Disclaimer: I do not own D N Angel
Chapter 7- The way we feel
"Hey Erin, wow, you look tried" said Rei
"Well, it was kind of the rough night"
I took my seat. Rei had already ordered for us. She also had taken a table outside.
"Why were you having rough night?"
"I had the dream about three times. After each, I had to clam myself down."
"Really, oh it is a sign. You are going to meet your future lover," said Rei all excited
"Maybe" I groaned
Rei was at first confused. Then, she became ecstatic. "The dream finally revealed him. You know who it is. Tell me please, Erin"
I was struggling with really telling her. I did not want to get her involved with artworks. However, she was the only person I told about the dream.
"Dark" I murmured
"What? Seriously"
I just nodded. After a couple seconds, Rei started giggle. I was surprise by her reaction.
"Is something funny?"
"It seem that there is a completion between us"
"I do not think of him like that. It was only a dream. Besides he may find you more attractive than me"
"Do not start, Erin," Rei said annoyed "You are very attractive. If you let your hair down or act a little more famine, you can get Dark or any young man. You also might want change your style a bit. Not that you are not stylish, I mean with the outfit you have on, right now. Blue jeans, a white short sleeve blouse and black vest over it and black boots to match, it looks very good on you. However, it does not send the message you are cute, loveable, hot or sexy"
I raised my eyebrow. This was nothing new from her. Not that she thinks of me as a tomboy. I just am not girly. In her mind, I could be more like that. She has no trouble pointing it out to me.
The reason for that is to be a worthy opponent. Not that it is common thing between us or it gets competitive between when it came getting the man. Rei wants me to be on the same level, as her, when it gets start. In her mind, it would be a fair fight between us.
"Then, I would not be myself, Rei. Is that what is important? The person, who you are on the inside, is what people make them closer to you. Maybe fall in love with."
"That is true. Still, looking good is what catches the the eye"
"Apparently, I am not really getting through. Let us not dive any more into this. You said over the phone that great aunt Risa use to date Dark"
"Oh, yes. Apparently, fifty years ago, she did meet him. Right at that moment, he asked her for a date"
"It sounds like he a bit of player," I said with a bit of laugh
"She did say, he knew how to charm the ladies" Rei replied "There is one thing I cannot figure out. Grandmother said he looks the same as he did back then. How is that possible? Should he show some signs of aging?"
"He has wings too. Not all of it is explainable. Probably, it never will explain. Unless, you can get a one on one interview with him"
Just then, a light bulb went on in Rei's head. "Maybe, we could"
"What are you talking about?" I asked, a little nervous.
"Next time, Dark is going to pull a heist. You and I are going to watch it personally. Then, we will see if we can talk afterward"
"Whoa, what? Why"
"We can both get to sent time with him. Then, we can see whom he likes. I mean do what to see if the dreams actually have the meaning"
"I would read too much in to this. I guess, we could what might happen," I told her. I was only agreeing to go with her. Because, the chance of meet Dark, while he was escaping the police, were slim.
However, if we did meet him, he might mention that he knows me. Then, I have to tell her the truth about what is going on. I did not want her involved. Maybe I could talk to Dark before hand.
TP
Dwayne approached the stairs to the library. His backpack hung over his shoulder. He planned to do some studying.
He wore green cargo pants. In addition, he had on a blue t-shirt and over that a light brown open blouse. On his wrist, there was a a watch to keep track at of the time.
"You are going to spend the whole day at the library. Studying" said Dark
"Not the whole day. Besides, I hope to find something about the artworks"
"I thought that your family had that kind of information in the cellar"
"Well, like the artworks, the family donated those books to the library"
"I see. Since I was not around or the artworks were not going to awaken. Those books can be in use to the people of this town"
Dwayne took a seat at a table. He pulled out his schoolbooks. He read quietly to himself.
While he was immerses in his studies, someone tapped him the shoulder. It took him by surprised. He jerked and squeaked.
He turned to see who it was. Noel was the person standing behind. She was giggling at his reaction. He blushed.
She was wearing a sundress. It was white with a light blue floral pattern. She also had some books.
"Sorry, I did not mean to startled you"
"It is okay. I get startled very easily. How are you?" he said embarrassed
"I am doing well. What about you?"
"Pretty well myself"
"So, where is Erin? I though she would be studying with you" she asked
"She is at Tea Delight with Rei. They are having a little girl time. You can join them if you want"
"That would seem rather nice. Still, I would like to spend time with you. If do not you mind that I study with you"
"Uh, sure, we can study together" he replied to the request
"Thanks" she said as took the chair next to him. Then, she opened science textbook.
It was quiet between the two of them. Dwayne's eyes would shift to look at Noel then quickly back. This would make his heart racing.
"I do not know if I could handle this," he thought to himself
"I could take over. It will be easier on you. Besides, Noel is cute. I would not mind getting to know her better" Dark chimed in
"Dark" Dwayne groaned
"All right, fine" Dark said, "Take a deep breath. Do not look at her too much. You might get yourself work up again. Not to mention, she might catch you staring at her. Still, do not ignore her completely. Ask if she needs any help or make small talk"
"Thanks, Dark"
Dwayne saw that Noel scratching her head. He asked if there something she was confused. She told that she did not understand the different between speed and velocity. Dwayne explained the difference. After that, he stood up.
"You are not going to leave. Are you?"
"No, I want to look for a book. There might be some information that I searching for. I will be back"
He scan the the selves. There was a row of leather bond books. There was a dark brown book. On the cover, there was gold lettering. It spelled the Hikari's artworks.
He flipped through the pages. He walked over to the the table. He found the page with an enriching of the siren. There was a description and history of the artwork.
"You found what you were look for" Noel asked as he approached
"Yeah" he said as he sat down.
She looked over. "The siren, is that the artwork that Dark stole last night" she asked
"Yes. After the theft, I got interested in the artwork. I wanted to see why it was special"
"Dark could have stolen it because it fits his style. The warning letter said that the siren was something that beauty of the woman of his dreams"
"I do not think that he really meant that"
"So, what does it say about the siren" asked Noel
"It is created in the shape of the mythological being. Mermaids would sing with lovely voice. When a man hears the mermaid or siren sing, they become entranced. Then, the person would lead to his death"
"Whoa, why someone would created an artwork of that type creature"
"Maybe they love mythology" Dwayne shrugged
"Are there anymore artists have done"
"Why"
"Maybe we could figure out what artwork Dark is going to steal next," said Noel as she grabbed the book and flipped through the pages "It would fun to try to predict which artwork he would take. Do not you think so, Dwayne?"
"Well, I guess it could fun. Still, Dark only stole one. We do not have anything that there are really clues to figure it out"
"Does not hurt to guess, I mean we might get lucky" she replied with a laugh, "How about we make this into a bet"
"A bet, you want to make a bet with me," Dwayne said confused
"Sure, why not" she said "look I choose one. Lovers Sanctuary"
Dwayne looked the sketch on the page. It was a landscape painting. There was a grassy cliff looking over the ocean, on the left side on the sketch. It was underneath a starry sky. A portion of a courtyard was showing behind the the cliff.
"I think this the one he going to steal. It looks like a romance spot. He might feel like he could take a girl there. Go on, Dwayne. You choose one, now"
"Okay" he said as started to look at the other pages "How about this one"
There was of a sketch was of a small bronzes statue. An old man, probably a wizard, had a hand extend in the air. A bird was landing on the man's extended finger. The title of the artwork was Master of the sky.
"Why that one," Noel asked
"Dark has wings. In way, he could think that title belongs to him"
"Good point"
"Although, it could any of the artworks that could be awaken next," Dwayne thought to himself
"I forgot. We need to set the stakes of the bet. If I win, you take my place for cleaning duty foe a week"
"I am fine with that"
"Now, what would I have to do if you won?"
"Maybe you tell her that she would have to go a date with you," Dark suggested
"A date" Dwayne exclaimed. However, he did not realize that he said this aloud. Noel looked at him rather surprised.
"Did you just suggest that if I lose, we would go on a date?"
"Oh No, I did mean …"
"Cause I think that does not sound half bad idea. Although, it is not a real punishment"
"You would go on a date with me," he asked in disbelief
"Yeah, you are a great person, Dwayne. I am surprised you do not have a girlfriend already"
Dwayne was speechless. He started in blush again. Then, he started clam himself down.
"Look at the time, I should be going"
"Which way are you going?"
"It up the hill in the center of town"
"Can I join you? My Uncle's place is part way there"
"Sure, just let me check out this book first"
After Dwayne returned, he packed his schoolbooks. They both headed out the door. Once they were outside, Noel started a conversion.
"So, those artworks were created by the Hikari family"
"You say that as if you know who they are"
"I do. My uncle would go on and on about how Alexander Price, great great grandfather, vowed to get rid of all of the artworks they created"
"Really, Why"
"He believe that subject matter of artwork could have negative influence on the public. That why he started the cultural reform"
"Seriously, he started the cultural reform"
"Yes, and I know it is pretty ridiculous. Artworks corrupting the minds of people this town. I also think that artworks should not be censor. It is an expression of the artist. The fact, that a person perceptive on the masterpiece might be negative. Does not everyone would have the same perceptive?"
"I am glad to hear that you think that. Because I am an artist myself"
"Do you think that I could see your art sometime?" Noel asked
"Sure"
Back at the Niwa house, Daisuke and Riku was enjoying the peace and quiet. They were having their afternoon tea.
"Daisuke, do you think it was a good idea. I mean not telling Dwayne and Erin about Dark when they were younger. Do you think it might have it been easier on them?"
"Probably, then again, there is down side to living on the tales of the phantom thief. If Dark had not returned, they were going to be disappointed for the rest of their life. All because of them missing the experience with Dark"
"It seems at the time it was a good idea. Now, I am confused" Riku said considered
Daisuke took his wife's hand. "Those children are going to be alright. Whatever choice we made, we would have to deal with their reactions. Nevertheless, you have been more than a grandmother to them. Even though, you could never replace their mother, you had excellent care of those children. Now, maybe a little more could help them"
"You are right"