Chapter 11. February, 2009

February 2, 2009

This month is going to feel somewhat awkward. It's the month of love after all, and yet the object of my affection doesn't even know how much exactly he means to me. I haven't seen much of him lately, as he's been more involved in his Keter studies and MTF duties.

I don't hold it against him. I understand he wants to better himself and have it better. But still…I'm beginning to wonder if my prince valiant really is getting ambitious.

And Gears continues to pester me, despite Dr. O'Reilly trying his hardest to get the man off my case. Again, I'm not Keter class so I have no clue why he's so interested. He knows Cool and I are friends, but I fear he's trying to get the whole truth out of me.

We all know if he does, it'll lead to disaster for me and for him. When you love someone, they come first. You never hurt them, and you do all you can to keep them safe and happy. Gears can torment me all he wants, but that rat bastard will never get what he wants from me.

I'll never break to him and that's a promise.

Yours,
Caddy

February 9, 2009

Cool's finally come back around to see me. I've been trying to get him to tell me when his birthday is, but he won't tell me.

"I don't celebrate birthdays all that much" he admitted.

I was shocked and put my book down. "What?! Why?!"
"It's just one year I'm closer to dying. It's no big deal really".
"Oh hush! It is a big deal! It's the birthday of my best friend so of course it's a huge deal to me!"

Cool raised an eyebrow. "You're really worked up about this aren't you?"

I nodded. He has no idea how much it means. My friend sighed.

"And knowing you, you'll stop at nothing until you find out".
"I'm stubborn" I shrugged, but smirked with pride.

Cool face palmed. "If you must know, it's March thirteenth".

I held back a squeal. His birthstone is one of my favorite gems, the Aquamarine. It fits, as the dragon figurine I made him for Christmas had that same crystal. My smile widened.

"Don't smile too much" Cool grinned, "Your face will crack".

I couldn't hold back a laugh. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind".
"I'm almost done with my studies. Just a few more months and I'll be a full scale researcher".
"So I've heard. Bet you're excited".
"Oh you have no idea. I'll be able to see you whenever I please".

I felt my smile fall. "Even if they don't approve?".
"Caddy…I don't care if they approve or not. When I'm a researcher, I won't need Gears' approval. Hell, were it up to me, I'd be keeping you as far from him as humanly possible".
"As lovely as that would be I'm afraid I'd lose you too"

He got up and moved some hair from my face. His touch was so gentle, so soft, and I felt my heart slam in my chest.

"I'd follow you anywhere, Cadence Leah Revan. And I mean anywhere".
"I…I don't know what to say" I really didn't, as my mind was going blank.

I love him…by god, do I love him. I only wish I could tell him. Once again it's been one those days where I wish I was born normal, and that he could ever possibly love someone, something, like me.

Yours,
Caddy

February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day! The day of love is here and I'm making it my personal goal to make a certain doctor my very own valentine. Even if it's just a day.

But it seems I have at least three admirers here at the site. When I came back from my library trip, I found three separate bouquets of flowers: Tulips, lilies, and roses to be exact.

Each had a small card with different handwritings. The tulips, mixed of red with pink and white, with an odd black tulip in the center, was from Clef. His card stated it was just a friendly gift but I'm not sure I believe that really. But why one black tulip? It's got me thinking of what it could possibly mean.

The other two are secrets, but I have a feeling the roses, which are mostly yellow with red tipped petals, are from Cool. The card was taped to a small white box. In the box was a diamond heart charm for the bracelet he got me.

The last one, the lilies, I have no idea…ugh, I hate holiday related mysteries. I'll write more later if I find out more…

Later

I knew it! Cool left the charm and the roses! He dropped by as I was reading earlier and saw I had hooded the heart next to the leaf. The smile he gave me was knowing, too knowing.

But he saw the tulips and lilies as well and I noticed his smile drop. I've never taken my Prince Valiant to be the jealous type, but I knew right there and then he had an issue.

Can it be that…that what I've wished for so long, is slowly coming true? Can a man even love an anomaly despite all that she is?

I hope so. Dear lord I hope so.

Yours,
Caddy

February 21, 2009

So, they've decided once again to test my abilities on other SCPs…these idiots.

Gears is getting desperate. He's pit me against 106, that didn't work. Now he thinks 173 (The Sculpture, Euclid Class like me) could finish me off. I have to admit, it came close, but apparently it didn't know about my crystal touch.

I can't avoid blinking, no one can. But I also happen to be rather good at staring off into space while keeping half my mind on a task. Difficult, but not impossible. I kept my eyes on the thing, and, when I did blink, I rolled as far away from it as possible. I find if you can keep as low to the floor as possible, it can't get you.

I'm short enough as it is, but it can't get me on the floor. Yes, it was as disgusting as it sounds, but necessary. When I was in a more secure corner, I crouched, and removed my now ruined gloves.

"Come and get me" I said and blinked.

It fell right into my trap. With a speed I didn't know I had, I rolled out of its way. Now safely behind the damn thing, I kept my eyes open as I put both my hands to the floor. Under me it turned metallic and black, hematite. I rolled back closer to the sculpture and grabbed both of its feet. I watched as the concrete of its legs turned to hematite with small flecks of fire agate.

"Snap my neck, not today!" I got up and to be safe moved away.

I blinked…and it was stuck. I grinned and I felt it turn to a full smile. I just defeated the original SCP at its own game.

When I walked out, there was stunned silence amongst the researchers. Cool was there, and moved through the small crowd. Like the others he looked stunned. But his expression changed to a smile of admiration.

"Cadence…" he said my name with an air of shocked intrigue.

Once again, I found myself feeling powerful. Nobody could believe what I had just done. Hell, I still can't believe it. I stole a glance at Gears who remained stone cold as usual. But Bright looked impressed and Clef had an oddly encouraging smile. Gears put his hands behind his back.

"Cool, take 2991 back to its cell. Testing is done for the day".

He nodded and led me out. I didn't really want to talk, but apparently he did.

"You're getting stronger Cadence. I'm proud of you".
"It's not really strength. You just have to think on your feet…and be fast".
"Well still, I'm proud of you, Caddy".

It meant more to me than he'll ever know. I just wish I could tell him. He has a right to know how I feel. But I never will.

I know myself too well. I'd never risk our lives that way. I only wish I could, that I was brave enough.

Yours,
Caddy

February 28, 2009

Ever since the test with SCP 173, Gears has backed off. However, Clef appears more interested. He knows I hate being the center of attention, which is sadly what I've become over the course of the week. Other SCPs apparently now want to take me on. I don't want to fight anyone. I was just trying to survive.

Clef and I walked around the site with Dr. O'Reilly close behind us.

"Gears is actually kinda impressed with you. Takes a lot to do what you did" Clef told me.
"Maybe now he'll actually leave me alone".
"Heh…keep dreaming".
"What does he even want?"

Clef shrugged slightly. "I've heard rumors but no one really knows what that man's after, if anything".
"Rumors?"
"Yeah, they've been going around since last year. I hear he feels threatened".
"Threatened?" I almost stopped, "By who?"
"You".
"Me? Why? I haven't done anything".
"You're a huge influence on his pupil. It's strange. You two just pull together. You're like magnets".
"You say that like it's a bad thing".
"Don't get me wrong. I don't think it's really all that bad. Gotta say though, whatever exactly it is between you and Cool, it's intense".

I looked at Dr. O'Reilly for a moment and he shook his head. Clef didn't need to know either. I turned back and the other researcher had more news for me.

"Cool's fearing for you from what I hear. He thinks if Gears can't kill you, he can have you classified as a Keter".
"He can't!" I stopped and Dr. O'Reilly came to my side, "He doesn't have the authority!"
"No but he can-"
"Take it to the O-5s? He's been there, tried that" Dr. O'Reilly told him, "We contested him if you don't remember".
"I know but that was a different matter entirely. Gears was talking about termination last time. Re-Classification is different. It's a lot less extreme. After the test with 173, I wouldn't be surprised if-"
"They won't reclassify me. I won't let them take my freedom" I objected.
"You're beginning to talk like a revolutionary" Clef told me.

I looked over at him. "Not a revolutionary" I replied, "A human being".

The two men watched as I took myself back to my cell. That's how I felt about the O-5 Council. If they can't take me as a human being, they can watch me walk away.

I am anomalous, but I'm human. I'm Cadence Leah Revan, and I'm the Crystal Princess. For once I actually feel proud of it.

Yours,
Caddy