Chapter 2 (Part 2)

I carried Noirxus all the way to a nearby inn and checked in. I ordered a single room with two beds but when I saw the room however, I almost fainted with disgust. The innkeeper misunderstood me and gave me a room where the two beds are placed together as one. Without a second thought, I dropped Noirxus on the floor with a loud thud (and maybe secretly laughed at his misery) and moved the beds away from each other, as far as possible. After setting our things aside, I decided to take a bath.

I entered the bathroom and locked the door. I then filled the tub with water and using fire magic, heated it up to just the right temperature. I took my clothes and the illusion spell off. I use an illusion spell to recreate my beautiful image (I’m not a narcissist; just telling the truth) into a less attractive one. I looked at the mirror and watched as the brunette haired plain girl dissolve into silver haired gorgeous (ahem) woman.

Ugh. I do not know how the heavens work but why, oh why did they have to give me this kind of body?  I could only roll my eyes. I’m just seventeen, clearly not that old and clearly not that stressed so why do I have silver hair? Unless I'm not human which I definitely am!

After I was done with my bath, I wore my favorite clothes – a red, tight-fitting, long sleeved tunic and a pair of short black pants that covers only half of my thighs. I usually wear them with a brown leather vest on top and a pair of knee-high black boots when I travel.

I returned to the room and remembered that Noirxus was still on the floor. I mercilessly threw him on the bed. Whether you suffer from an ache or not tomorrow, is not my problem. Consider it revenge for making me carry you. 

I settled on my own bed and slept.

v(O.O)v

"Ugh, what happened last night?" Noirxus asked looking around the room with a start. "And why do I feel a bump on my head?" I just looked at him disappointed that he woke up earlier than I thought. I planned on giving him a startling or painful, whichever it may be, wake up method. In any case, I'll save that for some other time.

"That would be where I hit you," I replied. Or where I dropped you on the floor... 

"Is it time for the tournament yet?"

I shook my head. "Three hours more." It's just seven in the morning. The tournament starts at ten.

"What do we do in the meantime?" he asked me.

"First you need to take a bath. You stink. Second, after your bath, come downstairs and we'll have breakfast. Third, we're going shopping," I said in one breath. "You got that?"

He nodded. 

"Oh and leave your dirty clothes in the basket. I'll have someone wash it for us,” I called.

I followed my own plan and went downstairs and ordered a light breakfast. Noirxus came down the stairs wearing this all black outfit. It was so black that I can’t make out where the short sleeved tunic ends, where the pants end or where the boots start. I just know he’s all black. Coupled with his black hair and eyes, his skin really pops out as the only thing that is not black.

I gaped and said, “Wow… you’re really….black.”

“I’ve been wearing black the whole time. You probably didn’t notice because my cloak was black too.” Noirxus replied.

“Huh,” I thought about it and yes this was the first time I saw him without a hood or the long cloak. “Is black your favorite color?”

“It just helps shade me from the sun. I don’t like light that much,” he replied.

Breakfast arrived as soon as our conversation ended so we simply sat down and ate our meal in silence. As soon as we're done, I approached the innkeeper and instructed him to take care of the dirty laundry. He nodded and I gave him a silver coin.

I went out with Noirxus and followed my third plan of action: shopping. I honestly didn't know what to shop and perhaps I was just looking around a bit. But then we crossed a jewel shop.

Believe it or not, I love jewelry. Those sparkling rocks just captivate my eyes. So when I saw the jewelry shop, I stood a few paces from it and stared at the fine pieces of art from afar. Noirxus looked at me with a crooked eyebrow and followed my gaze. He snorted, pulled my arm and forcefully drags me to the shop front. I hurriedly pulled the hood of my cloak to hide my face and follow him with whatever dignity left in me but he just laughed.

I’m going to get you for this Noirxus!

He looked at the pieces and with a careful hand, reached for a jewel encrusted butterfly hair clip. It was the most beautiful hair clip I've ever seen with different colored diamonds embedded in it. He pulled my hood back and arranged my long brown hair into a neat half pony then putting the clip to secure it.

"How much is it?" Noirxus asked the vendor.

"Oh that's a fine piece. It costs a gold coin."

"Deal," Noirxus said and tossed a gold coin to the vendor. I thought this guy didn't have any money? 

"Thank you, sir" the vendor replied with a smile.

Then we walked away from the store.

"I thought you didn't have any money?" I echoed my thoughts after a while.

"I said I didn't have money to spare. But for you, consider it a let's-get-along-well gift," Noirxus laughed. I hit his shoulders.

"That's for tricking me," I said glaring at him then smiled, touching the hair clip. "Thank you though."

"Just take care of it," Noirxus said not laughing anymore just rubbing his sore shoulders.

"I think it’s time for the tournament," I reminded him.