Broken Harmony

Discord paced in his living room. He was still a few hours away from going to pick up Nova and his guts were twisting inside out. He finally had to admit that he was, in fact very nervous. Last night he had sensed her, his magic jumping inside him like a jolt of lightning. She was close and to his intense relief she was very real. He had to go and see her, he had to look at this girl so he could believe she was really here.

Calling to his own magic to follow the trail of hers, Discord transported himself into the city. Quickly, he walked down the street to see a group of girls walking into a nightclub. She was in the group, he knew it but, could only catch a glimpse of the girls in the middle of the group. Frustrated, he slipped into a back alley and used his magic to change into a more suitable clothing. Satisfied he went to the head of the line, did a quick manipulation on the bouncer and waltzed inside.

He took a breath as the chaotic energy filled him. The music was loud enough to pulse through him and people’s emotions were on fire, it was a wonderful feeling. Although, this wasn’t what he was doing here and he knew it. He pulled his energy down and waited to feel her energy. It didn’t take long, her aura was unmistakable, she felt like home. Discord followed the energy path and finally was able to get a good look at this girl.

She filled him with so many different emotions, he wasn’t quite sure how to process everything. He stayed in the shadows and watched her with her friends. The way she moved,danced, even breathed screamed magic to him, she moved like she could hear her own powers song. She was perfection.

She suddenly moved away from her friends on her own, Discord startled from his own thoughts quickly but carefully moved to see where she was going. This was his chance, he stepped over to the bar while the girl was in the washroom and ordered a round of drinks for her friends. Watching as they settled in to have their drink he saw his girl walk out of the washroom. She went back to the dance floor to find her friends. He smiled and sent a tiny bit of power out in the air. She reacted as if she had been hit by an electric current! Not that he had had any doubts but, this proved it to him. She moved off the dance floor to the wall.He waited for her to lean against the wall and then made his presence known.

Now, he was pacing his living room counting down the seconds until he could see her again. Nova, her name was Nova. What a perfect name for his elements, as it literally ment “new”. He chose his name for the same reason his name came from the Egyptian God of Chaos. The name helped him stay grounded with who he was and who he is even when all seemed dark and hazy. Although, this evening was going to be anything but dark, energy raised up inside him along with his nerves. He couldn’t wait to see her again.

On the other side of town Nova paced her apartment thinking about Seth and what had possessed her to see him again. Picturing him in her head made her shiver. He felt wild, carefree, young and then at the same time he felt old and almost sad. He vibrated with energy even when he was standing still she thought he should be moving. She really couldn’t wait for dinner, to test out what about him called to her so strongly. Did she just imagine it at the club, it had happened before, a chance meeting with a stranger and when followed through ended up being nothing more than the atmosphere of the night. She really hoped that this time wasn’t like that.

Seven on the dot Nova peeked through her window and saw a sleek black car pull up next to her building. She smiled despite the butterflies that were forming in her stomach. She put a touch more lip gloss on and grabbed her keys and purse and walked out to meet Seth.

As she walked down the stairs of the building Seth had stepped out of the car. Wearing a salmon pink dress shirt and grey slacks he walked over the the passenger door and gave a small stylish bow. “Good evening my dear. You look lovely.”

Nova looked down at her pale pink dress it was the colour of roses. She had added a pale yellow belt to it although she couldn’t fathom why. For some reason it felt right. She giggled shyly at him bowing. “Aren’t you the formal gentleman. I love the shirt,” almost as an afterthought she continued, “we match - like we’re going out to prom haha….” Her cheeks turned scarlett as she realized she had actually said that out loud.

“Well, I suppose we do match although, I am hoping what I have planned tonight is a far bit better than some silly high school prom.” Seth walked to the door of his car and opened it ushering Nova inside. She took one more look at him and added quietly, “the colour really does suit you.”

Inside the car she watched Seth walk around and get inside. He smiled and started the car driving it out onto the streets of the city. Nova waited for him to say something but he seemed perfectly happy to just be driving.

“So… where are we going tonight? You aren’t just kidnapping me right,” she glanced out the window and back to him in a flash. Although, he had seen that her joke was laced with a bit of anxiety.

“Oh I’m sorry my dear but I can’t spoil the surprise, and no I promise to have you home tonight,” he turned to look at her in the eyes “kidnapping is very much not my style.”

Nova turned red in the face, “I wasn’t serious…..”
“Nothing to worry about my dear, I do understand your reservations. We really have only just met. I’m impressed you got in the car with me to tell you the truth. Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to run away with dangerously good looking men?” he chuckled to himself and he watched her start to relax.
“Yes well, I’m sure my mother did once, I really can’t remember. Although, I do remember last night and I doubt you are anything dangerous. So, what brought you out to the club last night Seth?”
“Oh well I suppose it was the chance to meet a pretty girl.” Nova gave him a side glance , “nooo you don’t think so huh, well let’s say it was a dull night and I needed a distraction. So out and about I went and the music sounded good so I went inside. So, I suppose a lucky chance for me. What about you? You didn’t seem to really want to be out when I saw you with your friends.”

“ I’m not a fan of the chaos bars seem to have. The sounds, the lights, the smells, people so close to you,” she shook her head as if chasing off a bad dream, “just too much for me but, it was for a friend and … you know what I’m happy I went.”

Seth smiled, “I’m happy you were there too. I just can’t wait to show you what I have planned tonight!”

The rest of the drive was spent on getting to know each other a bit more. Seth felt Nova relax which was such a relief. She was wonderful, a mixture of all of the girls rolled into one being. He was simply bewitched by her. He asked her about her life, where did she work, did she enjoy the city? What did she like to do in her spare time, just anything he could say to keep her talking.

Nova was quick to answer and ask her own questions in turn. She wanted to know about his job, his life, did he have pets, had he lived here long, what did he enjoy doing on weekends? She smiled as he told her about moving about for his job. He explained he was someone who worked independently but wouldn’t say exactly what he did. He did let it slip that it was something that had made him a good deal of money and that he had enough now he only worked when he fancied the idea.

“Ah! Here we are!” Seth slowed the car down and turned into the parking lot for the local zoo. Nova couldn’t help but light up she loved the zoo but, she also knew it closed within the hour.

“Can I ask what we are doing here don’t they close soon?” she looked around the parking lot only seeing a very small amount of cars parked near what she assumed was staff parking.

“They do but, then again we are not here for just an ordinary trip to the zoo. There is a special presentation tonight that I happened to be invited to by the lead speaker. We met when some business took me to Africa for a small while. He is really fascinating to listen to. I thought this might be something unique for a first date. I really hate to do the ordinary. There is a dinner before his speech in the main hall. I promise he really is very interesting to listen to….”

“Seth, you don’t have to explain anything more.” Nova got out the car and walked around to where he was standing her eyes sparkled with excitement. “This is the perfect idea for a date. Thank you for bringing me.”

“My dear, the pleasure I can assure you is all mine.” He took her hand and led her into the banquet chamber. They sat near the back and enjoyed the hum of people around them. Dinner was wonderful, Nova had to laugh when Seth asked for a glass of chocolate milk. Everyone else was drinking wine and here he was with a tall glass of chocolate milk. She was quickly informed that the people there clearly didn’t have a refined enough taste to know what was a good pairing with dinner. She actually agreed as she sipped on her own milk. She clearly couldn’t let her friend stand out all alone in the crowd.

The lecture afterwards was amazing. Seth’s friend Paul had been travelling through Africa and had some of the best stories she had ever heard of the wildlife in the area. She felt like the night had gone way to quickly and was sad to hear Paul wrapping up the end of the lecture. She glanced at Seth and he was watching her. “ Would you like to go home or, we could go and say hi to Paul? Totally up to you my dear.”

She smiled and took his hand, “I would love to stay here and talk to your friend. This was lovely Seth thank you again for bringing me tonight.”

Seth led the way over to Paul introducing him to Nova. He was surprised by how assertive she was all of a sudden. She had all these questions and comments about Paul’s lecture. Seth had guessed she would be very intune with animals but, adored seeing the things he had thought come out in the real world. Suddenly Nova gave a soft squeal of delight. “ Seth, we can go with him right? You don’t actually have to go home at a certain time right?”

Paul chuckled at Seth and pushed his glasses up. “Did you even hear a word I said Seth, I know its hard to concentrate with this young lady here but, come on man.”
“Puhlease, I heard you and yes Nova let’s go and see the lion cubs with Paul. I mean who am I to say no to such cuteness.”
Paul led the way through the zoo’s back lots. Nova could hear the animals tucked away for the night. The low call of the male lion sent a rush of excitement through her she couldn’t believe she was going to go and see cubs!
Paul brought them inside and after a few moments explaining how to go about interacting with lion cubs he brought them out. Nova spent the next half an hour playing with eight week old lion cubs. Seth had very much out done himself.

Outside her apartment building Seth and her walked to the front door. “This was the most perfect night I have had in … ever, Seth I can’t thank you enough.”

“Thank me by saying you will see me again soon. That’s all the thanks I need Nova. Honestly, I was going tonight to the lecture alone and this by far made a night of dull boring me time into something wonderful. I really do hope we can see eachother again?”

“Yes, of course I want to see you again. Here,” she grabbed his phone and put her number in his contacts. She handed him the phone back. “Call me tomorrow…. Ok?” she stepped on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek turned, and ran inside.

Seth stood there for a second bewildered with the sweet boldness. Chuckling out loud he hummed a tune as he walked to his car. Pulling out his phone he sent Nova a text. “My dear, did you really think I would wait til tomorrow? Dream of lions ….Seth”

Nova watched his car pull away and heard her phone go off. She read the message and felt the warmth rise up all the way from her toes. What a perfect night.

Discord ran a hand through his hair staring out his bedroom window. Tonight had been exceptional, Nova was really amazing. He had really enjoyed being with her but, what surprised him was it wasn’t just being with the elements and the feeling of home. He loved interacting with Nova. For the first time in such a long time he didn’t feel so alone in the world of humans. His phone lit up and looking down he read “my turn tomorrow I have an idea for the afternoon if you are up for it? Nothing fancy but I promise it will be fun. Nova”

He grinned and text back “when do you I pick you up”