Korlin sits alone on his bed.
Dust particles flutter through the light from the window.
With a hand over his previously smashed eye, the words that member spoke replay in his head.
-'Are you a child?! This isn't some fairytale! That was no time to be a hero!'
"..."
Frustration boils inside him. He restrains himself from throwing something across the dark room.
knock knock
Someone is at the door.
Korlin doesn't answer.
Whoever it is attempts to slide open the door.
It's locked.
"Is someone in there?"
The voice is soft and soothing. It's like a lullaby. It's Aureole's voice.
"...Do you need something?" Korlin responds.
"Oh! Korlin! So, this where you've been."
"..."
"Pholy told me she left a spare pair of gloves in here. I came to grab them really quick. Do you mind if I come in?"
"..." Korlin sighs and drags his feet over to the door. He unlocks it and slides it open.
"Thank... Korlin, are you alright?"
The boy's eyes are surrounded by bags and dark circles. He looks exhausted.
"I'm perfectly fine. Just a little tired."
"..." She thinks of how to lighten his mood. "I heard your eye got smashed, it looks fine to me."
"...I wouldn't say smashed... But yeah, I went over to a medical hut and got it healed."
While inside the hut, many of the snowsquallers called the boy childish and reckless. He was ridiculed for simply stepping inside the building. The whole experience was mind-numbing.
"Well, that's good," Aureole gives the boy a gentle smile.
"..." Korlin walks back to his bed and sits down.
Aureole enters the shed and digs around in Pholy's bags.
"You know, Pholy told me not to tell you, but she did something pretty incredible."
"...Oh?"
"Mm, her and Sirius were patching a hole in the wall when Carpi came through with his arm poisoned."
"A hole...?"
"After Sirius cut off Carpi's arm, Pholy used her fire to cauterize his arm. She practically saved his life."
"...Saved his life... huh... She's amazing..."
Korlin's voice is weak and full of sadness.
Aureole stops digging around and sits down on Pholy's bed. She thinks for a moment.
"Pholy's flames are really pretty, aren't they?"
"Mm... they are."
"I have you to thank for that."
"...What do you mean?"
"Before you and Sirius arrived, Pholy rarely ever used her affinity. They only ever came out when she was really angry." Aureole shifts in place. "The last time she used them before you came, she almost burned down the entire mansion."
A faint chuckle comes out of Korlin.
"I can see that..."
"I was so scared when she suddenly started using them against you... But it turned out just fine. Thanks to you, she's using them more freely. She's been more comfortable in her body. So... thank you, Korlin."
"...Why are you telling me this?"
"I just want you to know that I'm thankful. And she is too, though she'll never admit it..." Aureole giggles to herself. "So, don't beat yourself up, okay? You've already done plenty."
"...I... I want to do more... I've barely done anything since coming to this world."
Aureole stands up.
"It's only been a handful of days... there's no need to rush. For now, just get some rest, alright? We're all worried about you. Especially Pholy."
"..."
Aureole goes and digs around some more. She finds the gloves and turns back to Korlin.
"Found them. I'm going to head back now, okay?"
"...Okay."
Aureole steps into the doorway.
"Do you think..." Korlin stops her. "I can be someone admirable?"
Aureole stops.
"...You already are."
Aureole gives Korlin a warm smile and closes the door behind her.
Darkness envelops the room once again.
With her words echoing in his brain, he sits alone once more.
"Don't lie to me..."
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
There is a singular dead tree in the outpost.
It stands atop a snowy mound on the south side. The area is barren. No one knows how the tree yet stands.
"So," Sirius starts, sitting on a rock near the tree. "What'd you want to talk about?"
The king's son sits down on a rock beside Sirius. He plays with his messy hair.
"Um..." the boy shifts nervously. "I don't really know... I just wanted to talk with you."
"O-oh... Um," Sirius scratches his neck. How do I respond to that?? "Uh, you and your dad seem pretty close."
The boy's eyes immediately light up. His entire body turns to Sirius.
"Yes!"
"Uh..."
"We're very close! The closest in fact!"
"T-That's great."
-What happened to the shy kid?!
The son clears his throat. "Sorry, I just really love my dad." A large smile rests on the boy's face. He fiddles with his long sleeves.
"Don't apologize. That's a good thing."
"You don't think it's weird?"
"To love your dad? Of course not. Well, it depends on the type of love..."
The boy chuckles a tiny bit.
The boy turns his head to look out over the people of the outpost.
"For my entire life, I've only ever had my dad. The others here don't understand me. They don't even try... My dad has always been there for me. Even with his duties as king, he always spares time to humor me."
"...He seems like a great father."
"Mm, he's the best. He's the only person I care about. The only person I need. My memories with him are the best parts of my life."
"..."
"What is your father like?"
"My father..."
...
July 13th, 2011
Age 5
They stand in the backyard.
The humid air makes a young Sirius sweat bullets.
A baseball smacks into Sirius' glove.
"Nice catch!" His dad shouts from the other side of the yard. "Throw it back now!"
Sirius grabs the ball and places his fingers on the red stitches. He winds back a pitch and launches the ball out of his hand. The ball barrels through the air and lands perfectly in his father's grasp.
"Nice! Beautiful throw!"
Sirius gives a smug smirk.
"You're already a pro at all this, aren't you? That's my son for you!"
"Dad, are you good at sports?"
"Ha!" His dad snorts. "Wasn't it obvious? Your old man here was a varsity athlete in high school through college! My closet is overflowing with medals and awards!"
"You were a professional?!" Sirius' mouth drops in admiration.
"Well... almost. After I met your mom, I gave up on being a professional to have you."
The dad hurls the ball back at his son. Sirius barely catches it.
"Oh..."
Later in the evening, Sirius' father goes on a date with yet another woman.
With his dad gone, Sirius goes into his room.
"Medals... medals..."
The young boy opens his father's closet and begins digging around. Behind the plethora of suits and shirts are bins of his father's childhood belongings. Underneath photos and childish drawings, Sirius finds the medals.
There is an apparent lack of gold ones.
2nd Place in JV State Championship 1994
2nd Place in JV Lykeson Tournament 1993
3rd Place Boy's JV Baseball Home Run Derby 1995
Participation Award for Boy's JV Baseball 1995
...
Confusion stirs within the boy.
He pulls out another lightweight bin labeled College and rummages around in it.
There are only a few objects inhabiting the container. A big foam finger, a shirt with a college's name and logo, and a binder full of papers.
-Where are the awards?
Sirius grabs the binder and opens it.
He takes out the first paper and reads it.
[From the Admissions Office of Southview University:
Dear Lance,
Thank you for expressing your interest in Southview University. The Admissions Committee has thoroughly and carefully examined your application and has completed its review.
We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into this Fall's Freshman class at Southview University. We understand this is not the news you wished to receive when applying. But, given our large and competitive applicant pool, we are unable to offer admission to you at this time.
We thank you for expressing your interest in pursuing your career at Southview University. While the committee was impressed with your achievements, unfortunately, more suitable and qualified applicants must take priority.
While we strictly believe that this college is for everyone, we believe it may be best to take your talents elsewhere.
We thank you once again for your interest and wish you luck in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
The Admissions Board at Southview University ]
"What...?"
Sirius sets aside the paper and pulls out another.
Another rejection letter.
And another.
All of the papers in the binder are rejection letters.
"Did you lie...?"
Sirius scrambles the pages back in their place and shoves the bins back into the closest.
He doesn't bring it up to his father.
Years pass.
Football. Basketball. Baseball. Soccer.
Practice is endless. Day after day. His sweat has run dry.
And for years, it's alright. He can keep up with the demand and pressure from his father. He doesn't want to disappoint him.
"He's a prodigy!" His father brags to another dad at the baseball game.
"That kid is going places, that's for sure."
Statements such as those always inflate his ego. Almost too much.
Up at bat, Sirius bends his knees and pulls back his bat. Three of his teammates are on base. If he hits this, the game is as good as won.
The pitcher fires a ball towards home and Sirius swings with all his might.
He misses.
"Come on, bud!"
Sirius shakes it off and prepares again.
Another ball is fired off.
He misses again.
"Get your head in the game, Sirius! Focus!"
Sirius' frustration boils up. He's never struck out; he won't start now.
The pitcher winds his pitch and fires a third throw.
Sirius misses a third time.
"Shit!"
Sirius strikes out and his team collectively moans. His strike-out spirals his team into a game loss.
...
Basketball.
His shots can't seem to land in the hoop.
...
Football.
With him now being the age of tackle, he can't seem to avoid getting hit.
...
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Soccer.
The only one that remains in a decent state. But not for much longer.
...
Game after game. Practice after practice. It's always the same result.
Failure.
With his skill on the decline, and against his father's wishes, Sirius asks his mom if he could quit them. She kindly allows him, but his father is furious.
He keeps playing soccer to at least please his father somewhat.
But whatever happened to being a prodigy?
What happened to him being amazing because he's Lance's son?
What happened...?
-Liar...
Age 6
October 3rd, 2012
"Dad, where is Kali?"
His father stiffens but swiftly regains his composure.
"What do you mean? You haven't seen her?"
"No..."
"Hmm... I'll help you look for her, alright?"
"Ok!"
Kali. Sirius' cat he begged his father for. A gray, two-year-old cat that they found in a pet store.
Lance painfully agreed to let Sirus keep it, but in return, Sirius had to focus harder on sports.
Sirius and his father search around the house for the cat.
They search all of the rooms and even the backyard.
It takes hours.
But they turn up empty.
"Where could she be?" Lance scratches his stubbled chin.
"We have to find her!"
"We will... we will..." Sirius' father places his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'll find her, I swear. I won't stop until I find her, alright?"
With tears streaming down his face, Sirius nods.
"Thank you, dad."
"Of course! I'll even go print up some missing posters!"
Sirius gives his father a grateful smile.
Late that night, Sirius steps out into the hallway to go to the bathroom.
Rubbing his tired eyes, he hears his father talking to someone on the phone.
Sirius sits down on the carpeted stairs. He listens in on the conversation.
"Mhm. Yeah."
All he hears is his father giving quick responses. Sirius' boredom reaches its tipping point and the boy stands up. He's about to walk away when-
"Oh, the cat? That annoying little shit?"
Sirius stops every muscle and listens carefully.
"No, I didn't, I just left it on the side of the highway. It's probably dead by now."
...
Sirius' mouth drops, and his eyes widen. Cool tears leak from his eyelids.
-Why...
Sirius gradually makes his way to the bathroom and back to bed.
He lies awake, his tears pouring out until it hurts.
"Why..."
-Liar...
Age 11
September 29th, 2017
"Do you Lance, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Do you %#*&#, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
The ceremony is held in a church.
The audience is thin and mostly comprised of his stepmother's side of the family.
His father and soon-to-be stepmother exchange rings.
Sirius' attention is dwindling, but he can see how happy his stepmother looks. His father plasters a weak smile on his face.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!"
His father and now stepmother kiss. The church erupts with applause.
After the main event concludes, Sirius loosens his suit and sits down at one of the many tables away from everyone else.
Canopus, Sirius' brother, is doing something similar on the opposite side of the room.
"What do you think, Sirius?"
His father approaches him with a glass of alcohol in his hand. Sirius puts on a happy expression.
"About what?"
"The wedding! Isn't it grand?!"
"Mm, it's really nice."
"Ah... love is a wondrous thing, isn't it?"
"I guess?"
"You'll figure it out one day. You'll be the biggest playboy this country has ever seen."
"I don't know about that..." Sirius chuckles.
"...I really love her, you know?"
"%#*&#?"
"Yeah, I'm glad I found her. And now, we'll get to spend the rest of our lives together."
"..."
"And I'll do everything I can to be the best and most faithful husband ever!"
Not even a month later, Sirius is out riding his bike.
He's coasting through town as he usually does, the autumn sun is beginning to set.
Sirius' phone dings in his pocket, so he stops beside a restaurant and pulls it out. His friend is asking him to send over the homework answers. Sirius shoves the phone back in his pocket and looks through the restaurant's window.
It takes a second to realize, but there sits his father.
With a random woman.
They're alone. Having dinner.
Sirius continues to watch them eat and laugh together.
-Who is she?
After a minute of spying, Sirius witnesses something he should not have.
They kiss.
His father leans over and kisses the woman on the lips. They share a laugh right after. They look happy.
...
Sirius can't believe what he's seeing.
He had just gotten married, why is he kissing another woman?
Sirius peddles away feverishly.
"What happened to you being faithful...?"
...
-Liar...
Age 12
April 21st, 2018
Sirius sits at the desk in his room.
He decides to draw as he normally does around this time.
While scribbling in his notebook, a knock on the door snaps him out of art mode.
"Come in."
His father opens the door.
"Hey- Oh, what do you have there?"
"Oh- uh..." Sirius tries to hide the drawings from him.
"Let me see," his father walks over and brushes Sirius' arm away. "Ahh..." He picks up the notebook and examines the drawings. He starts flipping through the pages to past artwork.
"Stop!" Sirius shouts out of embarrassment.
"Hey, these are... pretty good, I guess."
While his drawings weren't the greatest, the blatant honesty was a jab to Sirius' head.
"...Hmm..." Sirius grumbles.
"You got any more art around here?"
"Uh, I have a painting in my closet. It's for a project at school-"
Before Sirius finishes his sentence, his father walks over to the closest.
"In here?" He opens the closet and swats away the hanging shirts. "Where... ah! Here we go..."
Lance pulls out a large canvas and brings it into the dim light.
"Wow!" His father exclaims. "This is great! Who knew you had so much talent for art? I would have liked it if you took sports more seriously... but... still."
"T-thanks..." Sirius tries to grab the painting. His dad pulls it back.
"We should get this hung up somewhere! Maybe in a museum or enter it in a competition."
"No, no, no, no, it's really not that good. Please don't-!"
Lance runs out of the room with the painting in hand, laughing all the way.
-I need that for school...
His father lets Sirius finish and submit it for a grade.
Once he takes it back home, his father takes it and calls someone.
Weeks go by, and Sirius hears no word of what happened with the painting. Mostly because he didn't ask.
Sirius once again is drawing at his desk.
"This looks horrible..."
Sirius hears the front door open downstairs. His father has come home. Angrily.
"Fuck! That bastard... pulling one over on me...!"
Sirius quietly opens his door and creeps over to the stairs.
His father has Sirius' painting in hand and is dialing a number on his phone. His father taps his foot rapidly waiting for the person to answer. When they do, Lance gives the person a barrage of swears and curses.
Sirius listens quietly to his father's rampage.
The receiver hangs up the phone, and Sirius' father chucks his phone at the wall.
"Mother fucker!"
His father looks around the room frantically until his eyes land on the painting.
"This stupid fucking painting!"
Lance grabs the artwork and smashes it against the wall. The painting splits in half and splintered pieces fly across the room. Lance snaps the halves into quarters on his knee.
He scatters the remaining pieces and attempts to cool his rampage. He turns in circles trying to catch his breath. Until his eyes land on Sirius.
"Sirius..." His brow furrows. He starts pounding up the steps toward Sirius. The boy cowers in place. "Your little painting and other stupid drawings are all utter trash! You hear me?! Stop wasting your fucking time on that shit and focus on something that actually matters!"
"..."
"You're not good at it, understand?! So just forget about it and move on." Lance turns back around and thumps down the stairs. "Fucking hell..."
...
What was he so angry at? Something trivial. Sirius never found out what, though.
"You said it was great... I had talent..."
Sirius walks back into his room and stares at the drawings in his notebook.
...
-Liar...
Age 16
December 24th, 2022
Snow is slowly drifting down from the sky.
It's a family gathering for Christmas Eve.
Almost everyone from his dad and stepmom's side are in attendance.
Everyone wears festive clothing and is happily conversing.
They all sit down at the large dining table and prepare to be served food. Sirius and Canopus sit beside each other, both hold a dull look in their eyes. A relative he doesn't know begins chatting with him, Canopus glares at the two of them.
Suddenly, Sirius' father stands from his chair and clinks on his glass of eggnog.
"Can I get everyone's attention please?" Everyone settles down and turns their attention to Lance. "Thank you. Before we pray, I would like to make a toast! To my two sons!"
Everyone looks over at Sirius and Canopus. The sudden wave of attention panics both of them.
"What?" Sirius questions.
Lance smugly smiles.
"You two are my pride and joy. Whenever life tries and knock me down, I always try to reflect and look at what I've been given. In this case, I've been given two marvelous children which I care for dearly."
"Bullshit..." Canopus mutters.
"Sirius, as my first son I've always had the greatest of hope for you. And I'm proud to say you have exceeded my expectations more than I could have ever dreamed. You always remain positive no matter the situation. You are kind, smart, funny, everything I could ever wish for."
"..."
Sirius masks his anger with a big grin.
"Canopus, I know it must be hard being Sirius' younger brother, but I can proudly say you are just as impressive as he is. While you are more on the quiet side, your charm and personality have been a pleasure to watch develop."
Wrinkles indent Canopus' nose. He's not masking his anger at all.
"..."
"I'm truly blessed to be able to call you both my sons. I'm sure your mother never tells you this, but I'm proud of both of you. And I love you wholeheartedly. Thank you."
The table erupts with clapping. Some people even cry. The relatives beside Sirius and Canopus embrace the boys.
"Your father is too kind. You both are so lucky."
"I wish I had a father like that! Haha!"
Sirius doesn't pay attention to their words. Instead, he eyes down his dad. The man is laughing with his uncle like he didn't say anything.
-Liar...
"Sirius, I heard your dad was looking for you out in the garage."
"Oh, okay, thank you."
Sirius heads outside and enters the garage. His father is messing with a wooden bench he's never seen before.
It's cold and bitter out here.
"Ah, Sirius! There you are! Did you like my speech earlier?"
"It was something..."
"Hehe, anyway, what do you think of this?"
"Where did that come from?"
"I made it myself! I bought the wood and all!"
"Wow..."
It's a finely made bench. It could safely pass off as professional.
"I was thinking of giving this as a gift to Sherm."
"Ah, I bet he'll like it."
Sirius has no idea who Sherm is.
"Right?! So, do you mind lifting up that side? We're going to bring it in and surprise him."
"Sure."
Sirius picks up a side of the bench and feels something underneath the armrest. Sirius bends down a little to see what it is.
A price tag.
...
Sirius continues to carry it inside.
Late that night, well after everyone has left, Sirius leaves his room to go to the bathroom.
His father and stepmother are arguing once again downstairs.
As Sirius makes his way to the bathroom, he spots Canopus sitting on the steps.
Canopus is listening to the two bicker. Putting his business on hold, Sirius sits down beside his brother.
Canopus shifts away from Sirius.
Sirius tunes into the argument unfolding.
"They don't deserve any of this shit!" It's their father's voice. "I bought it with all of my hard-earned money, why should I give anything to those two spoiled brats?!"
"It's Christmas! Don't you think they deserve something?!"
"No! They don't! They have never done anything I wanted them to do! It's infuriating!"
"Calm down... you shouldn't talk about your children like that..."
"I never asked them to be my children! I would gladly trade them for an actual competent kid! Sirius can't even get an A on a test anymore; Canopus never could to begin with! They are both so mind-bogglingly stupid it's driving me insane!"
"Lance! Cut it out! What if they hear you?"
"I don't give a shit! I hope they do! Maybe then they'll wake up and start doing something with their lives! Sirius had so much potential as a child, but now he thinks he can do whatever he wants and start half-assing everything! He's wasted everything I gave him!"
"..."
"But at least Sirius had potential! Canopus on the other hand... that boy is fucking useless! He'll be lucky to graduate! He doesn't talk to anyone! What's even the point of living at that point?!"
"Settle down... you don't mean that..."
"Agh! Fuck this! I'm going to go clear my head!"
"Wait-!"
The front door slams shut, and their father's presence leaves the house.
Canopus looks dead inside. His eyes are empty and hollow. He stares at nothing.
Sirius is unphased. None of what his father said surprises him.
The quiet nothingness consumes the home. The brothers sit on the stairs in agonizing silence.
Sirius thinks back to what his father said during the gathering...
-Liar...
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
"My father..."
"..."
"I hate him. I hate my father."
"Oh..."
"He's a horrible person... He fed me lies and inflated my ego... But I guess I was the fool for believing those lies..."
"...Sorry, I must have brought back some bad memories."
"No, you're alright..." Sirius puts a hand to his forehead. "I shouldn't say I hate people, should I?"
Sirius remembers Kynn's words.
-'I try not to hate people. Sometimes, people just are, you know? People are impulsive and reactionary. They do things without meaning to or realizing the consequences.'
"Is it wrong to hate someone?" the boy asks.
"Everyone has their reasons for acting the way they do... or lack of reason."
"...That's pretty stupid." The king's son looks at Sirius. "Can I tell you something? Something I've never told anyone before, not even my father."
"...Of course."
"...I hate people. Everyone."
"..."
"For my entire life, I've been looked at. Stared at for being my father's son. I'll be the next ruler of Alsi, so everyone has these expectations of me. I love my father, more than anything, but... I hate those eyes."
"..."
Something inside Sirius stirs. This boy's words are resonating.
"People are cruel. Disgusting. They laugh at you, mock you behind their backs. I've tried to care about other people... but it always leads back to the same thoughts: Do the people I care about, care about me?... No. They don't. No one but my father."
"..."
Sirius turns his head to the boy. Sirius is relating to almost everything he's saying.
"Apart from my dad, no one understands me. So, I isolate myself. Through isolation, I can never be hurt. I don't need to worry about others."
"..."
"Ah, sorry. I don't know what I'm saying. Just forget about it-"
"No, no, I get it. I get it..."
The son smiles.
For the first time in his life, he feels understood.
Because he is.
"Thank you, Sirius..."
"Hm? I didn't do anything..."
"No, you did... thank you. I've finally found someone who will listen."
Sirius gives the boy a gentle smile.
"..."
"Well, I should probably head back. I-I hope to talk with you again..."
"Mm, me too."
"B-bye!" The boy turns around and starts running down the hill.
"Wait!"
"Huh?" The young boy turns around to face Sirius.
"I don't think I caught your name."
"Oh... it's Quilo."
Sirius gives the boy another smile and a wave.
The boy turns back around and scampers off through the snow.
Sirius looks out across the outpost, the snow dancing around him.
"Those words weren't a lie...
Right?"
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
"I got the gloves!"
"Ah, thank you."
Aureole skips inside the medical hut and hands Pholy the gloves.
Pholy turns to a young boy lying sick in his bed.
"Here you are," Pholy gives the gloves to the child. "Gloves just like you wanted."
The small boy's face lights up and he quickly puts on the gloves.
The boy inspects the gloves with a massive smile on his face.
"Thank you! I love them!"
"You're welcome. Don't tear them, okay?"
"Okay!"
Pholy gives the boy a sweet smile and turns back to Aureole.
Aureole has a motherly look on her face.
"You're such a sweet soul..."
"You're the one who got the gloves. You're an angel yourself."
"I don't know about that..."
The two begin their way to a bench on the side of the room.
"Hey, Pholy, do you think Sirius is acting off?"
"Hm, well he's always been a little off..."
"That's true," Aureole giggles.
"I'm more concerned with the other one."
"...Oh, that reminds me, Korlin was in the shed."
Pholy and Aureole make their way to the bench along the wall. They sit down and resume their chat.
"He was, huh...?"
"Mm, he locked himself in there. He seemed really disheartened. And tired."
"Hm... oh, I've been meaning to ask... are you alright?"
"Hm? Why wouldn't I be?"
"You've just seemed a little bummed lately. Did something happen?"
"...You see right through me, don't you?"
"Is it because of the trading situation?"
"No, it's not that... I'm surprisingly not that stressed about all the political talk. Actually, I kind of like it here. No one besides the king knows I'm royalty. It's oddly freeing..."
"Then what?"
Aureole looks around the hut. She specifically focuses on the battered warriors.
"I just feel like I'm not doing enough. Everyone else is fighting and risking their lives, while I'm stuck acting like a princess."
"You basically are a princess."
"I know..." she moans. "I just-"
cough
Aureole's throat erupts and releases a flurry of coughs. She covers her mouth with her arms, making sure no one can tell how painful it is.
The fit concludes and Pholy sets her hand on her friend's back.
"How's your throat doing?"
"Mm..." Aureole regains her composure and places her hands on her collar. She slowly slides it down. As the collar falls and her skin uncovers, cracks begin to reveal.
While they are hard to notice unless one really looks, black, thin cracks are etched into her skin just above the clavicle. There are three of them. It's as if her skin is being chipped away from the inside out.
"It's getting worse..." Aureole says. "This one formed only recently."
"...We'll figure something out. I'm sure there's a way to cure it."
"..."
"When you do become queen, I bet there will be a healer more than capable of healing you."
"...Yeah. I hope so. When I become queen..."
An air of sadness wraps itself around the girls.
"..."
"Pholy, do you think... I'm a likable person?"
"Oh Aure, this again?"
"I know, I'm sorry... but..."
Pholy leans over and wraps her arms around the girl. She tightens her hug and rests her head on Aureole's shoulder.
"You're a loveable person. More so than anyone else."
"I can't even use blessings properly..." her voice is cracking. "I'm useless..."
"That's not true. You just being here makes me feel better. And who cares if you can use blessings? Who cares if you're useful? I like you because you're you. Not because of what you can do..."
Aureole tightens her hug, feeling Pholy's warm embrace one more time, before releasing the hold.
"Thank you, Pholy..."
"You're such a baby," Pholy teases, poking Aureole on the forehead.
"Shush."
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
Darkness overtakes the outpost. The moon peeks through the clouds, glistening the fallen snowflakes below.
Sirius makes his way through the torchlit paths, until eventually arriving at Kynn's house.
Sirius notices the footsteps around the shed and walks toward the door. He tries to slide it open, but the door is locked tight.
Sirius knocks on the door.
"Hello?"
...
No response.
"Is someone in there?"
...
Sirius gives up on the door and starts heading to Kynn's house.
Just as he is walking away, the door to the shed slides open.
Turning around, Korlin stands in the doorway. He motions Sirius inside and disappears into the walls.
Sirius hesitantly follows.
...
Korlin sits down on his creaky bed.
"Are you doing alright?" Sirius asks, heading for his bag.
"Mm, I'm fine."
"...Your eye looks better. Did you get it healed?"
"Yeah..."
...
Awkward silence corrupts the air.
...
meow
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Do I sound like a cat to you?"
From the open shed door, in walks a white, fluffy cat.
"A cat...?"
The feline waddles across the room and jumps on Korlin's bed.
Korlin reaches over and begins petting the soft kitty. The cat rubs into the boy's hand and sits down in his lap.
Korlin smiles softly.
"Do you like cats, Sirius?"
"Mm, they're cute... I assume you're a cat person?"
"What gave it away?" he meekly chuckles. "...I had two. But one day they both got out of the house and..." Korlin's smile disappears.
"..."
"Did you have any cats?"
"I had one when I was younger... but... things happened."
"..."
Korlin continues petting the cat, not taking his eyes off it.
Sirius sits down on his bed.
"Forgive me if I'm wrong but... you don't actually hate dogs, do you?"
"..."
"You're scared of them."
...
"...You're right," his voice is cold and emotionless. "And I'm tired of being scared."
"Scared of dogs?"
"Scared of everything."
"..."
"I'm always terrified. I thought I left my fear behind me. I promised myself I would stop being scared and yet... here I am."
"..."
Sirius contemplates asking what he's scared of. But decides against it.
"Did you have a dog, Sirius?"
"Oh, I..."
...
...
...
"I..."
The heavy weight of reality descends upon Sirius.
The crushing tide of time seems to have stripped yet another thing.
"...I don't remember..."
...
"Oh..." Korlin feels a wave of guilt.
Sirius digs through his mind.
He remembers going to a vet. Sitting in a waiting room, hearing the buzzing of ceiling lights. He remembers his mother crying. He remembers his brother crying.
He remembers being still. He remembers a lack of tears coming out of his eyes.
He remembers the drive home. His mother telling him it's okay to cry.
He remembers the next morning. That there was a void in place of something unseen.
But what?
...
He remembers his mother approaching him. She has a shoebox in her arms.
He remembers feeling happy. It wasn't too long after his father left their cat to die.
...
Sirius places his hand over his mouth. His eyes dart around the room, searching for something to trigger his memory.
But nothing does.
-Why don't I remember? Did I have a dog? What was their name?
...
"Sorry," Korlin injects. "I didn't mean to trigger anything. I wasn't thinking-"
"It's alright... it's alright..." Sirius half ignores what the boy says. He continues digging through his mind.
Korlin buries his face in the cat's fur.
"Sorry..." the fluff muffles his voice.
Sirius takes a deep breath. His heart is beating rapidly. He rubs his eyes and takes another breath.
-Calm down...
"Don't worry about it... it obviously wasn't something important if I forgot it."
"..."
"It's not like I'd be able to see the dog again if it exists, it's probably best if I don't remember."
"..."
"..."
"Why won't I forget things...?"
"What?"
"You've lost so many memories in such a short time... All I've seemed to forget is sunflowers."
"You want to forget things...?"
"...I don't know."
Korlin shrinks in place. He looks so frail. Tired. The cat leaps out from his arms and leaves the shed.
"..."
Sirius doesn't know what to say. He's still hung up on the possibility of forgetting a dog.
"...Sirius."
"...Yes?"
"...How would you describe me as a person?"
"..." Sirius thinks back on his time with the boy. "From what I've seen... I'd say you're a passionate person."
"Passionate..."
"Someone who acts on what they want, someone who doesn't always think straight, someone who is slightly irrational and impulsive."
"Hey now-"
"But also, someone who has a good heart. A selfish one perhaps, but there is a kindness."
"...So that's how you see me huh... Is that what you think I feel I am?"
"I'm sure who I just described isn't the real you."
"..."
"You said it yourself, didn't you? We're alike. And if so... I know you're hiding."
A smile spreads on Korlin's face.
"Thank you, Sirius."
Sirius smiles as well.
"..."
"...After I told you to just be yourself, you're still hiding, huh?"
"Eh... sorry. I'm trying to do better. It's just hard..."
"I know... I'm just messing with you. I'm supposed to be helping you too."
"..."
"...I already asked Pholy and Aureole but... I want to hear what you think."
"...?"
"...Do you think I can become someone admirable?"
...
"Maybe..."
"..."
Sirius stands up and grabs his things.
"I'm going to get ready for bed."
"..."
Sirius heads over to the door.
Korlin sits quietly, curled into a ball. A determined look swells within his eyes.
Something about that look doesn't sit right with Sirius.
"...Can I trust you not to do anything rash?" Sirius asks.
"...Maybe."