(Un)Lucky

Twirling around in confusion, I surprisingly find myself facing someone familiar. I recognize the person in front of me as the gloomy man sitting alone in the tavern. Dressed in brown slacks and a loose white tunic, he resembled that of a disheveled drunkard. Wild and discouraged. Did he follow me? Fear began to rise within me. He was standing a little too close for comfort, and most strangers had an idea not to touch strangers if they wanted their attention. Instinctively, I pushed his hand away and began to back up, my feet nearly sliding off the dock. However, the man grabbed my wrist and pulled me back up straight, but still not letting go.

“I’m sorry if I scared you,” he began, “I heard you talking in the tavern and thought you’d be able to help me.”

“Usually if you want help from someone, you use your words first”, an edge leaking into my voice. Immediately, he dropped his hand from my wrist and held both hands up by his sides.

“My apologies, I was just trying to stop you from falling. I should’ve let go, but I was afraid of you falling once again. I called out to you a few times, but it appeared you didn’t hear me.”

“Ahh….” My words fall off amidst the awkward tension. There have been quite a few people who have requested my help after realizing who I was. Not that I don’t understand the desperation of removing a curse that was given to someone, it's just that some people lacked some level of tact. Such as this man who grabbed me so haphazardly.

“Let me introduce myself. My name is Nox, and I have been cursed with the inability to use my hands. I’m a chef, and this is truly ruining my life. I haven’t been able to function properly without them. I heard you say you are the Cursebreaker. You can remove this curse, right? I would do anything for you in return, just please, please remove it.” He leaned in so close, I had to fight the urge to lean back once again.

“Relax, Mr. Nox,” I said, “I don’t need anything from you. I remove curses for all those who are afflicted. In fact, I received information from the Guild about you already. I was actually about to head to your listed address.” At this, he truly began to relax and slowly backed away. For the first time since seeing him, a smile spread across his face. His gloomy face transformed into a glowing young man. His facial structure reminded me of that of a fox, with sharp features and angled eyes. However, he was considerably handsome, especially with his smile. He had a face more suited for bartending than cooking.

“Thank you, Ms. Cursebreaker”, he said, then asking, “What should I call you, my dear savior?”

“Nia would do just fine.”

“Already then, dear Nia, what do I have to do?” I tried not to cringe at the use of ‘dear’ so as not to be rude. Some people just liked to speak like this, and I tried not to look too deep into it.

“I’m able to help you if you meet me two hours after midnight tonight at the Tidewick Gardens.”

“Promise you’ll show up? You’re not just trying to get rid of me, right?”

“I promise”, I replied, “I’m not going to leave someone in need of help. My conscience couldn’t stand it if I did.” At this, he nodded.

“You do seem like the type indeed,” he grinned, “It seems I’m lucky the Cursebreaker is so… openhearted.” He turned to leave, putting his hands in his pockets. At a second look, his hands had gone limp the second he had taken his hands off my wrist. Maybe that was why he was so touchy, I’m sure the fact that he could use them for the first time in so long was comforting to him. A smile quietly crept up on me. I hoped I could bring even more comfort to others.

I laced my hands behind my back and began to walk back towards the town. Nox had already disappeared into the crowd of people walking along the road. Suddenly remembering, I swung my head back towards the white haired man I had seen previously across the dock. But he had disappeared in the midst of our conversation. My chest tightened, and a pit had grown in my stomach. What a ridiculous reaction to a stranger missing from sight. I huffed at my own idiocy and stepped off the dock.

“Excuse me”, a deep, clear voice rang, “Could I ask you how you know that man you were just speaking with?” I swung my head to once again meet those blue orbs so clear and bright, they outshone the glittering ocean waves. His pale skin was smooth and free of any blemishes. He looked as if he was deciding what to make of me, and I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious.

“I don’t really know him to be honest”, I replied, “I’m just doing Mr. Nox a favor as his hands are having severe issues.”

“I see”, he pauses, pondering on how to continue, “I was watching from afar and was concerned when he grabbed you. I just wanted to make sure that a man such as him wasn’t harming you in any way. If you’re doing him a favor, make sure to take care around him.”

“He did make me uncomfortable at first, but I don’t believe him to be of the harmful sort. Thank you for your concern, though. It makes me feel good to know you would’ve been around if something had happened. You seem kind.” It was true. Not many people have the kindness to check in on a stranger.

“It is what everyone should do for another. It's just that too many people are selfish and heartless.” His face became quite bitter.

“I beg to differ. I think that most of us are able to live in peace due to good-natured people.”

“I guess we’ll have to disagree. You seem like the naive type, with little understanding of how the world actually works.”

“Excuse me?!” My mouth dropped at his rudeness, “It's a matter of perspective, is it not?” He shrugged and crossed his arms in response.

“Technically, I’m just saying you have a bad one. You’ll get taken advantage of for that type of kindness one day.”

“I severely doubt that.” I was seriously regretting giving this guy a compliment. Kind? Please. He was just a guy with a hero complex who enjoys admonishing others. I hmphed and strode straight past him. There was no way I was going to give this guy the time of day. I appreciated his warning, but his rudeness wasn’t something I just had to tolerate.

“Wait!” He called after me. I slowed and turned to face him once more. Maybe he would apologize. However, he wasn’t looking at me anymore. He glanced down at his hand, slightly outstretched towards me. If he wanted, he could reach out to touch me, and for a second, he looked as if he might, but in the end, he lowered his hand. “Never mind, it's nothing.”

Oh lovely, not even an apology in the end. Well, it's not like I would ever have to see him again. After tonight, I had no reason to remain in this town.