Violet City: Inn

[tangorines]

"Get off of me! Go, you stupid thing! Go!"

Alois wrenched away the gear from the teddiursa, shoving it as far away from him as he could. He snarled when it tried to cuddle closer to him. It was late, and it wanted to go by to sleep at Alois' side but the boy wanted none of that. He kicked it off of the bed and went back to the gear. His other pokemon surrounded the teddiursa and helped him to his feet. They weren't sure what had gotten into their trainer. They were almost afraid of him. Ladybird and the beedrill tried to corner their teddiursa friend. He had been the last one with the gear. He had seen something happen. While the bug pokémon huddled around the teddiursa, Alois sat upon his bed and stared at the face reflected back in the pokégear. His team glanced at him occasionally, trying to make their suspicious looks less obvious.

Alois couldn't ignore their stares anymore than he could ignore anyone else's. He picked up the clock from the bedside desk and threw it in their direction. Already he was reaching for another item. "Stop looking at me! Don't you have anything better to do than stare and gape at me like dying fish? Look away!"

He fumbled with the gear, his fingers trembling as he made the machine work.


[It's the Midnight Hour, Johto. Normal people are asleep at this time, at least those who hadn't been subjected to various plot related elements of a certain video game. Alois, however, isn't going to the Velvet Room, nor is he announcing the beginning of the end. He's simply broadcasting a message is all. It's the same message each night since the twentieth of March.]

Hoheo taralna rondero tarel... Hoheo taralna rondero tarel... Hoheo taralna rondero tarel...

[It goes on for a half hour, at the same time each night before it suddenly cuts off and nothing fills the gear but silence.

But today, on the thirty-first of March, Alois decides to changes tactics. The broadcast is made in the early hours of the morning, his chant becoming more and more insistent. This time the video is on and Alois, though his eyes are half-cast and his complexion paler than usual, seems not yet defeated. He was not going to stop until he got what he wanted. That much was obvious.]

Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna rondero tarel. Hoheo taralna rondero tarel! Hoheo taralna rondero tarel! Hoheo taralna rondero tarel!!

[His voice reaches a feverish pitch before dying altogether. He breathes deeply, steadies himself, and waits with a patience that doesn't seem to be of his own choosing.]

Comments

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

[Her expression looks more like pity in his eyes. He clicks his tongue and slowly walks toward her. Each step is deliberate.]

...I've an idea. Why don't you take your skinny arse back out that door? Unless, of course, you're trying to make me talk to you while wearing that pathetic excuse of a gown?

[He pauses and gauges her silently, like an animal ready to strike.]

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[Chrome's expression hardens, her tone cooling as she tilts her head back] So you slap at the hands who reach out to help you? That's not very wise.

Don't be a child. [MAN THE FUCK UP, ALOIS] I'll return to my room now, so you can hurl your insults at someone else who will tolerate them.

[normally Chrome WOULD tolerate them, but bitch you ain't Ken or Gokudera]

You're maddened chanting woke me, and I was afraid you were in serious danger so I hurried to help protect you. Next time you're in possible danger I'll make sure to take the time to put proper clothing on so your delicate sensibilities won't be shattered.

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

[The look he gives her is quite clear: If you had dropped to your knees and begged, I might have given you a chance. He smiles again but makes no move to increase or decrease the distance between them.]

If I had slapped you, you would have noticed. [WHO THE FUCK DOES SHE THINKS SHE IS -- loathe as he is to admit (or remember) she was fairly close to that boy. And she of all people would know. But putting away his anger in exchange for something sensible was difficult.]

You should get dressed properly. A body could easily snatch you away, dressed as you are now. If you feel so damn inclined to help me, you need only answer a question. [Or bring him that kid. Any option worked.]

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[Chrome stares back, calm as ever] I doubt I would have. [ >implying Alois's slaps aren't strong enough to hurt her. Man, she's been punched through walls and stuff, whatchu gonna do Alois?]

I've been trained and trained well; I wouldn't be taken so easily and I could probably fight off most people who would try. How I dress changes none of that. [And honestly the nightgown covers more than what her normal uniform outfit does.

But she inclines her head lightly in a gesture for him to ask his question.]

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

[...What he wouldn't give to backhand her upside the head - but that can wait. That can wait until she stopped being useful. When that would happen was anyone's guess.]

It must be nice to be trained. [Like a dog, or a horse, or a mule. She must really be something special to Mukuro. He could only guess at the relationship the two of them shared. But he catches the gesture and looks away despondently. Dammit, this was what he was avoiding to tell her.]

There is really not much you can do now that he is with him ...is there another man traveling with Ciel and his butler?

ugh fuck you lj

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

I've been trained in fighting. [it's a quick correction and her face blushes brightly at whatever Alois might have thought she'd been implying.

But her expression softens and she leans against the doorjam, watching Alois]

Another man? ...No. The only man was Sebastian-san. The party was only us, Ciel-san, and Lizzie-san.

I haven't really seen them since we split up. If there's another man with them now than I do not know.

...Are you searching for this man?

lj gives no fucks /bricked

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles. Her blushing face was sweet to look at. Well, she wasn't as thick as she sometimes seemed. Annoying and horribly attentive as well.]

[The news comes like a bucket of cold water. His smile fades and his shoulders slump. It wasn't so bad to believe that Claude was around. It meant there was someone to look forward to, a moment when he could finally confront him and ask everything he needed to know and (for even a few moments) have him love him again.

But now it was gone.]

Are you sure? There wasn't a man --dressed like Sebastian -- or a spider at Sebastian's side? [Don't say it isn't so, Chrome...]

X(!

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[You mean "horribly attractive" right. /eyebrow wiggle.

Her body relaxes and softens then and she moves further into the room, shaking her head. She'd hate to see him upset, but... She won't lie to him either.]

I'm sorry, Alois-san. But I won't lie to you, I haven't seen any other men in the group except for Sebastian-san. He has a pokemon that's a spider, but that's all I know.

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

I see. [How could he have been so -- but it was his own fault, wasn't it, for believing in Sebastian's lies. The proof had seemed real - no. The proof wasn't real. It was only him. And it was only what he wanted to see.

Though that were true, it still stood to reason that Claude was not in Johto. It only made sense to assume that Claude did not want to see him. The thought hurt more than the realization that it was Claude who put an end to it all, Claude who broke the contract...]

...What sort of spider pokémon. [He was almost too calm. His words were short and clipped, but the threat of something waiting in the midst was there.]

[pineapplet.livejournal.com]

It's called an 'Ariados'. It's quite big, red, with black stripes.

[She recognizes the feeling and shifts a little in preparation for anything about to come. Her gaze is wary, carefully assessing]

[fauxearl.livejournal.com]

Is that what it's called? [It was dark when he saw that spider last and he had been frantic as well. He couldn't be too sure of its colors but it was certain that no other creature - human, pokemon, or other could have traveled with them.

He moves closer to her, closing whatever distance was left between them. The smile he shows her is frayed at the edges.]

And you're sure? You're absolutely sure that it's just a pokémon? [He already knew her answer. But he wanted her to keep talking or someone to blame.]

[mosorgans.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't move, even if Alois is pressing against her, even if she can feel the heat and the anger that's pulsing from him, she stands her ground calmly]

Yes, I'm sure. [She looks sympathetic, but not pitying. She understands, really, what it's like to go without someone you need like that. Her voice is soft] I'm sorry.