Hi! Purest Shadows back again. Thank you, SMB814, for your kind review. It made my day to know that you're actually reading this and, at the very least, liking it. (:
Oh. I forgot the disclaimer in the first chapter…yeah. I wish I owned Tales of Symphonia, then I'd already have a foot into the gaming industry. Regardless, the story is mine, the situation is mine (but not the location), but the electrolysis in the first chapter, and it will be mentioned again, is not mine. That'd be really cool too, though…
Chapter Two: Their Table
The cafeteria was often quiet at Sybak. Students often spent their meals pondering a concept or theory, rather than chatting with their fellow pupils. The only noises were the unwrapping of sandwiches and the scratching of pencils across notebook paper. Thus it caused a mild commotion and slight annoyance when the unfamiliar sounds of giggling and conversation erupted from a table.
Over the past few weeks, Genis and Seles had made it a habit to sit at the table they had coined as 'theirs', complaining about school, the food, even their families.
"You're kidding, right? She's pregnant?" Genis half choked-half snorted on his drink (a new kind of fizzed sugar-water called 'Suds') as Seles only nodded solemnly, her lips tight as she tried to sound as displeased as possible. In reality, Seles was excited at the prospect of becoming an auntie. She could envision it now a, little red-haired ninja running around Meltokio, frightening the general masses with his or her innocent smile and very real weapons.
"Yeah, they just found out a little over a month ago. Believe me, Big Brother is already trying to name it Violent Demonic Banshee." Seles responded all too seriously. Genis then began to laugh, recalling the days together when the former Chosen and the ninja often bickered about anything they could think of, mainly Sheena's figure and how to keep Zelos off it.
"I remember when she wouldn't let him touch her…I still have to wonder what the hell happened?" He sighed, his entire perception of their banter altered forever. Was every smack a love blow? Was Sheena's obvious crush on Lloyd merely a façade? Or perhaps it had all happened after they had saved the world? Genis looked to Seles, as if expecting her to explain. She stared back almost challengingly, raising her left eyebrow and cocking her head to the side. After a good few minutes of staring back at each other, she gave in with a snide chuckle,
"Hell if I know." Leaving Genis to gape at her in disbelief. "Every time Big Brother went on about Sheena, I merely blocked out the stream of adoration and tales and just listened for the big news. Like them getting together. And them having their first kiss. And then the first date. Then their engagement. Martel, after hearing about their first fu-"
"I get it!" Genis cut her off hastily before she said anything that would deprive him of his sanity. Seles merely snickered wickedly and finished her sentence as Genis began to shut his ears and shout, "LA LA LA LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU LA LA LA LA-"
"SHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Resounded collectively throughout the cafeteria at Genis's outburst, effectively ending his chance to truly hear what Seles had actually said. Seles only grinned lopsidedly at Genis's embarrassment.
"I still don't want to hear what you were going to say." Genis muttered under his breath, effectively ending the conversation. They ate their sandwiches in silence. Genis finished first, his larger bites consuming the sandwich faster than Seles's refined, dainty ones. He watched her eat with fascination. When Raine ate, she rarely used her hands, even for something as simple as a sandwich. Preferring a knife and fork, Raine ate her food quickly, but primly. On the other hand, Seles was eating with her hands, but she was taking small bites, as if she wished to savor the flavor longer before swallowing. Seles liked to concentrate on her food when it was in front of her and never spoke a word as she ate.
Genis waited for her patiently, and when she had finished, the pair left their table and parted ways.
Soon, the weekend had come and Seles took the time to come home temporarily. Zelos was supposed to be in Meltokio this week on what he had coined, 'Sorta-Chosen Duties'. Seles relished in time spent with her brother, and as soon as her last class on Friday had ended, she bid Genis a short farewell (by a sheet of paper taped to his dorm room) and greeted Tokunaga with a carriage.
"Miss Seles, it has been much too long since you have come home." He said, the smile on his face a clear indication of welcome.
"Indeed. Let's go home."
The carriage ride was filled with Seles recounting her tales to Tokunaga, enjoying the willing ear and a pleasant disposition. In some ways, Tokunaga had much in common with Sebastian, what with their calm demeanors and loyalty to their respective charges. But the similarities ended there. Whereas Sebastian was like a kindly father, always ready with fitting advice and only a streak of a sense of humor, Tokunaga was akin to another older brother, of the wrapped-around-your-pinky kind. He definitely cared for Seles, and was definitely like an older brother, but Tokunaga wouldn't dream of engaging in the playful banter Seles and Zelos partook in on a regular basis.
The ride seemed much too short, for Seles hadn't gotten around to mentioning Genis to Tokunaga when they had arrived at Meltokio. Tokunaga exited the carriage first, then lending his hand to Seles to assist her out. They walked into Meltokio's gates and Seles had to let out a loud laugh in the sheer joy at being home.
The Abbey had never been home; her earliest memories had been in Meltokio and no matter where she went, only Meltokio carried the hustle-and-bustle that seemed to be everywhere. And Seles loved it. She would have run to the Wilder Estates had her condition allowed, but a brisk walk would have to do. Tokunaga trailed after her, warning her to not overdo it. Seles felt much too happy to even bother worrying at the moment.
She should have, for the earful she got from Zelos was sincerely troublesome.
"You could have collapsed! A brisk walk? You were nearly power jogging your way here! What if you got sick! What if your lungs gave out on you! You know that you have to be more careful! I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you, Martel, what if something did and I wasn't here?" Zelos continued to ramble as Sebastian poured Seles a glass of water. She drained the clear cup and set it on a wooden counter.
All of a sudden, Zelos stopped his rant and began a new one. "I told you, always put a coaster under your cups!" He reached for one faster than Sebastian ever could and placed the cup back on it. "Come on, it's a new corner table!" Zelos had more pet peeves than any of his friends could have imagined, Seles thought to herself. She stifled her laughter, knowing it would only drive Zelos to more of his particular pet peeves. Like laughing at his neuroticisms, or how lightning quick they could switch on and off. Instead, she immediately distracted him-something she and Sheena had learned worked best on Zelos when he was being full on anal about the furniture.
"So I've been hanging out with Genis Sage at school a lot." Seles announced loudly, causing Zelos to stop midsentence ( "The varnish could get dest-WHAT?"). "I've been spending time with Genis Sage at school." Seles repeated, almost enjoying the shifting emotions change on Zelos's face. Confusion, to annoyance, to confusion again, then amusement, and finally settling on confusion.
"Really? But why?" He asked. Seles shrugged.
"Genis is pretty fun. Didn't I tell you the reason my biology exam was cancelled was because he nearly blew up the science department?" Zelos had a thoughtful look on his face, as if he was trying to recall the conversation when this happened. Finding that there wasn't, Zelos began to laugh loudly.
"He did WHAT? Oh man, I can't believe he'd actually screw something up so bad that he'd destroy a building. Seles, please, tell me what the little runt did this time!" Seles gladly recalled upon the tale that had started her unusual friendship. From that initial encounter, the story shifted to the times they spent outside of classes, at the cafeteria, seated at their table. Zelos's expression shifted from giddy, to annoyed, to intrigued with every encounter, and finally, his eyebrows lost their furrow as he relaxed. "So you finally have a friend there. Thank Martel, because I was beginning to worry that you weren't fit for society somehow. Even if it is that brat, Genis." Zelos snorted once more at the notion of Genis causing building-havoc.
"I am perfectly capable of making friends! I…I…" Seles was at a loss for words. She had chosen not to associate with people. Sure, it was all under the pretense of fearing that people would only be her friend for her connections, aka, the Chosen. But had she simply kept it under wraps, would it have been easier to make friends and then only tell those trusted friends? "I just didn't want any friends, Big Brother." She concluded simply, shrugging nonchalantly.
Zelos wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulder understandingly. It was hard to find trustworthy people, and who was more trustworthy than someone who already knew the intended secret? Genis was a most logical choice in friendship.
Sebastian interrupted their conversation by bringing a platter with a teapot and two empty cups. "Sugar, Master Zelos?" He asked almost mundanely, then looked slyly at Seles and winked. Seles smiled gratefully, barely listening to Zelos request sweet cream over sugar in his tea. Seles politely declined either, preferring her tea straight. As she lifted the cup to her face, Zelos made one.
"Sheena likes her tea straight. I still don't understand how she can handle it." He grimaced before sipping his pastel brown tea. Seles shrugged. Honestly, it was the first way Seles overcame her hurdle for loathing the Mizuhoan the way she had. Tea. No nonsense, no additives. Just tea. But the mention of Sheena set Seles on a path to diversion.
"So how is Sheena, anyway? I mean, it's too soon for her to be cutting down on travel, you know." Zelos's expression darkened immediately, and Seles knew that something was wrong.
"You remember when I got rid of my Chosen title?" He asked. Seles nodded, recalling the difficult times. "So, apparently, the church knows about Sheena being pregnant." Of all the things Zelos was able to break down, the de facto religion people followed was still the Church of Martel, and therefore it remained in place. "They want to take the title of Chosen, and give it to the kid. I'm here to say no. Sheena doesn't know yet, I'm hoping to end this with good news, without having to let her worry over nothing."
Seles leaned back, letting the annoyance stew and simmer down before she said anything stupid. "So…once again, the church still wants to meddle in your life." She concluded, sighing. Zelos nodded solemnly in response. Their tea now sat lukewarm and forgotten.
The rest of Seles's weekend remained so, the intrusion of the Church of Martel looming in the back of her mind. She really couldn't wait to go back to school now…
"Promise you'll update me while I'm at school." Seles began to step into the carriage, Tokunaga behind her. Zelos stood behind the butler, a wide grin on his face. So far, the effort hadn't been in vain. But still, no success meant no true progress.
"I promise." Zelos confirmed, waving Seles off as Tokunaga got into the carriage and shut the door. Seles quickly poked her head out of the window, waving goodbye to her brother until he was out of sight and Meltokio looked like a small plaything over the horizon. She leaned back in her seat, feeling optimistic.
Soon, Sybak appeared before her, and the carriage rolled to a slow stop. As was the fashion, Tokunaga did not help Seles out of the carriage. She had felt it best to always feel normal upon coming back to school, without the need for a hand or foot waiting on her every need. Seles candidly waved farewell to Tokunaga as the carriage swung back towards Meltokio, for Tokunaga to do whatever it was Tokunaga did on his free time. Maybe go to the nearest karaoke bar and belt out the oldies? Possibly.
Seles felt her stomach growl, breaking her from her Tokunaga-free-time reverie. She had forgotten to eat lunch during her rush to get back to school before dinnertime. Seles took a brisk walk towards the cafeteria. When she had opened the door to the smell of pizza and soups, Seles was surprised to find Genis already at their table.
In one hand, he held a pizza slice. Cheese. 'Figures', Seles thought shrewdly. In the other, was a pencil. Oddly enough, it was the pencil eraser in between his teeth and not the pizza. Genis was too caught up in his thesis that he hadn't even taken a bite of his food.. Seles had to smile at the sight, it was plenty typical of Genis, and a pool of warmth spread it's way at the familiarity of this almost-man. She'd actually missed him. Her hunger taking hold, Seles trotted over to their table, swiftly plucking the pizza slice out of Genis's hand and graciously taking a large bite.
"HEY! Wha? OH! Hi Seles!" Genis looked up in shock. Did his pizza slice just float out of his grasp? Oh, wait, no. It was just Seles. Just Seles, eating his dinner. "HEY! Give me back my pizza!" He cried out indignantly, reaching out for his food. 'That I paid for myself.' He thought unhappily as Seles handed the half-eaten pizza back to the younger half-elf. Genis savagely tore into it, remembering his hunger once the pizza had been stolen from him. Seles only seated herself in front of Genis, pointing to the closing cafateria. Students were quickly evacuating the room, leaving only the two friends.
"Are you going to stay here?" She asked. Genis nodded, pointing to the paper with his pencil nub. The image was a prototype of his electrolysis generator. It was crude, with many erasure marks and other scribbles that danced around the paper.
"I happen to be a terrible artist." Genis grinned at his self-deprivation. When he was a kid, he'd never have been able to admit that. "So this prototype is coming along much harder than I thought it would have been." Seles let out a small laugh, peering at the paper herself. Her hand reached out to take the paper from Genis's, her fingers grazing the back of his hand gently as she did so. Genis's hand jumped back quickly at the contact, suddenly feeling nervous as Seles examined his work. It was because she was going to critically pick his drawing apart, not because hand-to-hand usually meant something. Something like comfort and familiarity. Something that brought him back six months, when a hand last touched his in a painful goodbye.
No. No. Genis wasn't going to bring his mind back to that dark corner he was choosing to ignore. Instead, he focused his eyes on Seles, watching her icy blue eyes scan the paper with mild…disinterest? "I don't get it." She announced finally, causing Genis's mouth to drop. "Well what makes you think I would? I don't know anything about this, other than what you told me the day you blew up the science department." Seles laughed, handing Genis back his paper. He took it back, and once again, there was that light grazing of fingers upon fingers. NO. Genis forced back the negative thoughts and focused on his slighted efforts.
"Come on, Seles! It's so easy to understand!"
"For you, maybe!"
"Look! This is the hydro-chamberr, this is the generator, and this is the electrolysis reactor! It's so simple!"
"You call that simple, Genis? You're unbelievable."
"Seles, you're hopeless."
And there it was. Seles had forced back the negative thoughts and Genis felt warm with glee again. They argued well into the night and as morning light came, it found two half-elves asleep at their table, pizza crusts, flat Suds, and scribbles on paper between them.
Well, at least it's done now. I hope it's coming along to your liking! At the very least, I'm slowly becoming pleased with this, haha.