~

A year had passed since Crest had started working full-time as a bouncer at the Drunken Tankard and had taken residence there. Things were looking up for him. At the very least they were better. The work week was over, and the weekend had come. On his days off Crest would usually stay put in the tavern, but today he was out shopping, which he did on occasion.

Since the girls weren’t present to cook for him on the weekends and he was unable to understand the inner workings of a stove or oven, he often resorted to buying microwavable items like ramen and breakfast bowls. Even that could be a struggle for him.

Little Nira’s was the convenience store where he did all his shopping. Sometimes he would even find interesting books. Although Crest wasn’t much of a reader, he found he could keep his mind sharp by reading a good book or two. Sacks full of junk foods hung from both of his hands. Having wrapped up his light shopping for the day, Crest sought to get home to take it easy for the rest of the afternoon. Wandering outside, Crest was met with an unfortunate sight. Rain. He let loose a breath of agitation. What a nuisance.

Standing underneath the awning located outside of the store, he waited for the wet weather to pass.

“Dammit!” Whined Crest holding a bag and hand up over his face. “I hate the rain.”

Suddenly the laughter of another person caught his attention. Sitting on the bench next to him was a person. It was a woman. Although Crest couldn’t quite make out her face from the side. Her raven black hair, which draped down her equally as black dress, obscured it.

Her laughter ceased. Dead in its tracks, like an abrupt record skip. “I don’t much care for rain either.” She said. “It always brings back bad memories. Rain. Storms. Lightning. Thunder. It all used to frighten me for some ungodly reason as a child. I’ve grown more accustomed to all of them now, but I don’t see myself as strong. I’m just not as weak.”

Intrigued by the woman, Crest’s eyes fell on her completely. “It’s no fun for sure, but I wouldn’t exactly say I’m afraid of the stuff. A little water never hurt anyone.”

Brushing her hair back, the woman turned. Crest couldn’t believe his eyes. Behind that beautiful, bouncy hair was a gorgeous woman. “Tough guy, huh? Not afraid of the same things we little women are. Tell me, what does scare you?”

Stunned for words, it took him a minute to form anything resembling language. “Well, I….” Never had he seen such a beautiful creature. Never had he known such a feeling. Never had he so instantly fallen for someone. ‘Charming’ didn’t even begin to describe her. Calling her ‘stunning’ wouldn’t have done her any justice. There might not have been a word that accurately defined what he was feeling.

But some call it love.

Adjusting to her divine appearance, Crest spoke firmly. “I’m…..I’m not afraid of anything. Not a damn thing.”

Humored, she laughed. “Not everyone can say something like that with full confidence. In fact, most people would readily admit they’re afraid of something. Dying. Losing someone they love. Or even monsters.”

Unamused, Crest’s puckered his lip. Admittedly he was afraid of at least two of those. “Okay. Okay. I guess there are some things I’m afraid of, now that you put it that way.”

The woman’s eyes seem to glow like lantern lights in response to Crest’s admission. “One thing I find that I’m afraid of is people. People have always treated me differently for the way I look…..I’ve been made known of my beauty time and time again. But I never felt it made my life any better. In fact, it’s a little burdensome.”

Shaking his head, Crest cleared his mind. “Sorry,” he apologized unnecessarily. “But can I have your name, Miss? We haven’t even been properly introduced.”

There never existed a face that looked quite so bright as hers at that moment. At least not to Crest. “My name is Charmaine.” She stated so matter-of-factly. “I usually don’t crawl out of my hiding spot, but I decided to mingle amongst the people for once. Just my luck. Today of all days would be a rainy one.”

Hiding spot? Crest thought. What a weird thing to say.

The woman continued. “Never mind that though. I’ve given you my name, and it’s common courtesy that when someone gives you their name, you give yours right back.”

Crest scratched the back of his head. Almost embarrassed and seemingly confused. “Names Crest…. Crest Evermore. I’m from around these parts. How about yourself?”

“I’m also from Beros,” Charmaine admitted. “Unfortunately, while I’ve lived here all my life, there isn’t a single person I find I relate to.”

Curious, Crest questioned her. “Well. Why’s that?”

Her eyes drifted like wheels. They seemed to trail off into the distance. Almost suspiciously. “There’s a few reasons.”

“Well give me a few.” Crest demanded.

Suddenly downtrodden, she sighed. “I don’t shop for things like other people. I don’t live in a house like other people. I don’t have problems that everybody else has……I have…. unique problems. Sometimes I wish I was like everybody else.”

Curling his lip, confusion spread across Crest’s face. “Unique…..problems?” He could hardly follow. What kind of person didn’t shop? Didn’t live in a house? It sounded odd, to say the least.

“I don’t like to talk about it.” Charmaine cringed. “Let’s just say I’m not in the best situation. I’ve been put into a position that’s beyond my control at this point.”

Suddenly Crest became alarmed. The way she described things made her situation appear to be a certain way. This woman…he thought. She can’t buy things. She doesn’t live in a house. She must be…. homeless. He sobered up in that instant. “Well in that regard we aren’t too different. I’m not exactly in the ideal situation either. Maybe….maybe you’d like to stay with me?” Crest cringed instantly. Oh crap, Lou probably wouldn’t like that. “Well to be frank I’m actually crashing at someone else’s place so that wouldn’t be the best idea, but I can see if I can make arrangements if you want.”

“No need,” she said. “It’s a nice offer, but this isn’t anyone’s problem but mine. I’m not in the market for new hiding spots. Besides, I don’t want you to end up judging me for not taking responsibility.” Suddenly she appeared nervous. A hand went over her mouth. “Oh no…. I think I’ve said too much.”

Responsibility, huh? Crest scoffed to himself. “I wouldn’t judge you. Who am I to judge anyone? Whether you take responsibility or not, you’re not deserving of a shitty situation. Nobody is. But sometimes we end up being those unlucky few that have to deal with the shit nobody else wants to. It’s an unfortunate way of life.”

Charmaine smiled warmly. She saw something in him at that moment. Whatever it was, was infectious. “You’re not like other guys, huh? There’s something different about you. You seem to be aware of your issues. Most people are willing to ignore their problems and roll with the punches as they come. But not everybody is willing to get back up. Most let themselves get beat down and never recover. But you… you seem like the stubborn type. The type of person who always gets back up. Would you say you’re that kind of guy Crest?”

“I have a habit of bouncing back,” he retorted. “If that’s what you mean.”

“I figured.” She giggled. “I’m the same way.”

Crest blushed.

She looked up at the sky, still overwhelmed with rain. “Strange. I didn’t think I would meet a friend today.” She turned to him. “You seem like an understanding guy. I’d like to talk to you again after this.”

He appeared confused. As if what she said didn’t make much sense. “How are we going to do that?”

“What do you mean ‘how’?” She raised an eyebrow. “I have a magic mirror, silly.”

Crest seemed taken aback at first. Almost shocked. But then he justified it. A homeless woman with a magic mirror? Well, I guess that isn’t too weird. I got one too around the time I lost my home as well. It’s almost weird NOT to be carrying a screen in your pocket nowadays.

“Well, all right.” He said pulling out his magic mirror. “I’ll make sure to call you. Your name is Charmaine, right?”

“Yep, call me up anytime.”