Grape is sweet, indeed. It has a slight tartness to it, but artificial taste can imitate even the sweetest and ripest grapes. Each lick is like biting into the fresh core of another grape, drinking its juices eagerly, wanting another lick.
Amai nodded to the preparation inquiry. Of course, she was ready. She was not entirely certain with what power she would be securing the victory condition of this quest, but she was assured victory aside her sister, more powerful than she was. The pink-haired loli followed her elder sister, quick to keep pace. It was a flash to their past; she was always following her sister, trying to catch her in so many ways. Being the blessed child, her sister had developed faster and in all the right ways: prodigal magic touch, beautiful body, and even a wondrous voice. It was almost as if Amai was learning to be the younger sister all over again, seeing her elder sister in such a powerful light once more. It was weird, not being so independent to rely on her own power, but she was willing to make an exception for her sister.
Arriving to the top, Amai watched the guard finalizing preparations for their quest. Logs were being placed in specific spots. The guard seemed taken aback at the sisters’ presence; she assumed that it was because they were females in a respected position. She could not tell exactly why it was, but he certainly worked to the beat of her sister’s drum, that voice equally commanding and intimidating, despite the words being soft and reassuring. That man certainly completed his work swiftly. She could almost make out puppy dog ears and a tail wagging.
Amai bit down to silence a chuckle that crept in her throat.
Another grape was needed.
Amai followed Arisa’s lead. The younger sister kept to her elder sister’s heels, and she followed her movements. Arriving at the beacon was simple enough, watching the various guards performing their various tasks. There was not much at that point to be done but oversight, and it was a bit unexpected. She was expecting a bit more direct involvement. She nodded at her sister’s comment about it being easy and the hope for stronger opposition.
A single sleeping guard offered only respite in lack of action, which was more of an annoyance than respite. Amai sighed and shook her head, ready to hit the guard as he slacked on his duty, but Arisa seemed the voice of reason, assuring her that no action would be necessary. To be honest, if the guard were sleeping, he would likely be useless anyway since he proved he was a slacker. The ease of this quest was boring, to say the least, as they headed north. She felt like saying something, but she was not sure how to start. Awkward was a good word to describe the silence as they walked to the final beacon.
That copper scent of blood then crept into her nostrils.
Blood was everywhere.
Amai looked ahead to see that the project was nearly done, but there was a dead guard surrounded in blood. This was a solemn warning of just how quick a situation could turn from dull to frantic out at these parts. She bit down on her lollipop, the remainder of the sucker cracking loudly in disgust of the sight. She wanted to walk forward to the body to check it, but something was stopping her. Her vision was beginning to fade a little, and dizziness swept over her. She staggered for a brief second but caught herself. Pulling herself upright, she nodded in response to her sister’s suggestion; they needed to report this. It was a shame the guard died, but this was their mission.
Amai followed Arisa back at a little distance. She corroborated the report that Arisa gave. Her briefing was quick, merely an echo of what her sister had said just seconds prior. Something was bothering her, though, at the sight of the bloodied body. Perhaps it was just her inexperience with death that was affecting her. Acknowledging this shortcoming of hers, she made mental note of it. Turning to her sister, she gave a weak smile. Food sounded great at the time.
Amai had a feeling she’d need the energy in the very near future.
{723}
{ 1024 / 1000 }
[ - EXIT - ]