Faces from the Past
Bookman walks quickly with the little girl following. He needs to leave fast. Of all people he literally had to bump into is that general. Luck isn't with him in such bad timing so he quickly leaves that town with the little girl.
When finally settling down on their seats in the train, a hand suddenly grabs him by the collar.
"Pay up, brat," says a red haired man with a mask covering half of his face.
"It was an accident. No harm done..." says the young man with a forced smile and hands in surrender. Shit. This is bad. He acts like his last persona.
The little girl stares at the strange man. She feels fear even if her face does not show it.
"Can you please let him go? Will these do?" she tries to ask calmly while handing a bag of coins.
"Rin, you don't need to do that. Just get away. I'll think of something," he says in a different language to the little girl with a hopeful smile.
"Yes, Bookman," says the little girl but didn't move when the red haired man suddenly hits her mentor against the wall of the compartment.
"Don't think you can get away without paying. Give me that, kid," says the man with a hand waiting for her to hand it to him.
She walks towards him and hands out the bag but before he gets hold of it, she hits him hard in the weakest point.
"Sh*t! F***ing-"
The young man and little girl run away fast and get off the train before it starts to move.
"Hahaha... We almost got killed there," says the young man laughing hysterically.
The little girl laughs along with him before asking, "Who is he anyway?"
The man may have not acted like he knows her master but the young man has shown recognition.
"Someone my last persona knew."
"He didn't look like he knew you."
"He is like that. He is still unreasonable getting pissed off over something like that."
"He looks like a prideful man."
"A womanizer, full of vanity... Where'd you get the money?" he asks curiously.
"It... it was from someone we passed by. I figured out something like that might happen."
"You should stop that, Lia."
"Sorry, Bookman."
"We can manage."
"Yes, Bookman."
"Good hit though. Who would have thought the great general would have one of his days like this."
"He's on your side back then."
He pauses a bit before answering.
"... Yes. He is a general of the so called good side of the war."
"When will you tell me more about that war, Bookman?"
"Some other time. Not now."
She frowns for a second. He always tell her that. Who knows if he ever will?
A long journey it takes them once more, hot in the dry dessert and cold in the icy mountains.
The small village beyond the mountains has no name and is unknown to outsiders. The people living there are part of the Bookman clan but not everyone is part of the actual group of Bookmen. There are workers who cultivate the land and provide the food for the village. There are small families living as a community. A select few are trained as scholars and of those chosen, they become apprentices, keepers, watchmen, teachers and some Bookmen.
They finally arrive and stay with Dalton and Triya like the last time they were there.
Triya, a woman in her early twenties rushes towards the little girl and gives her a hug.
"Lia! I barely recognized you from that sickly figure you once were," the older girl says squeezing the little girl. "You've grown. I assume Bookman is taking care of you well."
"He does," says the little girl with a soft smile but does not return the hug.
"You must be tired. It's still the same room. Up the ladder and to the right. The extra sheets are there. Dinner will be ready in ten."
Dalton, the old man, elder, and teacher merely gives a nod of recognition at the two then goes inside.
"Bookman..."
"You know our duty. We won't stay long. It will be just a month like before."
"Yes, Bookman."
The pair then enters the two-story wooden house. The stairs that looks only like a ladder, they climb up onto. First the little girl then the young man follows. There is no door like before but only a white cloth acts as one. The room is full of parchment, scrolls and books as usual. Hardly anything changes with the way their room looks.
"There's another red bird but it isn't the one from before," says the little girl as she approaches the cage.
"Indeed. Who knows where that red bird has gone."
A boy and a girl in their late teens pays a visit to the little girl who is reading a book by the patio. The eighteen year old girl suddenly throws a punch at the little girl who dodges it and readies in a stance dropping the book.
The older girl continues and gives punches and kicks at the little girl who makes a counter attack.
For ten minutes, they fought while the seventeen year old boy merely watches at the side.
"You've improved," says the older girl with a hand on the little girl's shoulder. "Can you remember our names?" she asks with a challenge.
"It has been two years," the boy agrees.
"Katya, sixteen years old when we met. Sister of the apprentice that trained under my master's predecessor but didn't succeed. You claimed once that my master stole your brother's position."
"You know I didn't mean it. Seriously, Lia. You still haven't changed."
"What is there to change?" she asks monotonously.
"We aren't here to meet Bookman's apprentice, just the little girl, Lia."
"She's not here."
"Don't be such a spoil sport. I know we are just ink but I'm not a Bookman or apprentice. We just wanted to see the little girl who's grown."
"Suit yourself," she says monotonously.
"You still haven't said his name," challenges Katya. She still at times acts like a child even if she is older than the little girl.
"Erez, fifteen years old back then. You were the first one I talked with excluding Dalton and Triya. You tried to test me to only fail. Regardless of intentions, you helped me back then when I was lost inside the building."
"He sounds much better in your record," says Katya while giving a pout.
"Ignore her. How are you? How is being Bookman's apprentice like?" asks Erez.
They talk about her journey and records. It isn't exactly forbidden in the code, the way they interact.
Katya later offers to teach her more in the martial arts. Erez makes an agreement with her to exchange information. The two leave in the evening while the little girl continues her book until a voice calls her.
"Lia, come inside. It's time for dinner," Triya says.
The little girl closes the book then enters the house.
The month long stay quickly ends. She has played her part well while distancing herself in a not so obvious manner. Like the ink in their records, who knows if she'll meet them again or what will happen. She has to be careful at all times.
She now knows from experience the pain of attachment or rather the effects of it.
Red.
Blood.
Chaos.
DEATH.
They recently arrive on the town where a massacre suddenly happens. Strange machines or monsters are floating and firing bullets everywhere. Those hit deteriorates. The people suddenly turn to dust.
There are akuma everywhere. The young man carries the little girl and rushes to take cover. He no longer has the weapon that can protect them in case a stray bullet reaches them. They need to take shelter and escape. It is not part of his assignment to record these events. He will write the record but will not stay long. He can't stay long. It will be trouble if anyone recognizes him.
The little girl wants to know what those 'monsters' are. He won't tell her.
"I'll know about them in the end. Why won't you tell me?" she asks.
"Not now."
"Why? You shouldn't be affected too much, Bookman."
"And so are you."
"Won't you at least explain what they are?"
"Not now. We need to think of a new plan to get to our destination."
"Bookman, please."
"We have others things to take care of."
"Bookman-"
"Lia, not now!"
The little girl is shocked seeing the young man angry and irritated. She isn't supposed to but it reminded her of the past, of her actual past that she buried away when she was so much smaller.
She is scared. He is angry. Bookman is angry at her.
He leaves her alone to clear his head. He is worrying too much of the consequences in their situation.
She goes out to look for him and apologize for her behavior.
Worry that she shouldn't be feeling took so much space in her head, she didn't notice the bullet that almost hit her. She falls down on the ground after someone has pushed her out of the way. She looks up to see a white haired Brit who is in his late teens.
"Are you alright?" he asks giving out a hand to help he stand up.
She nods while staring at his hand that previously looked like a weapon. She doesn't respond to his offered hand so he holds her at both sides to stand up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asks.
"Yes," she finally answers.
"I'm Allen Walker by the way. What's your name?"
Ezekeel: Was this chapter interesting? I hope it is. Did it turn out alright for you guys? Did anything seem wrong with the flow of events or the way it was written? Please do tell me what you think of it. I would love to hear from you guys whatever you may say.
I shall go into other events more and maybe explain some in the next chapter. I would have loved to right the time they have back at the clan but it will take too long until the real moment of action, somehow sort of action.
I apologize for the delay. I do hope you like this one. I'm not sure but maybe, I will update within the month. Still busy...
To: ThorongilAnime and Reiko-desu - Thanks so much for reviewing. ^_^ Hope you like this one.
It's near and somehow coming so here's a greeting. Advance Happy Valentine's Day! :)
Monday, February 11, 2013
Edited: Sunday, June 23, 2013