Carnival

C A R N I V A L

December 3, 1842

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Surrounded by thousands of walking and passing people made Celestia fret in nervousness. Her parents are nowhere to be found for she seems to lost them on her crazy escapade towards the candy shop.

She didn't cry but deep within her, fear slowly creeps out. She immediately became guilty of what she did as she sat down in the corner of the busy street covered by the crowd's loud noise.

People are having fun yet their laughs can tear down the child's remaining strength to be brave as she continues to take deep breaths and repeat the line that sounds like a mantra her mother had constantly reminded her.

"Deep breaths, deep breaths," She said as she tries to console herself, calmly.

"Are you alone, criança?" A sudden voice awakened her while she fearfully looks at the man in front of her.

The man noticed her discomfort so he distanced himself, "I won't do anything bad to you," He promised, lost in the emerald color of the child's eyes.

"Are you lost?" He asked, still looking directly at the precious little girl in front of him. Celestia didn't know what to say so she nods her head.

Soon, there are two individuals standing in front of the gate of the carnival. Their faces are lightened up by the remarkable hundred colorful lights, glistening and shimmering rides and the dark sky that brings out the beauty residing in this majestic carnival more.

There were many people surrounding them so the male grasps the hand of the girl protectively. Celestia shouldn't have been with Lucian but that black-haired man made an oath to her that he'll help her find her parents and it excites her. Gone was the fear and uncomfortable feeling of being left alone so the little girl smiled.

"Do you want some ice cream ?" He asked and immediately the girl jumped in anticipation. Lucian quickly bought some ice cream for the young girl but there was a sudden person that walks in front of them that accidentally bumped her. The ice cream melted and is now located on the dirty floor, wasted— some of its contents were all over her shirt.

Lucian laughed when he saw Celestia's surprised face but his eyes are still focused on that certain individual that bumped the little girl and when the man is already out of his sight he gets his handkerchief inside the back pocket of his pants and uses it to wipe the remaining mess in Celestia's clothes.

"My ice cream," Celestia stammered while tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. Lucian, greatly affected by it, carried the girl in his arms and bought a cotton candy; thinking that it will be safer to eat cotton candy rather than ice cream that will perhaps melt and would greatly cause another chaotic mess.

Lucian pointed a very fearful ride that can make Celestia cry yet he still spoke out in a gentle voice, "Let's ride the Ferris wheel," Celestia fearfully shudder at the thought of riding that Ferris wheel.

"Don't worry, I'll always be by your side 'till the end." He whispered softly while they walk towards the Ferris wheel.

"Are you still afraid ?" Lucian asked and Celestia nodded while still shaking in fear. Lucian smiled at Celestia before holding her hands, properly.

The ride was already finished sooner than expected and after that Celestia can't hold her surprise when she enjoyed every single moment of it. They exited while holding each other's hand but suddenly, Celestia saw her parents near a policeman. She went where her parents are and forgot about Lucian and so was her bag that is greatly discarded by her excitement to see her parents.

"Mommy! Daddy!" She shouted and immediately her parents' faces are filled with relief.

"Where have you been?" Her mother asked as she hugs her child, tightly.

"I've been with that good man over there," Celestia pointed at where Lucian was a while ago but she's surprised to find that Lucian is already gone.

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