The wedding planning is finally done. I can't believe it took so long. Who cares what flowers there will be?…weddings are annoying
I walked solemnly to Phaidra and Frank's house. They were the only other adults I could talk to…plus they should know of Lloyd and Genis' ban. But they'd be going on the journey with Colette anyway, so what did it matter?
I knocked softly and opened the door, seeing they already had a guest. He sat in the corner, reading a newspaper near the fire. The reflections of flames danced on his spiky brown hair. He looked a little older than me, but not much. My light knocking hadn't caused him to lose his concentration toward his reading.
I cleared my throat, trying not to scare him. "Yes?" he asked, not moving his eyes from the paper.
I was a bit surprised…he had to have known I was there…was he being rude?
"Is Frank here?" I asked. At that time Frank came downstairs.
"Hello Parker, what's your reason for stopping by?"
I sat down at a seat nearby. I felt very comfortable with them, explaining my 'sitting without an offer.' I looked down and started my story from the banging on my door.
Afterwards Frank spoke quietly. "Darn desians…once Colette seals the seals they'll finally disappear…they cause so much sadness," he came over and hugged me tightly. A tear or two ran down my face, but I quickly controlled them. I had to maintain my 'tough exterior,' especially since I was alone now. "Your sister will surely be fine," he released me and put his hands on my shoulders. "She's strong like you. You've brought her up well."
I nodded my head in thanks. He continued on and sat at the other side of the table. "Raine wanted to see if you'd like to come on the Journey of Regeneration with her, Colette and Kratos. She thinks it'd do good for you to study it firsthand. She was going to ask you herself, but I saw you so I thought I'd run it by you."
"Who's Kratos?" I asked, not knowing of anyone with that kind of name in Iselia.
"I am," said the man in the corner. He had looked up finally and his paper was folded up neatly on the table beside him. I had completely forgotten about him…spilling my story to some stranger. From these thoughts I could just mutter an 'oh.'
"…I'm a mercenary. I'm going to protect Colette…for a fee."
"That's nice of you," I said with sarcasm, but more because of lack of something better to say.
Rain started to poor down, making a pitter-patter sound on the roof.
"Perfect timing for the fires," offered Frank who always has something good to say. "So you'll need a place to sleep tonight? I'll set you up a sleeping bag out here if you don't mind."
"Oh, Frank it's better than sleeping in the rain. Thank you so much. I could cook for all of you tonight to show my thanks."
Phaidra came downstairs finally and heard my offer. She must have guessed my house was caught in the string of fires. "Oh that'd be lovely dear. It's been so long since you've cooked for us."
After dinner, which I was told was delicious; I sat outside of their house among Phiandra's garden. I sat on the front stoop, not having anything to protect me from the rain. Rain never bothered me, it was very relaxing, even in storms.
"You enjoy freezing?"
I turned my head around and saw Kratos standing behind me. He stood right in front of the front door so the roof kept him dry.
"It's not even cold," I shook my head.
"Then what are you doing?"
"…Just talking to the rain. It's the only thing that will listen and not throw useless advice back." I probably sounded stupid, but I didn't care.
He was silent for a while before he responded. "Rain doesn't listen. You're just talking to yourself." With that he went inside without another word.
I sat outside for another hour thinking of what Kratos said. What gives him the nerve to tell me I'm silly or stupid for talking to rain. It was stupid, but who's rude to people they don't even know? I ran my fingers lightly over the new scares on my neck from my sister's fingernails. A constant reminder.
I went inside and took a shower and changed into pajamas I borrowed from Colette. I went back downstairs with the sleeping bag Frank gave me. Everyone was asleep already…except for Kratos who was lying down in a dark corner of the room. He had a thin blanket. Probably the only thing he accepted from Frank, with his 'pride.' I laid the bag down beside the fireplace, which was still lit. I turned to face it instead of facing Kratos.
"…We'll be going on the Journey of Regeneration tomorrow, " he said quietly.
I didn't turn to face him or reply. "I'm sorry for my previous actions," he said and got up to sit beside me. I looked at him, a confused look on my face. "I was being rude…I just…" he didn't finish his sentence and shrugged.
I couldn't help but stare at him as he uttered his apology. He was so…beautiful was the only word to describe it. His brown eyes held so much despair for someone so young, though. "I've been known to be sharp-tongued too," I replied. He met my eyes for a millisecond before looking back toward the fire, which was dimming. He nodded and looked back at me again before getting up to return to his blanket.
I rolled on my back and looked at the ceiling. What was I getting myself into?
