I actually went and built this town in Minecraft the other day. I don't get on there often, because I rarely have things I want to build and I don't particularly like survival mode. I got on with the intention to make Mari's town and orphanage and actually spawned right by an enchanted forest. What're the odds? There was a perfect little point in the river to build a bridge over and even wild horses right there. How lucky is that? Of course, it really wasn't that great to build. It's just a collection of plain houses using the wood available nearby. The bridge was probably the most entertaining to build, but I even went and found a giant tree in the enchanted forest and built Kyoya's house in it. Honestly, I've never been in one of Minecraft's enchanted forests before. I said earlier that I don't play it often, and I don't. When I do, I tend to find an area and stay there.
But you didn't come to listen to me talk about Minecraft. Read on.
I finally convince myself to speak despite my difficult nature. "You...don't have to follow me all the way home, dragons."
"Don't call us dragons," Hikaru insists.
"We told you our names."
"Well, you two can go back to the forest. I know my way home from here, so unless you're going to help me, quit following me." I carefully work to stuff the map back in its container without wrinkling it any more than it has been.
"Escorting you is the least we can do," Kaoru waves off my quip.
"Then," I consent, "at least leave when I arrive home. You aren't allowed inside." They nod in agreement and again we lapse into silence. We come to the little bridge spanning the small river that's more of a stream than an actual river. The top half is built with dark oak, the bottom stone so that the water doesn't spray up and rot it. As if that weren't enough, it's also supposed blessed by witches not to fall apart. It's true that it has never so much as cracked over the years, but I wonder if it's due to magic, or just how well the villagers take care of it.
When we reach the midpoint of the bridge, I startle when Noni lets out a loud bark and sprints forward. Hearing the rumble of footsteps on the wood, I wave my hand and ignite the lanterns on the railings. The fires have barely been lit when I'm thrown to the ground by the brunt force of children.
"MARI!"
"Hey, guys, give me a second to catch my breath!" When none of them move off, I noogie one of the boys. "I said get off! Big Sister Mari's tired!"
"Where were you?" a little girl by the name of Rika asks. "You said you'd be back for supper, but you took too long and we had to eat without you!"
I ruffle her hair. "Sorry, I got a bit caught up in things."
"We thought you were eaten by the two-headed dragon!" Remembering then, I glance up at Hikaru and Kaoru, who have had to step back from the onslaught of kids that came out of nowhere. The notion of them being a man-eating monster doesn't seem to faze them. Feeling a bit more pacified, I let my gratitude show.
"Thank you for taking me home."
"Is this your family?" Kaoru wonders, gazing over the multitude of children.
"Part of it," I admit. Then I notice one of the girls standing off to the side, staring blankly in my direction. I wrestle one of my arms free and hold my hand out to her. "I'm home, Haruhi."
"Welcome home." She simply takes my hand and holds it. I smile, earning a grin from her that's as tiny as she is. Out of all of the children, I think that she is the cutest, but I know many would disagree. A lot of people have turned her away, calling her cold, but this is just how she is. She's been this way ever since we met.
A hush falls over everyone as an older woman steps into the light. Her greying hair is lazily tied back into a ponytail, her dress spotted with mud and other anonymous stains. Noni sits by her feet, tongue lolled out.
"What happened to you?" she exclaims, coming to stand directly beside where I sit. "You're dress is reduced to tatters!"
Her comment shocks me. I'd forgotten about the condition of my outfit, with everything that happened. Now that I look at myself, the children having shifted off of me, I look a wreck. Groaning, I put my head in my hands.
"Do you know how expensive it is to buy clothing for you kids? I could be like any other orphanage and only buy you all a single outfit, but I get three pairs of clothes for each of you, and yet you adventure out against my will and completely ruin one!" She clicks her tongue. "But, since this is the first time you've done something like this, I'll let it slide. I'm glad you made it back in one piece." She sits down, taking me in her arms. I return the embrace eagerly.
"Sorry," I grumble.
"I know, I know. It was for the kids." She releases me, looking up at the twins who're watching from beyond the children. "Thank you for bringing her home safe. Please, if you'd like, we have leftovers from our last meal. It isn't much, but it's what we have to offer."
"Mother, they-"
She holds up her hand to stop me. "I know that tone, and we're not just letting them go without a thanks. We were all terrified that you wouldn't make it back, and if these young men assisted you in any way, we owe them. There's is nothing that will change my mind about that, Mari."
I bet there is one thing I could say, but once she gets like this, there's no opposing her. And if I were to say that they are the dragon…even if they did believe me, the looks of terror that would evoke are not something I want to see. Something about having that feeling directed towards the twins doesn't sit well with me, anyway, even though I felt similarly when I first saw them.
"We appreciate the offer, miss-"
"But I don't think Mari would be too happy about that."
"Just accept it," I massage my forehead. A headache has begun to blossom behind my eyes. "If you don't, she'll be hounding me to invite you over for something later. That'd be more troublesome than if we do it now."
They look at each other, a mischievous grin settling on their lips. Together, they say, "Then, we'll accept the invitation." They each hold out a hand to help me up, which I begrudgingly take. Once I'm on my feet, the twins are thrown aside and my hands are taken by the first two children to get to me, both being little boys.
"Don't be rude to our guests," I scold them. "I'll hold your hands this time, but next time you push someone, I won't." They just flash their smiles up at me, and I sigh, looking over to the twins. "Hikaru, Kaoru, if you'd follow me."
"Of course!" Their tendency to talk at the same time still strikes me as odd, but I'm starting to get used to it. The walk to the orphanage is short, and soon I'm opening the door and letting the dragons inside. I shake my head as I follow them in, finding it almost funny. I've literally just opened the door and invited the legendary two-headed dragon into my home, the same dragon children are told stories about to scare them into behaving. And I just knowingly allowed them into my safe haven.
Mother immediately brings the leftovers from the kitchen, setting three plates at the long table. My mouth waters as I take in the meal. Meat! She somehow managed to get ahold of meat! And she's offering it to two strangers just because they walked me home! I smile, letting a small laugh escape me. Of course, she's just that type of woman. If she wasn't as kind as she is, I'm not sure where I'd be.
"Thank you for the meal," I clap my hands together. Then I pick up the fork and cut the first piece. I've barely sunk my teeth into it when the door slams open and we all freeze, I myself mid chew.
"I've come to get you, Mari!" The man in the doorway is draped in expensive, purple, silver-lined clothes and surrounded with thugs, each bulging with muscle. In his hand, he holds an open box containing a glittering diamond ring. "Become my Mrs. Eto!"
I swallow, narrowly avoiding choking. He's yet another thing I'd forgotten about. "How many times must I refuse?" I inquire, standing. "Even if you pay me all the money in the world, I will not marry you, Mr. Eto. You're just too old and ugly," I spit. He can't be much younger than mother if you look at him. His hair is completely grey and his face is more creased than the map still stored in the container I have slung on my back. I've tried politely refuting his proposals many times, but he never listens. I've resorted to spraying insults because it hasn't been effective to keep my cool, so I might as well say what I think.
"Oh, I've given up on buying you, Mari," he snides. "I'm demanding your hand, not asking it. If you don't accept me, these men will tear down this little shack. If you still won't, I'm sure I could find a few customers with a taste for children."
"Leave," I growl. The air around me sizzles as my magic leaks out, preparing for a fight. "Run like the pathetic rat you are. If you touch this building, I will make sure you regret it."
"You mean with that power you call 'magic'? I would love to see you try with an ability as weak as that! I could be a better magician if I just picked up a book and followed it! That blood you're so proud of is useless."
"Sorry, mister," Kaoru pipes up, sliding an arm around my shoulder. I tense, feeling Hikaru come up on my other side and do the same. "We've got our sights set on her."
"It won't work out for us if she goes with you now."
Mr. Eto smirks. "I don't have any qualms about having two pretty boys beaten to death."
"What do you think, Mari?" I startle as Hikaru whispers in my ear.
On my opposite side, Kaoru murmurs, "Make us your familiar, and we'll drive this guy away."
"But...but…" Why do they want to be my familiar? Magic creatures can go their entire life without becoming a witch's familiar just fine; there's no need to become a witch's possession.
"Kill those two and tear down the building," Mr. Eto orders, standing back.
Without any time to think it over, I whirl to face the twins and place a single finger on each of their foreheads. "I name thee, Hikaru and Kaoru, the mystic guardians of the sorceress christened Mari Kishi of the bloodline of fire. Obey thy orders and protect thy master with thy life!"
"We shall." When I lower my hands, the point where I had been touching them glows red for a moment before fading away. Then they both dash around me so fast that I spin, tripping over my feet. I catch myself on the table, watching as they attack Mr. Eto's thugs.
The burly men don't don't have a prayer. The twins move in and out of synch, slipping into exactly the right places at exactly the right time. I watch in astonishment as they each grab the head of a man three times their size and bash their skulls into the ground just outside the doorway. The other three men attempt to grab them from behind but the twins twist in sync, each grabbing one by the arm and yanking him outside before pounding him into the ground. When none of the four they've downed move, they both straighten and turn to the single man left, their devilish smirk affirming their dominance.
"What should we do with this one, Mari?" the one I think is Kaoru asks. When they act as one like this, it's increasingly difficult to tell them apart.
"Don't," I look at the ones on the ground, "kill him. Just drive him off."
"Aw man!" Hikaru whines. "That's no fun. But since you say so…"
"I-I'll leave by myself," the man stutters. He takes off going who knows where, tail between his legs. Mr. Eto stares after him, shaking.
"I'm still not giving up!" he shouts at me, turning to go himself. "I'll find some way to get you, Mari! You will be mine!"
Left with only the twins and the rest of the orphanage, no one says a word. He left. Without any damage done, he left, and now I have two powerful familiars to protect us. This...this is…
I plop back into my seat, my lips turning upwards. A giggle unexpectedly bursts from my mouth and I find myself unable to stop laughing. I don't need the unicorn after all! Laughter growing louder, I hide my head with my arm on the table, the wood pressing against my cheek.
"Mari?" Mother places her hand on my shoulder, worried. I jolt upright, laughter finally ceasing. The smile won't wipe off my face.
"You have no idea how good that felt! He left on his own! It wasn't me running away this time! Hikaru, Kaoru, you two! Thank you so much!" I leap to my feet, taking each of their hands. "That was amazing! That guy's been bothering me for over a year, and threatening this place for a long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
They bow playfully. "It's our pleasure."
"Mari!" I flinch, Mother's voice turned strict. "I expect a full explanation of this, young lady! Who are these young men? And why do we have four grown men unconscious in front of the orphanage?"
To me, this orphanage bit was a must. Did anyone see that coming? I obviously did since I had it planned since the beginning. I just thought her personality would mix well in such an environment. Of course, that means little Haruhi is an orphan too. My line of thinking with her was that being human fit her just fine. She didn't have to be made into some mythical creature to be an important character, instead being Mari's favorite among those 'siblings' of her. Oh yeah, I also made a connection the other day. I named this character without realizing I actually know someone named Mari. And no, it's not Mary in case you thought so. Not Mare-ee, but Mar-ee. Mari. See the difference? I try to avoid naming characters after people I know, so I'll have to be more careful about that in the future.
Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!