Chapter 2: Fanny, The Expert Wingman
Lesley's Point of View
I stood firm on the ground, glimpsing at the huge castle. I'm at the Moniyan Empire, and this place fascinates me. And it's my dream to come here and to be a soldier too, and to meet the rulers of this empire.
An orange-haired woman holding a pair of swords caught my sight, and I called her.
"Uhmm, miss—"
"Fanny, call me Fanny. One of the defenders of the Moniyan Empire, also one of the Lightborn Defenders!" Fanny let out a genuine smile, then raised her sword as her poise.
I smiled back, "I'm Lesley Vance, it's nice too meet you. Do you know how can I apply as a soldier?" Fanny froze, then she glanced at my sniper and my grenade attached to my hips, her eyes widen, I wonder why.
I feel nervous, did I do something wrong?
"Gasp! How amazing! The famous black sniper has come. Come, come! It'll be easy!" Fanny said in a cheerful voice. I think she was happy that someone's applying.
As we stepped inside the palace, I can't help but to drop my jaw in awe, "How beautiful," I commented.
Fanny chuckled, "It is, hehe."
The statues, the chandeliers, those knights, made me feel like I'm in a different era.
As we're walking past the entrance, there we saw a huge man, holding a large shield, and a wide sword, his hair was long, and I think he is one of the high ranked soldiers in this empire.
"Brother! Look what I've got!" Fanny shouted. Oh, so it's Fanny's brother, but they aren't look a like...
"Fanny, how many times do I have to tell you not to shout!" His brother scolded her, I laughed mentally.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away, hehe. The Black Sniper is here!" Fanny turned around gracefully, and let out a wide smile, then I saw his brother, his eyes widen.
"Legend has it, Harith has a friend, his speciality is a mage too, his friend loves to trick people with his magic hat and throwing some cards that deals massive damage to enemies too, and a Black Sniper that follows his friend everywhere he follows, but it never shows up. By the way, I'm Tigreal." I silently gasped.
"Nice to meet you too, Tigreal. I'm Lesley Vance. By the way, h-he's my foster little brother, but how did Fanny knew that I was the one who follows Harley everywhere he goes?" I asked in disbelief.
"Uh, Lesley. At first, I was not the first one who knows about you. The Vagrant Poet, Granger, told me about this." Said Fanny, I lean my head to the right.
"Is Granger a she?" I asked.
"It's a he." Fanny corrected me, then she gave me a malicious look. My eyes widen and gave her a 'what's with that look?'
"B-But how does he know that I was the o-one?" I can't help but to feel embarrassed, and I even stuttered, God!
"Why don't you ask him yourself? Hehe." Fanny grinned maliciously.
"He's also a member in Lightborn Defenders, the Mr. Lightborn - Overrider." Fanny added.
"Wow, he's awesome!" I commented, and smiled.
"One more thing, he's handsome and still single for his twenty-five years of his life! His talents were playing violin then shoots with his deadly guns at the same time." Hey, hey. I think it's way too personal, Fanny. But why does she has to say this? It's kinda funny. I chuckled.
"I think Granger could be scary sometimes." I commented.
"Yeah, he really is when Granger gets mad, this is where chaos starts." Tigreal also commented.
"Tsk, blah, blah! Don't be afraid of him, Lesley. Granger is... normally silent and doesn't like to socialize with other people, even us. But when it comes to violin concerts, and all about violins, makes him nuts, you know! It's his passion, and we're happy if he feels happy when it comes to violins, so we decided to have only a violin concert, for Granger yearly, or monthly.... Or to any special events." Wow, Fanny sure is talkative.
"Fanny, don't be so overreacting, he feels happy but his face stays blank." Said Tigreal. I agree to this, haha.
"By the way, enough of this. Lesley what's your reason to come here?" Tigreal asked.
I bowed in front of them then I answered, "Miss Fanny, Sir Tigreal, it's nice meeting you. The reason I came here is, I wanted to be a soldier in this empire. I've been willing to serve for Moniyan, to the death." I said, giving them a sincere look.
"L-Lesley, are you sure? This would cost your life," Fanny said, a hint of worry glints through her eyes.
"It's my dream since I was a child, Miss Fanny." I answered.
Fanny hysterically laughed and also Tigreal, "OH MY GOD, LESLEY! No need to be so formal, y'know? I could be your best bud in here! And besides, you're now a trainee. Starting tomorrow will be the training, you should attend early, 6 am sharp. Or you can stay here, or I'll let you stay in my room!" Fanny said with glee.
I scratched my neck and looked away with embarrassment, "No, it's okay. I have a house at the boundary of the Moniyan Empire," I said.
"Oh, so you live near us! How cool!" Fanny joyfully said, she raised her arms in the air and gave me a hug.
"But be careful, you're at the boundary of the Moniyan Empire, there are demons nearby." She added.
"Uhmm, well... The forest full of demons, that is the place where I train myself, by killing them." I shyly answered.
Fanny's face looked priceless, "Well, good for you! But still, be careful, Lesley."
I glanced at Tigreal, "Thank you, Fanny and Tigreal. For accepting me as a trainee." I smiled.
Tigreal raised his hand with his index finger, "Uhm, actually I was about to ask you to become one of us if I got the chance to meet you, we're lucky, Lesley. And we're the ones to say thank you, so... Thanks, Lesley."
"Thanks, bruh! You're a big help to us." Fanny smiled.
"And one more thing about Granger, we're kind of sick of him being a loner, I think you could change him, Lesley. You know, add some spice in his life." Fanny added. I blushed, I felt my cheeks getting hotter and redder. But, what does Fanny mean about me changing him? There's nothing special about me, just a sniper lady hiding in the shadows.
"I did try to set up some meetings with other girls, but he declined it all, nor he said a word about it. He didn't showed interest, but all I wanted is to find someone that could make him happy. But maybe this time it would work," Fanny said.
"W-What about him? W-Why me?" I stuttered.
I'm not interested to have a relationship anymore, since after my first breakup which I don't want to remember, and it keeps haunting me. Even though he's now only a fragment of my past yet he left a void in my heart, only myself can fill the empty void but still, the feeling of despair was left in me.
I took a step backwards then I bumped at something hard, that made me gasp, I saw Fanny and Tigreal froze.
I can smell the scent, it smells some kind of classic violins, a manly sce—
Wait, what?!
Fanny and Tigreal looked at me with fear and awkwardness, and I did the same to them. Fanny pointed her finger, like she gave me a sign that there's someone behind me.
"W-What's happening?" I whispered, and I feel damn nervous right now.
Fanny pointed her finger to someone behind me, again.
Someone spoke behind me in a deep, manly voice, "Hmmm, what about me?"
I blushed, is that Granger?
I slowly faced him with a nervous look...
Our eyes met, and I felt a mysterious vibe, I quickly looked away, and glanced at Fanny, giving her the 'help me!' look. Fanny knew what I was trying to say.
"O-Oh, you're here, Granger! We're talking a-all about the L-Lightborn defenders and uh... Violins! Hehe." Said Fanny, and Tigreal nodded as a sign of agreement, then she grabbed me by my wrist.
I froze as Granger quickly dragged me from Fanny by grabbing my waist like he's HUGGING ME FROM BEHIND! Fanny's eyes got widen, and also Tigreal.
Fanny was trying to hold herself back from blushing.
Granger whispered, "Tell me miss, are those two lying?" He slid his finger across my shoulder, then he pointed his finger on Fanny and Tigreal, while those two were eyeing me like they're asking me for help!
I felt different, goosebumps, shivering down to my spine, it felt intense as he slid his finger across my shoulder! Damn, I can feel myself blushing. C'mon, Lesley. Think fast!
"N-No, Sir. F-Fanny's r-right, I'm new to this p-place, s-she gives me a background i-info about Moniyan and it's defenders, s-since I'm about to apply as a soldier in this e-empire." I stammered, I didn't look at him. And I think I'm kinda rude to him, my face was stiff as hell.
"Is that so, Miss Vance? I shall head back to the headquarters, there's no need to be shy, make yourself comfortable here. Besides, I won't bite. Unless if you want to." Said Granger, I turned around and he gave me a cold stare.
He wears a large black jacket, some sharp spikes on his shoulder, his body and his hands were wrapped with bandages, he wears black jeans, white socks and a black rubber shoes. Half of his face were covered because of his large collar, his enigmatic bloody red eyes were exposed. He holds a gun, and a guitar case.
Then Granger left, Fanny let out a teary-eyed laugh, "OH MY GOD! Granger's first long sentence! I can't believe it, and, and—GOSH! I never seen his actions before like it was his first time grabbing waists and sliding a finger across someone's shoulder just for nothing! I smell fishy, Lesley, believe me." Fanny said in awe, as she wiped her tears.
"Fanny may be right, Granger was distant at all times. And by the way, you should stay with us for lunch, and also for dinner!" Tigreal said.
Lunch?! Does he mean that there's a chance I could meet the princess?! Or having a lunch with them, the defenders.
"No, it's fine—"
"You will have a chance to meet the princess," Tigreal added.
"Really?" I asked, and I can't believe that I got the chance to meet the princess of this empire! I can't help but to feel excited.
"By the way, Lesley. Can I talk to Fanny, in private. Please wait, we'll be back for a while. Enjoy your stay here, Lesley." Said Tigreal, then I nodded.
"Sure, thank you." I said as I bowed in front of them. What are they going to talk about? I hope they wouldn't doubt my presence.
Fanny and Tigreal walked outside of the palace, well... at least Tigreal told me to wait, I think that they're talking about their job as their defenders.
I feel so different today. I'd never thought that I would become a trainee, to be a soldier, I feel so happy.
I wonder how's Harley today? I think he can go all by himself. After all it's been a year since I followed Harley everywhere he goes. He's gotten more powerful than before.
Well, I guess that it's worth it to look after him.
***
Fanny's Point of View
I stood by the bench, then my dear brother crossed his arms like an idiot. "You're such a liar, Fanny. I was the one who knew about Lesley. You made me bait with your unacceptable lies! Granger might be mad at your horrendous stunts!" Tigreal exclaimed.
I heavily sighed, "Relax, brother. I'm sure, this one is really different!" I said, then I let out a grin.
"Like—oh, c'mon brother! Do you ever think it's about time to make that deaf-toned violist happy with someone by his side? Why not make him meet his match?" I said while I wiggled my arms in the air.
"Fanny you're just making decisions without thinking twice!" Tigreal said as he slapped his palm on his forehead.
"This time, it's gonna work, brother. Just trust me with this. You know, that Lesley really is something. With this powerful mind of mine, I'm gazillion percent sure with my awesome plan. All I want is for everyone to be happy, yes he may be happy with his violin but still, I need someone to change him. I want everyone in this castle to socialize with one another." I explained briefly, as my brother lean his head forward.
It would be really fun if everyone socializes with one another, I want everyone to be happy, I looked down and flashed a smile.
"Are you really sure about this, Fanny?" He asked, then I nodded as an assurance.
"You know, everyone calls me the best, expert wingman." I boasted as I flipped my hair.
"Just trust me with this," I added, then my brother smiled, and so as I.
"Well, I do wish for him to be happy, that would make us happy too." Said Tigreal as he looked up to the sky, his eyes gleamed.
Well, seeing my brother happy, makes me happy too.
***