***Amethyst***
Alastair's stomach growled.
It had been at least three days. How was he just now getting hungry?
Noelle giggled. "Let's get something to eat. I'm sure you're starving."
He nodded before climbing out of the pool.
Noelle picked up a red robe she had apparently brought with her. "Would you like to put this on after you dry off?"
"Yeah!"
Noelle waved. "I'll see you soon. I'm going to check on the food."
Did she really need to do that? The staff seemed to know that Alastair was awake and would be hungry soon.
Ame turned away. She didn't want to watch the kid dress himself, but her lack of attentiveness did have consequences.
Honey came over and sniffed Ame.
Ame patted her. Did she think Ame was hiding treats or something?
Ame said, "Let's go back to your room. Noelle will probably meet us there."
"They don't have a cafeteria here?"
"Noelle's friends seem to live here, so it's probably not called a cafeteria. Although I haven't seen their dining area before." Ame opened the door. "Come on. You might make yourself sick if you don't eat soon."
Ame squeezed her eyes shut. Missy's figure streaked across her mind. She shook her head. It was too late for what-ifs. She was already long gone. Ame let out a long breath.
Wait. Alastair was gone. Where did he go? It probably wouldn't be good for a kid in his condition to be wandering around a strange place alone.
Unfortunately, he didn't have his terminal with him. Ame couldn't teleport in a place like this.
A woman in a cleaning outfit emerged from one of the bathrooms. "Can I help you, miss?"
"I'm looking for a boy in a red robe. He might have a dog with him."
"Is he a red-haired boy with a yellow dog?" another lady asked as she approached them.
"Yes, that's him!"
"I saw them a little while ago. They went that way," she said, pointing in a direction.
Ame heard a high-pitched voice coming from around a corner. It was Ai, the granddaughter of the owner. "Are you staying here by yourself?" she asked.
Ame caught up to them, panting. "He's with me," she said, looking at the boy named Star. "Star, didn't I tell you not to wander off?"
Star tilted his head, seeming genuinely confused. "Did you?"
Ame sighed and covered her face with her hand. "You're seventeen. I shouldn't have to remind you."
Alastair's stomach growled audibly, drawing everyone's attention.
Ai quickly took Alastair's hand. "Come on, let's get you something to eat. The staff here makes sure that no guest has to stay with an empty stomach."
Alastair blinked, surprised. "This place really makes a young girl work for them?"
Ame facepalmed. Was this boy even capable of thinking before he acted?
"Atty," Noelle spoke up in a gentle voice. "I know she doesn't look like it, but Ai is sixteen."
Alastair looked slightly taken aback. "Oh, sorry. You just don't seem like a typical sixteen-year-old."
Noelle smiled warmly at Ai. "Did you make a new friend?"
Ai beamed. "I hope so."
"Thank you for making sure they didn't get lost."
Ai waved goodbye. "See you later, Annie."
Did Hannah and his grandparents really leave Alastair at home alone? How long did they expect him to manage on his own? These thoughts raced through Ame's mind, filled with concern for her charge.
Noelle, sensing the worry in Ame's expression, turned to Alastair and spoke with warmth in her voice. "Eat up! You need your strength."
Alastair, with his youthful appearance, couldn't help but let out a cheer, his baby face lighting up with excitement. The simple act of being cared for and having a warm meal seemed to uplift his spirits.
Ame observed Alastair closely, wondering what was going on inside his mind. Did he miss his family? Was he burdened with thoughts of the past? Or perhaps he lived so fully in the present moment that he didn't allow himself to dwell on those emotions.
But Ame knew she couldn't afford to linger on her own memories. Her family had passed away centuries ago and dwelling on their loss would only hinder her in the present.
As they entered the bustling dining hall, a friendly lady noticed their arrival and warmly gestured towards a table in the corner, offering them a place to sit. Alastair practically threw himself into the booth, his hunger evident. Ame was about to say something, likely to express her concern for his voracious appetite, but Noelle leaned in and whispered into Ame's ear.
"Do not run," Noelle said softly. "I was bringing you that coffee. I know for a fact that you haven't eaten properly in at least three days."
The woman who had seated them returned with large bowls filled with steaming broth and noodles. Ame looked at the noodles, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of noodles are these?" she asked.
Noelle, already adept with her chopsticks, opened them and smiled. "They're called Udon noodles."
Alastair's face lit up. "Grandma's favorite," he remarked. Though it took a bit of effort, he managed to break the chopsticks apart and prepared himself to enjoy the meal.
As he attempted to pick up an egg with the chopsticks, he seemed to struggle, his injured hand causing difficulty in maneuvering the utensils.
Noelle, ever patient, said, "Honey, it might be easier if you try with your other hand or use a fork."
"But I know how to use chopsticks!" Alastair whined in frustration.
Noelle gently patted his shoulder, offering reassurance. "It's not about knowing how, my dear. Remember, you haven't been using that hand much since you got hurt. It just needs a bit of practice."
Alastair sighed, realizing the truth in Noelle's words. He nodded and reached for a fork, deciding to give his formerly injured hand some time to regain its dexterity.
As they all began to enjoy their meal, the cozy atmosphere of the dining hall enveloped them. Ame savored the flavors of the Udon noodles, feeling a sense of comfort and warmth in each bite. Alastair, too, found solace in the delicious meal, letting go of his frustration and focusing on the present moment.
Sometimes healing wasn't just about physical wounds but also about rediscovering one's abilities and finding strength in perseverance. With time and practice, Alastair could regain his skills and adapt to new circumstances. Ame was jealous of Noelle's ability to guide and support the boy.
"I miss eating..." a little girl with long, grey hair said.
Ame gasped. When did the kids get there?
"Didn't you have breakfast this morning?" Alastair asked.
The little girl shook her head. "Phoe and I haven't eaten since our mother died."
Alastair nodded. "En and I didn't eat after our mommy and daddy died either."
Ame's lip twitched. "I-I think you're missing the point here." She stared at T. "How are you still alive?"
"It's my previous KK's magic." Noelle let out a shaky breath. "Elia's the strongest KK I had."
"I would give you part of my soup if I could," Alastair said.
The girl giggled. "Aww, thanks, Red!"
Alastair blinked. The pale boy looked like a tomato. "Red?"
The little boy pointed to Alastair's hair. "Red!"
Noelle giggled. "Star's hair is red."
As he progressed, Ame couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy towards Noelle, admiring her ability to guide and support Alastair with such ease.
Amidst their conversation, a soft voice caught their attention. "I miss eating..." spoke a little girl with long, grey hair named Tia.
Ame gasped, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the children. When did they get there?
Alastair turned to Tia and blinked. "Didn't you have breakfast this morning?"
Tia shook her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of longing and sadness. "Phoe and I haven't eaten since our mother died."
Alastair nodded, a pained expression crossing his features. "En and I didn't eat after our mommy and daddy died either."
Ame's lips twitched with a mix of surprise and confusion. "I-I think you're missing the point here," she stammered, her gaze fixed on Tia. "How are you still alive?"
Noelle let out a shaky breath, her voice filled with a hint of sorrow. "It's my previous KK's magic. Elia was the strongest KK I've ever had."
Moved by the children's plight, Alastair expressed his empathy. "I would give you part of my soup if I could," he said sincerely.
Tia's face brightened, and she giggled softly. "Aww, thanks, Red!"
Alastair blinked, feeling a rush of warmth to his cheeks. "Red?" he questioned, slightly confused.
The little boy, Phoe, pointed at Alastair's hair. "Red!" he exclaimed, emphasizing the color.
Noelle joined in the laughter. Her own amusement evident. "Star's hair is red," she explained, referring to Alastair by his nickname.
Phoe let out a tired yawn, his energy waning. Tia, sensing his fatigue, lovingly put her arm around him. "We should get back. Bye, Annie," she said.
Noelle smiled, but her expression carried a tinge of sadness. "Take care," she bid them farewell, her concern for the children evident in her eyes. The little ones turned and left, their presence fleeting but leaving a lasting impact.
As the children departed, Alastair rubbed his satisfied stomach, a contented smile on his face. Ame watched him, a mix of emotions swirling within her.
"Can we go home tomorrow?" Ame asked, her voice tinged with a hint of longing. "The house should be ready for you."
Alastair paused for a moment, his gaze meeting Ame's. With a nod, he replied, "Yeah, I'm ready."