Chapter Text
Timpani grabbed her basket and hurried out the door. The late summer sun meant that it would get increasingly hotter the longer she spent outside, so she wanted to minimize the time spent in the garden. Summer harvest was the best time of year for business. Everyone wanted fresh berries and fruits to refresh them from the heat, so she needed to pick as many as she could to sell in town.
The garden path led her into the forest, shading her from the sun. She placed the stone pathway with her mother when she was just a kid, so she could always find her way home. Now, she had the path memorized, but she would keep the rocks there as a reminder of her mother’s legacy.
The forest was still. It was always a place of comfort for her. If she didn't have responsibilities, she could stay here all day. Underneath a tree, a book in hand. A quiet reprieve, of sorts.
As she filled her basket, something caught her attention. A small white butterfly landed on a leaf in front of her.
“Are you here to eat those berries?” Timpani asked, a slight smile on her face. “Nothing for you here, little one.”
The butterfly moved towards her, landing on her hand.
“Can I help you?” Timpani asked with a slight undertone of sarcasm.
The butterfly flapped its wings and finally flew away, continuing down the path through the trees. That path led out of the forest, towards a cliff side, which acted as the border between two neighboring kingdoms.
Timpani remembered hearing from people in town that you never go to the border. She didn't entirely know why, but she had never even gone close enough to see it. Her mother had insisted that they followed the advice of the locals and not wandered any further than the garden.
Feeling a bit curious and rebellious, Timpani followed after the butterfly.
It can't hurt to see what the border looks like, right?
After all, she didn't have anyone to guide her away anymore.
She tried to recall the stories she had been told about the neighboring kingdom. All she could remember was something about dangerous magic and how different they were. It seemed like a weak excuse to prohibit people from going there. Was that how they acted about her mother when they settled here?
Sunlight peaked out from the trees above her. She was almost out of the forest. Her curiosity was getting the best of her. What would she find? What if there was nothing? At least she would know and not need to go back again.
The warmth of the sun made itself clear as she stepped out from the forest. It looked no different than the entrance by her house. The main difference was the cliffside that overlooked the border, making a clear line between the two kingdoms.
What did catch her attention was something laying at the base of the cliff. As she stepped closer to the figure, she could start to make out that it was a person.
How did someone end up here? Did they fall? Are they okay?
Rushing to the person's side, she immediately noticed the fancy clothing and the deep blue skin tone. They were unconscious.
Timpani pondered for a moment.
This is the border, so does this person come from the other kingdom?
Timpani put a hand on the person's shoulder and gently shook it.
“H-hello? Are you okay?” She asked, looking for any obvious signs of injuries.
When she received no response, she panicked a little.
I have to do something to help… I can't just leave them here… No one will know if I bring them back through the forest, right? They need help. I hope people would understand.
…
Nghhh my head…
Blumiere felt his head still pounding. Shifting onto his side, he paused for a moment.
This is not my bed.
His eyes shot open as he began to study his surroundings. He was in a bedroom that he did not recognize. An ice pack was left on his head and he had a few bandages on his hands.
A cold panic rose through his body.
Where am I? The last thing I remember is…
The whizzing of a kettle broke his concentration.
He began to sit up but froze as he saw someone approach the doorway. A woman stood there holding a tray with a tea pot, a cup, and a plate with food. She had reddish-brown hair, green eyes and wore a light green and white dress. But beyond that- she was human.
“Oh good, you're finally awake.” She spoke up.
Without hesitation, she walked over to the side of the bed and set the tray on the nightstand. Her attention then turned back to him.
Blumiere froze, “Where am I? Who are you?”
“Sit still.” She instructed a bit harshly. Her face then softened a moment later. “You need to be careful. You took a bad fall off that cliff.”
That cliff… The border. I landed on the side of the tribe of Light. This is bad. Father is going to kill me if he finds out.
“How did you even end up down there to begin with?” She asked.
Blumiere thought about how honest he wanted to be. From what he had been taught, most humans hated and feared members of the tribe of Darkness- his home. They feared their magic and ways of life. Yet this human cared enough to help him when he was hurt. Strange.
“I… was practicing magic and I suppose I got too close to the edge.” He admitted.
“Magic?” She asked. “How fascinating. I can't say I've met anyone before who can do magic.”
A small smile formed in her face. It he hadn't been looking, it wouldn't have been noticeable.
“You're quite strange for a human.” He finally admitted. “Most of them dislike my people or fear them.”
“It doesn't matter to me who you are. You needed help.” She responded, moving to sit at the end of the bed. “My name is Timpani. Yours?”
“Blumiere.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Blumiere.” She smiled. “Have some tea. It's fresh.” She pointed to the cup on the nightstand.
As he reached for the cup, he picked up a floral scent from the tea. A quick sip solidified that it was, indeed, as delicious as it smelled.
“Most humans would not be as kind as you. How exactly did you get me into a human village?” Blumiere asked.
“Well I live on the outskirts of town. Close to the border. No one would be close enough to see.” She clarified.
“Quite lucky for me.” Blumiere mumbled to himself before taking another sip.
“So you're from across the border. What's it like there?” Timpani asked, without a hint of judgement. Just genuine curiosity.
“I am not the most familiar with your side, to be honest. However, from what I do know it's quite different. I am a descendant of the tribe of Darkness. We study magic and maintain history and tradition.” He felt himself opening up. He didn’t feel the need to hide the truth from her.
“Interesting.” She nodded along.
“What is this place like?” He turned the question on her.
He could see her think over the question for a moment before opening her mouth.
“Well, to be honest, I am not originally from here. My mother moved us here when I was young. I don't know where I'm actually from.” She paused, making him wonder if it was a sore situation. “This town is… fine. Quiet. I think most people still view me as an outsider. They value their close-knit bonds and distrust outsiders.”
“I see…” Blumiere frowned. Perhaps she was just an exception, not the norm for humans.
As he caught a glimpse of the window, he was met with surprise.
The sun is setting… Oh no.
“It's late. I must return home.” He set the cup down gently and moved to sit up.
Timpani stood up and moved out of the way.
“Oh, if you must go now, please take some food.” She pointed to a slice of bread on the tray.
Blumiere buttoned his coat and grabbed the bread as Timpani led him towards the front door.
“Timpani… Thank you. I owe you much for your kindness.” He gave her a gentle smile and before he could even think twice he said, “I hope to see you again someday.”
His words must've caught her off guard as her eyes widened slightly before a small smile moved onto her face.
“I hope so too, Blumiere.” She opened the door for him. “Go through the forest, it'll lead you to the border. Take care.”
She gave a small wave as he turned and rushed off towards the forest.
Father is going to be livid that I broke curfew.
I'm beyond dead.
I need to find an excuse. Spending time with a human will only further dig my grave.
Finding himself deep within the forest now, he stopped to catch his breath.
Timpani…
What a strange girl. Unafraid. There's something about her… I truly hope that I can see her again someday.
He ate the slice of bread as he paced through his thoughts.
I owe her for helping me when she didn't need to. She went out of her way to help someone she didn't know. She could've turned me in for crossing the border without permission. Or left me to deal with my injuries alone. Yet she chose to help me.
He continued on his path to his home. The moon stood confidently above him at this point.
She lives so close to the border. It can't be too difficult to sneak off at least once to see her again.
Exiting the forest, the cliff stood tall in front of him. One teleportation spell and he'd be close to home.
Blumiere walked quickly through the kingdom towards the castle. Curfew was set at sunset. He had never broken this rule before so the unknown consequence made him more anxious. Once past the castle doors, a voice stopped him.
“Welcome home, my lord Blumiere.”
He turned to see one of the maids greeting him.
“Thank you, it's good to be home.” Before he could hurry away from the conversation, she spoke up again.
“Your father asked us to tell you that he wishes to speak with you.”
Great…
“I see, thank you for the information.”
With a deep breath, Blumiere hurried off towards his father's study room. There was a good chance that he was waiting there.
At the door, he took another breath in and then opened it.
“Good evening Fath-”
“It's about time you arrived.” His father's stern words cut through his own like paper. “Where in the stars were you?”
“After studies ended, I went to do some more research and I dozed off. I realized it was already dark when I woke up so I hurried back. My apologies, Father, it will not happen again.” He hoped his lie was believable. He was never the type to lie, so one little lie shouldn't be too bad, right?
“It better not happen again.” His father turned away from him. “A Prince must follow the rules. Otherwise, the rules bend and break and our legacy shatters.”
“Yes, we cannot let things slip by.” Blumiere recited.
“Be gone.” He waved Blumiere away.
“Yes. Farewell, Father.” Blumiere left the study and walked towards his own room.
Thank the stars he believed it.
Once in his room, he laid back onto this bed.
What a day…
Tomorrow, after studies, I think I want to go back and see if she's there. I wish I had something to give her as a gift… I can't risk it though. I don't even know what she likes.
Why am I trying so hard at this? She's just a human girl. I'm a Prince. The Prince of the kingdom her people despise. I'm supposed to hate her. Yet she was different than I could've expected.
I have to see her tomorrow.
…
Timpani sighed as her finger traced the rim of her teacup.
What a strange day.
Blumiere… What a strange man.
She thought back to his appearance. He wore fancy clothing, fancier than anything the villagers in town wore on the daily.
Maybe that's just how they dress there?
Behind his glasses she remembered his light blue eyes. They were kind eyes- gentle. He seemed to grow calmer the more they talked. His words were cautious, but well-meaning. He was so different from anyone she had ever met, even if she didn't factor in the different kingdoms they were from.
And he wants to see me again?
The idea made her feel strange. Her heart beat a little bit faster. Was she nervous? Excited? She couldn't tell.
Assuming he could just go back to the cliff, it wasn't impossible to meet again. If privacy was a concern- no one ventured into the forest other than her. No one really came close to her home anyway. She didn't have much of a reason to be worried, but she suspected that he may be more concerned about it.
Timpani looked out the window.
It really wouldn't make a huge change in my day to check the border every day to see if he visited… Just to see if he held his word.
For all I know, it could've just been for show. Just kind words.
But it felt so… genuine.
Timpani sighed as she rose from her chair.
Don't get your hopes up, Timpani. No reason to be disappointed if it falls through. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
But deep down, she couldn't admit to herself that she really did want to see him again.