After doing the dishes, we sit together on the couch. My taste buds not tasting eggs is weird but it doesn't bother me.
However I am suddenly hit with a realization. I am burnt out.
I never thought that I would be burnt out but it's here. These few days have been hectic and I would say that even I am tired.
"You look tired. Do you need to sleep again?" (Aura)
"I think that may help. But this fatigue is more mental than physical. My mind, it's been under pressure way too much."
As I grow older, I realize that our minds lose some durability. Before, I would just ignore these and go about my day. These days, that's hard.
I have to be efficient with my mind as well.
Aura moves closer to me and puts my head on her shoulder.
"Rest a bit more. You have been pretty reckless so you need to give your mind some rest." (Aura)
I guess it won't hurt to get some shut eye again. It's actually a luxury for lazy people. Wake up, have breakfast and go back to sleep. I may become a recluse if this keeps going.
Clive fell asleep not long after that. Aura is holding Clea in her arms. She is taking a nap as well.
Eden is reading a different book on human psyche.
"Is that book good?" (Aura)
"Yes, it's informative. It discusses the structure of human consciousness. This may help papa." (Eden)
"I always tell you, you should play a bit too. You are just reading books all day." (Aura)
But Eden has some playmates like Aera, Aegis, Doris, Tiana, Jade and Alyssa. They are playing different games although Eden is mostly doing that to use her knowledge practically.
"Maybe we should take a picture." (Aura)
"It's not a bad idea. Wait, I will go and get a camera." (Eden)
Aura gave Eden a camera and she set it up with a timer. The photo was taken.
A nice family picture. A family photo of a couple and their two children, that's what most people would think.
"I'll brag about this photo to everyone." (Aura)
"You know that sister Hazel and Fay would get mad at you. Also grandpa might make a fuss about not being in the picture." (Eden)
"That may be true but we can just have another picture taken. Maybe we should make a shared photo album." (Aura)
They were having a good time but suddenly Clive woke up.
"You woke up. Did you have a good sleep?" (Aura)
She asks him but he doesn't answer. He looks at her and Aura gets cautious. Eden is confused but she noticed it soon enough.
"It has been a while, Aura. This is our second meeting. Do you remember me?"
Clive said but it wasn't Clive who said that.
"I do. Why are you in my Clive's body, former harbinger of death?" (Aura)
"Don't be so angry. I am just here for a visit. I have talked with Clive about this and he said I can use him for a day. He'll be back before tomorrow morning." (Clive)
"Is that really all? You won't take over his body permanently?" (Aura)
"I am not that evil. I value him as my successor. He is doing a better job than I did. Anyway, my wife should be arriving soon." (Clive)
Not long after that, Gwen appeared before them. It's the same. It isn't Gwen.
"Even she got taken over. What are you two plotting?" (Aura)
"We just want to spend some time together for the last time." (Gwen)
That sentence puzzled Aura. But Eden held her hand and nodded that it's fine. She was probably trying to understand their intentions.
"Then, we will be off. Don't worry. We'll both return them tomorrow morning." (Gwen)
Clive and Gwen left the house. It wasn't them exactly but it's their bodies after all.
"Was that really okay?" (Aura)
"I think it's fine. They aren't bad people." (Eden)
"I have told you this before too, Eden. Aren't you a little too mature?" (Aura)
"Maybe it's papa's influence. Our minds are connected. I may have copied his behavior." (Eden)
How Eden is going, she is more like a little girl with the mind of an adult. She is still naïve since Clive is still naïve but her thinking is like anything but an adult's.
Aura did contact Hazel and Fay to ask their condition. It seems that Gwen got taken over and explained the situation probably. So they will be taking their time coming back.
"What should we do now?" (Aura)
"We can join them. Clea is still asleep but I am pretty sure she wants to see grandma." (Eden)
"Hmm…then we should join them. We can ask Clive and Gwen when they return." (Aura)
Aura and Eden left for the hot springs with Clea. Clive and Gwen are on a date. But they have given their bodies to their dead predecessors.
The situation is getting interesting.