Florian on opium, Florain on opium. The thoughts that had not left Noir since it had been brought to his attention by Laila, who had noticed the sweet and very deadly fragrance clinging to Florian.
"Go and see for yourself and hurry before it's to late." she had said
So he had, almost four hours ago and he was yet to come across Florian either in his room or out in the courtyard or any of his usual haunts, which were few.
Florian on opium, a very worry thought, a very very worrying thought indeed.
When questioned none of the men that Noir had brought with him from Paris had seen him either, neither had little Noel who complain bitterly about Florian breaking a promise after promise to him since they had arrived . Noir bit his bottom lip and returned to his men to set up search parties that would go and scout different parts of the city knowing full well that Folrain was prone to get a little lost now and the then.
"What is all the fuss about Ray?" asked Azura padding barefoot into the room arms folded and using Noir's
alias.
" I'm sorry to disturb your home Azura," replied Noir " But we are out looking for Florian, you haven't seen him have you?"
"Florian" Azura repeated as if he hadn't a clue who Florian was, he thought for a moment before answering.
" I believe he stepped out to go exploring, the city can be a quiet fascinating for foreigners."
A small glimmer of hope filled Noir, if Folrain was in the city then at least one of the search parties would find him.
"Did he say how long he would be?" he asked
Azura shook his head causing a few strand of white hair to fall in front of his god eye.
"No he didn't but I am sure he will be back before night fall, it is not wise for foreigners to be out at night, especially a beauty like Florian."
" What do you mean by that remark." Noir demanded is wasn't the fact Azura had said it but more of the way he said it, like a larger predator toying with it's pray.
"Nothing my dear friend," said Azura putting up his hands in a calming manner " I simply mean that there are certain types of m… people who might take an uncanny shine to your friend."
"Oh." replied Noir " Then I apologise I am a little worried for him that's all."
Azura smiled and placed a hand on Noir's shoulder giving it a little squeeze.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Noir shock his head " No I'm just a bit… concerned."
" Don't worry I am sure he will turn up, now if you will excuse me I have a very important matter that need attention to."
He turned on his heels and disappeared back the way he had come.
Azura dropped the goodie goodie act and turned into the villain he was once he was out of Noir's sight . He plans to get back at Ray after so many years had developed faster then he thought, and part of it was all thanks to the blonde hair, purple eyed boy that had fallen into his lap and under his spell so easily. It was time to begin the final stages of his plan.
When he entered his room he was greeted with the sweet smell and laid in a drugged stupor on the bed was Florian.
"Really, I can't leave you alone for a minute." said Azura in mixture of pity and scorn tone of voice.
He sat down by Florian's side and reached over to take the pipe out of Florian's limp hand.
Florian made a soft displeasing moan and pulled the pipe closer to his chest in an attempt to keep hold of it but Azura slapped his hands away and took if from him.
" Now," he said brushing the limp, tussled hair out Florian's sweat damp face and lent closer so that he could whisper in Florian's ear "Your time here is at an end, you no longer fit into my plans, so."
He latched onto Florian's upper arm and hurled him into a sitting position.
"No no." he said when Florian tried to push him away and lay back down "Time for you leave."
Once Florian was dress Azura got two of his men to take him out the back way and dump him somewhere.
The two man half carried and half dragged Florian, nobody paid any attention to them down through the streets and into the back alleys
"Here." said one, the other nodded in agreement and they simply let go of Florian causing him to hit the ground hard on his left side, they heard something creak sounding like it came his arm or wrist but the boy didn't scream, probably cause by the vast amounts of opium he had.
The two men chuckled evilly to them selves as the spat at the wrack on the ground and turned to leave.
Florian didn't know how long he had laid there in the dust an dirty but he finally managed to pull himself up with a little help from a near by wall unware of the damage done to his left wrist when Azura goons dropped him. He swayed, closing his eyes a moment to stop it before opening them and slowly began to move along the wall.
He had no idea where he was or where he was going, all he knew was that he had to find Noir and warn him about something that was important, except for he couldn't remember where Noir was or what it was that he had to tell him.
Damn this drug his clouded mine told him but at the mention of the opium his heart began to race, opium, his new love he had lost his only means of getting it and thought of not getting some caused his heart to race even faster till he was sure it was going to burst it's way out of his chest. He collapsed onto all four and throw up what little food he had eating that morning. He laid there drenched in sweat that he didn't see one of Azura's goons retuning dagger in hand till it was too late.
Meanwhile back at Azura's home Noir was locked in a life or death struggle with Azura.