//------------------------------// // Chapter One - Aria // Story: Let's Look at the Stars // by Snickers //------------------------------// The stars look especially beautiful tonight. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the stars, though no one, not even my sisters, know that. I’ve decided to throw that interest away as it seems completely silly, and I’m a siren. We don’t study or admire the stars. We lure men to their deaths. Though, that’s impossible now, but even so. We don’t waste our time on silly things like that. I’m sure if Adagio knew, she wouldn’t be happy. I’m sure of it. I’ve always tried not to pay any attention to them. But tonight, when I’m left alone to walk home and the sky is so clear, it’s difficult to not acknowledge them. Normally I have a ride home from work, but sometimes due to certain circumstances I have to walk. It’s not that big of a deal; my sisters and I don’t live too far from my place of employment. And sometimes it is nice to walk by yourself. Even if you’re left with nothing but your thoughts and the night sky. I round the corner and immediately I’m greeted with, perhaps, one of the most annoying voices I’ve ever heard. “Thank you all, for coming to the Great and Powerful Trixie’s”—she rolls her r’s as she speaks—“show tonight! I hope you have all enjoyed it very much! Trixie definitely enjoyed performing for you!” Ah. Trixie Lulamoon. The “Great and Powerful” magician. The one who talks in third person for some damn reason. Whose voice definitely carries. Who performs magic shows almost every night. Who just so happens to live on the same street as me. She stands at the end of her driveway. Children of all ages—though mostly those still in elementary school—are around with wonder and amazement in their eyes. A few parents are there too. And then there’s the applause. She takes off her hat—I don’t think I ever noticed her hat and cape are covered in stars before—and a few children, likely given a few coins by their mom, and parents toss in dollar bills and various coins. Then the group disperses, a few mutters about the show here and there, and they’re gone. Trixie looks in her hat and nods with a smile, satisfied with her gains for the night. But when she turns and sees me, her smile immediately disappears and she looks back at her money. She looks sad almost. But I don’t really have the time to worry about it. I put my hands in my pocket and walk by her. I don’t even give her a second glance. She’s still looking into her hate with the same frown on her face as I pass her. “Did you like it?” I stop and look back. She’s looking at me with hope in her eyes. I decide to play dumb. “Like what?” “The magic show. Did you like it?” I guess she didn’t think that was a dumb question. Or at least, if she did, she didn’t say or acknowledge it. “Didn’t see any of it.” Which isn’t a lie. I didn’t see anything. This time, at least. I’ve seen a few of her tricks, and I’ll admit that for fake magic she isn’t that bad, but after living with real magic for so long it’s kinda hard to see what she’s doing as good. It’s so easy to see the faults. Sometimes I wonder how humans don’t, but then I remember these are humans, and there are very few that have ever experienced even an inkling of real magic. Hell, Trixie’s experienced real magic. From me even.So why she insists on doing these stupid shows and doesn’t see them as that cool anymore I’ll never know. "Would you like to?" she asks. "Not really." I don't give a damn really. And like I said, I've already seen some, and I'm not impressed. “Oh, okay,” is all she says, and she looks disappointed. She just looks down into her hat. The frown on her face appears bigger, and her eyes are almost shimmering. God, she’s not about to cry is she? I’m about to just continue on my way (I even start walking again) but then I stop and consider everything for a few moments. I sigh. Listen, I may not care much about her or the other students, but I’m not so heartless as to just let someone cry, especially because of me. Besides, her cape is pretty cool. “Look, I don’t really give a damn about this whole”—I take one hand out of my pocket and gesture to her outfit—“fake magic crap. It’s just not that cool to me. But you shouldn’t get so upset over my opinion. Seriously. We hardly know each other, if at all. And I come from a world of magic.But everyone else here doesn’t. So just, do your thing if you enjoy it, okay? It’s stupid to care so much about one damn opinion.” She looks surprised, her mouth formed in a little “O” shape, and then her mouth closes and she wipes the tears from her eyes. While clutching her hat closer to her chest, she looks back up at me, gives a small smile, and a nod. God, what a weirdly... cute ass smile. Why would she even look like that? I didn’t even say anything that great. Does she have a star hair clip as well? Whatever. I turn around quickly. I don’t need her to be looking at me anymore. I continue walking. “Trixie will see you around.” Even though she can’t see it, I scrunch up my nose. There’s that dumb third person gimmick again. And “see you around?” What does that even mean? We’re not friends, and I don’t plan to talk to her. Ever. I mean, I guess we will be seeing each other around the school, but that’s not really something you say to someone you don’t know at all. She’s weird. Whatever. I ignore her and continue walking. I have to get home. Adagio will be mad. I still have homework to do. And I can’t stand being around her anymore either. Whatever.