Cleo's Puddle Part 2: A Night To Remember

The young Cleo looked up in surprise, the moonlight shining behind the young girl named Alice. “You can jump really high right? Come on. I know you can get out of there. Concentrate.” Alice urged her, leaning down with her arm held out. Cleo wiped her eyes and began to crouch down. Yellow tattoo-like lines appeared on her neck and jumped in the air. The bricks of the well turned into blurs as Alice’s arm got closer and closer. However, Cleo flew right past her just above the well. “Huh...wait…” she said nervously as she started to fall back down. Alice widened her eyes and quickly jumped forward to tackle Cleo across the well, with them both falling on the grass. Alice looked at Cleo with a smile before turning into a large grin, with Cleo’s eyes wide in surprise. “Ummm. Thanks. What’s your name?” Alice sat up on the grass and looked at the moon. “Alice.” Cleo sat up as well and looked at her in bewilderment “Wait...I know that name. Aren’t you the princess?” Alice sighed. “Yeah, but that doesn’t matter. I like to sneak off after dark to enjoy some time away from all the people feeling the need to watch over me. Clarice and her sisters sure are mean. By the way, aren’t you going to say you’re name?” Cleo looked down at the green grass, rubbing some of her hair which was the same color. “Sorry. My name is Cleo.” Alice nodded “Nice to meet you Cleo. Hey, what’s your dream?”

“I...um...want to become a knight.” Alice nodded. “That’s a good dream. I want to help bring the sun back.” Cleo frowned “I’d like that too. But only the Rain Wizard can do that right? Jargus hasn’t seemed to make any progress on it. Do you think he’ll be able to do it. I want to believe that, but...I’m not sure.” she admitted. Jargus was brilliant, but he never seemed to leave his lab. Was he really trying to bring back the sun? But Alice shook her head “No. I don’t think Jargus will be the one to bring back the sun. Someone else will, and I want to help them. But a princess isn’t allowed to become a knight. So I’ve been studying and looking for hints. I want to be a guide, or leave what I find out behind.” she gets up calmly and wipes off the pieces of grass off her dress. “I saw you fight. Others might be jealous of you, saying your abilities aren’t earned. But I know better. More than anything, you must have been going through something if Jargus did that to you right? I’ll keep watching you Cleo. Let’s be friends, and one day help bring back the sun. For everybody to see the sky again.” She said with a smile and held out her hand. Cleo smiled back and grabbed it.

The world turned black again. Multiple scenes appeared before Cleo, seeing herself age. Training, making faces at Clarice with Alice, helping Alice study, playing in the courtyard, playing pranks on the palace staff, and running through the city with Alice holding her hand. With every age, young Cleo’s red ends of her green hair would creep up, eventually turning her hair entirely red once she reached the age of 20. She was bowing down in the throne room next to Leo in front of Alice’s father, who had dark blue hair and brown eyes like his daughter. King Desmond. The king spoke “Cleo. Leo. You both have excelled incredibly well in the last few years. I believe you are both ready for scouting duties and travel. Jargus wants to research some of the animals and how they adapted to the rain. You will travel with him tomorrow morning. In the meantime, you two will be paired up together.” The king said, pointing Cleo and Leo. Cleo and Leo looked at each other before looking back to the king. “Get to know each other. Talk a little. You two will be partners. Until tomorrow, get some rest. Dismissed.” “Sir!” both Cleo and Leo bowed their heads before standing up. Alice came from behind her father’s throne, now 25 years old. She tapped Cleo on the shoulder and waved. “Congratulations Cleo. We should celebrate! Your new partner as well.” She said, smiling at Leo. Leo turned around in surprise “Huh? No, no. I’m not worthy to accompany the princess to a celebration. Alice frowned “Oh, shut up. Join us for a meal or I’ll kick you in the rear.” Leo widened his eyes “Huh?!” Cleo laughed lightly. “Even as an adult, you aren’t princess-like Alice.” Alice shrugged. “Of course not. I mostly study and sneak out when no one is looking. Now come on you two, let’s go party!” she raised her fist in the air.

She began to walk past the dumbfounded Leo before grabbing him by the collar which caused him to almost trip as he began to follow “Woah! Hey! No need to do that! I’m following!” He said soon following along normally as Alice let go, humming. Cleo shook her head with an amused look, as she began to accompany them. Her red eyes looked back to look at the king, who gave a tired smile. Cleo waved and left the castle with her friend and new partner for the future ahead. They would head into the city into a nearby tavern. “Some drinks for me and my buddies! Actually, no. Who cares! Free drinks for everybody!” shouted Alice. The whole place cheered and Cleo sighed. Leo put his hands in his face “My image of princesses are going to be ruined forever at this rate.” he groaned. Three mugs were placed on the table and Alice began to drink it down heavily before slamming it on the table and wiping her mouth. “Oh, don’t say that buddy! I’m actually really charming and princess-like at the noble gatherings I hate! You just never got the chance to see me!” she laughed, slapping Leo’s back repeatedly.

“...Please stop.” Leo sighed. “So Leo, what’s your dream?” Alice asked him. Leo raised his head out of his hands. “My dream?” Alice nodded, grabbing his drink that was right in front of him and gulped it down. Cleo huffed a laugh “My dream was to become a knight. Her dream is to help a future Rain Wizard bring back the sun.” Leo appeared puzzled by Cleo’s words. “Wait. Future Rain Wizard? Not Jargus?” Alice raised her hand for another round, not taking Cleo’s drink. “I just have a feeling Jargus won’t do it. I don’t know why though.” Leo watched Alice drink down another pint and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “A feeling huh? Well I personally trust Jargus. He’s very intelligent and knowledge is more powerful than any blade. I think you’re wrong. Also...why did you only take my drink?” Alice put down another mug. “Well, it doesn’t matter much. I don’t care as long as I can see the real sky.” Leo’s eye twitched. “Aren’t you going to answer why you didn’t take Cleo’s drink?”

“So anyway, what’s your dream Leo?” Alice continued, ignoring his question. “You just do whatever you want, huh?” Leo sighed. “Fine. My dream was the same as Cleo’s. I wanted to become a knight. My dream is already achieved.” Alice nodded “Nice!” she said happily with a thumbs up. “You guys will probably make great partners. Now let’s all work together to bring back the sun!” she cheered, holding up her mug. There were several moments of silence. “...Come on guys I’m feeling silly here.” Alice said still holding her arm out. “You are silly.” said both Leo and Cleo. Alice pouted before yelling “SHARE THE CELEBRATION WITH ME DARN IT!” the whole bar looked at her shocked. Leo facepalmed again, but Cleo simply raised her drink. “To the sun!” “TO THE SUN!” Alice shouted. They both looked at Leo expectantly. Leo hesitated before reluctantly raising his mug with a smile. “To the sun.” “YEAH!” Alice yelled happily as they shared hit their mugs together.

The announcement came on, letting the city know was night time. In the end, only Alice got drunk. Cleo looked at Leo across the table. “We should probably head to the barracks. But we should get Alice to her room first.” she said, picking up Alice like a sack of potatoes over her shoulder. Leo sighed “I’m just about done with you guys honestly. But I’m heading that way too. Let’s go.” They left the tavern and headed back towards the castle. Cleo raised her hand to wave Leo goodbye as he left towards the knights quarters, while she went inside the castle to go to Alice’s room. Once inside she placed Alice gently on the silk sheets, and left the room closing the door behind her. She returned to the empty hall in the barracks. Everyone probably went to sleep already. She entered her room, which was a small square room, with a bed, a desk, and a chair. Simple, but a knight didn’t need much. She took off her armor, wearing a white sleeveless shirt and undergarments as she hopped in bed and closed her eyes with a smile. It was a good day, but she had to prepare herself when going out into the rain tomorrow.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep. But was awoken by the sound of alarms echoing through the city. A feeling in her heart sank, and Leo knocked on her door. “CLEO! We need to move now! The entirety of the knights are getting called to the throne room!”