"I see. So to sum it up, you have been invited to your sister's wedding and you are worried about leaving me behind due to the pitiful amount of time I have left, is that accurate enough?" Caius said after Sythrik told him about the wedding invitation in plain detail.
Sythrik nodded hesitantly, then said with an undecisive tone, "t-that's right..."
Caius sized him up for a moment, almost as if he is embedding every detail that rests upon Sythrik's form into his very own memory. "Sythrik, you really haven't changed. Despite your great philosophies and achievements in discerning the true essence within reason and meaning, you still cannot handle them when faced with the reality of those philosophies." Caius spoke, trying to lay some teachings to the ignorant Sythrik.
"I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand..." Sythrik said while raising his right eyebrow.
Caius took a moment to organize his thoughts, then spoke with a lifetime of wisdom, "you once said that the echo does not beg the voice to stay; it fades with dignity, asking only to be remembered, not clung to. You remember that?"
Sythrik looked at Caius with a knowing expression and said, "I do. I remember I told Johann that when he kept saying the same thing over and over again, tired of his constant rambling."
Caius laughed in a low tone, smiling gently as he remembered the older times, "indeed, I remember. You were quite the ill tempered one." Sythrik laughed along, remembering his old, foolish self. "You're right, I was quite inconsiderate of others, thinking mostly of myself. That saying I made is nothing but foolish rambling so lets leave it behind." Sythrik said.
"I don't think we should, as it is not as foolish as you make it sound." Caius continued, "Sometimes, letting go is the best thing one can do, whether it is an echo, a pull, or even a person. Letting go saves all, even the one that was left behind." Caius sat up straight, looking at Sythrik once more for a small moment, then spoke once more, "There is nothing left for me but peace, and everything left for you but time. Don't spend it on my goodbye, that would be an utterly foolish idea. You don't want me to go out with guilt and regret, do you?"
Sythrik's eyes widened as he clenched his fists and said with a heavy heart, "I see... If that is what you want, then I won't resist... Haha, I really am incompetent, unable to face my own beliefs when standing before them..."
Caius, realizing Sythrik's gradually rising pain, said with both a warm tone and smile, "There is four days left till you have to leave is it not?" Sythrik nodded with a confused expression. "Take the day off today, we have nothing I wish to discuss at the moment either. Instead, meet me here tomorrow morning."
"Why, what do you have in mind?" Sythrik asked while raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Don't think too deeply about it-just do it. That is all I ask."
"O-Of course. Then, what should I do till then? If not work, I believe I am left without much to do." Sythrik asked.
"You're an adult now, Sythrik. Whatever you wish to do, you do. Do not rely on others or else you may end up a pawn. With that said, I'll head out. I just got some work I have to do." Caius said wisely.
Sythrik stood up as well, ready to leave in his own tracks and said, "I see. That work though, do you need a lending hand?" Caius, whom was dressing up to go outside, said, "I don't. See you tomorrow morning then, Sythrik." waving his dismissive waves.
Sythrik merely stood and watched as Caius' shadow seemed to stretch under the sun's guidance. "Using my own philosophy against me, huh?... As sly as always." He mused as he walked towards the exit, put on his shoes and left.
After having walked around aimlessly, trying to find something to do, he suddenly recalled something, "Lynette didn't come to work today! Maybe I should go and check in on her, and while I do that, I can tell her about my soon to come departure!"
He quickly made his way toward the corner restaurant, that goes by the name, "Taste Of Freedom"... Sythrik chuckled warmly and said a musing tone, "in that case they should make the food free too!"
...
After about three minutes of walking, Sythrik could finally see the restaurant in it's humble corner. "Its much more quieter than yesterday. Must be due to Sennan's absence." He thought to himself as he made his way inside.
To his surprise, he was greeted by the same young waitress that served him yesterday. "Ah, its you Mr. Tip!" The waitress shouted in surprise, forgetting the usual policies for waitresses and waiters alike. With a quick realization, she straightened her posture, coughed twice and said, "I mean, how can I make your acquaintance?"
Sythrik did not bother to hide his laughter and said, "I was wondering if you knew anything about where Lynette is?"
The waitress was slightly taken aback, but did ignore and started pondering, "is it the lady from yesterday?" Sythrik kept his smile and answered, "it is. Apparently, her family owns this restaurant so I thought she might be here."
The area fell silent for a few seconds, then, the waitress shouted in surprise, "she's one of theirs' children!?" Taken aback, Sythrik could not help but ask, "uhm, is there something special about them?" The waitress' shock increased with each word Sythrik muttered, and she quickly said, "that family isn't the owners because they are good cooks and decided to start a restaurant! They are one of the richest families in all of Lorath!!! They simply bought the place and hired a few people to work here to make a decent profit due to the lack of restaurants in this part of town. That's one of the reasons as to why I work here, the pay is good!"
Sythrik, now understanding her surprise could not help but be surprised himself. He quickly calmed down and asked, "Do you perhaps know where I might find their them or their residence?"
The waitress thought for a moment before saying, "I'm not entirely sure so don't take my word for it, But I believe they are preparing to leave for the Capital for a meeting of some kind..."
"Left for the Capital?" "Meeting?" "At this time?" Sythrik's mind quickly assembled the pieces of information and sorted out his thoughts, "could it be... Nah, my family is well off, however, we are not at the ranks of noblemen or high-ranking merchants. We're barely upper-class even. They have no reason to participate in the wedding of my sister and..." Sythrik's face lost it's color for a moment as yet another realization struck him, "the family my sister is marrying into... Considering Sennan's fame and obvious wealth, there might really be a chance that Lynette's family is leaving to attend it for formalities' sake."
Sythrik forced a smile and bid farewell to the waitress after thanking her, then left off to certain address.
"I'm too curious to sit still, and either way, there is nothing wrong in getting familiar with my brother in law!" Sythrik said as he traversed toward the richer part of the city, slowly but surely escaping his middle-classed area.
As he walked and delved deeper into the upper part of the city, he quickly saw a transformation unfold-the streets were cleaner, the vares of merchants were of better quality and quantity, the buildings were larger and more detailed, and the people wore expensive and fancy clothing, both young and old alike.
...
After what felt like an eternity, Sythrik reached a house of white colored wood. it was three stories tall, had two terraces, lamps that illuminated the whole buildings, and even a gate. At the front were two security guards, and inside of the gate were four patrolling guards.
"They look pretty serious, will they even let me in?" Sythrik muttered in disbelief.
He approached the gate carefully and asked the tall and muscular guard, "uhm, hello. I have come to visit my brother in law, Sennan..."
"Is that so? Well then, go inside." The guard said, his tone rough and deep. "Thanks, sir." He said as he approached the gate with deliberate steps, before butting his face into a sturdy arm.
"What was that?" Sythrik said as he looked up at the guard, seeing his stretched and imposing arm in front of where he had walked. "Why did you do that?" Sythrik asked as politely as he could.
"You think you're the first to do this? Sennan is a famous individual. Pretending to be his family to meet him is utterly stupid! So you either fck off or I will make you, its your choice to make." The guard said, understandably so.
Sythrik could not help but think, "I know that I do not need to meet him now, but in four days I'll have to come here to reach my sister's wedding!!! If I can't get passed him now, how will I get to my sister then!?" "Screw it!" He said as he yelled out, "SENNAN, ITS ME, SYTHRIK!!! PLEASE COME OUTSIDE!!!"
The guard, clearly angry, quickly grabbed Sythrik's collar and threw him to the ground. "You want me to beat you up or what?" The guard said while the other, less caring guard only watched.
Sythrik's heart started beating faster than ever before, his gaze was somewhat dizzy yet focused, and his breathing seemed both controlled and rough.
"What is this? Is this adrenaline?" Sythrik thought to himself as he struggled to get back up. "Whatever the case, I have to get up!!!"
the guard chuckled, then said with a sadistic tone, "I like your conviction, but this is where it ends kid!!!"
The rough guard loaded a punch, and threw it. Sythrik, thinking it was about to land, was surprised when faced with a stopped fist. He looked over the guards shoulder to see Sennan and his blonde hair, grabbing the guard by his shoulder.
"Sir, guard. That is my brother in law, and you are beating him senseless. In your opinion, how should I perceive this?"