Blue Flower

Chapter One

The decorations are beautiful, but the feeling is hostile...

It must just have been me - all the other party guests looked perfectly fine with the atmosphere. It felt tense, off... but maybe that was just how all rich parties were like. Perhaps I just felt uncomfortable because I don't go to gatherings often, much less this fancy.

The only reason I was here in the first place was because Alya insisted on me getting out and interacting with beings and people outside of my Observatory, and the rare time a friend would come over. She'd been pestering me about it for an almost annoying amount of time, until I finally gave in and told her I would show up. In reality, I'd forgotten, and I had forgotten I'd agreed until she showed up in my Observatory.

To put it lightly, I hadn't expected to look up and find my eyes on something more stunning than the galaxy I had been peering at moments before. I mean, my reaction should have been justified. I may or may not (either is possible, really) have sat there and stared at her for a solid... minute or so, wondering how I got so lucky to have her as my girlfriend, and possible fiancée if the night went right and according to the plan...

I had been blessed with around half an hour to get ready, but with, of course, Alya's unexpected but appreciated help. And her opinions on what was professional to wear and what wasn't. Because apparently I have no sense of style, which is pretty true, if I do say so myself.As if she sensed my unease, Alya scooted closer. Glancing down in response, I wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her to my side. Alya's gaze shifted from scanning the crowd to up at me, that cute smile on her face. I can't help it—my own rougher features twist into a grin. She's a light in the darkness, and you can't help but be happy around her.

She's a miracle worker, I swear. Somehow, she actually made me look nice and put together, for once. Something I didn't know was possible, with how I usually dressed and looked- unkempt hair, in an old T-shirt and pants that probably had their fair share of holes in them.

Of course, she was stunning as always, but tonight... with her hair long and wavy over her shoulders—a dark blue, speckled with glowing stars. Her eyes matched her light blue dress that flowed when she walked. Her skin was tan from a lot more time out in the sun this summer than I ever had in my life. She was beautiful. And I'm not just saying that because we're dating. I don't know if she realized how stunning she is.

Honestly, how she even liked a guy like me... pale, light blue, and messy hair, a whole foot taller than her. Most importantly, calloused and scarred in every possible hideous way. How I even pulled her was a miracle—some people think it was for the money. After all, working in astronomy, with my very own Observatory, really cashes in the Sickles. It can't have been for my personality. I'm grumpy half the time and the direct opposite of handsome, but wealthy. Although... really, it doesn't feel like she'd be with me for personal gain. Maybe, for once, someone genuinely likes me.

"Krueger?" Alya said lightly as she poked me gently in the chest, and thus, again breaking me from a train of anxious thought. "They have food."

A sheepish grin spread across my features. Of course, she knew the only reason that I'd show up to any social gathering. "Really?" I replied, sounding ridiculously happy, even to myself.

Alya laughed, a sound that makes my heart flutter. Even greater so, knowing it was I who was making her giggle. No, I don't consider myself a particularly funny person... but I can say and do some amusing things from time to time, according to her. I let go of her waist, instead taking one of her small, petite hands in one of my larger, rougher ones. Dwarfing it in size.

We started walking. I had attempted to get closer to the buffet table, but in all honesty, I had followed Alya and let her go wherever she wished. As we walked... that uneasy feeling returned. I took a small glance upwards, to the open sky. That was the theme of the party, after all. Naturally, the Children of the Stars were invited. As soon as the sun set, stars started to light up from the occasional person. Little stars in our hair, under our eyes, freckled across our skin like the night sky began to glow.

Alya's stars were like a little bright galaxy across her nose, under her eyes, and a gradient-style kind of pattern from her hands to her upper arms. Hers glowed a rosy, bright yellow. Mine were a sharp, cold blue on my cheeks and forehead. Speaking of them... I feel the familiar rush of heat from my own stars lighting up. But the sudden warmth to my face wasn't only caused by them... Alya looked even prettier with her stars glowing.

She suddenly gave a light squeeze to my hand, letting go before walking up to a familiar sulking figure towards the corner of the floor, close to the terrace located down the hill, a glass of red wine in hand. He was clearly zoned out, staring down at a gold and blue beetle scurrying across the floor like it had just insulted his mother. Struve looked like his mind was in other places that were not Capheous, or even Agea as a whole.

Alya strode up to Struve and playfully punched him in the shoulder.

A loose laugh escapes my lips at his reaction. Recoiling like he'd been stabbed, but rolling his eyes as soon as he realized it was no threat. Struve was like that- he stared into space a lot, like he wasn't even on this earth. like he was somewhere else.

"You were looking a bit lost there, mate." I tease, patting Struve on his recently assaulted shoulder.

He just grunted in response, crossing his arms over his thin and lanky figure. Struve was a lot less broad than I was, with a more thin and agile form. Somehow, the most graceful of our friend group without even trying.

Struve's skin was darker than Alya's, with somewhat tamed blue hair around chin length that he occasionally pushed behind pointed ears. Star freckles that had started glowing a pale white ran from the bottom of his eyes to his jawline. He, too, looked quite nice tonight, as odd as the sight was. A gold and brown overcoat with ruffled sleeves, a white button-down shirt underneath, and black cargo pants paired with leather boots. Fancy.

"I hate it here," Struve grumbled, taking a long sip of wine in the irritated way he did most things. Like he was annoyed with the world.

"I do too, but I'm not moping around in a corner," I replied, although the jests were all just fun. Struve... he was still without a partner. Really, he acts all tough, but all I can imagine him as is... lonely. Maybe he really did want a girl, deep down, but was a lot less obvious about it.

"Ah, shut up." Struve shot back. For some reason, the guy was always either annoyed or irritated. Both of which really showed in his tone.

"Aww, if you feel like it's too awkward to walk around alone... You could hang out with me and Krueger." Alya offered with an understanding smile. My proof on the theory she could make anyone happy- even Struve's face softened slightly at her voice.

"No. Besides, watching you two be all lovey-dovey is some primary entertainment." Struve said, taking another sip of wine. Thank goodness Struve didn't get drunk easily...

"Can we please go get some food now...?" I leaned in towards Alya, speaking in a low tone like I was interrupting an adult conversation for a stupid reason.

"Of course you're thinking about food..." I caught Struve muttering in a low tone, rolling his green eyes.

Alya looked over at him for a brief moment, then back to me as my hand found hers again. She smiled over at Struve, that face that could melt solid ice. Like Struve's attitude and personality, for example. "Well... Don't be a stranger."

Struve only grunted in response, gesturing with his glass in a dismissive manner. Conversation time was over, at least, according to him. He wasn't really the type to enjoy talking to people much. Introverted, and quiet. And rude whenever someone he didn't wish to speak to tried to make conversation with him.

I'm almost glad he didn't decide to try and tag along. A bit selfish, maybe, but I didn't really want to deal with a third wheel at the moment. I wanted it to be just me and her. Call me whatever you want, but it had been forever since we had time to get together and just... enjoy each other's presence. Between my constant work in the Observatory and Alya's in the L.A.B.S... there hadn't been much time for us to get together and arrange something, and when she managed to, I wanted her to myself. And Struve would have just been grumpy the whole time, anyway...

And yet I still can't shake the feeling... that something is incredibly wrong.