Roses and cinnamon. Who chose roses and cinnamon The smell is... pleasing, but so overbearing. No doubt Anju, and the other frequent residents, can no longer smell it; perhaps that's why it's so strong. They want to smell it, but can't. I like cinnamon. Roses on the other hand...
I've found myself at the milk bar. How I got in? No idea. How I got here? No idea. When I left the inn? No idea. A bottle of half-empty Chateau Romani sits before me, the sickeningly sweet smell dulling my senses. I take another swig of the substance. Look at that stage over there... It looks so sad. I bet it's hardly even used... What a tragedy. This place could be so much more inviting if they only had live music... I pull the bottle to my lips, yet again, and sigh.
I wonder if Anju has stumbled across that flower yet? I bet she hates it. It was a ridiculous thought that she would even accept the thing. Hah, I'm a fool. This drink is lovely, isn't it?
The thunder outside is beginning to subside, and the rain doesn't sound to be as strong. The clock nearby, which I take no time to search for, chimes midnight. Just one day left until my inevitable return to the clock tower. Oh how I miss that dirty little place. It was wonderful.
As the clock finishes it's chiming, I stand, bottle clutched in one hand, the bag supported by the other. I wouldn't want to drop my precious masks, this floor looks filthy. Their paint would be ruined for sure. All of this alcohol, terrible for the wood.
The soft atmosphere of the milk bar makes me drowsy. With the gentle caress of alcohol in the air, and the dim lights, I could sleep here in a heartbeat. The bottle meets my lips again, and the liquid warms my mouth. A chuckle escapes my mouth, fluttering away through the thick air, and landing back on the bar. Another chuckle, then a laugh, then screams of absolute joy violently leave my throat. I love it here. I could live here. I could live here. I pour the remaining drops of Chateau Romani into my mouth, and drop the bottle.
The sound of glass shattering ripples the air. It sends waves of sound through the blanket atmosphere. The door is right over there. I should leave, and see if Anju got the rose.
What am I talking about? She'd never want it. I fall through the doors of the bar, and collapse on the shining, wet stone outside. Tears cover my face, and a forced chuckle escapes. Hah, hahaha hah. One day left until the end. Just one day left.
The world spins around me in smudged lines. The yellow light from windows nearby streaks past me, and across the ground. Inside seems nice. My masks need to be inside, the moisture will crack them. My masks-
Oh my goddesses. I jump up and swing my bag around to my stomach. My pride and joy. Please be alive I can't let your beautiful faces be ruined. I pull one out and look at it's expression. Tears, only a few, gather and run down it's face.
"Oh my darling," I say, cradling it in my arms. I wipe the water from the paint, and replace the mask to it's bag. I need to get inside before they feel anymore pain.

The clock is already chiming one by the time I fall to my room's floor. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. They're okay now. They're okay.
I reach an arm back, and remove the mask which I held outside. It no longer shows pain, and doesn't seem to be cracking or peeling. Thank -goddesses-. A roach scuttles past the floor before me, distracting my eyes from the mask ever so slightly. Bugs can be annoying. Such horrid little things. Ugh. It crawls it's way over to the door, and escapes into the golden light shining beneath.
As my vision blurs in and out of a drowsy, drunken trance, a feminine voice speaks from the hall.
"Yes, he sent me a letter today, and I even think he left me a rose! Oh Grandmother, I think Kafei might be back!"
"Anju..." The voice is old, but full of wisdom," don't get your hopes up. This boy left you suddenly, and now he wants you back? I would be..." Her voice fades off for a moment," that looks moon close dear, I think my glasses need to be checked. One time when I was a child, just younger than you, I spent all of my time looking at the moon. Oh darling, it was glorious. Let me tell you about the time..."
An angry groan swells above the rambling woman," Grandmother I don't want to hear about your childhood."
Then it hits me. Anju! The rose! I jump from my chair and barrel towards the door.
"Anju!" I shout, ripping the door open. A mad cackle escapes my throat, and she meets my eyes. Oh how beautiful she looks in this light.
"Y-yes?" She asks, stepping backwards, near the stairs.
"Did you like," I laugh," the rose?"
"How did you know Kafei left it for me? Do you know where he is?" She asks, smiling cautiously.
"Wasn't it pretty?" I slur, sliding out into the hall, using both walls, one hand on each, for support.
"It was beautiful, I'm glad he left it for me," she says, taking another step back. Her eyes shine with the light of the ocean, and the color of summer noon. Her grandmother returns to her room, leaving Anju alone with me.
"That's great, sweetheart," I say, falling towards her. A gasp escapes her mouth, and she flees gracefully down the stairs.

A/N

I'm not really satisfied with this chapter. I mean, it's okay, I didn't proofread it either, so there's bound to be autocorrect errors. Anyways, thanks for reading you guys, have a great day!

-Twilit Lady of Majesty