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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsG3xTT8BD
“ooo, look who's back! Had fun?” Nite asks, mockery lacing the undertones of his voice.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxQBKmp2Y8
Lullaby shoves his head; a playful gesture.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM42qZVDwz
“Don't be jealous.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaIxy03ndv
Nite laughs putting his hands behind his head following beside them.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3zyuuvD9i
“Please.” Nite scoffs.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYprIIBDt7o
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvb5DZDEV6
“Oh looks like everybody's ready to go,” she states.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0h6x0e5z5
End, Hershie, and Qiyamah have their luggage ready to go.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqV07Fb6Ez
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeTkwlmVmc
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwoyXWmNnc
“Hmph. Or, perhaps, she's saying she wants you to stay.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngjKIKGfov
“Ugh, was not!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo73Nm3BuBi
“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?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMctYBUBtkz
Prom smiles at them. They’ll be better off here, safer. They have a place to call home here.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy71VmWTl5q
“Oh, Lullaby. Is it okay if I take them to—”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJNCNQzRry
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7StULCgwC
Prom gave a slight smirk as her hair slipped in front of her eye. She pushes his hand away.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g7UUyo6rl
“Thanks. Okay, come on guys.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH3a33890t
“Where we goin’” End asks.
“Part of the day? Das crute.” Hershey lingers on that point, hoping to gain a good laugh.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8HDshSAG4
Prom shakes her head, their chatter growing more distant as they proceed up a grand staircase.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVz4ji2zb2
Now just Lullaby, Nite-Nite and Qiyamah remain. Lullaby’s eyes drift towards her.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktSF7MIX8v
“Eugh, look at you Qiya!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUzHEq02ag
She’s all dressed up still standing there holding her luggage.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzeWrMYhPc
“Eugh! Look at you Lully!” she snaps back. What’s this boy’s problem?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dC7jLgGcq
“Ugh, It's just, I guess this means you're going home now?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uuVaJtn3D
He looks to the side visibly upset. Hopefully she changes her mind.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cQI3t0g84
“Mhmm.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf02BuBNnS
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEF8V0vvH8
“Well, I guess you have to at some point huh? Just uh- Let me take you home huh?” Lullaby insists.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef3KGZtj2g
“Um... Uh... I guess it'll be ok…”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUxjsqSVPP
Something different creeps onto her face. It’s unsure, but something else too.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uVpi9enJk
“Yeah, I know you're a long ways from home... So, what do they wear in your country?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPGYBk2Qpa
“Um, normal stuff.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnex0QdDmlg
Her eyes became big as they revolved around. The kinds of questions he chooses to ask just don't make sense sometimes.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbUeaS6IpW
“What does it matter anyways?” Nite asks curiously.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwcYaSWt5h
Lullaby shrugs.
“That way I'll be at home.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2dxeAGxIv
“I guess. But don't think you two are leaving me here by myself!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUza2UQLOeD
“Course not, what's a trip without your best bud huh?”
Nite laughs.
“Yup!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP3zWw8Szt
Qiyamah is looking at them up and down. They’ve just invited themselves, haven't they? ‘Cause who else did?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu59ufbRKc6
“Just don't get me in trouble,” she demands.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpRzSr0sW
“Trouble? Pffft, Qiya just give me–”
“Five Hours!” Nite blurts out finishing Lullaby’s sentence. Remember how long it took on the wedding day?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj3khZBCFn
Lullaby shoves his head and finishes anyways.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrcoew1nPY
“A sec to get ready 'kay?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb1AddJquN
“Okay,” Qiyamah says with a frown.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawpJX7IA8a
She didn’t ask for any of this in the first place.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRnvoepANr
“By a second, he seriously meant five hours,” Nite says with a sigh.
Qiyamah laughs, “He like accessorisin'”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX2WGA0Ptw
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”.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa4gTRaTvo
“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…
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC9yy5ZEIh
“Sure you wanna wear all dat?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen6lQ7MmTp
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yfgqzwT3a
“Ok, Ok! You smotherin' me!”
Qiyamah’s face is red with frustration, she fights her way out of his arms giving him a shove.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcTJgr8YCE
Just then, Nite-Nite walks up with snacks loaded in his arms.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5rsjOU6Ly
“Oh, he's finally back,” he says, noticing Lullaby.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfAAqtLfSR
Qiyamah sniffs the air, smelling his strong grape scented cologne. She laughs cracking a joke.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpXetZ5g5y
“You know you black.”
Nite laughs shaking his head. That’s Qiyamah for you.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4TiwRdpmZ
“Finally! You’re back!” Lullaby yells.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8ZjPiv7M8
A little game to shift the blame. Look who’s wasting time now.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtqUQKwJWg
“And no! I didn't spend that whole time getting dressed either!” Nite states, seems like he’s defending his dignity now.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNe9OHU1M0
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ961YQLANuv
Guilty as charged. But He’ll never admit it.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5HxWE24OQ
“Yeah, that took like two seconds I'm sure,” Nite scoffs.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Img1phGT
“Yeah? And who's counting?!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDTUqZrUU4
Qiyamah’s eyes flicker from each of them.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygj0YdIH7t
“ ...Y'all strange.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpUaENz9E3
“Anyways!” Nite interrupts again. “I was getting snacks, like chips and Blast Tarts.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc2J7tBkzn
“Oh yeah! I like those things... did you get those, those crumpet thingies?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEseAPjxzM
“... Crumpet... thingies?”
“Whatchu talkin bout?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJhrWyz7Ii
Confusion floods their faces for just a moment. Then, Nite puts his hand on his face and looks through his fingers at him exhaustedly.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ9jGeMfwr
“Depends on what you mean by ‘crumpet’”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5RBiKs2x6
“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!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6A7g42vrW
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprCbXhqNRE
“Oh! You mean COOKIES?!”
Of course he means cookies. Nite laughs, yet unamused. His head drops. It’s just too much.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJs0af8qlw
“You mean cookies I'm sure,” Nite says confirmingly.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVDsKRHzV
“Oh yeah!” Lullaby snaps. “Those things.”
He snatches as many packages of cookies as he could hold.
“I like these!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpcSc1GhhQ
“Uhuh,” Nite answers dryly.
“Straight from London or somethin'” Qiyamah jokes with a wrinkled lip.
“Worse…” Nite jokes.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBkyYyR6To
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!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAszYJeIoop
But, here we are again, wasting valuable time.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozdX5ZyIvA
“Augh, let's go! We gotta get on that flight!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GggD9IlPm
Nite doesn’t like wasting time. They got going, this is important after all. They’re seeing their best friend Qiyamah off.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2MGCKwtO7
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIOxVyhlhQ
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC1iuSFX2D
“Oh my God what is that? I never seen a car that big,” he mutters.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMHxm3Zpt5
Of course, right? It’s easy to forget he was raised under a rock. Nite-Nite smirks.
“You mean airplane.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQwLb3bLWj
Qiyamah erupts into laughter.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNiRP9nHGs
“Yeah! You stuck in 1720 somewhere, or even further back.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7HyUu4vUD
“Airplane?” Lullaby still stares in awe at the grand skybird ascending. “Sounds like a water company.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NnZFRIuoO
Nite-Nite whistles holding back a laugh.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeIesis7Tp
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyidYx3yYHH
He has his face pressed against the window, the world growing smaller beneath them.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13bmhikJ0k
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z0uKs9hEB
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpDd3GQnAW
“Wow, we’re actually up high and I don’t even gotta move my wings!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGHQuuOoDS
“Yeah. That’s why it’s an airplane,” Nite states the obvious.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJdinBZgpj
“Yeeeeeah,” Qiyamah says. She just doesn't understand what world he’s from; not yet.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcG6URt2uT
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQLWDJuqKz
“God where’s momma?!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJab6CwKvu
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FvImQKdHA
“Oh, neat.” Lullaby stares at the car. He just knows it’s them.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5iKfCYlwy
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWlxrQN5NG
He gets out.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaGqFxQwsn
“Baby girl!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW25tyMysU
His voice hit like thunder; loud but joyous. Qiyamah’s body jolts, as if she were hit by lightning.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNip9k6wI8b
“Daddy!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2jzGzQc4o
She immediately runs over to them fumbling over her words, like a child tattle telling.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ153VFDNOml
“Dey–dey–dey–dey—”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEXRqCla0T
Lullaby walks up beside her giving her a gentle nudge with a warm smile on his face.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuNMuP6sG6
“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?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5SCcrELXz
“These are good people, they’re my friends, and they wanted to meet my family.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsucnklUDE9
“Heey, where’s momma anyways?” Lullaby asks. It sounds like she’s the only one he really wants to meet.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5hXWV5Eiw
Her father, Fajr; his eyes become narrow, his face hauntingly unreadable.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLxuLJvZO7
“Get in the car.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuxcEealIi
Without further discussion, Qiyamah runs and gets in the car.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ2aBaDE6t
“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?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P2SRI4Qzj
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH5Kgrsuml
“Uh–uh–uh, we’re here friends and—”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v04Fwqh4W
Lullaby cuts in, he’s not nervous any ounce.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlpjUAOnvX
“Oh yeah, Qiyamah’s so cute, she’s my bestie. Lucky guy you are, huh?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxCd0IYFWt
Something dark falls over Fajr’s face and he steps back, his stare unmoving.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9x62jBNAr
“We’re not bad people, we believe in God,” Nite reassures him. He elbows Lullaby hard, catching him off guard.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I6PQRmpqa
“Hey!” He realizes the intensity of the situation. “Oh uh, yeah–”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcvscmoJvT
He grabs his jacket, he looks at the words on his shirt. This could look pretty bad. He lets out an uneasy chuckle.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ705qUXDDLA
“Oh no–yeah, we believe in God.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ5HLg7JDe
He reaches in his jacket and pulls out a small, well preserved book. It is black and red with fine gold details.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNIrmkSxqE
“I got my Holy Book right here.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdsSlsHAJj
He flips through the pages a little, looking lost in a distant nostalgic moment.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkuTrtDlgN
“We don’t mean any harm sir,” Nite adds.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosllzTZfmr
With one hand, Lullaby closes the book. He lifts his gaze as he tucks it away carefully.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfSS3I1g6b
“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?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsDitiAE3V
Fajr let the boys explain their case for long enough. For a moment, something more gentle settles onto his face.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovvJAnqCiD
“Oh, well at least y’all lookin’ out for her.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvjnuUyHL8
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXjYsZlSIZ
Maryam, a light skinned heavyset black woman speaks from the passenger seat of the car.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxhOWGhgNr
“Well, if they came all this way then we might as well see who Qiya hangs around.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscqFELDj56
Lullaby smiles.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelemEThQm8
“That must be momma,” he says in a low whisper absolutely thrilled.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9F6BPizxI
Nite-Nite shakes his head.
He just doesn’t get it, does he?
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0xQyJX9Wt
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?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2n5Vep7yN
Undoubtedly, his assertive tone states he means business.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5xM8Naktl
“Really? Thanks.” Nite says, a hint of unsurety remains in his voice.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9LagmII7L
“Yeah, thanks a whole lot.” Lullaby agrees.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjBMmw6aLr
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!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI4tWUnbE2
Fajr laughs. What’s so funny?
“No, thank you for lookin’ out for my girl. Get in the back.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv7q1qZBuO
That’s right.
Lullaby and Nite stand there for a moment in disbelief. An uneasy laugh escapes Lullaby’s lips.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSMyQ5O40Q
“Cool.”
Nite gives him a side-eye. It seems too often they don’t see thing eye to eye.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSCkNHhgtq
“Let’s hope we don’t get killed half to death by the time we get there!”
“What? No way!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgB2sVNgfD
Honestly, these people wouldn’t hurt a fly. They have hearts of gold just like Qiyamah.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7im7DINR
After a drive, they come to a modest house; not too big, not too small. Qiyamah’s home for many, many years.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyNhgdMt5K
“This is your house huh?”
Lullaby stares at it a moment.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UUaQB5tuJ
“Interesting.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEF9VLEi1t
Qiyamah moves away from him uncomfortably, hoping to be forgotten about. Fajr’s keys jangle as he flips through them.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYBBVaYv97
“Mhmm,” he mutters in response.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW99Y1kkzFb
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Iolp8d0Rf
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bHcivsQBl
“Mhmm, Sholl is!” Maryam exclaims.
“Ooo!” Lullaby yells.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iVts1EiZt
He hops right onto the marble kitchen counters. Has anyone ever taught him manners? Or anything for that matter?!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwpNnOSke
“I just love kitchens!”
He caresses the counter top with his hand, letting it lead him into a laying position; belly first, legs swinging.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40ulcur5I
What in the world is he thinking?
“Alright,” Maryam says firmly.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxXbisViaY
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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG3N7D1bQt
“Nasty butts don’t belong on my counter.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBIei1siyx
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbPf8UqyEU
“Mhmm, where’s your home trainin’ boy?” she asks.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFkgkObs8r
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!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4mmW6iV8m
“Ooo, sorry…” Lullaby says. He rubs his arm like a hurt kid.
“That’s what chairs are for,” Nite teases.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawxSYdEUBT
Everyone is finally seated at the dinner table, after saying a blessing; mingling.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BpNwMOvyU
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY6oXmKpqg
“Sure did, especially you,” Lullaby adds, pointing at Maryam with a wink.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuumFb6og5
Maryam smiles a little flattered.
“Mhm, Glad she been behavin’”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvu0Wb0Zph
“That’s sweet. She must’ve had a lot of good stuff to say about us,” Ikhlas replies.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6rakx1NxO
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i4Oz9NE6n
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk0oqalXFG
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU660KfFBr1
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMa8ekn45T
“Why y’all faces like that?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04kin5TacW
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1vmKRfmJL
“I want to get to know all of you, so you have to tell me.”
Everyone’s attention turns towards Lullaby.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmIydN5HSD
“I guess we should introduce ourselves first!” Nite says nudging Lullaby.
There’s clearly a manner issue here.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96oj4QTjUj
“Aw, that’s no fun,” Lullaby mutters.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzVhzreRku
“I’m NiteNite Crescent. I live a very long way away from here. I’m sixteen and uh– I don’t have any family…”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuuuvi1eo8
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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo59FzhjjJ
Nite’s eyes widen as he realizes the gloom settling on everyone’s face. He lets out an uneasy laugh.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwnLW6fevL
“Yeah, that’s basically it!”
He looks down poking at his food with a frown, hoping he hasn’t ruined everyone’s mood.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfULrys5Lfr
Everyone responds vaguely. Amy stares at Mika’el with a sad look in her eye. He holds back his emotions.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrLfTtogaU
Darn it, that didn’t go so well. How can anybody eat after all of that?!
Nite elbows Lullaby.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwrI0rELQL
“I don’t want to say nothin’!” he blurts, everyone looks at him, he laughs.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0V5f1B3eT
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c8j0HwsfQ
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!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoAVFV7gsj
“Isn’t that right Qiyamah!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN32PLznuu
Before Qiyamah can speak, everyone bombards the conversation. Some speak loudly, others mumble under their breath. Fajr nearly chokes, clearing his throat.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLQu9utvb8
“To whom?”
Maryam lets out a loud chuckle.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkkNQW1FQ
“Oh Fajr!” she elbows him. “She ain’t married to no boy like that!”
Her last word is so sharp it stings.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FHXKbgHmX
Ikhlas face twists all up.
“Ooh, I hope not.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY3Az0QS9Q
Isra’il cackles loudly.
“That would be Naaaaaasty!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsn2FlB4ZB
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCnaTMVSmI
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDNRiP2ax1
Falaq rambles baby gibberish into the air, the only audible word is “Mama!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwCz3Nm5Xv
Finally, Qiyamah broke through the chaos.
“Eugh! No! That didn’t happen! Swear to God!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u6IjTlVJU
Her last word shakes and hangs like a preacher on a pulpit. Fajr rang out in agreement like a congregation yelling hallelujer!
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEJrDcDU2o
“Dang straight it ain’t happenin’”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g2XNIVxJC
Wow, is… he really that bad? Did that harm her more, or him?
Jokes over. He laughs.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY6wloSk7k
“Yeah, she was our flower girl, she was so cute. See.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkolxPxAhVb
He takes a picture out of her, it’s from his wedding. He passes it to Fajr.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwjB0wQbbS
“Aw would you look at that,” Fajr says adoringly.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hud1yCoui
“Aw man! We should’ve been there! She would’ve been cuter!” Maryam exclaims.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vk6WovtPr
“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?!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4rZxkAQIT
Mika’el’s eyes grow wide, “Big… and pretty.” He nods.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlHt1o6WhO
Qiyamah’s face is as red as a tomato.
“No I ain’t…”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtNTHaY3sp
There’s too much going on at once. She didn’t expect this today.
But she still hasn’t paid enough, so it seems.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkbbHKmHET
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbznYb1Y4q
Fajr raises his eyebrows, his eyes shrink.
“Right, let's not.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJGtsuo3zO
He doesn’t know when to quit, does he?
“Somethin’ wrong witchu,” Maryam says with an uneasy expression
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdg6w7kccZ
Everyone’s muttering snazzy comments at him. Nite decides to step in and shift the tone.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvU09N68ow
“Hey! Tell us about you guys huh?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmigQaHQtk
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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltpCEGV8Um
“Cool, that works,” Nite responds.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhvKhS6cVY
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p0rI1ZVGk
Prom better not die! Lullaby’s face shrivels at the thought of it.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjDVIRI0en
“I’m sorry you lost so much,” Nite empathises.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsJpue50Gd
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOSSsRRuYY
Everyone continues, having their time to introduce themselves one by one.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VWQCMvjGA
“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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyVoDgl1R7
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…”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRenIfCW7wr
The table falls quiet. After a moment Mika’el sighs, he escapes reliving an unwanted memory.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXbhDzwMEM
“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?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfy47IN26W
Lullaby stares at him. Poor guy, just like Nite. A sense of grief overshadows his expression.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTR2TOd15Y
“Yeah, guess we have that in common.” Nite says.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1hxRA06J7
Mika’el nods and looks at Isra’il.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm0mIZmKiU
“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…”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIfRUjCZX1
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7hga4AHbs
“You know, you’re all real nice people,” Lullaby says.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVftJrPPAq
“Yup! And it’s really nice to meet you guys,” Nite adds.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5uPLx5diI
“It’s getting late…” Lullaby says.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZsSjfcrnD
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChbCixaHYC
“Ain’r you gone say goodbye to your friends?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIqTQfQqnx
“Uh… I guess.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAJAKga4eA
“Go on.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tXbs7OcnX
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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wkabK8ZVc
“No… They actually seem… strangely ok with it.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvIWWOBsI7
“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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WcP7WFdds
She smiles a little flattered.
“Yeah guess so.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy6vKPry3J
“Yeah…”
A troubled expression creeps back on his face, he looks up at the night sky.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeolMVTekd
“You know, I want to meet your family. What they like?”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2F5yBRZ8o
“Huh?! What, no.” Lullaby says with a frown and turns away trying to ignore her.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGUPWUoXZx
“No, seriously! It’s only fair!”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bv0cW6osS
“Aw, well life’s not fair hun. Plus, I don’t have time for that.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm9zhhTfOs
“What? You really gonna take me through all of this stress and not even—” she scoffs, shaking her head.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZCoiAdlYr
What kind of friend is he?
“Ugh, I…” he stammers.
“Fine, if it’s like that.”
She turns her back on him.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcET1i3apF9
Why does she have to be like that? She just doesn’t understand. Some things are better left in the dark.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrzoteHQlS
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.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpECcsvuHO
Qiyamah stays firm in her stance, not giving him even a side glance.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReBm1d7Cvg
“See ya Qiya.” He ruffles her hair. “Tell your parents thanks for everything.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT2yIRK5lI
A beat; his hand slips from her hair and he turns walking away in the silence. Qiyamah sighs, turning to him.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpCeIoEkf1
“Okay.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIA5DAlrSs
He smiles and points at her. “Oh and you should visit me sometime.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCYYNeXhyu
“Mhmm, I’ll think about it.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRtdcVNb7u
“Better!”
Qiyamah laughs.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTGCRB7ED5
“Okay, I will if God wills. Bye Lullaby.”
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37TKWCqC6f
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.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIYP1yy06M
Still, what is it about his family? What does he have to hide? What happened? So many questions remain unanswered.
675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEne6BmhZ7Y
and then Add to home screen.