The Fallen Queen~[✓]

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 20

Moonlit's was a beautiful place. It had a rooftop area that had white, intricately carved umbrella tables and chairs placed around. There was a beverage corner on one side where a guy maybe in his late teens was serving glasses with liquids of different colors. There was a small stage where a guy was singing "La Java Bleue" by Fréhel accompanied by a girl with a guitar and another guy on his violin. There was a counter where yummy food was prepared and kept and an old woman looked over them. People wearing white tops and black pants served food around on their Zephads. This was the first time I had seen the bustling crowd in Etis. It seemed like all the countries and states on Earth were sitting together in a place.

Every other person was almost distinctively different from each other, some even had green skin and cat eyes! Yet, everyone was blended in harmony except maybe an angry husband whose wife was trying to convince him in a corner table.

We decided to take a look at the inside before sitting down to eat.

The inside was even bigger and bustling with energy. There was a beverage corner as well as a food counter. The tables were set and laid in different styles. There was an empty stage and the room filled in with sounds of "Roi Roi Roti" by Abhishruti Bezbaruah, which was a song I really admired from the Northeastern States of India. The music was pleasant to my ears. I saw a family eating out happily while the kid accidentally turned the piece of meat to stone. Aspen informed that they were stone spirits in their human form.

The lighting was bright yellow and it was soothing to the eyes. A modernized form of chandelier hung above us. The walls were decorated with beautiful dreamcatchers, paintings, and unique decor. We sat down at one table at the corner.

'It's a nice place isn't it?' Ryan looked around. I nodded.

'Okay so what do you wanna eat guys?' Mat questioned.

'Whatever you guys prefer.' I replied. Ryan opted for Mutton kebabs and Noodles. Aspen went to the counter and ordered the food, paid the cash, and returned back with a smile. 'You'll experience the Etis specials now.'

'Remember, after we finish eating we'd have to meet the Human Resource Officer and the Owners of Moonlit's. It's 8pm now and we still have to drop you guys home.' Mat started. 'Aspen decided upon tomorrow's itinerary already. It's a Sunday so most of the shops in Etis would be open and it would be pretty convenient to shop for Karishma and Ryan's essentials. Also can visit the air realm, which Karishma hasn't seen yet. Karishma you know how to cook?'

'No.' Truth is, I'm the worst cook in the world. Once when mom insisted, I tried to cook pancakes. I terribly failed and the pan I used had to be thrown away. But then, if I live alone, I'd have to cook.

I seriously started giving major second thoughts about Etis.

'We'll get you the Basic Cookbook don't worry.' Aspen smiled. I protested that a cookbook would hardly be of any use to me. 'Don't worry. Magical cookbook. When you look into a recipe from this, you can automatically make the food you cooked edible.' But then is that what happened in Etis? There was no such thing as great cooking? Aspen answered my question. 'This is valid for only three years, by then you are expected to learn properly how to cook.'

'Guys lets discuss tomorrow tomorrow. Let's enjoy the food now. Surprise Kashi!' Ryan stood up and helped the waitress who brought the food.

'Noodles and Mutton Kebabs for Ryan and Karishma, Chicken Steak for Aspen and Mat and Waterballs and Doiye for everyone!' The waitress smiled. She literally brought water balls, and the water swirled around, forming small balls of water. It looked like an enchanted magical orb. And the beverage sparkled slightly with green misty dust.

Doiye tasted fizzy and it had a warm yet cooling taste. It was semi-sweet in flavor. 'Doiye is made of soda and well, we don't know what else, it's called Doiye dust and is found in the markets and is only cultivated in Etis.' Mat said as he slurped on the drink.

Very weird place. What if it was poison?

I decided to keep that question for later, but the sooner I asked, the more clarity I got. But I loved Doiye. It was a great fizzy drink but deep inside my heart, I still preferred Coca-Cola.

Later we headed to the more official part of our trip.

'So, you're Indian?' The Human Resource Officer noted down furiously. The Owners, who were a couple in maybe their late fifties, were more interested in my hobbies.

'I write. Like songs, scripts, short stories, and stuff.' I replied to their questions. I also added that it was on a really small base, generally school level and that I had an Instagram writing page with about 3k dedicated followers.

After we finished eating and chatting and meeting up the HR and Owner at Moonlit's, who were pretty happy that we were joining, all three of my friends dropped me to my apartment. It seemed even better in reality. It was also just a ten-minute Zephad ride from Ryan's house. We did not own Zephads, so there were sort of Zephad points we had to walk to, just a two-minute walk most of the time, and hop on a Zephad. Ryan said there was twice the number of Zephads in Etis compared to its population, so it wasn't a problem.

'We're gonna go Ryan. You just help Karishma walk to her apartment. Mother would worry if we're too late.' Aspen waved goodbye. 'We'll meet tomorrow then.'

'I'm not joining you guys tomorrow.' Mat spat rudely. 'I have work. And do you have a shorter name girl? It is a wastage of my energy. Should I call you Ka--

'Riya. Call me Riya.' I smiled. Kashi was exclusively the name Ryan called me, and I wanted it to be exclusive. We walked towards my own apartment. We collected the keys from the guard room. Also, Aspen assured that Mat was just being his usual bitter and his heart was made of gold.

'So, how was officially a full first day in Etis?' Ryan smiled. His voice was a bit raspy.

'Sexy.' I mouthed. He pushed the door to close it, and we kissed. He pushed me against the wall and laced his fingers into my hair. Our tongues entwined, a bit more smoothly than the last time, but still, it was rocky. He tasted like the waterballs we ate at Moonlit's. Not an exact flavor like salty or sweet or spicy, but nice. It was like finding color in colorless. 'It was admirable, I look forward to better times with you. For us.' He could hardly wait for me to finish saying the words. He dived into my mouth again. It was a feeling which fell short of the best words and sentence structures.

I just knew we were fifteen, kissing, loving and it was great.