A Moment of Repose

“No, no. It’s deeper than that. It’s like… if your soul had another soul inside of it.”

The doe-eyed girl stared up at me, her expression displaying both wonder and confusion. She sat patiently on a large rock as I collected smaller ones lying around our makeshift campsite.

“That sounds incredible… If only Master Burkhardt could hear this. He would not rest until he unlocked the secrets of this ‘source code’.”

I smirked as I moved to the center of our campsite, placing the rocks in a circle around a patch of dirt I’d prepared earlier. I was a rock short, but Vivian luckily tossed me one she’d found beside her seat. I stood up and dusted off my gloved hands before looking around the darkening forest surrounding us.

“Oh, you are done. If you would like, I can find sticks for kindling while you rest.”

“I would appreciate it.”

Vivian jumped up and began searching around the edges of our campsite while I sat on the rock. I sighed and looked up at the sky, the light blue becoming darkened.

The sticks of wood smacked together as they were dropped into the circle. I walked over to Vivian and helped her position the sticks, removing the largest ones for later use as a spit for roasting.

“There is one thing I do not understand. Why would Eris have your body?”

Vivian cast a fire spell to ignite the kindling as I carried the separated sticks to a safe place away from the flames. I huffed and sat a small distance away from the fire.

“That’s something I’m still trying to figure out. The way Eris put it, she might have higher power than me. She might actually be something of a ‘goddess’ for this world.”

Vivian plopped down next to me, her eyes closed as she sat deep in thought. The sounds of rustling leaves came from behind us, and we quickly turned our heads to the noise.

Matthias stood a short distance behind us, holding a bundle of cloth under each arm. The bundle held at his left was blood-soaked, and his hair and face were covered in sweat and feathers.

“You look like you had a hard time.”

“Yeah? Your turn tomorrow, then. Let’s see how you do.”

“Ah—“

My disheveled companion walked up to the fire and kneeled beside it. He unwrapped the bundles to reveal fruits and what looked like two de-feathered and quartered birds. My stomach grumbled as I picked up the sticks I’d separated and walked over.

“Here, for the spit. I’ll set up the others.”

I placed a few decently sized sticks beside Matthias and approached the fire. I set up sticks on either side, the points at their ends perfect for holding the spit in place.

I watched as Matthias finished placing the poultry and fruits along the spit. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and picked up the spit, placing it gently above the fire.

I sat a small distance away from the fire, and Vivian came to sit beside me. Matthias stayed beside the spit as the food roasted. After a moment of peaceful silence, the smell of the meat caught my nose.

“Agh, I haven’t felt hunger like this in a long time. How are you holding up?”

“I have a rather small stomach, Miss. I am unbothered.”

“Are you saying I have a big stomach?”

The small girl avoided my narrowed gaze and turned her head toward Matthias.

“And you, Master Matthias? I am sure you must be hungry— you had to procure our meal, after all.”

Vivian smiled brightly at Matthias, who returned her an annoyed look as he removed the fruits from the spit and turned the meat.

“I’ll survive. Don’t call me master, I’m not your teacher.”

Vivian leaned forward and smacked her hands on the hard ground. I moved back slightly, sensing an argument.

“I saw you defend Miss Velda from that monster. Your magic was stronger than anything I have ever been capable of. If you impart your wisdom on us, we will have a much greater chance of winning.”

Matthias’s face tinted red, and he looked down at the fire. He sighed and ran a hand roughly across his face.

“I haven’t used magic since… a long time ago. It took me a whole night just to perfect that spell.”

“Don’t be so modest, Matthias. I’m sure there’s plenty you can teach our small friend here.”

I smirked at the hunched man, eliciting a strong, annoyed expression from him. He leaned over and examined the roasting poultry. I could tell he appreciated Vivian’s praise, but I resisted the temptation to tease him.

I leaned over and quietly called out to Vivian. She turned toward me and leaned in.

“He had a rough day. Maybe try tomorrow while I’m gone. I’m sure if you insist, with a little bit of praise, you’ll eventually get him to listen.”

Vivian clenched her fists and nodded eagerly. I laughed lightly, drawing the attention of our companion. He walked over, tossed us our portion of the bounty, and sat a distance away near the fire.

I found myself staring at him as he sat there, unmoving. The flames danced in his eyes, hiding any emotions that might be reflected in them.

I can’t imagine what he must be thinking right now. I know I’m stuck in a pretty weird situation, but he likely has it worse.

The hands that lay flat on my lap balled up into tight fists, the fabrics of my gloved fingers rubbing together uncomfortably.

What must it be like, to wake up every day and see a long-familiar face, knowing there’s someone else behind it?

Matthias noticed my gaze and narrowed his eyes at me before turning back to the fire and starting his meal. I looked down at mine and picked it up gently. The warmth spread through my hands, and the smell permeating the air elicited my grumbling stomach once more.

I’ll make sure the day comes when the face belongs to the mind behind it.

I eagerly took a large bite of the meat, the subtle flavor spreading across my taste buds. I nearly scarfed the rest down, earning an amused hum from my young companion. The warmth from the roasted meal spread throughout my body, matching the external warmth from the nearby fire.