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Ava settles against the cold stone wall behind him, doing his best to relax despite the cold air and grime he can feel coating his hands and clothing. He’d been walking for what felt like days, but down here, and without somebody else, he couldn’t be sure of the time. He was at least grateful that his new friend- his guardian angel- was there to provide some guidance to him as he wandered blindly through the dark, damp caves and tunnels.
He settles his cane by his side, keeping it tied to his wrist so it wouldn’t roll away. His friend is unable to physically guide him, only through words, so he still needs it so he won’t trip over rocks or fall in ditches.
“Mm…say, y’know, I don’t think I ever asked your name, now that I think about it.” Ava wonders aloud, tightening the ratty make-shift shawl around his neck.
“Oh! Uhm…” His friend is quick to respond as always, but trails off as it seems to think. Even though Ava hasn’t ever heard its footsteps, he knows that his friend is with him- he can always feel the prickling of another being nearby, and its voice is clear as day in his mind.
That’s why he’s sure this being is a guardian angel- it’s been with him since he became lost, doing its best to guide him back home, and providing him much needed company the entire time. It’s also shockingly innocent, though Ava has taken great joy in answering all of its questions and sharing stories with it.
“I dunno.” It responds after a few beats of silence. “I don’t have one, I don’t think.”
“You don’t have a name?” Ava tilts his head. “Hmm…well, what do you wanna be called?”
“I dunno. I haven’t thought about it.” It pauses. “I can think about it...it would be real nice to have a name, after all.”
“Okay.” Ava nods, a smile crossing his face. He reaches to where he knows his bag sits at his side, fumbling for a few moments to find the buckle and open it up. He searches with his fingers for some of his remaining food. The bag has been getting lighter and lighter, and he can feel that there’s not much left inside…anxiety briefly rises up in him. He desperately hopes that he’s getting close to the exit of the cave- much longer, and he’ll run out of food.
“Hey, uhm…” Ava trails off for a moment as he clumsily unwraps his food. From the texture, he’s sure this is bread. He tears off a piece. “How much farther is it to the entrance? Or exit, I guess…”
“Oh, not too far now! Why?”
“I’m just a little low on food, is all. But I guess I shouldn’t worry if we’re close to getting out.”
His friend hums quietly in response. The pause is a little unusual- it’s usually very quick to respond, especially with how much it seems to enjoy conversation. Ava pops the piece of bread in his mouth and begins to chew.
“Hey, can you tell me another one of those stories?”
Ava swallows. He’s a little caught off guard by the change in subject, but he doesn’t let it bother him.
“Yeah, I can. D’you wanna hear another one about Sir Irasmus?” Ava smiles, shifting to pull his knees closer to his chest. His friend had really been liking the stories he’s recounted about this character in particular. Ava had always enjoyed making up stories of incredible knights and their valor, so having a friend that so loved hearing them filled him with joy.
“Yes! He sounds really cool from all those stories you’ve told me…I hope I can be like him, someday.”
Ava gasps, sitting up quickly in his excited realization..
“That! That’s what we can name you!”
“Huh?”
“Irasmus! We can call you that!”
“Oh!” His friend pauses, seeming to consider it for a few moments. “Yes, I think I like that a lot!”
Ava grins, overjoyed. In that moment, he forgets all about his hunger, his lack of food, his father that had left him here.
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you then, Irasmus.”
His friend laughs with excitement- it is sweet, almost like a small chirping melody.
“Thank you for naming me. It makes me happy to have a name.”
“Of course- everybody needs a name, after all. They’re important to who we are.” Ava eats another piece of bread. “And when we get back to town, we’ll be able to introduce you proper to everyone else, and make a lot more friends!”
“Really? You think people will like me?” Irasmus sounds unusually tentative.
“Why wouldn’t they? I like you lots, Irasmus. You’re the bestest friend I’ve ever had.”
“You’re my best friend, too, Ava!” Irasmus chirps happily. Even with the cold cave air around him, Ava can’t help but feel warm. “That makes me really happy…that I get to be your best friend.”
“I am too. I don’t have a lot of friends in town ‘cause a lot of the other kids don’t wanna spend time around someone who can’t see, ‘nd…” Ava trails off in thought for a few moments, but shakes his head as if that will make the sudden onset of sadness within him go away. “It doesn’t really matter all that much if I have you, though.”
“Why does being able to see matter to them?”
“I dunno, really. I can manage by myself just fine most of the time. It bothers my papa too, though. Says I can’t pull my own weight.”
Irasmus is quiet for a few moments, seeming to consider Ava’s words. Ava, his appetite now gone, wraps his bread back up and puts it away in his bag. He slumps against the wall, trying to curl up into his jacket as best he can. He can feel the exhaustion beginning to catch up to him.
“...You could just stay with me if you wanted, Ava. It doesn’t sound like they’re very nice up there…”
Stay with Irasmus? That doesn’t sound bad at all to Ava, but…he knows that he won’t be able to survive down here.
“I’d really like that, Irasmus. Maybe we can run away together when we get back outside.”
“...Yeah. We’ll stay together, Ava. I promise.”