What You've Wished For: Part 2

Eva's lithe hand slides down and away from the door in two quick successions, delivering an understated yet strong entrance. Her hand soon slips around the handle and lets us both in.

"Welcome Eva!" The headmistress of this lively little bar and inn shouts out. Not long after, she gets a good strong look at me, "And where'd you get this little guy." Her words get an easy blush out of me, and Eva is happy to join the banter.

"I found him while on patrol deep in Brina Forest. He's under some unique circumstances and needs help. He's not from here is the short of it. His name's Rayne." I nod along to help affirm all she says.

"Great job Eva, I'm proud of what you're doing," The barkeeper speaks more hushly, before turning my way with a louder voice, "Name's Trista, nice to meetcha Rayne. Welcome to Town Deirdre, and my personal little tavern." She sticks out her arm, not unlike my own propensity when I meet someone new. I love the warm feelings and return them with any bit of mustered confidence for Trista.

I notice her features. A fancy black, white, and blue suit adorns her, a surprising one for a bar keeper. She seems cool as ice. A brunette ponytail, crimson eyes, and a well-pit together outfit adds to it. Her hands gloved.

After giving those hands a hearty shake, Trista renews her vigor, "You old enough to drink? In my world, every new face gets a free spirit."

"How old do I have to be—" Eva interrupts my question before even I myself can realize how stupid and embarrassing it is.

"Sorry. He's a bit too tired for that today. We both went through a lot. Let's just save the drinks for a later date," I naturally feel guilty about her having to cover up my strangeness. She notices and flashes me an "it's all okay" glance to calm me down. I thank her profusely under my breath in return, like a petulant child.

Eva continues, "Could both of us get something nourishing instead? It's been too damn long since I've had some food, and I've got no idea about Rayne," She turns her head over to me for the second time and I shrug in reply, but my belly is more than sure, "Two of whatever the special is today should be more than filling."

"No worries, no worries, coming right up." Trista's finger reaches up discreetly to point towards a clear section of seating near the left end of the tavern, "Your pals are hanging out in the corner over there Eva, so the table around said corner can be you and Rayne's seats. Oh, and you," She faces me head on with the face of a tiger. Or a lion maybe?

Her palms rest strong and flat on the bar counter as Trista utters, "Make the best damn first impression you can! These are good people you're gonna be with. You want to be under their wings." Perhaps sensing my youth, Trista makes sure I comprehend her advice.

My back straightens and I concur as strongly as I can. Not without some trademarked awkwardness, can't forget that. She nods with a grin, and then suddenly ruffles my hair in giggling endearment before sending us both off with a wave.

"Go get 'em bud!" Were Trista's last bombastic words. Enough to melt me into another puddle of smiles and endearment.

"Sup' Eva, what were you out-" I walk behind Eva and into this carefree man's view. "Oh, never mind." He says as soon as he sees me, maybe he already knows? His spiky white hair gives off a matching vibe, alongside his loose clothing.

Eva stays silent, letting another dark-haired girl beside us join in. Both of them, and Trista too now that I think about it, are bearing features very unlike the elf-like ones of Eva and instead seem sharply similar to someone like myself.

"You're doing a good thing, Eva. Don't ever forget," The night shade haired girl's voice is so soothing, but with the perfect amount of perk and spunk. Soft and short pigtails accompany the ends of her short hair.

Both of these new faces are quick on the uptake, proving their wit and wisdom. The girl takes a better glance at me. I blush from all the attention I don't feel like I did anything to deserve.

"My name's Juniper. June for short. At least my friends call me that, hehe!" She giggles just from the joy of meeting someone new, "You should introduce yourself too!"

"Y-yes!" I fumble around my words until I find them, hopefully not left out in the rain to mold, "My name is Rayne. I am so honored to meet you all. Thank you very much!" I bow to signify how grateful I am, a strong and noticeable instinct. I've got no other idea on how to show that feeling with any immediacy. Maybe prostrating myself would... No, I won't even finish that thought.

I'm just so thankful to have other people with me through this strange experience. They all seem so very mature, especially compared to what I know about myself.

"Name's Leo. You seem like a funny guy, Rayne." The white haired man introduces himself, as both he and June come and sit with us, "Not to be rude or anything, but man, you're in rough shape. Are you sure this Vixen's gonna be okay, Eva?" I tilt my head at the new, unexpected phrase.

"Don't say things like that Leo," June feels annoyed at his brashness, but I try to reassure both of them.

"It's okay, I'm not really sure what I look like right now. I haven't been in front of a mirror yet. All I see are some bruises on my hands."

"There will be a mirror in your room. And then you can get a wash," Eva explains bluntly. I nod in reply as we all take a seat together. We fill out all four seats nicely and make a lively bunch.

"That sounds good. Sorry if I'm an eyesore right now," I apologize for something irrelevant.

"You don't have to say that Rayne," June leans closer to me, giving a mixed expression, before turning her head the other way, "And Leo, you should really stop greeting people like this."

"Okay, okay. I know it's a bad habit, but you're not our mom. I'm just worried about the poor guy," Leo gets another good look at me, "So, what's your story?"

"U-uhm..." Obviously my story is an unbelievable one. An unreliable one, considering I have no damn idea what is really going on, on any level.

Eva's hand meets mine for a faint moment to settle my out of control thoughts. Her voice matches, "The truth is that we all have explaining to do as well. Rayne is from another world, and not in the obvious way," She displays complete trust in me.

Both Leo and June react accordingly, with some shock but also genuine understanding. The black and white contrast of their hair makes the dual reaction even more mesmerizing. Nevertheless, both of them stay silent and listening. Eva looks toward me, signalling me to explain everything in my own words. I accept her grace with gratitude.

"I... I came here from a place called Earth, if that's... Something that makes sense at all," I'm deeply confused about the best place to tackle the issue from and every word feels like nails against a chalkboard, "I just woke up here, in this reality, so suddenly. I still undoubtedly feel like myself, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I have no idea how or why anything this farfetched has happened. Eva told me this country is called Elyssia. Similarly, I come from a country on Earth called America. I guess my goal is to... Uh... Find a way to return home. To where I should be."

"Yeah, together with Elyssia and Laikin, those two make our entire beautiful world, Fos. Sounds like how 'America' is a country in your world called 'Earth'." June adds. I hum agreement. I'm delightfully surprised by how seriously this is being taken.

"Yeah, and Trillis is another far off bastard planet that invaded ours, if you've heard," Leo interjects, "The Vixen alike things there are far beyond technologically than anything here on Fos, so they didn't take long to begin taking and pillaging what they want as soon as they found us. Who knows what other heinous shit they've done that we'll never know about. Eventually our government and monarchy partnered with them to try and turn Elyssia into a goddamn superpower over Laikin or something moronic like that." Both Leo and Eva clearly have a distaste for Trillis in their own unique ways, and it's easy to see why. Oppression occurring in such a way isn't hard to imagine. Power imbalance isn't something I'm unfamiliar with.

"Is a Vixen like... A human, like me? And June and Leo? In my world, Vixen is like... Another word for a fox." I ask to clarify.

"Yep, you're right on. Never heard about Vixen being used to describe a fox before, but makes sense wherever you came from could use the phrase like that. Eva's the other major party of the human race, separate from Vixen like me and Juniper. Eva is an Elf, or a Heary depending on if you wanna be offensive. You'll hear the latter way more in Laikin." Leo's eyes not so subtly point to Eva's ears, who picks up from there, with a little annoyance.

"Elves are native to these lands of Elyssia. And we can just say Vixen come from Laikin to keep it simple. Harmony between the two is... Is something seldom seen now or throughout history, as much as the most reasonable wish the contrary. Ever since Elyssia declared independence, it has just gotten worse and worse." That's not a rare commodity to hear in any world woefully.

"Okay, yeah! I've heard of Elves before, they're a fantasy concept on Earth funnily enough." I excitedly add. That gets a genuine chuckle from Leo. June sees me finish and goes on to explain Trillis.

"To get back on track, most of the recent extreme technological advancement has come from Trillis bringing and sharing their inventions here. Nothing stood free from change, the old world doesn't exist anymore." June informs impartially, gazing at the device still snug tight around Eva's right arm.

"This is one of Trillis' inventions," Eva rests her arm on the table as she continues June's thought, "A projection based device powered by pure emotion, an Etherbond. It links to the user's nervous system and projects whatever they desire. The stronger the thoughts, the more resolute the feeling, the more true the projection. Those emotions displace the ether in the environment around themself, making shapes take form. It's most common use is in combat, but they're disgustingly versatile." Eva knows I can understand that.

"Wow..." I am able to get my first analysis of this fantastical armament. Hard to reason whilst being so awestruck, not that I care. Eva lets me feel the material it's built from, it feels of scales. An out of this world feeling.

"Basically every man and woman needs to have one of em' if they're ever gonna venture further than an inch off the beaten path," Leo speaks to how commonplace Etherbonds are, "That's how damn dangerous shit is nowadays. Course, it's all state sanctioned and regulated between Elyssia and Trillis. Good luck getting your hands on one with even just a single tiny blotch on your resume."

"Or if you're a Laikin," June adds on.

"And because of that," Eva continues the chain of conversation, "Owning an Etherbond basically is your value to society. Those who wish to have it, who is almost everyone you will meet, but fail, are the dregs looked down upon by the powers that be," Eva feels the most emotional talking about this, "Of course, just for the act of possessing one, money is thrown at you for all manner of tasks. Mostly extermination requests of some dangerous creature are what you'll expect. It's not untrue at all to say that for the common people, owning an Etherbond is the difference between having the ability to move up in the world, and escaping the vicious unending cycle of poverty, or being bound to it for the rest of your days."

"Being an all-purpose bodyguard for travellers is another common one you'll get requested for, especially due to the increasing danger around the outskirts and forests of Elyssia especially." June speaks with the same regard for this very critical topic.

"Yeah, me and Eva got the full brunt of it," I blurt out before I consider how Eva might feel. I immediately recognize that I might not want to remind her of that, but to cut off my worry, she instead, continues my thought.

"The things we encountered, they're informally called the "Beasts," Rayne." Eva clearly doesn't love that name and I agree. They all deserve a bit more respect. I think. "You can find them quite commonly off the beaten path, like deep in Brina forest for example. It seems like places like that are their preferred habitat."

"Yes..." Everyone gives solemn looks while June speaks, "Officially, no one knows where the Beasts came from, but Eva... You know more than that, right?"

"Yes, I'd just... Rather not talk about it right now, please," Very understandable. Eva shoots me a knowing look after, to make me feel sure that it's genuinely not the time to learn whatever the truth is right now.

A bit of silence prolongs until Trista comes to greet us, two big plates effortlessly in hand, not to forget utensils and napkins. It's a little mesmerizing honestly.

She speaks most directly towards Eva, they must be close, "I know that you know I'm not usually the one to bring the food out, but I thought I'd make an exception for the new face."

"Thank you! That's very kind." I perk up in my seat to express my gratitude.

She flashes me a smile as she gives me my meal, a well seasoned piece of what looks like steak and gravy. Not long after, she gets Eva's attention and whispers something to her I can't quite make out, and Eva responds similarly. Oh well, I definitely shouldn't pry.

As their talk continues, Eva eventually gets up to presumably go somewhere private with Trista, leaving her food behind. I'm left praying that nothing terrible is happening. Whatever it is, it certainly seems important.

To ease my obvious anxiety, Leo starts some casual conversation, "You gotta try this steak, trust me, it's one of the best you'll ever have," I chuckle and grin from his infectious and good-natured energy.

"So cows are here at least," I whisper to myself not so discriminately. After, I declare my real statement, "I'll dig in," I nod towards the two people with me, getting a healthy bite of my much-needed meal, "Mmm..." I add a slightly exaggerated noise of content, to show my gratefulness more than anything, regardless of it being pretty silly.

"Yeah, real funny pal," Leo must've taken it sarcastically. His interpretation makes me giggle enough to where I have to stop myself from choking on my bite of steak, before swallowing heartily.

"It's my pleasure," I snark back a little, hoping he's having as much fun with this as I am. He seems to be, as he replies quickly.

"So it didn't take long for you to reveal your true colors, for the whole class to see too, ya jackass" He smirks, a heated rivalry clearly forming.

Okay, okay, I'll stop exaggerating what I say. As I'm about to respond with something more sincere, June's voice cuts through our play fighting.

"You two seem to already be getting along. Didn't take long for either of you, eh?" June seems patently amused by our antics, as her voice portrays no exhaustion in the slightest. I could say I'm right with her on the pleasant surprise. Leo isn't the kind of guy I normally talk with or act like. Regardless, it's clear June is right. We're hacking it up like we're old pals. Maybe the buoyant environment helps me feel this way. Maybe I just need someone who isn't me.

"You've all been so kind to me, I don't see any way I couldn't be in a good mood," My response is positively giddy, "Even with all the crazy, scary, unthinkable things happening... I know it's obvious to say, but... I don't know what I'd do without you all taking care of me."

My head peeks up nervously. My dorky words likely do nothing but turn off, but I want to be honest about who I am and how I feel anyway. My eyes first meet June's, as they struggle to pick apart any emotion she might be feeling. Nothing wants to focus. My stupor is snapped when Leo tousles my hair.

"No problem kid," He comments, removing his rough ruffling after getting aw good session in. Straightening myself, I gaze toward him, letting a little bit of a forced giggle out. Leo doesn't look back, prompting me to instead follow wherever he is regarding. I see Eva and Trista return, not before both June and Leo get up out of their seats.

June speaks first, "Is it what I think?" The nonverbal intent must be clear, especially for Eva who responds succinctly.

"Yes," Eva takes a quick glance at me and my slightly eaten meal, plus her meal she never touched.

"Enjoy your meal, kid," Are the parting remarks of Leo, as all three of them form up to head out for something I don't have a clue about. Trista's returned to manning the bar.

"What's going on?" I ask a potentially intrusive question.

"Nothing to worry about, we were just heading out," June gives an uncharacteristically dismissive answer. No, maybe I'm just clouded by my ego in thinking that. Who am I to declare what's true to the personality of a woman I just met?

Staying so lost in my thoughts, all three already leave before I notice, before I say goodbye. They must've said their farewells to me, I'm just so spaced out that I'm sure I didn't notice. God, how stupid can I be?

My eyes have little else to turn to but my still appetizing piece of steak. The atmosphere around me suddenly feels so much less busy and lively compared to what felt like a moment ago. The one other sight, Trista manning the bar, looking rather bored.

As I pick and prod at my steak, eating tiny bites, two disheveled middle-aged men, clad in heavy hooded coats, carefully step inside the tavern. Getting Trista's attention, they instantly begin their plea.

"Please, it's so cold out today, won't you please spare a-"

"No, go to the free group church lodgings. They're down the street. Right, then take a left," Trista shuts it down with shocking swiftness and with a quite rehearsed speech too.

"But please! We have nowhere else to go in this cursed town, and we don't believe in that faith anyway!" The stauncher of the two increases the volume of the interaction, "Sleeping on the streets is a death sentence, if that's what you want!"

Trista ignores their desperate, but also manipulative pleas, cleaning the bar table without even glancing at them. The squeaks of the shiny surface do enough to silence everything in her mind.

The visitors emotions turn spiteful, "Of course, you'll give a free pass to any pinch-eared Heary who comes banging on your door, but ignore your own kind. You can't ever earn their respect, you know, they'll hate your guts no matter what! For things you've never done!"

My steak slowly gets eaten as I see the scene unfold, a sickly pit forming, even as my stomach fills. Swinging back and forth goes Trista's arm. Appearing absorbed in her own world, trying to get the people who have nowhere else to go, to leave. They plead to a brick wall. It's a side of her I could never expect to see.

Some words finally leave her lips, "It doesn't matter to me. Vixen or Elf, your attitude could come from anywhere, and it's vile all the same, especially when you have such a valid alternative you stubbornly refuse to use. Instead you just put words in my mouth to fuel your own victimhood," She's remarkably well-spoken, shattering my already sky-high expectations of her.

My heart drops as the leading man reaches toward his now revealed sheath. They're really going to resort to this over a petty dispute? Rage fills me. Trista just stares them down. Not needing a word to speak an epic.

Eventually the two begrudgingly leave, deciding not to resort to any type of violence, the distilling quiet in the atmosphere continues. Having finished my meal, I work up the courage to approach Trista.

"I know what you're already thinking," Trista speaks before I get the chance to, "They can just go to the public sleeping lodgings, there are plenty of them. The shitheads don't even deserve that," She seems particularly fed up, seems it's a common occurrence.

"Yeah," I can't do much but agree, seeing as I know so little about the true nature of this world, "Still... Homelessness always makes me sad to see. They shouldn't have to turn to such vitriol."

"Yeah, and no matter how much you worry, it won't change whatever bullshit our queen, or those racists, or what anyone else wants Elyssia to be like," Trista's clear passionate displeasure makes me quickly apologize under my breath, but makes me secretly admire her behind it. She scratches the back of her head, "I'm sorry, let me just get you to your room," She exhales a mix of deep breath and a sigh, "All I need is some shuteye personally."

"I... Have a room?"

"Yeah, Eva bought it for you," I'm left with a brand-new unrecognizable feeling of sickness. Had enough of that today, goddamnit, "She really cares about you, y'know."

I don't want to think. My mind is numb, partly from fatigue, so I just blankly follow her up the stairs, parking in front of my room. She wrangles out the shiny key for the room and hands it to me.

"I'm not sure how much of a klutz you are, but there'll be hell to pay if you lose this," Trista shows the full roulette of expression. Now she just wants to lighten me up, and I happily take the bait. I've already seen so many sides of her, enough to make my head spin.

I gulp and accept the key, bidding her farewell and stepping into my new room.

The cutoff from the world as I slip my door shut gives me a chance to reflect, to think about what lead me here. While unconsciously setting my watch and Eva's note down on a wooden desk, I reminisce on the people I've met. And the fact I'm still here to see them. Why does it wash me with exhaustion and depression?

Eva, June, Leo... What are they doing? Should I wonder about that? I don't know them. They don't know me. I want to know them. I hope they want to know me.

Slow steps echo around the corners of the room. Only a corpse is left in this room.

I never got a bath, I never look in a mirror. Screw it all, just let me stop my mind. Is there anything here to do that with?

My body finds the bed, a creaky cheap one. Maybe it's premium class. Either way, I'm a prick to complain.

Robin... I never got to see you tonight... I already broke our promise... You must hate me, don't you?

My heart cracks. I want to go home. Why am I even here. What part of my soul needs to be here? Present in an unbelievable fantasy? Maybe I died and this is just what the afterlife is. I don't want to be dead. If all I ever am is to live here forever, why does it matter?

I want... I want...

My hand looks for what doesn't exist, toward myself and toward the entire world.

Mom... I want to talk...

Desire leaks. Worse than the blood from my wounds.

Beyond my eyes, no one must exist here.

So I stay, my mind still, unending, alone.