FAUX

CHAPTER 1 PROLOGUE

"y'sure you don't wanna buy anything else?” you asked kindly to the man who you had just hustled, three items that were moderately expensive laid flat in his hand, a stolen gold ring, a mini sack filled with ‘magical’ rock and a stupidly expensive handkerchief. the man shook his head no. “really? I'll put in a special offer just for you!” you gave him a boyish grin, fingers wiggling as you held out two special looking quills. “ Buy one get one free!” you said quickly as he sweated, shaking his head. “no thank yo-” the man quickly said, he warily backed away from you, turning on his heels and speed walking away from your frame, you grumbled, the sight of such a sucker running off before you would completely run him dry.

you sighed as you shut your coat some items clinking about as you continued onwards, a certain destination on your mind, the slight ache in your feet from the days spent on your feet, though that slight prep in your step was noticeable even as you dragged your feet through the crowded place, not budging when someone would bump into you, no apologies were muttered to one another.

your eyes darted from person to person, scanning the crowd thoroughly, from each person to another, that familiar smell of freshly baked bread and other goods attracted you rather quickly,

The shop's door dinged, signalling another patron entering, much to Zack's delight, as soon as he came out from the back, he spotted you, though looking slightly different from the last time he saw you, yet it was still you.

still the same person he played knights with as a kid, still the same person he skipped stones with at the nearby lake, still the same arrogant person he knew for years.

Formalities were exchanged, the brief summary of his life was given before he let you excitedly talk about your own.

You bragged on and on about your adventure to him, yet all Zack could do was watch and listen, not minding how you explained your trip. you had been gone for nearly a month now, but then again, you were a merchant and like hell was he going to pull his pants down and crap on something you clearly enjoyed doing- travelling, on most occasions he'd even get a little treat out of the journeys you went on, ornaments that he cherished from his friend, maybe a special crystal you stole- which he was highly against. not that you'd listen to him in that lecture.

when Zack was younger he had never expected that his childhood friend would pursue such a dream, thinking they were going to stick with one another, attached at the hip, maybe even join the Elites up at the guarding towers of the kingdom, instead he's met with the sight of his now grown friend entering his and his fathers bakery, looking like a stray cat entering his shop with filthy clothes, tears mostly being on the coat you always wore, it definitely smelled musty, yet he was used to that, you were a friend that he would never turn down. a friend he cherished- luckily the fresh smell of baked goods always covered that faint smell of sweat and lake water that seemed to surround you.

The sight of you always brought a smile to his lips as you went on and on about your trip, dishing out his special present, from the back of your pocket. It was honestly like a guessing game on when you'd be back, a week? Maybe a month? a few days or a few years? Would you even come back? Did you find a happier life somewhere else?Maybe you were dead in a ditch- all the thoughts that ran through his head about his reckless childhood friend, each doubt would make his heart sink, yet you never did die, leave or get tired of him, always coming back without fail- a smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched you rant, not a single word going through to him.

“Zack? Zack!’ you called out huffing as you chewed with your mouth open, one of the goodie’s he gave you straight from the tray clasped into your hand with a death grip.

Zack blinked more than a couple of times, refocusing back on your unimpressed face. had he zoned out again?- “yeah, i'm listening.” he crossed his arms over the broad of his chest. Liar, the wobbly smile sent your way was a clear indication that he was in fact lying to your face. “seriously?” the snort that came from your nose was almost mocking. watching the poor man's face fall as he shook his head, spiky hair following suit. “no..” his brows screwed together and his eyes fell shut.

The laugh that fell from your lips brought back the playful smile he always seemed to have whenever you were around.

you both stared at one another for a few minutes as you sighed, placing the coins that you owed for the baked goods you devoured, the coins clanked and thudded on the light oak wood of the counter, Zacks eyes fell to the glimmering coins, a sigh of his own coming out, “already?” he asked curiously as you gave him an awkward shrug followed by a smile.

“y'know how it is, i've got work to do, people to scam-” you said quickly, avoiding the disappointed look he gave you.

He gave a pointed look. “didn't I tell you to stop that?” he shook his head. Zacks arms falling to his sides, hands latching to his hips as he gave you that look. “you're going to do it to the wrong person one day.” his comment was ignored as you finished up the little bit of bread you had left. standing up fully and away from the counter as he watched you like a hawk. “I was joking” you were not, not that he knew that, though he calmed him visibly at the reassurance.

“i'll see you soon Zack” you seemed eager to leave, never really liking staying in the same place even when your best friend was there. there was still so much to do, you missed the disappointed face Zack pulled as you stepped back again.

and all Zack could do was watch as you left his shop, feeling as though you came just as fast as you left. the dinging rang through his ears again, he sighed, placing an elbow on the counter and laying his cheek flat in his palm, drumming his finger on the wood with a soft sight leaving his lips.

SABIS YAP FEST🗣️🗣️

I literal had no clue how to start this😓 just wanna get to the Vincent part as soon as possible while making the chapters/pages (at least try to) make sense, not the next chapter though, readers gonna be on their own adventure 🗣️ Bros gonna be cruising 🗣️