The Prince that Wore a Mask (DNF & Karlnapity)

Part Two - Nostalgia

A/N: I use Kinoko Kingdom and L'manberg in this story as places, but they don't relate back to the official lore :)

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"George!"

George jumped in his sleep, tossing around to the commotion, "What the hell...?"

To his left, Alex stood, hands on his hips, "you told me yesterday night that you were coming to town with me today. I don't wanna be late, so get your ass out of bed."

"What are you, my mom?" George rolled his eyes and scoffed. He was NOT a morning person.

"George I swear to fucki—"

"Ughh, save it Alex, I'm coming," he muttered, stretching his arms out before almost tumbling off the side of his bed.

"Jeez-" he barely caught his balance.

He groggily made his way past kitchen to the restroom. He turned the water spicket modestly, reaching his hands to splash cool water on his face.

"So, why does my bed-bound roommate want to tag along today?" Alex creeped into the bathroom.

George dried his hands on the hand towel, wondering if there had really even been a reason to begin with.

Maybe it was that feeling of loss, as if he was missing something, but George couldn't lay a finger on what it was,  "I don't know...Just been home too much recently I suppose."

That's it. That or perhaps he'd just been given too much time to think. He needed something more concrete. Fresh air, cool breeze, social interaction—though he hated to admit it. He needed an adventure to write about. George needed to collect ideas.

...

The thought itself exhausted him.

Alex didn't push the conversation any farther, and just rushed George to get out the door...

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The two left their house, discussing studies and things of the sort on the way.

"How's your writing been going?" Alex asked, eagerly putting one foot in front of the other as they trod.

George sighed, "I've been stuck lately. I've got like—zero inspiration on what to even write."

The two reached the end of the dirt road which led to their home, and took a left turn where there was a small lake. George admires the view, feeling what he could only describe as melancholy.

He adverted his looking gaze—an attempt to snap out of it. He would never get anything done if he kept finding himself in such a dazed off state-of-mind.

In frustration, he groaned, "UGHHHH."

Alex chuckled at this, silently taking notes of George's expressions.

Coming back to seriousness, he said, "Maybe you need to get out more man..."

George paused where he walked, "Yeah, you're probably right..."

Alex puts a hand on George's shoulder, "Hey, I know who can cheer you up."

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Soon enough, the two find themselves in town, standing outside a small establishment whose sign read, "Tales".

A flush of memories came to George as the two stumbled through the creaky doors, scents of bread and green tea filling their senses. A feeling rushed through George's veins, it was as if a key had unlocked a secret door to hidden memories of the past. It felt nostalgic, it felt real.