Algernon Black

(Chapter 101) The Naked Mile

Pecilia again managed the arrival of Lucy and Freya at the goddess of creation's cavern, but this time before they were allowed to enter, they had to submerge their hands into a bucket of clear stain that felt like and looked just like cold water to Lucy.

She analyzed her palms after to see no change in them, except for when the swirling ball's of multiple colors lights randomly beaming all across the room red light fell onto Lucy's hands, and they glowed yellow.

"It means we're all unaffected," Pecilia illustrated by showing her hands shone the same.

"What does that mean?" Lucy asked, glancing over the hands of those around them. But most were faced down or holding a drink and the constantly spinning light didn't linger for much longer than a second on anyone.

"It's the way of worship tonight," Pecilia explained, getting herself a drink of green shimmering liquid. "Yellow hands mean we are the fortunate ones that did not get infected, yet. But there are those here that are, and their hands glow green under the light. If one of them touches you, then you'll be infected and to become cured you must pass on the disease to two unaffected before midnight, or else." Pecilia said, making sure her ending held enough dramatics to scare Lucy.

"What happens at midnight?"

"Those that are affected must run to the god of destruction and prey for him to destroy the disease," Pecilia paused for effect. "Naked."

Lucy's body locked in place as her face flushed white.

Pecilia laughed at her. "It's supposed to symbolize the great sickness that washed over Emora 1,500 years ago. And the queen at the time, who walked 100 miles naked to the god of destruction's altar to beg him to destroy the plague on her people. This way instead of one person walking 100 miles naked alone, we have a 100 or more running one mile naked." Pecilia said and could already see the next question in Lucy's eyes. "If you are infected and you don't run the mile the paint hardens, and your fingers stay glued together for a month."

Lucy's eyes darted around herself, very paranoid of anyone in close proximity.

"Lucy," Jasper sang, appearing from behind and grabbing her waist.

"Jasper!" Lucy yelped, nearly jumping out of her skin thinking he was someone meaning to infect her. "Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry." Jasper apologized smiling and carried his smile over to Pecilia. She ignored it, taking a sip of nectar before stalking away to go about her night with as much forged enthusiasm as she always did.

Jasper laughed off Pecilia's coldness, having a novel fondness for the good nature she hid under her thorny veil.

"Jasper, we have to leave now." Lucy rushed to say. "Pecilia told me that if someone touches us and we become infected we'll-"

"I know." Jasper interrupted before Lucy worked herself into too much of a panic. "But we can have a little fun first, right?" He responded, spinning Lucy around and catching her by the waist. "I promise I won't let any of them touch you."

"Ok." Lucy grudgingly conceded.

Jasper laughed and spun Lucy around again. To the nobles here, this was nothing but a relatively tame party, but Lucy couldn't imagine anything more fearsome. Well, perhaps one boy, who she had yet to spot entering the cavern, though he did. And Jasper watched Algernon as the door attendants tried to make him dip his hands in the invisible stain, but immediately yielded once the artifact user shot at them his monstrous black eyes.

"On second thought," Jasper said, leading Lucy's line of sight away from Algernon. "Let's go now." He started to steer Lucy to the cavern's back exit. Lucy followed but was extra aware of everyone they passed.

Pecilia was still working on her first drink when she spotted Algernon as well, plummeting her mood and ruining the effect of the nectar. Algernon was stalking around the party, obviously searching for someone, and Pecilia knew if he was to find her everyone would notice, because even though he barely acknowledged or gave anyone a glance, everyone watched Algernon, especially after the tourney of winter when he defeated about one-fifth of the people here in a single strike of his weapon.

"Algernon Black at a party." Enalease, a second-year girl who was often hanging around Franchesca's group, advanced on him. "Tell me do you wear all black because of your last name? Me and my friend have a bet going on." The girl ogled him over the rim of her glass, taking into account every fine line of his body, and making Algernon instantly uncomfortable.

"It's just easier to match everything this way," Algernon dryly replied.

"So is every article of clothing you wear black?" Lora, a friend of Enalease, asked, her eyes unabashedly wandering to the lower regions of his body.

Algernon tensed but otherwise tried his best not to react.

And everyone wonders why he doesn't come to parties, Pecilia silently mused as she observed the desperate misdirected girls.

"Enalease," Pecilia chimed in, coming to take position at Algernon's side. "Why not grab another drink, your mouth looks like it's getting dry with the way it's hanging open."

Enalease scuffed, bitterly insulted but walked away. She at least knew her standings and a Row took precedence.

"The reason you don't wear anything other than black really isn't because of your last name?" Wilham asked, completely confuzzled, as if his entire worldview had been shifted.

Pecilia disregarded Wilham to turn the conversation back to truly important matters. "And why did our resident sad little cold boy make his way here?" She asked hands on hips and standing in his path, so he was forced to acknowledge her. She also faked a smile so any of the many people watching might think they were having a delightful conversation.

Algernon averted his eyes. He had come because of Luke deliberately letting him know that Lucy would be here tonight, and for the last few hours he'd worked up a sweat in his greenhouse debating if he should go or not, before imagining enough dangerous scenarios Lucy could get herself in before finally giving up the fight and coming.

Pecilia figured out his answer in his silence. "And why in the gods do you think it would be a good idea to follow her here?" She scathed with her smile still plastered on.

"I was just making sure she was safe."

"Well, she is!" Pecilia replied. "And she actually already left."

"Oh," Algernon sulked, relieved but more so disappointed.

Pecilia rolled her eyes. "Well, are you going to leave and make things even more suspicious, or would you like to be in control of the rumors?" She demanded, handing him her drink as everyone examined the pair.

Algernon didn't need to look up to sense their stares. He sighed, taking the green nectar and peering down at it tiredly.

"Great," Pecilia scuffed. She laced her arm through his and Algernon let it happen. Immediately everyone stared at Pecilia in either curiosity or jealousy, while Algernon thought it a waste to be seen with another woman if it wasn't going to make Lucy envious, though he knew it had its other, less petty, advantages.