Chapter 21 - Normal
Theo had never talked with someone else in such a way, to be able to share experiences and talk about life, was undiscovered ground for him, back home he would just talk with his brothers about simple matters as they were younger and simpler haven't faced any real hardships, his parents may give the occasional advice to inconsequential problems he had as a child, but now Theo felt life was beginning, it was starting to take shape and just starting, he was independent and able to walk through the world, to become something, it wasn't make-believe anymore, or a thought for the future, he was in it now, depending on others and others depending on him, he may just be 14 years old, but his decisions mattered, and hard consequences could follow if he let them, he wasn't just a kid he was an awakened.
Theo felt purpose, responsibility, and a need to improve, every time he woke up he was hungry for action, to learn something, to improve himself, to be better than he was the day before, and every time he went to sleep he was completely worn down but proud, he felt pride in what he did and how he was doing it, sowing the seeds of his future, he was optimistic and expectant of the future.
For the next few days, the small squad grew closer together, sparring, practicing, and just being together, they would all start conditioning with each other in the morning, sparring sessions were longer and varied more, Ferdinand was the predilect leader of them, and he took to the position.
While they stayed there, the villagers took notice and they began to approach Ferdinand with requests, whether it was fixing a fence, helping with the animals, carrying some heavy things for farmers, or just all around chores, because of the call to arms the town had very few kids to help out.
Ferdinand said yes to everything, but he never ordered anyone in the squad, he always asked if they'd like to help him, but none of them would refuse him.
They all felt a closeness to each other and it grew every day, after a traumatic event such as the Dungeon Dive, it brought them together, even Nick who hadn't interacted with them until the bandit search began to feel a kinship with the squad, he didn't like to talk at first but after a few days he started loosening up and opening himself up with the rest of the squad, he especially liked to spar and hang with Orlan and Flynn,
Nick was a pretty funny guy, he liked to joke around and so was Orlan, they would just stay and talk with each other after supper and laugh till they went to bed, Flynn was always with them, he was quiet and like to listen more than anything, Ferdinand and Theo were pretty much always together.
Amber liked to go for walks before going to bed, when she wasn't alone she'd be with Orlan, Flynn, and Nick, or she was talking with the villagers and getting to know them, she was curious about everything and loved asking questions she had also grown closer with Theo, she would try and seat next to him, they would talk and she´d ask him questions about his childhood, family and his town.
None of them were over 20 years old, Nick was the oldest, and Theo the youngest, they were all just kids yet they were expected to become soldiers in just a few months.
The town was having a carnival and they were all invited to attend, in just a few short days they had met and helped almost a third of the town, after their conditioning they all went to a plot of land where they were the town was setting up for the carnival, stalls were being put up, games were being assembled it was a big green parcel where everyone in town was working together, they had maze at the end of it, puppets, and strawmen.
It was a beautiful sight, the squad was also helping everyone with the tasks they had to get done before midday so the carnival could start.
When the carnival started they played games, ate, and walked around all 6 of them, as if they were friends, Nick and Orlan would keep them laughing, Theo felt like the past couple of months hadn't happened, he was back home at the towns carnival having a great time.
"Hey, Theo, would you like to join me for a walk," Amber asked Theo, Theo didn't think much of it as he did enjoy Amber's company, "Sure" Theo answered.
Nick and Orlan were a little wide-eyed and Nick was about to say something when Ferdinand gave him a slight elbow to the ribs stopping any imprudent words that may escape the funnyman's mouth.
It was late and they were under a star-filled sky, Amber was wearing a simple floral sundress, she had beautiful tawny skin, long curly hair, and hazel eyes, Theo felt she was a beautiful girl, and liked talking with her.
"Did you ever think we'd be able to enjoy ourselves like this after answering the call to arms?" Amber asked him as she looked at the night sky with her hands locked behind her back.
"I didn't know what to expect, all I wanted was to come and then go back home, the only reason I came was so my Dad didn't have to," Theo said.
Amber looked back at Theo, she didn't expect him to be here for someone else, "Why did you come in place of your father, did he make you?" Amber asked as she felt Theo was being taken advantage of.
"No, you know I have 3 brothers and sisters all younger than me, and my father is a Healer, so because I had yet to awaken I felt it'd be better if I came in his place, keep him away from any danger and keeping my family together" Theo spoke truthfully as how he felt.
"Keep your family together without you, why would you do that?" Amber questioned
"It just felt like the right thing to do," Theo said as he went ahead of her.
"I'm an orphan, my parents died when I was young, and I was sent to a common house where some lady took care of a lot of us, we might as well have been her slaves, when I awakened I kept it a secret and ran away, I was 11 years old, I learned things on the way and lived on the road, I've seen the hearts of men and they are dark and twisted, when I heard about the call to arms I felt it was a good opportunity to learn and have a steady meal and bed, I like asking questions because then I am in control, I get to know people easily as all they see is a naive pretty girl and they know nothing about me," Amber said as she opened herself up to Theo.
"Why are you telling me this?" Theo asked
"It feels good to open up once in a while, and I've seen the way you are, you tried to protect us and in the dungeon, you risked yourself for us, I was ready to use our fallen members as shields and find a way out of there" Amber
Theo turned back to see Amber, she was still looking at the stars but with a pained expression, they had lived opposite lives, Amber, alone and left to fend for herself her entire life, Theo who until now had never been put through any hardships and always had his parents and his brothers and sister.
"I've never told anybody that," Amber said still looking at the stars.
Theo didn't know what to say, he just stared at her, what do you say to someone that's been through things you can barely imagine?
"This is probably one of those rare occasions, but I hope we can live through more of them…. together" When Amber said this she looked right at Theo, staring at him.
"Thank you… for opening up, it must have been hard, I… can't imagine" Theo said as it was hard for him to find the words
Amber reached for Theo´s hand and took it, she interlocked her fingers with his and began to walk leading him through the paved path between the grass and trees.
"I think you are a good son, I would have liked to know what it feels like being compelled to help your kin, guess I won't know that feeling, or understand it," Amber said
"It feels right... trying to help the people you love, doing things for them is how you express love I think, putting them first" Theo tried to put into words how he felt and why he took his fathers' place
"I only care about myself, I look out for me! because no one else will, and when I've tried to let people in they only try and see what they can gain from me, people only see how they can take advantage of people and things for their own sake" Amber spoke as she tightened her hand onto Theo's
"What do you think about me?" Theo felt weird talking to Amber it had turned into a very deep conversation, he only ever really talked to his parents and Ray, now this girl who was older than him was saying all these things about the world, and as soon as she started holding his hand he began to feel incredibly nervous, feeling self-conscious about everything, even his breathing felt weird.
Amber slowed her pace as Theo was now walking alongside her, she looked away from him and said "I think you're nice, but you are still just a boy, when you realize how the world works you'll start to change and behave the same way everyone does, selfishness is just the way the world works"
Amber then turned to look at Theo and leaned in, Theo was paralyzed he didn't know what was happening, Amber pressed her soft lips against Theo's Cheek and the corner of his mouth, she then slowly leaned back to look at him "But I'm hoping you'll prove me wrong" she batted her eyes slightly and then she left quickly.
Theo was standing there as he held his breath for what felt like the longest time, he finally exhaled and began breathing normally as he touched his face where Amber had planted her kiss on him.
"Guess she likes you," Prim said jokingly, making Theo snap out of it
"Why were you so quiet? I totally forgot about you" Theo said
"I felt it best to give you some space as you didn't seem to need me" Prim answered
"Prim how does it work for you, can you see everything I see or you can feel things?" Theo had been wondering about this for a while.
"I can see everything you see I am a part of you so we are connected but I also have something that allows me to get a sense of the things around you," Prim said
"What thing?" Theo asked
"It is an ability of sorts, don't worry you will learn about it in due time" Prim answered
Theo didn't like it when Prim would behave in a mysterious manner but decided to leave it, he was still pondering and reliving his very first kiss or at least what he considered as such.