Just Keep Being Yourself
Nov. 26th, 2021 07:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
runarunesEpisode 1
Just Keep Being Yourself
[Location: Lounge]
White: Master. Your hand, if you would.
Akira: Here you go.
It was my day off, and White was going to tell me about my fortune for that day.
Akira: (I'm feeling kind of nervous... I wonder what the result I'll get?)
White: Goodness, this is...!
Akira: What does it say…?
White: You should rejoice, Master. For it would seem that you shall spend the rest of your day in relative peace.
White: There shall be no urgent request for work arriving, nor shall any of the Northern wizards start going on a rampage and destroy this Magical Manor as collateral damage. And it also seems that tonight, you will have your favorite dish for dinner.
Akira: Really! I'm so glad... Thank you, White!
Faust: ...Oh, you two are here.
Akira: Hello, Faust. It's unusual for you to already be out of your room at this hour.
White: So you came, my dear. Since you're up early, why don't you come here and sit down with us?
White: As of now, I was just done telling our Master their fortune of the day. While we're at it, I shall read yours, too.
Faust: No, thank you. I just want to pick something I forgot here.
White: Mmrrr... Oh, what a tragedy! Even though our Master is willing to offer the little, lonely me, who has to spend my day apart from my dear Snow a company and comfort…
White: But you couldn't find it in your heart to do the same for me? Oh, how cold you are… How sad I am…
Faust: Stop with that fake-crying. Seriously, you're always so quick at seizing a chance to move before one can even process the situation… Stop pulling at my sleeves already.
White: Should you be willing to go along with me, then I shall let go of you.
Faust: Sigh… Fine. Just make it quick, please.
White: Yay~! Oh, dear Fafa, your heart is just sooo overflowing with kindness! Then at once, let us start with the reading.
White: Hmmm... I see. Faust, your lucky item for the day is something small and adorable. You should spend the rest of your day with it to raise your luck.
Faust: Small and adorable...?
Akira: (I wonder what? Well, it's Faust, so it's probably about cats…?)
Mitile: Ah, Mr. Faust! So you're here. And hello too, Lord White, Master Sage.
Akira: Hello, Mitile.
White: Oh, and here comes the small and adorable something… Or rather, someone.
Mitile: Huh?
Faust: Don't worry about it. Anyway, do you have some business with me?
Mitile: Oh, right! There's some part I can't understand in the book that I borrowed yesterday, so I was wondering if I can ask you about it...
Faust: Then let's talk about it in the library. I was just on my way there.
Akira: Mitile, do you ask Faust to teach you too?
Mitile: Yes! Sometimes, I would ask something I didn't understand to Mr. Faust, and he would answer my questions.
Mitile: Mr. Faust is really amazing! No matter how difficult the subject is, he always made it so easy to understand, it's as if he was just unraveling some thread!
Faust: I'm not doing something as great as what you said. And if there's someone serious in pursuing a knowledge, then it's only proper to deal with them suitably.
゜✭・.・✫・゜
White: Hohoho. He might not admit it, but Faust is just superb at looking after the others.
Akira: (I see... With our ever-increasing training and missions, Faust too now has more chances to interact with the other wizards here.)
White: That just now really brings a smile to your face, wouldn't you agree? It would seem that both Faust and Mitile are being a good influence on each other.
Akira: Yes. Seeing that lately, Faust has been actively involved with other wizards these days… Somehow, it makes me feel really happy.
White: So do I. But... Master, do me a favor and keep an eye out for him today, would you?
Akira: …?
Episode 2
Just Keep Being Yourself
[Location: Hallway]
Akira: Just as what White predicted, it has been a peaceful day....
Akira: ( ...Huh? Isn't that Faust over there?)
When I saw the figure at the end of the corridor, I suddenly remembered that White had asked me to keep an eye out for Faust.
Akira: (It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong about him, thankfully. But since it's almost dinner time, maybe I should ask him to go to the dining hall together…?)
Faust: ……Ugh.
Akira: ……!
Suddenly, his feet stumbled and he wobbled. He leaned against the wall to break his fall. Seeing what happened in front of me, I rushed over to him in a panic.
Akira: Faust! Are you alright?
Akira: If you're not feeling well, I'll go and get Figaro for you now!
Faust: There's no need... I was just a bit dizzy.
White: Ah. Master, Faust...
Akira: White! It seems like Faust's not feeling well...
White: ...So it would seem. Master, do lend me your hand. Let us support him to his room.
゜✭・.・✫・゜
[Location: Faust's Room]
White: Here, lie down on your bed… Yes, yes, just like that.
Faust: Stop with that ill-person treatment. I'm fine.
Akira: But you look a bit pale, Faust… I think you should rest.
White: Faust, you haven't been sleeping very well lately. Am I wrong?
Faust: ...You already know that much just from that little reading this morning?
White: Nay, I have no need to use my power to know this much. For it's already obvious just by looking at your face.
Faust: ………
It's true that I'm lacking sleep, but it's not to the point that it will make me feel out of shape.
Faust: It's just that it's been a bit hectic lately, with all the preparation of classes and missions I need to do.
Akira: (...I don't think Faust is lying that he's been a bit too busy lately. But, I think it's not only because of that his condition dropped like this. There must be other reasons.)
Akira: (For example, the curious wound that he got afflicted with after the last battle with <The Great Calamity> that makes his dreams overflow into reality...)
His dream that I witnessed before was still vivid in my mind. The sparks of fire leaking through his doorway, the bright red blaze that engulfed the area around his bed...
There has been nothing off about his usual behavior. But, there might be days when he spent sleepless nights, unable to fall asleep again after the nightmares that he had.
Akira: (Then, what I can do to help Faust is...)
Akira: Faust, you should rest up for today. I'll make sure to tell others for you.
White: Master is right. You are a very serious man, so it might be hard for you to do this. Yet, it is of importance too for us to take some moments off and unwind ourselves.
White: For sure, the young wizards who rely on you will understand your situation.
Faust: But...
White: Faust. Just as it is only you who'd go through your own happiness, it is also only you who'd go through your own suffering.
Seeing Faust, who still looked unconvinced, White smiled gently and continued his words.
White: We may nestle close and comfort each other. Yet, try that we may be, there is no way we can feel the exact same suffering that others do.
White: And no matter how hard we try, there are some instances where our body can't keep up with our heart. And the reverse is true, too.
White: Yet, that is not a bad thing. You already know that, are you not?
Faust: .....
White: Later, I shall bring you some herbal tea that's good for easing sleep and fatigue. For now, you should just focus on your own well-being.
Episode 3
Just Keep Being Yourself
Seeing reluctance fading from Faust's expression, as if to lighten the mood, a mischievous smile started to float on White's face.
White: Dear Fafa is just sooo quick to shoulder everything by himself.
White: If you don't want to burden the younger wizards, then you should rely on me. This adorable and friendly White, complete with looks and vibes that's just as youthful as ever, is at your service!
Faust: No comment about that adorable and friendly part, but…
Faust: ...Thank you. Then I'll take up on your offer and rest for today.
.゜✭・.・✫・゜
[Location: Rooms hall]
Akira: White, thank you very much for convincing Faust to rest. And also, your caution this morning too...
Akira: If you hadn't warned me, I wouldn't even notice that Faust was actually feeling unwell.
White: …That's not all, isn't it? It would seem that there's still something weighing down on your mind.
Akira: ...Until now, I think I've been being too lenient. Seeing that everyone has begun to settle in here and start to bond with each other, I...
Akira: I thought that while it's true that we all still have our own problems, but at least, little by little, we're progressing to a better direction together.
Akira: But… It's no good, isn't it? The burdens placed on everyone isn't so light. There definitely will be more difficulties popping ahead of us... About their curious wounds, their positions, their pasts, their feelings…
White: .....
Akira: Everyone here is so kind, so brave, so strong… It's just so easy for me to forget about that.
Akira: I was reminded that as your Sage, I've been way too optimistic in my way of thinking.
White: ...It seems that you are just as no good as Faust, after all.
Akira: Eh...?
White: Master, stand in front of me. Yes, then crouch down a little, will you?
Akira: ...Like this?
White: Yes. What a goood child you are, my dear!
Akira: Ah...!
White spread his arms wide and hugged me. It was as if he was trying to wrap me with his small body.
White: It was as if you and Faust were trying to compete and see who can shoulder more problems by yourselves. Really, you two are so serious.
White: You don't have to think that everything should go without any hitch in the way. Since a feat like that is difficult, even for us.
White: And, you've already done something that even we couldn't do.
Akira: What you two couldn't do...?
White: Little by little, many hearts have been moved ever since you came and lived with us in this Magical Manor.
White: To truly move another's heart is not a feat that can just be done by anyone, and it's definitely not an easy feat to do. No matter how powerful your magic is, or even if you have lived for thousands of years.
White: We wish that from now on, you'll always keep being yourself and continue to move our hearts.
Akira: Keep being myself…
White: There may come times when the other wizards or even myself would feel troubled and confused.
White: 'Tis why, when we do, I wish you'd hold our hands and guide us. Then, I want us to keep walking together, hand in hand.
White's small hand wrapped around mine. His touch was incredibly gentle, as if he was touching something precious to him... I feel like he was trying to convey how much he treasured me by his touch.
Akira: ...Thank you very much. Of course, I will.
Akira: Please, let me keep staying by everyone's side and hold your hands on my own.
White: Mhm! I'm counting on you, Master.
Our faces bloomed into smiles as we faced each other, our hands were held tightly in each other's. Softly... My heart had been moved by his kindness.
