Reminding Teja of Himself

[wheatencrown]

Demeter leads Teja through the door and they stand on the grounds of the Tuscan house where a sharp wind blows around them.

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Teja looks around. "It looks as if no war nor strife ever touched it, only the cold winds of winter," he says.

Count huddles under his cloak.

[wheatencrown]

"This land is still loved and this is your land once more."

She nods towards the door which needs only him to open it.

[ostro_goth]

"How did this come to pass?" Teja asks. He opens the door, and it leads into a stone-flagged kitchen.

There is a hearth, cold now, waiting for a fire. Count jumps off him and runs to jump onto a chair, sitting there, proudly. His chair! He was first!

"This feels homely," Teja says. "I make my home here, the cat's actions tell me so. But how is it..."

His voice falters, as suddenly, he remembers -- love. He remembers kissing somebody, beloved and familiar, who had been sitting on the chests that line the walls, their bodies touching.

[wheatencrown]

"I brought you back here and you have returned many times with your love."

She walks over to Count and gives him some pets so that Teja can take his time finding his way back to all he knows.

[ostro_goth]

"My love..." Teja says, touching the chest at the place where he remembers standing, and feeling...

"When did this all happen? I only just died."

[wheatencrown]

"You have been in Milliways for many years now, Teja. I'm not sure what happened to you to make you forget again."

[ostro_goth]

"What is Milliways?" Teja says. "The name of this house?"

[wheatencrown]

"No, its the tavern that we just left. You have been spending your afterlife there."

[ostro_goth]

"In a tavern?" Teja says, stroking the wood where he remembers his love sitting.

Where they were kissing.

"But then, who would have thought I would find love, ever? I have been dead all that time, already?"

[wheatencrown]

"It took time, but you have learned that you can love and live more than you ever imagined. Its been a pleasure to see you enjoying yourself."

[ostro_goth]

"I? Enjoying myself?" Teja almost smiles at the thought.

Pause.

"What is she like? I remember feeling and fervour, and soft dark curls, I think..."

[wheatencrown]

"He, Teja, keep walking around, I'm sure you'll remember."

[ostro_goth]

"He?" Teja says, staring at her, deep shock in his eyes.

And suspicion welling up in his heart that it might be the truth.

He remembers short dark curls, and a firm strong back under his hands.

A man -- could he have sunk so far, let go of his principles so far...

[wheatencrown]

She sighs at that look on his face,

"Teja, stop that."

[ostro_goth]

"It is not allowed, among my people," Teja says, softly.

His hand still touches the wood; his heart still remembers feeling so much love.

[wheatencrown]

"You're not among them anymore, Teja and you've learned that you can love for yourself and its not a betrayal of them."