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“Hey Chronus?” I knock on his hotel door three times, a stack of papers held to my chest with my other arm. “I got ya something you might like.”
“...Come in.”
A click.
I turn the knob, shuffling inside and closing the door behind me. I shift my arms so that both are now supporting the papers.
He’s standing at the balcony, facing away, enjoying the view. He seems to have a teacup in his hand, yet he still bears his mask.
I kick off my black slippers, going over to the desk opposite of the bed, dumping my gift atop it.
Chronus hears the thud. He turns around like a cat that realises a can of wet food is being opened.
He starts holding his tea with both hands, ensuring it doesn't fall, as he rushes through.
“Is that…?” He stood behind me, watching intently.
“Yeap, papers. Figured you would want some of that again, so I willed it into existence.”
I take off the paper at the very top, listing off answers to an exam.
“Seems that it's all English tests? From Malaysia, no less.”
I skim the text of the first exam paper. The year it was produced was smudged. It only left the first two numbers, 20, visible.
I flip through the rest of the exam sheets. All of the printed text showing the year was obfuscated similar to the first one.
“If I had to guess… This was taken from the world I was originally from? Or maybe a memory from it? I suppose, can't give out the mystery, hence the year being obstructed. Haha.”
Chronus only made a hum at my comment. I suppose the papers to get through he cared much more about, than whatever their questionable origins that would provide no answers even if he queried further.
“Is this okay enough for you? I was uh— a bit hesitant to go and get something that you would be properly familiar with, stuff that you'd actually. Ya know, deal with, during all those years.”
“Yes, yes, this is quite satisfactory. Now, if you would please.”
“Ah, right, yeah— go have fun.”
I step aside, allowing him to drag the chair out and sit down. His tea that was previously in his hands was nowhere to be seen. He nabbed the answer sheet to gloss over it, tapping his fingers across the desk in a rhythm.
I have my fill of watching him up close, beginning to step away to leave him to have his fun in peace.
“Bug?”
I freeze.
Was that. A pet name.
He was calling for me, presumably, I was the only one here after all. Who else…
Oh he called me a pet name oh my god oh my go-
I need to answer him before he questions my current state.
I spin around, lips pressed flat.
“Yes?” I spat out, too quick, too nervous.
He either didn't notice or chose not to comment, most likely the latter, “A pen?”
“Right right! Sorry about that, uhm—!”
I scramble to summon a red pen in my hands, an ink pen with a cap. I sheepishly shove it into his hand which he held out.
He eyes it.
Twisting the cap off, glaring at the nib.
He scribbles a bit on the empty space of the answer key page.
He nods, “Good pen, didn't expect you to have such taste.”
He doesn't take a moment to delay, pushing the stack of papers to his left, plopping the first test down in front of him.
I grin to myself at the comment. I'm glad he liked my choice of pen too! Oh wondrous. Wondrous day.
An idea comes into my mind.
“Uhm, do you want me to leave or can I sit on your bed?”
“You may stay, if you must. Just keep quiet.”
I resist the urge to jump in place, striding my way onto the hotel bed and sitting on the comfortable bedding, my legs dangling over the edge.
I gaze at him, only his back visible to me. The only thing that was heard apart from the silence was the vigorous motion of pen scratching paper, alongside the paper being flipped and shuffled around.
He works kinda fast, huh? He’s already nearly got this second one finished.
A smile makes its way to my face. He's having fun, I think.
There's about thirty or so students, so it might not even last an hour for him— I'd have to try harder to obtain more… Though willing these ones into existence was a headache and a half enough…
Maybe I should just try and find something else for him to go through? Accounting stuff? Those people work with papers, right? Though it involves math by my recollection… Well this was already sorta math? Counting up marks and recording them. If he likes this, then maybe…
Ah, let's just appreciate this moment right now.
I go back to longingly gazing at my lamb.
It's a wonderful thing, to be entertained by something most people find horribly repetitive and boring. Myself included. Couldn't bear knitting, all the counting and repeating motions. It bores one and their hands.
But I suppose there's a nice simplicity to such. Probably whatever paperwork he dealt with during his time in the Conclave was far more complex, people's lives were altered by him, after all.
Though in the end, it was changed by a mere pen and paper. Horrifying, maybe to some. Pretty interesting part of humanity in my eyes.
What a life he lived. At least even if he was working himself to the bone, there was some genuine enjoyment from it. Like Faust.
Quite unfortunate for his partners though. From what Axus has divulged to me, he didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm. I doubt Libraria and Baldias did either.
What an intriguing life this man has led. It'd be pretty boring for a lot of it if it were written in a book, but I'd still love to read and absorb every page.
I blink.
Something’s wrong.
I stand up.
I slam my hands on the desk, startling Chronus.
Though, he doesn't take his eyes off the anomalous paper in front of him. Mine were set on it too.
I grab the paper, noting how repulsive it is to touch. How it rejects me.
The name written on the dotted line I can't make out.
My head hurts. A name that tries to make itself known to me. It cries, cries loud, my ears ring. It drills straight into my mind, yet the sound was still indecipherable.
I burn it in my hand with holy fire, no ashes to even suggest a trace of its existence.
I look down at my hands. Opening and closing them.
“I don't think. I don't think I should take stuff from my past life anymore.”
“...Agreed.”
I raise my head to look at the table. Seems like he's done.
“...Was it good?”
He nabbed the stack of graded papers between his hands, thumping it in portrait position on the table, ensuring it was neat and tidy. “Grading the papers? It was a serviceable experience. I did rather enjoy writing out a signature in my old position, which this could not fulfil, unfortunately. Though, all in all, it was a satisfactory gift. Thank you.”
I can't help the edges of my mouth raising into a smile, my hand placing itself on his shoulder. “I'm glad you enjoyed it.”
I stop myself.
“May I...?” My hand raises up along with an index finger, pointing where his cheek would be, on his mask.
His eyes dart to my finger. He takes some moments to mull the question over.
His eyes turn away from me. “You may.”
I smile again, in full, eyes shut. I lower my head, pressing my lips against the mask. The cool material feels nice. I don't linger for more than a second or two, pulling away quickly.
“Thank you. You do really look cute when you're having fun.”
He ignores my comment, eyes back on the desk. He pushes the stack of papers towards me. “I don't suppose you'll have anything else involving paper to gift me any time soon?”
I back away from his personal space, picking up the exam papers. “Ah yeah, I don't think it'll be soon… but I hope eventually! Maybe I can find some at abandoned P.W.A.B. facilities… They're bound to have something, right?”
“I'd reckon so. Though, depending on your luck, you may encounter buildings that were only used for the research and the like, only holding papers regarding their studies, not any actual paperwork.”
“Ah… I see. Well, I suppose I do have much a time on my hands. Might as well take my chances.” I spin around, walking my way out of the hotel room. I turn to my discarded slippers, forcing my feet back into the shoes, attempting to angle them in a way so the frame wouldn't fold inwards. I manage to wrangle them into order, now making my way to the door.
I fiddle with the doorknob, getting it to finally turn with my awkward hand positioning. I take a step back as the door swings inwards.
“See ya later, Chronus!” I turn to look at him one last time before my departure.
His teacup was in his hand again, his pinky pointed outward. “See you later.”
I exit his room.
Operation was mostly a success! How fortunate for me. And I've managed to give a third kiss to Chronus. What progress!
Eventually, I'll get him to smile for me!