Festivity at Dusk

The moon hung high in the dusky and starry sky. Just the two of us, riding along the riverbank, heading downstream.

Eventually, it led to a waterfall.

“Guess we’ll walk from here,” I said.

“Ok. Wait here, okay Betsy?”

The waterfall isn’t all that majestic. The roof that I jumped from in Plum Fool were much higher than this puny waterfall.

But it’s a nice waterfall nonetheless.

“I don’t even know that there’s a waterfall here.”

“Lance told me about it last night.”

“He sure knows a lot about random things and places.”

“Right?. Let’s head down then!”

I said eagerly.

We then traverse down the cliff that’s next to the waterfall. Don’t know if it even count as one.

Walking ahead of him with hands behind my back. I sparked a conversation.

“Marsh, how often do you stare at the night sky?”

“No that often. You?”

“Very often. Almost everyday even.”

“That’s a given ain’t it, since you’re awake every night.”

“That too. However, the night sky that’s illuminated by the moonlight, is the earliest memory I can remember.”

We then reached a big patch of grass, that’s surrounded by a few trees. I then sat down at a small rock. He then follow suit by laying down on the grass next to me.

“I did say before that I’m a half-breed right?”

“Yeah.”

“My father was the vampire, and my mother is the human.”

I then stared at the moon.

“Mother told me that I was born in the middle of the night. She’s quite a strong woman you know? Being able to raise a rascally vampire of a daughter.

“She lived a long life, for a human that is. I still remember what she said to me on her deathbed, ‘You look just like me when I was young.’”

“I see, so that’s where you got your beauty.”

What a comment. I chuckled a bit before I continue.

“After that, there’s only me and my father. She raised me as if I’m a human, while he raised me as what I truly was. A vampire. Though, unlike a lion and it’s cub, it’s more like a whale and it’s calf.”

“Sorry but, I’ve never seen neither.”

He said, as he got up to sit.

“To put it simply, he taught me how to become a modest vampire. And that is to blend in, hide my fangs, and don’t drink blood.

“’That’s how I’m able to survive for this long,’ he said, when I ask why. And I followed his way, for a while that is.”

I then stood up.

“So, does that mean...?”

“Yep. I broke his rules. Only to regret it right after.”

“...”

Silence followed. There are only the sounds of the distant cascading waterfall and crickets.

“I’m the worst aren’t I?”

Sighing, he replied with a heavy voice.

“Welp, I aint no saint, so I don’t have the right to judge. But even if I am, I’d forgive you. You can always redeem yourself, that’s what I’ve been doing after all.”

“Glad that we’re in the same boat.”

I then hop onto one of the rocks that’s not fully submerged into the river. Hopping from one rock to another, I got to the other side of the river.

“Marsh, from your point of view, how many moons did you see?”

“Uhh... Two, counting the one that’s reflected by the water.”

“Then, how many of me did you see?”

“One...”

His voice was barely audible. Eyes wide open, beholding the sight that he doesn’t seem to fathom.

With an eerie smile, I spoke.

“Say Marsh, what’s the point of having such beauty when I couldn’t even look at my own face?

“They said that it’s because we don’t have a soul. Does that mean I don’t exist?”

Standing up as he sighed. Staring off into the distance, he replied.

“That’s one hell of a question...”

“I know. I just like asking questions that don’t have definite answers.”

Crossing the river in the same manner, I then made it back to the other side.

“Let’s head back then.”

“Wait a minute! Something caught my eye.”

He said it with such urgency, I can’t help but to stop and turn around.

With a quick pace, he made it to the bushes. Wild flowers were seen blooming on and around it.

He then quickly picked off some flowers, the stems, and some vines.

The petals were gentle pink, and contrasted by the bright yellow stamens.

Walking closer to him, I then asked a question out of curiosity.

“What are you doing Marshall?”

“Awhile back, I met a medicine seller.”

“The one that goes around selling those weird tonics and snake oils?”

“Nope, she’s different. Her medicines are the real deal.”

Smirking, he continued working on those florals he picked.

“Anyway, she asked me to accompany her to find some flowers.”

“I see. So are you going to make some medicines with that?”

“She did tell me some flowers and plants that can be used to make them. However, I didn’t really listen to her and I forget about it.”

“Enters one ear leaves the other huh? So, what are you making then?”

“You’ll know eventually. Do you know what are these flowers called?”

Didn’t I told him that I used to have a garden? And he asked me if I know the name? Is he taking me for a fool?

“Of course! It’s a rose isn’t it?”

“Yep. It’s a rose, Woods’ Rose. Do you have roses in your garden too?”

Well, that answered my questions.

“Yep. Though, the colors were mostly white. It has a funny name, Dog Rose!”

“Dog Rose?”

He parroted with a quizzical look.

“Yep. They believed that it can cure a bite from a rabid dog.”

“That’s funny. Anyway, it’s done now.”

He then showed me what he made with the both of his hand.

The independent components he picked off came together nicely to make what appears to be a flower crown.

“This is the only thing I learned to make from her.”

“Well, at least you learned something.”

“Can you lower your head a bit?”

“Oh... O-Okay.”

Like he asked, I lowered my head. He then put it on me, and fixed my hair.

“Done! That looks good on you Lily!”

“Oh yeah?”

“Welp, you just have to trust my words.”

“Right! There’s no reason for me to doubt you.”

I said smiling.

Out of nowhere he then pinched my left cheek.

“Ouch! Hey! What’s that for?” I said pouting.

“Welp, that confirms it.”

“Confirm?”

“You asked if you existed or not. Since all five of my senses can sense you, that should mean you exists right?”

He said, crossing his arm while smiling.

“That’s one way to answer that question.”

We then went back to Pattinson, and back to Mallard.

The saloon appears to be packed with people. The commotions became louder the closer we get.

Once we entered the premise, everything became apparent. Almost as if the entire town is gathered to this very saloon.

People are chattering, cheering, dancing, and drinking to their heart’s content serenaded by the live music.

Ecstasy appears to filled every single corner of this place. The saloon is more radiant and lively than any other night.

“It appears that they started the party without us.”

“Damn right they did!”

He said, crossing his arms.

In the distance, with a glass of beer in one hand. Mr. Dallas shouted as he ran towards us.

“Come on in! Where you guys been?”

“Holy...! Peepaw, you’re drunk already.”

“What’re ya’ talkin’ ‘bout Marsh? It’s only the third glass!”

“Exactly.”

Mr. Dallas then winked at me as he convinced Marshall.

“Come on Marsh, join us! It feel incomplete without you.”

“Ugh... You sure are annoying sometimes.”

“He’s right. We might as well join in the fun, opportunity like this doesn’t come often you know.”

I said smiling.

“Alright fine, just for tonight. Only because you said so.”

We then sat at the counter seats and ordered our drink.

“Cheers!"

We continued to converse, despite finding it a tad difficult to hear each other over the live music and chattering crowd.

I’m even confident to say that it’s the best conversation we had so far. Exchanging stories, feelings, worries and whatnot.

Mr. Dallas then said something to Lance.

“Let me take over. Join them on the stage!”

“Alrighty.”

He said as he pulled out a harmonica and got on to the stage.

“Lance? Didn’t know you can play the harmonica.”

Said a man from the crowd.

“Oh, you’ll see.”

He said smirking.

He then played it. He was surprisingly good at it. The other three musicians then follow suit, as if they just received a cue.

The music that’s playing is full of spirit. The patrons of the saloon then burst into song and dance along with the music.

Marshall then spoke to me with a smile, as he lend a hand.

“I’m feeling left out. Let’s join them!”

“You know how to dance Marsh?”

“Not really.”

“Well, I figured.”

We then dance along for a bit, following the melodious music. Although not very good, he followed my lead throughout it.

“Marsh, you said that all five of your senses sensed me right?”

“I did!”

“You silly, you actually forgot one!”

“Did I?”

“Yep, and that is taste!”

“...‽”

I then leaned in, brought my face close to his, and kissed him on the lips.