It had been a few weeks since I woke up to this new world. And today was to be a bit special. I was busy setting up my classroom, grabbing the case of testing toys and games when Gina came in.
"Good Morning Lark. No need for the box. Today we are going on a field trip, if a bit of a short one." Gina said.
"But Gina, what about this morning's tests?"
"Lark, you won't be needing those tests anymore. We learned everything we could from them."
"But I quite liked the memory games and the sudoku workbook. Can I keep them?"
"Of Course Lark. They are yours to play with when you have spare time."
"Thank you Gina!"
I was excited. Other than my Rifle, Axe, and Dragonbone chestplate, I did not own many things. In fact, the sets of white uniforms they gave me almost doubled the amount of clothes I own. I placed the box of testing supplies back in the closet of my room here. I then returned to Gina.
"So what is the plan then, Gina?"
"Our test parameters have shifted and I want to see how you do in a normalized social environment."
"Gina can you rephrase that last sentence. I don't quite fully understand what you are asking, and I need to confirm."
Gina smiled, "We are going to a cafe."
***
I was very excited. Other than a few special guests for a few hours, and spending my days with Jan and Gina, I had not had much social interaction. In fact, other than Sute, Flick, and Hassan, I had not been able to meet with any of my own kind.
And as much as I appreciated the Lunch that was brought in from the Cafe each day, I would rather enjoy a nice quiet breakfast, enjoying the atmosphere of a typical Skygge slow morning.
Today I could go out with Gina and enjoy our breakfast together. Gina was my friend, and she had shared so much of herself with me, getting me prepared for this world. The least I could do was show her my favorite foods of my homeland.
As I was checking out of the clinic with Gina, She handed me a white uniform jacket. "Something to match your outfit. You are a liason now, and I don't want you misrepresenting our clinic."
I saw that over my breast there were two words written on the jacket.
Lark
-Sophia
I got excited. "Gina, are we going to meet my forever friend?"
Gina smiled, "Maybe Lark. I don't know when you will meet. But I am sure it will be soon. I know you are excited, but you need to be patient."
I nodded. I could be patient.
It was a quiet morning. Most of the foot traffic that was usual for near the center of their block had not kicked up yet. Market stalls were setting up as supplies moved in the early pre morning light. In fact, the only busy place that was already in full swing was the 'First Light' Cafe. I had never known the name of the cafe, but the name was appropriate. The First Light referenced the first rays of light as they peaked over the ocean back home. It meant this Cafe was meant to be open early, and since Skygge were traditionally early risers to beat the tide, that made sense. I was happy I could read the sign.
The First Light Cafe was still open seating. It was too early for there to be a wait.
Gina and I took a seat at an open booth. As I looked, I saw that there was a Lybringer behind the Cafe Bar making tea and coffee and plating the various cold sandwiches and pastries. He was wearing the typical white tunic and black apron of the position. Since there were only a dozen or so customers, there was only one server on duty. She was wearing the traditional Skygge Cafe server attire, that is, a black and white dress as well as a matching bow in her hair. It helped tie her hair up off her shoulders and showed off the frilly shoulder straps that helped keep the dress in place. I could not recall where the design came from, but I knew it was well accepted, and even if servers weren't Skygge, they tended to wear the outfit in our cafes.
I then realized I recognized our server. I had never called her by her name before, as in my memories I could never remember it. But when I focused on it the name 'Amanda' came into mind. When I looked as she approached the table I saw the nametag she was wearing, it confirmed that her name was 'Amanda. My mind remembered things my past did not again. It was becoming a strange occurrence.
Amanda's quiet smile broke wide when she saw me. "Good Morning Lark! It's been quite a while! It is nice to see you this morning. And you brought a friend!" Amanda smiled. I could see that was speaking a bit slower to me than she was to the other customers. I remember I could always understand when Amanda spoke to me in my memories. This was probably why. She took an effort to ensure everything she said to me was simple words well articulated. It was a small kindness. I smiled back at Amanda.
"Good Morning Amanda. It is nice to see you today. This is my friend Gina, and she is my sponsor." I smiled as I spoke. It was nice to have a conversation with someone from my past. However, something was wrong. As I spoke, Amanda froze. Then she dropped the tray she was carrying. I watched as her expression changed from shock, to fear, then to sadness.
Amanda looked at our clothes. There were tears starting to form in her eyes, and I did not know why. I did not understand how I had caused Amanda so much pain so quickly, but I was the only cause. Gina sat quietly. Gina was observing the interaction. She did not plan to interfere.
At Amanda's tray crashed to the ground, the entire cafe stopped their muffled conversations and the already quiet cafe was met with dead silence.
Amanda was now staring at Gina. Gina looked at Amanda with a blank expression. This was strange as Gina usually had a smile.
"You and your kind should be ashamed. Lark was a good lad. Sure, he was a little slow, but he was a gentle man with a kind heart." She was shaking in tears as she stepped away. "He may have been simple, but you didn't have to kill him!"
I was confused. I hadn't died. I was still very much here. Although, in a way, the old version of me was gone. But had I truly died?
Sure, I was different. I was able to think and speak. I could read simple books and do math. I was able to think about what made me, me. But to say the previous me had died, I don't think that was appropriate.
As I was thinking of this I watched as a different man walked over. He was an older customer that I had seen several times in the cafe in my memories. He always had a smile, and would come in during the early morning hours. I think his name was Stepan. At least, my mind told me that was his name.
Stepan then did the unexpected. He poured his water on Gina's head.
"Filthy bottomfeeder."
Then Stepan spit on Gina.
No one in the cafe moved to stop him. They silently accepted his actions.
I did not. It was something I was not used to feeling. I had not felt it in many years. But I knew the word.
Rage.
I watched as my vision tunneled, I focused only on Stepan. I had reached for my weapon, but it was still in my locker. I instead stood up, and punched the man.
I watched as this Stepan, who had injured the pride of my companion, flew through the cafe, smashing through the glass bar display of scones and cakes. I watched as others were in shock as I had so quickly dispatched this aggressor. I could feel their hostile intent. I felt it as clearly as on the wyverns during the last invasion.
I needed a weapon, so I grabbed a nearby wooden floor brush that was next to our table, and broke it in half. This way I could wield it like an axe. I looked left to right. Due to my perk, I stood a half meter taller than them and was quite well built, with the strength to back up the size.
I was ready to defend my friend. These may have been my people, but Gina was family.
[My dear Lark, calm. Be at peace. Gina is unharmed. These are your people. They are not your enemy. They are just afraid. Settle dear Lark. The time for anger is not now.]
It was the voice of my dreams. But she was speaking to me while I was awake. And as she spoke, it was as if a cold rush of water passed over my body. I felt the anger recede. And as my vision cleared, I realized that the voice was right. The other patrons weren't looking aggressive. They were frightened.
[These men and women are just confused, but we can make them understand. I can tell you what to say. All you need to do is repeat my words. It does not matter if you understand them now. They will, and I promise I will explain to you in time.]
Lark felt peaceful. This voice, who had guided him into a new being, was no longer relegated to his dreams. She was here with him now. I listened as she told me what to say. I set the broken tool down. I repeated the words that the voice had spoken to me.
"I apologize for striking one of our kind, my brothers and sisters, but I had to defend the honor of Gina. I am still Lark, but I am now with another, who helps me understand the world around me. As long as she is with me, she will make me my better self."
I looked at my surroundings. I realized that I had caused another bit of destruction, and Sute was not here to cover. Then someone spoke.
"My bad Lark. I tend to sometimes jump to conclusions before I have had my morning coffee."
It was Stepan pulling himself out of the wreckage of the display stand. "I see I was in the wrong. I will pay for replacement of the display stand."
I looked worried, "Are you injured Stepan?"
He laughed, "When you stood I knew I had made a mistake and activated my [shield] spell. It ate my entire pool of mana but I will survive, although now I will have to deal with a bit of brainburn for overextending the spell, and probably need to get checked out by a healer."
I stood in awe. Stepan continued, "I didn't make it this far in life to be taken out by a fairly predictable hit, regardless how strong. Now as a sorry, please let me pay for your meals."
Stepan then walked over to Gina and handed her his slightly wrinkled handkerchief from his coat pocket.
"Gina was it? I am sorry for my actions. Please, take this to help dry yourself and thank you for helping our dear Lark. We are glad to see one of the young sons of Mephasm is finally doing well in the world."
Stepan then said to Amanda "Please put it on my tab. I would love to stay and chat with Lark, but I need to go to the clinic. I feel a few ribs might be broken."
I quietly sat down. It felt awkward to continue to order. Thankfully Amanda came over to break the tension. "It's been a while since a Skygge has had a formal challenge. Good on you Lark."
There was a murmur of agreement and I realized I really need to brush up on my knowledge of my own culture.
As the crowd settled down, I sat and ate with Gina.
Gina looked at me curiously. "Lark, who taught you to say that? Did Jan prepare you?"
I shook my head. "The Voice. She is the one of my dreams. She told me what to say. And now she speaks to me when I am awake. She is kind and patient. And I know in my heart she wants to make us better. I look forward to the next time I can hear her."
I went back to eating, but for a moment Gina's face had a curious look. But then it was gone. Then I heard it. The voice.
[I have always been here, Lark. And I always will be. It took me a moment to find my voice, but now that I have, I can talk to you anytime.]
"The Voice!"
Gina was startled but then smiled. She understood. Then I heard the voice giggle in my mind.
[Call me Sophia, Lark. We are friends now, aren't we?]
***