Author's Note
I don't own ToS.
There is a major apology for last week's freak Saturday posting, and for my new scheduling post. I will now be updating in a cyle. I am updating Looks Can Be Deceiving, Dearly Departed Dad, Gundam Wing Renaissance, and Ken and the Chickens this week, and next week will be Playing Pretend, Storm of Envy, Sailor Moon and the Alchemic Memories, and Bending Reality, As Told By Nara. So sue me if it'll make you feel better, but I have found that I cannot update eight chapters a week. It's too much to do.
Dearly Departed Dad
Chapter 6: Liars
They said you did this, Dad. I couldn't believe it at first. Then Ms. Colette—someone who would never lie—she said she saw you. Or at least, that angel who said he was you. Is it really you Dad? Tell me the truth. I'm tired of this. I want to know. I want to hear from you. But if you're dead, I guess you couldn't speak to me, huh? It's funny how that works. I can talk to you, but you can't reach me. Unless these letters haven't reached you. Then that would make sense too. Am I being deceived? Is there no real way to contact you? I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. I probably should tell you what's happened.
Last time I wrote you, we were on our way to see Ms. Colette. In fact, I was going to tell Ms. Raine to stay out of my business, but that creepy guy interrupted us. I don't know why, but this weird man who sounds like a boy and a man all the same keeps following us. He's after Mom. He said he wanted revenge. Although, according to the others, his name is Mithos. Wasn't that the name of the hero? This is so confusing. They keep telling me I should let the stories go.
Sorry, I lost my train of thought again. Miss Colette was hurt really bad when we got here. I mean, I'd seen her beautiful picture a dozen times, and I knew it was her. I just didn't expect to see her like that. Her arm was nearly ripped off. She was bleeding in so many places from knife wounds. When I asked her why she took it, she looked at me and smiled. Oh Martel, if she hadn't been in so much pain, it would have made my heart melt! She told me that she'd never hurt my father, because his son didn't deserve to suffer again. If he was truly alive, that I deserved to know you. The group scolded her, but she still smiled, and apologized. Why did she apologize? Did she like you too, Dad?
We found that Lloyd guy in a worse state. If his dwarven father hadn't dragged his unconscious body inside after the fight, he probably would have died. How can that Mithos guy hate one man so much? What did this guy ever do to him? What did Mom ever do to him? I can't imagine what would have happened to Mom if he'd have gotten to her. That Lloyd guy charged when he saw me. They said he was delirious. Apparently he too knew that Ms. Colette had been attacked by that look-alike, and when he saw me, he jumped into fighting mode. I was scared, Dad. I've never seen anyone so angry at me before. Mom said not to worry, that Mr. Lloyd was probably apologize first thing in the morning, but it was scary.
I had to hide the letter. Ms. Raine came to talk to me after what Mr. Lloyd had done. I'm surprised she's still moving. She's been using a lot of her mana lately. She laughed it off when I asked. Apparently, it was me they were worried about. Why are they so worried about me? She said she thought Lloyd might have scared me, but to tell the truth, even though I was scared, I'd never admit it to her face. Never tell your weaknesses! It's dangerous! She tried to bring up that conversation we were having before we left, but I sat there. I mean it. I literally sat there. I didn't want to tell her. I'd rather talk to Mr. Genis than her, and even then, that's shaky at best. I want so many answers, and these adults keep lying to me. I'm going to talk to Ms. Colette tomorrow. She wouldn't lie, right? She's a good person. Of course, Mom doesn't lie either, but she's been acting weird since that look-alike showed up. It's like she's gone senile or something.
Lloyd visited now. I didn't speak to him at first, but he just came in and sat down. You know what his first words were? They were an honest, heartfelt apology. Did you know that he and Ms. Colette are married? I can't believe they are, and have been for like, ten years. They even have children! Oh well, that's not stopping me! I kinda like him. I mean, he's cool. He's a really nice, honest guy who seems to only want his peace and to let his past go. He said his father was gone too. That he had to leave after the reuniting of the worlds. He wouldn't say much more, but I bet there's a cool story there. I bet his dad so cool, just like I bet you are! He ran off after we spoke a little bit though, because we both heard Raine shouting for him to get back in bed, and he didn't want to get caught. Lloyd is definitely much cooler than I thought, for being Ms. Colette's husband and all. Did you know he is a master craftsman, second only to Mr. Dirk, his adopted father? Dad, did you ever meet him? I bet you liked him too. I bet you were best friends!
Mom didn't cry before she fell asleep tonight. I wanted to write to you, letting you know how she was doing too. She had been crying the first few nights, but tonight she sat there, looking at some sort of picture she had with her cards. I know I shouldn't spy like that, but I'm really worried. She really has been acting weird lately. She seems a lot more distant, and I kind of want my mom back. Maybe if the real you came, she'd feel better. Although, the real you showing up now won't happen, will it? Especially if you're dead. Night, Dad.
Shayne Fujibayashi, son of Zelos Fujibayashi