2:Cherished
Konoe and Bardo have left a note of absence back at the Inn. They needed to fetch some necessary ingredients and supplies from the merchants. They were running low at the Inn. The sudden influx of customers have caught them a little unprepared.
It was very unusual around this time of year for the Inn to get this busy, and so supplies are getting depleted quicker than they have planned or prepared for.
It wasn't known what had brought this greater arrival of guests and customers. Bardo may whine a bit about extra work, but Konoe isn't complaining as it was bringing good business to their little Inn.
For now, it seems the sudden incursion of guests have been steadily decreasing but there were still plenty of occupied rooms back at the Inn, and Bardo needed to ensure he had enough supplies to feed his guests.
Bardo wanted to be sure he had enough supplies to be able to provide his guest with good meals to fill their stomachs. Bardo prides himself as an owner of his Inn is his cooking. Nothing satisfies him more as the Inn owner than a well fed and satisfied guest leaving his care.
After Bardo was done haggling a bit with the merchant about price. He was quite pleased with his purchase. Since the Void disappeared much of the land in Sisa is able to be reclaimed. With land that was once lost and now reclaimed, the danger of food shortage that once gripped the Ribika was no more.
Food was starting to become abundant and conflict over food was becoming scarce, certain sacrifices are no longer required. The other fortunate thing was that food prices were starting to drop and merchants were selling goods at a lower price compared to years past.
The merchants may not be truly happy but it was a must if they wanted to compete with the increasing number of competition. Now that land is being claimed by more cats willing to enter business to sell goods and cultivated land.
Bardo paid one third less compared to previous years which mean more profit and earnings from his Inn. He wasn't particularly fixated on amassing a great fortune, but he can't deny a certain glee with having more money in his pouch.
Bardo was never one to spend a large amount of money unless it is necessary, and he isn't too extravagant with himself. Though, he wouldn't mind spending extra money for a particular cat.
Konoe...
He spotted those familiar white ears tipped with brown amongst the large market crowd. The young cat was glancing at some instruments. Konoe's fur colouring wasn't typically unique but Bardo can always recognize Konoe among a huge crowd. Even separated, Bardo somehow is able to feel a silent connection to the young cat.
He suspected this could be because they are Sanga and Touga, but it could be due to something much deeper and more intimate. He and Konoe are more than just Sanga and Touga, their relationship goes beyond that.
Their bond could only be explained and described as 'love', they love one another.
Bardo took a glance at his right hand. The skin on his right hand was bare and untouched, there wasn't a mark or even a scar to indicate what was once there. There use to be a mark that once constantly haunted Bardo about his mistake and reminded him about his heart's weakness.
It was something he couldn't escape from and Bardo had resigned himself to the fact that he could never escape it until his death. He had thought and hoped to run away and to find a place to die peacefully filled with all his regrets and mistakes. Now he learned that was a mistake itself, to turn away without challenging to change his fate.
He had once thought himself more mature and more experienced since he is an older cat. But Konoe displayed to him more wisdom despite then he could.
It was hard, at the time, to accept what Konoe told him. Konoe had pointed out his greatest flaw. It honestly hit Bardo hard and it hurt, and more than anything it was hard to swallow the truth about himself.
But he finally accepted his faults and has become honest about his weaknesses and is willing to face them. But more than that, he has found a cat that is willing to accept his weaknesses and faults. There is a cat that has accepted all of his flaws and didn't condemn him for his mistakes but rather encouraged him to face it and faced the responsibility for it.
Bardo knew he could never erase the mistakes he had made but he could work to make them better. He is given the chance to.
He was given a second chance. But he was given a lot more, a chance to truly live.
He glanced again at Konoe. The young cat with fur of white tipped with brown. A cat with a bent tail has given him something truly precious to hold. Bardo knew Konoe will never voice his true feelings because the young cat would get too fluster. But Bardo has learned that Konoe spoke more through action than with words.
For the remainder of his life Bardo will cherish every moment given. And he will live it with a truly precious cat standing beside him.