The moon was large and the stars were out that night in the hidden town of Shinbone. Rika Bennet was sleeping quite soundly in her room above the Dead End Saloon.
Her window was open, allowing a cool breeze to blow in. On the wind the sounds of gentle music could be heard. The bright moonlight cast Rika’s shadow against the wall.
It darkened, and out stepped Rondo the Umbral Hound.
His ears perked up, listening to the music. He quietly trotted past the sleeping Rika and hopped out the window onto the second floor balcony.
He heard the music drifting down from above, and leaped up onto the saloon's flat roof. He scanned the rooftop and quickly found the source.
Revy, the town's local musician of mystery, was sitting on the edge of the roof, feet dangling and strumming away under that great big moon.
He slowly began to make his way over as she went from her idle strumming to a song, beginning to sing. He didn't recognize the language, but it sounded nice all the same.
She turned a bit and smiled as he sat beside her. As she continued, he watched as balls of light flickered to life around them.
They seemed to harmonize with her, producing different notes and sounds blending together like an orchestra.
Soon, the song winded down, the lights and their music faded away, and her final note soon after. She turned and smiled.
“Hey there pooch, I wasn't expecting a surprise audience.” said Revy, holding out her hand near him
He stared at it for a moment before pressing the top of his head against it, letting her pet him.
“Ah shucks, I gotta remember you aren't some normal dog, huh?”
“It is alright,” said Rondo, “It would be a lie to say I found it unpleasent. From those I allow to do so, that is.”
“Oh yeah? How many might that be?”
“Three, at this time. Including you.”
“Well well,” Revy said with a grin “I feel honored.”
“I enjoyed your song as well. May I ask what it is about?”
“Hmmm,” she closed her eyes, leaning her head from side to side, “I suppose it's about wanting to protect someone above all else. Something like that, anyway."
“Do you have someone like that?” he asked, his head tilting ever so slightly
“I suppose,” she sighed with a hint of sadness, “but she's pretty far away right now…”
“My apologies.”
“It's okay. Well it's not but...oh, you know what I mean. You didn't do anything.” she said, giving him a slight smile and a soft pat
They were silent, for a moment.
“Oh!” she perked up and quickly turned to him “Well look you sniffing out one of my secrets.”
“I did not sniff it out, you revealed it to me. I suppose I am honored as well.”
“Heh, well, if I start talking too much it just reminds me that I'm not back home. Wherever that is now.” she said with a sad smile
“We are alike, then. I too found myself alone in this land. However, I have no memories of where I come from.
Or if I even had them at all. The first memory I am sure of is shortly before meeting Rika.”
“Oh yeah? When was that?”
“Many years ago,” he said fondly, “when she was a child.”
“So little Rika just went and brought home a shadowy wolf, huh?”
Revy laughed“Not right away. I was disoriented and wary, but she did not give up on me. And thankfully, her mother and grandfather were open and understanding when she did bring me home.”
“What about her dad?”
Rondo paused to think for a moment.
"He was...less receptive. It is an awkward topic for her. I should not discuss it without her present.
“Ah, alrighty then. I understand. Kinda. Families and all that.”
Revy began to play again. It wasn't a specific song in general. Just a gentle, flowing melody. Rondo gazed at the large moon hanging in the sky.
It was as full and bright as alwyas, with its great crater in the center. The moonlight didn't bother him, he could move freely in the night without care.
He liked to talk, and to listen. He didn't get to talk to many people. He and Rika were often wandering on their own.
They talked to each other, of course. But she didn't like to talk as much to others. They experienced most things together.
He liked that too, her world was his. That was enough for him.
He continued to gaze up and listen until he noticed that silence had returned.
“I suppose it's getting late,” Revy said, stretching her arms up, “guess I’ll turn in. G’night Rondo.”
“Good night, Miss Revy.” Rondo said, standing up and beginning to make his way back down to the balcony.
“Hey pooch,” Revy said before he hopped back down
He turned to look at her.
“I suppose it goes without saying that you have someone you'd like to protect too, huh?” She asked, smiling
“Indeed,” he said, “it goes without saying.”
He turned and proceeded to drop down to the balcony below
He quietly hopped back through the window and silently made his way around Rika’s bed towards her shadow, still cast on the wall.
“The music was nice.” Rika said, still facing the window.
Rondo stopped and turned to her.
“I am glad you got to hear it.” he said, his wispy tail wagging slightly
“I'll see ya in the morning, partner.”
“I will be waiting, as always.”
And with that he returned to her shadow, there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
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