"Where do you want this?"Terra asked holding up some of your things. You give them a quick glance.
"In that box."You tell her pointing to the one by your closet. She puts them in there. Though decides to browse through a few of the boxes, pulling out a couple of things.
"Occult of Sadism? Nine Levels of Hell? Crucifixion of the Soul?"She reads rather eeried out."What the? Apostles of Lucifer? Scrolls of Etrigan? Okay...This is umm...interesting. Honestly I'm shocked."
"I like to collect different readings."You tell her. Closing up a box and sealing it."I have ancient one too. From King Arthur's time. From the sorceress Morgan Le Fey too. Their quite informative. Oh, my favorite. This is a good one."You take out the book and hand it to her.
She reads it causing her eyes to nearly pop out."Satisfaction of Devouring Souls."
"One of my favorites. Especially chapter 4."
"Wh-What's chapter 4 about?"Terra asked, though regretted the question.
"Damning souls."You said plainly, with a smile."I also have a copy of the Book of the Dead too. That one I'm still trying to get through."
"I-I'm just going to put this down."Terra tosses back, shivering."Do you have anything in here that isn't...isn't I don't know...Salem Witch Trial?"
"Oh!"
"Let me guess, you have a book on that too."She guess right."I shouldn't be surprised."
Chuckling to yourself, you assure you did have normal books."I do have some on botany and baking. No potions for the baking. There should be one in there about Chemistry too. From school."
Terra digs in the box, finding them rather buried. Taking out the books that covered them, she finds a couple of them. But what caught her eye, was you year book. She takes it out and flips through some the pages, stopping every now and then to read some of the messages.
"Wow.."She with a tinge of sorrow. Her eyes read over every single word. Moving through the book, she finds some pictures of you. Back to what you looked like. It surprised her. Never had seen what you looked like before. So use to seeing what you looked now. Black hair instead of white. Normal skin, instead of this chalky pale. One though that hadn't changed, your smile. Well, if she could call it one. Studying it closer, there was a difference in the smiles.
Here in the pictures your smile where small and timid. The smile you had on now, was still small but bright and content. If not merry. Did you not like your life back then? Looking at what the picture read under. "Chemistry Club." "Botany Queen." "Gymnastic 3rd place." There where a good amount of titles that you had.
So, this was your life before. A school girl. Looking at your rather prestigious uniform. The school you went to was no doubt a private one, high class it seemed. By the silver crest on the uniform. So you where loaded. Then again, maybe from whom ever housed you. Going through it, seeing other pictures of you and message written to you. When a couple of pictures fell out. Picking them up, gave her more a insight of you. What she saw surprised her.
It was you jamming. Yes, jamming on a guitar. With Dick. Someone clearly took the picture of the two of you, looking rather punkish and rock starish. Make up and all. Tongues sticking out. This had to Dick's place, older place. There was another one of you two, still with your rock star grab on. A close this time. The two of you where so happy and goofy. Showed the love between the two. It amazed her still, how much Dick loved you, even though the two you weren't even remotely related. Pictures like this, she'd expect you'd have with Raven. Then again, it was only not to long ago you found out she was sisters. That still was baffled her. Going through a few more, one of Christmas with you and Dick. A couple of either you or him. These where old no doubt.
Looking at the other boxes she didn't know why, but she begin to search through some of the boxes find a few other pictures. These more recent. It was with the others, before Damian. You where still human looking, she stops on one with Gar trying to kiss you. Going to the next one, to see him to being pushed out the way by Jaime. She couldn't help but find it funny. Going through a few more, stopping on one with you and Raven. Still in your normal look. This was taken in Photo Booth. Terra saw the tinge of happiness with the two of you, but it was most prompt in the next picture. This one was in your current appearance, it was of you and Raven reading back to back well, you had fallen asleep. Which by the way Raven's eyes slide back looking you, with a small smile that expressed more than Terra knew Raven could show. She was happy and proud. And caring.
Going through a couple more, till she came back to the first one. Puts them away and digs for more, like she was trying to find something. Which she did, a couple of framed pictures with everyone. A few older ones. None she realized of you as baby. Which was completely understandable. Though there was one she was trying to find, that she hadn't been able to, which was rather strange.
"I never realized how many pictures I have."Your voice behind her, startled her a bit. That she accidentally drops one of the frames.
"Sorry."She apologizes picking it up. Dusting it off."You do have a great deal of pictures."
Sitting next to her on the floor, look at the picture she had. You smile fondly remembering this moment."Yes. I like pictures, it's my way of persevering all that I've missed out. In life. Enjoy the best parts of life."
"I guess."Terra said, ravaging through the box again."I've noticed you have a great deal of pictures of you and everyone else. But, none of you and Boy Wonder."
Knowing who she was talking about, you had a answer."He is in group pictures. See."You how her.
She gives you a deadpan look."That's not what I mean."Taking out the photo of everyone with her in it."I mean just the two of you. You're both close right? Like close, close."Crossing her fingers.
"I know what you mean."You tell with a soft chuckle, looking back at the picture. Your eyes linger on him for a few moments and take a deep sigh."We've been through a lot. Damian and myself. He's...he's my best friend."Your do your best to keep your voice from cracking."It's funny, when we first met. Those years ago. Look at us now."
"...You really care for him don't you?"
You nod your head."Yeah. It seems though...whenever, whenever caring becomes too much..Life has a funny way of preventing it."Hugging the frame against your chest. The depressed and heart breaking look you had, left Terra speechless. She wasn't sure what to say."It's alright though."You come back and put it the frame back in the box."That's what pictures are for. I'm not moving that far. Thank you again for helping my pack."You turn to her."It's been really helpful."
"Sure. I had nothing better to do."She dismiss nonchalantly."Rather be in here, than around that zoo. So, you really want to move?"
"I have my things packed, don't I."
"Yeah, ya do. But, packing and actually wanting to move are two different things. Not once have you even bothered to smile about the whole thing. It's like a funeral in here, seeing you with such a grim look. You're not even remotely happy. And not to mention, you're seriously dragging your feet in packing. Because, really you didn't need me."Looking around the room."Why don't you just tell your cousin you don't want to go."
Her words where so simple and easy. Yet, they also where conflicting. It made you chuckle and cry. You didn't know which one you wanted to choose, so you did both. "..."
Terra didn't know what to do, seeing you break like this. Cracked. Eventually you pull yourself together, wiping your eyes."Y-You okay?"She was afraid to ask.
You give her a nod."Yes. Sorry. To be honest, I don't know which to choose. I've always dreamed of living with my cousin, since day one. But, circumstance prevented it. So, I guess now I can. Yet,"your voice trails off."I..."
Thinking quickly she changes the topic."Hey, I've been curious about your powers. I mean, not that much. Where do they come from? Your father? Trigon?"
The mention of his name flared your hated for a second, but you calmed down."You could say so."You said coldly."These, these powers of mine,"Looking at your hands. Wrenched with a burning rage and shame."They weren't given out of love. None of me is. These are more a curse than a blessing. Ironic considering who my mother is."Igniting your hand with your fire just a little.
"So, is are you powers the same as your sister's?"She inquires.
"Well, in some ways. We both can't give into our urges."You lament."If we do, well...it won't be pretty. You've seen what I can do. The difference between us though...she has to keep her self in check. While my powers must be unleashed. It burns..burns all the time keep them inside."She hears the pain and struggle in your words."I relish when they are free. I enjoy it. You see Terra, I want to burn everything. All the time."Your voice goes deeper, your eyes black and empty. A malice twisted smile stretched across your face.
Followed by a cackle."It will be so much fun. To see those wretched souls burn! Wouldn't you agree?"Looking at her, stopping sensing her rising fear. Even if she kept her cool. Doing your best not to enjoy such a treat. Apologize."Forgive me."
"N-No..."she exhales."It's alright. All that is in you, can't imagine the burden you feel. Everyday."
"Every fiber in my body, but, it's alright."You tell her, back to normal self."Despite it all, I know things are good. My blood is tainted and so is my soul, but, I will keep believing in the good. It's the only thing I have really."
"That's why you enjoy see society from afar. You feel their cruelty."She speculates.
"...Yeah...I've caused enough harm already. These markings, my appearance will be reminder no matter what."You give her a broken smile."...I'll always be nothing but a walking sin. The embodiment of it. A-A.."
"Witch. Demon."Terra whispers to herself. Finding you staring."What?"
"Terra...thank you."You embrace her. Stunning her."Thank you. Why don't we put a few more things away,"Standing up."You want to help me in the kitchen? Making chicken strips tonight. Spicy kinds."Holding your hand out."What do you say?"
She looks at you weird, shaking her head smirking. Taking your hand stands up with you."Sure."
After about another hour, the two of you finish and head to the chicken. Just as she said, she helped you get dinner ready. She did burn some, but that was okay. Once it was done, she pages everyone about it. They come minus one, Damian. Whom you had a good idea where he was. Putting his plate aside, you go and find him. Knowing his emotion the best out of everyone, nearly imprinted on you. Find him going over some thing.
"Brought you some dinner."You try to get his attention. Which didn't work, so you go over to him. Setting it down next to him.
He gives it a glance."Thanks."His tone pretty much telling you to leave.
Sighing, you leave to stop and look back at him. Opening your mouth to shut it."Damian..."You mutter under your breath just before leaving and just as he glances back.
