As she inched towards the earth, she couldn't hear anything but the sound of laughing...laughing. Someone was laughing as she plummeted. Laughing at her. How cruel. But was it really that funny? Is shoving someone off a building that great? As she prepared to hit the wet cobblestone below, she felt two arms grabbing her by the torso, and with that, she was gently floating. Either she really was drunk, or she was dead. The manic laughing now right up against her back. Who ever was holding her lept bringing the sensation of falling back into her stomach. Landing on the wet cobblestone and slipping, Lisanna was flung into the air.

Her body bounced off the ground before settling across the street. She watched the remainder of the building fall in on itself. The adrenaline beginning to settle, setting her exhaustion deep into her bones. As she stared at it, the laughing again started. Looking around, she didn't see anything. The laughing was echoing off the buildings. She was too exhausted to stand and merely looked around like a lost pup in the rain. Lightning flashed and again, she saw a figure standing in the rain to her left about a hundred yards away. Gods she was going to be sick. Unable to make out any features. It just stood there. With the remaining energy she had left, she screamed ,"What do you want?!". Her heart pounding hard as the figure took a step towards her. "If we're bein' honest, I'd like to know what the fuck you're doing out here". Completely caught off guard, Lisanna turned to her right to face Bickslow. She could feel the heat off of him. He certainly lacked the concept of personal space.

"I just...I just felt like running I guess". She looked curiously at him. His face obstructed by his helmet. "Do you now?". His wide grin changing into a deep frown. For a split second his eyes flashed a bright green. Lisanna closed her eyes tight. The brightness blinding her temporarily. She felt her left shoulder being nudged rather gently. She cracked her eyes to see Pappa bumping her. Making eye contact with the little totem, it angled slightly to meet her gaze. "No wrinkles!" the totem exclaimed. Smiling slightly, she looked to see if the figure she'd seen was still there. It was gone. Looking back at Bickslow, she suddenly yelled,"Why the hell did you push me?! I could have died you moron!" A bit caught off guard by the comment, he retorted,"I didn't push you. I guided you off since, ya know, you were just standing there looking stupid". He wasn't wrong. She knew he wasn't wrong, but something about that statement just sparked a tiny bit of rage in her. A wide smile made it's way across Bickslow's face as his tongue rolled out of his mouth. His totems now all acting as small children would, splashing in the puddles, chasing each other, and giggling shouting "Stupid stupid stupid!".

She attempted to hit him across the face. Tried with all her might. Unfortunately, sitting there had completely drained her, reminding her body of just how exhausted it was. With no more adrenaline coarsing through her, she felt like she weighed a tonne. Her body sank heavily into the hard cobblestone. She couldn't lift a muscle even if she tried. With a sigh, Bickslow laid down beside her on the ground. As they both stare up at the sky, pouring rain hitting their faces, he laughed. "Well, this is a first". Looking over to him, Lisanna didn't understand what he meant. "What? Pushing someone off a building?." His smile widened as he turned to face her. "Nah. Having a wet, breathless girl next to me, and not being the reason for it". With that snarky little remark, Lisanna was able to heave her left arm over to him and land a solid, albeit completely weak, punch. Had he not been wearing his helmet, her punch would have landed square between his eyes. The pathetic motion brought him back to that manic laughing as he kicked up to his feet.

The storm had paused temporarily and the fog rolled in as Bickslow carried Lisanna down the streets. He wasn't keen on letting anything that wasn't his babies ride piggyback on him, but given the state of her body, he knew she wouldn't be walking at all for the night. She probably wouldn't be walking much tomorrow either. "So look sweet cheeks, I'm all for carrying you home, but I have no intentions on walking in on half my team bangin' your siblings with you looking half dead. You know how that makes a gentleman like myself look?" She was only a little bit stunned at his remark. She knew about Ever and Elfman, but Mira too? "With that said, I'm going to my place. We should get you checked out." He wasn't wrong. Her body ached, and slowly but surely, the pain of her injuries were throbbing. Thank the gods she can maintain a tough front.

"Were you following me the whole time?" she asked him, genuinely curious. "Mmm yeah. I just love following pretty girls around in the dark. Really gets me off." His totems began zooming around screeching "Gets me off!" She lifted her head off his shoulder."I'm serious Bickslow. How did you know I was there." He paused momentarily before he continued his march towards his home. "When you see a friend running like a bat out of hell, especially after being a bit...odd earlier that night, you tend to follow." That was a good enough answer as far as she was concerned. She wouldn't admit it outloud, but she was truly was grateful that he was there. Even if his idea of help, was a bit on the unorthodox side. Thinking back on it, she didn't really understand why she did what she did either. Yes her feelings and creeping depression were getting to her, but never has she ever had a reaction quite like today. Normally, a quick cry or some silence alone at home was enough. Maybe even a walk around. Never a sprint to what could have easily been her death.

As they continued on towards his home, the storm had reawakened itself. It was angrier than before. Lightning crackling much closer and far louder than before. "Hold on tight there sweet cheeks. I ain't got any intentions on getting hit by lightning again". She pondered the thought for a moment, realizing that Laxus must have hit him with a bolt before. She tightened her grip around his neck causing him to cough. "I said hold on tight, not 'please remove the blood flow and oxygen to my head'". She giggled a bit before correcting her grip. As soon as she did, they were off. She'd known that the Seith was a nimble thing, but had no idea that he could move so effortlessly, let alone effortlessly with her extra weight. It really was quite amazing to feel. Despite being fully clothed, she could feel that his muscles were hardly straining at the leaps and bounds, totems acting as steps for him to land on. With not even the slightest of issues, they made across the buildings of Magnolia.

Had they not known any better, both of them would have sworn the lightning was after them. It spanned the sky like roots, grabbing hold of every cloud in it's wake. Nearby, a single bolt hit a lamp post. Lisanna could swear she saw a figure standing in the shadows created by the bolt as the bulb in the post exploded outward, sending a wave a nausea through her. She could have sworn she saw a burst of green light. Both Lisanna and Bickslow could feel the static from the bolt. The sensation causing Bickslow to laugh as though taunting the sky to try harder. She genuinely believed he was playing a game against the sky as he laughed and began leaping higher into the air. His babies in line with him giggling with him the whole way. "Almost home!"

They fast approached a building. With a swift, yet elegant motion, they had landed on the back porch of a rather insignificant looking home. Although, compared to her own home, most homes appeared that way. The totems opened the doors with relative ease. Clearly this is something they were accustomed to doing. As they entered his home, Lisanna was immediately struck with a familiar scent. Frankincense. Faintly, she could also smell sage and lavender. Talisman lined several areas in his living room. Some in recognizable languages, others merely as pictures. The deep copper coloring of the walls in the living room contrasting against the white furnishings. She noticed a shelf lined with tomes, books, bones, and jars. Jars that contained brightly colored orbs. Souls perhaps? All of his totems had arranged themselves on a top shelf that was clearly meant for them. Giggling happily before going silent. All around the room, were candles. All of which adorned different symbols and colors. The air in the room feeling very light.

As gently as he could, Bickslow lowered her onto his sofa. "Stay here for a minute. I need to grab somethings". She lay there. Noticing immediately that his ceiling was light blue. She knew the man was strange but clearly, CLEARLY, he lacked any sense color coordination. She realized his sofa must get a lot of use as she sunk comfortably into it. When he came back out of his bedroom, Lisanna noticed that he had removed his helmet and all of his other clothing. He was wearing some sweats and t-shirt, towel slung lazily across his shoulder. Hair in complete disarray. In one hand, he held a shirt, in the other, a medical kit. "Alright there sweet cheeks. I'm gonna need you to take off your clothes". "EXCUSE ME?!" Did he really just say that? Walking over to her and placing a hand under her chin, he placed his face less than a breaths distance away. "You're clothes are wet. They're gonna ruin my couch. Take 'em off." Her face now beet red, realized that, although rude, he wasn't exactly wrong. "Aren't you going to look away pervert?" she snapped at him, realizing his eyes were fairly glued to her. "NOPE". He smiled as his tongue fell out of his mouth, tossing the towel and shirt towards her.

"Ugh. Creep" Lisanna stated. Just because he was helping her out, doesn't mean he gets to look. She delicately dried herself off as much as possible, before placing the dry garmet over her head and very carefully, removed every article of her own clothing underneath. Perks of being a female. You learn to undress underneath clothing, although she felt a little exposed due to the lack of undergarmets. "Mmkay. That's bullshit...lay back down" the Seith pouted annoyed at his lack of a view realizing that his shirt fit her like a dress, and that he probably should have picked a smaller one. Carefully, he cleaned her fingers up. The bruising would be pretty evident in the morning. She had managed to shred a couple nails off which may or may not disappoint her later, and one of her palms was shredded heavily. Her arms scratched and elbows badly bruised. Wrapping everything carefully, he worked his way down to her legs. Her knees looks trashed. Bruised and skinned. She'll definitely be hobbling about for a little while. He could see the swelling from her shin splints beginning to form, and the rolled ankles bruising. Scratches and cuts riddling much of her exposed skin. "Sweet cheeks, you really did a number here". As she rose onto her elbows ignoring the shots of pain, she was immediately halted by his hand, pushing her back down.

She wasn't entirely comfortable having someone check her wounds, let alone letting one of the biggest pervs in the guild. But honestly, what choice did she really have. Her body was slowing beginning to scream at her for everything that had happened in the hours prior to. She could feel the pain now. As her mind wandered back to what happened at that building, the figure standing there, she felt a hand slowly creep up her inner leg. "What the hell are you doing?!" she shouted as she used her newly wrapped hands to push him away, only able to support her weight with her elbows. The Seith let a devilish smile creep across his face. Just as quickly as ever, he was on top of her. Face creeping closer and closer to hers. Using his body weight,he pressed her torso back down onto the couch. Using his legs, he was able to spread hers wide. His forehead now pressed against hers amber eyes staring straight into hers, he pressed his hips into hers and he again, slowly moved his hand up her leg. Her breathing stopped as he came closer and closer to her core. Just as her heart nearly exploded from her chest, her leg stung. The disinfectant not exactly being the thing she was expecting to feel. "You have a pretty nasty cut sweet cheeks. Just wanted to get it cleaned up for ya." His laugh now breaking the silence and tension he just created. "You're an asshole" she murmured to herself. "Oh now did little Lissy want something more? I've never done it with a beat the fuck up girl before. Wait...I lied. I've never done it with a beat the fuck up girl with short hair before. Wait..." before he could finish, Lisanna threw a wet shirt at him. The gesture earning her no more than a hanging tongue and smile.

The storm outside continued to rage. Lightning flashing across the sky. Even in a semi-well lit room, it made the shadows dance. With his help, Lisanna was able to sit up. Gazing around at Bickslow's living room. The more she looked around the more oddities she saw. Amoung those oddities, glowing jars. "Soo...hungry.." she heard Bickslow grumble. "I'll be right back. You want anything?" She pondered the thought for a moment before simply stating,"Tea and if you have any, maybe some fruit?" As he walked off, Lisanna couldn't help but notice his mannerisms. Walking through his own home, he looked more like a madman. Frowning in some directions and smiling and laughing in others before disappearing behind a small curtain. The sounds of a fridge and pantry openning and the clanging of pots being the only sounds throughout the inside of the home.

The living room slowly filled with the smell of strong herbs, and shortly after, Bickslow returned to the living room, food and drink in tow. He sat across from her on a meditation mat. His eyes closed as he ate what looked to be wild greens and drank his tea. Lisanna drank her tea. It was very herbal. A bit strong for her tastes. "Is this medicinal tea, Bickslow?" she asked as she took another sip, cringing a bit before quickly taking a bit into the orange slices he'd brought her. "...have you seen the condition you're in there sweet cheeks?" he chuckled taking a sip of tea as well. "Actually no, I really haven't. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?". With the slightest of hesitation, he stood up. Helping her stand, he gently supported her weight as they started walking towards the restroom. His home was relatively small. Definitely a good home for a bachelor. As they slowly made their way out of the living room, they entered a hallway. At the end of the hall was his bedroom. The smells of oils, strongest from there. Beyond that, a small door which must have been the bathroom. As they continued down the short hall, they passed a door on the right. "What's this door go to?" she asked. "Goes to a basement". Upon entering his bedroom, the air immediately felt much more dense. Like sitting under a heavy, yet comforting blanket. She could have fallen asleep right there. It was entirely too dark for her to make out any real features of his bedroom...not that she honestly cared(or so she told herself)

"Okay sweet cheeks. Bathroom. Use it as you please...or don't. Leave the curtain on the mirror though please and thank you." "How am I supposed to see anything then?" Bickslow shrugged and smiled before shutting the door. She heard him exit the other room entirely. Standing annoyed for a moment, Lisanna lightly supported herself against the counter, better able to see the wounds she received. She hissed a bit looking at them. As she looked at her hands, she heard an airy whisper from the mirror. She couldn't make out exactly what it was saying, but it sounded like a conversation between a woman and a man. There was no breeze in the bathroom, but she could clearly see the curtain gently rising and falling off the mirror as though it were breathing. She stood back for a moment, trying to make sure she wasn't hallucinating, but also attempting to make sure the Seith wasn't around. A quick glimpse of the room, confirming that he decorates everything similarly. Candles, talisman, jars, orbs, bones. She looked up again, only to notice that blue ceiling. "What a weirdo" she thought to herself.

Focusing back on the covered mirror, she noticed the whispering had stopped. Whether out of sheer curiosity, or absolute idiocy, she gently lifted the bottom corner of the curtain. Peering into the small exposed area, she saw nothing but herself. She lifted up more of the curtain, nearly exposing the entire mirror, only to be greeted by her own reflection. She laughed a bit. Feelings stupid for even thinking the mirror was an issue. She saw how damaged she looked and sighed. Her sibling were going to kill her. She leaned in closer to the mirror, noticing that she had burst a blood vessel in her eye. "Greeaaat". Calming her nerves, she finished up her business. Arranging the curtains to appear as though she had never even touched them. Trying to think of a way to explain away the situation when the time came.

As she cracked opened the door, Bickslow's bedroom was a lot darker than she had remembered. She reached her hand out to try and find a light switch, only to touch what felt like skin. She opened the door wide to see exactly what she had just touched. The smell of rotting flesh filled her lungs, followed by screaming. What she had thought was merrily a dark room, had turned into dark flesh, rotting off of it's location in the doorway, exposing muscling, veins, pus and bone. Maggots filling the place of skin. The wall pulsating and pounding. Lisanna backed quickly, taking refuge in the bathtub. The pulsing wall dripping pieces of itself upon the area she was just standing. It accumulated quickly, forming it's own type of entity. A writhing body now on the ground. Limbs longer than any mans. Body contorting in inhuman ways. The sounds of bones snapping as it tried futily to crawl towards her. No eyes on this familiar yet horrifying form. Simply empty black holes. When it opened it's mouth, nothing but a whispering, silent scream came out. Jaws opening further than humanly possible. Elongated teeth filling it's mouth. Tongue looking as though it were cut out.

The form reached over the bathtub wall and slowly rose itself over Lisanna. In the background, she could see bright green filling the space. The sounds of a man and woman screaming, and the sounds of burning skin radiating throughout the house. It rotted and fell away as Bickslow entered the room smiling. Muscles tense as he walked quickly towards the form. The form never taking it's gaze off of her, Bickslow walked into the tub with Lisanna. "Pardon me sweet cheeks". He shoved two of his fingers into each eye hole and his thumb into the hissing forms mouth, and casually dragged the creature away from her. Lifting up the curtain, he violently pressed the form back through the mirror. The sound of gurgling now being the only sound in the room, aside from Bickslow laughing. As she stood there stunned at the nightmare that had just unfolded in front of her, Bickslow looked over to her, head cocked to one side. Smiling. Eyes looking absolutely insane, or perhaps normal for him. "C'mon" he said as he outstretched a hand. Visibly shaken, she grabbed on, and he carried her out of the bathroom, back to her place on his sofa.

"What the hell was that Bickslow?" She had seen some nightmares in her time, but nothing quite like that. "I swear all of you guys seem to forget exactly what it is I do. I don't just run around looking attractive ya know". The quiet sound of giggling coming from all of the jars in the house. As he sat back on his rug, back to drinking his tea and enjoying his greens, the lightning had begun to intensify. A flash of lightning streamed across the sky, and in the shadows outside, Lisanna swore she saw a figure standing outside the patio door. The same figure that she had been seeing for the better part of the night. It didn't go unnoticed to Bickslow, as he noticed it as well. Eyes shining green, if only for a second as they shot over to the area outside. He immediately rose to his feet and shut the curtains. Turning back to Lisanna. Standing behind her while she sat, he whispered lowly into her ear, "You and I...we have a lot of talking to do. Your little friend, is hanging around for a reason".

**Please feel free to review! I thoroughly enjoy conversation as well! I will be updating this story slowly but surely!**