Field of the Departed

"Here you go Miss." She heard a sweet voice coming into the room. She dropped a respectful curtsy and introduced herself as the maid of this home. She slowly helped Scarlet sit up in bed. She then wheeled in her movable food tray and carefully brought a bowl of hot soup over to her. It was a deep colored soup with small swirls of fat. There were scattered black pepper flakes rising to the top. Scarlet gently took the bowl from the maid and scooped a spoonful of broth to her lips; it tasted warm and salty. She could taste the seaweed. The flavors were very different from what she was used to.

She looked at the maid who was eagerly waiting for feedback. Scarlet said, “It's good."
The maid smiled happily at the compliment.

She looked around the room and asked.
"Where am I?”

The maid did a curtsy before responding.

"You are in Master Theo’s home.”

A gasp escaped Scarlet’s lips as she took in the home’s stunning beauty.

This is Theo’s house?! It’s so elegant.

“Where is Theo?” She asked.

“He stepped out into his private quarters. I could take you there but please take care that he may not be able attend to anyone at this time."

The maid took Scarlet out to the back; she opened the stone gate leading to a small grave site. There were many stone headstones and withered flowers placed near them.

Scarlet spotted Theo near two big headstones.
He placed some freshly picked flowers on the headstones.

She started to walk toward him quietly.
Theo noticed her right away and turned his head to face her.

"Scarlet… you’re awake. I’m glad."

"Hi Theo."

“Scarlet…these are my parents, as he pointed to the headstones, Koslowsa and Rosaland. They were completely devoted to the Cosmocrats, working relentlessly and willing to sacrifice anything and everything for them. " Theo's eyes had a piercing expression.

"I come to visit them on their death anniversary or when I have news to share with them."

"I see, I'm sure they would like to hear what you have to say from time to time." Scarlet said.

He hesitated, "Yes…”

His concerned eyes gazed at her while he gently moved closer to her.

“How are you feeling?"

Scarlet smiled happily that he had asked, “I am fine. Just a lot has happened.”

Her words lingered in his thoughts.

"I am glad you are doing fine. You have a visitor by the way; Grandmother Mimi is downstairs. She was also very worried about you."

" I'll come down to see her."

"All right."

Scarlet stepped down in the winding staircase. She saw Grandmother Mimi flexing her muscles at Pim. Pim was watching in awe.

Pim gave out an encouraging, "Woo, woo."

Grandmother Mimi heard some creaking at the staircase.

"Scarlet?"

"Grandmother Mimi!"

She went down fast and hugged the grandmother tightly.

"I was so worried. It was supposed to be an exciting day for Theo's Induction. But all of this mess happened." Grandmother Mimi said.

"Theo's induction?"

"Yes, the induction to be the next leader of the Cosmocrats." Grandmother Mimi grumbled.

"I see, " Scarlet replied in a confused manner.

Why would Theo want to lead something he hates?

"You and that other young man put on quite the show. Your magic shows promise. The most magic I have is in my muscles.” She grinned.

Scarlet laughed. Then, her facial expression turned serious.

"I've been hearing about Rose lately from other people, could you tell me more about her?"

Grandmother Mimi nodded and looked sadly as she stared at Scarlet.

"Rose was a very sweet kindhearted girl. She was curious about our world questioning why certain things were the way they were. I enjoyed her questions, and some were above my head." She chuckled to herself.

"I told her to stop protesting, I was scared for her."

Grandmother Mimi remembered a scene from the past.

"Rose! Don't go, come stay home."

"I have to, I can't continue to live my life this way. I have to vouch for freedom, our freedom."

Rose left the house.

"That girl was a fighter, and she didn't even need to work out. Mentally, she was the most strong-willed person I have ever met."

Grandmother Mimi then walked over the door to peer outside.

A tear dripped from her eyes.
"They took my baby away from me. I try to live for her."

Scarlet noticed Grandmother Mimi was quiet and sad. Grandmother Mimi’s face kept shifting in her vision, growing younger and younger. It was happening again- she was wondering if her eyes were deceiving her again.

Why do I keep seeing this vision?

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up such horrible memories. Scarlet said softly.

Grandmother Mimi wiped her tears away with her shirt sleeves.
"That's alright, you look so much like Rose, it's as if she was still here."

I wonder why we look so much alike?
Also, I'm anything but strong willed.

When everyone was staying over at Theo’s, resting, Scarlet was still wide awake. She was in her nightgown as she crept silently down the stairs. She wanted to visit the grave site again. Pim was laying down curled up near the entrance way. Pim's third eye was still open and being alert.

It was pretty dark, and she reached the gate to open it, it swung and accidentally hit Pim.

"Oooah, oooah"

Pim rolled around and fell on his back.

"I'm so sorry Pim." She gently rubbed his sore spot.
"I didn't know you were here."

Pim enjoyed the strokes, smiling even though he was slightly hurt by the impact.

Scarlet was interested in seeing more of the grave site. She wanted to do some exploring, so she moved closer to the tombstones. As she walked, she stumbled over a gnarled tree root on the ground. It was as if it was trying to catch her foot to seize her. She fell in front of one large tombstone. On the surface, it read Lumina and Kieran. The date of death was the same.

I wonder what happened to them.

She saw a bottle of incense tilting. The ashes were spread out and formed a gray sandy pile.

She saw a picture of a woman and man with two children. There was a small young girl who had her arms wrapped around the woman’s leg. Also, there was a taller young boy standing next to the young girl. They looked happy together. The man looked similar to her father.

I don’t want to make that mistake again. Is this Valerius? But the name on this tombstone says that the person is dead already.

Who are these people?