THE IMAGE LEFT IN THE BOOK
Mar. 4th, 2023 02:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
posseoir
Figaro. Hey there. You seem rather happy, Sage. 一What in the world are you reading?
Akira. Good afternoon, Figaro. It's the "Book of Faces". A magical tool I got from Murr.
Figaro. Ah, so goes the rumor. With magic, you create an image of the scene in front of you on a blank page. I heard it's a way to record your memories of everyone, one by one.
Akira. Actually, I was hoping to request one from you, but I'm not sure which location would work best.
Figaro. In that case, why don't we go to my clinic? We can have a sleepover with everyone.
Akira. A sleepover at the clinic?
Figaro. Yeah, all the Southern Wizards. We were planning a day off from work, just to unwind from the daily grind.
Figaro's clinic is located near Lake Russell in Southern Country. It is a place that is very dear to the hearts of the southern wizards. There was once a crisis in the area, and wizards from the south and east worked together to protect the clinic.
Akira. What a wonderful event! However, are you sure you don't mind if I join you on your way to relax?
Figaro. Of course. Everyone would be happier with you there.
Then, on the day of the sleepover, Figaro and I arrived earlier than the others. We had decided that it would be more efficient to have two groups: one to prepare for the sleepover at the clinic and the other to prepare what we would bring from the magic house.
Figaro. Alright, Mitile and the others said they'll arrive by evening.
Akira. Okay, so we should be ready to go by then. What should we do? I guess it’d be easier to start with cleaning….?
Just as I was about to ask where the cleaning supplies were, Figaro cast his spell.
Figaro. <Possideo.>
The cabinet door opens and brooms and rags spring to life. They move like dancers, sweeping every nook and cranny of the room.
Akira. Whoa, so fast….!
Figaro. While manual work is fine, I thought this would be more efficient.
Akira. ( Magic is convenient…. )
Akira. Thank you. Because of your help, the cleaning was finished in no time at all. But, we came early, so we have a lot of time to spare. Is there anything else?
Figaro. There is, there is. An important task to be done by our sage.
With a snap, Figaro closes one eye and smiles happily. And then, he pulls a chair in front of him.
Figaro. Well, here you are, sage. Come rest here with me until evening.
Akira. Rest…? Are you sure? Back home, Mitile and the others are getting ready for tonight.
Figaro. Sure, of course it's all right. Because they asked me to do this. We will make the necessary preparations, and in the meantime, the sage should spend time relaxing here.
Akira. Eh?!
Figaro. When they heard you were going to participate, they all wanted to make sure you could take it easy.
Akira. Then, the reason we split into two groups is because this was the plan from the beginning…
My heart warms at the thoughtfulness of the Southern Wizards.
With a smile on my face, I sat down in the chair Figaro offered me.
Akira. Thank you very much. I appreciate your sentiments.
Figaro. You're welcome. Let's get started and make some tea. What would you like to drink?
Akira. Well, let's have Dr. Figaro's bitter tea. Since I'm here. I would like to share a drink with Figaro, saying “so bitter!”, like when we came here before with all the wizards from the south and the east.
Figaro. Haha. You all looked terribly bitter drinking it. Still, an excellent request. That tea is perfect for healing the body.
Through the open window, warm sunlight streamed in.
Figaro and I sipped our bitter tea and reminisced about our time in the south.
Figaro. So far, we have been to many places with you. Here at Lake Russell, the City of Clouds, Rheita Mountains, Lake Tycho......, and the Swamp of Pestilence.
Akira. You're right. …I remember the sunrise Lennox showed me in the Rheita Mountains, it was so beautiful. Rutile and Mitile often take me to the City of Clouds. They have shown me so many places.
Figaro. That's because it's their hometown. They are happy to invite our sage. Even I was thrilled the first time I invited you here.
As we exchanged words peacefully, I could hear cheerful voices. Looking out the window, I see children playing by the lake.
Akira. Oh, they're racing. It looks like a lot of fun.
Figaro. Nice view, isn't it?
With a hand on the window sill, Figaro gazed out from behind me. His eyes narrowed dazzlingly.
Akira. ….Yes, very much.
Akira. ( The Swamp of Pestilence, the City of Clouds, and the surrounding area; most everything here is land Figaro settled and made available for human habitation. This area was originally too rugged to be inhabitable… )
The scenery spread out before me may have been something that had never existed. The crisp breeze felt very special.
Akira. Calm, gentle, and bright; a wonderful sight. Again, it made me realize just what an amazing wizard Figaro is, the man who pioneered the southern lands.
Figaro. Oh, what's this? Suddenly you're praising me. Compliments like that are only going to get you into trouble now.
Child. …Ow!
Figaro + Akira. !
Akira. One of the children… Oh, their knee is…!
Figaro. Oops. Guess this is Dr. Figaro's cue.
As Figaro and I returned from treating the child, the sun was just beginning to dip.
Figaro. Never thought I'd be invited to their home after that as a thank you for the treatment.
Akira. We were treated with a lot of hospitality, weren't we? The pie we were served along with the tea was very tasty. The fruit on top was sweet but sour with a nice aroma…
Figaro. Ah. They were delicious, weren't they? What a treat to be served such elaborate sweets. I am sorry, though. You couldn't get a good rest because you had to accompany me.
Akira. That's not true! It was fun, and it was really refreshing to see Figaro in a way I don't usually get to.
Figaro. A me you usually don’t see?
Akira. …Umm, how should I say it? Neither Figaro the Sage Wizard, nor Figaro the Southern Wizard…. It was more like Dr. Figaro from the clinic, adored by all.
Figaro. Ha, that kind of tickles.
With the sky turning orange, Figaro closed the window.
Figaro. Well, in less than half an hour, the others should arrive. Did you bring the Book of Faces?
Akira. Oh, yes. It’s right here.
Figaro. When shall we use it? Now, or when everyone else arrives….
What kind of me does the sage want to leave in this book?
His eyes, a mix of gray and green, were quite calm. I couldn't read a hint as to what he was hoping for in his expression.
Akira. …. I..
Then, after some thought and consideration, I say what I want. Hearing this, Figaro laughed softly.
Figaro. …Yeah, alright. Whatever you say, sage.
