He grew tired of working,
So he shed his arms.
He grew tired of walking,
So he shed his legs.
[Year 537 - January 21st.]
Aspra and Rouge have been making their long journey towards Kokino, the capital of Kitrino.
Upon finally arriving in the big city, they set out to find Rouge's cousin, Roz.
Aspra subconsiously stays close to Rouge the entire time.
["I'm not used to crowds like these..."] She says warrily.
["Quit overreacting. Only about 20% of the people here would harm you."] Rouge says nonchalantly.
Aspra tenses up.
["Tw-twenty percent?!"] She says fearfully.
Rouge giggles.
["Relax! Im joking. It's actually closer to... 10%."] She says.
["You're not helping!"] Aspra says, clinging to Rouge, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
["Quit being a child Aspra."] Says Rouge.
["Where are we going anyway?!"] Aspra asks hastily.
["Do you know where your cousin even lives?"] She asks.
["Something something training dojo, i think."] Rouge replies.
Aspra's eyes narrow.
["You're helpless!"] Aspra adds.
Aspra suddently stops, her gaze fixated on something.
An older gentleman, sitting on a bench and reading a book.
Rouge whispers to her.
["It's rude to stare Aspra!"] She whispers.
["What is he doing?"] Aspra asks.
Rouge stares at the man and then back to Aspra.
["Reading a book...?"] She says confused.
["A book..."] Aspra repeats slowly.
Rouge waves her hand infront of Aspra's face.
["Whats gotten into you?"] She asks.
["Books... what are they..."] Aspra questions.
["You dont know what a book is?"] Rouge asks.
She sighs.
["Books can be whatever. Stories. Lessons. History. They are boring."] Rouge explains.
She grabs onto Aspra's hand and continues walking.
["We dont have time to ponder over that stuff right now."] She says.
["Okay..."] replies Aspra dissapointingly.
Someone's eyes are on them.
Hours pass by, Aspra looks around while Rouge tries asking people about her cousins whereabouts, but their efforts yield no rewards.
Aspra and rouge are sitting ontop a pile of boxes.
["Uuugh! We arent getting any clues!"] Rouge complains.
["And im hungry as hell!"] She adds.
["How are we meant to eat?"] Aspra asks.
["Uhhhh... you ever ate rat-"] Rouge tries asking.
["NOT happening!"] Aspra says.
Rouge groans and leans back, laying down on the crates.
["You know, if you fall asleep you'll be able to ignore your hunger."] Rouge says, shutting her eyes.
Aspra gets all up in her face and starts burning her eyebrow.
Rouge jumps up and starts slapping herself to put out the fire.
["What was that for?!"] Rouge asks irritated.
["We have to keep looking, im not going to bed hungry!"] Aspra declares.
["What are ya a damn princess?!"] Rouge asks, getting up and hopping off the crates.
["I dont get it Rouge! Why havent we asked for help from the woman thats been following us!"] Aspra asks nonchalantly.
Rouge tenses up and turns to look at Aspra.
["W-who?"] She asks, terrified.
Aspra points towards a rooftop, and in the dark, they can make out two green eyes.
Rouge instinctivly starts sparking, ready to attack.
Suddently the person from the top of the roof yells out towards them.
["Come on Rouge! Is that still all you've got?!"] It says, jumping down, huge airwaves following as she lands next to them, causing them to stumble and lose balance.
They take a good look at the stalker, they look like a woman, wearing a hood, tanned skin, and a toned, agile body.
Aspra tries sending black flames towards the hooded woman, but they get put out the second they approach. Aspra looks suprised and takes a step back.
["You knew we were here the whole damn time? Why didnt you say anything!"] Rouge asks, seemingly not scared.
The woman takes the hood off and starts laughing.
["I got ya good, didnt i?!"] She asks.
["Rouge! Who the hell is this?!"] Aspra asks worringly, confused as to why Rouge is making converstation with them.
Rouge sighs.
["This is my damn cousin! This is Roz!"] She says angrily.
Roz approaches Aspra and lifts her up by the back of her garments.
["Black flames eh? Aint ever seen someone outside the Mavra family with those, whats ya name?"] She asks skeptically.
Aspra mentally freezes up, biting her cheek and trying not to show it.
["A-aspra Skura!"] Aspra replies, trying to hide the tension in her voice.
["Ha! Guess you got lucky, just like like that peepsqueak over there."] Roz says, throwing Aspra at Rouge and sending her stumbling, causing them to get burried in the pile of crates.
Groaning and getting off Rouge, she wipes the blood off her mouth.
["My flames earlier... you're not the first person to casually get rid of them! How does this keep happening!"] Aspra asks angrily.
Roz approaches menacingly.
["Oh, i'm gonna teach you both how to control your shitty magic, you can count on that."] She says, the air around her densing up, making breathing impossible.