Glitch King

Little Jae

Jinx

"What a beautiful meadow..." I smiled breathing in the fragrant scents of the wildflowers. Watching as the butterflies flew around them almost as if they were dancing. Oh how I love to dance. The cool grass beneath my feet as I move around. It's nice.

"You dance beautifully." A small voice called out. I turned to see a little girl holding an empty basket.

"Oh, thank you."

"What's your name?" She asked. Her ebony hair was up in pigtails that were slightly askew. With a pale pink dress that came to her knees. Her smile was sweet and seemed so familiar to me. Yet I couldn't recall her name.

"Jinx, and you are?"

She giggled, "My name's Little Jae, you have a pretty name."

"So do you." I smiled. She's so kind.

"Would you like to help me pick some flowers?" She asked me as she went to pick up a daisy.

"I'd love too."

She clapped her hands happily, setting the basket down on the ground with the lone daisy inside. Little Jae took my hand in hers and we skipped along the meadow looking for the perfect flowers.

Little Jae chattered along about how they had to be just right. Only the best smelling ones and the prettiest would do.

"Who are they for?"

She smiled brightly.

"They are for the King. I brought him some a while back. His smile is the best. Although he doesn't do it that often." She frowned.

"I see."

"Yes, so they must be perfect. So that he can smile again."

I smiled at her. This girl had a heart of gold. She reminded me of someone. They brought happiness to others as well. Oh... my friend Hobi! He was the first friend I made when I woke up in the chateau.

He was standing in the meadow looking up towards the sun. The first thing I said to him was that he would go blind looking at it. In truth, I almost went blind when he smiled at me. We sat and talked all afternoon. After that he came by to visit quite often.

Little Jae is the second person I've met. Everyone here seems so very nice.

"You remind me of Hobi."

"Hobi?"

"Yes... he is my friend. He is like the sun. Always bringing warmth and happiness."

She giggled and gave me a hug.

"Jae!"

"Daddy!" She yelled, taking off at full speed into the man's arms standing near the chateau.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Jinx, she is very nice. Come meet her."

I watched as Little Jae dragged him by the tail of his shirt towards me.

"Hello."

"Jinx, this is my daddy." Jae beamed proudly. I looked up at the man. His eyes were blue and his hair the color of wheat in the summertime.

"Jimin." He spoke softly, extending his hand. I took it.

"Nice to meet you. Your daughter is so sweet."

He smiled a beautiful smile that turned his eyes into little crescent moons.

"She is."

Jae ran off after the butterflies leaving me standing there looking at her father.

"We are picking flowers for the king." I leaned down, picking up some lavender.

"She is convinced they will make him smile."

"Yea... he rarely seems to do that."

That was sad. Something about it tugged at her in the back of her mind. But no matter how hard she tried nothing came to her.

She couldn't remember anything. Where she came from or how she got here.

"You okay?" Jimin asked, expressing concern.

"Yes..." turning away, I ran to catch up to Little Jae.

She looked at me then back towards her father. Who was now lost in thought gazing at the tiny chateau.

"He misses mommy."

"Oh?"

"She died... and my brother."

My heart hurt for them.

"Why is he looking at the house like that. Little Jae stared down at her feet. I picked her up hugging her as I walked back towards my chateau.

"Would you like some tea?" I asked Jimin, before stepping into the chateau with Little Jae.

"Sure." He followed me inside, his hand coming up and resting on his chest.

"You okay?"

He chuckled, but his smile didn't meet his eyes.

"I'm fine... it's just these walls have so many memories locked in them."

I watched as his hands grazed the counters and the trim of the door way. The way he froze when he looked into my bedroom.

"Have you been here before?" I questioned.

"We used to live here... I built this chateau with my own hands for my little growing family."

"Little Jae said your wife passed and son... what happened? If you don't mind me asking."

Jimin stared out my bedroom window into the meadow.

"It was a day much like today. Little Jae and I were outside playing in along the tree line, while my wife was in bed resting. She was due to have our new baby any time..."

He stopped, a lone tear falling down his cheek. Little Jae got down from my arms and rushed to hug her father's leg. He patted the top of her head with a small smile. His eyes glassy from unshed tears.

"We were warned to leave our village weeks before it happened. The volcano near our home was going to erupt. So we left. I built this little home and then our lives seemed to be going great. We weren't worried about the volcano. There was no reason for us to be afraid. But, fate had other plans for us."

He looked at me with such sad eyes. I couldn't help myself. I closed the gap and hugged him.

"That day, had it not been for a white nine tailed fox. Little Jae and I would not be here. However... I lost my wife and unborn son."

He cried into my shoulder. Their story was so sad. I pat his back gently, until he composed himself.

"I-I'm sorry."

"Here..." I gestured to the table. "Sit, let me make you some tea."

Jimin sat down and little Jae climbed into his lap, nuzzling into his chest. He kissed the top of her head, wiping away tears as they steadily fell.

I put chamomile and lavender into the tea leaves, then poured the hot water over the small strainer. Carefully I picked up the cups, sitting them down on the table for them.

"I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Know you are welcome here anytime you want."

Jimin smiled, taking a sip of the tea.

"Thank you."

After they finished their tea, we said goodbye and promised to come back soon. It was great to make new friends. Maybe being here can help them heal from their past.

"I don't think it was a nine tailed fox that saved them though... that's not possible. An angel would be more believable."