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‘In, out, in and out. You’ve got this Columbina.’
I stood there, behind the curtains, underneath the stage lights. I tapped my pen nervously against my lip. ‘You’re almost on. Get it together.’ I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes and hoping to calm my thoughts. I reopened them and stepped on to the stage.
The theater was full. There were so many people staring at me. It wasn’t unsurprising, given that there had been quite an uproar when my play was announced, although I hadn’t prepared for this many. “Welcome. I wasn’t expecting quite as many of you, but everyone is welcome.” I tried to smile at them, despite my many many worries. A chuckle ran through the crowd. “Now. Let’s begin.” I stepped forward, towards the crowd.
“Long ago. Before the masks. Before comedy and tragedy. There were two by the river, and I, alone, was only watching.” I moved to the side of the stage as the scene was built. “One was somber, sad almost. He’ll be called… Pierrot. He loved so harshly and completely, nobody wished for his affection. Except one. Let’s call her.. Columbina.”
~
The river cut through the grass like a silver ribbon, glimmering beneath the moonlight. Recently people had been whispering stories about a spirit who lived in it. Some claimed he sang people into the river, never to be seen again. Others swore they had seen green silk fluttering beneath the surface, like seaweed in the current.
I had not believed them at first. Then.. I met him.
Harlequin. He first appeared to me, during the hottest day of summer. He wore silk green clothes, hearts stitched across his sleeves and coat. Water dripped from his curls, causing them to shimmer like the water itself. Everyone loved him. Everyone except Pierrot.
“Do not listen if he sings.” Pierrot warned me one evening, as the breeze trailed through the long grass. Moonlight drifted across his pale hair, illuminating it beautifully. “Spirits never charm mortals, without wishing for something in return.” I laughed then, not caring for his warnings. I remember, much later, wishing I had paid more attention to the way he said it.
-
“Hello, love.” A voice came from the river, next to where I had sat. My head snapped around towards the sound. It was late out, there should’ve been no one, and yet… there he sat. Short dark curls framing his face. He was handsome, though not overbearingly so. There was something off about him. He smiled with too many teeth and his green eyes seemed to have black sclera. “Oh, no need to be scared, my dear~” He grinned. “Do I know you?” My voice was sharp and defensive. “No… but you’ve heard of me.” Something swayed in the water behind him. A tentacle?
“-! Y-you’re-” “Indeed. A water nymph. Name’s Harlequin.” He held out a hand. “Do you wish to join me, my dear? The water is fine this evening.” I reached towards his hand. Something felt odd, like I was seeing everything through the water. He grinned at me again. “Come here, love~”
Just as I was about to reach him, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. “Columbina! Don’t move.” Pierrot. Of course he came to save me. “Oh? Tonight must be my lucky night. Two beauties?” The nymph’s eyes narrowed. “How about both of you come here?~” Pierrot glared at him. “Back off.” His voice was almost a growl.
Harlequin raised a brow. “Wha- How aren’t you affected?” His tone grew darker. “Stop trying to lure us in, and perhaps I’ll tell you, trickster.” Pierrot swatted away the nymph’s hand. A pause. Then… laughter? “Oh- Boy, you’re an interesting one.” Harlequin said gleefully, his laugh warm and sweet. “Say… If I win this one over-” “My name’s Columbina.” “Yeah, yeah whatever, but if I win Columbina over, you’ll both join me in the river? Willingly?” His eyes scanned the two, darkening as they crossed over where Pierrot’s hands held Columbina.
“Like we’d agree to that.” Pierrot hissed, holding on to me tighter. “Pierrot… It’s not like we have a choice. We can end up going willingly later or just drown now..” I said, squeezing his hand. “Listen to your pet, Pierrot.” Harlequin hissed. “I-” He sighed. “Alright.” Harlequin laughed, smiling that too-many-teeth smile at them.
-
The days had gone by fast after meeting Harlequin. It was almost odd. He had continuously tried courting me, to much failure. Although recently his gifts had been taking on a new tone. Whenever he brought me flowers, they happened to be Pierrot’s favourite, a bouquet of amaryllis. When he brought me food, he always added extra for Pierrot. He seemed so blindly in love he didn’t realise who it was for.
As the months passed, the trees grew cold. As did the river I suppose. Still Pierrot waited beside the river every night. Still Harlequin joined him. They leaned on each other. Harlequin insisting it was for warmth (Although I’m not too sure if river spirits can get cold), and Pierrot happily obliging. They sat there in each other’s embrace for hours on end. Talking about the seasons, the recent news in the town and talking about me, I assume. (That was always their excuse anyways.)
It was almost painful, how blatant their love for each other was. You could take one look at them and see how Harlequin looked at Pierrot like he hung the moon, and how Pierrot always had a hand on or was touching Harlequin in some way. They were like the sun and the moon, always together, yet so far apart.
-
“I’m sorry.” Harlequin said to me, one afternoon. “I- The elder river spirits have told me to stop talking to you. Or-” His voice cracked, like he couldn’t bear to say whatever punishment awaited. Pierrot’s head flicked up, staring at the nymph. “But-” “I know. I’m sorry, I really am. There’s nothing I can do.”
The next night was our last together. Harlequin bid us farewell and walked over to the river. Pierrot caught his hand. The two seemed closer.. as if they had finally confessed. I choose to believe they had. “Wait. Is… there any way I can join you?” Harlequin looked surprised. “You- You want to join me?” He stammered, tripping over his words for the first time since I had met him. Pierrot gave a silent nod.
“There is.” A voice came from the river. “Just… walk in together.” I stood, frozen behind them. I couldn’t go with them, there was too much in my life right now to just abandon it. I shook my head when they offered. “I’m sorry. I’ll remember both of you.” They nodded, hand in hand. I squeezed my eyes shut, hearing the sound of their slowly disappearing footsteps.
When I re-opened them, the two were gone. All that remained were two masks. One was crying, its face open in a wail. The other laughed, a joyous smile on its face. I picked them up, smiling as tears pricked my eyes.
-
“I loved them both once. One who sparkled like the sun across the river, and one like the silence beneath the moon.” I finished. It had gone surprisingly well, considering I was almost crying and my voice had cracked more times than I could count. The crowd clapped, the curtains closed, and I was alone again. Always alone in the end. Seems like Harlequin’s good luck never quite did rub off on me.