82 | weeds; to play a charming fool

Kaden waited outside on the streets of Corpus, the town that grew busy at the night, crowded with people. There were those out drinking after a long work week, bellows of laughter cast across the night skies. His hair had been dyed black, a mole drawn at the corner of his eyes.

He sat by the fountain near the center of the main plaza, another person among the many others that passed him.

A black coat spread around him as he twirled a flower between his fingers.

A little girl with two messy pigtails ran up to him, a gap in her front tooth as she giggled. She wore a clean brown dress, neatly dressed. "Hi Mister!"

Kaden's expression softened slightly. "Hello."

"That's a really pretty flower! Where did you find it?"

"This?" Kaden held the small blue flower up, and she clapped her hands enthusiastically.

"I want to buy my mama some flowers, but they're all so ugly! Where did you buy it?"

He shook his head slowly. "I didn't buy it."

"Ah?"

"I grabbed it along the roadside. If you look carefully, you might find some more." He nodded to the streets; to the pockets of grass sprouting in the cracks. "I was lucky, but If you try hard enough, I'm sure you'll be lucky too."

The girl pursed her lips. "Isn't that just a weed, though? It's not so pretty anymore."

"Is its beauty defined by what it is?"

"Hm... well, it is pretty. Mn, but—"

He handed her the flower he was spinning, smiling. "If you take this one, it's no longer a flower from the road. It's a flower that belonged to me, so it's okay, isn't it?"

The girl stared at him with large eyes and nodded happily, as if satisfied. She grabbed the flower and gave a hearty wave before dashing away to find her mother. Kaden watched her as she ran up to a slender woman, happily revealing her given treasure.

Her mother laughed and her father picked up the child, spinning her around, full of praise in his wide smile.

Children, like that girl, were pure and innocent, yet to be tainted by the reality of society. They loved the beautiful and clean things, yet to experience a life outside of their loving home. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

To grow with love; to be nurtured into naivety.

He really didn't think that was such a bad thing at all.

It was as if his bones and blood had merged with air, a bystander like the weeds that grew in the cracks, simply watching. Why did a person have to grow, to learn how to fit into society and be selfless, to be kind? To treasure the beauty in the world even if there was none?

Why did they have to struggle endlessly when in the end everything would return to death?

For the sake of saving and protecting. For the sake of living for themselves, to enjoy the blessings of living. He didn't think it was all that worth it—although he supposed it would be ironic to say aloud.

His body tilted back, sitting dangerously at the edge of the fountain. With the sweep of the wind, he could fall backwards into the water, filled with coins and wishes.

The pair of pale green eyes slowly opened, meeting the sharp gaze of a woman across the street. She was dressed in a sultry outfit, wearing a mask that hid her face. Her hair was half done up, an elegant and alluring braid pinning it to her head.

In her arm was a drunken man, a hood high over his head though the flush of his face was noticeable.

The woman and man staggered over to where Kaden sat. The masked woman cleared her throat and pardoned herself, leaving the man behind. As she walked away, he saw her aggressively wipe her hands on her dress.

Kaden tipped his head at the other. "Good evening."

"Good evening." slurred the other man, straightening his back.

Even in public, he was keenly aware of others' gaze. Mirth filled Kaden's eyes at that understanding—at the perfect actor who desperately clung to nobility.

"By chance, sir, with the noble clothes you wear, could you help me out?" Kaden sighed heavily into his hands, the burden of something grand slumping his shoulders. "I've been staring at the crowd for hours, and I've yet to come to a conclusion."

Richard was flattered by the praise, puffing his chest slightly. "Of course. What can I do for you? In this evening, we're all friends."

"I'm a researcher. But it's grown harder and harder to collect samples." Another hefty sigh, leaning back and tilting his sharp chin to the sky. "My supplier ran out on me, and I simply don't have the connections to find another. Ah, what can you do either, right? I'm just complaining."

There was something about the sorrowful young man that drew Richard's gaze.

"Nonsense." Richard scooted closer, and Kaden smiled, resisting the urge to scoot away. "You're a lucky man to have met me." He lifted his hood slightly. "Do you recognize me?"

Kaden's eyes rounded. "How could I not? You're the man of these times, the one who crawled from rags to riches."

"Ahem— you flatter me too much. I have a supplier for you, lad. They can obtain whatever it is you need. What do you seek?"

The young man pressed his lips together, scratching his neck sheepishly. "It's a little controversial. I'm... I'm looking for vials of blood—mind you! Only small samples. Naturally, I wish no harm on anyone."

"Blood? Is that all?"

"Yes. It's difficult, isn't it?"

Richard laughed, slapping his thighs as he shook his head. Kaden had to admit, the man's natural personality to be cheerful and act close to others was indeed useful.

"It's the easiest! I know another man who purchases blood with my help." His voice lowered to a whisper, and Kaden's thumb ran across a particular stone in his pocket. "Therefore, there's quite some supply around."

"A fellow researcher?"

"Well, his research is more of a rich fool playing around. I suppose it's thanks to him that we've been able to study... other subjects. His research is meager compared to ours, though he seeks our results too. Let's not speak of him. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

A loose smile played on Kaden's lips, the picture of a charming young man. "Come now, who would treat you in such a manner and take your research results?"

"Impossible. I can't tell you."

"Of course, a man as noble as you would value privacy."

He moved closer, ignoring the goosebumps that spread under the sleeve of his shirt and his strong compulsion to take a hundred steps back. "If you share your supplier, why don't I tell you what I'm studying?"

Greed swirled in Richard Hall's eyes, and he sighed. "I can't. A man's research is valuable."

"But without a supplier, what research can I do? It's the least I may do for you."

Richard hesitated and nodded. "Then I'll appreciate your goodwill."

Kaden's eyes curved beautifully, a sharp contrast of colour against the night. It was near impossible for one staring into his eyes to look away.

"I'm studying the effects of blood. Do you know how magical it is?"

Richard Halls stared, transfixed, at the other's glowing gaze, the knowledge that seemed to dance behind the gentle face. He felt a little dizzy, a little drunk.

"What blood can do, what it's worth—can you imagine?"

"No... what are you saying?"

"By chance, do you have a vial on hand?" Kaden asked and knew that he did—Richard had just come from a meeting and flaunted off his resources. Bolivia had confirmed that there was a single vial left of unknown blood. "I promise to make it worth your time."

"I couldn't—"

"Ah, you can't? A shame. I hope at least, you aren't selling your resources cheaply. With the worth they have."

"Worth? Outside of being useful in experiments—"

"The value of the blood itself! Sir, do tell me you're aware of the properties. If not, let me show you. I'll be a loyal customer from henceforth."

Richard felt some familiarity from the youthful and handsome face, but he couldn't put his finger on it. His vision seemed a little blurred, and because of the familiarity, he felt even closer to the young man.

"I suppose I'll trust you."

The rich green eyes curved once more into crescents steeped in worship. Richard Halls, who adored those who adored him too, cleared his throat and rummaged for the vial in his pocket.

The man grabbed it gently and dropped beside the fountain, crouched by a small flower that had only begun to bloom. He swept his fingers lightly over the petals and tipped a few drops.

Crimson red drops hung at the edge of a quivering petal.

Richard frowned. "What're you doing?"

"Patience, sir." The man held a finger to his lips and drew a small blade from his pocket.

In a swipe, it slashed across his finger, and he carefully held it over the petal. One drop fell towards the petal, and for some reason, Richard couldn't look away.

The blood mixed together and nothing happened.

Richard turned his head once again, frustrated at being tricked. "You—"

"Look."

Then, when he turned back to the flower, the mixed blood had steeped into the light yellow hue, dying it red. The red spread further, every tender petal touched slowly crumbling into ashes behind.

"Do you see it?" smiled the young man quietly, his raven hair swaying in the gentle breeze. "What blood is worth—do you really know?"

His soft voice continued speaking, filling Richard's dazed ears. "Don't tell me you've been tricked into selling at a low price? Just as you're tricked out of your research? It seems those at the top of aristocracy really can't compare to commoners like us."

The distant play of a violin hymn came from the distance, a stranger playing in the rich night to entertain their audience.

Richard's voice raised slightly. "Of course not! No, I—I wasn't made a fool of...!"

"I think you've drunk too much this evening, sir. I'll bid you goodnight."

"What? No, no I haven't. I'm—"

His eyes widened, and he seemed to see the illusion of beautiful white wings filling the expanse of the space behind him. The man's smile was beautiful and serene, and he was encompassed by a gentle glow in the evening.

Richard's blurring vision flickered, and for a second, he wondered if he was dreaming of an angel or a demon smiling cruelly at him.

"Good night, Richard Halls." said the man softly. "I look forward to our business."

Richard's body slumped forward and the man beside him, once wearing a kind smile, did not catch him. He lowered his green gaze to the slumped body on the ground, a frost creeping into his pupils.

A woman wandered near and sat beside him on the fountain's ledge. Her narrow eyes glanced over at the many coins tossed into the water and she laughed.

"Always praying, never acting." she mused. "Successful?"

"It's enough to plant the seed of doubt, even if he doesn't believe me yet."

Bolivia watched the moving crowd. "Ah, of course. What did you make him see? He almost appeared enamoured by you. Actually, don't tell me." She yawned widely, rubbing her shoulders. "I must warn you, however. As I'm kind."

"...warn me of what?"

"You should know the consequences of using your blessing. If you think you merely have to worry about silly delusions alone, you're mistaken."

"...no, I'm aware. These delusions I see are the main side effect, it's evidence that my mind slowly deteriorates. There may be other side effects to overusing my abilities, I know that. I know that, but it doesn't matter."

The snake woman glimpsed the face of her partner and looked away. It was cold, and she felt the wind graze upon her scaled skin.

Her hand lingered to her throat, a dull, metallic taste coating its walls.

There had been a time, before her voice had the power to do anything but sing, where she would sit by the lake's edge underneath the endless blue skies. Her song would blend with the breeze, carried throughout the forest and welcoming all its dwellers.

She had thought, once, that she could sing by the lake's edge and one day wither into the sound of the forest's swaying leaves. Her song, eternal, in the life that it rooted itself in. But her sole audience had burned to ashes, its dwellers slain and hunted.

Soon, perhaps even her voice would abandon her.

"Would you like to listen to a song, human?"

Kaden hadn't expected such a question, frowning skeptically. "If my blessing goes into madness here, we'll definitely be caught."

"I can sing normally," snarled the woman, sighing. "I can sing. Just to sing."

Kaden leaned back against the ledge, closing his eyes peacefully. "Then sing. I'll be your audience tonight."

She opened her mouth, and Kaden sunk deeper into her melody. From the moment she lost everything, she'd sought revenge immediately. There was nobody left, and therefore she did not cry. Her heart burned with vengeance, with murder.

Now, as they approached her vengeance, she was no longer alone.

A temporary companion.

A crowd had begun to come closer, gathering around them. Richard, still covered by his large hood, was ignored as another drunken man on the streets. The people watched in fascination, lost in the drowning sorrows of her song.

The snake woman, still covered by a mask, stared up at the moon. The moon, her last witness to her tragedy and to her revenge.

There was whispering among the crowd, and those growing rowdy.

Kaden frowned, and he moved to suggest they relocate, but stopped when he opened his eyes to look at the woman. A trail of water slipped from underneath her mask.

She would find her vengeance soon; she would be buried with her beloved forest soon.

Only now could she use her breaking voice to sing to a last audience.

This was her mourning melody.

———xxx———

Lukiyo says,

I know I haven't been super responsive, I'm sorry! It's near the end of the semester so I have finals, essays etc and have been majorly distracted. Why is writing a 3k chapter so much lovelier than a 1.5k essay? (Don't answer that, I know hahaha)

I know I always say this, but I'll be responding to last chapters comments + this one tomorrow! Evening!

Surprisingly, I looked at the word count of this one and honestly it'll catch up to SSFP in 25 - 30 chapters? I realized the chapters of this one are a bit shorter than SSFP so it makes sense. December, I'll get a lot more done!

I estimate approximately 30/35 chapters for volume 3 & around 20 chapters for volume 4. It's sort of a concluding volume, the last one so it technically can be condensed, but I feel like the resolution is a seperate, if that makes sense?

Thank you all enormously for sticking with me all this time! I have a period in-between before my next semester starts later in December, so I'll be a lot more responsive/getting to things I said I'd get to ^^;;

Once again, all the love and all the christmas wishes, and I shall see you on Sunday (technically tomorrow actually)! Please do stay warm/cool, get plenty of sleep and stay healthy! If you're reading this in the wee hours of the morning, I'm talking to you!