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Lio has learned a lot these past 6 months about bureaucracy, rebuilding and how to live in a permanent home. He’s discovered his heritage as a Jew, desperate to learn more about the practices of his people and his parents. He’s learned to rely on charity and donations and the kindness of the non-Burnish. He’s learned to use a kitchen and how to decorate a home he calls his own and how to be a good housemate.
He’s learned a lot.
But one thing remains the same.
“Hey Boss!”
The Burnish are his community, to protect and to lead and to nurture.
Lio turns around as Dani runs up to him.
“Everything okay?” Lio asks.
Dani nods. “Yeah, but we got a few newcomers who wanted to meet you. They’re by the entrance.”
Lio nods. “Understood.”
Dani salutes him and then runs off.
Lio heads for the entrance to the Parnassus. The other day, Gueira mentioned renaming the Parnassus, to fully take it for their own and Lio is in support of the idea. However, he’d prefer it if the name was decided on by all his people together. Be it those who were part of his settlement at Fennel Volcano, or those who are coming to Promepolis after finding out a community for the Burnish is being established here.
Lio turns the corner.
“LIO!”
Lio’s eyes widen as who should run up to him but “Christophe?!”
The Burnish he last saw when he was 18 is running up to him, arms out wide. His blue hair’s been cut short, a fade into some spikes on top of his head. He’s got a new scar on his face running through his left eyebrow, but his blue eyes still shine bright. He’s wearing the same leather and jeans that Lio left him in.
“You’re alive!” Christophe pickings him up, pulling him into a bone crushing hug. “God, it’s good to see you kid.”
Lio hugs him back. “You too.”
He was only with Christophe’s group for a year, exploring what remained of Kansas and trying to help the Burnish there. They rounded up all of the Burnish in the state and they all joined up with Christophe’s branch of Mad Burnish. They broke into the holding facilities in Kansas to rescue their comrades. They were almost gonna build a settlement for everyone, when Christophe’s labour interrupted the meeting. And then Freeze Force showed up and that was the end of those dreams.
“Lio!” Alan calls out, rolling over to them in his chair of flames. “God, look how much you’ve grown!”
Lio laughs and gently pushes Christophe away, allowing him to bend down to hug Alan. “It’s good to see you again too. I’m glad you’re both alive.”
Alan seems to be in good spirits, black hair in a long braid which reaches his waist. He’s also in leather, though he wears red sweatpants instead since it’s more comfortable. His dark skin also has a few near scars on his arms, but he looks happy.
It’s more than Lio could have ever hoped for.
“Alive and well!” Alan hugs him tightly. “Little Lion grew up great too!”
Lio blinks and pulls back. “Lion?”
Christophe smiles and puts one of his hands on Alan’s shoulders. “That’s what we named our son. We named him after the kid who saved our gang.”
Lio’s eyes widen.
Alan smiles and turns his head. “Lion! Come over here and meet your big brother!”
“Coming!”
Lio looks behind Alan, eyes wide as he watches a little kid, maybe 4-5 years old, running over to the two of them. His skin colour is on the darker side like Alan, while his hair is light like Christophe. He’s not wearing leather yet, but he does have a bracelet covered in spikes on his left wrist along with a brown dress almost making him trip on his ankles. And in his other hand is a cuddly toy in the shape of a pink lion.
“Lion, you remember how we told stories of your birth?” Christophe asks as Lion gets closer.
Lion nods, coming to a stop by running into Christophe’s leg. “Uh-huh, uh-huh! The great Hero, Lio Fotia, added his spark to the bonfire for me, then he chased the bad guys away, saving everyone!”
Lio’s eyes fill with tears as he stares at Lion.
Alan smiles. “Well, we finally found him.”
Lion blinks, looking at Alan. “Really?”
Christophe nods and bends down, pushing Lion forward. “This is Lio Fotia. Meet your big brother, Lion.”
Lion looks up at him.
Lio’s tears spill over his cheeks and he kneels down, drying his eyes.
It’s fairly common among the Burnish to name their children after their comrades. So even if that comrade dies, their name will live on in the next generation. But Lio never thought he’d live to see his own name be passed on like this.
“Are you okay?” Lion asks him.
Lio laughs and nods. “I’m alright, Lion. I’m just overwhelmed.” He takes his hands off his face and smiles, offering an open palm with a spark in it. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Lio Fotia.”
Lion smiles and opens up his palm, making a spark. “And I’m Lion Flame. It’s great to meet you, big brother!”
Their flames rise, meeting in an arch between the two of them, intertwining and learning each other. Lio sees Lion’s innocence, his curiosity, his open mindedness. Lion sees Lio’s perseverance, his strength, his pragmatic mind. Their flames learn from each other as family learn from each other.
Lio and Lion reach for each other at the same time, allowing their flames to remain intertwined. They hug and their linked flames engulf them both in warmth and love and relief.
To burn is to live, for the Burnish. To burn one another, is to love one another.
“Thank you.” Lio says as he holds him.
Lion hugs him back. “And thank you.”
Eventually, the flames die down and the two pull back.
Lio stands up, Lion still in his arms. “Well then, let’s catch up. Tell me what’s happened since I left.”
They nod and head further into the Parnassus.
“Oh ya know, we lost some people, we gained some people. We travelled all over the state, tried to find places to call home but mostly found places to stash food and gear.” Alan says, rolling beside Lio. “But we did get our hands on some radios! So we got to strengthen our ability to communicate with anyone who wasn’t with the main group.”
“That’s good.” Lio nods, adjusting his hold on Lion. “What brought you three to Promepolis then?”
“Well, we actually wanted to ask if we could join your group, Lio.” Christophe says.
Lio blinks, looking up at him in surprise. “Really?”
“The rest of our group is just outside the Promepolis state boundaries. We went ahead as scouts, just to make sure that the whole Burnish settlement in a city isn’t a trap.” Alan smirks. “After all, I am the fastest in our group.”
“No one’s faster than Daddy!” Lion throws his arms up, laughing.
“That’s true, Lion.” Christophe chuckles, petting Lion’s head. “But if Lio is here then there’s nowhere safer to be. So can we join you?”
Lio nods. “How many are in the group? Last time I was with you, you were numbered at 150 exactly, including Lion.”
“Well, we’ve grown to be 234 now.” Alan says. “Is there any room left on this ship? It looks pretty full to me.”
Lio looks at both of them. And he smiles.
“The ship was designed to comfortably hold 10,000 people on another planet. About 3,994 Burnish live here already, plus a few in some of the nearby shelters.” Lio lifts his head proudly. “We’d be honoured to add your gang to our home.”
Alan and Christophe smile at him proudly.
Lion throws up his hands and smiles. “Yay! I get to try living on a mattress!”
Lio smiles and is proud to add them to his people. To his family.