Seeking change

[Angel Under Glass]

Tzaphiel had been spellbound by this strange creature for most of the night. Now, as the sun rose, this person’s presence had dimmed to the dull yet resilient light that he had seen from the water. But, for most of the night, especially while he listened to the expansive stories of other worlds, the spirit had been different. To his eyes, it was a bonfire to a candle. When that single eye turned red and the voice became honey drizzled over his ears, the light was gorgeous and energetic. It was as if the energy didn’t know where to go, just that it had to keep moving. He almost hadn’t been able to make out the figure behind all of its light. The impression he did receive of the body, though, was different; more lively and fluid. He couldn’t comprehend why he thought so, but it was distinctly feminine as its spirit burned wildly in the night.

As slivers of sunlight crested over the water, the stories had ended. He could barely remember what was said. It was all so alien to his mind that had only known the tower. But, he couldn’t forget the impression that the world now seemed so much bigger. He wanted to explore it. He wanted to find the love and happiness that this creature had told him about. Beautiful mortal bonds, she had said. The idea was so enticing that he almost had forgotten about his vigil.

It was with guilt that he had remembered. A quick goodbye, then the creature’s light had died down, leaving the body heavy and solid in comparison. Tzaphiel had started to head out to the water again. Grandfather hadn’t risen, he told himself. His eyes may have been blinded, but he would have recognized the gentle warmth of his creator no matter how distracted he was. He still needed to wait.

As his feet touched the water, a rock whizzed by him and disappeared noisily in the ocean. Surprised, he turned with wide eyes. The wooden man, now so dishearteningly plain, had another rock in his wooden arm that was ratcheting back like a catapult. With a lanky, inefficient motion, the rock was sent to the same unspectacular end. The glowing orange eye turned to meet Tzaphiel’s, and he waited expectantly as the creature seemed to be listening to something beyond his own hearing. “Skip, big strong daddy,” the awkward man finally said.

Tzaphiel understood the intent behind the broken words, and he stood for a long while contemplating. If Grandfather came back, he could still see him from the beach, and this creature seemed to want to play. Dim memories tugged at him of times when he had wanted to play but been resigned to do so alone. Grandfather and Mother were very busy sometimes. With a piteous smile, he joined the game.

In a very short time, he had picked up the required movements and refined them until he was by far his friend’s better. Each of his rocks skipped serenely upwards of five times compared to the messy one or two that the ratchety wooden arm sent forth.

The night faded fully away as their game progressed. His friend had to reset often, for the rope around his waist tried to tow him out to sea constantly. He couldn’t remember when it had been fastened, perhaps during the stories, and he couldn’t think of an easier way to keep the small wooden craft from leaving them. There must have been something very important in it, though, for his friend to worry so much.

On the edge of dawn’s magnificence, the waterborne treasure revealed itself with a loud shout. Tzaphiel dropped all the rocks in his hand and stared, though the other seemed not to notice and kept on playing with mechanical determination. A head popped over the edge of the craft, then a body. He couldn’t see it as anything more than a black shape, ringed by a soft aura, against the powerful reflection of the rising sun. For the first time since he had lost himself in the game, he appreciated the beauty of the sunrise. It began to unnerve him, though. There was so much light moving on the waves as if it had life, and it was warm. Delightfully warm. Would he still be able to sense Grandfather?

He almost broke into a run for the water. The young woman’s face stopped him, though. Intent and kind. He waited a moment, debating whether to meet her gaze or run around her. Then, he truly heard her words, and he latched onto them. Until his guardian comes? She must have known that Grandfather would come up eventually. The assurance in her voice was enough to prove it. If he went with her and his new friend, he could come back and find Grandfather waiting. He would probably be fretting that their home had disappeared. But, by just being there, Tzaphiel could cheer him up.

With a wide grin on his face, the boy hugged the box under his cloak. It began to play. “He noticed me! Oh, look at him smile. I’ve never seen him smile so much. Come here, Tzaphiel. Come to grandpa. He walks so precisely, like he’s been planning it out for a long time. You must have been, my boy. I knew you were always thinking. So smart!” Tzaphiel’s face beamed with the knowledge that he would soon hear his Grandfather’s voice for real.