I didn't even get ready for bed. Too tired and too tense to care, I changed into clean clothes and threw myself under the sheets.
But sleep never came. Even with heavy eyes, muddled thoughts, and weak limbs, the graceful gift of sleep evaded me.
As the afternoon grew dark and night honored me with its presence, my eyes grew heavier. But so did my thoughts.
The day was a fascinating disaster by all measures. Tossing and turning all night in bed, the strength of my perpetual cold grew infuriating.
With sleep bringing no help to my troubles, I spent the night stretching out my sore muscles and exercising.
Despite the intensity of the day, basic movements and forms in my room were not nearly enough. I needed more.
Throwing on a slick, pressed jumpsuit and a linen shirt overtop, I quietly made my way out to the track.
The night was deep, but even without the park's lights on, my vision was unimpaired. I never paid much attention to it before, but it will take some getting used to my new vision during extended periods in the dark. My depth felt different, and quickly recognising what I was seeing was harder.
I roughly adjusted to my new vision and allowed myself to enjoy the atmosphere.
Out here–in the night's cold winter winds—it brought a form of remedy to my troubles. A mindset lost during my time here in the Upper District.
But it seemed I was hit on the head harder than I thought. I was seeing flashing lights. Out in the distance, on the other side of the track, a fast-moving light, flashing many colours, was moving along the path.
Beaming towards me at unnatural speeds, but also, too slow for it to be a natural moving light.
The closer it got, the more human-shaped the beam of light became. As our distance grew closer, it slowed down. Until it was right in front of me, coming to a complete stop.
It was Lavinia, shining with flowing trails of multi-coloured light all around her. She lessened the brightness of her glow until it was an easy shine on the surrounding area.
My vision became a mix of her body in full, bright detail, and the surrounding environment still in dotted red.
Her face was drenched, making her glisten, and the collar of her jumpsuit was a shade darker from the sweat.
In a faint, almost inconceivable battle over Will, her bright Aura clashed against my frost in the region between us. Casting her in a beautiful white light, and me in a muted blue.
My voice came out in a dejected whoa, "How long have you been out here?"
She looked at me with the usual fury in her eyes. In complete contrast with her magnificent form. "I was just leaving." Walking past me, she slowly retreated to the estate. Never looking back as I watched her.
I spent the rest of the night completing my 100 laps.
The running made me feel light for once. Something to focus on, other than focusing on everything.
I never even stopped once.
Achieving a new record of sub-4 hours.
As the sun crept over the horizon, marking the blaze of dawn, I wobbled back inside the estate. I may be healed, but my muscles still ache.
Today was a new day.
Heading to my room for a shower, I glanced at Lavinia's door, while reaching for mine. It was quiet inside. I couldn't tell if she was asleep or just doing a calm activity. Either way, I walked into my room without sparing hers a second glance.
Even without proper sleep, the unwanted cold shower brought a temporary relief. Wide awake to start the day, I went down for breakfast.
Passing through the foyer hall, I greeted the few servants I passed. Each welcomed me with a warm smile.
As I was about to cross into the South Main Hall, the front door opened. The clank of the latch echoed through the hall before it swung open at a rushed speed.
"Where's ma brother at! Damn rut got some splainin' a do!" The rugged man yelled through the chamber, shaking his fist in the air and tossing down a large suitcase. "Fur callin' me back so soon." He finished in a mumble.
Speed walking to the doors. "Asher! You're back?" I called out.
Upon hearing my voice, his head shot towards me like a predator finding prey. Sprinting to me at full speed, his eyes bulging wide. His unkept hair, bloodshot eyes, and dark circles underneath caused a primal instinct in me to turn and run.
Fighting off that fear, I nervously stood still as he made his approach.
"Rin, ma boy." He slowed down just in time so as to not crash into me. Putting his hands on my shoulders, he continued. "I swear, ma brother needs to get his ego in check. But alas, that is out of our control." Acting like I was dirty, he straightened my back and started patting me down.
Looking up at him with just my eyes. "Asher, why are you patting me down? And why are you back so soon?" I said bluntly, half smiling from his antics.
"Just wishin' you m'luck, Rin. Elgin sent me a letter, or, I guess, Chiron. Anyway, I know the sitch." Ending his patting, he put his right hand on my head and forced me to face his eyes. "Is ma brother back yet?"
"Not that I know of." I confirmed.
"Great! The fool starts this whole mess, involving everyone, and doesn't even have the decency to show his face!" In a fit of annoyance, he raises both his arms in the air, about to scream—then his stomach grumbles loudly… "You hungry? I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Does he ever breathe?
Without even waiting for my answer, he wraps his arm across me and begins dragging me to the dining room.
Running into Leo on the way there, he joins us for breakfast. Unfortunately, Lavinia is nowhere to be found.
Eating a nice, filling meal after the run, Leo, Asher, and I traded stories of our time away.
I talked about the move, at least the parts when Asher wasn't there, as well.
Asher talked about the cafe and how much of a marketing genius his helper is. Stating that the place is in good hands in his absence. I asked about Rose's employment there, given all the current changes. Asher responded with a wide grin, describing how he's getting more academy students there than ever. Mostly boys, which made me want to return to the Middle District immediately and drag her away. He joked, asking why he had never hired her sooner.
Leo changed the mood of breakfast, talking about yesterday's events in full detail. Asher was both disappointed and not surprised. When Leo brought up Lavinia, it prompted Asher to ask where she is. Leo responded, saying she's most likely in her room. Calling her lazy.
When we finished trading stories, Asher shifted topics. Staring at me intently, he called for all servants to leave the room, causing Leo to question what for. Asher gestured for him to keep quiet until everyone else was gone.
When the three of us were alone, Asher sprang the question, "So, you ready to train extra hard? Though, it's not like you'll actually have anything to show. You know yur screwed, right? There's nothing you can prove." Tossing a large sausage in his mouth.
Palming my head, I spoke in a mumble, "I'm more than screwed, I'm dead. I don't even want to think about what Lord Elgin will do to me after the party."
"Show, screwed, prove… party? What in the Monarchs are you two talking about?" Leo questioned, His head jumping between us, voice rising in inflection.
Swallowing the sausage quickly, Asher spoke for me, "The New Year's Party, the Grimwalds will be hostin' it. And durin' the event, Rin's gotta show off his Lord Will to the Nobles. Yur father kinda let it slip during the meeting."
"My father never lets anything slip. He must have said it for a reason." Leo defended.
Asher, his elbow resting on the table, begins swaying his fork between his fingers. His eyes closed in thought. "Slip er not. Rin's a goner. Three weeks ain't nearly enough time. I've been given the run-down by Chiron and Rin." He opens his eyes, staring directly at me. "Grand gestures won't cut it."
"Isn't a grand gesture the whole point?" I said.
"That's besides the issue. A Lord Holder is confirmed through Aura, not a damn cap eval." Picking his teeth of food, he continued. "Either way, you got none a those. Yur Aura alone is like an ice cube to the back. Sharp… for a whole half second before you remember body heat alone can melt it in a minute. No, the only thing you can do is show them Contain. But, even knowing that, this whole thing is just a squib."
Exhaling loudly, I pushed away what was left of my food, no longer hungry to eat more. "Well, is there any way to convince them I have a Lord Will, without it being through a traditional cap?"
Asher through his hands in the air, raising his voice dramatically, "Of couuurse there ain't—actually! Now that I think about it… there is a popular case of that happenin'." Asher looks up to the ceiling, deep in thought, "Now, I don'know if somethin' like that could convince them of a Lord Will, but it would hav't'be close. Of course! Though the circumstances were pretty dire, and repeatin' it would be painful. Given the choice, I definitely wouldn't try it. But, desperate times, right? Should there really be a moral to thi'story, maybe only fools would go searchin' fur answers? Ah, Monarchs, why must the past haunt me this much?! Maybe givin' up would just be better. Run away to a far-off kingdom, an train in the mountains…"
"ASHER!!" Leo and I both yell at the same time.
"Does this scrambled rumination have a story?!" Leo continued.
"Ah, yes! I was just gettin' to that!" Asher tossed up a finger in confirmation."
Yeah, sure you were.
Leo and I sat deeper in our chairs, like children ready for a bedtime story.
Asher dramatically stood up from his seat, tossing his arms in the air, ready to enact the events of the story in grandeur.