At home Xal was busy preparing his wardrobe as he liked to dress well. Now, he had to rearrange his clothes to fit Kian's casual style but still look professional. Especially the suits which he custom made to make it easier for him to move in it and of course with more durable materials so that he won't end up with ripped pants after landing a single kick. That was a very embarrassing moment to remember.
A knock came through the door saving him from reviving that memory in his very first interview for a bodyguard position.
"Yeah mom." If it was his dad, he would just barge in.
She peaked in with a small plate of soft pancake and a cup of black tea and Xal guessed it's Ceylon based on the color, one of favorites. Mom always knew the perfect balance of taste.
But he kind of wanted it to be a hot chocolate.
"Getting ready for your new job?" She asked, placing the tray down on his table and sat on the bed beside it.
"Hm."
"Are you sure Xal? You seemed so frustrated and exhausted the past few days because of this kid."
Xal could hear the worry in her voice. Memories of the last few days flooded as his hand touched the fabric of the coat.
Just 5 days with Kian and it was a complete roller coaster of incidents and emotions. He was fine with getting beaten up, thrown around, following commands as he was trained for it. He didn't mind at all.
Witnessing children losing lives was not.
As much as he hates to admit it, he was glad that Kian stepped in to take the heat of the moment and all the blame and did not let it be directed to him. He would not be able to handle it at all. But man, that know- it all attitude and controlling nature is something else.
Irritation bubbled stronger than the gratitude at the memories. "Not gonna lie. He is an annoying little fuaaaeeeerrt…little ferret." Phew that was close. A single curse out of his mouth inside their house and he will be eating slippers for dinner.
"...Running around, partying, golfing and stuff. Yeah, I will be tired chasing after him, just like the previous brat I worked for. I will have to work overtime or odd hours, keeping him safe from getting into trouble, but the pay is good mom. Two times higher than the average salary. This one doesn't do drugs and the family history is also good compared to the ones I have worked for." He partially lied to console his mother.
No.
Xal didn't know a single thing about Kian except his name, where he lived and the feeling of unrelenting trust for him. He had been dead set on finding Khem, he had skipped all those steps.
It didn't sit well with him when his parents were worried about him and he just wanted them to relax and enjoy their lives doing things they like.
"Okay… as long as this 'little ferret' of yours doesn't make you do drugs, kill people, it's okay. And today you seem more sure of taking the job than you were before. But Xal, whenever it gets too much, just quit. You are so much more talented to find another job easily."
"Huh. He also said something similar. If I want to quit tomorrow, I can. He is not tying me to the job mom. Don't worry."
"Now I'm sure that your new employer is not annoying as you say he is. You are just complaining like a child, Xal. Old habits. Oh… it reminds me, when will you invite Kian for a meal? He said he will teach me to make dreamcatchers."
Kian can make dreamcatchers?
Xal was amused by how close they had gotten in one call, and it was genuine care that she was showing towards Kian.
"I will. I will. It's just that I'm not that close with him. I met him only once, Mom. I'm not you."
"Fine…Just make sure you'll invite him soon. Such a sweet boy he is." With that she left the room, smiling brightly, probably recalling their conversation. Xal was not ready to lose his mom's only favorite son position to this brat. He has to improve himself.
✦ ✦ ✦
Kian was just about to start the healing session when he was assaulted with an itchy nose. He quickly covered his nose into his elbow, letting out small sneezes like a kitten.
'Bless you…" The man lying on the bed muttered weakly.
"I'm sorry about that. Weather changes are getting to me I guess. Let's get started."
He said regardless of the fact that the weather remained the same for the past week. Sunny and bright.
He placed his hand over the man's head where the touch had left vine-like marks, trailing down to his neck, to his shoulder and the arm. This was not a work of Neitoloum and if it was, it would be here hovering over the man, collecting their rotten energy. Probably an angry spirit. Kian would have told him to rest and let his body recover but the man's core energy was so weak and he did not want the illness to escalate at any chance.
Eyes flashing white, he trailed his hand over the marks and they started disappearing under his touch, pale skin recovering quickly and after 5 minutes he was done. The man immediately got up as if he was just waking up from a good sleep.
"How? I feel better." The man looked at his body, which was looking much better than before and he stared back at Kian, gaze filled with gratitude.
"Thank you…thank you so much."
"Anytime. Keep this crystal by your bedside. It helps to drive away negative energy and will help you to regain your inner energy soon."
Man nodded and thanked again.
Kian got into his car and drove fast. If the distance was more than 15 minutes, Kian would've asked the client to lend him a room for an hour or two. Because, during the time Kian's body purges the illness, his ability to fend off spirits would weaken as the core energy would be spent on purging and he horribly emitted such negative energy that attracted the worst spirits around him.
His parents built the house specially for Kian knowing about this. The protection would keep any human or spirit that has ill intentions towards anyone in the house will not be able to step a foot inside the guarded premises.
It took only 4 minutes for him to reach home and he was already starting to feel the purging starting, which is weird. It always took around 15 minutes to start. What was happening? He hadn't realized it before but the energy in his body felt somewhat different.
Familiar pain burnt under his skin as he parked the car and leaned back on the seat, let the core do it's job.
Considering it was only a natural spirit illness, it should have taken at least 15 minutes for his core energy to burn it out. But it was over by the time he stepped into the house. Not even 5 minutes. The only reason he could think was the white thread and he had no idea why. However, he was glad. This meant he could help more people.