Chapter 9 - Sands of Time

Elpida Etrama di Astraea was a gift he had never expected to have. Even knowing his death would be only the start of painful things she would have to live through he could not regret having her.


The next two weeks were practically dream like, lots of entertaining activities, storytelling and day trips. Astraea's smile became a common sight and Raizel made it through the days without trouble. Everyone was treated to family videos (of high quality), from the time Tao installed cameras in Frankenstein's house till a month ago, and they ended up making more. Everyone was adopted as Astraea's Uncles' and Auntie; it was pleasant.

Eventually Raizel needed an afternoon rest between one and two hours. It placed a dampener on the mood of the house but everyone still spent enjoyable time together.

Tao teaching tech and playing computer games together. Takeo being put through new hairstyles each day and the entire household getting involved in blanket cubby houses; just to name some. Seria and Regis discussed points of noble child development that the 'young lady' should know. Frankenstein put together activities and lessons they could do as a group even Raizel joined in.

The amount of time Raizel had to spent resting extended slowly, until it reached the point the he was unwilling to rest for that long. Frankenstein needed to schedule treatment into his routine.

Astraea started spending more time at her Papas' side, they all did. Tea parties and puzzles, things that they could do in his presence became the preferred options from the flexible schedule they had set up. It came to party week the one Astraea suggested. Planning and preparing it became very important as his inevitable death weighed on them. Frankenstein was getting so tired from the repeated treatments that after the first meeting he left it up to them.

Raizel became so still at times he couldn't be breathing, it was unnerving. Eventually he would always reach for his tea or take a breath and they would know he hadn't left them yet.

Aware of the events planned for that day Frankenstein made certain that his master would be awake for the duration. It was divided into two parts a small gathering for members of the household and an open gathering for everyone who knew Raizel on friendly terms.

The day of the premature wake arrived.


This chapter feels a bit choppy. I consider it needed because I refuse to jump three weeks time with 'nothing' happening. I hope my intent is getting across to all ye readers. I hope I can get through the second half of the wake, there will be more characters than I normally handle at once.