Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 78: Washed Away Memory~

Leora led Jiu out of the nursery, holding his hand as they walked. She led him to a parlour on the same floor, the one which Jiu recognised to be frequently closed off...the one Leora had summoned him in.
"Come, you can say hi to my mummy and daddy," Leora beamed.
She pulled Jiu into the parlour where his whole experience at Mohan manor had begun. It was completely different. None of the objects were hidden under white sheets, and the room was significantly light. The designs around the room were ornate and exquisite, it was ashame they'd closed it off after the assassination. Sat on the divan was Vincent and Emmeline Mohan. Emmeline was sat a piano, playing a tune, and Vincent was nearby; humming along to it, occasionally smoking in-between.
"Mummy, daddy, look at my new friend!" Leora beamed excitedly.
Both parents glanced over at where Leora gestured that Jiu had been standing, however it was clear by their vacanctly confused expressions, they couldn't see Jiu. It seemed only Leora was able to actually see him, he wondered why that was. The two parents were unfazed, and brushed it off as Leora having an imaginary friend.
"Ah, I see, your friend, hm," Vincent chuckled," And what is their name, dear?"
"Jiu!" Leora giggled.

Emmeline's eyebrows shot up," Oh my, that's not a name you hear everyday, is it?"
"Have you been reading your brother's books?" Vincent chuckled, leaning forward on his knees," I'm pretty sure that's an Asian name, isn't it, from er... let's see... Malaysia? No, ohhh, give daddy a moment, he'll remember..."
Jiu sighed aloud," China."
"China!" Leora chirped at her father.
"Yes, that's right!" Vincent clicked his tongue, nodding adamantly, before his expression changed to confusion," How did you know that, love?"
"Jiu told me," Leora smiled.
"He did, did he?" Emmeline smiled, still playing the piano in the background," Well, he sounds like a good friend to me, dear."
"Good friend indeed," Vincent hummed," Does he perhaps want to join us for a moment?"
Vincent was clearly hinting to Leora for her to spend time with her parents. The toddler glanced at Jiu.
"I don't mind," Jiu smiled, in truth, he was quite curious about her parents.
Leora pulled him along, sitting him on the divan beside her father. Vincent picked Leora up and sat him on his lap, stubbing his cigarette out when the toddler coughed a little from the smell.
"Your mummy is good at playing, isn't she?" Vincent smiled, gently rocking his daughter to the music.

Leora nodded with a giggle. Jiu couldn't help but watch Emmeline play, his expression soft. She truly did look like a much calmer Leora, they were so alike it was slightly uncanny. In a way, he felt he was looking at Leora moreso when he looked at Emmeline, rather than the toddler.
"What song is this?" Jiu murmured.
Leora glanced up at her father," Daddy, Jiu wants to know what song this is!"
"Then tell him it's a song mummy and daddy made up when they fell in love," Vincent smiled, nostalgically.
Leora glanced at Jiu," Daddy says it's a song they made when they fell in love."
"Thanks, I heard anyway though," Jiu deadpanned at the toddler's cluelessness.
"You know daddy and mummy used to dance to this all the time," Vincent smiled.
Leora's eyes shone.
"You did?"
He nodded.
"Lucky," Leora puffed her cheeks," I wish someone would dance with me, daddy."
With a groan, Vincent got off the sofa and pulled Leora up. He set her feet on his, and held her hands, guiding her to dance. Emmeline chuckled, continuing to play the music, as her husband and daughter 'danced'. Despite it being sloppy, Jiu couldn't deny the wholesome ache in his heart he felt, watching it.

"Ugh, your little feet, Leora," Vincent groaned, plopping her onto the floor once the song had finished," Mind not digging those little claws into daddy's feet next time?"
Leora giggled, nodding. Emmeline glanced at their daughter, smiling softly.
"You know, Leora. If you like dancing to a special song, I'm sure you'll find that special someone in the future to dance with you. If they love you, they'll do it."
Leora's eyes shone, innocently. Jiu blushed, glancing away, recalling their midnight dance, and the more recent dance on the patio during Henry's wedding.
"Ah, I thought someone was watching us," Vincent chuckled, looking at the doorway.
The door was slightly cracked open, a familiar, moody boy watching; his eyebrows furrowed.
"You want a dance too, Harry?" Vincent smiled at his son.
Henry glanced away, gloomily," No, not particularly."
"Then perhaps one with your mum? Maybe it's too weird to dance with your old man."
"I said no."
"Ugh, too old for your parents, hey? Then maybe give your little sister-"
"I said no!" Henry snapped.
Vincent blinked in shock, before his expression darkened slightly. Henry scowled. Leora stared at her feet. Emmeline glanced nervously at her husband. Jiu gulped, watching, tense.

"Do you..." Vincent gritted his teeth.
Emmeline frowned, worried," Dear-"
Vincent glared down at the boy,"...have any idea who you're talking to?"
Henry's determined expression wavered.
"Apologize."
"I..." Henry muttered," I'm sorry..."
"Sorry who?"
"..."
"Sorry who?"
"I'm sorry, dad."
Vincent's expression softened, he rubbed his temples, letting out a long sigh. The man collapsed onto the sofa, nearly accidentally depositing himself in Jiu's lap; only narrowly missing.
"Henry, come join us," Emmeline smiled, weakly.
Henry's gaze shifted over his mother and father, before finally landing on the toddler. Jiu didn't like the way he seemed to look at Leora. Always sulky, as if her very existence offended the very being of his nature. Leora let out a barely audible whimper, as he brushed past her in a cold manner. Jiu swiftly got off the sofa before the child of Henry could sit on him, and went over to Leora, gently grasping her shoulders.
"Let's go play elsewhere..." Jiu murmured, comfortingly.
The toddler let the ghost guide her out of the room, watching her parents and brother go back to what they had been doing. As soon as she turned away from the sight, their memory washed away like nothingness.