Present time.
"Hello Charley, it's been sometime."
The japanese man with blue eyes, smiles sweetly yet somewhat drearily, with a lazy stare. Mr.Robin greets his long time friend, and exchanging handshakes they reminisce for a moment before looking over at Charley; who stands with his mouth slightly agape in shock. "This is Mr.Inoue. Do you remember him, Charley? He used to be the doctor for our home."
And just gazing without a mutter, leaving his facial expressions to display his thoughts perfectly,
(w-why..?) Charley wonders. Only before speaking up in a sputtering voice, "Ah! Y-yes... sorry! I-- w-why?" He cast his gaze downward, walking over awkwardly to a leather chair before he trips on his way there, stumbling lousily into the seat; "O-oh..! It's just been so long since... my memory i-is... foggy." 51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM4H0OTbNV
The two gentlemen try to hold back their laughter at Charley's seamless ability to look like a little foolish man, of course, failing as they glance at each other making themselves burst in a bubbly laughter. Charley wonders to himself, with a flushed face, (They're still laughing..?)
Itsuki, walks over to his friend and patting him out the doorway, he gasps for some air to speak, "No need to apologize son. The important thing is that the memory still serves. Now um..." still chuckling, Itsuki continues, "May I speak alone with Charley?"
Nodding, with an infectious smile, Mr.Robin leaves the room, "Just shout my name out the door or window if needed-- someone will come." he shrugs, shutting the door behind him.
The clocks tick annoyingly, the fish in its bowl bubbles words only understood by fish whisperers. The sun shines kindly through the stained glass windows, some open to the apple-scented winds, some not; and those which are not, display rainbows of many different colors that bounce off the walls onto the floors. White gentle curtains look like the gentle calm sea waves, as the breeze blows through them. And looking away from the fatherly gaze of Itsuki who stands next to the opened window, is Charley, fidgeting to himself.
"I apologize for the surprise. I know my being here is quite the rarity these days." Itsuki says, playing with his hat. And mumbling words to himself, Itsuki's ears peak, and he walks slightly forward saying, "Pardon?"
Charley looks up at the familiar man, and repeats his mumbling, "T-two..." Holding up two fingers like a small child would, he looks away again awkwardly, "Years. Two years... since you left."
Taken slightly aback, Itsuki nods to himself, sitting down in the cotton chair across from Charley, he rummages his hand through his shortly cut hair. Smiling awkwardly, due to Charley's shy demeanor seeming to make himself feel like some sort of kidnapper. Clearing his throat, "Well... things certainly have changed these past two years. Things which have kept me away from this place... but-- most of all you." Itsuki leans forward in his chair, smiling at Charley, "You've changed quite a bit, son."
Glancing at Itsuki's eyes, Charley shifts in his chair, "I see..."
"Mm... well since time is not too lenient for me, I'll go ahead and tell you why I'm here." Getting up from his chair, he heads back to the swung open window, shifting the shadows of the room with each step. And leaning against it's post; he gazes out upon the orphaned boys who place blissfully in the orange forest.
"Speaking on the matter of what kept me away for so long... as I believe you deserve an explanation. My-- my son." He gulps, rubbing his non-existent beard, "He passed away two years ago and I-- well I wasn't in any position to perform out of duties. That's why I have not been here to Fatum Isle... in a long while."
Charley furrows his brows, feeling a sense of guilt in his heart, he clenches his chest. And stares at Itsuki with a hurt soul, "Forgive me..."
Turning his head, he notices the watering eyes of Charley. And trying to hold back his own tears, Itsuki smiles gently, "Forgive you? For what son?"
"When you left... I was so angry, I thought you were so selfish. I... when you were just..." Tears begin to trickle down Charley's cheeks, and beginning to blush from embarrassment, he hides his face in his hands, quickly wiping away the falling tears. Itsuki's usual kind smiling face, turns into confusion and disturbance-- but he does not know why. He quickly turns his eyes away from Charley, desperately trying to keep his calm demeanor. And breathing deeply, he exhales, "I understand why you would. And I am not angry with you son. After all... you're not the only one... but-- don't feel terrible about it. As you've every right to feel that way towards me." Placing his hands on the shoulders of Charley, he pats them, "Heh... okay okay. Enough. All things are clear now hm?" He smiles once again. And nodding, Charley regains his awkward composure. The two look at each other, and both chuckling slightly to themselves; Charley says, "Not all things... why're you here now?"
"I'm here well... because of my youngest son, Rin. He brought me here today."
"R-rin..? I feel like I've heard of him..."
"Oh? Perhaps I've told you about him in the past."
"I don't know. But Mr.Inoue... sorry if I sound too blunt, but what does any of this have to do with me?"
"I thought you were wittier than that son?"
"I am. But I also don't... try not to believe in things too much. It's easier."
"Yes, It is... Isn't it? Suppose we need to hear it for ourselves then to fully realize the light in things hm? Well!" He stands up abruptly, "Charley! I want you to come to my home. I want you to be my real son."
"W-what..!?" Charley jumps from his chair, raising his voice from his usual soft tone, "S-sorry... Just you wish to adopt me? M-me? Like... why? There's plenty of other boys here! Ones that aren't so--"
Patting Charley's head, Itsuki speaks warmly, "So what? Broken? Such things shouldn't define our worth now should it Charley? Besides, I believe the most worthy of us are those who walk forward, even if it hurts."
"There's not much here.." He stares blankly into Itsuki's eyes.
"Nevermind what you see, and hope in what could be."
Charley looks up into the japanese man's blue starry eyes. With furrowed brows and anxiety swelling inside his heart. Click-- the door finally opens to the other side, and awaiting his friend's appearance is Dominic, sleeping lazily against the wall of the hallways. His ears twitch and he flickers his long-lashed chocolate eyes open, yawning, "eeehhhh-- Finallyy~! What took you so long--" He stops, at the sight of the doctor, whom he instantly recognizes. And with he mouth hanging low to the ground, he looks at Charley, who shyly crosses his arms, then back at Itsuki; who gracefully smiles as always.
"Dominic, wow... you've certainly grown up. Almost as tall as me now!"
Mr.Inoue? This! Is who you were talking to?" Dominic slightly shouts, subtly pointing at Itsuki, like he can't see him. Charley shrugs his shoulders saying, "Surprised me too."
"Hmm... So why're you here again? And to see Charley of all people, what right do you--" Charley nudges Dominic before he finishes his sentence, mouthing the words, (No) He quietly says to Dominic, "Mr.Inoue just wanted to ask me something, I'll tell you about it later okay?"
Swishing his hair back like a good-looking gangster would, he waves his hands shrugging, "Okay okay."
(It seems I've left scars...) Itsuki sighs, walking past the bickering boys, nodding at them with his hat, "I best be on my way now. Traveling from the inland to Fatum Isle is no easy feat." He bows slightly, turning around. Yelling the name of his friend-- "Quincy! Let's meet again soon!" His usual gentle voice suddenly turns into a manly vibrant one when he yells; surprising the two boys. Scurrying over, Mr.Robin pops out of nowhere, "Oh! Leaving now Itsuki? Let me escort you on your way out."
"Yes, thank you. And Charley, do think about it a sum will you?"
"I-I will-- have a safe journey."
They smile at each other, and Charley awkwardly waves, making Itsuki chuckle. And the two gentlemen disappear round the corner. Dominic glares at Charley, as echoes of other orphans ring through the halls.
"Have a safe journey huh? Since when did you feel the need to be so kind?"
Charley blankly stares at his friends piercing eyes, knowing he will just continue on with his pity rant if he responds. So he walks away, and Dominic of course follows.
"You're not even that sweet to me! How dare you treat me lesser, your own brother!" he fake cries, lousily walking like an unstable drunk.
"Oh please, I pat your head today. That's better than any words."
"Well... true, but no. Because that's once in a lifetime--"
The two boys bicker all the way down the warm hallways that tie here and there to the outdoors. Colors change with the setting of the sun, crickets begin to chirp a song sweetly played, fireflies hover round the wildflowers, orange leaves falling from the taller than any trees you have ever seen, rummage on the floors like the scurrying of small creatures that only show themselves in the quiet of night. The question, "Who-- who?" is sadly never answered for the forever wondering owls, as all those who may be able to answer now lay in their beds of the orphanage, dreaming away. All except one, Charley. Besides the snoring Dominic keeping him awake at night, he now has a river of what if's rushing through his mind; whilst he lay staring out the skylight window. Flickering stars reflect off his black ebony eyes, and he mutters to himself... "A family... Do I really want that?"
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End of Episode #3 - Fates Strings.
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Author - a.t.e
Written - 8/23/2021 -- Revised edition - 2/25/202251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqzPikZbzs
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Charley's Journal
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These feelings keep coming back... constantly making me hesitate. When will it finally be goodbye? When will it all walk away and never look back to say that never-ending last hi?
I'm tired.
I'm tired of feeling like without this hurt no one will fake their caring selves. These feelings keep coming back. But now I guess It's okay, because I've realized that you can both smile and decay. Yes It's wrong to feel this way, or at least that's what they say. But I just cant help myself from thinking that this is the only way. After all... no ones tried to give me reason to stay, and if they do, they always fall through. Yes the past is the past, but it still hurts like yesterday.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh87A8p5LkI
Give me a reason, just one, I beg you please.
Don't make me smile now then go home to agony. It's all torture, this silly game they force me to play without even asking if I'm okay. And here you are again, welcoming yourself into my life... just like you did in yesterday's days. Except this time I see no happiness in your eyes, to lift up the sadness inside of mine. So why are you here? Truthfully why?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIBkqDYy5n
I know it's not out of pity, which makes me feel like your wishes are true. Because if it were in interest for me, then it surely can't be real. I wouldn't believe you when you say, "come home with me." 51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnwVuYJn4c
But because you're eyes are dark now, with a dimming to dust fire inside, I know you came here for yourself. And because it's for you, and not for me, I can believe your truth. Because the only person that's ever loved me, has been selfish like you.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGc4R0b56v
All I ask in return, is for you to let me say goodbye. Please help me say goodbye. To these feelings that say a never-ending last hi.
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Charley's Journal end.
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51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFF6f2dAHM
and then Add to home screen.