The smell of grilling meat and serenity of the grove and stream. It wasn't so bad here but I still didn't get it. His cottage room has been furnished with everything one would need to live there.
A bed, a wardrobe, a desk, chair, bookshelf, lamp, rug and a fireplace. I sat outside, at the porch sipping from the cup of coffee he had offered me while he grilled some steak.
"You live outside your house, Mr Ash" I commented.
"Haha" he laughed."What do I need such a big house for when I have all I need in this little space"
I sighed.
"So why did you build such a nice big manor when you dislike big places?"
"Oh, that? Mostly to put on a facade for business" he answered."But then, I didn't build it so big just for myself"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"The house has to be big enough for everyone I have under my care" he replied, making clanging sounds at intervals as he went about his grill.
"You have so many people under your care?" I asked, wondering.
"That will be something you will get to see for yourself soon enough"
Our discussion soon drifted to other things. Like my work at the office and how irritating it had been, with Mr Pushc being a fat pig and all. And how I had gradually gotten close to Dani not long after I assumed my position.
"It was natural" I said. "I'm not the popular-with-girls type of guy but, it was just so easy to connect with Dani. And that was the root of the problem with that bastard, you know"
"Hmm. This 'Dani'. She must be quite lovely"
"Yeah. Everyone's dying for her"
"And yet, somehow, you managed to get close and make deeper connections than the rest?" he said.
"Yeah. I don't know how it happened but it just went smoothly and naturally. Like we'd known each other before"
I began talking from a deep perspective. And when I realised, I snapped out of it.
"It is a beautiful thing. When young people try to love. It is like, watching toddlers try to walk"
"Heh" I scoffed. But then again, I had barely reached out to her since I got fired. I could feel the distance between us slowly building.
I sighed again. 'I wonder if she's alright', I said in my thoughts.
"The vice manager might have put up such disgusting behaviour. But then again, humans only exhibit such tendencies. It can be expected" Mr Ash said.
"He's married, sir. I'm sure he could manage those tendencies better. He owes himself and his family that much respect at least" I replied thoughtfully.
"Ha! Finally!" Mr Ash said. He was done. The steak's rich aroma wafted up, a mouthwatering promise of a perfectly grilled treat. He really did seem well versed with it.
I had about three slabs served on white plate, topped with sauce. He then offered me a cup of wine and we sat at a small table, facing each other.
Then I tasted it and truly, this was the best steak I had ever been offered.
"This is good!" I suddenly complimented loudly after the first slab.
"This grilling technique, honed over six centuries, has resulted in a culinary experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere," he said with quiet pride, his eyes twinkling with a deep affection for the craft.
"I see" I said as I continued to feast on it. Compared to him who maintained proper table etiquette, I handled mine rather aggressively, seeking out the entirety of its unique taste. I would clean the plate with my tongue if I had to.
Mr Ash laughed quietly at my manners but I couldn't help myself.
We sat for a while, focussing on our meals. And after we were done, he offered more wine to which I obliged. Before he then brought up our main topic.
"So then, Alex. Can you now tell me what happened in that bus and what you saw?"
I was a bit surprised at his question. I looked at him and his expression seemed grave.
"How did you know I saw something? You weren't there and the hospital said it was an accident"
"Hmm. Indeed, I wasn't there but, when things like that happen, they barely escape my notice"
"What do you mean?" I asked. And then questions began to pour from my mouth.
"What is all this? How can such things possibly exist? How can they be possibly real? I mean, do you even see those things? First, there was one with two heads and the most horrifying body I had ever seen. Then, there was the other one with no head, and it's mouth and eyes and nose were all on its chest. The other one had a mouth for a head! How can they be real? They don't even sound real but..."
I had lost it. I didn't even know when I stood up from my seat. Mr Ash watched me and listened as I let it all out.
It was all too unreal for me. But then, I couldn't deny the fact that all the unreal creatures I had come across had all attempted to kill me.
"You showed me things that day, Mr Ash. And since then, everything's been falling apart" I said, pulling myself together. I wasn't angry and I didn't blame him. I couldn't explain how showing something to me could cause what happened in the bus so I really didn't know if he was responsible for it all.
"It seems you still have your doubts. You should calm down, Alex" Mr Ash said. I calmed myself and sat back on my seat.
"Perhaps, I shouldn't have shown you Uryuk and let you off on your own. But then, I did not expect that you would be attacked so soon. Honestly, I must have underestimated 'them'"
I exhaled, trying to organise myself better.
"Mr Ash, what are those things really? And why did they attack me all of a sudden?" I asked quietly.
Mr Ash exhaled loudly.
"I will briefly explain it to you. At least, I am sure you wouldn't think I am sputtering nonsense now" Mr Ash said jokingly.
Then he began.
"Everything I told you the other day, what you saw and the cause of the unfortunate accident you were involved in; they are all real"