Feast Always Belly

To relieve the disconcerting twist in her gut, Kaltain decides to try various foods.

From Ishaan's explanation, a festival is currently being held everywhere in the western.

It made Kaltain a bit guilty to use someone else's money for her own satisfaction. ‘I’ll pay him back when Ataraxia comes to get me.’

Food was her medicine. The dose she takes when in need to release built up tension and unwavering anxiety.

Ishaan made Kaltain very nervous and uneasy. He appears nice and warm, yet also stoic and ruthless.

In all honesty, Kaltain wishes he was simply one sided. It would make understanding him a hella lot easier.

At the same time though, it was lively. Even as her shoulders tense up in disquiet, a flutter of excitement swirls within.

Her extraordinary sight hones in on Ishaan as he treads to a wheel stall rotating slowly with colorful ice creams. His steps are unintentionally enforcement and lofty, drawing attention despite his hidden appearance.

This was their third stop. The second was grilled skewers Ishaan recommended.

Kaltain attempted to go with him to the second booth, yet he told—order—her to stay back. She speculates he wants to keep as much distance from her as possible.

‘Did I do something wrong? Should I have not asked if he was okay? Or allowed him to pay for my food? He’s rich. And if he isn’t, his father is!’ Kaltain's mind races so fast it aches. ‘Maybe it’s my presence to start with.. but that can’t be. He approached me. He could have walked away.’

Lost in thought, Kaltain comes back to reality as Ishaan settles back on the bench beside her.

“I should have asked, but I wanted to guess what you liked, if that’s okay.” Ishaan's husky voice churns her analytical thoughts. “They have strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, which is what I got, and cookie dough. They also have many unique flavors. I got you one of those.”

“Thanks.” Kaltain carefully takes the cone, eyeing the bluish pink ice cream.

“If you don’t like it, I can get you another,” Ishaan adds.

Kaltain brows raise in wonder. “You’re not going to tell me what it is?”

He answers her question with one of his own. “Are you allergic to anything?”

Kaltain shakes her head, the stray locks of ivory white hair swaying lovely. “Not really.”

Ishaan grins mischievously. “Go on.” 

He starts to eat his ice cream, which was in a medium cup, with a plastic spoon.

He was acting normal, yet Kaltain can’t help but sense she's missing something. Shrugging internally, she closes off her pondering and licks the ice cream.

A sweet blueberry flavor tinged with a milky vanilla cream explodes on her tongue, melting on her gems and down her throat.

The pleasure of a delicious dessert surges warmth in Kaltain's chest as she exclaims softly, “oh.”

“I take that sound as you like it?”

“It’s fine,” Kaltain says after another few licks. “I…I liked the food from before too.”

“The sushi and tea?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s good.” Ishaan smiles. “I’m glad.”

The scorching air was strangely comfortable as they both hurriedly finish their ice cream.

****

Unable to hold off any longer, Kaltain detaches her hoodie. The dampen fabric sent a recoil chill down her spine. ‘I fucking hate sweat.’

A desire to use her divine power floods her blood cells with temptation.

Kaltain internally shakes her head, remembering the way Shadeen's expression looked the last time she saw her. Something about it made Kaltain halt her reckless desire.

The sun descended, casting a deep pink orange glow upon the whole city, bathing everything in an atmosphere of summer.

“Can you cool me?” Kaltain asks Ishaan seriously, casually airing out her pale purple tank top. She wasn’t wearing a bra as she’s barely bloomed through puberty. Her skin glistens like jewels. “Like do something about this heat?”

Ishaan raises an inquisitive brow, his expression full of pity. “I’m sorry, I do not.”

“I’m never coming here again,” she vows solemnly.

“That’s a shame.” Ishaan snorts a laugh. “The food will miss you.”

‘He’s right, but it’s more like, I will miss the food.’  Kaltain frowns and then her lips tip in a teasing smirk. “It’s okay. You’ll be a gentleman and deliver it to me.”

“Is that so?” Ishaan rests his arm meticulously behind the bench, comfortable as he created the bench years ago. “I hadn’t realized we’ve gotten so close, Kaltain.”

Kaltain's heart beats too fiercely, and this time, it isn’t because she’s anxious. “You said my name.”

Confusion courses through Ishaan's. “I’ve said your name before.”

“Yeah, but….” Kaltain struggles to put into words what she was feeling and thinking. ‘You never said it so casually before.’ “Nevermind.”

A look of displeasure clouds Ishaan's face before it vanishes, as if it was never there.

“Why are you so nice to me?” Kaltain asks suddenly.

“Nice?” Ishaan echoes the word in a puzzled tone. “Is that what you think this is, sweet darling? Me just being a gentleman because you're a girl or because of our shared connection to someone?”

“I mean…” Kaltain fingers dig into her jacket fabric draped over her lap and speaks in uncertainty, “Kinda?”

Ishaan bristles, looking offended to the core, but also darkly amused.

“While it’s true that I encountered you once out of concern for your wellbeing for Ziven, our first time meeting was a coincidence and what compelled me to continuously talk with you,” Ishaan tells her, his sincerity reeling her in like a moth to a marvelous immortal flame. “I owe your brother a great soulful debt. That is why I was intentionally nice, but in actuality, I am not kind. I am far from it in fact.”

“I see,” Kaltain mutters, her chest aching, expecting such a cold truth, yet not wanting to accept it. “So it’s because of my brother.”

“And you.”

“Huh?”

Ishaan smiles wistfully. “I find myself to be quite fond of your company.”

Kaltain stares at him deeply, as if trying to insert herself in his being to understand.

“Your existence is my muse, Kaltain,” Ishaan says, his tone amorous and warm like a dancing sun. “Do try to stay with me.”

Annoyance bubbles up inside Kaltain, her stomach and heart beyond her control as they erupt in restless delightful flutters. ‘A butterfly. I am flying inside. Oh my lord.’

“Where to next?” Ishaan asks casually, as if he didn’t just crack Kaltain reality into thousands of fragments.

Kaltain wonders if ripping her organs out will make her numb and if she’ll survive.

‘I can rejuvenate, so who knows if I’ll die.’

Kaltain felt frightened as she was feeling too much for someone she did not know if she can afford to feel so much for.

Kaltain remains silent for a moment, staring intensely at him before looking away. She ties her hoodie sleeves around her neck, ashamed at the lack of beauty on her body.

“I want to try more food.” Kaltain perceives a shadow of frustration across Ishaan brows. “Is that okay?”

“Of course.” Ishaan nods slowly, his lips downturn. “You have a stomach on you.”

Kaltain goes rigid, her eyes widening in shock with a spark of sourness.

Sensing her stiffness, Ishaan’s chest pings in guilt at his poor choice of words. “I didn’t mean it in a rude way.” His hand reaches for his blindfold before falling to his lap. “You’ll get a stomach ache.”

“Oh.”

Ishaan didn’t feel good about her response, but could only move on from it. He tries to always speak genuine to her in hopes of crossing the emotional barrier. It was up to her to decide whether to believe him or not.

Despite the suddenness, Ishaan didn't mind her appearance in his home continent at all.

Their time together was different than he imagined—not like he dreamed of hanging out with her; he has.

Kaltain isn’t as apathetic as she gives off. There’s true indifference in her, however, it pales in comparison to her soul. 

Her lively and enthusiastic nature threw him off guard so much he questioned if he’s in another dream. 

When she notices him paying too much attention to her, she goes quiet, as if fearful of him truly seeing her.

Ishaan can easily grasp her true nature with Jinxed Cosmos Fey, yet this is a quest he is willing to dominate without those cursed eyes.

****

“I ate too damn much,” Kaltain whimpers as she tenderly rubs her belly, walking slowly down a less crowded street.

“I warned you,” Ishaan comments, unable to hide the concern from himself as he focuses all his senses on her movements.

Kaltain winces. “I’m sorry.”

Their feet pound against the cobblestone on the narrow, winding road between game booths.

“It’s okay.” Ishaan speaks in a gentle and soothing tone. “You’re the one in discomfort, not I, sweet darling.”

‘How can he claim to not be kind? This is toxic already. It’s like he’s telling me he’s bad for me but I feel like he's good. Great even.’ Kaltain tries to read him, but finding it harder too with his blindfold and deep hood covering most of his features. ‘This is why I stay home. Mixed signals are like red flags that alarm you to stay the fuck inside.’

Kaltain adjusts her hoodie, not paying attention, causing her to stumble over a stick and fall.

Dull pain pierces through her entire being as she lands on hard stone, the rough texture of tree bark scraping against her skin from its lengthy reach on the sideline. 

She ignores it all as she gradually rises to her feet, looking over her shoulder at the silent Ishaan.

“Why did you watch me fall?” She asks sharply, turning to face him, her hands on her hips.

”I don’t like to touch people,” Ishaan says curtly.

“What?” Kaltain blinks, confusion settling upon her face. “Are you allergic to germs or something? I heard rumors of you being a control freak to the point of disregarding everything as less than you, but shit.”

“I don’t like to touch people,” Ishaan states, his words carefully chosen and emotions controlled. “What you heard is partly true. Anything that’s not mine disgust me so thoroughly I sometimes destroy them or react rather violently. Helping you would only worsen your pain.”

“You might have thrown me a few miles, I get it.” Instead of being upset, Kaltain crackles up.

Ishaan frowns profoundly, his lips pursed in a thin line. If his eyes weren’t hidden, Kaltain believed he would be glaring harshly at her.

“I’m not laughing at you, I swear. It’s just..” Kaltain wheezes, bringing her hoodie to her mouth to lessen the awakened misunderstanding. “You’re just so strange, Ishaan. I can never figure you out.”

‘That makes the two of us.’ Ishaan chuckles dryly. Crossing his arms, he answers in mock gratitude. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Kaltain calms herself down and then narrows her eyes in realization. “You could have caught me with your powers.”

“Indeed.”

“Why didn’t you?” Kaltain asks curiously, but then answers her own question. “Oh. You didn’t even want your power to touch me.”

Somehow, Kaltain laughs harder than before. Tears of laughter streams down her face.

Ishaan skin flushes. His head downcasts, clouded with unreadable emotions. ‘That’s not it. I just don’t know how to explain why I hate touching certain things, so when you fell, it was the perfect opportunity to explain casually, as if it’s nothing. It must be nothing.’

“How do you defend yourself?” Kaltain grills after her laughter comes to an end.

Ishaan shrugs dispassionately and asks in a measured voice. “Do you want to try a game booth?”

“Sure.” Kaltain relocated her hoodie around her hips, pausing briefly as she digests his words. “Why do you call me that?”

A knowing smile crinkles his lips deliberately. “Whatever do you mean, sweet darling?”

“That. Sweet darling.”

“I’m sure I’ll tell you someday.” His smirk was mysterious as him, evoking an intense anticipation in Kaltain. “Or maybe I want you to ponder the mystery forever.”

“You can be an ass, you know.”

“I know.”

Kaltain snorts, smiling in a flustered manner. “I won’t live forever.”

“But you will live long,” Ishaan says, sounding insistent.