verb ~ to remain in the same place

POLLUX

The human in the café had become a new obsession. Despite having only been around them for a few days, I grew curious about who they were.

It was my last day in this town, and I went to the café earlier than usual. Clover was behind the bar, and their eyes widened as I approached the counter. I couldn't help but smile as they grew flustered.

"Pollux, you are here half an hour early. Are you feeling okay?" They smiled.

I chuckled, digging my hands into my pockets as I swayed slightly on my feet. "I had nothing to do today, and I figured I would make the most of my last day here."

"You're leaving?" Their face dropped.

A pang of something struck my chest and sank to the bottom of my stomach.

"Well-yeah-maybe, I am supposed to as I only booked my hotel for a certain amount of time but... I quite like this town." I stammered, holding their gaze.

They blushed. "Well, will it be the usual?"

"You know me well," I grinned, pulling my money from my pocket.

"No-no, this one is on me. It is your last day, after all." They shook their head.

"Never, I have to pay cash," I insisted. "How about you owe me with five minutes of your day?"

Clover blushed and cast a glance at their co-worker, who was smirking.

"There's only two other customers. I think I can handle it." The co-worked shrugged.

Clover let out a low puff of air. "Okay, deal. I will bring your coffee to your table."

"And yourself," I grinned, tapping the counter top as I left.

I chose the same seat as always, staring out the window at the bright horizon. I sighed, content, as I gazed across the skyline. It was strange how the smallest of places could feel so familiar and peaceful.

Not a minute later, Clover came over with my coffee and hesitantly sat down in the chair opposite me. I grinned, thanking them and unwrapping the biscuit that they always gave me with my coffee. I noticed they had a tall cup for themselves, and pulled it close to their stomach.

"Thanks for sitting with me," I smiled, taking a bite.

"Well... of course," they mumbled, shy.

"I will not bite." I laughed, pushing a tendril of hair behind my ear.

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous," they admitted.

"That's understandable, since I dragged you away from work." I mused. "I may be blunt, Clover, but you intrigue me."

"I-I do?" They stuttered.

I grinned. "Yes, in a totally non-creepy way."

"Oh," They blushed. "Thank you?"

I chuckled, sipping my coffee to stare out the window again. "Have you lived here long?"

"My whole life." They shrugged.

My eyes widened. "Really? And uh... how many years is that?"

They giggled. "Twenty years, Pollux."

I smirked, shrugging my shoulders. "It's a long commitment."

"It is." They nodded. "But I loved it here. It's rare we get visitors that stay. Most travellers just pass through our small town. So I must say you... intrigued me too, Pollux."

My confidence surged. "I like it here. It's quaint and peaceful."

"Most of the time." They nodded, nervously tugging at today's shirt.

I dropped my eyes to the bright red fabric, the black dots a harsh contrast. The shirt was blousy, tucked in at the waistband of some black jeans. The same old Marten boots adorned their feet, and, as if sensing my gaze, they shifted them to one side.

"What are you looking at?"

"You like those boots, huh?" I smirked.

They scoffed, rolling their shoulders. "Once you wear them in, they are comfy. You cannot talk."

I glanced down at my own boots with a snicker. "Mine are well worn too."

"I can see that." They laughed. "They look like they'd leak the moment a drop of rain falls on them."

I laughed, agreeing. "That would be correct. These boots have taken me across many town plazas."

"You travel a lot, then?" They wondered, brown eyes full of curiosity.

"Only the past year, but I plan on travelling more now. I am an official adult." I smirked lazily.

Clover was watching me with a strange expression, but when I met their gaze, their eyes darted to stare out of the window. They sighed as they observed the bay and I leaned back in my chair, coffee in hand.

"Why did you never leave?"

"Huh?"

"Arleybay. Why did you never leave? I assume you did schooling here and most people your age went to a city." I suggested.

"That would be correct." They snorted. "All of my friends left, but I soon made new ones in the people I met every day."

Their brown eyes flickered to me, but I was already staring, a smile lifting the corner of my mouth.

"I wish I could travel though," they sighed. "Just to see the world."

"Then why don't you?" I probed.

"Money, lack of knowledge, fear..." Clover sighed, raising three fingers. "It's harder than it seems."

"Nah," I shook my head. "I just decided to go one day and did so."

"So easily?"

"Pretty much." I nodded. "Something happened one day, and it made me realise I could face anything. I wanted to see the world. I was and still am, so fascinated with it. The people, the towns, the nature..."

They sighed, letting my words trail off. "My mother... she always warned me of entering the woods. She said that creatures lurked and I would be a quick meal."

"What a wonderful bedtime story." I joked.

"I believed her." Clover laughed. "I have seen movement before, when I go for a walk. I'm never sure if it's a bear, a wolf, a fox... But it scares me. I am defenceless."

"Not necessarily. If you have the right tools, you can bush-whack your way through anything." I pointed out.

Clover took a large gulp of their drink, diffusing the conversation. We drank in peace until they set down their mug and I realised my time would soon be up.

"I think I may stay here for a while longer." I mumbled.

"Really?" Their eyes widened.

"Yeah, I want to explore it a little more. A week isn't long enough for all of this." I suggested, looking at the bay.

"Why do you only stay for a week at a time?"

"I found no reason to stay." I shrugged.

"So why now?" They wondered.

"Thoughts change." I smiled, holding their gaze.

Instead of looking away, Clover's eyes softened, that same old faint blush covering their cheeks.

"Oh," they mumbled.

I watched as they grew flustered before clearing their throat and standing. My heart sank when they picked up their mug and glanced toward the till.

"I suppose I better get back to work."

"I suppose," I agreed. "What are you doing tonight, Clover?"

"T-tonight? As in, after work?"

"That is what tonight means, yes." I mused.

They scoffed at my teasing nails drumming on the side of the mug. "Go home, have dinner, shower, and bed."

"Sounds rather boring to me," I smirked. "That simply won't do."

"It won't?"

"No, you need some excitement on your Friday night."

They laughed. "Work is my excitement, Pollux."

"We will see," I grinned.

"You're unusual, Pollux. I will give you that." They laughed again. "Anyway, another coffee, or..."

"I'm still going, thanks." I dipped my chin. "I'd love a cookie though, please."

"Right away," they smiled and turned back to the till.

Clover became distracted with cleaning up the store, eventually kicking me out the front door once the clock struck five-thirty. I hovered outside, leaning against the brick building, my foot to the wall. The day was growing dark, a chill in the air that smelt so strongly of the bay. I was glad I brought my thicker woollen coat, because the salty air was bitter.

Twenty minutes after closing time, the bell above the door chimed, and I turned to watch as the two store clerks came tumbling out. Clover was blushing, cowering in their coat as their co-worker seemed to tease them about something.

Pushing from the wall, I called their name.

"Clover..."

"Pollux?" they spluttered. "You are still here?"

"I am as surprised as you are, Clover." I smiled. "I thought I would walk with you. I wanted to show you something."

"I don't know, it is nearly six..."

"Your bed time, right?" I teased.

They flustered, dipping their chin into their scarf. "Pollux!"

I snickered. "Come on, I want to show you a little adventure for once in your boring old person life."

"I am not old."

"Your routine says otherwise." I deadpanned. "Take me home, wrap up warm, and we can go."

Their eyes narrowed when I suggested for them to take me home, but I gave a broad grin that had them roll their eyes. They were growing used to me, I could tell.

"Fine, but just be warned, I know karate."

"I thought you said you were not good at survival things?" My nose twitched as Clover led the way.

"Karate can be improvised..."

I laughed, snorting. "Of course it can."

We fell into step with each other, and I was content with their pace. Clover led me up some of the cobblestone paths in silence, and I sneaked glances at them as we passed by houses and stores.

"I live alone," Clover stated, coming to a stop by a small cottage. "So if you were to kill me, nobody would know."

"Is that the right thing to say to a possible murderer?"

Key dangling in mid-air, Clover hesitated. "Dang it, you're right."

I laughed. "I can wait out here if you are more comfortable with that."

Clover hesitated, scanning my appearance. "That would make me feel better, yeah."

Hiding the disappointment on my face, I nodded with a small smile. "Don't take too long. I may freeze."

They laughed, pushing open their door and stepping inside, casting me in a soft orange glow. I caught a brief glance of a narrow hallway, the smell of flowers washing over me. My wolf perked up at the scent of food cooking nearby, and I wondered if Clover had something warming up in there.

Once the door shut, the dull orange glow disappeared, and it left me in darkness. I sighed, spinning around on my heel to look around. We were uphill from the coffee shop, most of this area littered with small houses and thatched cottages. I hummed with delight, feasting my eyes on the various architecture. There was a bench a little up the hill, and I pushed myself toward it before collapsing into the seat.

Time passed quietly, and I closed my eyes to enjoy the surroundings. I could hear the faint whooshing of the bay, the shuffling of humans and animals alike. There was no traffic, and no loud noises to disturb the night.

Inhaling happily, my lungs filled with Clover's scent. A smile flittered on my face, happy they had come back out after thinking I was a murdered.

"I thought I told you to stay outside."

"I am outside," I quipped. "I'm just enjoying nature."

"With your eyes closed?"

Raising my head, I smiled at their confused expression. "You can discover so much more with your eyes closed, Clover."

"I'll try it sometime," they smiled.

"You better," I teased, jumping to my feet. "Now come, let's go. I know somewhere we can go."

"I don't have to get wet, do I?"

"Not unless you want to," I shrugged. "Where we are going is fairly dry."

They hummed, falling into step beside me. We kept the conversation short, Clover passing polite descriptions of various houses and the history behind them. They knew everyone's home, right down to the children and grandparents. It was sweet to watch them brag about the resources Arleybay provided to the city, their face lighting up with pride.

Passion was a hard thing to come about these days, and it only made me admire Clover more.

Question of the Day:
City, beach, forest or countryside. Which one would you rather spend a day in? And what season?

***

The next part will become free on November 10, 2023, but until then, it can be unlocked for only 5 coins.