Hypnotize

The wooden house was brightly painted in red and yellow, a stark contrast to the dull brown surroundings. It was also the biggest in the camp, so it only made sense that it was reserved for the chief. It had a low fence running around it, which I thought was quite useless since a little kid would have no problem getting over it. Purple eyes, whose name I didn't know and hadn't asked, led me through the fence and to the rear of the house. I stayed a few cautious steps behind, scolding myself for being scared of a small kid, yet making no effort to get closer. "There," he said and pointed me in the direction of a farm. The farm, although small, was vibrant and looked bountiful. Leafy green cabbages, a few stalks of corn, and a large patch of tomatoes made for a harmonious color. And right at the center of it all, bent low with yellow boots covered in dirt, was a pretty young man. I cast an inquiring glance at the boy. My fear of his violet eyes was temporarily overshadowed by confusion. This guy does not look like a chief. But there was no reaction; the boy just kept staring at me. My lips twitched. I glanced around; there was no one else in sight. So I walked towards the young man. Maybe he's the chief's son. "Excuse me." The shaggy-haired man turned at my call. I froze for only a second, then resisted the urge to whistle like a pervert. I thought Sinbad was hot, but this guy just blew my mind. One glance at those intoxicating green eyes, and I suddenly realized two things. One, he definitely wasn't human. Two... I'm so in love. There must have pink hearts pouring from my eyes because his lips curled into a rakish grin that accentuated his beautiful features and gave me butterflies. Yes, he was beautiful. Handsome just didn't cut it. "Darling," his voice had a deliberate smooth lilt, like flowing water. I shivered in disgust, but despite my body's reaction, for some reason, his saccharine voice was music to my ears. I giggled foolishly at the term of endearment and delicately tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. "H-hello." What the hell? I couldn't even recognize my voice. I frowned imperceptibly. This is odd. "What are you thinking?" a slender finger hooked my chin and raised my head. Once I met those green eyes, my thoughts fled, and all I could think of, oddly enough, were fluffy clouds and cotton candy. His eyes, curved up at the edges, an emerald shade of green, were beautiful, calming, hypnotizing. I blinked once, then twice. I felt a sudden sense of loss. "You... ah. It didn't take long for you to break free." I turned to stare at him. "What?" He grinned at me. "How do you feel?" I looked at his eyes once more. I expected a fluffy rush of emotion like before, but there was nothing. I rubbed my chest at the strangeness. "I feel... nothing." I really felt nothing. His eyes, although beautiful, didn't seem as charming as they did a second ago. Then I belatedly realized that something was wrong. "What did you do to me?" "Bah, don't look so upset." He brushed some dust off his baggy trousers. "It's just a little bit of hypnosis." "You broke away quick enough, that means you have a strong mind." "You! Why the hell would you do that?" He shrugged noncommittally and walked in. I hesitated at the door, then pushed it open. The first thing I noticed was the delicious smell of food. "Over here." I followed his voice to a small dining area. There, on a round table, sat a luxurious spread. Despite just eating, I felt my stomach growl at the sight. I turned pink at the sound. "I'm not hungry," I said, against my conscience. He glanced over at me from where he was setting the table. His eyes brushed past my face and rested on my stomach. "We did both hear the sound it made, right?" My face heated up even further. This is so unlike me, blushing like a fair maiden. Is he hypnotizing me again? I peeked at him. He was busy scooping out thick, bright red stew into a bowl. I bit my lip in consternation. So he wasn't hypnotizing me. I can't actually like him, right? Oh heck no. It is better to get straight to the point. I pushed away the tempting bowl of food he had served me and moved away. "Where is your father?" His head snapped up. "What?" He seemed flabbergasted that I would ask such a question. I frowned. "He asked me to come." I pointed at the door. "Purple eyes told me the chief called for me." He stared at me for a few seconds, then burst into laughter. "You... ah— thought I'm the chief's son." Now I knew I probably made a mistake. I looked him over. He really seemed too young and silly to be a chief. A minute later, his laughter subsided. "Little girl," he grinned, "I am much—very much—older than you think." I looked at his youthful skin and said spitefully, "I wanted to think you're young anyway, but the wrinkles around your eyes and mouth said otherwise." I smirked in satisfaction when his smile froze. He waved his hand, and a small hand mirror appeared out of thin air. He studied his face seriously. When he made sure there were no wrinkles as I said, he grinned charmingly at his reflection. The mirror disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "You lie, little girl." I scoffed. "Can you find my parents?" I went to the core of the matter. "That's why we're here. May said you could help us." "Maera?" "Huh?" I pinched my bracelet. He looked up at me. "Maera, our scout in the wolf school." "She's a scout?" I shook my head. "So we were scouted?" "Yes." "Then—can you or can you not find my parents?" "Tch, you don't seem to be curious as to why you were scouted." He raised a teacup to his lips. I deadpanned, "Curiosity killed my cat." He coughed and sputtered. "What?" "Not important, back to my question." "Hmm." He dabbed his mouth with a pink napkin. "I am very famished. Why don't we have lunch?" It was not a suggestion. He didn't wait for me to reply before digging into his food.