Nothing Is Going The Right Way

Welpen rambled on and on about how he wanted to try this new seafood meal that he had heard about. Ryoko was fast asleep and Saikou wasn’t really listening, although Welpen couldn’t tell if he was really actually asleep or not.

Him and Ezra discussed the future plan of what Welpen intended to do, but he did not know, nor care about what came next. He hadn’t found Isara yet, so that was still a main goal of his, but being here was a big distraction to what he intended to do.

Welpen: “It’s not like I don’t want to leave this place, but how was I supposed to say no to Lorenzo. He looked so sad and Naoki and Souta just showed up out of nowhere and told him that his only sons had died. What was I supposed to do? Am I too nice? I don’t think so. I mean…I have yelled at people before, but I don’t ever intend to harm anyone.”

Ezra: “You are doing a fine job Welpen. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t. There are some people in this world that are just distraught and experience suffering more than others.”

Welpen: “You’re right, but why? Why does that happen, Ezra? You would know, right? You are a leader of a whole entire realm. You must know why stuff like this happens. Like, why did Astro lose the only ones he loved? He is a good person and a good friend. I can’t imagine why that would happen. I don’t know much about the afterlife, but why would you take them, Ezra? Why wouldn’t you return them?”

Ezra: “I-It doesn’t work like that I’m afraid. I cannot return someone that is gone and I do not know why some suffer more than others. If I could, I would let everyone live happy lives for eternity. I certainly do not like seeing people flood into my realm everyday and night, but after so long, I believe that I have forgotten what the feeling of death is truly like.”

Welpen: “Can I ask you something?”

Ezra: “What is it? Ask away.”

Welpen: “What did that thing mean when it said that about me? I can’t get it out of my head. Immortality? I can’t avoid what?”

Ezra: “I am not sure. I don't even know what she meant fully about what she said to me, but I do have an idea, and I don’t like it. We did not enter the Infinite Library like normal. If we had, then we could’ve asked a roundabout question about our fates, but instead, we are left with questions and unknown answers. Whatever it is, do not worry. You have good friends, strong adversaries, and best of all…Me.”

Welpen: “Hehehe! Alright, I think I’m getting tired. I’m going to lay down. Hey, there was one more thing I wanted to ask you. I only briefly heard of it from where I grew up, but I was never really taught about it. Clara never really talked about it either, but when I came here, I heard many people talking about it. What is a God?”

Ezra: “Th-That is a good question, Welpen. Perhaps we should talk about it in the morning. Get some sleep for now. I wouldn’t want to wake Ryoko and Saikou with all this rambling. I need to go check on a few things. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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Abby: “See, isn’t this a little fun?”

Astro: “No.”

Abby: “Won’t you dance with me?”

Astro: “You’re more drunk than I’ve been the past week. I’m not dancing with anyone. Sit down or go somewhere else. I came here against my own desire. I’m not here to entertain you. I figured I needed to get out of the house.”

Abby: “Oh, you’re such a blob. Blobby, blob, blob. I need another drink. Oh wait, look, they are unveiling the new crystal chandelier that they made all from Water Chaplets.”

A man with messy white hair wore a black suit with a red tie. His dark blue eyes were super calming…

???: “Hello, thank you all for coming. We greatly appreciate your donations here. It really helps us provide you all with great scenery and a good time. We couldn’t have done this without you all. I hope you are all having a wondrous time. I would like to share something that my father had told me before he passed. He said, ‘A wise man does not wait for problems to approach him, he seeks them and overcomes them before they can reach you. That is how you will gain peace over regret.’ I really admired this because my father recognized my talents at a very young age, but he also knew that I was too shy and conservative to move forward in my dreams. I let problems come to me and sat back and watched them take over my life. And now, I am thriving in peace and am proud to be before all of you, giving back in this beautiful dance. Now, the moment you have all been waiting for, without further ado, here is the crystal chandelier made only out of chaplets.”

The lights shut off completely along with the music, and from the ceiling came a chandelier coated in a silver color. It was huge, and people would have never known that it was made out of chaplets. It was stunning and lit the room even in the darkness.

Astro thought it was a disgrace to the materials. Whatever they had used would never spawn back into the world. If people continued to do this, then chaplets would completely become extinct because of man. ‘What a waste,’ he thought. Abby was soaking it all in and continued to drink.

Abby: “Astro! Astro! Isn’t it beautiful!”

Astro: “Will you get off me! Stop making such a scene. We aren’t together and if you won’t get off of me, then I will blow you into a wall while everyone laughs at you on the ground.”

Abby: “Hmph! So rude. Plus, everyone would come over and help me up while they would start fighting with you because they love me more. You’re just a nasty drunk who can’t cope with loss.”

Astro: “Huh?”

Abby: “I-I didn’t mean that Astro, I swear! I’m sorry. It just kind of came out of my mouth.”

Astro: “Yeah, yeah. Go back to partying and admiring a stupid piece of furniture. I’m out of here. Get someone to take you home before some young guy tries to take advantage of you. Don’t come near my house again. My debt has been paid for before.”

Abby: “Astro I–”

???: “Come on Abby, let’s go dance! Anna went and bought us some drinks. Everyone is waiting for us at the table. Come on.”

Abby: “O-Okay.”

Astro exited the building in the cold wind that flapped his cape in the air. He threw the bottle of booze that he took on the ground and screamed into the air. Some people nearby looked at him and ran away in fear. He sat down on the ground against a building and started thinking thoughts that he tried to block out everyday, but couldn’t.

Tears flooded down his face, but the expression on his face didn’t change. He wasn’t angered, sad, or depressed. He was just…Lost.

Astro: Silvia…Emi…Why? Why did you leave me? I can’t do this without you. I’m nobody. I have nothing. I can’t protect anyone or anything. W-Why?”

Astro cried and cried until nothing was left. He fell asleep in the middle of the sidewalk for anyone to see, thinking only about regret and what could have been while his scythe tried to keep him warm as the night fell colder.