Morning
3rd POV
The sky was pink and the sun ready to set when six figures could be seen approaching the large gate.
The soldier guarding the gate sees the approaching figures and quickly rushes to their side.
"Sir!" the guard salutes at a man in grey coat mounted on top of a brown horse.
"Disperse" he says in a monotone voice "Halt" he says again as he remembers the pale yellow skin girl. The guard took an audible gulped which earned a chuckle from a blonde.
"How many other world citizens came today for the ceremony?"
The soldier couldn't understand as to why their lieutenant asked.
"Answer to your lieutenant" a stern voice warned the guard making him more nervous.
"Reporting to Sir Lieutenant, about 159 citizens from other world came today for the Royal Court ceremony next week.
"Was there a burgundy haired girl who came with a black stallion before us?" the same stern voice asked but laced with worry.
The soldier ponders for a minute then replied,
"R-reporting to Sir Jean, yes there was a 'traveler' with burgundy hair who came around a few hours before your arrival"
A deep voice said after sometime.
Vance and Alexander glared at Mustaf as they had more sensitive hearing then other normal people but now their patience were running thin.
Alexander cut of their telepathy not letting Mustaf finish his sentence.
After some painful minutes they reached the 1st main point of the city 'the fountain centre'. The blonde twins parted from the group and went ahead with other petrol officers away from the bustling city and carriages. The others turned to their left and strode towards 'Knight Street' which was situated near the wall of the Royal City and the following street was Art Street.
It was dark now and the street lights softly glowed with golden lights. Different appearances and attires went in and out every building's in the streets. Laughter and discussions filling the night but as the four men strode to the Knight St. every soldiers in petrol stopped from their duty to salute to the 1st lieutenant and his team as they return from their mission.
'Something's musking her scent' Vance and Alex glance at each other.
Jean silently hoped for the girl's safety and that they'd meet again in the near future.
They went their separate ways upon reaching the centre of Knight St.
~
After the night got colder and the street lamps dimmer, there were less figures roaming while a soft jazz echoes the street. Some holding hands in the dark while some embraces one another, a dark shadow slithered pass the clinging figures and appeared in front of a yellow building. The shadow disappeared from the street.
Inside a softly blue dim room the shadow appeared in front of a girl sleeping on her stomach with only a towel loosely wrapped around her bare body.
The shadow slowly approaches the sleeping figure. Darker then night, muscled arms outstretched and holds the girl towards itself as it slowly sink into the warm bed with the girl nestled on its chest. Her naked body sheltered by long dark strands as the shadow quickly adjusted itself and removes the slightly wet towel around the girl and reached down to pull the blankets over the both of them. Warm body against cold body and even breathing, it closes its eyes relaxing and slowly sink into another world while slowly embracing the girl around her waist.
~
Cinne's POV
-Before Cinne's journey-
"You do know I'm telling you to do it for your best right?" Daniel my father said with his usual warm tone. He lay on his bed sipping his blue tea and reading the Sunday newspaper.
It was morning.
'Acting as if like he's not in pain after losing his creation powers the previous week'
"Why are you acting like you don't give a fuck? You know that I have problems when I'm in public" I shifted from my seat near the fire hearth pushing away the thoughts of my past experiences.
"We all suffer from that" Father reminded me.
He looked up at me giving me a warm weak smile.
"Why can't I just stay here by your side? I want to be with you and help you recover"
He simply shakes his head.
I know that he wants me to go out and explore my power, meet new friends and if possible a spouse…. but I don't want to and also I'm only turning 20 tomorrow for fucks sake! What kind of an insane daughter would leave her sick dad for the sake of adventure and in search of her mother whom she doesn't even know about? Never mind meeting her.
My dad and me, we are the only traveler in the Veller family. My grandfather died the day after dad received his blessings for some reasons my father wouldn't tell me why, he was 22 that time and granddad was 81. My father, the 6th child was treated very badly from his brothers and sisters and sometimes being abused too. Believe me or not they were a family of ten, him being the sixth.
Many of them wanted the traveler's blessing but it could only be passed to the one who possess a natural power flowing in them, then you know what happened.
Being a traveler is not easy since we have this particular scent though 'it differs according to our powers' it attracts other beings and turns them into their inner 'maniac' (you know what I mean) and our scent was like some sort of a drug which attracts many smugglers and I've heard of some getting killed for their scent in other worlds. So we had to carry any sort of gold item to musk our scent.
"C, do you remember reading about the Drikun Empire?" father asked.
"Uh… yes?"
"You have to be present there in the Royal Courting ceremony as the representative of the Veller family" my father said unknowingly blackmailing me.
"And would you relax? You can always wear the gold chain I gifted you on your 19th birthday after receiving my blessing" he said again with his warm tone as he bent over the drawer beside him and pull out the timepiece he always carry when he travels.
He motioned me to come and I did.
"Take this"
He placed the timepiece on both my hands though in reality it was a compass. 'Earth' was written on its golden surface.
"Dad I can't-"
"You know what it does and you can use it as a communicating device too… you can call me when you want to… Please find your mother 'Rizter Rim' you know that she stayed back because she's a protector of the Merlin kingdom right? Find someone from her kingdom during your stay in the royal city and receive her blessing and in the mean time-"
He took out a golden card with my full name engraved on it 'Cinneriel Veller' and placed it on top of the timepiece while handing me a ring.
"That's your traveler license and this is a spatial ring or you can call it a space ring where you can store your clothes and any item except food"
I remained speechless the whole time he was explaining something about me advertising and expanding 'the veller' mansion he created and which made him lose his powers. He kept on chanting about the business cards in a box and about a million gold coins in a vault placed inside the ring almost as if he's not suffering from 'power cancer' .
"Okay Okay fine! But please let Uncle John and Aunty Aley take care of you properly but Do Not call the others please dad okay?" I gave up on arguing with my dad 'cause I know he would win and finally agreed with his request.
I only stayed for half a day in the Veller mansion. After packing my things I went to my father who was sitting in our grand reading room. He was carrying a black stone on his right hand but his sapphire eyes in deep thought.
"Dad…"
"Oh ready?" his voice croak a little and my heart tugged.
He reached over and took my hand as we went to the back garden full of permanent dark red roses and a large fountain came in view with a gargoyle in the centre. The fountain was shallow and filled with blue water.
"This stone is a piece I got from a friend in Drikun two decades back when I attended for the Royal Courting ceremony"
He placed the black rock on my hands.
"It will take you to a place near the Drikun Royal City the compass will tell you where to go"
I nodded as I stepped inside the fountain, the water seeps through my black converse up to my calves.
"Before the ceremony starts you have to register your name in the 'Setter' that in the royal palace and by chance if you forget anything I have written down what is to be needed to do in a book and some maps inside the space ring and please do look for a guard…"
"Yeah right! I think I'll be forgetting more things not by chance and for hiring a guard….I think it's alright since magic don't work on me" I snorted.
"Come here my baby"
He hugged me oh so tightly and I did the same.
"Someone's turning 20 tomorrow" he smiled and placed a kiss on top of my head.
"See you dad" I said as I clutch the rock and willed to be transported until father replied
"Let's hope so-"
I opened my watery eyes to see myself disappearing until I couldn't see him anymore.
~
A slight headache filled my head but it was soon gone as my whole body sink into deep water.
Taken by surprise I tried to swim up but to no avail.
'Am I going to die before even fulfilling any of my father's wishes?'
I struggled until I felt strong teeth bite on my shirt behind my neck and pulling me towards its body which felt like tails and fins.
'Is it a mermaid? Am I being rescued?'
I felt my eyes heavy.
It was evening when I opened my eyes with a very sour throat.
Getting up I was greeted by a magnificent sight. A stunning black stallion was standing in front of me. It's long black mane flowing with the wind.
I stood up and noticing my wet, soaking clothes I decided to change in this wilderness surrounded by a small black lake where I nearly drown.
"Thank for saving me"
I said to the horse who just huffed at me.
Taking out my clothes from the space ring I changed beside the horse to block me from any curious eyes.
A glint of metal caught my eyes and I saw a saddle lay in a corner, as I neared it I was greeted by a rotten smell.
Beside the saddle, I could see parts of a man's body with intestine sprawled all over and muscles and bones broken and torn.
I puke up my lunch from the disturbing sight. The black horse was munching some grass from behind me.
"Sorry mister…whoever you are may you rest in piece shit I mean peace"
I took the saddle beside the mangled body and went towards the horse.
"Hey there" I said and the horse look up as if understanding my words or maybe it does.
"Can I be your next owner?"
I thought I heard a growl somewhere but the horse bent its head and placed its head on my shoulders.
Giggling a little I scratch its neck and combed its long hair.
"I'll name you Star and I promise I'll take good care of you"
I said that as I tried my best to heave the saddle on its back.
The challenging thing was how to get on top since the horse was the same height as me 'when it's on all fours that is'.
The horse bent its body and knowing what the action meant I happily mounted on top though nearly falling down the other side. Holding the reins as tight as I can I looked at the timepiece hanging on my long golden necklace. It pointed north.
"Then north we go"
It was already 6 when I reached the lonely hotel in the middle of a muddy road. The sky was threatening to fall and deciding to stay for the night we strode towards the dimly lit hotel with a sleeping guard outside.
~
-Present-
Sliding from my bed I stand on top of my towel 'naked' and some long black hair on my sheets. I took a single long shining dark strand and measured.
'What the fuck's this hair? It's taller than me!'
Ignoring the weird hair, I look down at my wrinkled white towel.
'Must have slide off while I was asleep since I'm a freaky sleeper'
Going back to the bathroom I see my clothes still in the same position. Bending down my mounds cup on my knees as I search for the space ring, scrambling around both pockets I finally felt the cool metal.
Smiling I pulled the small metal and reached inside feeling a leather bag I pulled it out. The bag was brown with LV printed but don't be fooled by the appearance. It's a copy of the original LV my aunt Aley Uncle John's wife bought as a 19th birthday present from a daily market in the small town when I stayed with them last year.
Carrying my bag I walked to my bedroom without any clothes on. I stop in front of the medium black closet.
Hanging some of my clothes and folding the rest, I took out a bra and panty (Not gonna tell you what type for safety reasons just kidding) it's a simple peach color 34B bra and a soft cotton panty (Not gonna wear any lace FYI)
Wearing a white t-shirt with some flower print and black trousers, I went to the full length mirror and hand comb my hair pulling half of it behind I made a bun.
Going to the bathroom again I pick up my ex-clothes and placed them on a box which says 'wash' and I pressed a button. My clothes was already washed and dried in a matter of seconds.
Going to the sink I did my wash up and went back to the bedroom.
The beeping of my alarm filled my room (but not loud enough for the next doors to hear).
It was 6 now, quickly clicking my watch on my left wrist and wearing my golden chain I made my way down. Slowly reaching the end of the stairs, I open the beaded curtains leading me to the sitting room which was warm as a blue fire was lit in the hearth. A soft cello track played in the gramophone.
(Anyone know who's up? I do)
'Okay.. take a deep breath in Cinne and your good to go you're going to start the conversation first. Practice makes man perfect not that perfect but anyway'
I walked to the kitchen which took Arthur by surprise as he nearly flipped the omelet. We greeted each other as I grabbed a water bottle from the counter which acts as a fridge and I chugged it down.
Arthur placed the omelet on a floral plate and passed it to me as I pulled the high back chair sitting on it I ravaged on my breakfast.
"I didn't knew you had to cook for us" I said as I noticed Arthur looking at me.
He blinked his green eyes twice and did a nervous laugh.
"Oh- um- I just love cooking that's why….so what brings you here in Royal City?" he asked as he skillfully ate his omelet unlike me.
"I'm here to represent my family being the only traveler I was for-I mean obliged to go" I replied fully concentrating on my half eaten omelet.
"You're a traveler!!!"
His surprised somehow high voice scared me for a moment.
I quickly looked up with my mouth full with egg, he was smiling so warmly with somehow teary eyes.
'What's wrong? Did it trigger something? I'm sure I'm wearing my gold chain'
"I come from a traveler family too…." He says longingly.
"Are you a –"
"No, I'm not but my brother Raphael is, 'Verite' was named by my grandfather when he first built a permanent placed to stay here in the royal city after seeking permission from the current king's father"
"Then where's your brother? Was he the other roommate? I mean he should be here for the Royal Courting right?"
I flooded the most questions I've ever said in my entire life.
"He…um disappeared a few months back when he went to another world"
"…is he some sort of a guard?"
'I hope I said that right'
He smiled at the wall behind me, I turned back to see a detailed painting of dark buildings with bright lights in the evening sky.
"He's a painter. One day when he was painting in front of the Verite, the youngest Princess Erina of Drikun was roaming in disguise and passed by Art St. After seeing his painting she bought it at once. She truly loved his painting of our world"
"Wait if she's a princess can't she accompany a traveler from her family and travel to earth?"
"Being a royal it was forbidden for them to travel but only during dangerous events they can for their safety"
My mouth formed an O shape and gestured him to continue, our plates already empty.
The princess ever so often would request for his painting and when a traveler from another world saw his painting from the palace, they requested the princess if they could bring the painter to their world to lighten the mood of their sickly princess and they promised utmost protection on the painter. His brother was happy to help the sick princess and happily obliged but Princess Erina reluctantly agreed after Raphael promised her that he would make a painting of the other world. Raphael stayed there for a month and told Arthur through the communicator that after a few days he would return but he never did. Arthur requested for Princess Erina who looked more upset then Arthur and said through tears that his brother disappeared with two knights from their kingdom. Since then three months passed and no news was be heard of his brother.
We remained silent with Arthur silently sobbing and after some long minutes until I got up and did the most daring thing I ever did. I embraced him for three seconds and went back to my seat.
He looked surprised for some second and looked at me his eyes teary but he laughed.
"What's wrong? Why are you laughing?"
He cleared his tears with one finger and flicking it he says
"You really don't like physical do you? And I thought you'd tell me that you'll find my brother like the others"
"Uh… I mean I would if I knew where but I don't know him and his face so I didn't suggest…." I did a straight smile.
'Should I apologize?'
Remembering what I was supposed to do today I got up, Arthur quickly took my plate and went to the wash basin. Arguing that I should wash but he declined it and ask if I had anywhere to go today.
"To the 'Setter' in the Royal Palace"
"Oh then let me lead you there and introduce you to the beautiful city"
I nodded thanking him and head back to my room when the door opposite opened and Amari came out with a neat white and black dress. We quickly greeted each other. She was going for her work, planning to catch up later when she arrives back from work we bade goodbye.
'That was fast'
I changed my clothes to a long sleeve yellow jumpsuit with zipper pocket on my front and back and wore my black converse. Folding the sleeves up to my elbows and zipping my space ring in the front pocket I went out of my room to be greeted by Arthur who wore cream long sleeve shirt one sleeve was folded on his right side and the other fully button, he wore casual chocolate pants completed with white suspenders. We went out of the yellow building which matched my attire.
'To the Royal Palace we go'
~