❖ HELLO, STRANGER ❖ (Ahote/Ryuusei)

Black.

A man dressed in the darkest colors of the abyss stood in front of her. Just like the dark shadows in the forest, the man possessed a mysterious aura about him. To Alicia, the man also reminded her of a lone Corvus who was away from his murder of crows. He looked pale and unwell as if his very life danced to and fro at the doors of death. There was something about this man that piqued Alicia's interest... something about him exuberated darkness and shadow. This man seemed to have a hint of danger. However, there was one detail that spoke to Alicia's heart... This man... whoever he was... seemed to have a cloak of melancholy draped over his figure. His silent lips seem to speak about an ever quiet sadness. Something about this person made Alicia feel as if she had to reach out and lift that cloak of melancholy. She wondered if there was something underneath.... she wondered if perhaps this man possessed something aside from his cold demeanor... was it possible? Could she perhaps make this man smile? After all, a very dear friend of her once said laughter was the best medicine. A single genuine smile can ease the burden of a thousand sorrows.

And so she did... Alicia smiled... she smiled at the man who seemingly could not smile. Her smile was not bright or sunny. Her smile was delicate, small yet beautiful just like a drifting snowflake.

"Hello, stranger" that was her response to the sickly and melancholy man. She walked up to him to make the distance between them shorter. "the exit... if I recall... was it that way... no... perhaps it was that way..." Alicia pointed to one direction, then to another. She turned around as if searching for which direction to go. Her white skirt twirled around like snow drifting in the gentle wind.

"Sorry I guess... I too am lost..." she let out a soft laugh "Perhaps we can... I don't know... maybe search for the exit together?" Alicia asked the man that stood in front of her. She looked up to meet his gaze. Her icy blue eyes met his golden gaze.

Gold.

That was the color of his eyes. Gold. As if King Midas himself touched the very fabric of this mans soul. It was striking...  and intimidating...but most of all.. it was breathtakingly beautiful. Despite this, Alicia maintained her playful demeanor. She was far shorter than the man. From an outsiders look, the two seemed to be a spitting image of a snow angel and an angel of death lost in a maze of roses.

"My name is Alicia, by the way... Alicia Jadelynn Sinclair" she smiled.

"And what is your name stranger?"

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460 words