you're incredibly wicked

28: waxing gibbous in aries

The break had a little bit of a rough start, but all seems to be smooth sailing. For the first time in a while, Nikolai seemed to be content being in Palato. But, what makes him worthwhile is seeing Serena have all of these new experiences and really get used to how the mortals lived.

In the afternoon before the sun was close to setting, he decided to take her onto a magical means of transportation called a ship. Palato was near the ocean, and what could be a better way to see the world than to go on a ship?

He bought the tickets and along with a handful of other people, went off into the ocean to set sail.

Serena wore a white sundress with a flowy hat while Nikolai had a short sleeved button up with capri pants. As opposite as they could be, they were almost inseperable.

"The water here is so clear and blue! Look, I can see all of the fish swimming in the water!"

Fish swam towards the boat, doing little dances while they swam.

Both of them were on the top floor of the boat and yet the view was wanderlust no matter where you went.

"I feel like I'm flying!"

"Just imagine it as flying, well you are, but over water instead of in the sky."

Serena soon thought of heaven and how the water looked. There wasn't as many colors there as there were here. She looked up at the sun and thought of home.

"Serena.." Nikolai worried.

"What?"

"What are you doing? You're going to burn your eyes out."

She looked down.

"Just thinking of home. My eyes hurt."

"You were staring at the sun. That's like torture."

"Really? The sun is so vibrant and bright. We don't have the sun in heaven. It was always clouds, white clouds."

"As much as the sun is nice, too much can hurt you. Palato is normally super sunny, but rain would come along."

"Really?"

"Yes, indeed."

The boat landed and everybody got off. Serena and Nikolai walked the streets afterwards and played with some of the street cats. Many of them looked like they were well groomed and taken care of.

"Palato is one of the friendliest places for cats. Along with Theón. They love the warm climate and the fresh air. Many of the villagers take care of the cats around here. Some adopt them too."

"You seem to love cats, you have 5 more at home. I wonder, how do they take care of themselves and the house when you were gone?"

Nikolai stroked an orange tabby while Serena played with a grey and white cat.

"Cats can naturally take care of themselves. But in Grozine, pets have all sorts of abilities and magic. I forgot Rupert can teleport with me. I never left the academy until now."

"Really? Why not?"

Nikolai sighed.

"I had no reason to come back." He cut her off abruptly.

Serena just nodded and her and Nikolai sat in silence as they stroked each cat that passed by.

"Animals are an absolute joy to have in the world. It breaks my heart to see that there are people that would abuse animals in so many ways." Serena broke the silence.

"You must see it a lot in heaven."

"I have, animals come in at their worst state, and while I don't have to, I take care of them and bathe them so that they're happy for all eternity." Serena started to tear up.

Nikolai quietly and swiftly placed his shoulder over her.

"It's a lot to digest. Heaven isn't all smiles and happiness."

"I only really ever had contact with dead people, so seeing the world with people that are alive and having beating hearts was strange. But, if this is what it's like to live, then I wouldn't want to go back."

"Go back? To heaven?"

Nikolai and Serena got up and started walking througha more quiet part of the village. Farmfields and a small pond were in their view and the sun was starting to subtly set.

"I have a few siblings, the two that are older than me went down from heaven to attend academy just like me. They had the same story; start attending the academy, meet their soulmate, graduate, and come back to heaven with their soulmate and live happily ever after. But, I'm having second thoughts about my fate. My time here is already cut short a year."

"Serena.... wow. I didn't know you felt this way at all."

"Besides, you probably wouldn't like heaven anyways. It would be too bright for you."

He turned towards her.

"In this case, it's not about me. This is about you. I never knew that you felt this way."

"I never told anybody. If somebody snitched on me, then I would get in trouble with everybody. I didn't know what I would be thrown into growing up. And, when I came here I felt so stupid. I can barely function like a human here. There's still so much that I have and want to learn. My life was the same every single day. Until, I came down here. Everyday is different from the rest and for the first time in like ever, I get excited to wake up to a new day."

Serena's tears came back again and Nikolai held her tightly.

He whispered softly in her ear.

"You're doing great so far. Life is crazy, even here. I'm so proud of you for still wanting to learn more."

He spawned a tissue and dabbed her eyes.

"And you know, you take care of me. I want to repay the favor."

She shiveled a little bit.

"You're spoiling me."

"You've been spoiling me recently. I can't seem to help myself when I'm with you."

"And didn't you say that you wanted nothing to do with me at first?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I've gotten used to you."

"Just used to me? Come on, you can tell me. I don't bite, unless you want me to."

The sun was fully starting to set, a glow of warm colors splashed on Nikolai and Serena.

"Please don't bite." Nikolai murmured.

"Ease up! I was teasing!" He bumped his shoulder playfully. "Why don't we just watch the sunset together?"

"I never thought that you would ask."

The two of them sat down together and watched the sun set, Serena and Nikolai cuddled until the sun fully set.