Catrine just wants Cupid to open her heart and find what's inside, but can she? Also a new subplot (I guess it's sort of that) will be introduced about the catacombs of Scaris.

Chapter 9: Look Inside Your Heart

"I guess I should say thank you, but I still feel like I'm a lack for words," Chariclo said as I closed her hands in mine so our fingers were locked with each other "You've done so much for me and as I gotten to know you, I'm somewhat feeling the same way."

"Wha-what?" I stammered as I looked in her eyes, they were such a beautiful ciel bleu.

"At first I just found myself wanting a drawing, but then I got to know you, and I'm really glad to be with you. I'm not entirely sure if this is what I'm feeling, I'm still confused. I've never been in love so I don't know my own personal feelings on this besides that I find love to be a truly magical thing," she said as she took the roses and smelled them "A wonderful bunch you got here," she said with a giggle. I looked up at her with a slowly returning smile. "We should go back to the suite and maybe discuss this some more?" she suggest as she put the roses back in the basket.

"Oui, right away if that's what you please," I said shakily as she got on the scooter, wrapped her arms around my waist, and I started the vehicle. On the way there I decided to take a shortcut through the city's catacombs to cut down time. However this shortcut became more like a detour once Chariclo noticed where she was.

"Is this the Scarsian catacombs?" she asked me quietly, almost sense a bit of fear.

"Oui, do they make you inconfortable?" I asked her as I brought my scooter to a stop.

"Just the opposite," she said with an exaggerated sigh "You see, I'm believe to be a bone elemental, a species of monster that is just about extinct. I remember hearings rumors a while ago that they may have mostly died off in here," she explained to me.

"Oh, so you're not a child of a god then?" I asked her as her stories didn't seem to line up in my head.

"I am, but I'm adopted. I was one of those 'left on the doorstep' babies so I wonder, is this where my family is?" Chariclo asked with a grim face and tone of voice. I started to feel a bit bad for her, especially with my close family.

"As far as I know, this is just the place where the skeletons sleep, at least in places that are allowed to be traveled in," I informed her with all my knowledge of the modern day catacombs.

"So be it then, let's just go back to the suite," she exhaled as she grabbed onto my waist again, a feeling that I was getting more than used to.

. . .

"These cupcakes are to live for!" Chariclo moaned in bliss after swallowing her third bite of her second cupcake. I sat in the chair across her still on the first one that she allowed me to have and at the rate she was going at them, it probably would be my last.

"Do not eat too fast Chariclo, you still have chocolates to try as well," I reminded her while taking another small bit out of my cupcake. She was right about them though, they were to live for. They were très moite and the flavors balanced perfectly.

"That's right, I do. This will be my last one, for the hour," she laughed before taking her last bit of it. I knew Americans were known for big portions, but last cupcake of the hour is not something I'd ever expect to hear, in all honnêteté. I'd never say that to her though as it just plain grossier.

"In all seriousness Chariclo, how do you feel about me? You already know how I feel so I need to know how you feel," I asked her as she opened up the box of chocolates on the table in front of us.

"How do I go about this…" she thought to herself out loud as she picked up a chocolate and popped it in her mouth gracefully "Well… You're kind and compassionate. You care deeply about your artwork as well as the one you love dearest. You'll do just about anything to make them happy, and I do love that in a person because it makes me more encouraged to equal it out for them. You're not the richest ghoul in the world, but you always try to get by and still have money for gifts. Half of you wants to look out for yourself while the other wants to put your heart and soul into your lover. I these are traits that I adore, but I just don't know."

"Why is it so unclear for you?" I questioned with a hint of irritation in my voice.

"I don't know Catrine, I really don't. I know the way love is supposed to work for others, but I don't know in the Underworld about how it works for me," she cried out as I started to see her eye shadow drip down her face.

I ran over to sit next to her on the couch she was sitting on instantly. I didn't want to see a single tear invade her visage souriant. I couldn't let that happen, ever. I whipped away and incoming tear from her face and looked right at her.

"Look in your heart, Chariclo. If you do not care for me in that way I will accept it and move on, but if you do I will appreciate it with the utmost joie," I purred to her to try and calm her down.

"I will try," she said with a deep breath and closed her eyes. She left me there with anticipation towards the most important words I could possibly hear in my unlife.

My personal theory for the bone elementals has been revealed. I believe they all got lost and died in the catacombs thus why there are so many bones, but Cupid still will want to know more, just as Catrine wants to know more about Cupid's feelings.

ciel bleu = sky blue

très moite = very moist

honnêteté = honesty

grossier = rude