The room was cool, both the front and back doors open, letting in the breeze from outside. The stereo was on, some random instramental piece, with a celtic feel to it. Raven was writing, some type of lyrics perhaps. He had a thing for music, and the music playing was likely something of his creation, or a collaboration he'd worked on.
Emme stood in a patch of sun, working on that same painting she'd been struggling with for some time now. Ray was sitting outside on his favorite rock, sketching. So many of their afternoons were now spent this way, it was a comfortable way too live, and peaceful.
After Ray's growth, he'd pulled away from Emme, keeping much of his thoughts to himself. He'd become more brooding and silent while at home, despite his new ablitity to talk. He went out to the garden more and more often, and would disappear on long walks. Raven's empathy finally kicked in, though... and one evening he went out to speak with the boy.
They sat silently in the garden together for a long time before either of them spoke.
"You don't seem very happy lately, Ray." Raven finally said, "I hope it's not because of me."
Ray shook his head, running his fingers along the surface of the pond. "It was about you at first..." He said. "But not anymore. You make mother happy..."
It was a bittersweet victory for Raven, he'd been seeking Ray's approval since they met in Dragons Breath. Though the boy would play with him, there was never a connection, and now... since his greeting at the door, Raven had wonderd if the boy would ever warm up to him. "I'm glad you think I do, Ray.... I know you didn't alway feel that way about me."
"I judged you unfairly, I think... There is more to ever situation than someone as young as i can know..." Ray said somewhat criptically, readjusting his postition on the rock. He wouldn't look at Raven, but he did appreciate the company. It felt hard to look anyone in the eye anymore. He felt like he'd lost his connection to people in general.
"Maybe not, you've more wisdom than most people I've known." Raven leaned back, looking up at the stars as they slowly came to life in the darkening sky. "Why, then, all the gloom lately? If you don't have a problem with me any more..."
Ray sighed, and shook his head. "I don't know. I think it started when I hung out with the girls at the shop... I just... didn't feel like I fit in. I was so obsessed with... well, the garden, the trees... I don't know. I don't feel like I understand people anymore... people my own age seem the strangest of all... I dont' know why." It felt good to get that off his chest... he was surprised that Raven made such a good listener.
"hmmm..." Raven replied, "I'm not sure what to tell you... I think we all feel out of place at times." He looked over at the younger boy... a child, yet not a child for long. He couldnt' imagine what it could feel like to grow so much so quickly, in both body and mind. "Just remember... you have family and friends who love you, so don't worry about what others might think. You will always fit in here."
Ray nodded, leaning over to give Raven a hug... something he handn't done since he was little. "Thank you Raven."
