Lucian stared at Charles for a couple seconds with a puzzled expression. Not only had his brief theory been broken, he also didn't know what an alchemist was...
I really did forget almost everything didn't I? I don't know how to respond to things anymore so all I can mostly do is ask questions. Why does everything have to be like this!?
"Pardon my thin knowledge of things but could you explain to me what an alchemist is?"
"It's all right master Lucian, I shouldn't expect you to know a lot. An alchemist is an individual that specializes in an ancient tradition that combines the elements of chemistry, philosophy, and mysticism. I myself are one of 56 alchemists in the entire world, though these numbers are only known to Ethereals and other alchemists."
Lucian expected him to mock him of laugh, but he actually explained it. I guess I know who I can ask if I ever find myself being restrained by my irretrievable memory. Thought Lucian with his fading perplexion.
The park they sat in happened to be one of three that are located around the city, east park, west park, and the one the two gentlemen were in, north park. The bench the sat on happened to be right under a large tree with red leaves and white blossoming flowers making the setting fell somewhat majestic.
"Thank you for the explanation, Sir Charles. So far, today has been quite the interesting experience."
"It is my pleasure, young master.", stated Charles with a relaxed expression.
Before Lucian could speak, a bell sounded nearby. "Ah, miss Mable must be arriving soon." remarked Charles."
Mable? Was that perhaps the girl that answered the door for me? If so, then she'd be....
"Charles, is this Mable girl my sister per chance?"
Catching Charles's attention, Charles replied, "Y-yes, but how could you have known?"
"I believe she told me when I stopped by to try and see my mother at the time. She was very kind and polite."
Charles's face relaxed from his small puzzlement, "Yes well, she actually talks and acts a lot like you do now."
"I guess it runs in the family.", said Lucian, sparking a chuckle with the two of them.
"I bet your sister will be rather dumbfounded by the sudden surprise that she has a brother."
"You never told her?"
"Your mother thought it was best to keep her in the dark, she felt it was to cruel to make a child swear an oath of secrecy and she was frightened of what reaction Mable might have."
"She seems like she was a good mother then, I believe that was the best decision to make."
The wind blew softly as the two sat in silence for a bit until Lucian noticed someone walking up to them in his peripheral vision. As he shifted his gaze, he saw a slender and delicate girl with long dark brown hair.
"Hello young miss Mable, are we having a fine day?", Asked Charle's while standing up to greet her.
"Mr. Altord has been giving out more classwork but other than that it's been quite lovely.", stated Mable while glancing at Lucian a bit, obviously curious about why her butler was hanging out with the stranger who knocked on their door the other night.
"May I ask why you are with this man?" Mable was smart enough to come up with the conclusion that Lucian was possibly related to them somehow, but it was still hard to believe.
"Can I not be around your big brother?"
Mable was silent for a while. She tried to muster a sentence, but she didn't know how to reply. "Wha-Hu-you never told me! This is a joke, right? How could-", Mable's confusion died down once she noticed Lucian's resemblance to that of hers. They weren't identical but someone would defiantly assume they were related if seen together.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lucian, I'm not sure how to react so this is all I can really say."
She composed herself rather quickly. "It's all right, I wasn't expecting a lot, Although Charles here did say you'd be dumbfounded", stated Lucian with a chuckle.
Mable gave a small pout and looked at Charles. It seemed that they were quite close based on how they acted around each other. Good to know that my family is quite lively. Thought Lucian with a satisfied smile.
***
In the short span of an hour, Lucian had learned a lot about his little sister. The school that she went to was called Forcha Academy where she learned a multitude of subjects including the study of the gods, Leyrith (Their language), Sorfic (Ancient language), and all the regular subjects like math, science, etc. Mable also explained life at home with their mother. She said she was kind and loving but was strict about education which Mable complained about frequently.
It took a bit for Mable to warm up to Lucian, but she did after getting to know him a bit. She also felt as if there was a thin bond between them that seemed as though it should have been built a long time ago.
"You're staying with Ozzus and Priscilla!?", exclaimed Mable.
"Yes, but I don't know why it's such a big deal?"
"It's not, it's just that Priscilla girl. She's frequently absent from school, barley ever does her work and isn't formerly dressed.
Ozzus is friends with our mother so if he ever comes over, he usually brings Priscilla because of me. We've tried but we just can't seem to get along."
The statement confused Lucian too much, he got along with Priscilla just great, and he can get along with Mable just as well, so what's separating them?
"Well, I'm sure that you-"
*Clang clang clang*
"It appears that I must take my leave and get back to class, we'll chat later." remarked Mable while getting up from the bench.
"Do take care.", I hate that damn bell.
"Farewell young miss, I'll see you at home.", Charles said as he and Lucian both stood up for a gentlemanly bow.
"Apologies Lucian, but I fear I must be going as well. Lady Sylvia might get a bit suspicious if I'm gone for too long."
"I understand, I enjoyed the time I spent with you today. I look forward to our next meet."
With that, Lucian started heading back to the ship while Charles headed back the Crowe household. The time they spent together wasn't very long, but they had built up a good connection.
***
Entering the cabin of the ship, Lucian found Ozzus chatting with a blond-haired man with his hair tied up in a bun. He wore a dark frock coat over a white high collared shirt and muted waistcoat, the ensemble completed by straight cut trousers and Polished leather boots. A brass pocket watch rested against his vest, and he wore the finest gloves money could buy. The whole attire seemed to be from the highest noble shops there were.
Show off much? His suit's probably worth a hundred times mine!
"Oh, hey Lucian!", said Ozzus with a large smile. "I would like you to meet Theo Lundqvis."
Theo Lundqvis? The inventor he mentioned the other day? Lucian immediately bowed like a gentleman. "Good day sir, my name is Lucian Crowe, forgive me for not recognizing you sooner."
"It's quite alright, I'm not royalty." said Theo with a soft laugh.
After shaking hands, Lucian sat at the table with them. Theo was a very nice gentleman; it appeared that the steam pusher was his only successful invention though. Ozzus had stumbled upon him while at the bar he was at the other night. Ozzus was an admirer so he asked Theo if he could take a look at the steam pusher below deck to see if it was doing alright.
"It's a shock that someone almost as old as me has this much success already."
Upon hearing Lucian's statement, Theo flinched. "My success was really just luck if you think about it. There's plenty of inventors who are way more talented than me."
*Tok tok tok*
"I'll get it.", exclaimed Ozzus.
While Lucian and Theo were still in the cabin, they heard faint talking, "Good day sir, I am here to pick up Theo", stated an anonymous polite, mid-toned voice.
As the two listened to the conversation, it appeared that Theo was a bit nervous.
"Apologies but a believe I must be going now, the man outside is quite impatient, and I'm a very busy man."
"No worries, I understand and I'm sure Ozzus does as well."
After Theo left, Ozzus returned with a serious face. "Lucian."
"Y-yes?"
"I want you to follow them. Don't let them notice you and if you see any signs of danger, then leave."
Something didn't feel right, Ozzus knew something that Lucian didn't, but he didn't want to share it. Was it the man at the door that instigated this?
Lucian was in the dark, but he knew that Ozzus wouldn't joke about something like this. Sure, he's an interesting breed but he can get serious when he needed to.
Usually, Lucian would reject a random order like this. He only met this man a few days ago so why would he take orders from him? For some reason, Lucian felt compelled to follow his orders.
"Will you give me an explanation when I get back?"
"Yes, although you'll already know by the time you get back."