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 Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 4:18 am
 It had been a quiet evening; Phil would call it mediocre. There had been little traffic in the pharmacy -which was a good thing, considering that meant Philemon had more time to himself in order to properly study some more. His notes on alchemic potions from the other day were proving to be a valuable asset in his research of medicine and as much as the shop-mistress would like to complain that one's workplace wasn't a place to study she could never deny that Phil had managed to actually increase the potency of several medical substances, however basic.
And even though there hadn't been as many customers, Phil had managed to stay working overtime, yet again, hunched over his notes, papers scattered around his feet where his bag had also been resting for a while as he promised himself to leave the store every fifteen minutes but delayed and delayed and delayed some more. He wasn't expecting people at home that particular evening, he didn't feel like going out and he didn't feel like being as whimsical as usually. His trial at the grave of fairies was coming around very soon once again and Phil still didn't feel like taking it. He felt as if he had no reason to take it, lacking in every sense even though he kept acing his tests in the academy and was moving forward with his research anyway. And still there was something stopping him, like an invisible wall, and for the third time in a row he had written a small note to his homeroom teacher explaining the reasons why he wanted to postpone it once again. They were more or less the same as the other two times before, the note worded in more or less the same manner as well. 'Inadequate preparation.' he wrote and 'Need to further his studies further.'. The note had been forgotten at home, however, and he would have to wait until the next day to mail it. Phil sighed over his notes, a hand moving to meticulously push up his glasses further up his nose since they seemed to have moved from their position as he had a hard time to focus. At this rate he'd never feel prepared.
A hand that came to rest on his shoulder almost made him jump as he turned his gaze upwards to see the Pharmacist looking down at him sternly. "Really, Philemon." she spoke, raising a finger to draw his attention. "You look tired, it's already way past your shift and I demand you go get some rest." she was looking dead serious as she spoke. Did he really look that tired?
"Ah, forgive me!" he chuckled awkwardly. "You know how absorbed I get when I study..." he apologized, closing his notebook and moving to pick his papers up. "See, see?" he laughed. "Don't worry, I was about to leave anyway." his eyes sparkled as he spoke and he was smiling even though he was feeling as if all of this was a drag.
He was still feeling heavy as he took his way to home, the lukewarm air doing little to help alleviate the stress. Pausing to look his reflection on a window he found himself bringing his free hand up to ruffle his hair as he smiled weakly. How did he manage to end up this way? Surely, it was but a phase, it would go by fast; but either way, right now he felt stressed enough that he wanted to run away somewhere and hide someplace until it all passed him by.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:17 am
 As he wandered around the town he'd spent the last few years in Theofratus began to wonder where his twin was. Idly, he conjured a ball of the blue fire he used in his magis and played with it, the flames licking his fingers as he thought. He created quite a sight, a dark figure with pale skin made ghostly from the blue glow of the fire within his hands. He clearly wasn't at school, nor was he at home. Well, the other place to look for him would be at the pharmacy or the apothecary. Setting off again, Theo made his way through the crowds, slinking in and out as smoothly as a cat. He stopped the the apothcary's first, taking a look at the dank exterior decided his brother would most certainly not be there. The mouldy walls and the generally creepy feel told Theo so. Phil hated places like these. Whereas such places intrigued Theo.
Sadly, he had to attend to his wayward brother. He crumpled the note in his pocket angrily as he strolled down the streets, cutting a swathe as he meandered over to the pharmacy. Leaning against the wall, he opted to wait for his brother outside and catch him unawares. He didn't care for the looks that people shot at him. So what if he was playing with blue fire? The flames danced across his fingers as naturally as he breathed. It was somehing he had always done since a young age. Play with fire. People would call him a pyromaniac and he wouldn't deny it. However, now he had control over it mostly and had stopped burning down the house or water tower.
"Phil!"Theo called out as he spotted his twin in the tides of people around Makai Royal Academy. He noted that Phil looked tired underneath the glasses and his face was rather pinched, as if he were worried or terrified of something. "Phil!"He shouted louder, chasing after his brother. The flames disappeared with a wave of his hand as he went after his twin.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:12 am
Phil was already looking forward to a quiet rest of the evening at home -and even more so a tonic tea to revitalize his body and give him a little more strength to continue meticulously studying through it when his hopes for such a possibility where squashed when his brother's voice rang over the crowd. Theofratus didn't have to shout for Phil to hear him, merely because he was positive he could tell his voice among the crowd's noise even if he were only whispering. And it wasn't as if he wasn't happy to hear his brother's voice. However tired, however fatigued, despite his hopes to spend the rest of the evening in peace and quite, unwilling to meet any of his many friends, he would always make time for his brother. Because he was who he was, however loud, the person dearest to him than any other.
He stopped and turned around, a smile blossoming on his face as he did so, even if it was -like himself- still rather tired. "Hey." he greeted simply, waving his hand a little. "I was just heading home." he pointed out, chuckling a little. "The manager almost kicked me off." he paused to shrug, his smile widening as if he had managed some great feat by pissing the poor pharmacist off with not taking better care of himself. "Were you looking for me?" he questioned, though for Theo to be there it already meant as much. He had no other need to be at the pharmacy after all, even if the reckless idiot kept hurting himself one way or another what with getting caught in all sorts of fights with no reason at all -even if he weren't one to talk, getting hurt by accident all the time-. "Sorry..." he apologized promptly. He didn't want to worry Theo for no reason at all, and his problems were too trivial to weigh him with anyway.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:15 am
Theo caught up with Phil, a slight smile on his face as he peered at his brother. Even in a crowd, it was difficult to miss Phil. It was just that intrinsic part of him that bound him to his twin. they were so very different in appearance and in personality, but that aside, they shared a bond. A special bond between twins. He raised an eyebrow when Phil mentioned more or less getting kicked out of the pharmacy. The only thing Phil could ever be guilty of was overworking himself, or well, breaking things. His brother's tendency to hurt himself never went unnoticed.
"Obviously I was looking for you, else I'd be in Moonfall, not here again." Theo's lips tightened into a line. Placing a hand on Phil's back. he steered his brother into the swarm of people surrounding them, clearly indicating he ought to move. "What is this about?" He demanded to know, waving a piece of paper in front of Phil's face even as they plowed through the crowd of people. He wasn't too surprised Phil was busy, what with his penchance for herbology and school. Strangely enough though, that tiny scrap of paper he held in his hand was filled with reasons not to undergo the Grave of the Fairies trial.
Having been through it, Theo personally could not understand why someone like Phil, especially Phil would want to postpone or put off the trial. It was amazing, going in there and being surrounded by the huge variety of herbs and plants there. Not to mention some of the creatures. Not everything there was friendly. But he had made it out, mostly unharmed. Phil on the other hand.. He was hesistating. He still was. That was the only reason Theo was out of the Academy before him. "Explain it, Philemon." His tone made it clear that Phil was not permitted to worm out of it, as was the use pf his ful name. Theo rarely called Phil by his full name unless he was deadly serious. And this was a matter for him to be deadly serious about.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:20 am
Phil shrugged a little, maybe he could shoulder his burden of infinite doubts for a second and breathe -safe ground- and breathe again. Because he was always so worried about Theo that sometimes he'd spend countless hours awake just.... wondering. Where he was, what he was doing, if he was alright, if he was hurt. Because he had spent such a long time looking after him that it was strange not to be able to care for him the way he used to. At least Moonfall wasn't that far away so he could visit whenever he wanted if he wanted, whenever he could. Noticing Theo's suspicious look he made haste to laugh it off, nodding to reassure his brother that he would be okay, that it was alright and nothing really serious had happened. "I'm okay, I'm okay. No need to worry." he scratched the back of his neck with his free hand, bright eyes lowered slightly to avoid staring into his brother's identical ones. Save for the pale color of their skin it was the only thing they had in common, appearance-wise.
And then he was urged to move and so he did. Surely Theo would like some privacy, and he didn't mind at all considering he still craved that herbal tea at home. He didn't knew he was in trouble, although he did sense some kind of anger even before that, until Theo finally held out a rather familiar piece of paper to him. Damn his bad luck! Why couldn't it ever be something else but 'bad' for a change? It would appear that Theo had stopped by the house before coming to find him at the Pharmacy and damn his giving him a spare key as well as leaving that note out in the open. Sadly he couldn't come up with a pliable excuse as the note was stating rather clearly that he wished to withdraw from the trial. "Eh, well... You see..." he fixed his glasses, uncomfortable, to hide in the reflection of the lenses even though he knew fairly well that there was no escaping Theo when he was like that.
He flinched at his whole name being spoken. It was so scarcely used by those close to him that hearing it meant trouble; even worse, big trouble, and he wasn't even in the mood to deal with it. It was no use lying so the truth was all he had to offer Theo. "I was planning to postpone the trial until next time, you see." he admitted dryly. "That's all." it was rather obvious that Theo wouldn't leave it at that of course. He was going to ask for explanations and it was hard to repeat the same lie over and over without making it seem fake. He feared that this once he wouldn't get off as easily as he had before. He shook his head a little. "There's nothing I need to explain, is there?" his last remark came out a little more flat that he had wanted it to, expected it to and he found himself wondering, all over again, what was it that was wrong with him exactly?
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:50 am
Theo’s eyes narrowed as he continued to propel Phil through the streets. When he found Phil missing at home and that note, it was quite a good thing that Phil’s house was still standing. He was absolutely downright pissed. Why on earth would Phil want to postpone his graduation was beyond Theo, but he knew he was going to kick his twin’s butt until he would acquiescence to Theo’s demand he take the trial. When Phil said something about putting it off until the next time, Theo’s lips all but disappeared in disapproval.
As they arrived outside Phil’s small house, Theo dug out his key and opened the door, pushing Phil inside as he stared his brother down. “Liar.” He hissed. “You are just going to keep putting it off as long as you can.” He spat out, the words said through gritted teeth. “There’s a lot more to it then you’re telling me, or even admitting to yourself.” Theo glared at him as he folded his arms and watched Phil. He knew his brother very well, knew that he didn’t want to take the test. But he wanted to know why. And Phil clearly wasn’t going to submit the information willingly.
“Philemon Menniadis, you better tell me what’s going on right now.” Theo’s voice was menacing, suggesting he’d beat the truth out of Phil if he didn’t surrender it willingly. And hell, Theo would. He was absolutely furious. If he had to set the house on fire for Phil to tell him what was going on, he would. “And don’t you dare lie.” He added for good measure, pointing a finger at his twin’s forehead.
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 2:21 am
Theo somehow managed to come off as intimidating to most people he met. He had been intimidating when he was younger as well, however, and Phil had all but learned how to deal with him effectively. All he had to do was keep his cool and the storm would eventually pass when met with the tranquility of the other side. After all Theo was but a little too rowdy at times, but nothing he couldn't handle; that was the way Phil used to describe his brother to people that hadn't met his yet. The solution was fairly simple but this once Theo appeared to be more determined this once and Phil couldn't really understand what was with the sudden fondness for him to graduate. After all it wasn't that huge a deal. Some people graduated early, some late and he definitely didn't feel ready to become a witch just yet.
"C-Come on now." he stuttered at being called a liar, an awkward smile -that was half-frozen in his expression- still lingering as he did. "It's not that big a deal, is it?" he frowned a little at speaking that, a hand moving upwards to his glasses to hide his uncertainty and sudden uncomfortable spur of feelings that kept growing inside him like a parasite that ate him away. What could this be about? Why was Theo so angry that he didn't feel okay with leaving the Academy just yet? After all what did he know? He had simply moved on with his life clinging to his foolish pride and that stupid dream without stopping to think about him or what he kept telling him at all. In the end he couldn't help but feel downright frustrated. And yet he forced himself to stay silent, bite his lip as he removed his jacket to hang it where it should be, then his shoes, before moving to the space behind the living room that served as the kitchen to put some water to boil. He had been so happy to see Theo... was this all he came to see him for all the way from Moonfall?
"What's with the sudden interest anyway?" his voice was flat when he spoke, not turning to look in Theo's direction. "It's not like you listened to me when I asked you to wait for me and now you're expecting me to hurry up and do as you please?" the question was blunt but he hadn't been the one to start all this nonsense anyway so it was justified self-defense, or that's what he told himself anyway. And he still hadn't answered Theo's question; not because he didn't want to but more like because he couldn't. He doubted that Theo would understand even if he sat down and explained exactly why he wanted to stay longer, but of course not.
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:58 am
"It is that big a deal." Theo answered in a sharp tone. Why didn't Phil get it? He would learn more from the world than he would in that school. Phil was beyond that school. Why did he linger on still? "Don't avoid the question. Answer mine and I'll answer yours." A determined glint in Theo's eyes said he wasn't backing down from this, not until he'd had an adequate answer from his brother. And Phil rebutting the questionw ith another just wasn't and option. He followed Phil into the kitchen, making his stance on the matter clear.
"Mum and dad ask questions you know. I'm sure you get their letters. They ask why you, the smart one are still in school while I've already gone and out?" Theo added, his voice rising with each word. "And I myself wonder why you, who said you'd beat me out of school are lingering like a child who dare not leave his home for the fear of outside!" Theo threw his hands up in exasperation and exhaled loudly. "You're eighteen already for goodness sake!" Theo gestured wildly. "You're still here, not daring to get out of the academy and learn something from the school of hard knocks are you? You just wanna stay here, sheltered and ignorant." Theo threw the words like daggers, his eyes glimmering with something akin to anger.
When was Phil going to grow up? He couldn't stay here forever. Eventually life would catch up with him and he'd be kicked in the a**, painfully so. And Theo didn't want to see that happening. Sure, this was probably not the best was of handling it, but what other choice did he have? Phil would never listen when he was in these kinds of situations, where he'd become comfortable and unwilling to step out of his comfort zone. It irritated Theo to no end, watching his brother do such foolish things. "You can't stay here forever, Phil." Theo threw the last words out before he turned on his heel, clearly too frustrated to continue attempting to reason things out with Phil. "I'm going out. You better have decided what you want to do when I get back."
He slammed the door as he left, hurrying down the streets and walking towards the town center, hoping to cool off a little wth a walk.
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 11:52 am
Phil forced his pleasant facade down, his stare frozen solid, eyes that would glow warmly otherwise, welcoming becoming harsh almost as if to raise a barricade between himself and the rest of the world. He didn't feel like taking that treatment from Theo right now despite how well he knew that all of this rage was only worry, despite knowing that deep down Theo was the one struggling, trying to understand and yet he couldn't tell him because what in the world could he do to explain? It was meaningless to talk to a person that wanted to eradicate the Majin and get them to settle down, impossible to justify the reasons that would push one to want to create a potion that would help that ill-gotten race despite being almost eaten in the past. Actually the last part was maybe halfway possible, but not without revealing the terrible truth hidden under that drive.
He remained painfully silent while Theofratus yelled at him knowing that every last of those words was nothing but the sincere truth. He would, of course, had phrased some things a lot more gently. For example, the reason why Theo graduated before him. He knew he was a lot better than him when it came to studying, he had been the one to painstakingly coach him through his classes anyway, but that was all the more need to linger behind. There were always things to learn, things to do. And he couldn't deny that his reason to stay behind had something to do with a feeling very much akin to fear, uncertainty.
Once the blows had been dealt he was left feeling empty, still very much silent, unwilling to speak up and moreover bitter. It was too late when he decided to reach out to his brother who left slamming the door behind him. He extended a hand as if this could force Theo to stay but as was natural he grabbed only air. He was beyond his grasp... had he been like that all along? All he did he was doing it for him and yet-
The thoughts that had been haunting him nagged at him harder. 'What if I'm inadequate? Not good enough?', 'Sometimes, no matter how much I study or how much I try I find myself wondering if it's going to be enough...' they were things he had even spoken out loud before and it had been okay, but-
"Damn it." he swore quietly biting his lip. He couldn't let it go on, could he? Shaking his head in a weak attempt to reassure himself it was going to be okay he rushed to the door slipping on his shoes in the meantime -but not bothering to get his jacket despite the slightly chilly air that had been drifting outside ever since the sun had began to set- and shoving his keys in a pocket he hurried outside. "Damn it, Theo." he cursed yet again as he set for the town's center. There really were too little places to go within the Academy Town of Makai and that made his search all the more easier.
He simply hoped that the cold air would help his brother cool his head a little so they could have a proper talk without being at each other's throat the whole time. Phil never wished for it either.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:58 am
Phil's absolute silence while Theo had yelled at him was absolutely a piss off. He hated it when Phil refused to defined himself. If he wouldn't lay his reasons out, at least he ought to say something. Theo's lips tightened into a line as he walked through the smalll town. Really, trying to reason with Phil was like trying to break into a well-defended castle, moat, battlements, boiling oil, catapults and all. Rolling his eyes, Theo continued walking, deciding to take a turn and go around the whole town instead of just going to the town center. Knowing Phil, he'd probably run and try to reason it out now. And he just wasn't in the mood anymore.
The cool evening air was a sharp contrast to the heat at the high of noon today. It had been hot, too hot even. And for Theo to say that, it was really saying something. He had a high heat tolerance, given his magic. Snapping his fingers, he abesentmindedly summoned the flames he had learned to control. They fluttered around his fingers, swaying gently and giving off a comforting heat that reassured Theo a little, Despite his confidence stance in the world, daring to take a step forward and stand alone, he still needed something to hold on to, to reassure him that no matter what he still had something to rely on.
As he kept walking, he finally ended up in the town center. By now, night had mostly fallen, leaving the town entrapped within the dusky twilight after the sun had set and before night really settled in. This was Theo's favorite time of day, after the dead of night naturally. Something about this in between stage, transitioning between night and day comforted Theo. He sighed and went to find a bench to sit on, watching as the sky faded from a streaky orange and grey into the deep blue of the night. He could see a faint rainbow in the sky as the sun continued to sink further beyond the horizon, blending the brilliant colours of the sunset with the subdued tones of night.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:56 pm
Phil spent some time wandering around, aimlessly looking for Theo who had somehow managed to disappear from the face of the earth as he could find him nowhere. He could, of course, have fled someplace else but Phil didn't want to leave the town center seeing how he feared his brother might as well as go through it while he was looking elsewhere for him. When you lived in such a small town you eventually learn that everyone must go through specific places to go anywhere and so he'd wait. Phil found himself finding that even though the day had been all but noteworthy so far the sunset sure was something else but he didn't have all that time to ponder about it, interrupted by the unsettled growling that rose up from the pits of his stomach.
Important matters aside it would appear he had completely neglected to eat all day and his body was now protesting and he couldn't go anywhere without finding Theo first. He rummaged in his pockets for any spare change he might be able to come up with and thankfully found enough to afford cup noodles for two people -as well as some candied corn he might come to present later seeing how he was so keen on sweets, as always. He was borderline sure that Theo was probably just as hungry, if not more, having travelled all the way there from his home, then sat around waiting for him. Really though, picking a fight as soon as he saw him, what was he really thinking? Or was he simply acting, never mind anything else? If Phil had to bet, yet again, he'd place his trust in the second case.
Having to wait for the noodles for a set amount of time Phil went over to sit back down on a bench and wait, watching the crowd, while simply wishing that Theofratus wouldn't take too long and that his cup wouldn't get cold in the meantime. It was about that time that he noticed the strikingly unmistakable figure of his somewhere ahead, the shape of a familiar back blocking out the sunlight and he found himself smiling a little, never mind they had just fought. "Oi, Theofratus, how long are you going to keep standing there?" he called out to him, raising one hand for Theo to spot him more easily when he'd turn around. "Looking for somewhere to sit?" he joked patting the seat next to him in suggestion for him to sit down.
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:32 am
The humm and buzz of people bustling away and going home was apparent all around, even as Theo finally made his way towards the town center. Phil's voice made him turn around, his eyes locking with his brother's, the only characteristic that they shared. His lips lifted in a small, sad smile as he made his way over to Phil's side, plopping down on the bench with about as much grace as a falling cat. Theo took one of the cup noodles, sticking the fork in absentmindedly as he twirled the noodles around.
A comfortable silence settled upon them as Theo picked at his noodles. "So, have you decided what you're going to do?" Theo asked, shoving a forkful of noodles into his mouth. He was absolutely starving, having not eaten for most of the day. Travelling up from Moonfall wasn't all that much fun. "You have a lot riding on this one, you know." Theo shrugged his shoulders. "You can't keep making excuses. You might say you're not ready, but what is it are you so frightened of? If you pass, you pass. You fail, you can try again." Theo paused between another forkful of noodles and turned too look at his fair-haired twin. "Be honest with me, Phil." He gave Phil an intense look. "What are you so scared of?" He repeated, setting his noodles down to face Phil.
Pulling a knee up, he leaned back against the wall and studied Phil carefully. Slightly messy blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, somewhat rumpled uniform. He looked the same as always, and yet there was something different. Theo couldn't quite put his finger on it. He pressed his lips into a line, choosing to keep sielnt this time. He seemed more tired tha usual. It wasn't that long since Theo had last seen Phil, but the differences were clear. He seemed somewhat more withdrawn than usual. Theo's observations made him worry a little, but he said nothing about it.
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:19 am
Phil smiled as he watched his brother smile back. While it was entirely true that he was a firecracker and that he had gotten pretty angry back there the smile he gave him put Phil at ease. Of course he knew he was worrying Theo with his antics but he was supposed to be the one to look after him, after all. He sighed softly, almost in relief, as he tilted his head backwards to look at the sky above them and savour the myriads of colors that spread out like an artist's palette behind the darker volumes of the clouds, drifting lazily in the breeze. Not really thinking about anything for a couple moments he mimicked Theo, taking his own cup of noodles in hand and repeating the process, the warm container pleasant against the ever cold skin of his hands.
"Well." he started off before heaving another sigh, turning his head to look at his brother and take in his expression in order to assess the situation better. "Sometimes I'm just not sure if this is what I want to do, you know." he sighed, shaking his head a little, returning his gaze up above. "I'm not really scared of anything." he felt his shoulders slump but he didn't move and he didn't sound sad or anything but the smile on his lips was bitter. "Anything but failure itself, I guess. What if the powers I discover I have aren't what I need? What if I don't know myself well enough? I... I'm not like you." he let his head drop as he shoved his fork into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Deciding was exactly what he had kept running away from and now that he knew that Theo wouldn't back off unless he heard a satisfactory answer he was feeling all the more pressured.
"You could always do all the things I couldn't even dream of doing." he smiled as he said that, this time truthfully as he turned to look at Theo. "You'd climb in trees and chase the other kids around. You'd always win at the games we played outside, especially tag." what was he reminiscing for again? But once he was on a roll he couldn't stop himself, as always. "God, you were so fast." he laughed. "Remember that time when we hid in the trees to hide from mum and dad and then I couldn't get down?" it was quite memorable, for Phil at least. He might be remembering that and laughing now but at the time he had only been, what? Seven? Eight years old? And while they both had climbed up just fine when it was time to get off Theo managed to without fretting but he had been too scared so he'd sit there and cry until Theo managed to help him down. Back at that time he still felt like the younger brother, though; unlike nowadays.
"I guess... this is kind of like that time." he spoke a lot more softly now. Only 'falling' here meant a lot more than what just falling off a tree meant then. But alas, there was nothing he could do about it now. His brother had come all the way there from Moonfall and he wasn't about to disappoint him for another time. He couldn't take disappointing him anyway. He just had to be strong, even if it weren't for himself. "I will take the test." he spoke in a level tone of voice. "But..." his voice faded again as he looked down, shyly almost, like a schoolgirl asking her boyfriend a favour or something. "I'm so scared, damnit!" he admitted, eyebrows arching in worried lines over his eyelids, his look almost desperate. "Is it so bad that I want you to be here? Supporting me?" he exasperated. Was he asking for too much? But he could be selfish too, couldn't he? After all he had never, not once, left Theo alone willingly so far, did he not deserve at least that much?
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Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:52 am
Theo smiled wistfully as Phil brought up their childhood. Really, it was amazing how quickly one lost their childhood while trying to wade through the muddy swamp of adulthood and learning to cope with being bogged down with problems that growing up brought. He’d run so far and fast from home, forgetting how it was like as a child. So many thing now preoccupied him and left him with little time for anything, let alone reminiscing about days gone by. Days so long ago, when he ran for pleasure, played for fun, climbed trees for the adventure of being higher than anyone around. Of course, Phil had followed his lead. Together they charged into a variety of misdemeanors that earned them punishments and restrictions. But they had laughed and ran and played their childhood out, until now they were old enough to stand on their own. And still, Phil was clinging to him, looking to him for guidance as he always had.
Theo set down his noodles and reached over to Phil. “You know, it’s okay to be scared. Everyone’s scared of something, some more open about it than others.” He smiled sadly and squeezed Phil’s knee. “You see, your magic manifests itself towards where you are more inclined. I mean, you know I’ve always been something of a pyromaniac.” A wry grin spread over his face. “Look at me now, a witch specializing in fire magics.” He chuckled at the irony. “Anyways, you will find yourself as you go along. I mean, I don’t really know myself at all, I can’t honestly say I do, but I do know what I see in people and what they really need, not want. But I can’t do the same for myself. It’s a blessing and a curse, since people never want what they need the most. You didn’t want the screaming and yelling and that argument earlier, but you needed it. It was your wake-up call, so to speak.” He smiled at Phil, picking up his noodles and settling against the wall again.
“And all those times I did what seemed like incredibly brave things? I was just being a child. I saw what I wanted and a grabbed it.” He scooped up a forkful of noodles, shoveling them into his mouth. “Opportunities never present themselves to you in a silver box wrapped with ribbons and confetti. You have to see it for what it is and grab hold of it before it eludes you.” The noodles were lukewarm now, but still somewhat edible. Sighing, Theo conjured a small flame and reheated his noodles a little, until they were steaming once more. “You see, that time with the tree? I wanted to hide, you decided to join in my hare-brained escapade, like you always did. But when you couldn’t get down, I had to help you” He paused for a moment, gulping down another forkful of noodles..” It was my fault you got into such a situation in the first place. But the whole reason you couldn’t come down was because you were so afraid of falling, too terrified of the possibilities to even want to try them out and hope that you get the best deal of it.” He fixed his eyes on Phil, his eyes looking into the sapphire depths of Phil’s.
“I’m always here for you.” He said softly, reaching out a hand. “Always, in here.” He gently touched the place where Phil’s heart beat strongly, loudly. Full of life as always, a heart too scared to step out. “I may not be next to you, holding your hand and telling you’ll I’ll catch you if you fall like that time with the tree, but I’m always there for you when you need me.” He smiled reassuringly and withdrew his hand. “You can pass this trial, just like you could climb down that tree. And you don’t need me around. You just need to find the courage in you to do it.” He returned to his cup noodles, finishing the last of them. He didn’t realize he had been that hungry, and now he was even more aware of his grumbling stomach. But that was okay, as long as Phil found it in himself to take that first step without Theo walking beside him.
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:00 am
Phil felt the overwhelming need to laugh at seeing Theo smile. He was scowling or frowning so often as he grew up that it was entirely pleasant to see him smile again, something of a miracle. And yet, Phil felt his mood becoming much more dim in but a sudden, his heart sinking dangerously. It had been his fault too, hadn't it? All of this was for his sake or so Theo thought. To want to try so hard, to move ahead so fast... it was all due to the revenge he had sought to take for the Majin that had tried to take Phil's heart and he couldn't tell him; Phil couldn't bring himself to tell him that his goal was hopeless. How could he cause such pain to Theo all over again? No matter how much they quarrelled he was still his most beloved twin brother. And just how do you tell someone that the one they had been chasing after all along had been themselves?
He sighed leaning closer to Theo, letting his head plop on his shoulder that seemed all the more accommodating right now as if it was there just so that it could support his head when he needed it the most. He knew of all those things that Theo was telling him about already but they sounded so much more reassuring coming from him. He might always had been the most reliable, the one where they both turned to when things were getting tough but when it came to taking dares it was all bout Theo. Phil had always admired him, looking up to him when they were younger and even now, his clean-cut resolve surprised him, drove him to want to become better himself. "All I want is to protect you... everyone. Protect everyone." Phil sighed softly, his voice nothing but a small tired whisper. He wasn't sure if Theo understood just how much it meant to him. How would he feel if he ended up becoming something he didn't want to be.
"Exactly my point, you big bloke." Phil pretended to scold him even though he couldn't contain the grin that was spread along his face. "You're still the same kid you were back then." he huffed and chewed on his noodles thoughtfully. At least he didn't have a problem with moving on though, so it wasn't all that bad, he decided. "But that's what makes you so amazing, you know? That's what I admire the most." his expression softened yet again and he turned his bright blue eyes away from Theo's identical pair to look at the crowd. "You're... constant, Theo." he spoke quietly placing a hand over his brother's to reassure himself mostly -that he was being there and not someplace else where he couldn't reach him- "Don't ever change." he nodded his head. If they could stay like this forever then it would be alright and nobody would have to get hurt or suffer any longer.
It must have been fate, he decided. To have been born with such an amazing person for his twin brother, never mind what he was and how short-tempered he could become. At moments like these he was the only one who could set Phil's mind at ease. "Nn. I guess... I guess you're right, aren't you? You are my twin brother, after all." and twins were supposed to share a special bond even if they were as different as the two of them were. "You really do know how to give people what they need, Theo. I..." he wasn't sure what exactly he wanted to say there so he trailed off, uncertain "Thank you, really." he smiled. "For believing in me." he added before pulling back to look at him. Was this all it took, in the end? Just belief?
He held out the bag of candied corn he had been hiding all along to Theo realizing just how hungry he might have been and smirked, knowing that with the sweet tooth his brother had it'd be impossible for him to resist. "I do miss having you around like this, though. Would it hurt you terribly to come see me more often? In between work and the academy I have little time to do so myself." he sighed. Miracles like this only happened when Theo was around, after all.
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