Tinkle

Chapter Four

I stared at the chandelier mounted on the ceiling and crossed my arms.

The sofa bed was wide enough for us to lie down. But, I found a better way to lie down.

I hanged my legs on the outside back of the grey leather sofa bed, while my head and back laid on the cushion top. Basically I was sitting on the couch in a very weird position. The chandelier had the better view. I just don’t want it to fall anytime soon. Sitting like this help me think better, somehow, so don’t judge.

"She must be hurt somewhere. Why is she like that?", I heard someone said. It was Kurt.

I turned my head to the right side where Kurt was and glared at him.

David copied my position beside me and looked at me.  "What will you do now?", he asked.

I shook my head, "I had no choice. I am stuck with them.", I murmured at him.

"But your mom is worried.", David said.

I sighed and drew a small smile, "You're there, anyways.", I said. He just rolled his eyes.

"It's not like I can do anything when something happens.", he grumbled, pressured at the unwanted responsibility.

I chuckled, “I’m just kidding. Chill out.”, I said and he just replied me a puff of his cheeks. Sulky.

"You guys! You're going to ruin the outfit!", Ruben said and hit our legs slightly with a hand fan, making us sit back up on the couch.

"Wow, Seoji looked great in that Hanbok.", Albert complimented. I smiled at him.

"Thanks, you also looked great.", I returned the favor and stood up.

David rented a sky blue Hanbok for me to blend with theirs.

Soon, we walked outside towards the van Ruben owned for us to fill.

I stepped inside at the very back, at the middle.

Ruben was of course, the one to drive and Ben chose to sit beside him.

Albert and Kurt filled the first row behind Ruben and Ben, David and Steve in front of us, while Jorge and Evan filled the seats at either of my sides. Perfect. When everyone was in the van, Ruben already started the engine and stepped the gas pedal on the way to our destination where festival will happen.

I was quiet through the whole ride, and kept on looking at my watch. David turned his head at me worriedly, "It's nearly 7pm, are you sure you're fine?", he asked. I nodded and smiled nervously.

"Why? What's wrong?", Ruben asked.

"Ah, there's nothing.", I said and looked away straight to the window, where moving picturesque left as the van pass. I glued my eyes to the window and kept my eyes from gazing to Jorge who was rather quiet.

Actually it was my very first time to go out at times like this. Lunar or Solar eclipse was the time I needed to lock on my room with the red protection stones around my room and never go out.

I planned about this earlier, but I never thought I'll feel this nervous.

The van stopped and I was the very last one to get out because I was sandwiched between Jorge and Evan. I had to wait either of them to get out and they got out simultaneously.

I looked at my wrist watch. It's 7:10 p. m. and nothing happened yet, fortunately.

David went beside me as he clung his arm on mine, dragging me along with the others. Just one of his clinging instincts.

The place is really beautiful. The surroundings were filled with trees and few stalls. It was a lake park.

It was the very first time for me to attend a festival like this.

The stalls are filled mostly with lantern, ready to get lit later.

There was a lake in the middle of this place of course, where the water brightly mirrored the lunar eclipse. It’s already happening.

People watched the lunar eclipse while they wait for the time to lit the lanterns, which will be held at 8pm. That's at least what I heard from David.

It was really fun, as there was variety of things you can buy. It was like, we’re brought at the old times. Few jewel merchants here and there, food stalls with traditional foods, etc.

I kept as close to the boys so I won't get lost from the crowd.

I was left behind, so I held at one of the arm I grasped. He looked at me, startled, but then smiled his cute bunny smile.

Albert.

"Are you left behind?", he asked. I just shyly nodded when I noticed that it was stupid of me not to recognize his blonde hair. Well, it was dark. The lanterns that hanged at each of the stalls were the only light source there, aside from the incandescent lamp posts.

It was embarrassing to just grab at one of them, of course except Kurt and David, I am exceptionally close to that cute duo.

Since I was embarrassed, I should better man up with this embarrassment I chose, so I kept my arms linked to Albert's.

Steve looked behind and noticed us, which he then pouted, ran towards us and cling my free arm on his.

I shook my head and chuckled to his childish act.

Ruben spotted us and went towards us to hit our arms with his hand fan, yet again.

"Princess should not link her arms on princes!", he said, like an actual eunuch rather than a prince. I placed my hand above my stomach and bowed.

"I'm sorry, Prince Ruben.", I politely said and he put his left hand behind him and fanned himself, lifting his head slightly and cleared his throat.

"It's okay, Princess Seoji.", he politely said.

Ben and Jorge stood beside me with that "Prince etiquette ", and walked full of class.

Prince-like. I was just laughing at their fun and silly ideas. Too fed up by the role play.

Since I don't have any idea about this festival because this was my first time experiencing it, they would sometimes take turn to teach me about some things. About the stalls and such. Not that I am not educated, there were just things I have yet to know.

I ran off to this small stall, which had his shop with papers posted every part of the stall where different calligraphy were written.

"Would you like something for me to write?", the staff of the stall which I presumed to be the owner, asked. He looked like he was in his fifties or sixties.

"How much would that cost?", I asked.

"This will be free for a princess like you.", he said.

I looked behind me and saw the boys across the stall for a food stall. Them versus me; the difference.

I looked back at the old man with a smile, "Uhm, could you please write, 'Tonight, I fell in love with the dark blue sky'?", I asked, excited to the result.

He just smiled and nodded.

His calligraphy was simply an art. The brush touched the paper delicately with each stroke.

"Wow!", I exclaimed and smiled at the result.

"Can I really get this for free? This deserve a gold bar, mister.", I complimented.

He chuckled. "Of course, young princess.", he said. I smiled and bowed at him.

"Thank you so much!", I excitedly said.

When I turned around, I bumped to someone so the paper fell on the ground.

He crouched down and picked it up for me.

"Come on, the lighting of lantern will start anytime soon.", Evan said as he carefully placed the paper on my hand.

I looked back at the old man and waved at him and he waved back.

I followed behind Evan whose hands were behind him. I laughed slightly at Ruben's influence.

I fastened my pace to follow him when I bumped into someone.

Again.

This time, I held a good grip on the paper so it won't fall. Instead, I was the one to fall. Oh my, my poor bum.

I looked up and saw him offered his hand.

I looked into his familiar, black soulless pupils. He crept a smile, a smile I've never seen in a while.

"Long time no see, Seoji,", he paused and blinked softly like a cat’s greeting he added, "my daughter."

to be continued...