45

Chapter 45

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

No sooner than those last words were exchanged than darkness engulfed Grifton. He hovered there, wondering what would happen this time. Absolutely nothing at all and relief soughed through him. This was comfortable.

He became aware of swishing noises all around him. More crackling, but that was only because of a fire in a fireplace, not something burning down. He could tell the difference. Ah, so they were out of the carriage now. Nor was he and the others in a box either.

Conversations were going around him, and his benefactor seemed a tad irritable. The poor man was exhausted. The other dude, the commander, or whatever wasn't giving up on pursuing him it seemed.

Now there was a woman? Wow, he was a fast-mover. Oh, no that wasn't right, she was the owner of this place, whatever it was. Hmm, they hadn't reached the final destination yet?

Annoying.

A sigh escaped Grifton. Now that he was in the present again, everything was blurry and dull in comparison. Guess that's because my vision hasn't adjusted from adult to baby. What a pain in the ass of a nuisance this was becoming, he reflected with some irritation.

Hmm, well, he could only hope that his first-ever intervention was somewhat successful. That alerted him to the fact that something had changed. Maybe some of the other futures had altered as well? He could only hope so.

Mmm, the food was good this time. Someone must've figured out there was something seriously wrong with that other stuff. So nasty, who could eat that garbage? Much less feed it to infants, which meant he and his cousins were still in danger, which was no good.

All of the conversations swirled around him and only gave him more confusion. Grifton acknowledged that he might've pushed his body's physical and mental limits just a wee bit too hard.

The others were silent with their bellies full. They just wanted to sleep. No conversation, please. Well, Grifton didn't mind humoring them. He was feeling very satisfied with all that he'd accomplished.

He fell into a deep sleep even when acknowledging that something changed from the first time he'd noticed a change in the environment, again. Huh, maybe they were getting closer to that place that would be his future home.

However, he did wonder if he should warn the director that it would burn down about twenty years in the future...Nah, that was too nebulous. Grifton decided against doing that. Besides, how would he even communicate such a thing, through hand gestures or drawing? He was a baby, he didn't have enough motor control to do the simplest things. No, he would have to wait.

A sigh escaped him. He just hoped that his actions had a positive impact on the future. It would be great if I could use those spells in the future too. Maybe I will have the ability to cast and use spells for practical as well as combat or defense usage.

There was a good chance that something changed because of his actions. Well, I guess only time will tell. I have to grow up first to be able to do anything with any potential practicality. However, only time and future dreams would allow Grifton to figure out what else might change.

In the meantime, he was slowly beginning to awaken again. He blinked his eyes. Huh, this time they were back in the carriage and on the move once more. This time, he and his cousins were separated into different bassinets. Well, that was more comfortable.

{Hey, can you hear me?} The soft male voice startled Grifton.

Grifton shifted in the bassinet, turning his head in the direction of the voice. {Yeah, I can, who're you?}

There was a pause. {Don't you remember those dreams, idiot?} Disbelieving scorn lashed at Grifton's dense brain. {You weren't the only one inflicted with morbid or horrid futures.} The grumble made Grifton smile.

Oh right, one of the cousins had been male, now that he remembered. {Hmm, Calico, right?} If Grifton recalled correctly, he was of earthen origin, but evidently, he wasn't too happy with what he'd seen so far.

{Yeah, that's right. What kind of names are those? I'm not a cat!} Calico grumbled. {Well, whatever, at least we're not going to have 'em changed though that weird creep of a Commander thought it should be done.}

Well, as far as that commander was concerned, he had nothing to say about him. When it came to the naming thing, he could offer some perspective on it at least. Grifton exhaled. {Yeah, something about a tradition to symbolize a new life or something.}

Calico didn't say anything. He was silent while taking in that information. Interesting so he hadn't quite heard what was being discussed by the adults. {What about your sisters?}

Calico paused at the change of subject. {Huh, oh you mean, Amberlyn and Marlayne? I think we're all cousins.} He seemed resigned about that as well, though not unhappy about it.

The fact that he didn't view them as siblings gave Grifton a pause. {Why do you think that?}

Calico shrugged. {Meh, just thought that none of them looked alike. Even though I know we can be fraternal twins or something like that.} He paused. {So does that mean you and I are cousins, not brothers?}

Grifton caught his disappointment. {Yeah, blood tests officially confirmed it, if I heard right.}

The adults certainly had been chatty while thinking that none of them were able to comprehend them. {So, are you a transmigrator or just a reincarnated soul?}

There was an awkward silence.

{I have no idea,} Calico admitted. {I think you're a special case from what I can guess through a few of those nasty dreams.}

Well, that wasn't comfortable to learn in the least. Grifton sighed wearily. {Sometimes being special isn't all that great.} So much for being able to have a meaningful conversation with Calico. No doubt the girls would be even less forthcoming if he was any indicator. Although he knew better than to make any assumptions.