Moonlight Magus

Shirou wasn’t anything like the other students in the Clock Tower. His father had never raised him to be his successor, wishing for the boy to be happy until the very end – passing away peacefully watching the stars after a promise lifted a heavy burden from his shoulders. The young man was never meant to be a magus, but he would in order to fulfill his path to save as many people as possible – there was a bit of a weird sidetrack when he had been transported to another place, another time and met someone in need of saving. Someone in need of a Hero of Justice…But also in need of a friend. A girl who had only known isolation and had her own humanity systematically stripped away from her in order to become a transparent vessel for her father, a fact that a stranger like himself shouldn’t know. He watched as his underclassman seemed to be analyzing him, trying to figure out the proper way to formulate a response – a far cry from the Yuuki he had met, someone who had already been to the Clock Tower and learned how to act as a human yet never could experience humanity by herself. Mages are inhuman beings, feigning in order to attain what they desire: from political alliances, power or other benefits, every single interaction had a hidden meaning. In a way, this one too had some hidden agenda albeit a benevolent one.

❝ Ah, that is a relief. I admit I do enjoy things lively, everyone has so many interesting personalities, but I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. ❞ he exhaled and massaged the back of his neck. ❝ Sometimes they can get a little too… Exciting. Don’t hesitate to tell me if it troubles you, ok? Or anything you’d want. We are classmates and neighbors after all.❞

She didn’t get it. Why is he bothering to talk to her? Just because she’s also a Japanese student? Yuuki kept her face emotionless as she examined him. He showed a bit of nervousness, or at least what she understood it to be. She nodded to his words, and opened her mouth to speak but realized she had to clear her throat first. It was tiring, talking to him. Using her voice in this capacity was foreign. Emerald hues found themselves staring into his. Why did he care with such warmth about her comfort? It was blinding, and slightly suffocating comparatively. Although, a part of her found this slightly enjoyable. Taking a moment to take a steadying breath, the Magus found her voice once more.

Arthur was satisfied with his Master’s sensitive choice of clothing. Yuuki normally seems to favor skirts but riding a horse sidesaddle seems to be a hassle if compared to astride. Maybe the former could be safer than the latter, but that was beside the point.  Looking at both of them it wouldn’t strike as anything special: Arthur was sporting a teal swimming trunks and an open light white jacket made of cotton. The young man was barefoot, as slippers or sandals could get entangled with the saddle. Meanwhile she too was sporting beachwear, which made the entire thing incredibly laid-back – in fact, the poor filly almost seemed overdressed if compared to the two humans but riding bareback could be more challenging.

❝ Don’t worry, we’ll be riding together until you feel more comfortable. ❞ Arthur reassured her. ❝ C’mon, introduce yourself to her, she is a good girl.  ❞ the young man stepped aside, allowing Yuuki to come closer ❝ I don’t think she has a name. Would you like to do the honors ? ❞

The last thing Yuuki wanted to do was to possibly give the young horse a name similar to one he had owned before. It probably wouldn’t bode well, even if that was her first instinct. She pondered for a moment before settling on something she recalled reading. “Why not call her Beleza? I remember reading during some of my studying that some called their horse that because it means Beauty. I don’t entirely recall where I read that though, so take it with a grain of salt.” She said simply, finding herself gently brushing her hand down the soft side of the horse’s face. She gave a few calming noises to accompany her touches.