Chapter 3: Scissors beats Paper
In other to save costs and provide them with a little bit of extra income, Gregory had taken up a job or two, fortunately they weren't too overbearing for him and being a lumberjack just happened to be one of them.
To avoid attracting any dangerous wild beasts, he decided to only venture towards the extreme edge of the dark Forest but it would seem that even with his cautiousness, he couldn't completely avoid those troublesome wild beasts.
"Stay close, Noir," Gregor warned, casting a wary glance at the claw marks raked across a nearby tree. "These marks mean a beast is marking its territory. We need to finish up and get out of here before it shows up."
Noir tilted his head thoughtfully, his gaze shifting to the claw marks. "Papa, can I try cutting a tree too?." he asked eagerly.
Gregor frowned. "Son, this isn't a game. Just stay back and—"
But before he could finish, Noir had darted over to the nearest tree and, with a look of intense concentration, dug his fingers into the bark. Gregor's eyes nearly popped out of his head as the boy's nails elongated into claws. Sharp, black claws that gleamed menacingly like several deadly obsidian blades.
"Wait—Noir, what are you doi—!" Gregory tried to stop him but it was already too late.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Noir slashed at the base of the tree. Before he knew it, There was a loud crack, and the massive trunk toppled to the ground, splintering with a thunderous crash before Gregor's bewildered gaze.
Noir having done what he wanted, turned to face his father, beaming innocently like a child expecting some praise, his claws retracting back into human nails.
"Look, Papa!, I did it!" Noir said while bouncing up and down with joy.
Gregor staggered backward, speechless. But Noir wasn't done. With the same childlike enthusiasm, he lifted the entire trunk above his head, holding it with the ease of a child carrying a toy.
"Should we go home now, Papa?" Noir asked innocently. " Noir made a lot of noise earlier so the beast might come."
Gregor's mouth opened and closed like a fish yet not a single sound was coming out. Eventually though, he managed to croak, "Yes. Let's… let's go home." he said gently, yet his mind was still in chaos as to what he had just witnessed.
(Sixteen Years After Noir's Birth)....
Standing on the front porch, Gregor and Anna watched as their now teenage son adjusted his school backpack, while standing next to his older sister Molly, looking every bit the part of an ordinary high schooler, except for the fact that his shoulders were broad, his height was about 1.8 meters, his body looking toned with hidden muscles one wouldn't notice without taking off his clothing, his gaze sharper than any blade, with a pair of gorgeous golden eyes, his signature silky jet black hair and rugged masculine facial features. Moreover, his very presence seemed to emanate an untamed energy.
"Remember, Noir," Anna called as he turned to leave, "You just finished home schooling so no breaking the walls when you get there ok!. Highschool isn't like homeschool with Ma and Pa."
"And don't break down any doors," Gregor added sternly. "Or tables. Or chairs. And absolutely no hospitalizing anyone."
"Or—" Anna hesitated, "...destroying the school building?" she stared at her husband wondering whether that was even a possibility, but on second thought, she shook her head decisively when she recalled just how surprising this son of hers was.
Noir stared at his parents with watery pleading eyes. " Mama, Papa...do I really have to go to Highschool?..., can't I just stay at home with you two....." he said gloomily but Molly quickly ruffled his hair. " Stop being a baby Noir, your a grown boy now, you can't start getting cold feet because of highschool..., just think of the fun things you'll get to do." She said with enthusiasm.
Looking at his older sister Molly, She was no different from a beautiful mature young woman who looked like she was in her late 20s when she was actually in her early 30s, With shoulder length brunette hair, alluring chestnut eyes, glowing skin, a nice feminine figure with slightly above average assets, Molly in her own right was a true beauty.
" Mom, Dad, I can't believe this idiot doesn't know what he's trying to miss." Molly shook her head with a helpless look as if she couldn't believe her younger brother was this much of a Mama's boy.
" Just imagine your very own Prom night Noir!, you might even join the school team, make lots of friends and who knows, even become one of the popular kids." Molly beaned a smile while Noir just glared at his sister from the corner of his eye." I don't believe you, This is just one of your plans to torment me isn't it!." Noir replied unenthusiastically. if he didn't know any better, he would've thought that she was the one going to school instead.
" I am not, I'm just looking after my favorite little brother." Molly beamed a smile yet Noir could swear he felt something sinister behind that smirk of her's. He didn't know why but as far back as he could remember, Molly had always had it out for him, Although she wasn't a wicked older sister, she still wouldn't give up a chance to mess with him.
Well in the eye's of an onlooker her actions were completely justified!, With an overpowered younger brother who she couldn't beat the crap out of physically whenever he became a pain in the ass, Why wouldn't she want to use such an underhanded method to pursue revenge?.
" Noir dear we've been over this, Your Big Sister Molly is right, if you don't start now to see the outside world, you'll never be ready for it.." His father let out a sigh while trying to reassure his nervous son. Their family house was located a mile or two away from the city's suburbs which was actually were Molly lived, so it stood to reason that he was worried about his son's welfare. Technically, They really were somewhat isolated from society.
" Your father's right sweetheart." Anna held onto his cheeks with both hands while staring into her son's eyes." We don't want you to be unprepared when you'll eventually have to deal with the outside world, it's far better for you to start now since your already old enough for highschool....who knows, you might even start to like it." Anna added, Although she really didn't want to force her sweet little boy to go, she knew that they had no choice, it was better for him to start now than to be shocked or frightened later on...and with Noirs uniqueness, She didn't want to imagine what would happen if someone like him got frightened or worse.
Noir was really on the brink of begging right now, he really didn't want to leave them. Right now he was no different than a child on their first day of kindergarten.
When Anna saw his remorseful look she grabbed both his cheeks once more before giving him a kiss on the forehead. " Ok Noir, How about this, If you let your older sister take you to highschool today then when you get back, Mom's gonna prepare your favorite dish." She said with a chuckle.
" Really...., you mean it?." Noir's ears perked up as he asked with a hint of enthusiasm.
" Yes, I promise sweetheart, so now will you please follow your big sister?." She added.
" Fine..., I'll listen to mama and papa, but i still don't like this." He said begrudgingly before getting into his older sisters Toyota Sienna.
When he got into the passenger seat, he turned to glare at his older sister who now had a cheeky grin on her face while in the driver's seat. " Don't you dare say it.." Noir said with a scrunched up face but that only made him look even more adorable in her eyes.
" What?, oh you mean that your nothing but a Big baby?." She sneered.
" Why You!!!"
" Hahahahahaha, hey don't get your bearings in a knot, we've gotta get going, we still have to make one more stop before heading to your highschool." She chuckled before starting the car, Noir who was frustrated just sat silently in the passengers seat while staring out the window at his parents while they droved off.
Both Anna and Gregory watched the both of them drive down the path, moving at an ordinary human's pace. When he was finally out of sight, Gregor turned to his wife with a weary sigh.
"Do you think he'll remember the warnings we just gave him?."
Anna just shrugged helplessly. "I'm more worried about what he thinks not doing anything shocking means."
" Hopefully he won't be too stunned outside right?." Anna bit her lower lip with worry.
" It's ok dear, he's our boy remember. He'll be just fine." Gregory held his wife's shoulders, his tone filled with consolation.
The Toyota Sienna cruised along the winding country road, its engine humming steadily as the morning sun peeked over the treetops.
Inside the cool AC filled car, the atmosphere was anything but serene.
Molly who was busy driving, silently glanced sideways at the boy sitting in the passenger seat.
Noir who was now a tall, lean sixteen year old, was slouched back with his head resting against the seat, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
The sight of trees, fields, and sky blurred together, forming a patchwork of green and blue as they drove by. For someone who had spent most of his childhood in the depths of a dense forest, the outside world seemed vast, almost overwhelming and judging by his constant silence even till now, it looked like he really wasn't feeling up to it.
" Aren't you going to ask me why I said we'd have to make a stop before reaching school?." Molly who felt like cheering him up and breaking the silence, suddenly spoke up, as she shifted gears and maneuvered onto a smoother road. " You're actually not the only one going to school today."
Noir turned his head, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean, Sis?."
Molly who heard him suddenly turned and gave him an exaggerated look of disappointment. "Did you really forget?, You're such a bad uncle, Noir!. Don't tell me you've already forgotten about your adorable nieces and nephew."
Her words hung in the air for a moment. Then, realization finally dawned on Noir's face, his eyes widening in shock. "Oh… right!." he said hastily. " I forgot you've got kids."
Molly's jaw dropped. "You forgot?!." She reached over and pinched his arm, making him wince. "You little twerp, they're your family!, How could you forget?"
"Hey, hey, easy sis that hurt!" Noir protested, squirming away from her grip with an awkward smile. " You really can't blame me, It's not my fault I don't see them that often, okay?."
Molly narrowed her eyes suspiciously, then let out a dramatic sigh. "I knew it. My own brother, ignoring his responsibilities as an uncle…" She sniffed, feigning hurt. "You should be ashamed of yourself."
Noir rolled his eyes, deciding to turn the tables. "You know, Sis, for a mother of three, you've still got a pretty sexy body," he said, his voice as innocent as ever.
The effect of his words were immediate. causing Molly's teasing smile to vanish as her cheeks turned a deep crimson. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, and her gaze snapped to him, wide-eyed. "W-What did you just say?!"
"Hmm?" Noir blinked, tilting his head in genuine confusion. "I mean, you look good. Like, really good. Not at all like someone who's had kids."
A strangled noise escaped Molly's throat, and for the first time in a long while, she found herself utterly speechless. She wanted to scold him for using such words but when she saw the genuine innocence on his face she couldn't bring herself to do it.
_________________________________________
(A/N: Please, regarding Noirs human father's name, Yes he can be called both Gregory and Gregor).
(A/N: Also Molly is the couples only biological child and daughter, Moreover she's Noirs older sister, plus she was in her 4th year at college when Noir was 4 years old).