Chapter II: In the Pub of the Lans, from Child of Star (2/2)

“Here’s your Absinthe. V-i-n-c-e-n-t, Right?“Said Yue with a sweet smile hanging on her pale pink face,” “You know, it’s not a common name in the Lans, and your beautiful golden eyes definitely do not belong here. “ Yue looked at Vincent closely with wonder in her eyes. There was a sudden silence, in which Vincent could hear his heart beating.

“You pronounced good. And your voice sounded sweet.” Vincent said nervously. He swallowed half of the Absinthe, feeling like a big man.

“A bounty hunter?” Inquired Yue, who leaned back and looked very satisfied when hearing the words that come out from Vincent's mouth.

“What?” said Vincent, seeming like he did not yet recover from previous atmosphere.

“Are you a bounty hunter? I saw you carry a sword.” Yue could not help giggling at Vincent’s reaction.

“Kinddd.”said Vincent. Obviously he was not willing to explain too much about his identity as a child of star, the union of which was still in growing process and far from “famous.” So he decided not cut into it.

“Why you come far away from Star Harbor?" Yue padded her little fox and said, “Out west my knowledge fails. How much I wish I could do a journey going as far as yours.”

“It’s not an easy journey as you imagine. I’m actually carrying an order given by Haku, the--”Answered Vincent in a muttering manner.

“Haku? The Haku of the Rangers?” Interrupted Yue, “ I know him! He was a big name in the villages around. People enjoyed about his heroic stories. He usually passed by and took some Absinthe. But I did not see him for weeks,” said Yue hesitatingly, “Members of the Rangers are proud as their appearances tells and they always come and go freely. Well, their abilities definitely allow them to perform so. But I guess Haku must be involved in something urgent, or he would not ask me to find some reliable companions for him.”

“Do you know where he is headed to?” Said Vincent worriedly.

“To the deep forest as far as I know.” Yue answered and murmured to herself, “Days getting unhappy since groups of thieves and monsters haunt frequently in the forest nearby. The fear of them made people dare not walk in the nights. Sigh...The pub was used to be filled with liquor smells and laughs through all day.”

Vincent sat for a moment looking at the glinting green from the Absinthe bottle, but his only thought was how on earth could he find Haku and assist him to investigate Dust.“I think I have to leave soon.” Vincent said at last. He then drank the Absinthe to the bottom.

He said goodbye and walked outside the pub, taking a glancing at the wall where hanged a poster, saying “Wanted: Forest Theives.”

“It’s near sundown already. Why not stay till the next morning? I would be pleased if you could stay and have a bite with me.” Yue came after Vincent and said in a soft voice.

“Sorry the emergent situation does not allow me to stay. But I’ll come back, perhaps, very soon- to drink your Absinthe again. It tastes even better than the rumor flies.” Vincent said and looked at Yue with a sudden glint of golden.

“May Tree Father bless your long journey.” Said Yue. The descending sun shadowed Yue’s thin eyelashes and made it look even longer.

Vincent went up the lane towards the deep forest. There was no light visible ahead. When he looked back, he saw a shapely figure leaning against a wood pile, and soon became a lovely dot.