A/N: Sorry bout dis bring late! My laptop is completely destroyed and im typing this on my phone now :C it will take about 2 months or 3 til i get a new one. XD i'll try to type new chappie at due schedule. Also, usual dividers will be different. There will be a lot of spelling errors and im currently fixing them as much as I could. This is all done in phome so its hard to fix writing also my spellcheck doesn't work XC Hopefully it wont take long for the next one. Now,
Read, enjoy, and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the obvious.
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Act I: Beneath The Wings
Chapter 9: Paper Hearts
"The mind forgets but my heart always remembers."
It was almost ridiculous, silly even. The situation couldn't be bad as anyone might think.
It was worse.
Kronos stood frozen in front of the large plain grey building with a lot of eerie windows. At first look, he thought this was the wrong place but then the kid pointed out the huge engraving that says 'ADOPTION CENTER'.
Where all evil resides, he thought with a small grimace as he adjust the sleeves of his dark blue suit.
"Don't tell me your scared of a building." Sniggered the neatly dressed punk.
"Drake! That's not nice." Felia reprimanded though the woman was a little red.
Glaring to the surprisingly well-dressed teen, Cade growled warningly at him. Drake only smiled in response standing their in his black business suit, blue tie and black dress shoes similar to his. All piercing and tattoos gone, or so he says, except the highlights. He stood next to Felia wearing a nice simple attire; light pink jacket, white formal pants and brown dress shoes. She had her hand clasped together, a smile showing understanding over his stupidity. At least she didn't mock the titan of his...fear.
Jay, however, was deadly silent that made Kronos worry more. The boy stared blankly at the sign for more than a minute now and hasn't moved or uttered a word. It made him agitated not knowing what goes on inside the kid's head!
"Hello? Earth to Cade and Jay! We need to go now before we miss the appointment." Drake exclaimed, snapping both fingers in front of their faces.
Almost simultaneously, both jumped at the sudden movement blinking their eyes before looking at each other sheepishly. Kronos chuckled as he ruffled the red faced boy. That expression was much better than before the titan decided. Jay looked at him with a pout whining about messing his hair. Drake and Felia warmly smiled at the scene staying silent. He nodded at the two, gripping his hold on Jay then walks toward the entrance door, "Let's go."
Kronos needed to do this and no matter what happens, he will fight for the kid.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Entering the building was easy enough.
Being greeted by looming features such as the tall marble columns lingering around the halls and a grand decorated staircase paved in expensive red silk carpet? The titan felt nostalgic looking at the formal, expensive furnitures remembering the shining halls of Mt. Orthys. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth but he didn't smile fully. Jay looks up to him questionally, probably wondering what he was thinking. Kronos shook his head.
"It's nothing." He assured tugging Jay along as they silently walk towards the receptionist. Drake was gawking at everything he sees leaving his mouth hanging open. Felia was more discreet about her curiosity only reacting with her eyes and that Kronos was thankful for.
"Cade, wut dat?" Jay asked puzzled as he point at the huge mosaic on the ceiling.
He smiled. "It's beautiful isn't it? People call it a 'mosaic' made out of glass, stones and other minerals. Artists can create images or patterns like on a canvas." He explained happily. This was one of the few things the titan loves about the human culture. They can create the most amazing piece of art...as well as destructive forces. Jay tilted his head humming then leaned on him with a smile.
"One day, me will cweate mosayik!" The kid declared determination written on his face making Kronos chuckle.
"We'll see."
As they reach the front desk, the receptionist looked up from her computer to smile at them. "Welcome to the Center! How may I help you?" Kronos wasn't sure why he suddenly became nervous but it left him unable to speak, frozen at spot staring at the woman blankly. Drake sighed realizing what was going on and stepped forward grinning. "Yeah, we're here for an appointment? For Mr. Schudall under Cade Solstice?" He replied charmingly. A tug from his hand snapped him out of his evil thoughts, looking down to see Jay staring worriedly. He shook his head frowning.
Why does he keep doing this?
Felia puts her hand on his shoulder walking to be beside him. "It will go smoothly." She reassured. Kronos smiled back, nodding his head in gratitude. She's definitely the wise one among them. A young noble heart that if Eric will break he'd be sure him and Sarah will kick his sorry ass. He turns to see Drake already finished talking with the lady. The punk was smiling like an idiot with a small paper slip on his hands where a few numbers could be spotted. Doesn't take a genius to know what happened. Drake stopped in front of him waving the little paper at his face.
"Look what I got old man~ A date with a hot lady...Jealous?" He leered slyly. A growl emitted from the titan but otherwise did nothing. It would do no good to start a fight at a place like this. No matter how irritatingly he wanted to punch him. Jay looled at Drake with a cute serious frown Kronos has ever seen. What happened next only made him very proud of the kid. With a swift blow to the crotch down goes the mighty charmer. Felia giggled while Kronos laughed loudly patting the kid in the back. The lady at the receptionist couldn't help but laugh too. Jay loomed over the groaning Drake who looked ready to kill the kid. A tiny finger pointed at his face. "No buwwy Cade!" He stated with an adorable angry face. The laughter doubled.
Drake groaned in misery. "I'm starting to regret this..."
After the...incident, they had to wait for at least 20 minutes of tense silence which made the titan worry more. What if he forgets to put the spell and the man found nothing about him? What the hell is he going to say then? Or if he's not qualified enough? He ate the last kids he had because of a stupid prophecy. Kronos had no idea how to act, take care of a child! He thought Jay was going to die because he doesn't how to heal him when the the kid was sick. What would happen if he really was dying?
No! Don't think like that idiot! He growled to himself earning looks from his companions.
Drake leaned over to Jay whispering, "I think he's losing it..." The kid only nodded in response. Felia sighed glaring lightly at the two. "What is wrong with you two? Cade's probably very nervous right now!" She reprimand thpguh Drake smirked pointing at the said man who had an aura of doom, muttering nonsense oblivious to his surroundings. Jay was sure he heard something along the lines of "...flying pigs are tasty" and "..there is always a problem.." Needlessly to say, everyone was concern about him.
Kronos paid no heed to them and continued his rant against life. It's just wasn't fair! He could lose all in one single mistake. One mistake!
"Um...Are you alright?" He was about to snap to whoever asked the ridiculous question when the titan didn't recognize the voice. Kronos looked up from staring at the ground and froze. Drake noticed his silence and quickly ushered the talking Felia and Jay to silence. The trio observed the exchange curious and in Drake's case, giddy of what could happen.
The titan can't describe what was happening. There was something familiar about her...something that made him stop. It was at the tip of his tomgue dammit!
"Uh...no?" The titan dumbly replied only realiazing it after it left his mouth. He almost face palmed himself. The lady smirked then eloquently sat beside him. Long chocolate brown hair with slight curl at the ends, beautiful sapphire eyes twinkling with the soft smile on her face and slim curves within a fragile looking body making her simple red dress look elegant and like...like a princess. She was wearing brown panty hose with black flats. No makeup, just a simple appearance making her look like a goddess. Kronos inwardly frowned. Why was he thinking of this?
The woman chuckled examining him. "You're nervous aren't you?" She asked though more like stated it. The titan gave a tired laugh nodding. "Am I shaking too much?" It was her turn to softly laugh. Kronos smiled a little and glanced at the corner of his eyes where Jay and the others are. He tried not to scoff when he sees them giggling or Drake giving him a grin wiggling his eyebrows to the lady beside him. He had a sudden urge to throw a shoe at the punk. Beside him, the woman giggled then raised an eyebrow at the titan. "Your friends, I suppose." She stated grinning. Kronos muttered, "Unfortunately."
At least they weren't embrassing him...yet.
The lady waved at them who did the same enthuastically. "So, what got you so nervous?" She asked focusing back to him. Kronos felt the same prickling feeling as he had before. He didn't answer and silence reigned longer than he anticipated. It wasn't even a hard question! So why can't he answer?
"It has something to do with that kid, right?" She asked smiling as Kronos gave her a smug grin. "You can say that." That and lonelyness from isolation. And saving his lost sanity. The lady chuckled, leaning the back of her head on the cold white walls. "Don't be afraid to fight for who you love. Otherwise, you might regret never having to." Kronos looked at her and was going to say why so cheesy when the look on her face said she was dead serious. Her eyes were distant, clouded by an unknown fog staring at the opposite wall, frowning. He could tell something terrible must have happened to her past. He was debating on whether to ask or change the subject when a black blur attacked him in a hug. Both blinked in surprise, snapping out of their stupor, and questionally stared at Jay who was crushing Kronos' waist almost like he was denting it.
His face was tomato red and pouting. Drake must have made fun of him. The lady besise him giggled then stood up. "I better go now. Hope your adoption goes well!" She said waving goodbye. Before Kronos could ask for a name, she was already gone. He sighed petting Jay in the process while thinking. He had calm down a bit. Soon, a man came to them announcing that Mr. Schudall was ready to see him. Drake and Felia patted his back wishing him good luck.
They walk down the royal corridor, hand-in-hand, looking ahead. If he can just pass this one test, the future will be a piece of cake. Jay suddenly tugs his hand for attention and Kronos looked down. With a small comforting smile, he said, "I beweve in yu Cade."
Words mean nothing unless they hold value to you. It's funny how it took him knowing Jay to actually believe in it.