Nox watched the boy approach.

Then he looked at the dancers.

And finally, he looked back at the mysterious woman in the white mask.

Something about her caught his attention.

He wasn’t exactly sure what.

But he had the feeling that she wasn’t just a dancer.

He was completely captivated.

And the woman seemed to notice.

Their gazes met through their masks.

Until the boy reached him and tapped him on the arm.

"A coin, Mr. Masked Man...?"

Nox looked down.

The boy was holding a hat in front of him, waiting for a contribution.

And that immediately triggered one of Nox’s few weaknesses.

The discomfort children caused him.

He froze.

Stared at the hat without saying a single word.

The boy blinked in confusion.

Nox still didn’t react.

Audrey watched the scene for a few seconds.

Then sighed.

She pulled out two silver coins and dropped them into the hat.

The boy’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Thank you very much, ma’am!"

Audrey smiled.

Then blinked.

"...What?"

The boy had already moved on to the next person.

Audrey slowly turned toward Nox.

"Did I hear that right?"

Nox was already starting to laugh.

"Or did he call me ma’am?"

Nox burst into laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Audrey glared at him.

"I’m eighteen years old!"

"I know."

"I’m not a ma’am!"

Nox kept laughing.

"He’s a child."

"That doesn’t matter!"

"Of course it matters."

Audrey crossed her arms, thoroughly offended.

"I’m not even that old."

Nox wiped a tear from his eye.

"The women in my world had the exact same problem."

Audrey opened her mouth.

But couldn’t find a response.

Which only made Nox laugh even harder.

◇◆◇

The crowd slowly began to disperse.

Some people returned to their homes.

Others headed toward the brightly lit establishments in the centre of the village.

The taverns were beginning to fill up.

The food stalls were working at full speed.

And the performers were starting to mingle with the crowd.

That was when one of the dancers approached.

He wore a blue-and-red mask.

And a matching outfit.

He walked directly toward Audrey, handed her a small flyer, and then removed his mask.

Underneath was a fairly handsome young man who immediately winked and smiled at her.

Audrey reacted instantly.

She grabbed Nox’s hand and held it up in front of the dancer.

As if she wanted to make something very clear.

The man looked confused.

So did Nox.

"What’s happening?"

Audrey simply kept holding his hand.

Without answering.

The dancer coughed awkwardly.

"...I see."

Nox looked down at the flyer.

Read a few lines.

And eventually found the only truly important part.

"Promotion: Two-for-One Craft Beer in the One-eyed Fish’s Bar."

His eyes lit up.

"I don’t need any more information."

Audrey sighed.

The flyer also mentioned a night performance.

But Nox had already stopped reading because he’d found the keyword: "beer."

He gave a thumbs-up.

"We’re definitely going."

The dancer smiled.

"We’re glad to hear that."

Then his eyes stopped on Nox’s mask.

A bark mask, clearly handmade.

The man tilted his head.

"Are you a fan of the troupe?"

Nox blinked.

"No."

"Then did you make that mask yourself?"

Nox laughed.

"Honestly, I’d never even heard of you before."

He pointed at the dancers.

"But it seems like you’re surrounded by beautiful women."

The man smiled proudly.

"Well..."

"And as for the mask..."

Nox pointed at Audrey.

"...she made it."

The dancer slowly turned his head.

And found Audrey staring directly at him with an extremely dangerous smile.

The man swallowed.

Audrey stepped closer, placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.

"Is there a problem with my mask?"

"No."

The answer came far too quickly.

"None at all."

Audrey squeezed a little harder.

"You sure?"

"Absolutely sure!"

"Then what is it?"

The man smiled nervously.

"I was just complimenting it."

Audrey relaxed her grip.

"Oh."

The dancer let out an enormous sigh of relief.

Nox was about to die laughing. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

◇◆◇

"Listen."

Nox draped an arm over the dancer’s shoulder.

"If you want to avoid trouble..."

The man immediately tensed up.

"Yes?"

"You’re going to have to invite us for food."

"..."

"And offer better beer promotions."

"..."

"Preferably both."

The dancer opened his mouth.

But before he could answer...

A woman’s voice came from behind him.

"Is everything alright?"

Everyone turned.

It was the dancer in black.

The woman with the white mask.

The same one who had performed the impossible leap.

She wore the elegant black dress with golden details.

And moved with a grace that was impossible to ignore.

The dancer quickly pointed at the group.

"Misty."

The woman slightly inclined her head.

"Yes?"

"There’s no problem."

He smiled nervously.

"I was just inviting some travellers to tonight’s performance."

Misty looked at Nox.

Then at Audrey.

The woman seemed amused.

"I see."

Then she gave a small bow.

"Then we look forward to seeing you tonight."

Audrey returned a friendly smile.

"Thank you very much."

Misty nodded.

"I hope you enjoy the show."

Nox raised the flyer.

"Does it include beer?"

The dancer blinked.

"...Yes."

"Perfect."

Misty let out a small laugh.

Even behind the mask, she seemed entertained.

"Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy the performance."

As she and the rest of the dancers disappeared into the crowd...

Nox looked down at the flyer once more.

And smiled.