Forgotten Home
キミの記憶
Kallias and CelesteThroughout his shift, Kallias found himself looking at Celeste quite frequently. And talking to her, whenever he was near her. There was something about her that was alluring. Not in a sexual way, although he had to admit that she was beautiful. Very, very beautiful. But it was something else. She just felt trustworthy. She probably wasn't, but there was just something about her. . .
She looked like Chrysanthe. That was it. It was her light brown hair, long and down her back, that fell in loose curls and waves. That and her pale skin. If he took away the strange clothes and the thick golden collar around her neck, and made her a bit taller. . . she could be Chrysanthe. Save for the eyes. Chrysanthe's eyes had been a pale green, and they glowed when the sunlight touched them. This new girl, her eyes changed color. Every few seconds, they were something else. Violet, pale blue, blood red, white, deep green, pure gold. . .
It was terrifying. He knew himself well enough to admit that he was afraid of her. She was unnatural, something magic, something other. She was most likely quite powerful. Yes, she was short and thin, but she clearly had magic of some sorts.
She was alien to him, but when he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, he did not see a girl in a baggy gray sweatshirt and a golden collar-like necklace. He saw Chrysanthe. He wished with a sort of frenzied desperation that she was Chrysanthe, than she was here, with him. But whenever he took all of her in, and spoke to her, he saw that they were not the same, and his heart broke just a bit more.
But she was good company. She was witty and sharp, and she ordered another tea, and he gave it to her at half price. His manager was on break. She would never know. And besides, his coworkers had all done much worse, and his manager didn't care as long as they still made money.
When his shift was over, he was going to offer her a place with the others in the apartment. If she was from another world like he was, she would need a place to live. And he was more than willing. Perhaps helping her could help him atone for the monstrosities he had committed. He was on the path to becoming better, and maybe taking this girl in could be that extra push he needed.
And of the young man near her? He, too, appeared to be from another place. There was just something slightly off about him. Perhaps Kallias could offer him a space, too.
Celeste looked up. Kallias was approaching her. He wasn't wearing his apron, but his name tag was still there. He looked tired, but still very good-looking. Celeste looked him up and down. He was tall, and beneath his shirt was more muscle than she expected. Quite a bit more. Short black hair, pale blue eyes. . . he was attractive. But there was the matter of age. He appeared to be in his early twenties, perhaps twenty two, or twenty three. She was seventeen. Five to six years, then. Not a good idea. But perhaps he could be an ally, or maybe even a friend.
As he approached, he stopped in front of her. "Celeste?"
"Yes?"
"I, er. . . do you. . . ." He swallowed and continued. "Do you have somewhere to live? Because I have a place. It's a small apartment, but the owners ask no questions. They take in outworlders as long as they can pay. You are clearly of another world."
Celeste blinked in surprise. Of all things, she hadn't been expecting this man to offer her a place to live. "Yes. Yes! That would be wonderful! I would be most grateful! Thank you!"
Kallias nodded, his cheeks slightly red. He turned to the young man nearby. "What of you, offworlder? Do you need a home? You could be my roommate, if you wished."
Yu looked up, his train of thoughts shattering at being talked to. He was a bit surprised by the person asking him for joining. "Oh, uh, sure." He nodded and then gave them a smile. He didn't know who they were but he could take care of himself. He did miss his friends, though, and he really needed to make some in this world.