Basil and the Slumbering Emerald

Mattias Cotton

Basil is back in the forest, many voices whisper, call, and scream his name from all around him. A glistening moonlit doe prances between the trees slipping out of sight like a ghost. Ignoring the voices Basil runs after the doe feeling that voice call to him before he happens upon the ruins again. Taking a better look this time the statues that glow like moonlight appear to be of a woman made from the very bark of living trees, the earth itself. The pedestal is twisting roots that spiral upward and branch out with a stone dais upon them. The emerald hovers above the surface glowing a moonlight pale shade. The doe steps before Basil and sniffs him. As Basil's hand connects with it to pet it a voice echoes in his voice. "My sweet child. Fear not these woods or thine destiny. You have been chosen for a reason. Go with my blessing. May the moon shine upon the earth and grow in lush around you my child." In a blinding glow the doe disappears, and Basil's vision returns, burning white lights scorch his eyes. He blinks away the pain until that soft handsome face comes into focus. His eyes are the most vibrant blue. Now with more clear vision he can see copper hair on his head shaved short on the sides but a curly mop on the top. He has an eyebrow piercing on the left side and a septum piercing. Both ears are pierced, and all the jewelry is that rainbow titanium.

"Good morning. I'm surprised you are awake. You did get hit by a car. I'm really sorry about that. I hope I can make it up to you. Oh uh my name is Mattias. Mattias Cotton. You are?" Mattias asks sweetly, holding Basil's hand him his almost grizzly bear paw sized hand.

"Basil... Basil Vipera..." Basil tries to be charming, but it comes off looking pained. "It's okay I was running without checking the streetlights... it's not your fault." Basil sits up and immediately regrets it as the room spins. "Good god... I'm lucky I'm not dead." He laughs light heartedly but Mattias grimaces.

"I'm so sorry. I was just moving to town when you ran out into the road... let me make it up to you when you are feeling better okay? I'm a tattoo artist and a body piercing professional. We could go for coffee, or I could give you a free piercing or tattoo. Anything you want. I hate to cut things short but I gotta go. Call or text me." Mattias hands him a small piece of paper with his name and number on it before getting up and leaving. He barely fits through the doorway; the man is practically a giant.

Not even five minutes since Mattias leaves Kelkian and Gram rush into the room with Petril walking in behind them. Basil has a bandage around his head and is dressed in one of those hospital gowns. Kelkian rushes to Basil's side pulling him into a careful hug. "Oh my god. You were hit by a car!" Kelkian is still freaking out. "I should have gone after you. I told you so Petril." He grumbles and Gram calmly sits by Basil's other side taking his hand and kissing his knuckles.

"Are you okay?" Gram asks softly and Basil nods smiling back at him.

"I'm fine guys... just a headache is all. I had another one of my dreams... there was a silvery white doe that spoke to me..." Basil says ignoring the fact that Gram is there. Petril sighs glancing at Gram.

"It was just a dream Basil. I wouldn't read too much into it." Despite his words Petril's eyes told a different story than the rest of his face. Basil frowned but nodded a bit. Just then an older looking Indian female doctor came into the room and began running Basil through basic tests to check his brain and make sure he was functioning alright.

'Only a couple stitches were necessary, and you seem to be doing perfectly fine. Would you like to stay for a while or go home?" She asked with a thick accent that Basil found refreshing.

"Home. I'm not a fan of hospitals, no offense." Basil smiles sheepishly and the doctor smiles back.

"None taken. I'll get your discharge paperwork." She leaves as Kelkian pops out to go get Basil a fresh set of clothes to wear. A nurse comes in with the paperwork and after everything is signed Basil gets dressed and they head home. Once they are home Basil saves Mattias' number in his phone texting him a short message letting him know he is alright and that they can go out for coffee that Saturday if he has the time of course. Mattias replies a quick yes, agreeing to the coffee date and Basil focuses back on dinner which was Chinese take out since his mother and father are still out for work, working overtime Basil assumes. The three take their food up to Basil's room to eat huddled up on the bed and fighting over the last of the eggrolls. Petril knocks on the door and lets the boys know he is heading out.

The rest of the week flies by in preparation for the eventful weekend. Not only does Basil have a coffee date but he has Gram's hockey game to go to. Saturday rolls around and at ten in the morning Basil starts dressing up nicely for his coffee date.

"What are you getting all dressed up for?" Kelkian inquires and Basil smirks shrugging.

The guy who hit me with his car asked me out for coffee to apologize." Basil says nonchalantly ignoring how blatantly attractive the man is.

"So you have a date... you know I'm starting to understand why your ascended was Eros. Don't you think three is a bit much love?" Kelkian's trademarked jealousy creeping back in again. Basil groans rolling his eyes as he puts on cologne.

"No. It is not a date, it's just a friendly meet up. Even if it was a date, it's not like you don't already share me love. You know how I feel for you." Basil smiles cupping his cheek. Kelkian grabs his hand and pulls it away from his face frowning.

"No I don't actually. You call me love but you haven't said I love you to me. I love you Basil, but this feels very one sided. Don't even think of saying it now because I won't believe it. Go on your date... I'll be waiting... as usual." The bitter edge to Kelkian's voice hurt his heart, feeling as if he had just sliced it in two. Kelkian walks away and heads upstairs, disappearing into thin air. Feeling all the excitement knocked out of his sails, Basil heads to the coffee shop they agreed to meet at.