Gerion's+Aftermath

Gerion sat on the balcony watching the sun play on the Topaz Sea. The villa was quiet without Rey’s energetic presence there, but Nott lay contentedly at his feet, gnawing on a bone. It was peaceful, something which Gerion had not felt for a long time, if ever. He needed that tranquility after the battle on Fyriah. He had lost so many friends that day. He silently cursed Rey. He had opened himself up, let himself care, and for what? Not caring was better than the pain he felt when he lost a companion, wasn’t it?

Nott’s head came up as she heard a sound which soon reached Gerion’s ears. “Rey? Rey, are you here?” a woman called. A pleasant voice, Gerion noted, with the lilting accent of the northern part of Remia. It sounded almost familiar. But she was calling for Rey, so that meant she did not know. Gerion closed his eyes. He hated this part.

Heaving himself out of the chaise lounge, he and Nott padded into the villa, coming face to face with a lovely young woman. She was of medium height and slim build, dressed in an aqua gown accented with foamy white lace, making it look like waves crashing on the shore. Reddish- brown curls tumbled around a heart shaped face. Her large, blue eyes revealed confusion when she saw Gerion, but she soon recovered. She dropped a graceful curtsy, the skirts of her sea-green gown pooling at her feet, which put her at eye level with Nott.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, losing all decorum and dropping to the ground, skirts billowing around her. “How beautiful!” Without any fear, she held out her hand to the wolf. Nott sniffed it and then ducked her head under the girl’s fingers. The young woman obligingly ruffled the fur between Nott’s ears, murmuring endearments. Nott rolled over onto her back and the girl rubbed Nott’s belly, heedless of the black fur getting all over her lovely dress. “Oh, thou greedy creature,” she said softly in the dialect of the Remian hills, “shall I rub thy belly for thee?”

She suddenly remembered Gerion. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said, glancing up at him through long lashes but continuing to pet Nott. “I was looking for Reynaldo Vulponi. I received a note to meet him here,” she fished around with one hand in her pocket and handed him a small piece of paper. “Is he here? I am his sister-in-law, Katerina Ruffina. Most people call me Kate,” she smiled, revealing charming dimples. She looked like she smiled often. “And who are you?”

Gerion stood dumbfounded for a second, then snapped back to reality, “Oh...umm...my name is the Sha- uhh...I mean... Gerion.” He extended a hand forcefully, then retracted it slightly, worried he was to imposing.

“So nice to meet you,” Kate said, taking Gerion’s hand. “May I ask where Rey is?” she asked with a whimsical smile. Her crystalline blue eyes bored into his with the kind request.

Gerion’s eyes closed. He took a deep breath. “Rey is...he’s not here. He’s gone.”

With a puzzled look on her face, Kate placed a light palm on Gerion’s stoic cheek, “I don’t understand. Where has he gone?” Gerion’s eyes opened and he looked the young girl in her eyes. He took a faltering breath and sighed it out slowly. “I’m sorry.” She took on a sad look, tears appearing in her eyes, and hugged Gerion. Gerion released the girl after a short time, and looked up to the clear blue sky of Remia, “Well, he’s not exactly dead...”

“Oh I know. But he did //die//,” the girl smiled knowingly.

“Well, magic never truly dies. Let me show you something.” Gerion smiled, hoping that he could turn anguish into joy. He flipped his palm up and called to the world. Six small slices of energy formed a sphere, and it began to turn faster and faster until it exploded in a radiant burst of multicolored energy. It floated up to the sky and dropped down on the two. Kate looked in wonder as an eminence glowed for a short second. It was Rey, for but a quick second. Then the magic blinked for a second and a single shadowy fox leapt off the terrace and bounded away.

“Oh! you can do that too?” Katerina smiled as she mimicked the Shadow’s movements. Soon enough her own shadowy vixen bounded away from the terrace.

Gerion was slightly stunned. “I have never met anyone who could mimic me like that, well, aside from Rey,” Gerion began.

“HEY, GERION! I was wonderin--” A man strode out onto the terrace. He had sharp wolf-like features and a tall muscular form. “Oh I’m sorry.”

“No problem. Um, this is Katerina, Katerina this is Rielan...my, uh, brother.” The two looked at each other and exchanged subtleties.

“Anyway, I was wondering about where I’m going to stay?” Rielan looked at Gerion with big eyes.

“Just find a room. There is an abundance of them. Take Nott with you, she needs to go for a run, and the terrace isn’t a great place to do that,” Nott looked at Gerion with a puzzled sarcasm. Gerion let out a light laugh as the wolves padded off.

“So, your brother, is he?” Kate asked with a kind smile.

“It’s a very long story, one filled with darkness and friendships,” Gerion showed her his teeth.

“I have time. Let’s go for a walk.”

“Certainly my lady. But, one thing first.” He leapt off the balcony and ran into the bottom floor of the villa. “Rey.”

“Yes, little brother?” the Fox’s eyes were laughing at Gerion and Celia was giggling by Rey’s side.

“You know what, I want to say something that you need to hear. Actually two things,” Gerion spoke grinning.

“And what would that be, little brother?”

“Stay out of my business,” the Fox raised his hands to his chest, faking that the words had hurt him.

“Oh, your words are like a knife in my heart, little brother.”

“And thank you.” Gerion laughed, and ran upstairs to get Katerina. The Fox watched him leave, happy that the boy had finally learned about love, joy, beauty and connection.