Haru sat quietly and stared at his sketchbook, sneakily eyeing the blond boy who's just joined Jean every once in a while, one that he remembered, one that had eyes of different colors, Ginji. He sat next to him, face rested on his hand with a smile spreading from ear to ear. Next to the newcomer, Loi stared intensely at him disgruntledly, frustrated as another rival has came just as he was having his hope up about Quetz leaving.
- Nice drawing. - The blond snickered warmly.
- Th-thanks…I guess? - Haru replied with a stuttered, eyes dashing from Ginji back to his sketchbook nervously.
The white haired boy flinched at the giggled, after the stunt he pulled yesterday. Like Lucious and the rest of the people here, Ginji acted like he's known Haru for a long time, and that's not entirely false. The blond was Haru's and his twin's caretaker, he saw him in the vision that Quetz's shown him, yet even after all these years, Ginji seemed…unchanged, untouched by the passage of time. The white haired boy turned his attention to his sketchbook again, trying to keep his mind from wandering again, less he became suspicious to Ginji.
It's been a while since Haru had anytime to sketch and scribble into his sketchbook, the hardships and dangers of the wilderness made sure of that. But now, surrounded by his loved ones and safely secured in stable home, the boy could finally relax a bit to add new discoveries into his collection. Haru looked around, bedazzled by the intricate designs around him now that he's allowed to look at them closely. There were runes everywhere, some were just there for decorative purposes, but some were carved, or painted onto specific places and in distinctive, repeating yet random patterns, overlapping circles with strange extensions or markings surrounding them. Some of them were familiar, Haru recognized them as he ran his fingers across the smooth, runes-covered surface of the table, miniature versions of the markings he saw in the forest ruins.
- Haru, - Mitsuki's hand resting on his made the white haired boy snap out of his string of thought, he looked up with his surprised violet eyes, meeting with her deep brown ones. - are you feeling well? You're looking a little pale.
- I-I'm fine. - The boy smiled, turning his gaze back to the sketchbook, then to Ginji, who's now joined Jean in admiring the trees in the courtyard. - It's just that…it's too much to take in…all of this. And these people, they keep calling me "Lord", what does that even mean?
- Some rude, ill-meaning nickname, no doubt. - Loi rumbled, hiding the lower half of his face in his folded arms as he rested his upper body on the table, eyes still staring at Ginji suspiciously.
- I don't think so. - Mitsuki retorted, warningly glared at the tanned boy, before rubbing Haru's bandaged hand. - I think it's their way to show respect to you, you're Keto-san's important guest, after all.
- Then what does that make us? - Loi hissed, hiding the rest of his face in his arms.
The girl was about to protest, but something stopped her words right at the tip of her tongue. Her brother spoke true, they were treated well compared to the other villagers, but that's just because they were close and treated Haru well, who's to say that the moment Quetz's had his full grip of the boy, they wouldn't be herded back to the rest of their kind? Her concerns must have shown on her face, as she felt Haru's hand resting on her, burnt and bandaged yet filled with that warmth and reassuring that she didn't know she needed until now. His eyes said the same, violet orbs glimmering with confidence and reluctant bravery, so different from the usual scared, nervous and shy look, so overwhelming to the point of tears when they're still in the village. Mitsuki let out a small sigh, not of concern but of relief, before smiling warmly and gently caressing her little brother's wounded hands, checking if they needed anything. It's strange, surrounded by all these strangers with strange powers that can overwhelm even the strongest of her kin, yet she found security and safety in the most unlikely of places, of people. She found hope and comfort in her frail, nervous wrecked and traumatized brother, someone whom she's always have to offer comfort to.
- Haru? - The girl asked quietly.
- Yes? - Her brother looked up from his sketchbook.
- Are you…happy here? - She asked, reluctantly, a part of her not wanting to hear what his answer is.
- I…don't know. - Haru turned his gaze downward, rubbing his snowy white head. - Happy…I don't know but…like, perhaps? Anywhere with Keto-san is fine with me.
They could hear a quiet sniffle coming from Loi, obviously hurt by the white haired boy's statement. Haru looked at the sketches in his sketchbook guiltily, regretting saying that so close to his brother. Even when Mitsuki was gently rubbing his arm to comfort him, he couldn't erase that guilty feeling from his mind and heart. He sighed, resting his face onto one arm, while slowly tracing his finger on one of the newly sketched circle, copied from one of the leather bound books resting on the nearby shelf, filled with scribbles and drawing of runes and those strange circles, not noticing Ginji and Jean were running frantically at them
- STOP! - Jean screeched in panic, arm stretched forward to stop Haru while Ginji has already slid across the table and snatched the sketchbook from the boy's hand.
- What are you doing?! - Mitsuki bolted upward, panicked and upset by the two male's actions. - Give his sketchbook ba…
Her words were halted, as her eyes widened, seeing the blond boy frantically traced his finger around the circle and lifted his opened palm. An orange glowing circle materialized around his hand, gathering flecks of the same color into its center, before a floating fire ball burst into existence between Ginji's fingers. Immediately, the blond jerked his hand forward, sending the fire ball flying across the courtyard and colliding with the wall, exploding with a loud "BANG", leaving a blackened mark on the wall with straight extensions stretching from the center like a black star. Before either of the blond males could let out a sigh of relief, the door burst open, the two dark elf guards charged inside, halberd in hands readied for a fight.
- What happened? - One of them asked, looking around to find any sign of intruders.
- My Lords, are you well? Has there been an attack? - The second one asked, his voice tensely alerted.
- No, no, false alarm. - Ginji spoke out, clumsily climbing off the table and brushed off the blue and orange specks on his blue tank top and black baggy pants. - Young Lord Haru had a-eh… - He stuttered, gesturing his thumb toward the shaking wreck of a boy. - How…how do you say it?
- Magical incident, he had a magical incident. - Jean smiled awkwardly, trying to cover up for his friend.
- Y-yes, a magical incident. - The younger blond suddenly found his words, a smile, not unlike that of Jean, spread on his face from ear to ear. - Nothing to worry, you should return to your posts.
- If you say so, my Lords. - The guards exchanged a look of suspicion, before lowering their helmed heads and walked out of the courtyard, closing the door behind them as they did.
Left alone, Ginji and Jean simultaneously exhales dramatically as if they've been holding the breaths until the guards have left. Ginji collapsed onto the floor, while Jean fell back onto the wooden bench, panting and wiping the bean-sized sweats pouring from their foreheads.
- By the Stars! That was…that was close! - The smaller blond exclaimed, pulling himself up from the stairs and walked inside, sitting next to a mortified Haru still having his widened violet eyes glued to the patch of burnt wall, mouth gaping to what's just happened, only jolting back to life when Ginji closed his mouth for him. - Close your mouth, dear. You'll catch a fly holding it opened like that.
- Wh-what was…what? What? What happ…what? - The white haired boy stuttered, looking around to see his brother and sister were as mortified and frozen as he was.
- Who left these here? - Haru jumped from his seat to grip at Ginji's shoulders as he heard Jean's voice behind him. The lanky man picked up a book that the white haired boy has been copying drawings from, his fingers flipping page to page before closing the book and glance at the scribbles on the cover. - "Basic Offensive Magic for Beginners", - He read aloud, hand picking up the other books littering the table. - I say, all of these are anything but for our Young Lord's level.
- Wh-what are you…what are you talking about? - Loi asked, confused and concerned by the thing he's just witnessed. - What's just happened? What have you done to Haru?
- What have WE done? - Ginji narrowed his eyes, gently but firmly, he removed the white haired boy's hands from his shoulders before making his way toward the tanned boy with inhuman speed, seizing his shoulders with vice-like grips. - What have YOU done to him? How could you allow him to perform this kind of spell in this state?
- What? - Loi sputtered, not knowing what this strange brat was talking about. - Spell? Magic? You're not making any sense!
Ginji snorted and let go of the shaking tanned boy, backing slowly and sat down on the chair. Rubbing his temple, the blond whimpered in frustration and nervousness, knowing full well Quetz and Lucious were already on their way. The spell that Haru's accidentally casted, though not a very powerful one, still made enough of a ripple and left enough traces of magical residues for them to realized what have transpired. But it wasn't his only concerned, these kinds of books weren't supposed to be here, someone wanted Haru to blow his hands off, had it not for Ginji's and Jean's quick interference… The high elf shuddered, shivering to shoo the vision of an enraged Quetz out of his mind.
He turned to Haru, the poor boy was still shaking like a cold Chihuahua, lips sputtering as if trying to say something to his brother and sister who were trying to comfort him. Exchanging a worried look with Jean, Ginji slightly threw his head at the white haired boy, asking for the older male for any kind of guidance, only for the man to slowly rub his temple and walk out to the courtyard, lighting a cigarette as he did. Frustrated by his friend's unhelpfulness, Ginji let out a sigh before standing up and walked toward Haru.
- So, that was a close one. - He said jokingly, almost immediately shuddering from Mitsuki's and Loi's irate glares.
- What…was? - Slowly, the white haired boy turned his eyes to the blond.
- You really shouldn't trace them, these magical runes and conjuration circles aren't really things someone your age and condition should be doing. - The blond said, sitting down next to Haru and gently rubbed his head. - I was charged to look after you, Haru, that means I'll do anything in my power to keep you safe, even from yourself, but due to current situations, I think it'd be best for me to teach a bit about our heritage.
- Our…heritage? - The white haired boy blinked confusedly.
- What are you talking about? - Loi chimed in aggressively. - What do want to teach him? Isn't this already enough?
- Boy, I'll have you know that letting the Young Lord scribing down conjuration circles without knowing what they're meant for is extremely dangerous. - Ginji hissed, slamming his hand on the table. - You're lucky the older spells that Haru's sketched down had no active effects, do you know how dangerous it can be if he's drew something down, say a frost bolt spell?
Loi wanted to protest, but somehow, he knew better to. The tanned boy sat back down onto his chair, eyeing Ginji suspiciously, untrusting of the words coming out of the blond's mouth. He kept silence, hands gripping at the silk pants he's wearing, quietly lamenting his situation, not noticing a pale, delicate was slowly reaching for him. The tanned boy jolted as he felt Haru's hand against his face, gently wiping away the tears that were unconsciously rolling down from his eyes. Those violet eyes were so beautiful, He was so beautiful, Loi thought, putting his hand onto Haru's own, feeling his brother's warm and soft skin, wishing that the last several days didn't happen.
- It's ok, I'm fine. - The tanned boy smile, murmuring out his words before burying his face back into his folded arms.
- Rai… - Haru retracted his hand, unsure of what to do to cheer his brother up.
- We should leave him alone for a bit. - Ginji chimed, whispering into the white haired boy's ears, just loud enough for him to hear, before taking him by the hand and led him outside.
- Wh-where are we going? - Haru asked, not sure if it's a good idea to follow him.
The blond didn't replied, he walked, nay, skipped into the yard excitedly, pulling the boy with him, followed by a very anxious Mitsuki still clutching her weapon. He releases the white haired boy's hand as they reached the middle of the courtyard, playfully spinning as he skipped for a few more steps and stopped abruptly. Haru and Mitsuki exchanged a confused look to each others, turning their eyes to Ginji rubbing his hands together in circular motions. The blond slowly pull his hands apart, revealing a faintly glowing blue circle floating in thin air, strange extension stretching out, connecting it with arches of blue light while runic letters spin around it, connecting randomly to the ethereal structure that he's crafting. Steams and vapors began to draw toward the space between Ginji and the adoptive siblings, becoming thicker and thicker with each second passed, taking the form of three great armchairs, hardened and imbued with magical power, levitating just a few inches above ground, anchored from flying away by some unseen forces.
- Sit. - Ginji clapped his hand, shattering the ring of light into a cloud of glistening dusts that quickly faded from existence.
- On…these? - Mitsuki asked nervously, putting Haru behind her as she poked the construct with the blunt end of her weapon.
It's soft to the touch, like freshly fallen snow, but somehow even softer and more durable, as the end of her weapon on sink for a few centimeters, before something restricted it from digging any further. It's not solid, per se, but more like poking into a leather sack filled with water. Haru seemed to be more amused than scared, like a little kitten, he reached out his hand from behind his sister, touching the cloudy chair with the tips of his fingers, only to retract immediately, before doing it all over again. The sight of Haru seemingly "testing the water" alone was hilarious to Ginji, his cheeks puffed up as he doubled over, trying desperately to hold in the laughter of how silly and adorable the white haired boy was.
- Enough fooling around you two! - He burst into giggling, sitting onto one of the armchairs, letting himself sink in a bit before adjusting his position. - It's just vapor, it won't eat you.
- O-ok. - Haru replied, sheepishly sitting down on his chair, panic spread across his face for a moment as he felt like he's sinking into the dark abyss.
His sister was a bit more relaxing, Mitsuki slowly positioned herself onto the chair comfortably, still looking from her brother to the strange blond boy in front of them, nervously waiting for him to do anything.
- So! - Ginji suddenly spoke up, making both Mitsuki and Haru jumped a bit, the blond sat cross legged on his cloudy chair, leaning his body forward. - Tell me what you know about magic.
- M…magic? - Mitsuki tilted her head in confusion. Searching in her memory, trying to find something that mostly relates to the matter, her hand rubbing the soft, phantom material under her. - Is it like…this thing?
- Well…yes, and no. - Ginji fell back into the chair. - This little thing here is the result of magical influence.
- Then…what is? - Haru asked, curious to what this magic is, what their heritage is.
- You can't be serious, - Ginji bolted upright, seemingly surprised by the boy's question. - Surely you have to know what it is, I mean you drew all of those conjuration circles from…oh… - Something dawned on him, a casual realization. The blond scratched his chin, only now did he remember where they've all decided to leave Haru in. - You're from THAT place huh? Right, I forgot.
- "That place"? - Haru narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. - You mean…the valley near our village? Near the ruins and the Forbidden Forest?
- Yeah…we kinda…thought it's the best idea to send you there, for a time. - Ginji scratched his head guiltily, his grin slowly faded as he realized how big of a mistake it was. - But now, now that I think about, we should have sent you to someone a bit more…professional.
- What do you mean? - Haru leaned forward, eager to hear the reason why he was given to the village. - Wh-what happened to…my home?
A worried look flashed through Ginji's heterochromia eyes, his eyebrows squinted into a frown as he tried to formulate a coherent explanation. Taking a deep breath, he spoke slowly, his voice choked with regret and sadness:
- Listen, Runty, everyone of us regret our decision, and…truth be told, we wouldn't have done what we did if we had any other choices. He wouldn't have allowed it if he had another choice.
Fear slowly crept into Haru's mind, the boy blinked, his mouth slightly parted as if about to say something, anything, but the only sounds that escaped his lips were that of his shaky breaths. He gripped at his silk pants, trying to calm himself, he wanted to believe what Ginji said, that his family, his Blood family, didn't abandon him. Yet something was holding him back, a childish grudge that wanted, for lack of a better word, pay back. Is that it? It asked him, deep in his mind a shadowy voice echoed forth. Is that it? All those years, without a single visit? Why? And Quetz. Why didn't he recognize Haru when they met in that forest?
- Haru? - Mitsuki's hand resting on his shoulder pulled the white haired boy out of his dark thoughts. - Is something wrong?
- A…I…I… - The boy struggled to find his words, his angered now subsided, as suddenly as it's risen, left behind a tremendous emptiness that's slowly filling up with sorrow.
- Sh…sh, sh, sh, it's ok, come here buddy. - The white haired boy felt arms wrapping around him and pulling him up into a loving embrace, delicate hands, not much different from his but roughed and hardened by years of training stroked his hair and back as Ginji slowly hummed the soothing lullaby that Quetz's sung to him. - There there, I'm here.
- Th-thank…you… - Haru gurgled, trying to hold in his tears and anguish hiccups.
- Ginji-kun, I think…I think he needs something to drink. - Mitsuki suggested, gently rubbing her brother's shaking shoulder.
- Already a head of you. - Jean's hand reached out between them, holding a mug made of porcelain, smoking with a hot brown liquid that smelled like cacao beans but much, much better. The three of them looked behind them, especially Haru, his shivering eyes glowed up from the sweet miasma, making the pale man chuckled. - It's hot chocolate. - He grinned warmly. - Drink, it'll make you feel better.
He couldn't speak, something was choking his throat, but he didn't want to clear it, fearing that the moment he does, all of his emotions would burst out into tears and wailings. Haru nodded, shaky hands reached out, taking the hot porcelain mug from the man and sat back down on his arm chair. The rest of them slowly eased their tensions, slowly returning to their seats, quietly eyeing him as he took the first gulp of that warm, sweet, milky beverage. It was good, better than anything he's ever had back in the village, it warmed him in the sense of a loving family would a member of theirs own, no matter how lost they were.
- Good? - Ginji snickered, now has returned to his seat.
- Mhm. - Haru nodded and smiled warmly, taking another gulp of the sweet hot chocolate.
- Good. - The blond nodded back, scratching his head again. - So…about the things I said, it's true. We didn't have any other options but to send you to…you know, them.
- What do you mean? - Mitsuki narrowed her eyes. - Why was sending Haru to my village was the only option? Why send him there? What happened to your home?
- We figured that Shinju would be the best caretaker for Haru until we've solved all the problems back home. - Jean chimed in, sitting crossed legged on his steam armchair that he's conjured for himself. - Quetz did tell you about the war, no?
- He said you were at war? - Haru asked curiously.
- Yes. - Ginji sighed, letting himself fall into the fluffy embrace of the armchair. - Fifteen years ago when Haru and his twin were still under our cares, the Sanctuary Forest and the nearby City of Calisna were besieged. I'd go into detail but it'd be best that I don't, not at this moment. But…sometime during the fighting, assassins were sent against Keto and well…one of them were bearing a magical disease that we couldn't cure.
- We tried our best to defend him, - Jean continued for his friend. - to defend you two, but with our forces spread thin and caught off guard, we couldn't protect you all the time, sometime there was just one of us guarding you. Even Quetz was forced to fight alone against dozens of them sometime. Yet not even he was able to stop them, the poisons and diseases made him weaker and weaker with each attack. Haru was injured in one of those attacks, that's when we decided that sacrifices must be made. - The white haired boy could see the man's expression soured, bitterly clenching his teeth slightly, his head hung low with a deep sadness and regret, the weight of his failure dragged him down as he spoke: - That's when we decided that he must be taken away to save his life.