'Tis Better to Have Loved and Lost

Chapter One

The sunlight slanted through the leaves, forming bright dapples on the grass below and inviting passersby to sit under one of the tall, arching trees and listen to the bell-like birdsong. A small, clear river bubbled by, golden sunrays caressing the smooth pebbles so deep below. Gentle hints of flowery scents threaded the warm air, summoning occasional butterflies to the small, bright blooms.

Raskaal leaned against one of the blooming, full-leaved trees and hated all of it.

The wiry-haired grump narrowed his dark eyes as he caught the motion of two people, airy blonde hair a few measures lighter than their evenly tanned skin, traipsing along the opposite bank of the young river. The short girl's grin sparkled as she danced ahead of her companion, who carried several towels, a picnic basket, and a tired smile. A sunny voice floated across the river: "Hurry up, Taylor! It's so hot out! I want to start swimming!"

Raskaal couldn't hear Taylor's reply, but the laugh that followed the glittering splash that completely soaked the picnic basket and one of the towels indicated that it hadn't been particularly important. The happy girl plowed through the water with a powerful breast-stroke, leaving Taylor to wring out the towel. Raskaal sighed, turning away, and was about to leave when he heard the sunny voice, closer now, shout: "Hey! Stranger!" His gaze flicked back toward the river to see the girl-- about his age, he could now see-- stroking toward him, crystal-blue eyes latching into him. Raskaal tensed, his steel-gray hair flopping over his face in a sudden gust of chill air. His gaze darted to Taylor, who stood on the bank of the river looking slightly paler than before, arm extended as if to touch the girl.

Narrowing his eyes, Raskaal spat in the river and abruptly turned away, hunching his shoulders slightly as he thumped along the non-existent path toward the town. The bottom of his long coat flapped in the breeze.

He stumbled with a surprised grunt at the unexpected weight of the sunny girl jumping onto his back.

"What the fuck?" he growled, knocking her off with a quick twist and turning to look at her.

"My name's Faith!" she said brightly, already standing. "Who are you?"

"Faith?" he replied, ignoring her question and looking over the river at the now-distraught Taylor. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't seem very faithful."

Faith shrugged. "My mom named us all after virtues, like Grace or... Loyalty or whatever."

Raskaal looked at her for a moment. "Mine too," he said quietly, turning away once more. He growled gently as Faith attached herself to his arm, completely soaking his sleeve.

"You're so dark and mysterious!" she chirped. "Where ya headed?"

Raskaal flung his arms in the air, breaking Faith's grasp. "I don't fucking know! I don't know anything about this place!" He dropped his arms, turning on his heel and walking briskly in a random direction, angled away from the river. "Only reason I'm here is because my sister thought it would be good for me or some shit," he muttered.

"Well," replied Faith, trotting buoyantly in Raskaal's wake, "nature is well known to relieve emotional stress and stuff. I bet you'll be happy here before long!"

"Whatever," snorted Raskaal.

"It's an especially pretty day today, too!" Faith said, closing her eyes briefly and smiling at the sky.

Raskaal did not reply.

"Look, the lilacs are blooming!" Faith announced, pointing out one of the big purple bushes, its scent sweet as they passed.

Raskaal did not reply.

"The columbine and sun roses look nice too," Faith added, gesturing toward flowers near the lilac bushes.

Raskaal did not reply.

"Does columbine grow where you're from?" Faith asked as they passed the flowers.

Raskaal did not reply.

"I guess you probably don't know much about flowers, huh?" Faith mused.

Raskaal did not reply.

"This is really one-sided," Faith noted genially. "I might as well be talking to a wall."

Raskaal did not reply.

"I bet I could say anything I want and have no consequences," Faith said with a grin.

Raskaal did not reply.

"Should I reveal my deepest secrets to you?" Faith cooed, skipping forward and leaning against Raskaal-- with difficulty, as his stride was significantly longer than hers.

Raskaal did not reply.

Faith bit her lip. "Darn. Now I can't think of any secrets."

Raskaal did not reply.

"Faith..." A distant voice snaked through the trees.

"Ooh, how about this?" said Faith. "One time I--"

"Someone's calling you," Raskaal replied, his voice rocky.

Faith looked up at him. "Oh, come on. You can't get rid of me that--"

"Faith!" The voice was much louder now, a hint of desperation fraying the edges.

"Oh..." Faith turned in the direction of the sound, halting in disappointment. "That's Taylor."

"Better go back," Raskaal said, already several paces ahead. His voice had smoothed out.

"You're right..." Faith said, walking defeatedly toward wherever Taylor was. She looked over her shoulder the whole way, not wanting to lose sight of the entrancing stranger.

Raskaal continued to walk for a moment, then stopped. He turned his head slightly to look back, the movement mostly hidden by his upturned collar.

Faith was still a little bit wet. The sun sparkled slightly in the drips.

Her eyes glowed as she looked back at him.

Raskaal swore under his breath as he faced forward again and started to walk away even faster.