It was safe to say that night I got little to no sleep. Between Jane's memory of almost drowning and Taylor's confession I had a lot to think about. At times I'd lie wake thinking about Taylor and an awkward happiness would fill my chest preventing me from sleeping. When I finally did close my eyes, Jane's memories began to seep in again, different ones that made no coherent sense, images, sounds and sometimes even smells. By the time the sun rose I was sitting in my bed annoyed with dark rings beneath my eyes.
I made my way down the stairs of the inn tiredly. The sun had barely risen and most would still be sleeping, however I was hungry from the useless turning and tossing during the night. I ordered a mixture of eggs and toast at the kitchen and sat down alone, sipping at some juice. As my food came I noticed Ronalt walk in and waved him over.
"Good morning Rain... you look terrible, did something happen?" he eyed me curiously.
"You could say that," I sighed and shoved the food into my mouth. The light spices and strange texture of the egg caused me some delight but not enough to remove my tired expression. "Please go ahead and join me."
"Then I shall," Ronalt left and came back with a drink of his own. He sat down and pulled out a small mirror. At first I thought he was inspecting his face but as he pulled out a cloth I realised he was making sure his horns were clean. "You know I've grown quite fond of these. They represent a personality that I believe suits me, although I'm unable to sleep on my side."
"Well I can't sleep face down." I tried once and ended up poking a hole through the pillow.
Ronalt laughed, "The horned tribe members must have some inconveniences."
"From what I heard the real things can detect changes in mana," I tapped the horns on my forehead.
"Is that so," he nodded in thought.
"By the way Ronalt, can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Of course Rain," he smiled lightly. Compared to when I first met him the difference really was too much. At this point he would have scowled at me.
"Have you heard Lara ever mention the name Jane before?"
His eyes narrowed as he threaded through his memories. A silence came between us. I sighed. It was a long shot anyway. Then in realisation he spoke, "Ah yes, it was quite some time ago now. When Lara was first summoned here, one of the first things she asked was if another boy called Jane was here as well. For the few days after she would occasionally mention him but then she just stopped. Why do you ask?"
I couldn't hide my pensive expression, "When she showed us her memories I saw him. Worse still I keep seeing strange things about him."
He scratched his head, "My apologies Rain I cannot help you in this. As curious as I am, perhaps you should talk to Ardent."
"I tried that," I sighed again. "Anyway, how long are we staying in Citlia for?"
Ronalt firmly grasped the change in topic, "I'd like to leave in two days' time. For now we'll gather what information we can and rest." I nodded and as Ronalt's food came we ate in relative silence.
Once we were both done I headed outside to the stables as Ronalt went into town to find a route to the Demon's Capital. Pina was lively and communicating with the other paradise moas like her. After making sure she was being well fed I entered the carriage. Once more I set up my apothecaries' kit. I had been using it a lot compared to my other tools lately. If Margaret knew she'd call it a victory against my other parents. My goal for now however was to make a sleeping draught. At least that way I could finally get some rest.
As I mixed the reagents together and did the other necessary steps the door to the carriage opened.
"Oh Rain," Lara said in surprise. "I didn't know you were here. You look sick... did something happen?"
"Just lack of sleep," I said telling half the truth.
"Really what were you doing?" she asked innocently and sat at the table.
I felt like teasing her, "I went to the red light district."
"You what!?" her voice pitched higher than usual. "I-I mean you are a man and I know people do things like that. Umm." She was looking around avoiding my eyes.
"Lara what are you talking about? Just what do you think the red light district is?" I feigned innocence. The term red light district wasn't one used in this world and the only reason I felt like I knew it was because of Jane's memories. I had to wonder just what else I knew because of them.
"Eh? Umm isn't that place where- where men and women do things with each other?" What a pure way of phrasing it.
"Hmm pretty much," I said.
Her face reddened, "Then you really...!"
"You should really get your mind out of the gutter Lara. Just because I went there doesn't mean I did anything."
She was clearly miffed now, "Y-you, stop playing around."
"Sorry you're reactions are just too cute sometimes," I plonked my hand on her head. As soon as I did so we both froze. Me because I couldn't tell if I was acting as Rain or by Jane's memories and her well, I couldn't tell. I slowly pulled away.
"Rain... you mentioned my friend Jane before. Do you know him?" her eyes upturned to mine with a slight hope.
The muscles in my neck tightened, "No, it was just that one time."
"You're lying," her words were more forceful than I thought they'd be. "I can tell your lying! I don't understand it but whenever you lie seriously, when it's not a joke... you and Jane look the same. So please just tell me the truth!"
"My face isn't that girly," I sighed.
"You know what he looks like?" despite her insistence actually hearing me say caused her to freeze up.
"Thin build, sandy brown hair, big green eyes and basically pretty enough to confuse a bunch of men in their sexual preference." A part of me hurt saying that.
"Yep that's him... but why do you know that?"
"I think when you showed me your memories something happened but to be honest I don't really know how deep this goes. Lately I keep seeing things."
"Like?" she stared at me with wide eyes.
"You saved him before from drowning."
"Yeah... I remember that." She smiled softly, "It's strange, the more you talk about him the more I'm able remember again."
"And now if you could help me, do you have any idea what's happening to me?" I folded my arms and leaned against the wall. The need for sleep that had been piling up had for now stilled itself.
Lara however shook her head, "Sorry I don't."
"Then tell me, just what was Jane to you?"
"Jane... Jane was my childhood friend. His parents left him when he was a baby and my parents ran a foster home. We saw each other a lot and grew up together. We went to the same schools and even the same university. He was my best friend."
While that was well and good it told me nothing about why 'his' memories were in 'my' head. I already had enough trouble not being able to die and this really was just the icing on the cake of my life. Add the fact we still had to deal with the Demon Lord and we had the whole damn desert buffet.
I sighed and finished making my sleeping draught, "For now I'm damn tired. So if you excuse me I'll be heading to bed."
"Ah sure...," Lara looked at me a little taken aback. My leaving was sudden. As I reached the door Lara caught my hand in hers. She squeezed it tightly, "Rain, do you mind if we can talk about this again?"
For a moment I stayed silent and then with a tired breath, "Sure." I couldn't say no to her.
"Thank you," with that she let go of my hand and I went back to my room in the inn. I drank the draught and no sooner than when I hit the bed, darkness took over.