Once everyone had gotten over the excitement, they went back inside and generally ignored him. Except for me.
I slowly walked up to him, and tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around with a confused look on his face.
"Hello, Gardener Krusis. My name is Youngling Mestika. But you may call me Lillia." I introduced myself shyly.
He still looked confused.
"Why are you confused, Gardener Krusis?" I asked him quietly.
"For Rilo's sake, do not call me 'Gardener Krusis!' It's just so... so... cold. Call me Leol. And I'm confused because of how weird your people are! They seemed so excited when I arrived, but now they won't even say hello! I mean, what is this?" He blurted out.
"Well, Gar-, er, Leol, they, um... I don't know. But I'm talking to you." I replied, stuttering. "Why don't you come meet Kev- Handler Yehshi and Aritist Mazwik."
"Fine! At least I'll know three people!" Leol followed me, grumbling, over to where Keva and Raji were sitting in a corner. "Handler Yehshi! Artist Mazwik! Meet Gardener Krusis."
Keva looked at Leol. Leol looked at Keva. And they bursted out laughing.
"What?" I asked, looking between the two.
"Oh, Lillia, you're so formal!" Keva exclaimed, still chuckling.
"Fine." I grumbled, my face red. "Keva, Raji, this is Leol Krusis, the Gardener." Leol smiled lightly and stuck out his hand to shake with Raji. Raji scowled at him and Leol took his hand back. I stared at Raji, open-mouthed with surprise and disgust.He noticed his gaze and backed away slowly.
"Er.... Nice to meet you, Keva!" Leol said much more timidly.
"Hello, Gardener Krusis," Keva replied mockingly."How's the weather here, Handler Yehshi?" Leol asked in the same mocking tone.
"Guys!" I whined, "Stop it!"
"Stop it!" Keva imitated me, making an exaggerated pouty face.I sighed and rolled my eyes, then said, "Come on, Leol, I'll introduce you to some people.
He smiled slyly but followed me. "So... Who else is there for me to know? I know you, Keva, Raji, your leader-""Leader. Just Leader." I corrected him.
"Right. Your home is so weird. I mean, back in Wahshatan-""Excuse me?""Wahshatan. My home. What do you call this place?" He looked at me.I furrowed my eyebrows. "I never really thought about it. It's just where we live."
"Back in Wahshatan, we call here 'Orgeni.'"
"Orgeni?" I repeated incredulously.
"Yep. Now, back to the task at hand. Who am I meeting?"I put my hand on my chin, considering. "How about Marzi?"He put his hands in his pockets and responded, "Fine."I led him down the hallway towards Marzi Pleos's room, when I felt a strange feeling in my chest.
I gasped, covering my heart, and fell down to the floor."Lillia!" Leol exclaimed. He knelt down beside me, frantic.
And then it went black.
⚔⚔⚔
"Come now, Youngling Mestika, don't keep me waiting." I woke with a deep voice in my ear. I opened my eyes and sat up quickly and suddenly felt dizzy, my head spinning. It was still black. Was I dreaming?
"No, you are not dreaming. Now rise from your stupor, girl."
Wait, what? How did this guy know her thoughts?
"Curious, I see. I am Rilo, the almighty Overlooker."
I gasped. Then it hit me."Is this... Is this my Lightening?" I asked, choking on the words.
"Yes, my daughter. It is. You shall gain your Control today." Rilo whispered."But, Ri- Overlooker, I- I thought that you merely, well Overlooked everything... Don't you, uh, doesn't the Lightening just happen? I've never, er, heard of you being present."
"Smart, too, I see." His rumbling voice chuckled in my head. "You are a special case, my girl. You are different. Powerful. You, Youngling Mestika, are the Messenger."
