"WELCOME TO FLUTTER COOKERY!" Richmond called out, his voice carrying across the crowded store. He forced a smile, adjusting the apron tied snugly around his waist. The embroidered logo of a fluttering butterfly sat proudly on the chest, though it did little to make him feel any more professional.

The shop was bustling with life, shelves lined with enchanted glassware, colorful kitchen utensils, and an endless array of neatly stacked plates. Richmond weaved through the chaotic aisles, his wings twitching in annoyance every time a customer brushed past him without so much as an 'excuse me.'

He sighed, tightening his grip on a box of nectar bottles as he replenished the quickly emptying shelves. "It's not even noon yet... AGH," he groaned, slipping into the storeroom for a quick breather. Leaning against a stack of unopened boxes, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at his coworker, Milia, who was busy flattening cardboard packaging.

"Tell me about it," Milia snorted, flicking her antennae in irritation. "It’s that stupid gem comet party. People are buying everything that sparkles, and I mean everything." She nodded toward the front of the store, where customers frantically piled up gem-patterned plates and star-shaped utensils into their baskets.

Richmond pushed open the storeroom door and stepping back onto the sales floor. As he adjusted a row of decorative dishes, something caught his eye- someone, actually. A tall, hooded figure stood at the far end of the aisle, their face hidden beneath the folds of a dark cloak. Their presence made the normally lively shop feel... colder.

The stranger's gloved fingers slowly traced the outline of a plate adorned with three sparkling gemstones. Richmond watched as they lingered over it, studying it intently. Then, the hooded figure lifted their head slightly, scanning the store as if searching for staff.

No one else was nearby.

Swallowing his nerves, Richmond stepped forward cautiously. “Uh... can I help you?” he asked, forcing a polite smile.

The figure remained silent at first, their gaze locked onto the plate. Then, in a deep, gravelly voice, they finally spoke. “Who created this plate?”

Richmond blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question. “Oh... I think it’s made by a workshop on the east side,” he stammered. “We just sell them here. It’s mostly for decoration, not... you know, anything special.”

The stranger’s gloved fingers lingered on the surface of the plate, their head tilting slightly as if considering Richmond’s words. “Pretty... but hollow,” they murmured under their breath.

Richmond shifted uncomfortably, clutching his apron strings. “So, would you like to buy it?” he asked, hoping to move the conversation along.

The figure turned slightly, their height more intimidating up close. Richmond could just make out the faint glint of scars peeking through the gaps in their cloak- deep, jagged lines marring the edges of their wings. Something about them screamed experience, danger, and... something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“Yes,” the stranger said finally, their tone firm. “Wrap it.”

Richmond let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and quickly grabbed some wrapping paper from the counter. His hands fumbled slightly as he wrapped the plate with care, all while feeling the stranger’s piercing gaze burning into him.

When he handed over the package, the stranger's gloved hand brushed his own- cold and rough, like weathered stone. Richmond suppressed a shiver.

“Enjoy your- ” he started to say, but the stranger was already turning away, their cloak billowing behind them as they disappeared into the throng of customers.

The shop door jingled softly as they left, but Richmond remained frozen in place, clutching the counter for support. His heart thumped in his chest.

“Hey!” Milia’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Stop daydreaming! Customers are waiting!”

He nodded hastily, but his mind was still racing. As the shop's chaos slowly returned to normal, Richmond couldn’t shake the feeling that the encounter wasn’t a coincidence. 

At exactly 5 PM, Richmond untied his apron, neatly folded it, and clocked out with a tired sigh. The cool evening air greeted him as he stepped outside, stretching his sore wings. The streets were already buzzing with life, students and workers fluttering about, and Richmond found himself drawn to his favorite post-work tradition- the Pasar Malam, the night market famous for its cheap and delicious Malay, Indian, and Chinese cuisine.

The air was thick with the aroma of sizzling satay, fried dough, and sweet nectar drinks, making Richmond’s stomach grumble in anticipation.

He made his way toward a familiar burger stall, already picturing the juicy patty dripping with rich sauce, but before he could place his order, a loud crash echoed through the market.

Heads turned toward the commotion, and Richmond’s eyes followed. A crowd had gathered near a satay stall, whispering and pointing. In the center of the ruckus stood the hooded stranger from earlier, their imposing figure partially obscured by shadows, towering over the furious vendor in front of them.

"I saw you steal my food!" the vendor shouted, his wings flaring in anger. He jabbed an accusing finger at the cloaked figure, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. "You think I didn’t notice? Pay it back, now!"

The stranger remained silent, standing with an unnerving stillness. Richmond gulped, his instincts screaming at him to stay out of it, but his feet betrayed him, and before he knew it, he was walking towards the heated argument.

"Uh, sir, what seems to be the problem?" Richmond asked hesitantly, his voice wavering as he glanced between the vendor and the moth man.

The vendor, clearly worked up, turned to Richmond in exasperation. "This guy- this moth! doesn’t know a thing about etiquette! Just took the food and walked off without paying!" He gestured wildly, his antennae twitching in irritation. "I have rules, you know! Can’t just let anyone walk off with free satay!"

Richmond looked up at the moth man, whose face was still obscured beneath the deep folds of his hood. The towering figure loomed over both of them, his dark, tattered wings slightly shifting under his cloak. Despite his intimidating presence, he didn’t appear aggressive- just eerily calm.

"I did pay for this," the moth man finally spoke, his voice deep and gravelly, carrying the weight of experience. "However, you were too busy tending to other customers to notice."

Richmond watched as he slowly raised his hand and pointed toward the ground behind the vendor. A few loose bills rested against the stall’s leg, partially swept away by the breeze.

"There," the moth man said, his tone unwavering. "The wind carried it behind you."

The vendor blinked in surprise, his wings twitching in embarrassment as he crouched to pick up the money. "Oh... well... I didn't see that," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

Richmond felt a wave of secondhand relief as the tension eased. "See? Just a misunderstanding," he said with a nervous chuckle.

The moth man said nothing, only nodding slightly before turning his gaze toward Richmond.

“You didn’t have to step in back there,” the moth man finally said, his voice low but steady. “I had it under control.”

Richmond scratched the back of his neck, offering an awkward chuckle. “Yeah, well... I guess I just didn’t want things to get worse, that vendor was ready to throw you out.”

The moth man studied him for a moment, then gave a slow nod. “Most wouldn’t bother.” His tone was thoughtful, almost as if the idea of kindness was foreign to him. “I appreciate it.”

Richmond blinked, a little surprised by the gratitude. “Hey, no problem. I mean... it wasn’t much.” He rubbed his arm and glanced around, feeling the awkward tension between them. “Anyway... are you new around here? You don’t exactly blend in.”

The moth man remained silent for a beat, then spoke, his voice softer. “I don’t come to places like this often. Your village is... brighter than I’m used to.” His gaze flickered to the glowing coral lights hanging around the market, their warm hues casting a soft glow on everything around them.

Richmond chuckled nervously. “Yeah, we like to keep things... well-lit.” He paused, curiosity gnawing at him. “What brings you here? You just passing through, or...?”

The moth man hesitated, then glanced at the sky. “I came for the comet.”

Richmond tilted his head. “The gem comet? Seriously?”

The moth man nodded. “I heard it’s visible from here... and that this village has the best view.” His voice carried a hint of something Richmond couldn’t quite place- hope? Longing? “You know a good spot?”

Richmond blinked, caught off guard by the question. Of all things, he didn’t expect a moth- tall, imposing, and clearly someone who kept to himself- to be interested in a comet.

Richmond scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… I’m not exactly sure. I just found out about the comet yesterday- I didn’t realize it was such a big deal to some people. But-” he hesitated, “I’m going with a friend. She probably knows a good spot.”

The moth man remained quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood. Richmond shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his gaze, feeling as though he were being evaluated in some way.

“A friend,” the moth man repeated slowly, as if testing the word on his tongue. “She knows where to see it best?”

Richmond nodded, offering a small, awkward grin. “Yeah, Luna’s kind of obsessed with this sort of thing. I’m just tagging along.”

The moth man tilted his head slightly, his wings shifting beneath his cloak. “Then... I’ll go with you.”

Richmond nearly choked on his own breath. “Wait- what?”

The moth man’s posture didn’t change. “You know where to find the comet. I do not.”

Richmond took a step back, rubbing his neck again, feeling the dampness of sweat gathering beneath his collar. “I mean... it’s not really up to me.” He laughed nervously. “Luna’s got the whole thing planned out, and uh... she’s not the most welcoming when it comes to strangers.”

The moth man nodded slightly, his gaze steady but not unkind. “I understand.” He turned, as if preparing to disappear into the market crowd. “I will find my own way.”

Richmond hesitated, watching the stranger’s broad figure start to merge with the bustling market crowd. Despite his intimidating appearance, something about him felt... off. He didn’t seem dangerous- just out of place. And the way he spoke about the comet, like it was something more than just a passing spectacle, gnawed at Richmond’s curiosity.

“Hey- wait!” Richmond called out before he could stop himself.

The moth man paused, his head turning slightly in acknowledgment.

Richmond exhaled sharply. “Look, I... I guess it wouldn’t hurt if you tagged along. But you’ve got to promise not to, ... you know, scare my friends.”

The moth man regarded him for a moment, then nodded once. “I will not cause trouble.”

Richmond sighed in relief, though he wasn’t entirely sure what he had just agreed to. “Alright then. But before that... since you’re new here, want me to show you around a bit? The market’s pretty nice when you’re not getting accused of theft.”

The moth man hesitated, then gave another slow nod. “I would like that.”

As they walked through the crowded streets, Richmond stole a quick glance at his new companion. Despite his looming presence, the moth man seemed strangely... curious. He touched the colorful fabrics on display with an almost childlike fascination and listened intently as Richmond rattled off facts about the village.