Finding Space | AvA/AvM one shots

Outside the Spotlight

We know what the king went through in AvM Episode 30, but what did those in his neighbourhood think? Here's my take.

In this story, multiple original characters narrate from their point of view. I've included a "cast" list in the end notes. Hope you enjoy! :)

***

Jean:
He had a son once. No, not the same person who's living with him now. I'll get to that later. The two of them moved here... oh dear... it must've been five or six years ago. Celeste wasn't here yet, I know.

Jared:
I usually don't remember how I meet people, but the kid was an exception. I'm next door, and I was doing some gardening in front and Jean was by to talk about something or another, and this young kid runs across the lawn to say hi to us. Told us with a big grin that his name's Gold. Pointed to his house and said his dad was Tas.

Jean:
I distinctly remember Gold saying that Tas wasn't his dad's real name because it was a secret. He looked so adorably proud about it too! And then his dad came to get him. The stick gave a quick "hello" before pulling Gold back to their lawn. It took several more chance meetings before we managed a proper introduction. If I remember correctly, it was very quick, but we did learn that he wanted to be called Tas.

Celeste:
Honestly when I moved next door about a year later, Tas just didn't... he was... I dunno, he didn't seem very likable the first few times I met him. He was always very polite but honestly sort of aloof. It took longer to establish some kind of relationship with him than with the college kids down the way who've come and gone over the years. Me working long hours didn't help either. But Tas was pretty decent in his own way once you got to know him a bit.

Pery:
Our neighbourhood's pretty close, so it was pretty noticeable that they — well, Tas for sure — didn't interact too much with the rest of us. We'd see them around on walks or occasionally when we'd do neighbourhood picnics. There aren't many kids in the area, that might've been why. Always thought that was a shame.

Ghos:
Gold was super friendly with everyone. Even Wist, grumpy old fellow he was, would soften up when the kid ran by and waved hello. I had never seen Old Wist smile so much.

Jared:
That kid, you just couldn't help but smile when he was around. Reminded me of when my young ones were that age.

Jean:
Tas though... I have never met a stick of such few words. Gold could always get him to smile though, or even laugh. I'd see the two on walks and Gold would run circles around Tas, and Tas would watch with a smile.

Even when Gold got a bit older and a bit calmer — only a bit, mind you — he always had this big smile and an enthusiastic "hello" for everyone. Which was why...

Jared:
That night... I've been here for a long time and nothing had ever been so bad.

Ghos:
That was a terrible night. It must've been three in the morning. Pery and I woke up to a bunch of noise outside.

Celeste:
The flashing lights woke me up. There were police cars outside. When I got outside, I saw a police stick helping Tas out of the car. I hurried over and saw that Jared was coming too.

Jared:
We asked the police what in the space happened. They said there was a freak accident and that Gold had died. I remember Tas looked empty, like there was nothing inside. He didn't say anything, barely seemed to see us, but moved when we directed him to walk to the house.

Ghos:
We made it outside just in time to see him leave the police car. Some of the others — Pepper, Forrest, Jean, I think — were out there too. We wanted to help, but Celeste and Jared told us to give him some room and let them handle things.