A Story from a Story
Once upon a time there was a prince.no that story is long since past.
Once upon a time there was a knight. This knight strove with all his heart to protect the prince and save him. However, no matter how hard the knight tried his efforts failed to help and benefit the prince. And so the knight, saddened, set aside his sword and brandished a pen as his weapon, helping the prince in the only way that he could. He ensured that the prince would have an ending to his own story.
And once there was a girl who was a duck, a girl, and a princess. This girl loved the prince with all her heart and she strove to make him happy. As time passed the girl managed to make the prince happy, but she had to sacrifice her own happiness for his in the process. As she restoring the prince's happiness to him, he chose another princess for his own, and the girl, who was a duck and a princess, was banished to her duck form, her true form, for the rest of her existence.
Both the knight and the girl were happy with the ending, for the prince that they both loved, was happy, and he deserved the happiness that he had found. But both were unhappy as well.
The knight wished for a different ending one where all, or just one more, could be truly happy as the prince and his princess were. The girl was sad, not for the loss of the prince, but for another reason, one that overlapped with the knights, even thought neither would admit it to themselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahiru, the small yellow duck Ahiru, sighed. Fakir had left for the evening at dusk as he always did, and once again, as she always seemed to when Fakir left, Ahiru wished that just for a little while she could be a girl again.
I don't know why you wish t be a girl again, Ahiru. IF you told him he would laugh at you. He t inks you love Mytho. You remember the sadness and pity on his face when he heard you say that Mytho wanted Ruu as his Princess.
Ahiru turned her gaze from Fakir as he disappeared into the forest.
I will never be able to tell him. Ahiru sighed again, and her blue eyes were sad.
It was then that Ahiru the duck began to dance, mirroring a pas de deux that she had danced not long ago, when she was still a girl, before the story ended.
She had danced two pas de deux with partners, and both she had cherished.
The one she danced now, however, was sad, though she danced with great care, ensuring that she remained true to her most precious memory.
As a duck she danced with some semblance of the elegance she had possessed as a princess, and with some of the clumsiness she had possessed as a girl.
As Ahiru danced, the sun sank below the trees, clocking the lake in a comforting darkness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir paused in his walk back to his house, and turned to look at Ahiru. Something urged him to look back tonight, to check on Ahiru, and as he gazed at Ahiru, his well constructed wall of composure shattered and he sank to the ground, his first tightly clenched.
Ahiru danced in the sunset, mimicking the dance that he had performed with the girl Ahiru just weeks before.
Various emotions flowed through Fakir. Regret was the strongest as she watched the small duck perform the pas de deux, mimicking the dance in which he and Ahiru had vowed to return to their true selves.
Why can I not make a happy ending for her? Pain covered Fakir's face, and in moments like this Fakir would come close to tears. No matter how many times Ahiru claimed that she was happy, he knew she lied to make him feel at ease. Moments like this, with Ahiru's dance, proved that things were not alright, that she wasn't truly happy. And he knew that it was his fault for urging her to end the story with him.
Also in these moments another emotion would surface in Fakir, and it would make him sad, for it was an emotion that could never come to fruition so long as Ahiru was a duck and not a girl. Their pas de deux, and his various teasing comments were as close as Fakir would ever come to admitting to this emotions presence.
You are a fool, Fakir. She loves Mytho.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir pushed himself from the ground, as the sun finished setting and Ahiru faded from view as the darkness descended.
I will find a way to make things right,
He watched Ahiru for as long as he could make out even a moving shadow in the darkness, and he remained even after it grew too dark to even make out shadows. He didn't know how long he stood in the darkness, but when he finally left he knew that Ahiru still danced with her memories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir came to the lake as soon as his lessons were finished. He always made sure that he changed from his ballet clothes to his uniform, but more often the not Fakir wore normal clothes, not wanting to inadvertently make Ahiru sad.
Ahiru would be waiting for him on some afternoons, beneath a tree in the shade. AS Fakir appeared from between the trees Ahiru would jump up and hurry over to Fakir with a happy quack
What Fakir was never allowed to see was the loneliness that disappeared from Ahiru's eyes when she caught sight of Fakir, and the loneliness which returned each time he left.
Ahiru had no friend as a duck save Fakir, for the ducks never understood what she said, they thought of duck matters while Ahiru thought of dreams and memories.
Ahiru never told Fakir that she was lonely; she didn't want to burden him. His daily visits, and his promise to remain with her always, were hard enough, she didn't want to add to his troubles. Besides, what would a boy and a knight, care about the loneliness of a mere duck.
Fakir was free of the story, and he was happy. He had what he wanted. She would not change that ever.
She had restored Mytho's heart to him out of duty, and a desire to see him happy, for she knew a prince could never love a duck, even as he loved a raven.
But the pain of his choice quickly faded, surpassed by the pain of loneliness and the pain of unrequited love, the pain of an impossible love.
A duck should not love a boy.
A duck could not love a boy.
A normal duck couldn't, but Ahiru the duck could, and did.
Ahiru thought that she had loved Mytho, but those feelings had begun to fade long before the story's end. Ahiru's one regret was that she hadn't been able, with words, to tell Fakir that she had cared for him, and not Mytho, even though Fakir would have laughed and called her a baka.
Maybe it was better that he wouldn't know, not ever, for Ahiru didn't want her feelings to drive away her only friend and companion away.
When Fakir would come, he would sit beneath the tree, or lay in the grass, and Ahiru would settle next to him and watch the lake. Today he sat in the grass, leaning back on his hands, his legs stretched out before him.
"Lilie is still apologizing for flinging you through the window." Fakirs watched the lake and annoyance tinged his voice.
Ahiru didn't say anything in return, her eyes sad as she remembered Pique and Lilie asking Fakir out on a date. She didn't think that she could bear to see Fakir with another girl-with a girl. Once it would have been another girl.
Fakir looked down to Ahiru, and only his eyes betrayed his concern for the little duck. His mask of composure was once again in place. Unsure of what concerned Ahiru Fakir puzzled over what to say.
Finally Fakir spoke.
"I overheard students at school today talking about a special event tonight. Several hundred shooting stars will travel across the sky tonight. You might enjoy it."
Fakir glanced at Ahiru as she turned excitedly towards him.
"Quack!" Really, you will have to make a wish Fakir. Wished made on shooting stars always come true.
"Baka. Wishes are for children." Fakir's kind tone took the harshness from his words, and a smile betrayed his amusement at Ahiru's excitement.
I'm going to make a wish, and you should as well. Ahiru's quack was determined. Hey, Fakir. The tone of Ahiru's voice changed and she glanced up at Fakir.
"Yeah, Ahiru?"
What would you wish for, if you could wish for anything.
Ahiru's quacks were slow and hesitant, and Fakir glanced towards Ahiru, surprised.
"If I could wish for anything." Fakir's voice trailed off, and he lay back on the grass, his hands behind his head. "If I tell you my wish wont come true. That's the way wishes work." Fakir smiled at Ahiru and she quacked softly
I should have known that.
"Night is close. The shooting stars should start just after sunset." Fakir closed his eyes and Ahiru nodded, sitting a shot distance from Fakir,
If I could with for anything I would wish for. Fakir mentally sighed. Á different ending for you, one where you would be happy. Or maybe for you to be a girl again. There are so many things I could wish for. Maybe the courage to tell you.
"Hey Ahiru. What will you wish for?" Fakir turned his head towards Ahiru and opened his eyes, watching the unhidden emotions play across her features.
"Quack" I would want my friends to be happy always.
Ahiru's quack was soft and she glanced sideways at Fakir. Fakir rolled over, and leaned up on an elbow, his head resting on his palm as he faced Ahiru. With a free hand he tapped Ahiru's head.
"Baka, you weren't supposed to tell. Now you need a new wish."
If I wasn't supposed to tell, then why did you ask me?
Ahiru jumped to her feet and angrily quacked at Fakir.
"You weren't supposed to answer." Fakir's face was emotionless, the slightest hint of a smile in his eyes.
Then you shouldn't have asked, you are such a bully. Ahiru angrily quacked and sat down with a hmmm which Fakir laughed and lay back down, his chin resting on folded hands.
"You should make a wish for yourself, Ahiru."
But I am happy, I don't need to.
Ahiru's voice sounded false and unconvincing to her own ears, and she hoped Fakir wouldn't pick up on that fact.
"Ahiru." Fakir reached over and picked up Ahiru. Rolling over he placed her on his chest, looking at her as he spoke.
"You have done so much for others. Make a wish for yourself. Be selfish for once, you deserve true happiness Ahiru.
But I am happy. Ahiru once again insisted, blushing still at being placed on Fakir's chest.
"Really?" Fakir's voice indicated his disbelief. "Are you really and truly happy Ahiru?"
I am happy. Happy that Mytho and Ruu are happy. Ahiru's voice was impassioned and only a little sad at the mention of Mytho and Ruu. I am happy that my friend are happy. That I had a part in their happiness. My friends are happy and I am happy. That is what I wanted. With her last word's Ahiru's voice trailed off, and sadness entered her eyes. I wanted the story to end. And for the prince to be happy. I wanted to be free to live as who I really was. Ahiru's quacks finished, but her thoughts continues. But why am I not happy?
Fakir could hear the forced cheerfulness in Ahiru's voice and the cheer failed to hide the sorrow. Fakir cursed himself once again. If only I had never changed things. The story would not have ended and Ahiru would not be sad like this.
"Every Princess deserves their own happy ending, Ahiru. Wish for yours." Your knight will ensure a happy ending for you. I will make Ahiru smile again. Fakir vowed.
There already was a happy ending, Fakir.
"Maybe for Mytho and Ruu." Fakir sighed, and his intense gaze locked with Ahiru's. "Please make a wish for yourself Ahiru. You deserve that wish, you deserve your happy ending."
Ahiru was shocked at the concern in Fakir's voice, and the concern evident in his eyes.
Fakir. Ahiru tried to look away, but his eyes seemed to draw her to him, binding her in some way, with the emotion present there.
For a long moment Fakir and Ahiru's eyes remained locked, neither wanting to look away.
Finally it was Fakir who broke the silence. "Princess, if you don't turn around and watch the sky you will miss the shooting stars." Fakir's voice was gentle and a teasing smile played at his lips.
"QUACK!!!" What, it started already? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Ahiru whirled around flapping her wings angrily as she scolded Fakir.
Fakir laughed and stood as he picked Ahiru up and set her on his shoulder. "The view is better from here." Fakir spoke before Ahiru could react, and he heard a quiet "Qu.ack." Fakir walked to the edge of the lake, moving with a dancer's smooth gate, Ahiru level on his shoulder.
Fakir watched the golden streaks of light fall from the sky with a sad smile. Soon the beautiful light of these stars would be gone forever.
Fakir heard Ahiru's deep intake of breath, and knew she held her breath as she watched the stars fall.
Fakir's eyes slipped closed and he silently made his wish, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. When he finished wishing his eyes opened once more, and watched the stars continue to fall.
Ahiru took a deep breath and found that she had held her breath as she watched the lights in the sky. Ahiru's eyes were alight with happiness. "Quack" Hey Fakir. Ahiru turned her head towards Fakir as she spoke.
Fakir turned his head slightly so he could look at Ahiru. "Ahiru isn't it-- " Fakir stopped as he heard Ahiru quack, but his words also stopped, because as he turned his head his lips brushed against the side of Ahiru's slightly turned head.
"Ahhh.." Fakir mumbled, quickly turning his head away form Ahiru, flushed with the intense heat of a furious blush.
I just kissed her!. Fakir's eyes held a slightly wild look, mixed with embarrassment and worry. What is she going to do.
"Quack" Ahiru's words were the tiniest whisper. Ahiru felt herself sit down on Fakir's shoulder, her thoughts muddled.
Fakir.just.just. Ahiru unconsciously touched her cheek with her wing, a silly smile on her face. She could still feel the fleeting warmth of h is lips on her cheek. Fakir kissed me.
Ahiru heard Fakir speaking, and she snapped out of her daze, jumping to her feet.
"Quack!" What? I'm sorry. Say that again?
"Isn't it beautiful, the sky?" Fakir's voice was strained, his face still turned away, but Ahiru noticed neither of these, for she was far too embarrassed to look at Fakir.
"Quack" Very. Was her only reply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A small figure peaked from behind a tree. Its eyes intently watching the scene between Ahiru and Fakir. The figure didn't move, but watched Ahiru and Fakir until all the stars had fallen from the sky. It watched the pair stand in the darkness, and it heard Fakir tell Ahiru to make her wish and he gently placed her on the ground. It watched Ahiru watch Fakir walk away after a mutual exchange of goodbyes.
But most importantly it heard Ahiru sigh and quack her wish, a wish the figure understood.
I wish that Fakir will be happy, for always.
The figure turned away and walked in the direction Fakir had taken, speaking quietly.
"Love-love, zura?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir walked upstairs, his steps heavy, his mind on this nights happenings.
"I kissed Ahiru. It was an accident, but I kissed her." Fakir's voice was soft and he seemed almost shocked. "I hope she doesn't hate me. I cannot see her welcoming attentions from me-I who urged her to end the story, and therefore remain how sheis now, forever.
Fakir found himself at his writing desk, paper before him and quill in his hand. Fakir stared at the paper and then bean to write.
Once upon a time there was a knight. While the knight was not much good at protecting those he cared about, he wished with all his being, that the princess he called his could be a princess once again, so she could be happy. The knight could serve her in no other way but by this. And as stars fell from the sky he wished that his princess could be a human once again.
Fakir stared at what he had written and flung the paper aside.
"That is all I can do for her, write meaningless words. THAT IS NOT WHAT SHE DESERVES!"
Fakir slammed his fists down on the table, his shoulders sagging and his head hung, his forehead resting heavily on his forearm. Anger and pain filled his ragged voice. "There has to be more that I can do!" Fakir's shoulders shook, and the only sound was deep shaking breaths.
"There has to be." Fakir's voice was weary, and his voice carried a hint of defeat in it. Soon his shaky breaths calmed to steady breaths as blesses sleep settled upon Fakir.
Once upon a time there was a prince.no that story is long since past.
Once upon a time there was a knight. This knight strove with all his heart to protect the prince and save him. However, no matter how hard the knight tried his efforts failed to help and benefit the prince. And so the knight, saddened, set aside his sword and brandished a pen as his weapon, helping the prince in the only way that he could. He ensured that the prince would have an ending to his own story.
And once there was a girl who was a duck, a girl, and a princess. This girl loved the prince with all her heart and she strove to make him happy. As time passed the girl managed to make the prince happy, but she had to sacrifice her own happiness for his in the process. As she restoring the prince's happiness to him, he chose another princess for his own, and the girl, who was a duck and a princess, was banished to her duck form, her true form, for the rest of her existence.
Both the knight and the girl were happy with the ending, for the prince that they both loved, was happy, and he deserved the happiness that he had found. But both were unhappy as well.
The knight wished for a different ending one where all, or just one more, could be truly happy as the prince and his princess were. The girl was sad, not for the loss of the prince, but for another reason, one that overlapped with the knights, even thought neither would admit it to themselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahiru, the small yellow duck Ahiru, sighed. Fakir had left for the evening at dusk as he always did, and once again, as she always seemed to when Fakir left, Ahiru wished that just for a little while she could be a girl again.
I don't know why you wish t be a girl again, Ahiru. IF you told him he would laugh at you. He t inks you love Mytho. You remember the sadness and pity on his face when he heard you say that Mytho wanted Ruu as his Princess.
Ahiru turned her gaze from Fakir as he disappeared into the forest.
I will never be able to tell him. Ahiru sighed again, and her blue eyes were sad.
It was then that Ahiru the duck began to dance, mirroring a pas de deux that she had danced not long ago, when she was still a girl, before the story ended.
She had danced two pas de deux with partners, and both she had cherished.
The one she danced now, however, was sad, though she danced with great care, ensuring that she remained true to her most precious memory.
As a duck she danced with some semblance of the elegance she had possessed as a princess, and with some of the clumsiness she had possessed as a girl.
As Ahiru danced, the sun sank below the trees, clocking the lake in a comforting darkness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir paused in his walk back to his house, and turned to look at Ahiru. Something urged him to look back tonight, to check on Ahiru, and as he gazed at Ahiru, his well constructed wall of composure shattered and he sank to the ground, his first tightly clenched.
Ahiru danced in the sunset, mimicking the dance that he had performed with the girl Ahiru just weeks before.
Various emotions flowed through Fakir. Regret was the strongest as she watched the small duck perform the pas de deux, mimicking the dance in which he and Ahiru had vowed to return to their true selves.
Why can I not make a happy ending for her? Pain covered Fakir's face, and in moments like this Fakir would come close to tears. No matter how many times Ahiru claimed that she was happy, he knew she lied to make him feel at ease. Moments like this, with Ahiru's dance, proved that things were not alright, that she wasn't truly happy. And he knew that it was his fault for urging her to end the story with him.
Also in these moments another emotion would surface in Fakir, and it would make him sad, for it was an emotion that could never come to fruition so long as Ahiru was a duck and not a girl. Their pas de deux, and his various teasing comments were as close as Fakir would ever come to admitting to this emotions presence.
You are a fool, Fakir. She loves Mytho.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir pushed himself from the ground, as the sun finished setting and Ahiru faded from view as the darkness descended.
I will find a way to make things right,
He watched Ahiru for as long as he could make out even a moving shadow in the darkness, and he remained even after it grew too dark to even make out shadows. He didn't know how long he stood in the darkness, but when he finally left he knew that Ahiru still danced with her memories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fakir came to the lake as soon as his lessons were finished. He always made sure that he changed from his ballet clothes to his uniform, but more often the not Fakir wore normal clothes, not wanting to inadvertently make Ahiru sad.
Ahiru would be waiting for him on some afternoons, beneath a tree in the shade. AS Fakir appeared from between the trees Ahiru would jump up and hurry over to Fakir with a happy quack
What Fakir was never allowed to see was the loneliness that disappeared from Ahiru's eyes when she caught sight of Fakir, and the loneliness which returned each time he left.
Ahiru had no friend as a duck save Fakir, for the ducks never understood what she said, they thought of duck matters while Ahiru thought of dreams and memories.
Ahiru never told Fakir that she was lonely; she didn't want to burden him. His daily visits, and his promise to remain with her always, were hard enough, she didn't want to add to his troubles. Besides, what would a boy and a knight, care about the loneliness of a mere duck.
Fakir was free of the story, and he was happy. He had what he wanted. She would not change that ever.
She had restored Mytho's heart to him out of duty, and a desire to see him happy, for she knew a prince could never love a duck, even as he loved a raven.
But the pain of his choice quickly faded, surpassed by the pain of loneliness and the pain of unrequited love, the pain of an impossible love.
A duck should not love a boy.
A duck could not love a boy.
A normal duck couldn't, but Ahiru the duck could, and did.
Ahiru thought that she had loved Mytho, but those feelings had begun to fade long before the story's end. Ahiru's one regret was that she hadn't been able, with words, to tell Fakir that she had cared for him, and not Mytho, even though Fakir would have laughed and called her a baka.
Maybe it was better that he wouldn't know, not ever, for Ahiru didn't want her feelings to drive away her only friend and companion away.
When Fakir would come, he would sit beneath the tree, or lay in the grass, and Ahiru would settle next to him and watch the lake. Today he sat in the grass, leaning back on his hands, his legs stretched out before him.
"Lilie is still apologizing for flinging you through the window." Fakirs watched the lake and annoyance tinged his voice.
Ahiru didn't say anything in return, her eyes sad as she remembered Pique and Lilie asking Fakir out on a date. She didn't think that she could bear to see Fakir with another girl-with a girl. Once it would have been another girl.
Fakir looked down to Ahiru, and only his eyes betrayed his concern for the little duck. His mask of composure was once again in place. Unsure of what concerned Ahiru Fakir puzzled over what to say.
Finally Fakir spoke.
"I overheard students at school today talking about a special event tonight. Several hundred shooting stars will travel across the sky tonight. You might enjoy it."
Fakir glanced at Ahiru as she turned excitedly towards him.
"Quack!" Really, you will have to make a wish Fakir. Wished made on shooting stars always come true.
"Baka. Wishes are for children." Fakir's kind tone took the harshness from his words, and a smile betrayed his amusement at Ahiru's excitement.
I'm going to make a wish, and you should as well. Ahiru's quack was determined. Hey, Fakir. The tone of Ahiru's voice changed and she glanced up at Fakir.
"Yeah, Ahiru?"
What would you wish for, if you could wish for anything.
Ahiru's quacks were slow and hesitant, and Fakir glanced towards Ahiru, surprised.
"If I could wish for anything." Fakir's voice trailed off, and he lay back on the grass, his hands behind his head. "If I tell you my wish wont come true. That's the way wishes work." Fakir smiled at Ahiru and she quacked softly
I should have known that.
"Night is close. The shooting stars should start just after sunset." Fakir closed his eyes and Ahiru nodded, sitting a shot distance from Fakir,
If I could with for anything I would wish for. Fakir mentally sighed. Á different ending for you, one where you would be happy. Or maybe for you to be a girl again. There are so many things I could wish for. Maybe the courage to tell you.
"Hey Ahiru. What will you wish for?" Fakir turned his head towards Ahiru and opened his eyes, watching the unhidden emotions play across her features.
"Quack" I would want my friends to be happy always.
Ahiru's quack was soft and she glanced sideways at Fakir. Fakir rolled over, and leaned up on an elbow, his head resting on his palm as he faced Ahiru. With a free hand he tapped Ahiru's head.
"Baka, you weren't supposed to tell. Now you need a new wish."
If I wasn't supposed to tell, then why did you ask me?
Ahiru jumped to her feet and angrily quacked at Fakir.
"You weren't supposed to answer." Fakir's face was emotionless, the slightest hint of a smile in his eyes.
Then you shouldn't have asked, you are such a bully. Ahiru angrily quacked and sat down with a hmmm which Fakir laughed and lay back down, his chin resting on folded hands.
"You should make a wish for yourself, Ahiru."
But I am happy, I don't need to.
Ahiru's voice sounded false and unconvincing to her own ears, and she hoped Fakir wouldn't pick up on that fact.
"Ahiru." Fakir reached over and picked up Ahiru. Rolling over he placed her on his chest, looking at her as he spoke.
"You have done so much for others. Make a wish for yourself. Be selfish for once, you deserve true happiness Ahiru.
But I am happy. Ahiru once again insisted, blushing still at being placed on Fakir's chest.
"Really?" Fakir's voice indicated his disbelief. "Are you really and truly happy Ahiru?"
I am happy. Happy that Mytho and Ruu are happy. Ahiru's voice was impassioned and only a little sad at the mention of Mytho and Ruu. I am happy that my friend are happy. That I had a part in their happiness. My friends are happy and I am happy. That is what I wanted. With her last word's Ahiru's voice trailed off, and sadness entered her eyes. I wanted the story to end. And for the prince to be happy. I wanted to be free to live as who I really was. Ahiru's quacks finished, but her thoughts continues. But why am I not happy?
Fakir could hear the forced cheerfulness in Ahiru's voice and the cheer failed to hide the sorrow. Fakir cursed himself once again. If only I had never changed things. The story would not have ended and Ahiru would not be sad like this.
"Every Princess deserves their own happy ending, Ahiru. Wish for yours." Your knight will ensure a happy ending for you. I will make Ahiru smile again. Fakir vowed.
There already was a happy ending, Fakir.
"Maybe for Mytho and Ruu." Fakir sighed, and his intense gaze locked with Ahiru's. "Please make a wish for yourself Ahiru. You deserve that wish, you deserve your happy ending."
Ahiru was shocked at the concern in Fakir's voice, and the concern evident in his eyes.
Fakir. Ahiru tried to look away, but his eyes seemed to draw her to him, binding her in some way, with the emotion present there.
For a long moment Fakir and Ahiru's eyes remained locked, neither wanting to look away.
Finally it was Fakir who broke the silence. "Princess, if you don't turn around and watch the sky you will miss the shooting stars." Fakir's voice was gentle and a teasing smile played at his lips.
"QUACK!!!" What, it started already? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Ahiru whirled around flapping her wings angrily as she scolded Fakir.
Fakir laughed and stood as he picked Ahiru up and set her on his shoulder. "The view is better from here." Fakir spoke before Ahiru could react, and he heard a quiet "Qu.ack." Fakir walked to the edge of the lake, moving with a dancer's smooth gate, Ahiru level on his shoulder.
Fakir watched the golden streaks of light fall from the sky with a sad smile. Soon the beautiful light of these stars would be gone forever.
Fakir heard Ahiru's deep intake of breath, and knew she held her breath as she watched the stars fall.
Fakir's eyes slipped closed and he silently made his wish, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. When he finished wishing his eyes opened once more, and watched the stars continue to fall.
Ahiru took a deep breath and found that she had held her breath as she watched the lights in the sky. Ahiru's eyes were alight with happiness. "Quack" Hey Fakir. Ahiru turned her head towards Fakir as she spoke.
Fakir turned his head slightly so he could look at Ahiru. "Ahiru isn't it-- " Fakir stopped as he heard Ahiru quack, but his words also stopped, because as he turned his head his lips brushed against the side of Ahiru's slightly turned head.
"Ahhh.." Fakir mumbled, quickly turning his head away form Ahiru, flushed with the intense heat of a furious blush.
I just kissed her!. Fakir's eyes held a slightly wild look, mixed with embarrassment and worry. What is she going to do.
"Quack" Ahiru's words were the tiniest whisper. Ahiru felt herself sit down on Fakir's shoulder, her thoughts muddled.
Fakir.just.just. Ahiru unconsciously touched her cheek with her wing, a silly smile on her face. She could still feel the fleeting warmth of h is lips on her cheek. Fakir kissed me.
Ahiru heard Fakir speaking, and she snapped out of her daze, jumping to her feet.
"Quack!" What? I'm sorry. Say that again?
"Isn't it beautiful, the sky?" Fakir's voice was strained, his face still turned away, but Ahiru noticed neither of these, for she was far too embarrassed to look at Fakir.
"Quack" Very. Was her only reply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A small figure peaked from behind a tree. Its eyes intently watching the scene between Ahiru and Fakir. The figure didn't move, but watched Ahiru and Fakir until all the stars had fallen from the sky. It watched the pair stand in the darkness, and it heard Fakir tell Ahiru to make her wish and he gently placed her on the ground. It watched Ahiru watch Fakir walk away after a mutual exchange of goodbyes.
But most importantly it heard Ahiru sigh and quack her wish, a wish the figure understood.
I wish that Fakir will be happy, for always.
The figure turned away and walked in the direction Fakir had taken, speaking quietly.
"Love-love, zura?"
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Fakir walked upstairs, his steps heavy, his mind on this nights happenings.
"I kissed Ahiru. It was an accident, but I kissed her." Fakir's voice was soft and he seemed almost shocked. "I hope she doesn't hate me. I cannot see her welcoming attentions from me-I who urged her to end the story, and therefore remain how sheis now, forever.
Fakir found himself at his writing desk, paper before him and quill in his hand. Fakir stared at the paper and then bean to write.
Once upon a time there was a knight. While the knight was not much good at protecting those he cared about, he wished with all his being, that the princess he called his could be a princess once again, so she could be happy. The knight could serve her in no other way but by this. And as stars fell from the sky he wished that his princess could be a human once again.
Fakir stared at what he had written and flung the paper aside.
"That is all I can do for her, write meaningless words. THAT IS NOT WHAT SHE DESERVES!"
Fakir slammed his fists down on the table, his shoulders sagging and his head hung, his forehead resting heavily on his forearm. Anger and pain filled his ragged voice. "There has to be more that I can do!" Fakir's shoulders shook, and the only sound was deep shaking breaths.
"There has to be." Fakir's voice was weary, and his voice carried a hint of defeat in it. Soon his shaky breaths calmed to steady breaths as blesses sleep settled upon Fakir.