The Fairy the Boy and the Bartender

Even though its happy hour 2 days before the celestial carnivals kick off, there are only two patrons in the bar. Gorman’s asleep at the counter still clutching his drink and Toto is off in a corner booth scribbling musical notes on napkins to add to his crumpled collection growing on the floor. I wipe down the empty counter for the 10th time that night wondering if maybe there was something to the whole moon falling rumor everyone has been debating lately. I snapped to attention when the door chimed open. We get a large number of strange customers at the Latté but I was still thrown off by the boy who walked in accompanied by his fairy. The kid couldn’t have been more than 12 but he was equipped with a sword and a shield. This wasn’t practice equipment though, I’m no expert or anything but they looked to be pretty high quality. The sign on the door clearly said no minors but the kid strolled right up to the bar unapologetically his glowing white fairy bobbing beside him level to his head. Who did he think he was with that weird get up and dumb hat? “Hey kid you can’t be in here.” I said. He doesn’t respond. “Are you in charge here?” The fairy asked with authority. I can barely make out her features inside her personal light aura. Not that I was ever good at gauging a fairy’s age. Even if she was the kids chaperon minors inside the bar after dark was prohibited. “I am.” I answered her. “Good we need some information.” The fairy says all businesslike “Look,” I start. “That kid isn’t supposed to—“

“Worry less about the kid and more about me if I don’t get what I want!” The fairy was flashing a bright angry red. Great, a lady with a temper. That’s something I never could deal with.

Small as she was, that threatening red hue was pretty intimidating. While this exchange was going on the kid clambered onto one of the stools, his short legs swinging freely. I scowled at him, thinking if I couldn’t get to the fairy I’d at least show the kid who was boss. But the kid just… stared back. I’ve never seen eyes so intense let alone from a child. He didn’t smile, or pout, or glare. He just … stared. I could feel beads of sweat forming as our staring contested progressed. At last I reached my limit as an involuntary shudder rattled up and down my spine. I turned my back on the pair quickly hoping the kid hadn’t noticed but knowing he did. Who were these guys? I pretended to be looking through the vast shelf stock however, since it was clear how absolutely dead it was tonight, the ploy was beyond pitiful.

Hem hem. The Fairy cleared her throat impatiently. I turned back slowly attempting to regain my composure. “Yes ma’am?” “We need information.” The fairy repeated. “Sorry but Latté services are for patrons only.” I said stubbornly. “Fine, give the kid a milk.” The fairy responded. I shot an annoyed glace at the kid thought better of it then quickly resumed my professional demeanor. “25 rupees.” I declare blankly. True I hiked up the price. But I had every right this pair weren’t exactly making my job easy. I figured they would probably hear the outrageous price and leave in disgust, which was fine by me. That’s not at all what happened. I watch the kid pull out this huge wallet. To call it a giant wallet would be no exaggeration. The thing could probably hold like 500 rupees! He just fishes the money out, lays it on the counter like a boss, and looks at me expectantly for his drink. I’m frozen momentarily never ceasing to be shocked by this pair but once I come to, I hurriedly grab a large mug from the back counter and fill it to the brim with our famous frothy milk. “Here you are sir.” I say gently setting the mug down in front of the kid. Then carefully collect the Rupees.

My attitude did a 180. I wasn’t sure who these two were but I was starting to figure it out. What I did know is they were tough, mysterious, and apparently rich too! So being on there good side was good for business, and probably my health. “So miss what did you want to know?” I ask the fairy wringing my hands both humbly and apologetically. “This place is pretty empty” the fairy said bluntly. “is it always like this?” “No.” I replied a bit stunned by her bluntness in spite of myself. “It’s usually pretty lively at night and even more so around carnival time it’s only this year because of… “

“The moon?” She completed my sentence. “Yeah because of the moon.” I confirmed. “A lot of people are taking refuge.” “And what about you?” “What about me?” “Do you think it will fall?” I turned the question over in my head. Honestly I wasn’t sure. The idea of the moon falling out of the sky and crushing all of Termina just seemed kind of ridicules. But there was no denying if you really pay attention it does seem to be getting bigger all the time. When people started raving about the imp and the end times a little while ago I did entertain the idea of leaving Clock town but, honestly what’s there for me out there? If Termina really does get destroyed well.. That’s it for me. My thoughts drifted to Cremia who was supposed to make a delivery to the bar tomorrow night. Her visits were always the highlight of my week. Maybe now that Kafe and Anjun were finally getting married we could…

The kid pushed back from the bar and hopped of the stool. I watch him, while stalling for time, stroll right over to Toto’s booth. My false fascination turned into actual puzzlement as I watched him gently remove Toto’s writing utensil from his hand and proceed to write on an unused napkin. “What’s he doing?” I asked the fairy. Hoping she had a clue of why her friend is harassing one of my most faithful customers. “Didn’t I tell you not to worry about the kid?” She reminded me. “Um yeah I guess you did. Sorry what were you asking me?” “The moon” she repeated. “Do you think it will fall?” “Well”, I started slowly. “It’s hard to say. A lot of weird things have been going on; really I’m not sure what to believe. There’s no guarantee that the moon will really fall and even if it does no one knows if there’s any place that will be safe. But Clock town is my home and the Latté is my life. I figure if the world really is ending I’d rather it end while I was living life the only way I know how.” The fairy didn’t respond. I watched the rhythmic beating of her large delicate wings as she bobbed up and down. I suddenly started worrying if my explanation sounded dumb to her. “If you look around clock town you’ll see a lot of people who feel the same.” I added defensively. “Just look at the carpenters, or the stock pot inn owners or even—“

I was cut off as a beautiful melody came drifting across the room to serenade my ear drums. I looked to the source and saw the kid was playing an odd looking instrument. It almost looked like a large lopsided shell, but it was alluring all the same. I listed captivated by the soothing melody played by this mysterious boy. Toto was gleefully nodding, and occasionally clapping while the kid performed. He seemed almost beside himself. Even Gorman, who I thought was down for the count raised his head up and propped it up on his arm to better hear the music. Only the fairy seemed to be unfazed by this musical marvel. I assumed she’s grown accustom to her prodigy of a companion. When I did manage to tear my eyes away from the kid I notice the fairy was mumbling to herself. “Well that would make our jobs easier.” She muttered. “What kind of work do you two do? Are you performers? “I asked curiously. They wouldn’t be the only performing troop who traveled to clock town for the carnival. “So what your saying is you plan on keeping the place open no matter what?” She asks resuming our prior conversation as if there hadn’t been a hiatus. “Well yeah that’s the plan… “I wasn’t sure where she was going with this conversation. “Word on the street is the mayor’s wife is a frequent customer here is that true?” That came from nowhere. “Madame Aroma?” I asked thrown by another sudden turn in the conversation. “Yeah she’s here more nights than not.” “We need to speak to her It’s very important.” “Olaaaaay.” My curiosity was boundless. Interacting with these two, I could easily believe they would have important business with the town’s officials. I was increasingly glad I decided to oblige them. “We can’t afford to waste any time.” The fairy explained. “Do you know if she will be here tomorrow night?” I thought about Cremia’s delivery tomorrow and I brief wave anger washed over me as I thought about the rumors going around about Cremia playing a role in Anju and Kafe’s wedding complications. “No I don’t think she would be here tomorrow night but definitely the day after that.” “Are you sure about that?” The fairy questioned. “Absolutely!” I said confidently. It was kind of a long story and I hoped she wouldn’t ask for more details. “So I guess we should come back on the night of the 3rd day. This might be tricky.” She said more to herself than anyone else.

I noticed then that the music had stopped and I glanced over to Toto’s corner to see what the kid was up to. Toto was shaking hands vigorously with the kid’s hand clasped in both of his shacking and bowing in succession. I turned back to the fairy watching her bobbing up and down absently for a minute.” Is there anything else you need to know?” I asked. “Hmm? No. Thank you”. She said absently as if surprised I was still there. I watched slightly disappointed as she floated over to the kid who had returned to his stool and was flipping through a little notebook. It was filled with colorful stickers and I smiled to myself thinking he really is a kid after all. I did take a moment to ponder if the kid was carrying the book when he walked in. “We’ll have to try on the night of the 3rd day.” I heard the fairy say to the kid. That’s the 2nd time she said that. I thought puzzled. 2 days from now is the end of the week why does she keep referring to it as the 3rd day.

I inched closer hoping to hear snatches of their conversation but beyond the 1st statement it was all whispers and mumbles. When I was positioned at a better angle I saw the kid mark a time slot on a page titled third day with a sticker. Could it be? Is it possible that the myriad of colorful stickers littering this kid’s note book could be different engagements? That’s insane! I thought to myself as I watched the kid flip back a few pages. Not even the most time efficient, strategic planner could manage that many appointments. I dismissed the idea entirely when I saw some areas marked where the kid would need to be in two or even three places at once. Before I could devise a new theory about the stickers I heard the familiar BONG! BONG! of the grand Clock Tower.

12 O.clock already!? I said aloud. Wow! It’s like times just flying by! “Common, “the Fairy said. “Or we’ll be too late to stop the mugging.” The boy hopped of the stool once more and grabbed the till then untouched mug from the counter. With his free hand on his hip he tossed the mug back and drained the mug in a few large gulps. Beh! He exclaimed in what I assume was pleasure. Then he wiped the hint of a frothy milk mustache from his upper lip. “Its good right?” I asked I couldn’t hold back a huge grin that spread over my face. The boy gave a quick but deep nod and as he turned to leave he reached into his wallet, pulled out a Rupee and flipped it expertly in my direction. I attempted to grab it and missed, which was fine because it landed right into my empty tip jar. What a marksmen! The kid knew exactly what he was doing. The pair left the bar as casually as they entered. Did the fairy say they were going to stop a mugging? I shook my head. Nah I probably miss heard, though with a pair like that, who knows what kind of antics they get up to? 

I reach into my tip jar only to find the night had one more surprise for me. The rupee the kid tossed into my jar was orange. I had mistaken it for red while it flipped and glinted as it sailed through the air. That itself was a pretty nice tip. But an orange rupee!? Not even the mayor himself had ever left me such a tip! I stared into the beautiful gem and thought to myself I have quite a story to tell Cremia tomorrow night. No doubt she’s never seen anything like the boy and his fairy. And maybe it’s time I let her know exactly how I feel. Yeah, I’ll use this rupee to get her something nice and I’ll tell her at the fireworks show. I mean if it really is the end of the world what do I have to loose right? Or maybe it something about that kid. I don’t know. It makes me think... courage.