Two Nocturnals (ReD)

Alec's been roaming around the school campus again. There really was no reason to it; he simply enjoyed taking walks during the night, because he cannot do so during the day. He went wherever his feet took him, around the dorms, inside school buildings, or outside. He stopped this walk at eleven, taking a seat on a bench in the flower-filled courtyard.

His voice softly and subtly echoed through the campus the whole time. As always, it was as if the wind willingly took it everywhere for him to be heard. For his lullaby to be heard. And this lullaby, along with his own form of mild hypnotism, was perfect in urging tired and sleepy people to just go to sleep. His voice was also the reason he cannot be punished for breaking curfew. Anyone who ever catches him won't be able to say no after hearing his whims and wishes.

A long and quiet sigh marked the end of his song for tonight. It was a sigh of content after being able to take in such cool and fresh air, and after he's let out the beautiful melody that kept his mind occupied.

<i>"Beautiful,"</i> a voice in his head commented. Paradox. Of course he had been listening.

"Did you like it?" Alec mumbled. He leaned back against the bench, and looked up at the stars. "I wonder if someone else heard it, you know, without falling asleep."

<i>"I don't think so. You've been doing this for weeks, and nobody's ever found you out. They might even mistaken you for a ghost."</i>

"Being outside at night is nice and all, but what's the fun in it if we're always alone like this..?"

Alec flinched. He hadn't been paying enough attention to his surroundings, and was unable to sense the approaching guy. He only turned his head though, not really wanting to move from his relaxing position on the bench.

His eyes widened for a very brief moment. He wasn't expecting to see a person in the same age group out there at night. And he was glad about it. When he realized that, he quickly leaned forward, shooting the guy a smile. "No, I was just taking a walk. I'm resting here, before I go back to my room," he answered.

He scanned the guy a bit. Was that cigarette in his lips? Was that allowed in the campus?

"How about you? Where did you come from and where are you going?"

<i>"Oi, careful now,"</i> yet again, he heard Paradox's voice in his head. <i>"He's kinda suspicious if you ask me."</i>

"Oh." Alec immediately moved a bit to give more space, and patted that space urging for the guy to take it.

What an interesting man, he thought suddenly. He decided not to use his ability to make the guy tell him what he was really doing outside, even though he really wanted to know. The cigarette was already giving some kind of clue anyway.

<i><b>"There's a rumor that it's haunted out here, at night. People have reported hearing someone singing, but no one has ever been found, so it's natural to just blame it on ghosts. I've never met a ghost--have you?"</b></i>

Alec momentarily froze, his eyes were wide for a moment as he stared, surprised. "A... ghost..?" he asked, letting the thought slowly sink in.

Paradox burst into laughter in his head. And so did he. As his face relaxed, his laughter echoed in the area. His voice did not sound ordinary, because of how smooth it felt in the ear, and the echo made by the walls gave it a ghostly effect.

"So people do hear it!" he said, even as his shoulders shook. Eventually, his laughter toned down to giggles, and then faded away entirely. "No, I've never met one. But people say I look like one. I guess I don't mind being mistakenly known like that."

<i>"Alec, we can scare people at night if we wanted to."</i>

<i>Eh. No.</i>

Alec held out his right hand to the other guy."I'm Alec, by the way. What can I call you?"

Alec saw that Cabel misunderstood, but his laugh remained a grin, even after they've introduced themselves to one another. And, obviously, he didn't know anything about the other guy. He has, after all, only been here for a few weeks, with not much acquaintances or information.

"Nice to meet you, then," he replied, before letting Cabel's hand go. Nope, Alec had no idea who he was.

"Sorry to disappoint you... I guess I HAVE heard something, but... Dunno." He shrugged. He was still smiling, obviously trying to tease a little, even though he was pretty sure Cabel might not get it. "Well, it's only been a couple of weeks since I got here so... there's still so much I don't know, and so many things to find out. I haven't seen any dragon or floating pirate ship either. Though honestly... I'm not sure, do those stuff really exist?"

Alec shifted his legs a little, swinging them lazily as he hummed and thought. "Hmm... I guess so," he answered. He seemed indifferent about it, though. "I wasn't always like this. Got in an accident before acquiring my ability. It didn't really give me any disadvantage though. My ability isn't so complicated, and it's beautiful that way. It's just that... people thought I was crazy because I always had conversations by myself. So when I got a letter I told myself, 'why not?' and thought... maybe Paradox and I will..."

He paused. It's not that he didn't want talking about Paradox or he didn't want people to find out. No. But he felt like he needed to stop there. And Paradox agreed.

He put on an apologetic smile, and waved his hand dismissively. It was a good thing Cabel seemed half-asleep already. "Sorry, was I too talkative? I think I'm enjoying your company. Ahaha..."