LUCEM
Chapter XXIII

A few days with Marbella and the rat troop at the Moonflower residence, the relaxed atmosphere with the daily routine made me slightly forget about the unusual dream of the night. Although never completely forgotten.

I am grateful to have a duty and a home-based task to occupy myself. During the day, I go to the grocery store, the butcher or the fish. And in the late afternoon at night I would help Moonflower cut vegetables, grind spices, grill meat, fill the tiny kitchen with the evocative aroma of cooking. A family moment that everyone may miss.

Marbella spent more time with books, occasionally joining the kitchen or joining the rat crowd. The cat was keeping its paws deep and that added to the list of questions in my head.

Jimmy and some young mice ask permission to go look around the situation outside, try to see family, relatives, acquaintances or just gather information about them. The march of the rats took place underground, deep beneath the busy feet that passed through it. It's been going on for a few days. Sometimes they go away for a while sometimes come back after a few days. Bringing up a lot of lost stories or new stories. James and Jiso choose to stay, like ignoring the world. And the two mice of different generations have long shied away from the debate, a new scene.

"Tomorrow I will bring guests for us" said Marbella that afternoon.

"Who?" Moonflower and I asked simultaneously, then looked at each other.

"Ok, answer one for two. A girl is at once a prisoner" said Marbella casually.

I looked at Marbella to hunt for her explanation.

“Well, a girl from the city of Corado.. her age may not be much different from ours, she is the daughter of the lord of Jhonatan,” Marbella returned my gaze.

“No lasting calm, hahah.., rioter,” Moonflower responded to Marbella with casual taunts.

Marbella toyed with her fingernails. "He'll be just as tame as the rats."

“Yes, even though I didn't like it even before his arrival but I wouldn't mind at all," Moonflower said as she passed towards the smoky pans.

Marbella smiled. “You're the best, Moon.”

*****

Marbella never misses far from her words, that afternoon she came with a black haired girl tied with a big ribbon on her head. The girl was wearing a light blue dress below the knee with white shoes as well as high socks. Holding a large brown bag with both hands. She really looks like a girl, but not like a prisoner.

“Hallo!” he greeted me and I raised my hand in return.

“Hai!” he put down his brown bag and greeted Moonflower who was lined up behind me and gave her a hug.

Girls, is it that easy to become familiar? I don't get it. I volunteered to bring the girl a big brown bag.

A few steps left them, I stopped the steps. “Umm.. where should I put this?”

Moonflower smiled cynically at me then walked ahead of me. “Follow me!”

I followed Moonflower's steps towards a room on the left side of the room I was staying in.

“Put it there!” Moonflower pointed at a corner near the wardrobe.

“There are things that easily happen between a young man and a young woman, you understand I mean, Mars?” Moonflower looked at me sharply.

“Hmm,... Umm a-what do you mean?” I asked for an explanation confusedly.

“Stupid, let's go back to meet them.” Moonflower turned her body quickly and passed. I followed him in hasty steps.

Marbella and the girl chatted on the chair in a friendly talk, Moonflower joined in, while I chose to continue my steps towards the grounds. From there I could clearly hear the laughter of the girls inside the house. Prisoner, huh?

The days go back just like that, calm and peaceful.

The girl was named Maria, her face always looked cheerful and friendly. It's easy to get involved in conversations anywhere. Even with the rats. Sometimes I have small conversations with him. Moonflower and Marbella treated him very well. And.., making my list of questions grow, again.

“You like to be here?” I asked Maria.

“Like home, anyone will love this place,” he replied with a smiling face. I nodded in agreement.

One side of her cheek was a sweet hollow as she smiled. I realized that after several times looking at his face while conversing. And he has spoiled body language, especially as he moves around the tips of his black hair with his fingers. Slightly different from Moonflower which tends to be straightforward and nimble. Maria, the daughter of a mayor, is of course treated and educated differently. As for Moonflower, hehhe. He was as difficult as Marbella when asked questions.

“I came here, you must want to know,” Maria tried to guess the contents of my mind.

“Well, if you'd like to tell me, I'd gladly take it,” I'm acting like I'm not so interested.

“Yes, you were right,” answered him briefly. I don't want to interrupt the time to tell a story.

“My father is involved in something not simple and you are his main prey, Maria sighed. I can tell you, my father has become someone's tool. The worst of it all is me, our family and society at stake. Marbella understands this situation better than any of us, if you're very curious.your sister is a repository of answers to all your questions" Maria patted me on the knee.

“Haa.. alright, I'm very happy to listen to your story. Don't hesitate to tell me anything,” I tried to sound like volunteering.

“Sure, you're very kind, Mars,” Maria smiled, again showing off the basin on her cheek.

“You too,” reply.

“You should have said something sweeter to a girl, Mars,” Maria laughed seductively then got up and ran small entering the house.

I just stared at him pass. “She just shortened all the stories for me, heh...”.

Sided

James might have better advice on this.

TarNows

Intending to get advice?

Sided

Hm....

TarNows

Okaay... Why in my memory is James an old singles huh?

Sided

At least the time and getting old had given him more knowledge.

TarNows

Doesn't sometimes between knowledge, theory and practice sometimes punch each other?

Sided

Hah, sometimes it is so. although sometimes it is not.

TarNows

As long as we are not allowed to give advice, it is not our responsibility.

Sided

Indifference is also a form of violence.

TarNow no longer chimed in, Sisi ended his evening conversation and began to take TarNow around to check and test the limits.

James and Jiso walked hand in hand, mocking each other and laughing inwardly.

Hahahhahaha..poor old white rat, could it be that he did not know the difference between male and female rat?

Big rat, see who Sisi thinks first when someone needs advice.

James and Jiso threw one another a glance and smiled.

Late nights lead some to their dreams, and others to busy plans or wandering thoughts. Tomorrow there is.