Shadow Beings

50. The Sad Song

My eyes opened to see a happy Trina in the small kitchen of the infirmary, carefully chopping a few vegetables with great precision. Her lips were only slightly curved, or that's how it looked from the side, and her eyes were relaxed enough, perhaps even displaying a flicker of comfort.

My mouth formed a huge curve and although my eyes felt dead, I hoped that they looked happy.

Your eyes shine when they see the piano!

I laughed, earning a delighted look from Trina who towards me for a brief moment.

"I see you're out of your daze, Audrey." Trina's tone was light and she approached me with a black mug, the words "I am definitely not insane" written on it. Steam emerged from it, subtly clouding the lopsided grin on Trina's face.

"Here. Drink." Trina stretched her hand towards me and I accepted the mug, smiling with gratitude then immediately scowling at her choice.

"You just had to pick this mug," I said, rolling my eyes. Trina shrugged, nodding heartily as if that was obvious.

I stifled a laugh, remembering the I first time used it. Evelyn loved my behaviour when I "fell sick" - my energy levels shot to the sky, perhaps like when a technological device overheats - and she bought this mug for me so that I would use it whenever my body would reach a certain temperature and I'd get a "fever". She didn't want me to fall sick though, obviously.

I took a small sip, making that windy sound because the soup was hot and I had no intention of burning my tongue. Trina frowned and I merely laughed nervously, continuing to create noise.

Wind music!

The gentle taste of hot water and subtle bitterness from fallen tulsi leaves hit my throat, spreading the right amount of warmth throughout that area of my vessel. It was simple, perhaps something I didn't actually need but it somehow renewed my energy. Perhaps it was simply the work of thermal energy and satisfaction from taste; abstract translating to something physical.

An alleviating flavour, softly swirling inside such an odd existence, making it feel like it exists.

"You know," I started, taking another sip. "we should check up on Evelyn."

Trina nodded with a sigh, then smiled. "We should still wait for her to wake up. She needs her rest. You know she takes time to gather herself when she's feeling down, but it's understandable. She's always so busy trying to keep things lively, she's bound to get tired."

I nodded slowly, wearing a bitter smile. As much as I wanted to just comfort Evelyn right away, I knew that it wouldn't help her. She isn't comfortable with most people. Only Conrad could handle her since he's patient but still stern.

In that area, I wish I was like Evelyn. She could talk to anyone and uplift anyone with her nonsense or her sincerity. All I could do was listen.

Although, all that time ago, Ava said Holly liked it when I listened to her...

"Anyway," Trina stood up, brushing off her black skirt. "I'm going to go get Aurelia. Your face looks like gravity has shifted all of its focus there, and even your voice doesn't have that usual strength anymore. I'm sure she'll help."

I widened my eyes, shaking my head furiously while I put my mug on the table beside me, although I had to stop since my head had started to hurt.

"No! No don't call her, she needs to rest first. I'll ask her later. She's been running around everywhere anyway. Let her rest. I wanna play the piano anyway."

Trina rolled her eyes at me as if I were an insufferable kid. "No piano right now. You stay here and finish your drink, I'll get Aurelia."

I turned my smile upside down, taking the mug in my hands and sipping the still hot drink slowly. "Tell Jay and Ava to rest, they'll all mostly be in the main hall," I said, as she turned towards the door. "And I'm still telling you, let Aurelia rest."