SHADOW

Episode 09: THE FALSE FLOWER

(Sora walks into a city and makes his way to a market; the market is crowded with people going about their daily businesses. He stands for a while observing everything and everyone as he walks into a fruit shop)

Seller: Welcome (smiling) what shall I get you? (Sora looks around the man's shop before he picked up a red apple)

Seller: That's ten cents sir

Sora: (gives him the money) Do you know where I could find a tavern?

Seller: We have many taverns here. Do you have anyone in mind?

Sora: The False Flower; where can I find it?

Seller: Nice choice sir. After you pass that big warehouse over there, take a right turn and you will see a big sign with the name. You wouldn't miss it (Sora walks out of the shop and through the crowd of people. As he was walking a young boy with torn cloth held him by the hand. He ask Sora for some food. After he gave the boy the apple, the boy runs off happy. Sora makes his way past the warehouse, he stands in front of the tavern)

Sora: He's right. It's hard to miss (He makes his way inside

Barmaid: What will I get you? (Looking at Sora)

Sora: Red wine will do

Barmaid: (Serves him and starts to attend to another customer)

Limbo: Is that not Lord Saito over there? (Pointing at Sora)

Fred: (laughs) Are you too drunk that you can't see that's not him?

Limbo: He looks like Saito and has the same hair color. I bet that's him

Fred: So how do you explain Lord Saito being a kid?

Limbo: (scratch his head) Am not sure. Maybe it has something to do with the Demon Scythe

Fred: How many scotch did you drink?

Limbo: Make fun of me all you want. I will go prove it now

Fred: (holds him) Why don't you go call Mistress while I keep an eye on "Lord Saito" (laughs at him)

Limbo: Why should I call her?

Fred: (sighs) Cause if that's Saito then he's probably here for her. After all they are friends, I think

Limbo: You are right (goes to call her)

Fred: (Takes a glass of scotch and sits next to Sora) My friend thinks you are someone we know. Someone who's really important

Sora: (says nothing to him and sips his drink)

Fred: (place a hand on his shoulder) what's your name son?

Sora: If you still cherish that hand I suggest you let go of me

Fred: Hmm kid got tongue, nice. You really shouldn't be making threats on unfamiliar territory

Sora: (grabs hold of Fred's hand from his shoulder and smash his head on the table. Sora bends the hard holding on it firmly behind Fred's head. Everyone in the tavern cheers for them) I'mma rip off your hand from it's socket and stuff it in your mouth, if you don't apologise

Fred: (teary eyes) Am sorry. I promise not to trouble you again

(A light ocean blue haired woman with purple eyes, thick red lipstick and thick long black eyelashes wearing a white shirt with loose buttons showing her cleavage. She whispers to Sora "Let him him go darling")

Sora: (turns looking at her he mumbles a word silently) she's fast

Esme: (kiss Sora on the cheek) Please

Sora: Don't touch me (let's him go and the man runs off)

Esme: Come on don't tell me you didn't enjoy my lips on your cheek. You know if someone had told me that Saito's bastard son will pay me a visit I would eat the person

Sora: You must be Esme

Esme: (grins) One and only. Come to have a taste of me baby?

Sora: A friend of yours told me you know where my father is. Where is he?

Esme: (orders for the tavern to be cleared out and within a second it's just she and Sora in the tavern alone. She goes over the bar pouring herself a drink) A friend you say? And who might that friend be? (Playfully shakes the bottle before pouring herself a drink)

Sora: He is your male counterpart; an incubus

Esme: (takes a sip from her drink) Here is the thing baby, many incubus come in here looking for me Sora (tilts head) You have to try better than that if you want me to remember who this incubus is (Sora approaches her)

Esme: Care for a drink?

Sora: Does Tenji ring a bell?

Esme: (smiles) Oh Tenji my sugar bear (hugs herself) How's he?

Sora: Dead. You will be if you don't tell me where my father is

Esme: You killed him? Good riddance (flips back her hair) He's cute but not so good in bed. So Sora you sure you don't want a taste of this (slowly runs her hand through her chest)

Sora: Saito Nadashiko, where can I find him?

Esme: If I tell you that means I have to kill you and I don't kill cute boys baby (slowly walks to him)

Sora: (scoffs) Sure

Esme: Hope you don't mind if I look into your eyes you know before I kill you (she stares into his eyes as her eyes starts to glow)

Sora: (starts to feel dizzy) What did you do to me? (Shakes his head)

Esme: I will enjoy our days together Sora ( laughs hysterically)

*********************

(At the Shadow realm, Tsume is taking care of an aged woman who is sick. After she's done checking her vitals, she advices her on certain foods to eat and things not to do anymore. The aged woman bows at her showing her gratitude before she left. Tsume starts thinking about Sora; she's overly concerned about him and upset Sage Takashi let him go after Saito. Immediately she got done with her job, she heads over to the Sage's place. On reaching his house she met him outside)

Tsume: Are you heading somewhere?

Takashi: The King called me for yet another meeting. I bet it's about who will protect the realm

Tsume: There's something I want to ask you

Takashi: Can't it wait till I'm back?

Tsume: It can't!

Takashi: (sighs) It's about Sora isn't it?

Tsume: Why did you let him go?

Takashi: We'll talk about this when I'm back child

Tsume: You are not leaving till you answer me (stands in front of him)

Takashi: You know I can easily remove you out of the way (stares at her for a minute before he decides to answer her after seeing her resolve) Cause he's suitable for the job

Tsume: What do you mean suitable? Sora is nothing but a child. How could you let him go after the man that sent assassin's to kill his mother... let's not forget that this same man is the one that killed Seth. Saito is too much for him

Takashi: Who do you think is strong enough to defeat him?

Tsume: You are. You can kill this man

Takashi: If I was five years younger, yes but right now, I'm just an old man. Believe me when I tell you this Sora will defeat Saito. He's the only one that can change him. Seth tried and failed

Tsume: But...

Takashi: I'm already late for my meeting. Think of this no more child

Author's Note: I'm looking forward to read what you think about this week's episode. Do not forget to star, thank you.

The next episode will be a short chapter about the character of Seth Render