Ludus

4

Last night after Clepto ate, thanked me, and left I wondered...how did he know where I lived?

That morning I immediately got up to get dressed, this time I put on a purple short dress that had flowers stitched onto it. After finishing up I ran downstairs to get my flower basket just in case I needed to go out and get some more, and went straight out the door to see Robert waiting for me. "Good morning, Robert. Did you sleep well?" I asked as we walked to the flower shop. "Good morning to you too. I slept quite alright, how about you?" Robert said with a small smile. "Well that's good, and I slept ok. I mean at least I got some sleep." I responded to him giving him a small smile back.

After Robert and I made it to the shop, Percy was just then opening it. "Oh, Hi Mel, and hello Robert, I'm surprised to see you two early. Also Melanie, Clepto had placed in another order for today and we ran out of Blue orchids and Alliums, and I've decided I want you to run the counter today while I'm gone so-" ''But Percy, what if you get hurt? I'm the only one out of the both of us who has a guard by my side at all times, so I should-"  ''Melanie, I'll be fine. I didn't get Grandpa to teach me combat for nothing right? Now I should be going now, I'll be back around 2:30 maybe." Percy then left with a basket, leaving me and Robert to the flower shop alone.

Most of the day was boring. No one really came in, except for a couple of people...I decided to walk around to water the flowers so none of them would wilt, until I heard the door open. "Ello Robert, where's Melanie and Percy?" The sound of Clepto's voice asked. "Percy went out to get some more Blue Orchids and Alliums for your order. And Melanie is watering the flowers around the shop-" Robert then stopped talking once the door opened again. "Lord Ernies? I thought you were supposed to be arriving at the Kingdom tomorrow?" Robert asked. I then peaked around the corner to see a tall man next to Clepto, the man seemed to be about 6'5ft tall..still taller than me and Robert though , because Robert was about 5'9ft tall.

The man had dark tan skin with scars almost covering his body, bright red eyes, sort of a hot pink colored long hair, and had two bottom teeth poking out of his mouth. And was wearing a red king's robe over a white Victorian like shirt, puffy grey pants with a red sash tied around his waist, golden jewelry, and some brown boots. I looked up to where Clepto was but didn't see him, "Found you!" I let out a small squeak as I then felt two large hands on the sides of my waist and they slightly lifted me up off the ground. "Geez, Clepto ya don't need to go scaring people.." I'm guessing the man said. "Hehe, I know. I just couldn't help myself this time." Clepto giggled from behind me.

Clepto then sat me down, my feet touching the floor. "Sorry about that, Melanie." He said as he softly patted my head. The man that walked in with Clepto then came over to us, "So, you're Melanie I suppose? Ahem- Hi I'm Ernies." He said holding one of his hands out for me to shake. I then took his, shaking it. "Nice to meet you, Ernies." I then saw something purple from the corner of my eye floated passed, I saw a few more floated around the air. I then realized that they were endermen particles, I looked up to see Clepto, his eyes looking over to the side and he had a sad look on his face. After I let go of Ernies' hand I reached to grab Clepto's, and surprised Clepto a bit. "You okay, Clepto?" I asked him as I looked at his face. I saw as his eyes looked down and I felt his thumb gently rub my knuckles for a second, "Y-Yeah I'm okay.." I felt his hand slip out of mine. "So, Melanie...how long has Percy been gone for..?" Clepto asked slightly, bending down to see my face more. At that moment I realized…

It's been about 10 hours since Percy left...

(A/N: btw by the Percy had left it was around 8:00 a.m. and the store closes at 5:20 p.m. . Melanie and Robert never paid attention to the time and Clepto came in around 5:02 with Ernies. >> Just a bit of information there for ya-)