Lost Chapter '2': The City
My car came to a halt just outside a small, home-style building right off of Chippewa Street. With a flick of the wrist my door was open, I expected it to be followed by the passenger door following suit, but alas I had expected too much. Luna was awkwardly fiddling with the door handle until I came to the other side and opened it for her. (She didn’t know that I put on the child locks and I don’t think I’ll ever tell her)
“Aedan!” She shouted, “I was on the verge of actually succeeding!”
“Sure you were…” I said with a smile, helping her get out, “And I killed Kennedy.”
“Who?”
“Never mind.” I said chuckling slightly, “Come on let’s get inside before the lines get any bigger.”
“What is this place Aedan?” Luna asked looking around the parking lot. “I don’t believe that we have been in this area before.”
“Because we haven’t Luna, all we’ve really done is go to Wal Mart and the apartment; I never really showed you the finer places around St. Louis.”
“Finer parts?” Luna asked, cocking her eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
“You seriously think that my flat and Wal Mart are the only places in the world?” I asked with a smirk, Luna replied with a sheepish shrug of her shoulders. “Well there’s a lot more to the world then just those places.”
“I figured that much, given the fact there has barely been a day that I haven’t seen you ogle over a Cardinals game.”
“I take my sports seriously Luna.” I replied, “Especially baseball.”
“I’ve noticed.” Luna replied with a smile, “Yet my question still stands, what is this place?”
“Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, best damn custard this side of the Mississippi.” I locked the car and began to make my way inside, but I stopped momentarily upon realizing a minor detail. “You know what custard is right?”
Luna’s physical reply was an answer enough. She had let out a grunt and crossed her arms across her chest, the look on her face halfway between pouting and disappointment. “I may have been locked away on the moon in ‘my’ universe, but I know what custard is.” She said trying to stare me down.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little bit at her attempt to intimidate me all it really did was make her look even cuter. My little chuckle didn’t go over well with her at all however, her face became red and her arms shot from her chest to their respective sides. At that point I really couldn’t contain myself, I started laughing out loud prompting several passersby to look at me like I was crazy, but I just couldn’t help myself.
“AEDAN!” Luna roared at the volume of a fighter jet taking off. “I demand you cease in your-“
“Alright… alright…” I said catching my breath, “I’m done, I swear…”
“I shall hold you to that.” Luna replied regaining her composure before taking her place next to me.
“Why did you laugh?” she asked looking up to me. “I fail to see the humor.”
“Well you were trying to intimidate me.” I answered stopping behind a family in line, “And to be honest… you really aren’t that scary.”
“I beg your pardon.” Luna replied, “I have terrified grown stallions, even dragons have cowered in my presence.”
“That may be true for where you come from,” I said patting her head, “But here not too much.”
“But why?” she asked again pouting, “Why am I so nonthreatening to you?”
“Do you really want to know?” I said stopping at the back of the line.
“Yes… I do.” Luna answered with puppy eyes.
“Well Luna… it’s not that you don’t have a presence…” I explained, “I know plenty of guys that would be afraid to approach you… but not because you’re scary…”
“Then why wouldn’t they approach me?” Luna asked, “If not out of fear then why?”
“Well you would scare them…” I said looking to the ceiling, “But it’s not because you look scary… it’s because you’re… you’re…”
“I’m what?!”
“You’re cute.” I replied as bluntly as I could while shrugging my shoulders, “I can’t get scared of you because you’re cute.”
Luna took a few steps back at the revelation, I was certain that she had already come to that conclusion earlier. (Mainly because of Gordon’s gawking, he DID literally call her ‘hot’ out loud) I guess hearing it from me was a bit of an eye opener.
“Y-you… you think I’m cute?” she stuttered with a slight blush in her cheeks.
“Of course I do.” I answered with a smile, “I may even go so far as to say that you’re drop-dead gorgeous. Haven’t you noticed nearly every man we’ve met doing a double take so they could get another look at you?”
“I-I guess I never really noticed…” Luna said hiding herself behind her hair.
“Well I have.” I answered with a chuckle and patting her back, “but let’s not think too heavily about that right now, let’s just get some food.”
Luna didn’t respond, which I found odd, normally when I mentioned the ‘F’ word she would have something to say. I turned to ask her what was wrong, but as I looked to her I saw the reason for her silence. My hand had never left her body; in fact it somehow managed to make it to her opposite shoulder without my noticing. Luna’s face was nearly as red as it was when she saw me wearing nothing but a towel a few days ago. I smiled a bit when I saw that but quickly realized that we were in public and in less than a second I felt the awkwardness hit me harder than Tyson in his prime.
“Sorry about that Luna.” I said quickly pulling my arm away and slamming it to my side. “I didn’t mean to-“
“It’s… it’s quite alright…” Luna stuttered quickly looking away, “I… I didn’t mind at all.”
“Glad to hear it.” I said with a goofy smile, “I wouldn’t want you to think I…”
I had to stop myself from finishing the statement. I didn’t want Luna to take something I said out of context, again. (Because I already know that’s happened on more than one occasion so far) I mean, sure, if the situation were any different then maybe, but they weren’t. I was still me and she was still her and she still needed to get home, no matter what I may or may not have been thinking at the time. Then the thing she said on one of her first nights here decided to reintroduce itself to the forefront of my thoughts, ‘the perfect mate’, again for whom?
“Think what?” Luna asked, snapping me back to reality.
“Think that it’s our turn to order.” I said quickly pointing to the cashier (Smooth Aedan… smooth) “We don’t want to keep him waiting do we?”
“Oh, I guess not.” Luna replied taking a step forward to the cashier.
“Welcome to Ted Drewes.” He said in a cheeky tone. “What can I get for you?”
Luna paused a bit and looked upward towards the menu board, (At least I didn’t have to remind her about that) tapping her chin as she tried to come to a decision. I didn’t think it would take that long, but silly me I had once again underestimated the amount over complication Luna could bring into a simple task. For five minutes she stood there, pondering on what she should have, even the cashier was getting tired of waiting. For the sake of my and everyone else’s sanity I had to intervene.
“Made a choice yet Luna?” I asked tapping her shoulder.
“Oh no, not yet.” She replied keeping her focus on the menu, “there are many options that one could make.”
“Luna…” I grunted while my hand found usual place on my face, “they’re not that many flavors…”
“To you no, but to me…” she replied turning around “I haven’t even heard of some of the choices.”
“Why not banana?” I suggested, “Do you like bananas?”
“No…” Luna replied blankly as if I should’ve already known about it, “I detest bananas…”
“Ok…” I said looking around confused, “How ‘bout plain old vanilla? Get all classical on your custard and stuff.”
“That is certainly better than banana…” Luna said gaging slightly at the mention of the ‘B’ word. “But it’s so bland… I want something with a bit more kick.”
“Have you ever considered a topping?” I asked, dragging my hand slowly dragging my hand downward.
“As a matter of fact, no.” she replied turning back to the menu, “I assume that could provide the proper ‘umph’ as you put it.” (Okay… now were making prog-) “But which topping?” (… … … shit…)
“I don’t know Luna…” I sighed, “But please pick something, the line’s quadrupled in size since you’ve been up here…”
“I only wish to make a quality decision.” Luna said pouting, “Is that not admirable?”
“It is… but you’ve GOT to pick.” I answered, “It’s not a life or death choice you know.” (I should’ve rephrased that, most life and death decisions I’ve had to make needed to be quick.)
“What would you pick?” Luna asked suddenly. “You clearly have more experience at this then I.”
“Me? Why would you want MY opinion?”
“Because you’re the one who brought me here…” (She got me on that one… well played princess, well played.)
“Well… I’m no connoisseur.” I said looking at the menu, “But I’m simple and easy, Reese’s with vanilla and hot fudge topping… make it two large concretes…”
“Yes sir!” the cashier said enthusiastically. “That’ll bring your total to fourteen seventy-three.”
I gave the man a twenty while the faint sounds of clapping filled my ears (at least SOMEBODY appreciated my work right there). Not a minute later our order was up and I made it a point to be in and out quickly, no point in making people wait any longer than Luna had already made them. I made my way back to my car with custard in toe while Luna followed close behind.
“Um… where shall we be sitting?” she asked the second I pulled out my keys.
“Right here.” I replied unlocking the doors, “You don’t see many tables around here do you?”
“Well… no, I don’t…” She replied looking around.
“Good eye Luna, guess it’s high time you actually learn how to eat like a normal American anyway.” I replied walking over to the passenger side door.
“And how do I do that?”
“In the car.” I answered opening the door.
Luna slid into her seat and closed the door the moment I made it to my side of the car. Within seconds I was in the driver’s seat and more than ready to get something in my stomach, but before I could get a spoonful of amazing down my throat, Luna on cue decided to ask me a question. (I swear she plans this stuff out.)
“Aedan.” She began, “What exactly are… Reese’s?”
My initial shock was soon replaced by the knowledge that she was from a different existence and that I had never eaten junk food in front of her, but still, a world where something like Reese’s didn’t exist is still criminal.
“Well Luna…” I explained, “A long time ago, the world was a terrible place and no one was ever really happy, truthfully everyone hated everything.”
“Really?” Luna asked her eyes widening.
“I’m afraid so.” I continued, pouring one enough sarcasm to drown a fully grown man. “But one fateful day to guys bumped into each other, one holding chocolate, the other holding peanut butter.”
“Where the men alright after their collision?” Luna asked, “Was there an altercation?”
“Almost Luna, almost.” I replied, “But just before push came to shove they noticed that they had gotten peanut butter all over the chocolate and vice versa.”
“What happened next?”
“The men ate the odd combination, then Reese’s was born and the old bitter world was replaced with this… slightly less bitter world.”
“I see.” Luna said looking down to her custard with a new sense of anticipation. “I eagerly await this experience.”
“Well it’s not going to happen unless you actually eat a spoonful…” I said rolling my eyes.
Luna nodded and grabbed the spoon sticking out of her custard similar to the way a caveman would a club and took a single, large scoop from her food. Examining it long enough for some of it to melt, she finally took a bite. The reaction that I saw was quite possibly one of the single greatest moments of my life, it was like she had seen god jumping a motorcycle over a shark while juggling chainsaws and babies with an explosion as the backdrop. (Don’t judge we all have weird thoughts.) It was so epic that I’d forgotten that I had actually brought my camera to capture such a moment and by the time I realized that I did have it the look was long gone, a wide smile in its place.
“This is wonderful!” she exclaimed, preparing another spoonful “I can’t believe that nopony has ever thought of such a perfect combination!”
“It’s pretty good, I’ll give you that.” I said putting down my first spoonful. “Remember not to eat it too fast, wouldn’t want brain freeze you know.”
“Of course.” Luna replied nodding, “But I do believe that after we have finished that we should get more.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea Luna,” I said shaking my head.
“Why?”
“Well I didn’t get to looking like this because I ate junk food all day.” I answered, “And I think you’d enjoy keeping your feminine figure.”
“I suppose your right.” Luna pouted, “But there is one last thing I should ask you.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Did I get any on my face?” she asked, “After the first taste I devoured the rest in a most barbaric fashion.”
“Luna…” I sighed, “I don’t think that you’d make that much of a-“
The moment I turned to have a look I was silenced in shock. Everywhere from the tip of her nose to her chin was coated in melted custard. Some of it was even starting to drip from her chin to in between the unbuttoned portion of her blouse. (Clean thoughts Aedan! Clean thoughts! Rule seventy-six!)
“Aedan?” Luna asked, pulling me out of my head. “Is there anything or not?”
“There’s plenty.” I answered nodding. “I’ll get you some paper towels.”
“Thank you Aedan.” She replied with a smile. “I’ll come with you.”
“I think not Luna.” I said putting my hand on her shoulder, “That’s not exactly your most flattering look, I’ll get it myself.”
“Always looking out for me,” she replied cheerfully, “Very well, I’ll remain here.”
“You do that.” I said exiting the vehicle.
While walking back to the stand I had to slap myself one or two times to get my head on straight. I’d already slipped up once today with my hands and now my mind had one foot in the gutter and getting deeper. Sure it’d been a long time since I’ve done anything along those lines, (Last time was Amanda) but nearly having thoughts about Luna? It made me sick.
I got the paper towels from the cashier and quickly made my way back to the car and handed them off to Luna. She quickly wiped away the access custard along with my ‘almost’ dirty thoughts. Taking a deep breath I buckled myself in and turned the keys until I heard the revving of the engine.
“Did you enjoy your custard?” I asked checking my blind spots.
“Most definitely.” Luna replied, “You weren’t lying about the taste.”
“Glad to hear it.” I said smiling, turning onto the street in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going?” She asked me. “I thought you lived in the opposite direction.”
“I do.” I answered, making a quick glance in her direction. “But the day’s still young, I’ve got a camera and there’s a lot of this place you haven’t seen.”
“And you’re going to show me?”
“I said this was going to be an all-day experience, Luna.” I said with a smile. “Unless you don’t think you can handle it.”
That triggered the response I wanted from Luna, a slight jolt followed by her ‘intimidating’ stare. “I can certainly handle it Aedan.” She replied, in a commanding tone. “Where shall we begin?”
“I’ve gotta place in mind…” I said smiling deviantly as we made our way further into the city.
Twenty or so minutes later, give or take lunch time traffic the two of us were downtown and only a block away from our next location. The mighty and proud Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Stopping the car as close as I could without having to pay for parking I stepped out and stared in admiration at its sheer splendor, Luna on the other hand was much more underwhelmed.
“Why are you staring off into space like that?” she asked, waving her hand in front of me, “I doubt that I’ve ever seen you so fixated on an object.”
“That’s why.” I said pointing to the massive structure. “That’s Busch Stadium.”
Luna’s eyes followed my arm all the way until she saw what was holding nearly all of my attention. It was then that Luna was struck by the stadium’s presence; she stood there in silence looking the structure up and down, trying to comprehend it.
“This structure is easily twice the size of Canterlot castle.” She said in amazement. “The architects who built this must be of unparalleled skill.”
“I’m sure there are a few architects that were better than the guys that built this place.” I said laughing to myself, “And it’s supposed to be big, it holds nearly forty seven thousand people.”
“F-forty seven THOUSAND?!” she exclaimed in disbelief, “Equestria’s largest city isn’t even HALF that size!”
“Well, a lot of people like the Cardinals.” I said shrugging my shoulders. “So they need lots of room for everyone.”
“Have you ever been inside?”
“Several times,” I nodded. “I even had plans to go to the game a few days ago.”
“What happened?” Luna asked, “The way you stare at the television when they play I’m surprised something stopped you.”
“The weather stopped me…” I answered, “Canceled via rain, besides where would you go if I could’ve actually gone?”
“I could’ve gone with you.” Luna suggested, “I’m sure that I would’ve enjoyed myself.”
“Given the way you reacted when I told you that the place holds forty seven thousand people…” I answered, crossing my arms, “I doubt that you would’ve been able to handle it, besides I wouldn’t want to get caught in a situation that would be awkward for both of us.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing really...” I said as a quick image of Luna and me getting caught in the kiss cam flashed through my mind. “Come on let’s go to the front gate.”
Before she could respond I had already bolted towards my next destination and before I knew it I was already on the other side of the street. Taking a deep breath and a better view of the stadium I smiled to myself and outstretched my arms. This place always made me feel better, just for the fact that it brought me back to a much simpler time, back when there was nothing wrong with the world as I knew it. (Or me for that matter)
“Alright Luna…Just follow me and-“ I finally turned around and realized that Luna hadn’t chased me across the street, instead she stared at me from the other side of the street. “Of course she would…”
“Why did you run off like that?” She called from the other side, “You must remember that I still lack geographic knowledge of this place.”
“I expected you to follow suit.” I called back, “That’s why I said ‘come on’!”
“I wasn’t ready!” Luna replied, throwing her arms in the air.
“I can see that now.” I said walking back to her side of the road. “Now can we please get a move on?”
“Yes.” She replied, “And please try to be more thoughtful next time.”
“Will do, your highness.” I replied with an extra layer of sarcasm.
That time the two of I made sure that she followed me across the street. (That MAY have been a bit overkill, but I every time I think that she’s got a grip of this place it blows up in my face) After a quick orientation of where we were headed we were finally on our way to the main gate.
“We’ve made it…” I said smiling to myself, looking up to sign. “Busch Stadium…”
“Indeed.” Luna said looking around at the bronze statues that graced the entrance. “But who are all of these men?”
“WHO are these men?” I asked slightly insulted at first, but I quickly remembered she wasn’t from here. “THESE men are the greatest to ever wear the Cardinal uniform.”
At that moment I started running from statue to statue, pointing to each one and speaking of them as if they were the pantheon of Greek gods. Dizzy Dean, Rogers Hornsby, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, Enos Slaughter, all of them greats of the game of baseball and more than deserving of a statue to commemorate their accomplishments when they played, but in the end there was one who stood above all others.
“And THIS…” I said walking up to the final statue. “This is Stan Musial… the greatest Cardinal of all time.”
“I see…” Luna said with a cute smile. She was thoroughly enjoying her crash course in Cardinal’s history. (The way I was explaining it, not the actual history itself) “That seems to be quite the claim, given the other’s feats.”
“The others WERE greats.” I said lightly touching Stan’s statue, “but HE was the greatest of all.”
“How so?”
“For twenty two years Stan played baseball…” I began staring up to the statue with pride, “and all those years he played for one team… St. Louis.”
“That seems like a great deal of dedication.” Luna said nodding her head.
“It was,” I replied, “in his time he was considered one of the most dangerous batters in the game, with a carrier average of .331.”
“I don’t know what that means…” Luna sighed, lowering her head.
“That’s alright I just want you to know as much about Stan as you possibly can,” I said laughing a bit, “He should be known in as many realities as possible.”
“I’ll do my best not to forget.” Luna said letting out a small giggle, “Surely he didn’t play the game his entire life.”
“He didn’t…” I continued, “But even when he retired he stayed here, helping out and doing his best to make St. Louis a better place.”
“That’s quite the dedication to his fans.” She said, looking to the statue, “It reminds me of my sister in a way.”
“I guess you could say that.” I said shrugging my shoulders, “he was a good man who never forgot who made him.”
“Was?”
“Yeah… he died earlier this year.” I answered somberly. “I never met him personally, but my dad did once… he said you’d never meet a better man.”
“I’m sorry to hear that Aedan,” Luna said placing her hand on my shoulder, “He seemed like he was very important to you.”
“He was, but people die…” I said coldly, “That’s a fact that you just can’t change… besides he was ninety something, it was going to happen sooner than later.”
“That doesn’t take away the sting of the loss Aedan.”
“I think we’ve been dwelling on the death topic for a bit too long.” I said, putting a smile on. “Let’s see if we can’t get some random guy to take a picture of us in front of the stadium.”
“Why would we do that?” Luna asked, “Aren’t I supposed to keep a low profile?”
“I brought a camera… and I’m sure you want some kind of keepsake for when you go back other than the memory of me constantly running my mouth, right?”
Luna couldn’t help but let out a laugh at what I had said, and truthfully it was a nice way to escape the mood from a few seconds ago. There weren’t many people who could bring me from a depressing state to happy with just a laugh; in fact there was only one I could think of, but that wasn’t really important at the moment. It didn’t take long for us to flag down some guy nice enough to take some pictures before I decided to continue our little excursion.
“Thanks for the help sir.” I said grabbing the camera, “We really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mind at all young man.” He replied with a pat on the back, “I remember when I was your age… a girl like that one of a kind.”
“You have NO idea.” I said as he walked away, “Now to… wait, what?” (Did he just imply that me… and Luna…where?)
“What is it Aedan?” Luna asked, “I did you need to reflect on the statues again?”
“No, I don’t…” I said shaking my head, “Come on… there’s still a place or two that I need to show you.”
And with that we made our way back to the car, I had to drive a tad bit crazy to get to the last spot, Luna didn’t really approve. (Then again I also decided to take a few snapshots on the way there. That may have been a tad bit unnerving for her as well.)
“We’re here.” I said smiling, while putting the car in park.
“Next time don’t try to KILL us…” Luna said taking in a deep breath, “I nearly experienced one of those ‘heart attacks’ the people on your T.V. talk about… where exactly is here by the way.”
“Well the ‘here’ part is actually over there.” I said pointing to a massive silver structure.
Luna turned to where I was pointing to see what I brought her out here to see, the St. Louis Arch. Her jaw nearly unhinged at the
“Amazing…” she said in disbelief.
“And you thought the guys who built Busch Stadium were good.” I chuckled.
“They aren’t even complete with it, but I am still amazed…”
“Yeah I know the arch is… wait, what?”
“They’re only halfway complete.” Luna said again pointing to the arch, “The ‘M’ has only one arch done…”
“What?” I asked scratching my head, “exactly what do you mean ‘halfway’ complete?”
“Did you not bring me to another McDonald’s?” she asked confused, “Is that not half of its symbol?”
It took a second for my brain to comprehend what it had just heard, but the second it did I exploded in a wave of laughter the likes of which I had never seen. Luna started yelling at me once I did, but I couldn’t hear anything over the noises coming out of my own mouth. It took several square punches on the shoulder and one very, very low shot to the stomach to finally get me to return to sanity and when I did I still had a huge grin one my face, unlike Luna’s disapproving frown.
“Why must you laugh like that at me?” she asked, starting to pout.
“You make it too easy for me.” I replied letting out a chuckle, “As for what you said this place isn’t a McDonald’s, it’s supposed to look like that.”
“Really?” Luna asked looking back to the arch, “I could have sworn…”
“I guess I can see how you thought that…” I said opening my door, “Now come on, let’s go inside.”
“Inside? As in past its surface?”
“That’s what inside means.” I said, “I want to show you St. Louis in a completely different way.”
Initially she was confused about what I meant, but she followed me nonetheless towards the building after we got out of the car. After about a minute of walking and several bystanders doing a double take of Luna (Which she noticed this time) we were at the stairs that lead to the insides.
“I don’t understand.” Luna said, “I thought you said we were going inside, not under.”
“You’ve gotta go under it to get inside it.” (I really should’ve rephrased that…)
“Doesn’t it seem a bit… dangerous?” Luna asked looking up to the top, “It is a rather large structure…”
“Luna, this thing’s been standing for forty eight years,” I explained. ”Eero Sarrinen knew what he was doing when he designed this…” (Thank you, History Channel.)
“If you say so…” Luna said uneasily following me down into the arch’s entrance.
Once inside Luna calmed down a bit, mostly because of all the other people walking around like it was nothing, but there was still a tad bit of apprehensiveness about her while we walked around. I did my best to ease her mind, staying closer to her then I normally would as I explained everything from gift shops to the actual design of the building itself. Granted there were a few people that saw us and had ideas of their own, but I didn’t really pay attention to them, I was there for Luna. (And it was working very well) After another few minutes of getting her comfortable to the thought of being under the building I decided to take it the opposite direction.
“Luna, you want to see something really cool?” I asked.
“Will we still be under this place?” She asked back.
“Nope.” I answered with a huge grin. (I wasn’t lying)
“Then let’s go.” Luna said pulling at my hand towards the exit.
“Hold up girl, it’s not that way.” I said pulling her back to me, “It’s that way.”
I pointed with my free hand to a line of people standing at a pair of double doors on the corner.
“What could possibly be that way?” Luna asked.
“You’ll see, Luna.” I said still smiling, “You’ll see…”
“You’re plotting something.” Luna said stopping me before I took another step. “I know that smile well enough.”
“Luna…” I began, with overwhelming sincerity, “I’m just trying to show you what this town has to offer in a different way. You know it never hurts to try something different.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Luna sighed with a sheepish grin. “I’ll trust you.”
“I’m glad you can.” I replied escorting her to the line.
It didn’t take long for one set of the doors to open letting some ten people out. Luna’s eyes doubled in size at the sight, I guess to her it was like seeing a rabbit being pulled out of a hat for the first time.
“Aedan!” she exclaimed, pointing to the exiting group, “Did you see that?!”
“Yes, I did…” I said seeing every head in the place turn to me, “Now if you’d keep your voice down so they don’t think we’re crazy…”
“I’m sorry Aedan…” Luna replied, “But those people… that arrived out of thin air!”
“Not really…” I said forcing a smile out of embarrassment, “They’ve been here all along.”
“Then where did they come from?” she asked, looking around. “I didn’t see them when we came in.”
“Where we’re going,” I explained. “They’ve been just in a different place… now please, volume.”
“I’m terribly sorry Aedan.” Luna answered lowering her head, “I guess I became a little excited…”
“Understandable.” I said patting her on the back, “But now let’s just wait… in quiet.”
Luna nodded silently in agreement and with that our wait in line began. It didn’t take long, maybe five minutes, but at last it was our turn and Luna would get to see what I wanted to show her.
“Ready Luna?” I asked looking back to her with a smile.
She was a bit apprehensive at first, but she nodded and stepping inside along with ten or so other people. The doors closed behind her and an eerie sound filled our space.
“What’s happening?” Luna asked looking to me with a hint of fear in her eyes.
“We’re moving.” I replied at the same time I felt the floor move beneath me.
Luna squeaked and jumped into my arms as if it were instinct, prompting everyone to look at me longer than what I would’ve liked.
“She doesn’t get out much…” I said with an awkward smile, softly rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her.
“What trickery is this?” Luna whispered, “I’ve never experienced something like this…”
“This is called an elevator, Luna.” I explained, “It’s like the automated doors at Wal Mart, but stairs.”
“So it goes up or down?”
“Yup.”
“Which direction are we going?”
A small ding filled the elevator and a smile came across my face, “Why don’t I show you.” I said as the doors opened.
The two of us stepped into the small room on the other side of the doors along with the rest of our group who already had cameras in hand. Me, I was waiting for the right moment, hopefully I could catch it when it happened.
“You still haven’t shown me anything…” Luna said looking around, “Didn’t you say something about being ‘really cool’?”
“I did…” I said pulling out my camera, “Look out the window.”
“If you insist…” she said rolling her eyes, “I doubt that-“
Luna froze in sheer awe at what she saw, the entire city of St. Louis basking in the glow of the setting sun and with a slight push of my finger, that moment was captured forever.
“Pretty cool, eh?” I said stepping behind her.
“Breathtaking…” Luna replied, still in awe. “I would’ve never guessed this place could be so beautiful…”
“Beauty’s everywhere Luna…” I said getting a tad bit lost in what was in my own field of view, “You’ve just got to look in the right places.”
“That’s very true.” She said turning around, allowing me to see the sun’s rays glow behind her. “Thank you for showing me.”
I didn’t say anything, I was literally frozen in awe at the view and it wasn’t the city. The way the sun tried to shine through her hair, how her eyes seemed to glow, that amazing smile, how her shirt complimented her anatomy, all of it left me at a loss for words. Fortunately, Luna was kind enough to offer me some of hers.
“Aedan?” she asked, “What’s bothering you?”
“Oh… uh, n-nothing…” I stuttered, “Just lost in the view.”
“Really?” she asked, “Because I’ve been in your way for at least a minute.”
(Crap… Think Aedan! THINK!)
“I was… uh… making sure that I could get another good picture before we went back down.” (That’ll do pig… that’ll do…)
“I see.” Luna replied with that damnable smile of hers. “Well are you going to take it?”
“Yeah…” I said reading the camera again and taking a quick shot, “Got it.”
“That’s good,” Luna said turning back to watch the sun continue to set, “Now how about-“
A powerful gust of wind slammed against the top of the arch, causing it to shake violently. It was so strong that it even spooked me, but Luna’s reaction was for lack of better words, overkill. With yet another loud squeak she jumped into my arms and clung to me tighter than a newborn would to its mother. The shaking lasted for only a few seconds, but it didn’t stop Luna from holding on to me for dear life. If it were any other situation I actually may have welcomed the action, but on account that there were about twenty people up here with us and none of them were watching the scenery, I found it to be a tad bit on the awkward side.
“Uh… Luna…” I said tapping her shoulder, “Luna… you’re safe, nothing bad is going to happen.”
She didn’t really pay much attention to what I had to say, but she did look up to me in a way that even made me not want to let go. Her eyes screamed that she needed this, she needed to feel safe and I was the man chosen for the job. I’m not really sure what happened next, maybe it was the sun reflecting off her eyes, maybe it was how tightly she was holding on to me, maybe it was how she was looking at me what I’ll never know, but my brain felt the need to lean in closer.
Initially Luna was a bit confused at what was happening (Granted I was too) but in a fraction of a second her mood did a complete turnaround. Her body became far less tense and her eyes slowly closed, preparing for what was coming. However before I subconsciously broke rule seventy six nature decided to intervene yet again. Sending an even stronger gust against the arch the building shook violently, breaking both our actions and causing Luna to cling to me as she had before.
“Let’s go back to the surface…” she said looking outside with cheeks redder than Superman’s cape.
“I think we can manage that.” I said with a chuckle before finally letting her go.
The rest of our time up there was rather uneventful, save the cub scouts there with us chanting that familiar childhood chant making fun of two people who like each other a lot. The ride down was quiet, but several people did look at us with one of those smiles (you know the one) before we actually walked out and back to the car.
“Well…” I said staring off into space, “That was interesting…”
“Absolutely,” Luna replied with a nod, “but I doubt that I would want to do it again.”
“I’ll chalk it up to a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience then.” I said getting into the car.
“Very much so.” Luna added, following suit.
The drive home was relatively quiet, but the downtown lights certainly added a very nice texture to the trip back home. Once we got there we headed back up to my apartment where I fell on the couch and Luna quickly found herself in my bedroom. I stared up at the ceiling, thinking about what happened throughout that day, wondering what was going to happen next.
“I wonder…” I said casting my gaze to the open doorway to my bedroom, “what’s next?”
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*grumblegrumble* lousy work, making me deal with a buncha rassafrassiin'.....
*sees update*
DAY. MADE.
*reads*
Yeah, this DEFINITELY should have been in the main story! i was very disappointed to miss out on the trip around the city. Glad you showed it to us anyway!!
*reads author notes*
3495363
Two words: Pony... Terminator...
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dundun-dun-DUN DUN!
Aww... I was sort of expecting the:
Aedan and Luna sitting in a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage
“Beauty’s everywhere Luna…” I said getting a tad bit lost in what was in my own field of view, “You’ve just got to look in the right places.”
I love this. Using as a quote on my user page from now on.
You do realise that yesterday is the 50 year after the JFK incident you know?
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Still today for me and yes I remember... it was a sad day for the nation
That should be a Reese's commercial, I laughed so hard, I thought I was gonna die