The Comet's Crash

Chapter Three

"In today's news, NASA has just announced the 21st anniversary of the Great Crash of CC-01 and will be celebrated this week. It was a comet that had crashed into, what is now known as, the Carlington Muesem. The muesem was built around the landing after 20 years of scientists' observation. You can see a piece of the rock in it's-"

Kumiko shut off the television and snorted, "What a load of bull!" She dips her paint brush into a shade of blue and splashes it into a blank canvas. "As you said Andria, where in the flap jacks is the indentation of it's mark?"

"Kumiko, what have I told you about painting in the living room?" I questioned her as I studied for my mutation quiz. The messy brunette always had a habit of painting in our white living room.

"It isn't my fault that the walls were painted white!" She sighed in frustration. "And if you just let me buy a house, this wouldn't be a problem."

"I like our little apartment." I rolled my eyes. "What are you working on anyway?"

"Shouldn't you be angry?" She ignored anything I've said. "It defies everything you believe in!" She drops her brush into the cup and stares at her canvas. "What if this is all a scam to get money? Man, humans are so stupid."

"Give a round of applause because you just insulted your own species." I stood up and began walking towards the door, which catches Kumiku's attention.

"Hey, where you going?" She asks. I put on my knee high black boots and beige trench.

"You heard the lady, tomorrow is the presentation. I have to start getting ready."

"4.6 billion years ago, particles of nearby collisions, originated from the sun, asteroids, and comets, slowly gathering gas and dust into rocks. Those small rocks turned into boulders and clashed into one another becoming bigger than it was, and created the small planet that is now known as Earth." Holograms showed up in front of me, demonstrating how Earth was first like in it's development stages. Orange pieces from the sun and other rock objects were shown to attach. Seconds passed, the small dust-like orange lights became a post-planet. "Now, billion years later, it is with great pleasure to announce that NASA's findings on the Great Blue Crash will be explained here in Carlington's Academy Space Exploration Museum known as ROSAA." The hologram switches it's color into an icy blue rock. "May we continue to evolve into a smarter generation."

The lights slowly turned dim as the audience stared intensely at the hologram. After a few minutes later, one of the scientist at NASA stood up.

"We may begin the interview questions but, ask for no flash photography to avoid fading artifacts." The lights turned back on and many started to ask questions. I was pretty surprised as to how many people there were here. I looked around the crowd. The first few rows were interviewers and had cameras pointing right at the levitating rocks. The rest of the audience were intrigued fans of science and/ or forced by the children to see.

We finally had an hour lunch break. Everyone departed from the room and started to walk by the cafe or roamed around the art gallery. I stood by with Hideyoshi as she put on a new piece she was working on. "Celestial, is it not?" She asked. It was breathtaking.

The painting had a beautiful lady in the middle, sitting helplessly with her limbs chained and her back facing towards us. She had grey to almost white hair and as it got to the tips, they were pastel pink and blue. Her hair was floating as if there was gravity in the room and she had a large crown on, in a shape of antlers with a star in the middle.

"This is far my favorite painting you've made." I stared at awe.

"I call this piece The Queen. She's only temporary." She frowns. I stared at her, dumbfounded.

"What do you mean, temporary?" I questioned in a soft tune. She was obviously upset and I didn't want to trigger any bad moods.

"The board wanted a whole batch of paintings from the students for the cosmos discovery. So The Queen isn't going to make through the day." She sighed and looked at her painting. She let out a sad smile. "It's alright. Hopefully, a buyer will take it from my hands." Hearing her say that made me upset. It was truly a beautiful art piece that could be bid thousands of dollars. My only wish was to keep it.

"She's a winner." I patted Kumiko's back. "Another beautiful piece." She gave me a light hug and went back to putting the other canvases into the wall. I watched her work while eating grapes when I felt someone's presence. I turned around to see Mr. Blackwell. He was in casual attire and was with his strange comrade.

"Why good evening, Mr. Blackwell!" This caused Kimiko's head to turn.

"Hello, Mr. Stone!" She bowed politely at the two. "Please wander if you wish to! It's a great way to let creativity to run through your mind." She exclaims, while hanging a few more small paintings into the mix.

"Please, no formalities. Today we aren't working. We are visiting so please help yourself and call us by our first names." Apollo told us.

"Did the comet lure you out from the company?" Most people only come for the comet lately.

"Yes, we wanted to see it." Apollo replied. Phoenix went over to The Queen and took a long time staring at her. "Please excuse Phoenix." He sweat-dropped. We both studied the way he was acting.

"No excuses, he's just as curious as the others." I smiled. "Curiosity leads to great expectations." Apollo's eye reverted to me.

"I hope you are right, Lyddite."

The duo stayed until the ceremony was over. It was 4 in the afternoon and there were still reporters roaming around the facility. Other kids and people took pictures with the comet just to leave for home. Many went to see the wall Kumiko worked on. They were interested in The Queen as well.

"You look like her." Phoenix appears besides me. I jolted in fear, before retaining my composure.

"You scared me." I chuckled a half-hearty laugh. "Pardon?" Not hearing what he first said. His eyes pierced into mine. Apollo's were more curious and kinder compared to Phoenix's strict and powerful look. They were remarkably young to work such high ranked positions but, I had to remember, alumnis from Carlington were often heirs.

"It's nothing, my grace." He gave me a glance. "Would you and Hideyoshi like to accompany Apollo and I, with a few other friends, to Ambrosia for dinner after your shifts over." He asked me. I agreed and thanked him. He went off to Apollo.

Why'd he call me Grace? My name's Cassandria? I shook those thoughts away and finished my shift.