Lady

tori has arrived

After that I stayed in the back with Yona, Hak, and Yoon. Jae-Ha and Kija were still not happy but with how everything played out they were loosening up. And Shin-Ah and Zeno lead the group in the front. Ao ran a lap from one of my shoulders to the next with a lively “P’Kyuu” as he rubbed my cheek in an attempt to comfort me. Making me smile as I wiped my red, puffy eyes that were a product of my crying. I hadn’t realized how much of a bossy person I had been - or maybe just rushing into things I probably shouldn’t have. This wasn’t home after all, and I wasn’t immortal. Any wrong move could have very much gotten me killed. Which was a scary thought, my younger brother probably wouldn’t have been very happy about that. 

“This village you’re taking us too, it’s another one in need of help?” Yoon asked as I blinked towards him. Trying to collect my thoughts.

“Yeah, it was the closest I thought we could maybe help.” Now that I thought about it, that was a stupid idea. I wrinkled my nose as Yona patted my shoulder.

“What’s important is that you wanted to help them right? We can stop and help.” I smiled and nodded my head. The Princess really was great, what was this though? I could see Hak smirking at the corner of my eyes. I looked ahead, and tried to ignore it. Shin-Ah stopped us with a wave of his hand before we came into view of the village. “Shin-Ah what’s wrong?” Yona asked as the blue dragon remained quiet.

“Soldiers.” He said as Yoon let out a sigh. So much for this idea, it would be dangerous for the princess to wander into a village with the soldiers there. I stopped for a moment as an unmistakable scent drifted to me. There was a screech from the sky, making the group look up to the high sun; a large shadow fell onto us. “Bird.” Shin-Ah spoke quietly and I felt a smile spread over my features as the bird flew closer, landing on my shoulder.

“Ak-sa!” I exclaimed, my happiness starting to rise. “It’s okay they aren’t Fire Tribe soldiers!” I grinned as I started to run towards the village. Kija went to reach for me but it was no use as I quickly ran closer to the town. The soldiers were marked with black clothing with small purple accents. The collar of their armor having a dragon strewn across it. Their dark metal armor shown fiercely in the sun as I came into view of them; In the middle of the small mass of soldiers was a woman. They were chatting, it was clear by the way she used her hands to exaggerate her words. I couldn’t help but let out an excited laugh as I stopped halfway up the road, catching my breath as the dragons and the others caught up with me.

“Shoe, what’s going on?” Yona asked as I smiled, it seemed to catch her by surprise. It almost seemed like I was going to throw into a fit of giggling. Once the lady spotted me she blinked and smiled as she gave a curt wave, the ring of soldiers immediately clinked their armor in a joint motion as they moved away; opening the circle. I didn’t give anyone time to react as I charged forward, the peregrine falcon flying off my shoulder at my sudden motion, doing a loop as it landed on Yona’s own shoulder. Once I got a foot away from the blond haired girl I jumped up, wrapping my hands around her neck tightly.

“Lady Tori!!!” I exclaimed, almost in near tears as she returned the hug just as tight. I pulled away, a sigh leaving my lips as I looked at her smiling face, taking a moment to relish it before I turned to the others. I dipped my head to them, waving one hand high in the air while the other hung around Tori’s shoulders in a side hug. “It’s safe here, this is my friend Tori.” I explained, seeming to put their minds at ease to a certain extent, but they still looked to the guards wearily.

“Why’s she surrounded by guards?”  Yoon asked, rather suspicious of the men. It made my hair stand on end, they couldn’t know who I was just yet. I could feel Tori’s calm eyes on me as I rolled words over in my mind.

“She’s the equivalent to a priest, I guess?” I decided to answer with a scratch to the back of my head. Yoon perked up at the mention of a priest and the others looked confused at my half-assed answer. Tori stepped in front of me in order to face the others, smoothing her white robes before she bent in an elegant bow. She rose her head with a serene smile, “It’s nice to meet you all. You have my thanks for letting Shoe accompany you on your travels.” The group gave a bow, her atmosphere made it feel like they had to. When Yona went to bow the bird on her person began to fluster; she stroked it underneath her beak in apology. “Her name’s Ak-Sa. She’s Tori’s partner.” I walked over to the princess, an affectionate grin at Ak-Sa as I patted her head along with Yona.

“Shoe… you should smile like that more often.” Yona’s tone caught me off guard, making my heart skip a beat momentarily. Tori came to my side, looking at me with her usual smile and her eyes shining.

“If you keep frowning like you do your husband is going to make fun of you.” She teased, poking me softly in the side as I laughed. King Emil was hardly fit for such things. My companions looked to me, perhaps they haven’t heard me laugh with such ease like this till now. “I’m sorry Tori, I’ll introduce everyone later, but do you have a better place for us to talk and catch up?” She nodded her head, placing her hands gently in front of her, “Of course. I acquired a place to lodge just a little ways into town. You all are welcome, of course. There’s plenty of room.”

The building was fairly old but the inside was larger and nicer than the outside. We didn’t see many people on our way here, though being surrounded by armed guards would deter anyone from approaching. The guards bowed to me and Tori, I sweated slightly at this, but to the other it must have looked to just be to Tori since their faces didn’t change too much. The metallic noise of armour rubbing was the only sound in the empty home as the guards disappeared further into the building; leaving us amongst ourselves.

It took no time for Yoon to find the kitchen, pulling out tea leaves from his bag as he searched for cups. The others wandered naturally around too, Hak sitting up against a nearby wall-one close to the low seated table Kija, Shin-Ah, and Zeno found themselves at. Jae-Ha stood close, his arms folded as he stood against the wall, looking to Yoon as he came in with a tray of tea. Yona helped him pass out all the cups before sitting herself next to Hak on the wall. Tori and I were the last to take a seat; there was just enough room at the table for us to be comfortable. The scent of mint touched my nose as I looked at the tea Yoon handed me. Even if we hadn’t met too long ago it seemed he knew me too well. Tor stole a glance at the mint leaf in my cup and my ghost of a smile as she poked my side, making me grimace slightly. Before she or I could say anything to each other Yona spoke up, pointing a question in Tori’s direction.

“Why are you here anyways, Tori?” Yona asked as she took a sip of tea. Tori sat straighter at the sound of Yona’s voice, her posture and sitting form one of grace. She was the type of person who always kept a civil tone and a smile on her face, sometimes the smile may be one of teasing, but she always had a welcoming feeling around her. She really was well mannered - almost my complete opposite when it came to that. Tori looked to the red headed girl properly as she spoke,

“Helping. I actually heard about the Fire Tribe helping out their citizens so I took it upon myself to help them out since the representative had to return to the headquarters.” Yona’s eyes sparkled for a moment, “Thank you so much for helping. If everyone helps out the villages that are suffering, even a little bit, then the Fire Tribe may get well sooner.” Hak’s eyes softened as they peered to the princess next to him, which didn’t escape my notice, but Kija’s intense stare in my direction, his lips forming a stern line, caught my attention more.

“Then how do you know this barbarian?” Well, didn’t that sting? As I looked rather un-amused Hak couldn’t help but to let a chuckle leave his lips. Tori looked to the white haired dragon, her eyes a little sharper on his gaze then perhaps was intended but the smile as she spoke showed her amusement.

Author's Note

Lady Tori has arrived!

Reviews

[TheRaven]

You know, sometimes Shoe talks a bit too well-mannered. Perhaps because she's also royalty, but you should show off more of Shoe's rebellious and wild nature within her dialogue. Tori is the foil, working opposite of her and that should definitely be worked to show it off more. I'd say, everything's a little too easy? Nothing happened here that much. Shoe opened up a bit, but plot-wise we were stagnant.

I don't know much about the fire tribe, I don't particularly have any stake with them because I don't know anything or anyone from the fire tribe. There's a lot of posturing the characters around, and it makes the sentences a bit repetitive.

We start to see a bit more personality from the dialogue, could be that the more you write the more you're figuring them out. Keep on writing, you'll keep getting better.

[Centipedle]

I should have replied to each of your reviews individually but I haven't. I wanted to let you know that I am reading them though! And your input is very appreciated. It's been some time since I've uploaded here since life is getting in the way. But I look forward to future reviews ^^ Especially on my more serious work.

[JBoone]

This is so awesome. I love it. I can't wait to read more.

[AliciaB]

Yay! I like Tori's character - like you said, she is very well-mannered and pretty much the opposite of Shoe, and it is cool that they are friends. I really like how Shoe opens up in this chapter. It gives an interesting insight into her character, which has been rather stern and anxious up to this point. Yoon and Ao continue to be adorable, and I like Ak-sa as well. Peregrine falcons are awesome. :) I'm loving this story. Keep up the great work!

[Robert Filos]

shows great writing ability ty

[Sanjay Shastry]

Your'e obviously quite talented. I haven't read most of the other chapters though so im a little off on continuity.