William tensed up when he heard that voice, his eyes were wide, filled with fear. His body trembled with fear, and goosebumps lazily crawled up his arms.
Just as he was about to cast a random spell out of pure survival, he felt a warm blanket hook over his arms. With a better look at it, he realized it was a blue cape.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly glided his gaze up the female's body.
She looked quite young.
She wore black oxfords that were mostly hidden by her large pants. She wore a white shirt with a dark waistcoat around it. Brown, silky hair cascaded over her shoulders and back, its edges tinted with blue, just like her eyes—
His breath hitched.
Those eyes looked like an ocean bathed in moonlight. The countless blue shades made him weak in the knees.
''Staring is rude, you know?''
At those words, William wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
He laughed hysterically and wrapped the cape a little more firmly around him.
''Y-yeah, I know— I mean, I'm aware, um— I didn't want to sound rude, I—''
She laughs softly and pats his head.
''Don't sound so nervous…'' She sits down next to him and smiles affectionately. ''Besides, if somebody would be rude here, it'd be me. I didn't even present myself correctly before speaking, have I?''
William blinks a few times to clumsily get his thoughts in order.
Was she serious…? He just met her and she was already being so polite and sweet. Unlike Capricorn, or even— never mind…
He manages a small smile and laughs weakly.
''N-no, you're… you're good.''
The young woman's smile widens a little at his words. They fall into a comfortable silence as they gaze at the night sky.
When she judges his racing heart calmed down, she softly speaks up.
''Don't you like the people I created for you…? The old man and his granddaughter, I mean.''
His eyes widen.
''You created them?!''
She shrugs.
''Only temporarily.'' She breathes. ''I thought you'd like some company other than the people you already met…'' her gaze drops to her dangling legs. ''The ones who deceived you…''
At those words, William's gaze softened.
He silently wondered… why would she care? Not that he was ungrateful, but… why would a stranger do so much for him…?
''I'm not sure I follow.''
She sighs.
''Where are my manners?'' She mutters to herself then smiles back at him. ''I'm Blue Berry, but don't be surprised if anyone calls me Myrtille.''
His smile softens.
''What a cute name…'' he compliments.
She snorts and brushes it off.
''You're gonna make me blush!''
His smile widened. He didn't know why, but the girl's presence felt oddly comforting…
The mirror behind them slowly started glowing more and more.
He chuckles, not sure why, but did he need a reason? Because for one moment, William felt... genuinely happy. His pain was still there, his past still weighing heavily one him, but she was enough. He thought he needed someone to magically erase his pain, to take all of his worries and throw them out the window. But this domestic talk with Blue Berry made him feel real.
That was what he had been searching for his whole life.
Somebody to connect with.
Somebody who saw him, and of course, listened to him.
But just as William was finally getting to feel at pea ce, Blue Berry had other concerns. Her gaze was glued to the glowing mirror. She didn't have much time left.
She quickly turned back to William and saw that sweet smile plastered on his face, his own eyes glowing with happiness. His gaze was reflecting the sky. His hair? It was capturing the lights above.
She clicked her tongue and sighed.
Things weren't going to plan. The timing was almost perfect…
William was still daydreaming when he felt her taking his hand in her gloved one.
''William…'' she leans in a little to whisper. ''Can you do me a favor?''
William slowly blinked in surprise.
''S-sure?'' He stuttered, not sure of what was happening.
Blue Berry glanced back at the mirror behind them. She didn't want to leave him now. Not like this. She took a deep breath and sat on one knee.
''Look, William, the truth is I'm one of Moon's personalities.'' She looks down, a pained smile forming on her lips. ''And I didn't want to tell you so soon because I know that you don't want anything to do with us anymore, and I know you needed some time, but—
-What are you talking about?'' William mutters, his eyes filled with hurt as he stands up. ''You wanted to lie to me too?!''
Blue's pupils shrink at those words, her voice cracking.
''What? N-no… Why would you think that?''
His hands shake when he clutches them into fists.
''You just said you were originally going to hide this from me—!
-And what am I doing now?''
His mouth closes in a snap, and Blue Berry rises in return.
''If I really wanted to hide this from you,'' her gaze glides over her cape still wrapped around his shoulders. ''Why would I be confessing to you? Do I look like a villain who explains her plan at the middle of a movie?!'' She barks out.
William felt ashamed, exposed even, under her angry gaze.
Noticing this, she softens and slowly steps in.
''William… I didn't mean to yell.'' She whispers, her hand slowly reaching out, but flinching when she thinks better of herself.
He slowly sinks to his knees and stares at the forest underneath.
'Stupid, stupid, STUPID—!!! Why did you do that?!' He thought. 'Why are you so touchy?'
Meanwhile, the mirror glows brighter and brighter behind them, which starts seriously worrying Blue Berry, she slowly mirrors his movements and finds herself next to William.
She lightly rubs his back and pushes several strands of hairs away from his eyes.
''William, there's something else I must confess.'' She swallowed the lump in her throat, the guilt building in her chest.
His eyes slowly move back up to meet hers.
''I—,'' she searched for the right words. ''I possessed you in the castle's ruins. I'm the one who made you defeat Adam, and—,'' she bows her head. ''I'm sorry for doing it without your consent. It's just— I know Adam's strength. And I didn't want him to hurt you and I—.''
And then, when she least expects it, slender arms wrap around her shoulders as William whispers against her shoulder.
''Thank you…'' he quietly holds her. ''For saving my life, and for overall everything you did for me.''
Blue Berry's shock was still lingering when she slowly returned the hug. She sighed and hooked her chin over his shoulder.
''You're not mad I used you?''
William shakes his head.
''Let's not forget Adam would've killed me if you hadn't, as you say, 'used' me.'' He laughs lightly and squeezes her in his arms. ''So yeah, thanking you seems like the right thing to do.'' He slowly pulls back to gaze into the masterpiece that is her eyes. ''Now, tell me, what's that favor of yours?''
She manages a small, proud smile as she clears her throat.
''William,'' she stands up and offers him her hand. ''I would like you to be my apprentice.''