DAY 51-1: FRAGRANCE

”Orian, stop straying so far behind.”

His wolf ears twitch at the mention, and he pokes his head out from behind the large rock he’s cowering behind. Although he’s wearing his trademark mask as they stroll through the city of Meisyr, it’s become apparent he isn’t the only one donned in it.

Every citizen they’ve passed is clad in equally ominous masks, not to mention multicoloured cloaks as well. From the small businesses off to the sides of the road, selling odd looking fruits and vegetables—meats, too—to the kids scampering freely across the streets, the city is bustling. Leda’s surroundings, alongside the mannerisms of the public, vastly mirrors olden times.

“Would you care to try some?”

Leda trains her eyes to the source to find a child extending a plum-like fruit. The design of their mask bears resemblance to a monkey, and by their pitched voice, it’s most definitely a girl.

“Um, thanks?” Leda says, receiving the strange fruit.

She titters. “You’re welcome, miss!”

The girl momentarily gazes behind her, at a stand a foot away. Two adults minding the store, vending a wide assortment of fruits, offer polite greetings and laughs to their customers. Are they possibly her parents?

Leda’s focus is returned by the tug of her pants. Before their departure, Nia had supplied her with proper clothing alongside other necessities (including a shower, to which Leda very much appreciated).

“Miss,” the girl calls again. She reaches for her mask and removes it. Her adorable face is revealed, the brightest blue hair cropping her head. And when she opens her eyes, Leda freezes. Her amber eyes, akin to gemstones themselves, are gorgeous enough to pierce her soul. “You can have this!”

Leda stares blankly as she beckons it forward. “Your... mask? Why?”

She responds with a toothy grin.

Albeit bemused, Leda curl her fingers over the china. As soon as she does, she giggles once more before retreating with a wave. Immobile, Leda watches as she dashes and disappears into the gaggles of citizens with various hair colours so as to near her parents’ shop. Then, she peers at the tiny mask. Aside from the peculiar layout, it contains holes for both the eyes and mouth. Raising the fruit, Leda brings it close enough to sniff. It has such a sweet fragrance...

“M-master Leda...”

The red-haired wolf has long since left the rock he’d been quaking behind. Instead, he quivers in his boots behind her.

Leda immediately frowns at him. “What’s your issue, Orian? Ever since we left you’ve been a mess.”

He stiffens and drops his head in shame. “I-It is just... I have never parted from the Deck Tower or House of Cards since I was young...”

Leda blinks, raking in a good glimpse of him. He did say that. But, young? He looks fairly youthful now. Eighteen, maybe? Twenty is also believable. “You’ve been trapped in that small area for years?”

“I have come into the town if necessary, but yes. Ever since I fled to Meisyr, I’ve always been by Master Rhett’s side.”

Rhett did say that Meisyr is a gathering of refugees from the four kingdoms. Orian is one of them? That’s interesting.

“Still,” Leda says, “I need you to guide me through this place...”

The bag on her shoulder is a heavy reminder of the books she has stored inside. Once she gets the opportunity, she’s promised Orian to at least try reading one, if not all, of them. Nonetheless, the most important matter at the moment is to head to the Land of Edaps. According to Orian, travelling there will take two days on foot, meaning they need to move fast. Especially if they’re on such a huge time crunch.

Bringing the sweet-smelling fruit to her mouth, she takes a bite. Her eyebrows shoot up in astonishment at the deliciousness.

“By the way, Master Leda,” Orian calls. “That mask...”

“Oh, this?” She lifts it between bites. “Someone gave it to me. What’s up with all these masks, anyway?”

“Well, um, everyone in Meisyr has come from around the realm, and it’s because of Master Rhett we can live freely. He morphed this once barren land to one of neutral footing, free of all strain—a land in which anyone can live. We traditionally wear these masks to show that despite everything—despite our appearances and origins—we are all united. If they gave you their mask, it implies they see you as one of them, too.”

Leda’s heart inwardly melts at the notion. That’s extremely heartwarming, dammit.

Orian, Rhett, the girl, and everyone peacefully smiling now... In fifty-one days, they all will die. And the only way to stop that is to ask the help of the other suit kingdoms. Although it doesn’t quite make sense as to why, Leda does understand that they have no choice but to successfully convince them if the people of Meisyr wish to live another day.

Chowing down on the last of the fruit, she swallows and marches through the crowd. “Let’s go, Orian. We have to meet these Spades as soon as possible, right?”

Orian’s hesitation is blatant, but this time, he doesn’t let it hold him in place. He hurries after her with trembling lips. “Yes, Master Leda!”

She cringes and whips her head left and right. “Don’t say it.”

He tilts his head.

“I don’t like it,” she elaborates. “This whole ‘Master’ thing. Where did it come from? Yesterday you were all about saying ‘Miss.’”

Judging by the way his expression falls, the news takes him hard. “I... have a habit of calling those I respect ‘Master.’”

“Respect?”

He nods. “I haven’t known you long, but I do know you’re amazing, Master Leda! You’re confident enough to say and do whatever you like. You were kind enough to join me and even stood up to Master Rhett because you didn’t wish for my death!”

Not wishing for his death is worthy of respect? Nice to know he didn’t consider that a common sentiment.

“Ah, but if it truly makes you uncomfortable, I’ll gladly change it. What do you wish to be addressed as?”

Her shoulders slump in relief. “Leda’s fine.”

“As you wish, Leda’s Fine.”

She flinches, incredulity welling within her. “No, I mean, just refer to me as Leda.”

“No, I Mean, Just Refer To Me As Leda. That is quite the mouthful, but if that is what you desire—”

“No!” she says. “Just call me Leda!”

“No! Just Call Me Leda?”

“No! Leda! My name is Leda!”

“No! Leda! My Name Is Leda.” Orian cocks his head to the side. “That is stranger than the last...”

She grasps her hair in exasperation. “My. Name. Is. Leda.”

“My. Name. Is. Leda... Is that your final decision?”

“Agh!”

“Agh?”

Aggravated, she holds out her hand. “You know what, Orian. You do you. ‘Master Leda’ is completely fine by me.”

Briefly raising the mask off his face, he breaks out into a charming grin. “As you wish.”

She shakes her head, glaring as she does. Is he doing this on purpose? Or maybe he isn’t that bright?

Either way, their journey together is just beginning.