Chapter 9: A Chipped Heart
Ixion passed by the humans. His black suit and burnt orange dress shirt open as his auburn red locks fell about in the air, dusting his eyes. He smirked knowing his charm still caught the eye of the other sex passing by.
But he knew he had to find a loophole. The two sea-monsters Sedna and Varune didn't really get too far with their Spreading of Discord. He knew the advantage of causing a rift between human would only help him conquer the Guardian Senshi, and hopefully aid him in his own quest. If he couldn't depend on human-hosts to spread it alone, he'd have to get a bit creative. But he was good at that.
The people of the Earth were very commercial. They spent all their days on their purchases. Sure he wasn't one to talk, but whatever "money" they used it seemed to show used also to show people affection. Gifts. Purchases. Clutter.
His shoulder got pushed as a woman passed by him, following a male.
"I can't believe you forgot-"
"I'm sorry I've been-"
"I was left in the rain all night! And the other day you forgot our anniversary… I can't believe you!"
"Darling don't! Something happened-"
"No, I can't do anymore excuses... that's it we're done!" The woman ran away after throwing something at the man.
Ixion turned to see a small charm had hit his foot. A heart. How adorable. He picked it up.
"Can you give that? I'll see if I can return it…"
"It's really too bad. It is a nice charm." Ixion looked at it hard. "Tell me where did you get it?"
"I'll show you. It's a little shop around the corner. Alhtough, looks like I won't be going there for a while."
"Love. It's a complicated thing isn't it." Ixion smiled.
"I'm sure you don't have a problem…"
"Oh I do. But I think I'll be able to fix it sooner than later." Ixion entered the doors behind the boy.
"How can I help you?" A taller young woman with black hair, and large blue eyes asked.
"I'm here to return this."
"Why? I thought you said your girlfriend would love it?" She took the charm delicately in her hands.
"She did. Until she dumped me. I don't even need the money back. Here." He drooped out of the room.
"Oh." She silently stood in the room for a moment.
Ixion shuffled around the room.
"Can I help you sir?"
"I was looking for a charm…something to do with love…or relationships or-" Ixion gave her a dangerously charming stare.
"Oh well…I hope you weren't… I mean I do, they're over here."
Ixion looked at the case. So many for love. Charon really did give him a good play for this Seed. Speaking of seeds…
"This one…what is it?"
"Oh its called 'Apple of my Eye'." Its supposed to look like the inside of an apple…in the shape of a heart. I have ones for couples too…where the two halves fit. They can put them wherever and-"
"What was the one that gentleman brought in?"
"Oh it looks damaged. I really hate that that had to happen…I opened this shop so people didn't have to end up like that…I wanted to bring people closer together …"
"Bitten by the poison apple of love once too?" Ixion raised a brow and put his hand close to hers.
"Oh…oh I shouldn't say."
"Oh it's fine. My name is Aden Ixion. And yours?"
"Adori. I did…and when my mom passed, I made our jewelry store into a charm store…so people could have charms to give them reminders…luck for their relationship. My relationship ended harsh…but I can remember the pain so well…we were going to get married. But enough about me…what about you?"
"I'm still looking. I have my eye on someone…but I'm afraid I'm not the first to try and steal her heart. On the other hand, I like this charm. I think I could use it to my advantage …but you see Adori, I need your help. I need these charms to be a bit more- modified…"
"Darien! Oh Darien!" Serena entered the apartment and snuck over to the black haired man with his back turned at a desk.
"Surprise!"
"AHH!" Darien's book fell off the desk, and his phone collapsed on the ground.
"Serena, I was on the phone- can you just let me do this for a minute-"
"But I wanted to Surprise you!" Serena gulped "Well I wanted to see if you wanted to come to the festival tonight! And maybe go boating today, its so nice! Jus the two of us and-"
"Serena, I'd love to but …I'm taking a course tomarrow. Its just a day, but I need to read up on some material. I just got the second spot, and I'm trying to see if another colleague of mine wanted to go. I'm going to be busy today Serena I'm sorry."
"Oh…Well I'm sorry I messed up your call."
"I'll talk to you later, Maybe I'll be able to show up."
"So whose the colleague your bringing? Maybe you could set him up with Leta, you know she's been looking for a boy-"
"No, no Serena, she's a woman. Hana Hachickio. We were in a lot of classes together and I think she'd like it. She was always into the social sciences edge to the aspect of hard politics and I think that she'd appreciate if I brought…or at least invited her. I was about to call her when you came in. Maybe even catch up…I think she's been doing some interesting stuff since we graduated- "
"Well I don't want to interrupt. I'll just be leaving now."
"Oh don't be like that Serena, you know I'd spend time with you if I could afford it. Maybe if- *sigh* I'll have to let you know later. Don't be mad Serena."
"I'm not. I'll head out now."
"Later Serena." He called out as she left. He turned around to give a tug back to him, but she was already gone. He didn't want to ditch her, but he had to catch up a bit…although…he didn't understand why she got so distant when he mentioned other girls? She couldn't possibly think?
"What's up Serena? You look glum?" Mina asked.
"Oh its just that Dariens got so much going on now that he wants to make up for his year away I-"
"Don't be so selfish! He's back with you, and when he has the time he'll spend time with you." Rei scolded.
"His studies are going to be important Serena. He's going to regain his spot as Prince of the Earth eventually." Ami nodded.
"But I get it. It sucks to be pushed to the side." Leta agreed with Serena.
"Actually I felt bad. I knocked over his book and phone this morning. I should have been more careful."
"Wow Serena, actually scolding yourself. Makes my job easier." Luna retorted.
"Well then, why don't you get something to apologize? Maybe then he'll be more into spending the night at the festival with us!" Mina smiled pulling Serena off the floor.
"Funny how you guys always end up shopping for therapy. I don't get it." Artemis watched as the girls rush to the door of the temple.
"I, frankly don't get it either." Luna sighed.
"Oh I thought it was a girl thing." Artemis looked to Luna with a sigh, as the girls ran off.