Chapter Text
The white light died and he could finally see things surrounding him. It was a strange world, but much like he had heard and read of. It was really common for a wizard or a witch to come to visit the world without magic. And some were exiled there, but Arno wasn't one of those. Arno Dorian was a quite brilliant wizard. He had learned all sorts of things about pretty much all of the magical arts there were. Only he had fallen in love with the world without magic. The simple world, as he liked to think of it as, a place without worries. Just as he thought.
The streets were full of people. They were wearing similar clothes to his, mostly because he had put a spell on his clothes to make him blend in the crowd with similar sort of design as the people had in there. It was a useful spell for he never had to buy new clothes. Although this time he really was looking forward on that. He had read that people in this world buy various clothes and have somethings that are in and some are out.
The peace and quiet became a distant dream as he started hearing the noises those strange metallic transports made in the middle of the street. And the people shouting and talking all around. The smell wasn't that fresh either. Like something boiled.
He didn't know exactly where he was, but he knew that it was a city and it was hot there, so it wouldn't be any Nordic country. For a moment he thought of asking someone but before he could do anything someone grabbed him from his sleeve. Arno looked at the person who stood awfully close to him. He had thin moustache and black hair pulled back to keep his face clear. He also had a large scar in his face which looked really nasty.
"Are you lost, pretty boy?" he asked and pulled closer, Arno didn't approve on that and tried his best to get rid of the person, apparently one of those so called prostitutes, perhaps. He didn't really know because his world didn't have any. The older man pulled Arno into an alley, where there wasn't that much light, but he could still see clearly. As that person tried to forcefully kiss him, he pushed the stranger away with as much power as he just could get out of a push.
"I already have a boyfriend, thank you! I don't require your services.." Arno said almost so loud that the people on the main street could hear him.
"Wow, wow.. Didn't think you had such power coming out of that deliciously slim body of yours.." the man said as he regained his stance. "And I never saw that coming.. How come you're so open about it?"
Arno got confused. "What? Open about what exactly?" His world was in fact the perfect utopia of where you didn't have to worry about any sexuality or religious things, neither of fashion or hardly even food. Most of it was magic, but even love can't be got with it.
"You're openly gay? Or that was just to scare me away?" the man asked and Arno thought that he'd finally understood what he meant.
"Um.. Is it not okay in here?"
"Well most people don't think it's good, but some are more open about it.. Which leads us back to the start, pretty boy.. You look like you could use some help? Are you lost in the city?" the man seemed a lot friendlier than a moment ago. Arno felt like now he could maybe trust him that much that he'd actually be honest with the man. He just didn't really like his new nickname.
"I guess I'm lost.. Excuse me if I might sound stupid, but what city, country and year is it?" Arno wanted to know a little before asking for directions to basically anywhere safe.
"Well….. You seem like an odd fellow, but I like your looks so what would it hurt.." he smirked shortly and winked. "The city is Central Rome, country New Italy and it's currently year 3076. This place is the centre of the world. Everything you find in here will be a lot better than anything outside the city. And I'm Max by the way. Max Roth, at your service, pretty boy~" this Max bowed as if Arno was some royal person.
"Umm.. Thank you, my name is Arno Dorian." he said without much of a bow. "Could you perhaps tell me where to find a shop to buy clothing from?" Arno asked and it really didn't show but Max was surprised of the words and the other weird things Arno was pulling out of his sleeves.
"Certainly. I can escort you if you want to?" he looked like he really just wanted to admire Arno's body for the time he was shopping for clothes.
"I guess you could just show me the place?"
"Sure, sure."
This Max did as he was asked, for once, actually. He was famous for manipulating people to dance for him and all, but the moment might have just been so bazaar that he had to be honest.
As they arrived at one store that sold clothes, they entered and Arno was just so excited. He didn't dare to say it out loud, but this truly was his first time shopping for clothes. Arno gathered most of the clothes he liked and via Max's opinion he tried them on. He was lucky to find some almost matching to the one's he used in his own world, and it didn't even take that much time to find them. He had no shortage on money because of the magic purse, but Max offered to pay for them as the total was not that much in the end.
The day passed in no time and the sun was setting.
"Where are you staying?" Max asked when they were just sitting on the ground of one alley leaning to the wall of the apartment.
"Ah.. That.. I haven't really found a place to stay at.. Like hotel or something?" Arno pretended to be sure of what he was talking about. In reality he wasn't too familiar with the ways people went on vacations or how to use these hotels.
"Right.. Well I'm not so sure if it's safe in this city to just wonder around and go to the first hotel and try to get in. You don't seem to know much about this place, do you?" Arno shook his head. "Well you see, the hotels are fully booked over the whole year. It's impossible to get to one without any man on the inside or if you don't have much money. And then there are those underworld places, but I would never bring your pretty ass in there.. It's seriously dangerous if you don't know what's coming." the descriptions Max was giving him, gave him goosebumps. "So I'm actually offering you to stay at one of my friends' house.. I bet they could give you at least the sofa to sleep on before you find another place. So what do you think?"
"Uh.. I guess it's okay if they’re not bothered by me."
"Right~ Come, quickly!" Max took Arno's hand and lead him to the place that should be safe.
At the same moment a shadow was following them on the rooftops. Of course Max noticed it but didn't say anything. He knew what it meant but wasn't really too afraid of it.
By the time they reached the house, darkness had fallen upon the city. But it wasn't fully dark as the lights and noises from another world echoed through the air. The other world being the city at night. Beautiful but dangerous if one doesn't know what is lurking in the shadows.
The house itself was half an observatory and half a house. Max rang the doorbell. A minute or so later the lights went on in the house and someone came to open the door. It was a tall dark haired man with a scarred face and thick eyebrows. His hair was a little messy and it indicated to that he'd been sleeping while they came to the door.
"What do you want from me at this time of the night…?" he tried to get his eyes more open.
"Umm.. Jacob, my dear, I just have this poor soul here and he needs a place to stay. I know your sister and professor Green are out of county doing their research so why not take him in just for the night?"
"Right, right.. I mean you didn't basically have to say all that.. Only the question would've done the job just fine.." this Jacob seemed like he could really use some sleep. "Alright,
come in.. What was your name again?" he asked and Arno could sense how tired he was.
"Oh, you haven't heard it yet, but I'm Arno Dorian. Pleasure to meet you." Arno introduced himself and Jacob invited him in. Max did try to get in but as Arno had passed him at the door, Jacob blocked it from him.
"Sorry mate, but you're not getting under my sheet tonight. Go do your job.." Jacob said and got a teasing short kiss on his cheek. "Now go on! Hush!" he waved his hand and watched the man walk away in hurry. As Jacob closed the door he faced Arno standing behind him. Well not too close but he hadn't moved since he got inside.
"So, I'm Jacob Frye and apparently I am to give you residence for this night. Are you okay with the sofa or do you want a proper bed?" he asked after a proper introduction.
"I guess I'll do with the sofa, thanks." Arno answered and Jacob, still very sleepy, started to lead him to it. In the end the sofa was quite large and he had enough space to sleep on it. He thanked for everything as Jacob proposed that they'd discuss the important things in the morning and just sleep for the night. As Jacob turned away, whispered Arno a small spell that should help the sleepy man sleep all the pain away through the night. And soon he fell asleep on the sofa.