C9 8. ONE COUPLE DOWN

RUBIN

Let me get this straight, the entrance to earth is through a door.

I can’t believe it was just behind a door!

I carefully put my foot down on the platform and was shocked when the crowd of people come bustling out of the door with me. They carried me out, muttering about clothes and businesses and how I’m so slow. Once I am down on my feet, I look back and see the door quickly closing. The arrow on the sides began moving upwards and I was momentarily struck with curiousity as I look at it.

What a fascinating door it was!

I wonder how humans master this locomotive magic that they have– I might be able to learn it as I settle here on earth. Shaking my wings on my back, I smiled and turn around, observing the humans as they talk so differently. They almost sound like bees, buzzing.

It wasn't really annoying , in general, I find them very entertaining!

“I can’t believe this,” I bounded towards them, delighted of what I am seeing. I lingered next to the hustle and bustle of humans clad in peculiar coats as they talk with that small block of metal on their hand. They keep on pushing each other through the halls, making them move slower. I, on the other hand just stood there, letting them drag me to and fro.

I giggled and quieted down as I spot a man staring at me from across. He looked annoyed. Of which or whom? I do not know. I glared back at him, matching his stony stare on which he rolled his eyes. What a bummer.

I make a move to separate myself from the thick crowd to ask him what his problem is, but I was surprise when he was gone. Pouting, I drag my bow and arrow, descending down the stairs. I closed my eyes for a moment for I have never seen a light this bright before in my life. The door closes as I went out, my mouth open wide. There are moving carriages and also little kids running about the hedges, people with different skin colors drift in and out of the numerous buildings and that amaze me.

I will never look odd in this sea of people.

Feeling kind of excited, I move towards one of them and said "Is this really your skin color?" the woman glared at me but I just said, "I wasn't being rude was I?" She just continue to glare at me as she stated "Isn't it too early for you to get high, woman? And what you wearin'? It isn't Halloween, yet. Is this for some kind of a prank, a vlog?" she slam the carriage door close before she prepared the buckets of roses, still giving me a glare.

Not knowing if she was angered by my question for I didn't understand a thing from what she told me, I decided to just apologize. “Look, I'm really sorry. It's just that, it is my first time–" I stared down at my feet and muttered, "it is my first time to see your kind of people." The woman fixed her eyes at me and shrug. “You know what? Go bother others. I have so much to do..." She picks up a bucket of flowers and loaded them inside a carriage. Seeing her struggle with the last bucket, I decided to help her and smile after I did so.

"You're not as bad as I expect you're. It's just that most whites love to pick on black people like me..." I just stared at her, not knowing what she really meant about the whites and blacks. “Sorry for acting rude to you awhile ago. I'm Vi, by the way, Vivian." She held out her hand and I momentarily look at it, not knowing why she is doing that.

"Oh geez...you really don’t know what to do?” she sigh before saying. "You take mine with your own hand and shake it." I awkwardly held the tip of her hand and shook it. I could feel the blush creeping out to the back of my neck and cheeks as she laughed. "Oh woman, I hope you should consider being an actress. You are so good pretending that you are new to this world, I won’t even doubt it."

I bit my lip. If only she knew how true her words are. I am really new to this world, with no guide or help from up above, I wonder how I would survive. She took my hand on hers and began shaking it, vigorously. "You should go out more if you really want to see people of my kind, woman."

"My name is not woman. I'm Rubin. Francesca Rubin Hearthrowe, Cupid the seventeenth, youngest member of the Arrow council, officer in-" I stopped as I look at her. She was laughing at something. What is funny? I was about to ask her the very question I had in mind when she turn her back on me and pull a piece of paper from her pocket. "Here is €20 , go help yourself with a croissant and a cup of hot cocoa at the Tres Bien, yeah? You're just hungry and I know one when I see one. God bless you, lass..." She handed me the paper and I took it, walking away from her as she practically shoo me out of there. Confused of her actions, I choose to wave my hands, telling her goodbye.

I stared at the paper–It looks ridiculously thin and light. So, this is what they use here on earth to pay for things– I can’t believe that this is their currency not gold or precious stones but paper. I can easily make one of this if I tried hard enough. I look around and watch as people line up inside the Tres Bien. I observe them for a while, holding the €20 in my hand and biting my lip.

I wonder what a croissant would taste like. I have seen Gaeans or should I say, mortals, ate it for numerous times I have watched them from above and now, I am finally having it.

Bouncing at the balls of my feet, I line up for the food. “Bonjour,” The girl behind the counter greeted me and I smiled. “two chocolate croissant and hot cocoa please,” She takes the paper from me and gave me some coins in return. Startled, I take it and put it inside my satchel as what the other Gaeans were doing. She told me to take care as she give me my order.

Oh, it’s hot and smells delicious.

Sitting on the chair, I look around me and mimic them. I carefully blow on the hot cocoa and stir it before gulping it down, until the last drop–it is bitter and sweet. It taste like nothing I have had before. I take the croissant with my eager hands and bite on it, feeling the flavors burst in my mouth. It was one of a kind! I should ask my Aunt Lilia to try to make some of this back in Eros.

I should come try and come in this place often to taste more of their pastries.

I consume the delicious food and wipe the sides of my mouth just like how the Gaeans do. Burping, I took my bow and arrow, concluding that I should give Vivian a reward for what she has done for me–those croissants are delicious!

Snickering, I hide behind Vivian’s shop and pulled an arrow from my quiver. I placed it on my bow, looking around. Oh, I hope a nice man comes to take her away in his arms. I wait for a while, my stomach churning. I hope I can have another croissant again, it melts like heaven in my mouth–I would like to have another one.

Looking around, I surveyed each man walking near her shop–none of them seems to be enthralling or attractive as they slump away, gruff and boring. Puffing my cheeks, I lean on the lamp post only to be surprise as a tall dark man rushes off the street, carrying a briefcase and fixing his suit. I took my arrow and place it carefully before letting it fly, It hit the man as he was about to pass Vivian's shop.

He momentarily stop, the golden arrow now blossoming on his back. I bit my lip, quite anxious as I stared at him. What if it didn't work? What if I made a mistake? I prepared to take off and save him in case something wrong happens but then, the man smiled.

I watch him as he change his course– he moves towards the direction of the shop and entered it. The ring of the bell alerted Vivian and she welcomes the man with a brilliant smile. I watch as her eyes widened when he held her hand, snaking his arms on her waist before leaning in to kiss her.

I smiled brightly and clap my hands, I couldn’t help but feel so happy. I watch as the arrow sink at the both of them, his gaze lingering down at Vivian. It was definitely perfect. They are lucky to be my first couple. With a nod, I bless them, making me glow with joy.

One couple down, forty-nine to go.