Of Love and Death.

The Future Chapter 10: Pink and Teal Pt. 1

Yes,  I know that Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, and Athena the Greek. Just bear with me, there's a reason for the discrepancy. It's intentional. Also, in the second part, someone gets irrationally scared that someone is coming to harm/kill them. 

     Bel stood up and walked to the edge of his deck, looking down at where his parents were battling after dinner. The two of them made quite a racket between Spryzen and Valtryek clashing and calling out moves. Still, with the amount of battles Bel at least heard everyday, all of that was background noise to him. Even the dull buzzing of bugs and sharp chirping of birds were more abnormal to him.

     You're going to challenge her, correct? Belfyre asked. Bel nodded. He breathed in the humid dusk air, letting the smell of water drift into his nose, carried from the creek hidden just beyond the row of trees that lined his backyard.

     Of course, Bel replied. He yawned a bit. It wasn't all that late, but he'd had two tests today, not to mention running ten miles as a part of training after the meeting with Gabe. So, he was a bit exhausted. That's what the paper's for, Bel explained, turning around and walking to the small table that his family would sometimes eat at. A blank cardstock note with blue trim and a matching envelope rested on the table. Bel had gotten them from his dad's desk right before he left the Pit for the day.

     I knew that was what the paper was for. Well, either that or a love letter to Zusie, Belfyre smirked.

     Bel turned red and pulled Belfyre out of his resting spot on Bel's belt. The blader glared at the bey, with all the fury of Mr. Midnight when he doesn't have food. Well, maybe not that much fury. No one could match that fury. Well, Bel was still furious! And indignant!

     "I-I'm not," Bel stammered, pointing an angry finger at his partner. As Belfyre sparkled magenta, Bel heard laughter in the back of his mind. He gritted his teeth, trying to think of a good reply. Aside from just stammering that he didn't like Zusie, which probably wouldn't work too well, unfortunately.

     C'mon, I know you thought she was cute, Belfyre remarked, continuing with his teasing. Seriously, sometimes Bel's partner was more of a sibling than Bel's actual sibling. Which was quite annoying, because Bel hadn't signed up for dealing with an extra brother when he'd started blading.

     "Well I couldn't have noticed if Zusie was cute or not, because I was too busy blading!" Bel declared, crossing his arms and turning to the side, as if to diss Belfyre. It didn't work too well considering that the spinning top was in his hands, and just moved with him. Well, whatever. It's the thought that counts. Or at least that was what Bel was going to tell himself over the sound of Belfyre's even louder laughter after that outburst.

     "What's this about Zusie?" Bel's father asked, his slightly raised voice drifting up to the deck where Bel was. Bel immediately froze in place, feeling his face go red. Bel really hoped no one could see how much of a tomato he was. Which was not something he wanted to happen, as it would take ages to convince his parents and/or Jamie that he didn't actually like Zusie. Which was the truth.

     Zusie was cute, and Bel respected her as a blader and, although they hadn't really met outside the stadium, he had a feeling she was a good person. Albeit a bit serious, and hating of small talk. Which weren't moral failings by any means, just not what Bel was looking for. He wanted someone who could take a joke.

     Also, Bel just simply hadn't felt any connection with Zusie in that way. Sure, he would love to be friends with her, but not give her his heart. Which, by the way, Dad I know you're spying on my head right now, Bel thought, informing his blue haired parent that he knew what was up.

     "Okay, yes, but how many times have I told you that, if I think you have a crush, I'm going to find out?" Bel's dad inquired. Bel sighed, looking down at the way the leader of the Snake Pit was raising an eyebrow. Along with Bel's father, who seemed to be trying to hold in laughter, probably because of this whole situation. His dad was right, Bel and Jamie had long known that, as much as their mind-reading parent respected their privacy, if he thought something was wrong, or that one of the two of them liked someone, he was going to find out an answer.

     "Well, now you know that I don't like her. So, I'm going to go back to writing this letter to the Masked Blader!" Bel announced, turning back to the table before anyone could ask if there was anyone he did like. That includes you, Belfyre, Bel hurriedly spoke, before his partner could pipe up and ask the question.

     Fair enough, Belfyre conceded.

     Bel picked up the plain black sharpie that was lying on the table, and tapped it on the wooden surface. I'm just not sure how to write it, Bel confessed, changing the subject back to what it had been before he was rudely accused of liking someone. He placed Belfyre down on the table next to him as he felt the inner drama king in him surface. After all of the cloak and dagger theatrics that the Masked Blader had used to get him to battle her, Bel wanted to show that Zac copier up. He wanted to write the perfect letter that would announce to the Masked Blader that he was on her level, both blading wise and literature wise.

     The only problem was the words just weren't coming. Which didn't make any sense, most of the time he was perfect at being over the top formal. After all, with the amount of times he called himself the Demon Prince he was practically royalty. So, why was he just staring at the blank piece of paper, the words unable to come.

     If I may, Belfyre began, not even pausing for a second to let Bel even think about answering. No, he just barreled through, keeping going with his advice even if it was unwanted. Which it wasn't, but Bel could definitely have done it on his own. Probably. Maybe. Okay it was likely that he would have just stared at the blue and white notecard for an hour and a half before writing down "battle me" and a location.

     I suggest that you don't write like the Masked Blader. Everything about her that is so "cloak and dagger" as you say is not as much you. To be blunt, you are not a formal person, and calling yourself the Demon Prince doesn't help matters as much as you want it to. Just get to the point and challenge her to a battle.

    Oh. Oh, oh, oh, that made a lot of sense. Also saved Bel a lot of time. He really didn't want to spend an hour planning out a letter, he wanted to battle. So yes, this was a good solution. There was just one problem. Bel wanted to get back at the Masked Blader for spelling his name wrong. Only, how on Earth was he supposed to do that? Even with a formal note it would be hard.

     There was a long pause, made up of Bel contemplating his problem, and Belfyre contemplating if his partner had given all of his intelligence to Jamie. Even Bel wondered about that at times like this.

     Um, Bel, Belfyre began, still sounding seriously concerned for the brain power of his partner. Which was still a valid concern. The solution to this "dilemma" was obvious. So obvious that he shouldn't have even asked how to solve the problem.

    Yeah, I know, Bel sighed, picking up his pen and going to work.