Matters of Heart

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Markus would watch the white-haired woman would look upon him. His eyes would watch hers, his heart picking up, and his breath catching in his throat. There was something abou the way she bit her lip, the sidelong looks she gave when thinking, the uncertainty within her visage, that was so appealing to the chaos mage. He had wondered it before, trying to pinpoint what she had that drew him out so completely. However, he had come to realize it was a fruitless search, whether it be her Innocence, her Beauty, her Conviction, or something else entirely it all played its part in painting the picture of the woman he had come to adore.

As her hands traced his chest, he would take a deep breath, listening to her words. For a brief moment he would wonder just what sort of interactions they would have when Nessa actually let go. As his mind began to wonder and he spoke he would turn, it seemed his question was timed almost too perfectly. The chaos mage would take a deep whiff of the air, raising an eyebrow slightly. He did not recognize the human at his door, and certainly did not smell anything that resembled a food he would recognize. Prehaps meat… he thought he smelt the iron like substance. Though his mind questioned briefly he would listen, his senses picking up Nessa’s name. He started to stand, looking towards the door. He was just out of sight of the man, though could sense him still until suddenly he disappeared. His smell, sounds, all gone in a flash.

The Chaos mage would watch as Nessa closed his door, and opened whatever she was given. It was certainly not food. A parcel of some kind, maybe from her father?... though Markus doubted it. It was as he heard a sudden horrible sound that the chaos mage burst into action. Hearing Nessa shriek had sent him into overdrive. With a flash his magic would activate and he would close the distance between him and the Starlight Maiden instantaneously with but a flash of shadow.

He was already next to her when he heard he speak his name. His eyes looking down, not at her kneeling on the ground, but at the items on the floor. His eyes would be black, darker than the woman would have probably ever seen. True hatred danced in his irises, and purple sparks of chaotic energy would dance. Without even realizing it Markus’ power would leak, a wave of dark magic pulling at his feet. Though it would have no effect on the Starlight Maiden other than feeling dark, cold, distant, the shadow would wilt the pictures within range, the few images it touched would become decrepid, and corrupt, blackening with a dark and chaotic energy.

“Who would dare.” Markus’ voice would speak out. Cold, distant, layed. He was angry, his fist clenched. As he stepped forward his eyes would glance up. A flash of void magic would shoot forward, the door which was closed would vanish with a resounding crack he splintering of what little wood remained would hit the opposing wall of the hallway. As Markus stepped outside his eyes would glance both directions. His magical senses would expand, searching for the man that had delivered the parcel, finding nothing. For but a brief moment the chaos mage would lock eyes with someone who was about to turn down the hallway.

Whether it was because they could sense Markus’ magic, or see the pure hatred in his eyes, the chaos mage would watch as they adverted their gaze and quickly turned down a nearby hallway apparently deciding to take a different route to their direction.

Turning back into the room Markus would look towards Nessa and place a hand upon her shoulder. This. Emotion. It was not for him. Not something he knew he could do. Punishment however. That… that he could do.

“Who…” he would ask her. “who would do this?” his voice was calming as he reined in his magic. The void-like embers of destruction would vanish, and his eyes would clear before he realized there was something more important to ask.

“Are you okay?”

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Markus would take a deep breath settling his nerves and forcing his power back under control. His hand still laid upon Nessa’s shoulder and the chaos mage would squeeze her hand as he felt her reach up to him. Markus would keep his eyes on the pictures however, wishing above all things that he could destroy them, and whoever dared send them to harm Nessa. As she reached down to pick up the pictures Markus would cock his hand and watch her stand to her feet before walking away.

The Chaos Mage would remain silent as he gave his girl friend time to collect her bearings and focus her thoughts. Markus knew he did not have to ask her, when she was ready, she would talk. There was no reason to push, and Markus a patient man if nothing else. Markus would pace back and forth a few steps, taking a deep breath. Though Nessa had sat down, Markus would be on edge. Though no matter where he walked Nessa would always be in his line of sight, always be at the edge of his vision. The chaos mage was unwilling to let her leave his gaze.

Then, Markus would turn as softly he heard his name. His eyes would soften as they looked into the broken iris’ of the woman he loved. Stepping forward he would place his hand upon her once more, grasping her shoulder as she talked. As she revealed what she had been keeping from him. Markus would remain silent, at first, as he started to understand.

She started first speaking about the last time he had seen her at the Fairy Tail guildhall, when Mythal had returned and Markus was leaving. Markus had not pressed the issue at the time, though knew a lot was going on. He would take a deep breath, remembering how much it hurt to see her in such a state. She had recovered, but it had been rough. Looking once more at the images, he was starting to piece the pictures together as she once more started to speak.

First speaking of the incident, and following reveals that had come from their job with Lord Szutaris. Though Markus had mixed feelings of that job, he knew what had resulted was entirely amazing. Markus would nod however, knowing that there was more to her story. When she spoke of a cat, Markus would first raise and eyebrow, then suddenly clench his fist as she spoke even more.

Someone had directly threatened Nessa, and she had been dealing with that all alone… Taking a deep breath Markus would listen, waiting for her to name the man who was doing this though he already knew who it was. Markus’ anger would reflect the sadness in Nessa’s eyes. When he heard the fear in her voice, Markus knew. He was going to kill again.

“Rex…” Markus had to say before taking a deep breath. Slowly letting the air leave his diaphragm he would squat down directly in front of Nessa, covering her view of the photos. “Rex. Has no idea who he is messing with. You are strong, and powerful, and amazing. You are a Wizard Saint, an Ace of Fairy Tale, and one of the strongest Mages in Fiore, maybe even Earthland.” Markus would squeeze her hands, and place a small kiss on her fingers.

“Nessa. You are not that scared girl any more. You have grown. You can handle this…” Markus would take a breath. “I will follow your lead in this.  Nessa…. Because I love you. But he needs to be put down. Before he is more risk to your family.” Markus would lean forward and kiss her forehead. “You are so much more than he believes you to be. I believe in you Nessa. Just… tell me what you want to do.” As Markus was speaking, his voice was tense, measured, angry. At times his eyes would spark. He wished with all his might that he could take the time to hunt this man down, and take him out. But… he knew… it was not his fight.

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