Cinder-Allen
(A/N): ok, I know I should be writing lost clown, but I have writers block. Please don't kill me -cowers- anyway, here a little Cinderella parody. I'm sure someone else has done it, but I wanted to do one, so I am. XP. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas for Lost Clown please, please, PLEASE! Let me know. So yeah. On to the story! BTW: Laven. Some one-sided Tyki/Allen. No hardcore anything. I've twisted a few genders to make the story work so bear with me. Yes Allen is a girl, I just don't feel like changing his/her name. ok? Ok. Good. I'm glad we understand each other. On to the story!
Allen: OMG!! What the crap!! I'm a girl?!
Kanda: well you look like one bean sprout.
Lavi: Yuu-Chan… I don't think that your really one to say that… what with your long hair and all -mugen is pressed against his neck- AH! Uhmm, Kanda Yuu is the manliest man on this manly earth that I know and is so incredibly manly?
Kanda: that's right rabbit.
Allen: -sweat drop- Nella Chan doesn't own DGM.
Nella: and I don't think I ever will, unless I'm extra good this year! PLEASE SANTA!! I NEED THIS!! -prays that Santa will hear me-
--
Panting, the small white haired girl finished scrubbing the rough stone floor of her family's home. Her hands were raw and swollen from the work but Allen felt a sense of pride in knowing she had done her best. The floor had been pretty awful before, all mouldy and slippery, it had been hard to walk in before, especially when her step mother, Marianne Cross made her carry the heavy trunks filled with last seasons clothing every spring. This way, Allen wont fall so easily, and break her arm, like she did last year.
"Allen! GET YOUR LAZY ASS UP HERE!"
"Y-yes master!" Allen called back up as Cross called her in a rough voice reserved for servants, peasants, beggars and her only step daughter. Quickly rinsing her hands in a near by bucket of water Allen hurried up to Cross's room, drying her hands on the slightly dirty apron that was wrapped around her waist.
"Y-you called master?" Allen asked timidly as she stepped into the bright room that held her step mother.
"Yes. Why have you not yet done your daily chore?"
"Which one master?" Allen asked while raking her mind for anything she had forgotten, she had cooked breakfast, done the dishes, woken her step brothers, cleaned the stables, watered the plants, cooked lunch, done the dishes again, washed the windows, shined the shoes, dusted, and then as an extra, washed the basement floor. There wasn't anything left to do except…
"You haven't gotten me enough money for the beautiful dress I saw in a shop window. Go and do whatever it is you do to pay off my… expenses." the red haired woman always seemed to be able to wrack up all kinds of debts, whether it be dresses or alcohol, or… men… she always forced all the debts on to Allen.
"Yes master…" Allen lowered her eyes to the floor. She hated gambling for money. But she was good at it. Mana had taught her how to cheat at cards for fun, but Cross always made her keep the money she won from those men, instead of giving it back afterwards like she used to when she and Mana were together. Allen slowly shuffled to her tiny attic bedroom, she couldn't go a play poker as a girl, so she needed to disguise her self. As she opened the door to her stuffy room, she felt strong arms wrap them selves around her from behind. She gasped and whipped her head around.
"T-Tyki!? What are you doing?!" Allen gasped out as the older boy all but purred in her ear,
"Mind having some fun with me Allen?"
"Uhmm, no, I'm sorry, but I -uh need to go follow your mothers orders…"
"Well, you can just tell her that you were having fun with me, I'm sure she wont mind." Allen pushed her way out of Tyki's hold and stumbled into her room.
"No Tyki. You're my step brother. that's weird. And gross. And really, really creepy." Allen told him firmly before shutting the door loudly in his face. Tyki scowled and thanked god that Kanda hadn't been there to see that. His brother would never let him live it down if her found out that the one and only Tyki, player Extraordinaire, had been shot down by their step sister of all people. He sulked his way back into his bedroom, and waited for the neighbour girl, Road to come over and annoy/entertain him.
--
"Royal straight flush!" the small figure with a black bandana covering the shocking white hair exclaimed, much to the dismay of the several older gentlemen who had been playing poker with the white haired youth.
"How the bloody hell does this kid beat us every time?!" a brown haired man exclaimed as Allen pulled the large stack of money towards him.
"Well, I guess I'm just lucky!" the small girl replied, straightening the baggy boys clothing that concealed her gender, with an innocent grin. Allen bid the older gentlemen good bye and moved to her favourite table in the bar to count her winnings. The usual din of the poorly lit tavern suddenly ceased as a tall hooded man walked in. Allen glanced up curiously. It wasn't often that strangers came into the town, let alone her favourite bar to gamble in, so she tried to get a good look at his face.
"One please." he asked the bartender in a gentle yet strong voice as he took a seat on one of the many stools along the bar. The middle-aged woman nodded and quickly set about getting the man his drink. Allen watched with interest for a few moments before going back to her money. She had to get this counted to see if she needed more to pay off Cross' debts.
"That's an awful lot of money for a kid to have." Allen jumped as an unfamiliar voice interrupted her counting. She looked up in surprise to see the hooded man looking down at her, drink in hand. His face was handsome and masculine, a big black eye patch over his left eye was the only flaw she could see. His only visible eye was a vibrant green that sparkled with mischief.
"I'm not a kid thank you very much. I have every right to have this much money." Allen huffed indignantly, feeling her face redden in embarrassment.
"I'm sure you do," he grinned as he sat down and pulled off his hood, revealing a mess of brilliant red hair, "I'm Lavi by the way. Nice to meet you." he offered his hand to the younger girl who shook it hesitantly.
"Allen. Its nice to meet you as well." she said politely, trying her best not to sound too feminine.
"Allen, that's a nice name… how'd you get all that cash there Allen?" the redhead asked with that sparkle in his eye.
"Poker…" Allen said slowly, unsure of what to do in this situation.
"Really? I always heard that you could easily lose quite a bit of money in poker. Do you win like this often?" Lavi asked casually.
"I've never lost." Allen grinned with a dark chuckle, and Lavi looked at her strangely for a moment before continuing their conversation. Time seemed to slip away as Allen and Lavi talked before the tavern door suddenly burst open to reveal a decidedly flustered man.
"Have any of you seen a tall redhead with an eye patch come in here?!" he demanded and Lavi giggled (quite like a girl, Allen thought).
"Over here Reever." he waved and relief flooded the man- Reever's features.
"Prin- I mean, err, Lavi! We must get you back home! Your grandfather is furious that you just up and vanished. again. now come along! He will have my head (and shove it on to something sharp) if you don't!" the man all but sobbed.
"Yes, yes, I know. Lets go then Reever. We don't want the old panda to worry." he seemed sad at the prospect of going home, which made Allen wonder why the care free youth hate his home so much.
"I'll see you again soon Allen. It was nice talking to you. Maybe next time we'll play poker!" he waved as the all but hysterical Reever lead him out into the fading light of the evening.
"I guess I should be getting home…?" Allen wondered, slightly confused by the redheads sudden leave. Quickly putting all of her winnings into a small bag Allen walked out of the tavern and into the failing light. Two new strangers in one night. How odd. Well, that least they both seem friendly enough… Allen thought as she hurried home.
--
"Oi, bean sprout. Where is my dinner?" Allen bristled as her older step brother called her the name she detested most. bean sprout…
"Damn it Kanda, I am NOT a bean sprout! Stop calling me that! My name is Allen!! A-L-L-E-N, Allen! Two syllables! Al-len. Get it through you thick skull!" Allen fumed as she slammed Kanda's soba down to the table in front of him.
"Che, whatever. Just cook faster next time." he said coolly as Allen stormed up into her attic room. She had already given the earnings from her gambling spree to Cross, now she just had to hope that it would hold her over for a few days.
Allen sighed. She was exhausted after the days events. Doing extra chores and gambling in one day was very tiring for anyone. Just before she began to change out of her work dress, a loud knock could be heard at the front door. Allen heaved another heavy sigh and walked to the door, wondering who on earth would be calling at this hour.
"Yes?" she said politely opening the door. She stopped and blinked dumbly for a moment. There on the porch of her home, stood two regally dressed messengers who were quite obviously from the king's court.
Recovering from the initial shock, Allen asked, "How may I help you gentlemen?"
"Please allow us to come in, there is an announcement from his royal highness and we wish to speak to the lady of the house." one of them said snootily to Allen.
"Oh, very well, please come with me." Allen opened the door wider for them to come in and lead them to the good living room. 'what the heck does the king want to announce to us?' she wondered for a moment before going to fetch her step mother.
--
"A ball?" Allen asked and the snooty messenger sent her a sour look.
"Yes. A ball to find a wife for the grandson of his royal highness, the king. All maidens are invited, even your sort servant girl, as long as you have something suitable to wear of course. The gentlemen here are also invited, as if there were only girls, and the prince, not many girls would get the chance to dance, and it wouldn't be much of a ball."
"Well, that does sound like fun!" Allen clasped her hands together happily "I hope I am able to go!" she said wistfully. Cross smiled a devious smile before regarding the messengers with the up most respect and courtesy.
"Thank you very much for taking the time to come to our home gentlemen, we will do our best to go to the ball." she bowed and the messengers took their leave.
"Oh! A ball! A ball! It sounds like such fun! I hope Lenalee is going! We can help each other get ready and go together and have such a good time!" Allen was practically bouncing about her two older step brothers, "Are you two going to go? Well, you should it would give you the chance to meet some nice girls. Although I don't think that there is much hope for Kanda, he is such a sour puss." she giggled before rushing to her room to get ready for bed.
"Well, that was…" Tyki looked for the right word.
"Weird." Kanda supplied.
"Interesting." Tyki shot a look at his brother, who shrugged.
"What will be most interesting will be to see how she acquires a dress for the event. I will work her so hard that she wont have time to buy or make one." Cross grinned evilly and both brothers shuddered at their mothers dark aura.
--
Finally the day of the ball came, and Allen rushed around, helping her brothers to get ready. She had to hurry and get them ready early enough that she could go and buy the simple yet beautiful dress she had put on hold at the local dress shop for the occasion. Allen had promised another servant girl, Lenalee, that they would go together.
"Master! I'm stepping out for a moment!" Allen called as she left the house and ran to the shop at a break neck pace. Allen burst into the shop, handed over the money she had gambled for (or taken out of the money she had gambled for Cross) and took the dress back home.
Cross was waiting for her when she arrived.
"Hello Allen dear. What do you have there?" she asked in a silky voice. Allen's radars were instantly on high alert as she eyed her step mother suspiciously.
"My dress for the ball master." Allen replied curtly.
"And just how did you get the money for it my dear?" Cross asked, her smile widening.
"I-I've been saving since before I found out about the ball, in case I needed the money for something." Allen lied quickly.
"So, some of the money you were to be giving to me, you kept for yourself?" Cross asked and Allen's eyes widened.
"So that means you bought that dress using my money. Making it mine." Cross leered at the girl and ripped the dress from her hands.
"Wha- what?! But, but I- I worked for that money! You have no right to it!" Allen cried reaching for the dress.
"Tut, tut Allen dear, this is my dress. Now go, we're heading off to the ball. You do not have anything appropriate to wear, so you shall stay here." Cross smiled as the white haired girl's eyes filled with tears.
"Your so cruel." she whispered, and walked dejectedly up to her room.
"Allen!" Lenalee, a young servant of Chinese origin who had befriended Allen ran over to her. "Allen! That was a horrible thing for Cross to do, I'm sorry! I will stay here with you, so you wont be lonely!"
"No Lenalee, you should go. I'll be fine. Go, have fun. You have a dress, so you deserve to go you work your self too hard sometime, please go and have fun without me." Allen brushed the older girl off and walked into her room alone, shutting the door behind her.
"Are you sure Allen?" Lenalee asked through the door.
"Yes. Please Lenalee, go."
"…A-Alright… I will tell you everything that happened when I get back."
"Thank you Lenalee."
Allen watched as the carriage containing her step family and servant friends rode off in the direction of the castle, before running out of her room about into the garden. Collapsing on her favourite bench, Allen sobbed her heart out. She had been so excited, going to a ball, having fun, not having to worry about chores for one night, it had seemed too good to be true, and it had been. Cross had stolen that little bit of happiness from her.
As Allen sobbed she didn't notice the strange glittering blue fog that was swirling its way toward her. There was a sudden flash of light and Allen looked up in surprise.
"W-who are you?"
--
Yay! Chapter one done! I don't think that this will be a very long story, probably 3-4 chapters. I just needed to write something unrelated to "lost clown" to blow off some steam, and try and kick this writers block!
Hope you all like this!
Allen: I guess I don't make that bad of a girl, but I mean… what the crap!?
Lavi: Awww Allen, you make a pretty girl!
Kanda, Allen and Nella: -silence as a lone tumbleweed blows by-
Lavi: what?
Everyone but Lavi: PLEASE REVIEW!