“Yes, Lucy?”

“Can we read this book, please?”

A little girl with bright doe eyes held up a rather dusty book in her grasp, peering at her mother with such a look of fascination and pleading. The older woman smiled, and grabbed the book, taking a look at the cover. It only had a few words written on the front in curling golden script.

Hourglass: A story of undescribable love

Lucy looked up at her mother with such a look of adoration for the story, that her mother just couldn't refuse. The mother hadn't remembered reading this book, or getting it for that matter, but if her daughter wished, then she had no choise but to read aloud such a thing.

“Alright. Just go climb into bed. I'll be up there in a minute.”

The little girl ran quickly to her room as her mother poured them both a cup of milk and grabbed a plate of cookies as a late night snack. It was their ritual for bedtime stories. The older woman made her way upstairs into her daughters room and placed their delacacies on her nightstand as she settled in next to her daughter. “Comfortable?” A nod and a smile and Lucy's mother opened to the first page, reading aloud the title again and turning to the first chapter. There was an accompanying illustration on the left page of a young boy with a bright smile.

“Once upon a time,” the mother read aloud, “there was a boy named Kurt Hummel. Now, Kurt was no ordinary boy. He yawned at the dueling of the dragons, and the all boys school up in Fallinggale Reach made him die of boredom. This boy never cared much for getting his hands dirty. The very idea was repulsing and he always sneered at every mention of it. You see, Kurt didn't want to be a warrior, unlike his step-brother, where the only reputation they had was their amount of brute force. No, Kurt had other plans in mind, plans that many of his peers laughed upon. Kurt wanted to be the selective wardrobe consultant for the royal family. A great passion of his was the love of design, and he had sketched millions of designs in the little notebook that he carries with him at all times. It was a small velvet notebook the color of maroon, with a golden sash. His late mother had given it to him on his seventh birthday, and he cherished it. Sure, he ran out of room rather quickly, but he always places new pieces of parchment within the pages to keep the notebook going. Being the fashion consultant was only ever step one of his grand plan to become known. No. Kurt wanted to climb to be the steward of the royal family, a grand title within their land. He would be consulted for everything, and through him the voices of the misunderstood citizens will be reached to the royals. Sure, he would be riding on the coattails of the king and queen, but it was still a high honor. He wanted to make a name for himself.

Now, Kurt always got a close look at the royals, even though his family was considered “middle-class.” You see, there were three levels to this city. The was Kurt's level, the families of merchants and the most normal level out there. Next, comes the higher class, the level where the royal family was at the very peek, their castle high up in the wondrous mountain tops. Below them were the families of wealth a great fortune. These were the families that were honored guests to all the royal balls and parties, for they were either of relation, or just great friends of the royals. Kurt, although middle class, attended these balls. He was a waiter, going around and serving snacks to the hungry guests. It was his job, only asking for a meager fee of two gold pieces.

Now, let's not forget the last class. This level is just as important as the middle and higher levels. This is the lower level of the city, the level of beggars, thieves, and drunkards. Sure, this place was a level of complete corruption, but they had great entertainment. It was the highlight of this class. That is, if you bother to look past its muddy reputation. This class is rather special, for this is where we bring in a new character to this story, who has just as great of importance as Kurt. Our new character is Blaine Anderson.”

“Mommy, is that Blaine?” Lucy was now pointing to another illustration, one of a boy with such bright, hazel eyes, a charming smile, and dark curls. The mother only nodded as she continued the story.

“Now, Blaine was another rather peculiar boy, for he was a citizen of the higher levels, yes, but it was all rather boring to him. His future was set for him by his controlling father. They had a great fortune, but nothing to spend it on except for things that they could rather live without. The Anderson's were of respectable reputation, and Blaine was rather different from Kurt. He was always intrigued by the stories of dragon dueling and he was a great asset to the all boys school at Fallinggale. However, his life outside of school, in the highclass life, made him wish for more. This life was so boring to him, that he had no choice but to sneak out and travel in disguise down to the lower class to enjoy their lively entertainment. Blaine had big plans too, but in a different sense. You see, Blaine wanted to be a Bard, and attend the Bards College down in Morningstar, which was a great length from his home. Blaine always had a love for song, and to travel around and entertain people with his voice was all he wanted. He wanted to make people smile, and be happy. The best place to start out was down at the Jumping Mammoth, where there was lively entertainment and fantastic people.

It was easy to sneak out at night. His parents were either in a very deep sleep, or were out doing duties in court. His older brother didn't care for Blaine's foolishness, and was actually the one who encouraged him to sneak out in the first place. He told Blaine that he needed to have some fun every once in awhile. That once in awhile turned into a weekly event and he just continued to live this other life. Blaine traveled by night in the form of a beggar with a knife always hidden in his boot, for you never know what will happen down there.

There, in the Jumping Mammoth specifically, he met his two best friends. Santana, who was a lovely courtesan, was a girl with such a fiery passion that Blaine just couldn't resist. They had joked about many of her clients, Blaine never being one of them, and became fast friends, even though Santana was one to make fun of him constantly. The other friend was Rory, a foreigner who barely had a penny to his name so he could only live in the lower class. Rory did have a knack for magic and alchemy. His remedies and potions were the best Blaine had ever encountered, and through trade they became friends, Blaine giving Rory more coin than he had begun with. These two were the only ones who knew of his other life, and even though Santana was one for gossiping, Blaine knew she would make no advances to tell the entire inn unless she wanted one of her older clients to come back for a special gift.

The three had many stories to tell, and yes, Blaine had become drunk on occasion, but his drunken state never left him completely muddled. He knew his limit, for he had to have enough sense to travel back home before his parents awoke or returned from their duties.

Now, you're probably wondering why these two are so important. Well, it their importance doesn't matter. Their importance to each other is the key, and this importance will be brought out in such a mundane way that it will be hard to refuse. This is a story of love, but most importantly it is a story of a grand friendship that will never die and live throughout time.

The only matter is that they must meet before anything to begin. What better place to meet than the upcoming masquerade at the royal palace. Lives will be intertwined and a new life will begin. One attending as a honored guest and the other as a mere waiter, each wanting something new.

This is where our story begins.”

“Mommy, why did you close the book?”

“Darling you need some rest. I will pick it back up tomorrow, I promise.”

Lucy yawned, her eyes drooping, but refusing sleep.

“But I want to know what will happen at the ball.”

“Little girls need sleep before they attend the ball.” Her mother kissed the top of her forhead, placing the book on the nightstand, and taking the half drinken milk and plate of cookie crumbs.

“Sweet dreams, my love.” She flicked off the light as Lucy curled into the covers, willing sleep to come just so the beginning will appear faster. The beginning of stories were always the most interesting parts, but some stories may begin in the middle, or the end. Lucy dreamed of friendship and parties.