Chapter 10: LOVE AND FIRE

The streets began filling at a fast speed, and Taski sat down near the front entrance of the gate and watched as many people walked in. He then thought to himself, "(It's been about two hours since the event began and Mikado still hasn't shown up. I wonder what's going on, I figured she would've been here when it started." He walked inside the Nature's Palace sports bar in hopes to run into some of his friends there. He found that Darcie, Sharaletta, and some of their other friends were at the end of the bar table giggling about their conversation. Taski walked over and introduced himself to some of Darcie's other friends that he had not seen for years since most of them transferred to other schools. He said, "Rose, It feels like it's been decades since I last saw you. I remember the last time we spoke, it was when we rode the bus home that day. I'm glad to see that you're here tonight." Rose then responded, "It is good meeting you again. I've been doing so much traveling lately, I can hardly ever stay put in one spot." They had their reunion and parted ways afterward. As the third hour of the festival came around, Mikado found the prince walking around the streets all alone, she shouted over the massive crowd, "TASKI! Over Here!" He could hear the shouting from her over everyone. The two came together happily and warmed each other with a hug, she hugged hard against his chest. She then asked, "Why is it that you the prince are walking all alone out here? I'm here to accompany you, hun." He replied, "I'm happy you're here, I didn't have much to do. I found Darice and Sharaletta at the sports bar with some of her other friends from long ago reuniting, I decided to part ways with them, and take a walk, and then I ended running into you. You look beautiful tonight." His compliment made her blush excessively, she said romantically,

"Aww. Thank you, sweetie. You're looking handsome as always." The two then walked down the packed streets toward a flowering garden. There, Mikado was looking for accessories to wear for him. She secretly planned to win Taski's heart this night, she asked for him to rate her on her accessories. He had good scores for most of them. She purchased a beautiful necklace and ring that he liked. She put on the necklace and ring to catch his attention, she then says to him, "Well, what do you think? You definitely do look happy there." He blushed slightly as he observed her, he complimented her, "I certainly think you look beautiful with them on." All she could do is smile in utter joy at his words. The two then got a fire lamp and wrote their names on it, as well as the name of Mikado's father, Jonathan Arvin. She stated to cry over the loss of her father, he mourned with her at the moment. Taski lit the lamp to flames and threw it up into the air, the two watched as the lamp floated high up. She clung to his shoulder as they watched the lamp float off. After this, the two went back into the streets and Mikado decided to visit Darcie and Sharaletta for a while, Taski was invited, but he insisted and went his way for a little while. Darcie and Sharaletta left their other friends and went to the central plaza, there they met with Mikado, and they had their filling of food and beverages. A man noticed Sharaletta and gained attraction towards her physical appearance, he then added a strong alcohol mixing to a drink he knew she loved. He walked over and said to the two, "Why, hello beautiful ladies, why not have another drink? This one is on me." Without being aware of what was in her drink, she drank everything in seconds.

This shocked him insanely, as he didn't expect her to drink it all that quickly. Sharaletta then started feeling lightheaded and dizzy, she then began dancing in a very unusual way, and she also began laughing loudly in front of the crowd. The same drink was given to Darcie, and shortly the same effects dawned on her as well. The two were both intoxicated with a powerful beer called Deep Dreams. As the name has it, it causes the consumer to have little to no control over themselves, which leads many to deep drunkenness. Sharaletta shouted at Darcie, "Uh Oh! It looks like we may have drank too much" Darice replies, "It looks to be just that! Let's just enjoy ourselves, why not." Mikado noticed the man and his secret scheme, she confronted and said to him, "You need some help if you think it's okay to secretly intoxicate my friends like that." She grabbed him with her gravity and flung him over into the deep water at the docking bay. She then sat down until Darcie and Sharaletta were sober again. Time passed, and the two became exhausted and passed out on the dance platform, Mikado floated over and grabbed the two, and set them down where they couldn't be bothered by anyone. Taski was all alone near the top of the dock, he worried in his mind, "(I guess Ariah won't be showing here tonight.)"

Back at Ariah's house, she was still asleep and wasn't aware that the festival was ongoing. She then heard the sound of her alarm ringing loudly. She awoke and shut off the loud alarm and sat up on the edge of her bed and noticed that the curtains were illuminated by a bright yellow light coming from outside. She walked up and opened up her curtains and saw the beautiful city lights caught her attention and amazed her until she remembered the festival was tonight. She then panicked and shouted, "I can't believe I forgot about the festival!" She hurried and showered and threw on her new dress, she then rushed out the door into the streets. After she made it out of the Suburbans, she rushed down the streets and passed many people looking for trouble. However, she safely avoided contact with them and arrived near the entrance. She then saw a woman and stopped her to ask, "Excuse me mam, but do you know where I can find the prince?" The woman replied, "I'm sorry mam, but I unfortunately do not know, maybe he might be around the castle entrance, you know, for the VIP members." Ariah then departs from the woman and sets off to find him. Back to Taski, he gazed up at the sky and observed the bright stars, he thought to himself, "(I wish I had someone here that I can interact with, it certainly does feel lonely.)"

He began to think that his night was already over, that is until Mikado found him. She walked up to him and said, "Hey hun. Sorry, I was gone for a while, Darcie and Sharaletta got intoxicated with a strong alcohol, and I had to deal with the jerk who intoxicated them. Anyway, are you okay? You look down. Mind if I sit next to you?" He says in response, "Sure, I could use a friend to talk to right about now. Most of these other people don't look like they're available to speak to." She sat close to him and saw that he felt more accompanied. Then, the music that was playing switched, it began playing a deep sleep song. Sleep songs were used as songs to dance slowly to with a love partner. Her favorite sleep song began playing, she then asked him, "Wow, My favorite sleep is playing. I've always wanted to dance with someone to this song. Would you be interested in dancing with me?" He replied, "Sure, I think I like to. This is also a beautiful night to dance to as well." Mikado's heart then exploded with pure happiness, she asked him, "Really? Do you want to? Aww, thank you, hun. You don't understand how long I've waited for you to say those words." The two then jumped out of their seats and walked over to the dance platform, He wrapped his arms around her waist and she rested her arms on his shoulders. He gave her a smile and looked into her eyes. This overwhelmed her heart, and she thought to herself, "(I did it! I did it! I did it!)" She started becoming high. He saw beauty in her eyes, she then began drooling from her mouth, and her eyes were like giant hearts.

He felt uncomfortable with this, and informed her, "Umm? You're drooling from your mouth." She was completely unresponsive, it was almost like she became drunk in love. Taski walked her over toward his chair and sat her down in it and told her, "Umm, I'll just let you rest here." After this, he pulled over another chair and rested until the night was over, he found himself in depression again and thought to himself, "(Well that went well. I guess I'll just chill out alone.)" Five minutes after this, he heard the voice of Ariah shouting from the crowd of people. The people around became irritated by her shouting, she walked through the crowd and one woman pushed out her of the way out of frustration. She fell in front of the people, and some gave her a rude frown. Taski then jumped up quickly and ran over toward her. He exclaimed to the crowd, "Hey, let me handle this." He helped her up and escorted her over to a private table, he asked her, "Are you okay? I'm sorry those people pushed you over like that, some of them were intoxicated and couldn't see what they're doing." She forgave the situation and replied, "I am not bothered by it anymore now that you have pulled me out of it. Thank you, and I have more respect for you now." They discussed their day, She talked about how she felt after her training with him, "My body felt extremely heavy and even numb, I thought I wouldn't be able to move for a while after that. I am still deeply grateful that you're helping me with this. While my main purpose is to assist and heal, I do wish to have a spot on the battlefield or maybe to protect myself when in danger." He was intrigued by what she said, he responded to her, "I don't see a problem in having a weapon even though you are a healer.

I see it as you only want to better yourself, I'll do everything I can to make sure that you have a weapon forged, I'm not leaving you empty-handed." She giggled and smiled happily at him, she then felt hunger in her stomach and stated, "My stomach is growling pretty bad, I knew I should have eaten something before coming here. I don't have much to spend." Taski, feeling generous, jumped up out of his chair and said, "You wait right here. I know something that will blow your mind away." He runs over to the nearest snow cone stand and orders a special flavor that is sold only to those with VIP membership. Once he got the order, her then returns to her with the best-selling flavor of a snow cone and says to her, "Feast your eyes on this. This can fill your appetite with only a few bites." He sets the snow cone platter close to her, she observes it and sniffs it to get a sense of the smell. Without hesitation, she consumes the spoonful and is greeted with a taste like no other frozen treat. Her taste buds were flowing with cheers and amazement, she smiles and says, "Wow, it's so good. What flavor is this?" He replies and says," The flavor is Coconut Vanilla with a side of cream peach. It's only sold to VIP members, luckily that rule doesn't apply to me." Ariah then is filled with comfort around him, she goes on and talks about some of her past traumas to him, "I believe I can trust you to keep this between only me and you. A little about my past that I have yet to discuss with you. I have experienced loads of abuse from many of my people, the bigger male figures.

Many of them abused me mentally, emotionally, physically. The day that you saved me was a moment when I would've been abused of some sort. I truly am grateful that you showed up there just at the right time, I can't thank you more for your bravery and courage, no telling what could have happened to me. You have my utmost respect, I am in your debt." He was stoned with the pain that she had endured, he felt that she needed him in her life. He said to her, "I understand the pain, I've never felt your pain, but I can understand what it's like to be forced into doing actions you wish not to do. Even I mourn currently with you as if I've been through the same pain, I'm always for you and I will protect you, even if it means losing my life, I'm willing to protect you regardless of what." Her heart began to beat at a beautiful rate after hearing him, she thought to herself, "(His words, they are like the words of an Angel. Calm, reassuring, peaceful, and soothing. I feel a feeling of warmth in his voice. My heart is beginning to fall into his arms.)" Taski continued speaking as she was deep within her thoughts, he complemented her, "You truly are a remarkable friend, you are also a gorgeous woman. I want you to know that you don't feel nervous around me, you can open up to me about anything." The two talked to each other for an hour as the festival was drawing closer to its final hours. After the two finished chatting with each other about a long topic, she got up and walked over to the edge and rested her arms on the handrail, and gazed up to the sky at the brightest star shining. Awestruck by the star in the sky, she said, "Woah, that star in the sky, it's so beautiful and bright.

It outshines all the other stars, wouldn't you say Taski?" He glanced up at her and answered, "Oh, That's star Randy, or that's what everyone calls it these days. It's almost like it never moves from that one spot, but it is surely a beautiful star." She turns back around and stares at it in awe. She tells him, "I've never seen a star shine so bright before, then again I've never really been able to go out at night due to my village and the people in it. This truly is a wonderful night with you, I haven't been to any kind of festival in years, the last I can remember is the one that I went to when only seven years of age." Shortly after, the music playing was cut off and changed to a slow and beautiful tone, a sleep song had started playing, and the music playing was one that Taski took high favor of. He started feeling nervous as the music grew louder and louder, Ariah felt softness in her heart as if a choir of angels was performing. He thought to himself, "(Woah, this feeling, this could be the moment that I can ask her. Just approach her and ask, don't be scared, this is your one shot here.)" He got up from his seat and anxiously walked over to her, he told himself over and over in his head, "(Just ask, just ask, just ask.)"

Ariah remained focused on the bright shining star, Randy, unaware of what Taski was doing. He then held his hand out slowly and reached for her arm. She then turns around and says, "Huh, what's wrong? Are you trying to tell me something?" Without hesitation, he asked the first thing that came to his mind, "Ariah, I would like to ask you, would you be interested in a dance with me?" She remained stilled at his question, she then looked him in the eyes and stared at them for five seconds. She then asked him, "You, want to dance with me?" The two were stunned by each other, she makes the decision and says, "You actually would love to dance with me? I would..., love to." She smiles joyfully and takes him by the hand, he says to her then, " I thank you for this. Now, let's dance to the beautiful rhythm." He wrapped his hands around her waist as she rested her hand on his chest. They danced to a magnificent sleep song, they moved, and turned with the wind as their guidance, the two were brought in close to one another. Taski then looked into her eyes with delight, he thought to himself, "(Her eyes are as charming as pink pellets from a Japanese tree and as wonderful as the color of wine. Fascinating as the lights of Asalikith, and stunning as the cosmos.)" Ariah looked at him and saw the prince's face, she thought of him in her mind, "(His face, the future of this land, the future king of Asalikith. His eyes are marvelous as the bright and beautiful heavens. His mouth is like the caves of the Narngulu, rich, beautiful, soothing, and high in loveliness. His nose is like the top of Asalikith's peak. His heart is as warm as the fireplace my mother would always tuck me near when I felt sick or lonely. His hands are the sword and the shield that protects those which he cares for, family and friends. My heart is beating, it's beating more and more as I look up at him.)"

Taski then notices a heart necklace and asked, "That necklace of yours, what's on it? Are those your initial on the heart?" She replied, "Indeed, my mother crafted this for me when only eight years of age, and I wear it just about everywhere I go now. She made this for me to remind myself that regardless of what happens, regardless of where you're at in this world, that love will accompany you and will guide you to the right path. She has always taught me about that the Lord will never leave us helpless and will always provide for us what we need." Taski felt his heart racing as his attraction only grew increasingly to her. His emotions became erupted with love for her, the two began expressing each other feelings to each other. They felt that they were being pulled together slowly, both of them knew that they were falling in love. Further out towards the docks were a couple of men lighting fireworks, the men rushed away from the lit missiles before they could launch. The two were about to kiss when suddenly, fireworks exploded and shocked both of them. The biggest firework exploded behind them, lighting up the entire city with many colors, Ariah looked over and apologized, "I'm sorry, I feel like I may have come off too much there." He insisted and told her, "It's not your fault, I'm not harmed at all. I loved dancing with you, as well as what you and I were about to do."

She then came in and cuddled him and said, "Taski, this has been an astonishing night, I have a different view of you now. I see you as more than just a friend but as someone that, with whom I can say that I love. However, I feel that maybe we should take things slower, only so that we do not hurt each other. I hope you understand." He accepted this agreement and gave a warm hug. She started feeling tiredness engulf her, she then informed him, "I don't know about you, but I'm getting sleepy here. I hope that you are not upset with me." He replies, "Of course not Ariah, I thoroughly understand, all the drinks, food, and dancing will help you sleep for sure. I can escort you so no one will hurt you." She looks at him and smiles with a cheerful face, she expresses her gratefulness, "Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me." The two headed out the entrance of the main gate and set out to the suburban. The streets were completely dead with no one around in sight, she held him tightly as they entered the entrance of the suburban. He escorts her up the stairs of her porch, she then hugs him goodnight and says, "Taski, you've made my night. I had such a wonderful time dancing with you as well as talking to you, I hate to cut it short tonight, I really do but, if you want to do anything tomorrow, I would love to. I wish you a blessed night, and I hope to spend some more time with you. Goodnight and be careful."

He let her hand go and wished her a goodnight's sleep," Ariah, I had such a fascinating night with you, I hate that we must part ways for the night, but I will keep my promise to you. I will protect you, you deserve so much more than what your village people gave you. I can't wait to see you again tomorrow. You sleep well and Goodnight." The two waved goodbye and went their separate ways for the night. As he walked down Greyland street he heard many noises that sounded more like trouble, however, he simply ignored these sounds and kept walking when suddenly, he passed an alley and heard the sound of a woman barfing. He cringed at the sound of the food waste spilling to the ground, he asked the woman, "Hey, are you okay?" The woman then walks out from the alley and says to him, "Oh yeah daddy, just had a little bad bite, that's all." She continued seductively speaking to him, "Hey, you're that prince, huh? Well..., I never thought I'd get to meet you sexy boy. How about this, why don't you come back with me, and we can sleep together? Don't worry, nobody will ever find out about this." Taski then states to her, "Look mam, I'm not just going to sleep with someone I just checked on, you need to get back to your place and call it a night. Anyway, I'm out of here. Later!" He then dashes from the alley to get away from the woman. The woman then says, "Run Taski, run away into the wind, cause soon you'll get a taste of what the solar pyramids will unleash. Enjoy all your moments of freedom because chaos is on the horizon." The woman then morphs into her real self, which was Mandy. She spits her tongue out and attaches around a pole and swings away from the street and out of the capital into the mountains surrounding it. The leader of the solar pyramids then appears in the form of a dark mist that no one can see. He tells her, "Mandy, prepare yourself for what is coming up in a few days. It'll test your skills, and it'll show me just how useful you are. Do not fail me again. Do I make myself clear?"