Wonderful little spice (with you prompt)

Reverb found himself looking out across the wind-swept fields in deep thought as he vaguely listened to the sound of his child playing not too far away. His gaze was distant and lost in deep thought, grasping and clawing at old memories that were just barely out of reach. 

He couldn't remember who he was before he died all that time ago. He wasn't even sure he truly wanted to remember himself from back then, it was the past and he was happy. So why would he want to have the past seep into his present, to taint and contaminate it, contaminate him? 

But even with that thought in mind. He still craved to know who he was before. He felt strangely… empty. Like a nagging bug at the back of his skull that scratched and itched at his brain, making itself fully and completely known to it’s host, but not allowing him to get to it. No matter what method of memory jogging he tried.

His thoughts were abruptly halted as he felt his ‘daughter’ touch his arm to get his attention. His eyes immediately snapped down to look at her face as she stared back expectantly. Ah… she probably asked him something and he completely missed it. 

“I'm sorry dear.” He gave an apologetic smile as he turned to face her more directly, kneeling down to her leve to now give her his complete attentionl. “Did you say something? I'm afraid I was lost in thought…”

The little girl, who he affectionately named ‘Doll.’ had also died at some point or another before being reborn in a body similar to his own. Except, unlike him, she couldn't even remember a name for herself. So he took it upon himself to both name her and care for her to the best of his ability. And it wasn’t like she really made that a hard job for him. She was always so sweet and behaved for him, but still had that childlike chaotic energy that kept most of his days full of flavor. Some good, some bad. But they were welcomed spices that he cherished each and every day.

He was sure he never had kids when he was alive. He may have wanted some. He couldn't recall that much. 

“I was asking if you wanted to go look at the shops today.” Her voice was soft and sweet, like a delicate bell in the valley winds across the vibrant flowers it so delicately kissed.

“Oh, of course, silly me.” Reverb gave a breathy chuckle before standing back up to take her hand in his own. His thumb gingerly trailed over her hand as he took note of how much smaller she was compared to him. The claws on his hand giving him a very harsh reminder that before this life, they probably experienced completely different walks. She was so delicate and frail looking, while he had the makings of a beast in some aspects.

“What are we getting?” He asked a moment after as he tilted his head in her direction as she led them both. Her small frame was full of determination and purpose as she knew exactly where she wanted to go. Never once did she look back at him as she marched forward on small legs. She took two steps to his one.

“I wanted to make some pasteries with you for your friend, Jade!” Her innocence shone through ever brightly as she beamed that smile of hers. “You seemed to like him, right? So I was thinking…” she paused for dramatic effect before turning suddenly to face her newfound father figure. Her eyes shining with triumph as she spoke the next bit with the full confidence of a blissfully unaware child.

“That to make him like you more, you are going to make him some pastries!”

There was a brief pause from the older man as he watched her stand there and wait for an answer to her statement… or any kind of reaction from him for that matter.

He had to use all his willpower to not laugh at the comically innocent idea, not wanting to hurt her feelings accidentally. 

“That seems like.. a wonderful idea.” Reverb smiled brightly right back at her as he cleared his throat, fighting the chuckle that oh so desperately wanted to escape his throat and make itself known. Oh how she continued to surprise him with new ideas. He would play around with the idea for now. Even though he wasn’t sure Jade would have given the title of ‘friend’ just yet. Ah but, she didn’t know any better.

“Ok then.” he gave her an affirming nod before puffing up his chest slightly for a bolstering effect, now fully in the mind space of a ever so diligent father. She seemed to get more excited when he did so. Practically bouncing on the spot as she led the two of them even faster.

It didn’t take long to walk into one of the many small towns that dotted the Wind Valley’s countryside. Reverb made sure to stay close to his child as he nodded his hellos to the residents who bustled about on the dirt roads. His eyes wandered and trailing after other family units with their own children screaming happily. 

After a few moments of him getting the formalities out of the way for the both of them as they walked past grownups who gave their greetings, some trying to strike up a conversation with Doll. who almost completely ignored their attempts besides giving them a placating smile, but silent she stayed.

She was always silent around strangers, always stuck close to his side, and always made sure she could see him from wherever she was. It was cute, he wouldn’t lie in the slightest in saying it did make watching over her much easier. But he couldn’t stop his mind from wondering to what had happened to her before that would make her so warry. However, he desperately stomped out the feeling when he felt the worry rise in his mind. Speculating would do him little good for his own health and her own. As far as he was concerned he was here now, and whatever had happened in the past wouldn’t happen again.

As they stopped in front of the small shop he let out a tense breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding. His gaze flicked back down to her as she looked into the windows, standing on the tips of her toes to get a better view. 

Ah, she was a wonderful little spice to his life. One he had fully grown to love.