stars & moons - jean kirstein

part 3

Lunar

There is an enormous amount of hustle and bustle as I step out of my apartment quarters into the festival. As far as I can see there's people dancing around to music, huge clowns on stilts and the smiling faces of civilians from all around. My head starts to think this is what happens when we introduce each other to our own resources; it feels like humanity. The streets are packed out with stalls of food whos' smells whaft through my nostrils, the grumble in my stomach becoming all too apparent when I walk past a bakery stall selling loaves of bread and other goodies. I can't help but stop to greet the older man with greying hair and an apron on. I smile as I approach him, letting my eyes feast on what's in front of me.

His hooded eyes greet me in a tender sense, "Hello there! Just a black coffee and one of these chocolate pastries, please." I say to him.

"We call them croissants, ma'am. They're a delicacy where we come from." he chuckles, nodding his head to me, reaching for a brown paper bag and tongs to scoop up my treat. 

"Croissant. I'll have to remember that." I smile back at him as I begin to pull out my wallet. 

"Here I got it, make that two of whatever she's having please, sir." Reiner's deep voice suddenly appears behind me, pulling out a note from his own wallet. I look up at him, rolling my eyes with a smile still on my face.

"Where did you come from?" I say to him, accepting the bag that is handed to me with a 'thankyou', bringing it up to my nose to get a good sniff.

"Happy to see me?" he jokes, his wallet going into his back pocket. 

"Always. Thankyou." 

The man at the stall smiles at us both, handing Reiner his own croissant and the two cups of coffee, "You two love birds have a beautiful rest of the festival." he says, nodding his head in thanks.

A small blush streaks along my face as I wave goodbye to him, and we make our way over to Porco and Pieck. "You're awfully chivalrous this morning." I say to Reiner, taking a sip of the coffee in my right hand.

"Suck up." Porco rolls his eyes at Reiner. 

"Morning, nerds." I say to them both, stopping when we get to them, "Wanna try some of this? The guy said it's called a croissant." I say to the, pulling the delicacy out of the bag and picking a piece of it off for both of them.

"Yum! I was actually looking at these earlier. If only someone would buy one for me." Pieck says, glaring up at Porco to which he nudges her shoulder. 

We all cheers out bits of pastry and shovel them into our mouths. My eyes widen at the buttery, sweet taste.

"Fuuuck, that's good." I say, taking another bite to settle the grumble that can be heard when the food settles in my belly.

As the four of us start to walk down the strip, taking in all the music and food that surrounds us, we spot the four kids at a stall that looks like it sells something savoury. We all chuckle, approaching the stall to greet them. 

"Lunar, Pieck! try this!" udo says, shoving some kind of bread covered in cheese in my face. I happily accept. My eyes widen in shock at the huge line of cheese that strings out of my mouth when I take a bite.

"This is delicious! What did you say it was called?" I gush to udo as I take another piece of the stringy dough, the tomatoey base and the cheese pull saturating my tongue.

"Pizza! I think it's my favourite thing so far." Udo giggles biting into his own slice.

I smile at the four kids in front of me, shovelling in bites of pizza, "I think it's mine too. What's left to try?"

"So much! Come with us." Before I can respond, we're pulled along through the stalls, leaving Reiner to grumble while paying the bill.

*

The sun has started to set a deep orange colour by the time the food stalls have started to pack up for the day. I trail behind the group with Reiner and Gabi, the girl so full from all the delicacies she got to try today that she's unable to walk. Reiner grumbles as he drags her along by the arm, she groans in agony, muttering about how much it hurts. 

"They should make everyday a festival." She says, a small smile appearing on her chocolate rimmed lips. Her eyes are closed, making her look like a goof. 

"You think so?" I ask her, my hands behind my back.

She opens her eyes momentarily taking in her surroundings, her eyes glistening at the sight, "It's probably nothing, but it feels as though the world is going to change in a big way. It seems like lots of things have been happening." Reiner and I lock eyes.

"Yeah, I hear you." He assures her, his face returning forward. 

*