Tempest

Chapter 3

"Why do you have me dressed like this, Lisbeth? Believe it or not, I've neve the chance to wear this...," They paused for a moment, glancing down at her outfit. They were wearing a; long sapphire blue dress with silver frills lining from the waist to the hem, tan flat shoes, and a long Egyptian blue hood to match. "Well you look absolutely beautiful to me. Would you prefer to wear something else because the clothes we have now is scarce until we buy more." Rain walked over to the closet and took a moment to look through the contents inside, nodding her head to some while looking disagreeable to others. "Are you sure you are alright? I mean I mean I found you on the brink of death and you seem just fine." Rain simply nodded their head and walked back towards her. "I promise I'm perfectly fine, now if you don't mind, I need to get changed", they stated while pushing her out of the room. After about ten minutes or so, they stepped out of the room timidly, hiding behind a door cautiously. They were wearing a; long flowing velvet green cape accompanied with a moss green tunic, matching trousers, and cobalt black leather boots. They used a ripped piece of their tunic to create a bandana to cover their eyes. "You know you're going to have to pay me back for that shirt, right?" 

"Consider it, collateral damage--" they said in a precarious tone, "--anyway what's done is done." They pulled their cowl significantly low as to shield their eyes from any wandering eyes. As they walked out of the house, Rain took a moment to look outside and bask in the sun. Being trapped for so long in those dungeons, having pain etched so deep in their soul, there was so much in the world that seemed so foreign to them. They forgot how warm and bright the morning sun is, how the air felt so fresh and sweet, they were hesitant of an attack when the sound of silence was interrupted by songbirds and the murmurs of other people in their own world. With some reassurance from Lisbeth, they ventured forward towards the town square of Hiradanza. As they walked, Lisbeth continued on telling them about the city and all of the outlets there are, as if Rain wasn't already a native. A few paths here, a few paths there, and down an alleyway, they crossed through some floral arches leading to Danzaban square. 

The city square looked to be as beautiful as ever, divided into a diamond of all shapes, with a giant wisteria tree encasing a gorgeous fountain in the center. It seemed less like it was just planted there, more like they were melding with nature and not interrupting it. Most shops seemed to be made in the same way, without interfering with the forces of nature. There are sixteen shops in total, with another path diverting to another section of the city. Together, they walk towards a dark brown building with a hanging sign that reads "Apparel Blackhole." They walk inside to the sound of doors chiming, a man standing at about five-foot-ten, ear length jet black hair, and a long blue trench coat. Lisbeth smiled at the man and perused at the different assortment of clothing. They spent the few minutes looking through different shirts, trousers, and dresses as well, though Rain attempted to hide their distaste. Out of all the clothes that had been in sight, one set had caught their eye, one she could get use to. It was a collection of dresses with slight holes near the waist and lower, with several deep pockets surrounding around it all. They were accompanied with; jet black capes with matching boots, silver lined hood, and buttons down the middle that allowed the dress to be split into shorts. They all varied into multiple colors both in light to dark, as well as thin to thickness of the material. They weren't too feminine, but it also doesn't scream out the manliness of it all. It seemed perfectly balanced and nice. Lisbeth walked over to them, glanced over at the collection and smiled. Taking Rain by the hand, she pulled them into a room, with one of the dresses in hand as well. "If you want it, then let's see you wear it" she mentioned while throwing it on her head. She stepped out and talked to the man behind the counter while they got dressed. They walked out shyly, hiding behind on of the mannequins while looking towards them both. 

"Oh, you look absolutely beautiful, doesn't she Mika" she says to the man behind the counter. Mika simply gave them a pleasant smile and nodded. "Is there a reason why you sound like you are already in your twenties, you're only three years older than I am." Lisbeth payed Mika and threw a coat hanger at, which led to them throwing one in return. Grabbing their bags of clothes, they ventured back towards Lisbeth's home, with Rain still constantly looking over their shoulder. Rushing back to their room, they throw the clothes on the bed and lie down flat on the floor. For some reason, it felt more comfortable than the beds and chairs. They stayed there on the floor, staring up into the ceiling. She would've thought herself dead by now, but had no reason to know why. Pain. All she remembered was pain and agony, a helpful soul that would mend her from time to time. Their faces were blank as stone, their voices mute despite their mouths moving. And to top it off, she was blind, yet able to see the world. Questions for another day they supposed, the day was still early, and she didn't feel the need to be lazy. They got back up, peered out of the room for Lisbeth, and snuck out to the forest area. They walked around the forest as the patchwork sun leaked through the treetops, illuminating the forest floor. Glowing sprites and critters scurry away into the deep forest while deer jumped through the tall grass. Looking at the trees, they seemed to be in a wide variance of colors, reaching towards the soft clouds in the sky. Toppling backwards from the sheer height of the trees, they clutch their hood and smile to themselves. Standing back up, they continued on their trek and admired the beauty. 

They felt a stinging in their back, an uncomfortable freezing in their shoulder. It was as if she was being shadowed by someone. Grabbing the nearest branch as they could, they continued on their way forward on the straight path. It was a long path with winding curves and the trees seem to arch inward. At the end of one of the paths in the forest lay a grandiose view. Several small pockets of land surrounded by a clear blue lake, and what appeared to be floating lands with trees hovering over the lake. Rain starstruck by the phenomenon in front of them, they didn't realize the person in their shadow had been standing by them for some time. "Incredible view isn't it, something like this shouldn't be possible, and yet it floats right above our heads." As quick as able to, Rain slammed the branch to the direction of her right, only for it to be caught by a hand. A strong muscular had that seemed a bit familiar. "Not entirely nice to strike at the man whom you bought clothes from, now is it" Mika said in a teasing tone. "Well it's not like you gave me any choice in the matter, why are you even following me anyways?" He let go of the branch and continued on forward towards the lake. "I'm just a simple shop keep who enjoys their strolls through the forest." As he continued walking forward, it was as if wings were lifting him into the air. Step by step, he continued on forward and upward, towards one of the floating islands. He looked back towards Rain, who was ready to chuck a branch at him. "who are you really...?"