C10 9. CUPID COMPANION

RUBIN

I drift through the crowd, smiling at them. Though, as time pass by, I grew tired of smiling and my lips turned into pouts. Why are these people ignoring me? Am I invisible now? But how? I haven’t tried to put some enchantments on me, yet. I started crossing the street and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Well, I am pretty much visible still, so why are they ignoring me?

Maybe they just do not care.

This is what Gaeans do all the time: they live to work in order to survive. Not like us, Erosians, who are free to roam and do whatever we like. I pity them sometimes.

Still feeling down, I decided that I should probably start taking my job, seriously. It is better if I get to finish my job earlier so I can have more time to search for my mom. I wonder if she is still alive. Would I recognize her even without remembering her face? I have to find her even though I am not certain of her whereabouts. I know it will be hard since I have no idea how and where to start but I got to do it.

I have to find her.

I pulled an arrow and entered the building next to street. The interior was extravagant. They serve food that made my stomach churn, ladies are clad in beautiful and colorful dresses. I was momentarily reminded of Eros. The grandeur and sophisticated behavior of the men and women inside the building is enough to make me feel home. I smiled to myself, quite glad to have come to this place.

Searching for a target, I sat down behind a chair and position the arrow on my bow. Closing an eye, I pulled at the string and let the golden arrow fly across the room: The arrow hit the woman in a tight red dress, her curvaceous body came to a halt as she gaze at the man in front of her. It was a stunned moment, frozen yet beautiful–they were enclosing each other in tight embraces, making me blush. They look pretty together, I am glad.

Okay. Nice two shots for today.

I guess, this is a good start. I still have a lot of days left and accomplishing two out of fifty is great. I went out of the building and blend with the crowd. The street is now beginning to wake as the musicians played their instruments.

It was a beautiful afternoon.

I momentarily stop and stare at them as they played the instruments, they are so talented. I wish I could join and play the harp, they would be surprise on how good I am. There is nothing a mortal can do that I can’t and I am certain of that.

I sat beside one of the fountains and laugh at the kids who are playing with the water. They look around and spotted me.

Oh shoot!

I coyly sat at the edge of the fountain, picking up my bow. The curious little girl, slowly inch closer towards me. She looks at me, her light blue eyes reminding me so much of the young Erosians. She touch my feathers and ran her hand on my clothes, “Pretty,” she gave me a shy smile before she hides her face behind a curtain of blond hair.

The other kids draw near, each taking my sides as they touch my feathers, their curious gazes turning me red. Worried that they might get in trouble because of me, I decided to fly instead. Their eyes were wide as they watch me. I wave at them and laugh as they stood there, awestruck.

When I was finally sure that I have lost them, I landed down on the cobble stones with a slight thud. The humans pass me by as though they cannot see me, busy of drinking, laughing and dancing. It seems that humans are greatly active at night as they were during the day.

I was about to cross the street when I noticed a man staring at me. His stormy eyes caught mine as I look at him, startled of his beauty. I recognized him instantly as the man I have seen when I have arrived here. He have the most beautiful face: his jaw sharp, like it was carved out of marble; and his eyes that are hidden beneath a fan of lush and thick eyelashes–mesmerize me. My heart beats fast, I couldn’t look away.

His eyebrows slowly draw in the middle as he frown, his perfect lips making me swoon. I stood there, frozen on the spot as Gaeans push me forward, rushing. I bit my lip, my hair blowing on my face and I tuck it in, shy. I am so enthralled, I am not even paying attention of the rude Gaean who is shoving me forward. I would love to touch his face up close and stare at him all day–what is happening to me? Why am I so attracted to someone I just met?

I tried to avoid his gaze but that only made me yearn for him. I bit my lip and look up. His scowl deepened and he swallowed. I watch as the lump on his throat disappear and reappeared.

How fascinating!

Distracted I did not notice the vehicle that quickly pass. I am surprise of its appearance that my first instinct made me shot up towards the sky–My wings carrying me with no effort as I drift upon the cloud, still thinking of the charming creature down there.

I wonder if he is a human for he is too perfect to be one.

Opening my eyes, I found myself a meter away from him equally surprised that I have landed down next to him. His dark eyes are like the storm clouds before it rains, his lips so red and his complexion...everything screams ‘ethereal’. He stood there frowning at me but I continue to stare at him, mustering the courage of just looking at him and not be bothered. His appearance attracted me more than anything on earth which made me smile and bow my head, embarrass. Only then did I noticed that he was holding a steel arrow, and on his other hand was a pipe.

He’s a cupid?

I was shocked. My eyes widened as I look at him, he was still glaring. Breathing hard, I shook my head and willed myself to disappear only to end up inside a building with lots of people dancing in the dark. I frown. Surely, this is not a place where love can be found. I drifted through the crowd, pushing them with all my might as for them not to crush me. The bodies are shaking vigorously and they are sweating profusely.

I have this sudden urge to join them as I see them laughing. It looks fun to dance like that with no care in the world and with no rules to follow–they are so wild, like animals.

I didn’t know that humans can act so much like one.

I bit my lip and blush as I see a couple kissing each other, the man gripping the woman’s breast and twirling her clothes in his hand. Bizarre. This is what my Uncle George is warning me about. Everything is mind boggling and I feel like I am going to puke.

I took a seat next to the guy who is serving drinks when I noticed the man from a while ago–the sharp steel arrows gleaming in his hands. He looks around the room and spotted me. He glares at me before going at the far back of the room.

Maybe he is here for competition. Well, I am too.

I smiled and wait for him to settle his mind and decide on his victim. I watch as he prepare his arrow, I quickly position myself, focusing–my arrow whizz past and hit his supposed target. I watch him as he stomped his foot in frustration and I bit my lip, hiding a snicker. One down for me and one lost for him. I caught his eye before he made his way past the crowd, his glare burning me on the spot. Oh dear, that seems to be a wrong move, should I have not compete with him? What if he is a senior cupid which is why he have steel arrows? I hide behind the seats as I watch him walk outside of the room.

He was gone in an instant. I decided to follow him back to his place. People keep on looking at him as he pass, which made me quite irritated at them. Why should they look at him like they wanted to devour him? Twice he turn his back and look, on which I have to dive down next to a rubish bin just to hide from him. He walks fast, bowing at the man guarding the front. I look up and was awed to see how high the building is. Seeing as there are so many rooms, I decided to follow the sound of his heart instead. He has the most peculiar beat of heart that I am quite irritated of the fact that it calmed me. It was strong and beating furiously.

Was he nervous or angry?

I focused on his heartbeat and waited for a while until his heartbeat began to subside on a steady rhythm. He was up on the middle floor. I shot myself up on the air, not caring if people could see me or not, what's important to me now is I found another Erosian, another cupid that can guide me on my mission.

I wonder how old he is.

Not knowing how I will get inside the building since there are no doors available to enter but so many windows, I decided to go for them instead. Knocking while still afloat on the air, I smiled at him as he open up his window. Sweetly, I say "There you are! I was looking for you everywhere."

Confusion had first appeared on his face before he frown at me. He then stuck his tongue out and push me, making me tumble out into the air and lose my balance.

Oh no...I closed my eyes and felt the impact of my fall. My wings! I touched my back and felt the blood that is pouring from my wings. I look up at the building and held his gaze as he was still looking down at me. I dust off my dress and glared back, feeling murderous.

So much for having another companion on earth.