After another day traveling the world, the young girl settles down at the local tavern to earn traveling expenses. 428Please respect copyright.PENANApjstPbKGzl
The young beauty puts on the barmaid outfit and sets out on the first shift for the day.
“Aoife, 2 beers for that group in the back”428Please respect copyright.PENANAy7mZcH6UUC
Aoife: “Got it.”
She glides through the pub with practiced grace towards the group near the back.
Aoife: “Your order.”
“Oh, are you new lass?”
Aoife: “Yep, just need some traveling expenses.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAfE7WlNVNrn
“Is that right….”
A sly hand slithers up her legs and comes a bit too close to her behind before she side steps.
Aoife: “S-Sorry sir, I’m not the menu.”
“No worries, just trying to enjoy before you leave.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAQzettfjNpD
Aoife ignores the comment and returns to work. Time flies by as Aoife’s shifts near its end. To her dismay, that same group is still here. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAv8WM9gGz4X
“Barmaid, another round for my buddies!”
Aoife looks to the owner but she looks away. She wonders if this something common, something she just has to deal with for the money.
She reluctantly goes to the near-drunk men and set’s down their 13th beer order.
“Come on lass, you’ve come over 13 times now. You're making us think you like this.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAABfkfE9Hz1
Once again, their hands start at her legs and attempt to grab her behind before she quickly side steps. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAvimEetGJsE
Aoife: “You know I have no choice, how about you stop already.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAcLRcf3vyBu
“*Hic* How about I cover your travel expenses and in exchange *Hic* you give us a good time.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAuWioF7c2G4
The leader of men stretches his hands more aggressively but before he could feel her another customer comes and the owner calls for Aoife.428Please respect copyright.PENANAA8tT8PAJcn
She quickly leaves to the drunken men’s frustration. Aoife receives the order from the owner and goes over to the new customer. 428Please respect copyright.PENANA5aJjzoGLn5
Aoife: “Here’s your order….sir.”428Please respect copyright.PENANACxFBopteEz
The two were frozen, glued to each other’s eyes and the beauty within. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAWSiI08pl7O
Aoife:” Um, do you have a name.”428Please respect copyright.PENANATZv8FlJkyr
“Jerome….yours?”428Please respect copyright.PENANArKcl6LXTH6
Aoife: “Aoife I-”428Please respect copyright.PENANAXEvpcKr81Z
Before the pair could ignite the developing spark, the owner calls Aoife to fulfill another order by the drunks. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAHTrXp1DiLO
Aoife: “Sorry, I gotta go.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAhgCgrOIKnO
Jerome: “I-I don’t mind, as long as you come back.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAxz5ujHug5r
Aoife blushed and smiled slightly before steeling herself for another groping attempt. 428Please respect copyright.PENANArsPMzD8u3F
Aoife: “Your order.”
The leader of the drunks ignored the legs and went straight for his end goal but before he could another hand grab his.428Please respect copyright.PENANAgAjRP1Hang
“What the-”428Please respect copyright.PENANAP1heiHkcQB
Jerome: “I think the girl doesn’t want to be touched.”
“Now who is *hic* you?!”
The drunks got out of their seats and stared down Jerome but he stood undeterred.
Jerome: “Just a humble traveler who prefers to settle things with a contest.”
“A contest you say, hehe, if the prize is that ravishing barmaid I’ll play any *hic* game you have in mind.”
Jerome looks at Aoife and winks. Usually, she wouldn’t take part in this game but for reason, she trusted any plan he has.428Please respect copyright.PENANAjfScpTnptq
Aoife: “Fine.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAD2e40kbump
“Ohhh, you hear that boys we’re in luck. So what’s the game, dart throwing, arm wrestling, or an outside brawl?428Please respect copyright.PENANAJYG8PMRgLS
Jerome: “The game is…..a singing contest.”
Aoife and the dunks both blink with confusion and astonishment. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAUJpXW5DQDJ
“You got to be kidding me.” 428Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4QI9PiUd7
Jerome: “What’s wrong, you said any game. Don’t tell me you fine gentlemen don’t keep your word.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAreHt8m3l93
The leader of the drunks takes a moment to think it over before downing another beer bottle. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAVNUYDemL33
“Fine, how good could you be.”
Aoife along with the entire bar stare with anticipation of the contest. The drunks went first and the result was an ear-splitting noise that you wouldn’t think came from a human. Their pride, however, prevented them from realizing their failure.
“Heh, *hic* hows that folks? I’m sure me and my bodies blew you away.”
Jerome: “You sure did, may I take my turn.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ8gSqTxJx
“Of course, although you may as well give up.”
Jerome: “Well, something things you can’t give up.”
Jerome looks towards Aoife who smiles back before taking out a flute from his bag. He took a seat as the crowd wait with bated breath.
Jerome then played.428Please respect copyright.PENANApZ3kfMP3KC
He played the flute with such a passion and grace that God himself seemed to cast his gaze towards the young man.
The world was a stage and he was the star.
Everyone was breath taken by his music but only one resonated with it, Aoife. She was transfixed by his melody, her heart beat faster and a desire to join in the symphony spread within her.428Please respect copyright.PENANANe8ZmPdRNb
Before she knew it, another blessed melody joined the cacophony. Her voice melded with his flute in a song that transcended simple “music”. Jerome noticed and got up without missing a note.428Please respect copyright.PENANAIJyksuGSzW
They played their music while looking into each other’s eyes, the spark had ignited. They then began to dance together in a way that seemed natural, as if they did this a million times before.
Another star had joined him on the stage.
They continued like this for a while before like everything, they came down from that heavenly high. They both stopped their performance at the same and once again the bar fell in silence.428Please respect copyright.PENANAwTEZRj8fhb
It didn’t look for the silence to reseed to the roaring applause of the bar. Even the drunks who now seem sober clap, they wouldn’t dare upset this delicate atmosphere. They left without saying another word. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAr0GfknE8Sk
Soon the bar returned back to normalcy, only Aoife and Jerome remained still in a trance. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAONuX18wgkc
Jerome: ‘Y-Your voice is….beautiful.”428Please respect copyright.PENANATYTFLdulRx
Aoife: “And you’re amazing on the flute, I-I just couldn’t help myself.”
Jerome: “If I’m not being too forward can I take some of your time.”
Aoife looked to the owner with some worry in her heart but they gave her time for a break. Aoife rushed to the back to get changed into more casual attire.
Jerome and Aoife then went for a moonlight walk. They talked about many things like how they’re both traveling the world and their love for music. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAmWh02Ogsa1
Soon they came to a picturesque log near the local river. They sat down and looked into each other's eyes.
Aoife: “Jerome, I know we just met but can I join you on your journey.”
Jerome: “I would love that Aoife, now that I’ve found someone who shares my passion for music I don’t want to go back to normal.”
Jerome put his hand on her cheek and Aoife accepted him, she closed her eyes in anticipation.428Please respect copyright.PENANA9T6hhS3fZF
They slowly closed the distance and locked lips. The most important kiss for them both. Their fates are now tied to one another and for this moment of bliss, they couldn’t ask for more.428Please respect copyright.PENANAlU1XD0QO6h
Sun and moon, together at last.428Please respect copyright.PENANAZbz5MTaPDT
428Please respect copyright.PENANA3Tcwj3Lw7W
I open my eyes in an unfamiliar place greeted by a chaotic blood-red sky. What….happened, what was that dream?428Please respect copyright.PENANAc5zTSO0hmq
I try to get up but I can only drag myself to the wall behind me. I must be really lucky, nothing tried to kill me while I was out.428Please respect copyright.PENANAGEyKbzusdV
Ravage: “Hey Blue.”428Please respect copyright.PENANASZ6b2dhSuV
Nevermind.
I quickly turn my head towards that familiar voice, why did I have to wake up to her. I guess it wasn’t luck but this mark kept creatures at bay, I wish I could forget that moment.
I take stock of my surroundings and notice that I’m on a stage within a hall where actors perform. A gaping hole lies above giving me a grim look at the world….at my failure.
Moryuu: “So, what do you want from me?”
Ravage: “Well I was chasing Magpie but she’s in one of those pillars. I was bored so I tracked you to play but….”
Ravage jumps out of the audience seat and comes closer to the stage. She then hops onto the stage with me but keeps some distance. 428Please respect copyright.PENANApTsuJMixvM
Ravage: “You’re still hurt, well that’s no fun.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAlRSYYs8yJ1
Moryuu: “Well too bad, now what?”
Ravage began to pout slightly, it would be cute if not for what she is.
Ravage: “I was looking forward to playing with you, I don’t know where the others are.” 428Please respect copyright.PENANANvcWlzTSi9
She went to the stage’s edge and dangled her feet, moving them back forth in a rhythmic motion.
Ravage: “I’ll just wait until you’rehealed, so booooring.”
Moryuu: “If it’s so boring, you could help so I heal faster.”
Ravage: “No, I settle for hearing your pained breathing.” 428Please respect copyright.PENANAJZwR5HDI9u
Moryuu: “Ugh, can you at least tell me what’s happening out there.”
Ravage: “….I gave master that eye and he….fused with the little girl into something else. I don’t want to talk about that, I rather plaaaay!”
So….Shadow got what he wanted. I can’t sit here, I need to finish this. I try to get up but I collapse back down in a pained groan. Much to Ravage’s amusement.
I need to get her to help me, as much as I hate that.
Moryuu: “Let’s make a deal.”
Ravage: “Oh? That’s fun, what are you willing to offer?”428Please respect copyright.PENANAmkcSsdBKTM
She says while grinning with those sharp teeth. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAbeV1pS0kdd
Moryuu: “I take it you don’t trust the being that Shadow has become.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAi9vCeRlf4i
Ravage: “….”
Moryuu: “Do you think that entity will give you any playtime with me. What’s worse is that this world is coming to end, no games for you when that happens.”428Please respect copyright.PENANAusQTuIpgGV
Ravage: “So what blue, as long as I have fun I’m fine.”
Moryuu: “If you help me we can defeat that entity and….I’ll you get out of here.” 428Please respect copyright.PENANAvFaQQJ3frg
Ravage: “Being stuck here does limit playmates, fine I’ll help heal you….for now.”
Moryuu: “Good, all I need some food and water. I can heal faster with that.”
Ravage nods and jumps off the stage while humming a tune that seems familiar.
That dream….was it even a dream? It felt different, like a memory.
But it couldn’t have come from….Ravage. Aoife is completely different from that creatures, so much so that she reminds me of Annette. 428Please respect copyright.PENANAHxzsuLKjpW
I hope I don’t regret teaming up with her, when she comes back I’ll get some answers. 428Please respect copyright.PENANA6XhnPuqDjH