Alvarez Shenanigans

Till Next Time

x799

In Vistarion Alvarez, deep in the mountains overlooking the great Palace, was a valley. Filled with fig trees and a roaring river, it was picture perfect. So tranquil and calm as if the rest of the bustling world didn't exist. If you were to travel to this secluded spot, you would find right in the center of the valley, beneath a huge oak tree, 3 graves.

One was a deep shade of azul, another made of colorful granite and behind those two brilliant stones, a mounted black gravestone . Beside that particular grave, you would always find a fresh bouquet of soft pink roses. Where they came from no one knew. Well, at least those who never cared to stay.

"It is summer now."

A man reached out to the grave, caressing it like one would with silk.

"How many years has it been? I've lost count..." His fingers reached the name that was carved into the obsidian slab. The edges were softened by the wind and rain. Perhaps with his daily visits as well.

"I have a new greenhouse, I adopted some tropical flowers. However, managing the conditions required to mimic the conditions of the tropics is problematic, Invel's temper hasn't improved." He finished tracing the first four letters.

"I met someone today." the man stated, looking up into the cloudless sky, "A small boy. Energetic, clever, mischievous, juvenile. Reminded me of you." He quieted for a few moments.

"Do you believe in reincarnation Wahl?" That perhaps the life "here" isn't the first or last life we live?" He finished tracing the last name, his forefinger hesitated on the last letter.

A small breeze picked up, tossing the man's long blond hair.

A chuckle escaped his lips.

"No, you probably would question from which end of the earth I thought of such an absurd idea from. You would probably exclaim why contemplate about strange unearthly possibilities if I can think about the present...this moment right here and right now."

Another chuckle died in his throat. He grew silent. Lifting his hand off the grave, he glared at it.

"You know what's funny?" His voice cracked, "I always used my magic to fabricate the forms of people's enemies, loved ones, those that they lost to tragedy. I would then laugh as they struggled to find it in their hearts to hurt those Historias, or in some cases, tremble in fear as the Historia of their adversary beat them into the ground. Their eyes were always full of heartbreak, fear, confusion. I would trim the small strings of sanity they had left with a swipe of a hand. Like a magician in a magic show. And now...here I am, yearning to recreating you so I can pretend that you are alive. Pretend that the war never occurred in this life. Pretend that the pain I am possessed by isn't there. I could attempt that. Create your historia. Hold its form till the day I die. How tempting it is, the idea claws at my throat and the hole where the heart is supposed to be."

Blinking back tears, the man swallowed the sore lump in his throat.

"I can't...I can't do it. I can't look you in the eyes without losing my mind. Just imagining your smile when your first potted plant bloomed, I never seen you smile like that. I never wanted to forget. In fact, I have done the liberty of drawing that smile. I no longer dare to touch my sketchbook. I simply cannot."

Tears freely poured down the man's angular face, he clutched his head in his arms suppressing whimpers.

"Maybe." He hiccuped, "Reincarnation does exist. If so...in my next life, I want to do the things I never got a chance to experience with you. I want to see your smile again. I want to be right next to you. I want to be best friends next time Wahl. "

He cradled his head in his lap. Muffled weeping and trembling shoulders were his only companions in the several hours he remained seated in front of the silent grave.

A little boy watched from behind a bush. Part of him longed to comfort that man, another whispered in his ear to remain in his hiding spot. A gust of wind shook the trees, leaves torn off their branches. A small blossom, perhaps belonging to a late blooming fig tree, fluttered in the rough winds. It's light petals became the flower's parachute and it bobbed landing on the blond man's head. Suddenly, the man looked up as if startled.

"Till next time." A voice hummed in his ear before disappearing into the abyss of silence.