compete against the stars (with all of our hearts)
Characters: Stella Gray, N Harmonia
Word Count: 509
Heâs not sure what to make of her. Her companion seems to like her and itâs almost magnetic, the way she draws him in each time their paths cross. Something that feels strange is the way she looks at him: not up like his subjects, or down like his father. Well, she is looking upâsheâs honestly rather shortâbut the point of it is that she doesnât seem to expect anything of him.
She simply takes his hand and tugs him along with a laugh and a smile. Theyâre in Nimbasa, another chance encounter, and she leads him to the amusement parkâin the distance, he catches sight of a ferris wheel.
Thereâs a wide range of attractions, though, and she stops at a row of game booths. Thereâs something in her smile, he thinks, that wasnât there the last time they metâwhat it is, he isnât sure.Â
She winks, and heâs not sure what itâs supposed to mean. Before he can ask, she spins around to face one of the vendors, exchanging some money for a set of darts. âHey, N! Watch this!â
He does, watching with interest as she shifts her stance, looking from the darts in her hand to her targets. After a moment's consideration she throws the first one and the sound of a pop can be heard, followed by another. Somehow sheâs taken out two balloons with just the first dart.
Admittedly he doesnât know much about these games; the rides and their mechanics have always been more a point of interest. But he keeps watching as she throws the second and the third, neither as impressive a shot as the first but still seemingly respectable.
With a proud smile, she selects her prize: a chain necklace with a silver triangle charm, which she carefully places around his neck. It's almost ceremonial, as if the object is meant to be treasured.Â
After a momentâs thought, he follows in her steps; taking in his hand a set of darts. His throws are precise, practiced, but thatâs not important. The attendant asks him what he would like for his prize.
He picks a shimmering hairpin in the shape of a star and hands it to her; which she puts on without hesitation.
Suddenly, she takes his hand again, tugging him toward the vendors selling food thatâs more sugar than anything else. The cotton candy she hands him is far too sweet, but heâs smiling anyway as she takes her caramel apple; which seems like itâs been dipped in about twenty things that arenât caramel, but she seems happy with it.
She looks to him, a serious expression he hasnât seen before on her face. âAre you having fun?â
And her smile is back, as if it never left. âThatâs good! Is there anything you want to do here? I guess this isnât as much your thing as it is mine, huhâŠâ
âActually, there is one thing.â
This time, itâs his turn to reach for her hand. âLetâs go on the ferris wheel.â
