Snippets and Stories: (WtI) Empathy

Null-0 listened to their voices closely, but he could little muster the same passion, the same enthusiasm and fervor that those of flesh and blood could.

There was no reason to.

All the squabbles, the conflict, the strife, it was all so petty. Trifling matters that he couldn't help but feel indifferent to.

Ironically so, apathy was the purest and most genuine of emotions, if Numens were to experience such.

If his interactions had invoked anything remotely close to emotion, it was disappointment.

Though it wasn't exactly unexpected. An eternity had seen to him many who came, and went, and there was rarely something to incite his interest.

"Live a little Neiro, there are so many more you have yet to meet, and I am but one of them."

And his mind chimed in, "But none of them will be you."

A hand went up to clutch the small pouch hidden in the pocketed depths of his cloak, the warm metal throbbing softly from within. The Amphisbaena had not taken kindly to their new master, and were as unresponsive as ever.

It was no wonder, he was anything but compassionate, whereas Muspell had a connate sense of empathy that was nigh tangible. Perhaps that was the true reason the ring refused to acknowledge him despite now containing his aether. Responding in kind to its master's will, it could feel naught for that which itself was void.

"Muspell--would that you were here now." stared at the calm sea whose fury his dear departed friend had quelled.

But no amount of longing would bring him back. It was as it was meant to be, and dwelling on it now would be pointless.

---

Silas watched in amazement and partial disgust as Neiro, eyes still on his book, idly reached into his hair behind his ear and pulled out a candy cane.

On his other side, Esti watched silently as he unwrapped the treat before doing the same and reaching into the grey fluff of hair.

Neiro seemed suitably nonplussed, but took it in a stride and leaned into his hand as fingers sifted under the messy strands---and pulled out yet another candy cane.

The redhead helped himself and promptly returned to the texts set before him.

Noticing Silas's stare, he perked up, "Ah, sorry Si, I don't have another one."

"I don't want one." Silas returned, still incredulous.

Neiro chuckled, ignoring the disapproval radiating off the tall man, "You can have a lick of mine though if you'd like."

There was a sputtering choke of laughter from their mutual acquaintance as almost immediately, came a disgruntled, "No."

"Your loss." Neiro shrugged, turning back to his work. The small knowing smile he wore was suitably irksome.

Silas didn't deem his flatmate with a response, already delving back into the depths of one document or another. 

From his spot, the albino snuck a furtive glance at the other. How odd, though their personalities were so very different, there was something about Silas that reminded him of a friend of distant days. 

Focusing back on the task before him, he had to shake off the nostalgia. As much as Silas reminded him of the other, it was vital that he didn't misunderstand. They were not the same and were each their own person, very much so.

Any other would have found the character of the two to be as crossed as oil and water.

Besides, Neiro didn't like Silas because of how much he resembled or reminded him of the shades of memory, he liked him because he was Silas.

Nonetheless, it was a little lonely, and he reached over to wrap his arms around the other in a tight hug, burying his face into his roommate's arm despite protests. 

But perhaps he had been a bit careless, Silas was staring at him, face devoid of emotion as he studied his companion. 

It was in moments like this that he wished the most to be able to read the Invalid's thoughts, for he could as of yet, discern little more than the contemplative state as the other took him in.

In a rare gesture, an arm came to rest around his form, holding him to Silas's side and reciprocating the hug.

It was warming, and he allowed himself a moment in a comforting embrace. But he didn't want Esti to feel left out and turned to the redhead---only to find him sleeping on his book, candy cane dangling in his mouth.

Well then.

Silas gesticulated for him to remain silent with a finger to his lips, and Neiro nodded.

On that they agreed, "Let him rest."

Contrary to the strong front he put up, the lessons were running him ragged, and his poor foundation made the process that much more difficult. Faced with a steep bluff of adversity and not a soul outside who didn't desire his seemingly inevitable failure. It had been harsh.

Esti was of stalwart heart.

The effort he put in was admirable, and that perseverance was one that Neiro could admire.

A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his reverie and Silas gestured for the other to follow into the next room. Pulling his coat over Esti to ward off the cold, he gave him brief hug and followed Silas out.

He did so and was pleasantly surprised when his friend busied himself in making hot chocolate, pulling out the mix and marshmellows.

Some Time later the albino was comfortably seated on the couch and the smell of hot chocolate wafting in from the kitchen.

"Something is bothering you."

It was a statement not a question, and Neiro hesitated. Lately he had been reminiscent, for the days of yore.

It was due in large part to the resonance as the Amphisbaena nigh pulsed with life, why the ring would choose now to awaken when so many attempts of past had failed though, were reasons beyond him. But the warmth of its pulse was present nonetheless, and carried with it the nostalgic familiarity to him, bringing with it a wistful longing for the past.

Abruptly he shook his head as if to shrug off the thoughts. Getting caught up with the past would only diminish the Time of now. Like his Time with Silas. And that he cherished.

When Neiro didn't speak, Silas peered over his shoulder. How unusual that the other be lost in his thoughts, and he didn't miss the strange look on his face akin to hurt.

The whole week had been rather off somehow, with Neiro lacking his normal exuberance.

Though the other wasn't given to such bouts of depression, it wasn't altogether implausible. Mayhaps though, there was something afoot, and that was what did bother the Invalid.

Neiro had come one day out of the blue, and many a Times he envisioned, almost anticipated, a day when Neiro would disappear as suddenly as he had appeared before him. A mere postulate, but one that weighed on him greatly amd reminded him, though not withought a smirch of spite, that it was blood that flowed through his veins.

Until then though, the Time was now. Whether or when Neiro left would be something left for the Time to come.

"I don't ask that you share what thoughts you would rather keep mere thoughts, but know that despite the... regression, my hearing is, as of yet, still functional."

Neiro stared, but Silas wasn't looking at him.

And he smiled, "Thank you Sy."

"Hm." was all he got back, but the perturbed hum wrought a laugh, a much needed one, from him.

Silas startled and his hands fumbled with the mugs he was carrying, but Neiro was there, hands over his to hold them still, familiar cheshire grin bright on his face.