AD MELIORA

Chapter 3: A Little Visitor

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“A Little Visitor”
III

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“Who?” Dad mumbles.

At this, the fox man didn't hesitate in removing his mask. He was an older man with a white beard that bleached up to the roots of his ginger hair. Laugh lines were spread across his pale flush face and ears were furred and pointy, weirdly mammalian in nature. If I were a girl, I'd find him handsome for his age.

My father groaned and squinted to get a better look at the strange old man. His face scrunched up in recognition and confusion. “Wha— Captain? What are you doing here?”

“I could say the same thing,” The man appeared to be just as bewildered as I was. He ran a hand over his scalp. “You said you’d retire down to Mylan, Andreius. That was half a cycle ago, how'd you end up in the middle of the goddamn Snowdunes?”

“Y-You know this guy, Dad?” I whispered discreetly. One of the man's pointy ears twitched despite this.

“Unfortunately,” he gave a disbelieving laugh. “Nachtnebel  Hershel, my former colleague.”

Mr. Hershel gave him a pout. “Just a colleague? You wound me, Andreius. I've known you since you were still a student.” The other man's eyes twinkle in interest upon analyzing me. “You look almost exactly like him back when he was still at the academy.”

Dad winced. “Oh, gods. I forgot none of you ever got to see him. Captain, this is my son, Lucas.”

“Then he's the one who— he must be of age now. He got it even after you…?”

Dad had a proud smile on his face. “Yeah. It's a true miracle.”

The witch shook his head and chuckled. He gave me a warm smile. “So you're the one who flared up the sky enough for us to find you in time. I’ll bet you’ll have a fine destiny. Good work, kit.”

Although confused by what exactly he meant by my ‘destiny’, my heart fluttered at the praise and wordlessly nodded. It was then that the Witch Lady came to Mr. Hershel’s side. “The core has been contained, Captain. The Vigils are waiting for your command.”

“Proceed with cleanup,” he said. Witch Lady gave the others a nod and they began cleaning off the creature's remains with a portal. Before she could leave, Mr. Nachtnebel spoke again.

“Healer Nachtnebel , do you still remember Claverion Archuleta?” he said, gesturing to Dad. “I introduced you to him back when you were still a trainee.”

It took a minute before her small almond eyes went wide in recognition. Her face flushed into a dark wine color. “Andreius?!” she squeaked, wholly unladylike and one octave higher than usual.

Dad gave her a small wave. “Hi there, Lady Cynthia. Did you end up using the sunflower seeds I'd given you?”

Miss Cynthia stumbled on her words as she nervously laughed. “G-Good! It's— it's been well. Flourishing, actually! Nice sunshine in Citeron because it's the third year of summer…”

Mr. Nachtnebel had a mischievous look in his eye. “Which you're welcome to visit our home, if you ever come with us to N’vrome for the true solstice—”

She levels him with a withering glare, although he was more amused than anything. “As I was saying, the guild would welcome you back either way,” Miss Cynthia cleared her throat. “It’s been a long time since you left. We'd love to have you back… you and your son.”