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30 minutes to 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Leonard was summoned into the gray fog, sitting on his usual seat belonging to The Star. Klein was seated next to him in The World's seat, smiling gently at him. Since he was wandering through the Forsaken Land Of The God's after he has escaped Amon's pursuit again and again, they often spared half an hour before the regular Tarot Gathering to catch up with each other and help Klein preserving his humanity.
Leonard stroke a strand of hair behind his ear before exclaiming with sincere joy: "Klein! It's good to see you!" His eyes sparkled, looking at his long-time friend with warmth.
Klein hummed in acknowledgement, his arms lying on either side of the arm rests.
The seer, unlike usually, showed a little more liveliness, his skin tone more healthy, less pale. The eye bags also were mostly gone and he generally looked less tired. They made a deal that Klein wouldn't use his clown ability in front of Leonard, so he knew that something good indeed must have happened. The poet was happy for his friend, Klein did suffer the last months and not only because of Frank's mushrooms. He had been seriously concerned about his health.
Leonard rested his cheek against his hand, looking at the other with a soft smile.
Klein raised his eyebrow. "So? You want to tell me about your week or will you just continue staring?"
The poets smile widened. "It's just that you look more energized than usual so I was wondering if something good has happened. Did you have enough time to rest?"
The other man chuckled lightly. "You could say so. But I'll tell you later, for now, I want to know what's going on Backlund. " He thought for a second before adding with his lips curled up: "Or if you encountered something unusual or special."
Klein seemingly watched in amusement as Leonard thought for a moment as he was sorting through his memories and choosing the ones he deemed appropriate to tell him, their time was very limited after all.
"We're currently chasing some traces of the Rose School of Thoughts, they might be after something again." He sighed. "It's annoying, can't they just disappear for good?"
Leonard face got gloomier before suddenly turning bright again. "I almost forgot! The Church discussed the point that one must focus more on children, because as the generation of tomorrow, they are important pillars in the church and should be more integrated. So they tried a more child-friendly approach to gain their favor. It's quite fun, because seeing the church handing out more sweets is certainly a new sight." The poet laughed lightly. "And you know, they invested in not only one or two, but three whole new flavors for sweet ice tea. What about it, Klein, shall I ask Mr. Fool to accept my sacrifice and handing it to you?" Leonard grinned mischievously at his friend, whose eyes visibly twitched in annoyance.
"Heh. Getting my favor with some childrens drink? Dear Mr. Star, this is interesting." There was an unconcealed mocking tone in his voice, an emotion swirling in is honey-colored eyes that the poet wasn't sure of how to call.
Leonard watched Klein raising his hand as if wanting to touch something before he stopped and put his hand back on the armrest. Is he embarrassed? he thought in fondness.
"When will you visit me in person?" He looked at Kleins face, wanting to pinch it just to see his reaction. "It's been a while, I want to show you around. Ah, of course, we can also make a detour to the church if you want." He winked at him somewhat playfully.
Klein tapped his forearm, seemingly pondering about the answer before grimacing slightly. "I wonder. It takes an unreasonable amount of spiritually, poor Miss Magician is always at the verge of a breakdown. Heh, moreover, it's not like I'm on vacation and can just come and go whenever I want." He chuckled. "There are unpredictable dangers in the land forsaken by the gods, one never knows." He adjusted his sitting position, leaning back slightly. "How would you be able to tell if it's safe or not?" He had an almost comical expression to his face.
Klein watched as the other man sighed again, mirroring his actions and leaning back. "I know. I just want you to be more at ease, making your journey in that cursed space more tolerable. I apologize for overstepping the boundaries. Really, Klein." Leonard truly wished to be able to be more of a help to his friend, showing that he could rely on him. That if he could just shoulder an ounce of Kleins responsibility, he would be more than willing and happy to help. His only friend deserved more peace and rest.
With his eyes closed, sorting out his thoughts, he felt the other leaning forward and gently touching his shoulders, squeezing it slightly. "It's okay, I don't mind. I know you just want to help, I appreciate it. Thank you."
Kleins soft voice touched something in his heart as he felt relief washing over him.
If Leonard had his eyes open at this moment, he would have seen that Kleins expression was very off, somehow in stark contrast of what he was saying.
"If there is something I can do, please let me know." The poet reopened his eyes, locking eyes with the other man, one half of his lips slightly curled up in a soft smile. He nodded to himself before continuing: "You're right, I do want you to sometimes be able to focus on other things than the madness at hand. Yes, the day will come where you can finally be free again from your shackles, I believe in it.
They looked at each other in silence, seconds going by. It was as if an illusionary clock ticked by second for second. Three, four.. Leonard started counting in his head.
"I look forward to it." The other man said as that emotion Leonard couldn't quite name reappeared in his eyes. Had Klein always shown this? His brows furrowed slightly as he tried to remember where he had seen it before and there was indeed something outlining in his mind, unfortunately to blurry to see it clearly. A silhouette of a person?
The illusionary clock struck 2:56 p.m.
"But Leonard." Klein slowly stood up, his hands dusting off his suit. "Do you know what it is that truly drives me to look forward to each day? Let me show you." He took steps toward the seat of The Fool, stopping in front of it and caressing the armrest gently before apruptly turning around, a glimmer of the emotion Leonard couldn't quite name once again sparkling in his honey-colored eyes.
"It's the days like these that make me feel quite ecstatic." His lips curled up in joy, his eyes forming crescents. "I told you before that I would tell you later about what the good thing is that happened. I deem that now is indeed quite the fitting time."
Leonard watched as Klein reached into his pockets; mesmerized by every tiny movements the other man made. Suddenly and without warning, his spiritual intuition went off violently, screaming at him to leave the place as fast as possible, an impending danger inevitable.
Being unable to break out of his stupor, Leonard was just rooted to his place, a cold sweat breaking out on his back, the silhouette in his mind slowly taking shape, getting clearer. This was why he could only watch as Klein took something out of his pocket, his grin widening, before he moved the hand to his face and placing the object over his right eye. The monocle glimmered in the dusty light that hovered in the ancient giants residence, seemingly cursing and laughing at him.
Leonard gripped the side of the table, his knuckles showing white.
"That can't be.." he muttered almost inaudible, his voice as unstable as his thoughts in this moment. His vision started to become blurred. Ah, so that was where he had seen them, those eyes. Several words instantly popped up in his mind, naming the emotion he couldn't clearly define before. Mockery, amusement and ridicule. Words associated with one particular being.
A delightful laughter. "Denial, such an interesting human treat. I wonder what the psychological mechanism lying beneath it are?" There was a hint of madness swirling in 'His' eyes. "But to be frank, your dear friend is long gone, having succumbed to his inevitable fate." The man chuckled to 'Himself'. "Aren't you pleasantly surprised?" The angel slowly sat down on The Fools seat, propping up 'His' chin on 'His' hand. With the other, 'He' carefully nudged the monocle as 'He' watched the other in sheer amusement and mockery.
Leonard barely registered the spoken words, his thoughts drowned into chaos. Why was 'He' seated in the Fools seat, donning the appearance of his friend? And where was the real him? His head ached. Some thoughts connected in his mind, forming an utterly blasphemous train of thought. Badump, badump. He could clearly feel his heartbeat pulsating in his ears.
"And next, dear Mr. Star, you are invited to watch the most exciting play in your lifetime, a masterpiece of true entertainment; the transformation of the glances filled with awe and devotion that those cute little and utterly insignificant members of this gathering cast towards our honorable Mr. Fool into visages of dread and soul-croushing despair." Amon's leg swung casually forth and back. "Isn't it exciting?" More a statement than a question. The Sequence 1 King of Angel touched the monocle once again before stuffing it back into 'His' pocket. With a snap of 'His' fingers, the space was overflowing with gray fog once again, no difference from the usual appearance Leonard was familiar with.
Tick, tack. 2:59 p.m.
Amon started tapping the armrest, wholly in line with Mr. Fools usual behavior. "But don't feel too bad. He didn't even realize he became me before it was too late. Our dear Mr. Fool was truly an interesting existence, it's almost too pitiful for him to be gone like that." The tapping stopped.
"Why.." a weakly voiced question filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Badump, badump.
The man smiled widely, a child-like innocence in 'His' eyes, not questioning any possible wrongdoings. "I was bored."
Tick.
The last clock hand moved as everything turned silent. 3 p.m.
The God of Deceit touched the crimson stars and several silhouettes started to outline themselves instantly.
Goddess... Leonard didn't know why this was happening, but he knew that they were all doomed. He prayed, not knowing if there was even a god that could answer him. There was just pure helplessness. Butterflies trapped in a cage, a cat watching their fear with anticipation and cruel enjoyment.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."
Tack.
The clock hand continued to move, uncaring.
....
..
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