Dancing
A lively tune from a group of street musicians fills the air, and I can't resist. I grab Selene's hand and pull her into an impromptu dance. She laughs, eyes sparkling with surprise and joy, and we begin to twirl and sway to the rhythm.
Our laughter mingles with the music as we dance, and soon enough, a crowd gathers around us, clapping along and cheering us on. The energy is contagious, and I find myself wishing I could freeze this moment in time.
As the song draws to an end, I decide to go out with a flourish. I perform a dramatic spin, bowing deeply, and then bend Selene backward, planting a kiss on her lips. The crowd erupts into loud applause and whistles, the joyous noise echoing through the night.
One of the many things I love about regaining our youth in this world is moments like this—pure, joyous physical activity without my knees or back doubling down.
I toss one of the musicians a gold coin, and his eyes widen in shock and gratitude. "Thank you so much!" he exclaims, bowing deeply.
Most of these people have never seen a gold coin in their lives. I hear murmurs about how generous we are, comments blending into the festive air. We make our way to the carriage waiting for us and head back to the villa.
When we arrive, the sky has darkened, and a light drizzle begins to fall. The driver offers us an umbrella, but I wave him off with a smile.
Selene looks at me curiously as I pay the driver and pull her out into the rain. She squeals as the cold raindrops make contact, but I pull her close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
"Let's do that thing you like from that movie," I say, mischief in my eyes.
"Not again," Selene groans, though her protest is half-hearted.
"Come on..." I coax, my voice teasing.
She giggles, a sound that always gives me a fuzzy feeling deep inside. With a reluctant smile, she agrees, and I spin her around in the rain, just like that iconic scene from her favorite movie. We laugh, drenched but happy, and in that moment, everything feels perfect.
The rain pours down harder, soaking us to the skin, but it doesn't matter. We're lost in our own world, wrapped up in the magic of the moment, savoring every drop and every heartbeat.
*
Standing by a large window, framed by curtains billowing softly in the breeze, a blonde girl with captivating heterochromatic eyes—one azure, the other warm chestnut—stands fixated on the scene unfolding outside. The drizzle of rain cascades down the glass, distorting the view just enough to add a dreamlike quality to the evening.
Beside her, a handsome tan-skinned boy with vibrant red braided hair leans closer, his curiosity piqued by her intense focus. "What's got your attention?" he asks, his voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of ambient noise from inside the villa.
Others begin to notice the girl's fixation and gather around, drawn by the spectacle playing out beyond the windowpane.
Meanwhile, outside, the couple dances with an exuberance that defies the weather. They spin and sway in perfect harmony, their movements synchronized like a choreographed ballet. Raindrops sparkle in the glow of soft night light, lending an ethereal shimmer to their surroundings.
Unexpectedly, three large serpents slither onto the scene. Instead of disrupting the dance, they weave gracefully around the couple, their scales glinting in the dim light. It's an unusual sight, yet somehow, the serpents' presence adds to the enchantment rather than detracts from it.
As the couple continues their impromptu performance, their laughter rings out joyfully, blending with the soft patter of raindrops. The spectators inside the villa, including the blonde girl with the mesmerizing eyes and her companions, are captivated by the couple's unabashed happiness. Smiles spread across their faces, mirroring the infectious joy of the dancing pair.
"I'm always amazed watching them," remarked a girl with tanned skin and vivid red braided hair, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding outside the villa window.
"Yeah, it's always so intriguing," echoed the blonde girl beside her, her gaze thoughtful as she watched the couple dance in the rain.
A small black-haired boy piped up from the group, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity, "Gregory said they recently met, so it doesn't make sense."
The red-haired girl nodded thoughtfully, considering her words carefully before speaking again, "I have a theory. What if they remember their previous lives?"
Her statement sparked a flurry of murmurs and excited conversation among their peers gathered around.
"I know it's farfetched," she continued, her tone earnest, "but if you think about it, their conversations sometimes hint at deeper connections. I've overheard Master mention something about having the same arguments for over 20 years."
"Plus," chimed in the small black-haired boy, "the phrases they use and the way they interact sometimes seem oddly familiar, like they've known each other for ages."
The group fell into contemplative silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the mysterious couple dancing joyfully in the rain. Beyond the window, the serpents continued to weave gracefully around the dancers, adding to the surreal ambiance of the evening.