Fragments of The Past Part 2

The rushed footsteps of Nathaniel and Rose spread out like rolling thunder as they made their way up to the top floor through the fire escape. The stairs up were more lively than any would expect to see as the two traveled upwards. A variety of potted plants lined window seals and rested on the steps of their path.

The leaves brushed upon their feet as they passed and hid unsightly rusted holes in the framework of the stairs that was repaired by kind local hands. Mini board game tournaments played by the young and old alike became topics of interest that filled the air. A refreshing change from the incomprehensible clatter of the streets below.

At the top of the spire after passing through a veil of freshly washed blankets that left the scent of velvet lingering. A thick wooden plank laying on the road they traveled created a path to another building across from them. Though the height was great and the plank wobbled unsteadily beneath them the two crossed over without an ounce of fear as they had done a thousand times before and arrived safely to the other side.

The smell of freshly roasted coffee emanated from a large open window along with the pleasant aroma of other delicacies. Nathaniel and Rose without slowing a bit entered this abode as if it was their own. After entering the apartment through the window the sight of multiple pots and pans heated on a stove was one of the first things the two saw. The woman preparing the meal was clearly seen doing this in the connected kitchen. She blitzed through multiple tasks with ease the years of repetition throughout her marriage enhanced her skill to a master full degree.

This house was just as lively as it was outside the woman's two kids who were even younger than Nathaniel made a mess of the dining room as they ate. While their father who was barely watching the two received a freshly done haircut by a familiar face right in the middle of the room. Though he was just an average joe, in Nathaniel's eyes he was a bit of a daredevil. Indeed he was a risk taker of the highest extreme he would have to be to rusk his looks on one of his brother Danton's experimental hair cuts.

Danton by Nathaniel's account is a visionary beyond his time. He ferociously jabs at social norms by the way he expresses himself through his hair styling. Danton is by no account a bad hairstylist on the contrary he has established himself a decent swath of customers in the community by personally visiting his customer's homes instead of having them come to him. The problem with Danton is that his hairstyles can come off as a bit too bold. While others would sport something simplistic like a bowl cut Danton would mostly parade around in a Mohawk of his own styling.

Currently, Danton had an undercut that was dyed dark purple and light green. The colors pared well with his green eyes and accentuated his strong jawline.

Danton was older than Nathaniel but still younger than Rose. His larger more mature build highlighted that further. Danton as he finished his work held up a large mirror in front of his guinea pig and said, "so, Fritz tell me what you think".

Fritz who endured through the whole process kept his expectations low the entire time. Though he knew Danton had skill his experimental work was either a hit or a miss. Ready for the worst Fritz gazed at the mirror and was stunned. He brushed his fingers through his hair to make sure that it was really his because the transformation was too drastic he looked like a completely different man.

His once smooth hair took on the appearance of jagged spikes. Bits of silver dotted the tips like frost on the summit of a mountain. Fritz had never seen such a unique style before. At awe Fritz stammered out, "it looks, I look amazing. How did you come up with such an idea".

Danton replied while smiling, "it was an idea I had a while back that I forgot about. I'm glad you like it though cause now I can offer it to all my customers I just hope it catches on".

"Are you kidding even if it was half as good as this it would still be popular. I got to show Martha this and hay it looks like the rest of you lot are here".

Fritz and Danton were so focused on their own thing neither noticed Nathaniel or Rose. Rose was chatting with Fritz's wife Martha in the kitchen. While Nathaniel was acting out his death for the amusement of Fritz's kids in the dining room. The two male brats jumped on Nathaniel's body in celebration for defeating the evil lanshi. As quick as they were to celebrate quicker was their fall once Nathaniel sprung back to life and took both of them down. They ran and Nathaniel chased them around till they hid under the table in fear of his assault.

Fritz enjoyed watching them play the sight of the world through a child's eyes made things a lot less bleak. Pleased to see more company Fritz greeted Nathaniel, "Nathaniel good timing come over here boy. Look at what Danton did don't I look great".

Fritz stood in various poses as Nathaniel made his way over showing off every angle clearly for Nathaniel as he approached. Nathaniel inspected Fritz's new look before replying back, "Danton actually did this I got to admit its some of his best work yet. I guess that's good news for you Fritz cause now no lady would be able to take their eyes off you. I sure hope Martha doesn't get jealous".

From the kitchen, a shrill laugh sounded followed by Martha saying, "me jealous Nathaniel boy if he wants to be the center of attention all the power to him. But if he gets too big of an ego just cause of a new look and tries to seek out a new wife to add to our little love pot without my permission then I'll castrate him myself".

Martha's words though said jokingly were stern and precise they offered no room for misinterpretation. Fritz like the wiped dog he was understood that clearly and backed up his wife's words by saying, "she's right and besides though polygamous marriages are common I would never do it I love Martha too much to add a third wheel to our love carriage". Fritz was sweating a little as he tried hard to sell his words to his wife.

Though he clearly failed when Martha replied back "you need 4 wheels to make a proper carriage. So, why the two extra wheels sweaty you got something to say?".

Sensing danger Fritz replied back, "awe, come on you know what I mean I just suck at analogies is all".

With a cunning smile, Martha replied, "I'm just messing with you learn to take a joke".

This wasn't the first time those two acted like this for them this is a typical morning routine and Nathaniel loved it. The wicked scuffle between family members wasn't an experience he often got when he just lived with his dad. Those times, while they had their moments, were often bleak as Nathaniel was left alone to worry about his father. After being picked up by Rose Nathaniel got to experience more of what a proper family was like in a single year than most of his childhood.

That's another reason why Nathaniel was thankful to Rose just as much as he was thankful for his good neighbors who accepted him into his home, shared a seat with him, and put food on his plate just like their own. Words could not describe the number of people that wouldn't want one of cursed blood in their home.

After living in a world surrounded by fear of death for so long people are willing to believe and lash out at anything that threatened their life's security. So, for Nathaniel to find a place where so many people were excepting of him was magical. Nathaniel liked to relish in moments like these, but such a thing was rarely possible for the busy life of his family.