It was a warm, rainy season day which started the encounters. After a rather boring morning of lessons, Yuki crept out of the palace, stole a horse from the stables and went for a ride.
He honestly had no idea where it was he was going; just let the wind guide him. As well as his horse.
By the time the sun was moving from its peak in the sky his trusty steed dragged him to a nearby river for a rest and drink.
Slipping off the side of his horse Yuki settled down on a nearby rock as his companion drank. As he did so his eyes took in the scenery. Bushes and trees lit up with the suns golden light. The shimmering river beside him. A flower brush beside him.
Aha!
An idea struck.
This was the perfect place to practice magic. Not just any magic either.
Creation magic.
Through his lessons they would cram combat magic into his skull yet all he really wanted was to create.
He would try to recreate the white-purple flower growing beside him. Perhaps maybe attempt changing colors.
Still sitting on the rock, Yuki closed his mind and hovered his hands in front of himself creating a ball with both. Concentrating, he poured his energy and thought into the mana stream flowing through his body as if it were a lifeline; like blood was to humans. Pushing out the energy, petals began to form between his fingers. One by one each petal bloomed to life. Next the stem, and last the pollen seeds.
Opening his eyes Yuki broke into a wide grin at his creation and abruptly stood. “Yes! I did it!” While holding the flower still he spun excitedly in a half circle until meeting eyes with another.
The sudden company shocked him enough to send him stumbling backwards into the river to his side; flower slowly floating through the air before settling onto solid ground.
“Ouch…” Yuki grumbled, rubbing at his bottom and turning attention back to his unforeseen guest. Panic settled in as he straightened, rose up and created a water sword from muscle memory using life force from the river.
The other form, a male smaller than himself, paid no heed as he approached, bent down and scooped up the newborn flower. “You know you can put that thing away. I'm not suspicious or anything!” The small brunet spoke before humming and scratching his cheek. “I bet that would just make me seem more suspicious...Ryu!” This, Ryu person rambled on and held an arm out for a hand shake.
Yuki blinked a few times to make certain that yes he was awake. Then tilted his head confused. What was a Ryu?
“My name!” The boy guessed by facial expressions alone the question on the taller man's mind. Slowly nodding, Yuki glanced toward the offered hand and accepted. He felt surprised as the energetic boy roughly shook their hands and went right back into admiring the flower. “You made this right? Does that mean you're a mage?” His eyes sparkled in even more excitement if that was even possible.
Barely met and this stranger was going to tire him out completely.
“Yes. My name is Yuki.” Why tell a stranger his name? Who knows. There was just something about this Ryu that made you want to trust him.
“Oh! Now that you mention it…” Taking a step back, Ryu took in from head to toe Yuki, and gasped. “You're wearing fancy clothes. Would you happen to be prince Yuki?”
Taking a big yet restricted breath of air, the raven haired prince slowly nodded. “Is that a problem?”
“Not at all! I'm a prince too!”
A few more surprised blinks and Yuki took but another look towards Ryu. He did look very well dressed. But that didn't explain why he was out here. “If you're a prince, why aren't you at your home?”
Ryu grinned bright, stretched his arms out before folding them back and resting crossed behind his neck. “I could say the same to you!” He dropped his arms and sighed. A man of many expressions. “But I wanted to avoid studies. All day with nothing else to do...I need breaks sometimes!” The prince complained and sighed.
This, Yuki could understand. “My reasoning is the same.” He offered before changing topics and pointed towards the flower still held by this beautiful stranger. “If you would prefer another color I can change it.”
Ryu brightened back up before shoving the flower back to its creator. “Then...black and red!” Yuki let the edges of his lips twitch up as he placed just a fingertip to the flower petals and concentrated; flowing energy into the flower. With just a minute passing, the petals dyed the requested colors. “Amazing! You're really amazing!”
This complement set a fire ablaze in his chest. Compared to his elder brother, Yuki figured himself average. Nothing special. Being told such by this beautiful stranger, one who bore a smile so big and bright meant everything and more to him. His own smile grew as he broke into a chuckle. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
Quickly moving on from one topic to yet another, Ryu slid the stem of the flower behind his ear to perch and took Yuki by the hands. “Do you think-is it possible if-if we met here again?” The poor boy spoke so fast and stumbled along his words. His whole existence burrowed itself a new home in his chest.
“I would love that.”
And more encounters they shared along this river bank.
Each as important to the prince as the next.
Comments (2)
See all