Previous chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1090884220 TW: brief implied death I'm back with the next chapter, yay! this chapter is kind of short since this is just going to pick up from where the last chapter left off and finish the rest of Ember's visit to Wilbur's house. next chapter will be longer I promise Story: The two spent the rest of the evening in Wilbur’s room discussing whatever came to mind before getting called down for dinner. And as promised Axel made roasted potatoes. And Ember had to admit that it had to have been the best meal he had ever had. The potatoes skin was crisp, but soft at the same time, and the way the spices mixed with the fluffy inside. Willow wasn’t lying when she said Axel made the best roasted potatoes. “How are there?” Axel asked sitting down. “Good!” Ember said after swallowing, just because he didn’t have a lot of money didn’t mean he had the manners of a horse. “See it’s not just us” Willow said. Axel let out a slight chuckle. Ember quickly finished his meal and helped Wilbur do the dishes, despite Wilbur’s objections to let Ember help. Axel had gone upstairs to grab something. When the two of them finished the dishes, they went to the living room where Willow sat on the leather couch picking a movie. “What about ‘The World’s Gone Silent’?” She asked. “I don’t think horror is a good idea” Wilbur said, as the two of them sat on the other end of the couch. “Oh yeah right, would want you screaming like a girl again”. Willow teased. Wilbur huffed “Find something else” he said. Willow shook her head and rolled her eyes before turning back to the tv. “Ok, what about ‘Wishing for You’?”. “No romance, at all”. “Well then what do you expect us to watch, smarty pants?” Willow huffed. “Something besides that” Wilbur said standing up. Ember didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the argument, so he silently snuck away into the hallway beside the stairs. Many pictures hung on the wall of the hallway. Most of them were of when Willow and Wilbur were younger. In the middle of all of the smaller pictures was a bigger one of the whole family. They all stood there so proper; Ember knew that this was probably taken at one of those professional places.
(Continued) Ember easily made out Axel by his short brown hair. He stood behind everyone else. In this picture he wore a nice gray dress shirt and black pants, instead of his usual green shirt and jeans. Beside him was a woman with long black hair and blue eyes, she wore a indigo dress with small white flowers at the bottom and top. Ember assumed this was Wilbur’s mother. Wilbur had mentioned his mother a couple time and that she was away most the time, but that was about it. In front of her was Willow who looked 10-11 years old and she was shorter as well. She wore a white dress with flowers at the top. Next to her and in front of Axel was Wilbur, in a light blue dress shirt and black pants. Ember could barely recognize him since he didn’t have that bit of brown hair in his face. But he was still there. However next to/in front of Wilbur was another boy. This boy had short black hair and green eyes, he looked about 8-9 years old. And he wore a white dress shirt. Ember wasn’t sure who that was. “Ember?”. Axel’s voice made Ember jump. “Uh, yeah” he said. Axel walked towards him. “Sorry, for wandering off and coming here without permission” Ember apologized. Axel just smiled. “Don’t worry about it, there’s nowhere in this house you have to ask for my permission to go to”. He said. “I know it can be awkward being in the middle of a sibling fight”. Ember nodded feeling the warmth of Axel’s hand on his shoulder. Ember hesitated about letting Axel touch him. Ember’s father never made it pleasant when he touched him, if he did. Axel wasn’t like his father. He was the opposite; he was warm and kind. “Axel, can I ask a question?” Ember asked. Axel nodded “of course”. Ember hesitated for a moment. “who’s that boy in the picture?”. Axel’s darkened with sadness. “He was my other son, Liam” he said. Was. “What happened to him?” Ember asked slowly. “He died” Axel said. “it’s … we… I just couldn’t get him help fast enough” Axel’s voice was cracking bad. “Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him”. Ember looked down. He felt like he had just reopened a stab wound on Axel. One that would never fully heal no matter how much time passed. “I’m… so sorry” Ember said. “you have nothing to apologize for” Axel said getting himself back together. “now go see if you three can settle on a movie”. Ember nodded. And went back to the living room. After some debate they finally settled on a movie called, ‘Beyond the Wall of Dreams’. the plot was simple enough. The royal advisor and the crowned prince are forced to flee their country after it gets invaded. They head to one country for protection, but leaders there turn out to be working with the emperor that invaded the country. So, they head to the only other country not associated with the invasion. With a leader who is known to be ruthless and his son. The leader will help them if they join their two countries together. Neither the prince and the advisor don’t like this. As time goes on the ruthless starts to treat them like his own. And at the end they chase out the invaders and join their nations together, to form a empire. And the four of them find family in each other. After the movie Ember left despite Wilbur’s tempting offer to stay there for the night since it was already 10:00 at night. on his way to the apartment Ember kept thinking about Axel losing a son, a fate Ember wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy. Ember opened email on his phone and messaged Orpheus. ‘ I’m in’. NOTES: Does anyone actually read these notes? yeah this probably feels rushed, thats cause i wanted to get it over with. fun fact 'Beyond the Wall of Dreams' is actually another story of mine that never got finished. I know some people are probably wondering how Ember hasn't put the dots together yet and there is a reason. 1. most of the villains who's faces aren't covered really well (like Orpheus) will do minor things to change their appearance such as wear colored contacts, add freckles etc., not a lot just a little here and there. 2. Ember has briefly thought about it, but dismisses it due to his mind's safety procedure, y'know? anyways that's all, see you next chapter! Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1180890004
