Faustian Bargain for a Halcyon Future [Part 3]

I quickly put on one of the new nightgowns that Quen and Írui got for me. I then left my room with Quen and we made our way to the kitchen.

“Ooo! You should try this! I always eat this when I feel like having a snack.” Quen smiled with excitement.

“Yeah, okay. Haha. I’ll try whatever you want.” I chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“Really! Then you should try this! And this! And this!”

Quen grabbed several things from the cabinet and the icebox. She must have a small passion for food. Which is kinda good for my situation. I can just rely on her when I want to try something.

“Okay, Quen, I think that’s enough.”

“Oh, oopsie. I like food. Haha…” She said while rubbing her head.

“It’s all good. Where should we go?”

“Oh, um, you want to go somewhere?” She asks, sounding surprised then pressed her index finger together.

“Yeah, I don’t think I can eat all this food by myself.”

“Well, I shouldn't eat any more food today, but if you want to spend some time somewhere...” Her head lowered a little, I think it was to hide the smile she had.

“Yeah, let’s spend some time together!” I smiled.

“Okay! I know of the perfect place.” She smiled even harder.

We then walked for a few minutes to the place Quen had in mind. I also had to take a few bits of the snacks I had. I didn't realize how little I was actually eating until Quen told me I missed dinner. I could even feel my stomach vibrate from hunger the whole way.

“Here!” Quen gleefully expressed.

I slowly walked in the room that looked pretty similar to mine. Same decor, nothing too different. I then looked at Quen in some confusion.

“Since there are so many spare rooms, we all have second rooms! So, this one can be yours!” She smiled.

“Really? That’s pretty cool.”

This might be useful to me. I won’t have to go all the way to the library and I can store all of my notes in here.

“At first, we thought that Vapula wouldn't like it but he never said anything, so…”

Quen then walked in the room and I followed. I placed the snacks on the table and Quen sat on the couch next to it.

“So, I can use this room however I want?”

“Yeah, you sure can.”

Quen smiled, I did the same. I then sat right next to her with a snack in my mouth; I was close enough to where our thighs were almost touching. I can’t explain why I sat so close. I think it is just because I was very comfortable with her. She’s been so helpful to me in this new world. I suppose, this was just the way I can show her.

I glanced over to see her face. She looked pretty nervous, probably because I was so close to her. I want to get to know her more.

“Hey.” I said softly.

“Yeah, what?” She responded as her nervousness faded.

“Can I ask a personal question?”

“Um, what is it?”

“You said that your past had a depressing story. Does it have something to do with those marks on your legs?”

“Oh, uh, you saw those huh?”

She hid both of her hands in between her legs and looked downward. Her hair completely covered her face. I made her uncomfortable because I asked her something that was probably a secret. When I stretched for the first time with her; I caught a few glimpses of her legs. She had some what I think are large scars on them. She always has her legs covered, with some type of long clothing. I’m pretty sure she is embarrassed about them.

“Only saw a little. And you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I shouldn’t have asked” I tried to reassure her, as I realized that question was uncalled for.

“Um, yeah… Sorry…” That was probably the lowest I’ve ever heard her voice go.

“Hey.” I gently grabbed her forearm and looked into her eyes with a big smile.

“You don’t need to apologize, okay. There is plenty of other stuff we can talk about.”

Her smile came back a little.

“Like, what are some of your favorite dance moves?” I asked.

“Huh! Um, I don’t think I can really explain them...” She said with surprise and apprehension.

“Well, then. Show me.” I smiled.

“Oh, umm… Okay.” She agreed, with a red face.

She got up to move to an area of the room with more space. She didn’t face me; she was probably just nervous. She then took a few big breaths.

I had only one thought go through my mind as I watched her dance.

          I cannot dance upon my Toes—

Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls,

          Nor rolled on wheels of snow

Till I was out of sight, in sound,

          The House encore me so—

Nor any know I know the Art

          I mention—easy—Here—

Nor any Placard boast me—

          It's full as Opera—

Another poem excerpt by Emily Dickinson.

That was the only way I could express myself, well, in my head at the very least. Clearly too shy to say the poem out loud.

I felt like I had front row seats at the ballet and Quen was the Prima ballerina of the performance. It was so lovely the way she moved. I couldn’t be more impressed with her elegant and fluid movements. She looked so natural. At peace.

She stopped and immediately pressed her index fingers together. She was happy but still somewhat embarrassed.

“That was beautiful, Quen. Thanks for showing me.”

“Thanks...” She bit her bottom lip a little to hide her smile.

“Well, I’m full from the snacks and it's pretty late. How about we go to sleep?” I suggested.

Quen nodded her head in agreement. We walked to our own rooms and wished each other a good night.

I had such an array of emotions today. I wonder if this kind of thing will happen often.

Even so, this world’s worthlessness made another appearance. However, I was able to witness something magnificent. Something that will always be of worth to me.