Interwoven

Questionable Actions

Time: 10:00pm

Location: Milky Way Capital, North Star City

Season: Fall

Kaeul just left from the Northern bookstore happy with her recent purchases. From the corner of her eye she saw someone she thought she recognized. She didn't have many friends so she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. But then a strong tidal wave of emotion washed over her. She had learned to block out foreign emotions so this was an unusual occurrence. It felt like longing to see someone. She didn't understand why such a simple emotion was so strong. Looking at the other side of the street she saw Choi Jongho wobbling down the sidewalk. She would have totally ignored him if he didn't look so terrible.

'I...wish..'

Kaeul blinked several times. Looking to her left and right she made sure no one was around her. The two words lingered in her mind. They had come across like a voice from the radio that was being interrupted by static. But it wasn't her voice. Deciding to think about that later she crossed the road to get to Choi Jongho. He was walking quite fast, despite the fact that he looked a total mess. His hair was disheveled, flowing in every direction the wind took it. He was wearing a tie that was undone, hanging on either side of his shoulders and he was stumbling every couple of steps.

"I wish I could see her." He mumbled to himself. Kaeul stopped in her tracks for a moment. That was his voice she had heard in her head. But she couldn't understand how. That wasn't her ability.

"Choi?" She called out to him with slight concern and confusion. He whipped around shocked to hear her voice.

"Song Kaeul..." He breathed out. His breath wafted her nostrils and she scrunched them up.

"It's illegal for high school students to drink here in the Milky Way." She took a few steps back holding in the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Wait don't run away again." He reached out wanting to grab her arm but again decided not to do it. He let his hand drop and gave her a half-hearted smile. "It was a social event. I couldn't say no." Her brows knitted together in even further confusion. What kind of social event would have a minor drink?

"It's very late Choi. We have classes tomorrow." She tried to look intimidating so he would listen to her. But in his vision she reminded him of a baby deer him down. But her words were more effective.

"I'm sorry," He hung his head. "I didn't mean to be out this late." Seeing him look so dejected and half drunk made it difficult for her to keep her composure. Not being able to hold it in anymore she started to laugh. He felt awkward but was glad she wasn't trying to reprimand him anymore.

"Why are you apologizing?" She laughed even more. "I'm not your mom. I just wanted you to know that it would be a better idea to be home earlier than this. The Milky Way is a strict place for high schoolers, especially ones who do questionable things."

"Oh." He fiddled with his tie awkwardly. "Then why are you out so late?"

"Me? After practice I went to a bookstore. But I'm really tired. I've reached my limit for today." As if on cue she yawned and covered her mouth with her hands. "I'm sorry." She rubbed her eye a little then gave him her full attention. "Since you're tipsy it would be good if you got home soon."

"Lady Song, drunk and tipsy are two very different things." He wagged a finger at her losing his balance. She rushed forward and held his arm.

"Sure, sure. Didn't you come with someone? I don't feel good letting you find your way home like this."

"I'm walking home!" He indignantly announced.

"Huh," She narrowed her eyes at him and his drunken antics. It was hard to feel someone's emotions when they were intoxicated. It felt like looking through a pair of prescription glasses that were being fogged up. "I don't think you can walk home alone. Where do you live?"

"No idea. Sir Kang wouldn't tell me."

"Sir Kang?" Her eyebrows furrowed together. She had been wondering for a little while since their encounter, but he talked as if he was straight out of the noble families in the Galaxy. But she had seen all of them on television or the newspaper and his face hadn't appeared before.

"Yes. Sir Kang Yeosang! He's my personal guard. The oaf didn't tell me there was a whole function after meeting them and now I'm here. Tipsy...drunk...whatever and no idea how to go home. I went on strike and told him I'd walk it." She let out a sigh. Basically he was throwing a tantrum.

"Does Sir Kang Yeosang have dirty blond hair and is wearing a black suit like he's guarding the King's palace?" She had been aware that a car had been following them and was getting worried that they were in some kind of danger. But hearing about the situation she was hoping that it was the guy Jongho had been complaining about.

"Yup that's him! How did you know?" Jongho scanned his surroundings with his blurry eyes but did not see the individual in question.

"Because I think he's coming over here. Hopefully to collect you." She pointed at him as he practically ran across the street without looking to see if cars were coming. He stopped in front of Kaeul and looked like he had no idea what to do.

"I am so terribly sorry about him my Lady!" He wrung his hands together unsure how he should go about this. The tipsy prince revealed enough of his status for her to at least know he was nobility. "The...young master....has had too much to drink."

"Yes I can see that. I can't even tell what he's feeling." She mumbled under her breath.

"Pardon?"

"Don't worry. I guess he was throwing a fit." She quickly changed the topic of conversation. Mentioning her ability so off handily was so abnormal for her. She wasn't sure why she kept doing it.

"Yes, he is quite the handful." He held out his arms so that she could give the Prince to him. "I'll take him off your hands now." She gently placed Jongho in Yeosang's arms, dropping her books in the process. Quickly she picked them up and hid them behind her back.

"Get home safely!"

"Wait...my Lady, I can take you home if you would just tell me your address."

"I think you have enough to take care of right there." She nodded her head at the tipsy prince. "I live close by so there's no need. Oh and you can just call me Kaeul. Calling me, Lady makes me feel like I'm some important aristocrat or something." She waved her last goodbye. Then in a perky little sprint was on her way home.

Yeosang glared at the Prince. He basically threw him into the car completely ignoring decorum. He couldn't be bothered with it. Now that the formalities were done he could focus on more important matters. But first he needed to get the prince home. He really hoped that the young lady just now wasn't paying attention to the prince's tipsy ramblings. If she caught on he wasn't sure what he would need to do to keep her quiet.