A New Kind of World

Elisa's smile didn't waver when the other horse shot past them in a quite strange blur of brown, white, and something dark blue waving behind the knight's back, his cloak for sure. There was a bit of disappointment in her eyes, but she was no sore loser, and was actually pleased when her friend's laugh reached her ears, happy and cheerful. Truth to be told, she was still very much worried about Rebecca, and it was nice that perhaps she'd be having fun in doing something she wasn't quite fond of.

By reflex, she straightened her back when she felt Victor shifting away from her. It was not until then that she noticed the grip that held the reins and was around her hands too. She pulled them back softly, now that the race was over she guessed Victor would be the one taking over again.

When the first drop of water fell on her head, she raised her face to the sky. Almost instantly, another raindrop found its way to her cheek, followed by a few others. The corner of her mouth tugged into a small smile. The drops resembled tiny tears that she hadn't shed. When Victor asked Adam his question, she lowered her head before she turned it to the side, glancing over at them.

Adam felt much lighter and rather content when he realised Rebecca had actually had fun. Instead of a face stained with tears, he rather preferred that one adorned with a smile. The two of them had remained quiet for a little while after that. But it didn't really feel like an uncomfortable nor an awkward silence, more like a perfectly natural and peaceful one. Unlike his friend and the blonde lady, his body still pressed against Rebecca's, but he told himself it was only to reassure her and keep her safe at all times.

When it started to rain, he had already thought of suggesting for them to rest while it cleared up. They could shield themselves momentarily from the rain, but the paths were going to get muddy. However, Victor's question stopped his suggestion from even being ... well suggested. If there was no inn close ... where would they find shelter after all?

"It may clear up soon" He replied, though that was what he hoped, he wasn't sure of it "I say we keep on going. Use a shield spell" He hadn't even finished his sentence when he was already casting it. Muttered words left his mouth, and soon the rain above him and Rebecca seemed to be colliding into an invisible barrier before they rolled down it. At the same time, he unclasped the cloak from around himself and quite naturally wrapped it around the white haired girl's shoulders "That will keep the coldness away" He declared.

"I wasn't cold to begin with."

"It will help to keep it that way" Adam replied, just as quietly.

It was funny but even though they were being accompanied by Victor and Elisa, for a moment it felt as if it was only him and Rebecca, well the two of them and the silent pitter-patter of the rain above them. That thought, strangely, made him relax but grow nervous at the same time.

The young girl's question snapped him back into focus. He arched his eyebrow, before understanding sank in. Obviously, she wasn't waiting for his reply to be "magic", that was for sure. As such, he took a moment to collect his thoughts and come up with an explanation he hoped would quench her curiosity. Although, what he had done to begin with wasn't even that difficult to begin with.

"It was an easy shield spell. See, you just say the right words to shape your spell, and whatever you'd like to use it for you have it in mind while saying those words. For instance, this shield only protects us both and the horse from the rain, but if someone chose to attack us, it wouldn't be of any use to us in that matter" He explained, his eyes laid on hers.

Elisa shook her head when Victor apologised, a curious smile forming on her lips. She didn't understand why would he be apologising to her for that. As far as she knew she was also the one guiding the horse.

"Don't, because if you do, I guess I should do too as well. See, I don't think there's a need for that. Besides ... " She laid her head back a bit to look at him, it wasn't all that easy to talk to him while having her eyes on the path before them " It cheered up my friend. She ... hasn't been feeling all that well since we got here, and it worries me. I can't really do much to help her on that matter" She shook her head again, a bit frustrated with herself "So the race was a really good idea. It helps with the anxiousness" Of course, she didn't add that she was feeling somewhat like that too, though her eyes grew a bit weary as she spoke those words.

Elisa did feel as if Victor understood her, of course, it was quite different moving to another place of the same kingdom than to another different world, even more possibly fictional. But that didn’t matter, by the look on his eyes she did believe that he understood her feelings, in a way.

“I … am worried” More like afraid, actually. But she didn’t feel ready to share her feelings so openly, just not yet. “But don’t tell Rebecca, as you said I care a great deal for her, not to mention she’s like a sister to me, and I really am trying to be someone who she can actually rely on right now” She felt as if she owed her that much. Her friend didn’t really know how much Elisa appreciated her friendship. On those past years, her parents were hardly home, but the other girl had became yet another family member to her. She didn’t need to feel as lonely with her there.

That thought, accompanied by the fear of uncertainty, caused for her to shiver just a bit. Her eyes stung, as well as her nose, but she shallowed the tears that she knew would threaten to be shed if she didn’t get a hold of herself. She exhaled and closed her eyes. She had said she wouldn’t cry.

She leaned back, her body rested against the knight’s. “I’m sorry” She apologised, but she had really found herself craving for some sort of comfort. And Victor felt much stronger and firm than her in that moment, something she could momentarily hold onto. His heart beat steady and strong, which caused for her to grow silent as she focused on that, on how it pressed against her back in a rhythmic beat that soothed her somehow.

Meanwhile, the other knight tried to answer Rebecca’s question as efficiently as he could. He realised that it was much easier than he had thought. He had to thank his aunt for that. The woman who had so patiently taught him everything a small kid could learn about magic back when he was small. That girl was just like that, a small kid in terms of what magic meant and what magic did.

However, he found it a bit difficult to keep up with their conversation and keep the shield in the process. At first, it wasn’t a problem. But as minutes went by, he started to actually notice each raindrop that collided against his spell. It was uncomfortable and bothersome at the same time. Nevertheless, he chose to ignore it, while he divided his attention, most of it focused on Rebecca.

Eventually, though, it became more and more difficult to ignore. It wouldn’t have been a problem if he had been focusing on his magic instead. Gradually, he had stiffened a bit, and his grip around the reins had grown tighter. The dull feeling of water falling above them had pushed its way into his own body. He wasn’t getting wet, but it felt as if he was, as if he was soaking wet.

When he got the feeling that the drops of water stuck to his shield, which seemed to bend over their almost non-existent weight, his friend spoke. He raised his head to look at him and swivelled them back down when Rebecca seemed to agree.

“Yes, of course” He smiled, and though it was genuine, he had to hide the strain that almost accompanied it “Let’s stop!” He raised his voice so that Victor could hear him.

Elisa hadn't even noticed that some tears had managed to slip down her cheeks until Victor spoke. But it was the gentle touch of his thumb sliding across her face to wipe them that caused for her eyes to flutter open. She was someone who hated to show vulnerability and weakness. To the extent that she had never actually told her parents just how lonely she felt each time she got home and they weren't there to welcome her anymore.

As such, she'd have normally looked away. She'd have agreed with Victor's words silently, or maybe laugh her way out of the situation. But she didn't reject his touch, she didn't look away. Her eyes got locked on his, the last tiny teardrops streaming down. She felt her heart being moved by that.

After that, she hadn't even noticed them stopping until he had dismounted the horse and his hands wrapped around her waist. Her eyes snapped back into focus and automatically she reached for his shoulders for support before her feet touched the ground. There was a tug in her heart and, confusedly, she pulled her hands back "Thanks" She stated as she allowed for him to guide them inside.

It was a relief, really when they reached shelter and he was allowed to put the shield down. It felt strangely sticky still, but it was a nice feeling when he felt it retract and disappear. He breathed out silently and carefully dismounted the horse before getting a hold of the reins and guiding it inside the place designed for them. He tied the horse and finally turned around to Rebecca.

"My Lady" He said with a smile while reaching for her and gently setting her back on the ground. Victor and Elisa had gone ahead of them. The young knight placed his hands distractedly on the white haired girl's shoulders as he spotted the door that lead into the inn. "It's okay, keep it" He stated. When he returned his gaze to her, he moved back and let his hands fall back down to his sides before smiling sheepishly "That is, if you want to" He added.

The inn, though old, seemed to be cozy and spacious enough. Wooden tables and chairs occupied most of the place, with the occasional group of people sitting there. The wood was wasted away and some parts had been removed from the floor, perhaps because they had been broken or something like that. There were a few leaks on the roof, and the water dripped down into pots filled with a bit of water by now that were located on top of some of the tables.

The owners took care of food and drinks at the other side of the place behind a bar. Single stairs led to a second floor, which door stood right above what appeared to be the counter. Most likely, that had to be where the rooms where. Elisa was contemplating that 'fairytale' inn in awe before Adam and Rebecca entered behind them.