Solace watched his movement, but said no more. He let the comfortable silence spread its wings between them, wrapping around them and bringing warmth. He was glad that Nick believed him easily, without having to try and convince him for too long. Solace wasn't created to be able to deal with conflict. Being the perfect creation, the prototype for humans, Solace was only given limited emotions; passion, serenity and intelligence being among a few. The humans were given more range of emotions, and the ability to decide their own fates. A factor that led to his creator's demise.

The silence was suddenly the loudest thing Nick could hear. Everything piled in on him at once, and it made him shiver and shake his head, then turn and look back to the campsite he couldn’t see through the thick trees. “Solace, I... have to go back.” He said at last, breaking the hush. Suddenly the rustle of breeze through the trees flooded back, the chirping and breathing of the earth filled the area, the run of water. “If you want to come along, you can, but I don’t want to worry anyone. If you do come with me... you’ll have to change a little. Clean up your look and seem more... human.”

He silenced himself with a bit of force, and jammed his hands in his pockets before fully turning around and walking back the way he had come.

Watching Nick go, Solace's heart felt heavy. The way he had been commanded to change himself made him feel as if he wasn't good enough for the man. He sighed and slipped off the rock, returning to his spring. He stood on the bank for a long time, staring down at his reflection and remembering the last time he stood on the edge of the spring. He had been crying, tears streaming down his beautiful face. He had never felt sorrow before. He was created never to feel any negative emotion such as sadness. He remembered the feeling of his heart being slowly crushed by the reality that he could never be with the one he loved.

He dove down into the icy depths of the spring, the water welcoming him and enveloping him like mother's embrace. He had not been scared the first time he dove in. He knew that the water would heal his bleeding heart. He never expected to not die. He spent most of his existence trapped on the bottom of this spring, staring up at his creator every day until he no longer came. He had always wondered if Lord Visal could see him. Wondered why he had visited the spring. Perhaps he missed Solace and regretted his death. If only he had known that Solace never truly died.

When Nick stepped foot into the clearing again and looked around, he felt a twinge of disappointment at the fact that Solace hadn’t followed. Maybe it was just too much, too quickly? Maybe he had only been talking to a hallucination... He shook his head hard. No, he certainly hadn’t been. It was far, far too real. Too real to be just... a made up figment of his imagination. He stared up for a moment, watching an owl glide silently to a tree, then stepped toward the ash-filled fire pit.

His bare foot fell onto the soft bank of the Spring of Creation. This place, where he had created all the others from earth and water, breathed life into them that would never grow old, that would never feel pain. But now he felt it---pain, sadness and loss, a horrible sensation, as though someone had stabbed a thorn into his chest and now it wouldn’t go away with every breath he took. He had never felt this way about anyone. No one, until now. He had gotten a little carried away this time, and made this one so beautiful many would be unable to speak when they laid eyes upon him. Even he was a little taken aback at first.

But rules were rules. He couldn’t love this one, either. And it was all his fault. All his fault! “I wish... you knew...”

“I wish you knew...” Nick snapped out of his daze at his spoken words, blinking hard. He had crouched down at the fire pit, and his hand had run over the warm ashes as though trying to caress something just out of his reach. With a shaky sigh, he sat down and stared at the ashes. He’d never be able to sleep now.

Andy crawled out of his tent quietly, so he didn't wake Michael up. He had woken in the middle of a weird dream and found that he had to relieve his bladder. As he turned around from zipping the tent back up, he was surprised to see Nick sitting by the fire alone. Ignoring his bladder, he walked over and sat next to his friend asking him quietly what was up.

"You rarely are up this late," he commented, picking up a nearby stick and poking the glowing ashes with it. "You've been away with the fairies since we got here." He sounded worried as he spoke, hating when his friends wouldn't let him help.

Nick shook his head. “Andy... You know I’m in tune with my surroundings, depending on where I am. When I’m in the forest, or a wooded area, I try to see things through the eyes of something that’s existed here all its life.” Andy nodded, but still looked worried. “I’m shellshocked right now, Andy. In all our other trips we’ve always been in places that have human-made trails, safe places, fences, cameras... Places that people go to every day. You expect to see others there. Right?”

Andy nodded. He squirmed a bit, but didn’t get up. Nick went on before he could find a reply: “We’ve arrived in a place that’s never been experienced before. There could be things here that... were once thought to be extinct. Or perhaps science hasn’t even found yet. And these trees are so huge, it’s impossible to touch them, to move them and force this land to be changed so humans can take advantage of it.”

Andy shook his head with a small sigh. “You’re like a hippie. A kid hippie.” At Nick’s odd look, he clarified: “Entertained by simple things. Shocked by what others wouldn’t think about.”

Nick chuckled. “Maybe. I... just want to think right now.” He wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his face.

Andy smiled and patted his friend's back. Being left alone to think was the best solution for him, it seemed. It was best to do so. He went a little way into the trees to relief himself, knowing that it wouldn't be very nice to do so too close to camp. After he had done, he turned around and his eyes landed on an old corroded rock. He hadn't seen it before, so it must have been a way they hadn't walked through yet. He approached it and put a hand onto its surface, finding small grooves cut into the stone.

He stepped back once more, seeing that, as his eyes properly adjusted to the dim light, it wasn't just a rock. It seemed to be part of some large statue that had once stood there. He could make out the face of a deer and some tree branches under the moss that had grown over it. Feeling excited, he ran back to camp to find Nick. He couldn't believe that he had found something from an ancient civilisation. The thought of it made him full of happiness.

When he wandered away, Nick looked up. He was always, in some ways, glad that he could come up with stories and excuses very easily, which let him keep his secrets to himself. Andy was grounded---if he knew what Nick knew... He'd think his friend absolutely insane. As he rubbed the ashes from the fire between his fingers, Nick startled as Andy came crashing back through the trees. “Nick! I found something! ---gotta see!”

For an instant, Nick’s heart stood still. What had he found...? He almost couldn’t get himself to stand, his legs locked up and made him stumble. Andy grabbed his hand, pulling him forward, through a slightly different route that, this time, didn’t lead to the spring, but was just nearby. They skidded to a halt in front of a mossy, overgrown stone which, as Nick squinted, could be made out to be a statue. “Isn’t this amazing?” Andy asked excitedly, but his next string of stuttered words were lost on Nick as he stepped forward and ran a hand down the obvious crevice in the stone that, perhaps, once was polished and smooth.

A flash of light blinded him as soon as his hand touched the rough carving. Daylight, greenery and thick trees, people all around, a statue silhouetted against a pale blue sky. Statues of people. But the sight was too quick to really be focused on. He blinked, shaking his head. Andy was still half drunk with excitement, though, and hadn’t noticed Nick’s glazed-over expression.

"This proves that a civilisation used to live here! The Ancients, Nick! They lived! They aren't just myths!" Andy breathed deeply after his explosion of excitement. He moved about the area, finding more and more tell tale signs that some sort of city used to be there. Parts of an old wall, foundations for a house, more broken and corroded statues... By the end of things, he lay on the dirt ground panting with exhaustion, like a puppy that had spent its energy on running in circles. That's when he heard the slight trickle of water running over stone. He sat up and tilted his head, listening intensely. He remembered the spring they had found Nick at earlier on and got slowly to his feet, making his way over to it.

"This place... Reminds me of an old legend I once read about..." he leant to have a look into the water. Even though it was clear, he couldn't see the bottom. "Would suck to fall in," he commented softly.

Nick shook his head as Andy ran about, following along easily. Andy was probably the second shortest of the four of them, more than a foot shorter than Nick. He was able to keep up with his young friend, and certainly seemed to be keeping whatever enthusiasm hidden well. Andy was used to that. Nick reacted silently more often than not, especially when startled. When Andy went to the spring, he followed along, crouching in front of it. “It would... wouldn’t it...” Nick didn’t ask a question. He felt a drop in his stomach, as though he’d been here far too many times. As though he’d crouched here, day after day, for hours on end. Lost in thought.

He put his hand in the water, not feeling it to be quite as cold as Andy. In fact, it was pleasantly warm, as though a human being existed within the water to give it their life, their warmth. Nick closed his hand, almost feeling one there to take, but when his fingertips met his palm, he sighed. “Andy.” He called, and his younger friend glanced his way. “This’ll all be here tomorrow. It’s late... Let’s get going, okay?”

Nick had little intention of going back. But he wanted to be alone here. He silently resolved to walk back with Andy and go toward his tent, but return as soon as he saw the second tent fall still and quiet.

Morning brought another hot summer's day, the sun rose brightly in the clear blue sky and the birds sung loudly in their trees. After the group had awoken, Andy dragged them back to the ruins, showing them the spring and various other things. They decided to do some amateur archaeology, digging small holes around the ruins to try and find something to bring back to civilisation with them.

They didn't know that they were being watched from afar. Solace had changed his hair and removed all the algae from his body. He was still naked, but that was because he couldn't find any clothes. He stood behind the spring, hiding in the shadow of the trees and rocks. He watched with curiosity, wondering what the humans were doing as they dug around in the earth.

Nick obliged the others, but said little. He'd led Andy back to the campsite then, as he'd resolved, went back to the statues and meandered near the spring almost all night, unable to stay in one place, wandering slowly, barefoot since he had discarded his heavy boots, walking slowly and marveling at how quiet he was in comparison. He'd gone back not long after the sky began turning and the air became warmer, blaming his tired and even more ruffled appearance on his inability to find his noise-canceling headphones.

But he still couldn't focus as the others dug around with their hands and small makeshift tools, pocket knives and wide bottle caps. He felt someone watching, and couldn't shake it. Crouching at the base of the eroded statue of the deer Andy had found, Nick sighed and rubbed his hair out of his face, standing and looking back toward the spring. It was out of sight, but he knew where it was. "I'm... going this way." He noted, pointing toward it. Andy and Kira nodded, and Michael grunted over his work. He seemed to have uncovered a dull gem, but it was apparently attached to the base of another statue and he wanted to unearth it all. Slowly, Nick turned and stepped through a blockage of shrubs and a few trees, returning to the quiet trickle of water into the spring. Squinting his pale eyes, he looked around slowly.

Solace watched Nick approach and moved away from the others, appearing before the man just out of sight of his companions. He smiled sadly, hoping that his new appearance would make the man happy. When the human had been Lord Visal, he had forbidden Solace to change his appearance. He was not allowed to cut his hair, nor use his powers for bad. It felt strange, having shorter hair.

He bowed low again, longing to rush into the human's arms and never let go. "How are you this morning, my Lord?" he asked quietly, straightening up and nervously fiddling with his hair.

Nick was right---he'd known someone was around, and couldn't shake the feeling that it was Solace. It was a bit surprising to see his hair shorter---albeit jagged, as if he'd used two rocks to cut it---and his skin free of the greenish tone of moss and algae. Perhaps he had really taken Nick's words to heart. But when he spoke, the young human shook his head. "Solace, I... I'd really prefer you call me Nick. That's my name... now..." He looked behind him, and stepped around a stone, putting a bit more distance between himself and the others. He was sure they couldn't hear him, and especially not Solace's quiet voice, but Nick couldn't be sure. "... Or at least call me Nick when someone's around..."

He put his hands in his pockets again, turning his eyes down to the ground. "I... didn't think I'd see you again---you're so interesting. So strange---in a good way, of course. But I don't know what to do with what you told me, Solace. What should I do? I can't stay here, but... I don't want to go back without knowing everything... If, maybe, you can come with us... for a little while... If I am what you say I am, maybe I'll start remembering." He couldn't bring himself to look up. Perhaps because this creature---Solace---thought Nick to be his creator... Or because he knew the legends were true... Or because he couldn't stop thinking about what could happen next. His mind was running rampant, unable to sit still for a moment. Solace had actually taken his words to heart---changed himself to look somewhat normal in human standards. Nick couldn't just turn his back now.

Solace didn't reply right away, glancing towards where he could hear the others talking. He was afraid of them and also of leaving this place. He had not known anything else but the temple and, nowadays, the ruins. He couldn't begin to imagine what life was like away from this forest. But a greater fear was losing his love again. He had always longed to rise from the spring and apologise, but he had been far too ashamed to show his face again.

"Nick..." he spoke his creator's human name, finding it weird to pronounce. "I do not know what might happen to me if I leave this place. You once told me the spring would die... I'd have no where to go if I left."

Nick’s heart almost stopped. Had he really been so cruel when he was ‘Lord Visal’? He couldn’t help but believe every word Solace said---he was the last being, the last created of the Spring of Creation itself, emerging from the water like an ethereal spirit. One couldn’t second guess something like that. And the faint flashbacks that were presented Nick only after Solace’s appearance seeded the concept in his mind that, perhaps, he was a reborn version of Visal. Recalling the words he had said the previous night, Nick stilled. “I... wish you knew...” He whispered involuntarily, and looked up to Solace. “I don’t know what... what I said when that happened. Maybe I was afraid. Maybe back then I... was afraid of the rules I’d set in place. After all, Solace... one can’t break their own rule, can they?”

He sniffed hard. It almost brought back a memory---Nick’s mind was playing around it, however, acting as though it were reaching for it, scraping the surface, simply unable to pull it back. “I... wish I could have stopped you. Solace. I didn’t want you to fall into the spring. Not because of me. I---” He paused, feeling his voice break. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know just how... strongly you felt. Maybe I...” Breathing in shakily, Nick blinked, and was surprised at the tears that slid down his cheeks, collecting behind his glasses. “I’m sorry.” As he spoke, he saw it---Solace, hair swirling like a watery wind in the draft high above the spring. Diving down. He had been so far away---unable to call in time. The memory was there, then gone in an instant.

Solace watched Nick's eyes tear up, knowing that this was what happened when humans got sad. He stepped forward now and wiped the tears from the man's eyes, the water disappearing on his skin. He remembered when he was sad, he tried to cry but found that he couldn't. He was never intended to feel sadness, or any other negative emotion. It had hurt more to keep it bottled up inside to the point were he took his own life.

"You told me we could never be together, for I was your creation and was never meant to love you..." Solace could remember that night as if it had just happened yesterday. It hurt to think about it, so he closed his memory, like the pages of a book. "It's OK..." He embraced the man tightly, enjoying the warmth that the body emanated.

Nick's breath caught. He didn't move at first, then returned the embrace. "I... don't think it's okay." He muttered. "I remember. The rule. The rule that a created being can never love their creator, because it... it'd cause unpredictable events... Maybe I was too cautious." He couldn't believe himself. If he were able, he would go into the past, perhaps change himself. He had never seen himself as anything but kind to others. Perhaps a bit too lenient, but never a pushover.

He stepped away, fighting the notion that he had recalled something else, but just couldn't reach the memory. "Solace. I'm regaining my memory. I can feel it come back every so often. Certain... situations... I can remember. I remember the statues---where each stood and... I think I'm recalling what each meant. But it's hard. I... remember... that day. The day I think I sent you away. It hurt..." He put a hand to his chest, as though feeling the sting, that of someone plunging a blade into his chest. "... so much. But it's so fuzzy. If you come back with us, perhaps I'll remember faster. I don't want to leave you behind, Solace---not after how you changed, just because I said so. But I can't stay here, or away from the others. Not for long." He looked down, inspecting his feet. Booted feet, because the broken statue bits were especially jagged.

"But how... How can I leave this place?" Solace questioned, finding it hard to voice his opinions. He was in shock to know that Nick was remembering his past life. Perhaps this would change everything. Solace let go of the warm man and stood back, his glittering hair moving slightly in the breeze that now blew through the trees. He shuddered, suddenly feeling cold and out of place. He had never bothered with clothes, even back when he was created he only wore a toga made from soft, flowing silk. He had never felt concious about his nakedness, especially in front of Lord Visal. But something had changed and suddenly, he felt embarrassed and ashamed all the time whenever he saw his dear creator.

It seemed these awkward feelings were becoming apparent once again.

Nick raised his head, breathing in sharply despite feeling very out of place. “I don’t see why you can’t just leave.” He said simply, and surveyed Solace. It was impossible to tell just how long he had existed, especially since he had spent the majority of his life in a spring meant to create. No doubt time itself had wasted away whatever clothing he had worn---Nick hadn’t paid attention to that, though. Not until Solace seemed to act uncomfortable. He turned.

“S-Solace... I appreciate that you took my words to heart... that you decided to change... like that. But if you...” He paused, and cleared his throat. “Uhm, if you do want to come with me---take a chance and maybe... get away from here, for a little while... I suppose you could borrow some of my clothes... just for a while, if you want...” Forcing his foot up, he started back to the campsite---he’d brought along some extra clothes just in case he fell into a lake or puddle, which he was accustomed to doing. Having such long legs made it difficult to control them, even after years of practice. Solace did seem to be about his height, which was surprising, if only a little.

Solace followed behind him quietly, his bare feet not breaking a twig or rustling any leaves. He made sure to keep an eye out for any of the others, knowing that he had the ability to disappear quickly. He was mostly made of water, meaning he could evaporate at will. This was something he hadn't done in a long time and hoped he wouldn't mess it up. He could seriously injure himself if he did it wrong.

He wondered again what life would be like away from this forest. There was no way he'd let Nick leave without him, but yet he was afraid that he would cease to exist without the spring to fuel him. He stood quietly near one of the fabric huts, as Nick went inside it to search for spare clothes. He reached out and stroked the fabric, his fingers leaving a trail of condensation behind. "This world is strange to me now. I must admit I am afraid, Lord," he said quietly. "I know not of any negative emotion, but this one."

In the tent, Nick unzipped a second bag of his---larger than the backpack, but full of his clothes should his clumsy side take hold and send him over a muddy cliff. Pulling some clothes out, he studied them. When one knew him, they knew he always stuck to a certain clothing style, simple but useful for almost any situation. Brown and beige, sometimes green. This shirt was green, an earthy tone, and the pants that followed were dark brown. He’d decided to put in an extra pair of shoes in case he lost his---which had happened before, though he was loathe to admit.

Stepping back out of the tent with the clothes, Nick tilted his head as Solace spoke. He bit his bottom lip for a moment, sighing inwardly as he considered his words. “You... weren’t made to feel negativity. That changed when... humans were created. Negativity led to second guessing oneself, but helping in many situations. I can’t promise you’ll never feel bad... not for now... but as long as you’re with me, you’ll be safe.” He couldn’t understand why he was saying this, but had to chalk it up to his protection instinct. Stepping up to Solace, he placed the jumble of fabric in his arms. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Solace picked through the clothing, finding the style weird and almost alien to him. He noticed that they were similar to what Nick was wearing and hoped that the others wouldn't notice this fact. He slipped them on, the fabric scratched his sensitive skin and made him squirm a little. When he was fully clothed, he looked over at Nick, tilting his head in question. He wasn't sure if the clothing fit him properly, or suited what he looked like. He picked at the fabric, noting that he would no longer be able to sleep in his spring.

"How will we do this? Your friends... Will find it weird if you met me out here... Wouldn't they? Also, I know nothing of your world. Wouldn't they find that just as... Strange?"

Nick nodded slowly, wordless for a moment. “Yes... They’d find it strange. It’s rare to find someone out in the woods. Especially one with water colored hair like yours. As tall as you are. But the others are... open minded. They all believe in the past that’s no doubt true. They’ll believe you are of that race. But they would’ve been shocked at your overall appearance---it’s difficult to get past, when one doesn’t look the way you’d expect. Now, since you look a bit more average, you’ll be able to speak so they’ll listen to what you say.”

He looked around, toward where Andy had led them early that morning. “If you want to approach now, I’ll take you to them. But if you’d rather stay here, we can wait until they come to us.” He gestured at the flat stones he and the others had set around the fire pit, to raise them a bit off the bare earth. Nick half hoped Solace would choose to stay here. He wanted to talk to him alone, listen to him, keep him for a little longer away from everyone else. They’d probably bombard him with questions... Nick steeled himself for that.

Solace glanced over towards where the others were rummaging around in the earth just out of his line of sight. He was too nervous to even begin to think about what they might ask him. Besides, he wanted to stay with his love just a little bit longer. He made for the flat stones and sat down, curling his legs under himself. He could feel the heat from the fire and knew that his skin would soon dry and start to steam. "What sort of things would they ask me?" he questioned, trying to hide his fear.