The judging room was everything he expected. Just monotonous grayness. Alex watched with the other Caretakers. They were separated by a glass wall that was only see through from their side. He studied this in school, he knew what to expect, but it was still new in a way. He never thought he'd experience it in real life, he just hoped for it. Meeting everyone else in the business was also very exciting and he found that he was quite likable to them.
"It's because of your father, Alex. Don't get your hopes up." Adrien told him dryly.
Alex didn't let his hopes get down. He knew he got to their hearts, even if they were rich. I mean, they couldn't be much different just because they had money. They still must have had a heart somewhere in there.
"I always knew you'd make it up here, kid." A voice told him.
He looked up at his much taller father. He was dressed neatly, much to contrast his son's green ragged hoodie. Alex's eyes were filled with glee. It looked like he finally caught his dad's attention.
"Thank you, dad!" He exclaimed, almost looking like he was going to hug him.
"Although, next time, I recommend wearing something better." His dad commented, eyeing the hoodie for god knows which time.
"But... This is good enough for me." Alex looked almost sad about the comment.
"I don't see a problem with his clothes, Mr. Carvallo. I'd rather comment at how he's one of the rare people that got to a higher place and deserved it." Adrien butted in, somehow feeling like he was responsible to protect the younger boy now.
The man's face showed a bit of bitterness to Adrien's voice. Like he didn't like him much. But Adrien didn't care, for he knew that fact for centuries anyway. He knew most people didn't like him. But he noticed he let himself become like them, prideful and obsessed with his job. But he also felt like he was slowly starting to see some real meaning.
"Well, I'm glad my son is the apprentice of the best Caretaker in all Hell. That shows potential. I'm happy you're my son." His father faked a smile.
Adrien held a straight face the entire time, really resisting the urge to call out his bullshit or just plain laughing. It was hilarious just how much that man could put up a mask. But he felt bad as soon as he saw Alex ate it all up and believed him.
"I wanted to prove myself, dad." Alex told him enthusiastically.
"I have to get going to my seat, Alex. The Judging starts in a couple of minutes, wouldn't want to cause noise." He pointed at his hand watch as he left.
Adrien did the same, motioning Alex to follow him. All of them had a specific number on their theater like seats. There was always a seat free between every Caretaker, in case they decide to get apprentices. Adrien always sat on number one, just as his status would imply. Alex sat next to him, fidgeting in his seat.
"Your father is such a bad liar." Adrien commented as he looked at The Judging room through the glass.
"What do you mean?" Alex questioned him, looking at him with his confused yellow eyes.
"He's one of the most, if not the most, pretentious people I ever seen." Adrien continued to roast him, not really caring if he hears him or not, since his seat wasn't far from his own.
"I just think he's happy he got so far." The younger boy answered, trying to make Adrien understand, but he simply didn't.
"Ah, this is why you're right for this job. You're so caring that you blatantly miss any flaw on a person." Adrien nodded to himself, going into thinking mode.
Alex continued to speak about how his father was a wonderful, self sacrificing man that deserved everything he ever got. How he loved and cared for him. His monologue was so long, he didn't even notice Adrien stopped listening to him long ago. After some time of rambling, he still didn't notice. The only thing that shut him up was when the judging started finally.
The lead Judger, who just recently got her job, stood up as a representative. Adrien grew an odd liking for her, but it was maybe because she's the only Judger he didn't feel threatened by. The woman spoke, and he listened only because it was her speaking. Her voice even sounded feminine. He could actually tell her gender. Even if he already heard the same things over and over again, he'd listen to her all day just because her voice wasn't as boring as every other Judger's was.
She announced the person who was to be judged. A female of Indian roots. As usual, Adrien would completely turn off when they started to explain the type of life the person lived. He personally disliked knowing everything about the person. It wasn't challenging at all. But even though he tried to shut her voice out, he still could hear it. It was hard to block out.
The female Judger gave her group's verdict. Adrien, from such a criminal person, was expecting her soul do be destroyed. But she said she gave a second chance, to which the other Judger's complained for in unity. She didn't listen and continued the procedure on her own. She gave her to, surprise, surprise, Alex's dad. As he was called up on the stage, he came through the hallway. She gave him a personal file to reread if he missed out on anything through the girl's story. The girl looked just as confused as Unako was the first time she opened her eyes.
And just like that, The Judging was done. It was less boring than usual to Adrien, but only because of that woman. But Alex jumped around in excitement, claiming how this was a life changing experience.
"I remember that I felt like that the first few times. After some time you notice everyone is the same and had the same motivations. Rarely do I see anyone interesting." Adrien told him as they went outside.
"But, Mr. Marais, a person doesn't have to be interesting for you to care about them." Alex told him, sounding very innocent.
Adrien couldn't help but smile at that. He hoped he wouldn't get ruined.
"True, but interest means you would be more willing to help someone out." Adrien answered, just not having that innocent spark in his old head anymore.
"Nobody is really boring. Everyone is special in a way. You just have to look deeper." He answered once more, making Adrien smile again.
He sighed. That boy really was Caretaker material.
