A few days later, he was back to the "alphabet" room where there were also a desk with a lamp, lot of papers and another magic box, three seemingly comfortable chairs, books on shelf too high for his tiny arms, the mirror and of course the toys. The psychiatrist let him sat next to the toys. Well, he didn't know what else to to. He found it quite strange to be observed like that. Sometimes that thought made him shiver but he understood. He sighed internally for he once had a need of those "emotional support" and stuff like that back in the days. But this wasn't a memory he liked to recall so he put his mind into the toys. Though, it was quite boring by now.
The man in silver, surely metallic, spectacles with short brown hair and brown eyes asked him how were the past few days in his new school.
' New ? I don't even remember being in one before. The academies only accepted from 12 years old onwards. '
" Well, it was fun. I made a friend I suppose. " He chuckled and smiled at Damian.
" And we decided to conquer the world together ! "
' They'll never take it seriously. Though, the more they don't, the more I am. We'll see who will laugh last ! '
Damian raised his brows. "You mean to reach the top ?"
Charles rolled his eyes at him. " Duh ! Of course. Then everybody will know my name ! "
The spectacles guy nodded his head. " Quite the goal in life I see. "
But then the child, allowed to play, took the little robot (or golem as he called it) and after examining it so carefully he smashed it on the floor repeatedly until it cracked and broke in pieces. Damian was surprised by his action while he looked over through the different parts. He asked him what was the pieces he didn't know (which was almost everything) before finalizing his dissection by placing them carefully next to each other. It was well organised. Looking at the result, Charles was very satisfied.
' I have yet to really understand how it works but I do have some progress ! '
Damian was puzzled about it so he inquired about the reason behind the golem's destruction.
" Well, I wanted to see how it worked ! The inside of it . "
" But you didn't have to break it like that... "
" No no. sacrifices are necessary for the greater good ! "
' Also, knowledge is power ! '
When it was over and the child left, he went to his desk and sat on the chair, relaxing his muscle. Closing his eyes, he breathed in a tranquil manner. He had to reopen them to review his notes. Some of the notes written on the papers were as follow :
- Because he was ignored and abused in his early years, he had to think for himself and to consider himself as important in order to survive.
- Lot of arrogance in his words (?), self-centered.
He then checked on some of his previous notes.
- Speak very well for his age, just a lack of vocabulary and grammar that he had never heard. Good at imitations.
- Look and laugh at nothing for no good reasons.
Damian scribbled a few words on it :
- Be careful. Has some strange reactions. That may lead to being ...
After reorganized his thoughts, he carefully put them back where they belonged. It was often said that childhood gave hints on what a person could become. Damian simply hoped that Charles didn't turn out to be a cold blooded-murderer that would do anything to achieve his objectives. But he laughed dryly.
' I'm thinking too much. It's just some troubled kid. '
The morning after, while taking breakfast, Hugo smiled at Charles mysteriously. His dark brown eyes full of laugher, the little wrinkles full of vivacity and his white hair which seemed fresh and young again. He certainly looked like he was delighted.
they were sitting in front of each other. He had his usual bowl of chocolate cereals with milk and a glass of orange juice. Both surprised him the first time he ate them. So tasteful and odd !
"Today is a very special day today and that deserve a special surprise don't you think ?"
"... What special day ?"
Hugo turned for a very short instant sorrowful but he quickly smiled again.
" Your birthday of course ! And so we will officially be family. You will be called Charles Meyer. How does that sound Charlie ? "
He smiled proudly at the boy. But the boy himself was stunned before turning suspicious.
' Don't call me Charlie when my name is Charles. Wait, I remember my nickname was Argy, wasn't it ? And Addy. Why does nicknames end in "i" ? Also, adoption ? really ? Who re you really Hugo... It hasn't been ... ' Long.
He realised that he wasn't so sure of how much time has passed since he was reborn. Sometimes it felt like an eternity and as his his past life faded away, pieces after pieces of memories flying out of his reach. And sometimes it appeared like it was yesterday, memories so vivid he could almost touch them. He recalled the classes and some of the calendar activities but he didn't paid any mind so he actually forgot. Him. Forgetting !? Damned body, this youth isn't convenient !
He shook his head. It was not important at the moment. He knew, even back then, that adoption was quite a difficult task, especially when it was about the inheritance of the higher noble. Was it 'first come, first served' here ? Because it was literally a neighbor finding a lost child and keeping it. Furthermore, he was quite aged. But who knew how things worked out here ! It's not like they will take his questions seriously.
' Ahh... being a kid sure is tiring... '
So Charles, who was now often called Charlie, smiled and nodded his head, showing his appreciation.
Hugo interpreted his head movement as confusion and smiled gently. He then put his hand in the boy's hair as usual.
" Ah by the way, I know you do you have some French origins ! "
" 'franche' ? What's that ?"
Hearing the pronunciation, he could not help but find it funny. He stood up and cleaned the table before bringing maps, some were olds and used, some were just less old. He sat Charles on his lap and opened the maps before them.
The world was laid before his very own eyes. Charles was thrilled.
' Finally some useful information ! What a strange world ! And so much detail into the country borders... By the way, too many countries. Some are so big and other so small. Uh.'
Hugo showed him where France was and slowly moved his finger to the US, crossing the ocean.
"And that's where we are. More precisely, we are here. "
He changed the map to one of the US and pointed out the town they were in.
" Charlottesville. "
" We are so close of the ocean ! "
" Yes and we might go there soon enough. "
He chuckled.
" Do you want to see pictures of France or other places ? "
" Yes ! I'd like to ! "
This time he brought his laptop, the famous wonder box ! He went to 'Gougli' image [Forgive me for my sin !] and showed pictures of dunes, forest and cities that awed Charles. However his cellphone started to vibrate and a frown appeared on his face while looking at the name of the caller. He then left the chair and told Charles to continue looking at the picture, and only the pictures if possible. He went to another room to take the call, but stayed close enough in case of an accident. Never leave a kid alone !
He grinned from ear to ear. He first taped with difficulty dragon on the googli bar and did not have to wait long for the results that astounded him. So many dragons, all drawings, zero of those life like paintings ! So they were indeed from imagination only. But then, how come people from this world could imagine such creature. They were even some he never ever saw back home ! There were things he could never had think of previously like the metallic bird ( They do love metal here... ) that could fly high in the air while transporting hundreds of people. Wasn't that crazy !?
He searched other keys but didn't know how he ended in the next page which was showing, not pictures but videos, nudes people in the act.
His brain froze, his eyes and mouth opened widely.
' WTF !? '
He couldn't comprehend why and how there could be such things in the magic box. Were the people aware that they were watched and that ... other watched them for their own enjoyment it would seem. He gulped awkwardly. So the internet was a dangerous place.
' An immaterial brothel huh... Quite interesting... '
Suddenly Hugo barged in the room. Seeing the scene he emitted a small screeching scream and let go of his phone. It took a hard phone for a crack could be heard but Hugo couldn't be bothered about that. He hurried and closed the laptop violently. He looked at Charles who looked back at him innocently. His livid face then became flushed, red as a tomato. That was certainly a guilty look here.
'... So that's your taste uh ! cheeky old man...'
But as a noble man and because of "Noblesse Oblige", he changed the subject for his dear Hugo.
" I want to see the calendar !... please ? "