Side Note

Chapter 33: Red



Well, that was a sudden turn of events. Hey there, it's me, formerly respected maid Madeleine here. Currently, I'm in the tribe's jail. I'm surprised they have a jail. More surprising is how secure it is. A fully metal cage hung between four trees, with posts built at the four trees secured by guards 24/7. This is a really inconvenient time to be jailed since I feel like any of the other fellows I live with could easily escape this jail, except for Merida. She seems like she'd be useless outside… or instead of being jailed, she'd be executed, judging by their reaction. They even broke their maid oath. Is it a maid oath?

Fortunately, this isn't my first time being jailed. I've been jailed countless times, in fact. What's weird is that this jail is entirely green. Also, I'm sharing it with someone. An artist, evidently, since they're drawing on a canvas on one of those artist painting stand thingies. I have no idea what they're called. I think she's painting me with the countless paint buckets she has. She doesn't have red, though. It must be an artistic choice or something. I don't understand artists.

"If you did not understand any artists, then their art failed. An artist creates to be understood." Oh wow… that sounded like something an artist would say… I think.

"So, why is a maid jailed? The battle maniacs would never dare touch a student of the one who destroyed them."

"I told them I'm connected with Merida."

"Ah, the Seer. That fickle fiend. She must've warned you, considering her history with the tribe's chief."

"She just told me not to mention her."

"And you failed to do that."

"Yeah."

"I'm surprised she knows such a fool."

"She got her bandit to kidnap me. It was a fun time."

"Ah, so you are eccentric like her. Birds of a feather flock together."

"You seem to know her."

"Of course, I know her. She's the reason I'm here."

"What did she do?"

"She opened my eyes. I was a combatant like the rest of them until I met her. She bested me, and as per tradition, I became subservient to her and all those below her. She chose to use this to take me around the world. There I learned many things this tribe would never dare set eyes on. When I came back, I was changed in a way they could not accept. Their greatest warrior, the Blood Queen, turned into such a feeble opponent. So they jailed me here."

"Blood Queen? You wouldn't happen to be a Sacred Power holder, would you?"

"I happen to be one. Why?"

"Can I look into your eyes?"

"Although my adventures with the Seer have taught me not to play along with eccentrics, my time in this jail has me wanting more stimulation. Fine, let us look into each other."

I stared into her eyes… ah, what a beautiful shade of red.

Red

You can manipulate anything red.

Side Note: Red tomorrow, red today.

"Red, you say?" She covered her eyes with her hands and then pulled something out. I looked at her eye sockets, seeing her eyes still there, but the irises were devoid of colour. In her palm was a ball of red, which she turned into a blade. "Let us escape and cause havoc. I no longer wish to be jailed." She cut open a hole beneath her and fell through. The guards below instantly reacted, and so battle commenced. I think I might stand in here for a little while.


Character profile: Swift Patras

Sacred power: Red

Favourite colour: Periwinkle

Description: The twin sister of Leaf, who helped her ascension to the tribal chief. After her sister became chief, she chose to be a guard of the tribe's outer ring, an area far from the tribe's village. Monsters roam this area, and the guard's job is to keep them away from the village. Using her All Seeing Eye, Merida was travelling the world, looking for other elf tribes. After a long battle, Merida managed to best Swift and took her on her journey. Due to their adventure, Swift will freeze up upon the mention of soup.

Chapter namesake: Red by Mori Calliope (Or is it Calliope Mori?)

Sorry for the very short chapter. I'm literally writing this chapter at a family Easter dinner. Since I'm already here, might as well ask, what do you guys think of the cover art? Should I get an actual cover, or leave it as it is? Also, assuming I need to get an actual cover, where do I get an actual cover?


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