Lazarus Peirsaly

16. An Interlude of Love

I wake up and immediately check the mirror. The horrid mark is truly gone. I thought maybe I was too tired or something, but there's truly nothing there. Now I can go back into a bland life of repetition without the interference of an otherworldly entity. How strange, this should be good for me, yet I think of it as a terrible scenario. Without someone giving me guidance even in such a threatening way, I doubt I'll ever care enough to better myself. Well, I better get ready for work.

The day passes. I feel unfulfilled.

Another day goes by. I feel bored.

A third has ended. I feel like I should feel more.

Then another. And another. I lose track of them. Has it been weeks? Maybe a month. At least less than two months. I do recall attending another monthly gathering to see Hiev, so probably just around one. I feel nothing.

One bland day that I spend with Hiev, she notices how uninterested I've become.

"Ansietria... Have things been difficult for you?"

"No."

"Have you lost someone?"

"No."

"Have you tried anything new since that day where you laid your thoughts bare for me?"

"No."

"I see... So you grow tired of this mundane life you live... You become more and more despondent each day. Your smile is tainted more and more each day. There is a coldness to it, instead of the warmth one would enjoy."

"I guess."

"That is just the way you are, I suppose. Because you cannot feel the pain of your situation, those close to you will feel it for you... And I have felt it deeply. Please, let us do something together." She gently takes my hands in hers.

"Sure."

"You still haven't snapped out of it?" She plants a kiss on my cheek and shakes me. My eyes widen and I realize where I am.

"Oh, sorry. What do you have planned?"

"Tomorrow is a day where you needn't go to work, yes?"

"Yeah, I have the day off."

"Let us spend time together in town. We have rarely stepped foot off of this hill while in each other's presence."

"Is that fine for you? With you being an Eneteo and all."

"If it will lift the darkness that lays within you, then I can bear anything."

"There's no darkness in me. And you could be killed in a riot."

"I have you to protect me, don't I?"

"I'm not really that strong. But if you're set on it, I won't stop you."

"Then let us meet here again on the morrow. I feel a little excited to finally venture across the streets with you."

"Goodnight then."

She kisses my cheek and I hug her as per tradition, parting ways afterwards. Taking her into the city... I do have some coin saved up because I don't have much to spend on. Food, rent and the occasional splurge after being roped into buying something by Sally or Vela. They drag me out of my mindless laying in bed on my days off. I assume Synlie tipped them off about my address, and the kind receptionist led them to me. I walk into a wall while I'm thinking about tomorrow. Ouch.

"Good evening! Out late again?"

"You ask the same thing every time, and it's obvious that I was considering the time I come back."