An IDV story (serious)

2

The streets outside were empty and quiet, lit only by a few dim lamps that were scattered around on buildings randomly. Moths fluttered close by and cast large shadows onto the cobblestone road, where other nocturnal animals roamed. The soft sound of a fox's light steps, the gentle hoot of a nearby owl, the low hushing and humming from neighbouring parents as they lulled their children to sleep were all that could be heard during the peaceful evening.

Aesop let himself indulge in the moment for a while. He sighed in bliss and smiled a little to himself.

Then came a cold touch against his finger, a light tap by his shoes. A fresh and pleasant scent wafted through the air as the sound of thunder was heard overhead. In just a few seconds, it had begun to rain. The few droplets from before suddenly turned into a heavy downpour and Aesop was forced to retreat back into the funeral home to retrieve an umbrella, while Jack waited for him patiently outside. When Aesop returned, he hurriedly opened it up and brought it over both of their heads, almost knocking Jack's top hat off.

"Ah, sorry..." Aesop apologised as he raised the umbrella higher.

Taking his hat off and holding it under his arm, Jack replied, "No worries. Was there only one?"

"There were two left, but I wanted to save the other for Andrew. You don't mind sharing one with me, right?"

"Not at all, I would love to."

"Perhaps you should be the one to hold it though. You are taller after all, you will be able to adjust it to whatever height you'd like." Aesop offered the handle of the umbrella to Jack, who brushed his hand over Aesop's as he took it.

"Thank you. I will try my best to keep us both covered. If you do get wet, please let me know. I would hate for you to catch a cold."

"It is only some water, I couldn't possibly get sick from this. You don't have to worry about me, just hold it however you want."

"If you insist. Now then, shall we be on our way? The faster we walk, the less time we have to spend in this awful weather."

"Yes, let's. Lead the way."

The pair rushed through a tight alleyway, Jack keeping his pace steady to match Aesop's, and they soon emerged onto the main street. Although still rather empty, the main road was busier than the small street they were previously on. A few horse-drawn carriages and a couple cars passed them by, splashing the water up from puddles and soaking both men's shoes.

Jack peered down at his feet and sighed. "Oh dear... How am I to meet with Catherine now?"

Aesop also looked down at his own shoes and distraughtly answered, "I have nobody to meet but I had polished them not long ago... What awful luck."

"On the day I intend to propose too... Curse this blasted weather!"

"Many horrible things have happened today, huh? Such as Andrew and Jerry's argument, which I'm sorry you had to see."

"That is not something you should be apologising for, Aesop, it was not your fault. Besides, Andrew and Jerry have always been this way. I would have questioned if they were the real two men I know if they did not bicker. But enough of that, we should hurry on our way lest anything worse occurs."

Aesop nodded in response and they continued on their journey, mostly in silence as neither of them knew what else to say. Uncomfortable with the growing awkwardness, Jack decided to speak up first, once they reached a quieter area.

"You are talking to me a lot more than when we were back in the funeral parlour. Is there any reason for that?" he asked.

"Jerry was present in the funeral home, the words I could use were limited," replied Aesop, although he did not show sadness. "He has a short temper. If I had said the wrong thing, I would not hear the end of it, especially when he is in as foul a mood as today's."