Interlude-Visions Recollected Between Moments (1)
His eyes opened, and he managed to roll out of bed before he was doused with freezing water, already cursing up a storm. “
The winged boy snickered, letting the now empty pail of water drop from his talons as he perched upon Faiz bedpost, “Pfft..you’re such a crybaby Faiz! Always complaining about everything.” Kest’s talons idly scratched the wooden frame as he chirped out, as if marking them for himself.
Faiz snarled as he made a grab for the other boy, “You do this every godsdamned day! Why are you even like this now? You know what, i don't care...I’ve had it with your antics!” Kest only screeched with derision as he flapped out of harms way, and then knocked Faiz to the floor with a push of his wings.
“!” Faiz whimpered as the feathered boy pressed his clawed foot into his back, drawing blood. “What’s the matter? Not so tough now huh?” His voice cracked just a tad as he made his gloating statements.
Faiz wriggled weakly, trying to throw Kest off, “! Get off me now, that hurts-!” A hot and sickly feeling suffused his body at his pathetic state, as the Greasetail chirped with victorious smugness and stomped on his spine again.
“Beg for my mercy then. Go on, tell me how you’re so sorry for trying to hurt your better, and maybe I’ll let you go..” The pain was only growing more intense, his talons cutting into Faiz already tender back. Faiz gritted his teeth hard enough he was sure they’d crack. He knew Kest would honor his word on this at least, but he wouldn’t give the winged menace the satisfaction of-
“Kestrauj! Explain yourself now, what are you doing?” A monotone, bored voice called out, cutting through the tense silence. Faiz lifted his head weakly, catching glimpse of one of the orphanage workers standing in the room’s doorway, a scaleskin. Kest put on a winning smile as he fluttered off of Faiz, “Nothing much sir! Me and him were just playing around.. right Faiz?”
He couldn’t bear the thought of uttering protest, displaying weakness, and as such only nodded silently while glowering tearily at the grinning boy. The caretaker replied nonchalantly, “Good, then there’s no problem. Now, Kestrauj, would you kindly follow me downstairs? The Headmistress wants to have a word with you.” The serpentine man turned away and headed back down.
Kest glanced at Faiz one last time before leaving, his expression unreadable. As soon as he left, Faiz dragged himself up to bed, groaning in agony and coughing wetly. Good thing the rest of his bunkmates had already left for breakfast…
As he lay wondering whether he should attempt to bandage his injuries, he heard footsteps. He hoped it was who he thought it was... “Faiz! Why didn’t you come down to ea-!” Yep, there she was, his softhearted Alducine. A relief in this trying time for many reasons, one big one being her talent with the mending Arts.
“Heeey Allie..How’re you doing today? Didn't expect to see you here! Have you--eaten yet yourself? ” His attempts to remain nonchalant are betrayed by the wheeze in voice, as she hurriedly approaches him. “You’re bleeding Faiz! What happened to you?!” She set at once to worrying over him, her eyes flicking over to his pallid face in concern as she helped him flip onto his stomach.
“W-would you believe me if I told you a Reaki got to me? Toothy little devil, but I fought it off no problem…” He hissed as her (rather soft and warm) hands traced the twisted and lumpy canvas of his back, a gentle shimmer coating her palms as she used a healing Art.
“Stop trying to have a laugh! These punctures..don’t tell me you got into a fight with Kest again? Oh Faiz, I’ve told you this before too; Whenever he bothers you, just ignore it or move on. I- can’t keep doing this..” Well intentioned as her words were, his expression soured as he listened to them.
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“I’d sooner accept being locked into an airship, rather than give that the satisfaction of walking all over me!” This made her huff in exasperation, “Then you’ll keep being hurt like this! You know we can’t do anything about him, he’s the headmistresses son, and she’s the hand of a Star! Stop being so..so…dumb!”
Faiz froze for a second, and then burst into laughter, “? That’s the best you’ve got Allie? You really don’t stick around the goons here do you? hah..ouch..” He grimaced a little as she gently smacked his shoulder, “Quit laughing you idiot, this is a serious matter! You need to be less hotheaded.” Despite her words, he could see her trying to suppress her mirth.
“If you say so Allie. Next time, if that feathered bastard cuts my head off, you can grill my spirit about whether I was pacifistic or not, alright?” She finally succumbs, giggling softly, her golden eyes shining with amusement, hehe, fine, yes. Also, I need to ask..savaged by a Reaki? That was your excuse, really? They’re harmless sea dwellers Faiz! Though I suppose you could make even one of them cling onto you with their pincers..”
She shook her head as she stepped back, letting Faiz put his shirt back on, “You know me so well Allie~ The infuriating and malformed orphan, that’s me alright.” She shook her head, sighing, “We’re all orphans Faiz, that’s why we’re here right? And don’t let their words get to you, you’re no different from any us.”
Faiz wished he could have as much in himself as she had in him. He knew better however. The painful fact was that people weren’t born equal, some like Kest having wings to soar in the skies…while others like Faiz were riddled with disfigurements. These inequalities had made themselves known ever since he was found wailing at the orphanage door, a mewling and sickly babe with twisted useless growths erupting from its back, ugly and formless. Though the flesh was excised, his body never recovered…a fact of much amusement to those that’d torment him..
“I know that face, and I’m not gonna let you keep sitting here moping. Now, I hear the Second Star’s giving a sermon on the Citadel steps. I wanna go and you’re coming along with me, mister!” She took his hand and led him out the window, which was helpfully level with the porch of another upraised dwelling. Faiz smiled softly and followed, knowing Allie was unstoppable whenever she got into one of these moods.
The port was positively bustling at this early hour, all manner of being and beast treading the treacherous planks to ply wares. Faiz could never understand the attraction of Lowport(as this abandoned and unseen area of Shaiher was known), entire lives chasing reckless and dangerous thrills for some high life instead of becoming responsible lawful citizens. He couldn’t wait for the day he came of age and left this hive of villainy for good.
Where would he go? The Citadel, preferably. Shining silver domes and pristine towers, where the best of the best in Shaiher lived, honored to bask in the presence of the Stars, the eight lords of this province. Allie’s stories made them seem akin to living deities, grand and mighty and blessed of peerless intellect. Given there were five other provinces, that sure meant a lot of gods wandering around.
He ducked his face so none would see the grime covering his face, wishing he looked half as radiant as Allie; She seemed perfectly in her element amongst the throng, composed of gleaming horns and gilded beaks, the upper strata of Shaiher. Fortunate that most visitors to the Steps were tourists, lacking the social mores or knowledge to judge.
“And we’re here! Right on time too, it’s just starting I think! Come on Faiz, let’s get to a better spot, I wanna see this..” She was positively vibrating with excitement as she led him to the top of the Steps, which were a semicircular platform composed of ascending stairs built into the side of the silver curve of the Citadel. A Star could emanate from within and appear as needed to the populace, making it quite the attraction to far off visitors.
The two settled into their little nook in the heights. Alducine imbued mana into her lightdial to magnify the scene below, letting the smaller Faiz huddle into her side. “Okay, so the Star will emanate from there, and this part of the dome will shine and-“ Faiz’s shoulders loosened and a small smile grew on his face as she talked on, about things that-though told to him before, many times-brought an ethereal glow to her face. He couldn’t(and wouldn’t) look away from her, from Allie.
In that moment, she seemed more akin to a god than any Star, her light shining only onto him. Her warmth he could feel, soothing the lingering ache in his body. And most importantly…her presence which made the hole in him fill, just a little. He settled in, and faded into that warmth.