Into The Abyss

Before she was Katarina (2)

The cold wind blew inside the room, ruffling our robes and hair. I was greeted by Eris' flat chest when her robes opened a bit.

I immediately shifted my eyes and an uncomfortable feeling settled in my stomach.

This is really troublesome.

I was deciding whether to leave and be a mannerless person when Eris spoke:

"There's this apple my father granted to me even before I was born—a precious one, eyed by friends and foe alike. He said he protected it for me and now it is time that I do the deed myself. I was excited to hear about it at first, but then I realized that the apple in my hands do not worth that much to me. It interferes with my leisures, hobbies and everything. It restrained me to be free, devoid of worries at home. Now, tell me, what do I do with it?"

So Eris is phrasing it like that...and an apple, huh. What a weird choice.

"Just give the apple to someone else then."

Eris shook her head. "It's not that simple. You see, this apple has been fated to be in my hands since I was in my mother's womb, and when I was revealed in the world, people were celebrating—"

"Do you like your parents?"

"Yes."

"Do you like all people?"

"No. Just some."

"Do you like apples?"

"Yes...no?"

"Are you stupid?"

"No—what?"

"I'm just trying to gauge whether your mind is working."

"Well?"

"It's working, I guess, but a definite answer is needed for this one question—do you like the apples, or not?"

"I...I like apples, but I don't want others telling me what to do with it. The restriction is unavoidable, and I hate it."

"...I see."

"So?"

"Just plant your own apples so others won't tell you what to do with it. If you possess solely the tree, then others have no claim to it, except you, and if they tried to take it away, then just kill the worms."

"Kill the worms, you say."

"Yes. Those pests love to eat things that aren't theirs. Dirty, little creatures." I said in disgust, "—you said it before, there is no need to ask for permission to do the things that you want."

Eris rubbed her chin in thought while looking at the moonless skies.

Then slowly, a different smile emerged from her lips. She snapped her head towards me and claimed my hands.

"I like you, child. Do you want to come with me? I had loads of food back at my residence. You don't need to worry about working anymore."

"I'm not a glutton, lady, and you do know that it is illegal and immoral to kidnap a child, right?"

"That's why I am asking for you permission. My residence would be more fun with you in it. I might even accept the apple, with you by my side."

"That's too troublesome. You can just play with me whenever you come here."

Eris snickered and patted my head. "Fine. I'll let you of for now, but I will come back. Will you wait for me?"

"No. I'm busy."

The lips of Eris twitched when I said that. Why would I wait for her? That's stupid.

"I'll take you to the capital once you are old and fat enough. Look at your arms, they look like sticks!"

Someone, somewhere, a person like Eris told me the same words too. I took back my arms and glared at Eris.

"I don't like the capital."

"Why? Frios is full of food and money and people. You'll never be bored there, and besides that, I live there."

"It stinks."

Eris was dumbfounded by my remark, then she laughed.

"Truer words are never spoken. So, what does Frios smell to you?"

"Like rotten fish."

"I agree, but its foul odor is masked by perfume and gems so heavy that you won't even detect it." Eris said meaningfully, then she quieted down.

How peaceful it is when she shuts her mouth.

Pondering upon it, "—but the money interests me. If there is something that would motivate me to go there, I might go because of the money."

"I didn't expect you to be so...practical."

"Life is hard, especially to people who needed to grind their bones every day just to get ample money to satisfy their needs. And besides, I'm just a child, I will need lots of money when I grow up."

"Is that so?"

I hummed my response.

"Hey, you haven't told me your name—"

Tia appeared again, this time kneeling at the floor with her head down.

"We must hasten, my l-lady."

Eris clicked her tongue and grimaced. It seems she's not her on vacation.

"You're busy too, huh?"

Eris nodded.

"Will you give me some apples, someday? Just in case I get hungry. I dislike the feeling of starvation."

Eris smiled at my remark and moved to ruffle my hair.

Before they left, I called for Eris and said: "Do you bully your subordinates like this? Its not like they suit the clothes like you do. How pitiful."

After I said that, the screen door closed softly and when I turned to look back, it's as if Eris and Tia were never there.

Ten days after, a box was sent to my house.

It was given to me at the wee hours of the morning, giving me no time to even refresh myself.

Tia handed me the box and left right after. When I opened it, a pale green jade was inside and a letter addressed to me.

A smile emerged from my face when I read the letter. It seemed Eris troubles are solved.

"My Master said that he shall come back to you three years after and asks that you await for him here. He also said that you should not think of running for he has various ways of catching you."

"Why would your master be interested in a ten year old child? Is he someone who heavily dotes on younger children, perhaps?" I said instead.

Tia only smiled and left, but not before repeating his master's warning about not leaving.

I scoffed at the person's retreating back. How can he order someone he just met like this? What a really weird person.

Atleast he gave me an apple. It'll be useful once I went back to the capital.

Extremely satisfied, I tied the jade to my neck and closed the door. Outside my little window, the winds gathered bending the stalks of grass into their will.