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Arthur Ishviel POV...
Waking up, I get out of bed and get dressed. It's the first weekend of the school year, as well as the day of that festival Gram wanted me to go to. I'm not in a rush today, since I'm not on a schedule. I'm wearing a white shirt with long sleeves and grey sweatpants, a very "stay inside and sleep" type of outfit. I put on my shoes, a very simple pair of loafers for today.
I turn around and look in the mirror, examining myself. My white hair is getting a little long... I should probably cut that eventually, but it's not quite shoulder length yet. I wonder what hairstyle would look best on me...
Disregarding the irrelevant thoughts, I set out the door and into the hall. Despite the wall mishap from yesterday, I seem to not have learned my lesson and instead walk whilst staring out of the windows again. It's a nice day, sunny sky and everything.
I look forward again just in time to not run into the wall, turning and walking into the dorm room plaza. It's empty today, everyone either already in the city or in their dorm rooms still. I walk out of the building and into the courtyard, hands in my pockets. I take a deep breath to get some nice, fresh air.
"Arthur! Hey!!" I can hear Gram yelling at me already. God... he's so much less timid than when he lied to the train conductor.
I turn and look towards him, seeing Gram stood next to a bench. On the bench is Pridwen, Variel and... the boy with the blue hair. I've caught peeks of him occasionally, but he always seemed to hang back. Everyone here (except Variel) gives me the weird feeling when I look at them. Based on my theory and what the goddess said to me, they should be the "prophesied."
"Hey!" I holler, waving back as I walk towards them. I smile, although I feel more neutral than anything. "Hope I'm not too late."
"Nah, you're good," Gram says, giving me a thumbs up. He gestures to the boy with blue hair, smiling. "This is Pierce! You didn't get to meet him yet."
Pierce looks bored, if anything. I extend my hand towards him for a handshake, but he doesn't take me up on it. Man, why does that keep happening?
"It's nice to meet you, Pierce," I say, trying to at least be polite where he wasn't. He shrugs, looking at me with disinterest, yet I can't help but feel like his eyes are telling me a different story.
"Yeah..." Pierce says, looking to the side. His hair looks like it's recently been washed out and brushed before being cut with scissors.
Pridwen gives a supportive thumbs up in case it will make everyone get along, whilst Variel just rolls her eyes. Variel puts her hands on her knees and stands up, deciding to move along from the moment.
"Where are we hitting first, guys?" Variel asks. hands on her hips. As always, her face is stuck in an expression of constant disapproval.
"I say we hit food first and then watch the parade after," Gram says, nodding slightly. Is there an information pamphlet that I missed or something?
I nod, agreeing. Pridwen smiles, standing up from the bench as well. Pierce looks around a little before getting up and stretching slightly.
"Sounds pretty good," Pridwen agrees.
She immediately starts walking, deciding to lead us all. I follow, as does everyone else. We're a good little group today, although not extremely large at 5 people. Pridwen looks like she knows the city by heart as we walk, as does Pierce, unlike everyone else.
The city is packed today, street markets busy and all. There are banners on walls today, streamers connected from alley to alley. I'm not even really sure what the festival is about, something something festival of prophecy. Damn, now that I think about it, I should probably be paying attention to this stuff.
"How's everyone's morning going?" Gram asks, looking at everyone as a whole. "Because mine's been pretty good, y'know?"
"Yeah. Mine's been really good, too," I say, agreeing with Gram.
"Eh... could be better," Pierce says, shrugging.
"It's been alright," Variel says, looking over at me even though Gram is the one who asked.
"Just as good as every other day," Pridwen says, looking back at us for a moment before looking forward again. The crowd is starting to get a little tight, but it's no biggie.
Pridwen leads us through the crowd and towards the more expensive part of Cleras, towards what looks like a small little cafe. She holds the door open for us, funneling us inside. I suppose we've arrived at lunch.
"Fun fact, I worked here last summer for 2 months," Pridwen informs, giving a bit of information. We get seated at a table and are given a menu before the waiter rushes off. "I would recommend the pork, but the steak is also good..."
I begin to tune out her words, not able to keep up with the yapping. She's a nice person, but she seems to simply keep going. Variel looks slightly irritated as always, but doesn't say anything. Pierce, however, seems to have some sort of headache.
"Can you shut up? You're making my head hurt..." He says, looking down at the menu.
Pridwen looks down at her menu, the smile falling for a second. It's sort of like an awkward thanksgiving dinner. Gram looks to the side before clearing his throat as if to make the silence a bit quieter. To call what Pierce just did harshing the vibes is an understatement.
This friend group is doomed already.
I feel sorry for Pridwen, she didn't deserve that. The waiter finally comes back after the longest 2 minutes of my life, setting 5 cups of water on the table. The waiter crosses his arms, giving a polite smile after sensing the general vibes of the table.
"Are you guys ready to order?" He asks, looking across the table. I actually haven't even looked through the menu yet.
"Actually, I think we need a few more minutes."
He walks away, hurriedly running to the kitchen. Seems like he doesn't want to be here if a fight starts at our table.
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