Outing

Zachary

My parents didn't seem to like going out much, at least not with me. They preferred to either stay inside or leave me here with Maria and Kiki. Why? I can't tell you; it's not like I know. I'll be the first to admit that I'm definitely not a hard child to take care of. All I need is a book and some food, and I'll be okay. So, it wasn't like they just needed a break from me. If I had to guess, every time they go out, they're probably just going on dates.

That was, until today. It wasn't past 7 in the morning when Hilda rushed into my room, a proud smirk on her face as she ripped the blankets off of my body, waking me up more than she had when she burst into my room in the first place.

"Get up, Zachary! We're going out on a family outing!" She said, albeit almost shouting. If that wasn't a wake-up alarm, then lord knows what is.

"Okay...:" I responded groggily, before eventually slipping out of bed. Everything else after that was a relative breeze. Brush my teeth, put on my nice clothes, and wait at the door for everyone else to be ready.

It was funny, seeing my father drag Maisie out from the library. Seeing that scene, you would have thought Maisie was his daughter, which makes it funnier knowing that she was his mother.

"I don't want to go out! Just leave me here, for Christ's sake, you devil child!" She shouted, clearly annoyed, as my father simply sighed and dragged her by the arm down the steps of the staircase. 

"It's a family outing, mother. I'm sure little Zachary would be sad to see that you don't want to come with us to the capital." My father said, clearly as tired as I and Maisie. I mean, it's like 8 AM. I don't blame him.

After a few more minutes, we all left. Maria and Kiki were dressed as they usually were, with Kiki donning his usual robe, and Maria her maid outfit. Father did say it was illegal for maids to wear anything but their maid outfits, so that did make sense. Seems like a bullshit rule to me. Removing someone's human rights is a terrible rule.

Staring out of the carriages window, I could only really focus on the gray atmosphere around everything. The gray fog, from all those months ago, still had not disappeared to this day, still plaguing the world and draining it of its color. It's currently 1871, and from overhearing Franz's conversations with Hilda, it seemed as if we were smack in the middle of the industrial era. Franz was discussing opening a factory and sweatshop with Hilda in order to secure the family's wealth, and I had just so happened to have overheard that conversation in full.

"What's on your mind, Zachary?" Asked Hilda across from me, catching my attention. "Eh… Just how foggy it is outside. Why is it always so foggy?" I respond and ask, turning my attention back towards the window where the gray and bland outside world remained.

"It's because of all of the factories. The production lines. The smoke coming out of the factories fills up the world. It's a sign of humanities progress." Hilda answered, patting my head softly.

The feeling of her touch was soft. It felt good, considering that these two usually were too busy to show me affection. They were disattached. Although detachment is better than them being abusive.

Obviously, the trip took a while. But finally, we arrived at our destination- the capitol of the human continent, Aliu.

The city was more beautiful than in the pictures. Stepping out of the carriage, the golden and black buildings were what primarily caught my attention. Every building was unique and distinct in design, and each clearly looked as if they had taken months, if not years to build out and design.

Walking through the bustling and busy town square with Franz and Hilda, the happy business owners and equally as happy customers all stood out to me. This was a parallel to the Village where Aly and Hinel were. It felt weird, and honestly somewhat disgusting, knowing the difference in care between the rich and the poor.

"What are those?" I ask, pointing towards a fruit stand. The vendor was handing a customer a triangular-Ish orange fruit, with a twirly stem. Hilda looked over to where I was pointing, before a smile erupted on her face.

"They have the continent's delicacy, Vilians!" She nearly shouted, much to my dismay. Maisie, who was already far behind us, as if she was trying to disassociate from us, was even further back, having stopped walking completely.

"Is there any need to be so loud over fruits?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. To be honest, I agreed, but it was nice seeing Hilda so happy, so I wasn't complaining.

"Oh, stop being such a fuss, Maisie." Hilda scoffed, before walking over towards the stand.

"Hello, Vendor! Can I get 6 Vilians?" Hilda asked, waiting for the vendor's response. As he took out six of the triangular fruits, Hilda dug through the large purse she carried, pulling out wads of paper, presumably cash.

"Woah, that's a little much…!" The shop keep said, a sweat bead rolling down his face.

"Oh, its fine." Hilda said, taking the fruits and handing him the money, before walking back towards us. She handed every one of us a fruit, staring at us robotically almost.

"Start eating!" she said, although I couldn't tell if she was annoyed or pleased. So, there we were, walking through the beautiful city, eating fruits together silently. What a weird way to go out..

*

It was a quick outing. Me, Maisie, Maria, and Kiki went to a park while Hilda and Franz went out to attend to some business with the kings of the land, to get their factory papers in order I suppose.

Other than that, nothing much happened. Just a simple outing. That was how we ended up on a carriage, journeying back home after a long day of… nothing. Well, that was for everyone else. I had an awful lot of fun playing at that park, so I was happy.

Maisie was annoyed still at having been dragged out, Maria was happy, having brought new ingredients to cook more meals with, and Kiki was happy as well because he got to spend some time at an Aliu dojo. He said that it was more difficult than any training he had ever gone through, although I doubt that, considering he's from the demon continent. Is that racist?

"Are you happy, Zachary dear?" Hilda asked, pinching my cheek. I glanced up at her, a softer smile on my face.

"Yeah. Today was fun. I like spending time with you and father." I respond, hugging her. For some reason, unlike every other time I hugged her, when she hugged back, I felt an indescribable feeling, similar to when I would hug my old mother…

Looking back at it, Hilda was always inconsistent with her emotions. Sometimes she wouldn't dare touch me, and other times, like today, she would be all over me and would be as happy as you could possibly imagine someone being happy.

I'm sure she's fine.

After a few hours, we finally arrived back home to the manor. Maria and Kiki off-loaded everything from the back of the carriage, and Maisie instantly trudged back up to the library, slamming the door shut with a clearly annoyed huff.

As Franz, Hilda and I walked back into the manor, I felt something in my heart, as if it was clenching. I recognized the feeling as sadness, and I knew that it was because this day spent with my family, laughing and eating weird but delicious fruits, was about to end. And I don't know if I'll ever be able to have a day with them like this again.

"Mother. Father. I love you." I say, holding both of their hands tighter. They both glance down towards me, soft, parental smiles lingering on their faces.

"We love you too, Zach." They say, rubbing my head softly.

"Eheh." I giggle, blushing softly. I had forgotten the feeling of being pampered. Not like I had experienced that in this life much, anyways. Everything is perfect right now. I have a fun best friend, and a new friend to play with, and my family is all together and perfect. This life hasn't started out too great, but maybe fate was turning a new page for me, allowing me to live my life in normalcy and peace…!