A Broken Man

Chapter 2: Like a leach

Once Zane and the guards who went with him settled in, Zane walked around the village, everyone nodded in respect for him, he nodded a little in each nod he was given. Zane decided to go to the plaza of the village, he zoned out a bit as he looked around the area as some were working on decorations for the wedding. While he was deep in thought, someone came up to him, they gently tug on his robe, causing him to snap back.

A small voice: " Hello."

Zane looked down and saw a little boy. He looked like he was around 2 or 3 years old, he had bright, pale blond hair with hug blue eyes. He stares up wide eye at Zane with a smile. Zane didn't say anything, he just glance down at the child. Zane then gently nudged the boy, trying to get him to leave while he tried to talk in a somewhat kind voice.

Zane: " Go away. Go. Go away."

The boy thought it was game, so he got closer, but Zane took a step back each time the boy tried to get closer.

Zane: " I don't like children."

The boy was about to grab onto Zane when Aphmau called out to him.

Aphmau: " Levin. Are you being nice?"

The boy who was name Levin giggled when he saw Aphmau and wattled over to her. She scooped him up and apologized to Zane.

Aphmau: " *chuckles* Sorry about that. Levin loves to meet new people and he doesn't give space when he tried to be friendly."

Zane: " I notice."

Levin giggled as he tried to reach out for Zane, Zane just stares blankly at the child.

Aphmau: " Come on, Levin. Let's give Mr. Zane here some space. He's has work to get done."

As Aphmau walked away with Levin, he looked back and waved at Zane, Zane just rolled his eye and continued to look around. Some time has passed, Zane was looking at the spot where the wedding was going to take place, he places a book down on the podium, a loud trumpeting noise echoed in the area, making Zane's insides rattle a bit and gave him a splitting headache. He clenched his teeth when he saw what chased the noised, three elephants were in a pin nearby, a red-haired woman was feeding them and petting their trunks with a damp rag. Zane marked over and wasn't happy.

Zane: " Excused Me, Ma'am!"

The woman didn't turn around, she talked while cleaning up the hay that wasn't in the pin.

The Woman: " Yes?"

Zane: " Ma'am, is there a reason why these pachyderms are here?"

The Woman: " Oh, well, originally, we were all planning on having the bride ride on one of these beautiful creatures down the aisle. But we decided to move it down to the beach. And I'm just giving these guys a...."

As the woman went on, she turned around and saw Zane, she lost grip up the bucket and rag she was holding when she saw him. Zane assumed that she lost her train of thought because she didn't know that she was talking to the Grand High Priest, but he noticed her face was starting to turn pink.

Zane: " Uhh... Are you alright?"

The Woman: " I... Ummmm.... You're handso.... I mean.... I'll-I'll get out of your way. So-so-sorry if these amazing creatures s-s-s-startled you. I'll br-bing them in my barn right away!"

The Woman stumbled and had some trouble getting words out of her mouth a bit before tying a rope on all the elephants and brought them to her barn. Zane just stood there, a bit confuses in what just happened, nobody has acted like that towards him before. She was fine when she wasn't looking at him but got all flustered up when she saw him. She must have been sick or something, Zane thought to himself. The day went on, Zane was reading through his book when the same woman came up to him. She seemed a bit nervous, but she was able to get some words out.

The Woman: " H-hi."

Zane looked up from his book and just stared at the woman.

The Woman: " Sorry about earlier, about the elephants and my first impression. Let's start over. My name is Kiki, I take care of all the animals here and bring some new ones to the village whenever a new shipment come or if I find injured animals."

Zane: " You must really like animals, huh?"

Kiki: " I ADORE animals. They're all so sweet, and adorable. Kekeke."

Zane scoffed a bit.

Kiki: " So what's your name... I-I mean, I know who you are, but I want to get to know you."

Zane: "... Zane."

Kiki blushed a light red.

Kiki: " Pleasure to meet you. What are you reading?"

Zane shut his book and tucked it in his robe.

Zane: " Nothing."

Zane got up and started to walk back to his living quarters. Kiki quickly rushed after him.

Kiki: " You know, I can maybe show you around."

Zane: " No thanks."

Kiki: " Okay. Ma-maybe I can help you set up for the wedding."

Zane: " Again. No thanks, that's already taken care of."

Kiki: " Oh, well... I can bring you to my barn to meet all the animals."

Zane started to get annoyed, his tone started to sound more annoyed as Kiki kept asking if she can do something for him.

Zane: " I'll passed. Animals don't really like me."

Kiki: " Oh, okay. How about..."

Before Kiki could say anything else, they got to Zane's living quarters and he quickly shut the door in her face.

Kiki: " Okay. Maybe we can hang out some other time before or after the wedding. See you later. Kekeke."

A guard was in the quarters too and he noticed Zane's announce.

The Guard: " What's the matter, Sir?"

Zane: " Jut a woman who wouldn't leave me be. She's like a leach, trying to stick next to mean and was starting to be a pain."

The Guard: " Sir. I thought you said we have to be nice while we're here for our pl..."

Zane: " I didn't snap at her if that's what you are assuming! You think I would forget what I told you and the others?!"

The Guard: " N-no Sir, sorry Sir."

Zane: " Could you leave me be? She gave me a splitting headache and I would like some peace and quiet right now."

The Guard: " Of course, Sir. I'll make sure no one bothers you."

After the guard left, Zane looked around, he locked the door and covered the windows. He pulled out an odd ambulette from a hidden apartment in his book.

Zane: " I made it sure, we're waiting on the perfect time to strike. I'm planning to go through with it after the wedding, so no one get suspicious of us."

Zane held the necklace next to his ear, someone was talking to him through it.

Zane: " Of course. I'll make sure this will work and nothing stops my work when we pull this stunt."