It worried her that one day Mari would burst like a balloon from all this excitement she had.
Raven didn’t smile, on the contrary; she sent him a disgruntled look and left the circle of people. She had no interest in a romantic relationship.
They went to the counter, it was the go to place for Raven. Mari looked disappointed as she served her a bottle of wine, at least in this establishment no one limited her liquor. However, problem was, the wine here was less fine than at the tavern she regularly frequented.
“You know… he is definitely handsome. as you said” she stated to try and make Mari a little bit happier. The moment these words left her mouth she knew it was a mistake because the spark that’s lit up in Mari’s eyes indicated that she’s gonna try to match them up no matter what, that is if she wasn’t about to skip town. “Don’t even think about it!” Raven warned her “ I! MEAN! IT!” she had the need to be strict about this as if and when she comes back to this city, she didn’t want to be caught off guard by Mari’s enthusiastic matchmaking.
“Your loss” Mari shrugged “BUT… at least in the first time since we know each other, you agreed with me about a guy’s beauty” she smiled. Raven was fascinated how Mari’s mood could change so fast and how she managed to find positivity in a bleak situation or conversation.
Raven exhaled and kept drinking, all while Mari went behind the counter to help her mom with the work; getting customers orders, cleaning and washing plates.
It’s been a few hours before the crowd began to disperse. Only the people who played cards have stayed. Raven couldn’t help but listen to their conversations; apparently the new guy won all of the ten games they’ve played.
“YOU CHEATED! NO ONE CAN WIN TEN GAMES IN A ROW!” one of the men yelled lividly and few others agreed with him, Raven could imagine the fumes going out of their ears ‘sore losers’ she thought to herself.
The situation was solved relatively quickly when they surprisingly worked together with eye witnesses to prove that the pretty boy didn't cheat them out of their money. When the angry men felt satisfied with the fact that he didn't do anything to make the game flow to his advantage, they left with empty pockets; wearing an annoyed expression on their faces.
‘He’s probably smarter than them that's why he won easelly’ she thought, this one took her aback a little bit, as she didn't know the dude, so why did her subconsciousness compliment him? Perhaps she will never know the answer to it.
“YOU CHEATED! NO ONE CAN WIN TEN GAMES IN A ROW!” one of the men yelled lividly and few others agreed with him, Raven could imagine the fumes going out of their ears ‘sore losers’ she thought to herself.
The situation was solved relatively quickly when they surprisingly worked together with eye witnesses to prove that the pretty boy didn't cheat them out of their money. When the angry men felt satisfied with the fact that he didn't do anything to make the game flow to his advantage, they left with empty pockets; wearing an annoyed expression on their faces.
‘He’s probably smarter than them that's why he won easelly’ she thought, this one took her aback a little bit, as she didn't know the dude, so why did her subconsciousness compliment him? Perhaps she will never know the answer to it.
He stayed seated idly for a few minutes, then he leisurely came up to the counter “any available rooms?” he asked and the old woman nodded.
As it was quiet, Raven was able to hear his voice clearly; a deep, soft tone. Clear as water and at the same time rough as a tree bark. He also had an accent that she never heard in her life.
He was too polished for these parts of the kingdom in her opinion ‘maybe he's from an outside land…?” she wondered, although she didn't really believe that someone from another kingdom would make all their way to an insignificant city to play cards and rent a room. ‘Yeah… he probably must be from some village far in the north’ she concluded.
After all the “Fairy dust” was in its higher concentration in this city, and she knew the exact reason. It was fairy magic so it grew mightier when it was around places where fairies were. This is why she had to leave to avoid the hunters that will come on the day of the festivities. She will leave tomorrow - to the northern parts, Raven hoped it will give her time to hide as long as she doesnt use her abilities nor be anywhere near the fairy dust. This way there was almost zero probability they would find her. The ‘almost’ part was what bothered her more than anything; as the golden flakes led people who required help straight to the fairies.
"Wretched compass!" she cursed under her breath and finally finished the last drop of wine.
As it was quiet, Raven was able to hear his voice clearly; a deep, soft tone. Clear as water and at the same time rough as a tree bark. He also had an accent that she never heard in her life.
He was too polished for these parts of the kingdom in her opinion ‘maybe he's from an outside land…?” she wondered, although she didn't really believe that someone from another kingdom would make all their way to an insignificant city to play cards and rent a room. ‘Yeah… he probably must be from some village far in the north’ she concluded.
After all the “Fairy dust” was in its higher concentration in this city, and she knew the exact reason. It was fairy magic so it grew mightier when it was around places where fairies were. This is why she had to leave to avoid the hunters that will come on the day of the festivities. She will leave tomorrow - to the northern parts, Raven hoped it will give her time to hide as long as she doesnt use her abilities nor be anywhere near the fairy dust. This way there was almost zero probability they would find her. The ‘almost’ part was what bothered her more than anything; as the golden flakes led people who required help straight to the fairies.
"Wretched compass!" she cursed under her breath and finally finished the last drop of wine.
At the exact moment that Raven stood up, Mari’s mom grabbed her hand gently “be a dear and show the gentleman to his room” she asked with a low, kind voice while putting a key on the counter with her other hand. Raven bit her lip, she really wasn't up to being hospitable but she also couldn't say no to the person who treated her very well for those few years. She glanced at the guy and reluctantly gestured with her head to follow her, without saying a word.
She led him to the far corner of the tavern, to where the stairs that led into the rooms were.
“You know the owner?” he expressed interest “Duh! I lived here for three years already” she replied without giving it much thought, a feeling of regret followed right after. Raven felt like she’s in a trap and couldn't understand why she answered his question so willingly.
He followed Raven calmly with hands behind his back “THREE YEARS?! In an inn?!” he exalted in surprise “where did you live before?” added “the forest” Raven answered, again without thinking. She had the urge to slap some sense into herself, for not thinking before her mouth catapults replies like that.
“FOREST?... HAVE YOU MET ANY FAIRIES?!” the guy sounded so amazed that one would think it was a child who spoke instead of a grown man.
Anger started bubbling up inside of her upon hearing the word FAIRIES, to the point that she turned around instantaneously, while they were on the staircase to the 5th floor, the top floor where his room was.
The suddenness of her actions caused the man to lose his balance, he nearly fell down. Nearly, because Raven grabbed his tie and pulled him towards her. If he wasn’t a customer she would have let him fall and break his back ‘can’t have negative rumors run around town about this place’ she rationalized in her mind.
Raven glared at him with all the rage stored in her “The fairies… ARE E.X.T.I.N.C.T! You seem intelligent enough to know this!” she hissed quietly with a monotone voice, for his ears only and released his tie when she saw he was holding the railing.
The guy blinked several times “wow! You’re strong” he smiled “...for a girl” his dimples appeared again. Raven had a hard time keeping her cool, she shoved the key into his hand “your room is on this floor… goodbye.” she rumbled furiously and went away.
She led him to the far corner of the tavern, to where the stairs that led into the rooms were.
“You know the owner?” he expressed interest “Duh! I lived here for three years already” she replied without giving it much thought, a feeling of regret followed right after. Raven felt like she’s in a trap and couldn't understand why she answered his question so willingly.
He followed Raven calmly with hands behind his back “THREE YEARS?! In an inn?!” he exalted in surprise “where did you live before?” added “the forest” Raven answered, again without thinking. She had the urge to slap some sense into herself, for not thinking before her mouth catapults replies like that.
“FOREST?... HAVE YOU MET ANY FAIRIES?!” the guy sounded so amazed that one would think it was a child who spoke instead of a grown man.
Anger started bubbling up inside of her upon hearing the word FAIRIES, to the point that she turned around instantaneously, while they were on the staircase to the 5th floor, the top floor where his room was.
The suddenness of her actions caused the man to lose his balance, he nearly fell down. Nearly, because Raven grabbed his tie and pulled him towards her. If he wasn’t a customer she would have let him fall and break his back ‘can’t have negative rumors run around town about this place’ she rationalized in her mind.
Raven glared at him with all the rage stored in her “The fairies… ARE E.X.T.I.N.C.T! You seem intelligent enough to know this!” she hissed quietly with a monotone voice, for his ears only and released his tie when she saw he was holding the railing.
The guy blinked several times “wow! You’re strong” he smiled “...for a girl” his dimples appeared again. Raven had a hard time keeping her cool, she shoved the key into his hand “your room is on this floor… goodbye.” she rumbled furiously and went away.
The situation put a smile on his face, he never met a girl who could resist his charms, let alone talked to him in this manner “If only she knew… who i was” he chuckled while fixing his tie ‘maybe i should go after her?’
He entertained the idea for a moment and tried to imagine the look of regret on her face. He quietly laughed while walking to his room, thinking about the “what ifs” of her reaction and whatever she would have kept her rough demeanor.
He entertained the idea for a moment and tried to imagine the look of regret on her face. He quietly laughed while walking to his room, thinking about the “what ifs” of her reaction and whatever she would have kept her rough demeanor.
Raven slammed the door to her room.
She was more angry with herself than with that complete stranger, it puzzled her that she blurted out answers without thinking to someone she had just met. even to Mari she wouldn’t tell things so lightly, it didn’t matter that they were common conversation starters.
For her every step and thought were calculated as she was someone who had to live with a fabricated identity. The closest to a friend she ever had was Mari; it wasn't in her plans to get close to anyone but its just happened because of mari’s bubbly and persistent personality, which led Raven to think sometimes that maybe deep down she yearned for a connection so that she could live in a society instead of solitude.
‘What’s the point…’ she hastily waved her hand above her head, as if dusting off those thoughts.
She kicked the boots off her feet and changed into more comfortable clothes; a plain shirt and pair of joggers. Then she started to pack her bag, she didn't have much despite her wealth, necessities were all she needed to get by on the road, besides she could always buy more things if she wanted to at her next destination.
For her every step and thought were calculated as she was someone who had to live with a fabricated identity. The closest to a friend she ever had was Mari; it wasn't in her plans to get close to anyone but its just happened because of mari’s bubbly and persistent personality, which led Raven to think sometimes that maybe deep down she yearned for a connection so that she could live in a society instead of solitude.
‘What’s the point…’ she hastily waved her hand above her head, as if dusting off those thoughts.
She kicked the boots off her feet and changed into more comfortable clothes; a plain shirt and pair of joggers. Then she started to pack her bag, she didn't have much despite her wealth, necessities were all she needed to get by on the road, besides she could always buy more things if she wanted to at her next destination.
While Raven wasn't so keen on saying that she’s going away, she even didn't say anything at the tavern she was a regular at; but she had to leave a letter for Mari and her mother. Even though she could depart without a word, she couldn’t help but feel that it wasn't right to do so to them, whom always been so nice to her. Raven placed a letter she wrote in advance on the table, she played it safe and only included reassuring information, so that they won’t worry about her OR worse sent guards after her on the pretext of running away from home. She knew they were more than capable of forcing her to stay by making things up “hopefully it won’t come to that” she sighed with half a smile.
When everything was ready, Raven opened the window and let the chill night breeze caress her face. she could hear the rustling leaves, people’s voices and muffled sounds of hammering, there was something calming about them, a familiarity of sorts “i think… miss… place… one day… I'll return…” she whispered under her breath, laid on the bed and closed her eyes. Her plan was to wake up before everyone else and slip away without being seen.
When everything was ready, Raven opened the window and let the chill night breeze caress her face. she could hear the rustling leaves, people’s voices and muffled sounds of hammering, there was something calming about them, a familiarity of sorts “i think… miss… place… one day… I'll return…” she whispered under her breath, laid on the bed and closed her eyes. Her plan was to wake up before everyone else and slip away without being seen.
She opened her eyes at once and felt as if she had slept forever, her night sleep was dreamless and to her surprise very short as the clock showed it was 4 a.m. . It was still dark outside and she had at least two more hours before she planned to actually get up.
Raven felt drowsy and tired which contradicted the feeling of sleeping forever, she could have slept a bit more yet decided against it ‘i will just go out earlier’.
She changed her clothes; black jeans, a t-shirt with a black jacket and put on her boots. She stretched a few times to relieve her tight muscles, then washed her face and brushed her teeth. Raven didn't really have much more to do but throw a few water bottles and some food into her bag and everything was ready.
As she approached the window to close it, she peaked at the sky.
Raven’s eyes darkened. there it was, far away up in the sky; a tiny speck of gold. Her whole body tensed up in fear and she felt a lump in her throat
Raven felt drowsy and tired which contradicted the feeling of sleeping forever, she could have slept a bit more yet decided against it ‘i will just go out earlier’.
She changed her clothes; black jeans, a t-shirt with a black jacket and put on her boots. She stretched a few times to relieve her tight muscles, then washed her face and brushed her teeth. Raven didn't really have much more to do but throw a few water bottles and some food into her bag and everything was ready.
As she approached the window to close it, she peaked at the sky.
Raven’s eyes darkened. there it was, far away up in the sky; a tiny speck of gold. Her whole body tensed up in fear and she felt a lump in her throat
“It… it… can’t be…” she muttered.
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