Fearful Reunion

They found the living room by following the echoes of a conversation, which were the only sounds that they could hear in this castle. He was able to identify who each voice belonged to, but there was a fourth unknown voice that he’d never heard of. That was not how Charles’s mother sound like, and neither did he recall Charles mention having another sister.

“We’re here!” announced Roslan, bursting in through the door with a grin.

The Saverio siblings - their attention now turned towards the three at the doorway - were seated on sofas around a glass-top coffee table. On it was a small potted plant, surrounded by a set of teacups.

Behind them were a pair of tall windows that led to balconies that overlooked the road they had taken to arrive at this castle. The town of Laghsotti appeared as a speck in the distance, even if he were to lean on the parapet for a better view.

“Took you long enough,” said Charles, beckoning at them. “Come, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.”

Beside him was a blue sea lion in a lavender summer dress, who waved at them. She was adorned with flower accessories on her lengthy hair and wrist. Said hair was resting next to where she was seated, as if it was its own individual.

“Eve, meet Roslan, Cassandra, and Eliza,” began Charles, indicating them respectively. “Guys, meet Eve.”

Eliza went forward with a cheer, claiming the empty seat next to her. Meanwhile, Roslan and Cassandra, having returned their waves, claimed an empty sofa.

“Thank you for the introduction to your companions,”  said Eve, bowing curtly towards them.

“How did you two know each other?” asked Eliza, helping herself to an empty cup.

“Ah, we’ve met many years ago,” she replied. “I was sixteen when you arrived at Seabellow, right? I remember you had four companions with you that time. What were their names again?”

“You mean Curwen, Nilvarno, Elsie and Aquila?” said Charles.

“That’s them, yes! I was hoping that I could meet them again. Anyways, it’s a pleasure to know you, Eliza, Cassandra, and… sorry, but what was your name again?”

“Roslan,” he said. slumping into his seat with an arm across his belly while the other gave her a thumbs up. “Not to worry, I’m used to this. You seem like you’ve known Charles for quite a while. How old were you when you met her?”

“In my twenties, I think,” said Charles, scratching the back of his head. He was avoiding eye contact. “I just didn’t expect to see her here. Usually I would take missions near her place on my own to meet up with her and her pals.”

“I thought I should swing by when your sister told me that you’ll be bringing your co-workers for this year’s family reunion,” said Eve.

“It’s still a long way to go just to see us,” said Charles. “What about your grandparents? How are they doing?”

“They’re doing well,” replied Eve. “I’ve told them that I’ll be back after two weeks, starting today.”

“You just arrived?” Eliza gasped.

“It was a surprise.” She nodded with a wink. “I also got you a present.”

“You ought to return the favour when her birthday comes around, brother,” said Stanley with a chuckle. “Just look at all the effort she’s been through for you.”

He took the opportunity to examine the room in closer detail while everyone else caught up with one another. The ceiling had a surprising amount of detail, consisting of a choir of angelic beings looking down at them.

A nudge from his right led him to make eye contact with an exasperated Cassandra. In a whisper, she asked, “Do you think that I could leave with an excuse?”

He shrugged. “Give it a try.”

And she did. “May I be pardoned from this? I am exhausted from this trip, so I would like to rest in my room until dinner is served.”

“Certainly,” replied Isabella. “We have plenty of time to socialise for the next two weeks. It has been a long journey for you. Rest well, friend.”

With a nod, the she-devil left.

“Mind if I enjoy the view there?” said Roslan, indicating with his thumb at the balcony. “I’m tired, yes, but a bit of fresh air should keep me awake.”

“No need to ask,” said Stanley, gesturing at him towards the balcony. “Do as you please. Make yourself at home. You’re staying for a long while anyways.”

And so Roslan went to lean upon the parapet, basking in the wind as it blew against his face. This was a good view of the road, a thin wavy line that connects the town of Laghsotti to the Saverio Residence.

He can’t afford to fall asleep now, not when Charles has a guest around. If she wasn’t present, he would’ve been jogging several laps around the room. That would’ve been better than admiring the view, which could result in hi falling asleep if he remained here for too long.

Deep breaths now. Don’t think and shut one’s eyes. Maybe hum a song or two that he’d heard before he departed.

“What was that?”

He cracked his right eye open. It was the sea lion, who was leaning on her elbows upon the parapet. “The song?”

She nodded. “I think I’ve heard it before. It sounded like a song I’ve listened to before I left home.”

 “Was it post-rock?”

She smiled.

He returned a smile of his own. “Well colour me surprised.”

“They’re great.” She chuckled, now turned to face him. “Roslan, right? I thought I’d have a conversation with you while Charles and his siblings are catching up with one another.”

“Yeah, that’s my name. And thanks. I was starting to worry that I might fall asleep on this balcony, and no one would notice until I drop off the edge or something.”

“Not under my watch! We could just admire the view and drift into our own thoughts, unless you would like to tell me about your journey to this castle.”

“It was as dull as you’d expect it to be. Nothing but rides on trains till we got here by minivan.”

“Hah. Sounds just like my journey to the castle. Did you have a scrumptious meal on the train?”

He nodded. “Just cereal with some blueberry yoghurt. What about you?”

“That sounds lovely. I only had strawberries and waffles.”

“How many did you have that gave you enough energy to remain awake?”

She held up three fingers. “They were peculiarly small, to be clear.”

“I should try that next time. Did you travel with anyone else? It must’ve been tiring for you to come here on your own.”

“I d- didn’t.” She shook her head. “It’s fine. I brought one of my novels to keep myself entertained throughout. Still, my journey couldn’t compare to yours in terms of time and distance travelled. Imagine crossing three-quarters of the world for a family reunion on a yearly basis. I would’ve been dead tired.”

“Hah. It’s a miracle that I didn’t drop dead first.”

Laughter from inside caused the two to look. Stanley was gone, but Charles was surrounded by Eliza and Isabella, who were in the process of braiding his hair.

“They’re having fun,” said Roslan.

“Good thing it wasn’t me. It’s sorta why I came out and started a conversation with you.”

“Considering how long your hair is, I can see why. Good thing that you did.”

“So how long have you known Charles?” she asked, turning her eyes onto him. “You seem like you’re close to him.”

“Tell me about it.” He rolled his eyes. “The bat-stard has been nothing but trouble. Sure, things sounded fantastic for the first two years in his service, fighting monsters and ghosts and crazy folks trying to force Dark Gaia out of the Earth’s core again. But the appeal soon wore off. These days, he sends us out on missions for his own amusement.” He sighed, gazing at the horizon. “He’s not a terrible friend. It’s just… I need a break.”

She didn’t reply. From the corner of his sight, she was gazing inside. Had he said too much? Was she reconsidering what she’d known about Charles?

“Sorry,” he said, scratching the back of his ear. “I didn’t mean to go off like that.”

Without warning, she reached over and rested a hand on his shoulder. There was a gentle squeeze.

He could’ve shrugged it off, but he didn’t. He stayed there, frozen in place, wondering why.

 “It’s alright,” she said. “I guess that’s how things will be, so as long as we have others to protect. Do you have a family?”

He held his right hand up to show the lack of a ring on his finger. “Nope. I still live with my parents, my sister and relatives, if that counts.”

“Good, good. Charles is like you, you know? He may not be staying with his family most of the year, but you guys are like a family to him. He concerned for you as much as he’s concerned for me and my friends at Seabellow, even though we live on opposite ends of the world. Charles knows that we have our individual strengths and weaknesses, so he tries to let us do things that we can do without struggling against impossible odds. Maybe that’s why he’d sent you out on those missions. He knows that you’re better at dealing with those issues than the others could.”

He thought about the times that he’d seen other members of the Narsanials’ depart for missions he wasn’t involved in. Sometimes it was Nilvarno and Gabriel, sometimes Querida and Curwen, sometimes it was Balthazar, Elsie and Munais. Everyone specialised in something, much like how he was against magical threats.

He was reminded of a time when Charles summoned him to his office, to discuss about the chosen members who will be sent on a mission to Mazuri. It was a long discussion, but their banter ensured the success of the mission by the hands of their friends.

“You’re right,” he said, glancing behind. There was Charles, receiving braiding lessons from his sister as he put theory into practice via Eliza’s hair. They looked shoddy in comparison to what’s on him, and there was a disgruntled look on Eliza’s face that looked as if she wasn’t looking forward to undoing them.

“Don’t worry,” she said, looking in the same direction with a chuckle. “If there’s anything that you want to talk about, I’ll be here to listen to it.”

“Thanks.” He smiled, then turned back to admire the view. “What about you? Mind if I ask where do you come from?”

“Seabellow Town,” she answered. “It’s a quiet place by the sea. I guess that we’re working for the same cause? I and my friends have solved some mysteries and issues without needing Charles to save the day. But there have been instances where we need his prowess in fighting to resolve the matter.”

“You don’t have powers?”

She shook her head, turning around so that she leaned on her elbows on the balustrade. “None at all. I suppose you don’t have any too?”

“I can swing a sword. That counts, right?”

“I guess. I have a whip, but I’m not keen on using it.”

“It’s alright. Whips are difficult to use anyways, as cool as they may be. But it’s better to have it than to be unarmed against a threat. Why do you have one if you’re not keen on using it?”

“My uncle insisted that I have one.” She sighed, looking down at the compound below. “It is perfect for my dance performances, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t like the idea of hurting anyone with it, even if they are a threat.”

“Then keep using it for your dance performances,” he said, leaning sideways so he could see her in full. “It’s fine. Not everyone will be a fighter. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t fight, but if you can’t do it, then don’t force yourself to. You’ll only stress yourself out. Besides, you only fight when you need to, not all the time now. And if you’re hurt, those who care for you will be worried about you. And I guess that you don’t like it when others are worried for you, right?”

She looked up at the clouds with a much louder sigh. It wasn’t loud enough to get anyone’s attention. It looked like she was digesting his words. It was the look of someone who longed for the welcoming embrace of a nice, plush, soft, comfortable bed.

At least, that’s what he would have wanted. It was a tiring day.

“I know,” she finally said, looking at him with a smile. “It’s nice to hear this from another person. Thanks.”

“Just returning the favour,” he said, stretching his arms high with a stifled yawn. “Sorry, I’m really really tired.”

“I can relate,” she said, covering her mouth with a hand. It’s hard to tell whether she was yawning or chuckling. “I want to lie down till the next sunrise too, but we have to meet Charles’s parents over dinner. Speaking of.” She turned around with a hand cupped around her mouth. “Hey Charlie! When should we prepare for dinner?”

“Around five, I guess,” came a reply from inside. “You don’t have to wear anything fancy for that dinner. But my mother will be asking a lot of questions.”

“Right, I’d forgotten that she does that,” said Roslan, standing with his arms akimbo. “You’ve met his mother, right?”

“I have, and I don’t look forward to that again,” said Eve, sighing. “Let’s do our best to entertain them, shall we?”

“You got that right. Cassie isn’t going to enjoy this.”