blueteamnovel 887. Once Is A Coincidence
887. Once Is A Coincidence
887. Once Is A Coincidence
The red strand of hair that draped from Frost’s head never ceased to garner attention. There were more curious gazes glued to her compared to when she first received her golden hair. Thankfully, the gazes weren’t out of fear.
The Healers and Moons knew well the type of person Frost was.
Red was a sinister color associated with dangerous creatures. Vampires for example boasted a bloody aesthetic, whereas Honored Ones like Frost naturally either had red strands of hair, or completely red hair depending on how powerful they were.
The Crimson Hunger were another example and were arguably the reason why the color red was widely feared.
It was a color that embodied wrath.
“A rose, heh.” Cer mused over a painting that Res was working on. “Are you putting your artist’s expression into that painting? I can’t say I’ve ever seen a rose that red.”
“Paintings are an expression of oneself. I’m not painting what you see, but what I can see.”
Res’ color perception was exemplary. Canines such as dogs and wolves tended to lack the same depth of color perception compared to humans. But Res’ eyes could see things that even Frost couldn’t. The rose that sat beside her canvas in small flowerpot was a bright shade of red.
“It’s deeper than we can perceive, I’m guessing.” Frost correctly assumed, causing Res’ long ears to flap happily.
“[Color Electrospectrum]. It lets me see how I used to see the world before I wore the CognitO Filters. This is the same shade of red of what I saw in the horizon. I still, to this day, don’t know if what I saw was a monster, a Faux Angel, or a Star.”
Res fondly looked back at the moment rather than shivering in fear. She had grown to acknowledge that the world was imperfect. But through that imperfection Res created a beautiful, perfect rose.
“The former sounds unlikely. Not bad, Res.” Cer complemented her. She was genuinely intrigued by her work. “Lemme have a try. Got a paintbrush?”
“Just use my tail.” Res giggled.
Cer had become far more approachable since Awakening. She never was big with the Healers like Ber and Res, so it was rare to see her talking to a Healer. This shifted for the last few weeks, but in a way that fitted Cer.
Rather than the Healers and Moons approaching her, Cer was the one who approached them first. She was curious about the hobbies and passions of the people of the Floor of Amalgamation. A childlike curiosity filled those scarlet eyes that witnessed the worst in people. They were now seeking the best in others so that one day she could find her own passion.
A few weeks earlier, Cer caused a commotion in the Common Hub by observing how people worked, shopped, ate and created items. If Ber wanted to be true to herself, and if Res desired to be free from the weight of her guilt, then Cer simply wished to know how to live like an ordinary person.
Being ordinary was impossible for her now. Cer knew this and was proud of it. Being an Awakened was an achievement worth boasting for the rest of her life.
But Cer wanted to at least experience what she missed growing up.
That is why she tried her hand at painting now, and why for the last few weeks she had been training her Skills and going around the Nexus looking for new things to do.
“Is that supposed to be a blue dahlia?” A Black Wing spoke from beside her.
A row of Healers including Black Wings who were dressed casually joined Res. They would paint or learn how to paint from her during her painting sessions.
“Huh? Get your eyes checked. It’s a blue rose.” Cer dabbed her last bit of paint like she had completed a masterpiece.
The painting was a horrific, abstract piece that looked more like someone had accidentally spilled a bucket of paint on a canvas than an actual piece of work. Cer glanced over at the criticizing Black Wing and brought a hand to her mouth.
“Heh.”
“What?”
“You have some hidden talent.” Cer grinned, causing the Black Wing’s eyes to widen with surprise.
“R-Really? I guess you’re not... that bad either –”
“– You should keep it hidden next time.”
It was a devastating blow from out of nowhere.
The Black Wing’s heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Her body froze as the color disappeared from her eyes.
“I’m kidding. It’s good. Better than mine. I guess not cut out for this.”
“Not so different from an angler fish, huh.”
“Yup~!” Res nodded fervently. “Wait, you’re going to see Ber and Ignis next. Cer. A Sanguine Dove was looking for you earlier. Irae was her name. You know...”
She suddenly looked over at Lumina who began to sweat profusely.
“... did you do something Cer?”
“I didn’t do nothing. At least not that I think I did... maybe I did do something. Or I’m being framed. But then again –”
“Shut up and listen. There’s been a few Healers looking for you. Now, if you’ve been bullying them...”
“Huh!?” Cer blurted out.
Lumina began shaking her head, her eyes that were covered behind her long bangs widening as they said: “She’s innocent!”
“... Never mind.” Res deflated. “Just go see her before another Healer asks about you.”
“Was there one before this Irae person?”
“Just go.”
“Yes ma’am~”
Cer walked off but not without tapping on the shoulder of Lumina.
“M-Mhm!?” She jolted like she was shocked by an electric current.
She brought her face close to the Healer’s and plucked out a petal. Unbeknownst to Cer was that she dazzled flamboyantly before Lumina’s eyes.
“You had something in your hair.”
“Awawawawa...?”
... No way. It can’t be.
“Hmhm~” Jury hummed, nudging Frost with her tail.
I must be overthinking it. But those flames in Lumina’s heart. It’s pink. I don’t think I’ve seen pink before.
Frost shrugged her thoughts away. Surely, the reason why Lumina was reacting the way she did was because she was flustered before the face of the strongest Moon.
Right...?
“Hey, Cer.” Frost asked, placing a hand on her shoulder as they left.
“What?”
“Are you aware of what’s going on?”
“Heh. If it’s a Sanguine Dove, then she might want to see if I’m the real deal.”
“And the Black Wing? Lumina? Just now?”
“Reverence. What else?”
Unbelievable. Frost thought Cer was the sharpest of her sisters. But this wolf couldn’t tell the type of glances Lumina was giving her. It caused Frost to second guess herself.
She couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet.