33 | stoic; a face he can grow to like

The aloof and expressionless Lucas Silvius did not, in fact, quite know how to react with somebody with an even straighter face than him.

Especially when the man in question was one who typically flirted and teased with a careless smile fixed to his face and elegant confidence in his every action.

Therefore, seeing that same, punch-worthy face carrying such an imposing air of seriousness, Lucas wanted to avert his gaze. It was even uglier than usual, thought Lucas as he tugged at his dragging clothes.

"You're that fool?" asked Lucas bluntly.

The unsmiling Elias nodded. "I am. Would you prefer I call you 'darling' to prove it?"

Now, Lucas could imagine Elias saying these words in that shameless, twisted way with an edge of teasing to his tone. But being asked that question with a solemn stare was more frightening than irritating.

"I didn't think you could get more unlikable." commented the man.

"Is that to say you prefer the 'other' me?"

Lucas contemplated the question for several minutes before changing the topic, uninterested in replying properly. The wind whistled around them, standing at the edge of the town in silence.

Honestly, it was a little awkward.

"How did you find me?" Lucas, realizing that he would have to converse with this strange 'thing' for a while longer, plopped onto the ground and lazily leaned against his hand.

Elias looked down at him, blinking slowly. "It was more of an instinct, a sense that I needed to look for you. The Story makes it so that companions find each other."

"You're not my companion."

"That's right, the other Elias is."

Lucas frowned—that wasn't quite right either. What companion? He had been dragged into this Story, forced to play in a game he didn't want any hand in.

Clearly, the other person was no companion; he was a villain.

Lucas nodded satisfactorily at his conclusion.

"And so, what are you?"

"I'm Elias, no doubt about it." explained the man calmly. "However, I'm a reflection of the person who you are familiar with."

"I'm not familiar."

"Then, the person you're not familiar with."

This mirror-copy was rather agreeable, and Lucas continued to give him points. Soon, he wouldn't even want the other man back. Who needed the real version when the fake was even better?

He was quick to understand the situation, coming up with a few probing questions to confirm. "Is this a mirror of reality?"

The clone nodded. "Yes, it is. You are currently in side B, while your not-companion should be in side A."

"You're able to share this freely? What part do you play?"

"There isn't a particular reason for my existence." Elias glanced up, thoughtful. "I just exist. That's how the Story works—everything is mirrored."

Lucas grasped the main point. "Even Snow White and the Evil Queen?"

"Yes."

"Then what happens when I kill the one on this side of the mirror?"

"The other will die. Lives are connected through both sides, along with injuries and state of minds."

"You're straight to the point. I like you." praised Lucas appreciatively as he thought about the annoying comments the original would make.

Although it felt slightly out of place—like when one lived in a room for too long and then moved a piece of furniture. It would still be nice, but strange to get used to.

He didn't dwell on the vague discomfort that lingered in his mind.

Then, he tested the explanation by plucking a strand of hair from Elias' head and then grabbing another one calmly. The man stared at him, somewhat confused and Lucas' increasing hair collection.

"What are you doing?"

"If he hasn't found out about this yet, won't he feel like he's going bald?"

The clone considered this with a bland face and nodded in agreement. "That's a possibility."

Lucas grabbed another strand of hair for good measure, satisfied. It was petty vengeance for dragging him into this Story, but vengeance nonetheless. For now, it would have to suffice.

Time wasn't on their side considering despite knowing that Kane's arm would be safe as long as the others made it on time, Lucas didn't want to miss that opportunity.

Although unfortunately, Elias had been right—a part of him wanted to run away, to bury itself where nobody could find it, hiding out of sight. He didn't know where that inexplicable feeling roused from, but it remained constant.

Regardless, he wasn't going to wait around and see how warped this Story would get. "We'll go to the castle and find the Evil Queen."

"Even if she's not 'Evil'?"

"I won't kill her until everything is confirmed. Is there a way to contact the other you?"

"There is."

After answering, the man fell silent and stared through his deep blue irises, not making a move to add anything else. Seeing the appearance of unwillingness, Lucas understood that he couldn't say anything more.

"Fine. The method is likely something that can be found in the castle, right? Are there any other players, characters, whatever you want to call them? Or is it just him and I?"

This was a crucial question. Acting as one pleased was something Lucas did regardless of who was in his presence, but having other people around made it necessary to adjust slightly.

"There are 3 people in this Story. The maximum capacity is 8."

3 people? Had one of those in the car followed him unwittingly, and been forced into the Story? No, Wren was a person who could filter in and out of his head, regardless.

Nora would stay behind with Shen, the protective nature of a sibling more powerful than any sort of curiosity. Elliot was still unconscious, and the most likely to follow him—Rome—would be held back by Nora as well.

A random passerby, then?

That could become dangerous, depending on what sort of person they were. But considering there was no way of determining, he would simply have to move as he pleased.

Now, sneaking into the castle was a simple task.

There were a few guards stationed in the vicinity, and most of the townsfolk ignored the pair, as if mindless zombies moving to a set routine.

Not to mention, the serious Elias was cooperative and didn't play tricks as the other did so frequently. He behaved like a model student, diligently obeying Lucas' orders.

Despite this, the more Lucas glanced over at this Elias, who blinked back solemnly, not a twitch of amusement on his fine features, the more it unnerved him.

At some point, Elias had stared at him and asked, "Are you uncomfortable?"

"I'm not." dismissed Lucas.

They were crouching in a corner of the unnecessarily expansive castle, cautious of any sudden movements. Even if the Queen on this side might not be evil, it was better safe than sorry.

"You have looked at me several times unnaturally."

Lucas glanced sideways and shook his head firmly. "I'm not used to not thinking your face is extremely ugly and irritable at all times."

"....."

Then, after a pause, Elias said, "Essentially, I possess the same morals and ideals as the man you know. Do you dislike this side of my personality?"

"That's not it." Lucas fumbled with his words, not used to being asked so bluntly whether he liked somebody or not.

Really, he knew that the Elias he was currently talking to, with exception to how they behaved, was extremely similar to the other.

The cold, unflinching gaze of disinterest at everything—no doubt, a gaze that would remain the same if Lucas were to face peril.

"The other you smile all the time, even if his eyes remain cold. And you don't." said Lucas finally under the bright lights that ran along the walls. "It's strange, but I prefer it."

"Don't others prefer smiling people?"

"I don't care." came the stubborn, sullen answer that carried an air of exhaustion. "It's irritating when it's fake."

They'd ducked over a low concave, a decorated arch along the hallway, shading them slightly from the bright lights. Lucas frowned, eyebrows furrowed and watching, always thinking of what to do next.

A flicker of supposition danced at the edge of Elias' heavy stare as his eyelashes flickered and he lowered his gaze in thought.

Something tugged at the edge of his heart, itching lightly over it like a brush of wings against water, that sent ripples scattering across. He and the other Elias were linked in feeling and thoughts—even if the way they portrayed themselves was different.

Not that either was fake, however.

A mirror reflected one's innermost soul and identity, or a side that was hidden away, buried along with all conflicting thoughts.

Perhaps it was the shaded hat that fit loosely over Lucas' face, painting a comedic scene, or the sheer ridiculousness of their partnership to begin with. It was all these things that stirred Elias' settled emotions, rousing them to a waking state.

A smile curled at the corner of his lips, filled with silent mirth. It lasted for only a few seconds—but Lucas turned his head and paused.

After a second, he looked away and urged them forward to continue their exploration through the castle, stealthily avoiding the maids by hopping from room to room.

Yet, as he wandered down the hallway, he couldn't feel but think that a certain weed's genuine smile wasn't too bad, after all.

——xxx——

"What are you doing?" deadpanned Elias as he stared at the crouching figure pressed up against the side of the wall.

This Lucas blinked innocently. "Thinking."

"Care to elaborate, darling?"

"No."

"......"

It was actually the real Lucas playing tricks on him, wasn't it? Elias almost believed that, but the expression on the other—too meek and obedient to resemble that trouble seeking delinquent, Elias knew.

Half the doors around had been kicked down already, with Lucas following him like a stray puppy.

He half wanted to take a picture to show the other Lucas later, and half wanted to stuff this person into one of the standing amours at the side because the strange, puppy-like expression was seriously scaring him.

Then, a loud clatter echoed from his side, and before he could turn, Lucas had already jumped up, lunging.

Smoothly, he drew the sword from the statue, slicing a clean arc into the air.

He kicked his legs with practiced ease, snowy eyes wide and blazing, a predator waiting to attack—a striking comparison to the previous timid gaze. The pressure pulled his hair out of his eyes, revealing a clean forehead.

However, Lucas was a person who preferred fists over weapons, soon dropping the sword onto the ground and rushing out again.

The opponent was one of the Queen's guards, frequently strolling down and watching every room. Elias had come across a few, but not so many that he'd be defeated.

Elias watched in surprise as the guard was plummeted to the ground, given no way to fight back.

Lucas stood up slowly, as if waking from a long nap, and brushed his dangling hair out of his face with a huff. Gazing down at his defeated prey, he tossed his head back to cast a sidelong glance at Elias.

"For somebody who is much more timid than the one I usually tease," murmured the watching man as he stepped forward, voice light with amusement. "You're fairly strong."

"Even if... my personality is different, our past is the same."

"I can see that."

In a way, it was thrilling to watch somebody resembling a sweet, cowardly rabbit shedding their skin to reveal the wolfish strength laying underneath.

Elias laughed to himself at that thought. Lucas certainly was nothing even close to a frightened bunny, and he would be delusional to even consider that.

But was this a side to the man he didn't know?

A side so hidden and locked away in a treasure chest of wondrous secrets, for Lucas' sight alone?

If that was the case, Elias wanted to know. He was willing to admit that his curiosity was shallow, and his interest in things was fleeting—a no good character, really.

Yet this man, with so many layers, it would take a lifetime to uncover. To peel away the hard shell and reveal the soft secrets underneath, pliant and waiting to be found.

And that fact greatly appeased Elias, for reasons he couldn't understand.

"Anyway. Let's keep going." said Lucas, a calmness overtaking his features after the fight. "You'll run out of time."

"I have plenty of time. Isn't it you that's in a rush?"

The man halted in his tracks. An awkward stiffness still set in his straight shoulders, but a steady smile appeared on his face. "Unlike the Lucas you know, there are no barriers in my head. I remember everything."

"Do you? That ruins the fun."

"But you, yourself, are interested in me because of the care I have for my brother, right?"

Piercing white eyes, untainted by any reason or rule.

They stared right through Elias, and at any front he built. The whistle of wind screeched down the hallway, and scattered footsteps rushed towards where they stood.

Elias had been startled, for a mere moment, at his interests being read.

But perhaps the other companion of his, the more straight-faced version, would've recognized his simmering desires as well.

The blatant, hideous envy that flashed in his unwavering stare, and the patient curiosity. Curiosity to see how long such relationships could last, waiting to see everything crumble apart.

Because Elias wouldn't—couldn't trust relationships. Not blood-bound or made.

Before Elias could open his mouth to respond, something scratched at the ground, before a rumbling neared them.

It didn't sound like footsteps...?

Something bumped into the back of his foot, a low thud as a ball-shaped shadow entered his view. He didn't dare turn around yet—distracted by the nails scraping against the wall.

Only, the sound was strange and muffled, strangely close but far at the same time. It didn't seem to be coming from the other side.

It clawed desperately, as if trying to break out, the scraping eventually wearing out and becoming dreadful thumping, like it had worn its nails down until only bare flesh continued to press against the wall.

Thump, thump, thump.

Continuing persistently, the speed of the rubbing grew louder by the minute, and Elias was sure something would burst out of the walls at any moment.

The candles that lined the top surfaces of the walls whistled, hissing with a dying flame. Fear seized the air, deafened by the indifference of two, yet dominating all the same.

Thump, thump.

Lucas leaned closer to the sound, grimacing. The sound scrapped inside his ears, as if right there beside him. "Is it coming from the inside?"

"Careful," warned Elias. "If you get too close, you might accidentally kiss whatever is there."

The other immediately pulled away from the wall, shaking away the disgusting image of something peering at him from within with bloodied hands.

When he stepped back, he bumped into a round object that had rolled along the ground.

The cowardly Lucas looked down and almost choked.

A singular, gorged out eyeball stared at him, tendrils of flesh attached to the glazed surface.

"......"

Elias whistled. "It likes you—look how it stares."

Lucas lifted his head, wavering between timid fear and irritation. Finally, he settled for grabbing the other's arm and pulling them away from the thing in the wall and the rolling eyeballs.

They made a sharp turn at the corner before Lucas threw a random door open, flinging the both of them inside and promptly locking it.

"I'll assume that the Evil Queen doesn't enjoy us visiting her castle." remarked Elias, glancing down at the hand that wrapped around his wrist in a tight grip. "Although I do enjoy your eagerness to touch me—"

In the middle of his sentence, Lucas dropped the wrist he was holding and wiped his hand several times on his garments, as if disgusted by the germs.

"....."

When Elias opened his mouth to make a remark about a certain hygienic sponge's actions, Lucas looked over and smiled apologetically, though his hands didn't stop wiping against his clothes.

"....."

Ah, he really was starting to miss the dull, expressionless subordinate of his. At least that one wouldn't brightly smile while committing insulting acts.

A flash of light distracted him from his growing complaints, and the pair turned around. At the other end of the room stood a tall mirror, adorned by overlapping hands to make a circular frame.

Elias drew closer and touched one of the golden hands, feeling the tenderness and heat pulsing off. He snatched his hand away, eyes narrowing into slits.

The shimmering surface rippled, giving way to a hint of a different scene before returning to normal.

It was strange and almost hypnotizing, drawing the viewer to graze their fingertips over the reflection, almost as if the mirror could swallow them whole.

"Don't touch it." said Lucas hastily, bundling forward to grab Elias' arm.

Elias' eyes skittered sideways in surprise before he smiled. "Of course not. I'd have to say the magic words first, wouldn't I?"

He turned back to face the mirror and opened his mouth.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?"