Chapter Text
Far beyond the reaches of the Earth and basic mortal comprehension, lies the realm of the gods. A paradise, some would be inclined to describe it as. And although no Human has ever been able to garner a glimpse at the realm itself, countless artisans and writers dedicate themselves to creating the perfect work- or the perfect scripture- to adequately describe the mightiness and power of the gods. And yet, none of them will ever hold a candle to the expansive extraterrestrial world where the gods reside. Most of the time, the gods work in harmony. Life continues, Death eventually comes, the planet moves, and the beings that inhabit it are left to themselves for the most part. Other times though…
“Olli! Aells! You can’t keep going down to the mortal plane! Just think, what would happen if any Humans figured out what you were? You’d cause outbursts across the entire planet- it would descend into chaos! Karmen has enough work as it is- for the love of the Gods do not escalate it further! We’ve purposefully been leaving them alone and just letting them know of our existence so they can worship us. Should you really be risking our entire livelihoods for, what? Curiosity? A mimicry of what Humans call ‘adrenaline’? As some of the older deities, you should seriously know better!”
The Goddess of Life herself, Qar, sat upon an elegant ivory throne. Gentle tendrils cascade along the throne’s frame, and blossoms of all hues erupt from the vines. Truly a seat fit for the oldest of the Gods. Currently though, Qar’s expression looked less than pleasant: a displeased scowl marred her otherwise perfect features, and their eyes reflected the stormy grey of their attitude.
“Really Noorah, it was just a peek!”
“We didn’t do anything, promise!”
“We just looked is all!”
“Besides, even if we hypothetically did find an interesting mortal, we didn’t interfere!”
“Not at all, nope!”
“It’s just, her soul is so pretty !”
“Like a nebula!”
“Or the cosmos themselves!”
“And we just couldn’t help but follow her!”
Qar sat silent for a moment, processing the jumble of words from the twins. “You did what ?!”
The Twin Deities of the Moon halted, as if registering what they had just said. The pair in turn grimaced after noting the admissions that had spilled from their lips.
Seizing the opportunity to continue, Qar continued their berating.
“Do you have any idea what the repercussions of going to the mortal plane could be?! Do you not remember what happened during the time the Humans call the seventeenth century? Absolute disorder, I tell you!”
Her gaze softened.
“I understand the curiosity, my siblings. Humans are indeed such intriguing beings. But you need to be careful, alright? No more Human-watching.”
“But-” Olli started.
“ No Human-watching.”
“Alright,” the twins sighed in tandem and sulked off, muttering under their breaths with each other.
“Good,” Qar nodded in approval. Hopefully, Olli and Aells would not cause too much trouble…
Why did she have a feeling her warnings were just going to be ignored?
Melody could quite possibly have the most boring life in the entirety of Hazelbrooke; the sleepy little town that she called home. Wake up at 5:30 am, be finished and out of the door of her well-loved oak cottage by 7. Open up The Writer’s Block , the bookstore inherited from her father two years ago, at 8 o’clock sharp, and close said bookstore at 4 in the afternoon. During the day was where it turned unpredictable, but usually held the same amount of monotony as any other day did: customers flitting in and out, a gentle stream the perfect combination of the hustle and bustle of a weekday and the tranquil feeling clinging to the air in the secluded treasure trove of novels. Book recommendations and returns and bartering prices. She’d just about seen it all at this point. She was just waiting for… Ah! There they are-
“Mel!”
Her Little Charm; her Sunflower. Every day, without fail, the voice would harmonize with the alto notes on the wooden wind chimes at the entrance to her store, carrying with it the lovely human being she had the luck to call her friend. If it was one thing Melody could count on, it was the appearance of Kay, one of the few monotones to her day that she cherished. Kay (Kae? Kei? Kaye? It’s almost embarrassing how she’s known the other person for almost a year and yet still does not know how to spell his name properly) and their early morning visits were her main motivation to get through each mind-numbing 8 hours of customer service.
She loved The Writer’s Block , she really did. She loved the cozy interior and the silver bell by the door and the smell of parchment. The oak shelves that lined the store and the small tables that matched. The little flower garden and handmade sign she carved sitting out front. This was her safe place, the place she cherished with all of her being.
Yet there were times where she wished she were said writer, coming into the little nook of peace for inspiration on her next romanticized poem, or an enthralling novel of adventure and mystery.
“Good Morning, Kae,” Melody greets the other young person as the door opens and the ting-a-ling of the door’s bell happily rings at the entrance of the first visitor of the day. Kei had their indigo locks pulled back into a low ponytail today, with the frizzy ends poofed out and fluffy looking.
“You’re late,” she continues as she jokes lightheartedly, already preparing space at the wooden shelf suspended from the wall on the opposing end of the payment chest and subsequent counter top above it. “Off attempting to seduce the baker’s kid into more breakfast pastries again?”
The tease bounces off of the entering patron with ease, who has now become well-versed in the wittiness of the shopkeeper.
“I mean, it has to be working at least somewhat , now isn’t it?” They say with mirth to match the small smirk that rests upon his face as she plops a parcel onto the counter, and a steaming cup beside it. Melody knew the contents of the bag the moment the scent hit her nostrils: the crisp yet sweet smell of apples, vanilla, and sugar combined in what she knew to be fluffy heaven. Her mouth practically watered.
“Kaye, have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?”
“Nearly every day, Mel.”
The banter at this point was comfortable- predictable. Like clockwork. Another one of the tasks in her monotonous life that Melody could actually stand. She could never get bored talking with her friend.
The younger girl pins her dark auburn locks into a messily done bun with one hand while the other reaches for the parcel of pastries, letting her mocha frames slide down the bridge of her nose. Taking a blissful bite, she subconsciously notes the usual gleam that settles like a gentle blanket and coats the tops of the pastries is the tiniest bit brighter today, but shrugs it off as the incoming light from the open windows.
“So,” Kay says, taking a sip of what Melody knows to be a cup of warmed cider. They always end up getting it at least once when the air starts to turn cold. “Any plans for the weekly market this evening? Looking for something to catch your eye, or decor for the Festival next week?”
Melody sighs and swishes her cup mindlessly while contemplating, “I have a couple of things I want to stock up on, but not much else. I’m thinking I might just wander for a bit though. Who knows, I'm feeling a bit motivated today- maybe I'll be able to close up early and find something good this week.”
The indigo haired person laughed as if Melody had just told the most amazing joke, but she couldn’t seem to find the humor in it. Her befuddlement must have shown in luna’s expression because Kae was quick to reassure her.
“Oh, Don’t worry!” they soothe. “I’m not laughing at you. Just a funny thing you made me think of!”
Melody breathed an audible sigh of relief, and Kae giggled. The two of them finished their breakfast in an amiable silence, the atmosphere of the shop only adding to the overall feeling of warmth she was experiencing. This. This was probably her favorite part of her days .
Eventually, Kei finished his drink, and they handed it to her to toss in the bin behind the counter.
“Well then, I best be off!” They called over his shoulder as she walked towards the door.
“See ya Kaye!” Lun responded with a gentle smile while still cradling luna’s cup of cocoa, and she watched as her friend opened the door and disappeared into the increasingly bustling streets of Hazelbrooke.
Melody continued through the day after they left- opening up the shop when it was time and helping various customers while putting up with the less than stellar ones in the process. By the time 4 o’clock rolled around, lun was absolutely exhausted. She just wanted to get out and peruse what this week’s market had to offer.
Opening and closing was probably her favorite part of caring for The Writer’s Block . She had gentle music playing in the background, and she hummed softly to herself as she twirled with the broom in her grasp. Once the floors were done and dusted, she sorted the books left discarded around the shop- the ones that people decided they did not want and had just placed wherever- then pulled the handle of the door closed and locked it with its old copper key.
The Friday marketplace was as lively and busy as always, with countless stalls that span the entirety of the central plaza. Melody had always enjoyed the weekly markets that symbolize the end of a long week of work, and there is hardly anything here that will ever be sold again- not for a good long while, at least. It’s how they maintain business and interest, after all.
The chatter of merchants boasting their wares is boisterous yet effective, able to grasp the attention of many of the townsfolk surrounding her. Carts selling an array of foods and delicacies send an aroma unlike any other: sugary sweet and warm with spice, blending well with a fresh twist of citrus and the crispness of other savory dishes. The vendors must be getting rid of the last of the summer fruits before the Autumn Festival, then, based on the onslaught of freshly squeezed lemonade that permeates the air.
“Get your freshly made lemonade here! Last of this Summer’s batch, it is!”
“Fabrics blessed by the Goddess Chandelier herself!”
“Pot pie? Pot pie anyone?”
“Lime custard over here! Or can I interest you in an orange meringue?”
“Newly mined quartz over here! Want to connect to the Gods? Get a new quartz cluster!”
“Freshly cut watermelon! Get it before it leaves for the year!”
“Refined weaponry here! Only the finest there can be. I got everything, from bows and tridents to axes and daggers!”
Melody weaves her way through the flocks of people, attempting to gaze at some of the miscellaneous wares. A spool of twine for more book binding would be nice. Some parchment and dyed leather too. While she’s thinking about it, it’d be great to find a new quill and some new inks for her poetry journal…
Lost in thought, she fails to notice the person in front of her until it’s too late, and she collides into them and goes toppling to the ground. Fluffy chocolate-brown curls flood her vision as she shakes off the dizziness of falling. Melody quickly regains her bearings and stands up again, extending a hand to the figure sprawled in the plaza.
"I'm so sorry about that!" she exclaims, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "I wasn't looking where I was going, and I was just so lost in thought! Again, really really sorry about that!"
The other person took hold of her hand and she hoisted them up. Upon further inspection, the figure in front of her was still in what the townsfolk called "Summer mode". They wore a frilly off-white button-up blouse that was tucked into khaki shorts. Leather sandals protected their feet from the sun blessed stone beneath them, and adorning their curls was a pastel daisy flower crown. Corded bracelets wrapped around and up their arms, looking like the friendship bracelets made at a summer camp; the epitome of summer fashion incarnate.
Not that she could say any better. She herself was in her favorite cream sundress, similar leather sandals matching with the stranger in front of her. Her silver star locket rested securely beneath her collarbone, a familiar and grounding weight. The stranger's eyes were what really captivated her though. They were alight with mirth and joy, shifting from an airy azure to a seafoam green with flecks of shiny hazel if you were at the right angle, and seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. They laughed awkwardly- a cute thing like the high notes of her wind chimes and made her feel like she was floating. Then, the person spoke.
"No no, it's alright! I'm just a little lost. This marketplace is much easier to get lost in than I thought. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am, thank you."
"My name is Charlie, any pronouns." The specks of their- Charlie's- eyes looked as though they were glowing brighter than before, but like with the pastries earlier in the day, she paid it no mind.
"Melody, she and luna. It's a pleasure to meet you, better now that I can have a decent conversation with you without throwing you to the ground." Charlie laughed again at that, sounding less awkward than before. "If I may ask, what are you looking for? You mentioned you were lost."
Charlie tilted their head in thought, as if debating to choose whether to tell lun or not.
"I'm looking for the flowers! They're so pretty, but I don't know many of their names, or even what's out around this time of year."
"Well, I'd be more than happy to accompany you. There's a gorgeous flower field on the outskirts of Hazelbrooke, and I can name almost all of the ones that blossom around this time if I do say so myself," Melody boasted while lun gave a playful smile, before extending her hand again. "Well then, shall we get going?"
Together, the two of them passed through the streets and to the edge of town, before disappearing through the treeline and into the forest.