Azure flew into Seon's lap, making herself confortable on his robes. Lin and Gareth looked expectantly at Seon, not even touching the pastries anymore. ''What do you mean, taking a nap? Did you go to sleep at the bottom of a lake?'' Said Gareth while rolling his eyes. Seon's cheeks took on a rosy hue, unexpectedly blushing: '' it wasn't a lake.. just a river, yes, a small river near a small mountain..'' He smoothed out Azure's feathers gently, casting glances at his two old friends to see their reactions.
Lin and Gareth where shocked hearing this, for who hadn't heard of similar stories in this day and age? Mythical creature sleeping for decades, centuries, even millennia, in remote places, was a common tale in these parts. But to hear that their friend took a casual nap in a river, which are usually protected by River Spirits? They couldn't make up their mind around the idea. They already were shocked by his youthful appearance, for even a martial artist would age a little in the span of forty years. Was Seon.. a legendary immortal? Before their mind could imagine anymore crazy conjectures, Seon spoke again: '' Well, when I met you guys, i was actually just born. I first saw the skies around a hundred years before you were born, i suppose, then went to sleep again. I'm still very young and need a lot of rest.'' He took a bite of an almond pastry before continuing under the incredulous eyes of his friends. '' You see, when we were supposed to meet that day by the Caring River, I decided to sit on a rock near the water, as you surely saw when you came. But there was this really, really nice River Spirit, and she was so gentle that I almost fell asleep instantly. I battled again my heavy eyes, waiting for you.. But alas, just as you both arrived, my eyes closed and I fell asleep with Sister Carry.'' Gareth was wide-eyed looking at Seon: '' Who the hell is Carry? What hundred years old before you opened your eyes? What even are you, friend?'' Gareth ways deeply shaken. He took a deep breath and focused on his injury for a bit, because the information he just heard deeply moved him. Lin gently patted Gareth's back while saying; '' We.. I believe we don't understand everything you are saying, Seon, could you maybe explain a bit more to us? How can you live this long?''
Seon had spent only two years with Gareth and Lin, but they were his only human friends, and he knew he could trust them. Few happened between them, but a deep bond was nonetheless forged in their youths.
Azure climbed up his shoulder as he said: '' Well, to be perfectly honest with you both, I am not human. Nor am I a spirit or a beast.
I just woke up one day, with a name and no worldly ties. You humans are born from other humans, beasts are born from other beasts, and spirits are made from the essence of the world. I suppose I have more similarities with spirits than with you.'' He laughed lightly before continuing: '' I was made by the Heavens. I don't know what to make of it, friends, for I was born enlightened and knowing few things, but I do know that both of you are friends of mine.'' He still sat lazily in his seat, not acting like he had suddenly dropped Heavenly Knowledge to two human beings with frail minds. A gust of wind went through the room instantly, as if cleaning memories away. Gareth and Lin looked like they knew they forgot something important, but couldn't recall it.
Gareth sighed: '' So you are a spirit, friend. I should've known, you were so innocent back then, not even knowing what money was!'' Lin nodded with a small smile, '' yes, you were just like a child in a man's body at first!''
Seon looked on this phenomenon with slight curiosity. It wasn't the first time this had happened.Everytime he spoke of himself in this way, the world was strained by the heavy knowledge, and the Heavens had to erase the memories of these words from existence. He knew that if he wanted, the Heavens would leave the memories live on. But he also knew that in such a weak world, consequences would surely ensue. So now his friends viewed him as a spirit. ' This is amusing, what kind of spirit should I play as?' He thought.
Lin went up from her couch saying: '' I'll go fetch the damn doctor myself, how much is he paid to be this lazy?'' She mumbled as she went and closed the door behind her. Gareth let out a long sigh and Seon said, '' I'm really curious as to how you two ended up together'' he smirked, '' back then, you could barely see eye to eye, eheh''.
'' When we thought you died.. It was terrible, Seon, terrible I say. We were so young and never saw death before, then our friend suddenly disappeared before us. Do you know? For three days and three nights, Lin couldn't stop crying. We search the river but couldn't find your body. I had to be there for her, and with the years passing by.. We fell in love.'' Gareth went into a short daze, nostalgia taking him for a few seconds. Seon put both his elbows on the side of the couch, leaning in: '' Did you made children? Was it fun?''
Gareth's eyes widened a bit and he coughed, '' yes, we had children. Two for the matter, Seola and Crio, a girl and a boy. They look older than you, for Heavens' sake!'' Seon laughed lightly as a knock resounded on the door. '' Father, is everything okay? We heard you lost a hand..''. ''Ha! Talking of the wolf. You can enter, son.'' A young man dressed in light green delicate robes entered. His hair were light brown like his mother's, his eyes a light blue and he had a thin and frail looking face.
Crio looked on curiously at the young man sitting lazily on a couch, asking; '' Father, who is this? '' Gareth glared at his son and said: '' That's your uncle Seon, greet him and mind your manners!'' Seon smiled as he looked at Crio, saying: '' Bah, there's no need for formalities between my friend's kid and me! Come and sit lad, take a bite of these pastries, these two fool for parents you have barely touched them!'' Crio was surprised to hear that this 'Seon' , who looked younger than him by a fair margin, could actually be his father's close friend. He hurried to a sit beside his father, quickly tasting a pastry. It was ordinary, maybe this new uncle of his lacked money?
Next Lin came back with a doctor, and she ushered Seon and Crio out of the room while telling Crio '' Go fetch your sister and show the manor to your uncle Seon, and be proper! You too, Seon, don't you dare tell on us to our kids.'' She looked intently at Seon and Azure on his shoulder as they quickly moved out of the room, Seon responding: '' Ahah, I'll tell all about our glorious days, no worries!'' And quickly walked away.
As they slowly marched along the hallways, Seon admiring the decorations and view to the willow tree in the middle of the Courtyard, Crio looked on curiously at him.
'' I've heard about your name before, uncle. My sister was actually named after you.'' Seon was a little pleased at the idea, '' Well, at least they had the decency of remembering me properly,'' he laughed. '' I was very close to your parents, forty years ago. I never would've imagined that girl Lin with your father. She fancied me back then, after all''
Seon winked at Crio who openly cringed at his words: '' please keep any mention of their romantic affairs to yourself, uncle, else I find myself having nightmares tonight''. Seon laughed as they arrived in an open space filled with a long, rectangular wooden table surrounded by wooden chairs.
They were delicately carved with images of willow trees and birds. The same thick smell of incense could be found in the room, as thick red silk curtains draped the open windows, fluttering as the wind came in. Azure chirped on Seon's shoulder, demanding his attention; '' Yes, dear? You want to eat some snacks?'' Crio looked curiously at the magpie when a snort suddenly resounded in the room.
'' Where did this bumpkin come from, Crio? Talking to a bird like a lunatic.'' A young woman entered the through a door in the corner of the room, clothed in bright purple robes embroidered with camélia flowers. She had black hair, the same deep blue eyes as her father, and a contemptuous grin plastered on her delicate face.
''Little brother, how many times have I told you to keep your dirty friends on the street? Dad would be ashamed if he saw a ragged man like this in our home!'' Seon looked curiously at the girl slightly older than Crio, the one bearing part of his name. Was she really such a tumultuous child?
Crio winced at her word and was ready to retort, when she yelled: '' Guards! Take out this beggar from the manor immediately! I don't want him dirtying the furnitures.''
Multiple guards approached quickly when Crio yelled back at her: '' Sister! This.. How could you shame us like this in front of uncle Seon? He's father's and mother's friend!''
Seola glanced furtively at Seon and laughed loudly: '' This kid that is younger than you is our parent's friend? How naive can you be, did he made up this story to fool you out of your money, Brother?'' She sneered and this time openly glared at Seon who observed the happenings with mirth in his eyes. Azure briefly looked at Seola with contempt, not even bothering with her and waiting for her snacks.
'' You better follow the guards quietly, trash, or I'll be sure you go out a cripple.'' Crio gasped at her words, sweat gliding down his smooth forehead. He was done for. His parents would never forgive them.
'' Seola! This is uncle Seon, father told me to show him around. Behave yourself and apologize.''
Seola looked at her brother, expecting him to be messing with her, but only saw deep concern in his eyes. She then realized he wasn't messing around at all. Was this really mother and father's friend, the one she was named after? She thought incredulously, if it was really the case.. She was in deep trouble.
Sweat coursed through her cheeks, as she hurriedly bowed to Seon:
'' This one is truly sorry for the affront, uncle Seon, i beg for your forgiveness.''
Seon slowly sighed, '' Ah.. How could you be so hasty and violent toward a stranger because of their clothes, child? I'll have to speak to your parents about how they raised you now.'' Seon was more than serious, education and respect were primordial in his books.
'' Let us now sit and speak a little, and please bring some snacks for my sweet Azure. Fishing worms will do, with hazelnuts, if you please.''
Seon sat down on a chair near the end of the long table, Seola and Crio quickly following. Crio looked at him eagerly, Seola with wariness.