The Unfinished Adventures of Harley

Chapter 2

Odette snapped her fingers. "Oh, I remember! We have some good news, Harley! But first, let's have our picnic. The swans have sent us some treats." Odette gently dropped the swan she was holding onto the grass and leaned over to take Harley's hand in hers. Lancelot followed alongside as she lead them back to her castle, her heels clicking lightly on the smooth, stone walkway.

Crafted out of quartz and glass, the castle shone brightly next to a glittering lake. The diamonds on the wings and head sparkled with an ethereal radiance in the sunlight, and blue rose bushes thrived near a large, circular fountain in front of the entrance like a ring of sapphires. Next to the lake, a white sheet lay on the grass, carrying a small picnic basket on top. A willow hung overhead, its leaves rusting in the wind like a wispy curtain.
"I suppose we're having sandwiches?" Harley asked. "That's a bit boring, you know."
"Oh, of course not," said Odette. "I managed to get Balmond to make his signature dish for us. I think it was called 'Fury of Heaven'?"
"Heaven?" Harley didn't know whether Odette was attempting another one of her bad jokes or if she actually didn't remember the name. Lancelot started choking as soon as he heard her mention Balmond.
"Odette... have you ever tried one of his dishes?"
"No, but Akai likes them."
"Dear," Lancelot said, trying to keep his voice even, "Akai eats anything as long as it's food."
"He told me he ate plastic bags, too," replied Odette, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe we should try some next time." While they were talking, Harley sneaked over to the basket and glanced inside. There was a mysterious, blackened lump that strangely resembled a chicken head and an extra large container of pepper flakes. So Odette wasn't joking about the food.
"...I think so," Lance finshed. "And if it's not, then I'll be able take care of it." Odette seemed like she was about to argue, but Lancelot shook his head slightly and turned his attention to Harley. "We're going to take you with us to the beach. Odette thought we should have more family time." After a moment, he added, "And we don't have to worry about you destroying the house when you're with us."
"I thought I was going to tell him," said Odette, slightly peeved. "And you were so straightforward, too. I wanted the news to be a little more exciting than that." Lancelot opened his mouth to reply, but Harley interjected.
"Wait, hold on a minute. We're going to the beach?"
Odette nodded. "Just think about it. How long has it been since you went outside the Land of Dawn?" Harley blinked, struggling to recall when he first arrived. He knew it had something to do with a rogue portal at his old academy, but the rest was completely blank. Even now, he still wondered what his life was like before the portal incident.
"A while, I guess. But you're sure it's alright to leave?" he asked, shaking off the thought. "If we die out there, we're done for." The Land of Dawn contained a mysterious power that prevented anyone inside the borders from truly dying, making it the perfect place to battle and hone their skills. However, only the most powerful and talented would find their way there. It remained elusive to any others trying to discover the land from those fairytales. It was also where Harley first met all his new friends and family, though he wasn't actually trying to come here in the first place.
"It's already been settled," Lancelot answered. He started walking back to the castle. "Just so you know, we're leaving first thing tomorrow."
After he had disappeared from sight, Odette said, "You don't have to come if you don't want to. I just thought that you might be bored or lonely if we took more days off." Harley scoffed at that.
"I'll be fine on my own. I'm still coming, though." Odette immediately brightened and beamed at him. He couldn't help his own lips from tugging upwards, too. Odette's contagious smile could bring a grin to anyone's face, even at the most inappropriate times. The swans danced and flapped around her, sensing her joy.

That's all I wrote so I hope you enjoyed those few chapters!