It was at the celebratory dinner when the conversation happened.
The people of Belinsk—for a city that had until twenty-four hours ago been overrun by vicious monsters of darkness—had truly outdone themselves. Festivities surrounded the central fountain, music played from every corner, a theater troupe had taken over the opera hall, a grand feast was put together in the castle, and the returning heroes were completely barred from anything that involved them lifting a finger to help. And honestly, may Sol smile upon the people of the city for the consideration, for the children were well deserving of the rest.
The conversation in question, however, took place high in the balcony overlooking the castle's grand dining hall.
"He has your eyes, you know." Thus, the conversation began.
Arcanus shifted his gaze from the children below to eye his visitor approaching from the right. Even looking through the half mask, the person was unmistakable.
"And your nose." If that comment was made in jest, Arcanus showed no signs of humor towards it. He merely inhaled more deeply. His gaze returned to the original target below.
"No." He uncrossed his arms, and let them hang rigid by his sides. His hands gripped tightly on nothing. "That, he got from his mother."
Kraden nodded in his sagely way. "I must confess, I was confused at first when I saw him. There was something so very familiar about him, yet logically I knew I could have never met him in person before. The eyes... The determination." The elder looked down to the children talking noisily below, oblivious of their observers. "He is much like you."
Arcanus scoffed. "Let us hope not." His eyes followed the boy that bore his likeness as the other blue-haired boy, Rief, pounced on the young prince's shoulders. Only a day ago, they had been fighting for their lives and for the world. Now they took delight in playful banter over who would eat the last bread roll. "I did not see it before, but now I can see much of his mother in him. He has a level of kindness I could never hope to match. Veriti would be proud."
"Veriti must have been quite the amazing woman."
"She is," Arcanus-no, Alex-stated without hesitation, but then he caught himself. "That is... she was. Yes. She was." Amiti had won the battle for the bread roll. Alex watched with a softened gaze as the boy proceeded to split the roll into two portions and handed Rief the larger of the two. "Very amazing."
Kraden had since turned his focus sideways, eying his companion in the conversation in not so discrete a manner. "You could stay, you know. You could get to know him."
Arcanus closed his eyes; stiffened his jaw; tilted his head away. Kraden saw it all. "No. There are other matters I must see to." It was true, and Kraden could accept that as fact. As with Prox so many years ago, the Tuaparang would have many more warriors than simply the two they had encountered thus far.
The elderly alchemist realized he had been studying the boy yet again as he pondered this, and he looked back to address the person he hoped could now be considered their ally. "Alex-"
The balcony was empty save for him.
- End -
A little drabble with a touch of angst to start the new year. I was actually in class last month when I started this and e-mailed what I had so far to myself. I just rediscovered it in my Gmail inbox while sorting through messages this morning and decided to finish it up. Happy 2013, everyone! Here's hoping it's a good one!