Mary Sue Project - Part I

Another beautiful morning. Children were giggling on their way to school, shop keepers shouted out to welcome customers, and the work animals were baying their morning songs. Franko pulled back the silken curtains and let the sun soak into his eyes. He sighed deeply. He didn't know why, but every morning had been like this since they came to this city. Pleasant, welcoming, warm and bright. And, for reasons he couldn't explain, he was loving every one of them.


Clastrophobia wasn't loving them so much. Mornings like these made her feel nauseous inside. Every morning here was like a hammer hitting her in the head that scooped her brains with the pick end onto a skillet to be scrambled like eggs. She looked at Franko through narrowly opened eyes and groaned. He was doing it again. Clastro shut her eyes tight, not wanting to see the worst part of their nightmare of a stay.



Every single morning, Franko looked out the window directly at the tower across the way. The tall, ivy covered tower was home to the tragically beautiful Cynthia, daughter of the town lord. She had been the one to take them into her home when her father was about to turn them away at the door three nights ago. It was hailing when they came to the door, and she was the most wonderful thing they'd seen in weeks, as she still was for the two guys. For Clastro though, she was an abomination of the senses. She had to get the guys out of there, or kill Cynthia while trying.



Franko sighed again, causing Clastro to shudder in disgust. Cynthia had appeared in her window. Gently she sang with the voice of an angel. Bird gathered around her windowsill and perched upon her shoulders and fingers. The work animals, happily going about their work, looked up at their mistress with admiration. Even Alison, who got up earlier to poke the dogs with wooden sticks, beamed with pride at the chance to hear such a beautiful voice. Cynthia's wonderful, soprano voice rose to a high point that carried itself all the way across the city. Everyone stopped their work to lend an ear.

"So beautiful." One villager noted, with a tear in his eye.



The song ended just as the sun was starting to rise into its higher position in the sky. There was a moment of silence as the city slowly came back to life. The animals continued their own work song, and children continued to giggle their way to learning. Cynthia giggled like a bubbling brook at a joke a bird was telling her. It whispered sweet nothings into her ear, then hopped to the end of her finger.

"No, really?" The bird nodded, an unusual characteristic for it. "Then you should say." The bird looked shy. "Go on, tell her. She's waiting for you." Cynthia lifted her hand, coaxing the bird to fly. The bird looked hesitant, but flew away with zest. Cynthia smiled, her sea-green eyes shining like emeralds. She pressed her hand against her lip and stifled the last of her hope filled laughter.



Franko didn't realize it, but he'd slumped down into the windowsill and was pressing both hands against his cheeks. He giggled when she giggled, and he watched the bird absent minded as it flew away. This was another part of the morning her couldn't get over. Cynthia, he thought, must be the most wonderful person he'd ever met. Beautiful beyond compare, she had radiant hair that fluttered in the wind. Her golden-auburn curls bounced about playfully with every step she took. Her laughter was perfect harmony; her smile the most perfectly cut diamond. He couldn't think of anything about her that wasn't perfect. Even her flowing, satin dresses remained unmarred despite age and weather. And yet, she always looked so sad.



"You know," Franko said dreamily. "I heard that used to be her mother's dress."

Clastro didn't want to hear it. She looked at Franko with burning fury in her eyes. Really, anyone who looked could see burning infernos instead of pupils. She slammed shut the draw she'd stored her things in. She couldn't take it anymore. She stepped over, grabbed Franko by the hair, and shook his head.

"Agh!" He thrashed about and reached for her gripping hand.

"Did you forget what we're doing here?" Clastro ripped and pulled in three different directions. "Who we're looking for?!"

"I know, I know!" Franko managed to rip himself free of her grip. Her stood on level with her, rubbing his head. "But are we really going to find some "lady in a cape"? Do you know people that could be? Look Alison is exhausted." He thrust a hand out the window, Clastro looked. Alison was wasting his energy antagonizing the animals. She looked at Franko sceptically. Clearly he was making excuses, they both could tell.

Franko's expression went from defensive to apologetic. He took Clastro's hands.
"Come on, Clastro. Let's stay here for just a few more days. I- I feel we're gonna find something any day now." Clastro ripped her hands from his grip. He was being pathetic in her mind, and she couldn't stand to see another minute of it. She stormed out the door and down the stairs of the guest house. Franko sighed with exasperation and rubbed his still aching head.
All the while, Alison rolled in the dirt with animals.