Off-Brand Fantasy Village
“So, to confirm, you and everyone you know here were born in this village?”
“And you’ve never met any travelers until my group arrived?”
“And do you find it at all strange that most of our party lacks the unique features many of the townsfolk share, including yourself?”
That was met with a blank stare. It was nothing unlike what he’d found yesterday or the day before that. Fingers prod at his temples as the beginning of a headache came on, something becoming more common by the day. Siegbert musters the strength to bow politely out of the conversation, but by the droop of his shoulders or his heavy sigh upon turning around, he wasn’t happy.
Was it so hard to write a town with just a little bit more life? Although Siegbert didn’t consider himself an author by any means, he was no stranger to dabbling in the world of fantasy. The stories he spun as a child had far better color than this quiet little village. At least his worlds were interesting. But this, this? It was nearly enough to make him want to pick up a pen for the first time in years.
Well, the animal features were compelling. It certainly put a new spin on kitsune and wolfskin. (Siegbert had become quite fond of a little fox boy that trailed him whenever he ventured by the cobbler’s place.)
“G’day! Hot one today, ain’t it?” Shiela chimes and Siegbert sighs. “Same as yesterday,” he manages, and in retrospect would be quite disappointed in his quickly-falling care for manners.
Kiran handled all their money. At least he didn’t have to worry about his room. It was, perhaps, the only comfort he had in this drab world—Kiran at his side, that is. And the beds were decent. Beats sleeping on the ground.
For what it was worth, Siegbert was decent by the time Kiran barged in. He turns from his spot standing in front of a small vanity, shirt unbuttoned just enough to cool down and hair haphazardly pulled back with a tie that he was only now in the process of redoing.
“In all fairness, I think everyone might appear a novice when put against you for chess.” Fingers run through curls—tangles—and work his hair into something a little more presentable.
“I talked to the seamstress’s husband—the one who lives on the edge of town. No one’s ever heard a thing about anyone coming or going, and everyone around here has lived here their whole lives, even the elders. Don’t you find it curious how none of them are afraid of us?” Ribbon follows through, finally tying a neat bow at the nape of Siegbert’s neck. He’ll brush it after he next bathes; for now, in front of Kiran, he couldn’t be bothered. They didn’t care. “You’d think they’d be scared of outsiders.”
Days passed like this. The same routine, the same useless information. The same meeting at the end of the day before they finally trudged downstairs for dinner and drinks before retiring for the night. Rinse and repeat.
And yet he hadn’t the gall to ask until now.
Prince extends a hand towards beloved owl, waiting for approval before reaching to give well-deserved scratchies. Feh’s hoo peters through the air a few moments before Siegbert speaks once more.
“I’d like to learn something useful today, you know. Kiran, why did you leave so suddenly?” I was worried. But now wasn’t the time.
They snort quietly, turning to stare at the ceiling. Everyone only seems like a novice to them, because chess is all they know. Strategy is their only skill and talent, simultaneously a way to relax and the reason for their stress. It is the key to escaping this tale. Somehow, there’s a way. There is a way. There is always a way. Have hope; not because it will get better, but because they will find the answer.
Besides, it’s not like it’s their first time traveling realms or worlds or dimensions. Whatever it was.
Heavy footsteps approach the bed. Kiran turns back to Siegbert—they hold their breath as he pets Feh—shout out to when Siegbert was super uncomfortable around him. LOL.
They snort again, this time in amusement. Siegbert used to fucking glare daggers at Feh. Look at him now.
All warmth drains from Kiran’s body when he asks outright why they had left. Expressionless, their eyes catch his own, before they look away, lips in a thin line. That’s fucking uncomfortable. What do they say to that? “grievin srry lmao!!!”? “😝 gap year”? “I just wanted to find myself”?
Another glance at Siegbert.
Nnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaah. No. They can’t. He’ll worry. He’ll hover. They don’t need that. It’s none of his business anyway.
In the end, Kiran shrugs, lips pursed together nonchalantly. “Had to do some stuff back home. And I didn’t want to take another magic class and have your uncle glaring at me all the time.” Possibly exaggerated, but the man just did not smile often (around them). Also they’re pretty sure he doesn’t like them. Like, at all.
“We also spoke, like, maybe five times. I think you’re cool and all, Charming, but I don’t know if we’re friends. Acquaintances maybe.” Kiran sits up, smiling when they point between the two of them. (Feh reacts instinctively and moves with Kiran, sitting instead in their lap).
“If anything I’m your teacher.” They have to tilt their head up to look at his face. Jeez, he’s tall. “When we get out of here, I expect a book report on this very book we’re in.”