Double Eclipse

The table was quickly filled with many unusual types of dishes. There was a partially over cooked water creature that resembled half of a fish and part of a squid, some sweet, wild vegetables, and a flat bread that tasted like ground almonds. Star stared at them with hesitation, but then bravely she took a bite out of everything. Later she finished a whole plate!

"You’re a wonderful cook, Mrs. Ri!"

"Why thank you Star! I only wished that my son would say the same."

"Brother... Mom’s food... always good!"

"Don’t talk with your mouth full, Mxyno. Mother, Your food is delicious. It’s just that I need to taste new flavors sometimes."

"Silly boy! Is that why you always go to our neighbors for the seasonings? I hope your future wife can put up with you!" She said looking at Star. Kyro kind-of choked for a brief moment, thus everyone laughed.

Star was amused by the feeling of family and was reminded of her own. How I miss Lily and her annoying munching. And Mom’s TV dinners when she had to go to work early in the morning. The feeling of family... I can... I can stay here forever... Startled, Star feels something rubbing at her leg. That’s strange, why wont to stay? I want to get back home! She took a glance at what was rubbing her, and discovered a fox or to be more exact, Swift!

"What are you doing here!? And stop looking under my skirt you little pervert!" hissed Star as she pressed his head down to stare at the floor.

"I need to talk to you..."

"Well look at that! Isn’t that a fox and in this part of the woods, too! You know what Kyro, foxes make a great dish!" Mrs. Ri interrupted.

Swift grabbed onto Star’s legs in fear.

"Umm... Mrs. Ri, Foxes aren’t... umm... good for me! I’ll bring it back outside, where it belongs... And I do like a breath of fresh air!"

"Mommy! Fox! So cute! It likes you lady, like my brother." Kyro smiled as Star blushed simultaneously.

"Ahem!" coughed Kyro, "I think Star should take her breath of fresh air."

Relieved from the nervousness, Star promptly walked out with the trailing fox. Angrily, Star demanded, "What do you want Swift?! Do you know you were almost dinner!"

"Do you know how embarrassing it is to walk in there naked?! Don’t stare at me like that! The things I do for you!"

"Well, if that ‘s all you have to say, then I’m leaving!"

"Hold on a second! This is important."

"Then don’t be so slow at it! It’s cold out here."

"We have to leave tomorrow."

"Why?"

"It’s too dangerous here! Do you know you almost fell for it?"

"What do you mean? I don’t get a thing you are saying."

"These people! These people! They are not really who they say they are!"

"What?! No! No! I’m not going to listen to you! First you tell me about Xiins, then Bloodlines, then Puri-what’s-a-tora!" "Puritora."

"Whatever! I’m just very confused right now, so can you just leave me alone for a second!"

"But you are endangering yourself! I cannot have you hurt..."

Star looked at Swift whose eyes showed an intense feeling of protectiveness she never noticed before.

Biting her tongue, "Alright... We leave tomorrow. Will you give me tomorrow?"

"Yes."

Star turned around and dragged herself to the door.

"Wait... And Star. Don’t worry. I promise I will not bother you for the tonight."

Star smiled at Swift. "Silly Furball!" You know what, he isn’t that bad...

As Star entered the hut, she bumped into Kyro. "Kyro!"

"You’re leaving aren’t you?"

"Yes. How did you know?" I hope he wasn’t spying on us! Could Swift be right?

"I can see it in your eyes. I thought you wanted to stay."

Did he expect me to stay? "I’m sorry Kyro but I have to go home. That is where I belong. That is where my family is. They need me."

"There was a girl in my village. I loved her. She, like you, had the same air of light-hearted happiness in her... But her love for her people overweighed her love for me, thus she was scarified to the Gods to protect the people." His eyes clouded in anger.

Sacrificed! Almost as if he was.. was talking about me! "Did they really kill her?"

His face softened, "No. It was her choice..."

"But she loved you! It just doesn’t seem fair!"

Kyro returned a touching smile. "Thank you for understanding." His face lowered. He was only an inch away from Star. Star closed her eyes. Her lips slowly parted... "I’m sorry Kyro, but I cannot replace her..."

Star stepped back as Kyro backed off as well. "No, you can’t..." His words were soft, like a whisper.

Uncomfortably Star replied, "Um... I’ll go back to my room and get packed."

"Silly girl! You don’t have anything to pack."

"Oh yeah! Heh! Heh?" Well that was dumb of me!

With a sigh... "I shall give you some essential items for your journey. You will need them."