Magic's Violence Record

Chapter 18: Petty Boys

        Serenade steps out onto the warmly lit porch. It was still pure darkness ahead, as always; something Serenade had learned to overcome her fear for. She knew what lies beyond it. Just the field and the ladder that led back to the surface. She'd suggested to Masolis to change the color of the lighting so it didn't always feel like a horror movie, but she insisted on the warm lighting to complement the warm, bronze color of the wooden cabin. Cool lighting just wouldn't do. Her second suggestion consisted wholly of ideas on where to put extra lights to light up the field. She'd told her, "What is there to light?" And with that, the conversation stagnated. The field? If you could even call it that. Additionally, there weren't many stores around anyway.
"Elixir?" Serenade whispers quietly, not wanting to disturb Elixir in case he was on a phone call. She peeped around the corner to find him just playing on his phone. It seemed useless, but clearly it was some kind of nightly ritual. Serenade turned the corner with more confidence. "I... Wanted to talk? If you aren't busy."
"Aren't you supposed to be training with Anatoly?" Elixir asks. Though it seemed like a rude question, Elixir said it genuinely. Serenade took no offense.
"I mean, sure, but I really wanted to talk to you." Serenade said, growing a bit more nervous. It was a good kind of nervous though. The kind of nervousness that made Serenade's insides warm, and her fingertips tingle. It might've been a little too much though. She walked across the wooden porch, and claimed a seat next to Elixir. It was heated, perfect, since Serenade had forgotten her cardigan. (Even if the thick turtleneck was what actually kept her warm.)
"Is there something wrong?" Elixir asked. Serenade was quieter than usual, which would normally make sense with any normal person, considering its midnight, but this was Serenade. Serenade went to sleep at 2 am and disturbed everybody in the process. She got ready for bed by playing on an ancient console she got from Anatoly, (with the worst graphics imaginable, couldn't run most games,) and did that on full volume.
"Um... So you know how I'm near you a lot... Right? And flirt with you and stuff?" Serenade blinks.
"Yeah?" Elixir smiles.
"Well, er... Do you have a girlfriend?" Serenade smiles really big as a sign of nervousness.
"I don't, why?" Elixir tilts his head.
"Boy, you know why!" Serenade punches Elixir in his shoulder.
"Jeez, fine. Sorry! Yeah, I was waiting for you to say something." Elixir says jokingly.
"You were waiting for me to make a move? For months? Oh my god, Anatoly was right! You're SO petty!" Serenade snapped, blushing.
"Oh come on, we have years here. No time really can be wasted," Elixir says casually. Serenade appears hurt from this remark. Part of her had hoped they'd go to the surface eventually.
"Why do we insist on hiding here? The letter could've been a joke for all we know!" Serenade pouts. "I'm homesick. I miss Phrodite. I miss my house."
"What do you mean? Bria knows Kikyo, it can't be a joke. It's too specific, you know?" Elixir explains.
"What...?" Serenade's face contorts into confusion and her blush fades. "Bria knows Kikyo? Why didn't she tell me?" She asked. Elixir made a guilty face like he knew he wasn't supposed to say anything.
"Probably just forgot... Not like it changes anything." Elixir shrugs. "All I know is that she's actually a threat. I'm not actually sure what she wants from you, but by what I've heard, she isn't the type to reason."
"Isn't the type to reason...? So we're just gonna brush all this off? Wait till she gets over her anger we know nothing about?" Serenade asks, no hint of attitude in her voice.
"I don't know." Elixir says, honestly. "This wasn't my idea. Do you not like it here?" He asks.
"No, that wasn't what I meant!" Serenade exclaims nervously. "This place is like a home to me if anything. And I love staying here with you..." Serenade looks away.
"It'd be nicer if it were just us two, huh?" Elixir smirks. Serenade, still not having met his eyes, taps on her knee.
"I never said that..." She tries to explain. "I love everybody, and sharing this house with everyone is a blessing. Every day is so exciting!"
"You wouldn't prefer it if it were peaceful? Just us? Haven't you thought about sharing a room at least once?" Elixir raises his eyebrows. Serenade's face flushes.
"W-We do share a room! You don't even know what you're talking about..." Serenade covers her mouth with her hand, attempting to look deep in thought.
"You know what I mean... Just us." Elixir leans down to look at Serenade's face, which she was poorly attempting to subtly hide by looking "deep in thought."
"That's creepy..." Serenade blushes. "I wouldn't want you to think I'm weird."
"You are weird... I promise that wouldn't make you any weirder. When we sang karaoke last week, you sang a violin song." Elixir points out.
"What's wrong with that? Is the violin not a good instrument? I assumed you'd like the arts at least a little bit." Serenade says defensively.
"The piece didn't have lyrics... I can't even describe the sounds you were making."
"Violin sounds, duh!" Serenade says proudly.
"Well, you're definitely weird. But that doesn't mean anything. If anything, it's cute."
Serenade stares at him with a look of surprise and embarrassment. Not due to him liking her weirdness, rather, "cute."
"Well... If you say so..." She says, embarrassed.
"Actually, I don't think I'd settle for a girl who isn't a bit weird. You're endlessly positive, warm, and kind, and you're very distinctive." Elixir says sweetly.
"Ahah... thank you. Distinctive?" Serenade says nervously.
"You don't hesitate to be yourself... You're energetic and bold." Elixir explains.
"I think that's a compliment..." Serenade laughs.
"It is. I love it."
Serenade, who's trying to be casual and lighthearted struggles with the casual jabs at her composure. With each comment, she turns a little redder and has a harder time meeting his eyes. Not that she was in the first place.
"So, are you going to ask the question?" Elixir asks.
"What question?" Serenade replies. Elixir rolls his eyes.

"Serenade, will you be my girlfriend?" Elixir asks, sounding a bit defeated. Regardless, Serenade's eyes lit up, and by now there weren't any parts of her skin that weren't a little flushed.
"Uh... yeah... I'd really like that..." Serenade says quietly, facing away from Elixir, instead opting to stare in the direction of the ladder as if it was any more interesting. Elixir slides his hand into hers, sensing her nervousness, and she collapses into her knee. Instead of feeling the need to fill up the silent porch with words, they sat quietly, which was comforting to Serenade considering she didn't think she wanted to be pushed further. Just then, the front door opens, and footsteps hit the porch.
"Where are you going?" Elixir asks.
"Just... on a walk." Bria says, smiling. "What's wrong with Serenade?" She laughs. Serenade perks up slowly, and Bria waves to her before walking away. She pulls a flashlight out of her pocket and uses it to guide her way to the ladder. Serenade slowly sits up and looks at her, confused. Though Bria doesn't turn around, all Serenade can see is the faint bobbing of her shoulder-blade length blonde ponytail, and the louder than normal steps of her black combat boots. She wasn't even wearing winter attire... Maybe it was a guardian thing.