#meghill

︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶

Days after the memorial ceremony at the Tidefoam Beach, the Parksolians resumed their daily lives. Despite everything that happened, even if some left scars or traumas or regrets that may haunt them from time to time, they had to keep on living.

Meghill knew this very well, especially after what had transpired not too long ago, and after losing his one and only sister. 

However, as the Parksolians’ clan chief, he has duties to uphold; manage his clanspeople and to prepare for a change that was bound to take place once he revealed the truth of what he learned of his clan’s history.

But for now, he simply had to continue overseeing and protecting his clanspeople as they carried out their duties.

Everything seemed to be back to normal, and it would have just stayed that way if it wasn’t because of one particular Parksolian that suddenly paid a visit to his workplace.

The pen on his hand hovered above his report as he turned his gaze towards his guest, “I’m…what?” 

“Overworking yourself.” 

The figure by the entrance was none other than Angert; his childhood friend, a family, and probably the only one he could trust the most with his secrets and anything that he kept to himself.

Seeing the confused look on Meghill’s face, the dark blue-haired Parksolian lets out a sigh, “If you thought I wouldn’t notice, then let’s just say that you’re just THAT bad at hiding it.”

“Is that so?” He stopped his paperwork and directed his focus towards his friend, “What makes you think I am as you claimed to be?”

“...Seriously?” With his arms crossed, Angert’s face changed from shocked to disappointed, “You’ve been working non-stop, drowning yourself with paperworks, patrols, and healing soulrifts–even when you didn’t have to.”

“You know that’s what I’ve always been doing ever since I took over as the clan chief.”

“Of course I know that. But this time, you’re doing it way more than usual, Meghill. Even when there’s nothing that requires your attention or involvement, you still went out to find if there’s some ‘work’ that needs to be done.”

“It’s part of my duty,” Meghill’s answer made Angert lightly scoff, eyes rolled in a manner that he had enough of hearing the same thing over and over again.

“And since you’ve brought this up, weren’t you supposed to be on patrol today? Did you finish early, or are you skipping out?” Meghill’s question threw the other Parksolian off.

Baffled, Angert gave him an insulted look, “Bold accusation there, chief. But hey, we can talk about that later! My concern right now is about YOU. And trust me, it’s not just me, but ALL of us are.”

And there it was. He knew it was bound to be noticed. In fact, Meghill wasn’t unaware of how obvious he deliberately occupied himself with work. And he knew that other Parksolians would have eventually noticed it as well. 

The anxious looks by those around him when they saw him patrolling outside all by himself, or when he visited the healing ground to take over and heal soulrift-inflicted Parksolians despite the healers weren’t fully occupied or busy. Not even Paxienne's persuasion to leave the healing to them managed to make him stop. Back at Great Lumieville, even the young children he comes across would directly ask if he hasn't been resting well, claiming that he looked restless and never seemed to stop walking around for hundreds of times in the same area.

Yet, he simply told them it was his duty to take care of his people, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while pushing away those worried gazes they had on him. Just as he had always been.

A firm touch landed on his shoulder, prompting him to stop his train of thoughts. Meghill turned to see Angert looking at him with a concerned look, one that he rarely wore unless it truly mattered to him.

“Look, as your friend, and your ONE and ONLY close friend,” Angert’s grip on his shoulder tightened, “I’m only asking you for this one thing. Please, take a break. Even just for one day.”

Meghill remained silent. The idea itself sounds tempting, but it never once crossed his mind.

“Thank you for the concern. …I’ll think about it,” the pause in between didn’t go unnoticed despite how calm Meghill responded. But Angert chose not to question further and just let out a sigh, making his way out of the room.

“Alright then, I trust you know what to do now, chief,” the blue-haired Parksolian said without looking back. Until he suddenly stopped on his tracks.

“Anyway, catch.” Angert threw something over to him, and Meghill caught it with ease. Looking at the item in his hand, his eyes widened slightly. A Soul Ocarina. And not just any ordinary one. 

It was the one that he gave to Nikki.

“This is Nikki’s…” He stood up, “What happened to her–”

“Now hold up. Before you get all worked up and start giving orders to search the whole Boneyard for her whereabouts, she’s fine. She’s at the Cultivarium with the children–” Angert shrugged his shoulders, “–safe and sound.”

Meghill went completely silent as he soaked the information in. Staring at the ocarina in his hand, he began to ponder. How did it end up in Angert’s possession? 

Did Nikki lose it? The young woman didn’t come off as clumsy or forgetful from what he had seen of her.

Was it broken? Didn’t look like it.

“They why do you have–”

“–I think she got so invested playing with the children that she forgot to put it away after teaching them Ferry Song.” Angert cuts in, almost unapologetically so.

A small frown began to etch onto Meghill’s face and his eyes had those doubtful gaze within them when he turned to look at the dark, blue-haired Parksolian. Seeing that change of expression on the clan chief’s face, Angert swiftly made his way out.

“Anyhow, I’ll leave that ocarina in your hands. It’s better if it was you who brought it back to her instead of me~” The teasing tone did not escape Meghill’s hearing. At that point, it was obvious something was up.

“It’s ironic how you’re asking your own chief to work after all that talk about taking a break, Angert.”

“What’s that? I didn’t quite catch it! Got to run and focus back on my patrol!” 

Watching Angert’s retreating figure until he was out of sight, Meghill shook his head in disapproval. 

Speaking of patrol, the clan chief thought that this was a great opportunity to do the same. And it happened to align with his plan as he did have some business at the Cultivarium today. Along with Nikki’s Soul Ocarina in his possession, he decided that it was the perfect time to set out.

But before that, he should prioritize bringing the lost ocarina back to the owner first.

︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶

For once, the ever composed Meghill; the most calm and collected clan chief of the Parksolians, was so close to letting out one of the most disappointed and heavy sighs he would ever muster. But fortunately, he still had his restraints, especially because it was not supposed to be directed to the ones standing in front of him.

“So what you’re saying is...it just disappeared from where you left them?”

“Yeah, and the weird thing is, only Nikki’s Soul Ocarina went missing. The other kids also left their own ocarina back at the Cultivarium but they were still there where we left them, completely untouched! It’s so weird.” Momo’s concerned tone was not left unheard.

Meghill couldn’t blame him for that. Who wouldn’t? The fact that it happened at the Cultivarium, which was constantly surrounded by many Parksolians, it was safe to say that it left them anxious.

“It’s okay, Momo. At least Meghill found it and brought it back to us,” Nikki smiled down to her little partner, showing the previously missing Soul Ocarina safe and secured in her hands.

“Hmm. Yeah, I guess so…” the little white cat slumped his shoulder in relief, until he suddenly straightened himself back up with a scowl on his face, “But who would actually just steal your ocarina in the first place!?”

“I’m…not so sure about that myself too, Momo.” It was evident that Nikki wasn’t comfortable in pointing fingers on who the culprit could be. Not to mention, there were many scholars and young Parksolians around. Surely none of them would have the heart to commit such acts, nor even if it was done as a harmless prank.

“Speaking of which,” Nikki turned to face the clan chief, “How did it end up on you, Meghill?”

The white-haired Parksolian pondered on how to respond. In all honesty, Meghill had already suspected that Angert might have played a role in this. He was daring enough to make excuses and flee from the responsibility, just so that he didn’t have to be the one to send it back to the young woman. What’s even more audacious was that he forced his own chief to go out on his behalf.

Though the intention behind the action remains a mystery, the clan chief decided that it was best to not even mention his friend’s involvement in this.

“Someone brought it to me, saying that the ocarina looked similar to the ones I’ve had as a spare before I gave it to you.” Meghill answered so confidently that Nikki couldn’t even find herself to doubt him.

“I see. I guess that does make sense,” she nodded her head, completely persuaded with little to no hesitation. 

“So, that’s it? It was all just a…misunderstanding?” Momo pondered out loud, rubbing the back of his head as if contemplating if it was really just because of some simple ’misunderstanding’, if they could even call it that in the first place.

“I was just as surprised when they stopped by to give me her Soul Ocarina. But I assure you, that if there’s even a slight act of malice or ill intent towards Nikki or you, they will have to answer to me,” Meghill said with a stern tone, “And if you want, I can look into this matter myself if it means to reassure that you are safe as long as I’m around.”

“No, no, there’s no need for that, Meghill,” Nikki quickly dismissed the idea, “I’m sure it’s as you’ve said, someone might have thought the ocarina is really yours and never knew you had given it to me. And…”

He noticed the sudden pause, “What’s wrong?” 

Nikki seemed hesitant and had that worried gaze on her face whenever she looked at him. In fact, she had been doing it ever since he arrived.

“Nikki,” Meghill approached the young woman, his tone soft and gentle, “If there’s anything bothering you, you can tell me. I will do my best to help you.”

Nikki remained silent as she stared at the white-haired Parksolian. Their eyes locked for a while, and at that moment, it felt as if she was searching for something within his gaze. Not long after, her lips broke into a small smile as she shook her head in response to his offer.

“It’s okay, Meghill. It’s just that I…” The words were dragged as Nikki twiddled with her thumbs and her eyes cast down onto the ground before facing him once more, “...I was just thinking back to what Angert had said earlier when he stopped by, and I guess he was right.”

He blinked, confused by this individual suddenly coming into the picture, “You met Angert?”

The young woman nodded her head, “He said he was patrolling nearby and saw us. We talked for a while until he brought up the topic about you. Things like overworking yourself, and never taking a break.”

Momo also added in, “He said everyone was worried that you were pushing yourself too much and wished you would just take care of yourself first before taking in other’s concern and problems into your hands.”

Meghill could feel a headache formed in his head. He should have known that this was something Angert would pull off if he was serious about it. But involving Nikki and Momo into this was too much. And just for once, he let out a soft, low sigh.

“I apologize if Angert had said something that caused you to be concerned for my wellbeing. But I assure you, I’m fine. This is all just part of my duty, especially after everything that happened recently,” he said. Though he said it with calm composure, it was not enough to dismiss the unease on the duo's face, especially from Nikki.

“Please, cast your worries aside. Like I’ve said, Parksolian are known for their persistence. No amount of work could ever bring me down,” he reassured her but it wasn’t enough to fully convince the pink-haired young woman.

“But you’ve done so much already. I’m worried if you keep this up, you’ll end up carrying more than you should, and eventually, it’ll come back to hurt you, Meghill.” 

“Nothing I haven’t handled before,” he responded, firm and unwavering. And that was all it took for Nikki to understand that there was nothing else that could change his mind.

“If you’ll excuse me, Nikki, Momo. I have matters to discuss with the scholars here. Plus, I wouldn’t want to hold you off longer than needed, lest you have other plans to do.”

The duo looked at each other and nodded their heads. As they bid each other goodbye, Meghill saw the hesitant look in Nikki’s eyes before they parted ways. Somehow, deep down, he felt bad for making her worried. This wasn’t something he wanted her to be concerned about. And he hoped it stayed that way.

Not long after he had finished his business at the Cultivarium, he proceeded with his patrol along the Blue Pools, and even visited the Soul Observatory for a follow-up status on their research as well as doing his part of studying the symptoms of Soulrift. One would look and be in awe of his diligence, but seeing him coming over almost everyday and drowning himself in his work, it almost felt pitiful.

But to Meghill, it was simply his duty as the clan chief.

The sky was dark by the time he left the Soul Observatory. Grey clouds hovered above, taunting with its presence that soon enough, it will release its rain down on them. Fortunately, Meghill had done his job around these parts.

And all that’s left was to head back to Great Lumieville.

Just as he was on his way back, Meghill received a notification on his Pear-Pal. Much to his surprise, Nikki had sent a few messages to him.

‘Sorry to bother you, Meghill.’

‘I suddenly remembered something and I thought I needed to tell you about it.’

‘I was wondering, if you’re free right now…’

Meghill stopped in his tracks, and waited for the last message to appear.

‘...can you come over to Dragonrest Flowerfield?’

︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶ ︶︶୨୧︶︶