Moonstruck

| Chapter I |

Envy is on the brink of a panic attack.

She's standing amongst at least two hundred guards—her being one of them—and she cannot hear a word of what the 3 head knights are saying in front of the vast amount of people. This was not what she had in mind when she applied to be a knight yesterday.

The chain armor was uncomfortable, the unbearable heat was making her vision blurry, and the large amount of tall, intimidating men was making her nervous. In fact, she was pretty sure she was one of the only women here without being a head knight. The three head knights above the crowed were unrecognizable by gender besides one in the center with long, dark plats ending around her waist. Even then, with Envy's poor vision and lack of mind, she couldn't even be sure.

Envy looks up at the prodigious castle, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. The red brick gave an intimidating feel, fitting the 80-foot lofty castle. Although the castle itself was bone chilling, the surrounding atmosphere was calming. The castle was mounted upon a large hill, littered with various bushes, flowers and small trees with multiple villages underneath. She couldn't see the village she grew up in from her view, she didn't really expect to due to the diminutive size.

Suddenly, Envy hears steps. Multiple steps. She whips her head around and sees all the beginning knights walking into the castle, some walking around the perimeter of the building.

Where was she supposed to go?

"Hey!" an aggressive—weirdly aggressive— voice calls out. The knights head snaps to the three—now two head knights, since one was now walking over to her. The Head Knight stops about half a foot away from her, looking her up and down. His gaze lingers on her ear for a split second, then looking back at her face. "Have you been paying attention at all?" The knight flicks her forehead, "If Erica or Qwen caught you dodding off, you probably would've gotten sent home immediately." Envy grimaces and rubs her forehead, why did that hurt so much? "I- um, i'm sorry? If you could remind me what we're supposed to do, that'd be...uh.." Envy stops her apology, perplexed as to why the Male in front of her was just..staring at her blankly.

"Um.." This was starting to get uncomfortable.

"Y'know what," The older says suddenly, making her jump. "You're gonna be my apprentice." This time, it was Envy to stare blankly. He nods and hits Envy's back, pushing her forward. "Yup, your not too scrawny- so you should be alright." He says, putting his hand on his scabbard. "Uh.." Envy shifts. "What do you mean?" He blinks, then sighs. "Us three," he points back to the other two Head Knights conversing amongst themselves. "-are supposed to choose an apprentice to train personally. The whole purpose is to make sure there's another knight ready to become a Head Knight when an old one dies or steps out." Envynods in understandment, taking this time to look at the taller.

He's about a head taller than her, with the same uniform as her but the chestplate design had one heart on it, rather than the four hearts she had on hers. His hair was a wavy chocolate brown that ended at his chin, and his sharp eyes matched the chocolate pigmented hair. His cheeks were chubby but his jawline was still sharp and attractive looking, and he was well built too. He made her nervous- why was he so intimidating?

"Um, usually it'd take a few moons to choose but ahh.." his face straightens and he looks elsewhere in distaste. "i really don't feel like evaluating hundreds of knights right now." Envy's expression drops. "...so your just being lazy?" As he was about to angrily defend himself, a voice calls out to him. "Ash! What the hell are you doing with a fourth knight? Aren't they supposed to be going to the Knights Bunk?" What seems to be Ash, rolls his eyes and yells a reply, "Actually i'm talking to my APPRENTICE! and i'm ABOUT to show them around." Ash then spins on his heel and walks toward the entrance of the castle, leaving Envy to catch up. The other Head Knight yells "How are you so sure they aren't a Donkey?" And Ash yells back "Shes not!"

Envy turns to look at Ash. "A Donkey?" Without moving his focus he replies, "Basically means your dumb." Envy's face straightens.

They're about halfway into the castle, and Envy's mind starts to wonder with curiosities. "Hey Ash?" He flinches. "How did you.." He says, voice shallow. Envy blinks, "The other Head Knight said it. Is that not your name?" Ash waves her off, "Whatever, what were you saying? For a second i thought you were one of my stalkers." Envy squints, 'one of them??' "I was just wondering when i start doing Knight duties! Like saving princesses, freeing the castle, fighting with bad people!" Envy ponders, rambling. Ash stops at a large door. "We won't be doing any of that. The most heroic you get is saving me from getting lectured by the Queen." Ash says, his face scrunching up, muttering a small "old bitch.." Suddenly, he clears his throat and opens the door. "um- This is the Knights Bunk. Fourth Knights sleep here and Novelty Knights sleep on the second stair." Envy looks around the room in awe. It was huge!

The room fit at least 50 sets of three spaced bunkbeds, each bunk being occupied by either a knight or a knights belongings. Beside each bunk was a bedside table with a candle in the middle. The walls were a deep blue with larger candles lighting up the space dimly, some placed at the top of a doorway that seems to be a bathroom.

Ash points the up the stairs and Envy makes her way up, The Head Knight behind her. It was the same as the first floor, but a bit smaller with less, but larger beds. The walls were a warm orange with more candles placed around the room. However, no knights were present, but only their belongings. Almost like ash was reading her mind, he says, "Novelty knights are on patrol right now. they're usually here in the afternoon." Envy nods and heads back downstairs, the brunette following behind.

As they approach the hallway, Envy notices a Large painting, almost the size of her garden back in her old village. "Woah, is that the royal family?" Envy questions, tilting her head up to get a good look.

A dark skinned woman with black, coily hair and a red and white dress stood behind a chair with a blank, unfocused look. On the chair was a girl, a bit young with cocoa skin with a bored expression on her face. Her dress was a neat brown and her hair almost matched the completion. Beside her was a Tall woman with pigmentless hair, except for the ends of which was a smooth brown, resting at her thighs. Her face was strict and stoic, almost looking directly through the painting. Unlike the other women, she did not wear a dress, but an all-white suit and a red cloak. Her hand rested on a short girl with black hair and swarthy skin, her face a small, apologetic smile that matched her calm, light green dress. Envy flushed.

"The one in the chair is really pretty.." Envy said, still focused on the painting. Ash laughed, then her expression fell. "When we guard her, please don't be a creep." Envy choked, "i-IM NOT?" Ash waves her off, continuing to walk out of the hallway and back near the entrance of the castle, then makes a few sharp turns, and arrives at a door.

Knock Knock.

The door opens to see a very annoyed looking red eyed man, although very young looking. "What." He sneers, his brown hair falling over his eyes a bit. Ash sighs, "Parker- i need to show my apprentice the infirmary, i'm showing her aroun-" The door slams shut. Ash's eyebrows furrow.

Knock Knock

No answer.

Knock Knock

No response.

KnockKnockKnockKnockKnockKno—

The door swings open to reveal the same person. "Okay, unless someone is dead, dying or lit aflame, i don't see why i should care." 'Parker' says, annoyed. "But—" Parker points up at the Bronze plate above the door, which has a neatly written—"Infirmary. Now go away." The door slams shut again. Ash pinches the bridge of his nose. "Okay whatever. We're late for Taylanie anyway." And Ash starts walking away, and Envy, cracking up, follows briskly.

"I found her."