Submission (#3964) Approved

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Kawa leaps over another fallen log covered in swamp grass. The sights and sounds are definitely familiar to him, he traveled this same path a couple of years ago in search of answers. This year, however, there's a distinct difference. Said difference comes in the threatening stature of a noble Elnin that looks a lot scarier than he actually is. Jiro clears the way ahead, his stride confident and each movement precise, and Kawa does his very best to keep up with the bigger adult. But ever so often he allows himself to be distracted by the falling, prismatic rain. This almost always earns him an impatient clearing of the throat and a raised eyebrow (he's really starting to dislike that expression, not that he would ever tell Jiro that) from his companion. 

"While I appreciate the concern, perhaps you should worry more about how filthy your clothes are becoming instead of where we may end up. Filth, mind you, that I'm sure I'll be left to deal with." Kawa sheepishly looks down and does his best to shoot an apologetic grin towards his guide. His outfit is looking a little worse for wear, that much he cannot deny. But he makes a mental note to try and step a little more carefully, although he's quite sure the damage is already done by this point. The forest is dark and full of twisted timbers, some that have made their way to the ground, but most still hang high above his head. Something Kawa finds himself most thankful for, so avoiding some of the larger obstacles should come a bit easier, now that he's paying a bit more attention. 

"Sorry about that...I wasn't really expecting to find myself back in Enmir of all places anytime soon. Should have stumbled upon your sooner! Would have saved me a trip or two. Quite literally." Kawa grumbles the last part, absentmindedly rubbing his arms that have long since healed from his unfortunate tumble down the mountainside of Kyendi. A streak of teal passes him by. His eyes linger on the small light and Kawa can't help but wonder if that's a sign from afar that Miyu might be thinking the same. 

"Oof!" His distraction on the lights as they pass by during the sporadic storm cause him to bump into the back of Jiro and Kawa lands on his rear. Thankfully, his less than graceful fall was cushioned by a nice, muddy puddle. Kawa can only grin up at Jiro, who looks about ready to burn the place and Kawa's clothes with the crown alight over his head. The latter settles on another sigh before speaking.

"We've made it. Try not to track too much mud around, please."

It is at this moment that Kawa peers around and to his delight he's greeted with a humble looking home. The structure is wooden, and looks like it was made from some of the fallen timber that he's seen around. He's a bit amazed that Jiro has managed not one, but two, different places of residence in such isolated locations. Truly, noble Elnins are an impressive bunch. Kawa springs up from the ground and makes a made dash for the house, stopping to look inside the window along the side, before making his way hurriedly to the door. Only to find it locked. The chuckling coming from behind him causes Kawa to scowl. Jiro jingles the key tauntingly from the string tied around his neck, something he tends to keep hidden under the layers of clothing the Elnin opts to wear. 

"Let's head inside, shall we?" 

He's not sure why he's outside. He's had a long day, most of it spent whining to Jiro about how long they've been traveling, and managing to get into a change of clean clothes and wash up should be the best indication that it is time for his body to rest. So then why is he out here instead? Why are there so many thoughts and feelings racing through his mind and heart? Perhaps the falling lights...a bittersweet memory of a more simple time, a time he has been desperately trying to get back to. But Kawa knows, he always has, that something lost is incredibly difficult to regain. Kawa thinks of Jiro; the older Elnin has had his fair share of trials and tribulations. Yet Kawa has never sensed a shred of doubt from him, as though Jiro's entire purpose revolves around doing the impossible. While deep in thought, Kawa hardly notices the shower of lights beginning to make their way through the thick canopy of marshland trees, until one lands unceremoniously on his cheek. Startled, he reaches up to cup the dimming light in his palm, and the soft, fading light makes him think of a dying star hung aloft in the night sky. An unwelcome feeling begins to coil in his chest and before he's even able to realize, tears begin to steadily make their way down his cheeks. 

Kawa allows himself this, this moment of sudden weakness, brought upon by such fond memories of the past. But at the end of the day, night, whatever...that's all they are and that's all they will ever be. Memories upon memories, collecting dust. And eventually, Kawa knows, he will begin to forget those, too. So he allows the tears to fall and makes no move to wipe them from his face. And as the lights begin to appear less and less frequently, he silently begs the universe to slowly take his pain and suffering along with it.