Alone in Ajiaga Vuon

The Twins is out for work again, always leaving me alone. Usually I can accept it, but I'm taking this chance to visit Ajiaga Vuon again while letting hem wonder where I am at the same time. I know I'm not supposed to feel down even after being left all the time, I just want the Twins to feel what it's like to wait once in a while. Not upset, just want more attention.

It is a fact, that it's not fun to fall in love and have that person leaving you behind so many times, making you wait and wait and wait again. Se is always here when I need hem, but sometimes I just want hem nearby even when we're not actually talking. And those jealous people always sneer at me whenever they see me walking alone despite the fact that we are a couple. Such lame acts shouldn't bother me, but sometimes they do.

But today, I just told my companions that I'm going somewhere without telling them that I'm heading for Ajiaga Vuon. I want the Twins to look for me when se gets back. Should be a fine ruse to get hem to realize that it's time for hem to pay more attention to me the way I deserve it as hes legitimate partner.

Ajiaga Vuon is still the way as it was since I was small, and since the last time we came here. Models bustling here and there, movie shootings everywhere. I saw the scout from last time who obviously tried to provoke me with insults. Somehow se found out who my parent was, and compared me to hem, saying I'm a disgrace to the family for being different. And though I'm modelling for another company, I'm a seasonal model, or so se said. I wonder why I even bothered to spend my time listening.

As I sit in my parents' house, I start thinking about my life, then the Twins'. Why won't se tell me what it's like? True that I took time to tell mine too, but there must be a reason to hes secretive, that's what I want to know. Then again who were my family to me? I didn't get to know much about my birth-parent, but I remember that se was kind to me but didn't talk much with the other parent. When I was older the other parent said that se was not the talkative kind, but se took great care of me. The other parent was always busy with work. We were mostly raised by maids, but I never liked them. They used to tease me about how different I was, and that's irritating.

I wonder if my parent even loved us? Se praised us if we were good, and scolded us when we do something bad. But that's only when se's home. Se used to come back late at night and peek into our rooms to see if we were asleep. On hes rare day off, se would read us a book or tell us what our birth-parent was like. I heard we had a death threat from competing rivals, and during that time se was always home with us. When the threat was over, se left again. When the company came seeking me, se just gave me away. I cried after I left with the company. It wasn't because I was sad of leaving. I was sad because se just gave me away. With my differences, I thought no one needed me.

Well, did se really needed me? I don't look like them, I don't act like them. Even my sibling was far different from me. When we walked outside, my parent would shade me from people's stares. Was se ashamed of my existence? I guess not. I bet my parents loved us, loved me, the way parents are. Maybe se was just trying to protect me from the cruel world, se thought I was weak. It was because I wasn't weak that the company came looking for me.

The day I was given away, the company's representative had a talk with my parent which I wasn't listening to. I don't know what it was, but I heard my parent talking in an upset tone. After they quieted down, my parent came to me and said told me to "be good and live a happy life". Se promised to visit. Se did, hes first and hes last.

When I realize it, I am crying. I won't ask why I was born different. It is that difference that brought me happiness with the Twins. It showed me who to believe, what to protect, and where enemies are. People don't understand, I don't care. But I couldn't even convey this feelings to my family, who are now gone forever. Even if they are alive, I still can't blurt out the words or the safety of my companions will be at risk. The Twins always said that being different is tough, now I'm starting to see. To be the only one who understands, while others try and try to understand they never could. When you get a companion who experiences the same thing, you'd feel utter happiness. But when that companion leaves, it hurts so much.

Death is but a while. People meet over and over again.

My family is gone. The Twins still has hes, though se doesn't seem to like them. I want hem to appreciate them more. Se is appreciating them, se does hes responsibilities, and meet them to fulfill their longings. But se only does so because it's hes duty. Job, duty, mission. They say the Twins doesn't have a heart. I know se does have one. I just don't want hem to suffer like me when people are gone.

I will wait for hem to come looking for me. One of us is drifting away, if it's me, I'll swim back to hem.

That Mysterious Figure

The Water Bearer here.

I remember meeting a person who really left an impression in my memories. It was around half a year before The Twins came to Keen Xenocis.

At that moment, we were already serving the Golden Flower. We didn't know then that there was an intruder from outside who was smuggling deadly living things from various places and conducting business in KX. What we knew then was that unknown animals were increasing by days and were rampaging across town. There were fatalities, and we had to move even though that wasn't really our job.

Though they were deadly, the number was more concerning, forcing every each of us to move separately. It was during one of my patrols that I came across 'hem'. An over-sized, green roina ran past me, smashing everything in its path. I tried to run after it but it already had a head start and was running towards what I thought was a pedestrian. There I thought I was going to get the blame for another fatal case, but what happened the next few seconds brought hem to my attention. I didn't understand what was happening then, but turned out se sent the roina back to its place with dimension-leap, the way the Twins always does.

When the roina was gone, we just stood there staring at each other. I remember that se had dark skin and snow-like hair. And a slight scent that now smelled familiar. Then se smiled and walked away. Se turned into a corner and se was gone.

Days after that I keep catching a glimpse of hem here and there whenever there's trouble. It was as if se had a connection with the whole smuggling affair.

The day came when we managed to corner the smuggler in hes hideout. Whether we were too young, or se was absurdly strong, se beat the crap out of all three of us. Backups were outside managing the rampaging animals, it was like we were going to end there with no one realizing us gone. However, se detected someone nearby and said that we were not worthy of killing. Then out of the shadows, the snow-hair appeared claiming the battle to hemself.

Now I start to see the connection, when the snow-hair said to the smuggler that se would end the fight in 30 seconds, no more than that. It took a little bit more than 1 minute though, but the snow-hair had the smuggler's neck in hes hand. The smuggler seemed astonished by hes defeat and demanded to know who se was and who sent hem to KX, fully aware that the snow-hair also wasn't a resident of KX. Then se smiled and whispered a name into the smuggler's ears before ending the affair. Before se died, se said "So it was hem after all...". Somehow I have an idea that the Twins sent that figure here. The rather infamous the Twins.

After sending the smuggled items back to their places, se called for aid from our backups and left.

Why the sudden story? Because se came back.

The Twins came home one day while I was snuggling with the kats. I told hem that our housekeeper, the Vines is out, and that I didn't know where kat food was. As se moved to turn on the kat feeder, I asked where se went to. Without even looking at me, se just said "not a very fun place". Then se went to bath, and I finally caught the meaning, that se went to hes hometown, one of the places se always come back from all tired and weary. Se always dreaded that place, but se kept on going there. I thought se was just being loyal to hes birthplace, but se always said that it's hes job to go back.

Se's stubborn, but it's okay, I thought, I should just let hem rest for a few days to recover from hes troubles. But the next day, Haaku, the head-maid of the palace came with a letter. Someone threatened to kill both the Golden Flower and the Twins on the night when a neighboring royal family is coming to visit. Haaku is always mean to the Twins, saying that se doesn't care about the Twins, but the Golden Flower must be protected and stuff, but I bet se came here on purpose to warn the Twins as well about the danger. But what was more concerning was the fact that the writer of the letter specifically pointed out the Twins, which means it wasn't from a resident of KX. Only arch-enemies aim for the Twins on purpose. Having someone who knows the Twins is on KX means there's probability that info has already leaked and the Twins will have to leave KX. I didn't want the Twins to trouble hemself with the letter, but I recognized the larger damage it would cause if the Twins don't handle things hemself.

Finally the awaited moment came and gloom and death started to befall KX once again. And what showed itself before us was the snow-hair, all ready for mass-massacre. Holding the Golden Flower in one arm, se glared at the Twins and said.

SP: I've come to return your 'favor'.

TT: ...

SP: Oh come on, don't tell me you've forgotten who I am after you steal my figure, leaving me stranded with nothing!

TT: *sneer* Of course I remember you, Snow Princess.

SP: For years I wandered without a body, all thanks to you! Se, *throwing GF to the floor* was just a bait to get you out of hiding.

TT: How did you know I'm here?

SP: I looked for you. For every star that lies in the direction you left my place, I looked everywhere till I found you. Here, idling with hem-! *pointing at WB*, leisuring while I suffer. You don't know how much I endured.

TT: I thought you were dead. If I knew you were alive, I wouldn't let a speck of you survive. *grin*

SP: Steal from me then kill me? That's a way to talk.

TT: Just doing my job. You didn't deserve that power.

SP: *laugh* Of course I don't. I have much more awaiting me, enough to send Keen Xenocis to pieces. I don't need that puny power you took from me 5 years ago.

The Twins lashed out an aura grabber, but was sliced into two by the Snow Princess.

SP: And that doesn't work on me anymore.

I don't remember the following scenes, but this is what my companions told me.

I didn't see the aura circle beneath me, but the Snow Princess did and paralyzed me with ice. It was a technique se used to do on unsuspecting preys, where paralyzed preys cannot be shaken even by the slightest touch or it would crumble, killing the preys inside. Se was doing it on purpose to make the Twins angry, but the Twins had another objective; to not let hem escape or everyone will know hes hideout. The Twins forced SP outside of KX area and none knew what happened there.

While the Red Star and the Blowing Wind was wondering why SP could help us before but attack us now, SP returned to KX, without the Twins. The two of them prepared to defend me and the Golden Flower, SP raised a hand and broke the spell. Recovering from the spell, I looked at SP who was smiling a familiar smile. Then I understood that it wasn't the Snow Princess, it was the Twins looking like the Snow Princess.

Later on the Twins told us that before se came to KX, se confiscated SP's powers due to misuse, thinking se died in the process. But by consuming hes aura, se also obtained SP's looks and couldn't change back for a few days. Se took that advantage to avoid hes chasers' attention and escaped to KX where hes next duty was (to capture the smuggler). By accidentally making contact with one of us (who was me), se had to keep the same form while accomplishing hes duty. And I thought that scent and that "30 seconds" phrase was familiar.

The damage on KX was heavy, and we had just recovered from destruction a few years back. Rebuilding KX once again is hard, but it's better than 'the choice' that the Twins proposed. We had it done on Grin Fure before and we didn't like the side effects. By reversing time, KX will return to the condition it was before SP came, but so will the memories fade away except for the Twins who wasn't a resident born here.

TT: The choice is up to you.

RS: But...

WB: Forgetting would be awful..

RS: And we had just finally understood what happened 5 years ago.

TT: If it's about that, I can just tell you again afterwards.

WB: *sulk* You can, but never will.

TT: Okay, okay, I promise I will talk. XP

GF: I know we're all feeling bad about losing our memories, but our residents' feelings should be considered as well. We had just achieved peace for a few years, and to have everything destroyed again is too much for them.

RS: ...

BW: GF's got a point. When TT reversed time on Grin Fure, some people didn't forget what happened.

TT: True. I still don't know why, but their memories miraculously survived.

RS: What if we never remember? What if only one of us remember but others don't?

TT: You know I will remember. /:)

WB: But that would be unfair!

GF: You can make it so that no miracles happen right?

TT: Sure, but I have this tiny little hope that someone could remember. But if you say so.

BW: Wait! At least promise us you will tell it all over again when it's over.

TT: And then you guys are sure going to scold me for doing this.

WB: Say it.

TT: I will.

Time was reversed, and everything went back to normal.

Later that night.

TT: I need to tell you something.

WB: What?

TT: There was a smuggling case 5 years ago right?

WB: Oh? Yes, there was one big case. *grin* Why?

TT: *stare* You haven't forgotten, have you?

WB: Of course I haven't, it was a terrible rampage of wild-,

TT: I'm not talking about that.

WB: *sweat* What are you talking about then?

TT: *sit back* I was hoping for someone to remember.

WB: ...

TT: You do, you're a bad actor.

WB: *lol* I just can't lie.

TT: You remember everything?

WB: Except the part where se got me paralyzed, everything.

TT: Then I leave it to you to tell the story to the rest. XD

WB: Hah? YOU are supposed to do it.

TT: Since you remember it, you should help me with it.

WB: That is.. if they haven't forgotten. *smug*

TT: You think?

WB: We'll have to ask directly.

TT: *wonder* I'll do that early tomorrow morning.

WB: As if you're an early bird.

TT: Knew you'd say that. *giggle* So how was I 5 years ago?

WB: Tanned and freaky.

TT: *pinch* Who's freaky?!

WB: Kidding! *lol*

Having an intergalactic partner is tough. I never know what to expect.

The Request

I forgot when it was, but there was a time we saw people with their kids. I think there were two of them, still young and cuddly. But kids can be nasty, I can't handle them.

Surely you can guess what the 'weird' request was.

TT: No. Not me.

WB: Aww, why not?

TT: You know I can't stand kids.

WB: Not even for me?

TT: Well, if you're gonna do all the job and raise them up properly, sure. I'll take over when they're mature enough to match my ways.

WB: Really?? So it's a yes??

TT: *sigh* If you really insist.

WB: This is gonna be great!

TT: Of course, you'll be the one bearing.

WB: Eh?

TT: You're not expecting me to do that, are you?

WB: Eh, but, but,..

TT: *provoking* What? You're not willing to?

WB: That'll be tough... but as long as you say yes. *grins*

TT: *somewhat unhappy* Fine, fine.

WB: You hate it that much?

TT: I don't hate it. I just know I won't be able to be kind to children. But if you're gonna do it instead, I don't really mind. And since when have you started to like kids?

WB: Uh, well I wonder. *smiles* Just the time, maybe.

TT: Hmm, I guess it wouldn't be so bad.

WB: Yeah, a family couldn't be so bad.

TT: Actually I have other plans for them. *grins*

WB: Augh, don't you lay a finger on them, you-, you and your weird hobbies!

TT: XP

WB: Really, don't do anything weird to them okay. I could almost see what you're planning to do. Throw them in a distant galaxy and leave them to fend for themselves, or leave them in the care of a weird sorcerer, or something!

TT: I'm not that simple. *winks*

WB: But this is great! I can't wait! There are so many things I have to look forward to!

TT: *sweats* Are you sure you haven't gotten a fever? Coz you're acting really weird...

WB: Coz I married a weirdo. XD

TT: Heh. As long as you're happy.

WB: Thank you soooooooo much!! <3<3

And so family planning started. But there were the obstacles, lotsa them! Including me of course. I wanted them to grow up faster than other kids, so I thought using cross-dimensions, but they were all just plans, and the Water Bearer kept on rejecting my ideas, as expected.

The biggest obstacle was, however, the Water Bearer hemself. In the end se admitted that se is unable to bear the patience of child bearing. Heheh. A big relief.

But someone else got big news. The Blowing Wind and co is expecting another family member soon!

Time sure flies. Huuuhhhhhhh............

Another Beginning

5 months. Time sure flies by.

It's The Twins. We understand how lazy the Water Bearer is to update, (lol), so when even I fail to write, this blog goes silent.

It happened a few days after our last article.

I was going around Grin Zeraga, looking for something that might have been left there, which I actually thought was gone and wouldn't be found yet, but I actually found them. I found warriors who would defend peace on the rotting Grin Zeraga. I had been searching all along, but my discoveries always disappoint me. Instead of finding soldiers, I could only find troublemakers, or worse. That's why I decided to escape, to places like Keen Xenocis. That's right; I abandoned my own birthplace.

But the time came when I finally found out that warriors do still exist. They are in small numbers, but they're moving to change Grin Zeraga with great patience. The ones I met are a little bit too carefree, so after a few attempts to speed them up, I have to let them go to walk with their own pace while I find another group of warriors who I can really mingle with great ease since the burden for the fight will be really heavy. And I mean REALLY. The great thing is, I understood that warriors still exist, that's a big relief.

I spent the entire 5 months planning by their side (the carefree ones), but as the word sounds, too much idling makes me go away. And I have my responsibilities in other places too, and for other folks, especially the Water Bearer. I know some people might say I'm just running away after unable to find I want, but I don't really mind.

So, the things I've been searching for on Grin Zeraga has been found. Now I can do my job properly.

Tomorrow, a weird request from the Water Bearer.