Bixanna Week – Beautiful Soul
Day 4 – Alternate Universe
Set in a medieval, castle town. I rush wrote this to make it in time for day 4, but I hope you still enjoy it. This one has a different feel from the others, but I suppose a little variety is good.
Ding, dong. The ten o'clock bells rang out clearly in the early morning. Sunlight had already pierced through the overnight clouds and a pleasant glow surrounded the shops and houses of the castle town.
People busied themselves at the local market, although a few stopped to stare at the passing entourage. A more detailed appraisal only increased the market-goers' intrigue. It was clear these people were not from around here. The lightning bolt insignia on the leader's horse confirmed their suspicions. Not-so-secret whispers revealed that they were from one of the neighboring kingdoms.
The group in question continued on their way, pretending they weren't eavesdropping on the gossip. They were used to this sort of reception, but it was still amusing to get insight on what kind of first impression they made.
"You'd think they'd never seen a noble before," the bespectacled woman said. She flipped her ponytail behind her in an imperious sort of way. "Hardly the kind of folk you should be associating with, Laxus."
"We musn't look down on the common people, Ever," a man with long green hair said. "Their work is just as important as yours and mine."
"Hmph," she sniffed. "Just the same, Freed, would it hurt them to show a little more respect?"
"Doesn't bother me," the tallest one wearing a knight's visor said. "So long as they're not raising pitchforks at us, I don't care what they do."
"Hmph," she repeated, but said no more on the subject.
The man on horseback who'd remained silent the entire time finally spoke up. "We're almost there," he said. "Try not to argue too much before they let us in the front door."
"Imagine that," Freed said drily. "It wouldn't be the first time someone's kicked us out."
The tall one laughed, his tongue lolling out somewhat strangely. "But it would be a first to get kicked out before they even let us in."
"Good times," Evergreen said sarcastically. "Honestly though, Bixlow, try to be civil while we're here. If you sully Laxus' name –"
"Yeah, yeah, you'll be out to get me, I know. Such a trusting attitude. I'm always on my best behavior."
Freed sighed. "Define best behavior."
"I distinctly recall that we were banned from the last tavern we visited due to unruly conduct," Evergreen said, shooting a nasty look at Bixlow.
He waved his hand. "Got it, got it. I won't bring the team down. Knight's honor."
"The woman we're going to see has two younger siblings," Laxus reminded them. "I've heard she's quite the looker, so don't get any ideas."
"What about the other two?" Freed asked.
"The middle brother's got a bit of a temper, so I doubt he'd appreciate you hitting on his sisters. And the youngest one, well, she's not so important," Evergreen said.
"Not so important?" Bixlow repeated. "What, she's not included in the Evergreen report?"
Freed rolled his eyes. "Great. Now I'm worried."
Bixlow grinned. "Have a little faith in me, guys. I promise I won't do anything crazy. Pigs'll fly before I fall in love with the youngest Strauss sibling."
It was interesting to write the Raijinshuu altogether and this was actually my first attempt at doing so. I hope they were all relatively in character.