Concentrate . . if only I could. My parents were unable to meet with me the day they had originally set and for quite a while now even I have been unable to contact them. As a result I began to focus again on the hobbies that I was previously partaking in. Except to actually participate in most of such activities I actually had to venture beyond my room or study for that matter. Since such was the case I decided to again wear a mask. It took a while to have them ready since I was not where I was originally supposed to be. It was not until recently that I began to wear them and ever since I have become more active. Although it would have been easier if I had been at home since I did have a room dedicated to them there. . although most are of when I was much younger and as such were simply kept for memories. Though while some were kept for memories others were simply there until it came time to use them again. Not that I actually though I would be using them again. However, I never really lost the habit of having one made every so often after I no longer used them. The only reason I even stopped using them was because of the fact that in society one does not usually wear such things. Valix had also suggested it as a result of our lessons at the time. When it was actually time to take it off, most around me were able to tell at a glance what I was thinking. During that time, I actually had a lot of trouble controlling my expressions. Over time I got better but Valix was still able to read even the slightest gesture I made. Now I cannot help but wonder if Xy would have been able to know what I think too. Thoughts like these are what I have been thinking about ever since I heard others approach the door. Last time I had gotten ready Valix had arrived and stated that my parents would be unable to see me for a while.
. . .
The only thing I am able to do as I now see Xy enter is turn and observe them . not only him but as well the others that follow him. I cannot help but notice their attire unlike Valix or for that matter any of the others that serve under anyone else within our lands. Father’s attendants wear respectively each a pin that displays their rank. All here before me are adorned with pieces of clothes and even a few have jewels embedded into their attires. All that they wear demonstrate their placement within the different orders in which each are assigned to. Xy himself wears an assortment of them and unlike the rest his attire is far more detailed . . all who stand here before me however are valuable simply because of what they represent.
“Your parents are in your study.” is all Xy states.
I do not say a thing and simply walk past them as I head to the study. Even he cannot speak to me like Valix has. Rules . I quite dislike them . . but others I don’t believe I’ll ever mind . . . all however must be followed. I actually wonder what exactly they need me for. If it had been simply to tell me when it would have been time to leave . they would have told Xy and he then could have simply informed me. When I was younger Xy had been next to father assisting him in most of his assignments of course back then he had no name. Now though . . he truly seemed to have found his place. Yet most actually believed Xy not to be worthy of his place. None could actually deny him his place since Valix had agreed himself to assist me instead of staying with father.
. . .
“Enter.” that is my father’s voice one can hear it thunder past the doors of which I stand before.
As the doors open I can see them sitting . drinking tea . . it had been a while since tea was brought into the study. The only other thing that catches my attention is how captivating this scene is. Right here . . right now this is where they belonged and the only other thing that I am able to think of is how wrong this feels . I was not supposed to be here. It is clear to me that being here in itself is what wears me out from the inside out. When the doors are finally open for me to pass . I walk through and head towards them. The closer I get the more I can tell they look just the same as I last saw them . . now I can not help but think that one probably stops aging once you get to actually now the place you belong in. From what I can see now . . mother always seems to have a gentle smile . although I doubt I have ever seen her otherwise. I had begun to believe that she must be very good at controlling the emotions she displays before others but now I think she lacks the ability to show any emotion at least directly on her face. Valix has always told me that I am more like my father. Father was someone who always seemed to allow his emotions to guide his expressions . . at least whenever mother was present. He was not much of anything other than cold and power without her. I have always wondered why I could not be more like mother . . however unlike father it is elsewhere that my emotions are much more difficult to keep under control. I am like mother when in front of parents . only because making them worry is not something I should do. They have more than just me to take care of. The lands they care for and the rules that they must follow are set so that we may maintain our hand at ruling our lands. Wealth is something we accumulate and as well something that we never covet . . everything we have can be offered to the forest itself when needed. Nothing is without exception. These are the rules . . they are what tell us everything we need to keep control . to keep us safe . to maintain the power that all will covet when they see truly all we have all we keep within and away from the rest.
 . .
“We apologize for not able to attend our previous appointment. We had important matters that needed our attention as soon as we arrived.” mother now states . . for some reason I cannot help but feal like she is overflowing with “happiness?” but I must be wrong.
“I see. Well, I do hope everything is fine now.” is all I am able to respond with.
“Yes, it is. For now at least.” father states.
“Will you be approving my departure for home soon?”
“You requested to leave?” is all father is able to say in a way questioning Xy . . somewhat annoyed.
“Was it not given to you? I told Valix to do so.” I respond before anyone else speaks.
“Xy.” is all my father states.
“A request was received from Valix. Though we were told that it is not yet time for him to leave. We agreed and a such this was the reason the request was not approved nor given to you.”
“I see. Do not let this happen again.”
“Yes.”
“Staying a few more days here will be for the best, You can explore the city and Xy is making sure that doing so does not affect any of your assignments.” father now states directing himself to me.
“I do not believe staying here is what is best for me.” is all I am able to respond with.
“Son. We know this is unexpected, but you will stay here. Do you dislike the hall your room is in? We could move you to another one that is more to your liking.” my mother the asks.
“The room is fine though your schedules . . have they changed?”
“We have rearranged are schedules.” my father affirms.
“We have arranged for Marcy’s son to accompany you around. Xy has already arranged a set of activities for you two to partake in.”
“Very well.” is all I can say.
 . . .
Afterwards I see them take their leave. The only thing I now notice is that one of mother’s attendant is adorned in jewels and clothing far too simple for her rank. Although now I actually wondered if she is one of her own since she wears a style much different than the others. “She is one of grandmother’s. Athiz.”

| .

Right now . I am headed to the city to watch people perform a play. I never really had to worry much about anything else. Especially not interactions with others. Now I just hope that time passes by faster. Not to mention the fact that right across from me is the boy . . Marcy’s son. For now it has been settled that he would be referred to as Ethan. The first time we were actually introduced was yesterday in the evening or was it night . . I can’t recall my parents decided that we should be introduced then. The only reason it was not in the morning but later on in the day was all because of the time of his arrival . whatever time it was. Upon introductions my parents had allowed him to leave to his room since he had at the time genuinely seemed exhausted. Today Valix had notified me that I was going to go observe a play. At times like these I actually wonder how Xy and the rest of the attendants think. Why a play of all things? It makes no sense; you can not interact with the other person when you watch a play. From what I understand Ethan was brought here to become my friend. Technically . what did I know about making friends? In truth I have never had one. But still all this seemed much to tiring and very unnecessary at least for now.
. . .
My eyes cannot help but look at the places that we pass by. Truthfully, he had no choice but to come all the way here it now seems and honestly, I now highly doubt he was aware of the fact he was to become my “friend”. Poor kid his parents more than likely arranged all this without him knowing about this trip at all. I often forget that most children within families that maintain order never actually participate in making decisions for themselves until after they are of age or have at the very least accomplished something worthy of acknowledgement.
“May I ask you something?” Ethan asks.
“You may.”
“You were wearing a mask when I arrived, and you are still wearing it now. Why do you wear a mask?” he asks as he looks directly at me or at least whatever he sees before him.
“I prefer to wear them.” is all I respond with.
“I see. Do you know what we will be watching?”
“I am not sure.”
“So . . do you enjoy watching plays?”
“I would not know. This is the first time I am actually going to see one.”
“Your first time . wait how have you not seen one already?”
“I have been too busy for such things.”
“Well . . I enjoy them . some of them . . actually there are a few that I actually like. But I am sure that your mother chose one that would be suitable for you.”
“My mother . ?”
“Yes. My mom chose the first play I ever saw. I have a couple of other friends and each of their mom’s chose their plays too.”
“I see. Well that is good to know. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself?”
. . .
My mother would never be able to choose the play that I watch. Rules. Xy and the attendants are the once that currently choose what it is I am allowed and not to do outside of that place. Of course, there are restrictions to them as well within that place.
.
“We are here.” states Valix from outside.
“You go first.” is all I tell Ethan.
In that moment my eyes cannot help but look up as I sigh.