//------------------------------// // A Good Day // Story: The Cello and The Guitar: Reverberation // by Nyhll //------------------------------// “[Thank you again, dear. Your skill with your instrument always helps set the mode for the customers.]” the balding man smiled as he pulled his head back, his eyes twinkling merrily as he grasped the hands of the girl standing in front of her. “[Flattery will get you everywhere, Maison.]” the young woman chuckled as she slid her hands free and tapped a long, elegant finger off the tip of her employer’s nose. “[I still owe you for taking the two of us in off the street.]” The man’s smile became somber as he took a half step back to allow his performer to start putting away her large instrument. “[My wife was quite upset with me those first two days, but…]” “[She’s still trying to set me up with your grandson.]” the pair erupted into laughter as the girl started to zip her instrument’s protective case shut. “[Only because you wouldn’t allow her to adopt the two of you.]” the man chuckled as he watched the girl stand back up and hoist her instrument back over her shoulder. He reached up into the pocket of his rather exquisite suit vest and pulled out a noticeable wad of bills before handing them over to the young woman. “[Here you are.]” The girl gently grabbed the bills before slowly fingering through them, pausing and looking up in concern. “[Maison, this is-]” “[Your anniversary is coming up, no?]” he said with a sly wink as he rested his hands on his hips. “[Think of it as a bonus for the last year on the job.]” The girl gave a small, amused snort as she looked down at the bills one last time before pocketing them. “[I also may have taken the liberty to talk to old friend Chive and reserve a table for two that night.]” the girl instantly shot back up to look at the portly man. “[No…]” “[He still owes me for that poker game in the eighties. Now shoo! Employees only at this time.]” The girl shook her head with a gentle smirk before bidding the man farewell and slowly walking out of the front door. The sign of The King’s Finest swayed gently in the mid summer breeze, the sun still sitting high in the sky as the girl paused to run a hand through her flowing locks. Had it really already been a year? The time sure had flown if that was the case. She started to hum softly to herself as she slowly made her way up the old cobblestone road towards home. She studied the slow passing by of couples on bikes or the odd motorized vehicle, the country air crisp from the lack of pollutants. More than once she waved to someone across the street. The community was small and tight knit, most everyone knowing each other in some form or another. “[It’s her, it’s her!]” the young woman paused as childish shouts of glee erupted from the park beside her, followed shortly there after by the thunderous sounds of multiple smaller feet rushing towards her. “[Teach us another word!]” “[Yeah, yeah!]” “[Another! Another!]” The young woman chuckled as she was quickly surrounded by beaming faces, their cherubic faces alight with the kind of joy that only children could have. “[Alright, alright! But you have to give me a little space, okay?]” the pack dispersed and all came to stand before the girl as she straightened her clothes. “[Alright, how about… Oh, I know!]” the girl smiled warmly as she looked around at the waiting faces. “Bamboozle. Bam-boo-zal.” Soon enough each of the kids were mimicking her, practicing the pronunciation of this foreign word. “[What’s it mean?]” one of the girl’s asked, her head tilted slightly to the side. “[There are a few meanings for it, but I most commonly use it to describe when I have tricked someone!]” responded the young woman with a soft chortle. “[Now shouldn’t you all should head home and get ready for bed? It’s way past your bed times!]” The children groaned as they slowly grouped up and went their separate ways, waving farewell to one another and their mentor, before eventually leaving her alone to return to her solitary walk home. She paused as she came to the edge of the garden that sat at the end of the park, looking down at the collection of colourful flowers, before reaching down and plucking a delicate white leafed one, holding onto it gently as she walked across the road and onto the next stretch of cobblestone path. It wasn’t a long walk, maybe less than seven minutes, but the young woman eventually found herself walking up a flight of stairs leading to an older looking building in an already older town. Her humming paused as an enormous smile spread across her face, matching the immense joy and warmth spreading through her body. She reached forward and gently turned the knob, the door emitting a gentle squeak as it slowly opened and allowed her to enter the small two story home. The soft whistling of a tea kettle wafted through the air along with a complimentary floral scent greeted the girl as she shut the door behind her, slipping off her shoes and gently storing them out of the way. She slowly made her way through the living room, the second hand furniture resting in an open arrangement to allow whoever was present to enjoy a pleasant conversation. She slowed down even more as she made her way around the corner and into the small kitchen, her prey becoming visible as she entered the side room. The girl had managed to sneak up from behind and began to creep up, inch by inch before she wrapped her arms around them. “Welcome home, love.” the warm, song like voice of Octavia sent a shiver down the spine of Sunset Shimmer like every other time the slate grey woman spoke. “I don’t know which is better, the tea, or you, babe.” Sunset nuzzled her cheek affectionately against Octavia’s before stepping back slightly. “Turn around, I got something for ya.” “Oh?” Octavia slowly turned around, her light summer dress flowing around her as she dried her hands on a floral print towel. “Happy almost anniversary, Octavia.” Sunset held out the flower, a child like blush mixed with an equally childish smile on her face. “Oh, Sunset…” a happy coo was Sunset’s reward and she felt her legs turn into jelly as Octavia slowly pulled the flower from the suddenly shaking hand of her partner. “It’s so pretty, thank you!” “Not even a light bulb compared to the sun of your beauty.” Sunset couldn’t help but smirk as Octavia burst into a fit of giggles as she slid the flower into her hair. “S-Sunset, st-st-stop!” Octavia took over a minute to say those two simple words thanks to how every time she attempted to look at Sunset the taller, amber skinned girl would start wiggling her eyebrows in a rather suggestive matter. “Your h-h-humour is so-” “Corny that it should be sold in the produce department of every grocer here in Prance?” a lively smile spread across the girl’s face as she leaned forward and swung her arm in front of herself, causing the already giggling Octavia to fall back against the counter as she burst into full body laughter. “P-Please, stop! I’m going to knock over the tea!” her delicate grey finger tried its best to wipe away the tears streaming down her face as Octavia continued to howl with laughter. “Oh, we can’t have that now, can we?” Octavia gave a surprised cry as she was suddenly hoisted up by Sunset, resting in the amber girl’s arms like a princess. “Oh, Sunset…” Octavia whispered as she traced down Sunset’s cheek and across her full lips. “Whatever did I do to deserve you?” “I’m pretty sure that’s my line.” Sunset smiled as she bent down and pressed her lips against Octavia’s, the pair purring happily as electricity buzzed through them. “Tell me again… When did you know?” Octavia asked as they reluctantly pulled apart. Sunset chuckled as she looked down at the girl giving her a rather adorable pout.“Again? Well, you know I can’t say no to you, babe. Let’s see…”