Finally, A Proper Meal (Social w/ Noir)

The midday sun cast its light down on Remano, offering pleasant tidings and decent weather to the civilians below. A few clouds spotted the sky and offered shade every so often with each overpass, and a gentle breeze would caress the skin on one's face. How could anyone remain indoors, oblivious to the outside world, when the weather was so perfect? Adrastos couldn't, and decided to take a casual stroll through the ever-bustling streets. His body still ached - oh, boy did it ache and wail in agony as it protested every movement. The injuries from his Coliseum match had not healed completely. After all, only a couple of hours had passed so not much was expected. All he had time to do was rub some ointment on his wounds and go on his way, telling Noir to meet him at a nearby cafe.

The walk was as excruciatingly long, but despite the pain, he felt at peace. When he finally did arrive, Adrastos took a seat outside under a small shady area to wait for his young student. He was offered a drink, to which he kindly asked for tea, but waited on ordering any sort of meal. He had never had lunch with anyone other than himself, and had never any interest in sharing meals with other people. Why was there a change of heart now? Was it just something to pass the time? A meaningless gesture just to amuse himself with the company? Suddenly, he began to worry if Noir would show up or not. It shouldn’t have bothered the young magician, but it did, and began to think of how he would feel if she did not come after she had asked for him to eat lunch with her. Anger would undoubtedly boil, yet deep inside, there was something more, something that had been long forgotten: sadness. The magician shook his head and started to tap his bare foot on the ground in order to chase away the distracting thoughts.

Adrastos took a sip of tea, letting the cool liquid slide down his mouth before deciding it needed a bit of sugar to sweeten the taste. As he drank, his silver eyes kept scanning the surrounding area. Ever since he had assisted with killing Roark’s escorts and kidnapping the Councilor, he had been on edge, often wondering if he would be discovered. His fears were often foolish though, seeing as how he had covered his face and hair, and the only witnesses were the culprits, or the victims which were either dead or held captive by now. Perhaps he needed to leave the country for awhile. From what Adrastos heard, Balbadd had recently opened its borders to travellers. He had never visited Balbadd before, so maybe it was a good time to do so. He’d just have to delay his trip to Heliohapt. Adrastos sighed. What was he to do? Maybe he’d discuss it with Noir, see what she thought.

Another glance, but this time to look for Noir. Where was she?

Adrastos looked up, toward the soft sound of his student’s voice, and offered her what appeared to be an attempt at a smile that faltered, making it the small smirk he usually gave. Noir was almost like Kazuya Akina. For the longest time, Akina had also treated Adrastos with high regard and barely spoke. It was pleasant yet painful to the heart. “Ah, so you did come,” he said with a wave of his hand at the opposite chair, “Please, feel free to sit. You don’t always have to wait until I tell you to do something. I’m not a king, you know.”

He brought the cup to his lips and sipped its contents silently, his silver eyes looking to Noir before he set his empty cup down and looked away. The magician sat leisurely in his chair, with one arm propped on the back of the chair and his right foot resting on top of his left knee. “I was going to travel to Heliohapt soon and meet someone there. Unfortunately, I heard a rumor that Balbadd had opened its borders to travelers, so I will have to postpone that little journey in favor for Balbadd. I’ve never been there.” His gaze fixed itself upon Noir again, his eyes somehow soft but distant, as if he looked at something else. “We’ve known each other for awhile - maybe it hasn’t even been that long - but regardless of that, I was wondering if you’d like to accompany me, or at least me up with me in Balbadd, once you’re done here in Remano.”

Adrastos waited for her answer patiently. Of course, another reason he would be going to Balbadd was to search for some talented allies with assisting him with some tasks. It was something he was allowed to do after joining the Brotherhood of Ash. He had a new name, but now needed allies that were twisted enough to aid him in spreading chaos within the world.

“Well, I don’t think I have. I try not to remember the past too much. Why dwell on it?” He listened to her speak her resolve, confirming that she was indeed a slave in the past. There was a slight flutter within his heart upon her answer, filling his chest with warmth that could not be shaken. Adrastos nodded at his student then looked away. His heart would soon unravel if he kept this up. None of his masters would approve of such emotions either, and if any of them found out, his humanity would be torn to shreds and tossed aside into an invisible abyss where they would forever stay.

“As for what to call me… well,” he said softly, deep in thought. What could she call him? She only knew his alias, Neo Mortem, and not his real name. Furthermore, soon, there would be no need for him to be her mentor anymore. There would come a time when Noir would surpass him, as many students did. Adrastos ran his hand through his silver hair. “I’m sure there will come a time when I will no longer be your master, but I can understand if you are uncomfortable with addressing me by my name as well. So for now, I will accept whatever you feel comfortable with.”

The magician paused for a moment. “My quick decision-making has come from experience and strict.. ah.. predicaments. I follow my instincts and judge the situation from all angles if I can, then chose the most appropriate response. Maybe one day you’ll be put in a position that will allow you to lead just so that you can see what it is like and determine what makes you a good leader rather than what makes others a good leader. However, when leadership is thrust upon you, don’t give up. You must have a clear mind, you must be willing to commit yourself to the task at hand, be able to shoulder the responsibilities of not only yourself, but your followers as well, and think about what is beneficial to the everyone’s well-being. As a leader, you have to be true to yourself and the people you serve. That’s all I can say since there is nothing I can really teach you on the subject.”

Adrastos saw the sadness in Noir’s topaz irises. That sadness was what he saw on Kazuya Akina, back when they were about to be separated and never see each other again. Why did Noir remind him so much of her? Adrastos smiled a bit and stood to walk around the table. His body moved on its own, fueled by actions done in the past that were still imprinted into him. Before he even realized what he was going to do, the magician’s arms wrapped themselves around Noir, enveloping her in a hug as if she were the Akina he loved all those years ago.

“Noir,” he whispered softly, “You misunderstood. We can still see each other. Just because I may not be your master in the future, does not mean I won’t be able to teach you anything. There are more bonds than just a teacher and his student, and just because one tie is undone, does not mean that connection ends.” His heart twisted. Why was he acting this way? Noir wasn’t Akina, and even if she was, those emotions should have been destroyed long ago. Did he still have some of his old self somewhere locked away, waiting to emerge? Adrastos closed his eyes slowly then pulled away from Noir.

“I’ll see you at the Portsmouth docks at sunset. We’ll be traveling to Balbadd then. Don’t be late or you’ll miss the ship,” he said, his voice normal once again. However, if one were to listen closely, they would hear the underlying turmoil of emotions from anguish to uncertainty. He placed the payment on the table, and as he left, all he said was, “Make sure you get something to eat too. You seem like you need it. I can’t have you passing out on me.”


[EXIT]