There was still a week to go till the red moon festival. Lumi thinks it is a good idea to get to know Ash a bit better. It would be difficult to get a meeting seeing that Ash most of their time spent working for the army of the city.
Walking through the city mindlessly Lumi spots Ash standing guard at one of the gates.
'Ash!' she shouts.
Ash looks up and waves. Lumi smiles and runs up to Ash.
'Ash when do have you some free time? I have thought of some more questions I can ask you.'
It isn't visible due to the helmet Ash wears, but panic is found on Ash their face. They are not great with any social activity. But seeing the smile on Lumi her face can't be ignored.
'I am done with my shift in about 10 minutes. If you want we could go to the tavern where I stay and have a meal.'
'That sounds amazing! I will go and secure a place, see you in a few minutes. Bye!'
And Lumi runs off again. Ash can't help but smile. Lumi and her enthusiasm is something Ash has missed the last years they had been travelling.
After a little over 10 minutes, Lumi sees Ash coming into the tavern. She waves to make sure Ash spots her. Ash makes a sign that they had seen her and goes to the counter to order some food.
'I hope you like the food,' Ash says as they put two plates on the table.
'I eat almost everything and this looks delicious.'
'You can start eating if you want, I will go to my room and change real quick. It is difficult to eat with this armour. Be right back.'
Lumi decides not to start eating the food. It would be nicer to wait till Ash is back. Staring out of the window Lumi doesn't notice that Ash returned to their table.
'Did you wait for me?' they say.
Spooked by the sudden noise Lumi turns to Ash. She sees Ash wearing the large cape they whore the first time they properly met. Together with a mask, it covers all of Ash their face.
'Yeah, I did. Can I ask why you are always covering your face?'
Ash sits down at the table, lowering the mask a little and put some of the food in their mouth.
'I don't like showing my face, never really did. And covering your face totally makes it a lot easier to travel. No one knows who you are,' They say. Lumi notices that their voice is higher than it is with the mask of the helmet.
'Understandable, next question why do you wear most of the times armour and why are you working with the army?'
Ash snickers a little.
'Those are two questions Lumi, but because it is you I will answer them both. I wear armour because it makes me feel safe and I work with the military because I still have to earn some money to get food. As you probably have seen I have some fighting skill, so it is easy money for me.'
'You really have an answer for every question I ask don't you?'
'I think about every action I do, maybe you should try that once.'
'Hey! I'm just really curious about a lot of things. I can't help myself.'
'It is alright. You don't believe me but I was once the same as you.'
'Oh no totally forgot I have to be somewhere. It was really nice talking again, see you again soon! Bye!'
Tonight was the red moon festival. Lumi was excited to go this time. For the first time in what feels forever, Lumi has someone to go with.
She had seen Ash a few times after they met up at the tavern but only spoke a few words due to Ash's busy schedule. She had no idea why they were always busy, there is absolutely nothing to do in the city.
They decided to meet at the tavern where Ash stays an hour before the sun starts to set.
Way too early Lumi is already standing there waiting.
'I knew you would be early,' a voice next to Lumi speaks.
Lumi jumps up a little and sees Ash standing there in their usual armour.
'You know it is not nice to spook someone. I could have gotten hurt.'
'But you didn't. And since you are here. Are there any special clothes we have to wear? I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen.'
'Uh, most elves wear some red in their clothing. But it is not a must.'
'So if I wear a red chest plate it would be all right?'
'Yeah if you have one.'
'Great! I will be right back.'
Ash walks into the tavern to change her light grey chest plate into a red one.
After a few minutes, Ash comes back out changed and with a red fabric in their hands.
'Here wear this. You also have to wear some red.'
Confused takes Lumi the fabric and see it is the cape Ash wears most of the time when they aren't wearing armour. She does the around her shoulders and sees that the cape reaches the ground.
'I thought that you would be taller. If you want I can make it a bit shorter so you don't have to worry stepping on it.'
'You want to alter your cape so it fits me better? You don't have to do that. I can go without the cape.'
Ash grabs a small box out of their bag.
'You will go wearing that cape and I will shorten it right now.'
Ash removes their gloves and grabs a needle and treat from the small box. They hold their hand up so Lumi can give the cape back to Ash.
'I didn't expect you could sew.'
'There are a lot of things you don't know about me,' Ash says as they start to shorten the cape.
This was the time for Lumi to take a better look at Ash their hands. Now she thinks about this is the first time she sees them. Ash covers almost all of the time all of their skin. Little lines can be seen on Ash their hands. Scars but not made by a blade.
Lumi only had read stories about scars with that pattern and most of the time they were made by magic. But no one survived an attack like that to tell if it was truly done by magic.
'All done, here now it is at a way better length.'
'Thanks, Ash. I think we can go now.'
