Traveling, Bears, and Children, Oh my [Job/Solo]

Merari wiped the back of his neck with his palm, a tired sigh escaping his teeth as he wandered down the path. To his back hung Komori, its strings still and unplayed as he walked. It was only till it was too late did the budding Magician learn that he would have to find his own transportation after his night time job. He did his best to keep it cool, murmuring things such as, "It's fine, it's fine," and "Don't worry, it's not a problem," as anger bubbled beneath his thinly veiled surface. He wanted to escape from their eyes, and despite the fact that he was utterly frustrated and distraught, Merari left to Magnostadt on his lonesome.

Whenever he raised his head to peer around, all the boy could spot was the barren landscape. In the distance, he could only spot small dots that could be one of the few mills or farms that populated the place. But they were too far out to be of any help to Merari, so he just ignored them as he marched along the path.

The hours drew themselves out painfully, and as the sun reached the midway point of its journey through the sky Merari was forced to pull off his academic robes. But, once they were off and hanging off his arms, they were a relief to his sweating body. Though, he could hardly continue walking after so long due to the heat of the day.

Not long after, after an angry puff, Merari sat down on the ground by the road. Laying his robes across his lap, the Magician drew his knees up and rested his elbows on them. His eyes closed tiredly, ignoring the sense of sweat dribbling down his neck. His hair felt damp and icky, and as the sun glared overhead he felt the desire to cut it all off. His legs dropped down, feet stretching out as he mopped his forehead with the back of his hand. Merari then leaned back and tilted his head up, eyes half opening as he stared at the sky. He kept that way for another moment or two before climbing back to his feet.

Keeping the robes close to his chest, Merari ignored how heavy Komori felt against his hip as his feet shuffled forwards. His hands brushed across his eyes and brows, his lips mumbling to himself when he heard it. The distant creaking of wheels on dirt, the sounds of what would be salvation for his trip.

Scattering to the side of the path to ensure that he would not become a pancake against the ground, Merari peered at what was once behind him. Already he could see the covered cart, the vehicle driven by oxen, steered by a man who was accompanied by a woman. As the cart drew closer he could spot a babe hanging in her arms. Once that he was sure that they were in viewing spot of himself, Merari stuck out an arm free of robes as he called out.

"Heeeyy!" His voice rang through the air, his hand forming a thumbs up as he tried to caught their attention. The man pulled back on his reins, causing his oxen to cry out and come to a halt. The mother looked far from pleased as she leaned close to her husband who seemed far more approachable.

Making sure that his 3rd Kodor pin was in sight, Merari shuffled closer to the two, his arms crossing pitifully over his chest. His lips were drawn into a worried frown, his eyes downcast as he worn Garasu's face.

"Ah, excuse me..." He began, his gaze rising to look at the man for a moment before he looked back down, "But would you be so kind as to help me? I'm trying to get to Magnostadt, but as you can see, I'm only on foot," Merari continued, his lips drawn into a child-like pout as he returned his gaze to the two travelers. In the back, he could hear confused children, but the sound of their father drowning them down.

"We're headin' to a city not far from thar," the farmer said, tipping back his wide-brimmed hat as he scrutinized Merari before a polite smile spread across his face, "so I see no problem with ridin' with us. Hop in," he finished, motioning with his thumb to the back of the cart.

With a grateful 'thank you', Merari shuffled to the back and climbed in, greeted by the sight of two smaller children. They scooted to the back, hesitant of the stranger. The Magician was grateful for that as well, hoping that this would mean that they would not bother him.

Setting his robes and wand down, Merari adjusted his badge that clung to his shirt before leaning back against a crate. A leg dangled off the side of the cart as he stared out at the cloudless sky. From beside him, he could hear hushed whispers, which he then quickly shut out. Brushing white hair behind his ear, Merari closed his eyes with the thought of a relaxing bath when he returned home.

"Uh, mister, wha' is dat?" Asked a high-pitched girl, causing Merari to tilt his head to the side so he could peer at his questioner. She seemed to be the older of the siblings, with her little brother sitting slightly behind her. Yellow hair was held in pig-tails, and her blue eyes were wide. In a heartbeat, a charming smile found its place on his face as Merari grabbed Komori.

"Do you mean this," Merari asked the daughter, a sleek eyebrow raising as he settled Komori into his arms. At her nod, Merari chuckled quietly before plucking one of the instrument's strings. "This is my wand that I use to do magic," he answered them, receiving looks of awe.

"So you're a Ma Gin Cin, mista?" The little boy inquired as he leaned forwards, his curiosity overpowering his shyness. To their excitement Merari nodded his head once more. The children shuffled forwards as the girl nervously asked if he could show them some magic, which Merari, unbeknownst to them, answered with a simple display of magic.

The afternoon past without trouble, the children entertained by counter tricks of Sound and Wind Magic. The parents already knew that their hitchhiker was a Magician from the simple fact that he was traveling and entering Magnostadt, but the kids got to learn the fun way.

Soon twilight was falling, and the husband pulled off the path to not only set camp but let his oxen graze grass and sip water from a nearby creek. Out of the cart, the older children were allowed to stretch their legs under the dutiful eye of their mother. At dinner time the family munched away at their food, the babe enjoying a helping of milk. The father offered some to Merari, who graciously denied. The less he owed them the better.

The family of five were preparing to retire to their tent, with Merari getting to sleep in the cart itself, when they heard shuffling. Groans were to be heard, and in the darkness, Merari could hear the shuffling of heavy paws. Komori in hand he stepped away from the cart, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the darkness. In the close distance, he could spot the form of a beast growing closer, most likely enticed by the left over smell of the roasted dinner.

From the tent out came the father, quickly followed by his mother who cried out when she noticed the bear. Her hands pushed their children to the cart, but the oxen stamped their hooves and pulled against their reins that were wrapped quaintly around a peg driven into the ground earlier that evening.

But Merari was prepared, his fingers on Komori's strings which he softly plucked. A tune was played much to the distraught look of the mother who failed to appreciate the repeating notes. The bear lumbered into range as Merari flipped around his wand, holding it by its neck as he called out, "CANON!"

With a roar, the Sound Rukh gathered and then launched towards the bear. The incoming magical sound wave was easily heard, but invisible in the nighttime. The family grew silent, their voices dead in their throats as they heard the guttural roar of the bear as it was hit. His roar filled the air as he Pounced at Merari.

Luckily for the Magician, his Borg came to life around him, its golden walls cracking at the impact of the attack. The bear stumbled back as his defenses fell, but he had ample time to launch his counter attack.

With a flourishing sweep, Komori was held out and swung in a circular motion. Before the bear could react, Merari called out "Iesar", his words followed by the howl of the wind which gathered around the bear. The spell swelled into a tornado, its winds gashing deep scratches into the bear who roared. The beast tried to escape the wind, turning tail as it started to dash off with a limp to its gait.

The children cheered as the danger left, throwing themselves at Merari's legs. Their father waited longer before declaring victory, a relieved chuckle escaping his lips as he wiped his forehead.

"Wha' a mighty performance, lad... Wha' more can we do to repay you?"

---

Details: