Forget

> “The memories we have are the only proof we can rely on. And yet, they’re so easily manipulated. When even history itself can be changed, what hope does the future have?” ~Alphazzel

“Hey, sorry it took a while. The Nightmare keeps distorting the signal, so we can only do voice for now. Everything alright over there?”

It was evening when Frill received a M.O.B.I.L.E. call. She had been worried sick and had talked herself in and out of rushing to the other side of the Rindea Mountain Range to find Princess Kristel and the others.

The sudden rush of memories of the Battle of the Vanguard caused chills to run up her spine and irrational reasons to cloud her logic. To struggle and panic, desperately searching for somebody only to find them lifeless and discarded on a corner somewhere… She didn’t want to go through that ever again.

“We’re fine. Xiv ate, washed, and slept the entire day,” she said, relief and decorum preventing her from bursting out from the top of her lungs. “I just did some maintenance in the manor.”

Even through voice only, Kristel caught her tone. “Sorry.”

She ignored the Princess’s apology. “Where are you? Are you coming home soon? I can prepare something to eat.”

“We’re fine. We managed to get support from the Atlas Sid. They just have to finish their round south of the Great Sea Dividyr, then they’ll round up for resupply in Minaveil. We’ll be back in about two to three days.”

“I’ll let Master Midan know so he can get things ready.”

“Hey. You sure, you’re alright? I know we haven’t talked much lately.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Princess. I’m not the one out there in the Nightmare Lands. Just please, promise me, you’ll take care of yourself.”

“Okay. I promise.”

“Please send my regards to Katherine and the others.”

“Sure thing. Good night, Frill.”

“Good night, Kristel.”

The Aria in Red sighed and focused on the positives. Atlas Sid provided the security of an entire militaristic force. It was the only vessel capable of venturing through the Nightmare Lands without any risk of engine failure. A half meiyal-crafted, half organic marvel that dated during the historic years of the Divine Severing. Something they couldn’t replicate, but fortunately enough, they didn’t have to.

With that, Frill eased her worries and breathed out a sigh of relief. She spent the next hour soaking in the tub of her modest bathroom—compared to the Princess’s at least.

When she was done, she slipped into a more casual and relaxed set of clothes then checked on Xiv one more time just in case he was awake for dinner. He was still fast asleep.

Frill sighed once again as she worked on the kitchen. She prepared the ingredients for a humble meal, but realized too late that she made too much for one person. She couldn’t let them go to waste so she cooked them anyway. Maybe she could share some with Bennie later.

With the meal—a slightly sour stew of meat and vegetables—simmering on the stove, Frill found herself with her own thoughts.

For the first time in her life…she was truly alone.

Silence, only mildly disturbed by the boiling pot and the nocturnal fauna. An absence of activity, a stillness of the mind. Cold and isolated in this lonely evening. Frill, right at this moment, didn’t know what to do.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

Her eyes drifted towards the purple shine of the night sky. Two moons danced with each other. Shinemoon, a brilliant blue and larger of the two, fully revealed in all her magnificence. As it was with the Darkmoon, smaller but more obvious with its crimson red. Together, these two painted the atmosphere with its soft, violet hues.

Frill couldn’t help but think how lucky those two celestial bodies were unlike her, stuck in a large manor with no one to talk to.

An idea would set in, but she would immediately reject them with what-ifs. She could call Kristel again, but the Princess would probably be too busy. She could call Katherine, anyone really, but they would all be preoccupied, probably. Her mind turned to Stiry, but it was already late and the yuma would most likely rather be with his mate who had recently lost her master.

Liona…

In a sudden onset of panic, Frill immediately shook her thoughts away from her late sister, but it was already too late. She couldn’t help but lament. Her purple eyes felt dry and pain bubbled up her throat. Her chest ached and a mild difficulty in breathing caused a staggered sigh.

She clenched her jaw as the pain formed to tears. All it took was a blink. A tear fell down her face and a sob broke the rest of the dam. She struggled to stifle her sobs, but there was nothing she could do.

She missed her sister so much.

Frill sobbed and wept alone on a table for four. She ignored the screeching pot. The pain hadn’t been this overpowering since the day Liona died. It subsided for a moment, allowing her to breathe. Then the emotions doubled and slammed on her mercilessly.

Frill completely broke down with the noise of the boiling pot to accompany her wailing sobs.

Until even the pot itself left her alone.

It took the Aria a few seconds to realize the silence.

Before she could turn, a firm hand held her shoulder. Xiv’s messy, dark red hair almost covered his worried charcoal eyes. He knelt on one knee so he was lower than her.

“Sorry,” he began to explain. “I couldn’t ignore it. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to be alone or not.”

Frill’s loneliness overshadowed her embarrassment. She tried to wipe away her tears, but they ignored her pleas to stop. Liona would’ve been here in a heartbeat if she heard her crying. Instead, a Vyndivalian came to support her.

Her desperate attempt to stop the tears proved futile. The emotions gathered into fury, blaming Xiv.

“Your war killed my sister,” Frill said through gritting teeth. Damning thoughts formed in her mind, but she felt powerless. Her meiyal refused to follow her burdened wishes. Stress had accumulated without her knowing, and they all plummeted down on her at the same time.

“Even now, I can see her in my dreams,” she continued. “I keep seeing a side of her I didn’t even know existed. I just wish, I can touch her one last time.”

Frill clung onto Xiv’s arms, her emotions fully taking over. She couldn’t help but shake and rely on this Vyndivalian man to keep her steady.

“I’m sorry.” That was all he said. And hold her was all he did.

Xiv remained in his awkward position until Frill finally brought herself back together. She didn’t know how long it took.

“Take a seat,” she said in between sniffles. “Let’s have dinner.”

Frill relied on her years of experience and prepared the table despite trembling hands. When Xiv offered to help, she refused him with an adamant stare.

It was a little overcooked, but stew could simmer and boil for a long while before the taste turned to ash. Frill didn’t bother reprimanding herself on it since it was all her fault in the first place. Still, she couldn’t help but sigh. Again…

Xiv, on the other hand, ate three full bowls without stopping and only relaxed as he took on a fourth.

The pot was halfway empty.

Despite herself, it made Frill smile.

Xiv caught her on instinct and embarrassment almost made her recoil.

But the Vyndivalian smiled as well. “I could eat this all day,” he said.

With tears still near the surface, Frill embraced the compliment and smiled even brighter. “Thank you.”

The company gave her appetite and they eventually finished the entire pot. This time around, Xiv insisted on helping her clean up. She let him.

“I’m sorry about your sister,” Xiv said after packing up the dregs and leftovers in a trash bin. Frill’s mood sank, but unlike earlier, she didn’t breakdown. She didn’t have the energy left for it.

“I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have brought it up. I just felt—”

“Have you lost someone, Xiv?” Frill interrupted. She finished wiping the bowls dry and started cleaning the sink.

Xiv didn’t reply for a while.

“My parents both died during a Void Encounter, the one that ate through south of Vyndival.”

“That was fairly recent. Three years?”

“Four.”

“My condolences.” When Xiv kept his silence, she continued. “Do you still think about them?”

“Always. Cordralym, my Armor turns to a pendant when Doffed. I have a picture of them inside.”

“How did you get over it?” Asking the question felt wrong. Frill didn’t want to hear the answer, but she hoped she could hear one she could accept.

“I didn’t.” Xiv sat and watched her make the finishing touches in the kitchen. “I couldn’t. It feels wrong to forget. I shouldn’t forget. It doesn’t really get easier, but you get used to it.”

Frill understood and she hammered those words into her memory. She shouldn’t forget Liona.

“Thanks, Xiv.”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied reflexively. “Anyway, where’s the Princess? I thought they’d be back by now?”

With new company to join her, Frill began to brew some tea for the long discussion she intended to have with Xiv.

----------------------------------------