Chiva & Chupa 1

        Sometimes you turn the corner and your entire life gets thrown in a direction you never thought possible. It was a hot summer in the desert city where I reside. Near the end of that summer the farmer's markets were open and the first produce of the year was being sold. Jalapeno peppers were roasting in a big drum over a fire and the scent made my stomach gurgle. I couldn't stand the taste of them but it made me hungry none the less. As I rounded the corner following my nose I saw a tall older man with horns turning the drum. He was one of the goat people which I shouldn't say because they consider that to be a negative term. He was one of the Satyr. The half goat and half human people that lived among us. There were a host of other... well I could call them monsters. There were other monsters around the market that day but my eyes focused upon only one.

 

        What caught my eye first were her horns. They curved around her head and pointed to the front. They were a few inches long and light tan but fit her face perfectly. Next below those horns were her long ears covered in white fur. She turned from setting down a box of produce and her long white locks of braided hair moved with the slight breeze. When she looked up I lost myself for a moment in those deep blue eyes. This Satyr smiled to me and inclined her head which just looked too damn cute. Her tan  skin drank in the sunlight and she tilted her head slightly to the side.

 

  “How may I help you?” She asked playfully.

  “Jalapenos.” That was the only thing I could think to say.

  “Sure how many would you like sir?” She turned to fetch some newly roasted ones.

  “I don't... uh... five.”

 

        She counted out five of the fire roasted peppers and gently wrapped them in a piece of wax paper before slipping them into a bag. I fumbled with my wallet not caring how much they cost. She also slipped something else into that paper bag that I wouldn't be aware of until later on. As I put down a five dollar bill she handed me the parcel of peppers. I inclined my head in thanks then turned away and started walking off. There was no reason anyone should look that beautiful. She said something to me as I walked away but I was far too lost in my thoughts and my blushing to respond. I headed over to a bench half of the market away and sat down. Opening the bag I pulled out a pepper and bit the tip off. It was just as I had expected. I never liked them to begin with and this wasn’t going to change my mind. I put the pepper back into the bag and felt something hard within. Drawing it out I noticed it was little and silver. It was in the shape of a bottle and there was a twisted link dangling from the top of it. Examining it further I noticed it had been bent and then come off something bigger. Leaving the peppers on the bench I headed back the way I had come.

 

        I approached the stall and she was helping another customer. The man behind her threw in a fresh batch of peppers and started roasting them. She nodded to the customer and they walked away then she turned to see me. With a wave of her hand she beckoned me over. Quickly turning my head left and right I saw no one else she could be gesturing to. My feet brought me to the edge of her stall and she reached into her pocket and held out a dollar and a couple quarters.

 

  “You overpaid for the peppers.” She smiled again.

  “Oh... right yeah... hey... I... found this thing...” My words wouldn't quite come.

  “A thing?” She leaned forward.

  “This... bottle?” I took the money then held up the bottle.

  “Ah!” She looked to her charm bracelet then noticed the part that was missing. “That's my wine bottle!”

  “Its kinda small to hold wine.” I handed it to her.

  “Oh no its not for wine silly. Its my Bacchus charm.”

 

        She fumbled with trying to attach it back to her charm bracelet. It was my turn to lean forward and I asked her if I might have a go at it. She held out her slender bronze wrist with the bracelet dangling beautifully in the sunlight. I pulled out my multitool from my pant pocket and using the pliers I reattached the charm to her bracelet She held up her wrist and gave it a shake then clapped her hands together.

 

  “Oh thank you! I did not even notice it had come off.” She extended her palm towards me.

  “No.. no problem.”

  “My name's Chivarosa. Everyone calls me Chiva. Would you like more peppers? On the house!”

  “Pleasure to meet you miss Chiva.” I took her hand and shook it. “I'm good on peppers.”

  “Ok, let me give you something though to show my thanks.”

  “Your phone number would work.”

 

        She stared at me a moment then looked me up and down. Oh hell I figured I had just blown it by asking for her number this early. She withdrew her hand and my shoulders sank slightly. She turned around without a word. This was the time I should just slink away and disappear. She had already made up her mind about me and was turning her back. I heard paper tear but paid it no mind. With a soft sight I was about to turn on my heel until she thrust a piece of paper at me with a number on it. I looked up and she was beaming. I'd never seen anyone smile like that before. Perhaps it was the sunshine, perhaps it was my allergy to Jalapeno peppers, perhaps it really was her. Something was different that day and it was magical. I took the paper and returned the smile.

 

  “I'm here all day but free tomorrow. Give me a call.” She winked.  

  “Ok... Ok... yeah I'll call you tomorrow.” I stepped back.

  “I look forward to it!” She grinned wider.

  “You...too...”

 

        There was a moment where my gut twisted at saying you too. It was too late to take it back and she played it off as if she had not heard. Another customer had approached by that time and she turned her attention to them. I backed away and headed off towards a stall with ice cream. I'd gotten her number and... well... she was a Satyr. In my admiration of her I'd never had a chance to look at her legs.  I did not even know what Satyr legs actually looked like. Shrugging my shoulders I pulled out the slip of paper with her number and programmed it into my phone under Chiva. I was definitely going to give her a call tomorrow.