บท 20: Bane's Ordeal (Pt. 2)

She was sitting in the yard, with her hands folded in her lap. The green grass swayed around her in the breeze, her light lavender hair highlighted with pink billowing out around her. Her eyes were closed as she inhaled deeply, enjoying the calm world around her.

After the kind ending to the meeting with Harry that resulted in a wonderful lunch at a local café, she was just starting to think...

... that maybe...

... possibly...

... She might be able to make a life here, despite not understanding anything about the world or people around her. Not even herself.

"Irissss!"

"Ack---"

Iris's few minutes of peace were halted abruptly when something--- no--- someone barreled into her. All she saw was a lot of greens and blues slammed in her face. With hysterical laughs bombarding her ears.

Bane couldn't care less how traumatizing this all was as he hugged her tightly, laying down on the grass. "Finally, Harry's done hogging you! I get to keep you all to myself now for the whole day!"

Iris looked on with those wide, blazing pink eyes. Too stunned to speak or even understand why she was being pinned dowm to the ground in a ferocious hug.

Finally Bane got off, holding himself above her by his arms, his giant smile seemingly taking up his whole face. "So, you ready for the day?!"

"Um..."

"Good, that's what I like to hear!"

"H-Huh---"

*****

Bane wasn't sure if he could ever stop grinning while he escorted Iris around the village connected to the citadel. Finally I get to have some fun around here!

Now he had to chance to keep her "pure" before the others got to her.

He had enough of his friends being the "wise rule followers". Now it was time to have a friend that actually enjoyed his company and doing things with him.

Of course, M.K was still his best friend. Or rather brother from a different family. But it was too fun to pick on him more than anything else. Plus M.K was such an old lady and never wanted to do anything other than exercise and pick up girls from the pub.

Now I have someone that won't be boring and actually likes me for a change!

"Hm..."

"...?" Bane looked down at the petite Elf walking beside him, her little upturned nose crinkling as she stared at a nearby booth selling fresh pastries.

Bane had been too lost in thought to notice before, but even despite the Residents crammed into the streets like cattle while they shopped couldn't hide the flavorful aroma coming from the nearby booth.

"Which one you want?" Bane placed a hand on Iris's back, pushing her over to the booth.

"O-Oh no I... I couldn't---!"

"Oh please. Who told you you couldn't ask for a pastry? It's not even that expensive for me."

"W-Well... It has a lot of... um... sugar?" Iris chewed on her lip while she mulled over the word. "Yeah... that's what he called it. I can't have too much sugar if I want to recover faster..."

Bane rolled his eyes. Harry you freaking mother hen.

"Pish-posh!" He waved his right hand in the air. "What I say goes today. And I'm buying you one of those and you're gonna eat it even if I have to shove it down your throat."

He ignored the white wash over Iris's face as he walked up to the booth and ordered a little cake with pink frosting on it.