Once towering mountains now loom as tiny hills. Enchanting light blue grass bleeds back into typical green and white. The path the wagon follows is little more than matted-down blades. Along the outskirts of wooden fences, the squeaky wheels tread on.
Sweet air brushes through the farmland.Fields of wheat-like grains dance amidst evenly spaced lines. Their golden figures almost shine under the sun.A nostalgic scent of pollen enters the airways.For one reason or another, Sirius feels he could cry again.Gazing out at the endless rows of harvest instills a peaceful bliss. The gentle wind caresses his skin, carrying with it that familiar smell. The muted groans of a wagon carried by the footsteps of two leopards. Being surrounded by two people who have only shown him kindness.A beautiful girl with teal hair and gradient eyes. She is wrapped in a blanket one can only assume comfortably blocks the chill breeze. Her lips are curled into a subtle smile as her eyes wander around the painted landscape.A boy of Earth, despite meeting others of similar descent, who is the only source of relation in this strange world. A cheerful personality, while hidden, shadows a dark and deeper side. His joyful, honey eyes gaze out amidst the wonders.All these factors and these two people produce a blend of senses and feelings that fit together so perfectly. Sirius is unable to restrain his smile.Moments like these are something he could have only dreamed of. A fantasy which he thought would never come to fruition now stares him back in the eyes.It's almost too much. It's all happening far too fast.-I don't even know these people...Despite that, he smiles. A genuine smile with the thought that: maybe everything will be alright.-Maybe my life is finally starting.For too long has his life stood at a standstill. Now it presses on quicker than thought possible.Meeting people, exploring, learning, crying...All of it, while only occurring over the past couple of days, marks his heart.A new chapter is starting.A new life.-Don't waste this one. Only one question remains...How do I do that? ⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗The half-day voyage nears its end. Farmland once abundant trickles out into open pastures littered with livestock.Conquering over a steep hill reveals the destination."We are nearing the mansion," the old man driving the carriage announces.Wilphrey had been quiet the entire trek. Being in the front seat, he could surely hear the conversations behind him. No one occupied the carriage itself, meaning his only company is the two leopards pulling the vehicle. Yet not a single peep arose from his lips.Upon the announcement Korlin jumps to his feet, shaking the flimsy wagon. He leans over the side, almost falling out. His eyes dance with newfound vigor.Aureole, already leaning back onto the railing, shifts her head to the same sight. Its grandeur doesn't have quite the same effect as it does on Korlin, but the view holds a high light in her mind.Sirius stands himself, holding Korlin in place so he doesn't fall overboard. A glimpse of the mansion fills his amber irises.It stands in an open plain surrounded by mountains wrapping themselves into an almost perfect crescent moon. Natural walls make the massive house seem tiny. Two dirt paths, one including the trail they follow now, slither into one of stone at the mansion's entrance.Calling it a mansion is an understatement.It resembles something more akin to a small castle.A wide box-shaped building with spires elevating the roof. Hundreds of rectangular windows with chiseled stone trims. The masonry itself is more marvelous than that of the city, closer to that of the castle in the center. Large, maintained bushes decorate the perimeter, originating small vines climbing up the stone walls.The surrounding area is humble. Large beds of flowers and other beautiful plants symmetrically row towards the entrance. Cupped luminous flowers sprinkle the remaining land, filling in what would otherwise be a lonely space. Apart from the stone ones surrounding the flower beds, there is an absence of fences.Smoke plumes from the thin chimney, blowing quietly in the chill air.Despite the subtle feeling of loneliness, the mansion's sight is magnificent.-Who exactly is this lord? Who exactly is this girl...?...Don't think about it too deeply.Just let nice things happen."We're going to live THERE?" Korlin snaps Sirius out of his thoughts."For as long as you'd like," Aureole smiles. "Assuming the lord approves, of course.""Are you really sure this guy will let us in there?" Sirius can't help but question. "It seems really important, I'm not sure we'll fit in."Korlin jabs Sirius in the side. His face tells Sirius to shut up."I'm sure it'll be fine as long as you don't get in his way. He is a busy man. His hands are full with me and finding Witch Spawn."...Sirius and Korlin share a concerned stare."Um... he's trying to find Witch Spawn?" Korlin nervously asks."Oh yes, I'm not really sure why but he's really adamant about it. He's always reading books in the library about them. I wish he would just find one by now.""...""Do you," Sirius hesitates. "Do you know what a Witch Spawn looks like?""No, I've never seen one before. Why?""...""...""..."There is the faint sound of a forehead being smacked near the front of the carriage.⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗The pathway leading to the front set of doors circles around a glorious fountain. The flower beds up close are even prettier. The once lonely-seeming abode now takes up their entire vision, it's truly massive.The knocking footsteps come to a halt and the wagon's wheels end their turns.What lies before them is a slightly larger-than-normal wooden doorway, trimmed with even more impressive stone. Above the door is a small sculpture of a face. A face resembling the bat-like assailant from before: a wailian.Odd..."It seems the lord is out," Wilphrey declares. "The other carriage and wonics are missing.""Hmm," Aureole sighs. "Well, it should be fine. Let's head inside!" The girl stands and folds the blanket neatly. She leaps out the carriage and motions them to do the same.The boys follow her lead. Sirius' feet had fallen asleep at some point, so it feels strange to stand."I will tend to the wonics, you all enter and make yourself comfortable." Wilphrey hops off his post and begins walking the leopards to a stable. The stable is spacious, built into the walls of the mansion, akin to a parking garage."Alright, let's do it!" Aureole is awfully giddy. She skips up the few stairs and grabs the golden door handles.Korlin is shaking with excitement.The handles cave and the two doors open a portal to elegance.The girl gestures them inside the daunting abode. Korlin gleefully prances in, and Sirius enters slowly.Spacious.Spacious is a word that comes to mind.A gigantic foyer with cloud-spanning ceilings. A dualling staircase trimmed with pristine wood ascends to a second floor with outcropping balconies. Floors and stairs are carpeted in a slick royal red. Barren walls are only decorated with flawless carvings depicting the moon.Hallways in all directions span far with curling staircases at their ends, doors line the white walls the whole way down. Small circular tables sprinkle the halls, housing flowerpots and other commodities. The mansion's expansiveness allows it to appear unending.In its infinity, just like as it appears from the outside, it carries an air of loneliness.If one were to scream, surely their voice would echo down the halls.There is so much space in this house, it makes it appear uninhabited. No paintings, no shoes by the door, perfectly clean without a speck of dust.Sirius comes from lower-middle class households. Primarily living with his single mother who is getting by the best she can. Their home was on the smaller end, with just enough room for a second floor with rooms for both children.When he was younger, Sirius would go to his friends' homes. They were always much larger, so Sirius always felt a tinge of envy. Over the years he became aware of his family's financial situation, causing his envy to evolve into sympathy.Now, standing in this grand space, it all feels redundant. While impressive, it feels like a waste of space. Does anyone else live here?An intricate chandelier hangs high above their heads from a chain even higher. A main stairway diverges at its base only to wrap around and meet at the second floor's entrance. Between the staircase rests a stone statue of another wailian, meticulously crafted to look divine. The statue of the beast is in pure contrast to the one that attacked him."This is AMAZING!"At some point, Korlin had climbed a staircase and is now sliding down its railing.He repeats this process seven more times."What do you think?" Aureole asks, noticing Sirius' hesitancy."It's really nice," he says while continuing his scan."...But?""I don't know it just feels kind of... empty.""Ah, tell me about it. The butler is nonstop cleaning, anything we leave out gets picked up instantly. He's a good guy, I just wish he'd let this place have some personality." A somber smile curls her lips. "This place not for you?""I can't answer that yet, I haven't even moved." They share a brief laugh. "...What about you?""..." The somber smile returns. "It's impressive, way larger than my previous home. But..." her voice trails off into a whisper. "I don't think this royalty thing is for me."-So, she is royalty?"...Does anyone else live here? Besides you and the lord?""Of course," her smile regains some light. "Pholy and Hyacinth should be here now.""Who are they?""They're really nice people. You'll meet them sooner or later; they don't go out that much."-That didn't answer the question."Will they be alright with us living here?""Um... maybe? Pholy will warm up quickly... probably. And Hyacinth... she's not the best with strangers.""That's awfully foreboding.""You'll be fine, they don't bite," she playfully nudges his arm. "Now then," she sighs heavily."Hm?""I need to go study, so once Wilphrey comes back have him show you to your rooms-""Can we go explore?!" Korlin, sliding down the railing, shouts. He falls off and stumbles down a couple of stairs. "I'm alright!""Sure! Go ahead, we probably have a while before Rawlin comes back. Feel free to wander around, just stay away from his study. It's the room that looks like a big library.""Yes!""Also, stay out of his office and anyone else's rooms!""Roger!" Korlin salutes and rushes off to the left hallway. "Sirius, I'm going to go find a bathroom!""Alright... I guess?" Sirius scratches the back of his head. "How do I respond to that?""Good question," Aureole giggles. "Well, happy exploring. I'll be upstairs and to the right if you need anything." She begins walking towards the dualling steps."Thank you again.""Don't mention it," she smiles then ascends up and around the corner....Now then...Where to go...⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗The halls are endless, like walking in an infinite loop of doors and candlelight. The only counter to the idea is slender windows peering out into the courtyard. Sunlight pours in with dancing dust particles.He opens doors sporadically, the majority leading to empty bedrooms with a single bed. Others occasionally enter into a large bathroom with five sinks and multiple holes. Holes refer to what appear to be toilets.-Have I peed since coming here?Thinking of peeing immediately gives him the need to.The bathroom is well-kept and shiny. A large oval mirror positioned above the row of sinks reflects the entire room. Sirius approaches the hole.Hole is not the best term; the toilet is more along the lines of a funnel. Or a glorified latrine.Polished stone sunken into an upside-down cone, funneling down into an abyss. The material looks like it would be excruciatingly cold to sit on. One cannot see the bottom of the drain, or any water.-What am I even looking at? Sirius concludes his business without flushing, due to the fact there was no handle to flush. The sink he uses functions as a normal sink would, it drains into a smaller dark hole. He dries his hands on a neatly folded towel and folds it again afterward.He continues through the two-directional maze, the length of the hallway is tiresome. Not a soul in sight crosses his vision. No sounds besides his own footsteps and the wind gently rattling the windows.Eventually, the hall ends with a mirror.A staircase leads up to his right. But his eyes tend to his reflection.He looks well. Healthy. The sight brings up an unpleasant recollection.Only once in the hospital had he seen his reflection. The memory still stands vividly.Engravings of the asphalt all around his body and face. His eyes bloodshot and bruised. Hair damaged in a mangled mess. His limbs were swamped with casts and tubes, but still, he appeared thin.Now, standing in front of this mirror, he looks the best he ever has.His skin is smooth and scarless. His eyes are still slightly bloodshot, but much less than before.Before the accident, his body was lean and well-defined. Now so even more. Korlin was right, my arms are veiny.He had been growing out his hair for the better part of an Earthen year. Even before the incident, it was damaged. Split ends, tangled, randomly dry likely due to excessive hot showers.Now his hair looks smooth, it feels smooth. The tangles cease to exist amidst his hydrated strands. Before, brushing was a pain, he hardly even did it.In fact, his dark umber hair seems to have grown longer. I could probably put it in a ponytail...The idea excites him. As a child, his hair was always cut short, only recently had he let it grow out.Sirius runs his hands through the strands near the back of his head, letting his bangs hang. He creates a makeshift hair tie with his fingers and tests out the look.It's strange, foreign to him. He likes it. A smile threatens to form....Something is not right.His father.-"You need a haircut."The boy's hands fall from his hair.Sirius' father has always cared for appearances. He himself bearing short spiky hair and a constantly shaved face. Bulky chest and arms, the only hindrance to this obsession being his gut.Whenever Sirius' hair had grown too long, it would get buzzed. Long hair isn't for men, he'd say. This carried on throughout middle school, but once in high school, the buzzing ended. Instead, he was taken to an actual barber for a hairstyle akin to his father's.After each haircut, he would always look pleased. Like the failure had been shaved off.This is what you should look like.Sirius has never cared about his outward appearance. So even he doesn't know why he's let it grow so much.-Do I want this?...-I don't know....His amber eyes diverge from himself.-I don't even like looking at you....Walking up the steps takes a lifetime. The steps spiral unnecessarily to the second floor.This hallway is much wider. Pathways branch out from the main one into a much more diverse set of rooms.A room of baths and hot tubs, a room covered with plants, one with a large meeting table, one filled to the brim with bizarre clothing. The first floor must have been solely for guest rooms, or just the side he explored. Much larger bedrooms exist on this floor, filled with desks, bookshelves, nightstands, and much larger beds.He hasn't spotted a library or anything resembling a study. Though, the bathrooms on this floor are much nicer. They were already nice on the first floor, but the ones on this floor are divine. Unfortunately, they are still just funnels.Sirius turns a corner and spots his companion at the end of the hall.Korlin is spying on something around another corner.The boy must have sensed Sirius' footsteps as his head whips over. Korlin cautiously approaches, like someone is watching him."Sirius!"His hushed yell is followed by sporadic eye movements."What's up? You alright?"Korlin gets in close and whispers in his ear."Do you know what a loli is?""A loli? Like a really short girl?""Yes! Sort of..." Something along the lines of regret makes up his expression. Interesting. "I think I just saw one over there."The two peer around the aforementioned corner.A girl of small stature stands on the tips of her toes, watering an overgrown plant twice her size.Golden hair stretches down to her lower back. Her bangs lie unruly over her larger-than-average forehead, you could play a game of tic-tac-toe on