Write the Story


Authors
SoraDeathEater
Published
4 years, 7 months ago
Updated
1 year, 6 months ago
Stats
2 5261

Entry 1
Published 4 years, 7 months ago
4726

A collection of various short stories made/inspired by prompts from the book called "Write the Story". Some of these may be canon to my stories!

Theme Lighter Light Dark Darker Reset
Text Serif Sans Serif Reset
Text Size Reset

Piano Bar


      In a popular bar named Elegan's Trinity Tavern, business is booming. The establishment was filled with visibly intoxicated patrons. Conversations echo through the building making it feel alive. Baristas serve their customers with wide pleasant smiles creating a positive experience for all. Live music plays in the background to provide a soothing yet enjoyable atmosphere.
     Everyone seems to be having a good time, though not the girl with red hair and bunny ears. She scans the crowded room until she spots the pianist, a foreigner with a painted face and blonde bangs. His fingers tap the keys on the piano elegantly and deliberately, every move he makes is planned ahead of time. The girl's emotions were drawn from every note, they made her think of memories and feelings that she wished to forget. A gentle and caring smile from the one she loved. Her former lives she had spent with friends. Friends she would soon reunite with in a few months. The timing of everything was something she knew way too well. Her thoughts came to an end when the song reached its conclusion. The pianist glances up at her, his brown eyes momentarily captivate her but she doesn't dwell on it. She nods to an empty table nearby. An invitation for him to have a drink with her. One that he would gracefully accept.
     He takes a quick bow to his clapping audience as he looks over to a similarly dressed man with a tray of drinks. "I'm taking a break." The pianist announces to the guy, with a polite smile. The other man only nods. "Gracias." A word of thanks as he heads over to the table where the girl sat. "Did you just get here? Perdon, sorry for making you wait." His voice matches his background, an unknown accent as he spoke the common language of the universe. The redheaded bunny girl shakes her head to his question. She was once fascinated with his accent for being so different than what she has heard, but of course, she would never tell him that. It would be weird.
      "No I literally just got here," the redhead, Delilah, rests her head on her fist. A bag sat on her lap which he assumed is where she kept her money. Maybe some makeup? He quickly examines her for any traces of makeup. Though her freckled face seemed to be free of any. The outfit she wore now was what she typically wears out in the field, so he knew she was here on a mission. A PeaceKeeper duty. It was the same outfit she wore when she arrived in his village. It was the same day she offered him a crucial position in their ranks. It was thanks to his magic he was eligible for it. His wife was initially against it until she was told about the prophecy... Something they both hoped would never happen.
    "God I need a drink," Delilah grumbles as she waves at a passing waiter. At first, the timid waiter tries to avoid eye contact with her since she was an attractive gal. Though despite her cute and petite physique, her attitude and tone could be a bit intimidating. "Hello?! Can you hear me?!" She shouts out to him and he realizes there's no avoiding her. The waiter nervously nods and wobbles his way towards them. He notices the familiar face sitting in front of her since he was the only person with a painted-like face. He slightly relaxes at the sight of someone he knew, then asks how he could help them. "I need one of your biggest drinks." She glances around the room and something catches her attention, her eyes began to sparkle. "Give me a mug like that," she points to someone's table that had what she wanted, "full of Andromeda's please." Andromeda's was known throughout the land for its high alcohol percentage. And for a girl of her physique, she would be drunk by only one-fourth of the mug. Yet Delilah shows him no shame in her choice of drink, especially seeing how small she was in comparison to her seatmate.
       "M-ma'am but that beer is-"
      "I don't care what it is." Her tone loses all its earlier politeness. "Just give me a mug full of it," She glares at the waiter who squeaks in fear. His coworker only reassures him with a gentle smile. "And give Mr. Carnival here a beer as well... Actually, make that two for me and one for him. So three in total." The waiter nods his head quickly before taking off in the direction of the bar. "Sheesh, is he new or something?" The whole encounter leaves her a bit salty as she massages her sprained wrist. On her way to the bar she ran into some fiends that really put up a fight, another reason why she really needed a drink or two.
      The pianist laughs, "Yeah. That's Ayassim from the Gemini region. I'm sure his twin is somewhere around here." To prove a point he looks around but Delilah grumbles as she continues to soothe her injury.
      "Either way that's not why I'm here Mr. Miura-"
      "Skai is fine." He smiles as he interrupts her words. Hearing his last name with "Mr." before made him feel a bit old. Plus he considered this girl a friend, so she has the privilege to call him by his first name. His lips form a smile and the white outline peaks from ear to ear. Delilah only stares at him with a visibly aggravated expression, however, she wasn't truly angry. If she had to be honest, it felt like he would be the perfect example of a father. Something she didn't know. She had lost her family at a very young age due to her ability to travel through dimensions. Though he was constantly cracking dad jokes and making her regret giving him the position of Time-Keeper. He was a mystery all on his own and she liked that. The two were actually similar in the aspect of they both kept things to themselves. He only brought up things he believed were general knowledge or about his family. Just like the rest of his village, he wore permanent face paint. According to him, it was how they were able to use magic. Delilah secretly wishes she could take it off of him just to see how he looks without it, but according to him it was impossible to take off.
       "Well, I'm here to tell you that soon you and I are going to have to go out," before she could say more, Ayassim comes back with three mugs full of beer. The foam oozing off the sides made Delilah's eyes sparkle. "Thank you," her tone more calm and pleasant. Ayassim's cheeks turn a soft shade of red due to her softer expression. He quickly nods his head in welcome but just as he was momentarily drawn by her calm aura, she ruins the moment by chugging the mug down. Not giving herself time to breathe or anything. His eyes grew wide from the sight of this small bunny girl drinking like a dwarf. The Pianist, Skai, only smiles at him, completely unfazed by the action. Admittingly, the sight had shocked him at first, but after watching her practically gulp 5 mugs in one sitting and not feel any buzz he was a bit impressed. He knew Delilah's drinking habits weren't too lady-like but it's what made her happy. Another thing the two had in common, they didn't fear showing off the things they enjoyed. Uncaring of what others thought. He didn't know much about her other than she's lived many lives and her position in the PeaceKeepers, she was some kind of guardian for dimensions. A reason why he was able to travel back with her to this universe.
         "Ahhhh." She slams the first mug on the table. "That's the good stuff." She licks the foam off her own lips. "You keep this coming and I just might marry you Amiss." But she instantly regretted the words the moment she notices him staring with wide eyes. "What? Haven't seen a woman drink before?!" Ayassim squeals in fright and dashes in the opposite direction. "Pah, coward. I wouldn't want to marry someone as awkward as you anyway!" She grumbles, slightly disappointed, as she watches the coward run off to the bar with the other baristas. "Anyways, what was I saying?" The mood had turned sour thanks to his coworker, so Skai took it upon himself to cheer her up. Apparently, she reminded him a lot of his daughter back home. A wannabe tough girl who stood tall and brave, yet on the inside she cared a lot about what people had to say. This was something he learned about her after a few months of interaction. Sometimes people's words and actions actually affected her, but she tried her hardest not to let it show. It must have been harsh having to raise herself all those years.
       "We are going out? Though I will tell you now, I am a married man." A smirk peaks out the corner of his mouth. "Sorry, but I'm not available for this date." He shows off a black tungsten wedding band that rested on his left ring finger. Faintly spinning it around his finger with his thumb. She glares at it for a second and then at him thoroughly confused. The smile widens from the other corner of his lips, as she shakes her head and rolls her eyes. "The proof is the ring itself." It was one of his weird jokes, but she had to admit that it was a bit funny. His marriage and family were his major accomplishments so he was always bringing them up in conversation. When the two had been alone waiting for the other PeaceKeepers, he told her a bit about himself. The first thing he mention was being happily married to his childhood friend. He was originally her knight, trained to protect only her until he was promoted to the main guard. Now they lived together with their twins, a girl and a boy. There was another major thing about him that she warned him not to tell anyone.
       He is the King of his home village.
       "How many times are you going to show me that old thing?" She mocks his motion with her empty hand. "Not like there's a story behind it." She joked, but he must not have taken it as one since there was a sparkle in his eye. He loves showing off his wedding ring and the little things he could do with it. Such as opening a bottle with it and attaching it to his clock. He told her it would always point him back home. Though the sparkles in his eyes told her she would be hearing an hour-long story about how he met his wife and why he loves her so much. A story she heard quite a bit the past year. "Don't literally answer that, please. It's a joke." Delilah looks at the other mug and sighs. It seemed like she dreaded to tell him the true reason for her being there. Yet it was something he needed to know since he was apart of it. "It's about our next mission. Apparently, there's been some sort of controversy in another dimension. I can't fully explain the details here in public, but it's something we do need your help on." Her emerald eyes study the room to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. To her relief, no one paid them much attention so she spoke a bit more freely but kept her voice low. The topic at hand was crucial and not for the general public to know about. A PeaceKeeper assignment was never something to take lightly. They could be life or death situations. Unfortunately for them, this one was classified as a top priority.
      Skai sensed her growing tension which influenced his demeanor change. His playful mood dissolved into a stern attitude. This was going to be his first official job with others as a PeaceKeeper, so he knew it was something to take seriously. Delilah notices the shift but doesn't let it bother her. Everyone had their own way of getting into the mindset of their position. Thankfully he took it seriously. "Que voy hacer-"
     "English, please."
      "-What will I be doing exactly? This sounds like something you can do on your own due to your expertise." Delilah softly exhales, she was expecting that response the moment she gave her briefing. A bit of foam from Skai's untouched mug of beer lands on the table. The sight slightly irks her since she ordered him a drink but he acted as if it didn't exist. It was quite rude, but now as she thought about it. He rarely drank in front of her. She actually doesn't recall him ever actually touching an alcoholic beverage in her presence. So naturally, she hints at wanting it with her eyes. Her two mugs were empty after all, one more mug wouldn't hurt her. He lightly pokes it in her direction. "Go ahead..." But just as she reaches for it, he yanks it back, "-pero primero I want to know why I'm involved."
      "Smooth... Yeah, blackmail the alcoholic why don't you?" She rolls her eyes somewhat aggravated at his actions, but she admired his spunk. No one dared to come between her and a drink, yet this newcomer did. And he did it with a smug smile knowing he was going to win. The confidence he held with himself was quite admirable. Truth be told, Delilah has never actually seen him on the battleground either so she wasn't about to get into a fight with the unknown. Who knows what he could do with his magic. She's seen the previous Time Keeper fight, and it was not a pretty sight. Now that was a woman you never wanted to be in conflict with. A fierce loyal historian is how she would describe Skai's predecessor. With a forced sigh, she gives up. "Fine. You win." The words he wanted to hear. He surrenders the mug and slides it to her. She cocks her head to the side in confusion. "You'd give it to me before I tell you? That's not how blackmail works..."
      "Pues, I feel like I can trust you. Either way, we will be working together on this. You wouldn't want to ruin a relationship with your allies before the job," He winks at her mischievously, "I am the one who is going to have your back. Verda?" Hearing the words irritated her but everything he said was true. The other PeaceKeepers knew what type of person she was, and how to handle her. So they were able to work around her personality. Skai, on the other hand, was still a new member. Even though they'd known each other for a year, this was still just the beginning of their companionship. Ruining it before a collaborated assignment would just make future missions intolerable. She also did need him for the upcoming prophecy. If it happened.
       "You're too trusting... But ok," she stares at the beer as she gathers her thoughts and words. She couldn't reveal too much here. There was still the possibility of sudden eavesdroppers. "We are needed to stop a few juvenile delinquents." She hoped it was enough for him to understand but the way he stared at her proved it wasn't. He was politely waiting for further specifics. She sighs quietly and wished Skai was like Ivan, the PeaceKeeper of Physics, he never asked questions nor expected more than the regular briefing. Then again, the guy was a dunce so he really didn't need more information because he would have just forgotten it. "There seems to be a self-created mini verse in one of our neighboring dimensions. I wasn't told much but Death mentioned that some souls are being extracted... The crazy part is, no one is really dying?" As she spoke, she realized the words sounded crazier out loud than they did in her head or when Death told her. He always made crazy things sound normal.
        "Mini verse? Self-created? Cómo? How is that possible? Don't things have to go through you, the Dimension Keeper?"
       "Reality. I'm the Reality Keeper, and typically yes. They have to make an appointment with me so we could do the official paperwork and such. Plus Space, Physics, and Time -that's you- have to be present during the negotiations and proceedings. That way we can see how things will work out and decide whether it's a good idea or not. It's a major process but a safe one."
        "So someone did this illegally?" He is visibly confused but did his best to piece it all together. It was the first time he heard about this. The PeaceKeepers had been stricter the past few years after his predecessor passed away. Nothing was really told about her nor how she died. But after her death, they were adamant about their positions. Making things more difficult to achieve such as a legal dimension. He never knew he had to be present for something like that. Goes to show how stern they were now.
        "Yes, and from what I sensed it's not a grown-up doing this. Which is going to make things a little bit more difficult." Delilah chugs the mug down and ends with a satisfied exhale. Giving her partner more time to comprehend what was being told.
        "Pero why is this important? Don't get me wrong, I'm just trying to understand this. It's all new to me and I want to know my position better," his words were genuine. Knowledge is the strongest weapon in the world. Delilah had to admit, she liked that he and the previous Time Keeper shared that in common. They both valued knowledge above everything else.
        "The multiverse can only handle so much that we have to monitor whenever a new one is created. Usually, there are many factors that create them. Time paradoxes, space manipulations, sudden changes to reality... Some resolve easily like Time Paradoxes, but there are others, like this one, that needs all our help especially when someone is behind the creation of it. The part that is worrying us is the soul extraction with no fatalities... We don't know who we are up against, but just be prepared." He looks more convinced but she could tell questions were forming in that head of his. "It's important that we eliminate this world before it causes too much strain on the universe's order..." She internally debated whether or not to tell him her fears. Especially with the recent talk about a traitor, she's been on the edge a lot more lately. Times like these she wished her colleague hadn't passed on. She could have used any of her expertise for this. Even if she could get just a small whiff of her cigar would be all she needed to be at ease. Plus the other sins will reawaken soon. It might be best to leave it be and not tell him anymore. She told herself not to say more but her mouth had other plans, "We fear this may be the start of the prophecy." His face got serious once more. All the questions he once had washed away. Their simple conversation got really tense with just a simple sentence.
      Music started up in the background as the two sat in silence. A girl began to twirl by her table in euphoria, not caring who saw her dance. Life for her was easy in comparison to the lives of the two individuals who watched her. Bittersweet ignorance at its finest. If only they could have been in her place. Not worrying about some prophecy. A job that meant life and death, along with peace and order.  Delilah wished she could feel the effects of alcohol just to drown her fears and worries. She hated her sin, Gluttony, it always prevented her from feeling the effects of whatever she desired in her then-life. Her desires weren't always the same in each life. This time she got unlucky, she was now a sober-minded alcoholic.
     The piano bench was now occupied by another musician. He played smoothly, though his melody obviously contrasts with Skai's. Truthfully, Delilah preferred the former pianist who currently still sat in front of her. He seemed very distracted by the joyful female. Maybe he's thinking about his wife. Delilah assumes, however unknown to her, her assumptions were correct. In his mind, he could visualize a certain pink hair woman twirling in place gracefully, dancing to the music only she could hear. Looking over at him with a wide smile, her face covered in the same paint he had. She giggles and seductively lures him over for a dance. Oh, what he would give just to twirl his beloved, dip her down, and give her a couple of smooches. The vague aroma of roses fills his nostrils and that's when he shakes his head to clear the lingering memories. They would have played like a live movie in his mind. Forcibly trapping him until an outside force snaps him out of it. On a regular day, he would have let himself get caught in the vines of his mind, each bud would blossom into a different favorable memory. And all the memories would be of her, the owner of his matching wedding band. His darling queen who stayed back to rule their kingdom alone while also raising their teenagers on her own. Such a strong woman she is. He knew once everything is all said and done, he will make it up to his wife. All the time apart will be worth it.
       "Skai, you know there's still time to go back," Delilah's voice is hesitant but she broke the silence and the memory train. She was tentative about letting him go back home. She was the one who originally recruited him to become a PeaceKeeper. It had been Time's final request of her. 'Find the one with a rose emblem like mine... He will be the one who will guide the future.' If he left now it would not only make her seem like a failure, but she would betray Time's request. It also meant she would have to find someone to replace him. The thought made her heart sink. She was starting to like the guy and trying to find a replacement on such short notice may be difficult if not, impossible. "If it's too much for you to handle I'm sure I could return-"
       "No. I'm not going back." He cuts her off. He wasn't trying to be rude but there was no way he was going to let these last months go to waste. Skai wasn't going to return home knowing he could have potentially stopped something horrible from happening. If he returned now who knows what could happen. He was never known for abandoning a position. Delilah is shocked by his determination but admired it as well. It was the true spirit of a King. "I agreed to do this for my family, for my village. I won't let something like this stop me from doing what's right." She stares at him with wide eyes. "It's like an apple... If you cut it up and leave it out the slices begin to rot. Why? Because of oxidación-".
      "Oxidation?" She translates doubtfully.
      "Correcto. Now if you remove oxygen, would the apple rot?" She didn't know where he was going with this but she nodded her head slowly. "Exactly. So if we remove our oxygen, meaning the thing that starts the prophecy, then-"
       "We can alter the prophecy itself..." The words spark a light in her mind. Almost like a light bulb being switched on.
       "Yes. So you see, I can't back down now. My time magic may be our best shot at changing or preventing this whole prophecy completely." Skai smiles at the petite bunny. Delilah's mouth peaks into a delighted grin. Her previous feelings of despair vanish altogether. This is so much better than that life where I constantly drank sassafras tea. She shudders at the thought. It had been one of her previous binges and it was ranked number two on her favorite list. "Delilah, I did mean it when I accepted this role. Don't think for a second that I would abandon this just for the sake of my own selfish wants. I am fully committed to seeing this through," Skai bows his head towards her. "I take my roles seriously like I did a few decades ago... Being a Noche Knight taught me a lot. Protecting mi princess meant a lot to me. So this too, I will take sinceramente." He stands as if he was saluting though his head dipped down and his arm across his chest. Delilah had no idea what he was doing but it made her very bashful. As she panically looks around. Suddenly they now had an audience staring at them.
       "N-no no! Don't do that." She tries her best to get him to stop but he doesn't seem to pay attention to her.
      "Para mi amor que dejé atrás en casa sola, esta decisión la tomaré en serio. Sacrificaré mi vida para que mi rosa viva en prosperidad... Todo que hago solamente es para ella. La muerte no me asusta para nada. Si es por ella, yo moriré miles de veces no mas para ver esa sonrisa. Eso es lo que me más importa en mi vida." The words he spoke sounded meaningful but unfortunately, Delilah had no clue what he said. His mini speech might have had something to do with his lover. Though there was no way of telling since the language had been foreign to this universe. Or there may be someone who could translate but it wasn't important.
         "Huh?" She responds dumbfoundedly. He smiles at her as he shakes his head. Releasing the bow he was formerly in.
         "Nada... Nothing. So where's this mini verse? I'm ready to go." He stretches as she sighs.
         "We have to get Space and Physics first," she leaves some money on the table to pay for their bill. Skai arches an eyebrow. He couldn't remember who those two people were as their assignments never collided. All he really knew was Reality, which was her since she was his method of transportation. "Don't worry. They don't bite. But I will warn you on one thing." Her voice sounded grave. As she looked up at him he could feel his curiosity increasing. "This is an alternate universe we are going to. You may or may not see people you recognize or even an alternate version of yourself. Do not and I repeat... DO NOT interact with them. They may have their own set of laws and agreements, but we are just going to enforce our own. Keep your mind to the mission and avoid any unnecessary interactions. Honestly, I have been in this dimension before and sorry to say this but, you're not original." She playfully swats at his blonde bangs. He was briefly confused but decided to shrug it off.
           "Ok, I'll try not to." He smiles mischievously. She only glares in return. "I mean, how similar can they be? There can't be a handsome Mexican like me there." She rolls her eyes with a small smile.
           "Oh you'll see." She turns around leading him out of the bar. "Plus don't worry about your job here. They know I can come in and take you whenever I need to." Delilah looks at the establishment's main waitress and waves at her. The demihuman fox waves back with a smile.
          "See you two later," the girl softly calls out over the noise. Her pink apron dress slightly bounced along with her.
      Finally, the day has come when he wasn't just a pianist in an unknown world. Now he was finally going to do the job he signed up for. Little did they know, it was the start of everything.
    The prophecy's about to fall into place thanks to this mission.

Author's Notes

  Hello! This is the first story of many. The prompt was: "A strange request at a piano bar" which I think fits my canon universe perfectly! There are some spoilers for certain projects of mine x.x So i apologize! But this was very good practice~!

The words I was required to use were: Carnival, Sprained, Mask, Oxidation, Awkward, Apple, Juvenile, Controversy, Twirl, and Sassafras

Hope you enjoyed it and be sure to keep an eye out for the next one n.n ~SDE