Taking A Moment to Breath

Chapter 63 - Taking A Moment to Breath

The air was changing as they approached his home. Chastain Claude was grateful because lately, his bones and joints didn't tolerate the dampness and cold they once had. Only in the last five years was he stuck using this dumb cane. Chastain studied its plainness before shaking his head. "Oh well, at least I can still walk. That is much better than rolling around in some odd chairs and boats being touted." Those newfangled objects didn't appeal to Chastain. Besides, he'd learned there were other advantages to using a cane. Such as turning it into a weapon of self-defense or offense depending on the scenarios he encountered daily.

"I do believe this will be an invigorating experience for me. I suppose I've fallen into a rut of sorts." He enjoyed talking to Arlon and Duran about specific subjects. Chastain shuddered slightly. "I think that young man needs to learn some boundaries regarding discussion topics." It was pretty obvious he didn't know when to draw the line.

"I think those girls took awful advantage of him." Chastain grimaced in disbelief. "I wonder if Maurice knew what was going on in that household regarding chores." Though he was a tad horrified at what Duran's sisters subjected him to when it came to washing.

"Duran probably didn't tell him the half of what happened while he lived in that stronghold of horrors." Luckily, Chastain could reassure Duran that it wouldn't be an issue at his home. "Bah, why should he go elsewhere? This location is close enough to the Academy." A thought struck him and made him grimace in disgust.

Oh right, those jerks he called acquaintances in the offices of Abalone Academy tended to bully the newcomers, especially those who came without status. Chastain's jaw tightened. That would never do. "I believe I should make some official inquiries." What a nuisance that was going to be he reflected.

Hmph, Chastain knew it would be worth the trouble, though. "I don't have a doubt in my mind that he is my son. However, I will have to take this situation slowly. I don't want to frighten him off with too much information at once." He'd already witnessed what happened to Duran too many times when he had a sensory overload. Neither his mind nor his body could handle it without some physical reaction of extreme duress. That was not ideal for a boy who would be subjected to much worse later in those dormitories.

Come to think of it, why should the boy have to live in those dormitories at the Academy? Wouldn't he have to go through a milder version of life in that stronghold? Just the very thought made Chastain shudder with horror.

No, that wouldn't do at all. Chastain made a mental note of talking with the folks at the Academy. Of course, any formal arrangements would need to wait until after Duran passed the assessments.

Chastain frowned. That was going to be worrisome. He knew who was in charge this time and some of those old fossils. They weren't going to be nice when it came to a kid from a nameless town with no background to speak of.

They probably wouldn't even believe he was a Roma until someone was dumb enough to pull a stupid prank on him. Chastain snorted because he thought such a dumb thing would provide quite the spectacular show.

That would definitely be interesting to see the fallout from it. Due to what Chastain had heard so far, Duran wasn't one to tolerate punks and fossils. Therefore, he was going to have a rough time with the assessment. Chastain thought Duran would do okay, though. If only to prove to those snobbish morons that he wasn't easily bullied.

Chastain would need to go over some ground rules with the fossils. Now that he'd learned a few crucial bits about Duran's background. His brain churned out all kinds of various theories of what could go wrong during the physical, mental, and emotionally based sections of the assessment, and Chastain winced.

Chastain could tell he'd gone through some severe abuse just from those massive scars. That could only mean his parents hadn't liked the thought of him succeeding at throwing off their planned suffocation yoke of a chokehold on his throat.

*

That was definitely unusual. While the three were talking, it suddenly occurred to Duran. "Where are we going?" He looked around in confusion.

"We're going into my main dwelling," Chastain confirmed he was herding them in a direction opposite of where the stall had been sitting.

Milton laughed when Duran sputtered. "He's made up his mind. It isn't worth arguing over." He warned. "Not only that, but we're no longer presentable for viewing in public."

Hmm, Duran didn't doubt that much. He could almost pinpoint when that happened. He frowned at Milton and shook his head. "Well, I guess we're not going to travel elsewhere with the worsening of the weather."

Chastain grunted. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. That is all. It just won't be how you're used to getting around." He shrugged when Duran stared at him blankly. "You'll get used to different forms of transportation if you're used to magic."

He wasn't, but Duran guessed it wouldn't hurt to get familiar with different methods. "That is one of the reasons why I arrived earlier than planned." He acknowledged. "I knew I would need to become used to different transportations fairly quickly." He sighed. "If only to blend in with everyone." He surveyed his clothing glumly. "I didn't realize that brightly-hued clothing was something favored."

Arlon shot him a surprised glance. "It isn't, so don't worry about that." He rubbed his jaw. "True, there are different colors used for designating which class some of the Academy students attend. However, no one varies much from brown, green, and black or gray." He shrugged. "Some vests, hats, or boots will be designations."

Ah, that would make a difference. That Duran could tolerate better than actual shirts and pants being different from black, brown, or gray. "I suppose I'll learn as time passes." He rubbed his temples. "I'm getting a headache trying to understand all this."

Arlon winced. "Don't take it all too seriously. There are many things considered guidelines. The colors that designate classes are also in that category. I've seen some interpretations that boggle the mind." He warned Duran. "So whatever variants you're comfortable with? Use those instead so that you're comfortable walking and moving around in and out of the workrooms."

Workrooms, huh? So that also meant there was more than the typical classrooms. That would make things more interesting for Duran to get used to. "Is there anything else I should be aware of? I know that this is all coed now when it used to be exclusive to females or was it, males, only?"

Chastain and Arlon frowned at his question and shook their heads. However, it was Chastain who finally informed him rather disgruntledly. "Eh, I don't remember to be honest." He shrugged and commented sourly. "It has switched from one system to another to accommodate all the changes in the geocentric cycle called society."

Yeesh, that meant people from previous structures wouldn't care for the changes now. Hmm, this would make things interesting without a doubt. Duran nodded calmly. "All right, I'll keep that in mind." He studied the two men. "So, did you attend the Academy as well, Chastain?"

Chastain nodded. "I did. I can definitely say it was interesting and not without its hazards." He shook his head. "No school is without measures of hazing." He frowned. "Though I'll admit this academy is pretty tame compared to others I'd attended." He glanced at Duran. "I was one of those "Last Chance" category students who'd managed to get kicked out of all the other institutes before."

Now there was an exciting tale, Duran didn't doubt. "I'd like to hear more if you'd be willing to talk about it." It was obviously not while they were retreating from a very nasty storm.

Chastain smiled. "Another time indeed." He nodded. "Though I fear it is a boring tale." He shook his head. "I think we should focus on getting clean, dry, and fed."

Duran nodded in agreement. "Fine with me."

Without a doubt, Chastain Claude didn't intend for either of them to return home that night to Miss Augustina's residence. He made it abundantly clear when he tapped his cane on the floor, and another doorway opened.

*

As the trio walked through the tunnel, Arlon could almost see the wheels turning in Chastain Claude's head. He could anticipate that the older man probably didn't want them returning to Ms. Augustine's home.

"So, how long do you think this storm will last?" Arlon glanced at Chastain.

Chastain grunted. "No more than three or four days, I hope. We'll likely get snow and ice in addition to this rain." He grimaced. "I can feel it in my bones."

Snow and ice? Ick, not something Arlon wanted to go rambling around if he could help it! "Bah, this is the worst timing. Not to mention I heard rumblings from the mountaintops higher above us."

Chastain nodded soberly. "Radio transmissions aren't doing too well either." He stated flatly. "We're lucky the other electronics and webs aren't knocked out either."

The intranets and webs kept everyone connected; Arlon shook his head wearily. "Well, I think the techs figured out a solution shortly after a violent storm hit six years earlier." Now that he thought about it, that had definitely thrown everyone off-guard and left the various buildings in utter shambles. People were still recovering from that disaster.

Chastain shrugged. "True, they have fixed it in some areas, but not all are back on track as yet." He rocked his hand. "There were strict priorities set as to who would gain first services and others who would receive none."

Oh right, that was still a problem, huh? Arlon frowned over the implications and rubbed his forehead. "Hm, I dunno if people will be able to get into the Academy or not if some things aren't working too well." He shrugged because it was no loss to him.

Not that he wanted to go back to his quarters in the dormitory, Arlon grimaced. However, he didn't really have a choice in the matter.

It was mandatory unless someone agreed to host him elsewhere and did so for his remaining internship as an instructor. Arlon shrugged. He had managed to survive in the dormitories for about six years now. What would another three do to him?

Besides, Arlon didn't need to worry about meals or anything else while he lived. On the other hand, there was no privacy either. He rubbed his jaw. Bah, why was he worried about such a trifling matter?

This wasn't something he wanted to concentrate on, not when he had someone to mentor for a short while. That did cheer Arlon up a bit. He recognized that Duran would soon be able to get around fine on his own in a short period. All he would need was about a week to learn the layout of Anemone Seaport and how the Academy functioned during the assessment.

Did the kid even know where to go for the review? Arlon would have to ask him about it later. That was after boundaries were established in dealing with their separate lives. He sighed. So much to think about and so little time to adjust and accommodate such a young kid with no socialization skills whatsoever.

Arlon met Chastain's eyes. They would need to have a separate conversation later regarding Duran. Everything they'd learned so far made one thing really clear. Life in the dormitory would either drive Duran insane or make him a very nasty individual within a day of living there.

Arlon sighed. This would make for an exciting series of events in the coming night and days. What a way to begin a new life? Heck, Duran hadn't even had a full day or night in Anemone. Life was already throwing far too many curveballs at him to juggle simultaneously.

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