Chapter II: A Gypsy's Concern
I watch as Kel strummed his guitar. In the light of the sun, his fiery red hair glowed as if it were really on fire. It was during these times, when we were alone, that I found pure contentment. Just listening to Kel's playing calmed me. I have never once felt uncomfortable when I was with Kel, not like with the other men I knew and dated before.
Kel, my dearest and best male friend. He never complained, not once…He never asked for anything in return for what he had done for me…He is a true friend...and…I would never forget his smile. It was sweet of him to choose archery over wizardry. That had been twelve years ago…
We were in a clearing in Payon forest. We were still novices. "Kel?"
He looked at me, a smile on his face.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked.
He scratched his head. He was not sure.
"You're unsure?"
He nodded. He looked at me with his bright green eyes. "What about you?" They seemed to ask.
"Me? I want to be a Dancer!" I stood up and twirled around in the grassy meadow, imitating a dancer's movements. He clapped his hands.
"What do you think?"
He nodded. "It suits you." His smile told me so.
"Thank you. Hey, why don't you become a bard?"
"?" The puzzled expression on his face made me pause.
"It could work." I added.
He was about to nod, but, in the end, he shook his head.
"What's wrong?"
He bent his head. I knew what he was thinking. His mama would not be happy.
"Don't worry! I'm sure she'll understand." I seemed to have cheered him up because he gave me smile.
I remembered how his mother reacted when she found out about his chosen job. She was furious that her only son, who she hoped would become a mage, became an archer instead…
Kel always offered a reassuring shoulder when I had problems, a helping hand when I was in trouble. I even remember the time when I was facing a gryphon. I was still a dancer then...
The gryphon was soaring up in the air. I had barely any strength left in my body, I had no provisions left either, and I had used up all of my arrows in fighting the beast. As it dove down for another attack, I shut my eyes and prepared for the worst.
But it never came. When I opened my eyes, the gryphon was on the ground, dead. I looked behind me. There was Kel, holding his double boned arbalest bow in hand. He had a small, soft smile on his face. He was smiling that smile at me.
I was thankful to Kel. He had saved my life more than once before and I always thanked him in anyway I could. I still remember the time when I had coaxed him to go shopping for new wardrobe/equipment when I was still a dancer and he a bard…
"Kel, what do you think of this?" I showed him an apple of archer. He smiled, clearly pleased.
"Do you like it?"
He nodded his agreement.
I wanted to buy it for him but he disagreed with me when I told him I would pay for it.
"Kel, I want to buy it for you."
He shook his head, his way of saying a strict no.
"Do you want to pay for it?"
He nodded. He bought it and a romantic flower for me. He gave the flower to me. That was the first time I blushed in front of him and because of his actions.
"Oh, Kel. I couldn't accept this gift." I appreciated the gesture but he did not have to give me a gift.
He smiled a smile that was encouraging me to take it. I smiled sweetly as I put it on. Kel was stubborn but sweet.
He tried on a phantom of opera mask. Even with the mask on, I could see something in his eyes, those emerald orbs, a strange, yet definite sadness in those eyes.
"Kel?"
He looked at me. In that instant, the sadness I saw was gone.
"Is something wrong?"
He shook his head. "Nothing is wrong." His eyes seemed to tell me as they looked into mine.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded in response.
It was on that very day, that he bought a pair of green boots, a pair of nimble gloves, and a mocking muffler, while I bought binoculars for him, which he rarely wears nowadays for some unknown reason. I bought two Nimble Clips for myself...and I wore the romantic flower for the whole day.
Since then, I always wore the romantic flower he gave me. But still, from time to time, I still see that sad look in his eyes. I know he is hiding something from me but what? I do not know. Sometimes, Kel tells me I worry too much but I am just very concerned for him. I have had experience with bottled-up thoughts and emotions before and I know that such things are not good for you. I just wonder why Kel would not tell me what is troubling him…Especially now that I…He means so much to me…