Chapter 6
`*•.¸,¤°´.｡.:**.:｡.`°¤,¸.•*´
A rusted gate in dire need of tender loving care. Wind wheel asters and cecilias infesting the front lawn. That steel and sapphire wind chime never failing to greet anyone at the door.
Everything was still the same.
A couple weeks have passed since I last graced this house with my presence. If only I owned a car or the two-hour commute to Fontaine was a little more merciful on my wallet, I'd visit every chance that I could. Slipping out of onyx knee high boots, bare feet padded across cool ivory tiles, venturing across the cozy kitchen. A small pot mutely simmered beside a whistling silver kettle and I extinguished the latter inferno as rushing footsteps sauntered into the room.
"Oh!" Ash blonde pigtails bounced to a stop, crystal blue eyes reflecting that ever cheerful smile adorning strawberry pink lips, "Mona, you're here."
Shedding off a navy jacket, the warm fabric shrouded the wooden backrest of a dining table chair along with the thin leather strap of an ebony side bag. The room felt a bit toasty, but a black turtleneck and leggings were the ideal combination for braving the elements today, "Hello, Barbara. I trust all is well with you?" The younger sister of a former classmate, hired as a caregiver for mother in my absence. Patient, compassionate, with a talent for culinary arts, the perfect fit for the job. Fickle as the old hag could be, she enjoyed Barbara's company which was more than I could've hoped for.
"Yes. Everything's alright, thanks for asking." The blonde grabbed a ladle off the utensil wall hanging near the sink, "Your mom's resting upstairs, she took her medication a little while ago." Barbara inched closer to the stove, removing the lid off a pot of what looked like her famous spicy stew.
Tender meats and vegetables seethed in a creamy broth, igniting an inaudible groan from the pit of my stomach. Oh archons, bless Barbara. Visiting mother was, admittedly, not my only motivation for stopping by, "Well I wouldn't want to disturb her. How has she been?" Concern weaved its way into the inquiry, "Any improvements?"
Barbara's smile fell in tandem with my lofty expectations, "Not much has really changed. Although, she's developed a habit of taking walks by herself around the backyard every morning before sunrise. She really likes that patch of small lamp grass growing near the fence." Recovery was an ongoing process, as they said. It's reassuring to know that her mobility hadn't digressed again.
The corners of my lips perked up, a comfort extended to both Barbara and myself, "Well, that's a good sign. I'm sure she'll be back to her regular old self with time." Never once was mother's overbearing nature an admirable trait in the eyes of her only child, considering the primary target of every stern teaching and scolding was yours truly. Following the incident that rendered her infirm, my opinions have drastically changed. She's the most astounding individual I've ever had the pleasure of calling family.
Abandoning Barbara to her kitchen duties, I sauntered up the staircase leading to the upper floor, supple fingertips dancing along the birch banister with each step. Mother's bedroom door was left ajar at the end of the hallway. A gentle push eased the entrance open further and the slow, guttural creak caught me by surprise. Wincing at the sound, I scrambled for the doorknob, putting a swift end to that raspy racket. The house was as old as I was but just how archaic were these door hinges?
Poking my head inside a breath later, green eyes took in the stillness of the room. Luckily, mother didn't stir. Her curled up figure remained undisturbed, taking shallow inhales while swaddled under a lilac blanket. She'd always complain about the medication's side effects, drowsiness being one of them. Best let her sleep, we could always catch up some other time. If there weren't other errands to run today, staying a while longer until she woke would've been possible.
Two steps back and the door silently closed with the cautious tug of a gentle hand.
One room down and my bedroom door's high-pitched squeal was an anticipated welcome, the sweet sensation of nostalgia even more so. Sunlight streamed in through open windows, illuminating a room left untouched since its owner's bittersweet relocation to her quaint little apartment in Mondstadt. Snow white sheets draped the neatly made bed, complimented by a plush pillow lazing beside the sandbearer headboard. Stacks of books littered the umber cedar desk in one corner, nearly putting to shame the towering spires of Huaguang Stone Forest. Not that those hefty volumes were carelessly abandoned to any nook or perch their owner could find once they'd been used.
Perusing the wide selection of textbooks, novels and commentaries lounging along the second cuihua bookshelf, a pointing index finger trailed their spines, pausing on sight of a familiar title. I stole The Chronicles of Khaenri'ah: Collector's Edition off the middle row, brushing a thin layer of dust off the cover. Only a handful of these copies were published, complete with additional anecdotes and author's notes missing from the standard print. This masterpiece was even signed by the genius who penned it. Sitting at the edge of the bed, I flipped the hardcover volume open, turning to a random page which happened to have an impromptu bookmark snuggled within the sheets.
A birthday card.
With my penchant for reading multiple books at once, the habit of using random items as bookmarks became a common occurrence. Lumine even made a guessing game out of it the last time we were both here – choose any volume off the shelf and she had three attempts to figure out what I used as a page holder. An unused Band-Aid remained undefeated to this very day.
Slowly plucking the card out of place, I stared at the bold lettering and golden embellishments that once made my heart stir with glee when I'd first laid eyes on the card. Sea foam gradually frosted over with the bitter chill of melancholy that settled over me. The Chronicles of Khaenri'ah: Collector's Edition was his gift that year, if I remembered correctly. Sighing, the birthday card was wedged between two random pages and the book slammed shut.
─ ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ─
Food truly was the best medicine.
Having a sit down with Barbara over lunch completely refreshed my sour mood. The blonde instantly picked up on my turbulent emotions once I'd returned downstairs and urged me to stay and share a meal with her before leaving. Initially, the plan was taking everything to go but who could say no to Barbara's brilliant, doe-eyed gaze?
Scratch that. Who could say no to red bean taiyaki and a cold glass of apple cider for dessert?
After checking on mother one last time – still slumbering away – and ensuring that nothing was amiss inside or around the house, I finally took my leave.
The walk to the bus terminal was uneventful and I boarded the next one back to Mondstadt without incident. An empty seat beside a snoozing grey haired child was mine for the taking and I settled into it. Crowning the little one's head were tanuki-like ears sprouting from the hood of her beige graphic t-shirt.
'Don't Give Up on Your Dreams. Keep Sleeping.'
I lightly chuckled at the elegant script, speckled with shimmering silver stars and waxing crescent moons. Sleep sounded pretty good right about now. I'd been awake until about two in the morning and up since the crack of dawn. Consuming one chapter of Mountainous Miscellany before bed had turned into reading another, then another into one more. Albedo had impeccable tastes in literature, I should thank him the next time we met in person.
Then again, I did have his phone number...
What was I even thinking?
I couldn't just text Albedo out of the blue. That would be so... weird.
Without realising it, I'd pulled out my phone and opened the contacts list. Albedo's name was instantly highlighted at the very top. A timid right thumb hovered over the old-fashioned keypad and hesitantly tapped on the select button, opening a new chat window.
I couldn't believe I was doing this.
[9/24, 1:27 PM] Mona: Hey, about the bo-
Wait, wait, wait.
[9/24, 1:29 PM] Mona: Good day, Albe-
No.
[9/24, 1:33 PM] Mona: Hi-
I nibbled on my lower lip. Why must composing a simple text message be this complicated. Sighing, I closed the chat. Speaking with him face to face would be far more appropriate.
An unread chat notification popped up on the screen with Lumine's profile picture alongside it. She must've tried reaching me while I was still at the house. About fifteen messages were sent, photographs by the look of it. They automatically downloaded and my lips immediately curled after opening the first one. Qingxin and silk flowers garnished an immaculate picnic spread of what appeared to be freshly cooked snezhnayan delicacies. The pictures that followed showcased an impeccable setup from different angles, along with a grinning couple taking selfies together.
Childe really went out of his way this time.
He's so whipped.
Falling in love made one go the extra mile, I supposed. Not that there's any experience under my belt. Lumine's been prodding and praying I find a significant other as soon as possible, which I really couldn't care less about. Being in a relationship didn't miraculously make someone complete, neither was singleness a death sentence. Whether destiny's dance had a partner in store or the script of fate pronounced itself a solo performance, embracing every step of the journey was what truly mattered.
Then again, some of us grew up with authoritarian parents who drilled into our heads that dating could wait until you owned a degree. Doubt I could ever forget that horrifying summer break when mother found out about a very tiny insignificant crush I had on one of my classmates back in ninth grade.
...ugh.
In my defence, everyone had a crush on Kaeya.
Most willingly offered that suave playboy their vulnerable hearts on a spotless silver platter.
Others even more so.
I was one of the lucky ones who dodged that messy bullet. I was also the girl with a sharp eared mother who happened to overhear the hot topic of discussion during her daughter's fifteenth birthday slumber party. That following week, the old hag insisted she'd drop me off to homeroom on the first day of the new school year. My juvenile innocence thought nothing of it. Not even a sliver of suspicion. Mother was simply a dotting parent ensuring my safe arrival. A dotting parent who desired a quick chat with my new 'homeroom teacher' before the bell. We barely crossed the entrance's threshold when a saccharine, "Which one of you is Kaeya?" left the woman's lips.
I was beyond mortified.
Chills trailed my spine at the very thought of that cursed day. She only tagged along to satiate her curiosity and discover the illusive face behind a name which incited multiple encores and giggles under her rooftop that night. To my utter dread, she even picked me up after school that day. Five years later and "...Distractions like him were the reason why your report card was so pitiful last semester. Get your priorities straight, Mona. He'd dump you in a week anyway..." still haunted my memory. I pretty much dodged Kaeya like the plague after that incident. Just as my so called 'friends' kept their distance after mother told them off as well, completely decimating my social life.
Test scores in the eighty's increased to ninety. Nineties to ninety fives. Clawing up the academic ladder led to my tacit fall from grace in the eyes of my fellow peers. While they were all living their best lives, peaking in high school, I was cooped up in the library, inhaling literature with the gusto of a track athlete catching their breath after a race. I became an outcast of my own volition. Alone, but never truly lonely. I'm an avid lover of my own company after all.
Until a certain blonde and her mild-mannered twin brother transferred to Brightcrown High the following semester and my existence as a devout hermit came to an unexpected end.
[9/24, 11:07 AM] Lumine: Six month anniversary 3
[9/24, 1:35 PM] Mona: Everything looks so well done. Kudos to Childe, I'm happy for you both :)
The small screen became a blur as heavy eyelids fluttered shut. I really shouldn't be resting my eyes while travelling on a bus but...just five minutes wouldn't hurt...
"Excuse me. I'm... getting off."
A gentle nudge on the shoulder and sea green eyes snapped open. The little girl beside me attempted a quick hobble over my feet, all the while stifling a dreary yawn.
"Oh, apologies." I shifted out of the seat so the child could leave. Then realized that this was also my stop. What a remarkable stroke of good fortune.
Cool winds animated the tail ends of my jacket after disembarking the bus and I drew the navy fabric a little closer. Mondstadt's housing district was a ten minute walk south of the bus stop, the marketplace half that time in the opposite direction. As fluffy tufts of grey veiled the scorching sun above, a leisurely stroll to the grocery store didn't sound like a bad idea. Not to mention discounted prices on fine wines and snacks in light of Weinlesefest this month.
Before that, however, a slight detour.
Spiralling cobblestone stairs paved the tiresome pathway leading up to the Mondstadt Cathedral. For a world renown historical landmark and religious institution, they could at least install an elevator. This additional excursion wasn't exactly planned but since it's Saturday and I'm already in the vicinity, might as well see what that arrogant brat was blathering about. The singsong breeze relentlessly pushed on my back, as if aware that languid footfalls were in need of a little encouragement. After what felt like an hour – five minutes in real time – the church's central courtyard was in sight. Pious worshipers were gathered, singing praises and honour to their celestial deities in the harmonious key of 'H'. Visitors brandished kameras of every model, capturing as many mundane moments as memory cards could carry. Pigeons patrolling the grounds, dandelions swirling in the air, the city of freedom's showstopper of a statue. It would be quite the feat, witnessing the view from that open-handed perch. However, climbing the winged monument was both a fool's errand and illegal.
A short flight of stairs marked the final hurdle leading up to the church. Ignoring the twinge of fatigue racing through my legs, I powered up the stone staircase and finally made it. Standing near the cathedral's main entrance was a blonde nun, directing an elderly couple towards the left side of the building where they joined a relatively short queue. A violet banner advertising the food bank clung to the wall besides the young lady who clutched a manila clipboard to her chest. As if sensing my gaze, ocean eyes flickered towards me and I inched closer to the nun, "Good day. Is this where the uh..." My alto faltered momentarily, "Food bank is taking place?"
The blatant scrutiny rubbed me the wrong way but I ignored it. She could at least have the common decency to not eye my person from head to toe before callously responding, "Yes. Can I see some form of ID?" For someone working at a charity event, the woman was a far cry from friendly.
"Sure." Fishing out my purse, I handed the blonde what she asked for. Holding the card against her clipboard, she scribbled across the length of a white sheet when her pen's quick motions immediately slowed. Ocean eyes widened like whirlpools and the nun's frightened gaze met calm aquamarine hues, serene as the clear waters of Falcon Coast, "Is there a problem?" The card should be up to date, it couldn't be missing anything vital.
"N-no!" The blonde shrieked in panic, grabbing the attentions of patrons to the end of the queue. A small hand concealed glossy thin lips and the young woman composed herself as if her outburst never occured, "My apologies." The blonde's sugar-coated smile was lethal, a mere façade failing to quell the rolling tempest raging within her sapphire stare, "Right this way, ma'am." She gestured that I follow her to the front of the line, earning us hostile glares from a few onlookers.
Such a drastic shift in attitude instantly raised a red flag, "But isn't this where the line ends?"
"You're...the fiftieth person who signed up today!" The nervous lilt in her voice was so convincing, "Which grants you the special privilege of uh...not taking the line!"
Who was she trying to fool with those terrible acting skills? "That's quite alright, thank you. I'd like to take in the breeze for a bit, if that's okay." Besides, cutting in front of the small crowd was bound to stir up drama with the ones still glowering.
"Oh...sure." The blonde sounded anything but certain, hesitating before finally retreating through the side entrance up ahead.
What was that all about?
For one thing, that woman should never seek employment in the customer service industry. Sizing me up, then pathetically grovelling...
Wait a moment...
"Miss." A high soprano from behind snapped me out of my musings and I turned around, meeting the coral gaze of a short, middle-aged woman, "The line's moving." At her polite insistence, I continued to the side entrance and in minutes was crossing the threshold into a wide-open room.
Stockpiles of cans, boxes and produce occupied long rectangular tables, each station spearheaded by a single nun. Those on the receiving end of their generosity handled large shopping bags, open at the ready. Luckily, I held onto one in the event where I did decide to go shopping. Loitering around the very first table was that same blonde nun, whispering into the ear of a preoccupied brunette passing out vegetables to an elderly twosome. Blue hues caught mine and the flustered nun quickly looked elsewhere. When her colleague glanced my way, it wasn't hard figuring out the prime topic of conversation.
"...but you know what'll happen, Sister Jilliana. We can't-!" The blonde cut herself short and scurried off once I arrived at the table, their chat left unfinished.
Unlike the blonde, the brunette – Jilliana – smiled warmly, "Welcome." She held out two bundles of vegetables, double the amount handed to the couple just now and the question was written across my face before words were even uttered.
"Thank you," Retrieving the shopping bag out of my side purse, half-hearted hands unfolded it, "But isn't this too much?"
A knowing smile was surprisingly the nun's introductory reply. Her affable gaze made a cautious sweep around the room and the brunette leaned in closer, murmuring an amused, "You didn't hear it from me, but a young man from the family who sponsors the food bank instructed us to give you anything you need if you came. It's the first time he's ever made that request." Sister Jilliana shrunk back with a light hearted chuckle, gesturing for the bag in my limp hands, "He must be very fond of you."
I held out the open bag and the nun packaged the produce inside, "Right…" As fond as a wild boar charging tusks first into you. If that were the case then Scaramouche had affection for days.
I inwardly shuddered.
Scaramouche and affection had no business being associated with each other.
Still, the brunette's confession proved my musings correct. That vertically challenged annoyance did have something to do with the blonde's behaviour. Why would he even tell them to do such a thing?
'He must be very fond of you.'
Before things took a turn for the awkward, I continued along the queue, shoving the nun's ludicrous commentary out of mind.
In under ten minutes, I was hauling more than half my shopping list out of the cathedral. For free. Gratitude was always a must when favour smiled upon you, the least I could do was thank that irritating samachurl for the hospitality.
Probably without mentioning his uncanny likeness to the dwarfish mythical creature by an unintentional slip of the tongue.
─ ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ─
It's amazing how four glorious letters compounded into a single word could hold such crippling power. A sweet, irresistible nectar, fragrant like a rose in full bloom. Still, gardeners knew to exercise caution when pruning roses, else they bare their thorns. Narrowed sights, sharp as secateurs, toggled between two price tags on paper towels. The first contender was a fan favourite – old faithful, if you will. A product that was honestly subpar at best but got the job done. My outstretched hand had only made it so far for a Bright brand paper towel roll when the allure of a pastel pink sale sign froze me in place. A mere peasant such as myself was unworthy to bask in the sublime presence of Yumemiru products. However, the discounted price tag was my golden – or rather, nadeshiko pink – invitation to an audience with the royal toiletry brand. Sakura scented, extra soft, remarkably absorbent, magnificently soft, top quality paper towels. Reduced by nearly half the mora. The value was still higher than my regular go to, but the twenty mora difference seemed almost negligible.
Almost.
Sticking to what I knew was the obvious choice. My wallet would thank me and Bright boasted more sheets than Yumemiru's thick, durable, comfort soft, floral scented, pillow soft–
"Sorry." Softspoken vocals derailed my train of thought as a short woman appeared beside me, inching for the paper towels. I quickly stepped out of her way and she swiped three Yumemiru paper towels off the shelf.
I settled for a Bright one.
Perusing every aisle in the grocery store was a habit of the old hag's, which usually led to the number of items on the bill always exceeding that of her shopping list. We were no different in that regard, but I've come to control myself over the years when it came to buying items just because of an advertised deal. All it took was some mental maths, deductive reasoning, and potential plot holes in any special offer were bound to be discovered. I could've fallen for that paper towel scam otherwise. The roll would finish in under a week.
Colourful boxes stacked across neatly packed shelves were a tell-tale sign that I'd wandered into the cereal aisle. The apparition of my younger self reaching out for an overpriced box of sugar and food colouring while mother was in a different aisle materialized in the form of a blonde little girl. Tiny hands reached up for a cereal box that was just out of reach, even as she tiptoed on a pair of bronze boots.
A blend of pity and amusement warped my small smile and I approached, stopping next to the child. Plucking a box off the display, I handed it to the girl whose wide scarlet eyes sparkled in adoration.
"Thank you so much!" The child hopped for joy, animating the plume protruding from her crimson beret, "You're such a nice lady!"
The smile along my face grew wider from her praise, "You're most certainly welcome."
The girl spun around in her red and white dress, brimming with an energy that made me second guess handing her a heaping packet of carbohydrates, "Now Dodoco can eat Dodo-Puffs!" She held out the cereal box, taking in the fluffy character designed on the front.
This child... wasn't named after a breakfast cereal mascot, was she?
"Klee?"
We both turned to the figure entering the aisle with varying degrees of recognition crossing our features. The girl exploded into a fit of sweet giggles, racing to the ash blond, "Albedo, can we get Dodo-Puffs, please?"
"Sure." Teal irises were trailed on the cheerful child – Klee – adding her cereal box to his half-empty basket before they noticed my present, "Mona." By the subtle inflection in his tenor, Albedo was pleasantly surprised.
"Albedo." Was this the definition of 'speak and he shall appear'? What an unforeseen turn of events, but I'm not complaining. It's always odd, spotting people I knew out in the wild. Never thought the day would come when I'd run into Albedo outside of his uniform. Casual chic befitting the season of fall. He dressed well, for one thing.
An airy gasp drew both our attentions back to the girl whose scarlet hues flickered between us, "Albedo, you know the pretty lady?" First nice now pretty? This little one truly held a keen eye.
"Yes. I know the pretty lady." Albedo's response swiftly doubled Klee's excitement, "We go to the same school."
I-It was Klee who referred to me as pretty. Obviously, Albedo was answering in a simplified manner so that the child could understand. Nothing more.
"Oh!" Klee twirled on her heels and came up to me, "So you're friends with Albedo. I didn't know he had any."
"Uh..." I threw a glance at Albedo who didn't need an outward expression of his sigh, it was scrawled across his face. 'Friend' was generally a loose term for someone her age, "Yes, we're acquaintances."
"Aqua- aint...?" Klee looked thoughtful, dipping her head to one side.
"It means we know each other." Albedo clarified, dispelling the haze that shrouded Klee's vision.
The child glowed with understanding, her warm gaze studying my face, memorizing every curve, every crevice, "Oh, well why didn't you say so?" I did... "It's nice to meet you, Mona!"
"It's nice to meet you too, Klee." I returned her smile, reminding myself that she was indeed a child. Complicated terminology would get me nowhere, "Have you been doing a good job helping Albedo with the groceries?"
"Yep!" Klee frantically nodded, running back to Albedo's side, "What else do we have to get?"
Albedo double checked the basket, "This should be it, only the flour's missing."
"I'll get it!" She sprinted away before Albedo could stop her.
Albedo's patience was remarkable. Doubt I could handle a ball of sunshine like Klee on the daily. Something playful bubbled up my throat and I laughed. Teal eyes held a question that their owner failed to ask. Instead, I voiced one of my own, "Is she your sister?"
"Cousin." The ash blond clarified, "We get mistaken as siblings all the time. It's understandable though, we were raised under the same roof."
"Ah, I see." The semblance wasn't completely striking, that much was true, but just by the way they interacted with each other, the duo could fool almost anyone. Klee was a broiling inferno while Albedo a subtle incandescence. Observing the pair was quite the endearing sight.
A moment of silence stretched on between us which meant that it was time to take an exit, "You actually came to mind earlier today."
…
What was wrong with me?
"Oh, did I?" Albedo slowly continued down the aisle and I ended up pushing my trolley of groceries alongside him.
There was no getting out of this line of conversation now, "Yes. I started that book you recommended and haven't been able to put it down since. I thought of sending a message to tell you but..." Kill me now, "If you have any other good reads to suggest, I'm all ears."
The corners of Albedo's lips curved, "I-" "Albedo!"
A sharp call tore through his response and Albedo's attention was instantly captured by Klee's return... and she was white as a sheet.
"Klee, what happened?" Concern filled his eyes, voice, body language, as the ash blond took in her state of distress.
Klee wrinkled her nose, wiping flour off her face with the back of a hand, "I found the flour shelf but couldn't reach any of the bags on top because they were way up. I took a bag on the bottom and the rest of the flour bags fell on the floor and went poof!" Despite her estate, she appeared rather pleased with herself as Klee added the spoils of her excursion – a full satchel of flour – to their basket.
Before she could stray too far away, Albedo took Klee by the wrist, meeting my gaze in apology, "Those recommendations might have to wait for another day."
"No worries." The poor guy had his hands full, "There's always next time." Presuming there will be a next time.
"I should see to the damages." Albedo gently tugged on his cousin's arm and Klee slithered her wrist out of his grasp, opting to take his hand in hers instead, "Take care, Mona."
"Bye, Mona!" Klee waved goodbye, her outstretched arm conjuring puffy clouds of flour with every move.
"See you." I watched them disappear beyond the cereal aisle, Klee violently swinging their conjoined fingers all the while.
I continued along my way to the next aisle and soon after the checkout. Ecstatic couldn't begin to describe how I felt when the cashier calculated my total. Saving that extra mora was the logical thing to do… but spending it on new reading material was also a great investment. With a shopping bag in either hand – another reusable one being part of the purchase – I bore the weight on my teetering balance to the automatic sliding doors. An unexpected sight awaited at the exit in the form of Albedo and Klee, the elder crouching low while dabbing flecks of flour off the younger's puffy cheeks with a handkerchief. Most of her outfit had already been dusted off and in my moment of intrigue, Klee's stare found mine, "There she is!" She waved both arms as high as she could, garnering the attentions of every passer-by in the vicinity, "Hey, Mona!"
"You're both still here?" I paused, taking the moment to readjust my grip on the shopping bags.
"Yup. We were waiting for you. Albedo said he really really wants to take you home–" Klee was immediately silenced by Albedo's handkerchief covering her lips before she could finish the explanation.
"Klee is over exaggerating, but she's right." Albedo returned to his full height with a good-natured smile, "Would you like us to give you a ride home?"
"Oh, no!" I shot down their generosity far too quickly, "I mean, that's quite alright and I live close by, no need to go out of your way. Thank you for the offer, though."
Albedo shook his head, a calm reassurance garnishing his tenor, "It wouldn't be out of our way at all, and Klee was the one who suggested it."
I turned to the girl nodding furiously beside him, "Yeah!" Scarlet eyes glistened, pleaded, "If your house is close, we can get you there in no time. And aren't those bags heavy?" Klee pointed to the weights in my hands, a tragic reminder that oddly intensified their strain on my rosy fingers, "You can put them in the trunk next to Dodoco's Dodo-Puffs."
A tempting proposal, yet I've only just met Albedo. My weariness wasn't unwarranted. Sure, he seemed trustworthy and we've gotten along great during previous interactions but it felt almost too soon. Klee's presence inflicted the tiniest fracture in my defence but it wasn't enough to sway me completely, "I really wouldn't want to impose."
"But–" "Alright, we understand." Albedo reposed a hand on Klee's shoulder.
He didn't press the matter further, taking Klee by the hand with their groceries occupying his other. Albedo respectfully nodded, exuding nothing short of kindness, "Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend."
"Thank you, and likewise, Albedo." I smiled back in appreciation, shifting to a disappointed Klee whose adorable pouting was almost enough to make me reconsider, "You too, Klee."
She rocked from side to side, putting on a happy front that was effortlessly betrayed by her downcast soprano, "Thanks, Mona."
The blond duo departed for the parking lot while black boots traversed a concrete walkway, commencing their fifteen minute trek back home. My arms were jelly by the time I made it up the short flight of stairs to the apartment. Who needed the gym, carrying groceries over a kilometre was the true secret to perfectly – not perfectly – trimmed biceps. The shopping bags were laid to rest without delay and so were my feet when I crash landed on the living room sofa. Without missing a beat, my phone chimed from the inside of the handbag I abandoned beside the coffee table. A wave of laziness washed over me and I groaned into the royal blue throw pillow caressing my head. Blindly, I felt for the bag and fortunately captured its leather strap on the cold tiles, reeling it in. After a full minute of scouring its contents for the phone, I pulled it out and rolled over on the couch.
The lethargic stupor that settled over me was miraculously gone after opening the phone.
[9/24, 4:31 PM] Albedo: I've read The Lay of Al-Ahmar and The Life of Mouun the Shrine Maiden recently. I think you would enjoy them.
[9/24, 4:31 PM] Albedo: I can borrow them to you, if you'd like.
He was online.
I sat up on the tan sofa, leaning onto the arm rest while my mind whirled in a pitiful state of unrest. The conversation window remained open and a pair of thumbs awkwardly ghosted over the keypad. Not much needed to be said, just telling him I'd be interested in a dabble was enough.
After mulling over several responses, my fingers finally found their courage.
[9/24, 4:38 PM] Mona: I think that's a-
Terrible choice of words.
[9/24, 4:40 PM] Mona: I would absolutely love-
To be done with my vocabulary.
I curled up into a ball on the couch, hugging a pillow to my chest. A deep inhale, a long exhale.
[9/24, 4:41 PM] Mona: That would be nice.
He responded within seconds.
[9/24, 4:41 PM] Albedo: Alright. I'll bring the books on Monday.
[9/24, 4:41 PM] Mona: Sounds good.
[9/24, 4:42 PM] Albedo: Read anything new lately?
A delighted grin followed the uncontainable enthusiasm surging through my appendages as they typed up a storm in response. With the rise of shadows amidst the ceaseless passage of time, emerging from the delectable depths of discourse was a meagre fantasy.
Unpacked groceries long forgotten.
Mona, stop talking to boys and go put your groceries away xD
It's been a while, mostly because of life circumstances, but hope you enjoyed the chapter and stay safe! 3