Chapter VIII; Waiting
The youngest of the Foretellers sat on the fountain that was the meeting place for many friends and unions. Her feet kicked back and forth in a childish way, that really did make it obvious she wasn't much older than the wielders under her command. Some were even older than her. She had always wondered why she had been the one chosen for the task of leading a union. There had to be many better options. And there had to be someone better qualified to handle the impending chaos.
"Master Ava!" A boy's voice called out, dragging the young master out of her thoughts. Standing in front of her was a boy with silver hair. He belonged to Aced's union if she was correct.
"Oh hello, your name is Ephemer right?" Ava asked. He was known for trouble, and Kamiko really did like him. He had spoken to Ava a few times, always asking questions Ava didn't have an answer for. The boy nodded.
"Can I join you?" Ephemer asked. Ava nodded.
"Uh-huh." She said. Ephemer sat beside her. He kicked his feet back and forth like Ava had been before. He glanced at her and tilted his head to the side.
"Why the long face? Did something happen?" Ephemer asked. Ava jumped a little, not aware she had been frowning.
"Long day," Ava said with a short laugh. Ephemer didn't reply. "Do you remember when you asked me why all the unions compete?" Ava asked rather suddenly. Ephemer nodded slowly. "Well, I've been wondering the same thing." She admitted.
"Isn't it because the Master said so?" Ephemer asked, with a frown. He had never liked that reasoning.
"Yes, and because the Master says it is." Ava agreed. "But lately I've been wondering about other things. You once told me you were looking for answers that you wanted to solve the mysteries of this world. Well, I think that's how things should be. We need to question things and think for ourselves." She continued on. Ephemer looked at her in shock.
"Whoa, you're really not yourself today. I guess even Foretellers have their off days." Ephemer said in a joking matter. Ava smiled a little. "Hey, maybe talking about the book will cheer you up!" He suggested.
"Not a chance!" Ava replied. Looking away, crossing her arms.
"Aww." Ephemer said, looking defeated. Ava looked back at him with a smirk.
"You were trying to pull a fast one on me weren't you?" She asked. Ephemer jumped up quickly.
"No, no! I was joking." He said, waving his hands in front of him.
"If you say so," Ava said with a laugh. "But I really think it would be great if all unions could work together and be friends." She continued, managing to keep her smile.
"You know, I made a friend in another Union today. They were kinda talkative, but she was a lot of fun. We're meeting again tomorrow." Ephemer said grinning at the ground. He was rather fond of that girl, for only have met her today. He had high hopes for her.
"That sounds fun. You better go home and get some sleep then." Ava said still smiling. She was glad to hear friends could cross union boundaries.
"Kay," Ephemer said hopping up. "Well, it was nice talking to you. I don't know what's got you down but please cheer up." He said, grinning at her happily.
"Thank you," Ava said as he ran off. Ava looked at the sky with a soft smile. "If worse comes to worst I want to leave the future to the kids who see the world like you do. Let the wind carry you far far away... My Dandelions." She said to no one in particular. As she spoke seeds of a dandelion were blown past in the wind.
*3*
Annora sat on her own, leaning back against the fountain. The sound of flowing water had been her comfort for most of the day, along with the sound of feet as other wielders ran through tracking down various Heartless. She had been waiting for Ephemer for far too long. He had said noon, and it was nearing sunset. The sky was just beginning to turn pink. Annora sighed heavily getting to her feet. Much to her surprise when she stood there was a boy with purple hair looking at her. He had piercing aqua eyes that seemed to be looking through her. She didn't know anything about him, but she was already unnerved.
"Who are you, just sneaking around all suspiciously?" Annora asked, glancing around her. There was no one beside the boy. He was off in a corner so Annora assumed if someone passed by she would look like she was talking to thin air. The boy didn't answer her question, only looked at her with well-controlled curiosity. "What not going to answer?" Annora demanded.
"You've been sitting here all day." The boy commented calmly. Annora narrowed her eyes, looking over the boy. She was certain she didn't know him, but he was familiar. Perhaps she had seen him around town. But that did not explain why he knew she had been here all day.
"And now you're stalking me? How creepy can you get?" Annora asked harshly. The boy rolled his eyes in exasperation. He moved away from where he was standing, walking to the edge of the fountain. He didn't speak right away, appearing to be lost in his own mind.
"I'm not stalking. I've just passed by several times today." He said simply. Annora crossed her arms still glaring at him. His calmness was aggravating. It was as if he couldn't concern himself with things like emotions.
"Doing what? There aren't that many Heartless are there?" Annora asked. The boy was again silent, thinking over his response. His behavior made Annora suspect he was a Leopardus, though she had no proof and usually didn't like jumping to conclusions such as that. After all, Ephemer had been the last thing she expected of an Ursus.
At the thought of Ephemer Annora frowned. She couldn't think of where he could be. What if he was in trouble? Or what if he really hadn't intended of meeting her at all? What if he had just been humoring her for the day?
"Collecting information for my master." The purple haired boy said suddenly, drawing Annora out of her thoughts. He had taken so long to answer Annora had suspected he wasn't going to.
"Oh, so you're a spy for your Union?" Annora asked. She had rumors of such things fly through Daybreak Town. Wielders chosen to spy on the other unions and steal lux. She'd always dismissed them, but maybe they were more than rumors. The boy glared, his aqua eyes turning to ice in a moment. But he didn't speak. Annora smirked. "Not hearing you deny it." She said in a sing-song voice.
Just then Annora's Chirithy appeared beside Annora. Annora turned her attention to the small dream eater quickly.
"Hey there!" Chirithy greeted. It glanced towards the purple haired boy and jumped in surprise. "Oh! Jax, sir!" It said quickly. Annora looked at Chirithy in surprise.
"Who's he?" Annora asked, bending down to talk to Chirithy easier. Chirithy looked up at her, turning away from the boy, who was apparently called Jax.
"He's the lieutenant for the Leopardus Union, I hope you weren't bothering him." Chirithy said with a nervous laugh. Annora had been right about his union at least. But she was surprised to hear he was a lieutenant. Most of them were fairly well known. But she had never heard of him.
"That explains it," Annora said. She straightened up and turned back to Jax. He had returned to his calm demeanor, losing the glare he had had before Chirithy's appearance. "Sorry about that." Annora said, rubbing the back of her head. Jax didn't acknowledge her apology.
"Why have you been here all day?" Jax asked curiously. His head tilted to the side, causing his bangs to fall into his eyes just a bit.
"I was waiting for a friend but he never showed." Annora replied with a sad frown. Jax nodded slowly, looking her over.
"I'm sure something just came up." Chirithy said helpfully. Annora nodded.
"Right." She agreed, though her voice made it obvious she didn't believe that. Or didn't want to.
"Who's this friend?" Jax asked. Annora looked up at him surprised. She really hadn't expected him to hang around. Being a lieutenant he had to busy all the time. Kamiko had seemed that way. And so did Adianna.
"Ephemer, he's from-" Annora began. She was cut off by a laugh from Jax. It was a short laugh that was accompanied by him shaking his head.
"You don't have to say anything more. He probably just got in trouble again." Jax said. He sounded surprisingly bright at those words. It was amusing to him. Ephemer being in trouble. From his use of again, Annora supposed it happened fairly often.
"Again?" She asked, looking for confirmation. Jax smirked a little and nodded, not speaking. He didn't seem to see it necessary to speak to confirm that piece of information. And it really wasn't.
Annora sighed and looked down with a smile. It really did seem like Ephemer to be in trouble often. With his disregard for rules and ability to find all sorts of things he shouldn't. His curiosity that seemed to rule him. He must have been uncontrollable to the union masters. But Annora really didn't see it that way. She saw it as free.
"Thanks for telling me," Annora said looking up at Jax. He nodded once again without a word. Annora rubbed the back of her head nervously. She didn't do so well with silent companions. It didn't make for much conversation. "Um, see ya, I guess." Annora said. Jax nodded and turned away, hands in his pockets as he walked away. Annora guessed he could spend days without talking to anyone. "He's kinda weird." Annora remarked to her Chirithy.
"Annora!" Chirithy said in a scolding manner. Annora looked at Chirithy with a surprised look.
"What?" Annora asked in confusion. She didn't understand what the Chirithy thought the problem was. The comment had been harmless enough. Chirithy shook its head.
"Nothing. Let's head home." It said. Annora frowned, looking to one of the many entrances to the square. Chirithy followed her gaze and sighed. "I'm sure something came up. The only time a friend is unable to keep a promise is when something super serious has happened. I know you're worried, but you just have to believe. If you're sad I'll be sad too. Well now, I'm your friend too right." Chirithy said. Annora looked down at the dream eater with a smile.
"How dare you threaten me with being sad." She said in a joking manner. She knelt down and lifted Chirithy up off the ground. Chirithy waved its arms in surprise but didn't complain otherwise. "You're right though. Let's go." Annora said. Chirithy nodded in agreement. Annora held Chirithy close to her chest as she wandered off, returning to her home.
*3*
Annora sat in the fountain plaza again, still waiting for Ephemer to make his appearance. She had been waiting a long time, but she wasn't sure how long. Maybe only a few hours, maybe days. But she knew it came as a surprise when the silver-haired boy ran into the plaza.
"Sorry," Ephemer said quickly, not giving Annora a chance to speak. Annora put her hands on her hips and gave Ephemer a look of anger and contempt. He smiled nervously.
"Sorry," Annora repeated coldly. Ephemer rubbed the back of his head. "Do you know how long I waited for you? I thought you had just ditched me!" Annora said. Ephemer waved his hands in front of him quickly, trying to defend himself.
"I'm sorry. I really am. There was something important I had to take care of. I hope you can forgive me." He said quickly. Annora sighed, losing her angry look. Ephemer smiled at that. "Are you still up for our adventure?" He asked. Annora smiled at him again.
"You're lucky we're friends," Annora stated. "Let's go."
Annora didn't remember any of the trip to the underground passage they had been shown by Kamiko. It was almost as if she had blinked and they were there. As they approached the area they had last stopped in, Annora noticed things were off. The details of her surroundings were faded, not at all what they should have been had she really been there.
"It's up ahead. Are you with me?" Ephemer asked, turning to look at Annora. Annora tried to answer. Of course, she was with him. But she couldn't. Her entire body froze. "Ah, you're not ready yet. I had a feeling that might be the case. I'll be waiting." Ephemer said with a smile.
Annora wanted to question him. But she couldn't. He began fading away into dandelion seeds, blowing away in the nonexistent wind.