XIV

Solace

For once, Alexander and I did not have much to do.

We were still investigating the effects of the Orb before warding off the Shadow. I was reading a quite interesting book –about famous archaeological findings- when a soft hissing sound caught my attention. Confused, I looked around until I focused on the window. It was raining! Well, not that it doesn't rain buckets here in London but in the middle of summer, it was strange to see such a sight. Still, Prussia wasn't my homeland.

Since I was a child I had the habit of storming outside to our garden and standing under the rain until I finally felt cold; sometimes, there was no such moment. I had to keep my composure during my university days, because I was always reminded of home. Sadly, Hazel was never able to keep me company under the rain. I always prayed for her to join me soon.

When I saw it was pouring down, I jumped to my feet, barely conscious that I had been about to knock my chair over. I'm sure Alexander must've thought I was already crazy, because I remember myself feeling elated, as a little child making his first discovery of what the world around him is.

"It's raining!" I exclaimed.

"And what would be so peculiar about- Daniel!"

I didn't give Alexander time to finish: like I used to do, I stormed out of the study and headed for the main entrance. It was childish of me, yes, but I could not help it. When I stepped foot outside and the rain finally hit me, I was relieved beyond my own comprehension. I clearly remember what I thought about during those seconds of silence: Mayfair, Regent's Park in a day such as that one, my old home in Dover, Herbert and his persisting that I take a parasol for the desert… They were memories that seemed so distant and yet so close to me…

Simply standing with my eyes looking skyward was relieving and peace-instilling. I felt at ease, as if all my concerns had fled if just for a moment. I smiled.

"You forced me to do this again."

"Blast it, you scared me!" I cried, jumping away like –dare I say- a scared cat. "And what did I force you to do? You didn't have to come out."

"I share your fondness toward rain," Alexander said, stepping up to me. "It always helped me clear my mind."

"Excuse me, but… 'helped'?" I asked, careful not to dig up any personal matter.

"Rain always felt bitter after a certain day." Alexander smiled. "I won't bore you with that, but you asked, didn't you?"

"It did for me, too, after a while." I slicked back some strands on my forehead. "But even what you hate can be your greatest relief."

"Words of a writer. It figures."

"Please!" I cried, chuckling. Like I detailed in an earlier entry, there were certain moments when I felt at ease when in Alexander's company; this was one of them. Since we both decided to stay outside for as long as we felt like, we sat on the stone path and we remained silent. Eventually, hands behind my head, I lay down and stared at the sky. It was a more beautiful sight at ground level.

And even when it cleared, we stayed there.

I smiled, glad to see the first rays of light break through the clouds.

A/N: I shall send a Grunt after anybody who considers this A/D. I HAVE SPOKEN! xD