For a moment there was nothing but silence as the gravity of the situation set in. Then Lir suddenly placed her hand on her mouth and shook, crying silently. Nienna gathered her up gently, hugging her and whispering into her ear.
"This is... Wonderful." I managed. Elíl nodded dumbly, and Lir looked up.
"I'm happy," she sobbed, "but this is such terrible timing-"
"Hush now, child." Nienna said firmly but gently. "Eru's will comes at the perfect timing. Normally Maiar do not have children, but it is not to say that it has never happened, as you well know. Do you not see that this is the right timing? You are to ward over one who is also a child of a Maia, however distantly related." She said, and Lir nodded, sniffling.
"I really am happy." She whispered, smiling tremulously. Elíl and I hugged her.
"We will watch after you too, Lir." Elíl said with a smile. "After all, they will be our nephews or nieces." She winked.
And then suddenly clapped her hand over her mouth as I sighed. "You and your big mouth." I groaned as Lir's eyes widened.
"You mean-?"
"Sorry Lir. I sensed it, and it just... Came out. Yeah, you're having twins." Elíl said sheepishly, and Lir looked down at her hands that cradled her stomach over folds of cloth, then looked up at a smiling Nienna before bursting into happy tears.
"See what you've done!?" I demanded in mock-horror as Elíl sighed. Lir burst into laughter amidst her tears, and Nienna laughed along.
"Well, don't feel too bad, Lir. I mean, what with the new reunion, you might not be the only one expecting soon." Elíl said with a somewhat wicked grin. After a moment, all of us burst into laughter.
Two hours later found the three of us in the living room chatting away on how to fix the music room into a proper nursery, with Lir still in a slight daze and wondering how to possibly break the news to Káno. Elíl and I laughed ourselves to tears every time we thought about it, even going so far as to suggest a bet. Lir, of course, ignored us, as was only proper.
*Did someone say bet?* Námo's voice said nonchalantly, and I nearly expired with laughter along with the other Valar and Elíl.
*I'll bet my next nap in a star core that he'll faint!" Elíl said in unholy glee, while I collapsed to the floor. Lir was not in on the conversation, being too busy trying to think of a way to drop the b-bomb.
*I bet one week's borrowing of Olórin that he will smile softly at Lir and give her his thanks in their room.* Manwë remarked off-handedly, and there was a silence on the ósanwë frequency.
*Now, what would I do with an Olórin?* I asked innocently, and there were roars from the Valar. Elíl was bent over double on the couch.
*I bet the services of my apprentice for a week that Makalaurë will be stunned and just sit there staring at Lir and scare the poor thing halfway to my brother's demesne.* Irmo said dryly, and Elíl shouted indignantly as it was my turn to howl at her expense.
*I bet he will merely give a strangled exclamation before turning pale, kissing Lir, and then slumping into the couch- and if I lose, I will wear pink for a day.* Námo drawled.
Dead silence. Then I let out a strangled gasp. *Please win, master.* Elíl's groan was drowned out by a veritable explosion of laughter from the Valar.
*Alright!* I yelled, getting their attention. *I bet my services for a day that he'll turn white, mutter something about Peredhils, then faint.* I said slyly, and Námo hummed.
*I will be sure to win, then.* He remarked, and I rolled my eyes as the Valar snickered.
*But really, uncle Manny, what would I do with an Olórin?* I asked petulantly. Silence.
*Manny?* Tulkas' voice was strained, as though he were trying not to burst into hysterical laughter.
*Oh, did they not hear of that one, uncle?* I asked innocently.
*... I honestly wonder if you are Námo's flesh and blood.*
The family came home to find me lying on the floor curled up into a ball of pain and laughter while Elíl sprawled on a couch gasping as Lir sat on another couch in a daze. They all stopped and stared, until Káno finally came forwards and sat by Lir, drawing her into his arms. "What's wrong, sweet?" He murmured softly.
I clapped my hand over my mouth, tears streaming down my cheeks. Elíl let out a suspicious noise like she just had the wind knocked out of her. Lir finally seemed to snap out of it and saw the family and Káno. Her eyes suddenly widened and her face turned white and then rose red.
"I- I-" she stuttered.
"You can do this, Lir! Support!" I yelled, while the Valar listened on with great interest.
"Oh shut it, Míleth, she has to do this on her own." Elíl gasped.
"What's going on?" Moryo demanded as everyone filed in and took a seat.
"I have news." Lir took a deep breath, and then clutched Káno. "I'm... Káno, you're going to be a father." She finally blurted, and then looked up at him anxiously. I swallowed my hysterical laughter, and heard Elíl do the same.
*Oh, here it comes!* Elíl yelped.
"What?" Káno suddenly turned white.
"Are you... Not happy?" Lir sounded vulnerable.
Káno looked down at her dazedly, and then suddenly kissed her hard as everyone stared with mouths open. I squeaked. Then he pulled back- and fainted dead away on the couch.
I leaped up. "Ahhhhhh!" I shrieked, and then collapsed onto the floor in a dejected heap. Elíl almost died of laughter while the room burst into commotion. Everything was chaos, with many congratulating Lir with huge smiles while the Peredhil twins looked to Káno and the rest just sat there with dazed smiles. It was too much. The Valar were roaring, and Elíl and I were laughing ourselves to the point of insanity.
Finally everything died down as Káno came around and the rest finally settled. I staggered over to Glorfindel, moaning. "I'm so dead."
Then there was a silence. "I'm... I'm going to be a father?" Káno asked, and Lir nodded shyly. Then a sudden, beatific grin spread across his face. "I'm going to be a father!" He said jubilantly, picking Lir up and spinning her as she laughed through her tears and the family cheered wildly.
Soon the congrats died down, which were accepted with all joy, and Glorfindel raised an eyebrow at me. "Care to explain why you said that you're dead?" He asked dryly, and I sighed dramatically as Elíl shrieked with laughter.
"I made a bet." I groaned, and my mom gaped.
"Celine, since when do you make bets!?" She cried in disapproval, and I threw back my head to laugh.
"I bet my complete services for a day on Káno's reaction. Unfortunately, I lost- to Námo." I said in amusement, and Glorfindel laughed as everyone stared, nonplused.
I went over to mom and kissed her cheek. "It just means I'll be out tomorrow and won't return until the next day." I chuckled, and she sighed.
"I will never understand your job." She said morosely, and I laughed.
"Well, being an angel isn't easy." I winked, and everyone laughed.
"You can- erm- retire, Káno, Lir. You've got alot to- discuss." Elíl bustled them out as the rest smirked knowingly. Lir was heard to sigh loudly as we snickered.
"I will get you back for that, sister mine!" Lir was heard to call as they disappeared, while Elíl smirked.
"Nah, you'll be too beatific to think about me." Was the saucy retort as I sniggered.
"Meh. I'm actually rather frightened now. After all, what's master gonna do with me?" I wondered aloud with a despondent air. "Someone hide me." I begged, crawling next to Glorfindel and trying to hide under his arm. Then I suddenly popped up.
"Pui-en-orch, I almost forgot!" I yelped, and leaped up to bring back the envelope Námo had given me earlier at the café. With a frown, I looked down at it before opening it. I read it aloud.
My dears, I hope that this request will be enough for you to consider. I would ask for your permission to work in your café at times to conduct our own necessary business. If this is amenable to you, please reply promptly.
Estë
I raised an eyebrow as I looked up and addressed the ceiling. "And you're asking for permission why?" I asked wryly.
*Your property, child. Should I not?* Was the amused answer, as everyone looked on in various degrees of confusion. I snorted.
"Then of course, you know my answer, dear aunt." I drawled, and there was nothing but an answering laugh. "You're welcome." I said in satisfaction, before yawning and stretching.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but this has been too much excitement for one day, not to mention I'll be rather busy tomorrow." I gave them a sardonic look, which was met with laughter and agreement.
We all exchanged our good evening's before going to bed. I fell into not-so-peaceful sleep, dreaming disturbingly of Námo standing in front of me with an idiotic grin on his face, dressed in vibrant pink, and saying "I won" over and over again.
...
I woke up the next morning in what was certainly not my own bed, disoriented and half frightened from my dream. For a moment I nearly panicked before realizing that I was staring up at a dark stone ceiling that was familiar in its intangible quality. I took a deep breath to calm myself, then slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes and stretching.
The feeling of unfamiliar fabric against my skin startled me as I looked down to see that I was dressed in a silver nightgown that came only to my knees. There were no sleeves to it, and I had on no shoes either. My hair was loose and tumbling messily down my shoulders, and there was no one in the rather desolate room.
Obviously, my day of service had already started. But where in Mandos was I anyway, and where was I supposed to go? Looking to my side, I noticed a vanity with a few items scattered on it and stood, swinging my legs over the bed to stand on the stone floors that were not cold. Walking over to the vanity and sitting on the stool, I picked up the comb and brushed my hair until it was sufficiently under control, pinning it up with the provided coronet of a thin band of mithril set with a ruby. I picked up the necklace of black silk set with the emblem of the sun-in-eclipse and tied it around my throat.
There was nothing else and no other outfit to change into, so somewhat bewildered but trusting my master and willing to go along with his... fancy, I stood and walked to the door that had suddenly appeared at the foot of the bed. It opened without a sound, and I stepped out to find myself in a hallway I didn't ever remember seeing before. The door shut behind me, and I was not surprised that it had disappeared when I looked back.
I wandered through the bare, quiet hallway, trusting my instinct to guide me to where I was supposed to go. My feet led me through seemingly random turns or twists in the hall, until I finally reached a simple room where there was a statue of Námo holding a butterfly in his hand in the middle of a fountain. For a moment I stated at it from the doorway, feeling a frisson of fear pass through me at the sight of it. What it meant I didn't know, and something within me shied away from the thought.
Then I realized that I was already in front of it and reaching for the outstretched hand that held the butterfly. For a brief moment I hesitated, then placed my fingers on the statue's. There was a slight give, and then a grinding of stone as the statue slowly revolved until the hand was pointing towards a doorway in the wall that had not been there before. Almost without conscious thought, I made my way towards the door, descending the spiraling staircase that wended its way deeper into the bowels of the earth.
I finally reached the bottom and found myself in a circular room with several doorways that were decorated with different patterns and symbols, a mirror in between each door and two Maiar guarding each door. There were ten doorways, although something told me that there might be more that I couldn't see. The Maiar that guarded the doors were dressed in surcoats of unrelieved black with the emblem of Námo on them and grim, forbidding looks on their faces, and though none of them looked directly at me, I knew that they were were aware of my every movement.
For a moment I stood there, unsure of what to do but no expression on my face. I was led here for a reason, but what? What was this room anyway? Then a mirror caught my eye. I rotated to see it, and saw my reflection. And yet, it was me and it was not me. I was dressed in much different clothes in my reflection, with a different look altogether, although I could tell that it was still me. Then I slowly turned, seeing in each mirror my reflection.
Until I came to one that showed the reflection of what I was wearing now. Without hesitation, I walked towards the doorway, pausing in front of the two Maiar. Not of my own volition, my mouth opened and my voice came out in a detached, wispy tone. I spoke words that I knew, and yet did not know. It was almost a primal knowledge- a language everyone could understand but none except for the Valar and Maiar could speak. The language of the beginning.
The Maiar said nothing, but on a visceral level I knew that they would not hinder me from going through the door now, unlike before. I walked through mechanically, feeling both detached and yet hyper-aware of everything going on. The hallway was dark and I could see nothing, yet I walked blindly and trustingly, miraculously not stumbling on anything. As I walked, I saw a faint light at the other end, while a noise began to swell in my ears.
As I drew nearer, the sound grew louder, until I could distinctly hear men yelling and great crashing. Finally arriving at the opening, I paused for a moment as something seemed to snap and I suddenly gave a gasp, reeling against the wall. For a moment I clutched it, slowly coming back to myself and connecting with reality before concentrating on the scene in front of me- and wincing.
There were men diving behind upturned furniture, guns going off everywhere and yelled incentives in rather colorful language that made me want earplugs. Already quite a few bodies were scattered on the floors, blood pooling around their still forms. I walked over to them, checking their pulses and hanging my head in sorrow. As I was not in incarnate form, I was not afraid of being seen or hurt. Sending a quiet prayer to Námo to have mercy on the poor souls who were now in his care, I stood and looked about the room calmly, holding up a hand.
For a moment time seemed to stop as everyone seemed frozen. The truth was, I was moving swifter than the speed of thought, making everything else seemed slowed from my point of view. Looking around calmly, I noticed each man. Moving through the scattered furniture and deftly side stepping a bullet suspended in midair so as not to disturb its extremely slow flight, I looked at each and every man in the room.
Moving to the other side of the room, I noticed the only man there, ducked behind a thick oaken desk that had apparently been upturned and was now riddled with bullet marks. I bent to see his face, grim and splattered with blood, eyes dark and dangerous and almost horrific. I took in his light brown hair and eyes that seemed to fluctuate between grey and a grey-blue color, then stood decisively as everything once more sped up.
The man I was now standing behind bolted to his feet and made a dive for another piece of furniture, but before he could reach it I was there. With an almost negligent hand, I plucked him by the scruff of his collar and bodily carried him into the corridor from whence I had come. There were startled yells from the other men as he seemingly disappeared, but their voices were faint now.
I stood in front of the man as he shook his head and slowly seemed to come to himself, having been stunned from the sudden toss. Then he looked up and saw me. For a moment he just sat there, staring at me stupidly as I stared back without emotion on my face. Then a blank look came on his own face, though I could clearly sense his fear.
"Who are you?" He asked coldly, his hand fiddling silently with his gun.
"It is no use here, child." I said softly, while he started. We locked eyes, and I saw who he was. Lost, broken, poor child, desolate and desperate. His feä screamed in anguish, and I knew him to be the one that I had connected with in my dream that one time.
"Who are you?" He rasped, shaking as he held up his gun.
"My name is Míleth, Alex Jasper." I replied calmly, and he stood up.
"Listen, I don't know who you are or where I am, but I don't want to be here." He snapped, clearly afraid. "Just get me back to where I was."
"Is that what you want?" I asked, and then motioned to the doorway. "Your way out is there, child. But if you leave, then your call for help will go unanswered forever." I said coldly, and he turned to look at the door with a startled look on his face. He seemed to pause for a minute, then his arm dropped.
"I- I didn't call for help." He whispered.
"You did, child, whether you realize it or not." I said baldly. "It's your choice to accept help or not."
He turned to look at me. "I'm not a child." He said, and then blushed angrily at my raised eyebrow. "I'm not." He reiterated irritably, not realizing how much like a child he sounded at that moment.
"That is beyond the point, Alex. The point is, what will you choose?" I replied, unruffled.
"And what will be asked of me if I do accept?" He asked resignedly.
"Your life." My voice was emotionless and sure in its shocking answer.
He gave me a glare. "Oh, so you'd save me only to kill me? Rather defeats the point, doesn't it?" He sneered.
"Not death, Alex, life." I replied, giving him a piercing look. He turned pale and staggered back against the wall at my unforgiving tone, stammering an apology. "Choose." My voice, as low as it was, held undeniable command.
He paused uncertainly. "Why do I need to be saved?" He whispered, sounding lost.
My eyes softened as I looked at him. "You must be saved from yourself, Alex. There is a purpose for you, should you wish to accept it." I smiled faintly, and despite himself he grinned wryly, looking more stable emotionally.
"Then I will accept my mission." He said firmly, looking me in the eyes. I looked back cooly, though I was inwardly pleased. "Don't tell me something's going to blow up now." He said sarcastically, though he had the grace to blush at my raised eyebrow.
Then I walked forwards and took his head into my hands, kissing his forehead gently. "And this choice you have made is yours and yours alone, child, do not forget it. Go now, and remember this conversation." I whispered, and gently pushed him in the direction of the door. For a brief moment he hesitated, looking back almost wistfully, then he stepped out back into the world as I turned back, walking back down the hallway.
But when I reached the other end, instead of the circular room I found myself in a familiar section of the halls of Mandos. I didn't even pause in surprise, for something in me knew that the circular room would appear again when I needed it. I made my way to my master's room to report, thinking about the young man. Young, because he could not have been more than twenty four, surely. Pity he was a CIA spy- excuse me, intelligence agent.
"Alex Jasper." I murmured to myself. "Obviously he's a throwback, but whose? Alex means 'defender of men,' and Jasper... That means 'keeper of treasure.'" I thought carefully, discarding all implausibility and making my way through the lines of men in the third age. Then I suddenly paused.
"Faramir." I whispered. "Of course, Faramir. Faramir was a captain, just as he is an agent. A defender of men. And keeper of treasure- Faramir was steward of Gondor." I muttered, just as I reached the sought-after door.
Pushing it open, I went in and bowed to Námo, who looked up as I came in. "Ah, welcome, Padawan. I was wondering when you'd ever get here." He said with a wry smile, and I laughed.
"Pardon for making you wait, dear master. I'm here now." I grinned, and he chuckled before coming up to me.
"Well then. You will help Maranwë today." He winked, and I grinned.
"Paperwork drowning him again?" I asked wryly, and he chuckled.
"And mouthing incentives all the while, I'm sure." He said dryly as I walked off to find said Maia, my laughter ringing through the hallway.
I found said Maia in the room where all the paperwork was done, piles of papers everywhere and Maranwë nowhere in sight, though I could hear him muttering sourly. With an exaggerated sigh, I walked to the first pile of papers. "I mean, really, Maranwë? Can't I leave for one month without you getting into trouble?" I asked, and his head popped up from the center of a particularly massive pile.
"Ah, you're here Míleth! Just when I needed my lifesaver." He said in relief, and dragged me into another race against time and papers.
It was a full three hours before I finally stood back and shook my head. "You're worse than Eönwë at paperwork." I said morosely, and he shot me a glare.
"Am not." He sniffed, and I snorted.
"At least Eönwë knows where to find his desk." I retorted, and he refused to answer, muttering under his breath as I smirked. Námo came in just then, and we made our obeisance as he looked at the now-tidy room.
"Perhaps I should ask you to help Eönwë." He said dryly as Maranwë and I burst into laughter.
"Or maybe the Maiar should go to school where I learned to keep my papers neat." I said wickedly, making Maranwë protest loudly as Námo threw back his head and laughed along with me.
"What an endearing child you are." Námo chuckled, kissing my brow as I grinned impishly.
"As I always will be, I'm sure." I said, suddenly looking past my master to the wall and seeing my mortal friends through time. A sudden shaft of pain went through me at the thought that I would live on while they died, seeing ages pass...
Námo gently tilted my face to him, a compassionate look on his face. "You know what you sacrificed for the sake of love and duty. We know, child. Know that there are many who love you in return." He said gently, and I nodded.
"Thank you master. Tye melin, Atto." I whispered into his cloak, while he gently kissed my head in reply.
"Well." Maranwë said after a moment. "Why are you here anyway? I thought you were on Arda." He said wryly, and I burst into loud snickers along with Námo.
"Bets, Maranwë, bets." I sniggered, and he rolled his eyes.
"I don't wanna know." He said dryly.
...
"Really? I mean, really?" The stress put into the word did not go unnoticed.
"Sorry."
I stared at the mess in front of me, feeling utterly lost. I mean really, where had this come from? This... Complete mess?
"Salmar, I can't be your launder all the time." I said wearily, looking at the badly colored and damaged tabard a sheepish Salmar had handed to me.
"I know... But I can't help it, and Tegaladwen said that you could fix it for me." He rattled off nervously as I continued to look morosely at the utterly ruined tunic.
"I owe her, it's true," I admitted ruefully, "but I'm not a miracle worker." I sighed, then rolled it up.
"I'll fix it for you, don't worry Salmar, even if I have to make a new one from scratch." I said with a not-so-reassuring frown as I tucked the poor tabard under my arm.
"Thank you, Míleth." He sighed in relief, and I rolled my eyes.
"Please, learn how to exercise caution while you engage in the consumption of seaweed soup and all such sundry foods that are highly capable of staining your clothes beyond recognition." I grumbled, while he blinked for a moment.
I gave him a dry look. "Don't eat fast, and don't spill anything on yourself." I simplified, and he nodded.
"I know. But why'd you have to say it that way?" He puzzled, and I snorted.
"Your face, dear Salmar." I replied, sauntering away. "The expressions of the Maiar are just too precious when faced with something bewildering to them among their own kind." I smirked, then walked off to find my master and turn in for the day, leaving behind a bewildered Salmar.
*Rather wicked of you, my dear.* Ulmo noted wryly as I sniggered.
*Sorry not sorry, uncle dear! Do you think I could handle Ossë at this rate?* I replied slyly as he chuckled.
*Perhaps. Care to try?* He offered innocently, and I backtracked quickly.
*Ah, I think in hindsight I may need a bit more practice.* I replied hastily before he laughed as I bowed to an amused Námo.
"Master." I said smoothly, and he merely gave me a raised eyebrow before crooking his finger at me.
"Come with me. There is something I would have you assist me with, and then you may be freed." He said, and I followed after obediently.
"Of course, master." I replied, thinking about my rather rigorous yet thoroughly enjoyable day.
"Tell me, how was your day?" The sudden question took me by surprise, and I visibly started before tripping over apparently nothing and nearly falling onto Námo's heels.
"Ah-" I blushed furiously. "I- it was most enjoyable, if rigorous." I finally managed, pushing the coronet back onto my head haphazardly.
He didn't blink at my stumble, merely nodded gravely. "And did you learn something from it?" He asked, giving me a keen glance.
"If you mean to do everything with love and joy, then yes." I replied, confused.
He began to think himself away, and I swiftly followed after. When the disorienting feeling of the universe spinning had stopped, I was unsurprised to find myself on Arda. Námo was dressed in his Nate disguise, and I was dressed in normal clothes. He beckoned and entered a café, and I slid into the booth, sitting across from him. He folded his hands on the table calmly.
"In case you are wondering, we are in America." He began, and then rapidly changed topics. "What I meant was this morning." He elaborated, and my blood seemed to freeze.
"You mean him." It wasn't a question, but he nodded anyway.
"But you already know." I stated, a sudden suspicion dawning in my mind.
"Perhaps. But if you are to watch him, then it is only natural that we know what you think of him." Námo pointed out, but my frown had deepened.
"What do you mean, watch? I am merely here to guide him, not spy on him." I protested, and Námo gave me a sharp look.
"And I meant nothing of the sort, child." He replied. His voice was mild, but yet there was an edge of steel to his tone.
"No." I shook my head. "There's more to your question that you're not telling me. How can you expect me to trust you, Atto, when you don't tell me what you want? You may have forgotten I was a human before. Something here smells fishy, and I'm not being funny." I replied flatly, looking him in the eye.
For a moment his eyes darkened as the temperature around us dropped, although no one seemed to notice. I didn't break gaze, and after another moment his mien lightened somewhat. "I do not forget, yeldë." He finally answered softly. "But can you trust me when I say that we mean no harm to Alex, and that I merely wish to see your view on him?" He asked gently.
For a moment I sat there, thinking on his words. Then it hit me. "You already have." I gave him a thoughtful glance. "You tested me." My tone was non-accusatory, merely stating a fact.
He nodded gravely. "And you certainly passed with interesting results. I believe Elíl and Lir would react the same about their charges. Very interesting." He murmured.
"Interesting, master?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Lir's connection to her ward makes sense, seeing as they are related, however distantly. However, you and Elíl's protectiveness over your own wards do not. It transcends the boundaries of a normal guardian Maia's level of protectiveness." He said calmly. "It is highly unusual, especially considering your visit this morning." He said, and I started.
"You mean the- the round room?" I asked, feeling bewildered. "I don't understand. Didn't you lead me there?" I asked.
"No, child." He replied. "None but the Valar and a few chosen Maiar know the location of that room, and only One can grant permission and access to it." He said, giving me a significant look as the implications of the statement sank in. I leaned back, feeling troubled.
"I- I don't understand. Why?" I asked faintly.
"Sometimes we don't know why He does things, only that He does." Námo answered me, placing a hand on mine gently.
"Even you?" I asked quietly.
"Even we Valar." He answered with a serene nod. "We stumble blindly in the dark just as you do sometimes, but whereas you falter, we keep on because we have perfect confidence in our Atar that He will be there to catch us." He said with infinite patience and kindness. "We are here to look after you children, but we are not infallible, child."
I nodded slowly, soaking in the words of wisdom before giving him a considering look. "I hope you know that I love you, Atto." I suddenly said with a faint smile, and he chuckled.
"Maybe I love you- just a little." He drawled with a wink, and I protested loudly, earning a few amused glances from others sitting nearby as Námo laughed.
"Hello sir, ma'am. I'm sorry to be late." I waitress bustled up looking flustered, and Námo smiled reassuringly.
"Quite alright, thank you, Lilia." He replied in the familiar soothing manner that I knew, taking the menu she offered. She seemed to start before remembering her name tag, and nodded in a bewildered sort of manner. I glanced at the menu and ordered a Coke, while Námo ordered the same. She nodded and scurried off again, while I pursed my lips as I looked down at my folded hands.
"I don't understand master... What am I supposed to do about Alex?" I asked wearily, and he placed his hand on mine again.
"When the time, comes, you will know." Was his amorphous answer. I just nodded resignedly, knowing it was the best answer I'd get.
We drank our cokes in silence and soon were heading out the door into the chilly night air. "Atto?" I asked wistfully, and Námo turned to look at me with a faint smile.
"Can I stay with you and Ammë tonight?" I asked meekly, scuffing my toes in the snow.
"Of course, child." Was his warm answer as I smiled brightly and skipped after him as he walked calmly down the sidewalk, ignoring the double takes people gave us.
That was my master and Atto, and I wouldn't change it for the world.