And We're Off!
Shoto had been planning to run for a while. Ever since 'training' started.
Yet now, perched atop his horse, looking off the cliff and down at the castle, he felt almost ill. A twisting in the pit of his stomach and an iron hand wringing his heart.
He turned away as the sun began to rise, and for a moment the stone walls and extravagantly groomed gardens of the palace seem almost, almost welcoming.
Shoto looks towards the trees, towards freedom, and makes a silent vow to never go back.
He nudges Appalachia forward, only to halt her as the sound of laughter reaches his ears. He draws his sword as three figures come around the tree line.
The first one he sees is a Pixie, a short boy with wide green eyes and curly hair if the same color dressed in the clothes and a commoner. Standing at his left is a girl, a little taller, with pink cheeks and brown shoulder length hair. The staff and circular pendant around he neck indicates she, like Shoto, is a natural born magic user. And, standing on the Pixies right is a familiar teen in a suit of armor.
Shoto rolls his eyes and sheaths his blade, waiting for the travelers to notice him.
It takes a full minute before their playful chatter dies down.
"Y-Your majesty! What-What are you doing here?" Tenya Ida, one of the knights of the smaller palaces scattered across the land, house run by his older brother, and king, Ingenium.
"..." Shoto said nothing, simply narrowed his eyes at the three strangers.
"You," the Pixie stepped forward, Ida shot him a warning glance, clearly saying 'idiot what are you doing? Bow!' "You saved me."
"Yes"
"Why?"
Shoto raised an eyebrow. This Pixie was intriguing. He radiated a strong magical energy. He was powerful, something Shoto had noticed briefly when they had made eye contact the previous night. Though that wasn't the reason he had helped. It was still odd that the Pixie demanded to know why. Hasn't he ever heard of Chivalry?
"He was going to rip you wings off." Shoto suppressed a small wince, he never wanted another Pixie to suffer that fate.
"Yes but-" the witch slapped a hand over the Pixies mouth,
"Midoria," she hissed, then turned to Shoto with a nervous smile, "Sorry about him. What he means, is thank you."
The corner of Shotos mouth twitches upward slightly, only for a moment, before his expression is once again blank. He nods, then notices their bags.
Judging by the amount of equipment they have, they've planned for a long trip. He once again narrows his eyes down at them.
"Where are you headed?"
"North. To the Fireplains." Ida is now on his feet.
"I'm coming with. It will be faster if the Witch rides with me."
"But, your Majesty, it's dangerous. And you should really be back-"
"I'm not going back there," Shoto scowls, voice dangerously low "and I can hold my own just fine."
"Of-Of course, your-"
"And no more of" he waves his hand idly toward Ida "that nonsense. It's Shoto."
"Yes yo- Shoto."
"And you don't need to give me a ride, I have my own way. But Izuku should probably go along with you, he must be sore after all the flying he did yesterday." The Witch pipes up, hand now at her side. When Shoto looks at the Pixie, Izuku, his freckles are backed by a faint dusting of pink.
They just stand there for a few more moments, Shoto looking questioningly at Izuku, until finally he hops off his horse and takes the Pixie expectantly by the hand, effectively startling the short boy.
"What-" he starts, falling quiet when Shoto directs him to the horse and boosts him, Izukus wings flapping meekly in assistance, onto the steed.
Shoto climbs on in front of Izuku, and Appalachia trots forward, in the opposite direction from where his three new companions came from.
They ride a good distance in front of Ida and the Witch. About three minutes in Izuku starts talking.
"I'm Izuku Midoria by the way."
"Shoto Todoroki."
"So. You're a prince?" Shoto nods "Cool! So I guess that explains why you saved me then, huh. Chivalry and all that."
Shoto smiles, just a little.