The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

IX - The Hermit

1. Confidental Confessions

I head into the dining room, still blinking sleep from my eyes, and am surprised that it's already bustling. Nadia sits at the head of the table, and to her right... Asra. He smiles softly at me as I enter. Faust is curled around his water goblet, lazily lapping from it. Asra doesn't seem to mind.
Nadia turns to me with a smile.
"Ah, Akiko. Finally awake? Come, join us for breakfast."
"You had a pretty late night. Did you get enough sleep?"
... I think back to last night.
Julian told me, he would be waiting at Mazelinka's today, whenever I could get away.
I wonder how long he will wait for me.
"Akiko didn't come back from the shop until after dark... It's a long walk."
"It is a pity you didn't ask for a carriage, Akiko. I would have been happy to provide one.
Ah well. Did you find what you've been looking for?"
I nod, thinking of the key from the library.
"Yes, I did."
"Wonderful!
Pardon my curiosity, but what exactly were you looking for?"
She's not talking about the key. She's talking about the 'herb' I was supposed to get from the shop.
"Master asked me to get some murkroot..."
"... Yes. But it turned out it didn't help in the end. I made Akiko miss dinner for nothing."
Asra winks at me when Nadia isn't looking, a soft smile playing on his face. It's warm, and a little mischievous. Like we're sharing a secret, or playing some game together.
I thought he was going to be mad, or disappointed at least... Maybe he's just putting up a front in front of the countess.
"Ah, what a pity."
"I'm sorry, milady. We'll keep trying though."
Asra and I reply in unison.
"Oh please, do call me Nadia."
I flinch, feeling guilty that I forgot her letter from the other day. I just nod.
"Of course, Nadia."
"I'm told you're quite knowledgeable about magic, Asra. And that you're Akiko's teacher."
"Oh, Akiko's always been quite good in magic too. She makes a mean pep-up potion."
"Ah, I see. How interesting.
How refreshing it is to be surrounded by real magicians.
I've little patience for the common frauds that litter the fortune-telling tents at the market."
"More tea?"
Portia stands at Nadia's elbow, peering interestedly into our faces, a small teapot clutched in her hands.
Nadia smiles indulgently up at her, letting her hand rest delicately on Portia's elbow.
"You've been working hard this morning, Portia. Why don't you join us?"
"O-oh, Milady! The bread won't butter itself, I couldn't!"
Then, she sits right down, leaning eagerly towards Asra.
"So, is your magic different from Akiko's? What kinda stuff can you do?"
"Are you interested in magic? Maybe I can teach you a few tricks, too."
"Wow, really?! Can you teach me some right now?
Uhm, if it's okay with milady. I guess I am technically on duty..."
"I don't see why not?
I'd quite like to see what you're capable of, Portia."
The conversation fades off into more talk. Asra leans over to me and murmurs into my ear when the others aren't looking.
"Meet me after breakfast by the fountain. We need to talk."

Asra disappears after breakfast before I can talk to him. Just as I want to head for the garden, Portia runs up to me, panting.
"Akiko! Glad I caught you.
Ahem. Milady has requested your presence. Do you have time now?"
...
Actually no. There are two people waiting for me. But I know that I mustn't keep the Countess waiting.
Slowly, I nod. "Yes, I have. But... Portia, can you do me a favor? Would you go to the fountain and say there that I have an appointment with the Countess?"
Portia arches a brow, but nods.
"Sure. Then, follow me."

Portia opens the door to a terrace, on which one can oversee the whole gardens.
It's a warm, sunny day, though I can see dark clouds at the horizon. At a delicate, white table, sits the Countess, expectantly looking up as I enter the terrace.
"You called, Coun- er, Nadia? I hope I didn't keep you waiting."
I bow before approaching the table.
Nadia lifts a brow, smiling and waving her hand.
"You didn't, do not worry. Come, sit. We've got a lot to discuss."
She pats a hand on the chair beside her, waiting.
I don't really have time for idle chit-chat. But...
I sit beside her, eyeing her warily.
What could she want from me now?
Checking up on my progress? Hardly. So what else?
"You have been quite busy the last days, haven't you? All working for me... I apologize that you didn't have much time to yourself."
Huh?
Where is that coming from?
"It is alright, Nadia. I'm doing what you called me for. I wouldn't want to disappoint you."
Nadia looks stricken for a moment, but regains her composure soon.
"... Sure..."
She clears her throat.
"Now. I've called you for a reason."
Expectant but also a bit afraid, I ready myself for questions about where I've been and what I did so far.
"I'd like to get familiar with you."
What?
The surprise must be showing on my face.
"You heard correctly. Now that you are working with me to unravel the truth... I would want to know you better. I want us to become friends, Akiko."
...
Did she just...? She wants to befriend me?
I clear my thoughts, and smile gently.
"I am delighted, Nadia. I'd love to get to know you better, too."
No matter how much I have to lie to her to find out the truth, I really mean what I said.
I want to be friends with her, too.
"... Oh. You do?
Well, I must admit I am surprised.
Through your absence, I thought you wouldn't have any such interest.
But I'm glad to hear you do."
Nadia proceeds with asking me a few questions about myself. What I like to eat... What my favourite colour is... And I ask her simple questions in return. It seems like we're passing an eternity together, until she suddenly starts asking about my past.
"Akiko, may I ask what brought you to magic? To apprenticing with Asra?"
I fall silent immediately. Not because I don't want to answer, but because I can't. I don't remember.
"May I be honest with you, Nadia?"
Studying my face, she clearly is intrigued.
"You may."
"... I don't remember. I have memories from a certain point onward, but none from before. It's just... Not there."
Her eyes widen and a flash of ... Compassion? Pity? passes her face.
"And every time I try to remember... I get terrible headaches. Like there is something blocking me off my memories."
She looks like she wants to say something, but is unsure whether she should.
"... Akiko. I want to tell you something. But it has to stay between the two of us. Can I... trust you?"
I am thrown by her open question.
Delighted I would be, if she decides to trust me, but... Given the secrets I already have to hide from her... I don't know whether she should.
"I have questions first, if you don't mind." Her eyes gleam with sudden interest.
"Go on."
"Why me, Nadia? Why did you entrust me with this task, and not my master, Asra? I am sure he could be of greater use to this matter than I ever could."
She shakes her head.
"No, no. It has to be you. Don't underestimate your own value, Akiko. Besides, I..."
She stops herself, hesitating.
Then, Nadia turns to me, leaning close and speaks so lowly that only I can hear her.
"I have them too, these headaches. I am also missing memories, just like you. But... It's solely the span from when I arrived here first in Vesuvia, to three years ago."
I gasp, not quite trusting my ears.
Nadia misses memories as well?
Julian, me and Nadia...
All three of us don't have any memories from before three years ago.
This can't be a coincidence.
"I am sorry to hear that, Nadia. If I find a way, I'd like to help you regaining them."
What I'm saying is the truth.
I know exactly what it's like to know nothing about yourself. It can easily lead to an identical crisis.
I smile at her, but as I watch the sky, I almost jump. It is already noon!
"This is very reassuring to hear. Thank you, Akiko. For lending me your precious time for so long."
I raise automatically as she stands.
"Never mind it, Nadia. I am glad that we finally found time to talk.
However, I must excuse myself now."
She nods.
"I hope we can talk again soon."
"We will."
She strides away and I turn on my heels, running down into the garden. Maybe he's still there?