Macarons at Breakfast
For the past 30 years, Rexton Ambrose has poured himself into fighting not only for his country but also for Peculiardom. Upon hearing stories of the Cairnholm Loop from Lieutenant Abraham Portman, he takes the opportunity to visit after the end of the war. Follow him through the years as he works to protect Peculiars, to hunt the leader of the Claywing Movement, and ultimately regain not only the memories of his past but the trust of those who thought they knew him.
Chapter One
Major General Rexton Ambrose kept an eye on his friend, whose behavior went from excitement about returning home to near obvious dread. It had slowly developed as they boarded the train to Wales, happy chatter from the young man about his found family turning into a distant silence. Having served five years together in a secret Division of the British Army focused upon hunting down Hollows and Wights led to a close friendship which is why rather than ask questions Rexton remained silent letting Abe Portman make the first move.
Slowly, concern began to build as they left the train station and began traveling to Cairnholm Island via boat with no words spoken between them. Since they were traveling in uniform some would stop to thank them for their service and children eyed them with awe. Fortunately, they were the only passengers this afternoon which meant some quiet for the first time in their journey. Rexton lived not terribly far from the border to Wales and upon learning that, Abe asked that they travel together so that he could meet the peculiar family he left to fight for. Having loved the tales shared about his life there growing up, it was an easy request to accept.
"Rex," Abe said, eyes focused upon his clenched hands.
He hummed in question, head leaning upon his crossed arms as he relaxed on the bench.
"I can't stay."
The General opened his eyes and peeked out from under his cap. "Why's that?"
Abe blinked a few times, mind whirling. "Loops are for children. To keep them safe. I am no child. Not anymore."
Rexton sat up, eyebrows furrowed. "I don't think Miss Peregrine would throw you out. Besides, you've got a lady friend waiting for you."
"Miss P may overlook my age, but if I stay, what good can I do in a loop? What kind of life will I live stuck on an island in the midst of nothing? And Emma..." he expressed emphatically, his voice fading as he mentioned the light in his life that had kept him fighting. "I want to keep her safe. My choices are to stay with a teenage love until either time ends or the Hollows find us. Or I can leave the loop, work to keep them safe, and maybe, one day I can go back."
Rexton absorbed the information, the sound of waves settling between them. "What if in that time, you grow old, returning to Emma an old man?"
"It's not like I'm going to fall off the side of the earth. If the years keep going or things go wrong, I'll tell her. But she is safest in the loop. And that is what matters."
"It's your choice, Abe. Just make sure you're prepared for the consequences," Rexton advised gruffly, returning to his relaxed posture.
Well, that was a subject he was not going to become involved in. If he had learned anything worthwhile in life it was to not become involved in another's decision. Helping them out by seeing other angles was one thing, but offering advice that could easily be taken up and blamed, later on, was quite another. He could tell that Abe was taken aback by his curt answer and obvious dismissal of the subject, but he knew their friendship would survive. They'd forged it through hell and high water after all.
Rexton sighed and slowly stood. "I'm going to go watch the captain take us into port. Think this through before coming to your final decision, that's the best advice I can give you, my friend."
Abe nodded, taking on a more contemplative look than the anxiety that had plagued him on their trip.
Making his way to the bow of the ship, he left his mind to wander over the details Abe had shared over the years about Cairnholm. The fact it was a small island off of Wales with a minuscule population definitely made it ideal for a loop. Rexton was somewhat surprised Miss Bunting hadn't confided in him about this particular loop yet, however. When he'd become a sort of ambassador between the British Government and the Ymbryne Council shortly after the Great War she became his main contact towards Peculiardom. A friendship had blossomed between them and she had helped to fill in the gaps of his knowledge of Peculiar History. Before being assigned to France in the mid-20s he knew the current Ymbryne council and was quite surprised to have learned that Abe's Miss Peregrine was the newest member as well as one of the youngest. He had to admit, his curiosity had fueled him to join Abe on this trip home just as much as the stories of the others that lived there. He wondered what she would think of his plans concerning the Loops and their safety.
After disembarking, they walked through the small town, and Rexton was surprised that the residents ignored their presence. "It's me. They know who I am and why I'm here." Abe explained.
Venturing past the village and into the woods he continued, "Any time I had any leave I'd come back. The first time they asked questions, wondering why I'd ever bother to visit. I shrugged and explained I felt the need to come back every so often to pay my respects to those I lost. After the third time, they stopped paying attention to me."
"That seems fast."
Abe shrugged. "They never did care for us living here. Found us odd."
Rexton let out a laugh, "If only they knew."
They'd gotten to the Cairn and he had to admit, entering one felt somewhat indecent. "You're sure no one was buried here?"
"By the Bird Rex, for a Syndrigast you've some very Coerfolc superstitions."
"You've not lived through two world wars or seen half of the horrors I have Lieutenant. I've superstitions for good reasons." He defended, slowly following into the dark.
Waves of dizziness flowed over his body as the time shifted to the past. Rexton felt his knees weaken and he hoped they wouldn't buckle beneath him like the last time he visited Miss Bunting. Abe turned to him with a wary eye, remembering the story well. "I'm not going to carry you, you know."
Rexton laughed as the feeling faded and they began to exit. "You young people. Losing all respect for your elders nowadays."
They continued to banter back and forth as they made the trek to the grand house. Seeing it through the trees, Rexton was taken a bit back by its grandeur on such a small island. "You said it was large but definitely left out the details. That architecture is impressive."
A chuckle escaped Abe. "Never crossed my mind, to be honest. I don't know if Miss Peregrine knows its history or not."
Any further conversation between them came to a halt as an exclamation pierced the air. "It's Abe! Abe's back!"
A smile grew on both men's lips and Rexton shook his head. "They've got a lookout."
"Olive likes to hover when she knows company is coming." He explained, eyes eagerly looking for Emma.
"That's brilliant."
Excited chatter grew closer and then another cry, "Miss Bloom, slow down! Mr. Portman's visit will not last any longer if you fall and hurt yourself."
Rexton watched in amusement as advice was unheeded and a young girl practically flew into Abe's waiting embrace. He gave the two some privacy and advanced forward to the group. "Hello there."
They stopped at the newcomer, the children's eyes growing wide and excited. "You're a General!" One of the boys said.
He nodded, kneeling as he removed his cap. "I am. Abe has told me many stories about you all so I had to come and meet you," he explained before glancing up to their Ymbryne, "I do hope it won't be an inconvenience."
"You are more than welcome here. Abe has shared several tales of his time away. It is nice to finally meet one of his comrades." She extended her hand, "Miss Alma LeFay Peregrine, lovely to make your acquaintance."
He gently took her hand in his gloved one. "Major General Rexton Ambrose."
"Welcome to Cairnholm Major General."
A\N: Updates will be weekly unless I surpass what has been written. If/When that happens, updates will become BiWeekly. I hope you enjoyed and shall see you next week. Also, I'm not sure if disclaimers are needed anymore, but if so consider this to be one: I do not own any part of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, nor The Tales of Peculiardom. All Original Content does belong to the internet persona known as Vykanya which includes the main storyline as well as any original characters.