In a flash, almost an entire week has gone by and I was waking up to a yet another beautiful morning of Wednesday.
The day before I've been told that today there won't be any need for training since I'll apparently be having 'the time of my life' on the trip to Aysgarth. As such, I really wanted to spend the day with Elise. The past week, though we did hang out together, it was mostly while other kids were with us.
Not particularly many chances to read a book together with someone, eh?
It was already late in the morning, and I've already passed on my message for Elise, to Mr. Bramble. Which is why I was ready on my way to the fields, curious to know which book Elise pick to bring with her.
Upon entering the fields, my eyes dart around them to see if they spot a familiar figure, and that they did. Sitting under the shade of the same tree she sat under a week ago. Though, unlike that time, she too, was on the lookout for me.
She didn't come to me, and instead continued laying against the trunk of the tree as her littles eyes kept looking at me. Continuing to close the distance between us, I began noticing slight alternations from her usual look.
Compared to the usual boyish clothing she wore, I saw an outline of what seemed to be a blue article of clothing. A dress. The surprises didn't end yet either. If a week ago I'd have thought her hair was uncharacteristically long, despite it reaching her shoulders, then now my surprise was due to the fact that she still hasn't cut it.
It didn't end there. Being a few meters away from her, I could see the expression on her face as clear as day. Compared to her normal, sharp expression, the one currently plastered across her face was quite the shocker.
A pinkish-red hue filled her cheeks, her body movements didn't seem as confident; her hands kept fidgeting, adjusting either the dress, touching up the book or fumbling with her hair.
Lastly, her eyes. Her red eyes that would usually intensely burn holes through me whenever we spoke about whatever we read, were nowhere to be seen. Instead, as if they were in on a secret with her cheeks, they seemed to avoid me like a plague.
She just couldn't look me in the eyes.
"My, my, who's out here looking like an actual girl for once, hm?" The words couldn't help but leave my lips as I teased her. "Oh shut up." She barely managed.
I wasn't surprised she was like this, after all, who wouldn't be anxious when they're changing their look for the first time in a long time, right? She must be uncomfortable considering the few times she wore a dress or anything of the sort. Naturally, as her friend, I had to help someone precious to me feel better.
"Hey, Elise?" I sat down right next to her, and the moment my back felt the warm touch of the tree trunk, I continued speaking without waiting for her response. I knew she was listening.
"You know, as far as I am concerned, you're more beautiful than any other girl in the village. Whether that be in tattered rags resembling pants, or the sky-blue dress you're wearing now."
Not stopping there, I raised my right hand up as I formed it into a fist as I gently grazed her shoulder with it.
"You're you. You're the only person I can be really friends with. I can share my feelings, thoughts, desires, anything about myself, with you. I trust you."
Taking yet another small breath, I turned my face to look at her figure, as I said my final piece.
"You'll always be an adorable girl who's precious to me, you know? So yeah, you always look beautiful, just this time, more elegant."
After those words, I didn't say a thing more; everyone needs time to recollect themselves when it matters, and I knew Elise enough to trust her to do that right now.
And that she did.
I'm not sure how much time passed, but it felt like at least a few minutes went by in silence as, all of a sudden, she perked up; and as expected... behaved like nothing happened.
"ANYWAYS, look at what I brought with me, Chris! It's my favorite." As she said that, the book she brought for today, which I'm guessing was stashed on her other side.
The name of the book she brought was... something I wasn't particularly surprised about after she said the words "her favorite".
The book she brought out was a collection of children's short stories. A soft smile couldn't help but creep up onto my lips, she always dreamed about the future like a child. Adorable, really.
"And let me guess, you want to read the one about the Saints being summoned and their journey to defeating a beast lord?"
An excited, loud "Yes!" resonated in the surrounding area, and of course, I had to chuckle at the sight.
"Very well then, I'll start by reading it out loud, then." She then visibly relaxed, and prepared to listen.
"Ever since humans have found encountered the existence of scary beasts all around them, dark times fell upon by them. The beasts were stronger, faster, bigger than humans. It was a world which can only be described with one word: Hell. In that hell, the soul of our world saw our struggle for survival, and mercifully gave us aid, the Saints. The Saints were God-like beings, bringing forth new knowledge, protecting the innocents, and driving back the hordes of beasts that were attacking the last remnants of the human race."
"As the Saints pushed onwards, brave people began to follow in their footsteps, of their own free will. These people watched the Saints, learned from them, and with the newfound courage given to them, began helping the Saints in their quest to eliminate all beasts. They learned how to make and wield swords, bows, spears, shields, daggers, and other weapons; and with humanity still on the verge of collapse, hastily taught everything they knew to others."
"In time, all of humans began to stand up to beasts, and the first people to follow the Saints, were officially recognized by the Saints themselves, as their Knights..."
Time flew by, and before I knew it, not only had she fallen asleep against the trunk of the tree, but so did I feel my eyelids closing, and that they did.
Hours passed in mere moments as I opened my eyes, assaulted by a very warm feeling to my side. Sure enough, Elise was resting her head on my shoulder still sleeping. The sun was already setting down, so despite how much I wanted to let her sleep some more, the early trip next morning reminded me that I had to go.
I slowly turned myself around to face her, and gently changed the place she was resting on from my shoulder, to my hand. Almost instinctually, my other hand went to brush some of hair that was getting in the way of her delicate face, behind her ear. Then.. I couldn't speak for a few moments.
Mesmerizing.
That's what she was like, as she continued to gently lay her head on the palm of my hand. It was only with great reluctance that I disturbed her peace with my words.
"Elise... I think it's about time you wake up, sleepyhead." As I did I gently shaked the hand holding up her head and watched her slowly wake up, and as I saw her open those scarlet eyes of hers, I beamed with a smile.
Her movements were slow, yet decisive. She lifted her head up, gently raised herself up, and as she hid her face from me, softly said. "Don't take too long in Aysgarth." Before scurrying off back home.
Smiling, I was silently contemplating why my heart was racing, when all I did was treat her gently. Whatever it was, all I knew was that I wanted to celebrate my coming of age when I return from the town, and I wanted her to be a part of it.
With those thoughts in mind, I returned home, and there, I was momentarily surprised since I didn't hear either of my parents practicing. Though, it also made sense, as the journey was a couple day's worth, traveling though the wilderness takes a lot of energy. Then spending the lot of it by intensely training the night before the journey, was probably not the best idea.
Upon reaching my bed, it didn't take me long to fall asleep again, as I did so when reading that story.
'A light within the darkness, huh. I wonder if I could ever be reffered to that way.'
With those final words coursing through my mind, my eyes slowly closed shut, and I fell fast asleep.