Strangers
Previously:
I guess I should-
{Out of Mace’s thought}
Suddenly, the worn-out door creaked open. Dust began to fly around the room.
While the door carried on opening, a hand followed through, holding on to the rusty handle. The hand looked feminine, and her skin appeared to have a Sun-kissed look to it. Mace’s heart began to thump very loudly as if to say it knew who this was already.
Present:
Mace gripped his chest in pain, right over his racing heart. He didn’t know what this pain was, but it had something to do with whoever was coming through the door.
“This feeling…
My…heart feels…
...It feels like it’s being torn into pieces, it’s unbearable…”
“Is anyone in here,” said a woman’s voice. Her words came out so light and elegant. It seemed as if royalty had arrived just by hearing those 4 words escape her lips. Though to Mace, It only increased the torment even more.
{Body repairing beginning…}
[Master Are you alright! Is the body not properly synchronised? ]
“No, it’s her, she’s the cause and I don’t know how she’s doing it.”
“Doing What?” the woman asked, fully stepping into the hell hole. She quickly grabbed her nose after smelling the stench in there and looked towards Mace to see who he was talking to.
“It’s… "
"It's,,, You” Mace replied, staggered after fully seeing the appearance of this person.
A familiar woman stepped into the room and gazed at Mace. She was wearing a white sun dress that reached up to her shin while holding her small white purse with both hands. Her feet were in stylish white heels and her legs remained close together. The woman’s Red hair was placed in a ponytail while her dark brown eyes looked down on Mace. At least, that’s what he felt she was doing.
“Me? What did I do?” She asked, taking few steps closer towards Mace.
“Never Mind that, Stop moving closer!"
She stopped abruptly.
"You… Why are you here?” The pain now starting to subside.
“I just wanted to come say hi and see how you were doing-”
“Now you see, so go away…” He cut her off sharply, now breathing calmer.
“Tora-”
“NOW” he snapped.
She stumbled backwards after hearing him shout. This was the first time he’d ever raised his voice to her.
“To anyone for that matter” she thought.
….
Grumbling noises broke the silence. Mace had forgotten the fact that he’d been hungry.
A bright idea once again appeared into his mind. He saw this as an opportunity to gain Eps from her so he could buy a meal.
The woman didn’t budge a single step further back. She was stuck into her position out of shock.
“What are you still doing here…?”
“I came here to… Would you like to eat first, I’ll make something-”
“No. Now tell me what you would like to say and be gone.”
She shuddered once again. This was not the normal Tora she thought. He’s raising his voice and kicking her out when he used to always treat her so delicately. She didn’t know who this person was anymore and was fearful of what hurtful things he may say.
“I…”
“Spit it out” he snapped.
“I should be getting emotion points from her right?” Mace thought. He couldn’t currently see the system screen as he’d forgotten to open it after its installation completed thus, he couldn’t tell what emotions she’s currently feeling. He wanted to hone in on one specific emotion so he could capitalise on its intensity more, giving him more Eps out of it in return, at least, that's how he surmised the point system.
“I’m… Getting Married…” she responded, now looking away from Tora in fear of what he would respond back. She’s known all these years of how he’d felt about her, and she’d never wanted this sort of situation to occur when she reported the news to him. She was scared to see his heart broken and couldn’t bear to watch his face.
*Tearing sound*
A sudden rip occurred in the heart of Mace. This tear was not a physical one but instead a mental damage. It felt as if the section that Tora had purposefully left intact even after his passing, was cut right through with her words.
“huh… What’s this… This feeling… It feels like the remaining feeling’s left behind by Tora for this girl… are fleeing!” he thought.
A few moments pass in silence.
The woman waited, thinking he’s still in shock.
“Congratulations” a voice replied calmy.
“Huh…” she thought. “Congrats?” She quickly turned to check if she was genuinely talking the right person. This was not the usual Tora for many reasons but for him to say “congrats” and keep composed, it was completely out of the ordinary. He’d usually cry about things and be weak in keeping his composure but for some reason, it seemed as if Tora - was elated upon hearing this.
“Thanks?” She replied bewildered at what had just occurred.
“Is that all?”
“…Yes…”
“Now you may leave.”
She couldn’t get through to him she thought. She gave up and attempted to leave the trash filled - little shed.
She paused before stepping out.
“…”
Mace looked at her and was wondering what she was waiting for. He honestly wanted her to leave so he could get something to eat but her presence prevented this. Before he could speak up, she said one more thing that made Mace remember something he saw in Tora’s memory.
“I’m getting married to Edward Waterlily…”
“…”
She turned to face him one more time, taking a deep breath in before staring directly into Mace’s eyes.
“I know you’ve had your differences and I know it was tough for you all these years but please come to the wedding and reconcile with him. He’s changed and it’s for the better. He’s currently a Rank 3 Mage like me and this wedding is to unify our two families. I…love him and as my best friend, I hope you two could become friends or at least you could forgive him.”
“…”
“It’s 2 months away… Anyways… Goodbye” she said, not expecting a response back once again.
“Leyla”
She instantly turned, thinking of what he could possibly say.
“Will he come to the wedding? Will he forgive him?” all these thoughts along with worries ran through her mind.
“Tora wanted me to tell you to something”.
“This is the last thing he said. ‘Watch out for his Maid, Ultri.’ Whether you believe this or not is up to you” Mace replied firmly.
“What?!”
To Be continued…