The rain began to fall.
Flynn's eyes remained closed as the rain dripped from the leaves around him, his shirt soon to be soaked through if he doesn't decide to move. The watery pellets descended down his face like teardrops onto the grass he was laying on and its damp smell slowly crept up his nose as the cold air filled his lungs.
Flynn didn't mind the rain, after all he did have to get used to it. It tended to rain a lot here, it wasn't a continuous thing but it might as well be.
"Couldn't it have been something dryer?"
Flynn muttered to himself before he opened his eyes, a canopy of leaves above him—the sight he had when he went to sleep.
It's my birthday today isn't it?
Flynn turned sixteen that morning, it was the tenth day of May, his birthday.
Seems it's my last day with the others.
Flynn sighed as he sat up on the now-wet grass. He didn't mind getting wet that much, but it sure was a nuisance to dry.
Flynn took in the dark scenery around him, it was midday when he fell asleep so it was most likely evening around now.
I missed dinner…
Flynn sulked for a few seconds before finally standing up. The rainclouds had given the forest a slightly blue tint, making it seem somewhat aquatic—but only a small bit.
He began to walk back on the path he came, he wasn't that far into the woods but it was still roughly a twenty minute walk back to where he stayed.
I should probably think of finding a job or perhaps somewhere to stay now that i'm too old for the orphanage, it's just a shame no rich people wanted to adopt me—their money would've been nice to have.
Flynn's parents died when he was young, around six years old. It was an intruder attack, his parents didn't try to fight. It seemed as if they'd given up on their own lives and only cared about his. Flynn's father's last words were spoken to him.
"Take care of yourself!"
Flynn found it odd. Why didn't his parents follow their own advice? They never really cared for anyone aside from him. Flynn just decided he should be grateful to them for giving him life and protecting him that day, paying them back by continuing to live.
Flynn's shoes began to squelch as the dirt had become mud beneath the grass, it irritated him because it meant he'd have to clean his shoes.
On the bright side, Flynn looked up and saw he was reaching the end of the forest he had been in, a small village ahead. It had gotten pretty dark outside but the village stayed illuminated by candlelight.
Dovelle is a pretty sight at night isn't it?
Dovelle was the village Flynn grew up in, the same one his parents were born in and the one where the Orphanage was built.
Flynn's ankles began to feel cold, and then the chill crept down to his feet. This wouldn't happen to any ordinary person, but Flynn didn't like to wear socks—they're uncomfortable.
I should speed up.
Flynn followed his own through and quickened his pace, warm grey light gracing his face as he exited the edge of the small forest.
Flynn's baggy white shirt was growing cold and damp, he didn't have a thick coat like most people since the Orphanage couldn't afford to buy one for everyone. He did however have a brown knee-length blazer that somewhat kept him warm. His trousers weren't much better, they were just simple grey trousers that didn't keep him particularly warm.
Flynn found the dirt path that led to the forest and followed it, wishing the village had the luxury of stone paths so he wouldn't need to keep walking through mud. The village drew closer and closer as Flynn walked, admiring how the street lanterns light refracted off of the rain. These lanterns lined the path from the forest to the village due to people going missing around there, it was likely due to getting lost but no one to this day really knows.
The path was windy, from the forest it went left down a slight hill and then turned right just in front of the village gates, where Flynn now was.
He entered the village easily. The guards knew him so he didn't need to pay for entry like outsiders do, it was a nice perk but he was sure that was a common thing everywhere in Ganda, or the whole planet.
His shoes continued to squelch due to the lack of stone paths, but at least he could see this time thanks to the wooden streetlamps that lined the dirt paths within the village.
There was about sixteen buildings in Dovell, and one path that was shaped like a cross and led to the four entrances on the village walls. The walls circled the village.
I came in from the east so it should be at the end on the right.
The orphanage was located on the innermost corner of the north-eastern section of Dovell.
Flynn knocked on the Orphanage door and it was quickly opened by the orphanage head—who also took care of the kids—named Mary.
Mary was in her forties and she looked the part too, with wrinkles coming in and greyish red hair.
She spoke in her usual warm tone that Flynn had gotten to know well.
"Flynn! Come in, come in."
Flynn didn't move though, he'd only come her with one thing in mind—sign his leaving contract.
It's my turn to leave after all, just like the others before me, and I have no need to let the other children know.
Flynn spoke, his voice low and soft.
"I'm sorry Mary but I only need my leaving contract, so I won't be coming in."
Mary's face changed from a warm smile into one of slight confusion, she didn't know why he was in such a hurry to leave.
"There's no need to rush deary~"
"I have no reason to stay today, so I'd like to sign the contract and then leave if that's alright."
Mary's expression changed again to one of slight sorrow, it was always a shame to see the kids grow up and leave on their own.
"Very well then."
Mary turned and went back inside, leaving the door open because she'll be back soon.
Flynn wondered why she seemed sad, even after she's seen child after child leave.
Why does she still feel sad? If you get that attached to people who are obviously gonna come and go you shouldn't have a job like that to begin with. Oh well.
It wasn't his problem to worry about.
The rain continued to fall and Flynn's brunette hair looked almost black because it was wet, it drooped over his ice-blue eyes when normally it only reached his eyebrows—albeit his hair is more wavy than straight when it's dry so that could be why.
Mary returned soon with a piece of parchment paper pinned to a piece of wood, along with a quill pre-dipped in ink just before.
Flynn's eyes quickly scanned over the contract, making sure everything was correct before he signed it with his initials: FV.
"Thank you for all these years Mary."
Flynn bowed slightly before he turned to leave, not giving her a chance to respond—preferring not to hear someone's sorrows put into words.
Now I need a place to stay, I could always just sleep in an alley if I need to.
He began to wander the village, it was small so it's not particularly difficult to do so but as he reached the halfway point of the western path he's stopped by someone behind him.
"Flynn was it?"
The voice of a woman, and it's kind of rough, battle hardened most likely, but sounds young.
Flynn turned around to see a tall dark skinned woman with wavy black hair. She looked to be wearing simple cloth clothes with leather armour, the kind of outfit you'd see on an assassin or rogue from books. She looked to be in her mid-twenties.
"Thats correct."
What could she possibly want with me? Especially since she looks to be in her twenties and unemployed. Leather armour isn't used by anyone other than thieves usually.
Flynn noticed her hair was significantly dryer than his, it was likely she just came out of a building to speak to him. But why him?
"I saw you sign your leaving contract for the orphanage."
That's a bit creepy but alright.
"I presume you'd be looking for some kind of job right?"
"Again, correct."
She leaned down slightly, a somewhat triumphant looking smile on her face.
"Great! Come with me!"
Flynn didn't get a chance to react before she grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the building to the right.
Someone's in a hurry.
The building looked the same as the orphanage on the inside, brick walls with wooden structure. However, instead of one big room with a few bedrooms, this building was a lot more house-like despite its lack of decor.
Do they live here? It seems way too empty for that so maybe they're just renting it.
She let go of him but continued to walk into a new room from the entrance. Curious, Flynn decides to follow, he's the closest to the entrance so if anyone tried anything he had a pretty easy escape.
Upon entering, it was clear he was in a dining room, there was an empty table in the middle with three people sitting at it.
The leftmost person had white hair and dark eyes and had a very blank expression. He wore a basic grey tunic and looked to be similar age to Flynn.
Not one to show emotion? Or he's just trying to be edgy. I can't figure out much about him from a first glance. There's also the chance he's mentally slow too.
The one in the middle was taller and bigger than everyone else, he had long black hair that reached his pec, only noticeable because of his slightly open shirt. He had stubble and a strong looking jaw, by his appearance he seemed to be a pirate.
He looks experienced, though kind of slutty with how parts of his chest are exposed. He seems strong however so I'll keep my words to myself. I'm also guessing he's a pirate, an extra reason not to upset him.
On the right of him was a purple haired girl with pointed ears, her face looked soft and she had matching purple eyes. She seemed to be wearing a simple but pretty black dress but it also seemed cheap. Despite how she was dressed, her mannerisms didn't match. Her chin in her palm as she leant over the table. She seemed bored. She looked around the same age as Flynn and the white haired boy.
She's pretty but what's up with her ears? Birth defect maybe? I'll be sure to ask her if there's any free time here, knowledge is always good. Although she seems kind of irritated, that doesn't match her looks much.
The dark-skinned woman asked the purple haired girl to move over, in which she obliged, and sat next to the big black haired man.
This looks like an interrogation.
Flynn stood in the doorway as he began to question the four of them.
Flynn then spoke bluntly as he asked a question.
"Why are you all sitting in the dining room?"
The purple haired girl spoke first, her voice was smooth and soft like her appearance, it also had some layer of elegance as well.
"We just ate dinner."
That's an oddly normal reason for such an abnormal situation.
The dark-skinned woman gestured to the seat beside the purple haired girl, noticeably the only seat that was left.
Realising that his feet were beginning to hurt from the constant standing and walking he had been doing, Flynn sat down next to the girl.
The dark-skinned woman then spoke.
"Before we get into the details, we better introduce ourselves, I'm Nira Lumiere!"
She seems cheery, but perhaps it's confidence.
Next was the big man.
"Names Paul Craven."
His voice was rough and experienced, he was probably in his thirties.
The way he talks is somewhat cocky, that does reinforce my guess that he was a pirate.
Next the purple haired girl spoke, turning to her left to be more direct.
"I'm Elira Windermere, but you can just call me Lyra"
Despite seeming friendly, her tone was strangely dismissive.
Then the boy spoke last.
His voice was quiet but monotone.
"I'm Isiah Craven."
Same last name as Paul, probably father and son but they don't look alike… Adoption perhaps?
Seeing as it was now his turn to introduce himself, he didn't hesitate to speak, after all he had nothing to hide.
"Flynn Vaude."
He said merely his own name, the statement was short and to the point.