10

It’s Just A Date

 

I can’t believe she convinced me to do this!

It was Monday afternoon. Six days until the next operation. Luna was waiting in the downtown street of Everfall for Aurora to arrive. The street was filled with many different stores, restaurants, and venues. It was a hotspot for many to hang out, especially during the weekends. Looking up at these tall buildings while on the ground still felt weird to Luna even now. 

In order for Luna to learn what she wanted from Aurora, she had a simple request. That request was… a date.

This was the first time Luna had to dress for going out. She found some jeans and a button up shirt in her wardrobe. That seemed good enough to her. Fashion wasn’t exactly something she was familiar with. It didn’t really matter since she hardly went out, and had no reason to care about appearance that much.

It only took a few minutes for Luna to grow anxious. These types of bustling streets reminded her of her days as a pickpocket. It was an unpleasant lifestyle that she’s glad to be far removed from, but she has since forgotten how to navigate these streets. Each person passing by caused her to be constantly alert. Things would’ve been so much easier if it’d been night time, and she was a thief, and preferably on the rooftops.

“There you are!” Aurora said.

The first thing that caught Luna’s eyes was her bright sundress. Her entire appearance exuded much more beauty compared to anything Luna believed she could pull off.

“Should I have worn something more… interesting?” Luna asked while grabbing at her shirt.

“Oh don’t worry about that! You look amazing as is,” Aurora said with full confidence. This only made Luna grip her shirt even tighter.

“A-alright then. So what exactly do you plan to have us do today?” 

“Oh I have a bunch of things planned out, but we can take things one step at a time. First off, to the theater!”

It’s probably not going to sound surprising at this rate, but Luna hadn’t been to a movie theater in years. She’d watch any movie she’d become interested in online. Sometimes it’d be legally, many times it wouldn’t.

“I’ll pay for my own ticket,” Luna said.

“No need! I already paid for both of our tickets online.”

“I see. I’ll pay you back then.”

“Nope! I’m the one taking charge of this date so I’ll handle the expenses!”

“Hmmm.”

The two sat together and watched the film. Very little comments were made between the two during this time. Eventually, the movie wrapped up, and they left the theater.

“Aw man! That movie’s even better the second time!” Aurora said.

“You’ve already seen it?”

“About 2 weeks ago, but since you hadn’t seen it before, I didn’t mind double dipping. Anyways, what were your thoughts on it?”

“Oh um, I thought it was good.”

“Is that all…?”

“The animation was excellent.”

“Uh-huh?”

“The writing was full of heart.”

“Yeah…?”

“The protagonist was a very compelling hero whose journey I look forward to seeing continue in the next film.”

“And…?”

Luna became quiet.

“You loved it, didn’t you?”

“...Maybe a bit.”

“Haha! Now was that so hard to say?”

“We were both superhero geeks back then. This should come as no surprise”

“Of course, you loved dragging me to watch the latest superhero flick!” Aurora grabbed onto Luna’s hand. “There’s a bookstore I want to check out. You can tell me more about the movie while we walk.”

“Honestly, I’d much rather hear what you’d have to say.”

“Oh you wouldn’t want that. I’d just end up rambling.”

“I have no problem with that. I’ll listen for as long as you want me to.”

A small gasp left Aurora’s mouth. 

“Is there something wrong?” Luna asked.

“N-no! Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

With that approval in mind, Aurora went ahead and talked non-stop about the movie and all the little character moments and symbolism she noticed. Luna had her own thoughts, but she enjoyed hearing Aurora’s own perspective. 

These days, Luna knew she wasn’t exactly good at verbalizing her thoughts on this kinda stuff. Instead she’d write any analysis she had into online documents as her outlet. She’d even thought about forming these writings into video essays to post online. She gave up on this due to wanting to maintain a low profile, however. It was a dream cut before it could start.

Chatting with people in online chats was very much a no-go. The furthest she’d go was social media because she knew forming any legitimate connections on sites like that required effort she naturally wouldn’t put in. 

“It’s good to see your love of media hasn’t faded at all,” Aurora said.

“Well of course, I needed some way to entertain myself.”

“You didn’t have any hobbies like drawing?”

“I never got that good. I attempted fan art every now and then, but never produced anything that I’d want to show.”

Pretty sure I threw away all my old drawings.

“Ah… okay.”

The two arrived at the bookstore, and while Aurora looked at all the new releases, Luna chose to wander around the place. She’d never stepped foot in this store before despite being in Everfall for so long. 

Though the beige color of the walls and the smell of paper was normal to the average person, to Luna, these were lost sensations. It wasn’t that dissimilar to the private library, but because of her focus on the heist, she had no time to really take in her environment.

“You look like this is your first time in a bookstore,” Aurora said as she found Luna.

“That’s because I haven’t been in one for seven years.”

“Really? Do you ever go to places like this?”

“Throughout all my time in Everfall, I’ve primarily stayed in my house. The most I would do is go on jogs or work out in the nearby park. I get most of what I need through online orders.” Or Serene gets it herself.

“So you only buy things digitally now?”

“I’ve gotten quite used to it. It is pretty convenient.”

“Oh, so I guess you wouldn’t care to have a look at the manga section to your right?”

Luna’s reflexes kicked in. She immediately turned her head and noticed the manga section of the store. Although it’s informal to run while in a store like this, Luna dashed as quickly as she could to those shelves.

“Oh my God! They have so much of what I’ve read!”

Luna began grabbing books and flipping through the pages at an immense rate. She continued to glance around every part of the shelves for manga she may recognize.

Aurora giggled, causing Luna to refocus herself. 

“What are you laughing about?”

“Nothing to worry about. It’s just, you’ve acted so serious and mature, but now you look like a kid in a candy store here!”

Luna realized how her enthusiasm could come across as childish, and her face turned a bit red as a result.

“B-but I didn’t mean it in a bad way! It’s cute seeing you like this. I didn’t know you loved manga so much. When we were younger, I only saw you into superhero stuff.”

Luna’s enthusiasm decreased, and her face shifted to a calmer expression.

“...Taking online classes throughout all of Middle School and High School got exhausting at a certain point. Online meetings made it very hard to interact with people, but that’s how I intended it to be. Reading manga, watching TV shows, playing video games, it did more than just entertain, it prevented the loneliness from sinking in and taking me whole.”

It probably sounded pathetic. Luna wouldn’t have blamed Aurora if she at all pitied this way of living. Luna yearned for more, but knew she had to settle on the joys that were within reach.

“Luna, I didn’t know that’s how you…”

“There’s no point in worrying about it. This has been my choice after all. You don’t need to stress yourself.”

“Even so…”

“I think for now I’ll buy the first four volumes of this series right here. I’ve seen online how these are the only official releases out. The next one will come in a month, so maybe I’ll order it for myself.”

“I can buy those volumes for you.”

“Don’t bother. You’ve already done enough by paying for my movie ticket.”

“And based on the extra bit of cash in my purse, I can tell that you slipped money in there while I wasn’t looking.”

“Uh- I saw it as an opportunity to practice my pickpocket skills… Only the other way around.”

“How about…” Aurora grabbed two of the volumes out of Luna’s hands. “I buy half of your volumes?”

“If that’s the best agreement we can come to, then alright. For the record, I don’t plan on letting you spoil me any more.”

“We’ll see about that, Miss Santana!”

With the books bought and hunger developing for both, the two ate a nearby deli. It became hard for Luna to avoid further small talk in a scenario like this.

“So how did you become so acrobatic and good at fighting? I don’t remember you having that as part of your powers,” Aurora asked.

“Those are skills I honed myself. I looked up many different martial art videos online and practiced my acrobatics in the park when there were very few people. I have my own weights as well.”

“You make all of that sound pretty simple.” Aurora gleefully said.

“It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but I like to think I’ve shown decent results after multiple years.” Though not decent enough based on fighting Katherine. “I think my Curse may have had an effect on me physically too. I’m certainly stronger than the average person.”

“Similar to Chloe then.”

“Seems that way. It’s not too dissimilar. I just happen to be faster than her.”

“I think I understand what you’re talking about, though! I’ve felt it somewhat myself. I wonder if I work out more, I can bring out that strength myself.”

“That’s possible. Though your telekinesis is powerful enough as is. Besides all of that, I have a rather casual question I’d like you to answer.”

Aurora giggled, “Your phrasing sounds the opposite of casual, don’t you think?”

“How are you hiding what you’re doing from your parents?”

“Oh, that’s easy! I’m going to the college in Everfall in the fall, but I told them I already wanted to get used to living over here, so I said I’d find a job to sustain myself and pay for rent. Of course, you know what my job really is at the moment.”

“You’re going to college here?”

“Yep! Are you going to college?”

Luna froze a bit from this question. “Uh, well, I don’t really plan to. I was thinking of making this whole…y’know, my way of living.”

“You plan on going all in with this?”

“It’s a job well suited for me. I work on my own, and only have to be concerned about myself. My guardian was one too, so I might as well follow in her footsteps if I have no other path to walk. I don’t blame you if you think this sounds ridiculous.”

“N-not at all! I think you should do whatever makes you happy.”

Luna quietly murmured to herself, “Happy, huh?”

“I wish I could meet this guardian for myself.”

“You don’t need to. This is just a temporary team up, after all.”

“Aw but still, I’m curious to see if she’s where you got your more professional way of speaking.”

“She may have played a part, I will admit.”

“Yeah! Like that!”

“Hmph.”

After this, the two went on some brief clothes shopping. It seemed like a good time for Luna to extend her wardrobe further. What this really meant was: more pants and basic shirts.

They also made a quick stop to a fabric store to buy more materials for both of their thief attires.

“I must ask, why does your outfit look like you came from a Renaissance Fair?” Luna asked.

“That’s one way of putting it! You remember how we planned on being like superheroes when we were younger? I always thought about looking like a magician or witch, and I guess this is me living out that fantasy. But it looks like you went for something completely different.”

“I went for something that would be practical, but I also wanted it to be something that I thought would look cool.”

“Is that why you have a cape?”

“Is it not cool?”

“I’d say so!”

“Then I’ll take your word for it.”

This was the last place the girls visited. They decided to end the date here but they both took the same bus that would take them near Aurora’s place. Luna thought about putting on her earbuds and listening to music during this ride, but she realized that may not have been proper courtesy while on a date.

Instead, she listened to the rumbling of the bus as it took each turn, and all the sounds of the car engines nearby. This was a rather relaxing moment for Luna, but there was one question left that she planned on asking. It was in her head the entire time that they were together today.

“So…”Luna’s voice sounded uncertain. Aurora turned her head to listen. “How are…my parents?”

“Oh… I thought you wouldn’t want to talk about that.”

“I might as well rip off the bandage.”

“They’re… doing fine. I check up on them every now and then. I’ve never told them about what happened that day, but they also seem kinda reclusive around me. Maybe they just want to keep to themselves.”

“They aren’t depressed or anything, are they?”

“Your folks seem okay. They might be occupied raising your little sister.”

“Right, my mom was pregnant around the time I left. I wonder how she is…” Luna’s composure began to falter. “I’m sure… she’s a great kid. I doubt she’d need a pathetic older sibling like me to… help raise her...”

Crap! Crap! Why did I have to say that last part out loud!?

Aurora stayed silent for a moment. She had no response to this.

“It’s hard for me to say if sending that letter made them feel better or not.” Aurora said.

“How do you know about that?”

“I may have… listened in a bit on your conversation with Chloe and Melody yesterday.”

Are those doors paper thin?

“In that case, you must know why I can’t be around you once this is over. I never want to be the reason you cry ever again.”

“That’s really how you view what happened…”

A unique silence befell Luna and Aurora. Nobody quite knew what to say next. Eventually, Luna felt Aurora’s hair on her shoulder and realized she had laid her head on her.

“W-what are you…?” 

“You act so differently now, but deep down, I can still feel the same Luna I knew back then within you. The girl that would always look after me.”

“That was just… me having a childish sense of heroism. I’m cringing thinking about how I acted back then.”

“But we both became close because of that, right? In the end, it wasn’t such a bad thing.”

Luna sighed, “At this point, I just want to protect everyone I know. That includes you, of course.”

“I suppose that’s become your way of showing love!”

“I think now…wanting to love and wanting to protect have become two different things for me…”

Aurora scooted her body even closer to Luna. Her hand was now clasping Luna’s own hand. 

“...Tell me something, Luna.”

Being so close to her made Luna a little nervous. “Uhh, yes?”

“On Valentine’s Day seven years ago, do you know what I was going to say to you?”

Luna’s muscles tensed up. She looked down to avoid eye contact with Aurora.

“I…I…”

Aurora noticed how confused Luna’s face was.

“On second thought, you don’t have to answer that. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

“Huh? But…”

“Hey, it’s okay.”

“A-alright then…”

Before anymore could be said, the bus was about to arrive at the stop Aurora would leave from. She took her head off Luna's shoulder and gave her some space.

“I guess it’s time to get ready to leave. Thanks for today, Luna. I had fun!”

“Yeah… I had fun too.”

Once the bus came to a halt, Aurora got up and began walking towards the exit. Watching her leave like this left a sinking feeling in Luna’s stomach. This visual of Aurora growing ever so distant. Knowing that their time together would only last until their operation was over.

Maybe this date was just your way of reliving the time we spent together. I know you were fond of the person I once was, but does the person I am now mean anything to you? The coward who ran away? Am I just a shell to shove in memories of the past?

Luna’s feelings were all over the place. It was hopeless to believe she’d sort them out here and now, but her thoughts were able to arrive at a logical action. 

Before Aurora could fully step out of the bus, she felt a tight grip around her arm. It was Luna.

“If uh…if we keep riding this bus, we’ll arrive at the park near where I live. If you don’t mind, we could perhaps go for a walk there. It’s rather nice.”

Aurora took a second to process what Luna was asking of her, to which her eyes lit up brighter than the sun.

“I’d love to!”