The ride to the gate was bumpy, but we didn't complain since the breeze felt nice and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Watching the land pass by, I had to admit that being able to have my feet out the back, made this ride nicer than being in a car.
"Mmrgg!"
Well if there were cushioned seating all around.
"I haven't been to Xyrus in so long. I wonder why I'm feeling nervous." Mom wondered.
"Now that I think about it, you never really got out the house." I inquired.
"Well, I have a bit of social awkwardness. It feels like every is watching me and judging my actions, but I know it's all in my head." She laughed.
"No, there really do be some sick bastards that just stare at you. Pisses me off a lot actually." I laughed watching my dad pout like a child.
"Well you're supposed to be the big guy that scares them away!" Mom teased as she poked at him.
He pulled her into his lap and from there I just turned my head to look away from them, but I came eye to eye with a wagon guide behind us.
"AHEM!!" I cleared my throat loudly and buried my face in my hands out of embarrassment.
Deep down, all I could think was, 'Must be nice…' As we continued toward the gate.
….
About 20 to 30 minutes had passed and we crossed through the gate. Getting out of the wagon, we thanked our guide and walked along the sidewalk.
"It really doesn't get old…" Mother said as she looked around at the prestigious looking city. For me, the city looked good and all, but I was more attracted to its cleaness.
There wasn't a single bit of trash on the streets, no one seemed like they were disrespecting the land and even this high up, the air was full and pure.
We moved along the sidewalk, passing many shops and keeping out of the way of people carrying their weapons around.
Honestly, I thought I had gotten used to it, but the guy in front of us was literally carrying a huge ass battle axe that still looked like it had blood on it.
If wasn't wrapped up or anything and it wasn't even tightly secured in its holster! After some time we made a turn and just across the road we saw a big field of grass with beautiful trees.
There were many people enjoying the weather and breeze of Xyrus as families were also having picnics in the patch.
We crossed the street and walked passed a sign that read "Xyrus Grand Park" and walked past the open railing and into the park.
We found a nice spot with some shade by a tree and I dropped our bag on the ground before taking the blanket out and spreading it for us to sit down.
My dad placed the basket with our snacks on the blaket and opened it up. To keep everything cold and preserved, we had packs of ice at the bottom and top of the basket, removing it to gather the contents.
We had wrapped subs, a box of different fruit and sauce, some different bottles of juice and some salted jerky.
We sat everything out, getting utensils and cups from the other bags as we all began to eat.
Taking a bite of my sub, I was immediately graced with the different tatses of cheese, meat, sauces and peppers. The mixture of sauces and peppers gave it a tangy but sweet taste that I loved.
Taking another bite of my sub, I leaned back on my free hand and looked out at the rest of the city. The sun gleamed in the sky and the winds blew across my face softly.
"Ahh, this is nice." I leasurly stated.
Behind me, my dad agreed. "Indeed, it's more relaxing than sitting on the couch." I heard my mother snicker.
I looked back at them only to see my mother's head resting on my dad's chest as they laid on the blanket and he looked at the clouds. With a sigh, I turned back.
He doesn't know the pain of a man who's never had a girlfriend. I rested my head on my tucked knees and contemplated why that was.
'To be honest, it was my own fault that I never found love. I had chances and I'm not gonna sit here and say I was bad looking, because I wasn't. I was simply pushing the women away since I wouldn't be able to do anything with the situation I was in.' I nodded to myself.
'But it'll be different this life! I'll be able to enjoy it and live leasurly.' I glanced back at my mom and dad and fell on my back.
'Just like these guys.'
….
"Uwhaaa~" I yawned, rubbing my eyes and stretching my arms.
"When did I fall asleep?" I mumbled, looking down and grabbing my half eaten sandwich. I pulled the wrapping away and took a bite.
In front of me, my mom and dad were out in the fields running and playing around. He had her up on his shoulder and ran around while she held her arms out like a plane.
I looked around and saw the looks they got. Some were amused, some were envious and others looked with so much disdain that I was sure they woke up JUST to spread hate and cause trouble.
The tree we were sitting under was pretty tall. I wanted to climb it. Getting up, I looked at the nearest branch which was about 6 feet off the ground.
I took my socks and shoes off before running towards the tree, kicking off of it and grabbing onto the branch. I swung my body around and stood on it with a good balance.
I proceeded to climb just below the top of the tree and sat on a branch. The feeling of the wind on my feet was a bit ticklish, but it felt nice.
Below me, a few feet away, a group of kids were playing with a ball. As one of the boys kicked it with all of his strength, the ball came flying towards me, but I was able to catch it.
"Wow, your parents let you climb up there!?" The brown haired boy asked.
"Uh, yeah. Here's your ball back." I said, but he immediately waved his hands for me to stop.
"No, I'll come to you!" He said with a weird seriousness.
"Eh? No? It's pretty high up, you should stay down there!" I asviced.
"No, no, I'm an Earth Mage! My body is as strong as a rock!" He continued.
Beside him, his two friends looked worried.
"Hey, maybe you should listen. You only awakened a week ago, you can't do spells properly." One of them warned.
"Dude, you're totally-"
I cut him off, dropping from the tree and handing him his ball. Once I landed, I realized these kids were quite tall.
"Eh? How old are you?" The other boy asked.
"Eh? How old are you guys?" I asked.
The boy with the ball was 13 and his two friends were 12.
"Hey, let's introduce ourselves!" One of them said, probably aimed more towards me.
"Right, I'm Ryan Housland. I come from a good family of merchants and I'm a mage with an affinity for Earth!" This average looking guy, seemed confident in himself even though he was just said to not be able to use spells yet.
Beside him, a boy with mess black hair that covered his eyes spoke rather softly. "I'm Dante Flamesworth. I haven't awakened my core yet, but I'm close. Nice to meet you." He said, extending his hand.
Shaking his hand, a boy with wavey blonde hair stepped up.
"Im Chase Monroue, I am Duke Xavior's second son." He said with a courtesy bow.
"Oh!" Quickly I followed suite and gave him a bow of my own. I had forgotten about this type of custom since I wasn't usually around high ranking families.
He peeked up at me and laughed before swinging his arm over my shoulder.
"Now that that's done, just call me Chase or Chad!" He said shaking my hand with a smile.
"Ah, my name is Ryuji Gardener. I'm not nobility, but I hope we can be good friends!" I stammered with a nervous look.
"It's fine!" Ryan said as he pat my back. Dante gave me a thumbs up and smiled as they began walking, pulling me along with them.
I looked back and saw my parents smiling at me from a distance.
'So embarrassing…' I thought to myself, but failed to notice the smile on my face.
….
"Dude, your hair looks so cool! Would I be able to pull that style off?" Ryan asked as he looked at my ponytail.
I took my hairtie out and let all of my locs loose as I offered him the band.
"Wanna give it a try?" I asked the stunned boys.
"What?"
"Your hair…"
"It's like a beast mane."
"Guys that's a bit mean don't you think?" Chase asked.
"YOUR SURPRISED TOO!!" They yelled together.
I moved my hands through my hair and I had to agree. My hair was thick, like the Elshir forest, but instead it's hair. That and I needed a retwist.
"How does your hair grow so much? I want mine to be that long so I can finally look like the knights in those legends!" Chase said as he did a majestic pose.
"My mom has these oils from different nuts and plants that she'd put into my hair when doing it. I can ask her for you guys?" I offered.
Chase made me pinky promise and we shook on it for double our word.
"Ouuuu, let's get some kabob skewers~" Dante eagerly suggested as he stared at a stand with his mouth drooling.
"I was wondering what smelled so good out here." Ryan claimed as we marched to the stand.
"Oh, I didn't bring any money with me." I mentioned, but Ryan simply puffed his chest out and took out a pouch of coins.
"This here is my monthly allowance. I'll be paying since you're my friend." Ryan said as he attached the pouch back onto his waistband and covered it with his cloak.
"You'll pay for us too right?" Chase and Dante pleaded with a blinding twinkle in their eyes.
"Heh." Ryan laughed as he shot them down with a disdainful look.
'He's strong, back in my day all the kids got my money with those eyes!'
"Ryan, I approve!" I said, giving him a thumbs up.
"Aren't we all supposed to be friends…" Chase wined.
Nonetheless we got the snacks and they were delicious. As time passed, we all decided that we should get going home and I told them I should get back to my parents.
Saying goodbye to them felt like saying goodbye to someone on the game and then they never got back on. It felt a bit saddening.
However, this was a nice feeling.
I ran back to the picnic spot and found my parents waiting for me as they had their socks and shoes off looking at the beautiful skies.
"Did you have fun, Yuji?" Dad asked with a peaceful smile.
"Yeah, I had a bunch of fun!" I said, falling onto the blanket and looking into the sky with a big smile on my face.
'Yeah, this is what I yearn for.'
"Hey, Yuji." Mom called.
"Yes?"
"Don't climb up that high again okay?"
"Ah, yes ma'am…"
…..