Chapter Text
Klein doesn't know what exactly happened. He was with Welch and Naya going over that book right? The notebook from the fourth epoch, that Welch bought from someone. We all agreed it was an extraordinary find. They, he was translating it and making good progress on that front for them. Though…
A hiss escapes his clenched jaw with a jolt of clarity. His head is throbbing with excruciating constant stabbing pain. 'What did he do? What was he doing….'
He feels like he's laying on his desk. The scuffed wood grain familiar under his cheek. It's an anchor for his wandering mind as he fights through the pain for clarity. How is he home right now? He was….
His forces the thoughts in his head past the pain. The memories and information he's trying to grab feels smothered in thick fog. Like there's things missing though clueless as to where its missing. What is he missing?
That's right, He'd lost control of himself right? YES, he did. He knows that clearly. Though can't quite recall it all at the same time. He lost control of his own body. He couldn't stop Welch and Naya from killing them selves in front of him. Why did they do that?
The memory brings something else forward to him. They were killing themselves. Welch was beating his own head into the wall, the phantom sounds of wet crack and pounding down flesh loud in his head. Timed to his unsteady heart beat. Naya was holding herself under water. Her hands scraping bloody trails on the tub rim. The running water equally as loud as the wet pounding flesh of Welch. Though there was something louder and closer to him. That's right he was standing there in the same room, had to be. He was forced to watch the closest thing he has to friends kill themselves. He couldn't stop laughing as they gruesomely died before Klein. He was laughing, why? Was it him or the thing controlling him laughing? He also Couldn't stop himself from taking that gun and…
There's a presence next to him suddenly. His sister? No It doesn't feel familiar. Its old though, how can he tell such a thing?
"Calm down young-en. I can't do much for you if you damage your soul any further." The voice is monotone. Though with hints of a gentle kindness. That feels like it should be foreign to Klein, though its not some how. Like the kindness one expects a parent to show any child.
"Who.." His throat is a dry raspy thing at the moment. A rough coughing fit fights through his dry throat. It wont let him finish his sentence out loud. The 'Who is this?' is left unspoken.
Impossibly the voice, the stranger. Responds to his thoughts like they were said out-loud. "Someone who's been inevitably asleep for a long while." A phantom touch brushes through Klein's hair. Feeling almost like wind tussling it instead of a hand. Though he can feel the hint of pointed nails. "Now I'm not sure how you came upon the corruption you did, but I'd advise not doing that again. Take it slow, Your barely recovered from this ordeal."
Heeding the stranger's advice. He takes a long moment, an hour at most it feels like, before he finally brings himself to sit upright and look about the space around Klein. Its dark, with the only light source being the red moon glow from the curtain drawn window. It takes Klein a few more moments to further adjust to the pain and darkness. To make out further details of his environment. For one thing, he's definitely home in the tiny apartment, shared with his siblings, at his desk. His warn out school journal open on the desktop in front of him.
Though Klein's breath hitches as the sight of a gold gilded gun next to his hand. How does he have that? The shock of such a thing on his desk, has him tumbling out of his chair and hitting the ground hard.
The pain flares through his head at the sudden jarring movements. His hand instinctively raising up to grab his head. It takes a moment to register the wet feeling on his finger tips. though he couldn't care at the moment as he fights through the waves of pain. After another long moment he can pull away his wet hand. Though it further sends himself mentally reeling as he spots the dark red liquid coating his hand. Fresh Blood.
Looking to the side of the room that holds their cracked full length mirror. The mirror that they use to make sure they are presentable. The mirror they use to make sure that their struggles are well hidden. That their hand stitched cloths and thin complexions aren't too obvious at a glance. The mirror right now doesn't offer the normal reassurances of hidden truths. It gives Klein clarity he doesn't want.
There's a bullet wound in his head! The dark cracked reflection doesn't hide the glaringly horrific sight. Its such a disturbing sight to see inside ones own skull. To see the brain matter within his own head squirm and wring-el like a bizarre living creature of sorts in an exposed hidden den.
'How am I?!' He can't even properly voice the horror the sight gives him. How is he alive right now?
A figure in layered draped cloth of black with detailing of yellow, steps into Klein's view. Blocking Klein's view of the mirror abit. Though its not truly a successful action, seeing as the figure doesn't seem to totally be here. Like their a ghost or spirit of sorts. Their fuzzy and abit see through in places… That's right someone was with him, helping him before…
They crouch in front of Klein saving him from needing to look up at the figure. It also helps him ignore what the mirror showed him. The clothing the Stranger is wearing is layered and complex, though flowy. Complementary with the fog or mist that clings to the figures semi transparent form. All of which doesn't help Klein with identifying if the Stranger is male or female. The Stranger's face is for the most part covered and concealed from Klein's view with that fog. Though a gentle smile can be made out on the bottom half of their face.
That familiar neutral toned voice from before speaks up again. "Keep calm please. The wound will close on its own in abit. The pain should be gone by then too."
The figure slowly reaches out with a pale hand. Making sure to telegraph their movements to Klein. As the strangers hand reaches out, Klein notes the finger tips to be ink stained and sharp. His thoughts stop for a moment as that hand touches his head again. It feels more there this time. More like a person touching his head instead of a strong breeze. The Stranger runs their long nailed fingers, claws those are absolutely claws not nails, through his hair. Its still a comforting gesture despite the hint of inhuman claws scraping his scalp gently. It strangely reminds Klein of vague memories of his mother playing with his hair, of Benson tussling his hair in play before he had to start working.
The Stranger tilts their head to the side. Leaning closer to Klein as they brush away the hair on his forehead. It hits Klein a moment after, their examining the hole in his head. Though he's drawn to the figures own hair. Its roughly medium length hair that barely touches the strangers shoulders, black in color, and bizarrely choppily cut. Like someone used a barely sharp enough instrument to forcibly hacked away at the hair of the person before him.
After a long moment the Stranger withdraws their hand. "You should feel close to fine, now."
The Stranger is right. He feels better then before. The pain all but completely gone. The only thing remaining as proof of the horrific injury being the blood coating everything. 'How are you here? Do you know what happened?' He can't help but think.
And yet again the Stranger responds like he can hear Klein's thoughts out-loud. "You were praying into the void and something of mine. Thought you suitable for me, and answered. It was not wrong but not entirely right. That's all I can say about that for now. We'll need to have a conversation about the full extent of what happened. Though that can come later. For now you will need to get busy when your able to stand."
Klein was standing again however barely. His legs were threatening to give out any moment and was heavily leaning his full wait against the chair of his desk. He was taken about by the Stranger's words. With his very scratched and parched throat. Croaked out his confusion. "What, why?"
The Stranger ever smiling apparently. Tilted his head to the side again and with a slow movement of his arm gestured to the doorway leading to the other side of the apartment. "I don't think you'd like your sister to remember your suicide attempt do you? I've taken her memories and put her back to sleep." They then also further gestured to Klein's desk their smile slightly twitching. "Though its up to you to clean up this mess before dawn. "
Okay yeah, the Stranger has a point. If Melissa woke up to this, she just might actually brake her ironclad frugality just to get him to a hospital. How ever strangely enough that's not needed anymore. Klein flinched at the gestured mess he's absolutely not gonna think further about.
Though now that begs the question. "What do you want in exchange?" Klein croaks out. Now staring wearily at the Stranger.
Yes Klein is thankful for the help. For the comfort and reassurances the Stranger provided seemingly freely to him. Though this being isn't human, clearly. Then there's the known fact of life he's been unfortunate to learn and that's free things cost the most.
The Stranger's clawed hand, with a light hold on the large fabric sleeve. Moves to cover the bottom of their face. Noticeably hiding the wider smile behind the fabric. Klein gets the distinct feeling he made the Stranger amused and proud some how.
"Keep my existence, hidden. It shouldn't be hard to do that." The Stranger states almost sweetly in the monotone voice of theirs.
The request is puzzling to Klein. It can't possibly be all that the Stranger wants right? It can't be seemingly as simple as that. The Stranger only lightly chuckles at his blatant confusion.
It also makes Klein realize he never got the Strangers name. Then again he had a bullet hole in his head and the Stranger was keeping him from having a panic attack for probably an hour or more now. "I'm sorry for asking so late. Who are you?"
The Stranger continues to smile neutrally in the face of his rude question. "Its dangerous to share my name at this time. Though trust I've got no ill will towards you for the time being. Or don't but I'd still would rather you not talk about my existence for your own and family's safety."
That's equally concerning and confusing. "Why?"
The Stranger again tilts their head to the side abit. Its honestly abit unnerving now that Klein's paying closer attention. Where the strangers head tilts shouldn't be possible to that degree. "Maybe I can share that another time. For the mean time. That wound of yours is closed for the most part and your work space still looks like a crime scene." They point out politely.
'Shit!' Stranger is absolutely right. Klein doesn't know how long its been or exactly when he did that attempt. Though he probably doesn't have too long to clean this mess up before his sister gets up.
The Stranger seeing Klein's motivated self nods their head lightly. "I'll come back later today. We got much to discuss and for you to understand. I don't like leaving loose ends." With that the Stranger disappears like a breeze blowing away an illusionary mist. No presence or other feeling for Klein to detect.
Klein then turns to look at the absolute mess that was his suicide attempt. Taking note of the splatter on the walls, books, and the bullet hole in the wall support beam. His gut clenching at the amount of blood everywhere. "How am I cleaning this up?"
—
Ascending into the Sefirah Castle, is but a thoughtless action for Zhou Mingrui. Leaving the young one to his task of cleaning up his own spilled blood. The whispers of familiar ravings brush past his ascending spirit.
Zhou Mingrui opens his eyes to what should be a familiar grand palace. He's spent a long time within this space after all.
An endless space of stone pillars and archways that are a mixture of Giant and Chinese architect blanketed in the constant swirling gray fog. With a 'roof' that mirrors his spirit world and glittering red stars of prayers and anchor points. His throne of ancient engraved stone on a raised platform. Framed with draping tapestries of endless ramblings of stories of a time long gone. With screens acting as s contrasting back drop and as a makeshift wall between the pillars depicting his fanciful telling of ascension.
Instead of this expected space. He's met with just the comforting empty swirls of fog and dim red stars above him. The space is void though condensed to Mingrui's senses. Well that's unexpected, has he truly been asleep that long?
First order of business is tidying up his castle. With a wave of his clawed hand and a thought. The familiar pillars take form and the roof reconstructs itself to the dazzling colorful splendor of his spirit world. He walks leisurely forward, the throne reconstructing itself with plush black and gray cushioning just in time for him to sit down. He's leaning back in his familiar throne. Raising a clawed hand to rest his chin on the back of on the armrest. As he keenly watches and takes note as the fog weaves itself into familiar tapestries and constructs the screens depicting his fanciful tales between the pillars along the "walls" of the throne room space.
Mingrui takes a silent moment after the initial reconstruction to change some things around in the space around him. He changes the worded story tapestries out for 'plain' black and yellow lined geometric designed ones. Shifts the images of the screen back drops to stylized gray fog mirroring the real thing, though an added rainbow shimmer is there if one looks hard enough. With that all done. He settles himself down to focus on the creeping terrible reality before him.
The Sefirah Castle had attempted to revive him in the body of the young man, Klein Moretti, from before. It failed though the attempt had in deed woken him up.
'What has happened to me? I shouldn't have needed to be revived. I was just sleeping to recuperate my humanity. To dream of my life from before so I don't forget myself to time. I've done this before without problems. The sleep wasn't supposed to last more then a 100 years. Maybe less if an emergency happened. Those Outer beings have been chipping away at the barrier after all. Whats the state of the barrier now?
My Son's and Angels, not to mention Grisha himself. Should have been guarding me during my rest. There's no way for someone to sneakily off me without severe repercussions. Did something happen to them? Are they alright?
Not to mention, I can't feel or utilize the space past the throne room. The Castle is still under my full control, I just for some reason don't have the power to utilize the full place. A smidgen of irritation and worry creeps up his spine. Having him absent minded tap a clawed finger on the throne armrest.
Now that he's thinking of it. He's in souly his spirit body right now. Which is a strange thing to take note of only now. Mingrui immediately attempts to spiritually reach out for his connection to his physical body and comes to a horrible realization.
'I can't find a single instance of my physical body. I feel faint muddled traces of multiple fractured connections of my body. Just what on earth happened? Did someone manage to actually break apart my body?'
With the theory in mind. He tips his head forward and closes his eyes. Doing dream divination to figure out the scope of the damage done to himself. He also tries to divine the state of the mortal world now. What little information he grabbed from Klein during the attempted soul displacement wasn't enough.
Its a long while before he opens his eyes again and sits back with a tired stressed sigh.
So he's definitely been asleep longer then planned. His physical body was definitely pretty brutally broken apart and scattered across the continents. The ones responsible for the initial attack from what he could tell are Leodero and Aucuses, with some help from that tree bitch. Leodero and Aucuses both, I know don't like me much. Though this is taking it too far. Why work with that disgusting tree willingly?
Something also happened to his Grisha though he can't see what happened. He's also not sure where their sons are right now. He's not sure where his angels are at either but it seems things are dire for who he could faintly gaze at. I hate being this weak.
What Angels of his, he can vaguely Divine are Antigonus, whom appears to have lost control. He's also the clearest to see, so got a piece of my body more then likely. Gehrman is in a unstable weak state somewhere in a large city. Damn humans have come a long way, though he can't see any more of that situation. Merlin is sealed away on the isolated human side of his Utopia Island. Everyone else has appeared to be dead or perhaps concealed…
It also appears that all that remains of his anchors are prayers of his Older spirit world citizens and the physical artificial anchor artifacts. Which from a glancing brush of his senses warns him that they appear to be at their braking point. He's gonna need to make moves to replace those very soon. With either human prayers or make new artificial anchors.
'Well… He's both better and worse off then the first time he awoke in the Sefirah Castle.' He lampoons.
With that he shifts his gaze to the only bright star among the anchors. Beckoning it forward, he views Klein Moretti. The young lad whom suffered the corruption of an artifact of the Fool path under an Authors influence and committed suicide. Who's body was deemed the perfect unwitting descent vessel for Mingrui by the Castle.
The reminder of the situation brings a frown to his face. The young man is lucky Mingrui managed to gain consciousness during the attempted soul transplant and grab a hold of the young fractured soul.
Mingrui has no intentions of forcibly commandeering a descent vessel. He'd rather get Klein's fully informed consent on the matter. He would feel bad for the lads two sibling as well, unknowingly loosing a sibling in such a way. He'd gladly take the siblings fury if it had come to it. Though lucky he'd managed to prevent the misfortune, that would be the loss of the true Klein.
Dragging himself out of his dark thoughts, he watches as Klein finishes the last touches of cleaning and greets his younger sister good morning just in time.
Mingrui watches with a hint of a smile. As the young lad is teased by the younger sibling. Watches as Klein struggles with his pocket watch. Gracelessly accepts his sisters task of a grocery run and reminder that he shouldn't get swindled.
Mingrui watches with a reminiscent gaze as Klein works through the various stops needed on his grocery run. He worries for a moment about the lad being fallowed. Though reassuringly nods in acknowledgment to the lads quick thinking to loose his tail in the crowd drawn in by the traveling circus. He watches watches with light hearted humor as Klein ducks into one of the temporary tents, a Fortuneteller's tent specifically.
Mingrui can't really be of much help right now for the young man. Not with Mingrui being as weak as he is at the moment. Though he does manage to tag the stalker to watch over later. He's very much doesn't have enough information to make guesses regarding that situation.
As the Charlatan of the eras, he can't help but take some interest in the seer girl's free divination for Klein. the young lady does have the talent, he'll admit. He watches as she flips the cards as requested by Klein. The Moon as past, The Fool as present, and The World as the future. A very accurate divination in deed. The Moon; uncertainty, confusion , fear, madness. The Fool; Change, potential, spontaneity, new beginnings. And The World; fulfillment, achievement, wholeness.
All together Klein Moretti was someone confused, lost in the madness of a corruption he did not understood. Before a spontaneous change brought about by forces outside his control interfered with the initial fate set before him and this all will bring about a deeper understanding in the future. Klein's ultimate goals will be completed with this change of fate.
Reading over the cards again an idea forms for Mingrui. This could also be interpreted abit more literal. Klein was set in the path of madness out of his control. Before a Fool came about and changed things for him for the better.
Zhou Mingrui is indeed a Fool, The Fool in fact. At least he had been, could be still. That should be a safe name for him to use right now as well. With that thought in mind and his limited spirituality agreeing with this thought processes. This is set in stone for the time being for him.
Its when Klein has come back from his errands. Sitting at his freshly cleaned desk, leafing through his notebook alone in the apartment. That Mingrui decides to descend down again next to the young lad. It's more then abit boring for him with nothing to do right now. With only one individual to truly watch over.
(That stalker he tagged earlier is very boring and frustrating to watch. The guy is clearly a Magician. How can he function without adhering to the core principal of one? Did he NOT remember what he learned at the Seer sequence? Where were his tools to divine? A Disgrace that one. An absolute Disgrace. )
"How are you doing?" Mingrui hides the playful smirk on his face with a sleeved hand and chokes back the laugh wanting to bubble up his throat. Aw~ innocently scaring foke is too good of a hobby to give up.
With Klein struggling to regain control of his frantic heart beat from it nearly jumping out of his chest, Like he'd jumped out of his seat. He lightly glares at the still unnamed Stranger before him. "Better"
A look of contemplation crosses the others face. His grip on the bloody booklet from before tightens before seemingly making up his mind, timidly he speaks. "but…. Why are my memories such a mess? I can't remember writing this much less most of what I did this week. I also can't clearly remember much of my past. Like the fine details of my collage experience and the like." Klein looks towards Mingrui, an achingly familiar fear crosses the man's face. "It almost feels like I don't remember who I am. That I'm now a different person despite, I think, being the same person."
Mingrui looks to Klein not with pity but understanding. He too struggles to remember himself, struggles to keep track of whats him and whats Him.
"You did put a bullet through your head. A Miracle invokers revival agility does have limits. With such severe head trauma of that nature, being healed has a cost. Whatever the bullet destroyed of your mind would be lost." Mingrui states this not unkindly to the young man. Though with a regretful clarity of truthful facts.
Klein visibly thinks over whats said before tentatively asking for clarity. Something Mingrui expected. "Miracle invoker?"
Mingrui nods "Yes," And with him refusing to answer the unmasked question. He instead answers a previously asked one. "You can call me The Fool for the time being. My older and true names would bring you and possibly myself danger right now."
"How would that be the case?" Klein ponders aloud. An honestly confusing statement to anyone not familiar with the realm of mysticism. Mingrui frankly wasn't looking forward to teaching mysticism at a beginner human safe level… There were so many things that could just kill this young lad without him meaning to.
Mingrui responds with his neutral baseline tone. As he makes his way to sit at the table. He may be a spirit right now but he really doesn't wanna be standing the whole time. "Well your 'Orthodox' churches wouldn't like a believer of theirs to uttering the name or title of a supposed deceased God would they? And it should be a saying 'Believe in the might of the deities, but do not trust 'Their' benevolence.' right?"
Klein stares dumbfounded at Mingrui for a long while. The horrifying look of understanding creeping up on the guy's face. A quite terrified squeaked "A god? Your a god, a 'He'?" has the lad looking like he's caught between actions to take.
With a resolute sharp smile, the kind learned from raising King of Angel son's and making do to keep said sons on their toes. That anyone else who really knew him would immediately clock as the 'I'm about to rewrite everyone's understanding of cosmic rules' responded casually as he sat down. "Yes though I prefer 'he'. I've never liked being so high and mighty."
Klein's brain seems to still be trying to make since of what he was just told. "How??"
Dusting off nonexistent dirt. He replays still horrifyingly casually, "It's quite the story that I wouldn't mind sharing. Though not what we have to talk about. Would you be alright if I invited you up to my castle?"
"Your Castle? Sure I guess??" This is all just bizarre to Klein. What do you mean a God came to him and gave him head pats? That said God was dead? What even is Klein's renewed life right now?
With a sharp jarring clap. making Klein jump again like a spooked cat. "Great! I feel better discussing this business somewhere safe and out of possible prying ears.
"….?"
—
After The Fool got him to go lay down in his bed, weirdly enough. Klein understood almost immediately as he felt a strange familiar tug on, What he guesses is his spirit. He felt himself being dragged up and out of his body. Red flooding his vision with the sensation. A minute moment of dread rushes through him as the red clears from his view. Though that's all forgotten at the sight before him.
"Wow.." Is all he can mutter.
An endless space of swirling gray fog, giant ancient stone pillars, and archways that would allow clearance for anything to pass under. The ceiling is a shifting vivid multi-colored plane of something he can't quite understand. There's bubbles, webs, flashes of colors he can't understand, sees shapes and things that he can't possible put labels or names to. Though he knows its beautifully. Looking away from the ceiling he also takes note of the color within the fog. Glittering red stars he doesn't know the meaning of hover just above where he walks just out of reach. Klein notes the engravings he can't make since of on the stone throne. Looks on in wonder at the black and yellow lined geometric designed tapestry's framing the throne. Gazes curiously at the partial thin wall back drops with there own stylized gray fog mirroring the real thing, though with an added rainbow shimmer that he doesn't know the name of.
The Fool waves a clawed hand through the fog as it shifts and forms a short decretive wooden table and high-backed chair by the literal ancient engraved stone throne 'he's' sitting on. "This is what you could call the pinnacle of my divine kingdom. My Sefirah Castle."
Klein can feel the weight of that name, as much as he doesn't know the importance of it. He kinda wants to though. Wants to understand everything about this space and the god before him. He makes his way to the offered seat with caution, cause as much as his curiosity within him wants him to charge forward. He's still here on invention, by a God no less.
Sitting down in the offered seat he can't help but comment nor keep the aw from his voice. "I don't recognize the architectural style."
A short amused chuckle resonates within the space. "I'd be surprised if you did. Not with how long I've apparently been asleep." The Fool only looks to him with a smile of amusement. Now that Klein isn't so focused on the grand architect of the Castle. He notes that the fog that accompanies the Fool seems more alive some how. "Now on to business." Klein snaps to focus and gives the God before him. His full undivided attention.
"I was until recently, what you could call dead or in a deep sealed sleep. I woke up when my Castle attempted to forcibly reawaken me within your body. I was woken up just before being put within your corpse. I also managed to just barely grab a hold of your soul to put you back within your rightful body." The Fool gives an apologetic smile his way. "Now I'm not the one that caused your death, that was something else. but your revival is my fault."
Klein doesn't know what to think about that. Though he knows he can't really be mad at the accidental revival. He can't abandon his siblings much less make Melissa wake up to find him like that. It would have broken her.
"And because you have been how ever briefly possessed by a divine being. You are in a sense my blessed and Descent vessel. Meaning I could use your body as my own, forcibly claim you as a believer of sorts." He can feel the heavy look the Fool levels on him with that. A warning? "I however won't do so. I can promise you that I have no intentions of doing this to you. Id rather have your consent and a contract made between us before such a thing occurs. Nor do I like forcing worship of myself onto others."
Not a warning, a clarity that didn't need to be given to Klein. He's after all mortal and the being before him a God. Why was The Fool being so honest? "If you don't like being forcibly connected to me. Why not severe the connection now and have us both go our separate ways?"
"I can't take back what happened. I'm sorry that this was unintentionally forced upon you and I'm sorry that currently, I can't remove my ties to you at this time. I'm a divine being who's only just hours ago woken up for the first time in Epochs." That apologetic smile of the Fool is back. Though perhaps with more hints of sadness in the neutral tone. "You are currently my only truly secure anchor to this moment in time. If I prematurely cut you off before having fall back anchors. It will spell death to me."
The fog around curls around The Fool more then it had before, as if to hide the being. As though the Castle or perhaps its The Fool himself, could hide from such a horrific fate. "Though this is an unfortunate situation. I value equal exchange. For how ever long I'm tied to you. I'd like to offer you my assistance as needed, though I'm weak right now. I'm still an Divine being."
Klein didn't know what to truly think or feel about that. He really couldn't fault The Fool for any of this, neither of them wanted to die and in a way its a sort of mutual destruction. At least it seems like The Fool is willing to cut the connection when he's got more anchors? whatever that truly meant. Though something did bother him, "How were you initially killed or Sealed?" Klein's eyes widened when he realized he asked aloud. "If that's alright, ignore me if that was insensitive." He quickly added on.
The Fool only nodded in acknowledgment, no hint of anger that Klein could tell. Just weariness of someone not quite sure how to take something given to them. "I'm not entirely sure how it came about myself. All I know is that I was supposed to sleep for around 100 years under the protection of my family and close friends. Only to awaken long passed the set time. My family and friends nowhere, my soul being put into a recently deceased mortal body, and to find that my physical body has been destroyed and its pieces scattered."
Klein would need to be a rock to not pick up the underlined sadness within the Fool's tone. It was also just plain horrifying for Klein to even imagine. How can something like that even happen? How was The Fool not breaking down over this? Must be a divine and mortal difference or something. Pushing that thought to the side he brought up his next question. "Now that your awake what will your plans be?"
The Fool taps 'his' clawed fingers in thought. "For now? I'll start with gathering together some Beyonders of the same basic morals as I, from different backgrounds. A mutual exchange of benefits is the most honest of dealings…." Something drags 'his' gaze away. The claw tapping stopping with the distraction.
Klein knowing better, doesn't comment or seek to attempt looking at what drew 'his' gaze. Though this idea of a gathering of sorts sounds interesting. "Can I observe that? I don't know if wanna join. But I'd like to see how that would go whenever you set it up. If that's alright with you."
The Fool nods and looks abit thoughtful. "It's fine. In fact I do sense suitable candidates now within my reach… stay to the side here. I'll keep you hidden. " With that and before Klein can attempt to voice his thoughts. He feels the fog move him over to the side and condense around him. Hiding him he can assume but not blocking his own view of what happens next.
The table he had been at disappears and The Fool waves over a specific pair of crimson stars. the moment they touch down into the clawed hands of The Fool. They burst into a chaotic light show.
—
The two pale crimson stars brought forward burst as soon as the stars fall under his gaze. Truly the physical anchors are in a fragile state. Though his intuition called for this action. These two should be interesting individuals.
The red lights form two distinctly different individuals. A man shorter in stature, though definitely older. Long blue windswept hair messily draping down to his wide shoulders. A wild look in his eyes as he sweeps the space he's been called into. He's clocked the other woman and him though remains silent. He's on guard though. A beyonder of the Tyrant path, a well experience learned and level headed one at that. Quite the interesting find that one.
The man, Alger, took stock of his situation. His instincts telling him to heed caution. though nothing warns him of immediate danger for the time being. He notes of another person with him, a woman civilian. Though his gaze quickly catches sight of something else.
The other couldn't be anymore different. A young woman in an extravagant green gown. With immaculately cared for curled blond hair that runs down past her shoulders a ways. Clearly a young noble from an exceptionally rich house hold. Not yet a beyonder, also quite an interesting one to be sure. She's also expectingly startled with the summoning, like Klein had been.
The woman, Audrey, spots the blue haired man in the gray fog before the other shrouded figure. "Sir, where is this?" She hesitantly asks before spotting the other being. That the other man is staring at. She too turns to be fully facing that figure as well.
They both saw a strange being within the gray fog. It curled and partly concealed the being within it. Though the fog couldn't hide the ancient aura from the visitors. The being is sitting on an ancient engraved stone throne. Large black and yellow lined tapestry's with geometric designs frame the throne.
Audrey and Alger both instinctively recognize the being as the Master of this space. They spoke in unison asking. "What are you planning on doing?"
Mingrui, The Fool, couldn't help but state within 'Yes fate has brought forth. Some interesting individuals to me.' Outwardly he calmly spoke. His tone neutral though resinating with the fog, giving it a slight heavy quality to it. "An attempt."
Audrey bravely stepped forward. Speaking clearly her tone held fear with an under current of wonder. "Sir, is the attempt over? Might you permit our return?" Alger took note of this and remained silent. If the lady was willing to speak to the powerful being. Might as well let her and learn the temperament of the being before him. Better survival chances that way for him.
Absolutely unbothered with question. He answered honestly. "Of course, if you make a formal request, you can return this very moment."
Neither of the two asked to leave. The being before them didn't seem malicious. Not to mention they were still beyond curious, 'An Attempt? why them? Just what did those artifact they found or receive connect them to?'
He tilts his head to the side as if a thought just accrued to him. "Its impolite of me to make guest's stand," With the raising of a clawed hand, a long bronze table takes form from the fog beneath them. It rises cutting between the two summoned souls before him making them step off further to the sides. High backed chairs also take form on either side of the table, with one other chair forming at the other end. Directly opposite from his place at the head table, the seat of honor. Gesturing with his hands to either seat besides his own. He calmly tells his new guests with a polite kind smile. "Have a seat."
Neither take long to sit down in the offered seats. Their awe unhidden at such a grand display of power. Taking the chance to further look around the gray fog once more. They take the time to notice more details. Like that there's giant ancient stone pillars and archways erupting from the fog around them surround. leading them to spy the glittering red stars hover just out of reach above their heads. Fallowing further above that, the ceiling of the grand space is a shifting vivid multi-colored plane of aw.
Alger recognizes it as the spirit world. 'Just where was this place located?'
Audrey manages to look back down at the table from the spectacle above. She brushes a hand along the surface of the bronze table. Her gloved finger tips fallowing the carved detailing in the surface. "This is such a wonderful experience… Yes, I have always been hoping that something like this would happen. I mean—I like mysteries and supernatural miracles. No, my point is—what I mean is that, Sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?"
"Are you from Loen?" Alger asks though moves right into answering, the lady across from him. "If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of either the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery. The majority of us will not meet a Beyonder our entire lives. This has caused Churches, and even some clergymen within some of the biggest Churches, to suspect the same. While this is the case, I am certain to tell you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and execution agencies. They are still fighting against the dangers that grow in the dark, only that their numbers are much fewer as compared to before and during the early days of the Iron Age."
Audrey silently listens to the man. Letting finish his sentence before sighing. "Mister, I know all about what you just said; I even know more than that, including the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind, but I don’t want to lose my freedom."
Alger gave a low-sounding laugh, and said vaguely, "You can’t become a Beyonder without sacrifices. If you won't consider joining the Churches and accepting their given challenges, you can only seek the royal families and the few nobles with family histories of more than a thousand years. If not, you can rely on your luck to search for clandestine evil organizations."
A disappointed light sigh escapes Audrey before lamenting. "Are there no other solutions?"
"That depends, what do you want of the 22 paths available to you?" Both individuals look to the head of the table, surprised at the casual offering of information. A polite smile is all they are greeted with.
"22 paths? there's really that many?" Audrey couldn't help but be astonished with the amount of possible choices.
Alger was surprised. He must be able to back up such a hidden claim to offer that up freely. 'Has the convenor of this 'attempt' seen That?'
Uncaring to the thoughts that must be running through the two's heads. He gives a light chuckle with his head tilt to the side. "Yes, though listen to what he," gesturing to the blue haired man, "can offer before you before I tell you the options I can give."
Alger was tensed and a little put on edge with being mentioned. Though perhaps this is an opportunity to get what he needs. "I have two sets of Sequence 9 potion formulas." He firms up his position and leans forward on too the table. "As you know, humanity can only depend on potions to become real Beyonders, while the names of potions come from the ‘Blasphemy Slate.’ After constant translations into Jotun, Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac, they have undergone changes to match the day and age of that era. The essence is not in their names, but whether they portray the ‘core characteristics’ of the potions." He pauses to see if he could draw the being at the head of the table to commenting.
Seeing them uninterested Alger continues on."I have a Sequence 9 Potion named ‘Sailor.’ It enables you to have excellent balancing capabilities. Even if you were on a boat in a rainstorm, you will be able to walk about freely as though you were on land. You will also gain immense strength and illusory scales under your skin. They will enable you to swim like a fish and be difficult to catch. You will move agilely underwater just like marine animals. Even without any equipment, you will be able to easily submerge underwater for at least ten minutes.”
Audrey nods thoughtfully, she actually recognizes this one from her discreet research. “Sounds great… the ‘Keepers of the Seas’ from the Lord of Storms?”
"It was called by that name in the past." Alger did not pause and continued. "The second Sequence 9 potion is called 'Spectator.' Although I am not sure what it was called in the past."
He cuts in with a thoughtful hum."The answer to that would be 'Audience' of the Visionary path."
Alger blinks in surprise at that getting a reaction. 'Has he really seen that? He must have right?' "Thank you," He politely nods to the head of the table for the info. "This set of potions enables you to have an exceptionally sharp mind with acute observational abilities. I believe you can understand what 'Spectator' or 'Audience' means from watching operas and plays. Just like an audience, spectators judge the 'actors' in the secular world, catching a glimpse of the real thoughts of them through their emotions, conduct, and mantras."
At this point, Alger emphasized, "You must remember, regardless of whether you are at an extravagant banquet or a crowded street, spectators can only be spectators forever."
Audrey’s eyes widen with deep thought and excitement. She felt that this was the choice for her. "I think I have fallen in love with this feeling of being a 'Spectator.' How can I get this potion’s formula? What can I use to trade with you for it?"
Alger looked like he was already prepared as he said in a deep voice, "The blood of Ghost Sharks, at least 100 milliliters of it."
Audrey nodded her head excitedly. 'Yes finally, I'll become a true beyonder and enter this world of mysticism.' Though another thought accrued to her and subsequently asked worriedly. "If I can get it, and I’m saying if. How do I hand it to you? How can you promise me that you can give the potion’s formula to me in return for the Ghost Shark’s blood, as well as the authenticity of the formula?"
A hum leading into a chuckle, draws the two's gaze to the head of the table. "I can help with such. Through the use of rituals. Though it will take some time to put the required fundamentals together for use. If you have another method for the time being you can use that."
Alger nodded eagerly "I have a drop location address that can be used." He'd rather trust his own methods for the time being. There were no guarantees that this 'ritual' would be finished soon.
Audrey nodded in acknowledgement and turns to the head of the table, intending to ask something. When she suddenly realized something. How rude of them in turn to the Master of this magnificent space. "Sir, how should we address you?"
"You can address me as, The Fool." Said Fool smiles kindly and patiently to the two before him.
Audrey nods glad she could rectify that, "Honorable Mr. Fool, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"
"It’s nothing." The Fool
"It’s our honor, Mr. Fool." Alger responds thoughtfully. He's honestly glad that the lady across-ed him managed to rectify that blunder.
"Continue, the both of you." The Fool states as he leans back in his throne. Casually watching them as mutually agreed upon.
The two continued their business tell they came upon an agreement. Leading to Audrey turning to the head of the table once again. "Mr. Fool, would you mind making a few more ‘attempts’ like this?"
Alger also readily jumped on the question. This could be the key to his goals. "Mr. Fool, don’t you find such ‘gatherings’ interesting? Although your powers exceed our imaginations, there has to be certain domains that you don’t understand or excel in. The person across me is obviously a young lady of lofty stature. I also have my unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources. Perhaps there will come a day when both of us can help you complete something trivial that might be inconvenient for you."
Audrey nodded along with Alger thoughtfully, thankful for the other stepping to add further incentives. "Mr. Fool, I think it’s a very good suggestion. As long as this gathering becomes regular, you can totally leave certain things that are inconvenient for you to us. Of course, it has to be something within our capacities."
Mr. Fool seemingly tilted his head in thought before nodding after a moment. "I’m a being who likes a fair and equal exchange. Your help will not go unrewarded." He taps a clawed finger on the armrest of his throne before leaning forward to rest and arm on the table. "Every Monday at three in the afternoon, try your best to be alone. After I confirm the required fundamentals together, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time. You will no longer need to worry about being summoned in inappropriate situations."
Audrey nodded happily, yes that would be useful in the future. "Then, shall we give ourselves code names? After all, we can’t use our real names for conversation."
"I wouldn't be opposed to such a thing. Good idea," answered The Fool with a smile.
"You are Mr. Fool which is derived from tarot cards. Then, as a fixed, long-term, and secretive ‘gathering,’ we should be uniform in our designations. Yes, I’ll also choose one from the tarot cards." She thought for a moment before raising a hand to her chest, and excitingly declared. "I’ve decided. My designation shall be 'Justice!' "
It was one of the twenty-two Major Arcana tarot cards. The Fool nodded approvingly. She chose well and accurately predicted her corresponding chosen path.
"What about you, Mister?" Audrey cheekily smiled at her 'partner' sitting across her.
Alger thought for a moment before firmly stating. "The Hanged Man."
An interesting choice and perhaps a hint to himself about the possible future? It is quite a choice to be sure. He can't help but think of his beloved now. He can only hope to learn what happened and where he must be…
"Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!" Audrey was the first to blurt it out happily. Her excitement getting the better of her for a moment before catching what she did and got a hold of her self. Glancing fearfully to Mr. Fool. "Will that be alright, Mr. Fool?"
The Fool only nodded, uninterested. "You can decide on such matters by yourselves."
"Thank you!" Audrey "Mr. Hanged Man, can you repeat the address again once more? I’m afraid that my memories will fail me."
"No problem." Alger responded, eager to assure the trade happened more now. With that conversation picked up between the two again. Though eventually conversation lulled to a natural silence after a while.
Mr. Fool took advantaged of this and knock on the table.
"Let's end here for today"
—
The surprised meeting was fascinating to watch even if Klein couldn't understand most of what was talked about. Perhaps he can get Mr. Fool to teach him abit of what was talked about? He'd like to know at bare minimum the basics of Mysticism before joining. From what he could piece together, even Miss Justice while being a normal human still knew more then him! It all seems quite fascinating.
He seemed to have been sent back down with the others as crimson floods his vision once again. As it turns out when the crimson light is gone and the sensations of being back in his body register to him. He neglect a few facts before his spiritual escapades and they were kinda important. Damn was he hungry now and his stomach was making its displeasure of that fact known. Did he not eat while being controlled? Probably not if his stomach was cramping this much.
Getting up from his 'nap'. Klein made his way to the tiny space that served as the kitchen for the apartment. He also notes the faint presence of Mr. Fool next to him yet again. Thinking it rude to ignore the God, Klein struck back up conversation. "I don't think I was eating while being controlled."
Mr. Fool snorts with mirth at the statement. "More then likely not. I'm surprised it took you this long to get hungry."
Klein needlessly looks through whats available for him to make a light lunch with. There's really nothing unexpected in the cabinets. Nothing different from what he already put in there from his grocery run for Melissa. He steels his resolve to not let the mutton seduce him and looks around else where. He doesn't wanna spoil his appetite before that promised meal of Melissa's. Not to mention she would absolutely finished the job, if he ate half the mutton like he really wants to.
With some reluctance, hes grabbing one of the ray bread loafs. Intending to make that his light meal to tide him over tell diner. He hears Mr. Fool huff, seemingly offended with Klein's choice to just eat dry rye bread. "Don't you have potatoes? That would do you better then the bread."
The sarcastic question puzzled Klein for a moment. He turned to stare questioningly at the God. "Why? Potatoes aren't all that appetizing alone."
A mischievous smile plays on Mr. Fools face with the confused look aimed at him. "You must not have had them cooked right then. Let me teach you something you can do with them. You got everything needed here."
And that's how Klein ends up cooking to the genital instruction of a God turned apparent ghost roommate. Mr. Fool instructs Klein in thoroughly cleaning two small potato's from the pile. He'd had to cleaned them in the public bathroom. Then added them into a pot so they were boiled together within the water.
After a while, Mr. Fool told him to add in some of the yellow coarse salt. He waited patiently for a few minutes before lifting the pot and pouring the "soup" into a few cups and a bowl. Why Klein really doesn't know. He took out the potatoes out of the pot with a fork and placed them on the small dinning table at the end. He blew at the potato as he peeled them as instructed it bit by bit. The fragrance of boiled potato admittedly smelled very appetizing to Klein.
He wolfed down the two potato's, one of the saved "soup" cups, and a loaf of rye bread. he was tempted to grab another helping of the bread and "soup" though held himself back. After the frankly really good 'snack' he made with the help of Mr Fool. Klein returns to his desk in contemplation.
He's grabbed the bloody notebook yet again and reviews the last entry's in his handwriting with no memory of doing such. It's a long moment of him debating within his own head that finally comes to a settled conclusion. He'd come to the decision that it wouldn't hurt to ask Mr. Fool his questions. Turning to the God who's still seated at the small table. Klein hesitantly asks, "Do you know anything about the Antigonus Family? It was a family note book of there's that I was deciphering before everything…"
Mr. Fool seemingly stares at him for a long moment. The fog covering his face reveals nothing about his inner thoughts at the question. Though a frown forms on his lips instead of the ever present polite smile. "Antigonus?" The question is asked with a undertone of confused hope.
Klein was immediately hopeful of answers. "Your familiar with the name?"
"More then. Though I don't think what I know would be helpful in this…"Mr. Fool nods thoughtfully, and continues on. "Once upon a Time that was the name of my Angel of Wishes. He only had two familial connections last I'd known about them."
Klein blinks owlishly,"What were they? And Angel of Wishes?" His confusion very evident.
"They were his elder sisters. Granted he was closer to one then the other but they were all that they had left after the necessary slaughter." A reminiscent smile slips onto Mr. Fool's face. "Yes I adopted him into being an Angel under me. He helped with managing prayers involving wishes and my Utopia. He was one of the friends that should have been protecting my sleep." 'His' tone going sad towards the end.
Mr Fool was right. This really didn't help Klien figure out what the notebook was about. Though now Klein was more determined to get information regarding Antigonus. Perhaps he can get answers for Mr Fool about what happened to his friend? Was this notebook a belonging to a descendants of Mr.Fool's friend?
After all its better to have a lead then none at all right?
—
Knock
Knock, knock,
Klein Jumped at the sound of the heavy Knocking. He'd been silently studding his textbooks. trying to piece together exactly what he forgot and what he didn't. he after all had a job interview that was coming up and the brain damage put a hole in the knowledge he had.
Knock
Knock, knock
Getting up from his desk hand hovering at the drawer holding the revolver. Klein yells out across the apartment. "Who is it?"
The other party was quiet for two seconds before a slightly sharp voice, in Awwa’s accent, yelled back in replied, "It’s me, Mountbatten, Bitsch Mountbatten. The police."
Klein's eyes widen in light panic. He Knows that Officer, He's the one in charge of this street. He's a rude, brutal, hands on man. though begrudgingly that's the type of man that deters alcoholics, thieves, and hooligans. Doesn't distract the fact the man is still rude and will probably break the door in if Klein take too long.
"Okay, I’ll be right there!" Klein responded loudly. Quickly He shoves the bloody covered note book under his other study materials. He quickly moves, passing the reappeared Mr. Fool in the middle of the room to hide the gun in between the bed frame and mattress. The gap hidden under the pillow.
Mr. Fool is calmly standing there and fallows Klein to the door. He whispers reassuring. "Don't be afraid, I'll help couch you through this. Remember they can't see me. Only you can."
It was actually very reassuring to Klein to have the spirit of a god helping him out. Even if technically that god would be considered an evil one by society standards.
Reaching the front entrance, Klein opens the door quickly. Not wanting to irritate the Officer that already really don't like people. “Sorry, I was reading.”
Outside the door stood Three policemen in black-and-white checkered uniforms with peak caps. Klein recognizes Bitsch Mountbatten from his few encounter with the burly man. He's the one with a brown beard. The others…
Said typically rude man coughs and states gruffly, "These two inspectors have something to ask you." He gestures to the other two men standing with him.
'Inspectors?' Klein looks to the other uniformed individuals. With barely concealed worry. "Please come in. How might I help you?"
Inviting the gentlemen into the now crapped space of the apartment. He takes a more trough look at the strangers. Their uniforms are different from the others, on there shoulders they were wearing three silver hexagons.
The older of the two Inspector officers, looks to be a man in his thirties, with light brown hair, a straight nose, and sharp gray eyes. Klein would described his eyes to be like a lake in an ancient forest that no one visited, giving him an indescribable sense of depth. The other one is a younger and looked to about the same age as Klein. With black sideburns and green pupils, he is quite good-looking and had a poet's romantic temperament. Which Klein finds strange, though make no further thought about it.
All while noting the appearance of the inspectors. Klein's listening to Mr. Fool quietly and gentle speak at his side."Be honest, though don't be surprised when they share about your friends deaths. They are here to figure if you know anything about the notebook. There is no hiding your involvement with that. You just need to portray that your a lucky victim and nothing more."
The leader the two inspectors, the sharp-eyed man, Gives him a polite smile. "Don’t be nervous. It’s just a routine questioning." As he steps forward to Klein, the younger green eyed guy man slinks off to the side out of view of Klein. Before Klein can turn to keep the other in his sights. The Lead Inspector interrupts him and asks in a deep voice, "Do you know Welch McGovern?"
Klein took a calming breath and organized his thoughts as best he could in this stressful situation. "If you mean Welch McGovern, a fellow graduate of Khoy University from Constant. We are classmates with the same mentor, Senior Associate Professor Quentin Cohen." Klein frowned with a furrowed brow. "Then yes, he's a friend. Did something happen?"
Instead of responding to the question, the sharp-eyed man continues on as if he didn't hear. "When was the last time you saw Mr. Welch?"
A look of contemplation crosses Klein’s face visibly. Like he was trying to grab the requested knowledge mentally though struggling to do so. "It should have been June 26th, we were working on a project.... Though I went home to prepare for my interview on June 30th. Uh, the interview is for the History Department of Tingen University."
He took another short breath and continued, Heeding the Fool's advice about being honest about his involvement Notebook. "I've been meet up with both him and Naya frequently to help interpret and discuss a Fourth Epoch notebook that he bought from someone fairly recently. Did something happen to him?"
The Sharp-eyed man gives Klein a pitying smile. "I’m sorry, Mr. Welch has passed away."
"And Naya?" Klein couldn't help but ask. He knows there dead but he was hoping he had just been hallucinating their gruesome deaths.
That vague hope must have been visible cause. Cause the inspector offers a look of understanding pity. "Also dead. Please tell us all that you can."
The other younger inspector. Has been walking around the small apartment space as they had been chatting. He stops at Klein's desk and before he can question the man. Hes made a quick move to immediately uncover the personal bloody notebook from under the textbooks. A playful smirk on his face, green eyes gleaming like he caught something. "What is this strange thing?"
"Hey!" Klein couldn't stop the green eyed officer from taking the book. He felt angry though kept himself still. There really was nothing he could do…
The young police inspector flipped through the notebook before stopping at the last entry and suddenly asked out loud, "And what does this mean? ‘Everyone will die, including me’…"
Klein was frustratingly fluster. What gave them a right to just go through his things in front of him? He bottles up his rage and injustice he feels. It wouldn't do him any good to pick a fight with three officers in the cramped space with him. All he could do was honestly answer as best as he could. As strange as the honest truth was. "I have no idea. I really have no idea…" He crosses his arms to hold himself steady. The Fool unseen by anyone was also helping to keep him calm with a hand on his head yet again. It's a comforting weight and sensation as claws scrape his scalp. "When I woke up this morning, I felt I wasn’t quite right, as if I had forgotten something. It’s especially true for whatever happened recently. I don’t even know why I had written such a sentence."
The officer ,Bitsch Mountbatten, snaps at Klein angrily. Accusing him of lying and seemingly about ready to physical man handle Klein as he does drunks and thieves. To get a 'proper' answer out of Klein. Though he's stopped from physically getting closer by the sharp-eyed Inspector.
"I’m speaking the truth," Klein responded frankly, holding himself tighter. As comforting invisible clawed hands pats his head. It gives him the courage to look resolutely at Mountbatten and the Police Inspectors.
Before Mountbatten looses his nerve and makes good on what he's been physically implying what he wants to do to Klein. The Sharp-eyed man hums with a nod,"Maybe it is."
'What? He really believed it?' Klein was surprised. though he still narrowed his eyes in light suspicion.
The gray sharp-eyed inspector smiled at him kindly and said, "An expert will come in two days and believe me, she should be able to help you to recall your lost memories."
'Expert? Help me remember my memories?' Klein frowned though his eyes must betray his hope. As the man nods encouragingly. In the end what could Klein do against them? So he nods his agreement to the request. "That wouldn’t be an issue." 'not like that's gonna help me. Mr. Fool has already stated the memories aren't coming back with the the damaged I sustained.'
The inspectors exited the room one by one, and the young inspector at the end suddenly patted Klein on the shoulder. The unexpected touch making him jump and want to get away instinctively. Though he forcibly remains still. "It’s really nice. Very lucky." He then flashes a smile more smirk then anything at Klein.
"What?" Klein was puzzled at the man's random words of praises. 'Also let me go Sir, I don't know you.'
The green-eyed police inspector with a poet’s temperament spoke lightly, "Generally speaking, the norm is for all the involved parties to die in such an event. We are very glad and fortunate to see you still alive." With that the man removed his hand and left with the others.
Finally being allowed to close the door and lock it. He breathed a deep sigh. "Is that true?" Klein asks quietly turning to Mr. Fool.
Through out the whole thing, Mr. Fool was basically glued to Klein's back and hovering a head above him. 'His' arms wrapped around Klein's shoulders to give that comforting weight of someone hugging him and allowing better access to give him the calming head pats. 'Mr. Fool definitely has kids, no other way he can keep invoking the faint memories of his mother this effortlessly right?'
Mr. Fool has stepped away giving him his space again. Which had Klein feeling abit strange about. He kinda wanted to continue getting head pats, his stress and anxiety just disappeared under those clawed hands. So Klein sees the sad smile with the response, "Yes, he's correct. It's more normal to have all individuals die then for a survivor to happen. Though not an impossible feet to accrue."
—
The younger inspector, Leonard. Can't help but look back to the shabby apartment building he just left. Falling behind his Captain heading for the carriage. 'The fella really was lucky.'
Suddenly an older elder voice of a gentleman echos within his head. Weary and cautious, "Boy, be careful around that one."
Leonard tilts his head. Listening to the tone of the older voice and getting visibly confused. At the seemingly random warning of caution. "Why? He's very much a harmless civilian. A lucky one, but harmless."
The Older voice, Leonard's self dubbed Old-Man, almost growls at his host in warning. "Whatever was hanging with him, is not harmless."
Leonard narrows his eyes in focuses on that. He knows the Old-Man is quite the powerful individual. And yet Leonard himself couldn't sense a thing wrong with the space or the young man they just met. "There was something in there?"
Pallez calms some at his hosts now appropriate healthy weariness. "Yes, whatever or who ever it was is strong. I could barely tell they were there. Pretend I said nothing. Its keeping quite and low. You should respond in kind."
Its unsaid by the elder that when Leonard surprised the scholar with his touch. The elder's spiritual senses very suddenly clocked a counseled presence that was very suddenly, very angry. That it was so well hidden from the parasite's senses before that moment. It terrified him. He also noted that the presence Leonard angered briefly was extremely old at that. Older then him.
Completely oblivious to the near heart attack Leonard caused the Old-man. He nodded thoughtfully. 'If whatever it was that was hanging around the young scholar didn't show hostility yet. It was definitely best to not to antagonize it with a civilian so close. Perhaps it will move on once Klein visits Miss ? Or if He perhaps accepts being added to the Churches fold?'
Either way. Leonard's curiosity was peeked and as a self proclaimed protagonists of the era. It was his duty to help out the helpless on his path forward to greatness. 'I'll make sure to keep an eye on him then.'
—
After that stressful ordeal. Mr. Fool talked Klein into assisting 'him' with cooking again. The ghostly God argued that with his sister getting home so late. I'd be a nice surprise for her to come home to dinner ready. 'He' also argued that cooking could be a relaxing ordeal. Which Klein thinks was mostly the Fools way of saying 'he' was stressed so he wanted to do the stress less thing. So Klein caved and got ready to be kitchen aid.
First, he started the fire for the stove again. He went to the bathroom to collect water, and washed the mutton. Mr. Fool managed to take out the kitchen boards and knives. 'He' then taught Klein how to properly chop up the mutton into tiny chunks.
Putting the meat into the perviously saved soup bowl set aside. He got the condiment box out and Mr. Fool directed him into added what was need. A spoonful of the crude salt, some of the black pepper grains carefully added in. He mixed and started marinating them all together. Klein also got out the small lard can, they were getting low on that too.
Placing a saucepan on the stove and, while waiting for it to heat up, Klein rummaged for the carrots from yesterday and cut them into pieces with the onions he bought today under Fool's polite and helpful instruction.
Klein took a spoonful of lard and put it in the pan, melted it. He then added in the carrots and onions and stirred it tell Mr. Fool said to stop.
So far, cooking truly was actually relaxing. Not to mention Mr. Fool is a great teacher. The fragrance of the meal coming together began to pervade. Klein poured all the mutton into the pot and fried it with care. After stewing for about twenty minutes. 'He' told Klein to opened the lid and put the tender peas and cut potatoes in it, and added a cup of hot water and two spoons of salt.
Klein closed the lid, lowered the fire, and exhaled satisfactorily. At this time Mr. Fool disappeared to, letting Klein savor the moment of making something delicious. He couldn't wait for his sister to get home now!
As seconds turned into minutes, the fragrance in the room intensified. There was the allure from the meat, the rich smell of potatoes, and the refreshing scent of onions. The smell gradually mixed. Making Klein swallow his saliva from time to time, keeping track of the time with his pocket watch.
After more than forty minutes, some not-so-brisk but rhythmic footsteps approached. A key was inserted into a lock, the handle to the apartment was turned, and the front door opened.
Melissa came in, a doubtful look on her face. She whispered a quite "Smells good…" That Klein couldn't help but hear and beamed at the praise. Bag still in hand, Melissa stepped in and glanced over at the stove.
"You made this?" She asked slowly taking off her veil hat. While looking at Klein in astonishment. Her nose twitched and she inhaled more of the fragrance. Her eyes softened and she seemed to find some confidence.
"You made this?" She asked again.
Klein nodded a bright smile on his face. "Are you afraid I’d waste the mutton?" Without waiting for an answer, "Don’t worry, I specifically asked Welch to teach me how to cook this dish. You know, he has a good cook." The little white lie he came up with while cooking coming naturally. 'Its not like he could actually tell her that he technically got a cooking lesson from a God right?'
"First time?" Melissa’s eyebrows creased subconsciously, but they were smoothed down again by the delicious fragrance of dinner waiting.
Klein laughed now grabbing utensils to set the table. "It’s almost done. Put your books and veil hat away. Go to the bathroom and wash your hands, and then get ready to taste it. I’m very confident about it."
When she heard her brother’s orderly arrangements and saw his gentle and calm smile as he was getting the place settings. Melissa stood rooted at the door and failed to respond in her daze.
Klein noticed his sisters still figure and jokingly asked, "Do you prefer the mutton to be cooked longer?" A light laugh bubbled up at the end of his question.
"Ah, okay, okay!" Melissa jolted back to her senses. With a handbag and veil in each hand, she rushed about quickly. She was exited to try this mouth watering meal.
When the lid of the saucepan was uncovered, a sudden blast of steam appeared before Klein’s eyes. Two pieces of rye bread were already placed to the side of the mutton and tender peas, allowing them to absorb the fragrance and heat to become soft. Just as Mr.Fool said to do, before he left.
By the time Melissa had packed her items, washed her hands and face, and returned. A plate of stewed mutton with tender peas, potatoes, carrots and onions was already placed on the table. Two pieces of rye bread, colored by a light dip into the gravy, were on their plates.
"Come on, try it." Klein smiled excitingly. Gesturing to her utensils.
Melissa was still a little confused. Though didn't refuse; she picked up a potato with her fork, put it into her mouth and bit it lightly. The taste of the starchy potato and gravy fragrance flooded her mouth. Her mouth watering as she gobbled down the potato in a few mouthfuls.
"Try the mutton." Klein gestured at the plate with his chin.
Melissa’s eyes were filled with anticipation as she carefully forked some mutton. It was very tender and, as soon as it entered her mouth, it just about melted on her tongue . The fragrance of the meat exploded in her mouth, filling it with the delicious meat juices.
It was an unprecedented feeling that made Melissa unable to stop eating. By the time she realized it, she had already eaten several pieces of the mutton.
"I… I… Klein, this was supposed to be prepared for you…" Melissa blushed and stammered. Embarrassed at eating so much so soon.
"I’d nibbled some of the food just now. It’s the privilege of being a cook." Klein smiled and soothed his sister. He picked up his own fork and spoon. At times, he would eat a piece of meat and sometimes, he would stuff his mouth full of peas. At other times, he would put down the utensils, break off a piece of rye bread and dip it in gravy.
The two siblings continued to eat and chat when not too absorbed into the absolute divine meal before them. Melissa felt inspired for her own cooking and Klein was happy to do something for his little sister for once. He's definitely gonna have to get Mr. Fool to teach him more about cooking.