full image - Repost: Volume 2 Chapter 4 (from Reddit.com, Volume 2 Chapter 4)
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The white shape in the boy's head seemed vague and undefined, like it was out of focus.It almost looks like fog.Connor approached cautiously to get a better look. The boy in question seemed to be about Connor's age, his dark skin contrasting with the white glow. He didn't appear to have a parna, er, ex-parna, with him. Despite that, he walked with confidence.Connor followed him as he walked, wondering where he was headed. But he seemed to just be exploring, his eyes casting about. He was seeking.On his wrist was a blue band. He was the same age as Connor. And that meant—Oh.Connor suddenly felt a strange sort of shyness as he realized the boy was a potential match. He became conscious of how he had been stalking and hiding like a weirdo. He hoped the boy hadn't seen him.Connor let the boy pull ahead a bit, but didn't stop following him. The boy continued looking, and Connor noted several times he spotted potential matches. But he didn't go to them. Connor wondered why.He was obviously seeking. He was alone, walking and looking around. Was he self-conscious about the light in his head? No, he didn't seem shy, in fact, he had an air of confidence.Wait a minute — How come nobody else seems to notice it?Others saw him too, but nobody took note of him. Their gazes didn't linger, and they didn't avert their eyes. It was like Connor was the only one who could see the glow.After a few moments of bewilderment, Connor had an idea. Stopping at an incospicuous storefront, he pulled his phone from the brown, zippered pouch around his neck, and opened the camera app.He aimed the phone camera at the boy and looked. But the phone displayed no glow. Through the phone, the boy looked like any other.Connor looked back and forth a few times in confusion.Am I going crazy?Seeing the boy fade into the distance, something in Connor told him to go speak to him. Connor was nervous, but he knew he wouldn't be able to put it out of his mind until he had an answer. So he put away his phone and pulled ahead of the boy.From a storefront ahead of him, he could get a better look at his face. Connor had expected it would be hard to make out his features through the glow, but it was surprisingly easy. The glow appeared to be in a sort of superposition, allowing Connor to see the boy's face clearly.His hazel eyes were atttentive as they cast about. They also had a glow to them, but in a less literal sense. His loose, curly, black hair just covered his ears.As his gaze cast about for blue bands, it landed on Connor's. Then he looked up at Connor's face.Oh no. Connor's eyes widened.But the boy simply smiled politely and kept walking.Connor stood in confusion and embarassment. Had he been caught? Or was that smile for another reason?Oh winds.Connor's heart was beating out of his chest. It was a moment before he remembered why he had gotten so close to begin with. But now he wasn't sure he could go through with it.But once again, as the boy pulled ahead, something urged Connor forward. He stopped at another storefront and waited for the boy to pass him. The boy got closer and closer, and Connor knew if he didn't say something this time, he wouldn't ever."Hello," Connor's voice squeaked. Thankfully, his voice crack seemed to have been drowned out by the crowd, if the boy would have even been capable of hearing it anyway.Connor took a deep breath and tried again. "Hello!" he yelled perhaps a bit too loudly, several people now looking at him.But that included the boy. When the boy saw Connor looking at him, he realized it was himself who Connor was calling for. His eyes widened as well, followed by another slight smile. The boy approached Connor and sat at a chair next to him, the other seekers now no longer paying attention."Hello," the boy said simply.Connor hadn't planned this far ahead, and searched for something to say. "Why is your head glowing?" "We both have blue bands?" "Did you notice I was stalking you?" It was times like these Connor wished he still had Lerany with him.Connor became conscious of how long it was taking him to respond, and found something less embarrasing to say. "What's your name?""My name's Lomond. What's yours?""Connor.""Connor," Lomond repeated, as if getting a feel for the name.Connor felt a bit funny hearing the boy sound out his name like that. Instinctively, he asked, "Where are you going, Lomond?" taking the opportunity to sound out the boy's name himself. It felt nice to say."Just around."Connor's next words came easily to his mind, but came out of his mouth with difficulty and uncertainty. "Would you like me to show you some places?"Lomond smiled again, but this time it seemed more heartfelt. That look of satisfaction — it was a look Connor wanted to see more of. "I'd love it," Lomond answered.A moment passed, Connor's mind at once racing and feeling like Molasses."Oh!" Lomond said, taking the silence as his que. "Here." Lomond brought his hand forwards."Thank you," Connor said as he shakily took Lomond's hand."Careful," Lomond said as he stood, bringing Connor up as well. "Here you go.""Are you sure?""I am."Connor took his place at Lomond's side.Connor hardly thought about the glow for the rest of the day. He found himself more focused on learning about Lomond's personality, his likes and dislikes, his interests and aversions. But whenever Connor would suggest Lomond a place to visit, an attraction to see, a food to try, or a carnival game to play, Lomond would agree without hesitation. Still, Connor was able to glean some information from his reactions to the things they tried. Lomond liked the outdoors, daystyle music, egg rolls, and pyralition.Daystyle was a music style best described as "heavy." Beats were slow but forceful, comprised of reverberating thuds and buzzes. Vocals were equally deep and slow, but not any less energetic, like someone trying to run in a dream. Connor was surprised at how deeply even the smaller performers were able to sing.Pyralition was a game played with a marble and blocks. There were different marbles and different block sets with different difficulties. The blocks would be set up in a pyramid shape, with one tall "core" block in the middle. The goal was to knock down the core block in as few moves as possible. Each move, one partner would bang the table, while the other dropped the marble on the pyramid.The day drew to a close surprisingly quickly. But then again, Connor and Lomond had done a lot."What's your network ID?" Lomond asked, his thumb and forefinger on his wedge-shaped phone."Oh. It's W08ZA6," Connor replied.Connor had forgotten about Seekout. He had been told about it last year, but he had had no interest at that time. It was a chat service for seekers, only available during Earlyspring and Slumber."W, 0, 8, Z, A, 6," Lomond repeated as he typed in Connor's ID.Connor hurriedly downloaded the app, feeling awkward."Too many chat requests to scroll through?" Lomond asked playfully."No, I—""I know. Take your time," Lomond reassured him warmly.After saying his goodbyes to Lomond, Connor used his phone to locate his foster family's vehicle. Friac was already there. Connor was glad, because he always felt awkward on the rare occasions he had to speak to Mo. and Ma. Debral alone. Connor joined Friac in the cabin motorcycle."How did it go, Connor?" Ma. Debral asked the same question she had asked the last seven days."It went well," Connor answered, same as ever, giving no indication that today was any different. He didn't think it was any of her business.Ma. Debral was used to the way Friac and Connor spoke, or rather, didn't, and she didn't press any further.That night, Connor told Friac about what had happened. Not the glowing head part, though — Connor didn't want Friac to think he was crazy."On your first day seeking? You're lucky," Friac said succinctly.But as his companion, Connor was good at reading between the lines. Friac hadn't been so successful.Connor decided to reccomend Friac the app. While Lerany and Kemlay didn't have the app yet, Vecar and Rophen did. Connor suggested Friac send Rophen a message, but Friac came up with excuses why he shouldn't. Connor recognized this as Friac's way of being shy. Connor felt a bit shy too, so he made Friac a deal. He would message Lomond at the same time.Connor and Friac spent the next hour and a half texting. Friac would often need a bit of advice, which Connor was happy to provide. Meanwhile, Connor listened as Lomond told him all about the daystyle scene.At midnight, the service became inactive, much like it was for the majority of the year. It would be back tomorrow. Lomond would spend the day with him again tomorrow. Connor fell asleep happy.The next day, Earlyspring 9th. After being dropped off, Connor texted Lomond to say good morning, and they decided to meet up in an hour. First, Connor had to meet with his other friends.Friac and Connor, Lerany and Kemlay, Vecar and Genedan, Nanash and Rophen. Once everyone had Seekout downloaded, they shared their network IDs and made a group chat together. Now they could speak together anytime, at least until Midspring.Connor wasn't sure how much to say to his friends. He didn't want them to feel like they were less successful — Friac was right, Connor had been very lucky. But more importantly, Connor didn't want to make Lerany jealous. So he decided to speak mostly to Friac about this. Friac was his companion, after all.After catching up with his friends, Connor excused himself, and met up with Lomond. Seeing him again, Connor was reminded that he still had no answers about the mysterious glow inside his head. But what would happen if he asked now? Would Lomond think he was crazy? Would he still want to talk to him?Connor and Lomond spent another day together. Connor would ask later.The next two weeks seemed to fly by. Over that time, the glow seemed to gradually become clearer, as if Connor's eyes were adjusting. It was a lumpy shape, and a long rope of the same white light dangled from it, casting a subtle glow through Lomond's body. But more importantly, Connor and Lomond continued to grow closer.Then, on the 23rd, Lomond invited Connor to a fancy restaurant.While there was no one true formal dress, Lomond wore his best clothes. They had simple base colors, but were highlighed with jagged lines of vibrant colors from across the entire spectrum. Connor felt drab by comparison.Lomond paid for their meal and brought Connor to a small table for two against a window. Lomond sat opposite Connor.Connor searched for something to say, but all he found was, "Thank you.""You're welcome," Lomond smiled.Connor searched again for something to say."So," Lomond began, "Slumber begins in a week."Deep down, perhaps Connor had known what this was about. Things were getting serious. And Seeking was drawing to a close."Mhm," Connor replied. "I've really enjoyed my time with you. I wish, no, I hope it can continue."Lomond smiled with that same look of satisfaction Connor liked to see. "Connor." Lomond stood, and knelt in the aisle before Connor. His hand reached out and touched Connor's band. "Will you give me this year?"Connor's eyes widened as he got goosebumps. But this was one time his voice didn't hesitate. "Yes."Lomond slid the blue band down and off Connor's ankle. Then he removed his own band, and laid them both aside on the table as he stood and returned to his seat."You can just remove them?" Connor asked."Yep.""And does that mean...?""We're not seeking anymore.""We're going to be companions.""Yes."Connor and Lomond hadn't noticed the other seekers' emulous stares, but they did notice when their food arrived. After thanking the waitro, they donned the claw-like thimbles they had been provided, and began to eat with them."I should introduce you to my family." Connor drank from a rubber-tipped straw."What's your family like?" Lomond asked.Connor told Lomond more about Lerany, Rusken, and Ashepha."What about the rest of them?" Lomond asked again."The rest of them?""There must be more, right? Do you have any other siblings?""Just my twino.""You must have cousins.""Our surrogates never had any other children.""Neither of them?""No.""Do they visit often?""Yes. I mean, they did. But now I live with the Debrals.""What are your surrogates like?""Our surrago, Dorici, is a sweet lady, but she's a little clumsy. If she didn't have Diances to keep an eye on her, I'm afraid she'd pat me into a pancake. And our surraga, Miden, is a particle physicist working on the fog. I can always count on him and Naracie to explain something I don't understand. As long as it has to do with science," Connor chuckled."I can see where you get your brains."Connor's jaw hung open.Lomond tilted his head in concern. "Did I fry them?"Brains. That's what I've been seeing. It's his nervous system. Looking closer, Connor thought he could just make out thin lines sprouting from the rope. They must have been the faint glow throughout Lomond's body. Nerves. Connor's eye strained as he tried to look even closer."Hello?" Lomond waved his hand in front of Connor's face, and Connor snapped out of it."S-Sorry," Connor collected himself."I was about to call poison control," Lomond joked.Connor laughed with him and forgot all about the glow once again. He had found his companion.Over the next few days, Connor and Lomond made arrangements and met with each others' families and the twinas' foster families.Thankfully, Lerany took things well, and he and Lomond seemed to have a good impression of one another. Although Lerany did promise Lomond he'd "kick his face in" if he hurt Connor.Lomond's twina, Jothur, was very intense, asking dozens of questions. Connor kept hoping Lomond would bail him out, but Lomond seemed interested in hearing his answers.Friac had a good impression of Lomond right off the bat after having heard so much about him, but it was hard for Lomond to tell at first.Lomond's family was much larger than Connor's, and he worried he'd have trouble remembering everyone's names. Lomond's compania, Raclau, was more layed back than Jothur, but still had a decent amount of energy. But that energy was unfocused, leading her to be spontaneous and scatterbrained.By the end of the week, Connor's vision seemed to have cleared completely, and he could see dozens of glowing white lines branching out from Lomond's spinal cord. But now he was also starting to see the same glow from other people. It was as if realizing what he was looking at had made him better able to see. No, that wasn't it. Something told Connor it was because he had found what he was looking for.Slumber 1st was when bondings took place, so Lomond and Connor spent the day talking together.Then, on Slumber 2nd, it was time for the ceremony, which was held outdoors. Although the old faith had faded into superstition, Listeners were still called for to officiate ceremonies.Lomond was blindfolded, and the members of the four families intermingled, standing in random positions around the altar.The Listeners stood at the altar, and the parno raised his hands high above his head, palms facing each other as he spread his fingers in the cool air. Then he spoke. "May the winds guide you."Then, the family members began singing. Lomond stepped forward, and began to search for a familiar voice.The pairs stood haphazardly, without rhyme or reason, creating a cocophany of dissonant voices. Lomond searched desperately for Connor's voice in the darkness, the singing deafening around him. At times, he thought he heard it, but something was off. His hands bumped into people as he felt his way around. He learned to use different singers as landmarks to know where he had or hadn't already searched.Then, finally, he heard a voice he knew was right. Connor. Lomond reached out, and offered Connor his left hand. Connor took it. Then, Lomond raised his left hand high above his head as he tore off his blindfold with his right hand."We are whole!" the two shouted in unison.Their families whistled in celebration as Connor and Lomond approached the altar. The Listener parna closed his eyes and reached out to the sides to feel the wind.Then after a moment, he spoke. "The winds of the North and South, and of the East and West, accept your union!"The crowd broke into cheers as the ringing process began. First, Lomond and Connor's wrist and ankle were coated in clay. Then, a small cup of molten metal was poured into a funnel. A thin line extruded from the base of the funnel. The line was cut, then cut in two. The Listeners used special thimbles to wrap the cooling metal around and around Lomond and Connor's clay-covered wrist and ankle in a beautiful pattern. The excess metal was used to form plaques, and names were engraved upon them.Lomond and Connor's wrist and ankle were then submerged in painfully cold water, quickly cooling the metal. Then a special tool was used to remove the clay. One end of the tool was flat, and scraped away the majority of the clay. The other end scrubbed away the remainder. After a bit of wrinsing, it was done.Connor was now Lomond's partner, and Lomond was now his.The ceremony was now over, but the celebration would continue at Lomond's house. Because this year, it was going to be Connor's house too.Lomond took Connor to his parents' double-decker cabin motorcycle, and together they went home. The other cabin motorcycles followed them in a procession through the crowded streets.Once they reached their destination, the other families began unloading gifts. Some were for Lomond's parents, Mo. and Ma. Tharlyn, and some were for Lomond and Connor themselves.The gifts were brought inside and set up, and at the same time, a small box marked "Raclau" was brought outside, along with gifts for her union.Indeed, the celebration was short, because as soon as the gifts had been delivered, it was time to attend Raclau's ceremony.During the ceremony, Connor saw Lomond cry for the first time. But Connor decided to be there for him, as Kemlay had done for Lerany.Now partnered, Connor and Lomond were unable to access Seekout. But they spent slumber attending what felt like a dozen other cermemonies, including ones for their previous partners. They got to see them again, and got to play roles in their unions.During this time, two other parna left the Tharlyn household and two more joined.By the time Midspring hit, Connor and Lomond were emotionally exhausted. And they were ready to rest for the month.One day in Midspring, Connor and Lomond were talking about their first meeting."I saw you looking around," Connor began. "Why didn't you say hi to anyone?""I was waiting for someone to say hi to me first," Lomond answered."Oh. So then, that was me.""I'm glad it was. But what made you say hi to me in the first place?"Connor remembered exactly what it was. There's no way I can tell him now. But... But now we're partners. And partners tell each other things, right?Connor reached deep into his heart, to the part of him that wanted to tell Lomond everything. And he forced himself to answer."It was the glow," Connor whispered.Lomond smiled, "Well, I always knew I had a certain air~"Connor had an opportunity to leave it be, but he forced himself to continue. "No. It was the glow."Lomond tilted his head. "What do you mean?""Your head... It was glowing."Lomond made a confused expression. "Is it still?"Connor laughed. "Well... Yes."Lomond almost answered "Do I need to see a doctor?" but he could tell the time for jokes was over. "Connor, what do you mean?""I can see people's brains. And spinal cord, and nerves. It's a white glow. I think... I think they're souls.""Souls?""I can see people's souls," Connor admitted quietly.Lomond was silent for a moment. Then, he spoke. "Do you like my soul?"Connor looked up into Lomond's eyes. He wasn't angry, or disgusted, or condescending. He was being genuine. "Yes," Connor answered, equally genuine."I'm glad," Lomond said.Connor told Lomond everything. And Lomond listened."You believe me?" Connor asked."Why wouldn't I? You've never lied to me before.""I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry. I was worried you wouldn't believe me."Lomond thought for a moment. "Wanna make it up to me?""Absolutely.""Draw my soul for me. I want to see it."Connor smiled with his eyes. "Okay!"Connor got a small piece of graphite and a large piece of paper. He laid the paper down on the table and got ready to draw."Stand against the wall," Connor directed."You got it," Lomond said, and did so.Connor drew as faithfully as he could, always checking to make sure the drawing was symetrical. Then, when he was done, he showed it to Lomond."Woah!" Lomond said, taking the paper. "It's like I'm made out of wires!""Or the roots of a tree," Connor added."Can you see trees' souls?"Connor shook his head."What about animals?""I'm starting to.""What about your own soul?"Connor had never considered looking at his own soul, since of course he couldn't see his own brain. But maybe he could see the nerves in the rest of his body."Woah!" Connor said."What is it?""It's really bright!"Lomond thought again. "I guess that's cause it's your soul.""I guess so," Connor giggled.On Latespring 1st, Connor and Lomond found that their network restrictions had been reduced, and they were now able to talk to their friends online, and on any day of the week. At least, those who were the same age or older.On Latespring 2nd, Connor and Lomond attended their first day at Calamus Secondary School.Connor continued to draw souls for Lomond. Picking up what he learned in art class, he began to draw backgrounds too. He drew souls sitting, standing, running, dancing, leaping, and more."You should post these online," Lomond said to him one day."You think so?" Connor asked."Absolutely!" Lomond replied.Connor took his advice, and posted a drawing online. He didn't reveal that he could actually see souls, of course. He just said he knew a bit about neuroanatomy.His post was well-recieved, so he posted a few more. His posts blew up, and he began to grow a following. After he posted everything he'd drawn, he began to get suggestions for what to draw next. After a popular series of drawings showing partners doing things together, even his classmates heard about his art.Perhaps it was because Connor had let the word "soul" slip out a few times, but people seemed to understand what the art was showing. People's true selves, without the flesh puppets. There was a sort of clarity in seeing what really mattered, what really thought and felt, while people went about their lives. And an illuminating amount of absurdity, too.When the second semester approached that fall, Connor asked to enroll in two art classes, and the request was granted. Lomond, of course, would be with him.When Seeking came again, there was no need to participate.Years passed, foster sibla came and went, and eventually, Connor and Lomond reached 18 years of age. But there would be no black bands for them, for they knew who they were going to spend their lives with.Lomond had grown into a strong young man, his physique eclipsing that of even Rusken. His deep but expressive voice sounded like it was made for daystyle. Connor felt like he hadn't changed much, but Lomond assured him he grew more beautiful with every day. And his voice had become richer, perhaps due to spending so much time with Lomond.On the 1st of Slumber, it was finally time. The day they had been waiting for for years. The bonding ceremony.Four families met at an outdoor altar. The Tharlyns, the Niedes, the Debrals (with Rophen), and Jothur's in-laws-to-be, the Kandons.This time, there was no blindfold, and there were places for the attendees to rest.There was a place for Connor to stand, and hang his pouch, in front of the altar as Lomond approached it. A Listener handed Lomond a narrow slip of papyrus paper. Connor couldn't see Lomond's face, but he did see him hesitate for a moment. Then he returned to Connor."Partner, I need you to find me one each of these: A rose."Connor departed quickly to search for a rose. He returned with one just as quickly.Lomond took it. "A peony."The process continued as Lomond listed every type of flower in the world. For the occasion, people had painted umbrella-like signs with pictures and names of flowers. And when Connor found a flower, he could confirm its name himself.By the end of the ordeal, Connor's entire body stung and burned. But he refused to give in. He would fulfill any request Lomond made of him.But then, instead of listing another flower, Lomond put his hand on Connor's shoulder. "You have done well, my partner. And I will show my pride for all to see."Lomond took the boquet of flowers and, one by one, tucked them into place. And Connor became a work of art.Connor found himself struggling to keep his balance as the people whistled. Then, Lomond brought him to his side, and Connor leaned against him, feeling the softness of his hair brush against his face.As Lomond and Connor apprached the altar, the wind carried away some of the flowers, and in doing so, blessed their union.Metal was poured, clay was put in place, and Lomond and Connor's wrist and ankle were wrapped in bands of gold, with each others' names engraved upon them. The rings wouldn't come off as long as they lived."So it has been for ages past, so it shall be forever more," the Listner parno began."Human and symbiote are one," the parna concluded.All four families had pitched in to buy the couple a house, as was customary. And over the course of Midspring, the bondo and bonda got settled in.The human Lomond and the symbiote Connor lived together in harmony. Their network restrictions had been lifted completely, and they were free to invite friends and family to visit whenever they wished. Their careeers in art and music flourished, and Lomond found himself at the forefront of the daystyle scene. Meanwhile, Connor's piece, Life in Exclusion, was accepted into a prestegious art gallery.A year passed, and after their anniversary, they considered having children together. A human and a symbiote, born at the same time, so they grew up in lockstep with each other, giving one another a partner through all stages of development.One night in Midspring, after singing Lomond to sleep, Connor awoke to a terrible noise. He shifted in bed, trying to sleep through it. But he no longer felt Lomond's arms around him. With a blink, Connor woke up, and realized what the noise was. People shrieking in panic and calling out names. But there were no human voices among them.
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