Shards From Other Stars

13. My foot is not a stool

Was it a bit hectic she'd say. From riding the same horse as the Princess, wouldn't have been so bad if the woman let her at least hold her for support of course — but that wasn't the case.

Wylie did try to respectfully place her hands around the princess like she, Aldith, did when Wylie was up front but no — she literally hissed at the slightest approach for Wylie to find support. The waist was a no, shoulder a no, her shirt earned her a smack on the wrist — worst of all, her hair and Wylie was blinking repeatedly trying to comprehend what happened and as to why Aldith was on top of her gripping onto her shirt.

Yes, they fell on the ground — should have been the first guess Wylie came to as her back ached, her nostrils were filled with dust and of course the horse that seemed extremely big in front of them as she laid flat on the ground.

Like mentioned earlier, hectic but they did make it with a sore body and a light grip on Aldith's shirt, again.

Qolis

The second city of Rven, known best for it's extremely big—large?—book store that is an attraction to most, along side the festivals thrown every while for some apparent reason.

They finally made it

Aldith was excited to say the least and Wylie was intrigued at how bright she could actually smile. It quirked her interest so much she hadn't taken her eyes off the princess as they walked into the second best looking inn — it did pain her greatly as fourth best seemed cheaper — but still went with Aldith's taste.

Didn't take her eyes off Aldith, was a bit of an exaggeration as she did look away trying to negotiate the price range once she heard the amount. And of course inquire about the day had installed, it was mid afternoon after all — the night was yet to fall and she wanted to give a certain someone an experience to die for.

"A moon festival"

"That's tonight?" Wylie quirked at the new found information, a smile on her face.

"Yes, I assumed that's why you and your partner came here."

Technically she wasn't wrong, they were partners in a way and she had referred to Aldith as her partner all a long — she'd take full responsibility for giving her that idea.

"She loves reading actually." Said Wylie as she pulled Aldith closer to her, and arm over her shoulder — something she'd practically be slapped for, was given a pass as Aldith leaned into it — her body rested against Wylie's with ease. Shock did overtake her for a second before snapping back. "We're here for the library."

"Good choice, but do visit the festival."

"Festival?" This time it has been Aldith asking as she glanced over at Wylie.

"Yes and darling, we're attending." Aldith glared at Wylie for whatever reasons she knew herself, as Wylie dragged them away after slapping 300 Vels for the room they'd spend their stay in Qolis.

Aldith chuckled to herself as she looked around the room, Wylie was unbelievable. "One bed? Again." Aldith spoke as she shook Wylie's arm off of her.

"Cheaper and it's big enough for you, a fort between us and me!" Wylie said excitedly with a smile on her face. A partner, she had to sell it somehow to the lady out front and so she did — a single bed did. "Also, can I have a dance tonight?"

"No."

Did she expect anything else, not at all, a yes would probably have sent her straight to her death in shock.

"Are you going with me at least?"

"Also, no."

Expected but this response wasn't something she was settling for or wanted to settle for, so of course she wasn't giving up.

"You want adventure, this is adventure with boozes and ladies." She spoke cunningly, placing enhance on each word as her gaze remained fixed on the Princess.

Who remained unfazed, least bit amused or flattered at the suggestions offered as gifts of persuasion. "I didn't say I was interested in women." Aldith crossed her arms staring back at Wylie, only difference being she wore a unamused expression and Wylie held a sly cunning smile.

"They'll be interested in you, trust me, I'm they."

Aldith's arms fell to her side for more than a second before she had them resting on both sides of her cheeks, her gaze fell on anything but Wylie.

"No, that's a no."

Wylie laughed throwing herself on the bed. Aldith had done a good job at hiding her blushed cheeks, but that didn't mean she hadn't seen how quickly they turned red — especially her ears too, she found joy in it.

"Can't handle handle fun Princess? And this is a different type of festival." Wylie mumbled from the bed, looking straight up and not at Aldith.

"Really?" She asked while patting her cheeks lightly a few times, before dropping them to her sides.

Wylie sat up, a little smile on her face she gave the princess a head nod. "Different music than what you hear in the castle, dancing a bit vulgar considering how much boozes they had — a full moon, lights and candles, giggles and kisses—"

"Are you a poet thief? I'll go but if—"

"You don't have any fun, we'll come back together because you're such a kill joy m'lady." Wylie completed her sentence not letting her continue.

The smile Wylie gave her, made her believe she was either going to regret it or extremely enjoy it — and she on leaning on both of them, surprisingly.

§

"What do you think?"

Noise, noise, noise — a lot of noise from the music, the people, the lights and people — so many people everywhere at every corner or foot. That's what she thought, that was all she could think about.

Another rough shoulder bump from who knows how many people in the last minute, had Aldith keep the rude remark a tongue tip away stay shut as long as Wylie smiled and spoke so cheerily.

"It's crowded." had been the only thing that left her lips, she smiled the best she could to the one in front of her.

"Not that, this!" Clarifying Wylie handed her a drink, is what she assumed, of some sort in a wooden jug. Similar in her own hand, Wylie took a sip out of. "Lighten up. Two, do not mention you're a Princess if I'm not around you. Three, drink that." pointing at the jug Wylie concluded, going back to taking large sips out of hers.

She didn't drink it, rather stared down at it for a second before looking back at Wylie. "I don't usually drink booze."

"But wine? Also that saké, you'll love it."

Benefit of the doubt, that kept playing in Aldith's head as she brought the jug to her lips — she just had to give Wylie the benefit of the doubt.

Whatever was at the bottom of that jug after a couple — by that the exact number would be 4 — of chugs with Wylie had her distorted a little bit and less hostile to this whole festival.

Wylie held her by her waist for some reason and she didn't have the strength to protest mainly, only, because she knew standing was depending on her aid.

"He plays it so effortlessly." Wylie mumbled admiring how the man played the instrument, it's bow as that of an archer but straight, it's height half of the man with it's base coated in beautiful designs — similar to guitar's she'd seen before but different, two pegs and on string with no hole on the center — yet so many tunes came out.

Drawing her attention away, she looked into Aldith's eyes. "I'm going to dance with that redhead." Wylie spoke turning Aldith's head with her hands in the direction of the lady.

"That's a man!"

"No!" Squinting her eyes, Wylie assessed carefully. "That's not a flat chest I see." remarked the girl a rather bright smile falling on her lips.

Short lived actually, as Wylie found her shirt being tugged at.

"Dance with me." Aldith spoke, as soon as the words left her lips she pursed them.

"Princess, you don't want to dance with me." Wylie reminded, she did ask before this and a lot of times but she was fixed on dying on her mountain of no.

"I do, give me this first." Aldith reached for Wylie's jug but her hand was smacked off by Wylie.

"No!" Wylie took back her half empty? Half filled jug and chugged it down herself not letting the princess snatch it, or drink it herself — she also could barely stand alone.

Aldith sighed, holding out her hand for Wylie to take she spoke. "Come on, can I have this dance?"

"May I." Wylie seemed to correct but Aldith gave a head nod disapproving her little lecture.

"I'm not asking, because you're supposed to as a partner and your princess."

"—oh." A smile on face she replied, "My princess can have this dance." taking Aldith's hand in hers, she pulled her closer that her chest was pressed against hers. "If we're going to dance, do it right." she winked as Aldith groaned with a little head nod accepting her fate — her cheeks told a whole different story though.

Aldith asked, or rather commanded, so Wylie let her take the lead — she wasn't a great dancer anyway despite being very great with music.

The upbeat music had been totally different to how slow and steady they were moving, it was rushed or similar to the rest of the others dancing or singing along — just steady and imperfect.

A little too imperfect with Wylie's skills and bumping into people around, getting them back too causing her to step on the Princess.

Immediately she stopped offering her apologies and checking if Aldith was fine or in pain, she fine and she said it a couples of times before Wylie stood up from her knees wiping her hand on her shirt.

"A bit crowded, right."

"A horrible dancer too." Aldith added with giggle. Placing her arms over Wylie's shoulder she took a step forward, they were resuming this dance even if it took a night. Wylie smiled resting her hands on her waist not before tickling her, she wasn't just going to get away with that.