Kaelen stared at him. He couldn't be certain from who he learned to appreciate such a beautiful face— his past or present self, but he felt inclined to commend all involved in the creative process.
Just as he thought, the boy was unnecessarily attractive. It was a critical attack up-close.
But why was this person now sitting across from him?
The boy stared back, as if debating whether or not he could speak. Ultimately, he decided to throw the first stone.
"You're... heavier than you look."
How straightforward of him.
At least he finally found his balls and could look him in the eyes this time.
Kaelen's face twisted, caught between confusion and annoyance. "Is that meant to be a genuine observation?"
"In a way, it's a compliment. You're probably strong." He said flatly.
If he had to give the emotion in the boy's eyes a name, it would not be farfetched to call it dislike.
That was nothing new, of course. But for once, he felt he could ask what exactly his offence was. He had already embarrassed himself, what was asking a few more questions to this junior of his?
"What's your name?" He finally asked his burning question, folding his arms on the table. "I'm—"
"I know who you are." He sharply interrupted, the look in his eyes steely. "But I wish I did not."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kaelen arched an eyebrow.
The boy only exhaled a soft sigh. "My name is Luca."
It suited him.. in a way he couldn't explain. Maybe because it sounded peculiar and pretty.
Kaelen swallowed his previous thoughts. Then he tried hard to phrase his next words properly. "Am I.. Did I do.. something strange?" He struggled out, but Luca only looked confused. "To you, I mean."
"If you did anything to me?" Kaelen nodded. "I'm not sure." He also placed his arms on the table, supporting his head on a bent wrist. He looked unimpressed, drumming bored fingers on his cheek.
Kaelen concluded that he would get nothing useful out of this one. His eyebrow twitched. "All your answers are quite vague."
Luca swiftly changed the topic. "What were you looking for, anyway? I haven't seen you here in a while."
Kaelen was getting dizzy just from trying to hold a simple conversation.
But could it be that he was friends with Kaelen the Original?
"Do you know— Right, you said you did. Um, are we close?"
"I barely want to know you."
"Right, right." Did he sit here just to humble him? Kaelen cried inwardly, but decided to answer the previous question.
"I was looking for a journal that belonged to my mother. Would you happen to have any knowledge about it?"
My mother, huh…
"Your mother's?" The boy tapped a finger on his chin. "I do remember something." Kaelen's eyes brightened. "I remember you always sat right.. there." He moved his gaze, scanning, then pointed to the wine red cushioned seat by a window. A large glass window with wooden and gold decorations. The others along the walls were identical, except only this one had a seat. "All the time. You just sat there and read the same book. Could that be it?"
Kaelen peered between the bookshelves and blinked at the spot, also staring. For a minute, he neither moved nor spoke. In his mind flashed a different scene, one that was trying hard to overlap with reality.
Warm light spilled through that very window. L
It was open, so the breeze softly made its way in. He sat, simply observing the people going about their day, the healthy green leaves swaying, the fighters training.
Then he felt a person join him on the seat.
He turned slightly and came face to face with a small and happy smile, coupled with dazzling bright eyes that could compete with the stars.
But the scene fractured.
The eyes and smile fought with a new one: the back of a person's head.
It was dark now, but the short curly hair stood out, and this person wasn't in the typical robes he had been seeing since he awoke, robes he himself now wore.
Both scenes jumped between each other. But before the one facing forward could turn to face him, the image blurred completely. The smiling face also disappeared.
Kaelen blinked harshly. When he opened his eyes again, the seat looked cold and empty in comparison.
He slowly turned his head back to Luca.
He was unsure whether the boy ever smiled. Was he imagining things? They were the same eyes… only now scowling at him.
But along with shock and confusion, a seed of unexpected optimism stirred within him. Or perhaps it was unease. He felt that if one dug deeper and looked beyond the displeasure, they could find something almost expectant in the look Luca was giving him. His mouth opened slightly.
"Kaelen!" A voice called out just in time. He shut his mouth. What did he even want to say?
Luca didn't turn toward the door, opting to stare at him instead. The gaze made him anxious. He should've been ecstatic.. His memories might actually be coming back.
But why was he so nervous? And what exactly did any of it mean? His mind spun, tangled in partial relief and partial grief.
"Hey!" He was pulled out from his spiraling. Nix poked his head in from between the now ajar library doors. "This is where you've been?" He eyed the two seated, one with his back towards him. "What are you— Whatever. Come with me, I need to show you something. Now." Then he popped out just as suddenly.
Without wasting time, Kaelen shot to his feet. He forgot all about the pain until stabbing aches poked him in different places. There was no choice but to move. His abdomen and his legs would take it as a lesson on endurance.
It was a clumsy escape, but he made it.
It felt like centuries since he had last seen Nix. He quickly shoved thoughts of how they parted to the back of his mind. He had enough to think about and was using the brain space. His brother's affairs were his brother's business.
Still, he felt he had just been rescued from something complicated. A part of him was grateful.
"Look at this." Nix said as he heard his footsteps approaching, but he was still staring at what he had in his hands. Kaelen had finally caught up to Nix who had no regard for his injured brother. "And what's wrong with you now?" Nix asked, after turning around for the first time.
"I'm fine. What is it?" He stopped in front of him. At last, a break. The taller of the two let it be and lifted up the weathered book.
Kaelen eyed it. "A cultivation manual?" Nix opened to the first page. "What? From Celestial Hill?"