Harmonia

The thin fabric of his loose shirt fluttered with every movement of his arms that swung from side to side. The neck of the basket was tucked in by his waist and supported by the other hand so it wouldn't fall. Passing people from each side, he hums softly as his ears enjoy the market's busy ambiance.

The sun had yet to break through the horizon though there was already the first appearance of light in the sky to urge the marketplace to become busy.

It had always been known that the person who arrives first is most likely to get what they want. Thus he was already up before dawn. But it seemed like no matter how early he was, it wasn't enough to beat the other fellow early risers.

"Apples! Fresh apples! Freshly picked from the highest trees of the realm!"

Hearing such words, he stopped.

The heel of his boots scraped the uneven ground, almost tripping on a pebble.

It was already the season of Apples.

Seeing how the autumn leaves had already touched the season, it was sure to find apples at its best harvest. Thus with that thought in mind, he fluidly turns around to find the source of that tempting offer.

The moment he finds the source, his face breaks into a beautiful smile. Slipping through the crowd, he eagerly wants to grab a fresh batch to take home.

"One basket full of your finest apples please," He successfully chimes in, finding there was no competition in front of the stall that had beautiful fruits on display. When the fruit seller lifted her eyes towards him, she had trouble recognizing him in the casual look he was dressed in, but after a while, she slowly recognized the handsome half-covered face in delight.

"Leon!" The old lady exclaims in delight almost knocking the basket of apples. "I could hardly recognize you! Are you here shopping for the ladies?"

A small chuckle rose from his throat, passing his lips while he curled a hand behind his back and bending to greet her. It was a playful greeting that the vendor was familiar with.

"Are you even allowed to be out this early?" She laughs genuinely, mimicking his greeting with glee.

Leon straightened his back while fixing his posture to say, "Good morning to you too, Aunt Soo. And yes I am, picking up a few things for the girls. Also, a good opportunity to look around and find gold treasures such as great beautiful apples from a very beautiful and youthful woman."

"You and that wicked tongue of yours," Aunt Soo sighs but keeps an amused look on her face before turning to find the perfect basket for the latter to bring home. "Be thankful that your flattery works on this old woman or else I would've chased you with a broom. You're the only one who would call apples as gold, my dear you are strange as always."

"Then you wouldn't call it a stretch if I ask for a reasonable discount?"

"5 silvers is already reasonable, my child, a little lower and I've not made a profit."

"Fair enough," Leon lets out a handsome laugh while searching through his pockets for his pouch. With his fingers thumbing through his currency, his eyes allowed themselves to wander around for more things to buy. Seeing how Aunt Soo was also selling a few crickets to spare, his eyes caught a beautiful vintage red fabric. "How much for that fabric Aunt Soo?"

"2 Silvers."

"1 silver…"

"Boy do no test me."

"7 silvers in total…" He purses his lips to stop from chuckling. Aunt Soo might look like a delicate old woman, but her personality was fierce with no room for negotiation. The kind that Leon finds amusement in poking at. Thus without any complaints, Leon fishes out the right amount and hands her the currency for the fruit and fabric.

"A present for the girls I'll assume?"

"Mhm," Leon hums while tucking in the fabric he had taken from the display, "Sometimes we need fabric, and it's not every day a fabric this good in quality is around."

"Good eye," She approves of his logic and adds more, "That fabric was woven by an angel."

A Celestial being?

As a person who was in the line of business, it was a common technique to indulge ignorant buyers with white lies to gain favor or boost their interest for them to buy more. And admittedly, hearing that made the handsome man curious. "By an angel you say…"

"Hard to believe it's here in a place like this huh?"

"Yes, I dare say it is. Why would a celestial being who regards themselves as superior to us humble beings, sell their resources on this side of the realm?"

"Careful now there young man," Aunt Soo pats his shoulder carefully while chuckling, "Celestial beings aren't as bad as others may see. Maybe we demons are just too proud, don't you think?"

"I'll keep that in mind," Leon only said those words to drop the conversation. Now there was a sudden urge for him to return the fabric, but duty and responsibility weighed more than personal matters. Despite having his mood turn sour, he doesn't forget to thank Aunt Soo properly before turning around to leave.

Grabbing a fruit from the basket with his free hand, he quickly takes a bite out of it to simmer down his growing displeasure. With each bite, his tongue would taste the sweet nectar of it.

Tartness lingers after every bite when he swallows. Its round exterior, slowly changed its shape, growing smaller and smaller until it had reached its core.

Time and time, Leon finds himself looking at the blue sky in a daze. Lifting a hand to shield his eyes, which the sunlight started to stand above them. There was a small breeze but it was enough for him to relax. Caressing his cheek like a soft kiss, tousling his hair, and giving him the serenity that he yearned for.

However, his daydreaming was short-lived when a person bumped his shoulders, causing his mood to return to irritation.

"Hey watch it!" Leon snaps, his head turning around to glare daggers.

This person must have not known that it was Leon that he had bumped into, but upon seeing his face. This man who looked twice his size quickly froze in shock and immediately apologized. But before he could change his mood, the huge man had scurried away, leaving him to sigh in his spot.

Shaking his head and pushing his displeasure aside, it was a great day. And far too early to ruin his day. Finding the way out of the marketplace was as easy as getting in. Away from the busy people, and into the peaceful forest path. Given the use, there was a trail along the dense forest, its tall structure and heavy luscious leaves perfect to aid him against the growing sunlight.

However, he doesn't continue this path for long as he stops. Seeing the familiar tree that he had marked years ago, he takes a small turn. Out of the path and into the grassy land of the forest. There was no harm in indulging himself in relaxation. And it was a great day to peacefully lay under the sun. And that's what he does when he spots a huge oak tree.

Whistling at the beauty, Leon stands under it, his chin tilting up to plan his next step. With one hand under the basket of apples, he expertly climbs up, one branch at a time to avoid getting into casualties. 

The heels of his boots scraping at the woody texture for balance, Leon finds it challenging but rewarding at the same time when he reaches the branch he'd usually relax on. 

"That was something…" He chuckles to himself while hooking the neck of the basket onto a nearby branch.

And plucking a leaf, he slips it between his lips as he leans on the wide truck. His arms folded behind his head and his boots lazily crossed each other. Under the shade, his silver locks looked muted but that didn't diminish his handsome features. Covering one side of his face, his hair started to move along with the breeze dancing around him. This was something he couldn't stand not doing even for a day. A simple habit of his childhood to a routine that strengthens his mentality. 

However, there was a hint of irony at where he lay. It was almost perfect until a portion of the view was an eyesore. His long eyelashes flutter open, his eyes casting directly at where it was.

Very far from where he was, almost the size of a thump stood a beautiful and majestic white palace.

But unlike the sour feeling from before, he had grown used to it. He had no choice but to swallow its existence as this was the only position he found most comfortable.

The Celestial Palace.

It was the home of Abraxas's chosen Angel. An Angel that is crowned as the Celestial King, who rules over the Celestial Realm.

Such a title, Leon scoffs.

Abraxas had found their ruler, but how about them? It's almost a decade since Abraxas had discovered the Celestial King but the Infernal realm had yet to be ruled by a ruler. This caused them to stray at their side, unable to move as freely as the Angels could.

Not bound by my law but afraid of the Celestial being's King, made it hard for them to even properly live as demons, unable to flourish like the celestial realm could. It's so far away… Leon tells himself while gazing at the white palace.

"Leon!" The said man could only let out a sigh and halted his drifting thoughts before looking down to where the source of the voice was. Just below him, stood a very familiar face with a very unfriendly look on their face. Leon wanted to go back to his thoughts when his friend shouted his name again, even adding— "Yah Leon! I've been looking everywhere, I knew you'd be here."

"Now what reason would it be for you to be looking for me at a very early hour?"

Unlike Leon, his closest friend was dressed casually with a proper posture. With hands on his hips, and a disagreeable expression on his face, it's most likely urgent if he was looking for him this early.

Leon leans forward and grabs the basket in one hand. And unlike how he climbed up, he impulsively jumped down.

Successfully changing his friend's serious expression into shock. Lance was taller and more built than the average person. Catching Leon wouldn't be hard but the latter surprised him more by landing perfectly in front of him. "For Hell's sake Leon, you could have injured yourself!" Lance exclaims while placing a hand over his chest.

The latter chuckles before handing him the basket of apples, "Exercise the heart, it's always a healthy option. Now, Is there anything I can help you with?"

"It's the girls," He sighed while fixing his hair to wipe away the sweat that grew from his small surprise, "They were wondering where you have gone since you left so early."

"The marketplace," Leon shrugs, taking out the leaf from his lips, "Season of apples, and I saw some favorable fabric they might like."

"I knew it…"

"You knew yet you still came out looking for me as if I was lost in time?"

"It's better to make sure than sorry. It's been pretty unstable nowadays after all." Lance tells him, catching his entire attention. Under the Oak tree was the perfect place to continue their conversation.

With Leon tugging the latter's wrist, he forces Lance to take further shade under the tree with a smile.

"Unstable in what sense?" Leon asks while grabbing two apples and wiping them carefully on his shirt to polish its skin to shine. Seeing how appealing it looked, Lance accepted the fruit when Leon gave it to him. 

"Have you heard? The Celestial Palace is holding a Ball tonight, hosted by Abraxas himself." Lance hums to the flavor of the apple when he takes a bite out of it, "Some say he has found our ruler. Which is why, every being in both realms is encouraged to attend so he could publicly announce it."

Both realms?

"Are you saying that we, demons, are invited?"

"Hard to believe does it," Lance nods at him, chuckling at his bewildered face, "It's barely convincing, good thing I brought this." 

Slipping a hand into the side of his coat, Lance pulls out a folded paper from his inner pockets "See? It's the announcement in the infernal square, there's even the seal of the Celestial King and Abraxas under it. Almost a decree."

And just like he said, it indeed had the celestial seal. A winged symbol made from gold ink and beside it was the seal of Abraxas, a scale. With a mixture of vague inclination and poetry for an introduction, it had clear intentions of summoning every being from both realms to attend a feast.

But a feast of no further explanation to it. "So when you said the girls were looking for me, I'll assume they already know about this and sent you to persuade me otherwise?"

"You caught on pretty quick my friend." The mood that Leon tried to nurture moments ago started to crumble back to its sour face.

Staring at the piece of paper, he suddenly found it offending and leaned back further away from it. "No.."

"Leon-"

"You came to me for answers, right?"

Lance had already expected this. But Leon's girls were persistent when they heard about this festive gathering. However, it's always been a delicate matter to discuss. He wasn't fond of angels in particular and their flouring race. Leon had kept his reasons to himself causing others to walk on eggshells around him to avoid getting into trouble. The only one brave enough who deal with his stubborn personality was Lance.

Seeing how Leon's expression darkens, Lance tries to lower the tension by saying, "It's just one night Leon, You know the girls, they are far more curious about the palace rather than the people they'll be exposed to. The girls have been good, haven't they? Let this be a night where all of you can relax and enjoy, yeah?"

Lance's reasoning was rational and understandable.

It was known to every person who knew Leon to be strict with interacting with the Celestial beings. He wasn't fond of them nor had any form of curiosity over them. In fact, Leon was opinionated towards them, he dare say.

And even to Lance, Leon was a complete mystery in that area. After taking a bite of his apple, Lance scouted closer to his friend and playfully nudged his shoulder, "And I know a little someone who is much more fascinated by the palace's structures than the girls. Do you think that I wouldn't notice? This oak has the perfect view of the Celestial Palace, after all."

With that, Leon sighs but a small smile appears on his lips when he does, "I'll think about it.."

"Well think faster, your girls are persistent."

"Of course they are…"

Persistence was an understatement. Because he knew exactly how his girls would react to the news. Fortunately

"He's here!"

"Ladies, Leon is here!"

"Oh thank Abraxas, Leon you came back!"

It was quieter when Leon left this morning, now he came back to a very much alive and noisy atmosphere. With Lance right behind him, the tea house brightened with more noise as he sighed. If this wasn't a familiar occurrence, Leon would admit that it was a bit overwhelming but it wasn't. With Lance taking his basket, he allows his arms to cross together as the girls of the teahouse soon swarm in front of him. With their equal smiles and blossoming cheeks of anticipation, Leon raised a brow at their expressions.

"Girls…"

Unlike the celestial realm, the demons were more spread out to survive in their realm. Some weren't lucky while most were fortunate to be living comfortably. And that's because of him.

"Leon, have you heard? The celestial palace is holding a ball this evening!"

""

Hearing that made them all clap in delight. They began to move in excitement and even tried to convince one another to lend them their most beautiful dresses to wear. But it was soon stopped by another voice of authority.

"Are you allowing us?"

This voice came from behind the girls. Causing each of them to straighten their backs and lower their excitement. Slowly they parted when this voice started to walk towards them. Unlike the others, this person was well known for entertainment but that doesn't make her authority pale from Leon's.

"Lily," Leon smiles, receiving a smile of her own when she stops right in front of him.

"Is that a yes?" With her questions, the girls all glance nervously at Leon. Hoping that now his sister had shown up and showed the same eagerness as they were, there was a chance.

Now it was getting uncomfortable for Leon to say no. With Lance's smile and even Lily's anticipating gaze, the girls' excitement lingered in the air. He had no choice but to say yes to the matter. It felt as if he was fighting a losing battle from the start as he turned to narrow his eyes at Lance's way.

It felt as if he rejected it, he wouldn't hear the end of it, and his girls would let this matter affect their future performances. Losing face is a small sacrifice if it will merit his business…

And without a verbal confirmation, with a sigh, it was enough to create havoc inside the teahouse. Causing every girl to cheer and clap in excitement, almost draining Leon's energy.

Lily playfully celebrates the small victory with Lance who was equally excited as them.

"This will be the first and hopefully last time. And please don't stay long if-"

"Wait," Lily turns to him with a lifted brow, "Are you not coming?"

"Of course not."

"You can't be serious," Lily gasped in exaggeration and quickly turned to the girls for support. "Ladies bring out Leon's best set of clothes!"

"Lily-"

"Leon bought this fabric," Lance intervenes while pulling out the folded fabric from Leon's basket. Without letting him speak up, the girls had already taken his arms and dragged him further inside.

"We could use that, Thank you, Lance," Lily laughs while looking at her brother's complicated look. 

"Oh Lance, by the way, we have already talked about your suit! Red suits you better than blue don't you think?"

"I am in your care."

"Lance!" They heard Leon's voice call, "I will remember this!"

Lily and Lance both chuckled as they glanced at one another at their victory.