AD 2200, 5/4, 6th Unknown Area – Noel's Church

Carl heaves a forlorn sigh as he stares out the kitchen window. "There's no point to anything anymore."

Noel hums, concentrating on her 'cake.' "Hmm… Can you pass me the marinara?"

Carl lazily takes it from the cupboard and hands it to her. "Our lives are nothing but cycles of misery and regret."

Noel narrows her eyes as the mix becomes runny. "Uh-huh. Now the sugar."

Carl passes it over the countertop with a pout. "What's the point of making food if our bodies will degrade anyways?"

Noel's eye twitches as the mix becomes too grainy. "Because it's delicious. Now give me the olive oil."

Carl hands it over with a put-upon huff. "You of all people should be able to comprehend the pointlessness of life."

Noel rolls her eyes heavenward. This boy… "Cookie dough. Carl, why are you doing this?"

Carl hands Noel a bag, frowning in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Noel looks at him sadly. "The brooding. Why are you doing it?"

Carl blinks, then frowns. "I've become disillusioned with life. There is no point in living."

Noel smiles at him patiently. "You don't actually believe that."

Carl raises his brows. "I beg your pardon?"

Noel gestures to the 'cake' in the pan, eyes crinkling softly as her smile widens. "If you really believed life was pointless, you wouldn't be helping me cook for your birthday. Now hand me some paprika, please."

Carl stares at her in disbelief. Then looks away and hands the ingredient over without further complaint. He wonders how she can be so optimistic, after everything they've been through. His 'eye' thrums behind the mask, eager to find out. He places a hand over it with a wince.

Noel notices his pain and frowns sadly, biting her lip. Poor Carl. She has to find a way to help. After all, what are friends for? "Carl, is there anything I can do for you?"

Carl blinks his physical eye, gritting his teeth as another pulse wracks his eye socket. "I-It's nothing, Miss Noel. I just need to— Ah. Just need to focus, is all."

Noel's eyes grow stern as she places a hand on Carl's shoulder, dropping her ladle into the pan with a sloppy plop. "Carl, tell me what you need. Please, I can't stand seeing you in pain when I know I can help."

Carl stares at her with annoyance and worry. He feels so tense under her palm. After another shudder, he speaks. "…It wants to look."

Noel's eyes widen with surprise, then turn somber jade. Carl's new 'eye' really was something. It could see souls, and even hurt them if he wasn't careful. Worrying at her bottom lip again, Noel thinks it over. She's stronger than when he tried to look at her last time, and he's been trying so hard to get it under control… Maybe…

Noel sighs, her spine straitening as she looks into his cerulean eye with determination. "Then please, look at me, Carl."

Carl's face pales as he processes her words. "Miss Noel, that sounds like a terrible— Ugh!"

Another pulse sends Carl staggering into the counter, and Noel grabs both his shoulders to steady him. His mask's adhesive is all but useless now, the silver ornament held up only by his shaking hand. Noel reaches for it with certainty. "Just remember what Professor Kokonoe said, I trust you. I know you won't hurt me."

Carl tries to bat away her hand, scowling with fright, but another pulse loosens his grip enough that his hand releases the mask anyway, bathing the kitchen in azure light. He hisses sharply as 'Noel' comes into view, a brilliant yet gentle sun amidst the darkness of his left side.

Noel grits her teeth and readies herself. But the pain doesn't come. Only a gentle caress just beneath her skin. She waits a moment, then smiles gently at the still shaking boy in her arms. She pulls him in close, and hugs him tightly. "See? It's okay, Carl. I'm just fine."

Carl shudders as his 'eye' observes Noel's emotions, the warmth of her concern and affection washing over him like a gentle wave on a beach. "M-Miss Noel, I—"

Noel hums, swaying him slowly, smiling ever wider as her eyes soften. "What do you see, Carl?"

Carl shudders again. "So… So much. How can you feel that way about me? After everything I did, you still…?"

Noel tightens her grip, still humming what she hopes is a comforting tune. "Yes. You're my friend, Carl. And I don't plan on losing you again. Just trust me, trust us. We care about you so much."

Carl feels a few tears slide down his cheek as his 'eye' begins to calm, satiated for a time. His skin itches from the adhesive, and his fingers twitch toward the eye socket, but he knows better than to scratch. He instead settles for trying to pull away, hoping to occupy his hands to distract himself from the maddening sensation.

Noel notices where his fingers went, and frowns, letting him go to grab a handkerchief from a rack above the counter. "Hold still, Carl."

Noel gently wets the cloth with her saliva, before gently wiping away at his eye socket, careful not to let anything dip into that dark space within. Carl squirms minutely, face growing red. It's just like when Ada would wipe away cookie crumbs after their afternoon tea parties. "Miss Noel, please, I just need to distract myself."

Noel huffs, looking at him sharply. "Carl, if I can help you, I'm going to. Now hold still, I'm almost done."

Once she's satisfied that the adhesive won't bother him anymore, Noel discards the stained cloth and smiles at him with benediction. "See? All better."

Carl's flush intensifies as he looks away, resisting the urge to swipe at where Noel's saliva rubs into his tender skin. "I… Thank you."

Noel's smile brightens the room more intensely than his 'eye' ever could. "Of course, Carl! What are friends for? Now c'mon, the others will be back soon, and I want this cake to be the best birthday cake ever! Now, hand me the saffron, please."

Carl keeps his dread to himself as he hands over the spice. Later, much later, he will shoulder the cleaning duty with Noel. Even with his mask still in place, he swears he can still feel every thrum and pulse of her vibrant, beautiful soul.