The propellers! The fwip-fwip-fwip noises they make! They make one want to smash that plane into bits and pieces! Such a frustratingly annoying sound!
"Well... that's not good," Elsword muttered as he leaned over the side of the plane. The propeller on the left-wing had been chipped somehow at some unknown time, a notch in the blade. How Elsword noticed such a tiny thing, though, that was a mystery.
Elsword's hands swiftly switched the gears on the plane and began directing it down. Chilling air whooshed by as they flew down to the earth like a soaring eagle.
"You know, so far, every time we've come to an old-fashioned town something bad happens." Aisha remarked while lightly pinching the fluff on her friend's shoulder, past the boy's awareness. Her dress swayed back and forth with her steps.
Just as Aisha had mentioned, the area was indeed similar to the other towns from before— the brick houses lined up were certainly an improvement from the last two places, though. Here, it was filled with dirt roads and trees planted nicely in square patches of soil. Very city-like, but without all the concrete. The dressing was similar to their own style; no shocking and bold colors or simple designs. Of course, it was unlike theirs in the fact that it didn't have the extreme number of fashionable layers.
Much to their chagrin, it seemed that there wasn't a single shop in sight that sold metal. There was a bakery; there was a post office; there was a town hall; there was even a fancy place designated just for using the bathroom. There were, however, a lack of mechanic, crafting, and blacksmith shops.
A man dressed in black leather pants and a white shirt with a cummberbund quickly paced past the duo. "Hey! Excuse me!" Elsword raised his hand to grab the attention of the man, waving frantically, but was completely ignored.
"Sir, do you know where we can find some metal?" Aisha attempted to call out another man, but he walked by without a glance her way. "Yeesh, rude."
Elsword didn't reply back to her. His mind was focused, and he stared straight in one direction. Aisha, bothered by the silence, looked from his view. A gray-haired man with a fair mustache and thin framed glasses carried a red bag over his shoulders and walked down the road with slouched posture. His brown and white attire with a matching work apron were very clean and very slick, just like the gelled hair on his head. Inside his bag, a shiny silver glistened from an open flap.
... Metal. Precious metal.
"Excuse me," without any thought, the redhead trotted up to the man, "where did you get that metal?" To him the metal was like a light, and he was a moth transfixed and drawn to it. Elsword had to find out where the metal came from. He had to.
The man, very composed, gave Elsword a perplexed look. "What metal?" Despite his innocent response, his hand touched the flap the bag.
"Look, sir, I kinda need some metal, and I kinda need to know where you got it." The words came out ruder than intended, and Elsword cringed as he realized it. Gosh, he sounded like a bully or something.
The man shook his head. "I don't know what you're going on about!"
How frustrating! Elsword could tell that the man was lying! Before the boy could say anything else that would wreck their chances at information, though, Aisha poked his shoulder and wagged a finger at him. "I'll take care of this."
She politely directed her attention to the spectacled man while pushing her friend behind her. To her, regardless of the man's unwillingness to help them, he seemed like someone who'd be negotiable and kind. At least, that's what she felt based on the way he looked. A gentle curtsy was followed right after, throwing the man and Elsword off guard. "My friend and I are travelers from a distant country. We request the location of where you got your metal so we can repair our transportation."
"I..." Certainly, he had not expected such respect. Surely, he couldn't leave the young lady's request open. The mustached man glanced down the street to check for... Whatever he was checking for. As soon as he was done, he smiled at the duo. "I'd love to help you two kiddos out, young miss. Here is not a safe place to speak, however."
"If that's the case, kind sir, would you mind taking us somewhere?"
With a smile, a warm sign of the older man's openness to the duo, his hand drawing away from the flap of the bag, the older man turned around and began walking away. Even though he hadn't said it, they could tell that following him was the plan. The two stood by themselves, not moving. "You have a way with people," breaking the silence, Elsword quietly mumbled.
With an exchanged glance, they followed behind tentatively.
Oak wood floors and a fan dangling precariously from the ceiling gave the place an old look. Two chairs at a circular table were pushed in crookedly. A somewhat-made bed was at the corner of the room, and nearby was a bookshelf.
"I apologize for the mess. If I'd known I'd be bringing home visitors, I would have cleaned up a bit!" exclaimed the older, mustached man as he removed a row of books from the bookshelf. "Please, do mind my disorder."
The books removed, a now empty shelf revealed a handle that must have been wedged between the space of the writings. The older man grasped the handle tightly and pulled with all his might, his hands paling as the bookshelf slid further from the bed. A darkly lit spiral stairwell appeared from behind accompanied by a damp air.
"Whoa..." It wasn't often Elsword saw a secret passageway.
"Come now. What you two need is down here."
The tapping of feet echoed through the stairwell. There was a candle here and there, but other than that it was absolute darkness. The only thing they could rely on was the handrail to guide them. What were they going to see, Elsword wondered. It wasn't often that someone invited him into a curious place like this. But it did bring back faint memories from his childhood when he journeyed around the town.
At the bottom of the walk was a medieval-styled wooden door with bronze intricately swirling along the grains. An iron loop was attached to open it, the loop itself engraved. With a loud creak the door was pushed open, and light flooded into the bottom of the stairwell. The light, overwhelming in the darkness of where they were, blinded them to where all they could do was listen to the man's heels as they tapped against the floor. Soom enough, though, they were in the center of a hidden workshop where tools were scattered out.
"Oh, do forgive me! I never introduced myself!" The elderly man bowed to Aisha. "My name is Frank. And yours, young lady?"
"I'm Aisha, and this is..."
"Too awed to speak..." Elsword couldn't believe it. To believe that before him was the epitome of innovation, the prime example of an engineer's life calling, that was too yet, the whole workshop was filled with machinery that hung off the ceiling and rested on the ground— perhaps enough to run the entire town. Definitely, there were more inventions here than in his own business.
While his friend giggled loudly at his amusement, Frank approached Elsword and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Well, it's nice to meet you two!" A firm handshake was exchanged as soon as Elsword was brought back to reality. "So what shall you two be needing?"
Oh that's right. They were here for repairs. Elsword tugged out a blueprint of the plane and unrolled it across the table for Frank. "We need to replace this right here," dutifully, he circled the exact propeller out of many with his forefinger. "It got chipped somehow."
Frank didn't respond right away, but the two could almost see the gears turning in the old man's head as he placed his hand on his chin. "Two propellers..." His eyes flashed, and he snapped his fingers boldly. "I believe I do have something. One moment."
While Frank retreated up the stairwell, Aisha tugged Elsword down so she could speak into his ear. "You find this strange, don't you?"
"... Find what strange?" Something being strange here was a random thought.
"These. Why are they sitting around down here instead of being out in the open?"
Her crush shrugged. "Perhaps... I dunno." Thinking about it though, it was peculiar that such great things were being kept from the world. Maybe there were still kinks Frank needed to work out? Or the old man could just be a shy inventor.
Frank returned, but not with the propellers. In his wrinkled and scarred hands were a silver platter with an intricately designed pot of tea and... Scones? Assorted fruits were scattered through the layers of baked dough, the different colors giving the treat a mouthwatering and tempting look. "I figured you two might be a tad hungry from your journey, so I stopped to make something."
"Ah, thank you Mr. Frank!"
"Thanks sir." Gleefully, they took a scone in their hands.
Frank placed the platter on the workshop table and sat down in a chair, crossing his legs and giving them a grandfather-like smile. "So, are you two kids lovers of sorts?"
Aisha almost choked on an apricot in a scone from the mere, completely off, suggestion— she'd say yes, but even she knew it wasn't true whatsoever. Elsword was more nonchalant about it, squeezing in another bite before replying. "No, just childhood friends." A sadder look filled Aisha's purple eyes as her friend told Frank of their relationship. "She's a year older than me, actually."
"Childhood friends... I see." Having caught Aisha's saddended reaction, he winked at her. She flinched and blushed pink, a tiny smile resting on her face. Mr. Frank could see her thoughts.
"Did you find the propeller?" Elsword asked while finishing up the last of his scone.
Frank lifted the teacup to his mouth and blew the steam that rose. "Yes. I've got two for you, both metal, to balance the plane. I'll bring them out in a second."
Perhaps he shouldn't rush the old man. Elsword pulled out two chairs and him and Aisha sat down. "So, why don't you bring these contraptions upstairs?"
Frank brushed his white mustache with his fingers. "Well, I prefer to keep my inventions down here where nobody can criticize me."
"Why would anybody criticize you?! Your inventions are amazing!" The redhead popped out of his chair and slammed his hands against the wooden work table faster than expected. He immediately pointed to a boxy black camera. "I mean, a Digital Camera?! You don't see that everyday! That's high-tech!" And it really was! That was a new invention that came out recently in the news.
"You'd be surprised. Many people don't accept the things I do!" Frank chuckled in a grandfatherly way. Then, he stood from his spot and began to walk to some boxes. "I'll go get those propellers so you two can be on your way."
People not accepting Frank's works? What a crazy idea! Elsword crossed his arms furiously, "People that don't accept what he can make should be rid of. They deserve to be taught a lesson." Aisha awkwardly patted her friend's shoulder while Frank came back, this time with metal propellers in hand.
And a tiny, deep-green velvet box.
Elsword proceeded to grabbing the metal parts while Aisha took the box. "What's inside?" It was so small and delicate looking that she worried she might crush it in her hands.
"Well, why don't you find out?" Frank replied with a kind grin.
The lid of the box flipped open, revealing a white cushion inside. Wedged into those cushions were two golden ring bands. The ring nearest to the hinge of the lid wore a heart-cut diamond that shimmered not just a bright white color, but also traces of a pale sky blue and faint lemon yellow. Along the band, six tinier round-cut pink sapphires had been equally placed on the two sides of the main diamond. The paired ring was a simple gold band that had two lines engraved along the edges.
"E-Engagement rings?!"
Frank chuckled. "Yep. Consider it a parting gift. For the future."
Aisha's cheeks grew warm, and even Elsword struggled to keep his own face a normal color— definitely an awkward position to be put into. Elsword pocketed the gift quickly to avoid anymore words about it.
"Thank you so much for you kindness."
They'd made their way up the stairs and stood in front of Frank's house door. With the new propellers, they'd now be able to get a move on to the next town.
"Aha, no problem! It was a pleasure to meet you two kiddos!" Frank held the door handle tightly. "Rarely get visitors nowadays." turning the handle, he pulled the door open.
Men in dark gray outfits with pistols and rifles in hand stood outside the door.
Their expressions, stern and cold, brought a dark cloud with them. When the duo laid eyes on them, they were baffled— why were they here? "Who are...?" Elsword questioned aloud, the last words fading out.
The men filed in, pushing the duo aside like trash and heading towards Frank. "Cuff him boys." Said a man with a navy hat authoritatively. They clenched the elderly man's wrist and held him so tensely that the circulation of blood to his hands ceased. Metal cuffs stained with dried and splattered blood were clipped around his wrists. It wasn't until that very moment that the duo understood who the men were; officers dutifully following orders were here in Frank's house.
The officer who had given orders turned to the shocked and appalled two. "We apologize for the problems he has caused to you two. He shall be executed in the mornin—"
"What the heck?! Why are you killing him?!" Elsword fumed with anger, his arms being controlled by the emotion. Execution?! That was a crazy idea!
"He has been engineering new technology."
But the new technology was meant for good! "Don't you know what he's been doing?! He's been creating inventions that could change lives!"
The officer straightened the hat above his head. "We are highly aware of such acts. In fact, I thank you for providing your statement as a testimony of his crime."
"Sir, you don't understand!" Tears streamed down Aisha's soft cheeks and plummeted to the ground. "This man, he's a—"
"A criminal." He finished her sentence with such a cold and heartless tone that it shook her immensely. It was like a mindless bomb had been dropped onto the warm feelings she'd received only minutes ago. "He has broken the laws by creating such things. Innovation and creation is banned here, for it promotes risk and danger in society. Therefore, one must be executed for the act."
Aisha looked at Frank, the gentlemanly and grandfather-figure that was so loving and open to them since they stepped into the town. How could they deem a man guilty or a criminal, despite having such a pure heart? Now, the elderly man was weak and pale, held by the arms like he could sprint off even though there wasn't a possiblilty left of that happening.
...Was it really so wrong to make things?! Aisha's heart wanted to jump out of her chest, scream and tell the officer how ridiculous he sounded, but at the same time it felt dead as winter life. She turned to Elsword and silently pleaded for him to act against the man before them. To fix it. He had been in awe of Frank, hadn't he? Surely, Elsword could do something!
But something kept him silent on the matter. "Aisha... we need to go now."
Her mouth began to tremble as the officer bid goodbye and ordered his men away with their guilty criminal. "No! Mr. Frank!" Aisha reached out to him, but Elsword grasped her by the waist and let them carry the man off. "N-No!"
Once the soldiers had left the vicinity, the redhead released his friend. She stumbled, caught off guard by Elsword. "W-Why... Why did you...?!" Her hand quickly connected with his cheek, the force being impacted onto his skin with a loud slap. "Y-You idiot! Why did you let them take him away?!"
"Well what else was I supposed to do?!" He rubbed the red handprint on his face.
"Whatever happened to 'ridding of them'?! Or maybe even 'teaching them a lesson'?!"
"Well sometimes, you can't Aisha! This is the government, and they can kill us! Sometimes you have to put yourself before others! I'm not letting us die because of him!"
That was Elsword's response. All he wanted was for them to be alive, and for them to be safe. There wasn't even a remit chance that the two of them could rebell against a city government's laws.
She couldn't stand him right now— that was a selfish response. All Elsword cared about was living to see that stupid engineer title! Aisha was furious, but at the same time hurt and traumatized by Elsword's response because she knew he was absolutely right.
But still, there could've been something the two of them could have done.
She turned away and crossed her arms, her heart painfully beating. "Where'd your integrity go...?" Elsword grabbed Aisha's arm and dragged her back to the plane like the men had done to Frank, only more gently. Every step they walked, Aisha grew more and more tense as thoughts built up in her.
The two of them, they were Elsword's top priority.
Elsword— top priority.
There was no way Elsword was going to help others. There was no way Elsword was going to be selfless and see the truth— what really matters. Especially not after he abandoned Mina; not after he'd failed to protect Natsuki, although she was to blame as well; not after he betrayed Frank. Elsword valued his own life and it's success more than anything, and the only other thing he prized more tha that was the title.
And for sure, Aisha thought, if that was his top priority, there was no way they could become anything more than just the friends they were now.