The morning sun peeked through the canopy of trees as Ceng-tae and Kiyoshi set out for the village. As they winded through the dense forest, Ceng-tae took the lead as Kiyoshi's gaze shifted, taking in everything he saw. His heart raced with anticipation, though he tried to keep his calm, curious about the world beyond the forest, which had been his home for the past few weeks.
"So, what's the village like?" Kiyoshi asked quietly, his voice breaking the silence. His gaze dug from tree to tree, half-expecting something to leap up toward them.
Ceng-tae smiled, glancing at him. "It's small, nothing like what you're probably imagining. But the people are kind. You'll get to meet the villagers today."
"The villagers?" Kiyoshi repeated, unsure of how he felt about that.
"They're a close-knit group," Ceng-tae continued, "farmers, hunters, traders. You'll fit in soon enough. Though they might ask a few questions about you."
Kiyoshi frowned. "What if I don't know what to say?"
"Tell them what you know, and don't worry about the rest," Ceng-tae said calmly. "Your story is still unfolding, and there's no rush to remember everything."
The trees began to thin, and soon, Kiyoshi caught his first glimpse of the village. It was modest, with wooden homes and small stalls clustered around a central square. Smoke came from the chimneys, and sounds of laughter, the clatter of tools, and the calls of animals filled the air.
As they approached, a group of children playing near the village gates noticed Ceng-tae and waved excitedly. "It's Ceng-tae!!" One of the boys shouted.
Kiyoshi hesitated as they drew; the children's eyes widened as they took in the unfamiliar figure beside their elder. "Who's that?" Another boy asked, stepping forward cautiously.
"This is Kiyoshi, and he'll stay with me for a while."
The children exchanged glances, their curiosity palpable. "Where did you come from?" One of them asked. "Can you fight?"
Kiyoshi took a step back, overwhelmed by the sudden attention. But before he could say anything, Ceng-take placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Easy, now," Ceng-tae said with a chuckle. "Let's not bombard him with questions all at once."
They nodded, though their curiosity was far from satisfied. As Kiyoshi and Ceng-tae walked further into the village, the weight of everyone's stares settled onto Kiyoshi's shoulders. Keeping his head down, uncertain of how to present himself in front of these strangers.
The villagers offered polite nods to Ceng-tae, who greeted them with ease, but Kiyoshi could feel their lingering gazes, their whispered questions. Who was this boy, this outsider with nothing?
Ceng-tae led him to a modest house near the village's centre. "This is where we'll be staying for now," he said, opening the door. The scent of herbs and flowers greeted them, wafting from the small garden out front.
Kiyoshi stepped inside with a sense of relief washing over him. The village was alive and filled with warmth and life, but he still couldn't shake the feeling of not belonging.
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"A Week Later: Celosia's Return."
A week passed, and Kiyoshi had grown somewhat accustomed to life in the village, though he still felt like an outsider. He helped Ceng-tae with small tasks, such as gardening and repairing fences, and occasionally met with some of the villagers. Yet despite all the warmth he felt, he still had yet to truly find his place.
On a quiet afternoon, Kiyoshi was helping Ceng-tae fix a fence when the sound of raised voices carried over the wind. He straightened, wiping the sweat from his brow, as several villagers hurried toward the square.
"What's happening?" Kiyoshi asked, turning to Ceng-tae.
Ceng-tae paused, raising his hand and shielding his eyes as he looked toward the commotion. "Someone's returned."
Curious, Kiyoshi followed Ceng-tae toward the village entrance. There, a small crowd had gathered around a woman dismounting from a large black horse. Her presence seemed to command the respect of those around, and the villagers warmly greeted her, their excitement evident.
"That's Celosia," Ceng-take whispered to Kiyoshi. "She's been away for a while, travelling beyond the village."
Celosia's a slim young lady with white hair that reaches down to her back and bangs that reach just below her eyes. Her ears were pointy at the ends, and her emerald green eyes observed the villagers. With a bright smile, she greeted those around her; her presence radiated with a sense of peace.
Eventually, her gaze shifted towards Kiyoshi, her eyes narrowing in curiosity as she studied him. With a soft smile, she excused herself from the villagers and approached him and Ceng-tae.
"Ceng-tae," she said softly, her voice calm and gentle. "It's good to see you again."
Ceng-tae smiled back. "Likewise, Celosia. Your travels went well, I hope."
She nodded. "It was enlightening." Her gaze then moved to Kiyoshi, lingering on him for a moment before she spoke again. "And this is...?"
"Kiyoshi," Ceng-tae answered, resting a hand on Kiyoshi's shoulder. "He's staying with me for now."
Celosia's eyes softened as she looked at Kiyoshi, a quiet understanding passing between them. "It's nice to meet you, Kiyoshi. I'm Celosia. Don't feel overwhelmed by the village—they're kind-hearted people, even if they're a bit curious."
Kiyoshi hesitated, "Nice to meet you too," he mumbled, unsure what else to say.
Celosia offered him a gentle smile, "Ah, don't worry about words; you'll find your words soon enough."
As Celosia turned to rejoin the villagers, Kiyoshi couldn't help but feel a strange sense of comfort in her presence. There was something peaceful, yet it made him feel as though time itself stopped, even if he didn't fully understand how.
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