When Magic Speaks - NaNoWriMo 2020✔️

4

Wiss always felt as though she were either one step ahead or ten steps back. She could either predict preceding events as if she could see into the future or they hit her like a brick wall. And today was definitely a ten steps back kind of day. Never in a million years did she expect to come face to face with the Knightengale nor the near face-off with the town of Hural. No matter where she went she always seemed to both cause and attract trouble.

The girl and her suited friend approached the cottage in silence. Both had lost count of how many times Taun had escorted Wiss home. Since there had been too many instances to count and the cause of too many unwholesome reasons, the embarrassment had thankfully faded away over time. But the awkward tension in the air still remained. It didn't matter how long they'd been friends, ever since Taun had become an official hural guard, a wall had been mounted. A metaphorical one at that but it was still noticeable. In fact, Wiss practically jogged as the front door came into view. Awkward, awkward, awkward. It felt like Wiss was being escorted home by the school principal after getting into a fight at school. She had nearly throw hands at the townspeople but luckily for Taun, he wouldn't have to send Wiss home with a black eye. He never hear the end of it from Marma. Speaking of Marma.

Taun watched as Wiss ran up the front porch to the door, getting snagged by Marma's strong hold. Based off of her expression she already had an idea of ​​what had happened and worked hard to mask her fear with a big ol 'fake smile. She spun Wiss around to face Taun, squeezing the girl's arms. 

"Taun," she sang. The boy couldn't quite tell if the old woman was disappointed or angry. It was probably a combination of both. "We haven't seen you around here for a while."

The boy was so used to the orange cottage it was almost like a second home for him. But escorts for Wiss never grew less uncomfortable. He awkwardly shifted his weight as he shot her a smile, cradling Wiss's groceries in his arm. "Ah, well, I've become quite busy with ... my new job and all."

"Of course," Marma grinned. She nudged Wiss (not so nonchalantly) as she stared starry eyed at the boy. Know what blatantly ignoring it. "Taun is a shiny spick and span official guard now!"

"Yes, we know Amma," Wiss sighed. "Taun has a fancy new job and I don't." She laid eyes on the grocery bag and gestured to Taun. He got the hint and brought the bag over to her. For some reason he wanted to keep as much distance from her as possible. What he afraid of her?

"That's not what I'm-" Marma sighed, brushing it off. "Taun, would you like to come inside for some tea? I made muffins."

"I'd love to Amma but I should probably go report back to my supervisors," Taun smiled, awkwardly at that. Marma could sense his unease and gave up. 

"Okay. You're always welcome here."

"Thank you." Taun bowed his head gently as he met Wiss's gaze. She held it, only for a moment before turning and entering the cottage. The boy dropped his gaze then before waving to Marma and heading back toward town. He took one last look back as Marma went inside. 

"Know!" Marma called, following her granddaughter into the kitchen, her hands on her hips. "What was with that attitude towards Taun? He did nothing wrong! In fact, he was very kind."

Wiss unloaded the grocery bag, her back to Amma as she spoke. "He treats me as if I'm a child! He's only a year older than I! He thinks I'm unbalanced."

"Unbalanced?"

Wiss paused, slowly turning around to meet Amma's gaze. The girl couldn't tell if she was absolutely clueless or just masking some truths. She leaned on the counter as she spoke. "Amma, the Knightengale entered into Hural today. He was eerie and haunting, like a possessed ghost. And the strangest part is ... he approached me. He had the opportunity to strike fear toward me and ... he did nothing. Now the entire town assumes I'm in cahoots with him. "