Uncertainty had accompanied Kael ever since they left the restaurant, and with it, it's strange owner. He had been forced to make irreversible, life-changing decisions only a few times in his life, and this felt like another. His acceptance of magic in the alley had been trivial in comparison. What was he to do in response to Barbara's offer?
The strange, older woman with fiery red hair had just pulled up a nearby chair and sat down next to them as if it was the most natural thing to do. "You boys have made quite a bit of noise over the last few days. That seems to be your work. I take it?" She said to Martin before turning to Kael. "And how are you involved in all of this? Mhh, well you are here now, why are you looking for me?"
The shocked look on Martin's face when he heard she knew that they were looking for her made Kael feel a little better about the entire situation. At least he was not the only one feeling out of his depth. From there, Martin did most of the talking, only turning to Kael when he was unsure of how much he wanted to tell her. In the end, the story they gave to Barbara sounded fishy, even to Kael.
Leaving out much of the details also made the story far shorter. Barbara had kept quiet for the most part, only asking some clarifying questions here and there. When Martin finished his explanation, how he had heard rumors about someone willing to help struggling mages that ultimately led them here, only about half an hour had passed. All three of them fell into silence. Martin and Kael were waiting for Barbara's response in silence.
In the end, she made them an offer. In exchange for the full story, she would provide a place to stay and work for Kael. Regardless of how the rest turned. Only after listening to Kael's full story could she decide about his future training. She, of course, promised confidentiality. Then, without pressing them for an answer, she simply left just as quickly as she had appeared. He had been thinking about his decision ever since.
What were his alternatives anyway? Telling someone strange and unknown about himself in such detail and depth was not something to do lightly. Not to mention that he did not even know much in the first place. Had he had more time to consider back then, Kael wasn't sure how much he would have told Martin.
Three days had passed since their meal at the Feathery Delight, and Kael was still very much in distress about the decision. Weighing pros and cons against each other only got you so far. Even more so when most of the arguments were entirely speculative in nature. Was his possible affiliation with old man Jakobi a pro or a con? Was she acquainted with the people that had killed him? What kind of work would they expect of him? What if he let down the trust placed in him? What would Martin say? After all the hard work he invested in finding her.
Should he take Barbara up on her offer, he knew that he would have to tell her everything. Cooperation only worked in two ways, and while things might be unassuming to him, they might be of significance to her. He just did not know what he could hold back safely. Without a concrete way forward logically, he had decided to take his mind off of the problem for now.
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The morning was spent in the nearby park in a mix of meditation -and mana gathering, of course- and exercise. He had called it quits around midday, getting cleaned up and ready to see Lucy again. She was his driving force, after all. With summer in full force, he had decided to splurge a little on his comfort. At least the climatized bus that he took instead of walking made the journey somewhat bearable. There was still some time before the end of the school day when he arrived, and he chose to wait in a nearby coffee shop.
His eyes continually observed the street outside for any sign of his sister while sipping his coffee. Minutes passed as Kael observed the unlucky people outside. Walking in the sun just like he would have had. He only had to wait for ten minutes until Lucy and two of her friends walked along the other side of the road. The high temperatures seemed to hit them just as hard. They were dodging from shaded area to shaded area while laughing. Seeing his sister having the time of her life had him smiling too, only worrying slightly about the harsh sun. All too quickly, the trio had passed his field of view, and he was left alone again. It was time to go. Drinking the last of his beverage, he got ready to head home.
Walking down the busy road towards the bus stop, he came across a mother and her son. The boy complained about the heat. When it looked like the child would start to cry, the woman knelt down before her son and said: "I know it's hot, but we are there soon. When we are done at Jason's, let's get a milkshake, yes?" The mood of the child changed one hundred and eighty degrees almost instantly. His budding tears were gone and replaced by a smile rivaling the sun in its brightness. Something about the scene touched him deeply.
This was what it all came down to in the end, he thought. Memories of him standing in front of the freshly closed door to the home of his former best friend Erik came rushing back into his mind. The anger and disappointment he had felt that day faded through time and age. More and more memories of his past resurfaced. Scenes of his life that were so deeply buried in his mind that he had forgotten they were even there. Their mere presence once evoking anger and pain was too harsh for his young heart.
His mother made him breakfast even after they had a big fight the night before. The trusting look of his sister when he held her hand on the way to the orphanage. His father, taking him to the pool to learn swimming on one of his few free days. The face of the police officers when they told him of his parent's disappearance. Lucy, crying in his arms asking when mommy was coming home. The disinterest of the staff when he was left behind once Lucy got adopted.
Suddenly it hit him. It all came down to trust in the end. Regardless of how irrational it might have been, his trust had been broken. First by his parents for not coming back. Then again and again by people he once called friends, by the system, in the end, by life itself. With no one to blame, he could only look for the fault with himself. It was his fault that his parents left. He did not deserve to care for his sister, did not deserve to live in a house. Living on the street and experiencing pain in all its different flavors was his atonement.
Putting his feelings into words helped him decide on his next move. Hadn't he suffered enough? It was time to change. The fateful meeting with Jakobi was the catalyst that led to this opportunity. Did he trust Barbara to help him or not? There was no deliberating needed anymore, only action.
Slowly calm returned to his face. Strong and sure, his legs moved step by step forward. Eyes on his goal, he walked towards the bus stop. Looking over the displayed network, he quickly found his route. He would have to change lanes three times, but the trip would only take about ninety minutes in total. Long strides brought him the last few meters to his destination, his terminus. Here, one way or the other, he would begin a new part of his life. He still did not know if he deserved all of this, but only time would tell.
Opening the heavy oaken wood door, he stepped into the busy dining area of the Feathery Delight. The same man from their previous visit was tending the bar, and when he saw Kael walking towards him, he nodded in greeting. Reaching the counter, Kael opened his mouth and, with determination in his voice, said: "Hello, is Barbara in?"