Core

Baby Steps

A man of forty smiled at a young boy with ginger hair, holding onto his hand as they walked down the street. The young boy chattered about the book he had read, swinging their hands together. His uncle would occasionally speaks up, either to answer a question, to explain something, or to correct the boy's pronunciation. The man was amused at how the boy managed to recite the story, word by word.

Once, he had asked how did the boy managed to remember everything in detail, not a single thing forgotten only to be answered with a confused look. The boy had tilted his head and asked if he was doing it wrong, remembering things that is. He had then describe to his uncle that images of what he had seen would pop out and words that he had read would tumble out whenever he needed.

Horror dawned the boy as he stuttered if that wasn't normal and if something was wrong with him. His uncle had chuckled and crouched to his eye level. He had gently ruffled his ginger hair as he explained. "There's nothing wrong with you, my child. It is rare for someone to have such good memories, so it surprised me."

"Oh. I thought it's the same with everyone."

"No, it's not." His uncle had hoisted him up and bopped him on his nose, eliciting giggles from the boy. "It's something only certain people have. It's unique, and it's special." Metallic blue eyes sparkled as he took in the man's words. "It's your gift, my child. Cherish it. Cherish your memories and never forget them even though it's painful. Sometimes, forgetting is much more painful than remembering."

The boy didn't exactly understood what his uncle meant, but nodded anyway. "I will." The corner of his uncle's eyes crinkled as the man smiled even brighter.

("How can this be a gift, uncle?)

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Two days. Caelum had been unconscious for two days since the first time he woke up. It was honestly worrying, because none of them knew what was wrong with the man. Knuckle had healed the broken bones and any internal injuries Caelum had, but even then, Caelum remained unconscious. Not even his flames did anything. It was there, but silent. It no longer linger in the air, protecting Caelum but resided inside of the ginger burning slowly.

Alaude slowly tipped the mug, letting the water flow into Caelum's slightly agape mouth. It was perhaps on reflex that the ginger had swallowed the water, but at least it was reassuring enough. Alaude stopped once the mug was empty and set it aside. He watched the man's peaceful face wordlessly, the lightly breathing filling the air.

He leaned back onto the chair and looked out to the window, where the sun was slowly setting, different colours painted the sky in harmony. It was as beautiful as always, but Alaude found himself not fully paying attention to it. He was lost in his thoughts again. With how frequent he did that, he was actually slightly concerned.

During the two days, Alaude had called upon the men he had stationed in the village to guard the house and clean it up. Caelum's deceased family members had been given a proper burial, whereas the Capital men were no longer salvageable. The priest had did the prayers as Alaude obtained information from Percy.

He was right. It was a planned murder. (He had sent people to look for Lucien and the others' bodies, and they would arrive in perhaps midnight.) Honestly, Alaude didn't know what else to feel except anger and exhaustion when Percy finished his recount. He had dismissed the man after telling him to write a report about it and hand it to him, and take care of the twins, mind running and plotting. (He would have to take this in hand. The Capital needed an immediate lesson on not touching off-limit-grounds after all.)

He sighed inaudibly, closing his eyes to will away the nagging headache.

"What's with the long face..?" His eyes snapped open at the soft and hoarse voice, barely coherent. Metallic blue eyes, half-lidded watched him tiredly. Alaude jerked forward. "You're awake." He sounded monotonous, but he was surprised. Genuinely surprised, because the last he had expected was the man waking up calm. Of course, he was glad, but it was unexpected.