Interview With An Angel.
Chapter 25: Alone in a Museum
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I walk down the silent halls of the museum, the only sound the soft padding of my feet. Rather than wear my typical robes and boots, I am dressed in soft-soled shoes, jeans and a loose white t-shirt. It is not my usual wear, but I did not want to stand out as much as I usually do. I have hidden my wings, not releasing them as I usually do. I have once again taken over Master Satoshi's body when he was sleeping, but it is the only time when I am alone. I am glad that Dark is not stealing tonight.
The moonlight filters softly through the windows of the museum, giving the art pieces a new light than the usual harsh light that they are put under during the day. The soft silver glow of the moonlight brings the paintings to life. To me, their colors come more alive at this time. I check the clock on the wall, then smile slightly. The witching hour is almost upon us.
Ehhh? Witching hour? Master Satoshi's sleepy voice echoes in my head. I sigh lightly, a little annoyed that he is awake. At the same time, I cannot bring myself to be mad at him.
Yes. The witching hour is midnight. The artworks are especially beautiful at this time. And this is when they come alive. I turn, allowing Master Satoshi to see from my eyes. I stop on a painting of a medeval hunting scene. The characters in the piece romp and hunt and play and laugh. I walk closer and they stop, staring at me.
They can see you? Master Satoshi sounds more awake now and I can feel his curiosity flowing through me.
Yes. As I can see them, they can see me.
"You are able to see us. How?" One of the characters asks. It is clear to me, as if we are standing on both sides of an open window.
"I am an artwork myself. I am Krad. I am one half of the infamous Kokuyoku piece by the Hikariis."
"Ah. Well," the speaker, a young prince, bows low to me, "it is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Krad."
I bow back. "And you as well."
He smiles, then goes back to hunting as I return to walking thoroughout the darkened museum.
Krad. . . do the artworks speak to you often?
Yes. They do. You cannot hear them in your form, however.
Why not?
Because you are a human. Humans long ago lost the ability to hear the voices of art. However, sometimes if you listen hard enough when you are in your own form, you can hear a soft whisper.
I've noticed that, I think. Sometimes when I'm here alone setting up the traps, I can hear whispers.
Yes. Those are the whispers of the paintings. I smile a bit, then continue down the halls to a separate room, reserved for those paintings considered the highest of importantce. Dark never strays in here because almost all of the paintings in here are not Hikarii paintings. In fact, only one of the paintings hanging in this room bears the Hikarii name.
I walk around the circular room, stopping before one painting. It is a large canvas, a painting of a seascape. The water is a dark blue, almost black, contrasting sharply with the white beach. The moonlight strikes the painting, lighting up the sand of the beach and the silvery glow of the moon in the painting. The sky is a velvet blue, studded with silvery white points of light. The milky way is evident, stretching across the sky in a glowing band. Each place where there is light on the painting, the moonlight cascading from behind me hits the canvas, lighting each of the points.
The glow touches the moonlight, the beach, the reflection on the waves of the ocean and the stars within the sky. I smile, waiting for something to happen with the painting.
Woah! Krad! What was that? Master Satoshi cries, startled.
Ahh. It is the witching hour, midnight.
But what just happened?
Watch. I watch as the event that had startled Master Satoshi happens again. A section of the stars is suddenly blacked out, then a winged figure appears against the moon. As the black winged figure moves through the night, a white winged figure appears, wings glowing in the light. The two figures begin an intricate dance, moving in sync with one another, small blasts moving between tehm. However, unlike a true battle, these two figures seem to be enjoying themselves, dancing in the night. Underneith them, the waves roll through the night, washing up on the beach, darkening the sand. The leaves on the edge of the painting blow in an unseen wind. The display goes on for about a minuet, then the painting returns to how it was, a calm nightscape of a beach.
Krad?
Yes?
Was that Dark and you?
It is.
But. . . I've never seen this before.
That is because there is magic in this painting. This painting comes alive for one minute every night at midnight.
How do you know this? How's it able to happen?
Look at the signature. I point to the bottom right corner where the name '' is scrawled.
'K. Hikarii'? Is. . . that. . . who is that?
Look closer. I lean forward, crouching so Master Satoshi can see the name. As I lean closer, the dots over the last two 'i's in 'Hikarii' turn out to be tiny angel wings, painted in white.
This is yours? Wow. . . That's amazing Krad. . .
Thank you, Master Satoshi. I painted it when I was with Master Ryuu. It was a bit of a strain, but I wanted to put the magic in it.
It's beautiful.
If you are willing to sleep in here, I can show you what it looks like at sunrise. I made sure that the colors would react between both moonlight and the first rays of the rising sun. Other than that, it is a normal painting.
I never knew you were this good, Krad. Why didn't you show it to me before?
I., . . it's hard to explain.
Thank you for showing me.
Of course. Now, go back to sleep. I will wake you for sun rise.
Thanks. Master Satoshi curls up again and drops off to sleep again.
I stand again, placing a hand against the painting. It pulses happily when it feels my magic, the white winged figure appearing again. I hear footsteps resounding through the halls and quickly take on Master Satoshi's form.
An older guard walks around the corner, shining a light in my eyes. I raise my arm, blocking off the light. "What are you doing?"
"I was looking at this piece, attempting to guage whether or not it has magical properties that would attract Phantom Thief Dark."
"Who are you?"
"Commander Satoshi Hiwatari, chief commander of Dark countermeasures." I reply smoothly, realizing the guard is newly hired.
The guard bows quickly. "I am sorry, sir! Continue with what you must do."
"Thank you." As soon as he is gone, I reclaim my own form.
The soft rustle of feathers sounds behind me and I spin, seeing Dark's shadowy form emerging into the moonlight. His dark violet hair gathers in the slivery blue moonlight, as do his garnet eyes. Rather than reflect the light, his hair and eyes hold the light, glowing from inside. He is a figure of the night, of dark and dim, the half-light. He has one hand shoved in a pocket, striking a pose, his face holding a cocky grin. "Heya Krad."
"Mousy." I reply, bringing my wings out, hearing them rip through the cloth of my shirt. I raise them above my head, striking an intimidating pose.
He looks at the painting behind me, a weary smile on his face. "I remember when you painted that. It took you so long and so much magic, but it had to be perfect, you said."
"Yes." I watch him warily, wondering what he is doing here.
"Don't worry. I ain't gonna steal anything. I'm just here to admire the artwork."
"Does your tamer know?"
"No. He's asleep still. Yours?"
"He knows. He came awake and I showed him the magic of the painting."
Dark walks past me, brushing the moon with soft fingertips. The painting responds to his magic, the black winged figure appearing against the moon once more. "Are you gonna show him the magic of sunrise?"
"Yes." I allow a light smile to cross my face. "Remember those days, Dark?"
"Yeah. What changed?"
"I do not know." The smile melds into a frown. "We did."
"Guess so." He shrugs, then turns, pausing at the door, looking over his shoulder at me. "Take care of yourself, Krad."
"You do so as well, Mousy."
He laughs and disappears into the shadows. I sink down onto the bench that rests in front of my painting. My mind keeps repeating his question "What changed?"
I know what changed, Dark. I changed. The Hikariis wounded me and that changed me. They tore me apart, broke my soul, my spirit. You were allowed to remain free, even though you were trapped. I have never had the freedom that you have. That is what changed.
I stand, brushing the thoughts from my mind, starting to walk through the museum. I let my wings vanish, continuing through the museum. The hours pass quickly as I enjoy looking at the art, walking through the empty halls, having this time to myself. I pass the security desk, sighing as I see the old guard asleep at the desk. Top notch security. . .
Finally the sky begins to lighten as the sun prepares to rise. I walk back to where my painting is hanging, waking Master Satoshi on the way. Master Satoshi. Wake up.
Hmmmm?
It's time for the sun to rise.
Oh.He comes awake slowly.
I sit before the painting, watching as the first rays of the rising sun pierce through the window. The rays hit the painting, once again bringing it to life. The moon, stars, beach and ocean sparkle with light, coming ablaze in a new way. When the moonlight had hit the painting, it had turned the seascape into a magical scene bathed in silver blue. This time, everything glows with a new light, a bright radiance. The moonlight is turned golden, as are the stars. For one brief moment, it seems that the sun itself is rising in the painting, taking over the sky. Once again, the two figures dash across the painting, flying from one side of the sky to the other, white wings chasing black.
Wow. . . Master Satoshi's voice is filled with awe.
I know. I put that magic in it.
That's amazing.
Thank you. I smile gently, then sigh. I am tired now, Master Satoshi. Can we change?
Sure. I have to get home to get ready for school anyway.
Of course. I switch places with Master Satoshi, curling up in my room, leaning back. I enjoyed my night out and being able to show Master Satoshi the magic of the museum, for it only comes alive at night when no one else is there.
Krad, I know you're trying to sleep, but I have a question.
Of course.
I've been in the museum late. Why haven't I seen that magic?
You are a human.
I don't understand. How can you see it?
If the art detects a human, it stills and sleeps. However, I am not human, so I am able to see the magic. The paintings do not detect me as human, so they stay alive. Some of the paintings know me.
I'd like to go back sometime.
All right. I yawn, dragging a hand over my face, something I picked up from watching Dark too many times. But now I must sleep.
Good night.
Good night. Dreams claim me almost instantly and I fall into darkness.
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A/N: Yay! New chapter! Okay. . . So. . . I had fun with this chapter. Especially with the art. . . ^_^
Krad's painting is my own idea. I was bored at 1:20 am and decided to come up with a cool new painting. I hope you like it!
And. . . about the part with Dark. . . that kinda wrote itself. Like the part with Raynne. . . sooo…. I hope you liked it! ^^
Ha. I wanted to put "Night at the Museum" for the title. . .
Thanks to: Stabbythings, marium, intelligenceisstupid, and Dawns Eternal Twilight. Ya'll made my day! ^^