Ezza smiled as she stood with her face tilted towards the sun. This was always her favourite time of day, it was midmorning and she had the day off from work. Outside in the event space in their neighbourhood the food stands were set up as usual, and the plaza was full of boisterous people going about their lives.

Today in the one corner of the plaza was a moving statue. A man stood holding one position for what seemed like forever. Slowly he would shift into the next position. Ezza found this fascinating. The first time she had seen it, Seji Mori had explained what was happening and the art form that it was. According to Seji, Rylan Gann was the best at it. Ezza didn’t know many performers of this variety, but watching Rylan even now, she had to agree, he was the best.

Out of the corner of her eye Ezza spotted Akira Kiba walking across the square. She smiled and called out his name as she chased after him. It took Akira a few moments to figure out who had been calling to him, but when he did he stopped to chat for a few moments.

“Hey, how are you? How’s Cameron?” Ezza asked. She was trying to catch her breath. Akira smiled at her, he enjoyed talking about Cameron.

“He’s good. Working hard, but my Hubby always is. How are you guys doing?” He replied. Akira was Cameron’s San MyShuno contact, which made sense as they were married. Cameron and Akira lived in the building next door, and it had been Akira who had found them a new place to stay on such short notice.

“I’m good. Zas is like Cameron, hardly ever home anymore, but he’s throwing himself into this new Critics job with gusto.” Ezza said, which was true. It’s just maybe Zas was throwing himself into it a little too hard. At least that’s what Ezza thought.

“Sounds like you guys are doing all right. Been getting out and exploring lately? You should check out the festival tonight. I’d go but Cameron’s probably going to relax when he gets home. Which is fine by me. I like relaxing him.” Akira eyes crinkled as he laughed at his own little joke.

“What festival?” Ezza asked looking puzzled.

“The one advertised on your community board.” Akira said, when he saw the look on Ezza’s face he went on to explain about the community boards, then his cell rang.

“I have to go. It was nice seeing you again Ezza, we should all get together sometime.” He said after answering his phone. Ezza watched as he walked away and then headed back home. She was going to check out this board.

 

When Zas got home that night, Ezza ambushed him in the bathroom. She was practically bouncing up and down and Zas found himself smiling at the sight of her. Well parts of her anyways.

“Lets go out tonight. No cooking, no work, let’s just go out.” Ezza said excitedly. “Hey! Eyes above the neckline!”

Zas snapped his attention up to Ezza’s face. She was blushing at his attention, which of course made him blush too. Rubbing the back of his head he agreed to go out, and went to change his clothes.

The smells were wonderful. Cooking meat and spices mixed with the smell of burnt powder from everyone letting of fireworks. The square was decorated festively with food stalls and merchandise tables. There was a fenced off area, and a stage with a microphone. A bar sat at one end of the plaza with two different coloured fountains on either side. People were packed into square and enjoying ever minute of it. Every so often a bell would sound an announcement was made about which team was winning.

Zas and Ezza looked at each other, silently questioning where to start. Then Zas’s stomach growled and they both laughed. Heading over to the food booths they both decided to try something a bit different. As they decided on their menu choices they over heard people asking to pay less. A little confused the two of them stepped back and watched a few more people try it.

“They’ll never get far that way.” A deep voice said behind them. Both of them jumped and then turned around as the voice chuckled at them. Behind them stood Bjorn Bjergsen, Clara’s husband.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Bjorn boomed, clasping Zas on the shoulders. “You also look good. I’m glad and Clara will be too. Everyone’s been worried about you for a while now.”

Zas smiled and found himself feeling guilty for not keeping in better contact. He gave a quick glance over to Ezza, who looked a little worried.

“Ah! Sorry, forgive my lack of manners. I seem to have embarrassed you in front of your Lady friend. I can see the appeal of distraction however. Forgive me Madam, my name is Bjorn Bjergsen, I’m an old acquaintance of Zas’s. He used to work for my wife Clara back in Windenburg.” Bjorn said holding out his hand to Ezza. Ezza reached up and shook it. She had of course met Bjorn before. He used to come to Make A Dish to visit Clara often.

“Um, this is Ezz-Essie.” Zas finished lamely. Ezza had stiffened beside him and was smiling nervously. Bjorn looked at Zas for a moment and then turned his attention to Ezza.

“Forgive me, you just remind me of a dear departed friend. You even bear a similar name.” Bjorn said smiling at Ezza.

“O-oh?” Ezza stuttered out. How were they going to explain this one?

“He should, I mean she should.” Zas said quickly and loudly. When Bjorn turned his attention back to Zas, he continued. “Essie is Ezza’s twin sister. We uh, we met up here in the city, after… Well you know.” Zas finished. He gave Ezza a little light slap on the hip to make her shut her mouth which had fallen open in shock.

Bjorn glanced back and forth between the two of them, a smile spreading across his face. Then he grabbed both of them and pulled them in for a hug. As he held them, trapped against his body, he gave each of them a kiss on the cheek, then he released them.

“I will let Clara know! Everyone will be so happy. Surprised too! Well, I’ll let you get back to your haggling.” He said shaking Zas’s arm, then he turned and hugged Ezza and offering her his condolences about her brother, he left them to wander the festival.

Twin sister, really!?

I had to come up with something quickly. Besides now we have an explanation as to why you look like you.

Ezza grumbled something out.

That’s not very Ladylike. Zas sang out. Ezza gave him a little shove and then got in line for the food stall. Zas followed suit, he had no idea what he was going to try doing, but he hoped it worked.

 

Sitting at their table and enjoying their meals, Zas grumped while Ezza giggled. They had both tried haggling, but only Ezza had been successful.

“Stupid Nico.” Zas said for the hundredth time. He had tried to haggle with Nico Bowen at his food stall and had failed miserably. Ezza had been more successful; Caleb Vatore had given her 25% of her food. He had also leaned in and smelled her, telling how wonderful she smelled and telling her what a lovely neck she had. Zas had flipped his lid when she had told him the story, blushing the whole time. Who did that creep think he was!? He could join Nico his girlfriend and they could skydive together without parachutes.

     

Zas knew his mood was dark, but he couldn’t help it. He’d have to be more careful with Ezza when they were o Who knew what trouble she’d bring on herself. They drank the light tea, just to join in and felt themselves laughing uncontrollably at the jokes being told on the stage, at one point, Ezza even got up and began telling some bad ones, which would normally make Zas cringe but tonight, he laughed as if they were the funniest things in the Universe.

Ezza felt light-headed as she stepped down off the stage and let another person have a go. She felt like she was on fire tonight. Usually her jokes fell flat but tonight everyone was laughing with her. Looking around she spotted Zas going through some trash at the edge of the stage. He was collecting spare parts from it.

“You’re a dirty boy.” Ezza said in her best falsetto. Zas jumped and dropped a few of the parts he had gathered. Picking them back up and putting them in his pocket, he turned towards Ezza. She had a slight glow to her tonight, and the wind seemed to want to brush her hair across her face in a very alluring way. Zas stared at Ezza entranced, gazing at her face, as she looked back at him, a blush spreading on her cheeks. Her giggles began to take on an embarrassed edge.

“What?” She asked. It was embarrassing having Zas stare at her like that, but if she was being honest, not that unpleasant. Zas opened his mouth to answer, when an announcement was made, and cheers went up from everyone else in the crowd. Startled they both looked up.

Lights were exploding all over the sky, beautiful shimmering bursts of colour. Ezza’s eyes shone, and she smiled in joy as she watched the display. Zas saw none of it, he was too busy watching Ezza react to the firework display. He loved the way the different coloured lights changed the way Ezza looked in subtle ways. Softening her features or making her glow like a being from the far ZJK-93Px Galaxy. Ezza feeling someone looking at her glanced over to find it was Zas.

                                                                                

“What’s wrong?” She asked, the way he was looking at her was so possessive, it had her worried.

“Nothing, I just think you look beautiful tonight.” He said before he could stop himself. Ezza’s eyes widened. Her hand went to her throat.

“I mean, you look pretty. Pretty like all woman look pretty.” Zas finished. He felt lame, but he couldn’t risk it. Ezza blushed, she knew her best friend well enough to know when he was trying to cover up a truthful statement. She blew him a kiss. Zas stood stock still for a moment, and then hesitantly he blew one back.

“Wanna tell me more?” Ezza asked fishing for complements. Zas found himself flirting with Ezza, and it felt so natural, like it had with every other woman in the known universes. Suddenly and he couldn’t remember how, Ezza was in his arms, pressed against his chest, he could feel her trembling, her hot breath teasing his lips. Her eyes were closed and her head was tilted waiting for him to close the distance. He let go and stepped back.

She wasn’t just any other woman, and he couldn’t do this. Ezza had felt him let go of her and she felt cold where they had been joined together. She opened her eyes and saw Zas staring down at the ground, a troubled look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” She asked reaching out to touch him. Zas jerked out of her reach, and shook his head.

“Nothing. It’s getting late, we should go home, we have work tomorrow.” He said. Then he turned and started walking towards the cab stands. Ezza stared after him, she felt disappointed and a little depressed. What happened?