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Sometimes, Cater had the vague idea of his old home. A childhood home, one might think. A place he lived in when he was younger.
He didn’t remember where it was now, and at that point his family had moved to so many different places he hadn’t been sure how to put it into words to ask, and then at that point did it really matter where he used to live? Where he might’ve been born?
The junior is sure it has to do with his dad. His biological one. He knew he used to live with his dad, but then he’d passed away, so he’d moved to his mom’s.
Since then his mom had married someone else and along came his step-sisters. He didn’t think they were too bad, just very.. Overbearing.
His mom didn’t like to talk about it so Cater didn’t know too much of the details.
So he’d tried searching the wide internet, giving descriptions in the hope of someone recognizing it and pointing him in the right direction. Nothing. No one recognized it, not its mountains, not the forest he remembered like it was yesterday…
Cater didn’t have photos of his dad so it was all just speculation. He has fangs. He can’t tell if it might just be some natural thing that can occur by accident, or if perhaps he’s part of another species. Only partially considering there’s no telling features. No ears or a tail…
It did look aesthetically pleasing on Magicam though so it’s not like it mattered even if he never found out.
He’d also found his eyes interacted uniquely with the light. When it was daytime (or when he was in a well lit room) his eyes would be green, and in the night (or in a room with little to no light) he’d have red eyes. His sisters had compared it to alexandrite, which had a similar quality of changing colors under different lighting.
It had surprised him the first few times. In fact it’d taken him awhile to notice at all considering he’d usually only see himself with the light on, but after a while it became natural. ..He’s pretty sure the guys in Heartslabyul have gotten used to it as well. (..Apparently his eyes had been red when they were fighting Riddle’s overblot. Good to know.)
In any case it gave him something that was uniquely his, in a school surrounded by special people of all walks of life.
Well, he also had a penchant for illusion magic, his unique magic and thus his clones having been born from it. Being fake yet real at the same time. That was something, right?
There’d also be things he’d say- He doesn’t remember why , there’s just something deep inside of him that knows it was something from when he’d lived with dad. Something that meant more to him then he could know.
He’d also tried looking those up but also nothing. Unfortunate. Maybe he used to live in one of those places with little to no internet? ..But phones could still take pictures, and even then couldn’t someone have said something after they left..?
“May the night bless you,” he muttered under his breath when two troublemaking teenagers were set to fight against the housewarden.
Again when they were figuring out who was behind the injuries those on the Spelldrive teams were facing.
It was a blessing given to those to show acceptance, that ‘you are one of us henceforth’. At the same time it was a prayer, a hope, and to him it was a good luck charm. It was also a goodbye, whether they came back or not.
Because under the night sky was when he felt safest. It was also when he was more awake of course (Riddle would hate him for having such a terrible sleep schedule), but something about it felt comfy. Maybe it was because he had an interest in astrology.
His eyes took in the two people in front of him, sitting around each other in a circle. The Pop Music Club was sharing stories about their hometown.
Kalim finished talking about the nice merchants, and Lilia’s eyes shifted to his.
“How about you, Cater? What was your home like?”
Usually he evaded this question, having moved so many times due to his step-father that no place felt like home (except here). But for some reason.. He felt like talking about his childhood home.
“Mm, well. There’s this place I used to live a long time ago. I don’t remember where it used to be, but I remember it was a place surrounded by many trees, and in the distance I could see plenty of peaks surrounding each other. There was a river that flowed nearby, and I remember sometimes hearing the chiming of bells, although I don’t remember why.”
His hands shifted a little, “I think I got lost often, wanting to explore a whole bunch. Past the trees were a bunch of steep cliffs so I couldn’t get too far,.and I always ended up finding my way back to my dad though, who’d be out looking for me. We were the only ones in the house and nobody else lived nearby so it was easy for him to notice when I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.”
“Ooh!” Kalim gasped, “So you lived in the woods? That sounds like fun! Just you, yourself, and the wildlife outside… I’m used to being in very populated areas, so I think it’d be interesting to experience something calmer for a change. And it’d be nice to see animals living normally.”
Lilia stared at him with a look he couldn’t identify, “It sounds familiar. Maybe I’ve been near it. I also used to live in a cabin in the woods after all. There weren’t any towns nearby because it was so far out.” He waved his hand around as if it’d manage to keep his thought train going in the right direction.
“You did too, Lilia? Uwahh, I’m a little jealous.” Kalim deflated, before perking right back up. “The only thing left to make this right is go on a wilderness trip together!”
Cater chuckled, “I think Jamil would have a stroke imagining you on your own, and with two ‘irresponsible’ juniors…” He side-eyed Lilia. ..Especially with someone who couldn’t cook well.
Lillia shrugged, “I figure there isn’t any harm in bringing Jamil along, so long as he packs light. It would hardly be authentic if we didn’t have to hunt for our own food!”
Later, Lilia had come up to him. “I couldn’t help but find your description suspiciously familiar so I wanted to show you something.”
On his phone was an image of Lilia, Silver, and Malleus, the latter standing farther away so his horns could be visible. All three of them were in NRC’s uniform, and were standing in front of a cabin, a part of it attached to a large tree, and behind it he could barely see thin trees, trees that looked so distinct, ones that a part of him had feared he’d simply imagined. In the back were steep cliffs surrounding the area.
“Does this look familiar?”
Cater gasped, “Yes! I was searching for it everywhere but it was as if it didn’t exist..”
“Cater.. This was in Briar Valley.”
He blinked.
“You said you lived with your dad there?”
“..Yeah. I don’t remember too much about it though, and he passed away.”
Cater remembered it as clear as day—
The day his dad died, there was the sound of a bell chiming.
It led him into the woods, guiding him down an invisible path.
When he lost track of it, there’d be a woodland creature appearing in his way and guiding him to where the sound was.
He walked and he walked, until eventually the trees had parted, and there stood a tall woman with brown hair, and green eyes. Her ears were round like his, instead of pointed like his father’s.
Those eyes met his, with some sort of feeling he couldn’t begin to understand.
“Hi, Cater.” Her voice was soft. “I’m your mom. Your dad wanted me to find you.”
The rest was history.
“I think your dad was a fae.”
“What?”
…
“..I have a question, if you don’t mind.”
“Go on.”
Cater bit his lip, “How come there wasn’t anyone nearby? I mean.. Maybe the people in Briar Valley like being far away from others, like you, but.. Even then you had people visit right? Or at least the Zigvolts lived nearby since I know Silver and Sebek have known each other awhile. Is there a reason why?”
Lilia sighed, his shoulders looking heavy, “It’s likely that it’s for the same reasons I did. A lot of fae live near each other in actual villages, or in the Capital, where Blackscale Castle, where Maleficia, Malleus’ grandmother resides. I.. got banned from the Capital by the Senate.”
He tilted his head.
“They're ancient fae whose physical bodies have already left the world of the living, yet their spirits remain. Frankly, they're old-fashioned and aren't prone to changing their views on things, but there's not much I can do about it. It's because of them that I decided to live secluded in the woods.”
Lilia had a wistful look on his face, “I’m sure your father had a similar reason. That same Senate doesn’t have very favorable views on humans. I don’t think Baur, Sebek’s grandfather had the same issue, although it’s likely they’ve badmouthed his daughter in front of him, as she married a human. The Zigvolts are still very respected, Baur having been an honored war general. Your father though.. I can’t say I knew him, but the Senate would’ve thrown him out in that case. I’m sure he still held fae culture close to his heart though, and wanted you to be able to experience it for yourself, even if it was a more isolated version.”
“I see..”
Lilia suddenly stood straight, “Oh! I have an idea. How about you talk to Sebek? He’s also a half-fae, and that boy could really benefit from having some friends. You could go about sharing what you know, and he could tell you about Briar Valley. Maybe you could even visit sometime in the future.”
Cater startled, “Is that okay?”
The fae smiled at him, “Of course! I trust you. Besides, I’m sure you could help him get back on the right track. He got bullied when he was younger about being half-fae, and due to other influences, he’s come to.. Strongly dislike humans, which includes his half human self. I’m sure you could share your own views and push him in the right direction.”
He nodded, “I’ll do my best.”
“Speaking of which, let me tell about this time–”