AN: Check my homepage for updates, news (including why it's been such a long wait between now and the last chapters of Metamorphosis), and extra little tidbits about my stories—songs that I listened to, where I got the idea, etc. Thank you all for your continued interest and support thus far--you guys are what keep me posting! :) Lotsa, love.
Disclaimer: Soul Eater isn't mine or yours. Pity, that.
One - The Riddle
It is one of Professor Stein's hobbies to tell riddles to his students that he knows they'll never be able to solve. He likes to think of it as an experiment—see who will pick up the challenge and keep searching—but that's his general cover story for anything that might resemble any sort of affection for another human being.
It isn't a surprise, of course, who takes up that challenge; Maka Albarn never was the kind of kid who let others go before her. And that puts Soul in the line of fire as well, because everything is practice in partnership.
"This is stupid. What a waste of time," Soul grumbles, leaning (coolly) against Stein's desk after school. He glares at his partner, the instigator of all their painful educational adventures.
"I don't see why you're complaining," she sniffs disdainfully. "You need all the extra credit you can get."
Before the heads start to roll, Stein cuts in. "I think you'll find this exercise well worth your time, Soul," he says in his bemused way. "It concerns, after all, the realization of what you most desire. Your mother used it, Maka."
Both children's breath catches in their throat, making a little sound of surprise. Neither speaks it—it seems unnecessary.
To become stronger.
"But as with most things this powerful, it has the potential to destroy everything that you ever worked to gain from Shibusen and yourselves," the Professor warns, without the usual tone of casual indifference. "No second chances on this one."
"Now," he says, blowing out a thin stream of smoke "Would you like to hear your riddle?"
The two stand close to one another, shoulders almost touching, yet still unspeaking--staring motionlessly at the man before them.
The professor cracks a smile. "I thought you might."
~*~
THE RIDDLE
"The key to life and death is everywhere to be found,
But if you do not find I in your own house,
You will find it nowhere.
Yet it is before everyone's eyes;
No one can live without it;
Everyone has used it…
Children play with it in the streets.
The meek and uneducated esteem it highly,
But the privileged and learned often throw it away.
What is it?"
AN: I claim no rights to the riddle above. It was written by Nicolas Flamel, a well-known alchemist in the 15th century who sought a way to create the Philosopher's Stone, an object of unbelievable powers. (Not just a story by J.K. Rowling, kids! Now if we could only do something about Hogwarts…) Its full text, in various renditions, can be found easily on the web.
Fluff is soon to follow.
Would enjoy your feedback! :)