Eyes Meet and Love

Ace’s contract with Johnny had proved to be a good move as the team found success wherever they went to perform. Johnny turned out to be a trustworthy manager and friend. At each stage, Ace’s voice was more captivating every time he sang, leading to bigger and bigger crowds.

“Would you look at that Ace! The new posters I had made look incredible!” Johnny beamed.

“Yeah, dude, look, they even got my nose right!” Ace chimed.

“With your skill, we’ll be living like kings!”

“Only with your great managing skills!”

“Why, thank you.”

Johnny pulled out his map. “Look, Our next stop is Harmonia, and I want you to put your utmost talent into this performance, okay Ace? There could be big names in this crowd that could get us an invite to Cerulean, the capital of Zole, where King Thomas puts on the annual Ball. If you perform there, you’ve officially become one of the best. This could be your big break, Ace! We need to leave an impression.”

“Oh? You want an impression I’ll kill them with these great looks.” he smiled.

“Murder is against the law, man.”

“Not if they can’t find evidence!” Ace joked.

Ace was in awe as the duo entered the bustling and posh tavern. The walls, the fixtures, the stage, everything was expensive looking.

“We’re in Prince Kai’s territory now,” Johnny whispered.

“Is that why some taverns are rundown and others not?”

“You mean you have no idea what’s going on!!! I thought you knew this whole time!!”

“Nope.”

“After this performance, we need to talk, man.”

“Sure! I can talk all night.”

“Whatever, I need to talk to the musicians to let them know we’re here. Stay put, and don’t get into trouble like last time.”

“Hey, It’s not my fault drunk men dislike that women like me so much!”

Ace wandered around, looking at all the different kinds of people. It was evident now that this world had different types of species. Some were more obvious than others, and some just had differently shaped ears. I guess Bicalow was merely a human district. Ace thought. Walking forward, lost in thought, he heard a man yell.

“Watch out!”

Ace’s reflexes instinctively kicked in and caught a caped individual before they fell onto the floor. Landing in his arms, Ace looked down to see a petite figure in a black hooded cape. The hood fell off the person’s head, revealing a beautiful girl with long raven black hair tumbling from the hood and big round eyes blue as diamonds. His heart pounded as the girl stared into his eyes and looked at him as if she knew all his secrets. Time felt as if it had stopped. The girl blushed profusely and started to stammer Im... I’m so sorry I was pushed and I I I… she gasped, “My cape, my face!!!! I need to hide it!” she grabbed her hood and quickly covered her face.

“Hiding a face as beautiful as yours is a crime.”

The girl blushed even harder and avoided eye contact with the young man.

“Thank you..for catching me.”

“Anytime,” Ace said, “I’m always here to lend my arms in case you decide to fall again. So, are you here to relax, or do you just like starting fights with big beastly guys?” Ace teased.

“Oh, um..just passing by,” She said nervously.

Ace knew that he wanted to get to know this girl more.

“Are you staying for the show everyone’s been talking about? That Ace guy or whatever his name is?” He asked.

“Why yes; how did you know?”

“Just a hunch; Everyone has been talking about this new bard.”

“I heard that hearing his music will change your life.” the girl said, now taking a seat at the nearest table.

Ace followed and sat across from the girl.

“Really? Change your life?”

“Yes,” she lowered her voice, “I’m not supposed to say anything, but you look trustworthy... I snuck away from home to hear for myself.”

“Oh, and whys that?” he said with a smug face placing his face on his hand and leaning closer to the girl.

“Because, um... Well, I just really love music,” she said, smiling nervously and looking down at the floor, quickly avoiding the man’s intense gaze.

“Well, let me tell you you won’t be disappointed. I’ve heard this guy, and he’s amazing!”

“I hope so.”

The tavern started to become crowded with more people, making it hard to hear the girl.

“So, what’s your first name?” He said, raising his voice over the noise.

“Catch the mouse!” She said.

“Huh? No, not your first game, your first name,” he said.

“Ohh, I’m so stupid,” the girl laughed. “It’s Bridget.”

“Well, Bridget, my name is-”

“There you are; let’s go. It’s almost time!” Johnny grabbed Ace’s arm, tugging him away from the girl. Looking back at the girl, Ace couldn’t get her out of his head.

“We got no time for flirting,” Johnny said.

“I think I’m in love.” Ace sighed.

Johnny pulled him to the side and slapped his face.

“No! Bad Ace, we do not get the heart involved when you have so much on the line with tonight’s performance!”

"But..." Ace stammered.

“No buts, now go get ready; you got like one minute before you go on.” Johnny pushed him towards the entertainer’s room near the back.

Ace managed to return from the clouds of love for a second. I gotta look good for Bridget and become cool, he thought. He saw a tavern girl leaning on a wall talking to another girl and walked over.

“Hello, beautiful ladies. Would you be so kind as to do me a favor?”

“Sure, handsome what do you need?”

“Can I borrow some black eye makeup?”

“Sure?” The girl pulled out some eye coal from her bag.

After Smearing the black coal around his eyes, Ace returned the makeup to the girl.

“Wow, I never knew how hot eye coal could make a guy look.” the girl said, with her friend nodding in agreement.

Good, I’m ready. I think I’ll change up my performance for tonight, Ace said, thinking about Bridget’s blue eyes as he waited near the stage to perform.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to announce our next name for this evening’s entertainment. A Bard whose talent will awe you with his stories of emotion. I present to you, Ace!” the announcer said. Ace walked onto the stage. Bridget sitting at the table looked up and saw the guy who caught her; her jaw dropped.

“Tonight, I would like to tell you all the tale of the fair maiden with the blue eyes. It started with a soft and lovely dream whenever those same blue eyes appeared. Vibrant Blue eyes that could pierce through your soul. Blue eyes filled with compassion and bringing back the dreams of sorrow.” Ace spoke. 

The audience was drawn in at this point. He started to strum and began to sing about how love held him captive. He looked down at the girl, who was entranced by his performance. His presence drew her in, and she couldn’t look away. Neither could the audience, whose hearts were moved by the performance. When he finished, the audience went wild. He got off the stage and met with Johnny.

“How did I do?” Ace asked.

“What was that? You never mentioned anything about changing the song you were performing-”

“Shh, Hold that thought,” he said, glancing over at the girl looking back at him. Ace started to make his way toward the girl. He was almost up to her when he heard a loud yell.

“Look, it’s Princess Laureline! She’s on Prince Kai’s land. After her!!!” said a guard.

The girl’s eyes widened. “They spotted me!!” The girl abruptly jumped up from the table and went to flee when Ace caught her hand.

“Where are you going? You said your name is Bridget. Why did they call you Laureline?” Ace questioned.

Trying to wriggle free from his grasp, the guards were right on her tail. In a panic, Laureline grabbed Ace's wrist with her free hand.

“If you’re not going to let my hand go, I have no choice but to take you with me. Now let’s go.” Laureline said.