Chapter Text
The sky bleeds a deep orange as the sun sinks below the horizon, casting a glow on the face of a single figure in the woods. Dressed in deep purple and black clothing the young man looks ill equipped to be on an adventure. Gazing up at the sky the wanderer sighs, pulling out a wrinkled piece of paper, it looks as if it’s been held and read multiple times.
Hey Virgey,
Sorry I can’t be there for your birthday, but I got a new lead on ————— is, so I’m following. I have no idea how long it will take me to get back, but I’ll send letters if I can. I’ll make sure to tell you about all the monsters I’m going to fuck to get my way. On a more serious note (I know, serious? Me? Ha!) I don’t think I’ll make it back. I’m going into —————-, and I doubt I’ll make it out alive, no matter how persuasive my dick is. So see ya Virgil, I’ll make sure to haunt you as a ghost.
Love,
————
The name of the sender is blurred, along with other parts of the letter, water marks or tears and the smudging of a finger wiping away the name. Our wanderer, Prince Virgil, wipes away a stray tear and puts away the letter. Looking to the sky again he realizes he needs to find a safe place to rest. Scanning his surroundings he can see a small clearing up ahead with a pond. Heading towards that he discovers a grass patch near the water's edge to lay on. Not for the first time in his journey he wishes he had someone with him.
A sudden splash rings through the clearing, startling the prince. As he looks to the pond he sees a pure white swan breach the surface of the water. He looks in awe, being from a large village it is rare for him to see wild creatures in the flesh. Pulling his knees up to his chest Virgil rests his arms on them, watching the swan from the bay. Watching the bird move through the water is calming, and Virgil finds himself drifting off to sleep. Laying down he curls up with his bag under his head as a makeshift pillow, eyes closing.
Finally the sun disappears over the horizon, and the water in the pond rises, encasing the swaying swan. The surface of the water is still, until a bush of fluffy brown hair rises from the depths, and two bright green eyes peer at the sleeping prince.
In the morning Virgil woke with a start, the monsters in his head plaguing his dreams. Groaning, he turns over in his bed, blinking open his eyes, only to be met with a surprise. Jumping with a baited scream he stares at the bystander that is sitting not too far away , watching him. A boy of smaller stature sits with his legs crossed and his hands in his lap, his head is tilted in curiosity. His green eyes watch the prince in amazement, as if this is the first person he’s seen in a long time.
Frantically Virgil scrambles to find a weapon, thinking this boy is an enemy or a thief. Startled by this sudden series of movements the boy quickly gets up and runs to the lake for safety. He dives in, disappearing into the water’s depths. On the shore the prince sits there startled and confused, one moment there was someone watching him, the next they are gone. He had been unable to see his viewer dive into the water, having taken the time to turn and grab his weapon. When he turned back his presumed attacker was gone, not a trace behind except for a single white feather.