Correctly estimating the exact amount of beans inside of a jar for a promotional contest on their first guess was a truly remarkable feat for some, but Percy disregarded it as mere 'luck'. Rhajat couldn't accept his humble correction; what he had done was nothing short of astonishing.
As the younger man cradled his awarded confectionary sweet - thoroughly enjoying himself – Rhajat's curiosity and fascination had peaked; she simply had to know he accomplished such actions.
"So, your astronomical luck – how long have you been blessed with it?"
Percy removed his sweet and answered politely. "Well, I don't know, really. I guess…ever since I was born, I think?"
"So…you've inherited it from your parents?"
"Oh, no. Oh, golly, no. Definitely…definitely not from them." His smile faltered. "Mum and Dad – they've always, y'know –struggled? – with every day things. What I mean is: they've always been cursed with pretty rotten luck, and they still mistakes pretty often." He shrugged bashfully. "I mean…I really should have been cursed with even worse luck than them – being there kid and all - but I wasn't. I wish I had been though."
Rhajat furrowed her eyebrows. "Why? Your blessed luck – it's…it's a miracle."
Percy shook his head. "No, it's not. It's a curse." The young man exhaled deeply. "I wish that I could make mistakes like everybody else in life - that way I'd be able to improve upon them, and better myself." He hung his head. "But I don't. I don't make mistakes. Everything has always gone my way, and I'm", he absentmindedly kicked the dirt beneath him, "sometimes I get really sick of being right all the time."
Her boyfriend's inhuman luck and fortune was a quality Rhajat had come to notice the more time they spend together. She didn't, however, know he held his blessing in such a regard.
"Is that not a positive?"
Percy shrugged. "Yeah, well, sometimes…I guess…but I…I don't know…?"
Remorseful to have disheartened him during what should have been congratulatory time, Rhajat retreated into her mind for a method of respectfully inquiring further without upsetting him.
"You don't think your prosperity could be because of a third-party influence – like the effects of a hex?"
With relief, she watched as his weak expression slowly disappeared as his jovial smile returned.
"I mean, I don't know. At least, I don't think it is. Ophelia asked that very same question. She wanted to find out a little bit more about my luck, just like you, so she arranged these…tests…and trials to see if if it is just a spell or something. No such luck."
Rhajat should have been appalled by the pun but she was instead caught up on the prospects of Percy associating with another girl. Although she knew very well how loyal and trustworthy he was, the thought still bothered her. How she was wished she wasn't so possessive.
Trying to dispel that thought, Rhajat instead focused on another aspect of her boyfriend's ability. "And just what…percentage…of your luck is under your control?"
Percy shrugged casually. "It just sort of…happens, I guess?"
"So you can't channel it?"
"No, not really. Why? Why do you wanna know?"
Impishly, Rhajat brought a finger to her lips. "Well, let's say, for sake of argument, you were to place a bet. Say we were to wager a sum of money? Would it be at all possible for you to influence the results in our favour?"
Rhajat waited with anticipation for the reaction she eagerly expected of him. He stared at her in disbelief, evidently shocked by her proposal.
Extending his chest out, Percy folded his arms with a pout. "We will be doing no such thing", he protested seriously, which only made Rhajat's smirk widen.
"First of all: neither of us are the appropriate age to gamble yet. Underage gambling is illegal and punishable. And more importantly: I will never rely on my luck to pursue my own selfish desires." He placed over his chest, and spoke in a deep voice. "What comes with power is responsibility."
Rhajat tried desperately to supress a cackle; his exaggerated explanation of honour and pride was absolutely adorable.
Scoffing softly, she folded her arms. "You're no fun."
Wiping his nose hastily, Percy eventually abandoned the charade and returned to rubbing his arm bashfully, evidently humiliated for his display. Rhajat observed his mannerisms carefully; she hoped ever so much she hadn't made him uncomfortable.
"Well, even if I could control my good luck, I wouldn't use it for gambling or competitions or anything like that such. I…don't really intend on pursuing that kind of lifestyle. Those activities can become pretty harmful and addictive if you let them control you. I mean, I've always…"
An expression of fright appeared on his face as he felt silent.
Rhajat stared in confusion. "What?"
No response; his attention was affixed behind her.
Curiously, Rhajat turned to inspect, but all she surveyed were the usual sights of the bustling markets. Her attention returned to him hastily when his hands suddenly enveloped hers.
"Can we please go?" He whispered pleadingly.
His unexpected behaviour was starting to concern her. "Why? What is it?"
"Please?"
"Well, I'll be. Look who it is."
Turning to address the unexpected voice, Rhajat observed curiously as an older gentleman – perhaps older than even her – with an arched eyebrow and combed, blonde hair gracefully approached them, closing the distance before bowing politely.
The other boy placed his hands on his hips. "Well, if it isn't little Percy. My, what a small world we inhabit."
Rather than the evident expression of fear, Percy had adopted a demeanour of reluctance and discomfort, emphasised by the fact that his gaze was now affixed to the ground. "Hello, Christian", he whispered weakly, "how are you?"
"I'm doing very well, thank you. I'm still the very best at what I do: securing victories with my Pegasus."
Being an outlier, Rhajat had become all too astute at assessing and judging characters, and the young gentleman before her projected an aura of self-entitlement and overconfidence. She disliked him immediately.
"So, how have you and your companion been since last we met? Still as inseparable as ever?" He brought a finger to his chin. "Now, what was your wyvern's name again? The name escapes me. Chase?"
"…Ace. His name is Ace." Percy corrected.
"Ah, yes, I remember now. Ace – 'the fastest flyer in all the land', I believe is how you described them. Denounced that little title, didn't I?"
Percy stared intently. "That was one time. You beat us once."
Christian scoffed sarcastically. "And that was more than enough to settle our little competitive rivalry." He placed a hand over his chest. "The far superior, talented and experienced competitor emerged the victor, naturally."
Instead of a retort or comeback she expected, Rhajat observed as Percy stared in shock before exhaling with defeat and lowering his gaze, which prompted another tease from their visitor.
"Oh, come now, little one, nobody respects a sore loser. Surely you haven't spent this time wallowing in defeat?"
"Can you please go!?"
The young man's eruption made Rhajat recoil in surprise, noticing the fear and desperation in his tone.
After a moment, Percy composed himself and returned to whispering in his soft, reluctant tone. "Please? I'm not in the mood."
The older boy, however, didn't respect his request and instead scoffed once more. "Well, excuse me for being polite and reintroducing myself. Gods, it's no wonder you didn't have any friends in the Deeprealm."
Rhajat could only watch in disbelief as her charismatic companion stared intently before whimpering softly and hanging his head. Having had absolutely enough of the olderboy, Rhajat stepped towards him.
"He has asked you to leave. I advise you do so."
Rather than listen, her boyfriend's rival surveyed her with a scrutinising gaze. "And who are you supposed to be? His babysitter? Stay out, this doesn't concern you."
The glare on her face intensified from his remark; she tried desperately to supress her increasing anger. However, before she could retort with an insult of her own, she was startled when Percy suddenly appeared in between, extending his arms as if to protect her.
"Hey, y-you leave her alone!"
Her boyfriend's unexpected gesture sucked the breath from her being. She was astonished to witness him display an act of heroism, in spite of his unsettled and saddened demeanour. She felt reassured by his presence, even if she did stand a head taller than him.
Their visitor, however, wasn't impressed or intimidated."Awfully protective, aren't you? Little Percy, always the hero."
Rhajat observed curiously as Christian exchanged conflicted glances between her and the younger boy, evidently concentrating on something before his eyes widened in disbelief.
"No, you have to be joking." He shook his head with a bewildered smile. "No, I refuse to believe this." He addressed her. "Him? Really? You must have pitifully low standards."
Venturing what he was insinuating, Rhajat stood her ground and continued to glare intently at him – the older boy's words having absolutely no effect on her.
However, confidence and assurance disappeared when she witnessed Percy slowly turn around address, depicting an expression of sadness and humiliation that she had never seen in him. Staring breathlessly, Rhajat felt her supressed maternal and nurturing instincts awake as she experienced the urgency to comfort the young man.
But she was too late. In a matter of seconds, the excitable and spirited young wyvern rider hastily retreated and disappeared into the bustling crowds of marketgoers. Rhajat watched the entire display in shock.
"Typical. He never could handle a defeat."
Rhajat was livid. After everything he'd had done to provoke and humiliate them, how dare he speak about her boyfriend like that? With the wrath of a powerful beast, in one swift, calculated gesture Rhajat unleashed her fury and impacted the older man's cheek with back of her hand.
As he erupted into anger - exclaiming all sorts of vile filth about her – she silenced him with a sharpened fingernail to his chest.
"You will suffer for this! Mark my words!"
As she watched the older gentleman leave, murmuring unintelligible curses beneath his breath, Rhajat controlled her breathing to stabilise her emotions. Summoning a semblance of control and composure, Rhajat's frightened gaze became affixed to the crowds of citizens.
Desperately, she entered into them in the hopes of pursuing her unjustly wronged partner.
If I could, you know I would / If I could I would let it go