The Priceless Love

Call me Hadrian, that is how humans know me. She was called Star. Indeed she is that. Deep golden hair, sparkling silver eyes, you know the sort of girl. I knew her eyes sparkled, for they were filled with tears when she came into my shop.

It was late afternoon. The time when humans would depart home and cook their evening meal. I had watched her roam about the shopping center, trying in vain to find work. Or perhaps hide the tears which constantly wanted to spill. She kept looking at her phone checking upon her parents. They were not well, or so I gathered. She knew not I watched, nor that I listened. Humans can be very ignorant that way. Even when she entered my shop, alone and at last releasing her tears, she still did not see me. Oh but I beheld her.

How could I not? My shop was empty; it often is. For you see, only those in desperate need find it. I like it that way. Gives me plenty of time to think, as well as observe. Humans are very interesting creatures. Things they will spend so much money on, or the things that they are desperate too. That was my sweet Star's situation. She did not know why she had found my shop, she merely needed a place to cry. I stood behind the counter, watching. Not in mockery mind you. Some men might call me unusual, yet I find beauty even in tears. Particularly if they are not out of selfish ambition, but love. Pure love for the ones closest to her. Such love is priceless. Like others in my position, I desired such love. But One does not simply take it. It is earned, or in some cases, hunted for more passionately than any scrap of gold.

Star sat at one of the tables in the far corner, buried her head in her arms and wept. I knew not how tired she was, for soon she fell asleep. I watched over her, drying her tears with a tissue, and making sure she was not sick. I could not conceal my wicked grin. If I decided I could have kept her there to sleep for a year, wrapped in her peaceful dreams. I proved not to be so reckless, for with a snap of my fingers, she awoke. She gasped and stood up. I still stood behind the counter, here I could no longer conceal my excitement at meeting her.

"Hello," said I.

Star flinched, gasped, then turned in my direction.

"I'm sorry! I'll just leave-" Star reached for the door, but I held up my hand.

"You need help," I stated.

Curiosity filled her tear filled eyes as she turned back to me.

"What do you mean?" She asked in a trembling tone which I found amusing.

"Your parents are ill," I said simply. "You are seeking work, because insurance only carries their hospital bills so far. Yet you continue to be rejected. Patience can only pay so much."

Star stared at me as if I were made of stone. "Again, how do you know that!?"

"I have seen and heard you walk up and down this district, filling out application after application. You constantly call your mother and father. They say they are well, but they are not."

She gazed around my shop. It did not look terrifying, or so I believed. Books here, medicines there, delicious treats which glow and sparkle when you turn a certain way. Flying clocks which made humans sleepy if they stared at them for too long... Oops! Flying clocks, did I say? I suppose that was out of the ordinary. She felt so too for her eyes grew quite large.

"What is this place?" Star asked. "And who are you?"

"I am called Hadrian," said I. "And this is my shop." Now that I think of it, I believe a 6-ft man with hair which turns red one moment and black another, with fangs and claw-like fingernails might be a shock to human women. I gave her what I hoped to be an encouraging smile. "I offer help."

Star put a hand over her old purse. "I have no money-"

I shook my head. "My help does not require money."

"Then what's the point of your shop?" asked Star.

I cocked my head and looked to the ceiling where most of the clocks had floated up.

"Human women are such strange creatures. They spend lavish amounts of money on the finest cosmetics, and richest clothes. All for the sake of being told how beautiful they are." I turned back to her. "You on the other hand do not wish to build yourself up, but to save those you love. Never mind you may outlive them. You are willing to fight for however long you have with them. Why? Love." My eyes must have grown darkly mischievous, for she grew more fearful. "Not even the cheapest penny in the world could buy a scrap of such love. Which comes from the most beautiful heart."

I reached into a drawer and pulled out what looked to be a simple bottle holding a blue perfume. "Take this for your father and mother. By tomorrow, they will be healed."

"What would you want in return?" Her eyes were still distrustful, a very wise trait.

"To see you smile, be safe, and cherish every moment with those you love. That sort of love should not be mocked or diminished, but protected." I smiled in a way which I hoped lifted her spirits. "We shall meet again soon. All I ask is that you live with your family and be happy. Do you accept, Star?"

She looked at my hand, then at my eyes. At last with trembling fingers, she took the bottle. More tears fell, but they were of gratitude as she nodded, then departed.

I knew what would happen that night, for I had seen it in my dreams. They would heal, and be together as long as they desired. And I would wait. My little Star would not stray far. She would search for me as anyone would a great treasure. And I would watch from the shadows, and wait. Such deep love is hard to find, once found it must be treasured, lest one find they threw pearls to pigs. If anyone dared to call my beloved Star a pig, they would never behold another night sky for the last second they lived.

My wait was not long. She found me, thanked me, and then I showed her my secrets. Secrets which only the most worthy humans may learn. From there our story began. My beloved Star twinkles only for me. Just as I will shine and always protect our beautiful love. Her kiss is mine, and mine is hers alone. And we shall both shine in such deep pure love, as long as the moon grants us its light.

THE END