Hello Internet! I don't have much to say here. This idea has been floating around in my head for awhile, so I thought I'd try it out. Characters might be a little OOC. I'm not quite sure. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own D. Gray Man
The train whistle let out one final blow to signal its departure. Lenalee watched out the window as a conductor hung off the side of the train to signal someone in the back. The train lurched forward seconds later and she perked up. After a two hour delay, they were finally taking off. This was one mission she was excited to leave for.
Allen let out his fourth sigh in the last thirty minutes. Not that Lenalee would admit to keeping track. The boy had been like this ever since the incident at the rewinding town weeks ago. Ever since they encountered the Noah.
"Are you okay, Allen?" Lenalee already knew the answer, but she wanted to give him a chance to fess up. She possessed a subtlety that her male counterparts often lacked, and it was useful in handling these more sensitive issues. She was suddenly very grateful Kanda had already been on a mission when this one had been assigned.
"I'm fine," Allen answered with a smile that was just a little too tight. Honestly, did he really think that ever worked?
Throwing subtlety out the window, Lenalee grabbed her bag and smacked it down on Allen's head. "We already had this conversation, Allen. You need to trust your friends. That doesn't just mean when we're in battle. Tell me what's wrong."
Allen nervously mumbled his apologies as the bag slipped from his head. He ruffled his hair, flashing an apologetic grin. "I just keep thinking about her..."
So she had been right. It was about the Noah.
"It isn't right," Allen muttered. His eyes gazed out the window but were too blank to be seeing anything. "A human..."
"We'll figure it out later, alright?" Lenalee placed a tender hand on his shoulder. "We're supposed to be having fun this weekend, remember? No more exorcist stuff. Just a normal ball with normal people."
Her words seems to only make him less comfortable. He squirmed in his seat.
Lenalee smiled as an idea hit her. "Allen, do you know how to dance?"
He gave her the most miserable look imaginable. Lenalee broke out in laughter, despite herself. Once she calmed down she took his hand and pulled him off their bench.
"Come on, I'll teach you."
His cheeks flashed a ridiculous shade of red as Lenalee moved his hands to the right position.
"There's not even music," he tried to argue.
"One, two, three," Lenalee began chanting, ignoring his protest. She began to move, forcing him to go along with her. It wasn't exactly a proper waltz, what with her leading, but he was starting to pick it up after a few minutes.
"Don't look down," Lenalee reminded him with a giggle. She really should be nicer, but he was being so cute. It wasn't often Allen could be accused of such things. When he was fighting, he was fierce. When he was eating, he was a monster. And when he played poker... the boy was downright terrifying.
But this, the sweet and naive Allen, was fun to poke fun at.
Lenalee proceeded to drill him on etiquette for the ball while he twirled them around the train car. He knew essentially nothing, which confirmed her suspicion that he had no idea what he was getting himself into.
"How do you know all this stuff?" He complained.
"Books, mostly," she admitted. "Jerry taught me to dance, though. He's very light on his feet." As if to make a point, Allen accidentally stepped on her foot.
The young exorcist apologized profusely, which only made Lenalee laugh more.
"This is going to be a disaster," Allen moaned.
"It's going to be fun," Lenalee insisted. "Beside, you don't have a choice in the matter. We were invited by a very rich supporter of the Order and they want to keep the man in good favor. So you'll smile and follow all the proper etiquette until the night is over."
"Yes, ma'am," Allen said with a smirk.
Lenalee rolled her eyes and released him from his dance lesson. "I, for one, am looking forward to wearing something other than my exorcist uniform out in public. And dancing! I love dancing. And-" Lenalee finally thought of the one thing that might put Allen in a better mood. "You know, Allen, there's usually a lot of food at these sort of things."
His eyes lit up ever so slightly. "Food?"
"All you can eat," she said with a nod. "A feast fit for a king."
The boy was excited now. Lenalee suppressed another giggle, not wanting to deflate him again. She settled for a content smile. This mission was going to be fun. For one night, she wouldn't have to worry about being an exorcist.
Tyki threw himself in the arm chair outside his brother's office. He didn't have the energy to go any further, and the small waiting room was cozy enough.
That is, until Road sauntered in. She leaned across his lap to poke him on the face repeatedly.
"Why do you always look like death when you leave your brother's office?" She asked.
Tyki swatted at her hands but gave up quickly. "Because he is slowly killing me every time he opens his mouth."
"What does he want now?" Road pulled at the skin on his face, moving his mouth in random directions. She pulled both his cheeks back to make him smile and giggled at the expression.
Tyki grabbed her wrists and held her fingers a safe distance away from him. "He wants me to get married."
The girl brightened. "Oh, that sounds like fun!"
"It sounds like a waste of my time." Tyki shoved her off his lap. She hit the floor unceremoniously before jumping back up with cat like reflexes. Her elbows rested on his knees.
"But a wedding would be-"
"I just finished having this conversation," Tyki grumbled. "I'm not having it again."
Road gave her best pouting face, but that only ever worked on Sheryl and the Earl. Tyki couldn't care less if he upset his niece. Well, that wasn't entirely true, but he wasn't about to let anyone in on that secret. He'd become rather fond of the way she clung to him.
Tyki eyed the liquor cabinet across the room. He was far too sober to be talking about marriage.
"Are you supposed to be doing that?" Road asked as he pulled out the most expensive bottle he could find in the cabinet.
"If Sheryl wants to force me to attend another ball, he can at least afford to make the ordeal sufferable." He opened the bottle and took a quick swig of the amber liquid. Oh yes, that was certainly expensive.
"You pick up bad women when you're drunk," Road said with distaste.
Tyki chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Yes, but they're always very easy to get along with."
It was Road's turn to swat at his hand. "You should listen to your brother. Find a pretty woman and get married. The Earl would be happy, too."
Tyki had to take another drink to keep from saying something that would get himself in trouble. What did he care if the Earl was happy? That mad man only cared about him so long as he played the role of a good little solider.
"Shouldn't you be doing your homework?" Tyki asked, hoping to change the subject.
Road was pouting again. "Help me?"
Tyki glanced down at her. Their staring contest didn't last long before he surrendered. She jumped with glee and clung to his back yelling "piggy back!"
Tyki clenched his jaw and submitted to that as well. The first Noah was a force to be reckoned with, and he certainly didn't feel up to the task at the moment. He had to choose his battles carefully.
"Will you be at the ball?" He asked suddenly, a hint of hope in his voice. Road had a way of keeping things interesting.
"Daddy says I'm too young. You should find a pretty girl to talk to, and then marry her. I don't like the women you sneak off with, Tyki."
Tyki smirked. He had quite a reputation with the more... promiscuous women at these events. It had started out as a simple act of rebellion, but had now become a rather fun game to play. Just how many women could he steal off the dance floor in one night? Well, corsets could only come off so fast. Perhaps tonight he would break his record.