Dragonfire: Celestia

Chapter 3: The Letter

There was a knock at the door. But who could it be? Chichi-Chichi wasn't expecting visitors... "Who is it?" He asked. He was hardly a child at the time. "Chichi-Chichi...it's me. It's Xiuying." A Voice from the other side of the door said. He opened it excitedly, and smiled when he saw her! She had dark brown hair, down to her waist, with brown eyes. She was quite pretty. She wore dark silver armor, suggesting that she had either just returned from, or was preparing to go to battle. "Aunt Xiuying!" Chichi-Chichi exclaimed, smiling brightly! But her expression was dark. Chichi-Chichi's father was her best friend, and thus he knew her quite well. But he wasn't there like he usually was when she visited. "Where's Papa...?" Chichi-Chichi asked. A tear ran down Xiuying's cheek. She held out her hand, revealing something in her palm. It was half of a golden pendant. This belonged to his father... "I'm sorry..." She said. She got down on her hands and knees, and lowered her head to the floor. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry I failed..." She said. She was begging for forgiveness. "Papa..." Chichi-Chichi said. Tears began streaming down his face. Though he didn't want to believe it, he understood what had happened.

In the present, he was walking down a hallway. He was wearing the very same pendant, albeit that the pendant was complete. He was clutching it tightly. He rounded a corner, and bumped right into someone! "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" Chichi-Chichi exclaimed! The person he bumped into smiled. "No no, that was my fault. I wasn't paying any attention." He said. He had lighter skin, with blue eyes and shoulder length ginger hair. He was clean shaven, with skin as smooth as silk. He wore a white button up, with black suit pants and black loafers. He was rather slender, and tall. Chichi-Chichi felt slightly insecure standing before him. This was due to the fact that Chichi-Chichi was roughly five feet and three inches tall, while this Man was six feet tall at the very least. "Wow, you're tall." Chichi-Chichi said. He smiled on the outside, but on the inside he was in pain. "Albedo said I would grow more like...two years ago! Why hasn't it happened yet..." He thought to himself. The Man laughed.

"Thank you! Believe it or not, I used to be the shortest person in everything I did. People always made fun of me for it, but now I'm definitely on the taller side. I actually grew a lot more when I was around nineteen! I suppose you're never too old to grow, eh?" He said, "Maybe I still have a chance then..." Chichi-Chichi responded, "I'm sure you do! Never stop believing! You know, I don't think I've ever seen you around these parts." The Man said, "Oh yes, I live elsewhere in the Castle. But I'm visiting my cousin." Chichi-Chichi responded, "I see! Do you need any help finding them?" The Man asked, "Hmm...well...I might. The last time I actually went to their room was when I was nine, and I don't really remember the number. Do you know which room belongs to Albedo and Asami Aria?" Chichi-Chichi asked, "Of course! I can take you there. Follow me, it isn't far." The Man answered. He began leading Chichi-Chichi down the hall. "So, what's your name?" The Man asked, "Chichi-Chichi, how about you?" Chichi-Chichi answered, "Ooh, that is a unique name! Mine is Azur Cyril. Though Cyril is my first name, Azur is my family name." The Man said, "Cyril, huh? That is an interesting one. I've read about some places that have surnames placed before their first name. Where do you come from?" Chichi-Chichi asked, "I'm from a land far from here. A dry place, filled with heat and...not much else. There, we place surnames before our first names as a tradition. The same tradition as the celebrity...what is her name...Kanna Midnight? She was also born in that place, and thus her family name is actually 'Kanna.' While her given name is 'Midnight.'" Cyril answered.

"I see! That is interesting. I was born and raised right here in Celestia." Chichi-Chichi said, "A native, eh? Does your name have a special meaning?" Cyril asked, "Well, my parents initially thought I was going to be a girl. They even designed my room for a baby girl before I was born. The name they chose was 'Chika.' But...when I was born, it turned out I was a boy. So they took the syllable 'Chi,' and named me 'Chichi-Chichi.' So it is more of a meaningless name, I suppose." Chichi-Chichi answered, "Wait...you're not a...err, sorry. That probably sounded so disrespectful!" Cyril exclaimed, "It's okay, I get mistaken for a girl all the time. I've been asked out by like...twelve boys who mistook me for a female in class!" Chichi-Chichi responded, "You know, I also often get mistaken for a girl. But it's not like we choose the way we look. It's who we are that counts, right? I think you have a very kind soul. And that is what you should always focus on. Don't let other people bother you over things like that. It is YOU who counts. And the friends you make along the way, well those are bonuses, right?" Cyril asked, "You sure are nice for someone I just met..." Chichi-Chichi said, "Oh, my apologies! I'm actually a doctor. I work with a lot of kids and teenagers who struggle over things like that. I didn't mean to seem presumptuous." Cyril responded, "It's fine. I understand." Chichi-Chichi said. Cyril stopped by a door. "Well, here we are." He said, "Thank you!" Chichi-Chichi exclaimed, "No problem! I'm glad to help any time I can." Cyril responded. With that, he took his leave.