For the Moon and Stars
By: Tasumi Ashiru

*
A kiss
A touch
Tenderness fleeting into unyielding passion
Both melding into one
A true test of ones limits
A lover's waltz
To be displayed before the moon and stars
A tribute to their ethereal beauty
We give and take equally
Allowing not a drop to be spent
As we drink the nectar of the sweetest fruits of life
In each others sensuous embrace
*

Chapter 1:


Marinessia pushed her auburn hair back, her soft brown eyes looking out towards the busy streets of Alexandria. With a heavy sigh, she pushed the heavy wooden door to her house open and stepped on to the street. How she wished she could be free from this place, to be able to spread her wings and fly like the tiniest bird. Instead, her mother held her there like a caged animal. Neither of her parents really loved her, after all if they loved her so much, why did they force her to stay in Alexandria.

Walking out into the street she looked at all the peasants and poor beggars on the sides of each of the roads begging for money. Many of them were forced out into the street after the King and Queen hiked the taxes yet again. Each month it got harder and harder to pay bills on lands and food, but many of them didn't care. Alexandria was better off then the rest of the continent at this time, and only a few could afford to set sail to other lands.

Marinessia fixed the rumples from her dress and continued to click her heels on the sidewalk with a slight smile. Looking up to the sky, she continued to walk watching the birds fly overhead.

"Hey watch it!" The little boy responded in a gruff voice as she nearly plowed into him.

"Hnn... Sorry." She side stepped him and continued to walk.

"Got your head in the clouds again hey Marinessia?" Mr. Pladic opened up the tiny flower shop door and let her in.

"Of course Mr. Pladic, it is better than looking at these streets." She walked into the shop with a smiled ahead of him and took her spot behind the cash box

"One day you may ram into some stranger like that and he may not be as nice as all the others you have trampled over." Mr. Pladic grabbed a misting bottle and began to spray the beautiful flowers in the shop.

"Or he might be prince charming and sweep me away from this town." Marinessia sighed softly.

"You have more chances of being killed than meeting prince charming in this section of town."

"Can't a girl dream?" Marinessia cover her bodice with her hand and smiled softly.

"Not foolish ones while getting ready for work little one." He threw the apron to her with a smile. "I don't understand why you must dream so much."

Marinessia tied her apron on and stepped in front of the counter. "They are the only interesting thing in my life."

"Things not any better at home I see." Mr. Pladic laid his hand on her shoulder. "You know my offer still stands about you moving in with me and the misses at home. We have a new farm hand just about your age who would be perfect for you."

"A farm hand. Is he cute?"

"As a button. A lil' strange, got weird clothes and such. But the lad does work hard for his board. Hardest workin' young buck I seen in a while."

"Maybe I will come up to meet him." She plucked a rose from the vase. "Perhaps he may be the sir I have been searching for."

Mr. Pladic plucked the rose from her fingers and placed it back into the vase. "perhaps.. Just don't go swooning over him child."

Marinessia smiled, as a customer walked in, tossing her hair back she moved up to gentleman. "How may I help you?"

"Hmmn.. I want a dozen roses, with the thorns removed." He placed the two gold pieces on the counter.

Marinessia walked over to the roses and took a fresh dozen of them. Going over to the counter she took a pair of fine edged clippers and began to cut the thorns from each stem. "Is that all sir?" She said as she began to warp the flowers up and placing a red bow around the coned parcel.

"That is all miss. Thank you very much." The man walked out from the store taking the roses from her hands.

Marinessia turned to Mr. Pladic. "What else about him?"

"He's very careful around the flowers. They have been growing so beautiful since he has been there, specially the roses, Perhaps ye may want to bring a few with ye when you come over for dinner." He winked before going out into the back of the shop.

"I'd love too, but I can't afford them. Besides me have dinner in this frock. Nay I will look like an ass dressed as such." She smoothed out the dress, the same one she wore for weeks.

Mr. Pladic smiled in back of the shop, getting more wrappers and bows. "Hnn there should be a delivery later get it and open it child. Maybe your answer will be in there."

"You didn't! I refuse to accept it."

"No. I pay you little as it is, consider it a gift for your kindness."

"Thank you sir." She bent down her head with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Do you think the Misses will help me with my hair?"

"She'd be delighted. Now get back to work you have a customer waiting. Oh just you lad. What brings you to the shop?" Mr. Pladic turned his head completely to see his farmhand standing in the middle of the store looking at all the flowers in the shop.

"Madam Pladic sent me down for flowers. She said a lady was coming to dine with you and herself." Kuja bowed his head slightly.

"And you too child." Mr. Pladic added with a smirk. "Well then what flowers would ye like?"

"I don't know. Ladies and flowers are a delicate matter, perhaps you, fair miss could help us." Turning his head slightly, his fine silver tresses fell into his face.

Marinessia walked down with a soft smile. "Aye." Walking over to the flowers she pulled out a handful of cream colored roses and red carnations and held them in her hands. "What do you think?"

"A tad simple but lovely indeed." Said Mr. Pladic. " 'haps a few more roses?"

"Nay sir. She is correct. The elegance is in simplicity, the few roses give it a stunning feel." He leaned over her slightly causing her to blush.

"Ahh this is why she is my arranger." Mr. Pladic smiled. "I think now would be a lovely time to introduce yourself child."

Both of them went to speak at the same time, Marinessia blushed again cocking her head to the side. "You first?"

"Never, a fair lady should go first." He bowed his head slightly to her.

"You have manners that surpass any other farm hand I have met. " She bowed her head also both of them looking at the floor. "My name is Marinessia Marchesa." She offered her hand to him to shake; instead he raised it to his lips planting a kiss against her hand.

"Such a beautiful name" he let go of her hand allowing it to fall to her side.

"What shall I call you?" Marinessia asked sweeping her bangs from her face.

He smiled slightly. 'I suppose I must lie yet again.' after all these years of loving my name I am nothing more than a mere farmhand to stay alive.' He thought, with a slight sigh, before saying, "Kirik." A false name Kuja had made up to get a job near Alexandria after being found in other areas and half near killed each time.

Mr. Pladic busied himself wrapping the flowers while Marinessia stood there starring at the strange attire Kirik wore and his flowing silver hair. "There you go lad." He handed the bouquet of flowers to him with a smile and ushered him out the door with a light smile.

After Mr. Pladic came back in he leaned against the counter. "Well?"

"He is cute. But was he wearing what I thought he was? " Marinessia knitted her brows slightly.

"Aye I think it is called a mantle guard. Strange he refuses to change out of it, only to wash them and such."