Friend fiction

Effervescent ~ A Tribute~

Chapter 1: Setting off!

Inside the shining wind
The wings of a dream descend
Have courage and fly to the future,
So beautiful




“So this is it...” A girl with long, flowing cerulean hair whispered quietly to herself as she secured the knots of her pink hipsack. She took a moment to survey her room. It was barren really, consisting only of a bed, drawer, desk, and a secluded bathroom at one end of a room, but it was still hers nevertheless. It was a place she knew she could always come back to after a hard day of work, a place she stored all her personal belongings however meager they may be, and this tiny unassuming spaced acted as her private sanctuary of sorts, a place she could safely cry her eyes out after the Head Vates scolded her less-than-desirable work…. “Now, it’s all going to change isn’t it?”

The girl quietened as the realization of what she was going to do from now on finally dawned. There’s a big chance of her not ever seeing this room again and....let’s not get started on her chance of being able to return to her normal lifestyle.

Realizing that she had just made her mood bleaker than it already was, she shook her head quickly. Think happy thoughts! Yes happy thoughts! It’s not like the world is ending. There’s no need for her to go all angsty when the journey has not even started yet. It was her dream anyway, to go out and see the world with her own eyes, and there’s absolutely no chickening out from said dream! What would her dear father and mother in heaven say! They would certainly be unhappy of having a daughter who’s not brave enough to..to.....

“Crying again, Latte?” A voice jolted the girl out of her reverie.

“N-no! I’m not! I just uh...have dust in my eyes.” She finished lamely as she desperately tried to wipe the tears on her sleeve, bringing her wings in front of her face so that they could act as a cover. After convincing herself that she looked somewhat presentable, she folded her wings back and turned to the sound the voice, all the way hoping that the boy would buy her pathetic excuse.

“....Yeah sure.”

Or not.

In a desperate attempt to salvage her lost pride, the girl took the only way out she knew. “U-uhh what are you doing here anyway? I thought we agreed on meeting in front of the guild palace at 9.”

The boy sighed as he caught on the obvious change of topic and ruffled his already messy blonde hair,” It’s 10, Latte. I’ve been waiting and worrying myself sick in front of the guild palace. I thought you stood me up!”

“...Oh.”

“...Well, do you still want to come or not?” He extended a hand towards her, but seemed to hesitate midway and ended up pulling it back to his side. “I understand if you don’t want to come. I won’t be angry at you or anything.”

Shaking her head quickly, she reached out her hands to grasp his. “N-no. I really want to come. I just need to say goodbye to a few things on this room!” Whoops. Bad choice of words. Now he’ll think she’s really a crybaby! “U-uh i mean... Umm.... L-let’s just go already!” With vigor she did not know she posess, she pushed the boy out of her room and dragged him into the hallway, ignoring his protest.

--

Having sucessfuly dragged the boy out of her room, the girl let out a relieved sigh. She just couldn’t help but worry excessively about things. It was simply her very nature to fuss. Hopefully, the boy would understand and not think any less of her.

Hands still clasped tightly, she stole a glance at the boy.

The boy, Alceus, has messy blonde hair and the brightest chocolate eyes she had ever seen. He was a head taller than her and his built was lean but athletic, courtesy of doing all sorts of odd jobs around town. An easy-going smile was ever present on his face as he walked in tandem with her down the busy streets of Uptown Acronia.

Latte adored this boy somewhat.

He was the brother she never had and she knew she could trust him with anything.

“So what will we do now?”

“Hmm? Adventuring?”

“For now I mean.”

“Oh...” Latte flushed in embarassment as she had yet proven another innate ability as a total scatterbrain. Desperately thinking of what they could do, now that they both had officialy begun their adventure. “We could always do quests. It’s a good way to earn money…and earn experience…I guess?”

“Yep, that and....i was thinking about taking on a job.”

The cerulean haired girl tilted her head quizzically.

“Didn’t I just say it?”

“No. Not jobs as in quests, but as in professions. You’re already a Vates so I was thinking if I should be something too. I can’t be a novice forever, can’t I?”

“Oh that. So…do you have any specific jobs in mind?”

“I’ve always wanted to be a ranger, go to a lot of cool places and uncover some hidden treasures along the way.” Alceus looked offended as Latte let out an amused giggle. “O-Oi! Why are you laughing? It’s a noble profession with lots of benefits!”

“I think it suits you.” She replied honestly, smile still intact. “Being a ranger involves a lot of travelling; it matches you who can’t sit still.”

“…I’ll take that as a compliment. Anyway, let’s hurry and head to the Guild Palace. We want to be out of the city before dark right?”

“Yep. It’s not like we have any place to stay any longer.” She turned to regard the blonde-haired boy mischievously. “I’ll race you there!” She challenged before flapping her wings as fast as she can to build momentum and when it feels just right she propelled herself eastward like a hummingbird.

“H-Hey! Watch out!”

Alceus shouted, spying a lone figure walking right on to Latte’s trajectory course.

“There’s a person in front – “

A girlish shriek followed by a loud crash.

“ – of you….” He trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose wearily.