13 The Man Who Left Us (pt. 2)

Grace had never met her father. He left shortly after she was born. It didn't matter to her, personally. She can't miss someone she'd never known, afterall. Her mother was a different story.

She'd been told of how they'd met, her parents. How he'd helped her in her time of weakness. How after her mother had undergone a deadly battle and became gravely injured, it was Grace's father who saved her.

Her mother never forgot his kindness even long after he was gone from her life. More than that, she never stopped loving him.

Grace hadn't imagined she'd ever actually meet the man. She examined him curiously.

Bright azure blue eyes, adorning an elegant and handsome face framed by luxurious black hair with streaks of gold running through it. A pair of broad shoulders. Long limbs, a sturdy body.

He was good-looking, at least. But there were many good-looking men her mother never gave a second glance to. What made him so different? She didn't understand. There was certainly a rather….unusual….aura around him. Something subtle and oddly attractive. Yet that was all.

Grace didn't have a very special impression of him. He seemed normal enough, anyway. Or, no. Her mother had mentioned something about his abilities a few times in the past. He wasn't normal. Even if he wasn't very powerful, his strange powers that even top-tier powerhouses didn't normally possess was enough to put him in a category all his own.

But exactly what made him special, Grace had no idea. Certainly she didn't understand what made him special to her mother.

"I'm telling you, I don't care whether that Dagda guy was just making up rumours or not. I honestly have no idea who you are." The man calmly stated. "I'm not being churlish due to jealousy, or whatever you're thinking. I'm just not the man you're looking for." He insisted in an even, measured tone. Denying any and all involvement he had with Mother.

We sat in a booth back in the hotel, an array of dishes before us. No one touched the food.

"I think I would know my own husband." Mother's voice didn't betray anything. "Do you honestly think I would mistake you for anyone?"

"Look, Morrigan--"

"Don't call me that!" Mother spoke with a glacial chilliness. "That's not what you call me!"

It was the first time in years that Grace had heard her lose control in that way. The building itself, even, trembled slightly in response to her anger.

The man's brows furrowed in displeasure. His eyes flickered towards the other people in the building. "If they die from what you did, it was simply their time. But I don't appreciate wonton killing unless I'm the one doing it." WIth that he merely snapped a finger and Grace felt...something….echo forth. "So whether it's their time or not, no one here will be dying today."

The turbulent energies Mother had unconsciously spread out were instantly suppressed and everything turned tranquil again.

Mother was shocked. "You….how…?"

He simply brought a glass of wine to his lips and took a drink. "I told you. I am not the man you know." Out of nowhere he gave her a pitying look. "But you obviously didn't have anything explained to you about why that is."

"I don't understand." Mother shook her head. "What are you saying?"

"I've been reincarnated, Morrigan." He explained. "You should know what that means."

"You're lying." She denied. "That isn't how it works. I would have felt you passing. I would know you died."

"No, you wouldn't, because I didn't die. I ceased. It's different."

Aunt Abigail took this moment to chime in. "Wait, hold on. What do you mean, you reincarnated? You ceased? Does Loki know about this?"

"He knows a little. Like I said, it's different. You understand that I'm not actually a human or a god, right? I'm not the same even if I look like it. I'm something else," He began. "So I don't die and reincarnate like other people. It's more akin to a Fade. I simply….stop. And then I continue again."

"So you mean you don't have memories of your past selves?" Sometimes people who are aware they've been reincarnated regain memories of one or more of their past lives. That's why she asked, Grace knew.

"I don't. That's the reason I'm saying all this. She deserves to know." He turned back to Mother. "Morrigan, the person you knew is gone. Your husband is gone. There's only me now."

That's when Grace decided it was time to leave. She rose from her seat. "I see. Then there's no longer any need to concern ourselves with you. Let's go, Mother."

He nodded coolly. "You go back first. We'll finish our meal. Take care." From start to finish, he never even once asked Grace who she was.

She returned the sentiment with equal disregard. "Enjoy."

"Wait." Mother grabbed at Grace's arm. "Sit down."

"Mother?" Grace hesitated.

"This is our first meal together as a family. We will enjoy it together."

"Mother…" Grace wanted to sigh. "You heard him. That man--"

"Has a name, you know, " He interjected.

"--doesn't want anything to do with us. We should at least respect his--"

"Grace, I told you to sit down!" Her mother finally snapped. It was the first time in years she'd raised her voice to Grace like that. "And 'that man' is your father. You would do well to remember that."

Grace's eyes blazed. She rounded on the man. "What are you?" She demanded.

A smile tugged at his lips. For what, she didn't know. It was hardly a funny situation.

"Not your father, " He finally let out. "And certainly not your husband." His gaze lingered on Mother for just a moment. "Though I'm not opposed to being him for a night or two."

Disgusting.

He, too, now rose from his seat. "Other than that I can't offer you anything else. She's right. I don't want you." His eyes went back to Grace for just a second. "Either of you. I'm doing quite well without, thanks."

He took out a few coins, dropped them on the table, and walked away.

Again.