#zodius

Tfw you're the God of Discord hiding among mortals and the one you have a crush on figures it out so you sling rumors about him and his friend but he turns it on you in a move that could ruin both your political careers given your positions in court. What a keeper. 😍

Ridha is mine

Zodius and Ridha, dressed to impress and flirting at some decadent party. ;>

Zodius (left) belongs to necro Ridha  belongs to me

Plasma my “fifth” soul

The mall hummed, a low buzz of energy and voices as Ace sat cross-legged on the edge of the fountain, observing curiously.

People were usually difficult for her to understand. Girls were staggering across well-worn tiles as if they were drunk, high-pitched giggles and fingers laced together to make sure they didn't lose each other in the ever-changing crowd. Boys were walking straight, keeping a mandatory distance between each other and flinching back if their hands brushed accidentally, sure to indicate with every gesture that they were deeply involved with the opposite gender and petrified of anyone - even a stranger - thinking otherwise.

Babies screamed and wailed, mothers ranging from frantic to indifferent like settings on a lactating washing machine while fathers looked on with glazed over eyes that only hinted at regret. Only once did she see a father cradling his daughter, the mother's expression painted various shades of misery while he cooed and cuddled the flailing angel in his arms.

Ace didn't understand much of it. There were a few - a very few - people that she loved so deeply, but she loved them to herself. She did not desire to broadcast her love, to lace her fingers together and shriek for the attention of the other mall patrons to acknowledge even with a glance that she cared for the person she was entwined with.

It seemed obnoxious.

And that was her problem. She didn't fit in, and she never would. Occasionally someone would notice her, discreetly point to her for their friend, raised eyebrows and a mumbled word hidden behind a flat hand to prevent her from reading their lips. It likely wasn't positive, but she should acknowledge it just the same.

Perhaps by studying them, she would understand them. The easy, casual behaviour seemed rough to her, she didn't step forward into an embrace or return a kiss. The moment had passed by the time it occurred to her. A child darted forward out of the crowd, the high-pitched warning call of the mother echoed an octave above the throngs of people.

The child ran towards Ace, chubby arms propelling himself to the edge of the fountain, lifting himself with a precarious ease. The mother pushed through a gaggle of girls, breaking their hold on each other as she ran for the toddler that had so easily outwitted her.

"Stop him! Carlos, get OVER here. Right now!" She shrieked, having to sidestep a poorly-timed stroller and another glowering mother with an opinion behind her lips.

Ace glanced over at the child beside, her arm moving faster than her mind to catch him with one arm and push him back as he jumped forward. The combined momentum sent her toppling backwards, a loud splash alerting everyone within earshot to the scene that unfolded.

She sat up, sopping wet and confused, coughing out the water that had gotten into her nose. The mother nodded thanks, scooping her barely-rescued wailing demon up off the edge and storming back into the crowd to avoid taking responsibility for the havoc her child had wrecked, leaving Ace alone. There was a penny stuck to her palm, coins littering the bottom of the fountain floor - much to her damp dismay.

"Here." A low voice brought her attention upward, an outstretched hand offered to lift her out of her watery tomb.

She paused for a moment, staring at the fingers before reaching up, dripping water into his palm as she took his hand and let him pull her upright. Water streamed off her, trickling rivulets down her body in light swirls, streaking her skin with translucent designs. She didn't look up at him at first, assessing the total disarray that was her carefully planned people-watching outfit this morning. With every intention to blend in, she had stood out more than ever.

Her gaze moved across the rippling water up the the brunet man standing in front of her, a moment pause before she realized that she was still holding his hand. She blushed vividly, the pink tinge a stark contrast against her pale cheeks.

"Thanks." She mumbled, clearing her throat. It had been hours since she had spoken aloud, only talking once this morning to order a tea that went cold beside her. "I mean, thank you. I appreciate it."