As the festival reached its peak, Orion felt the excitement building up. The crowd had grown thicker, and the air was electric with music and laughter. Orion decided that the festival wouldn't be ending anytime soon, and aurora wouldn't be looking for him soon,so he chose to quickly stroll around and grab a drink.
Unbeknownst to him, the men he had beaten earlier had been tracking his movements, fueled by revenge. They had enlisted the help of a massive, intimidating man, whose presence commanded attention,the man seem to be their overall leader.
Orion walked into a nearby drink restaurant, seeking refuge from the chaos called festival outside. He ordered a soft drink and took a refreshing sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe his parched throat.
Just as he was starting to relax, the men he had fought earlier stormed into the restaurant, their faces twisted with malice. The huge man, clearly their leader, thundered, "No one is leaving this place!" The patrons gasped in unison, frozen in fear.
Orion remained unfazed, his expression serene, as if the confrontation wasn't even worth his attention.
"Who did it?" the huge man growled, his voice like thunder.
The men hesitated, then slowly pointed at Orion, who continued to sit calmly, sipping his drink as if they weren't even talking to him.
The huge man's eyes widened in shock. "You mean this little boy?" he asked again, his tone incredulous, seeking confirmation.
The men nodded in unison, their faces pale.
The huge man's laughter boomed through the restaurant, but his amusement was short-lived. With a sudden, swift motion, he struck Orion's hand,just when he was abiut taking another sip,ending the drink flying out of his grasp. The liquid splashed everywhere, drenching Orion's expensive clothing.
Fortunately, Orion's attire was black, and the stain wouldn't show. However, the gesture was unmistakable - a deliberate provocation. Orion's eyes locked onto the huge man, a flicker of annoyance dancing in their depths.
Orion remained calm, ignoring the huge man's provocation. He ordered another drink, his expression serene. However, when the drink arrived, the huge man snatched it, splashing the liquid all over Orion once more.
This time, Orion's eyes flashed with anger. He swiftly grabbed the huge man's hand, slamming it onto the table. With a swift motion, he pulled out his pocket knife and stabbed the man's hand with full force.
The huge man let out a blood-curdling scream as agony contorted his face. The restaurant patrons gasped in horror, frozen in shock. Orion's eyes blazed with fury, his chest heaving with restrained anger.
Orion's grip the man's collar,his grip tightened as he slammed the man's head against the table repeatedly. The man's eyes widened in terror, his face contorted in pain.
"Please,stop! take the knife out, I'm begging you!" the man pleaded, his voice shaking.
Orion's expression remained icy. "Do you know how expensive my clothing is?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain.
"I'll pay for it, I swear!" the man begged.
Orion's laughter was cold and mirthless. "Even if your entire generation were to be sold, the money wouldn't buy my clothing."
With a swift, brutal motion, Orion pulled the knife out, releasing the man from his grasp. The huge man crashed to the ground with a thud, his companions rushing to his aid as they quickly retreated from the scene.
The people in the restaurant erupted into applause, cheering Orion's bold defense against the would-be bullies. Even the waiter joined in, beaming with admiration.
As the applause died down, the waiter approached Orion with a smile. "On the house, sir," he said, sliding a fresh drink across the table. "Those men have been terrorizing people in this area for far too long, especially targeting cute males like yourself. You've done us all a favor."
The people nodded in agreement, murmuring words of gratitude and admiration. Orion's face remained impassive, but a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
*************************
A tall, imposing figure approached Orion, his eyes fixed on him with interest. "Hey," the stranger said,
Orion ignored him, his gaze drifting back to his drink.
The stranger tried again, his tone undeterred. "You were cool earlier, taking down those thugs."
Orion nodded curtly, still not acknowledging the stranger.
"My name is Thane," the tall guy said, extending his hand.
Orion's gaze flicked to Thane's hand, then back to his face. "Orion," he replied, his voice neutral.
Thane's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Can we grab drinks sometime?"
As Orion turned to face him, Thane hastily raised his hands. "But bils on me!" he exclaimed.
Orion's gaze narrowed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Do I look like I can't pay for a simple drink?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Thane's eyes roamed over Orion's appearance, taking in the stylish haircut, the expensive-looking clothing, and the sleek boots. "I know...you look like you have wealthy parents," Thane said, his voice filled with admiration. "Your whole style screams wealth."
Orion's expression remained impassive, his eyes glazing over as he tuned Thane out. Ignoring people was his hobby, a habit he'd honed to perfection. He'd grown accustomed to hate being approached by strangers, all eager to strike up a conversation or win his favor. Orion's response was always the same: indifference.
Thane persisted, undeterred by Orion's growing irritation. "Did you also come for the festival?" he asked.
Orion's response was curt. "I only accompanied my sister."
Thane's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but Orion's patience had worn thin. "I'll take my leave now," he said, his tone firm, as he turned to depart.
Thane called out behind him, "I hope we see you soon!" but Orion didn't bother responding. He simply walked away,got outside disappearing into the crowd.
*********************************
Aurora's laughter went with the festival noises as she and her new friend Stephan watched in awe. A group of performers emerged, mesmerizing the crowd with their magical feats and acrobatic stunts. The air was filled with gasps of wonder and applause.
Aurora's eyes sparkled with joy, her earlier worries forgotten. She had been so caught up in the excitement of the festival and the thrill of making a new friend that she had completely forgotten about her brother, Orion.
For the first time in a while, Aurora felt carefree, her heart full of happiness. Having Stephan by her side made the experience even more enjoyable, and she was grateful for the unexpected friendship.
On the other hand, Orion's frustration had been growing by the minute. He had been forced to backtrack to their original meeting spot, waiting for what felt like an eternity for Aurora to find him.
Finally, after an interminable wait, the festival began to wind down, and the crowds started to disperse. As people headed home, Orion sat patiently, his eyes scanning the sea of faces for a glimpse of his sister.
Just as he was starting to worry, he spotted Aurora approaching, accompanied by an unfamiliar girl. The two of them were laughing and chatting, completely carefree. Orion's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched them approach.
As Aurora and her new friend approached, Aurora called out, "Hey, demon!"
Orion responded with a cold but teasing voice, "Hello, Witch. I hope you had fun."
Stephan whispered to Aurora, "Who is he?"
Aurora whispered back, "He's my twin brother."
Stephan's eyes widened in surprise. "You have a twin?"
Aurora nodded, and Stephan whispered, "Wow, he's so handsome."
Aurora whispered back, a sly grin spreading across her face, "Dream on, you won't even get a chance of being with him. His heart is as cold as his ice."