The Shadows of Nature

5.2. Around

Nature was perfectly still.

The temperature was the ideal balance between hot and cold a few hours after it had rained, the sun making its presence known while the atmosphere remained cool. The breeze was minimal and refreshing. The colours of the flowers, the grass and the sky was punctuated and the presence of each of these elements brightened the environment, yet a slight haze of grey clouded everything to keep it faint. Nature had always been beautiful, but the little one found herself especially comfortable when she let her attention hold onto it. 

The presence of the Shadows was like a slight haze of grey, as it always was now. Only one felt transparent, as if the presence was minimum, an Iris was sure that him being by her side was why she felt such stillness. 

As the little girl stirred to see him out of the corner of her eye, and a question came to him.

"You wish you could have known your mother, don't you?"

Even though Iris could see that question come up in the conversation, especially with the shadow she conversed, hearing it out loud felt different. How exactly, she couldn't figure out.

She nodded once, her demeanour otherwise unchanged as she continued to look at the sky.

"I think that is a sentiment many people feel for a person at all sorts of stages in their existence. Even their mother. Sometimes they pass away before one can know them, sometimes only after a short amount of shared time, sometimes after a long time, and sometimes people just drift away. Perhaps people wish to know each other more even when they are alive."

The grass seemed to hold a little to Iris, but it gave her her space.

"I hope you never feel guilty about the manner of her death, little one. You never should."

At that, Iris shook her head firmly, much to Galen's relief.

Concerns he had for a dear friend seemed to linger even after all this time had passed, for someone else. Galen didn't think that was the case with Iris, but he had to make sure.

The older shadow smiled as the sunlight brightened, a layer of cloud parting to another space in the sky. The warmth that fell on them reminded him of yet another friend, someone who still carried some sorrow, even if he would have wished for that to not be the case.

"I had a friend whose birth was very similar to yours, only it was with one parent. He was one of the best people I have had the honour of knowing."

Galen wasn't sure why he was unable to say his name. There was no reason he could not.

"Coincidentally, he also had a connection to the Land of Grace."

Coincidentally, probably not. Iris already know who he spoke of, naturally. From the first sentence. She barely had any time with him, and the time she did have was so long ago that she could not remember much, but perhaps she did know him a little. It always surprised her how one person could affect the people she cared about the most so much. 

"He was a very curious person, that is for sure. He did many things without anyone else knowing, and I'm sure he knows many things that we do not know."

Galen let out a light laugh, the breeze accompanying it light but slightly cold. 

"I want you to make a promise to me. It is okay if you ever feel that you need to figure something out on your own. I know it is important that you learn in your own pace and manner. However, there is a line that shouldn't be crossed for everything. I am sure you will know what it is and that you will not cross it, but promise me anyway."

Iris wondered if the older shadow would ever stop being so concerned about everyone else. Perhaps he was always this way, or perhaps being around someone else made him like this. She found it endearing, but it made her concerned for him in return.

"I promise."

Galen once again was sure that Iris would never do such a thing, but perhaps this too was misplaced concern.

No matter how hard we try not to repeat our mistakes, we fail sometimes. Perhaps it isn't inevitable, but we all usually do. 

Galen was somewhat confused about why such worries came to him erratically. Things were going good, and no one was alone.

Everyone is alone, though.

That was a debate Galen didn't wish to get into.

By this time, Galen's presence had appeared to quite a degree, even if it was till more subdued than others.

Iris wasn't sure if it was natural or intentional. It was as if something was amiss, keeping Galen free in some sense and bound in another.

Suddenly, the little girl understood.

"Do you know what your friend who is similar to me might be doing, wherever he is?"

"None of us knowing anything. There might not even be a where or a when. But I am sure he is okay."

He.

"I wonder that about my mother, sometimes. I believe I know about the where and when and what, but I still wonder about the exact nature of it all. Very little."

Mother.

"But it comes up as a natural question."

Iris nodded. 

"You don't need to worry about her, Galen. She is okay, too."

Galen was surprised at the mention of his name, especially in her voice.

Voice.

He smiled and closed his eyes, and his presence faded a little.

"I know. I know she is the best, but I wonder sometimes anyway. Especially because of where she is now. Although I'm quite certain that she has already succeeded. There was never any doubt."

Still, just in case.

"You are admirable, Iris."

That was a line that took the little one by surprise, and she was unsure how to respond.

"I have done nothing."

Galen opened his eyes, remaining still.

Nature was beautiful, as always. Galen wondered if a time would come when it would not affect Shadow Beings. Perhaps it always would in changing ways, or perhaps they would all join its world, eventually.

He hoped he would be able to do whatever was needed in the future. More than that, he hoped to be able to recognise what that would be, and that it would be done properly.

He was okay, too, and he probably would continue to be. He couldn't help but be little confused, however. 

He had begun to wonder what exactly it was that they were doing, and why.