Chapter 1 | A Different Type of Love Story

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A Different Type of Love Story

[ Chapter 1 ]

By: SparklyHorn

3 . 9 . 2021

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Chapter Preview:

She will protect you, for She will help and guide you through the trials ahead

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No Content Warnings for this Chapter

Chapter Word Count: 1,120

Chapter Genre: Fantasy

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Return to Prologue ]

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Talzi's Perspective

"I think we close early today," Chef Louis, the owner of the bar and grill, tells me.

"I'm going to mop, then. There's enough daylight that I shouldn't up this opportunity." I reply, already moving to go and get the supplies

Louis shakes his head, stopping my advance. "No, Talzi. You listen here: go enjoy yourself it is early in afternoon. You go swim or talk to nice girl. But no mop." The chef has a strong, middle-aged island-man accent to his voice. I believe the sound of his steady tongue alone could calm an angry mob.

I turn back and smile at him. "Are you sure?" I double-check as I take off my apron and name badge.

"Yes. You go, enjoy time young," he insists.

"Do we have any leftover food?" I ask before Chef Louis has the chance to kick me out. To my luck, he goes into the kitchen and packs me two to-go boxes of leftover food.

We say our goodbyes after I thank him and then I head out, walking along the path that connects the Bar and Grill to the main road. I had always loved how the Bar and Grill sat at the top of the beach, you could watch the ocean waves from a number of the windows. And, it is not so far away from town that visitors ignore the older building. Chef Louis and I have never struggled with too few customers.

I walk through the town and climb up the steep mound of earth that separates the town from the forest beyond. I step into the shade and I can feel the difference in temperature from the blazing sun. The forest is not thick, but the trees are old and beautiful. The trees tower above everything else, casting cool shadows over the land.

There is a faint dirt path underfoot, enough people will come out to the forest from this location for the grass to be worn down. Many visitors will go tenting in the woods, but I am the only one who knows about the grove.

I look over my shoulder, making sure no one is around before I duck under a low-grown branch. It acted as a gate to this beautiful area, a natural wall of greenery surrounding the beautiful pond. I step next to the pond and sit on a patch of grass, letting myself relax to the songs of the birds in the trees. Once I feel ready, I cup my hands into the water and bring it up to splash my face with.

I hear little giggles as I wipe the wetness from my face, looking over my shoulder to see three little fairies flying over to me. "Talzi's back!" Cries the smallest of the three, a pale-skinned girl with blonde hair and a rose-pink dress. She flies over and lands on one of the two to-go trays, sniffing the air before giggling happily.

"Of course I'm back Rosetta, I wouldn't miss our Tuesday meetings for the world," I explain.

"And, by the smell of it, you brought along food," remarks one of the other fairies, a green male who is Rosetta's older brother and guardian.

"Oh, Travis! You're always the one to state the obvious," Rosetta giggled, fluttering off the tray so I can open it for them.

"Somebody has to do it," Travis argues with his sister.

Travis moves to object to her, but the third fairy comes over and puts herself between them. "Enough!" She objects, looking between the two with a glare. "Please be respectful to our visitor."

"Yes, Mrs. Mary..." the siblings respond in unison, hanging their heads.

I chuckle and break off some bread into a piece for each of the three fairies. "It is great to see you all," I comment, trying to keep the mood cheery. "Do you all want some bread?"

Rosetta eagerly comes to take the bread from me crying out, "Thank you!" With a full mouth. Next, I some to Travis and he does a little bow for the food.

Lastly, I hand some to Mrs. Mary, the eldest fairy who wears a beautiful purple gown. "Thank you greatly, sir Talzi," I can see her rosy lips turn into a smile as she takes the bread.

Rosetta had already finished her share, and begins flying around and calling out, "Hey, everyone! Talzi is here! He brought food!"

Just like magic, a dozen other creatures poke their heads out of the shrubbery and emerge.

From kitsune to a centaur, elves, and a gnome, several different fantasy beings come out around the pond. I get to my feet and begin to go around and dish out the food to all the different beings who had shown up for lunch.

When the second box is finished, I go and kneel in the patch of grass, opening my arms wide to send praise to The Lady of the Pond. "Great Lady, I celebrate you dearly as you have allowed me to come into your Secret Grove and aid in the feeding of your children, the beings that humans refuse to believe in. Thank you," I finish. The pond ripples and a few of the creatures with hands clap in thanks.

I have only briefly seen The Lady of the Pond, back when when I had first come to the Grove as a child. But, I choose to respect her just as much as the others who surround me, living under her protection.

"You are favored by The Lady," says Mrs. Mary, holding her hands out in a sign of respect. "She will protect you, for She will help and guide you through the trials ahead." Mrs. Mary puts her hands on my forehead and I remain still until she is done, keeping my head bowed. The elders of this secret community can hear from The Lady, and through them, She will speak.

"It is my honor," I respond when Mrs. Mary removes her tiny hands from my forehead.

The centaur whinnies, a cry he only does when there is possible danger. We all fall silent, some of the smaller creatures ducking back into the bushes. I get to my feet, looking over towards the entrance. The leaves rustle before they are pushed aside by a human's hand. I curl my fists and step closer, knowing that the human would be able to see me without using the water from the pond.

A man gets to his feet his hair unruly and his posture showing signals of being frightened. He takes a sharp inhale of breath when he makes eye with me. "Is it really you?"

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Chapter Reflection:

What do ya'll think of the new chapter 1? Did you ever read the original chapter one? Eh- doesn't matter. I have replotted the story, and it is really easy to follow now! So, expect me to attempt to write this book again.

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