UNNOTICED
RISE
CHAPTER 17: All This Time?!
It was a starry night beneath the city of love, with visitors and locals alike touring around, sightseeing within many of its romantic sceneries. Delicious food, different tastes of wine, attractions both historical and modern. In a place such as Paris, there was truly no shortage when it came to searching for a good time. Plenty of restaurants were booked, the streets bustled with folks from all walks of life. It was a rather peaceful scene, which has become somewhat rare now since after akumatization became a thing.
*CRASH*
Well, almost peaceful.
"Focus on your wand."
*GROWL!*
"Hold steel!"
"Never mind them, dear."
"I said steel!"
Within a humble apartment lived by a family consisting of 3 (4 if counting the cat) individuals, a certain mess was under fruition.
Mushrooms sprouting at the floor, the television set and the fridge stuck by the ceiling, the faucet finding itself glued to the feline's side, and all of the house plants currently waging war against the snacks.
*GROWL*
Shadow furiously growled.
"Right…Just stay…Zelewamo!"
From the tip of Wendy's wand, a beam of yellow colored light suddenly manifested, making its way and shooting straight towards the four-legged animal. The cat didn't yelp, nor did it jump or scream, it appeared rather unharmed by the ordeal as the tap had finally fell off.
Shadow inspected himself. Processing what had just occurred. His eyes wandered around for a moment purely in confusion. Yet, once his mind became settled however, he instantly glared directly at Nathanael's direction. Shooting him daggers.
The boy, in reaction, merely bobbed his face in sheepishness. Knowing that he was fully at fault there.
"Nate?"
He was snapped out.
"Your wand? The cup. Please."
The redhead turned to his mother, Naomi, when she called, and he obliged to her request.
He shifted his entire position to face forward where the counter was. Sitting atop of it, was a cup, small and made of porcelain, fragile, scarlet in color.
"Right." Guided Naomi, leaning to his left ear for him to listen carefully. Speaking with a tone of sincere gentleness. "Now, imagine it moving from point A to point B. Got that?"
He nodded, and afterwards, when she stepped away, the boy revealed his green wand and pointed it straight directly to where the cup was.
Just as he was instructed on, Nathanael shut his eyes, and made his mind shut as well. He inhaled a huff of air, prior to then waving his enchanted baton and struck the cup with a beam of blue. Once it hit his target, all went silent, anticipating for something to occur. Inwardly, Nathanael prayed that this time, he would finally be able to accomplish in doing it right.
His eyes observed it keenly, waiting for something to occur. As he done so, the boy suddenly jerked, seeing as the item fortuitously commenced in shaking.
He watched as it vibrated, trembling nonstop till abruptly a leg grew from the cup's bottom. Then followed by a second leg. Then an arm. Two arms. Eyes. Nose – A whole face.
"Rwap! Rwap! Rwap!" The cup cried repeatedly. 'Dancing' an obscure dance, before jumping off from its elevated position and unto the floor, where it tackled a cookie and begun feasting on its remains. This, 'gruesome' act was quickly followed by many plants encircling the cup and engaged in seemingly celebrating.
"You have a very disturbed mind." The cat commented. Hopping to sit on where the cup had previously been.
In response, Nathanael gave the feline a cold glare.
"Alright…" Wendy clapped her hands loud enough in order to attain for everyone's attention. Her plastered smile potentially indicating that she too was weirded out at what the boy had somehow, unintentionally, just done. "I think that's it for now. What about we take 5?"
Nathanael didn't need to be told twice as he instantly sighed out a breath of exhaustion from his mouth.
Instantly, he sat at the nearest (still intact) chair he could find and had practically flopped on it. He breathed in and out some more until his brain regained the strength to focus on something else aside from his own fatigue.
Cerulean orbs trailed around to observe at his own surroundings. Gazing at all the odd chaos that was running amok. Witnessing as his home becoming essentially an arts museum (and no, it wasn't a complement).
Topsy-turvy went everywhere. The phrase "turn the place upside down," had nothing on this house.
As he assessed, his mind came to return back to a certain moment not so long ago. When he resumed home after a really long day. As well as reluctantly revealing to them about his then wand.
To say that they weren't flabbergasted would be a deception, because they were. He could still even recall their looks the second he addressed what had happened to his magical possession.
(He could swear that they would have nearly strangled him)
He was nervous during then. Not really knowing on how he should respond. He flinched, feeling meek and guiltily ashamed.
Of course, despite so, he still knew enough not to unravel what actually happened (that would certainly make things worst). Since he was confident that elaborating on how he was almost sliced by an armored soldier from the medieval era would immediately compel them to lock him up in his room until he was about 34.
*Gulp*
Thus, instead he simply detailed to them that he was pushed while walking back home due to the people whom were fleeing from a so called centaur-like akuma.
If he knew any better, he could have sworn he observed them looking uneasy once he shared that, but whether they were or not, it didn't really mattered anymore considering as such moments instantly swift away and changed to them asking if he was alright.
That kind of put him off guard. He was more kind of expecting them to rush over to him and bombarding him with inquiries about if he injured or hurt himself – like they always.
Not that he was complaining…
Instead, they merely calmed themselves prior to asking if he was fine. Which of course, he replied that he was.
Naomi then smiles and tells him of how glad she was, but warned him to be extra careful next time. Her uneasiness seemed to return for a quick second as she then inquired if he managed to have gotten close with the 'akuma.'
The boy shook his head. (lying)
Relief washed over her again before informing him that they would purchase for him a new wand, and that he shouldn't need to worry. It looked like he was about to leave such a situation scratch free, but he was later proven wrong.
Cause once he grabbed hold of his new green wand, was when also all forces from Hell itself broke loose.
They told him that it was for his own good. That it was so he could be safer. So that such an incident like from yesterday wouldn't happen again.
And now, here he was, endlessly tiring himself in practicing something that he most likely could never master. All day long, he'd done nothing but try in levitating any random item from one corner to another, the closest thing he'd done for that was when he abruptly sent a floormat inside the oven in a manner like a jigsaw puzzle (confusing, his aware).
"Naomi." Wendy called from where she sat, which was their sofa (emphasize on the was). "Be a dear will you and grab me something from the cover? Thank you."
In turn, the other woman glanced at her prior to then turning and afterwards gliding towards the kitchen. Once she reached there, the redhead opened one of the covers, the one where the snacks were usually stored. A few seconds passed until Naomi spoke, with a bit of an anxious tone.
"Yeah…about that…"
As if fate itself had come to answer, cookies swooped with spears (toothpicks) in their tiny-little fingers, infiltrating under a cabinet, which turned out to have been inhabited by some chips.
"It seems like a coup is underway." Commented Shadow, intriguingly. To which Nathanael responded with a nod, finding the whole thing to be oddly amusing as well.
From the looks of it, his moms appeared the same. Prior to Wendy exclaiming, "This can't go on like this."
All shifted their focuses at her. All showcasing faces of bafflement.
The woman, seeing this, sighed, before then elucidating herself.
"I mean this." She gestured to the entire house. Motioning for them to turn their attentions to the unnatural scenery. "We can't just stay like this. What if one of the neighbors notices?"
"We've already placed a sound barrier spell?"
"Yeah, well a sound barrier spell is not gonna stop a cracker or a fern from sneaking out, wouldn't it?" She argued.
"Not to mention the constant banging and crashing of walls and floor would certainly be bound to compel someone to knock on our door step any time soon." Said Shadow.
Naomi glared at him, in turn. And after that, she instantly resumed back towards the adult with dark short hair.
"And just what are you trying to imply?" She questioned, brows narrowing.
Nathanael peered at Wendy.
The said person suspired. "Look. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like that. It's just that… what I am trying to explain is that maybe-perhaps a place like this isn't all suitable for him."
That made Nathanael perplexed, because to his ears that line literally didn't conjure any sense.
How was it not suitable?
"What do you mean?" Her partner inquired. Apparently, confused as well.
She looked at her and replied. "You already know what I mean."
Like the spirit of realization emerged out of nowhere just to smite her, Naomi's eyes widened whilst muttering "Oh."
Nathanael, who was remaining clueless craned his head to the direction of the plump woman so to question,
"What do you mean? What does she know?"
The female mage glanced at him as she elaborated.
"What she means is that our current setting might be ruining with your settling process."
He still didn't catch, thus raising one of his brows.
"See…" Naomi stated once again. "When it comes to settling, sometimes some young mages require to stay at certain environments in order for their magic to properly mature. Some require to be by the sea. Others would live by the mountains, caves, or forests for a couple of days. This is technically where one of the common ideas of hermits with mystical wisdom comes from."
He took note whilst nodding.
"In your case dear." She then placed a finger under her chin. "It seems your magic develops like the air inside of a balloon. Once it gets tight, it compresses, pressurizes, comes unstable until eventually…"
She lifted one of her hands and slowly opened her palm.
"It bursts."
Now he had grasped the whole situation. The reason on why his magic was so disobedient.
"Are you suggesting that we move?" Exclaimed Shadow, his tone sounding rather excited. "A bigger house, perhaps?"
Naomi resumed into appearing like she was in deep thought.
"Suppose we do have some savings we can use for renting."
"Or perhaps, we might not need to."
All turned their eyes again to Wendy, due to her abrupt-vague-statement.
"There is one place."
Immediately, the youth observed as his other mother begun to protest.
"No. No! Definitely not! Out of the question!"
"Oh come on Naomi-"
"No!"
"You know that it's the best place for him. Its literally prepared for him."
"No."
"Excuse me."
Fortuitously, the gazes of the bickering duo came to a standstill after the boy disrupted on their argument.
To make it short, he had grown tired by this point at their ambiguity, and crossed his arms as an expression of that.
"Sorry to interrupt. But if you're going to talk about me, then can you at least try to be less vague?"
The two women realized as they became sheepish.
"R-right. Sorry."
Both simultaneously ceased, and eased in their demeanor. After then, everything turned silent for a while. With merely the clock disrupting the quietness in the air. Eventually, it came time till someone had to speak. And that role fell on the mage with bob cut hair. She lightly inhaled prior to talking.
"We know of a place that could prove suitable for you. A place that neutralizes poltergeising."
Interest sparked within him.
"Where?"
The adult chuckled uncomfortably.
"He. He. Well you see…it was made by your father."
Nathanael stiffened. Yet pushed his sudden emotions aside so to not ruin their conversation.
"It used to be his working space." It was now Naomi who elicited. "He had it be given an extra 'feature' when he first-"
She didn't finish that line, yet she didn't need to. Knowing that his father was involved now made Nathanael to intently listen with everything she was about to share.
A second passed before she proceeded.
"Truth is, your father was also the same as you."
He couldn't contain himself any longer. His desire for information shaped to the point where he wanted to squeeze what she knew right out of her. Though of course he had to restrain. Otherwise, his 'condition' might cause his magic to react in performing just that.
"R-really?"
She affirmed that by simply nodding.
"Your father also suffered the same predicament as you back when he was your age. I remember then, how he turned the entire pantry into a musical. How they kept singing his intrusive thoughts for weeks. How he was so embarrassed…"
She chortled, as if she were reminiscing some old fond memories which she carried. She appeared happy. He didn't wish to intrude. Though, he might not need to. She straightened herself, grabbed for her wand, and began to trek forward. She halted when she reached a wall, the wall they use to hang pictures, and other such similar ornaments. He assessed as she deliberately positioned herself to stand face-to-face at a particular painting. One which depicted an old-timey looking French door, surrounded by red walls. By its left, stood a book case, and by its right, a mirror.
Nathanael would be honest if he said he had sketched that portrait many times over due to its perfect realistic outlook. However, other than that, he essentially just ignored it most of the time. It wasn't really all that special. Although, it was one of the few things that he had back when he still lived at his old home. It was one of the last pieces from the past, back when they were-
"Are you…sure?" Wendy went next to her. Checking to see if she was fine.
Naomi nodded whilst replying a soft, "Yes."
She pointed her wand right at the painting.
"Open sesame."
He motioned himself forwards once his eyes caught the door within the portrait grow in size. It grew-and-grew till it became liberated from its rectangular prison. It increased in measurement until it became akin to that of a real door. He keened, and saw that it actually was.
Despite him being used to magic by about now, the young lad couldn't but help himself in staring at what he had just witnessed.
How long was that able to do that?
Upon then, Naomi held on the knobs. About 3 or 5 minutes ticked till she unsealed the wooden barrier. Nathanael's jaw dropped upon finding what's behind.
A library. An entire book load of a library. Rich with books so many that comparing them with his school's own bibliotheca would be considered an insult. There were even stacks of them, placed atop the other, reaching heights taller than a lamppost. There were towering shelves and cases that could make anyone feel meek. Tables so long that they could rival those from a mead hall. He was stunned, yet amazed just as well. So much wonder was in his mind. So much questions.
"Wha-how?"
"Simple spatial magic dear." Wendy specified. "You like it?"
He was still mostly at a lost for words.
"Y-you mean to tell me, that all this time-"
His mothers looked at him, then they simultaneously began to dread. As they instantly recalled the last time they kept something huge from him. Especially when such secrets had them involved.
"Nate?"
"Dear?"
"All this time – We had this much space?"
Their anxiety hastily subsided.
They both breathed as they composed. Relieved.
Meanwhile, Nathanael continued to sight see until he heard a light thud.
The boy with red locks turned to the direction where he heard said sound. Gazing as one of his mothers placed a pen at one of the tables. One that was standing just ahead of him.
"Now dear." Said Naomi. "Draw your wand, and let's begin with what we did earlier, shall we?"
Confused at first, he then did as he was told. He fished his wand from the pocket where he left it and directed the tip of it to point at the item his mother was instructing.
Nathanael focused and concentrated. Channeling his will and envisioning it as a flow of energy surging from him to the object he was holding. He had both his hands used, just to compel his mind in thinking only on one thing. Although his heart betrayed with nervousness, since he was sure that he'll do something 'unexpecting' once again.
Blue energy in the form of a plasma-like substance conjured from the wand's tip, and travelling itself till it reached the pen.
He (along with his party) waited for something to occur. He saw as the pen shook (so far so good) then, started in growing its own size (bad).
He anticipated for something more 'climactic' to suddenly happen, only to see for that to never come. The pen simply shrunk into proper measurement and resumed as if nothing.
He was surprised by this outcome.
"Huh? It worked." Nathanael craned to look at Wendy, who had now passed by him as she carried herself to hold and inspect the pen.
"What just happened?" His mouth trailed.
Aforementioned mother spun herself to face him.
"This hall was designed to neutralize any form of poltergeising." She gestured to the whole place. "It's why we said its perfect for you."
"You said its perfect for him." Naomi corrected before huffing. "But I cannot deny that you were right. The space should suffice, and the neutralizing part does its job well."
She turned and held Nathanael's shoulder. "You'll spend most of your time here for a while until your fully settled. I'm sorry that you'll have to go through this."
He smiled. "I'm fine, mom. This place is actually kind of cool. Can I invite my friends over?"
Both his moms stiffened.
"I kid." He joked.
They calmed.
"Right." Wendy fixed herself. "So, practice your spells. Work what you need to work on. And…that's pretty much it." She handed the pen from earlier to him.
He analyzed as he grabbed the said pen. Peering at its every angle. Then, an inquiry formed into mind, as he recalled of his father's involvement.
"Um... about da-"
However, his voice appeared pointless, since he looked up and found that his moms were already heading towards the exit.
"If you'll need us!" They called. "We'll just be outside, cleaning!"
The door opened and closed. Leaving only him and Shadow to linger at the great-yet-empty library. He kept his eyes at where he last seen them before shaking his head.
"Right." He spoke mostly to himself, whilst looking at the pen. "What should I do first?"
"There's plenty of books. Maybe you can start by grabbing one?" The feline suggested.
"Am I allowed to?"
"Well-"
Abruptly, the door opened once more. They looked and saw Naomi protruding her head. "Almost forgot. If you find some other big door aside from this one, whatever you do. Don't open it."
Her final words were stern.
"Why?"
"Just don't." *Exhale* "Please. Just trust me. You wouldn't want to know what's behind there."
He shuddered.
"Alright. I'll leave you two be."
Once again, he and the cat were left to themselves.
Nathanael just stood there for a while, pondering on what could possibly be behind the door his mom mentioned. Part of him wanted to take a mere peek, but if it was something that had to do with magic, then perhaps it was best for him to obey his mother's advice. Unless he wished to come face-to-face yet another crazy monster out to seek his blood.
He was already dealing with a dream spook. He wouldn't want to deal with another.
Nathanael stood there silently for a couple of minutes prior to deciding to head further to where the shelves stood.
"Where are you going?" The cat inquired.
"Explore."
Meanwhile in a different setting, lied a boat by a river. Where a small family dwelled. Through the phone of a certain bluenette, the local news was currently delivering their daily info.
"And so thus it was revealed that the whole "Centaur scare craze," said to have been seen by numerous eye witnesses was actually just a publicity stunt done by a group of indie film makers, in order to promote their latest project, 'Ambrosia.' Claimed to release somewhere this month…"
From then, Luka jerked, and turned behind him. Finding his sister covering her face with her hand, flustered.
"Jules?"
"Just turn that thing off."