This started out being a modern day fiction. Then it gradually changed to this. Lord, I am hopeless. Anyways, this is multi-chapter and will be updated on a horribly irregular basis. Expect chapter two sometime by next week or next month. By the way, this is semi-AU and takes place in the future (in case you haven't figured that out already), so the couple's ages are as such:
David: 19
Lenalee: 18
And neither of them really recognize each other in the masks (part of my horrible scheme), so this is why only on the battlefield do they know each other, since Lenalee's never seen David's human form before (actually, we haven't either, but ignore that). Their characters are also different because they're older, and definitely going to change. And I apologize for the horrible fighting scene. I'm not too good at writing those kinds of things, so bear with me. The issue of Jasdero will be explained later on in the story and how David is still alive and breathing without him.
No flaming about the pairing(s) here. I say this all the time, but I can't emphasize it more if I wanted too. If you don't like it, don't read it. Enough said.
Enjoy!
"It's kind of awkward in here," Lenalee whispered, clutching Lavi's arm desperately, teetering in her slim high heels and almost tripping over her flowing blue ball gown. Reaching up with her spare arm, she adjusted the shimmering black mask adorning her eyes. "Are you sure this is the Noah's residency?"
"Positive," he mumbled back, grinning at her. His own navy blue mask shone in the light of the street lamps around them. "Don't worry Lenalee. Just find a Noah here and try to wheedle some information out of him, that's all. I'm sure you'll be great."
She smiled slightly, not sure how to take that last comment. "Thanks Lavi. You too." Letting go of his arm, she walked forward hesitantly before starting smoothly into a careful walk up to pavement leading to the giant archway into the mansion.
When she entered the mansion, she almost fell back. Everything was bright, sparkling even. The large crystal chandelier hung directly in the center of the ceiling, unmoving like a sculpture. Colorful dresses and suits suiting women and men alike swirled across the room, their masks shimmering in the light.
It was breathtaking.
"It's amazing in here," Lavi exclaimed, ignoring the stares as he strode up behind Lenalee.
"I know."
They spread out. Lenalee headed towards the tables lined with bowls of food and drink while Lavi sped over to a group of young ladies, charming smile switched to on. She daintily picked up a roll and popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Wow. Even their food was great.
She looked around, carefully analyzing her situation. It had been two years since the Lulu Bell incident, and none of them had heard or seen the Noah ever since. Now it was different. A finder had gathered that, supposedly, quite a few Noah would be attending this party, hidden behind masks of their own and guised as normal humans. She was supposed to grab some information from them inconspicuously, and then slip out as fast as she could. Lavi would do the same.
Lenalee frowned slightly. There was one tiny problem. If so many Noah were to attend, then why didn't she see any? They were usually easier to spot out than normal humans, being that their level of attractiveness seemed to be much higher than an average human.
"Hey," a voice breathed into her ear.
She almost jumped out of her high-heels. Her head turned slightly.
A boy perhaps a year older stood in front of her, his mop of black hair going down to the nape of his neck. His pale skin contrasted with the black tux he was currently dressed in, and his mouth was twisted into a tiny smile. The mask he was wearing was white, beautiful in the chandelier's lighting. Her eyes flickered to the white bandages tightly wrapped around his left arm. For some reason, he looked and sounded distinctly familiar. She just couldn't place it.
"You having fun?" he snickered.
She scowled. "I was. Until you interrupted my thoughts."
"You were thinking? I just thought you were stuffing your face."
Lenalee almost blanched. Luckily, she didn't. It would be much too unladylike if she did. "I am not stuffing my face," she said once she had grasped her self-control. "I am just waiting for someone to ask me to dance. After all, it is the gentleman's courtesy to ask. Not that you would know. You're too much of a child to even realize that." Then, turning her nose up, she swiveled away from him and faced the crowd, resolutely staring at the dancing figures.
She didn't know why he still stood right behind her, even five minutes later. She was dying to ask why. However, she was not going to give in and talk to him, that—that—
That rude, insufferable, boy!
Finally, to her great surprise, he sighed grumpily and muttered, "Alright, alright, I'm sorry, okay? Don't act so—"
"So what?" Her voice was low and threatening. The boy's face twisted into an indignant expression.
"Like that! All twisted up and stuff."
"Twisted up? Twisted up?" Her voice rose to a high pitched shriek, and about ten people turned to look at them questioningly, including Lavi, who gave her a warning look before going back to talk to a pretty young woman behind a crimson mask.
"I said I was sorry!" He shuffled his feet a bit, his cheeks flushed with frustration and a bit of embarrassment. "Look, do you—"
"Do I what?"
He took another breath and smirked at her, flush gone from his face. "Do you want to dance?"
She was taken aback and just stared at him, sure that she had heard him wrong. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Are you deaf or something? Do you want to dance?"
"So let me get this straight. First you come over here, telling me that I look like I'm stuffing my face. Then, you tell me I'm 'twisted up'—"
"I apologized first!"
"It doesn't matter! If you want to ask a girl to dance, you have to be nice about it." She turned away sharply and began to stride away from him, ignoring the fact that she was still off-balance on her high heels. Unfortunately, this fact caused her ankle to flip over onto the side and she began to plummet towards the tile floor.
A hand slipped to her side and held her up while the boy smirked at her. "Now will you dance with me?" He looked so smug and charming at the same time that it was hard to believe he was the same boy as before.
She only gaped at him before she sighed and obliged, allowing him to push her back on her feet and lead her into the dance floor. Now that she owed him, she might as well do the thing he was asking for in the first place. It was only common courtesy.
Two minutes later, they were swaying to the music, with Lenalee trying her best to dance in high heels and the boy trying his best not to expose his two left feet. It wasn't working for either of them, and soon they were both snickering with amusement. This boy, Lenalee thought, isn't actually so bad.
"So you're a member of the Camelot family?" she asked.
"Yeah. My family's insane though." She laughed. "I'm serious! They're always making a big deal about a whole ton of things, and my dad's always doting on my little sister. My uncle's almost never around, and my other relatives are just as crazy." He gave her a small grin. "Political families aren't always as stable as they appear, you know."
"That's nothing compared to my older brother. He's always inventing robots and obsessing over me. He's very lazy, and almost gets no work done even when it's due the next morning."
"What's his job?"
"He's a scientist."
The boy made a face. "Sounds boring."
"Oh, it is."
He laughed this time, and they continued swaying to the music in silence.
"So, I haven't heard your name yet," Lenalee said casually.
"And?"
"Gentleman's courtesy, remember?"
"Right." He leaned a close to her ear, breath ghosting over the tip of her ear. She shivered slightly. "The name's David. And you?"
That name was familiar as well. However, she shook off the feeling. Lots of people had the name David, right? She smiled, leaning forward as well till her lips brushed his ear. "Lenalee."
David drew back a little to look at her, looking puzzled. "Really? That name sounds familiar." He studied the visible part of her face. "Have I met you before?"
"I don't know. I can't place you either."
For a while they stared at each other, unsure of what to make of the other.
The music stopped and so did they, still staring at each other in the center of the room.
"Sir Camelot!"
The two of them started, David turning towards the source of the voice. A tall man with a professional grace about him was headed towards them, his eyes covered in a auburn mask. His long dark hair fell around him in waves, and his hands were gloved, unlike David's. Otherwise, he was in the exact same attire as David.
Lenalee was suddenly overwhelmed by the sense of déjà vu. She knew that man sounded almost as familiar as David, but why? Why was he so familiar?
"Yes?" David looked irked. "What is it?"
"Your father requests you in the hall immediately. You must go." The man turned his face towards Lenalee, to which she stared back unflinchingly. "Am I interrupting something?" An amused smile played on the man's lips.
"Yes, you are," David growled, and muttered something that Lenalee didn't catch before letting go of her. "I'm sorry Lenalee, I have to go."
She smiled, hiding her disappointment inside her chest. "It's fine."
Glancing behind him one last time at her, he walked over to where the man was waiting for him, and he headed into a doorway into which he disappeared. All the while she continued to stare at his back, still smiling.
"Lenalee!" She almost jumped out of her heels again, and swiveled around. Thank goodness it was just Lavi—otherwise, she would have been horribly mortified.
"What is it Lavi?"
"We have to get moving. There are two Akuma outside waiting for us—Level Threes."
Her heart stopped. Then, she set her face into a determined look. "Right. I'll go change."
Lavi nodded, and they each headed towards the washrooms.
---
David sighed as he slumped into one of the chairs seated around his supposed 'father'. "What the hell is this about?" he grumbled, peeling off his mask, revealing deep navy-blue eyes that swiftly changed to gold as he changed into his Noah form, black crosses splitting across his forehead. "I was in the middle of something."
"Like flirting with girls?" Tyki snorted, pulling off his own mask after taking a seat beside David. "Though I swear, I've never seen you even touch a girl before. It's rather frightening. I always thought that you swung the other way because of that."
"Shut up Tyki!" David snapped, throwing a nasty look his way. "At least I'm not almost thirty and dry like a well!"
Tyki's eye twitched as he glared at David with irritation. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by his elder brother.
"Really? David was with a girl?" Cyril looked positively elated at the prospect. "My dear boy, this is fantastic! A revelation not yet seen by mankind! You're growing up!" He sniffled slightly. Was that a tear in his eye? David hoped not. "If only Skin and Jasdero had lived to see this day."
"Cyril…" Road said warningly as David visibly stiffened in his chair at the mention of Jasdero.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to strike a nerve." He settled back into his chair. "On to the main subject. I have received word from the Duke."
Immediately everyone became alert and swiveled their eyes towards Cyril. "What did he say?" Lulu Bell asked, voice anxious. "How is he?"
"He says he's doing fine," Cyril said reassuringly, "And that he has a mission for us."
"A mission?" David scowled, pulling his legs up onto the table despite Road frowning at him disapprovingly. "What kind of mission?"
Cyril folded his hands under his chin, which everyone recognized as the sign that showed he was about to say something big or detrimental to their futures. They all gulped in slight panic. "The kind of mission which involves the exorcists."
David groaned. "Not those bastards again. We've been rid of them for two years, can't we just get on with life?"
"The Duke has requested this mission specifically. We are to seek out the exorcists and destroy them, especially the ones who have become most lethal." Cyril then pulled out a list from his pocket. "These are the ones he especially wants us to kill." He began to read. "Allen Walker—"
"I want Allen!" Road called out, raising her hand high in the air.
Cyril scowled slightly. David could practically see his 'Papa Antenna' sticking out from his forehead, detecting the hints of affection Road was giving towards that Allen boy. "Yes, well, you may have him, Road. Continuing on." He glanced at the list again and continued reading. "Kanda Yu, Bookman Junior, Chaoji Han, Arystar Krory, Miranda Lotto, and—" He stopped, squinting at the page hard. "I cannot read this name, but I can tell it's female and Asian. Go with that."
"I will take the Bookman Junior," Lulu Bell said softly, her eyes glinting. "And the Japanese boy as well."
"I'll take Miranda too!" Road chirped, her expression ecstatic. "I haven't seen her since her invocation! I want to talk to her again."
"Alright. That leaves Chaoji Han, Arystar Krory, and the Asian girl." He looked up. "Tyki, David, take your pick."
"What about you, Cyril?" Tyki laughed. "Are you just going to slack off and do nothing?"
Cyril looked offended. "I have a country to run. I can't afford to go out on missions. My part is just as important as yours, little brother. Now pick."
"I'll take Chaoji and Arystar," Tyki sighed, leaning back in his chair. "David can have the Asian girl."
David grumbled. "You're taking all the fun away, Tyki."
"Hey, less work for you, am I right? And besides, you don't have a problem with killing girls like I do. It's perfect."
David scowl deepened, and Cyril laughed. "All right then, good. Everything is settled. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to call an end to this banquet." He turned to leave the room, but then stopped. "Oh, that reminds me. Outside, the Duke has stationed two Level Threes. That ought to bring out some of your targets. Good luck!" And then he left.
The remaining Noahs crossed their way to the window. Sure enough, there were two Level Three's outside in the garden, already in the middle of battle with two exorcists—a red head with a giant hammer in his hands and a small Asian girl with a pair of dark black boots wrapped around her.
David and Lulu Bell looked at each other, nodded, and then raced off to join the battle.
---
Lenalee quickly shot towards the Level Three. With a sickening crack of its helmet, the tips of her boots went straight through its head, and it dissolved into nothing.
She sighed, breathing in and out before checking to see if Lavi was all right. Fortunately he was, just finishing off his Akuma.
"All right," she breathed, once he turned towards her. "Let's go ho—"
Suddenly, she felt a dark shadow cast behind her, and she spun around, only to leap away as a boy crashed into the place where she just was. She gasped as his face registered in her mind.
He's one of those twins that Krory fought back at the Ark! There was something missing though. Something important.
Then it hit her. Where was his twin?
He grinned and pointed his gun at her head. "Red bomb! Blazing inferno!" He pulled the trigger, and a giant fireball went sailing for her head.
She quickly dodged, then landed neatly on the gate. She could see through the giant glass window that all the guests were leaving the party through the other door. Good, she thought. There will be no casualties that way.
"Why have you come back?" Lavi shouted, pulling up on the gate next to her. "Why are you here, of all places?"
The woman pulled up next to the boy and coolly stated, "That is none of your business." Then, she lunged forward and kicked Lavi straight in the gut, sending him over the gate. Lenalee was about to follow, but was stopped in her path by the boy, who skidded in front of her, golden eyes glinting with malice. "You're mine," he snarled, voice rough and far more adult then the last time she had seen him.
She kicked off and sailed for the sky, the boy watching from below carefully. Then, she sailed downwards and smashed her boots into the gate, missing the boy by bare inches.
Lenalee swiveled to face him and was about to attack again when Lavi managed to grab her arm and race away. "We have to go," he hissed, ignoring the Noah's bemusement.
"Why?" she exclaimed. "Lavi, we don't have to run."
"Yes, we do. If we don't we're screwed. Don't you get it Lenalee? We just battled two Level Threes. We're in no condition to be fighting Noahs." He turned to face her, his complexion pale. Beneath the surface, Lenalee could see that he'd come far from an eighteen-year-old boy with silly thoughts in his head. "We have to go back and recuperate."
She sighed, and fell into step behind him. She was tired, after all. It couldn't hurt. "All right Lavi. Let's go home."
---
Lulu Bell and David stared after the two exorcists, slightly irritated.
"Who the hell do they think they are?" David growled, fingering the trigger. He hadn't had a good fight for years, and his blood was already soaring and screaming to kill the innocence. This was usually a sign for him to continue on.
"Obviously, they think they're exorcists," Lulu Bell said crudely, standing erect and imposingly. "We will let them go this time. However, if they attempt to escape us again after this, we will kill them. Is that an agreement, Jasdevi?"
David almost flinched at the familiar name, though he managed to contain himself. It was only natural that she would call him that—after all, he was still a half of that person that once was. Unconsciously, he touched the holster on his belt as an image of Jasdero flashed before his eyes. His fingers tightened on the trigger, and he grinned sadistically.
"Yeah."
