Basta

Chapter 2

Basta wandered closer to Dustfinger as Black and the bear walked away to find a new crowd to perform for else where in the village. He was nervous; did he even remember how to make friends?

Slowly he stepped closer and closer to Dustfinger, who was looking down the street. Basta stopped; he was probably waiting for someone else. He wouldn't want to talk to Basta. Discouraged, Basta was about to step away when the other boy eyes landed on him.

"Oh! Hey." Dustfinger grinned toothily, but Basta could still see the surprise and wariness in his eyes.

"Er…Hi. I'm um… I'm Basta." Smooth Basta, real smooth muttered that inner voice that often reminded Basta of his father's voice… He didn't like it.

"My name is Dustfinger"

"…Hi. Um… That boy." Basta cast around for something to say. "That boy with the bear… that was uh… pretty cool. Do you know him?"

"Black? Oh yeah! We've been best friends forever! He's real cool. Haven't you ever seen him before?" Basta shook his head, no.

"…I don't get to come here much… chores…"

"Ha! Yeah I know how that is! I live with the Barn Owl; talk about slave driver! But I get to come to the fairs and stuff because I earn money."

"You do?"

"Yeah! I'm the best performer there is!!" Dusty's chest puffed up with self importance.

"Performer…? Like the boy with the bear?" Basta asked still slightly timid.

"Eh? No! Course not. Do you see a bear with me? No, you don't. I'm something way cooler! I'm a Fire-eater!" Basta's eyes widened in aw.

"Oh wow. That must be really fun…and difficult…"

"Yeah it is!" Dusty continued to grin, as his gaze passed over the nearby people. Basta nodded at this, and an awkward silence coated the air surrounding the boys.

Think of something to say, you idiot. The inner voice continued to mutter and Basta's gaze dropped back to his shoes. He was no good and small talk…

"Erm… Are you waiting… for someone?" Basta muttered, killing the silence while staring determinedly at his scuffed-up shoes.

"Heh, yeah! Yeah I am." He seemed excited now, Basta noted. "The prettiest girl around! I'm going to marry her one day! Her name is Roxanne and she's a dancer and she's gorgeous and" Dustfinger ranted on. Basta just smiled and nodded. "We were going to go get some lunch at the fair and Hey! Do you wanna come?!"

Basta jolted, completely caught off guard by the boys sudden offer.

"Me? …Y-yeah okay."

"Great! Roxanne loves to meet new people! Maybe I'll get a kiss for inviting you!" A glazed look slid over Dusty's eyes as he drifted into, what Basta would later learn, was one of many Roxanne related fantasies, and thus Dusty did not see the frown slid into place on Basta's face. The voice in his head spoke up again

A kiss. That's the only reason he invited me. I shouldn't be surprised. He just met me. Why would he want to hang out with me? Why would he want to be my friend? No one would want to be my friend. I'm worthless just like Sir always says… My own mother left me… I'm worthless…

And so he ran. Dustfinger didn't even see him go, tears seeping from his scrunched up eyes and dodging past people stopped outside the stores. He ran and ran until he was nearing the outskirts of the main shopping center of the village were he crashed headlong into something very solid, and fell back, landing on the ground.

"Oh god! Are you alright? Her let me help you up." A very pretty and very feminine voice said as Basta saw a fair skinned delicate looking hand descend in front of his eyes, reaching for him. Her grip was strong and firm, yet somehow gentle. It vaguely reminded him of… who? Who was it? …A beautiful woman from years ago… mother? Yes… his mother… the only one besides this girl who had ever touched him with any real care. He looked up. Dark eyes etched with concern, dark silky hair falling around her face and well past her shoulder as she leaned slightly forward, fair skin, and a pretty pink mouth smiling gently. Basta sucked in his breathe. God… she was… beautiful.

After pulling him to his feet, the girl dropped Basta's hand; He almost fell over again. He galked at her for a good minute or two before he remembered himself, and closed his mouth.

"Thank you." He mumbled barely loud enough for her to hear.

"It's all right. I wasn't watching where I was going either" She said brushing imaginary dirt from the most colorful skirt Basta had ever seen.

"I didn't even know that shade of purple existed…" He hadn't meant to say it out loud. And then she laughed. This time he really did fall over, which in turn made her laugh more. It was the most beautiful sound. Jumping up, Basta blushed deeply, turning even his ears bright red. He mumbled something under his breathe looking determinedly any where but at the girl in front of him. When her laughter quieted, he looked back towards her. She was smiling at him.

"My name is Roxanne. What's yours?"

Author's note: Heh. Yes, One thousand years later there is a part two. My god. Are you surprised? I am. And now we have Roxanne. Le gasp! So read and review please. It's because I got a very nice review recently that I started up a new chapter! Come on people, motivate me! Don't let me be a slacker!!! Seriously.