The Arcana ~ The Requiem of Lost Memories

0- The Fool ~ Upright

1. True Nature of Emotions

I frown over my working desk in my shop.
This is how I have been spending my time the last months. I am searching for a way to restore my family's bodies, and teaching Lucio in between how to build his magical gateway that he can see my little sister. I may now know where they are, but they can't return home without their bodies.
Time to time, Asra comes over from the palace where he lives with his parents to help.
I row my shoulders, stretching towards the ceiling, and yawn.
Ever since Julian opened up his clinic next door, I can focus on my research, while he takes care of the income.
I feel bad for making him do all the work, but he seems glad that he can 'finally do something for the goddess that beat the Devil'.
...That's utterly ridiculous, he already does so much for me. Besides, I didn't beat that goat alone.
And this goddess part...
I shake my head, standing up from the desk.
Speaking of Julian... I know that knock.
The door swings open, and Julian ducks inside. His whole expression lights up as he sees me.
Then he gets a familiar, mischievous glint in his eye.
"Oh, Akiko, if only you knew how long I've come to see you again!
What dangers I've seen, what faroff lands I have travelled through!
Did you miss me?"
"Oh, terribly so! I suffered every moment you were gone!"
I press the back of my hand to my forehead, pretending to faint.
"I thought... I feared ... You would never return!"
Julian falls dramatically to his knees, clutching his chest and giving me the most lovelorn look he can manage.
But nothing can hide the trembling of his mouth as he tries to contain his laughter.
"Darling! Love of my life, my sunlight and stars, I would have never left you like that!
Won't you take me back?"
He reaches his hand out towards me, yearning.
I look at him.
He looks at me.
"...fffhahahahaha!"
I laugh along with him, stepping a little closer.
"Ahaha, excellent performance, Akiko! We'll make an actress out of you yet!"
"Wasn't that bad, was it? Maybe when the days are less busy, we shall stand onstage together, instead of me only watching you in all these community theatre plays."
"Oh, this would be lovely!"
Still chuckling, he climbs to his feet, leaning down to press a kiss onto my hair.
"I've locked up the clinic already. Will you call it a day, my love?"
I shake my head, sighing lowly.
"I can't, Nadia requested my help with a new aqueduct system for the city... And I-"
"No."
I blink confusedly.
"...What?"
He ushers me up the stairs, ducking under magical ornaments, to our shared living space.
"You heard correctly, I won't let you work now. This is now going on for months, Akiko, and at this rate you'll overwork yourself."
But I'm shortly before a breakthrough, I-
Looking into his face, I can tell he is serious. He won't let me work for the rest of the day.
"...May I write down my last thoughts for today? Then I'll come up back to you, I promise."
He studies my face before he nods reluctantly.
"Fine."
I give him a peck on the cheek before I weave around him to go downstairs.
"Won't take long!"
As I reach my desk, I hastily tuck away my alchemy studies and grab a blank sheet of paper where I shortly summarize my ideas of the day.
Arms wrap around me as a head rests on my shoulder.
Julian's low, harmonious voice reaches my ears.
"Now... How is your research going?"
I open my mouth to say something, only to be interrupted by a querulous croak.
Malak pokes his head out from his nest on the high shelf, then flutters down to land on my other shoulder.
Julian releases me, planting his hands at his hips.
"Malak, you rascal! You were here the whole time? And you didn't help Akiko with her work?!"
Even though Malak can't actually make facial expressions, he manages to look real smug.
He hops onto my right hand that just has laid the quill aside.
Julian chuckles.
"Now. Seems like even Malak wants you to call it a day now."
I let my left hand gently brush over Malak's elegant, deep black feathers before I raise my right, allowing him to fly back to his nest.
"Fine, I got it."
I close my eyes as I turn around, eyes flying open as I face Julian, smiling.
"Then let's go upstairs. I already prepared dinner for us."
I chuckle as I see his wide eyed face.
"What is it? Only because I'm working, doesn't mean I don't plan ahead."
He sighs longingly, slowly pulling off his eye patch.
"Say, how do I deserve you?"
My hand comes to his cheek.
"You still deserve so much more.
... Now, now, let's go upstairs. I do feel hungry, and I'm sure you do too."
He grabs hold of my hand, turns his head and presses a kiss to my wrist.
"Humble as ever.
... But you're right, I'm famished."
Hand in hand we ascend the stairs.