From her random question, it shook a core within Mitiario. Why had Esperanza asked him about Emilia? Was there a needed reason for it? What purpose would Esperanza want Mitiario to talk to this person, and why had it bothered him so much? As he struggles with this inner conflict, as he looks down on his lap, with his mouth covered by his hand. Before he could respond however, Tycheia sprouts up boldly, with furious intent.
Tycheia: "YOU KNOW HOW THEO FEELS ABOUT THAT GIRL!! WHY WOULD YOU SAY SUCH A THING??"
Esperanza: "Tycheia. you know if he doesn't, Mitiario won't be able to confront-
Tycheia: "THAT DOESN'T MATTER! THEO IS FINE AS HE IS, HE DOESN'T NEED SOME STUPID GIRL LIKE HER!!!AFTER ALL, SHE-
Mitiario: "Tycheia… enough
Mitiario said in a quiet, trembling but soft tone, one that could only be heard from those close to him. Still looking down as if in nervousness and guilt. Tycheia however, could not take this response from Mitiario. She felt conflicted as to how he could try to stay calm in this scenario, as she continued-
Tycheia: "THEO?? But you know how troubling and bratty that girl is isn't she!? Was she not the same person who had-
Mitiario: "I'M FINE——, it's nothing to worry about alright?"
Throughout the midst of the heated conversation, a sudden shout from Mitiario in between the conversation of Tycheia and Esperanza shocked the both of them. He stood up, and slammed his hands on the table, still looking down as if with great shame in himself. Tycheia's face turned from anger to sadness looking at her own beloved figure caught up in such turmoil, willingly sitting down and quieting herself for his sake.
Esperanza was shocked but remained calm, only raising more attention at this sudden outburst from Mitiario, and staring deeply into the boy's face, discovering that same shameful look he had on his face. Mitiario finally gave rise to her question.
Mitiario: "No, I haven't, okay? I haven't spoken to Emilia, and I doubt she would want the same with me. Why are you asking?"
Esperanza: "Ahhh, so not yet huh. Well, I figured you would have, but it seems my sight was off. I apologize"
Mitiario: "I don't know what you mean by "would have" but it's okay.. Just don't bring up that man."
Esperanza: "Mitiario… I understand your strained relationship with him, but despite everything you think he has done, the fact is he's still your-
Mitiario: "Still what? Alright, me and Emilia were and still are fine without him Esperanza! We don't need someone who's as rotten as him caring for us. Not him… alright. Besides, we have you, and everyone else in Fortuna to thank for our upbringing, why would he matter?"
Mitiario raised his tone towards Esperanza, his voice was hoarse, and breaking. He couldn't look Esperanza in the eye, as she was staring at him focusingly. As if piercing into his heart, and looking into what encompassed it.
Esperanza shut her dark blue eyes down, and rested her face, stopping her staring into Mitiario, seemingly coming to an understanding of the boys thoughts regarding this man they referred to, and the person they called Emilia.
Esperanza: "Okay, I apologize Mitiario."
Mitiario: "It's fine. Alright, don't worry."
Despite her apology however, Esperanza still could not shake off one feeling she had to share, that was—
Esperanza: "But. I still think you oughta have a chat with the girl."
Mitiario: "?"
Tycheia: "GRANNY?? YOU-
Esperanza: "TYCHEIA! Enough, I know what I'm doing."
Tycheia once again sprung up in anger, perhaps even more so than before. Mentioning the name of Emilia was already bad enough, but to think of having Mitiario come into contact with her seemed to push the young maiden into even more of a fury.
Esperanza could not care less about the emotions her own granddaughter had at the moment. She only saw deep down what she thought had to have happened, this sudden interaction between 2 people for a reason neither Mitiario nor Tycheia could fully grasp on, and one only Esperanza herself knew the intentions of.
Mitiario: "Esperanza… Why? I mean, you know she doesn't like me and I shouldn't bother her. I mean to her I-
Esperanza: "I know all about what she thinks and what ya think. But I think and personally see coming from knowing you two both, that you two oughta reconnect a little."
Looking now towards a window in their house which showed the sun currently sinking below, bringing in night to arise.Esperanza said with a convicting and serious tone that not even Mitiario and Tycheia had heard from her-
Esperanza: 'I see it for the better fortune and future for the two of you to at least try that."
Mitiario: "I— guess? But at the same time, you know Emilia despises me, always has been since 7 years ago. No way to change that, is there?"
Esperanza: " I understand, but as someone who's raised the two of ya primarily, I can see the outcome of this conversation not ending horribly. Sure, you'll face hardships but in the end all that comes is a resolution to both of you, I can guarantee you that son."
Confusion was all that was placed on Mitiario's face at that moment. He had no idea why this was being insisted onto him, what Esperanza even meant. She said she understood him so why have him face or confront a situation like this? What could grow from it that she knew more about that he didn't? Confusion, confusion, and confusion grew more onto him. However-
Looking directly into her eyes, he saw sincerity. Genuine emotions of care for the boy, something that he had recalled she had given him all this time, and feeling a sense of gratitude. He can't possibly try to refuse a request from someone who had said it so earnestly and heartfelt. No, rather than he can't refuse the command, to Mitiario it was more like he couldn't.
Some would say there's no difference between the two, but to Mitiario it was. Deep in his heart as he was feeling these confusing emotions, he knew he can refuse the request of Esperanza. He can listen to himself, he can choose to value himself, but he couldn't, no matter how much will he holds in him he couldn't betray those feelings of gratitude for someone. He holds it in himself to accept the desire Esperanza has for him at this moment.
Declaring to her—
Mitiario: "Alright. I'll talk to Emilia for you. But what do you want me to even say?"
Esperanza: "Glad you agreed kiddo. It's regarding what we mentioned before, so I know it could bother you, but trust me on this, okay?"
Mitiario: "I will, I promise."
Tycheia: "I don't like it at all.. I really don't"
☆ ☆ ☆
Under the dark star passing sky, being looked over by the shining moon, there's a group of village houses that look somewhat similar to one of the layers in Esperanza's amalgamation house. Rather instead of being clumped together and stacked in an unorganized motion.
These were more refined houses, or village stores lined up, over hills, or spread out, with roads and corners forming in and around these houses. Small lamps seeming to be lighted up by yellow small winged bug creatures are also across this path, as Mitiario follows these guiding lamps. Walking around the different paths, wells, small scale statues, until eventually reaching a grand house.
Mitiario looks on at the house with heartache, gripping tightly to his left side of his chest, before he knocks onto the door.
Nothing—
Knocking again onto the door.
Nothing—
Feeling lost and dissatisfied, Mitiario prepares to leave, until a creaking sound and what seems to be unlocking is heard behind him. Looking back, what, or rather who stands in front of him is a girl.
Girl: "Yea, what?"
The girl was in simple soft attire, almost equal to Mitiario's but more feminine. Her hair was similar to Mitiario's wild and unruly hair, only on a shorter scale. Her braid was similar, rather it formed at the back of her head, and stretched down way longer than his, boasting a purple ribbon. Her eyes were amber, rather than Mitiario's emerald, and sleepy face, however towards Mitiario, showed a sign of annoyance and discomfort. Afterall, who would feel comfortable speaking late at night to their estranged twin sibling?
Mitiario: "Hey, Emilia…"
Emilia: "Yea? What's it?"
Emilia's attitude to the boy seemed to be indifferent to him. Hastily wanting to get to the point and not be around him during that moment as of right now, as if his presence did not seem to be her biggest concern during that time.
Mitiario: "Well… the reason I wanted to talk to you right now was well…. uhm-
Emilia: "What? Look if you have nothing to say to me like usual, just lea-
Mitiario: "Esperanza wanted me to ask you, if you've heard from him recently… heard from him…"
Emilia: "Huh??? Who the hell is him?"
Fidgeting around nervously, and not being able to look straight into her eyes, Mitiario had thrown all the courage he could muster in one and said—
Mitiario: "Have you— heard from Dad recently?"
Not caring much for Mitiario's stumbling words, awkward stance, and shy nature, always looking down during that interaction, at that moment, Emilia was suddenly shocked by what she had heard. Their father?? Hearing from him all of a sudden? Why now of all times would their father be supposedly communicating to them, all of these thoughts just came rushing into Emilia's face.
Her expression changed from annoyance to shock at the reveal of this information. Becoming less averted and pressing her brother more.
Emilia; "W— wait. Dad? Grandma Esper asked if I heard from him? A— at all? Why? What in the hell are you talking about?"
Mitiario: "Esperanza. She wanted- no, insisted I asked you that. I don't know all too well myself.
Emilia: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU-"
Mitiario: "..."
Emilia: "Ah, I get it now… you would have never bothered to ask unless it came down to Grandma Esperanza asking?"
Emilia's initial outburst of frustration to Mitiario grew to be somewhat disdain, realizing her own brother didn't bother caring about the reason their own father was returning to them. His face stayed the same throughout the entire conversation, looking away shamelessly, and ignorantly, avoiding her own words as if he was in shame.
Emilia: "Alright… Tell Grandma no, I haven't heard anything from Dad. And you can leave now Mitiario, if that's all you have to say, I don't see why you're standing around here then."
Turning her back onto Mitiario, Emilia closes the door shut tightly. Mitiario finally looked upwards, and slowly tried to reach out his hand towards her, just for the door to close. Losing any chance he wanted to connect with the girl. Mitiario pulls himself back, contorting his face in shame and ache, and instead turns his back the same way his sister did.
Walking away from someone valued to him.
Emilia on the other hand, is close against the door inside the house, holding her hands close to her bosom. An expression filled with similar shame that Mitiario had to himself. Her hands trembling, and drops of sweat running down her face almost like they were racing against one another. Feeling again, disdain…
Emilia: "Ok… ok, ok, ok. It'll be fine, ok? I won't mess anything up, alright. I won't mess up again alright. I'll be better for you, the both of you, okay? Okay?"
These seemingly words of reassurance did not come off ensuring to Emilia, rather shakingly, and more timid. These words did nothing but frighten the girl at the possibility of her father for some reason talking to her. A sense of insecurity and confusion drowned her more and more. All the reassurance she could muster was not even comparable to the amount of fear built up in her.
From the moment Mitiario mentioned their father, nothing but the same confusion and fear Mitiario had in his conversation to Esperanza, had also somewhat built up in Emilia.
Walking over slowly, to a countertop around her, was a framed photo. One that seemed to have been filled to the brim with dust, as if intentionally neglected from all the other pictures around there. Emilia picks up the frame, and only wipes off one specific portion of it. Being that of an elegant woman, with similar features to Mitiario, and herself, and around her was a large tall figure whose face seemed to have been ripped out of the frame.
Emilia: "Mom… Dad. Shit, shit, shit. Just one of you, either, just stay with me, please. Don't- go off without me again.."
Her voice suddenly breaks, and as she holds the photo somewhat over her head. Her face contorts more into fragility and fear, as tears seemingly feel like they're threatening to burst open from her eyes, all the girl could do was pull back from this fear. Uttering the words, "mother" and "father" more and more, growing more attached to it.
Emilia's thumb placement, although subtly and unknowingly to her, wipes over another portion of the photo's dust. Showing 2 young children, similar in age and appearance, and one clutching closely to the other, smiling brightly while the latter is confused and embarrassed.
☆ ☆ ☆
Earlier that same day, we see Emilia in the morning/ Getting dressed in simple attire, putting on her ribbon, and doing her daily care. All before getting ready to leave her house. Bursting open into the bright sunny day, greeted with numerous people outside, either walking, or working out in the open.
Common People: "Heyyy, Emilia. Good morning! Say, can you help me with my crops one of these days? Hey Emilia, the kids are all the way in the Themisa Church if yer lookin to tutor em again! Oi Emilia, mind helping me out here with this stall really quick??"
Emilia: "MOORRRRNING!! Sure I can help, just give me one minute here! Yea, I can tutor them again, don't worry! And I got you with that stall right now old man!"
The vibrant community expressed gratitude to Emilia's kind work, her availability and graceful attitude to work with them brought a pleasant vibe to their area, and Emilia returned their graces back.
Commoner: "Why thank you so much dear, terribly sorry to trouble you"
Emilia: "It's no trouble believe me, I'll do anything to help alright! Just ask me okay!"
Village Man: "Say, Emilia…"
Emilia: "Hm? Yea what's up?"
Village Man : "Well, we didn't want to bother you too much, so we were wondering if you could get Mitiario to help out. He's so distanced from the village, and spends his time either shut in those woods or with Esperanza and that girl. You'd be less preoccupied with us folk, ay?"
Emilia: "Oh… well.."
Caught off guard by the man's request, which soon followed other adults chiming in and asking on why couldn't Mitiario help them in on their daily needs, as it seemed Emilia was burdening herself with a lot. Emilia felt herself clutching towards her chest in confusion, and angst.
Sure Mitiario could help, but deep within Emilia, she didn't want that. She had been fine this entire time, and she was better at managing it, it didn't need to be handled by someone else like him, someone who shunned himself away at others.
Emilia did not think she was incapable of helping or agreeing to the demands of the villages all by herself. She knew she could listen to their needs, and can carry them out, giving them gratitude without any need to prove her own worth to them. Without needing the help of what they saw a shut in, Mitiario.
Emilia: "Although, I guess I'm not that different in that aspect…"
Village Man: "Hm?"
Emilia: "Oh uh no no! Just muttering to myself. But look, it's as you said. He rarely comes out right? I doubt he would be able to help as much here you know? Hehehe…"
Village Man: "Ahhh, well I suppose when you put it like that, we're really lucky to have you huh kid?"
Patting the girl on her back, Emilia gets slightly flustered, before placing her own hand back on where it was placed. Thinking on those words. Bringing in warmth and enlightenment towards her, feeling gratitude to those who valued her for her efforts towards them. The girl, quietly mutters to herself words that no other adults around her could hear-
Emilia: "Thank you"