~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
Too strong, yet too weak.
I thought I had reached the peak
Until I looked up and saw you, all gentle and meek.
You've left me with a strong desire
When I saw you atop the spire
Once a lonely ember, now a hungry fire.
-J.
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
With a crescent grin that reminded him of a scythe's sharp blade, Kairo felt like it now represented the dark air around Jarquis perfectly.
His bright, blonde hair and sparkly, sky-blue eyes were muted, dampened by the ominous atmosphere around the once-dynamic man. Not even the jewels that dotted under his left eye glittered the same way anymore.
In a conniving tone, Jarquis started. "Dear Kairo, how you interest me so."
Kairo remained silent, not because he wanted to, but because he couldn't muster the words to interject.
"I think you have quite the delicious amount of potential. I've been waiting for someone like you. Unfortunately, you're not an adult that was somehow stuck inside a child's body," Kairo started to perspire as Jarquis continued his melodramatic monologue. "I recognize that I am quite the prodigy, and I admit that it is arrogant to say such things about myself, but there is simply no other way to go about it. I have the talent and the charm, and even only acknowledging them makes them quite the sharp weapons as I tread about this murky business. Though, as I am a cut above the rest, that meant no one could catch up to me. And so, I grew bored without an equal, no rival to drive me."
Jarquis noticed the grave look Kairo held. "Oh, don't be like that," Jarquis' expression became light in the blink of an eye, the intense atmosphere vanished just like that. "Worry not, I have no intention to do any sort of harm upon you," his smile shook Kairo.
There was a lingering feeling that Jarquis was about to add "for now" at the end there. It was even more eerie how genuinely cheerful Jarquis was. He felt that Jarquis was being all but insincere.
"As a matter of fact, I intend to do the contrary," Jarquis stated, the jewels under his eyes sparkled as he raised his head for a pompous laugh. Kairo tilted his head in confusion. "If your parents are up for it, I am willing to adopt you as my own son and as a promising heir to the guild."
"Heir? Adopt?!" this was all too sudden for little Kairo. He merely intended to grab a license to aid him in travelling through kingdoms, countries, and borders, as well as making money to sustain himself in his travels. Ultimately, this was all to assist him in his quest for vengeance.
That's right.
Vengeance.
He still hadn't forgotten about his main goal: to murder those who have wronged him.
"I know this is all a bit too much for you but—"
"Apologies, but I'll have to decline," Kairo interjected.
Jarquis was once again dumbfounded.
This was the second time he was surprised today, and it was all caused by the same person. In his uneventful days filled by meandering about in his office and in this kingdom, looking for another person to receive stimulation from, a peer, a rival, suddenly, an interesting character came along and refused his offer, his plea.
"May I ask for your reasons? This is an opportunity which not very many would pass up, especially someone who is only now starting as a merchant. This is basically a shortcut to a grandiose life! You will be left with nothing but aristocratic privilege and superfluous worries! Is it because you're already well off?" Jarquis asked almost frantically, to which Kairo replied by shaking his head.
"Then is it because your parents might disapprove?"
Kairo shook his head again.
"Is it because you are simply unable to at this current moment?"
He shook his head once more.
"Because you don't think you can fulfill the expectations of such a great proposal?"
He shook his head again.
"Then, is it because—"
Kairo shook his head one last time.
"I have a goal which I must finish at all costs, and no offense sir, but your wish... it only serves as a distraction from it."
Jarquis thought to himself, "What sort of goal could a young person have that riches and a worry-free home will only hinder him? And decidedly so? He didn't even hesitate nor reflect on it. This is far different from his carelessness from his arithmetic test. I can tell by the way he talks that he is resolute and has thought about this great goal."
"May I know about this goal?"
With a lighthearted smile on top of such a soft expression, Kairo replied,
"It'd be better if you didn't know."
Jarquis' eyes widened, relaxing after a realization.
"Ah," Jarquis thought to himself. "As the head of the merchant guild, it is inevitable that I would be dealing with the underbelly of the kingdom. It is only natural since that is simply how business goes. Ethics won't turn a profit, keeping your hands clean and kind idealism is naïve and inefficient. But even in the underground, among the hardened and experienced black market organizers, his expression is quite sadistic. But more than that, his smile is simply..." Jarquis closed his eyes and sighed, continuing his thoughts, "...filled with anguish."
"You truly are an amusing specimen," Jarquis told Kairo, but Kairo kept a straight face. "Fine, this chat is already rewarding enough for me, personally. Let us fill out your license while you're here."
"Yes, sir," Kairo smiled with such uncaring glee.
"Earlier, he seemed disturbed by my advances, but now he looks... calm. Unworried even," Jarquis thought to himself as he stood up to acquire a license card. "Is this a talent for adaptation or something else worrying?" it was rare for Jarquis to mind other people this much, but this Kairo kid, at the end of the day, had become a possible tremendous cause of worry.
Jarquis returned with a blank license card and sat in front of Kairo once more. As he asked questions, he wrote down Kairo's answers.
"Name?"
"Kairo Whether," Jarquis asked Kairo to spell his name letter by letter since he wasn't sure how to spell his surname. "Kairo Whether... merchant... TJ Merchants... where should I make out your address?"
"Erm... oh shoot. Long shot, but do you suppose you know of Grisia's residence?"
"G-Grisia?" Jarquis stuttered, choking on his words. "Grisia?! THE adventurer, Grisia?!"
"Y...es?"
"The one who lives in the lands meant for lord, nobles, and high-ranking knights between the kingdom's castle and the residential area?"
"Yes, that Grisia. Unless there are other Grisia's who live there," Kairo laughed at his own humor, but Jarquis did not.
Jarquis slapped his forehead with his hand and exclaimed, "Shit," and proceeded to laugh tiredly like a maniac.
"Sir Jarquis, is something the matter?"
"I suppose it's a good thing you rejected my offer, Kairo-boy. Oh, I am truly relieved."
"Why?"
"You live with him under the same roof, yet you do not understand? You're already under the best and safest home you could ever hope to be in, in this kingdom. Now your rejection doesn't sting as much."
"But that doesn't explain why you're relieved. Is it a bad thing that I live with Grisia?"
"That man..." Jarquis tightly clutched his toga. "A very elegant man with a graceful household. Even his rascal of a foster daughter is quite an unrefined gem."
"You know about her... activities?"
"Certainly. I have a major fraction of my focus on Grisia. You see, Grisia is... uncontrollable. He lives not under the command of the kingdom nor the adventurer's guild but by his own whim. If he so wishes, he could very well decimate this entire kingdom by himself, let alone if he joined forces with his band of 'maids'," Jarquis emphasized the maids by gesturing air quotes. "which many of them are formidable in combat on their own right, but not as powerful as Grisia. As far as I know anyway."
"Then, isn't Grisia a worthy rival for you?"
"No, Kairo. But do not be mistaken, I can fight, but I am not comparable to that monster," Jarquis spat with scorn. Kairo looked down in reflection. For Grisia to be called a monster so disdainfully, was he oblivious to another side of Grisia?
Noticing this, Jarquis cleared his throat and promptly conceded, "But forgive me for badmouthing him, it was not my intention to spread gossip, I merely thought you should hear differing perspectives about whom you live with. At the end of the day, your own opinion is what should matter to yourself, Kairo-boy."
Hearing this, Kairo looked less worked up, so he continued, "And to add, in his defense, I said he could crush this very kingdom on a whim, but I do not think he will. I've concluded that it is not in his nature to ever do such a thing. I've met him briefly in the past, and I would share that I think his relationship with Miss Aisia had changed him ever so slightly, enough that he values the existence and prosperity of this kingdom... somewhat. Compared to his past self, anyway."
Kairo narrowed his eyes as he sensed some hesitation from Jarquis at the last part.
"Well, I digress. This has been a good talk, Kairo-boy, truly. OFF you go now! Come request for my presence when you are in need, even if it is not dire. I enjoy our interactions and I wish to help you realize your potential."
Kairo stood up and bowed to Jarquis with respect. "I'll be in your care. Maybe once I've finished my goal, I'll consider your offer— no... probably not."
Without Kairo's knowledge, Jarquis quietly mumbled, "Oh, you will be coming back."
And so, Jarquis waved an ecstatic goodbye as Kairo left the room. Once Kairo had left, Jarquis talked to himself.
"Oh, Grisia. You've found yourself another interesting orphan. You really are the most intriguing of them all. If only you weren't so unreachable. I was so arrogant back then, I thought I was at the mountaintop, but your very presence had humbled me. Looking up to you made me realize that I was merely at the first hilltop, yet still alone as ever. But maybe this time, this boy could be my... one and only peer. Or not."
He let out a quick sigh. "It seems it is time to return to my dull job."