Coalescent Epiphany: Reminiscence

Aerian turned over in bed, sweat dripping from his forehead. The weather had just begun to turn, and everyone in Zanin was feeling the heat. The crickets sang in the moonlight as Aerian listened to their song, unable to fall asleep. His tried to let his mind wander, but soon realized it wasn't such a great idea.

Sitting up, he let his mind fill with memories of the Great War. The thing about wars, he thought to himself, is that even though it ends, the memories linger. It's been two years since the Treaty of Elements was signed, and the armies disbanded.

Aerian was handed a letter of invitation to join the Allied Forces, but he decided that he had had enough. Years off the battlefield had dulled his thirst for revenge, and all he wanted now was some peace. Though, he recalled, that wasn't quite how things ended...

--

"Aerian!" A voice called from across the blimp's corridors. He turned just in time to prevent Lucy from crashing head first into him. "Have you heard? They signed that treaty! We're going home!" Lucy was practically bouncing on her feet.

"Great." Aerian mumbled to himself. He just couldn't fathom the reason as to why after years of fighting, the leaders would just suddenly decide to come together and declare peace. Then again, politics had never been one of his strong suits.

"Did you hear anything I said?" Lucy's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Well obviously not." Lucy sighed, "Never mind. I'll be in my room packing if you need me."

Lucy left with a huff, leaving a puzzled Aerian standing in the hallway.

When he got back to his own dorm, Luxeus was already packing the place, Aerian's clothes all folded neatly on the bed.

"You too?" Aerian nearly shouted, his irritation with the abrupt end to the war bubbling over. He just couldn't understand. "Didn't you want revenge for mom? For dad? Isn't that why we're here? " Aerian blinked back his tears, his feelings gushing forth. He grabbed the Gallade by the scruff of his neck (or whatever that is that Gallades have). Closure for whatever happened all those years ago seemed to be slipping further from him, years of chasing revenge seemed to matter less and less. Aerian slumped to his knees in his helplessness, as Luxeus bent over to support him.

Luxeus cradled Aerian's head in his arms, silent as he combed a hand through his handler's hair. He knew the news would be tough on Aerian, but Aerian took it a lot worse than what he imagined. Lucy's eagerness to see the war's end didn't help either. They were kindred spirits, both seeking revenge on their family's killers so it was no real surprise that Lucy's ready acceptance would affect Aerian so greatly.

The two partners sat there for what seemed an eternity, until a soft knock on the door broke the silence. Aerian entertained the thought of ignoring the door briefly, but while he was still on the blimp, he was still a soldier. He wiped his tears quickly and answered the door.

"Hey Aerian," Tyson waved. Aerian had to muster all his strength just to prevent himself from punching the daylight out of the Zanin leader. He settled with just nodding his acknowledgment of the greeting. "I know you're busy packing, but I just wanted to pass you this." Tyson shoved an envelope bearing the seals of all three alliances into Aerian's hands, and quickly left, checking off a list.

Aerian examined the letter, turning it over a few times before ripping it open.

"You have been selected as an elite member of the Allied Forces..."

Aerian stuffed the letter back into its envelope before he even finished it. He would rather lead the life of a civilian than to team up with his enemies.

Retreating to his room, he threw the envelope on the bed, and sat down beside it.
"Aery?" Lucy's head peeked through the door,  "Oh good! You've got it too!" She exclaimed, noticing the envelope beside him. Then she noticed his expression. "What's wrong? You look like you're about to collapse!" She ran into the room and sat down on the bed next to him.

"If this is about what I was saying earlier, it really was nothing. I only asked if you wanted to do something together after all this is over." She mumbled, feeling slightly guilty. She pulled him into a tight hug.

Aerian didn’t move. He couldn't find the words to convey his feelings. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to. She was so strong, so cheerful, yet here he was, unable to let go of his grudge. He sank into her embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against his.

“You know,” Lucy released Aerian, staring straight into his eyes, “that letter, I’ve decided to accept it.” She looked towards Aerian for an answer.

He stared blankly at her. She made her choice. She was looking at him for affirmation. What affirmation can I give? He thought to himself, I can’t even tell her what I’m feeling.

“Good for you.” He replied. There wasn’t much he could have said. Years of working together, just went up in smoke. He stared at the unused amusement park tickets lying on his bedside table, yellowing at the corners. His thoughts wandered to all the times he thought to ask her out, but held back.

“Will I ever see you again?” He asked, voice shaking.

“Perhaps,” Came the answer, “or, you could join me. We could stay as a team.” Her voice imploring.

Aerian shook his head. He just wasn’t ready.

--

Time lost will never return. I’ll never have that chance again.

The light from the rising sun cast deep shadows in the cottage. Aerian got up, still tired from the sleepless night. Luxeus was already up and about, tending to the garden outside.

He stumbled out of bed, losing his balance slightly due to fatigue. His mind was in a whirl, filled with both regret and longing. He had been surviving the past two years. Surviving, but never truly living. There was always something missing. He could never seem to put a finger on it.

Thoughts of the War continued to occupy his mind as he made his way to the market, absentmindedly making his way through the alleys and past the stalls. Before he knew it, there he stood, in front of his favourite haunt. The place he brought her to the first time they left the blimp together. His heart sank.

“Why if it isn’t little Aery!” A whiney, rasping voice interrupted his thoughts. Aerian turned around to see Humphrey, the owner of the store he was standing in front of, staring at him.

“I haven’t seen you in years! Where’ve you been!” Humphrey waddled over, running a hand through his hair. Aerian was suddenly hit with a pang of nostalgia, memories of the last time he stepped into Humphrey’s cellar all those years ago with Lucy suddenly resurfacing. “Come! I’ll open a bottle of vintage, to celebrate little Aery’s homecoming!” Humphrey started dragging Aerian into the shop.

“It- It’s alright. I won’t be staying.” Aerian tried to resist, pulling away from Humphrey. Boy he has some strength for someone so wizened.

“No, no! I insist!” Humphrey shoved hard. Stumbling through the door, the musky smell of wine hit Aerian hard. He remembered the vintage port he bought for Lucy that day, and the sparkle in her eyes when she picked it off the counter.

“So, what have you been up to?” Humphrey popped the cork off a bottle of wine, and gently poured it into two glasses. “Seen your gal lately?”

Aerian’s heart sank.

“I take that as a no.” Humphrey said cheekily, handing the glass to Aerian.

“Sh- shut up.” Aerian’s face turned red.

“What a shame it is, too. She was a real keeper.” Humphrey swirled the wine in his glass, staring intently at Aerian.

As Aerian was caught up in his thoughts, the door chime rang.

“Well well well, welcome to Humphrey’s Wine Cellar.” Humphrey greeted his new customer of the day, stealthily putting a finger to his lip. “What can I do you for, today, young missy?”

“I’ll have a vintage port, 1945, please.” A voice whispered into Aerian’s ear.