Moonlit Gold | Sphintus x Titus

Chapter 1 "Cats are lovely!"

Art: @/classicanimaljam on Instagram

Since the moment Titus was able to glance at the world outside of him, he has been absolutely mesmerized by all the animals, especially cats. He loved the way their fur moved in the wind, their cute whiskers, and the sounds they make! He loved to pet them, and cats seemed to like him as well! Titus wanted a cat, but for sure Lady Scheherazade would lecture him about 'goofing off', and for another reason he was sure the dorms would not allow animals inside!

Then, the brightest idea flew through his head! He would get Aladdin to MAKE him a cat! Even if it's only temporary, a cat is a cat. Since the 'battle to the death' between the two, a few months ago, Aladdin's 'unnamed' spell has put the starry eyed boy in awe. The fact that such a small kid could conjure up something so stunning and powerful, and only out of sand, was so amazing! If Titus recalls, he remembers Aladdin calling the spell, 'Ugo', but what Aladdin names his spells is not really his business. If Aladdin can create a GIANT out of sand, he should be able to create something as meek as a cat!
Titus exhaled heavily, looking around him, he realizes the townspeople of Magnostadt were giving him peculiar glances. The blonde boy quickly sits up from the field he was pondering in and dusts himself off. Was he talking to himself again? Sometimes when his thoughts get too worked up he starts expressing them outloud, sometimes shouting! He never noticed either which is a bit odd, he just gets distracted in his own mumbling.
Titus composes himself and makes sure he has all his assets on hand. Then he remembers when he first met Aladdin, that brat! Assuming he was a girl only because of his voice and behind! It's not even big! Titus can't seem to understand how Aladdin had mistaken him as a woman. Aladdin was quite the perverse rascal, even attempting to grope Titus! But now, Titus and Aladdin have befriended each other, so it's best to let things go. You can't undo what's happened in the past.

Titus began to walk in the direction of the academy, suddenly feeling parched. He had the urge to drink milk, and as he does, he gives into his urges and heads into the commoner's market. He figured since he's in town he should get something at the local market to support the sellers, and quench his thirst. He brushed his hair out of his face, then turned around heading to the market. As he approached the market he soon spotted a couple of vendors selling snacks and such, Titus had become a little bit hungry himself after having a whole drama act at the fields about cats.
He approached the closest vendor and took out his pouch that contained a few copper coins.
"My esteemed magician! What brings your highness to such lowly parts of town again..?" A frail old woman dressed in rags, she gives Titus a very friendly smile.
"Me? Your highness? Oh no! I am just a normal person like you. There is no need to treat me as I am higher than you." Titus chuckled a bit, feeling awkward.
Even though he frequented the town a lot, he is still not used to how everybody treated him as higher class. He twirled his small braids around a little bit.
"My esteemed magician, it is only natural for me to address you so highly! You magicians do so much for us! Thank you for everything! It is an honour for you to be visiting my small shop! What may I get you, magician?"
Titus, almost dumbfounded, he catches his thoughts and responds,
"Aha.. Thank you, but please, call me Titus. Might you have milk to sell, or salted chips today?"
"No no, I could never address somebody of such high status in such a casual manner! Although I am grateful that you deem me worthy of doing such, my magician! We in fact do have both milk and those chips! We only have one bag of chips and I am more than happy to give you them for no cost. After all, you magicians bless us so greatly!"
The boy genuinely had no idea how to respond, seriously speechless. This woman really is stubborn, huh? Titus just nodded politely, unsure of what should come out of his mouth. The old woman carefully places the items into Titus' arms and sends him on his way.

Dazily, Titus began to walk back to the academy, then overhearing a small boy running to the vendor he was just at.
"Auntie, Auntie! Do you have chips in stock?!"
"I'm sorry, child, I had just given away the chips to the wonderful magician right over there!" The lady gestures towards Titus. A gloomy expression washed over the boy's face. The little kid suddenly felt a pat on his head, as he looked up he saw the chips he was longing for! Titus watched as the boy's face lit up with joy, "Thank you miss!!!!" The young boy hugged Titus' leg as he clutched onto the bag of chips.
"Miss......? MISS???" Titus thought to himself, he had an obvious face crack.
Titus immediately stiffened up and gave the child a very forced grin, as he began to walk away. He thought to himself, why do so many people mistake him as a woman? Sure he had a small frame, he had slender legs and a pretty face, but he's sure that he's obviously not female. How annoying, even that damned Sphintus rips on him for looking like a girl. But then what makes him look so much like a girl, Sphintus has the same long hair! Maybe it's because Titus doesn't show off his muscles as much, but he doesn't have any visible ones, so what's the point? He's skilled with magic but unlike Aladdin, he isn't physically strong.

Titus, now walking sluggishly, is almost back at his large school. He then felt the presence of two large men behind him, the stench of alcohol was much too strong. How foolish of them to be drinking in the middle of the day. It isn't like Titus has to worry though, his wand is carefully hidden under his uniform, easily accessible to only him.
One of the piglike men put his hand on Titus' waist,
"What a desirable lady you are! So defenseless too, if you're a magician, don't you think you should carry around your fairy wands or something?" One of them chuckled, boorishly. Titus thought the men were absolutely hideous, their breath smelled terrible.
"That is the last straw!! I am NOT a girl! I may look girly, but in reality I am stronger than both of you combined!" Titus reaches for his wand but then a hand holds onto his wrist, and it wasn't one of the drunks pestering him. Titus swiftfully turns his head around, and the person grabbing him was Sphintus! "Oi' you dumb magician! We got to her first!" One of the bulky men called out. Titus thinks to himself, did they even listen to me?! Are they hard of hearing?! The drunkard yelps, as the other's hand retreats from Titus' waist. Titus was gracefully pulled into the silver haired man's embrace, his head against Sphintus' chest as his left arm was wrapped around his back, Titus immediately reddens but his flustered moment is quickly cut short as his gaze meets the large, glimmering, golden snake wrapped around Sphintus' neck. He lets out a yelp and pushes himself away from Sphintus' arm.
"Calm down would you?! I'm trying to protect you!" Sphintus yells,
"I don't need your help! I'm plenty powerful, thank you!!" Titus childishly yells back. As the two bicker, the drunks look at eachother and decide it's not worth it before walking off.

A few minutes pass as Sphintus and Titus argued at each other, but then Sphintus noticed that the men from earlier had scurried off. The taller boy flicked Titus' forehead.
"Ow! Seriously, what's your problem! Why are you even here?" Titus glared at Sphintus while crossing his arms. "I was only passing through! You know how much I like the shops here! Don't get the wrong idea, rich boy." Sphintus angrily pouts, crossing his arms dramatically as if to mock Titus.
"Whatever, do what you want! I need to ask Aladdin something."
"Oh? What are you going to ask him?"
"It's none of your concern."
"Now you're just making me curious!"
"It really isn't that important!"
"Well I guess I just HAVE to know! Allow me to follow you, your highness!" The boy smiles, but his snarky expression is crushed by Titus angrily stretching out Sphintus' cheeks.
"Hey!! Let go of me!! I'm sorry, okay!! It's my fault for calling you 'your highness' even though I know you don't like that!!" Titus sighs then let go, but not before giving Sphintus a light slap on his right cheek.
"Thank you for showing mercy, my esteemed magician!!!" Sphintus jokingly yells before running in the direction of the academy, "SPHINTUS GET BACK HERE, YOU MONGREL!!!" Titus screams before activating his flight spell and speedily catches up with Sphintus. "Hey no fair! Now I get to fly too!" Sphintus rises up quickly and propels himself up with Titus following close behind.