Blue sky, white fluffy clouds; the perfect day shines down on The Kingdom of Midday. The newlyweds are on their way inside the castle to be greeted by a cheerful friend. It’s Nite-Nite.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG2yv2ZEiV
“ooo, look who's back! Had fun?” Nite asks, mockery lacing the undertones of his voice.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5alMrAWR9K
Lullaby shoves his head; a playful gesture.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOtrEFUHrS
“Don't be jealous.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaEvGJMRCS
Nite laughs putting his hands behind his head following beside them.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf31itT4PBU
“Please.” Nite scoffs.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ry02Ng7my
Prom walks ahead and puts her hands behind her back. Her shyness is a battle hard to win, she likes to avoid being seen romantically in public as much as possible; yesterday couldn’t be helped.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPInVz4xZOj
“Oh looks like everybody's ready to go,” she states.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizfiTOBDZN
End, Hershie, and Qiyamah have their luggage ready to go.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OoDCE2OrC
“End, Hershie, if you don't have a place to stay you can always stay in the kingdom until you get one. But it's completely up to you.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAIhU9p8od
End and Hershie don’t have families, they grew up as orphans. They’re not the only ones.
Pageant comes up folding her arms. She talks for Prom, something she may do often.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdMoP5buVF
“Hmph. Or, perhaps, she's saying she wants you to stay.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgKwpGRXxk
“Ugh, was not!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Ipc2SnVY
“I don't care.” Hershey says. It sounds like a better idea than what they had in mind.
End laughs resting his hands behind his head.
“Then what are we all packed for huh?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r85RpnB7Z
Prom smiles at them. They’ll be better off here, safer. They have a place to call home here.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVAQ4gwoVj
“Oh, Lullaby. Is it okay if I take them to—”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Wh6BP4av
“Sure, we're not going to stick like glue all day long.” he says and pinches her cheek. “Only a part of the day hun.”
Let's be realistic here, even couples need their time away from each other.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcjlw3L6H7
Prom gave a slight smirk as her hair slipped in front of her eye. She pushes his hand away.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCPGHWe8wo
“Thanks. Okay, come on guys.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7IdYvF3hT
“Where we goin’” End asks.
“Part of the day? Das crute.” Hershey lingers on that point, hoping to gain a good laugh.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ayTSBORo
Prom shakes her head, their chatter growing more distant as they proceed up a grand staircase.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK5FcJ0xki
Now just Lullaby, Nite-Nite and Qiyamah remain. Lullaby’s eyes drift towards her.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSsrUJpE58
“Eugh, look at you Qiya!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXuA1GEgT
She’s all dressed up still standing there holding her luggage.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMckWuB1eNj
“Eugh! Look at you Lully!” she snaps back. What’s this boy’s problem?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9LNYzwDEN
“Ugh, It's just, I guess this means you're going home now?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxpMvrkkgM
He looks to the side visibly upset. Hopefully she changes her mind.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HxO8OdLiI
“Mhmm.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6GIEERVsu
She said that without hesitation with a firm nod. She has no intention of staying here. Considering everything, he has to come to terms with it.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHnRCQD20w
“Well, I guess you have to at some point huh? Just uh- Let me take you home huh?” Lullaby insists.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXI1BjClmH
“Um... Uh... I guess it'll be ok…”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iB4X52Tc2
Something different creeps onto her face. It’s unsure, but something else too.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2ggItdRpx
“Yeah, I know you're a long ways from home... So, what do they wear in your country?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa44G6O72Tz
“Um, normal stuff.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o5E5lnoUd
Her eyes became big as they revolved around. The kinds of questions he chooses to ask just don't make sense sometimes.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b1uCTNhRO
“What does it matter anyways?” Nite asks curiously.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeAidvX7b4
Lullaby shrugs.
“That way I'll be at home.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITFbfOzcWy
“I guess. But don't think you two are leaving me here by myself!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlr58Fk2BE
“Course not, what's a trip without your best bud huh?”
Nite laughs.
“Yup!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQg75Yo3yU
Qiyamah is looking at them up and down. They’ve just invited themselves, haven't they? ‘Cause who else did?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zmFzXDFyI
“Just don't get me in trouble,” she demands.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKayvy3aNGn
“Trouble? Pffft, Qiya just give me–”
“Five Hours!” Nite blurts out finishing Lullaby’s sentence. Remember how long it took on the wedding day?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dfJ0o8doH
Lullaby shoves his head and finishes anyways.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OzHTjBvN7
“A sec to get ready 'kay?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m3Hjcl6EW
“Okay,” Qiyamah says with a frown.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhTi6HrFV6
She didn’t ask for any of this in the first place.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzvJvV0LKE
“By a second, he seriously meant five hours,” Nite says with a sigh.
Qiyamah laughs, “He like accessorisin'”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLWRmJhtoY
MUCH MORE THAN A SECOND LATER…
Lullaby walks up with his hands in his jacket pockets wearing casual street wear, whistling. His shirt reads in bold print: “Thanks Babe”.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmMbUqds7d
“I'm ready ♪ So, I guess this'll be good enough.
Qiyamah frowns, giving him a sharp side-eye. What the heck is he thinking? He must not know…
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANALvdTiyg
“Sure you wanna wear all dat?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB61XpHsGN
“Wait, why wouldn't I be sure?” He doesn’t get it. He continues to ramble. “Hm, It's probably gonna be a long trip huh? Ha!” He hugs her. “That means we'll have lots of fun!”
And more time together. It’s hard to watch your best friend leave, even when you know you’ll see them again.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xEfUKdAWU
“Ok, Ok! You smotherin' me!”
Qiyamah’s face is red with frustration, she fights her way out of his arms giving him a shove.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3SbTcoWRq
Just then, Nite-Nite walks up with snacks loaded in his arms.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2WbVyGpZX
“Oh, he's finally back,” he says, noticing Lullaby.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaChj2UWOc5
Qiyamah sniffs the air, smelling his strong grape scented cologne. She laughs cracking a joke.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFM1EYskOQ
“You know you black.”
Nite laughs shaking his head. That’s Qiyamah for you.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3emmqVpEf4
“Finally! You’re back!” Lullaby yells.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNiXazRHIb
A little game to shift the blame. Look who’s wasting time now.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2WrkMMXzk
“And no! I didn't spend that whole time getting dressed either!” Nite states, seems like he’s defending his dignity now.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ysx7yo23I
“What? I didn't spend that whole time getting dressed that would be ... crazy or somethin'. I uh, packed some stuff too,” Lullaby says with shifty eyes.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5a07tdiA8
Guilty as charged. But He’ll never admit it.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI0AcCeUAm
“Yeah, that took like two seconds I'm sure,” Nite scoffs.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa6n3WuoHM
“Yeah? And who's counting?!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIWReQ3sFe
Qiyamah’s eyes flicker from each of them.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKjKjcVYhl
“ ...Y'all strange.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCNMi043y0
“Anyways!” Nite interrupts again. “I was getting snacks, like chips and Blast Tarts.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaiknaG0A1
“Oh yeah! I like those things... did you get those, those crumpet thingies?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfOYWtecT8
“... Crumpet... thingies?”
“Whatchu talkin bout?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW9PaLnK3M
Confusion floods their faces for just a moment. Then, Nite puts his hand on his face and looks through his fingers at him exhaustedly.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayZ5GZ40z0
“Depends on what you mean by ‘crumpet’”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftVC5cRfW2
“You know…” Lullaby makes a circle with his hands, attempting to explain himself. “They're circle and they got uh– chocolate things in it. You know—The things I—You know!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXCrtrgNb0
Could it really be that hard?
His words hung in the air. Qiyamah burst into laughter. It took a moment, but she thinks she’s translated this foreign language of his.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMcUpBnlhX
“Oh! You mean COOKIES?!”
Of course he means cookies. Nite laughs, yet unamused. His head drops. It’s just too much.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SE6DceMPr
“You mean cookies I'm sure,” Nite says confirmingly.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL4t5OjnPt
“Oh yeah!” Lullaby snaps. “Those things.”
He snatches as many packages of cookies as he could hold.
“I like these!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnV5mpeULE
“Uhuh,” Nite answers dryly.
“Straight from London or somethin'” Qiyamah jokes with a wrinkled lip.
“Worse…” Nite jokes.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6Pd8T2848
Who don’t know what cookies are? Lullaby, apparently. It’s nothing new really, especially not to Nite-Nite. Whether it’s a pie being a strudel or a strudel being a dumpling, it’s always misconstrued some way or another. Who does that? Only Lullaby!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02MuxO3UGL
But, here we are again, wasting valuable time.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkUbe3GNpD
“Augh, let's go! We gotta get on that flight!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXgcnaHEIe
Nite doesn’t like wasting time. They got going, this is important after all. They’re seeing their best friend Qiyamah off.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZKiFvmpn0
They’ve never met Qiyamah’s family before, so they’re a little curious to see what they’re like. It’s been quite a while since they’ve been in a family setting themselves.
They arrive at the airport, it isn’t long before the madness begins again.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFOPmUpJA0
A loud roar fills the sky, as an airplane takes off. Lullaby’s body jolts, startled by the sound. His eyes follow the airplane in awe.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUuQFe7B4C
“Oh my God what is that? I never seen a car that big,” he mutters.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UpJTeKSXv
Of course, right? It’s easy to forget he was raised under a rock. Nite-Nite smirks.
“You mean airplane.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRcCV6AkYZ
Qiyamah erupts into laughter.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1NRGKkSxb
“Yeah! You stuck in 1720 somewhere, or even further back.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuOhetPUR7
“Airplane?” Lullaby still stares in awe at the grand skybird ascending. “Sounds like a water company.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1CMam97c0
Nite-Nite whistles holding back a laugh.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM94ZyBeOs
The whole experience is new to Lullaby, he has one question after another. Good thing Qiyamah and Nite know what they’re doing or this would be an entire nightmare. And to think he’s the oldest, ha! He’s like a baby in a toystore. Look at him.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplMibr1xTJ
He has his face pressed against the window, the world growing smaller beneath them.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTd0qbUugi
His black vampire wings; which you would mistake as a cape otherwise, flap; they are marked with a red heart in the center of each one. The mark of a special Crimson Vampire.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMP1ns9vEw
Crimson Vampires are different from average vampires, they can withstand the sun just like any other human. So, it isn’t very uncommon to see them walking in broad daylight. In fact, at their core burns a fire; where their power comes from. So the sun only makes them stronger.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx0P9nrNOJ
“Wow, we’re actually up high and I don’t even gotta move my wings!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0LQNCt1Lo
“Yeah. That’s why it’s an airplane,” Nite states the obvious.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wadHfa0pJ
“Yeeeeeah,” Qiyamah says. She just doesn't understand what world he’s from; not yet.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOwgS2TWAu
At their destination; New Wave, an unforgettable city with magic hidden beneath, they wait at the airport for Qiyamah’s parents. Lullaby paces back and forth getting impatient.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eZRVKsM7f
“God where’s momma?!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvAKzlVez7
Just then a van pulls up, a very roomy van built for a large family. Qiyamah's heart jumps up to her throat and her eyes nearly shoot out of her face. She holds her stomach like an unexpected bathroom visit just settled in, she rocks nervously.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XXRIe36Uc
“Oh, neat.” Lullaby stares at the car. He just knows it’s them.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrBY5AJVIN
The car comes to a stop. A black man with a stern exterior sits in the driver seat. His eyebrow nearly goes through the roof of the car the moment his eyes meet with Qiyamah’s new friends.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0CnMw9oIr
He gets out.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDtfvF7lY8
“Baby girl!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bOUxemgZz
His voice hit like thunder; loud but joyous. Qiyamah’s body jolts, as if she were hit by lightning.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m7joteWeN
“Daddy!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxsAeE5MxW
She immediately runs over to them fumbling over her words, like a child tattle telling.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsP3hPBNdl
“Dey–dey–dey–dey—”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKxsVicQCb
Lullaby walks up beside her giving her a gentle nudge with a warm smile on his face.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJbt69ZQpq
“Well, aren’t you happy to see your parents,” he says teasingly. Truly happy for her.
Qiyamah takes a calming breath, getting herself together. She looks at her father with a soft, yet uncertain face. Her father is an assertive and stern man at times, what is he going to think of them?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDm4lNLLsq
“These are good people, they’re my friends, and they wanted to meet my family.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbY23tcRmv
“Heey, where’s momma anyways?” Lullaby asks. It sounds like she’s the only one he really wants to meet.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOeouRx4lm
Her father, Fajr; his eyes become narrow, his face hauntingly unreadable.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvWqCoaipB
“Get in the car.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyk7PlwI7e
Without further discussion, Qiyamah runs and gets in the car.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQzfZenU6P
“Who is y’all to my daughter? Y’all came from… that place?” He goes on questioning the young men.
Can you imagine what would be going through an average city going father’s mind with something like this? Who are these unusual funny looking characters? Is this some kind of cosplay?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypZ1O1zxvI
For some reason Nite-Nite seems to be just as shaken as Qiyamah; he just met the man. But anyone knows when a guy’s not someone to be messed with. He fumbles over his words like a criminal in interrogation.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XAvtNVDbA
“Uh–uh–uh, we’re here friends and—”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6SiXpUBxS
Lullaby cuts in, he’s not nervous any ounce.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHiDCRKwiH
“Oh yeah, Qiyamah’s so cute, she’s my bestie. Lucky guy you are, huh?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisfwvpZt57
Something dark falls over Fajr’s face and he steps back, his stare unmoving.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq51bhjAqD
“We’re not bad people, we believe in God,” Nite reassures him. He elbows Lullaby hard, catching him off guard.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcMT4rArXR
“Hey!” He realizes the intensity of the situation. “Oh uh, yeah–”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVIDW5tQQ5
He grabs his jacket, he looks at the words on his shirt. This could look pretty bad. He lets out an uneasy chuckle.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EswyNm0ck
“Oh no–yeah, we believe in God.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoAI3SobH8
He reaches in his jacket and pulls out a small, well preserved book. It is black and red with fine gold details.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmnsFo6i6L
“I got my Holy Book right here.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRRtI9cx2Q
He flips through the pages a little, looking lost in a distant nostalgic moment.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFFCD3IRtU
“We don’t mean any harm sir,” Nite adds.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqU70pexMF
With one hand, Lullaby closes the book. He lifts his gaze as he tucks it away carefully.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYMu4k5HEF
“Yeah, we’re definitely not bad guys. Mm-Mm, we just tagged along with Qiya since it's such a ways away. We wanted to make sure she got home safe, you know?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsMUhRu9MQ
Fajr let the boys explain their case for long enough. For a moment, something more gentle settles onto his face.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx5xrzE1ee
“Oh, well at least y’all lookin’ out for her.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeedzFRxmd
“Uh yeah, guess we could, you know– go now. She’s uh, safely in your hands guy.”
Nite backs up. Maybe they should leave. Unwanted company isn’t good company. Lullaby nods and does the same.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb33UOjuvP5
Maryam, a light skinned heavyset black woman speaks from the passenger seat of the car.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpWy9kCTn0
“Well, if they came all this way then we might as well see who Qiya hangs around.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqzKSG95Ad
Lullaby smiles.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEjziM1DPa
“That must be momma,” he says in a low whisper absolutely thrilled.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53aISqLF3w
Nite-Nite shakes his head.
He just doesn’t get it, does he?
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kzUP1f1VL
Fajr ponders.
“Hm, I don’t know..” He pauses, then sighs.
“Fine, just no mess or you’re coming right back to this spot, understood?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QsQrrhIc7
Undoubtedly, his assertive tone states he means business.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFbrXIEVpM
“Really? Thanks.” Nite says, a hint of unsurety remains in his voice.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxibaskip7Z
“Yeah, thanks a whole lot.” Lullaby agrees.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO7TgoCDNG
Who could believe it? Is it a trick? Or something else?
Well there’s more than what meets the eye and its good advice; never judge a book by its cover, but its contents. Sometimes you have to read further than the first few chapters though!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9zvO06O37
Fajr laughs. What’s so funny?
“No, thank you for lookin’ out for my girl. Get in the back.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRjRC5d3Bv
That’s right.
Lullaby and Nite stand there for a moment in disbelief. An uneasy laugh escapes Lullaby’s lips.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCRIQEWchi
“Cool.”
Nite gives him a side-eye. It seems too often they don’t see thing eye to eye.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbceSCrH75
“Let’s hope we don’t get killed half to death by the time we get there!”
“What? No way!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9iWFyfujI
Honestly, these people wouldn’t hurt a fly. They have hearts of gold just like Qiyamah.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBsLs2pITt
After a drive, they come to a modest house; not too big, not too small. Qiyamah’s home for many, many years.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lXW9sR5UN
“This is your house huh?”
Lullaby stares at it a moment.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcLD7qS4OY
“Interesting.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywUEiE0wzX
Qiyamah moves away from him uncomfortably, hoping to be forgotten about. Fajr’s keys jangle as he flips through them.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c2WwwIqA1
“Mhmm,” he mutters in response.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg6gK1L7SO
As they enter, the kitchen is already at work. The aroma of a full course meal dances through the air with a jig. Chilli burgers, chilli fries , cookies, cakes, you name it; it's on the menu. Big liters of soda sat in the center of a glass table, glass cups lined beside it.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WsH3dNYGr
“Smells good in here!”
Nite-Nite seems excited, he hasn’t had a decent meal in a minute. Little snacks are nothing like a homemade meal. Everything here is made from scratch.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xA09rCIXk
“Mhmm, Sholl is!” Maryam exclaims.
“Ooo!” Lullaby yells.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7JeUwZgZg
He hops right onto the marble kitchen counters. Has anyone ever taught him manners? Or anything for that matter?!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLjWFUYVdZ
“I just love kitchens!”
He caresses the counter top with his hand, letting it lead him into a laying position; belly first, legs swinging.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JPPNfWgDa
What in the world is he thinking?
“Alright,” Maryam says firmly.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoYKcyfB4Q
She grabs his arm just as firmly and yanks him off of the counter top. His eyes pop out, they flicker up and down, taken back by her strength.
“That’s a firm grip you got there Momma.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEG79YG0iu
“Nasty butts don’t belong on my counter.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyD7EvgXBr
Another tall skinny black woman lets out a laugh. Her name is Ihklas, she’s partially responsible for the delicious disaster of a feast. Her hands are still at work.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN9Pye8JGX
“Mhmm, where’s your home trainin’ boy?” she asks.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHJU5GhtuE
Everyone’s wondering at this point. Laughter rings throughout the kitchen and dining room, even Fajr lets out a chuckle.
Everyone except Qiyamah, her face looks like she ate a freshly picked lemon. He’s going to get her in trouble!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFI5dymxW8
“Ooo, sorry…” Lullaby says. He rubs his arm like a hurt kid.
“That’s what chairs are for,” Nite teases.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoKyuKV88W
Everyone is finally seated at the dinner table, after saying a blessing; mingling.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR2DQ5CsFR
“Thanks for this, and sorry if it was a sudden visit. Qiyamah’s just a really nice girl and we wanted to meet her family” Nite explains.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj8kSyhM1L
“Sure did, especially you,” Lullaby adds, pointing at Maryam with a wink.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmgioheVPO
Maryam smiles a little flattered.
“Mhm, Glad she been behavin’”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PfG3ORHCs
“That’s sweet. She must’ve had a lot of good stuff to say about us,” Ikhlas replies.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB6zVitj8d
“As long as she ain’t been doin nothin’ wrong,” Fajr says wrapping his arm around Qiyamah. “We expect the best out of our children.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vsh3NJBDh
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOClfFVoSJ
Lullaby smiles, drifting in his thoughts. Something about this is different. Something about this is like a good memory. This is how family is meant to be.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJA8Fq2cVn
He watches three young adults, around Qiyamahs age; in their teen years, two of them make awkward silly faces sticking out their tongues. It’s a boy with brown skin and a neat fade haircut and a girl with light tan skin, straight black hair and bangs; Isra’il and Amy. The third boy; low hair cut, midtone skin, and a jacket patched with teddy bears, whispers.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDzXz4QPHa
“Why y’all faces like that?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUEJCrKuzE
That is Mika’el. Beside him a little baby boy sits in a high; Falaq. He watches Lullaby’s wings flutter slowly. He swings his feet mesmerized by the motion.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJJKyaPFT2
“I want to get to know all of you, so you have to tell me.”
Everyone’s attention turns towards Lullaby.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DOYEUbuI6
“I guess we should introduce ourselves first!” Nite says nudging Lullaby.
There’s clearly a manner issue here.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3dDeUUONe
“Aw, that’s no fun,” Lullaby mutters.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQLL2BfoEh
“I’m NiteNite Crescent. I live a very long way away from here. I’m sixteen and uh– I don’t have any family…”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3vUQbjDzj
There’s a pause as he reflects on his life. Lullaby lowers his head.
“I’m sure they died in a fire, when I was younger. Our house caught fire.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rWbPaNN4J
Nite’s eyes widen as he realizes the gloom settling on everyone’s face. He lets out an uneasy laugh.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zCHEIdcZI
“Yeah, that’s basically it!”
He looks down poking at his food with a frown, hoping he hasn’t ruined everyone’s mood.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgkWddwHT8
Everyone responds vaguely. Amy stares at Mika’el with a sad look in her eye. He holds back his emotions.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sQjPdik8t
Darn it, that didn’t go so well. How can anybody eat after all of that?!
Nite elbows Lullaby.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE42sddrOhL
“I don’t want to say nothin’!” he blurts, everyone looks at him, he laughs.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWrvXEVmA7
“If I gotta… I’m Lullaby and I’m 19 years old. Oh, and don’t forget my birthday is March 2oth, you can take notes if you like. Oh… and, family… I have family. They’re just far away right now, that’s too bad! Haha, oh and yeah, I was just married a few days ago.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe4LeFaXlR
A glare of mischief glazes his eyes and he points to Qiyamah. She needs to be put on the spot, she needs to pay for pushing her best friend away. How dare she!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaS0Ohe9QQ
“Isn’t that right Qiyamah!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbKe7b8QNF
Before Qiyamah can speak, everyone bombards the conversation. Some speak loudly, others mumble under their breath. Fajr nearly chokes, clearing his throat.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnu36gKkne
“To whom?”
Maryam lets out a loud chuckle.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqraNeH3Rv
“Oh Fajr!” she elbows him. “She ain’t married to no boy like that!”
Her last word is so sharp it stings.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJhmANjh8M
Ikhlas face twists all up.
“Ooh, I hope not.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW4rABGZOH
Isra’il cackles loudly.
“That would be Naaaaaasty!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKdbFlNXkk
Amy agrees with her expression alone. Mika’el the softest of the three tries to be optimistic, although he looks like he witnessed an alien abduction up close.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga9gQcBH6E
“Ain’t nothin’ wrong wit’ that…” his eyes ease towards Lullaby, then immediately flicker away. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong wit’ that.”
He repeated those words as if he was trying to convince himself.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIsnxq75h9
Falaq rambles baby gibberish into the air, the only audible word is “Mama!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptHBHxPBVt
Finally, Qiyamah broke through the chaos.
“Eugh! No! That didn’t happen! Swear to God!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xn1oI4kar
Her last word shakes and hangs like a preacher on a pulpit. Fajr rang out in agreement like a congregation yelling hallelujer!
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWdHun6wrj
“Dang straight it ain’t happenin’”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhkXeSOMl3
Wow, is… he really that bad? Did that harm her more, or him?
Jokes over. He laughs.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmSa73JuIm
“Yeah, she was our flower girl, she was so cute. See.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOZJRwVWSG
He takes a picture out of her, it’s from his wedding. He passes it to Fajr.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiXtZU2q9f
“Aw would you look at that,” Fajr says adoringly.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopLG4JJUsS
“Aw man! We should’ve been there! She would’ve been cuter!” Maryam exclaims.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQpLlKSUU
“Oh Mary, she’s cute like that,” Ikhlas assures her.
“Dang!” Isra’il rings out like a cruel jokester.
Amy pops him on the back of the head.
“What?!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOm8EOa0dq
Mika’el’s eyes grow wide, “Big… and pretty.” He nods.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLf0n6OZ2M
Qiyamah’s face is as red as a tomato.
“No I ain’t…”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLJlzFZMMP
There’s too much going on at once. She didn’t expect this today.
But she still hasn’t paid enough, so it seems.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBBrACa5OU
“Heh, I think that’s all I should say…”
Lullaby laughs behind his fist
“Because I just might get dangerous.”
He smirks; sharp fangs expose themselves.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k61lChaiK
Fajr raises his eyebrows, his eyes shrink.
“Right, let's not.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S8Ndebo70
He doesn’t know when to quit, does he?
“Somethin’ wrong witchu,” Maryam says with an uneasy expression
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyCMOyBzr7
Everyone’s muttering snazzy comments at him. Nite decides to step in and shift the tone.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnflThbMgtB
“Hey! Tell us about you guys huh?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6bX1MeuZo
Finally, the calm has come.
“Sure, I’ll start. Names Fajr Ma’un. I’m the father of the household and I have high expectations for my family. We serve God and we expect no less from our guests. I don’t mind you being Qiyamah’s friends as well as ours, as long as you abide by the rules of God.”
Lullaby puts a cherry sucker in his mouth.
“Sounds deep.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bzOdwB0hA
“Cool, that works,” Nite responds.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqlL7p2GKM
“My name’s Maryam Ma’un. My first husband died and Fajr took me in as a wife, like the book says. I’m happy to have a good husband, even though he passed, I still love him. We did this to keep the family together. My parents also died, so I feel your pain Nite, I feel it.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhJARRLc1q
Prom better not die! Lullaby’s face shrivels at the thought of it.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ0hmQ6RTO
“I’m sorry you lost so much,” Nite empathises.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnSLeF7RCh
“Um… I’m Ihklas. I like cooking and spending time with my family. I love them dearly, I don’t know what I would do without them.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKpF1VsBJa
Everyone continues, having their time to introduce themselves one by one.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUePeUezp62
“I’m Amy, I don’t live here, I live next door. I have a mom and two sisters. Oh and Dad calls every now and then. I like doing art, playing my acoustic guitar, and hanging out with my friends of course.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1nNxHqrod
It’s finally Mika’el’s turn.
“Uh… I’m Mika’el. My family… died in a fire too ‘cause… Alfred.”
A darkness looms over him, his face carries pain and something darker.
“He burnt momma to death…”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11wakSMjMY
The table falls quiet. After a moment Mika’el sighs, he escapes reliving an unwanted memory.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjSgpiIovH
“But anyways, luckily God bless, Amy & Isra’il helped me. Fajr, Maryam, and Ihklas are looking after me until I get adopted.” A smirk eases on his face, sarcastic but light. “Coo huh?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63OEdYdZjD
Lullaby stares at him. Poor guy, just like Nite. A sense of grief overshadows his expression.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsESdDuEGJl
“Yeah, guess we have that in common.” Nite says.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVk5WmepJF
Mika’el nods and looks at Isra’il.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa4GESdXAB
“I don’t know!” Isra’il pauses reluctantly, but continues. “I’m Isra’il Ma’un. I like helping mommy, big momma, and daddy. I’ll do anything I can for them. I like to do other stuff too but that’s it for now. Besides…”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIrdxeCBSE
He clears his throat and mischief flickers in his eyes.
“Big momma’s secret!” he slips in under a cough.
A wooden cooking spoon pops him on the head. The whole table erupts into laughter including him.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7odq8yJzZO
“You know, you’re all real nice people,” Lullaby says.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1akJdNcXW
“Yup! And it’s really nice to meet you guys,” Nite adds.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsh79qJWqc
“It’s getting late…” Lullaby says.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y0aCJyMVj
The family says their goodbyes, seeing them on their way. Maryam, Ikhlas and the three others are clearing the table and cleaning up. Fajr and Qiyamah remain.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ64l86LcR
“Ain’r you gone say goodbye to your friends?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5A5azhQrF
“Uh… I guess.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy9WWGWK2j
“Go on.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRmUrftybt
Qiyamah meets Lullaby outside alone. His mind caught adrift; something troubling it seems. Until he sees her. He gives a soft smile and softly pinches her cheek.
“Sorry if I caused you too much trouble.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJifQBaQun8
“No… They actually seem… strangely ok with it.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSJ8AJeveo
“Well, I’m glad I got to meet your family. I actually think they’re really nice people. I see why you love them so much. They’re irresistible, like you.”
He pokes her nose.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxwneDFt4S
She smiles a little flattered.
“Yeah guess so.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjGHNraU5x
“Yeah…”
A troubled expression creeps back on his face, he looks up at the night sky.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtFxDSTJXV
“You know, I want to meet your family. What they like?”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCgm3tuWhn
“Huh?! What, no.” Lullaby says with a frown and turns away trying to ignore her.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilDT1J0ETy
“No, seriously! It’s only fair!”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIl6W0iWn1
“Aw, well life’s not fair hun. Plus, I don’t have time for that.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNolMAPby8
“What? You really gonna take me through all of this stress and not even—” she scoffs, shaking her head.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9V9LYCSVR
What kind of friend is he?
“Ugh, I…” he stammers.
“Fine, if it’s like that.”
She turns her back on him.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIPTLc5Vi5
Why does she have to be like that? She just doesn’t understand. Some things are better left in the dark.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEC1Z8IrGh
He sighs.
“You know, speaking about home, I think I should get back. I bet Prom is screaming my name right now.” he laughs. “Poor baby.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikwsKfpGos
Qiyamah stays firm in her stance, not giving him even a side glance.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39UCSCbRJW
“See ya Qiya.” He ruffles her hair. “Tell your parents thanks for everything.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPCZM2YRNU
A beat; his hand slips from her hair and he turns walking away in the silence. Qiyamah sighs, turning to him.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvYEPnOjlq
“Okay.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50dGa7d8H3
He smiles and points at her. “Oh and you should visit me sometime.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFezraMdOO
“Mhmm, I’ll think about it.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKrESNpSrw
“Better!”
Qiyamah laughs.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaG4R6uD1N
“Okay, I will if God wills. Bye Lullaby.”
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWFcUqrYif
He’s hard to stay mad at. They’re best friends and after all she did push him away today, that’s not what good friends do. So, they’re even.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kqPGccQfW
Still, what is it about his family? What does he have to hide? What happened? So many questions remain unanswered.
16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1eDxq9vaz
然後按「加至主畫面」