Misadventures of Casie

It was an average evening in the kingdom of Mair! The Countess was enjoying the evening’s breeze on the balcony of her mansion, thinking of the impending doom she is to face – the marriage. Unhappy with the idea of marrying someone of lower status, and someone so… unpleasant… arrogant… she clenched her fist and frowned, looking at the sunset when she heard a knock on the door – “countess? this is Jon, your father wishes to speak with you before nightfall”

She sighed and in an unpleasant voice replied – “tell him I’ll be down soon” Jon turned around – “yes miss, your father awaits you in his office” he walked off. She looked over the forest, the tops of trees lit beautifully by the setting sun, and smirked when she saw something glint in the forest. She headed out the door and down the stairs of her mansion, going to her father’s office when she heard a commotion in the kitchen. Sounds like something fell over, being curious as she is she went to check

as she approached the kitchen she could hear the chief chef shouting at someone – “You damned fool! Look what you have done!!! you cause nothing but problems Fletch!” as she opened the door she could see Fletch on his knees, a toppled kitchenware shelf on the floor beside him, and the chief chef standing before him – “I’m so sorry sir! I’ll clean it up and fix it all! please sir” she raised her eyebrow in disbelief, thinking -‘ugh…Fletch…that dumbass, always screwing up’

Fletch noticed Casie standing in the doorway – “Oh… mistress!! mistress please forgive me! i meant not to disturb you!” she only sighted – “whatever… chief, have this idiot punished…a night in the stable should do…tsk…” she shook her head and left the kitchen only to hear whimpering behind her – “no please… not the stables…” but the pleads were ignored

she approached her father’s office and knocked on the door, in response to which she only heard an angry, commanding voice “COME IN!” her father was not in a good mood she could tell… She opened the door, bowed and walked in – “father? what is it?” he put his pen down and adjusted his glasses as he sat back in the chair

He spoke in the same angry voice – “Listen here Casie… that marriage needs to happen! it’s next week, don’t you DARE do anything stupid! you hear me?” she swallowed audibly, her father was not a pleasant man when he was in a foul mood – “y…yes father… ” he sighed – “good! go back to your room and do not leave the palace until the wedding day! Something odd happening in the woods, i’ll have the guards check it” she bowed and turned around to leave

As she exited the door, a few paces away she could see Fletch on his knees, bleeding from his head, tears running down his cheeks – “please.. mistress! Don’t leave me to sleep in the stables tonight!” He begged her. She sighted – “what happened?” Fletch lifted his head – “Oh this? don’t worry… I just…tripped… like the clums I am….” she nodded – “go get the wound cleaned and….find… tsk! Just stop being a dumbass!” she clicked her tongue and walked past him in a rush as she reached her room and went back out to the balcony she shook her head – ‘tsk…missed the sunset, thanks father…’

She looked over the now dark forest, the sun hidden behind the mountains. She could see some guards making their way into the forest with torches, deep inside the forest she could see a faint glow, mysterious and inviting… uneasy feeling washed over her, she went into her room and shut the door, changing into her nightgown she went to bed that night feeling…Feeling uneasy about her upcoming arranged marriage and the strange glow in the forest. Her father’s words of something strange going on in the forest did not help her relax and she couldn’t stop thinking about the arrogant bastard she’ll have to marry ‘hah!! a countess marrying a dancer from a club… what a joke…and all because his regular client is a duke of the lands my father wishes to take into his control…. ‘ angry, frustrated… ‘but, such is life of a noble, it is my duty’

she eventually managed to fall asleep. The night passed uneventfully and morning came. As per usual, her maid Angela came to her room at around 6:30 in the morning to awaken her and help her get dressed. She went out for breakfast, the morning passed, as did the afternoon. Later in the afternoon, she was approached by the head of security as she was resting in the garden reading a book. Guard-“countess, please head back inside, the sun will be setting soon!” she looked away from her book with a displeased glance – “and who do you think YOU ARE to tell me what to do? Begone guard! do your job!” he shivered – “your f…father’s orders miss, not mine…” she smirked -“oh? and is he here right now?” the guard shook his head – “no…” she nodded – “that’s what i thought! now back to your post and do NOT disturb me for the rest of the day”

Shortly after, Fletch approached her – “cas…. I mean…countess… I brought you fresh grape juice and snacks” he bowed and placed the tray on the table beside her, as he turned around to leave she spoke in a commanding voice – “STOP!” he turned around – “Y….yes miss?” she sighed and took a sip from the glass of juice – “you… almost called me by my name did you not?” he gulped – “uh…. sorry, I misspoke” but to his surprise, she smiled and bit her lip

She spoke softly – “say Fletch… were you thinking about me? Is that why you almost called me by my name?” he gasped and took a step back – “n…no! I wouldn’t dare miss…. I just… I’m just a dumbass!” he giggled awkwardly – “if I may…” he tried to turn around again but she just started laughing – “my god what an idiot! Be gone!”

Fletch hurried off and another few hours passed. Fletch accompanied by the head of palace security approached her again, the sun beginning to set, a chilly breeze blowing through her hair. She closed the book right as the 2 approached her and lifted her finger up in a ‘wait’ gesture as she leaned back and sipped on her juice- “ahh! What a delightful story! a tale of a traveler who went to a different world! Have either of you 2 read this perhaps?” she lifts the book up titled ‘Misadventures of Mr Kiwi’ Fletch and the guard looked at each other, shrugged and then looked back at her, both shaking their heads – “no miss…” said Fletch – “but… your husband to be is here to see you, mayhaps he read it?”

She gave the book to the guard as she got up and stretched – “Blake? tell him i’m not home!” Fletch shook his head – “impossible miss…. your father informed him that you’re to not leave the palace until the wedding day… so he knows you’re here” she looked at him and frowned – “listen here you idiot! you go and…” but her sentence was interrupted by Blake shouting from a distance – “AH MY BELOVED! SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!” as he walked towards them. She looked in his direction and facepalmed

She started walking towards him and as they got close enough he spread his arms – “Dearest! sweetest Casie! give your husband a hug!?” but she just walked past him and clicked her tongue. This irritated Blake, Fletch and the guard walked past him as well. He turned around – “LISTEN HERE YOU STUCK UP BIIIIEAAUTIFUL WIFE OF MINE!! How could you ignore ME!?? the GREAT Blake! I am the epitome of perfection! I am IRRESISTIBLE!!! I have more clients than all other dancers combined!”

She merely turned around and slapped him as he took a step closer – “shut up… you’re annoying and irritable…not irresistible!! Now leave! I wish not to see your lousy…. being… on my property!” she turned around and flicked her hair, walking back towards the palace when she heard shouting and commotion behind them. She stopped and turned to look, shouts of men could be heard echoing through the forest followed by loud bangs. The  head of security looked at Fletch – “Take the mistress inside!”

He nodded – “Miss, come… let the guards do their job!” She nodded – “yea…not my business if the fools are incompetent!” Fletch guided her back inside and to her room, a guard followed them and positioned himself at the door to her chambers.

an hour passed, and the sun had almost set. Casie sat in her room, staring out the balcony window, the screams died down as did the other sounds, when suddenly she heard a loud bang unlike any she ever heard before, inside the mansion. As she rushed to her door the guard swung the door open and dashed inside followed by Fletch, pushing Casie to the floor he closed the door swiftly and locked it from inside  – “Ohh! miss I’m sorry!” he helped her up, as she got up she slapped him she spoke in an annoyed tone – “gah! What’s with the rush? what happened?” but the guard just nodded – “my apologies…the palace got invaded by an unknown foe! I am to keep you safe, let’s get out of here!” he swiftly moved past her and towards a large bookshelf, he grabbed the side of it and pulled on it, as he did the bookcase swung sideways, revealing a secret passage behind it – “quick! go!” he commanded. Casie knew of the secret escape passages so she simply put her shoes on and went inside

Fletch followed her inside, looking around in awe. The guard closed the passage behind them and lit up a torch and walked up ahead of countess and Fletch. His torch lit up the walkway, it was a gentle sloping walkway until they reached what smelled like an underground passage. Damp stale air filled their lungs, they walked for about 20 minutes in silence until they reached a staircase going up, the guard turned around – “alright.. you 2 stay here, I’ll check if it’s safe before you 2 exit”

Casie nodded but Fletch tried to act brave – “I”ll go with you! I’m a man!” to which the guard just chuckled – “No Fletch… you have a more important mission! your duty is to protect the countess in my absence! keep her safe! Alright?” Fletch smiled widely – “Yes!! you can count on me!!!” he turned around and gave Casie a thumbs up with a confident smirk to which she responded with a sigh and a facepalm the guard ran up the stairs and exited through the door. Casie and Fletch were left standing in the dark, narrow stone hallway. Casie grabbed his arm – “don’t say, anything idiot! I’m just… not comfortable in absolute darkness….” Fletch let out a happy squeal but said nothing. After about 5 minutes, what felt like an eternity to Fletch and probably longer to Casie, the guard returned and gave all clear, the 3 safely made their way outside

The chilly evening breeze hit Casie’s skin as she shuddered. Wearing a light, short sleeve dress, she was quite cold but Fletch did not take long to respond. Taking his jacket off he handed it to her. She accepted it hesitantly and threw it over her shoulder – “alright so… what not guard?” he shrugged – “i….. we head to the town! i guess….” she facepalmed again – “you realize that is half a day of carriage right? walking would take us probably 2 days! gah… I’m surrounded by idiots! Do guards really not have a plan?” she spoke angrily – “what do you even get paid for!?” the guard shrugged – “to…protect you…??” Fletch giggled – “he’s got a point miss!” she growled, her cat ears folded as she snuggled into Fletcher’s jacket when a gust of wind blew – “do something!!” but as she said that, she noticed a familiar glow deeper in the doors. The guard shrugged – “like what? any ideas?”

She pointed in the direction of the glow – “what’s that…?” the guard turned – “ah…the mysterious orb… this is what the guards were sent to investigate… far as I can tell it’s safe!” she started walking in that direction, ignoring the guard as he leaned on a tree while talking and looking at the sky. FLetch silently followed her. When the guard noticed them leaving he hurried after them without a word

After a short walk through the dark forest and Fletch stumbling and falling over a couple of times, they finally reached the glowing blue orb. Casie approached it curiously, her tail curled up and her fur stood up, the same uneasy feeling she got the previous night was back… this was the source of the glow! But still, her fear did not overcome her curiosity, she stood a reach away from the orb, staring into it. It swirled like a ball of clouds, but the clouds had shapes…

The shapes vaguely resemble carriages… strange carriages! She tried to look closer when suddenly Fletch walked up behind her, without looking as he was so distracted by the orb, and bumped into her, pushing Casie into the orb.

Casie stumbled and fell face-first into the orb, and as she did, a bright flash of light blinded her, the sensation of falling washed over her body as she screamed in fear! Screaming, as she fell to the ground she hit her bum on something hard, a rock perhaps, or so it felt. She blinked a few times till she could see again, as her vision returned she found herself in an unfamiliar place… standing on a roof top of a modern building, not tall, merely 2 floors high. Below her on the streets, strange carriages rush by, carriages without horses! She gasped and stumbled back – “what….. what is going on here?” Buildings of the modern day, perhaps of the 1900s surrounded her on all sides. Streets made of pavement, carriages without horses, the noise was everywhere. Her hearing, being a miqo’te, was quite sharp, the honking was almost painful to her. She fell to her knees, covering her ears, paralyzed from shock

A moment later on top of her Fletch fell, pushing her to the ground as he screamed, his eyes still closed, screaming like a girl, but this brought Casie out of shock as she pushed him off of her and shouted- “WHAT ARE YOU DOING MORON???” the shout brought him out of the shock – “huh? what? ohh! I thought I was falling! Oh my god i’m sorry!” he scrambled to his feet and helped her up and then froze up in spot – “wait…. what is this…place…??” She shrugged

– “I arrived here a moment before you did…dumbass… how am i supposed to know? seriously, how can you be so dumb?” Fletch shrieked – “I’m sorry for being an oblivious miss!” he bowed to her a few times and then straightened out looking around – “i guess we must be in… got to be… has… most definitely the northern kingdom! yes! absolutely!!!” he spoke with fake confidence looking around “Mmhmm…. yeah, has to be! for sure!”

Casie frowned as she looked around – “So…. northern kingdom huh… know the way to the palace of the land owner??” he looked around – “yeee…..th..that way!” He pointed at the tallest building, a glass-covered skyscraper “yeap! follow me!” He took a step towards the edge of the building, distracted from looking at the buildings he did not realize they were on a roof. As he was about to lose his balance Casie caught the back of his shirt – “WATCH! YOUR! STEP!”  

He shrieked once again as he looked down at the street – “aaahhh! tha…thank you miss! I’m sorry! the way down is…there!” he points towards nothingness – “I Mean….” he looked around and saw a ladder tip -“ah! there!” he ran confidently towards it, and as they made their way down into the alley, before going to the main street she looked at Casie – “miss… i… I don’t see any other Miqo’te in this place… mayhaps they’re rare? We should hide your ears and tail”

She looked at him with an annoyed expression – “you want me to hide who i am now..?? Seriously Fletch? Shut up and follow me, you spineless coward!” She dropped his jacket off as it was the middle of the day and quite warm here and walked onto the busy street. As she did, to her surprise, nobody even looked at her. The majority of people were busy looking into….small books…. strange small books… people walked past her in strange attires, staring into strange small books they held in their hands! Some raised their books up and looked at her, then continued walking without a word. Fletch followed her nervously, bumping into people all the time – “ugh! gah! so busy! what’s this???”

After some walking they got to the intersection, a new challenge awaited them… colorful lanterns green yellow red and so they saw a crowd of people on their small books… waiting at a strange patterned road. And suddenly they all started walking and the carriages stopped. This greatly confused our travelers as they continued making their way towards the tallest building in the city. A short while later they arrived at the building with a sign “TRUMP HOTEL” on it

As they approached the door, the doorkeeper noticed her rich looking dress and assumed she was a VIP, being accompanied by…. a…chef… He dared not question the VIP’s and held the door open for them. As they went inside, front desk employee called them over and asked if they have a reservation, but… they could not understand the language

Fletch stood in front of Casie and spoke in his native tongue – “we need to speak with the local lord!” but the employee only raised her eyebrows, unable to understand, she replied in English “what?? what language do you speak?”

A short while later when another 5 employees stood around trying to figure out which language they needed a translator for, the hotel manager came down to the front desk, quickly noticing Casie’s ears he bowed to her and gestured to them to follow. Fletch smirked at her -“See miss? I’m good for something! They understood me!” Casie shook her head – “I don’t think that is the case” the manager took them to the elevator and pressed the ‘penthouse’ button. To the topmost floor they went. The elevator confused both Casier and Fletch, making them a little motion sick as they stared out the glass wall of the elevator, watching the city get smaller beneath them. As the elevator ‘dinged’ and the doors opened, they could see a large, spacious and luxurious room. On the bed sat Blake, beside him Trump, they were giggling and smoking cigars as the manager walked them to the bed and bowed – “Mr Trump, your girl has arrived” he smirked at her – “Tremendous! This is spectacular! very good very good!” and Casie simply raised her eyebrow – “what… is going on here blake?” she looked at him

Blake shrugged as he breathed out the smoke – “I don’t know.. but this dude’s totally coool! He’s pretty tremendous! just like ME!” He said as he wiggled his cat ears and chuckled – “I still don’t understand him…but i think he’s the lord of this place and likes Miqo’te”

Trump turned towards Blake and grabbed his ear, patting it he chuckled – “Tremendous! Tremendous! They’re just real! Come on now! Entertain me!” he said, but Blake just laughed at his ear being patted – “what a weird old geezer… I wonder what he wants..??”

Fletcher just smirked – “he wants YOU blake….” Fletch then grabbed Casie’s hand and pulled her towards the door to run away. Trump did not notice it as he was too distracted by Blake

They rushed back to the elevator and rode down, sprinted outside the hotel, and ran off. The history tells nothing of what happened to Blake that night…probably for the best

It is said that Casie and Fletch made their way to the suburbs of the town, found a family of older folk that let them in, learned the language, and managed to blend into the society of the modern world