Wanderer's Collection

Chapter 2 - Old Acquaintance, New Stranger

      His mother. How unlucky could he be?! How could he meet the one person he was praying he would never have to face again?! Fate was cruel to him. And yet, the way she was looking at him with a puzzled and somewhat curious expression reminded him that she didn't know who he was. However, the horror look he gave her saddened her a bit.
      "Are you ok? You look a little lost. I'm sorry if I scared you." she looked apologetically at the young man that was horrified upon laying his eyes on her. She was already used to people being scared of her, as she was not known as a gentle god that would go out to greet her subject, yet it still hurt whenever she saw a terrified expression. "I'm fine. Totally fine. Ahem." the boy cleared his throat trying to gain his composure and not let weakness be shown. "I'm Raiden Ei. You're not from around here are you? I don't think I've ever seen you before." "Well of course you haven't, you don't even remember me..." he mumbled under his breath quietly so the purple haired woman wouldn't hear him. ("But why would she introduce herself with her full name and not <<the electro archon>>, <<the god of eternity>>, blah blah blah?") thought the living puppet. She couldn't have had such a drastic change in personality? Then again, he never got to know her.
      "Do you want me to show you around? I have quite some time to spare and I wasn't exactly sure what to do with it." she said giving him a small smile. He widened his eyes a bit upon seeing that. He didn't exactly know she was more than a stone cold betrayer. "No thank you, I know exactly what I'm doing and I don't need a tour." he huffed, looking away from her. Who did she think she is? Even if she doesn't remember him that doesn't mean she can go and act like an angel now. Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and started walking in the direction of the city. Realizing he was literally being dragged, he looked back at her to see her back as she was continuing to walk as if he didn't weigh a thing.
      "W-What are you doing?! Let go!" he couldn't believe she had the audacity to touch him and drag him around like a little kid. "Come on now, you don't need to pout, we're just taking a walk. I really want to show you around, you're a visitor after all and Inazuma is so beautiful, I want to make sure you feel welcomed here." she looked over her shoulder and gave him a closed eye smile. Was this really the tyrant that started the vision hunt decree? He was absolutely stunned, which is why he still let her drag him around as she showed various aspects Inazuma City had to offer: the blacksmith, the stalls with food and goodies, even the place that used to sell Shogun dolls back when the Irodori Festival was in place. The little stall with dango milk which made Ei purchase a few more bottles while saluting the owner and the rest of the people they passed by. The Wanderer looked drained but he never imagined he could see a mundane electro archon, actually happy and kind. Now he can say he saw them all.
      "So tell me about you. I didn't catch your name. What brings you here? Are you looking for someone? Maybe I can help." the bombardment with questions caught him off guard, but he could still keep his bad attitude and unfriendly demeanor. "That's 'cuz I never got to tell you because you dragged me around like a dog!" the last part came a bit louder than he intended, but as long as she understands that he's not a cuddly little boy is fine by him. "Oh..I'm sorry, I guess I got a little distracted..." she trailed tearing her eyes off of him and looking down at the ground. Wanderer was confused but did not question her rather sad tone. "Whatever...I'm just a wanderer and that's how I go by." he huffed, also looking at the ground. She raised her head and stretched her arm forward. "Nice to meet you." he looked back at her to find her arm waiting for a shake. He hesitated. If he shook her hand, that would mean he would be okay with starting over. But was he?
      After contemplating for a while, he gave in. He was supposed to start over. He didn't have to have a friendship with her. He didn't have to interact with her anymore after this day. So just closing this chapter and moving forward would be the best and most mature choice. He also stretched his arm forward, albeit a little bit shaky, but he managed to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you too, I guess." of course, he couldn't forget his personality at Sumeru. At that moment, a single, soft tear fell from the woman's eye. He widened his own eyes as more tears fell. Upon realizing she was crying, Ei retracted her hand to wipe her tears. "...Why are you crying?" he moved his head but still side-glanced her. He couldn't believe nor understand the archon was actually crying. "I'm sorry, this has happened for quite some time..." she sniffed, trying to compose herself yet she failed. "Can I tell you a secret? I haven't even told my friend yet." he wasn't exactly sure why would she want to tell a stranger her secret, but that might be just the right way to let go of some burden while making sure the people that know you won't judge or...betray you. Nevertheless he nodded.
      "For quite a while, I could say, a few days, I've felt this hole in my heart. I feel like I lost someone important but the thing is...I can't remember. I can't remember how or who did I lost...I don't know which is worst. The fact that I lost them or the fact that I can't even remember them? How they were...how they looked like...what their name was...I can't remember anything and I tried so much..." the archon confessed as she sobbed and sniffed. The Wanderer was stunned with his eyes as wide as the sun and moon.