-O.S.- Cemeteries

Hardly anyone frequented this area. Especially at night, when it becomes a ghost town with only the howling wind, the strange rustle, and the nightly chirp to ward against the silence that dared to creep over the land marked with stonework and mausoleums, lit only by the lampposts that are kept apart at a fixed distance from one another along this path. And she had to follow them, otherwise there'd be a lot of stumbling and tripping over unknown objects in pitch blackness.

For her, this was the perfect place to meditate in, never mind the haunts and spooks that wander within this area. Away from the lively atmosphere of her home, to escape the generous souls who have given her the best moments of her life. All so that she can re-experience the sense of loneliness that she'd abandoned so long ago.

It felt strange, she admitted, approaching a stone bench to rest after a lengthy walk, lit only by a lamppost beside it. Back then, she feared loneliness. Of how it made her feel like a ghost, see-through and untouchable by the living. Just like the remaining denizens of this graveyard. Capable of walking through others, leaving only a slight chill as an indication of their presence.

The thought still sends shivers throughout her. How could anyone think of living in such a state, with only your own thoughts as a companion in this never-ending darkness? Wouldn't it slowly destroy one's sanity, to be alone and ignored by those who you can see physically, but are unable to connect with emotionally? Isn't that the kind of fate that one would experience for those who are punished in the Abyss?

"It's not safe for you to come out here all alone, you know that?"

The suddenness of his voice from the shadows behind her didn't even startle her, drawing in a deep breath as if nothing has happened. She should've expected him, out of everyone, to be looking out for her. "I don't mind at all if you wished to accompany me here, Roslan. I wouldn't object to it at all."

"Even after you officially have a boyfriend?" He sat down on the other end of this bench, resting his ghastly lantern in-between them. "Look, I just didn't want to make it seem awkward, alright? You know, back at the mansion. In front of everyone we know?"

Awkward? she thought, glancing at him from the edge of her vision. This situation was fairly awkward by itself already, having to use a visual cloak to keep himself hidden so that he may follow her undetected. It's almost as if he was a boyfriend who was looking for a chance to revive a broken relationship. How else can this become anymore awkward?

"Elsie told me to look after you." He sighed, lacing his fingers together into a platform to rest his nose upon. "She was worried when you left without a word. I would've stayed if it weren't for Cassie."

"Cassie...? Wait, Cassandra convinced you to look after me?" She turned to face him, hoping sincerely that he wasn't lying about it.

His arms crossed, Roslan shrugged. "Don't ask me. She just dropped down from above right in front of me, told me to keep an eye on you, then flew off back to her Library as if she was only delivering a message. Knowing her for such a long time, it wasn't just a message."

As much as she wanted to know what he'd meant by that, she just looked at him, flabbergasted by the thought that Cassandra would actually worry for her safety. "But what about the other nights? Why didn't they send you – or anyone – to look after me before? Why now?"

"I dunno." He shrugged, still looking at the rows of tombs ahead of him. "Maybe they have a feeling that something might happen to you tonight? I don't know, really. It's not like I'm a psychic or anything–"

"I understand, Roslan." She sighed, glancing at the faintly-lit shrubbery on her right. "I... I appreciate the company. Thanks."

"You're welcome." He cocked his head in her direction, as if to nod at her without making any eye contact. For a moment there, he appeared to be on the verge of falling into slumber... only to get onto his feet the next moment later, pacing back and forth along the length of this bench. He didn't even tread into the shadows.

It raised her brows to see him act like this. "Are you restless tonight, Ross?"

"I suppose so," he mused aloud, looking thoughtfully at the starless roof as he turned around for another pace. "Just having a couple of stuff on my mind. Bothersome, but I can deal with them accordingly."

It perked her curiosity to know what are these "stuff" that he'd mentioned, but she knew better than to question him about them. Before she made a guess, she looked away to avoid eye contact with him, knowing well that what she's about to say would stop him in his tracks. "It's about your family, is it?"

"Somewhat," came his exasperated reply, but not the silence of footsteps upon cobblestone. "There're more problems at hand, but I figure that it's best if I try to keep them separate from one another rather than to jumble them up together into one huge bowl of mess."

"Do you... need any help?"

"It's all good," he assured. "Thank you for your offer, though. I can get them done and over. Soon. Hopefully."

"Roslan, if–"

"Don't." There was a pause. "Just don't, Aquila. I... I just don't want you to get involved, is all. You have your own problems to deal with, no?"

He's right, as much as she wanted to retort at him. "I only wanted to help for all that you've done for the others in the mansion," she sighed, now turned to face him. "Is it so hard to ask?"

He shrugged, leaning back upon his arms to gaze skywards. "It's for the best of everyone. Can't be helped. We can't live in happiness if we don't experience sadness, no?"

She hated it every time he's right. About how they and everyone that they know of are trapped in this endless cycle of joy and sorrow. About how only they themselves can solve it, with or without the aid and guidance from one another. If he can be helpful to others, why can't she be helpful towards him as well? Why does he have to be such an awful hypocrite, and yet a–

"So, how's your boyfriend?"

He just had to have a really terrible sense of timing. Drawing in a breath to calm herself, she look away, not to avoid his gaze again, but to remember his appearance. She felt much... lighter, simply from thinking about him. And fuzzier too. "He's... he's more than alright, I guess? I-I can't really describe just how sweet he is~ He's just... so wonderful~"

He chuckled, "Glad to hear, Aquila." After moving his lantern aside, he sat down beside her to give her a gentle pat on the back of her shoulder, before shifting away so that he can place the lantern between them again.

But she'd been stiffened in disbelief when he touched her. Her eyes were focused on him, trying to see as much as she possibly could without moving her neck too much at the seemingly calm, faintly smiling Tamaskan, now in one of his musing sessions with his eyes fixated upon the masonry before them.

He rarely ever touched her. Like, ever, given how he's constantly shirking and avoiding any form of contact at all costs. Except for the times that he's been patched up, those were excusable, but still! "W-what was that for?"

"Hm?" Stirred from his thoughts, he looked at her questionably, as if he was surprised to hear that choice of words. "Hey, I'm not a cold-hearted bastard all the time, alright?" He perked a brow with one ear lowered. "You deserved it, in all honesty. Did I just say something wrong again?"

One part of her really wanted to wipe that dumb look off of his face. But another part of her couldn't help but to find him adorkable, turning her back on him to stifle her giggles as he kept asking "What's so funny?"

"It's nothing," she replied in one of her pauses, only to resume when she glanced at him to see his baffled expression.

"Girls," he muttered, and he clearly rolled his eyes as he said that, even if she wasn't looking at him. "Say, how long do you wish to stay here before the spooks get stronger with each passing hour?"

"Just a few more minutes, please." She wanted to admire the skyline created by the lights of Pei Ning, but she didn't know how to word it without making it seem... morbid, was that the word? With a curt shake of her head to clear those doubts, she stared ahead with her hands resting upon her knees.

"Alright," he replied with a perked brow, probably wondering what's she thinking about as he pulled his lantern closer then crossed his knees and arms, glancing about vigilantly for anything out of the ordinary.

If only she could spend time with him in a similar manner, every day, every night.