Echoes of Humanity

Shaka had borne the party as long as he was able, but had eventually found the sounds, lights and general atmosphere too great. As the Saints had begun to segregate off into smaller groups, it had actually become harder to bear. They were all finding someone worth speaking too, someone whose friendship outweighed the strain of socializing that they all felt. Shaka knew, without a doubt, that one such person for him was at the party. That person had been standing directly across from him; had even stared at the beverage in his hand with exactly the same expression as Shaka himself.

Which was a stupid thing to notice, Shaka realized. A thousand thing to pay attention too and take note of, and he’d been watching Mu drink. And fidget. And stare at Aiolia like he was an alien.

Shaka groaned. He’d definitely spent too much time contemplating the Aries Saint. But then, it was easier than contemplating the rest of the event. Once the Andromeda Saint had left him, Shaka had found himself alone. The energy in the room had steadily grown and, by the time Leda had cracked, had reached a level that had Shaka’s heart beating a bit faster than it had in a long time. It made him realize just how pathetic he was, actually. Shaka smiled wryly, shaking his head at his own problems. He was willing to guard against some of the most threatening demons and gods, and would willingly battle the most fearsome of enemies, and yet could not disperse the anxiety of a simple gathering among allies.

Footsteps behind him made Shaka quickly leave the middle of the hallway, not quite hiding, but masking himself with the shadows created by the numerous pillars of the temple. He was unsurprised to see Mu walk by, the Aries Saint’s gaze glancing from side to side, searching for something. Shaka hoped that Mu wasn’t looking for him. That would be unbearable.

The Aries Saint continued on silently, though, and Shaka allowed himself to melt deeper into the shadows, until he finally found himself standing on a small ledge of the temple that was neither inside nor outside. Breathing deeply, Shaka allowed the clean air to drift over him, trying to find the balance he needed to return to the party, as Athena expected of him. For several minutes he did nothing, simply stood, until footsteps once again broke his concentration.

“I swear you and Aries brood more than he did.” Milo remarked, coming to stand next to him. Shaka said nothing, and barely spared a glance at the Scorpio Saint, hoping that the other man would just go away. Milo, of course, was not so kind as to just leave, however.

“Speaking of Aries, where is he? He must have come looking for you forty minutes ago.”

“I can say that he hasn’t found me, but I know not where he is.”

“Perhaps you should go find him.” Milo replied, and Shaka couldn’t quite shake the feeling that he was being watched closely. “He chose his concern for you over what he felt was his duty to remain at the party, after all.”

“Perhaps he should have chosen differently.” Shaka said, wincing as he realized just how much the words revealed. To his surprise, Milo coughed pointedly, and then looked at him, eyes set just a little ablaze.

“No. He shouldn’t have. We only have each other, and we barely have that. In case you haven’t noticed, the number of living Gold Saints has dramatically reduced recently. The rest of us need to stay together as well as we can!” The Scorpio Saint fairly growled, true anger in his words. Shaka could only stare at him, confused.

“Why are you telling me this?” The Virgo Saint asked after a moment, not sure if the question was right, but deciding to give Milo enough credit to believe he might understand.

“Because you confuse me, Virgo.” Milo said. “See, I always knew you were arrogant, but I would have never guessed that you were such a fool.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that even I can tell that you’re ripping yourself apart. I don’t pretend to know why, but it’s obvious that you’re hurting.”

“And?”

“And what? I want to know why. More, I want to know why you’re pain seems to be wearing off on Mu.”

“You care a lot about him, don’t you?” Shaka asked, cringing at how obvious his attempt to change the subject seemed. Milo, although he obviously saw the attempt, seemed willing to go along with it.

“I owe him big-time. It makes me worry to see him so troubled.”

“Why?”

“Why what? Why do I owe him? Because, quite frankly, he had every right to kill me a few weeks ago, and didn’t.”

Shaka said nothing, just looked at the Scorpio Saint for a long moment. Milo smiled.

“Well, I suppose he could have stoned himself instead of me, but those times are behind us.”

Shaka’s eyebrows furrowed as he tried to translate the cryptic statement, staring at Milo, who wasn’t volunteering any more information, but seemed to assume that it would be enough for Shaka to figure out his meaning. When Shaka said nothing, he finally continued.

“To tell the truth, I’m surprised he didn’t tell you. You two seem…close.”

Shaka smiled slightly. “He said it was between you and he. He was very affronted when I tried to question him.”

“Anyone but Aries, and I would say he was lying to protect his manhood, or honor, or some sort of related word that really means ego. Mu, however, I will give the benefit of the doubt.” Milo hesitated for a moment, looking between the window and Shaka in his indecision.

“I have no right to tell you, either. You’re a smart man, Virgo. I’m sure that you can figure it out on your own. But Mu would sacrifice his very mental stability for Sanctuary, or anyone in it.”

“We all would.”

“Yes. But most of us don’t have the warped perspective of the Aries Saint. He will tear himself apart trying to avoid something that needs absolutely no avoidance.”

“How can you praise him deeply in one breath, and insult his intelligence in the next?”

Milo laughed. “I can do that about any man, including myself. We all have strengths and weaknesses which allow us to endure, and destroy us if we allow them too.”

“I know this. What is it that you seem so set upon?” Shaka asked.

Milo stared at him, the look on his face completely dumbfounded. “Shaka. Don’t be an idiot, it doesn’t suit you.” He paused. “Anyway, I came looking for Mu, not you.”

The Scorpio Saint turned back into the temple, heading deeper into the darkness. He paused, however, several feet from Shaka.

“You should probably know that Athena has missed you, and is hoping for your return.” He said.

Shaka twitched, angry at himself and at Milo. And at Mu, for some unfathomable reason. He nodded at Milo’s retreating back, however, and took a final deep breath, steeling himself to go back into the sociality of the party.