Every Summer has a Story ~~ Kitalpha&Yuvon

Fairly, Yuvon had troubles sleeping this time. He had been working all day yesterday to mix up an elixir, yes, an elixir of Self-Protection. It was a potion that he discovered whilst reading through the records of Iceberg’s Ice Kings. It was said that this elixir was mixed with dryas and thistle as well as other ingredients granted superhuman endurance to the body. He had never met an Ice King in his life, but that didn’t prevent his lust for confirmation to kick in and push him to test this out and see if it held any ground. Maybe it was all just ridiculous imagination from some admirer of the Ice Kings… who knew? Information had to be confirmed in order to be used, and a lie held little essence of helpfulness in it unless if its counterpart, the truth, came forth in its very wording and meaning.

Anyway, this mix had been heating up all night, and he woke up eagerly - albeit with a tired and sleep-deprived face behind his golden mask - as he approached the brewing stand. Smokes rose up from its core, and he put down a spoon and picked up a sample with upmost interest in the very texture and density of the fluid that he had brewed. And just like any other reasonable person, he gobbled the spoonful into his maw and tasted it, whilst wishing from deep within his heart: I beg you, give me the effect I desire!

… To his surprise, nothing really happened. That only meant one thing; he was close, but he just needed something else… the records weren’t being precise with the last ingredients. One page told of Dragon’s Tongue, but those didn’t grow in Iceberg. Another page told of a whole other ingredient, oakwood bark. In the middle of his confusion, a Seeker arrived in the room inside Apocrypha - where the whole ordeal had taken place - and spoke: “Words of a book with protective charms have reached my ears. In the heart of the Magic Council, Era. You should go seek it.” Its words echoed, but its disappearance was instant. Yuvon imprinted the message into his mind and licked his lips, excited to see if he could get a taste of this certain tome. The Seekers usually never spoke unless if it deemed very beneficial to the realm.

… O-Oh, he needed some clothes. Quickly, he snapped his fingers and summoned his own, unique, dark-green garments with traits of Minstrelian, Midian and Fiorian style. Then, he opened a portal and walked into the kitchen at Silver Wolf’s guild hall, swiftly grabbing a nearby mug that Mizumi had given him so long ago. Stuff like that were to be preserved in good spirit.

While pouring in coffee, he sensed the magical energy that belonged to his guildmate, Lady Kitalpha, next to him. Not having seen her in the mind-breaking change of clothing that she took, he spoke: “Ah, greetings, Kitalpha. Feeling better after getting lost at- O-OHH…” Despite having a mask on, the eye holes of the mask widened in his stead like a comical figure. Her choice of clothes left his mouth dry and mind driving. A unique experience to record and safeguard in his mind. Very, very cute and suiting on her well-endowed body.

“… *c-cough* S-So, uh, I heard that there’s a huge festival in Era to celebrate summer’s highpoint. Do you… do you want to attend to it alongside yours truly?” His Minstrelian heritage showed itself as he even did a humble bow whilst asking her. The festival sounded like fun, and he might be able to find the book among the local shops that were likely to show up there. Besides, knowledge was to be shared, and he owed the guild a lot after all his shenanigans and troublesome events.

WC: 640

It wasn’t really custom in Minstrel to keep your food in your mouth. Another useless, unwritten rule that Yuvon was glad he ran away from, since it meant that he didn’t grow up to become this pretentious, selfish, arrogant, cocky and self-praising fool who set himself above others simply by heritage, a term not controlled by those proudly claiming to deserve their betterhood over others. It also meant that he didn’t look at Kitalpha with disgust despite her indecency, but his mask was kind of hiding his smile anyway, so he could’ve reacted however he wanted to without her realizing. Anyway, she noticed a thing that his mask did, and a question mark popped up above Yuvon’s head as he speculated what she meant by that. With the eyes… perhaps she meant how his eyes widened? Could she see that through his mask? Or did the mask, somehow, move on its own?!

That was a note for later; re-adjust the mask and make some enchantments to make it react with his facial expressions.

To his pleasant delight, she accepted his invitation. Congratulations, Yuvon, you now have a date for today’s festivities. It was also an opening for Kitalpha to reveal her inexperience with festivals, to which Yuvon felt a little pity and decided to help her out. “T-That’s nothing to be concerned about today, m’lady. After you’ve eaten, I get the portal ready, and we can do to Era together.”

Meanwhile, Era was blooming. Reddish and orangish summer themes dominated the streets, and games such as apple hatching (the one where you grab apples from a barrel filled with water), ring throwing and dunk pits were everywhere, and the two Silver Wolf Wizards would have no difficulty finding an activity to play.

WC: 292

She couldn't help but smile. Even though the words had been simple, to her they were reassuring enough to soothe her mind. Mostly accepting her strange ways or oddities worked in such a way; it was that little extra push she needed to trust others more and more. Just like now. Only that this was only but the tip of the iceberg; she hadn't dare to disclose what she truly was just yet… only Leona knew, and that was merely because Kitalpha found that the guild master had all the right to know who her guild members truly were. Hunting down the mountain lion had already given away too much hints at the time, so deciding to prevent rather than heal, had spilled the beans. Unlike she'd expected, Leona had taken it quite well, and that only solidified the bond with Silver Wolf and its guild master. On top of that, it had opened the way for other opportunities to reveal her background to others, in the hope that they too would accept her for being a cursed one. But none of that were things she had to think about right now. After all, she was about to head out with Yuvon! Visit the festival. Like a date. Actually, not "like" a date. It was a date. The blonde just didn't realise it yet.

Quickly finishing her food, Kitalpha cleaned up her mess and met up with Yuvon again, ready for the both of them to leave. She could still recall the first time they'd used a portal together; her having resolutely begged the masked man to take her along during the guild scale exploration. Kitalpha recalled how the calamari apparently woven throughout the portals had enjoyed squeezing her leg. Sure they were tentacles, quite literally feelers, but renaming them calamari for her own amusement had somehow stuck. She wondered if they'd be present today too. Patiently she awaited for Yuvon's signal to pass through the portal, and once it came almost followed it to the T, soon enough finding themselves within the bustling walls of Era, dead-center in the festival area to boot, too.

Instinctively Kitalpha stepped back, almost bumping into her masked companion as she went. Her eyes stood big, one could say a hint of fear was present within them, but it soon faded. Yet her entire body appeared tensed even after her face relaxed; blue eyes keenly overlooking the area. Although there were a lot of people -too many people for the blonde, if she had to be honest- the summery vibe calmed her ever so slightly. It'd probably take a bit, but she would definitely enjoy it here… but for now, a less crowded area would suffice at doing so. And as if saved by the figurative bell, her eye fell upon a less-occupied stall to their left; adorned with a row of several basins filled with water, and upon taking a closer look, apples. "H-how about we go there? Looks like a fun game to try!" she did her best not to stumble over her own words. It was a strange mixture of stress and actual curiosity sewn through her voice.






[528 || 1819 of ???? || 2751 (total)]

It was true that people fared in masses around Era at this time of the year. The festivities invited everyone who were free to go have some fun, play games, buy food, hear songs etc. And whenever people streamed to certain hotspots - oh boy - the merchants followed suit like predators. This was a soup of business and profit as any participant in the festival would want to spend money, because why not? They’re partying! Have fun! Buy this watch! Buy this carpet! It matches your dress! Hey, come and buy this rare apple that tastes like a pear! Spend your money and relax, and we will ooze in profit today only! It’s a win-win.

Yuvon was going to buy one thing, that was for sure; the book… as in, the book of specifically that category that he was thinking about. The book with that specific tome of knowledge that he needed to further his defensive properties in his spells. Apocrypha was never wrong; it was located here in Era, and he betted his ears that a merchant was in possession of it. Now, it was a race against time; would he make it first? Would he be the one to purchase the one and only book that he thirsted for so much right now? Or would he be outmatched by a quicker customer with mediocre, if any, information about the book and its potential, who would likely misuse or belittle its worth? No, that could not happen. Not today.

Yes, yes… I’ll just have Kitalpha accompany me through the masses, and I’ll get that book in no tim- Yuvon thought as he was about to take a step. His step was braked, though… for Kitalpha made an offer. The basins with apples at the other direction from the location of the book? Could he afford such a waste of time? Could he?!

What if the book got taken during one game? What if Kitalpha wanted two, or three, or four games?! What if… what if…

Before he knew it, he found himself standing in front of the basins. He went the illogical way and decided to play the game, knowing that it required him to take off his mask - which he refused to do - and knowing that the book could be sold away any time… but…

“… U-Uhm, I just remembered. I, uh, don’t feel so comfortable taking off my mask…” he spoke, poking his index fingers together, “Perhaps, if you may take the first round for me, Kita… uhh, this is embarrassing…” Under his mask, his temperature increased tenfold; so many things that he couldn’t make himself do with that mask on his face… but that was better than scaring the crap out of people with his demonic scar.

WC: 464

Something else… there must’ve been some other amusement that didn’t require Yuvon to take off his mask in public like this. He quickly conjured up a pair of binoculars in an archive magic-like fashion - a sweet, little spell he learned in Era - and took a quick 360 degree look. While searching for something else, something far more entertaining and, uh, cooperative than this, Yuvon thought to himself… less people? Well, it didn’t bother him the slightest, what Kita preferred in a messy and crowded place as this city in its entirety. Wherever she wanted to go, he would follow suit… but his mask stayed on. Basta.

As he aimed his binoculars down towards her face, he noticed the reddish glow on her cheeks. She was blushing. Perhaps the heat of summer got to her, but her next words didn’t address that. Besides, she had just dunked her head into a barrel of water, so she should’ve been cooled down plenty now. Yuvon kept overthinking things like this once in a while, but her words still reached him. Ah, so she wanted to cool her head a bit. Understandable. He wouldn’t prevent her from seeking refreshment.

“Oh. Thanks, Kita… I deeply appreciate it,” he replied with gratitude in his elegant voice. Seriously, that mask of his made him sound like a dungeon boss. Anyway, Kita easily won herself some more apples, likely due to how fresh and juicy they looked. And Yuvon smiled softly when he was offered one of the spoils of war as a snack, in which he gladly grabbed it with his gloved right hand. “Ahh, I value your compassion, but no need to worry, milady,” Yuvon began to explain like that pro Minstrelian highclassman he was, “Creativity is my bridge to do impossible things.” As he said that, he simply let go of the apple as it was grabbed by a tentacle emitting from underside the mask. The tentacle pulled the apple in, a few crunches and chews, and bam. It was gone.

“Mhhhmmm, it’s delicious… okay, allow me to compensate. I spot a board game being played near the bazar back there,” he presented her by nodding his head back to the little tent in reddish and orangish colors next to a salesman. Going over there would definitely let them pass by the salesman who had a sweet collection of books in a stack… y-you know, just to sate his curiosity, Yuvon still wanted to see if the book was there, still.

Without further ado, he offered his arm with all the spirit of Minstrelian custom to treat a lady as respectable and astonishingly gorgeous as Kitalpha in front of him. “I beg to differ myself from most chess players, if said game is being played. Fortunately, I am adept in many board games. My curiosity deserves its thanks for that.”

WC: 477