Getting a little tired of magic
@virxle
The air was ripped from her lungs. An unbearable pressure threatening to burst her skull until she mercifully sunk into blackness. It took who knows how long before she managed to pull herself from that oblivion. Gingerly opening her eyes to a glaring sun barely concealed by a large tree. With a groan she sat up slowly. Body slowly mending all it's wounds.The first thing she noticed when the haze in her mind cleared was how badly her surroundings had changed. Where there had once been a city was now nature in its full glory. A forest stretching out behind her while meadows went as far as the eye could see in front. The air smelled sweeter. At least until the cart came rumbling by. A hundred yards away on what looked like a dirt road. The two people sitting in the cart were filthy, their garb oddly familiar, but not something she had every really seen anyone wear....at least not in person. It was close to what history books, including that of her father, showed. That meant only one thing. Yet again she'd been stolen from her time by magic. In her mother tongue she let out a soft curse. "Not again."
On the bright side she wasn’t the panicking type anymore. After properly catching her breath she went to work formulating a plan. Figuring out where she was, and especially when she was. The former was easy enough. Language and land markings her dad had talked about. The latter taking a little bit. Best she could figure, her little ride had taken her at least a couple hundred years back. That was a significant problem. She wracked her brain for who might be of use. Magic was a weary thing but it was her only hope. That left few choices. Her father could be of use. Even at this point he had collected a trove of knowledge. There was also...Hoseok. His magic could be bad, but not as much as others. At this point in time, she didn’t have the exact date yet, they could be anywhere. But something about this year was familiar. A few stories heard from either male. Korea. Around this time her father had built a little home for himself, and hadn’t Hoseok himself spoken of how this was the one place he would always return? At that point it was her best bet.
Several grueling days. Though that was more to do with the lack of companionship and the absence of her family tearing at heart and mind. Physically the trek was exhilarating. Wandering through forests and fields. Sleeping in trees and hunting her meals as she went. Creature comforts were a wondrous thing, but this spoke to her more feral aspects. The wolf side loving the freedom it had been given. Wandering about, fingertips gracing rough bark or smooth leaf. Feasting on fresh meat. Hours passed in a flash. Losing track of time she found herself finally crossing into the territory she needed to be.She neared the spot but there was no sign of her father. Leaving just that one other option. With reluctance she began to move. Dread creeping into her heart. Had it been present day Hoseok dragged back with her all would have been fine. But this was the ancient in the past. He had no memory of her to still his hand or hold back his aggression. But that was a risk she had to take.
It was an easier journey finding her way to his estate. Easy enough to locate amid the almost medieval surroundings. It had few changes in modern day. The castle was a thing of splendor. Standing tall against the sky. But it still held that tell tale darkness she had grown to find comfort in. She crept onto the estate. Surprised to find it was not empty. Workers toiled at the foliage and landscape. Human by the way she so easily slipped beneath their guard. Sneaking around the immaculate gardens before getting into the castle itself. She’d explored that place numerous times. Knew there were many ways to continue her sneaking. Unfortunately the hall she walked into was not the empty space in her time. Here it was bustling with moving bodies performing a myriad of tasks. Technically she could jump into a hidden area and find her way to that place. But why show the markings of an assassin rather than guest. “Excuse me.” She hadn’t yelled, but her voice seemed to bounce along the walls. Multiple heads turning towards her. And suddenly she was aware of just how improper she must have looked. Out in the wilderness for easily a week. But she forced herself to offer a smile. “I’m here to see your lord. I would appreciate some assistance.”
The crowd stayed silent for several long moments. Finally a stern looking woman made her way through. Gaze unabashedly looking up and down her figure. Speaking a few words in a harsh whisper, as though not for any but herself. The dialect made it take a moment to process, but it sounded like something about how they usually sent them more presentable than this. Tutting in disappointment before guiding her to some room. Passing by a mirror being moved, she caught her reflection. Her hair a mess, bits of dried blood surrounding her lips, and a wild look in her eye. She’d definitely been on the verge of ferality out there. Much to her surprise the room she found herself in looked like a giant closet. There she was passed over to another middle aged looking woman, though this one had kind eyes. Quickly beginning to babble as she stripped Mel of all her clothes. Ignoring any protests and continuing to talk in that fast paced tone as she cleaned her and pulled out random dresses. It took some getting used to but she started catching more words then she missed. The woman complimenting her ‘exotic’ beauty. Assuring that when the lord saw her he would be very pleased indeed. Muttering to herself about something not being right as she set dress after dress back in its proper place. Quickly going away from the traditional ones of this region. Switching to things that seemed to have a more European feel. Settling on a teal colored number that somehow matched her eyes. Undergarments thrown on in haste before the main thing was slipped onto her body. A form fitting bodice, the skirt also fitted around her waist. though it layered to at her ass to make that part seem bigger. From there flowing down onto the floor. The one dressing her seemed to get excited when the work was done. Her speech suddenly becoming unintelligible as she spoke faster then Mel thought possible. She caught a few words that sounded like compliments, but the final sentence had her blood run cold. He’s sure to keep you now.
There was ice in her stomach as the stern looking woman returned. Though her expression seemed softer now. As if she were trying to offer comfort. As they walked she was giving random hurried advice. Things to say, topics to avoid. Don’t look him in the eye too much. By the time they reached a dark heavily ornate door the wolf’s mind was reeling. The woman used the brass knocker and waited for a response before ushering her in. And there he sat. Wearing an older face, but that scent unchanged. It took everything she had not to run and leap into his arms. Having to remind herself the man sitting at the desk had no idea who she was.
“Your gift sir.” The woman gently pushed her in a few more steps before shutting the door behind them. And then it clicked. The time frame, the preparation, the words. He was given people, probably in hopes of appeasement.
“Okay this makes a lot more sense now.” Her eyes widened as she realized the words had been said aloud.
