[flaunt]

Night had fallen and as planned by the event organizers, the sky was filled with the most brilliant display of stars. They shone down serenely, overlooking the happy chaos that was the festival. It was a night where you could see past forever, and yet live tonight as if it were your last.

Khy checked his pocket watch against the clock in the main square again. "Eight fifty-five..." He smiled, by this time tomorrow morning, he would be having breakfast... in bed... with her...

“Penny for your thoughts?” a female voice broke him out of his reverie. Khy turned around to see his date for the evening, Sara Auf, a beautiful girl with hair the color of sunset, and eyes the color of jade. She was wearing a neophyte styled kimono. She smiled at him, turning around, modeling the exquisite gown, hoping for his approval.

“You like? I hope you didn't mind waiting...”

Khy shook himself back to reality, his mind having wandered to places where 16 year olds shouldn't go, but can't help themselves not to. Khy's words stuck in his throat, eliciting a bubbly giggle from the girl. Khy tried again, “You are worth every second I've ever waited.”

She playfully bopped him on the nose, as she took his arm in hers. “Flatterer. You just want to...” she trailed off, giving him a knowing look. Her laughter tinkled like bells and to Khy, it was the only memory he'd ever remember of this night.

The clock in the main square began to ring. Nine o'clock. The crowd turned their attention to the center of the square. Rows upon rows of tables were arranged in a circle facing in, the banquet was about to begin. The mayor stood up and cleared his throat as he waited for the clock's chime to sound out.

Six rings. Seven. Eight.

No one heard the ninth ring. Not over the explosion that erupted from under the mayor's table. It was a moment of pure stunned silence, the large collective intake of air as the bomb exploded. It lasted a split second, replaced with horrified screams as everyone realized what was going on.

Khy turned towards Sara, her face frozen in shock. Her eyes revealed the panic she felt, the numbing sensation of utter fear. He called out to her, but she didn't respond. Forcefully, Khy dragged her away to safety.

“Look out!” Khy heard someone scream, but he didn't think it was meant for him. He didn't see the large metal table fly in his direction until it hit him in the head.

----

Fire. There was fire everywhere. Hot tongues of liquid heat fell from the sky, burning all it rained on, killing whom it fell on.

"The gas lines..." That was the only thought Khy had as he struggled to his feet. How long had he been out? It only seemed a few seconds ago he was busy... doing what? Running? No, he was with someone...

Khy got to his feet or he tried to. The world swam in front of his eyes, so he shut them. He held his head. It was wet. Khy looked at his hand. It was crimson. Blood. Khy felt his eyes shutting again. He was so sleepy.

Instead he managed to get to his feet, but for a brief instant it looked like he might not stay on them. He stumbled, staggered then steadied himself before looking up. He scanned the scene slowly – anything faster and the spinning would have sent him back to his knees. He wiped the blood away from his eyes.It was really flowing down.

The festival square looked like a war had passed through it. The marble fountains and statues were destroyed, the cobblestone square uprooted. In the center, the ground had exploded up, and it sat like a flower of death in full bloom. The number of bodies lying next to it only served to confirm the devastation the landscape showed.

“Sara...?” Khy called, unsure why he was doing so. He had to get rid of his injuries. Khy remembered – cure potions! Khy wiped his bloodstained hand against the front of his tunic. It was going to be hell to get the stain out. He then thrusted his hand into his pocket, looking for the pocket watch. And came up with nothing.

Khy searched all his pockets again, this time with more urgency but with no success. His pocket watch – he couldn't use alchemy without it. It had to be here somewhere. Khy got on his hands and knees and searched the ground frantically, trying to find the transfiguration device. It had to be here!

“Looking for something?”

The cold steely voice froze Khy in his tracks. He looked up slowly and in the shadow saw the shape of a man looking at him. Khy didn' t respond – he didn't know how to. The man stepped out of the shadows. That's when Khy noticed the man's sword, and the blood dripping off its blade. The man smiled. The smile was not a kind smile. It was not a happy smile. It was the smile of a predator with a prey in his sights.

“Like I said, looking for something, alchemist?”

((Khy's Location: Festival Square, Fyuki City. The man he's facing -- is undecided as yet. I'm hoping it'll be one of the other human characters. However, if no one wants to pick it up, then I'll make him another side character -- one of the hunters, rather than someone who we quest with. And Sara Auf is no main character, nor will Khy remember her. He's lost her forever.))