Hey, guys! So, I know I said that ASTF would be the next thing I updated, but I've just felt really inspired with this story for the past few days and before I knew it, I had a whole chapter written! Honestly, part of that inspiration came from your guys' kind reviews last chapter. Again, thank you so much, I really appreciate hearing from you guys, whether it be to ask questions, point out a mistake, or talk about what you like. You guys are a huge part of my inspiration. Anyhoo, enough of the sappiness and let's get on with the chapter!
Alissa couldn't hold back the small smile that formed on her lips when she finally reached her favorite place in town. The bookshop. She pushed open the double door made of mahogany and entered the cathedral like building. The town bookshop was a relatively large, round building with bookshelves all around going from the ceiling to the floor. All the walls tapered into a point on the ceiling to meet a grand, iron chandelier in the middle. A few ladders were positioned on casters on the shelves that were too high too reach and a small table and chair sat in various parts of the building. She walked across the marbled floor towards a large, dark wooden desk, where an elderly man was waiting.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to come today, Alissa," the older, mustached man said with a smile.
"Sorry, Mr. Hawkins," she replied sincerely, digging a hand into her knapsack. "I guess I just got distracted and lost track of the time. I just wanted to bring by the books I borrowed yesterday." Her hand finally found the two books and she pulled them out to place them on the desk.
"Finished already?" Mr. Hawkins asked, feigning surprise.
"Oh, I couldn't put them down," she responded with a laugh before heading over to scan one of the bookshelves. "I don't suppose you have anything new do you?"
"Not since yesterday," he chuckled.
"That's alright, I'll just renew this one," she requested, approaching the desk and placing her hand on the top book.
"I should have guessed," he laughed. "You've been borrowing this same book every week since you moved here."
"I can't help it, it's my favorite," she replied, a small blush covering her cheeks. "No matter how many times I read it, I never get tired of it. It's a shame it ends so abruptly. I wish I could know how the Dragon King's curse gets broken."
Arthur Hawkins smiled broadly at the young woman, before picking up the book and holding it out to her.
"If you like it all that much, consider it yours."
"But-."
"I insist. Its better off with you anyway."
"Thank you," she replied, taking the book from him. "Thank you so much!"
"It's my pleasure, Alissa. My job is to make sure each book has a home, and that home is with you."
"Thank you, this means a lot to me." She paused to flip through the leather bond book with her eyebrows creased in thought. "Mr. Hawkins?"
"Yes, Alissa?"
"Do you think the story is real?" she asked, unable to hold back her thoughts any longer. "Do you think the Dragon King exists? I know the Royal Family disappeared about seventy-six years ago, but what if they didn't really disappear? What if they just hid themselves away until someone came along and figured out how to break their curse?"
"I suppose it's possible."
His response made Alissa realize what she said and she blushed.
"Sorry, I know that this stuff probably isn't real. Sometimes my imagination gets out of control. I know I'm being foolish-."
"Don't ever apologize for having an imagination. Lord knows that the people in these town could use some imagination of their own."
"The people in this town don't seem to think so. It's no secret that I don't fit in here. I hear what they say about me."
"I know their words are hurtful, Alissa but don't let them break that spirit of yours."
"Do you think I'm odd?"
The older man walked around his desk to stand next to her and place a comforting hand on her shoulder. His touch caused her to move her gaze to his face.
"I think you have something special that no one else in this town has and if they can't see that what you have is special then they are all damned fools."
"Thank you, Mr. Hawkins," she replied with a small smile.
"Anytime, Alissa."
"Well, I should go. I promised Alister I'd be home to help him with dinner. I'll let you close up."
"Alright, Alissa. Come by again tomorrow, I might have some new books by then."
"Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you again for the book."
"Goodbye, Alissa."
She waved to the older man and exited the library. She glanced at the clock tower before adjusting her knapsack and picking up her pace. I'd better hurry; it'll be dark soon.
"Alissa!"
The sounds of someone calling her name made her pause and roll her eyes. Great, just what I needed, to run into him, she thought.
"Alissa!" the thickly accented voice repeated.
She grit her teeth before putting on the best friendly smile she could muster and turning to greet the person calling her.
"Good afternoon, Alissa. I thought maybe you hadn't heard me calling you," the taller man who had called her replied, coming to stand beside her with a younger boy at his side. The tall man was about a year older than Alissa and stood a few inches taller than her with long, lean legs and well toned muscles. He was dressed in a deep magenta coat, waistcoat, and breeches with elegant gold embroidery. His long, pink hair was tied back with a black ribbon at the nape of his neck, though a few stray pieces that were too short fell out to frame his face. Combined with his unblemished, smooth pale skin and vibrant aqua colored eyes, the young man was like a real life fairy-tale prince.
"Hello, Zigfried," Alissa greeted as politely as she could. "Leon." She added, greeting the sixteen year old that stood at Zigfried's side. The younger boy smiled at her in response.
Leon von Schroder was just as tall as Alissa and wore the same coat, waistcoat, and breeches of his elder brother, but in a light mint color with yellow embroidery. His pink hair was a darker shade and tied with a green ribbon with his bangs falling around his head to frame his face. His brown eyes were wide and his freckled cheeks lifted in a smile.
"Hello, Alissa," Leon greeted in response. "Where are you off to?"
"Oh, I'm just heading home. I had to drop off something at the bookstore first-."
"I'd be honored to walk you home, Darling," Zigfried replied with a sweet smile, offering his elbow to Alissa.
The ebony haired girl saw right through his sweet façade. The von Schroders were a wealthy family and their eldest son was quite possibly the most handsome man in town. Zigfried had been romantically pursuing Alissa since she moved into the town. Anyone would be honored to have him take an interest in them, anyone but Alissa. Ever since Alissa and her family moved to Draakhaven, she knew Zigfried to be pompous, arrogant, rude, and obsessed with his social standing. In other words, he was everything Alissa wasn't looking for in a future spouse.
"No thank you, Zigfried. I'll be alright on my own." She turned to leave but was stopped when he came to stand in front of her.
"I insist," he replied with a grin before offering his elbow again.
"Really, Zigfried, it's alright. I'm late already, so I should really be going."
"Is this what kept you?" Zigfried asked, taking the book she had been carrying out from under her arm.
"Zigfried, can you please return my book?" she asked, fighting to remain civil.
"Haven't you read this book already?" he asked, flipping through the pages in mock curiosity.
"Yes, I have. It's my favorite, now please give me my book back."
"You know, Alissa, I enjoy reading as well, but that's all you ever do and when you aren't reading you're off playing that silly instrument of yours or working in your shop. You're twenty; it's time you start paying attention to more important things. Like marriage."
"Marriage?" Damn it, he's going to bring this up again? "I don't mind working Zigfried. Besides, I don't want to marry just anyone."
"It wouldn't be just anyone, Darling. You deserve someone far more than that. You deserve someone wealthy, handsome, well liked-."
"Well gee, wherever will I find someone like that in this village?"
Zigfried chuckled at her and she rolled her eyes. That was supposed to be an insult, you idiot.
"I love your sense of humor, Alissa."
"I appreciate the compliment, now please return my book."
"Very well." He paused to hand her back her book. "Consider what I said."
"Thank you. I really should get going now," Alissa replied, attempting to shoulder her way past the broad shouldered narcissist. "I need to get home to Alister and my brother."
"Ah, yes I suppose you're right. I won't keep you," Zigfried responded, stepping out of her way with a smug smile.
"Yeah, you should get home to your brother. I hear he isn't doing well," Leon replied in agreement.
Alissa stopped her walking and turned to face the younger von Schroder and his snickering older brother.
"And what exactly do you mean by that? "Alissa hissed through tightly gritted teeth. She clenched her fists and took a dangerous step towards the two pink haired brothers.
"Aw, don't be so serious, Alissa," Leon said with a nervous laugh. "I didn't mean anything by it. I've just heard that he's been getting into a lot of fights recently."
"My brother is none of your business."
Leon opened his mouth to apologize but a group of five teenaged boys running by him stopped him. They looked a little beat up, but they all were wearing large grins and laughing.
"We'll play some more tomorrow, Ben!" one of them teased over their shoulder.
When Alissa heard the group call her brother's name, she tensed. Damn it, Ben. Not again. She frowned when she finally saw her brother come chasing after the group of boys. His lip was split, his nose bloody, and a small cut peeked out from under his hair on his forehead. He stopped running and held on to his side with one hand.
"Bastards!" he wheezed, trying to catch his breath.
"For God's sake, Ben!" Alissa exclaimed when she saw the shape her brother was in. "Again?"
"Those bastards started it," Ben snapped in response, using one arm to wipe his bleeding nose.
Alissa sighed before approaching her brother, and with some resistance on his part, supported some of his weight with her shoulder.
"Let's get you home."
xxx
The Todd's home was a small, two-story country house near the edge of town. An enormous, golden field surrounded the home with several stables situated just alongside the far side of the house. The woods bordered the house on the two sides and back.
Alissa walked up the cobbled path towards the front door, still carefully carrying part of Ben's weight. She entered the front room that served as their music shop and walked through the doorway that lead to the sitting room.
"I thought you said you'd be back early," Alister replied, entering from the attached kitchen upon hearing the brother and sister return. "I was about to-what happened?" The maroon haired man asked in shock when he saw the state Ben was in.
"What do you think happened?" Alissa asked sarcastically. "He got into another fight."
"I'll go get his medicine and some bandages," Alister volunteered, wiping his flour-covered hands on his grey trousers and heading up the stairs to get the medical supplies needed.
While Alister made his way upstairs, Alissa lead Ben over to the sofa that sat in front of the fireplace and helped him sit down.
"Why were you fighting with someone now?" Alissa asked as she dragged the near by ottoman over to sit in front of Ben.
"It doesn't matter," Ben replied, clutching his side with one hand and gazing intently at the far left wall.
"Obviously it does matter if you were fighting about it."
"They were saying horrible things about you again."
She released a low sigh in response and ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
"Ben, why didn't you just ignore them?"
"You expect me just to ignore what they say about you? You should've heard the horrible things they were saying!"
"I can take what they say, Ben. I don't need you protecting me."
"Well you aren't going to do it. Besides, I would've won if that bastard's friends didn't jump in when he was losing."
"You need to stop this fighting, Ben. You could have been seriously hurt today."
"I'm fine."
"And you're lucky you are. What if you had an attack while you were fighting with them?"
"I didn't."
"Well what if you did?"
"At least I would have died fighting."
"Don't say things like that."
Alister finally returned with a small basin of water and a basket filled with bandages, a small container of incense, and a pipe.
"You're still wheezing," Alissa observed, grabbing the basket and basin from Alister and placing both at her feet. "You should take some of your medicine before I clean you up."
Ben merely crossed his arms over his chest as Alissa packed the pipe with the herb and used flint and steel from inside the basket to light it. She handed it to him and he took it with a small frown. She watched her brother inhale the smoke for a moment before turning to speak to Alister.
"Thank you, Alister. I'll take care of him from here, you can finish preparing dinner."
"Come get me if you need anything," the fiery haired male replied before disappearing back into the kitchen.
On the couch, Ben took a few more puffs before placing the pipe down on the nearby, wooden end table.
"Did that help any?" Alissa asked in concern, eyeing her brother intently for any abnormalities in his breathing.
"I suppose," Ben replied, leaning back into the couch.
"You aren't wheezing as much, so I'll take that as a positive sign. Here, sit up and I'll get you cleaned up."
Ben sighed before sitting up so he was in Alissa's reach. She grabbed the cloth that had been soaking in the basin and wrung it out a little before moving his bangs back and pressing the damp cloth to the shallow cut on his forehead.
"Why do you let them get to you?" she asked as she removed the cloth to check for bleeding and pressed it to the wound again.
"Why don't you?" he retorted.
"Because that's what they're trying to do. They're just trying to get a rise out of us."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"Of course it bothers me."
"Then why don't you do anything about it? We can't just let them treat you like this!"
"Just ignore them, Ben."
He suddenly pushed her aiding hands away from his face and clenched his jaw in frustration.
"What happened to you, Alissa?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Before Mother and Father died you'd never let those stupid townspeople talk about you like this!"
"They wouldn't be happy if they knew we were picking fights, Ben." She clenched the damp cloth in her fist tightly. She was starting to get frustrated now.
"They aren't here anymore, they can't do anything about it now."
"We still have their reputation to uphold, Ben!" Her tone of voice shocked both brother and sister alike. She hardly ever raised her voice like that. She saw the slightly hurt look in his eyes and ran a hand through her hair with a sigh.
"Look, Ben. I'm sorry, okay. I just promised Mother and Father that I would take care of you once they died. When you go around town picking fights with anyone who says something bad about us, it makes my job considerably more difficult. Promise me you'll at least try to stop all this fighting?"
"Fine."
"Thank you. Now hold still. I don't think you need stitches but I should wrap this up so it doesn't get infected."
After putting some aloe cream on the wound, Alissa wrapped the bandage around his head and tied it off at the back of his head. Once his head was wrapped, she dipped the cloth into the basin again and then wiped the dried blood off from under his nose. She dropped the cloth back into the basin and began to lightly feel along her brother's nose. She stopped her movements when he hissed in pain.
"That hurt? Do you want me to stop?"
"No. Just keep going."
After a pause, she listened to what he had said and continued to feel his nose for any signs that the bone had been broken.
"I don't think it's broken, it'll just turn into a nasty bruise." She paused to pull her hand away from his nose and lean back in her chair to look over her brother. "Is there anything else you need me to check? Are your ribs okay?"
"They're fine, they're just bruised." He paused briefly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She paused to gather up the supplies and place them on the mantle of the fireplace. "Now you just rest for a little while and I'll go help Alister in the kitchen."
Ben mumbled a "fine" as Alissa made her way into the kitchen. She found Alister placing the night's dinner in the oven.
"Do you need help with anything?"
"I'm just about finished, but if you want to cut up some vegetables that would be a big help."
She nodded before grabbing the lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers they were going to have that night and placing them on the tabletop in front of her to cut up.
"What did you do today?" Alister asked as he grabbed some of the vegetables and another knife to help her cut everything up.
"Nothing too special. I just walked around town and stopped at the bookstore again. I ran into Zigfried."
Alister paused in his cutting to glance at her in concern.
"And how did that go?"
"How do you think? He's still the same old conceited and pompous Zigfried."
"What did he want this time?"
"The same thing as always, to talk about marriage." She let out an annoyed groan at the thought of it. "I don't understand why he doesn't get it! No one in this town does! They're only concerned with one thing and it makes me crazy!"
"Hey," he said soothingly, pausing to take hold of her chin and turn her gaze towards him. "It'll be alright. I will win the playwriting contest and I will get you out of this town. I promise, Alissa."
"Do you really think that this year is finally the year?"
"Yes. After all, I did write a masterpiece."
His smile and tone of voice made her smile at him in return.
"Thank you, Alister. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You'd probably murder someone," he laughed.
"Oh, without a doubt!" she agreed with a laugh. The duo laughed with each other before going back to cutting the vegetables in front of them. After a lengthy pause, he spoke again.
"Did you hear that another person went missing?"
His statement caused her to stop cutting the vegetables and turn to him in concern.
"What? Who?"
"The blacksmith's daughter."
"Sarah?"
"Yes. She's been missing since last night. She went into the woods after her pet dog and never came out."
"Maybe she just got lost." She dropped her gaze back to the vegetables and continued to chop them. She didn't like talking about all the people that went missing every new moon. For the past seventy-six years or so, every new moon, a townsperson disappeared and never came back. Some people believed that they just got lost and died in of starvation or hypothermia, but others thought it was a evil, dark creature that hunted the souls of the living.
"Maybe the other missing people got lost too," he replied, obviously not believing what she said.
"Maybe."
"Look, all I'm saying is that someone or something is responsible for the disappearances. I bet it's the Dragon King."
"You realize that those are two different legends right?"
"No one ever said they weren't linked. Maybe the Dragon King does some kind of ritual to keep himself alive. After all, people only disappear on a new moon and the disappearances have been happening ever since the Royal Family disappeared."
"There's one thing wrong with your theory."
"What? That you didn't think of it first."
"No!" she responded with a smile and a smack to his shoulder. "That he's the Dragon King. Dragons are protectors."
"That may be true, but dragons are also monsters and you should never trust a monster."
"I guess," she replied with a shrug. "I just can't help but feel that the Dragon King shouldn't be feared. He's just misunderstood."
"You know what else he is?"
"What?"
"Not real." He grinned at her and nudged her shoulder before going back to cutting the vegetables.
"Yeah, I know. You're right," she sighed in defeat before returning her attention to the vegetables as well. "He's just a legend."
xxx
"I just don't understand why you can't go," Ben complained to his sister while Alister continued to load up their caravan.
"Someone needs to stay here to run the shop, Ben."
"Then I'll stay and you can go. I went to the playwright festival with Alister last year, it's only fair that you get to go-."
"You're too young to stay here and run the shop by yourself for a week."
"Too young? I'm sixteen! I'll be just fine on my own for a week."
"Ben, my answer isn't going to change."
"Then let's close the shop and all go."
"You know we can't leave the shop unattended for that long. Besides, we have orders in that I need to get done this week."
"But why not?" Ben frowned, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Because we need the money. Even if Alister wins the contest, which he will, we'll still need some money to support us once we move out of this damned town."
"She's not going to give up, Ben," Alister replied with a smile as he led over Alissa's white Belgian horse, Kisara. "Now come help me finish packing up the caravan."
Ben groaned in defeat before grabbing the last of the needed supplies and loading them into the back of the caravan.
Alissa approached her faithful horse and gently rubbed her nose. The beautiful horse neighed happily in response before digging her face playfully in Alissa's neck.
"Take care of Ben and Alister okay, Kisara?" She petted the horse's nose again. "And make sure you lead them in the right direction, you know how awful Alister is at finding his way."
"I can hear you!" Alister growled while Ben snickered next to him. The glare that the red head sent him caused Ben to hold back the rest of his chuckles and climb into the front of the caravan.
"Is that everything?" Alissa asked, approaching the red headed male.
"I think so," he replied, massaging the back of his neck with one hand. "We've got enough food and supplies to last the week, but we should be back before then."
Alissa smiled at him before throwing her arms around him in a hug.
"Good luck," she replied next to his ear.
"This will be the year, Alissa. I'll win and finally get us out of here."
The friends finally pulled away and Alister climbed onto the caravan and grabbed Kisara's reins.
"We'll be back before the week is out. Take care while we're gone."
"Bye, Alissa!" Ben called with a wave as the caravan started to move.
"Goodbye! Be careful! Don't get lost this time!"
"Shut up!" Alister yelled back with a laugh before the house disappeared behind them.
"Do you really think this will be the year, Alister?" Ben asked. "Will we finally be able to leave this damned town?"
"I know this is the year."
What they didn't know was what was about to befall them.
Phew! This chapter ended up being quite a long one, but damn was it fun! I had not planned for it to be this long, but I'm pretty proud of it, except for a few things of course. Before I end this chapter, there are just a few things I'd like to talk about. Surprise, surprise right? XD
Firstly, I know in the TACOM saga, Ben is dead and in the few times he has been shown, he's been very soft-spoken and not very intense. That is mostly because in the few times he has been featured, he was still very young. In this particular story, he's around sixteen or so and teenage boys usually have pretty intense personalities. Also, younger siblings are little shits when they finally reach teenage years so obviously I was going to make Ben a little shit. However, I did give his character a breathing problem because I still wanted him to have that sort of "weakness" or "timidness" that is Ben's character. So, rather than having those characteristics in his personality, I opted to have them describe his health…if that makes sense xD. Also, on the subject of Ben, the stuff he inhaled was Stramonium. It was a remedy used that was used quite frequently in the past that I believe started in Ancient Egypt.
Second, Gaston and LeFou's identities are finally revealed! When I was first planning this story, I had originally planned to have Tony and Sam; two of my villain OCs from the TACOM saga, be Gaston and LeFou, but I decided that it wouldn't work for certain events that I wanted to happen later on in the story. Plus, as much as I hate Zigfreak, I love his character. He's just such a fun character to hate you know?
Thirdly, on the subject of Leon, he was extremely difficult for me to write because I didn't want to make him too OOC. In the anime, Leon is a really sweet kid, so obviously giving him the cruel mannerisms of LeFou's character wouldn't be doing his character justice. Instead, I decided to make him less malicious and more...accidentally mean for lack of a better word XD. In other words, he says things that are mean but not with malicious intent. Hopefully that came across and he doesn't seem too OOC, but you guys will have to let me know.
Fourth, if anyone is curious about wardrobe for the characters, I took inspiration from late 1750s European fashion since the story takes place in late fall of 1758 to the early spring of 1759 (since Hailey's comet was seen next in March of 1759 and that is the deadline of the curse). I know this is probably pointless information, but I figured I'd add it in in case anyone was curious about what the clothing mentioned looked like.
Fifth, I had originally planned on having "the Bimbettes" or "Silly Girls" be part of this story and I had planned to have Rebecca, Vivian, and Mana be those parts, but I decided to leave those parts out because I find them to lack…I don't know…substance. Not Mana, Rebecca, and Vivian, but the "Bimbettes." Their characters are just so…dumb and I don't like them so I decided to leave them out. Hopefully you guys aren't too disappointed about that.
Sixth, what did you guys think of Alister? When I write Alister, I usually write him a bit gentler than he is in the anime but still with a fiery attitude because he really is a softhearted person, even past his vengeful, slightly violent exterior. I don't know, he's just one of my favorite characters so I want to make sure I'm doing his character justice. Also, did you pick up on the Alister and Alissa part I added in? YAY FOR LOVE SHAPES.
Lastly, once again, I'd like to give a big thank you to DarkQueenofDuels for being my beta, as well as any of you who read, reviewed, followed, or alerted this story. You guys are awesome. Sorry for being so long winded XD. Anyhoo, review, critique, ask questions, whatever else you like. I'll talk to you guys next update.
