Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[yamikuronue]

Lance frowns. "Wait, seriously? You can feel my scars?"

[accalia]

"Hmm? yes this one can. Not their number position and depth, but their overall effect. it is a cloud of darkness that interweaves among your natural bright lifeforce. This one can remove them from your body, as requested. This is what you wanted was it not?"

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried speaks quietly: "I believe he was thinking of the physical scars he received on that day, ten years ago."

Lance bows his head, hands clenching into fists. "No, I... I don't want to forget. I can't ever forget."

[accalia]

"There are more types of remembering than this, and one does not remember best when one holds onto only the pain. Still, if this is how you wish to remember that day this one will not tell you it is a bad thing."

Echo removes the butterfly knife from the table, wipes it clean of blood and expertly closes it before returning it to his shirt sleeve.

"Perhaps the young master needs more time to think on his request before this one acts on it?"

[yamikuronue]

Lance snaps, "I won't ever forget what I did. I owe them that much, at least."

Siegfried places a hand on Lance's shoulder, gently. "Perhaps you should retire, Young Master."

[accalia]

"As this one said, there are many ways to remember, some are far more painful than others. It is up to you to decide the manner in which you wish to remember the past."

Echo stands slowly, his right hand clenched tight against the blood that flowed from the palm prick.

"If the young master will not require my services this night this one will withdraw."

[yamikuronue]

Lance stands abruptly, pushing off Siegfried's hand as he heads for the stairs. Siegfried hesitates, torn between the guest and his master, before moving to walk beside Echo.

"I apologize for the Young Master's behavior tonight."

[accalia]

"No apology is necessary. This one did somewhat provoke the situation. It was not intended that things came to such a front, but they did and that is that. One hopes that one gave the young master something to think about."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried nods. "To tell the truth, you've gotten more from him about that night than I ever have," he replies, softly.

[accalia]

Echo smiles softly at that.

"There is no great secret to it, but perhaps it is not one that could be used by doleful someone who is not an outsider..."

[yamikuronue]

"You mention sensing his pain.... do you think... he will be alright, with time?"

[accalia]

Echo sight deeply at the question.

"In time.... Maybe. This one senses great pain there and fears that unless he let's it go that it will consume him. There is still hope that he might release it, but it fades slowly."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried falls silent, recalling Lance's words about holding onto the pain as tightly as he can. "You must forgive me... I have been with the family since I was small, and have grown to care for the Young Master. I am greatly concerned that if he does not speak of what happened, he may not..."

[accalia]

Once again Echo smiles, just as the two men reach Echo's room.

"It is good that you love the master so. You are a light in a landscape that he does not allow much light into. Your influence is a good thing."

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried manages a cruel smile. "If only I could find some tangible way to help."