First Encounter

Come live with me and be my love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,

Woods, or steepy mountain yields.

***

The gathering was already over. The family of King Blanc and Queen Heraleen had stayed over for them to rest before going back to their own kingdom.

Since they have children with them, they easily get tired and as parents, they have to watch over their children and not force them to go home in a tired state even though they could with the use of their teleportation powers.

***

And we will sit upon the rocks,

Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

***

Now that it was late in the evening, Amon enjoyed a night walk in the garden, by the fountain.

He looked at the moon as he mumbled to himself one of his favorite poems, The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe.

***

And I will make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

***

Amon didn't know why, but he always loved poems that were made in the past. However, he only chose specific poets or writers when it comes to poetry.

He found Shakespeare's writings cliche, and so, he most appreciated the works of others--especially those who were not actually that popular.

***

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold;

***

The Grim Reaper reflected on himself as he was mumbling the poem line by line to himself.

Even though he had never experienced being in a romantic relationship before, let alone being interested in anyone, he wondered why he loved this poem so much.

***

A belt of straw and ivy buds,

With coral clasps and amber studs:

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me, and be my love.

***

Amon closed his eyes. With him letting out a sigh as he enjoyed the night breeze kissing his skin, he now stated the last stanza of the poem. Even the Grim Reaper himself is amazed that until now, he has memorized each line of the poem.

***

The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning:

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.

***

Amon then opened his eyes. He felt so relaxed that he let out another sigh as he reflected on the message of the poem.

To him, it is the shepherd's confession to his love interest. He knew that there is more to it--more symbolism to it since there is also a poem titled The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd by another writer.

Amon found it comedic that this other writer who wrote the reply was debunking everything that Christopher Marlowe had said.

Because of that, he read the poem every now and then when he had the time, which made him memorize each line.

"You... have a cow head mask?"

'What?'

Snapping himself out of his thoughts and with him surprised that he is no longer alone, he turned in the direction of the sound, surprised by who he saw.

Her light blue hair is in braids and she was wearing her night gown which made Amon think that this little girl before him right now may be feeling cold.

"What are you doing here?" he asked sternly, Lilith ignoring his question as she cocked her head to the side.

"Why do you have a cow head mask?"

'Damn it!' Amon didn't answer her for a while, slightly panicking with their first encounter. 'I tried my best to avoid her and now she's here? How is she even here?'

Lilith narrowed her eyes at him. With her pouting her lips and puffing her cheeks, she looked cuter--all the more when her cheeks turned pink as she spoke.

"Lilith was told that it is disrespectful to ignore people and not answer their questions."

The Grim Reaper felt his eyebrow twitch. With him annoyed that he was trying his best to avoid Lilith, he didn't like that they are now talking to each other for the first time since he saved him.

He promised himself that he will never interact with her because he will fulfill the favor of her mother until the end.

Now it made Amon want to talk to Sicily for Lilith to walk around alone like this! What if something happens to her?

He would then break his promise to the human!

"Has Sicily not told you not to talk to strangers, Lilith?"

Lilith's eyes widened slightly, surprised at Amon talking to her.

"You know Lilith's name?"

"Well, of course," Amon answered, his eyebrow twitching once more. "You told me already when you addressed yourself."

"Ah... that's right! Lilith didn't notice~!"

'Little one...' Amon talked to himself in his own thoughts. 'I was the one who gave you your name... how could I not know?'

"Anyway..."

The little girl spoke again, getting Amon's attention. As she then pointed at him, Lilith asked her question again since she didn't get an answer in the first place.

"Why are you wearing a cow head mask?"

"Lilith..." Amon released an exasperated sigh. "I don't want to ask you that question. Instead, let me ask again as this is more important. Why are you talking to strangers?"

Lilith cocked her head to the side once more, this time, confused by what he meant.

"Lilith knows you are no stranger."

"What?" Amon looked at her directly, but cautiously through his cow head mask. "What do you mean?"

Lilith shrugged her little shoulders, answering Amon's question that made him feel surprised with how this little girl is keen on her surroundings.

"You were there a while ago with the others. Lilith couldn't help but stare at you every now and then because of your cow head mask."

Amon didn't know how to answer. With this little girl still before him as it seemed that she had no intention to leave him alone, he wanted to tug his hair with both of his hands, not knowing what to do.

'Leave me alone, please... or I might lose my mind and run away to leave you alone!'