The Great Outdoors, Scene v1

This scene immediately follows "Delphi in the Gardens". Hopefully it gives a better idea of the different personalities of the characters and their relationships. Let me know what you think!

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With hooded cloaks Delphi and Kismet stepped out of the hidden stone passage into the late morning sun. Kismet lent a hand, and helped Delphi out of the passage hidden amongst the side of a rocky hill. Delphi shielded her eyes from the sun as she lowered her hood. She gazed out over the woods at the base of the hidden trail.

“Wow—” exhaled Delphi in awe. “It’s so beautiful!”

Delphi hugged onto Kismet’s arm as they strolled down the path carved into the hillside. Kismet couldn’t help but watch Delphi beam with excitement. The pair weaved through the loosely wooded base of the hillside. As they reached the narrow river, Delphi squatted down and gazed into the water. Her eyes followed a small school of fish swimming in the river. The sparkles in Delphi’s eyes put Kismet’s heart at ease, but she knew their time was limited.

“Come here.”

Delphi rose to her feet and followed Kismet to the bank of a shallow portion of the river. Kismet quickly swept Delphi off her feet, making her shriek with surprise. Delphi squirmed as Kismet stepped into the water.

“Kismet! What are you doing? P-Put me down!” cried Delphi.

“Calm down. If you keep doing that I might drop you.”

“Go back! You know I can’t swim!” she pleaded.

“You’ll be fine, I promise.”

Delphi screamed and whimpered as Kismet raised her above her head. Trembling with fear, Delphi glanced at Kismet below her, who was up to her chest in water, then quickly looked away and closed her eyes tightly. The chilled, autumn water flowed slowly, but strongly around Kismet as she treaded through the river. Upon reaching the riverbank, Kismet lowered Delphi to the ground. Delphi stumbled on her feet then pounded Kismet’s chest.

“Don’t ever do that again!” she scolded with tear-stung eyes, still trembling.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry! But it's not like we could've taken the bridge; someone would've seen you,” she replied with a playful smile.

Delphi turned away and pouted, stomping ahead. Kismet looked back at the river and noticed a wispy, black silhouette gliding downstream. She stared at it intently but is unable to make out what it is.

Delphi turned around. “Are you coming or what?”

Kismet slowly peeled her eyes away and caught up to Delphi’s side. Delphi forcefully gripped Kismet’s hand and pulled her along. Delphi’s mood brightened as they passed by squirrels and rabbits that scurried through the brush. She curiously chased after anything that moved with a large grin on her face. Kismet smiled as she watched the young princess happier than she had ever seen her before.

Their fun ended with the sound of crunching leaves. Kismet gently placed her hand on Delphi’s shoulder. Another snap broke the silence. Kismet’s eyes locked onto the source. The tabard of the Imperial Army, the loosely, but fashionably tied back light-brown hair, the ever-so-loved figure of the ever-so-popular archer, was that of the last person she wanted to see.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here!”

“Sara,” Kismet growled.

“And what may you be doing out here? Kidnapping someone for a midday snack?”

Delphi peeked out from behind Kismet.

Sara sighed. “Princess? You know you’re not allowed outside of the castle.”

Delphi looked away in disappointment. Sara struggled to hold back her smirk after having thought about the punishment Kismet would receive from helping Delphi leave the castle.

“I just wanted to pick some cavalillies for Father,” explained Delphi.

“But to come out here yourself? You could’ve just sent someone else to pick them for you.”

The young princess’ expression saddened. “I wanted to pick them myself...”

“I’m sorry, Princess, but it’s too dangerous for you to be wandering around. I’m going to have to escort you back to the castle,” stated Sara.

“Please, they shouldn’t be far from here!” pleaded Delphi.

Kismet glared at Sara. “Just let her pick some flowers.”

Sara grinned evilly at Kismet as she continued talking to Delphi. “As much as I want to let you, I’m afraid I can’t. You know very well that you shouldn’t even be out here. Just be glad that I won’t go telling anyone I saw you out here. Your mother would be furious. Now, let’s take you back.”

Delphi trailed behind the Sara, gloomily. With her chin held high, and a grin on her face, Sara marched in front toward the bridge downstream. Kismet grabbed Sara’s shoulder as they kept pace. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What?” replied Sara, mockingly.

“Is your heart really so cold that you can’t let her pick a few flowers first?”

Sara violently pushed Kismet’s hand away. “Hey, don’t blame me. I’m just following the rules. She shouldn’t even be outside of the castle in the first place.”

Kismet snarled. “Don’t give me that crap. It wouldn’t have taken more than ten minutes to grab some.”

“Rules are rules, Kismet, and the Princess broke them. She’s spoiled enough as it is, and I won’t be one to encourage it. Think of denying her flowers as a sort of punishment, although that hardly compares to what would happen if people in the castle were to find out.”

Kismet emitted a low growl, slowing her pace to the side of a saddened Delphi. “I’m sorry, Delphi; I’ll collect some for you later.”

“But I wanted to pick them myself.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I should’ve noticed Sara sooner so we could’ve avoided her.”

Delphi continued staring at the ground ahead as they approached the hidden passage back to the castle. The three reached the main courtyard when Sara broke the silence, “It seems you two squeezed by this time. I suggest you wise up and not press your luck again.”

Sara began to walk off until Kismet’s skin crawled at the sound of the Queen’s yelling. “Where in heaven’s name have you been, Delphi?”



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Next: A Handful of Flowers, Scene v1