Exiting the house my mother and I walk on the gravel path towards the village. Our house is located in the outskirts of the village, it's quite secluded really. It's about a ten minute journey from our house to the village shopping district.
On the way I observe the wildlife around us. A rabbit in the bush to the left. Above is a hawk ready to grab it as soon as it makes a move. Right as the hawk descends onto its prey I make my move. When it's within range I grab the hawk out of the air so the bunny can hop away, alive.
The hawk angrily squawks at me as I let it fly off. It disappears into the tree line.
"Why'd you save the rabbit?" my mother asks.
"Because I didn't want it to die, it's cute"
"Eleos… you can't meddle in affairs that don't concern you. It only invites trouble in and is a bigger headache to deal with."
She continues, "What if that hawk had chicks to feed, it will now return with nothing and they may starve. From now on let nature run it's course and only meddle if you need to."
"Okay mom" I say with my head held down.
"Don't worry about it too much. You're still young and you are learning how to act. Mistakes are the best teacher so it is best to make them while you are young so when they really matter you don't make them."
"I didn't realize it mom, but you're actually really wise."
'Crap did I say that out loud'
*Bonk*
"*Nervous Laughter* I'll learn from that mistake too"
"Now you're learning"
Finally we made our way off the wild path and entered the village. It took a few minutes to reach the shopping district but the trip was uneventful.
"I think we're going to get you some new clothes Eleos"
"Okay" I say as we make our way into a children's clothing shop.
*Ring*
"Sera, it's been awhile. How've you been? And is this… Eleos I haven't seen you in what a year?" An old man with a slightly hunched back and small body greets us. His long mustache almost touches the floor. Ever since he went bald he refused to cut his mustache claiming something about it being the only male pride he had left.
"Kaine, I've been well. And yes this is Eleos he's turned five six months ago"
"Really! I didn't know. In that case whatever you buy for him here will be free. This isn't a handout mind you this is just my late birthday present."
"I couldn't do that to you, please let me pay." my mother argued.
"Please Sera I know you don't like handouts. Please just let this old man do something nice for your son. Please Sera."
Relenting, "Very well, but next village festival your drinks will be on me." my mother responded.
"That's fair I suppose. Pick something out you like Eleos. Anything in the store is allowed."
"Thanks Mister Kaine" I say bowing as I start looking for clothes that ate to my liking.
"He's awfully polite, isn't he" observed Kaine.
"He gets though the material I prepare for him so fast I found the one thing he has trouble with is manners. So I started drilling that into him."
"Ah, he does seem like a bright young man"
"He is, frighteningly so"
It takes me about thirty minutes but I finally find a suitable outfit. I being it to the front counter to show my mother and Kaine.
"Well why don't you put it on in the dressing room. I'd like to see how you look in it." says Kaine.
My mother is nodding her head as well so I make my way back to change. I'm changed in a minute and I walk out from the back of the store.
'So cute' Sera thinks to herself.
Aloud she says' "It'll do I guess."
Kaine comments, "Nice job kid. The way the black jacket contrasts your silver hair really makes you stand out and I like how your red shirt matches your eyes. The black pants and brown shoes match with the rest of the outfit as well. I like your dark color scheme because your complexion is more on the pale side it contrasts quite nicely. You may be short, but if I were looking at you from behind I may mistake you for a young noble."
"Thanks old man"
"And like I said we're still working on the manners part." my mother says.
"It's quite all right dear. Come back anytime you want young Eleos. I just don't see you enough."
I enjoyed the first part of our shopping trip very well actually but it was the next part that I was truly dreading. It was when my mother said:
"Okay, let's go to the makeup shop next"
That was when I remembered that this was my mother's cruel punishment. It's a mystery to me why women like putting makeup on men. I don't even know how many looks she and the shop artist tried but I know it was at least in the triple digits.
When we finally finished shopping the sky had an orange tint.
"Since we're in town I want to go to one more place"
'Oh gods, where are we going now?'
"Okay mom" I said outwardly. I expertly hid my internal pain.
We walked around a little and ended up in the very center of town where the mages tower was. Here is where the teleport station is held and even the magical aptitude testing station.
"I wanted to check to see if you have any magic aptitude. We did this when you were a baby but you had no magic at all. This isn't unusual but usually by five, your magic aptitude will appear. It's very rare not to have any aptitude at all."
"Really?" I saw hope filling my eyes.
She nods and we walk into the magic tower. She requests that I be tested for magic. The clerk nods and grabs a crystal ball.
"Place your hands on the ball and concentrate only on the crystal." He says.
Nodding, I follow his instructions. I stand with both hands placed on the magic ball.
…
…
End of chapter twelve.