Song 31

Meloria stood on the edge of the city, Esitus, her backpack slung over her shoulders, a suitcase being drawn behind her with one hand, and in the other, she held her ‘busking permit’ so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. This was the biggest town she had been to so far and was her last stop before heading into the big city. It was also her first time visiting the city on her own.

“How pathetic,” she sighed, pulling her suitcase behind her as she started to walk along the path. “I’m missing my younger brother, but I’m practically an adult; I can take care of myself.”

Meloria spoke with confidence, speaking only to herself, passing citizens looking upon her with confusion. Meloria’s face didn’t reflect the same confidence that she said. She knew it took a lot to leave Lucan in Kutse, letting him go off into the world on his own. He had his own teacher now, someone who could teach him about the things he wanted to know, not just the things he was supposed to know. Yet, while knowing that brought her comfort, it didn’t stop the hurt she felt in her heart.

Meloria stopped, pouting and kicking her feet. “I know I can look after myself,” she repeated, her chest feeling tight, heart rising into her throat, making it harder for her to breathe. “Ah, crap,” she pouted, looking down at her feet. “I’m starting to feel lonely already.”

As she stood still, the people walking either side took caution to dodge her suitcase, some giving disapproving looks as to why a young woman would dare to stop in the middle of the pathway, obscuring people’s travel. She continued to stand there, looking blankly at the floor, the wind making the leaves on the ground dance around her feet. Hidden amongst the gradients of yellows and reds, something blue and more paperlike. Curious, Meloria bent down, pulled the paper from the leaves. “Hey,” she looked up, seeing a blur screaming and dashing towards her. Meloria was taken aback as the woman stopped in front of her, panting heavily with papers crumbled up in her arms, looking very much like the paper Meloria was holding. Her hair is pointing in all directions.

“Is this yours?” Meloria asked, holding it up, but didn't get much chance to read it before the woman ripped it from her hands. “I will take that as a yes.”

The person started to scramble to neaten the papers in her arms. “I think that’s all of them,” she panted, using her fingers to count them. She looked up to Meloria, blushing as the wind swept Meloria’s hair, showing all of her face.

“Are you okay?” Meloria asked worriedly, noticing how quiet the woman had become.

“I-I’m fine,” the woman stammered, quickly turning around and dashing away in the other direction.

Meloria chuckled, shaking her head, and decided to keep on walking. She needed to find an appropriate busking spot to try and get a few coins to help tide her over for the first few days. After walking a little further, she came across the market square. There were already some people performing; some were juggling, some doing magic, and then there was an elderly gentleman doing some painting. Meloria couldn’t help but admire the man’s use of colours and attention to detail as she walked around the pathway. She stopped, spotting an empty busking platform. Perfect, she hummed to herself, settling her suitcase and bag beside it. She pulled out the top hat from the Uki Uki park performance, placing it in front of the platform before jumping on. Some of the crowd had started to see what talent she would showcase. Taking a deep breath, Meloria looked up to the crowd with a welcoming smile.

“Hello, everyone,” she greeted. “And thank you for welcoming me to your city. My name is Meloria and I-”

“Are you that singer from Umculo?” The gentleman painter called out, poking his head around his easel.

Meloria’s eyes widened. “Ye-yes, I am,” she nodded. Did people know of her? But how? It’s not like there were cell phones in the world to get information around that quickly, or a way to go viral? So how had someone heard about her? She looked over the crowd in fear; they were already whispering with each other, most likely comparing her to the sorceress. This was it; she was going to be kicked out of this city before she even got the chance to perform.

“A good friend of mine said you have quite the voice,” the painter laughed, slapping his knee. “Said his granddaughter had a hoot watching you perform.”

“Oh. Well then,” Meloria’s lips curled up, her hands on her chest, feeling her heart rate still racing. “How about I show everyone what it’s like to see Reybu’s up-and-coming idol perform?”

The crowd mutters, some shrugging, taking the older man’s word as gospel, taking a back seat to enjoy the show. Meloria took a couple of deep breaths, smiling widely as she began to sing:

I’ve been on a journey,

Over the mountains, through the sea

Down the concrete paths of huge cities

Hidden monster, the crowd, the woman she bumped into early squeezed her way to the front, her heart racing as she spotted Meloria performing, her body and aura oozing confidence.

I’ve seen the stars shining above me

I’ve met people big and small

But one thing we all had in common was our dreams

Somehow, that even I don’t know,

Our dreams led us along the same path

My dream has led me to you

No matter what we find

Together, we will face it on

Just because we’ve come to a stop

Doesn’t mean our journey has to end

In my dreams, I’ll never give up

Because they brought me here to you

The song came to an end, and the crowd was silent. Meloria’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach; no one was applauding. This was it, this was the town she was going to be rejected from. She shut her eyes tightly, preparing herself mentally for the worst. Clap, clap. Opening her eyes, Meloria looked to see the painter, standing up and applauding her. The woman she had run into earlier stood forward, also applauding her. Meloria sighed in relief. Well, that was two people who had at least enjoyed her performance. The applause began to echo, and everyone in front of her erupted into cheers. “Thank you, everyone,” Meloria bowed, standing back up to face everyone. Her eyes caught a quick glimpse of a familiar face. Rubbing her eyes, Meloria thought her mind must have been playing tricks on her again, as she thought she saw the same woman, with pale skin and jet-black hair. Meloria shook it off, looking down as the woman from earlier started to approach the podium.

“E-excuse me, miss,” she stammered, waving her hand. Meloria jumped from the podium and approached the woman. “M-my name is Aggie and I have a favour to ask of you?”