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Early Autumn was upon the Klein Continent, the green leaves now flushed with shades of red and orange. Kuya could've been happily curled up by the mansion’s fireplace in a mound of pillows, or lounging contently in the trees of his forest residence.
Unfortunately, his peace was interrupted by something he promised a few days prior. This is exactly why he didn't make promises. He hated owing people, no matter how trivial it seemed.
Eiden knew this as well. Which was why her mouth hung agape when he agreed to the loser fulfilling a request while they played a new game she introduced to him...
“Checkmate!”
“Oh? Are you sure you didn't have a trick up your sleeve?”
“I won fair and square. Now I can ask for a favor.”
“I suppose I could entertain your wishes. What is it that you want?”
Maybe he was feeling particularly generous that day. Lately his patience around her has been…better. His snide remarks towards her lessened. In return, a warm, heavy feeling resided in his chest, and not being in control of it quickly made him irritable. This trip into the forest territory could make him feel a bit lighter, following the enthusiastic successor that walking joyfully ahead of him, leaves crunching under her feet.
“Thanks for accompanying us.”
Yes, us… Kuya eyed the white ball of fur that looked at him over Eiden’s shoulder. His eyes narrowed.
“I'm not fond of babysitting, young mistress.”
“You're not babysitting.” Eiden smiled back at him, proceeding forward to their destination. “Besides, you have to keep your word.”
“Such a boring request, really…”
So giddy over a lake. Moonslate Lake. Well, the hidden part of it. The other side that Kuya has taken her to before, when the forest was affected by the double eclipse. She’d taken a liking to the floral that surrounded them that night, eyes sparkling as they swayed in the breeze.
“If you leave me to get lost, I’ll tell Quincy.” she teased.
He scoffed. “The last thing I need is my old friend’s nagging of your whereabouts.”
The walk there was definitely worth it, Eiden in awe. Rich, yellow ginkgo trees canopied the lakeside, sun rays shining down on the white flowers that decorated its bank. Varying stones in the water led an improvised path to the other side, where a sea of moonflowers resided.
“It’s like a scene out of a fairy tale.” She put Topper down, the white ferret squealing with glee in agreement.
“Such simple things please you.”
Eiden turned to see Kuya already getting comfortable, legs crossed sitting on a fallen tree.
“I don't plan to stay all day. Run along now.” He shooed her away.
Eiden gave him a look before walking off. Topper led the way, determined to collect some ginkgo nuts to bring back to his forest companion.
Kuya sighed, his kiseru appearing with the snap of his fingers. With nothing else to stimulate him, he took in his surroundings. Nothing he hasn't seen before, the amber leaves vibrant and youthful as ever. Blowing smoke from his lips he looked up at the sky, eyes tracing the outer pattern of the trees. He knew every leaf, every petal that fell and grew, counting them several times over for decades. He blinked, they were gone in the chill of winter. He blinked again, bright green foliage in the summer.
He’s seen it all in his lifetime. The more time proceeded, the heavier the weight of monotony. Memories blended into an indistinguishable hue of gray, time dragging along infinitely. He cared less and less about the trivial things, not bothering to convince himself that something would kindle a spark to end his ennui. It’s not like he could knock at death’s door; death would turn him away, mocking him to wait for the next day and the next.
The void in his heart expanded, uncomfortably heavy. He didn't dare to sit in his melancholy. He didn’t dare to…
“Kuya!!”
His thoughts interrupted, he turned his attention to the figure in the distance. Ah, she made her way to the other side.
Eiden waved her arms in the air, a huge grin on her face.
His jaw tightened. Perhaps he was envious of such a young soul, scrutinizing things with fresh eyes. It irked him, always bright eyed and bushy tailed. She was awfully naive, and lacked terribly in the magic department. Nonetheless ,she captured his attention, proving her wits the first day they met and managed to exceed certain expectations, firm in her resolve. Always indirectly challenging the old fox’s views and beliefs on the world around him, tugging at his curiosity, especially when it came to humanity.
Her presence kept him afloat, anchored to the present. From her, his time stopped, and began anew.
Unaware of the fox's continued scrutinization of her, he watched her admire the flowers, squatting down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her smile blossomed amongst the flora.
Has she always looked at things so soft and gentle?
He chuckled. Interrupting him once again with frivolous thoughts.
A gust of wind shook the leaves from their branches to fall like confetti, swaying the white flora. Eiden stood up, reaching her hands out, in an attempt to catch a leaf. Topper as well, attempted to catch one, running up and down amongst the flowers at her feet. He followed the leaves across the lake, prancing onto the makeshift stepping stones.
She met Kuya’s gaze once again.
That bizarre feeling crept inside him, set ablaze in his chest. Was this her doing?
She followed Topper across the water, as the amber leaves, rich and beautiful, danced around them.
Arms stretched out, she walked from stone to stone.
His world of gray was flushed out by vibrant colors bleeding from it, dispersing around him.
This moment of tenderness beckoned him…
And he surrendered to it.
Heterochromatic eyes traced the vermillion waves that flowed between the stones across the water where her body moved, leaves falling into the water ,ripples forming on its surface.
He heard the echo of his heartbeat, and rushing water flowing endlessly in a stream nearby...
Eiden chased Topper, scooping him up in her arms
The colors adorned her, tracing along her hair, the color of chestnuts…
“Kuya?”
He hadn’t realized she stood in front of him until now, snapping out of his daze. He remained still, the smoke from his kiseru dissipating .
Eiden tilted her head. “Is everything okay?”
How long had he been in his own head? The bright colors that once surrounded them now faded to their normal hues.
“Are you… mad?”
Kuya has experienced many things in his extended life time. Never a feeling as strong as this...
“…No.” he responded. “I am not.”
He finally put his finger on what it was that held him captive from the very beginning...
Love
His first love.