🦊 🦊 🦊
AS I remember our conversation from the night before, I sneak a peek at Ektor and our eyes lock. He caught me looking! He smiles at me, and I once again can’t help but notice how perfectly chiseled his features are. He’s just so gorgeous! Suddenly, several strands of pink hair float in front of my eyes. It’s Claire’s long, silky hair.
“Now that that’s out of the way, let’s hurry up and get a move on,” she urges.
“…She’s right,” Ektor says after a pause. “Everyone ready?”
Claire’s trying to block my view. Her tone is cold, as if trying to pick a fight. The sparks aren’t just flying from Claire alone, either; they seem to be coming from Ektor as well. What’s with those two? Are they just fundamentally incompatible? It seems pretty rude to treat him like that after he went out of his way to help us. I know she’s simply protecting me in her own way, but I just wish she wasn’t quite as harsh.
“Er… Well, then. Dad, Mom, we’ll be back!” I say to our parents.
This might be the most awkward departure ever, but since we probably won’t see our parents for a while, it’s important we say our goodbyes. Our parents wave as they watch us head off, smiling softly. I feel a little sad, but neither my parents nor I ever stop smiling.
“So, are we going to just walk all the way there?”
“Of course not, we’ll be taking a Beast Buggy.”
The question slips from my mouth, which is quickly met with Macro’s immediate answer. He then goes on to describe what a Beast Buggy is. I feel myself grow excited at the mere idea of riding on something I’ve never heard of before. According to Macro, a Beast Buggy is basically a carriage, where we sit with our luggage, while a creature of some sort pulls us. Up until then, all I’d ever seen were carriages pulled by horses.
My heart pounds with excitement as we continue east on foot, and it’s not long before the road opens up into a meadow. Sitting underneath a large tree is an abandoned passenger carriage.
But where’s the beast?
Just as the thought crosses my mind, Ektor puts his fingers to his lips and releases a loud whistle. Fweep! The shrill sound resonates loudly, carried by the wind to the other side of the meadow.
“It’ll just be a moment,” Ektor says with a gentle smile.
Less than a minute passes before a pure white Rinos gallops into the meadow. His body is about the same size as the carriage, and a magnificent horn rises from the tip of his nose. Despite his muscular and tough appearance, his eyes hold a glint of kindness.
“A rhino…” Claire mutters.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Oh! Never mind. It’s nothing. It’s just that I’ve never seen a Rinos up close before.”
It seems I’m not the only one taken aback by this magnificent beast; Claire is equally as taken by him. Meanwhile, Ektor walks over to the Rinos, quickly throwing a saddle over his back and reins over his head with the practiced air of someone who’s done this countless times before.
“This guy’s name is Popo,” he explains. “He’s my personal Rinos. He used to be wild once upon a time, but he’s far too beautiful for that, so we became friends.”
“Animals just can’t get enough of you, huh?” Rinny says.
Ektor runs his hand over the Rinos’ hide, seemingly pleased by the comment. It definitely does seem as if animals love Ektor, like Rinny said, but it probably helps that Ektor likes them right back. You attract more flies with honey, as they say.
“Thanks for helping us.” Ektor gives his thanks to Popo, before hitching the passenger carriage to his body. Seeing Popo listen to Ektor and follow his commands without fuss is too adorable for words alone. “Hop on board, ladies. Sorry, Rinny and Macro, but you two will have to walk.” Ektor speaks to his companions as we scramble on board.
“It’s fine. Sheesh. You sound like you’ve lost your mind, talking all sweet like that… Yeah, yeah. I know, I know. Shut my trap before you shut it for me,” Rinny says grumpily.
“Huh? Is there really not enough room for anyone else?” I ask.
“Popo can easily carry more weight, but the carriage is only so big,” Ektor explains. “Rinny is a worg demi-human, and pretty big for one, too, so he can easily carry Macro in his beast form.”
“It’s not actually that far, so don’t worry! Or would you two like a piggyback ride as well?”
He’s not joking?! I realize it’s probably okay by the way he laughs it off, as if it’s no big deal. Still, I can’t help but feel a little bad for him…and Macro, too.
“I don’t really know how to ride! I’m sorry!” I say.
I’m really bad at anything involving coordinated movement, and it’s the only thing I can think to say in response to such a kind offer. I really should have trained harder when I was working on my magic!
“I could probably do it, but I don’t want to leave Miku by herself,” Claire says.
“She won’t be alone,” Ektor remarks back.
“Over my dead body,” Claire blurts out under her breath, low enough that only I can hear her. Haha…haaa. I feel myself break out into a nervous sweat.
“I’m only joking,” Rinny laughs. “You’re so funny, taking me seriously, Miku! Now then, let’s get moving! Macro, get up there!”
“Ugh… He smells so bad, but I guess I have no choice.”
“You have a big mouth for someone with such a small body! Don’t make me toss you!”
“Go ahead and try.”
“Gosh! Give it a rest, you two!”
They really make quite a racket. I’m prepared to do whatever I can to get along with the three of them. Hard not to be at least a little worried, but with Claire by my side, I know everything will work out in the end. I squeeze her hand in mine, determined to try my best.