On a bright sunny day, Phoenix put on a dazzling yellow dress, her braided hair fell to her left shoulder and her arms stretched to reach Moonlight. Moonlight pauses at first but eventually received her hand.
As she noticed he showed no discomfort, she waved bye to Febia using her free hand. Febia did not wave back but rather chuckled and went back in the house.
Phoenix led him to the door and the compound outside was revealed.
Roughened stones mixed with concrete formed a smooth surface on the ground and covered as far as the eye can see. A fountain sat at the center, spraying water on a pool that never seems to fill.
However, Moonlight seemed un-amazed by the sights before him but yet, he anticipated.
After a long trek, they reached the main gate, a big black gate. It opened by itself the moment mother and son got closer to it. Moonlight was slightly taken aback but still, he did not feel impressed.
Beyond the black gate, they opened way to an estate of infrastructure. Varieties of customized houses formed a straight road which led to a junction at the end. For some reason, the Adna house was directly opposite the junction.
"So quiet," Moonlight murmured.
"It's only natural. No one would dare meet an Adna for no reason."
Phoenix's voice rang loud in the quiet street with a bizarre atmosphere and expensive radiance. Phoenix sped up their walk to get out of there as fast as possible.
However, that quiet atmosphere changed the moment they reached the junction. The streets were busy, stalls were placed conveniently at various sections and people walked the earth. Their legs, voices, tires screeching, sounded like thunder, synchronizing perfectly to a noisy rhythm.
Then, Moonlight stopped. He suddenly held Phoenix hand tightly.
Phoenix noticed and turned to him.
"Are the numbers a problem?"
Moonlight replied with a nod.
Phoenix sighed and hummed. She looked left and right before facing Moonlight once more.
"I know a more-quiet place. Should I take you there?" Phoenix asked while bending her face to match his eyes.
Moonlight hid his face and nodded.
"Humm, guess we'll…" Phoenix whispered. She then knelt. "Climb my back; I will take you somewhere quiet and lonely."
"Huh?" Moonlight shifted back.
"Don't worry, trust me." Phoenix said with a smile.
Moonlight stepped back hesitantly and paused, pondering on what to do at the moment. He looked left, right, front and back, and then, he concluded, he has to obey. "Ok?"
He moved closer and climbed her back. The scent of her hair filled his nose, and hid his face. Phoenix chocolate colored neck lay bare to his eyes, with a red scarf worn on it.
Phoenix slowly got up. "Comfortable?" She asked.
"Y-yes," Moonlight uttered.
Phoenix stood up. Her right leg moved backwards, her posture shifted slightly. She carried him back into the quiet street, away from the eyes of many.
"I intended to use a ride but why do that when I can just leap there."
"Huh?"
"Brace yourself."
With that said, Phoenix ran a few inch and leaped, leaving the ground in full sprint. In seconds, she reached for the clouds.
Moonlight's eyes lit up as he saw the sun's horizon in full glory. His black hair flowed freely through the sky. He quietly screamed in excitement while his face kissed the clouds. Phoenix chuckled on experiencing a new reaction from Moonlight.
"Nothing!-Beats a sight above land!" Phoenix muttered.
They stayed in the air for a few seconds before descending with a smooth landing that did little dent to the land beneath. Then, Phoenix knelt once more and Moonlight came down.
She got up. Using her eyes, she accessed the nature of their location and after a while, sighed of relief.
"Well my son, since the market district was a bit noisy. I picked the business district for you. It's quiet, peaceful and free of unnecessary invitation." Phoenix said.
She then bent, held his ears and whispered, "Here's a little tip, if you want peace and loneliness, just wander around here for some time."
Phoenix then stood and surveyed the environment once more.
"Is the place to your liking?" She asked.
"…Yes." Moonlight replied.
Phoenix squealed after he gave his reply and she pulled in to hug him.
"But since we're here, might as well do something to waste time, right? Now, where should we-Oh! Let's go there."
Phoenix released him and pointed to their left.
"Besides, your clothes don't fit anymore, right?"
"…"
"Right?" asked Phoenix again.
"Ah-ah Yes!" replied Moonlight.
"Yes, now take my hand."
Moonlight held Phoenix hand and set his eyes on where they were about to go. It was a cloths store located on their left. Mannequins decorated with strange design clothing were placed at the front.
"Smells strange," Moonlight uttered as they got close.
"They re-paint the entire place each month to keep up with the beauty standards of the district. I'm guessing it was done last week or so. But, that is not why we came here, right?"
"Yes." Moonlight replied.
Then Phoenix pushed him forcefully into the store.
Their journey was brief and short but for Moonlight, it was the longest experience he has ever had. From the moment they walked in, the atmosphere reminded him of the maids from the house. He hid himself in the Fitting room and spent minutes thinking of what to do while Phoenix handled the shopping.
His joy of light only returned when Phoenix found him while his legs and arms were crossed. Immediately, she dragged him out carried him back outside.
"I thought you would last longer. All you had to do was just answer a few questions and they were gone. I even told them about…"Phoenix said.
Suddenly, she paused. "Let's go."
Phoenix held his hand with a firm grip and pulled him closer. "Could it be you're not afraid of crowds but,"
Phoenix paused, tightened her grip and started a trek.
"Phoenix?"
"Don't turn back, yours and hers don't connect."
"Phoenix…!"
"Oh. Ma'am you…"
"Tch…"
Phoenix then stopped.
A young lady in her 20s ran towards them, striking a blue short jean skirt, a white sleeve and a blue jacket. She held three carton-shaped bags in her hands.
"Ma'am you forgot what you bought." The lady said.
The lady made a rough stop behind them, she then handed the bags to Phoenix. Phoenix sneered as she received them. The lady then bowed and thanked them for their patronage before tiptoeing back to the store.
"Let's go, we must—
"Phoenix?"