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A Secret Garden

Xiu revisits the maze with Lazarus and for moment, time stood still.

Treasure Hunt of a Curious Kind

Cesc and Xiu finally go hunting for Xiu's missing voice and emerge successful in more ways than one.

It was morning. Xiu could hardly believe it. Yesterday's events seemed distant and dreamlike in the early morning rays of the sun. But it did happen. Otherwise, how did he end up waking up in Lazarus's bed, wearing someone's white shirt and feeling rather sore in the arms? "Lazarus?" Xiu called as he floated out of the room and stood uncertainly at the top of the stairs. At the moment, Xiu did not feel inclined to meet any of the lab staff just yet. Mostly because that would cost him a rather lengthy explanation. From him being here to being able to speak.

The Lab was quiet for the most part, eerily so, like it was uninhabitated. The only sound heard was the distant noises from the streets outside, vehicles passing by and footsteps on sidewalks. However, if Xiu paid attention, he would have smelled the smell of food which would give him a hint of where to go to look for Lazarus.

This was odd. Usually there were common everyday sounds one would usually associate with a working establishment. But not today it seemed. It was quiet and seemed almost deserted if not for the faint scent of food being prepared in the cafeteria. Floating gingerly down the stairs, Xiu approached the cafeteria. The smell of food was stronger here. Pushing the doors open, Xiu peeked in. "Lazarus?" Xiu called out again.

"Oh, Xiu! Good morning!" Came Lazarus's cheerful voice as he turned around from the sizzling pan. The fire Sigel didn't sleep much. Late last night they chatted until Xiu fell asleep from exhaustion, and he stayed up to watch Xiu sleep quietly. He took a short nap later on but decided to wake up early and prepare some breakfast for Xiu. That's what a good boyfriend do right? "I'm making scrambled eggs, I hope you like eggs." Lazarus is quite fond of them himself.

"I could do with scrambled eggs," chuckled Xiu softly as he entered the cafeteria. Like the rest of the facility, the cafeteria seemed quiet with only Lazarus breaking the silence as he handled the gas stove with apparent ease. "Where's everyone else?" asked Xiu with some measure of curiousity. "Did they go somewhere?"

"Oh, Kyou is out on a fel hunt." Lazarus explained as he add a pinch of salt and pepper into the eggs. "Alex and Zeke don't really come in on a daily basis. So if they don't, I'd be alone here all day." The way the fire Sigel was explaining it, is like he's used to this. Used to being a house sitter and left alone on his own, taking care of himself.

"Fel hunt? That must be exciting," said Xiu with a smile. "You must be excited to find out the fel essences that are brought back,"

Then realizing that while they were talking, Lazarus was busy handling the breakfast preparation. Looking around for something to do, Xiu spotted two empty glasses on the counter top. "Should I pour out the juice?" offered Xiu, wanting to be of some help to his friend. "They are in the fridge right?"

"Sometimes." Although normally, he didn't even need to show any curiosity. The first thing Kyou would do when he got back was talk on and on about the fel essence he newly acquired. He's an excited science nerd, that's what he is. Taking the pan off the stove, he turned the fire off and continued to stir the eggs in the heated pan. "Yeah, on the fridge door. Take the orange juice as that is going to expire soonest."

Xiu nodded and took out the carton of orange juice. Pouring a generous amount into both glasses before bringing them over to the table, Xiu gave Lazarus a puzzled look. "Only sometimes?" the white Sigel teased. "Were you interested about my fel essence then?"

Then realizing that Lazarus did not seem to share his humour, Xiu quickly became concerned. "Is something bothering you, Lazarus? Are you worried that the Doctor may be in some danger?"

"I wasn't born when he got your fel essence." Lazarus chuckled softly as he added some chives into the eggs. When the eggs are done, Lazarus took out a plate and gingerly poured the scrambled eggs onto it. They look pretty good, even if this is just his third time making it.

Lazarus was a little confused when Xiu mistaken his disinterest about Kyou for worry. "N-no! I'm not worried about Kyou. He's just been gone for about a week. It's normal for him to be away for one to two weeks on fel hunts." Although it did seemed a little weird to him that Kyou haven't called back yet, not a single phone call since he left. Should he really be worried?

Xiu laughed. "That is a shame," said the white Sigel and meant it. He would have liked to know what Lazarus thought about his essence. But the Doctor had probably several fel essences in store long before any of the raevans were born and Xiu had to content himself with that.

"Ah...if it is normal...," said Xiu as he settled himself down. He knew that Lazarus had been a very independant raevan and that at times it seemed as though it was the Sigel that was looking after the human. Xiu did not want to intrude on their relationship by telling Lazarus to worry about his guardian if the sigel saw no reason to. "But it must be rather lonely like this?" asked Xiu. "You could have called and I would have been delighted to see you more often"

"I... was just afraid that I would seem clingy and intruding if I call you out too much..." Lazarus blushed slightly at that, surely Xiu has his own life and things to do at the book store. Besides, he really is used to being alone like this. Although as much as he tried to convince himself that, his expression showed otherwise.

Taking a deep breath to clear his thoughts, he tried to distract himself by serving the scrambled eggs to Xiu. "Here, taste it!" He smiled as he offered Xiu a fork. Then settling the pan into the sink, he picked up one himself. "Mind if we share it?"

Lazarus's blush was both endearing and heart wrenching to Xiu. In that instant, Lazarus seemed like a lonely child, too afraid to call out for help lest he be turned down. Sometimes...humans tended to forget that their Raevans, despite their looks, are still fledglings in years. If there had not been a table between them, Xiu would have given Lazarus a hug.

Instead Xiu took up the offered fork and smiled at the egg. "Of course not," said Xiu, knowing full well that human food was not enough to sustain the two Sigels. Sooner or later, both Lazarus and him would have to feed off their individual food sources. Fire for Lazarus, innocence for Xiu.

Digging the fork in, Xiu gave the scrambled eggs a taste. "They are very good," said the Sigel with a smile.

Lazarus knew that they don't really need to eat human food, but he just wanted Xiu to try his cooking anyway, as he had developed an interest in it lately. Plus having high resistance to heat does give him an edge in the kitchen. "I'm so glad you like them!" He beamed at the compliments. Following Xiu's lead, he ate some himself too. "So when are you going back?" If Lazarus could have it, he would have liked if Xiu could stay another day, then he wouldn't be as lonely for today at least. But he knew Xiu would be eager to go home and tell Hazeline the good news, right?

Xiu smiled softly. "I was thinking once breakfast is over and I have changed back into my usual clothes, I would head home," said the Sigel as he helped himself to more eggs. Xiu would have liked to be with Lazarus longer but certain obligations need to be met. He could not be away from home longer than this. Not so suddenly at least.

Xiu reached across the table and patted Lazarus's hand reassuringly. "Tell you what, how about I take a few days off from my place and bunk here? I think...Hazeline wouldn't mind it so much"

For a moment, a look of disappointment was on Lazarus's face. Xiu have to head home right after breakfast, which is too soon. He was hoping that Xiu would be able to stay at least half the day or something. However, when Xiu patted his hand and said he would convince Hazeline to let him stay here a few days, his face brighten up again. "That sounds great! Just give me a call or something when you come over!"

Xiu chuckled. Lazarus's delight was apparent to anyone watching. "Alright then," said Xiu as he took the dirty cups and plate to the sink to wash up. "It might be...rather exciting actually. Staying together like this,"

(MSN RP between Lazarus and Xiu)

The call to assemble was as sudden as it was unexpected. This meant that the situation was dire and it made Xiu worried. Was Dr. Kyou lost in the jungle? Or was he out there somewhere alone and hurt? Various scenes (none of them very cheerful) were playing through Xiu's mind as he hastily tried to assemble the inventory given. It was insane. Only two weeks ago Lazarus has assured him that it was normal for the Doctor to disappear for several days in search of fel essences. Now Alex had called and a search party was being formed to search for the missing Doctor.

Xiu gave a worried glance at his friend beside him. So far, Lazarus had been very silent on the bus and it was distressing to see his friend in such a situation. Gingerly placing his hand over Lazarus's, Xiu gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry," said Xiu quietly to his friend.

A turmoil of emotions was running through Lazarus as the bus made it's way across Gaia, heading due west. Even though Xiu was sitting beside him, it did nothing to calm his nerves at all. He couldn't help but imagine what happened to Kyou, all the terrible scenarios, and what would he do without the man? It was an idea that he once entertained in his mind, but facing a real possibility of it, just seemed so different.

His thoughts were halted when Xiu squeezed his hand. Red eyes snapped back from the rushing view outside and back towards the white Sigel. For a moment, he just pondered his reply as he gazes down at the hand holding his. "Don't be..." He sighed deeply. "It's not your fault."

It was heart wrenching to see Lazarus as dispirited as this. The fire Sigel may not have shown it often but deep down, Lazarus really did care about that absent minded guardian of his. "Cheer up," said Xiu gently, unsure of how to proceed. Usually, it was Lazarus who was the strong one. "Nothing is set in stone yet...,"

But what about the need for weapons? Would that have been included in the inventory if it was going to be a relatively safe search?

Probably not thought Xiu's mind darkly. But then again, it is a forest. Lots of wild animals

"But there are freis and humans with us," said Xiu, speaking his thoughts without meaning to. "Wouldn't that be...dangerous?"

"I don't know." Lazarus replied, shrugging. "It's a search party after all, I suppose the more pairs of eyes, the better." The fire Sigel did seem a little less tense as he spoke to Xiu, talking took his mind off the dark thoughts lurking in his brain. "Kyou is on a fel hunt, there can be many reasons why he's missing. Maybe it's because of the fel essence he was hunting, maybe he accidentally fell into a ravine somewhere, or maybe he just got lost in the jungle." He chuckled softly, trying to make an effort to be funny but it quickly trailed off, since he knew well that it was quite unlikely.

Xiu's eyes widened as Lazarus listed several of the many possibilities that could have befallen Dr. Kyou; many of them matching his own grisly thoughts. Shaking them away, Xiu gave an uneasy chuckle as well. "I have never been into a jungle before, to be honest," said Xiu as he tried to change the subject. "I'm afraid I am really something of a city Raevan...,"

Peering out of the bus, Xiu noted the increase in greenery and the sparseness of of homes. "We are really going out there aren't we?"

Lazarus smiled softly at Xiu, the white Sigel was trying to cheer him up and he is really grateful about it. "You're not a city Raevan. I bet you would feel comfortable at a farm, with fresh air and animals about." He could just imagine it, Xiu sitting in the front porch on a beautiful day reading a book.

Although a forest did sounded a little bit more adventurous than a farm at the moment, Lazarus thought as his gaze too fall onto the view outside. They just passed by a small patch of forest, littered with small houses snuggled within here and there. Three hours had passed since they left Gambino, they should be in the outskirts of Gaia now. "Yeah... and we don't know what we're going to expect out there..." Lazarus said, looking thoughtful. After pausing for a moment, he turned around and look at Xiu again. "I'm not sure if we're even going to be on the same team..."

"We aren't?" said Xiu, visibly shocked at this piece of news. "I thought we picked our own buddies to go forest searching together,"

"We have already been grouped then I take it?" said Xiu as he gave the other passengers a glance. There were several that he knew and several that he did not. Perhaps he would get a chance to talk with them when the bus reached its destination.

"And Lazarus...," said Xiu voicing his concern. "I have no experience in jungle trekking and map reading....have you?,"

Lazarus shook his head sadly when Xiu questioned him. "I overheard Jeremy saying that he's going to separate out the Raevans so that each team will have more or less equal fighting power. And since there are only six Sigels..." He paused for a moment before looking around the bus, scanning with his red eyes and counting quietly. Yeah there's only six of them, including him and Xiu. He sighed again before he spoke. "Yeah our groups are predetermined. I don't know who I'm going to be grouped up yet but I know for sure I'm with Jeremy."

"Don't worry about having no experience." He smiled softly as he put his hand on top of Xiu's this time. "I bet a lot of us here don't have either, but we'll figure something out."

Xiu gave a small frown. "This may seem odd but...who is Jeremy? I have never heard of him before. Well, not before this at any rate. Does he work with Dr. Kyou?"

Then realising that he was probably asking way too many questions, Xiu smiled sheepishly and blushed when Lazarus placed his hand over his. It was a comforting gesture but Xiu really wished that a more solid reply could be given instead of "Figuring something out". That gave a lot of room for the unexpected to happen and the white Sigel did not like that. "I hope Dr. Kyou is found soon without a fuss," said Xiu softly but earnestly.

Oops, Lazarus didn't realized that Xiu had not met Jeremy before. The red Sigel chuckled softly before gesturing towards a man in his early 60s with wavy grey hair at the front seat, dozing off with his hand prepping his face up and elbow as support. "He is one of Kyou's long time friends, he is also the supplier for most of the equipment in the Lab. And he is in charge of this search party. Without him, I... I really don't know what to do..." Lazarus fell quiet for a moment as he looked out the window, recalling the meeting with Jeremy just yesterday.

"I hope so too." He echoed Xiu's sentiments as he turned his head around and glances back at Xiu. "I really do..."

Xiu observed the human Jeremy with some interest. Compared to the Doctor, Jeremy seemed old. Not that he was not a fit old man but...Xiu had envisioned someone closer to Dr. Kyou's age in looks. At any rate, Jeremy was sleeping and that made him less interesting for now.

"Say Lazarus...," said Xiu sheepishly as he gave the bus a quick glance to make sure no one was watching them. "You dislike owing people stuff right? Well...take this," said Xiu suddenly slipping the beaded bracelet off his right hand and passing it to Lazarus. "I read it somewhere that by doing so you would...kind of be obligated to return this to me. Err...once Dr. Kyou is found of course," said Xiu colouring deeply. "Just don't get lost yourself alright?"

For a moment Lazarus just found himself staring at the offered jade beaded bracelet. It was sudden, and totally came from the left field. But it was such a sweet move on Xiu's part that the fire Sigel couldn't help but smiled sincerely - a very rare occurrence under such circumstance. "Thank you." He said as he accepted the bracelet, slipping it easily onto his own wrist. "I will give this back to you once all of this is over, I promise." Gently lifting Xiu's hand up, he placed a gentle kiss onto the back of his hand, not caring if anyone saw them. Xiu seemed to make him feel better somehow, given that the situation is so dire. And this is why he cared so much for the Raevan.

Team B

Search Party B heads out to search for the missing Doctor.

Xiu could not believe it but the last few days had gone by like a blur. The forest, the manifestations of one’s fears, the screams, the chaos and that…creature.

Xiu found himself shuddering at the thought. Although he had not been directly hit by the creature’s repulsive gaze, the Sigel could nevertheless recall the horrors of those who did. Momentarily the Sigel found himself thinking of Anya and how the frei had screamed and struggled; so certain was she that her skin was burning. His attempt at helping her had led to him being bitten on the arm. Hard. In fact, it had required some stitching but even so the Sigel had felt that he had got off lucky.

Definitely luckier than the poor Doctor at any rate…

Dr. Kyou…

Xiu shook his head. After all that they had gone through, it did not seem fair. It was true that they had found the Doctor but from what he had seen, the Doctor was in a terrible way and Lazarus knew it. When the fire Sigel took the first flight back to civilization, his face had been taut and grim.

….

He had to see Lazarus. Had wanted to ever since he had arrived home but Hazeline had forbidden him from doing so out of fear for his health. The white Sigel had reluctantly complied but…it had been a couple of days since then and his wounds were definitely healing well so it should not be a problem right?

“Hazeline, I believe I am well enough to visit Lazarus now,” said Xiu as he looked at his guardian with quiet pleading. “My friend’s guardian, the Doctor. He is in a dire situation,”

Hazeline bit her lip. Her Raevan still had that dishevelled look about him and while his wound was definitely on the mend, she would have preferred if it would be allowed to heal completely before Xiu went about trying to do things.

But the guardian knew that it would also be useless to try and hold her Sigel back any longer. “Alright Xiu, just…don’t overdo it okay?”

“Miss Hazeline, at this moment…I feel that…I am not doing enough,” came the soft reply before Xiu left.

Dear diary,

I am worried about Lazarus. I know this is not an optimal start to an entry but it has been on my mind. I do not wish to discuss such matters with my guardian and worry her unnecessarily. I have heard that sometimes, penning down your thoughts would suffice in lieu of confiding to another. I certainly hope that this is the case.

I have watched how Lazarus is slowly consumed with the need to save his guardian. It has already been close to a year and his obsession escalates for everyday that the Doctor lies comatose. His patience is wearing thin and I am afraid that he would be driven to do something reckless. I fear for him and hope it will not come to this.

Meanwhile, I shall dedicate my time in searching for an answer with him when I am not needed at the bookstore. Who knows, we might find something. One should always keep positive. The world is full of unexpected things; as the good Doctor has proven through our very creation.

No, I shall not consider him as a father figure.