•Cerise•

When Blaine said we were going to watch a movie, I was surprised to learn that he wasn't kidding.

I was sitting next to Azure on the couch in Blaine's living room. It was a cozy area, with a fireplace to the right of the couch and television. There was also an antique cabinet that stood against the wall adjacent to the fireplace.

Before us the television was showing moving pictures of aliens, a raccoon, explosions, and fights. It was chaotic, but I suppose it was entertaining. I didn't get many of the jokes though.

Blaine walked into the living room and sat down on the other side of me. He had a bowl of popcorn, which he placed on the coffee table in front of us.

"My uh mom thought you guys might be hungry."

Azure smiled, "Well that was kind of her." He took some of the popcorn and ate it, before looking back to the screen.

We watched in silence for a few moments.

My attention wasn't on the television though. All I could think about were the Umbra.

"I wonder what realm this is in," Azure commented fully invested in the movie. I secretly envied his ability to not worry about the chaos that surrounded us. It felt like all I could do was worry.

I faced forward and looked closely at the planet that was being shown on the screen, "It looks like the exterior systems to me."

Azure nodded in agreement, "That's what I was thinking."

The broken down buildings and rusty surface of the planet hinted at a less controlled civilization. Many of the people there appeared to be smugglers or gamblers looking to make a quick buck. They wore some strange costumes though. I've certainly never been to this system.

"Well it's fake," Blaine's voice cut through my observations.

I turned to Blaine confused. He was looking at Azure and I like we had both grown an extra head.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not real," Blaine explained with a soft chuckle. When he saw that Azure and I were still confused, he cleared his throat and continued. "It was filmed, and the special effects were added to make it look like a different world."

I stared blankly at Blaine. You could do that? But it looked so real...

"How intriguing." Azure leaned forward, intently watching the pictures on the screen. "So this is all a facade?"

Blaine nodded, "Yea the characters are actors, they aren't actually these people."

I watched as each character on the screen moved and talked. It seemed so natural. How could they be faking it? I guess people were fake all the time, but these characters appeared so genuine.

"So these people are pretending to be something they're not?" I clarified.

"I mean, yea..." Blaine trailed off, a slight pause before his next words. "Have you guys never seen a movie before?"

Azure and I both shook our heads.

"There's no such thing as movies in our realm," Azure said.

"And when we come to Earth it's not to watch movies," I added.

The look on Blaine's face was priceless. His brown orbs were wide in shock, and his mouth was slightly agape. Apparently movies were a big deal here.

After a moment Blaine shook his head and turned towards the screen again.

"Wow," he breathed.

We watched for a few more minutes, but the stillness was getting to me. If I wasn't doing something productive, I tended to get antsy. I kept fidgeting and shifting my position on the couch. I couldn't stop my toes from tapping or the rising amount of energy from consuming me.

We needed to discuss our course of action in dealing with the Umbra, but instead I was watching these people playing pretend in a box!

"Are we actually going to watch this?" I glanced up at Blaine, when I couldn't take it anymore.

"Well you guys said we can't go outside for a couple more hours, and we can't exactly just sit at my kitchen table to discuss the things trying to kill us with my mom home."

"Then let's discuss here," Azure shrugged. "The sound of the movie can cover what we're really talking about."

Blaine glanced towards the hallway that led to his mother. He bent forward and grabbed the remote, turning the volume up before turning back to us.

"Alright, is it even-

He paused at the sound of his mom's footsteps entering the room. Linda walked in, heading to the vintage cabinet along the right wall. She took no notice of the three teenagers staring at her.

She eventually looked our way and we all quickly faced the television once more- weakly attempting to look like we were very engrossed by the film.

"Don't mind me," Ms Linda smiled before turning back to the task at hand.

She opened the cabinet and began rummaging through the compartments. We sat in silence as she continued to search for whatever she was looking for. She was quite noisy and didn't seem to be trying to keep the sound down. There was rustling and more rustling, until she pulled out a set of cooking bowls. She then closed the cabinet and stood. She threw us another smile as she exited the living room.

Silence followed her as she went back into the kitchen.

"Is it even possible for us to kill the amount of Umbra we'd need to?" Blaine continued, once his mother was out of earshot.

"With your help yes," I answered.

I glanced at Azure and he nodded in agreement.

"Cerise and I can defeat a battalion, but to defeat a whole fleet we need more than just the two of us."

"We would need to train you though," I said pointedly. "The way you're fighting now is just going to get all of us killed."

Blaine sighed, running his hands over his face before crossing his arms. Stress was practically oozing off him. He didn't speak for a couple minutes as he digested the new information. When I glanced at him, his brown eyes were heavy in contemplation.

Accepting our help and training, meant he would have to fully embrace the Celestial side of him. Denying us though, would end with this whole town in flames. Either option would result in a massive change, the difference being- one would just change Blaine, while the other would change this entire little beach town.

"If it will save the people I care about and my home, then fine. I'll train," he spoke.

I found it interesting how loyal Blaine was too his hometown. Blaine wanted to protect his home and his loved ones. It was clear that was the only reason he was accepting our help.

It wasn't so different from what Azure and I were trying to do. We wanted to save our people by finally putting an end to the war that had been going on for as long as I could remember. The only way we could do that was by finding all the Celestials, and fighting until one side of the war was triumphant.

I planned on that being my side. That was the only way to bring peace, and I would do whatever it took to get there.

"Just so you know," I began. "That fire you're feeling to protect your home and the ones you love, is exactly what Azure and I feel."

I looked to Blaine to see his brows furrow, he shifted his head toward me slightly but didn't make eye contact.

"We're trying to end a war that is tearing apart our home," I continued. "But we can't end it without you."

Blaine didn't say anything. His eyes glistened in conflict, but after a moment he turned back toward the television without a word. We went back to sitting in the quiet for a few more moments.

During that time, Azure started watching me intently. When I glanced up at him, he didn't look away. His blue orbs were musing and pensive. I attempted to glare his gaze away, but all he did was smile softly and turn his attention back to the movie.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He was so...weird. I sighed and willed myself to just focus on the moving pictures before me.

The ending scene eventually appeared and I found myself glancing at Blaine who still hadn't responded to my words. I was trying to gage what he was thinking.

I began to think that I wouldn't get a response from Blaine. Whenever I glanced at him: his eyes were looking straight ahead, but it was almost as if he wasn't seeing what was before him.

The ending credits rolled, and there was still silence filling the room.

"At least consider what I've said." I asked, looking at Blaine.

Blaine met my gaze and then glanced at Azure. His eyes were stormy, I could almost see the mental battle reflecting in his irises.

He finally sighed, "I'll consider it, I just need...some time."

Azure nodded, "That's completely reasonable. Besides training your crystal will help clear your head, and help you gain back some focus."

"Then it's settled. When do we start?"

•••

Azure and I left Blaine's house after we knew the Umbra had lost our trace and that our essence had faded.

During the rest of our time there, we figured out a stable training schedule that would efficiently turn Blaine into a warrior rather than a sitting duck. Ms Linda asked if we wanted to stay for dinner, but I quickly turned her down. Her insinuation that Azure and I were together made things weird when she was in the room. She would regularly look over at us, deep in thought. Her green eyes held a knowing gleam that annoyed the hell out of me. Azure and I made up separate obligations that we needed to 'attend' tonight. 

We reached the apartment we were staying at relatively quickly. We practically split it in half. I got one side, he got the other. We stayed on our own sides, and talked as little as possible.

We would have a hard time staying here if we destroyed the apartment because we started fighting. Therefore we took the necessary precautions. I still wasn't thrilled about staying in the same apartment as Azure, but after the Umbra finally attacked it seemed like it was the right call.

Upon entering the apartment, I was ready to turn in for the night. It had been a long day and I was tired.

I was about to retreat to my quarters when Azure called my name.

I turned to him expectantly, waiting for him to explain why he was keeping me from flopping down on my comfy bed.

"I wanted to thank you for helping me today," he said slowly leaning against the back of the couch. "Against the Umbra."

I tilted my head at him- carefully regarding the Solar.

A thank you from Azure...

It wasn't out of the ordinary for him to be so polite. However, something about the way he said this didn't seem entirely genuine to me. He sounded like he was fishing for something more.

I shrugged, "I told you fighting off the rest of the Umbra would've been impossible without your...support."

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly at my choice of words.

"I know that. But still, it took a lot for you to focus on the bigger picture..." he trailed off.

Now I knew he was trying to determine something specific. His blue eyes were glinting, weighing different facts in his head- gaze raking over my face. He had the same look in his eyes that he did earlier at Blaine's. What was he after?

"Fighting with you instead of against you is something I never thought I'd do." I kept my tone even and lifted my chin slightly, "Considering the mutual hate."

There was a moment when neither of us spoke.

I met his blue irises and held his stare, refusing to look away. Azure searched my stern expression.

"Something tells me you don't actually hate me specifically," he stated decidedly.

I rolled my eyes, "Really?"

"Yes really," Azure crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at me contemplatively. "You hate the Solar side, which by association makes you hate me. I used to think you were just cutthroat and eager for power so you joined the Lunar side, but that's not true is it?"

I narrowed my eyes to slits. His posture was relaxed, but at the same time alert. He was extremely focused behind those easy blue eyes. It was strange, his whole exterior felt like a trap. Azure looked harmless but his words were so deliberate. I always knew he was good with words, but it was different being directly up against them. Usually I had combat to lean back on, but due to our alliance I didn't have that currently.

What was he trying to figure out about me?

"I don't know what you're trying to prove but you're wrong."

"I don't think I am," Azure insisted. His tone was certain- as if me telling him that he was wrong, proved he was right.

My annoyance level was skyrocketing.

"What you said to Blaine about feeling that fire to protect your home...this isn't just about power to you."

"No it isn't," I confirmed, "But protection of my home, means the Lunar side in power."

"Your actions since our agreement haven't been particularly Lunar," Azure pressed. "They don't match their ideals."

"You don't know anything about Lunars or me, not truly," I retorted sharply. "There's nothing that sets me apart from Lunar principles. I don't know why you've gotten that wedged into your brain."

How dare he tell me I didn't match Lunar ideals. What did he know? Nothing, that's what. He didn't know me or what I fought for, and he sure as hell didn't understand Lunars.

Azure had cocked his head slightly, digesting my words.

"Ok," he stated, "Then why didn't you let the Umbra kill me? Why did you help me today?"

My eyes rolled to the ceiling and back, so that's what this was about.

"I said it earlier and I'll say it again, there were too many of them to take on without you."

Everything had happened so fast. I did what would best guarantee all of our safety.

"It was a snap decision," I stammered, "Helping you was the safer option."

"Alright, why am I still alive?"

"What? I just told you-"

"No. Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance before our meeting with Blaine?" He challenged, blue eyes piercing. "I know Onyx probably doesn't approve of this peace we've established. In fact, I'm almost positive he's ordered you to take my life."

"You don't know that," I muttered glancing away from him.

"Did he not?"

I felt myself tense, as my lips remained firmly shut. How could I verbally admit to the enemy that I was disobeying a direct order- even if it was for good reason.

"If Loden was here instead of you," Azure went on, "He would've killed me that day I was vulnerable in front of the cafe. Actually he would've attempted to kill me at various times throughout our truce." Azure paused his expression thoughtful, "You haven't once. You care more about integrity then any Lunar I've met."

My gaze flickered back to him. I searched Azure's blue orbs. They held satisfaction and certainty, as if he had collected all the data from his observations and come to a reasonable conclusion. He thought me having some sort of conscious, no matter how small, meant that I was different than my fellow allies.

"So now you're...what? Questioning my allegiance to the Lunar side? This epiphany of yours that I'm not a completely heartless monster makes you think I'm on the wrong side?"

"I just think maybe you don't realize how well you would fit with Solars," Azure explained standing to his full height and taking a step closer. "I mean you clearly care about the people of Akai. That's why you agreed to align with me and why you fight so hard for Blaine to join us-

"You're right," I interrupted him. I knew where he was going with this and I didn't want to reach that destination. 

"I do care greatly about the people of Akai," I said. "Which is why I would never switch sides. I would never fight with the Solars, and I sure as hell would never serve under Vienna." 

Azure's orbs widened slightly, and I could see the gears start to shift in his brain. 

"Vienna," he repeated. "You're so adamant about being against her."

"Yes. I hate her."

Azure appeared genuinely taken aback by my abrasiveness. He literally took a step back.

"Why? She cares about the people of Akai too, she wants to bring them out of this war and into an age of peace and prosperity..."

I began to laugh bitterly. It was a giant lie. All of it. Complete falsifications fabricated into something seemingly virtuous and good.

"You truly believe that don't you?" I looked to Azure with pity. "Vienna doesn't care about anyone but herself, and she will crush the throats of those who stand in her way- I should know- but don't worry she'll weave together some inspiring words of wisdom while she's standing on your neck."

"Wait, what do you mean you should know?" Azure had advanced on me again. But I wasn't about to get into this, especially not with him.

"It doesn't matter," I muttered dismissively.

I clenched my teeth together, willing my brain not to think about the past. I didn't want to be furious for the rest of the night. I wanted to sleep peacefully or as peacefully as I could.

"You hate her," Azure confirmed for himself.

"I just told you I did."

"That's why you're on the Lunar side."

I let out frustrated sigh, "I'm fighting for the Lunar side because that's the side I want to see win the war. Same as you for the Solar side."

"But you're making sure Vienna specifically doesn't gain power in Akai."

"That is not the only reason!" I snapped. I was getting really irritated with these accusations on my personal motivations.

I wouldn't entertain him with these ideas. I had many reasons for being on the Lunar side, and they wouldn't change anytime soon. Rage was building up in me and it took everything I had to remain still.

"But it's clearly a big reason," Azure took a few more steps toward me. "Every time I've ever mentioned her you become tense."

"Yes Azure! I don't like Vienna. But that's not some strange feeling to have! You don't like Onyx."

"Yes," Azure admitted. "I don't agree with Onyx's ideals or methods, but I don't hate him so much that I can't even stand to hear his name. It's like you're after some sort of-" He paused, his blue eyes were hesitant but they narrowed in realization. "It's like you're out for revenge..."

I felt my face heat up as my blood started to boil in my veins. I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

As I looked at Azure I felt myself become angry with him. How dare he pry into my head! He had no right to know these things about me.

"You do want revenge on Vienna, don't you?" His voice was soft but confident in this new revelation.

It made the fire in me flare.

"Stop," I muttered lowly in warning.

Azure took an insistent step closer. "I can practically feel the hate radiating off of you. What happened that mak-"

"Shut. Up."

"Why? Why do you hate her?"

"I said STOP!"

I summoned my red shards into a blade, and swung at Azure with all the strength I could muster.

He had anticipated my attack though, and his blue sword formed to meet mine. We were locked together, our blades clashed with a resounding cling.

He looked down at me through our crossed crystal, "What happened?"

His blue eyes were sparking with conviction, and in his dark pupils I could see my own eyes engulfed in a yellow fire.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!"

I pulled my blade back and swung at his head. He blocked me again and used his own blade to push me back. I took several swings at him. The rage that I felt fueled my attacks. 

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The sound echoed around the apartment as I continued to attack Azure. We moved around the kitchen table. I vaguely registered the sound of a lamp breaking and a chair being split in half. 

As I continued trying to kill him, he diligently played defense. No matter what I did, he didn't swing back at me. He just blocked my blade. This somehow made me even more mad.

I swung downwards and Azure once again met my sword.

"I've never seen you this angry." His eyes were focused, but they were also wide with resolve. "Clearly I'm not entirely wrong."

"Don't pretend to understand my motives! You have no clue!" 

Azure's gaze shifted. He searched my eyes carefully, and then as if a light switch turned on: his orbs softened.

"Then tell me. Help me understand."

My eyes widened cautiously. What?

What was he doing?

I narrowed my eyes as I looked up at him. Why would he want to understand? I was his enemy, and I fought on the opposing side of the war. What more was there to understand?

I abruptly pulled my blade away, and took a few steps back from him.

I could feel his intense blue gaze on me, and I didn't like it. I avoided his eyes, looking at anything else in the vicinity.

"I'm done with this conversation," I mumbled.

With that I turned around and walked away. The minute we got here I wanted to go into my room, and that was still where I wanted to go.

It was about time I rested.