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He looked up and immediately turned the photo around, so that the picture was on his lap, and only the back with it's scribblings could be seen. "I-It's nothing.." He said with a chuckle. He paused as his eyes scanned over the scribbling. He had thought of reading it later, but now that it was on his lap he couldn't help but read it.

He read the hurried writing. It read. Dear Nay Nay He couldn't help but smirk at the nickname she had given him. He had hated it, and even now still hate it. It was such a horrid nickname. He continued reading. I doubt I even have to tell you this, but seeing how thick you can be sometimes I'll do so. I love you. Well durr, we've been together for 3 years now, I don't stick with guys I don't love. He bit his lip. He knew what was coming. How could he forget? The letter took a change in tone. I love the time we spent together, perhaps the best time I've ever had. But by the time you read this I'll be gone. It'll be for the best, trust me. Please don't cry. I don't want you to. Even if I'm gone, I'll be looking down on your from up there. Lord, that was cheesy, but I'm hoping it's true. I hope I get a special little telescope up in heaven, or down in hell, to keep a close eye on you. I'm sorry it had to be this way.

A lump formed in his throat as he looked at her signature, with the heart and smiley beside it. Your lovely, Evelyn. He realized as he finished reading that he had let a tear roll down his cheek. He hurriedly wiped it away and placed the picture in his pocket. Evelyn. His best friend. His girlfriend. The girl he had planned to marry. The girl who had committed suicide. No one knew why, but she had left them notes. She had hinted to them before that one day she would have to go. She had once told Nathaniel that even if she didn't want to, one day she would sacrifice herself. They were both under the influence of alcohol that night, and he didn't believe a word she had said. He regretted that now.

He looked down at the floor under his feet as he felt the ache in his heart. He didn't want that to ever happen to him again. He couldn't go through a loss like that again.

He immediately wiped the tears away and forced out a chuckle. "Look at me getting all emotional now." He laughed, though it held no emotion. To soothe himself, and an excuse to not talk even for a few seconds, he popped a chocolate into his mouth. He took longer than usual to eat the chocolate, and once he finished he looked down at his feet. "I-I'm fine." He said with a practiced grin.

He looked up at her and then down at the photo of his father. Another person that he couldn't save. At least his father was alive. But wouldn't being dead be better than the position he was in now? Nathaniel really couldn't tell. He grit his teeth to hold back any oncoming tears. Why was he so goddamn emotional today?

He got up and sat on the edge of the window, which had been made specifically to sit on. A thin bed-like strip was attached to the window. He gestured Andromeda over. Looking out this window made the palace grounds look gorgeous. He pointed to one spot and grinned, "Your garden looks beautiful from here."

He sat staring out at the garden as she approached him. He couldn't stay in this room for long. There were too many pictures here of the two people that he had lost. He had to leave, and soon. But with what excuse? He didn't want to seem weak and fragile to Andromeda, what could he say to get them out of here? He bit his lip thinking when he heard her. He grinned and kept his eyes locked on her as he softly, "It surprises me how perfect it looks as well.. "

Realizing what he had said, he quickly turned his gaze away. He popped another chocolate in his mouth and laid back closing his eyes. This place made him feel so safe. What about Andromeda, what did she feel here? "How do you like it?" He asked vaguely.

He thought about that for a bit then answered. "It can be sad, but there are so many happy memories here as well. There are just times that the sadness is a bit too .. overpowering." He gently caressed the soft tip of the photo that stuck out of his pocket. He looked out the window and smiled remembering something. He went over and rummaged through an old purple box. He grinned and took the entire box to her.

He sat down on the sill again and placed the box in his lap. "These things always seem to fascinate me. Majority of them are magical, here's one I really like." He passed a small locket over to her. It seemed like pendant actually. Thin, smooth, and merely a small circle with a green gem laid in the center.

"Press your finger against the gem." He instructed her quietly. When the gem was pressed, the locket opened up and projected the happiest memories of the person who had touched it.

Nathaniel watched the projection with curiousity. What was this about her mother having powers? Nathaniel bit his lip. Did this mean the servant girl had magical powers. He couldn't help but grin at her joy. She seemed so happy just to see that bit of a memory. He couldn't blame her.

Before he asked her about her powers, he had to give her another chance to see something. "The more you touch the gem stone, the more good memories will be shown." He informed her. If she wished to see more, she could simply touch the stone. If not, he could show her the other items in this wonderous little box.

He nodded and silently took it from her. He closed the locket and hesitated. He was quite tempted to press the gem right now, but he didn't know how much emotional he could handle in one day. He merely placed it beside him, if in case he planned to use it soon.

He dug into the box again and pulled out a small compact mirror. He felt like a girl, pulling all these accessories out. He chuckled and said, "I haven't figured this one out yet. Everytime I open it, it's something different. A melody that only I can hear, or a picture of someone I'm thinking of, and last time it was merely an image of ice cream since I was hungry." He chuckled and handed it over to her.

Nathaniel immediately sat up straighter as she threw it to a bean bag chair. He placed a hand gently on her knee. "A-Andromeda, are you alright?" He paused then asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what did you see?"

He gently picked up the compact and placed it back inside the box. What had thrown her off guard so quickly. Had it scared her, or had it merely taken her by surprise. He looked up at her again, awaiting an answer. What had make her react like that?

Nathaniel didn't necessarily believe her, but he nodded slowly. He decided to give her a break from the magical items and picked up the locket again. He let his finger hover over the gem, and then gently pushed it. The locket immediately snapped open.

It was his birthday. A few years back.

Nathaniel didn't look much different, perhaps a bit more younger, that was it. Beside him sat a brown haired female with emerald green eyes. On a table in front of them, lay a young male with blonde hair and the coldest gray eyes he had ever seen. In another corner, rolling her eyes at the blonde sat a female with short black hair, and coal coloured eyes.

"How about we play spin the bottle?" The blonde male asked giggling. It was obvious that all of them were at least a bit under the influence of alcohol.

Nathaniel took a sip of the bottle in his hand and shook his head. "I don't want to make-out with you on my birthday.. maybe later." He jokingly winked at the boy, causing the teenagers in the room to giggle quite loudly. The only one who didn't laugh was the girl who sat at the corner. She merely rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.

Nathaniel turned his attention to the girl beside him. She was biting her lip, her cheeks red from alcohol. "You've been too quiet today, what's up? Something on your mind?"

She nodded and hesitated. "Nathaniel.. I --" She stopped as Sebastian walked in and bowed. "S-Sire, your drinks." Nathaniel grinned at the butler. "Don't be so scared of my friends Sebby, sit, drink, relax!"

Nathaniel closed the locket just as projection of him said this. It would seem like a normal memory to anyone else who saw it, but it meant so much more to him. That night was when Evelyn had confessed that she held the same feelings for him, that he held for her. That night reminded him of all the good time he had had with those friends. Two of them were now dead. The blonde, who had been his closest friend had died in a war, and Evelyn, well, she had committed suicide. He barely talked to the female who sat in the corner rolling her eyes, but they did keep in contact. Sebastian was the only one he spoke to regularly.