Necessary Villain

12 - Fun

"Hey... um, it's your turn."

The fourth day begins and I'm woken up early for guard duty. I begrudgingly make my way towards the gate and slip out before looking at those I'll be talking with for the next two hours until sunrise.

"Eh?" It's Zayn, female Zayn, and Leora.

At my odd reaction, the two Zayn's look at me for a second then ignore me while Leora just smiles.

Seriously, this line-up?

Zayn, what can I call him other than weird... He's just an edge lord that's quite hard to talk to.

As for female Zayn, she is an Asian woman named Shin Hae-Ryung. I nor anyone else have talked to her much, but it's not due to a lack of trying. When someone talks to her she just stares at them until they leave her alone.

Leora is the most normal one here. The only gripe I have with her is that she's too positive. She's so overly positive it seems scary to me. From what I've seen of her, not once has she despaired at our situation nor cursed others. When those seven died she seemed to feel genuine sorrow. She also is the only person here who after hearing that we had to slaughter goblin children showed any sympathy for my feelings. Not to mention she's beautiful. Tall slim figure with long wavy blond hair. If this were the gothic era she'd be unmistakable for the highest order of nobles even in her current ragged clothes.

You see, she's perfect. Therein is the problem. Nobody in this world can exist without a few flaws.

I'm more scared of a flawless person than the one who flaunts their flaws because of that single truth. That flawless person is not flawless; A situation may come where a flawless person is exposed and they betray or hurt those around them for one reason or another. It will be too late for the blind trusting fool because they never expected such a change in a perfect person to happen. Yet, there was never any change. Personality and character are not such fickle concepts that they can undergo a sudden shift in outward expression like that. Well... unless the trauma inflicted was heavily severe. I wince at my own thought.

Whatever, the bottom line is I'd rather involve myself with someone who's a little weird.

Of course, however, my thought process is just the showing of my doubtful nature which has been born from meeting my fair share of perfect people.

"Hello there," I greet Leora ignoring the other two in return.

"Hey Axel," She responds, but after, it grows silent. The insects buzz and birds chirp.

Twenty minutes pass before she suddenly speaks again.

"So... How are you adapting to our situation? I mean, how are you coping with it?" While she doesn't look at me and stares off into the dark forest with gleaming eyes, I can tell it was meant for me.

"I am..." I pause, realizing that I hadn't thought about how I feel about our situation. I am too caught up in trying to remember my past, trying to link together what I know with what's presented before me, and trying to understand my injury. My mind is fraught with thoughts of the current present to the point where adorning a savior to blot out my past isn't even necessary. I guess this mindset is the result of having no future to look towards.

So, when I think about it, this change of pace is somewhat... fun?

I'm finally free from all of my constraints. It's not like I'm in a rush to return home, there's no one waiting there anyway. So, for the first time since that horrible day all those years ago, I'm having fun? Yes, I think I am. While I pity the seven who died and the many more who will follow suit, I will not only survive, I will have fun in this place! I want to have so much fun I learn how to forget! I will strive to forget the reason I even need a savior! You know what! I'll have so much fun here to the point where I can be privileged to become someone else's savior!

I smile brightly having discovered my newfound resolve. I want to become a hypocrite! I will be perfect! I vow to never drop my smile so long as I'm having fun.

"Why are you smiling?" Leora asks with a somewhat disappointed look.

"Sorry," I apologize for making her awkwardly wait.

"Sorry?" she stares at me in confusion.

"It feels wrong to say it, but I'm having a little bit of fun. Instead of repeating the same mundane office tasks every day, I'm doing something new and exciting. The threat of death is scary, and the actions we have to take are atrocious, but it is kind of exhilarating. And I don't have anyone to return home to back home," I say a truth full of holes.

"You're crazy," she retorts while meeting my eyes once again.

"Yeah, I think I am too." I readily agree with a smile.

"But I like that."

"Huh," I say in surprise. What does she mean?

"I need someone like you around me. Someone crazy."

"Ehh!?" I take a step back letting the darkness hide my blush.

You're crazy yourself, woman!

Leora turns away from me and adopts a somber tone, "So, not gonna ask me?"

"Ahem, right. I guess that's only fair." How in the hell do you want me to think straight after saying that!? "So... how are you dealing with all of this? I mean, you have family back home right?"

"I'm not telling you anything about me," She confidently states.

"Huh?" My confusion at my situation only grows. "Then why ask me to ask you?"

"Because I'm trying to keep you curious about me..." She says with a coquettish smile that oddly seems to be seeped in sorrow.

"...Why?"

"Because then you'll seek me out." She turns her head away from me, not allowing me to see her face in the dark.

"What do you mean?" I question her.

"Figure it out... but take your time," She waves her hand signaling she wants to talk no more and that I should discover her meaning for myself.

I've been thoroughly had. What am I supposed to do with what she's said to me? There truly is no one normal here, huh?

It seems I was wrong to label her as a perfect person whose flaws were hidden behind a gilded exterior. She's a person who wears her flaws on her sleeves, but her flaws are so in tune with her outward character that I just didn't notice at first. She's more shifty than she appears.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think I might fall in love with this vixen if I involve myself with her anymore... My time here may truly be fun.

I can't help but let a smile creep onto my face.

"Tch."

I hear Zayn click his tongue to my side and suddenly my face flushes a cherry red as I realize two other people bore witness to that interaction.