The study hall was busy today. It was coming up to the end of the school year, so most young Rethans had exams to prepare for. The tests weren’t until the end of May, but the teachers had all explained that it was better to prepare early than to rush everything at the last minute.
Litvir though was still sitting alone. They were mostly always alone. Not just because they were different, but Litvir had found a sheltered corner in the study hall that was almost always in sunlight. And being the Deity of Light and Protection, this little corner was pretty much perfect for them. Even better, Litvir was still off work, meaning they actually had time to study in a more relaxed manner. Today, Litvir had also brought food. Nothing too fancy, just a little bowl of mashed potato and ketchup, and a packet of goldfish-shaped crackers.
The place wasn’t perfectly peaceful, Litvir occasionally heard other kids chatting very loudly, but the teachers who roamed the study hall would get them to be quiet. It was quiet enough though, and because there were so many kids around, Litvir’s telepathy remained quiet as well.
However, Litvir’s little corner suddenly had company. Someone had turned up. And it wasn’t a teacher, coming to check in on Litvir. It was Miisa. Litvir’s friend.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
Miisa glanced around, seemingly to check that no one was looking at them. Once Miisa was calm, they spoke properly.
“May I join you?”
Litvir glanced around too. “Um… sure, I guess? Why are you not with the other kids?”
“I do not want to be there.”
“Why not?”
“Too distracting.”
“How comes?”
Miissa frowned. “Everyone keeps on asking me questions. I wish they would ask the teachers questions instead of asking me. I am not a teacher.”
“Understandable…” Litvir shrugged. “You can join me here. It is a bit bright but I like the brightness.”
“Why?” Miisa asked as they sat down and got out the homework they were working on. “Is it because you are a god?”
It was Litvir’s turn to frown. “Yes. But I do not like being a god. Had no choice. Do not really have many choices. The last week or so has been weird, where I did have choices.”
“Why did you have no choice? Have you always been a god?”
Litvir nodded. “I was made to be a god. I did not exist until the 26th of the 11th last year.”
Miisa blinked, then stared at Litvir. “So, when I hear you calling yourself a stupid baby… you actually ARE a baby?”
Litvir nodded, but then suddenly paused. “You hear that?”
“Yes. You are not very quiet. Always taking to yourself.”
“Well… I somewhat have to. I have not lived long enough to know not to talk, even to myself.”
“I sometimes talk to myself too. But you are a real baby? How are you so big already?”
“The big scary dragon and the big whale made me. With help from big female snake, before she left. I am not supposed to talk about it though. It is… I do not know. A secret, or something. Even though everyone already knows.”
Miisa glanced at their homework, hesitated, then moved everything to one side so they could talk to Litvir. “What is it like, being a baby? I cannot remember. Most of us cannot remember.”
Litvir thought for a moment. “It is… weird. Everything is new and strange and I do not understand it all. It would be alright, but everyone expects me to know things the same way you do, and they treat me like I am an idiot rather than me being curious and wanting to learn.”
“That sounds annoying.”
“It is. I always feel like I am a stupid baby.”
“You are not a stupid baby.”
Litvir sighed. “Some people say that. A lot say I am stupid. I admittedly just want to get a home, away from everyone else.”
“On your own?”
“Yes.”
“Do you not want, like, a friend or a poten-partner or anything?”
“Not really…” Litvir lowered their voice. “I will be doing my work forever. I have been working forever. From my point of view, at least. I will slowly learn and be an adult, but I will always be a stupid god doing the same stupid things…”
Litvir trailed off. They looked upset. Miisa felt a little bad, and scooted closer to Litvir.
“I like school. Even if a lot of people do not like me back. I will only get this time at school though, and after the fifth, it will all be over and I have to be a proper adult. I do not want school to end.”
Miisa sighed. “I get that. I like school too. Soon we will have to do normal work and stuff. Everyone goes their own separate ways.”
The two kids both fell silent. Litvir went back to their homework, but Miisa kept on glancing at Litvir.
“What Legion will you join after school ends?” Miisa eventually asked.
“11th Legion. Legion of Deitic Affairs. Was decided for me.”
Miisa thought to themselves again. “I want to join the 99th Legion. Maybe we could stay close after school ends?”
Litvir looked up. “What?”
“We can be friends outside of school. Always-friends, not work-friends.”
“You… you want to be friends with me?”
“Yes.”
“Huh…” Litvir trailed off again. “I do not have a Rethan friend. You being my friend would be nice.”
Miisa smiled. “It would. So, friends?”
Litvir smiled back. “Yes, friends…”