Adrift Among The Stars

chapter 1

Brandon sat at his desk, working on the paperwork that all guild leaders have to do. He's been working on the paperwork since morning, trying to get it done before it became late. He blocked all sounds from his mind and was just focusing on getting the paperwork done. Part of the reason he blocked out sounds was because he wasn't expecting anyone to come in.

Boat came up the ladder as quietly as he could, before making his way to the S-class board while deep in thought. He knew he had to be quiet since Ritchie and Brandon said that he's only allowed to take one S-class mission per day, and he already took one. He was feeling a bit tired, but wasn't going to show it and refused to let that stop him.

Brandon froze when he heard quiet footsteps going towards the mission board, causing him to snap back to reality, and knew who it was immediately. He got up and in a flash, as his brother would say, was leaning against the mission board.

''May I ask what you are doing?'' Boat froze and turned towards Brandon at the sound of his voice which was, as usual, monotone, and saw that Brandon was looking at him with his usual neutral expression that matched his tone.

Boat realizes he was caught and panic sets in while he tried to make an excuse.

''I-I just finished my mission and was lost in my thoughts while I came up here to give you a report.'' He let out a nervous laugh, causing Brandon's eyes to narrow as a way of showing that he didn't believe it.

''And why did you come to the quest board instead of my office?'' Boat quickly thought back to his excuse and answered within a second, hoping to not anger the larger male.

''As I already said, I was lost in thought, so I must have come here on accident.'' Brandon was curious about what might have made him unfocused.

''What were you thinking about?'' Boat closed his eyes before speaking.

''The mission I went on was to deal with some members of a dark guild. They said they had a message, but the message confused me...'' Boat shook his head at the thought of the strange message, but was just focused on getting Brandon away from the board so that he could take one.

Brandon, despite being called an airhead by David because of his magic, was no idiot.

''Oh really...'' Boat was both relieved and worried by the look on his face, which was unreadable.

''I would like it if you relay this message to Ritchie and I...'' Brandon was interested in what the message was, but he did have another thing to say.

''I'm glad you listened to Ritchie and I about not taking more than one S-class mission per day. After all, discipline is important'' Boat nods as a bad feeling comes over him, yet he bites his lip and does his best to ignore it.

''S-so, should I tell it to you now, or should I wait and also tell Ritchie?'' It was obvious to anyone that the guild master was making Boat uncomfortable, yet he didn't show it.

Boat realized that he could just come back and take a mission tonight. He figured that since Mario doesn't need to sleep, he doesn't either. He just needed to get out of here.

Brandon wasn't doing anything different than he normally would, but he knew that he was intimidating to Boat because he wasn't used to how Brandon acts. Brandon knew that he would get used to it eventually.

''I can wait so you can tell Ritchie and I later.'' Boat seemed slightly relieved and they were both silent until Brandon spoke again.

''You know, discipline is just as important as your well-being...'' Boat looked and Brandon and was surprised to see a bit of concern hidden.

''There's a reason Ritchie and I tell you not to take more than one S-class mission a day.'' Boat was surprised by the small bit of emotion in Brandon's voice.

He goes back into his mind, where his thoughts are clashing against Brandon's wishes and telling him to take another mission. But there was one thought that wasn't. It was pleading him to listen to Brandon, to take a rest today and to take a mission tomorrow. Now that he thought about it, the dark guild members he fought weren't as easily taken down, as he made it seem.

He was really close to being knocked out, but did a good job at hiding a the pain he was feeling. He looked up at Brandon with hardened eyes, shoving the thought that was telling him to listen, to the back of his mind. Ignoring the guilt he was feeling.

''I understand. Magic can drain quickly because of how difficult S-class missions can be, not to mention we need to rest and give any injuries we were given, time to heal.'' He felt the guilt nagging at him, yet managed to push it away again.

''Indeed...'' Brandon had said all that he needed to and had dropped plenty of obvious hints, telling the boy to rest and not take another mission.

''Well I've still got paperwork to do, extremly boring but necessary.'' Boat nodded slowly and looked away before a question popped into his head.

''Should I wait for Ritchie to get here or should I just go do something?'' According to Brandon's answer, Boat might need to change his plans.

''I don't know when my brother will get back, so you can go and do your own thing.'' Boat nodded and turned around.

''I'll be going now since I don't want to stop you from doing the paperwork. I'll see you later.'' With that, Boat begins to walk out while Brandon went to his desk.

Brandon sat quietly at his desk for a moment before saying something when he was able to confirm he was alone.

''...Why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?''

Remember to always try and have a good day/night. Bye wolf pups!!