Disclaimer: I do not own Chrono Cross at all. Squaresoft owns it!! so don't sue me!!!!
Hello everyone, and welcome to Chapter 24 of Angelus Errare. I was planning to up date this before the week of my birthday, but I mean as well upload it since I know my fans want more. So here it is. But you will have to face a lot of reading for many hours ahead. Pretty soon, you will see why I chose this title and the Romance is next after this. So, as you know, there won't be that little synopsis at the end of every chapter I always made. So no spoiler for you guys. Am I evil or what? Anyways, thank you all for the reviews and I hope you enjoy this chapter!! PLEASE Review!!
*If there is any mistakes, please tell me and I will replace it ASAP and tell me if I am being too quick uploading chapters so I can let you guys read it in your own pace, okay?
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Along the lines of the night of Termina, a lone figure stood looking out into the starry skies above. Inside the building behind him, a load of noises started to consume the whole bar, sounds of drunken singing and sounds of bottles bursting started to create a load of ruckus. The inhabitants around Termina do not care whatsoever since they love the sounds of busy people and party outbursts. Sitting down near the steps, with the night sky showing the beautiful stars known to be the heavens, Serge stared into the skies intently, somehow contented as he gazed into the starry night. The winds from the sea started to envelope Serge, making his tied-up bandana sway along the wind with his unruly blue hair. Along the line of the stars, a shooting star started to pass through, making Serge smile once more as he closed his eyes and began to make his second wish after almost one month have passed.
"Okay…everyone…sing along!" hiccupped a very drunk Glenn inside the bar, lifting the beer bottle up in the air. Slowly, he raised his voice and started to sing. "*hic*…3,000 of beer stuck in the wall, 3,000 beers stuck in the wall…take one down pass one down…"
"3,000 beers stuck in the wall…!" finished Norris who is also in the same state as Glenn. With the last word, Norris began with the next number down. It goes on and on for the next several minutes.
The girls started to clap dramatically, watching the funny scene before them as their male friends started to drink more rum. Which, in this case, more beer equals more drunk they will be.
After having enough laughs from this, Kidd stood from her seat and headed out the door. Opening slowly out in the night with the bright lights filtering some of the darkness from the inside, Kidd closed it, looking around the streets of Termina. In her light blue eyes, she was mainly looking for Serge, noticing that Serge wasn't there in the party. She rounded the building and looked in front of her to find Serge sitting on the steps. His eyes were closed, and it seemed that he didn't notice her presence. Kidd smiled and started to sneak up on him, trying to see what will happen. Just when she was a few centimeters away, Serge opened his eyes, sensing the all too familiar aura.
"I know you're there Kidd," he said, looking at her with a smile.
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Chapter 24- Lover Triangle…a feeling of hurt…?
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Kidd smiled impishly as she sat with him. Looking at him, Kidd couldn't help but blush. After a few weeks apart from each other, Kidd could still feel the blush running up her cheeks whenever she looks at his cute face. Yet, when she looked at him in the moment of the night, she noticed a familiar, yet strange difference within him as he sat there, looking up into the sky.
Unfortunately, this was her first time ever to look at Serge in the eyes since his arrival. Now as an 18-year-old man, the complexion seemed a little different from last she saw him. His face still had that cute visible look, yet his eyes were a bit narrow, but still round and young. His bangs have grown to the tip of his nose and the rest of his hair is unruly then ever. When he fully stood up, she noticed he grown just a bit, about two inches and the looks of his physique is well-developed from head to foot with legs that are not muscular but skinny-average. Yet, even if he has grown just a bit, Serge is still the same Serge Kidd would always know.
Sitting beside him, she nestled gently into the nap of his exposed neck, making him smile from the ticklish feeling from her soft hair. "You know, I was so worried that you were lost," said Kidd. "I thought I would never see you again, mate."
"I wouldn't let myself be lost. With you to think about, I have to return," he said, glancing up into the sky above. "I was worried that you might be still injured from that day six weeks ago."
With her gaze averting to his eyes, she noticed a slight difference in them. That glowing eye that he has no longer wields the confusing and lost look of his. He now wields a look that looks more confident and more concentrated. He no longer is lost. He found his way on his own during the pass few weeks since he disappeared. Kidd smiled, and clasped Serge's ungloved hand within her own, feeling the surprising softness and warmth of it without any hint of callus. "I'm happy to see that you're okay now. No thoughts running into your head?"
Serge shook his head. "Only thoughts that run around the world and around me. But, the thoughts I had before finally have been answered…somewhat. I just need to see Hahaue. She must be worried sick about me."
"Not at all," said Kidd. "She was confident that you would return within 6 weeks and her prediction was correct."
Serge blinked bewildered. "Hmm…that's strange. But at least her predictions are right. I guess my prophecy is true then."
With one quick gesture, Kidd looked into Serge's eyes with a surprise look. "Y-you…knew?"
"Not really in particular. It couldn't be fate controlling my destiny. It should be a prophecy. I can still remember the locked destiny within me from the fortune teller here."
Kidd playfully punched Serge on the head, making him scratch his head. "What did you that for?" asked Serge.
"Didn't I tell you to tell me everythin' you know? Otherwise, you would still have that thought burden your mind. But now that things straight are settled, I guess that's outta the question."
Serge just smiled, glad to see Kidd after so long. He was beginning to miss her company and her warmth. Not to mention her gestures on situations. He could tell within her mind that she went through a lot of trauma while he was gone. Serge thought that he worried her to death. Slowly, Serge stood up, stretching a bit from his long sit. "Hey, mate, why did you come out here in the first place?" asked Kidd, standing next to him. "You should be in there and get drunk all night. This is your welcome home party."
The young Chrono Trigger turned to her and smiled. "I know, but I just need some fresh air right now. Somehow, I'm not used to cramped places anymore." He looked up to the stars once more, gazing at its milky setting. "At nights, I would always look up into the stars, wondering if anyone up there is watching us. I would always see beautiful aspects of the sky with the shooting star and the night colorful sky. It sometimes reminiscences my thoughts about everyone in my life: my family, my friends, the ones who I hold dear. I would always think about them every time I looked up. The way the stars look today; it seems brighter than usual. The same scene I saw during that time to the past. It kind of reminds of someone…someone that I know who I adored so much."
Kidd went in front of him and looked into his eyes. Deep within his deep blue eyes, Kidd could see the adoration in them, seeing the content he has at the moment. Yet, even though she knew Serge no longer is confused, she is in still wonder. "Who, Serge? Who?"
Serge gazed down at Kidd, looking at her in a strange, yet loving way. Kidd could feel the blood rushing up in her cheeks as his piercing gaze made her cheeks color pink. Slowly, Serge started to kneel down, inching closer to her face. She could feel his warm breath among his, his sea scent stronger than before. Kidd slowly closed her eyes, and waited for his lips upon hers. Lingering the depths of her mind, Kidd knew that this was sudden, yet she knew Serge long enough more than just a friend. Just inches away, the door from the bar suddenly opened, making Kidd and Serge jerk quickly into that direction.
"Hey, there you guys, what's-" Di suddenly stopped as he looked at Serge and Kidd who was at close rank. Hard and dramatic feelings started to consume within Di, gazing at Serge and Kidd, who was almost near each other. Di looked down sadly, trying to hide his jealousy at the moment. He looked at them finally after the dissipation between his negative feelings. "What's taking you guys so long? It's still time to party down," said Di with a fake smile. "Come on, your missing the fun."
The young man went in after saying the words he said, making Serge and Kidd stare at him. "What's wrong with Di?" asked Serge questionably.
Sighing, Kidd shrugged and looked at Serge. "Probably something is in his mind. He would act like this whenever his thoughts really consumed him. But Di is right though. We're missin' the fun." She beamed with happiness as she looked intently into his eyes. Turning around, she started to head towards the entrance. "Come on, mate. Let's join them before-" Suddenly, as if she's being sucked up by a black hole, Kidd found herself in Serge's strong embrace, feeling his warmth all over her body. Eyes widened as her head leaned against his shoulder in front.
"Serge…" she said dreamily, half surprise and half content from his sudden movement.
"Kidd…" he said, his head leaning gently against Kidd's right shoulder. "I missed you," he said.
His words comforted her as she smiled and closed her eyes, and leaned into his head, hugging him gently with her right arm. "I missed you too, mate."
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With flickering lights of Termina Bar slowly dimming to its closed, the Chrono Gang came out with a cheery laugh. The quietness around Termina was bothered by Glenn and Norris' drunken singing once more with the sounds of the girls giggling at their "out of tone" singing. Di danced happily around with a blush that indicates how much he has drank during their many hours in Termina Bar. Kidd smiled and averted her eyes to see Serge walking rather slowly than the rest of them. His mind was in deep toggle when he walked along the cemented streets. Somewhere, Serge is being bothered by the thought in his head. As everyone else is ahead of him, Kidd trotted right by Serge, who's faraway eyes looked somewhere else. He was in deep thought, and yet, his eyes don't seemed troubled or anything. Just a slight show of passion and sorrow as he walked along the boarder walks of Termina, edging into Termina Inn with mixed, confused feelings.
"Serge…is there anything wrong?" asked Kidd, making him snap out of his reverie.
"Huh, what? Oh, Kidd…it's nothing," said Serge, looking at Kidd momentarily then quickly looked at the ground with a blush in his cheeks. "I'm just thinking through little things that are really pointless."
"Then why are you thinking about it?"
"I don't know…I guess its stuck in my mind," said Serge, scratching his head. "Maybe I should just sleep on it or something." From his last sentence Serge spoke, complete utter sadness started to consume the two as they walked slowly through the streets. Kidd could see that his eyebrows arched in some way, advancing the emotions in his sadden eyes. Kidd lowered her head and looked at the ground, her mind also in deep thought. From the moment she looked at Serge, she could feel something is truly bothering his mind. Yet, in some ways, her thoughts also had that same position he was in. The feeling of the heart started to ache her when she thought about the main feeling she is in. Love. She lifted her head to normal and looked at Serge, whose face was still downcast and his long bangs shadowing his eyes.
"Umm…Serge…can I ask you a question?" asked Kidd a moment later, which completely snapped Serge from his Dreamworld.
"What is it Kidd?" he asked, looking into her eyes.
The rise of heat started to penetrate Kidd's cheeks once more, making her eyes avert to the ground again for the moment. "D-do…you ever have the feeling that you are in the middle of things when it comes to…the feelings of the heart?" she stammered pathetically.
"What?" Serge said surprisingly.
"I know…I know…it's just that thought I have right now. But, did you ever have that feeling?"
Serge sighed uneasily, and his eyes moved from left to right, down and up, his cheeks are red as a tomato freshly ripe and picked from its perch. "Well…umm…err…"
Right then, Di have joined them, standing beside Kidd's right, which drew her in the middle. "I sometimes get that feeling. But one thing for sure, I chose the one who I deeply love," he said.
"Where you eavesdroppin' on us, Di?" asked Kidd, quite frustrated.
"No, I was just passing you guys by when I heard you say that Kidd," defended Di, raising both of his hands to the back of his head.
"I see," said Serge uncertainly. Never did he ever felt that feeling in truth, or either that, he did not heed to notice. Serge just left that question pass him as he grew silent suddenly, going back into his own world.
From either side of her, Kidd sees Serge to her right, and Di to her left, two men who she loved in her own way. Her heart keeps on beating uneasily whenever she is around the two, or even around them at the same time. She felt as if her heart is being pulled in a tug-o-war to steal the affection from Di or Serge. Yet, even though her mind was in complete thought about love, she still can't help it that she could not choose. It felt as if her mind is trying to tell her not choose yet until the right time comes, like money being sealed away in a huge safe until the right time has come for the taker to obtain the right amount of money. Kidd sighed, wondering how this situation about her love life turned from a small problem to a big, important problem to everyone's well being. If she chose right then, who would be the one happy? Who would the one heartbroken? Kidd couldn't stand the thought of the two with those broken hearts of theirs if she ever chose one. She especially didn't want to hurt Serge after he gone through so much devastations in his life and so much problems that made him pain so much in his heart and soul. Just when she was about think further, Kidd turned to Di, who was beginning to talk about another subject.
Serge looked at Kidd and Di as they walked along side each other deep in conversation. Serge could sense a presence of great passion within the two, feeling the heart beating strongly than ever. "It must be Kidd's heart," thought Serge sadly, drawing away from his look. He knew from that prospective that Kidd was still in love with Di, yet, when his mind drifted to six weeks ago, he is not so sure now after Kidd protected him from Di's deadly blow from six weeks ago. He could still remember the way she held on to him for dear life, trying to get through Di's mind that the actions he is taking is not right. He felt at eased when he thought about that. But then again, he thought about love still strong through the flow of time. Serge drew his hand to the Chrono Cross, wound around his neck, feeling its warmth penetrate from it. He slowly closed his eyes and let his mind drift within the flows of it, feeling people's past emotions and the past of the world. Within his hands, Serge held the time of the world, only a pendant around his neck. Right then, he could feel the emotions of Kidd and Di in the past before the time when Di fully committed himself to Lynx's ambitions. The love they have for each other was strong and fulfilling. This is a bond that can never be broken if only circumstances have abrupt. Serge slowly let the Chrono Cross dangle to his chest. He stole one more glance at Di and Kidd right beside him, feeling the emotions still strong as ever. Serge sighed sadly, and walked ahead of them, heading into Termina Inn toward his room to let the two have time with each other. Serge is seemingly depressed, and let his mind drift that emotion away to sleep.
Somewhere around the door's rims, Kidd noticed the pace Serge just had as he went up the stairs to the rooms above. She tried to call him, yet he did not hear her as he was in his own world again with a sad expression on his face. Kidd wondered what was wrong and tried to go to him when Di stopped her in her tracks to reach his retreating form. Kidd turned to her friend. "What is it Di?"
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that you have that worried look on your face again. Is there anything wrong?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Sighing, she looked up to see that Serge was no longer climbing up the stairs. "No…nothing is wrong, Di," said Kidd as her eyes downcast to the floor. "Serge…" she thought. Slowly, she shrugged Di's hand and sat on the steps of the Inn, quite depressed. Di just stood there, feeling hurt that she shrugged off his comforting hand. Sighing, he started to walk up the stairs. "Kidd, you should get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully things would turn out all right. Good night, Kidd," he said as he went up the stairs to his room.
"Serge…" she whispered silently, wondering about his depressed feelings. "If…only I could read your mind like you do to see what is making you so depressed. I'm worried that something might happen to you."
She looked up to see Di's retreating form heading up the stairs. "Di…"
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Few minutes later, Kidd started to climb the stairs, reaching the door to her room. Slowly, she walked in to see all the lights are completely shut. Kidd went in and looked around. Right next to the bed lay Serge's black shoes and magenta socks with his long shorts on the floor. Inside the covers slept Serge who was sleeping peacefully without a doubt. Kidd couldn't help but giggle, seeing his sort of mess he made. Reaching for Serge's shorts, she hung it on the bedpost and looked at Serge's sleeping form. She smiled and sat on the edge of his bed, looking at his childish face in his sleep. "No matter how many times I see you sleep, you would always look like a child," she said, softly playing with his hair. Serge changed positions in his laying posture, his face now facing Kidd with his eyes still closed. Kneeling down, she kissed him gently on the cheek, stroking his bangs back affectionately. "Serge, if only I can rid of the depressing emotions within you," she whispered to him, still stroking his cheek. With one last glance, Kidd headed into her own bed, staring at Serge all the while. Smiling, she silently bid him good night and went to sleep.
Once she fell asleep, she was unaware of a presence watching every move she made after she went in. A slight crick was opened in the rim of the door, a slight measurement that can easily see the scene in front. Behind that crick was Di, eavesdropping as usual. He could feel the sudden chill of anger and sadness within as he watched Kidd's move on Serge, who was sleeping deeply to the visions of his dreams. Di slowly closed the door and leaned on it, sighing sadly. "She must be falling for Serge, now. But its kind of obvious that she would fall for him. He looks like me, after all," he said.
From all the while, Di wanted to strip her away from Serge, wanting her to be with Di forever. He was jealous, even though he is denying that very reason. His anger started to consume his body as he clenched his fist with all the rage he stored during the hours of Serge's return. Even though he may be a friend, he is taking away the one he loved, the one who he still have affections to after all these years. He couldn't stand the thought of them, being near each other, holding and probably kissing each other. It disgusted him to think that way.
"I guess I have no other choice but to do this fast tomorrow. I must come out of it before it is too late." With that, Di headed to his room, ending the situation for now until tomorrow. "I will get you back Kidd. I will take you away from him so we would finish our dream"
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The rays of the sun started to stray warmness in Termina, indicating that the warm weather of summer still remains. Birds started to chirp as the rays started to rise from the horizon. Twelve owners of their own business started to set his/her booths up, ready for the crowd today, hoping to make a great deal of money.
The clock turned 6:00 in small of room of Termina Inn. Kidd stirred as she felt the sun's rays penetrate her face with soothing heat. Slowly, she sat up, stretching from her long position sleep. Rubbing her sleepy eye, she turned to greet Serge only to find out that Serge was no longer there. His shirt and shoes were left there, but his shorts were gone. Kidd stood up and noticed that the balcony doors were opened. "This wasn't opened yesterday," noticed Kidd as she went out the balcony, hoping to find Serge there. To her surprise, Serge was not there looking out into the ocean and sky as usual. Kneeling onto the rail, she let the wind swipe her hair as she gazed into the horizon. "He couldn't possibly be going out without his shoes," she said. "Could he be swimming?"
Just then, a knock was heard on the main wooden door. Leena came in with a huge grin on her face. When she came in, Leena noticed the balcony doors and went out. "Kidd, what are you doing out here?" asked Leena. "You should be coming down now. We're getting breakfast."
Kidd sighed and turned to her. "I know. I was just surprised that Serge wasn't here." Her eyes lighten after a thought consumed her mind. "Have you seen him?"
Leena shook her head. "No one has seen him since this morning. Strange isn't it? One minute he returned and the next he's gone off somewhere. I wonder where he has gone?"
"Probably swimmin'. His shirt and shoes were left behind. Hopefully he'll turn up in Termina," said Kidd.
"Yeah, hopefully Di too."
"Don't tell me that Di is missing too?" asked Kidd with an exasperating look. Leena nodded nervously. "They look alike, they have the same hair style, and they also have the same attitude! Those two these days!" Gathering the shoes and shirt from under the bed, Kidd and Leena started to walk to the others, who were waiting downstairs for them.
"What took you guys so long?" asked Korcha. "Where's Serge?"
"He's not here. I only found his shirt and shoes," said Kidd, holding the bundle in her arms.
"Including Di, not to mention. We haven't seen him around too. It's as if those two think alike," said Leena, scratching her head. "But hopefully they will turn up."
An hour later has passed, and Di has finally showed up in the café lounge where the group is eating. Kidd waved to him and he sat down across from Kidd. "Where did ya go?" asked Kidd, crossing her arms across her chest.
"I was off somewhere, repairing my stuff," said Di, grabbing a fork and spoon and munching down his breakfast. "You seem to be in a cautious mood today."
Kidd sighed and slumped on her chair. "Yeah, I know. I'm just a bit worried about Serge right now."
Di stopped in his eating and looked at Kidd, his face turning pale. "Why are you worried about him? Isn't he here?"
Sinking down more, she shook her head quite unpleasantly. "No…I only found his shirt and his shoes here. He must of went swimmin' or something."
Di went back to his eating without a single word in mind. All he could think of is a situation he cannot get out of. A situation in which counts the feelings of the heart. Kidd just looked out into space, gazing at the sea before her with the waves lightly closing in to the shores. Di couldn't help, but love Kidd of who she is from before and still remain as she is today. He smiled; hopefully a lingering mind of his would help.
Meanwhile, right behind the table from theirs, Orlha and Glenn sat and drank their hot chocolates, talking in deep conversation. Behind, Orlha looked at Kidd and Di, watching them talk a bit and suddenly become quiet after a while. She turned to Glenn, shaking her head. "I don't really get this, Glenn. I don't like this one bit. There's Di in one corner, and Serge in the other. Kidd looks like in a big jumble you know."
"But, how do you know if Serge have feelings for Kidd?" asked Glenn, taking another sip of his Hot Chocolate. "It seems he does not take any heed of any women's feelings."
Orlha just shook her head once. "I don't know…I just got this feeling that he does love her. But who knows. I just feel sorry for Kidd that she is in a real tight mess with her love life. I mean she loved Di back in her younger days. Then, her feelings moved to love Serge after a few years has passed since Di disappeared. But now that he is back, I can tell Kidd is really troubled with her thoughts. It forces me to realize that she needs a little help here. Not to mention, Serge and Di, who probably have feelings for her. I mean, let's say this. First, before Serge was…transported to the other world, he used to like Leena and Leena liked him. Then, after meeting Kidd, he started to fall for her, and Kidd falling for him, which leads to Serge with two girls liking him. And then, after our first round journey is done, Leena is after Norris…I think, and now Serge only has Kidd. Then Di comes along and-"
"All right, all right, I get your picture," said Glenn, waving his hand to ease her. "Just take a breather." He started to take another sip of his Hot Chocolate.
"Yeah, and Kidd is now the one in the middle. As if in a love triangle or something. She doesn't know where to go from here. What do you think we should do, Glenn?"
Glenn almost coughed out his hot drink after Orlha mentioned it. "We? What should we do about it?" Orlha nodded her head. "I say we pass that subject and let Kidd be. Whatever she chooses, it is her own decision."
"I guess you're right. But what if Di leaves again? And what will happen to Serge?" pointed Orlha.
Glenn nodded with her judgment. "The poor guy went through a lot of turmoil more than Di ever had. Losing a father at a very young age, painful memories and thoughts that would harm him, an unknown ancestry that he has. He has to endure that alone."
Orlha took a sip of her hot drink and looked out into the ocean thoughtfully. "You know," began Orlha, "To tell you the truth, after observing those Serge and Kidd and a little with Di and Kidd, I'd prefer Serge for Kidd. Obviously, he is quite a nice guy and girls would be after him with his good looks. Yet, his personality is good to a fault. You don't see any…dark secret within him that actually lies about him. Besides, they look like they are soul mates. They get along quite well."
Glenn nodded. "But we can't make the choice for Kidd…"
"But we can at least give her a little boast in her love life. Like encouraging her to choose the right choice. We can boast up her morale," suggested Orlha.
"Yes, but how?" asked Glenn intently.
Orlha cocked her head and scratched behind her head. She smiled and laughed like a schoolgirl. "You know, I never really thought of that."
Glenn sweatdropped. "Orlha, you just came up with a great idea, then you blow it off when you don't even think about how you going to plan it."
"I do have a plan, but it's going to be hard since Serge isn't-"
Somewhere around the café, a young lad started to point up the sky. "Look everyone!" he said, pointing at a huge speck with wings fluttering over the café. All the people around the café started to gaze up into the sky, dropping their things and watch the amazing scenery before them. The spectators watched in awe as the speck flew around the café then to the right. Orlha and Glenn were quite surprised by this sudden strange creature coming out of nowhere with its pure white, wings fluttering magnificently through the blue sky.
"We rarely see that every day," said Glenn, blocking the sun's rays from his eyes. "I only see seagulls and other birds flying up the sky, but I have never seen a bird this huge with those huge wings."
"No kidding," said Orlha, turning her gaze to Kidd who was looking up at the same mysterious figure flying above. "If only Kidd could sort out her feelings, she would go to the right path."
Taking his gaze off the flying figure, Glenn sat down and folded his arms around his chest. "That is true." Glenn would never involve himself to the fact of one's feelings. If the feelings of one are screwed, then something bad will bond to happen. Suddenly, Glenn snapped his fingers with a sudden idea. "I know! Let's talk to them individually." Orlha looked down at Glenn with a sudden confusion with her eyes. "You know, just plain conversation and bring up the subject absentmindedly. That way, maybe we can help out a bit."
The idea brightened Orlha's face. "Hey, that's a great idea, Glenn. I can talk to Kidd and you can talk to Serge. And either one of us talk to Di."
"Why must I speak with Serge?" whined Glenn.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Well, wouldn't Serge think it is weird that I bring that up suddenly?" asked Glenn.
Orlha gave a smile. "Glenn, you are his best friend and he would understand. Come on, just talk to him. After all, friends need to help each other out."
The young Dragoon knight nodded in agreement and looked into Orlha's face. A blush started to penetrate his cheeks. "You know, whenever you smile like that," he said shyly. "You like pretty that way."
Within the same moment, Orlha blushed by his remark. "Really? Thanks Glenn."
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After breakfast, with Di going back to the Inn to retrieve something, Kidd walked along the piers of Termina, still holding onto Serge's things just in case she sees him around. Her thoughts were truly jumbled mixed in with the worry of Serge and the mysterious figure that rescued her six weeks ago from her death. The scent of the sea matched the description of Serge and Di and yet, somehow, she couldn't figure out if it really is Serge or Di. She cursed herself for being an idiot to lose conscious that easily. Then she would of known the mystery figure easily with her mind still awake. Kidd slowed her pace and looked out into the ocean, quite mystified from its looks for the strangest reason.
Right then, a hand lightly touched her shoulder, surprising Kidd. Quickly, she whirled around and went into self-defense. Noticing the laugh she recognized, Kidd eased down and smiled. Serge smiled laughingly and looked at Kidd. "Scared you, ne?" he said.
Kidd couldn't help but breath nervously, trying to catch her scarring breath. "Oi, don't ever do that again, mate. I was caught up worrying where you've gone, I just zoned out."
"Gomen, Kidd. It's just so tempting to scare you," said Serge, easing away from his joyful matter. "Besides, I was going to meet you guys at the café, but I guess I was too caught on some things."
From the way he said it, Kidd got a suspicious feeling right then. "Like what?"
Serge was speechless from that point, obviously trying to think of his excuse. He is in the hot boiler at the moment. He scratched his head and looked up to the sky. "Urm…swimming…yeah… I went swimming for two or five laps or so…"
Observing him, Kidd looked at his messy hair, seeing that it was completely tangled and unruly as ever. She drew a hand and swiped a bang out of his eyes, looking fully at his deep blue eyes. "It doesn't look like you have been swimmin'." She leaned in and sniffed him on the neck, making him blush from her warmth. "But you do smell like sea water. I'm still not convinced." Slowly, she turned her back on him as she looked up into the sky.
"Could Serge have gone somewhere isolated and made out with a girl?" thought Kidd. She whirled around and looked at Serge's lips. There was no lipstick or no moist within his mouth that indicated that he was making out with a girl. Serge was completely innocent and he, after all, did not make out with a girl. Kidd sighed in relief and smiled at Serge. "Whatever it was, it sure made your hair all messed up." Looking down at the bundle in her arms, she slowly handed back Serge's things. "Here, you left these in the room."
"Arigatou, Kidd," he said, putting on his shirt and shoes on swiftly. "Since I didn't meet you in the café, how can I make it up to you?" he asked, pushing his bangs back, even though his bangs went right back in front of his face.
Smiling, she leaned in and looked closely at Serge. "I don't know…but it's gonna cost ya. It will cost ya really big," she said.
Serge blushed once more to look at Kidd in real close call. Deeply, he could see the beautiful blue eyes she has, gazing into them. "Hmm…what about-"
"Serge!" yelled a voice from his right. Turning away from her gaze, Serge looked at the person who is calling him and greeted the person back.
"Glenn, what is it?" he asked as Glenn reached him and Kidd.
"Hey, want to join me for a walk? Maybe a game in the gaming stands?" he asked, trying to catch his breath. "Kidd, Orlha's looking for you. She wants you to meet her at Termina Bar."
Kidd nodded and stared into Serge, smiling briefly. "By the time I get back, you better have a good pay back for me. See ya later, mate." Turning around, she ran towards Termina Bar, leaving Glenn and Serge watch over her retreating form.
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Sounds of loud broken cups started to consume the whole surroundings of the booth, with the stands nothing but dust and broken pieces of the clay cups. People watching started to clap. Glenn tossed a decorated rock up and down with a proud expression on his face. He turned to Serge and smiled evilly. "Hehe beat that Serge. Try beating my score of 100," said Glenn.
Serge was out in the sidelines, yawning as he came up to the booth as if it was no big deal. The clerk started to stack the ten cups up the pyramids and stand aside from the throwing view. Serge grabbed the rock and tossed it three times or so on his hand. "Okay, but you will lose," he said.
"I'm not counting on it," said Glenn, watching in the sidelines.
"Wanna bet?"
"Yeah…10,000 gil," said Glenn proudly.
Grabbing the rock firmly into his grasp, Serge aimed and threw the rock from one pyramid, clattering everything in sight.
From the on going minutes, repeated clatters of clay cups started to fall one by one. More people gathered around and started to cheer on by counting, more crowds then they bargained for, more than Glenn's crowd. Especially the young women around the stands due to Serge's good looks and well develop physique. Glenn, on other hand, couldn't believe his eyes. Serge managed to hit hundred and eighty seven within ten minutes, non-stop. Serge kept on going without any hesitation to stop, hitting three more down for 190.
"194, 195, 196…" the crowd cheered as Serge kept on at it. "197, 198, 199…" With one last throw, Serge gave that fervent throw and hit the last pyramid. "200!!!" Everyone cheered for his great victory. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he smiled at Glenn, who was unbelievably defeated by that time.
"Who's styling now?" said Serge, showing great pride with a winning fist.
"I know, I know. You got lucky this time," said Glenn.
Serge smiled slyly and extended his hand out to Glenn. "Well, I won. Give me the 10,000 gil you owe me."
With tears streaming down like waterfalls, Glenn reached into his pocket for his pouch. Just when he was about to take it out, Glenn's mind suddenly clicked on the idea. "Hey let's get something to eat. It's all ready twelve and its passed lunchtime. And it will be my treat! Come on, what do you say, Serge? I know you get all jelly when it comes to food."
Stepping away from the booth, Serge shrugged and walked with Glenn to the Marketplace, crowded full of people at the moment. They walked in silence as they inspect a place to grub down some food. Around, Serge could catch some conversations among the people, passing by them.
"Did you see that huge flying thing up in the sky?" said a little boy, pointing up the sky to refer the concept he is talking about with his mother. "They said it was an Angel'."
His mother shook her head. "Don't listen to those rumors, young man. Apparently, all of it is not true."
"But I saw the thing this morning!"
"It's probably a big bird. Don't talk rubbish!"
Serge scratched his head. He was quite confused with conversation of the young boy and his mother. Talks about an Angel? He just scratched his head once more, quite confused with this. "What's this talk about an Angel?" asked Serge, expressing his wondering thoughts out as he looked up the sky.
"This morning, while we're in the café, we saw this huge figure with huge wings flying above us in the sky. It caught a lot of attention from the people. And now, after they seen it, people are spreading rumors about this flying figure. Some say it was just those Dodos. Some even said they are probably big birds. But most of all, they say that the figure was an Angel watching over us," explained Glenn.
The concept was still confusing in Serge's mind, yet he sighed and let that thought drift away. People's wild imagination is what Serge could think of. Right then, Glenn found a little grill place to eat lunch at.
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Glenn rubbed his belly as he leaned back in his seat, feeling content with the amount of food he gathered. Serge sighed happily, same position as his dragoon friend is. With ten plates each clattered on top of each other with six bowls of meat and poultry, this is a fit for the two friend's hunger.
"How much do we have to pay?" asked Glenn as he yawned stretch. Carefully, Serge looked at the bill and sighed.
"Just about 1,000 gil. You have at least 10,00 gil with you right?"
Glenn stretched and grabbed the right amount of money, giving the bill and the money to the cashier. Serge starred into the busy people outside, watching the liveliness within the city. He could feel the happiness people are living through, even some with sad and angry emotions that spark Serge's mind. Yet, even with mixed, opposite emotions, he knew that he must finish his duty once and for all. In the middle of his thoughts, Serge slowly gathered the Chrono Cross in his hands, observing its magnificent, yet mysterious powers that helped him through his journey and finding himself. The winds started to blow with his blue long bangs swaying rhythmically. He let the Chrono Cross dangle with the wind, turning his gaze to the sky, the sun nearing the horizon's peak. The way the sky looked, Serge loved that color. The deep blue when it is nearing the afternoon; the way the sky changes from day to night, feeling the deepest feeling within. Serge knew by sense that the skies are at peace and that nothing is being corrupted in this second summer month of July.
"Serge, you've just turned 18, huh?" asked Glenn, removing Serge's thoughts to Glenn's attention. Serge nodded, smiling. "I'm sorry that we missed it."
"That's fine," said Serge. "I was somewhat busy with things that are really important these days."
"Like what?"
Serge turned around in his seat, facing Glenn in front. "About myself," he said. "It just came to me then. I just don't know how, but it came to me. I don't know much about myself yet, but I know for sure that it's finally out. Yet, at the same time, it isn't."
"Really?" asked Glenn happily. "That is great news, Serge. Care to tell me what you found about yourself?"
Sighing, Serge looked reluctantly as if he answered that same question so many times and gazed down at the table, quite troubled by this. "I…can't. Not yet. I still need to find out some bits from Hahaue and…I'm not sure if I can trust-"
"-telling people about yourself," finished Glenn with a nod. "I understand, Serge. I will be patient and wait until you decided to tell us. Yet…" He looked at Serge's face, seeing some hope, yet second thoughts. "…you want to tell someone. A single being in which you want to entrust to keep what you are telling."
Serge sighed once more. "You guessed it Glenn. I want tell you guys. But, when I think about it, it might spread. So, I just only want to tell someone who is able to keep their mouths from spreading."
Glenn nodded understandably, knowing the concept Serge is trying to say. "You know, while you were gone for those passing weeks, Kidd was quite worried about you in truth."
"Kidd?" said Serge surprisingly. "How…worried was she?"
"Quite worried. She could not sleep or stop thinking about you. She was waiting by the pier for many hours for your return. Even though it looks as though you will never return, Kidd never gave up. She never gave up on you because you are a friend she never had who is so full wisdom and kindness."
"Did…I really…worry her that much…?" asked Serge, quite dissatisfied with the answer. "And I thought she was only worried about Di."
"Don't talk like that Serge. She cares about you. Deeply. I knew she had strong feelings for you." Slowly, Glenn looked intently to Serge's surprised eyes with a serious look on his face. "Now, tell me, how do you feel about Kidd?"
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"How do you feel about Serge, Kidd?" asked Orlha to Kidd in at the sight view spot. During their day in Termina, Orlha and Kidd spent time walking around and chatting all day, stopping here and there for food and interesting clothes. The two also went into the game place for a little prize time session. Right after their lunch/dinner meal, Kidd and Orlha walked around and talked about the same subject as Glenn and Serge are except a little more different. At the moment, Orlha just popped the question about Kidd's feelings toward Serge and Di.
Kidd was quite stunned by this sudden question from Orlha, wondering why she came up with it. "Come on Kidd, tell me how do you feel about Serge?" asked Orlha once more, looking intently in Kidd's sudden shy eyes. The young Radical Dreamer looked down, trying to avoid any subject that relates to her love relations. "It's a matter of life or death Kidd. I think you are in a love triangle or something," explained Orlha. "I'm serious Kidd. Tell me what you feel about him."
"Orlha, I don't want to say anything about it. I don't feel like talking about it," said Kidd, gazing down to the floor below.
"Look, you know it's only me and you around here. No one would listen to our conversation." Orlha did have a good point in some ways. Serge is not around since he is hanging around with Glenn and Di went somewhere once more without any knowledge where.
Kidd sighed and looked up to the now afternoon sky. "Well…whenever I look at Serge, I would always know that I would always be safe with him around. He is kind, wise beyond his years, quite attractive…" Kidd smirked at another thought. "And quite built down…" Kidd coughed and moved on. "Anyways, he's a kind of guy who never let's you down, even though some things are quite impossible to do. But, even though he is quite strong and strange sometimes, I like him the way he is…even though I only knew him just a year ago." Sighing, she turned around and looked at her reflection in the water. "On the other hand, Di came back. I mean I liked him back when we were just little kids, yet I still have…somewhat a feeling towards him. Whenever I look at him, he would always seem so calm, as if panic is never an option in his category. Attractive like Serge, he is a good-natured man. There is so more stuff that I can think of."
"But…who you love more, Serge or Di?"
"I…don't know. That's the only problem. I'm not sure what to choose."
Orlha nodded and stood up straight, walking towards the Inn. "Kidd, I wish I could help, but I can't interfere with your feelings. Serge is a good person. So is Di. But, whatever you choose, I hope you will be happy. Choose the best for you to make you happy, Kidd. Don't let anyone hold you back to your path of feelings. See ya later!" With that, Orlha left Kidd alone in the same spot, making Kidd's thoughts in wonder.
"It's hard, Orlha. It's harder than you think," said Kidd, grasping her head with both hands in frustration.
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Glenn nodded as Serge finished his remarks about his feelings towards Kidd. (Ans: Am I evil or what? Sorry, can't say what Serge feels…YET) "So…you do, don't you?" asked Glenn. Slowly, Serge nodded, quite a little refreshed about this.
"I can't stop it," said Serge painfully. "If only I have chance to tell her…but…"
"Whatever it is Serge, you better go for it now," said Glenn, standing up. "Don't stand there and hide it. You have to tell her or it will be too late. Once you decide to tell them, it will all ready be too late. Think about it, Serge. Then you would do the right thing." Glenn stared at Serge's far away look, knowing that he will have a lot of things to think about and headed to the Inn.
Meanwhile, as Glenn left, Serge looked up into the sky, trying to decide on his feelings. "Should I…or should I not?" he said, closing his eyes. Intently, he listened to his soothing heartbeat, hearing it thump on every second. It started to time with the seconds of a clock, ticking every number. "Glenn is right. I should tell her," he said. "But still…it's not going to be easy." Serge sank in his seat. He put his head down and pondered there.
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Just when Glenn was about to go in, he spotted Orlha walking up towards him. He waved to her and she waved back with a somehow desperate look on her face. Noticing this, Glenn looked at her intently. "What is it?" he asked.
"I can't find Di," said Orlha. "I still need to talk to Di. But, he's nowhere to be found here."
"Orlha, it's getting dark. Let's wait until he returns to his room," said Glenn, trying to calm her down.
Sighing, she reluctantly agreed. "All right," said Orlha. "But…why do I got a feeling that something bad is going to happen?"
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Night soon came upon El Nido. Every single inhabitant started to go into the safety of their houses, coming and going through long and short journeys. Termina's crowded streets have suddenly decreased with only the young adolescences walking along to their own teenage behaviors. Among the small crowd, Kidd walked around aimlessly through the streets, heading into the streets that led to Termina Inn. From the moment Orlha left, Kidd couldn't stop thinking of the words she spoke, searing with truths that stung her mind like a bee stinging a person's own flesh and blood.
"Serge or Di, Di or Serge…I can't decide!" said Kidd tiredly. "I don't know what to choose!" Near the Termina Inn building, Kidd spotted a stone bench beside it. Gladly she took the seat for her time to think. "Everything…about them. I never want to part them." She closed her eyes and rethinks the times she shared with them, the moments of emotions, the moments of troubled situations.
~*~*~*~*~
Di and Kidd stood in the tree house, watching the sun settling into the horizon. "Isn't it pretty, Di?" asked Kidd, looking into Di's eyes.
He smiled weakly, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Yes it is. But not as pretty as you," he said and slowly leaned into her face. Kidd blushed, confused with the actions that was put upon Di. Slowly, Kidd drew away from him, away from his lips, away from his comfortable warmth.
"What's wrong?" asked Di, trying to come close to Kidd again.
"Don't do that, Di…not just yet. We're still too young…can't you just wait?" asked Kidd.
With a sigh, Di understood and looked out into the sea, quite depressed in some matters.
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Running along the beaches of Opassa, Kidd ran joyfully through the edge of the shores of the beach. Happily laughing under the cerulean skies, she sighted Serge, standing on the water's edge with his bare feet in the water. He turned around and saw Kidd coming right at him. He grinned his cute smile, turning to her with outstretched arms.
"Serge!" she yelled joyfully as she ran into his open arms. Inwardly, Serge wrapped his arms around her, swinging around as they collided with each other, each laughing joyfully.
Slowly, the spin halted and Serge looked into Kidd's eyes, complete devotion and passion were within them. "What are you doing here, mate?" she asked, looking deeply into his ocean-colored eyes. He smiled, seeing that she is curious as usual.
"I'm just looking into the sea. It soothes me whenever I have troubled thoughts," he said, letting his gaze run to the ocean. "Each time I look out, I would see myself sailing through the sea, feeling the winds coming towards my way. Yet, somehow, I feel as though sailing is not enough."
"What are you talking about? There's nothin' more exciting than sailing. What else could there be?" asked Kidd.
"Flying," he said. "I never really have seen beyond the clouds before. I never truly looked down from above. I sometimes wish that I would one day sprout wings and fly and see the world below me, seeing everything that I never seen before below and up close. I want to soar through everything."
Kidd looked out to the ocean with him. "If you do sprout wings, would you take me for a fly?" she asked.
Serge turned to her and smiled. "Of course! I don't want you to miss out anything fun."
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Kidd still sat there on the stone bench, thinking through her reminiscence one after another. Either memories are all wonderful, and Kidd couldn't decide. Who will she be happy with? Is Serge a good one or Di? "Maybe if I sleep on it, my mind would be cleared up," she said. Kidd rose from her seat and headed straight into the Inn.
Climbing the fleet of stairs, Kidd slowly took her time thinking and walking at the same time, considering the fact that she was aware of people coming her way, even though there is partially no one out in the halls. She finally reached her room's floor, walking and walking as she passed by doors with different numbers.
She finally reached her room, and slowly grabs the key from her pocket. Just when she was about to put the key in the slot, she turned the knob to see that it was open. "Who could be in my room? Could it be Serge?" She opened the door, excepting to see Serge lying on the bed sleeping when she realized that on the bed were Serge should be sleeping in, was a man that is similar to him sitting on his bed silently. "Di? What are you doing here?" she asked, closing the door slightly five inches from closing completely.
Di looked up after hearing her call her name. He arouse from his seat in the bed and signaled Kidd to come sit with him. "Kidd, there is something I wanted to talk to you about," he said, letting Kidd slip in to sit in his spot. Kidd took his seat and watched Di take his seat next to her. He didn't look at her for a while with the silence brewed, surrounding the room. From the looks of it, Kidd was somehow quite nervous, with Di and her alone in one room without any interruptions.
"I want to say something to you for a long time, and I can't hold it any longer," he began, clenching his thigh nervously.
"What do you mean?" Kidd asked.
"Ever since I met you, I somehow was attracted by your looks and by your personality. You are not like other women around here, Kidd. And…"
"And?"
"And that I don't want to become more than just friends."
Beyond the confusing words she heard from Di, Kidd knew were he is going at. Panic started to flood in her mind as her eyes widened at the realization she just endured. "He...wouldn't-" she thought.
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Down the lobby of Termina Inn, Serge just walked in, his head bowing down as his mind was in deep thought. He was not quite satisfied about today, even with the lingering thoughts he has due to his somewhat grouchy behavior. He looked up the stairs that leads to his room, thinking if he should be go up there and confess or not. He lingered there for a moment, deciding whether to go or not. "But…I have to. I can't just leave it bottle up in me anymore. I have to tell her. I must tell her how I feel."
His heartbeat started to thump in his chest, feeling nervous about this. Finally, with enough courage he mustered, Serge started to climb the stairs quite slowly, feeling his heart quicken every step he takes. "I've got to, or it will be too late."
Serge finally reached the desired floor. Turning to his right, he paced himself towards his room. He knew that Kidd would be in there, waiting for his arrival. Probably waiting for his opinion to pay her back with from being absent for almost one month now. Yet, he couldn't help himself. Somewhere around the lines, he has to leave. For the sake of his insanity, he must mend to control whatever is changing his body. He never really thought about what to do, but he knew only one alternative: to show that he finally found out about himself in most parts. Just when he was about to open the door, the door was slightly ajar. Curiously, he peaked in through the door and saw something that made his feelings feel in utter shock.
"All my life, I wanted you to be more than my friend, Kidd," said Di from the other room. Serge looked away, trying not to eavesdrop on their conversation. "I wanted to protect you forever. I wanted to be there for you forever, my sweet Kidd. This is because…"
Kidd could feel the tears swelling in her eyes. She somehow refuses to hear those words, the words that signify the true emotions of all human beings. Something about his words is not right. Something within his voice is not right. "…because…I love you, Kidd."
Once those words were heard loud and clear, Serge's emotions were soon shot down to something unbearable. His eyes widen by those three words he just heard that confess a person's true feelings.
"And…I know that this is way too soon and everything…but…" Di drew his hand and cupped Kidd's chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. He started to lean forward, inching closer to Kidd's lips. "Can…I…"
Serge couldn't take anymore of this turmoil. He turned and looked through the open crack. His eyes widened even more as he saw Di nearing Kidd's lips. Serge clenched his fist tightly, angry and saddened by this dreadful scene he has to put up with.
"Will you…"
"Please…don't say it," thought Kidd, tears increasing in the rims of her eyes.
"Will you marry…?"
"Please don't…"
"Will please marry me Kidd?" asked Di, two inches away from her lips. Kidd's tears started to streak her cheek as she heard those words that she did not want to hear.
On other side, Serge stood with his back on the wall near the opened door, his bangs shadowing his pain and sorrow eyes and his fist clenched in anger for his lateness and sadness for his indecisive feelings. From this moment on, Serge was stripped down to a feeling of deep sorrow and melancholy, which would forever pain him in his life similar to the pain he felt when his father is dead. Watching them there, confessing their love for each other brought memories of that very day when his father was manipulated by FATE. Serge never thought that this kind of pain would ever return to his mind again. His heart is broken in half, his mind too demoralized to take action. Serge is in emotional break down. No longer will he ever find the light of happiness within his lake of depressing feelings.
*End of Chapter 24- Love Triangle…a feeling of hurt?
Like I said, no little synopsis from this point. Will Kidd decide to marry Di or will she go to Serge and repair his broken heart? Poor Serge…sorry to do that to you. It's up to you about this. Hehehe, Cliffhangers these days. Sorry for leaving you guys right here. But I will post Chapter 25 up soon. I can't spoil the title of Chapter 25 either, so you mine as well wait. Anyways, please review and I hope you enjoy this portion of the story, Angelus Errare. (Probably there would be fluff in there, but not truly physical…MAYBE). Anyways, until next time, Ciao ^_^
