healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2020-02-01 05:20 pm
healingbonds) wrote2020-02-01 05:20 pm
Entry tags:
Prelude to the Festival and Miracles | Chapter 4
Chapter 3 << | index | >> Chapter 5
When we finally arrive at the village, the villagers are awaiting us by the entrance—maybe it’s because the boy reported back to them.
They gaze at us with emotionless eyes that look like black holes.
Villager: Ah, he was right... They've come....
Villager: What a rare occurrence... We have guests...
The villagers smile and approach us.
Villager: What's wrong? Are you lost?
Faust: I am the Eastern wizard Faust, a Sage’s wizard. I’m looking for the ancient Eastern temple.
Villager: A wizard....
I hear the people of Eastern Country shun wizards. But these villagers don’t look disgusted at all.
Villager: I see.... This village has nothing to offer, but please let us welcome you.
We'll serve you a meal over there....
Nero: No, it's fine. We're going to investigate this place as we please.
Villager: .... Then let us provide a guide. Zasha.
Zasha is the boy from earlier. He nods in response to the villager, and steps in front of us.
Zasha: This way, please.
(Footsteps)
That’s all he says before he walks ahead. We chase after his back. Suddenly, Nero whispers in my ear.
Nero: I'm gonna sneak out mid-way. Make sure you cover for me.
Akira: Nero...?
Nero: These guys look pretty secretive. I'll try walking in through the back door.
Akira: ....You won't do anything bad, right?
Nero: Don't be silly, Mr. Sage.
Nero smiles, as if to reassure me. But what comes out of his mouth has the exact opposite effect.
Nero: Of course I'll do bad things. I'm a wizard.
✦✧ ☾✧✦
Zasha: That is the village storehouse... That is the stable....
(Footsteps.)
...And that's it. There's nothing ahead.
Faust: What a small village... How do you make a living here?
Zasha: We hunt and head out to sell bones and fur once in a while. Also, expensive stones... Huh...? Wasn't there another one of you?
Shino: He went to relieve himself. What about that church? Isn’t it part of the village?
Zasha: Yes.
Shino: Guide us there.
Zasha: I'm sorry... Our precious god resides there, so only villagers are allowed to enter.
Faust: .... What god do you worship?
Zasha gives him a curious glance. He blinks with his pure eyes.
Zasha: What do you mean, what god? God is god. He protects us from the < Great Catastrophe >.
Snow and White once told me about the diversity of faith in this world.
Some people call these strange powers spirits or fairies, and others call them gods. They have different names, but they're all the same thing.
Akira: (Maybe it has to do with the ancient Eastern shrine....)
I notice that Zasha is staring at Heath again.
Shino: You're interested in Heath?
Zasha: Ah....
Zasha blushes and looks away. His boyish reaction makes him feel more familiar.
Zasha: I'm sorry... I've never seen a noble like the man in the church.
Shino: Don't worry about it. Heath looks beautiful and cool and smart, after all. He's my master. Isn't he amazing?
Zasha: Ah... Yes....
Shino: Heh. You can talk to him. Heath, say something to Zasha. Look, you can touch him too.
Heathcliff: Don't talk about me like you're lending him a toy!
Zasha’s eyes shine with nervousness and admiration.
Heath draws back a little as if overwhelmed. His beauty is outstanding, but he’s actually shy.
He exhales, as if to release his nervousness, then smiles and offers his hand.
Heathcliff: ...I’m Heathcliff. I may be a noble, but I'm nothing amazing. You're more admirable than me for helping out with the village.
Zasha gazes at Heath's hand and grabs the tips of his fingers. Maybe he doesn’t know what a handshake is.
Zasha: Are you a wizard too....?
Heathcliff: That's right.
For one second, Zasha squints in sadness. But then he closes his eyes in acceptance.
Zasha: I see....
Zasha stops looking at Heathcliff with admiration from that point on. He finishes guiding us through the village with indifference, and then heads back to where he came from.
(Footsteps)
✦✧ ☾✧✦
Nero joins us mid-way. He whispers something to Faust, who then goes to greet Zasha and the other villagers.
Faust: Sorry for taking up your time. Looks like it was a misunderstanding on our part. We'll be leaving now.
Villager: The sun will set soon. You should at least have dinner....
Faust: No need. Excuse us.
Chapter 3 << | index | >> Chapter 5
When we finally arrive at the village, the villagers are awaiting us by the entrance—maybe it’s because the boy reported back to them.
They gaze at us with emotionless eyes that look like black holes.
Villager: Ah, he was right... They've come....
Villager: What a rare occurrence... We have guests...
The villagers smile and approach us.
Villager: What's wrong? Are you lost?
Faust: I am the Eastern wizard Faust, a Sage’s wizard. I’m looking for the ancient Eastern temple.
Villager: A wizard....
I hear the people of Eastern Country shun wizards. But these villagers don’t look disgusted at all.
Villager: I see.... This village has nothing to offer, but please let us welcome you.
We'll serve you a meal over there....
Nero: No, it's fine. We're going to investigate this place as we please.
Villager: .... Then let us provide a guide. Zasha.
Zasha is the boy from earlier. He nods in response to the villager, and steps in front of us.
Zasha: This way, please.
(Footsteps)
That’s all he says before he walks ahead. We chase after his back. Suddenly, Nero whispers in my ear.
Nero: I'm gonna sneak out mid-way. Make sure you cover for me.
Akira: Nero...?
Nero: These guys look pretty secretive. I'll try walking in through the back door.
Akira: ....You won't do anything bad, right?
Nero: Don't be silly, Mr. Sage.
Nero smiles, as if to reassure me. But what comes out of his mouth has the exact opposite effect.
Nero: Of course I'll do bad things. I'm a wizard.
✦✧ ☾✧✦
Zasha: That is the village storehouse... That is the stable....
(Footsteps.)
...And that's it. There's nothing ahead.
Faust: What a small village... How do you make a living here?
Zasha: We hunt and head out to sell bones and fur once in a while. Also, expensive stones... Huh...? Wasn't there another one of you?
Shino: He went to relieve himself. What about that church? Isn’t it part of the village?
Zasha: Yes.
Shino: Guide us there.
Zasha: I'm sorry... Our precious god resides there, so only villagers are allowed to enter.
Faust: .... What god do you worship?
Zasha gives him a curious glance. He blinks with his pure eyes.
Zasha: What do you mean, what god? God is god. He protects us from the < Great Catastrophe >.
Snow and White once told me about the diversity of faith in this world.
Some people call these strange powers spirits or fairies, and others call them gods. They have different names, but they're all the same thing.
Akira: (Maybe it has to do with the ancient Eastern shrine....)
I notice that Zasha is staring at Heath again.
Shino: You're interested in Heath?
Zasha: Ah....
Zasha blushes and looks away. His boyish reaction makes him feel more familiar.
Zasha: I'm sorry... I've never seen a noble like the man in the church.
Shino: Don't worry about it. Heath looks beautiful and cool and smart, after all. He's my master. Isn't he amazing?
Zasha: Ah... Yes....
Shino: Heh. You can talk to him. Heath, say something to Zasha. Look, you can touch him too.
Heathcliff: Don't talk about me like you're lending him a toy!
Zasha’s eyes shine with nervousness and admiration.
Heath draws back a little as if overwhelmed. His beauty is outstanding, but he’s actually shy.
He exhales, as if to release his nervousness, then smiles and offers his hand.
Heathcliff: ...I’m Heathcliff. I may be a noble, but I'm nothing amazing. You're more admirable than me for helping out with the village.
Zasha gazes at Heath's hand and grabs the tips of his fingers. Maybe he doesn’t know what a handshake is.
Zasha: Are you a wizard too....?
Heathcliff: That's right.
For one second, Zasha squints in sadness. But then he closes his eyes in acceptance.
Zasha: I see....
Zasha stops looking at Heathcliff with admiration from that point on. He finishes guiding us through the village with indifference, and then heads back to where he came from.
(Footsteps)
✦✧ ☾✧✦
Nero joins us mid-way. He whispers something to Faust, who then goes to greet Zasha and the other villagers.
Faust: Sorry for taking up your time. Looks like it was a misunderstanding on our part. We'll be leaving now.
Villager: The sun will set soon. You should at least have dinner....
Faust: No need. Excuse us.
Chapter 3 << | index | >> Chapter 5