Gods & Mortals

Klaus's steps toward the laboratory were fraught with unease. He had no idea what or who awaited him, yet the note left in his locker seemed to direct him there. His mind pondered the potential individuals behind it, while his body tensed in preparation for any possible scenario.

His thoughts involuntarily drifted to a familiar figure, but he shook it off, realizing that the repercussions could be dire if it were someone who could reveal his NightShade identity. The prospect of enduring endless attention and chatter until graduation loomed over him, eclipsing any concerns about preserving his secret.

A more distressing possibility lurked in his mind—a teacher discovering his alter ego.

The lab's entrance revealed an empty room, devoid of any presence. He stood there, contemplating whether the person was late or possibly had forgotten about the meeting altogether. Both options posed their own set of complications, and frustration began to creep in.

His tension mounted further as a voice sliced through the silence, confirming his suspicions.

"So it really is you."

Her tone was unmistakable, a voice he had grown accustomed to during their interactions.

"Of course, you're the one behind this," Klaus muttered, a mix of exasperation and resignation.

Turning around, his prediction came to fruition as he locked eyes with a figure he knew all too well. Long blonde hair with delicate pink highlights adorned her, a distinctive feature that stood out before any other aspect of her appearance.

CONVERSATION

Rose: I had my suspicions, but I never thought I might have been right.

Klaus: I just need to understand what you were doing in my locker in the first place.

Rose: Well, I was just passing by the hallway this morning and I saw you hesitantly looking into your locker as if you wanted to see if something was there. And as I got closer, I noticed it was clothes.

Klaus: That still doesn't explain why you'd open my locker.

Rose: Well, true. But earlier this morning, I heard the news that NightShade had a situation with some field cops where he ran around a few blocks close to our school till they couldn't spot him anymore. And coincidentally, I see you trying to stuff dark clothes in your locker. I guess my curiosity got the best of me.

Klaus: Your locker isn't even on that side of the school. What were you doing there?

Rose smiled

Rose: I'll never tell.

Klaus was well aware of Rose's tactics. Since they started spending time together, he noticed how she had a knack for conveniently appearing in various aspects of his life.

What puzzled him was how this all began. Before their initial encounter, they were practically strangers.

So why the sudden interest?

His hunch wasn't too far from reality. It seemed that over time, Rose's curiosity about him had grown unexpectedly, even catching her off guard.

Rose had always been accustomed to being the center of attention and felt near perfection in her own right. That's how people treated her, after all.

But encountering something unique in a sea of uniformity can spark intrigue. And that's exactly what Klaus was to her—a mysterious deviation.

Rose couldn't quite pinpoint why Klaus fascinated her more than anyone else. What she was certain of, however, was the unusual soft spot she had developed for him, a sentiment she hadn't experienced with anyone else in her circle.

As Klaus mulled over the current situation, he began to contemplate whether it was worth continuing to hide his identity from Rose. He realized that even if she knew he was NightShade, it didn't necessarily mean she was aware of his special ability.

After a brief internal debate, Klaus decided that there was little harm in revealing this aspect of himself to her. However, he couldn't help but consider the possibility that Rose might not have uncovered his ability despite identifying him as NightShade.

With a composed demeanor, he replied, "Well, I never really went by that name, but if you're referring to the artist responsible for the works we've been discussing, then yes, it's me."

Klaus acknowledged that her awareness of his alter ego might not significantly alter his life. He realized that Rose wasn't the type to create unnecessary drama for attention. Among all the people at school, she was the one person who would crave more attention the least.

Furthermore, he recognized that her knowledge, whether shared or not, wouldn't pose a greater problem than their already established friendship. No matter what she might have revealed to others, the potential issues were no different than those he was already prepared for.

"Oh wow, I thought this would be much more challenging," Rose exclaimed, a sense of surprise evident in her voice. She continued, "But why exactly are YOU doing this? I mean, you never struck me as a fame-chasing guy."

Klaus saw no need to deceive her. He felt a peculiar obligation to be truthful, even though she may not have earned it entirely.

"That's because I'm not in it for the fame. I do it to quiet down these stupid nightmares about giant people."

A moment of silence enveloped them as Klaus gazed directly at Rose, who was visibly taken aback. Then, in an unexpected turn, Rose murmured something that Klaus never would have anticipated.

"You have them too?"

At this point, Klaus mirrored Rose's astonishment. Both were so bewildered that neither could utter a word for nearly ten seconds. Eventually, Rose broke the silence.

"I thought I was losing my mind. And it all began around two months ago."

Klaus's mind raced as he posed a question, his curiosity piqued.

"Was that, by any chance, around your birthday?"

"Yes," Rose responded, her expression marked by a mix of amazement and confusion. "How did you know?"

"Because that's when they started happening to me too," Klaus revealed, the shared realization bridging the gap between them.

At that moment, Klaus became convinced that there was a connection between them. It shed light on his curiosity toward her and his willingness to establish a friendship.

It seemed increasingly likely that their shared experiences were the driving force behind their connection.

Klaus recognized the need to disclose his abilities to her. While he understood that he remained relatively safe, given her lack of concrete evidence, he also saw this as a unique opportunity to gain insight into the mysterious occurrences that were unfolding within him

CONVERSATION

Klaus: I have one question for you. And your response will determine my response to yours.

Rose: I don't understand.

Klaus: What I'm saying is that the way you answer this question will determine what I say or do afterward.

Rose: Okay, but now I'm starting to feel a bit under pressure.

Klaus: Well, I'm just going to ask. Do your eyes glow pink when you try to make other people fall for you?

Rose was taken aback, not by the intensity of the question, but by how precisely Klaus had described the phenomenon.

Klaus had witnessed her perform this once, and with careful contemplation, he pieced together exactly what she was attempting based on the situation.

When he had unintentionally provoked her, she resorted to her supernatural technique after realizing her normal approach wasn't effective. This could also explain her surprise when her usual tactics didn't yield the expected result with him.

This interpretation aligned with Klaus' assessment of their interaction, and to be honest, he comprehended the circumstances quite well.

All that remained was her confirmation of this theory, though he wasn't expecting an honest response.

So, why did he react so instinctively when it's not his typical behavior?

The reason was his intuition; he sensed that she was seeking answers just as eagerly as he was. Moreover, her curiosity about the giant figures likely pushed her into a mindset where she felt compelled to tell the truth.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Rose finally broke it with her response.

CONVERSATION

Rose: I knew I couldn't hide it from you any longer. I'll explain it in detail, but only on one condition.

Klaus: And what is that?

Rose: You have to tell me about yours.

Two thoughts occupied Klaus' mind. He found himself at a crossroads where he didn't have to confess to possessing supernatural powers. This left him with two choices: to either fabricate a lie or to divulge the truth. But he understood that by concealing this aspect, he would not only forfeit the opportunity to understand her ability but also potentially miss a crucial clue regarding the origin of his own.

Klaus: Fine, I guess.

Rose: Okay. Well, if I want to explain everything from the beginning, it all started when I was five.

Klaus: That young, huh?

Rose: Yup. I was once part of a beauty pageant, and it came down to me and another girl in the finals. Naturally, I was expected to win, but the woman organizing the event seemed to have a strong dislike for me for some odd reason. In the end, they announced me as the runner-up, and I couldn't accept it. I decided to meet with the woman to voice my concerns. During our conversation, she revealed the reason behind my loss was her dislike of me, and it infuriated me. I yelled in frustration with my eyes tightly shut. When I finally opened them, her irritated expression had transformed into the expression of someone who had just seen the love of their life. She suddenly adored me. She even rushed back on stage during the closing ceremonies to declare me the winner and humiliate both her and the other contestant. Initially, I couldn't comprehend the change, but as I grew older, I began to realize that I was different from other people.

Klaus: You knew you could get whatever you wanted.

Rose: Well, that was until I met you. Even using the ability didn't work on you. I didn't understand at first, but now I think I do. You're just like me.

Klaus took a deep breath before responding.

Klaus: So basically, you can make someone fall in love with you by just staring into their eyes and making your eyes flash pink. Am I correct?

Rose: I don't MAKE them flash pink. It's more like they flash pink when I use the ability if that makes sense.

Klaus: I guess.

Klaus felt a mixture of shock and nonchalance. The revelation he just heard was incredibly hard to believe, yet he found himself less surprised than he thought he would be. Perhaps his growing familiarity with the extraordinary had dulled his capacity for shock.

His response came out almost reflexively, "I don't believe you."

To be honest, who would?

Rose appeared taken aback by his response, a slightly startled expression crossing her face.

"Well, I'd prove it but it doesn't work on you, now does it?" she retorted.

He wouldn't have allowed it even if it were possible.

But then a thought struck him.

"What about the janitor outside? If your... ability doesn't result in brain damage or permanent effects, why not demonstrate it on him?" he suggested.

It seemed like a reasonable idea, and Rose seemed to agree.

"Alright!" she replied with determination, leading him outside to the janitor to put her claims to the test.

Approaching the man, Rose met his confused gaze, leaving him wondering about their intentions.

Politely, she inquired, "Excuse me, sir. I find myself without the means to return home. Would you perhaps have some spare change to assist me?"

A sense of dejection settled over the man, believing that they might be mocking him. Yet, as her pupils illuminated in a vibrant pink hue, his response shifted dramatically.

"My queen, all I possess is seventy dollars, but you're welcome to take whatever you desire from me. If you wish, I'll gladly surrender my entire wallet," his words flowed as if under a spell, his posture assuming a near-worshipful stance, as though he stood before a goddess.

Klaus found himself at a loss for words after witnessing the rapid transformation in the man's behavior upon meeting Rose's gaze. The man's eyes had taken on a faint pink tint as if he had fallen under some enchantment woven by her.

In a swift move, Rose began to slip the man's wallet into her bag, only to be halted by Klaus's firm grasp on her hand. He shot her a guilt-laden look, prompting her to relent and return the man's belongings.

With a deft motion, she reversed the effects of her ability, leaving the man with memories of the encounter. His confusion was evident, yet he dismissed it as mere imagination and resumed his duties.

As they stepped out of the school, Rose turned to Klaus, seeking confirmation, and he nodded in agreement.

This interaction affirmed Rose's perception: Klaus's composed demeanor in the face of her supernatural ability suggested that he was unfazed by the inexplicable and the extraordinary.

"So what's your supernatural power?" Rose inquired, her curiosity piqued. Klaus sensed that there was much left to discuss, yet time was slipping away, and he was already late. He realized that words alone wouldn't suffice to convey his abilities, so he chose a different approach.

"Let's meet up again tonight. That's the only way I can explain what I can do," Klaus proposed, aware that this was the only way to truly convey the nature of his abilities.

Rose's initial response was one of discontent. She felt a sense of unfairness, as she was opening up about her abilities while he wasn't reciprocating. However, upon understanding his reasoning, she relented and agreed.

Although Klaus had never contemplated this course of action before, he found himself providing Rose with his address, agreeing to meet her under the cover of nightfall.