Season 1 (songs do not belong to me!)
Today has been a good day.
Varian's glance keeps wandering back to the basket, his dad is carrying for him. A happy, satisfied grin adorns his face. The supplies they bought, give a rattling noice with Quirin's steps every now and then and each time, the sound puts an overjoyed glow to Varian's blue eyes.
To his surprise, his father allowed him, to participate in the upcoming Science Exposition. His last small accident hasn't been that long ago and still, Quirin even went to Corona, to help him get everything he needs for the invention he's going to present at the expo. Thankful, the skinny boy smiles up at his much taller dad. After a few seconds, Quirin notices and returns the gesture, before ruffling his son's dark hair.
Today has been a real good day. Till now.
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The father-son duo just walks the market, ready to slowly head back home, when they run into Anne, Lashanie's mother. But she's not alone. By her side, stand her sister Marie and the teenage son of hers, Benedikt.
Both, Varian and Quirin, let out an unpleasingly surprised "Oh!", seeing that this part of Lashanie's family is in town. But unlike Varian, Quirin immediately swallows down his discomfort and puts on a polite mien.
"Anne, good to see you! You're spending the day with your family too, I see." he greats Marie and Ben, by directing a light nod at them.
Anne obviously didn't expect to meet them here today. Her voice and face easily tell, that she also feels a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, yeah... well, you could say so."
She pays Varian a warm smile anyway, before she adds, slightly tilting her head at Quirin, "But I thought you'd be busy in the fields today?"
"I would have been." Quirin places his big hand on the top of his son's head. "But we had to make some errands. Varian's going to participate in the science expo soon." He motions to a poster on a lamppost.
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Marie raises her eyebrows. "Oh? A Science Exposition?" She walks over to the poster and after giving it a short glance and with a dismissive gesture of her hand, she turns back to the others. "You might have heared of the great man of science in Equis. An exclusive circle, where only the best are allowed in."
Subtly, Quirin darts his son a glance and Varian answers with a shrug that's just as subtle. But other than them, Anne knows exactly what that remark was for.
Marie still can't take, that Anne would rather live in Old Corona, than moving closer to her sister, to Equis, the home of her new husband. To her, it's the unsuccessful try of Anne, to compete with her, by gaining relevance through her daughter in a place, Marie's name isn't known.
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"So what's your boy expecting from participating in this? What could he win from it?" While asking this, she only moves her shoulders slighty, as she changes from facing Quirin, to glancing at Varian. Her way of moving, reminds Varian a little of Lashanie - very elegant and feminine, but unlike Lashanie, Marie's also got something malicious to everything she does.
With her eyes resting on him, Varian gulps audible. He totally understands, why Lashanie doesn't like her aunt. And besides, where is that bird anyway?
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Quirin noticed how Anne tensed up, so he tries to tone down the situation a bit. "It's just a friendly competition." he says, giving a light shrug.
Before Marie can say anything more, Varian takes the chance to ask Anne, about his best friends' absence.
"How come Lashanie isn't with-" , but the boy abruptly stops in the middle of his sentence, when a very familiar voice sounds to his ear, through the lyrics of a song.
Anne shows him a smile. "She is."
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"Westering home and a song in the air
Light in the eye and its good by to care"
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Within a minute, quite a crowd of people has gathered around the young girl. A few people start to sway to the song and looking around, Varian notices the happy looks the people wear on their faces. Causing his own face to light up significantly and his heart to beat faster in excitement. Seeing Lashanie like this, he feels incredibly proud to be her friend.
But of course, Marie's able to destroy even the happiest atmosphere.
"She's got such talent and what do you make of her? A street musician!" With crossed arms she spits that reproach. "A shame, to waste her potential like that!"
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Glaring at Lashanie's aunt, Varian wrinkles his nose. Not only that she doesn't seem to care a bit for how she's making her sister feel, who's standing there with sagging shoulders, but he also doesn't understand, how Marie can be so blind to the happiness Lashanie brings to the people listening to her. She talks it down, as if it was worthless. It bothers him, that she calls something precious like this, a waste of potential.
But when Varian inhales, ready to tell her what he's thinking of her harsh words, Quirin gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze. The boy looks at his dad's face and finds him slightly shaking his head. And Varian knows all too well, his dad is right - he should stay out of this, as it clearly is something between Anne and her sister. And still, it's everything but easy for the teen, to hold back. Angry, he bites his lower lip.
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Ben, who's noticed that moment between Varian and Quirin, brings himself closer to the smalller boy.
As quiet as possible, he whispers, slightly leaning down to Varian, "You better listen to your daddy and keep your mouth shut. It's not like my mother would care for your opinion anyway."
Surprised, the blue-eyed boy blinks at Ben. While that one's acting, with his hands folded behind his back, like his full attention belongs to Lashanie's performance only. If the other boy wasn't smiling ever so smugly, Varian would almost believe, he simply imagined him saying that.
Speaking quietly and struggling to keep himself from unleashing his anger, Varian responds "You and your mother don't-"
But Ben has only been waiting for him to react. Loudly, so the adults would hear, he interrupts the younger one. "Pssst, please Varian! I want to hear Lashanie's singing."
That takes the biscuit! That guy is obviously just trying to provoke Varian, but what's worst ... it's working!
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When his anger grows so big, that the young alchemist feels like he's going to burst, clenching his fist tightly, Quirin gently takes his son by the shoulder and pulls him a little closer.
Even though that nuisance Ben will most likely think, his dad did that, so Varian wouldn't annoy the other boy more, he knows better. The gentle way Quirin brought some distance between him and Ben, leaves Varian sure, he only wanted him away from Marie's ill-bred son.
Ben may be able to fool everyone around him, but for sure not Varian's dad.
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And when Varian thinks, the worst trouble with Lashanie's relatives is behind him, her aunt begins to nag again.
"It's just too bad, Lashanie will never achieve anything great with her singing. Not in a place like this!"
This time, though he's really tried to hold back, Varian can't stop himself from speaking up for his friend.
"She already has! She came in second at a musical contest, held by the royal family of Corona!"
Letting out an unimpressed laugh, Marie waves him off. "Second place in a second-rate kingdom. That's nothing to be proud of."
Varian takes a deep breath, so ready the argue with that woman, when again, there's Quirin's hand on his shoulder, giving it an admonishing squeeze and again, Ben's lips form a smug grin through which his white teeth show.
And none of that goes noticed by Lashanie, who's still happily singing for the crowd.
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"Where are the folks like the folks of the west
Canty and couthy and kindly, our best"
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He's glad, that Lashanie doesn't have to listen to that awful things, her aunt keeps saying, as if it was all normal. At the same time, he doubts, she's choosing her words more kindly, when her niece does listen and suddenly, Varian only wants to hug Lashanie.
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"There I would hie me and there I would rest
At home with my own folks in Islay"
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Marie's bright eyes pierce through her young niece, as she tells her sister. "If only you'd let me take her to Equis! I'd gladly pay for her musical education and...", she turns to Anne "One of our greatest composers got a son, not much older than her. I bet he'd love to meet her." Absent-minded, she fiddles with her hair, as she adds "With some minor adjustments."
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The more he listens to that woman, Varian can feel his stomach turn. Is he really supposed to just pretend, as if there was nothing wrong with what she just said!? And why doesn't Anne say anything? How can she just stand there so calmly and let Marie get away with that?
Disgusted, the boy shakes his head at Lashanie's grinning aunt.
But to his surprise, he doesn't have to wait for Anne, to say something, when his dad wipes the smug grin from Marie's face by protesting calmly, yet with a very certain voice, "I think Anne's doing just the right thing, letting Lashanie go her own way. I'm sure she'll be perfectly fine."
A greatful smile form on Anne's lips, as she mouthes "Thank you."
An even bigger smile appears on Varian's face, when he proudly lifts his head to his dad. Defeated, Marie only gives out a contemptous snort.
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For a moment, Ben only blinks in confusion. He didn't expect someone to speak up against his mother. And even less, he thought his mom would just take it like that.
Varian notices the confused look on the other boy's face and he can't keep himself, from finally returning the smug smile to Ben. Still somewhat speechless, the taller boy only responds by pulling a wry face.
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"Now I'm at home and at home I do lay
Dreaming of riches that come from Cathay"
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"Oh, I love that song!" a woman standing close to them exclaims. And Ben senses an opportunity for some kind of payback.
His mean grin returns, when he loudly calls out "I do too! Even with her singing all those false notes."
Instantly, the look on Lashanie's face changes and Ben has no doubt, his cousin heared him.
"What are you doing!?" Varian roughly pulls Ben's sleeve.
But the older one, easily frees himself from Varian's grip and goes on shamelessly. "One would think though, that someone who's singing so regularly, should be able to sing in tune!"
"Stop that!" Varian hisses, as he pulls the taller boy by the sleeve again. This time, quite a bit more aggressive.
With knitted brows, Quirin looks at Marie. "Is this the kind of behaviour you encourage?"
But the woman only shrugs her slim shoulders, while a grin adorns her face. "She'll have to learn, to deal with negative opinions on her singing anyway. So why not give her a character-building lecture right away? You said it yourself - she'll be perfectly fine"
Quirin angrily shakes his head. "That's just-"
But gets interrupted by Lashanie's mom. "It's alright, Quirin. Marie is right..."
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Lashanie knows, she's hitting the right notes and Ben only tries to unsettle her. But when she hears a mix of chuckles and gasps in the crowd, the girl's heart starts racing nervously.
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"Westering home and a song in the air
Light in the eye and its good by to care"
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With a giggle, her cousin imitates Lashanie's singing, but screeching as hard, as he can. He tops his performance, by even imitating her posture and a few people start laughing out loudly.
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"Laughter o love and a welcoming there
Light of my heart my own land"
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And that's when it happens, at the end of the last line, the laughter and Ben's remarks have turned her so nervous, that she actually sings off tune. Her eyes widen in shock and Ben's laugh sounds across the market, before he starts clapping while he calls out,
"Oh, that was just wonderful!"
To make it sound similar, to Lashanie's false note, Ben squeaks through that last word.
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Lashanie looks around, into the amused faces of the people, who were enjoying her singing just a moment ago. Into her aunts unimpressed face. Looks at Ben, who's holding his tummy laughing. She notices Quirin and how sorry he seems, while her own mother avoids to even look her in the eyes.
And next to Quirin, how could it be any different, there's Varian. He looks almost as shocked, as she feels. His blue eyes are locked on her.
The laughter around her starts to become one consistent noise, and with so many people staring at her, the only impulse the girl's left with, is to run.
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"Lashanie!" Ungently, Varian pushes Ben aside, to run after his friend.
The slim girl is incredibly fast and Varian can't keep up with her. But the route she took, he can imagine, where she's running to.
And arriving at the docks, that's where he finds her - just as he thought. With her arms wrapped around her legs and her thighs pressed against her chest, she sits on a barrel, that's placed closed to some other cargo, that's supposed to be shipped soon.
Varian rests his hands on his thighs and catches a deep breath. With one eye squint shut, he lifts his face "Pheew - you're really fast."
He hoped to light up the situation a bit, but when Lashanie lets down her defense, her legs dangling from the barrel, the mournful look on the young girl's face assures him, this try failed.
After pushing back up, Varian walks closer to Lashanie. "I'm so sorry for what happened there, Birdy."
Lightly, she shakes her head and forces a slight smile from herself. "You don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Yeah - no! But I... I should have made Ben-"
"No, Vary." his friend interrupts. "It wasn't you, who should have done something about him."
She doesn't have to say more, for Varian to understand who she's talking about. And even though, Lashanie's perfectly pulling herself together, he still can clearly see the revealing glitter in her eyes.
"Should we go back, so you can tell her?" he asks carefully.
And again, Lashanie shakes her head. Hastily, this time, causing her brown bangs to dance around her pretty face. "No! No, I don't want to go back... not yet."
A moment of silence between them passes, before she whispers. "This was so embarrassing..."
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"You know who should be embarrassed? Your aunt should be! And Ben!" Varian imediately responds, wildly gesticulating with his hands.
It kind of surprises Lashanie, how upset her friend sounds and the brunette only blinks at him with wide eyes.
"Argh! All of them should be ashamed of themselves!" He rants, before turning to face her. With a compassionate smile, he adds calmly "Anyone but you, Birdy."
His words make it hard for her, to keep control of her emotions and she pulls him closer, to burry her face in his chest. "Thanks, Vary." she mumbles into the fabric of his shirt.
Gently, he puts his arms around her. "Of course. You know, you'll always have me."
She leans her head against his shoulder, swallowing down the tears, that were about to come. "I know. And you'll have me."
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Only now, the boy notices the folks working on the ship. They wear big grins, watching them and cackle, as they hold up their outstreched thumbs to Varian. Oblivious to the reason for their amusement, he only blinks at them. Until one of the sailors points at Lashanie, before he holds up both of his thumbs, winking and cackling loudly.
Now Varian finally understands - they must look like a couple to these guys!
His cheeks feel warm and he's sure she would notice his heart beating a bit faster. "Birdy, I - maybe we should go back now.", he stammers.
After taking a deep breath, Lashanie nods. Gracefully, she jumps down from the barrel, ready to leave with her friend. And as they walk away from the docks, the sailors start to chant behind them, while loading the ship.
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"Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me
I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how"
...
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Varian's eyes widen. Oh these guys must think they're so funny!
Surprised by the sudden chanting, Lashanie's about to turn back around. "What is that?"
But quickly, Varian takes her by the shoulder, to lead her away. "Ahh, nothing! Just - ignore them!", the blue-eyed teen chuckles.
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Reuniting with Lashanie's family was just as unpleasant, as they had imagined. It was more than obvious, that Quirin has had enough of Marie and her son. To his misfortune, the snappy woman noticed, that they could take on the road back to Old Corona together.
It seemed, Quirin's face abruptly went a little paler. But he kept forcing a polite manner from himself, knowing he shouldn't let the two woman walk alone, simply because of his aversion for one of them. And so he agreed still.
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Neither Quirin nor Varian were surprised, that Ben didn't have to apologize to his cousin.
The only thing her aunt said, when Lashanie returned, was "What were you thinking, to run off like that? Can you imagine, how bad you made us look to these people!?"
And both, Quirin and Varian kept biting their tongues... for Anne and Lashanie.
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When they finally arrive at Old Corona, Quirin can't wait any longer, to get away from Anne's awful sister. He let's out a relieved sigh, disguised as joy of being back home.
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On the road, Lashanie and Varian have purposely been falling behind the others and when they catch up again, their families are already about to part ways.
Marie stands with her hands pressed to her slim waist. "Come on now Lashanie! Or for how long, are we supposed to wait for you?"
The girl nods. She hugs Varian once more, before she runs to her family.
Her aunt rolls her eyes on the embrace the teens share. She nags "You know she'll never find a good husband, if she keeps sticking to that boy all the time, right!?" As if she had forgotten about him before, Marie turns to Quirin, paying him a somewhat apologetic smile, that goes along with a shrug.
But whatever she hoped for as his response, Varian's father has decided to ignore her comments, for those final moments he has to endure her presence, anyway.
Lashanie runs past him, kindly smiling. "Good night, Quirin." And he responds, by returning her smile and slightly nodding at the slim teen.
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Varian didn't move an inch from the spot, where Lashanie left him standing. All the time on their way back home, he's been thinking of a way, to payback Ben. At least a little. And maybe even show her aunt, for all her uncalled-for remarks.
Looking around, the boy notices there's rosehip growing by the sides of the road. A big grin forms on his lips, when he plugs some of it's fruits and crushes them between his fingers.
"Lashanie, wait! I forgot something!"
The brunette turns back to him and Varian hurries to her, to place a peck on Lashanie's cheek, as soon as he's close enough.
Marie gasps loudly and even Anne and Quirin seem a little surprised.
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Lashanie feels her cheek and whispers "What was that for?"
"You'll know, when you see your aunt's face!", Varian responds with a wink and a cheeky smile. Then he turns to join his dad and as he walks past Ben, he puts his arm around the taller boy's shoulders and smirks "Goodbye Ben!"
The other one pulls away and hisses "Don't touch me!"
But what Ben didn't notice, is that Varian smeared the powder, from the crushed rosehip's fruit, into his neck. Quickly, Varian jumps to his dad's side and they leave imediately.
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Quirin glances down at his son, as they're walking side by side. "You want to tell me, what you just did there?"
"Ehh..." The slim boy shrugs insecurely.
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From afar, they hear Marie complain, what a naughty boy Varian is. She repeatedly gets interrupted by Ben, who whines that his neck is itching, only driving his mom more mad.
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Quirin puts his arm around his son's shoulders and Varian gulps, thinking he's about to get in trouble. And he's quite surprised, when Quirin instead starts to laugh loudly. Relieved, the tenenage boy joins his dad's laughter, as they walk home arm in arm.
-x.ღ.x-
