Chapter VI. The fun they had lost
When Fox woke up from his dream, he found that he was outside the corridor. The window remained open, no wonder Fox had dreamt about a tempest last night.
But he did not mind that, and instead went to the room beside him. Looking at her if she is alright.
She is.
He saw her sleeping on the bed, with the beautiful face of hers. He backed off a few steps, then sat on the ground in relief.
Very soon she woke up when Fox thudded on the ground. Perhaps the sound had woke her up.
"Thud!" He hit the ground, then a long sigh was heard. Almost sadness.
"Well, I think you should leave my room for a while. Isn't this the day where we have our yearly-relationship celebration? I'm gonna go out and take a breath of fresh air for this."
"Uh,..." Fox staggered. He did not know what to say nor what to do.
"I think...we will...uh, perhaps, going to the bicycle trail?" Said Fox. He did not know what to do.
"Anything you say." Replied Krystal. Coldly.
Soon they changed their clothes. And went outside.
Seems that that day was a sunny day. The sky is blue. And clouds like sheep, in irregular shapes, floated in the air. A propeller-engine powered aircraft flew through the skies, scanning if there are any remaining Angulars left, and patrolling to prevent crime.
Arriving at the bicycle trail. When they paid for the bicycles for two hours for 15 cents Conerian dollars, they rode on them, and looked at the beautiful scenery around them.
"I still remember the first time I met you, I already have love towards you."
"What? Me?"
"Yes." Said the vixen, looking at Fox. "You saved me from the amethyst which trapped me, and destroyed Andross's third form with your own hands. Isn't this already good enough? If Andross really resurrected over Fortunia, our planet would be a barren wasteland of chemical waste."
"It's nothing. I had my first feelings on you too. Krystal. You were such a beautiful person. To be honest...uh, I...have never seen a sexy person like you before." As Fox blushed.
Then it was the route where they met a descending slope.
Krystal then stopped pedaling, and let gravity act its force on the bicycle.
She closed her eyes, at almost a tranquil state. With her natural beauty: her hands still on the handles, and her fur was seen flickering to the direction of the wind. The wheels are spinning and spinning. Sunlight shone on her fur, as her blue body reflected a calm, peaceful color. Fox would never forget this scene. He felt that there is light shining out from her.
When the slope is finished, she opened her eyes again.
"Just like the first time we went out," Fox said. Smiling. "You are still that beautiful."
A feeling surged in her mind. What was it? Happiness? Joy? Embarrassment? Love? She has not received anything like that since the last accident. She felt as if there were still something in this world. That bonds the two. And that bond is not going to break so easily.
She looked back on her handling bars, then smiled and blushed. Her face being a little red. In contrast to her blue colored fur.
Very soon their bicycles had traveled them to the Valley of dancers. A dancing center. Where dancers dance to the beat of the music. Waltz or Nocturnes. Sonatas or Rondos.
They stopped at a corner. And looked at the dancers.
The music was a Fiery Spanish Flamenco. With a Spanish professional singer trembling syllables. With the classical guitar waving chords quickly. Doing technical solos and notes and chords as their accompliment.
The couple asked the man who stood at the entrance. A Raven humanoid. If they could come in.
"Why, everyone is here just to enjoy the music! Feel the Flamenco!" Rolling the 'la' syllable. Skillfully.
The dancers on the stage vary in species and sex. Some are human. Some are covered in fur, some are in feathers. But they are doing the same thing, dancing with the rhythm.
The couple then unconsciously held their hands. And looked at the stage.
It happens that below the stage is a restaurant. Everyone was enjoying their food while seeing the people dance on the stage. One tripped over. And all the dancers stopped. The music either. Shortly afterward, all of them laughed. And the couple, happened to be two raven humanoids, also laughed at their clumsiness. As the music continued, they stood up, and everyone danced even more joyfully.
When they went to a table with empty chairs, their manager greeted them, a lynx.
"Oh, hey there! My dear lovers!"
"Wha...we...uh, we uh..."
"Oh, ho, ho. Too shy to tell it out, don't you?" Said the manager handing a menu to Fox. "Anyway, my dears, here's our menu. Or if you do not feel like eating, dance on the stage."
"Thank you very much."
"Enjoy the music!" As he also stepped his feet quickly with the rhythm of the melody. Then went away.
"That was cute." Said Krystal, giggling.
He was a bit embarrassed. Probably Falco has influenced him a little. But this time, it is him who blushed. Smiling. He felt multiple emotions at the same time. But the main two are: "Oh, why did you call me that?!" And "Hehe, you called me 'cute', how embarrassing, hehe." As he lowered his head, his cheeks as red as a tomato.
It was five already. In holidays, they usually sleep till noon. And they went out at three. The sunset sky is burnt by the sun. Shining in a red-orange glory, with the transcendental color towards deep blue, as you look towards the east. The clouds were shining in a great golden yellow. With a hint of dark gray at the edges. The twilight shone to the stage, as the dancers danced while on fire. Fire by the twilight.
The two then ordered a small dish for themselves. Then chatted for an hour whilst eating.
Krystal then gazed on the stage when night has fell. Looking thoughtful. As she asked Fox, in a more quiet tone:
"Should we dance up on stage?"
Just then, the song is finished. Everyone clapped and the announcer said: "Thank you for the musical group 'Flamenco Flamingos' performing and make the dancers had their time. Our nighttime music now, is performed by the piano group 'Andante Grazioso' till 11PM. Before the dance time, they will perform the famous song: 'Dolly's garden'. Which is a dual part."
It was seven PM already. Not mentioning that Fox and Krystal chatted quite happily. Not noticing that the moonlight has already shone. Releasing its bright light to make the sky deep blue.
Unlike the moon here on Earth, Coneria's moon is, although approximately having the same size, it is blue for it has an adequate amount of copper on the surface. Plus brighter for it reflects the light of the two suns in the Lylat system.
The stars were shining brightly. As there is no streetlight for the moon and the light from the bright galaxy belt has already fulfilled the brightness issues. Constellations were shining brightly in the sky. Leaving fascinations for people to think of. Stars are shining colorfully. Red, blue, yellow, and galaxies far, far, away.
The light whitish-blue moonlight had walked through the Conerian sky. And gently kissed people's faces. Fox has smelled the fragrance of the flowers at the garden not far from them. Was it lavender? Or, Rosemary? Or, what's it called? Roses? People down at the stage were chatting quietly. Proposing to each other, having their honeymoon, along with the tranquil music from the background.
She gazed at the moonlight. With her left hand on her chin. Her right arm on the table sitting in a horizontal position, her right hand touching her left elbow.
It was the second part of the song. Where the garden, from the beauty under the sun, turned into the beauty under the moon and stars.
Her eyes are shining by the reflection of the moonlight. Her face, under the beautiful moonlight, making her graceful beauty shone even more. Her fur is now a magnificent deep blue. She is so beautiful that, as if it can make the moon feel timid. And the flowers ashamed of themselves.
"We should dance up on stage." Said Fox. Smiling, while gazing at Krystal. Whilst enjoying the music and enjoying Krystal's beauty.
About two minutes later, the music ended. And the dancers went up the stage. The musician is troubling what song should he use. As he tumbled over the pages of his books.
Finally, he chose one. And went to the announcer to tell him the song he will be playing.
The announcer then said: "The musician will now play the song: 'Four tales'. Please, every dancer on stage, enjoy the music while you dance."
Fox and Krystal went to the stage. As they held their hands, smiling, facing each other and wait the music to start.
The music is sweet and graceful. As they followed the beat and rhythm whilst they dance.
They gazed at one another, looking into one another's souls. Their feet achieving syncopation. They turned, stepped, held. While the moonlight shone on the lovers. They thought that life has just begun.
After 3 minutes, as the song ends and fades, Fox felt a small headache. Not much. But he seemed to see everything fading away.
He saw Krystal trying to make him feel more comfortable by asking him if he is alright. But it did not help. He felt that there is no energy, blacked out, fell down, then went unconscience.
When he woke up he found that he was still on the stage. It was raining. The moonlight disappeared. And gray clouds were filling up the sky.
But the first thing he was troubling about, is Krystal.
"Krystal! Krystal! Where are you?!"
He yelled, but there is no respond.
He then ran back home, not knowing he's very damped by the rain. He broke in the door. And searched everywhere. But there is no sign of her.
He then remembered the poem:
"He went to the fields. Crying aloud in frown.
The truth remained hidden, in the faraway clouds."
He will be the 10th victim of the lover's killer. No. Not will be. He is.
He is.
He then immediately went to the police station. But he did not know what was happening.
He told Lieutenant Pigma everything. Although the Lieutenant hates him, he suppressed his hate. And told him:
"OK. I understand. But this is impossible. Krystal was with you at the stage, then you fainted, then all of a sudden she was gone? That doesn't make any sense."
"But it really is. I swear!"
"But there isn't any surveillance that supported you point of view, Mr. Mccloud."
"Really! It just went away! Like as if it were sucked in a black hole!"
Pigma thought for a while, then told Fox: "We will think and consider about it. And we will tell you anything we find out after we conducted our investigation. Now I have work to do. Our little chat will come to an end now. Thank you, Mr. Mccloud."
After Fox went out of the police station, it was raining again. In Coneria, Autumn is always the season of rain. Apart from the gold blossom fluttering down the trees, it is rain. Rain and rain.
Fox looked at the sky, gazing at the dark clouds above him. The rain had turned into a tempest. Its wind howling. Laughing through the darkness's arms. With the kisses of soft rain. He saw nothing. But darkness.
Nothing but darkness.