“You didn’t!” Cadenza gasped, disbelief coloring her voice.
“I did!” I squeaked, clapping my hands together with enthusiastic glee. Honestly, I’ve grown accustomed to this reaction from her, but it doesn’t mean I understand how she consistently possesses such boundless energy. It’s… unnatural. Must be speed or something.
“You’re so naughty!” she squealed.
I hushed her, a finger pressed to my lips. “Don’t broadcast it to the world.”
“Okay, okay, sorry—”
I cut her off mid-sentence, suddenly rising to my feet. “Someone’s here,” I announced, feigning a sensory magic scan to appear more intimidating. In truth, I’d simply heard Zack shout. (A/N: All senses are heightened—hearing, touch, taste, sight, smell.)
“Sorry to interrupt your little chat, gorgeous,” I said, intending to check the commotion. “I doubt Zack can handle them alone.” He probably could, but I relish guarding the gate. It’s a delightful pastime to provoke a little hatred.
Cadenza gave me a questioning look, and I returned it with a deliberately goofy smile before jogging off.
“Well, well, well. What have we here?” I questioned as I approached Zack.
“A group of adventurers, claiming friendship with Cadenza.”
I wasn’t aware she had any friends beyond me. Usually, her ‘friends’ are either village chiefs or… dead. “We’ll see about that,” I said with a cocky grin. “You.” I pointed to a small girl who resembled a potato. “What’s her favorite hobby?”
It may seem trivial, but divulging such a pastime, especially for someone of her status, is… unwise.
“Sewing and making clothes,” she replied, respectful but hesitant. Don’t question my methods, short stack.
“Good,” I replied, surprised. My gaze shifted to the boy with brown hair and piercing blue eyes—eye candy, if I’m honest.
He must have sensed my impending question, because he bristled.
“Who the hell do you think you are? I’m her goddamn brother! I don’t need to answer to you!”
I scoffed, mirroring his arrogance. “I don’t need to answer to you! Haven’t you noticed? I’m up here, and you’re down there. If you want in, you do as I say.”
Zack placed a hand on my shoulder. “Tone it down, y/n—”
I turned to him, voice confident and patronizing. “Zack, I’ve got this. Trust me.”
He raised his hands in apology and stepped back. Just then, the little brat by the docks shouted, “Bite me!”
He looks a few years older than me.
I smirked. “That can be arranged.” I lunged forward, landing on my feet directly in front of him. I grabbed his right shoulder with my left hand and swung myself around him. He didn’t move a muscle. I pressed myself against him, my mouth dangerously close to his ear. I whispered, “Where would you prefer…” My fingertip on my right hand gently moved to his cheek, “here?” Then it glided towards his neck, “or maybe here…”
“You’re disgusting,” he almost choked out. It was low-key funny; my mouth twitched, but I shook it off and released him, stepping back a few paces.
“Maybe,” I replied, as if nothing had happened. I dusted myself off. “I get that a lot.”
Cadenza ran down, ecstatic, and literally flung herself into the girl’s arms with such force that they both tumbled onto the sand. “Aphmau! It’s been so long!”
She looked up at the boy and screamed again, “Laurance! I missed you so much!” Her voice normalized, realizing she was in public. “Sorry for the cold welcome. y/n can get like that sometimes.”
“It wouldn’t really call it cold.” Laurance spat. I pulled a face and flipped him off.