Refuge In Symphony

Chapter 1 - Flight

.·:*¨¨* 　☼　 *¨¨*:·.

Ayano was walking fast in the busy streets of Swiftside. She looked back, finding the man she once called her boyfriend trying to follow her. For once, she cursed her rolled-up wing, tucked safely on her back but unable still to fly.

Her disability wasn't as much of a bore usually as it was right now, running from his grasp. She took a turn, then two, her mind racing. She saw a shop in the corner, a small one lost amidst the other. For some reason, it caught her eyes, she sensed it was a safe place to be in right now. Her gaze turned behind, Hiroki gone for now.

She rubbed her arm, walking with caution. The bruise would heal, but she would lie if she said it didn't hurt a little. Ayano cursed herself for forgetting her phone at his place. She had no means to contact the police or her family now... Not that she wanted to tell her family about how stupid she had been, following a man for love against all of their warnings.  

Quick, she thought, better get to safety. Her hand was on the doorknob, and she swung inside. She breathed in, the smell of varnished wood and leather opening her up to a strange little shop.

Here and there, large cushions littered the floor, and CD-ROMs and vinyl were displayed on either side of the store on well-classified shelves. On the walls, there were posters of famous musicians -some were even signed- as well as various instruments. In the middle of the room was a slightly raised circle with a large piano and a few other instruments, including guitars and violins, like a small orchestra. She saw two doors on either side of the room, one of them marked 'Secondary entrance to the concert room'. The other was slightly hidden by a pearl-threaded curtain.

The musicality of this place was everywhere, from the guitars displayed proudly and the pan flutes decorating the walls. The young woman stepped to the album exhibits, browsing through the numerous titles but her mind was unfocused. She was still shaken up about Hiroki. Did he see her entering the shop? It couldn't be, he would've entered it... I hope. Her wings fluttered nervously, as her back shot up with a familiar discomfort. Calm down. You are more safe here than you were a few minutes ago, outside.

She slowed her breathing just as a figure sneaked up on her, causing her to yelp out of fear. It also seemed to frighten the person as they backed away from her, looking like a deer in the headlights just as much as her. 

 "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." said the long-haired man, as he held a record player in his hands. Ayano took him in, apologizing as well. He had long hair, longer than she'd seen a man wear in her family, held in a ponytail by a red ribbon. As he moved towards the light, the scars glistened, his missing eye and the burn around it in full sight. She held out a small gasp, knowing how impolite it would be for her to ask questions about it. What happened to him? Is he okay? I-I mean, I'm still in danger, but dang, it must hurt!

The man chuckled a bit, having caught her interest "I know, I always seem to have this effect on new people. Don't worry, I am fine". He paused, before adding as he saw her eyes still inquisitive "Really.".

"Oh, um, sorry, I didn't mean to pry", her voice meekly echoed in the room before enquiring "Is it your shop?".

Sua nodded while putting the record player on a table nearby. "Yes, it is my shop. My name is Sua Han, Welcome to Refuge In Symphony." His smile never faltered. "And you are...?", he left his inquiry in suspension for her to reply "My name is Ayano Misaki! I... I am running away from a man, my ex-boyfriend, just so you know. He did this to my arm.", she said as she showed him her bruised arm.

Sua frowned a bit, as though he was thinking about something before, he spoke again, his voice careful. "I see... Shall I call the cops?". Her bun bobbed up and down, following the movement of her head, her hand slowly lowering to her side as she saw Sua walking to the cash register and pulling up his phone.

.·:*¨¨* 　☼　 *¨¨*:·.

Sua sat across from Ayano in the cozy corner of his music shop drinking tea, her wings gently tucked against her side, their damaged state visible. He seemed genuinely empathetic about her life and the struggles she might be facing. Everything was fine, now. A tall dragon policeman came and took her deposition, but Ayano didn't return home yet, staying in the shop instead.

With a warm smile, he broached the subject delicately, "Ayano, may I ask why you didn't yet go back to your parents?" 

She looked up carefully. In the few hours since she had met Sua when he sheltered her inside the shop, Ayano observed his kindness and generosity towards others, especially her. When Sua approached her, inquiring about her situation, Ayano hesitated for a moment. She felt a mix of gratitude and vulnerability, unsure of whether to open up to this man she barely knew. What if it was only a façade? 

But something about his calm and kind presence and honesty encouraged her to share her feelings. He seemed genuine, and he helped her a lot.

"I'd love to go back to my mom," Ayano confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of determination. "But I don't have the money for a plane ticket. And even if I did, I wanted to come back and make her smile. I want to stand on my own feet, even if I can't fly! I don't want to be seen as just a fae with damaged wings. I just want to be someone she can be proud of..."

Sua nodded slowly, seemingly considering something before extending a bandaged hand and smiling. 

"Why don't you work in my shop, then?"