Crystal continued to look about uninterestedly, a trait she shared with her son. “I get by. Not much has changed since last you were here. Empires rise and fall; heroes and villains come and go. Life. Time. Same ol' stuff on different days.”
It was astonishing the way these two reflected on the passing of eons as if they were minutes.
Nix nodded and continued to eat his snack until there was nothing left. Stem, core, seeds and all. He gave a large belch, the result being a puff of smoke and a rich sulphur smell in the air.
Crystal gave a look of mock disgust. “Don't foul my air with your nastiness, Nix. Certainly not in front of a guest.” She pointed at Aryu, who was smiling at the comment.
“It's alright. I think this is the first I've ever seen him eat.”
“Well, I don’t need much t’ keep goin',” he said, wiping his face with the back of his hand. “I do it more fer tha flavor than tha sustenance. Food is a wonderful thing. A good beer is even better.”
Aryu couldn’t say he'd ever given food that much thought.
“Tell me,” she said, turning her attention to Aryu, “what's the story behind the wings?”
Aryu went red instantly as Crystal launched into the topic. Being around Nixon alone for the past week had made him forget his life-long sheepishness and embarrassment about his deformity. He suddenly realized they were spread out behind him in the sun as opposed to their default position of folded tightly on his back. An interesting fact, if one considered how he'd foolishly reacted with the young serving girl from the Komoky Valley not that long before. Another testament to how comfortable Crystal could make someone feel.
“Have you never seen a man with wings before?” he asked in a tone far ruder than he'd intended, the topic of his wings growing a natural barrier he'd forgotten existed.
Crystal looked hurt, but only jokingly so. “My my, touchy subject I see.”
Nixon snorted a laugh. “Huh, our young friend 'ere isn't too high on 'is uniqueness. Says he wishes he'd ne'er had ’em.”
Crystal looked at him again, a soft smile on her face. “Is that so? I apologize, Aryu. I’ve been alive a long time, but it’s been ages since I’ve seen natural wings.”
Aryu looked at her. “Natural?”
Crystal walked over and took a seat between the two men, ghostly feet dipping into the water below. “Yes, natural. I've seen people with mechanical wings, or in vehicles with large wings. I've even seen people who have used the Power to grant themselves something similar. But, if my hunch on the matter is true, you’re mortal with no mastery of these things. Perhaps I could even say a fear of them? Yours seem to be flesh and blood, born to you like an arm or leg. Correct?”
Aryu couldn't meet her gaze, the shame of the topic still present. “You are. So is he, though,” he said, motioning to Nixon. “I'm not a big fan. They've caused too much trouble in my young life, thank you.”
Nixon interjected immediately, seizing the opportunity to begin the difficult questions. “Aye, it's true. He even told me he was brought to his home village because he feared he’d be killed as a monster in 'is 'omeland.”
“And where was that, that would persecute one so young?”
Nixon looked to Aryu to see if he'd continue or put up resistance. Aryu did neither. “Over the ocean.”
Crystal only looked at Nixon with an odd, knowing look passing between them. Aryu caught it but said nothing. “I’ll say,” was all Crystal said. Aryu looked at her, unsure if she implied something he didn’t catch or thought him a liar.
“All I know is what I'm told, Crystal. My parents are good people. Or were. I doubt they’d lie to me.”
“Were? Has something happened to them?”
Consumed by less pain than he'd expected, Aryu told her the story of how he had met Nixon, his missing parents, the destruction of his home at the hands of the machines, and the deal to help Nixon and rejoin his friend when he was done.
After the story finished, Crystal reached over and took Aryu’s hand in hers, his cut and dirty fingers looking grotesque next to her perfect digits. “I am truly sorry for your loss, Aryu,” she said, eyes meeting his. Despite their odd color, they were very much human and began tearing up at the telling of his tale. “The loss of so many so needlessly is a crime without borders. I haven’t seen or heard of such terrible actions in ages. My heart goes out to you.” He thanked her, greatly appreciating her sentiments. He removed his hand from hers and returned it to his side.
“I know of this army you mentioned," she continued. "A fighting force that came from the south and pushes northward daily using weapons like the ones you described to destroy many. They haven't begun a march this way yet, not that I expect them to, but if they do, we'll be ready.”
“How do you know of this?” Nixon asked, clearly fishing.
Crystal wasn't fooled. “You know how, Nix. You've no doubt spoken with my overprotective son. I hear the news of the world in the Echoes of the Omnis.”
Nixon fouled instantly. “Ye admit ye tap the Echoes?”
“I do, for some time now. It's an exhilarating experience. So much to hear and so much to learn.”
“So much to suffer from!” Nixon responded instantly. “Ya dare probe the Omnis fer news of the world, as ye say? Why not just leave this place and see fer yerself? The Echoes are not yer plaything. The Omnis is All and
