Like the sun, the moon, the stars; 

We’ll collide someday. 

Maybe we are meant to be? 

A large fiery light raced across the rainbow sky, going in and out of the few clouds floating astray from the horizon. 

“Look! A shooting star!” Kye exclaims excitedly as she points up toward the sky. She shut her eyes and made a wish, as is tradition when a shooting star is seen. As the sun lowered on the horizon, the stars began to replace the last bit of sunlight. The slanting rays of the sun gave the sky a warm glow. Twighlight came to an end and Kye began to recognize the more prominent constellations. The crickets chirped in the distance, in tune with the soft rustling of the leaves. Kye looked over at Genevieve and smiled childishly, an unusual emotion on her scarred face. 

The stars awakened Kye. It made her feel entangled in the magical twists of life; like she was a part of something important. She had always been intrigued by the way the stars would move as the world moved, the science behind the beginnings of space, and the unknown that is yet to be discovered. She never had gone to school hence she never got the dazzling experience of monotonous textbooks. Learning has always seemed entertaining, and the ways of the world fascinated her.  

As she looked up into the now-dark sky, she could make out the most known constellations. Chiroptera, The Jade Dove, and Scarpholious. The Jade Dove was her favorite. Not only is it her zodiac, but it is in the center of all the other zodiacs in the sky. It was the opposite of Chiroptera, Genevieve’s zodiac, which according to the research of hers and others, they were perfect for each other. 

Another star was spotted, one she had never seen before. Kye tried her hardest to figure out what it was. She didn’t remember seeing it last week when she went out to stargaze. She took note of it and remembered to figure it out later at home. 

The wind started to pick up and Genevieve started to shiver. Kye wrapped her wing around her and moved her in close, almost having her sit on her lap. The two girls sat quietly, shivering, as they looked up at the sparkling sky. 

     “I think we should go back in now...” Genevieve’s voice trembled as she shivered. The bitter wind blew through her soft golden locks, brushing up against her smooth, but now very cold face. 

     “Yea, I like the stars, but this wind is a little too cold for me.” Kye replied, shivering uncontrollably as well. 

Kye grabbed Genevieve by the waist and prepared to take off into the night sky. Her wings extended outward in a big stretch. She kissed Genevieve gently on the head and leaped into the windy currents of the night. They flew over dense forests and cobalt-blue waters. It was a lot more peaceful up here than their time on the ground. They soared through the soft glow of the stars until finally reaching their anticipated destination, home. 

     Their landing was perfect, until it turned into a barrel roll with Kye wrapping her wings around Genvieve, protecting her from the unyielding ground. They laughed as they stood upright and made their way inside the welcoming glow of the warm lights coming from the windows of their hobbit hole. 

     Their cabin was enclosed in a small, secluded forest. It was built into a small hill with circular windows. There was a tall arched wooden door that had a small crescent shaped window that only Kye was tall enough to look out of. 

     As the wooden door opened, they were greeted with the alluring smell of broccoli cheddar soup. The best kind of soup, according to Genevieve. The warm steam of the vegetables. The velvety smooth texture of freshly grated cheese. It was like Heaven to her. 

     “Aww look, the two love birds are finally home!” Laughed a voice from the kitchen. Kye rolled her eyes. 

     “Give them a break, Norah.” Came a soft voice from behind them. Sitting on the sofa was Adeline, flipping through the static channels of the TV. 

     “Why are you even trying, not like we will magically get anything but static these days.” Genevieve muttered to the persistent Adeline. Kye took off her coat and Genevieve’s and placed them on the coat rack by the door. Norah set the warm bowls on the long rectangular wooden table in the center of the cabin. Adeline reluctantly switched off the TV and made her way to the table. 

“Sooo…” Norah began, everyone’s head turned towards her, “…how was the date night...?” She teased at Kye and Genevieve. 

“Really, Norah?” Adeline interjected disappointedly. 

“No, no it’s fine-” Kye looked at Norah and recalled, “it was lovely, the stars were magnificent tonight!” Norah smiled and slurped up her soup, gaining the attention of the judging eyes of Genevieve. Genevieve was born into royalty and was taught to have the best of manners, especially at the dinner table. Even though she ran away from the throne years ago, those habits are still engraved in her mind. 

“…Genevieve! That is no way to act at the dinner table, now you show some manners like a true princess. Why can’t you be more like your sister? I expect you to take the throne next year and this is no way to act.” The faint sharp words of her mother’s lectures burned through the back of her mind. As well as the long tiring days of trying on extravagant dresses until her body was sore from corsets and bustles. 

Once they had all finished, Adeline and Norah cleared the table and began washing the dishes. (Adeline and Norah told them that they didn’t have to do anything, it was their special night, their monthiversary to be precise. They had been dating for about six months.) Genevieve’s hand made its way to Kye’s. Genevieve looked at her and whispered, “Guess what?”  

Kye smirked knowingly, “What did you do?”  

“I…made a little something…” Genevieve quickly grabbed her hand pulling her abruptly out of her chair. She stumbled after Genevieve into the kitchen, confused by her sudden eagerness. 

“Close your eyes!” Genevieve exclaimed. Kye shut her eyes without hesitation and felt their hands let go. A sudden sweet aroma filled the room. Next, she smelled red velvet, the silky scent of creamy chocolate, and the soft smell of buttermilk. Kye treasured red velvet cake. She was glad Genevieve remembered it.  

“Alright…” Genevieve stifled back her excitement, “Open!” Kye opened her eyes and was welcomed by the warm lights of the kitchen. Presented in front of her was the most elaborate cake she’d ever seen. Each of the four tiers were decorated meticulously with star-shaped icing and fondant constellations.  

Kye’s jaw dropped in amazement, and she squealed in excitement.  

“What?! How did you have time to do this? We’ve been together all day...!” She exclaimed, thinking through their day together.  

“Not... all day…” Genevieve winked and grinned lovingly at Kye. 

“This is amazing, I love it so, so much! This means a lot to me! …shall we have a slice?” Genevieve set the cake down and began cutting the triangular slices. Meanwhile Norah and Adeline had finished the dishes and were busying themselves with some brain game they bought at the market last week. 

They rarely ever go to the market; it’s too far a walk to go there weekly. Kye couldn’t have gone either, she’s the only one with wings who could just fly there… if she wasn’t wanted for two accounts of murder, and multiple accounts of thievery. 

Kye was born into a strict family and lived in their village in the Western mountains. From an early age, Kye was fascinated by the stars and spent countless nights stargazing. Since she was an only child, she was often left alone with her thoughts, hence her more serious, but creative, personality.  

Her parents were both accomplished astrologers, however they never had time to create a strong bond with her. Kye was full of questions that she almost always had to figure out herself.  

Despite her love for astrology and stargazing, Kye always felt like an outsider. Her serious personality and introverted nature made it difficult to form a close relationship with others. That is, until she met Genevieve. 

Morning came quickly and soon the sound of sizzling bacon, and the beeping of the pancake maker came from the kitchen. Kye looked over at Genevieve, who was still sound asleep. Her hair was still beautifully curled, and the morning sun seeped through the curtains onto her soft skin making her glow. She quietly got up and made her way to the lively kitchen. 

She turned the corner and gasped in disbelief as she looked up and down the cabinets, the walls, and the countertops. It was all coated in pancake batter; every single inch of it. 

“Crap— “Kye looked over to see Adeline who was also covered head to toe in cake batter. Her eyes were wide in shock, and she scrambled to the sink. 

“What on earth happened?!” Kye called out. Adeline looked up surprised and fumbled with the soap. 

“Uh... I tried to make pancakes but I’m clearly not as good as Vee.” (Vee is a nickname for Genevieve)  

“Ah yes, she makes it look so easy.” Kye sighed and went to grab the towels under the mixer. They began to clean up as the sun persistently rose, and more small rays of sun seeped through the curtains where Vee slept peacefully. Adeline and Kye both tediously scrubbed and wiped at the messy counters. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─── 

It was midafternoon now; Vee and Adeline were packing a backpack with snacks, flashlights, and some money. They were on their way to their weekly visit to the market. Vee kissed Kye goodbye and set off on their journey.  

The sun shone through the dancing leaves, giving the leaves a yellow-green hue. The ambiance of the birds and woodpeckers already busy with the day’s work echoed through the dense forest. Adeline looked around calmly and unfolded the map. She began tracing over the highlighted path with her finger while Vee was thinking through what flowers to bring home.  

Adeline looked up from the map and began walking through the forest, Vee following behind her. It was the perfect weather, sunny but not too hot, and windy but not too cold. They made their way through the live forest and soon heard the music and crowds from the market which cut through the ambiance of their current location.  

As the vibrant colors of tents and flashing lights came into view, the smell of warm soft pretzels, hamburgers, and their all-time favorite, Manticore Apples & Lavender Strudel. Manticore Apples are common at this time of year, so they will usually stock up for the winter.  

“Here, if they don’t have enough bananas, then just get blue artic mangos, I’ve heard they taste the same.” Adeline handed Vee the list and unfolded a compact bag. 

“Got it.” Vee assured. “Only 32 strudels...that won’t be enough...” She muttered under her breath so Adeline couldn’t hear. They walked together until they set foot upon the muddy gravel then parted ways. Adeline went to the left and started down the narrow path to the butchering tents.  

The tents' colors were faded, and the wood structure was warped. 

“Four cloud toads, eight weeping manticore, and two pine cow livers please.” Adeline reached down into her tattered tote bag and grabbed the amount of money needed before the butcher spoke the price. She mindlessly placed the weathered gold and silver coins onto the counter.  

“Will that be all Ms. Melbourne?” The butcher voiced from the back of the tent.  

“Yes.” Adeline paused and started to panic. “H-How do you know who I am?” 

“Well, you do come here every week.” The butcher replied as he set the order onto the counter. Adeline did go every week; however, she did not ever mention her name, especially her last name. She knew if she did, she’d be recognized at once as Queen Melbourne’s daughter. Thankfully, there were no guards here in Alovaria, but there were still plenty of missing person signs. Adeline grabbed the food and went on to the next tent.  

Meanwhile, Vee was busying herself with the wondrous task of getting fruit and beans. As she walked down the pathway, barrels of vibrant fruit surrounded the tents. The floral aroma made her feel calm and safe. The wooden supports of the tents were stained a deep brown, and some were painted a myriad of colors by the local children. Everywhere she turned, she was met with smiling faces and laughter of women, probably talking about the latest news on the new mayor. This was by far her favorite chore, unlike Adeline. 

On her way to the exotic fruit tent, she saw a tall, scrawny boy pasting posters onto each wooden pole he could manage to find. He was taking the posters out of a big brown satchel that was filled to the brim with them. His tattered vibrant clothing and oily spiky hair gave off a strange and eerie appearance.  

Vee walked to the pole the boy had just scurried from. She looked up at the cursive lettering on the pink and blue poster and began to read with curiosity. 

CELEBRATORY MASQUERADE BALL 

The town square kindly invites all people to join us at the Alovaria City Ballroom this Saturday evening. This ball will be hosted in celebration of the newly appointed governor of Archana. Food and drinks will be supplied but it will be greatly appreciated if you bring along some more for others. 

September 6th 

16:30 – 00:00 

Alovaria City Ballroom – Enter gate one. 

Genevieve read carefully, then read it again. The last time they had had a city event, let alone a dance, was when she first met Kye—two years ago.