Chapter 1

Kai’s ears rang, signaling them that Ash was near. They readjusted the desk, preparing it for the incoming paperwork. Just as Ash walked in, everything was set. His eyes did a quick scan of the room, undoubtedly to check for unwanted company. Finding none, he let his guard drop, smiling at Kai.

“Well?” Kai sighed, outstretching her arms to receive the paperwork.

“Sorry, I couldn’t get anyone else to do this…,” Ash sheepishly readjusted his bloody hood.

“It’s alright don’t worry,” Kai continued, examining the papers.

After a few minutes of Ash fiddling with the edge of his tunic, Kai peered up at Ash, then sighed at the sight.

“You don’t have anything else to do that’s more important than staring at me?” Kai quipped.

Ash sighed, knowing that Kai knew exactly what he wanted.

After a few seconds, Kai’s face broke and they doubled over laughing. Ash followed suit.

“Alright! I was just messing with you!” Kai wheezed.

“Then let’s go!” Ash put his arm over Kai, ruffling their hair.

The bustling atmosphere of the Easy Winds bar had a calming effect on its customers. And Ash and Kai weren’t exceptions.

“Aren’t you glad we came here?” Ash bragged. He knew Kai had wanted to come here since forever, but the two of them never had the time. “Yeah, it’s nice to have a break,” Kai sighed, smiling at Ash.

They ordered the specialty and Kai’s favorite dessert, Baklava. Soon, their tension released and they warmed up to the customers, reciting stories of their past and humming along to the music. The bar truly lived up to its name, making even the most guarded people loosen up.

Kai and Ash entered the nearby bookstore to clear their minds. As Kai always said, ‘Stories were indications of the people’s feelings and beliefs’, and the two often enjoyed reading them out loud.

“Here,” Ash thrusted a book into Kai’s arms, “Let’s read this.”

It was a book about dragons, “The lost creatures” of this world. The book shared thoughtful insights of how the author thought the world worked and how it would be like in the future.

As the duo read, they felt their eyes grow tired. The food in their stomach made them feel content and the atmosphere of the bookstore amplified the effect.

Eventually, they fell asleep.

And of course, the bookstore keeper (argetlam and me) was watching them with a secretive smile all the while…