A silken bunch of fur whisked passed my nose in a lucid manner, stirring me from slumber. I had not dared peak my eyes open as I hummed out. Giving a light stretch out to my toes, I curled closer within myself as the thick blankets that swaddled me were drawn closer to my heart. Slowly, though, I found my sleep threading away through my fingers. The irritating cotton pillow case suddenly became apparent, burrowing into my skin like little thistles.
I scrunched my eyes, burring my face further into the scratching fabric. I felt as the little weighted creature that slept around my head now shifting, kicking her paws lightly as she leapt down to my shoulders. She carefully began to snuggle her muzzle into my neck, and instinctively I swatted her away with my hand, "shoo, shoo. Five more minutes, Bianca."
The little creature froze.
My own eyes suddenly finding themselves wider than silver coins as I uttered the name.
Everything began to run back, the realization of where I was as I briskly rose from where I had lay. The nipping morning that soaked through the walls snapped at my skin as I curled the blanket in my lap between my fingers. I had fallen asleep so comfortably, that I had thought to be back in the castle.
stonework walls constructed a simple room, a torch burning low just beside my room's rotting door. On an unstable-seeming writing desk tucked away in a corner, was a folded pile of my peasant garb.
"I am... sorry," I garbled the words within my head, enunciating as best as I could first thing in the morning to Minccino. The silver-furred Pokemon shifted her polished eyes up towards me, breathing a reassuring smile to say that I had not offended. We both have an exhausted huff, my fingers absently ruffling the creature's head.
She did not fight the motion, but I could not dare look at the Pokemon as I looked off towards where the light grew from under our door.
It must be nearing dawn, I could already begin to pick apart the day from the little light I captured. It was grueling to pull my body up, but my feet found themselves pressed against the wood that started to sliver into my skin. I winced, but pushed on. I only had precious time to leave.
To where, I still had not a clue.
I delicately equipped my layers of dress, wrapping my vest corset around my waist, I still had found the thing a difficult contraption to work. If only I had a maid to assist me at the time. In the room, there was a small mirror perched on the wall just mere feet from the door.
The reflective object drew me in, and I found myself staring at a ragged girl. Her hair snarled with so many knots, I had not a clue where she would begin. Small leaves and sticks where ensnared within the nest as dirt encrusted the ends of her hair and printed across her cheeks. I watched the woman draw all her fingers to trace the welts and gashes that tore her paper skin. And her eyes.
They looked so bewildered. Frightened. She had not the slightest idea where she was going. She had not the heart though to turn back.
That I knew for sure.
So, the reflection took a deep breath, the red cape on her shoulders sagging with her movement before she began a little project. She reached her fingers back towards her head and, strand by strand, started to run her fingers through the greasy locks.
I... ran my fingers through the greasy locks, wincing at each knot I caught. Which was just roughly the entire period of time. I picked and crumbled away the debris that riddled my hair, letting it be whisked away onto the floor. It was the best I was able to do.
A sudden weight dropped on my shoulder, "Myx!"
My skin crawled as Minccino leapt onto me. I swiveled my head in shock to see the little furred pokemon grinning at me, and I returned a small crack. She must know.
It was time to depart.
I was out of the room briskly, my hands airily gliding down the handrails that led to the ground level of The Centre. Dawn's light was twirling in threads of dust across the tavern, all candles blown out as their vanilla wax crusted over the center of each table. Not a soul had inhabited the floor, making it a simple slip through the room. With each step I took, the floors groaned before I finally made it to the metal trimmed door.
I was wrapped around the iron handle when a voice caught me,
"Departing?"
The owner stood just around the side of the bar in the back, her ribbons of pink hair falling around her as a veil. She hadn't seemed to be even fully dressed yet, her wool nightgown falling down to her toes. She must have heard me creeping across, I thought I would have noticed her earlier if she didn't just emerge.
I only gave her a brisk nod, not having much motivation to speak to her.
She gave forth a smile that curled up into her eyes, "Then, do take care. I hope either one of my sisters or I will see you again."
She...
Wasn't lying.
I gave pause as I was in half way out the exit, "thank you." With a slight turn of my head, our eyes locked as I gave a song of gratitude. She, oh so simply, smiled back. Minccino gave a wave off of her own as I finally exited.
The early morn immediately bit in, prickling at my skin, I gave small shiver. Though it was no longer as much of a bother as it once was.
But I would prefer to be soaking in a hot bath.
Oh Arceus, a hot bath. I sorely needed one. One with bubbles! And rose petals to get rid of the foul stench that had coated me since day one.
Howbeit, the concept of a bath itself seemed like a distant ideal.
Stuck within my daydream, I begrudgingly trudged the the cobblestone village. Lacunosa Town was mostly made of white bricks and rocks, their homes each with a careful thatching. A bridge wrapped around the town almost like a shell. It was a quaint village, and far less dirty than what I've seen as of late.
This must be what the rest of the region is like. I just happened upon a bad area, correct? That's what I thought as I continued to tread to the Pokemon corral.
Once I had arrived to the wood-fenced pen, I set a hand against a post to peer further in. Dirt and feces covered the earth within. My nose twisted as I did not dare set foot within the cesspool. Despite the grime, few Pokemon speckled the town corral, so it was quite easy to spot Sawsbuck.
The great creature was wrapped up around itself in the very back, its long neck drawing out as its chin settled on the corral floor. Sawsbuck's mane was snuffled around, dirt starting to contaminate its once pure white color. The frosted horns though gently glittered as light began to strike the pen, untainted by the grime.
"Minccino, I demand you to go wake it up," I ordered, shooting the slightest glance to the furball on my shoulder.
She returned a mirroring crooked look.
"Well I am not going in there," I hissed, flicking a stray lock that slipped from my biggin cap. Her chestnut eyes burned into me, causing something uncomfortable to stir under my skin. Finally, I felt as if I had lost, "Please."
A little smile curled at her ashy lips before nodding. Minccino leapt onto the pen posts, dashing around the fence towards the corner that Sawsbuck had chosen. I nervously looked behind where I stood, towards the east. About the trees, I could make out the twirling morning rays growing stronger. The sky was no longer an sparkled obsidian melting away, but an orchestra of pinks and oranges ushering in a sapphire hue.
I sent a hastened glimpse to Minccino, who was dangling above our mount. Her paws softly dropped onto its haunches. The light weight did not yet stir the Sawsbuck though. So Minccino scurried further up the neck of Sawsbuck before perching herself just between the wild beast's eyes. She began to swipe her fluffy tail rapidly, as if dusting, across Sawsbuck's nose.
Finally it awoke, the golden lines that traced from its eyes parting so it could focus on the rodent that had broke its slumber. It had not seem too angry about it, just irritated. The cervine simply rose, back legs kicking up first before it gracefully trotted across the corral. Mere feet from me, Sawsbuck threw its front legs back, springing high as if the ground was merely elastic to propel it higher.
Fear shot into my blood, taking control of my body as I curled down to duck. Yet Sawbuck dan not needed it as the creature soared like a Pidove over my head, hooves clacking against the cobble streets. Still not creeping back up, I twisted back, fingers still trembling.
In quiet beats, Sawsbuck strutted over, towering above. It puffed steam out from its flared nostrils. I was curled up just at the bushels of white fur that fell at the looming creature's knee. It waited with knowing eyes staring down at me. Timidly, I rose back up.
I met the eyes of the six foot creature, feeling a dreaded sense of how small I actually was. But I shook it off as I started towards the creature. My fingers snaked to as high as I could reach into its snowy seasoned mane. I began to jump, throw my leg over its back. My attempt was in vain as the Sawsbuck took a single step forward, throwing my entire center of balance askew. I flew back onto my rump.
So, I rose again, trying another endeavor.
Once more, I held all weight on one foot before lunging into the air.
Sawsbuck sidestepped, letting me fall forward. Momentum gave way to my legs that tried to stick the landing, forcing me to crumple onto my knees. I gave a huff as I got back to my feet. A cyclical pattern much like this continued on for a more than acceptable amount of time.
It was more than benign irritation when I snatched up at Sawsbuck's birch antlers. I could barely grasp small twigs that curled from them, but I was able to hold on and force the creature to look me in the eyes. We both puffed out fogs as I just burned a glare, "I thought you wished to travel with me. We are departing now, if you want to come, then stay still and let me onto your back. I shall not give up."
The creature held the contest for a moment before it shook about, tearing its antlers from my hands. Their points ripped at my skin and made them burn. I retracted my hands swiftly.
After that, Sawsbuck stood still.
I looked to it and the Pokemon glanced awaitingly before staring back off into the forests that kissed at the town border. With a slight swagger of victory in my step, I took another try at mounting.
I hesitated.
Something gnawed at my stomach from what I had just done.
Was this what they called guilt?
Running my fingers across Sawsbuck's neck, I kept my eyes focused on the pebbles just at my toes, "I apologize," the words slipped between my lips in a strangled tone, "I should not have forced your head down. That was quite- rude of me."
It felt unnatural to say anything like this, my mouth finding it strange.
Sawsbuck just snuffed, tossing its head about casually. Did he accept it?
He must have.
I took up another gulp of the frost-coated air before taking another jump. It was another failure as I felt myself falling back. My stomach had twisted in that moment, discouragement sinking in. Except my foot never landed against the ground. something shaped much like a stirrup latched around the sole of my boot, a sudden strength suddenly assisting to launch me up into the air.
Suddenly, it was possible over Sawsbuck. With the new opportunity, I grasped tighter into Sawsbuck's mane and croup. I used my upper body strength to drag myself even higher, finally able to throw my left leg over the side of the Pokemon.
From my now high perch, I felt as if I could see much more, the world completely expanding and I couldn't help but grin. I could see past the town, the sky feeling that much closer.
I could also see what was below. Most notably was the man with tea green hair, a beige cape hanging off his shoulders that almost covered the silver rapier dangling at his hip. On his face sat the silly little smile, his eyes closed as he angled his head up to me, "No need to apologize to Sawsbuck. He had said that he was testing your strength."
Words eluded me as I stared down to him, my shoulders bristling just by his very presence.
"Are we departing, now?" the strange man just kept his expression, not even a hint of malice in his tone.
As puzzling as it was to see him, I brushed it off, "I am departing, now. It was good to meet you, Sirrah," I could barely pull his name to mind,"N. But I have something I must find. It will not just wait around for me to stumble upon it."
He continued to stare up at me, running his fingers across Sawsbuck's neck.
"I must find it on my own."
N's smile faltered slightly, but hadn't faded, "Well they do say that two pairs of eyes happen to be better than one."
"What I am searching for is not something just anyone can plainly see," I could plainly see it. The white glow of the light against the man's shirt as morning sprouted. But it was no matter, because only I had the vision to know.
I just doubted if I would ever find it.
I gave a swift kick into Sawsbuck's gut, ushering the beast forward. With a groan, the wintery deer took its clattering steps across the town. "Well what is that you are looking for?" from behind, N continued to call, awaking the town further.
"That is none of your business, Sirrah N."
Still persisting, the man took up pace beside me, though his eyes wondering. His head looked about the snow that began to trickle in as we flowed out from the town. A childish expression filling his face with awe. We trekked towards the sun, which broke across the horizon as some golden platter filling a dining table. Its rays stretched like fingers, trying to touch every piece of land around. The snow was sparkling as if diamonds filled the earth and decorated the trees.
Before I knew it, I shared the same infantile expression as the uninvited traveler. It was a sort of primitive wonder starting to spark as the mystifying view wrapped around me.
It was the first time I had ever seen a true sunrise.
"Quite beautiful, is it not?"
Words couldn't come to me fast enough, only letting me nod as I am sure my jaw was hanging. I quickly snapped it back up, knowing that showing such a gawk was quite improper. I stiffened back, rolling my shoulders to sit straight. I hadn't even realized I had begun to slouch. Beside me, Sirrah N stifled a laugh.
"Something you find amusing? And I must inquire, why are you following me?"
He swept at his beige cloak, shooting his silver eyes that seemed to glint like the snow around us, "You are no longer in the castle, Lady White. No need to fear getting scolded by the royal family or housemother for poor posture." I only puffed my chest out further, throwing my nose towards the sky. It- just enacted him to laugh further. His rumbling chuckle just sent a hot flush of embarrassment to my face. I resented the fact I was being laughed at! By a peasant, no less! I finally gave, crumple my shoulders as I shot a glare away from him. "To answer your second question, I also happen to be traveling in this direction... For now."
A small corner of his lips curled, something settling within his disposition. I could not pinpoint it, but something about N...
Just drew me further in.
As the forest spanned out before us, thinning and thickening as it wished, I finally turned my head back. Though I set it closer to my shoulder as I just examined the unusually haired man. Beside him his shadow-like pokemon stalked, blue eyes suddenly locking with mine. The creature and I stared, a sudden competition.
Its head twisted away with a sniff, back to the way ahead.
I grinned gingerly, "Fine, you may travel with me until we part ways." Little flashes turned gears in the back of my mind, memories of the past few days churning suspicion. A feeling of fear. Fear. My head drifted back to the castle nights, fire and screams causing my entire body to turn ridged.
My feet slamming against the marble, sweat pouring down the side of my forehead as I hadn't a clue where I was running anymore. Just fourteen, my third raid and I had lost Bianca. I was living it all over again. Fear started to wrap its hands around my neck, tightening with a livid madness.
A small paw shattered everything. A cold skin chilling my cheek. I spun around, slightly realizing where I was again and found Minccino staring up to me with concern. N too gave a crooked focus. I just threw a plastic smile to them both, "As they say," I hadn't a clue who 'they' were, "It is safer to travel in numbers."
He looked absolutely delighted. Like a child receiving a piece of candy. It was so- innocent, if I had to give it a word. "That they do, that they do."
There was a silence for quite some time, before we knew it, a bluff had cast itself before us. The ocean just to our left still froathing and fighting despite the winter that should freeze it. The sun by this time had rose to midday and lit the land to an intense light. I had already tugged my crimson hood to shade my eyes.
"I have been meaning to ask," N began, his own hood casting a darkness over his face. I could not read him. The thought of a question rumbling a scarcity in my stomach, though I hadn't a clue why. But it melted away as he finally inquired, "Minccino's collar, that is Denovian, correct?"
I shot a sudden look to the amethyst gem bound in a leather necklace around Minccino. She proudly thrusted the jewelry out to catch the light, little feathers fluttering in the sea breeze. "yes, yes it is," I muttered quietly as I reached a hand out to Minccino. My fingers froze just above her head, retracting back as I decided against the action. "When traveling through a small gate town between here and the capital, there was a small store run by a Denovian couple and their daughter. Minccino saw a necklace much like her own in the window display and utterly fell in love. So we made the decision had stopped in."
"Ah! Do you recall if the name of the establishment was called, 'twin dragons'?" His voice rose in excitement.
"I apologize, I did not really catch a good glance at the store sign before entering or departing."
His shoulders sunk, but it didn't quite deter N, "Still, I am glad. Glad that someone still treats them more than just shadows."
I could not quite understand what he meant, my brows snuggling close, "What reason is there to treat them differently than ourselves?"
He only chuffed out a hollowed sound. Perhaps it was a laugh? Though, it was quite darker.
"No reason at all."
He seemed fixated on the ground as we continued, carefully scaling down the rocks of the bluffs. I held my balance as Sawsbuck jumped here and there with abrupt clatters. His next words had engrossed me for days after, trying to make sense of what N had meant by them. I was so, so naive back then.
"Other people just seem to forget that a different skin does not mean a different heart."