"Empathy"

About ten minutes have past, and Dardrwin returns to the room. By this point, pretty much all one pint of blood has been collected. Dardrwin walks over to me and speaks,

“How are you holdin up, Kiku?”

“I’m okay. Thanks...” I spoke softly.

Dardrwin puts on his gloves once again and sits back down in front of me. He removes the bandages. He slowly pulls the “needle” out my arm. He walks over to the shelves to grab a bandage and brings it back over - gently laying it over the wound.

“There we go.” He speaks.

His gaze is adjusted to mine,

"Thank you, Kiku."

I look at the ground. Why is he thanking me? It's not that big of a deal...He could've found anyone else...

I go to stand up,

“FiNally. I know that was only ten minutes but jeez, that felt like yearsss.”

“Don’t get up, Kiku. That was a lot of blood.”

He spoke as he stood up at the same time, motioning me to sit back down.

“Ahh, I’ll be fine don’t you worry about me-”

I speak as I try to take a step, stumbling from the sudden wave of dizziness which overcame me. Dardrwin is there to catch me by the shoulders, both hands on the sides of my shoulders pushing against the force of me falling over.

He spoke,

“See? You're just too stubborn to listen to me, Kiku.”

I look down in embarrassment - I’m silent.

“...”

I remained silent as I sat back down, a bit irritated that he was right. I should've spared myself from the embarrassment...but he was right, I am too stubborn...

His voice rang in my ears as he spoke with a teasing tone,

“How about this, I’ll tell you a story while you're stuck here. That sound good, Miss stubborn Kiku?” 

I didn't realize how elegant Dardrwin was...His stride is perfect, the way his gaze is piercing, the way he gracefully moves, and the way he tilts his head ever so slightly when speaking to me. I couldn't help but keep my gaze fixated on him...What the heck is this...I feel as though I'm under a spell...

Dardrwin speaks,

“I caught you reading this earlier, so I’d like to tell you about the guy who owned this book.”

I spoke hesitantly shaking my head in an attempt to be released from this spell, “Okay. It was… uh.. Vireth! Right?”

“Yeah. This is a story about him.” Dardrwin spoke.

I watched as Dardrwin looked down at the (once again) dusty cover. Slowly, he slid his hand across the cover of the old book. He took a breath and exhaled. I listened intently as he opened his mouth to speak,

“Once upon a time there lived a man named Vireth. Vireth was beloved by everyone in his village - as he’s saved countless lives from injury, sickness, disease, etc. Vireth was a skilled Doctor who worked at his very own clinic by himself. Vireth knew everyone, and everyone knew him. He wrote his own books, created his own medicines, and stayed true to his belief that he could cure anything and anyone with time and research. Vireth was admired and beloved by all...

One day, Vireth was out on his usual voyage to gather herbs when he heard sorrowful crying. He followed the sound of crying to discover a young elf sitting with his back to a tree - his head in his knees. Vireth sat down next to the elf and began quoting his book,

"The heart consists of four chambers, two atria chambers, and two ventricle chambers, which allow the blood to circulate in and out the heart. Valves connect these chambers, opening and closing according to the direction of blood flow. These four valves are called..."

The elf stopped his crying and intrigued - listened. Once Vireth noticed the elf had calmed down, he spoke with him,

“Why are you crying youngling?”

The elf hesitantly spoke before showing his deep anger, “My momma and papa… th-they were killed by Dwarves and lady Marlai is not doing anything about it! I want revenge on those damn bastards! How could they kill momma and papa…like they were n-nothing?..”

Vireth spoke sincerely, “Death is a scary concept, isn’t it...? Not knowing if you'll ever be able to see your loved ones again...I’m sure lady Marlai is doing everything she can to keep everyone safe. Sometimes uncontrollable things happen, youngling. But all I can tell you is that your parents chose to fight to keep this village safe. They knew that they wanted to save people and knew the risks which came with it.”

The young elf’s tears fell heavier, “But...I-I’m their kid..W-WHAT ABOUT SAVING ME?!”

Vireth spoke assuringly, “Listen youngling. Your part of the village. Keeping this village safe means that you're safe. I’m sure that's all they wanted to do. Your parents are resilient individuals for fighting for that...”

Realization shot across the tear-filled elf’s face. He looked towards the sky, “momma…papa…I’m sorry. I-I’m so sorry! You only wanted to take care of me…you guys are so brave...I'm sorry for blaming you!”

“T-Thank you old dude...“

"Hey! I’m that old, youngling!” Vireth was irritated.

“Can you tell me some more? I was really interested in whatever you were explaining to me!” The young elf asked with his enthusiastic filled eyes and sharp gaze.

With determination in his eyes, and a smile on his face, Vireth spoke, “Ha! You know it! And there’s plenty more where that came from, youngling!”

And after that Vireth brought the kid back to the village where Marlai awaited his return, worried sick. Marlai was assigned guardianship over the young elf. The young elf started visiting Vireth nearly every day, helping Vireth with his daily tasks, and learning all about medicine and what he could do to save people. Vireth essentially became a father figure to the young elf and took him under his wing. One day Vireth suddenly collapsed. He came down with a terrible unknown illness, and with his old age...his hope of survival was slim. The young elf did everything, everything in his power to take care of Vireth in an attempt to help him get healthy again...but it wasn’t enough. Vireth was drawing near death... With the young elf near his side, he drew his final breathe,

“Stay strong youngling. Death is unbeatable, but illness isn’t. Work hard to save everyone you can, save as many as you can - no matter who they are. See ya later, youngli-”

Tears fell from the young elf's eyes as he knelt down next to the lifeless Vireth, grasping his hand as his head fell down next to Vireth...

The young elf was devastated...All he could do was remember what Vireth had relayed to him. And so, the clinic was passed on to the young elf and he has been working nonstop to obtain more and more knowledge to save all he can...”

A brief moment of silence fell over the room, it was only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity...

"…"

I spoke hesitantly, “And that young elf... is yo-”

Dardrwin’s voice grew a bit shaky as he cut me off, “W-Well! That’s a wrap! Hope the story was to your liking, Kiku.”

Dardrwin stood up and turned around to walk back over to the bookcase. I spoke as I stood up grabbing his hand, his back facing me,

“Dardrwin..”

I walked around to the front of him so I could see him. His head was down as he spoke,

“K-Kiku... you shouldn’t be standing-”

He stopped talking as I approached him and embraced him. My arms wrapped around him in an attempt to comfort him. Tears formed in the corner of his eyes as I felt his arms lock around me. His voice trembled as he spoke,

“I-I really miss him, Kiku...”

“I know.” I spoke empathetically.

From the way Dardrwin embraced me back, his grief was overwhelming... He had only learned to deal with it and not cope with it. I wanted to say something, this grief tore me from the inside out...Seeing him like this. I hated every bit of his pain he was feeling...I wanted to take it all away but that was impossible...

I began to speak with an empathetic tone, looking up at Dardrwin still embraced in the hug,

“I-I’m sorry I can’t say more. I’m not good with words…but...Vireth was a great man! He wanted nothing more than to save people, and he passed that goal to you...entrusted that to you, so...he lives on in you! As long as you're around...Vireth is with you every day!”

Dardrwins tears fell onto my cheeks, running down the sides of my face. His eyes softened and his mouth curled up into a soft smile,

“K-Kiku, thank you...”

I began to speak, “Of cours-”

I was cut off when Dardrwin suddenly pulled me in closer, he lowered his upper body and wrapped his arms around me, one hand placed on the back of my head as he gently pulled me in close to his chest.

Hesitantly I spoke, “D-Dardrwin?.”

His voice grew soft as he whispered into my ear,

“I only need a moment...”

Nervously I spoke, “Oh! O-Okay!”

He chuckled a bit. We remained in the hug for only a few more seconds before he let go and I stepped back. He patted my head.

 I watched as he picked up the book and walked over to the bookcase to slide it back into place. Dardrwin walks back over to me,

“You must be tired, Kiku...You can sleep in my bed tonight, I’ll sleep somewhere else.”

I spoke, “Are you sure?..”

He smiled, his eyebrows raising softly, “I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure, Kiku. Now come on, it's late.”

He gently takes my hand leading me to the door and out to the hall. We walk and enter his room. He lets go of my hand and places out a hand directed to the bed.

“Thanks...” I spoke.

I walked over and sat on the bed, I don’t know why but it felt awkward to lay down…was it because it’s his bed?...Why can’t I lay down...come on Kiku! Just lay down!

I hear Dardrwins teasing voice travel from across the room,

“What?...Do you need me to tuck you in, Miss Kiku.?”

“HUH?! OF COURSE NOT! I’M A BIG GIRL!"

Realization sits in what I just said… My eyes widen in embarrassment. WHY THE HECK WOULD I SAY THAT I’M A BIG GIRL?! HOW OLD AM I? TEN?!

Dardrwin can help but chuckle, covering his eyes with his hand, “Why of course you're a big girl, Kiku. It’s okay to need help sometimes though...”

“UGH! I CAN TUCK MYSELF IN Y-YOU JERK.” I yell as I lay down on my side, pulling the quilt over my head.

I hear footsteps walking towards me. My face is red enough...Just leave me alone...

“Kiku?.” I hear Dardrwins voice right next to me.

“Are you asleep already? My my that was quick...”

I refuse to answer...He might say something else to rile me up..I listen as I hear his footsteps walk away. The door opens and he exits whilst he turns off the light. The door creaks closed...

He..didn’t say goodnight?..It’s not that big of a deal, but I could only wonder if I upset him..maybe I shouldn’t have yelled..My eyebrows furrow as I bite my bottom lip in regret.

 I pull the quilt from over my head and bundled up as it is chilly tonight. The quilt is covered in Dardrwins scent..the smell of cherry and mint lingered. The scent put me to sleep, I woke up to the door creaking open. Dardrwin entered, his gaze adjusted to me,

“I’m sorry, Kiku. Did I wake you?.”

I sit up, locking my hands, stretching my arms out in front of me,

“Haha, no I was up.”

Dardrwin softly chuckles, “Hmph, if you say so. I was just gonna go to bed so just ignore me, okay?”

I spoke curiously, “Hey, where are you gonna sleep?”

He spoke, “On the floor all the way over here so just ignore m-”

I cut him off, a bit angered, “You didn’t say you had to sleep on the floor..”

He spoke softly, “I’d rather you have a place to sleep, Kiku.”

I spoke, “No, no, no. Now I feel guilty..”

He spoke assuringly, “Please don’t worry, Kiku.. this is fine.”

I spoke sternly, “No! You need a good night's rest to help patients, I’ll sleep on the floor. I’m the one intruding in the first place, ya know...”

Dardrwin sighs and chuckles, “Stubborn indeed, but I can’t let you sleep on the floor, Kiku..”

“Okay. So be it. Come on, we’ll share.” I speak.

Dardrwin speaks hesitantly, “Kiku..I can’t.”

Assuringly I speak, “I said it’s fine. Now come on.”

Dardrwin walks over to me, I move over towards the wall to make room for him. He hesitantly lays down, covering himself in a separate blanket so that we are divided by it. I face the wall so that my back is towards him. I speak,

“Touch me and I’ll kill you.”

Dardrwin chuckles, “Haha, who do you take me for, Kiku? I would never…unless you let me...”

I speak, “HAHA, very funny...Go to bed.”

I didn’t see that Dardrwin leaned in closer, but his whisper drifted into my ear,

“Only this, I promise...”

I felt his soft lips place gently against the side of my head as his finger swept my hair to the side and exposed my face. What the heck was he doing?..My face was as red as a tomato.

I quickly sit up and turn my body, I raise my hand to the center of his forehead and flick him,

“D-DON'T BE WEIRD, Y-YOU WEIRDO!”

I quickly turn back around to lay down. He held his head in pain,

“Alright...I suppose I deserved that..."

"G-Goodnight, Kiku.”

He laid down, his back turned to mine. I squinted my eyes shut; my face flustered. We both fall asleep. Tomorrow, I hang out with Aiveria and we will see what that entails...