The next couple of days after the meeting with the elders was spent learning more about the modern world. With all of the drama that had been going on, Seris figured it would be a nice change of pace to just explore.
Erin had finally turned back up. He had vanished without so much as a bye after recovering at the Temple of the Badger. Seris suspected that he was having a hard time dealing with the after effects of the battle.
"Hey, it's me. What are you up to?"
"Nothing much, just taking a break from working on your story. Why?"
"Well, it's been awhile since you showed me around. Got anything fun to do in this city?"
That call had taken place this morning, right after breakfast. While it was true that Seris was interested in learning more about the city, she was also using this as a chance to help Erin.
Erin pulled up to the apartment building and Seris promptly got into the front passenger seat. His tired eyes betrayed the smile he wore. His hair was ruffled and he looked paler than normal.
Seris decided now was not the best time to approach this discussion. She filed away her observations for later.
"So where to? Another movie? The mall again? Those freaking cinnamon sticks were amazing."
Erin chuckled while they drove off.
"Actually, how about the arcade? I don't think I've introduced you to video games yet."
"What is a video game?"
Erin took that as a yes and off they went. Seris settled back into her seat, watching the people fly by as the car moved seamlessly and silently down the crowded road.
Everywhere she looked she saw somber faces, even the children being tugged along by their parents seemed to know something was going on. This unsettled Seris more than anything else.
It was true, the illusion of protection was gone. People were still trying to live their lives though, what else could they do? Running and screaming would accomplish nothing. The news reflected this as more stories ran about military bases stocking up on arms and ammunition, as if bullets could save them from hordes of demons.
The car pulled into an empty parallel space and Seris stepped out to see a large building with an open store front. Neon lights and tons of different musical-like sounds were emanating from this place. Kids were everywhere and some adults too, playing all kinds of different games.
Despite the somber reminder of what was waiting for humanity, Seris couldn't help but feel elated at this discovery.
"This is an arcade, c'mon I'll show you what video games are and you can have fun."
Erin led her inside, his shoulders drooping despite the friendly demeanor he was putting forth.
He bought an enormous amount of tokens and they spent the next two hours playing all kinds of games. From basketball to skeeball, fighting to racing, Erin showed Seris just how creative humanity had become over the last three hundred years.
Seris initially had trouble taking everything in but once she adjusted she was having a blast.
Erin even used the tickets they had won (Seris may have cheated but she denied this) to buy Seris a giant stuffed bear with a bow tie. This gift, as simple as it was, touched her deeply. She vowed to always keep it, a memento of a new life and a new friend she never thought possible.
***
Later that evening, after leaving the arcade, Erin drove them back to her apartment. He had been silent the entire ride even as Seris regaled him with tales of games that she had played in her childhood like stick throwing, wrestling, and fishing with bare hands.
She never failed to notice how sad he looked though.
"Hey Erin, wanna come up for a bit? I could use some company tonight."
"Where's Amelia?"
"She's at the temple. She's been practicing defensive spells recently, she's getting better at them."
Erin nodded as he shut the car off and followed her in.
The elevator ride, which was only three floors, seemed longer than usual as anticipation filled the air. Seris was trying to find the right things to say to him while Erin was hoping to avoid an awkward conversation.
Seris unlocked the door and invited him in. Erin grinned when he walked in.
"Amelia's been keeping the place clean huh?"
Seris laughed before replying, "yeah apparently I was being a slob. She called this a 'bachelor's pad' before scolding me."
Erin took a seat on the sofa and Seris quickly joined him. Her hands in her lap.
She was having an internal debate with herself which Erin seemed to notice because he asked, "is everything alright?"
Seris glanced at him, her eyes finding his quickly. He looked away.
"I should be asking you the same thing. Orion and Amelia said you left in a hurry after being cleared by the healers. You also haven't called."
"I texted you to make sure you were okay," Erin said looking hard at the carpeted floor while moving restlessly.
"I know, I appreciate that. Thanks to you and Amelia I now know how to use emojis."
They both gave an awkward smile as silence fell heavy between them.
"Look, I'm not very good at this type of stuff. Leo and Rhianon were always the wise, caring kind."
"It's fine."
Seris shook her head strongly, "no it's not. I had almost forgotten what it was like to be scared. I had to think hard about my first battle. I was just like you afterwards."
Erin gave her a sideways glance in disbelief, "you were scared after a fight?"
"Well, yeah. I wasn't always a bad ass sorcerer."
"Your modern vernacular is shaping up well."
"It's because of the list of movies you gave me. Although I'm still confused on what a dude is and what tubular means."
Erin laughed, really laughed as light slowly crept back into his eyes.
"Fair enough, we have more slang than we do real words these days."
Seris turned, cradling one leg against her as she faced towards him.
"I get it. I do. The nightmares, the what if scenarios, the realization that death was a breath away. I've been there. There's no shame in these emotions, we all go through them and truthfully, the fear doesn't ever stop."
Erin gave her a hard look that softened around the edges as he reflected on her wisdom.
"If the fear never stops, then how do you do it?"
Seris knew exactly what he was asking.
"I focus on the things worth fighting for. I may have lost my friends thanks to my own mistakes but I found new friends. New people to care for, that keeps me going."
Erin slowly nodded at her before saying, "that makes sense. I just haven't been sleeping well. If Amelia hadn't cast that barrier spell, we would have been torn to shreds. It just keeps replaying over and over again in my mind. Like a bad movie."
Seris moved closer and gave him a hug.
Erin stiffened in surprise before quickly relaxing into it.
"The nightmares will go away eventually. I promise."
"No spell to make them vanish?"
"I wish there was but dreams are too fickle. Playing with brains like that is how bad things happen. Unless you want to become a zombie? I could use someone to clean my socks."
"Oh absolutely not!"
They spent the rest of the evening swapping tales and even watched a movie together. There was a strong sense of normalcy which Seris and Erin both found comforting. Erin often saw Seris as someone older than him, which in truth she was. Tonight though reminded him sharply that Seris was the same age as him. Both twenty-three years old, both struggling to find a place in the world that seemed to change faster than either of them could keep up with.