Walking around the people coming to and fro, Zye leads them to the mouth of the last corridor he planned to visit. As they do, Zye tries to change the subject away from birthdays.
“Iris is out at the moment but—”
“Then why are we bothering?”
“Let me finish, dammit. There’s someone I need to check in on.”
“Too many people,” Kerse replies with a scoff.
“Okay, I’ll admit, I’m done with this already. Way too many people. Just…hang in there for this last one. I told her I’d come back to see her.”
Kerse lets out a long sigh as they near the door. “If it doesn’t matter that I meet them, can I wait out here? Or is everyone going to cry if no one is watching me?”
“I didn’t bring you with me to babysit you. Thought you might want to know who you’re working with and stretch your legs. If you wanna wait out here, I don’t care.”
Zye stops before the door and knocks. A moment later, it opens to reveal Sigil. She opens it bit by bit until she sees who it is. Noticing him, she gives a weak smile.
If anything, she seems more comfortable than the last he saw her. Her petite frame is swallowed up by the oversized, black sweater. A matching beanie has most of her hair tucked up into it. Dark violet leggings, with white speckles down the length of them, peak out from the sweat. Barefooted, she takes a step back.
“Oh…hi. Iris said you’d be coming by.”
“Sorry for the wait.”
“No, it’s okay. I wasn’t doing anything. Or…had anything planned. Come in.”
Sigil steps aside as he comes in. When Kerse passes her, Sigil openly stares at the woman. Zye glances back in time to catch Kerse turning away, keeping her distance, and trying to ignore the intense eyes on her.
Shutting the door, Sigil hurries past Kerse to the couch. She ushers for Zye to sit and then she does the same. A rather regal-looking piece of furniture the color of a desaturated peach.
Not that it can barely be seen with all of the blankets draped over it. From deep pinks with bright yellow patterns to a vibrant golden one with white stars across it. Zye pushes one of them over the back of the couch as he turns to Iris.
He notices she keeps glancing over at Kerse regardless of the fact that she remains by the door. Zye gestures back toward her. “That’s Kerse, by the way. Kerse, this is Sigil. Be nice.”
“Hi.” Kerse gives a nod of her head and then quickly looks away.
Finally, he has Sigil’s attention. “You mean…the Kerse that Haru knew?”
Zye watches the way Kerse looks away. A sore subject, one he didn’t think would be talked about either. He rubs at the back of his neck as he turns to Sigil. “Yeah, that’s her. The very same we saw in those memories.”
Sigil smiles softly and gives a petite wave from around Zye. “It’s nice to meet you.”
For a moment, he’s confused. Then again, Sigil got to witness Haru’s perspective and he imagines it was vastly different than Hax’s.
When Kerse doesn’t respond other than a grunt, he tries to change the subject.
“I’m guessing Iris told you all the good news?”
“Mm-hm. She said it all worked out.”
“Yup, so far so good.”
Kerse pushes away from the wall and takes a few steps forward. She inclines her head as she looks over at Sigil. Zye immediately regrets not catching Kerse up to speed on this tidbit if nothing else.
“You didn’t tell me a mortal was allowed to stay here.”
“It’s fine she—”
“Why?”
“She’s a descendant of that one kid Haru healed? Did I remember that right?” he asks while glancing between Sigil and Kerse.
Sigil nods and it has Kerse huffing in response.
“So, what’s the plan? Kill her or let her join us?”
Zye watches Sigil’s eyes go wide. The strangest part of it all is that at first, she tenses up and she does not look okay. She’s terrified. In the next second, her shoulders relax. Replacing the fear is a palpable nervousness.
She darts her eyes away from Zye, the empty spot beside her, and then up to Kerse. Only once the woman has waved for her to spill whatever she has to say, does she.
Sigil clasps her hands so tightly on her lap that her knuckles begin to grow white. “Um…She said it’s sweet that you’re openly worried, Keke and…um…She’s also happy that you’re doing okay. Crying isn’t just for the weak.”
“What— The hell is with you?”
“She won’t tell me her name. The connection is a little…fuzzy. She has pretty pink eyes and dark hair. But there’s purple in it!”
Kerse backs up. Every step she just took she reverses and quickly. “No,” she mutters under her breath.
Sigil scoots to the edge of the couch, prepared to stand should Kerse make another move. “It’s not your fault, she says, not all of it. You did your best not to hurt anyone. To please not give up. She’s sorry she let you down.”
The information spills from Sigil’s tongue in a hurry. As if she’s afraid Kerse is going to leave or tell her to stop. Zye watches it all unable to do anything before Kerse spins on her heel.
She yanks the door open. “I’m leaving. Don’t follow me.”
To which she promptly slams the door shut. The noise makes Sigil flinch and clutch at her knees. Zye heaves a sigh.
“Sorry about that. I didn’t even think that was gonna happen. Has Charm been with her all this time? Or did she pop in for you?”
“Ah…” Sigil begins to calm down as she settles back on the couch. “She says yes. She couldn’t let her go alone. But she’s in good hands now, that she’ll move on. Maybe try something different this next time.”
“Got it. I’ll have to let Jace and Callua know. They’ll be upset they missed out on this opportunity.”
“Oh! In that case, tell them to be proud of what they’ve accomplished. They carry on her pride and have done more than she could have hoped for. Also, Jace, to apologize for doubting him.”
“Damn…Okay. I’ll remember.” He glances at the space Sigil keeps eying. “Thanks for that.”
“She can hear you, keep talking.”
“This is so weird…I’ll look after Kerse. Hax is already gone. But I guess if she’s been around then she’s overhead all of that.”
Sigil giggles before continuing. “She’s aware of your complaints as well. But says to keep trying and good luck.”
As if all of her energy has been sucked out of her as soon as she stops talking, Sigil’s shoulders slump. She scoots back and leans against the cushions. Her voice softens as she lulls her head to the side to look up at him.
“Can you tell Kerse I’m sorry? I didn’t mean to upset her but she, Charm, she kept pushing for me to say something.”
“I’d say that sounds like her from what I know. Is she, uh, still here?”
Zye waits for Sigil to shake her head the slightest bit. He had hoped this would have gone differently. The plan was to have the two people Hax cared for the most to meet. Not for things to go sideways, downhill, and end up on fire.
“Then, more importantly, how are you doing?”
“I think…no, I’m fine. Iris gets me whatever I need so I’m not bored. And I didn’t have anywhere to go or do before. So…I’m okay.”
Zye tries hard not to make a face at that. It does sound unbearable regardless if Sigil is okay with it or not. “Well, we did connect this place and Solis. If you want to come over there you can. We’d give you the tour.”
“They might not allow that.”
“Ah, it should be fine as long as someone is guarding you, right? I doubt Soren even cares at this point.”
Sigil lowers her gaze to her lap, wringing her hands together. “I guess? It’s still scary to think about— being here. Not that things were any better at home.”
Zye sinks down against the couch, slouching so that they can stay at eye level with one another. His hands land on his slightly spread thighs, patting them with an amused huff.
“I can understand that. Sometimes I want to go back and then I really think about it. I’m better off here even if it’ll be difficult.”
“Did you not have a good life?” Sigil immediately stumbles over her question. “N-not that I assume you did, you’re here— No I mean…” a whimper slips out of her, “…sorry.”
“Ah don’t be. I had my Mom, Kass, and Shae. That was the best. But you know how it is for Chroma. Sad, depressing, and no hope other than getting a quick death. The bullying didn’t help.”
Sigil’s eyes widen as she turns, giving him her full attention. The fascination surprises him. “You were bullied? But you’re so tall and strong!”
“Hah! Maybe now. And even then, Chroma are easy targets.”
“I…suppose so. I didn’t know any, actually. Did they stop? Or, how did you make them stop?”
“Eh, even when you get older there are still assholes. In school, I figured out this guy was using me. He wanted the cred of sleeping with a Chroma even though he had a girlfriend. Real piece of work. We got into it and I might have beat the shit out of him.”
“You…you did what?”
“I lost it. Didn’t even realize I’d thrown the punch. Thankfully, Kass, a friend of my mom’s, knew the principal and they let us both walk with only a minor suspension.”
Sigil is smiling nonetheless. “That’s a relief! And…really cool that you stood up to them.”
“In fact, stupid kids are how I met Hax. Carried my dumb ass home one time. Probably saved me from having to go to the hospital.”
A small nod as she remembers him. Zye watches the soft smile touch her eyes. The very things that seem to gloss over, holding back the tears that bead up at the corners.
“He was very helpful…He stood in as my parental guardian when my Dad died. There’s not much he could do, but he tried to make sure people left me alone.”
“I take it they didn’t?”
“N-no. Not when they find out you can see things or talk to them.”
“You made it through it, though.”
Zye gives her an encouraging smile as she lifts her head. “I did! One of the girls ended up becoming my friend, too. I didn’t think it’d happen.”
“That’s nice. Especially since girls can be pretty damn mean.”
Sigil giggles and yet the happy little trill dies down quickly. She becomes somber at the thought of her friend. “I do miss her…”
“Would you want to go see her again? Maybe it’d be worth to go back for.”
“Um…no. I can’t.”
Zye sits up, determined to help if he can. “Sure you can. I’ll make sure you get permission from Orion. Even if he had to go with us that’s not a problem.”
It’s only when he meets her eyes that he sees it. The devastation that swims in her bright gaze. Suddenly, he wishes he could reverse time and take his foot out of his mouth.
“She died…a year ago.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s okay. She, um, actually stayed with me after she died. Hax told me not to keep her around for too long. He was worried she’d become a Nether.”
Drawing her heels up onto the couch, Sigil brings her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them. Zye notices. It’s something he’d do when he was feeling small. Hugging onto himself in hopes the sadness would pass.
He places a hand on the couch and leans a little closer. The soft tone he takes has her glancing up at him from the corner of her eye.
“Just because you know there’s something else doesn’t make grieving any easier.”
“Iris told me the same thing. She’s very nice…”
“I’m glad the two of you are getting along. She’s a ball of energy, right?”
“Mm-hm! We play a lot of games! She didn’t know what poker was,” Sigil says with a giggle.
Zye shakes his head as he stands. “And who taught you how to play poker?”
“Oh, Hax did! He said it was the only game he could beat…what was her name…Callua! That’s her name. Although, he did say the last time they had tried she almost beat him.”
The stare he gives her has Sigil shifting a bit uncomfortably under it. It’s only because he’s having a hard time processing that information. The two of them actually got along at some point?
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No…no. I’m surprised, that’s all. Sorry.” Zye stretches his arms behind his back. “I really should head back and check on Kerse.”
Sigil nods slowly. “Please take care of yourself.”
“Same to you. If you ever need me, get someone to yell for me. I’ll be there in no time flat.”
“Thank you, Zye.”
“Wait, have you met Xerxes?”
“No?”
“Right, right. I’ll send Iris a message to take you over there. I think you’d get along.”
“If he’s like you then I’m sure I won’t mind.”
Zye glances away, down to his shoes, and then back up. How would he describe Xerxes? He definitely doesn’t think Xerxes is like him. Or maybe she means his morals? Zye shakes his head.
“I guess maybe a little similar.” He holds out his hand. “He’s about this tall. You won’t have to look up, at least. Anyways, I’ll see you later.”
He’s turning on his heel when she finally lets go of her knees and her feet hit the floor. “Zye? I did try again to look for him, your friend. I still haven’t sensed anything.”
“I appreciate that. I really do, thank you, Sigil.”
“Can you ask Kerse if she’d come back to see me? I…have something I want to ask her. If that’s okay.”
Zye shrugs as he spins back to her, walking backward toward the door. “I’ll drag her back if I have to.”
“I’d rather her want to,” she replies with a laugh.
He gives a wave before slipping back out into the hall. The second the door shuts, he heaves a sigh. His shoulders slump and he drags a hand up over his face.
It has nothing to do with not wanting to be around all of them. He’s simply tired. Never has he had this many people he could lean on and visit. To be worried about and want to check up on. Not that it makes it any easier doing so.
Too many people are still too many people.
Rounding the corner, he’s positively shocked to see Kerse waiting by the mirror. She glances over at him as he strides over. She keeps her arms crossed and her back to the stairs as well as all of those coming and going.
Despite not caring for that much socializing, he does find it hard to not look at all of the different people. At least, until he sees the frown on Kerse’s face. It’s not expressionless how it tends to be. Or even the slightly dissatisfied look. This one seems sad.
“Hey, you waited.”
Kerse ignores him and uncrosses her arms. Her hands sheath into the pockets of her coat.
“I really am sorry, Kerse. I didn’t think Sigil would pick up on her of all people. She can see souls that hang around people and I figured you wouldn’t have any.” Zye brings up his hands, palms up in front in case she takes offense. “Because Charm wasn’t like me, she was like all of you so maybe she’d have just moved on.”
She raises an eyebrow at him, finally meeting his gaze.
“And Sigil said she was sorry, too, and that Charm was hounding her to say something.”
Kerse scoffs, “Yeah, that’d be like her. Not caring how it made someone else feel. Just doing it anyway.”
“Sounds like she meant well, though.”
“She always did.”
Zye shrugs as he comes to stand next to her. “The round to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“Hell…?”
“Uh, the place bad people go? Allegedly. I don’t know. Didn’t even think this was all real until I got here.”
Kerse’s expression turns shocked. “You all are surprised when you get here?”
“I know I was. Sure you want the comfort that something exists after you die. But seeing it is different. And it’s not as cushy as what the people in my world talked about. Didn’t think I’d be working.”
“That sounds intimidating.”
Zye shrugs and steps around her, intending to leave the area and hope she follows. Not that he can stop her from going back to Sigil if she wanted. “Maybe. It all works out.”
“Trying to cope?”
A laugh bursts out of him as he half-turns back to her. “You have no idea. I was scared to death of dying even when I believed.”
Kerse moves to follow him. “Fear is healthy. I’ll teach you that. It was always Charm’s first lesson.”
“What?”
They enter the corridor as Kerse sighs. “Your form was terrible. The strength was weak. Your strategy was doable at best and at worst you would have been dead. Again.”
“Oh really? Let me guess, you’re good at it all?”
“No. But you’ll have to be able to at least beat me one-on-one. I have a lot to teach you.”
Zye laughs, he knows he’s screwed. There’s no way he’s getting out of this one. “I don’t look forward to it. Glad you’re confident. We could use more of that around here.”
Reentering Solis, Kerse touches his elbow and guides him away from the people passing them. “Orion and Jace aren’t?”
“What? No, they are. But you’re different.” Zye groans at the look she gives him. “It’s a compliment. Swear.”
“You’re a mess.”
“Nah, I’m tired. This place is exhausting and I haven’t even started doing what I’m supposed to. Gonna have to introduce vacation days to this place.”
“What now?”
Zye doesn’t care for the stares and makes sure to turn his back to the sitting area. “You know, when you take time off. No working. Only relaxing and doing what you want.”
Kerse brings her other hand out of her pocket. A pleasant expression touches her countenance for a change as she does. “That doesn’t sound terrible.”
“Good, you can come with me when I pitch it to them.”
“Why?”
“Because it helps having someone scary stand behind me when I talk.”
Not thinking it’s funny, but perhaps maybe liking the compliment, Kerse grabs his wrist. The ironclad grip gives him no room to escape as she begins to drag him through the room. Zye can only stumble to try and keep up. She might be shorter, but she’s faster with her strides.
“Wait, Kerse, where are we going?”
“Training.”
“Now?”
“You’ve done nothing today when you should have been training. Every day.”
“Please, Keke, not today. Come on, be a pal.”
“No.”
He tries to yank his wrist away to no avail. The stares he garners from her effectively dragging him to the training room door are far worse than before. She grabs the handle and holds it open. Kerse jerks her head toward it.
Zye grimaces at the sight of the shimmering doorway. He does not like the thought of what’s about to happen. The only thing he can hope is that Kerse will hold back. Otherwise, he’s going to get his ass beat.
“Come on, name what you want and I’ll make it happen. Anything but this.”
“You being able to hold your own.”
Kerse gives one final tug and then lets go of his wrist. She claps him on the back and shoves him. Grinning from ear to ear, Kerse enters the room behind him with the door shutting behind her.
ns 15.158.11.48da2
