Slapping a bottle of pop into Ben’s mitts was none other than Valory Fartford. Her stride was long as it took her less than three skips to exit the gate of the vast yard. Ben turned the bottle in his hands, a wry smile plagued his face. Melon…why is it always melon? Ben cracked open the bottle, took a gulp, and yep, a sour expression like no other. Gross, he thought.
“Yo, Horo, you want the rest of this?!” Ben hollered.
Shaking his head, Horo waved the offer. “Those melon drinks are whack, so no thanks.”
“Sure are, aren’t they…” Fermented melon milk. Seriously, who would like this?
Running through the prairie had Valory stripping her sandals, tying them by her waist cloth. By the bank rose four spires of cobblestone and lime, raised beds containing lilies and tulips stuck in rows before the sandy roads. Where beach began and road ended was a blur. To her east she saw Akli trying to light his cigarette.
“A tad humid huh? Should’ve gone under a shed,” Valory said as she slid down the slope of the bay.
“Tch, don’t matter,” Akli said as he stuffed the cig and lighter into his pockets. “Just cuttin’ time. So, how ya been?”
“Why did you threaten Krow?”
“Brat wouldn’t tell me where ya were. What else could I have done?”
Valory folded her arms, closing her eyes, she turned to the calm waters. “You're driving me nuts, I’m not interested, so don’t even suggest it. I only came here so you wouldn’t beat Krow up.”
“Hey-hey, alright…hear me out, why don’t I take ya somewhere for dinner? Just something chill, between friends.”
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“You said that last time, Akli, and what happened? You tried to get into my pants. I’m tired of it. What do you even do? For crying out loud, we’re adults now! Can’t you act a tad more mature!”
“Mature! Shit, what’s a guy to do at this age anyway?!” Akli shot his arms up.
“I don’t know, but you don’t see Dushyanta, Horo, hell anyone else that isn’t a gambling freak act the way you do! Fight, smoke, drink, sex, sleep, and eat! You repeat that everyday…one of these days I’m going to be off living my life, and in the passing I’ll hear that you’ve died in a ditch somewhere.” Valory gripped her arms tighter, no longer able to face the young man behind her.
“…”
“You shouldn’t worry Val, he’ll become a great man, I can assure you on that.”
“Who said that?” Akli twisted. Valory straightened to a fighting posture. The two squarely backed into each other, back to back, watching each other's blindspots; Akli and Valory tensed.
“You both are a lot more serious than I envisioned.”
“Who is talking?” Valory asked. “Akli, what’s going on?” She whispered.
“I don’t know…some little girl’s voice is ringing in my ears.”
“Ya think it’s safe,” Valory said.
“Hell no,” Akli dropped his shoulders to a position ready to run.
“You better not abandon me,” Valory hissed.
“Come on, I would never… Even if I did, I would surely call for help, if you needed it.” Valory kicked his behind, Akli dropped to a knee. His hand in the sand noticed one half his size. A small porcelain like hand, that had a seemingly glow such as the moon. Bringing his eyes higher he noticed a girl with hair as white as snow, eyes of gold, and skin as smooth as polished marble.
“Who the…?” Akli agape stared, a sinking feeling as though he encountered something he shouldn’t have rumbled throughout all of his nerves. Peaks of fear screaming in his mind to run, to escape, to never be in touch with which was near him; indeed the first time he ever felt the need to not strike first, but rather escape.
“Hello, my savior…my Saint,” the girl said, in a tone holier than thou.
“Akli, are you…” Valory turned to the girl raising Akli’s chin. Stunned, but not unnerved, Valory pulled at Akli’s unbuttoned collar; bringing him to his senses. She’s…I’m not sure, but she feels dangerous. But… “Snap out of it Graham. Who are you? I’m not afraid of hitting a little girl…although I would rather not.”
“Princess Haza-Ra Schizo of Nomkyak. It's a pleasure to meet you,” Haza said with a bow.
