Chapter 7: Forget me not
He stared at her as she was approaching. Her whole body grayed out with no ounce of color. Even his surroundings were gray. Everything was gray, all but him. He looked up at her wondering what's wrong but he tried to not ask for fear of pestering her. She sat beside him and placed her hand on his. It was warm and comforting to know she was always beside him. Wait always? Has he always done this with her?
It seemed like they were talking for hours. It felt right to him. Having little spats and silly conversations until... One conversation.
" '_'?" She called out to him.
" Yes?" The name didn't register in his head. It was a blank. Why was it a blank?
" You do know I love you right?" She grasped both of his jeweled hands. He looked down at their hands and looked back up.
" What is it?" He gave out a sympathetic smile.
She looked at him only it looked like she was looking past him. She gulped." I'm leaving in a couple days."
He doesn't understand why but his whole world felt like shattering. After all these years, she's leaving him alone?" Leaving? Where?"
" I'm just leaving. So I won't see you around for a while I'm sorry." His expression was a truly saddening sight." But I'll come back! I promise. And I promise I will always love you and remember you."
" '_'." Her name didn't register at all. Even her name was a blank. This conversation seemed so familiar. He looked at his hands again, these weren't his hands.
He gazed into her eyes and presented her a necklace. A necklace? That's the one...She studied it, turning over the ankh several times, and looked back at him with a smile.
"Now you won't forget me at all."
Leon opened his eyes a bit and looked up at the clock. He only fell asleep for ten minutes. Good thing he had Sano and Uno on guard for those ten minutes. He looked down at his little bundle of mess, covered with bruises around her neck. Someone so cute shouldn't even have bad things done to her. He stroked her hair, occasionally picking up a lose Autumn lock.
A knock was hear on the other door and Vishnal and Clorica popped in. Their eyes locked onto Leon in a heartbeat.
" Leon? What are you...?" Vishnal started to speak.
He shushed them both and pointed down at Calliope. They looked at each other and nodded and closed the door. Hope they understood his situation a bit.
Her eyes fluttered open to the bright light coming from her terrace. Dear god why is it so friggen bright? She looked closely and saw that it was broken down. Glass shattered everywhere. Well that explains the excessive light... But why is it broken? Wait she knows why now... Leon broke it down to save her.
She sighed and nestled against something. Someone to be exact." Good morning princess." Calliope looked up and was face to face with her savior. His face looked tired, bags under his eyes, but he still held that genuine smile.
" Morning Leon... Did you stay up all night?" She asked while turning around onto her forearms.
" A guard dog must always be alert for his princess. No intruder came in after that debacle." Leon stroked her hair again.
She smirked at him and looked at her terrace again. She's gonna have to call someone about that... Maybe Volkanon because he's awesome at that sort of thing.
" Did you get any sleep? Even a little?" Calliope stroked his hair.
He rubbed his eyes looking like a child." Only ten minutes. But it's fine. I was asleep for centuries. Losing a nights sleep isn't going to kill me."
She half laughed at his joke. Though she felt bad about him staying up, and even being a guardian for Venti...
" I'm going to go take a shower." Calliope scooted off the bed and got some clothes.
She looked toward Leon who looked away blushing." Why is your face red?" She cocked her head to the side.
" You have an odd choice in pajamas you know. If I look at them, I might get into a lot more trouble than I should." She looked down and blushed. Oh crap oh crap oh crap. Okay off to the bathroom with this one!" Ugh pervert!"
Calliope was in the shower leaning on the wall. She looked at the bruises on her chest and her messed up hand. All of this happened in one night. None of these wounds came from a monster out there... But a monster within Selphia... She held onto herself tightly, crying as to why her? Why? She felt so violated she didn't even want to live anymore. How can anyone here be so terrible?
She got out and put on her clothes. It consisted of a black long sleeve that had a palm cat on it black and white Adidas and black converse. She did her winged liner and sighed. Those bruises are ugly. She got concealer and foundation that she rarely uses and started covering up her bruises. Much better. It's so much better than what it looked like before. She got out of the bathroom and saw Leon's tail wag as she entered her room. Cute.
" I'm going to work now. You can stay or you can leave. Doesn't matter to me what you do." She's actually hoping he would stay.
" Hmmm. I think I'll go." Oh..." I can go help you with your work." Yay!
Calliope can feel a smile pulling on her mouth. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door with Leon closing in behind.
She walked down stairs and looked at all her friends in the castle.
" Good morning princess." Vishnal looked away from her gaze.
Calliope knew Vishnal's feelings for her since the moment he blatted it out to her. She didn't return them, but she always felt bad. Had to deal with Clorica's crap for a week, but it's all good now.
" Hello Calliope." Clorica smacked him in the back of the head." It's rude to not look into your Master's eyes Vishnal. I'm so sorry Callio... What happened to your hand?!" She rushed over to her and examined her hand.
" I'll tell you later after I'm done with work... Don't worry I have Leon to help me." Vishnal eyed Leon. Leon smiled at him with a sad look in his eyes.
It kind of felt like he can understand the situation." How about we go ahead and work on the field. You need to recover princess." He smiled and both Clorica and himself left leaving Leon and Calliope by themselves.
They looked at each other and shrugged. Calliope started walking out of the front door and tried to open it with her left hand. She stopped herself and sighed. Leon came up behind her and opened up the door.
" Do I have to baby you all day?" He ruffled her hair.
Calliope puffed her cheeks." You don't even have to stay with me."
Leon looked at her and shook his head." I don't really trust you by yourself anymore. If you're going somewhere, call me." He poked her cheek.
She looked up at him. He's seriously worried about her... She guess she could listen to him for once." Fine fine. Hmm where do you wanna go?" They both exited the castle.
" Home so I can take a bath." Right he didn't take one at all when he was with her.
" That seems reasonable... Oh! Hold on I forgot to get my wallet. Stay here and don't cause any grief." She ran inside the castle leaving Leon by himself.
Leon chuckled and looked around his surroundings. He didn't trust anyone... Well the ones that are guys. His ears twitched towards a certain couple of people.
Meg was running after Dylas yelling at him. He wouldn't stop walking away from her. He was deliberately walking away.
" Dylas! Why won't you stop walking away?! Why won't you tell me what happen to your face!" His face? Leon looked closer and saw bruises all over it. Even a busted lip... Could it be from...?
The horse stopped and turned around." Look. I went fishing and got attacked by some monsters at night. There's your explanation. Now go away." He turned around and locked eyes with the fox.
Leon's gaze darkened. He then gave Dylas a terrifying smile and mouthed ' I know what you did last night.' The color from Dylas' face drained in terror. But shook his head.' I didn't do anything. And you can't prove anything. How about you leave Calliope alone or else I'll do it again tonight. And I won't just finger her.' He narrowed his eyes and left. Meg looked at Leon and walked to him.
" Do you know what's wrong with him? He's not answering me."
" Yes and no." Leon glared at Dylas. Meg frowned and looked up at the castle.
" Is Callio alright? She's been avoiding me lately and it hurts a lot... Oh! Can you tell her I'm having a slumber party at my house tomorrow? It would be nice to talk to her for once. I miss my best friend." She looked down at the ground." I haven't talked to her in so long... Do you know what's going in her head?" She looked up at him.
Leon shook his head." Honestly, I don't know. If I did know, I would love to see how she feels about me." He blushed s bit. Meg's eyes sparkled, feeling a ecstatic about this change of events." You like Callio?! Eek! That's so cute! Okay when did you start liking her? Do you think she's pretty? Want me to get you together? You know she loves jewelry and anything that's not chocolate. She absolutely hates chocolate. Oh! You should be shirtless more often. She likes to see muscly shirtless boys. Goes to show that she's still female. Oh and you shou-"
" Haha calm down there Meg. I'll just answer one question... I've been in love with her the moment I saw her in Karnak." He already knew about the jewelry and chocolate, he has been around her long enough to know. Meg jumped up and down cheering for him." Oh my gosh. That is sooo cute!"
Calliope rushed down the stairs. Geez finding her wallet was just a pain! It some how got stuck between the couch again. She turned the corner and saw... Meg... With Leon? She stayed put by the stairs staring at them both. Meg smiled, waved bye and left. Calliope walked closer to the door and leaned on the door way. Flirting with the enemy... This bitch.
" Getting lovey dovey with Meg I see." Leon jumped a bit and turn towards an angry Calliope.
" Lovey? If you mean a simple talk, that was all it was. Anyways she told me to tell you something."
" I don't give two shits about what she says." She immediately said.
Leon's face furrowed. He sighed and scratched his head." Look all she wants is to be able to talk to you again. She doesn't know why you stop talking to her or why you hate her. But she wants you to come to a slumber party tomorrow. You should at least go." Calliope was getting irritated.
" Who the fuck said you can give your opinion on this matter?! No one! So how about you shut the fuck up and leave me alone!" Screw hanging out with him. She rather be shut in her room.
She turned on the balls of her heels and started walking. Leon snapped his head towards her and grabbed her braid, pulling close to him. He knew that it hurt her, but she has to stay." I hate it." He took her chin and tilted it up." I hate that you won't listen to me. I'm not leaving you alone remember? I'm your baby sitter for the day so you're coming with me." Calliope looked away then back into his deep teal pools. She shook her head. She still won't go not with him or to Meg's house." I don't want to... She hurt me so much."
" Is it because you still love Dylas?... Well is it?" Calliope's furrowed in such pain.
Even now... She won't look at him like how she does with that monster... If only she knew what he did to her. If only... He pulled her closer and put his head down on her forehead.
Her heart was beating fast. What's gotten into him? Getting so close to her like this in public. Someone might think they were dating! He needs to let go... But... He seems so upset. What can she do to make him feel a bit better? Maybe a little scratch on the ears? Well he's part animal it should feel nice. She scratched his ears a bit and felt him shudder. Is he ticklish? She did it again, he shuddered. Oh hell yeah.
" Hehe... The time for revenge is nigh." She continued scratching his ears feeling him laughing up a storm. His laugh boomed in her ears. " H-hey stop! Quit it! Hahaha! P-please! Don't! Stop!" She smiled at seeing his own smile." Don't stop you say?" Calliope continued, his laughter grew higher. She stopped and chuckled a bit." Well that made me feel better." Maybe she should do it again. Leon reached over to her right hand and grabbed before she could do anything." How about you stop you little minx." He looked at her wrist. The cuff he gave her was shining proudly on her dainty wrist.
" Hehe... Sorry... Sorry about yelling at you." She pulled herself away from him and turned around." I'll go to Meg's house tomorrow. I have a feeling we need to catch up. I honestly do miss her. I miss everything about her and I miss her singing and advice. Oh! How about we go to Carnation's? I want to see their flowers."
Leon nodded. That's the Calliope he knew. Someone demanding and cute... Cute. He patted her head." You're too cute."
" H-huh?! Q-quit it!" She swatted his hand away.
Calliope examined all the flowers there. The various flowers they had was actually surprising especially when it was still Winter. Hmm? These flowers are different. She's never seen them before. They were this pretty blue color that popped out against the other flowers.
" F-Forget-me-nots?"
" Have you never seen these before?" Looked at her.
" Not at all. At least not what I can remember." Calliope picked them up.
" They were once used to give to loved ones so they will never forget the giver. They also mean faithful love and memories." Memories... Something she wished she had... And faithful love? The boy in her dream could possibly mean that... Or maybe...
She stared at him as he picked up the flowers. He put it against his nose and smelled them, making him have a little smile. She looked at the flowers and grinned." You know what? I'm gonna buy you these."
His eyes widened and cocked an eyebrow." You what?"
" These flowers are really beautiful. You need a little color in your life." She handed to him and gave the money to Illuminata. He better like them.
" If you buy me some. Then I'll buy you some too." He grab some and paid for them. Leon put them in her hair." Now you won't forget me at all."
Now you won't forget me at all... Those words again. Calliope looked at him, the blush crept up along her face. God damn... He needs to stop being cute right now.
" Ooh is this a cute date I'm witnessing? I deduce that this is in fact a date." Illuminata giggled.
" Illumina-" Leon covered her mouth.
" Why yes it's a date. Do you wanna be apart of it? It'll be fun, I'll even buy you something cute and maybe I'll even propose to you if you want." He winked at her.
Illuminata shuddered and started nervously laughing." Hahahaha no I'm good! See ya!" She ran up stairs.
Leon shook his head and looked down at her. Her face was beet red again. Why does he always do this to her? Why is this affecting her so much?
He chuckled." Did I embarrass you princess?"
She mumbled." No." She shoved him a bit and smiled." But thanks for the flowers you dumb... Do you want a kiss as a reward?"
Leon eyes widened and started blushing." Just kidding." She stuck her tongue out.
" Numbskull." He ruffled her hair.
" Ugh hey Leon that's the second time today. Stoooop!" She swatted his hand again.
Calliope was slightly skipping towards the castle with Leon closing in behind. She turned around and looked at Leon, folding her hands behind her back.
" Thanks for walking me home Leon. I had some fun today."
" A gentleman should always walk the lady home. It only seems right... Though, will you be alright here? Your terrace door is still broken right?" Calliope looked up.
" I think one of my friends fixed it. Maybe Volkanon so it's fine."
Leon shook his head." You go up and I'll be in the terrace waiting for you okay?"
Calliope nodded and went up the stairs while Leon started climbing the vines to the terrace. He peered into the room, seeing if that guy made it in there... He didn't see anyone.
Calliope opened up the door and looked around. She peered under her bed, behind the couch and in her closet... No one thank god. She turned around and saw Leon knocking on the door. She smiled and walked towards it and waved. He nodded and mouth something... She couldn't tell what he said so she just stared confused. But she understood the last couple words. Be safe.
He knew she didn't read lips all that well. That's why he said,' I love you and be safe.' He jumped off the terrace and walked away.
Calliope locked the door and closed the curtains. She got into her shirt and pants and sat on the bed staring at her flowers... So pretty she thought. She grabbed a couple and started making a flower crown. She reached into her bag and grabbed her new android... Well it was a couple weeks old but it was handy actually. Shit she forgot to get Leon's number!... Wait... How the hell did his number get in here? There was a text message from him from five minutes ago.
' I knew you would forget so I put it in when you were sleeping. Sleep tight, I want you to be safe princess.' She smiled like she had the best birthday present ever.
' Oh whatever idiot that's kinda creepy. Night foxy.' She sent him. It's surprising that he even knew how to text. Oh right she needed to call Meg... Hope she can forgive her.
She dialed her number and hoped Meg will answer...
" ... Hello?"
" Hi Meg."
" Oh my gosh! Callio! It's been so long since we've talked. Are you eating well? Are you getting enough sleep? Don't walk out so late at night." Same as always.
" Missed you too best friend. I'm so sorry I ignored you... I had some problems." Calliope stopped making the crown." Also I have to tell you something..."
She explained about the intruder and how Leon saved her. She tried hard not to cry.
" You should tell Forte right away. So the Knights can find him!"
" No... I don't wanna tell her about it. It was hard enough to even tell you."
" Well it's a good thing Leon was there. And he stayed with you the whole night? So that's why he was over by the castle."
Calliope looked at the time and gasped." Hey I'll talk to you more face to face at the sleep over. I need to sleep even if I feel a little scared. Bye Meg."
" Okay be safe. See ya Callio." The line disconnected.
Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Leon.
' I sent Sano to look after you by the way. He should be coming in 5 seconds.'
A mist seeped from her terrace into her room, materializing into a fox and jumped on her bed.
' Here he is! He's really cute. Haha.' She started petting her new friend.
' He's actually a pain. Well good night princess.' She smiled. She actually liked when he called her princess.' Good night Prince.' She placed her phone down beside her, hugging Sano.
" Okay Sano it's time to sleep." Sano's tail wagged as he floated around Calliope and she laid on him. This is so totally awesome.
Author's Note: I should have really introduced myself in the earlier chapters but better late than never! Anyways hi guys, thanks so much for reading my little story. This was actually my third attempt at writing this so it doesn't suck that much. If you hadn't already guessed, I LOVe Leon so very much and not really a fan of Dylas that much. Sorry Dylas fan girls, but I do like him. Honest I do. Welp enough of my rambling, hope you will continue reading my story!
