapons the group of eight moved forward to try their hands at the games. "Oi!" The man standing in a booth with a row of rifles facing a wall of scattered targets called out to them. "A huntsman's gotta know how to shoot, right?"
D'art and Owen shared a look before grinning at each other and stepping up. "Losers first," D'art said and ushered for Owen to take a gun.
"What're you waiting for then?" He argued but picked up the rifle regardless. Taking aim Owen closed his right eye to ignore it's advanced input and fired three consecutive times. Lowering the gun the whole group and the man running the station leaned in to see where he hit. Two on the inner ring and one in the center. "Good luck," Owen handed the weapon to D'art who raised the gun to his shoulder and took aim. His three consisted of two bullseyes and one in the inner ring. Owen scoffed, "You're used to these outdated guns. I'm way better with Metalicus Manus."
"Yeah right. If it were to come down to using our own weapons even Xanthic could probably beat you."
"As if!" The two looked at Xanthic who put his hands up. "Even with both of us using a different weapon I'm still a much better shot."
"Then prove it," D'art handed the gun to Xanthic. The two boys of CODE pushed him to the counter for his turn. He lifted the gun awkwardly and attempted to use the sights on it to aim. His first shot hit the wall, along with the second, and the third barely made the outer ring.
"Told you so!" Owen said through his laughter.
"Wow! I didn't think it was possible to be that bad with a gun," D'art joined in the teasing.
Xanthic took a step closer to the man running the stand and asked, "Um… By any chance d-do you have a pistol I could use instead?"
"A pistol?" He scratched his head and pulled a small revolver from his belt, "This is all I've got, but compared to these rifles its accuracy is terrible."
"W-would you mind if I tried anyway?"
"All yours," The man traded guns with Xanthic. Now with a gun that he knew how to hold, Xanthic took a few steps away from the counter and fired once. It hit the outer ring. He paused for a moment before unloading the remaining five bullets, each of which hit a bullseye on a different target.
"Th-thank you," Xanthic handed the now empty gun back and bowed his head.
All three of the men stared at him, but D'art spoke first, "H-how did you do that? None of the kingdoms have weapons like ours…"
The man in charge cleared his throat, "Well technically you took nine shots… But I'd say five in a row's worth a prize."
"Wait, there's a prize?" Riliane asked. The man nodded and pointed at the side wall with prizes ranging from stuffed animals to toy guns. "I'd like to give it a go then."
He looked at her grayed out eyes, "Are you sure about that…"
"Mhm~" She took the second gun and thanks to the noise of the festival her vision was better than ever before. Riliane could even make out the staples on the wooden and canvas targets. Her first shot landed just above the center, "I guess bullets don't move like arrows." The next two were adjusted perfectly as bullseyes.
"Pardon me, but are you not… Blind?" The man asked cautiously.
"I am." Riliane explained, "My semblance allows me to see in a way."
"In that case," He handed a stuffed horse and cat to Riliane and Xanthic respectively. "You ladies should keep an eye on those two boys, make sure they don't get into any trouble."
Xanthic froze as his face grew bright red as he heard the laughter of those two boys. "I, um, I'm not- a-actually I-" His words got stuck in his throat.
"What's the matter Ms. Picto?" Owen said giggling. D'art burst into hysterics after that leaving Xanthic mortified and the man extremely confused. As they continued on with their afternoon the two would occasionally make remarks about his identity issue until Celeste would silence them with either a remark about how any of the five women there could beat them senseless or by proving her point by way of punch to the lower back.
After the shooting range the group headed to the docks near the pond. The lighting of the lanterns was about to begin. D'art and the others hurried to the loading dock, joining the crowd waiting to board the boats. The docks were just outside the pond itself, which was quite large. On the other side, a dark tree line could be seen, overlooking the shore. The water was a beautiful cobalt with the moon reflected on its surface. There were petals and lily pads scattered around the large pond that sat on top of the water. The boats themselves were a vibrant crimson with amber engravings and inscriptions. Each boat had a pole on which hung a unlit lantern.
"Two per boat." Said a middle aged man. He gestured towards the group. Celeste went into the first boat, with Olive requesting that Riliane go with her. Amelia and Olive got on another and D'art and Owen boarded after them leaving Eve and Xanthic to go on the last one.
As the man kicked them off, the noise around them faded and only the sound of water slapping against the side of the boat could be heard. Celeste let her hand hang off the side of the boat, her finger gently brushing the cool surface.
"It's so peaceful." Riliane said softly, her head was turned to the side, observing the pond with her semblance.
"Yeah." Celeste replied. She looked at the other boats around her, and caught a glance of D'art waving at her several feet away.
"It's to celebrate those who died in the war." D'art said solemnly as he looked back at Owen, letting his hand fall back in his lap. "We say a message to the lost souls and send the lanterns into the sky with hopes that they'll find their way."
"How do you know when to light them?" Owen asked.
"You'll know." D'art said simply. He grabbed the oars and paddled so that their boat was in the middle of the pond. "This is the best spot." D'art added. Owen scratched his head.
"Isn't this for couples or something?"
"Meh. We're all friends here." D'art replied with a shrug. Owen smirked.
"You came here with Cerise didn't you?"
"We came here every year." Said D'art, his eyes scanning the water.
"How romantic." Owen cooed.
...
Nearby Eve and Xanthic were silent as their boat slowly drifted on the water. The raven haired girl yawned, leaning back to observe the sky. Stars could be seen, twinkling faintly. Xanthic was tapping his foot up and down, his eyes darting around uncomfortably.
"Please stop." Eve said, unamused. Xanthic looked up at her, and his knee stopped abruptly.
"Sorry." Their boat came dangerously close to Olive and Amelia's and was narrowly steered away.
"Ahoy there." Olive said with a grin. She grabbed her paddle, moving it like a hand would.
"Hello Olive." Eve greeted.
"You guys excited?" Olive asked with a grin.
"I guess." Said Eve.
"You guys have to help me." Amelia said with a groan. Eve glanced at her, confused. "Olive is going to throw herself into the pond after the ceremony." She clarified.
"What? Why?" Eve asked.
"Cause it looks so pretty! And I love to swim. Besides, the water is warm." Olive chirped. Eve put her hand in the water, it was freezing.
Eve shook her head. "You don't even have a change of clothes."
"I don't need them! I'll dry!" Before Eve could respond, a single orb of light rose from the shore, glowering like a flame.
"It started." Eve whispered. Another orb appeared, and then another. Xanthic carefully took the lantern off of the pole and set it in the middle. Eve grabbed the set of matches on the boat and gently struck the side of it against the box, lighting the lantern. Silently, the two wished for something they truly desired. The flame flickered as if it could hear their thoughts, as if it was contemplating their desires. The two opened their eyes simultaneously, their eyes meeting briefly before Eve looked away.
"Ready?" Eve asked. Her hands clutched the frame of the lantern and her fingertips brushed Xanthic's lightly. A chill ran up his spine and he nearly dropped it.
"R-ready." Xanthic stuttered. In sync, they lifted the light up into the air. It floated a little, hovering down before rising up into the sky like a firefly. It glowed quite beautifully. Eve could only smile as it became smaller and smaller. Next to them, Olive and Amelia had done the same thing, their mouths were parted as they watched their lantern float up into the sky.
...
D'art grabbed the lantern off the pole and handed it to Owen who had a match ready. After holding it to the bottom, the lantern flared up.
"To the lives of those who died." D'art muttered, his eyes closing. "May you find what you are looking for and rest in peace. And for this upcoming year, may my friends and I be safe through our battles and have a wonderful school year. I don't know what we're going to run into, but I trust that we'll bear through it as long as we are together." He finished. "Go ahead." D'art said to his friend. Owen nodded and closed his eyes. Several seconds passed before his eyes flickered open, a little sad.
"Ready." He said. The two lifted the lantern up into the air, watching it flicker and glow, illuminating the dark sky around it.
"I hope this will be a great school year." Owen whispered, his hair fell into his eyes. As his fingers brushed his forehead to move it, D'art slapped him on the shoulder.
"I know it will." D'art said with a grin.
...
On the other side of the pond Celeste and Riliane held their lanturn carefully, watching it glow and flicker. Their fingers lay next to each other, hot from contact.
"We're supposed to make wishes right?" Riliane asked, looking up in Celeste's general direction.
"Yeah." Replied Celeste. Riliane nodded and closed her eyes, muttering something to herself. Celeste's eyes rested on Riliane and moved from her forehead to her nose and then to her lips, lingering there before she closed her own eyes. She knew what she wanted to wish for. She had been thinking it for days now. When Celeste finally opened her eyes Riliane was staring at her with a smile.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Now I'm ready." Celeste whispered. The blonde nodded, and together they lifted their lanturn up into the air.
By now the sky was filled with little blazing lights that radiated luminescence. It was as if there were a hundred amber stars in the sky, all moving and growing smaller and smaller by every second that passed. Like a swarm of luminous butterflies flying across the sky, their delicate wings beating and casting golden sparkles into the darkening cobalt sky. It could be mistaken as an artwork, with flicks of paint the color of candlelight and apricot scattered across the sky, or as saffron sequins in the rippling folds of a dark velvet dress.
The water was filled with glaring reflections of marigold lanterns, brilliant and rich. Celeste let her hand cup the brisk water, creating ripples that twisted the reflection of the lanterns in a way where they still retained their previous beauty. The fragrance of pine flew in from the tree line, blending in with the delicate aroma of apricots from the stands back near the festival. A refreshing gust of wind swept across the pond, sending a light spray of water into the boat. Riliane's hair was picked up and thrown into the sky gently. Her hand timidly tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear.
"What does it look like?" She whispered. Celeste's eyes moved to her.
"It's...amazing. There are so many lights, glowing and flickering."
"What else?" Riliane asked.
"Celeste looked at the sky, her lips parted. "It's how I imagine wishes would look like." Celeste stated.
Riliane smiled a little, "How beautiful."
They stayed there until their lantern could barely be seen and it was just a mere speck of brilliance against the night sky. And then they rowed back to the docks.
...
"That was beautiful." Amelia said, taking the hand of D'art and stepping out of the boat carefully. Olive squeezed her shirt letting some water out of it.
"The pond was nice and refreshing." She said with a grin.
"You're crazy." Owen muttered, eyeing Olive with some distaste.
"It was fun. You all missed out."
"You're going to be all wet and uncomfortable for the rest of the evening."
"Nonsense!" Olive chirped.
"That aside, we should get going." D'art said as he yanked on his backpack. "We have one more destination before the fireworks start."
When they got to their destination it was 7:50 in the evening and the sky was even darker than before. The light tinge of orange and pink that had swept across the sky was now gone. The group of friends were beginning to tire, their legs sore from walking.
"Where to again?" Owen asked with a yawn.
"The main stage. The history play is about to start." D'art explained, casting a quick glance over his shoulder. Then he pointed in front of him. A large stage loomed up above them. Dark green curtains covered the back of the stage. Lights were embedded into the wood, shining up into the sky. Countless people were seated in front of the stage. D'art and the others squeezed past a few occupied chairs before sitting down in open seats.
"Finally." Celeste groaned. "My legs are so sore."
"Well this play finishes before the fireworks start so we'll have plenty of time to rest." D'art said
with a grin. "It's always really well done. I'm sure you guys will love it."
Several minutes passed and the seats slowly began to fill even more until there was hardly a free spot to be seen. D'art stared at the stage, his brow furrowed.
"It's almost 8:08." Owen muttered.
"Something is wrong. It usually starts right on time." D'art said softly, his blue eyes narrowed
as he fingered the edges of his coat nervously.
"D'art!" Someone whispered. The group turned around, face to face with Aramais. His face was splotchy and red, he took several breaths before speaking again. "Come here." He said quickly. D'art nodded, a little shocked. He got out of his seat before hurrying over to his friend.
"What's wrong?" D'art asked, concerned.
"Several members of the cast were injured." Aramais hissed, making sure no one else could hear them.
"Don't you have backup members?"
"For most of the parts yes. But a few of the backups were also hurt."
"What the hell happened?"
Aramais shook his head. "They were making last minute touch ups to the set but the entire thing fell on a few of them. It was a disaster."
"Merde." D'art hissed under his breath, he looked back at the stage and then at his friend. "Are you going to cancel it?"
"We've never postponed it before. Even when it was raining." Aramais was silent as his expression grew dimmer. " But I guess we have no choice, no one else is young enough to fit the parts needed." He finished, passing a hand over his face. D'art sighed, running his fingers through his hair. He had been looking forward to it, and now his friends couldn't even see it. Then D'art realized something.
"Do you think I could play one of the parts?" He hissed. "I've seen it so many times, I could pull it off."
Aramais stared at him. "I suppose. But we still have three open parts." D'art turned around to stare at his friends who were observing him curiously.
"Oh I know just who to use."
...
It was 8:17 when the curtains finally opened and the audience turned towards the stage with rapt attention. The floor was covered in makeshift brushes and trees. Ivy hung from the lights above the stage in tendrils, leaving curling and twisting shadows on the floor. Emerald lights lay next to golden ones, creating shade and silhouettes. The smell of pine emanated from the stage like fog, either from one of the many machines on the side of the stage, or trees coated with the aroma.
A young man strolled on stage, the upper half of his skin showing as he flexed. Cerise, who was watching from the audience, groaned and shook her head.
"I am Champlain!" D'art yelled, going into a sumo-like position. "I can stop storms with my fist and absorb the snowstorms in the mountains with my-" He paused. "My spirit!" He finished loudly. He punched a large makeshift rock, crying out in pain. "A-And I have created a community where we can live without this horrible weather! La Crete!" He called out. The audience cheered politely. Two figures in black hurried on stage, placing a small cardboard city in the middle of the stage and then hurrying off.
"I am Cabot!" Said another young man who awkwardly hurried onto stage, his chest was also bare with a cheap pelt thrown over it. It was Owen, who looked as uncomfortable as a penguin, his arms were squeezed to his sides as he waddled towards D'art. "I am a liver of this place?" He asked.
"No you're the second chieftain." D'art hissed.
"Second chieftain!" Owen yelled. There were some boos from the crowd and Owen looked like he might piss his pants. He stood there silently, glancing at D'art who gave him a 'do your thing' look. "I am pacify the Ridge!?" Owen yelled. D'art gave him an incredulous look. The audience glanced at each other, confused.
"What he means, is that he pacified other kingdoms to be part of La Crete!" D'art announced with a nervous grin.
"I fought war!" Owen called out, flexing weakly. "I won!? Wait no, I lost! All people slain!" Owen finished. Two other black figures ran onto the stage, carrying red ribbons as they threw them like confetti, symbolizing bloodshed.
"Cabot was the worst leader of La Crete!" D'art called out. The audience booed again.
"You look like an asshole" A young woman muttered to Owen as she strolled onstage. It was Celeste. She wore a pelt coat and had a ridiculous orange scarf thrown over her head to cover her blue hair. "I am Florian." She said lamely, making no effort to act. "I did helpful stuff. I helped with war and stuff. I was really really mad when Vale was mean and banned us from having an academy." Celeste added monotonously.
"Yes!" D'art said with vigor, he moved his arm in front of him and passed a hand over his face. "It was truly unfair. As a result The Ridge blocked fur trade with Vale."
"Oh no." Said Celeste in an unamused tone.
"I am Dumas!" A girl shrieked, doing a cartwheel onto the stage. The girl, Olive, bowed and grinned. "I am our current leader! I set up guardsman and stuff!" The crowd clapped politely. Olive's grin widened at the attention she rarely got. "Yes that's right! I am awesome! Bam!" She did another cartwheel and crushed the small model of the Ridge with her foot. "Oops."
"Oliv- Dumas!" D'art snapped, out of character. "Watch it!"
"I'm sorry! Old Dumas here got excited!" Olive cried.
"Oh no." Celeste said lamely. "The Ridge has been destroyed by our leader Dumas." She finished monotonously.
"NOO!" Owen yelled dramatically.
"The Ridge was not destroyed by Dumas." D'art hissed.
"Dear me" Celeste said slowly. "Whatever shall we do. The evil Dumas will surely finish us off once and for all." Olive laughed evilly and stepped on the model again, this time on purpose. The audience gasped.
"That's right! I will destroy your precious city!" Olive yelled with a cackle.
"Oliv-" D'art began.
"Send your best fighters! I will surely conquer the Ridge and use it for my own evil gains!" Olive interrupted.
"But you're already the chieftain-" D'art started.
"You fiend!" Celeste said, cutting him off. "How dare you. Cabot will surely protect us." Owen glanced at Celeste, bewildered.
"I will?!" He shrieked. "I-I mean I will!"
"Guys stop-" D'art was cut off again as Celeste slammed her hand in his face, suddenly alive with energy.
"Cabot! Destroy him!" Celeste yelled, pointing at Olive/Dumas. The audience gasped and leaned forward in their seats. Cabot/Owen sprinted towards Olive, not knowing what he was supposed to be doing as he tried to punch her. Olive grinned, grabbing him and throwing him over her back.
"You will never defeat me!" Olive laughed maniacally. Owen landed on the ground with a grunt. Forgetting about the play, he ripped a long cardboard branch from the set and spun it in his hands like a lance.
"The tree!" D'art cried out.
"You're on!" Hissed Owen. He sprinted towards Olive, dodging a kick and whacking her in the side with the branch. Olive did a backflip, grabbing a short branch from the set and holding her hand out towards Owen, gesturing for him to come at her.
"Cabot and Dumas fight for the fate of The Ridge!" Celeste called out.
"Guys!-" D'art cried out. Celeste grabbed D'art, throwing him offstage before turning back towards the fight.
"And Cabot scores with a sick uppercut to Dumas's chin!" She yelled. The audience cheered, several people standing up with excitement.
"My my." Said an elderly woman. "I didn't remember my history books being this interesting."
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The audience cheered, catcalls and whistles rang throughout the night. Owen was grinning, his nervousness was gone as he jumped over Olive, kicking her in the back. As she fell forward he hit her with his makeshift spear, snapping it in half.
"Oh my! Cabot's spear has broken! Whatever shall he do now?!" Celeste questioned loudly.
"Fist fight! Fist fight!" The crowd cheered. Olive threw her sword to the side, blocking a punch as she twisted Owen's arm behind his back. Grunting, Owen threw himself onto the ground, Olive beneath him as the two completely crushed the model of The Ridge.
"What a sight!" Celeste yowled. "Dumas and Cabot have destroyed the remainder of the Ridge by their fight!" The crowd gasped. Olive rolled away, letting Owen stand up to recover before dodging a punch and executing a roundhouse kick. Her foot slammed into his face, knocking him back into the background set. The cardboard trees and makeshift bushes crumpled under his weight.
"What a powerful kick!" Celeste shouted. The crowd cheered. Owen tilted his head to the left, dodging another kick as he grabbed her leg and yanked her forward. Olive fell to the ground with a shriek as Owen swung her around like a toy, throwing her into the rest of the set.
"I never knew Cabot was such a hunk!" Celeste yelled. The crowd went crazy. D'art, who was currently staring at the chaos with wide eyes whimpered a little.
"Dumas is going to have my head for this." He muttered. Olive, who was still grinning, was about to stand before she looked above her, eyes wide. A large wooden tree slowly tilted in her direction, falling towards her. Olive held up her arms for protection. But before it fell, Owen threw himself over her. The large tree cracked against his back, pieces of it falling onto the stage like parts of a table. The crowd went silent, eyes wide. The space where Owen and Olive once were was covered by the remainders of the tree.
Suddenly, an arm appeared out of the pile of broken wood. There were gasps. Owen rose from the debris with a grin. The crowd cheered as Olive stood beside him.
"Cabot risked his life to save Dumas! What do you know?! In the end of the day Cabot was the hero!" Celeste announced loudly. The crowd cheered even louder.
"Cabot! Cabot! Cabot!" They cried. Owen grinned at the crowd, and then at Olive who beamed.
"And that marks an end to our production!" Celeste said with a grin, she walked up to Olive and Owen and the three bowed in sync.
And that was the first full standing ovation the Ridge History Play had ever gotten.
Later as teams ROXA and CODE were making their way to the firework show, Celeste made her way over to walk with Riliane.
"Hey, Riliane?" Celeste called.
"Yes?" Riliane turned to were Celeste's voice was coming from.
"I don't mean to be rude, but how exactly are you going to watch the fireworks?" Celeste asked, looking over to the blind girl.
"Fireworks?" Riliane asked, not quite knowing what Celeste was talking about.
"Yeah, we're going to see the firework show. Did nobody tell you?"
"Um no, I was just told it was time to go." After pausing for a few seconds she continued with a whisper "I'm honestly not quite sure what fireworks even are. I assume we are going to be doing some work with fire?" Riliane heard the footsteps beside her stop, and she turned to 'look' behind her. A quiet chuckle signaled that Celeste had stopped behind her.
"No, we are not going to be working. Fireworks are like big colorful explosions in the sky," Celeste explained, continuing to walk next to Riliane.
"That sounds dangerous. What if someone gets hurt?" Riliane asked. The sound of Celeste laughing again was beginning to interest Riliane.
"They're just sparks that die out before they touch the ground. Nothing to be worried about."
"Oh, that doesn't sound too bad."
"Exactly. The only bad part about fireworks is the noise." Celeste looked over to see a questioning glance from Riliane. "You'll understand when you hear it." The group arrived at their spot; picked out earlier by Dart. They sat down and began discussing events from the festival. Riliane and Celeste were talking about how one of the festival games was rigged so Celeste couldn't win, when a loud whistling sound could be heard above all the music, talking, etc. Celeste's attention was however drawn to Riliane reaching for her bow.
"Don't worry, it's just the fireworks." She yelled, placing her hand on Riliane's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. BOOM.
"Oh. You were right they are loud." Riliane yelled back. BOOM. CRACKLE CRACKLE. As Riliane "watched", her semblance lit up with each explosion. Erratic sound waves danced across the sky reflecting off the raining shrapnel. "Wow" Riliane said just barely loud enough for Celeste to hear.
Staring at the other girl's awed expression, Celeste decided to speak up, "They're all different kinds of colors. Nothing too fancy though. We have better ones back home. Bigger, and more colorful." Riliane hummed to acknowledge she heard, though she would have to take Celeste's word on the matter. She continued to listen to the fireworks occasionally flinching at the really loud ones as they proved too much for her semblance. The firework show lasted throughout the night, and after a few hours the two teams made their way back to the hotel for the night.