Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?

Two days had passed since Mary asked for Syrus’s assistance, and there hadn’t been any follow-up on those topics. 

Syrus was in complete control of their body as she trained Ethan in the backyard of the manor. Luna, for the moment, was glad to have Syrus take full reins as she wasn’t sure if she could control herself. She had spent so long practising how to act and mask emotions, but the moment they had a lead… a potential unlikely lead to what could have happened to their parents, she couldn’t control herself.

As if there were ants in her pants, Luna couldn't stop pacing around or tapping her finger. She was unable to stop being anxious. 

Eva and Syrus had already said what they wanted to say to her. Both were reluctant to believe that this was going to be their key to finding Jen and George. Though that didn’t mean either denied that hope. Deep inside, they both prayed that this finally might be the piece they needed. 

Why would they not…? They all wanted to see their mum and dad again. 

Mary did her best to follow up on that topic. She had people investigate them all, but this one was also suspicious since it had two reports that were likely based around the same cause. Her motives lay more with the safety of the country and hopefully assisting any victim of Abea. 

For the moment, the trio could only hope for good news.

Eva peeked at Luna’s emotional state, and she was still worried because Luna had been in the dumps since they assisted Mary. Eva did her best not to fall into similar emotions, as she knew with their body, the worst thing they could do was share in their dark feelings, as it would cycle and amplify. So, she chose to look at the situation calculatively to keep her emotions away from the equation.   

Perhaps after a few more days, Luna would emerge from the murky waters. 

Though Luna had another reason for this sudden spike in negative emotions. It wasn’t just because she was worried they might miss a clue about their parents. 

The trio… had discussed the disappearance of their parents on a few occasions. Each time was deeply painful for them all, but they chose to believe that they had been teleported away somewhere. Because, of course, the other outcome was that they had died. 

The simple fact was… they guessed Jen and George had been teleported away. It was their best assumption based on the evidence, but they still had no idea where they could be. They weren’t found anywhere nearby, and they hadn’t heard any news about them. Of course, in this world, it was hard for news to travel fast, but they always had an ear open and checked in on events in Cancole for this reason.

But still nothing. And the one ‘responsible’ was Luna. Space was her attribute. 

She didn’t feel guilty about the situation all the time, but moments like this, when the thoughts were brought back, did the pain sizzle up. Her sisters would tell her, of course it wasn’t her fault if they knew her exact thought, but guilt didn’t go away simply because there was a good reason for it to. Without them teleporting their parents away, they could be dead anyway. 

But that didn’t change the fact.

Luna wanted to see them again. 

They all desperately did.

But painfully, there wasn’t much that could be done.

These thoughts didn’t distract them from combat, and once lunchtime came close, they wrapped up the session.

As Syrus was organising the equipment they used for training, Ethan came up to Syrus after he finished catching his breath. 

His voice was shaky. “Syrus, when are we leaving?” 

“Missing home?” Syrus asked, ready to judge Ethan’s response. 

“I guess?” Ethan looked down at Cobalt, who quickly snuggled up against his leg. “I do miss my folks, and I do miss the routine…” 

“The food and comfort are nice here.” 

“That’s true…” Ethan’s eyes widened. “But—that’s not the important part.” 

Syrus smiled. “I know. So what has got you worried?” 

“Everything?”

“Not specific enough,” Syrus warned, her tone firm. 

“...I’m worried about my folks, worried another incident has happened.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m not sure…” 

Luna said, “If I had to put a reason on it for you, then experiencing all the chaos here has probably shaken you up and made you relive some of the bad moments of the prior attack.”

Ethan nodded. “That makes sense.” He bit his tongue for a moment. “But… I am also worried about Max… this has all been a lot for him.”

“So you are conflicted. Worried about your family and your friends." 

“You make it sound so simple…” Ethan muttered.

“Because it is.” Syrus looked at Ethan directly. “However, simple doesn’t mean something is easy.” 

“Woo!” Cobalt leapt off the ground and jumped off Ethan’s back to stand on the boy’s head and shoulders. 

“Hey… don’t do that without warning.” Ethan’s head wobbled as he tried to pick up the dog and hold Cobalt in his arms. 

“I’m going to be honest. I don’t have a good answer for you. You can’t be in two places at once.” Anlesa’s eyes glanced towards the sky for a moment. “We will be leaving soon. Not immediately, but soon.” She looked back at the worried boy. “But you can stay here. Your home will be fine. No more chaos should be coming around anytime soon.”

“But you won’t be staying…” 

“Maca will be, and I did overhear that Lavender planned to make journeys back and forth more often. You got roped up in a big mess for a while, so once it calms down, you can have the chance to enjoy the city again.”

“I don’t need to enjoy it—” 

“You just want Max to be safe.” 

[The boy is too kind.] (Luna)

[Well, never had many friends of his age.] (Syrus)

[That’s not the only reason.] (Luna)

[I know. Just saying. He was kind of a loner.] (Syrus)

[You are really trying to take the heart out of the situation.] (Eva)

[Heh. I just know the boy will be fine. So simply, there isn’t anything for us to worry about.” 

“Stick around. You have that power, and you have friends here. Just don’t worry, help out your friend until he is standing on his feet. There will be plenty of opportunities to go back and forth between the counties. I will also be at the Station if you are worried about your folks. I will even send a message if I plan on going on a longer journey.” Anlesa understood the boy just needed some more time to grow. This was going to be a big lesson for him.

Syrus said, “I know my words might fall on deaf ears if I say them too many times, but please don’t worry. Your focus is better spent on doing what you can.”

“What can I do?” 

“Heh. A question we all try to ask ourselves. A hint is just being there for people.” Syrus began walking towards the weapon storage. “Anything else?"

“Not for the moment.” Ethan hopped forward. “Thanks, Syrus.” 

Syrus put the weapons away and turned to look behind the weapon shed.

[All the children today.] (Syrus)

[Are we counsellors now?] (Eva)

[Worst people for the job.] (Luna)

[Don’t say that. We have plenty of experience.] (Syrus)

“Hey, Max.” 

He froze for a second before putting on an air of confidence. “Of course, you knew I was here.” 

“Sometimes by holding back your breathing, if you are not careful, you can become more obvious." 

His body looked as if he had been zapped for a moment. 

Syrus chuckled inside their head. 

[What are we going to do?] (Eva)

[You said it. Why not be a proper adult today?] (Syrus)

Syrus sat down on the ground and rested on the wall, so the boy was standing over her. “You listened to what Ethan and I spoke about?”

“Yeah…” 

“You managed to make a good friend.” Syrus smirked. “I guess we haven’t really talked much.”

“No… most of our conversations have been with Ethan.” Max sighed, “I was just around for the ride. Even in training, you gave great advice, but I was just leaching onto Ethan’s training.”

“Correct for the first point. Incorrect for the second. No such thing as leaching onto someone's training. Learning is learning, it is as simple as that.” 

“Fine.” Max chose not to argue. “But still, I don’t really know you.” 

“The same thing could be said by Ethan, Maca, and Lavender. Three people who have known me for various amounts of time, but I am probably a mystery to them as well.” 

Max countered, “A person can be a mystery, but people still know what kind of person they are.” 

“Wise words.” Luna’s eyes went sombre. The kid must’ve had to grow up fast during their time in the country. Max’s words were true. Anlesa hadn’t really interacted with the boy much at all. However, during this time, they watched the boy slowly change from Max, the simple child of Mary, to Max, the lost royalty.” 

“You gave Ethan advice, my mum and Maca trust you, and you helped us out even while your life was endangered. So now I want advice?” 

“Fair enough.” Luna asked, “So, does this have to do with your role in the country?” 

“...” Max looked as if he ate something sour. “You guessed correctly.” His foot tapped on the ground. “I want to do something, but everyone I talk to just tells me to stay away.” 

“Well, that is a better start than many. You are already trying.” Syrus complimented the boy but wasn’t happy with that answer.

“But I am doing nothing.” 

Luna flipped the question. “Do you wish to be a king ordering everyone around?” 

“Wait–no–I.” He swallowed and refocused his words. “I want to help people. It is my duty. It is what I want to do, but there is no avenue for me to do anything. And if I just go outside to do my own thing, I will just cause more trouble.”

[He is right about that.] (Syrus)

The public didn’t know what Max exactly looked like, but with Mary and Max being known quantities in the city now. If a boy matching the physical appearance of the royal family started walking around. Yeah, that would cause some chaos for the city in its current state.

“My best answer for you is to keep poking your head in every door that is around. Of course, there will be ones that are certainly not appropriate. Learn what those are and make sure not to bother those people. If you knock on every door without focus, you are bound to just be annoying.” 

“That doesn’t give me a clear direction at all. Where do I even begin?” 

“Harder to help. Can’t say I have been in the position of a young heir trying to prove themself.” Syrus shrugged. “At the end of the day, you are a child with no experience in a lot of things. So all you can really do is learn and try to help. Use the puppy-dog-eye trick that Cobalt uses when he wants extra snacks after dinner. Whatever you can to get what you want.” 

Syrus stood up.

“I don’t know if I can say if any of that was good advice,” Max said. 

“The mysterious woman isn't good at everything. Giving advice is also a bit of a pain, and honestly, I think you are doing a good job, all things considered, with your situation. You are just worried because nothing feels successful, but people are noticing that you are putting effort in. I’m not sure where it will end up because this country has a lot of problems it currently needs to deal with, but I am sure you will work something out.”

“Thanks… I guess?” Max didn’t know if he got anything from this conversation. He thought he might have learnt more from accidentally spying on Ethan’s talk. His mind wandered, thinking about how Ethan was thinking about staying behind just to help with the mess.

Syrus waved. “Sure. If you want more advice from me, I recommend combat tips. I am much better at that.” 

“Duly noted.”

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