Chapter 170: The Shape of Being Human

The Inn was full, like always, really, if she had to say, she liked five times the people in the Tides than he had in the real world. And she hadnt done anything special, really. It was the most successful Inn in the City, but that was because it was the first; the people in the Tides stayed true to their home, which was her Inn.

But it wasnt always like this, she remembered when every table was empty, when she slept with her head resting on the counter, because no one came. Itwas demotivating, but she kept going, and as much as she wanted to lie and say it was because she knew it would work, or some other good reason.

She had done it because she refused to believe that her days were gone, and this… serving drink… was the only thing that made her feel human. So in reality, she was no different from the others; she also tried to feel human, but rather by serving than drinking them.

Sure, it was fun, after all, she knew her customers better than anything; they were like her family, but still, she remembered her past, where she had also wanted to go back to the real world, be human rather than pretending to be one. But after failing, she tried to forget about it.

But…

Now with his coming, it has been harder than ever.

’Aether, what a name for such a rebellious soul…’

She smiled as he handed a customer a mug of water.

The kid was something else; she knew nothing of his past, and yet she knew it couldn’t be anything good, and yet, to think his ember would be so… bright.

He was just like her, how she had first been when she came inside the Tides, but… at the same time, she felt as if he was stronger.

From all the conversation theyve had, he seemed a lot more… mature than you would think by just appearance.

’To think such an innocent appearance could hide a soul that dark. One that has witnessed more than most could think.’

One time when he had come back, she had noticed a note he had found, a note that she too had found… The one guarded by a terrible monster, but how was he able to survive? She was only here because a random hunter had sacrificed himself for her. So how… had he… really defeated that damn creature?

…

…

He might actually be able to do what she couldn’t.

He might be able to go back.

…

…

As she was working, she heard the door open, and when she looked. She saw a body covered in a cloak, it was bigger than him, hanging off his shoulders, like a child who had stolen his father’s clothes. His hair was a desaturated light blonde, but that was probably because of the blue light of the Tides. His eyes… well, rather, one of his eyes was of a dark blue, lacking its usual light, and the other pure dark, but she had never asked him about it.

“Aether, found a job?”

…

He frowned, walking over to a seat, and plummeting into it. He was exhausted, mentally without any drive.

“I did, but i didnt complete it.”

The woman raised one of her eyebrows in confusion as she walked behind the counter.

“And why is that?”

Why? Because that damn woman was crazy, maybe he also made a mistake by trying to explain to her that her husband was dead, but she went mad on him, even trying to hit him. Of course, he didn’t let that happen, grabbing her by the wrist, but still, what the heck?

He was there to help her with the little problems inside her head, and she was trying to punch him. Of course, he wasn’t going to let that happen.

In the end, he had done it all for nothing, as he didn’t get any money, so he just wasted time. Now he had to go back and try to find another job.

He ruffled his hair, which made the women laugh.

“Angry are we, now, who was the one who gave you such a hard job that you couldn’t complete it?”

Aether sighed. “Some… woman, and it wasn’t because it was hard, it was impossible, that women though that her dead husband was alive, and wanted me to help him somehow.”

…

“Oh, Tia.”

Aether’s eyes widened. Tia? Was that her name, and if it was, how did she know it?

“You know her?”

The woman rested her hands on her hips.

“Well, no, not personally, but everyone knows her, since she asks everyone to help her. Everyone in the City knows that she has completely lost it, but that’s just an effect in the Tides… everyone will go insane someday…”

…

“Will you?”

…

The women face darkened, losing her cheerful mood. It was… strange how the atmosphere had changed so fast, and all with a question… that really, he already knew the answer to.

“Yes… and really, i dont think it’s long.”

She smilled but he could sense it was more for show. He wasnt born yesterday.

He didn’t respond, just stared, and after the women looked around at the Inn. “And this place is the reason for my slow descent. But funny enough, if it were destroyed, I and probably everyone in this place would go insane, just like Tia.”

Aether looked down, biting his lip slightly. He knew what she meant, really; most of the people here, inside the Inn, were bound to it; if it fell, they would too, since they were too attached to it.

Since it was the only thing that made them feel human, they would be desperate, denying it ever been destroyed. But if it continued, it was bound that someday in the far future, they would go insane from lying to themselves for so long, they wouldn’t even know themselves what was real and what wasn’t.

“Really, Tia isn’t only known for being insane. But also as a symbol. To show people what happens if you fall into denial. Yet, no one tries to use that information, even if we know the consequences, we still do the same thing, ironic isnt it?”

…

“But you’re different…”

…

Aether looked up at her, seeing the inspiration inside her eyes, that desperate look, one filled with hope.

“You haven’t bound yourself to anything that could make you feel human… You accepted that you died… You can really go back.”

…

Aether couldn’t help it anymore, bursting out in laughter.

“Me accepting that I’ve died, like hell!”

The old woman widened, as he got up from his seat.

“It’s just that… what I’m bound to isn’t someone, like Tia was, or something like you are… but rather to who I… I won’t ever be able to accept that I’ve died, that I’ve failed, because that’s who I am. Thats my lie. And its worst than all.”

Then he left, as fast as he came…

Leaving her all alone with her memories, with the memories of her past.

…

“That doesn’t matter, what matters is that you are the only one in this place who can do it… You have to for us.”

…

“Let us be humans with you.”

…

…

She sighed as she cleaned the last speck of dust from the table. Today was going to be a hard day, after all, her sister had promoted the start of her small Inn to her people, so they were bound to come. She just wished they didn’t notice the small cracks and holes.

She had been trying to get them fixed, but she didn’t have the money.

It was going to be hard to serve so many people all alone, but she knew she could do it. She needed to; if she didn’t, she would never reach her goal.

She took a deep breath, walking slowly to the glass door, staring at her reflection…

“Lets do this… now or never.” With that, she turned the sign around, opening her Inn. She knew that she was binding her future to it, with this small action… this wasn’t just some small thing she would only do for a week or two, but her whole life.

Maybe even after death.

She walked behind the counter, waiting with her hands behind her back and a bright smile on her face. She needed to appear welcoming to her people, after all, how would she make a good first impression?

She waited for a while, not moving an inch, her face even twitching a little from holding the smile for so long.

Her eyes were fixated on that glass door, trying to see if anyone was coming to it. She imagined how the people would come in the future, the door opening constantly. She couldn’t wait… really, she couldn’t hardly control herself; she was like a small child.

…

And after a while, after more time than she could count.

The glass doors finally opened for the first time.

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