✔The Knight's Madness

TRIGINTA SEPTEM

"Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit..."

"Kung bakit kita dinala sa isang abandonadong theme park o kung bakit tayo tumalon mula sa helicopter ko? You need to be more specific, Sadako."

They had a parachute, of course.

But Kleopatra Claveria shook her head and hesitated before correcting him, "Kung bakit mo pa ako binihisan na parang manika at iniwan sa salon na 'yon bago tayo bumiyahe rito. I never knew immortals had other forms of torture I'm not aware of." Kasabay nito, sumulyap siya sa pink na bestida at napasimangot. Tinanggalan niya pa ito kanina ng mga disenyo.

After a while, she let out a sigh and wiped the pastel pink lipstick with the back of her hand.

"I look stupid."

"You actually look adorable."

Everick couldn't help but smile.

This was the first time they spoke since they left the house. Sadista na nga yata ang binata kung aaminin niyang sinadya niya talagang dalhin at paayusan muna si Kleo sa bayan. Kahit na alam naman niyang wala namang pakialam ang dalaga hitsura niya, it's still a great day to get on her nerves.

'I guess after everything that happened, I'd rather see her irritated and displeased with the make-over than see her emotionless and disconnected with the world,' he thought in amusement.

"At bakit ka pala nagkaroon ng discount sa salon na 'yon?" She asked. "At parang kilala ka rin nung may-ari?"

Nag-iwas ng tingin ang imortal, "Err... I maybe have slept with her a couple of times in the past. N-Nagkakilala kami sa isang bar dati."

What? He had a lot of flings!

"Kaya pala tinorture niya ako."

"Hey, a make-over isn't torture, sweetheart. Don't overreact."

"Wala ka sa posisyong sabihin 'yan dahil hindi naman ikaw yung natusok ng eyeliner sa mata, crow-shifter."

Siguradong inirapan na siya nito.

'Tsk! Sana talaga pinagupitan na rin kita ng bangs. I'm dying to catch a glimpse of your eyes again.' Pero imbes na sabihin 'yon, mas pinili na lang niyang mang-asar, "Why, don't you like looking like a human for once?"

Everick already knew the answer before she opened her mouth...

"Ayaw."

Mahina siyang natawa at hinawakan ang kamay nito bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. As much as he doesn't want to admit it out loud, but Kleo looks adorable in her pink lolita-styled dress and curled hair pulled into a ponytail.

Even the finest dolls will be envious of her appearance.

Nasa kanlurang bahagi sila ng Eastwood, sa isang abandonadong theme park malapit sa gubat. The sun was at its peak, but the clouds had their own agenda. Thunder rumbled over the horizon. Everick silently wished that the rain would spare them.

"Nandito na tayo."

With the roll of paper still in his hand and Roberta in hers, they stopped in front of the old carousel.

Kleo silently studied it.

Sira-sira at kupas na ang kulay ng mga kabayo. Several wirings were sticking out of the posts. Mukhang konting galaw lang, guguho na agad ang istruktura.

"Dinala mo ba ako dito para gawing alay sa isang ritwal? That would explain why you want me to look presentable."

Napailing na lang si Everick at hinila ang lever ng carousel.