"Feather Weight"
A/N: This came during one of those 5:00 AM mornings when I didn't feel like working on original stories or tweaking my Anne of Green Gables fanfic. I told myself to at least try to write something around one page in length. The result was an urge to write about one my favorite video games. Granted, I kept on editing, defeating the purpose of this being a 'spur-of-the-moment' type thing, but oh, well. I'm just happy I gave myself an exercise and stuck to it!
To anyone who reads, and to anyone who reviews, I'd like to give a huge THANK YOU!
P.S. Story is set after Water Seal, but before Wind Seal. Beware of spoilers!
Disclaimer: Tales of Symphonia is Namco's, not mine.
"Mister Kratos, may I speak with you?"
A sigh stirred auburn fringe obscuring narrowed lids. "Chosen, I told you long ago: 'Kratos' will suffice."
"Oh, yeah!" Colette blushed. "Sorry."
"Best return to bed."
The blonde rocked back and forth on her heels, clammy hands clasped behind her.
Kratos concluded she would not comply without unburdening herself. "What is the-"
"Are you an angel?"
"Bothersome drivel," was the faintly tremulous insult.
"I-I'm sorry." She flopped on a boulder, lowered face paler in the moonlight. "Genis and the Professor were debating your magic skills and mana aura. I said maybe instead of a human, you're a special type of angel. Everyone stared at me. Lloyd hurt his tummy laughing and had to lie down; Professor Sage assumed my Toxicosis was resurfacing; Genis spilled dishwater on Noishe."
"You have revealed your joke." He crossed arms to muffle a blaring heart. "Goodnight, Chosen."
"But I wasn't joking!"
His mind was heavy with emotions.
Colette snapped her head toward the expressionless individual standing motionlessly. "Was I joking? Then why does your mana . . . well, particles seem the same as . . ." Bouncing up, she squeezed out a timid smile. "Please forget it. Changing into an angel is still confusing to me." Smile collapsed beneath another onslaught of loneliness.
Urgency inspired a gruff explanation. "During my travels, much was discovered regarding the intricacies of mana. I did not notice that my . . . inhuman abilities appall you and the others."
"Of course, they don't!" Small fists pumped and sky-blue eyes clouded with remorse. No one else deserved to feel like a freak. "The extra stuff you can do is really cool. We're glad you're with us, even Lloyd, though he doesn't always admit it."
How could he have loaded guilt onto someone so wretchedly innocent? "Try to rest," he said in a softened voice, scanning the overarching blackness. "Have you counted the stars when sleepless?"
"Yup; works great. Thanks, Kratos. See you in the morning!" The teenager skipped to her mat among slumbering companions to listen for awakening birds, leaving the mercenary on his endless watch.
After all, angels did not need to sleep.