"Another day, huh...?"
Sunlight sipped into the room, stopping finally at a resting Moonlight. His eyes opened slightly, he scooted over to his left and groaned. The room smelt of loneliness with the folds on the white mattress proving this.
The boy slowly got up and yawned.
"How many days have passed? Ah yes. It's been a week." Moonlight murmured to himself.
"Would I have been different if I answered that question?" He sighed. "Guess we'll never know."
He raised himself up and crept to the door. He gripped the handle and paused. Then he dropped to the tiled floor.
Moonlight mind revised to a past memory that happened just few days ago. The house was seated around a round table. Him, Cloud and his mother, Phoenix, all ready for breakfast.
Febia prepared their meals and dished them out evenly across the table. But just they were about to dig in, Phoenix spoke up.
"Now that we have all settled in, I have something to tell the whole house, Febia included. This place is too spacious, holding lots of things but in reality, it is empty. Why? The inhabitants are far too contented."
She placed her arms on the table and continued, "What I mean is, do you think you need anything?"
On that day, the boy knew what he wanted to get and what to do, but for some reason, he spoke nothing. That decision still haunts him till this day.
Despite regular visits from Febia during the night and visits from Cloud during the day, he still is bored. His only companion, the rowl he took as a pet (hostage) was the only thing that stays longer with him than all else. Phoenix does still visit and only then does he actually feel like talking to someone.
One time, he asks, "Who is that white-haired man in the portrait downstairs?"
"In the portrait…? He's your father but he died immediately after your birth." Phoenix replied.
"Oh,"
That was just one of many. Each time she visits, he learns something new and that always put a smile on his face. However, the elephant in the room is she always comes at this time of day.
KNOCK~KNOCK~KNOCK~
Three knocks landed on his door, ringing loudly through his eyes. Moonlight does not try to move as he knows who it was. The only problem was that the creak of the door came earlier than usual.
This time, Phoenix barged in hastily.
"Moonlight?" muttered Phoenix.
She spotted Moonlight lying on the floor, causing her face turn worry. She immediately picked him up and placed him on the white sheets of his bed.
"Are you okay?" Phoenix asked.
"…" Moonlight stayed quiet.
She stared at his chocolate face for a few seconds before arranging his roughened bed. Then, she stayed silent. Her eyes looked through Moonlight, from his head to toe while the room kept a silent pause.
"What do you want?" Phoenix said.
"…"
"Don't cover your lips. I'm your mother and it pains me to see you like this. Speak up, what do you want?"
"…"
"If you don't answer then I won't leave. Just so you know, I have all the time in the world." Phoenix added.
"A library, and a glimpse of the outside world." Moonlight replied immediately.
"It actually works." Phoenix gasped.
"Hmm, a library; that I can get, but, a glimpse of the outside world…" Phoenix continued.
"You can't?"
"I can but, why have just a glimpse when you can have everything…Wait! I have an idea. Since you don't have anything to do why not I grant one percent of your request."
"Huh? Really?" mumbled Moonlight. His eyes shone a ray of hope and anxiety.
"What do you think?" Phoenix asked.
Then, a swift air of pause blew in-between them. Time ticked, Moonlight mind raced for no reason and Phoenix composure shifted gradually while she waited for his answer.
Then, Moonlight slowly opened his mouth. "Okay."
Phoenix lips rose up and so did her body.
"Febia will bring what you will wear. Everything will be done in an hour. Come down in an hour's time. Bye."
Saying that, Phoenix immediately left and Moonlight breathe a sigh of relief.
"Heh, looks like my life won't be boring after all."
KNOCK!
Then, another knock landed. Moonlight eyes showed he had no idea who it was but he could predict who exactly it was.
Moonlight whispered, "Cloud?"
The door opened slowly, revealing a familiar figure named Cloud and with him a particular species called rowl. The rowl ran up to Moonlight and climbed his head.
"Why's it clinging to me?" Moonlight asked.
"Who knows, maybe you're the one who tamed it." Cloud replied.
"Hum."
"I mean, Great Uncle did say they're drawn to those superior than them and you're the one who beat it so naturally, it will be drawn to you." Cloud added.
"He did say something about that, though I'm not sure he phrased it that way. Anyways, what are you doing here?"
"They're drawn to those superior but when you're weaker; they take you out, Rah!"
"Are you trying to scare me?" Moonlight asked. His head tilted to the left.
Cloud then pulled back, arranged himself and coughed twice, clearing his throat before opening his mouth.
"Bye." He said.
Then he turned and left.
"Huh?"
"You are already up, that's a miracle. Come to think of it, you are always awake during this time of day."
Immediately after Cloud walked out, Febia walked in, holding a hanger of cloth. She moved closer to Moonlight and handed him the clothes.
"You may not have noticed but, ever since that mysterious test you had. Your body now looks older than a five-year-old. Though, I'm not complaining." Febia said.
"Huh?"
"Every single piece of clothing in that wardrobe right now is tight, right?"
Moonlight turned his head for a few sec and muttered, "You're right. I didn't notice."
"Maybe it's because you never cared to check but, I brought a solution. Phoenix, your mother is currently waiting outside right now. Wear this and leave immediately."
"Huh? She said in one hour's time." Moonlight said,
"Is that truly what she said?" Febia asked.
Moonlight gave a nod.
"Hmm, tell me. Can you wait for an entire hour?"
Moonlight paused to think and replied, "No."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Febia clapped twice. "Get the move on."
Febia then left leaving him with one word. "Time waits for no man."
Just as she left, Moonlight waited for the silence to settle and then, he looked at his hands; a grey shirt, a brown trousers and a pair of sandals. He threw onto his bed and sighed.
"Hmm, three visitors in less than an hour, life sure is weird." He muttered.
"But, what was Cloud's purpose for coming?" He asked while his eyes found the rowl standing atop his bed.
He moved closer to the rowl and lifted it up. "Well that's not a problem. The problem is what should I call you?"
He squint his eyes and puts into thought. "Oh! How about Rowl? Your name is Rowl, got it." Moonlight said.
Immediately, he dropped the rowl and quickly put on the cloth prepared for him. "Isn't this a little too long?"
He brushed the thought and gripped the door handle. In seconds, he found himself on the passage way and went down the stairs quickly enough.
Phoenix appeared to be seated at the couch in the parlor. She got up instantly stretched her hand to Moonlight. Moonlight accepted her hands and Phoenix squirmed.
"Let's go." She said.
"Okay." Moonlight replied.