Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Black Knight

Some things are more shocking than others. Apparently a picture Nyeli had drawn was one of them yet Ann did not get the fuss surrounding it. They had this conversation with Ritsu several times before and they would not back down from this at any given moment. In their mind the answer was as clear as day, the most obvious answer one could come across. No one had to be a genius to figure this out. A blind person could tell! It wasn't that hard! So they really didn't understand why Ritsu insisted on bringing this up time and time again! It was a little nerve wracking. Besides, having to even think about that guy when they didn't have to... It was frustrating, to say the least. If it were up to them they would not waste a thought on him if they could help it, if he wasn't present. But alas, that's not how things worked apparently. Because now something was up with Nyeli and Ritsu brought it up time and time again, wasting more energy on an Arschloch than they liked. This was getting repetitive. But at least the conversations were cut short... That was until this day, that one day which would force them to think... Even if they didn't really want to do so...

Honestly, the sight at first confused them... That Nyeli was capable of doing something like this, let alone would waste his hobby and time drawing this of all things. While the drawing brimmed with child–like naivety one could easily make out what this 'random scribbling' supposed to be. A man in black armor, surrounded by darkness all around. A heavy sword in one of his hands, his expression grim yet pained all the same. He seemed cold, though at the same time seemed to clutch onto dear life, trying so hard to not fall into the brink of insanity. The colors were all a mere black or gray, even his hair. This made his blue eyes stand out even more however, the only amount of color found in this image. Everything else was a dark mess, to say the least. The image of a 'black knight', or so one could suggest from Nyeli's drawing. And while it might seem random to some it was way too obvious who this was supposed to be – Izumi Sena himself. But the question was... Why?

Now, it was not unusual for Nyeli to draw those he considered family in a different setting, in different scenarios. He usually picked his favorite, the time of maidens and knights, inspired by medieval Europe, like the ones he had been exposed to when Ann had still considered themselves to be a 'young girl'. Both would just browse through the picture books to no end, usually to Nyeli's amusement and he would not let go of it ever since. So him drawing those close to was not odd: Four of the Knights portrayed as actual knights: The Papa as the 'brave and fearless one', Arashi being the 'lady knight', Leo being a 'knightly king' and Tsukasa being the youngest of said knights, the aspiring rookie. He even had included his current art teacher at a point as a medieval artist yet mentor figure to the tiny knight in question, Nyeli himself. His Sisnya was the Princess who needed saving from the 'evil fearsome dragon', portrayed by the pet cat of the Wolffs. They were featured in several images, even one which showed them all.

However, what they saw was something they had not seen before, ever, and Nyeli had not presented this drawing to anyone it seems. Otherwise Ritsu would have not stormed in and not had the urgency to present it to them. In fact, Ann couldn't believe it even after seeing it... Nyeli had bothered to draw an image of Izumi in this setting. Sure, it was only one, but one is not none. This would shift the perspective drastically, to say the least, and left Ann in some type of disbelief. It was just so sudden... Very sudden, it hit them like a truck. Literally. This image existed. It was real, and it had been right in their view.

Ritsu was glaring at them as a result, a little narrowed, which was a bit unusual perhaps. They were used to his soft expressions from beginning to end. Never had they seen such a sharp glare from him which meant that he means business. No talking out of this now, this was proof. 'Told you so', that was what his face had been saying at that very moment. Yeah, he did. He brought up his gut feeling and it seemed that he had the evidence now.

When did he find this? While cleaning up, Nyeli has scattered his papers all over before leaving to 'who knows where' for some time, probably to explore. And from the report he had also been in massive disbelief when seeing this. This drawing was the least colorful of all. Even the 'epic battles between the knights, the hero and the dragon' were so colorful, right to the brim. One could feel the joy coming from them, how much the kitty must have loved drawing them, seeing his family at such a place... But when it comes to this drawing, it was anything but. It existed in isolation, one portrayal. Nothing more. And it was darker than the rest. It lacked the usual energy the others had which was almost terrifying. Yet even then, it had been drawn... So that means some twisted fate... Somehow, much to Ann's own dismay...

"Nyeli doesn't hate him?" Was their first reaction with wide eyes. But why? Why!? That A rsch was not kind to Nyeli at all! Why would this drawing exist!? There were plenty of reasons to hate this guy! This made no sense in their head! What was the meaning of this!?

"Well, not yet." Ritsu responded, in an oddly calm voice. It was how he usually talked however, so it may have been just that. "I think we both are more than aware."
A black knight thought... One at the brink of insanity though... The portrayal was not very flattering. Truth to be told, they had to think about this closely. Though they did not wish to do so. They wanted to say the same thing. ' Verdient ', basically saying Izumi deserved it. This was their reaction and they wished they could have kept it at that. But the male in front of them didn't make it easy, far from it. He practically shoved it right into their face, as if saying 'You know what this means! You work with symbolisms everyday! You can read between the lines!'

Why would they know though? Hah, because they love writing. Symbolism and imagery were two basics to master. So yes, they were familiar with this. And even then, they didn't need those qualities to understand the basic message delivered: There was no hatred, at least not yet. Instead this image of Nyeli was anything but filled with malicious intentions. It was... Odd... Perhaps sad to look at? Ugh, just the thought of feeling anything but hate for this guy twisted their stomach. They didn't understand. They just didn't. Were they that blinded by their rage? Perhaps. But could one blame them? This guy wasn't exactly trying to hide his criticisms, his complaints, ever since the day the two met... There was an immense amount of tension between them. No one could change that. They tried to keep an open mind but it was literally impossible.

Ah this was just a record talking in their mind... Their opinion of him would never change! They were almost certain of it! And Nyeli should have been on the same page... But... Judging from this... Agh, too much of a headache to be honest!

So with all of this in mind they nodded after some time, things having been an utter mess in Ann's mind. They... Had to give in, to say the least. But that didn't make things any less confusing. Izumi the Black Knight... Not 'Izumi The Maniac'...

A conclusion on that day... There was none, even after Ritsu's endless scolding. After all, no one could answer their confusion on this day... Not at that moment at least.