"I'd love for you to make this place your home once again."
'What did he mean by that...once again.' I pondered as I watched the outstretched valley that surrounds us. The grass just beneath me tickled at my bare heels, the scent of the ocean still fresh in the air, even from this far away.
I could see the town from here, at least kind of; it's a stone-built society hiding between the tiny hills.
I looked down at my dress, the fabric hugging me tightly yet flowing from my legs on the ends in beautiful frills. It was as white as they came. Mr. Demetrius said to me, 'Don't worry about dirtying it; not even the blackest of tar can stain it.'
Alas, I had a hard time believing his words.
I turned behind me, watching as a rather clumsy creature tried to catch up. It was a strange amalgamation of architecture—though small for the house I was supposedly in. Its roof puffed smoke in thick clouds, and its massive wooden feet dug into the lush land as it walked. In all truth it was a rather sore sight of a home.
Soon it stopped at my feet, its door opening to reveal Mr. Demetrius as he stepped out into the lush land.
"A beautiful day, isn't it?" He mused, his hand just over his eyes to see the journey ahead.
"Yes, quite..." I trailed off, my eyes trailing back to the mess Alister had caused. Such a shame. "Why are we out here anyway?"
"I need to get something," he explained vaguely. The breeze picked up at his words, causing his waistcloth to flutter. The sound of jostled coins filled the silence before I decided to speak.
"You mean for one of your clients?"
Mr. Demetrius chuckled to himself, dropping his hand to his side before turning to Alister once more; his door was still open for us.
"No, this is a personal thing." Without a word he headed inside, the door still open for me. Once more I turned to the view, feeling the wind in my hair one last time.
"Come along, Isabelle!" He called out to me.
"Right! Apologies..." Without wasting a second, I followed, stepping foot into the house once more. The minute my feet touch that polished wooden floor, Alister's door shuts behind me.
***
We came across a village with an amazing view of the water. Stone docks housed markets and boats that prepared to head out to sea. The sun shimmered against its rich blue veil, causing it to shine like diamonds. The market was as busy as ever, and I found myself crushed in a sea of my own.
Sweaty fishermen and women who woke to shop at the crack of dawn made their way past me. It was as if I was drowning in a current of my own. The air itself was thick—a humid stew of salt, sweat, and the pungent, metallic scent of fresh fish. It coated my tongue and filled my lungs with every shallow breath. The crowd was a living, breathing entity, and it swallowed me whole.
I reached for dear life, my fingers scraping against rough-spun tunics and leather aprons, hoping to find purchase on something stable, only to be met with a familiar hand.
"You really should be more careful," Mr. Demetrius's voice spoke to me as I tugged towards him.
"S-sorry...Mr. Demetrius," I stuttered on my words, the man gently letting go of my hand.
"Please, just Demetrius is fine." I watched as his back turned to me and he went ahead. Ever since I woke up, we've been moving from place to place, doing whatever odd jobs he could, and despite my queries, I would never get a straight answer from him.
"Right..."
"Fresh fish here! Come and get it!" I heard someone shout over the bustling crowd; it was the voice of a boy. He waved a wrapped newspaper in the air behind a stand of fish. "All caught today! Come get it!"
The little fish he had flopped weakly, their life slowly draining as they gasped for air
He was a rather frail boy, and young at that, wearing the hat of a sailor. His hair was a tar black, casting blinds over eyes that mimicked the sea itself. His hand flailed the paper around in hopes of grabbing someone's attention, but alas, everyone would just move past him without a glance.
Eventually he gave up, reaching for his hat and pulling it down to his chest, his eyes softening in defeat. I felt a pang in my heart at the sight of it; hesitantly, I tried stepping forward to the boy.
"Excuse me, ma'am!"
The pressure from behind suddenly intensified, and a burly voice roared directly in my ear. The sound was deafening this close.
"Y-yes!?" I shot back, twisting my neck to see who it was. My face was inches from a fisherman's chest, the rough fabric of his shirt scratching my cheek."..."I tried to back up, but the crowd had solidified behind me. There was no space to yield. My retreat only shoved me into the chest of another man behind me—a human wall sealing my escape."
"Are you interested in buying our produce?" His voice boomed over the crowd.
"Um, no I- I don't have any money, so..." I tried backing up, but my path was blocked by another, bumping into him. He was a rather skinny man in comparison, his head wrapped in his folded work shirt.
"Oh, excuse me, ma'am, do you have a minute?" He asked. I was surrounded...
"N-no, I really should be going!" I tried to let them down, but they only persisted. I felt as though I was being preyed upon by their eyes staring at me with expectant looks. I looked around for Mr. Demetrius, but his fluffy silver hair was lost in the crowd.
"Just give it a try; you won't regret it!"
"I'm really sorry!" I shouted, my voice a pathetic squeak lost in the market's roar. I ducked my shoulder and plunged forward, making a break for it.
It was like trying to swim through mud. The crowd didn't part; it resisted. It shoved back and I was battered in all directions, a piece of driftwood in a storm-tossed sea. threatening to pull my feet from under me with every desperate step.
I hate it here...
Eventually, I found refuge by the dock's edge, sitting with my knees tucked up under my chin. I watched the waves dance before me, the boats over the horizon disappearing beyond the line. The ocean breeze hit my face filling the air with salt...
"There you are," a voice called out to me. I turned to see Mr. Demetrius, his brow furrowed slightly with concern. "I thought you'd been kidnapped."
That was close to the truth...
"I'm fine, really." I looked up to him, his eyes lost on the same view I was staring at moments before. "What did you buy?"
"Hm?" He looked down at me, shocked at my curiosity, before breaking into a smile. "Just something to start your training."
"Training?" I asked, the wind picking up only slightly as the sun sinks below the sea. Its golden glow spreads across the water in a rapid display. The smell of salt water rising higher with the wind.
"Why, of course!" He grinned.
"You're going to be a great alchemist."