AN - *Eating pasta*
Sarid: …Can I have some?
Mamga: No.
Sarid: D:
Magma: Fun fact: When I don't know what to call the chapter, I place hold it with "The Something" until I come up with one.
The Feast of Valentine
Sarid was concentrating as hard as she could, her eyes staring intensely at the ivory keys before her. She cracked her knuckles, then laid her fingers on them.
Okay…here we go.
She pushed down on them, and tried to play a melody. It was bad, though that was understandable as she hadn't played in about ten years. After practicing for some time, she got up to stretch. Looking out the window, she saw the sun was rising.
Time to go mine. She thought, going out the door and leaving the castle, the snow crunching under her boots. Rosy light was washing over the buildings, the shadows a cool blue-purple. Her breath appeared as white puffs before her, dissipating in the air. She reached the mine and went down into it, going down one of the shafts and to the end, working on elongating it. There was an iron deposit that she mined out, then keep on until noon.
Looking into her magic mirror, she appeared back in the village square.
She jumped down into the snow and went to her castle, and made soup for lunch, then leaving the castle and looking over the village, thinking.
I need to learn more recipes…I'm starting to get sick of that soup…
"Sarid!"
Looking at Asher's house, she saw him outside and waving at her.
"Asher!" She cheered, running down into the village. Getting to him, they hugged, Asher holding her head to his chest and she rubbed her face into his coat.
"How are you?" Asher asked.
"I'm fine." She told him. "You?"
"…I'm kinda worried?"
"What? Why?"
"I mean…you killed that noble guy from Realo and…what if there's an invasion?"
"Then I will slaughter them all." Sarid told him.
His eyes went wide.
"…Oh…"
"…I've defeated all other threats."
"I know, I just…" He sighed, a white puff coming from is mouth. "I just worry too much."
"There there…" She told him, reaching up and patting his head.
"Heh." He laughed, smiling. "I made some hot chocolate, you want some?"
"Yes!" Sarid said. He smiled shyly, blushing and taking her hand. She felt heat come to her face, and they went into his house and up to the kitchen.
Sarid sat at the table as Asher poured two mugs of hot chocolate, then put them on the table and sat down himself. Picking up her mug Sarid sipped it, the liquid warming her throat. It was quite good.
"This is excellent." She told him.
"Thank you." He told her. "You have to drink while it's warm though. Otherwise the caramel in it will harden."
"Caramel?" She asked.
"Yeah – there's also cinnamon and vanilla."
"Mmm!" She hummed, drinking more of it.
"…So, uh…" Asher started, fidgeting, "I've been wondering…are you going to go and fight Plantera?"
"I'll have to at some point." Sarid told him. He got a worried look.
"What?" He asked.
"There's a curse on Faye's brothers and sisters, the other Dryads." Sarid told him. "The only way to free them is to defeat the Shadow Man. In order to get to him, I have to defeat Plantera."
"…I see." He said, looking down into his mug. After a moment, he looked back up at her, reaching out and taking her hand. "Please be careful."
"I will." She told him, squeezing his hand.
They sat staring at each other, when they heard the door downstairs.
"Asher?" Ted's voice asked.
"Oh." Asher sounded, getting up. Sarid followed him, they both going down stairs. Ted stood before the door, looking over at them.
"Can I help you, Mr. Ted?" Asher asked.
"Oh, uh…I…I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
"…Uh…no." Asher told him.
"You sure?" Ted asked.
"What would you be interrupting?" Sarid asked.
"…You know, alone time?" Ted asked.
Sarid blinked dumbly, then looked at Asher, seeing he had his face in his hands.
"Asher?" She asked.
"Sorry." Ted said, she looking at him. "Didn't mean to embarrass your boyfriend."
"Oh no, I…"
She fully processed what he said.
"My WHAT?!"
"…Your boyfriend?"
Asher pressed his hands into his face harder.
"…What?" Sarid asked.
"Aren't you two courting?" Ted asked.
"…"
Sarid blinked, feeling air trapped in her throat, trying to process what he had asked.
"…" She blinked again, then looked at Asher. "Are we?"
He snapped his head up to look at her, his face red.
"…I…I DON'T KNOW!"
"…I'm just gonna…" Ted pointed at the door, then rushed out.
"…" They stood silently, then looked back at each other.
"…"
"…"
"…So are we?" Sarid asked.
"I DON'T KNOW!" He repeated, distressed.
"I, well, I uh…" Sarid felt heat come to her face and looked off to the side. "I-I like…the idea."
"I-I do…too…but I mean, I just…" He put his face back into his hands. "…I don't know how all that works."
"Neither do I." Sarid told him.
"…"
"…"
"…You just wanna drink the hot chocolate in silence?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
They went back up to the kitchen, drank in silence, then Sarid left and went back to the mine. When it got late, she returned home and slept through the night. The next morning she got up and went to the docks, waiting for Sinbad and his men. The lighthouse was lit, and soon enough, the ship sailed into the bay, coming up along the dock.
"AHOY, LASSIE!" Sinbad called.
"Hello!" Sarid called, the gangplank coming down. Sinbad came down, followed by Mercer.
"Mercer!" Sarid exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in quite some time…"
"I've been travelling." He told her, tipping his hat. "How have you been?"
"Great!" She told him.
"…You're like a completely different person."
"…" She smiled. "Yes, but it's been a good change."
"That's good."
"Yes." Sarid agreed. "Anyhow, how was your sailing, Sinbad?"
"Smooth as silk!" He told her. "And ye gotta new comer."
Sarid looked up the gangplank, seeing Payo walking down with a large trunk, followed by a woman, a small child holding her hand.
Her hair was blonde, cut to her jaw, her eyes sky blue and skin fair. She wore a long, dark grey coat, stretching down to her ankles, brown leather shoes on her feet. The child with her was a boy, just shorter than her hip. He had the same hair, eye and skin color as the woman, also wearing a dark grey coat, coming to mid-thigh. He also had a red scarf, blue pants and black boots, a black hat on his head.
"Hello." Sarid told her.
"Hello." She told her. "I'm Taylor, and this is my son, Tyler."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Sarid told her. "I take it you would like to move here?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Just Sarid is fine." She told her, which surprised her.
"…V-very well…"
"What was your occupation before coming here?" Sarid asked.
"I was a seamstress." She told her.
"Oh, like Mr. Pip?" Sarid asked.
"Oh…you…have someone like that here already?" She asked, her face dropping a bit.
"Yes, but he is on in his years." Sarid told her. "I'm sure he would appreciate all the help he can get, especially this time of the year."
"Oh." She said. "Well…I would like to talk with him then."
"Very well, please follow me." Sarid told her. "I'll take the trunk, Payo."
"It's heavy." Taylor told her.
"Oh, don't worry." Sarid told her, taking the trunk.
"WOW!" Tyler sounded, his eyes wide. "You're super strong, Mr. Sarid!"
"Honey, Sarid is a she." Taylor told him gently.
"Oh…" He said.
"Don't worry, you're not the first to make the same mistake." Sarid told him. "Now let's go."
They walked to the village, the snow crunching under their feet. The street lights were on, illuminating the still dark village, Sarid stepping up onto Pip's porch. Taylor got the door for her, all of them going in.
"Mr. Pip?" Sarid called.
"Hello!" He called from up stairs. He came down, dressed and cane in hand, looking surprised at Taylor and Tyler. "Why hello there!"
"Hello." Taylor told him.
"What brings you to Terraria?" He asked.
"I'm looking to move here." She told him.
"She's a seamstress." Sarid told him. His eyes and face lit up.
"That's wonderful!" He told her. "If you like, I'd be happy to employ you! I need all the help I can get, especially with the cold."
"Thank you." She told him with a smile. "When can I start?"
"As soon as you like!" Pip told her. "Right now, just get settled in."
"Thank you." She told him, then looking at Sarid. "Where might Tyler and I stay?"
"There are plenty of available homes." Sarid told her, she getting a surprised look. "You're free to pick any of the free ones."
"…Th-thank you." She told her.
Later…
Taylor had taken up residence beside Sparkle's home, across from the butcher shop. Sarid added on another bedroom for Tyler while Taylor unpacked their things. Tyler watched Sarid as she worked, putting up the walls and filling in the windows, then furnished the room.
After that, she looked at him.
…I've never really spoken with children…
"So…What do you think of all of this?" Sarid asked.
"Huh?" Tyler asked.
"I mean…are…you…happy? Are you happy to be here?" Sarid asked.
"I dunno." Tyler told her. "I'm hope mommy gets to be happy."
"She isn't?" Sarid asked.
"No, not since daddy died." He told her.
"…Oh…" Sarid said, then kneeling down. "If…if you don't mind me asking, how did he die?"
"Mommy said it was something called toll." He told her.
"…I see." Sarid said, then standing. "I…I'm sorry for your loss."
"It was a year ago." He told her. "But mommy's still sad."
Sarid furrowed her brows up.
"Is that why you two came here?"
"I dunno." He told her.
"…Right. Well, I'll be back later." She told him.
"Okay. Bye Ms. Sarid."
"Goodbye." Sarid told him. She went down to the first floor, seeing Taylor before the door, Eve standing in the doorway with a honey cake.
"Oh, Mrs. Eve." Sarid said.
"Hello, Sarid." She told her. "I was just bringing this over to our new neighbors."
"I see." Sarid said.
"As Sarid said, my name's Eve." She told Taylor. "I live right across from you. My brother-in-law is a butcher and my husband is a hunter. I you need any meat, just stop by."
"Thank you." Taylor told her.
"And this is for you." Eve told her, holding out the cake. "I hope you like it."
"Thank you." Taylor told her. Sarid smiled some.
"Well, I've finished Tyler's room. If you need anything, just tell me." Sarid told her.
"Thank you." She said. Sarid smiled at her, then went out the door into the cold and dark. She pulled her cloak tighter around her as she walked, wishing for warmer weather to arrive soon, though it would take another two months for that.
Oddly, though, she suddenly felt a rush of happiness.
A big grin spread across her face, she jumped in the air, then took off down the road towards the mine.
Later…
"What's this, Mercer?" Sarid asked. She stood in his shop, holding a silver watch-like item, it having three golden studs on the top and a single red needle.
"That's a stop watch." He told her. "It tells you how fast you're going."
"…How much?"
"Five gold."
She put the money on the counter, he smiling.
"Thank you!" He told her.
"…Mercer?"
"Yes?"
"If you don't mind me asking…what…what happened between you and your father?"
His smile disappeared, his eyes dimming.
"…Papa and I…had a disagreement."
"…" Sarid blinked, he sighing.
"When I was little, he would read me stories about great adventurers. Real memoirs written by real people…it enthralled me. So, when I got old enough, I wanted to go on my own adventures…but…he didn't want me to. When mama died…I couldn't take it anymore. Everything reminded me of her…I just wanted to get away from it all. So I did."
"…Did…did you ever talk to him about it?"
"…W-well…no…"
"…" Sarid sighed. "Mercer, if you had talked to him, I'm sure you'd of come to an understanding."
"…" His eyes dimmed more.
"…When I was very young, my father abandoned me."
He looked up at her, surprised.
"I understand Mr. Mortimer isn't perfect. But then no one is. For you, it's not too late to try and make things right."
"…" He blinked, then Sarid turned away and left the store, returning to the mine. When it got late, she used her magic mirror to return to the surface, walking back to the castle, when she realized she'd have soup for supper.
Ugh…
She stopped walking, looking at the library.
Asher might have a cook book in there…
Going over, she upped the steps and entered.
"Asher?" She called. His head appeared from the book shelves, he smiling.
"Sarid!" He said.
"Hello." She said, smiling at him. "I was wondering if you had a cook book?"
"Yes!" He told her, disappearing back behind the shelf. He reappeared from the one behind it, holding a book. "Here you go."
"Thank you." She told him. He checked it out for her, then handed it to her.
"Anything else?" He asked.
"No, this is all." She told him. "Have a good evening."
"Thanks, you too." He told her. She smiled at him and he smiled back shyly, she then going back out into the dark cold.
Arriving at her castle, she went to the kitchen and opened the book, flipping through the pages and finding a recipe for baked fish.
…I need to get some fish.
She left the castle, going to Butch's shop, entering as the bell above the door jingled. Butch was weighing some meat for Sparkle, who was bundled up.
"Ah, Sarid!" Butch greeted, Sparkle looking over her shoulder at her. "I'll be with you in a moment."
"Thank you." Sarid told him, approaching the counter she had specially made, looking at the meats that lay on the bed of ice she had gotten from the mountains.
"That all for you, Sparkle?" Butch asked her.
"Yep! Thanks!" She told him, paying him and taking the wrapped-up meat.
"You have a good evening." He told her.
"You too." She said, then turning to leave, when she stopped. "Oh, Sarid!"
"Hm?" Sarid hummed, looking at her.
"Is it alright if we did something for Valentine's Feast?" She asked.
"Wh- AH!" Sarid exclaimed, smack a hand to her head. "That's this week!"
"Yep!"
"I'd forgotten…" Sarid said, letting her hand fall back to her side. "Yes, I'm sure the villagers would like that. We can discuss plans tomorrow."
"Great!" She said. "See ya then!"
"Goodbye." Sarid told her, then turning back to the counter. She got an order of fish, then went back to her castle, going to the kitchen. Following the recipe, she baked the fish and cooked some canned vegetables, then put all of it onto a plate.
Not bad… She thought as she ate. Considering this is the first time I've actually put effort into cooking something, this came out well.
After finishing, she cleaned up and went up to bed.
The next day she got up and dressed herself, going down to the kitchen and looking through the cookbook. Nothing for breakfast caught here eye, or she didn't have the materials to make it, so she made the baked fish again. After eating and cleaning up, she left the castle and went out into the cold and dark, towards the mine, when she saw Mortimer's light was on.
I should check on him. She thought, going to his house and upping the steps. She knocked on the door, no one answering. Worried, she opened the door and stepped into the dark shop, the storefront dark. Faint light came from the upstairs, Sarid going up the stairs and to the top floor, entering into the living room.
To her surprise, Mercer was there.
The fire in the fireplace was glowing embers, the only other source of light being the lantern beside them on the end table. They were both still dressed, leaning against each other and fast asleep.
…I guess this is a good sign? Sarid thought, then taking note of the chill in the air. Going to them, she carefully picked up Mortimer and carried him to his bedroom, taking off his shoes and tucking him into his bed, then went back and fixed Mercer on the sofa, getting a pillow and blankets for him. After doing that, she went back towards the stairs, when she stopped.
…Why were they like that? She wondered. …Should I stay and ask, or…?
After a moment of debating, she decided to go gather them some firewood, leaving the house and going into the snowy woods. After getting plenty, she walked back as dawn's rosy light started to color the sky. Going into Mortimer's house, she went up stairs and started arranging logs on the fire, allowing them to catch fire.
"…Hmm…?"
Looking behind her, Mercer was stirring. She went over, standing over him. His eyes cracked open, then he yawned, and his eyes opened.
"…Sarid?"
"Hello." She told him. He blinked, then sat up.
"…Where am I?"
"Mr. Mortimer's shop." Sarid told him. His eyes widened.
"…So that wasn't a dream." He said, Sarid blinking.
"What do you mean?" She asked. Instead of answering, he got up and went to the bedroom, opening the door and stepping in.
"Papa?" He asked. Sarid followed him, looking in as he approached Mortimer, who stirred.
"…Mercer?" He asked, Mercer stopping by the bedside. Mortimer sat up, looking up at him. "What are you doing here?"
"…I came last night." He told him. "It wasn't a dream."
"…" Mortimer blinked, then looked upset. He stood, hugging Mercer, who hugged him back.
"…Papa?"
"Yes?"
"…I missed you."
"I missed you too, son."
Sarid's lips parted as she watched them stand hugging, until they parted, Mortimer putting a hand on the side of Mercer's face.
"I'm sorry for everything I said." He told him. "I spoke in anger, and I shouldn't have."
"I'm sorry, too." He told him. "I was being selfish. You had lost Mama and all I was thinking about was myself."
"You lost her too." He told him. "I tried bottling it all away, and…and it led to you leaving. I should've handled myself and emotions better."
He looked away.
"And I was being selfish too, trying to keep you when you didn't want to stay."
"No, Papa." Mercer told him, making Mortimer look at him. "You needed me, and I left. I shouldn't have done that, and I'm sorry."
"…" Mortimer hugged him tighter. "I love you, Mercer."
"I love you too, Papa."
"…" Sarid blinked, unaware of the tears streaming down her face. She watched them as they stood hugging, and then she took a breath, going back to the living room.
…Wishing won't change how father felt about me. She thought. All I can do is move on.
Sniffing, she wiped her eyes, then heard footsteps. Looking behind her, she saw them standing there.
"…Mercer said you encouraged him to talk to me." Mortimer told her. "I owe you a debt of gratitude."
"…" Sarid shook her head. "I am the ruler of Terraria. The well-being of my people is my priority."
"…" Mortimer smiled. "Thank you anyways."
Sarid smiled back.
Later…
"So, do you wanna do a raffle?" Sparkle asked Sarid, the two of them sitting in her kitchen. Papers for decoration plans were on the table, along with two mugs of hot chocolate.
"Hm…" Sarid hummed. "I don't know…what would be a good thing to raffle?"
"Hm…" Sparkle hummed. "Something romantic?"
"…Sparkle, surely you know that romance is not anywhere near a strong suit of mine."
"Yeah, that's true…" She admitted, when her eyes lit up. "Oh! How about a heart lamp?"
"…What?" Sarid asked.
"I read about one of them in a book at Asher's library, you know, you make them with one of the glowing heart-"
"I know what you're talking about, but how is that romantic?"
"…"
"…"
They stared at each other.
"…Y'know…" Sparkle started, "for setting the mood?"
"...What?" Sarid asked. Sparkle leaned over to her and whispered in her ear.
Sarid eye's widened, lips pressed together, and went red in the face.
"SPARKLE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE!" She yelled, Sparkle jumping. Sarid then put her head in her hands. "I can't believe you just told me that…"
"…" Sparkle tried her best to hold back her laughter. "W-well, but still!"
"NO." Sarid told her, looking up at her with her eyes still wide and face red. "Only Mr. Hunter and Mrs. Eve would be able to use it."
"…Yeah, that's true…" She sighed, slumping down some. "…How about a cake for two?"
"…Fine." Sarid said. "I'll speak with Adria about it."
"Great!" Sparkle said. "Now, what music should we play?"
"I don't know, all I know is the more formal waltzes." Sarid told her.
"We can play that, then." Sparkle told her. "Along with some newer music."
"Very well." Sarid told her, writing down some of the formal music she knew. They planned for the next hour, finishing up and Sarid left, going to Valeria's and Adria's home. Knocking on the door, she stood and waited on their porch, when Valeria opened the door.
"Oh, Sarid!" She said, smiling. "Please, come in."
"Thank you." Sarid told her, stepping in.
"What can we do for you?" Valeria asked, closing the door.
"I was wondering if Adria could bake a couple's cake."
"Oh yeah, she's great at baking!" She told her. "Come on."
Sarid followed her up the stairs and to their living room, Adria looking up from her book.
"Oh, hi Sarid!" She told her.
"Hello." Sarid told her. "Your sister said that you know how to make a couple's cake?"
"Oh yeah!" She said, beaming. "What do you want it to look like?"
"I'm not sure, I was going to leave that up to you…"
"Alright, do you want your names on it?"
"…What?"
"…Your name."
"No, why?"
"…Isn't it for you and Asher?" She asked.
Sarid felt heat rush to her face.
"N-NO! What makes you think that?" She asked.
"Aren't you two courting?" Valeria asked.
"No!" Sarid told her.
"Are you sure?" Adria asked in a teasing tone.
Sarid snapped her head to look at her, with a look that made her jump.
"…"
There was tense air in the room, Adria fidgeting.
"I'll do up some designs for the cake.
"…Thank you." Sarid told her, relaxing. "Bring them by Sparkle's when you're finished. We'll look over them with her. Good day."
She turned and left, going out into the cold and to the mine. After a working for sometime, she used her magic mirror to return to the village, intent on getting lunch. Returning to the castle, she went to the kitchen and started cooking, watching as the fish cooked.
…Sh…should Asher and I court? I mean…we have feelings for each other…
…BUT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T JUST ASSUME WE'RE COURTING! That's rude!
…Of course…I don't hate the idea…
She sat, hugging herself.
…Are feelings always this difficult? Or am I just inexperienced?
The fish finished, and she plated it, then ate. She cleaned up, then left the castle and returned to the mine, doing more work. When evening came, she went back up to the village, going to Sparkle's home.
"Sparkle?" Sarid asked, knocking on the door to the living area. After a moment, she opened the door, smiling at her.
"Come on in, Sarid!" She told her, letting Sarid in and closing the door. "Adria's here with the designs for the cake."
"Thank you." Sarid told her, they going into the kitchen, Adria sitting at the table, papers before her.
"Hey Sarid." Adria said.
"Hello" Sardi told Adria, then sitting down. Sparkle sat down as well, and they began going through the designs. They had red and white icing with hearts, some more intricate than others.
"What do you think?" Adria asked.
"First of all, you're very good at drawing." Sarid told her. "Secondly…why hearts?"
"…Because they're a symbol of love?" Adria asked her.
"…" Sarid stared at her, this news to her. "Really?"
"…WHAT?!" She and Sparkle exclaimed.
"What?" Sarid asked.
"What do you mean WHAT?!" Sparkle asked. "How did you not know that?!"
"…" Sarid blinked. It makes sense I don't know that, I was more focused on school than anything else growing up, and before that dark night…I don't think I really did anything with hearts...Did I? I don't…oh, no wait. I hated them because I couldn't draw them right. They were always lopsided. Other than that…hm.
"…I don't know." Sarid told them. "Would it be possible to minimize the hearts?"
"Wait." Adria told her, going through the stack. "Here's one."
Sarid took the paper, looking at it.
The main cake was white, with a smooth trim at the bottom, small heart at regular intervals around it with space between them, columns rising up to arches, the top red with white roses.
"This one looks very good." Sarid told her, smiling.
"Great!" Adria told her, straightening the papers. "I'll get right to work on it!"
"Thank you." Sarid told her. "The Feast of Valentine is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah." Sparkle told her.
"Is there anything else I could do?" Sarid asked her.
"Hmmm…" Sparkle hummed, thinking. "Oh! We need jars."
"Very well." Sarid said, standing. "I'll be back with them soon."
"Great!" Sparkle said, clapping her hands together. "See you then."
"Goodbye." Sarid told them, then leaving, closing the door behind her.
Sparkle and Adria sat a moment, then looked at each other quickly, grinning.
"I TOLD you two she liked Asher!"
"Do they even try to hide it?" Adria asked.
"…No, I don't think so, but they just…you can SEE it." Sparkle giggled.
"…You wanna rig the raffle?" Adria asked, Sparkle looking at her with wide eyes.
"…I like the way you think." She told her. They laughed, Sparkle then realizing something. "Wait, how are we going to keep anyone else from winning?"
"…We could just read out Sarid's name even if we pull someone else's." Adria suggested.
"Nah, Sarid or someone else might stand by me…they'd be able to see it." Sparkle told her.
"…What if we just ask people to write Sarid's name?" Adria asked.
"…EXCELLENT." Sparkle said. "Start telling people, but don't let Sarid know!"
Later…
Sarid was soaking in her tub, hot water up to her chin, a small smile on her face and eyes closed.
This feels so nice. She thought. And the new items Mortimer got make this so much better.
Mortimer had recently begun selling more bath items, salts, oils, some orbs that dissolved in water and gave it bubbles and a sweet scent.
The water began to cool, and she got out and dried herself, then put on her pajamas.
Going to bed, she slept well.
She got up when it was still dark, dressing herself and getting breakfast. After eating she went to the mining and did some work, fighting and mining, expanding a shaft. At lunch, she went back up and was walking toward the castle.
"Sarid?"
She stopped, looking around, until she saw Taylor.
"Ms. Taylor?" She asked.
"…" She looked hesitant, then cleared her throat. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well, thank you." Sarid told her. "Are you and Tyler settling in alright?"
"Yes, thank you…" She told her. "…Might I ask…you something?"
"Of course."
"Who's Asher?"
"Asher? He runs the library." Sarid told her. "Why?"
"…Are you…friends?"
"Yes."
"Best friends?"
"Yes?"
"…" She cleared her throat again, hugging herself and looking down.
Wait…has she seen Asher and I together?
"Why do you ask?" Sarid asked.
"…" She looked hesitant, then swallowed. "…I…I was told…that you two are…close."
"…By who?" Sarid asked slowly.
"Uh, n-never mind." She said, lowering her head and starting toward Pip's store. Sarid rushed over and stopped her.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that." Sarid told her. "You haven't done anything wrong."
"…" She stared at her, then looked away. A sigh escaped her, appearing as a swirling white puff. "…My…neighbor, Sparkle and…the girl who cooks at the tavern, Adria."
"…" Sarid said nothing, making her look at her.
Sarid stood there, her eyes wide, brows slightly furrowed down, face red.
She ran off.
"SPAAARKLE! ADRIAAA!"
Taylor blinked.
A moment later…
Sparkle and Adria were looking out one of the windows from Adria and Valeria's home, both wearing aprons.
"…We're dead." Sparkle told Adria. They heard the downstairs down slam open, followed by pounding footsteps up the stairs.
"Wh-what do we do?" Adria asked her.
"Accept our fates." Sparkle told her grimly.
The door to the kitchen slammed open, Sarid standing in the door way.
"…Hi?" Adria asked quietly.
"What have you two been telling people?!" She asked, red-faced.
"…" They looked at each other.
"…WELL?!" Sarid asked.
"…We…w-well, we uh…" Sparkle stammered, Sarid staring at her with intense eyes.
Adria looked between them.
"Ms. Taylor told me you told her Asher and I were close!" Sarid told her.
…Oh…OH! Whew… Sparkle thought. "Yeah, what about it?"
"Why?" Sarid asked.
"We just wanted to tell her about the people here!" Sparkle told her.
"…And you wanted her to know Asher and I were close because…?"
"It just came up." Sparkle shrugged.
"…" Sarid blinked, then smacked a hand to her face. Her hand drew down her face, and then she glared. "Don't try to insinuate anything."
"…R-right…" Sparkle stammered, intimidated.
"Good." Sarid said, then leaving.
They stood in silence for a moment, then hearing the downstairs door close.
"…Is she shy or something?" Adria asked.
"Nah, feeling and stuff are new to her." Sparkle told her.
Sarid walked down the main road, stopping the center of the village. A sigh escaped her.
I don't want people just assuming things…or trying to force the idea of a relationship…
She saw a tall man with dark red hair, wearing a crown, quality furs and fine linen.
"She doesn't have a choice!"
Sarid lowered her head, glaring at the ground.
…What a horrible man he was.
She stood a bit longer, then heard laughter.
Hm?
Looking down the road to the pool house, she saw Tyler playing in the snow.
…Wait, who's watching him?!
She rushed down the street, he seeing her.
"Hi Ms. Sarid!" He called, waving.
"Tyler…who's watching you?" She asked.
"Mrs. Eve!" He chirped, pointing up onto the porch of the Butcher shop, Sarid looking. Eve sat in the rocking chair, holding a bundled up Ella.
"Hello, Sarid." She told her.
"Oh…hello, Mrs. Eve." She told her as she got up and went down the steps.
"How are you?" She asked.
"I'm fine, thank you." Sarid told her. "How are you and your family?"
"We're doing well, thank you." She told her. "Hunter's been doing quite well out in the woods, he always brings back a bounty."
"That's good to hear." She told her. "I take it Ms. Taylor asked you to watch Tyler?"
"Oh no, I offered." She told her.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yes." Eve told her. "When Ella was born, Hunter and I had our hands full. It was always so nice when Butch would watch her for us. We could relax for a bit, and so I thought that Taylor would like that same feeling of relief."
"…" Sarid smiled. "That's very kind of you."
"Thank you, Sarid." She told her, then looking at Tyler. "It's time to go inside and warm up."
"Yes ma'am." He said, following her up onto the porch. "Bye Ms. Sarid!"
"Goodbye, Tyler." She told him, watching as they went in. Standing for a moment, she looked down at the pool house, remembering something.
Later…
"S-Sarid, is this a good idea?" Asher asked.
They stood at the edge of the pool, Sarid wearing a navy t-shirt and blue swim trunks, Asher wearing pale green swim trunks.
"You need to know how to swim." Sarid told him, stepping into the warm water, into the shallow end, the water coming above her waist.
Asher stared at the water, gulped, then stepped into the shallow end.
"Now, you need to use your arms and legs." Sarid told him. "You move your arms like this, see?"
She showed how to move her arms, he watching her while wringing his hands.
"Do you understand?" Sarid asked.
"Uh…y-yes?"
"…Here." She said, going over to him and grabbing his wrists, Asher blushing. "You pull back one arm, while shooting the other one forward into the water."
She pushed back one of his arms, pulling the other forward, making his arms go through the motions.
"While doing this, you keep your feet pointed and kick them, giving you forward momentum."
"R-right." Asher said.
Why is he so nervous? She wondered. I'm not doing anything romantic.
"Now, watch me do it." She told him, releasing his wrists and stepping back. Turning away from him, she put her arms out in front of her and put her hands together, pushing herself forward and diving into the water. He watched from the shallow end as she paddled around, turning her head back and forth to breathe.
Swimming back over to him, she stood up.
"Turn your head back and forth to breathe. Do you want to try?"
"…" Asher sighed. "O-okay…"
"You can stay in the shallow end." She told him. "…Here, if you get tired, just do this."
She went under the water, then floated up, turning over, stomach side up, extending her limbs and floating, completely still.
"…Wow." Asher said, the water distorting it as her ears were under the water. She stood up.
"Now you try."
He watched her, then gulped, lowering himself into the water, leaning back. He fell under the water, then went into a panic, splashing up above the water.
"…" Sarid blinked. "Here."
She went behind him and took his head in her hands, pulling him back. He lowered himself into the water, Sarid moving her hand to support his upper back, and he managed to float, Sarid standing over him. After a bit, he stood up.
"Do you want to try without me?" Sarid asked him, he looking at her and hesitating. After a moment, he nodded.
He managed to do it without her, though he was clearly uneasy, his eyes wide and face pale. After floating for a bit, he stood up, taking a deep breath.
"…Asher?" Sarid asked.
"Y-yeah?" He asked.
"Did something happen to make you not want to learn to swim?"
"…" He looked down, slightly hugging himself. "…I'm…not terrified of water, but…"
He stood a moment, then sighed, hanging his head.
"…When I was a kid, another boy from Unop drowned." He told her, much to her shock.
"What?" She asked.
"…He, uh…well, it…he could swim, but uh…he dove into a place too shallow and hit his head. IT knocked him out and…he drowned."
"…" Sarid blinked, then got a worried look. "I…"
She looked away.
"…I shouldn't be forcing you to do this." She said.
"Uh, no! I mean! It…I don't mind!" He told her, she looking back at him. "I shouldn't be trying to live if fear of the same freak accident happening to me. Hannah and Uncle have been telling me that, and…they're right…and, well, considering I did fall into that pool of water when we first came here…I do need to learn."
"…" Sarid stood looking at him with a worried expression. "…So…do you want to pick this up later, or…?"
"…Can I try floating some more?" He asked, Sarid smiling some.
"Of course."
They kept doing the floating, until it began to get dark outside. They got out and dried themselves, then went to the changing rooms and changed, then went out into the cold dark.
"…So…tomorrow is the Feast of Valentine." Asher said, Sarid glancing up at him, then looking back forward.
"Yes, it is." Sarid said.
"…Yep." Asher said.
"Mm-hm." Sarid hummed.
"…"
"…"
An awkward silence settled over them, the only sound being the crunch of the snow under their feet. They turned to go up the north road, still in silence. When they reached Asher's house, they stopped.
"…Well. This is my house." Asher said.
"Indeed." Sarid agreed.
"…So…I'll uh…just go inside."
"…Right."
"…"
"…I'll…see you tomorrow." Sarid told him, quickly starting to walk off. After walking a short distance, she heard rapid footsteps behind her, making her look back.
Asher stood there, red-faced.
"…Y-yes?" She asked.
"…" He stood on the balls of his feet, stiff.
"…" Sarid looked off to the side, then back at him.
"…"
Asher put his hands in his face, making a muffled yelling sound.
"A-Asher?" Sarid asked. His chest rose as he took a deep breath, then dropped his hands, looking at her.
"W-Will you go to the…Feast of…Valentine…with…me…?" He asked, his voice dropping in volume to a whisper.
Sarid felt heat rush to her face, her eyes going wide.
They stood, Asher putting his face back in his hands.
…He just…
She internally screamed, her face getting warmer, head lowering and she involuntarily smiled.
"I-I mean…"
She looked up at Asher, who was hugging himself and looking off to the side.
"I mean, if you want to, and…uh, you're not busy…"
"…" She look off to the side, clenching and unclenching her fists.
She looked back at him.
"I…I'd like that."
He looked at her with wide eyes.
"Thank you!" He told her with a big smile. "I-I'll uh…s-see you then!"
"Yes." Sarid said. "Sleep well."
"You too."
They went to their respective homes, going to bed.
Sarid woke up when it was still dark, sitting up and stretching. Getting up, she got dressed and went down to the kitchen, making breakfast and eating, then heading out to the village.
She went to Sparkle's house, helping to set up for the gathering later that day, as well as hanging lanterns out in the streets, tying some to the balcony on Carroll's house.
"What are you doing?!"
Sarid looked up, seeing Carroll on his balcony, looking at her angrily.
"Good morning, Mr. Carroll." She told him. "I'm hanging lanterns for the festival."
"What festival?"
"The Feast of Valentine."
"BAH! Waste of time." He told her, waving a hand.
"…What?" Sarid asked.
"The idea of it all!"
"…Do…you…not believe in love?" Sarid asked.
"It means nothing." He told her. "Time is better spent working."
"…" Sarid blinked. "…Wow."
"What?"
"I used to think that as well." Sarid told him.
"Why'd you change your mind?!" He asked. "I thought you had a decent head!"
Decent? "I met Asher and came here, everyone else has moved here…" She told him. "…I guess I remembered how nice it is to be cared for."
"Bah!" He said. "Waste of time."
"…Mr. Carroll." Sarid said.
"What?"
"Unless you change your ways, you'll be bound to the underworld for good." She told him. His head pulled back, looking shocked.
"How dare you?!" He asked. "It's none of your business how I live my life!"
"…" Sarid sighed. "I won't disagree with you, but should you be abusive towards the other residents, it will become my business, so I suggest you learn to be kinder."
"…" He stared at her, then waving a hand, turning away. "Bah."
Sarid watched him go back into the house, then sighed again.
She finished hanging the lanterns, then went back to Sparkle's house. Sparkle was going through her music, looking up from them to see her.
"Hey Sarid!" She greeted. "Got everything set up?"
"Yes, all the lanterns are hung." Sarid told her.
"Great!" She said. "I've put together most of the music."
"That's good."
They heard the door open, looking to see Adria coming in, carrying a cake box.
"Yay, the cake!" Sparkle cheered.
"Where do you want it?" Adria asked.
"Over here, near the DJ booth." Sparkle told her.
"Alright." Adria said, going over to the booth and setting it on the table near it. "So, did anyone ask you to be their sweetheart?"
"Yeah, Leo!" Sparkle told her.
"Aww." Adria sounded.
"Did anyone ask you to the Feast, Sarid?" Sparkle asked, Sarid going stiff.
…Should I tell them? Or…no, what if they try to tease me? Is it really any of their business
"Did Asher ask you?" Adria asked.
"NO!" Sarid snapped, they jumping. "…W-Well, I mean…"
"He did?!" Sparkle asked excitedly.
"No!" Sarid yelled. "…W-Well, no, he uh…"
"…" They stared at her, Sarid looking off to the side.
"I'm going to get lunch." Sarid told them, turning away and going to the door, leaving.
After a moment, Adria and Sparkle looked at each other excitedly.
"HE ASKED HER!" Adria said.
"He totally did!" Sparkle told her, excited.
Meanwhile…
Sarid walked through the village to her castle, cooking and eating lunch. After that, she went to the work wing and into the training room, practicing aerial combat until the sun began to set. She quickly bathed and then put on her royal clothes, putting on her winter cloak and left the castle, going to Sparkle's house.
Entering, she saw the rest of the village was already there, minus Carroll.
"Sarid!" Durim greeted, waving at her.
"Hello." She told him as he walked over.
"It's good to see you here, girlie!" He told her. "I heard there was going ot be another raffle. You make something?"
"Oh no, Adria did." Sarid told him, surprising him.
"Oh yeah! I heard about that!"
"…How?" She asked.
"Oh, uh…Say, let me buy you a sarsaparilla!"
"What?" Sarid asked, he leading her over to the bar.
"Heya, Durim, Sarid!" Ted greeted. "What'll it be?"
"A sarsaparilla and an ale, please!" Durim told him.
"Comin' right up!" Ted told him, turning away.
"How did you know Adria was doing the raffle?" Sarid asked Durim, he stiffening.
"Uh…so, kill anything interesting lately?"
"…" Sarid blinked. "…Are…you avoiding my question?"
"…" He looked off to the side.
"Here's your drinks!" Ted told them, putting the mugs on the counter.
"Thanks Ted!" Durim told him, picking up his ale.
"…" Sarid stared at him as he drank, then sighed, picking up her drink and drinking some of it. After she downed it, she set the mug on the counter and stood, looking over the scene. The sailors were absent, as they were off on their route, though Mercer had decided to stay for a bit longer, and he sat talking with Mortimer. They looked happy.
Butch was sitting with Ella, gently bouncing her on his knee, talking with Pip and Merlyn while Eve and Hunter were slow dancing. Also dancing was Autumn and Xanos, and Danel and Esmeralda. Sparkle was manning the DJ Booth, Adria and Valeria were laughing with Hannah and Faye, the Greenhorn brothers and Reginald were talking, while Leo was, surprisingly, not sketching anything, but rather was up with Sparkle. Taylor was sitting by herself, her eyes dim while Tyler was listening to the stories Ada was telling him.
Sarid went over to Taylor.
"May I join you?" She asked, Taylor looking up at her.
"…Yes." She said quietly, Sarid sitting.
"…Your son told me about your husband." Sarid told her.
"…"
"…I take you still miss him?"
"…Yes." She admitted.
"…I'm sorry for your loss." Sarid told her.
"Thank you." She told her. "…I'm sorry for prying the other day."
"You weren't prying, really." Sarid told her. "Though I am curious why you were asking."
"I…wanted to know what you yourself thought about Asher." She told her, Sarid looking at her.
"What for?" Sarid asked.
"…I was told not to tell." She told her.
"…" Sarid blinked, then looked back at the rest of the room. Durim knew about the raffle, and she was asking me about my relationship with Asher…
She looked over at Sparkle, who was being goofy with Leo.
…Is she planning something?
"Alright everyone!" Sparkle announced, everyone going quiet and looking up at her. "It's time for the raffle! If everyone could please come up and enter their names!"
Everyone began to shuffle up, writing their names down, including Tyler, though Taylor and Sarid remained seated. While this was happening, Asher came in, looking embarrassed.
"Excuse me." Sarid told Taylor, standing. She went to Asher, who smiled when he saw her.
"Sarid." He said. "I, uh…went to your Castle to get you…"
"Really?" Sarid asked.
"Yeah."
"…" Sarid blinked.
"…I fell asleep reading a book." He told her, somewhat embarrassed. She stared at him, then laughed softly.
"Don't worry." She told him, looking up at him. He smiled shyly, blushing.
HNNNG! Sarid thought, absolutely charmed.
"Alright!" Sparkle said, they looking at her, the bowl full of paper slips. She dug around the bowl, pulling out a paper slip.
"The winner is S-…Tyler?"
"Oh boy!" Tyler cheered, running up, bouncing eagerly.
"…Uh, r-right." Sparkle said, picking up the cake box. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Tyler told her, opening the box. "Oh boy, cake!"
"It's a couple's cake." Sparkle told him. "You eat it with someone you love."
"Then I'll share it mommy!" He said, rushing over to her. "Look mommy!"
"That's very sweet of you, Tyler." She told him, smiling and brushing his hair back.
Aww… Sarid thought, smiling warmly.
"…You, uh…wanna dance?" Asher asked her.
"…" Sarid looked at him, blushing. She smiled. "Yes."
"Great!" He said, shifting awkwardly. He reached out and took her hand, and they went out to the dance floor. Sparkle saw this, got excited, and put on a slow song.
Asher hesitantly took put his hand on Sarid's shoulder, she taking it and putting it at her waist, making him blush more. Sarid put her hand on Asher's shoulder, and they began to dance. As they did, Asher stared forward and Sarid stared at his chest, both of them rather stiff as they moved. After a bit, Sarid looked up at him, and he noticed, looking down at her.
They locked eyes, staring at each other.
Asher thought back to the morning after Sarid appeared in his home village, when she opened the door to Doc's house when he went to check on her and they made eye contact.
How different her eyes were now.
Soft, full of wonder, and he was unaware that his eyes were the same.
Sarid leaned forward, resting her head on his chest, able to hear his heart beat. It was a soothing sound, soft and rhythmic. Her eyes closed, and she inhaled his scent of old books and clean clothes.
Asher lowered his head down, able to smell Sarid's scent, one of hard work and green apples. He held her closer, his eyes softening more.
This is the greatest feeling I have ever known. Sarid thought, her heart swelling. She nuzzled against his chest, and he hugged her, they stopping. I…I feel so loved.
She opened her eyes.
I am loved.
Tears sprang to her eyes.
I am loved.
She took a deep breath, the tears spilling from her eyes, and she reached up to wipe them away. Asher noticed, looking down at her.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly.
She nodded, looking up at him with a smile on her face.
"…" He smiled softly at her. "Do you wanna go outside?"
She nodded, he taking her hand and they left, going out into the lantern light, still able to hear the music.
Sarid suddenly felt so happy, she jumped into the air, took Asher's other hand, and began to spin with him, laughing.
He was confused at first, though he then too smiled, and began to laugh as they spun around, holding hands in the warm, ruddy light that washed over them.
They began to get dizzy, and fell down into the snow, still laughing, side by side.
"I…I'm happy!" Sarid said, Asher looking at her.
"Wh-what?" He asked.
"I'm happy!" Sarid told him. "I'm so happy! I'm so, so happy!"
Asher watched her with his lips parted and eyes of wonder as she laid there and laughed. Reaching over, he put a hand on the side of her face, her laughter dying down and looking at him, still smiling.
"…"
"…"
They stared into each other's eyes.
"…Asher?" Sarid asked.
"…Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Her eyes widened some, and she reached out her hand and took his face with it.
They leaned towards each other, eyes closing.
They though each other's lips were soft.
Sarid thought of a warm fire, as if there was one in her head. She also felt like she could hear Asher's thoughts, hearing his voice in her head saying "I love you more than I can express".
Asher also felt warmth in his head, though in the form of a hug. As well, he heard her voice in his head saying "You are wonderful".
After a moment, they drew away, opening their eyes and looking at each other.
They fully processed what they did, then went red in the face.
"I-I'M SORRY!" Asher said, shooting up. "I-I DIDN'T MEAN-"
"Yes you did." Sarid told him, sitting up. "And I did too."
"…" Asher looked at her, lips barely parted.
Sarid watched him, then brushed his hair back. She leaned against him, and he smiled, hugging her.
Everything was right.
The Shadow Man watched the happy scene through his seeing crystal, a grin creeping across his face. Lucifer entered, placing a goblet on the arm of his throne.
"Lucifer."
"Yes, master?" He asked.
"Have Beelzebub direct Arthur towards the village, slowly."
"Yes, master." He said, then bowing. He left, the Shadow Man sitting back in hjis throne, picking up his goblet.
"Now to put my plan in motion."
AN: FINA-FRICKIN-LEE THE TWO KISSED. I was actually debating whether or not to have them, buuut…it was too perfect. So yeah. Also Shadow Man…oh boy…
Guest: Ah, that might be my accent. Sorry. And thank you for thanking me!
(Other) Guest: Here's the update!
Magilstar: Yeah, though Lance might have bitten off more than he can chew.
Pinkpony4: I've been proof-reading these before I post them, so I'm surprised I missed that many…Though it might be the word document…
Yeah, I honestly don't like miscommunication as a way of driving plot (LOOKIN AT YOU, SHAKESPEARE), so I wanted to avoid that. Though Yehomilk wasn't the king, just a high-ranking noble. As for the used to be king…hoo, you'll learn more about him. You have to remember, Lance is…Lance. He's got an ego, and there's a saying: "A heart on fire sends smoke to the head". Lance is blinded by rage, and that can lead to stupid actions. And the unhinged…Oh boy…
Yeah, unfortunately I've kind gone to rather straight forward names, like with Hunter and Butch. I'M RUNNING OUT OF CREATIVE AND MEANINGFUL NAMES. I wouldn't say Lance didn't push himself or work hard. He was second in the class, and that just doesn't happen, and he was naturally good, but like Merlyn said, talent is nothing without determination. Sarid had determination, where Lance was just too prideful.
As for NPCs dying, with me, it depends on them. If they're sweet, I don't want them to, but if they're awful I just…no. Like Hobbs in the Long Dark. I always kill him.
Drbakerarcho2008: And here's another!