We Have Something to Say! (Job/Yuiisai/Ahote/Rain)

https://www.fairytail-rp.com/t23610-political-statement?

It seemed after his recent job of stalking an elderly couple, no one at the settlement would stop barraging him with job requests. Frankly, Ahote was overwhelmed by all of the requests, but shocked to realize that they accepted him no more than before. Their malice and nastiness retained, but became more subtle. They would still call him names, and sometimes throw rocks at him. Ahote was a kind boy, so he never did or said anything in return to their nasty attitudes. But as time went on, and his ventures out of the Mt. Hakobe territory became more frequent, he could feel himself slowly succumbing to his anger, his hatred, his disgust. Although he banished these thoughts from his mind for months now, there was lingering desire to pick up those rocks and throw them back at them, hard. To scream at them, maybe to even hurt them. Who did they think they were? He was the son of Famine and Sol! They were just poor townsmen who sold ice for a living. For every rock they threw, for every horrible thing they called him, his desire to see them suffer became stronger.

Ahote often pondered about these things for hours on end, tucked away in his room, fiddling with plant samples he kept in jars. Unlike other days, he couldn't keep his focus. He couldn't work, he could barely even clean. Ahote was practically useless unless he physically moved his body, it seemed.

The raven haired boy leaned over his desk by the window, staring out into the snowy void. "I just can't focus, can I?" He sighed, running his soft hands through his locks before forcing himself up from his comfortable position in his wooden chair and dragged himself to his door and into the fortress corridor. Recently, the boy came across some flyer advertising some type of job. There was a certain person he wanted to ask a certain something. Really, he was embarrassed, but also uncomfortably curious as to what this person had been up to. Since the rush of new members joining their ranks, a few more people had been present in the Castle. Excited and nervous, Ahote was eager to make some sort of social contact with these people, but couldn't bring himself to do it without some sort of excuse, and today seemed like his lucky day.

Tap, tap

Ahote's strong knuckles tapped the door twice or more before allowing himself in with a small crack of the door, peeking inside. "Excuse me. . . is this Yuiisai's room? It's Ahote. . ." He spoke quietly but confidently. He wanted to give off the impression that though he was soft spoken, each word had some impact. Or, at least he would like to think. Recently, Ahote had felt some strange attraction to Yuiisai. He radiated a certain warmth to him, a warmth that he felt comforted by. Sometimes he would stop and stare at his room door, tempted to go inside. Each time, he convinced himself to keep walking. To keep walking further and further away from the person closest to human he had come across for the longest time. Besides lingering anger and resentment from other events, a heartbreaking sadness washed over him each time he walked by this room. But the boy could no longer resist his urge to socialise. It had become like water to him, and needed it desperately.

"If you're busy, I'll go. I was in the middle of something anyway. . ." Ahote insisted in the same tone, but treating his eagerness to talk like he was pushing himself to be here against his will. He looked at the ground and spoke quietly.

WC: 619/3,666

Rain.

"Thank you for bringing an extra chalice, Drop. I will remember this unasked yet generous action." Rain would tell one of her pets which was in his human form, while they would switch chalices. The one Rain would receive from him would be completely full of red wine, while the one she would give him would be empty. She was pleased that he secretly carried a chalice with him, as she finished her first while walking across the body of water which surrounded her castle in the mountain ranges of Hakobe. She was now walking across a bridge of rock and ice, which would connect to the main area of the mountains which would be the the Dragon King's Castle. She hadn't been there before, considering she had just finished the work that was transporting an entire castle across realms, but she felt as though showing up during the dark hours would be fitting for her presence. As she walked across this ice, her black, red, and white schoolgirl outfit would flutter around her body while grazing her guild mark under her breasts, while her red ribbons would attract many fluttering butterflies. She was used to these butterflies by now, as her being seemed to attract them almost constantly. Following behind her were her typical companions, Drip and Drop, both in matching black outfits which would fit their sizes. They would look as beautiful as they did terrifying, as their hair would blast against the wind through almost all darkness besides the light being given from the moon.

As she kept drinking through her chalice, her eyes suddenly met with a large shadow that was the castle, and they walked inside considering that is where they were meant to go. The place was almost completely silent and cold, as her hardened sandals slightly hit the floor and made a tapping sound. Not many were awake at this hour it seemed, which was a strange concept of Rain. She and her pets did not feel the need to sleep, but did experience it from time to time. However, considering it was not necessary for her existence, she did not do it often, especially since she was not technically human. She did enjoy some human inventions however, such as wine and materialistic things. She would keep sipping her wine as she walked the halls in a mysterious way, slowly feeling the stone walls of the building with her blank fingers. Drip and Drop would follow quietly, as Drip would shiver and Drop would prepare Rain's pipe for after she would finish her wine. Her breath would show right in-front of her in the means of hazy air, as it was very cold at this time of hour where they were located currently.

As she winded down the hallways she was slightly annoyed that nobody was there besides her companions and herself, but this annoyance slightly changed as she began to hear small voices down a hallway which she was approaching. As she slowly walked toward these voices, she witnessed what appeared to be a light shining dimly into the darkness. Accompanying this light looked to be the silhouette of a younger individual nearly outside this doorway, speaking to another individual from inside. "Invisibility." she would tell her pets mentally, as they would fade into invisible forms.  

Rain would take a few more steps closer before stopping and beginning to analyze the sight, as it appeared to be the young boy that was there whenever she joined the guild in which she was in now. She was standing in complete darkness, the only light being a small illumination from the room. She could smell what appeared to be incense, which was certainly normal for the black witch. The witch was letting smoke leak from her mouth into this darkness, having the scent of faint tobacco meet with the incense. 'This child should have a bedtime, it is too late for someone of his age to be out.' she would think to herself, as she would blink her eyes at the sight. She did not plan to address their presence outright, but if they were to see her, she would not mind. After all, they were allies in the matter.

"Would you like a reading?"

Although eye contact remained steady between Yuiisai and the boy, he could not help but glance once or twice through the crack of the door. Not even seeing a third of this man's quarters and it's decor already left Ahote in a state of pure awe. From what he could see, there had been a spectrum of vibrant, visually appealing colors scattered throughout the warm, but all working together to create a warm, harmonious swirl of color. Strange items hanging from the walls and a rush of incense inflaming Ahote's nostrils. For a few moments, the tip of Ahote's nose flushed red as he adjusted to the unfamiliar scents. Even the rush of incense was a delightful surprise to him and was eager to explore Yuiisai's room further. Ahote's eye contact reunited with Yuiisai's quickly after the boy observed his room, "Such an hour...?" Ahote queried, running his hands through his raven black locks. He would stare at the taller man, clueless, until he realized just what time it was. Immediately, his face went pale. "It is kind of late, huh? Didn't realize the time." He snickered to himself quietly before abruptly clearing his throat and letting himself in. It was truly a treat to appreciate Yuiisai's room in its entirety, primarily because Ahote had only been to so few places his entire life. Seeing these Far Eastern decorations and furnishings left Ahote feeling like he's seen a little bit more of the world. He spent more time looking around the room and touching everything around him when no one was looking than focusing on Yuiisai. He loved every bit of it, the fabrics, the array of warm and cool colors blending to creating a spectrum of hues that was visually appealing, the seats, the tables, everything.

So far, Ahote had been put in a good mood. This treat left him in good spirits, encouraging him to converse honestly with the acquaintance. But before he could, Yuiisai began to advise him yet again on his behavior. Ahote frowned, staring blankly at Yuiisai before looking down at the table. When uncomfortable or upset, he did tend to avoid eye contact, something he hadn't even noticed. In a room full of distractions, it was difficult to keep his thoughts just for himself. "It isn't your place to say, you know. Blossom into a man, I will, but what kind of man? The man my Father is? What kind of man is my Father? What kind of man are you? I don't know anymore. . ." He spoke in a hushed voice, but was clearly beginning to get upset. Sometimes, thinking these thoughts, Ahote felt like vursting into tears. Other times, he felt like getting angry. Most times? Most times he felt this painful emptiness, and sucked in all these thoughts like a sponge, and wallowed in his own depression. It was strange, being in this state. Although he grew interested in Yuiisai and wanted to get to know them better, over time, he built thick, strong walls around himself, preventing anyone from penetrating and possibly hurting him. Walls that he didn't even know he had built.

Ahote noticed the tension his remark would bring, and was washed over with guilt after realizing the uncalled for outburst. He raised his head and fidgeted anxiously, "Well, uhm, I came to say a few things, is all." Ahote tried his best to maintain eye contact, but ended up shifting gazes as he spoke, "If you'd maybe want to go someplace with me. . . tonight. Since you said you weren't busy, you're welcome to come join me. It'd be impolite of me to suggest otherwise..." Ahote insisted with a weak smile cracking his lips. He got all excited just thinking about going on a job with Yuiisai, and wanted to ask all kinds of questions. But nature of this and their previous conversation at the cabin left them at a pretty rough start.

WC:  1,278/3,666

Rain.

Rain stood in the darkness as if she were a mere shadow, letting the soft winds of the castle hit her soft hair in a means that caused each individual strand to fly through the ribbons. This mixed with the faint tobacco smoke smelled like a mix of spices and floral notes, making Rain desire the taste of blood once more. She was by no means a vampire, but she definitely loved the soft and warm taste of fresh blood quivering from the neck or heart of an unwilling subject. With the thought of the taste of blood came a beautiful glowing butterfly from a sharp corner, slowly fluttering towards Rain in a means that was normal to her. Small droplets of glowing blue liquid secreted from the wings of this animal, in which she would remove two small vials from her pockets. The first was empty, while the second contained a purple liquid with gold tones that twisted throughout the small vial with shimmer and reflects. As the butterfly landed on her finger, she held the empty vial under it, filling it with the glowing contents spilling from the butterfly. She would then pour a few drops of the purple liquid onto this Navilleran creature, causing the wings to stop secreting this liquid and letting it continue to flutter throughout the hallways. This was not a strange occurrence for the black haired witch, as she had noticed these Navillera had been getting strangely injured by physical means. Their wings looked to be melting off, or perhaps leaking in ways that could harm them. That is why she crafted and carried a potion to fix this issue nearly constantly, as these flying creatures held a soft spot inside her.

After she had healed the navillera, she seemed to hear what appeared to be a familiar voice from inside the room Ahote had went inside. No, it was not that joke of a child's voice, but it definitely was familiar. She recognized it from the same day she joined the guild, and it soon hit her that it was the first person she met at the time. It was Yuiisai, the person she wished to give a reading to but was constantly interrupted while trying to do so. She did not mind of course, considering she eventually got to give a reading, as well that she was an ally of hers default by the guild's standard. She slowly walked toward the door and then stood in the doorway, along with her two pets standing invisible behind her forming a triangular shape. The strong scent of incense hit her body, causing her flowers to ruffle even more than they already were in the casual winds of the castle.

She heard them speaking of what appeared to be a mission, in which Rain felt like infringing upon. After all, she had no plans at the current moment, and she felt as though they would need assistance for whatever they planned on doing. As her purple butterfly pin sparkled upon her head behind the ornate flower head pieces, she began to channel her voice and speak to Drip, her white companion. "Go speak to them for me, I know Yuiisai does not like it when I speak mentally. If you mess this up, I will be very angry." she would tell her pet, as she would hear a mental whimper and witness a white haired girl in a matching kimono appear in-front of her in a matching kimono. Rain and the now visible Drop would walk inside the room, and stand beside each outside corner of the door, making a small passage way of black hair. Her and Drop did definitely look similar, as well as act the same. Drip was the odd one out in a way, and definitely did not fit into the new setting that was a dark guild.

"Ra... Rain wants to know if she can come on this mission as well!" Drip would say to the two beings inside the room after she had walked up towards them, as she looked back at Rain glaring at her to make sure she was doing the right task. "She... she has nothing to do, and really wants to venture some more today! She can even teleport us to the desired location if you would want!" she would exclaim in fear, as her foot would catch the rug that she was standing upon and slip, causing her to fall backwards onto her back. "Drip, get up!" Rain would yell at her through her mind, as she would quickly remove the pin that was inside her hair of a purple butterfly and cup it inside her hand. She did not want to harm her physically just yet, but she did want to inflict terror in her mind as she would know that Rain had just withdrawn a weapon. "So... sorry ma'am!" she would scream, as she would quickly get up and run to her brother's side. Rain would stand in the room with a blank face while waiting for a response, as Drip did definitely get the point across fairly well. If they were to reject Rain's desire to come along, she would simply walk out of the room with her two pets and begin walking through the halls alone once again.

"Would you like a reading?"

It was quite nice and comforting to see Yuiisai in what he would consider a casual attire, and that attire being something of an Eastern nature. The way he dressed, lived, decorated his room, greeted others, mannered himself, all of these things seemed to come from what Ahote would consider faraway places, and each time Ahote laid eyes on him, his eyes filled with wonder yet again. The boy's gaze scattered between different decorations throughout the room before finally landing on the long-haired man when he commented on his own outfit. Ahote shrugged and smiled softly, "It's no trouble at all." He insisted.

In the midst of Ahote's touching things, he would flinch and come to an abrupt halt when Yuiisai queried about his fascination. The boy blushed in embarrassment of his behavior, realizing how strange if not uncomfortable it might of been to see someone touch everything they owned so willingly. In response, he simply nodded and stiffened his position afterwards. This, however, would simply not be the only thing tensing Ahote up tonight. At the mere mention of Rain's name, Ahote went pale and stared down at the floorboards with an anxious expression. When Ahote first met the card-reading woman, he was about as rude to her as he was to Yuiisai, and like Yuiisai, treated the meeting as him more having a bad day than him actually disliking them, and thus treated them indifferently. However, unlike Yuiisai, he hasn't made any efforts to interact with Rain when he had the chance. Why? Because she was terrifying! Not only was she tall, but she was tall, pale as a ghost, and had long, black hair! Additionally, wore far eastern clothing that challenged even Yuiisai's own wears! She was like a Midian Ghost straight out of the books, and it didn't help that she spoke through the mind. Ahote impressed even himself that he could live among outlaws, murderers, demons, and dragons but it was this, yes, this, a tall, pale woman, that drove him to the edge of his seat in fear.

Rain? Did he say Rain? That weird, pale ghost of a woman? I think I'd piss my pants three times over if I had to sit in the same room as her! I swear to the Gods and the seventh heaven in which they dwell that I see her floating around the halls at night, submerged in darkness! I bet she watches the others sleep at night. I bet she watches me sleep at night! GYAH! ME! And she's so tall that I bet I'd have to break my neck to look at her! And her two familiars. . . hell, I don't even know what they are! Little bringers of all things bad,
that's what! Ahhhnghm. . . Ahote thought to himself, a mask of cold sweat running over his face before the click of a closed door brought him back to the now, back to Yuiisai.

"You don't have to change, if you don't want to. . . you don't always have to be all dressed up, if that's what's bothering you." Ahote suggested, understanding that he had no place to say what he should wear in front of who, much less that not only was he younger, but also talking to his Father's supposed servicemen. The thought would not cross his mind until later. "You make these things, huh? You'll have to give me one a little later." Ahote grinned before returning his gaze not to the floor, but the table. Enough to see the torso of Yuiisai, but not directly looking at him.

Ahote would not return eye contact with Yuiisai until he mentioned taking Ahote to wherever was home to him. Instantly, Ahote jerked his face up with a toothy grin and wide eyes full of excitement. He nearly jumped out of his sitting position at the news, "Really?!
You'd do that? You aren't just saying that to tease me, are you? Are you?!" He spoke in a voice unlike what others had seen, one full of glee and childlike eagerness. Moments following, the boy realized his sudden outburst of excitement and quickly re-seated himself, his cheeks flushing pink in embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "Sorry.
. ." He apologized. Although embarrassed, he decided not to let the mood of the conversation diverge from this outburst and looked back at the table again with a weaker smile. Ahote would then listen in silence as Yuiisai would continue, apologizing and whatnot, and continued to listen as he described Sol from his perspective. He simply nodded in response.

The next thing that Yuiisai would bring up couldn't help but spur a reaction from the boy, flinching at his self description. Surprisingly himself, Ahote did not seem to have any notable emotional or mental reaction, and simply felt like he was being told what the weather was. "I am not surprised. No one comes to this castle with any innocence, any purity.
Every flower I thought as innocent and harmless always hides thorns that draw blood, hatred,
apathy. There is no room on this mountain for anything but weeds." He chuckled to himself, telling him things that before this, he did not want to believe, but the calmness and relief expressed in his tone told him that he had long accepted this in the back of his head, and grew used to it. That being said, he still felt somewhat attached to the man in front of him, despite his own confession. It seemed when he spoke honestly, he felt the most empty. The most uncaring and apathetic. He shifted between this emptiness and anxiety, fear, and resentment. It was truly an unhealthy balance. He looked away again before Yuiisai would graze a pair of soft, thin lips against his forehead, settling his nerves yet again. It made him feel whole and loved. Of course, he would never tell him that. Ahote would continue to soak in his lectures in a calming silence, nodding when he would make suggestions.

It was then that Yuiisai would notably comment on his inability to maintain eye contact. This was primarily because he was anxious most times, and that he generally felt fidgety when in Yuiisai's presence. Ahote flinched at this comment, and like so, fidgeted around anxiously."I maintain perfect eye contact. What're talking about?. . ." Ahote grumbled, raising his head and furrowing his eyes, staring directly at Yuiisai. In truth, he wasn't actually looking him in the eye, instead, looking at the tip of his nose. Looking him directly in the eyes would probably give him a heart-attack, he suspected. This would be enough for now, or at least for the next few minutes. His entire body seemed to tense up trying to maintain this forced eye contact, but was determined to satisfy him. However, his determination had scattered into confusion and shock upon Yuiisai's proposal of doing a job, later turning into a non-negotiable confidence field trip, which Ahote would then understand that it had been an exercise. "Well, uhm. . . I uh, have taken a task, and. . ." Ahote began, before it fading into a bunch of grumbles. Yuiisai followed the proposal with a quick briefing of how deception is involved in situations like these, leaving him one more piece of food for thought.

"We aren't really doing this, are we? Ah, man. . ." Ahote held his head down low in defeat, succumbing to Yuiisai rather passive demands. He was far too thoughtful and considerate for Ahote's liking at this moment, and he felt like he was going to die of embarrassment by repeating what he said. With a deep breath and the puff of his chest,
he looked Yuiisai in the eye an spoke at a reasonable volume in a stern voice. "I... I have taken a task decided I want you to come with me. This isn't up for debate." He maintained eye contact and made no other noise for several seconds before he broke said contact and hid his face between his prosthetic and untouched hand. "Ahhh. . . I can't believe I just did that. . ." He said, his cheeks flushed red, peeking at Yuiisai through index and middle fingers on his right hand.

Like some God saving him from his own personal hell, he was interrupted by unfamiliar voices. He sighed in relief and held a hand to his chest in victory, but quickly returned to despair once the frightening name had returned to the conversation. "R...Rain? Mission? COME?" Ahote panicked, accidentally speaking his mind. But in such a panic and fright, he found himself unable to work up enough energy to care. Ahote turned away with pale skin and wide eyes, forcing the fakest smile a man could pull off, grabbing his chest through his long-sleeved sweater with his left, prosthetic arm, which had been hidden well enough that no one commented on it. He would hope the others would not notice the metal fingers gripping the sweater. "OF COURSE! AHA! We'd LOVE to have her! I can't wait to have her! Heh-heh. HEH-HEH." Ahote spoke loudly, loud enough to drown out his fright into false glee. He breathed heavily, sweating until his face was coated in a layer of moisture, and laughed empty laughs. When Rain would enter the room, however, Ahote screamed in laughter. "AHAHA! HELLO RAIN!"

I want to die. . . Ahote thought to himself.

WC:  2,856/3,666

Rain.

Rain was struck with immense anger when Yuii had began to yell at her for what she had done to Drip previously. Rain stared at Yuii with pink eyes, her mind dripping with blood at the thought. A small tear crept out of Rain's eyes, something she had never experienced before. It was iridescent just like her blood, and it trailed down her face onto her neck and soaked into her collar. Her mind began to flash through the moments of Drip and Drop, the countless times she had abused the white out of the grouping. She did not understand why she thought of this or why she thought this abuse was okay, even if she was in a dark guild. She thought of how long they had been with each-other, the countless journeys they had been on, everything that Rain had done to the poor girl named Drip. She had no reason to express this abuse onto the poor girl, as it all seeped down to her joyous nature and overall favoritism tipped into Drop's favor. 'Is... is this the good I always heard of in the books? My sister...' she began to think to herself, as another luminescent tear dripped down her cheek. She was struck with immense pain in her stomach, one that she did not enjoy. This was something she never felt along with the tears, it was anxiety. She never typically showed her emotions around others, especially those with a negative connotation. Rain quickly slid her pin back into her hair and quickly ran out of the room into the hallway alone, with tears rolling down her face. Drop was confused at this action while Drip simply was shocked, and quickly followed her outside in a means to see what was wrong.

"Rain... are you okay? I have never seen you cry before.." Drip would say under her breath, as she began to quiver in fear over the question that she had asked. However, unlike Rain's typical abusive self, Drip was greeted with an entirely different type of embrace. Rain quickly ran to her and hugged her extremely tightly, with her glowing tears dropping into Drip's hair. "I... I have abused you for far to long, Drip... I am sorry. You do not deserve what I have done for years on end... I was scared for the good in you. Even though I am a cruel woman, I feel as though everyone needs a bit of good inside of them... You... You are my good." she would tell Drip mentally, as the white haired girl would begin to cry as well. This was something that Drip always wanted, something she never got to experience- love. She was always put in a box she could never express herself in, strictly due to the abuse that she experienced with her master. However, she never left because she got to see the world. It was a double-edged sword in her life, which was suddenly fixed into something for the better. "Th... thank you, Rain. I love you!" Drip would exclaim, as tears would pour down her face and she would begin to hug her master even tighter. This was the first time Rain had ever experienced anything like this, something she hoped to never experience again. She vowed that day to never abuse her companion like that ever again. For now Drip and Drop were on the same level in her eyes, which was long overdue.

Drip switched into her smaller form and sat in Rain's arms, as the witch removed a small cloth from her pocket and proceeded to wipe away the final tears that stained her smooth skin. Rain was believed to be heartless, her heart consumed by darkness. However, on this day a bit of light shone through. Her love for her companions changed for the better, as she now let her white companion experience freedom. They were still her companions and always would be, and Drip now would experience love to Rain in return. Drop switched into his smaller form and climbed into Rain's arms as well, hugging his sister and master. There was definitely a sibling rivalry between them, but he was glad to be able to see his sister finally be accepted. He was shocked to listen into what Rain had to say, as he never experienced that side as well. He doubted that it was really her, as he thought she was heartless like everyone else did. All three of them experienced love that day, and it would change their relationship for all of eternity. Rain would still carry out her normal actions, but not on Drip. Her essence of life was now better.

"I am sorry for how I have acted... It has all been sorted out now. Yuiisai, I thank you." Drip would say for Rain with no fear in her voice at all, showing quite the opposite. Rain could feel her eyes watering, but she quickly veiled her sleeve over them to not show her weakness more than she already did. "Hi, Ahote." she would tell the boy in a slight creaky voice mentally, as she was still recovering from the pain she just endured. Rain did not know how to feel anymore, she felt a bit different. She felt a swirling pain in her stomach still, but she did not know what is was. She was now there for only one objective, which was to accompany her allies on their mission. She expressed that she was now ready by turning toward the doorway, her mind still aching due to the good she had felt in her apology. She knew it was a retribution to what she did to Drip in the past, so she knew she had to suffer the same way she caused suffering upon her companion.

"Would you like a reading?"

Every comment, every gesture that Yuiisai made seemed to lift Ahote’s weighing heart a bit. It was not easy, doing this. When Ahote was seven, many things had happen to get him to where he is now. A spar with his Father which would lead to the amputation of his left arm, accompanied with great physical pain, the abandonment of his biological parents, the sudden appearance of Hera at the fortress. Looking back, the boy asked many questions, but with no one to answer them.

Yuiisai was perhaps the only friend he had made since coming to Basilisk Fang, never having an opportunity to establish something platonic with most people. So, this was nice. Yuiisai’s soft kisses and subtle playfulness, Ahote couldn’t help but feel all fuzzy when he thought of it.

But what Ahote thought of Yuiisai? He thought many things, like how beautiful he was, and how soft his lips looked. He had soft, smooth skin and long, dark hair Ahote resisted from running his fingers through from time to time. His Eastern attire was iconic, and each time Ahote was able to observe it in full, he marveled at it. He was kind, thoughtful, and always made time for others from Ahote’s experience. Yuiisai was no weed to him, really. Perhaps he wasn’t even a flower to begin with, but perhaps a cat? This was far from the analogy he made earlier, but it was one of the only animals he could associate him with. Ahote had no doubt that Yuiisai had claws, but feared that he might bear them at him. When? Why? He was afraid that maybe the man he had been so drawn to might’ve been a despicable, frightening person who only behaved so kindly and embraced him so warmly because he was the son of Sol. He was afraid that maybe, somewhere down, deep down, those kisses weren’t genuine. The thought sent a sharp pain in Ahote’s stomach, hating being lied to more than anything else. But despite these fears, Ahote could never bring himself to tell Yuiisai what he thought of him, as not only was it embarrassing, he didn’t know Yuiisai well enough to call him anything. He simply lifted his head and smiled weakly, but warmly. Oh, how did he cherish Yuiisai in the moment. In the moment that Ahote confronted his fear of Yuiisai’s potential lying, he also loved him so very dearly. Strange coming from a boy who just met the man recently, but never experiencing friendship like this.

Rain’s presence never seemed to slip away like usual, although Ahote tried to think it did. But the same chill she always left up his spine remained, grimly reminding the boy that the ghost was here. Fortunately, she had been lurking long enough for Ahote to not squeak and jump in fear anymore. . . well, less than before. He was curious about her, to say the least, but never worked up the courage to actually talk to her by himself and admired Yuiisai for his ability to scold Rain so easily.

Surprisingly, Yuiisai’s scolding provoked a response from Rain that Ahote would’ve never expected. Ahote peered behind over his shoulder, but couldn’t see the tall woman in full. But when Drip, Rain’s familiar, commented on her crying, for that instance, Ahote felt guilty for thinking of her like a ghost.

Even she can cry, huh? That’s nice to know. . . He thought to himself, looking down into his lap. Judging based on the noise behind him, Ahote could tell that some emotional event was going on between Drip and her alleged master, Rain. He didn’t know anything about the two besides the nature of their relationship, and couldn’t feel much beside a soft happiness for them. If anything, it certainly made him feel more comfortable around her, even if it meant he still hesitated to talk to her.

Ahote, instead of trembling anxiously, fiddled his fingers together nervously when the tall and ghostly-pale woman greeted him. He raised his head with a red nose and ears, smiling weakly. ”H. . . Hi, Rain.” Ahote sputtered as a brief silence brushed over the three in between those verbal exchanges. ”I-It’s normal to cry, you know. Like, uhm, when you’re sad or feel bad about something you did. Or maybe when you’re angry, because that’s when I cry. . . Not that I get angry all the time. I mean, I think you get angry sometimes, Rain, but at the wrong things. I’unno, I just. . . uhm, you know. . .” He continued to babble. In his own cute, considerate way, he was just trying to comfort her. He didn’t want anyone feeling sad, or to cry. Even if they scared him, he would do his best to provide some comfort, even if she didn’t need it. ”Well, uhm, you know where my room is, I think. You can always stop by and. . . talk to me if you want. Ah, er, uhm… sorry, for rambling on about silly nothings. But my point still stands!”

He had hoped to have gotten his message across, despite his words being jumbled and fumbling over themselves. Ahote resumed fiddling with his fingers before raising his head to face Yuiisai again. Suddenly, his weak smile began a cheerful, excited smile that spread from ear to ear. ”Well, let’s get started!” Ahote gushed, reaching into his pocket to pull out a crumbled piece of loose-leaf paper and began to read. ”Ahm… well, actually, reading it again reminds me that I should give you all some context. The other day, down at the village at the foot of the mountain was some sort of cloaked, middle aged man who was preaching on and on about his opposition for the Magic Council, and how he and his Brothers are travelling far and wide for those who share the same feelings. I didn’t actually agree with what he said, or understand any of what he said for that matter. But when I confronted him about it, it would give a lot of jewels and it was all the way in Era! Isn’t that crazy? Isn’t that like… the capital? I’ve never seen it before, heh. But, uhm, I don’t actually know where it is, and how to get there. So he just gave me this paper with the location and other stuff about his cause. . ." Ahote explained eagerly, sliding the paper onto the table he sat at so that they may look at the details themselves. "He said he'd have a job for me if I came today. So. . ." The raven haired boy twiddled with his thumbs with a small grin. He was more excited for where he was going rather than what he was going to do. How exciting, indeed!

WC: 3,997/3,666 (Word count reached)