Yay! Got to love that number 7. :D
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Chapter 7
"He proposed to you?"
"Go Tepid!"
"Maybe he's rushing into it. The guy is older after all."
"What are you three saying? That you don't want me to get married?"
"Not at all."
"We just want to make sure that you're happy."
"Sure you do."
"Get married in the fall. The leaves are nice that time of year."
"We're going to the day after you all get back."
"That's a good time too."
Scion sighed as her eyes stared at the dark ceiling. She couldn't sleep and didn't really know why. Memories wouldn't leave her alone… they kept plaguing her mind. The Cheagle, too, wouldn't leave her alone. It followed her everywhere… even to bed.
Her room door wouldn't close properly, and being tired she didn't want to go through the hassle of making it close properly. 'It would solve all my problems though.' The door creaked open slowly and Scion sighed.
"Why can't you just stay out?" she asked, sitting up completely.
It was late at night and she was agitated. The Cheagle had already tried four times; each time she put it back in the hall.
It wasn't the light green Cheagle though… it was Sin.
"Sorry for bothering you," the smaller girl apologized.
"Oh…I thought you were that thing again," Scion sighed, shaking her head.
"Can I come in?" Sin asked quietly.
"If you want to," Scion stated, "I can't sleep anyway."
The smaller girl grinned before jumping onto the large bed. Scion cocked a brow at the girl's actions. 'Why would she come to talk at this hour?'
"Does Asch know you're gone?" she asked, resting her head in her palm.
"Yeah," Sin laughed nervously, "I got up to leave and he caught me."
"He doesn't miss much, huh?"
"Not really," Sin agreed.
Things fell silent and Scion didn't know why the smaller girl had come to her room. Why give up sleep to talk to someone that wasn't going anywhere?
"So why'd you come here?" Scion asked emotionlessly, "You should be sleeping with that condition you have."
She heard the smaller girl scoff at her words.
"You sound just like Asch."
Scion shrugged. It wasn't her place to say anything since she didn't even belong in this palace. 'Where do I belong now?'
She furrowed her brows at that thought. There was only that empty house that she could go back to… no family… no friends except that straw-blond asleep in the other room. She couldn't belong with Din though… not here… not anymore. Maybe if they had gone elsewhere then they could have belonged. Elsewhere might have been possible.
"I uh… came to apologize," Sin said quietly, fiddling with her fingers as she seemed to think of words, "I kind of attacked you, too, without thinking. "
"Wounds heal," Scion murmured with a shrug, "I attacked back and look what happened."
The smaller girl seemed to laugh a little, "Yeah that's true. It was still my own fault though."
'Why is someone so young fighting anyway?'
Sin turned her head with an apologetic expression.
"Kotone must have sensed danger on you, so he attacked," she explained, "I just assumed that you were an enemy so I followed suit… It was a reckless decision. For that I'm really sorry."
"It's alright," Scion told her, "I apologize for what happened to you… but I'm not sorry for trying to kill Asch."
The girl seemed to raise a brow at her words. Scion didn't blame her for her confusion; a lot of people would wonder why.
She didn't want to tell her… but it wasn't like she had a choice. Somehow it seemed easy to talk to that smaller girl. 'Maybe it's because she's a replica… that she gives off the same feeling of home… of them.' With a sigh, her green eyes looked to the side. How could she look at Sin and say the things she wished for no one to know? How could anyone do that?
"What do you mean?" Sin asked, "I didn't expect you to… but what's the reason?"
"Do you… remember that war last year?" Scion asked reluctantly; her tone quiet and solemn.
Orange eyes seemed to widen at the mention of the war. She would have to remember it… the red haired General had gone too.
"I had a family once," she told the smaller girl, "Three brothers… a lover… They all went that war; fought for Blue Abarath… fought for their General."
Sin's demonic eyes were watching as she listened intently.
"When the war was over… I got a message from the palace," Scion's brows furrowed at the memory, "All of them died… All of them were killed protecting the one who was leading them. Their General let them die."
Sin seemed to lean back in thought. Scion believed that she would have argued; told her that she was wrong. 'I know that I probably would… I don't blame her if she does.'
"I understand that," the smaller girl said quietly, "If Asch had died… I probably would have blamed all the soldiers… I would have let them all die."
Scion turned her head to see Sin grinning and she couldn't help but smile a little too.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one," she said pleasantly.
It had been a while since she had felt so light… since there had been a reason to feel that way.
Rolling onto his side, Din was met with the light of the slowly rising sun. It was strange to wake up in a place that you weren't used to. It was his second night at the palace and he still wasn't used to the new room.
It was like waking up and panicking because you thought you forgot to do something. Then, realizing that it wasn't true… sleep followed after. He thought he had to get up and attend to things with the lady… He was glad though that that was not the case.
Sitting up, the sheets fell down into his lap. He looked out over the city of Blue Abarath and smiled at the sight. 'I wonder how many people would willingly give this up.' His face became solemn at that thought. Scion had been trying to give it up… she had wanted to leave this place… to stay away from it.
"It's not fair for me to ask her to stay," he whispered to himself.
The straw-blond got to his feet before getting dressed. He'd go talk to her. They didn't have to stay. 'If she's willing to give this up… then so am I…'
The door opened and a creak filled the room. 'Why can't things stay away…?' Scion groaned into the pillow that was over her face. She had tried to keep the sunlight away; not having slept all night.
"Scion, are you awake?" Din's familiar voice asked quietly.
"Nho," she replied, mumbling into the pillow, "Nohw gho ahway."
"What?" he laughed.
She sighed inwardly before removing the pillow from her face.
"No," she groaned, "Now go away."
"Come on Scion, humor him," Sin murmured from beside her.
They had been up all night talking about random things. The smaller girl had wanted to know about Tepid and Scion's brothers. She had asked about other family members as well… sad to hear that there were none.
Scion found herself doing the same; answering willingly and asking questions about how the smaller girl had even arrived at Blue Abarath. Some of it was hard to believe… but she believed every word. They had talked for a while – till about an hour or two ago. Scion thought that the girl had long since been asleep.
Sitting up, Scion nearly glared at Din as he stood in the doorway. 'I hate not getting any sleep…'
"Can we talk for a few minutes?" he asked, completely ignoring her glare.
"Is it personal?" Sin asked with a yawn, "I can leave."
"Yes, you absolutely have to," Scion replied with a slight smirk.
"Scion that's not very-"
"Technically you should leave because I'm still asleep," Sin replied smugly.
"Yeah, that's why you're talking right now, right?" Scion asked doubtfully.
"I'm sleep talking."
"Like hell you are," Scion scoffed with a small laugh.
Sin started to fake snore and Scion couldn't help but laugh. The black haired girl followed after in laughter.
A few moments passed before Scion could look at Din again. He looked kind of bewildered… like something unexplainable had just happened.
"You okay?" she asked with a cocked brow.
"Yeah," the blond laughed, "Just saw something crazy."
"So what did you want to talk about?"
"I was wondering if you still wanted to leave," Din replied with a quiet tone, rubbing the back of his head.
'…Leave?' She raised her brow more at those words. Why would he want to leave?
"I don't care," she shrugged with confusion, "Why?"
"If you're not happy here… then we can go somewhere else," he told her with a smile on his face.
There was a flash of scattered black as Scion stared forward at Din. 'He's serious… why would he do that? He has what he wanted… so why would he give it up?' Her lime green eyes broke out of their daze to look at the back of Sin's head.
"You can't leave!" Sin protested, "You guys have to stay here!"
Din looked like he had an apologetic expression on his face at her words. All Scion could do was look at Din with confusion. She was surprised when Sin's demonic orange eyes were on her.
"You don't want to leave, do you?" she asked, eyes looking almost worried.
'I want to leave… but I know that Din doesn't. He's just offering this because he knows that I hated it here.' Her brows pushed together before she turned to Sin with a small smile.
"No Sin," Scion stated, "I want to stay here."
Sin seemed to grin as she turned back toward Din.
"See Din, you don't have to go," the smaller girl said with a nod before hopping off the bed.
"Where are you going?" Scion asked.
"Back to my room," she replied, "You two can talk."
The smaller girl waved at the straw-blond as she passed him and shut the door behind her.
"Is that really what you want?" Din asked with a worried expression.
"If you can stay, then I can stay," Scion stated, lime green eyes locked with blue ones, "I just have to avoid Asch."
If Din was happy… then she could find another way to start anew.
He didn't want to push it on her. Din didn't know why she said that it was fine. She didn't look fine… not to him at least.
"Scion, we don't have to stay," he told her with a worried expression.
'There's no point in living through a lie…'
"I've seen them, I know they're safe," the blond assured the girl, "If you want to go, then we can go."
"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," Scion laughed, "I'm just a woman scorned that's all. I'm just… broken on the inside."
'…Broken?' He cocked a brow at her words.
Din found himself going to the bed and he sat before her on the edge. His hand placed itself on hers and looked at her with a worried expression.
"What happened Scion?" he asked quietly, "What… can I do to help?"
'I just don't want anyone else to get hurt…'
Scion pulled her hand out from under his brows knitted together. Was she embarrassed by something?
"Nothing happened," she murmured, "Not really."
'That's a lie. She's not looking me in the eye.'
"Something is eating away at you Scion. You know there is," he stated as his eyes locked with hers.
Her lime green eyes glared at him for a moment. She seemed set on not telling him the truth.
She turned her head away from him and he couldn't help but sigh.
"I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong," Din whispered, looking away as well.
"No help can be given," the girl muttered rather coldly.
By the coldness… he somehow knew that it wasn't directed toward him, but rather something else. He caught her sigh before she looked ahead of her.
"There was a war here about a year ago," she explained quietly; her tone almost strained, "All of my brothers… Tepid… all four of them went to war… All four of them died in that war."
Din's eyes widened at her words. She had been grieving… trying to get over her losses. 'No wonder she's so cold.'
"That bastard didn't protect them… so he's to blame," Scion finished, her tone becoming more filled with hate.
The blond didn't know what to say to her… at least not until he heard a quiet sob. He turned his head and saw her anguished expression as tears slowly fell down her cheeks.
"Scion… don't cry," he whispered to her, "You're not alone in your pain."
"But… but I loved them… so much," she cried quietly; hands grasping the sheets tightly.
"I know Scion," he whispered as he moved himself over to right beside her, "I know."
She opened her eyes with confusion. 'When did I fall asleep?' Her brows knitted at the question. Her back was against something a little solid… and her head didn't feel like it was on a pillow…
"Mieu? Mieu mieu!" the Cheagle's annoying voice cried from in front of her.
The light green monster was pushed off the bed before Scion sat up.
Her eyes looked around the room and froze when they locked with blue ones.
"So you're awake," Din laughed pleasantly.
Her eyes widened and her back went rigid.
"I just wanted to be strong… I wanted to leave it all behind…"
"I understand Scion. It's okay to feel like that."
"I just… wanted to be left alone."
"Yeah," she murmured emotionlessly, "I guess I am."
Her head looked down with her back to him. In all honesty, she was embarrassed… embarrassed and ashamed. 'Why am I acting like this?'
"Were you here the whole time?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he laughed quietly, "It didn't feel right to leave you alone."
Scion watched as the Cheagle tried to climb back on the bed. When it got to the bed's edge, she flicked its head to make it fall.
"Scion… you don't have to feel ashamed of crying," Din told her with a gentle tone, "All adults cry sometime."
She felt herself scoff. 'Yeah… but they get over it.'
"…Do you?" the girl asked.
There was a moment's pause before there was a small, humorless laugh.
"I almost did the other day."
Her expression dropped with those words. She knew why… she was the one to blame.
For a few moments, Scion couldn't think of anything to say. She had done as the crimson haired General suggested… She told him the truth. 'Maybe I should really just say I'm sorry…' Brows pushed together with that thought.
"I don't know why," Din continued with a small chuckle, "I couldn't help but worry if you were okay… wonder if you were still alive or if something happened…"
"You say it like I'm unreliable," she muttered, "A ligarre bite isn't going to stop me… not after what I've been through."
'I'd say until I got my revenge… but it's pointless now. I still blame him… but killing Asch wouldn't bring them back. It wouldn't even bring a stupid Cheagle back.'
"Should I have more faith in you then?" Din questioned, humor lacing his tone.
"Someone has to," Scion mused, a smile present on her face.
She wouldn't let him see it. A smile only happened once in a while for her… but with Sin and Din around, smiling was contagious.
"From what I have been told, I see no reason why you two can't live in Blue Abarath," the Empress said pleasantly with a smile on her face.
From beside him, Din heard Scion scoff and mumble to herself. Mumbling about 'already being a citizen' with a scowl on her face. 'Sometimes I'm not sure who's more childish; Scion or Sin.'
The blond couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the thought. If he told her that she would chase him down with her large blue sword without regret and gut him like a fish.
"You two better not cause us any trouble," the green haired Emperor muttered as his eyes narrowed, "We have enough trouble with that tiny replica around."
'If Sin heard him say that then she'd probably chase him down…'
"I just want to point out that I already live here," Scion finally said coherently with an emotionless tone.
"Well if you're a guest of Asch then you're a guest of ours," the Empress stated happily, "We can move your belongings here if you like."
Din couldn't stop himself from turning his head to see the expression on the silver haired girl's face. Her green eyes were glaring at the Empress; he had no doubt that she wouldn't.
"Should I take that as a no?"
Scion didn't answer and Din shook his head.
"Yes my lady," he stated with a nervous expression, "I'd take that as a no."
"If you say so," she laughed.
He could feel Scion's glare from beside him. 'She'll get over it.'
From the day that he had met Scion until now… he could see her opening up, if only slightly. She wouldn't laugh with him like he had seen her do with Sin… but she talked to him. She answered most of his questions now.
"Feel free to come and go as you wish," the Empress told them, "All we ask is that you don't disturb the peace here."
"Wouldn't even think about it," Din assured both the young Emperor and Empress.
'I wonder how many people like being told what to do by teenagers.' He wondered as they turned to leave the throne room.
Din's blue eyes wandered toward the floor and didn't see anything.
"Scion?"
"Yeah?"
"…Where's the Cheagle?"
"I flicked it in the head earlier and it fell off the bed," she stated with a shrug, "It's probably asleep on the floor."
He laughed at her reply. That thing did more sleeping than it did annoying Scion.
Things fell silent as they walked down the empty hallway. It had been kind of awkward since this morning. She had cried herself to sleep in his lap. She had wanted her thoughts to leave her alone… so she said she decided to leave them behind.
"Scion?" the blond asked another question.
He laughed when she sighed in annoyance.
"What?"
"How old are you?" Din wondered absentmindedly.
Another sigh that turned into a slight groan.
"Why does it matter?"
"I was just wondering," he admitted, "I thought it was rude to ask."
"What makes that different now?" she asked with some agitation.
Why would she be reluctant to give her age? He knew she was older than the small black haired girl… but by how old?
"…I'm eighteen."
"Really?" he asked, a little astonished.
'I thought she was older.' Her lime green eyes glared at him for the last question.
"How old are you?" she asked; more agitated now.
"Twenty-five," he laughed slightly.
"…Old man."
End of Chapter 7
Thank you for reading. :3 I hope that you enjoyed it. Please R&R!
halfdemon-kai
