The Sun From Abyss

Albedo isn't sure when it all began slipping away from him. The control he has over his life, his willpower, his decision making.

No, he can remember now. It all began with him. The dead-eyed young man from the abyss.

It was a night that will forever remain steadfast in his memory. He was working as always, alone in his laboratory, when he felt a chill in the air. A foreign presence invading his safe space. When the alchemist turned, there the stranger stood, leaning comfortably against the wall like he belonged there.

Albedo desperately tried to keep the expression of surprise from showing on his face. "Who are you?"

The hooded figure looked back at him, face hidden in shadow. He didn't respond, he just seemed to be watching, waiting.

Taunting him.

"State your identity." Albedo took a step away, trying to make some space between them. "I will not hesitate to notify the Knights." How did this person get in in the first place? The doors and windows must surely be locked.

"Whoa, whoa. No need to get so hot and bothered, Chief Alchemist. I just came to see that pretty face of yours, that's all." The figure removed their hood, revealing light skin, blond hair, and -

Dark eyes meet Albedo's, eyes with no light in them, eyes as black as the abyss.

"You recognize me, don't you?" The young man smiled lightly, but it's not a warm expression - it's the look of a predator. "I look just like her. But never mind that. I came to find you, mister Chief Alchemist."

"Me?" Albedo was trying to maintain his composure. This man does look like his friend Lumine, like her twin that she's been desperately searching for, but there's something off putting about him all the same. Those eyes, for example. Those are nothing like those warm honeyed eyes Lumine has.

"I'm really glad I made it in time!" The young man rubbed the back of his neck in relief. "I may never get such an opportunity again."

Albedo watched him cautiously, not saying anything. The man looked back at him, smiling, and then gasped. "Oh, I nearly forgot! I brought a surprise to celebrate this moment. Let me tell you, it was not easy to find something fitting for you, mister alchemist."

He began reaching into his cloak, and Albedo's hair stood on end. It's happening. He needs be prepared, he needs to-

The twin pulled out a bouquet of flowers, delicate white petals enshrouded in paper, and extended it to the alchemist.

"Ta-da!" He said, cheerfully. "A Cecilia bouquet just as perfect as you. It's fitting, is it not?"

What? Albedo stood dumbly as he took the bouquet, unsure of what to make of all of this. Even from here he could smell their sweet scent. What is going on?

The stranger continued, seemingly unaware of the ridiculousness of the situation. "I want to spend more time with you. I really do. But duty calls." He turned on his heel, pausing to look back and smile at Albedo. "Until our next rendezvous."

"I-Wait, I don't even know your name!"

But just the evening sun dipping below the horizon, the stranger was gone.

The rest of the night Albedo sat, puzzling over the young man who dropped in so suddenly. He put the flowers in a vase, what else is he to do with them, and he checked the windows and doors to see if they were locked.

And indeed, they all were locked. This fact doesn't make him feel any better.

He didn't necessarily feel compelled to contact the Knights despite how bizarre the situation is, nor did he feel tempted to go out and find Lumine and tell her he met her long lost twin, if that's who he really is.