Chapter 8 – Morning
To be unable to help those who had taken them in all those years ago, it was an unpleasant feeling. In some ways worse than knowing that he was going to die.
Everyone was at breakfast the next morning; prepared by Seira it was delicious. It wasn't until everyone had finished eating that Frankenstein expressed his intent to make a light schedule to optimise the time they spent as a group. He had a draft made up but wanted everyone's opinion before finalizing anything.
It really was a light plan just one or two things to do each day that shouldn't take more than an hour each, with the exception of some day trips to petting zoos or the like. A few activities swapped around or removed but it really didn't need the adjustments Frankenstein knew them all well. The only surprise came from Astraea, "This day, we should have a formal goodbye to Papa."
Eh, why then? "Astraea, it is unconventional to make an occasion of anyone's death before they die. What would everyone do?" Event activities were the main problem?
"Well I thought we should celebrate Papa's long and rich life. We could also design the monolith and thank him for being with us until now. We could treat it more like a birthday party to, would you like that Papa?" Raizel nodded to his daughter and it was decided.
"Is there a reason for that particular day?" Inquired Regis, looking a bit perplexed about the proceedings.
"Ah, that is the day before masters' chance of entering eternal sleep rise greatly. This is based on numerous factors but the main one is his life-force will drop below the required levels to maintain a body, according to my research." Frankenstein replied without infliction. That would explain why there were no outings scheduled after that day. How was the boss tacking all this in stride?
"I'm surprised none of your current experiments are geared toward curing him." There was a tentative question hidden in that statement.
"Papa forbade Father from continuing that less than two months ago. Something about no one dying so he could live." That made sense, without an order Frankenstein would never stop looking and having methods that must not be used would frustrate anyone into temptation. There was silence.
"Well then does everyone agree on the schedule?" Agreement all round, "Then I'll prepare a copy for everyone." Once everyone else had left the table Raizel let out a quiet sigh, he had finished the tea in his cup. Getting a fresh cup from the pot he went to the nursery, smiling at his daughter there.
He could feel the confusing emotions she was experiencing, letting her feel his love. He settled in an armchair placing the tea on the side table. He did not have to wait for her to sit on his lap, she wanted to be there.
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.
So I hope the semi-first-person works out, anyway. When this story is finally marked completed you authors may borrow Astraea, I don't feel like I'm doing her justice. While you can tell she has intelligence clearly her emotional understanding should be closer to her actual age in human terms, ever explained death to a toddler? She is too smart for her own good so she hasn't received an education fitting her intelligence and wont until she has the moral and ethical understanding to back it up. I wish I knew how this will reach the end I planed but each chapter just flows on from the last... I'm getting the feeling she will be less stubbornly proud keeping the same appearance then most nobles, but that wont come until after this story ends. *sigh*