Hera

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like the bazaar activity. It is just that I have become accustomed to selling online.

Today, however, I remembered what it felt like when a total stranger looked at a piece of my art and fell in love with it.

My mind wandered to last Friday. Again, he was all over my mind.

I let it be; after all, his reaction after he finished that hand-built piece was a sight to behold.

I finally built up enough courage and texted him first yesterday.

A simple, mundane conversation, but because it was him, I was elated.

I leaned back in my chair as I watched people pass by, those who didn't look, those who stared, and those who touched.

It all passed. Only thinking about him didn't pass that quickly.

"There are definitely more Yin-Ra at this bazaar," Arthur commented. "I actually feel bad for them. They crossed the stars to help us, and now they're dealing with anti-hybrid groups."

I sat straight; if even Arthur was talking politics, then something was going on.

"Why would you say so?"

"You don't know?" He was shocked. "Your brother literally covered an anti-hybrid peaceful protest yesterday."

"I am staying at Fleur's, so I didn't know." I shrugged. "It was a peaceful protest though."

"C'mon Hera, when in the history of humanity have things stayed peaceful?"

"Our race is dying too fast to create a mess, I believe."

"You do have a point."

We sat for a while before Arthur excused himself to the bathroom.

My mind drifted again. The protests all came back to the same issue. The Yin-Ra had promised they would help solve humanity's fertility crisis, but only after finding their fated bonds. Now humans were rejecting the Yin-Ra themselves.

It was an open secret after all. Neither side could be blamed. The fated-love propaganda was exceptionally outrageous. It just didn't sit well with many humans, me included.

I shook my head. The more I thought about it, the bleaker my thoughts got.

"How much is this?" I looked up so fast that my poor neck clicked. I saw him standing in front of me, touching an off-white large serving plate with a few drawn stars along its rim.

"Zale."

"Hera."

What did he ask again?

Awkward, too awkward.

I am acting like a confused teenager.

"Miss, Elder Zale asked what the price of this plate is?"

I didn't recognize the man standing beside him, who stressed the word Elder.

I didn't like his condescending tone, though.

No. I didn't accept such behavior.

"And you are?" I raised an eyebrow at that annoying man.

"Just ignore him, Hera." Zale then turned to the man whose pale skin turned a shade of grey. "Vaxar, go have a look around."

That annoying man finally left.

Zale looked at me again, and I started to feel butterflies in my stomach.

There goes the mature grown-up Hera once more.

"Hera, you know I have moved in recently, and I wanted to buy some kitchenware."

"Oh."

He pointed again at the plate.

"Is this a set?"

"Yes, it is a three-piece set: a dinner plate, a salad plate, and a bowl."

"Can I take two sets then?"

"Sure."

"How much?"

"Sixty dollars, but you will have to wait for Arthur to pay. He just went to the bathroom. I will prepare your stuff."

He nodded.

I started wrapping the plates and bowl separately in bubble wrap, then put them in a sturdy cardboard box.

He wouldn't stop watching me while I tried to work. His intense gaze made me so nervous that I was sure I'd drop something.

Arthur came back. Zale paid him and took the cardboard box.

"Hera, I won't be late tomorrow," he casually said, promising before leaving.

I knew Zale.

He just shattered my internal peace and left. Lovely.

Arthur stared at him once, then back at me, then looked away.

********************

The bazaar finally came to an end. The moment I stepped out of the building, it was raining. It had been a while.

I just went and walked under the rain. Embracing the rain can bring a moment of peace to a troubled heart.

I immediately regretted that the next day. I woke up with a serious fever and cough.

Maeve cancelled all my lessons.

******************

Zale

I watched her walk in the rain. She absentmindedly let herself get soaked while I sat in the car, letting her ensnare my body and soul. My star lines vibrated all over my body; I have become used to such occurrences.

Nothing about me remained calm around this little human. The unfinished Star Bond was the only thing that still hummed peacefully beneath my skin.

The pain will come sooner or later.

I knew.

A little more time.

Just a little more.

I will handle it.

I looked at her again.

I didn't want to interrupt her; she was enjoying the rain.

I wanted to drive her home, but with Vaxar around, I changed my mind.

She took the bus and left.

"To my house, Vaxar."

"Yes, Elder."

************************

I woke up to a message from the art studio saying that today's lesson was cancelled because Hera was sick.

I panicked.

I shouldn't have let her walk in the rain, but she was enjoying it.

I am losing all reason around this woman.

I dialed her number.

"Hera, are you okay?"

She coughed.

"Zale, how are you?"

More coughing.

"I am sorry I had to cancel today. I have caught a cold."

"Is there anything I can help with?"

She laughed before another fit of coughing.

"Zale, you are cute."

My star lines glimmered a deep red. I chuckled.

Somehow, the eldest elder of an entire race became ′cute′ to this woman.

"I think the fever is getting to me." She mumbled.

I wanted nothing more than to find that little woman and lecture her about why walking in the rain was not a wise decision.

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"It is okay, just a cold." I didn't like the answer, but let's not scare her.

She took a few deep breaths.

"Hey Zale, as an apology for cancelling the lesson, I have two invitations to the arts union auction in ten days, wanna tag along?"

"Sure." I didn't hesitate. "Take care, Hera"

She ended the call.

I sat in bed for a while.

I texted Draco to prepare for crossing the portal. I had to finish enhancing these prison cells before next Friday.

Two hours later, I was in Yin-Ra.

I flew straight to my floating island.

I entered the home that I have lived in for the past two hundred years. It no longer felt the same.

The same air. The same walls. Yet, something was missing.

I went to the hot springs to relax. I dipped my whole body in the warm water. My star lines calmed at the familiar sensation only for a few minutes, then rebelled against it. It appeared that the age of basic normalcy had ended for me.

Inside the house, I changed into my elder robes. A loose, wide-sleeved, semi-translucent outer robe and a black inner garment with subtle golden embroidery lines. I left it draped open till the torso, then headed to the elder's council sanctum.

"Elder Zale."

I looked at the second eldest elder in his high seat. He had a floating board in front of him as he read through the stack of papers on it.

I nodded at him and went straight to the head seat.

"How is everything on Earth, Elder?" He asked.

"There are some issues that need immediate follow-up. I will stay there until then."

His face showed confusion, but he quickly hid it.

"I will take Star Chains back to Earth. Our people have disrespected their laws and order."

"Are they trying to bring the Goddess' wrath?" he asked angrily.

I didn't answer.

A young Yin-ra entered with the chains. I just chanted, and it flew to my hand. It was nice to be able to use magic again. On Earth, the physical laws never allowed it. Still, I wanted to go back there as soon as possible.

I stayed longer than I anticipated. I had to read reports and give final decisions about my people who were staying on Yin-ra. I checked on the status of Yin-Ra in other galaxies. A lot of paperwork piled up during the month I stayed on Earth.

I finally finished and was leaving the mansion when the Goddess' flame-tempered blade caught my attention.

I stared at it. A blade that was bestowed upon our exceptionally gifted race. The only thing that could temporarily break a star line before it reforms again.

I took it in my pocket and left.

****************************

I returned to Earth on Wednesday.

I contacted her immediately.

"Hera,"

"Zale."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, and you?"

"Good."

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I am moving back to my family's home before Mum disowns me."

"See you on Friday."

"See you."

She ended the call.

"No, Hera, I won't wait for Friday," I mumbled to myself.

I reached the office.

Vaxar appeared.

"Elder, when will you enhance the prison cells?"

"Now."

"It can wait till tomorrow."

"No."

"Why?"

"I need to help someone move."

A little bazaar, a little rain, a sick Hera, and an Eldest Elder who has apparently forgotten how to act normally around one particular human.

Also... Vaxar is learning that Zale has priorities. 😂

We're entering a sweeter stretch of the story, so enjoy it while it lasts. 👀