E&T: A Night We Wonât Forget (Part 2)
I am a cat and your emotions are a ball of yarn (â'âĄ'â)đÂ
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Ingredients: a little possessive/noncon touching (unsexy)
After that song ended, Erebus shooed Neteri off to go talk to Alina, and it was only until he found himself entirely alone that he realized that might not have been the best idea. Normally at parties, people were walking up to talk to him all the time, but here...no one even spared him a second glance. Well, he was rather hungry, and he should probably give those flatbreads Neteri suggested a try, since itâs not like they could taste bad. He wandered over to one of the food tables, scanning it for-there, that had to be them. He reached for one-
âDonât eat that.â
âWhat?â Erebus looked up to see a girl about his age standing next to him, arms crossed as her green eyes bored into his.
âTheyâre terrible.âÂ
âBut...I was told to eat them by my-my-uh...my sister. She said I had to eat at least five of them or I canât say I had a good time.â He didnât really know why sister was the first thing that came to mind, but he supposed the way Neteri doted on him was sort of sisterly, at least as far as he could guess as an only child.Â
The girl raised an eyebrow. âWell sheâs playing a mean trick on you, then.â
âI guess she would-well...â he could see Neteri doing that to mess with him, but they were both well aware that his tongue made anything taste good, so there wasnât much point in trying to play a prank like that on him. He reached out and grabbed one. âIâll take my chances. I trust her.â
âYour funeral,â she huffed, twirling a lock of her long, black hair around her finger as he took a bite.Â
Despite her warning, he found it delicious, the perfect balance of spicy and sweet, and he could tell that wasnât just because of his tongue. âThis is fantastic,â he proclaimed after he swallowed. âYou really donât like it?âÂ
She glanced around furtively before leaning in slightly, her voice dropping in volume. âI donât like them; I love them. Enough that I wanted all of them to myself. But you had to go and ruin that, misterâŠâ she waved a hand expectantly.
âUh...Erebus.â
âMister Erebus. So now youâre in on this with me whether you like it or not. Do not tell anyone how good these are or they might end up all getting eaten and then we will both be sad all night. You feel me?â
âI get it, I get it, I wasnât planning on telling anyone about them, anyway, since I donât really...know anyone.â
âOf course you donât.â He felt a bolt of fear shoot through him, did she know he was-Â âNobody does at these sorts of things.â She fell silent for a moment as his anxiety subsided. âShiori.â
âHuh?â
She sighed. âIâm Shiori. There, you know someone else now.â
âOh. Um, itâs nice to meet you, Shiori.â
Just then, the music changed, the beat sounding a little faster. Shioriâs face broke out into a smile. âOh yes, this is a fun song.â Before Erebus knew what was happening, sheâd grabbed his hand, pulling him slightly. âCome on, dance with me for this one.â
âUh-alright.â He followed her to the dance floor, face flushing. Why was he even getting all nervous, heâd danced with plenty of girls in his time, and honestly there was less pressure this time since not as many people were paying attention to him, but something about her asking him to dance made his heart beat faster than it had any right to. He was able to calm himself once they started dancing, concentrating on the motions as much as he could. Shiori was quite a good dancer, a better match for him than Neteri since she wasnât so ridiculously short.Â
âSo where are you from, Erebus?â Shiori asked after the song changed to a slower one.
He hesitated a second, but he decided to just tell the truth, though not all of it, in favor of getting caught in a lie. âI-Iâm from Nathar. In BerkĂ©.â
âOh, werenât you recently conquered by Xerna? Is that why youâre here now?â
âYes.â He fought to keep his voice calm, his expression neutral. âWhat about you?â
âUrtam! My fathers are merchants, though, so Iâve been all over.â Erebus nodded; theyâd done trade with that small, coastal kingdom to the south.
âHow cold does it get down there? Have you ever, uh, seen snow?â Part of him wanted to steer the conversation away from his life, and part of him really was curious.Â
âOf course I have! It gets cold enough to snow most winters, but nothing you canât handle, you know? Why, does it not snow in BerkĂ©?â
He shook his head. âNope. Iâve never seen it before. Iâve always wanted to, though.â
âHuh. I usually find it annoying, myself, but I guess it is really pretty. Even once you get tired of it, you canât help but love the sight of it blanketing everything in white.â She fell silent for a moment. âI donât think I dislike it as much as I thought I did.â
Erebus laughed a bit. âWorth seeing, then?â
âFor sure! Iâll make sure to throw some in your face if Iâm with you so you can have the full experience.â She laughed at his confused face. âWhat, canât handle a snowball fight?â
âSnowball fight?â
âWow, you really are clueless. Okay, you pick up snow, make it into a ball, and then you just throw it at each other. Itâs the great test of champions.â She smiled proudly. âIâve got an impeccable record myself; I bet Iâd make short work of a newbie like you.â
âI, uh, bet you could.â Oddly, he wasnât too put-off by the possibility...At that, the song ended, and it was just then that Erebus realized how close they were standing. He felt himself turning red again-or maybe heâd been red the whole time and he was just getting redder-but soon enough she stepped back, though she didnât let go of his hand.
âCome on, letâs get some more to eat. I didnât get enough earlier.â After filling plates with a variety of food, including at least four of the little flatbreads each, they made their way out onto the patio. The sun had already set behind the wall of the cliff at the back of the palace, but the area was still bright, glowing lightstones set with smaller air minerals floating around up above. People milled about, but it was certainly less crowded here than it was inside. They managed to find a small, empty table and sat down to eat. Erebus tried to focus on his food, but he got caught up wondering what was prettier, the pink and gold streaks of clouds above them, or the girl sitting across from him. He...he could say that, but he didnât know how to put it, or if it would come out right, heâd probably just embarrass himself. Heâd never really tried to hit on a girl before, especially not one he didnât know well-
âThe Midnight Sun always looks so odd during twilight,â Shiori said, looking up at the cliff towering over them.
âOdd how?â Erebus had only seen it during the daytime before, when it was just some crystals set in a rock face, but now that it was starting to get dark out, it was beginning to glow, a sight he found quite captivating.
âWell, during the day, itâs a bunch of dark rocks in a wavy cliff, and at night, itâs a big shining...sun thing. But during twilight and dawn, it just looks...wrong? I donât know...the fact that itâs glowing so faintly just seems off for some reason. Be bright or be nothing.â
âI guess that makes sense...Iâve never seen it at night, though, so I donât know if I can judge.â
âYouâve never seen it at night?!â Shiori nearly jumped out of her seat. âSo youâve never even been here before tonight, huh?â
âWell, I...Iâve been to the city once before, but only during the day. So Iâve actually really been looking forward to being out here at night.â
âWell, in that case, letâs stay out here until it gets dark! I mean you can see it through the glass ceiling inside, but I feel like you need to be out here for the full effect.â
âAre you sure youâre alright with that? I-I donât want to take you away from the party or the people you came here with or anything-â
She waved a hand. âNah, I just came with my parents, and theyâre off doing their own thing. Besides, Iâm having fun with you!â She smiled warmly at him before glancing at the party inside. âI love just getting to know random people at these things, even if I end up never seeing them again. Because even if weâll both forget tonight someday, itâs still fun right now, you know?â
âYeah. Iâm having a good time with you, too. So much that I...I donât think Iâll ever forget tonight.â Erebus laughed a little as he smiled back at her, though inside he was grappling with the fact that he really would never see her again, that she would forget this night someday, that she would forget him. But it made sense, he thought, that she wouldnât remember him over anyone else. There wasnât really anything that made him special to her, he was just the guy she met because he ate the food she was trying to keep to herself, but part of him wanted so badly for someone to remember him like this, someone whose memory wasnât tainted with the image of him chained to a post and screaming.
âYouâre sweet.â She took one last bite of her food and stood, holding out her hand. âCome on, letâs go for a walk or something! Iâve heard this place has some cool gardens.â
âIt does!â She raised an eyebrow as he took her hand and stood. âI-I saw when I visited here before. During the day.â
âWhy were you in the palace?âÂ
âI...itâs a long story.â Thankfully, Shiori didnât push it. They followed a path marked by the floating lightstones to one of the gardens, which ended up being the one with a large fountain (a word Erebus had learned since his trip into the city) that was full of Mydnarâs tears, brilliant blue flowers that floated on the waterâs surface. Ordinarily, the fountain sprayed water straight up, but tonight, the stream split into eight and arced through the air, bouncing off of lightstones floating above the pool before raining down. Despite how beautiful it was, there werenât too many other people here.
âWow,â Shiori breathed, wonder glittering in her eyes.Â
âYeah.â Erebus found himself nearly speechless at the sight, and right then he was so incredibly grateful to be here, in this moment, with Shiori. He did his best to burn every detail of it into his mind, the way the water sparkled as it splashed, each delicate flower petal, the brilliance of the fading colors of sunset, Shioriâs beautiful smile, the shine of her long, dark hair, the feeling of her fingers against the back of his hand. He had to remember this, hold every little detail in his heart for forever, because the rest of forever was going to cold and empty and lonely and painful and this was maybe the last time that heâd-
âAre you alright, Erebus? You seem...sad.â Shiori looked up at him with concern as she gave his hand a squeeze.
âYeah! Yeah, Iâm alright I was just thinking about...It doesnât matter, I-â he shook his head, stepping in front of her and holding out his other hand. âWill you dance with me?â
âOf course!â She placed his hand on her hip before laying hers on his shoulder. âAlthough...itâs kind of hard to hear the music from here, so Iâm not exactly sure what dance we should do.â
âWe could just sort of...dance slow?â Erebus offered, not really wanting to go back to the party quite yet. He knew theyâd have to eventually, that heâd have to return to Neteri and his cell and the table, but for now he just wanted to pretend that theyâd stay here forever, that there was nothing outside of this moment. That sentiment only strengthened as Shiori nodded and held him close as they started to sway gently.
He wasnât sure how long they stayed like that, and part of him didnât care. The only time he looked away from her for more than a moment was when the sun finally set, causing the Midnight Sun set in the cliff to flash brilliantly, showering them in bright crystalline light for a second before it settled to a warm, steady glow. It really was gorgeous, but the sight of that symbol alight...his chest throbbed slightly, and he turned away, doing his best to ignore it, focusing on Shioriâs warm hand in his, not cold cuffs encircling his wrists, on the sound of splashing water and quiet music, not the murmurings of a crowd, on her eyes looking at him with kindness, not with pity, of Xernaâs sun made of crystal, not metal.
They danced and laughed and walked around the garden and talked about little nothings, and he was able to forget everything but the present for once, holding onto every moment so tightly that his memories and anxieties for the future melted away, letting himself believe he was really just a regular person having a nice night, undeniably human without a care in the world. Heâd go back to his home, sleep in a real bed, and when he woke up he could do as he pleased, he could see Shiori again tomorrow, and the day after, and-
âItâs getting kind of late, so we should probably head back, shouldnât we?â Shioriâs question snapped him back to reality, and all the circumstances surrounding it. âDonât get me wrong, Iâve been having a good time, but I donât want my dads to think I went missing or something.â
âNo, that makes sense; I should probably see whatâs up with-with my sister, anyway. I donât think she wanted to stay super long.â Heâd known they were going to have to leave eventually, but it still killed him inside that this was over now, that he really couldnât stay here forever. He tried to savor the last few moments of holding her hand as they walked back, hoping she didnât feel him shaking slightly.
Once they were back inside, Erebus scanned the crowd for Neteri, which was a little difficult given how small she was, but at least he was relatively tall compared to most of the people here, so it evened out. Eventually, he spotted her just as she was saying goodbye to Alina. Once the other woman left, he waved to Neteri as her eyes wandered in his direction. Once she saw him, she smiled broadly and beckoned him over. He held up a finger and turned back to Shiori. âI see my sister so Iâm going to go check in with her really quickly. Iâll be right back, just-â
âAw, is that her? Sheâs so cute and tiny!â She looked back and forth between them. âYou guys donât look too much alike, huh?â
âWeâre, uh, we get that a lot.â
âWell, regardless, Iâd love to meet her! So letâs both-â
âN-no, thatâs, um, sheâs...sheâs really awkward. Like really awkward and I donât want her to say anything weird or try to embarrass me because she likes doing that so Iâm just going to go talk to her really quickly and Iâll meet you right back here okay bye.â Erebus slipped away as soon as he was done talking, hoping Shiori wouldnât follow. He knew Neteri would ruin things somehow if she talked to her, either by getting mad at her for touching her...her property without permission or unknowingly saying something that contradicted the story about himself that heâd told Shiori.
âThere you are, Erebus! I was starting to get worried.â Neteri rubbed his arm, and he could somehow tell she wanted to touch him more possessively, but was restraining herself. âWhy didnât you bring your little girlfriend?â She smiled deviously, cocking her head.
âSheâs not my-I didnât want her to-â
âAww, afraid I might steal her away?â She laughed at Erebusâs bewildered expression. âIâm just teasing, I get why you wouldnât want her to meet me. Donât go getting any ideas, though.â She reached up and cupped his cheek, stroking it with her thumb, and in that moment Erebus was very glad heâd said she was his sister. A gesture like that between anything but family or...or lovers...it would be weird. Still, he gently swatted her away after a moment, and she didnât persist like usual. âHave you been having a good night?â
He smiled and nodded firmly. âI have, and not just because of those flatbreads, itâs been reallyâŠâ His face fell. âItâs time to go, though, isnât it?â
She smiled sadly. âYeah, it is. But you can go say goodbye to her first. Iâm not in a huge rush.â
âThanks.â Erebus started to walk away, but he stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. âDid you have a good night, Neteri?â
âI did!â She blushed fiercely. âAlina and I, uhâŠâ She clasped her hands in front of her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. âOh, Iâll tell you later.â Erebus smiled and shook his head before returning to Shiori, who had busied herself with a small plate of cream puffs. He took a deep breath as he got close, trying not to think about what saying goodbye to her meant.Â
âWhatâs up, Erebus?â Shiori innocently looked up at him, holding out her plate. âDo you want one?â
âI-uh, sure, thanks.â It was so light and delicious and sweet, and he probably wouldnât have something like this for a while-no, no, donât think about it, donât cry-
Shiori giggled. âYou got cream on your nose, here.â She gently wiped it off with a handkerchief, and Erebusâs face burned red once again.
âThanks. But, Shiori, IâŠâ he cleared his throat, âI have to go now. Thank you for making this such an amazing night I had a lot of fun with you and I think youâre really pretty and Iâm really glad I got to meet you.â He blurted it out with an embarrassing lack of eloquence, but he was too nervous and sad to do any better. Shiori didnât seem to mind, looking up at him with a warm smile.
âIâm glad we met too, Erebus! You made this a night to remember; I had such a good time! In fact, I...â She set the plate down, turning back to him with a hopeful smile. âWhen can I see you again?â
Erebus froze, panic starting to worm its way into his mind. W-what was he supposed to say he wanted nothing more than to see her again but he-he-he was- âI-I would really love to meet up with you again, Shiori, I really would, but I...I canât and I canât explain why-itâs complicated and thereâs nothing I can do.â He blinked away the tears that were rapidly forming in his eyes, fists clenching.Â
Her face fell into a look of dejected confusion. âO-oh. Well, if you, uh, change your mind or whatever...how about you meet me by the fountain in the central square in three daysâ time?âÂ
âI-okay.â His heart broke as he said it, at the thought of her waiting for him, her wanting to wait for him, scanning the crowd, her hopefulness dwindling away with the hours, but what was he supposed to say, that he didnât want to see her again, that he didnât like being with her, that she hadnât made him feel normal and shamelessly happy for the first time in months, that he really wouldnât mind just- âI wonât forget you, Shiori.â He stuck out his hand, trying to keep it steady. âAnd thank you again for a wonderful night.â
She took it tenderly, far more tenderly than she had any right to, and brought it up slightly. âAnd I wonât forget you, Erebus.â And then she leaned down, and for the briefest moment her lips were against his knuckle, and then she was gone, just like that, vanished, and he knew he would never see her again, that every fantasy heâd dreamt up over the past few hours would never come true, and maybe some part of him vanished with her, and there was another hand in his now, one that stroked him lovingly only a little more often than it held the blade that sliced his skin.
âAre you ready to go now, Erebus?â
âY-yeah.â No no Iâm not wait just another second-He curled his fingers around hers-please I donât want this part of my life to be over I donât want to say goodbye not yet not yet-and took one last look at the quieting party-please just one more moment I promise Iâll savor it just let me stay for a little longer-at all the smiling faces and glittering gold-I donât want to let go I canât I canât why do I have to go please please let me stay here forever-the last few people on the dance floor wrapped in each otherâs arms-why canât I stay-as the rest trickled out-why does it have to end-
And then he turned around and followed Neteri, leaving the party behind. Leaving Shiori behind. Leaving his old life behind. Leaving Prince Erebus Arctas Fradier behind.
Now he was just Erebus, and he was just Neteriâs, and heâd never be anything more.
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