Broken Harmony

Nova stood in line for the dance club Stages fidgeting with her outfit and thinking she was crazy to have come with her friends. She was far too old to be at this club, even dressed the part she felt shy and awkward beside her friends.
“Are you sure you guys want to go here? We could go bowling instead, they have cosmic bowling on tonight ….”
“Nova,” her friend Maria sighed, “really, we already talked about this don’t blow it. I haven’t been out in years and it’s my birthday I just want to break out and let loose!” Maria stretched her hands to the sky and twirled around in line. A couple of their friends smiled before turning back to their own conversation.
“Can’t you do this … for me? Besides you look incredible! You’ll have them all lined up to dance with you!”
Nova knew she was defeated and accepted her fate. Tonight was a night for her friend and she would try her best to have fun with the girls. She smiled, “of course I can and it’s going to be fun, I’m just nervous, I don’t remember the last time I was out dancing, it’s been a long time.”

“Too long clearly... Nova, come on we need to catch up with the group!”
Nova wasn’t really too old to be out dancing. She was twenty six, give or take a year, as no one was really sure when she was born exactly. Nova’s past was somewhat of a mystery, she really had only memories from the last four years. Not that she minded, she was happy with the here and now. The nurses from where she recovered turned out to be amazing friends. She was able to take on a job at the hospital and in the last few years come to terms with who she was and start her life.

Stepping into the club, the music pounded into her bones. Smoke poured onto the dance floor as Nova could see shapes of people moving to the music. Her friends quickly went to the bar to grab a drink. “Come on Nova!”, Maria called to her friend and ran back to grab her hand. “You my dear need to let loose a little I’m buying you a birthday shot!”
“Oh I don’t know…”

“But, Nova I do. You need to have some fun! Besides birthday girl wishes, have a drink!”

An hour later slightly tipsy Nova stood in front of the mirror in the girls washroom. She fought with her skirt to lay a bit longer but, soon gave up. She studied herself, and reapplied some lip gloss. Nova stood 5’4 and was very slim. For her height she had shapely legs and was built to be a dancer. She was pale but in a buttercream type of way. A small sprinkle of freckles dotted her nose and onto her cheeks. She had deep teal coloured eyes and yellow hair that flowed down to her waist. In short, Nova was someone who stood out in a crowd, she was graceful, beautiful and had an aura about her. People noticed her wherever she went regardless of being a bit shy. One last dusting of makeup Nova made her way out of the washroom to find the girls.

The club had become very crowded, bodies squeezed together making the overall feeling of the club chaotic. Nova pushed her way towards the dance floor to see if the girls had stayed dancing. She didn’t see them, turning to look towards the bar she felt a jolt rock through her body. A couple standing close to her gave her a quick look since she had actually jerked from the feeling.

“Whoa, what was that?” Nova walked over to the wall to just lean on it for a second. Let her mind regroup, take a second to breathe away from the crowd then, she would see if she could locate her friends. She felt another jolt flow through her, what was happening, she really hadn’t drank that much.. Staring at the ground she didn’t notice there was someone beside her until she saw shoes. Startled she looked up and into a mismatched pair of eyes.

“Oh,” she managed not to fall backwards with him being so close. Physically he was a normal distance from her. He may have even have been there when she leaned against the wall and she just didn’t notice. It was more his presence he felt closer to her, it was a very odd feeling. This night was not turning out right at all.

“I’m sorry, I thought you saw me. Are you ok Miss? You seem out of sorts…”

“Nova, my name’s Nova”, she said although she didn’t know why she was telling him anything, he didn’t need to know her name. At the same time she felt a connection with him and couldn’t help staring. He was wearing a dark grey dress shirt and tight black pants. His hair was long pulled half up with parts falling around his shoulders. She continued, “ I’m ok just a little overwhelmed, it got busy very quickly and I’m not feeling the best. I’m just going to find my friends and head home.”

“Seth, I’m Seth. It’s nice to meet you Nova. Would you like some help finding them? I am very good at being a detective and, being a fair bit taller than you, I do seem to have an advantage.” He smiled at her and Nova felt another jolt, this time more from how comfortable she was with him being with her. She felt instantly at home near this man. Something that had never happened since she could remember.

“Hello Seth, normally I would decline the offer but, you are a fair bit taller,” Nova giggled as she noticed him light up at the chance, “so yes I think I would like to have a detective help me out.”

“At your service my dear”, Seth said with a dramatic sweeping gesture, “now let’s find these friends of yours.”

It didn’t take long to locate the missing girls. Nova actually spotted them first standing by the bar having another drink. Maria smiled knowingly when Nova introduced Seth. Shaking her head in reply to Maria’s look, Nova let the girls know she was heading home.

Maria asked loud enough for Seth to hear, “ you are going home or, we are going home?”

“I am going home Maria, not that it’s any of your concern really. In fact, I was suppose to let loose tonight right? But, to ease your mind no, Seth is walking me to the cab and I am going home to bed.”

Maria hugged Nova saying that she only wanted to make sure she was safe. Nova returned the hug and then confidently walked away with Seth beside her.

“They mean well you know, afterall we did only meet an hour ago.” Nova glanced at Seth once they were out of the bar and into the silence only the middle of the night could bring.

“They wouldn’t be good friends if they didn’t watch out for you. I completely understand their questions.” He paused and then said, “so, Nova I firmly believe in random encounters being the spice of life. I am very happy to have spent the last hour with you my dear.”

Nova looked up at Seth and then to the taxi waiting. “Thank you for helping me find my friends… and for making sure I was feeling ok…”

“No problem at all my dear, no problem at all...say I don’t want you to assume I was just doing this for the payout at the end… but, I want to see you again.”

“I do too,” Nova blushed scarlet but quickly pulled a pen from her purse motioning for Seth’s hand. Writing her address down she said, “pick me up tomorrow at seven for dinner?”

Seth grinned, “My lady it will be my delight, until then my dear.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze and opened the taxi for her to get inside. “Good night Miss Nova.”

“Good night Seth.”

Discord watched the taxi drive away and let out a long shaky breath. He had found her. She was real and he was going to see her again tomorrow. Walking around to a vacant alley he snapped his fingers and transported himself home. For once, he felt excited to see the sun rise.