Thwack!
"I've been worried sick about you! I thought you were kidnapped! You brat!"
Thwack!
I thought this discussion was over when Priscilla, Exo's mother, hung up on me earlier a few minutes after, Riley's father came and dragged Riley out.
Priscilla had her hands on her hips and was supposed to look intimidating. However, my perverted mind couldn't resist but ogle at something else.
I kept my head down, saving myself from drowning in unwanted thoughts.
I could imagine a lump growing from where the woman had hit me, though. The throbbing pain reminded me of the scenario early morning.
But compared to that encounter, right now, her massive front made me I gulp, realizing this was supposed to be my mother.
However, in light of the recent events, she wasn't really my mother. My birth mother was long time dead.
Yet, I was living the life of her son.
I mentally felt exhausted trying to convince myself to behave.
My body was of a 17-year-old, but my mind was still my 25-years-old self.
Not wanting to prolong my agony, I decided to take the easy way out.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled.
Nirvana surely made a mistake in choosing me as one of their favorites. It looked like I would have difficulty keeping my thoughts pure while talking to beautiful women.
And here in Harrith, all women were beautiful.
Priscilla exhaled a tired sigh.
"Dinner is in the microwave. Go and change."
I kept my head down, afraid that if I looked up, she would notice where my attention was directed and dashed for the room I left this morning.
Once I was no longer in her sight, I breathed a sigh of relief. Fifi hovered above me, her eyes scrutinizing.
[Exo acted weird]
"I—"
I lifted my head and looked at Fifi.
"You're reading too much," I hissed, needing to remember not to raise any suspicion now that I was no longer alone in the apartment.
[Exo is mad]
"I'm not!"
[Exo has weird thoughts!]
"Wha—!" I gasped, most likely bearing a horrified look on my face. "Hey! I thought you said you can't read my thoughts if I'm in this form?"
[…]
[No, I can't read Exo's thoughts]
I glared at Fifi.
"Can you or can you not?"
[Fifi doesn't lie]
I narrowed my gaze at her, uncertain whether I could trust her or not.
She stood her ground.
Finally giving her the benefit of the doubt, I looked away and threw myself on the bed.
There were too many questions running in my head. I don't know which of them should I let Fifi answer first.
Resigning on the bed, I closed my eyes and thought about the facts I had known so far.
It was apparent that this Exo guy had a life before I came.
But I'm wondering what kind of life had he led? Where did his soul go while I was in here?
Was he on the brink of death, or did he actually die?
My definition of rebirth seemed to be different from that of Nichen.
Supposedly, I should be a baby right now, starting life all over again.
I should be re-learning how to crawl, eat, and speak. The natural way of rebirth was that. But, Nichen must have skipped that part and put me in another body instead.
I know nothing about Exo or his relationships. What happened to him? Where was he now? Did he take my place in the in-between?
Reopening my eyes, I found Fifi hovering above me.
"Hey, Fifi."
[Yes?]
"About that talk with Nichen."
[Master Nichen]
I clicked my tongue, grimacing at the idea of facing the guy.
"Could you make it happen right now?"
[…]
[It doesn't work that way, Exo]
"Eh?! So what? Is he busy? Busy sending another soul to do their dirty business?"
[Exo must understand. There is an order of things. Master Nichen cannot see you in person. You will burn before his eyes if you do]
"What?"
This was the first time I was hearing about this.
[He is the Divine's right hand. Each of them shared the same countenance with the Divine. A mere mortal's body does not have the capacity to withstand the scope of their divinity]
"Why am I only learning about this now?"
[…]
[You never asked]
"Fifi!"
[Master Nichen could use me to talk to you, Exo. Fifi doesn't know when that would happen, though. I already tried contacting him today]
I covered my face with a pillow and screamed.
I'm beginning to hate this trivial Nirvana's Favorite crap. It was becoming more and more evident that this was a punishment, not a reward.
After a few minutes of contemplation, I removed the pillow and looked at the pixie above me. She had her arms folded over her chest.
"How come you shouted brother and family when we arrived at the trap Riley had set?"
Fifi stared at me, an unreadable expression written on her face. She pursed her lips, drumming her fingers like she was having an internal debate about whether to tell me the truth or make something up.
[You only know about the Divine and his right hand. But it wasn't only them who kept Nirvana running peacefully]
I pursed my lips and waited.
[Ehem]
[My kind, we are called messengers. Unlike the right hands who could appear like humans, we…]
Fifi paused and gestured at her form.
[This is how small we could be. And everyone in Nirvana is considered a family]
I pondered on this new knowledge.
"So that meant you saw several others besides the one called Rex?"
[Yes]
"Interesting," I mused.
[…]
[Rex is one of Fifi's closest siblings. He meant you no harm, Exo]
"I know," I pursed my lips. "But what I don't understand is, did Riley lie? Where did the others flee to when his father confronted him? Why did Riley's father look so upset? Does he know what Riley has become and what I am?"
[…]
[Too many questions]
I chuckled.
"You don't have to answer them, Fifi, but if you could, I'd be happy to hear it."
[…]
Fifi held my gaze.
We were having that staring contest, an invisible electric current passing between us.
I honestly couldn't tell what she had in mind. Neither do I have any clue if she had any response to my queries.
"Exo!"
But the moment was broken by Exo's mother knocking on the door.
"You brat! Don't keep the food waiting!"
I sat up and prayed fervently to keep my thoughts pure before dragging my feet to head for the door.