As his vision came back into view, Nico noticed that the scenery around him had changed.
He was at a harbor area near the sea, overlooking the boats as they slowly steered into the port.
The wind was blowing strongly and he could see seagulls flying in the distance as the waves crashed onto the rocks near the shore.
On top of that, he felt shorter, found it slightly hard to breath due to the thickness of his clothes, and was extremely cold.
Naturally, he tried to move his hands to his pockets for warmth, but they wouldn't budge.
'...?'
'Why can't i move?'
He tried again, but they were frozen to his sides.
Before he could start to panic, a figure came into view.
An old man wearing a noble's inner clothes, a thick jacket made of animal fur and a cane held in his right hand.
He gazed at me neutrally, before lifting his eyes to peer at something behind me.
"Son, do you see those people over there?"
Against my will, my head turned 90 degrees to look at where the old man was staring.
A street that ran through the middle of a town, filled with people walking by and street vendors promoting their products.
"There" the old man's raspy voice was still, like a predator staring down at its prey.
My gaze shifted and landed on the alleyways.
Hidden behind the shade, almost lurking, were figures of people wearing shabby worn out pieces of cloth, glaring at the people who walked by.
There were no smiles on their faces, only frowns followed by shaddy glances.
Clearly, they were the homeless of this town.
The ones with no where to go, and no one to lean on.
The ones who get forgotten first.
A hand placed itself on my shoulder, squeezing it gently, then a statement,
"We're not like them, son. We are noblemen." He stated proudly.
I turned my head to look at the old man, my expression gentle as i obediently responded,
"Yes, father."
'....So this was how the Circus preformed their tales.'
'By giving the illusion that we were the main characters themeselves, as the story moved foward...'
How interesting.
Intrigued, Nico stopped trying to fight the situation and let his character move on its own without resistance.
'Ofcourse, if it becomes too much, i will obviously try to escape....somehow...'
'But for now, it seems manageable.'
The raspy voice heaved slightly before speaking.
"We will be walking past them, Son. No worries, just don't look in their direction and everything will be alright."
'...he is acting like they were going to pounce and stab me if i looked.'
'Then again, this did seem like a fitting thing to hear from someone who generally uplifted or degraded another person simply by their origin or rank.'
'A superiority personality type.'
I gave a slight nod and walked beside him as we made our way through the street.
We passed by multiple interesting vendors, from food to clothing to usable items. Quite a few of the items seemed different and out-of-place, proving that i was no longer in my world, even if it seemed like it.
However, we didn't stop by any of them and continued walking with our heads high.
...just noticing that fact brought my mood down slightly.
Up until now, i was trying my best not to think about it.
...but i know i had to, one way or another.
'..i am truely, no longer in the real world...but in a world of fiction, and the worst part?'
'I wrote this piece of fiction.'
Finally, we passed by the shadowed alleyways as we walked up the street. There were multiple people squeezed in some, while only a few lying down in others.
It felt like we had entered a different town altogether, when in reality, there was an upbeat and lively celebration right behind us, a little further down.
...this is the duality of society.
Guess its the same everywhere, whether in a progressing world, or a forgotten story, it was all the same.
As they reached the top of the hill, Nico could finally see the alleyways coming to a close.
'...yes!'
'Almost there.'
He was relieved nothing had happened so far. Considering how odd the title of this story was, he was scared something would jump out and grab him, but nothing did.
'Maybe it's just an introduction or a childhood memory needed for the story..?'
Just then, his eyes shifted slightly.
..?!
In a way, he was right. This was a childhood memory needed for the story.
In another way, he was wrong. Something did happen. Something that led to the rest of the story.
In the corner of his eye, something caught his gaze as he unconsiously moved to look.
...almost like a shinning sun, a girl around his age was sat crouched in the corner of a narrow alleyway was highlighted, her light blonde hair reflected the sun's light, making it appear to have a bright halo circled around her head.
Her eyes naturally shifted to look at the person staring at her, they looked like the sun's rays, even without any light near her pupils.
Her eyes grew wider, slightly hopefully as she saw the boy.
Nico could feel his character do the same, but in a more hesitant way, before turning to look back at the road ahead.
There was a short pause before a deep voice asked, "Did you look?"
The boy shook his head left and right, still looking foward.
"....good." the man patted the boy's head as he too, continued looking ahead.
'...He saw.'
'He definitely saw the boy staring at that girl!'
'Was this a love story? Like a sad or bittersweet one?'
Nico's heart pounded with anticipation. It was starting to get exciting!
On cue, his vision blacked out again, quicker this time, before reopening to a new scene.
The next scene took place at night, with two bright blue moons high in the sky.
I felt taller now, and my hair felt slightly longer as i walked down a brightly lit street, holding the hand of what felt like a young lady.
However, i couldn't check. My eyes were facing foward, and my heart was thumping rapidly as i scanned the buildings as we walked.
Was i excited..? Happy? Nervous?
'I really can't tell....'
' i feel like i am feeling all those emotions all at once!'
Finally, my footsteps changed direction and i started walking up some steps before resting on a large porch. Infront, was a large door of what seemed to be the entrance to a wealthy nobleman's home.
I squeezed the hand i was holding, and my head turned.
'It was that girl i had seen just moments ago in the alleyway!'
The girl that shinned like the sun, even in the darkness.
Except, she looked older now and more mature. She had half of her hair tied back, while the other half loosely dangled over her shoulders, as she wore an elegant red dress.
She was looking at me, with a beautiful smile.
And i felt my mouth open,
"Are you nervous, dear?"
'Huh, my voice sounds deeper and slightly more rough...'
'I think this is a time skip? To when the boy got older?'
'But how many years has it been?'
'And did i just call her 'dear'??'
"Well...i do feel a little nervous, haha..." The girl gave a slight nod as she tucked away a small part of her hair behind her ears.
'...wow....'
This girl's voice is so mesmerising.
The girl gave a slight squeeze to my right hand as she held her breath.
'Cute.'
'...is what this guy character was probably thinking....'
I then turned my head to face the door and gave it a few knocks.
Knock
Knock
Knock
'I don't know why, but this character seems very nervous..?'
'I keep feeling him fight back the urge to swallow the lump in his throat.'
In a few seconds, the door swung open. Two people had come to greet them.
The old man that i saw earlier, who now had more gray hairs on his head and deeper wrinkles on his face, stood beside a much brighter looking lady, who wore silver chain eyeglasses, kept her hair in a bun, and maintained a dignified pose.
"Welcome, dearies! Come on in, it's cold outside." The lady ushered us in before we could speak.
"T-thank you for having us, ma'am..."
The girl i had brought to the house thanked the lady.
In return, she gave a small smile and a playful wink.
"Dearest! We have discussed this." The old man interuppted the exchange as we walked to the dinning hall.
He gave a slight frown as his wife patted him on the back.
Once we reached the hall, the parents of the boy sat infront, facing him and the girl.
Then, awkward silence. It was almost like a quiet staring competition.
Before a winner could be decided, I spoke first.
"Mother, father, pardon my fowardness, but i just can't wait any longer."
Both of his parents gave a quick look at eachother, before looking back at the boy.
The mother made a slight gesture at him to continue.
"I just..." i could feel his gaze instinctively shift to the girl, like a hopeful puppy waiting for approval.
Noticing this, the girl placed her hand on his, while nodding.
He turned back and looked at his parents straight in the eye.
"I am going to ask for my partner's hand in marriage."
Before anyone else could speak, he added,
"...We came here today to ask for your blessing..."
He finally swallowed that lump in his throat.
'Wow, such confidence!'
Nico internally applauded.
'I don't know whats happening, but i am on your side man!'
'She seems like a nice lady!'
...but the people sitting on the other side of the table seemed to think otherwise.
The father's frown adjusted itself from slight displeasure to pure disgust, while the mother remained cool with her eyebrows bent downward slightly.
'They don't seem to like the idea very much...'
I felt another lump building in my throat, as sweat started to trickle down my forehead.
Then, a squeeze on my right hand. Somehow, that made me feel calmer.
'...They must really be in love with eachother...huh?'
'But...how does this match the story's title?'
The father decided to respond first, with a noticeably annoyed tone he said,
"I can't believe you....after all the sacrifices we went through to raise you, your going to throw away all your other future prospects for....this?" He gestured at the lady beside me.
I felt my temperature rise.
The mother, sat still, merely observing the conversation, watching the expressions of others. Without saying a word.
I could feel her gaze deepen on me and the lady beside me, when father slammed his glass cup onto the table.
Thunk!
"Enough of this." He scowled.
"First, you decide to date someone from the slums. Then! You introduce her to high society and fund her training to become a ballerina?!"
"You have wasted too much time with this hobby of yours!"
He gripped the table cloth as he stood up from the table. "You better pull yourself together and decide whats best for you and your future."
...and left the hall.
The mother too, stood up in response to this. However, before she turned around and walked away, she relayed a few last words.
"My dear son,"
I raised my head to look her in the eyes, i could feel how the character i was acting in, felt slightly optimistic for her answer.
Hopeful, for her approval.
His heart was pounding vividly.
The mother's gaze turned to the lady beside me, my partner for tonight.
"Your father and i cherish you very much."
Her eyes narrowed as she mouthed the words, "....but you do not have our blessing for this marriage."
Without remorse, she left the the room and closed the door behind her.
There was a long pause before i felt water droplets land on my arm.
My eyes followed, and landed on what looked like an angel... weeping while cluthing me as she layed her head on my shoulder.
...just then, i heard a strange phrase leave her mouth in a rather strange tone,
"..You can never leave me...."
I felt my eye twitch.
My vision, blacked out right after.
When i came to terms with myself again, i was walking down the same bustling street i had seen at the beginning, the one near the harbor.
Except now, the street had even more people walking around, going stall to stall and chattering among themeselves.
The atmosphere was filled with joy and festivities as colourful pieces of long cloth was tied from roof to roof, giving shade to the entire street area, where markets were actively showcasing their products and demostrating their activities.
'It seems, this is a...festival?'
An annual festival, that was held in the town every year.
It was so crowded, that at some point, Nico took minutes to squeeze through large groups of people just to pass through.
Throughout his entire journey as he walked through that busy street, there was one constant. A person was locking arms with him, while conversing and pointing at interesting attractions.
"Look, dear! Doesn't that smell delicious?"
A ladies voice. The same one from before.
I turned my head while beaming a gentle smile, "Yes, my dearest. Would you like to try it?"
'The shinning sun!'
This time, her hair looked longer and her features were more refined, as she wore a light blue scarf and a yellow sun dress.
'She looks like a proper adult now!'
'Me, too. My voice also sounds fully adjusted.'
'....i feel much taller too. I am probably a young adult now.'
Eventually, we made our way to one of the food stalls, starting up idle chatter with the owner as we waited.
"Hahha! Well, it's lovely to see you two!" The store owners voice was full of cheer.
"Likewise, sir." I responded to the stall owner.
"oh yes! If i am not mistaken, it's almost your...2nd anniversary, am i right?"
"Thats right, haha! Married for almost two years now." The lady beside me happily responded before leaning closer to me, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
'So..they got married huh? The parents must be furious...'
"Oh, and..." unexpectedly, the store owners expression changed from uplighting to heavyhearted in an instant, halfway through the conversation.
"...it's also been almost two years since your parents passed..." he cleared his throat. "Passed away..."
'...'
'...they what?'
'I think i missed a pretty big development here...'
My character seemed to be slightly lost in thought, before he felt someone rub his hand, and immediately came back to respond.
"Yes, well....I am sure they are happier now, wherever they are..."
He used his free hand, the left one, to rub a heavy weight building up behind his neck.
"Ahem, well...here is your snack, young miss!" The store owner's expression changed again, back to one that was befitting of a festival's mood, and handed the lady her food.
Once recieved, we both waved goodbye and continued to walk further up the street.
As we did, multiple people kept sneaking glances and secretly pointing at us.
...it felt odd. Like we were celebrities.
'What is going on..?'
Luckily, i didn't have to stay clueless for long. As someone from the crowd decided to approach us for that exact reason, just moments later.
"E-excuse me..."
We both stopped walking and turned to look at the little girl in ponytails, who was cutching a flyer with an inked quill in her hands as she looked at the lady beside me.
"I...really, really like ballet! I haven't been to your shows before, but i heard its one of the best ever!" Her voice was filled with admiration as she talked.
The lady beside me, my supposed wife, gave a hearty laugh as she took the flyer from the girls hand and used the inked quill to scribble something before giving it back.
As she handed the flyer back, i caught a glimpse of its contents.
She had written her signature over a ballet poster that looked like it was printed with special paper and customised vibrant colours, set for exclusive performance shows.
'Oh...?'
"Well, if you ever do come to one of my shows, i will be sure to remember you!" The lady beside me covered her mouth as she laughed, her eyes showing happiness.
'So...she became a famous ballerina?'
'No wonder everyone was staring...she was the celebrity.'
"We need to be on our way now, my spouse is getting tired." She made a gesture to me.
'I am..?'
'I don't really feel that tired.'
The little girl looked my direction and then back at my wife's before nodding and waving goodbye.
"Bye-bye Ms. Ballerina!!" She shouted enthusiastically, as we walked away.
Once we reached a more quieter area, my wife stopped walking and turned to face me.
She expression was unreadable and full of conflict. This went on for a few seconds before she finally asked,
"Do you still miss them?"
Her voice felt shaky and slightly uneasy, but her cool expression showed otherwise.
She was waiting for my response.
I could feel my characters lips curve upward and his eyebrows relax as he caressed her cheek.
"How could i, when i have you?"
His vision seemed completely fixated on her, as he slowly leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
When my character's face moved away, i could see a smile plastered on her face.
She was happy with the answer.
'But what an odd answer to give. Wouldn't it be natural to miss your parents if they died?'
Then, her smile grew wider, and the pupils in her eyes started to move like a beating heart, growing darker in colour as she leaned in and whispered,
"Don't lie to me."
'...!'
My vision dimmed once again.
In that short, quiet solitude, i was able to collect myself.
'I....i dont want to do this anymore!'
Something was wrong, and Nico could tell the next scenes would be even more wrong.
'Do you hear me?! I don't want to participate in this show anymore!!'
'I want to leave.'
Alas, not everyone gets what they hope for, and his vision brightened once again.
This time, it looked like he was in a grand theatre, set for plays and performances.
'No...!'
Panicked, Nico darted the characters eyes in all directions to scan the area.
He was seated on a comfy red cushioned-chair, that was placed directly in front of a large, wide stage.
Behind him, endless rows of the very same red chair circled the entire theatre, facing the stage. Every single seat, was occupied by excited heads waiting for the orchestra at the front to play, and the show to start.
Nico couldn't make his character get up, as if he was glued to the chair. All he could do was stare at the tall bright red curtains infront of him, that had not been moved opened yet.
A few minutes passed that way, as Nico took the time to calm himself down, desperately hoping this story had a happy ending.
The candle lights dimmed, and a large singular light illuminated the stage as the curtains drew themeselves back to the sides.
At the centre of the stage, fixed in a poised bowing position, was his character's wife.
'The...shinning sun...'
Even though Nico was terrified, his character was the exact opposite. His heart was full of adoration as he stared at her and clapped along with the crowd.
'This idiot is probably holding back a large grin right now...'
He was. Nico could feel it.
The orchestra started to play a symphonic medody, and the ballerina's performance began.
The clapping immediately stopped in unison.
She raised her arms and twirled as her feat leaped her body across the stage, like a fragile but agile deer.
I could hear awe and gasps coming from the crowd behind me everytime she jumped and spun.
...but there was something odd.
'...this is really unsettling...'
'Why are they all in sync?'
Not the ballerina's dance steps, but the crowd behind him.
Every shocked gasp, every look of astonishment, even the timing in which they would move their heads.
It was all in sync.
Like puppets being controlled by the same string, like decoration to fill the space,
....or like actors on a show....
It felt.....scripted. planned. Rehearsed.
As the music was coming to its finale, so did my wife's performance, as she did a triple twirl in the sky before perfectly landing on one foot.
Then, with swift movement, raised both her hands in the air, looked at the crowd surrounding her, and smiled brightly.
The crowd grew wild, the audience stood up all at once to give a grand round of applause!
'Ah....'
Except,
'She is....'
She wasn't looking at the crowd.
'Looking at me.'
Her smile grew larger when she realised i had noticed.