The gentle sound of the river could be heard, bringing a sense of tranquility to the place. The cool river current and the soothing air lulled Vin's mind - but not for Aegir whose face was looking over the distance with a sour expression written all over his face. They were supposed to be training just like what Anthony and the others were doing but they stopped to fish by the river.
A flicker of frustration washed on Aegir's face, his brows furrowed in a line. He sighed. "Anthony was definitely improving on his magic right now. " A small smile formed on his lips. "But here I am stuck... fishing, " he finished, now frowning.
He hates it not because Anthony was improving but he wants to stand beside him and by the results of his training - it's an impossible feat.
Vin looked at Aegir's direction, he's in a great mood so might as well give him some word or two. "There's no doubt, your mana capacity surpassed that of Anthony, " Vin countered, "but no offense, you lack the creativity that he has. " Aegir bristled by the accusation, clearly offended, "Hey! Anthony said I am creative! "
Vin looked at him blankly, there's a lace of insult somewhere deep in his eyes that always annoys Aegir making him want to have a roasted bunny rather than grilled fish for lunch. "Not that kind of creative, litter-head. " Vin laughed in amusement.
Aegir glared at him, gripping the fishing pole tightly as if he wanted to hit Vin with it. "What does your magic look like in your mind? It lacks form and your anxieties cloud your focus. " Vin shrugged his shoulders as he voiced out the last sentence. He can see it. There are things that are bothering Aegir. The cat-man is way easier to read than his master.
Aegir almost immediately, shook his head, feigning ignorance but how his eyes widened before it never escaped Vin...he's no way convinced, "Don't play dumb, I am not buying it. Trace's words about your kind was troubling you, didn't it? " Fear laced Aegir's face making Vin shoot him a, 'I told you so' look.
Aegir's voice hitched. "What are you talking about? It doesn't concern me anymore! " But the stutter in his voice betrayed him. Vin felt a little tired dealing with this in denial fool. The similarities Aegir and Anthony have is definitely this that's why there's no confessions coming across.
He already sent those boy's love comics to Aegir and it pains him to realize how clueless this cat-bastard still is. It's only fun reading these kinds of troupes but when you see these couples in reality, it's a whole different experience... you just want to grab the nearest book and smack them with it.
"You're a terrible liar, Aegir, " Vin said as gently as he could even if he's stuck with the intrusive thoughts to strangle Aegir. "Your face tells the truth, seriously. You think you're a failure? Look at your life now, isn't it better than it was before? " Vin knew that Aegir was a stray before, he sometimes saw him near his restaurant before, he was too skinny and his eyes devoid of life. But right now, he's already different - there's a glow in him and he's oftentimes smiling.
Aegir squeezed his hand tight. He thought that he's ready to face those cat-elders again but as the trial loomed closer, there's a part of him that wanted to just run away. The fear of them shutting him down again haunts his heart. They will convict him again - call him a failure... as a curse... over and over again. He doesn't want to drown in the same darkness again.
"Show them the Aegir from now, " Vin urged at him, making Aegir's eyes slightly widened. "Aegir from now? " Aegir asked back, face confused. Vin continued, "Yes, how do you see the world now, Aegir? "
Aegir paused to think. Before, he thought the world is full of nightmares - dark and cold and the people living inside of it are all monsters but now he sees different colors apart from pitch black and it was Anthony who taught him that there's still so much more that the world could offer.
Aegir replied, without any hesitation. "I don't see it as mere shades of monochrome anymore, there's a lot of vibrant colors in this world and I never thought it could be this... " Aegir smiled, "...beautiful and fun. " And he's looking forward to it now everyday unlike before when it felt like a boring cycle.
Vin nodded on what he heard. "See? You can use it as an inspiration to your magic or you can also utilize things you love? " At the thought of love, Aegir in an instant thought of Anthony, making his cheek flushed. Vin grimaced as soon as he saw Aegir blushed. "Not him, you dimwit! " Aegir sputtered, even redder in embarrassment.
"What are you on about? I love colors and art! " Aegir's voice rose in pitch, prompting another sigh from Vin. He silently wish that Anthony will choke right now.
Vin doesn't know how to explain it anymore to Aegir because it seems it always end up with this dimwit looking like a love-sick fool. He doesn't want to open up about his experience but it's the only way he's thinking to teach Aegir.
He stared at the clear-blue sky as he recall his distant memory. "Do you know that I wasn't always meant for combat? They deemed me - us healers as useless. The only worth we had is to heal and purify and what bullshit was that? I hated it. " A bitter edge colored Vin's voice making Aegir somehow intrigued but confused at the same time.
"What does it have to do with me? " Aegir asked innocently. Vin sent him an exasperated look making him doubt his decision to halt their training. Maybe, punching and kicking this asshole is better and less hassle than talking to him.
Vin took a deep breath, trying to retain his patience. "Just listen, you will never grow if you keep shackling yourself with their expectations. I refused to believe that I am what they branded me. So, I thought of a way. Music was one of my passions and I incorporated it with my magic. I proved them wrong, I can fight too. " Aegir's eyes blinked repeatedly, having already grasped what Vin was telling him.
He remembered the video he had seen before - about colors. How they can be used to symbolize different emotions. His power is about dominating someone and their magic. An idea struck his mind. He wasn't sure of its possibility but there's no harm trying.
Focusing on the river, Aegir thought of a little experiment. It's been quite long since they were fishing but they still had any catch. He placed his hand towards the water as he closed his eyes. He imagined the color red, a vibrant symbol of desire, and envisioned it coating the bait. According to the topic of color theory that he also saw from one of the videos he watched, red was also used in branding food brands because it looked appetizing. The fish won't be any different, he supposed.
It happened in a flash. The previously still water erupted in a wild frenzy. Fish from all shapes and sizes leaped from the river, flopping from the bank near Vin and Aegir. Both of their eyes gaped in astonishment.
"What the... What did you do? " Vin mumbled, his voice laced with disbelief. Aegir beamed, proving his theory, "You taught me didn't you? I just did it! " Vin couldn't help but to think if Aegir would use it against real enemies. There's no doubt Aegir was a prodigy, he's just slow.
Aegir's excitement over his newfound ability was cut short when Anthony and Alucard frantically arrived. Their faces pale as if they had seen a ghost. There was a sense of urgency in Alucard's voice as he delivered the sudden news. "We must leave now! " he exclaimed. "The trial won't be happening today, Artemisia needs us - the Cat's Coven needs us! They're being attacked by the enemies as we speak!"
Alucard gritted his teeth, he growled before continuing, "The attack was led by Hale! He was there according to Artemisia! "
Aegir's smile vanished, replaced by a mask of blank confusion. It took him a few seconds before the news struck him, leaving him frozen and speechless. He tried to look at Anthony to confirm if what Alucard said was true and Anthony didn't say anything but went by his side to envelope him in a tight embrace. And it was the silent confirmation that Aegir never wanted to hear.
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