Chapter 6

  Sage

  It was a warm day at the Orthodoxy Run Ylgard’s House For Troubled Youth when Ritter arrived on its grainy stone steps one early Autumn morning. Having been dropped off by a shiny black car. The air was soft and flowing as it blew through the trees dropping crispy leaves of yellow, orange and red. The memories of the cool leather interior of the car with its faux citrus scent disappeared alongside it as the vehicle drove off into the distance.

  Opera

  On another day Ritter might have happily, well, as happy as someone like Ritter could be, just standing there taking in the smell of the fresh air carrying the fall season, it has been so long since he had fresh air. But not today

  Ritter was rather in a foul but submissive mood. He wanted to be by Mars, fighting all the way to the House. Not of the scratching or screaming or kicking kinds, but rather in moments of passive inaction on the part of moving him. But alas! This was for the best they told him. But before they were separated Mars did say that he would see him soon, that was enough we suppose for Ritter to allow himself to be brought here. In fact his mood was so sour he didn't even think about the fact that he had seen and rode in a car. His mother had taught him about them years ago, but he never really understood what they were exactly. And despite finally being able to ride one, his thoughts lingered on Mars like molasses on dirt.

  Sage

  In fact his thoughts linger on Mars for so long he doesn't even notice the door of the house open in front of him, and a robbed man stepped out into view. Helper Ylgard was a tall and lanky man, golden skinned and dark haired. He wore a loose dark magenta robe around an otherwise plain choice of T-shirt and cargo pants, he was far too active in the day to day maintenance and managing of his home. In fact if you looked at him closely you might be able to glimpse the remains of tree debris he had to hack off a fallen sycamore earlier.

  Ylgard, if it was not understood earlier, is the man who runs this House meant to foster wayward youths, those who have had extraordinary circumstances beset them. And as a Helper, one of the three types of Clergy the Orthodoxy had, it was his job to help these children live a normal life. When he got a call yesterday inquiring about if he had room to house another child, he was curious, and when told the Child was an Unawakened Werewolf, he was fascinated.

  Ylgard saw Ritter the first thing when he opened the door, this boy, who he was told was twelve yet was obviously malnourished to the point of barely looking ten.

  Opera

  Staring at him? No no, it was more like that Ritter was simply facing the direction Ylgard and his house happened to be situated in, Ritter was not looking at him or well, anything else in particular. He was so overwhelmed with his own thoughts he didn't notice Ylgard until he clasped a hand on Ritter's shoulder, prompting the boy to jump back slightly like a wild animal.

  Ylgard, seeing Ritter's discomfort

  No no no, it's alright, I'm here to help. Your name was Ritter right?

  Sage

  Ritter stood vacantly at Ylgard, this strange robbed man suddenly putting his hand on him. Ritter was, mildly speaking, frightened of this man. He didn't know him, he certainly didn't trust him, all Ritter knew of the matter was some vague notion that he was here to help him, but Ritter would hardly be swayed like that.

  Opera

  But I think, out of all the factors in this confrontation going on, the one most to blame for Ritter’s distrust was that Robe, it conjured the forced recollection of Thaddeus, and it was painful. Ritter understood that they are not the same being, but the way the person seemed to slip into nothingness, as if they were nothing more than the will of their faith masking their emptiness. Ritter's eyes lingered on Ylgard’s robe for a number of moments, long enough for Ylgard to notice.

  Ylgard

  (Aside)

  He’s looking at my robes, maybe he has a bad experience with robbed people? Or even the Orthodoxy? Hmm, let me try something.

  Sage

  At the end of this self spoken reflection Ylgard casually flung his robe over his back, it landed softly on the grass behind him. He once again approached Ritter, looking in the young boy’s eyes for some sense of approval.

  Opera

  And… it seems to have worked, Ritter can see his arms and see his legs, he can confidently connect to this strange man at least on the level of “he looks like a human” rather than the formless vagueness of the Robe. It's not really clear what about this situation allows Ylgard to arrest Ritter's attention, perhaps it's the stains of greenwood over Ylgard, the kind Ritter's mother used to chastise him over. Perhaps it was the fact that the body language of this man no longer reminded him of Thaddeus. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the sense that this person, standing before him, had genuine kind and compassionate intentions in his face.

  Sage

  What it was, the result is all the same, the cool air still flowing around the two and into the trees, Ritter shivered just a little. Not a major body movement, but enough of a jolt in motion for Ylgard to approach the boy, clasping his arm around him. Giving providence to his soft, warm voice…

  Ylgard

  Hello there, you must be Ritter?

  Ritter, not making eye contact

  Yes, I'm Ritter, who are you?

  Ylgard, playfully

  I'm… Here to help you Ritter, I've been told you don't have a home. Am I correct? Or did that little birdie lie to me?

  Ritter, confused

  Little Bird? What kind of Bird tells you things?

  Ylgard

  Hehe…

  Opera

  Ylgard is above all, a discerning man, and while he knew Ritter's basic story, what you know he knows, it was at this particular moment when he understood that Ritter was going to be difficult. Not quite the most difficult rehabilitation he had ever gone through, keep in mind, he rehabilitated kids who have been forcefully turned into adults by Fae Wonder, lived for a century, and then deposited back at childhood like a deciding you no longer want to have a piece of furniture to be on display. But certainly he was going to be a challenge.

  Sage

  Realizing the immensity of the task that lies before him, he begins the first step of helping children, connecting with them and positive associations.

  Ylgard

  Hey Kiddo, do you like ice cream?

  Ritter, looking up at Ylgard

  Ice cream?

  Ylgard

  (Aside)

  Ugh, I hope I can get something quick.

  (To Ritter)

  Well, what kinda sweets do you like?

  Sage

  Ritter thought for a moment, and pondered shortly for an answer when a memory dug itself to the surface of his mind. He and his Mother, eating some Rhubarb around the house. Vierna often liked to sit at the edge of the lake and sometimes, seeking her affection, Ritter would make his way by her to sit in her lap and lean on her chest. Vierna happily reciprocated and sometimes would bring sweets to eat with him, though she had preference for the natural kinds. Unlike the snake cakes the others would sometimes buy with the money they made hunting and selling meats.

  Ritter, finding his answer, as well as the will to speak

  Rhubarb.

  Ylgard, finding relief in an answer

  Oh good fortunes! I just so happen to have some, I think… I'll go have a tasty rhubarb treat!

  Sage

  Ylgard walked over to his cloak and rolled it up, briskly stepping forth on the house. He stopped briefly and looked over at Ritter, in a faux look of forgetfulness.

  Opera

  Ylgard liked to be playful around children. Simply beaming down on them with orders tended to make kids think of you as some kind of tyrant, and children tended to judge your advice based on you, much more so than the rational adult. So Ylgard knew that getting a positive relationship at the start really helped smooth things out with the children.

  Ylgard, in a hammy fashion

  Oh, my bad Ritter, I can't believe I almost forgot, did, perhaps, YOU want to also come have a tasty rhubarb treat?

  Ritter

  That sounds good…

  Ylgard, continuing to ham it up

  Well then Let's Go!

  Sage

  And Ritter stepped towards the house, he was still so unsure of everything, this large house he was supposed to live in, this strange man, all of it was so disorienting.

  Opera

  His mind felt like a rain storm, so many little thoughts falling into view and vanishing, all vying for his attention. But one thing was for absolute certainty, he could absolutely go for some rhubarb right now.

  -------

  Sage

  When Maxwell Mars approached the house he was rather sparse of expression or any other significant manner of outward emotion, simply the same savant of poised Inquisition he always was.

  Opera

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  On the contrary, his mind was doing the mental equivalent of a dog chasing its own tale. On the one hand, he did promise to come meet Ritter, on the other hand it's not like that was some ironclad agreement, much less something as binding as a Pact.

  But that was wrong to think, he knew. This boy hadn't even believed he was really there until Mars went over and actually affected the tiny world of that small concrete prison he found the boy occupying. This boy would no doubt never forget Mars for as long as the breath of life filled him, pumping in his chest or flowing through his veins. He had promised this boy he would come visit, so Mars grounded himself a little. Clearly the child just needed some closure and then afterwards simply enshrined him within his hall of memories. And Mars was fine with that.

  So why was he so nervous about meeting this child? Was it the thought of being this child’s hero? No no, perhaps it was him thinking that maybe the child would be scared of him? What? That doesn't make sense, and Mars knew it.

  Mars kept cataloging all of these possibilities, going back and forth through them like index cards in his mind. Among them surely there was some manner of reason to explain his subdued terror. There had to be SOMETHING!

  And there was, Audience, Mars didn't want to admit this, not to Ritter, his colleagues or even to himself. But Maxwell Mars has always had one single fear, so deeply held that not even he knew it himself, well, not consciously anyways. Maxwell Mars, ever since he joined the ranks of the Inquisitors, has been absolutely mortified by the idea that someone would look at him, at what he does in the name of the Orthodoxy, and desire to do the same.

  What scared Mars more than anything, was someone wanting to be like him.

  Sage

  Having sufficiently compartmentalized his misgivings, he approached the door of the house. A burgundy square framed with wood, wood paneling? How rare nowadays. He knocked briskly, just for a moment. Some skittering was heard from behind the door, and a man in a magenta robe appears in the door frame. A mixing bowl in one hand and a smile on his face.

  Ylgard, with the weight of the day’s labor

  Hello there, how can I help you?

  Mars, sullen

  Hello… I'm here to see Ritter…

  Sage

  Ylgard suddenly took on a face of realization at the man who stood before him.

  Ylgard

  Mars! Oh Grace! I'm so sorry, I just didn't know when to expect you.. Come in, come in.

  Sage

  Ylgard brushed Mars into the large front room. Inside were a small number of children, about four. They were of varying age but the youngest was no less than five and the oldest no more than eight. They were playing some kind of strange game Ylgard himself didn't quite know the rules of, something to do with running in between one another and spinning.

  Ylgard called for an older child, this one around Ritter's age, who stepped out of a door, he wore an apron. After handing the boy the mixing bowl, Ylgard turned to address Mars.

  Ylgard, giving a sigh

  Geeze Mars, why didn't you cast over an audio before you came? I have a Caster, just because I'm out in a small town doesn't mean I use rocks and copper.

  Mars, taking in the place

  Sorry Ylgard, I just didn't have the impression it would have mattered. But if I'm inconveniencing you I apologize.

  Ylgard

  Blah! No need to be so formal. Anyway, Ritter is out back, he's been, well, just a little difficult to get to.

  Mars, feigning surprise

  Really now?

  Ylgard

  Yes, he's definitely been through a lot. He eats and does any chores I give him. But he doesn't even seem interested in socializing with the other children. Not the youngins or his peers. I'm worried about how it will affect his future development.

  Mars

  Fair enough thing to be worried about. But I guess why do you plan on doing about it?

  Ylgard

  I don't know Mars, every trick I've tried he's just proven too resistant too. Something happened to that boy in there. Is there some Werewolf thing that could explain it?

  Sage

  Mars now had his curiosity piqued here. After all, a chance to display his understanding of Werewolf culture.

  Mars, recollecting his knowledge on the subject

  Well, for a long time, Werewolves who couldn't Awaken, Runts, used to be locked up and ignored. But… it doesn't make sense, that practice even among Wild Packs has been taboo for many years. We looked into the Leader of the Pack, some guy named Thaddeus, but we don't have much information on him, just that he exists, he was the Leader of the Beast House and that he wasn't among the Werewolves killed during the capture.

  Ylgard

  Well, thanks for trying. But, anyway, let's get going to Ritter then shall we?

  Sage

  Ylgard and Mars began to make their way towards the forest behind the house. A sprawling organism of trees that stretches out for miles. A number of paces into the foliage, we find Ritter, sitting inside a tree that was split when it was younger, causing it to break into two different sections. Ritter was propped up at the split, sitting out one side of the gap and resting his head on his knees. Ritter liked to sit out here often, even though Ylgard liked keeping the children away from the forest he gave Ritter special permission to venture out here.

  Opera

  The smell of the open air brought forth a great comfort to Ritter. The gentle winds flowing through the leaves and sunlight breaking through the upper canopies in little ribbons, it all seemed to sooth Ritter. Just the sense that he was free to go here or there at leisure was something Ritter will never take for granted for as long as he lives.

  Sage

  The chief reason Ylgard keeps the children out of the forest is the wolves that sometimes come a bit close during certain sections of the year. But the wolves don't bother Ritter, just as the wolves of the forest that the Beast House was smothered within, the wolves simply treat Ritter with calm indifference. Sometimes they come over for a sniff, but Ritter usually shoos them away.

  Opera

  Now the Wolves may not bother Ritter, but he has no more affection for them. They remind him of that place, that room, that beast in the cage. No. Ritter was human. These Wolves were Wolves, and he was a human.

  Sage

  Ritter sat with such an intensity of thought that he didn't even hear Mars approach, not the crunching of leaves underfoot or even their chatter beforehand. Mars gripped Ritter's shoulder.

  Mars

  Hey kid. It's me.

  Ritter, turning with excitement

  Mars?! It's you!

  Mars, playfully

  Hey now, I just said that.

  Ritter, looking confused

  Oh? I'm sorry.

  Mars

  For what?

  Ritter

  For repeating what you said…

  Mars

  (Aside)

  Geez this kid's kind of a party pooper.

  Mars

  Well, I mean you don't have to apologize for everything, what, you ever say sorry for eating dinner?

  Ritter

  No..

  Mars, trying to get the conversation going

  Well, how have you been kiddo?

  Ritter, the light returning to his face

  Oh, I've been fine. I missed you though.

  Mars

  Oh I've been told. Make any friends?

  Ritter

  No.

  Mars

  How come?

  Opera

  Ritter remained quiet. He had a look of forgetfulness on his face. As if Mars had just presented him with some strange foreign item and was asking for his knowledge of it. And here he was, simply trying to put together the words trying to make himself understand them.

  Ritter

  I don't know.

  Mars

  (Aside)

  Graces, this kid really got messed up in there, Ritter must have been socially isolated for a long time, but how can I get through to him?

  Mars, chuckling

  Well it's easy Ritter. You just got to find something you have in common. I mean, what do you like to do?

  Ritter, contemplating

  I like to sit and think…

  Mars

  Oh come on that's cheating! Everyone likes to sit and think!

  Ritter

  No, the kids at the house think I'm weird.

  Mars, brushing Ritter's comment

  Completely untrue! They just don't know you, once they realize how awesome you are, they're definitely going to wanna be friends with you.

  Ritter, suddenly serious

  Are you my friend Mars?

  Mars

  Geez kid, you like changing topics much? Of course I'm your friend.

  Sage

  Ritter looks at Mars, and smiles. Ritter then goes towards Mars’ waist and hugs him. Mars Pat's Ritter on the head, and runs his hand through the kid’s hair.

  Mars

  But remember kid, you ain't ever going to make friends by doing nothing. I might be your friend but I'm not going to be here all the time. You need friends of your own, okay?

  Ritter, peeking up from Mars’ waist

  When are you going to come back?

  Mars

  (Aside)

  Curses, what are you doing Mars? You were supposed to give this kid closure! Now you have to come back at least one more time….

  Mars, patting Ritter's shoulder

  Well, I'll be back in a Month, how about that?

  Opera

  Ritter begins beaming at Mars with that common twinkle of child-like innocence. Something that hadn't brightened his gaze in so long…

  Ritter

  Okay.. Goodbye!

  Mars, playfully

  Showing me the door already? What a friend you are!

  Ritter

  Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to!

  Mars

  No no, in truth I had to go anyways, Inquisitors are never truly free from our job.

  Sage

  Mars begins to head back towards Ylgard, leaving Ritter in his place in the forest. But before he fully leaves….

  Ritter, realizing

  Oh, MARS!

  Mars, turning back curiously

  What is it Ritter?

  Opera

  Ritter wants to tell him, that he wants to be an Inquisitor. He wants to ask Mars to train him, to tell him how to do what he does. But, alas, the words find themselves strangled in his throat, drowning in desire not yet made substantial with certainly. He cannot find it in himself to admit it. To admit it to Mars, can he even admit it to himself?

  Ritter, trailing off

  Blessings Upon….

  Sage

  Mars nodded and began walking back, leaving Ritter in that tree.

  Mars

  Alright Ylgard, I'll be back in a month.

  Ylgard

  Really? What made you decide to come back?

  Mars

  Well I messed up and promised I would be back, so… Eh, I guess did I really need that extra holiday?

  Sage

  And so Mars walked out of the woods, past the House where he saw some children staring at him in the window. He waved briefly before getting into the driver's seat of his vehicle, a small dark green rented from the nearby city. Most cities were designed with walking in mind, so Mars didn't own a car. Even in Uranus the public Streetcars were sufficient enough transportation. As Mars sat behind the wheel, he sighed deeply.

  Opera

  He doesn't want to come back, he doesn't want to get any closer to Ritter, at all, the best thing for either of them is that they stay far apart. But ultimately, Mars decides that, hey, what could happen in another visit?