"Spirits shattered in embrace, swept away by the river. My sorrow is painted for all to see as the stars hide from me. All because I wanted to sing a song. To say what I couldn't. To you, dreaming for all eternity. Encased in the inevitable memory of ice."
She shut the book and placed it to the side.
"I'm quite proud for being able to translate that. Say, why'd you pick this book out?"
They sat in the corner of the library, hidden between the shelves. His head rested against her shoulder, and she tapped her foot to a soft beat. The woman snuck a glance and almost wanted to laugh while Ezarel slept. She took the shawl on her lap and attempted to cover him; to some degree, she succeeded without her moving too much. He shifted as she grabbed the book and turned to a random page. How long has they've been here? Fading sunlight filtered through one of the windows, and Kero's familiar wandered between the aisles. The door opened as she flipped the page. But as those footsteps came closer, the woman frowned and looked to see Karenn.
"Am I interrupting something between our adorable lovers?"
"Don't thinks so. Being a pillow isn't anything special."
The woman watched as the girl sat across from her.
"Really?"
"He does it all the time. I'm quite the cuddly person," the woman said. "But get on with it. You only pester me when there's a purpose."
"So, am I allowed to ask questions?"
"Mm, maybe. You've been eavesdropping?"
The vampire grinned. "Until you returned, Ezarel rarely came out to socialize. But you're leaving again, right?"
They talked about meaningless things. Trivial, rather. But it was something she missed. By the time Karenn left, stars sparkled in the darkness.
"How was the rest, sweet prince?"
The elf grunted and straightened his posture while she took back her shawl.
"Too loud," he said.
"Pfft...You could've said something."
"I'd be interrupting some bonding between rivals. I was hoping for an argument actually."
"Well" —the woman twirled a lock of his hair around her finger— "we can always back to your room for some play. Just don't be too rough."
"I'll decline for tonight."
They both stood up and left, but he led her through the courtyard. She readjusted her shawl as a chilly breeze passed. While stardust sparkled in place, smoky clouds covered the moon. The woman gazed with an emotion of nostalgic wonder at the sky.
"Is it always the same?"
"Of course not, silly. The sky never changes. But the feeling is the one that changes," she said.
It was always the same sky. Whether she stayed at an inn or traveled through a different continent. Even back when she had yet to step foot into this world. It was a brilliant sky.
"It's getting late," Ezarel said.
"You can go back. I'll just stay out for a while."
"All right."
"Sleep well, and perhaps we'll meet again someday."
He stopped and turned his head. "Don't be so dramatic."