"Hiyah!"

A loud series of crackles were heard resonating through the area before a series of cheers and clapping was heard. It was a series of small firecrackers that signaled the start of the festival. The annual celebration of Chinese New Years being held downtown had attracted a large crowd of people. It was a major event that gathered people from all over to come join in the fun with performances from all the nearby martial art schools, colorful decorations, and delicious, if unhealthy, stall food.

To the left of him was a pair having a mock battle with swords, their beautifully choreographed movements more a dance than anything else. On his right was three teams of lion dancers prancing upon wooden poles as if they were weightless, mocking Newton and his laws of grounding people. Like spectacular dragons, they flew through the air using anything and everything to reach ever high even each other, it was truly art in motion.

Yet none of them caught his eyes for they were glued to a certain figure in plain white. She lacked the sheer vibrancy of her peers, yet he found himself once again enchanted. She was stunning, the quiet moon that illuminated the night. She did not shine like the sun so blindingly bright that it would burn your eyes and block out all others in the skies. No, hers was a subdued beauty which you couldn't help but be captivated by, a familiar and comforting presence which banished the darkness and guided you. Simply beautiful. A nudge on his leg and a happy bark told him that Luna agreed.

He had been standing at the very front of a large wooden plate form with large navy blue mats covering it. It was where the Taekwondo practitioners were at. A furious series of kicks and rapid combo of punches saw to the end of many helpless wooden boards. With the ease of snapping a twig between one's fingers, the group of twenty did it effortlessly in front of the stunned crowd. Afterward, they all came together in a square formation before settling to the back as their juniors went up the stage for their turn. Anna was in the back of the line as they all performed some set of katas for everyone to see. It wasn't as flashy as the breathtaking flips and masterful movements of their older counterpart, but there was a serenity to their movements. 

Every step was careful and measured, every twitch calculated as part of some greater plan he knew not of. It was like going from break dancing to a steady waltz, elegant and graceful with its own appeal. She may not have been the best as he noticed she was ever so slightly out of sync, her face was red and she was obviously flustered as she was watching the others around her to make sure she didn't mess up. A Spitfire of a girl that wasn't afraid of getting rough and dirty she may be, but not even his friend was immune to stage fright seems. 

The act ended with each of the younger kids standing in two lines facing one side of the stage. The seniors had gone and each grabbed a wooden board for them. With a fierce yell, they all simultaneously did a butterfly kick and broke their boards, well all but one. It was a younger kid near the back. He found it hilarious when his partner simply tossed the intact piece away and pretended nothing was wrong. He doubted anybody else saw it as he only barely noticed because the kid was right next to Anna.

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Still, it was an amazing performance and he cheered loudly with everyone else. Even with his voice almost drowned out by the crowd his friend still noticed him screaming himself hoarse in a frenzy. The broad smile she gave him in return was so worth it.

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"I didn't think you'd make it!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. You were incredible out there by the way!"

They shared a brief hug before a large furry form interposed itself between them. From the small and malnourished little thing it was when they first met, the years had been kind to it. Standing at a proud 2 feet its fur was glossy and felt like silk and its eyes gleamed with playfulness, it was a vast improvement, to say the least.

"Haha, why hello there little fella!"

She suddenly got bowled over by the ball of excitement as it showered her with sloppy affection. Her hair was going to stay stuck upright for the rest of the day probably, but she didn't mind. She gave an overly exaggerated "Oof!" as they laid on the grassy field behind the stage.

"Well, maybe not so little anymore, right Knight?"

An affirmative bark was all she got before the assault of her face and hair continued with renewed vigor. Thankfully she never was one for much make-up. Jake was content to simply watch them goof around as Anna ruffle the dog behind its ears which only prompted more kisses. After a few minutes of rolling around in the grass, Anna decided to pop the question that was on her mind.

"Hey, why don't you join me?"

Knight, now satisfied with the attention he had gained, was content to lay on her lap as she sat on the ground. Jake, however, tilted his head as he stared at the duo covered in bits of grass and mud in contemplation. While it wasn't too bad, he was something of a germaphobe with an OCD. At least that's what the doctors tell him. He could stop at any time! He just didn't want too was all, and why would he? There were tons of germs and other nasty things everywhere, even in the air! So what if he brought along hand sanitizers and his own soap wherever he went? There was nothing wrong with being clean especially when he knew for a scientific fact that public restrooms were a hazard. He did not have a problem. Honest!

He bit his lips while thinking and Anna quickly noticed the mental debate. A pearl of laughter knocked him out of his thoughts.

"I didn't mean the ground silly. Taekwondo! You always show up to every demonstration. Heck, you show up just to sit and watch at classes so much that everyone there even knows your name by now. If you like it so much why don't you just join? We can learn together!"

I don't like Taekwondo, I like you.

Words he wishes he was brave enough to say. Yet seeing her babble in excitement at how "cool" and "fun" it would be to have him join her and all the tricks she could show him made him smile. While he wasn't a fan of physical exercises, preferring to read or play video games, the concept of spending more time with her didn't sound so bad even with the cost of inevitable pain and bruises.

A soft smile was on his face as he agreed and a blinding one was on hers.