AMBER MENORA AND THE VIAL OF BLOOD (Slow Updates)

2. AFLOAT

      The sylphs standing on the dock cheered loudly, attempting to throw flowers and sparkles at us in their glee. Luckily, there was a protection shield encasing the entire ship, which prevented the magical flowers from touching us.

     A sudden thump on my right as I stepped my foot on the deck, made me jump. Tutu, who was perched on my shoulder, gave a low terrified squeal.

     An orange cupcake, now squished due to hitting the shield instead of me, bounced back to the frenzied crowd; flecks of it still sticking to the invisible wall like trickles of water on glass. Despite the shield being there, a sweet odour of freshly baked cakes invaded my nostrils.

Why would someone want to throw a freaking cupcake at me?

    Strange.

I patted Tutu gently. "Relax buddy, it was just someone trying to waste food."

      Stepping a little farther away from the protected wall, I continued waving to the people with a smile plastered across my face.
The crowd erupted into an ear defeaning outcry of cheers and victorious chants.

     Turning around, I noticed Marianna blowing kisses to the well-wishers. Her beautiful blue hair blew with the wind, whipping Aaron's face who was standing beside her, in the process.

   I let out a small laugh as I watched him absent-mindedly twirl her blue curls in-between his fingers as he whisked them away from his face. My laughter went doubling up as I noticed a number of ladies glaring at Ana before beginning to shout Aaron's name and throwing colourful, glittery flowers at him to get his attention.

     The usual.

Flora joined me, smiling and waving.
"How're ya liking the enthusiasm, Amy?"

   I sighed, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. "So much that I want to go to my cabin and sleep."

"You're such a lazy butt!"

    "I can agree with that. My jaws and arms are aching because of smiling and waving for so long." I stole a glance at the ship's golden plank where my father was having some urgent conversation with Ana's father. "How long until the ship set's sail?"

Flora chewed her bottom lip. "Another ten minutes or so. They'll announce it."

     Huffing out, I focused on sending my love and thanks to the people again.

     The ship was currently anchored at the Royal Valiant harbour at the Sparkler Sea. Since Leia resided near Atlantis, the shortest way to reach her abode would be via the water portal. That would mean taking the Sparkler Sea route, through the Silent Peak and its surrounding Golden meadows, Harp Village, Folkloria town and finally the magic canal that led to the portal. It would approximately take a day and a half.

      I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice Queen Aqua walk up to my spot. She placed a hand on my shoulder, surprising me. "We're about to leave. Let's go inside."

Smiling, she headed down gracefully to Aaron and Marianna, occasionally waving at the masses.

   Oh yes!

Overcome with an unknown excitement, I waved my hands joyously, sending flying kisses to the crowd.

This was it. The moment that I had been waiting for.

      After a minute or so, I found myself walking in through the arched panel that led to the interior of the ship along with the rest of the voyagers. Aaron, Flora and Ana strode beside me, grinning.