Icarth walked out, his mind was blank from the previous events. Not only was Emmia in a coma for an unknown reason, but he had to meet Seril as well. The one person that he didn't want to.
Exhaling softly, Icarth delved back into his thoughts, letting his feet take him wherever.
'Why did that happen to Mia?'
'Just suddenly convulsing and bleeding...was she pushing her body?'
'No...she can't be that dumb..'
'Is there something wrong in her body?'
'I'll have to ask Ms. Sophia to take a look....na she probably already has.'
Icarth thought and thought. Something was nagging him. Icarth felt that he was missing something fundamental in what had happened. But for the life of him, he couldn't think or remember anything that might have been related to this.
The only peculiar thing was that the same time that Icarth had nearly been killed almost coincided with Emmia's sudden attack.....
'Ridiculous..' Icarth thought discarding the absurd thought that his sister's life was connected to his.
'But maybe...' Icarth started when he suddenly stopped. His train of thought vanished along with any intention to think back to it. It was like he didn't care anymore, or more like he forgot about it totally.
Part of that could be attributed to the fact that Icarth had reached his destination.
Standing outside Fengs Foods, Icarth thought for a moment whether he should go inside or not when he heard a clatter and crash.
Shifting his head to the source, he found Shui in her worker's uniform staring at him with her eyes wide. She had just dropped the plate in her hand much to the dismay of the customer who had ordered it.
Before either of them could utter a word of greeting the customer decided to interrupt whatever was going to happen.
"Miss, you dropped my food. Now could you go get another one?"
"Huh? OH! Yes, yes I'll do that sir. Please wait just a moment."
Shui placated the customer some more and left for the kitchen. Not before glaring at Icarth.
'It's all your fault.'
Watching Shui disappearing inside, Icarth thought helplessly, 'How is it my fault?'
Entering the patio, Icarth found a free seat and sat down.
Just moments after, another loud clattering sound was heard from inside the kitchen.
Icarth just shook his head and just enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. While it may not be the first of its kind, it was unique to Icarth.
The smell and just the look and the subtle sounds of Uncle Feng's cooking just melded into one perfect harmony for Icarth.
Suddenly, Icarth felt a tingling at the back of his head, and soon after a waiter's outfit came flying at him. Snapping around, Icarth caught the outfit in his hand. Lowering it, he saw a very angry Shui holding a broom and collector in one hand. Icarth could swear he saw flames flickering at the ends of her hair. And given her gift, it wasn't too farfetched of an idea.
"What are you doing?" Shui asked trying not to grit her teeth.
"Nothing?" Icarth answered slightly confused.
"Yes. So do something. Get to work. Dad needs help in the back." Shui snapped at Icarth and proceed to go clean the dropped food off the floor.
Icarth felt his eye twitch slightly.
'Not even a how are you?'
Shaking his head, Icarth headed to the back he saw Uncle Feng rushing around preparing a dish. On the floor lay the remains of an almost perfect dish, its vegetables, splattered everywhere like blood at a crime scene.
"Icarth my boy! You're finally back. Come help me with the preparation. Also, clean the floor first," Feng ordered Icarth after seeing him enter.
'Another long night.' Icarth thought with a sigh and put on the waiter's outfit.
------
"Goodbye sir, please come again," Shui smiled and ushered out the last customer of the day. Night had set long ago. Due to the nature of their small establishment, Feng Vari had to run it late into the night to stay afloat.
Changing the sign in front of the patio gate, Shui went back inside.
Tired from the day's work, all Shui wanted was to get some sleep. But before that, she had to address something. Or someone in particular.
Finding Icarth sitting on a chair, with his face on the table, Shui sat opposite to him.
No response.
Shui tapped the table.
No response.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat.
No response.
Closing her eyes to control herself, Shui reached for Icarth hair. In one movement, she plucked an entire strand of hair right out.
"OW," Icarth shrieked 'waking up.' "I was sleeping," Icarth stated indignantly while rubbing his head.
"No, you weren't. Now that's what you get for ignoring me," Shui retorted.
Icarth shut his mouth when she caught onto his act. Sometimes, Icarth wondered if Shui had supernatural senses too.
Crossing her hands, Shui just glared at Icarth.
Icarth too looked at her.
Pale red eyes and leaf green eyes clashed. Finally unable to take the silence, Icarth asked, "Ok what happened?"
"You tell me. Where were you?" Shui shot back.
"I....was training," Icarth answered after a pause. While that wasn't a lie, it wasn't the truth either.
"For a week and a half?"
"Yes."
"So hard that you didn't even come back to your room to sleep?"
"....yes."
"Liar."
"...."
Icarth stayed silent. He couldn't think of an excuse at all. He was better at more straightforward things. Like fighting.
Seeing Icarth's silence, Shui felt her anger flare up at her.
"I'm leaving. Good to know that at least you're alive."
Throwing her uniform on the chair, Shui shot up and left without another word.
Icarth watched her walk away, an uneasy feeling settling inside of him. He wanted to call for her, but the words wouldn't come out. Sighing, Icarth placed his head back on the table.
"Unsure of what to do?" A voice called out to him.
Lifting his head, Icarth found that Uncle Feng had replaced Shui's seat and was sitting across from him.
"Yeah."
"Hmm. What do you feel like doing?"
"...I want to find out why Shui is so angry. I mean it's none of her business." Icart elaborated.
"I mean she is your childhood friend. Isn't that enough of a reason for her to care?"
"..I guess," Icarth muttered.
"What are you waiting for then?"
"....I don't know where she went.."
"Hah," Feng chuckled. "You're a bad liar. I know about that nose of yours. Now get going. Just stop worrying."
At that, Icarth cracked a small smile.
Removing his waiter apron, Icarth shot out of the restaurant, leaping over the fence and into the darkness of the city illuminated only by the night lights.