Chapter 5
The Blood Moon Festival
(Tom Point of View)
"Hi there."
"Oh, hi sweetie, it's over there."
"Thank you, are you sure you don't want me to pay you?"
"Yes, I'm sure, go have fun with your girlfriend."
"S-she's not my girlfriend… she's just a friend…"
"Yeah, sure she is."
"S-She is!"
"Fine then, go have fun with your "friend" hehe."
*sigh* "See ya."
"Goodbye sweetie."
Humpf, she's just a friend, I kept telling myself, I really like her, but just as a friend.
I arrived at Ahri's place.
"Hey there."
"Hi!"
"Ready to go?"
"A-Are you sure? I mean... I don't know..."
"I said for you to trust me didn't I? Here see for yourself."
I showed her the dress I was carrying with me and her eyes were shining.
"Oh my, It's… It's gorgeous."
"Put it on"
"Sure."
…
…
"So..."
"Hum?"
"Turn around?"
"Oh r-right, sorry."
I turned around, and, for some reason, couldn't shake the thought of Ahri undressing of my head.
"S-So… does it fit you?"
"Er… I guess so? Give me a second… how am I… oh here… and where does… oh ok. Hum… where are my tails supposed to go?"
"Can you curl them up around your waist?"
"Humpf, that's going to hurt, plus it's gonna be hard to walk around like that..."
"Well… how do you want to do it then?"
"..."
"..."
*Sigh* "Fine, but I'll have you make up for it"
"L-Like what?"
"Hum… let's see…hum… I don't really know, I'll think of something."
"Ok. So… can I turn around now?"
"Oh yeah sure, sorry."
As I turned around and looked at her I saw no more than…
"S-So… how does it look?"
It was a mesmerizing vision, like a princess straight out of a fairy tail...
"C-Come on, answer me already..."
I had no words to describe such beauty, the white and pink dress suited her so well…
"HEY!"
"Huh… oh s-sorry, it's just… you look… gorgeous."
"And I take that was why you took so long answering?"
"Y-yeah, sorry I was stunned..."
"I...er...Thanks..."
For a moment there I swear I saw Ahri blushing but...nah, probably my imagination. "So… let's go?"
"Yeah sure."
I gave my arm to her, and she hugged it and leaned against me.
"I don't want to lose you..."
"W-What?"
"I-I said that… I don't want to get lost, there's probably lots of people there right?"
"Oh, yeah right, good call."
We started walking to the place where the Blood Moon Festival took place, you could already see the lights shining up in the sky.
(Ahri Point Of View)
It's been too long since I've been so excited, truth be told, I've never gone as far in Ionia's as I would like but today is different, today I'm going with him to the Blood Moon Festival.
*Yawn* I'm so tired, I wasn't able to sleep anything last night cause I was just thinking of today.
Humpf, I shouldn't be this excited...It's just a festival like any other, nothing too special. We are just going to hang out a little, and then we'll return. Nothing special… Or so I would like to think.
*Sigh* I really like to spend time with him, don't I? Eheh. I should… give him something, just for the trouble is having with me. I'll think of something.
I heard footsteps coming near. It's him!
"Hey there."
He was carrying some kind of clothes on his shoulder. They were kind of pink, are those for me?
N-no, It can't be… can it? No probably not, must be some other thing to hide my tails.
"Hi."
"Ready to go?"
Straightforward as always I can see that. Not a "how are you?" or something like that. *Sigh* Oh well. I had more pressing concerns. Even though I really wanted to go, couldn't shake the tough of something going wrong.
"A-Are you sure? I mean... I don't know..."
And, like always, with a smile he seemed to answer my every concern.
"I said for you to trust didn't I? Here see for yourself."
He took out a gorgeous dress, white on top and pink on the bottom, it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. I couldn't believe that someone was going to such lengths for someone such as myself. It had long sleeves and a big skirt with frills that should get somewhere near my knees.
I felt close to tears but I managed to hold it. "Oh my, It's… It's gorgeous." He chuckled.
"Put it on."
"Sure."
To be honest I couldn't wait to try it.
I picked up the dress and was going to start to undress when I notice he was still looking at me.
"So..."
"Hum?"
"Turn around?"
"Oh r-right, sorry."
Eheh, oh Tom what would I do without you to brighten my day. I really like to hang out with you, I don't know how to explain but it makes my days a little bit brighter.
I started to undress and I suddenly noticed how hard it was to get in it, maybe because I was afraid of ripping it, or probably because I'd never worn such a fancy dress before, either way I was having difficulty in doing so.
"S-So… does it fit you?"
"Er… I guess so? Give me a second… how am I… oh here… and where does… oh ok."
But there was a problem, it didn't look like it had a space for my tails.
"Hum… where are my tails supposed to go?"
"Can you curl them up around your waist?"
Humpf that's going to make them numb after a while.
"Humpf, that's going to hurt, plus it's gonna be hard to walk around like that..."
"Well… how do you want to do it then?"
Are you… are you kidding me? He didn't think of anything else? What if I couldn't do it? *Sigh* He's such an idiot, but again… that's why I like him so much… Humpf. I guess a few hours won't kill me.
*Sigh* "Fine, but I'll have you make up for it"
"L-like what?"
I remember a few things here and there that I could ask but… *Sigh* never mind.
"Hum… let's see…hum… I don't really know, I'll think of something."
"Ok. So… can I turn around now?"
"Oh, yeah sure, sorry."
I was spacing out. I totally forgot about him, ups.
As he turned around I tried to put my most convincing confident expression on.
"S-So… how does it look?"
He said nothing just looked at me with a blank expression.
"C-Come on, answer me already..."
He continued looking at me with that blank expression, grrr, this is embarrassing…
"HEY!"
"Huh… oh s-sorry, it's just… you look… really pretty."
Humpf, still...
"And I take that was why you took so long answering?"
"Y-yeah, sorry I was stunned..."
"I...er...Thanks."
G-goddamn idiot…
"So… Let's go?"
"Yeah sure."
My heart was beating faster than I could ever hope for, it felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. I tried to compose myself, I took a deep breath and tried to clear my head.
He offered me his arm and I hugged it without hesitation, without even realizing I also leaned against him.
This warm feeling, is like any other I've ever experienced, I never want to forget this moment, this might be one of the happiest moments of my entire life.
And, without even realizing it I said it.
"I don't want to lose you..."
"W-What?"
D-Dammit, what the hell am I saying?
"I-I said that… I don't want to get lost, there's probably lots of people there right?"
"Oh, yeah right, good call."
Truth being told, I said exactly what I wanted to say, I didn't want to lose him, my days were brighter than ever, the sun was warmer each day, each day since he came into my life. Honestly, what's wrong with you? How did you manage to make me feel like this? I just wanted to… lead a normal life, hopefully with you… yes that would be nice. Too nice. Too nice to ever come true, but, one way or another, I won't be able to, I'm sorry. What am I apologizing for? Eheh, maybe I'm apologizing to myself, being such a dumb fox, as he calls me, for not telling him.
...
I didn't want to feel sad today, he went through all this trouble just to invite me, so please…
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
...let me be selfish, just for today.
Colored lights filled the sky as we approached the entrance of the Blood Moon Festival.
(Tom Point of View)
We had been walking in silence for some time now, Ahri's eyes were locked on the colored lights that would appear and disappear in the sky, she seemed to like the view so I didn't want to interrupt her, I would, casually stare at her from the corner of my eye, she must not be able to see stuff like this as much as I did, somehow it made feel happy.
"Hey Ahri we're arriving."
"..."
"Ahri?"
"..."
I stopped walking for a second so that she could snap back to reality.
"Huh? O-oh sorry, I was spacing out."
"Ahahah, it's ok, you seem to be enjoying yourself."
"Yes, it's quite beautiful, thank you for bringing me here. I just have one concern."
"What is it?"
"Well… what about my ears? Won't people notice? I'm scared that people may find it suspicious or something."
"Eheh, don't worry about it."
"B-but, if someone finds out, you can be in danger. I'm scared, I don't want anything to happen to you, maybe we should turn back." *Sigh* I gave her a flick on the forehead.
"Ouch, stop it, that's getting annoying you know?"
"I don't really care about that, but listen, first of all, don't worry about me ok?"
"I-"
"Not finished, second. You don't have a reason to be scared, you are strong, stronger than most people there. Although there's not a reason to fear anything If it comes to that, you're fast so… that's that."
"Yes, but the thing is-"
"AND... third. Lots of people use some kind of mask or accessories so a couple of ears should go by unnoticed."
"Humpf, you always have to have something to say don't you?"
"Eheh, I guess so, but... if you want, we can leave, there's no problem really."
*Sigh* "No, we're here already, sorry. It's just, it's been so long, guess I'm just a bit anxious."
"It's ok, no worries, I'm here for you."
"I know you are, thank you."
Our eyes met, and, for a few seconds, I lost track of the world around me. I don't know what happened but, it was as if time froze, and it was just me and her.
I snapped back to reality and I began blushing, I turned my face to the other side and mustered something to shake that weird situation.
"S-so… about your ears..."
"Yes?"
Yes that's it, talk about something, anything that makes you feel less awkward, something that- "Can I touch them?"
No!
"W-what?"
What are you saying?!
"They seem fluffy, can I touch them?"
ARE YOU SERIOUS? They seem fluffy? That's the first thing that comes to your mind? Not to mention that you asked to touch her ears, oh my god, why are you like this?
"I… I guess so."
OH, GREAT. NOW Y-...oh… never mind, it actually turned out well… Still, don't do that again… please.
"O-ok then."
I reached to Ahri's ears stroking them lightly and, to my surprise, she actually seemed to enjoy it, as I was stroking them she leaned her head into my hand.
"It... feels nice."
"Er, g-good to know eheh. S-so… shall we?"
"Yeah, let's go."
As we walked to the entrance of the festival I could feel Ahri get more and more shaky, but, on the other hand, she seemed to be excited as well, I understood, I would be feeling the same way if I was in her shoes.
The streets were already start to be filled with people.
"Ahri, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, just… unsure I guess."
"If you need something just tell me."
The streets filled with people but, the nervousness that she appeared to be feeling was quickly replaced with delight, her eyes shined as she saw the richly decorated streets, the food stalls and all the shops on the side of the street, but most of all, what she seemed to be enjoying more than anything, was the sound of people having fun. She looked around with a smile on her face, she looked like a child, looking everywhere with a spark on her eyes. I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy as well, this was the first time since I met her that I saw such a big smile on her face.
"So, where do you wanna start?"
"Huh? Hum… I don't know, there's so many things I want to see. What do you reccomend?"
"Hum… Are you hungry?"
"A little, yeah."
"Ok then, let's check out the stores and the food stalls while we work the appetite. How does it sound?"
"Yeah sure, sounds nice."
First we stopped at a goldfish scooping stall, it had a large counter with an equally large horizontal aquarium, it had lights on the bottom, so we could easily see all the fishes that were in there.
"Pretty aren't they?"
"Yes, sounds fun."
"Want one?"
"No thanks, I'm not that hungry yet."
"Er...w-what?"
"Huh?"
Ahri looked at me like I was asking the dumbest question in the world.
But then I remembered.
"N-no, you misunderstood, these are not for… ugh, never mind let's just go somewhere else."
Ahri kept looking at me with a puzzled look, then her expression suddenly changed and her face got red, probably from embarrassment.
"Oh, I-I'm sorry, I totally forgot, I thought you meant-"
"It's ok eheh, it was silly of me to ask as well."
We kept walking when Ahri suddenly stopped, her eyes were fixed on a small mask shop, she seemed to be in awe of those masks, I looked at the shop, they were not that pretty, in fact, some of them were quite weird and grotesque.
"Do you like them?"
"Y-yeah, they are beautiful."
"You… think so?"
I think I wasn't able to disguise my distaste for those masks because Ahri shot me a dirty look.
"Yes, I know, they might not be the prettiest but, you've got to admit the crafting work is amazing, I didn't know normal people could achieve this level of mastery."
"What do you mean normal people?"
"Well… using you as a standard… sorry."
She looked to the other side as if she was embarrassed.
*Sigh* "Fine, fine, I guess I walked right into that one didn't I?" She didn't answer me, she kept looking at the masks, I bet she didn't even listen to the last thing I said. Of the corner of my eye I saw a food stall selling cotton candy.
"Hey Ahri, want some of that?"
"Huh, yeah, yeah, you go, I'm going to… keep looking a little more."
"Er… Ok then, I'm on the other side of the street."
Wow, nobody would've guessed she was ready to give up on coming here, guess I won't need to ask if she is enjoying herself, the answer is obvious. I'm happy that she is, I just would've liked that it was something we both enjoyed.
Oh well, I'm sure we'll find something.
I went to buy the cotton candy, I rushed there, I didn't want to leave Ahri alone for too long, who knows what might happen? There was only one person there, lucky me, it was a tall woman a little taller than me with long white hair, she didn't look old, quite the opposite, she was older than me, but not by much. I stood next to her while she was fiddling in her pockets, she was kind of cute, maybe even more than Ahri.
"Oh no, I forgot my wallet."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, I'm afraid I can't help you then."
"I'll pay for you."
"R-really?"
It was just cotton candy, it's not like I was buying her something expensive, plus I had a little bit of money saved off, I intended to use it for Ahri's dress, but since it was not necessary…
"Yeah, it's ok, don't worry."
"Thank you thank you thank you!"
She hugged me and I could feel her chest pressing against my arm. I looked away in embarrassment.
"I-It's fine don't worry."
I took a few deep breaths and tried to initiate a conversation.
"S-so, can I ask your n-... oh."
She was gone, I looked around and wasn't able to see her. *Sigh* Maybe it's better this way, I was with Ahri and if we had someone else that may cause troubles in one way or another.
I returned to the mask shop with two cotton candies in hand, Ahri was still stunned looking at the masks. I called her, but she didn't seem to hear me. I put one of the cotton candies in front of her.
"Huh? Oh, hi. Sorry, guess I spaced out. What's this?"
"You guess? Ahah, I had time to go to the other side of the street and buy these so, yeah you spaced out, for quite a long time I might add."
"Humpf, It's not my fault, it's not everyday I can see something like this."
"I know, I know, just messing with you, so, which one do you like the most?"
"Hum… I guess that one?"
She pointed at a particular mask in the corner but…
"That's a fox mask."
"N-no it's not."
"Yes it is, it has ears like yours."
"Humpf, well, I like it, it's pretty, reminds me of myself"
"Eheh, fine then. I'll take that one sir."
"W-wait what? I didn't mean to- You don't need to buy it for me, I was just- "
"It's fine, you like it, don't you?"
"But… It's your money that you worked hard for, I don't want you to spend it on useless things, plus, I don't have a way to repay you."
"I have quite a bit of money saved up, so don't worry, and..." I gave her a flick in the forehead.
"...It's not useless if it makes you happy."
She blushed, she was clearly happy but tried to make an angry face, I couldn't help but laugh.
"Ahahahahahah, Ahri what the hell, I know you were happy to hear that." She picked the mask and put it in front of her face.
"Humpf, idiot."
"Eheh, dumb fox."
"Whatever. What´s that you brought?"
"Cotton candy."
"Cotton...candy? How am I supposed to eat this? Does it even have any taste whatsoever?"
"Yeah, you're gonna like it. Here."
"Hum, yeah I like it. It's sweet."
"See?"
We kept walking around checking every store and food stall, Ahri wanted to look at everything, I found that unbelievably cute for some reason. "Oh, look at the time, it's about to begin. Come with me, hurry!"
"Huh? What's about to begin. W-wait slow down I can't keep up." I dragged Ahri, quite literally, to the amphitheater, it was an old stage that was usually used for discussions between the leaders of the different factions of Ionia. But today, it was a place of art. A small round stage with a semi-circular wall behind it, yellow lights illuminated it but no one was there yet. There were a few places to sit near the stage, so we took those.
"Ugh, you could've slowed down you know? My tails hurt from all that running."
"Sorry, but I didn't want you to miss this."
"What is it?"
"Eheh, you'll see. It should be starting any minute now."
After a short wait two hooded figures climbed on stage, stood there for a couple of seconds and then… BOOM. A spectacle of lights erupted on the stage for the delight of everyone. The two hooded figures then started dancing, they're shadows were being projected on the wall behind them, although everyone could see them dancing it looked like their shadows were fighting. Combined with the light manipulation it created an amazing show.
But, as beautiful as it was, I couldn't, for some reason, take my eyes off the most beautiful thing sitting right beside me.
"You were right, I wouldn't want to miss this, it's beautiful."
"Yes… it really is."
It really is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
After the show ended we continued walking, after all, there were plenty of things to see. A puppet show, food stalls, ring toss booths, contest booths, and many other, which we took our time to see.
We then came by a booth called Memories of the Blood Moon , a photo booth.
"Hey Ahri, want to go in?"
"What's that?"
"It's a photo booth. It's where people take pictures."
"Photo...booth? Pictures? What's that?"
"Well...huh, how do I explain this. Basically like… there's a huge flash and then… our image gets on paper and… huh, listen I don't know how it works in detail, but it'll only be a few seconds."
"Well, if you say so."
We entered the photo booth.
A chubby man with a mustache greeted us.
"Well hello there, come to get your picture taken?"
"Yes, we would like to-wait before that, do you mind explaining to us how it works?"
"Listen sir, I do think this is a bit complicated and honestly, for those who do not work with these machines it's rather boring so…"
"Well, next time, when we have more time I guess."
"Sure, well please step on that yellow circle if you may."
We stepped into the circle and Ahri tugged into my arm.
"Should I do something or…?"
"No don't worry, just look at it and smile."
"Oh, ok."
"Ready?"
"Yeah!"
"Oh right watch for the flash."
"Hum? What fla-"
The camera flash went off and, a second later, Ahri dashed away from me.
"Huh? Miss? Are you ok?"
"Ahri? Is everything alright?"
She had retreated to a corner and it looked like she was shaking.
"Ahri?"
"I'm… I'm fine, it was just a bit scary, that's all."
"Oh sorry, I should've warned you earlier."
"My apologies miss, I also should've-"
"No, no it's fine, totally fine, don't worry"
She rushed by my side and hushed in my ear.
"Can we get out of here please?"
"Yeah, sure, just a moment. How much is it?"
"How many copies do you want?"
"Only one please."
"One coin please."
"Here."
"Thanks. Bye."
"Hey Ahri, are you ok?"
"Yeah, sorry, I'd never seen something like that, It shook me a little, that's all."
"No it's ok, I should've told you earlier. Eeeeeeither way, here you have, for you."
I handed her the picture.
"F-for me? Are you sure? Don't you want to keep it?"
"If I wanted one as well I could've asked for one, but, having only one makes it even more precious don't you think?"
Ahri inspected the picture, smiled and held it close to her.
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
"Eh, guess I am. Shall we?"
"Is there still more? I would've thought we'd seen everything."
"Well… there's the end of the festival fireworks. Trust me, it's amazing, and I happen to know a good spot."
"Well, if you say so, today I'm at your mercy."
"Let's go then."
I gave my arm to Ahri, and she hugged it and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Is it close, that spot of yours? I'm kind of tired."
"Yes, let's go."
We walked through the crowd and climbed a nearby mountain. It was far from the place where everyone gathered, but it made it more special, since I could be alone with her.
There was a loud noise followed by a bright flash of light. The fireworks had started.
"It's amazing."
Ahri's voice seemed weird, but when I looked at her I saw… she was crying.
"Ahri, what's wrong?"
"I… I had so much fun today, It's just… I wish I could… that I could… experience things like this everyday. I wish I could live alongside people and experience the same things you do everyday… *sniff* sorry it's just-"
"Well then, I'll just have to make it happen."
"W-what?"
"Yes, that's it!"
I stood up in front of her and extended my hand.
"I promise you, that, as of this day, I'll make everything in my power to make your dream become a reality."
"Eh, that's sweet, thank you for trying to cheer me up but… it's impossible."
"Well, as a dumb fox girl once told me. It's only impossible if you believe it is."
"Ugh…"
"So…?"
*Sigh* "You're an idiot, you know that? But…"
She took my hand, stood up and smiled.
"I'll hold you up to that."
After that we continued to watch the fireworks for a while.
"So, are you sure you don't want it back?"
"Yeah, it's yours either way. What would I be doing with it?"
"Guess you're right."
"Well, I'm heading home now."
"W-wait… I…Hum… Thanks for… today. I had lots of fun."
"Sure."
"And about that promise…"
"I wasn't kidding, I'm gonna do it."
"I know you are."
"…"
"…"
"Well I should head back now."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
I turned my back and walked away without saying anything else. But, if I knew what were to happen, I would've not even left.
The next day I did not go directly to see Ahri, I don't know why but I took a detour by the river, maybe to relax a little? Who knows? The river was adjacent to the training grounds so it was not that far from where Ahri was.
I sat back and looked at the sky, I know I told Ahri I would fulfill that promise but… to be honest, I have no idea where to start. Maybe I could…
"No, never mind."
I thought about going to the Kinkou order but… that's the last place I wanna go to right now. Who knows, maybe I'll stumble in the solution sooner or later?
"Well, enough dwelling on this, let's go."
I got up and set foot to the training grounds where Ahri awaited me.
"Maybe I could… no, that wouldn't work. Hum… no, that's not a good idea either…"
I kept walking, staring at the sky waiting to see if the answer would, by some miracle, appear written in the clouds when, suddenly everything spun around and I landed face first on the floor.
"Agh, what the h- WHAT THE HELL?"
I saw an armored soldier laying on the floor, he was wearing red armor, a spear and a shield… with two axes on it.
"Noxians."
But what the hell is he doing here? I'm pretty sure me and Ahri had disposed of them. I took a step back and my foot got caught in something, I looked back.
"Another one?"
But then I looked up. The field was filled with dead noxian soldiers.
"What the hell happened here?"
The dead seemed to be forming some kind of path like they were chasing something, and judging by the direction it was where…
"Ahri!"
I did not have time to think, I just followed the trail of corpses, there were way too many for Ahri to handle alone.
Three here, two more over there, I entered the forest, five more on that spot, one more dead under the tree.
Ahri please be safe!
Eight dead, three more over there, I was getting close to where Ahri lived.
"AHRI?"
Suddenly the number of corpses started declining, two corpses here, one more over there.
I ran as fast as I could, I couldn't breathe, my legs were hurting.
"AHRI?"
I found no more corpses but still no sign of Ahri, I was getting progressively more and more scared.
I reached Ahri's tent.
I took a deep breath and called out.
"A-A-Ahri? Are you there?"
No response.
I entered the tent, it was dark, but when my eyes adjusted to the darkness…
"A…A…AHRI!"