After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNO5Qa6xyJ
The young beauty puts on the barmaid outfit and sets out on the first shift for the day.
“Aoife, 2 beers for that group in the back”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfal3gSZO5c
Aoife: “Got it.”
She glides through the pub with practiced grace towards the group near the back.
Aoife: “Your order.”
“Oh, are you new lass?”
Aoife: “Yep, just need some traveling expenses.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWFiOXvpi6
“Is that right….”
A sly hand slithers up her legs and comes a bit too close to her behind before she side steps.
Aoife: “S-Sorry sir, I’m not the menu.”
“No worries, just trying to enjoy before you leave.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGmiDj3SVt
Aoife ignores the comment and returns to work. Time flies by as Aoife’s shifts near its end. To her dismay, that same group is still here. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8gtQFPjGX
“Barmaid, another round for my buddies!”
Aoife looks to the owner but she looks away. She wonders if this something common, something she just has to deal with for the money.
She reluctantly goes to the near-drunk men and set’s down their 13th beer order.
“Come on lass, you’ve come over 13 times now. You're making us think you like this.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Co1IYvHxq
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIM5tllhDM
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjgCnhqRrZ
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvIALfGKld
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fRQztmQPO
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbaqAgIz9D
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZwkEnHbH7
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALe1QIGFkW
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuYZ19QZPN
“Jerome….yours?”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYPWJAK3QC
Aoife: “Aoife I-”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpMEHybitt
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL3eIB71pm
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftHKr4Z9D0
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9vL28ZZ00
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemYVA4gx4X
Aoife: “Your order.”
The leader of the drunks ignored the legs and went straight for his end goal but before he could another hand grab his.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmatA6C0rF
“What the-”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUSZDgG2Jd
Jerome: “I think the girl doesn’t want to be touched.”
“Now who is *hic* you?!”
The drunks got out of their seats and stared down Jerome but he stood undeterred.
Jerome: “Just a humble traveler who prefers to settle things with a contest.”
“A contest you say, hehe, if the prize is that ravishing barmaid I’ll play any *hic* game you have in mind.”
Jerome looks at Aoife and winks. Usually, she wouldn’t take part in this game but for reason, she trusted any plan he has.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnVpPqhFw0
Aoife: “Fine.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0vPe7Ieue
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuImp6k3JW
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJgccQXLrC
“You got to be kidding me.” 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSvrET8pKr
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfB8im0BRa
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWbrty309H
“Fine, how good could you be.”
Aoife along with the entire bar stare with anticipation of the contest. The drunks went first and the result was an ear-splitting noise that you wouldn’t think came from a human. Their pride, however, prevented them from realizing their failure.
“Heh, *hic* hows that folks? I’m sure me and my bodies blew you away.”
Jerome: “You sure did, may I take my turn.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvWNiGDfCH
“Of course, although you may as well give up.”
Jerome: “Well, something things you can’t give up.”
Jerome looks towards Aoife who smiles back before taking out a flute from his bag. He took a seat as the crowd wait with bated breath.
Jerome then played.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1hiNysyte
He played the flute with such a passion and grace that God himself seemed to cast his gaze towards the young man.
The world was a stage and he was the star.
Everyone was breath taken by his music but only one resonated with it, Aoife. She was transfixed by his melody, her heart beat faster and a desire to join in the symphony spread within her.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpML06ChEyg
Before she knew it, another blessed melody joined the cacophony. Her voice melded with his flute in a song that transcended simple “music”. Jerome noticed and got up without missing a note.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhvUVjgy6k
They played their music while looking into each other’s eyes, the spark had ignited. They then began to dance together in a way that seemed natural, as if they did this a million times before.
Another star had joined him on the stage.
They continued like this for a while before like everything, they came down from that heavenly high. They both stopped their performance at the same and once again the bar fell in silence.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zleRAwi9A
It didn’t look for the silence to reseed to the roaring applause of the bar. Even the drunks who now seem sober clap, they wouldn’t dare upset this delicate atmosphere. They left without saying another word. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzNWtrSoHd
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFilBk4Vo8E
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevVNW8MOlE
Aoife: “And you’re amazing on the flute, I-I just couldn’t help myself.”
Jerome: “If I’m not being too forward can I take some of your time.”
Aoife looked to the owner with some worry in her heart but they gave her time for a break. Aoife rushed to the back to get changed into more casual attire.
Jerome and Aoife then went for a moonlight walk. They talked about many things like how they’re both traveling the world and their love for music. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ja92t5gI0
Soon they came to a picturesque log near the local river. They sat down and looked into each other's eyes.
Aoife: “Jerome, I know we just met but can I join you on your journey.”
Jerome: “I would love that Aoife, now that I’ve found someone who shares my passion for music I don’t want to go back to normal.”
Jerome put his hand on her cheek and Aoife accepted him, she closed her eyes in anticipation.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjeidqhQwa
They slowly closed the distance and locked lips. The most important kiss for them both. Their fates are now tied to one another and for this moment of bliss, they couldn’t ask for more.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRKSQw511S
Sun and moon, together at last.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUp0Bn5Bsg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUMpWjUuUk
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRRW3ZFujn
I try to get up but I can only drag myself to the wall behind me. I must be really lucky, nothing tried to kill me while I was out.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkEmbwNqsu
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtF0atBI26
Nevermind.
I quickly turn my head towards that familiar voice, why did I have to wake up to her. I guess it wasn’t luck but this mark kept creatures at bay, I wish I could forget that moment.
I take stock of my surroundings and notice that I’m on a stage within a hall where actors perform. A gaping hole lies above giving me a grim look at the world….at my failure.
Moryuu: “So, what do you want from me?”
Ravage: “Well I was chasing Magpie but she’s in one of those pillars. I was bored so I tracked you to play but….”
Ravage jumps out of the audience seat and comes closer to the stage. She then hops onto the stage with me but keeps some distance. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVkyoC2UwK
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yNZCX71Qe
Moryuu: “Well too bad, now what?”
Ravage began to pout slightly, it would be cute if not for what she is.
Ravage: “I was looking forward to playing with you, I don’t know where the others are.” 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2vfpxaFoL
She went to the stage’s edge and dangled her feet, moving them back forth in a rhythmic motion.
Ravage: “I’ll just wait until you’rehealed, so booooring.”
Moryuu: “If it’s so boring, you could help so I heal faster.”
Ravage: “No, I settle for hearing your pained breathing.” 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9232f7V9d
Moryuu: “Ugh, can you at least tell me what’s happening out there.”
Ravage: “….I gave master that eye and he….fused with the little girl into something else. I don’t want to talk about that, I rather plaaaay!”
So….Shadow got what he wanted. I can’t sit here, I need to finish this. I try to get up but I collapse back down in a pained groan. Much to Ravage’s amusement.
I need to get her to help me, as much as I hate that.
Moryuu: “Let’s make a deal.”
Ravage: “Oh? That’s fun, what are you willing to offer?”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTitkrVfam2
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpL8eGWw7U
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfio1MMr0sA
Ravage: “….”
Moryuu: “Do you think that entity will give you any playtime with me. What’s worse is that this world is coming to end, no games for you when that happens.”393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcX13dhBMc
Ravage: “So what blue, as long as I have fun I’m fine.”
Moryuu: “If you help me we can defeat that entity and….I’ll you get out of here.” 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyaMmYybup
Ravage: “Being stuck here does limit playmates, fine I’ll help heal you….for now.”
Moryuu: “Good, all I need some food and water. I can heal faster with that.”
Ravage nods and jumps off the stage while humming a tune that seems familiar.
That dream….was it even a dream? It felt different, like a memory.
But it couldn’t have come from….Ravage. Aoife is completely different from that creatures, so much so that she reminds me of Annette. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITxPS8Tb4g
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw85wi9qhD
