“Oh, wasn’t that simply wonderful? I told you— that tiramisu is heaven-sent!”  

The mood was still rather heavy even after visiting the café, where they spent the majority of drifting between meaningless small talk and uneasy silence. Well, they hadn’t exaggerated about the café's lineup— complete with a picturesque backdrop of a gorgeous waterline separated by a decorative guardrail, Jevon vowed to return in the near future in order to sample more of their mouthwatering specials. 

Now, they had returned to the Noble District. Xolani had intended to drag him around until sundown, undoubtedly, but Jevon still had plenty of unfinished work and he was unsure if he could mentally stomach another lecture.  

They intended to part ways for the time being once they regrouped at the central plaza— the Square of the Saints. Said plaza was rather famous in its own right— it featured an absolutely exquisite fountain— Beatus Fountain— a touchstone of impeccable artistry. It was more so an overelaborate pool with clean, greenish-blue waters, the bottom sprinkled with dozens upon dozens of coins, as rumor has it, it could grant wishes and provide providence.

It was festooned with great marmoreal effigies, all accordingly naked with the exception of loose-fitting togas and valiant capes, and seraphic in appearance. Representations of their patron deity, Antares, could be found throughout the city in various formats, and universally, they were depicted as a tall, muscled, androgynous individual with flowing hair who wielded a gigantic blade with a fiery halo— and, of course, that applied here as well. 

However, at the center of the piece was a laureled man with curly hair enwrapped in a high ponytail— posed partially robed while his expression was painted far gentler than his solemn cohorts— an artistic rendition of the Saint King himself— Alirense— supposedly.  

A nameless, sour taste filled his tongue when he met the ancient monarch’s dead— stone eyes.

The burbling of the fountain intermixed with the ongoing ruckus of the crowd, coming and going while he and Xolani remained rooted in front of the plague. After a few moments of unresponsiveness on Xolani’s behalf, Jevon considered excusing himself with a promise to treat them once his schedule was cleared. However, before he was able to open his mouth, Xolani interrupted him with an unexpected bow. 

“Oh, Jevon Sebastian Fulbright, my dearest and kindest of friends, I beseech you! Please, assist me with my debacle!”  

Jevon blinked his eyes a few times in mystification. “... Your... debacle?”  

Xolani nodded rapidly. “Indeed! I’m afraid that it is a matter of life or death, my dear... Listen close,” they curled an arm around Jevon’s shoulder and gave their surroundings a haste once-over— as if checking for potential eavesdroppers. They then leaned up to whisper into his ear while using their unoccupied hand as a sort of soundproof barrier. “... Do not relay the contents of this message to anyone else. Understood?” 

“Xolani,” he deadpanned, unamused. “What is this about?”  

Xolani smiled cheekily and withdrew, their hands coming to their hips instead. “All right, all right— tomfoolery aside, I have an important mission for you, cookie. You know how there’s going to be that ball in a few days, right? Don’t ask me why they’ve hosting one at such a precarious hour— House Montague loves wasting money on the stupidest of things. Anyway, so I was put on the committee... I assume they’re shorthanded because why else would they choose me of all people? Ahem... well,” they began to pace back and forth in a cycle, finger wagging in tandem with their words. “Here’s the thing: our harpist sort of rain checked... something about a fatal illness or whatever, I dunno, he might be back later... or never—” 

“What—”  

“—So, we’re in desperate need of a replacement... but on such short notice, I mean... it’s practically impossible, right? I’m only one person, Jevon! And yet the entire fate of the event is sitting on my tiny and beautifully sculpted shoulders! But then!”  

Xolani came to an abrupt stop and thrust their finger in his face. “I had an epiphany! Why, I just so happen to have a certain ally who also just so happens to be a musical genius! And thus, the day is saved!”  

Jevon pointed at himself with incredulity. “... You... aren’t referring to me, are you?” 

“Of course, darling! Who else?”  

Indeed, among the various arts that Jevon adored, he was the most passionate about music in particular. Ever since he was a child, he has employed it during times of grief and stress to appease himself; however, it was an activity that he pursued in the comfort of his own privacy... or for a select few ears. Needless to say, this proposition was simply out of the question.  

“No, Xolani... I... I can’t possibly— I can’t play in front of that many people, Xolani,” he argued, trying to maintain some semblance of composure, but a stammer or several still managed to sneak out. “I mean... I mean, I’m out of practice— I’ve rarely played since... since...” He trailed off, an interim of hesitation preceding a furious headshake. “... Either way, I can’t do this Xolani... you’ll have to find someone else—” 

“Nonsense, nonsense— I can’t think of anyone else more suited for this task than you, my love. And besides, nobody’s going to pay a lot of attention, anyways— they’ll be too busy intoxicating themselves or engaging in frivolous gossip, right? All you’ve got to do is stand there and look gorgeous for the most part.” 

“Xolani, I really don’t think...”  

Realizing that their cajolery was ineffectual, Xolani resorted to downright begging, clapping their palms together and bowing their head. “Please, Jevon! Just look at it this way: if you do this for me... that means I owe you a favor, right? And when I owe someone a favor, I make sure to repay them with double the expected amount. So... please! I’ll get you as many delicious treats as you want! You’ve gotta help me out here!”  

Jevon brought his forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose and gave it a few rubs, sighing deeply. That sweet deal was certainly enticing, but he wondered if it was worth the indubitable embarrassment... Ah, well— it was honestly the least that he could do after untold years of service on Xolani’s behalf; they’ve helped him out of numerous rough patches, and managed to bring light to his life in spite of the angry demons wrestling inside of him. He shouldn’t be selfish.  

“... All right, I suppose... but—”  

He was scooped into a tight embrace before he had a chance to finish— Xolani was about the same level as his chest, so they proceeded to bury their nose into it and giggle happily, and Jevon awkwardly patted their head in return. Xolani eventually broke away, grinning from ear to ear with delight.  

“I’ll go and put in a good word for you with my personal tailor— you’re absolutely going to blow their socks off, darling!” 

“What’s wrong with my standard attire?” 

“Oh, hush you! That plain old thing won’t swoon anybody. Right, right... Oh, there’s so much prep work to do... I’d better get on it. Er, the party’s the day after tomorrow— make sure you’ve reserved some time in your o’ so busy schedule for me, love. You better hold up your side of the bargain,” Xolani then turned on their heel, shooting their friend a mischievous wink over their shoulder and a two-fingered salute. “Until then! Ciao!”  

Alone with the bubbling of the fountain, Jevon exhaled and shook his head.  

Well, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he seated himself on the edge, observing the frantic to and fro of the crowd.

If it was for his dear friend, though… well, he did not mind that much.