Not every star is one worth gazing at. A bright speck lingering in the night sky. Watching it faithfully under a crescent moon only to have it fade away come dawn. 

   These types of half-assed useless thoughts always waltzed through my mind endlessly like a princess before a ball or a thief who proclaimed himself a prince. I could never stop them from intriguing me as I ran through the forest under the midnight sky. Hurrying to the center of the town where I slaved away the hours of the night inside a pub. 

   I hope there’s no big crowd. Wait, hold on, maybe a giant crowd of drunken sailors is what I need… I do want my piece to be heard after all…my voice would only fall on the deaf drunkards who were always inches away from killing each other. Getting me all anxious, very ‘uncool.’ Though, if I said that at home, sis would just say

“Your life is an embarrassment, are you nervous about living everyday?”

Some kind of twisted sense of reinforcement like that! Therefore I might as well just face it head on…on second thought let m—

And in that moment, I faced darkness. A silhouette of someone waving at me across the river. Dead? I died? Oh that’s right, I was running and…

   “Ah- Ah! Wha-what to do! Eeek!” A panicked voice squealed. “if Key finds out I killed her brother she might loathe me for the rest of our days. Ah! I mean our individual days! Erm—-! Uke, you hurt?! I didn’t realize you were outside! You should’ve spoken up dimwit…so I wouldn’t have hit you! Stupid! Wake up!” The sincere tone of just seconds ago, turned into a loud-scolding voice.

My eyelids fluttered before they struggled to open. My first glance was that of a puffy-eyed crimson-haired girl standing over me. She reached out her hand with a concerning tone. 

   “Let me give you a hand, stupid.”

   “It-its fine.” I responded. “And I wasn’t just standing outside like an idiot you, obsessive siscon. I was rushing to my job just like any diligent worker, on a clearly  empty sidewalk.” I took her kind gesture to start to pull myself back up. Her hand was covered with a rough texture that felt oddly like sandpaper. Why does this feel good? Am I a masochist?

   “Si-siscon!” She screamed, abruptly dropping my hand causing me to once again hit the stone with full force.

   “Aiii ow. Did I say that out loud? My bad.”  I said, bringing my hand to rub the aching part of my lower back.

   “Who’re you calling a siscon you pervert! She’s not even my sister… stupid! Idiot! Baka!” Though with each insult thrown my way, her hand was outstretched once more. She truly is kind.

   “You said ‘stupid’ three times already.” I hummed while grasping her hand again to lift myself up for a second time. “Though I’m done now! Sincerely. Your expressions are just too funny, it’s entertaining.”

Ahhh. So this is why Key and Rey like her. How is it that this person managed to befriend the cold-hearted, ice queen sister of mine? The same one who incapacitated a knight so painfully that they were relocated to be fish-bait out in the sea.

   “Um… Uke? Yo- how long will you continue holding my hand.” She stammered awkwardly.

While thoughtlessly gripping her hand firmly I posed still, accidentally scowling at her face, watching it grow an insignificant amount of red on her left cheek turned away. She was wearing an apron covered in flour, probably from late-night experimenting again. The color on her cheek harmonized with that of a Sakura petal. The bountiful eyes that shy away with each glance was…bothersome.

    “Ah, um.. I should be taking off. I can’t be arriving late or else the beating from Key will be the death of me. She may be my sister, but I strongly speculate she’s a reincarnation of the Ice Queen. Drop by if you encounter yourself wishing to take a break.” 

I dropped her hand abruptly and jogged down the avenue towards the pub with maximum urgency. I heard a faded exclamation behind me from Merry’s direction, but my head was pounding too heavily to make note of what she said.

   Ah that was close. I almost mistook those stares and blushes for me. Though I know it’s not for me. For in the end, she will never come.

   Anyways, I’m still remotely distant! Usually the town is bustling with excitement in the daytime, but night sure makes everything seem calm.The town itself was pretty big for being the seaport of the east. The salty ocean smell lingered in the air as the wind blew heavily through the tall trees. There were shops for everything you essentially need right next to each other along the street. From weapon-smith to bakery and instruments to cobblers, there wasn’t anything you couldn’t get, reasonably of course.

We called this middle ground “Thorn’s Road” due to its addictive shopping nature. Though that’s neither here nor there. That sort of thing. After a few turns away from the bakery was finally my long awaited door to never-land. Toukil Pub!

   “UKE!!! ‘Urry up and fetch yer uhh… lute! We got a ‘efty one out ‘ere tonight.” A man slurred to me.

   Just as I entered through the back of the pub I was confronted with a yelling white haired, burly old man. With a sorry excuse for a mustache, granted I myself, being only fifteen and all was in no authority to criticize a man’s facial hair. It was no other than Mr. Charles, my boss and owner of this establishment.

  “I know! I know. I swear I left home early this time but erm, ran into a little trouble on the way.” My voice cracked as I thought back to the embarrassing encounter that just happened. 

   “Trouble? You ain’t causing dem gold bred beasts issues are ye? Didn’t I tell yo-“ Charles entered lecture mode.

   “Really it was nothing!” cutting him off. “Anyways what’s this about visitors? You mean the customers? I came up with a little something just for today. Consider it a special.” I waved with a smug look as I strolled to the middle room. While I knew that the old man was looking out for me, his scoldings would usually last all night especially when drunk on Deosi Ale from Minchelli.

   “Eh? If you ‘ad yer time to write, you ‘ave yer time to work!” 

I’m disappointed by the logic being thrown by this grown up. Long may he live.

   “Go go child. The shillings are warmed.” He continued to slur, shoving  me to my appointed stool in the corner. 

   There seemed to be an abnormal amount of people around this time. Off-time knights who for some reason, never remove their helmet. They hollered and stomped on the floor with their iron boots, spilling ale all over ground. The pub is usually filled with those types of people, eccentric and non-judgemental of the status of others. Though, how have I never seen the underneath of one’s helmet? Their backs were always turned towards me or It was too dim to see anything at all.

 How do they eat? Drink? Isn’t sleeping like that uncomfortable? Hmm.  I considered getting a glimpse of what kind of scarred, battle-worn person truly looked like. I’ve heard of the cruelties that were lashed upon the individuals who called themselves realm knights. The lashings and immoral teachings that occurred in the capital was not something to scoff at. After the war with the neighboring country, it seemed the knights being produced were even more and more psychotic than the last . Maybe another time shall we? Not because I’m frightened of course…just terrified. 

While the regulars were also here, three new faces were cackling behind  a cloak while taking hefty gulps of whisky. I caught a glimpse of a tattoo on the shoulder of the more brusque looking of the three as he chugged down a glass. The fangs of a snake sinking into the flesh of a small figure halfway in the mouth. The color of the snake eyes tattooed on was that of pure lacquer black with the screaming figure covered in splattered red. 

 I may not be as fashion sensible as Key, but that is just unsightly. I’m pretty sure she would be scolding them off if Rey ever got a peek of the grotesque image.

   I shrugged off the feeling and tightened the strings on the lute. While Charles returned behind the bar, giving me the ‘look’ which meant hurry up or you’re fired. You see, I’m an entertainer. A minstrel or bard if you’d like., Background noise so the guests feel less miserable than they actually are. However, today felt different. 

Stolen story; please report.

   I held my lute firmly with both hands. Pressed tight towards my body, I took a seat on a wooden stool. I settled my fingers on the strings with unfamiliar positions, taking deep breaths to prepare myself. Confirming the notes of the song, I positioned it in the right place for the intro. Now, finally feeling the sense of electricity race inside me, it was time to play. My fingers danced through the strings, rapidly harnessing itself  with the wind. Gifting upon a sweet melody intertwined with melancholy, brought a somber sound to the ears of those who chose to listen. With light feet taps conforming to the rhythm, it was time for my voice to drift through the burdens filled air.

   “Are you goin’ to Scarborough fair.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme 

   Remember me to one who lives there

She once was a true love of mine.

  Tell her to make me a cambric shirt

Parsley, sage rosemary and thyme

   Without no seams nor needlework

Then she’ll be a true love of mine

   Tell her to find me an acre of land

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

   Between the salt water and sea strand

Then she’ll be a true love of mine

…

Are you goin’ to Scarborough fair…”

   The words of the song flowed out of me, weaving itself alive with each note strung. With deafening stillness filling the air, only the sound of the occasional shuffling of chairs could be heard.  It must have been my imagination, but with the song trotting rampantly across the pub, I felt a thousand gazes all resting upon me. Though, that couldn’t be possible since the pub isn’t very large to begin with. A nervous tingle quickly crept up my spine after glancing up to see the amount of overwhelming attention being given my way. I shut my eyes tight, continuing to sing more intensely than before. With each note strung, the ferocity of dancing grew with my fingers elegantly like a ball dance.   

   Now even the sounds of rustling came to cease as I slowly took a peek. I was met with twelve pairs of eyes looking my way. Mouths agape and hands in place as if frozen in time. 

   Was I really that bad? 

   I especially noticed a stranger in the corner near the entrance. Sitting alone with a hood up and covered in an oversized cloak that seemed very unusual. I almost burst out laughing when I saw the extra fabric of the cloak puddle on the floor. I guess Merry really did come after all. Though what is with the expensive outfit haha.

   Her hair peeked out from under the hood resting just below her shoulders. That’s odd. When did Merry grow her hair out that long? She was too distant and the pub was too dim lit to see the color. For some reason I could not look away from her. I squinted my eyes to try to get a better look but I just couldn’t make it out. 

   After almost a full minute I caught myself as the hooded person abruptly stood up and ran out the door. I put my hand up half-heartedly while thinking about shouting out to her but slowly lowered it.

Ah. What am I doing? I think I stared at Merry more than I would’ve liked. Ahh. Don’t kill me Key.

The three tattooed men left right after, suspiciously seeming to be in a rush. Merry!

   The last of the lyrics came out of my mouth and my lute playing began to fade low. I ended the song with one last strum. For a moment there was complete silence in which I started to sweat profusely. I closed my eyes, preparing myself. Okay guys. I will never play an instrument for as long as I live. I’m sorry! Suddenly loud clapping and cheers filled the pub. I opened my eyes to the patrons standing up with glasses in hand rushing over to me almost becoming overwhelmed.

   “What strings you pullin’!” A drunkard wailed out.

   “Was a beautiful song hun, you tryin’ to tempt me?” A female waitress named Reni who was a few years older than me teased. She worked with me and is always here, so I conversed with her on songs occasionally.

   “Let’s stay a little longer fellas! Drinks on me!” A well dressed gentlemen at the bar counter  hollered.

 The patrons gave me praises and all I could do was sit there smiling and laughing dumbfounded. This job was indeed the best. Wait there’s no time for this! Those tattooed guys didn’t seem to have any good interest in mind. I shuffled through the crowd and made my way to the entrance. 

   “Old man I’ll be back!” I yelled over to the bar. 

   I briskly pushed the door open only to be suddenly panicked by the hooded girl from earlier running right past me. She was close enough for me to smell the scent of citrus emanating from her as she ran at full speed.

No, this wasn’t Merry.

Her hood fell back revealing the full length of her long hair which whisked in the wind flowing behind her. As if waves were somehow reincarnated as this person’s hair only for this sole purpose, it was a sight to behold. The moment that seemed to oddly enrapture me passed with the tattooed men trailing right behind her. Rounding a corner out of my line of sight, the sounds of padded boots on cobblestone became more apparent. I looked to my left to see the night guards in pursuit with their blades unsheathed. Must it always be the bloody guards?

   My mind went blank as I myself began to chase after the girl. I barged back into the pub, weaving through the patrons towards the backdoor. Not here? I ran to the right of the pub, sticking on the left side of the grovel. Through the cracks of alleyways, I caught more glimpses of her running. Sprinting two buildings ahead of her, sharpening my turn left between a tightly packed garbage and disturbing the sleeping cats as collateral. She went past the alley, almost replicating the same moment from earlier. I tried my hand at reaching her, but all I felt was hot wind. She entered Thorn’s Road dimly lit street, making an abrupt turn around the corner, causing a piece of cloth to fall out behind her. I sprinted as hard as I could behind her, eventually catching up to the silhouette figure just barely close enough to clasp her hand. 

   ”This way!” I yelled with the last of what my lungs can spare.

   Her face darted up alarmingly with the look of bewilderment, furrowing her brow with a glare towards my hand gripping hers. With what seemed like reluctance, glanced behind her shoulder and back to me with a slight nod. And that’s all I need. We sprinted along the right side of the street and made another sharp turn on the corner of Howel street, borderline between the slums and the commoners. Slipping into the rodent infested back aisles, I tore half of the bag that held my lute, reaching down to secure my livelihood. I balled up the torn piece and threw it roughly on the path opposite of the crossroads, with the path on the right being a connected mini bridge to the residential block. I threw the rest of the bag on the ground before continuing across the bridge and into the first alleyway we saw. That will probably have them thin out or at the very least, just enough to buy us a few seconds of comfort.

   Unconsciously, I pressed her back against the wall which echoed the sound of a light thud. I heard our hard huffing so I instinctively put my hand over her mouth as well as my own to control it,  like I did with Key when we were on the run. Familiar situation. Ha. I’m getting deja vu from running away. I’ve lived a good life!

I looked towards the street right beside us as we remained almost motionless in the dark alley. The padded boots came thundering right next to us with soldiers passing by and the sound of their armor clattering softly farther and farther away. Only three? Odd… And what of those strange men from the pub?

Tired from all the running, I bent over in exhaustion with one hand on my knee as I panted. I began to become conscious of my other hand as cold air bounced on the inside. Without realizing it, my hand was still lightly pressed upon her mouth and I could feel her cold breathing rapidly through it. It also seemed like I caught the flu because my head began to feel fuzzy with a slight blurriness.

My eyes slowly trailed up from her neck and over my hand to finally connect with her eyes, It was like the moon shining at me in tinted velvet. The color of soft purple eyes stared at me with that same bewilderment as before, only this time felt more welcoming. I couldn’t tell, but one thing for sure was that it was enchanting. 

  “Ah I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to keep my hand there for as long as I did.” I grabbed my hand and pulled it to the side as if it was no longer mine. “… The guards are gone it seems.”

I stepped back and looked around feeling slightly awkward after the whole situation. I brought my hand to scratch the back of my head while the other was holding onto my now vulnerable lute. The time seemed to go by very slowly as if trapped in ice that is just beginning to thaw. 

   “It’s no problem…” she mumbled in a voice so soft but clear as day, to my ears.

With those words escaping her, that gentle voice was very much perfect. Singer perhaps? She took off a small bag and withdrew a robe from within. Oh? She didn’t have that on? I took a look at her and noticed the clothes she was wearing.

A sleek dress in pure white with two golden buttons on her left shoulder, just barely peeking through the capelet tied around her shoulders. Her shoes were also out of the ordinary, with a flat bottom but gleaming shine, they looked like something you wear to the ball or when you’re off to be married to a prince of the realm.

    These were no commoner clothes at all. It was simple yet beautiful… I glanced up once again at her eyes, dimly lit under the sky. Indeed, very beautiful. The silence in the air was finally broken as her mouth proceeded to move. 

   “I- I must be on my way….” She did an awkward standing bow akin to a child who has never once bowed before. She donned the cloak over her shoulders. Grabbed the hood with both hands, tucking her long, now apparent, silver hair underneath while walking at a brisk pace out the alleyway.

    I stood still dumbstruck with the fleeting figure leaving my sight out the alley. Her smell, her sound, her eyes. It enchanted me.

   “Ahh, I did it again.” I scratched my head frustratingly, hoping the whole thing was one vivid daydream.

  I shuffled my feet back towards the pub to pick up the torn bag I threw, only to find that both pieces seemed to be missing. Strong wind? I continued retracing my steps until I remembered the thing I picked up. I pulled out the cloth with the silk feeling. It matched the color of the stranger’s white dress. A handkerchief with gold lettering of ‘E.H’ 

   “Hm? Eh? What a weird thing to stitch onto something so expensive.” I mumbled while slowly walking back. Trying hard not to think of all the embarrassing cliche one liners that for some reason, spewed from my mouth.