So I wrote this in a sleepy daze and forgot about it till now lol I did edit it a good bit but I'm sure some sleepy Ashley is still poking about lol Let me know if you see anything weird or fucky :P
Anyway~ here's just a one-shot idea I'm had bouncing around in my head and I hope you enjoy!
Ever since I was young, I was told tales of the great Maligula.
For each young psychic, she was the showcase of how dangerous it could be to let your brain be in such a sensitive state while battling for the greater good. Her change, her tampering, is what we were taught was dangerous. Her abilities were rare and her state made her a target. So young psychics with unique abilities were taught to be careful with themselves. Careful with their mindsets. So another Maligula could never occur.
But that was before people heard of the Aquatos.
I walked across the outside railing of the Motherlobe as my thoughts wandered easily.
When people realized that Lucrecia Mux had a sister and that line continued before her passing, they started panicking. They started to worry about what that bloodline would lead to and that another Maligula would occur. That her great-nephews and nieces would end up exactly like her.
I shook my head as I jumped up onto one of the flat rocks leading to where my garden was hidden from wandering eyes.
I could understand that from looking at my family line. The Zanottos family is full of powerful psychics. Each one a master of herbaphony. A true showcase of how who you're related to can truly impact who you are as both a psychic and a person.
Though knowing this doesn't help the poor Aquato that's supposedly at the Motherlobe now. I heard he's around my age too. He's a new student in the intern program and I heard dad talk about him a little, but I didn't hear too much beyond that. I heard he's ironically exactly what people fear from the Mux bloodline.
A hydrokinesis specialist.
I stopped in my tracks as I noticed a figure around my size walking slowly amongst the small garden I made within what I thought was a secret patch. A small ball of water floated by their side as I got a better look at the boy. He was watering my plants with little splashed of water as he walked through each little patch and I watched with wide eyes as a green-eyed boy seemed to have noticed my presence and turned his head toward me. A slight bit of fright in his eyes as I realized that I have never met this kid before.
And I think he found his way into my little Garden of Eden.
"Sorry." The boy mumble the word a little as he snapped his fingers and made the little ball of water shatter into little drops. Each one fell to the ground gently as a bashful look took over his face. "Is this yours?" It took me a moment to snap out of shock a little as I took a step closer to the boy.
"Yeah. Sorry for the silence there." I tried my best to act nonchalant as I slipped my hands into my jacket's pockets. "Kinda just surprised you found my little hideaway." I nodded over toward the Motherlobe as I got a little closer to the stranger. "Not many people mess around out here."
"I-." He cleared his throat for a moment as he seemed to mimic my motions with him slipping his hands into his jacket as well. "I was looking for a spot near the water to relax." He shrugged a little as he looked out over toward the building behind me. "Been a bit anxious with how everyone has been treating me."
"I get that." I felt myself smile a little as I pulled my hands out of my pocket and put them on my hips instead. "I made this little spot for that exact reason. Though, to have some alone time with my plants." I watched a small smile spread across his cheeks as he glanced down at a small lily I had recently planted. "I guess you're a hydrokinesis specialist?
"And I guess you're a herbaphony psychic?"
"Right on the money there, my friend." I smiled wide as his eyes met mine once more. "Is hydrokinesis all you do?"
"Actually, Mr. Zanotto calls me a joker in a deck of cards, but hydrokinesis is my favorite for sure."
"You know my dad?" I smirked a little as I crossed my arms over my chest with ease.
"You're Lili then? He's told me about you." I nodded my head proudly as I shot out my right hand toward him. Right over the lily between us.
"The one and only. Nice to meet ya." He looked at my hand hesitantly, but he lifted a gloved hand and took mine with ease. "What's your name?"
"Razputin." He smiled gently as we shook our hands a few times. "Razputin Aquato." I smiled right back at him to make sure he felt secure in my presence. "But I like to be called Raz."
"Raz it is then." This caused him to have a wide grin spread across his face in a flash. His self-conscious aura washed away with ease as he grew more confident before me.
"Nice to meet you." We dropped our hands with ease as I just kept smiling at the fellow psychic.
"Likewise." My mind started to wander as I took in a few more details of Razputin.
His smile is soft and the gleam in his eyes seems genuine. His undershirt looks tattered and a bit on the older side, but his jacket seems well-loved. Same with the pilot's cap and goggles resting on his head. Honestly, from what I could see before me, he looked like any other kid that could have gotten picked up by the Psychonauts. A bit cuter than most of the strange boys they find, but not out of the ordinary by the looks of it.
I bit the inside of my cheek as I tried my best not to blush at the last thought that echoed in my mind.
How in the hell can this kid be so dangerous? Why would anyone think this kid would hurt anyone?
"Gentle."
I snapped my attention down toward the lily between Raz and me as it spoke gently to me. Its soft and melodic voice echoed in my head as if it was trying its hardest to justify the word choice.
"Gentle."
I swallowed hard as I looked back up toward Raz. A confused look on his face as he was looking down at the lily.
"Is it speaking with you? I hope I didn't overwater them on you or something. The dirt just looked a little dry."
"Sweet."
"Kind."
"Caring."
"Gentle."
"It's not upset with you." This caused him to bring his attention back up toward me as I tried my best to decipher the other voices that were now joining the lily. All of which were speaking kindly about the boy before me. "They're singing your praises, honestly." This caused him to blush bashfully as he just put his hands behind his back.
"Just wanted to help is all. Wasn't an issue."
"Well, they think you were quite caring and kind with them."
"I'm glad." He smiled as if he was given the most valuable praise he had ever received. A sweet and delicate look in his eyes as he let my words sink in. "Not many people think of me as such, after all."
"I can't see why, honestly." With that, his face fell. A small frown took over what was once a beautiful smile in my eyes.
"You did hear my name correctly, right?"
"Razputin Aquato."
"Emphasis on the Aquato." I shrugged at the idea as I gave him a small smile to reinforce my words.
"So what?" He gave me a wide-eyed look as I gestured to the many little flowers in my garden. "You walked into my Garden of Eden and the first thing you do is tend to the plants when others would have plucked them from the ground or walked right on past. That says a lot about your character and the plants themselves agree." I crossed my arms as I gave him a curious look. "You do know that gardens have been used for worse things, right? Like tempting sin and shit? You're no Lucifer from the look of it for sure."
"So my name doesn't frighten you?"
"Should I be frightened of you?" I tilted my head a little as it was obvious that was something he was never asked before. I could tell he swallowed hard before answering me in a stutter.
"N-No. But most people-."
"That's where you're wrong." I gave him a smirk as I put my hands in my jacket once more. "I'm Lili fucking Zanotto. I'm not like most people and I don't fear you at all." I saw a small look of awe shine in his bright green eyes as he just looked at me for a moment. As if he was trying to see if there were any reasons to not put trust in my words. After a few moments, he spoke gently in such a way it almost broke my heart.
"Thank you."
"For what?" I gave him a curious look as a sad but gentle smile graced his lips.
"For not comparing me to my great aunt. For giving me a chance."
"As long as you don't give me a reason to not trust ya, we're good." I gave him a smirk as I reached out to knock my fist against his shoulder. "Not just anyone can win over my plants so easily, after all."
"Really now?"
"Trust me, my dad has tried. They don't just like anyone. Much like myself."
"So I should consider myself lucky, huh?" I felt my heart skip a beat as a goofy half-smile took over his face. His green eyes somehow became comparable to the beautiful shade of evergreens as he seemed to become quite comfortable in my presence.
"In accomplishing both there? Absolutely." He laughed a little in response which caused my mouth to dry suddenly.
Okay, maybe there was something to fear with this boy. There was something about him that unique. Something that was messing with me a bit.
"Loving."
He's no devil. He's definitely no Razligula.
"Tender."
But this boy was causing something to stir within me that I couldn't quite understand just yet.
"Love."
And I honestly doubt I'll ever get enough.
